Cast of Characters
(in order of appearance)

Oliver Twist	-	DANTE BALDASSIN*
Mr. Bumble	-	MICHAEL J. FARINA*
Widow Corney	-	SUSAN J. JACKS*
Mr. Sowerberry	-	MISCHA KISCHKUM*
Mrs. Sowerberry	-	MELINDA TANNER*
Noah	-	JAYMESON METZ
Charlotte	-	SARAH INNES
The Artful Dodger	-	ERIC SHELLEY*
Fagin	-	RAUL ARANAS*
Nancy	-	DAINA MICHELLE GRIFFITH*
Charlie Bates	-	JAYMESON METZ
Bet	-	MICHELLE VIENTIMILLA
Fagin’s Gang	-	CASEY KEENAN, JORDAN MICHNOFF, MICHAEL MILLER, DOMINIC MONDI, JOLENE RICHARDSON, LOUIE RINALDI
Chairman	-	MISCHA KISCHKUM*
Bill Sykes	-	DAN COONEY*
Mrs. Bedwin	-	MARY-ANN TRIPPET
Mr. Brownlow	-	MICHAEL HAYWARD-JONES*
Dr. Grimwig	-	MISCHA KISCHKUM*
Old Sally	-	MELINDA TANNER
ENSEMBLE ADOLPHO BLAIRE, TOM DELBELLO, KRISTIN FEENEY, LISA FRECHETTE, JESSICA GREELEY, ERIC NEHER, MATTHEW SCHNEIDER*, NATHAN STITH*, MARY-ANN TRIPPET, ANNA WINTHROP*, BRAD YORK, MATTHEW ZIMMERMAN CHILDREN'S ENSEMBLE TEEN FEMALE ENSEMBLE FAGIN'S GANG WORKHOUSE BOYS DEANNA ALEXANDRA, DANI ALT, JARED ANGONA, KAYLA ANGONA, MICHAEL BRENNAN, ALISON BOHMAN, KYLE CLARK, TAYLA CORNELIA, BRIAN D’ADDARIO, MICHAEL D’ADDARIO, HAYLEY GILLMAN, SARAH INNES, RYAN KOERBER, AARON RODRIGUEZ, BRIAN SCHWARTZ, MICHELLE VIENTIMILLA

RAUL ARANAS (Fagin) Raul is glad to be back at the Gateway Playhouse where he had played the role of the Engineer in their production of Miss Saigon. His two most recent musicals have been the Engineer (yet again) in Seattle’s 5th Avenue production of Miss Saigon, and the Reciter in North Shore’s production of Pacific Overtures for which he won the IRNE award. Broadway credits include: the king in The King and I, Master Wang in Flower Drum Song, and the Engineer in Miss Saigon. He had also done Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal in London’s West End as well as the 1st National Company’s production which garnered him the Helen Hayes award. Raul would like to dedicate his rendition of Fagin to his son Raphael.

DANTE BALDASSIN (Oliver) is absolutely thrilled to be making his debut appearance at The Gateway Playhouse in Oliver!. His other credits include: Sound of Music (Kurt), A Christmas Story (Randy), Bye Bye Birdie (Randolph), Free to Be You and Me (William), and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (PigPen). Dante is a 5th grade student at Prince of Peace Regional Catholic School. He actively participates in acting courses at the Gateway Playhouse and studies dance at South Shore Dance Studio. Dante thanks the casting crew at Gateway for their faith in him, Mrs. Cronogue for understanding, Mrs. Capp for encouraging his talent and his grandmother & parents for their tireless support.

ADOLPHO BLAIRE (Ensemble/ u/s Mr. Bumble) Gateway Debut! Born: Landstuhl, Germany. Raised: Bowie, MD. Training: BFA at Shenandoah Conservatory. Tour: A Chorus Line. Regional: Seaside, Galveston Island Outdoor, Struthers Library and Naples. Also 3 industrials, 2 cruise ships, 4 theme parks and choreography for 15 shows at Six Flags nationally. Upcoming: Dennis in Smoke on the Mountain at Mountain Playhouse and dancing in his underwear in the upcoming Julie Taymor movie musical Across the Universe in theaters this Thanksgiving. Thanks to his biggest fans and, of course, Mr. Castellino!

DAN COONEY (Bill Sykes) is very happy to be back at The Gateway Playhouse where he was last seen as Che in Evita. Broadway: Les Misérables. Off-Broadway: The Thing About Men, Once Around the Sun, Under the Bridge. Nat’l Tours: the First National Tours of Les Misérables and Frank Wildhorn’s The Civil War, Evita (Che), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik). Regional: Never More (Poe, Signature Theatre) World Premiere, Measure for Measure (Lucio, Yale Rep. Company) (Peter, the Kennedy Center); The Last Five Years (Round Table Rep.); Carousel (Billy) at Connecticut Rep; Evita (Che) at Papermill Playhouse, the Muny, Theatre Under the Stars; Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas, Maine State Music Theatre), (Herod, Gateway Playhouse). Dan is a 1999 graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

TOM DELBELLO (Ensemble/ u/s Sowerberry/ Doctor/ Brownlow) Originally from Alberta, Canada, Tom is thrilled to be making his American Theatre debut fresh off performing on the high seas with Disney Cruise Lines. Professional performance highlights from across Canada include: Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, Friar Tuck in Robin Hood the Musical, Macbeth in Macbeth, Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Nights Dream and Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. Tom thanks his family and friends for everything.

MICHAEL J. FARINA (Mr. Bumble) is pleased to be returning to Camp Gateway, where he played Bert Barry in last season’s 42nd Street. He then went “from Gateway to Broadway”, where he created the role of Al/God in In My Life at the Music Box Theatre. Most recently, he was in the N.Y. premiere of Ed Dixon’s Fanny Hill at the York Theatre. Broadway: Seussical The Musical (Grandpa Who – u/s & Perf. Horton), A Christmas Carol (Mr. Fezziwig), My Fair Lady (Jamie) and Fiddler on the Roof (Nachum). National Tours: Sunset Boulevard (Sheldrake) and Fiddler (Avram). Regional Favorites: The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel) – Guthrie Theater; Man of La Mancha (Sancho Panza) – Paper Mill Playhouse; Kiss Me Kate (Gangster #1) – Houston’s Tuts; Sweet Charity (Herman) – North Shore Music Theatre; Carousel (Mr. Snow) and Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely) – both at Westchester Broadway Theatre. Much love to my wife, Heidi, and to my family for their continued support. Proud member of Actor’s Equity.

KRISTIN FEENEY (Ensemble) makes her Gateway Playhouse debut with this performance. Professional credits include West Side Story (Rosalia), Black Patent Leather Shoes (Becky), The Christmas Schooner (Alma), Lucky Stiff (Annabel), Schoolhouse Rock LIVE!, and Hershey Park’s A Music Box Christmas. Kristin received her degree in theatre and a minor in music from Elmira College. Much love to her family for their unending love and support.

LISA FRECHETTE (Ensemble) Lisa is thrilled to return to the Gateway stage after performing in last summer’s 42nd Street and The Full Monty. Tours: A Chorus Line (Bebe). Regional: A Wonderful Life (Violet Bick), Christmas Dreams (Angel), A Chorus Line (Maggie), Chicago (w/ John Davidson), A Christmas Carol (Laundress), Barnum, and Copacabana. Lisa is a proud graduate of Wagner College and wishes to thank her family for their love and support!

JESSICA GREELEY (Ensemble) a graduate of the University of Miami, Jessica is thrilled to be making her Gateway debut in Oliver! National Tours: Gertie in the 1st Nat’l of Oklahoma! Regional: Rosalia/Maria u/s in West Side Story, Martha in 1776, and Silly Girl #1/Belle u/s in Beauty and the Beast. Other favorites include Viola in Twelfth Night and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. She sends all her love to her family, kisses to Colin, and a big congratulations to her sister Rachel!

DAINA MICHELLE GRIFFITH (Nancy) is thrilled to be making her Gateway debut with such a fantastic cast! NYC/Off Broadway: The Information She Carried (NYC Fringe 2005), Jane Ho (Lion Theatre/HExTC). Favorite regional: Jesus Christ Superstar (Kansas City Starlight), Last Five Years (JTOP), Broadway (Pittsburgh Public Theatre), and A Musical Christmas Carol (PCLO). Proud member of Equity and BFA graduate of Point Park College. Much love and many thanks to Bill, Jeff, Rashad, Mom, Dad and John.

MICHAEL HAYWARD-JONES (Mr. Brownlow) returns to Gateway Playhouse having recently filmed a guest spot on the new NBC drama Conviction. He has toured as Thénardier with the National Tour of Les Misérables, and Broadway and national touring audiences have seen him in Evita, The King and I, Me and My Girl, A Little Night Music, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol, The Sound of Music, Brigadoon, She Loves Me, Mame, and Call Me Madam. Television credits include Law & Order, The Cosby Show, and Law & Order, Criminal Intent. Previous Gateway credits are Mr. Bascombe in Carousel and Sir Danvers in Jekyll & Hyde.

SUSAN J. JACKS (Widow Corney) Susan is delighted to make her Gateway debut under the guidance of two of her favorite colleagues, Bill Castellino and Jeff Buchsbaum. Last year, as Polynesia the Parrot she flew around the stage in the Doctor Dolittle national tour, and stayed grounded as Mother Gorman in Flight of the Lawnchair Man at Goodspeed. She has appeared Off-Broadway in Forbidden Broadway, Nunsense and most recently, at York Theatre’s Musicals in Mufti series in Theda Bara and the FrontierRabbi. Susan has performed in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and South America, and there have been many shows in regional and stock theatres (Noises Off and Broadway Bound are two favorites). If you watch carefully, you can see her as Tammy the Televangelist in Spike Lee’s Crooklyn. Her hero, her rock, her safe harbor is her husband of two years, Nick Ruggeri. Susan is proud to be a member of Actor’s Equity.

MISCHA KISCHKUM (Mr. Sowerberry/ Chairman/ Dr. Grimwig) has been a member of the non-profit theatre company Common Ground Stage and Film, the for-profit comedy troupe Planet Q, and served on the board of directors for Theatre America. Notable creations include Culture Dish, Gilgamesh, and The Vicar’s Wife (Best Musical That Nobody Saw - Playbill). Notable roles, theatres: Quixote, Malvolio, Tevye, Grinch/Cindy Lou Who; Goodspeed, Human Race, John Houseman (Soccer Moms from Hell). Televised: Walter Yetnikov, Big Deals/History Channel; Dr. Diaz, Upright Citizens Brigade/Comedy Central; Fred Moynihan, Law & Order: SVU/ NBC. Filmed: Price, Russell Sweetwater, Tornado States, Blood Money (Cannes Festival). Member of Actors Equity, Dramatists Guild, and the Independent Film Project.

ERIC NEHER (Ensemble) is thrilled to be at Gateway Playhouse! Tours: The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow). Regional: A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre), West Side Story (Big Deal), George M! (Sam Harris). Eric holds a BFA from NYU Tisch School where he was seen in productions of The Wild Party, Children of Eden, and Carousel. Other training: Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Many thanks to family, friends, and teachers for love and support.

MATTHEW SCHNEIDER (Ensemble/ Dance Capt.) feels blessed to have grown up tap dancing in Colorado, which are his two favorite things in the world. Last May he graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (CAP 21), and has since become a proud member of Equity. This is his Gateway Playhouse debut. Favorites: Jimmy/Scooter (White Christmas), the Beadle (Sweeney Todd), West Side Story and Crazy for You (Reagle Players), and 42nd Street (Mill Mountain). Thanks to his loved ones: friends, the fam, and wmn.

ERIC SHELLEY (Artful Dodger) Harold in Harold & Maude at Theatreworks Palo Alto (Dean Goodman Choice Award – Principal Actor), Ethan in Shortly After Takeoff at the Harbor Theatre Company, Peter in Peter Pan (non-musical) at the Asolo Theatre, Colin in The Secret Garden (nonmusical) at Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Studio Arena Theatre, Dickon in The Secret Garden (musical) at Fulton Opera House, Doody in the European Tour of Grease, Artful Dodger in Oliver! at Westchester Broadway Theatre and W.Va. Public Theatre, Curly in Peter Pan at Pioneer Theatre Company, Greenshow at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Fantasticks at Brown County Playhouse. Film: Second Born.

NATHAN STITH (Ensemble/ u/s Bill Sykes) Recent credits include Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Placido Domingo at the Metropolitan Opera, the world premiere of Knight Life: The Girl Who Would Be King and the National tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Nathan can regularly be seen as Bobby the Bartender at the Roadside Bar on One Life to Live and heard as Tadaki on the Japanese Anime series Deeper Samurai Kyo. Favorite role: husband to Sarah.

MELINDA TANNER (Mrs. Sowerberry/ Old Sally) On Broadway: The Robber Bridgegroom. Off- Broadway: Godspell (plus national and Italian tours), The Sea (Manhattan Theatre Club) and I Can’t Keep Running in Place (La Mama). Regional and tours include: Maria Callas in Master Class (Florida Rep), Lizzie Borden (Goodspeed/Chester), The Spitfire Grill (Florida Stage), The Happy Time (Goodspeed), and most recently, as a more genteel Londoner – Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady (national tour). Television: Law & Order: CI and numerous commercials, including three years as national spokesperson for Mobil Oil.

MARY-ANN TRIPPET (Mrs. Bedwin/ Ensemble/ u/s Mrs. Sowerberry, Mrs. Corney) Mary- Ann is pleased to be returning to the Gateway Playhouse, having performed in Music Man several seasons ago. She recently returned from the national tour of Cameron Macintosh’s revival of Oliver! where she played Mrs. Bedwin, a pauper, and several grimy street characters! She thanks her teachers, friends and family for their constant support.

ANNA WINTHROP (Ensemble/ u/s Nancy) is delighted to join the Gateway family for the first time. Most recently seen in the acclaimed Off- Broadway show The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! at Dodger Stages. Anna’s other NYC credits include City Center, Abingdon Theatre, Symphony Space and the West End Theatre. Regional credits include Goodspeed Opera House, Westchester Broadway, PCLO, Atlanta TOTS, National and European tours. Love to her amazing family.

BRAD YORK (Ensemble/ u/s Fagin) a native of Portland, OR, is thrilled to be back at Gateway after appearing as Reg in last year’s The Full Monty. Brad has enjoyed a number of wonderful performance opportunities both in NYC and regionally. Most recently, he closed the world premier of Iron Curtain with the Prospect Theatre Co. at the West End Theatre in Manhattan. Other credits include: Lord Evelyn Oakleigh/Anything Goes (Arizona Broadway Theatre – Phoenix, AZ); The Grinch/Seussical The Musical (Fulton Opera House – Lancaster, PA); Sparky/Forever Plaid (SUNY Potsdam, NY); 1st Officer Murdoch/Titanic (National Tour `03) and Neville Craven in The Secret Garden. Brad is a graduate of Linfield College (BA/Music) and Arizona State University (MM). Thanks to the “fam” for their continued support. A special thanks to Gateway for having me back! And of course, to R… 45888… always!

MATTHEW ZIMMERMAN (Ensemble) is excited to return to Gateway after performing in last season’s Evita. Thank God for the fresh air and relaxed feel of Bellport! Other credits: National Tours – Kiss Me Kate, Cinderella. Regional – Man of La Mancha. He trained with Teresa Emmons, Carla Fillman, and Eddie Cohee at the Dance Conservatory (DE) and danced with its company, the Ballet Theatre of Dover. He currently studies ballet with Kat Wildish in NYC. Thanks to family and friends for love and support.

PAUL ALLAN (Producer) has been involved in theatre since before he can remember. In the early days of Gateway, 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 here, looking forward to each summer and being able to do more each year. By the time he was a teenager he was beginning to take charge of maintaining this 7 acre complex as well as becoming an integral part of the back stage crew. 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, and/or show carpenter. 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 - and this season begins with his 158th!

BILL CASTELLINO (Director/ Choreographer) has directed over 30 Premieres garnering numerous awards. World Premieres: Dorian Gray (NYMTF & York), Lizzie Borden (Goodspeed), Heartbeats (Goodspeed, Pasadena), Fishwrap (ATF), Holiday for Hope (Bushnell), House Divided, Singing Weatherman, Presidents (PBS), Crash Club, Beautiful Dreamer, Another Summer, Breathe, and others. National Tours: Jolson, Chess, Presidents, Fame, Nightclub Cantata, Les Misérables (by John DuPrez). Revivals: Carousel, Godspell, Music Man, Chicago, Beehive, West Side, Joseph, Tommy, Little Shop, Evita, Slab Boys, Abyssinia, Rapmaster Ronnie, Last Five Years, Spitfire Grill, etc. Co-owner of CRW Productions, NYC Production Company providing original and innovative theatrical entertainment for all media. www.crwproductions.com

JEFFREY BUCHSBAUM (Musical Director) Recently in NYC: Off-Broadway production of On Second Avenue (2 Drama Desk nominations), A Dash Of Rosemary (also arranger), Tallulah’s Party with Tovah Feldshuh (Kaufman Theatre), and Michael Valenti’s Song by Song (West Bank). Out of town: Broadway Rhythm, produced in China for the Macao International Music Festival (also conceived, arranged, orchestrated); The Magic of Musicals, produced in Athens, Greece (also conceived, arranged, orchestrated); The Skinflint (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Tours: Mame, Titanic, My One and Only, George M, Romance, Romance, Damn Yankees starring Jerry Lewis, Song and Dance (Nationals), Phantom of the Opera (European & South American), A Chorus Line (European & National). He has traveled as musical director for Red Buttons, Franc D’Ambrosio and Bruce Adler. He is also Music Supervisor for Candlewood International, a national tour production company. Jeffrey also teaches voice privately, and has taught at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, Baruch, Middlesex and Mercer Colleges, and presently at NYU. This production marks Jeffrey’s 14th production at Gateway Playhouse.

JOLENE HUFFMAN (Assistant Director) is thrilled to be working at Gateway. Onstage credits include The Pirates of Penzance (Isabel), Sweet Charity (Nickie), and the world premieres of Red (Red Spy Queen) and Crash Club. Offstage credits include The Shoemaker and the Elves, The Sound of Music, and Nunsense. Love and gratitude to Bill.

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 numerous Manhattan excursions to cast all productions, but involves planning advertising strategies for productions, hiring creative/artistic staff, designing season ads, posters and booklets, overseeing artistic aspects of each production, costumes and wigs, overseeing Children’s Theatre and beautifying the Gateway property from redecorating 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. In the credits, you'll find her name on: Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, Lord of the Flies, Side Out and Ghost, amongst others. Along with her Artistic and Casting Director duties, she is also the director of Gateway’s Acting School Division, where she teaches the advanced classes. This is her most impassioned work. She feels lucky to know and teach her students. Her beautiful 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.

CHRIS LANDY (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be back home at Gateway, where he has designed numerous productions over the years including Evita, Phantom, Tommy (CT Critic Circle Award), Jekyll & Hyde, Showboat, West Side Story, Brigadoon, Cabaret, and Crazy For You. Other credits include A Little Night Music for Goodspeed; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for Long Wharf and Williamstown; Hay Fever, Princess Turandot and Angel Street for Westport Country Playhouse; Orfeo ed Euridice and Turandot for Virginia Opera and Madame Butterfly, Marriage of Figaro, Die Fledermaus and Rigoletto for Boheme Opera. Off-Broadway credits include Oedipus, Hotel Universe, Princess Turandot, Ivanov, and Retribution.Working in television, Chris lit Isaac for E!, Movies 101 for AMC, Tough Crowd w/ Colin Quinn for Comedy Central, Showbiz Tonight and Nancy Grace Live for CNN, as well as specials for BET and Fuse. He has designed extensively for MTV including TRL, DFX, Beach House, Mardi Gras, New Years Eve Specials, 1st Listen Concerts for U2, Britney Spears, Dave Mathews, Justin Timberlake, and Destiny’s Child as well as Unplugged’s for R.E.M., Jay-Z, Lauren Hill, Staind, Dashboard Confessional and Ken Hirai (for MTV Japan). He recently launched MTV Canada’s Studios in Toronto. For Oxygen, he lights their Custom Concert series featuring LL Cool J, The Goo Goo Dolls, Macy Gray, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette and India.Arie, Michelle Branch, John Legend, and LeeAnn Rimes. He holds an MFA in lighting and set design from NYU and run’s his own design firm, Vibrant Design.

ANTHONY FRISINA (Production Stage Manager) is a New York native, and proud member of the Actors Equity Association, whose career has spanned the world performing, directing, choreographing, teaching and writing. Most recently, Anthony made his NYC directorial/producing debut with Aven’U Boys at The Royal Theater. He is also founder of the upcoming mixed media production company I Got Da Beat Productions. A writer and a poet, most recently he was a playwright for the Six Figures Theater Company’s Fairy Tale Festival. Anthony has written Still Searching (a book of prose) and is currently writing his second book, both hopefully to be released next year.

JOVON E. SHUCK (Production Stage Manager): Oliver! marks Jovon’s tenth production at Gateway. Favorites from the past seasons include: Oklahoma, The Full Monty, Aida and Miss Saigon. His other credits include: Broadway: Noises Off & The Graduate; New York: The New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theatre, Actors Studio Drama School and five Christmases with The Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Regional & Touring: Cherry County Playhouse, Main Street Theatre, Lycian Center and ArtsPower National Touring Theatre. Jovon is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and is happily married to the talented Sheila Marie Everett.

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.

Musicians