The Strollers Presents "Twisted Tales" Online For Halloween
![The Strollers Presents "Twisted Tales" Online For Halloween](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2021/HappyHalloween.jpg "The Strollers Presents "Twisted Tales" Online For Halloween")
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Strollers presents a virtual stage production, "Twisted Tales" by Saki - a free presentation of 5 spooky stories with surprise endings that are fiendishly family friendly. Celebrate Halloween safely from home with Ghostess, Mrs. Emma Tarry and company. Productions take place via ZOOM on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30th at 7:00pm. Visit their website on the show day for the ZOOM link.
“The Storyteller” - Narrator: Sharmeen Azmudeh; Aunt: Dena Daniel; Nephew: Leo Hanson; Younger niece: Violet Hanson; Older niece: Zoe Hanson; Bachelor: Donald Pauselius
“Gabriel-Ernest” - Narrator: Ginny S. Crooks; Cunningham: Patrick Horan; Van Cheele: John Fraissinet; Boy: Romon 8 Danuser/Dylan Graham; Aunt: Fran Shultz
“Tobermory” - Narrator: Judy French; Lady Blemly: Judy Gajary; Lady Wilfred: Stephanie Turner; Agnus Resker: Ellen Moschel; Mavis Pellington: Carol Cornicelli; Cornelius Appin: Alan Foster; Tobermory: Vlada Borisova-Duran
“Laura” - Laura: Dena Daniel; Amanda: Fran Shultz; Sir Lulworth Quayne: Donald Pauselius; Egbert: John Fraissinet; Aurora: Carol Cornicelli
“The Open Window” - Narrator: Sharmeen Azmudeh; Vera (niece): Zoe Hanson; Framton Nuttel: Patrick Horan; Mrs. Sappleton: Ginny S. Crooks; Mr. Sappleton: Alan Foster
Production: Carol Cornicelli (director, producer, script adaptation, cast) is an actress/singer/dancer who has also directed, choreographed, written, and designed for The Strollers and currently serves as president of the Board of Directors. The adaptation of literary works for the stage (virtual or otherwise) using the method called “chamber theater” is one of Carol’s favorite activities, and she has enjoyed the opportunity The Strollers Virtual Stage has given her to use this theatrical technique. Thanks to all for joining us on our Virtual Adventure!
Cast Members:
Sharmeen Azmudeh has always loved theatre and the arts. In her younger days, she participated in plays, musicals, and choirs as well as helping out backstage. Halloween has always been her favorite holiday, so she is especially excited to take part in “Twisted Tales by Saki." Sharmeen is looking forward to eventually being able to perform on the live stage again!
Vlada Borisova-Duran has performed with The Strollers in musicals and children’s theater. She earned her B.F.A. and master’s degree equivalent from The Kiev Governmental Academy of Performing Arts and The Kiev Governmental University of Theatre and Cinematography. Vlada has performed extensively throughout Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the U.S.A.
Mary Clare Cardoni has been involved with The Strollers for many years, on stage and off. She particularly loves children’s theater where she has played such roles as Beta Fish (The Day the Rainbow Broke Up), Jane, the president’s co-host (The Electronic Dragon), and the Blue Fairy (Once Upon a Pandora’s Box). In recent years, she has managed the box office for the group and considers herself the “opening act” for every show on stage!
Ginny S. Crooks is thrilled to perform again with The Strollers after having made her Strollers debut in Working, A Musical before the lockdown. She has since appeared in the premier Virtual Stage production, Four by Two, and Lady Parts. Other favorite roles include Amanda Wingfield (The Glass Menagerie), Linda Loman (Death of a Salesman), Vivian Bearing (Wit), and Lisa the Homeless Lady (A New Brain). She has a degree in Drama from Catholic University, and interned at The Barter Theatre in Virginia and CSC Rep in NYC. Ginny also performs in a one-woman play about Civil Rights activist Virginia Durr titled Too Many Questions: An Evening with Virginia Durr.
Dena Daniel is an actor/singer and long-time member of The Strollers, currently serving as a board trustee. Favorite roles include Velma von Tussle (Hairspray), Mrs. van Daan (The Diary of Anne Frank), Veronica (God of Carnage), and Tom Snout (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Dena has directed workshops and children’s theater, and also directed last November’s Virtual Stage production of ‘Art’. Dena salutes the Virtual Stage ninja warriors who have kept theater live and alive during a most difficult season and a half!
Romon 8 Danuser is a freshman at Columbia High School. He enjoys acting, video games, video game music, and tennis. In 2018 Romon starred as a host in the Tuscan Show; in 2019 he was a part of The Stroller's presentation of Fiddler on the Roof, and in 2020 he was part of ‘Brett’s Crew’ in MMS’s production of 13. He performs in the Marble Collegiate Church Youth choir in Manhattan and often serves as his family's MC. He dedicates his performance to his family, but mostly to his best pal Jerome Devonte, his labradoodle, whom he promises to walk every single day!
Alan Foster has been involved with The Strollers as a director, stage manager, and actor, and he now sits on the board of trustees. He has directed a number of plays, both here and in his native California.
John Fraissinet is pleased to be spending time with The Strollers for the second time after appearing in Fuddy Meers. He has performed in 30+ shows in Northern NJ and produces/directs and is on the Board at theaters in Montclair (Studio Players) and Teaneck (TNT). Some favorite roles have been Robert (Boeing Boeing), Avram (Fiddler on the Roof), Charle (August: Osage County), the Emperor (New Clothes for the Emperor), the Snail (A Year with Frog and Toad), Krojack (Don't Drink the Water). He will be in "Clark Gable Slept Here" in February at Nutley, and is looking forward to directing Aaron Sorkin's "The Farnsworth Invention" for TNT next June at HacPac. Love to talented, beautiful Donna.
Judy French, as many others before her, joined The Strollers as an actor but has taken on many different “roles” through the years -- director, president, house manager, publicity chair, sound, props, and most recently costumes. Special thanks to the late, great Bob Coe for casting her in Arsenic and Old Lace oh so many years ago.
Judi Gajary has been a member of The Strollers since 1984. She has acted in many productions over the years and has held every position on the Board of Trustees, including President three times. In addition, she has done makeup, costumes, and lighting, and has been a producer, stage manager, and set designer. She is thrilled to be able to perform with the Virtual Stage project on Zoom during the pandemic. Some of her favorite roles are Blanche (Broadway Bound), Hedy LaRue (How to Succeed in Business…), and Aunt March (Little Women).
Dylan Graham is enjoying another Virtual Stage production with The Strollers, having previously appeared on stage in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cobweb), The Day the Rainbow Broke Up (Orange), Fiddler on the Roof, and How the World Got Wisdom. Dylan is a 7th grader at SOMS and has taken acting classes at Luna Stage and Papermill Playhouse. He loves the Philadelphia Eagles, singing, meteorology, and he absolutely loves the excitement of live theater!
Leo Hanson is enjoying his foray into theater through The Strollers Virtual Stage program. He first appeared as a creepy twin (along with his actual twin) in last Halloween’s production of Shivery Shorts, then in Animal Tails. Leo is a 5th grader at Tuscan Elementary and loves building Lego, playing video games with friends, and playing with the family guinea pigs.
Violet Hanson is thrilled to be performing with The Strollers once again, having previously appeared on stage in The Day the Rainbow Broke Up, How the World Got Wisdom, and on the virtual stage in Animal Tails, and as a creepy twin in last Halloween’s presentation of Shivery Shorts. Violet is a 5th grader at Tuscan elementary and loves all things soccer, fashion, and video games with friends.
Zoe Hanson is delighted to be returning for another Strollers Virtual Stage production; she was last seen in Animal Tails, and before that was featured as Detrimenta in Shivery Shorts. On the physical stage, she appeared in How the World Got Wisdom, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Day the Rainbow Broke Up. Other performances include acting as host for the 2018 Tuscan Show. Zoe loves science, reading, music, and running campaigns as a Dungeons and Dragons Dungeonmaster.
Patrick Horan is happy to be performing with The Strollers again, especially under the able direction of Carol Cornicelli. He was last seen on The Strollers stage as Vanya (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike). An English teacher at Morristown-Beard School and the Director of Music at Livingston United Methodist Church, Patrick has directed, musically directed, and/or appeared in many plays throughout the New York/New Jersey area. Favorite roles include Mother Superior (The Divine Sister), King Sextimus the Silent”(Once Upon a Mattress), Man in Chair (The Drowsy Chaperone), Peter Patrone (The
Heidi Chronicles), and Milt Fields (Laughter on the 23rd Floor). In February 2022, Patrick will be appearing onstage in Clark Gable Slept Here at the Nutley Little Theater.
Ellen Moschel is celebrating 40 years with The Strollers (though many were as Ellen Johnson) and has served many roles in the group: board trustee, treasurer, newsletter editor, stage manager, assistant director, party chair, costumer, props manager, grant writer, and of course assorted support staff. Ellen has undergraduate and graduate degrees in theatre and has performed on The Strollers stage in such roles as Aunt Jenny (I Remember Mama) and Mrs. Webb (Our Town).
Donald Pauselius has been active in community theatre for much of his life and has performed in productions with various groups all over Northern New Jersey. Some of his favorite roles include Ben Weatherstaff (The Secret Garden), Mal Bieneke (The Addams Family), Judge Omar Gaffney (Harvey), King Charlemagne (Pippin), and the Big Bad Wolf/Scrooge (Fairy Tale Christmas Carol). Donald first came to The Strollers when he appeared in Working, A Musical. He then took on the role of Serge in the Virtual Stage production of ‘Art’.
Beth Seales-Hanson is loving her second life on The Strollers stage! Her debut was alongside her two daughters in the children’s production The Day the Rainbow Broke Up, in which she played Butterfly. She then appeared in Fiddler on the Roof and How the World Got Wisdom. She was last seen on the virtual stage as the host of The Strollers’ October performance, Shivery Shorts. She now serves on the board of trustees, and is very proud and pleased to do so!
Fran Shultz is delighted to be doing her first Virtual Stage performance. She was last seen on stage as Cassandra (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), and has enjoyed many other roles on The Strollers’ stage. She has costumed many productions as well as directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream among others. Fran studied and performed improvisation at Second City in Chicago after having earned her MFA in Theatre from Ohio University, where she also taught acting. She has also taught in NYC and for the Paper Mill Summer Conservatory. She currently serves on the board of The Strollers and is the group’s treasurer.
The Strollers is a community theater troupe in Maplewood, New Jersey that has been in continuous operation since 1932. Each year they produce a season of two plays and a musical, as well as a children's theater production in midwinter. They welcome anyone with an interest in the arts and a willingness to work toward a common goal, whether onstage or behind the scenes. Their diverse membership includes people of all ages and from all walks of life. Whether you have always been a theater person or just enjoy the fun of working on a creative project, The Strollers welcomes you.
