Meet The Cast of ALCHEMY

 

Nancie Seneca Barone (Rosie Crantz) Nancie would like to thank Moonlight Productions NYC for giving her a second chance doing what she loves to do—sing. “I used to sing at nursing homes until the pandemic and now I’m acting too, wow! Who would have thought I’d be doing that at 85! I even made a movie, wow!” This is Nancie’s fourth performance with the Acting Troupe. Besides singing, Nancie loves making afghans and doing crafts. Being a Grandma to an adorable and smart little boy is one of the joy’s in her life. Nancie is also proud of her two talented children, one who sings, acts and directs and the other writes and directs. Nancie would like to thank her husband Bob for putting up with her for forty-eight years.

 

Robert (Bob) Barone (Gill Stern) Bob was born and raised in Staten Island. He spent two years in the Army. He was employed with the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority for twenty years. Bob is a big Mets and Giants fan. He got into acting because of his wife, Nancie. He was dropping her off at the first rehearsal for last year's Acting Troupe show and went inside the building to get out of the cold. Before you knew it, he was signed up! This is Bob’s fourth show and he enjoys being with the cast and crew.

 

Diana G. Daniels (Harriet) Diana studied Art History at CCNY. She facilitated a Training Workshop at Wagner College for Performance Theatre, a collaboration between Wagner College and Syracuse University. She has taught song and dance to children at the Markham Gardens center for a performance at the Markham Day Celebration. As an Assistant Director to Kevin Bott, along with the members of the Sounds of Port Richmond Theatre Company, Diana helped create a unique and moving piece called, Everytime You See Me. She also performed in the piece to a sold out audience at the Staten Island Cultural Lounge in the St. George Ferry Terminal. Diana performed and helped create five original plays at the West Brighton Senior Center; two with Christine & Victoria before they became Moonlight Productions and three with Moonlight Productions, one of which was turned into a movie. She performed in three original plays and one film with Moonlight Productions at the Cassidy Coles Senior Center. Diana recently was an actor and Production Manager with Moonlight during the making of the original film, “Once More From the Top” at the Anderson Senior Center, as well as an actor with Moonlight in the original Play, “A Senior Self Portrait” at the JCC/Avis Center as well as the original film, “A Place for Us.” Diana is a member of Moonlight Productions NYC’s Senior Acting Troupe where she has performed in three original productions, The Star Catchers and All The World’s A Stage Murder Mystery and was Alice last year in the play “Alice.” Diana started painting after retiring, something she always wanted to do. Abstract and Mixed Media is what she is drawn to, but she has a great appreciation for all the Creative Arts. She has participated in three art shows and one competition. She won second place in an art competition sponsored by Wagner College. Right now Diana’s collage artwork is displayed in an Art Exhibition in Seattle, Washington. Diana is the recipient of the following awards: NYS Citation for Spirit and Unconditional Service to Community, Nation and Humanity presented by Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo Certificate of Recognition presented by Senator Andrew J. Lanza, The Moonlight Productions Cornerstone Award for Fierce Loyalty and Dedication and The Moonlight Productions Virginia Grady 2023 Legacy Award for Spirit and Grace in Theatre. Diana is a Teaching Artist with Moonlight Productions and a Board Member of Moonlight Productions NYC.

 

Khalia Daniels (Young Harriet) is soon to be six years old and in 1st Grade. It was clear–very early on that Khalia loved to sing, dance and act. Also, as a budding gymnast, she has performed for large crowds and really enjoys learning new routines. Khalia’s acting credits with Moonlight are Young Alice in Alice, as well as two original films “Once More From The Top” and “A Place for Us.”

 

Valerie DiBlasio (Ophelia) This is Valerie’s third performance with The Staten Island Senior Acting Troupe. Last year she played Bunny in “Alice.” Previously, Valerie performed at the JCC Illuminart Productions program, Senior Boomers Ensemble. She also performed in the original play, A Senior Self Portrait with Moonlight at the JCC/Avis center as well as the original film “A Place for Us.” Valerie enjoys writing–journaling and short stories. She also sketches and paints as a hobby. She has taken classes at CSI and with private groups. In 1991 Valerie was certified as a Wreck Diver but mainly enjoys scuba as a recreational diver.

 

Carol LoPorto (Claudia) Carol has acted in Brooklyn and Staten Island. A few of her favorite characters she has played are Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank and Julia Gibbs in Our Town. This is Carol’s fourth performance with the Moonlight Productions NYC Senior Acting Troupe. Last year she was Peter in Moonlight NYC’s adaptation of Peter Pan, “Peter.” Carol would like to thank all of her family and friends who have traveled with her during these acting adventures. Carol would also like to give a special thank you to _________!

 

Pat Healy (Dr. Harold Elsinore) Patrick has called Staten Island his home for more than 50 years. Together with his wife Frances, they raised three children; Brian, Deborah and Megan in the New Dorp Beach area. A lifelong lover of music, Patrick taught his children to appreciate various genres such as Southern Gospel, American Jazz Standards and 60’s hits. He also taught his daughter to appreciate classic Broadway Musicals like Oklahoma and Carousel. In the 1980’s and 1990’s Patrick participated in 

local church choir and even took part in a Christmas skit or two. He made his stage debut in Moonlight Productions NYC's All the World's a stage Murder Mystery. When not on stage, Pat enjoys spending time with his wife and family, volunteering and being a part of Common Ground Discipleship.

 

Holly Hong (Woman in White) This marks Holly’s first time performing on stage! Originally from Hong Kong, Holly came to the United States in 2001. Her father worked in the movie production industry, inspiring her lifelong love of the arts. She studied music and dance at LaGuardia Community College and Hunter College, blending creativity with discipline throughout her life. Since 2014, she has been a devoted member of the Praise Team at Staten Island Chinese Christian Church. In 2023, she began teaching Tai Chi at the New Dorp Beach Friendship Club, and she has also worked in the healthcare field. Holly joined the Senior Acting Troupe with Moonlight Productions NYC in March 2025, continuing to explore her passion for performance and artistic expression.

​

​

Grace Jack (Raye) Grace is a woman from a small island in the Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She now resides in Staten Island. Grace is one of the newest members of the Senior Acting Troupe, making her debut performance in Alchemy. 

Grace is also a writer and is in the process of publishing her first book for young readers. 

 

 

​

​

​​​Joseph Johnson (Rick York) loves acting, music and dancing. He worked with Moonlight Productions at The Cassidy Coles Center in the original production, So, This is Life where he was an actor, singer and dancer. He is a part of Moonlight’s Creative Arts classes at Cassidy Coles and The Todt Hill Friendship Club.  Joseph was an actor  in the films “Once More From the Top” and "A Place for Us" with the Moonlight team.  Joseph is excited to be a member of the Staten Island Senior Acting Troupe. He enjoys life and is excited to be involved in future shows and films. 

 

 

 

 

Margaret Ranieri (Trudy) Margaret has been a Real Estate Broker for over 40 years. She had never performed before she joined The Acting Troupe. Margaret was going through a difficult time in her life when she lost her husband who was the core of her world. Her friend Carol encouraged her to join the cast of All The World’s A Stage with the Moonlight Productions NYC Senior Acting Troupe, where she made her stage debut. She decided to stick around and last year performed as the character Tink in Moonlight NYC’s “Peter.” With the patience and guidance of the Moonlight team she found that she enjoys acting. Margaret is excited to perform in her third play and is grateful for the opportunity and hopes to be in many more plays!

 

Mona Valore (Polly) This is Mona’s fourth show with The Senior Acting Troupe. She was last seen as the Red Queen in Moonlight NYC’s “Alice.” Past credits for Mona include; Yankee Doodle Dandy, Awake & Sing, Odd Man Out, The Star Catchers and Murder Mayhem. She received her education at Kingsborough College. Mona is also an Improv instructor. She was also on CTV as a speaker for Books & Music in which she was the host and ToastMasters in the Community as a presenter. Mona is in the AARP Movie The Ballerina Who Got Her Slippers at 80. You can see her ballet performance if you Google her name. “I waited 53 years to do what I love!”

 

Meet The Cast of ARDEN GARDENS

 

John Adrian (Guru Jacques De Azure) has been active in theater since he was in the second grade. His class performed a Thanksgiving programme about the Mayflower Compact in which he pounded his fist on the table, and said, “We do not want a king!” In third grade he played Colonel Pratt in the operetta Little Gypsy Gay. After which he retired from the stage. In high school he was Sir Edward Ramsey in The King and I, Mr. Lundie in Brigadoon, and The Producer in a 1959 revision of Rogers and Hart’s Babes in Arms. In college he played King Pellinore in Camelot, and did a lot of technical work. After college he studied acting at The Studio Theater School in Buffalo and worked extensively with The Amherst Players, Williamsville Circle Theater, Niagara Falls Little Theater and 7-Ages Productions. Again, he retired from the stage. In 1976 he made his New York debut as Mr. Justice Delancy in The Case and Trial of John Peter Zenger by David Chambers, which toured Philadelphia and Washington. Again, Mr. Adrian retired from show business until the late 1980’s he began working with Staten Island Civic Theater (SICT), Seaview Playwrights Theater, The Staten Island Shakespearean Theater and other groups. He was nominated for a Reggie Award as best actor in a supporting role by The Staten Island Register for his performance as Charles Martin (the mailman) in SICT’s production of On Golden Pond. He also worked extensively in lighting, stage management, front of house management and box office. He was last seen as Hook in Moonlight NYC’s “Peter.” Through all of this Mr. Adrian supported himself working as a Bookkeeper and Office Manager in the private sector and for twenty-five years as a collector of delinquent taxes for New York State. “It’s nice to be working again.”

 

Diane Glass (Rose/Ross) is a retired compliance officer. She enjoys music and dance and is a long standing member of the Staten Island Ballroom Dancers. As a member and former President of The Saint Cecelia Society, she has been a soprano soloist for twelve years. She has also sung with the Staten Island Philharmonic. Diane was an actor with moonlight in the original film, “Once More From the Top” at The Anderson Senior Center back in the spring. Diane is enjoying her membership with the Moonlight Productions NYC Senior Acting Troupe and is happy to be back for a second year. Last year she was Wendy in Moonlight’s adaptation of Peter Pan, “Peter.”

 

James Grant (Sully) James has performed in two plays with Moonlight Productions at the Cassidy Coles Senior Center. He is excited to be performing in his third show with the Senior Acting Troupe. James was born in New York and grew up in foster homes. He overcame many hardships in that life in his childhood and teenage years. James is a lover of sports and a fan of the NY Mets, NY Jets, NY Giants and NY Rangers. He also enjoys music and hanging out with his friends. “God Bless America!”

 

Linda Gambardella (Mrs. Stone) Linda is excited to be acting in her third production with The Staten Island Senior Acting Troupe. She has been in two plays with Moonlight Productions at The Cassidy Coles Senior Center, So, This is Life and A Moonlight Morning–The Cassidy Coles Seniors Through the Years in which she sang Be My Baby by The Ronettes as a duet with her friend Lorraine. Linda loves music, especially the oldies. When she was little, she used to make believe that the nozzle from her garden hose was a microphone and she would perform. Linda used to work at the JCC on Manor Room in the Laundry Room washing, drying and folding the towels and putting them out for the members to use in the pool and fitness room. Linda enjoys being around people and is happy to be a part of this wonderful cast.

 

Rosalie Hancock (Cecily) is a Native of British Guiana, South America. She graduated with high honors from Guiana Trust High School, where she studied the Shakespearean classics among her core curriculum. A great lover of theatre, opera, ballet and classical music, never did she imagine herself being at the center of the dramatic arts. Always happy to help her daughter, Roxanne, shine in her modeling and acting career, it is now her time to be in a starring role. Her greatest joys these days is challenging herself and others through creative engagement. Rosalie was an actor with Moonlight in the original film, “Once More From the Top” at The Anderson Senior Center and made her stage debut last year as Mother Time in Moonlight’s Alice. She thanks Victoria and Christine for this exciting opportunity and looks forward to continuing to work with the Moonlight Productions NYC team!

 

Holly Hong (Phoebe) This marks Holly’s first time performing on stage! Originally from Hong Kong, Holly came to the United States in 2001. Since 2014, she has been a dedicated member of the Praise Team at Staten Island Chinese Christian Church. In 2023, she began teaching Tai Chi at the New Dorp Beach Friendship Club, sharing her passion for health and balance with others. In 2025, Holly joined the Senior Acting Troupe  with Moonlight Productions NYC, where she continues to explore her creativity and love of the arts.

 

Danny Venezia (Owen) Danny is stepping on stage for a third time with The Senior Acting Troupe. He was previously seen as Danny Century in the murder mystery, All The World’s A Stage and as Charles/Hat in Alice. He has had the opportunity to learn acting and improvisation in Moonlight Productions Creative Arts class at the Arrochar Friendship Club. He enjoys listening to many different kinds of music, especially country. He loves sports and was a competitive softball player all of his life. He was a pitcher and continued to play ball into his 80’s.