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You Can’t Take It With You but you can give it away.  And that is what the Sycamores do.  They give love to all with whom they come in contact.  They accept everyone as worthy of respect.  They believe in “love your neighbor as yourself.”

What could be a better Lenten message that to love and accept your neighbor regardless of their station in life?  If we use comedy to get the message across, it is because laughter is good for the soul.  And one of the main purposes of humor is to make us think.

This production of Kaufman and Hart’s You Can’t Take It With You is an important step forward for St. Mark’s Players and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Our 20-year association is sustained by shared values and mutual support.  The cast of this 1938 play, performed here in 2002, is the result of a commitment to diversity and an intentional outreach to a wider community.  We are grateful for the response we have received in return.

Jeffrey Scott Auerbach (Lighting Designer) – Jeff is happy to return to St. Mark’s for another season.  He is honored to add his art and love to this production of You Can’t Take It With You.  His work has also been seen in Virginia, at Springfield Community Theater’s production of Oliver!, where his design was nominated for an ACT (Association of Community Theatre) Award.  He graduated from George Mason University with a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree.  While attending GMU, one of his shows, The Bacchae, was nominated for an ACTF (American College Theatre Festival) Award.  He gives many thanks to Dave and David.  Enjoy the show.

Larry Blaskopf (Henderson; The Man) – Larry, a method actor, has prepared for his roles by working for the past 12 years as a tax collector.  He wishes to thank his family for their support during this lengthy preparation.

Bill Brannigan (Second Man) – Bill welcomes the opportunity to perform for the first time at St. Mark’s.  He has appeared in local productions of Live Radio Shows, The Silver Spring One Act Festival, A Christmas Carol, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, and My Fair Lady.  Formerly he was a correspondent for ABC News and a press officer at the World Bank.

Abe Burgos (Ed) – Abe is joining the cast of You Can’t Take It With You in his first theatrical performance.  For the past two years, he has been entertaining tourists in his day job as a tour guide with Old Town Trolley Tours of Washington, DC.  Abe’s hometown is Richmond, Virginia.  He currently resides in Alexandria.

Karen Byrne (Penny) – As a young person Karen delighted in community theater, drowning as Ophelia at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, soaring as Peter Pan at the Fantasy Playhouse in Huntsville, Alabama, and interpreting poetry at Northwestern University.  She has lived on Capitol Hill and attended St. Mark’s since 1982—her three children were baptized in this nave.  She has practiced law here since 1986.  Karen is an avid bird watcher.  “Maggie and Abigail, my teenage daughters, and Peter, my husband encouraged me to try out, learn the darn lines, and experience, anew, something I loved in the past.”

Russ Colman (Producer) – Russ is a member of the Board of Directors of the Players and has been an active volunteer with the company for three years.  Last year he chaired the Play Selection Committee for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.  His production credits with St. Mark’s Players include stage manager for The Wizard of Oz, and set designer for Lord of the Flies and The 20^th Anniversary Gala.  Next season, he will direct The Sound of Music for the Players.  Russ has a BA in Theatre Arts from Northern Illinois University, where he specialized in Direction and Design.  He is pursuing a career transition into arts management.  Russ has three children—Joe, Tim, and Emily.  He lives here on Capitol Hill with his partner, Bill, and their cat, Rudy.

Joseph R. Day (Mr. De Pinna) – Joe enjoys performing, and likes to quote Steve Martin:  “Comedy is a very serious business.”  Joe has worked as a stand-in in films for Charles S. Dutton, has done voiceover work for cartoons, and has performed in television shows, in commercials, and on radio.  This is the first production with the St. Mark’s Players for Joe, who is also a lifelong Washingtonian and a member of the Screen Actors Guild.  Joe gives credit to God for his acting and comedic abilities.

Martha Joy Elliot (Essie) – Martha recently relocated to Capitol Hill from Paris where she studied acting at Ecole Jacques LeCoq.  Previous experience on stage includes improvisational comedy, solo performance art, and a short film.  She is pleased to make her DC debut at St. Mark’s and in a role she played in high school.  Martha enjoys cooking and playing chess.

Qiandra T. Ellis (Rheba) – Qiandra is a native of Atlanta, where she received theatrical training at the Alliance Theatre.  She also attended John Casablanca’s Career Center.  While there, she received a certificate of training in TV/film.  She appeared as a freedom worker in her first television movie, Boycott.  She has also acted in two plays, Spunk and The Storm Is Passing Over.  She gives God glory for all of her accomplishments.

Mark Furlow (Set and Properties Designer) – Mark is delighted to be a part of his first production with the St. Mark’s Players.  He is currently working with the production department at the Shakespeare Theatre.  His professional credits include two seasons with the Berkshire Theatre Festival as an assistant lighting designer, carpenter, and electrician.   Representative shows from the two seasons include The Einstein Project, Say Yes, and Camelot.   In 2001, he served as Production Manager of the Kentucky Governor Scholars Program.  Mr. Furlow is also a recent graduate of Centre College, receiving his B.A. in dramatic arts and religious studies.

Kyron James (Donald) – Kyron is a native of Cherry Hill, NJ, where he previously appeared on stage with the Cherry Hill West Players.  His prior roles include ensemble roles in The Music Man and 42^nd Street, as well as Franklin in Happy Valentine’s Day, Charlie Brown!  Kyron studied acting and voice at the University of Richmond, and continues his acting studies.  He currently lives in Silver Spring.

Kera Jordan (Gay Wellington) – Born in Washington, DC, and raised in the Maryland suburbs, Kera has wanted to be an actor for as long as she can remember:  “I always wanted to be an actress on a television soap opera!”  With a BA in Communications Radio/TV, her credits include Juror #5 (Twelve Angry Jurors, Prince George’s Little Theatre); the film Blacklist; and the television shows Burden of Proof, The Wedding Show, and Channel 4 News.  She took acting classes at the Round House Theater.  Kera is married to a divinity student and has a two-year old daughter, Kayla.  She is pleased to make her first appearance with the St. Mark’s Players.

Dan Lavanga (Tony Kirby) – This is Dan’s first performance at St. Mark’s.  He has worked at Prince George’s Little Theatre as actor (A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Bell, Book, and Candle), producer (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), and stage manager (Guys and Dolls).  Dan was part of the team that constructed the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park, MD.

Ed Morman (Sound Designer) – Ed is pleased to be back working with the St. Mark’s Players, where he has already developed a reputation as the “last minute savior,” coming to the rescue at the eleventh hour for Pippin when the original sound designer quit just days before Opening Night.  He earned that title again for Sweet Charity with the Foundry Players, another production in which he was a last minute addition to the production staff.  His first credit in a program occurred when he designed the sound for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever for St. Mark’s.  Away from the theatre, Ed works for Booz, Allen and Hamilton.

Claire Myles (Grand Duchess Olga Katrina) – Claire makes her debut with the St. Mark’s Players in YCTIWY.  She has been used in several print ads, TV commercials, and industrial training videos.  She has also been cast in principal roles in several independent films; one is currently being shown in several film festivals around the country.  Her roles in community theater have included:  Officer Pudney in Rumors with Silver Spring Stage; Miriam in For He Had Great Possessions with the Alliance Players in Columbia, MD; Pickles Amalfitano in A Modern Pas De Deux  at Potomac Theatre Co.;  Joy in Pictures of Dead Men at the Little Theatre of Alexandria; and the Dean in Philosophy 101 with Cedar Lane Stage.  Claire gives thanks to her husband, friends, family, coworkers, and acting coaches who have given her support and encouragement.

Bill Palander (Mr. Kirby) – This is Bill’s second appearance on stage (not counting a two-season gig on Like Young, Canada’s answer to American Bandstand!).  Last year he played the Naval Officer in Lord of the Flies here at St. Mark’s.  Over the last three seasons, Bill has worked on set construction, props, stage management, house management, and “go-fored” whatever and whenever.  Bilingual in French and English, he studied at Sir George William’s University, now Concordia University, in Montreal.  As a public speaker in the US and Canada , Bill has had professional voice and media training.  Bill resides in Toronto and here on Capitol Hill, sharing a home with his partner, Russ, and their cat, Rudy.

Michael Platt (Boris Kolenkhov) – This is Mike’s first production with St. Mark’s Players, but he is no stranger to Kaufman and Hart.  In 1988 he played Mr. Kirby in Silver Spring Stage’s production of You Can’t Take It With You and appeared as Mr. Stanley and Sheridan Whiteside in two separate productions of The Man Who Came To Dinner.  More recently, in 2000, he appeared as Freitag in Little Theatre of Alexandria’s Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Brian Powers (Paul Sycamore) – Brian has worked with many different groups in the Washington area.  This is his debut with the Players.  He would like to thank all involved for making this a memorable experience.

Jo Rake (Mrs. Kirby; Costume Designer) – Jo is making her first appearance with the St. Mark’s Players.  Jo’s theatre credits include the DC area premiere of Jekyll & Hyde with Tantallon Community Players; Mrs. McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music, Mrs. Sowerberry and Old Sally in Oliver!, all at the Josephine Theatre in San Antonio, TX; and Mrs. Stahlbaum in The Nutcracker with the Goldsboro (NC) Civic Ballet.  Her technical theatre work includes costume mistress for Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of Music and properties for a number of theater and ballet productions.  An Air Force spouse, Jo performs with and has directed the “Skylarks,” a women’s chorus, at various Air Force bases and recently united with several other “Skylarks” to re-form the group at Bolling AFB.

Michele M. Rivard (Light Board Operator) – This is Michele’s first work with the Players, but in high school, she played the role of Essie.  Active on and off stage then, including taking part in the Maine State One-Act Festivals, Michele took a long break from theatre to get a couple degrees, work in Russia and Ukraine, and meet up with now-husband Andrew Patzman – who played the role of Tony when in high school in Kansas.

Jim Robertson (Director) – Jim has been active in community theatre for a very long, long time.  This is his second directorial effort for St. Mark’s.  He directed The Wizard of Oz, and has designed lights for St. Mark’s’ Oliver! and Dancing at Lughnasa.  He is a member of the Board of St. Mark’s Players and enjoys working with the Players.

George C. Spratt (Grandpa) – For the past nine years George has been involved with college theatre in Fulton, Missouri.  He played roles from The Old Actor in The Fantasticks to Prospero in The Tempest.  He also worked at the Missouri Rep for three seasons and five seasons at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, Missouri.  This winter he was understudy for two small parts in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Hamlet here in Washington, DC.  He is a retired Episcopal priest and is doubly happy to be at St. Mark's.

Catherine Tremeau (Alice Sycamore) – A native of France, Catherine moved to Washington, DC two years ago.  She started taking acting classes last year with the Theatre Lab and appeared in The Art of Dining as Herrick Simmons last December, also with the Theatre Lab.  She also performed on stage in France as a pianist, singer and dancer.  She would like to thank the cast and crew of the play, and the friends and co-workers who support her in her acting endeavors.

Eric Willette (Stage Manager) – Eric has loved the theatre since the 70’s when his parents went to musical plays, where his journey began.  He was trained by Columbia Theatre Arts Academy and Howard University Children’s Rep.  He also went to Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts.  When he was directing, helping out, acting, etc., he was introduced to the St. Mark’s Players.  During the 1994-95 season, he helped with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!, and during the 1997-98 season, he stage managed Galileo.  Eric is pleased to be working with the St. Mark’s Players again, and his goal with St. Mark’s is to direct a St. Mark’s production.

St. Mark's Players Production Archive