New London grad performs with Kids From Wisconsin
By Scott Bellile
Although Nicole Goodreau’s favorite part of singing with Kids From Wisconsin is exploring the state, she wore plenty of smiles onstage when she returned to her familiar home base July 22.
Performing for her third season with the show troupe, Goodreau of New London said the “jam-packed” summer alleviates the problem young musicians have of getting into performance venues. The job also lets her discover Wisconsin.
“A lot of us don’t even know half the towns’ names we go to,” Goodreau said.
A 2015 New London High School graduate, Goodreau brought the show troupe to her alma mater last week for her third hometown performance, hosted by the New London Lions Club.
The show titled “No Place We’d Rather Be” covered hits from Frank Sinatra to Journey to Taylor Swift.
Parents Dan and Olga Goodreau pulled out enough air mattresses to host 11 Kids From Wisconsin girls and took a day off from work to bake three pans of lasagna for 33 kids and staff.
Nicole soloed after the opening medley on Journey’s “Wheel in the Sky.” She said she developed a connection to Journey’s music growing up on it.
In the second half Nicole threw on a flapper dress to solo on 1920s pop songs “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You” and “Let’s Misbehave.” She said those tunes, popularized by the musical “Bullets Over Broadway,” were highlights because she loves Broadway musical theater.
“She’s so passionate about [singing] you can see it on her face,” Olga said.
In high school Nicole received exemplary state solo and ensemble awards and played the title roles in “Cinderella” and “Annie.” She plans to study musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City this fall.
“We will miss her as a music student and it will be fun to watch her career as she travels forward,” said Lori Flury, New London High School vocal music director.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her,” Dan said.
Kids From Wisconsin has a rich history of showcasing New London talent. Past performers include Kerry Griebenow, Jill Engel, Ted Williams, Michael Triolo, Alan Northouse, Summer Herzfeldt and Casey Houlihan. This year, 2015 New London grad Ashley Bucholtz was an alternate for the group.