Westfield Community Players (Musical of Musicals bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Ariella Planas as June - The Ingenue	Linda Viel Director
Chris James as Willy - The Hero	Steve Lemenille Producer
Zachary Love as Jitter - The Villain	Remoh Mosley-Aviles Musical Director
Sharon McGuire as Abby - The Matron	Samantha Tirone/Linda Viel Choreographer
	Barbara Ruban Stage Manager
	JoAnne Lemenille Properties
	Bill McMeekan Set Design
	JoAnne Lemenille/Barbara Ruban/Jean Lioy Set Decor
	Ed Whitman/Russ Ortiz/Remoh Mosley-Aviles Set Decor
	James Dukelow Lighting Design
	James Dukelow Lighting Operator
	Glen Crane Sound Design
	Michael Bieber Sound Operator
	Barbara Goldstein/Steve Lemenille Publicity
	Katie Engel Playbill/Marketing
	Steve Lemenille Webmaster
	Renate Bieber Box Office
	Doris Dias Costumes
	Katie Engel, Kay Macrae, Don Mokrauer, Marilyn Gettinger, Roberta Fisher House Managers
	TBD Ushers
	Jean Lioy Stage Crew
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Bob Smith Set Construction
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Paul Kirsh Set Construction
	Russ Ortiz Set Construction
	Ed Whitman Set Construction

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
ARIELLA PLANAS	*(June - The Ingenue)* Ariella is proud to be in her first production with Westfield Community Players. Her recent credits include Brooke in Noises Off, First Witch in Macbeth, Mayor Maggie in Bat Boy, Janet in the production of Rocky Horror Picture Show and many more. She had reenacted a scene from the vintage T.V show I Love Lucy showcasing the 'Vitavitavegamin' episode at her high school in Wayne. She was also a part of an improv group called the Fooligans while attending Ramapo College of New Jersey. Ariella is very excited to be a part of this challenging comedic musical and wants to thank everyone who helped in making this all possible. She would also like to thank her friends and family for their love and support throughout this journey.

CHRIS JAMES	*(Willy - The Hero)* Who is Chris James? He is no stranger to the theatre stage after appearing in countless productions across the state over the years, including the Perry Nominated 5 Minutes to Curtain. Or Maybe you've seen CJ on the "the Wendy Williams show", IN OR OUT: No Pun Intended or possibly performing live at a local festival near you. Have you seen CJ online? From 2009-2013 Chris wrote, produced & directed two web series: My Saturday Night & the Chris James show. The thing about Mr. James is when he's not playing a role, He is busy promoting his music. Currently, his new single "Whose Laughing Now" is available now for download on iTunes, Amazon/MP3 & other digital retailers. As Chris plans for his upcoming 7th independant album titled "the Sound of Crickets" which is due out March, 2017, you just never know where you may catch him! For more information on all things Chris James, go to iamchrisjames.com

ZACHARY LOVE	*(Jitter - The Villain)* Zach makes his WCP debut in this hilarious show surrounding one of his biggest passions. Zach is a native from Cranford, NJ, and has been performing in the community theatre scene since he was 13. A recent Muhlenberg College graduate (B.A. in Theatre w/minor in Music), Zach has been fortunate enough to have participated in numerous shows, favorite roles being Leon Czolgosz (Assassins), Ladahlord (James and the Giant Peach), The Merchant (Brecht's The Exception and the Rule), Officer Lockstock (Urinetown: The Musical), Will Parker (Oklahoma!), as well as many credits with Muhlenberg's Summer Music Theatre (Gypsy, Hello, Dolly!, and Crazy for You.). Zach is a proud employee of the Pineda Conservatory, and is a teacher at the Academy of Performing Arts Union County Vo-Tech Schools. Much love to Mom, Dad, Gma, Emma, Sarah, and the students and teachers.

SHARON McGUIRE	*(Abby - The Matron)* Sharon is delighted to return to Westfield Community Players where she was last seen as Sonia in Vanya, Sonia. Masha and Spike. In the last few years, Sharon has proudly performed with The Lord Stirling Theater Company, Defining Moment Theater Company, Playhouse 22, The Impromptu Players, Troupe of Friends, and Hedgehog and Feather Theater Company. Big hugs to her family and friends for their loving support.

Production Staff
LINDA VIEL	*(Director)* Linda is elated to be returning to Westfield Community Players with directing The Musical of Musicals---the Musical. Ms. Viel directed Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike last year 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. To my "jig-saw puzzle "cast---it has been my pleasure to direct such a funny, talented and warm-hearted cast that has truly created a "masterpiece"puzzle.

STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Producer)* For this production, Steve is changing hats---from director to 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 and last season's A Thousand Clowns. 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.

REMOH MOSLEY-AVILES	*(Musical Director)* Remoh Mosley-Aviles has been making music since birth. Theater was introduced at the Newark Community School of the Arts with a performance of "One" from A Chorus Line. During formal classical piano training, he picked up the tuba at age 8 and immediately found another medium of music creation. After playing a bulk of classical orchestral repertoire, he entered the College of New Jersey and after earning a Bachelor of Music, began to direct church choir, freelance on tuba and teach band, orchestra and chorus for Edison Township Schools. He rediscovered theater working for Linda Viel music directing Broadway Revues, Hairspray, Happy Days, All Shook Up and Pippin.

SAMANTHA TIRONE	*(Choreographer)* Samantha is honored to once again be working with Ms. Viel, and for the first time, at Westfield Community Players. She has been teaching dance for 11 years at various studios throughout the state. Currently, Dance Starz Academy in Colonia, NJ, where she calls home. She has been part of the National and World Award winning dance company's faculty for 5 years. Her dancers have been recognized for special awards and high scores at regional and national competitions. Samantha has choreographed for multiple community theaters and schools throughout NJ. Shows include, Godspell, How to Succeed, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Shop, In the Heights, Pippin, Bring it On, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz and 9 to 5.

BARBARA RUBAN	*(Stage Manager)* Barbara started with WCP as property master for many shows before branching out into stage managing and received a Perry Award nomination for props for the production of Angel Street. She also assists with set decoration and costumes. Having been on stage in a couple of productions, she would rather leave the acting to the pros and enjoy being in the backstage "hustle and bustle". Barbara also wrote two original plays which were performed at WCP. In addition, one play was performed in Chatham in the Jersey Voices Festival. She had been on the Board of WCP for two years serving as Director of Performance. Barbara is now Vice President of Productions. A legal assistant by day, she thanks WCP for allowing her to express her creative side and her children and grandchildren for their love and support, which makes it all more gratifying.

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.

JAMES DUKELOW	*(Lighting Designer/Operator)* This is James second year with WCP, having designed and operated our lighting system for last season's productions.

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).

BARBARA GOLDSTEIN	*(Publicity)* To be developed

STEVE LEMENILLE	(Webmaster) 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 WCP's newest member of our theatrical family. Jean was last involved in And Then There Were None working backstage with props and set decor. Welcome back, Jean.

	*(Stage crew)*

	*(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.