Act One

By: James Lapine
Directed by: Thomas N. Tyler

November 4th - 13th

Act One by James Lapine frm the autobiography by Moss Hart Directed by Thomas N. Tyler

About the Show

ACT ONE by James Lapine is based on the acclaimed autobiography of famed playwright Moss Hart. It travels his journey from Bronx poverty to his success as one of America’s most important writers of the twentieth century.

It made its NYC premiere in 2014 at Lincoln Center Theatre.

Meet the Cast

Zach Hearn Zach Hearn (Dore Schary) is thrilled to join the cast of Act One, and he hopes that it is his first production of many with The Heights Players. Zach is a New York City based attorney who directed his law school sketch comedy show, studied theatre performance in undergrad, and acted in dozens of college and community theatre shows.	Tom Kane Tom Kane (George S. Kaufman) is happy to be on stage again with The Heights Players and glad to still be living his dream! Break a leg to the entire cast and crew. And VOH!	Wayne Babineaux Wayne Babineaux (Charles Gilpin / Langston Hughes) is a queer, NYC-based, half-Black half-Mexican actor, singer, songwriter, & solo performer who boasts a BA in Theatre Performance from Fordham. In 2019, he was nominated for a Broadway World Regional Theatre Award for playing Laertes in the Sankofa Collective’s production of “Hamlet” in Houston. Original solo musicals, “Coincoin: Queen of Louisiana” (2020) at Fordham, “Weaux Is Me Live” (2021) as the inaugural production of Latinx Quemoción Prod
Steven Ackerman Steven Ackerman (Wally/Props) is a two decade member of the Heights Players. Most recently he played Ed Loomis in Dinner at Eight, worked the turntable in Casa Valentina and did props for What The Butler Saw and last year's Gala.	Margaret Sullivan Margaret Sullivan (Lillie) recent roles: Maria Josefa, House of Bernarda Alba (Gallery Players); Rita, Casa Valentina (Heights Players); Sara, Ladies Doth Protest (Gallery Players Black Box New Play Festival); Berthe, Pippin (BPCMT). Other favorite roles: Lady Alice More, A Man For All Seasons; Mrs. Bramson, Night Must Fall; Deirdre O’Malley, Waiting in the Wings; Mrs. Paroo, The Music Man.	Marc A. Hermann Marc A. Hermann (Irving Berlin) This is the third time that Marc was actually asked to play piano down here in the past 30 years, and hopes to be proficient by the next one. HP: Dinner at Eight (Dan), Night Watch (Lt. Walker), Gypsy (Herbie), and a bunch more. Screen: Boardwalk..., ...Maisel, and a few more.
Madison Stranahan Madison Stranahan (May Daniels / Mrs. Borofsky / Theatre Manager) is from Bozeman, Montana, and is a recent graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse. She is excited to be making her debut with the Heights Players.	Lucia Burns Lucia Burns (Aunt Kate) is thrilled to be making her Heights Players debut. Favorite roles include: Mother Courage, Mother Courage and her Children, Titania: A Midsummer Night's Dream, and April: Hot L Baltimore. Thanks to Tom for the opportunity and thanks always to my family for supporting my escapades.	Linda Vega Linda Vega (Frieda Fishbein) appeared at The Heights Players in Dinner At Eight, Clear Blue Sky, Harvey and A Christmas Carol. Also, Women Underground and The Piece (Gallery Players), The Man Who Came To Dinner (St. Jeans), Enchanted April (FAPC Theatre), Point of Origin (The Brick) and Our Town (St. Barts).
Kevin Bain Kevin Bain (Narrator/Hart) Casa Valentina, The Crucible & Act One, three riveting plays with riveting roles I’m honored to have played at The Heights Players!	Kerry Wolf Kerry Wolf (Jed Harris, Fur Worker #2, Cowboy, George) has been seen in several roles including actor, costumer, director and stage manager since his first show Follies in 1983. Last season directing Getting Away With Murder, acting in Dinner at Eight and costuming Sweat.	Jason Lee Jason Lee (Irving Gordon) is a Taiwanese actor currently based in NYC and a Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute graduate. Selected credits: Yell-Low (Dixon Place), Richard III (American Theatre of Actors), My Best Friend (The Drama League), Gypsy (Heights Players), Eighty 12 (Amazon Prime Video) www.jasonchlee.com
Josh M.K. Josh M.K. (Moss Hart) is a Brooklyn based actor who is not sure whether he lives at his apartment or the John Bourne Theater. Perhaps both. And he wouldn't have it any other way, especially with such a wonderful group and directing staff. Enjoy and keep true to the dreams of your youth!	James Martinelli James Martinelli (Eddie Chodorov) recipient of the Yvonne Fanter award. Brooklyn college graduate. Director of this years production of “The Crucible”.	Hugh Heckman Hugh Heckman (Max Siegel / David Allen) has appeared in nine Heights Players productions, starting with A Man for all Seasons. He has also directed two workshop productions on the Heights stage, including this summer’s excerpt from Mister Roberts. In addition, Hugh has been a company member of the HB Studio Ensemble and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. He was a writer/editor for the CBS Evening News and the PBS News Hour.
Heather J. Lynn Heather J. Lynn (Beatrice Kaufman / Lady Caroline) was last seen onstage as Rebecca Nurse in The Heights Player's production of "The Crucible" in September. She has also been a featured actress in "Dinner at Eight" earlier this year, "Clear Blue Sky" (2021), "Gypsy" (2019), and "Fifth of July" (2008). Heather is proud to serve as the Fundraising Chair on the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors. You can follow her theatrical adventures on Instagram @theheatherlynnshow. Merde, everyone!	Harry O'Neill Harry O'Neill (Bernie Hart) This is Harry’s acting debut with The Heights Players. He is a 6th grader at MS 839 in Brooklyn. Harry enjoys playing basketball, skiing, & hoping the NY Giants will make it to the Super Bowl. His favorite trip was this past summer when he visited Juneau, AK. A highlight was hiking to the Mendenhall glacier where Harry held a chunk of 3000 year old glacial ice and then licked it.	Gary Lizardo Gary Lizardo (Joseph Regan /Jerry Hyland) NYC stage credits include: Jerry Cohan “George M”, Chauncey Miles "The Nance", Julian Marsh "42nd St", David Kingsley "Stage Door", Herr Schultz "Cabaret",: Zoser "Aida", Robert de Beaudricourt "St. Joan", Mr. Laurence "Little Women", King Marchand "Victor Victoria", Danvers Carew "Jekyll And Hyde - The Musical", Larry Renault "Dinner At Eight", Dennis Shepard "The Laramie Project".
Elana Sidorina Elana Sidorina (Dorothy Parker/ Belle/ Muriel) has previously appeared in The Heights Players' productions of "Getting Away with Murder", "Big Women", and "A Detective Story". She holds a BA in Theater from Hunter College. She also performs throughout New York City and the Tri-State area as a belly dancer.	Gail Lemelbaum Gail Lemelbaum (Estelle Rosenbloom / Edna Ferber) is very happy to be returning to the Heights Players stage as a part of this wonderful cast. Estelle Rosenbloom will live in her heart along with Mae Peterson, Emma Goldman and Yenta the matchmaker.	Edmund McCarthy Edmund McCarthy (Barnett Hart) is a Heights Players veteran and has appeared over the years as Bill Sikes in “Oliver!”, Magwitch in “Great Expectations”, Jerry Cohan in “George M”, Charles in “Pippin”, Claudius in “Hamlet”and as a harmonica playing caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland” Thanks Tom, for the chance to work with such such a talented cast and crew!
Dylan Isner Dylan Isner (Mossy) is happy to be back on stage with the Heights Players after last being seen in A Little Women Christmas Story. Dylan made his stage debut at age 6 in George M! At the Heights Players and was also seen in A Christmas Carol in 2018. Dylan is a sixth grader and is learning to produce his own music so he can someday be a DJ.	David Moseder David Moseder (Adolphus Pitou / Harpo Marx) has appeared in more than a dozen Heights Players productions, most recently as Judge Hathorne in "The Crucible," The Old Man in “Fool for Love” and Hoke in "Night Watch". He has also performed with Narrows Community Theater, St. Jean's Players, and at 13th Street Repertory Theatre, and is a member of the Pacemakers Dance Team and the late, great Scarecrow Babies online improv troupe.	Daphne Isner Daphne Isner (Neighborhood Kid) is making her live theater Heights Players debut! Daphne is a third grader and has been waiting for the moment to step on stage alongside her brother Dylan. Daphne was recently seen in A Little Women Christmas Story at the Heights Players. Daphne worked on a digital campaign for Misfits Markets showing how kids can love vegetables even when they are funny looking! She loves singing, dancing and is a green belt in karate.
Ed Healy Ed Healy (Alexander Woollcott/ Mr. Borofsky) has worked as an actor/director for numerous HP productions. He has appeared for Mr. Tyler in such roles as Ben Marino in "Fiorello" and Colonel Pickering in "My Fair Lady”. Ed is a Lifetime Member and serves on the Executive Committee as President Emeritus.	Danny McWilliams Danny McWilliams (Sam Harris/Priestly Morrison) is a stand-up comic who hosts a weekly open mic comedy show at The Duplex cabaret and piano bar in Greenwich Village on Tuesday evenings.	Andrea Messina Smargiassi Andrea Messina Smargiassi (Mrs. Henry B. Harris/Helen) has been involved with theater productions since college. Past productions include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Ensemble), The Hot L Baltimore (Mrs. Oxenham), and Miracle on 34th Street (Ensemble). She most recently took part in Improv Everywhere’s Mp3 Experiment Seventeen. She has studied at HB Studio in NYC. Thank you to Michael and our Evelyn, for making a creative life possible.
Andrea Bernardo Andrea Bernardo (Roz/Mary/Production Coordinator) has been part of many Heights Players shows both on stage and off. She was the lighting tech and the understudy for Abigail in The Crucible. She was last seen as Kitty in Dinner at Eight. Other favorite credits include: Bet in Oliver, Anybody in West Side Story and Kate in Legally Blonde. You can catch her on the weekends at the Secret Theater dressed as a parrot.	Ally McQuade Ally McQuade (Hester/Aline/ Phyllis/Ida) is a New York based actress, ecstatic to make her Heights Players Debut! She was last seen in the Off-Broadway production of Murder on the Links at the Players Theatre!

Creative Team

Director - Thomas N. Tyler
Assistant Director - Eileen Delgado
Musical Director - Marc A. Hermann
Production Coordinator - Andrea Bernardo
Lighting Designer - Alan Sporing
Costumes - James Martinelli
Set Marquee Designs and Construction - Gary VanderPutten
Program - Robert Wachewski
Props - Steven Ackerman
Props Consultant - Jan VanderPutten
Graphic Designer: Ruthie Rosenfeld