By James Kent
Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK —The curtain rises on a heartwarming production this spring as Zack’s Place presents its annual community play at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre. Admission is free, though donations are gratefully accepted to support the nonprofit’s enriching programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
The Zack’s Place theater program is a cornerstone of the organization’s mission. Participants work and rehearse together each year to perform a theatrical production. This year’s play is inspired by Disney’s “The Lion King,” a musical reimagined as “Z Lion King” in honor of the community that powers it.
“It makes everybody so happy,” said Dail Frates, who directs the play and was formerly the executive director of Zack’s Place. “The participants of Zack’s Place have this opportunity to show their talents to the world, and they embrace it and work so hard to be the best they can be. It makes me feel so good to see them shine.”
Rehearsals began in early March with readings and script development and moved to the Woodstock Playhouse stage in April, with twice-weekly sessions to prepare. Every participant who wants a part gets one, and the show is tailored to highlight their unique strengths—through dance, song, and storytelling.
“‘The Lion King’ was actually a good choice because there’s a lot of dancing, a lot of singing, and a lot of important characters,” said Frates. “So we could really accommodate everyone’s talents.”
Jack Rasmussen will appear as one of the zebras in Zack’s Place’s upcoming production of “Z Lion King.”
Among this year’s performers is Jack Rasmussen, a 22-year-old from Killington who was born with Dup15q syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can cause developmental delays and seizures. Rasmussen skis and has participated in the Vermont Special Olympics. He also enjoys acting on stage. His aunt, Joan Ronan, has been bringing Rasmussen to rehearsals while his mother is visiting his brother in New Zealand.
“Jack loves it,” Ronan said. “That’s his first question to me every day now: ‘Do I have play practice today?’ It’s such a great opportunity. It can be hard for disabled adults to find outlets to socialize with other adults, so this is a fantastic opportunity. Jack so looks forward to it. He knows all the performers by name; they all know each other. Everyone is very accepting of one another.”
Rasmussen is part of the zebra ensemble in the show. “It’s a great role for him,” said Ronan. “And this community has really taken Jack under its wing. Wherever we go in Killington, people say, ‘Hey Jack, how are you?’ People watch out for him.”
“Z Lion King” continues a beloved Woodstock tradition, one that routinely fills the theater to standing-room-only crowds each year. Community members—including former NBC correspondent Bob Hager—volunteer on stage and behind the scenes to support the show.
“What I’d like people to know is that my participants have so much talent to share with the world,” said Frates. “Hold on to your seats—because you’re gonna see a great show.” See you on May 14.
For more about Zack’s Place and its programs, visit: www.zacksplacevt.org.
Left to right: Alison Johanenssen, Denise Thorburg,Patrick Greene, Beth Robinson, and Cathy Costello practiced a dance routine from the production
