Generations

Daniel Chelemer (Zach)

Daniel Chelemer is in eighth grade at Tenafly (NJ) Middle School. Acting credits: Colin in “Secret Garden” (Studio Players), Chululongkorn in “The King and I” (Bergen County Players and Tenafly High School), Emil in “South Pacific” and The Captain in “Pirates and Pinafores” (CenterStage), Zach in “Generations,” a teen-rock musical, voice-overs and commercial work including Hasbro, Verb Play, Center for Disease Control and books on tape. Member of the Bergen County Chorus and Northern New Jersey Region Choir.
Daniel

Nicole DeLuca (Jo)

Nicole is 13 years old and currently resides in New Jersey. She has performed in several shows for the Palistage Youth Theater where she has had lead roles in performances such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Fiona," and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." Nicole is living her dream when she is on stage singing, acting, and dancing. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano, tennis, basketball, and softball.

Shlomo Goffstein (Lee)

has wanted to pursue a career in acting since the age of 3. He has taken acting classes with Deborah Roberts for 6 years. His previous works include Wicked, Anything Goes and More, Aladdin, Down with Love, as well as others. Shlomo is very happy to be included in this show and would like to thank Deb, Matt, Shaina, Vera, Dan and Loreina for their help and encouragement.

Angelina Kelly (Danielle)

Angelina recently signed with the Abrams Artists Agency in both their theatrical and commercial divisions. She has soloed at Radio City Music Hall and with The Jenna's Dream Choir. She has performed the National Anthem for numerous charity functions throughout Westchester. Angelina had the privilege of performing for Steven Schwartz in the i-Theatrics production of Captain Louie Jr. She had a principal speaking role in "Seeds of Peace" an educational video produced by Human Relations Media. Angelina studies voice with Amelia DeMayo, Liliana Sotirova and Gulnara Mitzanova and dance with the Country Academy of Dance.

Jessica Lieberman (Judy)

is very excited to be in the debut production of Generations. She has been singing before she could even talk and has always hoped to pursue performing as a career. She is currently starring as Samantha in Circle of Friends: An American Girl Musical at the American Girl Place Theater in New York City. She has also been in productions in the JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ such as Alice in Wonderland (Alice) and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy).

Olivia Rand (Gabby)

is thrilled to be a part of Generations. Previous readings and workshops: 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T with Eric McCormack and Kerry Butler, Captain Louie presented to Steven Schwartz for i-Theatrics, New Kid on The Block written by John Forster and Space Camp The Musical at the Westchester Broadway Dinner Theatre. Olivia has performed in close to 30 regional theatre productions. Some favorites are: A Christmas Carol (Fan 10), Wizard of Oz(Dorothy), Annie(Molly), Cinderella(Portia), The Tempest (Miranda) and Princess Ying Yawalack (King and I). Olivia studies voice with Amelia DeMayo, dance with the Westchester Ballet Center, is represented by the Carson-Adler Agency and proudly works as a junior director for RFKT where she teaches musical theatre to children grades K-2. For my siblings Zach, Ava, Elijah and especially Chloe who I know is always watching down on me.

Sara Ravid (Female Swing)

Sara is twelve years old, and lives in New Jersey. She discovered her love for musical theatre at the age of eight, when she performed in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at Leonia Summerstage. She recently performed in another show,Oklahoma! at Leonia Summerstage. She has also appeared in various shows at the JCC, such as Alice in Wonderland, (Queen of Hearts) Anything Goes and More (Reno Sweeney) and Pirates and Pinafores (Ruth). In addition to acting, Sara is taking voice lessons with Amelia DeMayo and her associates, and has been taking dance at Progressive Dance Studio for close to six years. Sara is thrilled to be playing Zoe in this performance of Generations. She would like to thank Matt, her family, and the entire cast for being so supportive.

Chloe Roe (Bonnie)

is excited to be a part of Generations, the Musical. Chloe is a home schooled 3rd grader who has had roles in Fiona, New Kid on the Block, Alice in Wonderland, Annie and is currentl in rehearsal for Willy Wonka at the Tarry Town Music Hall. Chloe, is a member of the New York Opera's Children's choir. Thank you to Amelia DeMayo, Vera Huff and Matt Okin. All my love to my family.

Rachel Shamosh (Zoe)

Rachel is 13 years old and lives in New Jersey. She has appeared in many musical theater productions at the Palistage Youth Theatre including Once upon a Fairy Tale, Little Toughs, South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and Cinderella. She also appeared as Frieda in the traveling production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Alice in the Centerstage Musical Theater production of Alice through the Looking Glass. As a member of the New York City Opera Children’s Chorus, Rachel performed in “La Boheme” in 2004. She also appeared in a United Way television commercial that aired during the SuperBowl in 2002. Rachel is so happy to be a member of the original cast of Generations and would like to thank her fellow cast members, an amazing band and all of her coaches including Matt Okin, Deborah Roberts, Amelia DeMayo, Vera Huff and Heidi Stallings for this wonderful experience

Rebecca Sichel (Reba)

Rebecca Sichel is thrilled to be part of the New York run of Generations. She currently resides in Englewood,and is enrolled in the 8th Grade at the Moriah School in Englewood. Rebecca’s love for theater began when she was 7, when she began taking dance and acting classes. She has performed in various productions such as Hairspray, Oklahoma!, Little Shop of Horrors and many others. She was also part of the Centerstage Musical Theatre Camp for a few years and played various roles such as Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes and more. Rebecca also has had the exciting experience of singing at Carnegie Hall in NYC. In addition; she has been studying various types of dance at Progressive Dance Studio for many years. Rebecca would like to thank the cast, Matt Okin, the band and all of Black Box for making this show such an amazing experience.

Dan Viola (Ash)

Dan Viola, a dizzy sophomore at Rider University, is honored to be part of the GENERATIONS family. He studies voice & piano under Jeannie Donato and his past onstage credits include Prince & Pauper, Godspell, World HS Premier of Miss Saigon, Leader of the Pack, Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, FAME: the drama, Urinetown, Sweet Charity, and Working. Past backstage includes How to Succeed... and Matt Okin's Cherry Hill. "Thanks to the crazy family and dizzy friends, especially Tara, who've all supported over the years. And a special thanks to the cast and Matt!"

Jason Horowitz (Drums)

Jason has manned the chair for such diverse groups as Jagadoo and The 7th Dimension, Tish, Planet City Brooklyn, Mick Lewis, Gilders Groove and The Yeshiva University Jazz Ensemble. He also made up one third of The Aryeh Kunstler Band, and was the in-house drummer for The Jewish American Arts Project’s concerts .

Iakov Kremenskiy (Lead Guitar)

Originally from Russia, Iakov graduated from the acclaimed Berklee College of Music in 2007 and is further pursuing his musical career in NYC. He is always on the lookout for new projects and endeavors to be a part of in order to increase his musical knowledge and experience. So far his musical journey has led him to perform with Marcus Miller, Gary Grainger and David Sanchez to name a few. www.myspace.com/iakovkremenskiy

Jon Taub (Bass Guitar)

JOn hails from Queens, NY, having cut his teeth as bassist for Filthy Penny Jr., Dert Merchants, Bishop Smeck, Moonie’s Motel,[sic] (with whom, he recorded and co-produced two albums, Poor Conductor and Last Laugh), The Mick Lewis and the Aryeh Kunstler Band. He also occasionally moon-lights for Sam Bodenheimer’s B’samim. Additionally, Jon was the guitarist for the producers’ improv troupe Lost Tribe, as well as the Band leader for The Jewish American Performing Arts Project’s concert series. He also co-starred in the 10th Anniversary revival of Twist of Faith, and played Sam the groom in A Match Made In Manhattan.

Vitaa liquidS (Lead Guitar)

Vitaa started music early and still develops his musical culture by touring and recording professionally with many artists in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Always in search of new and interesting experiences, this traveling musician is currently busy with his own band, liquidS (Aquatic Soul), online at:myspace.com/liquidsmusic

Avi Kunstler (Composer/Lyricist)

boasts a musical resume that runs the gamut from performer to songwriter to recording artist. On stages throughout the NYC area and around the globe, Avi has appeared solo as well as fronting various bands. Primarily, his focus has been in performing his own material. Avi has released three albums to date: Eyes On Jerusalem, In This Place Of Mercy, and Destinations; and he has composed music and lyrics for six productions: Twist Of Faith, Second Chances, Destinations, A Match Made In Manhattan, the new rock musical Soul Searching, and The All-Kids Rock Musical Workshop Generations. Currently, with Matt Okin, he is at work on a new rock musical called Returning.

Matt Okin (Story, Music & Lyrics, and Direction)

Matt's plays include Pigs (Adam Nicolas Productions/NYU), In Love (Adam Nicolas Productions/NYU), The Ugly Wife (Off-Broadway/Riverwest Theater), Cherry Hill (Theater for the New City/Cannery Works; Spencer Chandler, director), One Innocent Woman (TNC/Cannery Works; Spencer Chandler, director), Walter Liked To Sit In His Big Backyard (staged readings at First Stage of Los Angeles and The Zipper in NYC), Twist of Faith (director of national tours), Second Chances (director of national tours and at TNC), Destinations (story/director; TNC and FL's Coral Springs Center for the Arts) and Cherry Hill (director; 2008 Midtown International Theater Festival at the June Havoc). His musicals, written with composer-lyricist Avi Kunstler, include Generations (also director; now in workshop at BergenPAC), the new rock musical Soul Searching (also director; currently in development for Off-Broadway and Broadway), and the in-progress Returning. (Both Generations and Soul Searching will appear in the 2008 New York Musical Theater Festival.) Matt's improv comedy projects have included 'Lost Tribe' (numerous NYC-area venues) and, as director and co-writer, A Match Made In Manhattan, The Interactive Jewish Wedding Experience (NYC and national tours). Matt is Artistic Director of Black Box Entertainment (www.blackboxnyc.com), which has developed and produced theater and music events with spiritual themes for both mainstream and niche audiences. As an Associate Producer, he is currently working with Gallant Arts on the NY premiere of The Quarrel at The DR2 Theatre. A member of the Dramatists Guild, he also teaches musical theater, improv, and acting at Black Box Studios in Teaneck, NJ (www.BlackBoxArts.com); at The School of Performing Arts at the JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ; at the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies in Hackensack, NJ; at the Moriah School of Englewood, NJ; and with The Apollo Theater’s In-School Seminars throughout NYC. Matt received a B.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and has two daughters, Rachel and Arielle.

Mandy Blevins (Company Manager)

is a production stage manager, company manager, choreographer, children's theater director, and acting coach. In New York, her recent credits include Out of Control (Midtown International Theatre Festival), Woody and the Heeb (Manhattan Repertory Theatre), Trilogy Threat (Indigenous Taino Productions), the new rock musical Soul Searching, Twist of Faith (Black Box Entertainment), and Cherry Hill (MAKOR). Her extensive work in children's theater includes A Midsummer Night's Dream (Urban Youth Theatre), Horton Hatches the Egg, The Sneetches, Stone Soup, Nickel and Dimed, The Lorax, R.E.S.P.E.C.T (Children's Theatre Company), the all-kids rock musical workshop, Generations (Black Box Entertainment at BergenPAC), Me and My Girl, RAGS, Babes in Arms (Capitol Playhouse). Mandy's tours have included Pippi Longstocking (American Family Theatre) R.E.S.P.E.C.T (Dr. Dorothy Productions), and A Match Made In Manhattan (Black Box Entertainment). She has also worked regionally on Blood Brothers, Grapes of Wrath, Annie Get Your Gun, the world premiere of Salute to Christmas Radio Days, The Crucible, West Side Story (Covered Bridge Theatre Company) and 42nd Street (Star Players of Bristol County). She is married to Tim Decker, a published illustrator/author of books for young people and an accomplished guitarist.

Giselle D'Souza (Assistant Director/Stage Manager)

is thrilled to be working with the talented cast of GENERATIONS for her directing debut. She has worked primarily as an actress both regionally and in New York, and can currently be seen as Sara in SOUL SEARCHING at the 2008 New York Musical Theater Festival. Giselle is also a Teaching Artist in both New York and New Jersey, and she is a resident Actor/Educator with the Central Park Zoo's "Wildlife Theater" program which uses interactive theater to teach kids about wildlife and conservation. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and recieved her BFA in Musical Theater from The New School. Giselle plans on continuing to perform and direct and would like to thank Matt and Mandy for this amazing opportunity!

Nuyorican Poet's Cafe (Show Venue)

Over the last 35 years, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe has served as a home for groundbreaking works of poetry, music, theater, visual arts and poetry slam. A multicultural and multi-arts institution, the Nuyorican opens its arms to audiences and artists of all backgrounds; our extended community of regulars is a reflection of New York City's diverse population. Allen Ginsberg called the Cafe "the most integrated place on the planet". For more details call (212) 780-9386 or visit www.nuyorican.org