Alzheimers: The Musical
In this musical comedy, Maurice Green, Broadway's shining star, must tackle his most challenging role yet. Equal parts grin-splitting comedy and tear-jerking drama, both actors and audience alike explore what happens when the body remains strong as the mind fades; Alzheimer's: The Musical teaches viewers that sometimes we need laughter to bear us through great difficulty.
Showtimes and Ticket Information
Come see us in person!
Actors International Theatre will be performing four shows of Alzheimers: The Musical at the Philly Fringe Festival September 13th-20th. Get your tickets now!
Hurry before they're all sold out!
The showtimes are:
Sunday September 13th at 3 pm
Monday September 14th at 7 pm
Saturday September 19th at 5 pm
Sunday September 20th at 7 pm
The running time is 75 minutes, followed by a 30 minute talk back.
The performances will be at Plays and Players Theatre in the Skinner Studio.
1714 Delancey Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.playsandplayers.org/
Actors International Theatre will be performing four shows of Alzheimers: The Musical at the Philly Fringe Festival September 13th-20th. Get your tickets now!
Hurry before they're all sold out!
The showtimes are:
Sunday September 13th at 3 pm
Monday September 14th at 7 pm
Saturday September 19th at 5 pm
Sunday September 20th at 7 pm
The running time is 75 minutes, followed by a 30 minute talk back.
The performances will be at Plays and Players Theatre in the Skinner Studio.
1714 Delancey Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.playsandplayers.org/
Cast and Crew
Maurice.....................................................................................................Jerry Puma
Warren.............................................................................................Mitchell Trichon
Jeff..............................................................................................................Bill Collins
Dana................................................................................................Carmen Shapiro
Sarah...........................................................................................Marissa Moschetta
Producer.............................................................................................Katherine Filer
Director...........................................................................................William McKinlay
Lighting/Sound..............................................................................Dominic Olivastro
Wardrobe Design.............................................................................Michelle Mercier
Warren.............................................................................................Mitchell Trichon
Jeff..............................................................................................................Bill Collins
Dana................................................................................................Carmen Shapiro
Sarah...........................................................................................Marissa Moschetta
Producer.............................................................................................Katherine Filer
Director...........................................................................................William McKinlay
Lighting/Sound..............................................................................Dominic Olivastro
Wardrobe Design.............................................................................Michelle Mercier
Bios
Jerry Puma (Maurice) :
Jerry has been privileged to work on stages both large and small throughout the Philadelphia area. In addition to theatrical work he has appeared in commercials, industrials, voice over, and film. A strong advocate of new works he has participated in staged readings for playwrights at the Phila. Dramatists Center, A.C.T. and the Brick Playhouse. Other interests include portrayals of Historical characters for American Historic Theater and for Historic Philadelphia Inc. an organization for which Jerry worked as Program Coordinator. Over the years he has had the good fortune to work with many talented casts, forging and embracing artistic relationships. He welcomes the opportunity of collaborating with Actors International Theatre in this new venture.
Jerry has been privileged to work on stages both large and small throughout the Philadelphia area. In addition to theatrical work he has appeared in commercials, industrials, voice over, and film. A strong advocate of new works he has participated in staged readings for playwrights at the Phila. Dramatists Center, A.C.T. and the Brick Playhouse. Other interests include portrayals of Historical characters for American Historic Theater and for Historic Philadelphia Inc. an organization for which Jerry worked as Program Coordinator. Over the years he has had the good fortune to work with many talented casts, forging and embracing artistic relationships. He welcomes the opportunity of collaborating with Actors International Theatre in this new venture.
Mitchell Trichon (Warren):
Mitchell is a co-founder of Stutter Social and a faculty member of La Salle University where he teaches and supervises speech-language pathology students in the classroom & clinic as part of his responsibilities. His published research which examines the role of self-help activities for people who stutter, has been presented internationally. Mitch has been an advocate for people who stutter for over 25 years. As an active member of the NSA, he was on the Board of Directors and led the national network of adult support groups. He also led three chapters and became the co-leader of the Philadelphia chapter. Mitch was a CPA in New York before he pursued his dream to become speech-language pathologist. Mitch has always had an interest in acting and comedy. This will be his first acting appearance since wearing the sheep suit while uttering, “the sheep goes bah, bah, bah, he is lovely bah, bah, bah” in his Kindergarten play. Contact: mitchelltrichon@gmail.com
Mitchell is a co-founder of Stutter Social and a faculty member of La Salle University where he teaches and supervises speech-language pathology students in the classroom & clinic as part of his responsibilities. His published research which examines the role of self-help activities for people who stutter, has been presented internationally. Mitch has been an advocate for people who stutter for over 25 years. As an active member of the NSA, he was on the Board of Directors and led the national network of adult support groups. He also led three chapters and became the co-leader of the Philadelphia chapter. Mitch was a CPA in New York before he pursued his dream to become speech-language pathologist. Mitch has always had an interest in acting and comedy. This will be his first acting appearance since wearing the sheep suit while uttering, “the sheep goes bah, bah, bah, he is lovely bah, bah, bah” in his Kindergarten play. Contact: mitchelltrichon@gmail.com
Bill Collins (Jeff):
Billy is a Delaware native who moved to Philadelphia four years ago. He holds an undergraduate degree in English and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. He got ambushed in college to act in one play and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, despite the ambush. Since then, his biggest role has been acting like a responsible adult for which there are no televised awards. He has stuttered since he was at least 5 years old and only recently began to acknowledge "Yes, I stutter, and that's ok." He attended his first national NSA conference in 2012 and since then he has become more involved in the Philly NSA chapter and with Passing Twice, a group of LGBT identified people who stutter. He became involved with AIT after attending their previous two shows in Philadelphia. He is thankful to his family and friends for their love, support, and putting up with his terrible, terrible jokes. Contact: billylcollinsjr@gmail.com
Billy is a Delaware native who moved to Philadelphia four years ago. He holds an undergraduate degree in English and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. He got ambushed in college to act in one play and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, despite the ambush. Since then, his biggest role has been acting like a responsible adult for which there are no televised awards. He has stuttered since he was at least 5 years old and only recently began to acknowledge "Yes, I stutter, and that's ok." He attended his first national NSA conference in 2012 and since then he has become more involved in the Philly NSA chapter and with Passing Twice, a group of LGBT identified people who stutter. He became involved with AIT after attending their previous two shows in Philadelphia. He is thankful to his family and friends for their love, support, and putting up with his terrible, terrible jokes. Contact: billylcollinsjr@gmail.com
Carmen Shapiro (Dana):
Carmen is a member of the Philadelphia National Stuttering Association Group and has been the chapter's leader since November 2013. She now co-leads the chapter with Mitchell Trichon. She was born and raised in Spain and has been living in the US for the last 24 years. Carmen works as a manager of IT projects at IMS Health, a company that provides information, services and technology for the healthcare industry. "Alzheimers the Musical" is her first experience in theatre. Carmen wants to lead by example and likes to take on new challenges. She never gave a thought at being on stage but was inspired by last year’s production of Actors International and Katherine Filer’s challenge “you have to do the things you are afraid of”. Carmen is grateful for how the NSA’s chapter meetings have helped her on her journey from completely ignoring her stuttering and working to cover it, to opening up and be more comfortable within her own stuttering skin. She is very thankful for the support of her husband, Doug, her family and friends. Contact: gredos@verizon.net
Carmen is a member of the Philadelphia National Stuttering Association Group and has been the chapter's leader since November 2013. She now co-leads the chapter with Mitchell Trichon. She was born and raised in Spain and has been living in the US for the last 24 years. Carmen works as a manager of IT projects at IMS Health, a company that provides information, services and technology for the healthcare industry. "Alzheimers the Musical" is her first experience in theatre. Carmen wants to lead by example and likes to take on new challenges. She never gave a thought at being on stage but was inspired by last year’s production of Actors International and Katherine Filer’s challenge “you have to do the things you are afraid of”. Carmen is grateful for how the NSA’s chapter meetings have helped her on her journey from completely ignoring her stuttering and working to cover it, to opening up and be more comfortable within her own stuttering skin. She is very thankful for the support of her husband, Doug, her family and friends. Contact: gredos@verizon.net
Marissa Moschetta (Sarah):
Marissa is a CA born, TX raised, and PHL transplant social worker who currently works in child welfare case management. While she ultimately followed her call to the social work field, Marissa was an aspiring actress and "honor thespian" in high school and has been in constant "theatre withdrawals" since then. She tried to quell them in college by performing in Broadway style productions as part of All-University Sing, but it wasn't quite the same. She is THRILLED to return to the stage after years of thinking it wasn't possible to do so. Marissa is a proud graduate of Baylor University and can often be found screaming at the TV during football season. She is forever grateful to have gotten her MSW at UPenn, or she may have never gotten involved in the stuttering community. After ignoring and hiding her stutter for so many years, she was forced to grapple with it during grad school which ultimately led her to the Philly NSA Chapter and AIT. Marissa would like to thank her friends (near and far) for their constant support, her family for their selfless dedication and love, and to her boyfriend for bringing out the best in her, even from the West Coast (special shout out to Google Hangouts for making the distance somewhat bearable)! Contact: marissa.moschetta@gmail.com
Marissa is a CA born, TX raised, and PHL transplant social worker who currently works in child welfare case management. While she ultimately followed her call to the social work field, Marissa was an aspiring actress and "honor thespian" in high school and has been in constant "theatre withdrawals" since then. She tried to quell them in college by performing in Broadway style productions as part of All-University Sing, but it wasn't quite the same. She is THRILLED to return to the stage after years of thinking it wasn't possible to do so. Marissa is a proud graduate of Baylor University and can often be found screaming at the TV during football season. She is forever grateful to have gotten her MSW at UPenn, or she may have never gotten involved in the stuttering community. After ignoring and hiding her stutter for so many years, she was forced to grapple with it during grad school which ultimately led her to the Philly NSA Chapter and AIT. Marissa would like to thank her friends (near and far) for their constant support, her family for their selfless dedication and love, and to her boyfriend for bringing out the best in her, even from the West Coast (special shout out to Google Hangouts for making the distance somewhat bearable)! Contact: marissa.moschetta@gmail.com
Dominic Olivastro (Lighting/Sound):
Dominic was a contributing editor of The Sciences and has written three books on Recreational Mathematics, including The Heart of My Enemy, and (the only one still available) Ancient Puzzles. He once worked as the Database Manager of a small IT firm in Westmont, New Jersey, but for the past year he has been happily retired. He is very excited to take on new roles, and he jumped at the opportunity to work with his friends in the NSA. He had multiple roles in AIT's last play, The Absolutely.... as Assistant Director and Sound/Lighting. Dominic has stuttered ever since he started talking. He is a long-time member of the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the NSA and attends the National Stuttering Association Conferences. Contact: d_olivastro@yahoo.com
Dominic was a contributing editor of The Sciences and has written three books on Recreational Mathematics, including The Heart of My Enemy, and (the only one still available) Ancient Puzzles. He once worked as the Database Manager of a small IT firm in Westmont, New Jersey, but for the past year he has been happily retired. He is very excited to take on new roles, and he jumped at the opportunity to work with his friends in the NSA. He had multiple roles in AIT's last play, The Absolutely.... as Assistant Director and Sound/Lighting. Dominic has stuttered ever since he started talking. He is a long-time member of the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the NSA and attends the National Stuttering Association Conferences. Contact: d_olivastro@yahoo.com
Michelle Mercier (Wardrobe Designer):
Michelle is a stylist, seamstress, costume designer, artist, linguist, lover of love and humanist. She has been sewing since the age of six when she received her first sewing kit. Michelle attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia for Fashion Design. While there she produced and organized dressers for fashion shows with Roberto Cavalli and Frank Agostino. Michelle's jewelry designs were sold at Joan Shepp in 2004. Michelle has costumed several plays at the Community College of Philadelphia since 2009. When she's not dreaming of fabric she is a strong and proud mother of three year old twins. She enjoys reading ancient poetry and traveling the world. Her travels and experiences in the nature of human's existence inspire her artwork; her appreciation for life is expressed in every piece. Michelle would like to thank Katherine Filer for the opportunity to work with such a purpose. Thank you to my family for being ever supportive with childcare and everyone who has helped me have another minute of sewing time in my life. Contact: cochendix@gmail.com
Michelle is a stylist, seamstress, costume designer, artist, linguist, lover of love and humanist. She has been sewing since the age of six when she received her first sewing kit. Michelle attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia for Fashion Design. While there she produced and organized dressers for fashion shows with Roberto Cavalli and Frank Agostino. Michelle's jewelry designs were sold at Joan Shepp in 2004. Michelle has costumed several plays at the Community College of Philadelphia since 2009. When she's not dreaming of fabric she is a strong and proud mother of three year old twins. She enjoys reading ancient poetry and traveling the world. Her travels and experiences in the nature of human's existence inspire her artwork; her appreciation for life is expressed in every piece. Michelle would like to thank Katherine Filer for the opportunity to work with such a purpose. Thank you to my family for being ever supportive with childcare and everyone who has helped me have another minute of sewing time in my life. Contact: cochendix@gmail.com
William McKinlay (Director):
Bill is the Executive Director, co-artistic director of The MacKnight Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing local artists with development programs, production opportunities and education for the community. He is also the Executive Director of The Brick Playhouse and co-founded Overknight Theatre. The Brick has fostered the talents of hundreds of local artists including the founding members of the hardest working sketch comedy troupe in Philadelphia (The Waitstaff), F. Otto Haas Award nominees and winners for Emerging Artist (Winners - Robert Christopher and John Lumia, Nominees - Anthony Lawton, Madi Distifano, Deborah Block) and Pew Fellowship winners for Playwriting (Nicholas Wardigo). He is a published playwright whose plays include "Thanks for the Ride", "Anatomy" and "The Alphabet Plays" which is a series of 26 short alliterative plays. In addition to his playwrighting, administrative duties, and artistic direction, Bill designs lights and sound for Isis Productions, Barnstormers Theater and Playcrafters. Contact: mckinlay@bellatlantic.net
Bill is the Executive Director, co-artistic director of The MacKnight Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing local artists with development programs, production opportunities and education for the community. He is also the Executive Director of The Brick Playhouse and co-founded Overknight Theatre. The Brick has fostered the talents of hundreds of local artists including the founding members of the hardest working sketch comedy troupe in Philadelphia (The Waitstaff), F. Otto Haas Award nominees and winners for Emerging Artist (Winners - Robert Christopher and John Lumia, Nominees - Anthony Lawton, Madi Distifano, Deborah Block) and Pew Fellowship winners for Playwriting (Nicholas Wardigo). He is a published playwright whose plays include "Thanks for the Ride", "Anatomy" and "The Alphabet Plays" which is a series of 26 short alliterative plays. In addition to his playwrighting, administrative duties, and artistic direction, Bill designs lights and sound for Isis Productions, Barnstormers Theater and Playcrafters. Contact: mckinlay@bellatlantic.net
Katherine Filer (Producer):
Katherine Filer is the Founder/Artistic Director of Actors International Theatre, (AIT), a self-employed network consultant for more than 25 years, a life coach, macrobiotic cook, author of "The Merman and the Butterfly", actress and theater company owner. She is honored to be grand mom to Scarlett, Santana and Patrick. In 1990, she founded the Tri-County Fluency Group, a support group for people who stutter. This group later evolved into the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) which she co-founded with Lucy Reed. Katherine leads workshops for the NSA and is an Introduction Leader and coach for Landmark Worldwide. She debuted as an actress in the play, "Tough Cookies" with a cast of all people who stutter in 2012. She is excited and honored to have this opportunity, and can't wait to share it with other people who stutter. Being an actress was the one thing she was sure she never wanted, sure was never possible, and sure she could never be! She has devoted her life to empowering others to have their voice heard and listened to powerfully, NOW! She is especially thankful for her mother, June A. Gosnell and father, Larry A King for their love and support every step of the way, for always telling her she can do anything! Contact: katfiler@aol.com
Katherine Filer is the Founder/Artistic Director of Actors International Theatre, (AIT), a self-employed network consultant for more than 25 years, a life coach, macrobiotic cook, author of "The Merman and the Butterfly", actress and theater company owner. She is honored to be grand mom to Scarlett, Santana and Patrick. In 1990, she founded the Tri-County Fluency Group, a support group for people who stutter. This group later evolved into the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) which she co-founded with Lucy Reed. Katherine leads workshops for the NSA and is an Introduction Leader and coach for Landmark Worldwide. She debuted as an actress in the play, "Tough Cookies" with a cast of all people who stutter in 2012. She is excited and honored to have this opportunity, and can't wait to share it with other people who stutter. Being an actress was the one thing she was sure she never wanted, sure was never possible, and sure she could never be! She has devoted her life to empowering others to have their voice heard and listened to powerfully, NOW! She is especially thankful for her mother, June A. Gosnell and father, Larry A King for their love and support every step of the way, for always telling her she can do anything! Contact: katfiler@aol.com
Todd Cardin (Playwright):
Todd Cardin is a lifelong resident of King of Prussia, PA. Along with his wife, Emily, he founded ETC Theater, which has produced 26 Cardin penned plays. A veteran of nearly 45 years in the Philadelphia entertainment scene, he got his start at the age of 5, as Little Mr. Showcase, on the "Al Albert’s Show". (Do the math; he's 50, far past the shelf-life of usefulness). Throughout the years, he has been a featured dancer on PHL17's "Dancing on Air", a drug dealing orderly on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, a professional kick boxer, a stuntman, and a living cadaver. He is currently performing in "Man on the Moon" at 2015 Philly Fringe. Todd is a pretty shallow person. He has two daughters and is often mistaken for Nick Nolte and Gary Busey. Contact: todd@etctheater.com
Todd Cardin is a lifelong resident of King of Prussia, PA. Along with his wife, Emily, he founded ETC Theater, which has produced 26 Cardin penned plays. A veteran of nearly 45 years in the Philadelphia entertainment scene, he got his start at the age of 5, as Little Mr. Showcase, on the "Al Albert’s Show". (Do the math; he's 50, far past the shelf-life of usefulness). Throughout the years, he has been a featured dancer on PHL17's "Dancing on Air", a drug dealing orderly on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, a professional kick boxer, a stuntman, and a living cadaver. He is currently performing in "Man on the Moon" at 2015 Philly Fringe. Todd is a pretty shallow person. He has two daughters and is often mistaken for Nick Nolte and Gary Busey. Contact: todd@etctheater.com
A Special Thanks To:
Mark Pasquini for bringing the music to life with his wonderful talent and ceaseless energy and Michelle Mercier for the life she breathed into the characters through her imaginative and expressive costuming.
Both Mark and Michelle were instrumental to the success of Alzheimer's: The Musical, the enthusiasm which they brought to the production provided encouragement and inspiration to all of us.
