Herb Goldstein (Norman)

Herb is a late bloomer. He took up acting after retiring from a successful business career. He performed in numerous plays and a couple of movies in Montreal before moving to Toronto four years ago. In 1991 Herb won the Best New Performer Award at the Quebec Drama Festival. This normally goes to performers under 25, but they decided to waive the age limits that year. His first role in Toronto was as Mordcha in Encore Entertainment's production of Fiddler on the Roof, and he enjoyed it so much that he couldn't resist coming back to play Abe in Beau Jest. Last season he jumped at the opportunity to reprise the role of Abe in Jest A Second. Great to return this year as Norman.

Patti Kazmer (Ethel)

Patti Kazmer has been involved in theatre in the Toronto area for the past 13 years. Some of her performances include Ouisser in Steel Magnolias; Rachael Mercer in 1949; Mrs. Pampinelli in The Torch Bearers; Bonnie Beacham in Homeward Bound and Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa. She has worked with Alumnae Theatre, Amicus Productions,On Kew Players and the World Miracle Theatre.
This is Patti's first appearance with Encore Entertainment and she is thrilled to be a part of such an incredible show. "This is a dream part for any actor and I am overjoyed that I am able to be the one to share Ethel with the audience".
 

Elaine Martyn (Chelsea)

Elaine is thrilled to be working with Encore again. Some of Elaine's past theatre credits include: The Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz; Blanche in Broadway Bound; Mrs. Frank in Encore's production of The Diary of Anne Frank; Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing; Dr Gorgeous in The Sisters Rosensweig; Maxine in Stepping Out; and Belinda/Flavia in Noises Off. Elaine would like to thank Merle and everyone else involved with this production for a lovely adventure. To my family - thank you for your love, strength and support.

Jack Muskat (Charlie)

This marks Jack's debut performance with Encore Entertainment. He has
appeared in lead roles in Vancouver productions of Lies My Father Told Me
and I'll Be Back Before Midnight as well as having done some occasional
commercial and TV work.

David Melamed (Billy)

David is 11, a grade 6 student in the Arts York Program. Serious about his acting, his budding theatre credits include Scarborough Music Theatre's Fiddler on the Roof and Winthrop in Yorkminstrels' Music Man. He's been around the community stage for many years and, at eight years old, shared an ACT-CO Thea award, for Curtain Club's Seven Stories which he helped paint. He studies piano and equestrian riding and loves swimming, skiing and of course, snowboarding.
 

Jef Melamed (Bill)

An architect, Jef has been involved in Community Theatre for over 15 years, with Thea awards in Set Design for Curtain Club's Glass Menagerie and 7 Stories. Stage credits include Mel in Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, the Wizard in Just-Off-Centre's Wizard of Oz as well as Annie, Little Shop of Horrors and the Rabbi in Scarborough Music Theatre's recent production of Fiddler on the Roof. This is his third show together with his son David after Yorkminstrels' Music Man and SMT's Fiddler. It's hard to find a better way to play with one's kid!
 

Merle Garbe (Director, Producer)

Merle is the founder of Encore Entertainment and was seen last season as Claire Ganz in Rumors. She directed Encore's productions of Enter Laughing, Fiddler on the Roof, Anne of Green Gables, Beau Jest, The Fantasticks, and Jest A Second. Her producing credits are too numerous to mention. Some of her favourite roles have been Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, Faye in Chapter Two, Florence in The Odd Couple - Female Version, Trudy in Social Security, Yente the Matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof, and Mrs. Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. She is thrilled to be working with this talented cast and crew of On Golden Pond. She wants to send a big thank you to the Encore audience (especially the subscribers) who have been so supportive of our efforts over the past four years, and have made our efforts worthwhile by appreciating our work. "Special thanks to Alan, Jim, Mario, Lauren, Larry, Laurie and Neil for their wise counsel, friendship, and commitment." 

Jim Coles, Stage Manager

This is Jim's sixth show for Encore Entertainment. Previous credits include building sets, sound engineer and Assistant Stage Manager, all of which has been a joy. Jim steps up to Stage Manager for this show. Thanks to Merle for the opportunity and for her patience during the rehearsal period. Thanks, too, to a wonderful cast and crew who have made the job much easier and the experience very rewarding. Special thanks to Laurie for getting me hooked and to Anita for her patience, understanding and love.

 

Encore Entertainment
85 Mintwood Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M2M 3A6