2011-2012,
​Our 50th Season

​2011-2012 Season

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
September 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 2011
 
written by Dale Wasserman, adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey.
Based on the seminal 1960s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest left an indelible mark on contemporary theatre. Boisterous, ribald, and ultimately devastating, it is the unforgettable story of patients in a mental institution, a world where sanity means conformity.
First presented at Forge as part of our 17th season, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a powerful exploration of the beauty — and the danger — of being original.
Directed by Wendy Mirto
The Production Team
Producer – Marnie Herzfeld
Stage Manager – Linda Blystone
Light/Set Design – Clem Mirto
The Cast
R.P. McMurphy – Eric Jarrell
Dale Harding – Hal Holzer
Cheswick – Josh Gould
Scanlon – Clem Mirto
Martini – Jack Roberts
Billy Bibbit – Jeff Cronin
Ruckley – Wings Wisneski
Chief Bromden – Jared (Goody) Good
Nurse Ratched – Gina DePaolis
Nurse Flinn – Andrea Cronin
Dr. Spivey – Aaron Gould
Aide Warren – Dennis Wright
Candy Starr – Danielle Greenberg
Sandra – Abigail Morgan
Aide Williams – David Richman
Aide Turkle – John Magolan
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September 30 and October 1, 2011
50th ANNIVERSARY GALA REVUE – a musical revue highlighting musical gems of the past with a Forge Theatre All-Time, All-Star cast.  Proceeds benefit the Forge Theatre Building Renovation project.
Gala directed by Hal Holzer
Original script by Linda Mandlowitz
Music direction by Denise Wisneski, and Choreography by Renee Schulz
DID YOU KNOW:  Forge’s first musical was ONCE UPON A MATTRESS in our 16th season (1977-78)
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November 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, December 1, 2, 3, 2011  (no performances Thanksgiving weekend)
CABARET – book  written by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
On the eve of Hitler’s rise to power, a nightclub singer, an American writer and the citizens of Berlin are caught in the swirling maelstrom of a changing society in Cabaret. A provocatively entertaining Broadway show and Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Cabaret enjoyed its first production at Forge in our 24th season.
Directed by Dru Ullery
The Production Team
Producer – Rick Dowdall
Music Director – Denise Wisneski
Choreographer – Rose-Marie Abi-Richa
Assistant Director – Sandy White
Stage Manager – Linda Blystone
Tech Director – Greg Givler
The Cast
Emcee – Russ White
Sally Bowles – Erin Byrnes
Clifford Bradshaw – Mike Shoeman
Fraulein Schneider – Gina DePaolis
Herr Schultz – Bob Goretski
Ernst Ludwig – Brian Schwartz
Fraulein Kost – Renee Schulz
Max – Steve Schulz
Kit Kat Girls
Rosie – Stephanie Krause
Lulu – Laura Watson
Frenchie – Jeanine Brotherston
Fritzie – Andrea Reish
Texas – Allie Greet
Helga – Sarah Pastelyak
Kit Kat Boys
Bobby – Joseph Pizzi
Viktor – Dennis Himes
Ensemble
Mia Mbuy, Tracy White, Christa Wisneski
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 January 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 2012
DON’T DRINK THE WATER, writtenby Woody Allen
In an unnamed country behind the Iron Curtain, the American ambassador leaves the embassy for business, placing his inept son in charge. Almost immediately the embassy is thrust into a zany series of comic crises when a family of tourists seeks asylum in Don’t Drink the Water, a slapstick farce about a New Jersey family held captive in the American embassy during the Cold War.  Featuring author Woody Allen’s trademark offbeat humor, Don’t Drink the Water first appeared as a part of Forge’s 24th season.
Directed by Jim Kelsh
The Cast
Father Drobney – Bob Goretski
Ambassador Magee – Jeff Ball
Kilroy – Melanie Magolan
Axel Magee – A.S. Freeman
Walter Hollander – Randy Knox
Marion Hollander – Bev Smith
Susan Hollander – Abbie Cicmowski
Krojak – Gary Bullock
Chef – Brian Schwartz
Sultan of Bashir – Anthony Marsala
Wife – Danielle E. Greenberg
Countess Bordoni – Denise Wisneski
Kasnar – Ed Wisneski
The Production Team
Producer – Marnie Herzfeld
Stage Manager – Linda Blystone
Technical Director – Ellen Spampinato
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March 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 2012
ON GOLDEN POND* — written by Ernest Thompson
A story filled with poignancy, warm humor, and sensitively created characters,
On Golden Pond is the touching, funny and warmly perceptive study of a spirited, irascible, and loving couple facing their twilight years. The first production of On Golden Pond at Forge was in our 21st season.
Directed by Greg Morton
CAST
NORMAN THAYER  – Jim Kelsh
ETHEL THAYER – Barbara Hannevig
CHELSEA THAYER – Pam Taylor
BILL — Rich Goldstein
BILLY, JR —  Devin Parentice
CHARLIE — Joseph Tomarelli
OPERATOR — Alex Tomarelli
PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTOR — Greg Morton
PRODUCER — Stevie Tagye
CONSULTING DIRECTOR — Barbara Metford
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March 23 and 24, 2012
BROADWAY FOR LIFE CABARET – Our annual revue to benefit cancer research and the Phoenixville Relay for Life.  The first BROADWAY FOR LIFE cabaret was held in our 44th season (2005-06);  since then, this event has raised over $10,000.
Conceived and directed by Denise Wisneski
Denise became a Forge member in 1985.  Her first show was CABARET.
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April 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, May 3, 4, 5, 2012
THE HEIRESS* — written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, adapted from the Henry James novel, Washington Square.
Based on a Henry James 1880 novel, the story of The Heiress centers around the socially awkward and painfully shy spinster Catherine, who stands to inherit a tidy sum and suddenly finds herself the object of the attentions of the handsome but penniless Morris Townsend.  A classic tale of love and betrayal, The Heiress appeared for the first time at Forge in our 5th season.
Directed by Robert Marsch
CAST
Catherine Sloper – Maria Jarrell
Morris Townsend – Eric Jarrell
Dr. Sloper – Paul Leis
Aunt Penniman – Andrea Cronin
Maria – Kim Stratoti
Mrs Montgomery – Beverly Fox
Marian Almond – Shanna Lodge
Mrs Almond – Bev Smith
PRODUCTION TEAM 
Robert Marsch – Director
Dee Henken – Producer
Cathy Stratoti – Stage Manager
Chris Haig – Set Design
Ellen Spampinato – Lighting Design
Chris Exley – Master Carpenter
Regina DePaolis – Costumes
Dean Soltes – Light Technician
Marnie Herzfeld – Sound Technician
Jacki Laskin – Props
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June 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
HIGH SPIRITS -- book, lyrics, and music by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray, based on the play Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward
A stylish musical comedy about the problems that arise when the ghost of his first wife comes back to visit him — and his second wife. The original Broadway production opened in 1964 and was nominated for 8 Tony Awards. The original  Blithe Spirit first appeared on the Forge stage in our 7th season.
Directed by Marnie Herzfeld and Hal Holzer
Cast
Charles Condomine – Anthony Marsala
Edith – Melanie Magolan
Ruth Condomine – Michelle English
Dr. Bradman – JT Grosch
Mrs. Bradman – Danielle Greenberg
Madame Arcati – Patricia Rhoads
Elvira – Janine Herd
Rupert – Will Nassau
Production Team
Directors – Hal Holzer and Marnie Herzfeld
Music Director – Denise Wisneski
Stage Manager – Linda Blystone
Lighting Design – Jeff Sugzdinis
Choreographer – Renée Schulz