Happy Saturdays
-synopsis-
“Happy Saturdays” is the story about a group of friends who help each other get through it all and just enjoy life. Johnny, Rusty, Kay, Gabrielle, Billy, and Mr. Jonez (with a “Z”) all work at a neighborhood theme restaurant on Long Island called Happy Saturdays. This story takes us through one insanely busy Saturday night and shows how lives can change when friendship is put to the test.
Here's the current cast of Happy Saturdays
Joanna Brown- Kay
Joanna is excited to make her debut at Authors’ Playhouse in “Happy Saturdays” after a seven year sabbatical from theatre. Her previous credits include backstage slave labor in productions of “The Boyfriend”, “Rumors”, “Lend Me a Tenor” and roles in “Our Town”, “Joseph…Dreamcoat”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Macbeth Did It”. She would like to thank the cast, director and writer for their wonderful support and constant ego stroking. Her performance is dedicated to her mother Monica-“For without my mother, I might be the woman I’m not today”.
Michael Bogart- Johnny
Michael is thrilled to have discovered this theatre a month ago. This will mark his Authors’ Playhouse debut. He has appeared in shows at the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Old Bethpage for almost ten years. Previous roles have included “The Diary of Anne Frank” (Peter), “God: A Play by Woody Allen” (Hepatitus), “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Snoopy), and “The Fantasticks” (Matt). Michael is currently a junior at Muhlenberg College, working towards a Theatre/ English double Major. He would like to thank Uncle Johnny for dragging him to the theatre, Sue for the great opportunity and stellar directing, and the rest of the cast for being a pleasure to work with. Break a leg. Michael’s performance is dedicated to the speedy recovery of Grammy.
John Tomasello- Rusty
John made his stage debut as Toto in “The Wizard of Oz” (in a 5th grade production). He is a Children’s Theater instructor at the Boulton Center & The Moriches Performing Arts Center. He just finished directing Seaford High School’s production of Damn Yankees. He has toured America for 2 years with Poetry Alive! A SUNY Cortland graduate, he is part of the “No Refunds” improv troupe at the Cultural Arts Playhouse. He has written and produced multiple children musicals including “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “Three Little Pigs Take Broadway” & “Soul Men in Black”. John dedicates this performance to Sue Tromans for her inspiration & courage. He would not be who he is today without her.
Jim Vignato- Mr. Jonez
Jim Vignato is making his debut at Authors’ Playhouse and is enjoying every minute. Jim has played many roles across the country. Recently, he starred as The School Cop in MTV’s “High School Stories” to be aired this September. He has graced stages in Beverly Hills, MGM Grand (Las Vegas) and held lead roles at The Gateway Playhouse (Bellport, NY). He’s appeared on stage in shows like “Tony and Tina’s Wedding” (NYC), “Godspell”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “The New Yorker”, and “Killing Giants”. Jim owns and operates the Moriches Performing Arts Center and his own web radio station, WCRL- www.webcastradiolive.com. Jim would like to dedicate his performance to his family, especially his mom, Lorraine T. Vignato.
Chris Parsons- Billy
Chris graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Theatre and received the Award of Excellence in Performance. He has worked with Actors Theater of Washington in Washington, DC; performances included “Bel-Age” and “The Dispute”. He was last seen in “Psycho Drama” in the Robert Blake Theater in LA. This is his first performance on Long Island and it couldn’t be with a better group of people. Thanks to Sue and Dee for being so beautiful in so many ways!
Deanna Whiteman- Gabrielle
Deanna is ecstatic to be a part of such a brilliant show. Even though she is extremely active backstage at Authors’ Playhouse, she has made some recent appearances on this stage. Her credits include “Cinderella Goes Disco”, “Love In Four Songs”, “Boys’ Life”, “Everything In The Garden”, ”The Take Over Of WBOB”, “I’m Not Rappaport”, and the recent “New Authors Series”. She would like to thank everyone involved in this show for their patience with the running around between projects. She would like to thank the cast for making her cheeks hurt (and the breast plate), the crew for busting butt at 110%, and most of all Susan and Steve for having the faith and encouragement for her to pull this off!
Crew:
Alyse M. Anekstein- Stage Manager
Alyse is thrilled to be making her stage management debut at Authors’ Playhouse. Previous crew experience includes asst. stage manager for Authors’ Playhouse New Author Festival for 2005 and lead dresser for Same Time/ Next Year. She would like to thank Susan, Steve and her castmates and crew for this wonderful opportunity. Alyse would also like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support.
Susan Tromans- Director
Susan is proud to continue her rich relationship with Authors’ Playhouse. A graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Theater Management, her previous directing experience includes: Smoke & Mirrors, A Boy’s Life, Ariel Bright, Major Barbara, A Winter’s Tale. Having starred in multiple productions of HAPPY SATURDAYS (Gabrielle), she is thrilled at the opportunity to get behind the wheel of such a crazy, fun-filled production. Thanks to Steve and the cast and crew for their faith and support. Big thanks to her parents & friends (special thanks to Dee, Mike & Swt P)for their love and guidance.
Mike Russo- Lights & Sound Operator
Mike is thrilled to be working again at Authors’ Playhouse. Previous credits include light & sound for Oleanna, Promises, New Authors’ Festival, and Same Time/Next Year. He is a proud to have the opportunity to work with an outstanding cast and crew. Thank you for all the laughs. Mike would like to thank Susan Tromans and Dee Whiteman for their continued guidance and his parents for their love and support.
Director Notes from Susan Tromans
It’s rare that an actor gets the opportunity to direct a piece that still continues to hold surprises and laughs for them. Thank you Steve for allowing me to see this outstanding story from all different angles (even upside down and backwards on a couch). A huge thank you to the cast and crew; every single one of you has brought so much life and love into this characters. Thank you to Jim Vignato and the Moriches Art Center for lovingly constructing a set in which this characters can exist. This performance is dedicated to Sweet P and all current and former restaurant workers who have to sing for their supper every night. Remember- tip your waiters and bartenders.
Cast (in order of appearance)
John Tomasello-Rusty
Mike Bogart- Johnny
Deanna Whiteman- Gabrielle
Chris Parsons- Billy
Joanna Brown- Kay
Jim Vignato- Mr. Jonez
Time-Present
Place- One crazy Saturday night at Happy Saturdays