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Friday, November 28, 2014

Thanksgiving Day Parade Mary Poppins November 27, 2014

                 Thanksgiving Day Parade Mary Poppins





ABC Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade Photos. November 27, 2014

The following photos are from the Thanksgiving Day Parade 2014 in Philadelphia. The parade was televised on ABC.








Thursday, November 13, 2014

Article from Bucks County Courier featuring Grace

Grace Matwijec, Cameron Flurry taking 'Mary Poppins' to heart


Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 12:30 am | Updated: 11:18 am, Wed Nov 12, 2014.
By MICHAEL ELKIN Correspondent

Is that Supergirl hovering over Newtown?
Grace Matwijec might not have a big S on her chest, but it's easy to see the reason for the mistaken identity: From her 2014 Super Bowl halftime appearance opposite singer Bruno Mars to her Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-spouting appearance in "Mary Poppins" — now in previews with opening night Wednesday at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia — she has certainly had a super year.
But this amazing Grace is not alone: Superlatives seem to describe the unsurpassable season Cameron Flurry has had, too. And now here they both are, Newtown neighbors, not competitors, sharing a lead role — that of Jane Banks, one of Mary Poppins' somewhat wayward wards — in the magical musical that has popped up for a two-month run at the Walnut as this year's seasonal gift to kids of all ages.

Look at their bios, see their spunk and you realize: These two pre-teens are no Plain Janes.
Indeed, they are anything but, adding a special spice to the season's holiday production. And despite their veteran resumes, nothing is old hat to these Newtown naïfs, whose onstage nattering nanny is 80 in literary years — the first of P.L. Travers “Mary Poppins” books appeared in 1934 with a run and a skip and jump through 1988.

Both Grace and Cameron are on familiar ground with the flying caretaker.
“I first saw the show on Broadway five years ago,” relates Grace, 11. “One of my Mom’s friends was in it.”
And she just knew that one day she would be, too.
“It was the first Broadway show I ever saw," she says, "and since then, I wanted to play the role of Jane.”
“I saw the show two or three times on Broadway,” during its seven-year run beginning in 2006, says Cameron of the musical based on both the books and the iconic film celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. “I loved the movie as a child. When I saw it, I remember thinking, 'I wish I had a nanny.' ”
When you wish upon a star … “I’ve had a couple of nannies since,” she says.
Mary Poppins makes three.
“She’s so sweet,” Cameron says of Lindsey Bliven, the bumbershoot-baring actress in the title role. “She took us out for ice cream; she’s so beautiful and has such a lovely voice. I hope to be like that.”
It’s no surprise the youngster has her sights set on Broadway — it’s been a seven-year itch.
“I’ve been determined to be on Broadway since I was 4,” she says.
“I’ve always wanted to be an actress,” notes Grace. "I’ve been acting since I was 5.”

Mary’s Janes are both butterscotch scrumptious actresses who have shared stage time before this shared role — this is their third production together, with “The Music Man” at the Walnut and the opera “Nabucco” at the Academy of Music marking joint appearances.
And both have bios bulging with credits — many in Bucks County, where theater has been their playground.
The daughter of June and George Matwijec has graced the stage many times at the Bucks County Playhouse and the Newtown Theatre, while Cameron’s flurry of area activity has been at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre and the Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts in Newtown, as well as the Bucks County Playhouse.

While theater courses through both kids’ lives, they are class acts as students, too: Misty and Ernie Flurry’s little actress is a sixth-grader at 21st Century Cyber Charter in Downingtown, Chester County, having previously attended Newtown Elementary School, while Grace is home-schooled, also in sixth grade, after spending her elementary days at St. Andrew School in Newtown.
And then there is the pomp and circumstance they covet while earning their degrees of fame onstage.
While Cameron’s crusade to make it to Broadway has the Bucks region stamped all over her musical map, Grace has added a little traveling music to her career soundtrack: This past summer, she performed in the mother of all theaterdom — New York — in the off-Broadway production of “Mother Jones and the Children’s Crusade.” She was also in the national tour of “White Christmas” opposite David Elder, who portrays Bert the “Chim Chim Cher-ee” chimney sweep sweetheart of “Mary Poppins.”
While both share Jane onstage, Grace and Cameron don’t necessarily share her traits.
“Jane can be mischievous and willful,” stresses Grace, who is, she says, definitely not that type.
“She’s determined to get her own way,” reasons Cameron, “and is bratty, but then get nicer — she’s like me in some ways.”

But 11-year-olds have decidedly better family time with their parents than the Banks children. (Michael is the other Banks child, a role shared by Nicky Torchia of Langhorne and Jacob Wilner of Malvern.)
“George Banks spends no time with his family” while her parents, says Grace with pride, make family time a priority. “We play pinochle four times a week as a family,” and Matwijec time at the home pool table is also in the cards each week.
And, despite his standoffishness, even the stage dad seems familiar to her. By George, at least Grace won’t forget his character’s name readily: “My father’s name is George, my cousin’s name is George and so is my grandfather’s and uncle’s,” she says.
Cameron, too, cheerfully salutes her folks for their unstinting support that has led her to this lead role at the Walnut.

As these pre-teens pursue their footlight-illuminated dream, it is the actual acting that spins the sugar into making the auditioning/training/rehearsal medicine go down easier.
But how would they act if acting didn’t pan out when they get older? Grace and Cameron don’t curtain off other career possibilities.
“If I weren’t acting, I’d still dance — and I’d be a gymnast,” confides Cameron.
“I’m not really 100 percent sure I want to be an actress when I get older,” says Grace. “I love math and science; I’ve considered one day becoming a doctor or teacher.”
At this stage of their lives, they are both teaching others by example that adolescents need not be scripted in sullen and spoiled stereotypes. Which is important when you are banking on your young actors to make Jane Banks a believable character. Exactly, notes their “Mary Poppins” director, Wayne Bryan: “Cameron and Grace are both delightful. Not only are they lovely and consistent onstage, they are also super kids.”
So, indeed, up there in the sky, it is no illusion after all. That is Supergirl — make it plural — hovering over Newtown. With both being led by a nanny who’s pretty super herself.
Michael Elkin is features editor of the Jewish Exponent, a playwright and author of the novel, “I, 95”.

Photos from Mary Poppins







American Doll Photo

In the midst of rehearsals Grace was pleasantly surprised to see her photo in the
 American Girl catalog.





Friday, October 17, 2014

Grace Books Jane Banks in Mary Poppins at the Walnut Str. Theater

Grace Books Jane Banks in Mary Poppins at the Walnut Str. Theater.
This is a two month run from November 4 to January 4th. She will be
performing on the weekend shows. There are two shows on Saturday
and two shows on Sunday.


Spirit Halloween - September 2014



Grace was selected to model some costumes for Halloween, you can see this poster at your nearest Spirit Halloween. She was also on some packaging.






Thursday, August 14, 2014

Awards Night for the New York Music Theater Festival

Mother Jones takes runner up for best play by popular vote. Other awards were given out to certain members of the Mother Jones team as well.



Thursday, July 24, 2014

More Photos of Grace on Stage








Times Square Chronicles Calls Grace "Adorable"

There have been numerous reviews of the shows, but the one that stands out was the Times Square Chronicles. They said Grace was adorable and had the "it factor". Read the full review below

**Cheryl E. Kemeny‘s Mother Jones Childrens Crusade is based on a true story about the plight of child laborers in coalmines and textile mills. It is very reminiscent of a combination of Newsies and The Molly McGuires. As the show opens we hear “Mother Jones, The Miner‘s Angel,“ done acapella with an Irish hint. Soon after, we meet Mother Jones (the terrific Lynne Wintersteller) an outspoken woman who has become both Mother and Angel to the women and children the slave owners of the mills care nothing about. When Mother Jones is jailed, a wannabe union organizer Jenny Markem (Lizzie Klemperer) applies to Alexander Gottlieb (Kevin Reed). As the protesting workers start their strike, a young child is killed by a machine in the factory and a light is shown on the unprotected population of child laborers. A reenactment of Mother Jones’ 1903 march from the Pennsylvania factory to the home of President Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster Bay, New York ends with the President a no-show.
Robin De Jesús brings comic relief but it is the adorable Grace Matwijec who has the “it factor.” Directed by Michelle Tattenbaum, she keeps the show moving in the first act but not the second. The music is winning, the story interesting but the ending leaves you knowing nothing that you didn’t know before.
You can catch Mother Jones Childrens Crusade at the PTC Performance Space on July 24th at 9pm, July 25th at 5pm and 26th at 2pm.
www.t2conline.com
Lynne Wintersteller as Mother Jones and the adorable Grace Matwijec next to her

Times Chronicles Reviews for the NYMF shows     The above review is in the middle of the page.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Mother Jones On Stage Photos and Recording Soundtrack




 

 Grace at the recording studio recording the soundtrack for Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade.





Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Grace books a part in Mother Jones and the Childrens Crusade - New York City Music Theater Festival - Off Broadway Show

Grace booked the role of Jane Markem in Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade. This show is part of the New York City Music Theater Festival held in the month of July. Click on the link below for all the details. If you click on Cast and Crew you will see her bio.
 
Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade

 Mother Jones and the Children


Monday, March 31, 2014

Grace competes at Sheer Talent Dance Competition in Atlantic City as part of the Debra Sparks Dance Studio

Grace was competing with her colleagues from Debra Sparks Dance Studio against numerous dancing teams on the East coast. She won a scholarship for Tap. Her team won first and second place awards for a number of dances. 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Video by Cassandra Kubinski about Autism - Grace participates as part of the kids cast.

Grace participated in this video by Cassandra Kubinski promoting an awareness of Autism. She is in the pink sweater and seen at various times in the video. Its a beautiful song that really brings about an important point for these children. Great job Cassandra!




Sunday, March 23, 2014

Grace photo shoot for Spirit Halloween, QVC film session, Video for Wolf appliances.



Grace had three engagements in March. She did a photo shoot for Spirit Halloween.  She filmed for QVC which will be seen on April 2nd of this year.  Finally she did a video for Wolf Appliances. 

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Grace sings songs for Moses Sound Track



 Grace sings two of the songs for the Moses Album. Into your Hand and the Into your Hands reprise. You can hear both of them by clicking on the link below. She also did a commercial which can be seen below the links.
Original Sound Track for Moses - Sight Sound Theater
Into your Hands

Into your Hands (reprise) 







Sunday, March 2, 2014

Monday, February 3, 2014

Grace Matwijec in the Superbowl Halftime Show - Bruno Mars

Grace was featured in the Kids Choir with Bruno Mars in the Superbowl halftime show. It was quite an experience for Grace, singing in  front of 85 thousand people plus the whole nation watching. She handled it like a pro. Check these pictures out. 


                    

The Kids Choir for the Superbowl Halftime Show 2014 - Grace Matwijec 4th from Left



Different views of the Choir - Click on the Collage to enlarge pictures.

Grace Matwijec (pink scarf) and the Bruno Mars Band
Complete Video of Superbowl Haftime show - 2104 Bruno Mars

Grace can be seen in the opening 30 seconds singing "prepare"