Shannon Ferrara, fifth grade music teacher at Village School, is the vocal director for “Tommy” playing at Kelsey Theater through Sunday, February 5. Her husband, former Plainsboro resident Frank Ferrara, directed the production.
According to Frank Ferrara’s notes in the program, “Tommy” itself has evolved from rock concert to concept album to psychedelic film to massive Broadway show. “We’ve tried to get a little closer to the music’s roots as a rock concert, and hopefully to capture some of its passion and authenticity.” He invites the audience to sing along, shout back, and dance in your seat. His instructions worked and the opening night audience was on their feet during the last number.
Shannon’s past musical direction credits includes “Into the Woods,” “Oliver!,” The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Camelot, Jekyll & Hyde, and “The Legend of Redwall Abbey.” She has also staged managed “The Rocky Horror Show” and assistant stage managed “The Music Man” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” She has been seen in “Charlotte’s Web,” The Mystery of Edwin Drood, “ and “Godspell.”
Frank, the president of the Pennington Players and drama director at Allentown High School, will appear at Kelsey in the role of Old Deuteronomy in “Cats” in April. He is co-founder (with Nicholas Cheng) of the Cheng/Ferrara Productions and directed its debut production of “The Last Five Years” at Kelsey last January.
One member of the Ferrarra family has no stage credits (yet): daughter Elizabeth, who will be two in April.
Visit www.kelseytheatre.net or call 609-587-9444 for information.
