Photo Coverage: Sondra Lee Visits Gas Lamp Academy of Performing Arts' PETER PAN

Broadway and television actress, Sondra Lee, made a special trip to Glen Ridge to have a talkback with the cast of Gas Lamp Academy of Performing Arts's Peter Pan on Tuesday, July 15. Sondra Lee originated the role of Tiger Lilly in the 1954 Broadway production of Peter Pan as well as the 1955, 1956 and 1960 television broadcasts of Peter Pan working along side the incomparable Mary Martin.

Gas Lamp's Executive Director and New York Cabaret Singer, Corinna Sowers-Adler, was asked to sing in a benefit for Winter Rhythms entitled A Centennial Celebration of Mary Martin last December where she had the honor of meeting Sondra Lee. When Sowers-Adler contacted Sondra Lee, she said was "more than happy to come to Glen Ridge to talk to Gas Lamp's Peter Pan cast with stories of her days on Broadway"! She was most excited to see the students perform numbers from the upcoming production.

Sondra Lee has had a nearly 50 year career as a Broadway legend and fixture of the theater, television and dance scene. She was discovered in 1947 by the great choreographer Jerome Robbins who turned the Newark born kid into a Broadway Baby in High Button Shoes. She won the hearts of millions as the original Tiger Lily in Peter Pan starring Mary Martin and shined in Hello Dolly! alongside two legendary Dollys - Carol Channing and Ginger Rogers. She appeared in hugely successful theater productions Hotel Paradiso and Sunday in New York and has countless dance credits including the original Ballets: USA, soloist at the Metropolitan Opera and City Center Opera's Street Scene, and co-star in Les Ballets De Paris. She has gone on to become a renowned acting coach and director's consultant on award-winning films.

Gas Lamp has a long history in Glen Ridge and when Sowers-Adler took the helm last October she, along with the Executive Team that is comprised of Artistic Director, Kristy Graves, Business Director, Susan Knight Carlin, Human Resource Director, Teresse Kallay, Graphic Designer, Toby Fox and Education Director, Sarajane Boyle, have expanded Gas Lamp's programing to include things like a Teen Project Ensemble that made their New York City debut on June 15, 2014 at Stage 72 at the Triad. They have also arranged for a group of Gas Lamp students to march in the Montclair July 4th Parade and are hoping to expand Gas Lamp's outreach to include performances both in and outside of Glen Ridge and be a welcoming and supportive outlet for all students of the performing arts.

Peter Pan, will offer performances on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at the Ridgewood Avenue School in Glen Ridge. Peter Pan, the 1954 Original Broadway version, will feature students in grades 1-8 and will be directed by Gas Lamp's Artistic Director, Kristy Graves. Gas Lamp Teen will present The Drowsy Chaperone featuring grades 8-12 on Friday, August 8,Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10.

For more information on upcoming Gas Lamp performances, classes or special events, visit www.gaslampplayers.org.

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff