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November 16, 2001/Kislev 1, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 10
Local boy takes to stage in 'The Snow Queen'
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
During the week, 12-year-old Max Nussbaum is your average sixth-grader, but on weekends he becomes a goblin.
He will remain a weekend goblin from Nov. 17 through Dec. 16, when his role of Joygone the Goblin in Desert Stages Theatre's production of "The Snow Queen" ends its month-long run.
Nussbaum, a student at The Looking Glass School in Scottsdale, has been performing regularly with Desert Stages Theatre for the past two years.
Karen Nussbaum, Max's mother, says she was first made aware of Max's talent when his second-grade teacher told her that Max should be in children's theater.
"He just loved being in front of the class," she explains.
He started in chorus parts in Desert Stages' musicals, moved into supporting roles and then into lead roles, according to Artistic Director Gerry Cullity. Nussbaum says he has taken part in 12 or 13 productions since he started.
Cullity says he has seen a lot of growth in Nussbaum since he began performing; Max's budding talent became especially apparent in a touring anti-tobacco show that has been presented around the country, including a performance in Orlando for the surgeon general.
"When he went on the road with us, there was just a spark in him that was new," explains Cullity. "That's when he started getting better and better parts."
Earlier this month, the anti-tobacco musical was performed in Louisiana for 10,000-12,000 children over a three-day period. Were the huge crowds nerve-wracking? Not for Nussbaum, who proclaims, "I never get nervous. I like being in front of people."
In addition to acting, singing and dancing, Nussbaum enjoys working behind the scenes, often doing technical work for Desert Stages Theatre's adult productions - including running the props for a recent production of "Deathtrap."
Cullity says that theater helps young people to learn to work a project from start to finish.
"Coming up with a finished project is a great lesson for everybody," Cullity explains. "Max is that kind of guy. He loves the project and works incredibly hard until he is finished."
Karen Nussbaum says Max's experience at the theater has also been a great way for him to make friends.
"Scottsdale's so big, you get to know the children in your school or possibly your temple, but when you go someplace like Desert Stages that has children from all over Phoenix and Scottsdale and Ahwatukee, you meet so many different people," she says.
Nussbaum's family also includes his father, Mitchell, and his sister, Perry, a 16-year-old student at Saguaro High School.
"The Snow Queen," an original musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, will be presented 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 17-Dec. 16, at the theater, 8473 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Reservations recommended. Call 480-483-1664.
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