Scott Avery (Monsieur Bonnefoy) studied performance improvisation with Rex Knowles and Sherry Landrum at the New Actors Workshop in NYC. Scott has performed in many plays throughout the NY, NJ and Boston areas and was last seen as Timber Tucker in the Circle Player's production of An American Daughter. Some previous roles include Capt Philip Lombard in Ten Little Indians, Frederick Arbuthnot in Enchanted April and Oliver in As You Like It. Scott originated the role of Dr Barker in Tabula Rasa with Vital Forces Productions in New York. He was in Chop Chop, the 1st US martial arts documentary, produced by Paramount Pictures. Scott lives and works in NJ's best town, Califon, NJ.

Emily Balzano (Louise) is a veteran of the Summit Playhouse having previously appeared in its children's wing, Kaleidoscope, productions of Free To Be... You And Me, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Narnia and Charlotte's Web and is thrilled to be crossing over to the "main stage" especially since she is working with her favorite director. Most recently Emily appeared on the main stage of The Paper Mill Playhouse in New Voices 2003 and looks forward this May to playing the title role of Annie at her school. When not acting Emily can usually be found engaging in one of her other passions, tap dancing or shopping for shoes.

John Bauer (Dr. Purgon) is making his second appearance on the stage of the Summit Playhouse. His first was in the musical portion of the accessibility benefit An Evening With Christopher Durang. John was recently the "talking head" of Lord Capulet in the high tech Romeo and Juliet at Kean University, where he previously played Emile de Becque in South Pacific. Other roles in community theater include Danforth in The Crucible and Thomas Beckett in Murder in the Cathedral. As Development Officer at the Playhouse, John thanks his many friends who have become supporters of our theater.

Brian Blakely (Cléante) having performed in academic theater at multiple schools for over six years, Brian is no stranger to the stage. However, this is his first appearance at the Playhouse and he could not be more honored to be playing the role of Cléante. He would like to thank his family for their interest in what is ever-expanding from a simple love for stage into a lifestyle of its own. Brian would also like to welcome any friends in attendance to the Playhouse and wishes a fun evening for all.

David Claypoole (Monsieur Béralde, Dr. Diaforus) recently moved to Summit from Staten Island where he was a mainstay of the island theatre scene for 15 years appearing in roles ranging from Amos Hart in Chicago to Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun. Some favorite roles include Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (with Vince Balzano), Buddy in Follies, Man #1 in Jacque Brel..., Lancelot in Camelot, and El Gallo in The Fantastiks. In real life, David is a husband, father, legal recruiter and Elvis impersonator. Is There Life After High School? marked his debut with the Summit Playhouse.

Frank Malvasi (Monsieur Argan) is thrilled to be making his Summit Playhouse debut under the direction of the talented Mr. Balzano. For many years New Jersey audiences have seen him in numerous productions with both the Attic Ensemble and the Civic Theater of Hudson County. In 2001, Frank directed the Attic's R.E.C.T. award winning production of No More Sundays. He most recently appeared in their world premiere production of The Four Doctors Huxley. Frank also appeared in last season's production of Rumors with the Chatham Players. His New York, Off-Off-Broadway credits include productions of Ice In April, They Came To A City, and Heaven Can Wait (Spotlight award nomination). Many thanks to both Vince and Beth for their encouragement and support during this theatrical adventure. To my Nipper, we've only just begun...

Michael Marcus (Monsieur Flourant) appeared as Richard in our last season's production of Moon Over Buffalo. He has acted in a number of productions at the Cranford Dramatic Club, including: My Fair Lady, On Golden Pond, Sly Fox, Cabaret, Murder at the Vicarage and The Importance of Being Earnest. At Plays in the Park in Edison, Mike was seen in Gypsy, Lend Me a Tenor, Little Shop of Horrors, Arsenic and Old Lace and She Loves Me.

Joanna Maulbeck (Angelica) is overjoyed to be back on the Summit Playhouse stage, having previously performed in five Kaleidoscope productions. She has most recently been seen at Summit High School playing Poppy in Noises Off as well as in Footloose and I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Joanna would like to thank the cast and director for being a joy to work with, her friends, the SHS Drama Club, Mrs. Poyner, her mom and the rest of the family for all their love and support.

Beth Painter (Toinette) is pleased to return to the Summit Playhouse, where she played the role of Roz in last season's Moon Over Buffalo. NYC credits include Crimes of the Heart (Lenny), Hamlet (Gertrude), Snow White (Queen) and Counselor At Law (Cora). Other favorites include Rumors (Chris), Annie (Ms. Hannigan), Nuts (Claudia), How To Succeed ... (Hedy LaRue) and acting in Murder Mysteries in and around the NYC area. She has worked as a Drama Therapist for senior citizens and taught early childhood education. Beth would like to thank her amazing family for their support of her passion for the theater.

Dan Pence (Dr. Thomas Diaforus) is the bass player and singer for the punk rock band Convict Orange. This is his community theater debut.

Jessica Lorin Sully (Béline) is making her debut at the Summit Playhouse, although she's no stranger to the stage. Stating at the age of 11, she has performed in community theaters all over New Jersey. A recent graduate from Loyola College, Jessica has starred as Jenny Diver in Three Penny Opera, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Isaac Newton in The Physicists and Bobby/Gabby in City of Angels. She has performed as a featured vocalist for David Haas and Marty Haugen and most recently has starred as Jennifer Sharp in the independent film The Last Picasso. Jessica looks forward to continuously broadening her theatrical horizons.

STAFF

Vincent J. Balzano (Director) has appeared and disappeared many times. Most recently he directed Black Comedy at the Summit Playhouse in a joint venture which he conceived on the same bill with students from Summit H.S. performing The Important of Being Earnest which was directed by Anne Poyner. As an actor, he recently appeared at the Chatham Playhouse as Lenny Ganz in Neil Simon's Rumors. On the Summit stage he has performed in It's Only A Play and Two By Two and last season almost appeared in Is There Life After High School? with Susan McDaniel. He was privileged to perform the title role in George M! for the Summit Centennial Celebration and has directed You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown for the Playhouse's Kaleidoscope Theater for Youth. In a previous life, Vince has directed and/or acted in scores of regional, summer stock and local NYC showcase productions. Vince is a past president of the Summit Playhouse.

Lori Balzano (Producer) has been a member of the Playhouse since 1998 when she appeared as Martha Arable in Charlotte's Web. That stage appearance was followed by the role of Lady Caroline in Enchanted April in 2000 after which she retired from the stage to pursue producing and other backstage tasks; a decision she has been questioning ever since. Producing credits include Narnia, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Free To Be... You And Me, Black Comedy and Moon Over Buffalo. However, the productions of which she is most proud are her children, Vincent and Emily.

Nancy Boucher (Assistant to the Director) is delighted to be assisting Vince Balzano and this fine cast in The Imaginary Invalid. Nancy has directed scores of plays at Lincoln School in Summit and has assisted directors at the Playhouse for many other productions. She has served on the Board of Governors in most capacities, including President, and is presently the Ticket Chair Person. She has recently raised $160,000 for our Accessibility Project.

Jami Claypoole (Set Décor) makes her first foray into the theatre with The Imaginary Invalid. An experienced designer, she has previously only shared her talents with clients of her interior design business. Jami recently relocated from Mountain Home, Arkansas where she owned and operated a home decor/interior design store. As you might have guessed, Jami is married to actor, David Claypoole, one of this evening's performers. They live in Summit with their three children.

Alan Danzis (Publicity) is a recent graduate from Loyola College in Maryland and now works as an Assistant Account Executive at Spector and Associates, a PR-firm in NYC. As an aspiring writer, his short stories have appeared in print and in over seven online e-zines. He has also had letters to the editor published in The Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Post, Newsday, and Stuff Magazine. He wishes all the best to the cast: "it has been a pleasure telling the whole community about the wonderful production I've had the pleasure of seeing grow."

Amy Liu (Stage Manager) has most recently been involved with Ridge Light Opera, Florham Park Players, and Trilogy Repertory. In college, Amy was involved with the Cornell University Program Board and the Cornell Concert Commission, and got to watch Kevin Smith, Dave Chappelle, No Doubt, Stone Temple Pilots, and other great speakers/bands from the general backstage area. Thanks to the cast and crew for making this a great show.

Ed Johnson (Set Construction) is an indispensable member of the rotating set construction crew at the Playhouse, and leads the crew for this production. One of Ed's favorite sets was I Hate Hamlet where he got to work with his son and made the NY Times. Ed serves on the Playhouse board as Business Manager.

Bill Roome (Lighting) was last seen on-stage in our fall production of The Crucible. His previous on-stage appearances include It's Only A Play, Beau Jest, Play On, and Man Of La Mancha. Off-stage, he has done lighting and/or sound for many of our recent productions. Off-off-stage, he is owned by four cats, who have still not forgiven him for purchasing a laptop computer.

Rhoda Roper (Set Design) has designed sets for various theaters in New Jersey and across the river. She has worked at the Playhouse since Foxfire in 1992. Her favorite sets are those which required a lot of painted effects such as I Hate Hamlet, Enchanted April, Remembrance and of course the present set.

Joanne Wilson (Assistant Producer) has been an active Playhouse member since 1986. She has worked backstage on several productions and has been an assistant producer. Joanne has also served on the Board of Governors and has appeared on stage in The Boys Next Door, Lettice And Lovage, and Enchanted April.

Geraldine Zoccoli (Properties) is called by some the "Queen of Props." She has been doing props for a long time and finds the challenge beyond compare. Some of the other hats she has worn are set decoration, ushering, costumes and even producing Arsenic and Old Lace and debuting on the playhouse stage in Charlotte's Web. Gerry would like to thank Maureen, John, Dawn and her grandsons for all their support.