By Karen Bloom
The young audiences are at the core of their performances. The shows are staged with the children participating every step of the way. The creative duo is aided by a "Wonder Trunk" of natural marvels, which holds an array of props used in their interactive theater games, complemented by Gillies Cocciolone's songs.Gillies Cocciolone, a former elementary school teacher and her partner, Weiser, a singer/dancer/actress, perform throughout the area, frequently at Long Island Children's museum. They'll be doing four shows at the museum, this weekend, Apr. 16 and 17. In keeping with LICM's April theme, "It's Alive - Celebrate Spring!," the young audiences are invited slither like snakes, rock out to "I'm Pink (a song any flamingo would love) and play improv games about the world around us, including acting out various animal life cycles.Constant Wonder can be also seen surrounded by thousands of blooming tulips at the Huntington Tulip festival on May 1 and Old Westbury Gardens on May 7. At Old Westbury Gardens, their program "Who Lays the Eggs?" celebrates Migratory Bird Day, with the duo's trademark songs "From Fluff to Feathers, "Lady Bug," and, naturally, "Who Lays the Eggs." Children will be invited onstage at both shows for improv games where they'll grow like flowers, hatch out of eggs, and flap their wings high over Long Island."We have been very blessed," Weiser noted. "Performing brings us a lot of joy." It all began with an introduction at a women's spirituality retreat. A mutual acquaintance introduced the two and asked them to do a song together. "So I sat down at a soulful old upright piano, Gillies Cocciolone recalled, "Alice asked, 'Do you know 'Angel from Montgomery' - the John Prine song - and it was just a magical, memorable moment. And the beginning of a friendship and collaboration that would evolve into Constant Wonder."When the pair arranged a meeting to consider the possibilities, Gillies Cocciolone added, "Alice arrived with two canvas bags filled with sheet music and I had to confess that I play piano by ear and never mastered sight reading." Gillies Cocciolone quickly redeemed herself by showing Weiser some of the children's songs she'd written. "Alice has a great ear herself," and she brought my songs to life with that beautiful voice," Gillies Cocciolone said.Soon the pair had worked out enough music and movement to take their act on the road, and made their way to the Long Island Children's Museum, which had just moved into a new building. "We pitched the idea to the museum and we were hired - Constant Wonder's first gig," Weiser recalled. Thus, Constant Wonder was born, in June 2002.It's been a family affair for two women, who have five children - ages 2-14 between them. "Our families are completely involved," said Gillies Cocciolone. "They add input and love to come to our shows."The next step for Constant Wonder is recording their first CD, "Walk with Wonder," scheduled for release this summer. It's an exciting project for the duo, who are working with an Emmy Award-winning composer. "We have oodles of songs," Gillies Cocciolone noted, "and we are so ready to get them out there." The sky's the limit for the pair, who hope to go forward with more CDs, videos and, ultimately, a television show. "The lessons we learned at the retreat where we first met hold true," Gillies Cocciolone said. "We try to listen to each other's ideas with an open mind, encourage each other, look for the goodness in all works, spread joy, appreciate and respect all the wonders of the world."
Celebrate Spring with Constant Wonder
Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 16-17, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Long Island Children's Museum. Museum admission: $8 for adults and children over 1 year; $7 seniors; members free. Additional $2 theater admission. 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or www.licm.org.
