2025 SEASON SPONSORS

THE CAST

Rocky 
ROB RICHNAVSKY
 
Dawson 
TONY BENEDETTI
 
Margy 
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ
 
Agnes
JAMIE GOODNER-BINGHAM
 
First Man / Jones 
NATHAN SPENCER
 
Lt. Gregg 
DANIEL R. WILLEY
 
Sailor Dan 
TIM PHILLIPS
 
Clara Stanton
FIOR RODRGIUEZ
 
Jimmy
STEPHEN WALTERS
 
Robert Stanton
JONATHAN ROSS
 
Policeman 
TIM PHILLIPS

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director
ED BASSETT

Script Adaptation
JOHN LONG
 
Stage Manager
LORI POULIN
 
Fight Director 
ROB RICHNAVSKY
 
Costumes 
ED BASSETT & LORI POULIN 
 
Props
TIM PHILLIPS, JOHN POULIN & LORI POULIN
 
Deck Captain 
TIM PHILLIPS

Running Crew
TONY BENEDETTI & NATE SPENCER
 
Set Construction Crew
TIM PHILLIPS, JOHN POULIN, JONATHAN ROSS
 
Painting Crew
JONATHAN ROSS & LORI POULIN      
 
Lighting Design
ED BASSETT
 
Sound & Video Design
ED BASSETT 

SPECIAL THANKS

​Cameo Photo Video
Black Hog Brewing
Kaso Dezine, LLC
Shanelle Dupree
Karen & Dana Willey
​

PHOENIX STAGE COMPANY

Production Manager -
​Lori Poulin
Volunteer Coordinator - 
Jeannie Martin
Photographer -
Paula Murphy Meehan
Videography - 
Jeffrey Barber Schlichter
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Ed Bassett
Agnes M.Dann 
​​Sharon W.Houk

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 
Lori Poulin (Chair)
Tim Phillips (Vice-Chair)
Al Hathway
Michael P.M.Calabrese
Laurie Phillips
Laura Sturges-Cortez

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025
​GIVE LOCAL DONORS!

Mary-Ellen Yezek
Helen Adams & Larry Bolduc
Laurie Phillips
Anonymous
John Cummings
Tim Cleary
Chrissy Flynn
Amber Lynn Dunphy
Don & Kathy Carten
Ann & Michael Feinberg
Diane & Don Smith
Ed Bassett
Linda Acton 
in honor of Marilyn Lopez
Nancy Sasso-Janis
in honor of Prof. Ruth M. Sasso
Chris & Theresa Guertin
Maurice Steinber
Gretchen Zeigler
Marilyn Plaskiewicz
Cryan Family
Bonita Mazzaferro
Jeanne Martin
Beth Steinberg
Kathy Jones
Karen Streeter
Colleen Renzullo
 in honor of Moe
Virginia Way
Lynda Mazzaferro
Carlos MacRican
Lori Richnavsky
Barbie Bassett
Siephen W.
Aric & Michael Calabrese
Michael Cassidy
 in honor of Joe Cassidy Sr.
Jocelyn Miller 
in honor of Ed Bassett & Tim Phillips
Laura Cortez
Anonymous
in honor of Jeff Savage, Jane Coughlin, Mike Ritts & Donna Storms
Sarah Hinson
Teem0
Tori Richnavsky
Rob Richnavsky
Cynthis Tremaglio
Anonymous
Shanelle Dupre
Roland & Donna Perreault
Jonathan & KC Ross
Jonathan Jacobsen
J. Michael Elser
Karen Willey
Anonymous
Edwina Simmons
Deborah Forish
Jen & Fran Vincent
Nancy Dugbartey
Michael Accuosti
Diane Ploch 
in honor of Ed Bassett
Mary Ann Boulanger 
​in honor of Val Vitalo
Mary Chiappalone
Mark Yuabov
Jim Hilby
 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Originally produced in 1926, Sex is famous for being the play that landed 20s starlet Mae West in prison.  

Written by, and starring, West herself, the original Broadway run of the show was shut down for obscenity, and West spent 10 days in jail because of it. 

Sex tells the story of Margy Lamont, a successful sex worker in Montreal’s red-light district. As she makes her way through the world, she makes it clear that her story is not that of a damsel in distress, but rather that of a woman looking to take control of her own life.

WHO'S WHO

TONY BENEDETTI (Dawson) is excited to be back at Phoenix Stage Company! He was last seen (or heard) here as Marty in THE SMELL OF THE KILL. Recently, he appeared in a staged reading of EBBIE SCROOGE at the Oxford Grange. Other recent roles include part of the ensemble in THE PRODUCERS, James Cagney in SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD, and Jason in SWEAT, all with Brookfield Theatre. He also appeared as Lendall/Pete in ALMOST MAINE with Orange Players and SERIAL KILLER OF ELSINORE, part of "Acting Up," Orange Players' annual one act festival. You might also remember Tony as Marty in IF THE SHOE FITS here at PSC. I would like to thank my friends and family for all their support.
​JAMIE GODNER-BINGHAM* (Agnes) is honored to join this wonderful cast for her first performance with the Phoenix Stage Company! Jamie made her acting debut earlier this year as Isla in DON JUAN with Pa'lante Theater. Jamie would like to extend a special thank you to Ed, Lori, and the entire Phoenix family for the incredibly warm welcome and for the opportunity to be part of this exciting production. A special thank you also goes out to her two wonderful children, Lindsey, Em, and everyone who has helped support and encourage this new endeavor. 
TIM PHILLIPS (Policeman, etc.) - Tim is happy to return to the stage after working behind the scenes in his last two PSC productions. Tim last appeared on stage in last year's production of SUITE SURRENDER (Bernard Dunlap). Other notable roles at Phoenix include Kooch in JELLOFISH, Henry Lowenthal in CLIFFHANGER, and Friar Tuck in SHERWOOD - THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. Tim is gratified to be working with Ed & Lori one more time, sharing the stage with his grandson, and the rest of this very talented cast. As always, Tim thanks his wife of 38 years, Laurie, for putting up with this hobby, and apologizes to their cats, Dash and Oliver, for his absence, resulting in a lack of belly rubs and treats (for the cats, not Laurie...).
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ (Margy) returns after appearing in THE SMELL OF THE KILL. Stage credits include; DECK THE HALLS!, POCKET SHAKESPEARE, IF THE SHOE FITS, KILL ME DEADLY, SHERWOOD; THE ADVENTURES 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 and new friends for all the laughter and support! And thank you to my husband Carlos and all my pets for all the love.
​ROB RICHNAVSKY – (Rocky / Fight Choreographer) While Rob is thrilled to return to the Phoenix stage, he is also way too forgetful to write his own bio, so his beautiful, charming, smart wife is doing it for him. Rob is happy to trod the boards once more with a very talented cast and crew (including aforementioned wife).  A few favorite past shows include COPS, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD and SHERWOOD (at least those are some that he didn't complain about too much to his wife while he was in rehearsal).  He would like to thank his incredible daughter and amazingly funny wife for all the joy they bring him. 
FIOR RODRIGUEZ* (Clara Stanton) is thrilled to make her Phoenix Stage Company debut! Notable credits include Melosa in the world premiere and subsequent CT tour of CALLING PUERTO RICO, with Pa’Lante Theater Company, and Michelle in the world premiere of THE WEDDING BINDER, by Jacques Lamarre at Seven Angels Theater. When not acting, Fior fills her time by painting. You can follow Fior on Instagram (@omgfior) and view her work/stay up to date on upcoming shows on her website: FiorRodriguez.com. A special thank you to Phoenix Stage Company for making this such a fun experience, and to Mae West, for being so incredibly powerful and ahead of her time
​JONATHAN ROSS (Robert Stanton) was part of the first Phoenix Stage Co. production, playing Decker in BLEACHER BUMS. Other roles with Phoenix include the Sheriff of Nottingham in SHERWOOD, Owen Musser in THE FOREIGNER, Sherlock Holmes in BASKERVILLE, Gene Czerwicki in COPS, Judge Turpin in SWEENEY TODD, and a flamboyant real estate agent, an overbearing father at breakfast, an architect with his own agenda, a seven year old trying to “hold it”, a handyman under the table with a client, a man having an affair caught by his lover’s son, and an elderly man making plans for his own funeral in THE DINING ROOM. Earlier this year, Jonathan worked behind the scenes directing Phoenix Stage Co.'s production of THE SMELL OF THE KILL.
NATHAN SPENCER (First Man, Jones, Crew) was recently on stage here at PSC in BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW. Other theater experience includes LES MISERABLES, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and LEGALLY BLONDE, with BHS where he worked crew. Thanks to my friends and family – everyone who makes the drive out to see our shows and supports me and Phoenix Stage Company
​STEPHEN WALTERS (Jimmy) returns to the stage after at Phoenix Stage Company in THE SMELL OPF THE KILL and in DECK THE HALLS as Asher and Elf. Past stage experience includes RENT (Squeegee Man), BACK TO THE 80’S (Corey Palmer, Sr.) and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Dentist) all with QRMHS. Thank you to my family and friends who still believe that I can talk in front of people, and to my LARP family, I hope you enjoy seeing me not in character. Hope you enjoy! 
​DANIEL R. WILLEY (Lt. Gregg) Stage credits: VARNEY, THE VAMPIRE, 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 … can’t wait to marry you! 
* Phoenix Stage Company Debut

BEHIND THE SCENES

ED BASSETT (Director) is a founding member of the Phoenix Stage Company. Performance credits include IF THE SHOE FITS, FIREFLIES, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, THE FOREIGNER, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, and a few others with PSC. Directing and Costume Design credits; RUMORS (Director), THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL (Director), GODSPELL (Director), FARNDALE AVE CHRISTMAS CAROL (Director). THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN (Director) SHERWOOD (Director), CLIFFHANGER (Director), BASKERVILLE (Director), and REBEL YELLS (Director). Thank you to this AMAZING cast! Thanks to Lori for being the best cat wrangler on this side of the Mississippi, to Tim & Laurie for having my back and to Agnes for the CRAZY ride.
LORI POULIN (Stage Manager) is the Phoenix Stage Company Production Manager. PSC credits include Stage Managing for EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE and more. Director of FARCE OF HABIT, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, MOON OVER BUFFALO, FARCE OF NATURE, JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL and appearing on stage in CAYUGA CANAL GIRLS, DEATH & TAXES, KILL ME DEADLY, DARK AND STORMY NIGHT and LADY PARTS. Other credits include Costume Designer for THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, GODSPELL, IT’S ONLY A PLAY and ELF, THE MUSICAL at Landmark Community Theater. Lori is Costume designer for Landmark’s upcoming production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Many thanks to Ed and this talented cast & Crew for all your dedication on this production. As always, thank you to JP for his continued support of me and our theater family. Always remember to float with the tide.​