51.0°,
Mostly Cloudy A chance to shine
FREE Players Performance
For the fourth time, the FREE Players will perform at East Meadow High School. The talented young adults with disabilities have found their niche and eagerly wait their time to shine.
Practicing for nearly eight months, adults who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, autism, severe brain injuries and cerebral palsy are ready to hit the stage with “Damn Yankees”, said dance specialist Tara Palen. “When they are performing, the last thing you notice about them is there disability.”
While many participants are high functioning, said Palen, others can’t read, but with months of practice are able to learn lines. “It’s really beyond words when you see what they can do,” she said. “There is never a dry eye when the performance ends.”
Once again, Barbara Sharkis and Evan Shiechel, graduates from the East Meadow School District, will return to the stage. “I can’t tell you how amazing it is to watch them put on these productions,” said Judy Shiechel, Evan’s mother. She said she was worried about what her son would do after high school, but is delighted he has a local, part-time job and is involved with the FREE Players’ musical performances.
FREE Players partnered with the East Meadow School District four years ago and previously performed “Seussical the Musical”, “Guys an Dolls” and “Into the Woods”.
Shiechel said Louis DeAngelo, East Meadow’s superintendent of schools, played a large role in the partnership between FREE Players and the district. She said he was involved with special education when Evan was still in school. “It’s really a full-circle experience.”
More than 60 FREE Players take part it the musical and even more are behind the scenes creating sets and props and playing in the band.
There will be two performances of “Damn Yankees” in the EMHS auditorium: Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m.
Net proceeds from performances will go to the FREE Players and the East Meadow School District’s SEPTA (Special Education PTA) and SERCL (Special Education Resource Center and Library), which benefit children with special education needs.
For tickets, call (516) 870-1600 ext. 4040 or (516) 478-5518. The performances are nearly sold out, so order your tickets in advance. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and individuals with disabilities and $5 for students.
