A Fountain of Youth

A jazz trio, a piano virtuoso, a violinist in pigtails, actors putting on a knockout number from “Guys and Dolls”--this year’s free “Youth at the Greek--A Musical Festival” carries special resonance.

Beyond the intended entertainment, this professionally produced stage show, starring more than 200 elementary and secondary students from throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District, provides a timely and sorely needed reminder that most young people are not violent, nihilistic or lost.

In light of the Littleton, Colo., tragedy and the sweep of grief, condemnation, discouragement and endless analysis that have followed, that message comes shining through in an event that was born as a fracture-mending gesture after the city’s deadly riots in 1992. It was founded by the nonprofit Friends of the Greek organization to bring young people of all backgrounds together, celebrating the city’s multiculturalism and the arts.

This year’s show at the Greek Theatre on Thursday, to be hosted by ABC-TV personality Garth Kemp with co-host Tahj Mowry (WB television’s “Smart Guy”), will be a potpourri of Broadway, classical, jazz, pop and mariachi music, and Irish step, Korean, Mexican, Greek, tap and jazz dance. The performers, who apply through their schools--public, private and parochial--are chosen through auditions.

A rehearsal last weekend offered a peek:

Otto Ehling, a slight, brown-eyed, 10-year-old sitting at a big grand piano, played Beethoven’s “Pathetique,” Opus 13. He began lessons at 2 1/2. “I try to do what the composer does,” he said later, “and go there in my mind and my heart.”

Jesse Martinez, 14, who’s blind, held a microphone, listened for his recorded music to begin, then crooned “No Me Se Rajar” (I Will Not Give Up). He began singing two years ago, alone in his room.

Eight-year-old violinist Esther Lin, poised in braids and black dress, played Monti’s Czardas, her fingers dancing over the violin’s strings when the tempo quickened. “I like it fast,” she said later, breaking into an elfin grin.

Bass guitarist Jake White, 15; drummer Barbara Gruska, 16; and guitarist Brian Green, 15, hauled in amps and instruments, but jazz, not rock, proved to be their thing. The three call themselves Liquid Fusion, and they were up to their sophisticated choice--Chick Corea’s “Tones for Joan’s Bones.”

White, began playing at 12, “with the full intent to play jazz” and nothing else. They chose Corea “for the challenge,” he said. Gruska, born into a family of composers and musicians, also plays the violin, but drums are her first love.

Where do they want to be five or 10 years from now? “Doing this.”

Before rehearsal was over, lithe, 14-year-old dancer Karen McMillan charmed watchers with a graceful combination of jazz, gymnastics and hip-hop; and a troupe of performers, ages 11 to 15, did a captivating “Can Do” number from “Guys and Dolls.”

Producer Joseph Di Sante, a TV and stage professional who also produced last year’s event, gave encouragement, technical instructions and tips on exits and entrances, taking bows and playing to the audience. Although some of the kids have won competitions and a few have real stage experience, being in front of a large audience and working with show biz professionals is new territory for most.

“My main job is to put together a flow that makes sense and provide these gifted children with as near a professional environment as possible,” Di Sante said. “And I’m honored to be doing it. I cannot tell you what it means working with these kids. So many of them are very talented, and they’re so focused on their gift. They go to school and then they spend their lives working on what it is they’ve chosen for themselves.”

Sponsors for the Friends of the Greek event are the city of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department, American Airlines Inc., KABC-TV, Century Cable, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, poster artist Varnette Honeywood, Point of View Magazine and “3 Strikes the Movie” from Absolute Films.

* “Youth at the Greek--A Musical Festival,” Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Griffith Park, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Free. Ticket information: (818) 507-4622.