No one in these parts gets kids to sing and hoof like director-choreographer Bobbi Smith, so when her Talent Machine Company announces its summer season at Key Auditorium on the campus of St. John's College, theater cognoscenti take notice.

Her youngest stars, 14 and younger, begin the Talent Machine season June 18 through 21 with "Newstarz Express," an original musical revue of hits from Broadway, Disney films and the pop charts. Tickets for this high-stepping, energized show are $8.

From June 26 through July 12, Talent Machine will present the magical musical "Peter Pan," which has enchanted theatergoers since Mary Martin opened it on Broadway more than four decades ago.

Anyone who remembers the torrential aquatic effects of Bobbi Smith's "Singin' in the Rain" put on a few years back knows that large-scale effects are a Talent Machine specialty. I predict that Peter will fly high. And often.

Tickets for "Peter Pan" are $12 for adults and $10 for children 6 and younger.

The Talent Machine season will conclude with a production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" from July 17 to Aug. 2. The musical tells the tale of seven rough-and-tumble young men with nary an ounce of proper etiquette among them and their attempts to woo the young women of their dreams.

Tickets for "Seven Brides" are $10.

Information: 410-956-0512, Ext. 5.

Pub Date: 6/11/98