For 10-year-old Darius Kaleb, every day is a song and a dance – literally.
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That’s because the Secaucus resident goes into New York City several times a week to do something few children his age can do: perform in a Broadway musical.
Not only that, Darius plays the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson, in the Great White Way production, “Motown, the Musical” at the Lunt Fontanne Theater.
Getting this plum assignment was no walk in the park. Darius was selected after a nationwide search involving thousands.
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In the production, Darius plays a young Jackson, a young Berry Gordy Jr. (Motown Records founder), and a young Stevie Wonder. Most of the time on stage, he is singing and dancing. In fact, he performs seven songs, six of them MJ tunes, including the classics, “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.”
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MJ productions
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This isn’t the first time Darius has portrayed Jackson in a live show. He also performed in Japan in “Thriller Live/World Tour.” Darius’s high stepping in “Thriller” included the moonwalk and the “lean in” of “Smooth Criminal.” He loves doing the “lean in,” but won’t give up the secret.
“He got to be the first kid ever to do the ‘lean’ on the tour,” said his mom, Denise Harris, “and we’re just ecstatic.”
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No training
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Harris, of course, is proud as a peacock. But her son’s success doesn’t surprise her.
He has no formal training but comes from a musically talented family, with his older twin brothers, Robert and Ryan, 20, once cast together as a young Simba in “The Lion King.” His great grandfather was also an actor in the 1960s.
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Liking Secaucus
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Though Darius and his family reside in Charles County, Md., he and his mother have been living in Secaucus during his musical run because of its accessibility to New York City. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten involved in the town, enjoying recreational activities and volunteering his time for a town fundraiser for families displaced by fires.
Does Darius think he’s a star yet?
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“Not yet, but there’s a billboard in Times Square waiting for me,” he joked.
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Timeless show
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For now, Darius must split his role with another actor because of child labor guidelines. And in a short time soon, his job will be over because of how fast children his age grow, and can be replaced. But his family thinks “Motown, the Musical” is ageless.
“The show probably is going to run for a long time, because it brings people back to where they were in history,” Harris said.
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Enjoying the life
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So for now, Darius is enjoying the experience of a lifetime, and relishing it greatly. First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters came to see the show. So did actor Denzel Washington and television personality Star Jones.
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Darius got to talk with musician Melba Moore and former N.Y. Knick Walt Frazier. He also was introduced to Gordy and Diana Ross, “and a whole lot of Motown artists.”
“There’ve been so many people that he’s had the opportunity to meet,” Harris said.
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Enjoying kid things
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Darius spends his downtime rooting for his favorite sports teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers.
“I like to play basketball and football,” he said. “I like to watch football at home.”
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He even found time recently for a brief, impromptu one-on-one hoop match up with Mayor Michael Gonnelli at the newly renovated Buchmuller Park.
For Harris, Secaucus has always been kind of a second home.
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Darius and his mom got to meet by Gonnelli by chance, visiting Town Hall for a parking permit, and inquiring about the mayor’s availability for a photo.
“We were hoping he would be gracious enough to take a picture with us,” Harris said. Instead, they got more than they bargained for, with his assistant setting up a time for mother and son to come back to meet and spend time with Gonnelli…
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“He’s been so gracious,” she said. “He’s very helpful. Darius calls him ‘the coolest mayor.’ ”
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Read more: Hudson Reporter - Little Thriller Boy living in Secaucus headlines Motown musical as young Michael Jackson
Source: Hudson Reporter / MJ-Upbeat.com
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