Jewtopia New York Production

Bryan Fogel (Playwright): (The following is the transcript of the phone conversation between Bryan and Sam that occurred on March 13th, 2003 at 11:53pm as Bryan sat down at his computer to write his bio.)
Sam: Hello?
Bryan: Dude, I'm screwed! I've been working on this bio thing all night and I can't come up with anything!
S: What do you mean? I've seen your resume. You've done a ton of stuff.
B: Lies. All lies!
S: What about "Eyes Wide Shut?"
B: That wasn't the movie! That was a dramatic recreation of a first year USC student film! I still haven't gotten the tape!
S: Weren't you a theater major at the University of Colorado?
B: I think so. I was too stoned to remember any of it.
S: What about the play I saw you in? You were great!
B: What? In "Esperanto?" I was an Argentinean surgeon dissecting a corpse! And you were the only one who came! Jesus, Sam! Do you realize the kind of credits that everybody else has that's involved with our show? What the hell are they doing with us?
S: Bryan, calm down!
B: How am I supposed to book anything? My agent is operating out of a Motel 6 in Tarzana!
S: Look, we've fooled everybody so far. What's there to worry about?

Sam Wolfson (Playwright): (The following is the transcript of the phone conversation between Sam and Bryan three hours later as Sam sat down to write his bio.)
Bryan: (waking up) Hello?
Sam: You're right! We're dead. We're so dead.
B: What time is it?
S: It's three in the morning and I got nothing!
B: Can we just talk about this tomorrow? I've got a Cool Ranch Doritos callback at like, 9:00 am.
S: Tell me! What have I done?
B: I don't know, man. What have you done?
S: I studied theater at Northwestern University. That's gotta count for something.
B: Yeah, 80 grand in the toilet. Do you think when you audition for a sitcom they want to see your monologue from "Agamemnon?"
S: Oh, that's good. I can put that. Now what about all the plays I did in high school? In ninth grade, I was a wicked Ichabod Crane.
B: Dude, I gotta get some sleep. I'm packing down handfuls of Cool Ranch Doritos in six hours. Besides, none of it matters anyway. Look at Colin Farrell. He went to bed one night, woke up the next day and he was famous. Just take a couple Xanax and we'll talk tomorrow.
S: Okay. Later. Ooh, wait! How about that extra work I did on "JAG"? Does that count?

John Tillinger (Director) Broadway: Say Goodnight Gracie, Judgment At Nuremburg with Maximilian Shell and Martha Keller, Night Must Fall with Matthew Broderick, The Sunshine Boys with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, Inherit The Wind with George C. Scott (Tony nomination, OCC Award), Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass, The Price with Eli Wallach (Tony nomination), Sweet Sue with Mary Tyler Moore and Lynn Redgrave, Loot! (OCC Award, Tony nomination), Corpse! with Milo O’Shea, The Golden Age with Stockard Channing, Irene Worth and Jeff Daniels, Solomon’s Child. Off-Broadway: Tea At Five with Kate Mulgrew, House and Garden, Comic Potential with Janie Dee, The Exact Center, Memory Of Water, Dealer’s Choice, Sylvia with Sarah Jessica Parker, A Perfect Ganesh with Zoe Caldwell and Francis Sternhagen, The Last Yankee, Lips Together Teeth Apart with Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski and Swoosie Kurtz, After The Fall with Frank Langella and Dianne Wiest, Breaking Legs with Vincent Gardenia and Philip Bosco, The Lisbon Traviata with Nathan Lane (Lortel Award), Prin with Dame Eileen Atkins, What The Butler Saw, Love Letters with many stars including Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst (Lortel), Urban Blight, The Film Society, Another Antigone, Little Murders with Christine Lahti, The Perfect Party (OCC Award), It’s Only A Play, Entertaining Mr. Sloane (Drama Desk Award). Regional: Eleanor with Jean Stapleton (Arena Stage), and Many Seasons at Long Wharf: The Waverly Gallery, Arsenic And Old Lace with Joanne Woodward, As You Like It, Paddywack, Enemy Of The People, Betrayal, The Lover, The Ruffian On The Stair, A Flea In Her Ear, Another Country with Peter Gallagher and Peter McNichol, This Story Of Yours, A Christmas Garland, The Road To Mecca with Julie Harris.

Andy Fickman (Original Director L.A.) Andy directed the World Premiere of Jewtopia at the Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles. Andy directed Reefer Madness (both the LA and NYC productions), which swept the Los Angeles Drama Critics, Backstage West Garland, and Ovation awards. Andy garnered Best Director honors from each organization. While Off-Broadway Reefer Madness picked up two Drama Desk Nominations. Currently, Andy is in post production on a feature version of "Reefer Madness" for Showtime which reunites original cast members from both the LA and NYC productions along with newcomers Alan Cumming, Steven Webber, Ana Gastayer, Amy Spanger, and Neve Campbell. Previously Andy directed the indie teen comedy, based on his screenplay “Who's Your Daddy?” For Middle Fork Productions. Andy continues his working relationship with Middle Fork Productions as a writer and director on the romantic comedy “Smitten” and the family comedy “Pet Shrink.” Additionally for Middle Fork, Andy wrote the sci-fi western “Mexican Hat.” As a writer/director he's been working on the VH-1 Original Film “It's Only Rock & Rock” and the horror-comedy “The Creeping Terror” for GMK Films. He is also set to direct the indie romantic-comedy “The Tension Ring” as well as the family-comedy “Psycho Bunnies” for Storyopolis Productions and Red Crest Ent. Additionally Andy has pacted with producers Dana Barron and Mike Butkis to co-create and write/direct the kids animated series “Fart Monsters.” Andy is also serving as Executive Producer on Paramount's thriller, “The Somnambulist.” He was an Associate Producer on Columbia Pictures' hit film Anaconda directed by “Lucho Llosa”. Andy and Lucho re-teamed again recently when Andy wrote the international sci-fi family adventure, “Sky Hunter” - which Lucho is directing.

Additional projects for Andy have included: writing the screenplay “Darkness Running” for Columbia Pictures based upon his original pitch, writing the Paula Abdul television pilot "Skirts" for MTV, and developing a half-hour sitcom for Acme Productions, 20th Century Fox, and the WB. Previously, Andy served as Vice President for Bette Midler's All Girl Productions where he was the Executive on CBS' critically acclaimed production of “Gypsy”, and Disney's “Hocus Pocus”, and “Man Of The House.” Before working with Bette, Andy was Vice President of Development for Gene Wilder's Pal-Mel Productions. While there, he worked on Tri-Star's “Another You” and Paramount Picture's “Funny About Love.” Andy was a founding member and Managing Director of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Fountainhead Theatre Company. Andy has directed theatre on stages throughout the United States. Some of Andy's directing credits include the world premieres of Sneaux (for which he won the LA Weekly Award for Best Comedy Director), In The Land Of The Giants, The Gift, Denying Park Avenue, The Marrieds (Winner Best Comedy – Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival), and We The People. Additional regional credits include Fortinbras Gets Drunk, Day Room, J.B., And A Weekend Near Madison. Andy was also co-creator of the improv company Without Annette. Currently Andy is in development with Ernie Chambers, Ted Rawlins, and the Coronet Theatre on the family musical Dennis The Menace. Most recently Andy sold a one hour musical drama-comedy pilot to CBS which he is currently writing.

Josh Heine (Chris O'Connell) was most recently seen in Diving Normal (Outstanding Ensemble Award, FringeNYC 2006). National tours include The Graduate. He understudied the title character in Wendy Wasserstein's Third at Lincoln Center. Regional credits include Picnic at Centerstage (Baltimore). Feature films include A Night In The Hill and Exposed. He graduated from Tisch School of the Arts.

Jeremy Rishe (Adam Lipschitz) Previous professional credits include: Feste in Twelfth Night for Yonkers Shakespeare, and the pilot episode of "Conviction" produced by Dick Wolf (NBC/Universal) and the ABC series "Six Degrees". He is a 2005 graduate of NYU's Graduate Acting Program. Thank you Mom and Dad (I promised them I would)!

Vanessa Lemonides (Crazy Jewish Girls) "Fruma-Sarah" in Fiddler on the Roof (National Tour starring Theodore Bikel); "Tsirl/Lilah" in Noble Laureate (Queens Theatre in the Park); "Little Voice" in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Arvada Center); "Jeunefille" in The King of Hearts (Goodspeed); "Jacky" in Oh Boy! (York Theatre); "Judy" in Love from Judy and "Pickles" in Face the Music (Musicals Tonight!).

Lorry Goldman (Dennis Lipschitz / Party Guy) is an original Jewtopia cast member. In the 15-month LA run Lorry never missed a performance. Theatre appearances include [NY] Off-Broadway with Milton Berle in Goodnight Grandpa at the Entermedia, original works at New Dramatists, Actors Studio Workshop.[LA] The Dead Boy at the Laurelgrove, Women of Manhattan at the Zephyr, Peter Pan in Hollywood at the Skylight, Zen Boogie at the Canon, Once in a Lifetime at the Mark Taper Forum, New Works at Playwrights Group, Taper11, Met,Alliance, 1st Stage. Toured with Liza Minelli in The Act, playing the Shubert Theatre in Chicago and the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco.[TV] appearances include “NYPD,” “24,” “CSI,” “Will&Grace,” opposite Richard Crenna in the mini-series “Intruders” as Hal Linden's personal manager in the series “Jack's Place,” and as Dudley Moore's best friend in the series "Daddy's Girls". [Film]" Torch Song Trilogy", "Godzilla", "The Rescue", "10." Special thanks to my coach Kathleen King.

Becky London (Arlene Lipschitz / Marcy Cohen) Broadway: Marlene; Lincoln Center: Ubu; Off-Broadway: Isn't It Romantic, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Psycho Beach Party; Regional: The Real Thing, Fires in the Mirror, The Taming of the Shrew, Beyond Therapy (Carbonell Award), TV: Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Third Watch, Conviction, Guiding Light, All My Children; Film: Changing Lanes, A Very Serious Person, United 93.

Joel Rooks (Rabbi Schlomo / Grandpa Irving) has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in many regional theaters including Williamstown, Arena Stage, Long Wharf, George Street and Yale Rep. Film and TV appearances include "It Runs In The Family", "The Sightseer", "On The Run", "His And Hers", "Law & Order", "SVU", "Criminal Intent", "Ed", "Winchell", "The Beat" and "Cop Shop".

Rosanne Ma (Rachael) Recent credits include Off Broadway: China Doll, Rashomon, Joy Luck Club (Pan Asian Repertory); Regional: Clarence Brown, The Children’s Theatre; International: Havana Theatre Festival, Festival Istropolitana; Directing/Writing credits: Once Upon an Ever After (NY Fringe), The Bakery (CineManila, Asian American Film Festival: LA, NY), Metronome (in post) www.cakefilms.com.

Christina Delaine (Understudy / ASM) Regional credits include: Actors Theater of Louisville, Portland Center Stage, Horse Cave Theater, Graduate of Dartmouth College (B.A.) and Brown University (M.F.A.).

Adam Ludwig (Understudy) Adam's regional theater credits include Good Morning Moscow (Bard Music Festival), Mary Stuart (Pittsburgh Public), Much Ado About Nothing (Old Globe) and The House of Blue Leaves (Berkely Rep.), among others. He has also appeared in the film "Water Under the Bridge" and on television's "Sex and the City". He is a graduate of Middlebury College and the M.F.A. program at the American Conservatory Theater.

D.L. Shroder (Understudy) LaMaMa, Riverside Shakespeare, Founding Member - Lightning Strikes. Regional: Kennedy Center, Folger. Movies: "13th Child," "North." Television: All 3 "Law and Order" Series, "Third Watch."

Patrick Fahey (Scenic Designer) is a set designer because it's the kind of job he enjoys getting up in the morning to do. He is president of 8 Hands High Inc.; a firm that specializes in the design of scenery for theater and exhibitions. He loves and cherishes his EXTREMELY patient wife Katherine.

Cynthia Nordstrom (Costume Designer) has designed over fourteen shows for Walt Disney World including "Tarzan Rocks." Recently she designed Off-Broadway's Silent Laughter and a new show at Las Vegas' Paris Hotel. She has assisted on Dance of the Vampires, The Boy from Oz, ABT's Artemis, and the RBB&B Circus.

Mike Baldassari (Lighting Designer) co-designed the Broadway hit revival of Cabaret, for which he received Tony and Drama Desk Award Nominations and received the Entertainment Design Award. Also on Broadway, As Long As We Both Shall Laugh. City Center’s Encore Series; Tenderloin directed by Walter Bobbie. Off-Broadway credits: Bare, Savion Glover Downtown. National tours: Fame, Spider-Man Live!, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Yeston’s Phantom, Savion Glover –Footnotes (Scenery and Lighting), The King & I, Dial "M" For Murder, Tommy Tune Moonlighting. Emmy Award nomination for the Lighting Direction of "Garth Brooks Live From Central Park". Lighting Director for Neil Young's Harvest Moon Tour, shows or tours designed for: Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Mos Def, John Mellencamp, Jonathan Butler, Kurt Bestor. Television designs: MTV’s "Spankin’ New Music", VH-1's “Eight-Track Flashback,” concerts for the mini-series "Shake, Rattle & Roll." In 2000 he was the Lighting Consultant to Vice President Al Gore for the Presidential Debates.

Kevin Lacy (Sound Designer) 2003 Tony Award nominated Best Play Say Goodnight, Gracie. Owns Freudian Slip Recording where sound f/x for his designs are created. Other Broadway credits include Side Man, Beauty Queen of Leenan, Annie - The 20th Anniversary. Love to Marla Always.

William I. Franzblau (Executive Producer) Mr. Franzblau began his theatrical career in the mid seventies by producing the touring version of the Broadway hit play, Beatlemania. He served as Executive Producer for three tours of the Moscow Circus as well as its production at The Gershwin Theatre on Broadway and throughout North America. He also managed several multi-platinum international recording acts. In 1993, Mr. Franzblau developed and produced CBS Live, an Off-Broadway multi-media presentation of classic CBS television programs (“The Honeymooners,” “I Love Lucy,” etc). In 1991 and 1992 he co-produced two successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles productions as well as their records and live videos. In the early nineties, Mr. Franzblau co-founded Interfilm Inc., a publicly traded company combining interactive technologies with cinematic art, in which he produced three films for the company. In 1999 he produced Disney’s Virtual Reality Theme Park Ride the Comix attraction in Orlando and Chicago. He was the Executive Producer and Producer of the 2003 Tony-nominated Best Play, Say Goodnight Gracie. Mr. Franzblau is currently producing Robert Dubac’s The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? throughout North America and the off-Broadway hit, EVIL DEAD the Musical.

Jay Harris (Producer) has produced, co-produced and/or sponsored numerous productions across the country and Canada, including various cites both in Florida and California and other venues from New York to Seattle to Toronto. Harris’ productions in South Florida has earned many Carbonell nominations and awards, as well as various Curtain Up awards, a Helen Hayes nomination in Washington D.C, and a Gold Aurora Award for special effects/animation for his basketball team commercial. New York City awards or nominations include Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, MAC, Tony, Outer Critics Circle, as well as the NBTA award (Excellence in Touring Broadway). A partial listing of his productions are: Lost Tango, The Root, Jim Bailey is Barbra Streisand in Concert, Christmas Cavalcade, Some Like it Cole, Whirlwind, Still Life, Natural Causes, Making Porn, Harry and Thelma in the Woods, Game Show, NYC Productions include Bump, Sophie, Totie & Belle, American Rhapsody and Say Goodnight Gracie, including the National Tour. Mr. Harris has received numerous accolades recognizing his participation in theater in South Florida. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Broward Center Performing Arts Foundation, as well as their Executive and Finance committees located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Board Member, Hinton Battle Theatre Laboratory, New York. Mr. Harris’ latest sponsored productions include Angels in America, Killer Joe, Closer, The Guys, Frankie & Johnny, Dirty Blonde, Ocean Dance 2000 starring Mikhail Baryshnikow, Beauty of the Father and the World Premier of the award winning Nilo Cruz’ Anna and the Tropics to name a few. Additionally Mr. Harris owns several minor league professional basketball franchises in The United States Basketball League, (USBL). Mr. Harris is a founding principal in JenKay LLC.

John Ballard (Associate Producer) President, Clear Channel Theatrical Salt Lake City office. Manages Broadway subscription series in twelve US cities. Presented shows and produced tours throughout the US & Canada for thirty years. Tours invested in or produced include the Kirov Ballet, USSR Red Army Chorus, the Leningrad Dixieland Jazz Band, the Vagina Monologues and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Steve Boulay (Associate Producer) A Salt Lake City based promoter who has presented touring theater and concerts in the US and Canada since 1987. Originally a partner in the Utah-based Space Agency Mr. Boulay is now Chief Operating Officer/Exec V.P. of Clear Channel Entertainment's Salt Lake City office managing Broadway series and special presentations in a dozen markets across the US. Prior credits include tours of The Vagina Monologues, The Leningrad Dixieland Jazz Band, The Alexandrov Red Army Chorus and The Utah Jazz and Blues Festival. Married to his charming wife Elisabeth for 13 years Mr. Boulay has three children: Chloe - 12, Ethan - 9 and Thomas - 6 and looks forward to bringing Jewtopia to Salt Lake City someday.

David Elzer (Associate Producer) DEMAND PR specializes in the marketing and publicity of Los Angeles theatre. He has been working in entertainment marketing and publicity for the last 20 years. DEMAND PR is currently very proud to represent the Alliance Repertory Company; Celebration Theatre; Circle X Theatre Company; Colony Theatre Company; Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles; REPRISE! Broadway’s Best and West Coast Ensemble. David also oversaw the publicity for the Los Angeles production of Disney's The Lion King. As a producer, Mr. Elzer has produced The Laramie Project at the Laguna Playhouse and Shyness is Nice for the Alliance Repertory Company.

Prior to The Lion King, he was Vice President of Publicity for Paramount Classics and Vice President of Marketing and Publicity for Trimark Pictures. He also served as Director of National Publicity at 20th Century Fox. Some of the motion picture publicity campaigns he has worked on include: "Mrs. Doubtfire", "True Lies"," Eve's Bayou", "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss"," Alien3", "The Virgin Suicides"," Toys", "Robin Hood: Men In Tights", "Slam"," Another Day In Paradise" among many others.

DEMAND PR’s current and recent theatre projects include:
Two Ovation Award-winning best plays in a row, Toys In The Attic and The Laramie Project as well as the world premieres of Clutter And Bea[U]Tiful In The Extreme and the Los Angeles premieres of French Stewart starring in The Nerd; Around The World In 80 Days; Gunmetal Blues; Donna Mckechnie: Inside The Music; Fuddy Meers; Side Show and the new revised Broadway version of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, at the Colony Theatre; Hedwig And The Angry Inch; Pinafore!; Autumn Canticle; Naked Will; She-Haw; The Hungry Woman: A Mexican Medea And The Madness Of Esme And Shaz at the Celebration Theatre; Company; Kismet And Babes In Arms for Reprise! Broadway’s Best at the Freud Playhouse; the Los Angeles premiere of Wonder Of The World; Sunday In The Park With George; The Bungler; To Kill A Mockingbird; Frank Galati’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes Of Wrath and the Los Angeles premiere of Epic Proportions at West Coast Ensemble; Matt & Ben at the Acme Comedy Theatre; Menopause The Musical and the world premiere of Sam. at the Coronet Theatre; the world premieres of Race: How Blacks And Whites Think And Feel About The American Obsession (adapted and directed by David Schwimmer for Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago); Turnaround at the Coast Playhouse; Jewtopia directed by Andy Fickman at the Coast Playhouse; Julia Sweeney: Letting Go Of God at the Hudson Backstage; also the Los Angeles premiere Of Julia Sweeney: In The Family Way at the Groundlings Theatre; It’s Edie In Here also at the Groundlings; The Hostage at the Alliance Theatre; Talking Tennessee at the Laurelgrove Theatre; Weight On The Roof; Live Sex Comedy and Shadowboxing at the Court Theatre; Jeannie Fitzpatrick Is Angry at the Third Street Theatre; The Guards at the Hudson Mainstage; Aga-Boom at the Ivar Theatre; One Night Only at the Stella Adler Theatre; Three Grooms And A Bride at the Coast Playhouse; Just For Nothing at the Tamarind Theatre; Insurrection: Holding History at the McCadden Place Theatre; Suburban Blight at the McCadden Place; Sight Unseen at the McCadden Place Theatre; Two Rooms at the McCadden Place Theatre; Maids Of Honor at 2100 Square Feet; Blitzkrieg at the Actors Circle Theatre; Fool For Love at the McCadden Place Theatre; Acts Of Love And Other Indiscretions at the Actors Lab; Our Country’s Good at the NoHo Arts Studio; Macbeth at the Whitefire; Resident Alien at the Whitmore Lindley among many others.

He also serves on the Board of Directors and is chair of the marketing committee for OUTFEST and serves on the board of the Alliance Repertory Company.

EPSTEIN/ROBERTS (Associate Producer) is a Presenter of National Touring Broadway and Off Broadway entertainment. Their specialty remains the presentation of Broadway Series across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and just recently Mexico. They are thrilled to be a part of Jewtopia and hope to be bringing it to Jews and non-Jews worldwide over the next few years!

Martha R. Gasparian (Associate Producer) Broadway credits include the National Broadway Theatre Award winner for Best Play and Tony Nominated Say Goodnight Gracie by Rupert Holmes starring Frank Gorshin and The Gathering by Arje Shaw starring Hal Linden. Notable New York and UK productions include Recreation by Penn Jillette, The Last Session by Steve Schalchlin, Hunting Humans by Richard Thompson and The Princess and Her Sprouts by Maggie Wysocki starring Norman the Dragon on Theatre Row. Martha is the president and founder of Playful Theatre Productions with her business partner and artistic director, Mike Wills. Playful Theatre produces extensively in New Jersey.

Elsa Daspin Suisman (Associate Producer) produced several plays including the critically acclaimed Old Wicked Songs in New York, and in London with Bob Hoskins; The Exact Center of the Universe with Frances Sternhagen; Getting and Spending at the Helen Hayes; The Gathering with Hal Linden; The Florida Follies and Say Goodnight Gracie. Elsa practiced law in New York until her recent retirement and is currently serving on the board of the Hartford Stage Company.

KANAR/DICKLER (Associate Producer) Larry Kanar was educated as a structural engineer and Marshall Dickler has dual degrees in electrical engineering and law. They have developed, built and owned real estate for over 30 years. Currently they are the owners of DIKA Management L.L.C. which owns shopping centers in and around Chicago.

Brian Meltzer (Associate Producer) can now check "get name into a Playbill" off his list of things to accomplish in his lifetime. A producer-in-training, he'd like to thank Bill Franzblau and Martha R. Gasparian for this wonderful opportunity and Stacy, Ransom and Isabel for allowing him to make his own occasional decision.

Lawrence S. Toppall (Associate Producer) owns Mazel Musicals, Inc., the New York and Florida Production company. The company has produced, co-produced, or presented On Second Avenue, The Golden Land, Yiddle With A Fiddle, Those Were The Days, The Sheik of Avenue B, Catskills On Broadway, Tovah Feldshuh in Tovah! Cross Over, Bubbe Meises, The Rothschilds, Bagels & Yox with Joel Grey, Shlemel the First, That’s Life, Entirely Sophie, Buttons in Boca starring Red Buttons, The Israel Pops Orchestra with Theodore Bikel and Mamaloshen with Mandy Patinkin. Recently, Mr. Toppall co-produced The Sunshine Boys and Freddie Roman’s highly successful, Mishegass. He is currently co-producing the South Florida long running hit, Menopause, The Musical and the new Mishegass 2. Broadway production credits include The Gathering, starring Hal Linden and the Tony nominated Say Goodnight, Gracie, starring Frank Gorshin. Along with Martin Markinson, Lawrence S. Toppell manages and operates the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale. They recently co-produced Pageant, at the Cuillo Center for the Arts and the Florida Follies and the Parker Playhouse.

Helaine Weissman (Associate Producer) Helaine is Sam Wolfson's Aunt from Miami. She knew Sam would be a success from the moment she saw him perform in Grease at his high school in Jacksonville, Florida. She and her husband (Sam's crazy Uncle Richie) flew out to Los Angeles to see Jewtopia and fell in love with it. Helaine is thrilled that Sam has allowed her the opportunity to be a part of Jewtopia. And she would also like everyone to know that if you are in the market for a diamond and want to get the absolute lowest price on the planet Earth, even if your Uncle Bernie is a jeweler, contact her daughter Dori (Sam's cousin) at swdiamonds@nyc.rr.com.

RICHARDS/CLIMAN, INC. RCI (General Manager) David R. Richards and Tamar Haimes currently manage the national tour of Twelve Angry Men and Off-Broadway My Mother’s Italian ... and Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell. RCI Broadway credits include The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Sarah Jones: Bridge and Tunnel, Primo, The Glass Menagerie, Little Women, Say Goodnight Gracie, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, The Look of Love, "Master Harold"…and the boys, Jane Eyre the Musical and Annie. Off-Broadway credits include Jacques Brel ..., 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, The Exonerated, The Thing About Men, Dinner With Friends and The Godfadda Workout. National tours include Say Goodnight Gracie, Annie and The Exonerated.

Arnold Mungioli (Casting) Disney: Lion King; Aladdin, When You Wish. B’way/Regional: Bleacher Bums; Duet; Maltby's Sixties Project; Schwartz's Captain Louie; Strouse's You Never Know; Ragtime, Fosse, Showboat, Candide, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Joseph; Trinity Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, McCarter Theatre, & Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Two Artios Awards; 2003-4 Media Access Award. www.mungiolitheatricals.com.

B.J. Forman (Production Stage Manager) Broadway: 42nd Street. Off-Broadway: Confessions of a Mormon Boy, A Jew Grows in Brooklyn, The Musical of Musicals, Pirates of Penzance, The Rink. Tour: 42nd Street, Man of La Mancha, Joseph … Dreamcoat, Phantom. Regional: The Opposite of Sex, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Love to MJP.

Meredith B. Robinson (Original casting / L.A.) In addition to Jewtopia, Ms. Robinson also cast and produced last year¹s critically acclaimed musical, Sneaux!, at the Matrix Theatre. She is currently at work on Blue Dove, a new musical by Peter Wells to be directed by Mark Papp, making its world premiere in Los Angeles at the Ivar Theatre in October. Various levels of casting credit include Who’s Your Daddy?, Town And Country and Instinct. She produced and cast "A Perfect Little Man", starring Neal McDonough, a Discovery Award nominee at the 1999 Hollywood Film Festival, is developing a television series and recently provided additional casting on the short film, "Last Night", starring Frances McDormand.

John Zalewski (Original Sound Designer / L.A.) John is a TCG/NEA Designer Fellowship Recipient, resident sound designer at Evidence Room and Playwright's Arena artistic associate. He's also worked extensively with Actor's Gang, Bottom's Dream, the Taper, and others in LA, on Mayhem, Mamma Mia!, Cringe, Hot Property, Pentecost, Delirium Palace, Saved, The Berlin Circle, Chokecherry, One Flea Spare, Salome, Atomic Quintet, Sleepwalk, and on. NYC work includes Speed Hedda with Fabulous Monsters at LaMama, Restroom at Here, Pandora's Last Xmas at Chashama and Juliana Francis' Saint Latrice at PS122. He's received various trophies from LA Weekly, Backstage West, and Theater LA.

Ann Closs-Farley (Original Costume Design / L.A.) has been designing for LA theater for the past ten years. Her recent credits include... Mayhem, Orlando, Hollywood Burning, Cringe, The 99 Cent Only Show, Mephisto, The Seagull, Exonerated. She has also earned high praise and many awards for her work in Don Carlos, Saved, Flow My Tears, Euphoria, Plastica Fantastica, Illusion, Broadway, Batboy "The Musical", XXX Love Act, Cinderella, Medea, Macbeth, Broadway And "Ugly's 1st World. She would like to thank her family and the LA Theater community for their endless love and support.

Leanne Schanzer Promotions Inc. (Marketing) has coordinated Marketing, Promotions, Media Placement and Events since 1981. Her contributions have been instrumental in the success of over 100 Broadway and Off-Broadway Productions as well as venues including NYC Opera, New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Big Apple Circus.

Westside Theatre originally constructed in 1889 as a German Baptist Church, and a theatre since the late 1970s, was reopened in 1991 after extensive renovations under the management of Reno Productions, Inc. (Peter Askin, Director) Jewtopia joins a host of successful Off-Broadway productions which have been presented on these stages. Former occupants include Trumbo, The Vagina Monologues, Full Gallop, The Food Chain, Nixon's Nixon, The Cryptogram, Family Secrets, Later Life, Spic-O-Rama, And The World Goes 'Round, The Kathy And Mo Show, Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune, Penn & Teller, Extremities and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You.

Jill Fogel JUMP Visual Design Studio (Web Site Design) is happy to be inspiration for some of the craziness that has become Jewtopia. Jill has been practicing graphic arts for 8 years and now operates her own full service design agency offering corporate identity, web, multi-media and computer based training.

Glynis Bell (Arlene Lipschitz / Marcy Cohen): Broadway: Amadeus, My Fair Lady, The Robber Bridegroom, Heartbreak House and You Never Can Tell. Off-Broadway: Richard III, Blithe Spirit and Light Up the Sky. National Tour: The Vagina Monologues, and The Acting Company. Regional: Major Barbara, A Delicate Balance, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. TV: "Law & Order."

Larry Block (Rabbi Schlomo / Grandpa Irving) Last season: The Exonerated, on tour, and at the Culture Project. Broadway/Off-Broadway: Gypsy, Hail Scrawdyke, Wonderful Town (City Opera), Hunting Cockroaches, The Loman Family Picnic, Mizlansky/Zilinski, Comedy of Errors (Delacorte), Pericles (Public Theatre), Uncle Philip's Coat. Recent TV: “Law and Order; Special Victims Unit,” “Criminal Intent,” “Third Watch.” Radio: many years with Joe Frank on NPR.

Samantha Daniel (Crazy Jewish Girls) is a recent graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts under the direction of Gerald Freedman. Her favorite roles include Louise in Marion Bridge, Harriet in Man of Mode and Eileen in The Cripple of Inishman. Thanks to her family and friends for their support!

Cheryl David (Marcy Cohen / Arlene Lipschitz) An original L.A. Jewtopia cast member. Veteran stage actress: Fiddler on the Roof, The World Goes 'Round, Matchmaker, Coupla White Chicks.... Has done several TV guest appearances and commercials. Latest film: "Of Winning Hearts and Minds." Cheryl is thrilled to be back onstage in N.Y.C. Love to Joel and Bry.

Irina Pantaeva (Rachel) Born into a family of artists and shaman on the banks of the picturesque Lake Baikal in Siberia, Irina inherited a love for the arts and a fascination for the forces of life. Against all odds, Irina made a round-the-world journey to America where she won rave reviews for her portrayal of a comedic-seductress as John Lithgow’s love interest in one hour special post-Superbowl episode of “Third Rock From The Sun.” Joel Hirshhorn of Variety wrote ”…Irina Pantaeva creates a blessedly sane, original character. Certain to hit home with ALL observers…” about her performance in a smash hit comedy play Jewtopia. "Mortal: Kombat Annihilation", #1 at the box office for two consecutive weeks following its release, marked Irina’s American feature film debut. She was seen in a dramatic role as a special guest star on “New York Undercover.” Irina was directed by Woody Allen in "Celebrity." She has worked with Ben Stiller in" Zoolander" and Al Pacino in "People I Know." Irina has written a book, Siberian Dream, for Avon Publishers about the improbable adventures of a young Eskimo girl in the fashion capitals of the world. The book has been translated into 16 languages and has been published in 18 countries. Publishers Weekly called the book “…delightful, moving and at times harrowing saga…” and Kirkus Reviews wrote “ Pantaeva…spins a fantastic biographical saga of an impressive store of encounters. Through technically autobiography, Siberia Dream reads more like an intriguing fairy tale.” Presently Irina is co-producing a documentary based on her book Siberian Dream. Irina become fashion industry sensation landing national advertising campaigns for Levis Jeans, AT&T, GAP, Doreetoes, Express, Lycra and working for magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Irina has been published as a writer in magazines such as Vogue (Australia), Travel & Leisure, New York Post, Clio and El Nuevo Dia Da Moda for whom she wrote articles about film-making, travel to global points of interest, food and fashion. With the interest deeply rooted in theatre Irina arranged a multi-cultural collaboration: a production by the Buryat National Drama Theatre in her native city Ulan-Ude Of A Midsimmer Night’s Dream directed by American, David Kaplan. A special performance was staged at the National Arts Club in Manhattan to inform the artistic community and to celebrate this extraordinary achievement that embraces three distinct cultures of the world. Time Magazine, The New York Times, USA Today, People, Cosmopolitan and many other publications, both domestic and international, introduced Irina to their readers. The New Yorker magazine published a long-form profile story by Jay McInerney and television viewers are familiar with the exotic actress-author from the appearances on “Oprah,” The Academy Awards telecast, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, “Extra,” “Access Hollywood” and many others. Irina’s horizons are limitless. A twenty-first century icon – an international artist, Irina is bringing her unique culture and sensibility to the world

David Rogers (Rabbi Schlomo / Grandpa Irving) Broadway: Funny Thing/Forum, George Abbott's Broadway, Doubles. Off-Broadway: Standby Eli Wallach, Down the Garden Paths. Tour: Grand Hotel, Fame. Regionals: Old Wicked Songs, The Price, Road to Mecca and many others. TV: All 3 "Law and Order" shows. David frequently performs his one-man, autobiographical musical, Naked on Broadway, nationwide.

Deborah Teng (Rachel) Worked with Mary Zimmerman and About Face Theatre in Chicago. NY: NY Theatre Workshop, readings with Ma-Yi and The Public Theater. Film: Mail Order Wife, Inside Man (2006). TV: Blind Justice.

Jackie Tohn (Crazy Jewish Girls) a native New Yorker, originated all eight of her Jewtopian roles and is an accomplished guitar-toting, singer/songwriter. Her credits include episodes of “The Nanny”, in which she played a young Fran Drescher; and “The Sopranos”. Most recently, she was featured on three episodes of “Girls Behaving Badly”. Jackie has done numerous television pilots and has had two development deals; one of which was with 20th Century Fox and Danny Jacobson. On the big screen, she played a MAN, opposite Dennis Leary, in last year’s "Dawg", which also starred Elizabeth Hurley; and went back to the 1950’s in "Deuces Wild". Her theater experience includes her role as Tina in the Los Angeles version of Tony-n-Tina’s Wedding. Jackie loves her folks.... a lot. This is a true dream come true. Thank You!

David L. Townsend (Understudy) Off-Bway debut! Recent highlights include: deathvariations (59E59), Macbeth (Shakespeare on the Sound), Shakespeare’s R&J (VSC) and Hamlet in the Hamlet-a-thon - 24 hours of continuous Hamlet on 42nd St. Workshops with Pearl Theatre, Naked Angels, Classic Stage Company, Shakespeare Society and NYTW. TV: Law & Order. Training: Julliard. Thanks to Liza, the Townsend/Zapol clans and his friends at PSA.

Gerry Vichi (Rabbi Schlomo / Grandpa Irving) Broadway: Annie Get Your Gun, How To Succeed In Business…., Ain’t Broadway Grand, The Wizard Of Oz, A Christmas Carol, Anything Goes, Woman Of The Year. Regional credits include, Scapin at the Roundabout, 1776 at Williamstown, Gallileo and A Servant Of Two Masters at Baltimore Center Stage; Dinosaurs, Yale Repertory; Mirette and Very Good Eddie at Goodspeed. Off-Broadway, appeared with Al Pacino in In The Jungle Of The Cities. National tours of 1940’s Radio Hour and Some Like It Hot. A veteran of many Neil Simon plays in many Dinner Theatres. Television credits include: "Ally McBeal", "Strangers With Candy", "Remington Steele" and "Mathnet" (PBS). Film: "City Hall", "Beer", "Coma", "King Of The Gypsies", "24 Nights", "Vibes".

Joel Rosen (Stage Manager) Most recently, Joel was the Production Stage Manager for Avenue Q, The Musical at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. Other credits include Broadway: Imaginary Friends; Off Broadway: The Thing About Men, The Exonerated, She Stoops to Comedy (Playwright’s Horizons); Regional: The World Premiere of The Color Purple, The Musical (Alliance Theatre) Over 30 shows with The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. See? Wasn't that easy?

Jason Sutton (Stage Manager) Recently returned from the national tour of The Graduate. Other production credits include A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. Off-Broadway credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Children’s Letters to God; Prince and the Pauper; and Bat Boy.

Keith Sherman & Associates (Press Representative) represents a broad spectrum of clients in entertainment, events, lifestyles and corporate industries, including 200 Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring productions, The Onion, Focus Features, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hertz, Architectural Digest, New York Marriott Marquis, Warner Bros., Brian Boitano, Universal Pictures and the Tony Awards.