According to the Roosevelt Island
Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance:

Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance announces the opening of
“The Ghosts All Around You”
in the Howe Theatre, running Dec 10-12 and 17-19 (in-person &
livestreamed). A multigenerational, multicultural cast of talented MSTDA
actors, along with a stellar creative team including acclaimed director
Steven Eng and a longtime creative contributor to MSTDA, assistant director
Jacqueline Lucid are launching what is sure to become a holiday tradition
for Roosevelt Island, right on Main Street NYC!  

                                                               
Image From
Irena Island Images

What do Charles Dickens, Nelly Bly, Scrooge and the people of Roosevelt
Island all have in common? They will all be appearing live this holiday
season on Roosevelt Island! The ghosts of Roosevelt Island will be coming to
life to tell a tale in which worlds are interwoven in a gripping and
meaningful story of equality, human connection and compassion, just in time
for the season of giving! 

Composer and Co-writer, Fadner has been riding a ghostly train of thought
similar to the “greatest writer in English history”, Charles John Huffman
Dickens. Jonathan Fadner’s driving musical score ranges from totally rockin’
to heartbreakingly beautiful. 

The musical is set on Roosevelt Island, featuring landmarks such as the
Smallpox Hospital and The Octagon (formerly the NYC Insane Asylum). Even the
Roosevelt Island Red Public Bus plays a role! Every year, since her husband
William (played by Gabriel Portuondo) died, the struggling yet optimistic
single mother Cheryl Makepeace (played by Kimbirdlee) reads “A Christmas
Carol” to her three young children, hoping to teach her kids goodwill and
kindness. This year, the family moved to Roosevelt Island, and Cheryl works
for the modern day Scrooge and real estate tycoon, Potiphar Stingyas (played
by Russ Cusick.) Circumstances arise to reveal inequalities and painful
pasts which lead to self-examination, redemption and valuable life lessons,
as the ghosts of the past try to break through and a memorable story is told
and sung.

Last year was a time of development for “The Ghosts All around You.” At the
time, the city was in the grips of the Covid 19 pandemic and life was scary
and uncertain. MSTDA forged ahead by reinventing their programming and
allowing creative artists a safe haven to be creative and stay connected and
safe. Their perseverance is paying off this year with a staged production of
the new musical, including costumes by Amelia Dombrowski, choreography by
Isaiah Reynolds, lighting design by Zackry Childers (stage manager), music
direction by Jonathan Fadner, and digital projection and set design by Rachel
Reuben. Executive Director Kristi Towey, AED/THeatre Dept Head Kimbirdlee
Fadner and the MSTDA Board of Directors are thrilled to produce this
community-minded new work.

Here’s a montage of 2020 performances from
The Ghosts All Around You
by the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance.


Also, consider making a
Giving Tuesday
donation to the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance.