Westfield Community Players (A Midsummer...)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Steve Lemenille as Theseus	Naomi Yablonky Director
Debbie Badal as Hippolyta	Letty Hudak Producer
Allen Gershenson as Egeus/Philostrate	Barbara Ruban Stage Manager
Candy Predham as Hermia	Jerry Yablonsky Ass't. Director
Ryan Correll as Lysander	JoAnne Lemenille Properties Mistress
Peter Curley as Demetrius	Joanne Lemenille Set Design
Erica Flory as Helena	Bob Murray Lighting Design
Anne Marie Viola as Robin Goodfellow	Jessica Foerst Lighting Operator
Joe Penczak as Oberon	Glen Crane/Mike Bieber Sound
Jackie Weiner as Titania	Victor Cenci Publicity
Rick Roberts as Nick Bottom	Jessica Foerst Playbill
Claudio Venancio as Peter Quince	Anna MacNiven Costumes
Bill VanSant as Francis Flute	Desiree Ewankov Make-Up
Garry Tamburro as Robin Starveling	Bill McMeekan Technical Set Design
Ted Sattur as Tom Snout	Linda Correll Technical Set Construction
Joe Belden as Snug	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
Will Connors as Indian Boy	Bob Smith Set Construction
Elizabeth Minski as Cobweb	Sal Villani Set Construction
Danielle Levitt as Peasblossom	Paul Kirsh Set Construction
Desiree Ewankov as Mustardseed	Leora Dagani Props
	Kevin Coulson Props
	Julia Bieber Props

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Theseus)* Steve is making his stage debut 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. He has acted with Tower Players and the Opera Workshop of Jersey City, Fairlawn Players, 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 in A Shot In The Dark (Regal Productions) and the Grandfather in Kurt Wiel's Down in the Valley. 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 (Fairlawn). Steve is currently 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!!"

DEBBIE BADAL	*(Hippolyta)* Debbie is very excited to be performing in her second production with WCP. Last spring's performance as Cookie in Rumors was, without a doubt, a great experience! Previous favorite roles with the Hexagon Players of Mendham include: M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Florence Unger in The Odd Couple (Female Version) and Poopsie in The Pajama Game. In her spare time, Debbie performs in ballroom dance competitions with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Special thanks to Naomi and Jerry for casting her as Hippolyta, it is a pleasure to work with such a fine cast and crew! And as always, thanks to Brad, Kristin and Brittany for their continued support of one of Mom's favorite hobbies!

ALLEN GERSHENSON	*(Egeus/Philostrate)* Allen is glad to return to Westfield Community Players. Prior roles include Shakespeare's As You Like It, Henry IV, Part I (Earl of Wooster), To Kill A Mockingbird (the Sheriff), Sly Fox (Crouch), and the NJ Rennaisance Festival (Skippy McTeague) last summer. Thanks Naomi for the opportunity.

CANDY PREDHAM	*(Hermia)* Candy Predham is originally from the Jersey Shore, but currently resides in Montclair. Candy was last seen as Candy Starr in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for the Bergen County Players. This will be Candy's second time performing Shakespeare; she has also played Fleance and the Gentlewoman in Macbeth. Candy graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia with a major in music; she currently works for Broadcast Music Incorporated in their International Department. Candy is currently a student pilot and volunteers at the Bergen County Animal Shelter.

RYAN KENNEDY CORRELL	*(Lysander)* is pleased to return to WCP in his favorite Shakespeare comedy. Ryan was last seen as Lawrence in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls for Spanktown Theatre in Rahway. Before that, he played Sir Richard Vernon in King Henry IV for Troupe of Friends here in Westfield. Other roles include Ali Haken in Oklahoma!, J.D. Sheldrake in Promises, Promises, and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Ryan thanks God and his family for all their support.

PETER CURLEY	*(Demetrius)* Peter is delighted to be making his first appearance with the Westfield Community Players. His favorite roles from other CT productions include Nick in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Sam Weinberg in A Few Good Men, Richard Rich in A Man For All Seasons, and Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace. Other Shakespeare credits include - Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Henry IV, Part I, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, All's Well That Ends Well, and Measure to Measure.

ERICA FLORY	*(Helena)* Erica is pleased to make her debut at Westfield Community Players. She was most recently seen as Kathy in Moonchildren at Circle Players. Other favorite roles include Betty in Sure Thing and Annie in Foreplay in All in the Timing (Somerset Valley Players), Myrtle Mae in Harvey (Pierrot Productions), Bette Logan in Heaven Can Wait (SVP), Hilda Manney in Room Service (SVP), and the "old hag" in Snow White (Villagers). She has studied at HB Studio and has performed at the Kraine Theater in NYC. She would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work, and her family, friends and sistahs for their love and support.

ANNE MARIE VIOLA	*(Robin Goodfellow)* is proud to make her debut at Westfield Community Players. Favorite past roles at Somerset Valley Players include: Agnes (MASH, May 06 - NJACT/Perry Award Nominee), The Goose (Charlotte�s Web, January 05) and Miss Carter (It�s A Wonderful Life*, December 03). Anne Marie would like to thank this talented cast and crew for making this show such a great experience. (And a special thanks to Erica, who got me to audition!) Lastly, Anne Marie would like to thank her family and friends for their unconditional love and support of her crazy hobby: to the WBF, who make life fun; to the Violas, who have made her a part of their loving family; to her parents, the Zucchi's, who made her the person she is today and to her husband, Matt, who taught her what true love really means. "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you are the world."

JOE PENCZAK	*(Oberon)* Joe Penczak is the founder and artistic director of Troupe of Friends, a non-profit theater company based in Westfield. The Troupe performs free, outdoor productions of Shakespeare each August. Joe would like to thank his wife and children for their support and inspiration.

JACKIE WEINER	*(Titania)* This is Jackie's third appearance here at Westfield Community Players. Her previous roles were Elizabeth in Angel Street, for which she received her very first Perry nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Actress In A Play, and most recently Miss Holloway in The Uninvited. Originally from England, she worked as a model/commercial actress and landed a role in the movie Scandal with many celebrated actors. Upon arriving in the U.S.A., she took acting classes in New York and has worked on several local productions including The McKinley Kapers and Troupe of Friends performance of Henry IV in the role of Mistress Quickly. Jackie thanks Naomi for this opportunity, and her husband Larry for holding down the fort and taking care of their two children, allowing Mommy time out to "play".

RICK ROBERTS	*(Nick Bottom)* Rick is happy to make his debut with Westfield Community Players. His past performances include The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, The Magic Flute, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mouse Trap, The Sisters Rosensweig, The Tales of Hoffman, The Hollow, and The Marriage of Figaro. Previous work includes the Summit Community productions of The Music Man, George M!, and performances of Flower Drum Song, The Fortune Teller and Babes in Toyland.

CLAUDIO VENANCIO	*(Peter Quince)* Claudio is very happy to be in this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He has been in such shows as The Odd Couple, Guys and Dolls, and Me and My God. His favorite roles was Pseudolous in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He is currently attending Union County College and is auditioning for the American Musical Dramatic Academy in January for the musical theatre department. He is extremely thankful to Bill and Ryan for letting him know about this show, and Naomi for taking a risk and casting him.

BILL VANSANT	*(Francis Flute)* is pleased to return to WCP where he played Bill Leslie in It Runs in the Family. He is grateful to have recently made his Shakespearean debut as Hotspur in Henry IV, Part 1 with Westfield's Troupe of Friends, under director Joe Penczak. Other favorite roles include Chris in All My Sons, Tito in Lend Me a Tenor, Leo in Only You, Bert Healy in Annie, Jasper in Drood, and Danny in Baby. As a director, Bill has staged many shows including A Shayna Maidel, Suddenly Last Summer, Sniper, Rashomon, and The Lion in Winter, for which he won the 1996 A.C.T. Award for Best Director of a Play. Bill sends his love and thanks to God, to his children Tori and Reid, and to Ryan for hooking him up with this role.

GARRY TAMBURRO	*(Robin Starveling)* Garry has appeared on local stages in A Man For All Seasons (SHP), A Few Good Men (Strollers), and As You Like It (Trilogy). His last role was in Henry IV as Lord Mortimer with Troupe of Friends. He would like to thank the director, cast and crew for a most pleasurable experience.

TED SATTUR	*(Tom Snout)* Ted is excited about making his debut at Westfield Community Players. Ted's previous acting credits include roles in The Best Man and Speed Dating/Corporate Waltz. Ted is a licensed veterinary technician. In his spare time he enjoys horseback riding and spending time with his wife Rosanne and their children Bethany and Sean.

JOE BELDEN	*(Snug)* This is Joe's debut at Westfield Community Players. He has performed in Someone For Everyone at Union County College's Drama Club under Professor Agim Coma. Joe is honored to work with a fantastic cast and crew on a great play.

DANIELLE LEVITT	*(Peasblossom)* Danielle is thrilled to be on stage again after a nine-year hiatus. She last played Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Leonia Players Guild. Other relatively recent roles include Chloe in Arcadia and Eve in Adam and Eve. She's like to thank her family for all their support while she was at rehearsal. She can't wait to do this again!

ELIZABETH MINSKI	*(Cobweb)* This is Elizabeth's first show at Westfield Community Players and she is thrilled! She is a recent graduate of Scotch Plains Fanwood High School and a new student at Union County College. You may have seen her on stage with SPF's Repetory Theater's productions of 42nd Street (Chorus Girl), Once Upon A Mattress (Queen Aggravaln) and Urinetown (Josephine Strong). She has performed a number of roles (including one head of a two-headed dragon and Merriweather Lewis) at the Fanwood Memorial Library's Summer Drama Program. She has also attended The Paper Mill's Summer Conservatory in 2007. Much love and thanks to her family, friends and her royal spouse for all the support they have given her. Enjoy!

WILL CONNORS	*(Indian Boy)* This is William's first appearance at Westfield Community Players. He has performed in several production with McKinley Kapers (with his mother, Jackie). And sang with the All City Chorus earlier this year. He has been studying acting and musical theatre with Hedgehog & Feather in Westfield for the last three years.

DESIREE EWANKOV	*(Mustardseed)* Desiree has performed in WCP's 2007-08 season as the manicurist in Born Yesterday and as The Uninvited in The Uninvited. When not working as a manager, she enjoys target shooting, fishing, shopping, kayaking and her dog, Cash. Her favorite pastime though is spending time and goofing around with her partner and love, Phillip. All my love to my family and friends, always smile�

Production Staff
NAOMI YABLONSKY	*(Director)* a member of 20 years has directed, acted and produced at WCP. Naomi was WCP president from 2001-07. In addition to Crimes of the Heart, she produced Nunsense. Naomi has directed Jake's Women, California Suite, Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo, An American Daughter, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and There Goes the Bride. Her acting credits include Noises Off (Dotty/Mrs. Clackett), Broad Bound (Kate), Rumors, Romeo and Juliet (The Nurse), Breath of Spring, and the Cemetery Club at WCP and Cranford Dramatic Club. She is delighted to be working with an excellent cast and crew.

LETTY S. HUDAK	*(Producer)*

BARBARA RUBAN	*(Stage Manager/Set Design)* has been working with Westfield Community Players for 7 years. She has been property master on many shows, including Angel Street for which she was nominated for a Perry Award. She has also done set designing and decoration and appeared in American Daughter and The Best Man. Barbara also wrote and directed two original plays which were performed at WCP and in Chatham's New Jersey Voices Festival. "Thanks to Westfield Community Players for the opportunity to explore my creative side and to my children and grandchildren for their support and love."

JERRY YABLONSKY	*(Ass't. Director)* Jerry has graced the stage here at Westfield Community Players in "The Visit" and "Out of Sight, Out of Murder". On other stages, he has appeared in "A Man for All Seasons" and "Curese You Jack Dalton". He also assistant directed "Jake's Women", "Moon Over Buffalo", "Lend Me A Tenor", "Rumors", "An American Daughter", and "California Suite" with his wife, Naomi. Jerry is happy to be working with Naomi again and to work with this fine case and crew.

JOANNE LEMENILLE	*(Properties Mistress/Set Design)Although JoAnne is backstage on this production, she did grace WCP's stage in The Cemetery Club* starring as Mildred. She has alway 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 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."

BOB MURRAY	*(Lighting Designer)* is designing lights for all of our productions this season. He is a veteran lighting designer, technical director, and stage technician (I.A.T.S.E.) His professional credits include The Newark Symphony Hall Summer Festival, George Street Theater, Crossroads Theater, and Paper Mill Playhouse. He has also been affiliated with the Bickford Theater and other N.J. Theaters. Most recently, Bob has worked on The Heiress for Stony Hill Players and Over the River Through the Woods with Act IV Productions.

JESSICA FOERST	*(Lighting Operator/Playbill)*

GLEN CRANE	*(Sound)*

MIKE BIEBER	*(Sound)*

VICTOR CENCI	*(Publicity)*

ANNA MACNIVEN	*(Costumes)* Anna is proud to be working on her second season with WCP. She joined last year and she still hasn't gotten away! "Midsummer" is her fifth production with WCP and her seventh this year. Her other credits include "Crimes of the Heart" and "Starting Here, Starting Now." She would like to say "Hi" to mom and dad.

DESIREE EWANKOV	*(Make-Up)*

LEORA DAGANI	*(Props)*

KEVIN COULSON	*(Props)*

JULIA BIEBER	*(Props)*

BILL MCMEEKAN	*(Technical Set Design)* Bill's first work in stage production was at camp in 1944, then at Pingry and later at college. In 1959, he became a member of The Community Players, and the following year became Lighting Chairman. In this position, he designed and supervised the lighting for over 75 of our productions. Currently he works on construction and is our Technical Designer...work he has done for over 50 productions. He has served on the Board of Directors over 35 years in various positions, and has been Tresurer since 1983. In addition, Bill was the primary designer of the plans that converted our "Clubhouse" into a theatre in 1977 and for the most of the changes and improvement since that time.

GEORGE HILTZ	*(Set Construction Chairman)*