August 1-3, 7-10
Open Air Theater
Washington Crossing
State Park
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Frank Ferrara (Director) directs his first show with the Pennington Players; his previous directorial experience includes Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, Godspell, and The Secret Garden. Onstage, he was most recently seen as Cluny the Scourge in the New Jersey premiere of The Legend of Redwall Abbey. Other credits: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Neville Landless), Titanic (Stevedore/Rogers), The Fantasticks (Mortimer), The Music Man (Charlie Cowell), Fiddler on the Roof (Mendel), and Pennington’s Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II – Manipulation). Thanks to Tom, Jenn, Maryellen, and the rest of the Players for taking a chance on a somewhat risky show – and on an unknown director - to Nicole for coming through in a big way, to Jeremy, for making everything look so good, and to this stunningly talented and enthusiastic cast and crew, who made this job easier than it was ever meant to be. Finally, and always, to our astute but lovable musical director, who did me the enormous favor of saying “yes;” I love you, and thanks for everything.
Shannon Ferrara (Musical Director) marks Jekyll and Hyde as the second show under her “baton” with the Pennington Players with her first show being The Legend of Redwall Abbey. Shannon has only been onstage a few times: Charlotte’s Web (Chorus #3), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Chorus), and Godspell (“Learn Your Lessons Well”/”By My Side”). Backstage, Shannon has stage managed The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, and Cinderella. Shannon is a musician by trade. She has performed in many musicals, with several bands and orchestras, and has even made a TV commercial on her (it’s not really French) horn. During the day she is a band director in the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district. Thank you to the Players for having me again, to the production staff for doing such a great job with everything, and to the cast for just being awesome!
Nicole Farina (Choreographer) has been featured in the roles of Jean McLaren in Brigadoon, Snow White in Snow White, Erma in Anything Goes, the Snake in Children of Eden, Warbeak in The Legend of Redwall Abbey, and Slewfoot Sue in Pecos Bill. She has choreographed local shows including Little Shop of Horrors, Children of Eden, and Guys and Dolls. Nicole will appear in the Miss New Jersey USA Pageant this November. “Thank you to Frank and Shannon for giving me this opportunity. Mom, great job once again. Jim, all my love.”
Scott Hubscher (Stage Manager)didn't write his own bio, so one is being written for him. Scott makes his first "appearance" as a stage manager with this production, but is a familiar face to area audiences. Recent onstage experience includes The Legend of Redwall Abbey, Grease, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Durdles), and Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathan) at Kelsey, and Murray in The Odd Couple at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre. Scott is also an active performer in a series of comedy shows and murder mysteries all over the New Jersey area and beyond. Late this winter, Scott will make his directorial debut with the children's fantasy The Hobbit, also with the Pennington Players and at Kelsey Theater.
Carly Rapaport-Stein (Assistant Director) is happy to be working again with the Pennington Players. Whether onstage (Snow White, Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream), baskstage (Redwall, Perseus), winning voice competitions (Anna B. Stokes 1st place winner, and Westminster Scholarship winner) or ushering (too many to name!!), Carly is happiest in and around the theater. Love and thanks to Dad, Mom, Hannah, and Jeremy, to the fabulously talented cast and crew, and especially to Frank and Shannon.
Jennifer Gregg (Producer) is found behind the scenes on yet another show! Jenn enjoys being both on stage and off and is excited to be able to be part of this fabulous production of Jekyll and Hyde. Her most recent role was as Constance, The Badger/ Producer in The Legend of Redwall Abbey. She has also been found involved in past Players shows such as Complete Works of Shakesphere - Abridged, Charlotte's Web, Forum, Into the Woods, and many more! She would like to say thanks to the incredible cast who has been not only professional but a whole lot of fun! A special note of thanks to Frank for his wonderful directing and to Shannon for her love and talent of music, sharing it with the cast and to making it come alive. You both make a superb team and I look forward to working with both of you again.....soon! (SP, here we come!). To the cast and crew of Jekyll and Hyde.......Break a leg and let's make the OAT shine like never before! I love you guys and it has been a real pleasure......I hope to work with all of you again!
Nicholas Cheng (Rehearsal Pianist) has played the piano in pit orchestras, musically directed, and conducted, many musical productions and has had the pleasure of working with many other companies in the central Jersey region for the last few years. Most recently, he has co-directed and musically directed the Yardley Players Theatre Company's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the previous tenant here at the Open Air Theatre. While working towards his B.S. in Music Education at New York University, Nick is currently assistant to Frank Wildhorn, head of Atlantic Theatre (a division of Atlantic Records) and composer of the Broadway musical productions of Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Civil War, as well as the upcoming Broadway mountings of Dracula and Camille Claudel.
Jeremy C. Doucette (Scenic Design) Current design projects: Goblin Market (NJREP); Lend Me a Tenor & Good Person of Setzuan (Wm. Paterson University); South Pacific & Dames at Sea (NJ PAC). Recent credits include: Sweeney Todd (Princeton University); Till Morning Comes & The Dead Boy (NJ REP); A Delicate Balance & La Bete (Two River Theatre Co.); The Merry Wives of Windsor & The Marriage of Figaro (Rutgers Opera Co.); The Appointment & Beautiful Clear Eyed Woman (Abingdon Theatre Co. NYC); Joined at the Head (All in the Family, NYC); My Children! My Africa! (Luna Stage Co); The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Working, Hello Mudduh, Hello Faddah! & Lysistrata (William Paterson University); Memorial Park (Forum Theatre). Jeremy holds an MFA in design from Rutgers University and a BFA in scenic and costume design from the University of Wisconsin. He is on the Theatre faculty at William Patterson University and serves as their resident scenic designer.
Dottie Farina (Props) is delighted to be back for her 6th summer at the WCOAT. She has worked behind the scenes on props, set painting, publicity and costumes on numerous local theatrical productions including The Legend of Redwall Abbey, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Brigadoon, Children of Eden, Charlotte's Web, Anything Goes, Once Upon a Mattress, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific and The Wizard of Oz. "Congratulations to the most incredibly talented cast and crew ever! Hugs to Nicole and Allie whose smiles are my inspiration."
Dale Jones (Assistant Props Manager) Dale obtained his B.A. in theater, art, and film from Keene State College in 1999. He most recently served as the art director, supervising props, costumes, and set design, of the feature film No Providence, which recently premiered at the 2002 Troia International Film Festival in Setubal, Portugal. In addition to college films, he has worked on three feature-length independent films, and one independent film short. He was a production assistant for the Studio USA television series Arrest and Trial, narrated by Brian Dennehey. This will be Dale's first foray into theater production.
Kathy Simkanich (Publicity) writes the Players’ monthly newsletter, The Callboard, and is often found behind a camera at rehearsals and shows. She has a B.A. in Journalism from Penn State.