Program for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

The Hermitage & First Flight Theatre Company Present

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

Adapted for the stage by

Lori Allen Ohm

From the George Romero/John Russo Classic Film

Directed by Linda Wielkotz

Stage Manager – Ari Spence

Sound Effects by Ben Masterton

Videos by Craig Wielkotz

Sound and Videos operated by Frank Farrell

Saturday, October 25, 2025

At the Hermitage, 335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

Produced by special arrangement with

THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

The play takes place in Butler County, Pennsylvania, 1968

PRINCIPAL CAST

Ben…..John Minus

Johnny…..Andy Sina

Barbara…..Daniela Cervetti

Harry…..John Jesse Jeffords

Helen…..Kalliopy Paleos

Karen…..Ria Parikh

Tom…..Scott Guzzo

Judy…..Maria Russell

Body, Deputy…..Ferdinand Alvaro

Chief McClellan…..Jack Pignatello

Radio Newscaster.....Frank Farrell

Dr. Grimes in TV Newscast.....Greg Northam

Reporter in TV Newscast.....Richard Dwyer

Bill Bardough in TV Newscast.....Arthur Carlson

Zombies

Martin Pfefferkorn

Richard Dwyer

Joanna Sigurdsson

Laura Ward

Patty Zevallos

Rebecca Orlowicz Bellin

Susie Bellin

Ruth Orlowicz

WHO’S WHO IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

FERDINAND ALVARO (Body, Deputy) has been involved in theatre arts since the age of 5, serving in every capacity possible, from lead actor to the popcorn seller. He serves as a board member for Teaneck New Theater and has worked with many well-known and respected theatre companies all throughout Bergen County, including Apricot Sky Theater, Studio Platers, Nutley Little Theater, and more. Prior acting credits include Joseph (Dreamcoat), Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors), Trekkie Monster (Avenue Q), Pseudolus (Forum), Lord Farquaad (Shrek the Musical), Motel (Fiddler on the Roof), Max Prince (Laughter on the 23rd Floor), and too many more to name. Prior directing credits include Frog and Toad: A Musical, countless talent shows and cabarets, and his writing credits include Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus (nominee for Best Original Play, 2023 NYACT Perry Awards), Good Morning, Mr. Wilson, Rally Da Boys! and Marriage: A One Act. Thank you to the countless people in my life who believe in me and have trusted me to work with the most important resource we have, our children. Thank you, Amanda, for your patience and love. Chubs and a kitty, you are my world.

REBECCA ORLOWICZ BELLIN (Zombie) is a big fan of all things zombie and is happy come back from the dead for this show!

SUSIE BELLEN (Zombie) is an eighth grader with a passion for all things creative. She loves performing, writing, drawing, crochet and animation. Never shying from the spotlight, Susie shines brightest when sharing her talents with others. Want a crochet rainbow frog? She’s your girl! She is very grateful for the unwavering support of her family and friends, who have attended every one of her performances over the years.

ARTHUR CARLSON (Bill Bardough in TV Newscast) 

DANIELA CERVETTI (Barbara) Born in Chicago and raised in Cliffside Park, NJ, Daniela started dabbling in drama and musical theatre at age 10. In recent years, she has appeared in the ongoing sketch comedy show A Sketch of New York, played a lead role in the indie film Tender Kisses, which was featured in the Newark International Film Festival & Chain Film Festival, and wrote & produced her first full-length stage play Betty & Bogie, which premiered in NY Winterfest 2019; She cast, directed and played the co-lead in this production, also serving as its sound and set designer. Daniela has studied independently at The Barrow Group and is currently taking classes at Stella Adler Studios. 

RICHARD DWYER (Reporter in TV Newscast & Zombie) has performed in a wide variety of roles during his career and is the TV News Anchor in Night of the Living Dead. Dwyer has given life to characters ranging from law enforcement to a mobster, a psychiatric patient and a counselor; Lurch, The Addams Family, an elf (yes, a 6’7” elf), a not so pretty stepsister; a pig and a Big Dog. Some of his favorite roles are The Creature, Frankenstein; Riff Raff, The Rocky Horror Show; Ghost of Christmas Present, A Christmas Carol; and The Mikado, The Town of Titipu. Dwyer is a public address announcer for special events, parades and athletic competitions who once had the privilege of announcing in Yankee Stadium.

FRANK FARRELL (Sound and Video Operator, Radio Newscaster & Artistic Director of the First Flight Theatre Company) This past August Frank directed Little Jewel in NYC. In 2024 he produced and directed Tongs and Bones Shakespeare in NYC and Little Women, Poe: An Evening of Mystery and the Macabre and Dickens Presents A Christmas Carol for the Hermitage in New Jersey. In New York City he produced Hamlet on the Run at the Tank Theater and co-produced and directed Walt Kelly’s Songs of the Pogo as part of the New York City Fringe Festival. In 2023 he produced and directed Shakespeare’s Ladies at Tea and Shakespeare’s Deaths as part of the Little Shakespeare Festival in NYC. He was an actor in Chicago for 40 years receiving four Joseph Jefferson acting nominations and returned to NYC and New Jersey in 2016. While in Chicago he directed and produced plays for the Free Shakespeare Theatre Company, Temporary Theatre, Shakespeare’s Herd, Steppenwolf Theater, Raven Theatre, Equity Library Theater Chicago, the North Lakeside Players, Citadel Theater, and Theatre-Hikes. Frank has formed seven theater companies including the Free Shakespeare Theatre Company (Chicago’s first year-round Shakespeare theatre company), Theatre-Hikes, the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company in Grand Haven, Michigan and in 2019 the First Flight Theatre Company. For FFTC he directed and produced 2022’s production of Maxwell Anderson’s play Valley Forge.  Frank has published six plays by Anderson from the 1920s: What Price Glory, First Flight, The Buccaneer, Outside Looking In, Gods of the Lightning and Sea-Wife all available at Amazon.com.

SCOTT GUZZO (Tom) is new to First Flight, but not to acting. A devoted thespian and unabashed horror nut for most of his life, he is proud to take part in a story that tells more than even its creators intended. A Jersey arts participant of 23 years (and Haunter for roughly 3) he's always happy to work with old friends and newer talents. Recent credits include King Lear, Dracula, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, and Hamlet. Much love to family, friends, cast and crew. And thank You for coming. We hope to give you a Night to remember in all the best ways.

JOHN JESSE JEFFORDS (Harry) This is his first show with First Flight Theatre Company and he's excited to be part of the show! John has previously been in several WHATCo productions such as Puffs, And Then There Were None, Disaster!, Twelfth Night, Class of 05' a Killer Reunion, and The Tempest as well as featuring in Pixie Dust Players' Into the Woods. Aside from performing in...why are you still reading this! Don't you hear them coming?! They're going to break through any minute and we need to get down in the cellar now!!!

BEN MASTERTON (Sound Effects) has composed and arranged music for dozens of Shakespeare productions in Chicago with the Shakespeare Festival of Chicago, Free Shakespeare, and Body Politic, including Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Winter's Tale, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Twelfth Night, Merchant of Venice and All's Well That Ends Well. Other favorite productions include The Lennon Play, Dagon, The Lorenzaccio Story, A Dorothy Parker Revue, Dear Brutus, The Songs of the Pogo Podcast (with Frank Farrell), The Imaginary Invalid, The Successful Life of 3, The Snow Queen, The Crucible and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Raven Theater), Three Sisters (Commons Theater), and The Enchanted (Chicago Waldorf School). Ben has written over a hundred songs and currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.

JOHN MINAS (Ben) is best known for his voice after playing the role of Narrator in Offbook Productions' The Laramie Project and The Voice in Nutley Little Theater's production of The Cake. This is his first leading role.

GREG NORTHAM (Dr. Grimes in TV Newscast) is thrilled to be a part of the staging of one of his favorite horror movies. Theater credits: Last Rites, 12 Angry Jurors, Of Mice and Men, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Little Foxes, The Diary of Anne Frank, Rumors (winner Best Supporting Actor Award), Clark Gable Slept Here, Lend Me a Tenor, Born Yesterday, Morning's at Seven, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Equus. Film/television: Your Friends, Neighbors, Zero Day, Extrapoliations, And Just Like That.

RUTH ORLOWICZ (Zombie) is a big fan of all things zombie and is happy come back from the dead for this show!

KALLIOPY PALEOS (Helen) is honored and thrilled to join this talented cast. Prior performances include Theseus in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Aunt ToniAnn in “My Big Gay Italian Wedding” and “Honey” for Old Library Theatre, as well as Lucille in “Gemini” and Louisa in “A Moveable Feast” for Nutley Little Theatre. Prior theater studies include Improvisation at NJSDA as well as workshops with Arcanthea, a troupe in Montpelier, France.

RIA PARIKH (Karen) is in 8th grade, and she has studied acting at the Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting. She appeared as a background actor in the series Mama's Boy and the film Lazarus.  Ria has done monologues in the production of In Your Dreams at Maplewood Strollers NJ. 

JACK PIGNATELLO (Chief McClennan) Previously, Jack has appeared as Mr Martini in It’s a Wonderful Life, Walter Gifford in The Farnsworth Invention, Drunk Santa in Miracle on 34^thSt, and Ebenezer Scrooge in A Suessical Christmas Carol at Studio Playhouse; Stanley in Last Known Address at Apricot Sky Productions, Emperor Joseph in Amadeus at OLT; Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life at Brundage Park Playhouse; Marvin Michaels in California Suite at TLC in Clifton; Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace at TLC; Franz Liebkin, the rollicking Nazi pigeon keeper/playwright in The Producers; and Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple. Jack also hosts radio shows on WFDU fm, 89.1; Road Trip Radio, featuring classic rock and oldies on Wednesdays from 1-4, and Let’s Get Lost, featuring The American Songbook on Sundays from 9am-11am.

MARTIN PFEFFERKORN (Zombie) is a “professional” Zombie, helping promote The Walking Dead Seas 1 & 3 & numerous other projects including Haunted Houses thruout the Tri-State. He was last seen HERE, as Scrooge in Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carollast Dec. He is on an over 35+ yr & counting career in TV, Film, Theatre, Music Videos, Videogames etc. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA & can be seen in ALMOST anything that shoots in the Tri-State area. He resides in Clifton, where he studied with & is still connected to, ATC Studios; being an original alumni of the school. He is a sometime member of WWOW, which recreates old-tyme radio shows (Live & virtually); having portrayed “The Host”, for a number of ‘Inner Sanctum’ epsds. Other virtual groups include: No Epilogue Prods (Dracula, Hamlet, The Tempest, Night of the Meek, & A Christmas Carol), San Fran based Drama w/Friends, Incarn Live Virtual Theater & PAGES, the NYC based, weekly virtual playwright workshop he Co-runs. Many thanks to Linda for letting him take part in a LIVE version of a classic, by being the Living Dead. (& letting his friend “Ken” come along)

MARIA RUSSELL (Judy) is delighted to be performing in Night of the Living Dead at The Hermitage.  Maria's recent performances include her role as Brigitte Valentine in the murder mystery dinner Girls Night Out with the Theater League of Clifton, the role of The Woman in Death of a Salesman with Seaview Playwright Theater Group, and two seasons as Magenta in The Rocky Horror Picture Show with The Midnight Misfits. She has always shown great passion for the arts, from painting to wood burning, and has even been given creative freedom to design the artwork on the windows of her day job. Maria would like to thank her friends and coworkers for all of their love and support over the past three years.  She is thrilled to work with such a talented group of actors, and is looking forward to future performances!

JOANNA SIGURDSSON (Zombie) has performed in musicals with Bergen County Players, Old Library Theater and The Theater League of Clifton. With roles such as the Golden Goose in Jack and the Beanstalk, the Queen Bee in Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure and a Mermaid in A Tribute to Carol Burnett, Joanna loves to explore character/creature development through movement and comedy. She is interested in culture and philosophy and enjoys road tripping with her darling husband and spending time with friends and family. She'd like to thank Linda Wielkotz and the cast and crew for giving her this fun opportunity to play a zombie. Happy Halloween, BOO!

ANDY SINA (Johnny) is thrilled to be making his debut with First Flight Theater—and even more excited that it’s a horror production! A native of Fair Lawn, NJ, Andy has previously performed in two Off-Broadway productions with Roundtable Theater Company, including portraying Sid Vicious in The Chelsea Hotel and taking on the lead role of Juror #4 in 12 Angry Jurors. Before the pandemic, he was an active stand-up comedian, performing throughout the tri-state area and even opening for Creed Bratton from the hit TV series The Office. Recent stage credits include portraying Tommy in The Shawshank Redemption and appearing in a one-act play for Apricot Sky Theater’s 25th Anniversary Showcase. While Andy continues to pursue his passion for acting, he also takes pride in his full-time career as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service.

ARI SPENCE (Stage Manager) is thrilled to a part of First Flight for their production of Night of the Living Dead! Ari recently stage managed The Miracle Bean and the Chocolate Machine for its inaugural production at Harvest Moon Farm. Ari has worked behind the scenes for VICE Media, on indie film sets, and assisted with the production and development of The Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum, wearing various hats for Museum operations and event. Before finding her way behind the scenes, Ari started performing 10 years ago, playing roles such as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Maria in Twelfth Night, Pistol in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and indie/student films. Ari's spooky self can be seen on build boards and merchandise for Dead Man's Farm in Tennessee. Ari has spent time on the road, performing and working in Sleepy Hollow, Mohonk Mountainhouse, Woodstock, Bethelwoods, and greater New York area. 

LAURA WARD (Zombie) The last time Laura Ward was on stage, she had a brief but memorable cameo slitting someone’s throat as Bloody Mary in the Players Guild Halloween Immersive. (Note: add “fake weapons and blood” to that famous saying about not sharing the stage with animals and kids!) Nevertheless, it was so much fun playing dead that when the chance to play a zombie emerged, she lunged at it. As for portraying actual living humans, her favorite roles at the Guild include Cora in Calendar Girls, the Bluebird (twice) in Helene Marshall’s original play Buckets and Buckets of Tears and various other creatures in other children’s shows. (This is the part where the actor would say what they do to make an honest buck, but being out of work for two years, all Laura can say is “if you know anyone looking for a fantastic marketing project manager, look no further.”) When not looking for jobs, Laura keeps busy by playing guitar, bass, a bit of keys and singing some back-up in an adult group at The School of Rock in Maywood. Let the face melting commence!

PATTY ZEVALLOS (Zombie) This is Patty's acting debut!

LINDA WIELKOTZ (Director) is very happy to be directing for First Flight and at the Hermitage.  Linda has been involved in NY/NJ theatre for over 50 years in all capacities.  She is a big fan of the "Living Dead" saga's and happy to bring this version to the stage.   

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FIRST FLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY is a not-for-profit company founded by Frank Farrell and a group of actors in 2018 and is devoted to presenting the plays of 20th century American playwright Maxwell Anderson as well as other playwrights who instill poetry in their writing. The company has performed live staged readings of Anderson’s plays in New Jersey, New York City and Chicago including Valley Forge, Elizabeth the Queen, Mary of Scotland, Sea-Wife, The Masque of Queens, White Desert, The Eve of St. Mark and Saturday’s Children. During the recent pandemic, First Flight presented play readings on Zoom for the public featuring actors from all over the United States and England. Productions streamed included Maxwell Anderson’s one-act plays The Feast of Ortolans, Second Overture, The Miracle of the Danube and Letter to Jackie. Also streamed were A Vampire Kiss in the Plague of 1666 written by James Fitzmaurice, which went on to win many awards on the film festival circuit; Salvador, a play about Salvador Dalí by Richard Young, another film festival winner; and a streaming version of Anderson’s first Broadway production White Desert. Post pandemic the company presented at The Hermitage in New Jersey outdoor productions of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Maxwell Anderson’s Valley Forge and a third reprise (indoors) of Dickens by Candlelight: A Christmas Carol. On Earth Day in 2023 the First Flight Theatre Company presented streaming performances of In the Garden of Live Flowers, a play about Rachel Carson, which went on to be a winner at the Green Academy Award Film Festival. Other productions in 2023 included Little Women at The Hermitage, the double bill Shakespeare’s Ladies at Tea and Shakespeare’s Deaths as part of FRIGID’s Little Shakespeare Festival in NYC, staged readings of Anderson’s Saturday’s Children in New York City and Chicago, staged readings of Maxwell Anderson’s White Desert, What Price Glory and Sea-Wife at New York City public libraries, the one-woman play Mina based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the Hermitage and at the Under St. Marks Theater in NYC and in December, Dickens by Candlelight: A Christmas Carol at the Hermitage. First Flight has re-published six plays from the 1920s by Maxwell Anderson: What Price Glory, First Flight, The Buccaneer, Outside Looking In, Gods of the Lightning and Sea-Wife; all available at Amazon.com.

 Richard Width, Zander Kirby and Karen Eterovich as they appeared in the First Flight Theatre Company’s outdoor production at The Hermitage of Maxwell Anderson’s play Valley Forge in 2022

is devoted to presenting the plays of 20th century American playwright Maxwell Anderson as well as other playwrights who instill poetry in their writing.

For more about First Flight visit www.firstflighttheatreco.com

Email: firstflight2018@gmail.com

OUR 2025 DONORS: Pamela Coombe, Frank Farrell, Kathryn Schmidt, John Lange, Debbie Ruzicka, Amy Sunshine, Jay Green, Marilyn Green, Angela Lomangino, Joyce Porter, Julia Maish, Marla Weeg and Thomas Tresser.

The Friends of the Hermitage, Inc., in Ho-Ho-Kus, Bergen County, New Jersey, was organized in 1972 as a 501(c)(3) corporation to preserve and restore The Hermitage and provide programming at the site. The Friends manages the property as an historic house museum under a lease agreement with the State of New Jersey. Over the course of its forty-five-year history, the Friends has grown from a small, fledgling group working to save The Hermitage to a broad-based educational organization working to become a center for history education. The Hermitage is a National Historic Monument.

SPECIAL THANKS: Andrea Kircher, Christine Blaylock and Julie Zier at The Hermitage, the parents of actor Ria Parikh, Fair Lawn Recreation Dept, Julia Sharp, and Nutley Little Theatre.

First Flight Theatre Company © 2025