Kids 4 Kids crew staging unique Central Park performance

IN TUNE: A traveling group of youngsters who perform for other children at local hospitals, schools and YMCAs are staging a special series of performances Saturday on one of New York City’s grandest stages, Central Park – only the sets will keep changing.

In alphabetical order: Aly, Alyssa, Charlye, Chase, Daniel, Emily, Jose, Lindsay, Myla, Rebecca and Victoria

With one member from Lyndhurst and another from Guttenberg, Kids 4 Kids pay it forward in a unique way.

So it’s no surprise that they’ll be barnstorming the park, performing at a variety of spots.

Aly, Alyssa, Charlye, Chase, Daniel, Emily, Jose, Lindsay, Myla, Rebecca and Victoria range in age from 10 to 14.

Each is committed to making a difference in other kids’ lives, especially the seriously ill.

This group of youngsters isn’t only compassionate, caring and talented. Each of them is dedicated:

With this weekend’s unique gig coming up, as well as a couple of others in the coming weeks, the group put in extra rehearsal time last weekend (see photo, below) to fine-tune their song, dance and comedy routines.

The music is eclectic -- show tunes, pop, rock, jazz and country. And the message is powerful.

“Many of our audience members are seriously ill,” the Kids 4 Kids troupe said in describing part of their mission. “We want to put a smile on their faces and give them hope!”

Theater student Jill Moody was only 11 years old when she launched the group as a community service project after seeing a close friend battle cancer (Paige Armstrong is now fully recovered and has recently released her first album).

Jill Moody

Jill went on to graduate from the Peddie School, where she starred with an award-winning high school a cappella group. She has also directed several productions.

Jill is joined by other students who help coach, manage and cheer on the young charges, some of whom have gone on to study at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Yale University, the Boston Conservatory and Marymount Manhattan College.

The current crop includes Alyxandria, who lives in Guttenberg and studies ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and flamenco, along with musical theater.

Alyxandria has received honors each year of school, including the prestigious President’s Award for Academics. At 11 years old, the poised young lady says she wants “to be a positive role model for the next generation.”

At 13, Jose of Lyndhurst has already played Conrad Birdie in “Bye Bye Birdie,” the baker in “Into the Woods” and Danny in “Grease.” In other words: a natural.

Their fellow Kids 4 Kids cast members are just as colorful and charming. Come see for yourself.

Saturday’s event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. and begins at the reflecting pool at 72nd and 5th Avenue, just to the right of Terrace Drive. It’s free, and it should be lots of fun – not only for those who enjoy and encourage talented youngsters but also for the various Central Park backdrops.

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