Kids across the nation grow up with dreams of performing on the Great White Way, but only a select few will ever see their names grace the pages of major theatre playbills.
Yet Shelton sixth grader Bobby Marcinauskis, 11, got the shot of a lifetime when he performed with the Broadway cast of “Pippin” at New York City’s Lincoln Center Sept. 30.
The star-studded “Bandits in the Big Apple” gala raised money and celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a renowned non-profit group based in Ashford that serves children facing critical illnesses and their families.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward started the camp.
Bobby’s little sister, 9‑year-old Rebecca, was born with a rare chromosome abnormality. She has been hospitalized 20 times in two years and undergone more than 50 MRIs or CT scans.
Rebecca was accepted into the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s program last year.
“Because of her difficulties between limited communication and her medical stability there was very few places I could go,” Rebecca’s mom, Laura, said. “The Hole in the Wall director called me at work one day and said Rebecca would definitely be accepted, even with her special needs.”
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp embraces entire families, realizing that “behind every sick child, there is a family in crisis,” according to the camp’s website.
A camper’s siblings are invited to attend a separate, week-long sleep away camp at Hole in The Wall.
Bobby and his older sister, Emily, 13 attended last summer.
During a talent show that week, Bobby sang the duet “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better,” from “Annie Get Your Gun.”
Bobby was spotted by Jo Senecal, who chooses camp-connected performers for the group’s annual fundraising gala.
Senecal said the Marcinauskis are a special family.
“They are exceptional and I consider myself one very fortunate gal to have had the chance to make some memories with them,” she said.
This year’s gala at Lincoln Center showcased the talents of campers while raising $2 million to support the camp’s year-round services. Services at the camp are provided for free.
Out of the 20,000 campers in the 2012 – 2013 roster, 12 were chosen to perform alongside the cast of “Pippin” and meet celebrity attendees Bruce Willis, Renee Zellweger, Joy Behar, David Crosby, Kelli O’Hara, John Pizzarelli and Lillias White.
Leading up to the performance, the family of five — including dad, John — were treated like stars, riding in a stretch limo and visiting landmarks such as the Central Park Zoo, FAO Schwartz, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and catching a performance of Rodger and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”
“And I was stuck in rehearsal!” Bobby said, joking.
Bobby rehearsed the gala routine — three songs with the other campers — alongside a Broadway choreographer.
During the Sept. 30 gala, camp performers started off with “Morning Glow” from Pippin, then switched to Anna Kendrick’s “Cups” song, and finished out by singing part of “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific with Lillias White, then transitioned to the Camp’s own song, “Stars in the Sky.”
Bobby said he had a bit of stage fright when the show started, but quickly warmed up to the Lincoln Center theatre experience.
“The first song, I was nervous. I was sweating a lot backstage and I got a headache,” he recalls. “But then the next one I was like ‘Okay, I already did this. I got it.’”
Bobby said the most exciting moment of the weekend was meeting White, a singer/actress star who has performed in a slue of on- and off- Broadway productions.
“She was very cool, very down to earth, and seemed really happy to see us,” Bobby said. “She gave me tips like don’t give up your dream, and always practice your art.”
Bobby’s not exactly new to the stage.
He studies voice and takes singing lessons with Gina Scarpa at Shelton’s Center Stage and has appeared in many of the community theatre’s musical productions.
“Bobby is one of the most outgoing people I know and doesn’t have a self conscious bone in his body,” Scarpa said. “He has been jumping at the chance to perform in front of an audience since I first had him in class several years ago. It’s very clear, each time he takes the stage, that he’s doing what he loves.”
They are beyond thankful that the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp came into their lives.
“We tried to keep life normal, but nothing was normal,” Laura said. “So for them to relate to other kids was very hard. There’s a maturity in them that you don’t understand.”
As for Bobby’s dream of a theatre career?
“He would love to do Broadway, I think he is destined for it,” his mom said. “His home is on the stage.”