The Merry Month of May Presents
William Shakespeare's


Twelfth Night

Directed by James Alexander Bond

Original Music Composed by Donna Stearns

May 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2006 at 8:00 PM




An exquisite Broadway-powered cast shines in this beloved Shakespeare comedy! When a shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in a foreign land, each thinks the other is dead, and both embark on a series of romantic misadventures involving deception, cross-dressing, dashing counts, obese alcoholics and a perceptive (?) fool who presides over the entire madcap affair. Featuring Broadway actor Brandon Wardell (Good Vibrations, Assassins, Thoroughly Modern Millie, James Joyce's The Dead) as Feste the Clown.



Cast for Twelfth Night
Elizabeth G. Wilson as VIOLA
Elizabeth G. Wilson is excited for her second performance with MoonBeam.Net Productions. Elizabeth has a BA in Theatre and Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. She also studied in London at the London Dramatic Academy under the direction of Richard Digby Day. Some of her favorite theatre credits include: Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, and Aimable in Charles Mee's Trojan Women. She also recently filmed the independent film Coyote Funeral (Jason May, prod.) that will enter the festival circuit in 2006. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support and thank James and Jason for the opportunity to play Viola in this production of Twelfth Night.
Gavin Hoffman as DUKE ORSINO
GAVIN HOFFMAN (Duke Orsino) NYC: Berowne in Love's Labours Lost, As You Like It, (Kaleidoscope Theatre Company); Pericles , (Red Bull Theatre Company); REGIONAL: King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream , Coriolanus, The Country Wife, The Merchant of Venice, (The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, D.C.); Macbeth, The Tempest, The Merry Wives of Windsor, (Tulane Summer Shakespeare Festival); To Kill a Mockingbird, The Pirates of Penzance , The Secret Garden, South Pacific (PCPA Theaterfest ). Gavin is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA and has a BFA in Acting from Ithaca College.
Shashanah Newman as OLIVIA
Shashanah is thrilled to join the wonderful cast of Twelfth Night. She has recently been seen as Lady Anne in Richard III and Guildenstern in Hamlet with The Hudson Shakespeare Festival and in many of the Impetuous Theatre Group's performances including Twelfth Night of the Living Dead (a zombie Shakespeare). Favorite roles include A Midsummer Nights Dream (Helena), Feu la Mere de Madam (Yvonne), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drood), and Gint (various roles). She graduated with a BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University and has also studied at The Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT) in Russia.
Brandon Wardell as FESTE the CLOWN
Original Broadway casts: GOOD VIBRATIONS (Dave); ASSASSINS (David Herold, Dance Captain, U/S-Balladeer/Oswald, Hinkley, Zangara); THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Kenneth, U/S Jimmy); JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD (Standby for Micheal). Regional/National Tours: JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD (Michael), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING...DREAMCOAT (Joseph); NY Readings and Workshops: The new Stephen King/John Melloncamp musical GHOST BROTHERS, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE at Lincoln Center, ASSASSINS. Television: THE VIEW, 2002 TONY AWARDS, MACY'S DAY PARADE, 2005 TIMES SQUARE NEW YEARS EVE SHOW (featured Performer), 2 Amstel Light Commercials, ALL MY CHILDREN, THE GUIDING LIGHT. Attended NCSA. Member of Broadway Inspirational Voices, Brandon has been involved in the production of 8 Broadway shows and too many regional shows to count. He regularly does vocal concerts and Performs in a duo called Les Tough Guys. He quite obviously has A.D.D. www.brandonwardell.com
Erik Sherr as MALVOLIO
Erik Sherr most recently got his perv on as the sadistic Emperor Tiberius in Theatre Askew's critically acclaimed production of I, Claudius Live. Before that he was the dastardly Lord Fitzarnold in the rarely performed Metamora at the Metropolitan Playhouse, and somehow managed to keep his balance in heels on a raked stage as the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at the Stonington Opera House in Maine. He has also worked at many other theatres, like Shakespeare and Company, Princeton Rep, The Atlantic Theater Company and The Delaware Theatre Company in many productions both classical and contemporary.
Charles J. Roby as SIR TOBY BELCH
Charles J. Roby was last seen as Col. Jessup in A Few Good Men for Hudson Shakespeare Co. at the Medicine Show Theatre and various courthouses in New Jersey, playing several characters in Arthur Miller's The American Clock for The Starret Group at the Brooklyn Music Playhouse; as Polonius in Hamlet for Hudson Shakespeare Company for whom he has also played Prospero in The Tempest, Rev. Brown in Inherit The Wind, Henry in The Fantastiks. For the the American Globe Theatre, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Duke in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Heights Players, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet. Last year with Shakespeare in the Wild as Claudius in Julius Caesar. He has twiced toured Europe with the American Drama Group Europe as Jamie in Long Day's Journey Into Night and Jim in Huckleberry Finn. On film he can be seen in The Stepford Wives and The Interpreter. On television Law & Order (all but C.I.) and Third Watch. Thanks to Yvonne and Micki. SAG/AFTRA
Erin Caldwell as MARIA
Erin is very delighted to be a part of this show and to finally put all those classes in college to use! Erin was seen last summer as Isabella in two consecutive runs of Jason Kendall's The Dentist. She just finished The Meeting House Thriller as the Okie cowgirl Fawn Flexi at Allenberry Playhouse and is excited for this radical change of pace! Former credits include Nellie in South Pacific, Suzette in Don't Dress for Dinner, Dawn in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Deirdre in I Hate Hamlet and Sheila in Hair. Erin is proud to have recently become a member of Actor's Equity! All love and thanks always go to my amazing, supportive parents. I love you guys!
Michael Bernstein as SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK
Michael was last on stage as the Walrus, the White Rabbit, and others in Alice in Wonderland (Snug Harbor Cultural Center). Favorite roles: Rochefort in The Three Musketeers (Inwood Shakespeare), Lucio in Measure for Measure (Upstart Crow), Lysander in Midsummer Night's Dream (Inwood), Angelo in Crime at Goat Island (Upstart Crow), and Jim in Well-Laid Desert (by Walter Brandes). Film: he recently played Michael Brutus, a personable, mild-mannered hedge fund manager who betrays his best friend in Triton Capital (dir. Matt Musselman). Others: Stanley in Stanley W. Key and the Wonderful World of Mishaps (a short film made in 48 hours), Pete in Chew Chew Train (David Brenner) and Joel in the Peter Rinaldi short Waldo. In June, Michael will appear in Yes, Fear at the Gallery Players. www.michaelbernstein.biz
Philip Guerette as FABIAN
This marks Philip's third production of Twelfth Night in as many years, having played Antonio and Sebastian in the past. He most recently almost appeared as Malcolm in Macbeth at the Jean Cocteau Rep. ( Yes, It truly IS cursed!) Other NY credits include Adam in The Ex, which won the Samuel French New Play Festival and was published this spring, Demetrius in Titus Andronicus, and Frank in Jungleland to name a few. Regional credits include Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Boyet in Love's Labours Lost with the Bakerloo Theater Project, Zip in The Country Club with RMWC, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at the Mill Mountain Theater, and Antipholous of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors at the Monomoy Theater. Training: The Hartt School, BFA Theater Division, and The Michael Howard Studios.
Adam Raynen as ANTONIO
Adam Raynen has been in New York since the late 90's, and is thrilled to be making his debut with MoonBeam.Net Productions. He graduated with a BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and since then has worked Off-Off Broadway with TOSOS II (Doric Wilson's Street Theater), 13th St. Rep. (Straight Jacket), and Odyssey Theater Ensemble (Antony & Cleopatra). He's also toured around the country multiple times with children's theater companies (National Theater for the Performing Arts, ArtsPower, Periwinkle National Theatre), and has appeared on HBO's The Wire, and the feature film Anatomy of a Fight. He's currently a member of Westchester's Blueberry Pond Theatre Ensemble.
Marc Improta as SEBASTIAN
Marc was last seen in Surflight's production of The Lion in Winter as Richard, also directed by James Bond. Favorite roles of All Time include Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl, Danny in Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Mickey in Hurlyburly, and Claudio, twice, in Much Ado about Nothing. An avid sports fan, Marc predicts the New York Footbal Giants will win this year's Superbowl. B.F.A. in acting from Ithaca College. Much love to my family and friends.
Christopher James Reed as CURIO / CAPTAIN / SERVANT / FIRST OFFICER
Christopher James Reed is thrilled to be a part of Twelfth Night! A BFA graduate of Emerson College, his favorite past roles include Ariel in The Tempest, Stewie in Loman Family Picnic, Orsino in Twelfth Night, and Bagot in Thomas of Woodstock. Upon arriving in NYC Christopher directed The Tempest with 6th graders in the Bronx and has been working on his hard rock/metal bands' album currently in production. He thanks his family, friends, and loved ones very much!!

Ken Urso as VALENTINE / SERVANT / SECOND OFFICER
Ken is very excited to be working again with MoonBeam.Net Productions after playing Malcolm in the reading of Macbeth as part of the Shakespeare Saturdays Series. Previously, he toured with the seasonal production of Holiday Dazzle, creating the role of Dexter. Other past roles include Speed in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Bartley in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock's Last Case, Hans in Cabaret, and Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. He has also directed numerous productions including The Shape of Things, Before Breakfast, Everyman, as well as two one acts here in the city as part of the Theatre-Studio Inc. Playtime Series. Ken received a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
JAMES ALEXANDER BOND* Director
James is pleased to be working with Jason Kendall and the Merry Month of May festival. His most recent production of Female Bonding which ran at the Impact Theatre in Brooklyn. In New York, James has directed The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Pearl Theatre Company, the new rock & roll play ROCKSHOW and productions of On The Verge, Java Jive, Savage in Limbo, Burn This, Burning Habits episodes #2-7, as well as more than 75 short plays, one acts and readings. In England he had directed Dracula at the Birmingham Hippodrome and regionally he has directed Comedy of Errors for the Virginia Shakespeare Festival, The Foreigner for Connecticut Rep., As You Like It for Princeton Rep., and many other regional productions including Candide, Brigadoon, Our Country's Good, Macbeth, Biloxi Blues, The Secret Garden, Blithe Spirit, The Mousetrap, Ten Little Indians and Lend me a Tenor, Once Upon A Mattress, Oliver, Good Person of Setzuan, Lion in Winter, Runaways, The Crucible, The Women, The Art of Dining, Twelfth Night, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Equus, Same Time Next Year, Woman in Mind, Bent, Godspell, Cactus Flower. Next James will direct The Music Man for Musical Theatre SouthWest and Dial M for Murder at Surflight Theatre. James holds a BFA from Ithaca College and an MFA in Directing from the University of California at Davis. You can see more about his work or contact him via his website NYCdirector.com.

* Member of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
Donna Stearns : Music Composer
Donna Stearns (Composer) is an award-winning songwriter. Her CD single "First Dance" won an Honorable Mention from The 9th Annual Billboard Song Contest and was an entry in the First Round on the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominating Ballot for Best R&B Song of the Year. Music clips are online at www.moonbeam.net where CD singles can be ordered. Her musical farce "All The World's A Stage" was a "Best of Fest" winner at The 2002 Midtown International Theatre Festival. As an actor, Stearns freelances with several agents. Stearns graduated from Florida State University. She currently serves as an Alternate on The Songwriters Guild of America's Board of Directors and continues to produce Shakespeare Saturdays with her husband Jason. My love to Jason! Thanks to Jason, James, Brandon, Chris, Charles and Michael!