Meet our cast:

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Brandon Conti (Dude #1) is so excited to be performing such a unique piece of theatre. Previous credits include, Hair (Berger), Forever Plaid (Jinx), The Robber Bridegroom (Jamie Lockhart), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), The Full Monty (Malcolm), and Ragtime (Harry Houdini). To the cast and crew, thank you for all your guidance and positivity. To my friend and mentor, Vera Tisheff-Svezia, thank you for always believing, honoring and respecting the path I chose, and for your constant guidance and love. My performances, now and always, are dedicated to you. I will miss you.

Eric Najimian (Dude #2) is so excited to be a part of the Players Guild of Leonia’s production of Toxic Avenger: the Musical! Though this is Eric’s first show with PGL he has been acting for twelve years now. Some of his past roles include Jesus in Godspell, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods and Andrew Polinski in My Big Gay Italian Wedding. Eric is also assistant director and the lead Rocky for Denton Company, an east coast based Rocky Horror shadow cast.

Kay Koch (Mayor Babs/Ma Ferd/The Nun) is thrilled to be back in "the Jerz" for this wild, hot toxic ride of a show! She is honored to be making her Leonia debut alongside such a [[*long string of authentic Jersey expletives redacted*]] talented cast! Recent credits include Elf: The Musical (Emily Hobbs - Cumberland Theater), Ragtime (Mother - Bergen County Players), Gloria: A Life (Gloria Steinem - OffBook Productions), Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Edna - Studio Playhouse), 1776 (Thomas Jefferson - OffBook), Gutenberg The Musical (Dee - OffBook) and Into the Woods (The Baker - Studio). Endless thanks to Ellyn, Dan, Marc, and this entire "Tromaville" team! Love to Packy, Jessi, Jess, and Laura for your endless support, encouragement... all of it. Dedicated to you, TDK.

Sean Lynch-Littlejohn (Melvin Ferd III/The Toxic Avenger) PGL Debut. Past NJ roles include: Elf (Buddy)(CDC), Forever Plaid (Frankie) (The Barn Theatre), Matilda (Trunchbull)(PVP), Bright Star (Jimmy Ray Dobbs)(Summit Playhouse)(NJACT Perry Award Nominee), Tuck Everlasting (Man in the Yellow Suit)(CCP), Barefoot in the Park (Paul) (The Barn Theatre), Rumors (Ken) (CDC), I Do! I Do! (Michael) (CTG), Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino) (CDC), She Loves Me (Steven Kodlay) (The Barn Theatre), Chess (Arbiter) (CDC) (NJACT Perry Award Nominee), The Who’s Tommy (Captain Walker) (CTG), Sweet Charity (Oscar Lindquist) (OLT), NY Credits: Not Another Musical (Caldwell Sneer), Ragtime (Harry Houdini), Godspell (Jeffery), Bye Bye Birdie (Conrad Birdie), Psycho Beach Party (Yo-Yo), The Zoo Story (Jerry). All my love to Brendan Instagram:@seanmlynchlittlejohn

Betty Mack (Sarah) is thrilled she blindly showed up for Toxic Avenger auditions and saw the light that is every moment and member of this production! Most recent credits include Jovie in Elf: The Musical and Flakey in Frosted: A Parody Musical (both at the CDC Theater) as well as being a home team Laughlete for ComedySportz NYC! Betty has her BFA in Musical Theatre from UArts, but would rather you know that she is incredibly grateful to Ellyn, Dan, Marc, Rachel, Maureen, Cathie and Carol for their incredible work. Special shout-out to her Buddy, Sean, for making this possible. Giant hugs and perpetual thanks to Madison and Mom for being the real stars.​

Ellyn Essig - Director

Ellyn Essig is beyond thrilled to return to PGL for The Toxic Avenger! Ellyn received the 2018 Perry Award for Outstanding Production of a Play for her direction of Steel Magnolias and the 2020 Perry for Outstanding Scenic Design for The Lion in Winter. Other directing credits include Ghost Train, Pippin, Getting Away With Murder, HAIR, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Catch Me If You Can, Veronica’s Room, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and A Christmas Carol. Ellyn is a longtime member of the Screen Actors Guild and has appeared in theatrical productions in NY, NJ, and California. Thank you to PGL, my magnificent cast and crew, my beloved Squad,  & most importantly...thank you to my extraordinary husband, Rick, who has the patience of a saint.

Carol Fisher - Producer

Carol Fisher - this is the third production Carol has produced for Ellyn at The Player Guild of Leonia.  She is thrilled to be working with such a wonderfully talented cast and crew.  As always she wants the thank all her family for their support. Irv, Josh, Alex, Zachary, Jason and Christie. 

Rick Essig - Sound Design

Rick Essig is a professional mastering engineer with REM Sound. Rick earned a Perry Award for Outstanding Sound Design for The Lion in Winter and is always happy to lend an ear for sound and effects. Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Toxic Avenger!

Dan Sander-Wells (Music Director)

Dan Sander-Wells is a freelance conductor, music director, and arranger based in NYC. A graduate of Westminster Choir College, Dan holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the institution. Previous posts include Director of Choral Activities at Delaware Valley Regional High School where he served as Music Director for their Winter Musicals earning accolades from Paper Mill Playhouse, Bucks County Playhouse, and NJ State Thespian Festival for his music direction. In addition, Dan served as Resident Music Director for the Lyric Theatre at The College of New Jersey. As a conductor, he received third place for the Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting and his musical collaborations have included Broadway legends such as Freddi Walker-Browne, Phylicia Rashad, Kate Baldwin, and Andrew Lippa. As an arranger, Dan currently serves as the music supervisor for the 50th anniversary revival of the Tony-Award winning musical Raisin. The production will be releasing a cast album featuring his orchestrations later this year. 

Gerard Bourcier (Set/Lighting Design)

Gerard Bourcier has been involved in theater since growing up in Vermont. He worked at the Folger Shakespeare Library Theater in Washington D.C. as well as at the NY Shakespeare Festival/Public Theater as an electrician, Master Electrician and designer, and designed several off-Broadway productions. Gerard freelances for corporate theater, movies, TV.. At the Players Guild of Leonia he designed sets and lights for Hair. He has designed sets and lights at Bergen County Players. He received a National Youth Arts Award for the design of Stage, Scene & Song Performing Arts’ production of In The Heights.

Rachel Alt (Stage Manager)

Rachel Alt has sat on the boards of PGL, Kings County Shakespeare, and Phoenix Players. She has also served as Producing Artistic Director for Kings County Shakespeare and founded True North Ensemble and Asphalt Players. She is a Perry Nominee for Directing and has performed numerous times on the stages throughout Bergen County. Many thanks to Ellyn for the opportunity to join this incredibly talented team. Love to the boys for waiting up.

Maureen Mulvihill (Costume Designer)

Maureen Mulvihill (Costume Designer) is happy to be back at PGL where she considers the theatre home. She is a Perry award winner for costume design on Lion in Winter and a Perry award nominee for costume design for Lost in Yonkers and Moon Over Buffalo. She is grateful to be working alongside the talented Cathie Mick, designing the costumes, and with the rest of her, equally talented and brilliant, Squad. “This cast and crew have been a dream team of talented and professional individuals.”​

Marc Leland (Choreographer)

Marc Leland is grateful to be working with this amazing production team and gifted cast.  Marc has choreographed and performed in numerous Guild productions. Recently he was Nathan in Guys & Dolls, Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along and Buddy in Follies. He studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and trained as a dancer with many iconic teachers including Ann Reinking. Marc has made two feature films and is in pre-production for his 3rd film, Niagara 99. Theater makes the world a better place.

Ralph Martinez (Publicity)

Ralph Martinez joined the PGL in 2016. His acting debut started with Theater on the Edge: Desire, Desire, Desire. Favorite roles include, Twelve Angry Jurors, Summerstages' Anything Goes, and Damn Yankees. Ralph produced Lost in Yonkers in 2017, which was nominated for five Perry Awards! He fell in love with producing ever since. Ralph has served on the PGL Board as Treasurer, President, and actively participates in various PGL committees: Social Media/Marketing, Budget/Finance, The Prompter (PGL's monthly newsletter), Website, and Membership.

 
Special Thanks to:
Steve Moldt
Frank Osmers
Beth Parrillo
Patricia Phillips
Suzanne Renaud
Argine Safari
Chris Thorn
Linda Wielkotz
 
PIT
Dan Wells..........Keyboard
Dane Wagne..........Guitar
Tim O’Hara..........Bass
Brandon Essig..........Drums

 
A very big thank you to all our
2022-2023 booster sponsors and advertisers!

 Boosters

Terri and Peter Caust
​The Mulvihill Family
Patricia Phillips
Art Penque
Bob Leap & Jeff McCartney
Joanne Godlewski
Joanne Guarnaccia
Beth Parrillo
Suzanne Renaud
Emily Pensari
Jeanmarie Garver-Gaydos
Annette and Tony Lenge
Ralph Martinez

Advertisers

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www.chrishietikkophotography.com
212-865-8446
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P.O. Box 352
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​Frank D. Livelli, Jr., MD
Harkness Pavilion, Room 23
180 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
212.342.4387
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Donations
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Players Guild of Leonia
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