Backstage Vol. 18 - The Wedding Singer

SUMMER 2021 | V OL . 18

68TH SEASON SPONSORED BY

BRUCE & ROBIN BACHE GRAY

JUNE 23 - JULY 25 SPONSORED BY

PORSCHE NAPLES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS OUR 68TH SEASON Season Schedule.................................. 04 Season Ticket Subscriptions................. 05 KidzAct Summer Shows......................08 Supporting Our Mission..................... 28 Our Volunteers.................................... 36 Season Show Sponsors......................... 54 Advertising with TNP......................... 55

FEATURE ARTICLES Alyssa Haney: Finding Purpose .......... 10 Sade Bassan: Future Focused.............. 32 Adam Fasano: Rapping to Success....... 40

PERFORMANCE GUIDE Creative Team..................................... 15 Cast List.............................................. 16 Crew List............................................ 17 Scenes & Acts...................................... 20 Sklar & Beguelin: The Power Pair Behind The Wedding Singer ............... 22 Q&A With the Directors.................... 26 Cast Biographies.................................. 44 Creative Team Biographies.................. 50

TELL US YOU’RE HERE Check in or tag a picture on social media using

@TheNaplesPlayers OR #TheNaplesPlayers SPECIAL THANKS TO PHOTOGRAPHERS DREW & KAREN ATTANASIO, SCOTT CRAWFORD, MARK DANNI, JEREMY F. GOODMAN, CHRISTINE MASTRANGELO, BRAD BRENNER, TIM TORRES, DR. JASON EUGENIDES OF VANDERBILT OPTICAL

KEYBOARD PROGRAMMING DESIGN BY

CURTAIN CALL TNP Staff & Leadership...................... 53 Advertiser Index.................................. 54

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2021-2022 SEASON SHOWS YOU CAN’T MISS!

SEP 29 - OCT 24 2021

NOV 24 - DEC 19

JAN 12 - FEB 06

2021

2022

SHOW SPONSOR: Lake Michigan Credit Union

SHOW SPONSOR: Gulf Coast International Properties

FEB 02 - FEB 27

MAR 02 - APR 03

MAR 30 - APR 24

2022

2022

2022

SHOW SPONSOR: First Florida Integrity Bank

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BRAVO

to The Naples Players.

STOCK is proud to celebrate 20 years as a respected leader in the region’s homebuilding and development industry, and proud to support this award-winning community theatre.

To see our latest issue of

inSTOCK magazine, visit StockDevelopment.com

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KIDZACT SHOWS YOUTH & TEEN THEATRE

JUL 1 - JUL 3

JUL 30 - AUG 1

AUG 6 - AUG 8

Summer CAMPS

WEEK-LONG CAMPS & CLASSES FOR AGES 4-17 ALL SUMMER LONG! Register online now!

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THANK YOU TO OUR 2021-2022 Season Sponsor: Mr. Henry Price “KidzAct does for participants what theatre did for me. It brings a lot of people out of their shell and that gives them confidence in whatever career they choose.”

-HENRY PRICE

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FINDING PURPOSE

By Lauren Speirs

How life’s winding path has always pointed this local leading lady back to theatre.

Y

ou might recognize Alyssa Haney as one of Gulfshore Business’ “40 under 40,” or maybe as The Greater Naples Chamber “Young Professional of the Year.” A successful Marketing Specialist for First Florida Integrity Bank, Alyssa is also a board member for The Naples Players (TNP), President of the United Arts Council board of directors, Secretary of FNBGC Charitable Foundation, and a proud graduate of Leadership Collier.

As if Alyssa didn’t have enough to keep her busy with work and volunteering, she is also a talented actress who enjoys performing with TNP. Looking forward to her performances as Julia Sullivan in the upcoming production of The Wedding Singer, she reflects on how she was not always so put together and how her relationship with acting runs parallel to her changing course in life.

Both Alyssa and her parents were born in Miami and, growing up, she went to school in Naples but spent summers and weekends on the east coast. Her first encounter with TNP was when she went with her grandmother to see Grease in the late 90’s. “My grandmother really introduced me to theatre - she made a point to bring me to performances.”

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Alyssa had a talent for music in school and played the bassoon. She played in the orchestra pit for her school’s band, and provided music for the school productions of Pirates of Penzance and Into the Woods. When Alyssa graduated high school in 2005, she was thrilled to get her first job on 5th Avenue as an orchestra musician with TNP. Following the path to become a professional musician, Alyssa went to school to continue studying music. Trouble started soon after.

Because she was already getting paid jobs as a musician, she lost the motivation to finish her degree and dropped out of school. Spending all of her time in the music and restaurant industries and losing a sense of purpose, Alyssa started down a slippery slope of substance misuse.

“For a while, I turned to unhealthy things in an attempt to fill an emptiness inside of me. However, the more I spent time at TNP, onstage or behind the scenes, I kept finding new opportunities to fill those voids with purpose and meaning.”

THE WEDDING SINGER

SPOTLIGHT ON:

ALYSSA H A N E Y

Alyssa’s turning point in life happened around the time she rediscovered theater - this time performing as an actress in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

A

N A HA LY S S

EY

“There’s a camaraderie when you get on stage as an actress - you don’t want to disappoint this person or let this other person down.”

Returning to TNP as an actress Alyssa says, “we were working for something bigger than just us.

It changed what the word ‘community’ means to me and how I want to spend my time.”

After volunteering with The Naples Players for a while, Alyssa was eager to join TNP’s board of directors. “I represent an important part of the organization. I have all of this experienceall the volunteering and the Leadership Collier program.” Clearly, Alyssa got her wish and is still an important part of TNP’s board to date.

Along with all of her time performing as an actress, Alyssa discovered endless opportunities for volunteering in the community. “Becoming a part of the Leadership Collier Foundation opened my eyes to how much need there is in this community. I might not have huge checkwriting ability but I have time and talent. How can I get involved beyond going to galas? I wanted to create opportunities for people just like me to get involved.”

With this objective in mind, Alyssa started planning a new type of event. “I like the idea of fundraising and Bryce (Alexander, CEO/Artistic

Continued On Page 12 >

Alyssa Haney (left) laughs on stage with her castmates during the 2014 production of The Spitfire Grill.

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FINDING PURPOSE Continued From Page 11

Director of TNP) helped me with “Laugh For A Change” which featured Stage 2 Improv and aimed to benefit the United Arts Council. It was a lower ticket event that was for younger people who don’t have millions of dollars to give every year but still want to get involved in their community.”

A true leader, Alyssa rolls up her sleeves regularly to get involved around town. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, makes meals for Ronald McDonald House, teaches financial literacy at Collier County Public Schools, and gardens at the Naples Botanical Garden. After all of this incredible work, she’s still eager to find her next passion.

“I started branching out at the same time that TNP did. Bryce (Alexander) was working on ‘what can a theater do for the community?’ and it was parallel with me branching out and finding out what I could do more of for the community.”

There might have been a time when Alyssa lost her sense of purpose but there’s no question she’s found it. Not only did she bring herself back from the brink, she’s also offering a helping hand to all those in her community who need it.

Reflecting on her journey, Alyssa says,

“It’s taken a long time for me to be proud of who I am in my life, but I’m finally proud.”

TOP: Alyssa in The Taming of the Shrew during a performance on Baker Stage. MIDDLE: A talented actress and vocalist, Alyssa sings on stage during Shout! BOTTOM: Alyssa takes part in a sword-fighting demo during the Red Carpet Opening of Peter and the Starcatcher.

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239.263.7990

Proud to Support the Naples Players!

Berkshire Commons 7405 Devonshire Blvd (239) 314-0583

Collier 8635 Collier Blvd (239) 908-5878

Naples Main 3003 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 100 (239) 919-5888

Naples North 2370 Vanderbilt Beach Rd (239) 594-3177

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Immokalee 2470 Immokalee Rd (239) 908-5918

THE WEDDING SINGER

Federally insured by the NCUA.

PRESENT

THE WEDDING SINGER BOOK BY

Chad Beguelin & Tim Herlihy MUSIC BY

Matthew Sklar EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Bryce Alexander

LYRICS BY

WRITTEN BY

Chad Beguelin

Tim Herlihy

DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Dawn Lebrecht Fornara

SCENIC DESIGN

LIGHTING DESIGN

Mike Santos

SOUND DESIGN

Craig Walck COSTUME DESIGN

Charles Fornara Bradley Van Houten

STAGE MANAGER

Mollie LaTorre

Cole Butcher

Blackburn Hall • June 23 - July 25, 2021 Originally Produced by Margo Lion, New Line Cinema, The Araca Group, Roy Furman, Douglas L. Myer/James D. Stern, Rick Steiner/The Staton Bell Osher Mayerson Group JAM Theatricals Original Broadway production directed by John Rando

Orchestrations by Irwin Fisch

The Wedding Singer is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS ON ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW.

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CAST

(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Robbie Hart..................................................................................................................JOSEPH BYRNE Sammy.......................................................................................................................... ADAM FASANO Julia.. ............................................................................................................................ALYSSA HANEY Rosie........................................................................................................................... RUTH JOHNSON Angie.......................................................................................................... CHRISTINE MASTRANGELO Linda.. ........................................................................................................................... ERICA SAMPLE Glen............................................................................................................................ DAVID SHAFFER Jim the Drummer.............................................................................................................KENNY TRAN Holly........................................................................................................................... LINDSEY WALSH George....................................................................................................................... DOMINIC YOUNG Ensemble................................................................. LEONARD ALLEN, SADE BASSAN, ABBY CIABATON, JIM CORSICA, JESSICA DANIELS, LUKE DANNI, MAXINE DANNI, KAT EBAUGH, FRANKIE FEDERICO, KAY HARKINS, MADELEINE HOWE, DANAIA IVANOV, NAPHTAILDA JEAN-CHARLES, MONICA JOYCE, JOSEPH LOIACONO, ELIZABETH MARCANTONIO, SYDNEY MIXON, LEXI PIPER, ANDREW REID, EILEEN REYNOLDS, THOMAS RICHARDSON, CIARÁN WELCH

THE WEDDING SINGER BAND Keyboard I/Conductor: CHARLES FORNARA Reed I (Flute, Clarinet and Alto Sax): DANIEL G. KLIMOSKI; Reed II (Oboe, English Horn, (or Soprano Sax and Clarinet) Flute, Tenor and Baritone Sax): ZACH DEETER/STEPHEN J. PARKER; Trumpet: MIKE SANTIAGO; Guitar I: TIM TORRES; Guitar II: JOE FERNANDEZ/PAUL BUZINE; Keyboard II: DAVE GIPSON; Keyboard III: JEREMY F. GOODMAN/JULIE CARVER; Electric Bass: JOE CHOOMACK; Drums: SCOTT CRAWFORD; Percussion: OLIVIA FARRELL

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THE WEDDING SINGER

CREW Assistant Stage Managers ..................................................................... JULES BRANCHE, AMY TRAN Production Assistant........................................................................................................K.C. ALLEN Deck Manager.............................................................................................................. MANDA SMITH Backstage Crew...................................................................................................... CAROLYN D’ARCO, THOMAS DIDIER-HOLT, DAVIS PIPER Audio Engineer................................................................................................. BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN Assistant Sound Designer.............................................................................................. JACOB MYNY Audio Assistants................................................................................ OCEAN GUDUR, LOGAN WALDEN Assistant Lighting Designer.............................................................................HANNAH S. WOLLAND Light Board Operator...................................................................................................PATRICIA PUIA Flies.. .................................................................................. KEN BOUCK, BILL SHADE, ESTHER SNYDER Spotlight Operators............................................. NIKITA CHERNIN, LARRY LOVELL, DEB WESOLOWSKI Dressers.. ............................................................... CARLA BROOKS, CLAUDIA CAMILA GARAY PAUCER, PAMELA CARUSO, DEBRON KELLER MCCARTNEY, KIMBERELY ROPER, ANDREA TANNER Wig Designer/Technician...................................................................................... CLARA JEAN KELLY “George” Wig Provided By................................................................................................... WIGBOYS Wig Assistants.........................................................................GABRIELLE LANSDEN, KURA ROBINSON Costume Construction..................................................... JACK COLE, PATRICIA DEVINE, KAT EBAUGH, KAREN EZRINE, DEANE HAWKINS, LAURIE HEAVER, TJ JENKINS, JOAN LAUGHLIN, SANDY LOPRESTI, ANINE REES, ERICA SAMPLE, JEAN SNYDER, JANE STEELE, MARJORIE WATTS Select Costumes Provided by........................................ DRAMATIC IMAGES, INDIANAPOLIS, IN Properties................................................................... JILLIAN FEIGENBLAT, GABRIELLE LANSDEN Scenic Construction & Painting.................................. REX BURNS, TUCKER CLAREMONT, SID DAVIS, ED EZRINE, JOE FEMIA, SOPHIA GONZALES, SANDY KEELER, JOHN LANE, GABRIELLE LANSDEN, STEVE LEE, LARRY LOVELL, RUSS LOYET, RAY MARASCO, JEFF SMITH, MARY TAYLOR, MICHAEL TROOP, MJ WANN, NATALIA WURST, ED ZONNEVYLLE

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ACTS & SCENES Ridgefield, New Jersey - 1985

ACT 1 It’s Your Wedding Day... ........................................................................................... FULL COMPANY Someday. . ............................................................................................................ JULIA, ENSEMBLE Awesome.. ................................................................................................................ ROBBIE, JULIA Someday (Robbie’s Reprise).............................................................................................. ROBBIE A Note From Linda.. ...............................................................................................................LINDA It’s Your Wedding Day........................................................................................................ ROBBIE Pop!. . ............................................................................................. HOLLY, JULIA, ANGIE, ENSEMBLE Pop Playoff. . .................................................................................................................. ENSEMBLE Somebody Kill Me.............................................................................................................. ROBBIE A Note From Grandma...........................................................................................................ROSIE Pre-Casualty - Wedding Day. . ............................................................................ ROBBIE, ENSEMBLE Casualty of Love............................................................................................... ROBBIE, ENSEMBLE Come Out Of The Dumpster...................................................................................... ROBBIE, JULIA Today, You Are A Man.. .............................................................................. ROBBIE, SAMMY, GEORGE George’s Prayer................................................................................................................. GEORGE Not That Kind Of Thing.. ..........................................................................ROBBIE, JULIA, ENSEMBLE Saturday Night In The City. . .................................................................................... FULL COMPANY

15 MINUTE INTERMISSION

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THE WEDDING SINGER

ACT 2 Entr’acte..................................................................................................................... ORCHESTRA All About The Green................................................................................ ROBBIE, GLEN, ENSEMBLE All About The Green - Playoff. . ....................................................................................... ENSEMBLE Someday (Julia’s Reprise) . . ....................................................................................................JULIA Right In Front Of Your Eyes...................................................................................... SAMMY, HOLLY All About The Green (Reprise)...........................................................................................ROBBIE Single.................................................................................... ROBBIE, SAMMY, GEORGE, ENSEMBLE If I Told You............................................................................................................. ROBBIE, JULIA Let Me Come Home...............................................................................................................LINDA 50 Years............................................................................................................................GEORGE Not That Kind/If I Told You (Reprise)............................................................ROBBIE, JULIA, ROSIE Move That Thang... ..................................................................................................GEORGE, ROSIE “I Believe”..................................................................RONALD REAGAN IMPERSONATOR, ENSEMBLE Grow Old With You. . .................................................................................................. ROBBIE, JULIA Act II Finale. . .......................................................................................................... FULL COMPANY Bows. . .................................................................................................. FULL COMPANY, ORCHESTRA

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R A L SK UELIN BEG &

D N I H E R B GER I A P ER IN S W O G P IN D THE D E W E TH The Wedding Singer is based on the popular 1998 film of the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The show premiered on Broadway in 2006 and had several US tours beginning in 2007. The Wedding Singer was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

The musical features music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. Sklar and Beguelin have been a songwriting team for over 25 years. Between them are eight Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards and one Emmy nomination. Their critically-acclaimed Broadway musical The Prom recently ran at the Longacre Theatre and is currently a popular Netflix feature film starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and James Corden. The duo’s other Broadway credits include Elf and produced works Wicked City, Judas and Me, and The Rhythm Club.

“The Wedding Singer is among the most ingenious and amusing musical adaptations of a Hollywood film ever to reach Broadway.”

— TERRY TEACHOUT

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

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THE WEDDING SINGER

Sklar and Beguelin have been honored with the ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, the Gilman/Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Award, the Dramatists Guild of America Frederick Loewe Award for Dramatic Composition, The Edward Kleban Award, and the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award.

Their musicals have been produced around the world, and they’ve given back much to their profession by serving as mentors for the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, panelists for the ASCAP/Grow a Show workshop, and writing several numbers for Broadway Bares, the charity burlesque that benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

“Beguelin’s lyrics, combined with Matthew Sklar’s music, provide a light and catchy score that’s derivative of the sounds of the period but perfectly in tune with the plot and characters... I can’t wait to see it again.”

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

— MICHAEL DALE BROADWAY WORLD

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PROUD TO SUPPORT THE PERFORMING ARTS.

AND PROVIDE THE CULINARY ARTS.

Explore delicious crab from around the globe as well as our fresh-catch seafood menu. Artfully paired with our Sommelier-curated wine list. All complemented by live entertainment nightly.

Truluck’s proudly supports the Arts in Naples.

Here’s to hos pitality

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NAPLES 698 4th Ave. South 239 530 3131 TNP BACKSTAGE

THEwww.trulucks.com WEDDING SINGER

0 TOP 1

WEDDING SONGS

OF THE 1980’S

1

Eternal Flame

2

Time After Time

3

Islands in The Stream

4

Every Breath You Take

5

Up Where We Belong

6

Endless Love

7

Saving All My Love For You

8

You’re the Inspiration

9 10

THE BANGLES CYNDI LAUPER DOLLY PARTON & KENNY ROGERS THE POLICE JOE COCKER & JENNIFER WARNES LIONEL RICHIE & DIANA ROSS WHITNEY HOUSTON CHICAGO

Take My Breath Away

BERLIN

Open Arms JOURNEY

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WITH THE

DIRECTORS Get the inside scoop about the return of live musicals and more from Director and Choreographer, Dawn Lebrecht Fornara and Musical Director and Conductor, Charles Fornara.

n w Da L

ORNAR F T H C E EBR

s e l r a h C

RNAR O F ” LIE “CHAR

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does it feel to be back QHow doing a major summer musical?

A DAWN: It feels fantastic to be back. Over the

winter, we did a large musical outside, which was a huge challenge and a lot of fun, and we’ll have great memories of that forever, but it’s so great to be back rehearsing on the third floor and going back onstage in Blackburn Hall.

CHARLIE: I can’t wait to have a large, live pit orchestra again. Everything I’ve done since COVID hit has been with small combos or tracks. The energy of this show is powerful and I’m so happy to be making great summer theatre again!

A

THE WEDDING SINGER

The Fornaras on their wedding day.

Q

Did you have a Wedding Singer at your wedding?

CHARLIE: We were lucky enough to have a good friend and veteran of many Broadway shows sing at our wedding ceremony, and we also had a terrific band/DJ combo that was a big hit at our reception.

BOTH: We’ve been reminiscing with current cast members about our own wedding during this show. Jim Corsica and “Papa” Joe Loiacono are both in The Wedding Singer and were both at our wedding! Jim was one of our readers.

It was the wedding of the century! Fun fact: former TNP Artistic Director Dallas Dunnagan caught the bouquet! It’s been really fun remembering that great day while working on this show.

Q

Dawn, you have actually portrayed the character of Linda from The Wedding Singer in the past, what is like to be on the directing side now?

DAWN: As Linda, my involvement in the show was limited. Therefore, I am able to look at the show with a fresh viewpoint. Also, the director of that production was one of my mentors, Carl Rajotte, so it’s very exciting to get to make my mark on this show.

Dawn as Linda in The Wedding Singer

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

Q

What makes The Wedding Singer different from other musicals you’ve worked on?

DAWN: It’s the 80’s nostalgia. So many of the songs are inspired by all different types of 80’s music: rock, hip-hop, pop, new wave. I feel like every pop-culture reference from 1985 is in this show!

CHARLIE: Agreed! The keyboard sounds in particular are so evocative of that era. You’ll hear, for example, a tribute to Van Halen’s “Jump” as well as many other familiar, iconic sounds.

Q

What has been your favorite part of the rehearsal process for this particular show?

DAWN: It’s just so great and rewarding to see the growth of people. Many of our ensemble members (and some principals!) came up through our teen program, or are still in it, and they are reaching astonishing levels.

CHARLIE: I was really pleased when the cast came to the first music rehearsal, obviously having worked hard to perfect their harmonies.

That doesn’t always happen, and it sets such a good tone for the whole rehearsal process.

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SAVING THE ARTS

BY SUPPORTING OUR MISSION

Individual giving is a major source of funding as well as a lifeline for our scholarship opportunities to assist children and adults in the Naples community.

In our KidzAct program alone, nearly 80%

of children enrolled receive some degree of financial scholarship based on need.

Supporting our mission is easy and every dollar counts.

We have several opportunities to match your giving style and budget.

SOURCES of

EXPENSE

WAYS TO GIVE Direct Donations Recurring Donations Planned Legacy Gifts Major Gifts Program, Show, and Season Sponsorships SOURCES of

REVENUE

GENERAL

13% FUNDRAISING

6%

PROGRAMS PROGRAMS

82%

56%

CONTRIBUTIONS

44%

$

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GIVE RIGHT FROM YOUR SEAT!

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THE WEDDING SINGER

RECOVERING FROM COVID-19 From March through October of 2020, TNP experienced $1.6 million in lost revenue due to COVID-19 A

+$142.8k

B

-$180k

C

-$1.6M

$250k

$142.8k

A

B

C

-$180k

-$1.6M

$0 -$250k -$500k -$750k -$1M -$1.25M

in donations

-$1.5M

in ticket refunds

-$1.75M

in cancelled shows

TEXT "TNP" TO 239.349.3001 NOW!

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FUTURE FOCUSED

By Lauren Speirs

19-year-old Sade Bassan shines both on stage and behind the scenes at The Naples Players.

B

orn and raised in Naples, Florida, Sade Bassan started performing in musicals in high school and did her first show with The Naples Players (TNP) as a backstage hand for You Can’t Take It with You. Her first onstage appearance with TNP was in Moana JR. and she was happy to find a place to do more theater.

“When I first came here I was performing at my high school and wanted to do more beyond performing. My best friend, Amy Tran, was working here at TNP.” With working

backstage versus performing, Sade says she “found love in both of them and then the battle began - onstage or offstage?”

Currently, Sade is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Musical Theater as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Communications at the University of Tampa. For the immediate future, she would love more experience backstage as well as in the administrative office of the theater.

Sade Bassan (right) in the TNP KidzAct production of Moana JR.

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TNP BACKSTAGE

THE WEDDING SINGER

SPOTLIGHT ON:

SA D E BASSAN Looking further ahead, Sade says,

“I would like to run my own production company and create my own types of theater. I’m particularly passionate about representational theater - whether it’s race or gender. I would like to get those stories portrayed in an authentic way and create a space where I can produce and lead that.”

As far as The Wedding Singer goes, Sade says “I’m excited about the costumes - I have never worn an 80’s costume before! The fight scene has to be the most entertaining part. Everything about it is just so funny. We’re all throwing him into a dumpster and there’s just so much going on.”

S E BA SAD

SAN

Even when Sade is a performer for a show, she’s still paying attention to all of the details happening off stage.

“When I’m in the show and I hear the stage manager talking, I love hearing everything that’s going on.”

After The Wedding Singer, Sade will be busy with fulfilling her degree requirements and auditioning for musicals once she returns to school. She hopes to perform on stage five to ten times over the course of the semester. On her breaks, she will be sure to come back and visit TNP as she loves her work at the theater, particularly with the KidzAct actors!

The process to prepare the show is just as rewarding to Sade as being on stage. “The rehearsals are fun - the performers all know each other really well.

I missed dancing so much so I’m glad I got the opportunity to audition and be on stage here again.”

Sade’s main goal has always been to learn as much as she can about theater. “When I first started here, I dove really far into the backstage stuff. I even got stage manager certified with Cole (Butcher). Amy, Cole and I have a great relationship and I love helping out as much as I can.”

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In 2019, Sade was nominated for Broadway Stars of the Future.

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GET INVOLVED

JOIN OUR TNP FAMILY!

VOLUNTEERING AT TNP We have over 20 volunteer positions available throughout the year. No experience is necessary, just an eagerness to be involved. Additionally, volunteers have the opportunity to become members of the theatre. This gives volunteers voting privileges, discounts on education and tickets, and even free TNP swag!

ACTORS & ACTRESSES

SCENE SHOP

Come try out for a show! All of our performers are volunteers, with each cast being a mix of veterans, newcomers and novices.

Lend a hand with set construction, demolition, painting and the occasional prop fabrication. Get your hands dirty and have fun doing it!

BACKSTAGE CREW Fly rail, audio assistant, running crew, spotlight operator, board operator...the behindthe-scenes opportunities are endless!

COSTUME SHOP

USHERS Greet patrons, take tickets, work concessions, hand out programs and point out seats. Be the first friendly face patrons see and experience!

Assist with repairs, alterations, sewing, ironing, steaming, buttons, hems...you name it!

All of our costumes for every performance are made on site!

36

TNP BACKSTAGE

THE WEDDING SINGER

Over 600 volunteers logged 62,919 hours during our 2019-2020 season! That’s more than

seven years of time donated in just one season!

500 + HOURS Hildegard Carney Jack Cole Sid Davis

Frankie Federico Joseph Femia Jeremy Giovinazzo

Laurie Heaver Danaia Ivanov Elizabeth Marcantonio

Jeff Smith Manda Smith Amy Tran

250 + HOURS Leonard Allen Pamela Austin Sade Bassan Jenny Belandres Mackenzie Black Jacqueline Blanche Brian Boland Jules Branche Lucas Bueno Kevin Buja Kylie Campbell Wylie Cassidy Jim Corsica Patricia Devine James Duggan

Louise Eliot Shelley Gothard Kenneth Hardcastle Nancy Hayer Jeannine Hedberg Jesse Hughes Janis Kelly Gianna Koprowski Callie Lawfer Stephen Lee Joseph Loiacono Ray Marasco JJ Mazany Harry McCartney John McKerrow

Katie Meanor Harvey Millar Mary Mitchell Sydney Mixon Peggy Monson Tina Moroni Jack Norkeliunas Jennifer Price Rylee Price Bailey Reum Hunter Reum Thomas Richardson Brooke Rosenbluth Bernardo Santana Judy Scribner

Grace Serrano Judy Smith Esther Snyder Jean Snyder Roxanne Southers Logan Szittai Andrea Tanner Mark Vanagas Perry Ventro Debbie Wesolowski Dominic Young Elyse Yun

JOIN OUR FAMILY OF VOLUNTEERS Pamela Larkin Caruso DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERS plarkincaruso@naplesplayers.org (239) 434-7340, ext. 104

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RAPPING TO SUCCESS

By Lauren Speirs

How a unique talent helped Adam Fasano overcome early learning differences…

Originally from Dutchess County, New York, Adam Fasano started acting when he was just 8 years old. Adam’s mom was a professional actress until she started a family - then she opened a dance school as well as a theater company called Trinity Players. Her goal was to give her children a tight-knit community and an opportunity to perform with her theatre company.

While his relationship with the stage began with Trinity Players, Adam also expressed an interest in musicals and plays at school.

In his youth, Adam was diagnosed with global dysphasia which affects the brain’s language centers and leads to difficulty expressing and understanding language.

Many people that are affected by global dysphasia often have extreme difficulty reading, writing, understanding speech, and even speaking.

For Adam, his dysphasia even affected his ability to read and caused him to step away from theatre for a time. It was only through a newly 40

TNP BACKSTAGE

found passion for composing rap lyrics that Adam was able to teach himself how to read.

The rhythm of rapping made it easier for him to express and understand language. Little did he know that this new passion would open up a number of doors for him in the theatre world and beyond.

With newly found confidence and energy fueled by his love of rap, Adam rediscovered the theater as a great creative outlet for him and continued performing again in high school.

Despite the challenges he faced in stepping back in the spotlight, Adam found out that he not only enjoyed musical theatre, but really enjoyed acting in plays as well. “I liked the challenge (of performing plays over a musical) - I felt more grounded and more mellow.”

Adam was originally a snow bird; spending winters in Naples and summers back in New York. One day over the Christmas holiday in 2017 he was walking down 5th Avenue with his Mom and realized - “there’s a theater here!”

After further research, “I learned that The Naples Players (TNP) was a community theater and they were doing The Music Man later on that season.” At the time, TNP was hosting auditions for another show, My Fair Lady, but

THE WEDDING SINGER

SPOTLIGHT ON:

ADAM

FASANO Adam recalls, “I got scared because you have to call and make an appointment to audition. I thought, ‘that’s some Broadway type deal!’”

Luckily for TNP, Adam was feeling braver by the time auditions for The Music Man rolled around in 2018 and he landed the role of Tommy Djilas.

As far as his initial experience goes, Adam says, “It was great. Everyone was welcoming and there wasn’t a bad bone in anyone’s body. Dawn and Charlie (Fornara) are great and want to bring out the best in you. When you get hit with the reality of everyone’s energy, you just feel like you’re safe.”

After performing in The Music Man, Adam says,

“I caught the theater bug again and fell in love with acting. It (TNP) felt like what I grew up with - the sense of community and family.”

A

FA S A DAM

NO

As of 2020, Adam is a full-time Naples resident and has continued to focus his creative energy on furthering his rap career.

Despite his busy schedule, he keeps coming back to TNP for more theater! “I always say this is the last one - but then I get the bug after doing a show. It’s so great and you want more of that. It really has to do with the environment and how professional everyone is. No one takes themselves too seriously. You really feel like we are all in this together and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. That’s why I keep coming back.”

Continued On Page 42 >

Adam Fasano (far left) raps on stage in Baker Park during the recent production of Footloose.

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41

RAPPING TO SUCCESS Continued From Page 41

A man of many talents, Adam is passionate about martial arts, drawing sketches, rapping, and editing his own music videos. Also, he practiced gymnastics when he was a kid and, if you catch him in a TNP performance, you might see him do the odd back handspring!

“When I auditioned for The Music Man, they asked if I could do any tricks. I said I could do a back tuck and in my head I was thinking - can I still do this?! I did it and they were like- ‘you’re in!’”

Coming full circle, Adam recently put all of his talents on display during the outdoor TNP production of Footloose in February 2021.

In the lead role of Ren, Adam sang, danced, flipped - and yes, he even rapped - through a commanding performance that left audiences demanding more.

Thankfully, he’s back again for The Wedding Singer, this time in the supporting role of Sammy. But again he finds himself surrounded by familiar faces who support him and his craft to the fullest.

Adam’s appreciation for the supportive family environment at The Naples Players stems from the encouragement and community that was created by his mom. “She’s never critical after she sees one of my performances. She’s not judgmental and is really supportive. She’s also a snowbird so she gets to see me perform quite a bit at The Naples Players.”

We can only hope that Adam (and maybe even his mom) will continue to find comfort and support on and off the stage at TNP for years to come.

42

TNP BACKSTAGE

TOP: Adam back flips on stage during The Music Man. MIDDLE: Adam stars in the outdoor production of Footloose. BOTTOM: Showcasing his dancing skills, Adam joins the ensemble of Guys and Dolls.

THE WEDDING SINGER

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CAST BIOS LEONARD ALLEN. . ..........

(Ensemble) An upcoming sophomore, Leonard is enlivened to get onstage with his Wedding Singer cast. Recent performances with The Naples Players include Ensemble/ Footloose, Busboy/She Loves Me, and Kristoff/ Frozen JR. When not at TNP, he attends the Community School of Naples where he recently played Doody in Grease. He sends his love to everyone supporting live theater. He hopes you enjoy The Wedding Singer.

SADE BASSAN . . ...........

(E n s emble) i s a n upcoming sophomore at the University of Tampa.

She is a Musical Theatre & Communications, Media and Culture double major and is excited to be back at The Naples Players. Some of her favorite credits include Gramma Tala in Moana JR. and Shayna in Hairspray, a role for which she won a Broadway Star of the Future Award. Sade would like to thank her friends and family for always believing in her.

JOSEPH BYRNE............

(Robbie Hart) is absolutely psyched to be back on the Naples Players stage for the first time since 2017! Joseph is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, and has been playing guitar since 2016. His past roles include TJ/Sister Act, The Creature/Nick Dear’s Frankenstine, and Edna/Hairspray. I would like to thank each and every one of you for helping put theatre back in the Blackburn. Through every mask worn, every vaccine ‘gotten, and every social 44

TNP BACKSTAGE

‘distanced, you helped give actors like me and the cast of The Wedding Singer the hope and chance to help us do what we love again.

THANK YOU. You are all Awesome.

ABBY CIABATON .............

(Ensemble) is a recent graduate of Barron Collier High School and will be attending Northwestern Universit y for theatre starting this fall. She’s so excited to be in another show at TNP! Previous roles include Little Red Riding Hood/Into the Woods, Liesl von Trapp/The Sound of Music, and Eponine/ Les Misérables. She would like to thank Dawn, Charlie, and Erica for helping her grow as a performer.

JIM CORSICA .................

(E n s emble) wa s mo st recently seen in the Tobye Studio as Ranger Tom/ Escanaba in da Moonlight and on the Blackburn stage reprising the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls. Other recent TNP roles include: Jacy Squires/The Music Man, The Narrator/The Rocky Horror Show, Inspector Kemp/Young Franke nstein, a nd Sta ge Manager/Our Town. Elsewhere, Jim was Harry Brock/Born Yesterday and Batman (ret.)/Bruce Kane One-Acts for The Marco Players, Salieri’s Cook/Amadeus for TheatreZone, Bill Sr./ Clever Little Lies for The Studio Players, and Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare In Paradise’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.

THE WEDDING SINGER

JESSICA DANIELS..........

KAT EBAUGH ..................

(Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on the TNP stage!

She was last seen in Bye Bye Birdie as a member of the ensemble. Jessica would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support, as well as the entire TNP staff for making this all possible. Enjoy the show!

(Ensemble) is happy to be back at The Naples Players performing for the first time since Gypsy where she played Tessie Tura. She has been singing and dancing around Florida for the last 7 years with different vaudeville and cabaret groups in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and the occasional out-of-state festival. Most recently, Kat did a virtual show with the Lab Theater as the Little Mermaid in Disenchanted and an outdoor performance of Projekt Grotesquerie as The Matriarchy. You might also recognize her as one of the members of Stage 2 Improv, and TNP productions The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty), The Producers (Ulla), and Leading Ladies (Audrey).

LUKE DANNI . . ...............

(Ensemble) is an Equity Membership Candidate and is in the BFA Acting program at the University of Cincinnati Col legeConservatory of Music (CCM). Credits: Yonkers/Gypsy and Master Cricker/Drood at TheatreZone; Oscar/Newsies at FL Rep., Bill/ Mamma Mia! Teen, Barnaby/Hello Dolly!, Oscar/The Odd Couple, The Pajama Game (Prez), Charlie Brown (Schroeder), Fools (Leon), Fame (Nick), Camp Rock (Shane), Don’t Drink The Water (Walter), Aida, Showboat, Mikado (Nanki-Poo) and Iolanthe (Strephon) at Opera Naples.

ADAM FASANO................

(Sammy) is a native New Yorker. Some of his Naples Players cred its i nclude Tommy Djilas in The Music Man, Sky in Mamma Mia!, and Ren McCormack in Footloose. He is thrilled to be a part of another production with his favorite theatre company.

MAXINE DANNI. . ...........

(Ensemble) is 18 years old and will be attending University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in the fall! She is happy to be performing in the Naples Players production of The Wedding Singer and was last seen in the ensemble of TNP’s production of Footloose. She would like to thank Dawn, Charlie, her parents, and this amazing cast for making this such a fun experience. Hope you enjoy the show!

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

FRANKIE FEDERICO.........

(Ensemble) is 20 yea rs old and is excited to be in The Wedding Singer. He has been in many other productions at The Naples Players, including Catch Me If You Can, Les Misérables, Sister Act, and Chicago.

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CAST BIOS ALYSSA HANEY . . ............ ( Julia) is thrilled to return to the Blackburn Stage after a 5-year hiatus from p e r f o r m i n g . Fa v o r i t e previous credits include: Margot/Legally Blonde, Percy/The Spitfire Grill, Eileen/Moon Over Buffalo, and Katherine/ The Taming of the Shrew. In her 16 years at The Naples Players, Alyssa has given countless hours acting, stage managing, creating props, and working backstage, and previously served as the organization’s Executive Vice President. Alyssa currently serves on TNP’s board of directors.

All my love and gratitude to D&C – my friends who have become family and who have made this experience possible.

KAY HARKINS. ................

(Ensemble) New to Naples, Kay is overjoyed to join t he T N P f a m i ly! A f ter performing major dance roles in Rock of Ages and White Christmas (Theatre Tallahassee), she has spent the last 3 years professionally performing across Southern California. Kay is trained in stunt work, cirque, tumbling, and various outlets of dance, and she has enjoyed the opportunity to return to the theatre stage and share her talents under the bright lights!

MADELEINE HOWE ...........

(Ensemble) is an aspiring actress currently studying towards her BFA in Musical T h e a t r e Pe r f o r m a n c e .

Pre v iou s role s i nc lud e Cinderella/Into the Woods, First Old Woman/ Woman in Parliament, and Mrs. Potts/Beauty and the Beast. She is incredibly grateful to 46

TNP BACKSTAGE

The Naples Players for this opportunity and would like to thank them. She would also like to thank her parents and Levi for the constant support.

DANAIA IVANOV..............

(Ensemble) Graduating this year from Lely High, Danaia is so glad to end their year with the theatre that has been home for six years. They were last seen in She Loves Me, Mamma Mia!, and worked crew on Disney’s The Descendants. They will be attending university in Austria and hope you have a great time! Blagodarya Ti!

NAPHTAILDA JEAN-CHARLES. (Ensemble) is a graduated senior from GCHS and is very excited to perform this totally tubular show! This fall, she will be attending the University of Miami to earn her BFA in Musical Theatre and pursue her dream to perform on the stage. Her previous credits include Paulette Bonafonté/Legally Blonde, Maui/Moana JR., and The Witch/Into the Woods. Enjoy the show!

RUTH JOHNSON ..............

(Rosie) is pleased to be making her TNP debut.

She’s performed on dozens of stages in seven states.

Favor ite roles i nclude the title character in Mame, Sally Plumber in Follies and Mama Frake in State Fair. Thanks to Dawn for this role and to her husband Al for his love and support.

THE WEDDING SINGER

MONICA JOYCE ............

CHRISTINE MASTRANGELO .

(Ensemble) is a first grade teacher at L aurel Oa k E lement a r y S c ho ol i n Naples, Florida. She grew up p er f or m i n g i n t he KidzAct program and is very excited to be back in another production! Thank you to all of her family and friends for their continued support. Enjoy the show!

(Angie) Long live the 80s!

Originally from NY/NJ, Christine is thrilled to be bringing a lil’ Jerzey to SWFL. Christine has performed in NY/NJ, FL, and Shanghai in a variety of roles and loves performing and volunteering with The Naples Players. It feels like home. Special thanks to Dawn & Charlie for their trust and support. She is grateful to her amazing family - and TNP family as well.

To my partner in life Brad Brenner, you are my Always. This one is for all our “Saturday nights in the City.” Enjoy the show!

JOSEPH LOIACONO. . .......

(Ensemble) It has been my honor to have performed with The Naples Players for the past 18 years in 21 productions, and to be part of this show with such an outstanding cast. A special thank you to Charles and Dawn Fornara for their guidance and support. To my wife, Isabella, who is my rock and supports me in all my endeavors - my love to you always. God bless you all for coming back to the theater; we all appreciate your support and will continue to entertain you with outstanding productions.

SYDNEY MIXON . .............

ELIZABETH MARCANTONIO. (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is ecstatic to be back on the Blackburn Stage after a long hard year away from theatre. Endless thanks to EVERYONE who has worked and donated tirelessly to keep this place alive. We are SO lucky. Thank you Mom & Dad for your unwavering support that fuels me every day… and to my fluffy boy Gus for the cuddles when I get home at night. Credits: Rosie/Bye Bye Birdie, Eliza/My Fair Lady, Louise/Gypsy, Janet/The Drowsy Chaperone, Chicago, and more.

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

(Ensemble) is extremely g ratef u l to have the opportunity to be back on stage here at The Naples Players. Her last credits at TNP include Gloria Rasputin in Bye Bye Birdie, Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, and in Mamma Mia! as an ensemble member. She is honored to be a part of such a supportive cast, and wants to extend her greatest appreciation to the devoted team who has made this possible! Enjoy the show!

LEXI PIPER ...................

(Ensemble) is excited to be in her second production with The Naples Players.

She is currently enrolled at FGCU and studying theatre. Her other credits include but are not limited to: Ursula/Bye Bye Birdie and Anybodys/West Side Story. She would like to thank her family, friends, cast, and crew for their support! Enjoy the show!

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CAST BIOS ANDREW REID..............

ERICA SAMPLE ...............

(Ensemble) is the owner of Andrew Reid Fit. He is a martial artist, personal fitness instructor, master trainer, and a reggae and blues musician. Andrew has toured through Europe, New York, California, and Florida playing his music. He just completed his first film experience as an extra on Warrior Island.

This is Andrew’s first time acting on stage and he has enjoyed every minute of it. He looks forward to this production.

(Linda/Dance Captain) formerly known as Erica Wagner, is thrilled to be back in the theater she grew up in! She graduated from AMDA with her BFA in Music Theater, after attending both their NYC and Los Angeles Campuses. At AMDA, she performed several roles including Carla/Nine and Lucy/Avenue Q. Past credits include Sister Mary Robert/ Sister Act and Roxie Hart/Chicago and Sophie/ Mamma Mia! She’d like to thank the people who have made her education and experience possible. Love to mom, Dawn, and Charlie.

EILEEN REYNOLDS...........

(Ensemble) came to Naples from England in 1992 .

Most of her theatrica l experience was in the UK doing musicals and charity shows. She has been given the opportunity to perform in TNP’s productions of Young Frankenstein, My Fair Lady, Miracle on 34th Street, The Music Man, and White Christmas.

It has been a wonderful experience, and she considers herself fortunate to be a part of The Naples Players.

DAVID SHAFFER...............

(G l e n) i s e x c it e d t o b e back per form i ng l ive at T he Naples Players . He previously was seen on stage as Tommy in Making God Laugh and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls.

This past year David has spent a lot of time on his health and physical fitness and is proud to be a member of the 50 lb club! David looks forward to bringing Glen Guglia to the stage!

THOMAS RICHARDSON.....

(Ensemble) is a freshman at Florida State University studying marketing and advertising. He has been per forming w ith T he Naples Players for over 10 years and he is very excited to be back on stage after such a long time away!

48

TNP BACKSTAGE

THE WEDDING SINGER

KENNY TRAN . . ..............

CIARÁN WELCH . . ...........

( Jim the Drummer) is an i ncom i ng f resh ma n at FGCU. He is very excited to help kick off TNP’s return with its first musical of the season. He was last seen as Winthrop/Kiki/ Ensemble in GCHS’s Legally Blonde, and Jafar in TNP’s Disney’s The Descendants. He’s excited to be back with the Naples Players, and is even more excited to participate in his first adult show. He knows you’ll absolutely love this show because as they say, “Love is what I do!”

(Ensemble) is a 17-yearold junior at Saint John Neumann High School.

He h a s b e en i n p a s t performances with The Naples Players, including: Ensemble/Mamma Mia! Teen, Rolf/The Sound Of Music, and Ensemble/Footloose. Other past roles include Gomez/The Addams Family and Tony/West Side Story. He is very thankful TNP has given him to be a part of the adult production. He hopes to pursue a career in Broadway. He thanks Dawn and Charlie for all of their work and giving him the chance to participate in shows at TNP, and his family for their support.

LINDSEY WALSH...........

(Holly) is excited to finally be able to perform indoors again! Prior to moving to Naples, Lindsey spent 4 years as a performer at Walt Disney World. Previous roles at TNP include Ariel/Footloose, Ali/Mamma Mia! and Hot Box Girl/Guys and Dolls. Thanks to Dawn, Charlie, Cole and the entire cast and crew for your dedication to this production. Enjoy the show!

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

DOMINIC YOUNG...........

(George) is 18 years old and will be attending Kent State University to obtain a BFA in Musical Theatre in the fall. Some previous credits at TNP include: Willard/Footloose, Arpad/ She Loves Me, Ensemble/Mamma Mia!, Billy Flynn/Chicago Teen. Outside credits include: Joseph/Joseph... Dreamcoat, JD/Heathers, Link Larkin/Hairspray. He’s been a part of TNP since he was 4 years old and is so thankful for everything he’s learned here as well as the lifelong friendships he’s made. “I don’t know where I’d be without this place.” Enjoy the show!

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS K.C. ALLEN..................

CHARLES FORNARA. . ......

(Production Asst.) has been working with The Naples Players since 2016. She has been a part of multiple KidzAct shows; this is her first time on Crew. She is so excited to be in this excellent program and working with such amazing and talented people. Enjoy the show!

(Music Director/ Conductor) has previously conducted T N P ’s Bye Bye Birdie, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde, The Spitfire Grill, Les Misérables, All Shook Up, 42nd Street and many, many others, as well as over 20 teen productions for KidzAct. Also in Naples for TheatreZone, he has music directed more than 30 shows including this year’s Showstoppers series, Aida, The Secret Garden, Legs Diamond, Sweet Smell of Success, Grand Hotel, Little Women and Hair. Originally from Providence, RI, Chas conducted Jim Steinman and Roman Polanski’s Dance of the Vampires in Stuttgart, and has taught and coached singers all over the United States and Germany, now offering private lessons here in Naples. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has appeared in almost 100 musicals, operas and concerts, including several appearances here in Naples with TheatreZone, most recently as the title role in Sweeney Todd. Much love to his beautiful wife, Dawn, and a big thank you to this rockin’ band!

JULES BRANCHE. .............

(Asst. Stage Manager) is delighted to return to TNP in her 4th show as ASM. Previously she worked on the shows Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia!, and Bye Bye Birdie. Jules stage managed the hit show Escanaba in da Moonlight in November 2019. She looks forward to her next SM assignment, Savannah Sipping Society. Jules thanks all of her friends and family for their continued support as she dedicates her free time to the theater. She would like to send a special thanks to Donald for always being by her side.

COLE BUTCHER............

(Stage Manager) is in his eighth season with The Naples Players. Favorite shows he’s stage managed i nc lu d e F o o t l o o s e , S h e Loves Me, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Sister Act, Moon Over Buffalo, and The Rocky Horror Show. He received his BA in Stage Management from Western Michigan University. As the Internship Director he is thrilled to have the interns join the TNP team again!

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TNP BACKSTAGE

DAWN LEBRECHT FORNARA (Director/Choreographer) is a native of New York and has served as director and choreographer for TNP’s Footloose, Bye Bye Birdie, She Loves Me, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde, The Spitfire Grill and 42nd Street, among others, and with KidzAct for many productions, including Joseph...Dreamcoat,

THE WEDDING SINGER

Hairspray, Disney’s Camp Rock, Les Misérables and CATS. She has choreographed many shows for TNP, including All Shook Up, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Cabaret, and as a performer, she has been seen in the National Tours of 42nd Street, Seussical the Musical, Anything Goes and Grease. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, she has been seen here in Naples in TheatreZone’s Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Stepping Out with Donna McKechnie, Legs Diamond (Kiki) and Hair, among others. Other recent roles include Sheila (A Chorus Line), Sally Bowles, Velma Kelly, Bombalurina (Cats) and Ulla (The Producers). Love to husband Chas and her family.

CLARA JEAN KELLY........

(Wig Designer/Technician) is a wig technician, costume designer, technician, and shop manager based in Gainesville, FL. She has her MFA in Costume Design from Florida State University and does freelance costume design all over the United States. Clara Jean has previously worked as the Costume Shop Manager and a Costume Designer at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. She has performed duties as Costume Shop Manager, Adjunct Professor, and Residential Costume Designer at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and as the Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designer at Theater at Monmouth in Monmouth, ME.

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

MOLLIE LATORRE ............

(C o s t u m e D e s i g n e r) is in her third season with TNP as Costume Shop Supervisor. After g ra du at i n g w it h her Masters in Costume Design from FSU she joined the Creative Costuming team for Disney Parks Live Entertainment as well as freelanced as a designer in the Orlando area.

Previous design credits include Footloose, Yours, Truly, Bye Bye Birdie, and She Loves Me (TNP); Nunsense 2, The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical (TheatreWorks Florida); Fun Home, The Royal Family (Mad Cow); and Florida State University’s Cloud Nine, Killer Joe, Some Girl(s). She has previously worked at Utah Festival Opera and Music Festival, Olney Theatre Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

MIKE SANTOS. . .............

(Scenic Designer) recently designed the sets for Twelfth Night; The Descendants; Footloose; The Sound of Music; Yours, Truly; Bye Bye Birdie; She Loves Me; Escanaba in da Moonlight; and Mamma Mia! at TNP. Originally from Upstate New York, Mike received his BFA from Cazenovia College and has been in Naples since 2003. Much love to his better half, Judith and little buddy, Taz :-) As always, a big thank you to the volunteers for doing what they do best.

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS MANDA SMITH................

BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN.....

(Deck Manager) is happy to be part of the Stage Management team with p a r t ne r-i n- c r i me A my Tran for this beautif ul production of The Wedding Singer. Born in London, Manda worked during high school and college as a model/actor before moving to the US to start a career in advertising and design. This morphed into a love of home design, and she became a serial house f lipper. Manda returned to her theatre roots in 2005 when she started at TNP as Assistant Choreographer for the summer KidzAct shows, and what would go on to be approximately 52,476 runs of Nutcracker Goes Pop! Manda would like to thank her family for their unending love and support. Enjoy the show!

(S o u n d D e s i g n e r) i s starting his 9th season at TNP and is looking forward to the shows ahead.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Theatre: Design & Technical Production and Theatre: Stage Management from Western Michigan University. Having had the pleasure of working Off-Broadway on Soul Doctor and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brad is happy to be working at a theatre where every day brings on a new challenge. Select previous credits include Footloose, Mamma Mia!, Peter and the Starcatcher, Chicago, Maple and Vine, She Kills Monsters, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, and The 39 Steps.

AMY TRAN.....................

(Asst. Stage Manager) is returning to TNP as the stage management intern f or t he s u m mer, a f t er volunteering for the past few years. She is very excited about what the summer has to offer and is grateful to work with such an amazing cast and crew. Her most recent SM credits include Into the Woods and Becky’s New Car, and her most recent ASM credits include Footloose and Disney’s The Descendants. She is thankful for all TNP has taught her as well as her family and friends for their constant love and support.

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TNP BACKSTAGE

CRAIG WALCK...............

(Lighting Designer) After initially working for TNP from 2000-2006, Craig returned to TNP in 2011 after a five-year absence, during which he worked for Columbia University, The All-Stars Project, and other theatrical groups in New York City from 2006-2008. He then oversaw the completion of construction, opening, and first two years of operation of the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, FL from 2008-2011. Overall, Craig has designed the lighting for over 150 TNP productions. Originally from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, he once again calls Naples his home with his wife, Jessica, and their kids (dogs) Ziggy, Twoey, and Roscoe.

THE WEDDING SINGER

LEADERSHIP & STAFF 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PEGGY MONSON President

TERRY LIBBY Facilities

GARY PRICE City Council Liaison

ALAN JAFFE Executive Vice President

PAT POLLOK Development

TED BILL

OTTO IMMEL Secretary

BOB UEK Treasurer

ROBIN BACHE GRAY Membership

DENNY GLASS Immediate Past President

DEDE BROWNLEE ALYSSA HANEY PATTI HEPBURN ERIC OLSON CHERYL WATERHOUSE

TNP STAFF (ALPHABETICAL ORDER) BRYCE ALEXANDER Executive Artistic Director

LUKE JACONIS Box Office Assistant

LAUREN SPEIRS Marketing & PR Specialist

DOT AUCHMOODY Resident Costume Designer

MAYA KLEINSORGE Education Assistant

BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN Head of Sound & Projection

SCOTT BOISVERT House Manager

CHASE LILIENTHAL Technical Director

CRAIG WALCK Head of Lighting

BECCA BORCHARDT Assistant House Manager

MOLLIE LATORRE Costume Shop Supervisor

JESSICA WALCK Associate Artistic Director

COLE BUTCHER Production Stage Manager/ Internship Director

TREVOR LW LONG Director of Production

SUMMER INTERNS

PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO Director of Advancement & Volunteers KENZIE CURRIE Education Program Administrator JAMES DUGGAN Box Office Manager PAM HANSON Bookkeeper/HR Administrator CANDACE JOHNSON Director of Institutional Giving & Events

MARY ANNE McKERROW KidzAct Costume Designer DAN MILLER Assistant House Manager KATHLEEN PASLEY Director of Annual & Legacy Giving CRAIG PRICE Director of Community Education & Wellness MIKE SANTOS Resident Scenic Designer & Artist ESTHER SNYDER Company Manager

REACH OUT

JILLIAN FEIGENBLAT Scenic/Props Intern JACOB MYNY Sound Intern AMY TRAN Stage Management Intern TIM CASH Arts Administration Intern TJ JENKINS Costumes Intern DARCY REIMLER Education Intern HANNAH S. WOLLAND Lighting Intern

All emails are first initial, last name at naplesplayers.org (jsmith@naplesplayers.org)

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