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Armonk Players

The Armonk Players Welcome Live Audiences Back to Whippoorwill Theatre! 

November 15, 2021 by Inside Press

Simply Theatre! Play Readings By The Armonk Players

 

Shooting Star by Steven Dietz

Two college sweethearts who have not seen each other for many years since the break up in the ’70s, meet by chance in a snowed-in airport. This rare romantic comedy is humorous, surprising, touching, and not removed from reality. There are plenty of laughs in Dietz’s humorous tale, but one is enraptured with every important moment, every emotional high, every startling revelation. Stories told this well don’t come around very often. 
Starring Amber Mason and Eric Schuster.

Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 8pm.

Free (voluntary donations cheerfully accepted.)

Vaccine cards and masks required for entry.

 

 

A Glimpse of Christmas! 

Want to get into the Holiday mood? We are excited to be bringing our theatre company back with this rousing original production of Monologues, Scenes and Song!

Join us for an offbeat evening of merriment! Witty, funny and a bit twisted, tales about our favorite season. Creatively performed by your favorite local actors! Experience the joy, the madness & the many facets & follies that make Christmas so memorable! 

LIVE ON STAGE!  Thursday, December 2nd at 8pm and Sunday, December 5th at 3 pm.

Free (voluntary donations cheerfully accepted.)

Vaccine cards and masks required for entry.

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: A Glimpse of Christmas, Armonk Players, Shooting Star, Whipporwill Theatre

The Armonk Players: Community Theatre at its Best

April 18, 2019 by Ella Ilan

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

The Armonk Players (the “Players”), a true embodiment of high-quality theatre and community participation, is Armonk’s local community theatre group, which has been putting on productions at the 186-seat Whippoorwill Theater Hall adjacent to The North Castle Public Library for more than 22 years. Staging two full productions every year, one of which is a musical, along with free staged readings, the Players offer a plethora of opportunities for people to see great theatre, perform in shows, or work behind the scenes.

Key Players

The Players was the brainchild of three longtime Armonk residents, Barbara and Hal Simonetti and Susan Geffen. Geffen’s and Mrs. Simonetti’s friendship developed in the 1980s when they were both living in Tokyo while their husbands were on work assignments for IBM. Simonetti, whose passion had always been theatre, was directing a staged reading for the Tokyo International Players, and asked Geffen, an interior designer by profession, for help with producing, staging, and costumes. Geffen loved the experience and there began a great friendship and shared love of theatre.

Upon returning to Armonk, the women learned that the library was adding on a theatre complex to the building. Once it was built,  they decided they needed a community theatre group. “My husband Hal, Susan and I sat in my kitchen and said ‘Let’s put on a show!’ and that’s how it all started,” recalls Simonetti.

“First I thought it was a crazy idea because even though we knew about theatre, we didn’t know about the making theatre end of it,” says Mr. Simonetti. “But after we started it, we found that out of the woodwork from every direction came people who were interested in it. We gave them an opening and in they came.”

The Armonk Players is sponsored by The Friends of the North Castle Library (“The Friends”), a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for purchasing “extras” for The North Castle Public Library. One of the Friends’ biggest fundraisers is the annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show, which benefits the library and the Whippoorwill Hall theatre. Geffen was on the board of the Friends and was instrumental in arranging the early funding for the Players.

“When you have a theatre group, you need an angel and there was the magic confluence of the Friends having as their mission to bring culture and education to the community, having a theatre, and putting together a theatre group,” explains Geffen.

“We’re very blessed to have the facility that we have at the library and we’re extremely blessed to have the Friends be our patrons and supporters – that’s an unusual situation and a very lucky one,” says longtime Armonk resident Rodd Berro, board member and former president of the Players. Berro, who is the president and co-owner of Pegasus Asset Management, has been involved with the Players since performing and doing lighting for them in their very first show.

Let’s Put on a Show

For that first staged reading, the Players chose 84 Charing Cross Road, a play about a writer and an antique bookseller, for its literary focus since the theatre was at the library. Mrs. Simonetti played the lead and Mr. Simonetti directed it. It was a community effort from the very beginning.

“For the set, we took furniture from people’s houses… a desk, bookcases, books, an old fashioned typewriter… Everybody involved brought something from their home,” remembers Mrs. Simonetti. “Everyone that came out that day, either in the show or doing tech or costumes or props for the show, ultimately stayed as long as they could over the years to help us with all the shows we did.”

Current Artistic Director Pia Haas was brought in as a director soon thereafter to direct Lovers and Strangers and has stayed on ever since to help any way she can. She currently handles publicity for the Players in addition to her role as Director of Press and Public Relations at Westchester Broadway Theatre.

“I was immediately accepted as part of the family and it really was a family at that point,” says Haas.

Delivering High Quality Theatre

“We supply good theater to the community –remember, we are within a stone’s throw of Broadway so in order to get people to come, there have to be a couple of reasons and one of them is to see your friends and one of them may be the price, but at the end of the day you need to put on quality performances,” says Berro.

“I think we’ve achieved a quality that is kind of remarkable for a community theatre. I think our shows have really high quality productions and we pride ourselves on that,” says Haas.

“Many of us go into New York to go to the theatre. It can be a multi-hundred dollar event–we are either taking a train or driving a car in and paying fifty dollars to park, we’re going out to dinner, we buy tickets, and we get home after midnight.

“Here, you can go to the theatre within 10 or 15 minutes, you don’t pay for parking, you’re home by 10:30, and you’ve seen excellent theatre,” proffers Geffen.

Amazing Volunteers

It takes an enormous amount of effort to put on a show. The Players are grateful for all their devoted helpers and are always looking for more volunteers. From early on, they were lucky to have Haas and Christine DiTota, both experienced directors, on the theatrical side. Berro, besides his contributions as a leader, on the board, and on the stage, was critical in setting up lighting for the shows. Berro’s father, Nat Berro, designed and supervised the construction of authentic-looking sets.

“Some people have been with us for 20 years…Phyllis Sederbaum, Ann Nisenholtz, Ron Aaronson, and others…these are stalwarts whose lives have been affected by this. It’s a successful cooperative community effort that’s longstanding. Not too many of those around,” says Mr. Simonetti.

“One of the biggest challenges is finding volunteers. Everybody enjoys the acting part but finding people to do the work–from the backstage to the lighting to building the sets and taking them down to getting props and costumes to just being in there to organize–the people that do this are the unsung heroes and the unsung volunteers,” says Berro. “It’s a challenge but it’s always wonderful when new people come in. The challenge creates an opportunity to meet new people and to have new ideas.”

“We really need more people to do this; to make an investment in the town where they live,” says Geffen. “I love this town and made a decision to bring in a theatre group and get involved wherever I can. I get back so much more than I give. I have met the best people because the volunteers are always the best people.”

“For me, personally, it was the start of getting involved in volunteer work and community spirit. Even though I had a love of theatre, having a BFA from a conservatory, and it was wonderful to get back into theatre, what it did most for me is allow me to recognize the importance of community outreach to make the community stronger and better through the arts and through other volunteer organizations,” reflects Berro. “It was also wonderful to have my dad, who is now 97, involved. He built some wonderful sets over the years.”

Coming Up

Their next show, Baby, a musical comedy, is scheduled to run for two weekends beginning May 10th and promises to be a great production. The musical with a book by Sybille Pearson and music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. first ran on Broadway in 1983. Poster design and graphics for the show were provided by generous volunteers, Janet and Rich Ferrante.

“Baby is a very relatable story about three couples all in different age brackets who discover they are all pregnant at the same time. The music is fantastic and the cast is phenomenal. It’s not a show that is produced too often so it should be really interesting for the audience,” says Director and Choreographer Tom Coppola.

“It’s one of my favorite musicals,” says Rachel Schulte , the actress playing the role of “Lizzie,” in the show. “I fell in love with the music after listening to a CD of it in college and it’s been a dream role of mine ever since.”

In addition to the regularly scheduled staged readings, the Players recently hosted their first “improv night,” which was a great success. They hope to do more in the future.  For tickets to Baby and information about upcoming performances, please visit armonkplayers.org

VARIOUS PRODUCTIONS OF THE ARMONK PLAYERS

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk Players, Artistic Director, baby, braodway, Broadway caliber, community, Friends of the North Castle Library, gotta have arts, improvisation, Local, musical, Pia Haas, shows, Staged Reading, theater, Theatre, Whippoorwill Hall Theater

Next to Normal: A True Family Affair, and Then Some!

June 5, 2018 by Inside Press

By Kathryn Kitt

Kathryn Kitt

There have been a number of productions of “Next to Normal” since its Tony Award/Pulitzer prize winning moment in 2009 that have been wondrous.  The Armonk Players version is no exception, except, for me, the experience has come full circle.  I am Tom Kitt’s Sister, who is the composer and creator of “Next to Normal’ and have experienced the workshop process at the BMI Music Festival back in 1996 with the original title “Feeling Electric – Up the Dose.” It was the brainstorm of Tom and his college friend/lyricist Brian Yorkey who had the assignment to present a 10 minute musical idea to their BMI musical theatre class. 

The cast of Next to Normal in rehearsal. Photo by is Lauren Oliviero

Thomas, as I called him, and I were both living in New York City at the time and it was quite a special time for us while we were trying to work in the music business.  I trained as an Opera singer, so I went to auditions and sang in performances around the city.  Tom, in addition to being at BMI, played at a piano bar on the East Side where my extended family would gather on weekends – complete with me singing Puccini and Andrea Boccelli.  Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jenn Colella (“Come from Away”) would show up and soon it would become open mic in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan.

While Tom worked on the musical, he recruited me to sing some of the songs from “Next to Normal” in his class.  I was skeptical – who writes this type of musical, about mental health and depression?  I know “Rent” was a big hit, but it dealt with younger people who could wear tight clothes and do high kicks in platform shoes.  “Next to Normal” dealt with family and the dynamics that go along with it.  Needless to say, I eventually was proven wrong, for the show was picked up by David Stone – producer of “Wicked” after he saw a workshop of it in the New York Music Festival. 

The show culminated in Tom and Brian winning the Tony for Best score, beating out Elton John and Dolly Parton, Tom winning for best Orchestrations and then the Pulitzer.  This has resulted in quite a whirlwind for our family.  Tom has gone on to have quite a robust musical career in composing and orchestrating and is up for a Tony for orchestrations for the “Spongebob Musical on Broadway.”

When Christine DiTota and Pia Haas mentioned how they wanted to bring “Next to Normal” to the Tom’s hometown, I was completely on board!  I know that a show like this would bring the community together, be it teachers at Byram Hills (Adam Welsh, John Anthony Lopez), local performers (Christine Gavin, Anthony Malchar, Jess Bulzzaccheli, Jesse Herman), plus Phyllis Padow –Sederbaum and Vivien Bonnist Cord on props!  Everyone was so excited to bring this experience to Whipporwill and I could not be more proud!  Christine DiTota has kept the heart and staging of the story intact while Adam Welsh’s lighting captures the excitement of the Booth Theatre in NYC.

Of course, I had to get someone in the family involved and thanks to the brilliant musical director Ricky Romano, he took a chance and recruited my son Andrew Aldous (Byram Hills Junior) to play guitar in the band.  This has truly been the most exciting experience of all, and I am convinced that Andrew is channeling my brother up there.  

“Next to Normal” is surely a family affair, but this production goes beyond our little town.  It is a story about everyone’s family and how we all try to navigate challenges whether it be mental illness, teenage angst and loss.  I encourage anyone who feels deeply to see this show and prepare to be brought to a transformative place.  I thank the Armonk Players for their commitment and thoughtful production and I know we will never forget this moment!

Next to Normal, sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, is playing at Whippoorwill Hall, 19 Whipporwill Road E., Armonk, NY 10504   Remaining Performance dates below.

   

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Armonk Players, Bipolar Disorder, Christine DiTota, depression, Kathryn Kitt, Mental Illness, Next to Normal, Pia Haas, theater, Tom Kitt

Armonk Players to Present Six Performances of ‘Next to Normal’

May 6, 2018 by The Inside Press

Poster Design & Graphics: Janet and Rich Ferrante. Ferrante & Associates. Advertising / Design

Friday, June 1, 2018 at 8pm
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 8pm
Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 4pm
Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 8pm
Friday, June 8, 2018 at 8pm
Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 8pm

The Armonk Players Presents
Next to Normal
Book and Lyrics by Bryan Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International
Directed by Christine DiTota
Music directed by Ricky Romano
With Jess Bulzzachelli, Christine Gavin, Jesse Herman, John Anthony Lopez, Anthony Malchar and Adam Welsh
Adults: $20, Students (18 and under): $10

Next to Normal is an award-winning (see below) rock musical centering on a mother struggling with bipoloar disorder and the effects her illness has on her family. It has been called one of the best musicals of the 21st century.

Nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2009, it won three (Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical) as well as the 2010 Pulizter Prize for Drama, becoming only the eighth musical in history to receive the honor.

Ticket Purchase Information

“Walk-ins” are always welcome (we have ample seating), but we recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance online—you choose the exact seats you want, there is less waiting in line and you may pay with a debit card or credit card. “Walk-ins” may only pay with cash or by check (made out to either Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc. or FNCPL, Inc.)—we don’t accept credit cards at the theater.

Purchase Tickets

We perform at Whippoorwill Theater (adjacent to the North Castle Public Library) at 19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk, NY 10504 (use the Kent Place entrance, please). You can get travel directions here.

For up-to-date information, visit our website. If you would like to make a tax-free donation to the Friends of the North Castle Public Library to support the Armonk Players, you can do so here.

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Armonk Players, play, show, Theatre

Armonk Players to Present Six Performances of “Our Town” starting June 2

June 3, 2017 by The Inside Press

Back row, l to r: Ed Woodyard (as Howie Newsome), Kathy Files DiBiasi (as Mrs. Gibbs), Jeff Schlotman (as Doc Gibbs), Justin Thomas (as George), Rodd Berro (as Mr. Webb), Dakota Martin (as Emily). Front Center : Chris Jamison (as Mrs. Webb). PHOTO BY Pia Haas

 

The Armonk Players celebrates its 20th anniversary with Thornton Wilder’s Pulitizer Prize-winning play, an irrefutable classic of the American theater and a work of warmth and humanity.

Our Town transports us to Grover’s Corners, a place of secret wishes and disappointments, loves and losses, where the people we encounter are shockingly like the ones in our own lives. Meet Emily and George. They’ve grown up together in their small New England town, falling in love in a surprisingly complicated way. Their lives provide the lens through which the story is told, a story that focuses on a village but encompasses the eternal, finding the world in a grain of sand.

The Armonk Players Presents
Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Christine DiTota
Presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
With: Rodd Berro, Danny Burke, Chloe Cerniglia, Kathy Files DiBiasi, Jim Eaton, Matthew Giovannetti, Bill Halliburton, Chris Jamison, Rex Lengyel, Dakota Martin, Sam Morell, Edward Olszewski, Jeff Rocco, Jeff Schlotman, Barbara Simonetti, Hal Simonetti, Justin Thomas, Carol Michelle Wagner and Ed Woodyard
Adults: $20, Students (18 and under): $10

June 2017 Our Town Performance Dates & Times

Friday, June 2, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 3, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 4,  at 4 p.m.
Thursday, June 8,  at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 9, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 10, at 8 p.m.

Ticket Purchase Information

“Walk-ins” are always welcome (we have ample seating), but we recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance online—you choose the exact seats you want, there is less waiting in line and you may pay with a debit card or credit card. “Walk-ins” may only pay with cash or by check (made out to either Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc. or FNCPL, Inc.)—we don’t accept credit cards at the theater.

Purchase Tickets

We perform at Whippoorwill Hall (adjacent to the North Castle Public Library) at 19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk, NY 10504 (use the Kent Place entrance, please). You can get travel directions here.

For up-to-date information, visit our website. If you would like to make a tax-free donation to the Friends of the North Castle Public Library to support the Armonk Players, you can do so here.

 

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Armonk Players, community theater, Our Town

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