Vogue Players
put on a ‘Beauty’

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Tom Dignam directs an adult theater company — the Vogue Players — that’s been entertaining crowds since 1964.
Dignam works for the city’s Department of Recreation, which sponsors the theater company, and oversees an all-volunteer cast that builds and paints the set, sells tickets and program advertisements and has shown up for rehearsals two to three days a week since the beginning of the year.
That kind of dedication shows Dignam that people of all ages and backgrounds will support a community theater company.
"The arts and theater are something that’s wanted and needed," he said.
The theater company started 44 years ago under the direction of Tom Korytowski. The company was called the Vogt Players, since Korytowski worked at Vogt Recreation Center in Tacony.
When Korytowski, who died four years ago, moved to Holmesburg Playground — now Ramp Playground — he changed the name to Vogue Players. Leo Dignam became director when he replaced Korytowski at Ramp, and Tom Dignam succeeded his brother as director when he began working at the playground.
Tom Dignam, who lives in Winchester Park, started with the Vogue Players back in 1972, when he played an orphan in Oliver.
Today, he is the city’s performing arts coordinator. His wife Alice works at Ramp.
In the fall, Dignam directs a children’s show. He also works with 600 youngsters in the summer at theater and performing arts camps throughout the city.
In the spring, he directs an adult show.
"I like the mix," he said.
This spring, the Vogue Players are presenting the musical Beauty and the Beast. There are six shows, from April 3 to 5 and 10 and 12, in the 350-plus-seat auditorium at Thomas Holme School. The shows have been held there for most of the last 40 years or so, except for a couple that were produced in the theater at the former Philadelphia State Hospital.
The two-hour show will feature an elaborate set and costumes, along with significant use of lighting. In all, there are 66 men and women in the cast, making it the largest ever for the Vogue Players. There’s also a pianist and a six-piece band.
Most of the parts are double-casted, which greatly increases the number of rehearsals Dignam must hold.
Still, having two individuals for each part can help if one of the actors is sick on the night of a show. Each actor appears as a character in three shows and in the ensemble in the other three.
"We spread the wealth. We give more people the chance to have a principal role," Dignam said. "Hopefully, that makes for one big happy family."
That big happy family gets together for a summer picnic, and Dignam presents an award to a volunteer who does an exceptional job with makeup, painting, costumes, sound and some of the other things that are essential to a successful theatrical production.
Every other Thursday throughout the year, some members of the cast gather at the Ashburner Inn.
And in the fall, they serve as the stage crew for the children’s production.
"They’re good role models," Dignam said.
Bill Arthur has been with the group since starring in Guys and Dolls under Leo Dignam in 1990. He’s playing Lumiere in the current show.
Arthur and his cast mates have celebrated marriages and births and comforted each other in sicknesses and deaths. They have also improved over the years, in his opinion.
"Our quality, sound, lighting and costumes have gotten better," he said.
Ed Flores has been in shows for 15 years. He plays the Beast.
Flores considers the rest of the cast part of his extended family. He thinks the actors come back year after year, in part, to star in heralded shows.
"It’s so popular and so world renowned. It’s an honor, and I’m very fortunate to have the chance to play the part," he said of his starring role as the Beast.
Steve Hnosko, who plays Monsieur D’Arque, acted in youth shows before joining the adult casts in 2001. He believes the actors bring talent and energy to the stage.
Hnosko said that he gets a "rush" on stage.
"It’s a challenge to learn the lines and dances, and it’s fun when you get a rise out of people when you’re funny and people clap after a good song," he said.
Joy Carchidi agrees. She plays the Enchantress and the Candlestick.
Carchidi said the experience is made better because the actors help out one another at rehearsals by feeding them forgotten lines or singing loudly.
"It’s like a natural high being up there," she said.
That’s also what brings Laura Burlingame out for shows. Like most others in the cast, she works outside the entertainment field. In her case, it’s as a catering manager for Aramark.
In the show, she plays Silly Girl and a napkin.
"It’s my creative outlet," she said. "It’s a lot of fun. It’s what I enjoy." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com

See the big show . . .
The Vogue Players will present six performances of Beauty and the Beast at the Thomas Holme School, Academy and Willits roads.
Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on April 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12.
Tickets are available at the door. They cost $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children under age 12.
For more information, contact Tom Dignam at 215-685-2217 or send e-mail to tom.dignam@phila.gov