A wacky, fast-paced musical comedy, “Monsters! A Midlife Musical” delves into the life of a woman who unshackles her inner monsters on her 40th birthday, with help from her mother, of course! The hysterical original work, written by Deertrees Artistic Director Gail Phaneuf and Broadway lyricist Ernie Lijoi, makes its decade reprise at Deertrees, starring Katie Connor (from Deertrees 2021, 2022 productions as Patsy in Always… as Patsy Cline) as 40-year-old protagonist Samantha. Experience uproarious laughter as Samantha attempts to put her inner monsters in their place! But, can she really? A fabulous score begs the question “Have you faced your Monsters?” Cast includes actors Gail Phaneuf, Patti Hathaway, Bill Spera, Teresa Dyer, and Rylee Doiron. This non-stop musical comedy will make you laugh, and bring you to your feet at Deertress this summer!
“Facing one’s demons isn’t supposed to be FUN, but Gail Phaneuf and Ernie Lijoi have found a way to do it.” -The Boston Globe
Katie Connor: Katie is thrilled to return to Deertrees to play Samantha in Monsters! She previously played Patsy Cline in Always, Patsy Cline at Deertrees in 2021 and 2022. She can also be seen this summer performing in "Yesterday Once More: A Carpenters Tribute" along side her friends Gail, Patti and Bill! Katie and Bill Spera have enjoyed performing together in their cabaret show at Club Cafe in Boston for the past 14 years. She studied musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. She currently resides in Marlborough, MA with her wife Allyson and her daughter Lily. By day, Katie is an insurance agent specializing in Surety Bonds and has worked for the AA Dority Company for the past 20 years.
Bill Spera is beyond excited to make his Deertrees debut playing Body in "Monsters!" Bill has been performing in the Boston and New England area for over 30 years, most recently as Grandfather in the Boston Pops production of “Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert,” and as the Pops’ “Road Santa” this past Christmas (Ho! Ho! Ho!). He's thrilled to have the opportunity to perform with this amazing cast, including fellow financial services market researcher Patti Hathaway, and long-time bestie and singing partner Katie Connor. Katie & Bill have had a fantastic time performing their cabaret act together at Boston's Club Cafe for the past 14 years. In addition, Bill has sung and solo'ed with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus for the past 20 years, including performing as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” for their “Disney Pride” concert at Symphony Hall in 2022. Other favorite past roles include Juan Peron in “Evita," Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” Padre Perez in "Man of La Mancha," Baron Despard in "Ruddigore," and the Dentist in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Fun fact: Bill got to perform live in a bathtub onstage as a National Finalist for a "Singing in the Shower" contest in Los Angeles with some of his performing friends way back in the 90s. Thankfully, his study of voice with faculty from the University of Illinois and New England Conservatory of Music, as well as acting with coaches in Boston and Chicago thoroughly prepared him for this momentous moment of singing about soap. Besides "Monsters!" Bill is also really looking forward to providing some Richard Carpenter-esque backing vocals to Gail, Patti, and Katie's "Yesterday Once More: A Carpenters Tribute" this summer at Deertrees. He dedicates his performance in "Monsters!" to his husband Joe who has always supported him and continues to tolerate Bill's 'break into song for no apparent reason' monster.
Patti Hathaway is very happy to be returning to the stage this summer and especially excited to make a return to the beautiful Deertrees Theater stage. Patti has been performing since age 5 when she sang the only solo in her kindergarten graduation – the alphabet song. Her triumphant performance convinced her that she was meant for a life on the stage. Her parents however felt she should probably work her way through first grade before moving on the bright lights of Broadway. So began a life of juggling learning, career, and passion which she continues to this day. Patti has appeared in comedies such as “Don’t Drink the Water” (Marion), “Rumors” (Cookie), and “Noises Off” (Dotty) as well as many musicals. Some of her favorite musical roles include, Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes”, Miss Hannigan in “Annie”, Sally in “Follies” and Apathy in “Monsters! The Musical” (by Gail Phaneuf and Ernie Lijoi). When not performing, Patti works in Market Research at a large financial services firm and plays the ukulele (sometimes in meetings). Patti would like to thank her very supportive husband and her incredibly talented friends for their encouragement and love.
Local actor and vocalist Teresa Dyer has had a variety of roles and experiences over her many years of performing. Known for playing Baronesses and Countesses (Elsa Schrader/Sound of Music/Lake Region Community Theater, Countess Aurelia/The Mad Woman of Chaillot/Denmark Arts Center, Olivia/Twelfth Night/Denmark Arts Center). Teresa has also been known to shine in comedic roles (Mrs. Wormwood/Matilda/Lake Region Community Theater, (Alice Beineke/The Addams Family/Lake Region Community Theater). She starred as Hailey Walker in the one-woman show Bad Dates/Sebago Schoolhouse Arts Center, and won an award as the Best Supporting Actress for her role as Ralphie’s Mother in The Christmas Story/Sebago Schoolhouse Arts Center. Privately trained, Dyer, continues to stretch her acting and singing chops, searching for new roles and performance opportunities to stretch her skills further. Monsters is another wonderful opportunity to do just that!
Rylee Doiron is stoked to be a part of this production of Monsters. She recently returned to Maine after living in NYC for 12 years. While there, she performed professionally in 2 Off-Broadway shows, a few tv series, regional productions, theme parks and A LOT of new musicals in pre-production BUT you might have seen her most recently doing local theater here in Maine for the past year! You may have also seen her monster, Anxiety. She’s probably somewhere in the audience, or backstage, or on the roof. Enjoy the show!
Gail Phaneuf (Fear) is the Executive and Artistic Director for Deertrees Theatre. She is thrilled to direct and appear on stage in her own "Midlife Musical" - as her most feared MONSTER! Most recently Gail appeared at Deertrees in "Kippy" as the amazing Kip Tiernan, and was seen in 2021 and 2022 on stage with Katie Connor as Louise in "Always...Patsy Cline". Gail is an award-winning playwright, composer, producer, actor and director. Her teen musical The Love Note has enjoyed an Off-Broadway run at Actors Temple Theatre in NYC, and continues to have numerous productions at schools, regional theaters and theater camps around the Globe. www.thelovenote.com The Love Note Musical is now offered by Heuer Publishing and Brooklyn Publishers for production. MONSTERS! A Midlife Musical Meltdown, is a collaboration with Broadway lyricist Ernie Lijoi. MONSTERS! Is also offered by Heuer Publishing, or you may visit www.monstersthemusical.com Gail's latest musical creation is a song cycle entitled "Memorize You". Gail could not be happier to share the stage as a monster with such an amazing cast and her lifelong friend Patti Hathaway! She'd like to thank her family and Ken and Grumpy Stan and her kitty Harrison (Harry) for supporting her through her creative journey at Deertrees and beyond! gailphaneuf.com
