Our Cast & The JTMF Board

The Cast of Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party:
(click photos to enlarge) Doug Edelson as Mrs. Forest; Tina Henderson as Berdine; Mark Violi as Star Cat; Adam Fitting as Kanaka; Nicole Patrick as Chicklet; Director Brian Bara; Damian Gaeta as Provoloney; Josiah DeAndrea as YoYo; Aubry Malloy as Marvel Anne; Melanie Britten as Bettina Barnes and Josh Minton as Nicky.

The JTMF Board:
Production Coordinator Bruce Frangione; Event Coordinator Tracy Antozzeski; Silent Auction Coordinator Melissa Abrahams; Honorary Member Doug Edelson; Publicity Coordinator Brian Bara; Honorary Member David Maurio (seated). Not Pictured: Honorary Member Joyce Labriola.

Thank You!

The JTMF would like to extend our thanks to everyone who participated in our 5th Anniversary Gala this past weekend. The event, featuring Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party, was our second most successful, ever!

Watch this space for pictures from the both the Red Carpet Gala and the show itself.

And keep checking back. We're taking a few weeks off for a little R & R, but we've already started planning for next year's event and we'll be posting about it, soon!

Thanks again, everyone! We'll see you soon!

A Dazzling Evening!

Opening night has come and gone, and our Fifth Anniversary Red Carpet Gala was certainly an evening to be remembered. The events started at 7:00 PM, with the limousene arrivals of several JTMF alumni, accompanied by special guests, Ms "Peggy Lee" and Ms "Diana Ross." As our guests walked the Red Carpet, they were met and interviewed by Ms "Joan Rivers," who asked almost everyone who they were wearing. Chuck Easter and New Atlantis played surf tunes throughout the evening. Ms. Lee, Ms Ross and Ms Rivers came to us courtesy of Hollywood Entertainment (http://www.hollywooddjz.com/) and limousine services were generously provided by Touch of Class Limousines (http://www.toclimo.com/).


After the Red Carpet Walk, our guests and audience members mingled in the lobby where they sampled delightful luau treats and frozen drinks while perusing the items up for bid in our Silent Auction.


At 8:00 PM, the curtain rose on Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party. The audience seems to love the show and the cast is on fire. Intermission is here before you know it. More bidding, more noshing, more schmoozing. Everyone is having a great time. The second half of the show has them howling, cheering and applauding. The audience raves are fine fuel for all our egos...


After the show, we awarded the first ever JTMF "Jimmy" Awards.

The winners were:


Best Performance in a Revealing Costume:

Antonio Arzayus, wearing a 'Robin' Costume in Mr. Charles, Currently of Palm Beach


Best Performance while Wearing a Wig:

Jodi Person in Mr. Charles, Currently of Palm Beach


Best Performance as a Gay Character by a Straight Actor:

Eve Connolly in The Odd Couple


Best Performance as a Straight Character by a Gay Actor:

Doug Edelson in The Odd Couple


Best Special Effect:

TIE:

Damien Gaeta in The Altruists

Josisah DeAndrea in Psycho Beach Party


Following the awards, the Silent Auction winners were announced and happy bidders went away with some incredible gifts, including Broadway and Hollywood memoriablia; fine wines; fine dining gift certificates; a cruise and more. As the crowd thinned, those left were still smiling and having a great time. It's late and yours truly is tired, but oh so very happy.

Dont miss your last chance to see this hilarious show while making a difference by supporting the JTMF and its beneficiaries.

There are still tax-deductible tickets available for tonight's performance and reception (your $25 admission includes our luau reception). There are more fabulous items in our Silent Auction and tonight's performance promises to be even better than last night's. What are you waiting for? Order your tickets now by clicking on either of the links on your right! Tickets are also available at the Kelsey Box Office, one hour before curtain.

IT'S OPENING NIGHT!

The Fifth Anniversary James Tolin Memorial Fund AIDS Benefit is finally here. At 7:00 PM, the guests will begin to arrive to walk the Red Carpet at the Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ.

Then, at 8:00 PM, the curtain rises on our production of Charles Busch's hilarious play, Psycho Beach Party, a madcap spoof of all things Hollywood in the early 60's including B-grade surf movies; psychological thrillers; low-budget potboilers and drive-in horror movies. Director Brian Bara has assembled an amazing cast of performers from all over NJ & PA, including Melanie Britten; Josiah DeAndrea; Doug Edelson; Adam Fitting; Damian Gaeta; Tina Henderson; Aubrey Malloy; Josh Minton; Nicole Patrick and Mark Violi for this wild and sexy romp down Baby-Boomers' Memory Lane. *

Before the show and at intermission, you will have a chance to bid on a terrific assortment of items donated by local and national businesses and celebrities such as Carol Burnett, Robin Williams and the cast of "Desperate Housewives." Enjoy a luau reception along with the mellow surf sounds of Chuck Easter and New Atlantis. And stick around right after tonight's show for an extra special treat.

Tomorrow, the curtain rises again at 8:00 PM; the Silent Auction will contuinue and we'll have more delicious luau fare, just with a liittle less pomp and circumstance.

Tax-deductible tickets are still available by calling the Kelsey box office at 609-570-3333, online at either of the sites linked to the right, or at the door starting at 7:00 PM. We hope to see you there!

Break a leg, all!

*This production contains adult themes and language and is not recommended for children or those who are easily offended.

2 Nights 'til We Go "Psycho"

There are just two rehearsals left before the James Tolin Memorial Fund's production of Charles Busch's hilarious Psycho Beach Party is presented at the Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College.

Join Chicklet, Kanaka, Star Cat and the rest of the gang in Malibu, circa 1962, as they try to figure just who is attacking and shaving ALL the hair off of innocent beach-goers. Is it boy-crazy Marvel Ann, nerdy Berdine or Chicklet's over-protective mother, Mrs. Forest? And just who is the mysterious dominatrix, Ann Bowman? Can the madness be stopped in time for the big luau? And what on Earth is YoYo going to serve? Find out the answer to these and other questions, June 22nd and 23rd only at 8PM.*

There is still time to order your tax deductible tickets by calling the Kelsey box office at 609-570-3333 or online by using either of the convenient links to the right. Tickets are $35.00 for Friday's 7PM Red Carpet Gala and $25.00 for the Saturday show. Both evenings include a luau-themed reception, live music from Chuck Easter and New Atlantis and our famous Silent Auction; this year featuring gifts donated by major celebrities including Carol Burnett, Robin Williams and the cast of ABC's "Desperate Housewives." It's sure to be THE event of the summer, so don't miss out! Order your tickets now!

*This production includes adult themes and language and is not recommended for children or those who are easily offended.

"Hell Week"

This is it - "Hell Week." This is the last week of rehearsal, when all the technical elements are put in place. The set pieces are on stage, the lighting is being hung, the sound cues are being engineered and the cast is starting to work with their costumes and props. The theatre lobby is being decorated for our big Luau reception and Silent Auction; the caterer is busy preparing food and the live band is practicing their Surf Tunes.

The only thing missing? You!

Order your tickets for the JTMF Fifth Annual AIDS Benefit, featuring Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party, by calling the Kelsey Theatre box-office at 609-570-3333, or online at either of the sites conveniently linked to the right.

We promise two nights of hilarious theatre, great food, fun music and an amazing silent auction, all for a great cause. People will be talking about this event for the rest of summer, so don't miss your chance to be a part of it! Order your tickets now!

Our Special Guests

As part of our Red Carpet Gala on Friday, June 22nd, the JTMF is proud to announce special appearances by "Winona Judd," "Peggy Lee" & "Diana Ross," courtesy of Hollywood Entertainment.

Ms Judd, Ms Lee and Ms Ross (Tony Moran, Phil Marino and Kevin Jackson) will be escorting our past JTMF participants down the red carpet and distrubuting special gifts to our audience members before the show.

For more information about Hollywood Entertainment, call William Boettcher at 201-791-8006 or visit their website at http://www.hollywooddjz.com/.

For tickets to the JTMF Fifth Anniversary Gala, featuring Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party, call the Kelsey Theatre box office at 609-570-3333 or use the links to the right to order tickets online. Hurry - this is going to be THE event of the summer!

Go "Psycho" with Us!

In less than two weeks, The James Tolin Memorial Fund will present Charles Busch's hilarious Beach Blanket spoof, Psycho Beach Party at the Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ.

Over the past 4 years, the JTMF has raised over $30,000 for local AIDS and Arts Education charities with fundraising events featuring plays by authors such as Paul Rudnick, Harvey Fierstein, Neil Simon and Nicky Silver. 2007 marks the JTMF's Fifth Anniversary and we're celebrating with a Red Carpet Gala on Friday, June 22nd. Join Past JTMF participants and "celebrity" guests on the Red Carpet as we celebrate with a fabulous Luau reception and Silent Auction, along with a performance of Psycho Beach Party. Saturday's performance will feature just the reception and Silent Auction.

Tickets are $35.00 for Friday's Gala and $25.00 for Saturday's performance and reception. Your tax-deductible event tickets can be ordered by calling the Kelsey Theatre box-office at 609-570-3333 or online at either of the two websites conveniently linked to the right. Make sure you order our tickets now - this is one event you don't want to miss!

More Silent Auction Lots

Donations just keep coming... here are two more. An assortment of best-sellers from Simon & Schuster
Health and beauty products from the Home Shopping Network

Costume Parade

The cast tried on some costume pieces at last night's rehearsal. Here's a sneak peek...
Josiah DeAndrea and Damian Gaeta show off their physiques
Bathing Beauties: Josh Minton, Nicole Patrick, Aubrey Malloy & Mark Violi
Damian is ready for the big luau!

We're Getting Closer!

With less than three weeks until our Opening Night Red Carpet Gala, the cast and crew of Psycho Beach Party are busy preparing for one of the wildest shows you're likely to see all season.

Lines are memorized, blocking is in place and rehearsals continue to roll along as the cast and director plumb the depths of comedy in order to bring you two nights of hilarious entertainment.

But the show is just part of this annual event - there's also our delicious Luau reception featuring live music by "New Atlantis." Savor island treats and tropical drinks during intermission and after the show, while you peruse and bid on the items in our fabulous Silent Auction. This year's Silent Auction features an incredible assortment of items from donors which include Carol Burnett, Robin Williams and the cast of "Desperate Housewives," among many others.

Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased on-line using either of the two links listed to the right, via phone at 609-570-3333 or at the Kelsey Theatre box office, one hour before curtain. Don't miss out on what is not just a terrific night of fun, food and entertainment, but an opportunity to help NJ residents in need. Your tax-deductible tickets will benefit the Open Arms Foundation, Graffiti Productions and the James Tolin Memorial Scholarship at MCCC. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Everybody Limbo!!

Here are some shots from last Thursady's rehearsal on the "Winnie the Pooh" set.


Below (L to R), Damian Gaeta; Adam Fitting; a honeybee hive; Josh Minton; Mark Violi; Aubrey Malloy and Josiah DeAndrea listen as Chicklet (Nicole Patrick; not shown) goes psycho.

(Click Photos to enlarge)


Stage Manager Bruce Frangione watches as the cast limbos the night away.
Nicole Patrick goes under the limbo stick
Is Mark Violi doing the Limbo or the Funky Chicken?
Adam Fitting goes waaaay under the limbo stick.
Tina Henderson makes her attempt to limbo


Yesterday, June 3rd, the JTMF booth at NJ Pride was the place to be, despite the less-than-perfect weather. We met lots of great folks, made some new friends and had more than a few laughs. If you stopped by to see us, thanks. If you didn't, you missed a great time.

And speaking of great times, there is still time for you to order tickets to the Fifth Anniversary James Tolin Memorial Fund AIDS Fundraiser featuring Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party. Just use either of the convenient links on the right to order your tickets on line for the wildest event of the year. We'll see you there!