2025 SEASON SPONSORS

THE CAST

Melody
CAROLINE LUCY AHLMAN

Craig
BENJAMIN DRESSEL

Hope
CHRISSY FLYNN

Brad
NATHAN SPENCER

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director
COLLEEN RENZULLO

Stage Manager
TIM PHILLIPS

Props Master
TIM PHILLIPS

Set Design
COLLEEN RENZULLO

Set Crew
TIM PHILLIPS, ED BASSETT
         
Lighting Design 
ED BASSETT

Lighting Engineer
ED BASSETT

Sound  Design
ED BASSETT

SPECIAL THANKS

​Cameo Photo Video
Black Hog Brewing
​

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

Young wife Melody has never been to a funeral – until her husband dies in a plane crash. 

Expected to instantly assume proper widowhood, Melody is left to wonder, what’s the right way to grieve? Fortunately, her mother-in-law is a professional. Widow, that is. Under her guidance, Melody must try her best to be a good little widow.

WHO'S WHO

CAROLINE LUCY AHLMAN (Melody) returns to the Phoenix after appearing in last year’s Pocket Shakespeare production of TWELFTH NIGHT.  Past stage credits include THE REVOLUTIONISTS (Charlotte Corday) with Phoenix Stage Company, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre) with Warner Theatre PLAB and DRACULA (Van Helsing) with the Warner Stage Company.  All my love to my parents for their endless enthusiasm and encouragement (Special shoutout to my father for coming to every single performance since I was 9) and a huge thank you to my PSC family for welcoming me so warmly from the beginning and for making this place feel like home. ​
BENJAMIN DRESSEL (Craig) returns to the Phoenix stage after appearing with THE BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS. Other stage roles include Javert in LES MISERABLES and Jude in LET IT BE with Landmark Community Theater, Birdie in BYE BYE BIRDIE with Seven Angels and Dr. Rank in DOLL HOUSE with Fairfield University. A special thank you to this terrific cast and production team, as well as my wonderful family for their constant support
CHRISSY FLYNN (Hope) is thrilled to return to the Phoenix Stage to play this poignant role. Chrissy had the pleasure of playing Athena Sinclair in last year’s production of SUITE SURRENDER. When not volunteering behind the concession stand at Phoenix, Chrissy has also appeared in other productions. Recent roles: Violet Newstead in 9-5. Carol in The Matchmaker One-Act play, and Virginia Noyes in IT’S ONLY A PLAY. Her favorite roles include Grandma Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Grandma Jones in LET IT BE, Truvy in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Sylvia in SYLVIA, Sheila in A CHORUS LINE, Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and Columbia in ROCKY HORROR SHOW. I am grateful to work with this very special cast and production crew. Thank you to my husband, family and friends for their constant support and encouragement
NATHAN SPENCER (Brad) is making his Phoenix Stage debut! Past stage experience includes LES MISERABLES, SHREK: THE MUSICAL, LEGALLY BLONDE and ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.  Massive thanks to my friends who got me into acting here. Massive thanks to my family for their support

BEHIND THE SCENES

COLLEEN RENZULLO (Director) This is the second time Colleen has directed for Phoenix Stage Company, having directed THE DINING ROOM several years ago.  Her first show with The Phoenix was DRINKING HABITS where she played Mother Superior.  This was the first of several shows where she played Tim Phillips’ wife!  Colleen’s favorite role with The Phoenix was Nurse Ratchet in ONE FLEW OVER THE COOCOO’S NEST.  She has come out of “retirement” to direct this poignant show and has fallen in love with this cast.  These amazing people beautifully portray these characters!  They have brought them to life in such a relatable way.  I could not have asked for a more perfect cast.  Colleen lives in Torrington with her husband Emil, daughter Stephanie, and the loving memory of her son Emil “Moe” Renzullo, Jr., who is always her inspiration.
TIM PHILLIPS (Stage Manager) - Tim is happy to be back at Phoenix Stage Company, this time as Stage Manager working with director Colleen Renzullo again. (They teamed up for Goshen's "Boeing, Boeing" in 2016.) Tim just recently directed Phoenix's new Christmas Show, "Deck the Halls - a Christmas Collection", which he also wrote. Tim is on the Board of Directors for Phoenix Stage Company and teams up with Ed Bassett to produce their occasional "Take Flight Live with Phoenix Stage Company" podcast on YouTube. He has also appeared in 21 different productions here at Phoenix Stage Company, most recently as Bernard S. Dunlap, hotel manager for "Suite Surrender."
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