The Great Gatsby: A live radio play Cast

Chris, a Kearny native, is thrilled to be making his first on-stage appearance in New Jersey in more than 30 years. He spent much of the last quarter century acting in the Washington, DC area, running the gamut from Shakespeare (Iago in Othello, Edgar in King Lear, Horatio in Hamlet) to Neil Simon (Louie in Lost in Yonkers) to Stephen Sondheim and Gershwin (Baker in Into the Woods, Harry in Company, Zangler in Crazy for You) to Eugene O’Neill (Jamie in Long Day’s Journey Into Night) to gritty psychological drama (Denny in A Steady Rain), to playing 35 characters in a one-man London original production of Old English saga (The Song of Hilde), though his favorite role is the title role in Jean Anouilh’s Becket. He’d like to thank the talented cast and crew of Gatsby, and Beatriz for giving him the opportunity, the forgiveness of his dog Sally, and most of all, the love and inspiration of his wife Susan.

Jason is a resident of Harrison, NJ and a lifelong New Jersey native. He has appeared in productions of Othello and 12 angry men. Jason is proud to be a member of WHATCo's production of The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play. He'd like to thank his talented castmates, director, the production staff, family, friends, and especially his girlfriend, Tatiana, for encouraging him to audition.

Byron is thrilled to be making his WHATCo debut! MFA, Actors Studio Drama School. Credits include: Merrick (The Elephant Man, Rockaway Theatre Company NYC), Glenn Cooper (Rumors, Cranford Dramatic Club), Paul Larkin (American Son. The Barn Theatre). www.byronhagan.com. Love to Karen, Thomas, Teddy & Alice. For Elizabeth Kemp, who believed in the green light.

Janna is thrilled to be making her debut at WHATCo and to be performing with such a dynamic and passionate community. She recently returned to the theater as Doris in Miracle at 34th Street at Studio Playhouse. She would like to thank her endlessly supportive husband, incredibly loving parents, darling cat children and amazing friends.

Tara is thrilled to help bring this American classic inside a radio broadcast inside a play to life: a theatrical nesting doll! Recent productions include Studio Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatcher and Miracle on 34th Street (also directed by the incomparable Beatriz Esteban-Messina), and Teaneck New Theatre's Frankensteinand The Farnsworth Invention.

Nelson is happy to be a part of his second Live Radio Show at WHATCo, as he was also a part of WHATCo's Vintage Hitchcock Radio Show in 2020. He recently played a Trivia Host turned investigator in Trivia Night Murder. Previously, he co-directed and acted in Bridesmaid Murder in 2022 and co-directed Unlucky Clovers in 2019. Other recent acting credits include WHAT’s One Act Festival, Tsquared’s Ocean Adventures, Studio Players’ Yes, Virginia, Red Mic Repertory’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as well as several Drunk Shakespeare productions. Nelson is ecstatic to be part of such a talented cast. He is sure this group's hard work will turn into a roaring-good time across the air waves.

Dwyer is a veteran of North Jersey community theatre and he has given life to a broad range of characters including a dog and a pig. He is a public address announcer for special events, parades, and athletic competitions. He once had the privilege of announcing in Yankee Stadium.

George has appeared in several shows with WHATCo; such as Kris Kringle in “Miracle on 34th Street,” Selsdon Mowbray in “Noises Off,” Dr. Einstein in “Arsenic & Old Lace” and Zig in “Bleacher Bums.”

Joseph is pleased to make his first appearance at West Hudson Arts & Theater Company. Most recently, he was Juror #2 in Westfield Community Players production of 12 Angry Jurors. Previous productions include starring as Kitten Meows in the stage production of Murder Gurl, What a Drag! at Dover Little Theater. Other select productions across four states include Raisin in the Sun, Almost Maine, Legally Blonde, Crimes of the Heart, First Night, Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Home Grown. When not indulging his passion for the stage, Joseph can be found lobbying for low-income communities, improving government programs, playing with his cats, or not finishing his novel.

Matt is thrilled to be appearing on the West Hudson Arts & Theater Company stage again. Previously Matt could be seen in NOISES OFF (Gary/Rodger), Unlucky Clover (Tim), Almost Maine (Dave) and Trivia Trivia Murder (Jeremy). Other acting credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), Drop Dead (Chaz Looney/Drools), Dracula (Arthur Holmwood), Loves Labour’s Lost (Longaville), The Real Inspector Hound (Moon), Merry Wives of Windsor (Doctor Caius), Taming of the Shrew (Christopher Sly) and A Soldiers Play (Lt. Byrd). Matt has also directed for WHATCo before. Directing credits include Neil Simon’s Rumors, Virtually the Last Super as part of West Hudson Arts & Theater Company’s virtual one act festival, and most recently WHATCo's previous Stage production Drop Dead. Other directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing with Babbling Brook Player’s, Hamlet with Secret Notebook Productions, and Quite Contrary, which was a part of the Barn Theater's Summer One Act festival. Matt has a BA in Acting from Ramapo College of NJ. He is also a member of the American Fight Directors where is certified in unarmed combat, single sword, small sword, sword and shield, quarter staff and knife fighting.

Carlos is a theater actor with over a decade of experience performing in Puerto Rico. He’s participated in multiple classical Puertorican dramas, as well as contemporary comedies and sketches throughout the years. This will be his first performance on the mainland, since making the decision to move just last year. Digital portfolio: https://carloscaban2.myportfolio.com/work

Jack is happy to be working with Bea and WHATCo again. Among Jack’s favorite roles: Franz in The Producers, Drunken Santa in Miracle on 34th Street, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Enjoy!

Miranda is excited to be performing at WHATCo for the first time in this fun format of a radio play. Recently, Miranda was in the One Act Play Festival at Old Library Theatre and was involved in the making of Livingston Theater Company’s 24th season at Rutgers University.

Jessica is excited she gets to play such a variety of characters in this show. Previous shows with WHATCo include Drop Dead! and Rumors. She would like to thank Beatriz for giving her the opportunity to work with her. She would also like to thank the cast and crew.

Cynthia is originally from Sunbury, Pennsylvania. She attended Susquehanna University as a music major and a theater minor. She has been an active participant in theater for over 45 years. She has worked with theaters in PA and NJ, including Valley Players, Williamsport Community Players, Community Theater League, Harmony Theater, Seton Hall Theater in the Round, Montclair Operetta Club, Cherry Tree Productions, Livingston Community Players, Studio Players, The Strollers, InterAct Productions, The Barn, Nutley Little Theater, Ground Level Theater, Cranford Dramatic Club, Dreamhouse Theater, Sommerset Valley Players, Carteret Community Theater, and The Elizabeth Playhouse. She has performed in dramas, melodramas, farces, comedies, mysteries, musicals, and children’s theater. Production highlights include, Of Human Bondage, The Wild Duck, ’night Mother (Perry nomination), August: Osage County, Doubt, The Bad Seed Company, Oliver, Cinderella and Sister Act. Her last on-stage performance was as Gloria in Women Behind Bars. She has directed theater throughout PA and NJ and her last directorial project was Night Watch.

Roman is excited to make his second appearance with WHATCo as the Foley Artist in The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play, after his debut performance as Chip in Trivia Night Murder. Roman is also a professional cosplayer who worked as a costumer in WHATCo's production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Previously working as a scare actor for 6 years in Florida, Roman is eager to trade the haunted woods for a chance to try something new on the stage.