Meet the Cast and Crew
BEETLEJACKL
GRAINGAWITCH
Music Director
FRANKENPUGS
MARIO GIACALONE (IGOMEZ) is an actor, director, singer-songwriter who has been performing since the 1970’s. Giacalone's film and theater credits include lead roles in, "Cowboy Mouth, and the German film "I was on Mars". He's been Artistic Director at MSTS, and Creative Acting Company, where wrote, and directed plays and short films. Mr. Giacalone directed the Writers in Performance series, at Tribeca Performing Arts Center.". Today Mr. Giacalone contributes music to Treehouse Shakers Theater Company.
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GERRY MICERA (MUSICAL DIRECTOR)
Halloween at the Hall represents Gerry’s return to music directing outside of his annual director/music director roles at Putnam Valley High School, with over 45 projects with PVHS TheatreWorks. He has performed as an actor and music director for numerous community and regional productions on the east and west coasts, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. Gerry earned his undergraduate degree in piano, masters degrees in both music education and counseling, and a doctorate in clinical psychology. He regularly marvels at the beautiful interplay between psychology, music, theatre, and education. Gerry also practices as a clinical psychologist at Pleasantville Psychology Group. Special thanks and recognition go to his two sons, Kyle (21) and James (6), who continue to be daily, meaningful inspirations. (FYI - Kyle is majoring in acting at Baldwin Wallace U. in Ohio, James got the acting award in camp last summer…what’s that saying about how far the apple falls from the tree??)​​​​​​​
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PETER MORIARTY (BEETLEJACKL)
Peter just completed a production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN with Elmwood Playhouse. In the past year he has performed at Fyedka in FIDDLER OF THE ROOF, and Gaston in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
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MELODY MUNITZ (LYDIAWEDSAL) is a NYC-based performer, director, and writer, is full-hearted to be returning to her old stomping grounds in Westchester, having grown up performing locally (including playing Luisa in The Fantasticks directed by Katie Schmidt Feder at 15!). Melody last joined Theatre in the Wood for our June 2024 production of A MOVABLE MUSICAL FEAST. A 2022 graduate of Penn State’s BFA Musical Theatre program, Melody recently closed the first National Tour of American Girl, originating the lead role, Madison. Other performance credits include nearly 15 productions Off-Broadway/in NYC at venues such as Signature Theatre, Theatre Row, Soho Playhouse, and AMT Theatre, and various concert performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and 54 Below. Most recently, Melody played Hodel in Fiddler On The Roof at North Shore Music Theatre in Boston, which joins as a sure favorite of hers alongside other regional credits such as the premiere of Pride & Prejudice: A New Musical (Elizabeth), A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder (Phoebe), Brigadoon (Fiona), A Chorus Line (Maggie), and the premiere of her solo show, The Science of Love: A Night of Songs & Psychology (BroadwayWorld Award Best Solo Show 2023). Thank you for supporting the arts, and enjoy! Website: melodymunitz.com Instagram: @melody_munitz
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NICK NAZARIO (FRANKENPUGS) is an active member of the local theatre scene, spanning companies such as Westchester Collaborative Theater, Yorktown County Players, Spotlight Theatre, M&M Performing Arts, and Actors Conservatory Theatre. Beginning his acting studies at The Barrow Group in NYC, he also holds an AS in Performing Arts from Westchester Community College. Nick is grateful to return for another Theatre In the Wood production. Previous performances "in the wood" include George in the tumultuous, yet heartfelt historical tale of George & Ruth: Songs and Letters of the Spanish Civil War, and passing pasta, pies, and pitch during A Moveable Musical Feast! Most recently, Nick closed with Brewster Theater Company's production of Fiddler on the Roof as Motel the tailor. Previous shows include Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), Marjorie Prime (Walter), Gladys Day - THE LIFE AND LOVES (Eduardo), Seussical (Wickersham), and Tartuffe (Valére). Soon after, Nick will play the role of the noble Cassio in Shakespeare's Othello, opening up next month. Nick lives in Peekskill, NY with his two black cats. Keep up to date on his latest projects via Instagram: nicknazario.
MIKA NISHIDA (GRAINGAWITCH) is a Graduate of The Boston Conservatory, some of Mika's favorite credits include: SISTER ACT (Sister Mary Robert at Clocktower); THE 25th ANNUAL ... SPELLING BEE (Marcy Park - Little Radicals); MISS SAIGON - 2nd National Broadway Tour (Gigi 1997/Kim 1999 - to closing 2000); CONCERT OF EXCELLENCE (Lincoln Center); A CHORUS LINE (Connie - Merry Go Round Playhouse); IMAGINATION by Coca Cola Inc. (Madison Square Garden); ROCKY HORROR SHOW (P.O.E.T); JOSEPH (Westchester Broadway Theatre). Mika's film credits include; HITCH (Waxer); TOMORROW IS TODAY (Grace Peterson); THE GLASS CEILING (Justine). Mika also had the honor of being the National Anthem Singer at Fenway Park, Legend's Field, and The Kingdome before it was torn down. You may also catch Mika in a band called "5 minute call" once a year in the summer at Lucy's in Pleasantville!
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KATIE SCHMIDT FEDER (DIRECTOR/MORTICIBLUH) is the founder of THEATRE IN THE WOOD and thrilled to be presenting our inaugural production – A Moveable Musical Feast. With over thirty years as a stage director, choreographer, designer, and arts administrator, Katie most recently served as the Executive Director of Garrison Art Center. Prior to that post, she was Co-founder & Executive Director of EMBARK|Peekskill, a performing & literary arts nonprofit. Most recently she directed George & Ruth: Songs and Letters of the Spanish Civil War (@thecapaspace). She is an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab and NY’s Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Actor/Director Lab and has directed from Shaw to Shakespeare to Sondheim in New York and regionally. NY acting credits include Rosemary Kennedy in the play Rosemary by James O’Connor (Abingdon Theatre Co.), Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (78th St. Theatre Lab) Regional credits include: Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Theatre Arlington), Squeaky Fromme in the regional premier of Sondheim’s ASSASSINS (Dallas, TX), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Lyric Theatre). Katie has also served as a costume and scenic designer for many productions. She holds a BA in Musical Theatre/Dance Minor – University of Northern Colorado, Graduate 2-year Meisner program - William Esper Studio (NYC). Masters in Arts Administration - Goucher College (2015). www.katieschmidtfeder.com
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