WHEN ONE COMMMUNITY THEATRE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS

FSFCTG has moved on ending its 41 year stint at the Free Synagogue of Flushing.  Maryellen Pierce, the director who brought a long run of quality theatrical musicals, was not ready to end her talented passion.  Maryellen continues to teach and direct productions at Mary Louis Academy, but it’s a different experience from simply teens.

With many of the community theatre groups already performing at houses of worship in Queens she decided to approach Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica Estates. She sent a proposal letter to Reverend William Murphy outlining her achievements as well the goals of the new group. The Reverend’s arm needed no “twisting”.  The name STAR Players NY was created…or born, depending on how you look at it.  As Maryellen sees it, “A group of Stars is a constellation or one hell of a show!

“We are not the same group that just relocated,” said Maryellen. “STAR Players NY bring our experience from many different theatre groups. Erik Neilssen who just won a Josie Award for directing Maggie's Little Theater's Nunsense will be on the new Board. Adrienne Star was a professional Clown, Dena Civello directs where she teaches in Hicksville, and Amanda Montoni is a dance teacher at JJ's Dance Studio in Floral Park. 

Part of their goal is to make theatre accessible to all people and Pierce feels that the location, 2 blocks from the F train and about 5 different NYC and Nassau bus lines, will help to build a diverse and large audience.

Auditions for their first production, Broadway Around the World, is on Monday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 1 starting at 7:30 pm. Auditions and performances will take place at the Immaculate Conception School, 179-14 Dalny Rd, between Edgerton Blvd. and Midland Pkwy.

“Broadway Around the World takes the audience on a world tour. Through the magic of musical theatre, songs will take us from the beaches in the South Pacific to the streets of NYC.  Musicals will reflect both classic and contemporary theatre including: One the Town, In the Heights, Aida, Newsies, Aladdin, West Side Story and more.” as Maryellen tells us. Performances are scheduled for October 23, 24 and 25^th. at the newly renovated auditorium of the Immaculate Conception School.

Maryellen does see the move as a great opportunity. “We have a supportive Pastor and Principal, a nice stage in an auditorium where we don’t have to put up seats as in a Social Hall, a welcoming diverse community and a large parking lot too.”  When one door closes, another opens. 

In scheduling future productions, they are looking to create a variety of high quality theatre.  “We must consider not only what the group wants, but the needs and wishes of the church as well as the community.  We also want our show dates and times to reflect what our audience would have available to them.  We hope to use varied dates as an opportunity to reach out to new audience.”

For further information call 516-521-5500.