Returning Home
When my husband and I decided to leave NYC for Connecticut, I was dealing with extreme physical and emotional trauma. And, while I had a vague notion that it was the best decision for our family, I truly couldn’t comprehend how amazing it would be for each one of us on every level imaginable.
It was a bumpy road settling into our new life – between living through construction, juggling many too many schedules without help, understanding just *how* much driving one does in the ‘burbs, and a handful of other factors, but none of us ever had a speck of doubt that it was the best move we could have made.
Not long after we relocated, Cheryl Kemeny, one of my most important mentors in life and founder of Crystal Theatre, the theatre company I grew up in, reached out to me about a 35th anniversary benefit performance they were doing.
R to L: Christina Vandewater, me, Max Helfand, Allie Shapiro, and Samantha Tuozzolo
It’s hard to put in words what Crystal Theatre means to me. My journey began when I signed up for a bunch of art classes at a camp called Creative Summer in Greenwich as a child. There was a mixup with my schedule, and the first morning had me slated for musical theatre and singing back to back…! Cheryl Kemeny, founder of Crystal Theatre, was leading these classes, and had every camper do a singing audition that day… solo…! I didn’t know how to sing that day, but I was an eager student, and managed to secure a solo for the summer’s end concert… which felt like the biggest accomplishment imaginable at the time.
I never switched the schedule back to my intended classes. Through Cheryl, I fell in love with singing, and, when the summer was over, I followed her to Crystal Theatre in Norwalk. The first show I did there was the world premiere of Cheryl’s original musical, “The Snow Queen”. She entrusted me to be her leading lady, and for the first time in my life, I felt what it was to be believed in.
With Don Febbraio in the last production I did of “The Snow Queen”, circa 1997.
The path Cheryl set me on – a path that allowed me to: understand that I was a capable human, believe in myself, and feel comfortable commanding the attention of a room – was necessary to become the person, yoga teacher, and mother I am today.
I can’t imagine who or where I would be without Cheryl, or the community she created with Crystal Theatre.
Post benefit performance (counter clockwise): me, Robin De Jesus, Allie Shapiro, Gillian Eckert, Alexandrea Kemeny, Samantha Tuozzolo, Cheryl Kemeny, Laura Sette, Ben Simpson, Char Fromentin, and Samantha Fargione – Crystal Theatre alums and founders.
So, when I got the invitation to be a part of the 35th anniversary benefit show, I couldn’t fathom not jumping at the opportunity.
What a jump that was! The magic of Crystal Theatre was brought back to me in full force, re-living: how Cheryl brings out the best in every human, the amazing bonds one can form with cast mates and directors alike, what true support looks and feels like, the power of watching others grow into and thrive in their roles, seeing the miracle of everything coming together at the last moment for one spectacular performance… it all feels too good to be true.
Endlessly grateful to Cheryl, Char, Alex, and Laszlo for making “A Spinning Tale” magic, and, of course, the endlessly talented (and hilarious) cast. What a trip! Can’t wait for the next.
Resting Snob Faces.
If you are in Fairfield county, get your kids into Crystal! If not, come catch a show!
