Tom Speer
- This years marks Tom's second with our company - traveling all the
way from Madison. Last year, he was in the men's chorus for Iolanthe,
and this year, as well as doing chorus work, he's stepping up to
understudy the "Colonel." He's one of several who are learning
two parts, as they're performing in the chorus, and learning a lead
role. We can be very grateful to him for all his efforts - and he
sounds good, too! He feels that G&S related to our time in
that it mocks the "upper class," and agrees with other cast members
that they portray human experiences. As a performer, he
appreciates the challenges of learning and performing, and sees how
"the music amplifies these endeavors."
Renee Molnar-Haines -
Our "Lady Saphir" this year, Renee has done a number of lead
roles - both soprano and mezzo soprano, such as "Yum-Yum"
(soprano) for Thomaston Opera House, and "Pitti-Sing" (mezzo) for
CG&SS - both from The Mikado. She has also appeared in other musicals, such as Carousel and Barnum,
and has played supporting roles, and leads, with
CG&SS. When asked which was her favorite show, she - quite
properly - said, "which is more beautiful, a rose or a lily?" Her
work last year, in the title role of Iolanthe,
was stellar, especially in the reunion scene which she shared with
Allan Church (in which they both had tears in their eyes!). The
closing scene of The Yeomen of the Guard remains her most intense theatrical experience. She also had this to say: "I think
we should all take the advice of what the great Gilbert and Sullivan
have conveyed through their many masterful works of art. Life has
moments of great joy, sorrow, seriousness, and humor. G&S has taught us to embrace them all with boldness and
fervor! This holds true for the current day."
Phil Feraci - Phil, along with daughter, Rhoze, and wife, Julia,
has been a member of our company for 7 years, and is also a Board
Member. Although his onstage experience has been exclusive to
this group (so far!), he has stepped up to understudy the "Major," and
is doing a fine job! He can't decide which is his favorite show,
because, as he says, "they all have their peculiar charm." He also
says, "they all show the human condition with all its foibles,
pretensions, and capacity for self-delusion, as well as occasional
flashes of courage, integrity, and self-effacement." He sounds
like a budding "Savoyard," and shows real committment to the company.
And his voice and participation help enormously.
Dave Henderson - Dave
returns to CG&SS for his second year, playing the leading role of
"Grosvenor," and as a Board Member. He was our "Strephon" last
year's roduction of Iolanthe,
and has played many roles in musical theatre, in high school, college,
and community theatre. His favorite show is either the one he's
in at the moment, or Fiddler on the Roof
(rather a good show to have as a perennial favorite!). He
concedes that over time, some of the targets of satire change, but adds
that: "G&S's humor makes us ask ourselves 'What ought to change?'
and 'Why do we behave the way we do?' " and what current trends
might be substituted for the Aesthetic Movement that is "so aptly
pilloried in the show?"
Valerie Jacobsen -
Valerie, who hails from Old Saybrook, is another ensemble member who
has stepped up to understudy a lead role: "Lady Angela," and she's been
a great help! She's been in Pirates, Gondoliers, and Sorcerer with CG&SS. She loves all the shows, but says her favorite is Gondoliers,
because she "enjoyed the Italian flavor" of it. (I particularly
like that description, because I've used that same idea to convey the
beauty of a song - and it was from The Gondoliers!)
Valerie also seems to be in agreement with Caroline Ismail, in
her appreciation of the theme of "the 'upper class' taking themselves
[sic] too seriously, and looking down on 'commoners' as inferior."
Hal Chernoff - Hal did a great job for the company last year, sharing the role of "Pvt. Willis" in Iolanthe. This year he plays the role of "Maj. Murgatroyd" in Patience.
Does he have some sort of affinity with military roles?
He's a strong, supportive member of our ensemble, and I suspect
that he may have been bitten by the "G&S bug." He also
performs with the Simsbury Light Opera Co., and I bet we see him a lot
more in the future!
Denise Shultzman -
Denise is another very dedicated ensemble member, who has also stepped
up to understudy the role of "Lady Ella." Understudying is so
important to all of us, as we really rely on each other during both
rehearsals and performances. She knows the G&S style and
repertoire so well, and that really helps, in both her chorus work and
her understudying. She enjoys performing in other musical theatre
as well, and has done various character parts, but I notice she
keeps coming back to G&S!