Sandy Philpott's Webpage

Performing Credits:

ChristmasTime                        Vocal Ensemble                                      Reagle Music Theater, 2008-2018

Remembering the 40s             Ensemble vocalist & soloist              Reagle Music Theater, 2008-2018

A Man of No Importance  Mrs. Curtin                                         Burlington Players, 2012

Waves of Strength                    Soloist, small group, ensemble          Voices of Hope, Shalin Liu Center, 2011

Voices of Hope Fall Gala          Harmonies of Hope (ensemble)         Symphony Hall, Boston, 2010

A Touch of Ireland                     Barbershop Quartet                           Reagle Music Theater, 2010

Nunsense                                  Sister Mary Amnesia                          Burlington Players, 2009

A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein
 
                                                 Ensemble vocalist                              
Reagle Players, 2008
From the Pages of a Book        Narrator                                             
Hazel Boone Dance Studio recital, 2008
It’s ChristmasTime                    Ensemble vocalist                             
Reagle Players, 2007
Amateurs                                  Jennifer Collins                                   
Winchester Players, 2007
Dearly Beloved                         The Sermonettes (vocal dubbing)     
Burlington Players, 2007
A…My Name Is Alice*              Mindy, ensemble                               
Colonial Chorus, EMACT Festival, 2007
The Pajama Game                   Babe Williams                                     
Colonial Chorus Players, 2007
A…My Name Is Alice               Mindy, Sheridan, Chorus Leader         
Colonial Chorus Players, 2006
City of Angels                           Oolie/Donna                                       
Burlington Players, 2006
The Ugly Duckling                    The Queen                                         
Theatre To Go, 2005
Hooray for Hollywood               Vocalist                                               
Middlesex Concert Band/Colonial Chorus,
                                                                                                             2005
Broadway Now and Then         Featured Vocalist                                
Burlington Players, 2005
Once On This Island                Storyteller/Featured Vocalist               
Colonial Chorus Players, 2005
Cinderella                                 Joy                                                     
Colonial Chorus Players, 2004
Nunsense*                               Sister Mary Leo                                   
Colonial Chorus, EMACT Festival 2004
Anything Goes                         
Chastity                                               Colonial Chorus Players, 2004
Working                                   Babe Secoli                                         Colonial Chorus Players, 2003
Honk!                                       Dot, Swan, Blizzard dancer                 Colonial Chorus Players, 2003
The Dining Room*                   Actress #1                                           
Theater To Go, 2003
Winton Club Cabaret               Ensemble Vocalist/Dancer                  Winchester Hospital, 2003
Fiddler on the Roof                  Ensemble, “Rumor” soloist                  
Colonial Chorus Players, 2002
Nunsense*                               Sister Mary Leo                                   
Colonial Chorus Players, 2002
She Loves Me                         Caroler                                                 
Majestic Theater Trust, 2002
The Wiz                                   Crow, Kalidah, Ensemble                     
Colonial Chorus Players, 2002
Cabaret*                                  Fraulein Kost                                       
Colonial Chorus Players, 2001
42
nd Street*                             Phyllis Dale                                         
Colonial Chorus Players, 2001
David: The Musical                  Ensemble, Bathsheeba Maiden         
LCM Productions, 2001
Titanic                                      Ensemble                                           
Pentucket Players, 2000
A Grand Night for Singing        Ensemble, Featured Soloist               
Colonial Chorus Players, 2000
Jesus Christ Superstar            Apostle Wife                                       
Colonial Chorus, EMACT Festival, 2000
Jesus Christ Superstar            Apostle Wife, Pilate’s Wife                 
Colonial Chorus Players, 2000
Crazy For You                         Mitzi                                                     
Colonial Chorus Players, 1999
The Sound of Music                Sister Mary Jude                                  
Lynnfield Spotlighters, 1998
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
                                                Patty                                                     Borderline Players, 1998
Godspell                                  Sonia, JoAnn                                        Borderline Players, 1997, 1998

Production/Technical Credits:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
                                               
Costume Coordination                          Waltham High School, 2018
Remembering the '40s            Wardrobe                                               Reagle Music Theater, 2018
Nuts                                         Costume Design                                    Burlington Players, 2018
Tracks                                      Costume Assistance                              Waltham High School, 2018
Bring It On                               Costume Coordination/Construction      Waltham High School, 2018
Dance Theater 2018               Costume Coordination/Construction       Waltham High School, 2018
Senior Revue Class of 2018   Costume Coordination/Construction       Waltham High School, 2017
She Kills Monsters                  Costume Coordination                            Waltham High School, 2017
Kimberly Akimbo                     Costume Design                                     Burlington Players, 2017
Laura                                       Costume Design                                     Quannapowitt Players, 2017
Becky Shaw                            Costume Coordination, Props Coordination   
                                                                                                                Hovey Players, 2016
The Nerd                                 Costume Co-Coordination, Props Assistance
                                                                                                                 Burlington Players, 2015
The Left Hand Singing            Costume Design                                      Burlington Players, 2015
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels          Costume Design, Stage Crew                 Burlington Players, 2014
Unfinished                               Dresser                                                    Voices of Hope, North Shore Music  
                                                                                                                           Theatre, 2013
Jesus Christ Superstar            Costume Coordination                             Voices of Hope, NSMT, 2013
It's ChristmasTime                   Costume Assistance/Refurbishment        Reagle Music Theater, 2010, 2012
Aladdin, Jr.                               Costume Design & Construction              Dedham Middle School, 2010
A Christmas Carol                   Costume Construction                               Dedham Middle School, 2009
It's ChristmasTime                   Costume Repair                                        Reagle Players, 2009
Say It With Music                     Costume Assistance & Refurbishment     Reagle Players, 2009
Mulan, Jr.                                 Costume Construction                               Dedham Middle School, 2009
Sweet Charity                               Property Coordinator                                       Colonial Chorus Players, 2008
Joseph…Dreamcoat                Costume Construction                               Colonial Chorus Players, 2007
Dearly Beloved                        Stage Crew                                                 Burlington Players, 2007
On Golden Pond                      Stage Crew                                                 Burlington Players, 2007
The Pajama Game                   Costume Construction                                Colonial Chorus Players, 2007
Journey to the Manger             Stage Crew, Costume Assistance              Byfield Parish Church, 2006
King of Hearts                          Costume Design/Coordination, Stage Crew          
                                                                                                                    Colonial Chorus Players, 2006
City of Angels*                         Costume Construction, Assistant Set Design
                                                                                                                     Burlington Players, 2006
The Music Man                        Costume Construction                                 Colonial Chorus Players, 2006
The Ugly Duckling                   Costume Assistance                                    Theatre To Go, 2005
Me and My Girl*                      Costume Construction                                  Colonial Chorus Players, 2005
Aida                                         Dresser, Costume Construction                   BB Productions, 2005
Once On This Island               Costume Mentor & Construction                  Colonial Chorus Players, 2005
Cinderella*                               Costume Construction                                 Colonial Chorus Players, 2004
Anything Goes                         Costume Construction                                 Colonial Chorus Players, 2004
Honk!*                                      Costume Construction:                                Colonial Chorus Players, 2003 
Fiddler on the Roof                  Costume Construction                                 Colonial Chorus Players, 2002
Nunsense                                Set Construction/Decoration                        Colonial Chorus Players, 2002
She Loves Me                         Costume Designer, Dresser, Stage Crew     Majestic Theater Trust, 2002
Cabaret                                    Costume Design/Construction                     Colonial Chorus Players, 2001
42nd Street                              Costume Construction                                 Colonial Chorus Players, 2001
Oliver!                                      Ticket Coordinator                                        Colonial Chorus Players, 2000
Titanic                                      Costume Construction                                 Pentucket Players, 2000
The Sound of Music                 Dresser                                                        Lynnfield Spotlighters, 1998
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown  
                                                 Costume Design & Construction                 Borderline Players, 1998
Godspell                                  Asst. Director, Costume Designer                Borderline Players, 1998

* Awards and Honors:

Outstanding Production Nomination, EMACT Festival, A…My Name Is Alice
Best Ensemble Nomination, EMACT Festival, A…My Name Is Alice
Special Adjudicator’s Award for Notable Excellence for Performance Values Nomination, EMACT Festival, A…My Name Is Alice
Best Costume Design Nomination, EMACT DASH Program, City of Angels
Best Costume Design Nomination, EMACT DASH Program, Me and My Girl
Best Costume Design Award, EMACT DASH Program, Cinderella
Best Ensemble Nomination, EMACT Festival, Nunsense
EMACT EARP Ensemble Award, The Dining Room
EMACT EARP Acting Award, Sister Mary Leo (Nunsense)
EMACT EARP Acting Award, Fraulein Kost (Cabaret)
EMACT EARP Tap Ensemble Award, 42nd Street
EMACT EARP Costume Construction Award, Honk!

Other:
DASH Coordinator, EMACT Board of Directors, 2013-2018
DASH Adjudicator, 2016-2018
Vocalist and dancer, Critics Choice cabaret troupe, 2001-2005
Secretary, Executive Board of Colonial Chorus Players, 2000-2006, 2007-2008
Advance Programs Chair, Executive Board of Colonial Chorus Players, 2006-2007
Script Reading Committee, Colonial Chorus Players, 2003-2005
Featured vocalist, Spirit vocal troupe, Great Britain Tour 1992
French horn, Gordon College and Community Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band, 1986-1998

Vocal and Dance Skills:

Extensive vocal experience in theatrical and choral settings; excellent sight reading skills; excellent ear for harmonies
Extensive theatrical dance experience including tap, some ballet

Comments from adjudicators:

EMACT Adjudication of Cabaret
Sandra J Metcalf adroitly made the role of Fraulein Kost a memorable one.  She was realistic and matter-of-fact in her role of female companion to the German Sailors and businessmen, while preserving a certain core of vulnerability.  Her portrayal had layers that made it interesting to watch and engaging.  Her true tour de force moment was her lead of the "Tomorrow Belongs to Me (Reprise)".  Metcalf was engaging, powerful, and terrifying as she led the call to nationalism with a loud and resolute singing voice.  Her repeated hand gesture in the song was large, but she committed to it fully and made it work.  

EMACT Adjudication of Nunsense (in-season performance)
The characters were unique and real. Each actor understood the intent of their songs as well as the intent of their entrances. Each character was always reacting and fully in character at all times, without exception. The sub-dialogue and reactions gave so much to this production.

EMACT ETC Adjudication of Cinderella
[Sandra J. Metcalf as “Joy”] was fun to watch from the first moment she stepped on stage [with] her bold choices played unapologetically. Metcalf’s Joy was a bit gawky, not very bright or refined, and not aware of how she was viewed by others. A crystalline moment for the character was when she was dancing with the Prince at the ball and she was very proud and the Prince kept stealing glances (when she wasn’t looking) at her mop of hair and the plume sticking out it. It was very funny and Metcalf chose to carefully keep her character unawares.  Joy’s oblivion had a tone which was a bit harder and seemed more worldly. “Stepsister’s Lament” [was] really delicious to watch as [the sisters] moved in a well synchronized manner through the song ending with their heads rested on their fists in what seemed to be perfect unison, while all the time they kept the individuality of their character choices. After the intermission Metcalf kept her reactions alive as she was at first dubious of Cinderella’s imagining what the ball was like and then allowed herself to become dreamy along with Cinderella’s thoughts. She maintained the energy into “A Lovely Night” singing with conviction and performing the dance moves with zest. I especially liked the emotion of the dance dip on “I love you.” Later, Joy does a move that looked like the twist to try to wedge her foot into the glass slipper, and then accuses her sister of shrinking the shoe. The whole segment had me laughing out loud and demonstrated that Metcalf has an innate sense of coming timing and made thoughtful choices. Nice job!   

EMACT ETC Adjudication of City of Angels
[Sandy Metcalf as Oolie/Donna] was really fun to watch throughout this production in dual roles that I think are the most difficult to pull off. Unlike some of the other double casting roles in the show where the characters have very different circumstances or are alter egos of one another, Oolie and Donna are almost like shadow characters…Oolie came across as the most real and three-dimensional person of the film characters and it was that her vulnerability came through even when she was talking tough. Overall, a very enjoyable performance that captured the spirit of both characters and included entertaining renditions of two numbers. 

EMACT ETC Adjudication of A…My Name is Alice [Jen Howard]

Sandra Metcalf was completely committed to the song and the movement, giving us a big, brassy performance that was a delight. 

EMACT ETC Adjudication of The Pajama Game [Mark Usher]

Sandra Metcalf does well with the role of Babe. It’s not the easiest role to play with strong comic roles surrounding so you really get to shine in the vocal numbers. Sandra…gave a very strong vocal performance... “I am not at all in Love” and “There once was a man” were two elevating numbers in the show!


EMACT ETC Adjudication of Nunsense (2009) [Robert Hallissey]

Sister Mary Amnesia (Sandy Philpott): was delightful as Sister Mary Amnesia who is sweet and simple on the outside, but illustrates that “still waters run deep.” She made her entrance onto the stage only after being coaxed by the Reverend Mother and entered from her hiding place in a school locker. The character was shy in a wide-eyed and friendly way, but she got over it quick or forgot to continue to be shy, which seemed in character. She appeared very happy to be singing and dancing as one of the nuns in the first two numbers. She had a terrific sweet and innocent character voice that almost reminded me of Georgia Engel but with more projection. After Sister Hubert coached her to be firm,  she tried to bark out a series of orders to the audience as if they were misbehaving children in her class and she punctuated it by slapping a ruler in her palm hard. After a well done little grimace, she let out a tiny exclamation, “ow” that was hilarious. She then reverted to her real sweet character telling the audience about the Twelve Apostles clock at the convent. Philpott played it that she was oblivious to what she was saying when she told them that “…when the big hand is on the John and the little hand is on the Peter it is time for the Sisters to go down on their knees.” She paused during the audience’s reaction and then added, “And pray.” During the quiz ad-libbed beautifully with the audience at one point giving a hint for the answer Saint Francis, she said in a leading way, “rhymes with Smancis”. It was a great comment for the character she created that she thought that was a good clue. For her solo number “So You Want to Be a Nun” Philpott started her introduction with a big toothy smile at the audience and a quietly drew them in, before she snapped into yelling, “Can you hear me in the back?” That set up the contrast she played in the song between her sweet self and her alter ego puppet Sister Mary Annette. Philpott deftly kept the puppet hidden from the audience’s view until she pulled it out from behind her and it spoke to stop the song. Throughout the song the nun puppet contradicted everything that Amnesia extolled about the virtues of being a nun and in some impolite ways. Philpott’s expression of shock when the puppet said “You can’t screw around” was priceless. The nun puppet’s gruff and lower-pitched voice served as an excellent contrast to Amnesia’s voice and the actress was able to switch back and forth on a dime.  In the second act she continued to get laughs with the lost character, for example when she was showing off the BVM Cookbook and later when she sat back on the bed to reveal that the souls of her shoes were marked “L” and “R”. It was an accomplishment that we could laugh about her without feeling bad for her, because she seemed so content most of the time. In her solo, “I Could’ve Gone to Nashville” Philpott nailed a number of different techniques used by country singers like a twang in her voice, a musical simile of “Drop Kick Me, Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life” complete with a stutter note, and busting out her vocal towards the end. She ended on her knees in a spotlight in a larger-than life ending that suited both the style and her revelation perfectly. She seemed to be greatly relieved and elated to have remembered her name and very pleased that she could help her sisters with her prize winnings. She added a button to it stating “and I helped!” in a broad country accent delivery that was right out of a familiar TV commercial.