EastLine Theatre

Steve Horowitz (he/him) is excited be part of this exciting production of Yentl.  He looks forward to stretching is acting skills playing four different and critical characters in this timely show.  He recently was a member of the ensemble in Guys and Dolls at the Sid Jacobson JCC. In college and high school, he enjoyed playing Big Jule in Guys and Dolls, Prez in The Pajama Game, Motel Kamzoil in Fiddler on the Roof, Crook-Finger Jake in The Threepenny Opera and Smee in Peter Pan. He wants to thank Nicole for her support and patience as we put this great show together. He also wants to thank Jake and Phyliss for their enthusiastic support!

Victoria Kay (she/her) is a Long Island-based actress who is excited to be part of this EastLine production! A few memorable roles she’s taken on include Mandy in Time Stands Still and Maeve in Dance Nation. In addition to acting, she loves to sing opera! Victoria previously appeared as Beth in EastLine’s Little Women and Petra in An Enemy of the People. She’d like to thank her Mom, Dad and Twin Sis for their support and love.

Jacob Lesko (he/him) is a graduate of Manhattanville University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and is making his EastLine debut. Last summer he did summer stock at Carousel Music Theatre in Boothbay Harbor Maine where he performed in two original works as well as nightly cabarets. Then he was off to Idlewild in Pennsylvania to perform in their Halloween shows, after that he boarded the Polar Express as the Conductor. Other favorite credits include The Happy Elf (Curtis), Something Rotten (Nigel), Brigadoon (Harry Beaton), Godspell (“We Beseech Thee” soloist), Heathers (Ram Sweeney), See Rock City (Tour Guide), Twilight Los Angeles 1992 (Reginald Denny), and RENT (Benny). He has also performed Broadway Cabarets at Sid Gold’s Request Rook, Feinstein’s 54 Below and 53 Above Broadway. He would like to thank his family for always allowing him to chase his dreams. Hope you enjoy the show!

Jen LoPresti (she/her) is a graduate of the SUNY Oneonta Theatre and Music Industry programs. Some of her recent acting experience includes: Ethel Chauvenet/Betty Chumley/E.J. Lofgren in Harvey, Florinda in Into the Woods, and Mistress Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor. She is a frequent Sound Designer and winner of Broadway World Long Island’s Best Sound Design 2022 for her work on Matilda at The Merrick Theatre and Center for the Arts. Currently, she works as a Teaching Assistant for the North Merrick School District and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Childhood Special Education at SUNY Old Westbury.

Kendra Foster McBride (she/her) is thrilled to be making her EastLine debut in the role of Hadass. Originally from London, England, she began her training at Sylvia Young Theatre School in Central London. She was then trained in New York City at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, graduating in February 2023 with a Conservatory Certificate in musical theatre. Theatre credits include: Listen to Me – Koda (The Chain Theatre Festival, Off-Broadway), Sender – Cassandra (dir. Diane Ciesla, NYC), Rent – Maureen (The Dovehouse Theatre, Birmingham, UK), The Wild Party – U/S Kate & Swing (Cosmo Theatre, Los Angeles), Nothin‘ But Love (Ellington Room, NYC), Electra – Clytemnestra (The Lab Productions, London, UK). Singing credits include: Broadway’s Greatest Hits – Featured Soloist (54 Below), Broadway’s The Next Generation – Featured Soloist (The Green Room 42), Merrilee Manerly – Vocalist (Off-Broadway concept album), Cher and Cher Alike – Featured Soloist (The Green Room 42). Directorial credits include: Broadway by the Season – Musical director (Merrick Hall), Broadway Abroad, 1st & 2nd edition – Musical director, arranger, accompanist (The Green Room 42).

Rachel Max (she/her) is so thankful she got the opportunity to be part of this production. It’s been wonderful to be surrounded by so many amazing actors and to connect with her culture in theater as a Jewish woman. She has loved being a part of this show as it’s her last performance before she begins PT school in May. Thank you for joining the people of Bechev on this powerful, yet silly, journey.

Rook Mogavero (they/them) is thrilled to be making their EastLine debut! They are a graduate of Swarthmore College, where they studied theater. Since then, they have played various roles in short play festivals off-off Broadway as well as a fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In addition to theater, Rook works in the world of audio drama, such as in the sci-fi podcast ROGUEMAKER, which they co-directed and voice acted in, among other things. Unlike their character, Rook actually enjoys cooking and knitting but like, in a cool, subversive, transgender sort of way.

Michelle Osojnak (she/her) is thrilled to be working with EastLine again, and excited about her first show at BACCA. Michelle is a Queens-based teacher and actor. She has most recently performed in EastLine’s Summer Shakespeare productions of Hamlet as Rosencrantz, The Merry Wives of Windsor as Mistress Page, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona as Duke. Other credits include roles as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Gloria/Nan in Gloria, and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. Michelle wants to thank Nicole for always giving her opportunities to learn and grow within the company. Another huge shout out to Mom and Dad for dealing with her busy schedule, and to Stevie for helping her memorize lines.

Josh Saffran Sedacca (he/him) was born to the Yentl soundtrack. Well, his mom had Barbra Streisand playing, but she doesn’t remember what song, so it’s possible. Originally from Dallas, he studied at the Atlantic Acting School’s Conservatory in NYC. Some of his most recent roles include The Logician in Ionesco’s Rhinoceros and Albert Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He’s especially glad to be doing this show, as he gets to eat during it.

Debbie Starker (she/her) is a veteran performer/director of hundreds of productions including musicals, dramas, comedies, and operas throughout Long Island and the greater Metropolitan area. She just finished directing Bruce Graham’s The Out-Going Tide and is excited to be returning to EastLine Theatre after having appeared as Aunt March & Hannah in Little Women and as Gertrude in last summer’s Hamlet. Since her return to theater in 2022, Debbie has appeared in two productions of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Neil Simon’s California Suite and Dearly Departed, just down the avenue. For John, as always.

Lisa Wangel (she/her) proudly makes her debut performance after recently emerging as her authentic self. Lisa is very grateful to EastLine, to Nicole Savin (director) and to the entire cast for making her feel welcome and accepted without question. Previous roles include the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, Juror No. 11 in Twelve Angry Men, the Rabbi in Bermuda Avenue Triangle, and Dr. Metz in The Man Who Came To Dinner, all with various groups. Her performance in Yentl marks her second time performing with EastLine, playing the multiple roles of Holst/Finn in Oslo in 2018. Lisa has stage-managed, worked on sets and props, and even directed. Lisa does sleight-of-hand magic, juggles, and did a short stint as a stand-up comic. She is a licensed Customs broker and has been in international shipping since 1974. Lisa is looking forward to beginning a second career as a stage and voice actor. It’s never too late!