DECEMBER 15- 30

Produced by Gateway Playhouse

exclusively at The Patchogue Theatre

“God bless us, every one.”  Charles Dickens

The masterpiece of renowned composer Alan Menken and lyricist Lynn Ahrens, gets its Long Island Premiere at Long Islands Premier Musical Theater!

As you have come to expect from a Gateway Playhouse production, the stage will erupt with fabulous period sets, moving lights, rich costumes special effects,  a live orchestra, the brightest talent from New York City and a handful of adorably talented kids!

    Hailed by critics, and an overwhelming audience favorite for a decade during its historic run at Madison Square Garden,  this A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a delightful, enchanting and mesmerizing production. It has every bit of entertainment you and yours could want for the holidays!

Put away your shopping, and come and spend a couple of hours with your family or those dear to you. The spirit of the season is truly within this magical show. You just may walk into the cool December air needing perhaps only a scarf, as the abundant joy will  leave you feeling warm all over.

Gateway Playhouse presents

A Christmas Carol

Starring STEVE BRADY as Ebenezer Scrooge

Music by
Lyrics by
Book by
Alan Menken
Lynn Ahrens
Mike Ockrent & Lynn Ahrens

Based on the story by Charles Dickens
Original choreography by Susan Stroman
Originally directed by Mike Ockrent
Originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden

With
 
Producer
PAUL ALLAN
Associate Producer
JEFF BELLANTE
General Manager
GALE EDWARDS
Artistic Director
ROBIN JOY ALLAN
Production Manager
BRIAN LOESCH
Company Manager
GREG POTTER
Production Stage Manager
JON WILLIAM GOLDMAN
Projection Design
SPENCER PADILLA
Costume Coordinator
MARIANNE DOMINY
Wig Design
JOHN JORDAN
Lighting Design
BRIAN LOESCH
Scenic & Media Design
KELLY TIGHE
Costume Design
PEG McKOWEN
Musical Direction by
NATHAN PERRY
Choreographed by
JOHN DIETRICH

Directed by
BOB DURKIN

Flying effects provided by ZFX, Inc.

A Christmas Carol The Musical is presented by special arrangement with
Music Theatre International. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

Cast of Characters
(in order of appearance)

Mr. Smythe - MICHAEL BAKER*
Jack Smythe - RYAN KOERBER
Grace Smythe - SAMANTHA SCHOENFELD
Undertaker/Old Joe - JOHN TIGHE
Ebenezer Scrooge - STEVE BRADY*
Bob Cratchit - KIP DRIVER*
Mrs. Cratchit - ANETTE MICHELLE SANDERS*
Tiny Tim - RYAN MEENAN
Nikolas - LOUIE RINALDI
Fred - CALEB DAMSCHRODER
Ghost of Jacob Marley - HOWARD PINHASIK*
Ghost of Christmas Past/Lamplighter - JOHN SHUMAN*
Fan (at 6) - HAYLEY GILLMAN
Scrooge (at 8) - RYAN KOERBER
Fan (at 10) - DANIELLE CARLACCI
Scrooge (at 12) - KYLE VIGORITO
Mr. Fezziwig - ROBERT ANTHONY JONES*
Mrs. Fezziwig - DEBRA CARDONA*
Emily - EMILY RABON HALL*
Young Ebenezer - RON DESTEFANO*
Young Marley - JONATHAN CASTILLO
Ghost of Christmas Present/Sandwich Board Man - CHRISTOPHER SAPIENZA*
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be/Old Hag - KOLINA JANNECK*
Sally - EMILY RABON HALL*
Fred's Kid - BRIAN SCHWARTZ
Jonathon - KYLE VIGORITO

 

VILLAGERS, TOWNSPEOPLE, BANKERS, GRAVEDIGGERS, MONKS, FAN DANCERS, GOODIES, ETC...
SCOT ALLAN, BROOKE ANDRES, MICHAEL BAKER*, ALLISON BOHMAN, ANNE BLOEMENDAL, DEBRA CARDONA*,
JONATHAN CASTILLO, PETER CONNOLLY, CALEB DAMSCHRODER, RON DESTEFANO*, NICOLE DI MATTEI, KATIE DONOHUE,
JESSICA GREELEY, EMILY RABON HALL*, KOLINA JANNECK*, ROBERT ANTHONY JONES*, KEVIN MURNANE, GEOFFREY MERGELE,
HOWARD PINHASIK*, ANETTE MICHELLE SANDERS*, CHRISTOPHER SAPIENZA*, JOHN SHUMAN*, JODI LYNNE SYLVESTER,
JOHN TIGHE, MICHELLE VEINTIMILLA, KYLE VIGORITO


YOUNG VILLAGERS, YOUNGER CRATCHIT CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS, CHOIR, ETC...
OLIVIA ANDRUNIK , DANIELLE CARLACCI, ALYSSA CASTELLANO, HAYLEY GILLMAN, COLETTE GIRARDIN,
SHANA GRIFFIN, AMANDA HANLEY, SARAH INNES, ALEXA KEEGAN, RYAN KOERBER, MADISON MULVEY, MIA MULVEY,
DEVIN NELSON, SAVANNAH PAVELCHAK, LOUIE RINALDI, AARON RODRIGUEZ, SAMANTHA SCHOENFELD,
BRIAN SCHWARTZ, DEVAND SNEED, KEVIN SPELLMAN, LYNDSEY STAIB

Musicians

Conductor / Keyboard - NATHAN PERRY
Violin - MARNI HARRIS
Reed 1 - LOU GALLO
Reed 2 - MARGE EWALD
Trumpet - JOE BOARDMAN
French Horn - LUIZA RAAB-PONTECORRO
Trombone - JOE FERRANTE
Keyboard - PAUL FEYER
Bass - JOHN DEWITT
Percussion - PETE DESALVO

  WHO'S WHO

Scot Allan (Ensemble) is excited to be appearing in his fifth production on the Gateway Stage! Previous performances include Evita, 42nd St., Thoroughly Modern Millie and Sweet Charity. National Tour credits: Thoroughly Modern Millie (u/s Jimmy Smith, perf), Grease! starring Frankie Avalon (Eugene, u/s Doody perf). Regional credits include: Footloose, A Chorus Line, A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theater). Originally from Boston, Scot holds a BFA from Shenandoah Conservatory. Many thanks to Paul and Robin. Wassail! 

Brooke Andres (Ensemble) Brooke is thrilled of her debut production here at the Gateway Theatre. Other experience includes: La Boheme, Tosca and Turandot with the Michigan Opera Theatre. Anne Eagerman-A Little Night Music; Fanny Brice-Funny Girl; Maria-West Side Story; Zanetta Shinn-The Music Man; Philia-A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum. Tours: Alice in Alice in Wonderland-The Actors Company and Christmas Miracle-Off Broadway Productions. She has also done voice-over commerical radio ads for Brian Gold Productions including “Smoking Stinks”and “MIChild”. Television: Appeared in the day time original soap opera The Guiding Light-Fox CBS. Brooke is a Graduate of CAPASchool of Creative and Performing Arts. She would like to send many thanks and love to her family and fiance Shawn for their love and endless support!

Michael Baker* (Mr. Smythe/Ensemble) Michael is excited to take part in his fifth production at the Gateway Playhouse. Other Gateway credits include Jekyll & Hyde, Scarlet Pimpernel, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Miss Saigon. Michael was born in Oxford, England and grew up on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. He holds his BFA in Acting from the CW Post Campus of Long Island University. Professionally, Michael has performed and traveled all over the country including national tours of A Christmas Carol and more. Other performances include Carol Churchill’s The Skriker at the Kennedy Center, and touring Europe performing at both the North Sea and Montreaux Jazz Festivals’ and Euro Disney. When not on stage, Michael is proud to teach acting and musical theater at the Gateway Acting School right here in Bellport. He feels blessed to be a part of such a wonderful theater family and is grateful to spend this holiday season at Gateway with the Allan’s. He thanks all friends and family for their support and sends love to his mother and brother- with special thanks to the other special people in his life (you know who you are). He is proud to be a part of this cast and crew and wishes everyone a happy holiday. He dedicates his time here to the memory of his father- I can’t wait to go fishing. Beauty is everywhere.

Anne Bloemendal (Ensemble) Anne is thrilled to be joining the cast of A Christmas Carol! She is a Minnesota native, but is now living happily in New York City after graduating from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her favorite roles played have been Judy Turner in A Chorus Line (Cohoes Music Hall), Lily St. Regis in Annie (Cohoes Music Hall), Frenchie in Cabaret (Papermill Theatre) and “male soldier # 5” in Evita (Papermill Theatre). She sends much thanks to all her teachers and to everyone at Gateway! Love and thanks to Mom and Dad for everlasting support, and above all, praise to the King for never-ending blessings! Enjoy the show!

Steve Brady* (Scrooge) has been given a third and final chance to “finally get it right!” this season after previously appearing in The Fantasticks and Urinetown. He has headlined at karaoke bars around the country while moonlighting in the national tour of The Exonerated with Lynn Redgrave and Robin Williams; at The Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, with Donald Sutherland in Enigma Variations; and at Cincinnati Playhouse, The Wilma Theatre, Charlotte Rep, The Arden, Papermill Playhouse, Mill Mountain Theatre and Theatre J in D.C. (Helen Hayes Nomination). While no one lets him sing on TV, he’s appeared on Law & Order (2X), Law & Order CI, Late Show With David Letterman, Spin City, Seinfeld, Beverly Hills 90210 and others running in syndication forever – cha ching! Steve lives in Manhattan with his rabbit-eared TV and life-sized poster of John Wayne. Thanks to Haley for inviting me back! May God truly bless us all, every one, in this season of peace.

Debra Cardona* (Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Mops) New York: Bingo (off-Broadway) and A Christmas Carol (Madison Square Garden). Tours: Guys and Dolls (with Maurice Hines) and Fiddler on the Roof (with Theodore Bikel). Regional: Ragtime (Paper Mill Playhouse), Candide (The Guthrie), Beauty and the Beast (Las Vegas and Montreal), and Forbidden Broadway (Denver Center). Ms. Cardona is also Production Dramaturg for The Classical Theatre of Harlem.

Jonathan Castillo (Young Marley/Ensemble) a native of Baltimore, Maryland is thrilled to be making his Gateway Playhouse debut. He is currently on hiatus for the holidays from the 1st National Tour of Stephen Schwartz’ new musical Captain Louie (Neighborhood Kid, U/S Ziggy, Julio and Archie) and looks forward to heading back on the road at the start of the new year. Regional: Fiddler On The Roof (Albany’s Park Playhouse), Cole! (Snug Harbor). Other favorite credits include: Into The Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince/Wolf), Swing! (Lead Vocalist), for which he earned an Irene Ryan Nomination. Film: School Of Rock, My Father’s House. Recordings: Into The Woods (Stage Stars Records). Schooled at Wagner College and is currently on leave from NYU’s M.A. program in Music Theatre. Love to family and friends.

Peter Connolly (Ensemble) Peter was last seen in Helen Stratford’s Suicide the Musical, at Performance Space 122 in New York City. He has appeared locally in the Southampton Players Not About Nightingales, A House Divided, for the Arena Players, as well as The Shape of Things, for the Broadhollow Theatre Company. He studies with the gifted and inspirational Alexandra Neil and Karl Bury at The Michael Howard Studios. He would like to thank his family and friends for their guidance and support, as well as his family of cast members for taking him under their wings.

Caleb Damschroder (Fred/Ensemble) Caleb is fired up about joining the Gateway family! He was most recently seen as Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Cohoes Music Hall). Other Credits include: And/Or (NYC’s HOTfest); My Fair Lady, Greenshow (Utah Shakespearean Festival); Annie Get Your Gun, Footloose, The Rocky Horror Show (Barn Theatre); and Gilbert Blythe in Green Gables to name a few. Television: Guiding Light. Love to RJ, Greg and Mom & Dad. Thanks to Robin and Stewart Talent! Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays!!

Ron DeStefano* (Young Ebenezer/Ensemble) is thrilled to be spreading Christmas cheer with Gateway this holiday season. National Tours: Mendel in Fiddler on the Roof (with Theodore Bikel) and Evita. Regional favorites include: Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Baltimore Center Stage); Dickon in The Secret Garden (North Shore); Ethan & Young Vince in the new musical Convenience (Geva Theatre, Original Cast Recording); Eugene & Teen Angel in Grease (Westchester Broadway); 42nd Street’s tapping tenor Billy Lawlor (Hilton Head, SC), Cinderella (Paper Mill) and No, No, Nanette (Goodspeed). Television/film credits include Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Saturday Night Liveand the acclaimed Lolli-Pops home video series. Ron is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Florida State University with degrees in vocal music and chemistry. Proud member of Actors Equity. Visit www.rondestefano.com!

Nicole Di Mattei (Ensemble) This is Nicole’s first production with Gateway Playhouse. She recently returned home to the great state of New York after spending a year entertaining guests at Walt Disney World. She performed daily at the Disney MGM Studios in the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade and Fantasmic! Nicole also was seen at the ABC Theatre as Brooke/Vicki in Noises Off, Adelaide u/s and Hot Box Girl in Guys and Dolls, and a featured soloist in ENCORE’s presentation of The Spark Of Creation: A Tribute To Stephen Schwartz. After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2005, Nicole also took roles in Man Of La Mancha, Godspell, South Pacific, and Sleeping Beauty. She wishes to thank her family and friends for their continuing love and support, and the cast and crew for a great experience. Romans 8:31

Katie Donohue (Ensemble) was most recently seen as Cordelia in Falsettos (Penobscot Theatre Company). Favorite credits: The Wild Party(Lippa), The Inspector General, Zombies from the Beyond. Katie is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, from which she received her BA in theatre performance and musical theatre.

Kip Driver* (Bob Cratchit) was most recently seen in the final tour company of Les Miserables as Montparnasse, as well as understudying the role of Enjolras. Prior to that he was a dancing nazi in last year’s movie version of The Producers. National Tours: Cats (Munkustrap); Cinderella (Prince U/S), starring Eartha Kitt; Martin Guerre; ‘N SYNC 2001 tour. Favorite Regional: Sunday…George (George); Tommy (Tommy); Pippin (Pippin); Joseph…Dreamcoat! (Joseph). Proud member of Actors Equity since 1997.

Jessica Greeley (Ensemble) Jessica is excited to return to the Gateway Playhouse after having performed in Oliver this past summer. National Tours: Gertie in the 1st Nat’l of Oklahoma! Regional: Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Rosalia in West Side Story, Martha in 1776 and Silly Girl #1 in Beauty and the Beast. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Miami. She sends much love to her family and Colin, and wishes everyone a Happy Holidays!

Emily Rabon Hall* (Emily/Ensemble) is so happy to be a part of this wonderful holiday show with Gateway Playhouse. She began her career at age four when she was in Amahl and the Night Visitors at Lincoln Center with her dad. At that point she realized the stage is her favorite place to be. Broadway credits include; Follies, James Joyce’s The Dead, The Apple Tree, Whistle Down The Wind and Dorian. Regional; Doll, O Henry’s Lovers, Gypsy, Oedipus, Cabaret, Patience and more. Emily just finished a recording of a one woman opera and is currently working on creating and hosting a childrens video music series. She will be working on a father-daughter show with her dad who is an amazing tenor and who taught her all she knows. Love to Nick and family and thanks to Teresa and Josh.

Kolina Janneck* (Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be/ Dance Captain) Kolina is thrilled to be a part of this joyous production here at Gateway Playhouse! NYC credits; Broadway revival 42nd Street, Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Yankee Doodle Boys at Lincoln Center. She toured Europe as the Soubrette u/s in Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. Regional credits include; Bebe in A Chorus Line at both Geva Theatre and Arkansas Rep, Zaneeta in The Music Man, Ruby in Dames At Sea, Lulu in NCT’s Cabaret, Belle u/s in Beauty and the Beast, Mrs. Potiphar u/s in Joseph….Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Grease, Hello Dolly, ensemble in NCT’s The Music Man and George M. Kolina is a Boston Conservatory graduate in music theatre and modern dance. Much gratitude to Penny! Thanks to John and Bob for this fantastic opportunity! As always, infinite love to her parents and sis Heather. Kisses for my Leo!

Robert Anthony Jones* (Mr. Fezziwig/ Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Gateway after having appeared as Santa Claus, among other characters, in last year’s hit, The Christmas Spectacular. NYC/Off-Broadway Credits include Dorian Gray (York Theatre and the Barrow Group Theatre), The Prince and the Pauper (Original Cast-Lamb’s Theatre), The One Show (Jazz@Lincoln Center), and most recently, Frankenstein; The Musical (Michael Weller Theatre). Regional credits include: Chicago (Amos, at Riverside Theatre), Songs For A New World (Man #2, Utah Musical Theatre), and The Fantasticks (Mortimer, Emelin Theatre). Cast Recordings/DVD: The Prince and the Pauper (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording, Jay Records), and Drew’s Famous Magical Jukebox Children’s Video Series (Host, Drew, Turn Up the Music, Inc.) As always, for pop. www.robertanthonyjones.com.

Geoffrey Mergele (Ensemble) Gateway debut! Geoffrey originally hails from San Antonio, TX. Favorite roles include; Will Parker Oklahoma! and Frank N Furter Rocky Horror Show at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre as well as Bobby A Chorus Line and Willard Footloose at the Surflight Theatre. This winter, Geoffrey will be performing in Damn Yankees at the Prather’s Broadway Palm Theatre in Ft. Meyers, FL. Much love to family and friends.

Kevin Murnane (Ensemble) Gateway debut! NY: Welcome To My 15 Minutes (starring Angie McKnight of Apprentice fame). Boston: Promises, Promises (Boston Center For The Arts), Pippin and Working (Majestic Theatre). BFA Emerson College. Love and gratitude to my parents and Sarah.

Howard Pinhasik* (Ghost of Jacob Marley) New to this adaptation, Howard has appeared as both Marley and Scrooge in numerous versions of Christmas Carol at Syracuse Stage, People’s Light and Theatre Co (Philadelphia), and Personal Space Theatrics (NYC). Other NYC credits include: Little Shop Of Horrors, A Doll’s Life, Collette, Street Scene, Oedipus, Boy Meets Girl, and Frankie (director: George Abbott). He has frequently performed at Westchester Broadway Theatre where he played Cholet in the NY premiere of Phantom. National and international tours include: 42nd St., Carousel, Shenandoah, Meet Me In St Louis and King Lear. Among the many regional theaters he has worked are: Dallas Theatre Center, Indiana Rep (company member), Delaware Theater Co, Merrimack Rep, Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, Connecticut Rep, Stamford Center for the Arts, Arkansas Rep, Hangar Theater, and Pennsylvania CentreStage in such shows as: My Fair Lady, Be Aggressive, Peter Pan, Once In A Lifetime, Oliver, Man With A Load Of Mischief, The Front Page, A Little Night Music, The Miser, Forum, Babes In Toyland, and Man Of La Mancha. He recently returned from playing Otto Frank in Diary Of Anne Frank at Triad Stage. TV appearances include numerous commercials as well as roles on: Law And Order, L&O: Criminal Intent, The Job, and two Emmy-winning movies: Miss Rose White and Angels In America.

Anette Michelle Sanders* (Mrs. Cratchit) A brand-new transplant from her native Los Angeles, Anette is pleased to be making her New York debut here at Gateway. Her most recent East Coast appearance was in the first national tour of Mamma Mia!, where she had the good fortune to perform the role of Rosie. In Los Angeles, Anette created the role of Mariette in Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party, in which she co-starred with John Ritter and Henry Winkler at the Mark Taper Forum as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Regional credits include How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Mama Who) directed by Jack O’Brien at the Old Globe Theatre, Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman w/ Amanda McBroom), The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch), King Lear (Goneril), Fingerpainting in a Murphy Bed (Myra, original cast), Cabaret (Kost) and many others. Many thanks to Josh, Teresa, and, always, to her wonderful husband, Gary. Anette is a proud member of Actors’Equity.

Christopher Sapienza*(Ghost of Christmas Present/Sandwich Board Man) is thrilled to be back with the Gateway Playhouse family! You saw him here last in Jekyll and Hyde as Lord Savage. Theatre: Act II Playhouse: Closer Than Ever, Personals; Fulton Opera House: Ragtime (J.P. Morgan); Mill Moutain Theatre: Children of Eden (American Prem./Seth/Shem); Upper Darby Performing Arts Center: Sunday In The Park. (George); Walnut Street Theatre: Jaques Brel is Alive And Well, Crazy For You (Moose); Arden Theatre: The Dinosaur Musical (World Prem./Swifty), Disney Cruise Line: Hercules (Phil), Voyage of the Ghost Ship (Dutch), Disney Dreams (King). Back up vocals for Linda Eder’s Christmas Concert at the Keswick Theatre. TV: Law and Order – SVU (Roy Delphy). Film: Unbreakable, Twelve Monkeys, In Her Shoes. Numerous commercial/voice-over work. Chris can be heard at times singing the National Anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies. web.mac.com/sappyactor. Always Dream, Always Trust, Always Believe! Proud member of Actors’ Equity.

John Shuman (Ghost of Christmas Past/ Lamplighter) Broadway: La Cage Aux Folles (Francis in ‘05 revival), 13 Rue de L’Amour. Off Broadway: An Oak Tree, Hot l Baltimore (original Circle Rep production), Moonchildren. Regional: Guthrie Theatre, Yale Repertory (The Alchemist, John Hirsch, dr.) Shakespeare Theatre, Alaska Repertory (state tour of Tartuffe), Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, ( Mr. Popper in Mr. Popper’s Penguins), North Shore Music Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals (Lil Abner), Cape Playhouse, Depot Theatre (Cripple of Inishmaan, John Christopher Jones, dr.). Television: Melrose Place, Guiding Light, Love and War, VR-5 (pilot). Film: The Naked Man (Ethan Coen). Just completed: Defendant in David Mamet’s Romance for the Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theatre in Massachusetts.

John Tighe (Undertaker/Old Joe)is happy to be back on the Gateway stage in such a beautiful show. He is a retired Lieutenant of the NYC Fire Department where he began his theatrical career as a vocalist and bagpiper in the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. He has sung for dignitaries both here and abroad and has performed the National Anthem at Shea Stadium for a NY Mets game. He has also appeared as a guest vocalist on several local cable TV shows. Independent film credits include; Rafe/Our Souls To Keep and Uncle John/The Evil Killers. Some of his favorite regional roles include; Ben Weatherstaff in Secret Garden, Mavrodani in Zorba, Arvide Abernathy in Guys And Dolls, Barber in Man of La Mancha, Jamie in My Fair Lady.

Paul Allan (Producer) Paul has been involved in theatre since before he can remember. In the early days he spent his summers following around his grandfather who had his hands full trying to make ends meet—running a theatre in the 60’s. Paul grew up at Gateway, looking forward to each summer and being able to do more each year. By the time he was a teenager he was an integral part of the back stage crew and was the self-appointed handy man as well. In the 80’s as a young Gateway producer, Paul spent part of the winter months working in NY on many off- Broadway shows serving as technical supervisor/ production manager. At the same time he cofounded a touring company whose shows traveled throughout the US and other countries worldwide. The set rental company was also founded at this time and Gateway scenery is constantly being trucked to various theatres across the country. The main focus, though, is still the productions he produces here for our patrons. This season began with his 158th production, as well as a new generation of producer added to the Gateway family - Paul’s first son Luke.

Bob Durkin (Director) Bob’s work has been represented both nationally and internationally in tours of Big River, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Dreamgirls, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Anything Goes, Purlie, The Goodbye Girl, One Mo’ Time, Little Shop of Horrors, They’re Playing Our Song, Hello Dolly, Crazy For You and Ain’t Misbehavin’. In 1997 he was the recipient of the Connecticut Critic’s Circle award for outstanding choreography for his work on the national tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He was Tommy Tune’s co-choreographer for the pre-Broadway workshops of Irving Berlin’s Easter Parade, starring Tommy Tune and Sandy Duncan, In both Sydney, Australia and New York City. He has also worked many years with the late Broadway director Phillip Oesterman. Bob’s work has been seen by audiences in Brazil, Columbia, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, throughout the United States and Canada. Bob is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory of Music. In addition, Mr. Durkin has been associated with West Point Military Academy, Alabama University Birmingham, West Virginia University, Oklahoma City University, Marymount Manhattan College, Wagner College and the University of Vermont as a guest artist and teacher.

John Dietrich (Choreographer) John has most recently been the Director and Choreographer for The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular in New York for the past 4 years as well as a Director/ Choreographer for Rockette Special Events for the past 12. He has been involved with Radio City Music Hall for 17 years developing and creating new numbers for the Rockettes and directing special events for Radio City Productions including the NBC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the NBC Today Show, the 2000 Presidential Inauguration and the 1999 Gala Reopening of Radio City Music Hall NBC Special. Other recent projects include ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre, the All My Children 35th Anniversary Concert, Mack and Mabel in concert at Lincoln Center, the CBS-TV special One World Jam, the National Pepsi-Cola industrial in Las Vegas, the RSA conference in San Francisco, concert work for Dolly Parton and her brother Randy, as well as writing, directing and choreographing projects for Dollywood Entertainment. He spent over 3 years with the Walt Disney Co. developing entertainment for their newest theme park Tokyo DisneySea. Other credits include directing the A&E TV special Gershwin On Ice featuring Dorothy Hamill and the international tour of Disney On Ice-The Little Mermaid. He has a wide range of theatrical directing and choreographing credits including national tours of Singin’ In The Rain, Beauty and the Beast and an international tour of The Wizard of Oz.

Nathan Perry (Musical Director) is pleased to join the company at Gateway Playhouse after appearing at the Allenberry Playhouse, in his native Pennsylvania, with Into the Woods. At Gretna Theatre (Mt. Gretna, PA) he has been the Musical Director for four seasons with Big River; Cole; Stand By Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story; The Fantasticks; A Grand Night For Singing; Noël Coward at the Café de Paris; The Robber Bridegroom and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Other regional credits include Cohoes Music Hall (Cohoes, NY) with La Cage aux Folles; Kiss Me, Kate and Ain’t Misbehavin’; the Cider Mill Playhouse (Endicott, NY) with Forever Plaid; and the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre (Rochester, NY) with numerous productions including the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’. In 1991, Nathan portrayed Huck Finn in the Mark Twain Musical Drama (Elmira, NY), and since then seems to have been confined to the orchestra pit. Nathan holds a degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music (Boston), which immediately landed him a job as a pizza deliveryman. After 15 years’work as a theatrical music director, pianist and educator, Nathan is happy to continue these pursuits on land and occasionally at sea. Much love to his teammate, Kris.

Robin Joy Allan (Casting and Artistic Director) has been the Casting Director at Gateway for the last twelve years. Four years ago, she became the Artistic Director at Gateway which includes not only several Manhattan excursions to cast all productions, but involves planning advertising strategies for all productions, hiring creative staff, designing season ads, posters and booklets, overseeing artistic aspects of each production, costumes, sets and wigs, overseeing Children’s Theatre, beautifying the Gateway property from choosing paint colors for actor housing, to adding new perennial floral additions to the Gateway landscape. Prior to moving back home into the wonderland setting of her childhood, she did thrive in Corporate America, spending five years in Los Angeles, casting several TV pilots, MOW’s and feature films. You’ll find her name on the feature films; Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, Lord of the Flies, Side Out and Ghost. Along with her Artistic and Casting Director duties, she is the force behind Gateway’s Acting School Division, where she teaches the advanced classes. This is her most impassioned work. Her daughter Hayley, inspires her every day. She hopes her effort is good enough to honor her family, and their amazing effort all these years to bring theatre with integrity to Long Island.

Brian Loesch (Lighting Designer/Production Manager) graduated with a Degree in Technical Theatre from Suffolk County Community College. He has previously designed The Full Monty, A Holiday Spectacular On Ice (2004 version), South Pacific, Footloose, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kiss Me Kate, Holiday Hop (1999), Urinetown, Cabaret and numerous children’s theatre productions including Peter Pan (2004) and Jungle Book (2005) for Gateway. Brian is thrilled to be part of the Gateway Family for his ninth straight season. Other design credits include Language of Angels (Henry Street Experimental Theatre, NYC), Paraffin Touch (World Premiere at Suffolk County Community College), The Man Who Would Be King (World Premiere at the Antrim Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (Cape Fear Regional Theatre), the 2003 National Tour of George M! (Candlewood Int./Mainstage Productions), the 2004 National Tour of Titanic (Candlewood Int.), the 2004 National Tour of A Holiday Spectacular On Ice (A Gateway / Candlewood Production), the 2005-06 National Tour of Mame (Candlewood Int.), and the current 2006- 07 National Tour of Camelot.

Kelly Tighe (Scenic Designer) Off Broadway: Almost Heaven. Regional: Aida, Cats, The Full Monty, and Jesus Christ Superstar (Gateway Playhouse); Beauty and the Beast, Grease, Titanic, The Who’s Tommy, My Fair Lady (Contra Costa Musical Theatre); Annie, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph/Dreamcoat (Ohio’s Carousel Dinner Theater); West Side Story, The Scarlet Pimpernel (Diablo Light Opera Co.); Around The World In 80 Days, The Pavilion, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Center Repertory Co.); The Laramie Project, A Midsummer Nights Dream (PPAS/NYC). Mr. Tighe served as the resident Scenic Designer for Western Michigan’s Cherry County Playhouse (The Music Man starring William Katt and Josie DeGuzman, and the world premiere of Will’s Women starring Amanda McBroom), as well as Center Rep in the San Francisco Bay Area. Television: Sunday Night Woah! (starring Mo Rocca) for Animal Planet as well as several spots for Verizon, Kit Kat, Disney, and the Oxygen network. Awards and recognitions: Northern California’s “Shellie”, Drama-Logue, and the S.F. Bay Area’s Outer Critic’s Circle. Kelly resides in New York City.

Jon William Goldman* (Production Stage Manager) Jon is very pleased to be working on Christmas Carol, his first production with Gateway Playhouse. Jon has worked on a number of World Premier shows, both plays and musicals. Off Broadway: Transatlantic Liaison, Journey to the West. New York credits: The Ticket, Never Tell, With and Without, Havana Bourgeois. San Francisco Credits: I Love You, You’re Perfect… Now Change, Crowns, A Little Night Music. Tours: Dr. Kings Dream, Jackie Robinson, Paul Robeson Remembered. Regional Credits: Oklahoma!, Crowns, Shakespeare in Hollywood, Living Out, A Little Princess, The Water, All My Sons, A Little Night Music, Bat Boy: The Musical, Jane Eyre: The Musical, Book of Days, Be Aggressive!, 8-Track, the Sounds of the 70s, Smokey Joe’s Café, Chicago, Ten Little Indians, Dial M for Murder, Travels with my Aunt, Man of LaMancha, Glass Menagerie, Jerry Finnegan’s Sister, Angels & Infidels, Alphabetical Order, The Odd Couple.

Margaret A. McKowen (Costume Design) has designed productions in the United States, Europe and China. During her residency for the Obie Award–winning Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre in New York City, designs included Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children (utilizing the Darius Milhaud score in its world premiere), the Nobel Prize–winning poet Seamus Heany’s The Cure at Troy, and several productions directed by Eve Adamson. Other New York highlights: the world premiere of Amber Patches starring Julie Harris at the Pendragon Theatre and PTE’s The Trial and Wolfpit. Selected regional theatre credits: the world premier of JAZZLAND for the Contemporary American Theatre Festival; The Grapes of Wrath, Othello, All The King’s Men, and Of Mice and Men for Arkansas Repertory Theatre; Henry V, Antony and Cleopatra, King Lear, The Winter’s Tale, and Macbeth for The Texas Shakespeare Festival; and Romeo and Juliet, for the National Endowment for the Arts’ series Shakespeare in the American Communities. Internationally: The Baltimore Waltz B.A.T. Studio Theatre (Berlin), Harold and Maude for the E. T. A. Hoffmann Theatre (Bamberg, Germany). Six Characters in Search of an Author at the Teatro Alfa Real (São Paulo, Brazil), and the first full-length, Englishspeaking production of The Tempest performed in Beijing, China. Opera: World premieres of The Boor at The Performing Arts Center (Austin); Wuornos, at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco and Every Man Jack for the Sonoma City Opera.

Connie Baker* (Assistant Stage Manager) is happy to be returning to Gateway Playhouse, where she served as Stage Manager for “Sweet Charity”, “The Fantasticks” and “Holiday Spectacular 2005” at the Patchogue Theatre. She recently was a Stage Manager on “Best Little Whorehouse” for the Actors Fund at the August Wilson Theatre in NYC. She has been Production Stage Manager on numerous musicals at the Carousel Dinner Theatre, including “I Love You, You’re Perfect”, “Footloose” (AC Ciulla), “A Chorus Line” (Donna Drake), “Anything Goes” & “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”. She was PSM of the “2005 Elan Awards” in NYC honoring Susan Stroman, and the “2004 Elan Awards” honoring Lar Lubovitch. Other credits include the Off- Broadway show “NEWSical”, Penguin Rep, Actor’s Fund “HAIR” at the New Amsterdam and Broadway Cares “Nothing Like A Dame” at the Marquis in NYC. She is pleased to be working again with Director Bob Durkin, who first brought her to the Gateway as a performer many years ago. She is married to John Sabo and mother of Kristine Ogena, and a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Many thanks to Paul and Robin Allan for bringing our family into the Gateway family.