CAPE MAY — “Turn the tide, turn the tide,” shout talking sea creatures and a young girl summoned to the Coral Queen’s underwater royal court in “Alice’s Adventures in Waterland,” an original play performed July 27 by Cape May’s All Star Theater Camp at Cape May Stage.
The production drew a full house of family and friends who, by the end of the show, were on their feet clapping and singing along with the cast.
The show is funny and endearing, but is also a call to action to the audience to play their part by not littering the beaches and ocean.
Cape May Cares, a nonprofit organization that works closely with children and families living in the Cape May Housing Authority, runs the theater program. This is the camp’s second year, and, given its popularity, it is likely to have a long run.
Parents of the young cast credit the camp with teaching their children valuable life skills. Amanda Udowenko, the mother of Sophia, 9, who plays Alice in the play, and Dante, 5, who plays the Clownfish, is thrilled with how much the camp has helped them. Both youngsters also attended the camp last year.
“They are much more confident now and they’re opening up more,” she said. “I am grateful for the joy that this program has brought my family.”
Kate Hathaway is the camp’s talented director. Many people know her from her many leading roles at Cape May Stage over the years and her involvement in numerous community projects.
“When Cape May Cares asked me to start a summer theater camp for children, I was absolutely thrilled at the chance,” she said. “I have always loved working with kids, but working with this group has been one of the best experiences I have ever had in theater.”
“It takes a village to run this program and it couldn’t be done without the assistance of executive consultant Tori Heimall and all of the volunteers who help out at Cape May Cares,” she added.
Hathaway made her acting debut in Cape May in the 1960s, when she was cast as the child in “South Pacific” at the former Cape May Playhouse, which was demolished a few years later to build two hotels.
This play is a bit of a family affair for Hathaway. Her husband, Jerry, is the show’s technical director who has done a masterful job coordinating the production’s sets, sound and lighting. Offstage, he is an accomplished attorney.
Samamtha Dahlstrom, a talented local artist, added a big splash of color to the play with her whimsical artwork. She also taught a few of the campers to paint.
“The theater camp has been a significant part of my children’s lives for the last two years because it has given them a place to express their creativity and form meaningful friendships,” said Jennifer Piazza, the mother of Elliot, 8, who plays the White Dolphin, and JoJo, 10, who portrays the Wise Old Turtle.
“Their roles have taught them valuable lessons about teamwork, conservation and believing in themselves,” she said. “The lessons they’re learning through theater will remain with them long after the curtain falls in this play.”
Ten-year-old Nyomi Nichols plays the Coral Queen who summons Alice to her underwater court.
“This play made me feel proud of myself and more confident,” Nyomi said. “My grandmother and I always pick up trash when we walk on the beach.”
She hopes to be a teacher when she grows up. It looks like she will be a very good one, as she is already leading by example.
By LYNN MARTENSTEIN/For the Star and Wave
