Standing ovation for YES Company’s Melanee Wyatt
Re “YES Company’s ‘force of nature’ retires, leaves youth stage group in good hands” (Page 3A, July 20): Melanee Wyatt has done it again. Wyatt, who is in her final and 26th year with Youth Entertainment Stage (YES) Company, has been a blessing to thousands in the Stanislaus County area. For those who do not know, Wyatt started the program in 1992 as a something to keep youth busy during the summer months.
At times on Sunday afternoon I thought my wife and I were watching a Broadway performance in New York. The choreography, the orchestra, and the acting by the young students was just so superb, flawless. Leads Leah Mello (Belle) and TJ Sullivan (Beast/Prince) sounded as if they had years of professional experience beneath them. I could hear touches of the Phantom of the Opera leads in both Mello and Sullivan.
It was no surprise that the cast and crew received a rousing standing ovation following the performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Gallo Center for the Arts. I must believe that a great portion of the audience’s enthusiasm was extended to Wyatt and another “big hands” finale. Big hands, YES Company!
Jeff Tilton, Manteca
This story was originally published July 24, 2018 at 11:46 AM.