Arts & Entertainment

Local Performers Help Open Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Three performers from East Brunswick will take part in the parade's opening and its finale.

They’ve been performing for years, probably for as long as they can remember, and on Thursday, these three East Brunswick youngsters will perform in front of one of the biggest stages there is, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“This is my first time doing anything like it,” said East Brunswick High School student Weston Ganz. “I’m nervous, but I’m excited.”

On Thursday, Weston, 17, Ryan Fleer, a 17-year-old from Rutgers Preparatory School, and Gabriella Green, 14, from Churchill Junior High School, will sing and dance in the opening number for this year’s parade as part of a performance put on by Stagedoor Manor. Following the opening, the cast members will perform again with Santa, escorting the big man into Herald Square.

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“We’re going to be performing an opening number at Macy’s, and then we're performing in the finale with Santa,” said Gabriella. “I’ve been a performer since the second grade. I’ve been in over 30 shows since then. This is the biggest thing I’ve done so far, I’m really excited.”

Ryan, who is performing in the parade for the second year in a row, said the event is a special one and that he coldnt believe his ears when he was first told he'd be in it.

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"I was really excited, completely stunned. I always used to watch it on TV," he said.

Stagedoor Manor, located in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y., has been working with children and teens from throughout the world for 40 years to perfect their acting, singing and dancing. Alumni include Natalie Portman, Jon Cryer, Zach Braff, Mandy Moore, Michelle Federer, Lea Michele and many others. Specializing in theater immersion, this will be the third year in a row students from Stagedoor have performed in the parade. The East Brunswick students are among 140 Stagedoor students who will perform an original song on Thursday morning.

Weston, who just finished a role in East Brunswick High School’s production of “,” said she’s a long time watcher of the parade, and that the chance to finally perform in it is a huge thrill.

“I’ve watched it for years,” she said. “Usually every Thanksgiving my dad will cook Thanksgiving dinner and I’d watch it.”

Rehearsals for Weston and Gabriella began Tuesday, while Ryan, who is a featured performer, began rehearsing Monday. On Monday, Weston said she wasn’t sure what to expect.

"We've been rehearsing so much I think my ares are going to fall off," said Ryan Wednesday afternoon.

“We’ve got the song, and we join the parade, but we’re not to sure how things are going to work out. I think they’re trying to keep it quiet,” said Weston. “I’m a little nervous. I always remember Stagedoor was doing the finale two years ago.”

Gabriella said she too is a long time parade watcher. While she also began rehearsals on Tuesday, she was one of 20 people chosen in October to record a demo of the song to be performed.

“I’ve watched the parade since I was a little kid,” she said. “I saw a lot of kids my age and I said ‘mom, I want to do this,' and she’d say, 'one day we’ll get there.’ "

Following the parade, Gabriella will return home to have diner with the rest of her family (she’s travelling with her parents and grandmother), and when she gets home, she’ll have one more performance to remember forever.

“I think (performing) is just a really nice way to connect with people and to share happiness,” she said, “and it’s so much fun to give back.

“I think it’s going to be fun.”

The 84th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 24.


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