Nevermore-TheFantastic Terrors of Edgar Allan Poe at Gretna Theatre

Jenny Piersol is an award-winning actress, writer, and producer whose short film DEAR SIMONE premiered at the Big Apple Film Festival this spring and won her the Best Performance Award at the Astoria Film Festival. Hailed by BroadwayWorld as "remarkably talented," Piersol has appeared at regional theaters across the country, including Walnut Street Theater, Fulton Theater, and the Ordway. Her favorite stage credits include the Lincoln Center national tour of South Pacific, Talley's Folly, and the Off Bway play Dear Jane. She is excited to return to Gretna to reprise her favorite volatile Poe anti-heroine in this production of Nevermore.

Will Stephan Connell (William) is frighteningly thrilled and thrillingly frightened to return to Gretna Theatre after last appearing in the premiere of Nevermore in 2021. Select credits include Chip Tolentino in 25th Annual...Spelling Bee (Fulton Theatre), Houdini in Ragtime (Bristol Riverside Theatre), Laurie in Little Women (Quintessence Theatre Group), and more. Special thanks to Alanna and Mike for the second go at the scantlings, and to the powerhouse cast and crew! @awillandaway

Amanda Jill Robinson is an actor, singer, musician, writer, and music director. She is the co-creator and half of comedy duo, Ruth and Estelle, and their joyful podcast, “Learning Through Laughter”. (Listen on Apple/Spotify!) Selected Regional: Cinderella (Walnut); Broken Biscuits (American Premiere, 1812); Man of La Mancha (Barrymore Nom: Ensemble, Act II Playhouse); Lydie Breeze Trilogy (World Premiere, EgoPo Classic Theater); Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Philadelphia Artists’ Collective); Merry Wives…Windsor (Delaware Shakespeare); Henry V, Peter…Starcatcher (Theater at Monmouth). Up next: Peter…Starcatcher (Delaware Theatre Co.) Thanks and love to Alanna, Mike & Co, and her wonderful wife, Emily. amandajillrobinson.com

Korri Slamans is a ‘23 grad of Lancaster Bible College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, and she is so thankful to make her debut at Gretna Theatre in Nevermore. She is delighted to be a part of such a spectacular production. She most recently performed in Ragtime at the Fulton, in a staged reading of In Days Of Old, and in Parables of Jesus with Piercing Word. In the film world, she has appeared in, Broken Trust, HOME: The Ones We Least Expect, and a commercial for Goliath Games’, “You Had One Job”. To God be the Glory. James 3:17-18

Janine Merolla is a director, theatre educator and actor in the greater Philadelphia area. She has worked with The Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, The Candlelight Theatre, Theatre Horizon and other local theatres as an educator and artist. Some of her credits include: Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray), Judy (9 to 5), Madelaine True (Lippa's Wild Party) & Enid Hoops (Legally Blonde). By day, she is the Associate Artistic Director of Wolf Performing Arts Center in Bryn Mawr, PA. One of her core memories is being read The Tell Tale Heart at an overnight camp in 5th grade and not sleeping for a week, so she looks forward to being a part of this company and reclaiming the spookiness of Poe!

Alanna is a bi-coastal director/performer/writer, inspired by the hilarity and disillusionment of everyday life. She is the associate producer for ClockJack Productions immersive programming, most recently consulting on Cyrkus Vampyr at Old Sturbridge Village, co-writing 'Fairytale Farm' for Coggeshall Farm, and directing 'Nevermore' at Mt. Gretna Theatre in 2021. TV/Film: Love Afloat (Crackle), Chang Can Dunk (Disney+), Power Book II: Ghost (Starz), and FBI: Most Wanted (CBS). Regional Theatre: Nevermore (World Premiere), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Comedy of Tenors, Young Frankenstein, Noises Off, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Funny Thing...Forum (Walnut Street Theatre), A Comedy of Tenors, Smoke and Mirrors (Florida Studio Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Media Theatre), Gypsy (Hangar Theatre), Grease (Fireside Theatre). BFA Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. More at @alannajsmith

KAT WOLFF is an NYC-based actor, director, and makeup artist who is thrilled to be making her Gretna debut with this wonderful immersive piece. A proud Hartt School grad, Kat has worked regionally at Maine State Music Theatre, Phoenix Theatre Company, Goodspeed Opera House, Woodstock Playhouse, and Jean’s Playhouse. She was seen most recently in the Lancaster area in Titanic at Fulton Theatre playing Irish lass Kate Mullins. Huge thanks and all her love as always to her wonderful family, friends, and amazing partner. @katmwolff

Last seen at Gretna as The Big Bad Wolf in 2022’s Family Series production of “The Three Little Pigs,” Tim is excited to return to frighten crowds of a different age demographic. He is a teacher of Performing Arts at La Academia Partnership Charter School in Lancaster. Some favorite roles include EPAC's The Crucible (Proctor), The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime (Ed), The Elephant Man (Merrick), Hand To God (Pastor Greg), Hamlet (Hamlet), The Pillowman (Katurian). Thanks to Michael, Alanna, and PJ for the opportunity.

Brendan Massar (He/They): Brendan is thrilled to be returning to Gretna in Nevermore! He is a recent graduate of the Emerson College BFA Musical Theatre program. Favorite regional credits include: The Great Gatsby (Jay Gatsby), Godspell (Jesus), A Charles Dickens Christmas (Charles Dickens), Jekyll and Hyde (Proops/Poole), Les Miserables, Newsies, Big (Derek), The Emperor’s New Clothes (Emperor Marcus III), and Man of La Mancha (Swing). He would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support. brendanmassar.com

John Chambers is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from NYC, making his theatrical debut in Nevermore. He is rumored to possess a certain affinity for one Poesque figure with a volatile temperament toward felines - whom you may find joining him in song over the course of the night.

Alanna is a bi-coastal director/performer/writer, inspired by the hilarity and disillusionment of everyday life. She is the associate producer for ClockJack Productions immersive programming, most recently consulting on Cyrkus Vampyr at Old Sturbridge Village, co-writing 'Fairytale Farm' for Coggeshall Farm, and directing 'Nevermore' at Mt. Gretna Theatre in 2021. TV/Film: Love Afloat (Crackle), Chang Can Dunk (Disney+), Power Book II: Ghost (Starz), and FBI: Most Wanted (CBS). Regional Theatre: Nevermore (World Premiere), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Comedy of Tenors, Young Frankenstein, Noises Off, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Funny Thing...Forum (Walnut Street Theatre), A Comedy of Tenors, Smoke and Mirrors (Florida Studio Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Media Theatre), Gypsy (Hangar Theatre), Grease (Fireside Theatre). BFA Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. More at @alannajsmith

P.J. Griffith is a writer/director/performer based out of New York City with an extensive background in theater, television and museum programming, As the Artistic Director of CLOCKJACK PRODUCTIONS, he has focused on the creation of innovative, site-specific, immersive theatrical experiences. P.J. first gained experience in "immersive theater" performing principal roles in some of the country's most critically acclaimed and financially-successful immersive productions, including SLEEP NO MORE, THE ILLUMINATI BALL and BOND: SHAKEN NOT STIRRED in New York City, FOR THE RECORD: BAZ LUHRMANN in Los Angeles, DESCENT in Sarasota and THE SLEEPY HOLLOW EXPERIENCE in Massachusetts. As a performer, P.J.’s theater credits include "St. Jimmy" in AMERICAN IDIOT on Broadway, “Stacee Jaxx” in ROCK OF AGES Off= Broadway, "Leon Czolgoscz" in ASSASSINS at Yale Repertory Theater and "Jett Rink" in The Public Theater's premiere of GIANT. P.J. received the 2010 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for “Best Featured Performance” for SET-UP & PUNCH at The Blank Theater and the 2017 New York Musical Theater Festival Award for Outstanding Lead Performance for GEORAMA. He can be seen on television in guest starring in roles in episodes of BLUE BLOODS, GOTHAM, JESSICA JONES, THE GOOD WIFE, THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA and WITHOUT A TRACE. He has worked on the production staff of COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS, MAD TV, PHENOMENON and VH1 STORYTELLERS. Through CLOCKJACK PRODUCTIONS, P.J. blends his background in the entertainment industry with his life-long love of museums. His recent productions include writing, directing and co-producing CYRKUS VAMPYR, NEVERMORE— The Fantastic Terrors Of Edgar Allan Poe, HAUNTED BY HISTORY—A Phantasmagoria and MIDWINTER MISCHIEF (winner of the 2018 International Museum Alliance Award for Excellence) for Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA, ADVENTURES IN OZ for Lachat Town Farm in Weston, CT, PATHWAY TO THE BALLOT BOX, for Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY and HAUNTED MANHATTAN— THE FIVE POINTS, for Haunted Manhattan Tours. P.J. also wrote TOMMY THUNDERS’ HEAVY METAL LIGHTNING SHOW for Discovery Place Science Center in Charlotte, NC and produced GET JACK IN CONCERT alongside Tony Award-Winner Anita Waxman, with music by Grammy-Nominee Kip Winger, directed by Olivier Award-Winner Kelly Devine. P.J. has directed shows and theatrical experiences for LAKE COMPOUNCE and LEGOLAND theme parks as well as co-produced several rock, bluegrass, and folk festivals.