My Perfect Pet (2012)

Jeff Eisenberg (Music and Lyrics)

Jeff Eisenberg is an ASCAP Award winning songwriter. He is the creator and founding member of the children's musical performing group, Junior Jam. Jeff, and his singing partners Elayne Kessler and Adrienne Asterita, perform live concerts for 3-8 year olds throughout the tri-state New York area. His four Junior Jam recordings have won NAPPA (National Association of Parenting Publications), Children's Music Web and Kids Music Awards. Jeff's latest CD, Wake Up was a finalist in Nickelodeon's Parents Picks Awards in 2010, and his song, Happy Pants, was a finalist in The International Songwriting Competition and won a Kids Music Award for Best Song in 2011.  Jeff lives in NY and NJ with his wife Eileen and THEIR perfect pet, Cassidy.

Bruce J. Robinson (Book Writer)

Bruce J. Robinson writes mainly for theatre and television. Most recently, his MIA (missing in action) had its world premiere this spring at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.  Upcoming, his (SACCO-VANZETTI) VINCE, AL & TEDDY is slated for its premiere next April at Fitchburg State.  This play was given readings at the Ensemble Studio Theatre and Theatrical Botanicum. BYRD’S BOY opened off-Broadway at Primary Stages (produced by Jeffrey Ash and co-produced by Casey Childs and Primary Stages).  Under the direction of Arthur Masella, it starred David McCallum and Myra Lucretia Taylor. Previously, it had readings at the New York Theatre Workshop and the Ensemble Studio Theatre (both under the direction of Christopher Ashley).  Then, it was presented in a staged reading starring Loretta Devine at the Norris Theatre in Palos Verdes, CA.  It also won major grants from the Pilgrim Project and the University of Arkansas (Little Rock) and was a finalist in the Rosenthal New Play Contest at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.  Presented by the Detroit Repertory Theatre, BYRD’S BOY was nominated as “Best Play” - Detroit Free Press’s 20th Annual Award for Theatre Excellence. Bruce is especially delighted that his ANOTHER VERMEER was instrumental in his winning a Berrilla Kerr Award.  The play also was a finalist for the National Playwrights Conference. A workshop production of this piece (starring Austin Pendleton and Michael Urie and directed by William Carden) was presented at H.B. Playwrights Theatre.  It was given a full production by the Abingdon Theatre – starring Mr. Pendleton and directed by Kelly Morgan – where it was received enthusiastically by such critics as VARIETY’s Mark Blankenship and John Simon.  It won the theatre’s “Abby Award” as “Best Play of the Season.”   The play also was presented by Theatre 40 in Los Angeles, where it was an LA TIMES “Critic’s Choice.”  His URBAN ABO was awarded a Norris Theatre New Play Prize.  This brought with it both a grant and a production at the Norris Theatre (LA). SHOOTING HOOPS was presented by both MCC and the Westbeth Theatre Center’s “New Playwright’s Series.”  In Los Angeles, Mel Damski directed a reading, featuring Richard Masur. BEYOND THE SEA (Bruce’s book and lyrics – with music by Howard Marren) was developed for Tavel-Davis Productions and under the direction of Jack Hofsiss.  Bruce wrote the book for the revue THE BROADWAY KIDS SING BROADWAY.  The show ran for two years at the Douglas Fairbanks and the John Houseman Theatres under producers Eric Krebs and Julius Shulman and among many wonderful young performers featured Jesse Eisenberg. For the last few years, Bruce participated in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Region 1).  There, he leads a play writing workshop, directing a student production, and usually hears a reading of one of his plays.   Very recently, Colombia-Greene Community College presented a reading of his play AMERICAN WAKE. His comedy RARE INDULGENCE had a reading at the Abingdon Theatre and was a finalist in last year’s O’Neill.   Among the TV shows on which he’s worked are Gary Goldberg’s BROOKLYN BRIDGE and Glenn Caron’s SHOWROOM.  Specials include ALL THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS for PBS and Bell South. In what seems another life, Bruce was a performer.  He was seen in such otherwise reputable places as the Manhattan Theatre Company, Goodspeed, and the Orpheum.  Bruce was graduated from Franklin & Marshall College.  Happily a New Yorker, he’s even happier to be married to actress/singer/voice-over artist Donna Robinson.   For more information on him and his work, see brucejrobinson.com

Marlo Hunter (Director)

Marlo Hunter is a director and choreographer based in Manhattan. She currently serves as the Director of Script Development for WET Productions. In 2008, looking to push the boundaries of site-specific and full-sensory theater, she founded Eating Their Words through which she pairs prominent playwrights and seasoned chefs for an unprecedented artistic collaboration, resulting in an evening of three world-premiere plays, coupled with the bespoke menu they inspired.  Through ETW Marlo has commissioned and directed new plays by Neil LaBute, Douglas Carter Beane, Theresa Rebeck, David Grimm, Annie Baker, Brooke Berman, Amy Herzog, Keith Reddin, Beau Willimon, Jonathan Marc Sherman, Sam Forman, Rob Ackerman, Sarah Treem and Steven Levenson.  Current Projects:  Marlo is developing and directing ISLAND SONG, a new musical by Sam Carner and Derek Gregor; she is also directing a South Carolina workshop of Douglas Cohen & Zoe Samuel’s new musical, HELEN OF TROY, and an upcoming workshop of Timothy Huang’s COSTS OF LIVING.  Marlo will be an Artist in Residence at The Orchard Project this June, developing an original piece with playwright Anna Ziegler.

Other credits include Broadway: THE MUSIC MAN (SDC Observer, mentored by Susan Stroman). Off-Broadway and Regional: Charles Grodin's THE RIGHT KIND OF PEOPLE (Assistant Director, Primary Stages); director, MEN ARE PIGS (Theatre Row, Living Image Arts). Regional: choreography for TRAVESTIES (Long Wharf Theatre and Williamstown Theatre Festival, Gregory Boyd, director); choreography, DIVA DIARIES (Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Broward Center, Chicago's Lakeshore Theatre); director/choreographer, FALSETTOLAND, director, David Auburn's WE HAD A VERY GOOD TIME (Williamston Theatre Festival Directing Corp.); DIVA starring Bebe Neuwirth (assistant director, WTF); original choreography for Alfred Uhry's WITHOUT WALLS (and assistant director, WTF). Additional New York Credits: choreographer, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Chernuchin); director ROB by Sam Forman, 508 by Amy Herzog (Ensemble Studio Theatre, Youngblood's Thicker than Water festival); choreographer, THE ROCKAE (Prospect Theater Company, NYMF); director, SENOR JAY’S TANGO PALACE by Sharyn Rothstein (Vital); director and choreographer, A TIME TO BE BORN (Lucille Lortel Theatre, Fringe); director and choreographer, SWIMMING UPSTREAM starring Jessica Snow-Wilson and Doug Kreeger (Fringe). Film: choreography consultant, Faster (documentary) directed by Robert Mac.

 Marlo is currently writing book and lyrics for her original musical, LOVE-LOVE with composer Timothy Huang. Her book, “The Freelance Artist’s Manifesto” has spawned a workshop, which recently launched in New York City.  Marlo holds a B.A. in English/Dramatic Literature from Princeton University.  She lives in New York City with her husband, Ted, and her dog, Fosse.  She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

 

Daniel Feyer (Music Director)

Off-Broadway: With Glee, Evil Dead: The Musical, Captain Louie.  Regional: Meadow Brook Theatre (most recently Xanadu), Weston Playhouse (nine seasons), Barnstormers, CenterStage, Gateway.  Many new musicals in NYC, including Peter Mills’s Illyria, Honor, Iron Curtain, and The Pursuit of Persephone (Drama Desk nom. for Orchestrations); Yank! atGallery, Ragtime at APAC, Fleet Week at FringeNYC, Maccabeat! at NYMF 2007, and Arnie the Doughnut at this year's Festival.  Dan is a San Francisco native, Princeton graduate, and three-time winner of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. 

Adrienne Asterita (Donna Green/Ms. Sternwipe)

Adrienne Asterita is a member of the award winning children’s music group Junior Jam since 2008, performing interactive, educational, and original songs with writer and creator Jeff Eisenberg. She can be heard on their latest album, Wake Up, singing 3 of the songs from My Perfect Pet! Adrienne has also performed in regional theatre, as well as in New York at La Mama E.T.C, The Provincetown Playhouse, 13th Street Repertory Theater, and the Astoria Performing Arts Center. Some of her favorite roles include Hermia in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Festival 56, IL), and Little Sally in Urinetown (Original Workshop Recording, NYC). Adrienne has the unique experience of singing The National Anthem at Shea Stadium, Giants Stadium and ten times at Madison Square Garden for various sporting events. She also loves to work with kids, and is currently the Director of the Musical Theatre Workshop camp at Summers at LREI (The Little Red School House). Adrienne received a BFA from The Tisch School of the Arts at the Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. You can visit her website at: www.adrienneasterita.com

Caroline Cahill (Amy)

Caroline Cahill is thrilled to be apart of My Perfect Pet and the New York Music Festival! Regional Credits include: Gypsy(Baby June, Metropolitan Theater Award Nomination), The Aristocats( Duchess), The Little Mermaid, and many more shows at Saddle River Day School and the Dreamland Theater.Caroline is a proud member of the Broadway Youth Ensemble, with whom she has recorded a song and music video for Lisa Matassa and performed with Glen Roven and Lauren Flanigan. She would like to thank the cast and creative team of My Perfect Pet,  with a special thanks to Amelia DeMayo, Jacki Moro, Jason Bercy at Bercy Talent Management,Gail Crutchfield, and especially Mom, Dad, Patrice, Bet, Uncle John, Regan and Delaney for all of their love and support.

David Foley, Jr. (Ethan Green/Mr. Jim O’Wiffenpincher Von Gonsamagilla)

David Foley Jr. is thrilled to be a part of the 2012 NYMF.  David recently stood by for the title ogre on the 1st National Tour of 'Shrek The Musical'.  Off-Broadway credits include 'Forbidden Broadway' and'Evergreen' with Prospect Theatre Company.  Regionally, he has been seen as Nathan in 'Guys & Dolls' (Stages St. Louis), Burrs in LaChiusa's 'Wild Party' (freeFall Theatre Co.), and Marlin in 'Finding Nemo: The Musical' at Walt Disney World.  David is a graduate of Boston University and a proud member of AEA.  All my love to Kerry and Baby Davey!

Rebecca Lynn Goldfarb (Cailin)

Broadway: Godspell 2032 (Lindsay), Regional: Annie (Annie), Theater: Into The Woods (Little Red), Seussical ( JoJo), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Gypsy (Baby June); TV: Primetime What Would You Do, Team Umizoomi, Wonder Pets;  Radio and TV Commercials: Amazon.com, Disney, Subway and Fidelity. Rebecca is also a songwriter who has written several songs which are on iTunes and are being played on internet radio and radio stations overseas. Rebecca is a member of Kids4Kids, who perform to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation. In September, Rebecca will be performing at The Apollo Theater. Thanks to her family, friends, CESD, Mallory Tucker, Bonnie Shumofsky, Laura Menard, Janine Molinari and the whole creative team of My Perfect Pet www.rebeccalynngoldfarb.com

Ethan Haberfield (Josh)

Broadway: Mary Poppins Regional: To Kill A Mockingbird (NJ Shakespeare Theatre), Don Giovanni (NYC Opera), Scrooge (National Tour) Readings: Timmy The Great (Jay Binder), LITTLE MISS FIX IT (Roundabout Theatre), Rumplestiltskin (Workshop Theater), Ghosts Of Princeton (Robert Lyons), Dead or Alive (Steve Petrillo), Seven Little Foys (York Theatre Company) , Film and TV: Sinister (BlumHouse Productions), Sesame Street With Sutton Foster, 30 Rock, Chuggington, 2012 WB Mason Commercials, Anti Bullying PSA. Thanks to my family (especially my sister Julia), Amelia Demayo, Devin Ilaw, Janine Molinari, Bob Marks, and David Doan and Dina Torre at Generations TV. Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA www.ethanhaberfield.com Dedicated to my dog Memphis.

Gretchen Margaroli (General Manager)

Recent credits include: Iron Curtain, NYC HEARTS VT, ENCORES! New York City Center, The Tenth Floor, POPart, Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party, The Common Air, Wishful Drinking, Love Child, Sin, Love, Incorporated, Sixty Miles to Silver Lake, Perfect Harmony, The Acting Company's The Tempest, Moby Dick Rehearsed and NYMF 2008, 2009.  Other credits include Weston Playhouse Theatre Company and The Napa Valley Opera House. MFA Theatre Management FSU.