Presents

Washington Middle School Harrison, NJ

By Catherine L. Howard

www.whatco.org

Princess The F rogThe F rogThe F rogThe F rog

The Frog Princess is presented through special arrangements with Pioneer Drama Inc.

Englewood, Colorado www.pioneerdrama.com

West Hudson Arts & Theater Company Presents

The Frog The Frog The Frog The Frog Princess

April 21 & 22, 2012

Book By Directed By Catherine L. Howard Joe Ferriero

Produced By Michele Sarnoski

Sound Design Claudia Budris & Joe Ferriero

Graphic Design Garald Vitale & Joe Ferriero

Public Relations Linda Kraus D’Isa

Scenic Design Desiree Mills

Lighting Design Aaron Reyes

Lobby Management Mary Pat Shields & Margaret Berko

Sound Operator Max Grano DeOro

Costume Design Francesca Stokes

& Cast

Stage Assistance Mark Morchel & Gerald Ficeto

Ticketing/Financial Cecilia Lindenfelser & Brown Paper Tickets

Properties Laura Byrne-Cristiano & Cast

Special Thanks To Studio Playhouse, Montclair, NJ Harrison Board of Education

Harrison Recreation Department Kearny Public Library

Kearny Recreation Department The Harrison Elks

The Cast Narrator ………………………………. Bernadette Obendorff Queen Natasha ………...…………………… Francesca Stokes Prince Boris ……………………………………….. Joe Ferriero Princess Ursula …………………………………… Paula Reyes Prince Casimir …………….…………………… Scott Burzynski Princess Vassilissa ………………………. Laura Byrne Cristiano Prince Sasha ………………..………………………… Tim Firth Princess Natalia ……………...………………….. Julie Padinha Lady in Waiting / Tutor ……….………………… Pattie Marsh Cook / Court Lady……………...…………… Michele Sarnoski

Setting A Long time ago in a Palace & Forest in Russia

Who’s Who Scott Burzynski (Prince Casimir) Scott is a graduate of Kutztown University (B.S.) with a degree in Music Education, and is currently teaching music at Dover Middle School. Scott is pleased to be making his acting debut in W.H.A.T.’s production of The Frog Princess! Music Direction credits include: Paramus High School: The Sound of Music, Bye Bye, Birdie; Teen Drama: Xanadu, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Bethlehem (PA) Catho-lic HS: Half A Sixpence, Camelot, Nunsense, Joseph and the Amazing Techni-color Dreamcoat. Scott is also a member of the New Jersey Conservatory of Music, singing with the Symphonic Chorus and Chamber Choir, and has worked as Marching Instructor with the USSBA’s Grand National Champion-ship-winning Nazareth (PA) Area High School Blue Eagle Marching Band. After four years as organist and choir director at St. James Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg, Scott has fully relocated to Boonton, NJ and could not be happier working as a substitute organist in North Jersey. Laura Byrne-Cristiano (Princess Vassilissa) This is Laura’s first appearance at WHAT. Her usual stage home is Studio Players in Upper Montclair where she just directed a production of You Can’t Take It With You. Favorite previ-ous roles include: Pfeni in The Sisters Rosensweig, Charlotte in Beyond Ther-apy, Mary in Run For Your Wife, and the Ensemble in The Laramie Project. She has also appeared in Polish Joke, Gemini(Perry Nomination), All in the Timing, and The Miracle Worker(Perry Nomination). Laura would like to thank Joe for getting her involved, and the cast for such fun and easy going rehearsals. Tim Firth (Prince Sasha) This is Mr. Firth’s 2nd appearance with the West Hudson Arts and Theater Company. Mr. Firth is employed as a science teacher at Franklin School in Kearny, NJ where he also coaches the Kearny High School Ice Hockey team. In his spare time he himself plays hockey, performs and writes music with a ska band, and enjoys cycling.

Joe Ferriero (Prince Boris / Director) Joe is a graduate of Montclair State (B.A.) and Seton Hall (M.Ed.). He has directed several plays and musicals for both middle schools, high schools and community theaters, including: Annie, Guys and Dolls, Disney’s Aladdin, Disney’s High School Musical, Seussical, Grease, Oz! A Twisted Musical, Big Bad, Amy Goes Army, Happily Never After, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound Of Music. He has performed on stage in: West Side Story (Doc), Guys and Dolls, Tear Along the Dotted Line (Randolph) [Off-Broadway], I Remember Mama (Uncle Chris), The Odd Couple (Oscar), Little Red Riding Hood... (Oswald, the Big Bad Wolf) and most recently in You Can’t Take It With You opposite Laura Byrne Cristiano. Joe is cur-rently working with the Broadway Musical Lysistrata Jones Pattie Marsh (Lady in Waiting, Tutor) Pattie has been involved in theatre since she was fifteen (15) where she was in her first part as Old Sally in Oliver with the Holy Family Theatre Company. She recently was Mrs. Toffelmeir, a Pickalittle Lady in the Music Man for the Gas Lamp Players. She is thrilled to be in this production with West Hudson Theatre Com-pany. She ould like to thank her husband Jim who is her biggest sup-porter and her family and friends. Bernadette Obendorff (Narrator) Bernadette is delighted that she can be a part of WHAT’s first children’s theatre production. A Kearny resi-dent since 1994, she has performed with several theatre and music groups in the NJ/NY area, including the Village Light Opera Group, The Community of Choruses, Schola Cantorum on Hudson, and the Fairlawn Community Players. Bernadette currently keeps busy as a member of the Junior Woman’s Club of Arlington, and a Group Insurance Underwriter at Prudential. She sends her love to Madison, and Lucas, who helped her perfect her narrator voice with many hours of reading stories, and espe-cially, her very own prince, Neil! Paula Reyes (Princess Ursula) Paula Reyes has had a long history in the theater. Throughout her life, she’s been in one way or another involved in multiple productions, either on stage or behind the scenes. She’s a jack of all trades, who shines in the spotlight as an actor, or helping others as a choreographer, set builder, and make up and costume designer. This being her first time performing with the W.H.A.T, she is very excited to be performing for such a great organization with a noble cause. Michele Sarnoski (Court Lady / Cook) Michele is a graduate of Susque-hanna University (B.A.) and Seton Hall University (M. Ed.). She has cho-reographed multiple drama productions, including: Annie, Guys & Dolls, Disney’s Aladdin, Guys & Dolls, Oz! A Twisted Musical, 25th Annual Put-nam County Spelling Bee and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. For more than 5 years, Michele also was the head cheerleading coach for St. Stephen School and St. Mary High School. As a producer, Michele has

worked on Bye Bye Birdie & The Sound of Music (Paramus High School). When not teaching English at Paramus High School, Michele can be found working on her school’s yearbook, volunteering as choreographer for Mater Dei Academy, or relaxing with a good book. Julie Padinha (Princess Natasha) Julie Padinha is a Dance Major gradu-ate from High Tech High School, and currently an 18 year old freshman at William Paterson University majoring in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management. Julie’s hobbies consist of dance, acting and bowling. As well rounded as she is in the arts Julie is also known for being a Nationally Ranked Bowler in the 2011 Season, though her goal is to open her own dance studio so that children can experience the art of dance. Dance has seen a huge part of her life. She has been study-ing the art of dance for 15 years at Nancy Carole School of Dance and currently dances for marked ance project at WPU. Julie has been in-volved in theatre programs since the 5th grade, when Joe Ferriero en-tered her life with theatre experiences at St. Stephen’s School. Since then Julie has been in plays, musicals, dance recitals and competitions and opened The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Camp Broadway. She is thrilled to be back on stage acting. She would like to thank her family, friends and Joe Ferriero for getting her back on the stage again. She also would like to thank everyone that has helped her along her journey of achieving her goals. Francesca Stokes (Queen Natasha) I started performing way ...WAY... back. When I was 6 years old, any company that came to my parent’s house in Brooklyn New York was treated to a rousing rendition of “If I Were A Rich Man” from “Fiddler on the Roof”. The first actual show I auditioned for (in the 5th grade) was “Wizard of Oz” where I played one of the “Lullaby League” Munchkins. In those early years, shows were few and far between. There was “Jubilation VII” (a musical revue), “South Pacific”, and “Godspell”. The real immersion into Brooklyn com-munity theatre came in 1990 when I found a local theatre group doing “Chicago”. After that came “Grease”, “The Pirates of Penzance”, Ru-mors”, “Gypsy”, “Bye Bye Birdie” “Steel Magnolias”, a vaudeville revue and even an off-off-broadway play. After getting married and moving to New Jersey in 1997, I found a group doing “Jerry’s Girls”. After that came “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, “George Washington Slept Here” “Oliver” and the female version of “The Odd Couple”. I am happy to have found “WHAT” with the hopes that “The Frog Princess” will be the first of many shows. Whether it be for performing or making costumes. Thank you to the founders of “WHAT” for bringing community theatre to Kearny and, of course... Thank you to my family for all their love and support.

WHAT in-Kind Alliance Help Support W.H.A.T. by

offering your goods, labor and or/services Do you have something to offer?

Write on your business card what goods or services you would like to offer and leave it with a member of our staff. Everyone has something to offer !

Printing, technical supplies, food & beverages, T-shirts, design, marketing, pho-tography, or video services. Let us Know !

Don't have a service to offer ? Monetary donations are always accepted! W.H.A.T. is currently applying for

501 C (3) so all donations will be tax deductable.

Nunsense Join WHAT at Applebees in Kearny

on Sunday, May 10, 2012 for our Nunsense Flapjack Fundraiser! Have a tall stack with our Nuns

Nunsense a musical

W.H.A.T. West Hudson Arts & Theater Company

Administration

President: Gerald Ficeto Vice President: Mary Pat Shields Secretary: Linda Kraus-D’Isa

Treasurer: Cecilia Lindenfelser, Esq.

Founding Members: Margaret Berko Leo DaSilva

Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle Joseph Ferriero Mark Morchel

Maureen Morchel Michele Sarnoski

Next on Our Stage

Friday June 15 @ 7:30 p.m. Saturday June 16, 2012 1:30 PM

& 7:30 p.m. Grace United Methodist Church – 380 Kearny Avenue, Kearny

Directed by Joe Ferriero Music Direction by Lisa Ball

Choreography by Michele Sarnoski