"Their Town"

Vincent M.Terraciano (Director) graduated from De Sales University with a BA in Theatre. He worked for the National Theatre for Children for a number of years (including a two week stint at Town Hall, an Off-Broadway House) before going back to school to earn his teaching degree. He has been teaching Drama and Performing Arts in the New Jersey Public School system for the past fifteen years. Thus far in his tenure, he has directed numerous puppet plays, Cafe' performances, and choreographies. He has also performed with the Pennsylvania Rep Company in their production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. His latest acting role was that of the alcoholic partner in Le Butes play AUTO BAUN MERGE at the University of Akron as part of his graduate acting class. He is currently attending the University of Akron graduate program in theatre where he has the amazing opportunity to study under Jim Sloviak. Vincent also does movie reviews for WDVR, a community supported radio station in Seargentsville, New Jersey. He also writes plays and is a singer songwriter who released his first CD titled WHEN THE THUNDER COMES in 2002. He is happily partnered to Jack, the love of his life.

Dean Hiatt (Assistant Director), a member of MCCLV and their choir, B.A.S.I.C., is the Artistic Director of the Rainbow Players Theater Co. Born in Mt. Airy, North Carolina and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, he graduated from the University of Memphis with a BFA in Theater Performance. He worked in various regional theaters, Atlantic City, Off-Broadway and was lead singer in a club band until he gave up performing in the 1980’s to enter the ministry. He returned as a resident actor in an Off-Broadway theater company in NYC (Off-West Broadway Theatre Co.), as well as a member of its artistic board, from 1992-94. Favorite roles include Benny Southstreet in GUYS AND DOLLS, Frederick in PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Hysterium in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and Mortimer Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. He currently resides with his partner, Robby, in the Poconos, along with three Jack Russells (George, Geezer & Trixie) and a cat, Flash. He is thrilled to announce that he and Robby will be marrying February 14 at the Allentown Freedom to Marry ecumenical service.

Stephanie Schaffer (Margaret Warren Craig) is a member of MCCLV and is involved with many ministries at the church including 20's/30's, Fellowship, the choir (B.A.S.I.C) and leading the children’s choir. She was born and raised in the small town of Weatherly, PA. Through the years she was always involved in music, including school choirs and church choirs. MCCLV is where she met her partner Lisa of almost 4 years. They had a commitment ceremony in May 2008 and are looking forward to starting a family. They currently live in Allentown with their bird Tobi who loves to talk up a storm. Stephanie thanks her family and her wife, Lisa, for always being there to support her in all that she does.
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Bruce F. Brown (Thornton Wilder) has been active in theater since he was seven years old. Among his crowning achievements are the parts of Jip in A MAN’S A MAN, Motel the Tailor in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Buddy in COME BLOW YOUR HORN, and Cyril in GRAND FINALE. He also started a theater company in the early 80’s (the yet-to-be-named theater company, later renamed Brownhall Productions, the TMB Players). Bruce has also written over a dozen dinner theater murder mysteries, most of which have been produced at one place or another.
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Kerry Magliane (Ginny Gibbs) has performed, under the supportive direction of Bruce Brown, in several Fireside Theatre Plays as a member of “The yet-to-be-named Theatre Company.” Her favorite roles were: Gramps, in the World Premiere Performance of Gramps World and as the lonely red beet in I Think We’re All Bozos On This Bus. Kerry just celebrated her 25th year as an employee of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley. She resides with her husband, Dave, and is tolerated by his cat, Princess.
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Anne Joshua (Eliza Webb) has spent most of her stage time in various churches, singing solos or performing as a member in various choir productions, as well as training and choreographing young singers in church-based Youth Productions in her church and others. Music is the singular thread in her life since hearing the first melodic strains in the music-filled home of her youth. The granddaughter of a violin maker and Master Violinist, she studied violin for 6 years and piano for three years. On being reunited with friends Bruce Brown and Peter Helffrich recently, Anne was encouraged to try out for "Their Town. The role of Eliza parallels Anne's strong belief in equal rights for gays. Anne's secondary stage interest is storytelling. She hopes that acting may improve her stage presence and enable her dream of becoming a Storyteller. The balance of Anne's life remains to be seen (and heard).
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Steve Koretski (Joe Hersey) was born in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn and raised in the suburbs of Nassau County, New York. After finishing high school in 1975, his parents relocated to Phoenix, AZ where he attended Arizona State University majoring in Interior Architecture/Design with a minor in Graphic Design. He has worked and lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix before his work brought him to the Allentown area. Steve has always been interested in the arts, particularly drawing and painting as well as music. He started piano instruction in 1989 and continues to teach himself to play popular music. Since attending MCCLV, he and his partner of 10 years, Jim Lamb, became members of B.A.S.I.C., the church choir. Steven makes his acting debut in this play and would like to thank Jim for pushing him to explore this part of his creative nature as well as his love and support.
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Taela Brothers (Annie Craig) is currently in her senior year at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts in Bethlehem, where she performed in “Ragtime” and “Anne and Seamus”. Taela also performed with MUNOPCO in “Meet Me In St. Louis”. She is majoring in voice, but also has a passion for theater performance. Taela was recently accepted to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, where she will attend and continue her voice major next Fall. Taela was part of the Rainbow Players fundraising launch showcase last May, attends MCCLV and is involved in the choir, B.A.S.I.C., where she loves everyone as a family, feels at home and free to be herself.
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Peter Alan Helffrich (Charlie Hersey) is an Allentown native and a graduate of the Dinner Theater Murder Mystery School of Acting. My proudest achievements include singing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony under the direction of Greg Funfgeld; playing the role of Cyril’s friend in “Grand Finale” under the direction of Kathy Burke Hill; and as ‘one of the strongest voice in the company’ in Cedar Crest College’s production of Studs Terkel’s “Working”. A former cabaret singer and current piano teach working in customer service (thank you), he hopes that you enjoy his work. Peter and Bruce Brown (Thornton Wilder) will be celebrating their 20th anniversary in August of 2009 and are very grateful for the love and support of friends and family.
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Elisaul Perez (Reporter/Waiter/Devon Dawes/Teddy) is currently attending Kutztown University as a full time undergraduate student where he majors in Speech Communications and minors in theater. He is a native of the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at the age of six with his parents and his newborn Brother. It was even before this time that Elisaul knew he wanted to be an actor. For as long as he can remember, he has envisioned himself not only participating in theatrical performances but also in Hollywood. This version of “Their Town” is Elisaul’s first theatrical performance outside of school and he assures it will not be his last.
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Anthony Young (Lyle Hawkins) Anthony was born near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, named for revolutionary general Anthony Wayne. He has played many colorful roles, such as Lazar Wolf in "Fiddler on the Roof", Linus Van Pelt in "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and Dr. Dussel in "The Diary of Anne Frank". As a young adult, Anthony used drama as a tool for many presentations in churches using teens and children. He joined the Lehigh Valley Gay Men’s Chorus in 1999 and appeared as the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Bloody Mary in South Pacific and Mr. Bumble in Oliver for the Chorus’ camp-musical cabarets. He was president of the Chorus from 2006 to the beginning of 2008. Anthony has been a member of MCCLV since 1999 where he was in leadership for many years and met his partner Dale. Anthony is grateful to all his friends and ‘family’ for their overwhelming love and support.
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Nate C. Kuhns (FRISQE Leader) has been performing throughout Eastern Pennsylvania for 13 years with various theaters and is thrilled for the chance to be a part of the Rainbow Players Theatre Company. Their Town marks his 60th appearance in a theatrical production! Other favorite credits include: Noises Off, Arsenic & Old Lace, 1776, Jesus Christ Superstar, & The Who's:Tommy, to name a few. Nate gives special thanks to Vincent for this late but great opportunity and looks forward to hopefully work with him and the Rainbow Players Theatre Company a lot more in the future. To JEJ, for being his #1 fan and support - "I love you & love sharing this journey of life together".
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Normana Schaaf (FRISQE Woman) primary roles have been behind the scenes: she studied tailoring and costume at FIT in New York where an authentic 18th century French Court gown she designed and built was the centerpiece of a costume exhibit at the Museum at FIT. Normana has built costumes for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, industrial theater, and has costumed productions of The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, and Babes in Arms. She made her performance debut in the liturgical drama “Have You Seen My Son?” and has since performed in several liturgical pieces and in the Christmas Choir in the Universal film “One True Thing”. This is Normana's second appearance with the Rainbow Players having performed in their inaugural showcase.
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Lisa Schaffer (TV P.A.) is a native of Pennsylvania, born and raised in Allentown. She is member of MCCLV and currently serves on its Board of Directors. She has been a staunch supporter of Rainbow Players and has done much work behind the scenes for the theater company, and this is her first foray onto the stage. She and her partner, Stephanie (Margaret), have been together 4 years and had a commitment ceremony last May.
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Stephen King (TV Newscaster/Onstage Crew) is not related to THE Stephen King. A native of Pennsylvania, born in Malvern, he recently relocated from Westchester to Allentown and is a new attendee of MCCLV. This is his first involvement with Rainbow Players and is looking forward to being a part of future productions. He has worked with the Cumberland Players Theater Group in Delaware, appearing in The Music Man and Hello Dolly.
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DJ Landis (Company Stage Manager) has served in every key GLBTA organization in the Lehigh Valley Community. She served actively on the Pride Board in the 1990s for 5 years and was one of the first Board members of PA-GALA. She was a key worker against the referendum on Primary Day. And in the last 8 years she has been an essential member of the Metropolitan Community Church- helping to found Tejas, the women’s group, running significant efforts, ever present at the Freedom the Marry efforts, and doing real volunteer work at the church, every day she can. She currently resides in Allentown with her spouse of 14 years, Sandy.
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Erica Hoelscher (Costume Designer) received her MFA in stage design with an emphasis in costume from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She joined the faculty of Lehigh University in 1995 where she teaches courses in theatrical design, fashion history, stage makeup, and costume technology. Erica was costume designer for our last show, “The Big Voice: God or Merman?” – we LOVED the Bishop’s costume. Erica’s costume designs have been seen on the stage of Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville, NY, the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, Arden Theatre Company in Philly, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Outlet and Touchstone Theatre. Recent costume design credits include MY WAY, A FRANK SINATRA REVIEW, Shadowland Theatre, LES BELLES SOUERS with Cedar Crest College’s department of performing arts, Cedar Crest College’s Winter Solstice dance concert and THE CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS at the Theatre Outlet, Allentown. She currently resides in South Bethlehem with her two sons.
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John Schaaf (Lighting) was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey and moved to Allentown in 2006. He received a BA from Rutgers University, as well as studying TV production at Montclair State University and earning a Certificate in Digital Film Making from New York University. John was lighting designer for our premiere fundraiser in May, “MCCLV Presents…” and “The Big Voice: God or Merman?” He was director of lighting and scenic design for stage productions of WIZARD OF OZ, CINDERELLA and BABES IN ARMS. John has also worked in independent and contract film productions on NJ Public Television, the Odyssey Network, the US State Department Web Site, and on the 2006 feature documentary, “Life is a Dream in Cinema: Pola Negri”. John resides in Allentown with his wife, Normana, and their cat, Taz. They both attend MCCLV, and they have two grown children, Deborah and Christian, who live in Seattle.
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Michelle Heffner (Sound), a Lehigh Valley native, will be working as a sound tech and website manager for Rainbow Players. She began as sound tech for our first show, “The Big Voice: God or Merman?” Michelle is a graduate of Parkland High School, Bloomsburg University, and the Penn State University Dickinson School of Law. While in college, she was a DJ for Bloomsburg’s college radio station and will utilize that experience in her position as sound tech. She is an avid soccer fan and has coached for many local teams including Parkland, Northwestern Lehigh HS, Lehigh University, and various Lehigh Valley youth organizations. Michelle is currently an attorney in Lehigh County and lives in Allentown with her partner, Kellie.
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"Big Voice: God or Merman?" Cast and Crew


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Rainbow Players Theater Co.
930 North 4th St. First Floor
Allentown PA 18102