The Peninsula Public Library will be hosting an interactive mystery performance of “The Haunted Library” by members of SHTARK Contrast.
Kids of all ages are welcome to join in on solving a mystery with classic literary characters including Alice, Amelia Bedelia, Hermione Granger, Tom Sawyer and the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.
The performance is on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. and registration is required. To register visit, www.PeninsulaPublic.org or call Roxanne Spodek at (516) 967-5777.
Jennifer Lanter, director and founder of SHTARK Contrast, is a former theatre teacher at HAFTR (Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway) and officially started SHTARK in 2018.
“My graduates and I kept talking about opening a community theater where they could keep the spotlight,” Lanter said. “After endless ‘we should totally do this’ chats, we did. Nothing says ‘growing up’ like naming your theater company after a Yiddish word and a visual pun.”
Lanter, a Woodmere resident, created the idea and wrote the script along with directed the whole performance.
“I’m obsessed with character crossover shows like ‘Into the Woods’ or “Night at the Museum’,” she added. “So we shrunk the multi-verse, stuffed it between the stacks and threw in an escape room with our favorite characters and the Dewy Decimal System.”
Lanter had first worked with the PPL pre-pandemic when her troupe performed “Check Please” and when quarantine began they performed “Are You The One?” an original Zoom romantic-comedy that streamed via the library.
“Theatre is the ultimate team sport where nobody keep score but everybody gets a curtain call,” Lanter said. “Giving these incredible actors a stage that’s by the community, for the community, is my second favorite part. Bossing everyone around is actually my favorite part.”
Spodek has been the adult program coordinator at PPL for four years and has enjoyed watching the library community evolve.
“While some patrons love connecting with us in person, other have found comfort in joining through Zoom,” Spodek said. “Our mission is to reach everyone, in every way possible.”
This is the first time the library is partnering with SHTARK Contrast for a performance.
“We hope this event draws in families who haven’t visited the library recently and gives everyone a chance to enjoy a safe, free and family-friendly afternoon,” she added. “We are especially excited to partner with SHTARK Contrast to see what their performance brings to our community.”
She said that there are few opportunities for joyful, creative and community-centered experiences in today’s world.
“The arts are invaluable,” Spodek said. “This event celebrates that spirit, bringing people together through laughter, imagination and shared fun. We hope everyone leaves inspired, smiling and eager for more.”
Lanter said that their doors are always open for members of the community to join her theater family or host a performance.
“Reach out if you’re secretly hoping to be discovered, have a venue where you want us to perform or even a killer monologue scribbled on a napkin,” Lanter said. “Performers, playwrights, venue wizard and closet thespians. We’re non-judgmental and all about turning your ‘what if’ into a packed house. Our spotlight’s big enough for everyone.”
