Affecting Expression is a new queer tragicomedy by Princeton alum Eliana Cohen-Orth that tells the tale of three queer women from history — Charlotte Cushman, Matilda Hays, and Hatty Hosmer — as they navigate their intersecting artistic paths and the complexities of their relationships with each other and within the increasingly unreliable walls of their home. Directed by senior Eliyana Abraham and featuring senior Rosemary Paulson. Admission: Free and open to the public; no tickets required. All guests must either be fully vaccinated, or have recently tested negative (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen test within 8 hours of the scheduled visit) and be prepared to show proof if asked, or wear a face covering when indoors and around others. Accessibility: The venue is accessible and has an assistive listening system. Guests in need of other access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least 2 weeks in advance at LewisCenter@princeton.edu
Cast and Creative team for Affecting Expression at Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University
Cast
Michael Gilbert
Ebenezer Scrooge
Michael taught high school theatre in NYC for 33 years. His recent roles have included Joe Boyd in DAMN YANKEES with Scranton Shakespeare, the judge in INHERIT THE WIND with Forte Dramatic Productions, the ghost of Jacob Marley in A CHRISTMAS CAROL with Playhouse 22, Constable Warren in OUR TOWN with Shakespeare 70, Marc in ART with Pennington Players and Big Daddy in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF with Villagers. Last year he created the role of Theodore Hopkins in FULL CIRCLE, an original musical at the Sargent Theatre in NYC. In addition to acting, Michael has directed 170 plays and musicals.
Chris Arena
Solomon Rothschild
Chris has appeared in over 45 productions throughout the tri-state area and is happy to be working with The MTM Players. He’s performed in Kelsey productions since the early 80’s (as a mere child, of course!) including: COMPANY, CABARET, PETER PAN, WEST SIDE STORY, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE…, AMADEUS, MY FAIR LADY, CHESS, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, A FUNNY LITTLE THING HAPPENED… (Erroneous – Kelsey Award Winner), LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION! (Kelsey Award Nominee), and KISS ME KATE (Gangster #1 – Kelsey Award Winner). Chris holds a B.A. in Performing Arts from Kean University (when it was still a college).
Tom Bessellieu
Judge Stanchfield R. Pearson
Tom has played a milkman (Tevye), a slave (Pseudolus), a gambler (Nicely-Nicely), an emperor (Charlemagne), a baker (THE BAKER’S WIFE, INTO THE WOODS), a beadle (OLIVER!, SWEENEY TODD), various troublemakers (RAGTIME, THE WHO’S TOMMY, BIG RIVER), and yes, Santa (MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL & A VERY KELSEY CHRISTMAS) on Kelsey’s and other nearby stages. In 2018, Tom received the Kelsey Award’s John Shanken-Kaye Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks to The MTM Players for this opportunity to return to the Kelsey stage and to his wonderful wife Amy, whom he married on this stage, for all her love and support.
Sean Robbins
Mr. Connolly, The Bailiff
This is Sean’s first time performing at Kelsey Theater, and he is super excited! Previous roles include Queen Aggravain (ONCE UPON A MATRESS), Doctor Armstrong (AND THEN THERE WERE NONE), and Friar Lawrence (ROMEO AND JULIET). Special thanks to Sean’s friends and family that came to support him.
Angela Robb
Christmas Past/Fan/Belle
Angela is an actress based out of Philadelphia. She has performed on stage and on screen in a variety of productions throughout PA, NJ & DEL. This is Angela’s 7th production with The MTM Players and 2nd at Kelsey Theatre. Most recently with MTM, Angela played Daphne in PRESENT LAUGHTER and Grace in 22 A DAY (twice!). Some other recent theater credits include Irene in SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE ADVENTURE, Amalia in PARFUMERIE, and Beth in CALIFORNIA SUITE. On screen, Angela is a series regular on the Amazon Prime and Apple TV series PARAMEDIC ANGEL as paramedic Carla Marshall. Some other screen credits include THE CULT, X-KNIGHT, X-KNIGHT: ESCPE FROM WARP HELL, and THE CURSE OF RAVENCREST – along with several other projects in production.
Laura Dalston
Mrs. Cratchit/Sara Wainwright/Mrs. Dilber/The Translator
Laura is a fiction writer, actress, hair stylist, and wildlife animal enthusiast. She was voted, ‘most likely to join a circus.’ She’s grateful for the opportunity to be among an amazing cast and crew. Thank you for supporting the local arts and enjoy the show!
Marc Suznovich
Bob Cratchit/Jacob Marley's Ghost
Marc is excited to be part of this production. He was last seen as Thomas Middleton/Ensemble in SOMETHING ROTTEN! here at Kelsey. When he is not onstage, he is a board certified geriatric clinical specialist physical therapist. Break legs to an amazing cast, production team, and crew!! Much love to his fur babies – Tink, Fig, and Lyra!! Special thanks to his beautiful wife, Leigh – for all her love, support and encouragement!!
Pat Rounds
Fred/Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come
Pat is no stranger to the Kelsey stage. If you’ve seen a show and thought, “that one guy is oddly tall,” it was probably him. He is incredibly comfortable in a Reaper costume.
Creative Team
Rob Michael Lasky
Director/Producer/Set Design/Props
Rob has been involved with performing since his school days. Following HS graduation, Rob was a professional actor performing in various productions in Bucks County, Allentown and Hazleton, PA. Some of his favorite roles over the years include: Motel the Tailor in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Bob Ewell in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and Cornelius Hackl in HELLO, DOLLY!. More recently, he returned to the stage as Col. Thom. McKean in Playhouse 22’s Perry Award-winning 1776. Additionally, he’s directed all MTM Players shows — FOND FAREWELL, BIDDING FOR MURDER, TWELVE ANGRY JURORS, LOVE, SEX, AND THE I.R.S., YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, 22 A DAY(twice!) and their Kelsey debut last season – PRESENT LAUGHTER. He thanks the entire cast for putting in all of the hours of hard work and a special shout out to his beautiful wife Deb for putting up with his theater projects!
Rachel Jenkins
Stage Manager
This is Rachel’s stage management debut at Kelsey Theatre, and she couldn’t be more thrilled that THE TRIAL OF EBENEZER SCROOGE is her first. Rachel has also worked on productions of TWELVTH NIGHT, 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and BIG FISH. As an actor, she was in productions of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, THESE SHINING LIVES, and ANTIGONE. She would like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work and joy put into this play, and MTM Players for giving her this opportunity. Break a leg, everyone!
Cathy Coryat
Asst. Stage Manager/MTM Board
Cathy is proud to be a part of the MTM family serving on its board as Treasurer. She is reliving her "backstage mom" days by assisting the Stage Manager.
Dale Jones
Set Builder
Dale Jones has been helping with set builds for years for his four children. As they are grown, and he is retired, he thought those days were over, until his wife started performing. As a retired Major in the New Jersey National Guard, he is happy to be associated with The MTM Players as the company is dedicated to helping veterans. He is happy to help out as long as it does not interfere with fishing.
Allison Russell
Sound Design/Operator
Allison is a first-time sound designer and this is her first show at Kelsey Theatre! She is currently a computer science student at TCNJ where some of her previous credits include LITTLE WOMEN (Assistant Director), LIVE OUT LOUD (Stage Manager/Sound Designer) and most recently Shakespeare 70’s THE PILLOWMAN (Assistant Stage Manager). Thanks to the cast, crew, and everyone who came together to make this show a success!
Ruth Rittmann/Rittzy Productions
Costumes
A multiple Perry Award nominee, Ruth has spent many years at Kelsey Theatre on both sides of the stage. As a performer, her favorite roles were Claire in RUMORS, Elsa von Grossenknuten in MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940, and Mrs. Pierce in MY FAIR LADY. Behind the scenes, Ruth is a co-owner of Rittzy Productions, a family-run costume rental and design company. She and her company have provided costumes for many local schools and community theater companies too numerous to mention for the past 20 years. Ruth thanks her husband, Ron, for his patience and understanding when it’s “Show Time.”
M. Kitty Getlik
Lighting Design/Operator
Kitty has served as the Artistic Director of the Kelsey Theatre since 1990. A noted director and accomplished actress, Kitty was winner of the 2012 Perry Award for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical for AIDA, and a recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both The Perry Awards and The Kelsey Awards. She last worked with The MTM Players on stage as The Grand Duchess Olga Katrina in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU at Open Arts PAC in 2018. She is thrilled to join the production team and work with Director Rob!
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