EAST BRUNSWICK — While local residents have enjoyed performances on the lawn outside the township’s new Cultural Arts Center since last year, they will have their first opportunity to see a show at the indoor theater next week.
The East Brunswick Young Adult Charity Players will perform “Camp Showbiz,” an original show featuring songs from existing musicals, at the new theater at Heavenly Farms, 210 Dunhams Corner Road.
The EBYACP is a nonprofit organization for people ages 12 to 24 whose mission is to raise money for local philanthropies, and so far they have been very successful. Last year the troupe donated more than $10,000 to Camp Daisy, a recreation program for young people with disabilities, and to the Memorial Elementary School, which was largely destroyed in a fire. Over the past nine years, EBYACP has raised more than $40,000, and in March 2007 won the Fay S. Mathewson Award from the New Jersey Recreation and ParksAssociation.
At 22, Phil Solomon is one of the more senior members of the troupe. He joined when the organization was established in 2001 and has been with them every summer since. Over the years he has played many roles, but this summer he won’t be doing any acting.
Instead, Solomon will be directing the play, which he wrote.
“I finished it in May, just before auditions started in June,” he said. “It’s really cool watching what I wrote come to life.”
“Camp Showbiz,” set in a performing arts camp, is about a classic love triangle between campers, but includes a show within a show. The audience will hear some of their favorites from “Wicked,” “Avenue Q,” “Rent,” “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” “Footloose,” “Songs for a New World,” “Hairspray,” “A Walk To Remember,” and the “High School Musical” series. All are taken out of context to fit into the camp setting.
Nick Walsh, who will be starting his junior year at East Brunswick High School this fall, plays one of the lead roles as Nick Muholland, a camper who is just trying to fit in.
“I’m having a lot of fun and I’m learning a lot. Since this is my first lead, I’m picking up a lot of tips,” he said.
Solomon is happy with the way rehearsals are going.
“I see a cast that’s determined to put together something good. They are working hard to perfect the entire show,” he said. “It’s great the way the younger kids learn from the older ones.”
The young director has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and recently earned a Master of Corporate Communications from Fairleigh Dickinson University. The job market has not been kind, so while he continues his search, he has been going on auditions, doing commercials and modeling work.
Performances are July 31 and Aug. 1 at 7 p.m., and Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door and can be pre-ordered for $8 by calling 908-227-4451. All proceeds will go to Camp Daisy.
For more information, visit the website at http://ebyacp.bravehost.com.