Singin’ in the Rain SR. at
Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

Cast & Crew Bios

CAST BIOS

Tilla Alexander (Character Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her acting debut at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House in Singin’ in the Rain SR.! For over twenty years, she taught adult English language learners with the NYC Department of Education. She minored in Speech & Theater at Brooklyn College where she performed with the Gershwin Players. She also participated in a staged reading of The Old (Actor's Theater Workshop). Tilla currently serves on the UFT Players Board and studies acting and improvisation at the Neighborhood House and UFT. She's so excited to be part of this talented, dynamic team.

Sal Anzalone (Roz) appears in the 2022 film Portrait of a Street Gigolo by director Alan Baxter and the short Banana Split And A Few Extra Nuts. Sal prefers movies to theatre and feels that stage performances are forgotten in a week, whereas movies are recorded. Therefore, actors are immortalized on film. He agreed to be cast in Singin’ in the Rain SR. because he loves sharing the stage with his friends. Besides acting, Sal's passion is writing. He won accolades for his one-act play, MARVIN'S FETISH. For Sal, writing and acting are never-ending goals. He believes dreams have no expiration dates.

Julie Down (Lina Lamont), after a successful career in corporate finance and commercial real estate, is now joyfully pursuing her passion for the stage. Her past performances include The Vagina Monologues, The Music Man SR., Guys and Dolls SR., and The Furies, along with scene work from Baby with the Bathwater, Six Degrees of Separation, and Proof. Julie is delighted to step into the glamorous, quirky world of Lina Lamont and bring this unforgettable character to life. She dedicates this performance to her beloved mom, who passed away in July 2023.

Elyse Epstein (Kathy’s Girls) is a former guidance counselor whose passion, the acting world, had been put on temporary hold. After retirement, performing has once again become her world. She became a member of the UFT Board Players and utilized skills learned at HB Studio acting classes. In college, she performed in many theatrical venues but hasn’t performed in a musical since then. She is so thrilled to be among such talented actors and crew in this exuberant Lenox Hill Neighborhood House production. Shoutouts to Vivienne, Christina, Kevin, Kerri, and Hannah for their encouragement, knowledge, and empathetic support. 

Susan Epstein (Character Ensemble), a drama queen by nature, finally found expression in post-retirement acting classes at her Union, the United Federation of Teachers. She then participated in community theater with the UFT Players, the Hunter College Gender Studies Department (The Vagina Monologues), as well as the Yiddish Theater with the New Yiddish Rep and the GLYK Collective. She also completed workshops at Hudson Guild, culminating with a production of The Furies this spring. Susan is so excited to participate in Singin’ In The Rain SR. at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.

Ronnye Halpern (Kathy’s Girls) began her career in musical theatre at age 10 in The Wizard of Oz (Glinda). As an adult, she has performed in numerous musicals with MSDTA on Roosevelt Island. She appeared in Lenox Hill Neighborhood House’s productions of The Music Man SR. and Guys and Dolls SR., along with Into the Woods (Community Chorus) at New York City Center. A licensed clinical social worker, she works as a grief and trauma counselor. You may have seen her in the background on Law and Order and other TV shows. She’s delighted to be one of Kathy’s Girls!

Robin Jacobson (Dana Bailey) has years of experience in improv comedy, stand-up and performance art, as well as full-length comedies and dramas. Here at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, she appeared in productions of The Music Man SR. (Winthrop), Guys and Dolls SR. (Benny Southstreet), and she was also a member of Resiliency Part II: Impact of Art. She is grateful to the Neighborhood House for all the opportunities through the years. To Nancy, with gratitude for her unwavering support of my many performance hijinks.

Gerry Kelly (Roscoe Dexter), New York Native, has appeared in numerous productions over the last twenty years, including four showcases at NYC SAGE, Food For Thought in 2013 at The Jefferson Library, and Aboard The Raging Queen at TADA! Youth Theatre in 2014. In Times Square 2017, he also performed in Tartuffe. In 2022, while living in Florida, he appeared in an improvisation performance directed by Sara Rogers. More recently, he is in the Lenox Hill Legends Improv Troupe and an acting technique program here at the Neighborhood House. Gerry believes that the best support system is forged from within.

Anthony Lentini (RF Simpson) generally doesn’t approve of singing in the rain... It's a bit daft and likely to lead to la grippe. However, he’s over the moon for his second Lenox Hill Neighborhood House musical, Singin' in the Rain SR. after last year's glorious Guys and Dolls SR. Other performing experiences include City Center's Into the Woods (Intergenerational Chorus), Hudson Guild's Uncle Vanya, Beckett Sketches, and most recently, The Furies. He has participated in numerous workshops and showcases with the UFT Players, St. Peter, and the Neighborhood House with Sylvia Pilar and Kerri Evans; most memorably, Car Zone.

Patricia E. Lewis (Dora Bailey) Theater: A Midsummer Night's Dream (2017, The Public Theater), Into the Woods (2022, New York City Center), The Vagina Monologues (2022, Hudson Guild Theater Company), Uncle Vanya, Beckett Sketches, Sr. Talent Showcase - Standup (2023), The Curse on the House of Atreus (2024), The Furies (2025), The Music Man SR. (2023) and Guys and Dolls SR. (2024, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House). TV: AMC Special Gotta Dance. Dance: Dabat Dance Ensemble Member (Beirut, Lebanon) and an award-winning competitive Latin, Smooth, and Swing ballroom dancer (NYC). MA: Spanish Lit/Drama, Middlebury College (Spain). Proud mother of daughter Alexandra.

Rebecca Marks (Kathy Seldon) got the acting bug in first grade, playing The Little Engine that Could. That was it! She was in every play she could be in ever since; most excitingly in high school as Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, earning her a varsity letter! She performed in the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House musicals Into the Woods SR. (Cinderella) and The Music Man SR. (Salesman #5/School Board Quartet Member). Her other passion is playing the Llanera harp and performing with MasterVoices in Carnegie Hall, which was a thrill. She’s eternally grateful to the Neighborhood House for this incredible opportunity!

Camille Marshall (Character Ensemble) hails from Greenfield, Indiana. She graduated from Marian College with a BA in Theatre & English Literature, and a MA in Speech Communication & Theatre from the University of Michigan. She studied acting with Zina Jasper, Loyd Williamson, Stephen Strimpell, Bill Hickey, George Morrison, Kathryn Gately, and Anthony Naylor. Off-Off-Broadway credits include Working Stage Company, Promethean Theatre Co., Blunt Theatre Co., and 42nd St. Players. She co-founded Metropolitan Stage Company and Or Else Productions. Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is a gem of a discovery. Love you, Frick!

Audrey Melikian (Miss Dinsmore/Teacher), a Lyric Coloratura Soprano and America's "Jenny Lind," has appeared in Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Into the Woods SR. (Rapunzel), Guys and Dolls SR. (General Matilda Cartwright), Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia), Tales of Hoffman (Olympia), Die Fledermaus (Adele), Marriage of Figaro (Susanna), The Gondoliers (Casilda), and Anush (Anush). She is also an International Style Ballroom, Latin, and Hustle dancer, classical pianist, and yoga enthusiast. Many thanks to Mom and Dad! God Bless America!

Alan Myers (Character Ensemble) stopped working for money several years ago and started working on what he’d loved since childhood: performing. His first shot was in Lenox Hill Neighborhood House’s The Music Man SR. (2023), then last year, in Guys and Dolls SR. (Nathan Detroit). A professional stagehand for fifty years, he now portrays one on stage. He’s delighted playing alongside this talented cast, and feels the exceptional creative team put together a marvelous, happy production. He’s deeply grateful for the support and love of his family and friends in doing what he loves. “Who could ask for anything more?”

Ellen Orchid (Kathy’s Girls) was on episode 48 of The Sopranos (Dr. Zalutsky), on SNL, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. She performed Off-Broadway in Tony n' Tina's Wedding. She did two original solo shows in Manhattan: Rest In Pieces (United Solo Theater Festival) and Punchlines and Prozac. She has an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School. Her play, Prescriptions, was published and produced. Another of her plays, Adjustments, had a reading starring Broadway veteran Tovah Feldshuh. She does stand-up around town and has performed on The View. (www.EllenOrchid.com)

Jerry Petardi (Cosmo Brown) Jerry Petardi’s first musical at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House was last year’s Guys and Dolls SR. (Nicely Nicely). Favorite roles include Peter Pan (Captain Hook), Oliver (Fagin), Edwin Drood (Bazzard), and Charlie Brown. He choreographed and performed for the Turtle Bay Music School. He performed with the St. Jean’s, St. Bart’s, and the Park Players. He appeared as an extra/dancer in several movies including Enchanted and Uptown Girls. He was a performer and Taxi Dancer at Roseland Ballroom, and a Harvest Moon Ball Champion/Coach. Jerry thanks the great creative team, cast, and the Neighborhood House for this opportunity.

Annette Renschowicz (Character Ensemble), an advocate for protecting stray animals, is extremely excited to join the talented Singin’ in the Rain SR. cast. When caregiving full-time for a spouse with Alzheimer's, the Hospice Team asked Annette about her next chapter. She wanted to pursue acting classes. Previous theatrical productions include Into The Woods (New York City Center Encores), The Music Man SR. and Guys and Dolls SR. (Lenox Hill Neighborhood House). Other credits include TV’s Pose with Billy Porter, CaringKind’s Caregiver Storyteller Podcast, The Isle of Wight 1970, and the book Faithful Friends (Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data).

Ric E. Suarez (Don Lockwood) performed in The Music Man SR. (Mayor), An Ensemble of Scenes And Monologues, and Some Like It Hot/Chicago (Lenox Hill Neighborhood House), Second Acts and Beckett Sketches (Hudson Guild Theatre Company), and in The Cultural Festival (Saint Peter’s). He wrote a short play called Mind If I Join You and performed in one called Southern Gals (Equity Library Theatre). Ric thanks Kerri, Hannah, Vivienne, Kevin, Christina, and the cast and crew for their support and patience in guiding him through the role. He dedicates this to fellow CPAs who learn there’s more to life than numbers! 

Pam Trester (Kathy’s Girls) loved musical theater from an early age, which continues to be a great source of joy in her life. Choruses: Broadway at 92NY Chorus, and Encore Chorale of NYC West. Cabarets: The Triad, Don’t Tell Mama, and other NYC venues. Theatre: Into the Woods (New York City Center), The Vagina Monologues (Hudson Guild), and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House’s The Music Man SR. (Gracie Shinn), and Guys & Dolls SR. (Miss Adelaide). “Much gratitude to the Neighborhood House for making it possible for older adults to strut their stuff! Love to my biggest fan, my husband, Sal!” 

Cynthia Gale Valdes (Zelda Zanders) performed in Lenox Hill Neighborhood House’s production of Guys and Dolls SR. (Lieutenant Brannigan) last year and returns in the comedic role of Zelda Zanders in Singin’ in the Rain SR. She also performed with Genoveva Productions in The Crossroads (Dee) at The Secret Theatre. This year, she’ll perform with the Fifth Avenue Players’ Even More Tales from The Times - Selections from the Metropolitan Diary, and The Equity Library Theatre of New York’s 2025 Play Festival (Clare Truth Purdy) at Lincoln Center. She’ll also return to The Monologue Table at QED in Astoria. 

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

Kerri Evans (Assistant Director), graduate of The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University (MFA, Acting), has been the Drama Teacher at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House since 2017. In addition to teaching classes, Kerri is the creator of the Lenox Hill Legends Improv Troupe and co-creator of the Resiliency Project. She’s also a private acting coach and enjoys writing plays. WEIGHT, which she wrote and starred in, was featured in multiple NYC play festivals. Kerri thanks her family (her biggest fans) for their unwavering support! She’s grateful to be working with this immensely talented cast and brilliant creative team. 

Kevin Hull (Music Director) is excited to return for his fourth musical production at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. In addition to music directing, he teaches piano and guitar lessons and performs around the city. When he's not making music, he also makes independent films, animations and internet nonsense under Kevin Y. His animated short, Mrs. Eshelman, was most recently seen at the Rising Sun International Film Festival in Karatsu, Japan, and his live action short, Upstairs, is currently in post-production. 

Christina Iervoline (Stage Manager) has had a truly meaningful, enriching introduction to Lenox Hill Neighborhood House productions. Born in Pennsylvania, she received her BA in Theatre & Performing Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, then moved to NYC in 2012. Her teaching journey began with Pilates and yoga instruction. She’s now a Teaching Artist for adults and children across the boroughs and beyond. She founded impromptYOU Studio (a creative workspace) and plans to continue collaborating with vibrant performing arts communities like these. Christina cherishes her family for their loving support, and this sensational cast and crew! “Dignity. Always, dignity.”

Vivienne Claire Luthin (Director) is thrilled to be making her Lenox Hill Neighborhood House debut. She is passionate about and fascinated by the way in which theater teaches us about community, empathy, and ourselves. Vivienne has eleven years of experience as a theater teacher, artistic director, and musical director. Recent directorial credits include A Year with Frog + Toad (Piknik Theatre), Matilda Jr. (Steamboat Springs MS), Peter Pan (Community Collaboration), The Music Man, Kids! (Choreography for Columbia Prep). In everything she does, Vivienne strives to be honest, open, and ready to tell and uplift stories to the fullest of her potential. (vivienneclaireluthin.com) 

Hannah Swanson (Choreographer), originally from Anchorage, Alaska, began dancing at her local studio and then in a high school dance program. She studied at Western Oregon University and performed at ACDA. Hannah moved to NYC in 2014 where she taught classes at Dancewave and Peridance Capezio Center. Hannah also danced professionally with Pulse Dance Company for two years. Hannah joined Lenox Hill Neighborhood House in 2019 and leads weekly classes. She created the Resiliency Project and has led multiple dance performances and experiences. This is her first musical and she’s so excited to share this work with our community.

Sarah Walko (Producer) is a visual artist, director, curator, and writer. She has her Master of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland. She is currently the Director of Visual and Performing Arts at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. She has directed non-profit arts organizations for nineteen years. 

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Tied together with unforgettable melodies and elaborate dances, Singin’ in the Rain SR. is a timeless love letter to the artist. It begs the question, “Where do I most see myself in my artistic journey?” 

Are you Kathy, passionate, fearless and seeking to make her mark upon the world? 

Are you Don, whose life is reignited by another artist’s dreams? 

Are you Cosmo, who doesn’t take his art too seriously but has dedicated his talents to bringing joy and laughter to the world? 

Are you Lina, feeling out of place and left behind by the art form she has dedicated so much of her life to? 

I believe that throughout life, we will find ourselves in each of these characters at one time or another. We might be Lina one day and Don the next. I only hope that I will embrace each of these moments of my artistic journey with the same wit, humor, perseverance and bravery as the characters in Singin’ in the Rain SR.

Much like Kathy, this cast has brought incredible curiosity, passion, and fearlessness to the creation of this story. It is a rare gift to work with a group of people that possess such innate talent and also happen to be extremely kind human beings.

Like Don, I have felt inspired and artistically reignited by the artists in this cast. My world has been beautifully altered by each of these actors. This cast constantly surprised me with their vulnerability, knowledge, and wisdom. They brought storytelling magic and inspiration into each rehearsal.

Thank you to the incredible Singin’ in the Rain SR. collaborative team. Sarah-for your incredible leadership, Kerri-for your amazing directorial support and insight, Hannah-for bringing these dances to life with storytelling, detail and care, Kevin-for your incredibly special musical abilities, and Christina-for your amazing organizational skills and attention to detail. This project would not have been possible without you.

Thank you Lenox Hill Neighborhood House for supporting such a special program.

It has truly been one of the great honors of my life to work with this cast and get to know each of these amazing people as artists and individuals.

I hope our production of Singin’ in the Rain SR. speaks to the artist within each of you. May you have the bravery and strength to embrace that part of who you are, just as this incredible cast has.

Thank you for being here, we hope you enjoy Lenox Hill Neighborhood House’s production of Singin’ in the Rain SR.

- Vivienne Claire Luthin

Singin’ in the Rain SR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com