Thank you for attending The Colonial Players fall production of MTI’s All Together Now!
In the spring of last year, MTI announced a new musical revue, All Together Now! While the fall is typically a drama, this provided a unique opportunity to rebuild the students' acting, singing and dancing skills after almost 18-months of pandemic life. While some students had an opportunity to perform, their routines of attending choir and/or voice or dance lessons were disrupted. This fall allowed us to take the first step towards returning to normal and rebuilding our beloved Colonial Players program.
Throughout the planning and rehearsal process, it’s been fun to reminisce. Of the 14 songs being performed, four have been performed during Colonial Players 40+ year history. Guys and Dolls alone has been performed 3 times (1979, 1990, 2013). I can’t help but think about our 2013 performances and how two students – Angel Sigala (Nicely Nicely) and Josh McMaster (Benny) – brought down the house every night with a tap dance number. The best part, they learned how to tap dance for that show. It has also allowed us to celebrate our own experiences – for Melissa and me it was a shared memory of being in Colonial Players only alumni show, Into the Woods. And for me, it was the unique experience of being Mama Euralie in Once on This Island my junior year in college WAY before the revival made it popular. And for some cast members, it was their experiences performing in Willy Wonka, Jr. or High School Musical, Jr.
I want to thank the cast for a great fall. Their positive energy has been amazing. Each rehearsal has been filled with smiles, laughter and endless support for one another - truly embodying the title of the show. I also want to thank the crew for their hard work and dedication to making this show a success. Especially our Stage Managers, Jessica Cabibbo and Carly Tier for their support of the cast and leadership of our crew.
In addition to the cast and crew, there is an amazing production team dedicated to cultivating the next generation of performers/technicians: Thank you, Melissa Downer (PW Class of 1994), Megan Barone, Maria O’Connor, Eric Scheidly, Josh Samors, and Jen Crea for sharing your talents and bringing All Together Now! to life on our stage. I am honored to work with such a great team and to call them all friends.
Thank you to our Colonial Players parents for their enduring support of their child’s love for the arts. To the PWHS and Colonial School District Administrations for their support of our production, especially for their guidance as we navigate theatre during a pandemic. And finally, to my parents and husband, thank you for your love and support as I continue to explore my passion for theatre.
Please join us again for this show (live or streaming) and at our spring musical, Newsies. Your continued support allows us to create wonderful shows and memories on PW’s “stage,” thereby keeping the arts alive.
Fondly,
Valerie Cucinotta Collado (PW Class of 1997)
