David Lang (Joel)

David made his debut performance with Encore Entertainment as Joel last season in Beau Jest. Some favourite past performances include George Pigden in Out of Order, Joe Qualley in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Stanley Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Jacob Mercer in Salt-Water Moon. He also appeared on stage as Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret, also at the Ford Centre.

Mario D'Alimonte (Bob)

Mario is thrilled to be working with Encore Entertainment again, and to be reprising his Beau Jest role as Bob. He appeared last season as Bellomy in The Fantasticks, and as Jake in The Village Playhouse production of Jake's Women. Past roles with Encore were Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (for which he won a Thea Award) and George Schneider in Chapter Two. Other favourite roles include Petie Maxwell in Love and Anger, Lenny Ganz in Rumors, and the Emcee in Cabaret. Mario directed Encore's production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown last season and looks forward to directing Nunsense for Encore this spring.  

Marion Hirschberg (Miriam)

Marion is delighted to have another chance to play Miriam and to work with Encore Entertainment again. Marion has been involved in theatre for more than thirty years, playing a variety of roles from musical comedy to cabaret to drama. Some favourite roles include Golda in Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Webb in Our Town, Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, to name a few. She has also made television commercials and was an original member of the Thornhill Theatre of the Performing Arts. She has worked with Markham Little Theatre, Seneca Players, and Leah Posluns Theatre. Her greatest role to date is that of mother, grandmother, and wife of Canadian artist Martin Hirschberg. 

Herb Goldstein (Abe)

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 three years ago. 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. And this season he jumped at the opportunity to reprise the role of Abe in Jest A Second. Herb is not only the patriarch of the Goldman family, he is also the Hebrew and Yiddish coach and general consultant on all things Jewish. 

Liz Best (Sarah)

Liz is very pleased to be doing her third show with Encore Entertainment. Two years ago she portrayed Faye in Encore's production of Neil Simon's Chapter Two and last season she played the role of Sarah in Beau Jest. She also performed in Love and Anger with Glenvale Players, Sylvia at the Curtain Club, Cabaret at the Ford Centre, and most recently played Amy in Company with Scarborough Players. Liz runs Theatre Kids, a young people's theatre group for boys and girls in grades 4, 5, and 6.

Merle Garbe (Director/Producer)

Merle is the founder of Encore Entertainment and directed last season's comedy Beau Jest and the musical The Fantasticks. She has previously directed Fiddler on the Roof, Anne of Green Gables, Enter Laughing, and the musical revue, Love and Other Stresses (which she also wrote). Some of her favourite on-stage roles have been Florence in The Odd Couple (Female Version), Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, Faye in Chapter Two, Trudy in Social Security, Yente the Matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof, and Mrs. Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie.  

Laurie Cresswell (Stage Manager)

Laurie has enjoyed stage managing for several theatre companies. Favourite productions include Jake’s Women, Nuts, and Cabaret. Beau Jest was Laurie’s first show with Encore Entertainment and was followed last season by You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Fantasticks. 

Encore Entertainment
85 Mintwood Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M2M 3A6