Dearly Beloved

LINDA ANSCHUETZ (Geneva) is happy to make her return appearance with Pendemer Productions in this hilarious comedy.  Her last performance with Pendemer was Marguerite in DEARLY DEPARTED.  She has performed at various theaters in the Pittsburgh area over the years and some of her favorite roles include Rosemary I PICFNIC with the Heritage Players, Birdie in WHERE THE STAR FELL and Grandmother in INFLUENCE, both with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.  She acted in DEARLY BELOVED at Comtra Theatre about a decade ago, but she played Honey Raye in that production.

MARK BOLES (Dub) is thrilled to be working with Pendermer Productions for the third time and feels honored to be acting with such a talented cast. In the production, he plays a husband and father and knows those are not easy shoes to walk in. He started acting late in life and trained at the Donna Belajac Acting studio in Pittsburgh. His first play was playing the ghost of Marley in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He went on to perform in SEX PLEASE, WE’RE SIXTY and then LOVE LETTERS. 2023 was a particularly busy year having worked with Pendemer in the Spring in DEARLY DEPARTED, followed by the play NOW AND THEN at Iron Horse Theatre and finishing the year working with Old Schoolhouse Player in LITTLE TOWN OF CHRISTMAS. His day job is that of a physician, but being on stage has shown him healing occurs just as much through the arts. He thanks his wife Valerie for allowing him to pursue.

CALVIN BROOKINS (Justin) started his first acting classes at CCAC in 2019 where he eventually acted in his first play, PITTSBURGH IN THE 80’S. Since then he has performed in many other shows, such as MISERABLE CREATURES for the The Rage of the Stage Players, where he has the pleasure of playing Byron, and most recently PRIDE AND PREJUDICE for the Pittsburgh Savoyards, where he played Charles Bingley. Calvin enjoys connecting with the audience and looks forward to once again working with Pendemer Productions!

MICHELLE CEFALO (Frankie) is excited to be appearing in this show with Pendemer Productions, where she previously acted in SEPTEMBER CUPID and DEARLY DEPARTED. She most recently appeared in THE CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR and FRANK’S 75th CHRISTMAS for Stoops Ferry Productions. She very recently completed work on the film VINDICATION. Michelle, a graduate of West Virginia University, studies acting with Jamie Slavinsky, Jillian O’Neil and Jean Zazour. She is currently represented by the Talent Group. Michelle sends her thanks to her family for their love and support.

KATHY CIESIELSKI (Nelda, Patsy) is happy to be “on a role” so far in 2024. After this fun show with Pendemer, she has been cast in a June production of PLAY ON with Red Bam Players as well as an October production of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME at Iron Horse Theater. Kathy is so grateful to her growing team of supporters (and you know who you are) for encouraging her geriatric pursuit of interesting stage roles. “Thanks for sitting in my audience, dear friends.”

CLAIRE FRALEY (Honey Raye) has been gracing the Pittsburgh stages for over 35 years. She has been honored to share her talents with such theaters as; The Summer Company, barbones, Little Lake Theater, South Park Theater, the Old Schoolhouse Players and so many more. One of Claire’s favorite roles is Libby Tucker in OUTTA BE IN PICTURES (when she was a young thang!) Her favorite play to date is TWIGS where she played a mother and all three of her daughters. Claire was nominated by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Joyce in TOP GIRLS at Open Stage Theater an Pendemer audiences will surely remember her shattering portrayal of Katherine in last season’s MOTHERS AND SONS. Claire wishes to thank Chuck and Gil for their constant love and support. I love this cast! We are having a ball and hope you do too.”

RICH IVAUN (Wiley) is a lifelong resident of Weirton, West Virginia and is a retiree from Weirton Steel, having worked as a clerk, laborer and research analyst. He has been involved in theater in the tri-state area for the past sixty years. His previous roles with Pendemer Productions were in last season’s DEARLY DEPARTED and THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND. Rich spends his free time as a garage sale and flea-market junkie.

ERIN McAULEY (Twink)is thrilled to join the talented cast of DEARLY BELOVED in her second play for Pendemer Productions. Singing and dancing since she could talk and walk, Erin began performing for Pittsburgh community theaters in 1999. Through the years, she’s added behing-the0scenes roles including choreographer, teaching artist, and director. Her recent work as choreographer for “Anything Goes” at Keystone Oaks High school can be seen next weekend! When not on stage, you can find Erin teaching yoga for several locations (www.energymattersyoga.org) and she must, as always, mention and thank her awesome son.

JERRY WIENAND (John Curtis) is a veteran 60 years in theater, during which time he has appeared in over 180 productions, including such favorites as Kris Krigle in MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, branch Rickey in JACKIE ROBINSON, MVP, Senator Smith in TITANIC TO ALL SHIPS, the Judge in AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and Attorney Fitzsimmons in THE MIKE WEBSTER STORY. He previously was named by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as one of the best leading actors in suburban theater for his portrayal of George in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? And by the Washington Oberver-Reporter as one of the best supporting actors for his role of Phil in TWIGS at Little Lake Theatre. Jerry is a retired attorney and, in addition to acting, he enjoys traveling with his lovely spouse and spending time with some of his four children, six grand-children and four great-grand-children.

SARAH PUHALA (Tina Jo, Gina Jo) is excited to be making her debut with Pendemer Productions in this fun show! Some of her favorite roles have been Laura in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS and Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM to name just a few. She also gets to wear her director and teacher hats with Gemini Theater Company as a resident teaching artist. Sarah is a graduate of Pont Park University completing the four-year Conservator of Performing Arts (COPA) program with a B.A. in Theater Arts and currently pursuing her M.A. with a focus in Drama Therapy. She has appeared on the Pittsburgh Playhouse stage, as well as with the Pittsburgh Savoyards, Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Prime stage and other venues throughout the region. Break a leg, cast and crew!