Local Actors Featured in Act3 Productions' Staged Reading in New York City

By Wheel and By Wing is an original musical that premiered before sold-out audiences at Act3 Productions in Sandy Springs two years ago. The play tells the triumphant story of the Parnes family’s survival during World War II.

Several members of the Parnes family now reside in the Atlanta area. Patti Mactas, artistic director of Act3 Productions, served as lead producer of the staged reading. Tony-nominated Jayne Atkinson, known for her work on Gossip Girl, House of Cards, and numerous other film and television roles, was the director.

By Wheel and By Wing was created by a team of local students led by award-winning local playwright Corey JanAlbert.

The original team included: Cameron Albert-Deitch, Haley Chung, Dara Epstein, Leah Quattrochi, and Parrish Turner (Book); Sam Barge, Leslie Doctor, Justin Nash Fisher, and Greg Windle (Music); Cameron Albert-Deitch, Sam Barge, Leslie Doctor, Haley Chung, Maital Gottfried, and Gregg Windle (Lyrics).

The staged reading included additional book, lyrics and music by Corey-Jan Albert, Jayne Atkinson-Gill, Elyssa Mactas, Patti Mactas, and Dan Marmor and new music and lyrics by Shami Arslanian and Steve W

Atlanta-area actors were:

Matt Alea: A student at Hightower Trail Middle School, Matt is the winner of the 2013 Youth Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Award. Matt has appeared in several Act3 productions. Matt played the role of Johnny Parnes.

Connor Crank: A graduate of Walton High School, Connor is a student at the University of Georgia. He played the role of Moishe Parnes, the same role he portrayed in the original production.

Elyssa Mactas: Elyssa now resides in New York, but grew up in East Cobb and graduated from Walton High School and NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She played Esther Parnes, the role played in the original production.

Jacob Samuels: Another Walton graduate, Jacob graduated from NYU and now resides in New York. He played the roles of the male ensemble. Before moving to New York, Jacob participated in several Act3 productions.