By Karen Wolitzer
I love Rogers and Hammerstein's classic...the music is fabulous...so I decided to give it a try. As I expected, there were no plush seats...but there were some very talented actors present. When I walked into the room they were already rehearsing and I was immediately impressed by the voices I heard. They were actually better than some I've heard in more professional productions. I watched as director/choreographer Nicole Fox Spellman did her job--directing the cast where to stand and to sing louder. It was clear, from her intensity, that she loves what she does and takes this job very seriously. "We practice four or five days a week for two and a half months then the show runs for three weeks," she explained when we got to talk. "And it always pulls together at the last moment." The main challenge, this year, for Nicole was teaching the cast how to waltz.Nicole's handsome husband, Ryan, is playing Prince Charming. (Her sister and best friend are also amongst the cast.) "This is my third show with the UMC Players," said Ryan. "I was in
Grease and
Pippin and now,
Cinderella, it's great. I'm loving every rehearsal," he declared with a grin. "I graduated from Hofstra and did a lot of theater there, too and I've been on a few soaps...
All My Children, Guiding Light and
As the World Turns."She of the glass slipper is being played by adorable Jacqueline McCoy. "I've done lots of theater on Long Island...
Bye Bye Birdie and
Carousel..." When she isn't pursuing a full-time acting career, she's teaching the children of Oceanside all about the wonders of performing. "We're putting on
The Lion King," she says proudly. Jennifer Kane is Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. "This is my fifth show here," she states. "Nicole is my best friend...I love this group; that's why I keep coming back." As for playing a fairy godmother...she says it's interesting. "It has a magical quality to it...I'm in and I'm out and I get to look pretty and wave fairy dust. What more could you want?" she asks with a laugh.Nicole's sister Noelle plays wicked stepsister Portia and Rachel Diane is Joy. "This is wonderful," they agree. "We love playing the wicked stepsisters!"Musical director Matt Gallagher (who is engaged to Jennifer) is having a lot of fun with this production, too. "This is one of those big, old fashioned musicals you don't get to do a lot," he says with a smile. Carol Kolesar, her majesty the queen (also a co-producer), is one of the founding members of the UMC Players. "This is a great family production," she says. "We want people to enjoy the show and get lost in an old-fashioned fairly tale." Carol is very proud of her theater group. "We started out as a fund-raiser for the church. The actors in the first show were all members of our congregation and over the years we've grown. Now, we advertise in Newsday and Backstage for talent and get great actors...and we have so much fun that everyone keeps coming back."It was clear from the rehearsal that everyone was having a ball. Unfortunately, I only got to see a few numbers, but from what I saw, it's sure to be wonderful. I had a chance to see everyone waltz and it was apparent that Nicole's good at what she does.So, if you feel like seeing a good, old- fashioned musical, come check out
Cinderella...you don't have to have kids to enjoy it. Tickets are already selling quickly, so make a reservation today.
