Noriega rocks 'WE' song 'Where the Boys Are'

After 13-year-old Ella Noriega belted out the title song from the film “Where the Boys Are,” “WE” producer-director Neil Goldberg and the half dozen others watching her rehearsal broke into spontaneous applause. The song, Noriega,…

After 13-year-old Ella Noriega belted out the title song from the film “Where the Boys Are,” “WE” producer-director Neil Goldberg and the half dozen others watching her rehearsal broke into spontaneous applause.

The song, Noriega, of Davie, said, is a “perfect match for my voice.” She added, “I love the role. It’s just perfect.”

Noriega’s performance of “Where the Boys Are” in “WE” on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is part of the Broadway-style show’s celebration of Broward County’s centennial.

The film, which starred Connie Francis and had its premiere at the Gateway Theatre in 1960, popularized Fort Lauderdale’s reputation as a Spring Break destination and put the city on the map.

“I think Neil [Goldberg] really wanted to bring out how important it was in that time era and this county,” Noriega said.

Noriega, who was in a school theatrical production in the 3rd grade, played the title role in “Annie” and was in “The Little Mermaid, Part of Your World” in South Florida.

She also sang on the 2012 recording of the “Dora the Explorer” theme song in “Dora Rocks!” and recorded an album in Spanish for the Mexican band “Mana.”