The Boys Next Door
Written by Tom Griffin
Directed by R.J. Lamb

RUN: February 27 - March 28, 2004
 
SYNOPSIS: Center Players opens its 2004 Signature Series season with Tom Griffin's The Boys Next Door. This funny, yet very touching drama, focuses on the lives of 4 mentally-handicapped men who live in a communal residence, under the watchful eye of a sincere, but mentally "burned-out," social worker. This poignant story draws a parallel between the perceived simplicity of these men's lives and the perceived complexity of the life of their social worker.

CAST (in order of appearance):

	Dan Sakowski as "Arnold" Dan is excited to be making his debut performance at Center Players. He has been a volunteer at the theater for the past year helping to hang coats, serve coffee and last summer was the Assistant Stage Manager for Center Players' production of The Sum of Us. Dan studied acting in college and performed in Guys and Dolls and The Miracle Worker. By day, he is the Director of Instructional Design at the New York Institute of Finance in Manhattan. He is a proud husband and father and wants to send out all his love and thanks to his "girls" for allowing him to pursue his dream. "I couldn't do it without you Donna, Danielle and Gabby...you make it all worthwhile!" Thanks and love also to my biggest fans: Spuchy, Diva Dinkum and the Giant Brain for their support and encouragement, and thanks to Shar and Jammin for always being there and teaching me that life is just a big, big stage.
	David Bilon as "Lucien" David returns to the Center Players' stage as Lucien. He first appeared in The Sum of Us in the summer of 2003. "I am so happy to be back at Center Players. I feel so fortunate to be with such a great director and group of dedicated actors and crew. I would like to send a special thank you to the director of The Boys Next Door Bob Lamb. "Thanks for taking a chance on me Bob. I try be good....It's hard." In his spare time David enjoys photography and films.
	Kevin Casey as "Jack" Kevin studied at Bennington College, where he received a BA degree in storytelling. He has worked at several theaters in New England, including Main Street Stage and Hubbard Hall. He's very happy to be working with the Center Players for the first time. Thanks.
	Jason Harms as "Norman" New to Center Players, Jason Harms is a native of a suburb of Chicago, Ill. He has been in such movies as Anger Management and Uptown Girl as well as appearing in Criminal Intent, Law and Order, Ed and The Dave Chapelle Show just to name a few. He was a student at the Second City Acting School in Chicago. As an actor, he is very flexable in all his roles and hopes to accomplish all that is asked of him. His last role was Norman Bulanski in The Boys Next Door at the Clarksburg Inn. Studying with teachers like Glen Vincent and Jason Flowers, this should make for an interesting play to say the least.
	Chase Van Arsdale as "Barry Klemper" Chase is very happy to be doing his very first play with Center Players. "It has been a very fun and educational experience, says Chase. He is currently working at Lord & Taylor at the Freehold Mall and attending an Electrical Trades class to become an Electrician. He gives much thanks to all his friends and family for coming to see the show. "I'd like to thank Robert J. Lamb and Mary Vitulli for all their time and support in helping me with the play. Also, my bothers Tommy, Justin and best friend Coleby for helping me with my lines, my mother and father for putting up with my late night rehearsing at home and everyone at Center Players for their great hospitality."
	Raymond Dothard as "Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin, Senator Clark" (February 27, 28, 29, March 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21) Ray, an Alabama native, is a 28 year resident of the Freehold area. He is thrilled to be on stage at Center Players. Although, he has not been on stage since High School, it has been his dream to return. As preparation, about six years ago, he studied acting at Brookdale Community College. As a class project, he played the role of Midge Carter in scenes from Herb Gardner's I'm Not Rappaport. Ray would like to thank Bob Lamb for his confidence, as well as the great cast and crew of The Boys Next Door for making this newcomer feel welcome during his first role. Ray also would like to thank his family and friends for their support and patience. He is bitten by the bug and cannot wait to land his next role.
	Jeff Jelling as "Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin, Senator Clark" (March 12, 13, 14, 26, 27, 28) Although The Boys Next Door marks his Center Players' debut, local audiences, expecially those at Eatontown Playhouse, have seen Jeff as Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, C. K. Dexter-Haven in The Philadelphia Story, Renfield in Dracula, and Juror 8 in Twelve Angry Men which earned him a R.E.C.T. 2003 nomination for best male actor in a lead role. Special thanks must go to my wife and daughters for putting up with "an actor."
	Karen Root as "Sheila" Karen is very happy to return to Center Players in the role of Sheila. Obtaining a B.A. in theater, she lived the actor's dream life, working on stage, in commercials and doing the ubiquitous print ad. Moving to Manhattan to further her career, she began to produce and act in off-off Broadway plays with a group of like-minded actors, all of whom studied at HB Studios. Embarking on an 18 year run, she reared her son Matthew to his successful graduation from high school. Now that he is in college, she has returned to do what she loves best and is most qualified to do. In the past year she has been seen around Monmouth County as Grace in Bus Stop with the Monmouth Players, M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias and Joyce in The Sum of Us, both at Center Players in Freehold, Wilma in Lovers & Other Strangers at the Eatontown Playhouse, and a number of staged readings of new plays. Love always to Matt and Steven for their love & patience. Love to all of our cast and crew and thank you Bob for a wonderful experience. Hooray for us! Karen is a member of AFTRA.
	Christopher Chandonnet as "Mr. Klemper" The Boys Next Door is Christopher's debut on the Center Players' stage. His previous acting credits, as a member of the Arena Players Repertory Theatre (Long Island's oldest resident professional theatre), include Art; The Zoo Story; Miss Reardon Drinks a Little; and Bell, Book, and Candle. Christopher is an executive speechwriter and corporate communications director for a major professional services firm in New York City. His wife and five children are his inspiration.
	Rebecca Harris Flynn as "Mrs. Fremus, Mrs. Warren, Clara" (March 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21) Rebecca is happy to be back at Center Players. She has appeared here before as "Germaine" in Picasso at the Lapine Agile, "Helen" in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and several Kruise Night play readings. Other favorite credits include "Hermia" in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "Shelby" in Steel Magnolias, "Maggie" in The Man Who Came to Dinner, "Miss Casewell" in Mousetrap, and "Sybil" in Private Lives. When not walking the boards, Rebecca can be found working behind the scenes at Monmouth Players where she serves on the Board. She co-directed their production of The Cemetery Club last April. Best wishes to a wonderful cast and crew.
	Casey Williams-Ficarra as "Mrs. Fremus, Mrs. Warren, Clara" (February 27, 28, 29, March 26, 27, 28) Casey Williams-Ficarra is happy to return to Center Players after debuting in Steel Magnolias as Annelle. She has a BA in theatre from Rowan University where she portrayed many diverse characters, such as Procne in The Love of the Nightingale, Mary in Vanities and Controller Mond in Brave New World. This summer she was seen in an outdoor production of Shakespeare's The Tempest. She would like to thank the cast and crew for embracing her, Karen and Bob for making her a part of this production, and her parents for always supporting her.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
	R.J. Lamb, Director Center Players is pleased and proud to welcome R.J. Lamb to the Center Playhouse. He is the founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of the South Street Players, which has been pleasing local audiences since 1982. This is his 38th production in his role as Director. He wishes to thank David Sorin and the entire Board of Center Players for their help and support. Also, a very special "thank you" to Louie Palermo, Jim Dyne, Fran Raleigh, Matt Walsh and last, but certainly not least, Bonnie Riddell.