It was not long ago that The Talisman Players, originally a community theatre in New York City, presented themselves to our community for the first time. Invited to take up residence at Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street, the “players” began with a liturgical play for Christmas in 2014 and followed with a melodrama, “Dora the Beautiful Dishwasher” in February 2015.
What began with members of Trinity and the Talisman “family,” Tom Nardone (founder and director) and Christine Nardone Storch (his cofounder/actress/directing daughter), started quickly to grow to families and friends outside the church community. May 2015 brought the American classic “Our Town” to their stage with an increasing number of people in their audience. Those people began to spread the word that this theatre troupe was one to be watched and supported.
Three months later, the Jr. Talisman Players debuted with actors ranging in age from nine to 16 with an ambitious project: “The Farce of Pierre Patellin” (c. 1400s) and Moliere’s “The Dr. In Spite of Himself” from 1666. The young performers drew the largest audience up to that date and continued the “Talisman” reputation of excellence. Then just for fun, an evening of “Improv” followed, as well as a “Murder Mystery,” a dramatic reading of “Scrooge” and, in February, “Arsenic and Old Lace.” What began with an audience of 30 had quickly grown to 150.
There was now one more step to take: the musical. Talisman tradition dictated the only choice possible; they needed to present their signature production, “Fiddler on the Roof.” For “Fiddler,” Christine would leave the stage and sit in the director’s chair. Her dad, Tom, would relinquish that chair and lead this production as “Tevye.” But, would their reputation draw enough quality actors to continue this acknowledged record of excellence? Three days of auditions and upwards of 60 people “of all ages” later… And they have just announced an outstanding cast.
Joining Tom Nardone as his wife “Golde” is Karise Mace, now a “veteran” Talisman Player having performed leads in several productions already. Their daughters will be portrayed by Stephanie Latta (Tzeitel), Suzie Ligammari (Hodel), Emily Jones(Chava), Alyssa Bridges (Sprintze) and Charlotte Storch (Bielke) portraying the same role her mother played 30 years ago. Playing the three male suitors for Tevye’s eldest daughters will be Colin Camp as Motel, Seth Noggle as Perchick and Matt Lupacckino as Fyedka. A fairly “relaxed” schedule will get them through the summer in preparation for what promises to be another outstanding production in late September… Break a leg!
