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JASON J. ZIMMER (Adam/Noah). A
graduate of East Stroudsburg University, Jason holds degrees in both
Theatre and Vocal Performance. Jason has worked both regionally and
locally as an actor, director, musical director and has worn many other
hats along the way. This is Jason's third production with
Theatrical Gems. He previously played the roles of Jinx in Forever Plaid and the Padre in Man of La Mancha. Favorite
roles include The Caliph in Kismet,
Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life,
Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees,
and Bobby Child in Crazy for You. |
BRIANNA STORM (Eve/Mama Noah) is very proud and excited to be a part of Theatrical Gems's
production of Children of Eden
as Eve/Mama Noah . This is her second production with the company. She
is a musical theatre major at East Stroudsburg University. She has been
involved in many shows such as Man
of La Mancha, Spring Awakening,
You’re a Good Man Charlie
Brown, Footloose, and Grease. Working with this cast has
been such an incredible experience. She would like to thank all of her
friends and family who continue to support her in anything she does,
especially her parents, Brian, and Gavin. “I love you all more than
words can explain. I couldn't do it without you.”
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ALEX
PEARLMAN (Father) rejoins Theatrical Gems
after appearing in last summer's production of Forever Plaid (Smudge) and the
Actors Fund benefit concert presentation of Miracle On 34th Street in New York.
For Pocono Playhouse: Oklahoma!
(Jud Fry), Carousel (Enoch
Snow), Oliver! (Bill Sikes),
and Kismet (Hajj). For Bucks
County Playhouse: the title role in Phantom,
Magaldi in Evita. Other
favorite regional credits: Ragtime
(Astoria Performing Arts Center), Man
Of La Mancha (Gallery Players), The Who's Tommy (Arts Center Of
Coastal Carolina). BFA, Marymount Manhattan. Thank you as always to
everyone at TG for all their passion and dedication!
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ERIC NOONE (Cain/Japheth) loves
juggling his many roles of Father, General Manager of Stroudsburg’s
Ruby Tuesday, and actor. He was last seen in Gems's summer concert Bringing Broadway Back. Eric is a
graduate of the School of Hard Knocks with a Doctorate in B.S. New York
off-Broadway credits: Youssein Davair in Mr. President, John Smith in The Last Jew in Europe, and Ren in Footloose. Regional credits:
Aladdin in Aladdin, Ben in Joseph...Dreamcoat, and Rolfe in The Sound of Music. Eric lovingly
and proudly dedicates this performance to the memory of his father
Patrick "Patriot" Noone, love you Timer!
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PATRICK
MERTZ (Abel/Ham/Musical Director) is excited to be back for
Theatrical Gems's production of Children
of Eden as musical director and on stage as Abel/Ham. In past
productions, he has played Dr. Carrasco/Duke in Man of La Mancha, Sparky in Forever Plaid, and various other
roles while enrolled at East Stroudsburg University. He also appeared
in Retro Rock, a fast paced
'50s-'70s music revue at Knoebels Amusement Resort as a singer and
dancer. Patrick received his B.S. in Chemistry from ESU where he was
president of the Vocal Performing Arts student organization. As a
member of several ensembles he has had the privilege to perform in
Washington, D.C.; Beijing, China; Toronto, Canada; Baltimore; and many
local venues. As president and section leader, it was here he learned
to love running rehearsals and directing small ensembles. When not
performing or directing, he works as a quality control chemist at DSM
Nutritional Products and currently resides in Stroudsburg, PA. Patrick
would like to thank his family and friends for all of their love and
support! |
BENJAMIN COHEN (Seth/Shem) is
delighted to appear in Theatrical Gems's Children of Eden. Benjamin has
recently rediscovered his love of theater, and has performed most
recently in Man of La Mancha,
The Obituary I'm Dying to
Write, and Anything Goes.
To Eileen, castmate and beloved wife: just knowing you're near, it
makes the day new...how could I live in a world without you?!?
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SARAH
FISTER (Aphra/Storyteller). This is Sarah’s second performance
with Theatrical Gems. Sarah previously played Maria in Man of La Mancha. She graduated
from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary
Education, with a concentration in English and a Minor in Theatre.
Among the eighteen shows she has done, some of her favorite theatre
credits also include Grease
(Sandy), Little Shop of Horrors
(Audrey), and A View from the Bridge
(Catherine). Sarah also appeared in Retro
Rock, a professional song and dance revue at Knoebels Amusement
Resort. She would like to thank all of her family and friends for their
love and support over these many years. She would also like to thank
Patrick for taking this amazing theatrical journey with her. |
EILEEN COHEN (Aysha/Storyteller) is thrilled to be back with Theatrical Gems. She last played
Antonia in Man of La Mancha.
She has played many roles at Shawnee Playhouse, including Belle
in Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol,
Carmen in Fame the Musical,
Libby Tucker in I Ought
to be in Pictures.
She toured Italy and Austria with ESU’s pop/jazz ensemble. Her
favorite roles include Anabel Glick in Lucky Stiff, Alice in Alice Through the Looking
Glass, and Feste
the Fool in Twelfth Night.
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DAMIAN
BARTOLACCI (Snake) is a freelance Videographer/Editor. He
has had the wonderful opportunity of working with Ryan and Lindsey Cook
in the past at the Bucks County Playhouse, along with the amazing
talents, Jill Palena and Alex Pealman. He would like to sincerely
thank Cookie for inviting him to be a part of this wonderful show! |
JILL PALENA (Yonah/Storyteller) is
honored to be part of such an amazing cast! Performing professionally
for over 12 years, she is so excited to come back to the Poconos and
have the chance to play with some of her dearest friends! Many thanks
to Ryan, Jacob, and Theatrical Gems for this opportunity, and
let's keep the arts alive!
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TYLER
APONTE (Young Cain/Storyteller). 13 years old, in the 7th Grade
at J.T Lambert, he is in the Cavalier Voices. This is the first time
participating in a production outside of school. |
BARRINGTON
BEADLE, JR. (Storyteller) is a junior at Evergreen Community
Charter School. He recently appeared in Man of la Mancha. He was also in Play On at Evergreen, directed by
Lorenzo Ballesteros. He was a member of Pocono Mountain West's
intermediate chorus in 5th and 6th grades. Thanks to Lorenzo for
starting my passion for acting, and to my father for always being there.
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LAUREL BISHOW (Storyteller), a long time lover of
the theater, makes her own theater debut in this production of Children of Eden. Her previous
musical experience includes singing with the ESU Concert Chorus,
playing the flute in several local ensembles, and being threatened by
neighbors for practicing bagpipes in an apartment. Her dream is to one
day sing and dance in a Bollywood film.
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LINDSEY
COOK (Storyteller/Generations Soloist/Vocal
Captain) was
last seen as Aldonza in Man of La
Mancha. She is
a proud graduate of ESHS (Class of 2000) and 2005 graduate of East
Stroudsburg University. In 2004 she became lead singer of a
prestigious jazz organization and performed all over NEPA. She later
renewed her love of musical theater performing at the Bucks County
Playhouse in over 40 productions. Her favorite credits there
include: Eva Perón in Evita,
Rusty in Footloose, Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde, Nancy in Oliver!, Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, and Rizzo in Grease. She is happy to be
back in the Poconos with her husband and puppy while having a new
career in pediatric homecare.
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RILEY HENDERSON (Dove/Storyteller) is excited to be
performing in her first musical. A third grader at Notre Dame
Elementary School in Stroudsburg, she lives with her family and dog,
Zoe. Riley first appeared on stage at the age of three and recently
part of the Kids Kabaret and Nutcracker
at the Shawnee Playhouse. Riley also enjoys being around her friends
and family. Riley thanks her parents for their love and support and
helping her in pursuit of her dreams. She is extremely proud to be a
part of Children of Eden and
is thankful for this experience.
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LAUREN
MATRISCIANO (Dove/Storyteller) is
seven years old and is so excited to be performing in her first
Theatrical Gems Production! Lauren lives with her parents, older
brother, and Nana and is in the 1st grade at Notre Dame Elementary
School in East Stroudsburg. She has been seen performing in the Kids
Kabaret for the past two years. Lauren loves to dance, sing and hopes
to one day perform on Broadway!
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DYLAN McCORD (Storyteller) is a junior at
Evergreen Community Charter School. He recently appeared in Man of la Mancha. He has
appeared in student productions of Play
On, West Moon Street,
and What She Will at
Evergreen. He was a member of the Young Artist Program for 3
years. Thanks to my family for supporting me and all of my acting
teachers at YAP!
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| ANNALEE
PAIGE (Storyteller) is a freshman at the Lehigh Valley Charter
High School for the Arts, majoring in Vocal. Some of her past
performances include: Tiny Tim's
Christmas Carol, Annie,
Home for Christmas,
and High School Musical. She
is also a member of FuSia Dance Company located in Stroudsburg,
PA. This is Annalee's first performance with Theatrical Gems and
she is very excited. She would like to thank Ryan and Jacob for the
opportunity to be part of Children
of Eden and she hopes you all enjoy the show!! |
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SOFIA PIPOLO (Storyteller) is a freshman at Notre
Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, and is proud to be joining
Theatrical Gems. She has been involved in theatre since she was five
years old, starting her acting career at The Pocono Playhouse,
performing in both children and mainstage productions. She has also
performed at Shawnee Theatre and in Michael Heron's production of Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol. Her
favorite roles to date have been Miss Hanigan in Annie and Mrs. Gloop in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Many thanks to family and friends and Theatrical Gems for bringing
Broadway back to the Poconos!
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| HUNTER
RIKER (Young Abel/Storyteller) is a distinguished honor roll
student at Pocono Mountain School District. Prior to his performance in
Children of Eden,
Hunter has performed in Annie
and multiple performances at the Pocono Playhouse, including roles in Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio, and Aladdin. Hunter has studied piano
and vocal performance privately and plays percussion in his school
band. In addition to his love of acting, Hunter has been a member of
his school's Odyssey of the Mind teams, youth basketball, baseball, and
soccer teams, and is a purple belt in karate. |
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LAURA WALL (Storyteller). This is Laura's
second production with Theatrical Gems. She has previously appeared in Man of La Mancha as the featured
Moorish dancer. Laura has been performing for years in shows such as Smile, The Sound of Music, Mr. Cinders, A Christmas Carol, and many more.
Over the past couple of years she has been employed by two production
companies and performed at Knoebels Resort in Elysburg, PA and Dorney
Park in Allentown, PA. A senior at East Stroudsburg University, Laura
is very excited to continue performing and enter the real world of
entertainment. "I would love to thank the entire cast, crew, and
company for this experience."
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presents
