It’s difficult to find the right words to thank Barbara Simon for all she has done to truly make the phrase “the play’s the thing” a reality and an integral part of our Hebrew School and Synagogue. Her love of theater and caring for each and every student and zeal for creating a sense of community and Kehilah and dedication to Jewish education, have helped to make each Hebrew School musical these past fourteen years something each participant will take with them in years to come. So to you Barbara, thank you! thank you! thank you!
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Director/Choreographer Maia Karo Cast list
Music Director
Daniel Meron Zoey Abramson...... Duffy & Perkins Costume Design Alice Roi Adam Fine ...... Homeless Person 1, Timothy & FDR
Props & Scene Design Isabel Fine ...... Orphan, Annie #3 Rachel Levine Benjamin Gabay ...... Mr. Greer, Lt. Ward & Orphan Julian Daniel Gabay Felix Goldey Charlie Greenholtz ...... Rooster Eli Trinell Beatrice Huppert ...... Miss Hannigan Nina Trinell SamiRose Katz ...... Annie #1, Boylan Sister Leah Huppert Elio Koen ...... Daddy Warbucks Video & Editing Maia Karo Sivan Koen ...... Grace Farrell #2, Act 3 Daniel Meron Brandon Laighold ...... Sandy, Harold Ickes
Stage Managers Molly Laighold ...... Orphan Molly Felix Goldey Marley Matorin ...... Lily Sara Rothman Beatrice Neuman ...... Boylan Sister, Annie #2 Playbill Felix Goldey Gabe Nova ...... Mr. Pugh, Henry Morgenthau, Homeless Person #2 Leah Huppert Aliza Orlow ...... Orphan Tessie Eli Trinell Jesse Orlow ...... Daddy Warbucks #2 Playbill & Graphics Manda Hegardt Harlan Paroff ...... Grace Farrell, Act 1 & 2, Boylan Sister, House Staff
Producers Jacob Perelman ...... Bundles, Drake Brotherhood Synagogue Isabella Press ...... Pepper, Kate, Homeless Person #3 Barbara Simon Phil Rothman ...... Bert Healey Judith Shapiro
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Musical Numbers
Maybe ...... All Annies, Orphans & Hannigan
Hard-Knock Life ...... All Annies, Orphans
Tomorrow ...... Annie, Sandy
Little Girls ...... Hannigan & Orphans
I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here ...... House Staff, Annie & Grace The Cast NYC ...... Annie, Warbucks, Grace & Ensemble
Maybe Reprise ...... Annie, Warbucks & Grace
Easy Street ...... Hannigan, Rooster & Lily
Won’t Be an Orphan ...... Annie & Grace
Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile ...... Annie, Warbucks & Grace
Don’t Need Anything ...... Hannigan, Rooster, Lily, Drake, FDR & Eleanor
Finale ...... Annie, Warbucks, Grace, Orphans, House Staff, ...... FDR, Eleanor, Sandy & Ensemble
The Tech Crew Felix Goldey, Eli Trinnel, Leah Huppert
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Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew
Zoey Abramson (Duffy, Perkins) Zoey Charlie Greenholtz (Rooster) Charlie is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade at is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade P.S. 40. She hasn’t worked on a real at P.S. 40. He has worked on the play before. When asked what she Jungle Book, Sound of Music, and Bye liked about working on the play she Bye Birdie. When he was asked about said, “I really like getting to express what he liked about being in the play my energy out, and it’s really fun to he said, “I like being someone else and dance, sing and perform our songs.” also be in more lines.”
Adam Fine (Homeless Person 1, Felix Goldey (Back stage/Stage crew ) Timothy and F.D.R.) Adam is in the 3rd Felix is 10 years old and in the 5th grade at P.S. 40. Adam has worked on grade at Success Academy Hudson Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Yards Middle School. He has worked Bye Bye Birdie and camp shows. When on Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of In rehearsal asked about what he liked about Music. When asked what he liked being in the play he said, “I like about the play Felix said, “I like help- working together to make the play ing with props and backstage.” come to life.” Beatrice Huppert (Ms. Hannigan) Isabel Fine (Annie #3) Isabel is in the Beatrice is 13 years old and in the 7th 6th grade at the Clinton School. She grade at 75 Morton. She has worked has worked on Annie, The Wizard of Oz, on Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, Wizard of Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Bye Bye Oz, Matilda, Bye Bye Birdie, Peter Pan, Birdie and The Sound of Music. When Beauty and the Beast, Fluffy the Pine, asked what she liked about working Greatest Showman, and Grease. When on the play she said, “I like working asked what she like about working on with other people on the songs and the play she said “Being in plays makes scenes and the singing and dancing.” me so happy, it’s kind of my thing. I’ve been singing and dancing all my life Benjamin Gabay (Mr. Greer, Officer and that makes me feel so good.” Ward, Julian) Ben is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade at P.S. 40. Ben has Leah Huppert (Tech\Stage crew) Leah been on the back stage crew for the is 10 years old and in the 4th grade at past 2 years in the Sound of Music and P.S. 40. Leah has worked on Bye Bye Bye Bye Birdie. When asked what he Birdie, The Greatest Showman, and others liked about working on the play he she forgot. When Leah was asked what responded, “I enjoy working on she liked about working on the play she scenes, learning lines and songs with said, “I like how you can be yourself, and friends.” let your personalities show. It’s also a Daniel Meron & Barbara Simon really fun thing to do, and have your In rehearsal own ideas out.” 8 9
Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew
SamiRose Katz (Annie, Boylan Sister) Molly Laighold (Molly) Molly is 8 years Aliza Orlow (Tessie) Aliza is 7 years old stage with the ones you love. Being SamiRose is 11 years old and in the 5th old and in the 2nd grade at P.S. 40. This and in the 1st grade at P.S. 77. This is part of a cast is amazing but it’s so grade at the Churchill School NYC. is her first play ever. When she was asked Aliza’s first play. When she was asked much more fun when the cast turns Previously, SamiRose has appeared in what she liked about working on a play what she liked about working on the into family. I love every person in this adapted school productions of Really she said, “When we are dancing a lot.” play she said, “I like acting all the cast (although they may not love me), Rosie, Peter Pan, James and the Giant different emotions in the play because so seeing the show come together is Peach and The Lion King. When asked Marley Matorin (Lily) Marley is 11 the orphans get to be sad, angry, really magical. Annie is such a wonderful what she liked about working on the years old and in the 6th grade at scared, and happy. I also like making show and I am super proud that we play, SamiRose said, “It’s amazing to Baruch Middle School 104. Marley new friends in the cast.” get to do it. have everybody work together and previously worked on Fiddler on the share the space equally. Getting to Roof, Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of Jesse Orlow (Daddy Warbucks 2) Jacob Perlman (Bundles, Drake) Jacob sing the songs is a great experience Music. When she was asked what she Jesse is 10 years old and is in the 5th is 10 years old and in the 5th grade at and a dream come true.” liked about working on the play she grade at the Lower Lab School. In EVCS. This is Jacob’s first play. When said, “I like to work with the cast to previous Brotherhood Hebrew School asked what he liked about being in the Elio Koen (Daddy Warbucks) Elio is make the play come alive.” productions, he played Mr. MacAfee in play, Jacob wrote, “I think it’s really 10 years old and in the 5th grade at Bye Bye Birdie and Max Detweiler in The cool that you can actually sing, dress P.S. 40. He has been in Fiddler on the Beatrice Neuman (Annie 2) Beatrice is Sound of Music. Asked what he liked up, and act. I also think it’s cool that all Roof, Grease and The Sound of Music. 11 years old and in 5th grade at P.S. 40. about being in the play, Jesse wrote, the actors are kids.” When Elio was asked what he liked She has worked on Bye Bye Birdie, The “the challenge of learning new songs about working on the play, he said Sound of Music and High School Musical. and choreography and working with Isabella Press (Pepper, Kate, Homeless “having a good experience on stage When asked what she liked about others.” Person 3) Isabella is 8 years old and is in and performing.” working on the play she said, “Meeting the 3rd grade at P.S. 116 –The Mary new people and getting to do the Harlan Paroff (Grace Farrell, Boylan Lindley Murray School. Isabella has Sivan Koen (Grace #2) Sivan is 14 years things I love.” Sister, House Staff) Harlan is 12 years previously appeared in ballet and tap old and in the 9th grade at Clinton. old and is in the 7th grade at LREI recitals with Midtown Movement She has worked on Fiddler on the Roof Gabe Nova (Mr. Pugh, Henry Morgenthau, School. Harlan’s previous appearances Dance Company and has sung and and Grease. When she was asked what Homeless Person 2) Gabe is 8 years old include: donkey in Shrek at Bryn Mawr danced in P.S. 116 talent shows. When she liked about working on the play, and in the 3rd grade at P.S. 41. He has camp, head jitterbug in the Wizard of asked what she likes about being in she said, “I like to get to know the been in Bye Bye Birdie, The Sound of Oz/The Wiz at Camp Robindel, Liesl in the play, Isabell said, “singing and people I am already familiar with and I Music, and other 2nd and 3rd grade The Sound of Music and Deborah Sue in acting and I really enjoy working with like having new experiences. I also like shows at P.S. 41. When he was asked Bye Bye Birdie at Brotherhood, Hannah everyone in the play.” to sing and act and participating in the what he liked about working on the the secretary /Spot Conlon in Newsies play lets me do that.” play he said, “I like saying my lines by at LREI, Tom Snout in Midsummer’s Eli Trinnel (Stage crew) Eli is 9 years Mr. Pugh ‘And no more mush.’ I like Night’s Dream at LREI, and Fluffy the old and in the 5th grade at Success Brandon Laighold (Sandy, Harold Ickes) wearing costumes and makeup. And Pine at The Producers Club. I have Academy Hudson Yards Middle School. Brandon is 9 years old and in the 3rd everyone in the play is nice.” been performing since I could make This is Eli’s first play. When asked what grade at P.S. 40. He has worked on words come out of my mouth and it he liked about working on the play, Eli Broadway Review. When he was asked has always been a special part of who I said, “finding and making props for the what he liked about working on a play, am. I think the most important thing play.” he said, ‘I get to make friends and get about theater is getting to share the to act as someone else and it is fun!” 10 11
Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew
Isabella Press Elio Koen Beatrice Huppert Eli Trinnel
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Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew
Zoey Abramson Beatrice Neuman
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Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew
Bunny Blei (Cast Supervisor) Bunny is Some of Maia’s acting credits from around the world. “Daniel Meron’s songs given the state of the world. Next year the Hebrew School Administrator. She when theater happened in real life: are defined by a melodic, lyrical, style that in Gramercy Park! has worked on many previous Hebrew Quincy/Bart in Mr. Burns (dir. Kip Fa- is immediately engaging... his piano Signing off as Phil aka Bert Healey. School musicals. Bunny says “Every one gan), "The Soap Star" in The Last Soap sound is crystal clear, precise and beauti- of the beautiful children is unique and Star… (dir. Caitlin O’Connell), Imogen ful..." - All About Jazz Sara Rothman (Stage Manager) Sara amazing. Working at Brotherhood is the in Cymbeline (dir. Dara Malina), Measure Rothman has been involved with every best part of my life.” for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe, Alice Roi (Costume Design) Alice has Hebrew School musical produced at this to say about Barbara Simon: London), Bride of the Gulf (Edinburgh Brotherhood Synagogue. Whether act- Manda Hegardt (Playbill Design) Fringe Festival), Target Margin, HERE, “The fabulous Barbara Simon is one of ing in the musical or helping backstage, Manda worked for many years as a 3LD, Dixon Place, Bushwick Starr, the smartest, funniest, and most Sara always looks forward to this Brother- graphic designer before coming Mettawee Theatre Co., New Ohio, O’Neill gracious people I have ever known. hood event and watching students’ hard to Brotherhood, where she is an Theater Center, LARK, Incubator Arts, She is an inspiration to the children, work pay off after months of rehearsals. administrative assistant, receptionist Watermill Center, Abrams Art Center. Yale to the Synagogue, and to me. This year, particularly, the students have and graphic artist. done a great job of adjusting to doing a University, BA. She always has “a story about that,” Maia Karo (Director/Choreographer/ virtual musical. One of Sara’s favorite as- Rachel Levine (Scenic Design & Props) and it was always a funny story, a Editor) Maia is so happy to be “back” at pects of the musical is to see students Rachel is Brazilian and has been living in true story, and a story that taught Brotherhood this year after completing remain involved with the production, year New York for the past 21 years. This is her me about life, history, literature, her MFA in Acting at Rutgers after year, even after they have graduated 7th year working together with a wonder- and of course, Jewish culture. Mason Gross this past January! from Hebrew School. The musical is an ful team to put on another amazing play Although she will be missed, we The recent outbreak presented us important part of her life at Brotherhood at Brotherhood Synagogue. can never forget her beautiful all with unimaginable difficulties, as and she can’t wait to see what the stu- banana curls and hugely warm well as an unexpected opportunity: to Daniel Meron (Music Director/ Recorder/ dents bring to the stage next year. and inviting smile. come together in the face of a crisis, Editor) Pianist and composer Daniel Judy Shapiro (Producer) This is Judy’s Love you with all my might, adapt, and create something new. Meron has established himself in the 15th year working with the kids on Barbara! Though “adaptations” are the tradition New York City music scene over the Brotherhood’s Hebrew School with the Hebrew School Musical, this past decade, performing and recording Thank you for everything. musicals. particular process was, of course, as both a sideman and a band leader. A “Another op’nin’, another Show especially challenging, and Maia is skillful improviser, Meron finds a way to Phil Rothman (Bert Healy) A highlight In Philly, Boston or Baltimoe, deeply grateful to the creative, produc- feature his unique playing style in bril- of each religious school year for me is A chance for stagefolks to say “hello“ ing, and administrative teams for jump- liant compositions that are both sophis- the school musical. It’s not only the two ing head-first into the remote theater ticated and lyrical, rich with influences nights when the community room be- Another op’nin’, another show.“ extravaganza, and helping build ANNIE from jazz, his homeland of Israel, and comes Broadway with lights, sound, My profound gratitude to Barbara to (twice!) from scratch. She is also in awe other folk traditions. A graduate of music, and our wonderful students. The have had the opportunity to work with of the actors, the crew, and their incred- Berklee College of Music, Daniel has room is filled with a wonderful spirit her the past 14 years. It's been an amaz- ible families for their brilliant and heart- played at NYC venues such as Mezzrow, through their words, dancing, singing, ing run! felt work throughout this ever- Soho House, and the Museum of Natu- and staging. They begin their preparation changing process. Lastly, a huge Toda ral History. He has also performed in in January and evolve into a Kehilah, a Nina Trinnel (Props & Scene Design) Raba to Barbara, who has been the the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Costa Rica community or family. When you think Hobbies: Drawing and sewing heart and soul of the annual Brother- Jazz Festival, and has toured Canada, about it, isn’t that what the mission Inspiration of drawing: studios, father hood musical from its inception years Europe and Costa Rica. Meron’s multi- statement of the congregation is all Inspiration of sewing: college ago. ple records have gained rave reviews about? And that message has become
from music critics and radio stations so much more significant this year, 16 17
Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew Who’s Who in the Cast & Crew
A message from Barbara Simon This year has been a year unlike any other! I salute all who made this amazing production of ANNIE possible: Our producers, Judy Shapiro & Phil Rothman & The Brotherhood Synagogue! Our director Maia Karo & our musical director Daniel Meron!!! Our costume designer Alice Roi!!! Our brilliant cast & crew!!! Our stage manager Sara Rothman!!! Our stage mother Bunny Blei!!! All of the families of our cast & crew whose support made this production come to life! Without the support of our Brotherhood Community, this amazing project might never have come to fruition. You made a miracle!!! Thank you!
Alice Roi Sara Rothman
Judy Shapiro 18 19