Port Summer Show presents “CURTAINS” Aug 2nd through Aug 5th

The Port Summer Show will celebrate its 46th anniversary this summer. From the team who brought you “Cabaret” and “Chicago”, comes the great Kander and Ebb theatrical “who done it” murder mystery, “Curtains!” Performances are Thurs. Aug 2nd, Fri. Aug 3rd, and Sat Aug 4th at 7:30 PM and Sun. Aug 5th at 2:00 PM in the newly renovated and air conditioned Paul D. Schreiber Auditorium at Schreiber High School in Port Washington. Tickets are $12 adults, kids under 12 years old and seniors tickets are $7. All seniors are free on Thursday Aug 2nd. Since 1972, The Port Summer Show has been producing top-quality Broadway musicals for the Port Washington community. Teenagers in grades 7-12 spend 5 ½ weeks working with a professional director, musical director, and choreographer singing, dancing and rehearsing for the annual August production.

This year will be director, Jason Summer’s 15^th year with the Port Summer Show. Jason is an accomplished director and choreographer whose work has been seen Off-Broadway in New York and in countless regional and college theaters throughout the country. His productions have been favorably reviewed in many national publications, including The New York Times. He is also the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Hope for Change Foundation, a Westchester-based not-for-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer research through theatrical programming. In addition, Jason is the Artistic Director for Westchester Sandbox Theater.

Co-president of Port Summer Show, Linda Nutter stated: “Jason is extraordinary with the kids. He seems to have an innate understanding of teenagers and how to work with them to help them bring their best to the stage. When he works with them, he is, all at once, calm, charming, disciplined, serious, respectful and simply hysterically funny. He treats them like professional actors and they respond to him. The kids really love working with him and he’s taught them so much. He’s truly gifted.”

One of the most difficult, yet important jobs for Jason Summers, is assisting in finding the perfect musical and then casting it with input from his creative team. Here is an idea of the process from selection of the show through the moment the final cast list is posted. Jason and his creative team (George Croom, musical director, and Jesse Pellegrino, choreographer) meet, discuss and then make suggestions about which shows they feel are good options for next year’s production. Jason then makes recommendations to the nine-member board of directors of The Port Summer Show. Many factors help determine the final selection including budget, availability, talent pool, and the ability to showcase a large cast with lots of group numbers. In regards, to this year’s production Jason said: “Curtains was a show I strongly recommended for this year's production. It has a wonderful underlying story - who doesn't love a good murder mystery? It also features a lot of truly fantastic production numbers, which allows our large cast to shine. I also love the fact that many of those in our audience won't know the show, so it will be a new adventure for them as well.”

Scheduled auditions are presided over by the creative team. The process is very organized and professional with auditioning students preparing songs and coming with resumes. Call backs are then scheduled to further assess what roles are right for which students. The entire casting process is guided and determined by the creative staff. Great care is taken to showcase every student’s talent in the best way. When asked about casting, Jason responded: “Casting always has its challenges. The students came in so well-prepared. They are so very talented. But casting is like putting a giant jigsaw puzzle together. You work to find just the right combination to ensure that the whole picture comes together.”

As this remarkable cast, crew, and pit musicians get ready for opening night on Aug 2^nd, Jason reflected: “It is an absolute joy to work with the students of the Port Summer Show for all fifteen productions. Their energy and desire to be the best they can be is truly inspiring for me. I have made a career of working with young people in the arts and this happens to be my longest running consistent project. They will have to drag me away as I adore the students of Port Washington so very much. Here's to another fifteen years!”

Port Summer Show Board of Directors:

Sam DeMarino, Sandy Woods, Linda Nutter - Co-Presidents

Lori Lee - Vice President

Theresa Gilsenan - Secretary

Dawn Epp - Treasurer

Lou Gilsenan, Michael Siskin, Melissa Welsh - Board members

“Curtains” would not be possible without our Dress Circle Sponsors: The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation, Robert Harding Real Estate, Ltd. and RLH Management. Additional thanks to Mezzanine Level Sponsors: Ed and Dot Slade as well as Standing Room Only Sponsors: Donald Goldblatt and Susan Isaacs/Elkan Abramowitz. Special thanks to the Community Chest of Port Washington and HEARTS PW organizations.

Photo Credit: Photos - by Linda Nutter Last Rehearsal Photo by Shiraz Johnson