2022 SEASON SPONSORS

THE CAST

Sir Francis Varney
DANIEL R. WILLEY

Gino
BRIAN ELSER

Carla
EMILY REISE

Signora Bell
MISSY COWAN

Inspector Balsadella
JAMES GALARNEAU

Flora Bannerworth
DEBORAH GOODMAN

Miss Anderbury
AMBER-LYNN DUNPHY

Richard Dearborn
KILLIAN MEEHAN

Jenny
CAROLINE AHLMAN

Amelia
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ

Inez, the Gypsy Girl
TERESA MORAN

Lady Cynthia Holland
LIZ JAFFIN

SPECIAL THANKS

Sierra Ridge Media Arts
Kaso Dezine, LLC

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director
TIM PHILLIPS

Stage Manager
SHANELLE DUPRE

Deck Crew
ED BASSETT

Costumes
ED BASSETT & LORI POULIN

Props
KAREN WILLEY

Set Design
ED BASSETT

    Set Construction
ED BASSETT, TIM PHILLIPS &
AL HATHWAY

Set Painting & Decoration
TIM PHILLIPS, LORI POULIN & 
ED BASSETT
 
Lighting Design
AL HATHWAY

Sound Design
ED BASSETT 

Booth Pirates
TIM PHILLIPS &
​SHANELLE DUPRE
Executive Producer - Ed Bassett
Production Manager - Lori Poulin
Playbill/Website -
​Sharon W. Houk
Medical Advisor -
Marilyn Olsen, PA-C
​Volunteer Coordinator - 
​Laurie Phillips
Social Media Coordinator -
Agnes M. Dann
VARNEY THE VAMPIRE or the Feast of Blood is presented by arrangement 
with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

ACT I
Scene 1: The Haunted Grotto. Midnight.
Scene 2: The Inn. Shortly thereafter. 
Scene 3: The next morning.
Scene 4: The Haunted Grotto. Night.
Scene 5: The Inn. Later.
ACT II
Scene 1: The Inn. Next day.
Scene 2:  Evening.
Scene 3:  The Haunted Grotto
Scene 4:  Back at the Inn. Early morning.
 In 1900, weary vampire Sir Francis Varney shows up at an inn in Italy. He plans to visit a haunted grotto and ask forgiveness from a lost love whose ghost is doomed to roam the landscape. Varney forgets his mission and proceeds to snarl and snap at everyone in sight, especially an English damsel. Varney is shot, stabbed with a wooden stake, and hanged. Still, he survives! The action continues as Inspector Balsadella seeks answers for the strange goings on

WHO'S WHO

CAROLINE AHLMAN (Jenny Dearborne) returns to the Phoenix stage after appearing in THE REVOULTIONISTS as Charlotte Corday. Other stage credits include THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Logainne Schwartziandgrubenierre) with Warner Theatre PLAB, MOTHERHOOD (Joanne) with Warner Theater and THE CURIOUS SAVAGE (Ethel Savage) & SHE KILLS MONSTERS (Tilly Evans) both with Torrington High School. This is my first production at Phoenix Stage Company, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to tell this incredible story. All my love and thanks go to my wonderful parents, who inspire me to do what I love every day. A special shout out to the cast and crew of Varney the Vampire, in them I have found true camaraderie and endless laughs.
BRIAN ELSER (Gino) is a Phoenix regular (although he’s usually working in the dark backstage or in the booth) Stage credits include DRINKING HABITS 2, THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, FIREFLIES, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, MOON OVER BUFFALO, SPELLING BEE, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUKOO’S NEST, MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE, ANYBODY HOME, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, DRINKING HABITS, TWELFTH NIGHT and in several plays as part of our Annual One Act Play Festivals and the premiere of Murder At The Prop Table. I’d like to thank my loving wife, D’Arcy and my family for their
constant support. And a special thank you to my
Phoenix Phamily for letting me play on stage again.
LIZ JAFFIN (Lady Cynthia Holland) returns to the Phoenix Stage after appearing in
MURDER AT THE PROP TABLE as Lynn. Other stage credits include CALENDAR GIRLS
(Annie) and RUMORS (Cookie), both with CTAW. Many thanks to Tim Phillips for including me as a member of this awesome cast. Thank you, as always, to my family for supporting my many absences from the dinner table during rehearsals. So excited to be a part of this show!
EMILY REISER (Carla) is making her Phoenix Stage Company debut! Stage credits include OUTSIDERS (Marcia) with Whitney Players and ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Alice) with ECSU. I want to thank the cast and crew for welcoming me to my first show with Phoenix Stage Company. Also, thank you to my BB and roomies.
MISSY COWAN (Signora Bell) Makes her Phoenix Stage debut in this production. Stage credits include RUMORS (Chris), THE REAL PROBLEM (Juliet) and SHIVERING SANTA (Merry Mistletoe) with CTAW. SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS (Beatrice) and SAGA OF THE PROSPECTOR’S DAUGHTER (Miss Clydesdale) with Washington Dramatists. During this time of year, for the past four years, you could have found me in the dark of night in a cemetery (freezing my butt off) portraying a ghostly soul. This year I am grateful to be warm and toasty for a chance, with this indoctrination to PSC. This has been a fantastic experience working with this talented cast and crew. Thank you to Tim and Ed for casting me and thanks to my dog “the nut” for running lines with me.
JAMES GALARNEAU (Inspector Balsadella)
returns to PSC after appearing as Robin Hood in our production of SHERWOOD.  Other stage credits include Detective Starnes in PARADE and Jean Prouvaire/Ensemble in LES MISERABLES with Broad Brook Opera House, Laertes in HAMLET with Dionysus Theatre Company, Jud Fry in OKLAHOMA and David in
COMPANY with Little Theatre of Manchester and Mr. Milton Gatch in HOW TO SUCCEED with Manchester Musical Players. Special thank you to my parents, Bruce & Jody, for their endless support.
KILLIAN MEEHAN (Richard Dearborn) returns to the Phoenix Stage after POCKET SHAKESPEARE, THE REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER (Dreyfus) and SHERWOOD, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD! Past credits include Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with Connecticut Compass Theater Company, Romeo in R AND J CHOOSE YOUR OWN ENDING, Fabian/Cario in TWELFTH NIGHT and Wilbur in CHARLOTTE’S WEB with Valley
Shakespeare Festival, Blackstache in Peter and the Starcatcher with No Bounds Youth Theater, Mercutio in ROMEO & JULIET with Naugatuck Teen Theatre and Young Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL with Center Stage. Thank you to Phoenix Stage Company for the opportunity to do more theater here! Thank you to my mother and father for supporting me for all these years. Thank you to Dani for all your help with lines and your support! And thank you, dear reader, for coming to see the show!
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ (Amelia) most recently appeared in KILL ME, DEADLY, Stage credits include SHERWOOD; THEADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, FOOLS, JEKYLL & HYDE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, FEMALE TRANSPORT, MOON OVER BUFFALO AND ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST with Phoenix Stage Company after a long absence from
theater. Thank you to my family for always supporting me. A special thank you to my friends, old & new for being silly and putting up with me. Thank you to Carlos, I love you.
AMBER-LYNN DUNPHY (Miss Anderbury)
returns to the Phoenix stage, having appeared as the Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD and Stage Managing our production of DRINKING HABITS 2. Other stage credits include Abigail Adams in 1776 and directing a production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS for Thomaston Opera House. Special thanks to my mom, Jilly, Mimi and, of course Tim, Shanelle, and my dear Eddie. Finally. This and every performance is dedicated to my dad.
DEBORAH GOODMAN (Flora Bannerworth) Stage credits: OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB (Lil), BASKERVILLE (Beryl), MACBETH (Lady), THETHREE MUSKETEERS (Queen), RED VELVET CAKE WAR (Gaynel Verdeen Bodeen), ALMOST MAINE (Waitress, Gayle, Woman), LADY PARTS (Amanda, Rhonda, Chloe), NUNCRACKERS (Sister Mary Paul Amnesia), MASTER CLASS (Sophie DePalma), DEATH AND TAXES (Mattie Johansen), FARCE OF NATURE (Lola Barbosa), THE BUTLER DID IT (Laura Carlyle), A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE(Mrs. Patrick), JELLOFISH (Judy), SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH (Martha Armstrong) all at Phoenix Stage Company! Thank you to Tim, the cast and crew for a hilarious experience! Thank you to Sloan for being a good sport with all the rehearsals! Love you, Dan! Thank you to the audiences for supporting live theater!
TERESA MORAN (Inez, The Gypsy-Girl) is back on the Phoenix Stage after appearing in MAMA WON’T FLY.  Stage credits include: THE 39 STEPS and CLIFFHANGER with Clockwork Rep and RADIUM GIRLS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and RICHARD III with Shakespearience. From Naugatuck, when not on-stage Teresa can be found crocheting, reading, obsessing over her cat or traveling to Boston. Thank you, Tim, and Ed, for thinking of me. Inez has been my favorite role, ever.
DANIEL R. WILLEY (Sir Francis Varney) Stage credits: KILL ME, DEADLYDEAD RINGER, THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, BASKERVILLE, REBEL YELLS, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, TWELFTH NIGHT, DIAL M FOR MURDER, A BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES, IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE … and more here at Phoenix Stage Company.  BUG, AVOW and EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL at The Warner Theater, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at New Milford Theatre Works, and Ridgefield Theatre Barn’s production of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. Thank you to my family and friends for your “undying” support. Love you Debbie … forever!

BEHIND THE SCENES

TIM PHILLIPS (Director) – most recently
appeared in KILL ME, DEADLY and he has
appeared on stage and backstage in over two dozen Phoenix productions.
Favorite roles include Henry Lowenthal in
CLIFFHANGER; Dr. Benjamin Franklin in 1776, and Man in Chair in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. During the pandemic, Tim co-hosted the live
podcast, “Take Flight Live with Phoenix Stage Company” with Ed Bassett. Special thanks, as always, to Laurie and Dash for putting up with my craziness. Thanks also to my amazing cast who went along for the ride. To my family (Jen, Fran, & Stephen) who keep me laughing. And especially, thanks to my personal comedy heroes who influenced my comical direction - Stan Freberg, Mel Brooks, George Carlin, and Ed Bassett.  I hope this show makes tickles your Halloween funny bone!
Shanelle Dupre (Stage Manager) was most recently seen on stage in our production of DRINKING HABITS 2.  Stage credits include TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Mrs. Dubose), THE MIRACLE WORKER (Viney) and A CHRISTMAS STORY (ensemble) with Landmark Community Theater. Thank you to the cast for all the laughs and hard work. It has been a joy to work with each of you. A very big thank you to Tim for taking me on this wild ride, and for being a great leader and friend. Enjoy the show!