Thank you to ACT of CT for using your stage to tell one of the most important stories of all time.
“You will be moved to dig deep,” ACT of CT Artistic Director Dan Levine said.
Levine was not exaggerating - theater can move you in a way unlike any other medium can, and ACT’s production of Nickel Mines will do just that.
On October 2, 2006, in a one-room school in the Amish community of Nickel Mines Pennsylvania, the unthinkable happened. Ten young girls were held hostage by a gunman, a member of their community. Five of those girls perished, the other five were seriously wounded.
The new musical, Nickel Mines, is about what happens next. This living memorial honors the five young lives lost and lifts up the families left behind.
The effects of this senseless act are so personal, each individual, from the family members of the victims to the wife of the shooter is thrust into an unfathomable situation and emotions are running wild. How do they cope? Anger? Revenge? Hate? Forgiveness? Love?
Dance movements and vocal performances are masterfully executed by the uber-talented cast of Lauren Celentano, Anna Cooper, Shea Coughlin, Morgan Hollingsworth, Kelsey Jenison, Milan Magana, Mark Bradley Miller, Alex Nee, Eric Michael Parker, Justine Veronica Rafael, Josephine Rose Roberts, Hannah Joy Snyder, Jayme Wappel, Claire Sorlie, and Emma Lou DeLaney.
They touch the audience in a profoundly powerful way.
We witness the incredibly personal struggle of a grieving father, a loving boyfriend, and a lonely sister as they struggle to go try to find normalcy.
Before the performance even began, the audience had a glimpse into its impact and meaning. Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine took the stage and was moved to tears as he spoke about Nickel Mines, a show that was in final days of rehearsal when COVID shut it down in 2020.
Levine thanked Anita Donofrio who was instrumental in bringing Nickel Mines back. “She believes in this show as much as we do,” said Levine.
Those who were fortunate to see Nickel Mines this weekend were among the first to experience this incredibly powerful World premiere musical production, directed and choreographed by Andrew Palermo.
Once again, the entire ACT of Connecticut team, including Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine, Bryan Perri, Music Supervisor, Executive Director Katie Diamond, and Erin Craig, Producing Director deliver brilliance by way of Nickel Mines.
“Good theater can enter our hearts and change us,” said Levine.
Nickel Mines does that.
Sunday, January 23rd at 2pm* & 7pm
Thursday, January 27th at 7pm
Friday, January 28th at 8pm
Saturday, January 29th at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, January 30th at 2pm
Sunday, January 23 at 2pm - Niro Feliciano (LCSW, Integrative Counseling and Wellness Group) and Alexis Koukos (Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement)
Purchase tickets here.
*Photos by Jeff Butchen Photography