Into the Woods 

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 2007

ABOUT THE CAST AND CREW: 

Tom Malonson (Narrator/Mysterious Man) - This is Tom’s 5^th appearance with the Players, having appeared in Man of La Mancha as the Duke/Barber, 1776 as Rodger Sherman, Our Town as Simon Stimpson and Motel in Fiddler on the Roof. He has also been seen as Mordred in Camelot, for which he won a ‘Best Character Award’ in 1979, Bellamy in Fantasticks, Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, an ensemble member in Everybody Loves Opel, and Music Man. I am so honored to be a part of the AMAZING cast!

Jessica Dinius (Cinderella) – Sick of the rainy city of Seattle that she called home, Jessica made the 4 day drive across country with 2 cats and a mother to Florida, where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Theatre Performance. Jessica can be seen as an improvisational actor at Universal Studios and with Murder Watch Mystery Theatre.  Favorite roles include Roxie Hart in Chicago, Amy March in Little Women and Dina in School House Rock Live! Jessica recently made a brief cameo at Hooters of Lake Buena Vista as a Hooters Girl. She is honored to be working with such a talented cast and director.  Love to M, A, K, J, B. 

Aaron Stepp (Jack) – A 3 year Orlando resident working for Walt Disney Entertainment, Aaron is excited to be making his Celebration Players debut in this amazing musical. Aaron has been seen in Disney Dreams Come True, Spectromagic, The Frontierland Hoedown, Main Street Trolley Show, Cinderellabration, and Disney’s Holiday Parades.  He is excited to return to the stage with such a talented cast. Thanks for making the journey Into the Woods so amazing.  

Mary Beth Finley (Jack’s Mother) – Mary Beth is ‘so happy’ to be joining such a talented cast on this journey Into the Woods. Mary Beth thanks Chris, Frank & team for the opportunity, and is enjoying being back with the Players again, since her role as Mrs. Paroo in 04’s The Music Man.  Favorite productions/roles include, Stage Manager, Moon Over Buffalo, Tiffy, Puffer, Mrs. Mayor, Seussical…. Mrs. Beauregard, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Margaret, Lady MacBeth, and Annah, The End of the World. Mary Beth also serves as Secretary of the S.T.A.G.E Board of Directors. She wishes to thank her Dad, & family & friends for their support especially those from the other side of town! She sends love to her boyz for always being there & she dedicates her performance in memory of her mom.

 John Bond (Baker) - Playing "The Baker" in Into the Woods is a dream come true for John and marks his return to the stage after 10 years. John would like to dedicate his performance to his family, especially his parents, and hopes that this will put an end to all the curses. For John, acting and singing has always been an emotional and a creative outlet, also, a very fun hobby. Having no formal training, John is proud of his extensive and diverse theater resume. John would like all of you reading this to know that he feels he must truly be very lucky, or very talented, maybe even both, to count himself amongst the other great cast and crew members of this show. John would like to thank his co-workers at Disney for their constant words of encouragement, and gives special thanks and big hug to his personal wish granter and best friend in the world, Michelle Mills. 

Andrea Barletta (Baker’s Wife) – Andrea is thrilled to be a part of this production of Into the Woods.  Past credits include Martha in The Secret Garden, the title role in Cinderella, Andrea/storyteller in Once on this Island, the Maid in Dracula, Sandy in Grease, and most recently, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof with the Celebration Players.  Thanks to the cast and my wonderful husband for an exciting journey! 

Lisa Iriarte (Cinderella’s Stepmother) – Lisa is thrilled to be performing in her fifth musical with the Celebration Players. A Celebration resident, she has previously appeared as Lady Thiang in The King and I, Abigail Adams in 1776, a teacher in We the People, and Grandmother Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. Other credits include Rizzo in Grease, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, and operatic roles, most notably The Queen of the Night and Papagena in The Magic Flute, and Adele in The Bat. In real life, Lisa is a seventh grade language arts teacher at Celebration K-8 School, a wife, and a mother of identical twin girls. She would like to thank her husband and children for all their support.  

Diana Jacobacci (Florinda) -  Diana is thrilled to be working with the Players again, having performed in last spring's production of Fiddler on the Roof as Chava. Other credits include Godspell, The Sound of Music, Me and My Girl, Annie, and Camelot. Diana also performed at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and on Spirit Cruise Lines in New York City. In "real life" Diana teaches Drama at Southwood Elementary School where she is currently directing their production of Aladdin, Jr. is a cantor for Corpus Christi Catholic Church and serves a lovely cup of tea at Sherlock's of Celebration. Thanks to Felicia, Frank and the Players for the continued support and fun, Chris for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful production, Andrea and Kate for their "handprints on my heart", my amazing parents for, well...EVERYTHING, and most of all, God, for making it all possible!  "Faith, trust, and pixie dust!" 

Amy Hughes (Lucinda)

Roger Hotz (Cinderella’s Father) – Roger has been in many productions by the Celebration Players. His favorites are A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He enjoys the interaction with his fellow actors and looks forward to many more.

 Lane Stracener (Little Red Ridinghood) – Lane is thrilled to be making her debut with Celebration Players. She received her Musical Theatre degree form Missouri State University, and has been seen in Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, Nine, and Beauty and the Beast. While not skipping on stage Lane can be found skipping about Disney with the Y.E.S. Program. Love and thanks to mom and dad, Andrew and all my peeps!

 Shonda Thurman (Witch) – First and foremost Shonda would like to give praise and honor to whom all blessings flow. Shonda is honored to be sharing the stage with a company of talented people. After having toured nationally with companies of Pippin, A Christmas Carol, and Oklahoma, Shonda recently settled, for now, in central Florida. She dedicates this show to all of those who have gone Into the Woods before her and made sure her path was straight and the way was clear. 

Linda Shepherd (Cinderella’s Mother/Granny) – A Players mainstay since 1997, Linda most recently was seen in Fiddler on the Roof as Golda. Linda has been involved in theater, both onstage and off, for 34 years and hasn’t slowed down yet! Her appearance tonight in Into the Woods is a fun ride, popping in and out when least expected and allowing her to show her diverse talent! Linda sends kudos to this talented cast. Thanks, Chris and Frank! Linda thanks her entire family for their support and sends lots of butterfly kisses to her grandson, Reed Gavin, who turned 1 in March. 

Anthony Grasso (Wolf/Cinderella's Prince) – Anthony was last seen in the Players' production of A Chorus Line.  Favorite credits include, Jesus, Godspell,  Sir Harry, Once Upon A Mattress, Benny, Guys and Dolls, Rocky, The Rocky Horror Show,  Freddy, My Fair Lady, Agwe, Once on this Island, Charlie, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Pan, Bat Boy, and smaller roles in Evita, Pippin, Kiss Me Kate, Crazy for You, Joseph..., Meet Me In St. Louis and Children of Eden.  Anthony has also been a soloist in ENCOREs' Bohemia and The Spark of Creation charity concerts and can occasionally be seen as Sam the Singin' Cowboy in Woody's Cowboy Camp in the Magic Kingdom.  Thanks to the cast and crew of Into the Woods for a great show.  ILYM! 

Tia Lisanne (Rapunzel) - Currently working toward a double major in music education/theater Tia has opened for Nelly Furtado and Destiny's Child with a nationally touring electronic music act. Her musical interests have recently led her toward the old and new hits of the "Great White Way", where she one day hopes to perform. In the meantime, Tia and her husband George are playing supporting roles for their 19-month old son Jordon, who takes after his mom and loves to sing and dance!  Tia looks forward to an incredible experience singing with this cast. She thanks God, her family, and friends for their unfailing support of her singing career. 

Mike Rodgers (Rapunzel's Prince) - Originally from Pittsburgh, Mike received his BA in Theater Arts from Penn State, and has been in WDW Entertainment for seven years, primarily performing in the Festival of the Lion King. Credits include, Charlie Brown, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,  The Duke, Big River, Jeffrey, Godspell, Pedro, Man of La Mancha and Axel, The Nerd. He has also directed and choreographed several productions including Joseph..., Working, Godspell and Once Upon a Mattress.  His current project, Cupid and Psyche, opens this month at the 2007 Orlando Fringe Festival. He would like to thank Chris for the opportunity, the staff for their hard work, and this amazing cast for making this production such a pleasure, especially his lovely maiden and his derisive brother. 

Duane Fioravanti (The Steward) – Into the Woods marks Duane’s third appearance with the Celebration Players having appeared as Dr. Lyman Hall in 1776 and  Joe Stoddard in Our Town. Duane has worked back stage on productions of Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, and most recently stage managed Dracula in 2006. A Disney cast member since 1998, Duane is thrilled to have the good fortune and honor (Thank you, Chris B!) to work with such a talented cast. He also wishes to extend his appreciation and love to that wild and crazy production crew including,  Felicia, Dale, Tom, Frank, Jody, Barbara, and Chris C, for dragging him out of his shell. (Is it too late to put him back in?)  Special thanks go to Mark & Debbie E and Frank & Jeanne A for their love and support. Duane dedicates his performance, with love, to his parents and in memory of his dear friend, Mark Alexander, who passed away this past year. 

THE PRODUCTION TEAM 

Chris Barletta (Director) – Chris is excited to be directing Into the Woods for Celebration Players. Other directorial credits include Forever Plaid, Little Shop of Horros, Bye Bye Birdie, and Once on this Island. Chris has a BM from The Boston Conservatory and has been performing for most of his life.  Some of his favorite roles include Motel in Fiddler on the Roof with Eddie Mekka,  Matt in The Fantasticks, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Neville Craven in The Secret Garden, Bernardo in West Side Story, Agwe in Once on This Island, Johnathan Harker in Dracula, Kenickie in Grease, and Benny in Guys and Dolls. Chris also sings with the Voices of Liberty at Epcot and the Dapper Dans at the Magic Kingdom.  He would like to thank his new wife Andrea for all her love and support.  

Frank Mathews (Musical Director/Orchestration Tracks) - Frank is, once again, astounded by the talent you are about to witness tonight. Being a part of this rehearsal process has been a treat and an honor! This is his 10^th production with the Players, including onstage as Jacey Squires in The Music Man, and multiple appearances in the orchestra pit, either as cellist or conductor. Frank has had the opportunity to work with the Celebration High School Drama/Theatre Department and is involved with the Celebration Players Youth Theatre. He attended the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY and is a 5 year resident of Celebration. BIG thanks to Barbara, Felicia and Bobby for allowing me to stick around! 

Bobby Franklin (Stage Manager) – Bobby returns to the Players in yet another supporting role. He was actually born backstage during a production of Run for your Wife, and came to us a few years ago with nothing but the clothes on his back and a desire to be a part of the theatre. Bobby loves working with the Players because he wouldn’t exist without them. In fact Bobby claims that he never really lived until he came to work on his first Players production. He would like to thank his creator, and remind everyone, “sometimes the things we most wish for…… are not to be touched”.

 Chris Camp (Technical Director) - A free lance camera man, Chris is in his 4th season as the Players Production Manager. Chris was on the camera crew of the first three Survivor series and has spent a great deal of time working abroad on video productions. A jack of all technical trades, "monkey boy" is an exceptional set designer and builder.