Doc Gibbs

Joe Crowell

Howie Newsome

Mrs. Julia Gibbs

Mrs. Myrtle Webb

George Gibbs

Rebecca Gibbs

Wally Webb

Emily Webb

Professor Willard

Mr. Charles Webb

Simon Stimson

Mrs. Louella Soames

Constable Warren

Si Crowell

Baseball Player

Baseball Player

Sam Craig

Joe Stoddard

 Sherman Hawkins

 Eddie Costik

 Tom Szeltner

 Neal Ambron

 Virginia Sassani

 Peg Mellinger

 Stosh Snyder

 Mary Rish

 Dustin Hoepfer

 Melissa Austin

 Marley Amstutz

 Mark Douglas Cuddy

  Anthony (Tony) Pingitore

 Marilyn Downing

 Patrick Higgins

 Tom Szeltner

 Michael Witmer

 Cyrus Bingaman

 Jarred Wagner

 Pete Feil

Sherman has acted for Hershey Playhouse since their first production, Barefoot in the Park. This was in a tent in Hershey Park, and it’s exciting now to be opening in a real theater. Sherman’s most recent part was the King in the Harrisburg Shakespeare Association’s King Lear. He is a retired Shakespeare professor and lives in Hershey with his wife and a small domestic zoo.

EDDIE COSTIK (Doc Gibbs) -

This is Eddie’s first appearance with HAP. No stranger to the Harrisburg region, his Theatre Harrisburg credits include Uncle Adolph in Last Night of Ballyhoo, Speed in The Odd Couple, Karl Lidner in A Raisin in the Sun, Owen in The Foreigner, Charlie in On Golden Pond, Eddie in Lost in Yonkers, Count Yousekevitch in Fools, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cinderella’s father in Into the Woods, Amos in Chicago, Councilor Robinson in Big River, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, Barnaby in Hello Dolly. At Open Stage in Orphans, Good, Working, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Fool for Love, The Member of the Wedding, Hunting Cockroaches, The Water Engine, and A Nightingale Sang. Co-owner of Middletown Lumber, Eddie has three children and lives in Middletown with his wife, Julie, pet rabbit PeeWee and dog Trotter.

Tommy, a native of Cleveland, OH, is a sixth-grade student at Palmyra Middle School. He lives with his parents and little sister, Emily. He has previously appeared in HAP productions of Oliver, Nuncrackers, and most recently as Ralphie in A Christmas Story. He enjoys sports, movies and video games.

Neal has performed in over 50 plays and musicals at theaters throughout the region. A recent thrill was performing on the steps of the State Capitol in Passion and Politics. He was the Doctor in HAP’s production of Oliver. He regularly portrays the Chocolate Professor in Hershey’s Really Big 3D Show at Chocolate World (over 2,000 performances). A long beard serves him well as the Amish Papa in Amish Vows at the Freedom Chapel Dinner Theatre, Paradise, PA. He originated the roles of Henry Hershey in Milton Hershey – The Play and Thaddeus Stevens in the Christiana Treason Trials of 1851. Look for him in The Blue-Eyed Six, an independent historical film soon to be released. When not onstage, Neal X-rays army tanks for a living.

This is an exciting night for Virginia because not only is this her debut with Hershey Area Playhouse, but also the fulfillment of a New Year’s resolution (2004) to perform in a drama. Her previous experience has all been in musicals. She has played the role of Golda in Fiddler on the Roof, Laurie in Oklahoma!, Peppermint Patty in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and has performed in the chorus of the Harrisburg Civic Opera productions of Madame Butterfly, and La Boheme. Off stage you will find Virginia at the Hershey branch of the Central Penn AAA steering members in the right direction. A special note to Yasmin – thanks for the push!

Lancaster County native, Peg, is thrilled to participate in this production of Our Town as this was the very first play she ever did ten years ago playing Mrs. Gibbs. It is an honor to be able to perform in this new house with such talented actors and director. Memorable past performances include Tuxedo Joe with TJ Productions, Arsenic and Old Lace, Steel Magnolias and Wisteria Bush with PACT (BLT). Peg appeared as Kitty Hershey in Milton Hershey – the Play with PA Historic Dramas. Thank you HAP for allowing me to participate in such a glorious opening. Much gratitude to my friends and family for all your encouragement.

Stosh is honored to be a part of the inaugural production of the Hershey Area Playhouse’s new theatre. As a native of Harrisburg, you may have seen him portray roles in other productions around the area; most recently as Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense: A-Men at the Whitaker Center.  Some other credits include The Pirates of Penzance (as the Sergeant of Police), Jesus Christ Superstar (as Simon), Bat Boy (as Mrs. Taylor), and Inherit the Wind (as Mr. Goodfellow); all performed with Theatre Harrisburg. In addition, he has appeared in The Miracle on 34th Street (as Abercrombie) at the Wayside Theatre in Middletown, Virginia.  Other favorite shows and roles include Music Man (as Professor Harold Hill), The Sound of Music (as Captain Von Trapp), and Singin’ in the Rain (as Cosmo Brown).  Stosh also has some television experience as you may see him in a commercial or two around the area. Stosh is a graduate of Shenandoah University and Conservatory in Winchester, VA, with a B.A. in Music Education. He currently works for Benchmark Group Media, publisher of Harrisburg Magazine, as a Sr. Acct. Executive and is a model for the Harman Agency.

Mary is a sophomore at Central Dauphin High School. At school, she played the Good Angel in Dr. Faustus, the title role in Antigone, and was a thespian in High School Musical. She has done six summer musicals with Greater Harrisburg Youth for Christ. She would like to thank the production staff and her friends for the line drills.

Dustin is, quite simply, amazing. All who meet are in awe of his presence. Some have even tried to call him a god, but he denies this vehemently. He is modest. He loves acting and is quite convinced he’s been acting since in the womb. He is a senior at Central Dauphin High School and plans to attend HACC upon graduation. This is his second time on stage with HAP, his first having been as a faerie in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Melissa is very excited to be a part of this production and is so thankful for the opportunity. She is honored to be involved in the debut of the new home for Hershey Area Playhouse. She has most recently been in the Lebanon Community Theater production of My Three Angels as Marie Louise. This will be her second production with HAP. She first appeared with HAP as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Melissa would like to thank the Lord for His many blessings and her husband for his continued love and support. Many thanks to the cast and crew!

Marley, a Hershey resident, has appeared in many HAP productions and cites
these among his favorites: Forum, Annie, Wizard of Oz and A Midsummer Night's
Dream. As one of the "charter" actors of HAP, he is heartened by the community's embrace of theatre and its support for this beautiful, versatile and promising new performance space. Marley thanks Debra for her equally beautiful and versatile love and support.

Mark is extremely pleased to be appearing in his fifth HAP production, previously appearing in The Fantastiks, The Wizard of Oz, Bus Stop and Oliver. His theatrical experiences include stints with Ephrata ACT (Annie), Lebanon Community Theater (The Mousetrap, Music Man), PA Historic Dramas (Milton Hershey–The Play), and Theatre Harrisburg (Inherit the Wind). He is honored to be performing with this very talented cast under the expert hand of director and HAP Founder Skip Becker and would like to applaud the production crew for their hard work, many talents, and their dedication. Mark is a member of Theatre Harrisburg, a Board member of PA Historic Dramas, serves as HAP’s Artistic Liaison and as a member of the HAP Board. He resides in Hummelstown with brother Jim and has a talented son, Justin Douglas, now living in Virginia. He would like to thank them for their love and support and also would like to send hugs to special lady, Karen.

After a 33 year successful business career, Tony has begun a “second career” as an active community theatre volunteer. This will be Tony’s first appearance at HAP in an acting role. He has previously worked backstage on Bus Stop and Nuncrackers. Tony has performed at Lebanon Community Theatre in Damn Yankees in the role of Mr. Applegate. He also had roles in the Theatre Harrisburg production of Inherit the Wind and the Oyster Mill Playhouse production of Whose Life is it Anyway, in the role of Dr. Emerson. “I am honored to be a part of the new era for the Hershey Area Playhouse and appreciate the support of all that have encouraged me to be a part of community theatre…especially Leah, my wife and acting coach, and my daughters Michele and Tracy.

Marilyn Downing finds HAP a wish come true for her retirement years from teaching Language Arts at Hershey High School. Majoring in drama at Ball State University, she played Mrs. Webb in Our Town and now enjoys being the town gossip Louella Soames. Her other HAP roles have been in Steel Magnolias, Arsenic and Old Lace, and On Golden Pond. She has acted in numerous roles at Harrisburg Community Theatre, Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, Open Stage, and the Hershey Faculty plays. Marilyn, mother of five daughters, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, enjoys reading, writing stories and poems, presenting story-telling programs, and crossword puzzles – all ways to revel in words in retirement’s golden years.

Our Town is Patrick’s first appearance on stage after a 13-year absence. Patrick participated in numerous high school productions including A Man for All Seasons as King Henry VIII. He also participated in The Goodbye People with The Fort Bragg Community Theater. He is a graduate of Penn State University, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and an employee of The Hershey Company.

Michael’s previous productions with HAP include The Crucible, The Odd Couple -Female Version, 40 Carats, and The Sound of Music. He has also acted, directed and written for Annville Community Theater, Lebanon Community Theatre, and PHS Players. By day, he is a social worker and struggling bluegrass musician.

Cyrus is a student at Central Dauphin High School where his involvement in theater has included being student director of the 2005 production of Tragic History of Dr. Faustus. He was stage director and played the role of Teriesias’s Boy in Antigone. This production of Our Town is his first audition for an acting role ever. Cyrus is also the morning news anchor for his high school TV studio. He hopes to become either a TV Broadcasting Journalist/Anchor or a film screenwriter.

This is Pete’s first appearance with HAP. Previously he has performed in Little Mary Sunshine, The Butler Did It, The Life and Times of Sneaky Fitch, and The Boys Next Door as part of Derry Presbyterian Church’s Arts Alive series. Pete is a retired chemist. He and his wife Doris have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Skip Becker (Director)
Skip is the founder of Hershey Area Playhouse (1999) and also the Titusville, PA Community Theater (1969). Skip has directed more than 200 shows for colleges, community theatres, churches, high schools and,…fire companies. Skip directed the HAP production of The Guys which was staged in an equipment bay of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company and ran for 5 sold out nights. His most recent HAP directorial was The Wizard of Oz.

Skip is the co-owner of Capitol Trailways and Rohrer Tour & Charter Co., with service and tours to cities and towns from Washington, D.C. to Syracuse, NY and east to Philadelphia and NYC. Skip manages the sales and marketing programs for the bus companies and subsidiary companies. From 1979-1980, Skip was the assistant marketing director for The Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company arriving on the job in time for a national gas shortage, a Lancaster polio epidemic among the Amish and the Three-Mile Island disaster in March of 1979. From 1980-1983, Skip was the state travel director for Pennsylvania under Gov. Dick Thornberg and created the “You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania” ad campaign for the Commonwealth.

Skip’s hometown is Coudersport, Potter County – home to Eliot Ness, John Rigas and Dr. Bentley who is one of only four recorded cases of fatal human spontaneous combustion. Skip graduated with a BA from Mansfield University and MA degrees from Villanova University and Penn State University.

Skip resides in Hershey with his wife, Pam. Skip and Pam are the parents of Maggie Haley (husband Rob) and grandparents of Rosemarie Lynn Haley.