The Players Guild of Leonia Stages I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, Now thru 11/3

What brings people of different ages, from their early twenties through their seventies, together in meaningful personal interactions? How is it that individuals with little or no college education can easily forge close bonds working together with others who hold advanced degrees?

The answer is community theater. As different as their backgrounds, occupations, lifestyles, and other outside interests may be, the joy and fulfillment from active involvement in stage productions-whether onstage or backstage-unites them. This cohesion not only holds true in mounting a show, but also in after hours socializing at a nearby eatery or in other social events throughout the year.

An excellent example is the cast and creative team in The Players Guild of Leonia production, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." This is a hilarious musical about relationships that are depicted in a series of life cycle vignettes from early dating experiences on through to old age yearnings. It thus serves as a perfect vehicle to bring together the different generations.

Two members of the cast, Irene Hort of Fort Lee and Andrew Reyes, are full-time students, at Rutgers and Montclair State University, respectively. Two other cast members are teaching assistants, Dana Kemp of Garfield, at All Saints Episcopal Day School in Hoboken, and Amy Levine of Teaneck, at the Moriah School in Englewood. Claudia MacDermott of Teaneck is a trainer/motivation speaker/director for a professional business network, while Alison Miller of Leonia is both a yoga teacher and full-time dance student, and Suzanne Renaud of Dumont is an administrative assistant for an energy company.

Seth Feldman of Englewood practices law in both New Jersey and New York; Frank McDonnell of River Edge has a career in information technology; and Owen Sheridan of Leonia handles clinical informatics in orthopedic care management. Two men run their own companies: cast member Dan Giordano of Leonia in plumbing, and co-producer Mark Watson of Leonia with his Feel Good Bears.

Director Vince Parrillo of Ridgewood is a sociology professor at William Paterson University, author of more than a dozen books, and writer-producer of three PBS documentaries. Music Director Ed Feldman of Leonia is founder of a law firm with offices in New York City and Palisades Park. The two men have similarly partnered in seven previous productions over the past four decades. Stage Manager Michael Telposky of Leonia is a special education teacher in New York City. Co-producer Beth Parrillo of Ridgewood, a retired registered nurse, remains an active student of dance and grandmother of five. Assistant Director Brooke Feldman of Leonia, armed with an M.A. in arts administration, has a career in social media marketing.

At rehearsals for the show, none of these background differences are even vaguely evident. With friendly determination, they work hard together in their commitment to making the finest show possible for their audiences. You can see the results of their efforts at the Civil War Drill Hall Theatre, 130 Grand Avenue, Leonia. Show dates are October 18-20, 25-27, November 1-3. Reserved seat tickets ($24) and student/senior tickets ($20) may be ordered online at www.brownpapertickets.com or calling 201-947-9606.

Pictured: Alison Miller, Leonia; Claudia MacDermott, Teaneck; Dan Giordano, Palisades Park; Frank McDonnell, River Edge.

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