Thursday, March 27, 2025
Love took center stage once again as North Shore Village Theatre hosted its second annual Valentine’s Variety Show on Friday, Feb. 7, at Jeanine’s American Bistro.
It was an evening filled with music, talent, and community spirit while also serving as a fundraiser for NSVT’s new theatre space which is anticipated to open in June. The Valentine’s show debuted last year at Glenwood Life Center, following the success of NSVT’s Holiday Variety Show. Producer Gracie Donaldson Cipriano recalled how the idea came to life after Artistic Director Christopher Moll, who also leads Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre, approached her in late 2023.
“Chris reached out right after the Holiday Show to see if I’d be interested in putting together a Valentine’s event,” Cipriano said. “I thought it was a great idea, and it went really well last year.”
However, with Glenwood Life Center unavailable this year and NSVT’s own theatre space still under construction, Cipriano had to find a new venue. She turned to Jeanine DiMenna, owner of Jeanine’s American Bistro, who graciously offered to host the event.
“We’re so grateful to Jeanine for opening her doors to us,” Cipriano said. “It was also a great opportunity to raise money for the construction of our new theatre space.”
Much like NSVT’s Holiday Variety Show, the Valentine’s Variety Show featured both youth and adult performers, creating an inclusive space where artists of all ages could showcase their talents. Moll emphasized the importance of providing these opportunities to local performers.
“We’ve met a lot of new performers just this year,” Moll said. “Our goal is always to include as many people from the community as possible. These shows allow performers to come back and take the stage again.”
This year’s performance included 17 musical numbers, with participants selecting their own songs based on the theme of love.
“We don’t assign songs. We just tell them the theme, and they decide what they want to sing,” Moll said.
The event highlighted a variety of musical styles, ranging from classic love ballads to more contemporary hits. The diversity of the setlist reflected NSVT’s mission of providing a welcoming stage for performers with different backgrounds and experiences.
Beyond entertainment, the show also served a larger purpose. In addition to covering some of the costs of NSVT’s new theatre space, ticket sales contributed to a scholarship raffle for Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre. The scholarship aims to support aspiring young performers and ensure that the arts remain accessible to everyone in the community.
“Theatre is about bringing people together,” Cipriano said.
With a warm, inviting venue, a talented cast of performers, and a mission to strengthen the local arts scene, NSVT’s Valentine’s Variety Show proved to be a cherished annual tradition in Glen Cove.
For more information about NSVT and future events, visit www.NSVillageTheatre.com.
