Murray is Venice Theatre’s Producing Executive Director. Besides the daily aspects of his job here, he also directs several shows each season and occasionally acts in one. Directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Mary Poppins, Our Town and the award-winning productions of The Pillowman, The School For Wives, The Good Woman of Setzuan, Tartuffe and Fool For Love.

Michelle Kasanofsky

(Music Director)

Michelle has been playing piano for almost 56 years and is a professional musician as well as a music educator. Michelle received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied jazz piano there as well as classical at Boston University. She has a B.A. cum laude from Dowling College, a Master of Science in Music Education from C. W. Post Long Island University and an Education Leadership Specialist degree from Nova Southeastern University. Michelle is originally from New York and spent most of her life on Long Island. While in New York she music directed many off-Broadway productions which included Always, Patsy Cline and has performed all over the world in Europe, Japan and Korea. Since moving down to Florida in 1998, Michelle has taught chorus, drama and dual enrollment music classes. In 2014, she was selected as Charlotte County’s Teacher of the Year. Since 2000 Michelle has performed and music directed at Venice Theatre. Her productions have included Hair, Mamma Mia!, Cabaret, The Toxic Avenger, and Dreamgirls to name a few. She has also been music directer at The Players Centre, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Charlotte Players and the Dingbat Theatre Project. Michelle has played for national touring companies at venues such as Barbara B. Mann and Ruth Eckerd Hall for shows including A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde and West Side Story, as well as accompanying artists such as Bernadette Peters and The Irish Tenors. In 2021 Michelle became the resident music director at Venice Theatre. She met her New Yorker husband, Neil Kasanofsky at a local theater company’s production of Red, Hot and Cole in 2000 and they have been together ever since. They have a blended family of six children, seven and a half grandchildren, a dog and a cat.

Alexia King

(Choreographer/Christmas Past)

Alexia first performed in A Christmas Carol portraying the Ghost of Christmas Past at the of age five. Now a senior in high school, Lexi can be found studying classical ballet when not studying or performing at VT. She thanks Murray for this awesome opportunity to choreograph the show. Favorite roles include Clara (Nutcracker), Helen Keller (The Miracle Worker), and the aforementioned ghost!

Lisa Million

(Stage Manager)

Lisa started at VT as a stage manager in the TTAP program where some of her favorite credits include Spring Awakening, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, Shout! The Mod Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Always...Patsy Cline, and Greater Tuna. She is a graduate of The University of Central Florida’s B.F.A. Stage Management Program.

Tim Wisgerhof

(Scenic Designer)

Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, Tim is Venice Theatre’s Resident Scenic Designer. In Des Moines, he has designed for Stage West, Des Moines Onstage, The Des Moines Metro Opera and was previously the Resident Designer for The Des Moines Playhouse. Prior to returning to his home town of Des Moines, Tim worked in New York City. While there he served as the Window and Creative Director for Saks Fifth Avenue for 12 years, in addition to designing numerous theatre and television projects. He is a graduate of Drake University. Recent acting credits include 42nd Street, The Santaland Diaries and Crazy For You at VT.

Nate Blaweiss

(Sound Designer)

Nate is the Resident Sound Designer at Venice Theatre, recently designing for Almost,Maine (composer); john and jen; Love Letters (composer); Menopause: the Musical; and Good People. Nate studied music at Florida State and remotely at University of Chichester, earning his MA in film scoring in 2018. You can see and hear some of Nate’s work at nateblaweiss.com.

John Michael Andzulis

(Lighting Designer)

In his 13th season at VT, John is glad to be a part of the VT family. He has a B.A. in Technical Theatre from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, and has continued his technical career with lighting and scenic designs for productions such as: Handy Award winning Metamorphoses; The Jungle Book; Urinetown; Inherit the Wind; Peter Pan; Ragtime; Sweeney Todd; Godspell; Boeing Boeing; Avenue Q; Hello, Dolly!; Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Radio Gals; Dreamgirls and A Christmas Carol. John thanks Harper for her continuous constructive criticism.

Maureen S. Demers

(Costume Designer)

Originally from New England, “Molly” is the VT Costume Shop Manager. Her 30 years’ experience has taken her around the country to work for Colorado Shakespeare Company, the Tony Award winning Denver Center Theater Company, professional Broadway touring shows as well as many professional and amateur smaller theaters. Molly holds an MFA degree in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Florida.

Pinky Stewart

(Assistant Costume Designer/ Mrs. Fezziwig)

Pinky has been an active volunteer at Venice Theatre for over 27 years. She has enjoyed all of her time at Venice Theatre. “There are so many interesting and different ways to participate. The best of all, however, are the many friends you make here at our all-inclusive and embracing theater family. Thank you for so many happy times of my life.”

"A Christmas Carol" Crew

Light Board Operator

Lisa Million

Sound Engineer/Board Operators

Nate Blaweiss

John Hawk

Audio 2

Lynn Reid

Deck Crew

Cindy Hickle

Kitty Leonowicz

Rehana Quadir

Fly Rail Operators

Drew Carney

Doug Taylor

Tech Class Crew

Madison Gloser-Kodet

Aaron Schroeder

MUSICAL NUMBERS

Act 1

Invocation -- Ensemble

Marley Was Dead -- Ensemble

Christmas is a Humbug - Part 1 -- Scrooge

Christmas, God Bless It -- Fred

Christmas is a Humbug - Part 2 -- Scrooge

Christmas is a Humbug - Part 3 -- Scrooge, Charity People

Humbug (Final) - Scrooge

Marley’s Lament -- Marley

Spending Time Alone Parts 1-3 -- Scrooge, Christmas Past, Fan, Boy Scrooge

Fezziwig’s Christmas Ball -- Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig, Guests

Spending Time Alone Parts 4-5 -- Belle, Ben, Christmas Past, Scrooge

Closing Act I -- Carolers

15-minute intermission

Act 2

Invocation -- Carolers

Christmas Time in Camden Town -- Christmas Present, Ensemble

Better Time -- Cratchits

Count Your Blessings -- Tiny Tim, Cratchits, Ensemble

These Are the Children of Man -- Scrooge, Christmas Present, Ignorance, Want

Cradle to Grave -- Old Joe, Mrs. Dilber, Ragpicker, Undertaker, Laundress

Count Your Blessings -- Cratchits

Time Well Spent -- Scrooge, Ensemble

Count Your Blessings (Finale) -- Ensemble

Musicians

Conductor/Keyboard

Michelle Kasanofsky

Second Keyboards

Mikal Mancini

Kiley Pietryka

Drums

Joel Broome

'21-'22 Season Production Team

Production Manager/Technical Director

John Andzulis

Assistant Production Manager

Alyssa Goudy

Assistant Technical Director

Brian Freeman

Assistant Technical Director/Master Electrician

Cindy Carruth

Resident Scenic Designer

Tim Wisgerhof

Resident Sound Designer

Nate Blaweiss

Production Stage Manager/Props Mistress

Lisa Million

Resident Music Director

Michelle Kasanofsky

Costume Shop Manager

Maureen S. Demers

Costume Shop First Hand/Volunteer Liaison

Brittany Hardison

Electrics Crew

Jake Murphy, Deke Short

Scenery Crew

Bob Barone, Tullio Coccia, Walter Cohrs

Ron Fettig, Roger Hayes, Dale Jermyn

Bill Johnson, Ray Leahy, David Lynn-Jones

David Mason, Paul Mason, Charles Myers

Bob Olson, John Palaitis, Bill Risen

Pete Sayer, Jim Sherry, Ken Strom

Barry Sullivan, Bud Teagarden, Mel Van Dyke

Paint Crew

Phyllis Andella, Cathleen Baustian

Geri Becker, Bonnie Burkhalter

Sonja Carr, Liz Floridio, Lisa Hamilton

Jill Hartman, Liz O’Hagen, Pat Ouellette

Pete Sayer, Francine Smetts

Props Volunteers

Paula Auth, Judy Cipra, Ann Dellevigne

Costume Shop Volunteers

Ruell Bean, Nancy Bent, Marni Brown

Kathy Finan, Melissa Houghton

Jeanne Johnston, Mary Lulik

Jane McCormick, Susan McPeck

Paula Numeier, Kathy Provost, Eve Rabbiner

Sandy Sapatka, Pinky Stewart

Gretchen Weger, Cindy Wood

Audition Volunteers

Melody Actouka, Bonnie Burkhalter,

Karen Campbell, Anna Croteau

Linna Croteau, Laurel Jones

Itala Landers, Judy Livingston

Mary Rau-Foster, Anne Smith

Judith Toscano

Technical Theatre Apprentice

Alex LaBonte

Dramaturg

Mike Sullivan

Front of House and Bar Manager

Jeff Hyde

Front of House Volunteers

Melody Actouka, Judy Allen, Cheryl Anderson

Pamela Anderson, Susie Anderson, Vicki Andresen

Donna Astorino, Jon Ayers, Marlene Barry

Joan Basile, Mark Bassett, Ruth Bauers

Andrea Bekkenhuis, Bella Belilovskaya

Joseph Bifaro, Jill Billinger, Sarah Boehmer

Brennon Bonnett, Rita Bonnett

Carolyn Boudreaux, Edward Boudreaux

Susan Boudreaux, John Brunt, Kathleen Brunt

Janet Bryars, Marie Buchanan, Diana Budur

Bonnie Burkhalter, Betty Burrafato

Rosemary Burzinski-Bosse, Jane Cabildo

Karen Campbell, Richard Carling, Ginger Carpenter

Jane Carter, LaVerne Christopher, Christopher Clair

Patricia Clair, David Clarke, Dolores Clarke

Bill Cloffke, Barbara Cocchi, Joe Colonnese

Margaret Combs, Barbara-Lynn Connelly

Jim Courtright, Suzi Courtright, Shanette Crume

Patricia Curtis, Brent Danielson, Donna Danielson

Harriet Davidson, Arlynn DeFloria, Carole Dicker

Georgina Dirker, Diane DiStefano-Nist

Lois Dobkin, Rick Dobkin, Donna Donovan

Nancy Dowicki, Patrick Eaton, Valerie Echavarria

Karin Eisenman, Cheryl Escott, Lee Esteve

Mary Eve, Mary Fazio, Shelly Fedder

Janet Ford, Donna Fox, Peg Frerk, Arsie Fusco

Pam Garlock, Ken Gerecke, Peggy Gerecke

Henry Gesek, Linda Gesek, Ann Gett

Joan Gilomen, Judith Golab, Edward Gooltz

Kate Greene, Deborah Gregory, Karen Gregory

Jackie Griesi, Lucille Grover, Priscilla Gurholt

Diane Hale, Stephen Hale, Jo Halstead

Deb Hansen, Leslie Heaton, Lee Henks

Wanda Hines, Helene Horrell, Laura Johnston

Janice Jones, Laurel Jones, Janine Joyner

Bob Jung, Janet Keckler, Lois Keeling

Molly Kehoe, Kathleen Kelly, Kevin Kenny

Vicki Kenny, Pamela King, Barbara Koehler

Marianne Koerner, John Kollar, Bonnie Konzelman

Jim Korman, Nanci Korman, Joan Kosta

Kate Kratz, Mark Kreger, Rose Kreger

Diane Krol, Marge Kuhar, Carol Kulaga

Joe LaDu, Kathryn LaDu, Itala Landers

Sharon Lash, Kathleen Laughlin, Joyce Laurence

John Linhares, Mary-Ellen Lipnitz, Judy Livingston

Carolyn Lockett, Carol Lovely, Barbara Magstadt

Katzie Mapel-Keen, Maura McCann

Gail McCarthy, Barbara McLauchlin

Jennifer Mechling, Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan

Nancy Mendelson, Susan Mergens

Susannah Miller, Janet Mills-Knudsen

Diana Miracle, James Mohnkern, Kathy Mohnkern

Robert Montgomery, Chuck Moore, Tilly Mooyman

Kathy Moriarty, Sally Mowduk, Joni Mulder

Anna Murdocca, Sandra Neahusan, Frank Nist

CeCe O’Connor, Francine O’Donnell, Liz O’Hagen

Jean O’Leary, Robert Olson, Doug Ostrom

Virginia Ostrom, Pat Ouellette, Jeanette Ozimek

Stanley Ozimek, Charles Page, Darby Park

Nola Parks, Eileen Pastor, Stephanie Pavlat

Anita Piacenta, Loretta Pickett, Marty Pippitt

Barbara Puccia, Melody Pugh, Shelley Pulte

Darlene Rabich, Robert Rabich, Robin Reed

Gerald Rehert, Nancy Reynolds, Becky Riffle

Betty-Ann Rigg, Greg Ritacco, Mary-Jane Ritacco

Vickey Roa, Allyson Robertson, Sandra Robinson

Wayne Ruby, Janine Rudin, Marti Runnels

Ellen Ryan, Diane Santoro, Jane Sarmiento

Noran Satkowski, Diane Scala, Lynne Scharf

Judith Scher, Margo Schneeloch

Paula Schutzmann, Donna Scudder

Faya Scudder-Cotherman, Rita Sheyner

Jane Short, John Shwed, Edrise Sievers

Verna Silk, Charlotte Skaggs, Fredia Skeens

Margriet Slinkard, Karin Spencer, Maggie Surwilo

Helena Sutherland, Diane Swetonic, Annie Taber

Norine Taylor, Karen Theise, Jim Thomas

Kathy Thomaston, Steve Thomaston

Diane Tolliver, Judith Toscano, Bill Troetel

Marcia Valentine, Gerry Vidas, Mary Vlismas

Lynn Wallace, Gretchen Weger, Susan Weiner

Jean West-Walker, Beverlee Westmacott

Linda Wicks, Jacqueline Wides, Barbara Willis

Dee Wright, Kecia Younts, Kathie Zorner

Bob Zuckerman, Bonnie Zuckerman