Montclair Actress Brings Touch of Broadway to "The Music Man"

As a singer, dancer, actor, Foley Artist, award winning producer, writer, ballet and voice teacher and monologue coach, Montclair resident Cynthia Leigh Heim enjoys wearing many hats. She has worked on Broadway, performing the role of Marian in "The Music Man," appeared at Carnegie Hall in "Der Freischutz," danced at Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and sung with Florence Henderson in her cabaret, "All The Lives Of Me," which has been seen from Hollywood to New York City. Her recordings include the original off-Broadway cast of "Sheba, The Musical, the Broadway revival of "The Music Man" and Broadway's “Carols For A Cure 2000".

A new role for Heim is consultant to Gas Lamp Players, a community theater in residence at the Ridgewood Avenue School in Glen Ridge, where Heim has been helping with the group’s production of “The Music Man.” “It was such a thrill working on the 2000 Broadway revival with Susan Stroman, Craig Bierko, and the many talented members of our company,” says Heim. “It’s been great to be able to share my knowledge and memories of, in my opinion, a perfectly written musical.”

Heim has concentrated, in particular, on the actresses playing the roles of the “Pick a Little Ladies,” and the four men who make up the barbershop quartet. Heim has helped the cast members hone in on their individual characterizations, lending a bit of Broadway sheen to this local production.

Heim’s participation lends particular poignancy to the production for director Jessica Sporn. Two decades ago, Sporn landed the role of “Marian the Librarian” in Gas Lamp Players’ 1992 production of "The Music Man." “When I played Marian, I was new to the area, and really didn’t know anyone,” Sporn recalls. Once a professional actress, Sporn had left the business to go to law school, and had spent the previous 7 years at a large firm in New York City. “I hadn’t been on stage in over 10 years. Being in “The Music Man” got me back into theater, and made me feel part of a community.” Well after “The Music Man,” Sporn stayed involved with Gas Lamp Players, painting sets, choreographing, eventually performing the role of her dreams, Peter Pan, and becoming Executive Director of the group.

It’s 2012 and Sporn is in love with “The Music Man” again, but there’s a new Marian in town. She is Kristy Graves, who moved to Glen Ridge in 2010. Graves began performing professionally when she was 10 years old, touring in Annie as Annie. She then settled in New York and appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in feature films and in many television commercials and series.

“I can’t imagine directing a more perfect Marian,” says Sporn. “Kristy has the perfect blend of sweetness and steel for this role. Her voice is gorgeous, and she is a wonderful actress. Everyone who sees “Music Man” is going to fall in love with her.”

In her last year of running the organization, Sporn thought directing “The Music Man” would be a fitting final project. And having Heim involved makes it that much more special. “Cynthia has been incredibly generous with her time and talent, sharing her memories and scrapbooks from the Broadway production with the cast, and working with the actors,” says Sporn. “It has been such a gift to have her work with us.”

"The Music Man" marches into the Ridgewood Avenue School Auditorium in Glen Ridge for four performances from February 10 to February 12. The show features a cast of 94 adults and children from Montclair and surrounding communities. For more information or to purchase tickets, please go to http//www.gaslampplayers.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/216098.