I have had the pleasure of working with a talented, dedicated, crazy group of young people for the past 12 weeks. No other production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid has been filled with as much heart as this DMS Players’ version. Our cast has risen to the challenge to create this bright, shiny, larger-than-life family musical. Kudos to my truly amazing cast of 5th through 8th graders who have brought this story to West Warwick. I applaud you all!
It is hard to believe that twenty years ago, the DMS Players put on their very first musical, The Wizard of Oz. Even harder to believe, the Cowardly Lion from that original cast now has a son playing a leading role in this year’s show. Continuing this circle of life, Sarah Brown, from our second show, Guys and Dolls, is now a teacher here at Deering and she came back to the Players to share her skills!
Without the support and encouragement from our community of West Warwick, none of this could be possible. Mr. Guiot, Mr. Chander and Mr. Green, our administrative leaders, thank you for supporting us year after year. Thank you also goes out to all the parents that spend countless hours doing the many jobs that are essential to make a show run smoothly. We could never produce a show of this caliber without your support and dedication.
Tracy Le Fort, not only did you organize the concession stands in the lobby, but you were instrumental in the coordination of all the parent volunteers from front of stage to the dressing rooms. A monumental task that you achieved with style. Greg Le Fort and Jay Dick, we could not have pulled the set together without your help. Thank you also goes out Diamond Gardiner and Angel Messier for our beautiful raffle baskets, and Cheri Lemery for your advertising skills. Thank you to Veronica Malki and her high school cosmetic team for bringing to life our characters with your beautiful, creative makeup. M.J. Langlais and Connie Lancellotta, you two very classy ladies are the unsung heroes of our productions and very good “friends” to us. The tasks that you take on for us are so numerous that I cannot even begin to list them. Thank you, ladies for everything. Richard Marchetti, you never cease to astonish me with your extraordinary talent. A musical would not be a musical without the beautiful music you bring to our production year after year. Thank you all once again.
Kenneth Townsend, 20 years just flies by! At first, we had next to nothing except determination and a willingness to work hard. Every year your gorgeous, imaginative sets bring our show to life. You create awesome visual effects that would make Broadway proud. Thank you for all you do.
Winston Churchill once said ''Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.'' Well, enthusiasm is something my “comrades in arms” have in bundles. Joe Lancellotta, Jill Fisher, Concetta Piekos, Julie Brodeur, and Meghan McGovern, we have spent so much time together, but we never stop laughing. We truly are a family.
I have had the honor of working with most of our very talented 8th grade students for 4 years. Here are a few words to remember for the future. This world is like a stage where every person has a part to play. Never give up because you have made a mistake. Choose to be you, but realize the importance of spotlighting everyone who helped you reach your dreams, especially your parents! Always have a crystal clear goal; hold on tight to your values and dreams. Prove that you are the best and no one can take away what you are meant to be. I wish each and everyone of you all the best for the future.
None of us get to where we are alone. Whether the assistance we receive is obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone’s help is a big part of understanding the importance of saying thank you. Sometimes, I forget to thank the people who make my life happy in so many ways. Sometimes, I forget to tell them how much I really do appreciate them for being an important part of my life. So here goes......Thank you cast, crew, parents and my wonderful daughter Kara for always being there for me.
Curtain open! Light the lights! Let’s begin!
Fiona J. McIntosh
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