Stage Talk with Rick Koster
Where every show has something to say.
In an unexpected turn of events, the Garde’s Saturday presentation of “Sister’s Christmas Catechism — the Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” suddenly required a replacement cantor and choir.
No problem!
The Garde’s managing director, Jennifer Zembruski, who has been a Catholic cantor for 39 years, valiantly stepped up and will handle the role with melodic grace. Too, after an emergency “Help Wanted!” call out to the Garde’s expansive and typically charitable audience, a fine chorus has been assembled.
The Show will indeed go on!
Zembruski is a versatile vocal soloist and performer whose education and experiences in music and theater and as a church soloist are extensive. It’s fair to suggest that, earlier in life, she had a tough choice between a performance career and a path in arts administration that led her to the Garde — and damned if she’s not combining the best of both worlds this weekend!
In celebration of this turn of events, we conducted an in-house interview with Jennifer, whose willingness to hop onstage in “Catechism” is matched only by her reluctance to be interviewed.
The Garde: So, you passed the audition! You’re in the cast!
Zembruski: (Laughs) Well, it’s a group effort. I just said that, if there was something I could do to help and we could make it fun and get the community involved, I’d be happy to do so. If I can use my gift to do something for someone else, particularly something that’s going to help give joy at this time of year, and particularly with the way the world is now, that’s the best part.
Garde: For those who may not know, a cantor is a trained vocalist who leads congregations in various musical liturgical rituals. A lot of that involves call and response. For purposes of “Sister’s Christmas Catechism,” what can the audience expect?
Zembruski: There are five or six familiar Christmas carols in this particular event. I’m the song leader and will invite everyone to join in. I can and will sing the verses, and the audience or choir should sing the “choruses” — which are the repetitive parts. However, if the audience knows all the lyrics — bring it on! The more the merrier!
Garde: Given your experience in musicals and with the call-and-response dynamic, can the Garde audience anticipate any rockstar-style exhortations from you Saturday night? Y’know, “Hey, New London! How’s everybody doin’ tonight?!” Or maybe, “Are you people ready to catechism?!”
Zembruski: My personal opinion is that when you’re a cantor, you’re the leader of a song and not a soloist or to be singled out, but to help everyone sound together and at their best.
Garde: Have you ever experienced —
Zembruski: (laughs and jumps in) People who want to sing over you?
Garde: Well, yes. But I was going to add people who try to provide intricate harmony lines?
Zembruski: Oh gosh yes, and I’d just say that they should be careful because a lot of the time, if you’re not experienced, you’re going to be flat.
Garde: This opportunity comes for a particular play at a particular time of year — a holiday production at holiday time. Does that make your participation feel special?
Zembruski: I saw a production of “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” at The Kate and it’s just very fun. If you’re Catholic or went to Catholic school it’s particularly funny, but it’s also for everyone. We should all be able to laugh at ourselves. We’re in an era when everyone seems to take everything so seriously, and this is a season of joy. I’m hopeful we can all put aside our prejudices and anger for just a second and recognize our humanity and the spirit of the season.
Garde: I suspect that, when the Garde hired you, we didn’t know we were getting a person whose talent can be used ON stage as well as facilitating the programming and administration from OFF stage. Seems to me like there might be some contract renegotiation in order!
Zembruski: The Garde has been extremely generous, and we have so much happening here. At the end of the day, our opportunity to give back to this particular community in as many ways as possible is my priority.