Schools

Jamboree: There's No Production Like It

The tradition continues Feb. 8 with "There's No Biz Like Show Biz"

Generations of students have been equal parts gratified and horrified by their parents. You might think this is a fairly general statement – what kid globally hasn't been embarrassed by their parents? – but in Ridgewood it's something of a cultural badge of honor during the cold winter months.

One year, Melinda Sohval dressed as a Hanukkah bush. Another, she transformed into a barefooted, overalls-wearing pregnant hillbilly (she had no teeth that year). Across the cafeteria at , amid chatter, pianos heard in the distance, Rob Taylor recounted the time he ditched his jeans for a pair of gold Hammer Pants, shuffling across the stage with a message for the audience of teens: "Can't touch this!"

"I think I embarrass them in real life too, so they're used to it!" Sohval laughs, coyly adding that her kids seldom invite friends to witness her eccentric performances.

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Sohval and Taylor were just two of nearly 100 parents of high school students sweating, stepping, singing, dancing and acting all in preparation for a tradition like no other, the RHS parent-produced, parent-directed and parent-performed .

"There's no better way to be a part of the community," says Dick Majors, a three-year veteran of Jamboree and one of the show's four producers. "People here are people who do a lot for Ridgewood."

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raised over $60,000 in scholarship money for 23 RHS seniors. "There are instances in which kids would not be going to college if not for us," Majors says.

This year's producers are feeling the pressure of not only matching or exceeding last year's figure, but also topping a phenomenal show Lady Gaga would have been impressed by. 

Titled "There's No Show Biz Like Show Biz," the 2012 production premieres Wednesday, Feb. 8 with an open dress rehearsal and show for seniors. The polished performance will follow on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The shows will be performed at B.F. Middle School.

Lois Compaign directs the show this year, which features numbers like "I Want You Back" to CeeLo Green's "Forget You" and even an occasional Glee cover.

"The show this year is going to be really good," promises Josephine Peacock, a singer by trade and a 2012 Jamboree producer.

From old to new

As each year, a mix of grizzled Jambo vets and fresh-faced parents will collaborate for their kids in strange costumes, spitting edgy, good-natured humor.

"You want to bring in new and old," says Majors, who didn't take the chance to perform when his first son went through the high school over a decade ago. "You need the experienced people to provide what has always worked, kind of the glue. And you want the newer people for creative things to think outside the box."

Nickiann Bussanich, a producer, says triple threats in singing, acting and dancing are nice to have, but it's certainly not a requirement. Bussanich may have learned a few moves in her six year tenure thanks to teaching help from professionals at ,  and others (who all donate their time and expertise), but she started with little.

"It's amazing how everyone just makes you feel like you've been a part of Jamboree forever," she exclaims.

"I don't have any natural talent for Jamboree on stage," confessed Sohval, who can also lay claim to having a son benefit from a Jamboree scholarship.

But like many of the performers, old and new, she's embracing the challenges.

"I feel like life is growth and by pushing myself to do Jamboree these last four years with some aches and pains and complaining, I'm always happy I do it."

Time commitment

There's a long-held belief that to be in Jamboree, you're sacrificing a tremendous amount of time. The producers admit the practice hours can be long, but it doesn't have to be a major commitment. If you want to perform, says Majors, they'll find a place for you even if you don't have much time to spare.

Mark Preminger finds himself in the unique position of being both a "newbie" and "final bow" performer this year. A Ridgewood resident for just over four years, Preminger says his theater-centric wife Michele, also a performer this year, convinced him to join in 2012.

"There's a tremendous sense of community here in Ridgewood that we really haven't seen in some of the other places we've lived in New Jersey," he says.

But like many RHS parents, Preminger, a doctor, has long work hours.

"And they're not terribly dependable so volunteering for something like this would be difficult. But now that I'm doing it it's a great deal of fun."

His daughter, a senior and RHS New Player, "is very excited to see us make fools of ourselves," Preminger says. "And I think the kids in the community really realize we do this for them, and of course Jamboree does it to raise scholarship money for the kids in the community. It's a mutually beneficial relationship."

Difficulties in a slow economy

The Jamboree Fund, a full 501-C3 non-profit organization, has raised over $700,000 over the last eight years. 

But financially, 2011 was comparatively a difficult year for Jamboree, a tradition with roots dating to the late 1940s.

Majors characterized it as something of a "double-edged sword," likely wrought on by the economy. Many sponsors are cutting down from full-page ads to half-page ads, but others, he says, are picking up the slack and buying more spaces.

Though organizers don't know what kind of return they'll see in 2012, they're kicking around what they think could prove to be innovative ideas. Among them, merchants can now sponsor scenes. And for the first time, the journal will be printed in color.

Merchants too have been helping donate meals to performers and those behind the scenes. Parents not involved in the production have offered to help carpool and do what they can in little ways.

"It's a true community," says Majors. "It all goes back to the main mission which is to support graduating seniors that are in need."

The last tango in Ridgewood

One of the dozen departing this year – others include Bob Cohen, who's worked on the production for nearly three decades; and Ellie Anderson, who will choreograph the show for the 'final bow' parents – Sohval says it's bittersweet.

She finally feels up to snuff to dance with her husband Bob, a gifted dancer. The dance? "One last tango in Ridgewood," she gleamed.

"I'm thrilled I had this experience in my life. It's a rare experience. It's a harbinger of a time to come as my daughter leaves as the nest. I am sad for this wonderful experience to end but also knowing it's just foreshadowing her leaving ... that's life."

Shows will be held at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue. The Open Dress Rehearsal and Senior Citizen's Night will be on Wednesday, February 8. Jamboree 2012 "There's No BIZ Like Show BIZ" will open on Thursday, February 9 and also run on Friday and Saturday evenings. All shows will start at 8:00 p.m. except closing night, Saturday February 11, when the show will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets, between $12 and $16, can be purchased on line – www.rhsjamboree.org and at the door.


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