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TONY AIELLO .....Gary Peter Lefkowitz Andrew’s director friend who is constantly trying to hook Andrew up with a job. He is the sort of "do-lunch-and-deals- dope" who has all of his taste in his mouth. Tony has been seen on and off the stages of Illinois Community Theatre for over 25 years. Some of his favorite roles include Hamlet in Hamlet, Fortinbras in Fortinbras and the Bridge in The Bridge over the river Kwai. When asked about Tony's experience several famous celebrities offered the following comments, "Tony who?" - John Gielgud "I don't know who that is." - Kenneth Brannaugh "Wasn't he in Hudson Hawk with Bruce Willis? Oh, that's Danny Aiello." -Keifer Sutherland "No, I don't know his work. I wonder if he's related to me." - Danny Aiello Tony is excited to be part of TSP in his first show at the Opera House and for the chance to spread his anonymity to Woodstock!

MARK KETTNER .....John Barrymore John Barrymore was acclaimed as the Great Profile, a handsome matinee idol and movie star but also a noted wastrel. He appears as a ghost in the play. Seen most recently as the Constable in WMTC’s  Fiddler On the Roof and Man Of LaMancha. Mark has also appeared at the Opera House with TSP, in Phantom and as Henry Benish (Lord Dudley) in Play On! and Blithe Spirit.   Mark has been in theatre for thirty years. Some of his favorite roles include; Henry II in Lion In Winter, Sir Thomas Moore in Man For All Seasons, and Piglet in Winnie the Pooh. His directing credits include The Butler Did It, The Point, and The Princess and The Pea. Mark resides in Salem, Wisconsin. When not involved in theatre, Mark is an avid fisherman.

CHRIS KURZER .....Andrew Rally Andrew Rally, a famous, discontented television actor who finds himself in between contracts at the time of the play. Chris continues his success with, this, his third TSP production. Previously seen in The Sound of Music, as Admiral von Schreiber and as Charlie Baker in The Foreigner. He portrayed Paul, in WMTC's, Moon Over Buffalo. Chris lives his dreams and brings to life the characters that tell their stories. This up-incoming actor looks to continue his career "one step at a time, while reaching for the rising star." Chris thanks his fiance for her undying support, his dad for being an inspiration, the cast for their amazing friendship and talent to make Andrew real and Dre for giving him the opportunity to work with such a dedicated, professional director and wonderful friend. "To all actors and Shakespeare lovers (or not)....this is for you! ENJOY!"

BREE PAVEY .....Dierdre McDavey Andrew’s grilfriend, who is unwilling to have sex with Andrew before they are married. She is very enamored with Barrymore. Bree is a 29 year old Lawyer with The Gitlin Law Firm in Woodstock. Previous productions include: Steel Magnolias, Alchemies, Caught in the Villain's Web, And They Danced Real Slow In Jackson, Spiked Heels, California Suite, One Night Only, Dancing at Lughnasa, Hello, Dali! Improv group, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I Hate hamlet is my first TSP production and I am thrilled to be working with such a talented cast a crew! I am truly grateful for the opportunity to perfom with this ensemble. Thank you for being so fabulous! I would like to thank Cam for always understanding the demands that come with putting together a show. His support and encouragement are limitless! I also want to thank my brother and sister, Stephanie and Brian, who, through their involvement with CYT, have helped me remember that the best thing about community theatre is new friends! May God bless this company and the entire TSP family throughout the life of I Hate Hamlet!

SHERRY TESSLER .....Lillian Troy Andrew's agent, the "scum of the earth," - Lillian, who many years ago, had a brief fling with Barrymore in the apartment Andrew is now renting. "I Love the Opera House!" I am delighted to be returning this fall to my favorite theater and am even more delighted to be once again working with Dre and Chris from the Foreigner and Mark from Blithe Spirit. Having a small cast is ideal because it lends itself to such camaraderie; thus, I will now have more actors and staff members to enjoy working with in the future. Once again, I am cast in an interesting, character part, and if you don't recognize me from show to show, I have succeeded in not being type cast! As always, much love to my husband who continues to be very supportive of his "right-brained" wife.

BARBARA TIPTON .....Felicia Dantine Real estate agent Felicia Dantine claims she is able to communicate with departed spirits, and conducts seances. While last year's WMTC production of Jekyll & Hyde saw Barbara's Opera House debut as the button-biting madam, Nellie, this is her first TSP show. She lives in Woodstock with her equally theatrical family, which includes five (yeah, you heard right) very dramatic children. When not onstage, Barbara directs the McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program, looks for sanity in her garden and works on restoring "MoneyPit Manor", her 1899 Victorian home. She would like to sincerely thank Dre, the staff and the cast for putting up with her inablilty to leave Felicia onstage, and especially Trent for his literary inspiration....

The Folks Behind the Scenes

MARY MONGELLUZZO .....Co-Producer

Mary is an Administrative Assistant to the Principal at SEDOM. I Hate Hamlet marks her third time for Producing. She has worked on crew, and been Properties Manager for various shows over the years. Having children involved for years and driving back and forth for their rehearsals - she just realized it was easier to stay and help out!!

DEB SPITZBART .....Co-Producer

Deb has enjoyed being co-producer of this great production and working with Dre, the staff, and the very talented cast. Thank you to you all. A big Thank You to Mary for her patience and guidance in teaching me the ways of a producer. Deb has been involved in several capacities of theater for the past 15 years. She is currently one of the House Managers at the Opera House. She is on the board for TSP and is also on the Play Reading Committee. She's been a teacher's associate in a special education classroom for 20 years. She has 2 adult children and lives in Woodstock with her husband David.

DRE ROBINSON .....Director

Dre makes his second appearance in Woodstock with I Hate Hamlet. After having a wonderful experience directing The Foreigner, he has come back to once again display his talent and love of theatre.
Dre’s achievements span 20 years. His love of the arts began to cultivate when he attended The Chicago Academy for the Arts. His most recent accmplishments include: Lend Me a Tenor, and touring across the country with The Jackie Wilson Story.
However, the most meaningful accomplishment is his direction of the play Between Hell & High Water. Written by B.C. Robinson, Dre’s mother and biggest inspiration. The play has been shown in Chicago and is in the process of being sent out on tour.
Dre would like to acknowledge all of the members of the cast and crew (all Hail King Lou), for making every trip to Woodstock fun, memorable and well worth the drive.
Special thanks once again to: Mom for always knowing what I was meant to be, & Tracee for pushing me to my limits and believing in me.
I would like to dedicate this play to my late father, Edward Dorsey who will always be "the Barrymore to my Andrew"...I love you and miss you.

TRENT HALPIN .....Stage Manager

This show marks the 6th production for Trent at the Opera House. Audience may remember him as Saul in TSP's   Play On, Pedro in WMTC's Man of La Mancha, and Fyedka in this year's Fiddler on the Roof. Trent has been involved in theatre since 1980. He has directed shows for I.M.S.A, Jacksonville Theatre Guild, Pittsfield Theatre Guild, and MacMurray College. When not on stage, Trent can be found in Lake in the Hills teaching 2nd grade.

LOU CZARNY ..... (Technical Coordinator/Set Designer)

This is Lou’s 86th production since his stage debut in Woodstock Musical Theatre Company’s (WMTC) The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the Woodstock Opera House in 1985 when he "caught the bug". Over the past 17 years he has served in the capacities of cast member, running crew, follow spot operator, sound board operator, producer, production coordinator, technical coordinator, set construction foreman, set construction crew, set designer and production manager for WMTC, TSP, Paradise People, Woodstock Summer Theatre, Dillie’s Follies and Marengo Summer with the Arts. He is the current President of TownSquare Players. Lou is the court administrator for McHenry County and lives in Woodstock with his wife Janie.

MICHAEL MAY .....Light Designer

For the last eight years Michael T May has been designing lighting for theatre. He is currently studying lighting design at Columbia College Chicago. I Hate Hamlet will be his debut design with the TownSquare Players. Past designs include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and HMS Pinafore both with Raleigh Little Theatre, Life's Not Fair, So What! at the Lakeshore Theatre, Merry Christmas Strega Nona at Theatre of Western Springs, and Six Degrees of Separation at Marquette University. Michael has also worked with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Eurythmics Dance Company, Dance for Life, Dance Africa, and the Drury Lane Oakbrook.

HOWIE ALTON .....Set Construction Foreman

JOHN FLESHMAN .....Property Manager

LELAND BURBANK .....Fight Choreographer For the past eleven years Leland Burbank has been 'swinging steel' at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Schaumburg IL. Hired on to portray a Knight of the Realm, Leland has also sported the King's crown and acted the role of the Marshall of the Tournament. Leland, appearing five nights a week, can be seen astride his beautiful Andalusian-Thoroughbred, Salto, defending the castle from evil. Woodstock IL is familiar ground as well, as Leland has taught equestrian riding at Bridleway Stables, Ltd. before there eventual move out of state. But Leland is 'back in town' as the resident stage combat instructor for Dream Makers Studio, who is dedicated to bringing theater arts education to the surrounding communities. In addition to Leland's above work experience, he has been an active member in the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). An organization dedicated to promoting the art of fight choreography and combat safety with strong emphasis on acting, for theatre, television and the film industries. Leland has been an instructor of staged combat for the Illinois High School Theater Festival, Medieval Times, Inc., numerous high schools and colleges in Illinois, as well as his own stage combat classes in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Choreography credits include productions for Hamlet, Medieval Times, Inc., Romantic Times, Columbia College student films, and Celebration Barn Theater, in South Paris ME. Leland has also had a longtime love affair with the romance industry where he has been featured on numerous romance novel covers including Shannon Drake's Knight Triumphant, Julianne MacLean's Prairie Bride, Leslie Burbank's novels, To Tame a Viking and Secrets of the Sea, and the December 2003 release of NY Times Best-Selling Author Nan Ryan's The Last Dance. See Leland in action

LETITIA LYON .....Costume Designer

Beginning her fourth season as resident costume designer at MCC's theatre department, she looks forward to this season's upcoming productions of The Importance of Being Ernest and Hair with director Jay Geller and choreographer Deb Swinford. Other costume credits include The Man Who Came to Dinner and Fiorello with TSP, The Mikado (WMTC), and children's productions of Phantom, Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood and The Odyssey (MCC).

Some of her directing credits include Charlotte's Web at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center; Joseph and Anything Goes and Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana at Elgin Community College. Romeo and Juliet and Along Day's Journey Into Night at New Studio Theatre, The Odyssey at McHenry County College; Phantom (TSP) A Little Night Music, Something's Afoot, Nunsense, and Hello Dolly (WMTC), and Amahl and the Night Visitors (Musica) at the Woodstock Opera House. Tish is artistic director of Children's Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Youth Theatre Company, and develops and teaches theatre classes for youth at ECC and MCC.

Tish is artistic director and owner of Dream Makers Studio, a theatre arts program. Dream Makers Studio offers a broad range of classes and workshops designed to enhance performance, self-development, and life skills.

Happy to be working with TSP again, Tish looks forward to a continued and collaborative relationship with Dre, the dedicated staff and talented ensemble of actors of "I Hate Hamlet".

TSP HOME║ HAMLET HOME║ Behind the Scenes║ Meet the Staff & Cast║ In the News║ Synopsis║ Production Notes║ John Barrymore║ Theatre Superstitions║ Ticket Info

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