Gas Lamp Players
Nonetheless, the shop’s profits do provide an
assured source of income and allow its overseeing
visionaries to dream even bigger. So move over
Tom Cruise, as the young luminaries of the Gas
Lamp Players continue to take center stage.
Even though Tom Cruise (aka Tommy Mapother)
got his rise from the stage of the Ridgewood
Avenue School auditorium in the early ‘80s, there
was a dearth of theater arts offerings in town
until the Gas Lamp Players was organized in
1997. Nonetheless, its founders could never have
anticipated that it would end up putting Glen
Ridge so prominently on New Jersey’s cultural
map. “Clearly it struck a nerve that allowed it to
become a vibrant and irreplaceable part of the
communal fabric,” explained one enthusiast.
Stop and Smell (or Tend)
the Roses
Residents on the far north end of town may not
be aware of what a rare jewel of a public garden
is available to all of us. Indeed, the Freeman
Gardens, located at the corner of Hawthorne and
Maolis Avenues, have been recognized by
Horticulture Magazine and the Smithsonian
Institution’s Archives of American Gardens and
are listed on the State and National Registers of
Historic Places.
To director Jessica Sporn its success lies in the
fact that it offers children a meaningful
complement to athletics in which to “find
themselves and feel great about themselves.” As
she points out, “the arts are inherently accepting
of uniqueness, yet provide a sense of
community.”
So as the Gas Lamp Players has
taken off, so too has its offerings – with an
academy and costume shop thrown into the mix –
in keeping with its mission of community service
on behalf of the arts.
What makes these gardens so special is that they
were designed in 1935 by one of the preeminent
landscape architects of the day, Ethelbert
Furlong, in his characteristic axial symmetrical
design.
Originally
the
gardens
were
commissioned and owned by Glen Ridge resident
and benefactor, Clayton Freeman, whose estate
bequeathed them to the borough in 1967. So,
despite the fact that Furlong had numerous
commissions over a career that spanned some 60
years, this is the only one of his gardens that has
been preserved in its original design and is open
to the public, May through October, from about 9
am to dusk.
In part, it is its success that has forced it to
evolve. One turning point came in the fall of
2006 with the staging of “Fiddler on the Roof”
when 140 children tried out and 55 had to be
turned away. In the past, the Players had been
able to accept all comers. It was at this point
that the decisions were made to hold “break”
workshops in February and April, during which
children have the thrill of staging a play within
the week, and to produce an all-kids show in the
summer. For last summer’s offering, “The Wizard
of Oz,” 55 children turned out, 25 more than
hoped for. This year’s break workshops are fully
subscribed, and another smashing success is
expected when “Seussical the Musical” is
presented this summer.
In addition, the Gas Lamp Academy offers
semester-long courses in creative and musical
theater, including improvisation and dance, for
grade 3 to adult. Its newest offering is “Gas
Lamp Touring Teens,” for grades 7 to 11. This
troupe is being prepared to perform at
enrichment assemblies in elementary and middle
schools during the academic year 2008-2009.
This spring Gas Lamp Players also held its first
collaborative effort with Fitzgerald’s 1928 and the
N.J. Arts Collective. Entitled “Food for Thought,”
it was, as billed, “a delicious evening of theater,
music and fine dining.”
What also make these gardens special are the
dedicated volunteers of the Freeman Gardens
Association who maintain them at almost no cost
to taxpayers. Of course, they could use much
more help. So by all means take a book or a
picnic lunch and putter in the garden. But also
consider volunteering even a few hours to help
with pruning, watering or weeding. No gardening
expertise is required, and volunteers actually
believe they get more than they give. At least
that is the view of rose specialist, Horace
Ashenfelter, who has been working in the gardens
for more than 30 years!
Certainly a key ingredient in the Gas Lamp
Players’ success has been the acquisition of a
5,000 piece costume collection, donated to it by
the
Summit
Junior
League
last
spring.
Fortunately the group was able to acquire and
salvage a long-neglected retail space on Herman
Street and open a bustling shop, manned by its
relentless volunteers. But, true to form, the shop
makes costumes available to schools throughout
northern New Jersey at less than half the price of
most costume shops and contributes to such
charitable endeavors as “Dress for Success.”
For more information about the gardens, you are
welcome to call Larry or Pricilla Stauffer at 973748-3730.
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