theatreontheroad@gmail.com

"Your script closely adhered to the historical facts and timeline, and proved to be very entertaining. It brought to life the prominent characters of an amazing period of growth and prosperity in Kingston, and will provide a basis for discussion of the main players of that time. The Friends of Historic Kingston is appreciative for your considerable effort and success in "Bringing Kingston's History Alive!" - Peter Roberts, President Friends of Historic Kingston

"Theatre on the Road presents a surprising mix of quality comedy, drama and music that has filled a niche. In some ways this is theatre for people who don't go to the theatre, and they're never disappointed." - Marcy Groll, Hudson, NY

About Us

Theatre on the Road is the creation of actor, writer and director Frank Marquette along with his wife and producing partner, Kristen. They have been producing quality shows for both public and private events since 1998. Their exceptional services include: original and customized scripts, professional performers and singers, one-of-a-kind production values and the marketing and publicity skills needed to ensure the success of each event.

Under the name Murder Cafe, the Marquettes had an 11 year run in Las Vegas where they specialized in corporate entertainment with an emphasis on comedy murder mysteries. Frank and Kristen returned to their native New York State in 2009 and brought Murder Cafe with them. Murder Café continues to provide year-round entertainment for company and holiday parties, fundraisers, themed parties, casinos, restaurants and country clubs.

As of 2025, with the growing success of their flagship production of DRACULA, Frank has partnered with Michelle Kafel-Cintron (actor, producer, director) to take the helm as Producing Artistic Director to continue developing high-quality, engaging and meaningful theatrical productions throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Educational Theatre

The Marquettes first foray into performing in schools originated in Las Vegas with underwriting provided by the Rotary Club of Las Vegas, Murder Café was able to bring "The 50 minute version of A Christmas Carol" to at risk elementary schools for three years. Designed to be presented in a class period, all the high points of Dickens' classic were accomplished by a narrator, Scrooge and another actor playing all four ghosts. The students who saw these presentations were unlikely to be exposed to live theatre. A Christmas Carol was part of Las Vegas's elementary school reading curriculum so seeing a dramatization enhanced the students reading while introducing many to theatre for the first time.

Since returning to New York State in 2009 the Marquettes created Theatre on the Road to bring educational performances to schools and local theaters. In addition to A Christmas Carol they have added "Poe's Last Mystery" which was commissioned by the Poughkeepsie Library District to enhance their federally funded Big Read program. Since 2013 "Poe's Last Msytery" has also been performed at many regional schools and historic sites.

Since 2013 Theatre on the Road has been presenting "living history" cemetery tours throughout the Hudson Valley. Every September and October they present six historic characters in both the Old Dutch Church cemetery in Kingston, New York and the Rhinebeck Cemetery in Rhinebeck, New York.

Theatre for Fun and Fundraising

In 2023 Theatre-on-the-road/Murder Cafe produced seven original shows with 53 performances, 8 living history cemetery tours and entertained several thousand people and raised over $38,000 for various charities.

The Marquettes and their troupe have entertained for Fortune 500 companies, leading hotels & resorts, five star restaurants, casinos and country clubs.

The Management Team

FRANK MARQUETTE (Owner/Operator) has been involved with hundreds of theatrical productions since he began performing at the age of 17. Frank has appeared with theater groups in New York, Nevada and New Mexico. In addition, he has produced, written and emceed variety shows for many charitable causes. Frank's on camera work has included national commercials for Konica, a featured role on "Unsolved Mysteries", dozens of local and regional commercials a key role in the PBS original production, "The Greatest Man in the World" and a recent appearance in season two of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".

MICHELLE KAFEL-CINTRON (Producing Artistic Director) started her performing career as a teenager (thanks to her big brother, Brian) with local Hudson Valley theatre company, Ulster Stage (UCCC Summer Theatre), under the guidance of the inimitible Jack & Marti Lawson. Her love of theatre grew throughout high school, performing at John A. Coleman Catholic HS (with Wayne Cusher & Lise Hopson) and summers at UCCC. She graduated with a BA in English (Drama Concentration) from Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH), acting in numerous productions (The Winter's Tale, The Sea Gull, The Miser, etc.), and finding a love of directing with Tad Mosel's The Presence of the Enemy. Post college, Michelle found herself in NYC working with various theatre companies, most notably with Peter Dobbins' Storm Theatre. She first started as Stage Manager, then quickly assumed Producing, Directing, PR/Marketing, as well as Acting roles, in shows such as: The Karol Wojtyla Festival; Our God's Brother, The Jeweler's Shop, Job, Jeremiah (Producer/Director/Actor), The Shaughraun (Biddy Madigan), The Satin Slipper (Dona Isabel), Arrah-Na-Pogue (Nora Kavinaugh), The London Merchant (Lucy). Michelle found herself returning to the Hudson Valley, and after a hiatus to start a family, rekindled the performing fire with Hudson Valley Improv (Samantha Jones). Post-COVID, thanks to her husband, Jordan, she joined the ranks of Murder Cafe with Hot Buttered Death, their in-house "Murder Mystery Improv", directed by David Britton. In 2023, Frank cast Michelle as Professor Van Helsing in DRACULA, and the rest is history!

KRISTEN MARQUETTE (Costumer) not only specializes in the design and construction of original costumes, she also contributes to the writing of original scripts. While Frank can be seen performing with the troupe, Kristen brings her considerable talents to the backstage area. As a professional makeup and hair stylist with 35 years experience, Kristen dresses and prepares each actor before the show and pays attention to all of the details that make each show a success. She is the owner and operator of Studio KTM, an organic hair salon, in Red Hook, New York

Cast & Crew

Theatre on the Road and Murder Cafe employ the most professional and experienced actors available and our current troupe features the talents of Dan Anderson, Nanette Ayres, David Britton, Zach Gibson, Marlene Golia, Marisa Gorsline, Michelle Kafel-Cintron, Joe Maxwell, Ellen Pavloff, Nicole Perepeluk, Kate Podell, Lauren Roberts, Tom Roberts, Heather Roland-Franco, Kim Schneeberger, David Simlow, Ari Spence, Griffin Stanger and Erica Woolley.

"For 27 years we have been bringing high-quality professional theatre to you. We have an exceptionally wide choice of programs including 20 original scripts. Our client list is in the hundreds and our fan base is in the thousands. Come and join us!"

-Frank Marquette