By Edir Coronado
Cranford Senior Housing visited the Clark seniors for their annual performance “Strike Up The Band.” For 20 years this group has traveled across Union County to entertain crowds at different Senior centers.
This annual event marks the end of the year for the Clark senior meetings until September. All seniors were treated to a free boxed lunch from the Honey Baked Ham Co. while enjoying the performances. This tradition has been taking place for years.
“The Show was originally called Show Boat,” described Joe Yorey, who was one of the originators and the only member of the cast who has been with the show since its conception. These showbiz veterans have orchestrated 10 shows in the months of May and June, 8 on the road, with their last two at Cranford Senior Housing. The group performs comedy routines, musical numbers, and skits to entertain their audience. These entertainers receive as much joy as they produce for their spectators. Sixteen-year performer Gladys McFadden confesses “I’m a ham and love the show, I love getting up performing.” “It really shows what seniors can still do,” added Wilma Felderman.
This is especially true for Shannon Costello, who was recruited last year to join the traveling show and couldn’t resist the urge to showcase her talents again this year. “I love to sing” exclaimed Costello, she performs with another group and jumped at the opportunity for more stage time.
This nomadic group of artists are assisted by Activities Director Sharon Malkousko, the show’s producer; Cindy Rabinowitz, the director and prompter; and John Decotiis, pianist. Malkousko described that “there are auditions held, but anyone who auditions, is on the show.”
The number of participants never dwindle “once they do the show they are hooked” explains Malkousko. This has to do with the uniqueness of the show, Malkousko adds that in her 17 years with show, she has never heard of another performance like the one displayed by the Cranford Senior Housing.
Year after year this collection of stars put on an incredible display, as time passes “people change, but the show stays the same” explains Yorey “and that’s due to hard work.”
