Gercharel Players, Inc., an independent Long Island traveling theatre company, under the direction of Charles L. Bandler, produces six live stage productions each year. We are currently touring West Babylon, Port Jefferson, Valley Stream, Center Moriches, Bay Shore, South Setauket, Lindenhurst and Holbrook, and plan to further expand in 2010.
“Gercharel Players, Inc. was founded and named in loving memory of three special people in my life,” says Charles L. Bandler, “GER represents my maternal grandmother, Gertrude S. Insler; CHAR, my aunt (and my mother’s sister), Charlotte I. Levinger; and EL, my paternal step-grandmother, Elaine W. Bandler.”
We have open auditions, and always welcome new performing talent and production staff.
Charles L. Bandler (Executive Producer / Director): Since age 6, theatre has been the driving force in Charlie’s life. He has been involved with well over 500 theatrical productions – approximately 300 as a performer; and 200 as a director. Charlie is the Executive Producer / Director of Gercharel Players, Inc. in Port Jefferson, West Babylon, Valley Stream, Center Moriches, Bay Shore, South Setauket, Lindenhurst and Holbrook.
 Charles L. Bandler His upcoming 2010 Gercharel Players, Inc. directing projects include an October run of Bernard Slade’s romantic comedy, Same Time Next Year and a December run of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol - adaptation written by Elizabeth Hershman. Charlie recently produced and played the lead role of Joe Keller in a July run of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons - directed by James Carey. 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. |
 Walter Wenzel 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 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 Eric Young (Second Stage Productions Director): 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. |
