Tag Archives: Staples Players

Staples Players Rewind: “Into The Woods”

In the spring of 2012, Staples Players directors David Roth and Kerry Long produced “Into the Woods.” Both are longtime fans of Stephen Sondheim, and first staged the show 10 years earlier.

Click here or below for highlights. As always, they’re courtesy of former media teacher Jim Honeycutt, who videotaped all of Roth and Long’s shows.

Many Players have gone on to interesting careers, in and out the arts. Among them:

Will Haskell (Narrator) went on to serve 2 terms as Connecticut state senator — one of the youngest state legislators in the country.

Elle Deran (Rapunzel’s Prince) is a trans and non-binary actor, singer and content creator.

Sofia Ribolla (Cinderella) shifted her focus from theater to to medicine while in college, and is now an optometrist with Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates.

Clay Singer (Jack) has extensive theater credits, including “Masquerade” in New York, “Fiddler On the Roof.””The Band’s Visit” North American tour,
“Next to Normal,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Ragtime,” “The Full Monty — and “Into the Woods” in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Jamie Yarmoff (Cinderella’s Stepmother) is a renewable energy professional amd chapter leader for Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. She founded the WRISE Utah chapter in Salt Lake City.

Cara McNiff (Drusilla) graduated from Elon University with a degree in musical theater. She is still involved in theater. as a regional booking manager.

Sami Schwaeber (Jack’s Mother) is a Brooklyn-based musical comedian, actor and writer recognized for her queer, Jewish and mental health-focused stand-up and sketch work.

Madeline Seidman (Jack’s Mother) is a Brooklyn-based actor, with an MFA from Yalel School of Drama. She can be seen on screen in the TV shows “Elsbeth” and “A League of Their Own.”

Michelle Pauker (The Witch)  is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse). On Sunday, her band Back to the Garden 1969 performed at the Levitt Pavilion.

August Laska (Wolf) transitioned from acting to behind-the-scenes work in producing and marketing, eventually serving as a marketing coordinator for Disney Theatrical Group. He co-produced “Broadway Gets GLAAD” at Joe’s Pub, and worked as a co-producer on the Off-Broadway and summer Broadway runs of “Broadway Bounty Hunter.” He currently owns The Old Yew plant shop.

Charlie Greenwald (Cinderella’s Prince)  is an actor, voiceover artist, comedian, copywriter and children’s book author. He has appeared in the Academy Award-winning film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and the TV special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” (2018).

Everett Sussman (Cinderella’s Father) is an applied mathematics/computer science graduate of Harvard University. He is now a digital creator. He has acted in regional theater productions, including “Sweeney Todd.”

Charlotte Weber (Repunzel) attended the International Culinary Center. She works professionally as a pastry chef).

Ryder Chasin is a television writer, creative and comedian in Brooklyn.

Nicholas Massoud (Mysterious Man) attended Yale, and performed all over the world with the a cappella groups the Wiffenpoofs and Sprizzwinks.

Joe Badion (Sprites) is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He teaches upper school music at the Town School in New York.

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Staples Players Rewind: “Avenue Q”

Every Staples Players show has a special touch.

In the fall of 2014, directors David Roth and Kerry Roth brought in professional puppeteers, to teach the high school actors how to use hand-held puppets.

Pam Arciero (who played Oscar the Grouch’s girlfriend Grundgetta on “Sesame Street” and Rick Lyon (from the original Broadway production of “Avenue Q”) provided inside knowledge, tips, inspiration and confidence.

You can see the results in the highlights here and below, filmed and edited by former media teacher Jim Honeycutt.

Here’s what some of the actors in that show are doing today:

Jack Baylis (Princeton) graduated from Point Park University’s musical theater program. He has performed in “Legally Blonde,” “Jersey Boys,” “Children of Eden,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “South Pacific” and more.

Will Haskell (Princeton) went on to serve 2 terms as Connecticut state senator — one of the youngest state legislators in the country.

Julia Mandelbaum (Christmas Eve) graduated from Rider University. She performed professionally in “Evita,” “Singing in the Rain,” and more.

Bryan Gannon (Brian) is an actor and producer best known for his roles as Inspector Lestrade in the film “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Furtive Festivity,” and on “The Deuce” and “Paramount’s Fences.”

Joe Badion (Nicky) is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He teaches upper school music at the Town School in New York.

Everett Sussman (Nicky) is an applied mathematics/computer science graduate of Harvard University. He is now a digital creator. He has acted in regional theater productions, including “Sweeney Todd.”

Jacob Leaf (Trekkie Monster) is a professional actor. He has appeared in “Mamma Mia!,” “Gypsy,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Eurydice” and more.

Daniel Pauker (Trekkie Monster) is a technical animator. He has a passion for 3D software and systems.

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Roundup: News12, Field Lights, Levitt Pavilion, Playhouse …

News12 Connecticut has made another round of layoffs.

And this one includes some very familiar, popular and longtime faces.

Among the 11 people let go from the editorial team, effective next month: on-air journalists Becky Suran and Mark Sudol.

Others receiving pink slips including photographers, executive producers and editorial managers.

Seven journalist and photographers remain in the Norwalk studio. Reporters will now be required to shoot their own stories.

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Discussion of lights on Wakeman and PJ Romano Fields continues at Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (July 20, 6 p.m., Zoom).

The clock re-set after Parks & Recreation Department director Erik Barbieri resubmitted the application, after questions and comments during previous P&Z meetings.

Click here, then scroll down to 70 North Avenue and 170 Riverside Avenue for application materials, public comments and more.

Wakeman Field, one site of proposed lights.

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The registrars of voters begin memory card and tabulator testing on Tuesday (July 21, 9:30 a.m., Town Hall Room 212D).

The public is welcome to observe, through the testing is complete.

Meanwhile, there’s an “enrollment session” on Friday, July 24 (5 to 7 p.m., Town Hall, Room 107) to register voters before the August 11 primary elections.

Voters can also enroll any time at the registrar of voters’ office any time during normal business hours.

A tabulator (foreground) at the Westport Library polling place. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Singer-songwriter MT Jones brings his soulful vibe to the Levitt Pavilion this Sunday (7 p.m.; free).

Before his appearance, he chatted with Weston Today’s Jaclyn Jeffrey. They spoke about his hit album “Joy,” his journey from young musician to session player, then on to a solo career writing original songs, his creative process, and the legendary robust Liverpool music scene.

He also performed a track from “Joy.” Click here, for the story and link.

MT Jones

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The curtain rose last night on legendary detective Hercule Poirot, as he investigates “Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” The show runs through August 1, at Westport Country Playhouse.

Called “the greatest whodunit ever written,” the novel cemented Christie’s reputation as the “Queen of Crime.” Click here for tickets, and more information.

A free Symposium is set for this Sunday (July 19), following the 3 p.m. performance.

“Christie at 100…Still Going Strong” will discuss why her mysteries continue to sell 4 million copies a year. Guest speakers include author and co-founder of the Connecticut Chapter of Sisters in Crime Elise Hart Kipness, and mystery writer and CrimeConn festival founder Chris Knopf.

Kelle Ruden — leader of The Usual Suspects, a long-running mystery book discussion group at rhe Westport Library — will moderate.

Anthony Cochrane as Hercule Poirot in “Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.” (Photo/Mark Smith)

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Speaking of theater: There are 2 Westport connections to “Rosie,” the “riveting” new musical with a one-night-only presentation at Greenwich House Theater (August 4, 7 p.m.).

The music and lyrics for the show — about the girl in the bandana behind the iconic World War II poster, as she reconciles her feminism with the diverse and complex world — were written by 2013 Staples High School graduate Jake Landau.

Fellow Staples alum Lauren Weinberger is the developmental producer.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Jake Landau

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Silvermine Arts Center’s current exhibit, “A Place for Artists,” traces the history of the 119-year-old galleries, studios and teaching center.

Staples High School Class of 1972 graduate Leslie Alexander is in the show. She’s a member of the Silvermine Guild

So was her mother, Diane Davenport Alexander. And her grandfather, Edmond Greek Davenport.

In keeping with the them, Leslie’s piece is next to her mom and grandpa’s works. (Hat tip: Liz Milwe)

Leslie Alexander, with her work.

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Back we go to the insect and flower worlds, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:

(Photo/Nancy Diamond)

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And finally … happy 80th birthday, Linda Ronstadt!

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Staples Players Rewind: “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory”

Jim Honeycutt — who faithfully recorded nearly all of directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s Staples Players shows — missed the summer 2012 “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (family vacation).

Nick Pisarro — Jim’s longtime helper — took over.

Click here or below to enjoy.

Many actors have gone on to successful careers — often in entertainment. They include:

Matthew Van Gessel (Willy Wonda) is an actor, director and writer. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”

Will Haskell (Charlie Bucket) went on to serve 2 terms as Connecticut state senator — one of the youngest state legislators in the country.

Johnny Shea (Granpa Joe) is a New York based actor. He has appeared in “Spring Awakening” and “Peter Pan” and more, at Goodspeed, Shakespeare Theater Chicago, Portland Stage Company and others.

Sylvie Lexow (Grandma Josephine) is a senior marketing operations and program manager.

Ryder Chasin (Phineouse Trout) is a television writer, creative and comedian in Brooklyn.

Cara McNiff (Violet Beauregarde) graduated from Elon University with a degree in musical theater. She is still involved in theater. as a regional booking manager.

Joe Badion (Mike Teavee) is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He teaches upper school music at the Town School in New York.

Zoe Samuels (Matilda) is an associate strategy director at Edelman. She graduated with a degree in theater and Chinese from Middlebury College.

Daniel Pauker is a technical animator. He has a passion for 3D software and systems.

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Staples Players Rewind: “A Chorus Line”

Staples Players’ fall 2013 production of “A Chorus Line” was a singular sensation.

David Roth and Kerry Long directed 2 casts. Jim Honeycutt — the former video teacher who filmed and created this highlight reel — notes where each begins. Click here or below to see this remarkable, superbly choreographed production.

Here’s a 2026 update on several cast members:

Michelle Pauker (Diana)  is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse). On Sunday, her band Back to the Garden 1969 performed at the Levitt Pavilion.

Clay Singer (Al) has extensive theater credits including “Masquerade” (New York), “Fiddler On the Roof” (St. Louis), “Perchik” (Westport), “The Band’s Visit” (North American tour), “Into the Woods” (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), “Next to Normal” (Vero Beach, Florida), “Man of La Mancha” (Westport), “Romeo and Juliet” and “Ragtime” and “The Full Monty” (both Pittsburgh).

Cara McNiff (Sheila) graduated from Elon University with a degree in musical theater. She is still involved in theater. as a regional booking manager.

Sylvie Lexow (Lizzie – Zach’s Assistant) is a senior marketing operations and program manager.

Will Haskell (Mark) served in the Connecticut State Senate from 2019 to 2023. He then attended law school.

Joe Badion (Paul) is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He teaches upper school music at the Town School in New York.

Caroline Didelot (Judy) appeared in “Kinky Boots” at Baldwin Wallace University, “42nd Street” at New London Barn Playhouse, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” for Prime Video.

Julia Mandelbaum (Lois) has performed in a number of shows since leaving Staples.

Caroline Rossi (now McCluskey) (Judy Turner) is working in public relations and marketing. She lives in New York City with her husband.

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Staples Players Rewind: “Jesus Christ Superstar”

On the one hand, Staples Players’ summer productions had an advantage: Young actors could concentrate on their show without the distractions of school.

On the other hand, directors David Roth and Kerry Long had much less time to pull everything — acting, choreography, staging, sets, costumes, music — together.

The results were (of course) off-the-charts smashes.

Previous Players’ “nutshells” — highlight reels, compiled lovingly by former Staple High media teacher Jim Honeycutt, who taped all the shows — featured “Les Misérables” and “Rent.

This week it’s “Jesus Christ Superstar,” from the summer of 2011. Click here or below to see.

In the 15 years since the show, many of the actors have gone on to careers in entertainment. Among them:

Johnny Shea (Jesus) is a New York based actor. He has appeared in “Spring Awakening” and “Peter Pan” and more, at Goodspeed, Shakespeare Theater Chicago, Portland Stage Company and others.

Clay Singer (Judas)  has extensive theater credits including “Masquerade” (New York), “Fiddler On the Roof” (St. Louis), “Perchik” (Westport), “The Band’s Visit” (North American tour), “Into the Woods” (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), “Next to Normal” (Vero Beach, Florida), “Man of La Mancha” (Westport), “Romeo and Juliet” and “Ragtime” and “The Full Monty” (both Pittsburgh).

Max Samuels (Pilate, Thaddeus) is a stage and screen actor known for his roles in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” He also appeared in “George Kaplan,” “Angry Young Man,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Brothers Karamazov.”

Audrey Twitchell (Annas) has appeared in many commercials, print ads and on television. In 2006 she originated the role of Lee Bouvier in the Broadway musical “Grey Gardens.” She lives and works in New York City.

Charlie Greenwald (Priest 3, Nathaniel, Tribe, Guard) is an actor, voiceover artist, comedian, copywriter and children’s book author. He has appeared in the Academy Award-winning film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and the TV special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” (2018).

Matthew Van Gessel (Matthew)  is an actor, director and writer. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”

Michelle Pauker (Mary Magdalene, Tribe) is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse). On July 5, her band Back to the Garden 1969 will perform at the Levitt Pavilion.

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Staples Players Rewind: “Curtains”

In the fall of 2010, curtains rose on Staples Players’ production of “Curtains.”

As always, media teacher Jim Honeycutt was there, to record the comedy, filled with great songs and talented dancers.

And as always, he shared this “nutshell” with our “06880” audience. Click here or below to relive the magic.

Many of the actors have gone on to careers in entertainment. Others have shifted careers. Among them:

Max Samuels (Lieutenant Frank Choffi) is a stage and screen actor known for his roles in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” He also appeared in “George Kaplan,” “Angry Young Man,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Brothers Karamazov.”

Eva Hendricks (Carmen Bernstein) is a lead singer in Charley Bliss, a successful New York band. Their current release is “Back There Now.”

Matthew Van Gessel (Christopher Belling, The Director) is an actor, director and writer. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”

Michelle Pauker (Georgia Hendricks) is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse).

Charlotte Weber (Niki Harris, The Ingenue) performed in many productions at Connecticut College. She then attended the International Culinary Center, and now works professionally as a pastry chef.

Sofia Ribolla (Niki Harris, The Ingenue) transitioned her focus from theater to to medicine while in college  and is an optometrist at Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates in Stamford.

Whitney Andrews (The Stage Manager) is an actress, writer and educator with credits on TV, streaming services and Off-Broadway theater.

Matt Greenberg (Bobby Pepper, The Choreographer) is a tenure track assistant professor of theatre and dance at the University of Wyoming.

Jamie Yarmoff (Babi Berne, The Featured Dancer) is a renewable energy professional and chapter leader for Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. She founded and established the WRISE Utah Chapter in Salt Lake City.

Madeline Seidman (Jessica Cranshaw, The Leading Lady) is an actor. Her off-Broadway credits include “Garside’s Career,” “Partnership” and “Becomes a Woman.” Regional credits include “Love, Love, Love” (Washington) and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (Chautauqua, New York). She can be seen in the TV shows “Elsbeth” and “A League of Their Own.”g networks and television channels.

Charlie Greenwald (Harv Fremont) is an actor, voiceover artist, comedian, copywriter and children’s book author. He has appeared in the film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and the TV special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.”

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Staples Players Rewind: “Rent”

In 2008, David Roth and Kerry Long staged a Staples Players production of “Les Misérables.”

It’s ambitious for any high school troupe. It was especially challenging as a summer show, with its very tight time frame.

The next summer, the Players’ directors chose another great, but complex and super-difficult, musical: “Rent.”

As he’s done with every Players mainstage and summer show since 2000, former media teacher Jim Honeycutt took on the nearly equally tough task of distilling it into a highlight reel.

Click here or below to relive “Rent.”

As with so many Players shows, a number of actors went on to careers in entertainment. They include:

Chris McNiff (Mark Cohen) ) is an actor, singer, dancer and choreographer based in New York City. He has appeared in “White Christmas,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Hair.”

Dan Shure (Mark Cohen) plays bass, in Charley Bliss, a successful New York band, with Eva Hendricks (Maureen Johnson). Their current release is “Back There Now.”

Clay Singer (Roger Davis) has extensive theater credits including “Masquerade” (New York), “Fiddler On the Roof” (St. Louis), “Perchik” (Westport), “The Band’s Visit” (North American tour), “Into the Woods” (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), “Next to Normal” (Vero Beach, Florida), “Man of La Mancha” (Westport), “Romeo and Juliet” and “Ragtime” and “The Full Monty” (both Pittsburgh).

Steve Autore (Roger Davis) is a humorist, writer, actor and singer, and produces unique, original original media content. After Elon University he founded an independent dark comedy production group, Nice Hog! Productions. They’re currently in development for 2 animated series, CREEPS and Drop Dead.

David Ressler (Tom Collins) is an actor and singer. He is currently performing in a Bay Area Opera Collaborative production of “Pirates of Penzance.”

Johnny Shea (Angel Dumont Schunard) is a New York based actor. Credits include “Spring Awaking,” “Deathless” and “Peter Pan,” in theaters ranging from Goodspeed and the Shakepeare in Chicago to the Portland Stage Company.

Charlie Greenwald (Benjamin Coffin III) is an actor, voiceover artist, comedian, copywriter and children’s book author. He has appeared in the film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and the TV special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.”

Audrey Twitchell (Mimi Marques) has appeared in numerous commercials, print ads and on television. In 2006, she originated the role of Lee Bouvier in the Broadway musical “Grey Gardens.”

Michelle Pauker (Mimi Marques) is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse).

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Staples Players Rewind: “Les Miserables” (Summer)

Staples Players’ production of “Les Misérables” last fall was magnifique.

Audiences thrilled to the acting, music, staging, sets, costumes … it was all nearly Broadway-worthy.

Yet it was not the first time directors David Roth and Kerry Long produced the iconic show.

In 2008, they debuted “Les Mis” — in the summer.

Retired media instructor Jim Honeycutt — who spent 2 decades videotaping Roth and Long’s shows — marvels, “To this day, I cannot figure out how they could do a show of this extensive musical complexity in a summer!

“Even the sets with rotating barricades were extraordinary for a summer show. How Tyler Paul learned all of this music in a month or two is beyond me.”

Honeycutt has done something quite impressive himself. He has distilled the epic production into just under 30 minutes. Click here or below, to hear — and see — the people sing.

Very, very, very well.

Many cast members have made careers in entertainment. Honeycutt also offers these updates, on some of the performers from the 2008 “Les Mis”:

Tyler Paul (Jean Valjean) retired from acting and moved to the other side of the stage lights. He is now head of human resources at ANC.

David Ressler (Javert) is an actor and singer. He is currently performing in a Bay Area Opera Collaborative production of “Pirates of Penzance.”

Audrey Twitchell (Eponine) has appeared in numerous commercials, print ads and on television. In 2006, she originated the role of Lee Bouvier in the Broadway musical “Grey Gardens.”

Megan Watt (Eponine) is a voice actor and commercial artist based in West Hollywood. She specializes in commercial, animation and audiobook narration.

Brooke Benedetto (Fantine) has acted in many shows, including “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Godspell,” at Muhlenberg College and the Music Theater of Connecticut.

Britt Hennemuth (Thénardier) is a Los Angeles-based actor. He recently joined Universal Pictures as senior vice president of production development and special projects.

Nick Boak (Enjolras) is an entertainment executive, involved with “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Warcraft” and “American Hustle.”

Max Stampa-Brown (Grantaire) appeared in “The Third Man,” “FREUD” and “The Garret East,” after the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Chris McNiff (Feuilly) is an actor, singer, dancer and choreographer based in New York City. He has appeared in “White Christmas,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Hair.”

Matthew Van Gessel (Lesgles) is an actor, director and writer. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”

Charlie Greenwald is actor, voiceover artist, comedian, copywriter and children’s book author. He has appeared in the film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and the TV special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.”

Vinny Amaru (Joly) continued his interest in stage at Tufts, singing in the a cappella group Beelzebubs. He is now a global investment strategist at JP Morgan Asset and Wealth Management.

Matt Greenberg (Prouvair) is a tenure track assistant professor of theatre and dance at the University of Wyoming.

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Staples Players Rewind: “Little Shop Of Horrors”

In the spring of 2010, Staples Players staged a very challenging show: the dark yet comic musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”

It had a little bit of everything — from rock, doo wop and Motown to an enormous talking plant that feeds on human blood and flesh

Media instructor Jim Honeycutt filmed that classic production. Click here or below to see.

A number of cast members went on to careers in creative fields. Among them:

Peter Molesworth (Seymour) is a successful writer, actor and filmmaker. Recent acting credits include “Pear,” “How to Catfish Your Ex” and “Fix.”

Eva Hendricks (Audrey) is a lead singer, and Dan Shure (Mr. Mushnick) plays bass, in Charley Bliss, a successful New York band. Their current release is “Back There Now.”

Michelle Pauker (Audrey) is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse).

Max Samuels (Orin Scrivello, D.D.S.) is a is a stage and screen actor known for his roles in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” He also appeared in “George Kaplan,” “Angry Young Man,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Brothers Karamazov.”

Matthew Van Gessel (Orin Scrivello, D.D.S.) is an actor, director and writer. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”

Tori Schachne (Shirelle) is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the vocalist for the indie-electronic/synth-pop duo Soft Streak. They played at SXSW as official artists in 2019 and toured the West Coast, opening for Brother Tiger. Their music has been featured in Netflix and cable tv shows.

Clay Singer (Radio Quintet) has extensive theater credits including “Masquerade” (New York), “Fiddler On the Roof” (St. Louis), “Perchik” (Westport), “The Band’s Visit” (North American tour), “Into the Woods” (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), “Next to Normal” (Vero Beach, Florida), “Man of La Mancha” (Westport), “Romeo and Juliet” and “Ragtime” and “The Full Monty” (both Pittsburgh).

Madeline Seidman (Mrs. Luce) is an actor. Her off-Broadway credits include “Garside’s Career,” “Partnership” and “Becomes a Woman.” Regional credits include “Love, Love, Love” (Washington) and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (Chautauqua, New York). She can be seen in the TV shows “Elsbeth” and “A League of Their Own.”

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