Garden Spot townlively.com
APRIL 10, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 16
GSPA to present “Shrek” BY ANN MEAD ASH
F
or Garden Spot Performing Arts (GSPA) director Josh Martin, choosing to stage “Shrek” - the full Broadway musical version - for the Garden Spot High School (GSHS) spring show has meant handing the cast of nearly 30 a familiar story with characters they recognize. “This was our best read-through in a very long time,” said Josh of the initial rehearsals for the show. “They know what Shrek is supposed to sound like and what Donkey is supposed to sound like, and they understand the humor.” “Shrek the Musical,” adapted from the 2001 animated film “Shrek,” will play in the Stan Deen Auditorium at GSHS, 669 E. Main St., New Holland, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 19, 20, and 21. Shows on April 19 and 20 will be at 7:30 p.m., and the show on April 21 will begin at 2:30 p.m. “Shrek” is set in a mythical world populated by fairy tale
characters, including Cinderella, the Three Pigs, and Pinocchio. Shrek, a curmudgeonly ogre, enjoys the sanctuar y of his peaceful lair deep in the swamp. Unfortunately for Shrek, played by Luke Canales, a group of fantastical characters who have been displaced from their homes by the cruel Lord Farquaad, played by Brandon Herman, interrupts his solitude, and he reluctantly agrees to take on Farquaad in a quest to reclaim their homes. Accompanied by the annoying Donkey, played by Caleb Stefan, Shrek embarks on a mission that takes him to faraway lands, where he encounters multiple magical creatures and meets a mysterious princess named Fiona, played by Morgan Watt. According to Josh, the story follows the movie closely. Josh said that he chose “Shrek” to challenge the imagi n at i o n s o f h i s a c to r s a n d actresses. “I thought rather than trying to do stereotypical
romantic lead, leading lady, ingenue, and heartthrob, let’s try something to really make them think creatively and be someone totally different,” he said, adding that the students are enjoying the fun of that. With about 20 musical numbers, producing the show will challenge students’ voices, as well. “‘Big, Bright, Beautiful World’ in the beginning is a big number,” shared Josh, who noted that the Pinocchio character is featured in a big song and dance number called “Story of My Life” that explains how the fairy tale creatures got to be where they are in the swamp. “I love the song when we meet Princess Fiona,” Josh stated. “It’s called ‘I Know It’s Today.’” Josh explained that three different actresses will play Fiona at three different stages in her life. “She morphs from 8 years old to a young teen to a young adult,” he said. The big finale includes “I’m a Believer,” which The cast of the Garden Spot Performing Arts production of “Shrek the See GSPA pg 9 Musical”
An artist’s life Wood artist Dave Zimmerman knows well the blessing and the curse of being an artist. “I can’t stop,” said Zimmerman, standing in his shop - a structure filled floor to ceiling with his unique creations. “I have said I am going to stop, but I just can’t.” Zimmerman’s work is currently on display at Morton Fine Furniture, 61 E. Main St., Lititz. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Mondays through Thursdays by appointment. Zimmerman’s work has been featured in House Beautiful and Bride’s Magazine, and he has won awards in juried East Coast competitions. Morton, a furniture maker, called Zimmerman’s work “outstanding” and said that he admires Zimmerman’s “ingenuity and skill.” Zimmerman first picked up woodworking tools in Artist David Zimmerman with one of the wooden
GSV to offer new program BY ANN MEAD ASH
BASIS stands for Brothers and Sisters in Support. The organization, a branch of Handi-Vangelism Ministries International (HVMI), is a grief support ministry for parents who have lost a child. Jenny Snyder, independent living and social service advocate with Garden Spot Village (GSV), has coordinated support groups for the retirement community for many years. Some time ago,
a GSV resident recommended Dan Steinman, director of BASIS, as a guest speaker for a monthly support group. “I was familiar with the name, and some people from the grief group knew him and were involved with HVMI,” recalled Snyder, who added that a few months ago another GSV resident suggested starting a BASIS group at GSV. “I talked it through with my team,” Snyder reported, adding that traditionally grief groups at GSV have consisted of See BASIS pg 4
UP TO
See David Zimmerman pg 11 “Soul Boats” he created
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BY ANN MEAD ASH
Support for grieving parents