Man of La Mancha

ANTHONY ARPINO (Innkeeper) Anthony graduated with a BFA in Theatre Arts from Five Towns College. He recently returned from Disney Cruise Line as a performer where he portrayed the Genie and Lefou on the Disney Dream for the last four years! Anthony also can be seen as a photo double for Jonah Hill in the Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street and True Story, he also worked on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Regional credits include Horton the Elephant, Jean Valjean, Jekyll and Hyde, Max Bialystock, Nicely Nicely Johnson, Pseudolus and many more. Thank you always to my family and friends for their love and support, and the Carson/Kolker ORG.LL KYLE BREITENBACH (Muleteer) Kyle is thrilled to be making his Hampton Theatre Co. debut with Man of La Mancha. Favorite local stage credits include: SCCC: Cabaret (Clifford Bradshaw). Theatre Three: Legally Blonde (Kyle), Saturday Night Fever the Musical (Jay/Ensemble). Star Playhouse: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (James Monroe). He also has various pit orchestra and technical theater experience. MATTHEW CONLON (Cervantes/Quixote) was seen earlier this season at HTC in A Comedy of Tenors and in eleven other productions here since 1994. Selected NYC: HB Playwrights: The Game of Love and Death (with Herbert Berghof); Freud’s Last Session (with Fritz Weaver) and The Chase; Sonnet Rep: The Tempest; EST: The Traveling Lady; La Mama: A Human Equation. Partial Regional: Penobscot: To Kill a Mockingbird; Bay Street: Men’s Lives; Cleveland Play House: The Importance of Being Earnest; O’Neill: Fuddy Meers; Stage West: Suddenly Last Summer (with Kim Hunter); Mendelssohn: Oedipus Rex. Recent Film: Sweet Lorraine; The Crimson Mask; The Man from the City. TV: Law and Order(s); One Life to Live. Matthew is grateful to be reunited with Musical Director Amy McGrath, and for her invitation to audition for Sayville High School’s Babes in Arms some years ago: It’s been an impossible dream of joy and heart and magic. For Mom and Dad. ANDREW GASPARINI (Barber/Muleteer) HTC Debut! NYC/Regional credits include: The Little Mermaid (Jetsam), Curtains (Daryl Grady), Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Children of Eden (Abel/Ham), Wizard of Oz (Nikko/Ensemble), History of the Devil (Milo Milo/Duke of York) and Pentecost (Leo Katz). Training: The Acting Studio – New York. AndrewGasparini.com RICK GROSSMAN (Sancho) makes his HTC debut in the role he played in the recent Broadway National Tour, and prior to that opposite John Davidson. He holds the role dear to his heart as it was originated by his late “uncle” Irving Jacobson. Other national tours: Dirty Dancing (Max Kellerman), Bullets Over Broadway–1st Nat’l (Julian Marx), Enter Laughing (Marvin/David), Come Blow Your Horn (Buddy), Milk & Honey (Adi/Shepherd Boy). Off Broadway: The Canary, The Tiny Mustache, The Manufacturer’s Daughter, Awake & Sing, Feldman & Sons, Harry & Eddie: The Birth of Israel, Damn Yankees (Lincoln Center Outdoors). Regional Theatre: Starlight Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, Glove Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse and others. TV/Film: House of Cards, College Senior (Best Picture Award–Best Actor Nominee, L.I. Film Festival), Demons, The Pitch, The 30 Year Old Bris (Tribeca FF), Finding Oscar. As a director, Rick has staged over 150 productions across L.I., NYC, and the east coast. Rick began his career as a child actor in the Yiddish Theatre with his family, and studied at Hofstra University, The Pasadena Playhouse, and with acting guru Stella Adler. “Thanks and hugs to Ed & Amy for allowing me to ride Li’l Burro one more time!” Rick is a member of Actors Equity Association. JESSICA HOWARD (Innkeeper’s Wife/Housekeeper) is thrilled to be a part of the first musical at Hampton Theatre Company! Previous productions at HTC: The Boys Next Door (Sheila), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Nurse Flinn), Picnic (Christine), The Odd Couple Female Version (Vera), The Oldest Living Graduate (Martha Ann), Steel Magnolias (Annelle), Ah, Wilderness (Muriel), The Crucible (Susannah). Other productions: Playcrafters – Steel Magnolias (Annelle), Once in a Lifetime (Susan); Gateway Playhouse – Evita (Mistress), Phantom (Ensemble). Her most favorite role is singing with her sisters as The Howard Sisters. Thank you, Seamie, for all the love and support. Love you, honey. MICHAEL SEAN JONES (Muleteer) began the music and acting craft with Ms. Howard at Westhampton Beach High School in 2008, performing in productions of Lend Me a Tenor, Les Miserables, Titanic, and Our Town, as well as chamber choir, jazz choir and a rock ’n’ roll band briefly. He penned his first collection of romantic and devotional poetry in 2017, titled Blue Leaves. He recorded his first EP, You Are What You Seek, on guitar in 2015; he has also recorded The Great Adventure six-song album and nearly two dozen songs on the piano to date. As a storyteller, musician, artist, actor and poet, this role in Man of La Mancha is his first theatrical appearance in a number of years. JAMES M. LOTITO, JR. (Dr. Carrasco) James recently appeared as Sgt. Burchitt in HTC’s An Act Of The Imagination. This production marks his third time telling the story of the Mad Knight. Favorite regional credits include the Phantom (Phantom), Che Guevara (Evita), Ariel the Robot (Return to Forbidden Planet), Sheriff File (110 In The Shade), and Smudge (Forever Plaid). James is a Board Member of Productions Over The Rainbow, a group that offers a safe and healthy atmosphere for young adults to explore the creation of art, as well as learn about themselves. James also directs for various theatre companies on Long Island. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Plattsburgh State University. Much love to Dina and Jake. For Ed Brennan (one of my groomsmen at my wedding) and for Maxwell. JOE MANKOWSKI (Padre) Man Of La Mancha marks Joe’s debut with The Hampton Theatre Company. He recently starred in the films The Long Island Serial Killer, and with Sean Young in Send No Flowers (currently playing on Amazon Prime). In 2013, he lent his voice to Happy As Clams, a children’s interactive album by Lena Pennino-Smith, which can be found on most major music streaming platforms. Locally, his most memorable roles include Alonso in Prospero: LIVE! (World Premiere), Leo Frank in Parade, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, Edward Rutledge in 1776, and Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd. “By day,” Joe serves as the Director of Music at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church in Sayville, and is a freelance actor and recording artist. ALYSSA MARINO (Fermina) this is Alyssa’s first show with HTC. Alyssa is a recent graduate with a BFA in Acting from the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Credits include Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol (Female Swing), Clay and Wattles Theatre Company: Zorba and Fiddler on the Roof. Alyssa would like to thank her family for their endless love and support. NORA MOUTRANE (Antonia) Second go at Man of La Mancha! Previously performed Antonia and Fermina in the John Engeman Theatre At Northport production last fall. Tours: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live! (Daniel Tiger); Bright Star Touring Theatre. Most recent NYC: Mulberry Street the Musical (Theresa). Regional: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Maria Elena), Agatha Christie Made Me Do It (Cindy Hanes), There’s a Burglar In My Bed (Deborah Duval) and 42nd Street (Ensemble). Love to the fam, Sam, and all the teachers, for whom I am forever grateful. Keep on dreaming folks! www.noramoutrane.com insta: @noramoutrane ELORA VON ROSCH (Aldonza) is making her HTC debut! She was last seen traveling Europe, as a lead performer onboard Viking Ocean Cruise Line. Off Broadway: The American Girl Revue; Freedom’s Song; Come Away, NY and Regional: Bliss (Goodspeed); Hunchback of Notre Dame (WPPAC); One Way Trip to Mars (Waterville Opera House); Mythology Mixtape (Landmark Theater); Les Miserables (Broadhollow Theatre Co.); Sarah Crewe (Reading). Film/TV: Law and Order: SVU/Criminal Intent; Sex and the City; Hitch; Raising Helen; and Ted. Training: Boston Conservatory (BFA), Manhattan School of Music (Opera) and British Academy of Dramatic Arts. Thanks to Anthony and Hilda at GTA, along with her family for their undying love and support. www.eloravonrosch.com DALE WASSERMAN (1914-2008) wrote for theater, television and film for more than 50 years. Perhaps best known for the musical Man of La Mancha, based on his original teleplay, I, Don Quixote, he also wrote the stage play One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, based on Ken Kesey’s novel. Both shows continue to be produced nationally and internationally with an estimated 300 productions a year. In 2003, Wasserman published a book, The Impossible Musical, recounting the Man of La Mancha story. The Hampton Theatre Company mounted a production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 2010. EDWARD A. BRENNAN (Director) is thrilled to be directing for HTC again, having done so for their productions of The Boys Next Door, An Act of the Imagination, Deathtrap and I Hate Hamlet. He has appeared on stage with the Hampton Theatre Company as Tito/Beppo in A Comedy of Tenors, Billy in Clever Little Lies, Inspector Goole in An Inspector Calls, Angus in The Drawer Boy, Joe Foster in Becky’s New Car, Arbuthnot/Arundel in The Enchanted April, Chief Bromden in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Ralph in Frozen. His directing credits also include Doubt, Crossing Delancey, The Heidi Chronicles, Spring Awakening and South Pacific. Ed holds a Master’s degree in Theater and has directed more than 60 productions on Long Island DIANA MARBURY (Director/Set Decor) is thrilled to be a participant in developing this project with Ed Brennan and our gifted musical director, Amy McGrath. Diana is the Artistic Director and chief cook and bottle washer for the HTC. There are few jobs she has gotten out of over the 33 ½ years with the company. Directing and acting are always at the top of her list of favorite jobs to do. She had the privilege of directing the opening show of this season, A Comedy of Tenors and the delight of playing Ethel Thayer in our second production of this year, On Golden Pond. It is an honor to be bringing the company’s first adult musical to our treasured audience. She would like to give a shout out to our newly formed “Producers Circle” for giving us the opportunity to upgrade our lighting and sound equipment and our beloved audience for their continued support, and of course, our tremendous creative team and production staff. It takes a village to raise the curtain! AMY FEDERICO McGRATH (Music Director) has served as musical director, director, producer, for over 175 productions during her professional career in the tri-state area. A former co-artistic director of The John Drew Theater and executive director of The Airport Playhouse, she has also appeared on stage in diverse roles ranging from Aldonza in Man of LaMancha to Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. She serves as a program facilitator for Metropolitan Opera HD Live in Schools and considers her greatest calling to be that of teacher as she continues to nurture and advocate for all those involved in the performing arts. SEAN MARBURY (Set Designer) has worked in textile design, built sets for TV series, commercials, and films and worked with the design, engineering and fabrication of race car components. He currently works on high end residential construction. His set designs for HTC include Deathtrap, Other People’s Money, Other Desert Cities, The Foreigner, Harvey, Time Stands Still, November, An Act of the Imagination, Alarms and Excursions, Clever Little Lies, On Golden Pond and A Comedy of Tenors. TERESA LEBRUN (Costume Designer) is the resident costumer for HTC. She started helping with costumes in 1986 and has designed the costumes for all the company’s productions since 2005. Teresa also costumes for Center Moriches and Westhampton Beach High Schools. She happy to be working with co-directors Ed Brennan and Diana Marbury and this wonderful cast on HTC’s first musical! To Ed, it’s been a pleasure to work with you all these years. I always enjoyed how we shared the same vision for a show. I will miss you my friend. All the best to you and Terry! Much love to her boys, Josh and Noah, family and great friends. CARLENE DESCALO (Stage Manager) Carlene has worked around the country in a variety of capacities on film, television, and theatre and is excited to be back in her home state. Most recently, she has costume designed You Can’t Take It With You at Westhampton Beach High School and works at the Staller Center as a stagehand. She would like to thank everyone at the company for this wonderful opportunity. Break legs everyone! AARON LEVINE (Lighting/Sound Tech) is a senior at WHB HS. He is happy to work for the Hampton Theatre Company, helping with set construction and working backstage. Aaron also studies sound engineering in high school and has a passion for music. This is the third production he has worked on for the HTC and he looks forward to many more. He thanks Sean Marbury and Diana Marbury for the opportunity and involvement. JULIA MORGAN ABRAMS (House Manager). After retiring from the legal department of Bristol Myers Squibb, Julia began a second career as a volunteer, initially for Literacy Suffolk, HTC and the Southampton Animal Shelter, where she wrote grants and worked in fundraising. She continues to write grants and help with marketing for several local nonprofits. Julia would like to thank all of her dedicated House Assistants for their continued support.

Hamptons Theater Review: “Man Of La Mancha” At Quogue Community Hal

By T.J. Clemente
Hamptons.com Man of La Mancha is a spellbinding show now being presented by Hampton Theatre Company at the Quogue Community Hall. It is expertly directed by Edward A. Brennan and Diana Marbury. The performance I attended ended with a standing ovation. There is a certain magic that manifests itself whenever there is a show at the Quogue Community Hall. The audience is unique, very local and loyal in nature and very appreciative of their Hampton Theatre Company. They know the local actors and share their on-stage triumphs. Man of La Mancha is the first fully-staged musical that the Hampton Theatre Company has ever presented. The audience loved it. Matthew Conlon is outstanding as Don Quixote/Cervantes as he commanded the Quogue Community Hall stage once again with his signature gravitas. Sean Marbury, a wizard of set design, once again shows why he is the best set designer on the East End. Even before the show began the folks behind me were vocally admiring the detail and majesty of Marbury’s creation for Man of La Mancha. The singing of Elora Von Rosch who portrays Aldonza/Dulcinea is pulsating wonderful. She definitely captivated me with her powerful performance of her roles. The audience totally enjoyed her skillful presentation and her singing of her songs that had amazing magical powers. Rich Grossman (Sancho) was a crowd favorite delivering the wonderful lines of playwright Dale Wasserman with his stylish timing. Joe Mankowski (Padre) has a huge stage presence. James M. Lotito, Jr is Dr. Carrasco. He has a keen sense of movement in his acting style. Anthony Arpino (Governor/Innkeeper), Jessica Howard (Housekeeper/Innkeepers Wife), Nora Moutrane (Antonia) along with Andrew Gasparini (Barber/Muleteer), Kyle Breitenbach (Pedro), Michael Sean Jones (Anselmo) and Alyssa Marino are vibrantly strong in their roles that formed the backbone of the show with precise movement and quality song. The Musicians: Amy Federico McGraph (Piano/Conductor), Michael Kendrot (Reeds), Charles Klausen (Trumpet), Diane Hoffman (Trombone), William McGrath (Guitar) and Kevin Twigg (Percussion) performed the music by Mitch Leigh magnificently as their live music added so much to the show. Diana Marbury and Edward Brennan are to be applauded for taking on this huge undertaking and molding their efforts and the efforts of the cast into a production that produced a roaring standing ovation. Kudos and accolades to them. The song The Impossible Dream is the centerpiece of the show and Matthew Conlon present/sings/performs its various forms throughout the production. A longtime personal favorite East End actor, Matthew Conlon is but one reason the Quogue Community Hall audience supports their Hampton Theatre Company so vibrantly. They know they have something unique, something special, something enduring. Man of La Mancha will no doubt be remembered as the first success of what will be many musicals to follow. Man of La Mancha can be seen at the Quogue Community Hall from Thursday, March 21 through Sunday, April 7, with shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. There will be an additional matinee performance during the final weekend of the production, on Saturday, April 6. Special dinner and theater packages will be presented in collaboration with the Westhampton, Southampton, Hampton Bays and Quogue libraries, as will a special lunch and theater package offered at Quogue Club at the Hallock House for the Saturday matinee on April 6. Quogue Community Hall is located at 125 Jessup Avenue in Quogue. For more information, call 1-866-811-4111

Both my husband and myself enjoyed the show last night. It was “laugh out loud” funny!! Looking forward to the next production from the Hampton Theatre!
– Albert and Mary Calise “What an incredible night it was when Man of La Mancha opened in Quogue. My husband and I loved the acting, singing and the laughs that we had last evening. Go see it; if you don’t you’re going to miss a special event.”
– Linda Morrissey Olsen “Spectacular performance!  Man of La Mancha has long been my favorite musical and I’m delighted you chose to do it. Quite a feat! Kudos to your entire production staff and especially the fine actors and singers. Fantastic!”
– Mary Ann Giorgio “One of the most enjoyable shows we have seen. What an amazing cast! Definitely will spread the word.” 
– Bonnie Metsch “I’m still cloaked in the warm feeling after yesterday attending Man of La Mancha. My eyes were tearing and I was laughing throughout the entire musical. Great script, timeless message and a classic tale made for a great base to start with. But it’s your collective effort, spirit and heart that radiated from the stage to embrace us, the audience. I felt it through the great chemistry of the performers, the director’s guidance and such great set design.”
– Snezana Grosfeld