Michael Rabus
Meet former Chappell Players President Michael Rabus from the Class of 1980! Check out what she had to say about Chappell Players and life after St. John’s.
Who are you and what significant contributions have you made to the organization?
I graduated December '79 (although I was scheduled to graduate June '78). I was the President of the Chappell Players during the second half of '77 and all of '78 (My predecessor John Geager, graduated early and I was elected to fill out his unexpired term so I may be one of the only people who was a President For more than One Year). I was also the President of Alpha Psi Omega for the same period.
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
Life has been great! Married to Bernadette who I met at St John’s Law and the proud Dad of 21 year old Catherine who is a senior at Fordham where she has starred in a number of Productions including the Witch in “Into the Woods”!
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
I have been a Lawyer for 36 years and am a partner in the law Firm of Ahmuty Demers & McManus and a member of the firm's executive committee. I am a trial lawyer and I credit my time with the Chappell Players as one of the ways that I developed my theatrical talents which help an enormous amount in the court room.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
My favorite performance is a tie between Sidney Hopcroft in Alan Ayckbourn’s “Absurd Person Singular” and Artie Shaughnessy in John Guare’s “The House of Blue Leaves”. My favorite show can be nothing but “Jesus Christ Superstar”. It was the first thing I was in, directed by the Soul of the Chappell players at the time: Russ Banham. It was the first amateur production ever staged. We obtained the rights because we had already had the rights to “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” and some Broadway Producer and Webber & Rice wanted to put “Joseph” on Broadway. They traded us “Superstar” for “Joseph”! It had an amazing cast from top to bottom and it was sold out every night. We did three additional performances. I was the Tenor Part of the Four High Priests as “Annas”. Life Changing.
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
I have not been able to be as involved as I would have liked although being a trial lawyer has had its theatrical moments. I get a great kick out of my daughter having developed her “chops” and voice and she encourages me to do some community theatre. I may yet. I joined the very well run and talented St Agnes Cathedral Choirs four years ago and have had some wonderful experiences there. (Now I’m a Bass).
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
I read Ray Abruzzo’s advice and I echo it. Do what you love. Don’t skip class like I did. Apply yourself and use your talents to the fullest and live life that way. Persistence alone is omnipotent!
Who are you and what significant contributions have you made to the organization?
I graduated December '79 (although I was scheduled to graduate June '78). I was the President of the Chappell Players during the second half of '77 and all of '78 (My predecessor John Geager, graduated early and I was elected to fill out his unexpired term so I may be one of the only people who was a President For more than One Year). I was also the President of Alpha Psi Omega for the same period.
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
Life has been great! Married to Bernadette who I met at St John’s Law and the proud Dad of 21 year old Catherine who is a senior at Fordham where she has starred in a number of Productions including the Witch in “Into the Woods”!
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
I have been a Lawyer for 36 years and am a partner in the law Firm of Ahmuty Demers & McManus and a member of the firm's executive committee. I am a trial lawyer and I credit my time with the Chappell Players as one of the ways that I developed my theatrical talents which help an enormous amount in the court room.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
My favorite performance is a tie between Sidney Hopcroft in Alan Ayckbourn’s “Absurd Person Singular” and Artie Shaughnessy in John Guare’s “The House of Blue Leaves”. My favorite show can be nothing but “Jesus Christ Superstar”. It was the first thing I was in, directed by the Soul of the Chappell players at the time: Russ Banham. It was the first amateur production ever staged. We obtained the rights because we had already had the rights to “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” and some Broadway Producer and Webber & Rice wanted to put “Joseph” on Broadway. They traded us “Superstar” for “Joseph”! It had an amazing cast from top to bottom and it was sold out every night. We did three additional performances. I was the Tenor Part of the Four High Priests as “Annas”. Life Changing.
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
I have not been able to be as involved as I would have liked although being a trial lawyer has had its theatrical moments. I get a great kick out of my daughter having developed her “chops” and voice and she encourages me to do some community theatre. I may yet. I joined the very well run and talented St Agnes Cathedral Choirs four years ago and have had some wonderful experiences there. (Now I’m a Bass).
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
I read Ray Abruzzo’s advice and I echo it. Do what you love. Don’t skip class like I did. Apply yourself and use your talents to the fullest and live life that way. Persistence alone is omnipotent!
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