The Fantasticks by Joe Ferriero

Presents

JUNE, 2014 W.H.A.T. Theatre In residence at

131 Midland Avenue, Kearny, NJ THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY FUNDS FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS/DEPARTMENT OF STATE, A PARTNER AGENCY OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, ADMINISTERED BY THE HUDSON COUNTY OFFICE OF CULTURAL @ HERITAGE AFFAIRS, THOMAS A. DEGISE, COUNTY EXECUTIVE, AND THE BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.

www.whatco.org West Hudson Arts & Theater Co. is registered 501(c)(3) corporation.

West Hudson Arts & Theater Company Presents

The Fantasticks Book by Tom Jones Music by Harvey Schmidt Lyrics by Tom Jones Based on Les Romanesques by Edmond Rostand

Directed by Robert Strauch Producer Gerald Ficeto Sound Design Michael Haefner Gerald Ficeto Choreographer Anja Deitmer Marketing Linda Kraus D’Isa W.H.A.T. Photographer

Musical Director Lisa Romero Costume Design Noelle Haefner Lobby Management Linda Kraus D’Isa Margaret Berko Graphic Design Gerald Vitale Joe Ferriero

Ed Civinskas

Lighting Design Gerald Ficeto

Ticketing/Financial Cecilia Lindenfelser Brown Paper Tickets

Lighting Operation Jill Duke

Stage Manager Tara DeAngelo Stage Assistant Harikleia Triano Set Design/ Construction Robert Strauch Mark Morchel Gerald Ficeto Noelle Haefner

Robert Strauch (Director) This is Robert’s 7th production with W.H.A.T. in 2 years, having appeared in Arsenic and Old Lace, It’s A Wonderful Life, Bleacher Bums, Godspell, Cinderella, and A Christmas Carol. This is his directing debut with W.H.A.T. Robert was the Mute in a production of The Fantasticks many years ago. I have always loved the show and wanted to do it again. The play with it’s simple plot, moving messages and great music makes it a warm and fun theatrical experience. Theater has always been a big part of my life since I started in my early teens at the Halfpenny Playhouse down the block. Over the years I have traveled far and wide to perform and I’m happy to have a theater group in Kearny again and the chance to be a part of it. Lisa Romero (Musical Director) Lisa graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Music Education where she studied piano and voice. She is now a general music teacher in Woodbridge, New Jersey and worship leader at Grace Presbyterian Church in Ewing, New Jersey. Her most recent projects include W.H.A.T.'s production of Godspell and Woodbridge High School's production of In the Heights. Lisa is so honored and proud to work with this amazing group of people. She'd like to thank Gerry Ficeto, Bob Strauch, and the entire cast for their hard work, vision, belief, and sense of humor! She'd also like to thank her family and friends who always support her endeavors. Indicates that this company member is making their W.H.A.T. Debut!

Properties Robert Strauch Francesca Stokes Noelle Haefner

Since its opening in May, 1960, at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York, and its subsequent revival at the Snapple Theatre Center, The Fantasticks has become the longest running production of any kind in the history of American theatre. Continuing its run in New York City, please visit www.FantasticksOnBroadway.com THE FANTASTICKS Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684

WHAT in-Kind Alliance Help Support W.H.A.T. by offering your goods, labor and or/services Do you have something to offer? Write on your business card what goods or services you would like to offer and leave it with a member of our staff. Everyone has something to offer ! Printing, technical supplies, food & beverages, T-shirts, design, marketing, photography, or video services. Let us Know ! Don't have a service to offer ? Monetary donations are always accepted! W.H.A.T. is a 501 (c) (3) taxexempt organization so all donations will be tax deductable.

Dann Pryce (Henry) Dann has been performing in one form or another since age 9 when he was an original member of the American Boys Chorus in Newark. He once performed Abbott & Costello's Who's On First? sketch at a school talent show. Dann was a co-founder of the improv group "Mental Floss," co-wrote/co-starred in a TV pilot, The Mr. Lawrence Program for USA Network, and performed standup comedy for 15 years. This is Dann's second show with W.H.A.T., his first being A Christmas Carol, where he played six roles, including Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley, and Fezziwig. Dann most recently starred as Groucho in the Insane Actors Comedy Theatre's Elephant Stew, a musical comedy tribute to the Marx Brothers. Geoffrey Waumans (Hucklebee) is thrilled to be part of this magical musical, his first appearance with W.H.A.T. He's been performing steadily since he was 14, first as a musician in various bands in the TriState area and in various Community Theater productions since 2010. Favorite past roles include Arsenic and Old Lace (Teddy Brewster), and B-I-N-G-O Spells Murder (Joey Verrichione). He also made his directorial debut in 2013, directing a dinner theater production of Murder Me Always. Geoffrey is extremely proud to be part of this talented cast. He'd like to thank everyone involved in the producing this wonderful show, and his family for their support and patience. Break a leg everybody!!!

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE IN SOME OF OUR SUMMER EDUCATION CLASSES—VISIT WHATCO.ORG/CLASSES FOR MORE INFO!

The Angry Coffee Bean 89 Ridge Rd North Arlington, NJ 07031 (201) 772-5554 Tickets for future productions will be available at the Angry Coffee Bean.

The Cast El Gallo .................................................................................. Dennis Oliveria Luisa ............................................................................ Kylie Marie Gonzalez Matt ..................................................................................... Michael Antonelli Hucklebee ..................................................................... Geoffery Waumans Bellomy ........................................................................... Johnathan Brandao Henry ............................................................................................. Dann Pryce Mortimer ............................................................................................. Jay Blau The Mute .................................................................................... Jack Haefner Act One OVERTURE ................................................................................ The Company TRY TO REMEMBER ........................................................................... El Gallo MUCH MORE ........................................................................................... Luisa METAPHOR ............................................................................ Matt and Luisa NEVER SAY "NO" ................................................. Hucklebee and Bellomy IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU PAY ... El Gallo, Hucklebee and Bellomy SOON IT'S GONNA RAIN .................................................. Matt and Luisa THE ABDUCTION BALLET ....................................................... The Company HAPPY ENDING ............................... Matt, Luisa, Hucklebee and Bellomy Act Two THIS PLUM IS TOO RIPE ................. Matt, Luisa, Hucklebee and Bellomy I CAN SEE IT ..................................................................... El Gallo and Matt PLANT A RADISH ................................................... Hucklebee and Bellomy ROUND & ROUND ......................................................... El Gallo and Luisa THEY WERE YOU .................................................................. Matt and Luisa TRY TO REMEMBER (REPRISE) ......................................................... El Gallo The Fantasticks will be performed with one 15 minute intermission.

W.H.A.T. Administration President: Gerald Ficeto Vice President: Mary Pat Shields Secretary: Linda Kraus-D’Isa Treasurer: Cecilia Lindenfelser, Esq. Legal Advisor: Thomas D. McKeon Esq. Artistic Director: Joe Ferriero

W.H.A.T. Operating Committee: Margaret Berko Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle Mark Morchel Michele Sarnoski Colin Shields

Who’s Who In The Company Michael T. Antonelli (Matt) Michael is proud to be performing in his 9th W.H.A.T. production as Matt in The Fantasticks. He is a junior at Kean University double majoring in Theater and Theater Education. His W.H.A.T. performance credits include The Cat in the Hat (the boy), Cinderella (Prince Charming) and Godspell (Judas). He also participated in the two 24 hour Musical Challenges, Rent and Back to the 80’s and the radio broadcast productions of War of the Worlds and It’s a Wonderful Life. His most recent performance was as Bill in a David Ives’ scene, Sure Thing at Kean University. His backstage credits include light board operator for Harold Pinter’s The Lover and lighting designer for scenes at Kean University’s production of In the Heights. Other credits include North Arlington High School’s productions of Footloose (Ren McCormack), Grease (Kenicki) and Les Miserables (Marius). Michael would like to thank his family and friends who support him in everything he does as well as the cast and crew of this iconic show! Jay Blau (Mortimer) Jay is a middle school math teacher at the Montclair Cooperative School in Montclair, New Jersey. Jay was most recently seen on the W.H.A.T. stage in A Christmas Carol. Prior to that, he had roles in Emma, 1776, Waiting for Godot, and The Good Woman of Setzuan. His favorite role of all time was that of Dr. Astrov in David Mamet’s interpretation of Chekov’s, Uncle Vanya. Jay would like to thank his children: Julian, Lazarus, Lemuel, Lilac and Jackson for supporting him through this process and believing in their daddy. Jonathan Brandao (Bellomy) Jonathan is from North Arlington, NJ. Last year, he played the role of Jesus in W.H.A.T.’s production of Godspell. His other theater credits include, A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Senex), Annie (Oliver Warbucks), and Bye, Bye Birdie (Mr. Harry MacAfee). Jonathan received his BA in Film from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is currently attending Felician College for a MA in Education. He is excited to be back on stage with W.H.A.T. Check out his website www.brandaofilms.com to find out more about his accomplishments.

Tara DeAngelo (Stage Manager) Tara started her training as a stage manager and set builder as an underclassman at ICHS. She has recently finished her ninth production there including, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, Annie, Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical, West Side Story and Into the Woods. She also has done set building and served as a stage manager for The Hackensack Cultural Arts Center working on The Odd Couple, A Christmas Carol, and The Wiz. She is employed at Brighton Asylum as a manager, involved in makeup, and set design. She has worked as a camp counselor for the summer theater camp in Hackensack and is excited to be a part of The West Hudson Arts and Theater Company and their production of The Fantasticks. Kylie Marie Gonzalez (Luisa) Kylie is 16 years old and a junior at Clifton High School. She is honored to work with this amazing cast and is grateful that they welcomed her with open arms for her first show here at W.H.A.T. Kylie was previously seen in Shrek The Musical, A Christmas Carol, and A Long Christmas Dinner this past year at CHS. She would like to thank her mom for encouraging her to audition for the show, her vocal coach Matt for all his help, also Rob and Lisa for giving her this opportunity. Kylie really enjoyed working on this show and hopes everyone enjoys the performance! Jack Haefner (The Mute) Jack is a Musical Theatre Major at High Tech High. This is his third time working with W.H.A.T. He has had a great time working on The Fantasticks and cannot wait to perform. Previous W.H.A.T. shows include Rent (Benny) and Stuart Little (Stuart). Other works include Avenue Q (Rod) and, Spring Awakening (Melchior). He would like to thank Rob for the wonderful direction and this great opportunity. He wishes his cast mates the best of luck in their performance and hopes for a great show! Dennis Oliveira (El Gallo) Dennis is extremely elated and proud to be in such an incredible show as The Fantasticks with such a talented cast. He would like to thank his mother for the support she gives him to pursue his dream of acting on the stage. As the youngest member of this wonderful cast, he will “Try To Remember” this Fantastic experience for the rest of his days. Other credits include: Hairspray, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka, and Urinetown the Musical. You can see Dennis this summer in Teen Drama’s The Addams Family!