The Tenth Man
Cast

John Benkovic (Policeman), a Herndon native, has studied at the Actors Studio Conservatory in Washington, DC; in Miami with John Fionte; and in LA at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. He starred in two independent films, Limitless and The Alarm, and a featured role in a safe sex public service announcement. He has previously appeared in ESP’s Morticians in Love, Death of a Salesman, Taming of the Shrew, and most recently The Lady’s Not for Burning.

Stan Bennett (Harris) has been in the Northern Virgina area about seven and a half years, and hails from Miami Florida, where he appeared in Man of LaMancha and The Pajama Game. In 1993 he became associated with the Montgomery Playhouse, where he appeared in Comedy of Errors, Hot L Baltimore and Ten Little Indians. Stan also was the sound operator of Jakes Women, The Heidi Chronicles and 3 of the one acts for the Black Box Festival. This is Stan’s first production with the Elden Street Players and he looks forward to a long and interesting stay with the group.

John Delaney (Rabbi) was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and has been living in the Washington area for about 11 years. Until recently, his stage experience only included stand-up comedy. He made his acting debut in November in The Hot l Baltimore at LTA, and also recently appeared in LTA’s Spring Showcase production of The Dining Room. This is his first appearance with the Elden Street Players and he is very grateful for the opportunity.

Bernard Engel (Alper) has been performing in the Washington area (and around the world) for more than thirty years. However, he has pursued his craft professionally only for the past four years after retiring from a career in the foreign service. He made his New York debut this past summer performing off off Broadway as Dracula and Van Helsing in a new version of the Dracula story. Locally he has been seen recently as Jack in the TAP production of Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound and Roy in LTA’s Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild. He has done voiceover work for such clients as Bell South and State Farm Insurance and has been in commercial and industrial films.

Al Fetske (Foreman) is thrilled to be working both ends of the production spectrum in ESP’s Tenth Man. In the research and study of the script while developing the lighting design, he attained an in depth perception of his character’s David Foreman relationships to the other characters. Al has successfully designed shows for ESP’s Hamlet, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Freedom of the City, and Ms. Reardon Drinks a Little. He has also been seen in several productions, among his favorites: Other Peoples Money, Man in the Glass Booth, and All the King’s Men.

Joe Gems (Schlissel) is more familiar to Elden Street audiences as a music director/keyboardist (The Who’s Tommy, Hair, Sweeney Todd, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Working) than as an actor (Antigone and God). In fact, this amounts to Joe’s acid test as an actor. If he can’t be convincing as an old Jew, he’d better hang up his monologues and stick to the keyboards.

Jerry Lindsay (Older Kessler Brother) last appeared as the Blind Spider in The Island of Anyplace, and has worked backstage in many productions with ESP. He would like to thank his wife Elena for being so understanding and apologizes for being onstage during their first anniversary.

Herb Rothenberg (Hirshman) is making his second appearance with ESP: he was Nonno in Night of the Iguana. His theatrical career has been based in Great Falls, where he as appeared in some 30 plays over 32 years with the Great Falls Players. Among his more recent roles are Colonel Kincaid in The Oldest Living Graduate, Solomon in The Price and Willy in The Sunshine Boys. Herb is also Technical Director and set builder for GFP. He is a retired physicist and has lived in Great Falls for 33 years.

Laura Russell (Evelyn) may be a familiar face to season ticket holders, as she appeared in The Runner Stumbles (Erna) and The Lady’s Not For Burning (Alizon) earlier this season. Other roles at Elden Street include Ophelia (Hamlet) and Terri in the award-winning one act production of Lady of Fadima. Laura has also served as costumer (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, A Raisin in the Sun) and filled various other technical niches. Her proudest role is that of Mommy to Mat and Alex, whom she would like to thank for their patience and cooperation. Thanks also to David and Emme, "who helped me to remain sane during dark times."

Jack Seeley (Zittorsky) is a retired insurance broker. He is also a graduate of Boston University in Theatre Directing (B.F.A.) and Baylor University in Theatre History and Criticism (M.A.) He has worked Off-Broadway with the CSC Repertory Theatre, and in regional theatres in Fort Worth and Baltimore. His previous credits with ESP include Malvolio in Twelfth Night, the Gravedigger in Hamlet, Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew, and the Judge in Freedom of the City (twice!), as well as roles in God, and The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window. Jack has also performed at the Hayloft and Source theatres, and with the Reston Players.

David Sher (Younger Kessler Brother), in recent years, has performed with ESP in Fifth of July, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Runner Stumbles and Something Different. He also directed The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the 1999 NVTA One-Act Festival Best Production of Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen. David can be found during the weekend days right here on the ESP stage performing in the Theatre for Young Audiences production of Something Different 2000.

Mike Steele (Sexton) was last seen at Elden Street as Kermie Ferguson (the bad guy) in The Widow’s Blind Date, and previously as Older Charlie in Da and a variety of roles in All the King’s Men. He has been very busy on stage in the last year or so, performing the role of Tesman in Hedda Gabler at Rockville Little Theatre, Roberto (another really bad guy) in Death and the Maiden at Cedar Lane Stage, Joel in the comedy Beau Jest at Silver Spring Stage and the goofy Dr. Wally in Marvin’s Room with the Vienna Theatre Company.