[NEohioPAL] Sternfeld goes INTO THE WOODS and comes out A WINNER!

Fri Jul 10 23:00:06 PDT 2009

TO THE CAST OF INTO THE WOODS!

*This is an open letter to the CAST OF INTO THE WOODS, which I am sharing
with NEOpal because I'm so proud of this endeavor!  And I hope the the few
of you who know me and recognize my voice in this letter and my own love of
the theatre behind the words, will find a night to see this marvelous piece
of work.  Youth and Age, Passion and Experience was brought together on our
wonderful new FPAC stage (with lots of leg room in the audience!)*
I know it’s bad form to stand up and applaud your own friends and
colleagues…  And being Executive Director of Fairmount Center automatically
disqualifies me from having an objective view of anything we do.  Be that as
it may, and since I have lost all shame in my advancing years, I will
nonetheless indulge myself.

Having stayed away from Mr. Sternfeld’s work – and leaving him to his own
peculiar genius, receiving no reports, rumors or clandestine missives, I
appeared on opening night of “Into The Woods” at FPAC not knowing what to
expect.  I crossed my arms and waited.. watching to see what, if anything,
our little troupe of young actors could do with the treacherously difficult
play.  What transpired during the performance was a slow and growing sense
that I was seeing a small miracle.

I admit I’m already unreliable… using those kind of superlatives…  but try
to hear me out..

It’s some of the finest work Fred has done – because he’s managed to coax
and guide a group of young people into mature young actors, and has created
a play that makes you forget you’re watching a ‘youth theatre production’.  In
fact, when that fact does flash across your mind, you think – how is it
possible that young man or young woman could have just accomplished that
insight into human nature?! This cast is a gathering of remarkable young
actors.  And their skill is the kind of subtle, honest stuff that good
theatre is so hungry for.  *They are members of the FPAC company* – and they
are being trained by passionate teachers who understand the core values that
makes great theater. Mitchell Fields and Carol Pribble, George Roth, Dana
Hart, Molly Cornwell, Adina Bloom and the astonishing musical work of Mike
Cariffi – along with a brilliant group of other professionals – under Fred’s
care, management, and direction create a team of educators that are doing
their job in the most loving way possible.

I claim no part in this, which I believe qualifies me to speak about them
with a modicum of objectivity.  Also, we are fairly certain we’ll do well at
the box office, so I’m not trying to drum up ticket sales – although to
those of you who value an lovely evening in the theatre along with a few
gasps of astonishment and aches of loss and joy, I would recommend you come
see this play… It’s only $10.00.

Over the last few years, Fred Sternfeld has created productions in Cleveland
that have been undeniable blockbusters, selling out most evenings.  His *
Ragtime* and *Man of LaMancha* at JCC, his *Fiddler* at Cain Park,
his*Beauty and the Beast
* at Beck – to name just a few… Fred will win no awards for “Into the Woods”
because it will never be on the professional theatre radar, but I believe it
will stand up there as one of his most mature and significant
accomplishments.  It is a culmination of his 6 years developing FPAC.  And
only finer things will be ahead.

Everybody who has worked with Fred knows he’s tough guy to work with..
because he’s a perfectionist and for him, the play is the thing… and only
the play.  I know a lot of people who find his style intolerable… But let’s
face it, hes a dreamer.  I know dreamers... I have a very close intolerable
association with a dreamer myself.  And I thinks we all know existence would
be intolerable if we were never to
dream.<http://thinkexist.com/quotation/existence_would_be_intolerable_if_we_were_never/328839.html>
”   Just the same,I’m just here to tell you, at Fairmount, he - Fred - is
our guy.  Because he is serving the young aspiring theatre artists in a
significant way.  And I’m proud to have him out our team. And I stick by
him, and will continue to to stick by him proudly.

One last thing: To the cast of “Into The Woods”.  I'm not sure you can
 really understand yet what you have accomplished.  But here’s a few things
to think about.

   - Caroline Hatch – your face lights up the stage… And you sing with such
   simplicity and feeling…  You heart is on your sleeve.
   - Miles Sternfeld – Innocent, without guile – delightful to watch – a 6
   year veteran of FPAC and it shows.  You’re work gets better every year.
   - Erin McCardle – You make a powerful statement and there’a comic in you
   – tough stuff and you pull it off very well.
   - Ben Martin – Mature, energetic performance. No BS… Sensitive portrayal
   with many levels… Lovely Voice.
   - Courtney Nelson – Wow!  Where did you come from?  Perfect timing…
   Strong voice… wonderful comic capability… You have the Knack, young lady.
   - Cody Higer – Look out, here comes something astonishing.  This young
   lady is shot out of a cannon with enormous stage presence and a powerful
   physical presence and the capacity for deeply moving work.  Keep at it
   Cody.. you’re on your way!
   - Tia Karaplis – As Rapunzel – a voice like an angel…  For one so young,
   you have so many tools – a great deal to look forward to.
   - Jesse Markowitz – The comic touch is good for you, you work well with a
   tinkle in your eye… You know you can sing… but I wonder if you know yet your
   inner jester.. When comes out, you shine.
   - Shane Siniscalchi – Clearly adored by at least 50 screaming fans… you
   ham handed prince was delightful.  The duet with Jesse quite wonderful…
   Keep Studying.  You too have the knack.

I know there are many more of you.  Just suffice it to say that I didn’t see
a misstep in the entire ensemble.  You sang the harmonies beautifully.  You
worked together like professionals.

Congratulations to you all.   I’ll be back

Tom Fulton

Executive Director Fairmount Center for the Arts
www.fairmountcenter.org

And

Director
Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy
www.chagrinacademy.org

-- 
Tom Fulton (tomtq2 at gmail.com)
Director,
Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy
440-247-2072 x4334
E-Fax: 216-937-0187

"Thou must be patient.."
King Lear
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