Book by: Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling
Music and Lyrics by: Frank Loesser
Based on: The Idyll of Sarah Brown and characters by Damon Runyon
Produced by Special Arrangement with Music Theatre International
Producer/Director: Kevin F. Harrington
Artistic Director/Assistant Director: Bruce Rebold
Musical Direction: Brian Sweeney
Choreography: Adolpho Blaire and Christopher Noffke
Casting Director: Jamibeth Margolis, CSA
Costume Design: Barbara Kirby
Lighting Design: Raj Budhram
Scenic Supervisor: Joshua Warner
Scenic Construction: Plaza Scenic
Scenic Artists: David Jones and Joshua Warner
Sound Design: Spencer Destefano
Properties: Brianna Selesky
Performance Schedule
Elmont Memorial Library Theatre
Thursdays (2:00PM) – Fridays (7:30PM) – Saturdays (2:30PM and 7:30PM) – Sundays (2:30PM)
BEHIND THE SCENES
Cast
Neftali Benitiz
Emma Benson
Bob Budnick
Jordan Bunshaft
Hero Dela Cruz
Cassandra Gauthier
Lauren Marie Gobes
Benji Heying
Katie Horner
Garrison Hunt
Owen Ing
Rich Jimenez
Amy Knips
Christopher McHugh
Ben Menahem
Pablo Pernia
John Reed
Joanna Sanges
James Schultz
Samantha Stevens
Harry White
Alexis Yard
Neftali Benitiz
(Brandy Bottles Bates) is a proud recent graduate of Ithaca College’s B.F.A. Musical Theatre program! Florida native and current Jersey resident, he is incredibly excited to be tackling another theatre opportunity so soon after spending the summer portraying Captain Chris at Playland in Rye, NY. Some of his favorite credits include Benny in John Larson’s Rent, Arpad in She Loves Me, and directing Team StarKid’s The Trail to Oregon! at IC.
Emma Benson
(Hot Box Girl, Agatha, Adelaide u/s) is thrilled to strip for Long Island! BFA Musical Theatre, Shenandoah Conservatory. National Tours: Something Rotten! (Ensemble, u/s Portia), The Elf on the Shelf (Suzy Cupcake). Regional favorites: Penny in Hairspray, Bebe in A Chorus Line, Alison in Beehive. Upcoming: Ensemble/Mrs. Claus in Rudolph at Tuacahn. Special thanks to her family, her loyal friends, Brian from HKA, and Anthony: Love you a bushel and a peck! @emmabensonlol
Bob Budnick
(Arvide Abernathy). Off Broadway: The Witch of Wall Street (Huntington) at the York Theatre, and The Three Prayers Answered (Director/Actor) at The Players Club. Regional: 1776 (Hopkins), Oklahoma! (Cord) at the Engeman Theatre, directed by Igor Goldin and Crazy for You (Zangler) at the Montclair Theatre, directed by GaryJohn LaRosa. On Long Island, he received rave reviews for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Matt Drayton), Grumpy Old Men (Grandpa) and Something Rotten (Shylock). Robert is also a professional musician (piano/keyboards) and a retired NYC high school English teacher.
Jordan Bunshaft
(Nicely-Nicely Johnson) is thrilled to be returning to one of his favorite roles in one of his favorite shows! Recent credits include Gangster #1 in Kiss Me, Kate, Officer Barrel in Urinetown, Ira Stone in Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha. Much love and many thanks to this wonderful cast, crew, and production team, as well as to my family and friends. Find me on lnstagram/Twitter @jordanbunshaft
Hero Dela Cruz
(Angie the Ox / Swing) is extremely excited to be a part of the show. A recipient of BFA in Musical Theatre from Drake University, Hero has worked extensively as a performer and as a choreographer. Some performance credits include: 9 to 5, Young Frankenstein, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, and Pippin. Selected choreography credits: Bring It On, Hairspray, School of Rock, Into the Woods, and 9 to 5. Big thanks to his mom, family, friends, and Mr. A! Insta: @hero.d.c
Cassandra Gauthier
(Hot Box Girl/Allison) is a New York-based actor with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University. Past credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and She Loves Me performed at Utah Festival Opera; Bebe in A Chorus Line at lnterlakes Theatre; and The Will Rogers Follies at Rider University. You can check out Cass’ website at www.cassandragauthier.com.
Lauren Marie Gobes
(General Matilda B. Cartwright) is thrilled to be making her debut with Plaza Theatrical! Favorite credits include Jekyll & Hyde, Elf, Ragtime, Phantom, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, Spelling Bee, and the National Tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! Lauren is also prolific, globally praised voice over artist. Many thanks to Kevin, Jamibeth, Bruce and the whole Plaza Team, her team at ATB and her amazing family, Ray, Christina, and Raymond.
Benji Heying
(Scranton Slim/Calvin/Drunk) is thrilled to be making a debut performance with Plaza Theatricals. Benji moved from Madison, Wisconsin where he was recently seen in Capital City Theatre’s productions of Merrily We Roll Along (Franklin Shepard) and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Thank you to Jerry, Maribeth, Ellie, and the rest of the family for your constant support!
Katie Horner
(Sarah Brown) (she/her) is a Philadelphia-grown, New York City-based actor, musician, and composer. REGIONAL: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story National Tour, North Shore Music Theatre, and Florida Studio Theatre (Vi Petty/Mary Lou/Trumpet/Piano/Guitar); The Sound of Music at ZACH Theatre (Sister Berthe / Trumpet / Flugelhorn / Maria u/s); Million Dollar Quartet at Mill Mountain Theatre (Dyanne); Mary Poppins at Upper Darby Mainstage (Mary Poppins). Thanks to Hells Kitchen Agency, mom, and dad! www.katie-horner.com; IG: @katie.lady64; Spotify: Bright & Breezy by Kay Rose; BLM.
Garrison Hunt
(Harry the Horse) is so excited to be doing this production of Guys and Dolls. He graduated in 2021 from Nazareth college and was last seen performing in Elf the Musical at the Argyle Theatre. Other credits include Rising Stars concert at City Hall, and Sound of Music in Rochester Opera House. He would like to thank all the cast for being so supportive and loving.
Owen Ing
(Liver Lips Louie) is very excited to be in Plaza’s production of Guys and Dolls. A recent graduate from The Hartt School, their favorite roles include Bobby in Cabaret (Woodstock Playhouse), Musidorus/Cleophila in Head Over Heels (The Hartt School), and Toby in The Gunfighter Meets His Match (Goodspeed Opera House). Much love to friends and family, this will be a fun one! www.owenkenting.com
Rich Jimenez
(Lt. Brannigan) has 44 years of theatrical experience in stage, film and video. He has acted and directed in classic comedies, musicals, murder mysteries, one act plays, readers theater. Independent Films include The Kempinski Surprise, For Your Eyes Only, The Rules of the Game and Broken Vow. Also, Patient Standardization Safety Training, voice over videos for Schools, Hospitals & OSHA) and Plaza Theatrical credits: 2015 West Side Story (Lt. Shrank)
Amy Knips
(Hot Box Girl, Martha, Havana Dancer) is a New York Citybased performer making her Plaza debut! Favorite credits include RSS Navigator (Norwegian Creative Studios), Stephanie in Saturday Night Fever, A Chorus Line (lnterlakes Theatre), Cabaret (Clear Space Theatre Company), Chicago (Broadway Theatre of Pitman), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Sugar Loaf PAC), and The Will Rogers Follies. BFA: Rider University. Big thanks to family, friends, and the whole team! amyknips.com
Christopher McHugh
(Big Jule) (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Plaza debut! Recent favorite credits: Jersey Boys (NCL), Bye Bye Birdie (Endstation Theatre Company), Cabaret (Bristol Riverside Theatre), Newsies (White Plains PAC), Teen Party Massacre (Off-Broadway), Bloody Bloody Jessica Fletcher starring Beth Leavel (Green Room 42), Jesus Christ Superstar (Bristol Riverside Theatre), and Saturday Night Fever (Walnut Street Theatre). Thank you to the creative team for this amazing opportunity and all the love to my family!
Ben Menahem
(Sky Masterson) is making his debut with Plaza Theatrical in Guys and Dolls. A veteran of over 30 productions, Ben recently played Sky at the historic Brooks Arts Center for Christopher Guell and is excited to reprise the role. Ben studied voice with Stephen Schnurman and acting with Jennifer Jerakas and James Ciccone. Some of Ben’s favorite roles include The Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Chad in All Shook Up, and Al Deluca in A Chorus Line.
Pablo Pernia
(The Greek) is a recent B.F.A graduate from New World School of the Arts Music Theatre (‘21). Some past credits include Cabaret (Emcee), Kinky Boots (Angel) Matilda (Rudolpho) Gypsy (Yonkers) Footloose (Lyle/Jeter/Ren u/s) Cinderella (Ensemble/Topher u/s) In The Heights (Jose) Legally Blonde (Carlos). He would like to thank his family and friends for their unconditional love and support. www.pablopernia.com lnstagram: @pabloperniaa
John Reed
(Rusty Charlie, Havana Dancer, Dance Captain) was born in Houston, Texas, and relocated to Melbourne Australia in 2004. He graduated with a BA in Musical Theater from Federation University Arts Academy. His Australian professional credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Funny Girl, Merrily We Roll Along, Jesus Christ Superstar, Songs For Swingin’ Lovers, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, The Who’s Tommy and Action/Riff Cover in West Side Story on Sydney Harbor for Opera Australia.
Joanna Sanges
JOANNA SANGES (Rose/Swing) is thrilled to be making her debut at Plaza! Most recently, Joanna performed as the title role in Rapunzel at John W. Engeman Theatre. Additional credits: The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), The 25th…Spelling Bee (Olive), and Company (Susan). Joanna holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory and a BM in Vocal Performance from Crane School of Music. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support!
James Schultz
(Nathan Detroit) is beyond excited to be a part of this great show with such an amazing cast, crew, and creatives. Next, James will be traveling the country this holiday season as “The Grinch” in the national tour of How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical! Thanks to my family, friends, agents, and fiance, Amanda, for their constant support. For Dad, Always. Learn more about James and his work at www.jamesschultz.net and on lnstagram at @jamesdschultz.
Samantha Stevens
(Miss Adelaide). Originally from London, Samantha is a lucky lady to now call New York home. Credits: Kinky Boots (u/s Lauren), The Handmaid’s Musical (Offred), Fame (European Tour), Rent (u/s Maureen), Flora The Red Menace (Maggie). She is delighted to be making her Plaza Theatrics debut in Guys and Dolls! Check out her Marilyn Monroe recreations at www.MonroeMoments.com For Mom across the ocean and Dad amongst the stars.
Harry White
(Benny South Street) is just ecstatic to be performing in Guys and Dolls at Plaza Theatrical! He recently performed with The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals Acting Cohort in NYC and has trained at the Atlantic Theatre Company’s Full Time Conservatory, as well as the Interlachen Academy for the Arts. He is a proud foster dad of a never-ending stream of sick and stray kittens. Come say hi after the show and buy him some pancakes!
Alexis Yard
(Hot Box Girl/Mimi) is extremely grateful to be a part of Guys and Dolls at Plaza Theatricals!! Tours: A Chorus Line (Big League Productions) Regional: A Chorus Line (City Springs Theatre); West Side Story (Florida Repertory Theatre); Grease (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre); Legally Blonde and Mamma Mia (Cortland Repertory Theatre); Beauty and the Beast and Sister Act (Millbrook Playhouse). Education: Shenandoah Conservatory, musical theatre BFA. alexisyard.com IG: @alexis_yard
