About the Show
What happens when you turn around and suddenly discover that you are an adult, longing for the child within? While surrounded by major life responsibilities, how do you differentiate between what is real love and what is just the illusion of love? How do you move forward when the one driving force-feeding your soul is nowhere to be found?
To me this is what makes NINE so deeply human – those primal questions that we all struggle with of “How did I get here?” and “What do I do now?”
With such a lush, brilliant book and lyrics, much like the Fellini film that inspired it, NINE encourages exploration of its subject, almost begging for bold and fresh storytelling. Like a film, Guido struggling with these questions is full of fantasy, flashbacks, sex, moments blending into one another always layering on top of him.
Using the vocabulary of movie making as my basis, directing this group of artists has been a joy. Watching them stretch into creative areas sometimes out of their comfort zone, crafting moments that startle and thrill is exciting. The marriage of musical theatre and staging it full of cinematic movement has been my goal. Having a collaborator as musically brilliant as Mattew Hosmer has been a personal gift I couldn’t be more grateful for. We have been crafting this production for months, measure by measure, moment by moment creating a joy for all the senses.
NINE has lived in my head for longer than I can remember, and I would be amiss if I didn’t acknowledge the directors who have inspired me with their bold, creative interpretations of this incredible work over the years. Thank you, Tommy Tune, Sam Mendes, and Andy Blankenbuehler! You all have given me the courage to go out on my own and create the NINE I needed to see as I ask the same questions of myself that Guido does. (if you look closely, you will see subtle nods to each of your wonderful productions).
What we have discovered during this process is that no one struggles alone with these questions. The key for me was giving the women empowerment in Guido’s life to challenge and help get him through this life crossroad.
Cast
Jessi Baden (Sarraghina) Jessi is delighted to be returning to OLT working with some truly incredible talent! Recent credits include Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Nine (Sarraghina), Deathtrap (Helga Ten Dorp), Suite Surrender (Claudia McFadden) Chamber Music (Joan of Arc), The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde (Queen Victoria, Narrator 5) Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play (Quincy/Bart), A Very Great Mischief (Dorothea) Elf (Deb & Manager), The Medium (Baba), Mamma Mia (Rosie), Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider), 1776 (John Dickinson), Agamemnon (Klytemnestra), Don Carlo (La Principessa D'Eboli).
Kaitlyn Barnes (Lady of the Spa) Owner and director of Aurora Music Academy (AMA) in Englewood Cliffs, soprano Kaitlyn Barnes is thrilled to be working with this incredible cast and production team in Nine. Kaitlyn was most recently seen as Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre with The Park Players this past Spring, and she has also performed in several OLT cabarets as well as in their production of Titanic last Fall. She is so happy to be reunited with so many former cast mates in this production! Kaitlyn is also very proud to once again share the stage with AMA student Marcus Reyes and wishes him the best in this production! Past favorite roles include Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus) Dido (Dido and Aeneas) and Cinderella (Into the Woods). Kaitlyn has been extremely blessed to work with great musicians both in the U.S. and in Europe and is hoping for more adventures soon! She would like to say a special thank you to her family, especially her father Joseph Barnes for his never-ending love and support. She would also like to thank her partner Gerard Macanas for being her “something to hold onto”. Kaitlyn is a proud EDS “Zebra” and would like to remind everyone to listen to their bodies, take care of themselves, and get regular check-ups! All of Kaitlyn’s work is in memory of her mother, Jacalyn Barnes.
Lila Bell (Renata) is very excited to be a part of the company at Old Library Theater. As a recent high school graduate, this is Lila’s first community theater show. In the past, she has joined the cast of Mamma Mia, Alice in Wonderland, Wicked, and many more.
Lisa Cortney (Carla Albanese) is a classically trained ballerina, entrepreneur and very proud momma of 3. After pounding the Wall Street pavement for 17 years, Lisa returned to NJ stages in 2022 and has since played some of musical theatre’s most notable triple threat roles, including "Cassie" in A Chorus Line, "Charity" in Sweet Charity, "Fastrada" in Pippin and "Linda" in The Wedding Singer. Other favorite recent credits include "Emily Hobbes" in Elf, The Musical and Guido's other love and muse, "Claudia", in NINE earlier this year. Lisa would like to thank Chris, Matt, Jeff and team for warmly welcoming her to OLT and trusting her with the vibrancy and fragility of "Carla". She is forever grateful for Alex's relentless encouragement to chase her dreams, and Amalia, Alexandra and Troy's endless love and support of mommy's passion. “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” - Jennifer Lee IG: @lisacortney
Evan T. Charpentier (Guido's Mother) Evan directed last season’s Perry-nominated production of Titanic for OLT, and later this year, will return to her Shakespeare roots to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream (December 13-15th, 2024). You may have seen her perform in Avenue Q (Lucy), The Vagina Monologues, Dogfight (Mama), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Jeannie), Children of Eden (Mama Noah), Baby (Arlene), It Shoulda Been You (Jenny), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Little Shop (voice of Twoie) and Head Over Heels (Pamela). She is also a Music Director, having MD’d BatBoy, Little Miss Sunshine, All Shook Up, A New Brain, and numerous Cabarets and Concerts. www.evanmakesmusic.com for more. Beijinhos, queerida.
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Morgan Ford (Sofia) is excited to be back at OLT! Morgan has been dancing, singing, and acting for over 12 years. Her favorite past roles include Cinderella (Ella), Into the Woods (Jack), and Pride and Prejudice (Lizzie Bennet). She has also choreographed and directed. She lives in Uptown Manhattan with her two cats, Pastina and Rigatoni, where she works as a data scientist. Seek a life useful.
Caitlin Greene (Diana) came to Old Library Theatre in 2022 for the first time performing as a member of the Ensemble in It Shoulda Been You. In 2023, she joined the cast of Titanic the Musical as Kate Mullins and participated in various concerts during the same year. Caitlin lent her voice to Pam in the 39 Steps in Vintage Hitchcock at OLT. She is so excited to once again step on the OLT stage as Diana in Nine. Caitlin would not be able to do what she does without the love and support of her partner Matthew and her children, Milo, Goten, Gohan, Nail, and Trunks.
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Kay Koch (Olga) is thrilled to be back at OLT after appearing earlier this season in The Big Gay Cabaret and being honored with the 2023 OLT Award for her role as Katherine Wiley in Radium Girls. Favorite recent credits: Shakespeare in Hollywood (Lydia Lansing – Trilogy Repertory), Gloria: A Life (Gloria Steinem - OffBook Productions), Beehive! The 60s Musical (Laura/Janis Joplin - The Barn Theatre), The Toxic Avenger (Ma/Mayor Babs - Players Guild of Leonia), Ragtime (Mother - BCP). Thanks, hugs, and fistbumps to Chris, Jeff and our incredible creative team! Endless love to this incredible cast and my favorite “partnerd”-in-crime, Packy.
Kim Lougheed (Claudia Nardi ) is proud to be returning to the world of theatre after a five-year hiatus! Making her debut with Old Library Theatre, she is thrilled to bring Claudia Nardi to life in the show she’s been listening to since she was a child. Earning her BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University, she’s ecstatic to be on the stage in a community setting. Thanks go out to her husband Dan, parents, Chris, Jeff, Matt, and fellow cast mates for making this transition back to the stage as seamless as possible.
Dan Maceyak (Guido) is thrilled to be making his OLT debut! He is beyond honored to get the chance to visit this complex and fascinating character once again. Other NJ theatre highlights have been Nine (Guido) at Chatham Community Players, the Cranford Dramatic Club’s production of A Bronx Tale (Sonny), and Songs for a New World (Man2) at UCPAC. Before moving to NJ, Dan spent many years as a professional actor in and out of NYC. During those years he had the privilege to work with some incredible talents on and off Broadway on national tours and in regional theaters. He was seen in such shows as South Pacific, Grease, Forever Plaid, and The Lion in Winter, to name a few. Dan is a proud graduate of NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts as well as the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where he obtained his BFA in Acting and BSN in Nursing, respectively. Dan would like to thank Chris and Matt and all of the gang at OLT for giving him another chance to work on this beautiful show and the opportunity to work with such a stellar group of women. He dedicates this performance to the true performer and singer in his family, his 17-year-old miniature dachshund, Dewey.
Eileen Mager (Annabella) is happy to return to OLT, having performed as the title character, Joy, in OLT’s East Coast premiere of Unexpected Joy in 2021. A former Board member, online store manager, and online ticket manager for the Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Eileen has sunk her teeth into most of Gilbert & Sullivan's principal mezzo/contralto roles, including Katisha in The Mikado, Buttercup in HMS Pinafore, and Mad Margaret in Ruddigore. Eileen recently had a blast starring in A Tribute to Carol Burnett (Theatre League of Clifton) and has performed in several children's shows, both locally and on tour.
Pamela Pedersen (Camilla) is delighted to be performing in her first production at The Old Library Theatre. She has had so much fun singing, dancing, and acting in these beautiful numbers with such a wonderful cast and crew. She has recently performed in Violet at Stageworks Studio 237 in May. Some of her favorite shows that she has performed in were Beehive at The Barn Theatre, Violet at Stageworks Studio 237, Jekyll and Hyde at the Star Royale Theatre, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Golden Oldies, and Beauty and the Beast on the Rhino Theatre Mainstage. Pamela is an elementary music teacher, wife, mother of two, and dog mom to four pups when she is not on the stage. She is grateful to her friends and family for their love and support and would like to thank all those involved in Nine for making this a positive, wonderful, and fun experience with The Old Library Theatre.
Jodi Reiss (Lina Darling) Jodi is so excited to be making her debut on the OLT stage in this amazing production of Nine. Previously she has performed at The Players Guild of Leonia as Myra Bruhl in Deathtrap, and several one act plays. She also is currently sitting on the board of The PGL as their Vice President.
When not performing, Jodi keeps busy as an anesthesiologist, a mom to two bright young men, and wife to the most supportive husband around. Always on the go, she loves to relax by baking for her family, friends and castmates.
Thank you to Chris for this wonderful opportunity and to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and friendship.
Marcus Reyes (Little Guido) is thrilled to portray Young Guido. Previously, he captivated audiences as the complex John Reed in Park Players’ Jane Eyre. Furthering his artistic growth at Bergen Performing Arts Center, Marcus is a passionate actor, singer, and pianist. His ability to convey emotion shines through his powerful performances in the MLK Oratory at Notre Dame Academy.
Laura Penney Shamir (Luisa Contini) Recent productions include Titanic at OLT and The Pirates of Penzance with The Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. Other favorite roles have included Cordelia in Falsettos, the Balladeer in Assassins, and the Housewife in Working. Laura sings with The Lakeside Choraliers, a local choir based in Park Ridge, NJ, and has sung with a wide variety of virtual choirs including Chris Lombardi Acapella, Choirantine, ChoirCast, Stay at Home Choir, and the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale. Congratulations to this incredible cast and crew! Special thanks to Chris, Matt, Jeff, Armanda, and Dawn, voice teacher Yelena Dof-Donskaya, Italian coach Daniela Aschei, and her personal support team: husband Dan and offspring Ryan and Dash. Grazie mille!
Leslie Silverman (Liliane La Fleur) Leslie is thrilled to be working again with OLT. Her previous roles at OLT were: Lou Newman in Unexpected Joy, and Armanda in Sweet Charity. Some of her favorite roles have been: The Witched Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Nancy in Oliver, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Hysteria in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anita in West Side Story, Lady Thaing in The King and I, Suzannah in Tintypes, Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business, Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Muzzy Van Hossmier in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mrs. Muller in Doubt, Mrs. McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, Helene in Sweet Charity. Her directing credits include: Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Pirates of Penzance, Seussical, Bye, Bye Birdie, Motherhood Out Loud, The Music Man.
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Erica Stuppler (Julietta) is excited to be returning to the OLT stage, this time in NINE, the Musical. Select credits include Cry It Out (Lina), Steel Magnolias (Annelle), West Side Story (Anybodys), Grease (Assistant Choreographer/Dance Captain/Cha Cha), The Wedding Singer (Dance Captain/Cher Impersonator), Elf, The Musical (Dance Captain/Charlie), Pippin (Player), Sweet Charity (Rosie/Fandango Dancer), and the Sondheim Tribute Revue (Featured Performer). Special thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team for their dedication in making this show a success.
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Emma Thayer (Maria) is thrilled to be returning to the OLT stage in Nine! Her previous roles include Kate McGowan in Titanic at Old Library Theatre, Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus with Teaneck New Theatre, A Gemini twin in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with The Barn Theatre, as well as a Gargoyle in The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Rhino Theatre. In her off stage time Emma works with exotic animals, & is interning to become a Veterinary Technician.
Beth Valenti (Stephanie Necrophorus) OLT has always been a special theater company to Beth. She has peformed in many productions with OLT when OLT was actually in the old library on River Road. Life long friendships and collaborations go back to the early 80’s and continue to this day. Beth is thrilled to be back doing a main stage production with this amazingly talented group. Beth was last seen at Stageworks in Sondheim Tribute. Some of her memorable roles were Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Madame), The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch of the West), Annie (Miss Hannigan), Pippin (Berthe), Nunsense (Mother Superior), Hello Dolly (Dolly), Chorus Line (Sheila), Chicago (Roxie) to name a few. She has also appeared in her one-woman show in NYC working with Helen Baldassare, Jay Rogers, Rick Jensen and Dick Gallagher who were well known in the New York cabaret scene. Beth would like to express her thanks to the Chris, Matt, Jeff, Lillian and the rest of this amazing crew who have made this a pure joy and privilege to be a part of this production. Also, a special thank you to the best husband ever, Joe, who is so incredibly supportive!
Production Team
Chris Hietikko (Director) is thrilled to be working with OLT. Most recently, he directed Deathtrap (Players Guild of Leonia), which was nominated for a total of nine NJACT Perry Awards, including Best Director (winning for Best Props and Best Scenic Design). Prior to that, he directed Hand to God (Nutley Little Theatre) and Falsettos (Tulsa Repertory Musicals). He won the Best Director Award at the 6th Annual One Act Jamboree at Rhino Theatre for his production of The One That Got Away. As a professional actor, some of the theatres he has appeared at are McCarter, Shakespeare Theatre of DC, NJ Shakes, The Old Globe Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Rep Theatre of St. Louis, and The English Theatre of Frankfurt. Chris is also a headshot photographer www.chrishietikkophotography.com. Gratitude to his entire creative team, this incredible cast, the best stage manager anyone could ask for and always - his amazing family for the daily laughs and support. More about Chris at www.chrishietikko.com
Matthew Hosmer (Music Director) is making his music director debut with OLT. His first outing with the company was as Harold Bride in "Titanic: The Musical." (Supporting Actor Perry Nominations) Other music director credits include "Ride the Cyclone" (Stageworks 2-3-7), "Fiddler on the Roof" (Plays-in-the-Park), "Legally Blonde (Plays-in-the-Park), "Next to Normal" (Hemlock), "1776" (WCT), "A Grand Night For Singing" (Hemlock), "Bonnie & Clyde" (Stageworks 2-3-7).
Armanda Cerquiera (Producer) is thrilled to be working with such an amazing cast and production team. Due to a severe "stage allergy", Armanda spends her time behind the scenes as a Director, Producer, and Intimacy Choreographer/Director. Armanda has served on the Executive Board of Old Library Theatre since 2020 and is honored to serve as Vice President this season. Previous credits include Cinderella (Intimacy Choreography, OLT), Titanic (Perry Nominated Producer, OLT, ), PROM (Producer, OLT), Much Ado About Nothing (Producer/Tech Director, OLT), It Shoulda Been You (Director, OLT), Twelfth Night (Producer/ Tech Director, OLT). Much love to my Carinha "Sofa", our fuzzy diminutive buttheads, and my theatre ride or dies.
Dawn Toussas (Producer) is excited to be on the Production Team for Nine. This is Dawn’s second time as a producer at OLT. It has been amazing to see the creativity and talented performers bring this story to life! Dawn has enjoyed working with her fellow production team members behind the scenes to make the magic on-stage possible. Dawn joined the OLT Board earlier this year and has been quickly learning “the ropes”. She joins her family, Dave, Calista and Michaela in their love of the theatre; though they are performing, she’ll enjoy the view from backstage or in the audience, LOL. Dawn wishes to thank Louis, Ryan and Evan for their patience and partnership, and wishes the cast, orchestra and crew a successful run!
Jeff Parsons (Stage Manager) is excited to return to backstage life where he can once again say his favorite line - “Is that your prop?”. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with this phenomenal cast and creative team. Most recently, he appeared on stage in A New Brain, Titanic, and The Prom (Old Library Theatre), Falsettos (Antrim Playhouse), Elf (CDC), and Greater Tuna (Studio Players). Jeff has spent many years producing and stage managing for film and stage, including Deathtrap (PGL), Hand to God (Nutley Little Theatre), It Shoulda Been You (OLT), and the first middle school pilot production of Wicked Jr at Teaneck Community Charter School. This year, he won NJACT Perry Awards for both his props and contributions to scenic design for Deathtrap. He is grateful to his incredibly supportive family.
Lilian Smith (Choreographer) is a dancer, performer, and choreographer from Teaneck, NJ. In 2020, Lillian moved to Columbus, Ohio, and joined BalletMet as a trainee. While at BalletMet Lillian had the opportunity to dance George Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht, Western Symphony, The Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia. Lillian has also participated in BalletMet company productions including The Nutcracker and Edwaard Liang’s Giselle.
In the fall of 2022, Lillian joined the Chevalier Ballet Company in NYC as a member of the Corps de Ballet, performing in Sara Knight's Joplin, The Nutcracker, and Beatles. In 2023, Lillian additionally joined CityDance NY as a company artist, having danced in The Snow Queen, Mixed repertoire, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is also a company dancer with Hudson Ballet Theatre, performing in The Nutcracker, the NYC premiere of Warp and Weft, and Beauty and the Beast. As a choreographer, Lillian has had three completed works in her repertoire, Old Fashioned, Baiao Destemperado, and Supplicant, as well as two musicals, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Mamma Mia.
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Katie Lupfer (Costume Designer) Katie is thrilled to be designing costumes for OLT's production of NINE. You may have recently seen her on stage at OLT in A New Brain (Nancy D/ Waitress) or in The Big Gay Cabaret. Katie has costumed many productions for The Bergen County Players and received the Perry Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a play for A Shayna Maidel and Perry nominations for Ragtime, Whodunnit? and The Man Who Came to Dinner. Katie would like to thank her parents for always supporting her in her creative endeavors.
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Colleen C. Conwell (Sound & Lighting Design) is excited to be working on OLT's production of Nine the Musical. A 30+ year veteran of Theatre, Colleen has worked in London and various cities in the US. She now serves as the Technical Theater Supervisor for the George Frey Center for the Performing Arts in Fair Lawn, NJ.