Teen romance takes center stage when “High School Musical 2, Jr.” comes to Kelsey Theater featuring an ensemble group from Mercer County’s College summer programs Tomato Patch and Kelsey Players. The show will be performed on Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 27, at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $8 and $10. Ensemble members include Tomato Patchers Molly Fisch-Friedman and Michael Mitgang of West Windsor; and Robin Slothower of Plainsboro.
Tomato Patch visual and performing arts workshops, held annually on the West Windsor campus, is one of the longest-running and most successful multi-disciplinary summer arts programs in central New Jersey. Since 1973, more than 5,600 junior and senior high school students have spent several weeks of their summer exploring the visual arts, dance, theater, and vocal music under the guidance professional artists. Graduates have become professional artists; appeared in conjunction with Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theaters; or decided to teach the arts as they were taught. “Many have gone on to fulfill different life ambitions yet maintain lasting friendships formed in Tomato Patch,” says Kitty Getlik, artistic director at Kelsey Theater.
“For years Tomato Patchers have been saying they are disappointed when it is over and they have to wait all the way until next summer,” says Getlik. “We have looked at offering Tomato Patch type classes during the year, but the students often are involved in so many other things, or they cannot get transportation after school. Last year we hit upon the idea of putting together a show that would be directed by the Tomato Patch teachers — and feature Tomato Patchers. We did `Bugsy Malone Jr.’ as the first of these shows last year.”
The auditions are held early in September and then the rehearsals are once a week on Saturdays for several months. About three weeks before the show rehearsals expand to Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturdays. The week before the show rehearsals are every night. “It is really a great way to keep the fun going,” says Getlik.
Seen by more than 18 million viewers in the United States, “High School Musical 2” is the highest-rated Disney Channel movie of all time. It premiered on the Disney Channel in 2007 and featured Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, and Ashley Tisdale.
Molly Fisch-Friedman has attended the Tomato patch program for six years. “When I was going into sixth grade a friend told me about Tomato Patch and it sounded like fun,” she says. “It was and I kept going back.”
Molly is a lifelong West Windsor resident. Her father, Robert Friedman, is an engineer. Her mother, Lorraine Fisch, who volunteers for various organizations including String of Pearls and the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey, has also created many costumes for dance schools over the years.
“Tomato Patch was one of the first places I was exposed to so many things and able to take so many classes,” she says. “Classes in puppetry and singing not only sparked my love of singing but opened me up to another part of the theater world.”
Dancing since age five, Molly has attended many dance camps over the years. She began dancing at Ballet Workshop, formerly at the Princeton YMCA, and continues to study jazz and tap at their Lawrenceville and Ewing studios. She began studies at Princeton Ballet when she was in the third grade. She often helps out with younger students.
“I know if I don’t choose dance or acting as a career I will keep up with them,” she says. “I am keeping my options open.”
Molly’s first exposure to acting was at a children’s play festival at West Windsor Library when she was in fifth grade. Now a junior at High School North, she performed last fall in “Mr. and Mrs. North” at North. Also a singer, she is a member of High school North’s female a cappella group and has performed at “Teens Against Cancer” benefit shows. She has played the viola since fourth grade and studies with Phillip Pugh, Millstone River orchestra director.
“My summers have always been a theater or dance camp as a break from the school year,” she says. She is looking into pre-college programs as well as Tomato Patch master class.
— Lynn Miller
High School Musical 2 Jr., Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. Friday to Sunday, February 25 to 27. See camp listings for more information about Tomato Patch.
