Director Costellas brings passion of theatre from NYC to Houlton

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
    The American classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” came to ‘life’ on the Houlton High School stage last weekend.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/ACTRESS — Suzanne Costellas wore many hats during the “It’s a Wonderful Life” production last weekend at the Houlton High School Auditorium.
    The audience was captivated and transported back to the 1940s when radio took center stage for every family’s entertainment. Spectators were guided to the center section of seats to keep their attention focused on the center of the stage where the players owned the ‘mics’.
    If you missed this local production, you missed a great opportunity to see fresh talent in the offing, and seasoned talent that spread itself throughout the production.
    Director of the play Suzanne Costellas was brought up in the Bronx and graduated from the drama division of the Julliard School of Music. She has extensive experience as a professional actress and singer. She has performed both on and off Broadway, in numerous regional theatres across the United States and in other countries. Costellas traveled to Australia with John Houseman’s The Acting Company. She has directed and taught acting at the National Theatre Workshops for the Handicapped in NYC and Belfast, as well as acting workshops for students in Houlton.
Contributed Photo
CENTER STAGE — Taking center stage at last weekend’s show, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” were familiar faces, from left Christian Putnam, David Bates and Josh Green.
    In 2005 Costellas established an organization called the Doorway. The mission statement of this organization states that its purpose is to create theatre by and for the community, which would inspire both audiences and participants alike. It will advance the pursuit of artistic excellence, develop the skills of its members, provide opportunities for personal growth, and for all to feel that they have something unique and of value to contribute.
    Costellas also directed Houlton’s Bicentennial show, “Our Town” in 2007. She has been a resident of this area for the last five years and works as a clinical social worker for Life by Design.
    In the play, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Costellas took on the roles of, Martini and Ernie. The audience was treated to just a glimpse of her vocal talent in rousing musical pieces. Her theatrical training using a variety of accents appropriate to the characters entertained the crowd of locals.
     She loves the quiet life in Maine and enjoyed her work so much with the Bicentennial project that she was driven to do another piece. When planning this play she auditioned some of the characters and asked others who she knew would be a good fit. From the playbill, Costellas states, “that this classic continues to speak to the hearts of generations because we all need to feel that our lives have meaning and that we have made a difference in somebody’s life. This production won’t give the audiences the wherewithal to put food on their tables, but their spirits and souls will be fed. Soul food is often the stuff that keeps us going when the going gets tough; something I believe we all need, especially during these hard times.” To Costellas, theatre is a commitment of the ‘heart and spirit.’
    The cast of characters took on many roles in this 1940s drama, and here is a description of a few.
    Young Joshua Green of Monticello, playing the star of the show, George Bailey, is just a high-schooler. He captivated the audience with his dynamic presence and maturity.
    Abigail Hunt a newcomer to the area was the perfect choice for his wife, playing Mary Bailey.
    Violet, played by Pam Chernesky brightened the stage with her colorful costume and peppy character.
Contributed Photo
ALL SMILES — Michelle Green was a crowd pleaser and all smiles as she held the ‘Applause’ sign for the radio show, “It’s a Wonderful Life” production at the Houlton High School Auditorium.
    Our own Eldon Bnett, humorist in residence, charmed the audience as usual with his dry humor playing Clarence the angel.
    Who would have thought Pioneer Times sales representative, Dave Bates could play anyone other than a nice guy? However, he didn’t walk the straight and narrow as Mr. Gower and was a bit hot under the collar as, Mr. Welch.
    Joshua Green’s sister, Michelle, took several roles and was a crowd pleaser, for sure.
    The villain of the show, Jeff Lovejoy, played ‘old man’ Potter; the bad boy extremely well. He was rotten to the core.
    Lovejoy’s wife in real-life played several of the ladies roles and exhibited lady-like presence in each of them.
    Rosalind Morgan took the role of head angel, Josephine. She brought her professional background to the small town theater group with glitz, glamour and command of the stage.
    On the radio … radioman, voice of the airwaves, Chris Putnam kept the scenes moving and the crowd awake with his gifted voice.
    Of course, what would a radio presentation be without the sound effects? Chelsea Green, Michelle’s twin and just 15 had this down to a science, with the ever-closing door, ringing bells, chimes, footsteps and a baby’s cry.
    Partnering in the sound effects with Michelle was Hodgdon High freshman, Arno Wirta playing appropriate music on the piano for background moods of the time.
    As it is for all performances, it takes many people behind the scenes. Helping Costellas in this area were two very talented team members, Kim Forest and Mary Green.
    Forest, a decorator designer, teaches art classes to students in the area and has a film background. She grew up in Canada and has lived in the area for several years.
    Green, brought up in Connecticut is the mother of the Green youngsters, cast in the play. She has a background in costume design and construction from New England College in New Hampshire. She went on to receive a BA in behavioral science and English from the University of Maine in Augusta. Green and her family have lived in Monticello for the last six years.
    The play, “It’s a Wonderful Life” was a collaboration between The Doorway and the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project. It was made possible by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation. It was produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. Original music and musical arrangements by Kevin Connors.