Harvey: Meet Rachael Giammarino

Name: Rachael Giammarino

Character: Miss Simmons

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
I enjoy the sense of community the group offers and the free spirited people I find there.

What’s next for you?
Only time will tell.

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
Newfoundland, I’ll let you know it’s name when I finally get one.

Rachael is an office manager by day and a stage manager by night. She enjoys community theater not only for the art, but also for the people she gets to meet. She has been working with FSP for many years, as her husband, Jammy, does the sound and lighting.


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

 

Harvey: Meet Chris Martens

IMG_4099Name: Chris Martens

Character: E.J. Lofgren–The Taxi Driver

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
To work with Mary

What’s next for you?
Onwards and Upwards

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
A gorilla named Donkey 

Chris Martens is a Drama graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts. He has been a proud member of the First String Players since 2012, having performed in five shows over the last four years. He was last seen as Max in “Lend Me a Tenor” and the role he was born to play in “All In The Timing”. He would like to thank Mary for being luminescent; a pure joy to work with.

Chris: Chameleon, Comedian, Corinthian, Caricature


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Kevin Abernethy

Name: Kevin Abernethy

Character: Judge Gaffney

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
Acting is fun.

What’s next for you?
Summer vacation in Toronto

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
Cat – Tiger


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Michelle Ruggieri

20150504_161202Name: Michelle Ruggieri

Character: Betty Chumley

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
I wanted to be a part of the production because First String Players is such a great group. I have gotten the chance to work with some incredibly talented people and I just knew Harvey was going to be no different!

What’s next for you?
Don’t have a next project lined up yet but I’m sure I’ll be auditioning. I am also trying to squeeze time in my schedule for some sign language and/or some classes to brush up on my Italian.

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
My favorite animal is a giraffe. Since they don’t exactly fit in house in Queens the closest I’ve been to naming one is the stuffed one my boyfriend hand made for me. We named him Eeyore.

Michelle is very happy to be working with her friends at First String Players once again. Favorite roles include: Lend Me a Tenor (Maria), Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), An 80th Birthday Concert: The Music of Stephen Sondheim (Featured Performer), All My Sons (Lydia Lubey), Anne of a Thousand Days (Mary Boleyn), Putting it Together (Older Woman) and Wizard of Oz (Mrs. Gulch/Wicked Witch). A big thank you to Mary, the rest of the awesome production staff and the amazing cast for making this such a great way to spend the summer. Enjoy the show!


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Rich Feldman

13625275_10209340185972098_512165706_nName: Rich Feldman

Character: Dr. William Chumley

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
It’s a nice blend of silliness and sentiment, like me! Plus, Dr. Chumley is such a fun character to play! It’s a role typically portrayed by someone a bit older and more “mature” than me. So, I’m so incredibly thankful to our director, Mary Lynch, for thinking outside-the-box and envisioning it as younger, more dynamic and physical – and for entrusting me with that characterization.

What’s next for you?
I try not to think too far ahead and just live in the moment.

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
Dacy, my childhood dog.

Rich has been a New York area stand up comic for over ten years, and is just getting back into community theater. He recently portrayed the tutor, Augustus Moore, in ACT/REACT – Reimagining the Past, a series of one-act plays at the historic Bartow-Pell mansion in The Bronx. While a college student in Rochester, New York, he appeared in productions of Chess, Gypsy, Carousel, Singin’ in the Rain, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Glass Menagerie. Rich is honored and excited to be playing the role of Dr. Chumley in his debut with the The First String Players. A Forest Hills resident for 15 years, Rich now lives in Pelham, New York with his wife, Georgene, and his two daughters, Allison and Kate.


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Nick Radu

Nick Radu CommercialName: Nick Radu

Character: Dr. Lyman Sanderson

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
I really enjoy this play and I was excited to work under Mary’s energetic direction.

What’s next for you?
Getting married in October, so there’s that. I entered my original play, Imaginary, into a festival and a playwriting contest, waiting to hear back from those. More acting, writing & directing!

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
Dolphin. His name would be Bubbles, but don’t be fooled, he’s tough.

Nick Radu is an Ohio-born actor, writer and director who began his studies at Kent State University and received his BA at Queens College. Nick continues to write and produce his own works, direct new and exciting projects and act in whatever he can get his hands on. Nick loves this business and the collaborative and artistic opportunities it gives. So, let’s create! Nicholas.j.radu@gmail.com. Break legs, all!!


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Jeremy Lardieri

13632677_10154323831308615_183599500_oName: Jeremy Lardieri

Character: Wilson

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
To support local community theatre as a working actor, and support my best friend Paul Morisi and his sister Stef.

What’s next for you?
Continuing Voice-Overs under SAG-AFTRA & making more music.

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
Monkey – His name is Bilbo Swaggins.

Jeremy is SAG-AFTRA. FRHL! Fortitude. Reliability. Honor. Love. “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.” Love to my wife Vicki, my family, the cast & crew, and the Eee-O 11. For Grandpa Tim – RIP.


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Victoria Lardieri

image1Name: Victoria Lardieri

Character: Mrs. Chauvenet

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
Wanted to have the pleasure of working with First String Players again.

What’s next for you?
Performing, finishing my vocal album and teaching

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
Wolf, his name is Spirit

Victoria is a graduate of The American Musical & Dramatic Academy. She performed throughout the East Coast. She would like to thank her husband, Jeremy, and her family and friends for everything they do.


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Jim Haines

Jim-Haines-Face-2015Name: Jim Haines

Character: Elwood P. Dowd

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
I worked with Mary Lynch, our director, in a production of Lucille Fletcher’s Night Watch. We got along incredibly well, and created a mutual admiration society over our acting abilities, spending a great deal of our time saying ‘You’re GREAT…No, YOU’RE greater!…No YOU are!’ and so on. Mary swore to work with me again (shook her little fist and everything), and after several false starts, she found a theater group willing to produce ‘Harvey’. She asked me if I’d be interested. What am I…nuts?

What’s next for you?
Something big and beautiful. Hello…Universe?

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
A Great White Shark named Bruce.

Jim Haines has been acting for 3 decades, punctuated by years of ferocious activity in theater and voice overs, followed by long stretches of ennui. This is not a method of career advancement he recommends. He graduated the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Cartooning, which is arguably the silliest degree in Higher Education. He draws, paints, designs, animates, sings (kind of) and spends more time on his Mac that with deserving friends. In closing, he’d like to paraphrase John Lydon:’The only place I have ever felt truly comfortable is on stage, or in front of a microphone…or asleep.’ Namaste, Peeps.


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer

Harvey: Meet Cecilia Vaicels

Cecilia Pro HeadshotName: Cecilia Vaicels

Character: Veta Simmons

Why did you want to be a part of this production?
Harvey is such a great show and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with Mary Lynch and Jim Haines again. Once I met the other actors involved, I knew I made the right choice. What talented people! Rehearsals are a joy … work but fun with a group of people who truly work well together and respect each other. I love the role of Veta. She truly tries to do her best for her brother and daughter. Does it push her over the edge? Well, you’ll have to come and see.

What’s next for you?
Once this show closes, I will start rehearsals for Isle of Shoals Productions’ original musical “Occupation: Dragonslayer” running September 8th through the 25th at the Robert Moss Theater, 440 Lafayette Street, Manhattan. The show is a musical fable that takes place in a doomed diner at Ground Zero on Christmas Eve a year after 9/11, as a mysterious stranger, a firefighter who’s lost his memory, challenges a real estate profiteer cashing in on the tragedy and restores hope to all within. I play Harriet who is the manager of the diner. Since this is the 15th anniversary of 9/11, I feel that performing this particular show, at this particular time, is a way to honor those we lost that day and those who worked so hard down at Ground Zero. For information on “Occupation: Dragonslayer” and how to get tickets go to http://www.isleofshoals.org.

I will also be performing as Lady Alice More in “A Man for All Seasons” on November 18th, 19th and 20th in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy Church, 70-01 Kessel Street, Forest Hills, NY. For tickets and information, call the Rectory at 718-268-6143.

What’s your favorite animal and what is its name?
I have two in my past. My dog, Skeeter, who seriously thought she was human and my cockateil, Finster, who would whistle along as I practiced for musicals. Well…then there’s Harvey. The jury’s still out on him!

Cecilia Vaicels began acting 26 years ago in community theatre. She has progressed to Off-off Broadway with Isle of Shoals Productions. Off-off Broadway credits include: “That Lady from Maxim’s” (originated role of Gabrielle Petypon/NYMF), “Café Coward” (World Premier originated role of Elsa Maxwell and Long Island Premier as Lynne Fontanne), “Lighthouse” (Evangeline Pratt), “Our Town” (Mrs. Webb), “Still Life” (Myrtle Baggot), “Idiot’s Delight” (Senora Rossi), “an intimate eve with Will & Chris” (various Shakesperian characters) and “Suddenly Last Summer” (Sr. Felicity). Other credits include: “Rags” (Landlady), “The Wizard of Oz” (Almira Gultch/Wicked Witch), “Kiss of the Spiderwoman” (Molina’s Mother), “Into the Woods” (Granny/Giant/Cinderella’s mother), “Fiddler on the Roof” (once as Golda, once as Fruma Sarah), “Annie” (Sophie the Kettle/Mrs. Greer/Connie Boylan), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Puppeteer/Audrey II) and many more. She has appeared in independent films, most recently as Jessica’s Mom in “Dumped”, and even a rap video! Many thanks to my husband, Charlie, and my daughter, Lauren, for all their love and support and to God for my talent! http://www.CeciliaVaicels.com


HARVEY by Mary Chase

Director: Mary Lynch

Producers: Paul Morisi and Stef Morisi

Tickets: $10 General Seating (all tickets sold at the door)

July 14 at 7pm
July 15 at 7pm
July 16 at 7pm
July 17 at 2pm

Location:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall
70-01 Kessel Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF JUNO STREET. Elevator is available on the side of the church.

Cast:
Nicole O’Connor
Cecilia Vaicels
Victoria Lardieri
Jim Haines
Malini Singh McDonald
Nick Radu
Jeremy Lardieri
Michelle Ruggieri
Rich Feldman
Kevin Abernethy
Chris Martens

For more info email FirstStringPlayers@gmail.com

Flyer designed by Steve Morisi

FSP_Harvey_Flyer