Four actors from Paramus

Four actors Mel, you’ve got to see these four actors from Paramus perform was the exhortation from my good friend, Diane Marichal. They are acting in ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ staged by the Garage Theater Group over at Fairleigh Dickinson. I listened; I attended; I was enthralled!

Arriving early gave me the chance to meet some of the staff and most importantly Michael Bias, the Artistic and Producing Director.
Of course Michael was busy getting his players ready, somewhat of a formidable task since they were pre-teen and teenagers. This veteran actor/producer and founder of The Garage Group took a little time out so that we could have a chat about him, his goals and accomplishments. Michael is a man who enjoys working with young adults.

Our four young Paramus thespians. Rachel Marichal (Jessie .. Annie’s little sister), Lisa Rae Weidemann (Maxie the Prop Lady), Renee Bruno (Sleeping Car Porter) and Cory Chichizola (Frank Butler) did a wonderful job of adapting to the stage. They showed none of the awkwardness so apparent in most local school productions. They are amateurs, but were almost as good as professionals. Their time in rehearsals showed in the thoroughness in which they performed their parts.

Annie Oakley was scheduled to be played by Morgan Assante, but due to illness, Lindsay Braverman stepped in. Morgan had to be superb because it was difficult to see any flaws in Lindsay’s acting and singing. This young lady’s voice came through with proper accents and good singing. She matched the efforts of her fellow cast.

A little hint about the best seats in the house came from Paul Silvertsen, the mustachioed, kerchiefed Sound mixer and co-owner of Rave Review Productions. Paul and Jan, his wife, have been together for over 35 years traveling across the Eastern Seaboard. Paul is a lover of opera and has performed in many of them. Jan has functioned as a music director for many of the Garage productions and Paul has worked their sound. The best seats in the house according to Paul .. right near the mixing booth because that’s where the sound is focused.

In discussing sound with Michael and Paul, there was one segment that was difficult for me to assimilate. They were working with wireless face microphones while, as an old timer, I am used to voice projection, diaphragmatic control and the ability to stage whisper to the audience unaided electronically. I guess I have to get out of the horse and buggy age.

The next Garage Theater Group production for the Youth Conservatory Season will be ‘Honk’ March 16th – March 18th 2007 and ‘Wonderland’ June 8th – 10th - and June 16th – 18th, 2007. There is also a Professional Company Season being produced. These are: ‘The False Servant’ November 2 – 19th, 2006, Solofest 2007 January 12 – 14th and January 19th – 21st 2007 and Porcelain from April 26th to May 13th, 2007

If you would care to subscribe to the upcoming events, to get more information or to contribute to the Arts, contact The Garage Theatre Group, PO Box 252, Tenafly, NJ 07670 or www.garagetheatre.org.