Michael S. Lazorcik, (JOSEPH BENJAMIN)

   After years of acting in a myriad of productions, venues, and formats throughout the area, one of Michael's most recent foray in theatre was that of first-time director as well as actor in Lebanon Community Theatre's production of My Three Angels. While he relished the opportunity to "act" behind the scenes, Michael is glad to be back in his more familiar position of being on the stage. The reason, he states: "I get the best seat in the house." He was last seen as Detective Blore in Ten Little Indians as well as Harry Blake in an Independent film, Tuxedo Joe, which was recently screened in New York City. He would like to thank his wife, Jody, also a thespian, and daughter, Jill, for their love and support.

Joshua Paul Berstecher, (BEN BENJAMIN)

   The son of Bob and Kathy Berstecher is a 2007 graduate of GSHS and is currently attending HACC. He has been involved with acting and musicals since he was involved in Remember When at Brecknock Elementary School with Mr. Truitt. He was in Oliver as an orphan with Ephrata ACT when he was in Middle School. At GSHS he was in Bye Bye Birdie and James and the Giant Peach. He has been involved in Boy Scout Shows and Ceremonies over the years.

Samantha Paine, (SARAH BENJAMIN)

   is pleased to be in her first production with Ephrata ACT. Favorite previous roles include The Bakers Wife (Into the Woods), Little Becky Two-Shoes (Urinetown), and Sara Jane Moore (Assassins). Many thanks to cast, crew, family and friends!

Peg Mellinger, (ROSE BENJAMIN)

   What a thrill for Peg to finally be able to be “on stage” for Marcia and Dave. Thank you for this opportunity. Originally questioning the premise of this play but realizing what a wonderful and timeless message this story tells makes it a most rewarding project. What Blessings come to us when we believe with our whole hearts!
   Starting her theatre life portraying Mrs. Gibbs in “Our Town” for PACT(BLT) in 1997, Peg was honored to play the counter part of Mrs. Webb 10 years later in “Our Town” last year for the opening show at Hershey Area Playhouse. Many more shows followed with PACT(BLT), The Fulton, as well as backstage crew and the most fun melodramas over the summers for Ephrata Act. Last year Peg finished her first film experience working with Michael Sanchez on his TJ Productions documentary, “Tuxedo Joe”, written from his Stage show performed together in the most recent years. It is a thrill for Peg to work with Mike L. again as she has worked with him in “Milton Hershey, The Play” playing his Kitty Hershey at the Whitaker Center, Hershey’s Founders Hall as well as The Fulton for PA Historic Dramas.
   Peg would like to thank all her friends and family (B) for all their love and support, especially Nick, Jade and Brookie! I love you all. P.S. I can’t WAIT to do a show with you Lindsay!

Brendan Zeiset, (DAVID BENJAMIN)

   Brendan has done numerous shows with the Ephrata ACT. After a main role in a church musical, he started doing a summer workshop with the ACT and then played a few small roles, which got him the part of Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank at a large local church production. After a small break from theatre during high school, he started acting again with a supporting roll in Excalibur: The Story of Young King Arthur. Since then he has helped in many of the main performances done by the Ephrata ACT. This performance marks Brendan's first major roll that allows him to express his natural gift, and passion for comedy. He is excited to meet the challenge of portraying the drunken, witty humor in the role of David. Brendan would like to thank his Mom Barbara and his wife Shanna for their loving support. He would also like to thank the director, Marcia, for imparting to him her wisdom and knowledge of the stage.

 

Michael Truitt, (MORRIS, THE BUTLER)

   Michael has been a music educator for over 30 years. Not only does he enjoy performing, but he has written and directed many musicals for children and adults. He has performed the following roles: voice of Audrey II in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Miles Gloriosus in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, Hoke in “Driving Miss Daisy, Rooster in “Annie”. Other shows include Godspell, Guys & Dolls, Anything Goes, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Passion, Member of the Wedding. His latest endeavor was directing “Environmentality” (which he also wrote) at Ephrata ACT.

 

Shanna Zeiset, (MADY, THE MAID)

   Shanna is elated to be performing in her first performance at the Ephrata Act with "God's Favorite." She has had experience with acting, dancing and singing in high school while performing in the musical, "The Prince and the Pauper." Although this is her first "on stage" experience at the Ephrata Act, she has been behind the scenes as one of the backstage directors in the recent production of "Little Women." Acting was a passion that she never had the courage to pursue until recently at the ripe old age of twenty. She would like to thank Marcia for giving her the opportunity to grow and blossom creatively. Shanna would also like to thank her husband Brendan for his constant encouragement and love.

 

Ron Bellamy, (SIDNEY LIPTON)

   Ron is delighted to be back on stage with EACT. He has performed in several shows over the last few years, including summer melodramas, Annie, Sound of Music, and most recently as Uncle Stanley in Sanders Family Homecoming. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and graduate of the University of Scranton, he lives in Lancaster with his wife and two sons, whom he thanks for their love, patience and support in pursuing this hobby. His true passion is handbell performance, and he will be a featured soloist and clinician at this summer's American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) national seminar in Orlando. Teaming up with Bobbi Schmid, he has performed in numerous states as Bell a deux.

Sean Caldwell, (u/s SIDNEY LIPTON)

Sean is thrilled to return to the Ephrata ACT stage following a seven year absence since appearing in the boy's chorus of Oliver! In the meantime, Sean has kept busy with various roles (both on stage and off) at the Ephrata Playhouse as well as Garden Spot High School, of which he is a 2006 graduate. Now studying film and television at Five Towns College in New York, Sean serves as News Director for the college radio station. He would like to give a huge thank you to Michael Truitt and Marcia Martin for this opportunity and a thank you to the cast for welcoming him so late in the process,

 

Jen Bloom, (ARTISTIC PAINTING)

   Jen has been painting the sets for Ephrata ACT since 2006. Prior to this she had painted for her children’s school events and for her own pleasure. She enjoys the ability to see the work she has done when it is on stage.

Thomas Clayton, (TECHNICIAN)

   This is Tom’s first show ever and he is pleased to be a part of the production. He enjoys music and theater. He says thanks to those who pushed him to be a part. It has been fun.

Fran Logue, (COSTUMER, SET DRESSING)

   Fran has a good eye for producing what is needed on stage. She enjoys making costumes and curtains. For this show she finds it amusing that she produced a sofa cover that is very special in its look. Fran has worked with us since we produced The Sound of Music. She always enjoys the final look when her work is used on the set in the theater.

Kathryn Elise Harris, (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR)

   Kathryn is excited to have her debut at Ephrata ACT. No stranger to the stage, Kathryn has acted and helped behind stage in theatre productions since first grade. Favorite credits include Big River, Schoolhouse Rock at the Janus School and Really Rosie, Guys and Dolls, Honk! and the premier production of Phantom Tollbooth Jr. at the Fulton Opera House. Most recently, she helped behind stage during Lancaster Mennonite High School’s production of The Robe, where she just completed her sophomore year. Thanks to my father, Randy, for introducing me to Ephrata ACT and Marcia.  

David Martin, (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR)

   David has been working in technical theater for over 40 years. He has designed sets and lighting for Garden Spot Performing Arts, EPAC, Miss Lancaster County Pageant, and Merle Good Productions. He enjoys the challenges presented working on the Grand Stage. His favorite designs created for ACT are The Miracle Worker, Cheaper by the Dozen, The Sound of Music, Annie and Children of Eden. He is the archivist for PA Past Players.

Marcia Martin, (DIRECTOR)

   Marcia has had a love of theater since the age of ten when she wrote and directed her first play. Marcia has spent over 40 years in educational theater, wrote her masters thesis on Educational Drama, and has worked in all aspects of theater: teaching, performing, writing, and directing. She is an adjunct professor at RACC in the Humanities Department. She also is a charter member of the first company of the Pennsylvania Past Players. This group performs throughout the state and each cast member brings to life someone who during the Civil War was not a soldier but a citizen.

Alex Bannon, (LIGHTING TECHNICIAN)  

James Snyder, (SOUND TECHNICIAN)