Rosemary Kumma (Bertha)

This is a very special production for Rosemary. She played Catherine in Country Gate’s first production of Pippin, Fastrada in the second, and is delighted to now be playing Bertha. 

Lauren Steinert (Catherine)

Lauren is a recent graduate of Classical Vocal Performance from Moravian University. Some of Lauren's musical highlights and concert engagements include: In concert and opera: Dan Forrest- Requiem for the Living, Kevin Memley- Magnificat, Haydn- Te Deum, Mozart- Te Deum & Kyrie - Carnegie Hall. NYC, NY, World Premiere of Song Cycle for Soprano (Soprano). In Theatre: Annie (Annie), Godspell (“O Bless the Lord”), Footloose (Rusty), Seussical (Gertrude McFuzz), Hairspray (Amber von Tussle), Ragtime (Mother), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Carousel concert version highlights (Julie Jordan), and most recently The Phantom of the Opera concert version highlights (Christine).

Lauren was named the winner from the Lehigh Valley Area, for the 2018 Greater Lehigh Valley/Philadelphia Area , PBS Celebration of Music National Talent Search. Lauren has attended and participated in numerous Vocal Masterclasses, highlights include: Rider University CoOPERAtive, Juilliard with Renee Fleming, and Manhattan School of Music with Frank Daykin. Lauren is incredibly excited and grateful to be working with Country Gate Players once again, and to be a part of their grand reopening performance of Pippin!

Donna Bellfy (Fastrada)

Donna is happy to be back on the Country Gate stage with her hubby and daughter (We miss you, Ben). Aside from performing, Donna is a teacher and theater director in Lopatcong Township School District. She hopes that this show “spreads a little sunshine” to “all you housewives and mothers”and fathers “out there!”  Thank you family for always “lending a helping hand” throughout this production!

Mike Bellfy (Charlemagne)

Mike is excited to join his wife and daughter on stage in this production of Pippin. Mike has been involved in many Country Gate productions whether appearing on stage, backstage, or playing in the pit. He also enjoys helping with set construction. Mike enjoys playing worship music, running, hiking, and fishing. He hopes the message of real love over glamor, and the appreciation for ‘ordinary life’ is meaningful for the audience today!

Brian Whitford (Lewis)

I developed a love for art and music when I was back at Harmony Township elementary school. In the 6th grade I Start in my 1st a first elementary School production called “The Rotten Princess”. After 2 more productions during the 7th and 8th grade, I went full time into acting during my sophomore year at Warren County technical school; most of which were musicals like "Once on this Island" in 2007 and "Blood Brothers" in 2008 which was rewarded 3 Freddies out of 4 nominations. In 2012, I began working with Gina Scurato at Country Gate Players Theater in Belvidere, New Jersey and have been honing my acting and singing skills since.

Emily Bellfy (Theo)

Emily is thrilled to be performing in her third production at Country Gate. She was last seen on the CGP stage eating meatloaf and mashed potatoes as Randy in A Christmas Story. Some of her other favorite roles include Olaf in Frozen Jr, Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical (MuNopCo), Baby June in Gypsy (MuNopCo),  Jojo in Seussical the Musical, and Molly in Annie.  Emily was featured as the Morning Star soloist in Moravian College Vespers. Many thanks to Gina, Miss Katie, and Miss Aly for all their guidance.  She would also like to thank her voice teacher, Nancy Collins, and her family and friends <3. "Break legs, Cast and Crew of Pippin!"

Katie Haugaard (Choreographer & Player)

Katie Haugaard is beyond excited to be choreographer for CGP’s production of Pippin! She has been dancing for over 30 years and choreographing for Country Gate for 10+ seasons! Katie received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and has been a dance instructor for 25 years. She has trained under film and Broadway vet Micheal Blevins and principal dancers with the Paul Taylor Company. She also balances being a wife and mother of two beautiful kids.

Owen Gately (Player)

Owen is a senior at Belvidere High School, and is excited to be in his first Country Gate production! Some of his favorite roles include Jack (Into the Woods), Lumiere (Beauty and the Beast), Schroeder (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), and Jesus in Godspell this spring! Thank you to the cast, crew, and production team! Enjoy the show!

Jo Ann Mazza (Stage Crew)

Jo Ann made her debut with the Country Gate Playhouse in 1986. She met her husband, Steve in her second show "Father of the Bride". They've been married for 31 years. She has many favorite roles including Frenchy in "Grease" and  Rosie in "Mamma Mia!". She's most proud of her role  as  Honey in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. "  She's enjoyed being a member on stage as well as backstage. She'd like to thank her family and friends for supporting her all these many years.  "The Country Gate Players are my second family and the only  people who can make me laugh so hard that  I wet my pants beside my sisters are Vinny and Bill  my Jersey Diner partners!"

Yvette Cerrada-Shapiro  - (Stage Crew/Costumer)

Yvette has been active with Country Gate Players since The Little Mermaid in 2016 both on stage and behind the scenes. Yvette originally auditioned for The Little Mermaid to be in a show together with her daughter, Makayla. Yvette was hooked! 

Yvette would like to thank her family for all of their love and support. Yvette would like to thank this amazing cast, directors,  and crew for their devotion and perseverance during these difficult times. We've got magic to do! 

Gina Scurato (Director)

Gina grew up at Country Gate. She has been performing-in and directing shows for 30+ years, continuing her parents’ legacy of bringing local arts to the area. In addition to performing and directing, she can also be found fixing the building, constructing sets, hanging lights, crawling through the ceiling, and organizing theater props/furniture to her OCD heart’s content - in fact, it’s rumored Gina actually lives in the Country Gate walls. Gina loves her son Lochlan, Superman, vodka, and cats. She also likes her wife a little (who wrote this bio since she didn’t provide one).

Aly Horne (Music Director)

Aly is thrilled to be back at CGP and on the production side for this wonderful show! Recent acting credits include Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), Godspell (“Learn Your Lessons Well”) and Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon) at CGP and The Secret Garden (Rose) at Barley Sheaf Players in PA. Previous MD credits include Godspell (RCT) and various other shows during her six years as a choir and drama director in DE and NJ public schools. She also freelances as a pit musician (keyboard/synth) for local shows at the school, community, and university levels. When she’s not involved in a show, Aly works as the Manager of Orchestras for the New Jersey Youth Symphony based in Union County. Thank you to Gina for this great opportunity, and to the cast and production team for bringing their extraordinary talent, patience and humor to this delightful and hilarious show. Love to Kevin and the fam squad. This one is for Mimi, who will surely be singing along from her corner of the sky. Enjoy the show!

Chelsea Markopoulos (Scenic Design)

Like Gina, Chelsea also grew up at Country Gate and has continued her parents’ legacy onstage and behind-the-scenes for 30+ years. Most recently, she’s been seen overseeing all scenic design, painting and box office work. By day, she runs a private therapy practice. She also has two amazing daughters, Sophia and Lily, who helped paint the Pippin set. (Disclosure: bio by her sister-in-law who also thinks Sophia and Lily are amazing.)

Carrie Burton (Backstage Manager)

Carrie has been involved with Country Gate Players since the 2016, musical Little Mermaid. She has enjoyed her time on stage working in several ensemble roles, taking on the task of changing identities several times throughout a production.  Carrie soon found that the mystery of working backstage brought a whole new light to the theatrical experience. Carrie’s favorite part of working back stage is learning how each production comes together and the mysteries that are put into each show.

Cullen Delmore (sound)

Cullen has continued a family tradition at Country Gate both onstage and behind-the-scenes for many years. Cullen enjoys recording music, his dog Bear, the color purple, and taking things apart and (usually) putting them back together. He also loves his sister very much (who wrote this short bio since he didn’t provide one).

Caila Minerowicz (lightboard)

Mak Cerrada-Shapiro (crew)

Mak Cerrada-Shapiro is a junior at Belvidere High School and is overjoyed to be back at Country Gate Players. Although  they’re currently working backstage, Mak loves performing, and is currently Judas in their school’s production of Godspell this spring. This cast was a privilege to work with, and they wish for all of them to break a leg! 

Carissa Encke (crew)

Carissa has always had a love for theater since a young age. From summer camp to middle and high school theatre and now community theater. She loves being on stage or backstage to help make the show amazing. She is happy to be back at Country Gate Playhouse.

Jessica Piazza (crew)

Jessica has been involved with Country Gate since the early 90s, when she was cast as a Von Trapp and historically fell off the stage during the Sound of Music. Luckily for her, they didn't hold that against her and have allowed her onstage multiple times since. Today, she is working backstage, and if something goes wrong, she assures everyone that it wasn't her fault.

Stacey Higgins (crew)

Colleen Capponi (crew)

Colleen is very happy to be working on a Country Gate production again. She has missed this space and these people. This is her fourth time working backstage. Previous productions include 'Willy Wonka', 'Little Shop of Horrors', and 'A Christmas Story'.

Alaina Capponi (spotlight)

I have enjoyed working at Country Gate and love the people involved. I'm hoping to even become apart of a show at some point!

Dean Tshudy (crew)

Heather Delp (spotlight)