Westfield Community Players (1000 clowns bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Russ Oriz as Murray Burns	Maren Sugarman Director
Jacob Lesser as Nick Burns	Garry Tamburro Producer
Debbie Lingel as Sandra Markowiz	Barbara Ruban Stage Manager
Bobby Marusiefski as Albert Amundson	JoAnne Lemenille Properties
Paul Arfanis as Arnold Burns	Bill McMeekan Set Design
Abe Vorensky as Leo Herman	JoAnne Lemenille Set Decor
	Barbara Ruban Set Decor
	Bill McMeekan Lighting Design
	Jessica Foerst Lighting Operator
	Glen Crane Sound Design
	Michael Bieber Sound Operator
	Barbara Goldstein Publicity
	Jessica Foerst Playbill
	Steve Lemenille Web site
	Renate Bieber Box Office
	Doris Dias Costumes
	TBD House Managers
	TBD Ushers
	Kevin Coulson Stage Crew
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Bob Smith Set Construction
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Paul Kirsh Set Construction

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
RUSS ORTIZ	*(Murray Burns)* Russ Ortiz is pleased to return to WCP In A Thousand Clowns. Russ previously appeared at WCP in Almost Maine, Barefoot in the Park, Rehearsal For Murder and Squabbles. During the past five years Russ appeared in 36 productions in New Jersey and N.Y. In 2014 Russ appeared in Twelve Angry Men, A Man Of No Importance, Sex Relationships and Sometimes�Love, Time Stands Still, The Laramie Project, To Kill A Mockingbird, And Then There Were None and A Christmas Carol. Thanks to Steve and Gary for allowing me to do this wonderful role. Thank you Jacob, Debbie, Bobby, Paul and Abe for making this a wonderful experience. Thanks to all the crew for all the hard work in putting this production up. Thanks to my sons Jason, Scott and Tony and my daughter Jenn, for their love and support. Also thank you WCP working here has always been a pleasure.

JACOB LESSER	*(Nick Burns)* Jacob is making his WCP debut with this production of A Thousand Clowns, although he is not a stranger to WCP. Jacob performed in WCP's Talent Show in 2012 singing and playing his guitar. Most recently appeared at The Barn Theatre as Schwartz in the NJ Premier of A Christmas Story. Jacob is delighted to once again work with director Steve Lemenille, having been directed by Steve in To Kill A Mockingbird at UCPAC�s Hamilton Stage this past fall playing the role of Jem. Jacob is also playing The Genie in Aladdin Jr. Other credits include: Winthrop in CDC�s The Music Man for which Jacob was nominated for a NJACT Perry Award, Chatham�s Christmas Cards (Marc/Fernando/Ukulele), CDC�s �Oliver!� (Workhouse/Fagin�s Gang), and has worked with Pixie Dust Players, Merlin�s Minstrels, Chatham�s School of Rock Camps and fundraisers for Trilogy Rep and WCP. Jacob plays various string instruments and sings in the rock band ZODIAC. Film credit includes: The Old Man and the Little Boy. He is a member of Fearless Productions. Special thanks to Steve and this very talented cast/crew - Love to Mom, Dad and Cole!

DEBBIE LINGEL	*(Sandra Markowitz)* Debbie Lingel is delighted to be making her WCP debut! Some of her favorite previous roles include Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls) at Playhouse 22, Amy (Company) and Johanna (Sweeney Todd) at Kelsey Theatre, Cecily Pigeon (The Odd Couple) at Main Street Theatre, Barbara (Night of the Living Dead) at The Growing Stage, Fantine (Les Miserables) at Villagers Theatre, and Nancy (Angel Street) at Somerset Valley Playhouse. Thank you to Steve, the cast, the crew, and the production team for being such a wonderful group to work with. Love to family and friends.

BOBBY MARUSIEFKI	*(Albert Amundson)* is thrilled to be returning to perform before the audiences at Westfield Community Players in A Thousand Clowns. Bobby debuted in WCP's production of {proof} in 2013, appearing as Hal. He then went on to portray Ralph Austin in Butterflies Are Free in 2014. Mr.Marusiefski recently took over the role of Jimmy in WCP's most recent production of Almost,Maine in January. Bobby has also performed at the Jerry Orbach Theater in NYC in the monologue's show, Sex, Relationships and Sometimes�Love. He also portayed the role of Lt. Sam Weinberg in A Few Good Men at the Holmdel Theater.

PAUL ARFANIS	*(Arnold Burns)* Paul is making his WCP acting debut with this performance. Paul is a currently a Westfield resident. He has a dental practice in the community, and has always desired to perform on stage. His prior experience is three years with the Washington School Show, and, he performs daily for his patients. As a college undergraduate, he had his own radio show and he broadcast ice hockey games for the school team. Paul thanks Steve for giving him this opportunity, the cast for being so supportive, and my wife for encouraging me to take this step.

ABE VORENSKY	*(Leo Herman)* Abe Vorensky is thrilled and honored to be making his debut at Westfield Community Players. Abe�s past appearances included ensemble roles in Peter Pan and Guys and Dolls at Plays-in-the-Park and Kiss Me Kate at the Villager�s Theater. Most recently, Abe appeared in Plays-in-the-Park productions of Damn Yankees and Sunset Boulevard. Abe wishes to thank Director Steve Lemenille along with the entire cast and crew for giving him this wonderful opportunity. Finally, love to a wonderful family for your endless love and encouragement.

Production Staff
STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Director)* Steve has directed WCP's production of Dial 'M' for Murder, A View from the Bridge, the comedy Squabbles, {p r o o f} and last season's production of Barefoot in the Park. In 2013 Steve was nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Director of a Play for {proof}. He also has appeared in six consecutive productions here at WCP. Steve has been involved in theatre since his college days at Jersey City State. He is a retired Social Studies teacher and Drama Director of 29 years with the Hackensack Public Schools. Steve was also a MFA candidate at Montclair State. He has acted with Tower Players and the Opera Workshop of Jersey City, StageCrafters (Fairlawn), and Bergen County Players. He has also acted in dinner theatre for Regal Productions. Some of the roles he portrayed were: Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (Tower Players), the Grandfather in The Long Christmas Dinner (Tower Players), Ulysses in Tiger At The Gates (Tower Players), Paul Verrall in Born Yesterday (Bergen County Players), Paul in Barefoot in the Park (Fairlawn), and Michael in Second Time Around and the Inspector Paul Sevigne in A Shot In The Dark (Regal Productions) and the Grandfather in Kurt Wiell's Down in the Valley (Opera Workshop). Steve portrayed Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stanley in Death of a Salesman, The Magistrate in Fools, and Gen. Oscar Fairfax in Little Mary Sunshine and Kilroy in Don't Drink the Water, and most recently as Daniel in Almost, Maine�all for WCP. Steve was nominated for a 2009 NJACT Perry Award for OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE MEMBER for his role as the Magistrate in Fools. His directorial credits include: You Can't Take It with You, Harvey, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Gramercy Ghost, George Washington Slept Here, L'il Abner, The King & I, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, The Diary of Anne Frank, Our Town, South Pacific, The Music Man, Rehearsal for Death (all for HMS), Dial 'M' for Murder (Stagecrafters/WCP). Steve was nominated for two (2) 2012 NJACT Perry Awards for Outstanding Production of a Play (As Producer for Rehearsal for Murder) and as Outstanding Featured Male Actor in a Play (Rehearsal for Murder). Steve was also nominated for two (2) NJACT 2011 Perry Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for his role as Justice Lawrence Wargrave in Main Street Theatre's production of And Then There Were None, and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Isaac Cohen in Westfield Community Players production of Abie's Irish Rose. Steve is currently the President of WCP, as well as, the webmaster here at WCP. Steve wishes to thank his wife, JoAnne, for getting him back involved with theatre. "Without her support and love, I can accomplish little. Thank you dear!!" Steve also thanks Naomi Yablonsky, Sherrie Ahlin and Drude Roessler for making his WCP experiences very special. A special note of thanks to Jessica, Mike, JoAnne and Barbara for their contributions in making this another excellent production. And of course special thanks to this Cast/Crew for their hard work and love of theatre. Steve has also performed at the Grove Street Theater in Montclair performing in Apricot Productions 1-act series. Also, he has appeared in a series of monologues entitled Sex, Relationships and Sometime Love at The Old Library Theater, Main Street Theater Company and at the Producer's Club and the Jerry Orbach Theater, both off-Broadway, NYC. Most recently Steve directed Harper Lee classic To Kill A Mockingbird* at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on the Hamilton Stage, in Rahway, NJ.* Steve will be producing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee* for Director Brian Remo this coming May, 2015.*

GARRY TAMBURRO	*(Producer)* Garry Tamburro (Producer) Has appeared in a number of plays at WCP, most notably as Fleetfoot in Little Mary Sunshine and Officer Thompson in Dial 'M' for Murder but this is his second time producing a show, the last being Butterflies Are Free but with the aid of such an exceptional director and such an extraordinary cast and crew this is making this job a breeze, a most pleasurable and memorable experience.

BARBARA RUBAN	*(Stage Manager)* started with WCP as property master for many shows before branching out into stage managing and received a Perry Award nomination for props for the production of Angel Street. She also assists with set decoration and costumes. Having been on stage in a couple of productions, she would rather leave the acting to the pros and enjoy being in the backstage "hustle and bustle". Barbara also wrote two original plays which were performed at WCP. In addition, one play was performed in Chatham in the Jersey Voices Festival. She had been on the Board of WCP for two years serving as Director of Performance. Barbara is now Vice President of Productions. A legal assistant by day, she thanks WCP for allowing her to express her creative side and her children and grandchildren for their love and support, which makes it all more gratifying.

JOANNE LEMENILLE	*(Properties)* JoAnne appeared as Mrs. Isaac Cohen in last seasons WCP's production of Abie's Irish Rose. She began her WCP experience with her role as Mildred WCP's production of The Cemetery Club. Since that time, JoAnne has been the Properties Mistress for our productions and served on WCP's Board of Directors as Director of Productions. JoAnne recently served as President of WCP for three terms; she is now serving as Director of Performance. JoAnne has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play for Rehearsal for Murder She has always been involved in theatre since she was a child back in Union with the Teen Stagers. She has also appeared as Polly in The Boyfriend, Anna in New Girl in Town; Eleanor in Second Time Around (for Regal Productions), and Peggy in Front Page. Besides doing props, she has worked on Scenery and Set Design. Her favorite role was Eleanor in Second Time Around because it gave her the chance to play her husband, Steve's, snobbish and self-centered wife. JoAnne is a retired teacher of music from the Clark School system where she was the vocal, instrumental and music theory teacher for over twenty years and for which she directed and musical directed the plays for Kumpf School. "I make bead flowers - an old French art of using glass beads." Special thanks to my husband Steve and JoAnn Scanlon for giving me the chance to rekindle my love for the stage, and thanks to a wonderful cast and fabulous crew." It's good to have you back on front stage!!!

BILL MCMEEKAN	*(Set/Lighting Designer)* Bill not only serves as our set designer, but is currently WCP's Treasurer and serves on the Board of Directors. Bill has recently been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Set Design for a Play for Rehearsal for Murder

JESSICA FOERST	*(Lighting Operator/Playbill)* Jessica is not only versatile at operating the light control board, but also sits on the WCP Board of Directors as Director of Playbill. She has aided in the lighting design of this show. She is also extremely talented as a graphic designer. Much of her art work is displayed throughout our website. Jessica has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play for Rehearsal for Murder. Jessica most recently produced two productions at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) -- To Kill A Mockingbird on the Hamilton Stage and A Seussified Christmas Carol on the Main Stage in Rahway, NJ.

GLEN CRANE	**(Sound Design) Glen has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Sound Design for a Play for Rehearsal for Murder**

MIKE BIEBER	*(Sound Operator)Michael has played smaller and larger roles at WCP and Westfield�s Troupe of Friends free Shakespeare in the Park* series. From 1999-2007 he was one of the lead male vocalists in the Daddy-Os and the Grateful Dads in the McKinley Kapers annual variety show. But he most enjoys working tech behind the scenes. Professionally Michael is Associate Chair of the Information Systems Department at NJIT (which also has a Theater Department and regular productions).

BARBARA GOLDSTEIN	*(Publicity)* To be developed

STEVE LEMENILLE	(Web Master) Besides directing for WCP, Steve also is the President of WCP and is the webmaster for our web site.

RENATE BIEBER	*(Box Office)* Renate has been Director of Tickets since the 08-09 season and enjoys making sure the front of the house runs smoothly. Participating in the chorus of Mikado and Pirates of Penzance with the Gilbert & Sullivan Players of Philadelphia many years ago makes her appreciate the hard work that goes into a production and confirmed her belief that she doesn't want to be on stage. Renate is a substitute teacher in the Westfield School District, a board member of Westfield Hadassah, a member of the Harvest Quilters of Central New Jersey and enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

DORIS DIAS	*(Costumes)* I�m thrilled with the opportunity to work on this production. My personal goal is to make sure that the actors are comfortable and confident in their appearance on stage. I started working on costumes at the Westfield Community Theater in 2009 with their production of Little Mary Sunshine. At this point I fell in love with costuming. I was asked back to the theater and subsequently invited as the Chairperson of Costumes. I have great respect for the Director and his visions; they inspire me. I thank the production team for their faith in my ideas and their respect for my opinion. And especially my daughter for all the late hours, help and support. Past credits: Little Mary Sunshine, Don�t Drink the Water, The Second Time Around, Dial M for Murder, Caught In The Net, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Abie�s Irish Rose, I Love You, You�re Perfect, Now Change, Top Girls, Stuart Little, Bizet�s Carmen, Squabbles, {proof} and Olympus on My Mind. "I am a Costumer, I make clothes for imaginary people." ---Celestine Ranney, 1982

KEVIN COULSON	*(Stage Crew)*

	*(Stage crew)*

	*(Stage crew)*

GEORGE HILTZ	*(Set Construction Chairman)* To be developed