Westfield Community Players (Almost,Maine bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Jeanette Ricci as Ginette	Beatriz Esteban-Messina Director
Sondy Cadeau as Pete	Jessica Foerst Producer
Lonzell Wilson/Bram Akcay as East	Barbara Ruban Stage Manager
Judy Wilson as Glory	JoAnne Lemenille Properties
Jeffrey Bassin/Bobby Marusiefski as Jimmy	Bill McMeekan Set Design
Kacey Perinelli as Sandrine	JoAnne Lemenille Set Decor
Lisa D'Agati Geerhart as Waitress (Villian)	Barbara Ruban Set Decor
Alicia Hayes as Marvalyn	Bill McMeekan Lighting Design
Peter Curley as Steve	Jessica Foerst Lighting Operator
Renee Litwin as Gayle	Glen Crane Sound Design
John Schweska as Lendall	Michael Bieber Sound Operator
Lewis Decker as Randy	Barbara Goldstein Publicity
Robert Goodwin as Chad	Jessica Foerst Playbill
Russ Ortiz as Phil	Steve Lemenille Web site
Linda Hatcher as Marci	Renate Bieber Box Office
Leslie Riccie as Hope	Doris Dias Costumes
Steve Lemenille as Man (Daniel)	TBD House Managers
Victor E. Martinez as Dave	TBD Ushers
Kristin Bennett as Rhonda	Kevin Coulson Stage Crew
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Bob Smith Set Construction
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Paul Kirsh Set Construction

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
JEANNETTE RICCI	*(Ginette)* makes her Westfield Community Players debut in Almost Maine. Other credits include The Witch in Once Upon a Pandora’s Box at The Burgdorff Theater and Sharon in Play It Again, Sam at The Elizabeth Playhouse. Jeanette is a certified personal trainer who believes: “Through God all things are possible!”

SONDY CADEAU	*(Pete)* Sondy is excited to debut at the Westfield Community Players in Almost, Maine. He is currently employed as a license social worker servicing adults with persistent and severe mental illness. He has always considered acting as a hobby and has done most of his acting in church plays. He enjoys theater and has been attending the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts in Bloomfield, NJ. Thanks most of all to God, my family and all my amazing friends.

Lonzell Wilson	*(East)* is pleased to be making his Westfield debut across the stage from his wife. In addition to community theater (roles include Charlie Sneed in The Homecoming and Officer O'Hara in Arsenic and Old Lace. He works full time as a human resources manager. Lonzell would like to thank WCP and Beatriz for this opportunity and God for all His blessings.

BRAM AKCAY	*(East)* A graduate of the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts program and HB Studios, he has been performing on stage for three years. Credits include: Ken Miller in Cahoots, Roy in Lone Star, Charlie in The Scene, and most recently at the Hamilton Stage, Rahway in To Kill A Mockingbird, as Atticus Finch. Bram is excited to make his debut in Westfield and is grateful to a terrific cast and crew.

JUDY WILSON	*(Glory)* is excited to be back at Westfield Community Players for her third show and thrilled to work with Beatriz again. A Chicago native, Judy teaches college English, works as a background actor in film and TV, and loves theater. Favorite roles include Elaine Harper in Arsenic and Old Lace, Sybil Chase in Private Lives, a lunatic in An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, Spencer McCullough in Regrets Only, and Sister James in Doubt. Judy is thankful for all the blessings in her life, especially her husband, who is a constant source of support.

JEFFREY BASSIN	*(Jimmy)* is proud to become a part of the long history of the Westfield Community Players in Almost, Maine. A New York native, he recently finished studies at Florida State University with a background in English Education, Film, and Business. Not long ago, he joined the crew of TV’s ‘Inside Amy Schumer’. He also most recently finished production on his cinematic directorial debut. His favorite/recent stage credits include Nick Piazza in Fame, Billy in Big, and work with the Upright Citizens Brigade Improv Theater. His film credits include Jeppy in Behind the Scenes, Kyle in Tag Team, and The Host in Zombie Punch. He is looking forward to his future performances in hit television shows and films!

BOBBY MARUSIEFKI	*(Jimmy)* is pleased to perform before the audiences at Westfield Community Players in Almost, Maine. Bobby debuted in WCP's production of {proof}, appearing as Hal. Bobby will once again tread the boards in WCP's March production of A Thousand Clowns.

KACEY PERINELLI	*(Sandrine)* Kacey is thrilled to be making her WCP debut as a part of the wonderful cast of Almost, Maine. Previous credits include Wonder of the World (Cass), Don’t Drink the Water (Susan), Little Women (Jo March), and Once Upon a Mattress (Queen Aggravain). Huge thank you to her wonderful family, especially her husband Michael who always supports everything she does.

LISA D'AGATI GEERHART	*(Waitress - Villian)* Lisa is proud to make her WCP debut in Almost, Maine. Lisa appeared in the summer run of Sex, Relationships and Sometimes…love. She lives in Nutley with her extremely supportive husband whom she adores and is mother to a dog, cat, and son.

ALICIA HAYES	*(Marvalyn)* is very excited to work with WCP for the first time! She graduated from Eastern University in 2013 with a BA in Communication Studies and now works with Nine Ministry. During her time at EU, she worked onstage and offstage. Her onstage work includes New Play Workshop 2012-2013(Actor), Our Town (Emily Webb), Let’s Make a Scene (Ensemble/Hodel/Soloist). Her offstage work includes 13! (Stage Manager), Clean Green Machine (Stage Manager), Good Person of Szechwan (Stage Manager), New Play Workshop 2014 (Director), Godspell (Assistant Director). She is thankful to God, her family and friends for their support and interest and hopes to see you at the show!

PETER CURLEY	*(Steve)* is pleased to be back on stage with WCP. His previously Westfield credits include 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, Midsummer Night's Dream as Demetrius, and A View from the Bridge as the Immigration Officer. Recent credits from other area theaters include 12 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 Beatriz, Jessica, and a wonderful cast and crew!*

RENEE LITWIN	*(Gayle)* is thrilled to be returning to the WCP stage where she has appeared numerous times over the years. She was last seen here in The Dixie Swim Club (Sheree) and Second Time Around(Cynthia). Other favorite roles include Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs (Act IV), Claire in Proof (Maplewood Strollers) and Sonia in The Ice Breaker (Stony Hill Players). Thanks so much to a very talented cast and crew. Much love to my family for your support.

JOHN SCHWESKA	*(Lendall)* John has been performing since grammar school recitals. He later trained at American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Herbert Berghoff Studio. John sang NYC cabaret shows with Broadway pianist Andrew Cooke for over a decade and has done leading roles in community theatre for twenty years, including WCP, his favorite theatre group.

LEWIS DECKER	*(Randy)* is making his debut with WCP. Recent area appearances include Romeo and Juliet and Defying Gravity with Circle Players; Moon Over the Brewery and The Elephant Man with Chester Theater Group; Our Town with the Summit Central Players; Macbeth and Inherit the Wind with Trilogy Repertory; and the last two summers' Jersey Voices program with Chatham Players. He lives in a burrow in a river bank and only comes out for theater (which he will never do outdoors again), and work (as a self-employed carpenter, where he is outside far too much). Never ask his opinion on religion, and under no circumstances allow him to read you his poetry.

ROBERT GOODWIN	*(Chad)* Bob has appeared in numerous community theater productions including A Few Good Men, Noises Off, Amadeus, The Odd Couple, Inherit the Wind, Shadowlands, On Borrowed Time, The Diary of Ann Frank, Moon Over Buffalo, To Kill a Mockingbird, and most recently, in It's a Wonderful Life. I'm delighted to work with Beatrice and the entire cast.

RUSS ORTIZ	*(Phil)* is pleased to return to The Westfield Community Players in Almost, Maine. Russ previously appeared in Barefoot in the Park as Victor Belasco, Rehearsal For Murder as Ernie and Squabbles as Wasserman at WCP. During the past 5 years Russ appeared in 34 productions in New Jersey and N.Y. In 2014, Russ appeared in Twelve Angry Men at Playhouse 22, A Man Of No Importance as Edison Valley, Sex Relationships and Sometimes Love at Producer's Club (NYC), Time Stands Still, The Laramie Project at Mainstreet Theater, To Kill A Mockingbird at UCPAC Hamilton Stage and A Christmas Carol at Playhouse 22. Thanks to Beatriz and the cast and crew for making this a wonderful experience. Working at WCP has always been a joy. Thanks to my sons Jason, Scott and Tony and my daughter Jenn for their love and support.

Linda Hatcher	*(Marci)* is pleased to be returning to WCP. Linda was last seen here at WCP in The Dixie Swim Club.

LESLIE RICCIE	*(Hope)* is thrilled to be back at WCP! Leslie portrayed Myra Kesselman in last season's production of Regrets Only. Leslie is also a member of Cranford Dramatic Club and currently serves as Production VP - where she recently produced their season opener Sweeney Todd and will be producing How to Succeed.. in May. Whether it's Props Mistress or Stage Manager, Leslie is content backstage, as well as, onstage. Leslie's acting credits include Vanities (Joanne), Private Lives (Sybil), Caucasian Chalk Circle (Mother in Law), Dracula (Mrs. Harker), The Mousetrap (Mrs. Boyle), Gypsy (Tessie Tura). Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this most talented cast! Special thanks to my family and friends for their love and continued support!!

STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Man - Daniel)* Besides directing for WCP, Steve also is the President of WCP and is the webmaster for our web site.

VICTOR E. MARTINEZ	*(DAVE)* Victor is a B.A. Theatre graduate from Kean University and is very excited to be making his Westfield Community Players debut. Victor’s past credits include Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio), Dog Sees God (Matt), Becky's New Car (Chris), Adventures of Nate the Great (Nate), U.S. Drag (Evan), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), Bleacher Bums (Richie), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), The Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio) and As You Like It (Silvius).

KRISTIN BENNETT	*(Rhonda)* is excited to make her WCP debut! Credits include Circle Player's Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), Ravenscroft (Dolly), and How I Learned to Drive (Teenage Greek Chorus), Chester Player's Moon Over the Brewery (Amanda), Chatham Player's Jersey Voices, Christmas Cards, and The Taming of the Shrew (Bianca), and Summit Playhouse's 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne). Ms. Bennett received a 2013 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for The Taming of the Shrew.

Production Staff
BEATRIZ ESTEBAN-MESSINA	*(Director)* happily makes her directorial debut with WCP. She has directed 33 Variations, Anna in the Tropics, The Diary of Adam & Eve, Love Letters, Steel Magnolias, and will direct American Marvel, Into the Woods and Grease in 2015. Beatriz received a Perry nomination for Moon Over Buffalo; she feels blessed with an incredible cast. Thanks to Barbara, Jessica, Joanne, Steve for everything, and Jim for encouraging her stage mania.

JESSICA FOERST	*(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!

BARBARA RUBAN	*(Stage Manager)* 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/Lighting Designer)* 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

JESSICA FOERST	*(Lighting Operator/Playbill)* Jessica is not only versatile at operating the light control board, but also sits on the WCP Board of Directors as Director of Playbill. She has aided in the lighting design of this show. She is also extremely talented as a graphic designer. Much of her art work is displayed throughout our website. Jessica has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play for Rehearsal for Murder

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	(Web Master) 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

KEVIN COULSON	*(Stage Crew)*

	*(Stage crew)*

	*(Stage crew)*

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