Gercharel Players

His upcoming 2012 Gercharel Players, Inc. directing projects include a February run of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park; an April run of Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna’s It Had To Be You; and an October run of Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic and Old Lace .  Charlie’s most recent directing project for GPI was the August through October 2011 run of Susan Sandler’s romantic comedy, Crossing Delancey.

Charlie has also taught Theatre Arts to 5th and 6th grade students in East Setauket; high school students in Amityville and has served as Elementary Drama Director for the Oceanside School District.  Charlie has an M.A. in Theatre Arts from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook.  He dedicates all of his theatre work to the loving memory of his two grandmothers and his Aunt Charlotte, for whom Gercharel Players, Inc. was named and founded, as well as his nephew, Matthew Bandler Minches.

Walter Wenzel (Associate Producer): Walter Wenzel has been involved in the community for most of his adult life.  He has been working with many not-for-profit organizations, helping to plan and coordinate public service events organizations like the March of Dimes, American Diabetes Assoc., Multiple Sclerosis, and the American Cancer Society.  Walter continues to volunteer his efforts with these functions and other events.  Walter has also been working with a local emergency management office as an amateur radio to assist the community in times of need.

The past year and a half he was the Executive Director of the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts.  Recently, he has accepted the position of Associate Producer for Gercharel Players, Inc.  Walter will be working with us on publicity and some other graphic design projects.

Peter A. Prandi (Legal Counsel):  Peter A. Prandi is legal counsel to Gercharel Players, Inc.  He is an attorney with a litigation and transactional practice in Rockville Centre, New York.  His practice is primarily in the fields of personal injury, contract, real estate and estate administration.  Peter was instrumental in the legal formation of Gercharel Players, Inc., and continues to provide legal advice to it.  In addition to his legal responsibilities, Peter has also acted in stage productions produced and/or directed by Charles L. Bandler.  He has appeared as Teddy Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Mr. Macy in Miracle on 34th Street, Dr. Bradley in The Man Who Came to Dinner, and Juror # 4 in 12 Angry Jurors.

Eric Young (Caravan Players – GPI Second Stage Productions Director; GPI Casting Coordinator): Eric’s journey in theatre began in high school, acting in his senior musical and drama. After that, there was a long break of about twenty one years, but in between he used his theatrical talents to enhance his classroom teaching, present storytelling programs, and sing any chance he got. In 2000, he joined the Huntington Village Theater Group at the age of 39 and rejoined the theatrical community, playing a dust man in My Fair Lady. He did three more shows with this company, and is indebted to them. His most proud moment was playing Fagin in Oliver.

It was at this stage that he met a bunch of people he enjoyed working with, and they formed The Second Chance Players, who brought simulated old time radio shows to libraries, senior communities, nursing homes, and other venues.

In 2006, that company produced its first full production, You Can’t Take It With You as a fundraiser for not for profits. It was there that his theatrical relationship with Charles L. Bandler began. He produced six more shows with the Second Chance Players, each achieving better and better reviews. They ended their six year run in 2010. He is now proud and excited to be an integral part of Gercharel Players, Inc., working closely with his friend Charles L. Bandler and the other wonderful members of the company.

Ann Morelli (Business Manager; Publicity Coordinator; Children’s Theatre Advisor): As Gercharel Players’ Business Manager, Ann brings a tremendous amount of theatrical experience to the position, both in front of and behind the footlights. In addition to playing Sister Aloysius in the Gercharel Players recent production of Doubt, Ann has had roles in various shows such as The Odd Couple (Female Version), George Washington Slept Here, All My Sons and Charley’s Aunt. She has also appeared in children’s educational theatre (Pooh’s Adventure, The Miracle Worker, to name a few). Backstage, Ann has held positions as prop mistress, stage manager and assistant director. Also an accomplished dancer/dance teacher/choreographer, she has extensive experience in musical theatre as well, appearing in such shows as Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof, Mame and My Fair Lady.

James Carey (Resident Program Designer): A client liaison in the financial services industry, James has been involved in theater since 1998 and is one of the original members of the Gercharel Players. Beginning with our 2009 production of A Christmas Carol, James has been the program designer in residence for GPI and has designed the program for every production to date. Some of his favorite on-stage moments have occurred on the GPI stage, including Doubt, Same Time Next Year, Run for Your Wife and All My Sons. Additionally, James typically directs 1-2 shows for GPI each season and he co-authored GPI’s heartwarming annual Christmas classic, Voices of Christmas with his esteemed stage partner, Jessie Maldonado.

Jessie Maldonado (Resident Costume Designer): Jessie has worked in regional theater for the last 15 years and joined GPI with a wealth of theatrical experience under her belt. Beginning with our September 2009 production of Run for Your Wife, Jessie has costumed every GPI production to date. In addition to her duties as costumer, she frequently assists by stage managing and gathering props. On stage, some of her favorite GPI roles include All My Sons (Ann Deever), Same Time Next Year (Doris) and Run for Your Wife (Barbara Smith). Additionally, Jessie directs GPI’s touching, annual holiday show, Voices of Christmas, which she co-authored with her longtime stage partner, James Carey.