Teen wows pros in 'God Lives in Glass'

Special to ViewPalo Verde High School student Elle McLemore, 15, recently performed in "God Lives in Glass" with cast members from "Phantom ?? The Las Vegas Spectacular," "Spamalot" and other shows. Advertisement

Elle McLemore, 15, may be only 5-foot-3, but she proves that size has little to do voice. The Palo Verde student was the youngest cast member invited to perform at the recent "God Lives in Glass."

The show took place on July 14, with cast members from "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular," "Spamalot," "The Producers" and "Mamma Mia!" lending their talents. The concert was a benefit for Family Promise of Las Vegas, a local nonprofit organization that helps homeless families get off the streets, find employment and move into homes.

"I was expecting a high school girl to join us," said Bruce Ewing, cast member of "Phantom" and a board member for Family Promise. "She came into rehearsals prepared and ready to go, like a true pro. Many people didn't realize how young she was until they were told."

But Elle's no stranger to the stage. Her parents are in show business -- her mother, Gail, is a dancer and her father, Todd, is a pyro technician for stage shows.

The family, which set down roots in Las Vegas about 10 years ago, toured with Melinda, First Lady of Magic, and Elle played the magician, portrayed at an early age, in one trick.

"I was only 4, so pretty much all I had to do was walk across the stage and stand on a box," she said.

Her older sister, Brittany, now 18, got to be levitated by Melinda.

Elle is on the track team at Palo Verde and sings and acts in school productions. So it was no stretch for her to audition for the benefit concert.

Rebecca Spencer, who plays Madame Giry in "Phantom" at The Venetian, gave Elle tips on focusing, staying in character and hitting her mark.

"I was (impressed with) her command of the stage, her well thought out staged interpretation and her diction," Spencer said.

"Elle left me with that breath-of-fresh-air impression when you are in the presence of someone who is magical."

Elle said her dream is to perform on Broadway.