Members of the East Brunswick Young Adult Charity Players rehearse for their latest original production, “Two New Years.” COURTESY OF JOSH MCCAWLEY Being part of the East Brunswick Young Adult Charity Players is about more than just entertaining the community — it’s about helping the community, too.
This weekend, the troupe returns for its 14th consecutive summer and original show, with all proceeds benefiting Camp Daisy, a summer program for children and young people with special needs, and the Daisy Association, the camp’s parent support group.
This summer’s production is “Two New Years,” being performed at Playhouse 22 at 7 p.m. Aug. 1; 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 2; and 2 p.m. Aug. 3.
George Srouji is directing the show, which follows a group of characters at a New Year’s Eve party and then checks in with them at a party exactly one year later.
Though “Two New Years” is an original production, theatergoers may be pleased to find that the show features a variety of familiar songs. A few of the songs include “Love is an Open Door” from Disney’s hit film “Frozen,” as well as “No Time at All” from Broadway classic “Pippin” and ’80s rock jam “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners.
“Our director, George, did such a great job of finding songs from a lot of different areas of the song world. … All these songs mesh together really well, and the ideas in them fit seamlessly into the script,” said Josh McCawley, the troupe’s producer.
McCawley knows very well that his group works a bit differently than most acting groups. The troupe is open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 24, and a spot is guaranteed to anyone who auditions. The only requirement cast members have is that they must sell $50 in ad space for the show’s playbill.
“I think that other acting groups … you’re doing the show for your cast members and for yourself,” McCawley said. “It’s a pride thing, and it’s a pride in your own personal performance.”
McCawley said members of the charity players also take pride in their cast members and performances, but they take “extra pride” and make an “extra push” to serve their community.
“I think it helps our cast members as they begin to understand that it’s not all about you, but it’s about what you can do in the bigger picture. … Our organization really opens the door for people and lets them see that,” McCawley said.
According to McCawley, having that “extra little wrinkle” helps to motivate cast members even further. Last summer, the charity players raised $10,000 in support of Camp Daisy and the Daisy Association.
“I’ve done a lot of charity work in the past … and I’ve done a lot of theater in the past,” McCawley said. “I just think having the ability to combine two things that I hold very dear to my heart, and being able to help the community while doing so, I think, is spectacular.”
Tickets for “Two New Years” are $15 at the door and $10 if preordered. For more information on the show and the troupe, visit ebyacp.com.