PERFORUM KU’s Organization for Theatre and Performance Studies Schaeffer Auditorium
Dedicated to all those who helped tell this story – 1998-2026 Bernie Yasenchak John Hordines Bill Malley Thomas Hynoski Andrew Gray and Family Walter Simons Molly’s of Locust Gap Sarah Yeager Sara (Sally McDonnell) Noga Joseph Maczka Tom Symons Pete Kenenitz Harry (Doc) Moleski Tiny Thomas Dempsey Margarite Mally Darrah Sammy Chester Kulesa Fritz Lamar and Lana Mervine Charlotte Stephanie Whyne Sonny Jim Cleary Soupy Tommy Fedock Brian McGinnley Charlie Strausser Sarah Yeager Owen McGinley and Family David Dekok Rev. Monsignor Lawrence R. Overbaugh Eric McKeever Anne Marie Devine and Family Jack Darrah Jerry (Slovy) Wysochansky Patrick Campbell and to the Academy Sporting Goods and Luncheonette of Mt. Carmel and the Academy “Beauties”
Kutztown University’s PERFORUM presents Centralia: The Fire Below Written and Directed by Deryl Johnson with Keith Conallen* Julia Kershetsky Dylan Miller Emily Novak –Setting– A Media Editing Room and Theatre at Berks County Community College January 2020 • Courtesy Actor’s Equity Association
_______________Playwright’s Note_________________ On an icy day in 1997, I visited the town of Centralia, PA. It was the day after Thanksgiving, and they were tearing down St. Ignatius Catholic Church. I set up my small camcorder and began recording the final moments of this landmark church, founded in 1869. A few residents of the town were watching, but as the steeple fell, they walked away to shield me from their tears. A few months later I interview then Mayor of Centralia, Lemar Mervine. He and his wife generously invited me into their home. For almost two hours they unselfishly shared stories of their lives in Centralia and provided glimpses of their fifty-plus year marriage and experiences of this town. Their generosity of time, willingness to share the stories and struggles of their lives, and the kindnesses to both friends and strangers was constant, remarkable and a true gift for so many who visited. This experience was typical of every current and former resident of Centralia that I ever met. Three years ago, I decided to return to Centralia and to the play that was created from the interviews, videos, photographs and shared stories. I realized that of the twenty or so people that were living in Centralia then, only a few remain today. The plant life and foliage now obscure the outlines of streets, children’s playgrounds and parks. This town once boasted more than 1100 residents and 600 building are almost gone. Almost thirty years ago, the town was still very much in the news. Now, only a few of my students admit that they’ve ever heard of the town, and usually it because of a video game/movie reference, or a graffiti highway that was covered over with dirt in 2020. On the 160th Anniversary of its founding, I travel once again up Route 61 from Kutztown – to a remarkable coal town in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. Through this play I want to share the saga of a town consumed by an underground mine fire and provide a voice for what Centralians want to say about their town’s history. I hope that you will glimpse some of the people, places, events and memories of this community: their dignity, respect, humor, and kindnesses they shared with so many people in the face of tragedy. I am grateful to all the people who generously helped to make this and the 1998 production possible. It is to Alexander W. Rea (the founder of Centralia), Lemar Mervine, Anne Marie Devine, Sarah Yeager, Jerry “Slovy” Wysochansky, Joe “Ussie” Shipetski, Jane Benfield and all those that have ever lived in Centralia that this play is dedicated. Deryl B. Johnson, Playwright/Director
__________________ Who’s Who_____________________ Keith Conallen ( Joe Walker). is a Philadelphia actor/ writer, currently a member of Wilma Theatre's HotHouse Acting Company. Regionally, Keith has worked mainly in Philadelphia and is thrilled to contribute to Kutztown University's history. He serves on the board of Theatre Philadelphia and Wilma Theatre. Next up: The Little Prince at Wilma Theatre. Keith is a member of Actor’s Equity Association. Julie Kershetsky ( Cara) is honored to be back in Berks County bringing this work to life. NYC: Midsummer. Regional: The Carols, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Camelot, P-Funk Posse, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Guys and Dolls, Lend Me A Tenor, Something’s Afoot, Ragtime. Julia is a music director, director, a professor of Voice with CAP21 and the founder of Starling Voice Studio. Julia is a member of Actor’s Equity Association. Dylan D. Miller ( Blake/Lenny) Dylan D. Miller is a multidisciplinary artist, his work spans genre-bending musical compositions, comedy short films, digital collage pieces, and modernist prose writing. Dylan has performed in a number of productions at local community theaters and various filmed works and is excited to be on stage once again.
_________________ Who’s Who_____________________ Emily Novak (Destiny) is thrilled to be involved in this Kutztown production. Her previous theatre credits include Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Hope in Almost, Maine, and many others throughout the years. She has directed Kutztown's Actors Creating Theater productions of Fiddler on the Roof and The Outsiders and currently serves as the organization's Public Relations Representative on the Executive Board. She is currently studying Social Media Theory and Strategy at Kutztown University and is grateful for every opportunity to continue growing as a performer. Deryl Johnson (Playwright/ Director). A playwright, performer, professor and storyteller, Dr. Deryl Johnson began teaching at Kutztown University in 1993. Deryl is the playwright of Peter Taylor’s “Old Forest,” “Short Changed: Depicting Women in Literature,” “Persona,” and “Just Wilde about Haring.” Deryl’s most recent play was “Covid Queertet” which premiered at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 2023. He is also the adapter/director of four plays for WVIA’s NPR Radio project based on the short stories of Pennsylvania native, John O’Hara. Cara Cotellese (The Murder and Trial of Alexander Rea - Director). Professor Cotellese came to KU in the Fall of 2008 after teaching for 18 years in the cinema/ video program at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pa. She is an alumna of the CTM department (formerly electronic media) and continues to do freelance work in the field. Cara was recently presented with the 2026 PSAC George Heaslip Award.
__________________ Who’s Who_____________________ Scott Bastedo (Centralia Hill: Silent No More - Director). Professor Bastedo has taught and developed coursework in audio and video production, graphic design, motion graphics, 3D animation, and mass media as an instructor at Northland Community and Technical College and at Millersville University. He has worked as a freelancer on commercials, documentaries, and short films in the Washington, DC area. His areas of interest include cinematography and screenwriting. Joseph Wehlski (Assistant Director). Joe is thrilled to be working once again with Deryl – many years after he helped bring Deryl’s original play, “Centralia”, to life. Joe is an award-winning NYC director, writer, producer, acting coach & SAG-AFTRA and Equity actor. He is the founder of secretstationfilms.com, and has won many awards for his direction of Indie films, web series, and commercials. Joe created international commercials for The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Born Free USA, and DAVSS (featuring ‘Doctor Who’ number 4, Tom Baker). Joe is an alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The New School, and he earned his BFA in communication design from Kutztown University. “May St. Patrick Always Give You the Green Light! Anne Marie Devine, Former Mayor of Centralia
__________________ Who’s Who_____________________ Costumer: Jim Reed, Tina’s Productions, Inc. House Manager: Danny Eldabbass, Graduate Assistant to Dr. Johnson Museum Docents: Susan Mangold, Dina Hayduk Technical Director: Ross Mather, KU Production Manager Assistant Technical Director: Avery Reel Stage Managers: Donald White, Jocelyn Scott Scenic Painter: Isabella Centano ______________ Want to Donate? _______________ Support Theatre and Performance Studies! When supporting Kutztown University artists, you have the chance to make an even greater impact campus wide. Give a gift today to support future student-assisted productions, experiential learning opportunities, and a craft that reaches beyond our KU community. The KU College of Visual and Performing Arts appreciates your support! Click the link below or scan the QR code to see how you can give directly to help productions like Centralia: The Fire Below.
______________Film Cast and Crew _________________ The Murder and Trial of Alexander Rea Cast: Narrator #1 – Frederick Sheeler Narrator #2 – Kirsten Heim Daniel Kelly – Ben Britton Annie Rea – Rachel Beiswenger Patrick Hester – Carl Gustafson Judge – Stephan Stoecki Jury Foreman – Maximus Ford Father McDermott – Parker Storti Crew: Director – Cara Cotellese Screenplay – Cara Cotellese and Deryl Johnson Assistant Director – Scott Bastedo 2nd Assistant Director – Rachel Beiswenger Videographer – Lucas Garcia, Videographer/Editor - Christa Lowthert Script Supervisor – Jennifer Nevin Audio – Will Brenner Key Grip – Nate Durante Costume Assistants – Ella Estivez, John Glover “Centralia Suite” Composed/Conducted by Charles Scanzello. Musicians – Pat Cappobianco, Louis Mazza, John Schwartz Warning! The area encompassed by the Centralia Mine Fire is extremely dangerous. Walking and/or driving in the immediate area could result in serious injury or death. There are dangerous gases present, and the ground is prone to sudden and unexpected collapse. DEP strongly discourages anyone from visiting the immediate area. PA Dept. of Environmental Protection, 2026.
______________Film Cast and Crew _________________ Earl Carrol Newsreel Cast: Narrator - Josh Chambers Crew: Screenplay – Deryl Johnson Editor - Atlas Cannon Centralia Hill: Silent No More Cast: Madison – Sarah Hoger Hannah – Jillian Sanchez Miner #1 – Gavin Preston Miner #2 – Declan Corrigan Evil Miner – Michario Madden Engineer – Mark Lawrence Crew: Director/Screenwriter - Scott Bastedo Original Story by – Cara Cotellese, Scott Bastedo, Deryl Johnson Assistant Director – Cara Cotellese Camera – Parker Storti, Matthew Wosczyna Audio – Will Brenner Make-up – Brielle Hardy The Fire Below: Stories of Centralia Cast: Narrator - Aidan Bollar Voice of Karen Blowmain – Cara Cotellese Lamar Mervine - Himself Crew: Screenplay – Deryl Johnson Editor - Angelina Hernandez, Parker Storti Audio Engineers – Micah Sarnes, Daniel Coronado Music – Joe “Ussie” Shilpetski, “Give My Regards to Centralia” Original Recording Robin Spielberg, “Give My Regards to Broadway” used with special permission - RobinSpielberg.com
___________Special Acknowledgement_____________ This production was made possible by the contributions of the following: • Eckley Miners’ Village • KU College of Visual and Performing Arts • KU Bears Grant • KU Dept. of Cinema, Television and Media Production • KU Dept. of Communication Studies • KU Office of Grants and Sponsored Project • KU Office of Student Involvement • KU President’s Office • KU Print Center • Mt. Carmel Area Public Library • Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train • Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education- Pennsylvania Faculty Professional Develop Fund • Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library • Heather Arbuckle • Dave Berezovske • Cathy Besser • Joe Cashmere and the song “Moster in Centralia” • Jackie DeFrancesco • Stacey Gambler • Jessica Gogglins • Marie Knadler-Cunningham • Mark Lawrence • Ramon Madrid • Vivian McCracken • Brian McGinley • Bode Morin • Rodale Institute • John Stockalis • Claire Taddeo • Jeffrey Werner
Helps us to learn about your experience of Centralia: The Fire Below This production was funded by several organizations who are interested about your experience of this new play and bringing low or no cost theatre to everyone. Please consider using the link or QR Code below to visit our website. On the website you will find a link entitled: Centralia: The Fire Below Audience Survey. The survey is voluntary and anonymous and will be open for the next few weeks. Additionally, the Centralia: The Fire Below website features a digital copy of the program, more information about this production, a history of Centralia PA, and more about the films: The Murder and Trial of Alexander Rea, Centralia Hill: Silent No More, and The Fire Below: Centralia Stories. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Deryl B. Johnson, Playwright/Director Or use the link: https://www.kutztown.edu/Centralia
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