Westfield Community Players (Mister Roberts bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Tim Kelly as Lieutenant Doug Roberts	Steve Lemenille Director
Russ Ortiz as Doc	Kay Macrae Producer
Bobby Marusiefski as Ensign Pulver	Linda Viel Stage Manager
David Kelley as the Captain	JoAnne Lemenille Properties Mistress
Ed Bontempo as Dowdy	Bill McMeekan Set Design/Construction
Pete Trabucco as Dolan	JoAnne Lemenille/Jean Lioy Set Decor
Allen Roberts as Chief Johnson	Jean Lioy Props Asst.
Peter Curley as Mannion	Ed Whitman Lighting Design
Allen Gershenson as Insigna	Ed Whitman Lighting Operator
Garry Tamburro as Gerhart	Glen Crane Sound Design
Timothy McGovern as Stefanowski	Michael Bieber Sound Operator
Andy Lambrianidis as Wiley	Steve Lemenille Publicity
Jack Roberts as Lindstrom	Katie Engel Playbill/Marketing
Anthony Muccigrossi as Schlemmer, Reber, Payne	Steve Lemenille Webmaster
Katie Engel as Lt. Ann Girard	Wendy Bregman Box Office
Richard Bull as Shore Patrolman	Ed Bontempo Costumes
Mark Mooney as Military Policeman	TBD House Managers
	TBD House Managers
	TBD Ushers
	Jean Lioy Stage Crew
	Lois Stevens Stage Crew
	Alexandria Roll Box Office Ass't.
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	Stu Schnitzer Videography
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Russ Ortiz Set Construction
	Ed Whitman Set Construction
	Ed Whitman, Dave Frey Lighting

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
TIM KELLY	*(Lieutenant Roberts)* Tim is excited to be making both his WCP and New Jersey stage debut. Some of his past credits include Fr. Flynn in Doubt, Caliban in The Tempest, Barry in Talk Radio, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Howie in Rabbit Hole and Donnie in American Buffalo. Mr. Kelly has also appeared on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire as a Pinkerton Agent and as Evan in the award winning independent feature film Purgatory Comics. He would like to thank Dr. Laura Graham as always for being his conscience on stage. Much love to Andie, Grayson, Carter and Keaton for being the best crew anyone could ask for and always encouraging me “To be in this thing. To participate.” Please visit his website TimothyJKelly.net for updates and photos.

RUSS ORTIZ	*(Doc)* Russ Ortiz currently serves as WCP Board Secretary. Russ has also performed here at WCP in many productions, namely The Man Who Came to Dinner, Tribute. A Thousand Clowns. Almost, Maine, Barefoot in the Park, Rehearsal For Murder and Squabbles. During the past five years Russ appeared in 45 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 [off-Broadway], Time Stands Still, The Laramie Project, To Kill A Mockingbird, And Then There Were None, A Christmas Carol, Inherit the Windand most recently, Cocktail Hour Confessions. Russ received a 2011 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Tom Rogers in And Then There Were None at Main Street Theatre Company.

BOBBY MARUSIEFSKI	*(Ensign Pulver)* Bobby is thrilled to be returning to perform before the audiences at Westfield Community Players in Mister Roberts. Mr. Marusiefski last appeared as Jud Templeton in WCP's production of Tribute. Prior to that he appeared in A Thousand Clowns. Bobby debued in WCP's production of {proof} in 2013, appearing as Hal. He then went on to portray Ralph Austin in Butterflies Are Free in 2014. Mr.Marusiefski took over the role of Jimmy in WCP's production of Almost, Maine in January, 2015. Bobby has also performed at the Jerry Orbach Theater in NYC in the monologue's show, Sex, Relationships and Sometimes…Love. He also portayed the role of Lt. Sam Weinberg in A Few Good Men at the Holmdel Theater.

DAVID KELLEY	*(the Captain)* David is very happy to be playing the role of the Captain in Mr. Roberts at the Westfield Community Players as it represents unfinished business in his theatrical life. Mr. Roberts was the first play he ever auditioned for back in high school and he was cast as the Captain then, only to have the production canceled at the first read-through because it was deemed inappropriate for a high school production. He has acted extensively in both Michigan and Connecticut favorite roles being, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Dr. Framingham in Beyond Therapy, for which he won a Golden Nugget Award from the Detroit News, Waldo Lydecker in Laura, a role he has played twice, General Sir William Howe in Robert Sherwood’s Small War on Murray Hill, his only romantic lead, Pozzo in Waiting for Godot and Michael, the Englishman, in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me. While working at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, David performed for patients as Dr. Hopalong Howdy in the volunteer clown care group. Since moving back to New Jersey, David has appeared as Father Farley in the ATC/Theater League of Clifton/Clifton High School production of Dead Man Walking and as Lenox in the ATC production of Macbeth. Most recently he appeared again in Macbeth as Duncan, the King and the Scottish Doctor with the Troupe of Friends Company in the park in Westfield.

ED BONTEMPO	*(Dowdy)* Ed is a well-known face here at WCP this season, both on the stage and also as the resident costumer for this season at WCP. A veteran of the theater Ed has been on stage performing for over 40 years, performing both regionally and local theater. Ed started his career as a Tap and Latin dancer studying with Gert Wiley also Tamara Long. Ed now focuses his time as a makeup artist/ beauty stylist, focusing on bridal makeup, photo shoots and videos. Some of Ed's favorite roles were: Young Vincent in Follies,Beverly Carlton in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Gangster #2 in Drowsy Chaperone, Duane in Applause,Speciality Dancer in Sweet Charity.

PETE TRABUCCO	*(Dolan)* Pete recently appeared with NYC’s Lite FM 106.7 FM Morning Gal Christine Nagy as CJ Huxley in The La Strada production of Not Curing Cancer. He also appeared as Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Algonquin Theater. He was seen at Ocean County College/Grunin Theater as Lt. Brannigan in Guys and Dolls, Villagers Theatre as the Captain in Anything Goes and as Alfred Dussel in Anne Frank at the Axelrod. He also played Hans in the NJACT Perry Award nominated production of Sicilians in the Basement (First Ave. Playhouse) and General Waverly in Exit 82’s production of White Christmas,(at OCC). Other credits include Grapes of Wrath, It’s a Wonderful Life and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Off-Broadway he has appeared in NYC in the production of Sex, Relationships and Sometimes… Love. Pete is a nationally known travel and vacation expert/book author and has appeared on over 1500 radio and television stations including multiple appearances on the Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN, Daytime TV and the Weather and Travel Channels. [www.petetrabucco.com] He has recently released his second book and currently is set to have a recurring role as Lt Jeff Russo in the new TV web series The Doors. In his spare time, Pete also runs the Constellation Productions Theatre Company at the Middletown Arts Center with his daughter Jennifer. He is very happy to be in this production and would like to thank everyone (including his wife, Dorie and daughter, Jennifer) for being so supportive.

ALLEN ROBERTS	*(Chief Johnson)* Allen is thrilled to be one of the two Mr. Roberts taking part of WCP’s eponymous production of this great classic play, still fresh from his appearance as a madcap chef in Studio Players’ production of Don’t Drink The Water. Allen previously appeared on Broadway, i.e., 39 Broadway in both Hackensack and Paterson, NJ with the Hackensack Theatre Company and Genesis Repertory Theater, respectively. His stage credits include Caldwell B. Cladwell (Urinetown), Sidney Redlitch (Bell, Book & Candle), Mister Scanlon (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest), Doctor Seward (Dracula), Kurt’s father/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan (Heathers), The Ritz, and Scapino. Allen was also a featured performer with Comcast Cablevision’s now-legendary Downtown Altoona Players, currently appearing on YouTube (see him as Melvin Skuphoyden, deranged binoculars salesman, in Episode 9 and soon-to-be-released Episode 10, the latter now in post-production along with a reunion episode). Thank you, Steve (Lemenille), and a shout out to the rest of the cast and crew for this opportunity.

PETER CURLEY	*(Mannion)* Peter is quite pleased to be back on stage at WCP, previous credits at the theater include "Bert Jefferson" in Man Who Came to Dinner, "Dr. Spivey" in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, "Bill Lewis" in Hot L Baltimore, "Steve" in Almost Maine, "Pablo" in Streetcar Named Desire, "Leo Gibbs" in Rehearsal for Murder, "Immigration Officer/Mike" in A View from the Bridge, "Axl McGee" in Don't Drink the Water, "Count Gregor" in Fools, "Biff Loman" in Death of a Salesman, and "Demetrius" in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

ALLEN GERSHENSON	*(Insigna)* 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 as well as, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.. 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 most recently as Col. McKenzie in "And Then There Were None at Stony Hill, and many others. Thank you Steve for an opportunity to work with old friends and with a fine group of new ones.

GARRY TAMBURRO	*(Gerhart)* Garry is pleased to be back at WCP having last appeared at Vanya in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. He has also appeared in a number of plays at WCP, most notably as Fleetfoot in Little Mary Sunshine and Officer Thompson in Dial 'M' for Murder. Garry was also the producer for Butterflies Are Free and A Thousand Clowns. Most recently Garry portrayed Tom Rogers in And Then There Were None at Stony HIll. Garry thanks such an exceptional director Steve Lemenille and such an extraordinary cast and crew for making this role a breeze, a most pleasurable and memorable experience.

TIMOTHY McGOVERN	*(Stefanowski)* Timothy is very pleased to be back in Westfield, having played Dick in Play It Again, Sam. A remarkably dedicated actor, Timothy prepared for the role of Stefanowski by spending ten years in the US Navy. He is grateful for the desperation of Steve Lemenille in bringing him onboard--in a manner of speaking! Timothy also played Elyot in Private Lives three years ago and most recently filled a long desire by playing Charles in another Noël Coward play, Blithe Spirit in Cranford. Prior to that, he got to play five roles in A Christmas Carol in Berkeley Heights, but he typically acts in comedies here in WCP such as The Fox on the Fairway (Dickie Bell), Don’t Dress for Dinner (as Robert), Caught in the Net (John Smith), Run for Your Wife (Sgt. Porterhouse), and It Runs in the Family (Dr. Bonney). A special memory was acting in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, because that’s where he first met his wife, Diane. Timothy is dedicating this performance to her, and his sons Jack and Brian. To the cast, for accepting me so late in the run, fair winds and following seas!

ANDY LAMBRIANIDIS	*(Wiley)* Andy Lambrianidis has played numerous starring and supporting roles in short films, completed a tour with The Walking Dead Experience at Walker Stalker Con, and has appeared in major motion pictures and television series'. He currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., and has survived the perilous journey across the water specifically to perform in WCP's production of Mister Roberts for which he is making his WCP debut.

JACK ROBERTS	*(Lindstrom)* Jack is delighted to make his WCP debut with this production. He was last seen as “Patrick” in Lafferty’s Wake. (Smoke Rise Players). He dedicates his performance in Mister Roberts to his late father, John E. Roberts, a Rahway native, U.S. Navy veteran (1951-54), and fan of the classic film.

ANTHONY MUCCIGROSSI	*(Schlemmer, Reber, Payne)* Anthony is excited to make his first stage production debut since elementary school when he played the train conductor and a member of the band in The Music Man. A 2016 graduate of the school of Communication, Media & Journalism at Kean University, Anthony has appeared in short films including Wallace, Mostly Final, The Last Episode, and Liberty Hall 360.

KATIE ENGEL	*(Lt. Ann Girard)* Katie is WCP's Playbill and Marketing Director. . Katie made her WCP debut in Tribute portraying Sally Haines. Katie has also Stage Managed for And Then There Were None last season. 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.

RICHARD BULL	*(Shore Patrolman)* Richard was last seen here at WCP in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Before that, Richard made his WCP debut in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's 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!)

MARK MOONEY	*(Military Policeman)* Mark Mooney is delighted to be performing in his first production with the Westfield Community Players. As a way to improve his public speaking skills, a fellow colleague recommended an acting workshop, where Mark found an interest in theatre. Since then, Mark has been given several opportunities in local theater productions. Mark lives in Bridgewater with his girlfriend Kelly and curls at the Plainfield Curling Club.

Production Staff
STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Director)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* and last season's 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. Most recently, Steve was inducted into NJACT's Hall of Fame for Directing.

KAY MACRAE	*(Producer)* Kay received her 2nd Perry Award Nomination for Outstanding Production of a Play for the Westfield Community Players production of Angel Street. She has been a member of WCP for many, many years---singing, acting and enjoying it all!! Kay has produced such notable productions here at WCP of Little Mary Sunshine, Born Yesterday, Second Time Around and Squabbles…to mention just a few. Kay also serves on the Play Reading Committee and served as Director of Public Relations. Kay sings with Celebration Singers in Cranford. Kay currently serves as President of the Westfield Musical Club which is an organization devoted to fostering and encouraging good music, providing opportunities for performance, and supporting college music scholarships. There are also seven handsome grandsons in her life! .

LINDA VIEL	*(Stage Manager)* Linda is elated to be returning to Westfield Community Players as Stage Manager for this classical production of Mister Roberts. Earlier this season, Ms. Viel directed The Man Who Came to Dinner. Ms. Viel also directed Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike and The Musical of Musicals…the Musical. for WCP. Ms. Viel's other directorial experiences includes, a premier of Striking 12 at EVP, Leader of the Pack, Seussical at Spotlight Players, Rumors, God's Favorite at Villagers, Pinocchio in the KidsVill Series and other various community troupes. She was the stage manager for Plays in the Park for the musical comedy, Company. She has also directed 25 musicals, which include, Hairspray, Wiz, Once On this Island, and …..West Side Story. During the summer Linda directs and produces a summer theatre cabaret. Besides directing, Linda has performed in Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, and various other productions. Linda is also affiliated with NJACT, Paper Mill Rising Star, A Performing Academy, and is in the Who's Who Among Teachers of America. I would like to personally like to thank my new friends for their expertise, kindness and generosity on this production.

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!!!

JEAN LIOY	*(Properties Mistress)* 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. Being new to WCP, she is very thankful for the opportunity to learn about the backstage world of the theater. Jean currently serves on the Board of Directors as Director of Performance.
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 Playbill and Marketing Director having been elected last June. Katie made her WCP debut in Tribute portraying Sally Haines. Katie has also Stage Managed for And Then There Were None last season. 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.

WENDY BREGMAN	*(Box Office)* Wendy is our newest Board of Directors member. She is serving as our Box Office Director. Welcome, Wendy!!

ED BONTEMPO	*(Costumes)* Aside from portraying the role of Beverly Carlton in this production of The Man Who Came to Dinner, Ed has taken on the responsibility of being the costumer, including hair and make-up for this production.


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.