Area kids will benefit from ‘Godspell’ show

The Dallas Post // News

September 21
Area kids will benefit from ‘Godspell’ show

By Rebecca Bria rbria@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

Those who choose to see “Godspell” as presented by the Sweet Charity Players will enjoy an evening of entertainment. Benefitting the most from the production, however, will be two Back Mountain children.

Kara Cook, 2, of Tunkhannock, was born with congenital heart disease. She had heart surgery at nine days old and was doing well until age 11 months, when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor on her cerebellum. She has 15 weeks of chemotherapy remaining.

Zachary Shoemaker, 4, of Dallas, was in a car accident with his mother on Memorial Day of this year. The boy suffered numerous brain injuries and underwent surgeries at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, costing over $750,000. He is currently a patient at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Members of the Sweet Charity Players will perform in “Godspell” to raise money for area children. From left, first row, are Father Jim Paisley and Pam Shotto. Second row, Karim Letwinsky and Danny Marx, pianist. Third row, Kathy Elgaway, Father Joe Elston, Dan Gallagher and Char Jeffers. Absent at the time of the photo was Dave Baloga.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

“Godspell” cast members Kathy Elgaway, left, and Char Jeffers practice singing a musical selection.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Times Leader Photo Store

Four-year-old Zachary Shoemaker, of Dallas, and 2-year-old Kara Cook, of Tunkhannock, will receive the profits from the production by the Sweet Charity Players under the direction of Warren Shotto. The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. each night from Sept. 26-28 at the Church of Good Shepherd in Scranton. It will also be presented at 7:30 p.m. nightly from Oct. 3-5 at St. Therese’s Church in Shavertown. The 1970s musical is based on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew.

“‘Godspell’ best sums up the primary mission of Sweet Charity,” said Father James Paisley, pastor of St. Therese’s Church in Shavertown and one of the original founding members and actors of Sweet Charity. “It is a story about a simple man who challenged us to move beyond ourselves to make a difference in today’s world and to share God’s love with others. We invite everyone to join us for a night of memorable entertainment and a chance to help local children in need.”

Kara, the daughter of Wally and Alisha Cook, was born with congenital heart disease. She had heart surgery at nine days old and was doing well until age 11 months when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor on her cerebellum.

“We kind of knew from the beginning we would have another couple of surgeries coming up in her life, but never expected a brain tumor or anything like that,” Alisha Cook said.

When Kara turned 1 year old, she had surgery to remove her tumor and endured heart surgery again at 13 months. The Cooks were told that ususally only one out of three children who have a brain tumor like their daughter’s survive. Kara’s chances were even slimmer because of her heart difficulties.

Little Kara beat the odds. Although she is developmentally behind because of the tumor, she is learning to talk on her own, receives physical therapy to teach her to walk and has just 15 weeks of chemotherapy left. Alisha Cook says the next two years will be the most critical in the possibility Kara’s tumor will return.

The Cooks were chosen to be benefactors of “Godspell” after Ethel Dougherty, wife of Alisha’s co-worker, Tom Dougherty, notified Ethel’s church.

“I feel very special,” Alisha Cook said. “It’s really unbelievable. You really, honestly don’t know how many sick children are out there until you actually have one. It is really nice to know people think about you.”

Zachary was in a car accident with his mother on Memorial Day of this year. The boy suffered numerous brain injuries and underwent surgeries at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, costing over $750,000. He is currently a patient at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Sweet Charity was formed in 1993 and has raised over $250,000 through plays and CD sales for children with debilitating diseases in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The money helps the children’s families cover medical expenses, provide dream trips, purchase specialized vehicles and medical equipment.

Players include Dave Baloga, Kathy Elgaway, Father Joe Elston, Dan Gallagher, Char Jeffers, Karim Letwinsky, Father Jim Paisley and Pam Shotto. Instrumentalists are Mark Montella and “The Wanabees,” Danny Marx, Michael O’Malley and Brandon Shotto.

Karim Letwinsky, of Kingston Township, is a new actress in Sweet Charity. Letwinsky learned about the program because she is a former student of Kathy Elgaway at Scranton Prep and Father Paisley is her parish priest. Although Letwinsky has helped out with Sweet Charity in the past, she was never involved with the production until Elgaway recently invited her to play the part of one of Jesus’ disciples.

“Seeing the children always hits home with me,” said Letwinsky, a mother of four. “The end result is that any money we raise goes to the children in our area who are being benefited by the program. My goal is to bring in as many people as possible to help the kids.”