WCT Gala Program Journal

2

3

4 Congratulations,
Felicia

on your role in Wagner College
Theatre’s 50th Anniversary.

Mary Jane and Joe have
always been so proud of your

accomplishments.

5

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
AWARD WINNING

Wagner College
Theatre Department

ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY!

Michael F. Manzulli, Esq.

6

Special Thanks to
THERESA McCARTHY
for her exceptional commitment as director and creator of
In the Light of One Another: A Meditation on Resistance.

Much appreciation to
MICKEY TENNENBAUM,

FELICIA RUFF,
AND TODD PRICE
for their dedication to Holocaust Theater & Remembrance
to resist hate and awaken us to love.

Sponsored by the Leonard B. Kahn Foundation

Compliments and Best Wishes 7

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8

9

PRESENTS THE

GalaGolden Jubilee

COCKTAILS AND HORS D’OEUVRES

6:00 PM | SUTTER OVAL
performances by Josh Sottile ’16 (piano), John and Matthew Drinkwater (guitar),

Joe O’Malley ’16, Greg Ippolito ’17, Nick Barakos ’17
choreography by Ashley DeLane Burger ’12

PERFORMANCE AND AWARDS

7:30 PM | MAIN STAGE THEATRE
hosted by Janine LaManna ’88 and Professor Michele Pawk

music director Dr. Lauri Young

honoring

Professor Gary P. Sullivan
Education at Roundabout / Jennifer DiBella ’04

Kathy Brier ’97
Matt Lenz ’86

CONTINUED CELEBRATION

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING | SUTTER OVAL
performances by Matthew Hosmer ’13 (piano), Greg Ippolito ’17, Dean Marino ’17

MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018

10

Wagner College Theatre
gratefully acknowledges and thanks

Ken and Dolly Smith
for their generous donation in
support of young artists and WCT!

PROGRAM 11

hosted by Janine LaManna ’88 and Michele Pawk*
music director / accompanist Dr. Lauri Young*

“Aquarius” from Hair. . . . . . . . . . . Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Bailey Claffey, Kathy Deitch ’95, Hadly Patterson ’18 (ASL)

With members of the 2018 cast of Hair: Miranda Abbott ’18, Kevin Atwater,
Gabrielle Baker, Savannah Beckford, Margot Bergeron ’18, Erin Damers,
David Dines ’18, Cassandra Dougherty, John Drinkwater, Matthew Drinkwater,
Kimberly Friedman, Travis Harley, Scott Hoke ’18, Sabrina Kalman ’18,
Dana Kluczyk, Kyra Lee, Devonte McCray ’18, Anne Miele, Ryan Moroney ’18,

Benjamin Murasso, Kristine Palka ’18, Tyler Ross ’18,
Garrett Toole ’18, Gabe Trimbur, Sophia Tzougros ’18

“You Can Always Count on Me” from City of Angels. . . Cy Coleman, David Zippel
Randy Graff ’76, H’01, vocals | Tim Weil, piano

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Gary P. Sullivan*

“My Heart Is So Full Of You” from The Most Happy Fella. . . . . . . . Frank Loesser
Anthony Turner* and Jeanine Bruen ’16

“Brotherhood of Man”
from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Loesser

Lisa DeRespino Bennett ’85, Allison Hellow ’92, BJ High ’02,
Carolyn Jacobson ’88, Joe O’Malley ’16, Michael Portantiere ’79, Robyn Ruehl-
Lippert ’97, Dan Sclafani ’90, Charlie Siedenburg ’95*, Philip Straniere ’69, M’73

DIRECTED BY CHOREOGRAPHY MUSIC DIRECTOR

Mickey Tennenbaum* Carissa Bellando ’05* Donna D’Ermilio ’75

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL
Education at Roundabout (Jennifer M. DiBella ’04, Director)

12 P R O G R A M

“You and I” from Goodbye Mr. Chips . . . . . . . Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Amy Williams,* vocals | Josh Sottile ’16, piano

“My One and Only”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George and Ira Gershwin
Mary Six Rupert* and Brittany Cattaruzza ’14

“Unexpressed”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Bucchino
Theresa McCarthy*

“Someone to Watch Over Me”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George and Ira Gershwin
Renée Marino ’04

“Good Morning, Baltimore” from Hairspray. . . . . Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
Amy Hilner ’04

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL
Kathy Brier ’97

“Buenos Aires” from Evita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Christina DeCicco ’02

“For Good” from Wicked. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Schwartz
Kathy Deitch ’95 and Christina DeCicco ’02

“As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard. . . . . Andrew Lloyd Webber
Janine LaManna ’88

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL
Matt Lenz ’86

PROGRAM 13

“42nd Street” from 42nd Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harry Warren and Al Dubin
Miranda Abbott ’18, Kolten Bell, Ashley DeLane Burger ’11,
Jasmine Canziani ’17, Brittney Cattaruzza ’14, Alexis Eldredge,

Eric Elson ’18, Tim Grady ’09, Matthew Healey ’18, Patrick Heffernan ’11,
Tommy Joscelyn ’14, Sabrina Kalman ’18, Stephen Kallas ’17,
Megan Kelley ’11, April Lillard ’18, Ryan McConnville ’17,

Ryan Moroney ’18, Michael Motkowski, Michele Pawk*, Jason Rath ’16,
Tyler Ross ’18, John Scacchetti*, Sophia Tzougros ’18
CHOREOGRAPHED BY Patrick Heffernan ’11

FEATURED PERFORMERS John Scacchetti* and Megan Kelley ’11

“Seasons of Love” from Rent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Larson
Caitlin Beckman ’13, Melanie Brook ’13, Anthony Colasuonno ’13,
JR Goodman ’13, Robby Haltiwanger ’13, Paige Howell ’13,
Jenny Kelly ’13, Timothy McMillan ’15, Olivia Puckett ’13,
Concetta Raineri ’13, Dave Resultan ’13

* Denotes Wagner College Professor

Wagner College Theatre
thanks everyone who

has supported us over the
past 50 years, including:

Students
College Administration

Faculty and Staff
Alumni
Donors

Guest Artists
Volunteers
Audiences

14 GA L A C R E D I T S

Calling Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theresa Flanagan ’05
Deck Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle Buccino ’07
Deck Hand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austin Genannt ’18
Lighting Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob “Sparky” Eberle ’06
Followspots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas Gerrity, Kirsten Kaiser
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Kroth*
Sound Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Kallas ’17
Wardrobe Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Michael Smith*
House Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Ancianni
Ushers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Catapano, Lisa Crecco, Rozzie Heeger ’18, Ceyon McPhoy

Mary Pannese, Dana Rudansky, Emmy Steele
Wagner College Special Events Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty McComiskey
Wagner College Graphic Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natalie Nguyen
WCT Publicist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlie Siedenburg ’95*
Videotaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe DiGiovana ’06
Music Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexandra DeAngelis
Talent Escort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Snarski ’06
Decorating Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Catalano, Lilo Grunwald-Pearlman,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlie Siedenburg ’95*, Lifestyles for the Disabled
Flash Mob Choreography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley DeLane Burger ’12
Red Carpet Correspondents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Grady ’09 and April Lavalle ’13
Specialty Cocktail (“The Wagatini”). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phill Hickox*

Program Design and Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Forbes Sheehan ’15

SPECIAL THANKS

Wagner’s Institutional Advancement Office and Betty McComiskey
Communications Office (Natalie Nguyen, Laura Barlament,

Donna Sinagra, Jonathan Harkel, John Rodriguez, Lee Manchester)
Lifestyles for the Disabled Exceeding Expectations Daniel Smith Dina Assante

Hemlock Theatre – sound system
Birthday Cake sponsored by Dr. Joseph and Mary Jane Ruff

Flowers and decorations donated by Dr. Felicia J. Ruff

RAFFLE BASKETS AND 50/50 ORGANIZED BY
Bailey Claffey, Meghan Gunther, McKenzie Kupres, and Kelly Hedden,
donated by the Claffey family, Local One IATSE, and Suzanne Nelthropp,
to benefit the student theatre organizations at Wagner College: TAB and CSP.

FACULTY AND STAFF 15

FACULTY

Rusty Curcio Phill Hickox Theresa McCarthy
David McDonald Michele Pawk Todd Alan Price

Dr. Felicia Ruff Gary Sullivan Dr. Lauri Young

ADJUNCT  FACULTY

Jennifer Barnhart Carissa Bellando Ashley Burger Wendy Cavett Sal Cialino
Joey Donnelly Susan Fenley Suzanne Hevner Richard Kendrick Drema Lindie

Matthew Lopez Vicki Neal Michael Pinto Arturo Porazzi Mary Six Rupert
John Scacchetti Brian Sharron Charlie Siedenburg Alan Michael Smith
Lillian Stausland Michael Tennenbaum Amy Williams Chad Yarborough

STA  FF

Diane Catalano, Department Secretary Jessica Moody, Master Electrician

Fritz McGlynn, Master Carpenter Brian Sharron, Technical Director

Maureen Bradley-Ferrulli, Box Office Manager

50TH ANNIVERSARY

GALA COMMITTEE

Carissa Bellando Kolten Bell Lisa DeRespino Bennett Brianna Brice
Bailey Claffey Rusty Curcio Joe DiGiovana Susan Fenley Theresa Flanagan
Tim Grady Patrick Heffernan Phill Hickox Matt Hosmer Larissa Ippolito
Jenny Kelly Janine LaManna Betty McComiskey Maria O’Malley Michele Pawk

Mike Pinto Todd Alan Price Jon Raymond James Forbes Sheehan
Charlie Siedenburg Jennifer Straniere Philip Straniere Gary Sullivan

Mickey Tennenbaum Sophia Tzougros Lauri Young

ALUMNI CO  MMITTEE

Scott Barnhardt Ashley DeLane Burger Christina DeCicco Madison Decker
Allison Dufford Rosalind Heeger Greg Ippolito Theresa McCarthy

David McDonald Ryan Moroney Cynthia Vanessa Rebeil Robyn Ruehl-Lippert
Brian Sharron Amanda Snarski Brendan Stackhouse



17

MAIN STAGE

A Little Night Music STAGE ONE

October 4-7, 11-14, 2018 Mouth Pieces

Working (Revised Edition) October 11-14, 2018

November 15-18, 29-December 1, 2018 Everybody

My One and Only November 30-December 2, 2018

February 21-23, 28-March 3, 2019 Dance Project 2019

The Pirates of Penzance February 28-March 3, 2019

April 11-14, 25-28, 2019

50TH ANNIVERSARY Workshop:  Our New Town
SPECIAL EVENTS
dates to be announced
Keynote by John Kenrick
“Musical Theatre: A History” “Originals” Choreography II

October 3, 2018 April 13-14, 2019

WCT Design Exhibition “Originals” Directing II

October 1-31, 2018 April 27-28, 2019

WCT Alumni Reunion Weekend

October 4-7, 2018

WAGNER.EDU/THEATRE

18

begTaitnhtnehrieeng.

Congratulations on
50 years,

Wagner College
Theatre.

Jennifer and Philip
Straniere

HONOREES 19

GARY P. SULLIVAN (Lifetime to audience engagement programming
Achievement Award) has been working at for our subscribers, to an apprenticeship
and internship program, and our after-
Wagner College since 1975. He supervises school program, Student Production
the Arts Administration program. Previous Workshop. For more information, visit
posts at Wagner include a term as Provost/ roundabouttheatre.org/education.
Vice President for Academic Affairs;
Producing Director of Theatre; and in his first Jennifer M. DiBella currently serves as
years here as Art Director, Scene Designer/ Director of Education for Roundabout
Technical Director. Professional credits Theatre Company, where she has worked
include: Dames at Sea, Pacific Overtures and since 2005. Jennifer holds a MA in
Just So Stories Off-Broadway; concert theatre Educational Theatre from NYU and a
management at Garden State Arts Center BA in Theatre Education from Wagner
(PNC Bank Center); general contracting for Collegewhere she also received her NY
national tours; design/display for industrial State Teaching Certification. She has
trade shows; special effects contracting; and extensive theatrical directing and teaching
as a conflict resolution, communications experience with artists of all ages. Prior to
consultant and manager training. Professor joining Roundabout, Jennifer worked for
Sullivan received a Master of Fine Arts from Camp Broadway, Walnut Street Theatre,
the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of and schools around the country. In May
Arts from Idaho State University. of 2010, she completed Coro Leadership
New York, a civic leadership development
EDUCATION AT ROUNDABOUT program that that delivers the skills,
AND JENNIFER M. DIBELLA ’04 knowledge, and network to lead change and
(Presidential Medal) develop innovative solutions to public issues.
Jennifer currently serves as the Co-Chair of
Education at Roundabout turns the Board of Directors for the NYC Arts in
Roundabout Theatre Company’s theaters Education Roundtable and on the Audience
into classrooms and classrooms into Engagement Committee for the Broadway
theaters, for more than 30,000 people each League. For four years, Jennifer served as
year throughout all five boroughs of New the New York State Representative for
York City and around the country. For the American Alliance for Theatre and
over 20 years, Roundabout has developed Education (AATE) and joined AATE’s
education programs that provide students
with access to the arts, encourage social and ADVICE
emotional learning, cultivate skills they will
need to succeed in college and careers, and Lisa DeRespino Bennett ’85
give their teachers the tools to help students
flourish. Education at Roundabout has Remember that you’re in college.
expanded to include diverse programming Experience and enjoy COLLEGE
ranging from student matinees, to classroom LIFE. You don’t get a do-over. It’s too
residencies and school-wide partnerships in early in life to be consumed by one
the NYC public schools, to professional thing—even if it’s what you are most
development workshops for teachers,
passionate about.

20 H O N O R E E S

National Board of Directors in July of 2013. regional theatre credits that include Fanny
Through AATE, she created and served as Brice in Funny Girl, Libby Tucker in I
co-chair for the AATE’s annual New York Oughta Be in Pictures and Rizzo in Grease,
Theatre in Our Schools conference. Jennifer Kathy’s first break after graduation was Bat
was the co-chair of the 2013 AATE Boy, the Musical Off-Broadway in 2001. In
National Conference in Washington DC, 2002, Kathy created the groundbreaking
which brought together nearly 500 artists role of Marci Walsh McBain in the ABC
and educators from around the world to soap opera One Life to Live. In 2004, Kathy
exchange ideas and best practices in the field was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award
of theatre and education. She has presented for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a
her work at conferences and events around Drama Series.” In 2003, things got really
the country and has served as a guest lecturer crazy for a while when she was hired to
at graduate programs throughout New York play another groundbreaking role – Tracy
City. In 2011, Jennifer was proud to receive Turnblad in the Tony-winning Hairspray
the Dina Rees Evans Theatre in our Schools on Broadway – AND she decided to keep
Award. her day job, too. She played both Marcie
Walsh and Tracy Turnblad for eight and
KATHY BRIER ’97 (Presidential a half months. In 2010, Brier appeared on
Medal) Native Staten Islander Kathy Brier the HBO series Boardwalk Empire as singer/
actress Sophie Tucker. She also sings some
took Wagner College Theatre by storm of the original music of the series. She is
as Dolly in Hello, Dolly!, Rose in Gypsy, currently developing a stage play about
Winifred in Once Upon A Mattress, and Tucker. Kathy also appeared on Law &
Nettie Fowler in Carousel. She also knew Order: Criminal Intent, and worked in two
she wanted to have something to fall back episodes of the Playhouse Disney animated
on, and she credits Wagner teachers Stanley series JoJo’s Circus. Kathy also lent her voice
Zareff, John Jamiel, and Chris Catt for to the Grammy-nominated Hair: The Actor’s
encouraging her double major in theater Fund Benefit Cast Album. Aside from acting,
and business, where she graduated with she enjoys swimming, reading, and spending
a degree in Arts Administration. With time with her family. Furthermore, she has
helped organize the non-profit organization
MEMORY known as MusiKids, which aims to support
the nurturing of musically talented children.
Jenny Kelly ’13 Married to fellow WCT alum Jason Munt,
Kathy acknowledges their 6 year old son,
Chris DeRosa breaking his front Donovan, as her greatest production to date.
teeth out of his mouth 5 minutes
before opening curtain of Tommy, MATT LENZ ’86 (Presidential Medal)
and proceeding to perform the show
without a hitch (besides momentary is a New York City-based theater director.
stops backstage for wax to cover Upcoming projects include new musicals
the gaping hole). It was my first tech Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz and
assignment and I remember thinking Grumpy Old Men, and the first national tour
how freaking hardcore that was. The

show must indeed go on.

HONOREES 21

of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Matt Can, and the original Broadway production
recently conceived and directed the national of Hairspray. He directed Hairspray at Paper
tour of Cheers: Live Onstage! and he directed Mill Playhouse, the MUNY, three national
the first national tour of A Christmas Story: tours for NETworks, and a groundbreaking
The Musical (2014, ’15, ’16, ’17) and The production in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sound of Music tour in 2017. He directed He was Molly Smith’s Associate Director
the hit Off-Broadway revival of Pageant: The for The Velocity of Autumn on Broadway
Musical (Drama Desk nomination for Best and was the Resident Director for Disney’s
Revival of a Musical), The Irish Curse at Soho Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and
Rep, Idaho! for New York Musical Theatre National Tours. Also for Disney Theatrical
Festival, Susie Mosher’s The Great Daisy Productions, he was Associate Director
Theory, Fingers and Toes at NYMF, Alan on Aida in its World Premiere at Atlanta’s
Ball’s The Amazing Adventures of Tense Guy Alliance Theatre.  He received the 2010
and Wicked’s 5th Anniversary Celebration: Kevin Kline Award for Best Director, is a
The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken at the teaching artist for the Broadway Dreams
Gershwin Theater on Broadway. Regional Foundation and a Member of SDC.
credits include: [title of show] at the George Mattlenzdirector.com
Street Playhouse, Billy Eliot and The Foreigner
(Carbonelle Award for Best Play in 2014) ADVICE
at the Maltz Jupiter Theater, Art at Cape
Playhouse, Les Miserables, God of Carnage, Randy Graff ’76
Love! Valour! Compassion! and Dirty Blond
at Zach Theatre in Austin, Victor Victoria at Hold on to the love for what you do.
Ogunquit Playhouse, South Pacific at Casa
Manana and North Carolina Theater, The MEMORY
Full Monty at NCT, Disney’s Beauty and
the Beast at The MUNY (2005, ’10, ’15) and Jeanine Bruen ’16
at North Carolina Theater and Michigan
Opera Theater, Aida at The MUNY (2008, As a sophomore, I was cast as the
’16) and at Gateway Playhouse. He also swing for the four females in Little
directed Martin Casella’s Scituate and world Shop of Horrors. I. Was. Terrified. I
premiere musical Saint Heaven  at The had never been a swing before, and I
Stamford Center for the Arts, The Irish Curse was sure I was making myself look like
for the NY International Fringe Festival a complete fool at every rehearsal. I
and Short North Stage, Idaho! at The Smith had to go on for two performances
Center in Las Vegas and at The Forestburgh because one of the girls in the cast fell
Playhouse, Confidentially Cole at the Tiffany ill. I was so nervous I’m pretty sure I
Theatre in LA, and productions of Twelfth blacked out onstage. But much to my
Night, Hair, The 10% Revue and The Who’s surprise, what I was afraid of turned
Tommy. Matt was the Associate Director to out to be one of the most thrilling and
Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien on Charlie rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
and the Chocolate Factory, Catch Me If You The cast and crew gave me so much
love that day. I will never forget that

feeling of unity and support.

22

Proceeds from the Gala
will be directed to WCT
inclusivity projects – from
improving our assisted
listening devices to sensory
sensitive performances to
creating broader access
to tickets, we will seek to
open doors to make WCT
even more inclusive, and
help cement our place as
one of the nation's top
Theatre programs. Join
us in funding a future that
welcomes EVERYONE who
loves the performing arts

into our community.

F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S 23

JANINE LAMANNA ’88 (Co-Host) for Performance Majors, including “The
Janine’s career as a performer has spanned Professional Actor” and “Senior Showcase.”
over 25 years in theatre, film and television, NYC Acting credits include: Hairspray,
and concert halls around the world. Her Losing Louie, Mamma Mia, Hollywood
Broadway credits include Janet Van De Arms (for which she won the Tony Award),
Graaff in the Tony award winning hit, The Chicago, Seussical, Cabaret (receiving Drama
Drowsy Chaperone, Nickie in the revival of Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle Award
Sweet Charity starring Christina Applegate, nominations), Triumph of Love, Crazy
Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical (earning her a For You (Drama Desk nomination), Mail,
Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Mahida’s Extra Key To Heaven Flyovers,
Featured Actress in a Musical), Lois Lane in Prayer For My Enemy, The Dark at the Top
Kiss Me, Kate, The Look of Love, Swing! and of the Stairs, The Paris Letter (Drama Desk
Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime. She also played nomination), Reefer Madness, After the Fair,
Velma Kelly in the First National Tour of Hello Again, Merrily We Roll Along, Jon &
Chicago, and was Chita Rivera’s stand-by in Jen, A Little Night Music. Directing credits
Kiss of the Spider Woman. Janine is the first include: My Queer Youth and The Disney
actor to play the infamous Carmen Sandiego Diaries at the Beechman Theatre in NYC,
on the PBS series, Where in Time is Carmen West Side Story at Creighton University in
Sandiego? Other credits include, Devious Omaha, NE (nominated for Best Direction,
Maids, Two Weeks Notice and Candide with Best Musical Awards), Carapace Isle at
the New York Philharmonic for PBS’ Great Manhattan Rep, Picnic for the William Inge
Performances. Numerous off-Broadway Center for the Arts.   At Wagner, she has
and regional theatre credits include Enter directed Seussical, Merrily We Roll Along,
Laughing and High Spirits at the York Rent, and Little Shop of Horrors, Anything
Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Goes, Small Town Stories.
Eugene O’Neil Theater, Goodspeed Opera
House and an IRNE nomination for her role MIRANDA ABBOTT ’18 graduated
as Amneris in Aida at North Shore Theater. in 2018 with a double major in Theatre
She can be heard on the original cast Performance and Arts Administration,
recordings of Sweet Charity, Seussical, Enter Combined Concentration. Her favorite
Laughing, Kris Kringle – the Musical, and Wagner credits include Titanic (Ensemble),
The Music of the Sherman Brothers. In 2007,
after being featured on CNN’s American MEMORY
Morning for her roles as a Broadway star
and military wife, she was invited to sing Dan Sclafani ’90
at the White House for National Military
Spouse Appreciation Day. Janine was Dracula: the fly wire for a bat (with
honored in 2006 with the Wagner College red-lighted eyes) was not taut and
Fellows Award. became tangled around my ankle
which pulled the bat into a child’s lap
MICHELE PAWK (Theatre Faculty; sitting in the 1st row, who began playing
Co-Host) oversees the Senior Experience with it. When the sandbag was finally
dropped, it flew up and almost pulled

the kid out of his seat.

24 F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S

1776 (ASM), and Hair (Mary/Tribe). ASHLEY DELANE BURGER ’12 Since
graduating, Ashley has attained her MS in
LISA DE RESPINO BENNETT ’85 began Kinesiology, become a Certified Movement
her WCT career as a volunteer still in high Analyst and a YogaTune Up Teacher.
school – painting sets, acting as the ladies She has performed and choreographed
dresser for productions and more – just to regionally for Derby Dinner Playhouse,
be part of the excitement. Post-Wagner, MacHaydn Theatre, Reagle Music Theatre,
she worked as an agent with Don Buchwald the NY Fringe Festival, and Six Flags Great
& Associates and SEM&M in on-camera Adventure. For the past three years she
and voice-over commercial representation. has taught on the WCT faculty teaching
Although Lisa’s path eventually took her Movement, Dance, and Acting classes as
to the corporate world (20+ years with well as choreographing shows such as Rent,
JPMorgan Chase in Communications and Merrily We Roll Along, Bloody Bloody Andrew
Media Relations), she still performs in Jackson, and The Dance Project (2013 and
local theatre productions and sings with 2016). She is grateful to be part of such a
the JPMC employee band, The Bank Notes, beautiful celebration of a program she has
performing at corporate events around the called home for the past 10 years.
globe.
CHRISTINA DECICCO ’02 has been
JEANINE BRUEN ’16 recently played seen on Broadway starring opposite Ricky
Christine in the New York premiere of Vox Martin as Eva Peron in the revival of
Lumiere’s Phantom of the Opera at Le Poisson Evita, as Arachne in Spider-Man: Turn Off
Rouge. A NY based actress and singer, she the Dark, and as Mary Robert (u/s) in the
performs frequently at 54 Below, Town original cast of Sister Act: The Musical.  She
Hall, and the Metropolitan Room. Jeanine has been seen in many regional theaters
was featured as a “Broadway Rising Star” at around the country and toured as Glinda
Town Hall in 2016. A graduate of Wagner’s in the First National of Wicked. For more
Honors Program with a B.A. in Theatre information: christinadecicco.com.
Performance, she also regularly trains at
The Barrow Group. Keep up with Jeanine at DONNA D’ERMILIO ’75 is a pianist,
jeaninebruen.com. conductor and educator with degrees in
Music from Wagner College and New
ADVICE York University. Credits include Gateway
Playhouse, Staten Island Civic Theater,
Robyn Ruehl-Lippert ’97 Staten Island Shakespearean Theater,
Snug Harbor, and Harbor Lights Theater
Theatre is all about networking Company. Early WCT credits include
and connections and it’s a very small Cabaret, Company, 1776, Man of LaMancha,
The Threepenny Opera and Jacques Brel....
community, so talk to everyone – Later credits at Wagner include Hello, Dolly!
the freshman you ignored during and 42nd Street (pianist) and music director/
your senior year may someday be the conductor for Evita, Guys and Dolls, A
casting director sitting across from

you at an audition.

F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S 25

Chorus Line, Carousel, Gypsy, A Little Night PATRICK HEFFERNAN ’11 is a
Music, Crazy for You, and How to Succeed.... southern California native  and moved
Currently a teacher in the Humanities to NYC to attend Wagner College in
Program at St. Joseph Hill Academy, Ms. 2007.  National Tours:  Fiddler on the
D’Ermilio has also been an adjunct professor Roof  (Perchik),  Anything Goes  and  42nd
at St. John’s University and Wagner College. Street. Regional: Goodspeed Opera
She directs two performing groups at St. House (The Will Rogers Follies),  Ogunquit
Joseph Hill and does private vocal coaching. Playhouse (White Christmas), Gateway
Donna is married to actor Wayne Miller. Playhouse (42nd St), Arts Center of Coastal
She is happy to be working with WCT once Carolina (H2$),  The John W. Engeman
again and congratulates Dr. Felicia Ruff and (Gypsy)  and Mac-Haydn Theater. Patrick
all the students, faculty and administrators returned to Wagner to serve as an adjunct
who have supported this program. faculty member, teaching Jazz, Musical
Theater Tap and Movement. Additionally,
TIM GRADY ’09 is thrilled to be dancing Patrick has directed and choreographed
full circle in 42nd Street tonight, his first The Little Mermaid  at The Arundel Barn
Main Stage production at Wagner in Playhouse and choreographed/assoc.
2006. He has toured across the country, choreographed musicals such as Anything
worked regionally and appeared dancing Goes, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweeney Todd
in productions here in New York at NY and The Producers,  between both Wagner
City Center and Radio City Music Hall. College and The Mac-Haydn Theater.
He owns  TimGradyFilms.com, filming
corporate and theater events, as well as on MATTHEW HOSMER ’13 has been
camera work as the Tony Awards red carpet music director for WCT’s Zombie Prom,
correspondent for Backstage Magazine and Damn Yankees, and this season’s 1776. Last
Actors’ Equity Foundation.   summer he made his conducting debut with
Middlesex County’s Plays-in-the-Park with
RANDY GRAFF ’76, H’01 Broadway: Legally Blonde and is returning this summer
Fiddler on the Roof (Drama League nom.), A to lead a 25 piece union orchestra for Fiddler
Class Act (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), on the Roof.
City of Angels (Tony, Drama Desk Awards),
Moon Over Buffalo, Laughter on the 23rd STEPHEN C. KALLAS ’17 graduated
Floor, High Society, Falsettos, Les Miserables with a double degree in Performance
(original Fantine, Helen Hayes nom.). and Technical Studies. Regional:
Selected Off-Broadway and Regional: Fireside Theatre’s Newsies  (Davey);
The Babylon Line (Lincoln Center, Lucille New Hampshire Palace Theatre’s 42nd
Lortel Award), Long Christmas Ride Home
(Vineyard Theater, Drama League nom.), MEMORY
A Little Night Music (Kennedy Center
Sondheim Festival). Several original cast Christina DeCicco ’03
recordings and solo CD, Randy Graff Sings
Cy Coleman. Meeting my husband at a party!

26 F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S

Street (Ensemble);  Mac-Haydn Summer Cast Recording), Peggy Sawyer (42nd
2017; In the Wings Productions’ 42nd Street – Danbury, CT), Ruby (Dames At
Street (Andy Lee); Interlakes Summer Sea – Infinity Theatre Company). In 2014
Theatre 2016.  WCT:  Titanic (Edgar Megan landed her dream job as a Radio
Beane), Anything Goes  (Sailor);  Avenue City Rockette and has performed in The
Q (Puppeteer),  Most Happy Fella;  Cats Christmas Spectacular ever since. She is
(Swing-Mungojerrie/Macavity); Spamalot; looking forward to another holiday season
Hello, Dolly!. He is also a freelance sound at the historic Radio City Music Hall!
designer. StephenCKallas.com
RENÉE MARINO ’04 can be seen as Mary
JENNY KELLY ’13 is a proud 2013 Delgado in the film Jersey Boys, directed by
graduate who could not be more excited to Clint Eastwood. Renée also played Mary
reunite with this incredible cast! Business Delgado in Jersey Boys on Broadway, in
Manager at Snug Harbor Cultural Center addition to her other Broadway credits:
& Botanical Garden by day, Founder & West Side Story revival as Rosalia, Chaplin,
Creative Director of Hemlock Theatre Co. and Wonderland. She began her professional
by night (hemlocktheatreco.com).  Always, career on the 25th Anniversary Tour of Cats
in honor and memory of JS, who is in all of and the National Tours of Disney’s High
our hearts as we sing today. School Musical and Jersey Boys. Renée guest
starred on Fox’s comedy, “Weird Loners”
MEGAN KELLEY ’11 Nat’l Tours: Irving as Regina, and utilized her theatre chops
Berlin’s White Christmas. Favorite credits: in Los Angeles playing Lola in Damn
Lady Be Good (NYC Center Encores! and Yankees, Carmen Miranda in the Los
Angeles Premiere of I Only Have Eyes for
MEMORY You, and Roberta in John Patrick Shanley’s
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. While in
Megan Kelley ’11 LA, she also wrote and performed her solo
show, I Am Me Because of Three. Renée’s
My mom would bake cookies from an next endeavor is being the dance captain
old family recipe for the casts of all and in the ensemble of Pretty Woman: The
the shows I was in. These cookies were Musical, coming to Broadway in July! She
all anybody could talk about! She’d is a very proud graduate of Wagner College
bring them backstage and was always and loves coming back to her alma mater!
greeted with thunderous applause ReneeMarino.com

from the cast and crew. Within THERESA McCARTHY (Theatre
seconds of putting the basket down in Faculty; Gala Performer) has originated
the shop, the cookies were all gone! roles on and off-Broadway: Titanic, Floyd
Collins, Saturn Returns, Queen Of The Mist,
One time, things got so out of hand First Daughter Suite. Featured vocalist
that people were hoarding as many on Bright Eyed Joy the songs of Ricky Ian
cookies as possible and then hiding Gordon; Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs/
them so no one would steal them.
People would see an unattended
cookies laying out at someone else’s
dressing station and snatch it right up!

The cookies were THAT good!

F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S 27

Evening Primrose. Soloist in Baltimore Day Parade for two consecutive years.
Symphony Orchestra’s Bernstein Mass at Subsequently expanding to L.A, Chetti
Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. collaborated with Grammy Co-writes on
Broadcast  projects include  Law and Order more independent music and performed at
and House of Cards. She is proud member of the historic El Rey Theatre for “The Soiree”
the faculty at Wagner College. Pre-Grammy Party. She’s played The Bitter
End, Mercury Lounge, and has opened
RYAN MORONEY ’18 Past credits for Jack and Jack and Leighton Meester at
include Hair (Ensemble, u/s Woof/Margaret Webster Hall and Irving Plaza.
Mead),  OR, (Charles II), Titanic (George
Widener), Anything Goes (Bishop), the ROBYN RUEHL-LIPPERT ’97 is a
revival concert of Titanic at Lincoln Center native Staten Islander. After graduation,
(Ensemble), Almost, Maine (Randy), Titanic she worked on the production side for
(Thomas Andrews), and Les Misérables Walt Disney Theatrical Productions’ Beauty
(Javert).  Ryan has studied, interned and and the Beast,  King David,  The Lion
taught at Paper Mill Playhouse. In the Fall, King and Aida on Broadway. Robyn joined
Ryan will be a character performer in Walt TicketsforGroups.com in 2003, managing
Disney World! Website: ryanemoroney. group sales for all Broadway shows and
weebly.com  Instagram: @ryan_moroney various exhibitions across the country. In
her spare time (ha!), she can be found on
MICHAEL PORTANTIERE ’79 is a local stages either performing or producing.
theater journalist/photographer and a Robyn is a board member for Staten Island’s
panelist for “This Week on Broadway,” a Hemlock Theatre Co. Married to David,
podcast presented by BroadwayStars.com. proud Mom of Corinne and Dean.
He has worked as an editor and writer for
InTheater magazine and Back Stage, and he MARY SIX RUPERT (Professor of Dance;
was Editor in Chief of TheaterMania.com Performer) Mary Six’ Rupert’s professional
from 2000 to 2007. Michael has written for dance career included being a Radio City
such publications as Playbill, The Sondheim Rockette for 13 years as well as dance captain
Review, W42ST magazine, and NPR.
org. His theater photographs have been MEMORY
published in The New York Times and other
major publications. James Forbes Sheehan ’15

CONCETTA “CHETTI” RAINERI When Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, I
’13 has written and performed music for was one of about 100 students who
Chipotle’s Farmed & Dangerous  series
and Barely Lethal,  a Kyle Newman Film stayed on campus. There were a
starring  Hailee Steinfeld. Following her few other theatre folks, and we had
off Broadway Debut as Lucia in My Big to camp out in the Spiro Gym one
Gay Italian Wedding, Chetti performed night. It was a mostly-empty campus
her original music on ABC’s Columbus for a week (Lee Manchester kept us
company!), but we made it into the city
to see Michele Pawk in Giant at the
Public when conditions improved!

28 F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S

and assistant to the director/choreographer Carolina), Cosmo in Singin’ in the Rain
for last Rockette national tour. She (Gateway Playhouse), George in The Drowsy
performed in many musicals including Chaperone (The Cape Playhouse), Mike in A
42nd Street, My One and Only, Gypsy, Can Chorus Line (Weston Playhouse). John was
Can and Singin’ in the Rain. A highlight recently a Visiting Assistant Professor of
of her dance career was performing a tap Dance at Western Carolina University. John
duet with Harold Nicholas, of the world holds a BS in theatre performance from
famous Nicholas Brothers, at the London Bradley University, where he graduated
Palladium. Mary Six has taught master Summa Cum Laude.
dance classes in Vienna, Paris, Bayreuth
(Germany) and more. In New York, she DAN SCLAFANI ’90 is thrilled to be
has taught at The Juilliard School, Steps back on the Wagner Main Stage. After
and Broadway Dance Center. She currently performing full-time for many years, he
teaches at Bridge for Dance in Manhattan decided to live a life requiring less travel.
and privately in Brooklyn. Mary Six’s Dan relocated to the Hudson Valley with his
production company, Legacy 36, LLC, wife Eileen and daughters Kerry and Kirby,
produces yearly shows featuring the Legacy who will be attending Wagner as a Theater
Dancers, a line of former Rockettes. She is Major, class of ’22! Dan and Eileen started
the creator of Tap Dancing Hands Down®, Standing Room Only Theater Company,
a system for teaching tap dancing to those now in it’s 10th year! SRO’s mission is to give
with mobility challenges. Mary Six has just children and teens a chance to shine while
completed her 6th year as a professor of tap learning skills from theater professionals
and jazz at Wagner College. they will use in theater and in life!

JOHN SCACCHETTI (Professor of CHARLIE SIEDENBURG ’95 is thrilled
Dance; Performer) performed on Broadway to be returning to the WCT Main Stage.
in the 2001 revival of 42nd Street and the WCT will always hold a special place in
2008 revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone. his heart. Charlie has over 25 years as
National Tour credits: 42nd Street and My a PR professional with credits ranging
Fair Lady. Regional credits: Phil Davis in from Broadway to the Metropolitan
White Christmas (Arts Center of Coastal Opera to regional theatre. Charlie is an
Adjunct Professor at Wagner, where he
ADVICE teaches Theatre Appreciation and Public
Relations for the Theatre. He serves as
Patrick Heffernan ’11 Press Representative for Wagner College
Theatre, In The Wings Productions, The
Be you! Be curious! Give back! Minty Awards, and Sundog Theatre. An
Arts Administration/Theatre graduate of
MEMORY Wagner College, he resides in West New
York, NJ. Congratulations Gary, Matt,
Ryan Moroney ’18 Kathy, and Jenn! Thank you for supporting
Wagner College Theatre.
Oval nights on the first and last nights
of the year to meet and say goodbye.

F E AT U R E D P E R F O R M E R S 29

PHILIP S. STRANIERE ’69, M-’73 Symphony.    He has been featured soloist
recently retired as a Judge after serving 21 with Jessye Norman, Laurie Anderson and
years in NYC Civil Court. At Wagner he the Dance Theatre of Harlem. He is
was president of the Varsity Players, the Professor of Voice at New York University,
student led theatre group, and a member of Tisch School of the Arts – New Studio on
Alpha Psi Omega. Among the productions Broadway and at Wagner College.
he appeared in were Brigadoon, A Man for
All Season, and Luther. Before becoming SOPHIA TZOUGROS ’18 Last summer,
a judge, he had roles in many community Sophia performed in the Resident Company
theatre productions on Staten Island. at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in seven
shows including  Sweeney Todd,  Joseph...
ANTHONY TURNER  (Professor of Dreamcoat  and Annette in  Saturday Night
Voice; Performer) has appeared with Opera Fever.  Select Wagner credits: Sheila
Ebony, Cleveland Opera, Cincinnati in Hair Luisa in  Nine, Reno Sweeney
Opera, Opera Theatre di Lucca, Opera in  Anything Goes, and  Eighth Wonder of the
Exposures.  Festival appearances include World. sophiatzougros.com
Piccolo Spoleto (SC), Next Wave Festival
(Brooklyn  Academy of Music), Barbican AMY WILLIAMS (Adjunct Professor;
Music Festival (London).  Orchestral Performer) is an adjunct professor
appearances include Orchestra of St. Luke’s, who teaches in the theatre and music
Cincinnati Symphony, United States departments. She is honored to be part of
Army Band, Phoenix Symphony, Omaha this celebration!

Congratulations to
Gary Sullivan

on his lifetime achievement, dedication
and work supporting Theatre at Wagner

– Richard Kroth

30

EXCEEDING THE EXPECTATION

congratulates
on 50 years of quality theater.
Here's to 50 more years of creating
work that is accessible to all!

FAC U LT Y 31

RUSTY CURCIO, CMA, RSMT, RSME of  Angels, Titanic, The Diviners,  and
(Head of Dance) is a Certified Movement many others. For three years he was the
Analyst and Registered Somatic Movement resident Voice and Dialect Coach with The
Therapist and Educator. He has served Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, where
as the Head of Dance for the past 20 at credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor,
Wagner College. Prior to joining Wagner The Rivals, Coriolanus, London Assurance,
College he toured internationally with Les The  Tempest,  Comedy of Errors, and others.
Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo for nine New York coaching credits include  Guys
years and then with Les Ballet Grandiva de and Dolls, Murdering Marlowe, The Bacchae,
Russia for two seasons as well as performing On the Verge,  and  This is not a Pipe Dream.
in NYC with Peridance Dance Ensemble Directing work includes:  Twelfth Night,
and Acanthus Ballet Company. He holds an Uncommon Women and Others, and Picasso
associate’s degree in Business Management at the Lapine Agile. Regional acting
and Accounting from the Plaza School credits:  The Glass Menagerie, Arms and the
of Technology. Rusty has worked for Man, The Importance of Being Earnest, The
many regional and summer stock theatre Lower Depths and Hurly Burly. Film: Sunset
companies performing, directing and Park. Television: Ned and Stacey. As a writer
choreographing. and comedian, credits include the one-man
show  Lavender  and the short film  Scotty’s
PHILL HICKOX (Director of Big Day Off.
Production)    has been at Wagner College
Theatre since the fall of 1996. Some of his TODD ALAN PRICE (Arts
favorite scenic and lighting designs out of the Administration Faculty)  teaches in the
50+ include: Carousel, Jesus Christ Superstar, Theatre and Arts Administration programs,
Guys and Dolls, Mikado, Jekyll and Hyde, as well as serving as Director of the Stanley
Titanic, Sweeney Todd, Iolanthe and La Cage Drama Awards. Professor Price practiced
Aux Folles.  His design credits in the City Entertainment Law in New York City, with
include, scenic designs for Senior Moment by
Mike Vogel at the Lion Theatre,  Visions MEMORY
in the Fun House, Lincoln Center Plaza
and Marisol at the Sanford Meisner Theatre. Tim Grady ’09
Regionally he has designed for American
Players Theatre, New American Theatre, My favorite role was as a
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and Circa choreographer when Rusty Curcio
‘21. His summer stock credits include Little
Theatre on the Square, Hampton Playhouse, gave me the opportunity to
and College Light Opera Company.  choreograph a piece on the Main
Stage in the Dance Concert my senior
DAVID McDONALD (Head of Voice) At year. With his guidance, I learned not
Wagner College, Prof. McDonald has served only how to choreograph, but I learned
as Dialect Coach for Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, how to take on a leadership role while
Chess, Joseph…, The Three Musketeers, City making decisions and communicating
visions accurately and confidently. I’ve
taken that with me through everything

I’ve done post-college.

32 FAC U LT Y

emphasis in theatre, music, film, television, Off Broadway show, Noel Coward’s  Suite
and book publishing. His extensive theatrical in Two Keys, starring Hayley Mills and
production experience includes his role as Judith Ivey. At the School of Visual Arts,
Associate Producer at the Coconut Grove he created and taught a class in Film and
Playhouse, where he produced a variety of Entertainment Law. His frequent lecturing
shows, including  Death of a Salesman  with engagements include the Association of Arts
Hal Holbrook,  Who’s Afraid of Virginia Administration Educators, Association of
Woolf?  with Elizabeth Ashley,  Ladies in Theatre in Higher Education, Producers’
Retirement with Julie Harris and the world Network in New York and Boston, the New
premier of  Don’t Stop the Carnival, based Jersey Music Seminar and the Association
on the novel by Herman Wouk, music by of Authors’ Representatives. Professor
Jimmy Buffett. As the founding Artistic/ Price is a member of the New York and
Executive Director of the Maltz Jupiter Florida bars.
Theatre, a not-for-profit, professional
regional theatre, he created a business plan DR. FELICIA J. RUFF (Department Chair,
and developed community support to save Theatre and Speech) received her doctorate in
the former Burt Reynolds Theatre. In that Theatre History from the Graduate Center
role, he oversaw massive renovations to of CUNY, having focused on 19th century
create a state of the art, 550 seat professional theatre, particularly Melodrama. In 2007
theatre, and established a season of dramas she received a NEH grant to attend “The
and musicals, with strong subscriber Oscar Wilde Archive” at UCLA’s Clark
support. Professor Price also produced an Library and since then her scholarship has
focused on Wilde Studies, including a book
MEMORY chapter titled: “The Transgressive Prop; or,
Oscar Wilde’s E(a)rnest Signifier.” Other
Michael Portantiere ’79 book chapters include: “The Laugh Factory?
Humor and Horror at Le Théâtre du Grand-
A few hours before the first Guignol” in  Theatre Symposium: Comedy
performance of The Boys From Tonight  and “Oscar Wilde, the Erotique-
Syracuse in 1976, we learned that the Grotesque, and Modernist Spectacle” in
young woman who had been cast in Origins of English Dramatic Modernism,
the featured role of the Courtesan 1870 - 1914 as well as performance reviews
would not be going on – I seem to for  Theatre Journal  and biographical
remember it was because of some entries for the Encyclopedia of Broadway and
major family drama at home. Lisa American Culture. Recently she presented
Rampulla (now Lisa Rampulla Bress) “Seduction at the Ballet: Léon Bakst, the
was enlisted to go on in her stead, Ballets Russes, and Costuming the New
even though she wasn’t the official Ballet Body” at the SMLA conference in
understudy (I don’t think we had any Durham, NC.  She has extensive production
of those) and she had never been experience, including opening the Center
rehearsed in the role. Lisa wound for the Arts at the College of Staten Island,
up doing a bang-up job in the part, where she worked with many artists of
especially with the courtesan’s one
big number, “Oh, Diogenes!” And she
looked fabulous in the costume.

FAC U LT Y 33

international renown. Theatre (Sylvia McNair, soloist), Surflight
Theatre, Harbor Lights Theatre, Snug
BRIAN T. SHARRON (Technical Harbor Cultural Center, Sundog Theatre,
Director) holds his BFA in Technical Ontological Theatre, Papermill Theatre,
Theatre and Design from the University Ohio Light Opera, Columbus Opera,
of Connecticut. Past scenic design credits Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Lincoln
include 1776, A Chorus Line and Spamalot Center Director’s Forum, Merkin Concert
for Wagner College Theatre; King Lear, Hall, Weill Recital Hall. Dr. Young
Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the has also written and arranged scores of
Shrew, and Twelfth Night and for ArtFarm; original musical revues presented at the
Meet the Samsas, Marion Bridge, and 4.48 Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama,
Psychosis for Connecticut Repertory Theatre. the Duplex, Danny’s Skylight Room, Judy’s
Brian has also worked in production shops and Lorenzo’s. Dr. Young has been on the
where he has had clients including Tiffany faculty of the Governor’s School for the
& Co, Comedy Central’s The Colbert Arts, Walnut Hill Performing Arts School,
Report, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Third Street Music Settlement School,
Edition, CBS’s 2009 Tony Awards, In the Turtle Bay Music School and Lee Strasberg
Heights (national tour), Hershey Park, New Acting Institute. Dr. Young teaches
York City Opera, and Chicago Shakespeare Musical Theatre Performance I and II,
Theater. Musical Theatre History and Musicianship
for Actors.  She finds great joy in seeing her
DR. LAURI YOUNG (Music Director, students accomplish things that they did not
Theatre Faculty) grew up in central Ohio think were possible. In her ample free time,
and even though she has lived in New York Dr. Young is a competitive triathlete and
City for a very long time, her heart remains writer of short fiction.
in the rural beauty of the rolling hills of
the Buckeye State.  As an accomplished MEMORY
pianist she earned a B.M. at the Oberlin
Conservatory of Music, a M.M. at the Jennifer Klosowicz Perkins ’09
University of Louisville and a D.M.A.
from the University of Cincinnati College- My favorite memories are just being
Conservatory of Music. She moved to New backstage during a show and sharing
York in 1990 and pursued a free lance career in the magic. The best part of WCT
as recital soloist, chamber musician and
accompanist throughout the tri-state area. was meeting my future husband
By 1993, she was moving into a full time (Jason Klosowicz, class of 2006)!
career as musical director in the theatre. 
After several years of touring and regional ADVICE
work, she was hired as the resident musical
director for Wagner College where she has Carolyn Savoia ’17
helped to produce over fifty shows.  Her
regional credits include: Renaissance Take nothing for granted and never
be afraid to fail. Give it all you have,
take risks, and let your passion be your
guide. I couldn’t be more grateful.

34

Congratulations to WCT
on your

Golden Jubilee

Anniversary!

Your friends from

IN MEMORIAM 35

Randall Alderson David Mills ’93
Lynn-Rachel Ary ’81 Al Neste ’88
Craig North
John Barone ’76 Jim O’Connell
Dr. Jack Boies
Elaine Boies Nancy O’Rourke
Christopher Catt Vanessa Picciotto-Perrine ’03
Patrick Del Zoppo ’76
Matthew Grant ‘86 Harry A. Primeau ’80
Jeanne Hendricks Alee Ralph ’86
Greg Hiby ’83
Fred L. Housman, Jr. Kelsey Justin Stevens ’14
Doug Krueger ’03 Vincent Telesco
Dr. Lowell Matson Leonard Valenta

Mark D. Vaughan ’92
Kenneth Yount

MAIN HALL THEATRE | SEAT A101

In Loving Memory of Our WCT Family Member
Kelsey Justin Stevens

Strutting In Heaven since 8/27/2013

MEMORY MEMORY

Robyn Ruehl-Lippert ’97 Patrick Heffernan ’11

There was a huge snowstorm and we I was a CA kid, so the first time it
had a play running on the Main Stage. snowed, I was over the moon. We went
to sleep and there was nothing on the
I think it was The Little Foxes? We ground, but in the morning the campus
knew the audience wasn’t going to
make it up the hill, so we gathered as was covered in white. I woke Melissa
many students that we could so the Waterbury (who was from CT), around
cast would have an audience. In times
of need, we always seemed to pull 7:30 am and she got up with me to
together and support one another. roam the campus and play in the snow.

36

Congratulations to

Gary Sullivan

and all of tonight’s honorees

Thank you for the many wonderful
performances we enjoy at WCT.

Cathyann Tully

37

President Richard & Dr. Carin Guarasci
and the

Wagner College Department of Theatre
celebrate and congratulate our

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

Professor
Gary P. Sullivan

For his distinctive and dedicated career
with the

Wagner College Department of Theatre

38

39

President Richard & Dr. Carin Guarasci
and the

Wagner College Department of Theatre
celebrate and congratulate our

Presidential Medal of Honor recipient

Education at Roundabout
&

Jennifer DiBella ’04

For their distinctive career in the
Education of the Theatre Arts

40

41

President Richard & Dr. Carin Guarasci
and the

Wagner College Department of Theatre
celebrate and congratulate our

Presidential Medal of Honor recipient

Kathy Brier ’97

For her distinctive career in the
Theatre Arts Community

42 The Doctors Joseph and Felicia Ruff
send congratulations to award-winning alumni

Jennifer, Kathy, and Matt
as well as colleague, mentor, and friend

Professor Gary Sullivan
on this well-earned recognition.

#WCTPride #WCT50

43

President Richard & Dr. Carin Guarasci
and the

Wagner College Department of Theatre
celebrate and congratulate our

Presidential Medal of Honor recipient

Matt Lenz ’86

For his distinctive career in the
Theatre Arts Community

44

Congratulations to
Jennifer DuBruin DiBella
for her extraordinary leadership as
Director of Education at Roundabout.

And to the entire Education at
Roundabout team, thank you for your
talent and commitment to making this
transformative work possible!

Julia Levy

45

Many thanks to the adjunct professors who supported the
Design Technology & Management Concentration over the years.

Vicki Neal - Phill Hickox
Richard Kendrick
Polly Kendrick
Emilia Martin
Arturo Porazzi
Debora Porazzi
Chris Lüßmann

Alan Smith
Norma Lee Chartoff

Annie Scavo

46

Congratulations
WCT

on your
Golden Jubilee
Wishing you many more years of
magical performances!

Aletta and Bob
Diamond

47

Richmond County Savings Foundation
congratulates the

Wagner College Theatre Department
on its Golden Jubilee Anniversary
and all of the evening’s honorees:
Matt Lenz ’86
Kathy Brier ’97

Education at Roundabout / Jennifer DiBella ’04
and Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Professor Gary P. Sullivan