Maureen Bentley (Betty Andrews) appeared on this stage last fall as the misunderstood, long-suffering Ann Putnam in The Crucible. After completing that role, she went to Westfield, where she was given handcuffs, a nightstick and a gun to play Mickey the Cop in The Odd Couple (Female Version). She then acquired a nasty mother and a peculiar speech impediment as Aunt Gert in Alliance Rep's Lost in Yonkers. In real life she teaches Acting and Improv at Kean University in Union, where she will be directing Daniel McIvor's The Soldier Dreams later this spring. She's thrilled to be back in Summit working with such talented folks!

Paul Bettys (Phil Hewlitt) is making his first venture with Summit Playhouse, and he is delighted to be a part of this wonderful show. Paul has been acting since he was Tiny Tim's age and has loved every minute of it. Some of his past favorite roles include Mr. Paravicini in Mousetrap, the Bellhop in Lend Me a Tenor, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Leo in Little Foxes. He also had the chance to be involved in Jersey Voices putting his comedic talents to the test in Mystery at Niagara. Recently, he got a taste of the Big Apple performing in the Crash Comedy Series for Agony Productions, Hamlet for the Curan Repertory Company, and Game of Chance in the Samuel French Festival. He would like to thank his friends and family for their love and continued support. He would also like to thank Kate and this cast for another wonderful theatre experience. Dedicated to my Poppa who is always watching from the "cheap seats."

Tim Day (Luther Beatty), a 7th grader at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, is making his first appearance on the Summit Playhouse stage. Tim was most recently in the cast of the middle school's fall production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also appeared in the school's theater shorts festival last spring and in A Christmas Carol in 2003. He also appeared in plays at Washington School in Summit. When he's not on stage, Tim enjoys baseball, soccer and reading. He's grateful to the Playhouse for giving him a chance to squeeze a few lemons.

Cy Friedman (Sidney Carlton) has performed in many theatres in the Tri-County area. Recently he played the role of Selsdon in Noises Off at Allegro Productions in Parsippany. Other roles include Saunders in Lend me a Tenor at Hexagon Players in Mendham, Al Lewis in Sunshine Boys at Dover Little Theatre, Giles Cory in The Crucible at the Town Square Theatre in Rockaway, Lazer Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof at Theatre Under the Stars in West Orange, and Mordachai in A Shaina Maidel at Brundage at Park Playhouse in Randolph. During his tour of duty with the US Marines during the Korean conflict, he toured with a musical variety show Comin Thru entertaining the troops in Korea & Japan. This is Cy's debut at the Summit Playhouse and he hopes it won't be the last.

Dell Hallman (Walter E. Parsons) is happy to be involved in his first production with the Summit Playhouse. He is currently a member of the 12 Miles West Theatre Company, where he recently performed in their production of A Soldier's Story. He can be seen in the soon to be released independent film Liars and on the daytime soap opera As The World Turns. He wishes to thank all his family and friends and cast members for their support.

Pam Heller (M. J. McMann) is excited to be returning to the Summit Playhouse stage where she has fond memories of performing in It's Only A Play and Prelude To A Kiss. She also directed Beau Jest, Brighton Beach Memoirs and several Kaleidoscope Theater for Youth shows. Pam was most recently seen in Westfield Community Player's production of Dr. Cook's Garden and in Family, Frying Pans and the FBI with the Attic Ensemble. Being active in New Jersey theater, some of Pam's other credits include: Steel Magnolias, Blithe Spirit, An Inspector Calls, Prisoner of Second Avenue, Summer and Smoke, and Come Blow Your Horn. She is delighted to be working with Kate Schlesinger and is in awe of her creative energies. As a speech pathologist working with special needs students, Pam's spirits are elevated when she directs her drama club students in theatrical productions.

David Neal (Wayne Wellacre) is pleased to be making his Summit Playhouse debut. He has just completed a run of Sideman as Ziggy at Villager's Theatre. His 2004 theatrical adventures took him to Westfield (WCP's Visting Mr. Green, The Odd Couple), Somerset (Villager's Rhinoceros), Piscataway (Circle Players' The Laramie Project and Reese & Babe), Chatham (Chatham Players' Jersey Voices), and Bloomfield (member, Alliance Repertory Theatre Company). He previously worked with Kate in Alliance Rep's Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Kudos to the entire cast, Kate, PT and everyone behind the scenes. Love to Stephanie who always makes my engine kick over hard.

Kevin O'Driscoll (Kevin Emery) has studied acting with the American Comedy Institute and the Ted Bardy Studio in New York. Kevin can often be seen performing stand-up comedy in New York City clubs such as Caroline's on Broadway, Stand-up New York and Don't Tell Mama. He has played roles in several feature films including Angels in America directed by Mike Nichols. His previous stage credits include productions off- off-Broadway, at Madison Playwright's Theatre, and with The Florham Park Players.

Bill Roome (Bart Frances) was last seen on- stage (with considerably more facial hair) in last season's production of The Crucible. His other on-stage appearances include It's Only A Play, Beau Jest, and Man Of La Mancha. Off-stage, he is the Playhouse's Technical Director and Webmaster, and has done lighting and/or sound for many of our recent productions. Off-off-stage, he is owned by four cats, each of whom would prefer to be sole owner and get top billing.

Michael Schlesinger (Larry Vauxhall) is making his first appearance on stage at the Summit Playhouse and is very excited to be working with his wife, Kate. He has directed, acted, and stage-managed. His interest in theater began at the age of eight, when he played Captain Cook, the lead penguin in Mr. Popper's Penguins at the Cleveland Playhouse Children's Theater. He studied acting in Cleveland for ten years, and appeared in a dozen productions including The Desperate Hours and Take Her She's Mine, with James Cromwell. In college, he worked with John Lithgow and Tommy Lee Jones. More recently (although quite long ago), he appeared in Streamers, at the old Craig Theater, and Twelfth Night with Edward Hermann, Elizabeth McGovern and Laila Robbins at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, where he has been a Trustee for over twenty years.

Rosalind Seneca (Dorothy Tree-Hapgood) is delighted to be performing again at the Summit Playhouse where she previously played Miss Furnival in Black Comedy. Other roles include Diana (London Suite), Aunt Kate (The Dead, musical adaption), Julia (Lend Me A Tenor), Mrs. Boyle (Mousetrap), Mrs. Plum (Uncommon Women) and The Vagina Monologues. She has done stage readings in New York City and at the George Street Playhouse. As always, she thanks her husband and son for their constant support and encouragement.

Terri Sturtevant (Zorah Bloch) is happy to be back at the Summit Playhouse where she performed in Morning's at Seven, A Pack Of Lies, One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest, Lost In Yonkers, The Boys Next Door and Marvin's Room. This is the first time Terri has been directed by Kate Schlesinger. Terri had a great time acting with her in Tennessee William's A Lovely Sunday For Creve Coeur. Last year Terri won the NJACT Perry Award of "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play" for her portrayal of Vivian Bearing in Wit. Terri is a member of the New Jersey Rep and Twelve Miles West. She has worked at What Exit?, Dreamcatchers, The Forum, and The Theatre Project -- all professional New Jersey stages.

STAFF

Kate Schlesinger (Director) has an MA in Theatre Education from New York University. She has directed ten other plays at The Playhouse: The Diary of Anne Frank, Prelude To A Kiss, The Heiress, The Waverly Gallery and Dinner With Friends, among others. Kate has also directed numerous plays at Twelve Miles West in Montclair, a one act in Jersey Voices at Chatham Players, Picasso at the Lapin Agile at The Alliance Theatre in Bloomfield and two plays at The Bickford in Morristown: On Golden Pond and Our Town, for which she was nominated Best Director in New Jersey at The Star Ledger. But the Summit Playhouse is "home" and she is deeply grateful to both cast and crew and appreciates them more than words can say!

PT Kizzia (Assistant Director) is happy to be working once again with good friends Kate and Betty and with such a talented, compatible cast. As we work through the process of rehearsals, we continue to laugh at the silliness on stage. We trust our audiences will have as much fun as we're having.

Betty Kaus (Producer), a member of The Playhouse since 1950, has been President three times, has directed fifteen plays, has appeared in several, and has been active on the House and Grounds Committee.

Frank Hawrusik (Stage Manager) returns to his usual backstage role of stage manager, after recently producing Is There Life after High School? Frank's other backstage credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, Moon Over Buffalo, The Crucible and Dinner With Friends.

Christopher J. Bailey (Set Design) is the Production Manager at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. He has worked with the theater for seven seasons as Technical Coordinator and Sound and Lighting Manager. He now also heads the George Street Scene Shop. Mr. Bailey is a member of United Scenic Artists.

Maya Daniels (Make-up & Wigs) has been a member of the Playhouse Association for ten years. For more information on her interests, please visit www.mayadaniels.com. "I would like to thank the Playhouse for ten years of fun, friendship, and philanthropic delight!"

Suzanne Kosempel (Costumes) has recently returned to the Playhouse after a five year absence to raise her son, Max. She has worked behind the scenes in various roles (stage manager, props, set decoration) both here at the Playhouse and at the Bickford. Her last efforts were producing Crimes Of The Heart and A Grand Night For Singing. Suzanne is happy to be working again with such a wonderful group of people.

Isabel Zeoli (Costumes) is back in Inspecting Carol, this time as Costume Designer. She performed previously in Dancing at Lughnasa as Agnes at the Illustrious Theater Company in Warwick. Isabel has also played Lavinia Penniman in The Heiress at the Summit Playhouse. At the Morristown Bickford Theater, she played Gwen in The Odd Couple, and an Irish Maid in Sly Fox. Isabel attended Emerson College and then moved to NYC where she performed at the Manhattan Theater Club and trained with Roy London.

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.