The Waterbury Festival Playhouse -- Central Vermont's only Semi-Professional Theater



The School for Lies

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Written by David Ives (based on Moliere's The Misanthrope)
Shows (Evenings at 7:30pm):
Thu. 7/25 - Sat. 7/27, Wed. 7/31 - Sat. 8/3, Wed. 8/7 - Sat. 8/10

Three hundred and Fifty years ago, Moliere's The Misanthrope lampooned a French society where lying was common, false praise was rampant, and all the posturing was about status. In the shadow of our most recent election we found a faction of our modern society that embodies these classic hypocrisies: the Grand Old Party (and the resemblance is truly scary). David Ives' modern spin on The Misanthrope is extremely accessible to today's audiences and promises a fun night out to all who attend. No political posturing, just poking fun at life's eternal human foibles.

The Cast
FrankJordan Gullikson
CelimeneCael Barkman
ElianteSarah Venooker
PhilinteVincent Rossano
ArsinoeRamona Godfrey
ClitanderDavid Lagala
OronteMarcel Freda
AcasteChris Demars
Dubois/BasqueMargaret Garofalo
The Crew
DirectorEthan T. Bowen
CostumesCarol Loysen
Set Construction & DesignRick Loya
Lighting/Sound OperatorTim Schein
Stage ManagerKathy Barickman

Kathy Barickman Kathy Barickman
is excited about her third season with WFP. She has been playing in the dark backstage since high school and has stage managed productions throughout college and then with the Valley Players in Waitsfield, VT after moving here from upstate NY. When not playing in the theater, Kathryn can usually be found at her job as an environmental laboratory analyst in Williston or singing with St. Michael's College Liturgical choir. Occasionally she is even at home in Underhill with her husband, Jake, and their houseful of loving critters. She thanks her parents (both English teachers) for passing on their love of theater and her husband for his loving patience.
Cael Barkman Cael Barkman
has participated in theatre since she was a young lass. She has also been fortunate enough to dabble in film and television. When not performing she enjoys a multitude of random activities that are usually, a good time. Nothing is Impossible.
Ethan Bowen Ethan T. Bowen
is very happy to return to Waterbury Festival Theater, having previously directed Lettice and Lovage and Wait Until Dark. Most recently he directed The Cherry Orchard for the White River Valley Players. A long time Artistic Associate with Vermont Stage Company, he has been a professional actor, director and educator for 25 years, and is currently starting his own performance space in Rochester VT called Spice Studio. Love to Courtney and Wilder.
Chris Demars Chris Demars
lives with his wife and children (well one teenager and another in college) in Morrisville, Vermont. He works as a video producer and dabbles in theater. Thank you to my family for putting up with me and thanks to the cast and crew of The School for Lies for the same thing.
Marcel Freda Marcel Freda
is an actor/director/comedian/writer/loves putting slashes between things he does. He lives in Morrisville, VT and stays busy with the arts by working with local schools and has also worn a number of different hats for The Governor's Institutes of Vermont over the years. Marcel has been a player with WFP since their start and is very excited to have them back in his life. He is honored to be both appearing on stage and directing this season.
Margaret Garofalo Margaret Garofalo
is a local performing artist and educator. She holds an MA in Classical Theatre from Kingston University- London and a BFA in Dramatic Writing from SUNY Purchase. Most recently she appeared as Widow Corney in Lyric's Oliver!, and Rosencrantz in Champlain college's Hamlet. Last summer she performed the role of Mrs. Lovett in STG's Sweeney Todd, and will be making her directorial debut there this season with her production of Pirates of Penzance. Thank you to all who support the Arts and expression; it means more than you know.
Ramona Godfrey Ramona Godfrey
is a veteran actor of Vermont stage and screen, having appeared in productions by several local companies, most recently Woodchuck Theatre Company (WTC), the Lamoille County Players (LCP) and the Waterbury Festival Players (WFP). One of her favorites is the WFP production of "Anton in Show Business" in which she got to play three different roles. Now that was FUN! And, when screenings happen, Ramona can be seen as Mrs. Bailey in "The Summer of Walter Hacks", an award-winning Vermont film by George Woodard and Gerianne Smart.
Jordan Gullikson Jordan Gullikson
is a playwright, director and actor. In addition to working in New York and regionally, he has worked throughout the US, Europe and Asia. A founding member of Green Candle Theatre Company, Jordan has worked with Firefly Productions, Lost Nation Theater, One Take Productions, Catalyst Theater Company, Vermont Stage Company, and Saint and Poets Production Company, among others. Jordan attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City, studying with Ron Stetson, Richard Pinter and Sanford Meisner.
David Lagala David Lagala
is pleased to be portraying Clitander in The School For Lies. Previously, on stage at The Waterbury Festival Playhouse, he has appeared in every season since it opened. He has also been seen in shows with The Montpelier Theater Guild, The Lamoille County Players, The Barre Players, Unadilla Theater and The Stowe Theater Guild (relax, he's not nearly that good... he's just old and nobody else wanted the parts). His very beautiful and talented wife, Louise J. Mueller, will be appearing in Rumors. He also boasts two quite excellent daughters (Amanda and Carmen), 3 super grandchildren, and oh yes, a family of three stay-at-home cats who will not be able to attend tonight's performance due to previous engagements.
Rick Loya Rick Loya
had worked with George and Ginger on many productions in the past but, this is his third season with the Waterbury Festival Playhouse.
Set Design and decoration has been passion of Rick's for over 20 years now. Also enjoying the opportunity to take the audience to another time and place and regarding the set as another character in the performance.
His professional career has been in the custom sign business as a designer sculptor and pictorial artist . Currently he runs his own business offering a "broad brush" line of artistic services including fine art and graphic works to faux finishes.
Carol Loysen
is a retired, frustrated journalist who likes to stay busy ... and loves fabrics. And history; and theatre.
Vincent Rossano Vincent Rossano
began his acting career in 1971 with the Barre Players. He performed with them as well as with the Plainfield Little Theater, the Parish Players, and at Goddard College until 1975 when he returned to school at UVM with a minor in theater. In 1981, a performance of Blithe Spirit for the Valley Players marked his 40th show and the end of an intense decade of theater. Job and family then kept him off the boards for nearly thirty years. A production of Merry Wives of Windsor in 2009 marked his return to the stage.
Sarah Venooker Sarah Venooker
Returns with honor to Waterbury Festival Players
Here to impart some wisdom to you finicky nay-sayers,
Who view all rhyme schemes as far too complex,
I'm here with gentle urging not to be vexed!
The director's vision is clear, the language is sound,
Good times and laughter will be had all around.
Sit back and enjoy once the evening's begun,
As we present this story of laughter and pun.