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Overcast FREE Players: a chance to shine
Theater group returns to East Meadow for performance of 'Seussical the Musical'
It never gets old.
Led by artistic director Jim Sisto, the FREE Players, in its 15th season, continues to entertain and inspire audiences across Long Island, including East Meadow.
The FREE Players group is made up of talented young adults with specialized instructional needs who are eager to share their artistic talent, enthusiasm, and love of theater with the community. FREE stands for Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, and is based in Bethpage.
Sisto explained that when most of the FREE Players grew up, it was difficult for them to find a niche or hobby that they could succeed at with their peers. This gives them that chance.
“This gives them something that other people can’t do,” Sisto said. “From there, they grow amazingly quickly.”
For the third time, the FREE Players will be performing in the East Meadow School District. On the weekend of Oct. 23-24, the FREE Players present “Seussical the Musical” at East Meadow High School. The group performed “Guys and Dolls” and “Into the Woods” in 2009.
“Seussical the Musical” is based on several works written by famous children’s author Dr. Seuss. Many of his popular characters are brought to life in this adventure through the world of Seuss.
Barbara Sharkis and Evan Shiechel return to the East Meadow stage for the third time as performers for the FREE Players. Both Sharkis and Shiechel, graduates of the East Meadow School District, have main roles in Seussical the Musical. Sharkis plays Mayzie, while Shiechel stars as Horton.
Louis DeAngelo, East Meadow’s superintendent of schools, said he is excited to see actors like Sharkis and Shiechel take the stage and show off their talents to the community.
“It is gratifying for us to be able to play a role in showcasing the FREE Players’ accomplishments and talents and especially rewarding for me in that I have personally known a number of the FREE Players since their time here as students in our district,” DeAngelo said. “Seeing our own students come home to shine on our own stage is wonderful.”
