As most Schnackys can agree, Dick Shone is one of the most influential members of the group. From his unwavering positivity, excellent jokes, and arguably the best-hugger out there, Dick has made a real impact on us all. He has been a member of MSCP since 1983 and he is still involved today. Before each show, Dick asks us all “who makes this show work?” and then goes around the circle saying “YOU! YOU! YOU!” He makes us all feel included and like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. He has been an excellent MC welcoming the crowd every year with his jokes and warmth. We have been so blessed by his presence every year and he really pushes us to keep moving forward especially with those Irish eyes a smilin’. Thank you, Dick, for your friendship and encouragement. You have a special place in our hearts.

Rena Faulkner heard about the Monsignor Schnacky Community Players back in 2004 when she worked with someone who was in the show and tryouts were coming up so her friend asked her to come audition. Rena was nervous but auditioned. The first show she performed was “Be-Dazzled and Boo-Razzled” in 2004. There were skits that year and she played Gloria from “All In The Family” and had a blast being on stage with Don Cicchino and Travis Piper. She has made many dear friends through the Schnackys. “They are there for you even after the show is done. From March until we meet again in October, if I need anything, they’re there, if I need prayers, they’re there no matter what. That just doesn’t happen everywhere.”

Chris Lyon has been a member of St. Catherine’s since 1989 and a member of the Schnacky crew since 2007 and cast since 2018. Both of his children Katie and Tommy Lyon were in the shows when they were younger. For Chris, the hardest part about getting on stage was getting out of the car when he was in the parking lot of St. Catherine’s the first time he tried out. He feels cherished and connected in this group and they have impacted his life positively in many ways. He has shared trials, tears, laughter and time with this group and we can’t wait for many more. Thank you being brave and getting out of your car!

Jean Nickels loves to sing, laugh, overact, and be silly. She has been a member of St. Catherine’s for 22 years. Her favorite role was Lotta Crabapple in the show Shakespeare Comes to Calamity Creek in 2018. In this show, everyone kept calling her “Crabtree” and she had to correct them by saying “Crabapple,” on occasion the audience would help too. The Monsignor Schnacky Community Players have allowed Jean to be “more free than she otherwise would be” and she has gained many supportive friends. Though she had no theater experience outside of being a Schnacky, Jean Nickels is a light up on stage and enjoys every second of it.  Thank you for gracing our stage with your beautiful spirit, Jean.

Paul Sawicki first got involved with MSCP in 1986 and except for a couple of years, has been "there" every year for a total of 35 years.  Initially, he helped out at the bar with drinks and popcorn and eventually was put in charge of the entire operation, including preparing cheese and cracker trays as well as recruiting all of the servers for each evening as well as house managers.  Thank you, Paul, for many many wonderful years of service to MSCP.

When you want to feel like you are a part of something special, like MSCP, a person like Bonnie Toomey is one of the best members to have in your group.  Bonnie joined the group as one of the MSCP singers.  Her smile and kindness lit up the stage.  She's played a chicken, a head of lettuce, and other important parts.  Her sense of humor and making everyone feel as if they are welcome and loved is an added bonus to anyone who works with her. In recent years, she brought an original skit "Modern Style People" come to life as the wife of an older married couple who was experiencing a GPS Navigation System for the first time.  Thank you Bonnie for making us all feel a part of the MSCP family.  Your friendship, kindness, and loyalty have made us a stronger and better group.  We are so blessed to have you as a member and we love you dearly. Thank you for all of your years of laughter and fun.

Mo McHugh has been a member of the Monsignor Schnacky Community Players players since “No Mother To Guide Her” where she played lawyer, Cora Phelan. She carried a briefcase with a banana, a rubber chicken and a girdle. The “show bug” bit her and she has been involved in the shows ever since. She also played the group’s first female villain. Mo has made so many life long friendships through the group.  At one point Travis Piper said that “many of the Schnacky greats are Scorpios” and Mo is no exception.  Thank you, Mo, for all you do for us! 

In 1982, Pure As the Driven Snow, was performed by our first Schnacky cast.  Frank Russell was the notorious villain, Mortimer Frothingham.  He was perfect for the part with his marvelous mustache and very deep, evil laugh.  According to him, a parishioner came up to him one day and said, “you know, you would make a terrific villain!  You look the part!”  That one performance started it.  Frank has been in our group in one way or another throughout the years.  His wife, Dee, who has been on stage and was a producer for years, and his children, Holly, Janette and Dan, who grew up with the group are truly his biggest and best fans.  Thank you, Frank, for the great laughs and dedication you have given us.  You are quite a memorable character!

In 1981, new parishioners Kathy and Travis Piper invited Monsignor Schnacky to dinner. The Pipers had met through a community theater called the Penfield Players. During the evening, it was mentioned that perhaps, someday, it might be fun to put on a Play at St. Catherine's.
The next weekend, a brief item appeared in the bulletin: "Travis and Kathy Piper have volunteered to put on a play here at St. Catherine's". When asked about the write-up, Monsignor smiled and said "Save me a small part!" ... The rest is history.
Because the pair had never had started their own theater group before, they decided to go with melodrama style shows because they have built in mistakes. Kathy Piper directed over 25 shows, and Travis directed 17 over the years. Travis admits, she had more of a knack for all the details, where he was a big picture guy.
“Kathy was the heart of the group, you know, she really was, Monsignor (Schnacky) was the inspiration and the motivation to get it going. I told several people, I made sure things got done, Kathy made sure things got done well and that everybody had a good time.” Travis Piper mentioned.
“It didn’t matter how much experience you had, or what your background was, she made you feel comfortable in the role she had given you. She had just made everyone feel comfortable and happy, rehearsals were joyful. I can’t say that I’ve ever been around someone that makes you feel so welcome as Kathy did.” said group member Christine Radi.
Did you know...each year, nearly 100 people get involved with our productions? Some are parishioners, some are non-Catholics, some are friends of friends. All are people interested in having fun and meeting new people. Rehearsals take place during the winter months which really makes the winter fly by. The Schnackys write some of their own material and are always looking for new ideas.
One year, they put on three shows to raise enough money to purchase the church’s connecting wing from the main church building to the community center.
The Schnackys have been together for forty years thanks to Travis and Kathy Piper and the welcoming culture they have created with the players. Without these two lovely people, we wouldn’t have been able to have 40 years of fun and excitement! Thank you, Kathy and Travis.  We love you!