Community Theatre at the
Count Basie Center for the Arts
Friday & Saturday April 4 & 5 2025
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS
Production of
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
A Play By Rick Elice
Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Music By Wayne Barker
Originally produced on Broadway by Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Greg Schaffert, Eva Price, Tom Smedes, and Disney Theatrical Productions.
Scenic Designer ASHLEY CUSACK
Lighting Designer KYLE SANTOPADRE
Properties JAMES GRAUSAM
Production Manager OLIVIA GRAUSAM
Technical Director KYLE SANTOPADRE
Costume Designer JOANNE PENROSE
Production Stage Manager STEPHANIE SCHOPPE
Music Director MICHAEL GILCH
Director ANTHONY GRECO
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
THE CAST
(in alphabetical order)
Smee ............................................................................................................... JOSEPH BRYANT
Lord Aster .......................................................................................... AARON RICHARD BURT
Bill Slank/Hawking Clam ................................................................................... VINCE EATON
Mack/Grempkin/Fighting Prawn ............................................................. CRAIG FITZGERALD
Black Stache MARIA HEITMANN
Boy/Peter .................................................................................................... CHARLIE HUGHES
Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher .......................................................................... DENN MICHAEL, JR.
Ted................................................................................................................ ADELINE O’MARA Prentiss MATT PRITCHET
Molly .............................................................................................................. FELICIA RUSSELL
Captain Scott ..................................................................................... ARIEL SANCHEZ-BELLO
Alf....................................................................................................................... JAMES STEELE
Phoenix Productions would like to thank our dedicated cast, staff and volunteers that worked so hard to make our Peter and the Starcatcher show a success. If you’d like information about auditioning for a future show, please visit our website at: www.PhoenixRedBank.com/auditions
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager .................................................................................... OLIVIA GRAUSAM
Director....................................................................................................... ANTHONY GRECO
Music Director ................................................................................................ MICHAEL GILCH
Technical Director / Lead Carpenter ....................................................... KYLE SANTOPADRE
Scenic Designer............................................................................................. ASHLEY CUSACK
Lighting Designer ..................................................................................... KYLE SANTOPADRE
Costume Designer .....................................................................................JOANNE PENROSE
Properties ..................................................................................................... JAMES GRAUSAM
Scenic Charge ................................................................................................ ASHLEY CUSACK
Production Stage Manager .................................................................. STEPHANIE SCHOPPE
Assistant Stage Manager RYAN ALGER
Carpenter ZACK BLISS
Managing Artistic Director JAMES GRAUSAM
Special Thanks COUNT BASIE CENTER MARKETING DEPARTMENT, DIANE DiYANNI
THE ORCHESTRA
Keyboard ....................................................................................................... MICHAEL GILCH
Percussion ............................................................................................. EMMANUEL SOLANO
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
SoVonna Day-Goins (Co-Chair)
Sarah Bradley
Jerry Conaty
Natalie Hayes-Scott
Tom Hessman
Nancy Karpf
Joe Wajda (Co-Chair)
Fran Centofante Katz
Maria Maher
James Marhold
Justin Christopher Odon
Adam Philipson
Izzy Sackowitz
Jarrod Scott
Dennis Tolentino
Fran Turner
Jon Vena
Darrell L. Willis
Count Basie Center for the Arts, a not for profit organization
Count Basie Center Executive Committee of the Board
Jeremy Grunin Chairperson
Stephen Cutler Treasurer
Robin Klein Governance Officer
Stuart Alderoty
Mitch Ansell
Alison Banks-Moore
Tom Bernard
Sarah Bradley
Michael Bruno
Heather Burke
James M. Cadet
Puja Choudhry
Jerry Conaty
Michael Parent Co-Vice Chairperson
SoVonna Day-Goins Co-Secretary
Claudia Dulac Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Maggie Riker Co-Vice Chairperson
Maria Maher Co-Secretary
Adam Philipson President & Chief Executive Officer, Ex Officio
Count Basie Center Board of Trustees
Craig Cummings
Lauren Goldfarb
Delisha Grant
Yvonne Grayson
Jason Jurgens
Steve Kaiman
Nancy Karpf
Marshall Knopf
Mario Monello
Mark Rohl
Peter T. Roselle
Matthew J. Saker
Dr. Perry Scaranni
Carol Stillwell
Fran Turner
Joe Wajda
Tom Widener
Darrell Lawrence Willis
Kaye Wise
Edward J. Zipprich
SCENES
2024/2025 SEASON SPONSORS
Courtyard by Marriott - Red Bank/Lincroft
The Law Firm of Jonathan D’Agostino & Associates - Jon & Jade D’Agostino World Subaru - Joe & Nicole Wajda
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS 2024/2025 SEASON DONORS
RISING STAR LEVEL: $500-$999
Professor Chris Adamo, Joseph Ercolino, Maryann Larkin, The Thorner Family, Diane Tresente
FAN LEVEL: Up to $249
Dianne Asay, Joyce Barnett, In memory of Al Bevacqua, The Boyko Family, Jane Cybulski, William & Ann Emery, Judith & William Fraser, Gloria Friedman, Kenneth Groeschel, Rita LaBrecque, Leanne Lasko, Bridgette Markuson, Carolyn McCarthy, The Mele/Declarations Family, Nancy Merkel - In memory of Marie Elizabeth Corke, Donna Pinamonti, The Press Family, The Rainone Family, Barbara Saake, Richard Scott
STARS ON PHOENIX’S
“WALK
OF DREAMS”
Todd Aikens, Andrea Andrews Zawadzky, Matthew Blankley, Grace Brancato, Brothers Commercial Brokerage, The Brown Family, Chloe Carone, Erin O’Malley Chiaravalloti, Sarah Coleman, Liz & Randy Cooper, Sophie Creed, The Cullen Family, The D’Agostino Family, Mike & Betty Ann Dalberg, Bobby Davis, Lily DelPresto, In Memory of Mildred & Patrick DeLuca, Tina & Mike DeVito, Denise DiBona DDS, The Dobbs Family, Hudson Eder & Jo Wymer Music Studios, Joe Ercolino & Melvin Polisher, FILCO Red Bank, Immediate Care Medical Walk-In & CEO Sal Cannizzaro, In Memory of Jakob Franke, Bob Fuller, Carmen Gemellaro, Kayla Goins, Jennifer Grasso, James Grausam, Anthony Greco, Keegan Robert Haack, Holly Hankins & Family, Don & Lois Heirman, Thomas K. Hessman, Taylor Nicole Kaplan, Nancy Karpf, Fran Centofante Katz, Sydney & Jason Katz, Zoe & Molly Kenney, George & Kelly Kerrick, The Kinneman Family, The LaRue Family, James, Kathleen & Patrick Marhold, The Martini Family, In Loving Memory of Pat Mercandetti, The Monteleone Family, Jillian Mueller, Scott Naef, The Nodes Family, Don Olah Hair/Wigs, Alexa Origlio, Christine Paccillo, Wayne, Daniel & Marisa Peck, The Pennington Family, Joanne Penrose, Red Oak Mortgage, The Regan Family, Remember Jones, Lily Grace Riddle, Kara Robertelli, Harper Robinson, The Robinson Family, The Scherzo Family, Haley & Chris Schmalbach, Thomas Scove, The Sheftel Family, Carl Sterling Smith, Jack & Joyce Sica, The Stefanelli Family, The Thorner Family, Mary Jo Tort-Bergeron, Carol Wade, The Wagar Family, Ellen & Michael Walsh, Amanda Winter, Lindsay Wood, Chip & Ilda Wood, World Subaru
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
JOSEPH BRYANT
(Smee)
is thrilled to make his Phoenix Productions debut as Smee! Favorite past roles include: Curly (Oklahoma!), SpongeBob (The SpongeBob Musical), and Gomez (The Addams Family)! Endless thanks to his friends and family for their love and support. A special shoutout to his amazing girlfriend, who, as Black Stache, gets to boss him around—he’s learned not to argue with a captain! He hopes you enjoy this exciting journey of Peter and the Starcatcher! Instagram: joeydbryant
AARON RICHARD BURT
(Lord Aster)
is incredibly excited and grateful to be a part of this production and having his Phoenix Productions debut! Aaron is just a jersey boy born and raised who loves to bring people together with performance. His most recent performances have been Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Prince Topher in R&H’s Cinderella, Brad Majors in Rocky Horror and Melchior in Spring Awakening at Milton Theater, DE. Additional appearances include the NY Premier of Masquerade: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at White Plains Performing Arts Center, RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Amèlie, Murderpass: A New Musical, and many others. He sends love and big thanks to his family, friends, mentors and Shannen who have made him the person he is today. @aaronburt LET’S SET SAIL! GOD SAVE HER!
VINCE EATON
(Bill Slank/Hawking Clam)
is thrilled to make his Phoenix debut in one of his favorite plays. Favorite credits include: Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver in separate productions of Treasure Island, John Darling and a pirate with two eye patches in separate productions of Peter Pan, as well as nonpirate related roles including Peter in Diary of Anne Frank, lago in Othello, and the Baker in Into the Woods. Love to Alejo, who wishes he could fly.
CRAIG FITZGERALD (Mack/Grempkin/Fighting Prawn)
This is Craig’s first production with Phoenix! He has done shows previously with Brick Children’s Community Theatre for 7 years and with the Mustang Players of Brick Memorial High School throughout his high school career. Finally, he would like to thank Phoenix for this amazing opportunity and outstanding cast.
MARIA HEITMANN (Black Stache)
(she/her) is excited to be part of this adventure! A Theatre Artist in NYC/ DC/NJ, she is a Director at DC’s Nu Sass Productions. Phoenix credits: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). Other credits: Joseph… Dreamcoat (Narrator; Algonquin Arts Theatre), Oklahoma! (Laurey; Premier Theatre Company), Importance… Earnest (Gwendolen; OCCRTC), Taming... Shrew (Katherina; OCCRTC), and DC’s 2021 Monologue Madness Champion. Maria thanks her loved ones and her Phoenix family. Extra love to her “right-hand man”, Smee. VCL. Contact: missheitmann@gmail.com
CHARLIE HUGHES (Boy/Peter)
has been doing shows for close to 12 years now, previous credits include: Hello Dolly!, White Christmas, and many other wonderful shows! In fact he was once Ted in a showing of Peter and the Starcatcher. He cannot express how truly honored and excited he is to bring such an amazing character and show to life!! He would like to thank the amazing cast and extraordinary crew!!
DENN MICHAEL, JR. (Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher)
has been in a bunch of shows and he’s ever so happy to add Peter and the Starcatcher to the list. Love to DJ and Fen. Enjoy the show folks and ALWAYS KEEP STARS IN YOUR EYES!
ADELINE O’MARA (Ted)
Phoenix debut! Addy is beyond grateful to be alongside such an incredible cast for a production as special as this one!! She is currently a sophomore at RBRHS studying theatre. Her recent credits include: Newsies (Race), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Mrs. Potiphar), Cats (Quaxo). Addy would like to thank her friends, family and the entire production staff for their support and making this fantastic show possible! “To have faith is to have wings.”
MATT PRITCHET (Prentiss)
is so excited to be a part of such a fun production and his first with Phoenix! He was last seen on stage as Wayne Hopkins in Puffs at Main Street Theatre Company. He wants to thank his family, his friends, his incredible partner, and everyone who has ever been nice to him in his life.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
FELICIA RUSSELL
(Molly)
is excited to be back with her Phoenix family! She was last seen here as Evelyn Nesbit in 2024’s production of Ragtime. Additional favorite credits include: Anya in Anastasia, Amalia in She Loves Me, Marian in The Bridges of Madison County, and Alice in You Can’t Take It with You. Many thanks to Anthony, the entire cast and crew, and her friends and family for their immense support. (Especially Tori, her fellow starcatcher.)
ARIEL SANCHEZ-BELLO
(Captain Scott)
is excited to be in yet another Phoenix Production!! Previous Phoenix credits include: RENT (Gordon, Santa Fe Dancer, Police, u/s Mark) West Side Story (Pepe), The Addams Family (Conquistador), and Ragtime (Harlem Ensemble). Ariel would like to thank the rest of the cast and crew of Peter and the Starcatcher for keeping him alive, fed, and for reminding him to sleep during this process! Ariel would like to dedicate these performances to Felix and Ivy Rodriguez. Enjoy the show!
JAMES STEELE (Alf)
is excited to be back onstage at Phoenix Productions with whom he has worked with since 2001. Past roles include: Lefou (Beauty and the Beast), Leaf (Spelling Bee), George (The Wedding Singer). Phoenix choreography credits include: Peter Pan and Spamalot Thank you to Anthony, Mike and the amazing cast and crew for making the journey on the Neverland pure joy. Love to Mom and Jill, this one is for my Gram. TTFN.
WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION TEAM
OLIVIA GRAUSAM (Production Manager)
is so excited to be working on this hilarious show! In the past she has been the Associate Production Manager for Phoenix’s productions of Ragtime and West Side Story as well as designed props for The Prom and Mary Poppins! She also works as a Stage Manager for Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, past shows include Alice in Wonderland Jr. and Beetlejuice Jr. Olivia is excited to be the Production Manager of Peter and the Starcatcher with this amazingly talented group! She would like to thank the entire team especially Anthony and Stephanie, her dad and PLC for all the support throughout this show and all the others! Enjoy the show!
ANTHONY GRECO (Director) has directed our productions of Legally Blonde, Ragtime (2012), White Christmas, West Side Story (2017) and 1776. Anthony is excited to be working on his 5th production of ...Starcatcher! Elsewhere he has directed at Algonquin Arts Theatre and has been the resident director at Marlboro High School for the past 13 years. Anthony is the Arts Education + Outreach Manager at the Count Basie Center for the Arts and is the proud founder of the Basie Center’s Student Production program celebrating its 10th Anniversary next fall.
MICHAEL GILCH (Music Director) is a versatile Asbury Park-based musician, composer, and arranger. He has played in Broadway pits, Village jazz clubs, and conducted pit orchestras in many NYC/ NJ regional theaters and universities. He is delighted to MD and conduct his 3rd show with Phoenix Productions after The Color Purple. Thanks to James for the opportunity and Anthony for the creativity.
RYAN ALGER (Assistant Stage Manager) is back again! Phoenix credits include: Mary Poppins (Assistant Stage Manager), Bat Boy: The Musical (Production Stage Manager), West Side Story (Props Design). Rider University graduate, BA in Theater (concentration in technical theater). Ryan thanks Anthony, Olivia, Steph, and the cast for their guidance and support. She dedicates this performance to RARA. (hi m&d!!)
ASHLEY CUSACK (Scenic Designer, Scenic Charge) is a freelance designer and artist throughout the tri-state area. She holds her MFA in Set Design from Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts. Since 2007, Ashley has worked in the Phoenix shop mixing paint, building, and dreaming up set pieces to fill the Basie stage. Favorite past Phoenix designs include: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Once on This Island, Elf, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. When not designing for the stage, she is busy starting new home projects and keeping up with her seven year old daughter’s imagination.
JAMES GRAUSAM
(Managing Artistic Director, Properties) has directed several productions for Phoenix at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, The 30th Anniversary Gala, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Songs for a New World, Smokey Joe’s Café, Spring Awakening, Elf, Putting It Together, Evil Dead The Musical, American Idiot, The Music Man, and Bat Boy. He continues to direct other places as time allows. As always, for Olivia.
JOANNE PENROSE (Costume Designer)
is a retired FACS middle school teacher and is happy to have more time to work with Phoenix Productions. She has costumed many shows in her 12 years with Phoenix, some of her favorites are: Damn Yankees, Spamalot, 1776, The Music Man, The Prom and West Side Story. She would like to send love to Jenny, Jim, Jamie, Susan and Patrick for their support. Enjoy the show!!!
KYLE SANTOPADRE
(Technical Director, Lead Carpenter, Lighting Designer) has a BA in Theatre with a Design concentration from Rowan University. He is the Assistant Technical Director and Lighting Designer for The Count Basie Center for the Arts. Past scenic designs include: In the Heights (Phoenix Productions), Guys & Dolls (Phoenix Productions), Noises Off (Raritan HS) and Hello Dolly! (Capital Productions). Many thanks to a wonderful production team!
STEPHANIE SCHOPPE (Production Stage Manager) This is Stephanie’s 7th Phoenix show, and 4th as PSM. Previous Phoenix credits include: Ragtime, The Addams Family, and Christmas Carol the Musical (PSM); The Wedding Singer and Elf the Musical (ASM); and Spamalot (RSM). Stephanie also frequently works as a stage manager with Dunbar Repertory Company in Middletown and Plays-in-the-Park in Edison. Thank you to the cast and production team, and thanks to you the audience for supporting community theatre in Monmouth County!
jpascua@kpedgestone.com
