The community theatre company in residence at
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts
10 Durand Road, Maplewood, New Jersey
2020 - 2021 Season
Due to the pandemic, all planned productions will be rescheduled to a future season.
Until then, please join us for a monthly program of live performances via Zoom...
All the World's a Virtual Stage
Submissions for original or published performance pieces are welcome. Contact us for information.
A recorded performance will be available soon on YouTube.
Please check back.
The Program
The Wickham Way
Written by Rachel Rubin Ladutke, Music by Lisa Brigantino
Directed by Arlene Schulman
Produced by Molly Eisert
CHARACTERS
LIZA COOPER
A rising singer/songwriter, and a native of Wickham, Vermont, 27
MARTI (MARTHA) KAPLAN
LIZA’s life partner, 29
SHELBY BREWSTER
a native of Wickham, Liza’s aunt, late 30s
ABNER MORSE
a native of Wickham, recently widowed, late 70s
CHARLIE MORSE
Abner’s grandson, Liza’s childhood buddy, 27
SETTING
Abner’s home, the Wayfarer Inn in Wickham, Vermont.
A snowy weekend in February.
The present.
ACT ONE
Scene One: Friday. Around 5:30 p.m. Scene Two: Around 11:30 p.m. that night.
ACT TWO
Scene One: Saturday. Late morning. Scene Two: Around 11:30 p.m. that night.
THE CAST
Jessica Katz (Marti Kaplan) is super excited to be performing once again with the Maplewood Strollers and playing the role of Marti as well. She has done this role, as well as the role of Liza, in earlier workshops. Recent local credits include a scene in The Strollers Virtual Stage production Lady Parts, The Importance of Being Earnest (Miss Prism), Working, the Musical (Grace/Millworker), Title of Show (Susan), 1776 (all female production, Richard Henry Lee), Into the Woods (Jack's Mom, Cinderella's Father, Mysterious Man, Granny), and A New Brain (Mimi Schwinn). Thanks to the entire team and all of the talent involved. Thank you to Rich for all of your support and love and this wonderful cast and Rachel for her words.
Kay Koch (Liza Cooper) is very happy to have been part of Rachel's development of The Wickham Way from its inception nearly (is it possible??) a year ago! She is an NJ-based musical theater actress whom you may have seen "pre-pandemic" in local productions of Mamma Mia! (Tanya - Gas Lamp Players), 1776 (Thomas Jefferson - OffBook Productions), Into the Woods (The Baker - Studio Playhouse) and Gutenberg! The Musical! (Dee - OffBook Productions). She sends her thanks to Rachel and all the fabulous Wickham casts past & present as well as her endless love to Packy and "our five fur-kids."
Eileen Mager (Shelby Brewster) is an actor/singer who regularly performs with Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company and Eccentric Theater Company. She has also appeared locally with the Players Guild of Leonia, Bergen County Players, and 4th Wall Theatre, Inc. She is thrilled to be back in Wickham with her dear friends, old and new.
Joey Nasta (Charlie Morse) is an actor, director, and writer. Some favorite past roles: Virginia Woolf's Orlando (Archduchess/Chorus), Bent (Rudy), The Dreamer Examines His Pillow (Dad), all at Fordham; Sweeney Todd (Anthony) with Eccentric Theatre; and The Ugly Kids at the Wild Project. Upcoming: Directing Much Ado About Nothing with Rogue Ensemble. Joey received a B.A. in acting and directing from Fordham University. In the daylight hours, Joey works in fundraising at the Play Company and Ensemble Studio Theatre, and is co-artistic director of Rogue Ensemble.
Joe Rothstein (Abner Morse) is delighted to make his first Strollers appearance, however remote it is. He is honored and humbled to be a part of Rachel's amazing play with super talented castmates. Joe has appeared onstage at Y-PAC in Clifton, Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Co., and did improv as a member of the New Jersey Mental Health Players. He looks forward to our all being able to present onstage in-person again.
Lisa D'Agati Geerhart (Stage Directions, 5/23) has been involved in community theater for over 5 years and is currently stage managing Effigy: A play. Effigy will be part of Summerfest at the Hudson Guild in New York. She lives in Rochelle Park, this is her first appearance in this play (which she loves) and with The Strollers!
Marisa Dolkart Herling (Stage Directions, 5/20) has been an active member of the Northern New Jersey theater community since moving to the area from the Finger Lakes Region of NY in 2002. She is currently a member of the Bergen County Players, Elmwood Playhouse and Players Guild of Leonia. She thanks the cast and crew for inviting her to participate in The Wickham Way!
PRODUCTION TEAM
Rachel Rubin Ladutke (Playwright) has written 8 full-length plays, 3 musicals (of varying lengths), and numerous shorter works, many of which have been produced, workshopped, and/or excerpted for publication. Most recently, The Understanding was streamed as a fundraiser for the North NJ chapter of Amnesty International. She is delighted to return to The Strollers, where she directed Working in late 2019. Both Arlene Schulman and Lisa Brigantino are long-time collaborators. The Wickham Way is very close to her heart, and she is deeply grateful to the wonderful actors who have helped her develop and fine-tune it over the Internet since last summer, including this fantastic cast! She looks forward to seeing her plays (particularly this one) on a physical stage in the near future. She is currently working on her next full- length script, Richmond Underground. Rachel is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild and the International Centre for Women Playwrights.
https://rachelwrites67.wixsite.com/website
Lisa Brigantino (Composer) is an award-winning composer, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist working in a variety of genres and styles. She performs her original music live as well as composes for film, television, theater and more and provides music supervision, licensing and rights clearance services via her company Hidden Pond Productions, Inc. Lisa’s commercially released albums and singles have received critical acclaim and ‘Round Magazine says of her latest album I’ll Waltz Before I Go, "Nearly every track is a standout…This is a stunner of an album.” Lisa was an original member of Lez Zeppelin, the world’s first all-girl Led Zeppelin tribute band and toured internationally with the band playing bass, bass pedals, mandolin, and keyboards and doing backing vocals. For more information, please visit www.lisabrigantino.com
Arlene Schulman (Director) has been acting and directing throughout the NYC/NJ area and beyond for almost 40 years. As a dramaturg, script consultant, and director-in-development, she works directly with playwrights to help them bring their plays to life. Arlene has been collaborating with Rachel Rubin Ladutke in this capacity for over 20 years, and is terrifically excited to share with you the latest results of that collaboration, this thoughtful and heartwarming play - The Wickham Way!
Molly Eisert (Producer) has been a member of The Strollers for many years. She currently serves as the Vice- President and Membership Chair. Upcoming productions include the Strollers 90th Anniversary Gala and the Sonder Stage Festival, which will focus on new and historically marginalized voices.
MUSIC CREDITS
SARAH
© 1991 Words and Music by Lisa Brigantino
Published by Brigmusic (SESAC)
THOSE DAYS
© 1985 Words and Music by Lisa Brigantino
Published by Brigmusic (SESAC)
EVERY DAY’S A JOURNEY
© 2014 Words and Music by Lisa Brigantino
Published by Brigmusic (SESAC)
I WILL
© 1991 words and music by Lisa Brigantino
Published by Brigmusic (SESAC)
Visit Lisa’s website at www.lisabrigantino.com
The playwright expresses special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to director/dramaturg Arlene Schulman, who has been an invaluable asset to The Wickham Way throughout its development process. Arlene’s contributions, diligence, and enthusiasm have helped deepen, inform, and shape both the characters and the story.
Click here to watch a recorded performance on YouTube.
Adapted and directed by
Carol Cornicelli
The program
PROLOGUE
Gene Ciccone (Strindberg)
Betty Slevin (Interviewer)
Readers: Sandra Eismann, Mateo Moreno, Melyssa Searcy, Robert S. Webb, Amanda Feliciano
AN ATTEMPT AT REFORM
Melyssa Searcy (wife)
Robert S. Webb (husband)
Sandra Eismann (narrator)
CHEATED
Amanda Feliciano (wife)
Mateo Moreno (husband)
Betty Slevin (narrator)
DUEL
Jennifer Padley (wife)
Rashad Davis (husband)
Amanda Feliciano (narrator 1)
Melyssa Searcy (narrator 2)
Mateo Moreno (narrator 3)
AUTUMN
Dena Daniel (wife)
Ron Richardson (husband)
Sandra Eismann (narrator 1)
Robert S. Webb (narrator 2)
EPILOGUE
Gene Ciccone (Strindberg)
Betty Slevin (Interviewer)
Carol Cornicelli is an actress/singer/dancer who has also directed, written, choreographed, and designed for The Strollers and currently serves on the Board of Directors. The adaptation of literary works for the stage (virtual or otherwise) using the method called Chamber Theater is one of Carol’s favorite activities, and she has enjoyed the opportunity The Strollers Virtual Stage has given her to use this theatrical technique. Thanks to all for joining us on our Virtual Adventure!
The cast
Gene Ciccone has been a Stroller for over 25 years, serving on the board and appearing in numerous producons. He is very pleased to be performing again with his "home" theater
company. Some of his favorite roles with The Strollers are Lawrence (Dirty Roen Scoundrels), The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince (Into The Woods), Otto Frank (The Diary of Anne Frank), and Sanago (Anna in the Tropics).
Dena Daniel wears many hats in The Strollers. Though primarily on the administrative and production side lately, she also acts and sings. Favorite roles include Velma von Tussle (Hairspray), Mrs. van Daan (The Diary of Anne Frank), Veronica (God of Carnage), and Tom Snout (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Dena has directed workshops and children’s theater, and directed November’s Virtual Stage production of ‘Art’. Dena salutes the hearty souls endeavoring to keep live theater alive, especially the Virtual Stage ninja warriors!
Rashad Davis is a performer with over twenty years of stage acting experience. His previous productions have included, The Colored Museum, Lysistrata, One Hour to Live, Matilda and Parade, for which he won an Old Library Theatre Best Featured Actor Award. Rashad’s more noteworthy roles have included Nick Sakarian (Baby, the Musical), Grant Wiggins (A Lesson Before Dying), Marc Antony (Julius Caesar), Noah “Horse” Simmons (The Full Monty), and the title role in Othello
Sandra Eismann is very happy to be part of The Strollers Virtual Stage productions. Though semi-retirement has been spent reading -- for the now tragically silenced ESES of N.J. and still for the Reading Buddies program out of MetroWest -- she appeared on the stage in such roles as Aunt Penniman (The Heiress) and Psychiatrist (The Sweetest Swing in Baseball).
Amanda Feliciano is thrilled to be acting again with The Strollers in their virtual shows! Her past credits with them have been Tzeitel (Fiddler on the Roof) and Miranda (The Electronic Dragon). She also had the pleasure of assistant directing the Strollers' children's plays The Day the Rainbow Broke Up and How the World Got Wisdom. She can't wait till she can act on a stage with them again! Stay safe!
Mateo Moreno is an NYC based artist who is thrilled to be back with The Strollers. His play Pitch has recently been published as part of the play anthology “We’re Not Neutral” and is now available to purchase on Amazon. Past credits with The Strollers: ‘Art,’ An Enemy of the People, and Holiday Hauntings. Other recent credits: The Rite-ing on the Wall, Krampus Search 2020, MetalBird, For the Love of Lina, Not-Knowing, Pride & Prejudice, Dead Wait: A Journey into Afro-Existentialism. Mateo also reviews films at “The ArtsWire Weekly” and is a proud ensemble member of “Rising Sun Performance Company.” Wear a Mask. Get Vaccinated. #BLM #StopAsianHate
www.Mateo-Moreno.com www.TheArtsWireWeekly.com
Jennifer Padley is delighted to return to The Strollers, having last been seen in A Midsummer Night's Dream and An Enemy of the People. Jennifer is a graduate of the conservatory program at the Atlantic Acting School, NYC. Previous work includes Romeo and Juliet, Our Country's Good, Among Roses and the Ash, and the short film, Drift.
Ron Richardson is a veteran of New Jersey stages, featured in productions for many area companies. Some notable roles with The Strollers include Peter Stockmann (An Enemy of the People), Albert/Kevin (Clybourne Park), and Lt. Col. Nathan R. Jessep (A Few Good Men).
Melyssa Searcy is a NJ native who has been performing since she was 14. She is excited to continue her theatre endeavors even during this pandemic. She made her Strollers debut as Fruma-Sarah (Fiddler on the Roof) and then was a featured soloist in Working, A Musical, and a caterpillar in the children’s show How the World Got Wisdom.
Betty Slevin has been a proud member of The Strollers since 1987, serving on the board and performing in shows. Now living in PA, she is thrilled for the opportunity to perform again in the group’s Virtual Stage program. Favorite roles with The Strollers include Drood (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), The Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), and Desiree (A Little Night Music).
Robert Sebastian Webb is honored to be returning to The Stroller’s (virtual) stage. Having honed his virtual performance chops with NY based theater groups in Socially Distant Shakespeare and Naked Angles: Tuesday’s @9, he looks forward to working alongside fellow New Jersey thespians. Favorite roles include Stephano (The Tempest), Paroles (All’s Well That Ends Well), and Lee (True West). Visit his website for more: http://bit.ly/2k39nTA
MARCH
Click here to watch a recorded performance on YouTube.
The program
“Phenomenal Woman”
by Maya Angelou
Read by Melyssa Searcy
“Need to Nurture”
A monologue written and performed
by Debbie Buchsbaum
“Mommy ‘Me Time’ in Quarantine”
A monologue written and performed by Tanya Lashley
The Odd Couple (female version)
by Neil Simon
A scene performed by Judy French, Judi Gajary,
Georgiana Hart, Ellen Moschel, and Fran Shultz
“Special Package”
A monologue written and performed by Molly Eisert
“Telling Mom”
A monologue by Karen Dale Wolman
Performed by Ginny S. Crooks
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
"Sisters"
by Delia and Nora Ephron
Performed by Debbie Buchsbaum, Brooke Kaye, and Amanda McCabe
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
“The Dressing Room”
by Delia and Nora Ephron
Performed by Sharmeen Azmudeh, Melyssa Searcy,
Vlada Borisova-Duran, Ginny S. Crooks, and Fran Shultz
Table Manners
by Alan Aykbourn
A scene performed by Mary Clare Cardoni and
Carol Cornicelli
"Sex change"
A monologue by B. Holder
Performed by Vlada Borisova-Duran
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told
by Paul Rudnick
A monologue performed by Jess Katz
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
“Brides”
by Delia and Nora Ephron
A scene performed by Sharmeen Azmudeh and
Brooke Kaye
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
by Alan Ball
A scene performed by Jessi Baden-Campbell, Jess Katz, Amanda McCabe, and Cyndi Owgang
The Hysterical History of the Trojan War
"Cassandra"
by D. M. Larson
A monologue performed by Vlada Borisova-Duran
“A Conversation with God While
Waiting in Line”
An editorial by Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Performed by Carol Cornicelli and Sandy Eismann
It Had to Be You
by Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna
A monologue performed by Betty Slevin
“Phenomenal Woman”
by Maya Angelou
Read by the company
Click here to watch a recorded performance on YouTube.
Written and directed by
Beth Seales Hanson
Technical direction by
Carol Cornicelli
CAST
Chavi Dock
Dylan Graham
Georgia Rubenstein
Leo Hanson
Lexi Jean Muraca
Lukas Rubenstein
Mercer Barton-Griffin
Romon 8 Danuser
Ryan Macklin
Violet Hanson
Zoe Hanson
Special guest star . . .
Jigsaw
FEBRUARY
Click here to watch a recorded performance on YouTube.
PROGRAM
Donald Pauselius (Producer/Director)
“Creation” by James Weldon Johnson
Ensemble
“The Slave’s Complaint” by George Moses Horton
Idris Talbott
Young Harriet Tubman by Mary Satchell
adapted and directed by Marcia Heard
Ivy Hill-Vailsburg Center for Arts Culture and Community Activism (ACCA) performers: Friday, Malachai Stewart, Isaiah Stewart, Pamoja Days
Historical Profile: Charles Henry Turner
Ron Richardson
“I Know Where I’ve Been” from the musical Hairspray
Melyssa Searcy
1980 (or Why I’m Voting for John Anderson) by Patricia Cotter
Rashad Davis (monologue)
“Gravity” by Rachel Grismer
Rachel Grismer
Historical Profile: Jane Cooke Wright
Aba
“The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes
Ron Richardson
“Come Rain or Come Shine” by Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer
Rashad Davis
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson (three monologues)
Idris Talbott, Aba
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (scene)
Rashad Davis, Rachel Grismer, Marcia Heard, Melyssa Searcy
“We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Monique Bosrock
District Merchants by Aaron Posner (monologue)
Ron Richardson
Historical Profile: George Edward Alcorn, Jr.
Melyssa Searcy
Blue Door by Tanya Barfield (monologue)
Aba
“Interracial” by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Monique Bosrock
District Merchants by Aaron Posner (monologue)
Idris Talbott
“If You Believe” from the musical The Wiz
Maya Davis
Historical Profile: Zelda Wynn Valdes
Monique Bosrock
The Fantasticks (monologue)
Lisa Peterson
“The Black Finger” by Angelina Weld Grimké
Aba
“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
Ensemble
DECEMBER
PROGRAM
Introducing America to a curious British tradition
Chris Farrow, an actual Brit
Yule Horror
by H.P. Lovecraft
Chris Farrow
“Haunted Wonderland”
Adapted and performed by Beth Seales-Hanson
with Zoe, Violet, and Leo Hanson
The Ghost Who Vanished by Degrees
Based on the short story by Robertson Davies
Adapted and directed by Dena Daniel
Dena Daniel, Alicia Dennis, Jeff Parsons
The Meeting
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Chris Farrow
The Ghost of the Blue Chamber
Based on the short story by Jerome K. Jerome
Adapted and directed by Carol Cornicelli
Gene Ciccone, Jim Knight, Ron Richardson, Mathew Schwartz
“Santa Clause Is Coming to Town”
Sharmeen Azmudeh, with Marilyn Monroe and Merlin
Stopping by Woods
by Molly Eisert
Directed by Dena Daniel
Alicia Dennis, Jeff Parsons, Mathew Schwartz
“Baby, It’s COVID Outside”
Adapted and performed by Betty Slevin and Gene Ciccone
The Shadow
Based on the short story by Edith Nesbit
Adapted and directed by Carol Cornicelli
Amanda Feliciano, Mateo Moreno, Jennifer Padley,
Melyssa Searcy
Bells (II)
by Edgar Allen Poe
Sharmeen Azmudeh & co.
Smee
Based on the short story by A.M. Burrage
Adapted and directed by Carol Cornicelli
Gene Ciccone, Mateo Moreno, Laurellie Jacobs Martinez,
Skyler Martinez, Betty Slevin
“The Twelve Nights of Terror”
Adapted by Beth Seales-Hanson
Beth Seales-Hanson (with Zoe, Violet, and Leo Hanson),
Sharmeen Azmudeh & co., Dena Daniel, Amanda Feliciano,
Mathew Schwartz, Melyssa Searcy
Farewell
Chris Farrow
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER
Watch the performance now on YouTube!
Emcee: Beth Seales Hanson
(with help from Zoë, Violet, and Leo Hanson)
The Tell-Tale Heart
By Edgar Allen Poe
Directed by Carol Cornicelli
Killer: Robert S. Webb & Mathew Schwartz
Police Officer 1/Old Man: Alan Foster
Police Officer 2: Suz Stone
The Monkey’s Paw
By W. W. Jacobs
Directed by Sharon Quinn
Narrator: Laurellie Jacobs Martinez
Mr. White: Mentha Marley
Mrs. White: Sharon Quinn
Herbert White: Skyler Martinez
Sergeant-Major Morris: Kirk Woodward
Lawyer: Norman Metz
The Night Wind
By Eugene Field
Directed by Carol Cornicelli
Sharmeen Azmudeh (with Marilyn and Merlin)
The Cask of Amontillado
By Edgar Allen Poe
Directed by Sharon Quinn
Montressor: Ron Richardson
Fortunado: Norman Metz
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (excerpt)
By Washington Irving
Directed by Carol Cornicelli
Narrator 1: Melyssa Searcy
Narrator 2: Sandra Eismann
Ichabod Crane: Jeff Taylor
Jon Mortonson’s Funeral
By Ambrose Bierce
Directed by Carol Cornicelli
Friend 1: Judi Gajary
Friend 2: John Mendlovitz
Minister: Alan Foster
Widow: Suz Stone
Family at the Funeral: the Schwartz family, the Searcy family
SEPTEMBER
Watch the performance now on YouTube!
The Murder of Crows
Directed by Carol Cornicelli
Ginny Crooks (Mrs. Wilkins)
Melyssa Searcy (Debra)
Mathew Schwartz (Greg)
The Meadow
Directed by Alan Foster
Lisa Barnett (Mrs. Page)
Shiva Kiani (Miss Harris)
The Deal
Directed by Alan Foster
Vinnette Richardson (Vivian Howard)
Ron Richardson (Arthur Nelligan)
Dewey or Don’t We?
Directed by Carol Cornicelli
Betty Slevin (Helen)
Gene Ciccone (Oliver)
PLAYWRIGHTS
Nancy Halper is an editor and ESL teacher who has written several short plays, including “The Murder of Crows,” “Dewey or Don't We?,” and “The Truth About the Lemmings.” She and her husband live in Summit, New Jersey, and have four grown children.
Ryan Kaminski is a playwright from Flemington, New Jersey. His work has been featured in one-act festivals, playwriting festivals, and podcasts. Learn more via his New Play Exchange profile: https://newplayexchange.org/users/34918/ryan-kaminski