Joann Scanlon (Director) has directed over 25 shows in various community theaters and performed in over 35 productions. She has been away from directing for 5 years and is so delighted to be back at Summit with this multitalented cast and with this enchanting play. “Each time I work here I am reminded how incredibly good the backup support is at the Playhouse, from set design to props and everything in between. What a crew!”

Arnold J. Buchaine (Assistant Director) most recently directed Cat On A Hot Tin Roof for the Villagers, and the NJ premier of Angels In America for the Open Space Theatre Company. He received an A.C.T. nomination for Dr. Sloper in The Heiress. He is pleased to be collaborating with Joann Scanlon once again. They have previously worked together on Boys Next Door, Shadowlands, Love Letters, One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest, Man Of La Mancha and Pack Of Lies.

Lori Balzano (Lady Caroline Dester) was last seen in the Summit Centennial production of George M! playing Ethel Levey. Credits throughout NYC include The Taming of the Shrew, The Imaginary Invalid, The Importance of Being Ernest, Street Scenes and Play It Again Sam to name a few. She is an active member of the Playhouse working especially with its younger actors producing the Playhouse's Kaleidoscope Theater for Youth.

Robbi Curtis (Francesca), a member of the Playhouse since 1984, has appeared in She Loves Me, The Diary of Anne Frank, Side by Side by Sondheim, The Dresser, and Love Letters. She has directed Lend Me a Tenor, Remembrance, and A Grand Night for Singing. She dedicates this performance to her Molla and Dordoni relatives, those who emigrated and those who still live in this glorious part of Italy.

Patrick Field (Frederick Arbuthnot) was last seen at the Playhouse in the role of Officer O'Hara, the lovable cop who aspired to be a playwright in Arsenic and Old Lace. Quite recently, he was part of an ensemble for a Christopher Durang Festival, which was performed at the New York City Comedy Club. Other favorite roles include characters in Jeffrey, Psycho Beach Party, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom/Coma, and A Perfect Ganesh. In his “other life,” Patrick is an Assistant Professor of Anatomical Sciences at Kean University.

Nancy Hubley (Mrs. Fisher) is happiest creating a “character role.” Playhouse regulars may remember her in To Grandmother's House We Go, I Hate Hamlet, and The Dining Room. Nancy has also directed for the Playhouse, some favorites being A Doll's House, the award-winning Later Life, and the popular The 1940's Radio Hour. “Change and challenge keep you young,” she says. Her latest off-stage challenge: the harp.

Elizabeth Messineo (Rose Arbuthnot) is delighted to be back on the Summit stage, having previously appeared in Remembrance, Light Up the Sky and I Hate Hamlet. Elsewhere, she has been in The Dining Room at the Chester Theatre, Come Blow Your Horn for TNT, and had the good fortune to play opposite husband Chris in Beyond Therapy for Trilogy Repertory. When not onstage, she has the wonderful (and challenging) job of raising her two-year-old daughter, Joanna.

Jo Ray (Francesca) has been involved for many years in Community Theater as an actor, director, and choreographer. She is very happy to be making her first appearance with the Summit Playhouse. She has held every theater administrative and backstage position from floor scrubber to President. Among her many credits are the lead roles in Sabrina Fair, Night Must Fall, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Desk Set, King of Hearts, Send Me No Flowers, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Shay, Morning's at Seven, and many supporting roles, among them Pajama Game, The Music Man, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Her directing credits include The Pen is Deadlier, Plaza Suite, Girl Talk, and many workshops. Choreography includes A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Form and the opera Hansel and Gretel. Jo studied dance for many years at the N.J. State Ballet, and currently is studying acting and directing at the Paper Mill Playhouse with David Armstrong and Sandy Marino. Jo is very happy to have the opportunity of working with Joanne Scanlon again.

Mark Szabo (Mellersh Wilkins) is making his debut on the Playhouse stage. He has appeared in such plays as Dangerous Corner, Veronica's Room, Cahoots, Arsenic and Old Lace and numerous Children's theater productions. He wants to thank his family, friends and his girlfriend Syndi, who he loves so much. Lets go Mets!

Orin Tempkin (Thomas Briggs) is pleased to return to the Summit Playhouse, where he was last seen as Gus P. Head in It's Only a Play during the fall of 1998. Orin has also performed in numerous local productions, including Sly Fox at the Bickford, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Midsummer... at Chatham, Robin Hood and Snow White for Fantasy Theater, and Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr for Trilogy. Orin is an alumnus of the Shakespeare Ensemble at MIT, where he learned acting while earning a Ph.D. in chemistry. Thanks are due to his enchanting wife, Michelle, for her love and patience.

Harriet Trangucci (Lotty Wilkins) has appeared in several Playhouse productions including Beau Jest and Prelude to a Kiss. She played the title role in Mary, Mary at the Bickford Theatre, and has performed at the Women's Cooperative Theatre in Madison as well. She just completed a run as Mavis in Stepping Out in New York City. In addition to her acting she has directed our Kaleidoscope Theatre for Youth and currently teaches at the Dreamcatcher Teen Actors Conservatory. She dedicates this performance to all the dear-hearted Lotties in her own life.

Mario G. Vignola (Domenico) is appearing on stage for the first time since having done “some of those school plays, a long, long time ago in Italy.” He enjoys “La vita e' bella,” Italian cooking, making home made wine, and his landscaping and masonry business. He has lived in Summit for 11 years, and has two intelligent, beautiful daughters, Alexandra and Francesca. He advises all of you to visit Italy: “In bocca al lupo.” He dedicates his performance to his wife, Sylvia, and his madre, Teresa.

Joanne Wilson (Clerk) is happy to be on stage again having appeared in The Boys Next Door and Lettice and Lovage. She has worked mostly backstage and has been assistant producer for several Playhouse productions and has served as Playhouse secretary.

Fran Harrison is the producer, and is assisted by Betty Kaus and Suzanne Kosempel. John Walz is the stage manager. Rhoda Roper is designing and painting the set, Deryk Harrison is constructing it, and Madeline McCrae is decorating it. Bill Roome will bring light and sound to the production. Geraldine Zoccoli will gather and oversee props. Fran Harrison and Lyn Mackie will handle costumes, Ken Smith is in charge of photography and publicity, and Betty Kaus is orchestrating the ushers.

All of the photographs in our Lounge Exhibit were taken by John Becker with his beloved Honeywell Pentax single-lens reflex camera. John carried this camera for many years wherever he traveled. Scenic views are his favorite subject, although John's motto is “almost anything can make an interesting photograph.” The camera is now in the hands of John's daughter Karen, who, while pursuing an undergraduate minor in photography, received an A in every photography class. Whether Karen's achievement is due to hereditary or environmental influences or both, John cannot say. John has been a member of the Playhouse since 1984, when he appeared as Georg in She Loves Me.