J. Deschene reports that she's as excited as a kid on Christmas to be making her directorial debut with Arlington Friends of the Drama Theatre. WE FEEL THE SAME. J. is joining us this November/December to direct "The Game's Afoot or, Holmes For The Holidays") She's been a beam of light, full of ideas about staging this hilarious and intriguing mystery/comedy. A sampling of her directorial experience includes classics like "Lysistrata" and "The Trojan Women," both with Theatre@First, and staged reading of "Agnes of God" (also with T@F), lots of Gilbert and Sullivan with the MIT Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and 2016's smash hit zombie opera, "La Zombiata" (with WholeTone Opera). She is no stranger to mysteries, having helmed all three Hercule Poirot segments for the The Post-Meridian Radio Players' Super Sleuths series. J. has also spent plenty of time onstage in such roles as Lady Catherine de Bourgh in "Pride & Prejudice" (Theatre@First), Lady Jane in "Patience" (MIT Gilbert and Sullivan Players), Teresa Salieri in "Amadeus" (Moonbox Productions), and Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Theatre@First) which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Play at the 2016 ArtsImpulse Theatre Awards. As a singer, J. has given voice to such roles as Abigail Adams in "1776" and many of Gilbert and Sullivan's most beloved contralto roles. She has been blessed to study acting with such teachers as Kate Braun and Danielle Jacques, and voice with Sara Bielanski. Welcome to the AFD family J.!

As soon as the "Piazza" set came tumbling down, the actors for the next play at AFD hit the stage and started rehearsing. We're really excited for "The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays"! It's super witty, fast-paced, and even glamorous. And the actors are just dandy. As the new set takes shape, we'll let you in on the business...

Well, hello, Halloween weekend, you devil! You've stolen our audience for Friday and Saturday evenings! Boooooooooooooo. We don't want our FANTASTIC and BELLA cast to perform to a woefully small audience, so, YOU THERE, LOVER OF GOOD THEATER: Boo! here is your chance to get TWO TICKETS for $25. Friday and Saturday evenings. To activate this offer, just mention it at the Box Office. Show starts at 8 PM. Box Office opens at 7:15. You can't hardly go to a 3D movie for that kinda money. PLUS: SATURDAY, join us after the show for formaggio e vino (wine and cheese to you). AND: FREE CANDY. Show up and tell the handsome man at the box office that you read about it here. Do it! To the beauty of life! Now put that kiss right here. Mwah!

Gosh, we loved Emma Boroson so much in "Spelling Bee," when she won our hearts (and the magic foot's) as Olive. She brought sweetness and intelligence (and a wonderful voice) to that funny and engaging play. Now she's bringing verve and sex appeal (and that wonderful voice) to the role of Franca Naccarelli in "The Light In The Piazza." and we couldn't be happier. It shows a whole different side of her -- and the shoes are much more chic and pointy. Emma, who lives right in Arlington, is also a talented music director, and her credits include "Avenue Q" with the The Playmakers and "The Last Five Years" with Tortoise and Finch Productions. Favorite past roles include Olive Ostrovsky in "The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee" at AFD, Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" with The Wellesley Players, Edwin Drood in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and Johanna in "Sweeney Todd" at Beatrice Herford's Vokes Theatre, Amy in "Company" at The Footlight Club, and Cinderella in "Into the Woods" at Turtle Lane Playhouse.

Congrats to our spectacular cast for a wonderful opening weekend!

Stephanie Mann, Signora Naccarelli in "The Light In The Piazza," is thrilled to be making her AFD debut. A native of Richmond, VA, she is a graduate of Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a Masters of Music in Voice/Opera Performance and of Brandeis University with a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre Arts. An active performer in New England and regionally, she has performed with such companies as Longwood Opera, The Savoyard Light Opera Company, Raylynmor Opera, New England Opera Theatre, Greater Worcester Opera, Boston Opera Collaborative, Turtle Lane Playhouse, Riverside Theatre Works, Wheelock Family Theatre, The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, and Asheville Lyric Opera. This Autumn, she also makes her Beatrice Herford's Vokes Theatre debut as Mary Sunshine in "Chicago."

The dress rehearsal was lovely, and it just gets prettier every evening... Join us.

Gary Ames, Fabrizio Naccarelli in "The Light In The Piazza," is a Salem-based actor and musician who is delighted to join AFD’s incredible cast for this production. Previous credits include Drew Boley in "Rock of Ages," The Emcee in "Cabaret," Rapunzel’s Prince in "Into The Woods," Combeferre in "Les Miserables," and Bobby in "Company," all withMarblehead Little Theatre. When not on stage, Gary plays piano in the Boston-based jazz quartet Savoir Faire.

Dan Moore, Signor Naccarelli in "The Light In The Piazza," is very pleased to be joining so many talented performers in this production. Musical theater is Dan’s passion. He teaches music/musical theater at Framingham High School and is the Music Director for FHS musicals. He has his own private voice studio in Roslindale and at Arlington Street Church in Boston. Dan also teaches, performs, and musically directs at Riverside Theatre Works. His AFD credits are: Etches in "Titanic," Durdles in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," Oscar in "Curtains," and Major-Bouvier in "Grey Gardens." He collaborated with Marianne Phinney in Norwood Community Theatre's production of "Forbidden Broadway" and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" at Walpole Footlighters. Acting credits include Bellomy in Flyleaf Theater Company and TCAN Players' production of "The Fantasticks," Noah in Westborough Players' Club & The Wellesley Players' production of "Children of Eden," Isador Straus in Needham Community Theatre’s production of "Titanic" and Major-General Stanley in Riverside Theatre Works’ production of "The Pirates of Penzance.

Shh... places. It's all blue light and barely contained excitement behind the scrim at our "Piazza." It's pretty damn great. You should catch it! Karen Fanale as Margaret, Dan Moore as Signor, and John Eldridge as a specter. Evelyn Corsini is a props WIZARD even in blue light. This is how the assistant stage manager watches the show. And this. Tom Richardson as Roy, enjoys his cigars. Pretty sure John Eldridge, music director, is not possessed. But wouldn't press it... It was AWESOME.

This, Friends... Suzanne Reese Mills and Dan Murray (yes, that's a sunburn on Dan). Gary Ames PLASTIC HEADBAND! Ryan Began, Suzanne, and Lindsay Hurley costume designer Emma Boroson, Megan McCormick, Stephanie Mann. Suzanne, Philip Paquet, Lindsay, and Karen Fanale Megan, Sydney, Suzanne, Karen

Tom Kelleher, Giuseppe Naccarelli in "The Light In The Piazza," is excited to be making his debut with Arlington Friends of the Drama Theatre! He plays the naughty but nice brother to our hero, Fabrizio. Most recently, Tom appeared in Stage 284's production of "Annie Get Your Gun" (Frank Butler) and Moonstruck Theater Company's production of "West Side Story" (Tony). Other recent credits include: "Urinetown" (Officer Lockstock) and "Gypsy" (Tulsa). Tom received his training in acting and vocal performance from Muhlenberg College.