Original Musical Appearing At Worcester Prep

BERLIN – Worcester Preparatory School’s Parents’ Association is sponsoring the production of “Coconut Road,” an original musical play by local playwright Harold Schmidt, for two evening performances on January 18-19.

Both shows begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in the school’s Athletic & Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and children under 18. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the night of the performance or at the Good Earth Market on Rt. 26 in Clarksville or at Worcester Prep at 410-641-3575. All proceeds will benefit the Worcester Preparatory School Parents’ Association.

Coconut Roadis an uplifting musical that focuses on a depression era family and a group of young kids who are ‘riding the rails’ in search of a better life. The play shows how people can overcame adversity despite the hardships. It is a story of faith, hope and charity that everyone in the family will enjoy.

The musical, with 17 original songs, made its debut at Carl M. Freeman Companies’ Free Theatre at the Beach Festival – an annual event held each July at The Village at Bear Trap Dunes’ outdoor amphitheater. The production, which included professional actors from New York as well as local talent, played to standing ovations every night.

Among the original cast was acclaimed Broadway actor Carl Anthony Tramon, who will reprise his role for the two shows at Worcester Preparatory School. In addition to his career on Broadway, Tramon has appeared in several television shows and will be in “Driven,” a movie starring Jeff Goldblum that is scheduled to be released sometime this year.

Also returning to reprise their roles are sisters Jessica, Jordan and Jamieson O’Brien, who are taking a break from the National Tour of “Gypsy” to be part of the Worcester Preparatory production. Their mother and former actress, Dayna O’Brien, plans to join the cast of Coconut Road. It will be the first time she has performed with all three of her daughters.

Other returning cast members are from The Village Players, a local theater group, and include Worcester Preparatory student Buddy Ryan as well as several Worcester Preparatory parents including Stephanie Downes of Bethany Beach, Robin Cannatelli of Fenwick Island, and Tom Halverstadt of Selbyville. 

The play’s author, Harold Schmidt, is also a Worcester Preparatory parent. He lives in Ocean View and is the Human Resources Director for Carl M. Freeman Companies in Selbyville. Schmidt has written a number of plays over the years. Coconut Road is his second musical. In addition to the play, Schmidt wrote all the music and lyrics.