Cast Biographies

Jo Atkinson

Jo Atkinson

(Marie) first joined The Naples Players in 1977. Her favorite roles with TNP (in that century) were Eliza/My Fair Lady and Corie/Barefoot in the Park. More recently, she has enjoyed being a part of the ensemble of Love, Loss and What I Wore and Always a Bridesmaid. Love and thanks to all her family for their support of “Grandma’s” need to be creative – especially her husband’s patience with The British Invasion on the homefront!

Gerrie Benzing

Gerrie Benzing

(Ruth) is thrilled to be making her acting debut at The Naples Players. She recently appeared as Theresa in The Studio Players production of Circle Mirror Transformation. She is very active in theater in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area and has appeared in Miss Witherspoon, Best Man, and Play On at the Lab Theater, Maid Marion and The Marriage Counselor at Theater Conspiracy, The Full Monty at New Phoenix Theater, and numerous productions at the Cultural Park Theater. Favorite past roles include Sheree/ Dixie Swim Club, Bella/Angel Street, Veta/ Harvey, and Christine/The Bad Seed. Gerrie wants to thank Director Bryce Alexander for this opportunity and is looking forward to getting to know the TNP theater family.

Brad Brenner

Brad Brenner

(John) is pleased to be performing again with TNP! He has performed in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey in The Rimers of Eldritch, A View from the Bridge, The Miracle Worker, and many others. He has performed in Coney Island Christmas, My Fair Lady, Sister Act, Miracle on 34th Street, Chicago, and Footloose with The Naples Players. Brad is happy to be part of the wonderful TNP family! He thanks his wife Christine Mastrangelo who currently puts up with his nonsense, and his twin daughters Erin and Kelsey who used to put up with it.

Hayley Burns

Hayley Burns

(Elaine) is thankful and excited to be making her TNP debut! She has fond memories of her years in youth theater in southeast Michigan where her favorite role was as “Available Jones” in Li’l Abner (a play that certainly didn’t stand the test of time). She would like to thank The Naples Players for seeing her inner “theater kid” spark and giving her something to look forward to after the past strange year. Endless gratitude to her dad for his unyielding support of all her pursuits. Dedicated to her mom, who was her first audience and best improv partner, and is missed every day.

Joshua Evans

Joshua Evans

(Lawrence) was born in Naples, Florida. He moved to Miami to live with his aunt to attend New World School of the Arts and study acting and theatre. After graduation, he was accepted to AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts and made the move to Los Angeles, California to attend for further training. Within the 2 semesters he has attended so far, he has made connections with voice recording and tv production company BangZoom entertainment, and is now represented by Atlas Talent for voiceover work. Due to the pandemic, Josh now finds himself back in his hometown to hone his craft and continue learning through new experiences.

Darlyne Franklin

Darlyne Franklin

(Celia) is a career comedy writer. She was one of the early pioneers of interactive theater. In 1992, she wrote and produced Joey & Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding which is still in production today! She is a graduate of the sketch writing programs at UCB and Second City in Los Angeles. Last year she wrote and performed sketch comedy in the Tobye Theater and was Claire in Neil Simon's Rumors at The New Phoenix Theater in Fort Myers. This is her second time in a “stage play” in over 30 years. Thanks to her husband Paul for all his support and encouragement.

Cindy Hile

Cindy Hile

(Understudy) is pleased to be performing again at The Naples Players, having previously appeared in Guys and Dolls and Readers Theatre. She recently appeared at The Studio Players as Margaret/Walter Cronkite is Dead and has performed at The Marco Players, Bonita Center for the Arts, The Lab Theater, and in commercials and independent films. Cindy is a tap dancer and performs with the Recreation Tappers of SWFL. A special thanks to her husband Bob for his encouragement, to Diane for her teaching and guidance, and to Bryce for this very special opportunity!

Paul LoPresi

Paul LoPresti

(Rod) Paul is excited to perform on The Naples Players’ stage again. Performing recently at The Marco Players theatre in one of his favorite roles as Paul Verrall in Born Yesterday, The Spirit of Bay Manor, and The Bare Truth. He has performed in several musicals at TNP in the productions of Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, and Miracle on 34th Street to name a few. He would like to thank E.J. and his family for their support.

Darlene Miller

Darlene Miller

(Jessie) has acted since age 18, earning her SAG card in the 1990’s. After moving to Naples in 1976 and performing at Gulfview Middle, then the old Kon-Tiki theater, business commitments intervened. She’s enjoyed being a longtime member and subscriber. Her last foray at TNP was Love, Loss, and What I Wore in 2015. She is delighted to be a part of The Naples Players and thanks her very supportive husband Mark.

Peggy Monson

Peggy Monson

(Chris) is excited to make her debut with The Naples Players. In the last century she played Jenny Diver/ The Threepenny Opera, Lysistrata/Lysistrata, Mrs. Antrobus/Skin of Our Teeth and Serafina Delle Rose/The Rose Tattoo. Then came a brief 25-yr. gig in banking on Wall Street. She thanks Ray Marasco for introducing her to the Naples Players family, Diane Davis for teaching her trust, Jessica Walck for teaching her truth, and Jim Monson for his incomprehensible love and support.

Paulette Oliva

Paulette Oliva

(Annie) is thrilled to be performing with The Naples Players and this amazing group of women! She has performed at numerous regional theatres and Off-Broadway. Favorite shows and roles include: Gypsy/Mama Rose, Sister Act/Mother Superior, Master Class/ Maria Callas, Carrie/Mother, The King and I/ Anna, Sweeney Todd/Mrs. Lovett and the East Coast regional premiere of Next to Normal/ Diana. Paulette has invested in the recent Broadway productions of Rocky the Musical, and last season’s Tony Award nominee for best musical – The Prom. When not performing, her “Calendar” is busy with her “Ideal Husband” Pete McClung, and 3 beautiful daughters – Cristin, Caitlin, and Emily!

Roseann Ruggiero

Roseann Ruggiero

Roseann Ruggiero (Lady Cravenshire/Brenda Hulse) recently in TNP’s Footloose and Bye Bye Birdie, Roseann has studied acting with - among others - Uta Hagen and Bill Hickey. A transplant from NJ, she has been an actor and director for many years. Favorite roles include: Clairee/Steel Magnolias, Nora/Love, Loss and What I Wore, Felicia Dantine/I Hate Hamlet.

Norman Toback

Norman Toback

(Liam) is thrilled to be back at The Naples Players once again. He appeared with TNP Readers Theatre as Dave in Opposites Attract and most recently was cast by The Lemon Bay Playhouse as Harry in Prisoner of Second Avenue. He is grateful to the cast and crew for making him feel welcome! He thanks his wife, Ilona and daughter, Caryn for all their support and encouragement.

Jackie Weiner

Jackie Weiner

(Cora) is thrilled to have joined TNP in the past year performing virtually as Ginger in Becky’s New Car. Ecstatic to be performing live on stage as Cora in Calendar Girls. Jackie has been involved in theater both on and off the stage including voiceover since moving from the UK over two decades ago. She would like to thank TNP for giving her the opportunity to perform in this inspiring true story. Her amazing cast and crew, so fun! And finally, big hugs and thanks to her family for their love, patience, and understanding of commitment.