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This year Ben, who works at the Second Street house whenever he can sandwich in a day between performances and school, created a first-time role- that of Detective Seaver. In years gone by, Ben has played Mr. Cunningham, the fellow who was crossing the street after coming out of Wade’s Market and overheard Mrs. Churchill exclaiming about the killings to a man she knew in front of the livery.
Ben hails from Charlestown, R.I. where he has lived his whole young life. He works as a PASS Direct Services Worker thru CranstonArc, serving adults and children with physical or mental disabilities, and has impressive stage credentials.
He is currently a junior at the University of Rhode Island majoring in theatre. Upon completion of graduation requirements next year, he will be a professional actor with a Bachelor of the Fine Arts degree with a focus in acting. Ben joins Jeff in thinking Lizzie did the deeds!
Watch out for this young man- Broadway is calling! Here are some of Ben’s post high school credits:
2008
The Tsarina’s Booties: a new musical
(Perishable Theatre Providence), June 2008 – a very Dirty Deacon, Paunchy Patsuik
Hide and Seek: Scenes from the Closet
(URI Providence Theatre), June 2008 – various
Birds of Paradise
(Cornerstone Playhouse – Wakefield RI), July 2008- Dave
The Altos: a mafia musical by Arlene Violet
(Garzilli/Violet Proco), May 2008 – reading, various
Girls of the Night Cabaret
(Ungar/Madison Proco – Westerly RI), April 2008
Set it Down with Gold on Lasting Pillars
(URI Theatre), May 2008 – Howard
Amadeus
(URI Theatre Mainstage), March 2008 – Venticello II
2007
Little Women: the musical
(URI Theatre Mainstage), December 2007 – Ensemble, Brooke/Baher Understudies
Stuff Happens
(URI Theatre Mainstage), October 2008 – Dick Cheney
The Smart Set
(Cornerstone Playhouse), August 2007 – Ensemble, Eduoard understudy
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
(Cornerstone Playhouse), July 2007 – Linus
Michelangelo: the musical
(Opera Providence/PPAC RI), April 2007 – Ensemble
2006
A Christmas of Carols
(Cornerstone Playhouse), December 2006
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
(URI Theatre Mainstage), December 2006 – Dogette
Theatrical Musical Direction Credits2008
Beauty and the Beast
(LivingArt Theatricks, Cranston RI) – July/August 2008 Musical Director/Piano Conductor
Bye Bye Birdie
(Chariho Players), May 22-24 2008 – Conductor, Asst. MD
The Pajama Game
(Bryant University), April 2008 – MD/Conductor
Chariho Players 2008 Cabaret
(Chariho Players), February 2008 – MD/piano
2007
GYPSY
(Chariho Players), May 2007 – Musical Director/Conductor
Chariho Players 2007 Cabaret
(Chariho Players), January 2007 – MD/piano
Up-coming
Home for the Holidays: a new musical
Book, Music and Lyrics by Benjamin Rose
Jeff Masson is usually happiest when tromping around cemeteries on a crisp autumn day wearing his Sox jacket and baseball cap. A native of Somerset, Massachusetts (just over the Brightman St. Bridge), Jeff loves history and travel- and of course the Borden case and all things Victorian. A “young face” on an “old soul”, Jeff is a frequent visitor to Oak Grove Cemetery and the house on Second Street. Nick-named “Cemetery Jeff” by all his friends, Jeff made his acting debut this year as The Body of Andrew Borden for the August 4th re-enactments. The effect was startling- a blood-stained sheet covering a prone body on the black sofa led many visitors to use their imaginations to guess at the grisly presence beneath the sheet. Jeff admits he could actually see through the sheet, and enjoyed watching the reactions of the visitors. Sometimes LESS is MORE!
Jeff is also among the ranks of the Second Street Irregulars, Noble Order of Mutton Eaters (Fall River Chapter) and often leads interesting tours of Borden-related grave sites in Oak Grove.
If Jeff ever ages, he is ripe for the part of Uncle John Morse. GO, RED SOX! (photo credit: Lorraine Gregoire)
Lizzie Borden- LeeAnn Wilbur
Abby Borden -Shelley Dziedzic
Andrew Borden – Jeff Massan
Bridget Sullivan- Kathleen Troost-Cramer
Emma Borden- Barbara Borden Morrissey
Mrs. Churchill- JoAnne Giovino
Mrs. Bowen- Susan Hauck
Mr. James E. Winward, Undertaker- Andrew Correia
Miss Manning from the Fall River Herald- Lorraine Gregoire
Dr. Dolan- Ted Gregoire
Detective Seaver- Ben Rose
Little Abbie Whitehead- Kathryn Woods
Alice Russell- Colleen Johnson
Ellen Borden- Hairdressing 
Applause applause! The Lizzie B&B day manager, Dee Moniz, designed some great tickets this year. After last year’s crowd and sell out by noon, this year she decided printed tickets were the way to go- and it sure made things run so much more smoothly! This was the first time this was tried and it will be a return engagement NEXT August 4th! Thanks, Dee, from all the P.E.P. Players!
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