"Chat with Elaine Formicola"
Music Notes

"Our show, 'A view from the Bridge,' will be going on to the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street, New York, NY. Previews will begin on April 3rd, (Friday evening, 7:30)," said Elaine Formicola.

Elaine, a resident of Little Silver, is a hard-working actress, a doctor's wife, and devoted mother and grandmother. Her daughter, Erica is a freshman at Red Bank Regional High School.

In 1991, Elaine performed in her first play for The Monmouth Players in Navesink. Her love of acting grew from there. Among her teachers have been John Eyd of the Actors Training Institute in Red Bank. Elaine explained that she studied with Eyd for four years and he was instrumental in helping her form her career. Elaine has also done many commercials, voice-overs and infomercials. She also did extensive print work for the Valley Mall in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Elaine's breakthrough was with the Two River Theatre company (currently at Monmouth University). This was her first Equity House production, enabling Elaine to become a candidate for Equity membership. I questioned Elaine about her role of Mrs. Lipari in Arthur Miller's play, "I was originally closed out of the auditions, but was given the opportunity to perform the monologue when they found out that I had done the part of Mrs. Lipari in local theatre production."

Elaine impressed me with her vitality and most importantly with her perseverance. She does not believe in quitting. Elaine has a favorite quote from Shakespeare: "There is a tide in the affairs of men which, when taken at the flood leads to fortune." Elaine takes this wisdom as her motto. Don't look backward with regret, but proceed with hope and confidence. Elaine closed our chat with one caveat -- please, parents and grandparents, let your children follow their dreams. "What you love to do, you will do well and enjoy success."

With this quote from Elaine, we agreed to meet again in the near future.