Brave and Strong and True Bob Falkenstein

Leslie Monaco is a current Upper Darby Summer Stage member looking forward to participating for four more years. She joined the program as a Rising Star and then an Apprentice. Leslie moved into the Children’s Theatre program when she turned 13. She is a graduate of West Chester University and works for the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia where she always runs into Summer Stagers. I hope you enjoy our conversation, so come along and have some fun. . .


Leslie’s links:
Miscast Cabaret at SALT performing Arts
salt.pa.ticketleap.com/miscastcabaret


Wolf Performing Art Center
www.wolfperformingartscenter.org


Walnut Street Theatre
www.walnutstreettheatre.org

We all have stories to tell, and they can be heard here.
Welcome to Brave and Strong and True, a podcast that engages Summer Stage alumni of all ages. I’m Bob Falkenstein.

Our music is composed and performed by Neil McGettigan https://neilmcgettiganandtheeleventhhour.bandcamp.com/releases
Please follow Brave and Strong and True on Apple Podcasts. While you’re there, please rate the show and leave a comment.  
If you want to be a guest on Brave and Strong and True, please contact me at braveandstrongandtrue@gmail.com. You must have a desktop or laptop computer running the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. It helps if you have an external microphone and headphones, but Apple earbuds work too; however, BlueTooth ones are not 100% reliable, so see if you can borrow wired ones.


Support the show
Upper Darby Summer Stage is now part of the non-profit organization known as the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation. Harry Dietzler is the Executive Director of the UDAEF.

If you are able to support Summer Stage financially, please visit udsummerstage.org to find out more.

Tyler Trafficante joined Summer Stage in 2009 as a Rising Star. He hung around for five summers, performing in the Children’s Theatre program. As an adult, Tyler plays tenor saxophone with the Polish American String Band, of the Philadelphia Mummers Association. He also is a current member of an online theatre company that produces the works of William Shakespeare. I hope you enjoy our conversation, so come along and have some fun. . .


Tyler’s links:


Polish American String Band’s New Year's Day performance from January 1, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyKK8KxOs5U&authuser=0


Online performance of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIBAjy8_sec&authuser=0

We all have stories to tell, and they can be heard here. Welcome to Brave and Strong and True, a podcast that engages Summer Stage alumni of all ages. I’m Bob Falkenstein. 

Our music is composed and performed by Neil McGettigan https://neilmcgettiganandtheeleventhhour.bandcamp.com/releases


Please follow Brave and Strong and True on Apple Podcasts. While you’re there, please rate the show and leave a comment.  


If you want to be a guest on Brave and Strong and True, please contact me at braveandstrongandtrue@gmail.com. 

You must have a desktop or laptop computer running the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. It helps if you have an external microphone and headphones, but Apple earbuds work too; however, BlueTooth ones are not 100% reliable, so see if you can borrow wired ones.
Support the show
Upper Darby Summer Stage is now part of the non-profit organization known as the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation. Harry Dietzler is the Executive Director of the UDAEF.

If you are able to support Summer Stage financially, please visit udsummerstage.org to find out more.

Havertown native Emily Moylan began her Summer Stage journey as an apprentice. She moved her way up through Children’s Theatre and Mainstage productions. As her skills accrued, she held various staff positions. After receiving a degree from Temple University, Emily worked for Philadelphia Young Playwrights. She is a professional educator, administrator, theatre artist, and writer. Currently, Emily is on the administrative staff of Darlington Arts Center as their Assistant Director. I hope you enjoy our conversation, so come along and have some fun. . .


Darlington Arts Center https://www.darlingtonarts.org/


Philadelphia Young Playwrights  https://www.phillyyoungplaywrights.org/



We all have stories to tell, and they can be heard here.
Welcome to Brave and Strong and True, a podcast that engages Summer Stage alumni of all ages. I’m Bob Falkenstein.


Our music is composed and performed by Neil McGettigan https://neilmcgettiganandtheeleventhhour.bandcamp.com/releases


Please follow Brave and Strong and True on Apple Podcasts. While you’re there, please rate the show and leave a comment.  


If you want to be a guest on Brave and Strong and True, please contact me at braveandstrongandtrue@gmail.com.
You must have a desktop or laptop computer running the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. It helps if you have an external microphone and headphones, but Apple earbuds work too; however, BlueTooth ones are not 100% reliable, so see if you can borrow wired ones.






Support the show
Upper Darby Summer Stage is now part of the non-profit organization known as the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation. Harry Dietzler is the Executive Director of the UDAEF.

If you are able to support Summer Stage financially, please visit udsummerstage.org to find out more.

Marcie (Turstlick) Bramucci remembers the initial impact Summer Stage had on her life as she experienced a 1987 performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She joined the program when she was age-eligible, participating in the Apprentice Program, Children’s Theater, and Mainstage. Her academic career took her to Point Park College before earning Master's Degrees from Villanova University and Columbia University. Marcie worked in media on both coasts before settling back in Delaware County. She is currently the Executive Artistic Director of Hedgerow Theatre Company in Rose Valley where she produces, directs, and performs. I hope you enjoy our conversation, so come along and have some fun. . .

Hedgerow Theatre Company https://www.hedgerowtheatre.org/
Marcie’s professional website https://www.marciebramucci.com/


We all have stories to tell, and they can be heard here. Welcome to Brave and Strong and True, a podcast that engages Summer Stage alumni of all ages. I’m Bob Falkenstein.

Our music is composed and performed by Neil McGettigan https://neilmcgettiganandtheeleventhhour.bandcamp.com/releases


Please follow Brave and Strong and True on Apple Podcasts. While you’re there, please rate the show and leave a comment.  


If you want to be a guest on Brave and Strong and True, please contact me at braveandstrongandtrue@gmail.com.
You must have a desktop or laptop computer running the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. It helps if you have an external microphone and headphones, but Apple earbuds work too; however, BlueTooth ones are not 100% reliable, so see if you can borrow wired ones.
Support the show
Upper Darby Summer Stage is now part of the non-profit organization known as the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation. Harry Dietzler is the Executive Director of the UDAEF.

If you are able to support Summer Stage financially, please visit udsummerstage.org to find out more.

Gerri Smith Weagraff is “Old Guard” Summer Stage. Her wonderful portrayals of classic musical theatre characters remain treasured in our memories. From 1977 to 1980, Summer Stage was the only place where Gerri performed. It was where she spent her summers while home from college, and she says it truly served as the foundation for her life onstage and off, developing such qualities as teamwork, commitment, respect, confidence, and much more. Musical theatre has always been a family affair for Gerri, for she has performed on stage with her parents, her husband, and their children.  Early in her professional career, she was a radio announcer for local stations in South Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware. Since the mid-80s, Gerri has performed with many Summer Stagers at other theaters in the tri-state area, and she cherishes the bond we all share. While in her fifties and sixties, Gerri found amazing opportunities with the national touring companies of A Fiddler on the Roof and Anastasia. I interviewed her from her hotel room in Jackson, Mississippi, where she is traveling with the national touring company of My Fair Lady.  I hope you enjoy our conversation, so come along and have some fun. . .

Gerri’s website www.gerriwegraff.com


Follow Gerri on Instagram @gerriweagraff

We all have stories to tell, and they can be heard here. Welcome to Brave and Strong and True, a podcast that engages Summer Stage alumni of all ages. I’m Bob Falkenstein. 

Our music is composed and performed by Neil McGettigan https://neilmcgettiganandtheeleventhhour.bandcamp.com/releases


Please follow Brave and Strong and True on Apple Podcasts. While you’re there, please rate the show and leave a comment.  

If you want to be a guest on Brave and Strong and True, please contact me at braveandstrongandtrue@gmail.com. You must have a desktop or laptop computer running the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. It helps if you have an external microphone and headphones, but Apple earbuds work too; however, BlueTooth ones are not 100% reliable, so see if you can borrow wired ones.



Support the show
Upper Darby Summer Stage is now part of the non-profit organization known as the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation. Harry Dietzler is the Executive Director of the UDAEF.

If you are able to support Summer Stage financially, please visit udsummerstage.org to find out more.

I interviewed Steve Smith during our recent Christmas break since we are both teachers. He grew up in Highland Park and went to Bonner. Steve joined Summer Stage in 1981 when he turned eleven and thrived in the Children’s Theatre program. He fondly remembers the opportunity to be a pirate. He went to Villanova University for his first degree and earned his Masters at American University. He now teaches Social Studies at Downingtown East High School. I hope you enjoy our conversation, so come along and have some fun. . .

We all have stories to tell, and they can be heard here. Welcome to Brave and Strong and True, a podcast that engages Summer Stage alumni of all ages. I’m Bob Falkenstein.

Our music is composed and performed by Neil McGettigan https://neilmcgettiganandtheeleventhhour.bandcamp.com/releases
Please follow Brave and Strong and True on Apple Podcasts. While you’re there, please rate the show and leave a comment. 
If you want to be a guest on Brave and Strong and True, please contact me at braveandstrongandtrue@gmail.com.
You must have a desktop or laptop computer running the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. It helps if you have an external microphone and headphones, but Apple earbuds work too; however, BlueTooth ones are not 100% reliable, so see if you can borrow wired ones.
Support the show
Upper Darby Summer Stage is now part of the non-profit organization known as the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation. Harry Dietzler is the Executive Director of the UDAEF.

If you are able to support Summer Stage financially, please visit udsummerstage.org to find out more.