On Sunday the cast of 23 kids in the "Bugsy Malone Jr." cast completed the sixth of nine performances. There were still some raggedy edges, but over the last three performances - shows four, five and six -- the cast seems to be shaping up and settling in.

On stage anyway. Backstage, is another kettle of fish altogether/ Director Pierrette Jensen cautioned them during post-show "notes" Sunday that their backstage goofing an chattering were disruptive.

In a word, they're too noisy and too often visible playing peek-a-boo from backstage through curtains and doors and drapery. All very bush league for such a talented cast among which are a few actors are good enough to harbor professional aspirations beyond community and children's theater.

On the sunnier side of the street, individual actors are beginning to shine.
The two Kyles are showing good progress.

Kyle Jensen's voice is firming up and he's projecting well, considering his tender age of 10.

Kyle Noland, whose, sabbatical to a Boy Scout camp on Santa Catalina Island for the next-to-last week of rehearsals had some worried, has come through like a trouper.

Not only did he know his lines when he came back on the eve of opening night, but his Fat Sam character and his delivery of same has gotten better with each show.