Looking for Love? Life can Imitate Art at The Bergen County Players
Contact:
Margie Druss Fodor
Publicity, Bergen County Players
margiedrussfodor@gmail.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Looking for Love? Life can Imitate Art at The Bergen County Players
By Margie Druss Fodor
Oradell, NJ, February 1, 2025 – When Melissa Miller of Fort Lee heard that the Bergen County Players in Oradell was holding auditions for the musical “Ragtime,” her favorite show of all time, she had to go. Little did she know that being cast in the musical two years ago would change her life…as well as her name. That’s because a friendship with castmate Dan Giordano blossomed into a romance, and ultimately a marriage this past August.
While most people join BCP for their love of theater, finding matrimony has been a welcoming byproduct for a number of couples. As BCP celebrates its 92nd season this year, members recently reminisced about the marriages that came along with membership to the popular community theater. About 15 couples met their respective spouses at BCP over the years, and the number continues to grow. “Happiest day of my life,” said Melissa (with her new married name) Giordano of her August 29th wedding. “I’m so lucky I married my best friend.”
26 Years and Counting
Julie Steckler Kopil, of Suffern, NY, admitted that she had “such a crush” on Robert Kopil when she met him in 1998 during “The Super Fantastic Magical Adventures of Bob.” On the last day of performances, Steckler Kopil recalled that Kopil said: “I’m going to the movies after I leave. Anyone wanna join me?”. “I think I said ‘I DO’ before he even finished his sentence. We had our first official
date a week later, and six months later we were engaged,” Steckler Kopil said.
Met and Married Literally at BCP
Terri and Peter Caust, of Glen Rock, met on the set of the show “Sylvia” about 25 years ago and started dating soon afterwards. On July 4th, 2000, while everyone was at the fireworks, Peter Caust took the opportunity to propose to Terri onstage. They later decided that they might as well get married at the place they met – the BCP stage. “We were married in the throne room of The Emperor’s New Clothes on November 25th, 2000,” Terri Caust said. Back in 1951, Libby Kennerley, 93 and BCPs oldest living member at the time, had the pleasure of watching her daughter Kenne Kennerley and Herbert Hackbarth marry on the BCP stage. They were married after a show and even invited the audience to stay and attend – and the majority of them did!
One Director Sparks Two Marriages
Jacqueline Poquette of Westwood, one of BCPs longtime directors, seems to have an eye for picking cast members that truly get along. In 1988, a talented actor named Andrew Lionetti came down to audition for “All My Sons.” Poquette’s daughter, Nina (then) Loiacono, also auditioning, was so moved and impressed by Lionetti’s powerful monologue that she found herself during the callback saying, “I hope I get to see you sometime.” Lionetti responded by asking if she was free to make a dinner date. She said yes. Both were cast in the show. Andrew and Nina Lionetti, who now live in Westwood, were married in 1992.
In December 2008, Megan Taylor (now Megan Larsen) first met Tim Larsen at the auditions for Irving Berlin’s “The Melody Lingers On,” also directed by Poquette. Both were cast and assigned as dance partners. “Some people thought we were already in a relationship because we moved so well together – but we didn’t get together officially until July of 2009,” Megan Larsen, of Hackensack, said. The couple were married on September 28, 2013, with many fellow theater friends in attendance. The Larsens, who continue to perform, have two sons, Ted, born in 2020 and Gregory, in 2022. Since Tim Larsen’s parents are BCP members, Ted is poised to become a 3rd generation BCP member when he lent his voice to a character in this season’s show, “Rabbit Hole.”
Other Members Reminisce About BCP Marriages
BCP current president, Alyson Cohn, and Larry Landsman, a BCP past president, of Wyckoff, met while playing opposite of each other in “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.” They hit it off right away and got married two years later. Past President Barbara Warren, of Park Ridge, met her husband John Bryant Phillips at her first BCP show, “Pinocchio.” Bryant Phillips was the lighting designer and she was the assistant director and stage manager. They, like many BCP members, refer to the theater as “family.” “Married life has its ups and downs.” Cohn said. “The journey is so much stronger with someone who not only understands, but shares your passion.”
Jill Hendrickson and Gregory Guido, of New Milford, first met during BCP’s “Accomplice.” Hendrickson was part of the crew for the trap door, and Guido was with the ambulance crew called to help as part of the play. He later joined the theater and the two worked on other shows together. It was during “Noises Off” when they had their first date. They were married October 20, 2001.
Marilyn Pettinati, of Fair Lawn, met her late husband Jerry decades ago when they were both performing in “Zorba.” She said she loved the way he bowed to the audience, then jumped on chairs in excitement, after the show. Behind the scenes, romance grew during “Prisoner of 2nd Avenue,” for Dave and Joan Ross, of Florida, formerly of Westwood, when they both were working backstage.
Bergen County Players, a non-profit organization, counts more than 300 volunteer members as part of its family. BCP is always open to new members, whether that be onstage or behind the scenes. More information about the theater can be found online at www.bcplayers.org.
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