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Jessica Lucas - Inducted February 11, 2008 The newest inductee to the Minstrel Players Hall Of Fame is Jessica Lucas. Jessie now joins her dad, John, and little sister, Shannon, who had previously received HOF honors. Jessica proved to be invaluable as a crew member, offstage cast cuer and personal dresser for Ray in a few productions. She also had some opportunities to get on-stage with small roles in "Don't Drink the Water" and "A Christmas Carol". Where Jessie really shone was in her critically acclaimed portrayal of Gloria in "Wait Until Dark". Jessica is currently away at college and is missed by the Minstrel Players for all her great work and dedication. I'm sure Jessie will be as thrilled with this honor as she was watching her new favorite football team - the New York Giants - win the Super Bowl. Congrats, Jess! Archived Bio: Jessica is looking forward to her fifth show with the Minstrels. She has previously been seen in "Don't Drink the Water" as the Sultan's Wife, Fan in "A Christmas Carol" and Gloria in "Wait Until Dark. She has been on the stage crew for "The Glass Menagerie," and "The Odd Couple." She has also worked house for "The Uninvited", and "The Man Who Came To Dinner". Jessica has also appeared in several school productions. She would like to thank Ray, Debbie, Tara and Jef. for the opportunity to work on stage once again with such a great cast and off stage with such an amazing crew. A special thanks to her Dad, John, (by the way, it's MY hobby now!!). GO JETS!!!!! |
Minstrel Credits Crew An Inspector Calls (Sp.2005)Sultan's First Wife/Crew Don't Drink the Water (W.2005) Fan A Christmas Carol (W.2004) Gloria/Crew Wait Until Dark (F.2004) Crew The Glass Menagerie (Sp.2004) Crew The Odd Couple (W.2004) |
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Shannon Lucas - Inducted October 3, 2007 Shannon "Squishy" Lucas is the newest (and youngest) member of the Minstrel Players Hall Of Fame. She made quite an impression on-stage as Belinda Cratchit for two consecutive years in "A Christmas Carol". However, it was off-stage that Shannon had the most impact. Her magnetic personality and boundless energy were helpful during set-painting sessions as well as welcoming new members to the various Minstrel productions she attended. Additionally, Shannon was an outstanding House Worker who took her job seating people so seriously that she remains the only Minstrel House worker to ever receive a tip from a customer! Shannon has relocated with her family to North Carolina and she is truly missed as the Minstrels begin to embark on another "Christmas Carol" production. Thanks Shannon and welcome to the Hall Of Fame! Archived Bio: Shannon is excited to be making her return to the stage with her Dad (John) and all her Minstrel friends. She is currently a member of the music and drama club in Elementary School and would like to thank Tara, Jef, Ray, and Debbie for giving her this opportunity. Shannon would also like to thank her Mom & Dad for helping her be confident and cheering her on. (A special hug to Professor Pippy P. Poopypants !!!) |
Minstrel Credits Belinda Cratchit A Christmas Carol (W.2005)Belinda Cratchit A Christmas Carol (W.2004) |
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Jeff Murtha - Inducted August 27, 2007 Jeff Murtha is the latest inductee into the Minstrel Hall Of Fame. What makes Jeff stand out from previous inductees is the fact that he never stepped foot on the stage! Jeff was with the Minstrel Players at their very start and always willing to pitch in wherever needed - house, concessions, designated driving, etc. Where he particularly shone was during the many Dinner Theater performances. Jeff was in his realm at these events as he ran the kitchen crew, mixed salad, served food and befriended many of the elderly Minstrel patrons who were quite fond of him. Jeff was even known to bring his baking skills to play and often would donate home-baked goods for sale at the Minstrel concession stands. Though many attempts were made to get Mr. Murtha on-stage - he always politely refused and remained one of our best audience members and supporters. Jeff has since moved on to S. Carolina but his contributions are not soon forgotten. His entry into the Minstrel Hall Of Fame represents his friendliness, teamwork, flexibility and most of all the tenacity required to stick with Peter Guarascio all these years! Congratulations Jeff and welcome to the Hall!!! |
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John Lucas - Inducted July 20, 2007 The newest addition to the Minstrel Players Hall Of Fame is the near-immortal, John Lucas. John was actually brought into the Minstrels by fellow Hall-of-Famer, Rick Mohr, during the Northport production of "The Man Who Came To Dinner". John's arrival came with pomp, circumstance, and a nasty old Jets jersey. Following "Man", John went on to many infamous Minstrel roles including: Chips "The Butler Did It, Again", Oscar "The Odd Couple", Mr. Birling "An Inspector Calls", Fred/Narrator "A Christmas Carol" and Walter Hollander "Don't Drink the Water". In addtion to John's performances on stage, he was also indispensible for his off-stage work with lighting, electrical work, construction and fixing the toilet in the Men's Room whenever he "clogged" it. We won't even begin to discuss his Cast Party "roasts" of fellow Minstrels. With his departure to the wilds of North Carolina the Minstrels have lost one of their most beloved and valuable members. Here's hoping he and fellow HOF Member, Peter Guarascio, can get that Minstrel Players South franchise going. Congrats, John - we miss you! Archived Bio: John is looking forward to doing his eleventh show with The Minstrel Players. He was seen most recently as Mr. Birling in "An Inspector Calls". Other Minstrel credits include Walter Hollander in "Don't Drink the Water", Fred in "A Christmas Carol" Sergeant Carlino in "Wait Until Dark", Tom in "The Glass Menagerie", Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple," Max in "The Uninvited" and Chips in "The Butler Did It, Again!" John would like to thank Ray and Debbie once again for the opportunity to continue working with this talented group. A special thanks to his wife for her unending encouragement, and to his family and friends for their love and support. GO JETS!!!!! |
Minstrel Credits Narrator/Fred/Schoolmaster A Christmas Carol (W.2005)Lighting Designer Dial 'M' for Murder (F.2005) Lighting Director Crossing Delancey (S.2005) Arthur Birling/Crew An Inspector Calls (Sp.2005) Walter Hollander/Crew Don't Drink the Water (W.2005) Narrator/Fred/Crew A Christmas Carol (W.2004) Sgt. Carlino/Crew Wait Until Dark (F.2004) Tom/Crew The Glass Menagerie (Sp.2004) Oscar Madison/Crew The Odd Couple (W.2004) Max Hilliard/Crew The Uninvited (F.2003) Chips/Crew The Butler Did It, Again! (Sp.2003) Various Roles/Crew The Man Who Came to Dinner (W.2003) |
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Peter Guarascio - Inducted June 20, 2007 Peter was an original Minstrel and one of the most popular actors to ever grace our stages. Known for his great sense of humor and comic-timing, Peter was perfectly suited to portray eccentric characters like Beverly Carlton "The Man Who Came To Dinner", Roy "The Odd Couple" and Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol". Probably the most bizarre portrayal was the stereotypical Asian detective, Louie Fan, in both "The Butler Did It!" and "The Butler Did It, Again!". Far from a one-dimensional actor, Peter also did wonderful dramatic turns as Mr. Jordan "Heaven Can Wait" and his last Minstrel performance - Eric Birling "An Inspector Calls". Peter has since moved to South Carolina and we hope he and another transplanted Minstrel, John Lucas, can one day form The Minstrel Players South! Most of all Peter will be missed for his laughs, easy-going nature, and jello shots! Congratulations Peter - we all miss you!!! Archived Bio: A continuing member of the Minstrel Players, Peter is happy to be on stage once again with his fellow actors and finally performing a serious role. Other favorite Minstrel credits include, Louie Fan in "The Butler Did It, I & II", Beverly Carlton in "The Man Who Came To Dinner", & Mr. Jordan in "Heaven Can Wait." As always, Peter would like to thanks his family and friends for their continued love and support. A special thank you out to Jeff for dealing with Peter's multiple personalities, on and off stage. |
Minstrel Credits Eric Birling An Inspector Calls (Sp.2005)Marley/Ghost(Future)/Miner A Christmas Carol (W.2004) Roy The Odd Couple (W.2004) Louie Fan The Butler Did It, Again! (Sp.2003) Beverly Carlton The Man Who Came to Dinner (W.2003) Louie Fan The Butler Did It (Sp.2002) Mr. Jordan Heaven Can Wait (Sp.2001) Beverly Carlton The Man Who Came to Dinner (Sp.2000) |
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Rick Mohr - Inducted May 17, 2007
The now retired, Rick Mohr, is the first entrant into the Minstrel Players Hall Of Fame! Archived Bio: Rick is thrilled to be doing his 4th show with The Minstrels and reviving his role of Mr. Fezziwig. Previous Minstrel credits include: Mr. Stanley in "The Man Who Came To Dinner" and Murray the Cop in "The Odd Couple". Rick is excited to working with old chum, Ann Rothstein and also getting to work with Shannon and Jessica Lucas. |
Minstrel Credits Fezziwig/Old Joe/Charity Man A Christmas Carol (W.2004)Cop Wait Untl Dark (F.2004) Murray the Cop The Odd Couple (W.2004) Dr. Scott The Uninvited (F.2003) Mr. Stanley The Man Who Came to Dinner (W.2003) |