By Margie Druss Fodor
Special to Pascack Press
PASCACK VALLEY—When Melissa Miller of Fort Lee heard that the Bergen County Players in Oradell was holding auditions for Ragtime, her favorite musical of all time, she had to go. Little did she know that being cast in the show two years ago would change her life—and her name.
That’s because a friendship with castmate Dan Giordano blossomed into romance and, ultimately, marriage this past August.
While most people join BCP for their love of theater, finding matrimony has been a welcome byproduct for a number of couples. As BCP celebrates its 92nd season, members recently reminisced about the marriages that came along with membership at the popular community theater. Some 15 couples have met their spouses at BCP over the years, and the number continues to grow.
“Happiest day of my life,” said Melissa Giordano, using her new married name, of her Aug. 29 wedding. “I’m so lucky I married my best friend.”
26 Years and Counting
Julie Steckler Kopil of Suffern, N.Y., admitted 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, she recalled, 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,” she said.
Met and Married at BCP
Terri and Peter Caust, of Glen Rock, met on the set of Sylvia about 25 years ago and started dating soon afterward. On July 4, 2000, while everyone was at the fireworks, Peter took the opportunity to propose to Terri onstage. They later decided 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 Nov. 25, 2000,” Terri Caust said.
Back in 1951, Libby Kennerley, 93 and BCP’s oldest living member at the time, had the pleasure of watching her daughter, Kenne Kennerley, and Herbert Hackbarth marry on the BCP stage. The couple tied the knot after a show and even invited the audience to stay—most did.
One Director Sparks Two Marriages
Jacqueline Poquette of Westwood, one of BCP’s longtime directors, seems to have an eye for picking cast members who truly get along.
In 1988, a talented actor named Andrew Lionetti auditioned for All My Sons. Poquette’s daughter, Nina (then) Loiacono, also auditioning, was so moved 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, and the couple, now living in Westwood, married in 1992.
In December 2008, Megan Taylor (now Megan Larsen) first met Tim Larsen at 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,” said Megan Larsen.