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First Cast
Samuel Joseph Maximin 11 years old and native of Norwalk, CT. Samuel is excited about being apart of an original musical play and having the opportunity to work with gifted and talents cast members. Samuel is a Reach Prep Scholar and attends Fairfield Country Day School, and hopes to make a significant contribution to the world of the Performing Arts. Thank You Mom, Mommy and Daddy for supporting and encouraging me. News Article about Maximin Children
Hannah Maximin 9 years old, a native of Norwalk,CT. Hannah is thankful for the opportunity to work with such talent cast members of the play. Hannah performances includes; two short films, videos, print and modeling, and numerous plays and performances in her community and has been modeling since the age of three years old. Hannah aspires to be a Hollywood “Movie Star” and looks forward to other opportunities to exercise her talents and to gain more experience. Thanks to God for this wonderful opportunity and my parents and grandmother for their support. News Article about Maximin Children
Brooke Reams
Katerina Apostolico (JoJo) is excited to be performing in this original musical with such a talented group. She has recently returned from touring Asia with The Sound of Music for the last year performing the roles of Gretl and Marta. She performed in China, Japan, S. Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. She has also been seen in numerous regional and community theaters performing some of her favorite roles which include Gretl in The Sound of Music, Molly in Annie, and a youth production of Grease in which she played Jan. She has also been seen performing in Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The King & I, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Katerina is currently 9 years old and has been performing on stage since the age of 3. This musical marks her 20th show which makes it extra special. She has already decided that she will be a “star” on Broadway. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for their love, support and car service
Roo Bodner (Jeno) – Hailing from Florida, Roo is a recent graduate of AMDA in NYC. Roo has been dancing since the age of 3. Her love for theatre took her to Coeur d’Alene Idaho this past summer where she appeared in: Footloose, Guys and Dolls and Beauty and the Beast. Roo is thrilled to be performing with such a supportive cast. “Thank you mom and dad for always believing in me.” Keep smiling!
Noah Brendemuehl (Jeff) – Hailing from Horicon Wisconsin, Noah is thrilled to see dreams come to fruition. Past credits include: Bat Boy- The Musical, Cabaret, Chess, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Jesus Christ Superstar and A Chorus Line. In addition to his work in the theatre, Noah has spent five season dancing with Insight Out Productions. He dedicates his performance to his mother.
Sari Caine (Anna) – Sari has been acting in NYC theatres since she was 3 years old. Movie credits include: June Roses and Mr. Destiny. Sari’s favorite shows include: The Children’s Hour at Circle in the Square, Macbeth at St. Clements Church and I Never Saw Another Butterfly at The York Theatre. Thanks to friends and family, especially dad for his support, transportational and otherwise.
Anthony Engellis (Gino) – Anthony has had a deep rooted love for all forms of art. He spends part of his time participating in various forms of painting, sculpting, percussion, martial arts and writing. His favorite form of arts is acting where he finds a great escape in stealing the soul of another estranged person. Past performances include principal and day player roles in: As the World Turns, Oz and Death of Dynasty.
Christian Amato (Student/Reporter/Young Tom/Chorus) - Christian is a senior at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY. He is happy to be involved in this performance and is excited about his Off Broadway debut! Other performances Christian has been involved with include: Our Town, Showboat, A Few Good Men, The Scarlet Pimpernel along with playing Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner and Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors. He would like to thank his family for helping him achieve his ambitions and the people at Stepinac who have inspired him so much.
John C. Freyer (Technical Director) – From upper Westchester NY, John comes from a prolific theatre background. With numerous community and high school productions as well as college productions he comes to us as Technical Director of “Straight to the Top,” which he is very excited about. John received his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Dance and Film with a specialization in Acting and Directing from Keene State College in Keene, NH. He plans to get into the entertainment industry one way or another!
Tom Waltz (Guy/Young Tom) – A native of Owatonna MN, Tom is thrilled to be working with the phenomenal team of Straight to the Top. Tom is a graduate of AMDA, and is currently a BFA student at The New School. Favorite roles: Theater Barn- Over the River and Through the Woods (Nick), Full Monty (Ethan); AMDA- Little Shop (Seymour), Fat Pig (Tom); Bloomington Civic- Mame (lead dancer); Merlin Players- Laramie Project (Jedadiah Schultz); LTO- Ordinary People (Conrad Jarrett), Music Man (Tommy Djilas), Secret Garden (Lt. Shaw); OHS- Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Midsummer (Demetrius), Dogg’s Hamlet (Hamlet). “Thank you Lord, mom and dad, Rachel (“Cher”) and everyone involved with Straight to the Top for this opportunity.”
Tom Waltz (Stage Manager) - A native of Owatonna MN, Tom is extremely honored to fill the role of stage manager. Tom has a deep appreciation for the technical side of theatre and is thrilled to be able to exercise his crew abilities. Directing experience: LTO- Ordinary People, Actor’s Nightmare; OHS- Audience; Associated Players- Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella. Stage Managing experience: Merlin Players- Misery; LTO- Wait Until Dark, Picnic. Tom has also designed lights and sound for such shows as Driving Miss Daisy, Gifts of the Magi and Taffetas. “Thank you Lord for your wisdom and blessings. Thank you to everyone in the cast and crew for taking on multiple jobs/roles and helping this project soar. Your diligence is something to be admired.”
Sylvianne Chebance
Sylvianne graduated from The American Musical Dramatic Academy. Her recent roles include: Pied Pipper in Pilgrim, Agnes de Sorel in The Lark, Professor Kenyon in Good News. She is currently working on an original Musical Gauguin-The savage Light, in which she plays Mette, Gauguin's first wife. She has also starred in several Independent movies and has appeared in Law and Order as the Stenographer. Sylvianne is thrilled and thankful to be a member of this cast!
Brian Robbins
Sabrina Wang (Nora) – A business graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign along with being alumni of AMDA in NYC, Sabrina is making her first appearance in a musical show. Kristin Farrell (Ensemble, Anna U/s)- recently graduated from Wagner College receiving a BA in theater. She has performed in numerous plays over the years. Some of her favorite credits include WCT: Chess, Florence , Caucasian Chalk Circle, Grusha. Regional: Hello Dolly!,Minnie Fay, Les Miserable in Concert, Eponine, Secret Garden, Martha. Kristin has appeared in numerous commercials, tv shows and film. Next she will be performing the role of Charlotte in Oliver at Snug Harbor. She would like to thank her family and friends for their undying love and support. Ryan Hollis - Ryan graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the arts. His training includes the Stella Adler Conservatory (NYC), CAP 21, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He was last seen off off broadway in September in an original production of a hip hop retelling of Hamlet called REVENGE OF A KING. Ryan is happy to be performing in this production and wants to thank his family for the continued support. Matthew I Quinn (Director/ Choreographer) Matt has been performing close to 15 years now. His resume has progressed to dozens of musical productions such as Crazy For You (Bobby Child), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), West Side Story (Bernardo), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Fame (Schlomo). Long Island premiere productions of Copacabana (Willy), Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Jane Eyre (Richard Mason), Children Of Eden (Snake et al), and The Who?s Tommy (Pinball Wizard et al), original productions include Hope and Glory(Russell), The Pirate Musical (Salamagundi/Rannie), A Circus Christmas Carol (Fred /Ghost of Xmas Future), and numerous original play productions. Choreography credits include Hair, My Fair Lady, JC Superstar, Fame, Carousel, Shennandoah, Godspell, 42nd Street, The Wiz, Annie, Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Jekyll and Hyde, and Pippin. Matt has recently developed his directing resume which includes 4 original productions and one musical. Matt has taught theatre acting and movement classes through out the long island area and has also been an award winning competition choreographer; Matt was given the opportunity to dance on a national syndicated television show called Club Jam TV. He is currently dance director for a model and talent company, while holding down a full time job. He is currently in the process of developing his own dance production company. He wishes to thank his entire support system to which none of this could be possible, to a talent and phenomenally hard working cast. I love you all.
Second CastMICHAEL CESARANO (TOM)
Michael has been an actor and a director for over twenty years, and a professor of speech and theatre for over twelve years. Michael is currently a member of the Theatre faculty at Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York (www.qcc.cuny.edu/speechtheatre). He remains active in various forms of media; recent credits include associate producer on the film "Playball!” A History of the Broadway Show Softball League. He also redesigned the league's official logos, which can be seen at www.broadwayshowleague.com. In 2004, Michael hosted the Long Island Music Festival, sponsored by Good Times Magazine. Acting credits include the role of Stephen in the New York production of Israel Horovitz' Line. Michael played the lead role for a year in this production, which is known for being the longest-running off-off-Broadway play. As a member of the Thirteenth Street Repertory Company (http://www.13thstreetrep.org/), he appeared in the original cast of several new plays including The Four Cornered Couch by Henry Slesar and Heterosexuals in Crisis by Gay Walch. He has also performed at New Dramatists and with the American Renaissance Theatre Company, and has directed at the Pantheon Theatre in midtown Manhattan. He has studied acting with F. Murray Abraham and has worked on theatre productions with Eric Stoltz, Tate Donovan and Joan Copeland (The American Plan, by Richard Greenberg, Manhattan Theatre Club), Jim Steinman and Ray Errol Fox (The Confidence Man, World Premiere). Additionally, Michael was a writer/performer with the sketch comedy group PMS Players and performed with them in several New York comedy clubs including The Gotham Comedy Club and Rose’s Turn. Michael is also a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (http://www.sabr.org/), and is recognized among memorabilia collectors as a leading historian regarding uniform design and history. He has been studying Major League Baseball uniform designs for twenty-five years; Michael's article on the history of the New York Mets uniform can be found online at the Ultimate Mets Database web site (www.ultimatemets.com). Michael is listed in Who’s Who in America.
Lori Anne De Iulio Casdia ( Anna) Lori Anne is an Actor, Vocalist, Multi-instrumentalist, Composer, Arranger, Director, Designer, and Coach.In just the last five years Lori Anne has performed in excess of 50 Main stage and Children’s theatre productions in Long Island Theatre. Performing in various venues - from The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, Theatre Three, and Broadhollow Theatres to the Hampton Theatre Company, St. George Productions, The New Musical Project and Heartworks Productions - Lori Anne has also been in Commercials, Films, and Industrials. Lori Anne is a trained and experienced Sound Designer, Production Manager, Stage Manager and Touring Manager. Along with being in demand as a Private Acting Coach, Lori Anne has taught at the Dramatic Academy and conducted numerous acting workshops and classes at local venues. Her directing credits include: Impromptu, The Mandrake, Philemon, Anything Goes, California Suite and Fame. Lori Anne is a memeber of ASCAP; was a Studio Recording Vocalist and Vocal Arranger for Atlantic Records and has performed and been featured in a variety of venues throughout the TriState area including; Lincoln Center, The Ritz, The Village Gate, and The Bottom Line.
Danielle Esterow (Dancer): Most recently performed in Girl Crazy with the Suburban Players. In addition to that she appeared in The Little Mermaid at the Stage Theatre in Merrick, Long Island, Danielle has appeared in several scholastic productions which include The Lion King and Tom Sawyer. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and modern with The Central Moves Senior Dance Company in Massapequa. She has performed at Symphony Space in NYC and The Pepsico Theatre in Purchase, NY to benefit DRA (Dancers responding to AIDS) and Long lsland Dance Consortium Festival.Danielle is an active member of the Massapequa H.S Marching Band and plays flute and piccolo in the high school symphonic band and orchestra. She enjoys writing poetry and her work has appeared in Visions literary magazine. She is a graduating senior this year and in the fall will be attending Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support.
PAULINE GOUGH ( MS. BALDELLO) Pauline was only too pleased to be asked to join this new show! After all, there is no such thing as a small part, only small actors! She has appeared all over Long Island in musicals, straight plays, historical teas and the Port Jefferson Dickens's Christmas pageant. Her favorite roles have been Mrs. Sowerberry in 'Oliver', Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden', and Miss Prism in 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. She also performs with Primrose Productions in their library shows '$pent' and 'Great Books'. Thanks Matt for asking me on board.
Hinde Liepmanshon
Hinde first appeared on LI, at the Stony Brook University cabaret in an original
play “All About O”. She then performed a modern adaptation of “Medea” (Medea),
and the award winning play “Polaroid Stories” (Percephone) for which she was
nominated as best actress and selected to the American College Theatre Festival.
She also appeared in Suddenly Story, a touring children theatre show on Long
Island, “Lilith” (Eve), “Talking With” (Marks) and “Shopping and Fucking”
(Brian), on various stages at Stony Brook. She also performed in a murder
mystery for two seasons (Detective). Some of her latest performances were at the
Authors Playhouse in Bayshore in the “8th Dwarf” (Grumpy) and “Brooklyn
Beginnings” (Vivian), as part of a new writer’s festival. She received the award
for best actress in a drama and got a chance to appear as Vivian again at the
Producer’s Club II for the Strawberry Festival, last winter. Her last
performance was in “All About Me”, an original comedy by Millie Michaels at the
Governor’s. Hinde also recorded a French learning CD for Berlitz and Heartworks
International. She wishes to thank Matt for his patience and for giving her
this opportunity to broaden her horizons, as well as all her friends and family
for their support. Thank you GIRLS!!!
Bryan Blade Kurtz (Anthony) - After almost a decade, Bryan is thrilled to originate a character in a new musical. Bryan caught the bug during his junior year of high school & has not looked back since. Some of Bryan's most memorable theatrical moments as a performer include; Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple as a last minute replacement, with script in hand, Sonny & Kenickie in Grease; performing Sonny in a sling for 5 consecutive weeks following a fractured arm accident at the last rehearsal opening night eve, playing the elder Sir. Lawrence Wargrave in the murder mystery, Ten Little Indians, convincing family & friends he was an older man, Warren Sheffield in Meet Me In St. Louis, Lewis in Pippin, Chino in West Side Story, Paul in Moon Over Buffalo, Mark The Monkey in the Twilight Zone type play All In The Timing, Sneaky Sam in Snow White Goes West & one of his personal favorites, The Tailor Motel Kamzoil in Fiddler On The Roof, in three separate productions. Bryan made his directorial debut in 1999 with Oceanside Elementary School #4's Champion Players production of Pinocchio. This was influenced by his previous involvement as Assistant Director & Stage Manager for numerous Oceanside Middle School Productions. He can also be seen as an extra on the first season DVD of HBO's hit prison show, OZ. Bryan knows that living a healthy lifestyle as a Vegan/Raw Foodist is a key factor in him going Straight To The Top, & would like to spread positive wishes to all involved in this wonderful creation. He dedicates this production to the loving memory of Uncle Steven & Nike. Perri Michaela Levine (Jo Jo) Perri caught the acting bug when she was 7 years old and played young “Red” in a Colombia college film (Chicago), “Finding Red”. A couple of modeling stints and several community and school productions have since followed with roles in Babes in Toyland, Annie Get Your Gun, Charlie Brown, Fiddler on the Roof Jr.(playing Chava) and most recently the role of Kathy(Calvin) in Guys and Dolls Jr. Perri is an honor student in 6th grade and takes ballet and tap. She is so excited to be involved with such a professional cast and performing on the “big stage”. Thanks Matt!
DENNIS O’DONOVAN (DOCTOR) Although a passable first tenor Dennis is usually found in the non-singing role in many musicals, Straight to the Top being no exception. He as appeared in Girl Crazy as Sam Mason, The King and I as the Kralahome, Damn Yankees as Mr. Welch, Anything Goes as Elisha Whitney, Carousel as The Heavenly Friend, and virtually every non-singing role in Annie. As a singer, Dennis has appeared with the North Shore Chorale, and the Long Island Cabaret Theatre, performed the role of Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun, and in many community theatre choruses. Dennis has produced a number of community theatre musicals and variety shows, and is proudest of all of his directing credits: Co-Director of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Director of the Long Island debut of The Ruth Canal Show (also featuring Sara Cohen and Les Degen). Dennis enjoyed working with Matt Quinn on Girl Crazy, and appreciates the opportunity to work with him again in Straight to the Top. Dennis is grateful to all the friends, family and colleagues who have supported his passion for theatre all these years, and dedicates his performances in this show to dear friend Tom Keough and to the memory of Murray Grand.
Jennifer Ostrowski (Writer/Producer) - In the past few years Jennifer has become a powerful
force in the communications and media arena. As an assignment reporter and
videographer for LI News Tonight, she has interviewed noted sports figures like
John Hall of the Jets and select members of the Islanders. In her position
as a host for the ASN Shopping Network and later as a host/reporter for the Long
Island Film Festival and Gala in their annual independent television
documentaries, Jennifer has earned the reputation and opportunity to interview
such profile celebrities as Supermodel Christie Brinkley, actor Ralph Macchio of
“The Karate Kid,” and Steve Guttenberg of “Cocoon.” Jennifer’s ability to
maintain her versatility in the media and television field allows her to become
involved in a spectrum of projects, such as the 2002 Emmy Awards for the
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, where she worked as a
correspondent. She has been featured in various independent films, music
videos and television commercials. Most recently Jennifer worked for “Your
Health Matters” where she hosted radio infomercials which were heard across the
country. She is currently teaching English and Journalism. Her
latest accomplishment is a trilogy production with the first part as a book
called “Talk About Songwriting”. This was later followed by a
companion CD and a stage musical “Straight to the Top” consisting of all
original material developed and produced by Jennifer herself.
Jill Polstein (Jill / Dance Captain): Jill is just finishing up her sophomore year in college at NCC. She has been studying various styles of dance for the past 14 years and her favorite thing to do is perform. She’s studied dance at different places all over Long Island and she attended Boces Cultural Arts Center for dance in high school. Jill choreographs 5th and 6th grade shows for Chatterton Elementary School, and for a not-for-profit theatre group called A Bite Of Broadway. She also enjoys doing makeup and hair on and off the stage. Recently, Jill has appeared in Grease as “Cha-Cha”, and has appeared all over Long Island in Swing! as almost every dance role in the show. Jill hopes to finish her education at Queens College as a physical education major, and hopes that she can continue dancing, choreographing, and over all performing for as long as her body will allow her to. Jill would like to send thanks to her family for there unconditional love, especially her sister who is always her number one fan, the Stein family for all of there support, all of her friends for making her feel so lucky, Loni for being her other half, and her fellow “swinger” Matt for giving her this opportunity. Enjoy the Show! Matthew I Quinn (Director/ Choreographer) Matt has been performing close to 15 years now. His resume has progressed to dozens of musical productions such as Crazy For You (Bobby Child), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), West Side Story (Bernardo), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Fame (Schlomo). Long Island premiere productions of Copacabana (Willy), Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Jane Eyre (Richard Mason), Children Of Eden (Snake et al), and The Who?s Tommy (Pinball Wizard et al), original productions include Hope and Glory(Russell), The Pirate Musical (Salamagundi/Rannie), A Circus Christmas Carol (Fred /Ghost of Xmas Future), and numerous original play productions. Choreography credits include Hair, My Fair Lady, JC Superstar, Fame, Carousel, Shennandoah, Godspell, 42nd Street, The Wiz, Annie, Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Jekyll and Hyde, and Pippin. Matt has recently developed his directing resume which includes 4 original productions and one musical. Matt has taught theatre acting and movement classes through out the long island area and has also been an award winning competition choreographer; Matt was given the opportunity to dance on a national syndicated television show called Club Jam TV. He is currently dance director for a model and talent company, while holding down a full time job. He is currently in the process of developing his own dance production company. He wishes to thank his entire support system to which none of this could be possible, to a talent and phenomenally hard working cast. I love you all. Jennifer Sosna (Nora)
TANIA WILK ( JENNO ) Tania is thrilled to be playing the part of Jenno in Straight to the Top. She recently graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a BFA in Musical Theatre and is actively pursuing her career in theatre,film, and television. Some past theatre credits include Steel Magnolias (Annelle), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Cecile/Julie), and Betty's Summer Vacation (Betty). She can be seen on the Airport Playhouse stage in All Shook Up as Miss Sandra from March 23- April 15, 2007. For more info. www.airportplayhouse.com. Many thanks to her friends and family. She would be lost without them!
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Producer: Jennifer Ostrowski - (516) 567-8353 Director: Matt Quinn |
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