Meet the Cast

Bob Rautenberg (Gordon) began his love of theater in high school and took it into the army, joining the Army Community Theater. His one brush with fame? A Kroger commercial done while living in Kentucky.  After moving to New Hampshire, Bob joined the Village Players and found much success onstage and off (found the love of his life). Credits:  Night Watch, Dearly Departed, Biloxi Blues, Spamalot, and as the Grinch, which he played to honor his father.

Meggin Dail (Stage Manager/Sarah) loves being back on stage in Wolfeboro,  You may remember her as Antoinette in Ghost in The Meadow. She lives in Epsom with her husband, Joel and two boys. Meggin, also a member (and president) of The Pittsfield Players, is a 33 year veteran of acting, producing, directing, fundraising, (and yes, stage managing) of Pittsfield Players and the Village Players. Meggin finds this particular post-pandemic cast the best she’s worked with yet!

Anna Jortikka (Mary) is delighted to be performing in her third Village Players production. She is a Biotech Patent Analyst from Alton, New Hampshire. She loves to sing, act, and go on outdoor adventures. Previous shows include: Once Upon a Mattress, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Seussical the Musical, Godspell, and The Music Man.

Christian Boudman (Vernon) is happy to be treading the boards in VP’s “maiden” production following the dark days of 2020! He has appeared at the Village Players in Kiss Me Kate, Spamalot, Seussical the Musical, The Drunkard, Leading Ladies, Caught in the Net, Bathroom Humor and in regional productions such as Ragtime and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. When he’s not hanging out in a theater or in his VFX studio, you’ll find him with his wife, son and their hound dog, Alice.

Silas St. James (Tyler Taylor) is new to the Village Players and new to the stage in general. He is excited to act in his first ever play and grateful to join such a talented group in such a funny production! He is most appreciative of his wife Kelsey, who has been holding down the fort with their two toddlers at home through all the rehearsals. Playing Tyler is a fun challenge; he hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Garrison Barron (Jack), is excited to be in his third production with the Village Players. Garrison is currently in his 4th year studying theater arts at Plymouth State University. When he’s not acting he spends his time working and playing at Kingswood Golf Club and Lake Winnepesaukee Golf Club, or hiking the hundreds of trails in New Hampshire.

Molly Gloeckner (Susannah) thanks everyone in the cast and crew of Laughing Stock for being so welcoming and (sometimes) funny. Molly arrives from Chicago after earning her acting degree from Columbia College Chicago.  Theatre credits include RSVP: A One Woman Show, The Buttcracker (Rat King), The Servant of Two Masters (Truffaldino); a Voiceover feature on The Onion’s satirical podcast and sketch comedy group Girl Scouts Unleashed. In her free time, Molly manages her Bachelorette fantasy league. She will be moving out to LA at the end of the summer to pursue her acting dreams!

Rick Tessari (Ritchfield Hawksley) is grateful that, despite his consistent unreliability, the Village Players have allowed his return. After appearing in several Village Player shows, he  became a professional wrestler until the pandemic left him without a title belt or tag team partner. The Village Players have granted Rick a single chance at entertainment redemption by giving him his most prestigious part yet (except for all the others).

Emily Marsh (Daisy) is excited to be back at The Village Players! Some of her recent roles have been Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress (The Village Players), Kelly and Liz in LOVE/SICK (Majestic Theatre), and Honey Ray Futrelle in Dearly Beloved (Majestic Theatre). Emily is Creative Director at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, a fantasy artist, and devoted Dungeons & Dragons player.

Joshua Spaulding (Craig) first appeared at the Village Players in the pit band of Mame and has been involved in some way with every show since 2010. While most of his roles are of the backstage variety, he occasionally goes against his better judgement to show his face on stage, including 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Our Town, Spamalot, The Drunkard, Once Upon a Mattress and The Music Man. He, sadly, identifies with most of the characteristics of his character, Craig.

Max Gehring (Henry) has been working with Village Players for two years now. Max’s first Village Players role was Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress. Credits also include Roanoke College productions, Sense & Sensibilities and These Shining Lives. Max volunteers with a youth-focused theatre group in Wakefield. When he isn’t on stage or working the technical equipment, he is supporting adults with disabilities, working with Clearview TV, and learning to build tiny houses.

Beth Marsh (Karma/Peasant Woman/Dreadful Bride) has been involved in all aspects of Village Players productions. She has run lights and sound, and concessions at the month movie nights. You might have seen her onstage in Once Upon a Mattress, The Drunkard, Music Man, or Kiss Me Kate. She has also helped with costumes in more plays than she can count. Beth is currently a sophomore at Connecticut College, majoring in Architectural Studies.

Philip Reilly (Ian/Charley) is appearing with The Village Players for the first time, and he’s very excited about being a new kid on this stage. No stranger to acting, this show makes Philip’s 14th production. He also enjoys drawing, tap dancing, watching films, and busking with his new Washburn guitar.  

Luke Cassidy (Braun/The Butler/The Workman) started his Village Players legacy as Hennessy in Biloxi Blues. From there, he has worked as House Manager, Stage Manager, and appeared as George Gibbs in Our Town. Luke spends his summer days as a sailing instructor on Lake Winni, his nights feeding the hungry at Nolan’s, and the rest of the year studying at Vanderbilt University. He finds all of the cast and crew in Laughing Stock to be perfectly acceptable.

Behind the Scenes:

Michaela Andruzzi (Co-Director) has been part of every show at the Village Players since 2016. She has been on-stage in Bathroom Humor and Fox on the Fairway, and has painted the faces of the actors, sprayed and grayed their hair for all other shows. She spends her days as a prosecuting attorney and thanks the VP community for letting her have a creative outlet. She loves her sons, Alex and Luke, and her dogs.

Jay Sydow (Co-Director) walked into The Village Players in 1999 and never left.

Kathleen Hill (Producer) is a retired public school administrator (stop laughing). She also acts and directs extensively with the Village Players, The Educational Collaborative, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Powerhouse Theater Collaborative, and Inter-Lakes Middle-High School Theater Company. She loves the Village Players and Jeanne.

Joyce Wood (Assistant Director) has been part of the Village Players since 1999, involved in nearly 30 shows. This is an extended family she is proud to be part of. Thanks to Michaela and Jay for guiding me through as Assistant Director–a great learning experience.

Phoebe VanScoy-Giessler (Prop Master) is happy to be part of getting the Village Players back on stage! Along with the Village Players, she enjoys performing and producing community theater with Powerhouse Theater Collaborative (Laconia)  and Winnipesaukee Playhouse (Meredith).  

Emily Judkins (House Manager/videographer) caught the theater “bug” at just 7 and has not regretted it for a moment.  She is thrilled to be a part of this re-opening show, as House Manager and video/photo master. Enjoy!

Paul Stewart (Stage Manager) has been a Village Players for years–onstage, behind scenes, and on the Board of Directors. He and his beautiful wife, Chelsea, just took on their most amazing roles ever, as parents to twin baby girls who couldn’t be more precious.