Weekend of One-Act Plays
(Original Scripts)
Show dates: June 4th - 7th, 2009
The Newtowne Players will present Five short plays.
Note: These shows are recommended for mature audiences.
Rapture in Flight by Thomas Esposito
| Director: | Lisa Gregory |
| Pilot : | Aaron Meisinger |
| Mechanic, Ben Franklin, various historical characters : | Larry Silvestro |
Comedy: Join our somewhat naïve pilot on a routine practice flight that turns into a harrowing adventure.
Thomas Esposito
Author of Rapture in Flight, Assistant Producer, Host
Thom is grateful to NTP and the cast and crew for this opportunity.
Lisa Gregory
Producer, Director of Rapture in Flight and Babu’s Burgers
Lisa has been involved with theatre on both sides of the curtain since she directed and starred in
Lady Dracula almost 25 years ago. Her stage appearances include Kate (Pirates of Penzance) and Florence
(The Odd Couple – female version). Lisa took a long break from theatre and singing to complete her M.S.
and Ph.D. in zoology. She joined NTP as director of Side by Side by Sondheim several years ago and was
a member of NTP’s Board of Directors and Artistic Council. She is thrilled to be producing NTP’s first
week of all original one-acts and fully promotes NTP’s desire to showcase local talent. Lisa thanks her
authors, casts, and crews for all their hard work and dedication. She would especially like to thank
her family and new daughter, Sara, for letting mommy have a hobby.
Aaron Meisinger
Aaron is the husband of Jennifer Meisinger, who is no stranger to The Newtowne Players (NTP).
She has inspired him to try a bit of acting and hopes he does her proud. Aaron thinks this show will
be the closest he will come to flying solo in a Cessna. Thanks to everyone for the opportunity and
thanks to Jenny for being the love of his life.
Larry Silvestro
This appearance marks Larry's second time working with NTP. He was previously seen playing six
different personalities in NTP's award-winning production of The Dining Room, shown in March of
last year. More recently, Larry was seen in Port Tobacco Players' Beauty and the Beast. His
other roles have included the immigrant juror in Patuxent Playhouse's production of Twelve
Angry Men, King Maximillian in Cinderella, and Lazur Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, both produced
by First Players of Hyattsville. Larry thanks his family for their love and support, and in
particular, his wonderful, lovely wife, Ginny, for being willing to support his "habit."
Babu's Burgers by Keith Williams
| Director : | Lisa Gregory |
| Assistant Director : | Craig Miller |
| Babu, various historical characters : | Chris Nugent |
| Galileo, Narrator : | John Giusti |
| Adolf Hitler : | Mark Heidrich |
| Genghis Khan, various historical characters : | Craig Miller |
| Jesus : | Patrick Welton |
Comedy: Meet the kooky customers of a small diner located next to a Hollywood film studio.
Keith Williams
Author of Babu’s Burgers
Keith is grateful to NTP and the cast and crew for this opportunity.
Craig Miller
Craig is gratified to be making his second appearance with NTP. He was seen last year as Jesse Kiplinger in NTP’s production
of Plaza Suite. Prior to that, he appeared as Billis in the 2008 Annapolis Chorale’s abridged production of South Pacific,
as Juror #8 in Laurel Mill Playhouse’s 2008 production of 12 Angry Jurors. Over the last 30 years, he has had roles in 45
productions with NTP, Laurel Mill Playhouse, Bowie Community Theater, Pasadena Theater Co., St. Martin’s Players, Annapolis
Summer Garden Theater, and Colonial Players, as well as with the Annapolis Chorale. In the 1980s, he appeared in numerous
productions with the Dutch Country Players in Greenlane, Pennsylvania. He would like to particularly thank Cindy for having
faith in him. You are the greatest.
Chris Nugent
This is Chris’ debut at NTP. He is grateful to NTP and the cast and crew for this opportunity.
John Giusti
John worked in community theatre while serving overseas in the U.S. Foreign Service in the 1980s
and ‘90s in Yemen, Morocco, and Egypt. When he and his wife, Sherry, moved to St. Mary’s City in
2004, he was happy to have the opportunity to return to community theater with NTP. John has
worked backstage and appeared in War of the Worlds, Love Letters, Lend Me a Tenor (as Tito, the tenor),
Side by Side by Sondheim (Narrator), Blithe Spirit, Ancestral Voices, A Tribute to Love, Love Is…
(vignettes from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Russell Barnes’
Red Dog Dirt, Plaza Suite (father of the bride), and most recently, The Foreigner (Charlie).
John feels a close kinship with Galileo, and as a newcomer, feels privileged to narrate 375 years
of St. Mary’s County’s fascinating history.
Mark Heidrich
Mark is a longstanding Newtowne Player who has spent more time backstage but likes the chance to get in
front of an audience, even if it is to play a guy playing Hitler. Enjoy!
Patrick Welton
In the beginning there was The Dining Room, and it was good. In the second play, Crimes of the Heart, there
was Doc Porter, and he, too, was good. In the third play, Plaza Suite, Patrick was backstage. It was very good.
In the forth play, Two Moms, who's the daddy? Who’s the daddy? In the sixth play, Return to the Forbidden Planet,
Patrick created Captain Tempest, and it was out of this world. When not on stage, Patrick works for Cherry Cove
Hospitality and manages a local hotel. Patrick would like to thank Keith for allowing us to put his work on stage
and Lisa for believing in him and giving him this opportunity to work with her again.
The Wake by Andrea Hein
| Director : | Andrea Hein |
| Evelyn : | Laurie Foster |
| Annabelle : | Amanda LePore |
| Edward : | James LePore |
| Pam : | Ashlee Forehand |
| Beatrice : | Amie Gilligan |
| Joey the Fish : | Leslie Dickey |
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Comedy: A family comes together for the wake of Uncle Stu, who is rumored to have millions up for grabs in his estate.
Each family member is after his and her share, and all suspect Granny knows more than she’s willing to admit about the
whereabouts of Stu’s missing will and hidden cash.
Andrea Hein
Author and Director of The Wake
Andrea has performed in two plays with NTP – Plaza Suite and Sylvia – in order to feed her passion for acting. Recently,
she received the opportunity to fulfill her other passion, writing, and to see it come to life on stage. Andrea wrote and
directed The Wake and was thrilled beyond words to learn it was to be produced by NTP. She would like to thank her wonderful
cast for making a girl’s dream come true and Beth Lavery for all her wonderful help and support. Also, many thanks to her
husband, Paul, for watching the kids!
Laurie Foster
This is Laurie's third time on stage with NTP. She started her "career" in A Tribute to Love, Love Is… and was hooked.
She followed that up playing the role of Karen Nash in Plaza Suite and still wanted to come back for more. In between
her time on stage, she has helped with props and costuming. She costumed the ladies for the Ghosts of Sotterley Tours
last Halloween and, most recently, she costumed NTP's production of The Foreigner. Never one to sit still, she also
helped with the costuming on this production! Laurie would like to thank Andrea for seeing the 80-year-old in her and
her husband for seeing the 18-year-old in her. Thanks, hon!
Amanda LePore
Amanda came to St. Mary's County three years ago from Long Island, New York. She has played roles in several productions,
including The Boyfriend, A Christmas Carol, The Ghosts of Sotterley Tours, and as a townsperson in NTP’s The Foreigner.
Amanda, a sophomore at Leonardtown High School, can be seen this season in two of NTP’s one-acts – The Wake and The Philadelphia.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys singing, shopping, and spending time with friends. She would like to thank Andrea Hein for
casting her as Annabelle, her family and friends for their love and support, and God for His grace.
James LePore
James joined NTP in 2008, playing the role of Rev. David Lee in The Foreigner. This season, he can be seen in three of NTP’s
one-acts: The Wake, The Philadelphia, and A History of St. Mary's County in 23 Minutes. James has been performing his whole
life – as a stage magician, guitar player, vocalist, public speaker, and actor. He owns and operates a typesetting/graphic
arts business and enjoys a dizzying array of hobbies, including singing, playing guitar, comic collecting, gem hunting, selling
collectibles on eBay, and analyzing Lost. James wishes to thank his wife, Theresa, and his daughters, Amanda and Tia, for their
love, support, and encouragement.
Ashlee Forehand
In high school, Ashlee dabbled in sports and decided that after being hit with a volleyball one too many times, she needed
to move on. Theater seemed like the perfect fit – no projectiles – and, as far as she knew, no running around a gym. After
playing a mom, a witch, and a fairy godmother, Ashlee knew something big was in store for her. After high school, she took
a five-year hiatus to concentrate on street fighting. She read about the one-acts and decided she missed theater and wanted
to give it a go. She was so excited to receive that phone call saying she got a part! Though her Texas accent needed work,
she knew she’d be the best money-hungry, big-haired fake Texan ever!
Amie Gilligan
Amie is devoted to acting. She performed with the Encore Kids and in The Christmas Schooner and A Christmas Carol with Port
Tobacco Players. Last year, she was introduced to NTP in The Dining Room, and a few months later, blasted billions of light
years into space in Return to the Forbidden Planet. In between, she was introduced to the technical side of theatre and
worked as a sound operator, stagehand, media operator, set builder, and sound designer for various plays. She is grateful
to Andrea for giving her the chance to work on stage again in such a fun and terrific show. Amie hopes to continue acting
throughout her life and is incredibly thankful to God and her supportive family for this wonderful opportunity!
Leslie Dickey
Three years ago, Les was coerced into appearing as the young (?), foppish Nephew Fred in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with
Calvert County’s Twin Beach Players. This brief appearance reignited a desire to perform that Les had put on hold 30+ years when
a deceitful calculus professor convinced him to leave school and serve in the military. Since treading back onto the boards, Les
has been seen as Murray the Cop in the 2007 NTP production of The Odd Couple, and most recently as “Tocky” Waldgrave in Patuxent
Playhouse’s production of The Nerd. Future ambition? Les hopes to convince NTP to put on Oh! Calcutta! next season. Les, of course,
would have the largest part.
Butterfly by Trish Cole
| Director : | Sheila Martel and Trish Cole |
| Ruby : | Gloria Ranta |
| Barb : | Jessica Mango |
| Emily/David : | Missy Bell |
Drama: Butterfly is about a mother's tragic inability to cope with her child's transformation from little girl
to transgender adult male. When pushed to confront the chilling memories of her relationship with her transgender
child, the mother moves among denial, the past, and a slipping reality. Instead of acknowledging her role in
the rejection and destruction of her transgender child, the mother instead seeks refuge in an imaginary place
filled with self-defined beauty.
Sheila Martel
Sheila wrote and directed In a Pickle, which was voted the audience favorite during NTP’s weekend of one-acts
in September 2008. She has performed on stage at Three Notch Theatre as Maggie in Dancing at Lughnasa and Mrs.
Boothe in Funeral Tea. Sheila wants to express sincere thanks to the cast, who are bringing the vision to
fruition, to the crew, who do such great work offstage, and especially to Trish Cole, a writer with the
highest integrity.
Trish Cole
Trish is thrilled to be involved with NTP. Trish was born and raised in St. Mary’s County, and after having her
work produced in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, she feels a deep, personal satisfaction and gratitude in
coming home to Lexington Park and Three Notch Theatre. The experience has been galvanizing for Trish. She would
like to thank NTP, the Butterfly cast and crew, her collaborator and co-director, Sheila, and her partner, Susan,
for her support and encouragement.
Gloria Ranta
Gloria’s early experience in theater was in high school and college. While her love of theater never left, she
left theater to pursue a career in teaching, raising three children, and a second career in computer science.
Now retired, her love of theater has drawn her back. She joined a small theater group at the Loffler Senior
Center last year and has played several roles there. This experience gave her the courage to join NTP. She
started as an usher and has served as an understudy, stage manager, and prop master. She most recently served
as stage manager for Sylvia. She is delighted to be working in front of the lights in Butterfly and thanks Lisa,
Trish, and Sheila for their willingness to cast a relative unknown in this very challenging role as Ruby. She
thanks her husband, Marv, for putting up with her love of theater.
Jessica Mango
As a young child, Jessica performed with the Riverside Civic Light Opera in productions of The Man Who Came
to Dinner and Jesus Christ Superstar. Jessica continued her theater work in high school and in college,
where she also sang with the Hood College Choir and the Hood College Chamber Singers. While studying abroad,
she sang with the Kirchen Choir in Leugde, Germany. While serving in the Peace Corps, she didn’t have much
time for theater but tried a class or two of traditional Romanian folk dance. She’s absolutely thrilled to
be involved with NTP this year. She is so excited to play the part of Barb in Butterfly that she can barely
stand it! Jessica thanks her wonderful husband, James, for his support and Sharol for the tip about auditions.
Missy Bell
Missy is so pleased to be a part of this stunning show. A founding member of NTP, Missy is making her debut
at Three Notch Theatre with Butterfly after a long absence from the company to give birth to her beautiful
children and thrive in a demanding teaching career. No stranger to the stage, a few of Missy's favorite past
roles include: Catherine (Proof, HBP), Philipine Keeseburg (Devour the Snow, HBP), and Lizzie Curry (The Rainmaker,
Black Market Theatre Company). She looks forward to future shows with NTP and her next directing stint:
Translations at Hard Bargain this October. Special thanks to Michael, Jonah, and Maeryn, who put up with and
even encourage her theatre addiction.
A History of St. Mary's County, MD in 23 Minutes by R. Da Silva
| Director : | Kerry Robinson |
| various historical characters : | Emily Funderburk |
Comedy: A romp through four centuries of local history. Irreverent, sly, wicked, true.
R. Da Silva
Author of A History of St. Mary’s County in 23 Minutes
This is Mr. Da Silva's first one-act. He is grateful to NTP and the cast and crew for this opportunity.
Kerry Robinson
Director
Emily Funderburk
Emily has been involved with NTP since October 2006. She has appeared as Catherine Simms in The Foreigner,
Chick the Stick in Crimes of the Heart, Miss Starkie in Funeral Tea, and Edith in Blithe Spirit. She is
thrilled to help bring the history of St. Mary’s County to the stage. A big "thank you" to everyone who’s
supported her over the years (and traveled many miles to do so!).
Call the box office at 301-737-5447 or go HERE to make reservations.
Tickets are $15/$12 (senior, student, and military discounts), and Maryland 375 discount vouchers will be accepted. Group rates (requires prepayment) available by calling the box office.
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updated on 20 May 2009
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