The Hudson Players Club are pleased to announce the cast for their upcoming Shakespeare by the Lake production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will, directed by Raymond Yust.
SHOW DATES
18 – 28 July 2024 at Jack Layton Park 392 Rue Halcro, Hudson, QC J0P 1H0
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday each week @ 19:00
ENTRANCE BY DONATION – SUGGESTED $20
THE CAST – Click the name and watch their video
Ash Samson – Antonio
Bill Fletcher – Duke Orsino
David Fisher – Sir Toby Belch
Fiona Chandler – Olivia
Gabriel Grenier-McDermott – Curio/Priest
Genevieve Grenier – Fabian
Jean-frederic Samson – Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Jennifer Wade – Maria
Konstantine Malakos – Sebastian
McKenna Hayden – Officer
Samantha Cicchino – Viola
Louis Friedland-Yust – Valentine
Simon Côté – Feste/Sea Captain
Steve Walters – Malvolio
THE CREW
Raymond Yust – Director
Peter Garbacz – Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager – Catherine Sargeant
James Berryman – Technical Director
Jean-frederic Samson – Producer
Cast
Click on text to see image.
Genevieve Grenier as Fabian
After years of supporting Hudson Players’ Club as a keen audience member, Genevieve is delighted to once again be in front of an audience, especially in this production of Shakespeare by the Lake. Her theater career began as Dorothy in the primary school play and she studied under Pauline Rathbone throughout her high school years. Along with several years performing with Ballet Ouest, Genevieve acted with the Lakeshore Players in her 20s, both in their Summer Café Theatre and in three mainstage plays: Stepping Out (Andie), My Three Angels (Marie-Louise) and Twelfth Night (Olivia). Genevieve would like to thank her family for their encouragement, her fellow cast members and crew for their great enthusiasm and especially Raymond Yust for this fantastic opportunity.
Gabriel Grenier-McDermott as Curio/Priest
As a Hudson resident who has watched many performances by the Hudson Players’ Club through the years, Gabriel is pleased to be joining this production of Twelfth Night. Having always had an interest in performance, his theatre experience began in earnest through the Actors’ Studio program at John Rennie High School, playing Prince Char in Ella Enchanted and The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. Gabriel has participated in several variety shows in high school and at John Abbot College, emceeing and organizing these events. Gabriel will be starting his second year in Arts and Science at JAC in the fall. He is thankful for this fun experience of being part of Shakespeare by the Lake.
Steve Walters as Malvolio
Steve is delighted to be playing with so many talented actors in the beautiful setting of Jack Layton Park. What could be finer that to sit a watch the play on a summers evening with the lake behind you, and Twelfth Night unfolding in front of you. I can promise you an energetic and enthralling presentation as everyone is uber excited to bring you a version of the Bard’s play that will leave you breathless. Directed under the expert hand of Raymond Yust, this is goona be a doosey.
Fiona Chandler as Olivia
This is Fiona’s fourth appearance with Shakespeare-by-the-lake, not having been scared off yet by the bugs and the poison ivy. She has also performed at Hudson Village Theatre and several years with Lakeshore Light Opera in principal roles and in the chorus. Whether performing with an 18-piece orchestra or with the serenade of the lake lapping the shore, it is always the enthusiasm and response of the wonderful audience that is the most exciting!
David Fisher as Sir Toby Belch
Celebrating his 47th year in (and out) of theatre, David is a veteran stage performer, well-known to Hudson Players audiences. The annual Shakespeare By the Lake was going to be a spectator event for him, this year, until he heard the script was to be Twelfth Night. He hurriedly put on his auditioning pants and leapt in with both feet.
David was seen last year as King Wally the Won’t in Puss in Boots, Don John in Much Ado About Nothing, and various characters in The Full Monty. He is delighted to be playing the chancy reprobate , Sir Toby Belch, although it borders on type-casting.
Konstantine Malakos as Sebastian
Originally from Peterborough, Ontario, Konstantine Malakos has been heavily involved in theatre since he was eight years old. After studying at the Atlantic Theatre Company Conservatory in NYC, Konstantine founded loose marble productions where he starred in Daniel MacIvor and Daniel Brooks one person show “Here Lies Henry” off-off Broadway. Other New York Credits include “It’s all in the Timing” and Moliere’s “Two Precious Maidens Ridiculed”
Upon his return to Canada Konstantine had the opportunity to portray Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice at the Showplace Performing Arts Centre in Peterborough. When his life journey led him to Quebec he connected with the Hudson community where he has now had the opportunity to play Fenton in “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, Borrachio in “Much Ado About Nohing”, Bobby Pepper in “Curtains the Musical” and now Sebastian in “Twelfth Night”. When he is not acting Konstantine is usually writing and has a television project currently in development.
Bill Fletcher as Duke Orsino
Bill has been involved with community theatre in Montreal for years and years as an actor, set builder and Technical Director. He was recently on the Hudson stage in the Players Club production of “The Full Monty” and about this time last year appeared as Don Pedro in the Jack Layton Park presentation of “Much Ado About Nothing”.
Samantha Cicchino as Viola
Samantha Cicchino is a graduate of the John Abbott College Professional Theatre program. Her passion for Shakespeare started when she performed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as Hermia for her first main stage show. Her other roles include Ms.Fleming in “Heathers: the musical” and Mary Warren in “The Crucible”. Including classical plays, Samantha is very passionate about musical theatre. She recently opened a theatre company called “Orion’s Belt Productions” with two of her fellow graduates. Together, they put on “The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals” where she performed as Alice and had the absolute pleasure to choreograph. She is very excited to be apart of Hudson Village Theatre and to continue performing in plays she has always wanted to be in!
Louis Friedland-Yust as Valentine
Louis was bitten by the “theatre bug” during his first production in high school, a stage adaptation of Reginald Rose’s “Twelve Angry Men”. He has since played in multiple troupes throughout cégep and university, performing in “Death of a Salesman”, “Scott Pilgrim”, “Le baruffe chiozzotte” and “15 Million Merits” among others. For the past four years, he has been the artistic director of Stagestruck Productions, directing the likes of “And Then There Were None”, “Black Comedy”, “The Breakfast Club” and “Sing Street”, and is currently developing an original horror stageplay based on Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. He is thrilled with this opportunity to take to the stage again in the role of Valentine with the Hudson Players Club.
Jennifer Wade as Maria
Jennifer is thrilled to be performing again with Hudson Players Club. Working with Shakespeare’s text and characters is a highlight in Jen’s life. Most recently Jen played Big Jule in Lakeshore Players production of Guys and Dolls, and had the pleasure of performing in the last three Shakespeare by the Lake productions – Much Ado About Nothing, Merry Wives of Windsor & Macbeth. Playing Maria in Twelfth Night is such a blast! Enjoy your evening in this fun and beautiful lakeside setting
Ash Samson as Antonio
It’s with utmost pleasure that Ash takes on the role of Antonio in this years HPC production of Twelfth Night. Theatre has been part of Ash’s life for many years, having made their debut in HVTs Holiday Panto production of Wizard of Oz back in 2016. Since then they have performed in several productions, including HPC’s The Tempest and For the Love of Shakespeare, RWA’s Bards production of Twelfth Night and many other Pantos such as Treasure Island (2019), Little Red Ridding Hood Strikes Back, and the lead in Puss in Boots, Puss, among many others.
Jean-Frederic Samson as Sir Andrew Aguecheek
Having had the chance to be in such HPC’s productions like Balconville, One Flew Over the Coo Coo’s Nest, For the Love of Shakespeare and The Tempest as well as in HVT Panto productions such as Camelot, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Treasure Island, Little Red Ridding Hood Strikes Back and the most recent Puss in Boots, Jean-Frédéric embraces the challange of this new opportunity that is taking on the role of Sir Andrew Aguecheek in this year’s production of Twelfth Night!
Simon Coté as Feste/Sea Captain
Simon is a local actor, singer and sometime director, he’s been on stage with Hudson Players Club (Balconville, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Jack of Diamonds, Macbeth), Hudson Music Club (The Drowsy Chaperone, Oklahoma!), Lakeshore Light Opera (Iolanthe, The Pirates of Penzance) and others. He’s delighted with the opportunity to bring this witty, breezy, incisive and fun play to the audience at Greenwood and grateful to the lovely Heather Hanks-Côté and the Hudson Players Club, and the wonderful cast and crew, for their support, enthusiasm and hard work.
McKenna Hayden as Officer
McKenna Hayden has been involved with theatre since she was 9 when she performed in her first Hudson Village Theater’s annual Panto. She performed in the Pantos till 19 when she got her first role as a leading lady and had the honour of playing Jenny in Treasure Island. She has also been involved with several Hudson Players Club’s Shakespeare productions. When not performing, McKenna is working towards a degree in Veterinary Medicine in Scotland. She is excited and honoured to be a part of the production of Twelfth Night.
Always a theatre lover starting in drama class at school. Years as a stage Mom, fashion model and minor performances in local plays in Montreal. Enthusiasticly joining the summer theatre group for a new experience.
This is my first experience in theatre, and I decided to audition out of curiosity after hearing about the production from a friend at work who had participated before. I’m currently a CEGEP student preparing to head to university, and I saw this as a fun chance to explore some hidden interests and try something new.
Tamara is stoked to be doing Shakespeare again, after having had a blast as Margaret in Hudson Players’ productions of Much Ado About Nothing, Anne Page in Merry Wives of Windsor, and Marina/Lychorida in the staged reading of Pericles: Prince of Tyre. Other recent theatre adventures include Jethro in Puss in Boots and Little Red Riding Hood in Little Red Riding Hood Strikes Back (Hudson Village Theatre), Candy Starr in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Hudson Player’s Club), and Penelope Ann in Bye Bye Birdie (WISTA). As an English Literature graduate, she’s thrilled to have a chance to geek out over the Bard’s work again, and hopes you enjoy this magical show!
Lexie Wood is a 12-year-old with a passion for the stage and a love for storytelling. She has been involved in theatre for the past two years through her school’s drama program, where she recently took on her biggest role yet. Lexie decided to audition for Shakespeare in the Park after being encouraged by her inspiring drama teacher, and she’s thrilled to be part of this production. When she’s not rehearsing lines, Lexie enjoys swimming, playing water polo, and spending time with friends. She’s known for her kind heart, outgoing spirit, and enthusiasm for all things drama.
Polina Lopotova (she/her) is a Ukrainian-born interdisciplinary storyteller who has a
Jean-Frédéric has had the chance and privilege to take part in a
It’s with utmost pleasure that Ash takes on the role of Puck in
Stephen Walters is an ACTRA‑affiliated actor (Blackburn Talents, Montréal) from Kimpton, Hertfordshire, now based in Hudson, Quebec A long‑time member of The Kimpton Players, he honed his craft in UK community theatre before joining the Hudson Players Club. He portrayed Stephano in Shakespeare’s The Tempest (Hudson Players Club, 2018) and embodied the famously pompous Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Shakespeare by the Lake, summer 2024). Stephen brings strong comedic timing, classical training, and ensemble spirit to every performance, blending UK and Canadian stage experience with dedication and warmth. He is very excited to be in this show.
Kelsey’s first love of theatre started at 16, where her first role was in her high school production of “Grease” as Sandy. She took Theatre Workshop at John Abbott College where she starred in Kiss Me Kate, Flowers for Algernon and The Penelopiad. Since then, she has starred in HPC’s productions such as The Full Monty and Alice In Wonderland and Encore Musical Theatre’s Curtains and 9 to 5. She was thrilled to be in her first Shakespeare Play as Cobweb! She is delighted to star in HPC’s reading of Charley’s Aunt at Greenwood Center for Living History.
Sage Clahane is a multi disciplinary artist based in Montreal who loves nuanced and layered art, which is what she aims to create. She has a love for all forms of art, but actively practices acting, movement/ dancing, writing, and dramaturgy. They are a recent graduate of John Abbott College from the Professional Theatre Program, and she is so grateful for everything they learned. They plan to put all of it to use with this production and can’t wait to hit the stage as Quince. Some of her other roles include Abraham Slender (Merry Wives of Windsor), Professor (Pity), and Judge Richard Enfield (Jekyll and Hyde). She hopes that this show will be one to remember, despite the poison ivy and mosquitoes.
Alexandra is a Hudson Players Club board member whose contributions have included the 75th Anniversary celebration, a murder mystery night at Cardinal, and producing Dancing At Lughnasa. While a fan of daylight and reality, it’s been awfully nice to spend time with fairies and dreams in the Elizabethan moonlight.
Past credits include Feste in Twelfth Night, Macbeth in Macbeth, Thibault in Balconville (Hudson Players Club), Colonel Arthbutnot in Murder on the Orient-Express (Lakeshore Players), The Ghost and Player King in Hamlet (Shakespeare Project), Strephon in Iolanthe, the Mikado in The Mikado, Luiz in Gondoliers (Lakeshore Light Opera), Judd in Oklahoma!, Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone (Hudson Music Club)
This production marks Alexandra’s return to the stage after 20 years. A theatre buff in her younger years, Alex hails from Richmond BC where she got her start at the Richmond Gateway Theatre. Acting credits include: Jane – The Chronicles of Jane Book 7; Titania – A Midsummer Night’s Dream; site-specific theatre with Miscellaneous Productions: The Reena Project & What You Carry With You; Wife #3– The King & I. Alex moved to Montreal in 2012, and to St-Lazare in 2019, and has been enjoying many a production at the HVT. She is thrilled to be in this production with its beautiful cast and crew. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of her favourite Shakespearean pieces – having first seen it in 1995 at Shakespeare on the Lake in Niagara.
McKenna Hayden’s love for theatre began at age nine when she took the stage in her first Hudson Village Theatre Panto. Since then, she has performed in several of the theatre’s annual pantomimes, as well as multiple Hudson Players Club Shakespeare productions and continues to find joy in performing whenever she can. When she’s not on stage, McKenna is pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine in Scotland. She’s thrilled to be playing Moth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and to be part of such a team.
Having spanned over 15 years, Sharon’s passion for performing has taken her to quite a few
Jean-Frédéric would like to take the time to thank the cast & crew and all patrons of the theatre, for their love and dedication to the arts! Having had the chance to take part in a number of the Hudson Players Club productions such as One Flew Over the Coo Coo’s Nest (Scanlon), META award winning Balconville (Gaetan Bolduc), Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (Sir Andrew), Much Ado About Nothing (The Priest), The Tempest (Antonio) and a multitude of Hudson Village Theatre’s Holiday Pantomimes, most recently as Drizella in Cinderella, it is with utmost pleasure that Jean-Frédéric embraces the challenge and opportunity of taking on the role of Felix Geisel.
Tommy is thrilled to be back in this fun and exciting play. He was last seen as Alex Tratt in Skin Flick. He has had the great pleasure of being in many plays and doing something he truly loves. Some of his plays include, I Am Yours (Toilane), Featuring Loretta (Dave), Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch & Sebastian), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius & Francis Flute), Not Now Darling (Harry McMichael), Lost in Yonkers (Louie Kurnitz) and The Full Monty (Dave). Tommy thanks the cast and crew for making this so much fun. Tommy thanks all of you for supporting this great art and now, The Game’s Afoot!
John has been involved in theatre for over 30 years as an actor, and more recently, as a director and writer. Acting credits include Renovations for Six by Norm Foster, Rumours by Neil Simon, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night Dream and The Tempest (HPC’s Shakespeare by the Lake). He has also done a lot (or maybe too much?) of improv comedy (performing and teaching). Directing credits include The Full Monty by Simon Beaufoy, Skin Flick by Norm Foster and writer & director of Cinderella the Panto and Little Red Riding Hood Strikes Back the Panto. He is delighted and honoured to be working with this talented cast and production team. Enjoy the coming insanity. Merci MJT.
Lily Zubis-Tanona has been in the theatre scene from a young age. Whether performing ancient Greek mythology plays with her homeschool drama group—Perseus (2009) and What’s Up, Icarus? (2013) at the Hudson Village Theatre—taking many hours of improv classes, or working behind the scenes, she’s always loved the stage. During her time in the ALC program and professional theatre at John Abbott, she built set pieces, worked as an ASM, and performed as a magician in Pippin (2017). Other ASM work includes Almost, Maine (2018) and ANON(ymous) (2019). Lily wears many hats as a performer, set builder, and backstage hand—balancing it all with a bit of magic!
Christine is thrilled to play Inspector Goring in A Game’s Afoot alongside a very talented cast. Her love for theater began in high school and continued through college, with roles in several major productions. After a long hiatus, Christine reignited her passion with performances in two pantomimes—Red Riding Strikes Back and Puss in Boots. She also performed in a teaser of The Penelopiad with The Hudson and Area Women’s Arts Collective and most recently appeared in the Lakeshore Players’ One Act Wonders. She is ecstatic to be part of the Hudson Players Club and hopes you enjoy the show!
Genevieve rekindled her love for performing last summer in Twelfth Night (Fabian) during HPC’s Theatre by the Lake and is delighted to join the troop this year as Snout/Wall – such fun! Recently, Genevieve had the opportunity to play Madge on the HVT stage in HCP’s production of The Game’s Afoot – a most marvelous experience! Previous appearances from a lifetime ago include Lakeshore Players’ Club’s My Three Angels (Marie-Louise), Stepping Out (Andy) and Twelfth Night (Olivia) and 20 years dancing with Ballet Ouest. Genevieve has lived in Hudson for 23 years and participates in many arts and culture initiatives.
Robin Glance is thrilled to make her stage debut in “The Game’s Afoot”! While new to the world of drama, she’s spent years perfecting the art of over-acting at Halloween and murder mystery parties and couldn’t resist the opportunity to take it to a real stage. Big thanks to the amazing and talented cast and crew for making this journey unforgettable.
Since 2001, Diana has regularly performed in Hudson Players Club productions and Hudson Village Theatre’s fundraising productions. She has also performed in numerous Hudson Players Club Shakespeare by the Lake shows, including “Titania” A Midsummer’s Night Dream 2015; “Prospera” The Tempest 2018, and “Reverend Evans” The Merry Wives of Windsor 2022. She was “Billie” in Hudson Village Theatres “Renovations for Six” in 2021. Her most recent annual Pantomimes were as “Pernicia” Puss in Boots 2023 and “Baroness, Queen, Fairy Godmother” Cinderella 2024. She is very pleased to participate in this production with such a wonderful team, and to support the Hudson Players Club in continuing to provide opportunities for the community to become involved in theatre, either on or off stage. 
Fiona’s first venture into acting began 15 years ago in Gilbert & Sullivan’s 
Heidi Hawkins is a passionate theatre director, actor, and voice artist with over two decades of professional experience. She has directed a wide range of productions, from classic plays to contemporary works, with an extra special love for comedy. Known for her hands-on approach, Heidi loves working with actors, designers, and producers to bring creative visions to life. She’s thrilled to be back in Montreal after 12 years away, rejoining the theatre community with Hudson Players Club. Heidi also has extensive experience as a voice artist and holds a Professional Theatre Diploma from John Abbott College. She gets most of her creative inspiration from her 9 year old son.