Kevin Caffrey (George)In his second year with the Union Catholic Performing Arts Company, Kevin Caffrey portrays the character of George. You may have seen him last year in Cabaret Night or as Mr Green in Clue. Kevin would like to thank Mrs Carolan and Mr Rotondo for being wonderful directors. He would also like to thank the cast for being amazingly fun to work with. And lastly he would like to thank his mother and father for bearing with him running around the house with a camera as he filmed this.
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Addy Chelak (Charlotte)Addy is currently a junior at Union Catholic. You might have seen her as Mrs. Peacock in “Clue.” She would like to thank Mrs. Carolan and Mr. Rotondo for giving her this opportunity, Emily Dzioba for her expertise, all of the tech crew, and anyone else that helped with the production.
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Benjamin Cook (Randy)Benjamin Cook is a freshman at Union Catholic. He came to UC in the 2020-21 school from Saint John Vianney in Colonia. Ben had participated and even held lead roles in the production at SJV so he was interested in joining UCPAC. He never expected to receive a role as part of the main cast in Love (Awkwardly), so he was very excited to be cast as Randy. He is very grateful for the experiences and memories he has gained along the road to the final show. Ben has been working long and hard every day for over a month to give the best performance and have fun. He cannot wait for everybody to see the show.
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Isabella DelNegro (Wendy)Isabella Del Negro is a senior at Union Catholic, and she has been a part of PAC for 4 years. She was in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (chorus), Spamalot (ensemble), Clue (Yvette), and Mamma Mia (Rosie). This year, she is playing Wendy in “Love (Awkwardly)”, and she is extremely excited to see the show!
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Danny Jaworski (Eddie)The first thing that Danny wants to say is how blessed and grateful he is that even during a global pandemic Union Catholic still finds a way to give students a platform. Danny played Galahad from Spamalot in sophomore year. Then in Junior year he played Mr. Boddy from Clue, also played Chad from All Shook Up in Mother Seton High school then performed the song Feeling Good by Nina Simone in Cabaret Night. Let’s hope he can keep up with his cast members through Zoom!
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Noah Lytle (Luke) Noah Lytle is excited to play Luke in Love (Awkwardly). Some noteworthy credits include Mamma Mia (Pepper), Clue (Motorist), Emma a Pop Musical (Martin), Starkid Homecoming (Darren Criss), Christmas Carole (Marley), In the Heights (Graffiti Pete). He thanks everyone for coming together in such times and still putting on a wonderful show!
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Ava Pickering (Roxanne) Ava Pickering is a freshman at Union Catholic High School. Ever since she was a small child, Ava has been in love with theater. Her first official role in a play was a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz. Although she had such a small part, she felt like she was the star. As she got older her love for the stage only grew. Musical theater is Ava's all time favorite thing. In 2016, when Hamilton opened on Broadway, she swore that she would not rest until she could rap as fast as Daveed Diggs. Ava loves all theater but musical theater holds a special place in her heart.
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Paris Townsell (Laura)Paris Mariah Townsell is excited to be portraying the role of Laura in her last fall production at Union Catholic. She is so blessed for the time that she has spent in the Performing Arts Company and appreciates the encouragement and support from her directors. She acknowledges Mr. Rotondo and Mrs. Carolan who have dedicated their time to make each and every play a success. They have given direction with passion, enthusiasm, and encouragement. Second, she thanks her cast mates for making every rehearsal so much fun and appreciates the relationships she has made with them. Finally, she would like to thank her Mom & Dad for their unwavering love and support. A special thanks to both her parents for believing in her talent and teaching her to always pursue her passions.
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Nicole Ciuba (Monologist)Nicole Ciuba is a current freshman and is very excited to be a monologist in her first year in UC’s Performing Arts Company. She has performed songs from Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, and others. She thanks Mrs. Carolan and Mr. Rotondo for giving the cast this opportunity in these difficult times, because “the show must go on!”
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Christina DeLucca (Monologist)This is Christina DeLucca’s first year in the Union Catholic Performing Arts Company. Christina portrays the character of Jessica and she is also a monologist in Love (Awkwardly) & (Virtually). Christina has been involved in theatre for the past 6 years. She performed as Miss Scarlet in the Linden High School production of Clue. She has also performed as Elle in High School for
Dummies. She also performed in Little Shop of Horrors, The Addams Family, Once Upon a Mattress, and Broadway Night. Christina is very happy to be a part of the Union Catholic Performing Arts Company and she enjoyed working with Mrs. Carolan, Mr. Rotondo, Emily Dzioba, and the cast. |
Sean Machado (Monologist)Sean has been a part of the Performing Arts Company for 4 years. Love (Awkwardly) and (Virtually) will be Sean’s second fall play, as he plays the character Jack and a monologist, with his first being Peter and the Starcatcher where he played a seaman and a mermaid. Sean has been a part of all Cabaret
nights since freshman year, and has done all the spring plays since freshmen year as well, including The Mystery of Edwin Drood (ensemble), Spamalot (Galahad’s page and ensemble), Mamma Mia (ensemble). Sean would like to thank Mrs. Carolan and Mr. Rotondo for the opportunity to be a part of this year’s fall show. |
Clare McGuinness (Monologist)This is Clare’s second year in the fall production and fourth in PAC. In and out of UC, Clare played many roles including her favorite, the Mad Hatter. She thanks everyone involved for making the show possible. She also thanks her family, friends, and fellow cast members for their support.
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Jennifer Mejia (Monologist)Jennifer is excited to be performing in her fourth year as a PAC member. Her shows include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Chorus), A Flea in Her Ear (Tech), Spamalot (Ensemble), Clue (Tech), and Mamma Mia (Leading Ensemble). Jennifer is a walking Disney encyclopedia and loves to cosplay.
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Katherine Petrick (Monologist)Katherine is a senior who has been part of PAC since freshman year. Her roles have included chorus- Mystery of Edwin Drood, French Taunter and Lead Ensemble- Spamalot, Chef - Clue, and was cast in the Featured Ensemble for Mamma Mia. She will always appreciate how much PAC has helped her to grow and make such good friends.
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Xavier Santangelo (Monologist)Xavier is a sophomore from South Plainfield. He is the younger of two sons. He loves movies, music, basketball, and generally anything entertaining, including hanging out with his friends. His favorite movies are the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, and he likes too many actors to mention.
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Elijah ChisolmThis is Elijah’s third year and is jubilant to be part of the UC PAC tech crew. He helped with building “A Flea in Her Ear”, “Spamalot”, “Clue”, “Mamma Mia”, and this year's fall play “Love ( Awkwardly)”. He cannot wait to know everyone’s reaction to the play, and hopes everyone enjoys it!
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Sam DeeringIn her second year in tech, Sam is thrilled to be helping again. She helped build and spotlight in "Clue" and built the set for "Mamma Mia". This year for "Love (Awkwardly)" she’s helped edit and create the digital program. She’d love to thank Ms. Doherty and the members of tech for being wonderful people.
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Kaya RexfordKaya is thrilled to be a part of her 3rd and last UC play. As a senior, she has participated in UCPAC all 4 years and has loved it ever since she started. Previous productions: Edwin Drood (chorus), Peter and the Star catcher (tech crew), Spamalot (prop master), and Clue on stage (prop master). Thanks to Mrs. Doherty, Mr. Kraus, Mr. Barnwell and her parents for the support.
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Alejandro RuizThis is Alejandro's second year doing tech and his third production. He worked on building the set and stage crew for both Clue and Mamma Mia. For Love (Awkwardly), he is working on social media and posting advertisements. He is looking forward to having another great year of tech crew.
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Kristen ValendoKristen is a freshman and excited to be a part of the tech crew. For “Love (Awkwardly) and (Virtually),” she has helped with designing advertisements for social media and created a digital frame for parts of the show. Kristen thanks Mrs. Doherty and the other members of tech for welcoming her and supporting her during this learning experience.
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Maryann Carolan (Playwright + Director) Maryann Carolan (Director) Maryann has been directing shows since the Pleistocene era. Like all great directors, she started her career as an actress. After a string of hits and misses appearing as a dog, an old lady, a bird and being responsible for knocking down an entire set during a performance, she decided that she felt most comfortable off-stage armed with a bull horn and blow dart. Since then, she has directed about 362 shows. Among her favorites are Sugar, Pippin, ...Forum, Seussical, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Romeo and Juliet, Legally Blonde, Clue, Peter and the Starcatcher, A Flea in her Ear, Bring It On, Rumors, The Cripple of Inishmaan, In the Heights and (most of) Mamma Mia.
In addition to directing, Maryann is also a screenwriter/playwright, collaborating with John Rotondo. Love (Awkwardly), written together, had its New York premiere at Manhattan Theatre Source in November of 2009. Maryann is married to actor Kevin Carolan. Her children, PAC Alumni, Kate ’15 and Jack, ’20 are also involved in professional theatre, as a Stage Manager and Props Master-to- be. |
John Rotondo (Playwright + Director) This is John’s 10th Fall Play as Director and 14th overall, if you include the four he acted in from 2003-2006. He is thrilled to be directing his third production of Love (Awkwardly) after helming the original 2009 production and the 2013 revival with his co-writer and co-director, Maryann Carolan. He is proud that the play has been transferred to the NYC stage and produced around the country and abroad in places such as Australia, China, the Philippines and Norway. He hopes that this new re-imagined version of the show inspires confidence that theatre can survive and will thrive, even in these more uncertain times. In addition to writing for the stage and directing, John is also a screenwriter and teacher.
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Emily Dzioba (Assistant Director + Dramaturg) Emily is happy to be working on LOVE (AWKWARDLY) once again, this time as a staff member, after performing in the 2013 production as Roxanne. After discovering her love of theatre during four years of PAC, Emily is now a dramaturg, producer, and arts educator who has worked with numerous
NJ + NYC theatre companies. Currently, she is creating with The New Jersey Play Lab as an Associate Dramaturg and is a co-producer of Once Upon a Time: A Storytelling Podcast. Emily extends all her love + warmth to the cast, crew, and staff of PAC for welcoming her home and into this process! |
Tracy Doherty (Technical Director)Ms. Doherty is excited to be here for another year of leading Tech Crew! She has been a lifelong member of the PAC family since she graduated in '93. Now that her son is a junior, she really just can't seem to get away. She is very proud of how this team has come together and grown during this process.
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Nick Kraus (Technical Director)Nick Kraus ’02 is pleased to be returning as Assistant Technical Director for another fantastic UCPAC performance. Nick was a member of PAC for all four years of his high school career, both on stage and behind the scenes. After graduation, Nick has performed locally, as well as at Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall in NYC. Nick is proud to be a part of an incredible team, that constantly pushes to be creative, visionary, and adventurous. Nick is incredibly proud of the students of UCPAC for being faced with an unprecedented challenge, and facing it head on, and overcoming adversity to re-create themselves for a virtual performance.
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