“The Way We Were” Cast
SAG/AFTRA
Oscar
Victor Almanzar, is a New York based actor who came from the Dominican Republic at an early age. He appeared as Oswaldo in the Pulitzer Prize winning production of Between Riverside And Crazy in both The Atlantic Theater and Second Stage Theater (NYC) and the Steppenwolf Theater (CHICAGO). He also appeared as Oscar at The Steppenwolf Theater production of Grand Concourse. He has completed a lead role in the feature film 11:55 (INDEPENDENT), a recurring role in the series Homeland as lieutenant Wenzel (Showtime), a recurring role in the series Power as Arturo (STARZ), a recurring role in the series Empire as Big Heavy (FOX), a supporting role in the feature film Brawl in Cell Block 99 (XYZ FILMS), a guest star role in Blue Bloods (CBS), a guest star role in Chicago PD (NBC), a guest star role in High Maintenance (HBO), and a role in LFE (a pilot for CBS). Before turning his attention to acting, Victor was in the United States Marine Corp, where he served in Kosovo and Iraq. Since then he has worked on the New York stage, Regional Theaters, and in London. He was nominated for The Lucille Lortel Award for his role in Between Riverside And Crazy. Victor is a proud lifetime member of The Actors Studio.
Maggie
Francesca Nong is an actor, singer, and dancer based in NYC.
Francesca was most recently seen on the Broadway National Tour of Miss Saigon in the ensemble and as Kim understudy. She is the first Vietnamese American actor to play Kim in a Cameron Mackintosh production.
As a recent graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, she holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and has also studied at Atlantic Acting School.
You can often find her taking ballet class, cuddling with her foster dog, or baking focaccia!
Lexi
Rose is a DC based actor, educator, and mental health advocate. She is a graduate of the Towson University BFA Acting Program and an alumni of the American Stage Acting & Production Apprenticeship Program. Regional Theatre credits: Long Day’s Journey Into Night (American Stage), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (American Stage), As You Like It (Baltimore Centerstage), Proxy (Rapid Lemon Productions), Count Down (Strand Theatre), Materialize (Maryland Ensemble Theatre). Podcasting & Streaming Credits include: Oh Crit! Improv, Moon Harbor Heroes, Party of One Pod, What Was I Saying?: Living with ADHD, The Quelmar Realm, and A Game Called Quest.
Charlie Aleman
Jack
Charlie Aleman is thrilled to be making their voice over debut with the team at Dark Valley Pod. A Brooklyn based trans writer and actor, they specialize in classical pieces or adaptations and Shakespearean works with an emphasis on stage combat. Previous roles include Romeo, Demetrius in Titus Andronicus, and Henry VI in Henry VI: Parts II and III. They are a horror enthusiast and enjoy late night hot chocolate.
Facebook: @thecharliealeman
Elsbeth Denman (Zurek)
Director/ Producer
Elsbeth is a New Jersey native who grew up performing. While dance brought her to the stage, Acting and production kept her there. A jack of many trades, Elsbeth has credits as an actor, stage manager, producer and director. She holds a BA from King’s College in Directing/ Acting, and an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. Since graduating, Elsbeth has become a full blown podcaster, with around 100 podcast appearances under her belt. She and her husband Mark are thrilled to finally be able to share their project, Dark Valley with listeners everywhere.
Mark Zurek
Writer
Narrator
Mark Zurek is a Pennsylvania-born writer and performer whose credits include Kalino Kahananui on the Protean City Comics podcast, writing and acting in the award-nominated The Adventures of Harry Flynn radio drama, as well as several Shakespeare and contemporary stage roles. A graduate of King's College and Binghamton University with degrees in Mathematics, Mark has nevertheless pursued creative writing as a passion. Dark Valley is his first scripted podcast for whom he is the head writer and narrator.
Guest Sound Editor : James Malloy
Script Editor: Geoffrey Hymers