THE MEL BROOKS MUSICAL
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
“PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ” BY IRVING BERLIN
“PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ” Words and music by Irving Berlin© 1928,1929 by Irving Berlin (ASCAP)©Renewed
DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
DAWN LEBRECHT FORNARA
SCENIC DESIGNER MICHAEL SANTOS
PROPERTIES DIRECTOR AMY HUGHES
MUSIC DIRECTOR CHARLES FORNARA
STAGE MANAGER ANNIE HENNEN
LIGHTING DESIGNER CHRIS RILEY
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH EDUCATION JEN PRICE
EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BRYCE ALEXANDER
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI. WWW.MTISHOWS.COM
SPONSORED IN PART BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA THROUGH THE DIVISION OF ARTS AND CULTURE AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.
COSTUME DESIGNER MARY ANNE M c KERROW THE VIDEOTAPING OR AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW AND AN ACTIONABLE FEDERAL OFFENSE.
SOUND DESIGNER BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN
SEASON DRAMATURGS RICKI BAKER & PATRICIA PUIA
71 ST SEASON EDUCATION SPONSOR:
This project is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes).
CAST
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
THE MONSTER .................................................................................................................................... JACK BOSLEY
FREDERICK FRANKENSTEIN ............................................................................................... BRAXTON CABRERA
VICTOR VON FRANKENSTEIN ................................................................................................. WILLIAM CONDIT
INSPECTOR KEMP ........................................................................................................................ THOMAS CURRIE
THE HERMIT CHRISTIAN D e SALVO
IGOR CONNOR ELLIOT
INGA ........................................................................................................................................ VIVIENNE ENGELMANN
ZIGGY ................................................................................................................................................... EDISON FILNER
FRAU BLÜCHER ......................................................................................................................... VICTORIA RINALDI
ELIZABETH ..................................................................................................................................... MALENA TUCKER
ENSEMBLE MADDIE BRENDEL, WILLIAM CONDIT, CHRISTIAN De SALVO, EDISON FILNER, CARYS GUERRERO, REAGAN KELLY, JULIET SANCHEZ, NOAH SMITH, MARIANA URQUIOLA, ALESSA VASQUEZ, IVANA VIVAR
CREW
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER .......................................................................................... LORELAI VEGA
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER ROMINA ALEZARD
ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER ....................................................................................................... KELLY PROTZ
DANCE CAPTAINS ............................................................................................. MADDIE BRENDEL, REAGAN KELLY
BACKSTAGE CREW ................................................................................................................... ISHA JEAN CHARLES
LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR ..................................................................................................... LANDON TOWNSEND
AUDIO ASSISTANTS .................................................................... ANTHONY PENA, PATRICIA PUIA, MILA STANISIC
HAIR/WIG DESIGN .......................................................................................................................... SERGIO DUQUE
ADDITIONAL WIG DESIGN ....................................................................................................... CATHY CONSTANT
SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP DESIGN SERGIO DUQUE
DRESSERS ................................................................................... TINA CEDRAS, SARAH GAMBLIN, MAUREEN PLACE
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION & CARE .................. GWEN BETTINI, DEDE BROWNLEE, KATHARINE CONDIT, LINDA FIKES, STEPHANIE FOWLE, CARLA GRIEVE, ANNIE HENNEN, KATHLEEN KOLACZ, JULIE LANG, SANDY L o PRESTI, JOHN M c KERROW, DAYNE SABATOS, SUSAN KAY SAWYER, JEAN SNYDER, MILA STANISIC, COURTNEY VANASSE, MEGAN WARES
LIGHTING/ELECTRICIANS ALYSSA BRADSHAW, MARIAH CRUTCHFIELD
SCENIC CONSTRUCTION & PAINTING ...................... SERGIO DUQUE, ED EZRINE, TAMMY HARRIS, KIP JONES, SANDY KEELER, STEVE LEE, RUSS LOYET, JOE FEMIA, RAY MARASCO, TRACY ROSEN, JEFF SMITH, MARY TAYLOR, MICHAEL TROOP, MJ WANN, FRED WILLIG
ACTS , SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT 1
SCENE 1
“The Happiest Town in Town” ................................................. ......................................... ENSEMBLE
SCENE 2
“(There is Nothing Like) The Brain” .................................... ....................... FREDERICK, ENSEMBLE
SCENE 3
“Please Don’t Touch Me” ......................................................... ELIZABETH, FREDERICK, ENSEMBLE
SCENE 4
“Together Again For The First Time” .................................. ............................... IGOR, FREDERICK
SCENE 5
“Roll In The Hay” ........................................................................................ INGA, FREDERICK, IGOR
SCENE 6
SCENE 7
“Join The Family Business” ........................................................................................ ENSEMBLE
SCENE 8
“He Vas My Boyfriend” .............................................................. .................................. FRAU BLÜCHER
SCENE 9
“The Law” ....................................................................................................................... ENSEMBLE
SCENE 10
“Life, Life” ............................................................................ FREDERICK, IGOR, INGA, FRAU BLÜCHER
SCENE 11
“Welcome to Transylvania” ..................................................... ......................................... ENSEMBLE
“Transylvania Mania”................................................................ IGOR, FREDERICK, INGA, ENSEMBLE
15-MINUTE INTERMISSION
ACTS , SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT 2
SCENE 1
“He’s Loose” .................................................................................. ......................................... ENSEMBLE
SCENE 2
“Listen To Your Heart” ............................................................... ............................... INGA, FREDERICK
“Surprise” ...................................................................... ELIZABETH, FRAU BLÜCHER, IGOR, ENSEMBLE
SCENE 3
“Please Send Me Someone” .................................................................................... THE HERMIT
SCENE 4
“Man About Town” ....................................................................... .................. FREDERICK, THE MONSTER
SCENE 5
“Puttin’ On The Ritz” .......................................... FREDERICK, THE MONSTER, INGA, IGOR, ENSEMBLE
SCENE 6
“Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life” ................................................... ........................................ ELIZABETH
“Deep Love”.................................................................................................................... ELIZABETH
SCENE 7
“Frederick’s Soliloquy”............................................................................................... FREDERICK
“Deep Love - Reprise”........................................................... THE MONSTER, ELIZABETH, ENSEMBLE
“Finale Ultimo” ......................................... ENSEMBLE
Final Sing “Together Again”........................................................................................ ENSEMBLE
CAST BIOS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
JACK BOSLEY (The Monster) is 16 and this is his seventh show at TNP. His credits include: Newsies Teen as Wiesel, Godspell as John The Baptist, and 42nd Street Teen as Abner Dillon. He goes to Aubrey Rogers High School as a junior. He was in their first show, Bye Bye Birdie, as Hugo Peabody. Jack’s hobbies include fishing, driving, and hanging out with friends. He would like to thank his parents and girlfriend for being so supportive in all of his endeavors.
MADDIE BRENDEL (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is a junior at Naples High School and is so excited to be a part of this production of Young Frankenstein. You may have previously seen her in the ensemble of 42nd Street, A Christmas Carol, and Something Rotten! Teen. She would like to thank everyone who helped make this show amazing. Enjoy!
BRAXTON CABRERA (Frederick Frankenstein) is over the moon to be in another TNP Education production! He would love to thank all the wonderful designers who have put countless hours into this show, such as Dawn and Charlie Fornara, as well as our wonderful stage manager Annie! Recent credits: Ensemble/42nd Street Teen, Corny Collins/Hairspray, Matt US/The Fantasticks. Enjoy the show!
WILLIAM CONDIT (Victor Von Frankenstein/Ensemble) is a home-schooled student who is thrilled to be back in the spotlight for this production of Young Frankenstein. Favorite theater credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame Teen, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and most recently, 42nd Street in the Ensemble, and 42nd Street Teen as Andy Lee. When not performing he can be found song writing, reading, or bike riding. He is a 2-time Odyssey of the Mind World Champion, plays piano, and has taken improv lessons for years to sharpen his acting skills. He is thankful to the production staff for their support and all the time spent to put on fantastic shows both in front of and behind the curtains. Enjoy the show!
THOMAS CURRIE (Inspector Kemp) is a junior with a growing passion for theater. He has previously performed in Godspell Jr. as part of the ensemble, took on the role of Frederic in Hunchback of Notre Dame Teen, and portrayed Pat Denning in 42nd Street Teen. Now, he’s thrilled to step into the role of Inspector Kemp in Young Frankenstein Thomas would like to express his deepest gratitude to the TNP team for their guidance and encouragement, and to his fellow cast members for their camaraderie and support throughout this exciting journey. He is eager to bring this beloved character to life and hopes you enjoy the show!
CAST BIOS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
CHRISTIAN DESALVO (The Hermit/Ensemble) is a junior at the Community School of Naples, and he is absolutely electrified to make his TNP debut in this production of Young Frankenstein. Previously, Christian has been seen in CSN’s production of Mean Girls and FBA’s production of The Sound of Music. Aside from his endeavors of theatrical performance, Christian pursues interests in various fields of science as he explores his ongoing passion for medicine. His galvanized gratitude goes out to his friends and family, along with the TNP staff and crew for their extraordinary efforts in bringing this production to life! Proverbs 19:21. Enjoy the show!
CONNOR ELLIOT (Igor) is 15 and a sophomore at the Community School of Naples. This will be his third time performing with TNP. His last performance at TNP was The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. It is still to this day one of his favorite shows that he has been a part of. He is extremely excited to be performing as Igor and to be back at TNP. He wants to thank everyone involved with the show and his parents.
VIVIENNE ENGELMANN (Inga) is currently a senior at Gulf Coast High School and is President of The Student Leadership Council for TNP. She has been a dancer since she was young and has recently found her love for theatre in high school! Her past credits include: Ursula/The Little Mermaid, Velma Kelly/Chicago, Medda Larkin/Newsies, Ariel/Footloose, and Anytime Annie/42nd Street Teen. She thanks all her teachers and family for their guidance and support. She is very excited to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoys!
EDISON FILNER (Ziggy/Ensemble) is a freshman at Barron Collier High School. This is his first TNP production. He has previously played Troy Bolton in High School Musical Jr. at Pine Ridge Middle School. Edison also plays the violin, is a member of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and was in the Florida All State Orchestra in 2023 and 2024. He hopes you enjoy the show!
CARYS GUERRERO (Ensemble) is a junior at Gulf Coast High School, and is thrilled to be a part of her second show with The Naples Players. She was last seen tapping away in 42nd Street Teen. Enjoy the show!
REAGAN KELLY (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is excited to be performing in her second show at The Naples Players. She is a senior at Gulf Coast High School and Vice President of Opportunities on the Student Leadership Council. Recent roles include Phyllis Dale/42nd Street Teen and Penny Pingleton/Hairspray. She would like to thank Dawn, Charlie, Jen Price, and her peers for their support. Enjoy the show!
VICTORIA RINALDI (Frau Blücher) is a junior and is ecstatic to be in this hilarious show! Past shows at TNP include: Something Rotten! Teen, Disney’s Newsies Teen, Godspell JR, The Hunchback of Notre Dame Teen, The Grand Reopening Extravaganza, 42nd Street Teen, and will be in A Christmas Story this winter. She thanks the cast, crew, and creative team for all of their effort to help put on another amazing show. Enjoy the show!
JULIET SANCHEZ (Ensemble) is currently a freshman at Gulf Coast High School and this will be her second show with TNP. She was recently seen as Katisha in Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera The Mikado. Past roles include Elsa/Frozen JR., Veruca/Willy Wonka JR, and Narrator/Beauty and the Beast JR. Juliet would like to thank her vocal teacher Laura Ferranti for all of her valuable guidance over the past year. She would also like to thank her friends and family for supporting her throughout her theatre journey. She hopes you enjoy the show!!
NOAH SMITH (Ensemble) is a junior at Naples High School and is very excited for his first show here at TNP! He has previously played roles such as Gomez Addams/ The Addams Family Musical, and Jay/Disney’s Descendants. He looks forward to Young Frankenstein and is eager to learn more skills here at TNP!
MALENA TUCKER (Elizabeth) is a junior attending First Baptist Academy and is thrilled to be playing Elizabeth in this production of Young Frankenstein. Malena was most recently seen at TNP as Dorothy Brock/42nd Street Teen and Hodel/Fiddler on the Roof at FBA. Previous productions include The Hunchback of Notre Dame Teen, Maria/The Sound of Music, Newsies Teen, Godmother/Cinderella, and Dorothy/The Wizard of Oz. Malena is grateful to her family and friends for their love and support. A special thank you to TNP staff and crew for this opportunity. Being on stage expressing herself through musical theatre is a reminder that God is good. She gives all glory and honor to Him. Enjoy the show!
CAST BIOS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
MARIANA URQUIOLA (Ensemble) is 16 and a junior at Aubrey Rogers High School. She’s loved acting since she was 7. Mariana was in multiple productions in Venezuela as a kid, including Alice in Wonderland and Hamilton. She was a volunteer at TNP as backstage crew for 42nd Street and School of Rock
ALESSA VASQUEZ (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of this show! You might recognize Alessa from previous shows as Belle/Beauty and the Beast JR and Rosalie Mullins/ School of Rock. Alessa is very excited for you to watch this show, for it has become one of her favorites! She hopes you enjoy the show just as much as she has doing it!!
IVANA VIVAR (Ensemble) is very excited to be part of Young Frankenstein. She’s currently a senior at Gulf Coast High School and hopes to be an actress one day. She was last seen in 42nd Street Teen and The Hunchback of Notre Dame Teen at The Naples Players. She would like to thank Dawn and Charlie for making her a better performer, and tech for making the show happen. She has been an ASM in the past and knows how hard it is to be backstage. She hopes you enjoy the show!!
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
ROMINA ALEZARD (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be an Assistant Stage Manager. It is her first time being the ASM, but has performed in a variety of shows here with The Naples Players. Romina attends Gulf Coast High School as a freshman and has loved her time spent with this incredible cast and crew. She wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting her!
MEL BROOKS (Writer, Composer & Lyricist, Producer) Director, producer, writer and actor, Mel Brooks is the recipient of three 2001 Tony Awards (Best Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Musical) and two Grammy Awards (Best Musical Show Album and Best Long Form Music Video) for The Producers. Mr. Brooks began his distinguished career during television’s “Golden Age” as a writer for Sid Caesar on Your Show Of Shows in 1951. In 1955 and in 1957, Brooks received Emmy Award nominations (with others) for the best comedy writing for Caesar’s Hour, and in 1956 he was nominated (with others) for best writing for a variety or situation comedy. In 1952, Brooks wrote sketches for Leonard Sillman’s Broadway smash-hit revue, New Faces Of 1952 , and in 1957, together with Joe Darion, he wrote the book for the Broadway musical Shinbone Alley, which starred Eartha Kitt. In 1962, he wrote the book for the Broadway musical All-American, starring Ray Bolger. In the’60s, Brooks teamed up with Carl Reiner to write and perform The 2000 Year Old Man albums, which became immediate bestsellers. In 1960 and 1961, Brooks and Reiner received Grammy Award nominations for the best spoken word comedy for 2000 Years and for best comedy performance for 2000 And One Years, respectively. In 1997, Brooks and Reiner teamed up again for The 2000 Year Old Man In The Year 2000. Both a book and a CD were released, the CD winning a Grammy Award in 1998 for the best spoken word album: comedy. Brooks wrote and narrated The Critic, a short satire on avant-garde art films, which received the Academy Award for best animated short subject in 1964. In 1965, he teamed up with buck Henry and created Get Smart, the long-running televisions show starring Don Adams as Agent 86. Brooks, along with others, received an Emmy Award for outstanding writing achievement in a comedy-variety in 1967 for The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special . In 1968, he wrote and directed his first feature film, The Producers, starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, which earned him an Academy Award for the best original screenplay written directly for the screen. He then went on to create a remarkable string of hit comedies: 1970, he wrote, directed and acted in The Twelve Chairs; 1974, co-wrote, directed and acted in Blazing Saddles, and was nominated, along with John Morris, for the best title song, “Blazing Saddles”; 1974, co-wrote and directed Young Frankenstein; 1976, co-wrote, directed and starred in Silent Movie; 1977, co-wrote, directed and starred in Silent Movie; 1977, co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in History Of The World, Part 1; 1983, produced and starred in To Be Or Not To Be ; co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in the hit sci-fi spoof, Spaceballs; 1991, co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in Life Stinks; 1993, co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in Robin Hood: Men In Tights; 1995, co-wrote, directed, produced an starred in Dracula; Dead And Loving It. For three successive seasons, Brooks won the Emmy Award for his role as Uncle Phil on the hit comedy show, Mad About You . His visionary film company, Brooksfilms Limited, founded in 1980, has produced some of America’s most distinguished films, among them: David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, David Cronenberg’s The Fly, Frances, Richard Benjamin’s My Favorite Year and 84 Charing Cross Road , starring Anthony Hopkins and Mr. Brooks’ wife Anne Bancroft.
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
CHARLES FORNARA (Music Director), Artistic Director of Music, has conducted over 180 productions at TNP including 42nd Street, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, Les Misérables, All Shook Up and many others, as well as over 20 teen productions for The Academy at The Naples Players. Also in Naples for TheatreZone, he has music directed nearly 40 shows. Chas conducted Dance of the Vampires in Stuttgart, and has taught and coached singers all over the US and Germany, now offering private lessons here in Naples. 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!
DAWN LEBRECHT FORNARA
(Director/Choreographer), Artistic Director of Dance, is a native of New York and is thrilled to open the Glass Theater with this terrific cast. She has served as director and choreographer for TNP’s 42nd Street, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, The Wedding Singer, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show and Catch Me If You Can, among others, and with The Academy at The Naples Players for many productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hairspray, Disney’s Camp Rock and CATS. She has choreographed many shows for TNP, including All Shook Up 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), 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 Charlie and her family.
ANNIE HENNEN (Stage Manager) is a recent graduate of Colorado State University and is excited for this new chapter. This is the first musical they have stage managed, and they have enjoyed every second of it. Previous credits include the Santa Fe Opera and The Aspen Music Festival. When she’s not working, she enjoys crochet and reading.
AMY HUGHES (Props Designer) is excited to be propping such an amazing production. Amy is mostly known for her credits on stage in shows such as Marian/The Music Man and Mona/Chicago. She is so excited to step into the role of a lifetime as the properties director for The Naples Players and looks forward to an amazingly creative future.
MARY ANNE McKERROW (Costume Designer) has been costuming and teaching the young actors of The Academy at The Naples Players program since 2005. As a performer for TNP, she was last seen in the Extravaganza to mark the opening of the newly renovated theater. Favorite TNP roles include Donna/Mamma Mia!, Momma Rose/ Gypsy, Mame/Mame, and Madame Thenardier/Les Misérables. Last year she debuted at The Laboratory Theater in Ft. Myers as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd.
THOMAS MEEHAN (Book) received the Tony Award for co-writing the book for The Producers in 2001 and in 2003 for co-writing the book for Hairspray. He received his first Tony Award in 1977 for writing the book of Annie, which was his first Broadway show, and has written the books for the musicals Rocky, Elf the Musical, Cry-Baby, Young Frankenstein, Chaplin, Bombay Dreams, I Remember Mama, Ain’t Broadway Grand and Annie Warbucks. In addition, he was a long-time contributor of humor to The New Yorker, an Emmy-Award winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on a number of screenplays, including Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs and To Be Or Not To Be. Mr. Meehan was also a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild. He and his wife, Carolyn, divided their time between a home in Nantucket and an apartment in Greenwich Village, near which, on Hudson Street, she owned and presided over the long-running and near-legendary children’s store Peanut Butter & Jane.
CHRIS RILEY (Lighting Designer) is the Director of Lighting and is excited to be finishing out his first season with The Naples Players. He was the lighting intern for TNP during the 2018-2019 season, where he designed shows including Annie JR, Guys and Dolls, and Lost in Yonkers. Since returning to The Naples Players, he’s worked on shows like The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Fantasticks, and Harvey. He’s so happy to once again be on the team, and can’t wait to work on many more shows.
MICHAEL SANTOS (Scenic Designer) has been working in The Naples Players’ Scene Shop for over 20 years now. He is originally from Upstate New York, where he received his BFA in Visual Communications. Favorite scenic designs include Guys and Dolls, The Wedding Singer, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame for TNP; and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Matilda JR , and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr for The Academy at The Naples Players. A big thank you to the volunteers for doing what they do best! And to his wife, Judith, for always being everything :-)
TNP acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of the Calusa and Seminole peoples; and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of all the native people in this region.
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
SUSAN STROMAN
(Broadway Director/Choreographer) a five-time Tony Award winning director and choreographer most known for Crazy For You, Contact, The Scottsboro Boys, and The Producers. Her work has been honored with Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and a record six Astaire Awards. She directed and choreographed The Producers, winner of a record-making 12 Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography. She co-created, directed and choreographed the Tony Award winning musical Contact for Lincoln Center Theater, which was honored with a 2003 Emmy Award for “Live from Lincoln Center”. She directed and choreographed the critically acclaimed musical The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway and in the West End, where it was honored with the 2014 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. Other Broadway credits include Oklahoma!,Show Boat, Prince of Broadway,Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish,Young Frankenstein, Thou Shalt Not,The Music Man, The Frogs, Big, Steel Pier, Picnic, and Crazy for You. Off-Broadway credits include: The Beast in the Jungle,Dot, Flora the Red Menace,And the World Goes ‘Round, Happiness, and The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville starring Mandy Patinkin and Taylor Mac. For ten years she choreographed Madison Square Garden’s annual spectacular A Christmas Carol . She made her Metropolitan Opera debut directing and choreographing The Merry Widow, starring Renée Fleming. Her London West End productions include Crazy For You, Oklahoma!, Show Boat, Contact, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein. For New York City Ballet, she created Double Feature, a full-length ballet featuring the music of Irving Berlin and Walter Donaldson, and For the Love of Duke, featuring the music of Duke Ellington. Other ballet credits include But Not For Me for the Martha Graham Company and Take Five…More or Less for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her choreography received an Emmy Award nomination for the HBO presentation Liza - Live from Radio City Music Hall , starring Liza Minnelli. She received the American Choreography Award for her work in Columbia Pictures feature film Center Stage. She directed and choreographed The Producers: The Movie Musical , nominated for 4 Golden Globes. She directed and choreographed the Broadway bound Ahrens/ Flaherty musical Marie for The 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle. In collaboration with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, she directed the play Photograph 51 for Audible. She is an Associate Director for Lincoln Center Theater and a member of the Board of Directors for the Ronald O. Perelman Center for the Performing Arts located at the World Trade Center. She is the recipient of the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the American Theater and an inductee of the Theater Hall of Fame in New York City. Learn more at SusanStroman.com.
BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN
(Sound Designer) holds a BFA in Theatre: Design & Technical Production and Theatre: Stage Management from Western Michigan University. Originally hailing from Michigan, he has found a home at The Naples Players here in Florida, where he has been an integral part of the team since 2013. Throughout his tenure, Brad has contributed his expertise to numerous productions, witnessing TNP’s remarkable growth over the years. Outside of the theater, Brad takes to the skies as a pilot, embarking on adventures to explore new areas of Florida. Alternatively, you might spot him strolling with his furry companion Malone, a delightful Cocker Spaniel mix who is well aware of just how adorable he is. Brad’s multifaceted interests and dedication to the arts underscore his dynamic enthusiasm as he eagerly looks forward to the future of TNP.
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
STAFF & LEADERSHIP
2024-2025 SEASON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PEGGY MONSON President
ALAN JAFFE Executive Vice President
OTTO IMMEL Secretary
BOB UEK Treasurer
DENNY GLASS Immediate Past President
TNP STAFF (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
BRYCE ALEXANDER Executive Artistic Director/CEO
MOLLIE BERMAN Director of Costumes
JULES BRANCHE Volunteer Manager
COLE BUTCHER Production Stage Manager/ Internship Director
PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO Director of Volunteer Advancement
JOHN COOPER Front of House Associate
KENZIE CURRIE Chief of Staff
DOREN DANIS Chief Financial Officer
JAMES DUGGAN Director of Patron Services
ADAM FASANO House Manager
CINDY FINEGAN Front of House Associate
CHARLES FORNARA Artistic Director - Music
DAWN LEBRECHT FORNARA Artistic Director - Dance
AMY HUGHES Props Director
TED BILL
DEDE BROWNLEE
GEORGE D’ANGELO
JOAN DiLILLO
BRUCE GRAEV
ROBIN BACHE GRAY
LUKE JACONIS Box Office Manager
LANDON LIBBEY Front of House Associate
CHRISTINE MASTRANGELO Food & Beverage Manager
TAYLOR MATTHEWS Company Stage Manager
MARY ANNE McKERROW Youth Costume Designer
DAN MILLER Assistant House Manager
SUMMER PLISKOW Director of Arts Access & Applied Theatre
CRAIG PRICE Director of Community Programs & Applied Improv
JEN PRICE Director of Youth Education
DAN RAMIREZ Front of House Associate
THOMAS RICHARDSON Front of House Associate
CHRIS RILEY Director of Lighting
TERRY LIBBY
BETH PETRUNOFF
PAT POLLOK
KELLEY PRICE
NANCY RIBORDY
KAT ZAGEL
ELIZABETH W. ROUNTREE, CFRE Director of Advancement
MIKE SANTOS Resident Scenic Designer & Artist
GAETJENS (SCOTT) SIMEON Accounting Assistant
ESTHER SNYDER Executive Assistant to the CEO
LORA TAJARI Front of House Associate
BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN Director of Sound
JASON WAGAMAN Technical Director
2024-25 INTERNS
MARIAH CRUTCHFIELD Lighting Intern
CALLIE HARTEL Costumes Intern
ANNIE HENNEN Stage Management Intern
ISLA HOFFMANN Scenic Intern
KELLY PROTZ Sound Intern
OUR MISSION:
To build community through exceptional access to the power of theatre.