(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Amadeus from Saturday, February 26 through Sunday, March 6. Peter Shaffer's Amadeus is a reimagining of the lives of Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The play, brought to life with the music of Mozart, is a tale of jealousy and betrayal... and perhaps even murder. The story opens in 1825 on the eve of the elderly Salieri's death. The show won the Tony award for Best Play and the Academy Award for Best Film. Algonquin's production will be directed by Gina Lupi.
In the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the greatest musical genius of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri has given himself to God so that he might realize his sole ambition, to be a great composer. Mozart is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri's envious grasp: Genius.
After winning multiple Olivier and Tony Awards when it had its premiere at the National Theatre in 1979, Amadeus was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.
The cast for Amadeus includes Jan Topoleski, Garrett Gallinot, Rebecca Madeira, Sean Dickinson, Michael Morch, Stephen Rubino, Anthony Greco, David Fretz, Brandan Flanagan, John B. Gekle Jr., John Albrecht, Ciara Dimaiolo, and Lauren Cooke.
Tickets range from $25-$42 and may be purchased at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre box office on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 10:00am-3:00pm located at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, New Jersey.
JAN TOPOLESKI (Antonio Salieri) is excited to be back on the stage for the first time since the 2020 Algonquin production of the one-man show, A Christmas Carol. Other favorite acting credits include Don Quixote (Man of La Mancha), Billy Bigelow (Carousel), Jekyll/Hyde (Jekyll & Hyde), Guido (Nine), Captain Hook (Peter Pan) and the title character in Sweeney Todd. Algonquin directing credits include Carousel, The Producers, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, A Few Good Men & Noises Off.
GARRETT GALLINOT (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) is extremely honored to be back at the Algonquin. Past Algonquin productions include A Few Good Men (Kaffee) and Mass Appeal (Mark). Other notable credits include Hamlet (Hamlet), Romeo & Juliet (Romeo), Boeing-Boeing (Robert: Perry Award Recipient), Biloxi Blues (Eugene: Perry Award Nominee), and Foodplay! The National Tour (Coach). Regional credits include Camelot at Paper Mill & A Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare Theater. To extrapolate upon the words of Mozart, enjoy the music – the sounds, the silence, & all things in between.
REBECCA MADEIRA (Constance Weber) is overjoyed to be a part of this dream show. She last appeared at the Algonquin in Starting Here, Starting Now. She has a degree in Music from Rutgers University, where she fell in love with Mozart. After she finishes playing his wife, she’ll be singing in Mozart’s The Magic Flute this summer in Vicenza, Italy.
SEAN DICKINSON (Venticelli 1) is thrilled to be back on stage at the Algonquin! Favorite credits include Peter & the Starcatcher (Boy/Peter), Road Show (Hollis Bessemer), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), & Newsies (Davey). This is counting blessings.
MICHAEL MORCH (Venticelli 2) is thrilled to be performing at the Algonquin once more in this fantastic production of Amadeus. Past roles at the Algonquin include Man in Starting Here, Starting Now, Skye Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Greg in a A Chorus Line, Freddie/Philip in Noises Off and Bob Wallace in White Christmas.
STEPHEN RUBINO (Count Frank Ossining-Rosenberg) is happy be back at the Algonquin where he last played the roles of Ward/Bert Healy/Morgenthau/Judge Brandeis in Annie, and Pontius Pilate in JC Superstar. Some favorite roles include: Emcee (Cabaret), Leading Player (Pippin), Anthony (Sweeney Todd) Sir Evelyn Oakleigh (Anything Goes); Ismay (Titanic); Magaldi (Evita); Daniel (Once on This Island); Capt. Hook (Peter Pan). Stephen works for CentraState Healthcare as an HR Employee Relations Business Partner.
ANTHONY GRECO (Joseph II) has appeared in & directed a number of Algonquin productions! Some of his favorite onstage roles include The Producers (Max), Mamma Mia! (Harry), Beauty & the Beast (Cogsworth), A Christmas Story (Jean Sheperd), Noises Off! (Roger), and Damn Yankees (Applegate). Un merci spécial à Ali Ronzier pour son aide avec le français!
DAVID FRETZ (Count Johann Kilian Von Strack) is thrilled to be back on stage at the Algonquin. This is his 2nd show at the Algonquin. Previously he played Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
BRENDAN FLANAGAN (Baron Gottfried Van Swieten) is elated to be a part of this production of Amadeus. Brendon is a regular at the Algonquin both as a performer and stage manager. He was last seen as Santa in Algonquin Arts Theatre’s production of Elf: the Musical.
JOHN B. GEKLE JR. (Kapellmeister) is pleased and proud to mark his seventeenth show at the Algonquin since 2013. A staple at the Algonquin, you can always find John helping out or participating in the theatre’s many programs. Thank you for supporting the Arts.
JOHN ALBRECHT (Salieri's Cook) is thrilled to be returning to the Algonquin stage with many of his theater friends in this incredibly talented cast. John was most recently seen in Annie. Prior Algonquin productions include Mamma Mia, A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, Christmas Story, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, White Christmas, Little Mermaid and Miracle on 34th Street. John has also been the Assistant Stage Manager at the Algonquin for several productions.
CIARA DIMAIOLO (Katherina Cavalieri) is thrilled to be back on stage & to be playing Katerina. She participated in Algonquin's Rising Stars Opera Competition. Ciara trains in both theater & opera & has been doing shows locally for at least 12 years. Some favorite shows include: Hunchback (Gargoyle), & Shrek (Fiona). She studies Hospitality Management and volunteers at her local fire department.
LAUREN COOKE (Teresa Salieri) is thrilled to return to the Algonquin stage last seen as Emily Hobbs in Elf. Other favorite & recent roles at Algonquin include Miss Hannigan in Annie, Dotty/Clackett in Noises Off, Ursula in Mermaid, and Martha in White Christmas.
GINA LUPI (Director) recently directed RENT and Starting Here Starting Now at AAT. Other directing credits are Jesus Christ Superstar, Kiss Me Kate, A Christmas Story, Peter Pan, The Buddy Holly Story, Damn Yankees, The King and I, The Glass Menagerie, Annie Get Your Gun, The Full Monty, Gypsy, Pride & Prejudice and Man Of La Mancha. AAT Production Stage Manager for: ELF, Annie Newsies, The Producers and South Pacific. Gina has appeared on the AAT stage as the “Wardrobe” in Beauty and the Beast, Prudy in Hairspray and Gingy in Shrek. Gina was the recipient of the 2009 Perry Award for Outstanding Director for Little Women & Outstanding Supporting Actress for Mame.
The creative team for Amadeus includes: Director, Gina Lupi; Producer, Julie Nagy; Co-Producer; Joseph Ficarra; Production Stage Manager, Rachel Krupnick; Associate Stage Manager, John Albrecht; Scenic Designer, Jason Greenhouse; Lighting Designer, Roman Klima; Costume Designer, Tina J. Wasielewski; Sound Designer, Jan Topoleski; Props by Joseph Ficarra and Wig Designer, Derek Alfano.
Show and series sponsors include: Janice Blanton, Deborah Dec, James & Arlene Donegan, JL Grandinetti, Vincent Gifford & Jean Jaslovsky, Boris Jelic, Diane & Jerry Levitz and “Broadway” Ray Soehngen.
ALGONQUIN ARTS THEATRE (AAT) is a 501c(3) non-profit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance and film. Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore region, offering broad access to arts experiences across multiple disciplines. Deeply committed to education, AAT serves students of all ages not only through art and music instruction, but also through the unique communal conversation that exists between audience member and performer. A journeyman house, AAT features the work of young and emerging artists, designers and directors working alongside seasoned professionals.
AAT provides a platform for local and regional performers to showcase their work and offers audiences the opportunity to engage very directly and personally in the arts, fostering greater participation and providing an engaging means for exploring personal and societal issues through the world of the stage.
Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding is also provided by Hackensack Meridian Health, the PNC Foundation, Manasquan Bank, the OceanFirst Foundation, the Dodge Foundation, the Provident Bank Foundation and the generosity of other businesses and our patrons.
