Rita Sarli
Corie Araneo is so thrilled to be in this cast full of people in retro pajamas with just the right amount of glitter. Corie hopes you enjoy as we grab our sleeping bags, fluff our pillows , and prepare for a night full of secrets, snacks, and spontaneous “riff-offs”. Sit back and relax as we “stay up late” with our best friends.
Melissa Barbera is so excited to be joining the stage at the Hardscabble theatre. She is a passionate singer and performer and is grateful for this chance to do it with a group of such talented ladies. You can also find her at your local themed pop up events playing characters with Once Upon A Dream. She thanks all her friends and family for their continued support and hopes everyone gets comfy and cozy and enjoys the show!
Abby Rentas
Leah Raquel Petraglia is a singer/songwriter, performer, and a cappella enthusiast based in the NYC metro area! Leah studied Music Business at Hofstra University and since has become a founding member and 1/6th of Black to Gold, an award winning professional a cappella group based in NYC, where she’s spent the last five years making strides in the a cappella community including performing across the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic regions, headlining festivals,, as well as being awarded multiple awards across three seasons. As a songwriter and solo performer, Leah is a 2024 CARA nominee for Best Original Song and continues to write and release her own music in the pop/r&b space including her most recent single, “Holiday”. Leah is taking strides to make her way back to the stage in a theatre capacity and is excited for what’s to come!
Julie Lorson
Rita Sarli is a Long Island–based director and performer, with over a decade of experience on and off the stage. She most recently directed and hosted Home for the Holidays: A Christmas Cabaret right here at Hardscrabble. Her past performances include, Hair, Head Over Heels, Dogfight, Cabaret, Godspell, Gypsy, and many more. Rita is endlessly grateful for the love and support of her husband, Chris—her favorite audience member and real-life scene partner. She’s thrilled to bring a little glitter, girl power, and throwback magic to this totally Y2K sleepover spectacular!
AS IF! CAST
Ava Rooney is a performer from Commack, New York and I have always loved music and theater! I have been in small productions ranging from playing Annie in a local acting school’s showcasing of “Annie”, to portraying a ‘doo-wop girl’ in my high schools production of “Little Shop of Horrors”. Growing up I also played kit drums from a young age; and I was in percussion in school band, alongside choir. I have also partaken in musical extracurriculars such as lessons and performances with the School of Rock in Farmingdale. Music has always been my number one passion, so I am so grateful and thrilled to get back on stage again!
Monica Fox
Iris Santos
PRODUCERS & PRODUCTION TEAM
Tina Lauro
Alexandra Mandy Thomas
Abby Rentas is thrilled to join another fun cabaret! She's been involved in a plethora of cabarets and musical revues across Long island. She's also been featured in shows such as You're A Good Man Charlie Brown and Godspell. She would like to thank her family, friends, and husband for their constant unwavering support!!
Ava Rooney
Leah Raquel Petraglia
Director: Rita Sarli
Music Director: Monica Fox
Producers: Julie Lorson & Patrick A. Reilly
Set Design & Construction: Ecco Matlak, Rita Sarli, Abby Rentas, Ava Rooney, & Julie Lorson
Technical Director: Glenn Rivano
Lights & Sound: Glenn Rivano
Marketing: Rita Sarli & Ecco Matlak
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Dana Tompkins and Father Brian Barry
Robert Lorson
Ecco Matlak
Michael Goodwin
Ecco Matlak is so excited to be part of this dreamy, glitter-dusted cast! A true night owl, she loves crafting unexpected mashups and belting out bangers from her faves—Kesha, Gaga, Paramore, Avril, Beyoncé, and a little Guns N’ Roses for good measure. Whether you came for the harmonies, the hairbrush mic solos, or the snack breaks, Ecco hopes you’re ready to stay up late and sing along. Let the sleepover begin!
Melissa Barbera
Corie Araneo
Monica Fox is stepping into the role of Music Director for As If! after previously being part of previous cabarets. She’s excited to collaborate with Rita and Julie on this new project and can’t wait to hit the stage again with her girls! When she’s not rocking the stage at Hardscrabble, Monica’s helping middle schoolers find their groove as an orchestra director.
Julie Lorson is happy to be back performing Hardscrabble Theatre. She also hosted and produced last year's Christmas Cabaret Home for the Holidays and frequently participates in their Comedy Nights as an improv performer. When not performing she is directing, producing, stage managing for Modern Classics Theatre and Bellport Playcrafters where she is also a board member. She thanks her wonderful husband for his support and for listening over and over again to a genre of music that he clearly doesn't like!
Alexandra Mandy Thomas is thrilled to be making her Hardscrabble debut with this wonderful cabaret. Favorite roles include: Catherine (Proof), Claire (On the Town), Lizzie (Baby), & Rosemary (How to Succeed..). Thank you to Rita & Julie for letting me join the fun! Hugs & kisses to her hubby Zach, and daughter Eliana Melody.
Ecco Matlak
Tina Lauro's passion for music and performing has always been a driving force in her life. With a background as a music education major, she pursued her love for music by teaching students from Pre-K to 8th grade, where she found immense joy in sharing her passion with young learners. Her dedication to the art form extended beyond the classroom, as she performed in numerous musicals and directed productions for students of all ages. Tina's experience in both performing and directing has allowed her to cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation for live theater. Now, she is thrilled to be a part of the Hardscrabble Theater, where she can continue to share her love for the performing arts and bring the magic of live theater to audiences of all ages.
Iris Santos is ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful production and grateful for the opportunity to be back on stage. This marks one of her first theater experiences in a long while, and she is thrilled to be learning and growing as a performer. She is excited to be working with this talented cast and production team for the first time and she hopes that everyone enjoys this night filled with music, friendship, and nostalgia! Iris would like to thank her loved ones for their endless support.