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SALT LAKE CITY — While adults talk about the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, some children put "pedal to the metal" balancing school, rehearsals and performances.
Brandon Smith is used to that balancing act. At 12 years old, he’s a theater veteran, performing since the fourth grade when his mother suggested he audition for a high school play that needed children. Brandon got the part, and hasn’t stopped acting.
"I kind of caught the bug, and I've been doing it ever since," he said.
His days are long.
"I have to wake up at, like, 6:30 to do piano and homework, because I don't have time at night," Brandon said. "And then I go to school, and right after school I have like one minute to get to the car. I come home, I have a snack and I check on my cats and feed them."
And then Brandon and his mom travel from Bountiful to the University of Utah and Pioneer Memorial Theatre, where he joins fellow cast members for rehearsals for Pioneer Theatre Company's production of "Oliver."
The musical is based on Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist," which opens in 19th Century London with a group of orphans in a workhouse. Brandon plays three roles — an orphan, one of Fagin's gang and a sailor boy — and he understudies the lead, Oliver.
Angie Mecham, Brandon's mother, says her son has a naturally beautiful singing voice and loves performing.
"Being in front of an audience, being in a group of people, he's confident and calm. It doesn't faze him," Mecham said.
Clearly, a child in a musical is a huge family commitment, particularly at this time of year. Family members help with car-pooling. It takes a village, Mecham said.
"The time commitment is huge, and my other kids have to go without some of the things they've gone with before, and they have less mom around," she said. "It just takes a group of people to make this happen so that no one falls by the wayside."
So, is it worth it?
"There's just nothing like the theater, just going and enjoying a show, especially during the holidays. It's one of our favorite things," Mecham said.
Brandon said he would like to do this for the rest of his life.
"It's, like, the best feeling for me to be up there and be doing a show," he said. "And I meet so many awesome people, and their stories are so cool. And that's what makes it worth it for me."
Making new friends and spreading a little joy is what it's all about.
"Oliver" opens Friday at Pioneer Memorial Theatre at the University of Utah, with performances running through Dec. 17
