If you have loved following the escapades and adventures of Paddy Bell and his family in THE BELLS OF DUBLIN at the Ivoryton Playhouse, then you won’t want to miss the third play in the trilogy. And even if you are new to the story, you will enjoy their exploits as Paddy brings the whole family to New York for Christmas. Carols and Irish songs and even a little vaudeville to warm your heart and get you in the spirit of the season.

The Bells of Dublin pub will be closed for the holidays as Paddy Bell and his family take a trip to the Big Apple for Christmas.  It’s Christmas Eve in O’Lunney’s Pub in New York. Maggie, the bag lady who roams the neighborhood around 50th and Broadway, settles into O’Lunney’s doorway to weave a story with a cast of characters from here and across the ocean.

The Bells of Dublin, Parts I, II & III  were conceived and directed by Playhouse Executive/Artistic Director, Jacqueline Hubbard. “For 345 days a year, we work around the clock here – maintaining this beautiful building and producing 7 amazing professional shows. The holiday show is our chance to have some fun! I wanted to put together a show with some great music – traditional Irish and American – a little bit of magic and a lot of laughs.  So – here ‘tis!”

This funny and fantastic tale is filled with songs you know and songs you wish you did.  Come and experience the true magic of the season Ivoryton style with this original Christmas musical – for two weeks only.

Generously sponsored by:

 

SHOW TIMES:

Wednesday     December 7                 7:30pm

Thursday         December 8                 7:30pm

Friday              December 9                 7:30pm

Saturday          December 10               2:00pm

Saturday          December 10               7:30pm

Sunday            December 11               2:00pm

Wednesday     December 14               2:00pm

Thursday         December 15               7:30pm

Friday              December 16               7:30pm

Saturday          December 17               2:00pm

Saturday          December 17               7:30pm

Sunday            December 18               2:00pm

 

Alec Bandzes (Officer Ricky Cortez) is so excited to be making his debut at the Ivoryton Playhouse. Alec is a recent alumni of Fairfield University where he graduated cum laude with degrees in International Business, Theatre, and Business Law. Since then he’s been in several productions in Connecticut, including at The Kate with Saybrook Stage and in Norwich with the Chestnut Street Playhouse. Favorite roles include Adam in The Shape of Things, Jason in Rabbit Hole, and Clifford in Deathtrap. He most recently completed filming two feature films and a short film with award winning directors. Special thanks to his family and friends for their love and support.

 

Jenna Berloni (Bridie) is thrilled to be back playing Bridie for the third time! Jenna has performed at the Playhouse eight times since the age of eleven and is now a sophomore in college at Connecticut College in New London. Jenna originated roles here at the Playhouse as well as the Godspeed Opera House, the Bijou Theater, and at Connecticut College. Most recently, Jenna played “Ariel” in The Little Mermaid with Artful Living. You may have seen Jenna on Sesame Street or in the reality tv show about her family From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni.

 

Vickie Blake recent credits include:  Threads (Orange Players), Beauty and the Beast – Mrs. Potts (Roundtable Players), How I Became a Pirate – Pierre (Middlesex Children’s Theater), Calendar Girls (Ivoryton Playhouse), sings with CT Yuletide Carolers.  On the other side of the curtain, she has worked as costumer for a variety of productions including:  The Irish and How They Got That Way, Woman in Black, Little Shop of Horrors (Ivoryton Playhouse), Pirates of Penzance and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Vista).

 

David Cardone (Frank Romano) is back in the third Bells of Dublin.  The first two as Frank O’Rafferty, the Dublin cab driver, now as NYC cabbie, Frank Romano.  David was just seen at Andrews Memorial Town Hall in  Clinton as Mr. Saunders in Lend Me A Tenor and in Chester in Becky’s New Car, both with his wife, Nancy Cardone and fellow cast member, Vanessa Vradenburgh.  Favorite characters have been the recurring role of fictional “film noir” detective Justin Thyme and George Hay in Moon Over Buffalo and roles in Cahoots, Flying Feathers, Rumors, Noises Off, Earth & Sky and The Rainmaker.  You can find David and Nancy working at Cardone & Daughter Automotive’s new location in Old Saybrook.  www.CardoneAndDaughter.com

 

Nancy Richardson Cardone (Kate Bell) is happy to be back at the Ivoryton Playhouse reprising her role as Katie Bell. Over the years, she has worked with the Chester Meeting House Players, East Haddam Stage Co., Saybrook Stage Co., Hole in the Wall, New Britain Rep, Podium Players and most recently with Artful Living as Maria in Lend Me A Tenor. Other roles include: Becky in Becky’s New Car, Rose in Enchanted April, Agnes in Shadow Box, Claire in Proof, Jan in Cahoots and Marlene in Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got the Will?. While she enjoys playing opposite her husband on stage, in real life she likes to work with him at Cardone & Daughter Automotive in Old Saybrook.  Beyond words love to David, their kids and families.  Thank you to everyone here at the Ivoryton Playhouse.  It is an honor to be among talented, gracious and kind souls.  She would like to dedicate this show to her son, Officer Matthew R. Fifer, who serves and protects the Town of Torrington, CT.  May he and his fellow police officers receive kindness and feel safe in return.  Please join her in embracing diversity.  “A lot of different flowers makes a beautiful bouquet”. (Muslim quote)

 

 

R. Bruce Connelly* (Paddy Bell) in his career has worked in burlesque, vaudeville, television, movies, drama, pantomime and musical comedy. Among the roles he has played are J.M. Barrie,  P.T. Barnum, Max Bialystock, Max Prince, Paddy Bell, Felix Unger, Pseudolus, Willie Clark, Sheridan Whiteside, Uncle Vanya, Murray Burns, Dr. Einstein, Dr, John Watson, Andrew Wyke, Finian McLonergan, Harold Hill, Guildenstern, Trinculo,  Bottom, Puck, Feste, Scapino, Roger Sherman, Snoopy,  Barkley, Barney Cashman, the Stage Manager, the Man Going Back,  the Reverend Crisparkle, the Reverend Mother, the Mule of La Mancha, eight roles in The Matchmaker, ten roles in Greater Tuna, the Devil, Adam, Jesus, and the Man who played God, George Burns.

 

Celeste Cumming started studying the cello when she was 11, and has been performing in various venues since then. Although classically trained, she particularly loves playing in musicals

 

 

 

Melanie Guerin holds a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance and music education, as well as a Master of Music Education degree, both from The Hartt School. She has been an educator in Connecticut public schools for eleven years. She is currently on faculty at The Hartt School, where she teaches conducting and serves as vocal coach and accompanist in the musical theater division. As a music director and pianist, Melanie has worked with community and professional theater companies throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. She has composed several original works for instrumental ensembles, as well as two original musicals.

 

Olivia Harry (Fiona) is happy to be back at the Ivoryton Playhouse, where she made her theatrical debut, at the age of eight in Touch of the Child. Now at seventeen she is happy to be reprising the role of Fiona. Past credits include, Our Town; Mrs. Gibbs, High School Musical; Taylor McKessie, Once Upon a Mattress; Princess #12, The Bells of Dublin (Carol of the Bells); Fiona Bell, How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying); Ensemble/TV reporter, The Bells of Dublin; Fiona Bell, and many more. She has also appeared in two films, American Jubilee; Young Kenzie and a Wesleyan student film Lolo; school girl. In school she is an active member of the competitive Select Choir a Capella group. Olivia would like to thank her Playhouse family for all the hard work they put into this show! Happy Holidays!

 

Michael Hotkowski (Travis) is excited to return to his third holiday season at the Ivoryton Playhouse. An Alumni of the Vancouver Film School, his past stage and screen work includes: Brett Cornell, The Speckled Band as Watson, The Bully, I’m Connecticut, Comedy is Hard, The Bells of Dublin Part 2: Carol of the Bells and  I’ll be Home for Christmas.

 

 

Emma Hunt (Emma) is  a Junior at Valley Regional High School in Deep River.  She is so excited to be making her first debut here on this Playhouse stage. Growing up in Norwalk, CT she was involved in musicals at Crystal Theatre. Since then, she has involved herself in Thouroughly Modern Millie and Grease at John Winthrop Middle School but, decided to take a turn to focus on her vocals through her high school career thus far by studying with Samantha Talmadge and Karli Gilbertson. Her favorite musicals are Grease and Waitress. She wishes to thank her family and friends for their continuous support over the years.

 

Larry Lewis (Larry) returns to the Ivoryton Playhouse this year having last appeared in the second installment of The Bells of Dublin in 2014. He was also seen earlier that summer as Sherrif Earl  in All Shook Up.  He played Principal Clark in the 2013 production of Footloose, and as Mister Brownlow in the 2012 production of Oliver. Other Playhouse favorites include Senator Rawkins in Finian’s Rainbow, as ‘HC’ in the The Rainmaker, and as Herbie in the 2006 production of Gypsy.

 

Michael McDermott is thrilled to be back at The Ivoryton Playhouse for The Bells Of Dublin Part 3! Michael wishes to thank Jacqueline Hubbard, Holly Price our amazing Stage Manager and to The Ivoryton Staff for all the tireless support and work behind the scenes!

 

 

 

Maggie McGlone Jennings  (Maggie) has worked in film (voice-overs, featured) and theatre (acting, directing, choreographing) most of her life. Through the years, she has won many awards – including Best Actress, Best Ensemble, Best Director – and she will forever thank her teachers at Ohio University (Christopher Lane, Cosmo Catalano) and at Yale School of Drama (Connie Welch, Nikos Psacharopoulos) for the encompassing theatre/life lessons they taught her. Since becoming involved at Ivoryton Playhouse, she has directed The Last Romance, Motherhood Outloud, Other People’s Money, Kitchen Witches, Last of the Red-Hot Lovers and Woman in Black and acted in Calendar Girls; Love, Loss and What I Wore; Oliver; Miracle Worker; Steel Magnolias and Moon Over Buffalo. She also appeared in two other holiday shows written and directed by Jacqui Hubbard – as Jane Jenkins in Home for the Holidays and as Lady Melbray in Bells of Dublin, Part II. She firmly believes that “we are the stuff dreams are made one” and is so grateful to share many and varied life dreams with her amazing grandchildren: Taylor, Jackie, Sam, Luke, Alex.

 

Ted Phillips is very excited to be back at the Ivoryton for Bells III – A New York Fairy Tale, especially since he is originally from the Bronx!  Ted performs traditional and contemporary music on banjo, guitar, mandolin, bagpipes, trombone, and charango (a Bolivian instrument like a small guitar).  His music includes many songs from Central America, South America (learned as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chile), Scotland, Ireland, bluegrass favorites, and songs from all eras in United States history.

 

 

Norm Rutty (Norm) is delighted to be appearing in The Bells of Dublin III at the Ivoryton Playhouse.  Norm’s regional theater credits include “Sweeny” in Sweeny Todd, “Fagan” in Oliver, “The King” in Big River, “The Duke” in Man of LaMancha, “Papa” in Violet, “Uncle Willy” in The Philadelphia Story, “Scrooge” in Scrooge The Musical, and numerous other supporting roles.

 

 

Dyllan Vallier is so excited to be back at the Ivoryton Playhouse! Dyllan was last seen at the Playhouse in La Cage Aux Folles (Chantal) and All Shook Up! Regional: Goodspeed Opera House: Only Anne (James Benwick), Show Palace Dinner Theatre: Route 66 (Scot), Playhouse on Park: A Chorus Line (Swing). Concerts: The Bushnell: The Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Goodspeed Celebrate The Best of Broadway. Other favorite credits include: Titanic (Barrett), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Neville Landless), Reefer Madness, On Your Toes and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dyllan holds a BFA in Music Theatre from the Hartt School. Much love and thanks to my family, friends and the Ivoryton Playhouse for their unwavering love and support! http://www.dyllanvallier.com/

 

Vanessa Vradenburgh (Meg) fell in love with the theater in the 2nd grade when she was cast as Gretel in her grade school production of Hansel and Gretel. She went on to study the craft at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she received her BFA and lived her dream of working in theater, film, TV, and commercials in NYC for over a dozen years. She now enjoys family life on the Shoreline where she and her incredibly supportive husband are raising their two children.  She narrates audio books for Tantor Media, and has enjoyed performing with local theater companies including The Meeting House Players, The Saybrook Stage Company, and most recently co-produced and played Maggie in Artful Living’s production of Lend Me a Tenor.

 

 

Written and Directed by: Jacqueline Hubbard

Musical Director:  Melanie Guerin

Stage Manager and Prop Mistress:  Holly Price

Scenic Designer:  Daniel Nischan

Lighting Designer:  Marcus Abbott

Sound Designer:  Tate R. Burmeister

Costume Design:  Elizabeth Cipollina

 

Join us for an opening night reception with the cast after the 7:30pm performance on Friday, December 9th.

A new Ivoryton tradition

The Bells of Dublin Part III: A New York Fairytale
By Jacqueline Hubbard
At The Ivoryton Playhouse

Ivoryton: If you have loved following the escapades and adventures of Paddy Bell and his family in THE BELLS OF DUBLIN at the Ivoryton Playhouse, then you won’t want to miss the third play in the trilogy. And even if you are new to the story, you will enjoy their exploits as Paddy brings the whole family to New York for Christmas. Carols and Irish songs and even a little vaudeville to warm your heart and get you in the spirit of the season.

It’s Christmas Eve in O’Lunney’s Pub in New York. Maggie, the bag lady who roams the neighborhood around 50th and Broadway, settles into O’Lunney’s doorway to weave a story with a cast of characters from here and across the ocean. THE BELLS OF DUBLIN has become an Ivoryton tradition and has garnered rave reviews from our patrons. Here is one of the many comments we received –

“The Bells of Dublin – Part II is truly one of Ivoryton’s MOST entertaining, fun, and meaningful Christmas play we’ve seen in a LONG time!  It had every facet and emotions of Life and Family!  Laughter galore, yet moving and truthful. I can’t wait for Part III!”

The Bells of Dublin, Parts I, II & III  were conceived and directed by Playhouse Executive/Artistic Director, Jacqueline Hubbard. “For 345 days a year, we work around the clock here – maintaining this beautiful building and producing 7 amazing professional shows. The holiday show is our chance to have some fun! I wanted to put together a show with some great music – traditional Irish and American – a little bit of magic and a lot of laughs. So – here ‘tis!”

This funny and fantastic tale is filled with songs you know and songs you wish you did – with a wonderful band of local musicians beautifully directed by Melanie Guerin, who also arranged much of the music. Cast includes many Playhouse favorites – R. Bruce Connelly*, Michael McDermott*, Maggie McGlone Jennings, Vanessa Vradenburgh, Ted Philips and Norm Rutty from the local band Save the Train, Jenna Berloni, Nancy and David Cardone, Emma Hunt, Olivia Harry, Alec Bandzes, Vickie Blake, Larry Lewis, Michael Hotkowski, Dylan Vallier and Celeste Cumming. The set for this production is designed by Dan Nischan, costumes by Elizabeth Cipollina and lights by Marcus Abbott.

Come and experience the true magic of the season Ivoryton style with this original Christmas musical – for two weeks only.

The Bells of Dublin Part III: A New York Fairytale opens on Wednesday, December 7th and runs thru December 18th for 2 weeks. Performance times are Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm.There is also a Wednesday matinee on December 14th. Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org  (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Generously sponsored by Citizens Bank.