Charlie Dazzles at MATH

By Bradley Towle

TANNERSVILLE — The Maude Adams Theater Hub (MATH) wrapped another successful production this weekend with the closing of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory on Saturday night at The Orpheum Performing Arts Center. The weekend began with a sold-out performance on Friday night and nearly full houses for Saturday’s matinee and evening shows. The play marked the MATH debut of Jake Shipley as Willy Wonka and the young Ezra Kashman as Charlie Bucket. Shipley and Kashman were joined on stage by a host of talented performers hailing from Saugerties, Jewett, Windham, Lexington, Hunter, Phoenicia, Elka Park, Woodstock, and Jefferson, under the direction of a nine-and-a-half-month pregnant Liz Piccoli. The crowds were treated to rousing musical numbers, bratty kids and their enabling parents, hilariously over-the-top new reporters, little squirrels, and, of course, Oompa Loompas, with many in the MATH cast pulling double or triple duty. Throughout the performance, it was clear that everyone was enjoying themselves, both on and off the stage.

Lauren Kashman (co-owner of Last Chance Cheese and Antiques) confirmed that her son and young star, Ezra, appreciated the experience. “Ezra is super happy with the way the show went,” she writes. “He is sad that it is over as he made so many new friends and enjoyed spending time with them during rehearsals. It was a true bonding experience for him and the rest of the cast and crew. This inclusive and positive environment was all thanks to the producer and director, as well as the other adult performers. He can’t wait for the next MATH production.” Anyone in attendance could see the ten-year-old Kashman was relishing his time on stage just as easily as they could see that the cast and crew were looking out for the young performers, of which there were many. That, in a nutshell, is part of what makes the MATH performances so charming. Aside from the impressive talent of everyone involved, new to the stage or not, one gets the sense that they are watching a performance created by nice and generous people who love being able to be a part of something together. For more information about Maude Adams Theater Hub and its upcoming events, including a summer camp, visit www.maudeadamstheaterhub.org.