The Rest of the Cast (in order of appearance)

Shirlene Gill

(Lorraine)  Newly retired from her day job, Shirlene now can devote all of her attentions to her first love, the piano. Shirlene serves as the accomapanist for the Jefferson Symphony Chorus, and has previously supplied all the right notes for ACT's productions of The Fantasticks and Zombies From The Beyond. She is grateful to Stocker and Butch for occasionally giving her a 2 minute break during rehearsals.

Adella Gautier

(Melba)  Adella has been a theatrical actress for over 30 years.  Some of her favorite roles include Bessie Delaney in Having Our Say…The Delaney Sisters’ First Hundred Years, Everelda in Nevis Mountain Dew, First Woman in Black Medea, Eartha Kitt in Cabaret Kitt, and Miss Used to Famous in A Dose of Reality.  Adella has received the Alliance for Community Theaters’ Ira Award for Best Supporting Actress and Best Director, the Mayor’s Arts Award in 2002, and the Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship for Theatre in 1989 and 2001.   As “Adella Adella the Storyteller” she tours internationally.  She greatly appreciates her theater family sired at Dashiki Project Theatre, ACT I, Junebug, the Boston, MA-based City Stage Co., and The National Theatre for Afro-American Artists.  Adella thanks Amber, Tiffany, and R “DW” Cohen for being the first to let her sing.

Arvilla Riddick

(Fritzi)  Arvilla has been appearing on the stage for the past 45 years.  Some of her favorite roles have been Jessie in Prisoner of 2^nd Avenue, Jacqueline in La Cage aux Folles, and Regina in The Little Foxes.  She is thrilled to be a retired teacher and has received the Freedom Foundation’s George Washington Medal for Educators. She sends out many thanks to her dear friend and mentor Stocker Fontelieu and to her “sisters” Pauline, Pearl, Helen, Adella, and Claire.  Arvilla would also like to send her love to her favorite Banjo Man, Jeff Riddick, who is her heart; and God Bless America!!

Helen Blanke

(Gert)  Helen has been performing onstage for over 35 years.  Some of her favorite roles have been Madame Acardi in Blithe Spirit, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Edith in The Women, Edna in Prisoner of 2^nd Avenue, and Agnes Gooch in Mame.  Helen received a Big Easy Award for her performance in Blithe Spirit and a Marquee Award for Music Man.  She is the Principal of Metairie Academy, and her favorite hobbies are gardening and bridge. Helen would like to thank the entire cast and staff for their support and help.

Roy Dumont

(Walter)  Roy has been performing onstage for over 50 years with some of his favorite roles being Gregory Solomon in The Price, Mr. Green in Visiting Mr. Green, and Henry Drummond in Inherit The Wind.  He received the Big Easy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000, and the Big Easy Best Supporting Actor Award in 1995 for his performance in The Price.  Roy is delighted to be included in such a talented cast and grateful for Sonya’s support.

Abby Lake

(Eunice)  Abby has been performing on stage for 17 years with some of her favorite roles being Ida in Cemetery Club, the Countess in The Women, Soot in Marriage of Bett & Boo, Aunt Clarissa in Tiger Tail, and Granny in Women Behind Bars.  For her talents, Abby has received 3 Marquee Awards, 3 Big Easy nominations, and several Storer Boone Nominations.  She is a proud grandmother who enjoys gardening, computers, music, and movies.  Abby would like to thank Stocker for getting her started in theatre and then taking her back after a 30 year hiatus.

Walter Bost

(Harry)  Walter has been performing onstage for more than 50 years.  His most memorable shows were Educating Rita, The Woman in Black, and Born Yesterday.  He has received several awards from Storer Boone, Big Easy, and Marquee.  Walter is a planner with the Regional Planning Commission and enjoys reading and traveling.  He’d like to send thanks to his kids and grandkids from Pa-Pa.

Scott Sauber

(Eddie)  Scott has been performing onstage for 12 years, and some of his favorite roles include the Scarecrow in JPAS’ Wizard of Oz and Fagin in JPAS’ Oliver. He will next be seen as the debonair candlestick Lumiere in JPAS’ upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast.  Scott is a theatre teacher in St. Tamany Parish’s Talented Arts Program, and he loves roller coaster theme parks. Scott is proud to be part of such a legendary and seasoned cast. “Now, go visit your grandmother!”

Claire Conti

(Sadie/Grandmother/Trumpet)  Claire is thrilled to be among such genuine theatrical legends!  She was just seen in Rivertown Repertory Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Damn Yankees!  Claire's most memorable  performances include Sr. Hubert in Nunsense, Emma Goldman in Tintypes, Miss  Hannigan in Annie, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie,  and multiple roles in 'A', My Name Is Still Alice.  She has been a featured performer and musician for The Press Club of New Orleans'  "Gridiron Show" for eight years.  Claire has played trumpet and acted in numerous NORD, Tulane Summer Lyric, Le Petit, JPAS, and Rivertown productions.   She has sung in choirs for Celine Dion, Reba McIntyre, and Barry Manilow.  Throughout the 80's and 90's Claire performed with a variety of bands, and led her own band, Panache.  By day, Ms. Conti is Band Director for five Catholic elementary schools.   She is the founder and conductor of "The Premiers" Annual Summer Honor Band.   Special thanks to Butch, Stocker, and Konni!  Shirl, you're a wonderful human being!   Love to my onstage son, brother, and now grandson, Scott Sauber.  And, to my ROLE model of 45 years...This one's for you, Mom!!!

Linda Hubchen

(Mrs. McIlHenny)  Linda has been performing onstage for over 40 years.  Her favorite roles have been Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady, and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has also enjoyed performing in The Innocents, Hollow Crown, Homecoming, and Noises Off.  Linda has received the Storer Boone Award for Best Supporting Actress.  When she’s not working as a financial analyst and tax preparer at H&R Block and doing convention work, Linda likes to keep herself busy reading, cooking, etc.

Adrian C Benjamin, Jr

(Mr. McIlhenny) has been performing onstage for 65 years now. He has appeared in Prisoner of 2^nd Avenue, Guys and Dolls, Pajama Game, Breath of Spring, California Suite, Born Yesterday and Rumors.  By day he is an Attorney at Law and a Notary Public at the Auto Title Clearance Co.  He is thankful for having performed under the direction of Stocker for over 35 different plays.

Bobbie Collins

(Elvira/Old Lady)  Bobbie has 22 years of experience on the stage and has enjoyed playing the roles of Pauline in Prisoner of 2^nd Avenue and Ida in Mornings at Seven.  This is her third time performing in a production of 70, Girls, 70; she’s previously acted the roles of Eunice at Theatre West and Mrs. McIlhenny at Le Petit.  She is the Executive Director of the Rotary Club of New Orleans and has a passion for watercolors as well as taking care of her grandchildren.  Bobbie’s favorite actresses are her daughters Tracey (a Big Easy award winner) and Niki. To Bobbie, there is no greater pleasure than to watch them perform onstage.

Nancy Hammons

(Woman in Bloomingdale’s)  Nancy has been performing onstage for over 50 years.  Besides being a mother of two great kids, her favorite roles include Lady Alice in A Man for All Seasons, Claudius (yes, the king) in Hamlet, Cora in Blythe Spirit and most recently Louise in Wrinkles at UNO.  Nancy is a volunteer Docent for the Gallier House Museum and volunteer French Quarter Walking Tour Guide for the Friends of the Cabildo with whom she also portrays historical characters at events such as Ghostly Galavant and Creole Christmas.  She appreciates the opportunity to work with Stocker again, and with many friends - including husband John.

Peter Gabb

(Charlie/1^st Man/Watchman)  This is By-Gabb’s second appearance with ACT, having previously played the role of the mute in their 2003 production of The Fantasticks.  He has been performing onstage for over 30 years with some of his favorite roles being Frosh in Die Fledermaus, the Owner/Bishop in Elephant Man, the Common Man in Man for All Seasons, Felix in The Odd Couple, and Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun.  Peter is a massage therapist and a teacher and enjoys playing golf and tennis.  He would like to thank his girlfriend, Carol Fegert, who graciously accepts the role of stage widow while he does this nonsense.

John Lovett

(Moe/Watchman/Minister)  John has been performing onstage for over 40 years.  A few of his most memorable roles are the 1^st Gangster in Kiss Me Kate, Billis in South Pacific, the Foreman in Twelve Angry Men, and the Father in A Thousand Crowns.  He’s worked for the TV Guide for 32 years, and he enjoys dancing, reading, computers, and volunteer work.

Jimmy deMontluzin

(Jack)  Jimmy has been very busy recently in local theater both on and off the stage. He has most recently been seen last month in the JPAS production of Chicago at the new Westwego Performing Arts Center and this summer in Artists' Cooperative Theater's Eating Raoul, The Musical at the True Brew and in The St Phillip Players' production of Harvey. He has also appeared in Oliver, Sweet Charity and Jesus Christ Superstar, all at JPAS. Jimmy was also on the production end of ACT’s presentations of Zombies From The Beyond and The Fantasticks at the Fine Arts Center, and The Sinatra Supper Club at Carlone's Dinner Theater. He would like to thank his wife and family for their support, to Butch and Gwen Caire for their friendship, and to all of the wonderful stage veterans that he has had the pleasure of meeting and working with in this show.

Thom D Behr

(Phil/Makeup/Hair/Wigs)  Thom grew up an Army brat and claims the entire Southeast as home.  His military family upbringing has him ready for just about any task thrown his way.  Competing in National Figure Skating competitions as a teen prepared him quite well for the hard work involved in stage productions. He landed an understudy role in the Broadway production of Shennandoah, and it was enough to infect him with the theater bug for life. He went on to do numerous musical and non-musical roles including singing with the N.Y.C., New Orleans and Orlando G.A.L.A. choruses for nearly 2 decades. Thom is an accomplished hair and makeup artist having lent his talents to the ‘Sally Jesse Raphael Show’ for 7 make over episodes.  Thom displayed his hair and makeup talents earlier this year in the ACT production of Eating Raoul, the Musical, and also in The St. Philip Players' production of Harvey.

Pearl Meltzer

(Edna Whittaker)  Pearl has been a performing in theaters for the past 43 years.  Some of her favorite roles include Veta Louise in Harvey, Ida in Mornings at Seven, Margaret Chase in Philadelphia Story, and Mrs. Upsum in Auntie Mame.  She has been honored as Best Supporting Actress by the Gallery Circle and has received the Unsung Hero Storer Boone Award and the Batt Award from Le Petit.  She is a grandmother who goes down to the tennis courts.  Pearl would like to thank her husband, Dave, for his extraordinary understanding and support.

B. David Meltzer

(Marvin Whittaker, 2^nd Man)  Dave has been performing onstage for 40 years.  His favorite role was the Clerk in Shot in the Dark.  He has received a Storer Boone Award and a Batt Award for Backstage work, as well as a special award for the Fifth Season set at Jackson Little Theater.  Dave would like to thank Butch, Stocker, and his wife, Pearl, for all their help.

John Hammons

(Callahan)  John has been active in New Orleans community theatre since 1994.  Some of his favorite roles are the father (Robert) in Proof,  Harry Hope in The Iceman Cometh, Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman, Henry in Henry IV, Charles in Blythe Spirit, and Cornelius McCorkle in Tennessee Williams' last play, A House Not Meant To Stand.  John is a Texaco retiree, a volunteer tour guide with Friends of the Cabildo and a practicing masochist (actor, Saints' season ticket holder, etc.).  John also loves to travel.  He thanks Butch and Stocker for looking past his singing and allowing him to join the cast and have fun in this play.

Linda Brasset

(Chorus/Gert Swing)  Linda has been a performer since childhood.  Her musical theater history includes Brigadoon and The Sound of Music.  She sang with the musical group “Out of Habit” and with the Concert Choir of New Orleans for 10 years, and she currently sings with the Jefferson Symphony Chorus.  Linda spends a lot of her time giving back to the community: performing at nursing homes with “Uncle Wayne” Daigrepont, going to hospitals and nursing homes with her certified therapy dog, Felicity, and teaching a physical fitness class to seniors at the People Program. When Linda takes time off for herself she enjoys all kinds of arts and crafts, gardening, and singing showtunes with her grandchildren.  Linda Dedicates her performance to her mother, Rosalee Burney, who was a cast member of the NORD production of 70, Girls, 70 30 years ago.

Pauline Prelutsky

(Chorus)  Pauline has been performing onstage for 21 years with some of her favorite roles being Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest.  She has received the Storer Boone Award for Best Actress in a Comedy.  Pauline is a retired travel agent who loves to sing and travel but above all to perform in theatre!!!  Thank you, Leonard dear for your support (& delicious meals!)

Production Staff

Alex Caire

(Stage Manager)  Alex has previously stage-managed ACT’s production of Zombies From the Beyond and Eating Raoul, The Musical as well as performing in the latter; and he has been behind the scenes for all other ACT productions.  He has most recently been seen onstage in JPAS’s production of Chicago in the new Westwego Performing Arts Center. Alex is enjoying working with all the legends of the New Orleans theater community and would like to thank all his friends and family for their support and understanding.

Gwen Caire

(Costumer/Production Assistant)  Gwen has worked in some way on every ACT production.  She is the only costumer on the planet that will openly admit her bad talents for sewing. Gwen has also done volunteer work for several JPAS shows and acted as house manager for several performances of Chicago at their new Westwego theater.  

Brenda Castillo

(Drummer)  This is Brenda’s second ACT show; she last performed in Zombies from the Beyond.  She has performed as percussionist for various musicals at local theatres and schools, including Le Petit, Tulane Summer Lyric, and Rivertown Repertory.  She also performs with many different local choruses on a regular basis.  Brenda is the band director/co-departmental head at St. Mary’s Dominican High School and is also the co-moderator of their Liturgical Music Group who just released their recording of “Praise and Worship.”  Brenda would like to thank the Caire family for making every rehearsal and performance an enjoyable event.

Konni Albert Sardi

(Choreographer)  This is “Ms Konni’s” fifth show as choreographer for ACT, with previous stellar work in Eating Raoul, the Musical, Zombies From the Beyond, The Fantasticks and The Sinatra Supper Club. A New Orleans-born performer and Kenner resident for 20 years, Konni has been seen on many stages including the Beverly Dinner Playhouse, Gallery Circle Theatre, LaMise EnScene Theatre, and Repertory Theatre and has performed with celebrities including Johnny Carson, Al Hirt, Peter Gennaro, Bobby Vinton, Pete Fountain, Kathy Lee Crosby, Shari Lewis, Becky Allen, and with the international performance group UpWith People. Her theatrical background includes Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Carousel, South Pacific, Dames at Sea, Happy Times, and more. She has danced on two weekly variety shows, several musical television commercials, and choreographed several musical comedy theatrical productions. She has served on the faculty of many dance studios and studied dance in New York and California. She was a featured artist in the New Orleans Ballet Foundation. Konni also owned and operated “Konni’s Koncepts in Dance” and was artistic director and choreographer for the Konni Albert Sardi Performing Arts Company which was featured by many Carnival organizations and other venues throughout the South. She is also currently a fitness consultant at Curves for Women in Kenner.

Stocker Fontelieu

(Director)  This is Stocker’s second time working with Artists’ Cooperative Theater, having previously played the role of Henry in The Fantasticks.  He has been performing and directing in theater for more years than he can count, and he has directed or acted in over 300 shows since he started way back when.  And is he going to keep doing it? You’d better believe it!

Roland “Butch” Caire, Jr.

(Light/Sound/Musical Direction)  In his role as founder of Artists' Cooperative Theater and as a local actor/singer, Butch has had been privileged to work with some of the most talented people in the area. He has performed with the Jefferson Symphony Chorus, and in Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s productions of Orunmilla’s Voices, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, The Merry Widow, and Chicago. With ACT, he has produced, directed, or appeared in Eating Raoul, the Musical, Zombies From The Beyond, The Sinatra Supperclub, The Fantasticks, and The Truth About Santa Claus. A member of BMI, Butch is also an accomplished musician and composer. This December he will reprise his role as St. Nicholas in The Truth About Santa Claus, and return in a new Sinatra show, The Sinatra Birthday Bash. Also, look for him in upcoming roles in JPAS’ productions of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Die Fliedermaus, and Evita. In his spare time, Butch practices dentistry in Kenner. Butch would like to thank Stocker, the cast, and crew for their patience, their energy, and their efforts which all make him appear much more talented than he is. And he thanks his family for tolerating his passion for theater and making it a part of their lives, as well.

Artists’ Cooperative Theater, along with the entire cast of 70, Girls, 70, would like to give special acknowledgement and gratitude to two individuals who have been an enormous help backstage:

Shannon Mayo – Assistant stage manager.

Maddie Camardelle – Shirl Cieutat’s backstage personal assistant.

We would also like to thank the following for their invaluable support:

Helen Morgan, Deborah Oates, and the staff of The Fine Arts Center

David Cuthbert and the Times-Picayune

Ventura Uniform Service

Dennis Assaf and JPAS

Gerald Lester

Vatican Lokey

Tiffany Rieveschl and BizRadio-990AM