Miss Bennet Creative Teams/Cast

Posted by Jose Martinez

 

Creative Team

 
MAGGIE MANCINELLI-CAHILL (DIRECTOR/ PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR) Maggie has directed more than 100 productions and has worked on, off, off-off-Broadway and in regional theatres throughout the US. For theREP, favorite productions include GRAND VIEW, SHE LOVES ME, OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, RACE, RED, MY FAIR LADY, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, THE CRUCIBLE, INTIMATE APPAREL, METAMORPHOSES, TERRA NOVA, NORA and most recently, RING OF FIRE. Last year, she directed one of her favorite works, SYNCOPATION, for Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, CA. Adaptations and co-authored plays for young audiences include, SLEEPY HOLLOW, PURE POE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND (with Margaret Hall), THEY BUILT AMERICA, FRIEND OF A FRIEND (with Jill Rafferty) and HENRY H (with Maureen Aumand). Before her tenure at theREP, Maggie served as Producing Director of Urban Stages in New York City, as Artistic Director for Theatre Under Glass in Denver and worked on the staffs of The Women’s Project and Ensemble Studio Theatre in NYC. She taught acting at the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Maggie received a Director Project Fellowship from the Drama League of New York, holds an MFA in directing from Columbia University, was named one of the 100 Women of Excellence by the Colonie Regional Chamber’s Women’s Business Council, and was awarded the “Distinguished Leadership Award” by the Chamber’s National Association for Community Leadership. She is a recipient of the Norman S. Rice Award for Excellence in Arts, Culture and Education.

FREDDY RAMIREZ (Choreographer) is happy to return to Capital Repertory Theatre to work with this group of amazingly talented artists. He most recently choreographed MAMMA MIA, SHE LOVES ME, CAMELOT, NAKED INFLUENCE, A CHRISTMAS STORY THE MUSICAL, GYPSY and THE SECRET GARDEN here at the Rep. His directing and choreographing credits include GUYS AND DOLLS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, DAMN YANKEES, CAROUSEL, BYE BYE BIRDIE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and NUNSENSE for numerous regional and repertory theatres. His credits also include works for national and international dance companies. As a grant recipient, he created and debuted the original dance works “A Soldier’s Story” and “B.U.M.” which have been performed in Germany, Italy and in the US.

JOSH D. SMITH (Music Supervisor/Arranger) is delighted to return to Capital Rep for the holiday season. Past productions include RING OF FIRE, SHE LOVES ME, MAMMA MIA!, CAMELOT and THE SECRET GARDEN. He has performed, music directed and/or accompanied numerous productions throughout the US—from Arizona to Maine. Capital Region audiences may recognize Josh as the former Musical Director at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY. He currently serves as Artistic Director for the ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival in Woodstock, VT. His musical arrangements can be heard in venues across the country including Feinstien’s/54 Below, The Green Room 42 and The Laurie Beechman Theatre in Manhattan. A recording of his arrangements will be released on Broadway Records early next spring. Josh is originally from Syracuse, NY. Proud member of Actors’ Equity and American Federation of Musicians Local 802. www.joshdsmithmusic.com

BRIAN PRATHER+ (Scenic Designer) is excited to return to Capital Rep after BLITHE SPIRIT, SHE LOVES ME, MAMMA MIA and CAMELOT. Recent Off-Broadway work includes: DANIEL’S HUSBAND (Westside Theatre), HEARTBREAK HOUSE and WIDOWER’S HOUSES (TACT/Gingold), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (St. Clement’s), BECOMING DR. RUTH (Westside), THE MEMORY SHOW (Transport Group), FREUD’S LAST SESSION (New World Stages) and THE BURNT PART BOYS (Playwrights Horizons). Internationally, Brian has designed for the Chung-mu Art Hall (South Korea) and at other theatres including: the Alley Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Barrington Stage Co., TheaterWorks Hartford, Virginia Rep., Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Delaware Theatre Co., and Shakespeare on the Sound, among others. Awarded the Joseph Jefferson Award (Chicago), The Berkshire Theatre Critics Assoc. Award and nominated for an Emmy (New England) for the design of “The Kate” concert series on public television. Brian is an Associate Artist at Barrington Stage Co. (MA) and a proud member of USA Local 829. View Brian’s work at www.brianprather.com.

TRAVIS McHALE+ (Lighting Design) Capital Rep: Mamma Mia!, Camelot, Blithe Spirit, Trip to Bountiful, How Water Behaves. Regional Theatre: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Bucks County Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, Colorado Festival of World Theatre, Guild Hall, Northern Stage, Weston Playhouse, Westport Country Playhouse. Off-Broadway: 59E59, Primary Stages, 3 Legged Dog, Abingdon, Theatre Row, The Barrow Group. Broadway: Associate designer for Something Rotten!, Sunset Boulevard, War Paint and others. Other: Zaide (Carnegie Hall), BenDeLaCreme’s Inferno A-Go-Go (UK Tour), Chita Rivera: Legendary Celebration (International Tour), and seven seasons with IMCD Lighting for NY Fashion Week. Awards: Connecticut Critics’ Circle, NY Innovative Theatre. Member: United Scenic Artists www.travismchale.com

HOWARD TSVI KAPLAN+ (Costume Designer) just completed his twenty-first season as resident costume designer for The Sarasota Opera. Recent endeavors include LE COMTE ORY for Des Moine Metro Opera; COSI FAN TUTTE, THE PEARL FISHERS and THE CONSUL for Florida Grand Opera; MAN OF LA MANCHA for the Olney Theatre (nominated for a Helen Hayes Award); MY FAIR LADY and MID SUMMER NIGHTS DREAM for the Barter Theatre; and productions for Malabar Limited; Opera Boston; Pittsburgh Public; Baltimore Opera; Kentucky Opera; Cleveland Opera; and the world Premiere of SNAPSHOTS, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Virginia Stage Company). Howard was the resident designer for the Alley Theatre, designing over 25 productions including the American premiere of …HENCEFORWARD, written and directed by Alan Ayckborn; and the Asolo Theatre where he created the costumes for 22 shows including the world premiere of Horton Foote’s TALKING PICTURES. For twelve years, Howard was the principal designer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Clown College. More information about him and his work can be viewed on his website HowardTsviKaplan.webs.com.

JANE SHAW+ (Sound Designer) Capital Rep: Designs include Naked Influence, Syncopation and Skylight. Off-Broadway: I Was Most Alive With You (Playwrights Horizons), Days to Come (Mint Theater), Measure for Measure (Theater for a New Audience), Ironbound (Women’s Project/Rattlestick), Actually (MTC). Regional: A Lesson from Aloes (Hartford Stage), Sweat (Cleveland Play House), Jane Eyre (Cincinnati Playhouse, Milwaukee Rep), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Triad Stage), Mark Taper Forum, Old Globe, Baystreet Theater, Asolo Rep, Dorset Theatre Festival, Northern Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville. Awards: Drama Desk, Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, NEA/TCG Career Development Program, Henry Award (Denver Center), Premios ACE 2012 Award (Repertorio Español), Bessie (Big Dance Theater). Education: Harvard College; Yale School of Drama.

STEPHANIE KLAPPER (Casting Director) enjoys her continued long collaboration with Maggie and the Capital Rep. team. Her work is frequently seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, internationally, on television, and film. Primary Stages (resident casting director), Mint Theater Company, New York Classical Theatre, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company, Masterworks, Resonance Ensemble as well as many others. Currently, she has a number of exciting projects running and upcoming in NYC, regionally and on film. Projects include: DANIEL’S HUSBAND; FINAL FOLLIES; DAYS TO COME; CONFLICT; THE SAINTLINESS OF MARGERY KEMP; ROMEO AND JULIET; A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK; FIRST LOVE; RED ROSES, GREEN GOLD; A WALK WITH MR. HEIFETZ; PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Kate Hamill); HINDLE WAKES; SWEENEY TODD (KCR); THE MECCA TALES; WESTSIDE STORY (Philadelphia Orchestra); the films: THE FORGOTTEN DAYS (upcoming); EPIPHANY V (short film). Additionally, Stephanie teaches and lectures at colleges and universities all over the country. Member of the Casting Society of America.

MELISSA RICHTER* (Production Stage Manager) is excited be at Capital Repertory Theatre for her third season! Previous credits at Capital Repertory Theatre include: Production Stage Manager for THE ROYALE, RING OF FIRE, BLITHE SPIRIT, PARIS TIME, and SEX WITH STRANGERS and Assistant Stage Manager for SHE LOVES ME, MAMMA MIA, AN ILIAD, ASSISTED LOVING, CAMELOT, and OUTSIDE MULLINGAR. Additional credits in the Capital Region include: Production Stage Manager for CHICAGO and THE LITTLE MERMAID at Park Playhouse.

RACHEL FRASCELLA (Assistant Stage Manager) is happy to be in her second season at Capital Repertory Theatre, where her previous productions as ASM include Sex with Strangers, She Loves Me, Paris Time, Blithe Spirit, Ring of Fire and The Royale. Other regional credits include PSM- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at Dorset Theatre Festival and PSM- The Aliens at The Theatre Group. She is a graduate of Ramapo College.

LAUREN GUNDERSON (Author) is the most produced living playwright in America, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s 3-Year Residency with Marin Theatre Co. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at companies across the US including the Denver Center (THE BOOK OF WILL), South Coast Rep (EMILIE, SILENT SKY), The Kennedy Center (THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DR. WONDERFUL AND HER DOG!), the O’Neill Theatre Center, Berkeley Rep, Shotgun Players, TheatreWorks, Crowded Fire, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre, Synchronicity, Olney Theatre, Geva, and more. Her work is published by Dramatists Play Service (SILENT SKY, BAUER), Playscripts (I AND YOU; EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR; and TOIL AND TROUBLE), and Samuel French (EMILIE). She is a Playwright in Residence at The Playwrights Foundation, and a proud Dramatists Guild member. She is from Atlanta, GA, and lives in San Francisco. Keep up with Lauren at LaurenGunderson.com and @LalaTellsAStory. 

MARGOT MELSON (Author) is a theater artist, administrator and writer. She was the Director of New Play Development at Marin Theatre Company for seven years, where she drama turned over 30 productions—including six world premieres—and administered the company’s two annual new play prizes and commissioning program. She has developed plays with TheatreWorks, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Crowded Fire Theater, Shotgun Players, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, the Kennedy Center, the New Harmony Project, and the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis. She is currently the Program Executive for Promoting Culture at the Zellerbach Family Foundation. Margot is a graduate of California State University, Chico.

 

Cast

Connie Castanzo* (Mary Bennet) is delighted to be here in Albany this holiday season! New York City: Romeo & Juliet, The Rivals, As You Like It (New York Classical); Diaspora (Gym at Judson); Time Stands Still (Theater for the New City); Gigi (Storm Theatre); City Girls & Desperadoes, Much Ado About Nothing (Secret Theatre); My Report To The World (Jewish Museum of Heritage & Shakespeare Theater, DC); Some Are More Human (NYC Fringe). Regional: Boeing Boeing (Millbrook Playhouse); Lost Boy Found in Whole Food’s, A Confluence of Dreaming (Pittsburgh REP). TV/Film: “Hack My Life”; “The Raft”; “Creep”; “Cauliflower”. BFA in Acting from Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts. Connie is an Associate Artist of New York Classical Theatre. Thanks Maggie, cast, crew & Capital Rep!

Ellen Cribbs (Anne de Bourgh) is thrilled to make her Capital Rep premiere. Ellen is a freelance voiceover artist and drama teacher. Favorite credits include Wait Until Dark, The 39 Steps, As You Like It, Noises Off, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and Other Desert Cities. Thank you Mom, Dad, and Mark for their support.

 

 

 

 

Patrick Andrew Jones* (Charles Bingley) is thrilled to be making his Capital Rep debut! In the past year he has worked at Berkeley Rep, ACT, Off-Broadway, in numerous small theaters throughout the city and on a 2 month tour of Italy playing Cassio in “Othello.” He also has appeared in a variety of films including producing, writing and directing a new web-series. Some favorite roles include Ferdinand in The Tempest at the Livermore Shakespeare Festival in California’s wine country, Adam in The Shape of Things with Estrana Theater Company in New York City and understudying as Elias in Annie Baker’s “John” in its West Coast premiere. MFA: ACT Instagram: @pjonescomedy Website: patrickandjones@gmail.com

Sean Mellott* (Arthur de Bourgh) Colorado born, New Orleans educated and now NYC based, Sean has acted on stages across the country. Regionally, he has performed at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (A Prayer for Owen Meany, Leveling Up), The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Mousetrap), Milwaukee Repertory Theater (Peter and the Starcatcher), Actors Theatre of Louisville (A Christmas Carol and two Humana Festival premieres: Oh, Gastronomy! and The Dungeons and the Dragons), Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre (House & Garden), Curious Theatre Company in Denver (End Days, Rabbit Hole and Up) and the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane (Romeo and Juliet and Coriolanus). New York credits include work with The Brick Theater’s Democracy Festival and The Jam at New Georges. TV credits include NBC’s Blindspot. He is a proud alumnus of both Tulane University and Actors Theatre of Louisville’s acting apprentice program.

Grayson Powell* (Fitzwilliam Darcy) is delighted to be spending the holidays in Albany! He also enjoys brewing beer in his tiny NYC kitchen. NATIONAL TOUR: Cheers Live On Stage NEW YORK THEATER: They Call Him Young Lou (Cherry Lane), Three Sisters (Riverside Theatre) REGIONAL: Othello (Commonwealth Shakes), The Glass Menagerie (Barnstormers), A Christmas Carol (Flat Rock Playhouse) TELEVISION: Modern Love (Amazon), Madam Secretary (CBS), Made in Jersey (CBS) FILM: The Sympathy Card, Sundown, Hedgehog PODCAST: Limetown. Grayson is the co-founder of 3 Worker Films, LLC which is dedicated to making cutting-edge film projects. He was a co-writer/actor on their award-winning short films This New York Story, The Poet and their first feature film currently in pre-production, SWELL. STAND UP COMEDY: Gotham, Eastville, Stand Up NY, Comix. B.A. Clemson University, M.F.A. Columbia University. SAG-AFTRA, AEA. Grayson sends his love to family & friends who made the trip for this lovely show!

Carol (Flat Rock Playhouse) TELEVISION: Modern Love (Amazon), Madam Secretary (CBS), Made in Jersey (CBS) FILM: The Sympathy Card, Sundown, Hedgehog PODCAST: Limetown. Grayson is co-founder of 3 Worker Films, LLC which is dedicated to making cutting-edge film projects. He was a co-writer/actor on their award-winning short films This New York Story, The Poet and their first feature film currently in pre-production, SWELL. STAND UP COMEDY: Gotham, Eastville, Stand Up NY, Comix. B.A. Clemson University, M.F.A. Columbia University. SAG-AFTRA, AEA. Grayson sends his love to family & friends who made the trip for this lovely show!

Kelsey Rainwater* (Elizabeth Darcy) is excited to be working at Capital Rep for the first time. Her recent theatre credits include: Blanket of Dust at The Flea. Pioneer Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Hamlet and Macbeth. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s The Three Musketeers and As You Like It. TV: Elementary, and Broad City. Kelsey graduated from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts with an MFA in Acting and Shakespeare’s Globe in London.

 

 

Caroline Whelehan* (Jane Bingley) Caroline feels so incredibly lucky to be spending another holiday season at TheRep. It is always so special… truly the best. Regional- Pacific Conservatory Theatre: Lend Me A Tenor (The Musical), Beauty And The Beast, You Can’t Take It With You, The Pirates Of Penzance, Sense And Sensibility, Twelfth Night Capital Repertory Theatre: The Secret Garden, Hamlet, She Loves Me Troy Foundry Theatre: La Ronde Workshops: Some People Hear Thunder

 

Marielle Young* (Lydia Wickham) is an NYC native who is excited to be at Capital Rep! Theatre: Mary’s Wedding (dir. Colette Robert) at Chester Theatre Co.; Twelfth Night (dir. Moritz von Stuelpnagel), The Book of Will (dir. Davis McCallum), and Kate Hamill’s Pride & Prejudice at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival; Love’s Labour’s Lost (dir. Ian Belknap) at The Acting Company; Ma-Yi; Mint Theatre; Theatre Row; Exponential Festival; Theatre Reconstruction Ensemble; Nightdrive. TV: Blue Bloods, Major Crimes. SUNY Purchase, LaGuardia Arts HS, PLAYBILL® Outstanding Actress Award. Love to N/K/R/G. marielleyoung.org @101marielle

JOSH D. SMITH* (Piano) see bio for Music Supervisor/Arranger

LAUREN WAINWRIGHT* (Violin) is a NYC based actor and musician. Regional: ONCE (Florida Studio Theatre, Theatre Raleigh), VIOLET, THE WINTER’S TALE, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, GUYS AND DOLLS (Festival 56), LOVE’S LABOURS LOST (Great Lakes Theatre), MEDEA (Hydrama Theatre, Greece). New York: AS YOU LIKE IT (Hamlet Isn’t Dead), MIDSUMMER… (Shakespeare in Bryant Park), THE TEMPEST (Torn Out Theatre), TWELFTH NIGHT (FringeNYC). Film: ”The Ides of March”. Proud member of AEA. www.laurenkwainwright.com, @wrenwainwright

 

*  Denotes AEA

 

 

 

+ Denotes Member of USA (United Scenic Artists)