BEHIND THE SCENES

Director	Marcie Warner
Producer	Pam Whitenack
Set Designer	Carlton Hoke
Lighting Designer	Theresa Ridge
Sound Designer	Tim Banis
Costume Designer	Drenda Stone Cordeiro
Props Mistress	Leona Tinkey
Stage Manager	Mary Warner
Set Dresser	Mary Szeltner
Assistant Director	Mark Kopcho
Assistant Stage Manager	Scott W. Harman
Hair Stylists	Aileen Hower, Wes Irwin, Lauren Shuttlesworth
Set Construction	Carlton Hoke, Larry Warner
Lighting Crew	Nancy Michel, Christopher Morris, Megan Ridge, Pete Ridge, David Whitenack
Assistant Props Mistress	Flavia Lima
House Manager	Marley Amstutz
Promotion	Julie Bancroft, Ian Bonner, Beth Dunham, Derek Dunham, Jess Roggenbaum
Photographer	Michael Feldser
Box Office Manager	Tracey Ford

 

Photography by Michael Feldser

Olivia Berigan (Shirley Spencer)
Olivia is very excited to make her first appearance at Hershey Area Playhouse. She has performed in numerous productions around the area. Recently, Olivia starred as Annie at Oyster Mill Playhouse. She is an eighth grader at St. Theresa School in New Cumberland. At present, Olivia is studying in the Stella Adler Acting Technique School in New York City. She aspires to perform on Broadway in the near future. She would like to thank Marcie, and all the cast and crew, for this wonderful experience.

Alexa Buck (Townsperson)
Alexa, born in Chatham, NJ, is a fourth grade student at Derry Township School District. She lives with her parents, brother Ethan and sister, Ava. This is Alexa's first production outside of school plays. Her hobbies include gymnastics, swimming, dance and reading.

Michelle Camilli (Etta Staples)
Michelle’s theatrical work has been primarily with the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival, including mainstage productions, scene and comedy troupe shows, props and program work, and with Hershey Area Playhouse. Recent roles: Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, Sylvie in the The Odd Couple Female Version, Grace in Bus Stop, and the producer of/Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Michelle and her husband Keith have also performed at numerous swing dance events and won local dance contests, and are proud parents of daughters Katie and Elizabeth. It’s great to work with Marcie and the Hershey Area Playhouse gang again – thanks! Whatever did happen to Ashley Longworth?

Christian Cassidy-Amstutz (Townsperson)
Christian is excited to join the cast of The Homecoming as a Townsperson. This show marks his 5th appearance in a Hershey Area Playhouse production. He previously appeared in The Wizard of Oz (Munchkin), Oliver (Workhouse boy, Fagin’s gang), Our Town (Dead person) and most recently in Into the Woods Junior (The Steward). Christian is a 7th grader at Hershey Middle School and is a member of the school’s chorus and orchestra (cello), and the Science Olympiad Team. Christian enjoys reading, playing with his pets, bicycling, singing at home, church and school (PA Honor Choir-2007) and scouts where he is a member of Troop 200.

Susan Cort (Olivia)
Susan is making her 9th appearance in a Hershey Area Playhouse production and is delighted to be making her debut in our new theatre. She appeared in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie), The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Sound of Music (Sister Berthe), Annie, The Odd Couple Female Version, Oliver and Cinderella (Stepmother). Susan is a founding Playhouse board member and served as chairperson for seven years. She continues to serve the theatre helping with fundraising and special events, such as Cabaret Night and An Evening of Song. In addition, she produced The Crucible, Forty Carats and Cinderella and has produced Cabaret Night for eight years. Susan is the director of communications at JPL Productions and thanks her husband, Jeff, and daughters, Meredith and Mallory, for their love and support.

Emma Friedhofer (Pattie Cake Spencer)
Emma is delighted to return to the Hershey Area Playhouse where she was Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods Junior. Emma was also seen in Sounds of Christmas (Dutch Apple Dinner Theater). She performs twice a month in Kidstuf, a family ministry production (Hempfield United Methodist Church). Thanks to her voice teacher, Joanne Abrom, dance instructor, Joanne Weaver, and acting coach, Lauren Sobon, for their support and encouragement! Emma hopes to be a role model and inspiration to others who share her diagnosis of autism.

Karen Geertsema (City Lady)
Hershey Area Playhouse's production of The Homecoming marks the theatrical debut for Karen Geertsema. Born in Queens, New York and raised in Suffolk County on Long Island, Karen and her husband moved to the Central Pennsylvania area in 1992 to raise a family. Her son William (age 14) and daughter Lara (age 13) were both born in PA. Home for the Geertsema Family has included Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy and Maytown until 4 years ago when they made Hummelstown their permanent home. Acting has been a lifelong dream for Karen who works during the week as an office worker and bartender, and she hopes that this is only the beginning of a very long and happy relationship with community theatre at Hershey.

Maria Goldman (Townsperson)
Maria is a second grader at Hershey Elementary School. This is her first appearance in a Hershey Area Playhouse production. Maria's interests include piano, tap dancing, Irish step dancing and lacrosse. Her favorite pastime, however, is hanging with her guinea pigs, Midnight and Fudge.

Sara Goldman (Townsperson)
This is Sara’s fourth appearance in a Hershey Area Playhouse production. Previously she appeared as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, a chorus member in Into the Woods Junior and a walk on role in Our Town that she won in an essay contest. Sara studies voice, violin and piano. In the spring she plays lacrosse. Sara is a fifth grade student at Hershey Elementary School. She hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Sam Hardy (Clay-Boy Spencer)
This is Sam's second performance with the Hershey Area Playhouse, and he is very excited to be back. He performed over the summer in Into the Woods Junior as the Narrator/ Mysterious Man. Sam is a freshman at Palmyra High School. His other stage credits include appearances in Palmyra Middle School's production of Fiddler on the Roof Junior as Tevye and Tied to the Tracks as Professor Silias Scavenger. He is active in his High School's regular and Select Choirs. He is currently taking voice lessons from Beth Splaine. Sam greatly enjoys drama, and hopes to continue his theatrical pursuits throughout his High School career, as well as afterward, both professionally and for pleasure. Sam would like to thank his supportive family for encouraging him in his dramatic passion.

Rob Kopko (Clay Spencer)
Rob is an Information Technology manager for the Commonwealth’s Department of Labor and Industry. He has appeared in a number of Hershey Area Playhouse productions, including Bye Bye Birdie, The Man Who Came To Dinner, On Golden Pond, The Sound Of Music, The Crucible, Annie, Proposals, Bus Stop, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cinderella. He has also appeared in productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Inherit The Wind at Theatre Harrisburg, Kiss Or Make Up at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, The Comedy of Errors for the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival this past summer and as General Bullmoose in Li’l Abner at Oyster Mill Playhouse. As a “veteran” of numerous Hershey Area Playhouse productions, Rob is extremely excited to be performing for the first time at the new playhouse.

Emily Lazar (Townsperson)
Emily is an eighth grade student at Hershey Middle School. This is her first time performing at the Hershey Area Playhouse, but hopefully it won't be her last. She has been in a few plays at her school and has acted in some skits there as well. Emily has interests in music. She has learned to play the clarinet and bass at her school. She enjoys other activities outside of the arts like track and traveling. She is very excited to be part of the play.

Karen Anne Lloyd (Emma Staples)
Karen is thrilled to be making her debut at Hershey Area Playhouse in tonight’s production as Emma Staples. She has been active in theatre at Oyster Mill Playhouse for several years with some of her favorite parts being Veta Louise Simmons in Harvey and Annie Parker in When We Are Married. She has also had parts in their productions of Dr. Cook’s Garden, Li’l Abner and Guys and Dolls, along with several others over the years. She would like to thank her kids, Kat, Heather and Vince, for cheering her on in her acting efforts, her nieces, Sammy Jo, Maxie and Molly for helping her with her lines and all the support from her two roommates, Tom and Rad.

Paul Luckenbaugh (Matt Spencer)
Paul is a ninth-grader at Palmyra Area High School. He enjoys running, acting, singing, and playing his trumpet. Paul is proud to be in his second production with Hershey Area Playhouse, his first performance being Into the Woods Junior playing the part of Jack. Paul has also been in Palmyra Middle School’s productions of Nifty Fifties, Tied to the Tracks, and Fiddler on the Roof Junior. Paul would like to thank his friends, family, and teachers who support him so much.

Rebecca Machtinger (Townsperson)
Rebecca is a seventh grade honor student at Hershey Middle School. She moved from New Jersey to Hershey in 2001. She has taken acting classes through the Popcorn Players of Harrisburg, Hershey Area Playhouse, and is currently taking classes with Open Stage of Harrisburg. Rebecca is active in Middle School Lacrosse, CYO Basketball and Hershey Youth Basketball. She is the middle child and only girl in her family and hopes to continue improve her acting skills through ongoing acting classes. This is her first production and she is very excited to be part of the cast

John Mallonee (Sheriff)
Thank you for supporting our local theatre in Hershey by attending today's performance.  I've been blessed to be a part of Hershey Area Playhouse for three productions now after playing The Herald in Cinderella and Ralph in A Christmas Story. It's through the opportunities from Hershey Area Playhouse, inspiration from my father, and the unyielding support of my lovely wife and partner Kelly that I'm able to be a part of one of my favorite Christmas classics.  I've lived in Hershey for 18 years now and am a member of the Hershey Lions Club (www.hersheylions.org). Enjoy today's show and may you always find your way home at Christmas.

Harry Menear (Grandpa Homer)
Harry is a retired businessman and is happy to be appearing in The Homecoming. He sang with the Sand Hill Singers, a professional folk singing group which he founded in the 1960s. He has also sung with Brothers in Grace, a local gospel quartet. Credits with Hershey Area Playhouse include Bye Bye Birdie (male quartet), On Golden Pond (as Norman Thayer), The Crucible (as Thomas Putnam), and Oliver! (quartet, knife grinder, and chairman). He appeared as Porter Milgram in Theatre Harrisburg’s production of the thriller Death Trap. Harry thanks his wife Lois for her love and support, and Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior for all the blessings in his life.

Marek Mierski (John Spencer)
Marek is very excited to appear at the new theatre after appearing in the Hershey Area Playhouse production of A Christmas Story as Randy Parker. A third grader at Hershey Elementary School, Marek enjoys travel soccer and baseball. Marek participates in Cub Scout Pack 200 and is an altar boy and a member of the St. Sava Youth Choir at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. What a fun cast and crew!
 
Nathan Mierski (Townsperson)
Nathan, a native of Pittsburgh, is a sixth grade student at Hershey Middle School. He has previously appeared in the Hershey Area Playhouse production of Into the Woods Junior. Last Christmas, Nathan was Schwartz in A Christmas Story. He is involved with Boy Scout Troop 200. A beginner with the St. Nicholas Junior Tamburitzan Orchestra, Nathan is an altar boy and a member of the St. Sava Yourth Choir at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. Happy Holidays to all!

Chip Nelson (Rev. Dooly)
This is Chip's first perfomance on stage for Hershey Area Playhouse.  He worked as Stage Manager on The Odd Couple, Female Version, where coincidentally Marcie Warner was the director. Chip's favorite shows over the years have been Godspell, School House Rock, and the part of the devil in Miracle. Chip would like to thank Marcie Warner for giving him this opportunity to be on stage again.  Chip would also like to thank his wife Marie and his kids for their inspiration.

Brandon O’Connell (Joseph)
Brandon attends sixth grade at Hershey Middle School. He is involved in soccer, basketball, and Boy Scouts. He plays cello in the orchestra. He has participated in Hershey Area Playhouse theatre classes and summer drama camp, and was an extra in the Hersheypark Boardwalk commercial. This is Brandon’s debut at Hershey Area Playhouse.

Kyra O’Connell (Mary)
Kyra is a sixth grade student at Hershey Middle School where she is in the chorus and orchestra. In orchestra she plays the viola. She enjoys soccer, Girl Scouts and ice skating. This is her first appearance in a play at Hershey Area Playhouse. She was in an acting class put on by the Hershey Area Playhouse last year. She was also an extra in the Hersheypark Boardwalk commercial.

Michael O’Connell (Ike Godsey)
Mike is making his Hershey Area Playhouse stage debut in this production of The Homecoming. He has performed at many local community theatres including Theater Harrisburg (Wild Oats), Oyster Mill Playhouse (Meanwhile Back on the Couch), and Lebanon Community Theater (Dark of the Moon). Mike lives in Hershey and is employed by Hershey Entertainment and resorts. He is the proud father of Kyra and Brandon O’Connell who are also appearing in this production as Mary and Joseph.

Ryan Rash (Birdshot)
Ryan is 14 years old and is acting in his first Hershey Playhouse production. He has also performed at Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival, Oyster Mill Playhouse and Capital Dinner Theater. He is an alumnus of many seasons of Popcorn Hat Player’s theatre school. His hobbies involve bass guitar, acting, and magic. Ryan also enjoys watching action movies and chilling with his theatrical friends.

Zoe Rauscher (Townsperson)
While she has been a participant in the Hershey Area Playhouse summer acting camp for the past two years, this is Zoe's debut performance at Hershey Area Playhouse! She's a third grade student at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in Hershey. Zoe lives with her parents, sister (Autumn) and many family pets. She enjoys singing in St. Joan of Arc Children's Choir, drawing/painting, and collecting new varieties of Hershey Kisses.

Deavan Rodgers (Becky Spencer)
Deavan, a junior at Northern Lebanon High School, is thrilled to be revising her Lebanon Community Theater role as Becky and is even more excited to finally perform at Hershey Area Playhouse. She's played Alma Hix in The Music Man, Mrs. Wheeler in Ask Any Girl and has had numerous singing solos throughout her high school years. She plans to continue to audition for roles at school and at Hershey Area Playhouse in hopes to pursue drama in college and be on Broadway. Her dream is to play Rizzo in Grease.

Evan Sassaman (Luke Spencer)
Evan is a fifth grade student at Derry Township School District. Evan is involved in Scouting and is a member of Pack 200, Webelos II, Scorpion Patrol. This is Evan’s second production with Hershey Area Playhouse. He appeared in the Playhouse’s summer production of Into the Woods Junior. Evan’s interests include acting, music, cars, swimming, hiking, golfing and fishing. He is very excited to be part of such a talented cast and crew.

Will Shaffer (Charlie Sneed)
This is Will’s first Hershey Area Playhouse production and he would like to thank Marcie and her staff for the opportunity to perform in this beautiful theatre and with this wonderful cast. Some of Will’s other fun times was doing The Mousetrap, Damn Yankees, Little Shop of Horror, and Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Will would like to thank his wife Pam for all her support, and also dedicate this show to a friend; Sandy English who has recently passed away. Hope everyone enjoys the show.

Thomas Szeltner (Mark Spencer)
Tommy, a native of Cleveland, OH, is a seventh grade student at Palmyra Middle School. He lives with his parents and little sister, Emily. He has previously appeared in Hershey Area Playhouse productions of Oliver!, Nuncrackers, A Christmas Story and Our Town as well as Palmyra Area School District productions of The Wizard of Oz and Fiddler on the Roof. He enjoys sports, movies, video games and fine dining.

Joan Theal (Grandma)
This is Joan’s third appearance with Hershey Area Playhouse. She played Domina in Forum and Mrs. Stanley in The Man Who Came to Dinner. In the intervening years she has performed in a multitude productions with Greater Harrisburg Youth For Christ including yearly Passion Plays and has had the roles Fruma Sara in Fiddler on the Roof and Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music. When not on stage, Joan married to Chuck, the mother of two grown sons and is the Librarian at the Milton Hershey School middle school. Her hobbies include reading, swimming, gardening and most varieties of needlework.