Hugh
Hallinanpresents Downtown Cabaret Theatre
Children's Company Bert Bernardi,Artistic Director
Halloween High School
Book and Lyrics by Bert
Bernardi
Music by Scott
Simonelli
Sets by Delmar
Costumes by Jimmy
Johansmeyer
Lights by Hugh
Hallinan Production Stage ManagerPhill Hill Staged and Directed by Bert Bernardi
Sponsored byGeneral
Electric Season Sponsors People's United Bank
&R. D. Scinto Media SponsorAT&T Yellow Pages
A
Word About the Show... from the Artistic Director
Every
year while our Halloween show is on, our box office staff is
posed the question "Is this show scary?" Halloween
itself conjures up lots of spooky imagery--but this year's family-friendly
musical is more 'treat' than 'trick.' The teen monsters portrayed
in the show are hip, fun and kid-friendly.
I believe young audiences (and older ones too) will fall in
love with these characters. Blending the pop iconography of
"Grease" and "High School Musical," this
show is filled with 1950s-inspired music and lots of dance!
There is a mysterious character who appears mid-way through
the show, and some thunder, lightning and smoke special effects.
But "Halloween High School" aims at some vintage retro
fun and lots of laughs. Don't miss this monster mash of musical
your entire family will enjoy!
-
Bert Bernardi
The Cast
Frankie Frankenstein.................Lance Anthony
Maryellen Strangeblood.............Ashley DePascale
Virginia Wolf............................Mary Mannix
Dracula Jr................................Andrew Pane
Wanda Witchyteen....................Brennyn Langhorn
Billy Bagabones........................Josh Sousa
Kharis, the Mummy-girl.............Jordan Mann
Gabriel Ghost............................Tim Rinaldi
Lil'Ghoul...................................Jaime Bernstein
Professor Pentacle....................Maria Vee
Principal Cadavar......................Bert Bernardi
Mr. Strangeblood......................Jimmy Johansmeyer
Welcome to Hallowen High
School
It's the first day of school and
a brand new year at every ghoul's favorite, Halloween High School.
Meet the most popular and most likely to succeed student, Frankie
Frankenstein. You'll find him with the other members of the Casketball
team: Billy Bagabones, Dracula Jr and Gabriel Ghost. And then
there are the girly-ghouls: Virginia Wolf, Wanda Witchyteen, Mummygirl
and Lil' Ghoul. But everything is about to change when Professor
Pentacle introduces a new student. The scary part is...she's normal!
See what magical mischief happens next in this rockin' and rollin'
new musical making its world premiere right here at the Cabaret!
"Halloween
High School" Photos
Professor Pentacle (Maria Vee of Bridgeport) introduces the
new girl Maryellen (Ashley DePascale of West Haven)
to Frankie (Lance Anthony of Bridgeport) while Virginia Wolf (Mary
Mannix of Stamford) looks on in horror. Welcome
to "Halloween High School" the new musical now on stage
at the Downtown Cabaret through November 2nd.
Professor Pentacle Maria Vee of Bridgport, center) conjures
up the spirits in "Halloween High School" the new musical
now on stage at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre Children's Company
through November 2nd. Also pictured
left to right are Ashley DePascale of West Haven, Andrew Pane
of Fairfield, Timothy Rinaldi of Ansonia, Josh
Sousa of Westbrook, Lance Anthony of Bridgeport, Jaime Bernstein
of Fairfield, Mary Mannix of Stamford, Brennyn
Langhorn of Norwalk and Jordan Mann of Fairfield.
The boys ( L. to R. Andrew Pane of Fairfield, Tim Rinaldi of
Ansonia and Josh Sousa of Westbrook) give Frankie (Lance Anthony
of Bridgeport) a lesson in the new musical "Halloween High
School" now playing through November 2nd at the Downtown
Cabaret Theatre Children's Company.
She's a big, bad wolfgirl! Mary Mannix of Stamford, left, plays
the wolfgirl in new musical "Halloween High School"
now on stage at the Downtown Cabaret Children's Company through
November 2nd. Also pictured are Jordan Mann of Fairfield, Jaime
Bernstein of Fairfield and Brennyn Langhorn of Norwalk.
Downtown Cabaret Children's Company favorite Jimmy Johansmeyer
of West Haven plays the mysterious
and misunderstood Dr. Strangeblood in "Halloween High School"
the new musical now playing through November 2nd.
The
"Halloween High School" Yearbook
Franklin
Frankenstein
"Frankie"
Class President, National Horror Society, Casketball Team Captain,
Weird Science Club President, Experimental Chemistry Club President,
Reamimator's Club President, Monster Mash Decorating Committee
President, Math for Monsters Club President, Most Likely to Succeed.
Ambition: To Live! To Live!!
Dracula,
Jr.
"Drac"
National Horror Society, Dead Cross Volunteer, Casketball, Bloodlovers
Club, Brom Stoker Society,
Sons of Nosferatu, Mister Teen Vampire 1957
Voted Best Fangs
Ambition: To Bite Your Neck.
William
Bagabones
"Billy"
Cartilage Club, Calcium Team Vice President, Voted Best Femur,
Skull Tossing Team, Casketball, Funny Bone Society, Keymakers
Club Trom-bone player.
Voted Class Clown
Ambition: To find some body.
Gabriel
Ghost
"Gabriel"
Apparition Society, Poltergesit Picnic Committee, Parapsychology
Club, House Haunters International, Casketball, National Horror
Society.
Voted Most likely to Not Be Seen.
Ambition: To never be busted.
Virginia
Wolf
"Virginia Wolf"
National Horror Society, Lycanthropy Club, Down With Wolfsbane
Campaign Manager,
Howling Club Secretary, Relay for Werewolves Committee
Voted Most Ferocious
Ambition: I want everything now!
Maryellen
Strangeblood
"New Girl"
National Honor Society, Miss Pretty Princess of Ohio 1957, Homemaker's
Club, Sewing Club, Pep Team, Math Club, French Club, Italian Club,
Turkey Club, Debate Team, Drill Team, Daughters of the American
Revolution Award, Volunteer Candy-striper.
Voted Most Pretty
Ambition: To help the world be happy and kind. And pretty.
Kharis
Ren-Ka-Ba-Ib-Sheut
"Mummygirl"
Young Egyptians Band, Cartouche Club, Pyramid Society Vice President,
Self-Preservation Club,
Dehydration and Decomposition Dance Decorationg Comittee Chairman,
Sacophagus Society
Ambition: Not to get so wrapped up in everything all the time.
Wanda
Witchy
"Witchyteen"
Cheerleader, Jeerleader, Remedial Spellers Club, Witchcraft Workshop,
Bewtiched-Lovers Club,
Margaret Hamilton Award, Elphaba's of Tomorrow Club Broom-riding
Team.
Voted Most Enthusiastic
Ambition: I just wanna be paranormal. Dah!
Helen
Botchcrump
"Lil' Ghoul"
Gravediggers Club, Monsters by Mail Society, Dark Fantasy Dance
Comittee, Gremlins and Goblins Club.
Ambition: To marry Frankie Frankenstein, thats all I want out
of afterlife, or anything for that matter. I have to marry him.
I just have to!
Principal
Cadavar
Professor
Pentacle
Doctor
Strangeblood
Cast
/ Creative Team Who's Who
Lance Anthony is so excited to begin his fifth season
at the DCT. You've seen him as the Cowardly Lion, The Genie of
the Ring in Aladdin and the Gravedigger in Cinderella Skeleton.
Thanks to Bert for bringing me back, and thanks to the Ol' ball
and chain at home for putting up with my inner crazy (or my outer
crazy for that matter).
Bert Bernardi is artistic director of the Downtown Cabaret
Children's Company. During the past twenty six seasons he has
written, directed and performed in hundreds of new musicals for
young audiences. He is most proud of his two recent adapations
and collaborations with composer Scott Simonelli --Robert San
Souci's Cinderella Skeleton and Elise Primavera's Auntie Claus.
For his efforts at DCT, he is the recipeint of the Connecticut
Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre.
Many thanks to Chino and Moochi.
Jaime Bernstein is thrilled to return to DCT for another
season after playing the title role in Witchypoo last year. Some
of her other favorite roles include Bradley in Christmas in Candyland
2 and Frenchie in Grease. Jaime would like to thank her family
and friends for all of their love and support and Bert for giving
her another amazing opportunity.
Ashley DePascale is thrilled to be back at DCT! Ashley
was seen last season as Princess Hotsie Totsie in Aladdin. She
is an alumnus of UConn with a BFA in Drama. She has been an active
performer for Connecticut Reperorty Theatre. Her favorite CRT
credits include: Cinderella (Into the Woods), Annie (The Gut Girls)
and Kit Kat Girl (Cabaret). Ashley is so grateful to her family
and friends for their continuous love, support and guidance.
Jimmy Johansmeyer begins his fourteenth season at DCT.
Roles here include Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist, Tall Bony Jane
in Cinderella Skeleton, Abanazar in Aladdin, Dracula and everyone's
favorite, Lord Licorice in Christmas in Candyland. As a costume
designer, his work has been seen off-Broadway, and in regional
and summer stock theatre's all along the east coast from Maine
to Florida!
Brennyn Langhorn recently portrayed the role of Asaka
in the Off-Broadway theatre production of Once On This Island
at The Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. She has also choreographed
numerous local and regional musical productions. Brennyn has also
been active with Stamford's Curtain Call Theatre performing the
role of Dorothy in The Wiz, and appearing in Curtain Call's Dreamgirls.
Brennyn, who has been singing and dancing since age 4, is a voice
over talent also holds the title Miss Jr. Teen Connecticut Elite
2007.
Mary Mannix is delighted to kick off her sixth season
by playing someone a bit different-- her first 'baddie!"
Favorite past roles include Mumsie Bear in Frankenstein and the
Three Bears, the title role in Cinderella Skeleton and LaServetta
in Pinocchio. Much love to Scott, Sean, Rowan and Seamus, and
thanks always to Bert!
Jordan Mann is thrilled to be performing in her first
show with the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. She is a junior at Fairfield
Warde High School, and is a member of FWHS's Chamber Singers,
and female a capella group Muse. Recently she's been seen in The
Secret Garden (Mrs. Medlock) and Pride and Prejudice (Mrs. Gardiner)
with FWHS drama. Currently, she's tackling the leading role of
Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It at FWHS which premiere's
later this fall. She hopes to work with the amazing people at
the DCT again soon!
Andrew Pane is currently a senior at Fairfield Warde
High School. He is very excited to be making his DCT debut with
Halloween High School! Favorite past credits include: Mr. Darcy
in Pride and Prejudice (FWHS), Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden
(FWHS), and Josh Baskin in Big The Musical (FTT). You can see
him later this fall in Shakespeare's As You Like It playing the
role of Jaques, opposite the amazing Jordan Mann.
Tim Rinaldi was most recently seen in The Music Man,
playing the role of Marellus Washburn. Other roles include Doody
in Grease, Jack in Into the Woods, and Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye
Birdie. Tim is a recent graduate of Ansonia High School and is
represented by RKS Management. Although he is no stranger to the
Downtown Cabaret, he is thrilled to be in his first show with
The Children's Company!
Josh Sousa is thrilled to be making his debut at DCT.
His most recent credits include Evita (Ensemble), Cabaret (Victor),
Joseph... (Dan), Forum (Protean), Annie Get Your Gun (Frank Bulter)
and Forever Plaid (Smudge). Josh has sung around CT with Con Brio
as well as Capella Cantorum and The New England Chamber Choir.
Thank you to everyone who has made this experience what it has
been and to Judy and JAMA for everything.
Maria Vee first set foot on the DCT stage exactly ten
years ago as Lucy in Dracula, and over thirty kids shows later,
is just as thrilled as that first time. She ended last season
as the evil sidekick LaChoy in Aladdin, but is most know as Queen
Frostine in Christmas in Candyland. Other favorites include Heidi,
Beauty and the Beast, and a host of fairies. She also teaches
Drama in Fairfield.
Phill Hill returns for his second season as production
stage manager. He graduated from Elon University in 2005 with
a degree in Theatrical Production/Design. For two years he was
the production stage manager for the Warehouse Theatre in Greenville,
SC, stage managing such productions as A Doll's House, The Subject
Was Roses, Plaza Suite and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He also worked
for the Lakes Region Summer Theatre in 2004 and 2005 where he
stage managed Chicago, My Fair Lady and Phantom.
Scott Simonelli is thrilled to begin his third season
with DCT, having written and performed the music for Halloween
High School. Favorite past shows include Cinderella Skeleton,
Pinocchio and Aladdin. Thanks to Mary, Sean, Rowan and Seamus
for listening through the floor.
