My Big Gay Italian Wedding Cast

Michael Hellegers- Michael is thrilled to be working with Old Library Theatre again after appearing in their 6th Annual One Act Play Festival. He was last seen in the short film, Alone, and the webseries, Forever Hold Your Peace. He is proud to be collaborating with a talented and hard-working group of people. He would like to give a special thank you to Maurizio.

Eric Najimian (Andrew Polinski) is thrilled to be doing his fourth production at Old Library Theater. In the last few years at OLT, Eric has played Jonathon in “Casa Valentina,” Mike Talman in “Wait Until Dark” as well as an original character in the annual one act festival in 2019. In addition to acting, Eric is also a multi-instrumentalist, writer and model. Check him out on Instagram @eric.najimian for more content.

Heather Cozine “Angela” is thrilled to be performing at OLT and work with this talented cast and creative team. A true lover of music and stage Heather enjoys singing and acting with show choruses and theatres throughout NJ. Credits: One Act Play: “Choices Choices” (She)(OLT)”Honey” (Jane) (OLT), Another Op’nin, Another Show" (Rocky Horror)(OLT), “Sweet Charity" (Fandango Ballroom Dancer)(OLT), "A Christmas Carol" (Ghost of Christmas Future)(Bergen Pac), "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (Pharaoh)(A Work of Heart Productions), "Out of Character" (Annie)(OLT), "Side-Show" (Auntie)(OLT), "Hairspray" (Edna)(HTC). Heather would like to thank her Family & Friends for all their love and support always. ”F” the Venetian!

Mead would like to say how excited and thankful he is to be working with Linda and the OLT players as he performs in MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING. It has been such an honor to work with this dedicated, talented, and amazing group of performers. As a full-time bilingual elementary school teacher with a love of using his theatrical background, Mead has become an active member of the Nutley Little Theatre, where he perviously (March 2020) directed I'M GETTING MURDERED IN THE MORNING, an interactive murder mystery comedy dinner theatre production, at the Nutley Franklin Steakhouse. This upcoming season, Mead will be directing the 1970's production of GEMINI of ("I'm not hungry, I'll just pick." And "Take human bites" fame) at NLT. Mead owes any thanks to Laura and Ron (for getting him involved in Nutley Little Theatre) and to his husband, Mike for his constant help, his love for 28 years, and support in making these dreams become a reality!

Jeff Parsons is excited to make his debut with Old Library Theatre and this wonderful cast and production team! He most recently appeared in the Rhino Theatre One Act Jamboree (Best Actor winner) and spent the pandemic performing in virtual shows throughout New Jersey including shows with Studio Players, The Strollers, Riverstage, and Virtual Studio Players. Jeff spent many years backstage as a producer and stage manager, including for the first middle school production of Wicked Jr at the Teaneck Community Charter School. Prior on-stage credits include A Year With Frog and Toad, Three Sisters, Bye Bye Birdie, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

Javier has been performing for the past few years. He is beyond happy to be hitting the stage once again. Prior to this performance, he was trained in the art of acting by Himalayan monks. These same monks taught him how to sing, dance, and communicate with nature via the whispering wins. Once while training in the cold of the mountain range, a band of Yetties attacked his temple, and ever since then he has been on the path of vengeance. Now, he leans towards the dark side of acting and ancient powers of musical theater, powers that he hopes will bring the universe back into a state of hamorny.

Aaron Drill (Mario) is thrilled to be joining Old Library Theatre in this joyous production! He has a BFA in Theatre & Performance from Emerson College and studied improv at Upright Citizens Brigade. Some of my favorite shows I’ve performed in are La Cage Aux Folles and Twelfth Night. He wants to thank the whole cast and crew for making this a truly enjoyable experience!

Becca Corrado is a recent graduate from Adelphi University where she earned her BFA in Acting, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in English and Theatre Education. Her recent directing credits include Chatroom by Enda Walsh at Adelphi University, and 13: The Musical at Old Library Theatre.

This is Miriam’s 3rd year with OLT. Her previous stage experience with OLT include “Side Show” "Bat Boy", "Sweet Charity", "Julius Cesar", and most recently, a Zoom production of “Romeo & Juliet”. She's proud to have been featured as a fire breather on The Greatest Showman and is delighted to have worked featured background roles on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Americans, and other productions. Miriam has been a Fire Arts entertainer and has been teaching and servicing fire performance safety tech for performers and venues in the NNJ/NYC area since 2008. She’s also proud to have been the principal fire conclave coordinator at Wickerman Burn festival for 8 years and is excited to have managed fire conclaves and performances at Burn festival in the Northeast. She is currently in rehearsals for OLT’s upcoming production of Urinetown.

Emilee is very excited to be a part of My big gay Italian wedding at Old library theatre! She recently worked with The Walt Disney entertainment down in Orlando performing at the parks! Some of her most recent credits are mayzie in suessical the musical, Fastrada in pippin and a scare actor at Brighton asylum! Emilee studied Theatre Performance at The institute of American musical theatre . For fun, Emilee loves to scare act at Brighton asylum as well as work with young children in princess parties !She wants to thank her S.O Niko , and her second family , the DiDonatos (Sharon, Ugo, Valentina, Fabio and Zen for always supporting her passions and being there for her through all! Much love ! Grazie per esserci sempre! Goditi lo spettacolo!

Nat Gennace is thrilled and honored to be a part of My Big Gay Italian Wedding! Nat is a stage, film, and Improv actor, and has appeared in films A Dark Place Inside and Patriot: Operation Paul Revere. Nat has also been in the Web Series Behind the Cocaine, Mancave, and Community Cares. Nat has appeared on-stage in OLT’s Comedy Tonight, Wait until Dark, OLT One Act Play Festival 2019 and 2021, House on Haunted Hill, The Wild Party (Lippa), Young Frankenstein!, Jesus Christ Superstar, Lone Star, and The Good Doctor. Nat can be seen performing improv with Nutty by Nature and Laughing Goats Sketch Comedy. Nat is also a writer and direct of several published works. Nat would like to thank his fellow cast and they crew of MBGIW for their support and energy. Nat would like to thank his family and friends for their support

Kalliopy’s debut performance was in Old Library Theatre's 9th Annual One-Act Play Festival, and she is delighted to return to the OLT stage with such a wonderful array of talented people! Prior studies include Improvisation at NJSDA as well as workshops with Arcanthea, a troupe in Montpelier, France.

David is so excited to be playing the role of Frankie in My Big Gay Italian Wedding. This will be David’s fifth production with Old Library Theatre. He has been seen on stage with olt during Bat Boy, Emma a Pop Musical, and doing stage crew twice for the One Act festivals. David has also been in The Matchmaker, Rent, Legally Blonde, Stardust, and Godspell. David would like to thank his friends and family for all the support they have given him. Lastly, he hope you all enjoy the show.

Melissa Ramirez, who plays the Nun/Ensemble, is super excited to be in her second production with OLT. She has had tremendous fun working alongside a hilarious cast. She is grateful for the opportunity to be involved as she continues her education for an MBA in Accounting. Contradictory to her career, she finds theater to be an inspirational hobby that gives her a lot of joy, motivation, and balance. Expectantly, you'll get to see more of her and she hopes you enjoy the show!