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Ribbon-cutting ceremony Theatre for Kids and Families Opens in Park Slope welcoming Premier By John Alexander INBROOKLYN
Play Nice Theatre has begun its season of lighthearted musicals with positive, life-affirming messages about cooperation and kindness. And they’re looking for their July/August cast, musicians, and backstage helpers. Relocated from Manhattan, this all-volunteer company’s rehearsals and meetings reflect their mission and message by encouraging its mixed-generation cast and crew (ages 6 to 106) to interact socially and share stories of their own lives on and off stage. In a welcoming atmosphere, the experienced and new Play Nice actors and crew are encouraged to come early and linger after assigned rehearsal slots in order to get to know each other, help each other memorize their lines, do school homework and play games. Some may choose to help with scenery painting or prop-making. All ticket sales from main stage shows ($10 admission) is donated to local charities, a prime motivation for many participants who find it rewarding to help raise money for those less fortunate through donating their time and talent. According to theatre founder Rob Lester, the cast and crew are like a second family. “Working on a show with
friendly people is fun and satisfying,” he says. The Brooklyn Eagle stopped by the new location at 89 Fourth Avenue, five blocks from Barclays Center, where the two-act musical “The Three Little Pigs Buy a Brownstone in Brooklyn” is running on weekends (2 p.m. Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. Sundays, through July 1). The Eagle is mentioned prominently in the Brooklyn-centric script in Scene 6 and the newspaper is used as a prop as well. The show’s target audience is ages six and up, with plenty of humor adults will appreciate. “Two six-year-olds are among the actors, with the oldest member more than ten times their age, and the family idea is reflected literally: the cast includes two brothers who play two of the pigs; a mother and her son have a scene together as an older pig
and hedgehog; two actors are cousins,” we’re informed. Original lyrics are set to public domain melodies including old folk songs and classic children’s tunes. The show, which emphasizes “being a good neighbor,” plus patience, perseverance, and pig puns runs through July 1, will be followed by show after show, starting with the summer musical about kids and counselors at an unusual summer camp, titled “Not a Happy Camper.” The theatre welcomes audition appointments, visits, donations of costumes and supplies, and all inquiries throughout the year. Acting classes, puppet shows, concerts, one-day free workshops, variety shows, and special family events are planned and a fundraising concert on July 20. For more details, show times, tickets, and contact information, go to www.PlayNicePeople. com.
Ford to Bay Ridge.
ebrooklyn media/Photos by Arthur de Gaeta
Photos are from the current production of “The 3 Little Pigs Buy a Brownstone in Brooklyn”
Photos by Jarrett Scott
Premier Ford Opens New Location On 86th Street in Bay Ridge
14INB • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Eagle/Heights Press/Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator/Brooklyn Record/Greenpoint Gazette • Week of June 14-20, 2018
By John Alexander
Chalom said they could not have done it without the help from all the people at Ford Motor Company and Ford CredA festive ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Thurs- it. Other members of the Chalom family at the ribbon-cutday, July 19 to welcome Premier Ford of Bay Ridge to Bay Ridge. The extravagant event brought out elected officials, ting were Charles’s daughter Michelle, Joe’s wife Kim and Ford Motor Co. representatives and community leaders to their daughter Rebecca. Greg Thompson, regional manager for Ford Motor celebrate owner Charles Chalom and the Chalom family’s Company New York, called Charles Chalom the king of new dealership. In fact, this is the second Brooklyn Ford location the Brooklyn. “We all know the king of Queens, but now we Chalom family has acquired. Their original dealership is have the king of Brooklyn,” Thompson said. “Thirty-seven years ago we began our relationship with located on Kings Highway. Charles’s son, Joe Chalom, served as master of cere- Charlie,” he recalled. “What you have now in Brooklyn and monies welcoming guests to the new dealership. “Nobody Manhattan is pretty much the biggest market we have in ever foresaw this coming,” Chalom said. “It’s been quite a the country. And we don’t take that lightly. When we we’re journey to get here and it’s really remarkable to think that looking for someone to come to this location who could really execute, we thought of you. We are really excited we started in Brooklyn. “My father opened his first store in Flatbush and now about this store opening and look forward to working with he pretty much controls all of Brooklyn,” he went on. “It’s you for a long, long time,” Cabot Suggs, regional manager for Ford Credit in New very humbling to think that despite all the trials and tribulations we’ve gone through to get to this point, we are now York said, “The fact that we are here today is a really proud standing here today as the owners of Premier Ford of Bay moment for the Chalom family and for us as well.” State Sen. Marty Golden presented Chalom with a CerRidge.” tificate of Merit. Also attending were Fran Vella-Marrone representing Congressmember Dan Donovan and Michael Sheldon representing City Councilmember Justin Brannan. “It’s great to see so many people here on this eventful day,” Golden said. “I want to congratulate you on your success. This is a great avenue, and Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights are great places to have this type of business. As you can see, this area and Fourth Avenue are like the ‘row’ for selling and servicing vehicles in and around Brooklyn.” Golden was encouraged that were between 30 and 40 employees at Premier Ford with 70 to 80 projected employees when work is completed in the next few months. “That’s important for us in this community,” Golden added. “Not only can we have a great business and profitable business selling something that’s needed in our communities – good vehicles and a good service department – but also having good jobs for the people who Premier Ford’s Joe Chalom with Greg Thompson, re- live and raise their families here in Bay Ridge and Dyker gional manager for Ford Motor Company New York. Heights.” INBrooklyn
Premier Ford’s Joe Chalom with Cabot Suggs, regional manager for Ford Credit in New York.
Michelle Chalom, Kim Chalom, Joe Chalom and Charles Chalom holding grandaugther Rebecca.
Week of August 9-15, 2018 • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Eagle//Heights Press/Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator/Brooklyn Record/Greenpoint Gazette • 3INB
Week of August 9 - 15, 2018, 2018 • INBROOKLYN — A Special Section of Brooklyn Daily Eagle/Heights Press/Home Reporter/Brooklyn Spectator/Brooklyn Record/Greenpoint Gazette • 3INB