Over 150 students have participated in ACT I during the last five years. One of the busiest of all with us has been Josh Deutsch, who just completed eighth grade at Tilford Middle School.  Josh has appeared onstage with us in seven productions and he has contributed to ACT I in countless if not always visible ways.  From acting to set construction to fund raising to blanketing the town with posters, Josh is always there helping.  And his acting roles have been as varied as those of any ACT I member.  Josh began with us as a fifth grader, playing Kurt in The Sound of Music, showing us then that here was a performer to keep an eye on.  He has appeared in musicals, comedies, and dramas, and he has played all types of characters.  He has been a hard-core street thief (Charlie Bates in Oliver!), yet as Whitney Day in Life with Father he spent most of the play practicing his catechism. On stage he has arrested a king as the Constable in The Prince and the Pauper and had a belching contest in How to Eat Like a Child.  As Peter in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, he led a battle against the forces of evil, but his upcoming role is anything but heroic.  Later this month ACT I patrons will see Josh in his most challenging role to date as Hank, the psychotic young arsonist in Marvin’s Room, a role played in the film version of the play by Leonardo diCaprio.

Josh (far right) made his ACT I debut as Kurt in The Sound of Music.

In this dramatic scene from Oliver! in 1997,
Josh as Charlie Bates restrains an angry Artful Dodger (Charlie Vogl).

    Besides performing with ACT I  Josh has appeared in four school productions, most recently as Leonard, the butler in Little Miss Christy. He is a member of the ACT I Youth Board, and last season did technical work for Sleuth. And although it’s a bit unusual to know one’s acting assignments a year in advance, next June Josh will be reprising his role as Whitney Day when ACT I mounts the sequel to Life with Father, the uproarious comedy Life with Mother, our final show of next season.

Here, Josh rehearses a scene from Marvin's Room with fellow cast members Halane Cummings and Linda Radcliffe.

  Josh relaxes at an Oliver! rehearsal.

    Like everyone in ACT I, Josh looks forward to the opening of the Palace Theatre. Josh thinks the theatre is a necessity to ACT I. He feels Vinton needs not only live theatre but also a movie theater. "It will keep kids off the street and give them something to do."
   Josh says ACT I is a big part of his life. "I wouldn't be close to being the person I am today without ACT I.  I wouldn't be as confident in giving speeches or even speaking to the class if not for ACT I.  Theatre is a great thing for people to do. The thing about doing theatre that I like the most is the curtain call. Not because the show is over, but because you see that those weeks that you put into the show are appreciated.  My favorite curtain calls would have to be the ones for ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ The people just loved the show and the music just kinda said, "Hey, we're glad you enjoyed yourself and come again."