This is a long post so please read through it all!
Schedule for the week of April 17- 23:
4/17- Monday- Nothing
4/18- Tuesday- After school- Full Cast in the Choir Room, lighting, sound and backstage in theater
Production in kitchen
4/19- Wednesday- After school- backstage
5:30- Sound crew and leads in theater
6:00- Full Cast in theater for sing through with pit orchestra
Boosters and Ads due on paper to Mr. Chesler, Isabel or Nicole or by email to
jchesler@nbtschools.org
4/20- Thursday- After school- Full Cast, backstage and lighting (if needed)
4/21- Friday- Special Autism Friendly Performance- Full Cast, lighting and sound report to theater after first session. After school rehearsal/construction TBA
4/22- Saturday- Full Cast from 10-12 for costumes
Backstage, lighting and sound (if needed) from 9-12
Senior Circle in Green Room from 12:30- 2:30 (ish). Bring lunch/snacks
4/23- Super Sunday- Backstage, lighting and sound report at 9, full cast report at 10. We run the show until about 10 pm. Also, Tech week food order due. Forms will be available during the week and outside Room 823
Finally, here is the program as of this moment. If there is a mistake (misspelled or left you out of the program) please let Mr. Chesler or Isabel know during the week.
Cast (in order of
appearance):
Dorothy Gale- Emily
Aulenbach
Auntie Em- Nathalie
Pereda
Uncle Henry- Adam
Taubenslag
Hickory/Tinman- Chris
Meyer
Hunk/Scarecrow- Frankie
Marrone
Zeke/Lion- Noah
van Vliet
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch- Paige
Jarusiewicz
Professor Marvel/Wizard- Jake
Williams
Glinda- Sydney
Williams
Emerald City Guard- Tobi
Tella
Nikko, Head Monkey- Tajae
Ali
Head Winkie- Dan
Guix
Crows- Eric
Ackerman, Adam Taubenslag, Joey Gambino, Tajae Ali,
Jack Berth,
Samantha Zielinski
Trees- Giselle
Garriga, Julia Marrone, Nicole Vega, Lyndsey Farrell,
Nayeli
Aymat
Tornado- Jake
Williams, Jack Berth, Samantha Zielinski, Isabel Wood,
Tajae
Ali, Eric Ackerman, Adam Taubenslag, Joey Gambino,
Nicole
Jimenez, Sofia Rivera, Cassie Berth, Mariam Abass
Jitterbugs- Cassie
Berth, Lyndsey Farrell, Julia Marrone, Jake Williams,
Jack
Berth, Brittany Hague, Isabelle Bongiovanni, Brooke
McPherson,
Samantha Zielinski, Jolea Georges, Eric Ackerman
Munckinland:
Mayor- Justin
Kyle
Coroner- Giselle
Garriga
Barrister- Sofia
Rivera
City Leaders- Sahana
Teegararapu, Sucharita Ganesh, Aya Ghannam
Teachers- Caroline
Baier, Adrianna Casas
Lullaby League- Isabelle
Bongiovanni, Nayeli Aymat, Brooke McPherson
Lollipop Guild- Tobi
Tella, Andrew Rudolph, Jessica Fritsche
Emerald City:
Beauticians- Brooke
McPherson, Giselle Garriga, Lyndsey Farrell, Julia
Marrone,
Aya Ghannam, Sucharita Ganesh,
Polishers- Adam
Taubenslag, Sofia Rivera, Eric Ackerman
Manicurists- Isabelle
Bongiovanni, Nayeli Aymat, Nicole Vega
Monkeys- Joey
Gambino, Caroline Baier, Sofia Rivera, Adam Taubenslag,
Winkies- Emily
Slattery, Julieanne Chavez, Samara Curry, Isabella Colon,
Alyssa
Brown
Citizens of Munchkinland and Ozians:
Cassie Berth, Isabela Colon, Matt Borselli, Gita Shankar,
Samara Curry, Julieanne Chavez, Jolea Georges, Brittany Hague, Courtney
Tomaszewski, Jack Berth, Alyssa Brown, Maha Imran, Dan Guix, Emily Slattery,
Samantha Zielinksi, Tajae Ali, Shashuda Terripotua,
Production Credits
Director- Mrs.
Marcy Marx
Student Director- Nicole Jimenez
Choreographer- Ms.
Rebecca Cahill
Dance Captains- Lyndsey
Farrell, Julia Marrone
Technical/Backstage Coordinator- Mr. Bill Haber
Backstage Manager- Nicole Jimenez
Lighting Crew- Adam
Seidman,
Sound Crew- Kylie
Knight, Michael Einiger
Set Construction- Nicole
Jimenez, Adeola Kukoyi, Bryan Winkler, Ananya Malagi, Mariam Abass, Justin Kyle, Sagar
Singal, Sonali Singal, Michael Einiger, Cassie Berth, Upama Roy
Backstage Crew- Nicole Jimenez, Adeola Kukoyi, Sagar Singal, Bryan Winkler,
Mariam
Abass, Justin Kyle, Cassie Berth
Producer- Mr.
Joel Chesler
Student Producer- Isabel Wood
Production Crew- Leslie Herrera, Stephanie Drake, Caitlyn Barbato, Nikita
Verma, Maiya Torres, Laura Cannuni, Kelsey McCann, Rachel Carrion, Zuzanna Budak,
Rafael Mesa, Tom Bugowski,
Make Up Artists- Zuzanna Budak
Vocal Director- Ms.
Vanessa Moreno
Costume Supervisor- Mrs. Debbie Suchocki
Photographers- Ms.
Jacqueline Morrison, Isabel Wood, Nikki Verma
Staff Mother- Mrs. Kazue
Jimenez
Musical Director- Mr. Jeff Smith
Pit Orchestra- Keyboards:
Francois Suhr, Andrew Macirowski
Woodwinds: Claire Smith,
Fabian Schultz, Chris English, Ashley
Garcia
Horn: Richard Golazeski, Tracy Fedosh
Trumpet: Max Maguire, Stephen Komar
Low Brass: Ian Young, Dan Mitchell
Bass: John Moroney
Percussion: Danielle Nudelman, Mary Mehalich
Who’s Who in the Cast and Crew
Eric Ackerman (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of the first Alchemist
production of his high school career. Eric has had a long-standing love of
theatre since he saw The Phantom of the
Opera on Broadway when he was 4 years old. As well as The Wizard of Oz, Eric has appeared in Beauty and the Beast, Willy
Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The
Sound of Music and has even participated in the Bronx Opera’s production of
Albert Herring. Eric sends much love
to his mother and father and is grateful for this newfound theatrical opportunity.
Tajae Ali (Nico) is very excited to be in her 3rd
musical with the Achemists. She'd like to thank Mrs. Marx, Mrs. Cahill, Mrs. Suchoki
and everyone else who made this show possible! To the cast, break a leg!
Emily Aulenbach
(Dorothy Gale) is absolutely ecstatic to
be a part of the Alchemist’s production of The
Wizard of Oz! She is a junior here at NBTHS and couldn’t be happier to be a
part of such an amazing group. Her most recent appearances include: Theatre
Revue 2017, “Bonnie Brookes” in NBTHS’s murder mystery Wedding Song, “Meg March” in New Jersey Repertory Theatre’s
production of Little Women, and “Jane
Banks” in NBTHS’s production of Mary Poppins.
She would like to thank Mrs. Marx for all of the amazing direction and always
believing in her! She would also like to thank Nicole for all her hard work in
helping make the show possible. To the cast: always remember, there’s no place
like home…Break a leg!
Nayeli Aymat (Ensemble) is a freshman at NBTHS and is
super happy to be in her first Alchemist musical. As a proud Munchkin/tree/Oz
citizen she is very excited for everyone to see it!!!
Caroline Baier (Ensemble) is very excited to be in her
third musical with the Alchemists. She would like to thank everyone who made
this show possible and to the cast, break a leg!
Cassie Berth
(Ensemble) is really excited to
be starring in her third musical at the high school. She hopes the cast will
break legs and have fun.
Jack Berth (Ensemble) is participating in his first Alchemist
show. He would like to thank the great cast, production and backstage for their
work on it.
Isabelle Bongiovanni (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be a part
of her seventh show with the Alchemists. She would like to thank everybody who
helped make this show possible as well as her talented cast mates. Break a leg
everyone!
Matthew Borselli (Ensemble) is
seventeen years old and a junior at NBTHS. The Wizard of Oz is
his second production with the Alchemists. Last year, Matthew enjoyed
playing a chimney sweep in NBTHS's production of Mary Poppins. This summer Matt hopes to participate in a
Shakespearean acting workshop. He would like to
thank Mrs. Marx, Mr. Chesler, and all the other teachers who
helped with the production of The Wizard of Oz!
Alyssa Brown (Ensemble) is very excited to be preforming
in The Wizard of Oz as her first ever
Alchemist production. She would like to thank her friends that welcomed her
into the Alchemists and those that are making her first show a success.
Adrianna Casas (Ensemble) is a freshman at NBTHS and is
very happy to be in the Alchemists. This is her first show on stage and she's
very thankful for the opportunity to be the first Munchkin teacher! "Break
a leg!"
Isabela Colon (Ensemble) is a sophomore at NBTHS and she is so excited to be in The Wizard Of Oz. This is her 2nd
onstage performance and she is having fun playing the roles of Munchkin, Guard,
and Winkie.
Samara Curry (Ensemble) is a sophomore who is really excited to be a part of The Wizard Of Oz as her first spring
musical. She has made many new friends and enjoys being a part of the Alchemists
because of how friendly and welcoming everyone is.
Joey Gambino (Ensemble) is excited to perform in his
first musical and to join the cast of The
Wizard of Oz. This is his 9th show he has been involved with in
the Alchemists and his third show onstage, along with Theatre Revue '16 and
'17. He would like to thank all of his family, friends, and Prod Squad for
supporting him. Break a leg everyone!
Dan Guix (Head Winkie) is a sophomore at NBTHS and
this is his 5th production on stage. Dan Guix would also wish
everyone good luck.
Lyndsey Farrell (Dance Captain) is excited to be a part of her seventh Alchemist
production. You may have seen her as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher and a featured dancer in Mary Poppins and Anything Goes. She also helped choreograph Theatre Revue 2017,
along with being in skits such as “Born to Do”, “The Girls Room”, and “Dancin’
Fool”. Lyndsey would like to thank all those who have helped make this show
possible. She would also like to thank her dance teachers Miss. Cheyanna and
Miss. Lysette for teaching her how to do what she loves and for understanding
why she always has to miss class! Lastly, she would like to thank Mama Farrell
for giving her the car so she can drive herself to and from rehearsal!
Jessica Fritsche (Ensemble) is a sophomore at NBTHS and she is super excited to be in her
first spring musical with the Alchemists. She would like to thank the cast and
crew for making this show possible.
Sucharita Ganesh (Ensemble) loves to sing, dance, and act as well as be a part of the
Alchemist Theatre Company!
Giselle Garriga (Ensemble) is a freshman at NBTHS, and is
super excited to be in her first musical with the Alchemists! She had a
fantastic time performing in Peter and the Starcatcher, and Theatre
Revue 2017, and she looks forward to all the shows to come. She would like to
thank everyone who dedicated their time and effort into making this show
possible. To the cast, break a leg!
Jolea Georges (Ensemble) is a 10th grader who is participating
her first spring musical at NBTHS and she's more than excited to be a part of
it all. Learning great songs, amazing dances, and making new friends has been
such a thrill throughout the whole experience.
Brittany Hague (Ensemble) is so excited about her first Alchemist
production as a jitterbug, poppy, and Munchkin. She would like to thank
everyone in the amazing cast and crew for putting together such a great show!
Paige Jarusiewicz (Ms. Gulch/Wicked Witch) thinks it's insane
that she's already done eleven shows with the Alchemists. She is a junior at
NBTHS and other roles include Third Witch in Macbeth, Ling in Anything
Goes, Deputy Pix in Technology of a Murder, Sophia Zubritsky
in Fools, Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins, Gloria Brookes
in Wedding Song, and Prentiss in Peter and the Starcatcher.
It's so cool for her to be a part of such a classic musical now with her
friends. Huge thanks to Mrs. Marx, Mr. Chesler, Mrs. Suchocki, Ms. Cahill, Mr.
Haber, Mr. Smith, and Ms. Moreno... and a special shout out to the green
people, because as Kermit the Frog so eloquently pointed out, it's not easy.
Enjoy!
Nicole Jimenez (Backstage Manager/Student
Director) is ecstatic to be involved in her 12th and final Alchemist
show. While she is saddened that this is her last show, since she is currently
a senior, she is super happy to have been a part of the Alchemists. Nicole is
also currently the Vice President of this club. She is extremely grateful to be
given the opportunity to serve on the executive board with such an amazing
group of people. Last but not least, Nicole would like to thank Mr. Chesler,
Mr. Haber, Mrs. Suchocki, Ms. Mo, and FINC for making this show possible. Break
legs everybody!
Shashuda Jerripotula (Ensemble) is excited to be a part of
her first musical and second Alchemist production of the year. She's also
especially excited for her friends and family to be able to see a different
side of her on stage.
Justin Kyle (Ensemble) is a senior and this will be his
last show and as bittersweet this is, he'll have a smile on his face. Break
legs everyone!
Julia Marrone (Dance Captain) is very excited to be in her
second musical with the Alchemists! You must have seen her in “I Know It’s
Today”, “Born to Do” and “Can’t Even” from Theatre Revue 2017. Julia attended
dance at School of the Arts in North Brunswick. She would like to thank Mr.
Chesler, Mrs. Marx, Mrs. Suchocki, Ms. Moreno, Ms. Cahill, Mr. Haber, Mr.
Smith, the crew and production team, and Nicole for making this production
possible. To the cast, break a leg!
Frankie Marrone
(Hunk/Scarecrow) is in disbelief that this is his 15th and final
performance with the Alchemist Theatre Company.
You may have seen him as Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, Piragua Guy in In
the Heights, Smee in Peter and the
Starcatcher, or Sara in Theatre Revue
2015/2016. For his last high
school show, he would like to thank many people. First he would like to thank
Quentin Madia and Phyllis Kristjanson for giving him his firsts in performing.
From Snoopy to Evan they have always been there to support him and couldn’t be
more grateful. Secondly, he would like to thank NJRT as a whole, for giving him
a home away from home and making friends he will have forever. He would like to
thank Molly Mason, his voice teacher, for making him sound good and teaching
him that he can sing. He would also like to thank Mr. Chesler and Mrs. Marx for
giving him all the opportunities he has had onstage. Through these 4 years, he
has been the happiest he has ever been. Frankie wants to thank Mrs. Cahill for
forcing him out of his comfort zone and making him dance like he has never
danced before. Now he taps all the time and can never stop dancing. Thank you
Mrs. Suchocki and Mr. Haber for helping him transform into the worlds that he never
imaged could come to life. Frankie will forever be thankful for his family and
friends for always supporting him and always loving all the things he has done
onstage. Lastly, Frankie would like to thank everyone who is/was involved in
the Alchemists. Thank you for an amazing four years. I’m so upset that the ride
is over but you made him realize why he was put on this earth. “There’s no
place like home” and that home was found here. Enjoy the show!
Brooke McPherson (Ensemble) is very
excited to be participating in her first musical at the high school. She would
like to thank everyone involved for their hard work. She hopes that the cast
breaks legs and has fun on stage!
Chris Meyer
(Hickory/Tin man) is ecstatic to have written his last bio (These really stress
him out; he never knows what to write!). He's just kidding! But in all
seriousness he's pretty excited to be apart of his 12th and final
Alchemist production. You may have seen him before in this years fall play, Peter and the Starcatcher as Peter or
maybe as a star-crossed lover from the Theatre Revue 2017 skit
"Seventeen". Chris has decided instead of thanking people for helping
him with this show, he wants to thank people for helping him throughout his
Alchemist career! So here it goes! Thank you to his family who is
always there to support him no matter what he does. Thank you to all previous
Executive Boards, for sticking with him and continuing to inspire him even when
they are all already alumni; without your motivation, Chris would have quit
multiple times, and because of this he is forever in your debt. Thank you to
Ms. Moreno and Mr. Smith for always working to develop students musical skills
and making them sound great! He would also like to thank Mrs. Suchocki and Mr.
Haber for their encouragement and always immersing the audience with their sets
and costumes. Thank you to Mrs. Marx and Ms. Cahill for always believing in him
and teaching him amazing skills that he will use throughout his life time.
Thank you Mr. Chesler for running this amazing club and providing a fun and
safe environment for students to work and play. Thanks to Nicole who is not
only the student director but also the backstage manager for this show! Finally
thank you to Frankie Marrone and Noah van Vliet, you have been with Chris since
you all were little freshmen, and he wouldn't want anyone else playing the
parts of his best friends other than...well you guys, his best friends! Now
then, Chris wants you to forget about all the stress in your life and come on
an adventure with him down the yellow brick road. Enjoy the show!
Nathalie Pereda (Auntie Em) is a senior at NBTHS and is excited but also sad to be
participating in her 8th and last show for the Alchemists. She
joined the Alchemists as a sophomore during Theatre Revue as part of
production. She's always had stage fright but overcame it her senior year and
decided to be on stage for Theatre Revue 2017, where she was in all the full
cast numbers and also “Cell Block Tango”. After that was over, she realized she
liked being on stage and decided to audition for The Wizard Of Oz. She got the part of Auntie Em and was thrilled to
have gotten a lead. She'll be attending Rutgers Business School next year but
will keep theatre in a special place in her heart. She'd like to thank her best
friend Isabel for getting her to join the Alchemists, as it was a beautiful
experience to be part of such a great group. Nathalie would also like to take
the time to thank her supportive parents and everyone who made the show
possible.
Sofia Rivera (Ensemble) has been involved in theatre for
10 years. She is very excited to be involved in her 7th Alchemist production.
Andrew Rudolph (Ensemble) is so excited to be in his
second show as a freshman. He would like to thank his family and everyone who
made this musical worthwhile!
Gita Shanker (Ensemble) is 16 years old and is excited to
be performing in her first high school production (look for her as a
Munchkin and in the Merry Old Land of Oz, and listen for her in Jitterbug!).
Gita has appeared on stage in Innovasion 2017 and is the choir singing in NBTHS
PAC. She wishes to thank Mrs. Marx for her tireless contribution to the
drama program.
Emily Slattery (Ensemble) is a freshman, and is very
excited to be part of the Wizard of Oz!
Adam Taubenslag (Uncle Henry) is thrilled to be a part of his
third spring musical, and ninth show with the Alchemists, The Wizard of Oz!
He’s playing Uncle Henry, one of the Crow-nies, a world class Emerald City
Polisher, a flying monkey, and an old guy in a boat with a beard. Recently Adam
has been a part of Theatre Revue 2017,
Peter and the Starcatcher (Mrs.Bumbrake/Teacher), Wedding Song (Sonny),
Mary Poppins (Admiral Boom), and Fools (Count Yousekevitch). He's
also a co-director of the Teen Scenes program at Middlesex County College
Theatre Camp. He'd like to thank all of his wonderful cast mates, and the
advisors and directors that helped make this possible. He's eternally grateful
for the support of his parents, family, friends and loved ones, and of course
he's especially thankful to you all for reading this, because without you,
there is no show. Anyways, he will let you enjoy, so just look up, maybe clap
and cheer a little, and have fun.
Sahana Teegavarapu (Ensemble) is in her first Alchemist show
and she is very excited to be a part of it. She wishes everyone good luck and
hope they break a leg!
Tobi Tella (Guard) is overjoyed to be involved in his
tenth Alchemist production. You may have seen him as Northbrook in Mary Poppins, Felix in Technology of a Murder, Brian in Wedding Song, or all of the small
children in Macbeth. He was also in
Theatre Revue 2015, 2016, and 2017 in skits like "Mine",
"Totally Stuck", and "Book Report". He would like to thank
everyone involved with this production, specifically Mrs. Suchocki, Ms. Cahill,
and Mrs. Marx for dealing with his struggle with doors. He would also like to
thank the amazing cast for making this show a great experience. Break a leg
everyone!
Courtney Tomaszewski (Ensemble) is a freshman at North
Brunswick Township High School and is excited to be in the Alchemists. This is
her first time having a part in a production and she is so excited for the
show!
Nicole Vega (Ensemble) is a sophomore who is
really excited to be putting on The
Wizard of Oz. You may have seen Nicole last year playing the Park Keeper in
Mary Poppins. She has also
participated in Theatre Revue 2016 and was Amber in “The Girls Room” skit!
Nicole is super excited to be a part of her second spring musical with the Alchemists!!
She would like to thank everyone involved in making this production, especially
her Alchemist friends for all their support and making rehearsals so much
fun!
Jake Williams (Professor Marvel/ The Wizard) is very
excited to be performing in his fifth alchemist production at NBTHS. You might
have seen him in Theatre Revue 2016 & 2017 as well as the murder mystery
dinner theatre as Bennie. He was also involved in Peter and the Starcatcher as Grempkin/Sanchez/Mack/Fighting Prawn
(it’s a lot I know). He would like to thank his family for always being
supportive and his fellow cast members for being such incredible friends and
giving him an experience he won't forget! Also a special thank you to Mrs. Marx
and Nicole Jimenez for allowing him to be a part of this spectacular
production. THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ HAS SPOKEN- NOW ENJOY!
Sydney Williams (Glinda) is a sophomore here at NBTHS and is
so thrilled to be in her first Alchemist musical and third Alchemist
production. You may have seen her in Theatre Revue 2016 & 2017, as well as
YADG’s summer production of Urinetown.
She would like to thank Mrs. Marx, who is such a queen, Nicole Jimenez, and the
entire cast of the production for making this experience a priceless and
unforgettable one. Now click your heels together three times and enjoy the
show!
Samantha Zielinski (Ensemble) is a sophomore at NBTHS, this is
her second Alchemist production and she is so excited to be a part of it. Sam
would like to thank Mrs. Marx, Mrs. Suchocki, Mr. Chesler, Mr. Haber, Ms.
Cahill, Ms. Moreno, and the entire cast and crew for making the show
possible...enjoy the show!!
