CAST LIST FOR The Pirates of Penzance, 2006

When Frederic was a youngster, his nursemaid, Ruth, was told to apprentice him to a pilot. But, being hard of hearing, Ruth mistook the word and apprenticed him to a band of pirates. To atone for her error, Ruth remained with Frederic as a maid-of-all-work. Frederic loathed the trade to which he had been bound, but served dutifully. As the curtain rises, we find Frederic celebrating his 21st birthday, which ends his indenture. He is preparing to leave the band and devote himself to the extermination of piracy.

Ruth begs him to take her with him as his wife. Having seen no other women, Frederic cannot compare her to others and consents to her wishes. Just then, a group of young ladies, all wards of Major-General Stanley, appear on the scene. Amazed by their beauty, Frederic renounces Ruth. When the ladies refuse Frederic's invitation of love, Mabel steps forward. The rest of the pirates appear, seize the ladies, and threaten immediate marriage. The Major-General arrives and, having heard of the famous Pirates of Penzance, plays on their sympathy by claiming to be an orphan. The pirates, being orphans themselves, never attack other orphans and let the Major-General go.

This lie troubles the Major-General's conscience and at the beginning of the second act he broods in his Gothic ruin. He is comforted by his wards and Frederic's plan to lead a band of police against the pirates.

However, the rejected Ruth finds a loophole in Frederic's contract. She and the Pirate King tell him that since he was born on February 29, he has not strictly reached his 21st birthday. Frederic reluctantly, but dutifully, returns to the pirate band and tells them of the Major-General's lie. The pirates seize the Major-General and a battle ensues between the pirates and the police who have come to the rescue. The pirates initially overcome the police, but then yield in Queen Victoria's name. Ruth reveals that the pirates are all noblemen who have gone wrong-they are pardoned and permitted to marry the Major-General's wards.

The Pirates of Penzance logo

Actors

Orchestra

  • MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR
  • Carol Freed
  • VIOLIN
  • Mark Frankel - Concertmaster, Darrin McBride, Margaret Wyppich, Maureen Sautter, Carol Sandler, Robert Manley, Elliott Moore, Shirley Clarke
  • VIOLA
  • Joanne Damasco, Crystal McFarland, Suzanne Stevens, Ruth Miller Cox, Jennifer Cox, John Littleton
  • CELLO
  • William Dorwart, Marilyn MacRae, Susan Altschuler
  • BASS
  • Faye Kahmer, George Kahmer, Ann Boohar
  • FLUTE
  • Ellen Rosenblatt, Deborah Meltz, Karri Giamporcaro, Roberta Goren
  • OBOE
  • Linda McAlpin, Michael Holtz
  • CLARINET
  • Tony Wastler, Eugene Bentley, Merv Richards
  • TRUMPET
  • Allen Tollen, Susan Haidar, Martha Michael
  • FRENCH HORN
  • Al Blatter, Jacqualine Conway, Ellen Kane
  • TROMBONE
  • Don Matheson
  • EUPHONIUM
  • Lynda Chen
  • PERCUSSION
  • Paul M. Sherin
  • PIANO
  • Sharon Kope - Pianist


Production Staff

  • Joyce Malin - Producer
  • Ken Clark - Set Construction Chair
  • Dottie Hespenheide - Set Painting Chair
  • Valerie Hoffman - Community Outreach
  • Joyce Malin - Properties
  • Janice Manley - Costumes
  • Sonja Allen - Stage Manager
  • M. JANE SMYTH - Master Painter/Graphics
  • Judy Zon - Makeup

  • Sonja Allen (Stage Manager) has been with RVCO since 1981. She has worked backstage for several shows as husband Bob's right hand stagehand. She feels it is time for a "role reversal" and will have him as her right hand for this show. Sonja has appeared on-stage in many roles. Her RVCO roles include Dolly Levi (Hello, Dolly!), Adelaide and Gen. Cartwright (Guys and Dolls) and Mrs. Paroo (The Music Man). Roles with other local groups include the title role in Mame, Mother Superior (Nunsense), Claire and Truvy (Steel Magnolias), and Side by Side by Sondheim. She has appeared in commercials and had a role in America's Most Wanted. Her most enjoyable RVCO activity is working "in the sewing hole" on costumes with the "pick a little, sew a little ladies." Back to top

    Helen J. Beldecos (Chorus) joined RVCO in 1985 and has performed regularly ever since. Her roles include Lady Battersby in Me and My Girl, Shaindel in Fiddler on the Roof, Mae in The Pajama Game, Mrs. Rose in Hello, Dolly!, Fatima in The Desert Song, and Maud Dunlop in The Music Man. Behind the scenes, Helen has been in charge of tickets and treasurer. "RVC is a wonderful group of talented performers; it is a pleasure to be associated with them." Back to top

    Linda Marie Bell (Kate), a chemist by profession, is thrilled to be cast as Kate Stanley with RVCO. Linda sings sacred music with The Choristers of Upper Dublin and began her adult life onstage with North Light Players as Marian Paroo in The Music Man. A soprano with Savoy Company, she has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's: Pirates of Penzance, Utopia Limited, Iolanthe, Princess Ida, Mikado, Sorcerer, Gondoliers, and Yeomen of the Guard. With Old Academy Players, she sang in the musical variety shows: Broadway Memories and Broadway Memories-Revisited. Linda has been cast again as a Bridesmaid in the upcoming production of Trial By Jury for The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Chester County. Linda is pleased to appear in this RVCO production with pirates and policemen, Kevin and Joel! Back to top

    Shelia Bell (Chorus) "I've enjoyed singing in the chorus for the G&S productions since Iolanthe in 1987 but I'm especially pleased to have Tom join me again on stage for this show!" Back to top

    Bruce Bogdanoff (Chorus) made his stage debut with RVCO in Me & My Girl as the Pearly King and other ensemble roles. A neurologist, he joined RVCO in 1989 as pianist for Mikado. With Ohev Shalom Players, he played keyboard for Pippin and was Bobby in Company, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, General Bullmoose in Li'l Abner, and Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. He performs with various chamber music groups and the RVCO Chamber Trio. Back to top

    Arnza Chamberlain (Chorus) returns to RVCO for her second show. No stranger to musical entertainment, she took to music at an early age. Raised in North-Philadelphia, she started on the viola at six and played in an elementary school string quartet and the Phila. Children's Orchestra at seven. Throughout high school and college, she sang in the choir and played in the orchestra-including the Philadelphia All-City Orchestra. She is the manager and artist developer of her four daughters' singing group "Min-US-ONE." Back to top

    Ken Clark (Set Construction Chair) was first listed under Costumes for Kiss Me, Kate in 1998. After lugging costumes, installing grommets, and posing occasionally as a "Male Model", he explored other avenues and proceeded through Stage Crew to Set Construction Crew to Set Construction Chair which he did for Patience, Carousel, HMS Pinafore/Cox & Box, and The Red Mill. He has also done bit parts on stage: a Policeman in Hello, Dolly!, a Suspicious Character in Guys and Dolls, and a Clergman in The Red Mill. Back to top

    Lisa Cleek CLEEK (Chorus) is happy to be making her first appearance at RVCO this season, but is very familiar to the stage and with G&S in particular, having been active with The Savoy Company and Thespis, Etc. both onstage and backstage. Pirates of Penzance is one of her favorite shows and she hopes everyone will enjoy watching it as much as she enjoyed being a part of it. Lisa would like to thank her friends and family for coming out to support her in her theatrical endeavors. Back to top

    Jennifer Cole (Ruth) appeared as Lady Jane in Patience. Jennifer plays violin with the Bryn Athyn Orchestra and also teaches private violin and voice students, and is a soloist at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral. She sang with the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus from 1983 to 1987, with the San Diego Master Chorale from 1993 to 1999 as a soloist, including Chichester Psalms and Liebeslieder Waltzes, and in the chorus for The Mikado with SDSU Opera Outreach in 1998. Her recent credits with B-Act (Bryn Athyn Community Theater) include Dame Carruthers in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Yeomen of the Guard (spring 2004), and Fanny Cavendish in Kaufman and Ferber's The Royal Family (fall 2003), but Gilbert & Sullivan is her favorite. Besides music and performing, her favorite thing is family: six sons, two daughters, two daughters-in-law, one son-in law, and five grandsons and one granddaughter. She is very excited, because two more sons became engaged recently, so that means two more beautiful daughters-in-law, and eventually even more grandchildren! Back to top

    Bruce Conley (Chorus) was Dirk in The Red Mill and David Bascombe in Carousel. He is happy to return for this production. A chorus member since 1988, he has also enjoyed performing minor roles in many past shows: such as Brigadoon, The Yeomen of the Guard, Hello, Dolly!, and Die Fledermaus. Back to top

    Thomas Dodds (Chorus) first jointed RVCO in the non-singing role of the Priest in The Yeomen of the Guard. But he really enjoys singing, so he returned to our stage as a chorister in The Sorcerer, Die Fledermaus, Patience, and HMS Pinafore. Back to top

    William V. "PETE" Dorwart (Music Engraver), a cellist in the orchestra, spent most of his professional career as a clinical chemist for Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr Hospital. As a retirement project, he has produced new editions of eleven of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. His edition of The Merry Widow, which RVCO premiered in March 1999, has been used by the Metropolitan Opera for 26 performances over three different seasons. He has completed new string parts for Aida in a joint project with Met and the Chicago Lyric Opera. A new edition of Johann Strauss, Jr.'s Gypsy Baron was performed by the Main Line Opera Guild in 2005. His State Fair by Victor Herbert, premiered this past March in the Lincoln Center in a performance by the Little Orchestra Society. Back to top

    Michael Dutka (Sergeant of Police) appeared as Dick Deadeye in Rose Valley's production of H.M.S. Pinafore last fall. Beginning with Sergeant Meryll in a college production of The Yeomen of the Guard, he has appeared in numerous Gilbert & Sullivan roles, including Roderick in Ruddigore with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Chester Country, The Mikado with The Ardensingers and The Usher in Trial By Jury with The Savoy Company. An open-minded chap, he has even played non-G&S parts, including The Commendatore in Don Giovanni, two Menotti roles - Mr. Gobineau in The Medium and Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Huckabee in The Fantasticks, and Emile in South Pacific. Michael lives, sings, rides horses and writes dark fiction and fantasy in Doylestown, PA. He wishes to thank his singing teacher, Richard Johnson, and his father, in memorium, for his constant encouragement and moral support. Back to top

    Carol Freed (Music Director/Conductor) started piano at the age of six and was first music director as a senior at Lower Merion High School. Since then she has been music director/conductor for many local theater groups. She joined RVCO in 1977 as accompanist and became music director and conductor with The New Moon production in 1985. Her longevity with RVCO has now earned her the distinction of lifetime membership. "What a privilege to lead such a wonderful and talented group of people, both actors and orchestra." Off the podium, she sells real estate with Weichert Realtors and does vocal coaching. "Thanks to my husband, Marvin, for supporting me, always." Back to top

    Helene Furlong (Assistant Music Director/Isabel) has assisted in the musical direction for all our shows starting with Ruddigore in 1990 up to the present production, including RVCO's Music in Schools traveling production of The Pirates of Penzance. For RVCO, she has danced and played roles onstage, been in the chorus, played clarinet in the orchestra, worked stage crew, and called cues. She assisted Dr. Adeline Bethany with the Cabrini College/Delaware County College Community Chorus' trip in 2004 and had the experience of a lifetime conducting the choir in Spain and Portugal. She music directed the Fall 2005 production of Mistrial by Jury at Ardensingers. Helene is currently music directing Ardensingers' Fall show, Eyes and No Eyes by W.S. Gilbert and Florian Pascal, and will be music directing their Princess Ida in the Spring. Helene plays clarinet with her husband, Tony Wastler, in the Virginia Grand Military Band (Arlington, VA) and the Upper Darby Sousa Band, and for him with the Marple Newtown Community Band. Helene has a B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University and belongs to the Philadelphia alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international women's music fraternity. Helene would like to take this opportunity to remember Joanna McLaughlin, whose beautiful voice and vibrant, upbeat personality helped to make the RVCO special. Back to top

    Jennifer Graf (Mabel) debuts with RVCO in this role. She holds degrees in Vocal Performance from West Chester University (BA) and New England Conservatory of Music (MA). Her operatic roles include: Madame Hart (The Impresario), Adina (L'Elisir d'Amore), Giulietta (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), Blonde (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Musetta (La Boheme), Frasquita (Carmen), and Olympia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann). Her musical theatre credits include: Meet Me in St. Louis, Camelot, and Oklahoma! With the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra she sang the soprano solos in Vivaldi's Gloria and Magnificat and in Mozart's Requiem; with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony she was first soprano soloist in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy. With the Ama Deus Ensemble, she was soprano soloist in Bach's St. Matthew Passion performed at the Kimmel Center and in Handel's Messiah. She also has extensive experience singing and performing early music. Jennifer studies voice with Dr. Kathryn Chilcote and lives in Hellertown with her husband, Brian Smith. Back to top

    Stuart Gross (Samuel) was the Starkeeper and Dr. Seldon in Carousel, Major in Patience, and Sir Jasper in Me and My Girl. Previously he was Frosch in Die Fledermaus, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Ambrose in Hello, Dolly! (twice), and was in disguise as the old man Henry in The Fantasticks. A member of Rose Valley since 1983, he has played many other roles in our productions, including Harrison Howell in Kiss Me, Kate, Mr. Lundie in Brigadoon, and Kromov in The Merry Widow. With other groups, Stuart has performed as Charlemagne in Pippin, Herbie in Gypsy, P. T. Barnum in Barnum, the Wolf and Prince in Into the Woods, and in a production of Closer than Ever. When not performing, Stuart has a periodontal practice in Wallingford. Back to top

    Bill Hendrix (Chorus) "I've been with RVCO for 10 years and 21 shows following my retirement from the corporate world and flying for the military. It doesn't get any better than this-great people, great music, great musicians, and outstanding audiences." Back to top

    Dottie Hespenheide (Chorus/Set Painting Chair) "This is my eighth year with RVCO, and I'm continually impressed with the quality of our performances (and the scenery!!). I still enjoy singing in the chorus, and doing what I can to help with scenery construction and painting." She received the RVCO #1 Award for 2003. Back to top

    Sharon Kope (Pianist). A musician all her life, Sharon began piano lessons in first grade and violin lessons in fourth; by tenth grade she was church organist. She studied at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. After high school she toured Europe with America's Youth in Concert. Sharon attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey and graduated from Wittenberg University in Ohio, with a bachelor's degree in church music. She enjoyed a tour of Germany her senior year of college, visiting many different churches and organs. For 20 years, Sharon was the organist and Director of Music for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood and is now the Director of Music at Mount Hope United Methodist Church in Aston. She is also the director and accompanist for the Sunshine Singers of Delaware County. This is her second "full" year with RVCO. Sharon is married to her wonderful husband, Bob, and has two terrific boys, Kevin and Tim. When not involved with music, she likes spending time with her family, doing crafts, and traveling around the country. Back to top

    Joyce Malin (Producer/Properties) has been a member of the RVCO family since 1992. Being Properties chairperson gives her an excuse to roam all the yard sales, flea markets, and second hand shops she can and is a direct result of early crayoning deficiency and lack of formal preschool. "Many thanks to Erma for all her help." Back to top

    Janice Manley (Costumes) returned as costume chair for The Mikado in 1997 and has dressed most of our shows since. She first appeared on our stage in Brigadoon of 1961, where she met her husband, Bob, and together they have participated in RVCO ever since-both are now lifetime members. She often plays the piano in the orchestra and for rehearsals and has served on the Executive Committee; Bob now plays violin in the RVCO orchestra. She also has credits with Ardensingers and has coordinated costumes for OperaDelaware. Back to top

    Regina McCarty (Edith) is delighted to debut with Rose Valley as Edith. A veteran of the theater, she is a graduate of Mansfield University, with a degree in Music Merchandising. Over the years, she has performed such roles as Nicemis, in Thespis, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Lady Saphir in Patience, Princess Nekaya in Utopia, Ltd., Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense, Rosalinda in Die Fleidermaus, Baby Doe in the Ballad of Baby Doe, and the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. She has also performed as a backup vocalist with the Chieftains during their 1999 world tour, and as a soloist with the Chester County Choral Society, the Reading Chorale, and is a featured soloist at Christ Church Ithan in Wayne and an active member of The Savoy Company in Philadelphia. She can be seen next playing Phyllis in Thespis, Etc's production of Iolanthe in February 2007. During her free time, Regina works in Human Resources and keeps busy planning her upcoming December wedding. She resides in Glenolden, PA with her soon-to-be husband Scott. Back to top

    Jack McEwen (Chorus) was Piet in The Red Mill, Liver-Lips Louie in Guys and Doll, and Bob Barking in Me and My Girl of 2003. "This is my seventh season with RVCO and I'm having a great time." Back to top

    Bill Michael (Chorus) joined RVCO in 1992 and has appeared in many of our productions since. He met his wife, Kathy, through RVCO and has performed with his daughter, Maggie, in two RVCO shows. Besides being on stage, he has worn many other hats over the years, currently serves as Vice President and Membership Chair. Back to top

    Daniel R. Murphy (Apprentice Pirate) was a Midshipman) in HMS Pinafore last year. He has appeared previously with Opera Delaware in The Hobbit and The Rats of NIMH. He enjoys reading and drawing, plays piano, swims for Hidden Hollow Swim Team, and is a webelo in the Cub Scouts. He is currently in 4th grade at Indian Lane Elementary. Back to top

    R. Joseph Murphy (Pirate King) was Sir Joseph in HMS Pinafore last fall, the Colonel in Patience, and the Major-General in our previous Pirates of Penzance. Ray first appeared with RVCO in 1985 as a second trombone in the orchestra for The Yeomen of the Guard. He then played the roles of Private Willis in Iolanthe, Florian in Princess Ida, Colonel Calverley in Patience, Old Adam in Ruddigore, Ko-Ko in Mikado, and Mayor Shinn in The Music Man. Elsewhere, his roles include Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, Barney Cashman in Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Sir Despard in Ruddigore. He has performed with OperaDelaware in their family opera series as Mr. Toad in Wind in the Willows and Harry the Cat in Cricket in Times Square. Ray works locally for AAA. His son, Daniel, Apprentice in this show, is a stage worthy lad who will one day succeed him. He is truly grateful for the support and caring of his talented wife, Janet, who makes possible his participation. Back to top

    Edwin Nealley (Major-General) previously was Grosvenor in Patience, the Solicitor in Me and My Girl, and Bellomy in The Fantasticks. This is Ed's first production of Pirates of Penzance, and he is very pleased to have finally performed in all fourteen Gilbert & Sullivan operettas! Other recent roles include Ernest Dummkopf (Grand Duke) with G&S Society of Chester Cty., and King Paramount (Utopia Ltd.) and Captain Corcoran (H.M.S. Pinafore) with The Ardensingers. He will appear next in Thespis Etc's production of Iolanthe this coming February. (which he trusts will not be too beastly) Edwin works in the Technology Department of supplyFORCE, a web-based company facilitating industrial distribution. In his private life he has been known to dabble in military history, logic puzzles, science, classics and literature, but predominantly spends his time in performing, choir, reading, and folk-dancing. He would like to dedicate this performance to his wife, Kate, and his daughter, Sara, and hopes he brings no shame on the family escutcheon thereby. Back to top

    Kate Nealley (Stage Director) directed Cox & Box last fall. Previously she directed Brigadoon (1997) and H.M.S. Pinafore (1994). She also assistant directed and choreographed past RVCO productions of Yeomen of the Guard, Patience, My Fair Lady and Ruddigore. Kate has also stage directed for The Savoy Company, the G & S Society of Chester County, and the Ardensingers. Kate and her husband Edwin met in the Rose Valley production of Ruddigore in 1990. They have one daughter, Sara, who also loves to sing and dance. (Wonder where she got that from .?) When not singing Gilbert and Sullivan, the Nealley family enjoys Scottish and English Country dancing, reading, and making homemade preserves. Back to top

    Sean O'Donnell (Frederic) was John James Box in Cox & Box and Ralph in H.M.S. Pinafore last fall. He has been active for the past seven years throughout the greater Philadelphia area performing primarily the G & S operettas. His favorite roles include Frederic in Pirates, Nanki-Poo in Mikado, and Fairfax in Yeomen. Sean has performed with groups like the Ardensingers, The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Chester County, and of course, Rose Valley. This Spring Sean will be making his debut with Opera Delaware as the Prime Minister in The Phantom Tollbooth. Sean is a music teacher for the Cecil County Public School System at Bay View Elementary School in Maryland. He resides with his ever supportive, and oh so patient wife Renee in Greenville, Delaware. Back to top

    Joy Pedrick (Chorus) was last in RVCO's Plain and Fancy in 1986 and in two previous productions of Pirates-1975 and 1983. She sang with the Swarthmore Chorale and in musicals with Barnstormers and Players Club of Swarthmore and currently sings with Ridley Community Chorus, plays hand bells at Prospect United Methodist Church, and square dances with Club Sashay. She has worked at Taylor Hospital as an RN for 30 years. Joy and her family enjoy camping and she thanks her guys for doing this show together. Back to top

    Kyle Pedrick (Chorus) is in seventh grade at Prospect Park Middle School where he sings in the Concert Choir and plays trombone in the band. He has been studying piano for five years under Carolyn Sloane and has accompanied the school choir in concert. He is also an organ student of Matthew Phillips, plays hand bells at church, and square dances. He has been a member of the Glenolden Young Peoples Performing Arts Club for five years, taking recent roles of Harvey Johnson and the Mayor in Bye Bye Birdie. Kyle is enjoying this new experience of performing with RVCO in Pirates. Back to top

    Lee Pedrick (Chorus) had the lead in his high school play Up the Down Staircase and recently has been active with the Drama Ministry Team and choir at Prospect United Methodist Church, where he also plays in the hand bell choir. He sings with the Ridley Community Chorus and square dances with Club Sashay. During the day, he does lawn care and is a crossing guard in Prospect Park. Lee wants to thank Joy for getting him involved in this production. Back to top

    Joel Realberg (Chorus) is pleased to be returning to Rose Valley for his third season. He first appeared in Patience and wishes to express his appreciation to the members of that production for the Patience that they exhibited in allowing him to remain on stage. He has also appeared on and off on-Broadway and off and on off-Broadway for years scalping tickets. He is a chorister with The Savoy Company and has performed with them in The Mikado, The Sorcerer, and The Gondoliers. He thanks his lovely wife Robin for letting him out for rehearsals and also his voice teacher, Sharon Sigal, for her irrepressible optimist that he will eventually become self-supporting. Back to top

    Diane Runkel (Chorus) has been singing alto in church choirs since the fourth grade. "I continue to sing in our church choir and in a women's sextet at church. For two seasons (2004 and 2005) I participated in the Festival Chorus with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops Christmas show, under the direction of Jeff Kern from the University of the Arts. This is my first Gilbert and Sullivan show with Rose Valley but is a dream come true!" Back to top

    Sally Sapega (Chorus) joined RVCO for Carousel, performed in The Red Mill, and is delighted to return for this show. She has previously performed with Thespis, Etc. as Pretteia in Thespis, as the Ghost of Christmas Future in Gilbert & Sullivan's A Christmas Carol, and as one of the daughters in The Pirates of Penzance. Sally also sings with the Media Chamber Chorale. Back to top

    Rande Saxe (Chorus), a graduate of Temple University School of Music, has been teaching vocal classroom music for 25 years in the North Penn School District, Lansdale, PA. She enjoys conducting chorus and, even more, directing her school's musicals. "But-being in this production is a dream come true.so much fun to be on stage and work with Carol Freed and Kate Nealley. I dedicate this to the "three special men" in my life-George, Jason, and David." Back to top

    Jane Smyth (Graphics/Calendar) has designed graphics and sets for many of our shows, most recently Patience, Me and My Girl, The Sorcerer, Pirates of Penzance, Yeomen of the Guard, and Mikado. Her favorite shows were Most Happy Fella, Music Man of 1982 (when she was Eulalie and her son Greg was Winthrop), and Carousel of 1977 in which both of her children joined her. Off stage, she was a graphic designer with West Chester University and won a Gold Award in 1992 for the West Chester University Magazine design. Jane and her daughter, Becky, won a Blue Ribbon for their scale miniature and Best of Blue for the division of Miniature Settings at a recent Philadelphia Flower Show. Their latest artistic venture is a beaded jewelry website?Craftsmyths.com. Back to top

    Kevin Strauss (Chorus) is delighted to have become a regular performer and a member of the Board with RVCO. He was Franz in The Red Mill, a chorus member for The Sorcerer, Patience and HMS Pinafore, and Dick Deadeye in RVCO's Towne House dinner theatre performance last January. He was The Usher in Trial by Jury with G&S Society of Chester County last winter. Musically, Kevin has sung all of the major Gilbert and Sullivan light opera roles in the confines of his shower, kitchen and SUV. He is also a member of The Savoy Company, and appeared with them in The Mikado, The Sorcerer, and The Gondoliers. When not singing with RVCO, he is the CFO of AIDS Care Group in Chester, collects G&S memorabilia, and pretends to be a gourmet chef. Back to top

    Erin Traverso (Chorus) originally hails from Utah but claims to be a Delaware County native-by-marriage. She currently resides in Drexel Hill with her husband, John, and their two sweet boys, Samuel (3) and James (1). Erin is thrilled to be joining RVCO for Pirates this year. She is thrilled to be out of the house and singing something other than "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Hakuna Matata." Erin is especially thrilled that her amazing husband volunteered to watch the boys so she could sing and dance to her heart's content. Go John! Big thanks to Tyler and Rebecca for talking me into this and to mom for flying across the country to see it. Erin's past theater experience includes: The Secret Garden, Once Upon a Mattress, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, Brigadoon, and about a million others. This is her first Gilbert and Sullivan. Back to top

    Cathy Wakefield (Chorus) is thrilled to still be performing with RVCO in its 100th season! She first performed with the group in 1981, and has enjoyed singing and dancing with them in many shows. Favorites include Guys and Dolls (1984 and 2004), Plain and Fancy (1986, on stage with her daughter) and, of course, Pirates, her favorite G&S. "Thanks to my wonderful family and friends for their love and support of my exciting hobby!" Back to top

    Jennifer Williams (Chorus). Poor wandering Ms. Williams returns to RVCO after a few seasons at sea and is loving every minute of working with such a tremendously talented cast. She would like to thank her roommate for tolerating impromptu living room performances and especially thank her mom and dad for their love and support. Back to top

    Dave Zaffarano ZAFFARANO (Chorus) last appeared in a show as Pappy Yocum in Lil' Abner in 1972 and is still not sure how his wife Julie conned him into this. He has kept his voice limber singing in church as a member of the choir and as a soloist. He also sings with Schola Cantorum and the Blue and Gray Voices (the St. James alumni choir). He has assisted with school musicals and CCD choir. Thanks to the very talented RVCO team who have been so kind and patient!. Back to top

    Julie Zaffarano (Chorus) is thrilled to be in her first RVCO performance with her husband Dave. She currently performs with Schola Cantorum and is involved with her church as a choir member, soloist, assistant director of the CCD music program, and previously as music director for several school musicals. She has been known to sing for food and has even been paid not to sing. Thank you RVCO for the opportunity! Back to top

    Judy Zom (Makeup) first chaired makeup for The Music Man in 2000, and then returned for The Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady, The Sorcerer, Die Fledermaus, Me and My Girl, Guys and Dolls and Carousel. Back to top