THE APRIL EVENT

Laura Park

Laura Park (Man Ray and Lee) Thrilled to be part of The April Event at Manhattan Repertory Theatre. Recently: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Swing/Jolene u/s), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Elf (Dance Captain), Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Many thanks to Ken and the team at Manhattan Rep, as well as Douglas, Iftiaz, and Chris. All my love & gratitude to Travis and family.

Chris Parkin

Chris Parkin (Man Ray and Lee) is an actor and musician based out of Yonkers, NY. He graduated from Fordham University in 2020, and has been performing on stage in both theater and music since his first piano recital at 5 years old. Growing up in Falmouth, Massachusetts, Chris has performed as a singer/songwriter at a variety of venues ranging from Irish pubs to Italian restaurants, and was inspired to pursue acting after seeing his best friend Johnny perform in a Fordham production in 2018. After leaving New York during the pandemic, Chris returned to the city and began studying at the Barrow Group in 2022. He is so excited and privileged to be a part of this production, and would like to thank his mother Suzanne and father James for their never-ending support, incredible co-stars Laura and Iftiaz, best friend Johnny Travers, and all of his amazing Barrow Group family here today.

Iftiaz Haroon

Iftiaz (Man Ray and Lee) is so happy to work again with the Manhattan Repertory team. Last seen on a NY stage in Peculiar Works production of Androboros, he’s ecstatic to join forces with Chris, Laura, and Ken to bring Douglas Winston’s play to life on stage!

Geoff Grady

Geoffrey Grady (The River) - Received his MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has performed in NY and regional theatres. Some of his favorite roles include: Tor (Understudy/Performed) in The Drilling Company’s Off-Broadway production of THE NORWEGIANS; Sir Andrew AugueCheek in 12TH NIGHT (ATA), Juror #3 in TWELVE ANGRY JURORS and John Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE (Delphi Theatre); The Stage Manager in OUR TOWN (Delphi Theatre), Jack Palmer in THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and Tyler Moss in CROSSING DELANCEY (The Broach Theatre); Orlando in AS YOU LIKE IT and Duke Vincentio in MEASURE FOR MEASURE (ASCIA Theatre). Joseph Chaikin in I BEGIN TO REHEARSE MY OWN DEATH (Prisim Festival). He has performed with Manhattan Rep in their productions of CLERICAL MATTERS, THE LIVING ROOM, TALKING WITH DIANA, as Henry Ford in MODEL T IN THE AMAZON, as Leonardo da Vinci in LAUGH SUPPER, as Clifford in KALISPELL ands as Abraham Lincoln in STOVE PIPE HAT.

Eugene-James J. Santora

Eugene-James J.Santora (The River) This is James’s first acting performance with Manhattan Repertory Theatre. He’s delighted to be working with a great cast and director. James hails from Greenwich, CT and has been performing in theatre for the past 29 years and has numerous theatre performances under his belt. His last performance was in the play Jamie’s Protest at the IHRAF Winter Festival at the Tank theatre in NYC this past January.

Dave Silberger

Dave Silberger (The River) is thrilled to be working with MRT once again, coming up on 4 years of doing shows here. Dave has also been a member of Chicago’s Practical Theater Company and ToonTheater in NYC in the early 90’s. He has been performing at Renaissance Festivals across the nation as his alter ego Half Wit Henry in The Sturdy Beggars Mud Show since he was in his 20’s. He hesitates to acknowledge his current age. Tonight’s performances are dedicated to the memory of the one and only Florence Pape.

Walker Wynn

Walker Wynn (The River) is an American actor specializing in theater, dance, television and film. Walker graduated with a bachelors in fine and performing arts from Rowan University where she acted and danced. Current projects include, fitness modeling for major brands such as Babe Wine, Nike, Peloton, Adidas, NFL and Gatorade. Walker also has an upcoming pilot she’s working on that will air on HBO early 2024, alongside various short indie films that have been approved for the Sundance Film Festival. Walker resides in New Jersey with her wife and children.

Julia Genoveva

Julia Genoveva (Hoya). (Plant Hoe) Julia was last seen in the play, "The Fans Strike Back," by Joseph Krawczyk which was presented at The Secret Theatre. Recently, she produced, directed and acted in: "It's Complicated: A (weird) Evening of five plays," which ran last fall at The Producers Club. Then she played Maria Von Wedemeyer in "Bonhoeffer: Last Days", a play written by Tom Romano and directed by Alan Baxter. Upcoming Julia will have her play, "The Crossroad" be part of the Equity Library Theater showcase. juliagenoveva@gmail.com. www.juliagenoveva.com

Martin Goldberg

Marty (Plant Hoe) is an NYC actor and graduate of Brooklyn College. His credits include The Heights Players productions of After Magritte/The Real Inspector Hound and Detective Story, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Manhattan Repertory’s productions of Model ’T’ in the Amazon, and Tales of Terror (The Hand). Other credits include And Then There Were None, Romeo and Juliet, and Love's Labors Lost, As You Like It, and Macbeth. Marty's grateful to Ken and Chris for the chance to play in this production.

Rachelle Leconte

Rachelle Leconte (Plant Hoe) graduated with her BA in Theatre and minor in Mass Communications. After graduating from college, Rachelle attended the prestigious acting schools, HB Studios & The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute where she worked hard to hone her craft. Rachelle has been apart of numerous media, stage and TV productions from playing (Forensic Scientist) Peacock Kids: Crack The Case, (Charmaine Dunbar) Investigation Discovery: Over My Dead Body, (Callimachus/Karl) A.R.T/New York Theatres: An Unexpected Resurrection, (Sarah) Manhattan Repertory Theatre: The Drunken Guru, (Thunder) The Producers Club: Roller Girls, (Kristian) The June Havoc Theatre: Three Families, (Florence) Marilyn Monroe Theatre: Poof!, (Babe) The Lovinger Theatre: The Pajama Game. Being a native New Yorker, theatre has always been a part of Rachelle's life. Since attending her first Broadway production, Rent!, with the original cast, Rachelle knew one day she would be on the stage too. Being an actor is something Rachelle has worked on and loved all her life and hopes to continue working as an actor forever. Rachelle is represented by Jackie Reid of LAU. Instagram @rachelle_leconte

Akilah Aisha Morris

Akilah Aisha Morris (Pink Princess) (Plant Hoe) is a native New Yorker from the “boogie-down” Bronx! As a teacher and artist, her mission is to touch lives through her work in theatre and education. She has appeared in numerous productions such as A Streetcar Named Desire (Blanche Dubois), The Wiz (Evilene), Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle/Dynamite), and Big Butt Girls, Hard Headed Women (Artist/Regina Brown/Mama Pearl), a one-woman show about women of color in the U.S. correctional system. She is excited to make her Manhattan Repertory Theatre debut!

Francesca Ravera

Francesca Ravera (Plant Hoe) is a N.Y.C. based, award-winning actress. Off-Broadway she has played the lead in Constellations by Nick Payne at Gene Frankel Theatre, Blackbird by David Harrower at the New Ohio Theater, Two Rooms by Lee Blessing at Access Theater, North of Providence, by Edward Allan Baker, and The Nina Variations, by Steven Dietz, at Chain Theatre. She also starred in two productions at Urban Stages Theatre: Espresso by Lucia Frangione, and The Way We Get By, by Neil LaBute. Francesca has starred in the feature film Ulysses: a Dark Odyssey, and she played the lead in Claire, a dramatic short film, for which she received ‘Best Actress’ awards from numerous festivals including Oniros Film Awards, Care Awards, Diamond Film Awards, Best Actor Awards festival, Milestone Worldwide Film Festival, Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque and Five Continents International Film Festival. She starred in several short films, including Creature of the Night directed by Kaya Tone; Osiris, a Sci-Fi directed by Tamara Hansen and Windows to Nowhere, another film by Tamara Hansen. She is currently a jury member for the New York Movies Awards and a proud member of NYC’s actors club The Lambs®. Upcoming: Big Feelings, a theatrical performance and immersive experience. www.francescaravera.com

Michael Rattley

Michael (Plant Hoe) is new to acting. He’s a retired school psychologist for the New Haven Ct. public school system. In the fall of 2022, Michael appeared in a local musical of “The Wizard of Oz”, as Uncle Henry and the Oz gatekeeper. He also played the judge in “Pure and Simple” (2022), a trailer on YouTube, and a teacher in “3 lil kids” (2022), a film currently in production. Michael is enrolled in acting classes at Broadway and Main, in East Haven, CT, taught by Carla Stockton. He is proud father of two Sons. This is Michael's first role in New York City.

Marie Wall

Marie Wall (Plant Hoe) is an actress based in New York’s Hudson Valley. She is absolutely thrilled to be working with Manhattan Repertory Theatre again in this fantastic production. Marie previously performed in Manhattan Rep’s "Stuck" (summer of 2022) as well as "Twisted" (Winter 2023). In addition to acting, Marie recently wrote and produced "Something Unknown", which was featured in The Strawberry Theater Festival. Other credits include directing "One Woman's Journey To Love", a musical written by and starring Humans of New York’s Detra Denise. Marie would like to thank Manhattan Repertory Theatre for this amazing opportunity. Marie would also like to thank her husband, her friends, family and her super snuggly cat Zeva for their never-ending support.

Teresa Salyer

Teresa Salyer (The River) is a life long resident of New Lebanon, Ohio. She is a mother of 2 daughters and a grandmother of 6 and a great grandmother of 4! She is a graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Teresa is a songwriter and has had her songs played on the radio in the U.S. and England, Ireland and Europe. She is a playwright and poet and musician.

Christina Soto

Christina Soto (Plant Hoe) is an award winning photographer/playwright/filmmaker whose work often focuses on women’s issues. She co-wrote and produced her feature film, Muneca, which premiered at the OLAFEST 2008, Orlando, Fla. She wrote Muneca the play which was produced by Manhattan Repertory Theatre in the Fall Play Festival 2009. Christina Soto’s new play, Plant Hoe, will premiere at Manhattan Repertory Theatre 4/2023. Thank you Ken Wolf for this opportunity of bringing Plant Hoe to life!

Ken Wolf

Ken Wolf is the Artistic Director of Manhattan Repertory Theatre and has directed over 100 plays. This past Fall, Ken directed POWERHOUSE by David Harms OFF-Broadway! He has also written over 20 plays, all of which were produced in NYC. Ken received crazy rave reviews for THE PEOPLE IN MY HIPS, and for DAD AND THE DOG co-starring with the amazing puppy Roma Pierro-Wolf. Ken hosts The Playwriting Podcast on Apple Podcasts which was voted the #1 Playwriting Podcast in the World. Thanks to Douglas Garrett Winston, Teresa Salyer, Christina Sota, all the amazing actors in this show and to my partner in life and Manhattan Rep, Jennnifer Pierro, and special kisses for our best pal in the world, Roma, the Wonder Dog!

Jennifer Pierro

JENNIFER PIERRO is an Italian American NYC based Actress/Voice-Over Artist/Writer/Director/Producer and a Proud member of AEA & SAG-AFTRA Unions. She studied acting at the prestigious HB Studio school in Greenwich Village NYC under the guidance of Broadway veteran Jeanne Kaplan. Her career includes both stage and screen. Some of her most recent favorite NYC lead theatre credits have been: OFF-BROADWAY: Powerhouse (Meena Cizinski) (A.R.T./ New York Theatres/Gural Theatre) where she received rave reviews! REGIONAL/NYC: The Eyes of Love (Annalisa Domenico), Stagestruck (Marissa), Men (Estelle), Past Perfect (Beth Lipton), The Match Game (Joann, Lois, Elsa, Marissa, Samantha, Hannah, Elaine, Peggy Sue, Leticia, Elsie) Conversations with Dog (Marissa) and more. She is also set to start rehearsing a new stage and film project. A new solo comedy show called Men. FILM CREDITS: SWITCH (she co-wrote) as Dr. Alex Owens. Switch is currently in the film festival circuit and has been selected in a number of festivals in the US and Internationally. Nominations include: Best Screenplay, Best Screenplay Short, Best Drama, Best Dramatic Short, and has won the BEST SHORT SHORT award at the NYLIFF festival. Her most recent screenplays OPPOSITES and SHIFT that she co-wrote and will act, direct and produce are currently in development. Jennifer is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Manhattan Repertory Theatre since 2005 where they have produced over 1,000 full-length plays and 6,000 short plays. www.manhattanrep.com She is also the Co-Founder of a production company called Girlfriend Style Productions. A production company that focuses on producing projects with a message in theatre, film and TV. www.girlfriendstyleproductions.com She is the Co-Author & voice of Roma in the multi-touch interactive children's book Roma’s New York City Adventures. Available now on Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/romas-new-york-city-adventures/id1548968413?ls=1 She resides in NYC with her partner in life and business Ken Wolf and is Mom to her fur child Roma. She is an avid cyclist, runner, athlete, marathon competitor, loves all things fitness, animal lover, foodie, photographer, loves spending time with family, friends & loves traveling the world (Italy being her favorite) and exploring different cultures. She was a NYC marathon finisher in 2022!