Occupation: Dragonslayer
A Contemporary Musical Fable
Paul Chamberlain (Officer Stepanek) returns to Isle of Shoals after appearing in Edward II(Spencer) and The Runner Stumbles (Prosecutor). Selected credits: Day of Wrath at NYMF,Thoroughly Modern Millie (Trevor Graydon), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Ragtime (Younger Brother) and The Land Where The Good Songs Go (creative team: Stafford Arima, Christopher Gattelli, David Loud). Bachelor of Music, The Catholic University of America. Paul dedicates this performance to the heroes of the NYPD and FDNY. Thanks to his friends and family for their love and unwavering support. www.paul-chamberlain.com Instagram: @paulywog2
Kevin Rogers (Felipe) is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College located in Allentown, PA where he appeared in productions of ’dentity Crisis, ...Edwin Drood, Urinetown, Spamalot, Marriage of Fiagro, and The Servant of Two Masters. Recently, he portrayed the role of Kenny in Can't Hardly Wait at the West End Lounge. For more info and news go to www.kevinfrogers.com
John Mervini (Damon Slade)
John is thrilled to be working with Isle of Shoals again! Selected credits, NY: Cheeseburger Deluxe (NYTW), Yankee Peddler (Actors Temple), Prelude to Tomorrow (Isle of Shoals), O'Brien and O'Brian (fringenyc), Avarice(The Bridge), That Lady From Maxims (NYMF),Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, Illyria (Prospect Theatre Co.), Under Milk Wood (The Mint),Church (The Public), The Hanging of Razor Brown (59E59), Found a Peanut (Red Fern Theatre Co.);The Gospel Show (La Mama, etc.) Regional: Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, Leo in The Producers, Children of Eden, Tommy in Brigadoon, Bob in White Christmas, Jesus in Godspell. Film/TV: Ed Rock, Breaking Bad, Barely Legal, Is This Thing On, Pardon My French, Dear Mrs. Fenton. John composed the score for the upcoming film Momma, and as a guitarist has played The Metropolitan Room and The PIT. Thanks to the cast and crew, Sam, family and friends!www.johnmervini.com
Judi Polson* (Duchess) is grateful for her near-continuous involvement with Isle of Shoals since the initial production of Lighthouse in 1997, and privileged to bring this extraordinary character to life each performance. Off-Broadway: Marie (Drowning in Euphoria). Film: Mildred Kinsey (Kinsey). Off-Off Broadway: Nurse(Romeo & Juliet), Mrs. Gibbs (Our Town), Mrs. Shandig (The Runner Stumbles), Professor Chris Riley (Shadowlands), Mrs. Terence (Night Must Fall), Bettina Brill (Lighthouse, both productions), all with Isle of Shoals; Medea (Medea); Peer Gynt (Peer Gynt, Expanded Arts); Max/Ella Gericke (Man-to-Man, WOW Café Theatre, 1-person show); M’Lynn (Steel Magnolias, Riant); Maisie Madigan (Juno and the Paycock, Pulse Ensemble Theatre); 41 others. Independent film: Janet (Online Dating…Hopes Crushed, www.theonion.com -- #1 Most-Viewed and Most-Dugg); Mrs. Masterson (Sweet Jesus, Channel 13 selected short); 26 other independent & student films. Opera in NYC: Tosca (Tosca); Musetta (La bohême). Regional: Ariel (The Tempest); Countess Charlotte Malcom (A Little Night Music); Celimine (The Misanthrope); Sue Bayliss (All My Sons). Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA. Many thanks to Stephen and Bryan for their continued support, and to everyone involved with IoS for their ongoing dedication to the IoS vision. Thanks to Terrence Mann for his encouragement, and to Arthur for his partnership. Missing the irreplaceable Lance, with a grateful heart. Contact: Ingrid French Management, 646-602-0653.
Kimberly Bello (Mara) made her stage debut last year with Isle of Shoals Productions in Prelude to Tomorrow and is thrilled to be back to be a part of Occupation: Dragonslayer. Kimberly is a graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology where she studied Advertising Marketing and Communications. Kimberly is a graduate of the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, where she performed regularly as a part of their award-winning Show Choir. During her time there, Kimberly was featured in a two page spread in the NY Daily News, as “New York City's Gleek,” and compared to the hit TV show GLEE's lead character Rachel Berry. She performed as a featured soloist and dancer in the school's musical review of A Chorus Line, as well as being featured in Disney's Magic Music Days. Kimberly has also performed in Carnegie Hall as a member of Essential Voices USA (youth division) under the direction of Judith Clurman. Kimberly thanks her parents for all their love and support!
THE CAST 2016
Erin Clancy-Balsamo (Kiki) treasures her Isle Of Shoals credits - and friendships -through the years! Cafe Coward (Beatrice Lillie), Still Life (Beryl), Edward The Second (Lady Bellemira) and last season's Prelude To Tomorrow (Helen/Kiki). Other favorite credits include: Bryan Putnam's The Toymaker (Anna), Theatre For The New City's The Real Inspector Hound (Lady Cynthia Muldoon), Charles Repole's Guys And Dolls (Adelaide), FIPAP/ SCC's Fifty Million Frenchmen (Looloo Carrol), and Jane Page's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Helen). Under Doris Kosloff, Opera Credits include:Hansel and Gretel (Witch) and Le Nozze di Figaro (Countess Almaviva). Erin holds a BA in Drama, Theatre, and Dance from Queens College as well as The Edward M. Greenberg Award For Excellence In Musical Theatre. It is a real pleasure to come home to Isle Of Shoals' innovative productions – and the brilliant compositions of Bryan Williams! Erin is very grateful to have had the opportunity to introduce her daughter, Ruby to this wonderful company! She thanks her husband Phil for his support and looks forward to her 4 year old son, Hudson joining her on stage one day too!
Steve Walsh (Gil/Duffy). A native of Lowell, MA, Steve is honored to make his NYC theatrical debut with Isle of Shoals. Regional credits include: Merrimack Repertory Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre and Worcester Foothills Theatre. National Tour: Nebraska Theatre Caravan - A Christmas Carol. Steve performs stand-up comedy throughout NYC and New England. “For Erin.”
Cecilia Vaicels (Harriet) is happy to perform with Isle of Shoals Productions once again. In their productions of That Lady from Maxim’s, she originated the role of Gabrielle Petypon and played her in all three productions including the New York Musical Festival. After originating the role of Elsa Maxwell in their World Premier of Cafe Coward, she played Lynn Fontanne in the Long Island Premier. She has also been seen in their productions of Prelude to Tomorrow, Lighthouse(Evangeline Pratt), Autumn Leaves, Our Town (Mrs. Webb), Still Life (Myrtle Baggot), Idiot's Delight(Senora Rossi), an intimate eve with Will & Chris (various Shakespearean characters) and Suddenly Last Summer (Sr. Felicity). Cecilia has been a featured singer in Broadway Blockbusters' productions of Act I, Act II, Act III, The Finale, Hooray for Hollywood, 100 Years of Broadway andAmerican Fantasy: A Tribute to Hollywood's Greatest Musicals. Other credits include: Rags(Landlady), George M! (Mrs. Barker), The Wizard of Oz (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Molina's Mother), Into the Woods (Granny/Giant/Cinderella's mother), Gypsy (Miss Mazeppa), Fiddler on the Roof (once as Golde and once as Fruma Sarah), The Sound of Music(Frau Schmidt/Sr. Bertha), Annie (Sophie the Kettle/Mrs. Greer/Connie Boylan), Arsenic and Old Lace (Dr. Einstein), The Foreigner (Betty Meeks), Little Shop of Horrors (Puppeteer/Audrey II),Brighton Beach Memoirs (Kate), Night Watch (Helga) and many more. She has also appeared in independent films and a rap video! Cecilia keeps grounded singing with St. Gregory the Great’s Adult Choir, Chamber Singers and Friends in Christ in Queens. Thank you to Bryan and Stephen and this wonderful cast. Thanks also to Charlie and Lauren for their love and support and to God for my talent! For Lance and Brad! Visit www.CeciliaVaicels.com
Arthur Lundquist* (Antonio) is proud to be once again on stage with Isle of Shoals, after Edward II(Warwick), The Runner Stumbles (Monsignor), Shadowlands (Warnie Lewis), The Seagull (Dr. Dorn),Lighthouse (Keeper Jack), Night Must Fall (Inspector Belsize), Autumn Leaves, Falling in Love With Love, Our Town (Dr. Gibbs), Voyage to the Isles, and all three productions of That Lady From Maxims (Dr. Petypon). Off-Broadway: Dutchman, Cherry Lane Theatre (directed by Bill Duke and starring Dulé Hill). Off-off Broadway: The Belle of Belfast (Father Behan), Cherry Lane Theatre; The Legend of Pearl Hart (Judge Brodie), TBG Arts Center. On film, I’ve mutated into The Regenerated Man (as The Regenerated Man); killed half the cast of Pledge Night (as Badman Dan, the Slasher); was abducted by aliens in The Alien Agenda III: Under The Skin; and saw my family menaced by an evil bunny in Black Easter. TV: The Maury Show, The Day They Died. A proud member of Actor’s Equity (not to mention SAG-AFTRA). For Lance.
Cait Kelly (Jenny) recently completed her acting and musical theatre training at Circle in the Square Theatre School, where she has the pleasure of ending her two years playing Maggie Mundy in their production of Dancing at Lughnasa. She also holds degrees in chemistry and psychology from Fordham University. She was recently featured in the short film “Omma,” and the Webseries “Plus One.” She is so honored to be telling such an important and moving story, love and thanks to the cast and entire production team. Check out Cait's YouTube channel for videos and updates: caitkelly20
Benjamin Errig (Zeke) is thrilled to be on stage again with the Isle of Shoals theater group, after appearing in Edward the Second as Prince Edward and Prelude to Tomorrow. Ben's most recent role was Michael Banks in Summit High School's Mary Poppins, which won the Paper Mill Playhouse's Rising Star Award for Outstanding Musical. Other recent roles include Slightly in the world premier musical FLY at the Dallas Theater Center, Danny in Xanadu, Oliver in Oliver!, Billy in 42nd Streetand Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, for which he received an NJACT Perry Award nomination for Outstanding Youth Actor in a Musical. Ben studies dance, drama and voice at Class Act Performing Arts Studio in New Jersey. Special thanks to Bryan, Stephen, and the entire cast and crew. Never forget.
Lisa Gwasda (Major Beauvine). A graduate of NYU, and CUNY Lehman College, with Undergraduate and Masters degrees in Music Education, and Violin/Voice, Lisa is currently the Choir Director at the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, where she directs “New York City's Best High School Choir,” as named by Wildlife Conservation Society, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the NY Daily News. Performances with her choir include “The Sound Of Music” on Good Morning America with Dame Julie Andrews; “Can I Close the Door on Love,” for the cast of Motown on Broadway; Off Broadway - “The Events,” with New York Theatre Workshop; “West Side Story,” Carnegie Hall; Ellington’s Sacred Music at Carnegie Hall; Disney's Magic Music Days on stage in Magic Kingdom of Disney World; the 100th Anniversary of Grand Central Terminal, with Melissa Manchester; performances with The Orchestra of St Lukes, in Carnegie Hall, through their Link Up Educational program, and more. Lisa's vocal performances include prepping and performing backup vocals for Linda Eder's holiday album “Christmas Where You Are,” backup singer and Choir Director for Eder's North East concert tours; backup singer for Melissa Manchester's performances at 54 Below, NYC; lead singer of “The Suspensions,” earning her and the band 4th place in Amateur Night At the World Famous Apollo Theatre out of over 100 acts that auditioned; featured vocalist at the Smyrna Opera House, DE; several appearances in “Bound for Broadway,” at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre in NYC, under the direction of John Daniel Forslund. She performed her solo cabaret show “Can You Hear Me Smile?” for a sold out house at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre, NYC, followed by an encore performance at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC. She has also had the honor of singing in and recording with Judith Clurman's renown ensemble, “Essential Voices USA,” as well as singing in NYC's Collegiate Chorale (now Master Voices). Theatre credits: Off Broadway: New York Theatre Workshop- The Events,” (Choir - Collegiate Chorale and Celia Cruz HS); Regional and Community Theatre: The Wardrobe, Beauty and the Beast; The Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, Mrs. Potipher, in Joseph... SGTG (Queens, NY); Paulette, in La Cage Aux Folles, Hofstra USA Productions; Chasity in Anything Goes, Rockville Center Guild for the Arts; and Young Mrs. Foster in Voices that are Gone, the Stephen Foster Story, with Isle of Shoals Productions, NYC. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/LisaGwasda
Ruby Spryte Balsamo (Chloe-Ann) is honored to rejoin Isle Of Shoals for her third season, having had the opportunity first to work backstage in Edward The Second, learning the disciplines of stage management and lighting design and getting to know the meaning of theatre family! Some performance credits include; Isle Of Shoals Prelude To Tomorrow, JC Players Les Miserables(Young Cosette), PS139Q's Glee Club, and Classical Ballet Training at The School Of American Ballet, Lincoln Center. Ruby is also Class President of her grade's Kappa Program. Ruby loves performing - especially alongside her mother, Erin! She thanks her family and friends for their love & support and her Isle Of Shoals family for raising her in the theatre!
Theodore Errig (Zach) is appearing in his fourth IOS production! At the age of 9 Theo took the stage as Douglas in Shadowlands and he has also performed in Edward the Second (Timothy) and Prelude to Tomorrow. Theo has appeared in many other regional theater productions, including Xanadu (Sonny), Hairspray, 42nd Street, The Wiz, and The Grapes of Wrath, for which he received an NJACT Perry Award nomination for Outstanding Youth Actor in a Play. He is a member of the Company at Class Act Performing Arts Studio in New Jersey and a 2-time NYCDA scholarship winner. Special thanks go to Lance Hewett for picking him out of a crowd and working so patiently with him during Shadowlands. Lance, you are missed. Thanks also to Bryan for the excellent musical direction, Stephen for his patient directorial guidance, his fellow cast mates who entertained him when he needed it, and his family.
(Chris, the Dragon Slayer) Regional: Next to Normal (Gabe), Bye Bye Liver(Principal Male), Spring Awakening (Melchior), Rent (Tom Collins), One Flew…Nest (McMurphy),Light in the Piazza (Fabrizzo) and A Chorus Line (Al). Steffen is honored to be performing his first show in New York City with the Isle of Shoals production Inc. Thanks to his family, wife and everyone who shares the dream of live theatre.
Lindsey Morgan (The Forgotten One) is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with her BFA in musical theatre performance and and MA from Thomas More College in Teaching Theatre. Lindsey is a co-founder and former Artistic Director of Union Community Theatre. She also hold several directing and choreography credits in the Greater Cincinnati area. Regional: The Addams Family (Alice), Pride and Prejudice (Charlotte), Moon Over Buffalo (Roz), GODSPELL (soloist),RENT (ensemble), Carrie, The Musical (Norma), Legally Blonde (Pilar), The Wizard of Oz (Glinda), and You're...Charlie Brown (Sally). Thanks to the creative teams of IOS, her husband, family and friends.
*Denotes a member of Actors Equity Association