Jan. 11, 2024 By Rachel Butler
Four kids from Queens are to star in a brand new musical presented by the Manhattan-based TADA! Youth Theater over a three-week period in late January and early February.
The jazz-styled musical, called B.O.T.C.H. (Bureau of Turmoil, Chaos, & Headaches), will take place at the 15 W 28th St. TADA theater, and is centered around seven young characters on the New York City subway. The characters get lost underground before meeting interesting New Yorkers along the way and eventually finding themselves in the basement of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Queens performers range in age from 11 to 16 and are from Astoria, Jamaica, Flushing and Jackson Heights.
Katie Chan from Flushing plays the character of Peg who is a tourist from Buffalo.
“I am really excited. I can’t wait to perform in B.O.T.C.H. and play the role of Peg. Even though Peg is silly at times, she is smart and observant. I think I’m a bit like her, because although I like to laugh and have fun, I also want to learn about the world around us,” she said.
Katie added that TADA! has really helped her break out of her shell and she has made many friends from being a part of the group.
Meanwhile, Nathan Mudaliar, from Jackson Heights, said he enjoys his role as a rich kid.
“I can’t wait to play my character Hugo on stage. Hugo is a rich, moody teenager who gets a little too curious and gets lost in the subway system. He meets friendly ‘things’ in his journey and learns that the most important thing in the world is fine art. I am excited for this character, because Hugo is so different from me, and I like the challenge.” Nathan Mudaliar, from Jackson Heights said.
B.O.T.C.H. will be performing at 15 West 28th St., 2nd Floor Theater, and tickets can be purchased from the theater’s website.