BY MARY MALLOY
In partnership with his wife Phyllis, The East Rockaway resident heads up the touring company he founded in 1983. They are currently producing 287 ongoing theatrical performances around the tri-state area, including "Meet Me in St. Louis," "The Music Man," and "Hello, Dolly, " and in the company's Arts-In-Education program, which are performed at schools in the area, the 2006-07 schedule includes "The Wizard of Oz," "The Diary of Anne Frank," and "Charlotte's Web."
Harrington can take bookings 1 1/2 years in advance. "We have some organizations as regular customers," said Harrington. "Some for more than 20 years." Mostly local actors are used, according to Harrington, but sometimes they come in from New York City. "It depends on the show's requirements," he said. For more than ten years, they have also been presenting full, outdoor musicals in parks on Long Island, accompanied by a full orchestra.
The production company has branched out this year to include producing "Go-Go Beach," with a six-show run in Manhattan. a musical that is part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2006.
"I was approached to produce, and after reading several scripts and listening to demo tapes I decide to do "Go-Go Beach," said Harrington. "We financed the production, and have approval of costume design, set design and all aspects of the show." Harrington said that he hopes to develop the show further after its run. "We hope to present it for a commercial run off or on broadway," he said. "Then we can expand our work to include larger audiences, NYC and nationally."
Harrington has been producing and directing for over 25 years. He is has been a teacher at Baldwin High School for 10 years, teaching English and Language Arts. His wife Phyllis is Superintendent of Schools for the Oyster Bay/East Norwich public school district. Their children Alex, 15, and Emma attended Lynbrook schools.
Talent certainly runs in the family for the Harringtons. Alex, a musician in his own right, has studied the piano since kindergarten. He sometimes accompanies full orchestras for Plaza's children's musicals. Emma, 11, is a student at Lynbrook South Middle School. She tried out, and was chosen as one of only 15 children 387 who auditioned for the play "A year with Frog and Toad."
"When I think about my life, two things are at the core of what I want to do," said Harrington. "Creativity in the classroom, is one. The other is the need to touch people's lives. Whether I'm sitting with just one student or running through major theatrical productions, I want to bring that message across." Harrington is please when he gets calls from former students, telling him how much their participation in the theatrical productions helped them. "I cannot imagine my life without one or the other [education or theatre]," he said. "I have been fortunate that I can combine both."
The family all have hectic schedules, but they always make time to be with each other. Harrington is a lector at St. Raymond's Catholic Church in East Rockaway, Phyllis is a eucharistic minister, Emma is an altar server, and Alex plays keyboard for the folk group. "I am blessed, I have it all," he said. He plans to open a theater workshop for children and young people to study and take part in musical theater productions.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
'Go-Go' Beach editor's review
The bright set lighting, the beautifully-toned beach bodies, the trained vocals and the throwback-to-the-60s story line makes for a fun two hours of entertainment as the original show "Go-Go Beach" has its six-show run as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2006.
As one of 15 shows chosen from over 350 submissions, "Go-Go' Beach" is told in the style of the popular beach party movies of the 1960s, combining music, teenagers, a runaway pop star, and a returning runaway hippie flower child -- all taking place on a California beach. The girls and boys (or men and women) are talented, and can bounce around the stage, kicking up imaginary sand and lamenting over troubles only teenagers can have --- all while breaking into songs about love, life and rebellion.
The book and lyrics by John Wimbs, music by Michael Shaieb, and Brent Lord, choreography is by Michele Lynch. Catch the next performances are on Friday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. and Sat. Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. at 37 Arts Theatre, 450 West 37 thStreet Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on-line at www.nymf.org or by calling (212) 352-3101. For more information, please visit www.nymf.org and www.gogobeach.com.
