Summer Stage Influences Cast and Crew of the Arden Theatre’s Gypsy

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — When kids attend Summer Stage performing and visual arts’ camp, they’re so busy having fun doing something they love with a group of friends that they don’t think about what it could mean to them long-term. Normally, it provides cherished memories, lasting friendships, and an increase in self-confidence. Sometimes, it has a direct impact on future opportunities or their careers. That’s true for several cast and crew members of the Arden Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Gypsy in Philadelphia: Terry Nolen, Monica Horan, Thom Weaver, and Avery Hannon.

• Terry Nolen, Arden Theatre founder and Gypsy director, attended Upper Darby Summer Stage(UDSS) in his youth. He performed in UDSS production of Anything Goes directed by Ed Fiscella, founder and producing artistic director of Mainstage Center for the Arts' South Jersey Summer Stage.
• Monica Horan, portrays Tessie Tura and Miss Crachit in Gypsy and was a Summer Stager for years. She portrayed Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at UDSS, which was also directed by Ed Fiscella. Horan was a regular on the sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, which her husband, Phil Rosenthal produced.
• Thom Weaver, South Jersey Summer Stage alumnus, is the lighting designer for Gypsy.
• Avery Hannon, current South Jersey Summer Stager, was cast in two roles: portrays Troy, the trombone player and young Tulsa, a newsboy in Gypsy.

Horan recalled spending summer days and nights immersed in Summer Stage rehearsals and classes. “We all coached each other and supported each other even when we were up for the same parts. The experience changed my life. It led me to major in Theatre. I was the first of my family to go to college,” she said. “I’ve carried Summer Stage with me in everything I’ve done even Everybody Loves Raymond. After all, at the heart of it all, it’s a show, just like Guys and Dolls or any other production.”

For Thom Weaver, who participated in Summer Stage from age 10 through college, the sense of community fostered at Summer Stage struck him as a teenager. He said, “Even at a young age, we were aware we were part of a community of good. We were like-minded individuals working toward the same goal. In other places like school, you might feel marginalized or on the fringe being involved in theatre instead of sports, but in Summer Stage, you felt normal, accepted, and loved.”

Fiscella smiles upon hearing formerSummer Stagers talk about the feelings of acceptance. And, as someone who was there in the beginning when Harry Dietzler launched the original program and is still so involved in SJ Summer Stage today, Fiscella is thrilled when the family of a current Summer Stager, such as Avery’s, share similar sentiments.

“That demonstrates that all these decades later, that Summer Stage still possesses that intangible that makes it so special – its heart,” said Fiscella.

Heart is what attracted Hannon and his family to Summer Stage. His cousin, Jared Jefferson, had attended for several years and his family raved about it. So Avery attended last summer and shared in that positive experience.

His mom, LaChan Hannon, said, “At Summer Stage, Avery feels so safe and at home. There’s something there and in the arts in general, that wakens him up. That’s important to us since he’s on the autism spectrum.

His dad, Michael Hannon added, “The Summer Stage staff and interns treat the kids as their own. The experience we’ve had is that it’s a big family.”

That’s why, even though he’ll be finishing the final week of Gypsy, which runs through June 25th, during the first week of Summer Stage, Avery’s determined to do both. “I made a lot of friends at Summer Stage and I can’t wait to go back,” he said.

In the meantime, he’s enjoying appearing in his first professional show. His dad said he wouldn’t have had the opportunity without Nolen contacting his former director, Fiscella, to see if he knew a child who met his casting needs, followed by his director from last summer, Grace Szczepkowski recommending Avery to Fiscella.

“I can see why Avery was recommended,” said Horan, “Avery and the other kids in Gypsy are so talented, and professional. So different than when we were in Summer Stage and truly winging it, but having a great time doing so!”

“This was a unique opportunity,” added Michael. “And Avery’s thrilled to be part of the Summer Stage connection in Gypsy.”

Photo Caption: Current and former Summer Stagers gathered recently to speak about their experience with Summer Stage and Mainstage Center for the Arts. From left: Grace Szczepkowski, Summer Stage director; Ed Fiscella, founder Mainstage Center for the Arts; Monica Huran; and Avery Hannon.

About Gypsy
Five-time Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello comes to the Ardenstage as the indomitable Mama Rose. Set in the fading days of the vaudeville circuit, Gypsy features a legendary score that includes “Let Me Entertain You,” “Together, Wherever We Go,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” One of Philadelphia’s greatest actresses takes on Mama Rose – this promises to be a not-to-be-missed event!

About Mainstage
Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Summer Stage, South Jersey’s longest running, most affordable visual arts camp, began in 1989 as an expansion of a successful middle school drama program. That first year, South Jersey Summer Stage was comprised of 65 sixth through twelfth graders and 10 staff members. Since then, Summer Stage has grown from one camp to nine programs offering exciting opportunities for those entering second grade through young adults. Now, more than 75 staff members direct, teach, design, choreograph, and prepare 500 young artists to be the very best they can be. This year's productions include: Once on this Island, Jr; The Lion King, Jr; Elf, Jr; Broadway for Kids; and Grease.