Millstone’s got talent

PTO fundraising show to feature 85 local performers

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

The hidden spring of Millstone talent is ready to erupt. The Millstone PTO discovered the geyser this past week while holding auditions for “Millstone’s Got Talent,” a new fundraiser for the primary and elementary schools. The talent showcase scheduled for 4 p.m. May 1 at the Millstone Performing Arts Center will feature 85 performers.

Above: Gillian Finnegan, 10, performs a dance number for the judges during auditions for the upcoming “Millstone’s Got Talent” show at the Millstone Township Primary School on March 17. Below: Bill McNeill sings for the judges. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Gillian Finnegan, 10, performs a dance number for the judges during auditions for the upcoming “Millstone’s Got Talent” show at the Millstone Township Primary School on March 17. Below: Bill McNeill sings for the judges. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff “In my heart and in my mind, it is Hollywood,” Rose Kleinberg, producer and artistic director, said. “We’re looking at this as an opportunity for the staff to reach out to families in the community and vice versa. It makes sense to me to tap into everybody’s greatness, and clearly it’s all around here. This gives everyone the opportunity to get to know each other and to express themselves as they see fit.”

The event organizers who share a wealth of knowledge in the entertainment industry guarantee that this won’t be a typical talent show. Lending their talents to the production are Kleinberg, a performer who has done a one-woman show, cabaret, commercials, sketch-comedy and musical theater; Laura Wittman, owner of Cornerstone Music Studios in Millstone; Kathleen Urban, who teaches Musikgarten in Millstone; and Linda Kay-Griggs, founder of New Jersey Center of Dance at Frogbridge in Millstone.

Together they rounded up local performers ages 8 to 80 who will present song and dance numbers as well as juggling, comedy, monologues, poetry jams, storytelling, visual arts, and surprise events families can enjoy together.

“It’s off the hook,” Kleinberg said. “Millstone’s got talent for sure. My job is to make sure that everybody shines.”

A few moms have decided to bring their talents off the shelf, with some dusting off vocal chords and others putting on karate uniforms. One Millstone dad, Thomi Hawk, of Cowboys East, will bring the Wild West to the Millstone stage with his professional bull whipping.

“My daughter, Olivia Kleinberg, a great singer who loves acting, wants to do the pogo stick,” Kleinberg said, noting that hula hoops also have a special place in the production. “It’s not what people are expecting it to be.”

Arriving guests will be greeted with music from the Cornerstone Music Rock Band. The New Jersey Center of Dance will perform an ensemble dance number donning hard hats and tapping on I-beams. Brett Bokman will dress in a Civil Warera costume and play harmonica. Isabel Wittman will perform a musical theater piece. Bill McNeill, owner of Ivanhoe Brook Estates and former Millstone mayor, plans to give a rendition of Eddy Arnold’s “Make the World Go Away.” And the comedy troupe Fabulous Foursome, featuring Sydney Peake, Luke Vernaci, Madelyn Meidling and Nicholas Casale, have planned a barrel of laughs.

The show is nontraditional for the PTO, which donates thousands of dollars each year to events and activities at the primary and elementary school by raising money through a gift auction and carnival. In 2009, the PTO presented the schools with funding for field day T-shirts, planners and folders, the second-grade ice cream party, the fifth-grade dance, school assemblies, the fall ice cream social, the kindergarten tea and new library books.

“At the end of year we gifted $35,000 to the schools,” Kleinberg said. “That all goes to students.”

The PTO also helped students create the murals in the elementary school gym, redecorated and provided furnishings for the teachers’ lounge, and landscaped school property.

The group is always looking for new members and for more residents to participate in fundraising events, Kleinberg said.

“The only way to achieve our goals is by working together,” Kleinberg said.

Her goal with the new “Millstone’s Got Talent” is to energize the community and showcase its talent for a good cause in the new Performing Arts Center.

“Aside from being a fun event to raise money for the PTO, it will be surprising for people to find out who their neighbors are,” Kleinberg said.

For tickets and further information, contact Rose Kleinberg at [email protected].