Mrs. Hollander's Long, Winding Road Brings Beatles to Wall

By Leah Yates

     Mrs. Ellen Hollander brings her Beatles tribute show, "The Long and Winding Road," to the Eva Applegate Theatre Wall High School at 7 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 25, as a fundraiser with a suggested donation of $5 for students and $10 for adults. 
     Following years of cabaret performances, Mrs. Hollander performed her Beatles show at Don’t Tell Mama in New York City last November. After successful reviews from her performance, she was inspired to bring the show to her school and community.
     “This is my baby,” Mrs. Hollander said. 
     With over 35 years of professional training in New York with musicians Alexa Green, Melissa Errico, David Friedman and Marge Rivingston, and collaborations with Rick Jensen and musical director Phil Hall, Mrs. Hollander immersed herself in the world of pop, theater and cabaret. She has been an educator for 30 years. Her directing credits include many productions, most recently “Fiddler On The Roof,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Chicago,” “Matchmaker,” “Clue” and many more.
     When the pandemic hit in 2020, the music world was shut down. Mrs. Hollander was forced to take her acting classes and vocal lessons to Zoom. With a strong desire to return to the stage, she envisioned a fresh concept for the performance world, with the help of Errico, who is also her coach. Combining her passion for performance and love for the Beatles, Mrs. Hollander decided on the tribute show. She combined with Hall to get a studio session. 
     After two years of recording sessions, research and countless hours of practice, Mrs. Hollander debuted her Beatles tribute on Nov. 12, 2023, at Don’t Tell Mama. Following the success of that performance, she decided to bring the show to Wall’s stage, which is much closer. The performance will raise money for the school’s National Music Honor Society and National Thespian Honor Society.
     The show features classic Beatles hits such as “Oh Darling,” “Here, There and Everywhere” and “Blackbird.” Mrs. Hollander refers to herself as a “performer who teaches,” and she enjoys sharing her experiences in the music world with her students.
     Wall senior Avary Ferrarrese, a three-year member of Mrs. Hollander’s music classes, shares Mrs. Hollander's excitement for the show. Over the past couple of years, she discussed her plans for her show with her students.
     “She always smiles when she brings up the progress of her show,” Ferrarrese said.
With Mrs. Hollander’s love for sharing her passion, she is ready to bring "The Long and Winding Road" to her students and the Wall community.
     With her enthusiasm for the project, Mrs. Hollander proudly anticipates taking it to the next step: Broadway.