John Passadino (Cecil B. Demil) has been with Hardscrabble since the very beginning, performing in its first show. He directed three more and produced many others. Nowadays, he leads Hardscrabble Comedy, an improv and sketch troupe. He's also a published author and serves on the board of directors for the Long Island Author's group. John aims to support Hardscrabble in developing as a community theater where people can access and appreciate the arts.
Christina O’Shea (Brigid) is thrilled to be back at Hardscrabble with such a talented cast. Previous credits include: A Christmas Story (Mrs. Schwartz/Ensemble), School of Rock (Ms. Sheinkopf), The Master Builder (Hilde Wangel), Henry V (The Dauphin), Murder On The Orient Express (Mary Debenham), Amadeus (Venticelli), A Curious Savage (Miss Willie), Antigone (Antigone), Red Scare on Sunset (Marta F. Towers), The Little Dog Laughed (Diane) and many more. She would like to thank her director, Patrick for the opportunity. She especially would like to thank her family for all their love, patience, and continuous support.
Joe Sherer (Announcer) has appeared in a number of community and collegiate productions over the years including, among others, Death of a Salesman, The Good Woman of Szechuan, Six Characters in Search of an Author, The Plough and the Stars, Our Town (Stage Manager), My Fair Lady (Colonel Pickering), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Sheridan Whiteside), and Red Scare on Sunset (Mitchell Drake). Joe has also appeared in an original play based on a Chekhov short story entitled The Kiss, produced by the Long Island Repertory Company, and was cast in the leading role of another original play entitled I Was Here, produced by Ivy Lane Players. During the summer of 2018, Joe appeared as Don Gianni in a production of Much Ado About Nothing, performed outdoors by Northeast Stage at four different park locations on Long Island. In 2022, Joe portrayed Mr. Kraler in the Star Playhouse at Stage 74 production of The Diary of Anne Frank. He has also acted and directed in the annual Northport One Act Play Festival. Joe has been featured in a number of simulated live radio plays, including a production of A Christmas Carol produced by Caravan Players as part of the Port Jefferson Dickens Festival, in which he portrayed the ghost of Jacob Marley. In another simulated live radio play produced by Hardscrabble Theater, Joe was cast as the announcer/narrator in Miracle on 34th Street. Joe is married, lives on Long Island, and works as an attorney when he is not performing on the stage.
Mike D'Alto (Officer Dundy) is grateful to be participating in this Hardscrabble production with new and familiar faces. Previous stage credits include "Now and Then" (Jamie), "Sweeney Todd" (Beadle), "Miracle on 34th Street" (Fred Gailey), "How to Succeed..." (J.B. Biggley), "An Ideal Husband" (Robert Chiltern), and "Guys and Dolls" (Sky Masterson). When not performing on stage, Mike takes on the role of English Professor at Adelphi, SUNY Farmingdale, and SUNY Suffolk. Many thanks to director Patrick Reilly, and much love to his wife Katie and daughter Melanie.
Michelle L. Nielsen (Iva Archer) is excited to be working with this cast and crew! A graduate of Five Towns College with degrees in music and theater, she has been on stage in one way or another for decades. Her most recent appearances include the indescribable role of Mrs. Siezmagraff in Betty’s Summer Vacation, Grace in Bus Stop, Maggie in The Shadow Box, and Mrs. Van Buren in Intimate Apparel. Michelle was a featured playwright in South Shore Theatre Experience’s 2024 One-Act Play Fest, Love and Death. An avid singer, author, and animal lover, she can often be found doing karaoke, reciting poetry or co-hosting the podcast, Shelter Cats. She has self-published a children’s book, a collection of her poetry, and a creative journal. Links to all can be found on her website emelendesigns.net. Thanks to Patrick for this opportunity!
Director..............................Patrick A. Reilly
Producer.............................John Passadino
Original Music......................Gregory Franz
Light & Sound Design..............Glenn Rivano
Box Office Manager................Tina Lauro
Marketing & Program Art..........Rita Sarli
Special thanks to Dana Tompkins and
Father Brian Barry for their support!
Alex Rich (Wilmer) first got the acting bug near the endof high school, after which he enrolled at the Stella Adler Conservatory and then majored in theatre at SUNY New Paltz. Since then, he has acted in many companies on Long Island, including Bare Bones, Clare Rose, Township Touring, Studio Theatre, Southshore, Hardscrabble, and Modern Theater Classics. Some of his favorite productions include Enchanted April, Other Desert Cities, No Villain, The Shadow Box, King Lear, and The Man from Earth. He would like to thank his mother, Leslie, and his girlfriend, Chrissy, for all their support over the years.
Stacey Portmore-Davies (Effie) Stacey happily joins this very talented Hardscrabble cast. She has also recently been seen at Hardscrabble as a member of their improvisation troupe performances. Her favorite recent regional acting roles are: Glory - Almost Maine, Cecile/ Sgt. La Foux- Is He Dead, Meryl/Heather Love, Loss and What I Wore, Elizabeth-Catch Me if You Can, Louise-Fox on the Fairway, Barbara-Run For Your Wife, and Corie-Barefoot in the Park. Stacey has an MFA in Directing and directs for several Long Island theatre companies. Stacey thanks Patrick for this unique opportunity, as well as her family and friends for their support.
Patrick McNerney (Polhaus/DA) got his acting start with background work, stand-in and voiceovers on television and movie productions. His entrance into theater was originally with the "Afternoon Delight Players" touring group. He's thrilled and appreciative to be back at Hardscrabble Theater. The support and patience of his family cannot be underestimated as he continues this acting journey. Love ya and thank you!!
Peter Krauss (Miles Archer/Capt. Jacoby) is happy to be back at Hardscabble Theatre for this timeless classic... Peter has appeared in several recent productions including Of Mice and Men (Whit), The Man from Earth (Arthur M. Jenkins), Enter Laughing (Lawyer), A Time to Kill (Vernon Pate), Frankinatra (Officer Matteo), Lord of the Flies (Naval Officer), Spring Awakening (Reverend Baldbelly), and Frost/Nixon (Irving “Swifty” Lazar). He was also recently cast as Commander Stone in the upcoming production of, A Few Good Men, which will be performed at Studio Theatre in May 2025. Special thanks to Patrick Reilly and to his ever-expanding family Jennifer, Alex, Nick, Emily, Randy, Gregory, Robert, Brandon, Abby, Michelle, Israel, Miguel, Yaretzi, and Yeshua. I love you all!
The Maltese Falcon Cast & Creatives
Rose Ventura (Mrs. Burton/Mrs. Johnson/Mrs. Sutherland/Woman/Girl) is thrilled to be making her return to the Hardscrabble Theater portraying several roles including Mrs. Burton, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Sutherland, and others in this exciting production of The Maltese Falcon. Rose has acted in shows throughout New York, Florida, and Texas. Previous roles include Bettina Fazio in Anthony DeMarco’s original production of Enchantment at the BACCA Arts Center, Edith in Hardscrabble Theater’s production of The Man From Earth, Sarah Brown in several productions of Guys and Dolls, Maria Morelli in Lend Me a Tenor, and Sheila in The Odd Couple. Rose would like to thank her family and friends for their ongoing support!
Dan Bellusci (Sam Spade) is delighted to join Hardscrabble Theater for this special radio play production of The Maltese Falcon. His recent credits include Wadsworth in Clue, Mickey Gorski in Greetings!, Harry Cooper in Night Of The Living Dead, Curley in Of Mice & Men, Dr Lyman Sanderson in Harvey, John Landis in Fifth Of July, Rodney in Small Mouth Sounds, Reverend Samuel Parris in The Crucible, Chick LaFountain in Times Square Angel, Allen in Cheaters, Mark McPherson in Laura, and Max in the original cast of The Home Workshop Club. As well as being a student of acting and improv theater, Dan is also a working musician who sings and plays several instruments, including guitar and ukulele.
Patrick A. Reilly (Cecil B. Demil) For over 50 years, Patrick has done theater from Off-Broadway to Fire Island-- acting, directing producing, and stage managing. He has even been the set! He believes that there is nothing that compares to the experience of live theater, either on stage or in the audience.
Bill Cherno (Gutman) is thrilled to be back on stage here at Hardscrabble., He has appeared in Elf, the Musical as Santa and Mr. Greenway, Curse of the Starving Class, Mrs. Bob Cratchitts Wild Christmas Binge, in a Regional Theater Tour of Guys and Dolls. He has also appeared in Red Scare on Sunset, Curtains, Crazy for You, Barefoot in the Park, Judgment at Nuremberg, Beau Jest and Jest a Second, Convertible Girl, Gypsy, The Bad Seed, the LI Premier of Silence, The Musical (Chilton/Lamb/Etc.), and numerous original plays by Chris Hackert. Bill appears in Children’s rep and Murder Mysteries, and numerous one Act Plays. When not on stage, Bill is an attorney on LI and a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker.
Keith Herrador (Joel Cairo) is thrilled to be returning to the Hardscrabble Theater! Recent productions include: “1776” (John Adams), “Forum” (Senex), "All About Eve" (Lloyd Richards), “Curtains” (Daryl Grady), “On Golden Pond” (Bill Ray), “Sweeney Todd” (Judge Turpin), “The Judy Garland Christmas Show” (Jack Jones), “The Drowsy Chaperone” (Aldolpho), “Urinetown” (Officer Lockstock), “Shrek” (Mad Hatter, Duloc Person, Guard), “A Christmas Carol – The Musical” (Bob Cratchit) and “Little Shop of Horrors” (Skip Snip). Thank you to my family, Nicole, Cassandra, and Liam, for their constant support.