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 still being accepted for this season. Contact us for information.
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
Production
Carol Cornicelli is an actress/singer/dancer who has also directed, choreographed, written, 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!
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!
Molly Eisert is a stage manager, producer, director, and proud Strollers board member. She is excited to be the Producer of this Virtual Stage production, as it combines two of her favorite things, Christmas and spooky stories. She, as always, would like to thank her long suffering husband, James the Great, and her darling children, Tava and Inspector Poirot.
Beth Seales-Hanson is loving her second life on The Strollers' stage! Her debut was alongside her two daughters in the children’s production The Day the Rainbow Broke Up, in which she played Butterfly. She then appeared in Fiddler on the Roof and How the World Got Wisdom. She was last seen on the virtual stage as the host of The Strollers’ October performance, Shivery Shorts. Beth now serves on the board of trustees, and is very proud and pleased to do so.
Cast
Sharmeen Azmudeh is very excited to partake in her second performance with The Strollers. This time, she's bringing her whole zoo to the virtual stage. Back by popular demand is Merlin the African Grey and Marilyn Monroe the Umbrella Cockatoo, along with her two kitties Bowie and Konda making their debut!
Gene Ciccone has been a Stroller for over 25 years, serving on the board and appearing in numerous productions. He is very pleased to be performing again with his "home" theater company. Two of his favorite roles with The Strollers are Lawrence (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Otto Frank (The Diary of Anne Frank).
Alicia Dennis was first seen on The Strollers’ stage as a lead in WORKING, A Musical, last fall. She has appeared in productions of Schoolhouse Rock! and It’s My Room and in multiple improv troupes. Her television credits include “People Magazine Investigates,” now in its fifth season on Investigation Discovery.
Chris Farrow is delighted to be able to return to The Strollers, having previously performed in productions of Cabaret, The Unexpected Guest, The Music Man, and Clybourne Park. He looks forward to a return to live theater around the world in the not too distant future.
Amanda Feliciano is thrilled to be acting again with the Strollers in their virtual show The Shadow! 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!
Jim Knight last appeared with The Strollers as Mordcha (Fiddler on the Roof). Other favorite roles include Governor (Man of La Mancha), Doc (West Side Story), Chief Sitting Bull (Annie Get Your Gun), Mr. Skidmore (Oklahoma!), and as an ensemble player in Godspell.
Laurellie Jacobs Martinez has an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU and is a professional sign language interpreter. She joined The Strollers to help with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and then appeared on stage in Fiddler on the Roof. She and husband, Carlos, live in Maplewood with their children, Maya and Skyler.
Skyler Martinez is excited to take part in this Strollers endeavor. He is a senior at Columbia High School. Skyler has performed in the CHS Parnassian Society production of Fabulation and the last three years of the CHS musical. He loves a good socially distanced frisbee toss when he isn’t learning virtually.
Mateo Moreno is an actor and playwright seen last month in ‘Art’.
Other recent acting credits include Krampus Search 2020, MetalBird,
For the Love of Lina, An Enemy of the People, Not-Knowing, Pride & Prejudice, Snipped/Cut/Tied, City of Glass, Dead Wait: A Journey into
Afro-Existentialism. Wear a mask. Black Lives Matter. www.TheArtsWireWeekly.com www.Mateo-Moreno.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.
Jeff Parsons is making his debut with The Strollers, having most recently performed with Studio Players (Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus) and Teaneck New Theatre (A Year with Frog and Toad). In addition to performing, Jeff has produced and stage managed shows in Teaneck, including the first middle school pilot production of Wicked Jr.
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).
Mathew Schwartz rediscovered his acting bug as Bottom in The Strollers’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since then, he has appeared in The Game’s Afoot and Fiddler on the Roof. Matt is a financial editor and lives in Maplewood with his wife, Ronni, and their two daughters, Abigail and Allison.
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).
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
Next production...
FEBRUARY
(details to come)