Westfield Community Players (Cuckoos Nest bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Paul Arfanis as Chief Bromden	Ken Webb Director
Paras Sawhney as Aide Warren	Steve Lemenille Producer
Ed Bontempo as Aide Williams	Anita Esteve Stage Manager
Faith Dowgin as Nurse Ratched	JoAnne Lemenille Properties Mistress
Karen Difabio as Nurse Flinn	Bill McMeekan Set Design
David Goldstein as Dale Harding	JoAnne Lemenille / Jean Lioy Set Decor
Adam Ziering as Billy Bibbit	Jean Lioy Props Asst.
Matt Marino as Scanlon	Ed Whitman Lighting Design
Joe Leo as Cheswick	Ed Whitman Lighting Operator
Al Contursi as Martini	Glen Crane Sound Design
Peter Curley as Dr. Spivey	Michael Bieber Sound Operator
Steven Douches as Ruckley	Steve Lemenille Publicity
Sean Eugene Lough as Randle P. McMurphy	Katie Engel Playbill/Marketing
Alan Gershenson as Aide Turkle	Steve Lemenille Webmaster
Richard Bull as Technician	Renate Bieber Box Office
Colleen Renee / Meg Fry as Candy Starr	Doris Dias Costumes
Cassandra Lindeblad as Sandra	Russ Ortiz, Steve Lemenille, Roberta Fisher House Managers
	Marilyn Gettinger, Kay Macrae House Managers
	TBD Ushers
	Jean Lioy Stage Crew
	Linda Correll Pyrotechnics/Special effects
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	Stu Schnitzer Videography
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Paul Kirsh Set Construction
	Russ Ortiz Set Construction
	Ed Whitman Set Construction
	Ed Whitman / Dave Frey Lighting Crew

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
PAUL ARFANIS	*(Chief Bromden)* is a Westfield resident who has performed for WCP in A Thousand Clowns as Arnold Burns, as General McKenzie in And Then There Were None, and in the Shakespeare In The Park performance of The Merchant of Venice in which he played Tubal. He has a dental practice of 28 years in the community and has desired to perform on stage since his appearances in the Washington School show launched him in this direction. As a college undergraduate he had his own radio show and also broadcast ice hockey games for the school team. He would like to thank Ken for giving him this opportunity, the cast for being so patient, and his wife for her ever encouraging support.

PARAS SAWHNEY	*(Aide Warren)* Paras is making his WCP debut with this production. Paras is new to theatrical performance but have in past years been active in the writing and creative arts. This interest has lent itself to his personal endeavor to portray Aide Warren. His career has been primarily in sales and marketing, which sometimes feels more in the vein of musical comedy like the "Rocky Horror Picture Show". Paras is honored to be a part of this classic tale of rebellion and satire.

ED BONTEMPO	*(Aide Williams)* Ed Bontempo is making his WCP debut with this production. Ed is celebrating 30 years in the theater from performing, costuming, choreographer and director. Some of Ed's favorite shows are Drowsy Chaperone ,Nine, Dames at Sea, Follies and Fiddler on the Roof. Thanks Ken for this opportunity.

FAITH DOWGIN	*(Nurse Ratched)* Faith is pleased to return to the Westfield stage, having previously appeared in Death Takes a Holiday, Agnes of God,and Crimes of the Heart. Recent shows at other area theaters include A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mystic Vision Players), How I Learned to Drive (Circle Players) and The Crucible (Playhouse 22). She is grateful for the support of her friends and family.

KAREN DIFABIO	*(Nurse Flinn)* This is Karen's acting debut and she couldn't be happier that it is at WCP . She would like to thank Ken Webb for this opportunity. She would also like to thank the cast and crew for patience and help. Finally she would like to thank her family, especially her daughters, for their constant inspiration.

DAVID GOLDSTEIN	*(Dale Harding)* David is happy to be returning to the stage after too long a hiatus. He holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. Most recently he appeared in The Golden Years, a 10 minute short as part of the Midtown International Theater Festival in NYC. Throughout the 80�s and early 90�s he has been involved in many community theater productions. Favorites include Grouch in A Day in Hollywood�, Woof in Hair, Anas in Jesus Christ, Superstar, Amos in Chicago, and Alvin in I Love My Wife (at WCP). He has directed community theater productions of Working, Tomfoolery, Godspell, How to Succeed in Business�, and an original, Avy award winning, review entitled Lyrically Speaking. Thanks to Rachel, Sarah, Miriam and Ben for their encouragement!

ADAM ZIERING	*(Billy Bibbit)* is thrilled to be making his WCP debut! His favorite credits include Cabaret (Emcee), Forum (Senex), The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair), Pippin (Lewis), Godspell (We Beseech Thee soloist), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bottom). As always, much love to his husband, family and friends. Thanks to Ken, and the wonderful cast and crew for making this such a positive experience. Thank you for choosing live theater.

MATT MARINO	*(Scanlon)* Matt Marino is excited to debut with WCP in one of his favorite stories to teach. Matt�s previous onstage credits include Brakenbury in Richard III, Meeker in Inherit the Wind, Franklin D. Roosevelt in Annie, Bjorn in Snow White and the Seven Fairy Godmothers, and various roles in King Lear and The Scottish Play. Matt also has served as a background actor on several television shows, including Homeland, Orange is the New Black, Mr. Robot, and Law & Order: SVU. In addition, Matt serves on the Trilogy Repertory (Basking Ridge) board and teaches high school English. He would like to thank Ken for the opportunity to perform in such an awesome show with such a talented cast. Break legs, all!

JOE LEO	*(Cheswick)* (Charles A. Cheswick III) is thrilled to be making his WCP debut! The owner of Here's The Story Bookstore in Union, he is a graduate of Kean University and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts/NYC. His recent credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, Born Yesterday, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and The Normal Heart at CDC, Cranford, Barnum and The Normal Heart at CCP, Chatham, Bye Bye Birdie at PIP, Edison and My Big Gay Italian Wedding (Off Broadway).

AL CONTURSI	*(Martini)* Al was last seen at Westfield in And Then There Were None as Anthony Marston. He was also in The Hot L Baltimore and Crimes of the Heart. Favorite local theatre productions include, One Flew over the Cuckoo�s Nest, The Grapes of Wrath, The Miracle Worker, The Lion in Winter and Art for which he was nominated for a Perry Award. His work in film includes independent features and short films which have screened and won awards at various festivals. Thanks to Ken, the cast and crew!

STEVEN DOUCHES	*(Ruckley)* Steven is glad to be in apart of Westfield Community Players' One Who Few Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Steven was last seen in Rapunzarella White at Cranford Dramatic Club. Steven also performed in WCP's talent showcase. Most of the time you will find Steven backstage on crew. Steven would like to thank his parents and Ken for this opportunity.

SEAN EUGENE LOUGH	*(Randle P. McMurphy)* Sean Eugene Lough is happy to be making his Westfield Community Players debut. He most recently appeared as Jake in Neil Simon�s Jake�s Women for Studio Players in Montclair. For Cranford Dramatic Club, he appeared as Charles Guiteau in Assassins and as Robert in The Drowsy Chaperone. And he appeared as Thomas in Venus in Fur for Fearless Productions. NEW YORK: Robert in Company at St. Bart�s Players, Secrett in Passchendaele for Fringe NYC and MAME, national tour. REGIONAL: The Charlatan�s S�ance at Two Rivers Theatre, Frankie and Jinx in several productions of Forever Plaid, Howard in Moon Over Buffalo, Val in Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Surflight Theatre. He can be heard on the recordings for Anastasia: The Musical and The Music of Wright and Forrest.

PETER CURLEY	*(Dr. Spivey)* is pleased to be back on stage with WCP. His previously Westfield credits include Almost, Maine, A Streetcar Named Desire as Pablo, Rehearsal for Murder as Leo Gibbs, Death of a Salesman as Biff Loman, Don't Drink the Water as Axel McGee, Fools as Count Gregor Yousekovitch, A Midsummer Night's Dream as Demetrius, and A View from the Bridge as the Immigration Officer. Recent credits from other area theaters include Twelve Angry Jurors as Juror #8, Agatha Christie presents--The Patient and Sunday at the Seashore, Play On as Billy/Steven Sellers, Richard the Third, King Lear, Doubt as Father Flynn, Cards on the Table, All My Sons, Crucible and Taming of the Shrew. Thank you to Ken and a wonderful cast and crew!

ALAN GERSHENSON	*(Aide Turkle)* Alan is happy to return to Westfield Community Players (WCP). His WCP credits include: Don't Drink the Water and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Credits in other local theaters include: Sly Fox (Sly), A Man for All Seasons (the Common Man), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Cheswick), Agatha Christie's By the Seaside (Bob), Frankenstein's Fate (the monster), and many others. Thank you Ken and Steve for an opportunity to work with old friends and with a fine group of new ones.

COLLEEN RENEE	*(Candy Starr)* Colleen is making her Westfield Community Players debut! Most recently appeared in Assassins (Squeaky Fromme) with Old Library Theatre, Moon Over Buffalo (Eileen) with Studio Playhouse, Ragtime, The Musical: In Concert (Evelyn Nesbit) with Mystic Vision Players, The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty) with CDC Theatre, The Women (Olga) with The Heights Players in Brooklyn, NY, and in September 2016 had the honor of performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of the Page to Stage Festival. Favorite credits include Spike Heels (Lydia), Proof (Catherine), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie), Grease (Sandy), and Gypsy (June). Proud alum of Circle in the Square Theatre School's summer program. Love to Mom and Dad for their unwavering support and a big thanks to Ken Webb for this opportunity and to my NJ "family" for helping me make this possible!

MEG FRY	*(Candy Starr)* TO BE DEVELOPED

RICHARD BULL	*(Technician)* Richard is very excited to be making his debut with the Westfield Community Players in One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest. Richard has been interested in acting since he was a youngster and took part in productions at New Providence High School during his school years. He recently had a role in the Summit Playhouse production of Godspell as well as a role in The Day the Rainbow Broke Up with the Maplewood Strollers group. In his spare time, Richard enjoys spending time with his nephews Calum and Mason as well as watching classic TV and movies (especially those starring Jack Nicholson!) Enjoy the show!

CASSANDRA LINDEBLAD	*(Sandra)* Cassandra is excited to be making her debut with Westfield Community Players! Most recently she has appeared as Cinderella in Into the Woods (St. Catherine of Bologna Performing Arts Guild). She has also appeared in The Drowsy Chaperone (Cranford Dramatic Club) and The Scarlet Pimpernel (Rhino Theatre). Cassandra received her degree in Vocal Performance from Montclair State University. She would like to thank her friends and family for their unending support and encouragement, and also a big thank you to Ken Webb for the opportunity to work with such a talented cast!

Production Staff
KEN WEBB	*(Director)* Ken is thrilled to once again have the opportunity to direct at WCP. His last directorial duties here were for Gore Vidal�s The Best Man, but he has also directed Prelude to a Kiss, Agnes of God and A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine. He has appeared on stage here at WCP in one of his favorite roles, Stanley Gardner, in both Run For Your Wife and the sequel Caught In The Net. He has also appeared in Sing On, I�m Not Rappaport and It Runs In the Family. Ken is currently a member of the board of governors of the Cranford Dramatic Club and recently directed The Drowsy Chaperone and The Music Man (2013 Perry Award � Best Production of a Musical). Ken would like to thank his family for their love and support; his outstanding production team, especially Steve and Anita; and this unbelievably talented and dedicated cast of actors who have made the journey of creating this production a pure joy.

STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Producer)* (Producer) Steve has directed WCP's production of Dial 'M' for Murder, A View from the Bridge, the comedy Squabbles, {p r o o f}, Barefoot in the Park, A Thousand Clowns, Tribute and back in October, 2016, And Then There Were None In 2013 Steve was nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for OUSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY for {proof}. He also has appeared in six consecutive productions here at WCP. Steve has been involved in theatre since his college days at Jersey City State. He is a retired Social Studies teacher and Drama Director of 29 years with the Hackensack Public Schools. Steve was also a MFA candidate at Montclair State. He has acted with Tower Players and the Opera Workshop of Jersey City, StageCrafters (Fairlawn), and Bergen County Players. He has also acted in dinner theatre for Regal Productions. Some of the roles he portrayed were: Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (Tower Players), the Grandfather in The Long Christmas Dinner (Tower Players), Ulysses in Tiger At The Gates (Tower Players), Paul Verrall in Born Yesterday (Bergen County Players), Paul in Barefoot in the Park (Fairlawn), and Michael in Second Time Around and the Inspector Paul Sevigne in A Shot In The Dark (Regal Productions) and the Grandfather in Kurt Wiell's Down in the Valley (Opera Workshop). Steve portrayed Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stanley in Death of a Salesman, The Magistrate in Fools, and Gen. Oscar Fairfax in Little Mary Sunshine and Kilroy in Don't Drink the Water, and most recently as Daniel in Almost, Maine�all for WCP. Steve was nominated for a 2009 NJACT Perry Award for OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE MEMBER for his role as the Magistrate in Fools. His directorial credits include: You Can't Take It with You, Harvey, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Gramercy Ghost, George Washington Slept Here, L'il Abner, The King & I, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, The Diary of Anne Frank, Our Town, South Pacific, The Music Man, Rehearsal for Death (all for HMS), Dial 'M' for Murder (Stagecrafters/WCP). Steve was nominated for two (2) 2012 NJACT Perry Awards for OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (As Producer for Rehearsal for Murder) and as OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY (Rehearsal for Murder). Steve was also nominated for two (2) NJACT 2011 Perry Awards: OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR in a Play for his role as Justice Lawrence Wargrave in Main Street Theatre's production of And Then There Were None, and OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR in a Play for his role as Isaac Cohen in Westfield Community Players production of Abie's Irish Rose. Steve is currently the President of WCP, as well as, the webmaster here at WCP. Steve wishes to thank his wife, JoAnne, for getting him back involved with theatre. "Without her support and love, I can accomplish little. Thank you dear!!" Steve also thanks Sherrie Ahlin and Drude Roessler for making his WCP experiences very special. A special note of thanks to Katie, Mike, JoAnne, James, Glenn, Bill and Barbara for their contributions in making this another excellent production. And of course special thanks to this Cast/Crew for their hard work and love of theatre. Steve has also performed at the Grove Street Theater in Montclair performing in Apricot Productions' 1-act series. Also, he has appeared in a series of monologues entitled Sex, Relationships and Sometimes� Love at The Old Library Theater, Main Street Theater Company; and at the Producer's Club and the Jerry Orbach Theater, both off-Broadway, NYC. Steve also directed Harper Lee's classic To Kill A Mockingbird at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on the Hamilton Stage, in Rahway, NJ for Fearless Productions.

ANITA ESTEVE	*(Stage Manager)* Anita is making her WCP Stage Manager debut with the production. Anita most recently directed Rapunzarella White at CDC Theatre in Cranford. Additionally, she has stage managed dozens of shows locally and professionally. Anita is thrilled to be working at Westfield Community Players

JOANNE LEMENILLE	*(Properties)* JoAnne appeared as Mrs. Isaac Cohen in last seasons WCP's production of Abie's Irish Rose. She began her WCP experience with her role as Mildred WCP's production of The Cemetery Club. Since that time, JoAnne has been the Properties Mistress for our productions and served on WCP's Board of Directors as Director of Productions. JoAnne recently served as President of WCP for three terms; she is now serving as Director of Performance. JoAnne has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play for Rehearsal for Murder She has always been involved in theatre since she was a child back in Union with the Teen Stagers. She has also appeared as Polly in The Boyfriend, Anna in New Girl in Town; Eleanor in Second Time Around (for Regal Productions), and Peggy in Front Page. Besides doing props, she has worked on Scenery and Set Design. Her favorite role was Eleanor in Second Time Around because it gave her the chance to play her husband, Steve's, snobbish and self-centered wife. JoAnne is a retired teacher of music from the Clark School system where she was the vocal, instrumental and music theory teacher for over twenty years and for which she directed and musical directed the plays for Kumpf School. "I make bead flowers - an old French art of using glass beads." Special thanks to my husband Steve and JoAnn Scanlon for giving me the chance to rekindle my love for the stage, and thanks to a wonderful cast and fabulous crew." It's good to have you back on front stage!!!

BILL MCMEEKAN	*(Set)* Bill not only serves as our set designer, but is currently WCP's Treasurer and serves on the Board of Directors. Bill has recently been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Set Design for a Play for Rehearsal for Murder

KATIE ENGEL	*(Playbill/Marketing)* Katie is WCP's newest Board member, having been elected this past June. Katie made her WCP debut last season in Tribute portraying Sally Haines. Katie is a member of the staff at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC). Katie also was the Stage Manager for The Other Place produced by Fearless Productions at UCPAC's Hamilton Stage in Rahway, NJ back in 2015.

ED WHITMAN	*(Lighting Designer/Operator)* This is Ed's second year with WCP. Ed has been instrumental in updating and improving our lighting system giving up greater opportunity to enhance our productions. Ed has also been a part of our construction staff. Ed was recently elected to the Board of Directors to serve as Director of Technical. <

GLEN CRANE	**(Sound Design) Glen has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Sound Design for a Play for Rehearsal for Murder**

MIKE BIEBER	*(Sound Operator)Michael has played smaller and larger roles at WCP and Westfield�s Troupe of Friends free Shakespeare in the Park* series. From 1999-2007 he was one of the lead male vocalists in the Daddy-Os and the Grateful Dads in the McKinley Kapers annual variety show. But he most enjoys working tech behind the scenes. Professionally Michael is Associate Chair of the Information Systems Department at NJIT (which also has a Theater Department and regular productions).

STEVE LEMENILLE	(Webmaster / Publicity) Besides directing for WCP, Steve also is the President of WCP and is the webmaster for our web site.

RENATE BIEBER	*(Box Office)* Renate has been Director of Tickets since the 08-09 season and enjoys making sure the front of the house runs smoothly. Participating in the chorus of Mikado and Pirates of Penzance with the Gilbert & Sullivan Players of Philadelphia many years ago makes her appreciate the hard work that goes into a production and confirmed her belief that she doesn't want to be on stage. Renate is a substitute teacher in the Westfield School District, a board member of Westfield Hadassah, a member of the Harvest Quilters of Central New Jersey and enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

DORIS DIAS	*(Costumes)* I�m thrilled with the opportunity to work on this production. My personal goal is to make sure that the actors are comfortable and confident in their appearance on stage. I started working on costumes at the Westfield Community Theater in 2009 with their production of Little Mary Sunshine. At this point I fell in love with costuming. I was asked back to the theater and subsequently invited as the Chairperson of Costumes. I have great respect for the Director and his visions; they inspire me. I thank the production team for their faith in my ideas and their respect for my opinion. And especially my daughter for all the late hours, help and support. Past credits: Little Mary Sunshine, Don�t Drink the Water, The Second Time Around, Dial M for Murder, Caught In The Net, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Abie�s Irish Rose, I Love You, You�re Perfect, Now Change, Top Girls, Stuart Little, Bizet�s Carmen, Squabbles, {proof} and Olympus on My Mind. "I am a Costumer, I make clothes for imaginary people." ---Celestine Ranney, 1982

JEAN LIOY	*(Stage Crew)* Jean is a retired professor of microbiology at Union County College and also Rutgers/UMDNJ. She also has been a consultant with the NJ Office Of Homeland Security in the area of bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. Jean was the Properties Mistress for Boeing-Boeing, WCP's most recent production. Being new to WCP, she is very thankful for the opportunity to learn about the backstage world of the theater.

LINDA CORRELL	*(Pyrotechnics/special effects)* Linda has been involved in theater for many years and is delighted to be performing with this talented cast and crew. She has appeared on Westfield�s stage in Rumors, Run For Your Wife, Hot �L Baltimore, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 and Caught in the Net. Some other favorite roles include: Liliane LeFleur in NINE!, Joanne in Company!, Joan Crawford in Legends and Bridge, Carlotta in Phantom, Irene in Crazy for You, Billy Dawn in Born Yesterday, Abby in The Musical of Musicals, the Musical and Marta in Thumbs! (world premier). Linda has also directed numerous times including such shows as The Lion in Winter, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, It Runs In the Family and Starting Here, Starting Now for Westfield. As well as acting, and directing Linda designs, builds sets and dabbles in stage pyrotechnics. Her favorite role is John�s �other half�--AML, AML!

ED WHITMAN	*(Lighting Designer/Operator)* This is Ed's lighting debut at Westfield Community Players. He has done shows for the Cranford Dramatic Club, The Theater Project and The Bergdorf Community Center among others.

	*(Stage crew)*

GEORGE HILTZ	*(Set Construction Chairman)* To be developed

Russ Ortiz	*(Set Construction/Board Sect'y)* Russ Ortiz currently serves as WCP Board Secretary. Russ has also performed here at WCP in many productions, namely Tribute. A Thousand Clowns. Almost, Maine, Barefoot in the Park, Rehearsal For Murder and Squabbles. During the past five years Russ appeared in 36 productions in New Jersey and N.Y. In 2014 Russ appeared in Twelve Angry Men, A Man Of No Importance, Sex Relationships and Sometimes�Love, Time Stands Still, The Laramie Project, To Kill A Mockingbird, And Then There Were None, A Christmas Carol and most recently, Inherit the Wind.