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Starlight Performers Prove Talent Spans All Walks Of Life
By Jo Ann La Russo
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| --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo It truly was a grand finale for the Starlight Performers. For more photos visit our photo galleries at micromediapubs.com. |
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The Starlight Performers' show, "Follow Reality Road, you're not in Kansas anymore," played to a packed house last week at Toms River High School North. Glamour and glitter were in the air as the young performers sang, danced and recited their lines like old pros on the stage.
The Starlight Performers are a group of special needs entertainers who work to show that talent spans all walks of life.
When the curtain went up, a hush came over the audience in the capacity crowd and the room exploded with music, song and dance. All 36 Starlight performers were able to show off the skills and talents that they had rehearsed during the previous months.
On stage, the Witch of Positive Thinking, played by Lynnea Forlenza, 10, said her aim is to be "happy, happy" and not even Tara Murphy, the Witch of Negative Thinking, could daunt the mood in the theater once the show began. Meanwhile, Leslie Bachler and Nicky Paolantino wowed the audience when they sang solos in the show.
In the lobby at intermission, Paolantonio's sister, Nicole Smack of Ocean, and his mom, Ann, of West Long Branch, said that they were thrilled to see the show.
"He is the light of our life," said Nicole, about her brother. "The kids have a spirit that everyone should have."
The Starlight performance was a mixture of small vignettes accentuating the importance of believing in yourself. Dorothy, played by Bachler, dominated much of the performance along with Captain Frank Vader, played by Frank Polk, who said that he loves to entertain.
"I'm a natural," said Polk, "and a veteran of the stage."
Bachler's strong voice kept the audience mesmerized; she looked as though she thoroughly enjoyed her part in show.
"I love to act and sing," whispered Bachler, with her long red hair done in pigtails for her part as Dorothy.
Josh Ferris acted like an old pro as the Tiger character, on stage with Heidi Brown. "It was a lot of fun," said Ferris, while nearby, his mom, Regina Ferris, who is also chairwoman of the Toms River Mayor's ADA committee, said, "He's a natural."
Locals who are part of the drama ensemble said they love working with the group.
"This is the greatest," said Andrew Dickinson, 15, a sophomore at High School North who also showed off acting skills on stage.
"We love working with the Starlight Performers," added Dickinson, whose mother, Lauren Dickinson, is one of the co-producer/directors, along with Lynel Forlenza and Dara Simon.
"This is the best," said 12-year-old Jacob Forlenza, a fifth grader at Intermediate North.
"This is fun," said Lynnea Forlenza, the Princess, as she took off from backstage to twirl across the stage.
During intermission, friends and supporters of the ensemble said they loved the show.
Marina Dowling, of Forked River, said she came to see Paul Martucci. "He looks great," she said, viewing the costumes.
"They are excellent," agreed audience members Elie and Joe Rangel of Lakewood. "They do a great job. The kids try so hard."
"They're fantastic," said Ruth and George Sternberg of Lakewood. "Their performing gives them such self esteem and proves that we're are capable of more than we realize."
The Starlight Performers made such an impression on visitors that they have signed on a new member.
As the cast took their encores on stage, 19- year-old Colleen Kroeper of Beachwood, with her mom, Pat Kroeper, watched wistfully at the excitement around her.
"I would like to be in the show next year," said Kroeper, who attends high school and said that she loves music.
"I have already signed her up to be in the group for next year," said Mrs. Kroeper. "She can't wait."
In the lobby, red carnations were sold as mementos to be sent backstage to a cast member. Beverly Valentine, a flower runner, said that she was happy to be at the event.
Valentine was very active with the early theater ensemble and is former director of the group, originally called the OCC Spotlighters.
"I started the drama club as the Ocean County College Spotlighters several years ago," said Valentine, who was waylaid by a stroke in 2006, which stopped her work with the ensemble.
Shows were held at Ocean County College and the drama club was under the Department of Continuing and Professional Education, she said.
"The Starlight Performers grew from a small handful to a large group. And with that, our shows grew also," said Beverly Valentine, backstage.
"I started it out of love for the kids. It was never a chore for me. And it is with sorrow that I cannot still be doing what I had in the past. But it is their story now and I will always be there for them, always."
When Valentine was unable to finish as the producer and director of the show, directors and crew members Lauren Dickinson, Lynel Forlenza, Joyce and Harold Abrahamsen, Jennifer Farrar, Margaret Murphy, Dolly Polk, Laura Weisneck, Eileen Mechler, Ann Steinberger and students from the Ocean County Vocational School for the Performing Arts, "and so many others pulled it off for me."
"I had my day in the limelight when the Spotlighters were at OCC," Valentine said. "I am grateful that the legacy of the Spotlighters lives on as the Starlight Performers. The kids love to entertain. On stage, there are no disabilities. They are all entertainers."
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