Behind the Scenes:

JOHN S. ANASTASI (Playwright) 

Works written for the stage include In My Father’s Eyes, a play with music, produced at the Forum Theatre (New Jersey) and the historic Mishler Theatre (Altoona, PA), Stolen Lives, a two-character drama, presented at the Acorn Theater at Theatre Row. Pied a Terre enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway premiere at the Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row in 2007.  Published by Samuel French, Pied a Terre has been produced at the Cork Theatre in Ireland and has been fully translated to Chinese and produced at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in China as well as multiple cities in China. I Forgive You, Ronald Reagan was produced Off-Broadway at the Beckett Theatre. It has been published by Dramatic Publishing of Chicago.   Would You Still Love Me IF… was produced Off-Broadway at the New World Stages starring and directed by Kathleen Turner. Chasing Jack, a courtroom drama won best play at the New York Theater Festival and was presented Off-Broadway at the Jerry Orbach Theater. Run For The Roses, a full length screenplay is seeking a producer. The playwright is an active member of the Dramatists Guild of America Inc. When not writing, the playwright uses his free time in the active practice of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Aultman Deuble Heart & Vascular Hospital, ADHVH in Canton Ohio.  Comments welcome at gannonmd@aol.com.

PETER J. LOEWY (Director)

Peter was the producing Artistic Director of the Forum Theatre Arts Center in New Jersey for 35 years where he produced and directed over 100 plays and musicals. He recently directed Mr. Anastasi’s critically acclaimed production of Chasing Jack off broadway. He wrote and directed a parody of House on Haunted Hill, A Horror of Comedy. Peter directed Milk and Honey at the Wick Theater last season and is currently working on a new reality show entitled, Sin City Rabbi. Thanks to Tina for all her love and support.  If you’re interested in getting involved with Sin City please send an email to pjloewy@gmail.com.

MICHAEL VALENTI  (Composer)

New York-born Michael Valenti’s extensive musical work encompasses concert and religious compositions, ballet, television, variety, drama and musical theater.  His Broadway credits include Oh Brother!; Tennessee Williams’ last play, Clothes for a Summer Hotel (which starred Geraldine Page); Honky Tonk Nights; Blackstone!; and Blood Red Roses.  He wrote the scores for many Off-Broadway productions, including In the Summer House, for the Manhattan Theatre Club, and Mademoiselle Colombe, starring Tammy Grimes, for which he received two Outer Critics Circle Award nominations (Best Book and Best Music for a musical).  In 1987, the Goldman Memorial Band, whose permanent repertory includes Mr. Valenti’s “Big Apple March,” gave Michael a retrospective of all his concert-band music at Lincoln Center.  In 1995, he composed Processional for a Pontiff, a large orchestral work which was written for the entrance of Pope John Paul II into Central Park, New York, on the occasion of his celebration of the Eucharist.  Michael Valenti composed, arranged, and conducted the music for the Emmy Award winning television series: “A Walk Through the 20th Century.”  For CBS radio he shared the Peabody Award for Newsmark.  

NICOLE ROACH (Stage Manager/Lighting Design)

Nicole is honored to return to The Willow Theatre for this provocative and intriguing production. Nicole has been a freelance stage manager and technical director in South Florida theatre for over 20 years. She was lucky enough to work with MLC Productions on Chasing Jack in 2020, and is thrilled to have been invited back for this dramatic piece. Nicole would like to thank her family & friends for their unconditional love & constant support, and the incredibly talented cast & crew of this production for their unrelenting passion for the arts. To Justin & Shane – I love you.

RANDALL PARSONS (SCENIC Design)

As a Resident Designer for the Berkshire Theatre Group, recent productions include Nina Simone: Four Women and Songs for a New World, directed by Gerry McIntyre; Edward Albee’s Seascape and Copenhagen, directed by Eric Hill; and White Christmas, directed by Gregg Edelman. Randall also served as scenic designer for Godspell, directed by Alan Filderman at BTG in the summer of 2020, the first Actors Equity-approved musical to open after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. At Theatre Three, Port Jefferson, NY (Resident Production Designer since 2000), he has designed well over a hundred shows, counting Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Big River, Les Miserables, and Urinetown among favorites. Recent work in NYC: Just for Us by Alex Adelman at the Greenwich House Theatre. Randall received his MFA in design from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

DENISE PROFFITT (Costume and Prop Design)

Denise is thrilled to be joining John Anastasia and Company at The Willow Theater to present Pied-A-Terre.  After 17 years as associate producer with entertainment production company,  Rafael and Juliana Productions, Denise came into the theater through the stage door at The Plaza Theater in Manalapan, FL, as a stagehand and prop tech.  For 10 years, she has designed properties for Island City Stage productions. A few of her favorites include  Zanna Don't, Suddenly Last Summer, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Pageant, and Thrill Me.  Denise says, “I have thoroughly enjoyed preparing this show with a marvelous cast and crew. I am hopeful the audience finds it as delicious. Pied-a-Terre promises to be another favorite treat to be savored and enjoyed!”

CARLO SABUSAP (Projections)

Carlo is the creative director of Theatre of Collaborative Arts which provides theatrical technical support for shows including Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, Peter and the Starcatcher, Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors, Addams Family, and many more primarily for Entr'Acte Theatrix. His work includes set design, prop design and fabrication, and projection design and implementation. Learn more at www.theatreca.com.

CAROL KASSIE (Marketing & Public Relations/Program)

Carol holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Sir George Williams University (Concordia) in Montreal, Canada. She currently handles marketing, public relations, and audience growth for a number of local and national theatres and theatre companies (Pigs Do Fly Productions, MNM Theatre Company, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC), Delray Beach Playhouse, Entr’Acte Theatrix, Jupiter Theater Company, Boca Stage, Empire Stage, Spanish River Concerts, etc.), theatrical productions, actors, authors, musicians, and other creatives.  Sign up to receive her Theatrical Update E-Newsletters at www.CarolKassie.com.

STEPHEN BITTRICH (Graphics and Website)

Stephen is a playwright/actor who does other jobs like web design and video production. www.StephenBittrich.com | www.youtube.com/c/BrainFire

TECHNICAL STAFF — WILLOW THEATRE

Technical Supervisor: Jason Hester

Sound Coordinator: Andres Beuses

Lighting Coordinator: Laura Fulton

Technical Assistant: Mike Balme