Local performers ‘take the stage’ for theatre fundraiser

By Lauren Young

Staff writer

Last Friday night was anything but a quiet one at the Eastern Hills Bible Church in Manlius as the Front Row Players held its annual “Take the Stage” Fundraiser to raise funds for the all-inclusive theatre group featuring adults with special needs.

On Friday, Sept. 14, the Front Row Players (FRP) presented a night of performances, featuring some FRP members and directors as well as other local singers, dancers and musicians. The evening was hosted by NewsChannel9 Anchor and Reporter Farah Jadran.

Brian and Shawn Hebert performed “Alone in the Universe” from “Seussical” at the Front Row Player’s annual “Take the Stage” fundraiser on Sept. 14. (photo by Lauren Young)

Performances of the night included:

Amanda Cavanagh and Sean Egan, “Ten Minutes Ago” from “Cinderella”
Brian and Shawn Hebert, “Alone in the Universe” from “Seussical”
Dorothea Malinowski, “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid”
Timothy Ranger, “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables”
Brass Act Trombone Trio (Steve Button, Clifford Crain and Rob Enslin), “Minor Booze” by Eberhard Buziat
Kathleen Coughlin and Nicholas Johnson, “Love Is an Open Door” from “Frozen”
Brittaney del Toro, “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana”
Lucian Hale, “To Dream the Impossible Dream” from “Man of LaMancha”
Shannon Tompkins and Christopher Rogers, “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better” from “Annie Get Your Gun”
Sherrie Hale, “Besame Mucho” by Consuelo Velazquez
Linsey Hebert and Samantha Kellish, dancing to “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts
Laura Enslin and Matthew Green, “I’d Give It All for You” from “Songs for a New World”
Bruce Paulsen, “I Won’t Send Roses” from “Mack and Mable”
Kay Paulsen, “My One and Only Love” written by Guy Wood and lyrics by Robert Mellin
Andrea Calarco and Andrew Tongue, “Wick” from “Secret Garden”
Mika Sajnog, “Memory” from “Cats”
Daniel Popp and Jason Cavanagh, “Found Tonight” from “Hamilton” and “Dear Evan Hansen”
Laura Enslin, “Glitter and Be Gay” from “Candide”

Dorothea Malinowski performed “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” at the Front Row Player’s annual “Take the Stage” fundraiser on Sept. 14. (photo by Lauren Young)

Every performer of the evening, said Founder Deb Cavanagh, is connected to the FRP program in some way, and they all “share our mission of allowing our actors to perform and share their passion.”

The program, said performer Laura Enslin, who has a brother in FRP and whose mother is FRP Musical Director Dr. Kay Paulsen, “empowers people to live full lives.”

“It builds confidence and the ability to communicate on so many levels, so they can advocate for themselves,” she said. “It’s a great thing.’

To learn more about Front Row Players, visit Frontrowplayers.org