2004 Season - “Gypsy”

215 South Country Road • Bellport, NY 11713 • 631.286.1133
Long Island's Only Professional Musical Theatre.

July 28 - August 14

Just off the Broadway stage….“Everything’s Coming up Roses” in the clever, sassy and thoroughly engaging, Gypsy! Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous burlesque stripper, we meet Rose, the ultimate stage mother who pushes her daughters to stardom and, eventually, out of her life. From the saucy strippers, stage struck children and a book and score by the incomparable team of Laurents, Styne and Sondheim, Gypsy is the quintessential show biz musical.



Reviews

Photos

Producer
PAUL ALLAN
Associate Producer
JEFF BELLANTE
General Manager
GALE EDWARDS
Artistic Director
ROBIN JOY ALLAN
Company Manager
STANLEY SCHORR
Production Stage Manager
ERIN KRAUS
Set Designer
MICHAEL BOYER
Costume Coordinator
MARIANNE DOMINY
Lighting Design
MARCIA MADEIRA
Costume Design
Costume World
Musical Direction by
DANIEL FEYER
Associate Director and Choreographer
RICHARD BYRON
Directed and Choreographed by
SCOTT THOMPSON

CAST OF CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)
Uncle Jocko BUZZ RODDY*
Georgie RYAN MURRAY
Clarence PETER CYBULSKI
Balloon Girl DANIELLE CARLACCI
Baby Louise TERESA CELENTANO
Baby June JANELLE VISCOMI
Rose CYNDI NEAL*
Pops TOMMY CARROLL
Newsboys JORDAN MICHNOFF, DOMINIC MONDI,
JAKE NOWICKI, KYLE VIGORITO
Weber RICHARD BYRON*
Herbie TODD THURSTON*
Louise JENNIFER BYRNE*
June SARAH STILES*
Tulsa KEVIN DUDA*
Yonkers RYAN MURRAY
Angie MATTHEW NAPOLI
L.A. MICHAEL JENKINSON
Kringelein RICHARD BYRON*
Mr. Goldstone BUZZ RODDY*
Farm Boys KEVIN DUDA*, RYAN HOLLY,
MICHAEL JENKINSON, RYAN MURRAY,
MATTHEW NAPOLI, MATTHEW WINNEGGE
Miss Cratchitt ANN-NGAIRE MARTIN*
Hollywood Blondes MAGGIE ANDERSON, PURDIE BAUMAN, HEATHER LANG, NICOLE MANGI, JESSICA LARA MORTELLARO, CYNTHIA WIENSKO
Pastey TRIP PLYMALE*
Tessie Tura ANN-NGAIRE MARTIN*
Mazeppa KATHLEEN FRANCE*
Cigar BUZZ RODDY*
Electra ALEXANDRA KOLB*
Showgirls MAGGIE ANDERSON, PURDIE BAUMAN, HEATHER LANG, NICOLE MANGI, JESSICA LARA MORTELLARO, CYNTHIA WEINSKO
Maid MAGGIE ANDERSON
Phil RICHARD BYRON*
Bourgeron-Cochon TRIP PLYMALE*
Cow PURDIE BAUMAN, HEATHER LANG

THE ORCHESTRA

Conductor / Keyboard Daniel Feyer
Keyboard Paul Feyer
Reeds Mike Kendrot, Edward Tumminelli, Louis Gallo
Bass Michael Preen
Percussion Gregg Monteith
Trumpet Jon Boutin, Joe Boardman
Trombone Diane Hoffman

Cast Biographies

MAGGIE ANDERSON (Hollywood Blond/Showgirl) is thrilled to be making her first appearance here at Gateway. She holds an MFA from the Cincinnati Conservatory and BFA from Elon University. Some favorite stock and regional credits include She Loves Me, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, and The Secret Garden. She has appeared on As the World Turns, and also performs in a songwriting duo with her husband, Gregg Cagno.

PURDIE SARAFINA BAUMAN (Showgirl/ Hollywood Blond/Cow) grew up dancing at her mother and father’s dance studio in Maywood, IL. She continued dancing at The Chicago Academy for the Arts and later went to North Carolina School of the Arts, majoring in Ballet. Purdie took her first professional job onboard Renaissance Cruises and later Norwegian Cruise Line doing Guys and Dolls and Fosse. She moved to NYC and landed a Rockette position at Radio City Music Hall. Ms. Baumann is thrilled to be returning to Gateway Playhouse with its production of Gypsy, after performing in Carousel earlier this summer.

JENNIFER BYRNE (Louise) is thrilled to be making her debut at Gateway. A
graduate from RAPA in Toronto, her past performances include Singin’ In The Rain (Merry Go Round), From the Mixed-Up Files… (Nat’l Tour), Quilters (Pendragon), Side By Side (T.O.), Godspell (UK), and The Stratford Express (CA). Jen wishes to thank her family and friends for all their love and support.

RICHARD BYRON (Weber/Kringelein/Phil) is proud to have been the co-founder and managing artistic director of Austin Musical Theater, and to have served in association with Scott Thompson, as co-director/choreographer for all the company’s seventeen productions between 1996 and 2003. These included Peter Pan, West Side Story, Gypsy, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Jesus Christ Superstar, Music Man, A Chorus Line, Oklahoma, Oliver, Man of La Mancha, The Sound of Music, Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady, and The Wizard of Oz. Richard’s background as a director/choreographer also includes regional productions of Damn Yankees, Bye Bye Birdie, Cinderella, Unsinkable Molly Brown, Grease, and the award-winning productions of Dames at Sea in San Francisco and at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. Richard’s favorite roles include Applegate in Damn Yankees and Melvin P. Thorpe in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He has appeared in National Companies of Evita, Unsinkable Molly Brown (with Debbie Reynolds), Pal Joey (with Dixie Carter and Elaine Stritch), and The Wizard of Oz (with Cathy Rigby). In addition to stage work, he has appeared on TV and in concert with Ann-Margaret, Ben Vereen, Juliet Prowse, Chita Rivera, and Raquel Welch- including a featured performance in Ms. Welch’s live HBO special and World Tour. This is Richard’s first appearance at Gateway Playhouse after moving to New York last April.

TOMMY CARROLL (Pops) last appeared at Gateway in Kiss Me Kate. Other Gateway shows: Show Boat, Fiddler, the World Premiere of Yankee Doodle Dandy and the Long Island premiere of Ragtime. Some regional favorites include: DA, Drood, The Weir, Me and My Girl, Meet Me in St. Louis, Dracula, Fiorello, Anything Goes, Macbeth, A Few Good Men, Bedroom Farce, and Off-Broadway as Paddy Finnegan in Finnegan’s Farewell. Also appeared in commercials and on television.

TERESA CELENTANO (Baby Louise) is excited to be returning to the mainstage. Other credits include Gateway’s productions of Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, Here’s Love, and various children’s theater shows. Teresa studies at the Gateway Acting School and attended the Stagedoor School of Dance. Thanks to family, Mrs Mesiano, and Robin.

KEVIN DUDA (Tulsa) quickly returns to Gateway after having a successful run as Munkustrap in Cats. Other credits include Cinderella with Eartha Kitt (National Tour); Memphis (World Premiere-North Shore Music Theater); Camilla (World Premiere-Walnut Street Theater); Just So (US Premiere-Goodspeed Opera House); West Side Story (Tony-Olney Theater); The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber (European Tour NYC Workshops of Georgia (??? McKelvey, Book/Music/Lyrics); and Fast Breaks (Goodspeed & Breakthrough) at Here Arts. Kevin is excited to be performing with two of his long lost partners-in-crime, Alexandra and Sarah. Thanks to friends and family, Renee and Mom and Dad.

KATHLEEN FRANCE (Mazeppa/Mom) is excited to be making her Gateway debut in Gypsy after performing the role of Mazeppa at Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Repertory Theatre, and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include Norma Cassidy in the National Tour of Victor/Victoria, Fraulein Kost in Cabaret, Nikki in Sweet Charity, Rizzo in Grease, and Joan in Dames at Sea. She is also a voice-over artist and you can hear her on NYC TV’s Blueprint Documentary Series, cable channel 74.

RYAN HOLLY (Farm Boy) Ryan is glad to be performing at Gateway again in Gypsy. He was last seen here earlier this summer in Cats. He recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Musical Theater. Some of his favorite credits include 42nd Street (Billy), Bat Boy (Bud, Daisy, Pan), A Chorus Line (Mike), and Grand Hotel (Jimmy 2). Ryan would like to dedicate his performance to his three smelly roommates and his Mommy.

MICHAEL JENKINSON (L.A) is thrilled to be making his debut here at Gateway Playhouse. National Tours: Grease 2002-2003 starring Frankie Avalon (Ensemble), Fame the Musical (Ensemble/Dance Capt.) Regional: 42nd Street (Billy Lanlor), Forever Plaid (Sparky), My Fair Lady (Freddy), Cabaret (Emcee) and A New Brain (Roger). Michael is a graduated PCPA Theatrefest in California. Enjoy.

ALEXANDRA KOLB (Electra/Mom) is pleased to be a new member of the Gateway family. She has stripped her clothes off once before in Arkansas Rep’s production of Gypsy as Tessie. This pixie girl has toured since she was 17, when she performed in the Far East, US tour as Lily in Annie. Then Alexandra spent two years in Europe as Jeannie in Hair directed by Jim Rado. Since then she has toured the US a few more times, lastly with Eartha Kitt and Debbie Gibson in Cinderella. Her favorite roles include, Lena in Singin’ in the Rain, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and Amnesia in Nunsence.

HEATHER LANG (Hollywood Blond/Showgirl/Cow) a Chicago native, studied at the Ruth Page School and Hubbard Street Dance before earning her BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She recently appeared in Nights On Broadway II, where she performed a solo from Movin’ Out. You may recognize Ms. Lang from MTV, where she won the Wannabe Madonna competition. She is excited to return to Gateway Playhouse after her debut this summer as Cassandra in Cats. Heather would like to thank her family for all their love and support.

NICOLE MANGI (Agnes) is excited to be returning to Gateway for her second season. You might have seen her earlier this season in Carousel and Cats. Before that, she recently completed her first National Tour of The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Favorite roles include Peggy Sawyer (42nd Street), Peter (Peter Pan), Amy (Company), and Martha (Secret Garden). TV: Guiding Light. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Webster Conservatory. Nicole sends much love to her family and friends.

ANN-NGAIRE MARTIN (Tessie Tura/Miss Cratchitt) has appeared on Broadway as Patti Simcox in Grease. Off-Broadway, she created the role of Maisie on On the Swing Shift at The Manhattan Theatre Club, understudied Ellen Greene as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and played The Raven in The Robber Bridegroom at the Equity Library Theatre. She has toured nationally as Sandy Dumbrowski in Grease and as Lilly St. Regis in Annie with Martha Raye. Her regional theatre credits include Nellie Forbush in South Pacific at The Sharon Playhouse, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Peter in Peter Pan for The Yorktown Regional Theatre Company and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Tarrytown Music Hall. At The Dorset Theatre Festival she played Ida in Cole Porter’s You Never Know and Ginger in The 1940s Radio Hour. For Coyote Theatre she played Sylvia Rosewater in God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and as Natasha Navratilova in Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing.

JESSICA LARA MORTELLARO (Hollywood Blond/Showgirl) is thrilled to be returning to the Gateway stage. Jessica’s first appearance on the mainstage was as the Balloon Girl in Gypsy at the age of eight. Other mainstage credits include Big, Titanic, and The Sound of Music. She was also seen as Baby June in Gypsy at the Carousel Dinner Theater. She is currently entering her junior year as a Syracuse University Acting Major and will be studying in London for her fall semester. Jessica has been a member of the Gateway Acting School for twelve years and has performed in many Children’s Theater performances. She would like to thank Gateway for all the amazing experiences it has given her and a special thanks to Robin Allan for her constant guidance.

RYAN MURRAY (George/Yonkers) a native of Northern California is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, CAP 21. Ryan has recently returned from a nine-month tour around the world as a performer on the ocean’s most famous cruise-liner, the Queen Elizabeth 2. Some of his favorite credits include Marc in ART (Off-Broadway), the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Bernardo in West Side Story, Dickon in The Secret Garden, the Leading Player in Pippin, and Frankie in Forever Plaid. Ryan is enthusiastic to be making his debut with Gateway Playhouse and would like to give many thanks to his family, friends, and mentors for their constant support. Ryan’s website is in the works, so for future contact information, career updates, and Demo CD info, please visit ryanmurray.com.

MATTHEW NAPOLI (Farm Boy) is very happy to be making his debut at Gateway Playhouse. Other credits include Barnaby in Hello Dolly, Baby John in West Side Story and Tom in Tennessee William’s This Property is Condemned. He has also appeared as a dancer in regional productions of Chicago, Oklahoma, and Miss Saigon to name a few. Matthew is also a member of Dance Machine International- a dance company focused on the preservation and reconstruction of original American theater dance choreography. Peace and love to one and all.

CYNDI NEAL (Rose) After taking a hiatus from the theater to have two beautiful daughters, Cyndi is thrilled to be back on the boards in one of her all-time favorite musicals! In previous productions of Gypsy she has appeared twice as Mazeppa and once, right here at Gateway, as Tessie/Miss Cratchitt. Other roles at Gateway include Eva Peron in Evita, Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street, Sister Hubert in Nunsense, and Maria in Lend Me A Tenor. Regional credits include Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Lady Jacqueline in Me and My Girl, and Kate in Kiss Me Kate. Cyndi has appeared on Broadway in Les Miserables and Show Boat, and in the National Tour of Ragtime as the anarchist Emma Goldman. Love to Michael, Alyson, and Rachel! This one’s for you RF…

TRIP PLYMALE (Pastey/Bourgeron-Cochon) has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, way Off-Broadway…and in theatres all over the country. And once, many moons ago, he was one of “The Diamonds” of Little Darlin’ fame.

BUZZ RODDY (Uncle Jocko/Cigar/Mr. Goldstone) Off-Broadway: Jack Benny!, Derek, The Primary English Class, Perfect Crime, and the OBIE Award-winning Honesty is the Best Policy. Recently regionally: Renfield in Dracula, Delaware Theatre Company as well as the eponymous tenor in Lend Me A Tenor at Pioneer Valley Theatre. Film and television: The Cowboy Way, Quick Change, The Taxman, As the World Turns, Law and Order (both SVU and regular), America’s Most Wanted. Buzz has played many of the great theatres of Europe, as well as most of the United States, has made his living as a juggler, magician, and has even done performance art with Yoko Ono. He lives in New York City.

SARAH STILES (June) was last seen at Gateway twirling a baton as Katie Gammersflugel in Swingtime Canteen. Some of her credits include: National Tour: Kate Mullins in Titanic. Regional: Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Northshore Music Theatre and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Frenchy in Grease (Papermill Playhouse), Ester in Meet Me in St. Louis (Virginia Music Theatre) and the world premiere of Memphis (Northshore Music Theatre). However, Sarah’s favorite role to date has been newlywed bride to Jon Paul!

TODD THURSTON (Herbie) appeared for three years in Toronto and on Broadway in the original company of Ragtime, swinging and understudying 10 actors in 25 roles, amongst them Father, Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan, and Fire Chief Willie Conklin. National Tours include Les Misérables as Combeferre and Javert, and South Pacific with Robert Goulet. Regionally, he has played leading roles at the Goodspeed Opera House (Fiorello!, Can-Can), the Asolo Theatre (1940’s Radio Hour, Jane Eyre), the Dorset Theatre Festival (I Do!, I Do!, 110 in the Shade), and the St. Louis Rep (Company). Last summer Todd appeared across the sound in Connecticut as Ben in the River Rep’s Follies, and so far this year he has starred as Chet in Over the Tavern at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL, and as Utterson in Jekyll & Hyde at the Arvada Center in Denver. Todd also appeared for two seasons as Santa Claus in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Branson, MO.

JANELLE VISCOMI (Baby June) Following in the footsteps of her brother who just completed a successful 16 month run in the Broadway production of Gypsy, Janelle is thrilled to be making her theater debut in such a classic musical. Performing professionally since age six, credits include: NY Knicks City Kids, NY Liberty, Good Morning America, and Good Day New York. Her biggest thrill is her performance for Beyonce. She first thanks God, Mom, Dad, Jordan, Justin, friends and family for their love and support. Special thanks to vocal coaches Steven Lutvak and Jill Edwards and her agent Nancy Carson.

CYNTHIA WIENSKO (Showgirl/Hollywood Blond) has performed at Gateway Playhouse for several years. She has done The Wizard of Oz, Christmas Spectacular, and Into the Woods. She was also a soloist in Harbor Ballet’s Nutcracker. She has won numerous awards for dance solos and is currently a model for Hamoton Model and Talent. She would like to thank her family for believing in her and supporting her in whatever she does.

MATTHEW WINNEGGE (Farm Boy) is thrilled to be returning to Gateway Playhouse after debuting here this summer in Carousel and Cats. Recently Matthew has performed in several shows at the Fireside Theatre, including Hello Dolly! (Barnaby) and The Sound of Music (Rolf). Other regional credits include A Chorus Line (Mark), Brigadoon (Harry Beaton) and West Side Story (Baby John). He has also been seen on ABC Daytime’s One Life to Live. Love to his family and friends.

PAUL ALLAN (Producer) For more than 20 years, Paul has produced successful shows from the East End to the Far East. Born into the theatrical family that started Gateway, Paul became involved in the theatre at an early age. In addition to his career as a producer, Paul co-founded a successful touring company, which mounted dozens of productions across the US and as far away as Taiwan and Singapore. Serving as technical director, sound engineer and master electrician for numerous productions when he first began working in the industry provided Paul with invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience. His expertise allowed him to act as consultant and advisor on the restoration and renovation of Patchogue Theatre, which under Gateway’s management, reopened in 1998 with Nutcracker On Ice. Gateway still stages shows there several times each year, with Cats and Fosse being this season’s productions.

SCOTT THOMPSON (Director/Choreographer) is an award winning Director/Choreographer who has worked at regional theater’s all over the United States. His favorite credits include Dames at Sea at Goodspeed Musicals (and in San Francisco) for which he won numerous critical awards, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Pirates of Penzance, Grease, Damn Yankees, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Ten years ago he founded Austin Musical Theater in Austin, Texas and directed fifteen mainstage productions there, including Peter Pan, West Side Story, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Music Man (with Larry Gatlin), Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz, and A Chorus Line. Scott also founded a highly respected performing arts school for children. Gypsy is a favorite show for Scott. He has directed and choreographed it four times previously — including productions starring Pamela Meyers (of Company fame) and Tony Award Winner Betty Buckley. Scott is thrilled to be working for the first time at the fabulous Gateway Playhouse!

DANIEL FEYER (Musical Director) is thrilled to be here! New York credits include: Dreams This Way: Best of Raw Impressions Music Theatre (TADA! Theater), Illyria (2002 production, 2004 concert reading), The Alchemists (Theater for a New City), DIDO [& Aeneas] (West End Theater), Sweeney Todd, Most Happy Fella, Seven Brides...; readings and workshops including RIMT Events #12 and #13, Lonely Rhymes, Caligula, Hamlet Sings, Grand and Ogden. Five summer seasons at Vermont’s Weston Playhouse (favorites: Saturday Night, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Floyd Collins, Candide, Ragtime). Next: The Night of the Hunter (world premiere at Willows Theater Company) and Illyria’s regional premiere at NJ Shakespeare Festival. Dan is a Manhattan resident, Princeton graduate, and San Francisco native. Thanks to the Allans, Mom & Dad, Cara & Pete, Paul “No Relation!” Feyer, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

ROBIN JOY ALLAN (Casting and Artistic Director) is grateful to have lived and breathed the arts all her life, beginning with performance as child actress here at Gateway as well as on the road, to traveling with a rock band as vocalist and keyboardist. Her background running the family business, included running the summer teen workshops, musical directing, writing, directing, choreographing and eventually, producing. After moving to NYC, she began a career in casting that took her to the West Coast. She was the Associate Casting Director on the feature films; Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, Lord of the Flies, Side Out and Ghost. She also cast several television series, pilots and MOW’s. Along with her Artistic and Casting Director duties here, she is also the force behind Gateway’s Acting School Division. Her appreciation is for her family, her devotion is for her second family of students, her joy is in her daughter, Hayley Lynn, named after Harry and Libby, her maternal grandparents, who are her constant source of inspiration and a true example of eternal love.

MARCIA MADEIRA (Lighting Designer) is pleased to design her 14th production for Gateway Playhouse. Her favorites are: On The Town, Swing, Jesus Christ Superstar, Forbidden Broadway, West Side Story, The Will Rogers Follies, and The Wizard of Oz. She received a Tony nomination and won the Drama Desk Award for Nine directed by Tommy Tune with Raul Julia. Other Broadway designs include My One and Only with Tommy Tune and Twiggy; Marilyn, An American Fable with Allison Reed and Scott Bakula; and The Music Man with Dick van Dyke. Off-Broadway designs include: Side by Side by Sondheim at the Dicapo Opera Theatre; Cloud 9 directed by Tommy Tune; Privates On Parade with Jim Dale and Simon Jones directed by Larry Carpenter, choreography by Daniel Pelzig; and The Transposed Heads at Lincoln Center, written and directed by Julie Taymor. Ms. Madeira has designed La Boheme for The Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Don Carlos for The Seattle Opera Association; La Cenerentola with Frederika von Stade for the Los Angeles Music Center Opera Company, and six tours for The National Lyric Opera Company. She has designed numerous regional theatre productions for The Huntington Theatre, Boston; The Walnut Theatre, Philadelphia; Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo; and The Alliance, Atlanta. Photos of Ms Madeira’s work may be seen at http://www.geocities.com/mmadeira2000.

ERIN KRAUS (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at the Gateway Playhouse for her fifth season. She recently returned from the National Tour of The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Some of her favorite credits include The Will Rogers Follies, West Side Story, and Forbidden Broadway. Erin would like to thank everyone at the Gateway Playhouse, especially Paul and Stanley, for all their support. She would also like to thank Mom, Dad, and Brigid for their love and inspiration. Erin would like to dedicate these performances to her Aunt Helen.

MICHAEL BOYER (Set Designer) has designed over 250 sets which have been seen from Stockholm to Diamond Head and from Key West to Hong Kong. Last year he designed Fiddler On The Roof, Forbidden Broadway, and Swing. This season he designed On The Town. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and United Scenic Artists, Local 829. For the past fifteen years whenever Mike has not been at Gateway, he has worked as set designer/technical director for the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West, Florida. A special thanks to the crew for all their hard work.


Web Design by Patrick Q. Kelly
Copyright © 2004 Gateway Playhouse, all rights reserved