It’s the hard-knock life for many a youngster who tries to make it in the world of theater, but one little girl in North Bergen is on her way.
Third grader Nadia Nale, 8, who attends Robert Fulton School in North Bergen, has been spending her days rehearsing for several upcoming performances of the musical “Annie Warbucks.” The musical will be performed by Park Players Productions, Inc. in Fort Lee’s Church of Good Shepherd.
Nale will play Molly, the youngest child. The musical “Annie Warbucks” was a sequel to the beloved hit musical “Annie” and was performed off-Broadway for 200 shows in 1993.
The original musical “Annie” ran on Broadway from 1977 to 1983. It centers on a plucky red-haired orphan who gets to stay for a few days with billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, and sees an alternative to her tough Depression-era existence.
The sequel, “Annie Warbucks,” takes place immediately after “Annie.” Instead of the evil Miss Hannigan from “Annie,” “Annie Warbucks” includes Harriet Doyle, a child welfare commissioner who informs Warbucks that he must marry within six days or Annie will go back to the orphanage. Molly is one of Annie’s friends from the orphanage.
“She’s self-poised and self-confident. I’m very proud of her.” – Principal of Robert Fulton elementary Noreen Thelma Garcia
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Rising star
Nale has been singing in school plays since September 2015, and had her first solo in her school’s spring musical in February 2016. Her school music teacher Melissa Welz, who had been giving Nale private lessons for a year, took Nale to audition for the musical last month.
Nale got the part of Molly by singing “Part of Your World” from Disney’s Little Mermaid. Welz said, “They actually had her sing it twice, because she was so cute, and it was great.”
Not only does she need to memorize lines, but she’ll be dancing in the production as well. This seems easy to her, because she’s been dancing since she was 2 or 3, she said. She said she quit at 3, because there were no more ballet classes locally, and that’s her favorite.
School Principal Noreen Thelma Garcia also said that Nale’s grades are excellent.
Nale said that she’s not as nervous about her upcoming role as she was to perform at school.
“Robert Fulton was a big audience to perform for three times during the day,” she said, “because there were a lot of people. But I got over it.”
Garcia said, “She did it well. She’s self-poised and self-confident. I’m very proud of her. Robert Fulton tries to foster talent that we find here. It makes well-rounded students.”
Father recognized talent
Nale also has musical talent, playing Beethoven on the piano since she was 3.
Nale’s father, Joel Nale, recognized Nadia’s musical talent early on and contacted Welz for private lessons. Welz said Nale harbored great talent and introduced her to other musically gifted people, like award winning performer Adria Firestone, who gave Nale critiques, compliments, and positive thoughts to prepare her for the stage.
Nale has been taking his daughter to music, dance, and piano lessons almost all her life. He accompanied her and Welz the day of the Annie Warbucks audition.
“You need music and art,” Garcia said, “This is how some kids excel.”
Welz said she goes to other schools to review other talent for upcoming musicals, so she’s seen talent of all sorts, “Robert Fulton has a lot of talent, but we have the heart too,” she said. “The students work really hard.”
“We have to give credit to Ms. Welz also,” Garcia said, “I feel lucky that my staff here including music, art, and the band director. They go over and beyond.”
The Park Players Productions, Inc. version of Annie Warbucks will be performed at 1576 Palisade Ave. in Fort Lee at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Performances will be on April 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 8 p.m, and at 6 p.m. on April 24 and May 1. Tickets can be purchased at 551-206-9772 for $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com .