Who`s Who - Center REPertory Company

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY OF WALNUT CREEK
Michael Butler, Artistic Director
Scott Denison, Managing Director
presents
By Charles Dickens
Adaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James
Directed by Scott Denison
Choreographer
Jennifer Denison Perry
Lighting Designer
John Earls
Sound Designer
Jeff Mockus
Musical Director
Mark Hanson
Scenic Designer
Kelly Tighe
Costume Designer
Melissa Anne Paterson
Original Choreography
Lareen Fender
Production Stage Manager
Jeff Collister*
Original Sound Design
Norm Kern
Hofmann Theatre
December 11 - 21, 2008
Lesher Center for the Arts
Season Presenting Sponsor
Season Partner
Season Media Sponsor
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association,
the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
The Scenic Designer and Sound Designer are members of United Scenic Artists Union
CAST
Natalie Bartnick.................................................................Fan
Michael A. Berg............................. Mr. Applebaum/Fezziwig
Jesse Caldwell*...................................................Bob Cratchit
Siobhan Doherty..............................................................Belle
Jeff Draper........................................ Marley/Topper/Old Joe
Daphne Ford...................................................................Sophy
Emily Garcia.......................................Flora Fezziwig/Cherry
Jason Hite........................................................Young Scrooge
Courtney Iventosch..................................................... Lavinia
Daniel Lachman.................................. Georgie/Dick Wilkins
Evan Lachman......................................................... Tiny Tim
Robin Melnick...................................Mr. Bagstock - Quartet
Ryan Meulpolder........................................ Constable Durdle
Sara Moore..........................................................Charwoman
Marty Newton................................................................ Rudge
Amy Nielson............................... Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig/Anne
Michael O’Brien...............................................Peter Cratchit
Morgan Pavey...............................................Martha Cratchit
Jeanine Perasso............................. Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress
Jennifer Denison Perry.....................................................Past
Jack Powell*...............................................Ebenezer Scrooge
Barbara Reynolds............................. Miss Skiffins - Quartet
Tim Reynolds.......................................... Mr. Tiffey - Quartet
Jesse Robbins..................................................................Bailey
Zac Robbins......................................................... Boy Scrooge
Joel Roster...............................................................Mr. Boxer
Kevin Sanchez..............................................Nigel Woodward
Kerri Shawn......................................................Mrs. Cratchit
Grant Strain............................... Charley/Perch/Turkey Boy
Molly Thornton...............................Miss Augustus - Quartet
Grace Whittom.............................................Belinda Cratchit
Michael Wiles*................................................................. Fred
Adam Winship.................................................... Thief/Future
Michael Ray Wisely*.................................................. Present
Olivia DelRay Wisely.......................................................Polly
Wendy Wisely.......................................................... Catherine
Stephen Wolff................................................................... Silas
Special thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Natalie Bartnick (Fan) is elated to make
her Center REP debut. She is an 8th grade
honors student at Charlotte Wood Middle
School in Danville and loves singing and
writing. She fully enjoyed participating
in the Young REP Workshop last summer.
She played Marta in her middle school
performance of The Sound of Music last spring. Natalie is also
beginning her second year of drama class at CWMS. Natalie
has been in the Danville Girls Choir for the last 6 years and was
thrilled to be selected for the Honors Choir this year. Thanks
Mom, Dad, Logan, Nolan, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. McCabe for
their awesome support and inspriation.
Michael A. Berg (Mr. Applebaum/
Fezziwig) is happy to be included in this
season’s production of A Christmas Carol
as Mr. Fezziwig and Mr. Applebaum, one of
the solicitors. Michael is very pleased to be
working on the costumes as well. He works
full time for Center REP as a stitcher and
sometime actor and if he is lucky he gets
to design as well! You might remember him as Starveling the
tailor in last year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Michael and Ophelia (his four legged significant other), wish
all of you a bountiful and peaceful holiday season!!
Jesse Caldwell* (Mr. Cratchit) is pleased
to return to Center REP as Bob Cratchit.
Last spring he played Grandpa Gellman in
Caroline, Or Change at TheatreWorks, and
followed that with the Preacher in Seven
Brides For Seven Brothers at Woodminster.
He has appeared at the Knight Theatre as
Charlie Dyer in American Citizens’ Theatre’s production of
Staircase and as Leon in Playhouse West’s The Love List. He
also played the Hoffman Theatre as Old Joe in CCMT’s Damn
Yankees. Around the Bay Area he has performed with American
Musical Theatre of San Jose, 42nd Street Moon, TheatreFirst,
California Conservatory Theatre, Shotgun Players, Crowded
Fire and the Willows Theatre. Earlier in his career he toured the
country with the National Shakespeare Co. and performed at the
Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Siobhan Doherty (Belle) is thrilled
to make her Center REP debut in A
Christmas Carol. Siobhan most recently
performed with CCMT as Dianne Lorimer
in 42nd Street. Other credits include
Pericles (Marina/Dance Captain) with
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, The
Trojan Women (Chorus/Dance Captain)
with Aurora Theater, Dolly Wests Kitchen (Dolly) and The
Bacchae (Chorus Leader, Dance Captain) at UC Berkeley.
Siobhan is a graduate of PCPA where she performed in Beauty
& the Beast (Belle/Dance Captain) and A Little Night Music
(Malla, u/s Anne & Petra). Siobhan holds degrees in Theatre,
Dance and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley. www.
siodoherty.com
Jeff Draper (Marley/Topper/Old Joe) has
been seen in many Center REP productions,
including How the Other Half Loves,
Around the World in 80 Days and Picasso
at the Lapin Agile. Jeff loves spending his
summers with the students of Young REP,
where he is Co-Education Director with
Kerri Shawn. Jeff would like to thank his husband Dalon for
supporting his crazy love of acting and theater.
Daphne Ford (Sophy) is an eighth grader
at Stanley Middle School in Lafayette.
She is delighted to be back with her A
Christmas Carol family for the fourth
year. Daphne has performed with CCMT,
DLOC, The Willows Theater Company,
Pleasanton Playhouse, Antioch Rivertown
Theater and The Ballet Joyeux. Favorite
Roles include, Scout, (To Kill a Mocking Bird) Sally, (You’re
a Good Man Charlie Brown) and Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz).
Daphne has studied acting with Young REP, ballet, tap and jazz
at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School, voice with Lynda Kalb
and classical voice with Pamela Brooks.
Emily Garcia (Flora Fezziwig/Cherry) is
proud to again be a part of this wonderful
production. When not on stage, she works as
a director, choreographer and producer for
local and children’s theatre. Notable roles
include Maggie in Jake’s Women (Shellie
nominee), Angela in Enter Laughing
(Shellie nominee), Sally Bowles in Cabaret
(Player Award nominee) and Godspell (Players Award, Best
Supporting Actress). She wishes the happiest of holidays to all!
Jason Hite (Young Scrooge) is so happy
to be coming back to the A Christmas
Carol family! Most recently, he appeared
as Billy Lawlor in CCMT’s production
of 42nd Street. A proud 3rd year veteran
of Center REP’s Young REP program, he
would like to thank all of his instructors
without whom he would not be where he is.
Love to my friends and family for all their love and support.
Courtney Iventosch (Lavinia) is so
excited to be a part of Center REP’s
production of A Christmas Carol! She
is a recent graduate of SJSU, where she
was a member of Janie Scott’s Company
One. She was most recently seen as Peggy
Sawyer in CCMT’s production of 42nd
Street. Other credits include Beauty and the
Beast (AMTSJ), Smokey Joe’s Café (DeLee, Hillbarn Theatre),
and Kiss Me Kate (Cabrillo Stage). She thanks Center REP for
this wonderful opportunity and her family and friends for their
love and support! Happy Holidays!
Daniel Lachman (Georgie/Dick Wilkins)
is excited to return to the production where
he made his stage debut ten years ago as
Tiny Tim. He has also performed with
Center REP in On Borrowed Time and
The Man Who Came to Dinner. Daniel
received a Bay Area Critics Circle Award
(Supporting Actor - Musical) and a Shellie nomination for his
performance in the world premiere of The Night of the Hunter
at the Willows Theatre. Other Willows appearances include
Cats, Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Mountain Days, Children
of Eden, and Big River. Daniel has also performed with
Solano College Theatre (Dead Man Walking, Disney’s Beauty
and the Beast, and Seussical!), Galatean Players (Rivets), and
DLOC (The Wizard of Oz). Daniel has trained for the past two
summers with the Young REP and is a proud member of the
Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.
Evan Lachman (Tiny Tim), a fourth
grader, is excited to return to Center REP’s
production of A Christmas Carol in the role
of Tiny Tim. He’s even more excited to be
performing for the first time with his big
brother, Daniel. Evan appeared as John
Henry West in The Member of the Wedding
with OnStage Theatre, and as the Sultan in the Willows Theatre
Conservatory production of Aladdin Jr. In addition to theatre,
Evan loves skateboarding and baseball.
Robin Melnick (Mr. Bagstock - Quartet)
Returning for his eighth season with A
Christmas Carol, Robin looks forward all
year to sharing in the holiday spirit with us.
His favorite roles elsewhere have included
El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Lancelot in
Camelot, and Smudge in Forever Plaid
and Plaid Tidings. Robin splits his time between the high-tech
industry and graduate school and is always grateful to his wife,
Mary, and son, Andrew, for all of their love and support.
Ryan Meulpolder (Constable Durdle) is
no stranger to the Hofmann stage after
having appeared in Grease (Danny Zuko,
CCMT), The Full Monty (Teddy, CCMT),
Guys and Dolls (Lieutenant Johnny
Brannigan, CCMT), Disney’s Beauty and
the Beast (Ensemble, CCMT), West Side
Story (Diesel, DLOC), and Peter Pan (Bill
Jukes, DLOC). A veteran of theatre, Ryan has also appeared in
such films as the Wachowski Brothers’ The Matrix Reloaded and
Ang Lee’s The Hulk. He’s a proud member of Fantasy Forum
Actors Ensemble, and he wishes to dedicate this performance to
his friends and family for their constant support.
Sara Moore (Charwoman) Sara Moore’s
eccentric career has her dividing her time
between the Bay Area and New York!
Locally, she has appeared with the Aurora
Theatre, George Coates Performance
Works, Theatre Rhinoceros, The New
Pickle Circus, and as principal clown and
artistic director for San Francisco’s Make*A*Circus. In New
York, Sara performs Off and Off-Off Broadway in a variety of
theatres and venues such as P.S. 122, The Vital Theatre and La
Mama ETC. Nationally, she has been a physical comic with
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Royal Caribbean
International, and The Krofft Puppets. Sara is working on
her one-woman show, The Super, about an enchanted ride
mechanic in Coney Island. Sara is also an ecstatic member of
Young REP’s faculty and is thrilled to be a part of Center REP’s
glorious A Christmas Carol!
Marty Newton (Rudge) This will be
Marty’s second season performing with
Center REP’s A Christmas Carol and
he’s pleased as punch to be asked back.
Marty was most recently seen in CCMT’s
42nd Street playing the harsh, but humble
dance captain, Andy Lee. Some of Marty’s
favorite roles include Mr. Smee in DLOC’s
Peter Pan, Jamison in CCCT’s The Cocoanuts and Benny
Southstreet in CCMT’s Guys and Dolls. Marty is also a proud
member of the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.
Amy Nielson
(Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig/
Anne) This marks Amy’s 7th production
of A Christmas Carol, working both
onstage and off, as she has been a costume
assistant here since 2002. Recent credits
include Ziegfeld’s Favorite in DLOC’s Will
Rogers’ Follies and CCMT’s 42nd Street.
She is directing and choreographing the
upcoming production of Nine, the Musical, this February at
Contra Costa Civic Theatre, where Amy also serves on the
Artistic Advisory Committee. In her spare time, Amy is a
school docent for SFMoMA.
Michael O’Brien (Peter Cratchit) is a
senior at Amador Valley High School and
is grateful to be a part of this production
of A Christmas Carol once again. He has
been a part of Center REP’s Young REP
program for the past three years. His
performances there have included Macbeth
(Fleance/Mentieth), Galileo (Andrea), and
Hamlet (Hamlet 2). When he’s not acting in Walnut Creek, he
is an active member of Amador’s drama department. Michael
would like to take the time to thank his supportive family, Tom
Hanks, and all of his friends and teachers at Young REP who
have taught him to “Let be”.
Morgan Pavey (Martha Cratchit) is excited
and honored to be in her first production
with Center REP! She has participated in
the REP’s summer program, Young REP
for the past four years, appearing in musical
theatre reviews and shows such as Galileo
(Philosopher/Town Crier) and Hamlet
(Rosencrantz). Morgan is also an active
member of the Miramonte High School drama department,
most recently appearing in their Fall production of the Reduced
Shakespeare Company’s The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (Abridged). She would like to thank her family
for being absolutely wonderful 365 days of every year.
Jeanine Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig) returns for
her 11th year with A Christmas Carol. The
Holidays just wouldn’t feel right without
sharing it with my “Christmas Family”.
Other credits include Sr. Robert Anne in
VMT’s Nunsense and Messugahnuns!,the
Enchanted Wardrobe in CCMT’s Beauty &
the Beast, Gail in Act Now!’s Prisoners of
Love and part of the band in CCMT’s Guys & Dolls. She wishes
to dedicate these performances to Fred & Miranda who are a
constant inspiration and have never stopped believing in her.
Jennifer Denison Perry (Past) Cassie (A
Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Bonnie
Jean (Brigadoon), Louise (Carousel), Mary
Warren (Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners),
Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark), and
Bonnie (Anything Goes) for which she
won a Shellie Award. Jennifer is a proud
member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble and is thrilled to
be going into her 14th year of teaching for Center REP’s Young
REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co-director
of the Musical Theatre Program. By day Jennifer teaches ballet
at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School in Walnut Creek where
she is Director of the School and The Ballet Joyeux. Most
recently she directed 42nd Street for CCMT.
Jack Powell* (Ebenezer Scrooge) returns
to Center REP for a fifth season of cranky,
crotchety, ill tempered and irritable
misbehavior. (As well as a bit of fear, awe,
and joyous celebration.) He has performed
in various theatres in the Bay Area, going
back to 1963, including Berkeley Rep,
Aurora Theatre, Marin Theatre Co., San Francisco Shakespeare
Co., and Marin Shakespeare Co. He toured with the National
Shakespeare Co., and played Sir George Thunder in the New
York premiere of Wild Oats. Various roles include Gloucester
in King Lear, Higgins in Pygmalion, Pickering in My Fair Lady,
Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Falstaff in Merry Wives of Windsor,
Norman Thayer Jr. in On Golden Pond, Hapagon in The Miser,
and Dr. Paramore in The Philanderer for which he received a
Dean Goodman Award. Various TV credits include roles on
Nash Bridges and Midnight Caller.
Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins Quartet) is delighted to return for her
12th season as part of Center REP’s A
Christmas Carol family. A summa cum
laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in
music, she sings both classical and musical
theatre roles. Recent performances include
Ragtime (Mother), The 1940s Radio Hour
(Ann Collier) and She Loves Me (Amalia) for Saratoga Drama
Group; The King and I (Anna) for Pleasanton Playhouse;
Ragtime (Mother) with Townsend Opera; A Little Night Music
(Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; Show Boat
for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award
as Magnolia); and H.M.S. Pinafore (Josephine) with The
Lamplighters.
Tim Reynolds (Mr. Tiffey - Quartet)
returns to Center REP’s A Christmas Carol
quartet for the 12th year. Recent credits
include Frankie in both Plaid Tidings and
Forever Plaid with West Valley Light
Opera; Ragtime (Tateh), The 1940s Radio
Hour (Johnny Cantone) and She Loves
Me (Georg) for Saratoga Drama Group;
The Full Monty (Harold) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate)
with City Lights Theatre Company of San Jose; and Brigadoon
(Dean Goodman Choice award as Tommy) with Foothill Music
Theatre. He has a theater degree from Northwestern University,
and looks forward to appearing as Billy Flynn in Chicago for
Saratoga Drama Group in May/June 2009.
Jesse Robbins (Bailey) is 12 years old and
attends 6th grade at Foothill Middle School.
Jesse has performed in many school plays
as Aladdin, Shirkhan in the Jungle Book
and The Wolf in The Trial of the Big Bad
Wolf. Jesse hopes to be an actor one day
and has modeled for Mervyns ads as well
as performed in several trade show videos. He also played a
main role as Jonathon Swain, a boy with HIV in a Japanese
T.V. show. Jesse plays tennis and soccer and is an avid rock
collector.
Zac Robbins (Boy Scrooge) is twelve
years old and attends Foothill Middle
School. He has performed in several school
plays including Jungle Book, Aladdin and
The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf where he
had primary roles. Zac plays piano and
trombone and is in the Jazz Band at school.
He loves to sing and has participated in
the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus for two years. Zac’s twin
brother Jesse is also in this performance. Zac loves science and
math but math is his favorite subject.
Joel Roster (Mr. Boxer) 2008 marks Mr.
Roster’s sixth consecutive year with the
A Christmas Carol family and his seventh
appearance with Center REP, having
appeared in last season’s A Midsummer
Night’s Dream (Snug) under the direction
of Michael Butler. An honored playwright
and Shellie award recipient, Mr. Roster has of late exercised his
directing chops with Town Hall Theatre’s smash hits Bleacher
Bums and the East Bay premiere of The Graduate.His original
piece One Night At The Hotel Grand receives its world premiere
at Town Hall in May of 2009. Joel is also a drama instructor
for teenagers and a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors
Ensemble. He wishes to dedicate this performance to his sister
Emily, who’s currently showing Arizona a thing or two.
Kevin Sanchez (Nigel Woodward) is very
excited to join this incredible cast for his
third year! His stage credits include roles as
Bob Bradley in The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever and as Bertram Cates in Inherit the
Wind. An executive board member of the
Diablo Regional Arts Association, Kevin
dedicates his performance to everyone in
our community who supports the Lesher Center for the Arts.
Kerri Shawn (Mrs. Cratchit) gratefully
returns to the role of Mrs. Cratchit this
holiday season. Last season Kerri had
great fun playing Mrs. Boyle in REP’s The
Mousetrap and is looking forward to joining
the cast for Center REP’s Enchanted April
this spring. Kerri serves as Co-Director of
Education for Center REP, is a resident
actress at Tao House for the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, and
is a company member with Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble
and PlayGround.
Grant Strain (Charley/Perch/Turkey Boy)
loves to act, ride his bike, and watch T.V.
with his family. He gets good grades and
just turned 13 years old. This is his first
year playing Colby Knox (Turkey Boy)
but is his 6th performance of Center REPs
A Christmas Carol. Credits include: CCMT: Beauty and the
Beast as Chip the Teacup, Titanic as Jack Thayer, and Guys
and Dolls as SON. Center REP: A Christmas Carol. Grant
thanks his family for their ever loving support. Grant is also
very proud to be a part of the Young REP acting workshop and
thanks them for their tremendous help and support.
Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus Quartet) is very happy to join the cast
of A Christmas Carol after having been
a fan of this production for years. Ms.
Thornton just completed a run of Hot’n’
Cole with Tabard Theatre in San Jose.
Other recent credits include Man of La
Mancha (Aldonza), Thoroughly Modern
Millie (Miss Flannery) and The Pajama Game (Babe) with
Saratoga Drama Group, The Goodbye Girl (Paula/Bus Barn),
Lysistrata (Mother/City Lights Theater Company), Honk!
(Lowbutt/West Valley Light Opera Association), Urinetown
(Mrs. Millenium/Foothill College), City of Angels (Alaura/
Sunnyvale Community Players), and her award-winning
performances in Mame! (Gooch/West Valley Light Opera
Association/ERMA Award), Kiss Me Kate (Kate/West Valley
Light Opera Association/ERMA Award) and The Will Rogers
Follies (Betty Blake/CCMT/Shellie Award).
Grace Whittom (Belinda Cratchit) This is
Grace’s first production with Center REP.
She participates in the Young REP summer
drama and musical theatre programs and
was delighted to play the part of Luisa
from The Fantasticks in the musical theatre
showcase this past summer. Grace studies
ballet at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School, and has been
acting, singing and dancing throughout her life. She is ecstatic
to be working with Center REP, and would like to thank her
family for their continuous love and support!
Michael Wiles* (Fred) marks his 7th A
Christmas Carol with Center REP, where
he was also seen as Tom in The Glass
Menagerie. Other credits include work
with the American Conservatory Theater
(Edward 2, A Christmas Carol), American
Musical Theater (Big River), Aurora
Theater (The Persians), Berkeley Repertory Theater (Master
Class,The Oresteia), California Shakespeare Festival (Romeo
and Juliet, As You Like It, Scapin, Edward II), Capital Stage
Company (Fat Pig), Marin Shakespeare Company (King Lear,
Macbeth, Much Ado), Pacific Alliance Stage Company (Wonder
of the World, Betrayal, All My Sons) San Francisco Shakespeare
Festival (Pericles, Love’s Labour’s Lost), and Tacoma Actor’s
Guild (Twelfth Night). www.michaelwiles.com.
Adam Winship (Thief/Future) is thrilled to
be returning to the Christmas Carol family
for his 8th year. He is a proud member of
FFAE and board member for CCMT. He
hopes this story will spin its way into your
hearts and remain there far beyond this
Christmas Season.
Michael Ray Wisely* (Present) It gives
Michael Ray great joy to return with his
family in A Christmas Carol. Recent
credits: Devils Disciple at the Aurora,
Much Ado About Nothing at Marin
Shakes, Glengarry Glen Ross, at San Jose
Stage, and Heartbreak House at Berkeley
Repertory Theatre as well as appearances with Magic Theatre,
San Jose Repertory, American Musical Theatre, Marin Theatre
Company, SF Shakes, Willows Theatre and others. Michael
Ray has starred and guest-starred in television movies and
series and works as a director in theatre and video.
Olivia DelRay Wisely (Polly) makes her
third appearance with her parents in A
Christmas Carol. She began her performing
career in the womb as “a sonogram” in a
commercial for a local hospital. At 6 years
old, her other credits include: Nickel and
Dimed and The Imaginary Invalid directed
by her mother at Los Positas College in
Livermore, as well as performing in a Chinese dance class at
Harding Elementary in El Cerrito where she is a 1st grader.
Olivia wishes for you to enjoy the show.
Wendy Wisely (Catherine) Wendy’s
previous Center REP productions include
The Diviners, The Night Hank Williams
Died, and Room Service. Originally from
Seattle, she has acted and directed at such
theaters as San Jose Stage Co., City Lights,
Willows, California Shakespeare Theatre,
Role Players, Town Hall, Western Stage, and Pacific Alliance.
Wendy teaches theater at Las Positas College and Santa Rosa
Junior College and is thrilled that her family is working together
again in this production.
Stephen Wolff (Silas) is a 7th grader at
Foothill Middle Schoool. He appeared as a
townsperson in Cinderella and as a young
suitor and bagel boy in Fiddler on the Roof
for CCMT. He played Danny in DLOC’s
Brylcreem and Tom in Schoolhouse Rock,
Jr. Stephen is honored to return to A
Christmas Carol.
CREATIVE TEAM
Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) recently concluded
35 years of service as has directed over 150 productions,
including Center REP’s highly successful production The
Wizard of Oz and CCMT’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,
Cinderella and the last ten productions of A Christmas Carol.
Mr. Denison is the director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum
Actors Ensemble, and the creator of the Contra Costa County
Shellie Awards.
He has also designed lights for over 250
productions, including Center REP’s production of Hank
Williams: Lost Highway, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Picasso
at the Lapin Agile, Cowgirls, Suds, Shirley Valentine and Dear
Liar, and CCMT’s Titanic and Guys and Dolls. As General
Manager of the Lesher Center for the Arts, he coordinates over
900 events annually.
Kelly Tighe (Scenic Designer) Off Broadway: The Fantasticks,
Almost Heaven. National tours: Movin’ Out, Mooseltoe.
Regional: Dreamgirls, My Way, Aida, Cats, The Full Monty,
Jesus Christ Superstar (Gateway Playhouse); Beauty/Beast,
Grease, Titanic, The Who’s Tommy, (Contra Costa Musical
Theatre); Annie, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph/Dreamcoat (Ohio’s
Carousel Dinner Theater); West Side Story, The Scarlet
Pimpernel (Diablo Light Opera Co.); Around the World in 80
Days, The Pavilion, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, A Christmas
Carol (Center REPertory Company); The Laramie Project, A
Midsummer Night’s Dream (PPAS/ NYC). Mr. Tighe served
as the resident Scenic Designer for Western Michigan’s Cherry
County Playhouse (The Music Man starring William Katt and
Josie DeGuzman, and the world premiere of Will’s Women
starring Amanda McBroom), and Center REP in the San
Francisco Bay Area. Television: Sunday Night Woah! (starring
Mo Rocca) for Animal Planet as well as several spots for
Verizon, Kit Kat, Disney, and the Oxygen network. Awards and
recognitions: Northern California’s “Shellie”, Drama-Logue,
and the S.F. Bay Area’s Outer Critic’s Circle. Kelly resides in
New York City.
Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) is delighted to return to Center
REP, having previously collaborated on Ain’t Misbehavin’,
Musical Of Musicals: The Musical, Hank Williams: Lost
Highway, Around The World In 80 Days, and The Marriage Of
Figaro. His recent work includes The Circle and The Rainmaker
for ACT, Pericles, An Ideal Husband, and Uncle Vanya for Cal
Shakes, Tracy’s Tiger for Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and
Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical for Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Most recently, Jeff was called in to create sound effects for
The World Of Nick Adams at Davies Symphony Hall, and his
upcoming projects include A Picasso at San Jose Rep, and the
world premiere adaptation of War Music at ACT.
John Earls (Lighting Designer) Since joining the production
staff at the Lesher Center for the Arts he has designed or
directed lighting for numerous shows inlcuding the Shellie
Awards, Animal Rescue Foundation’s Stars to the Rescue, and
Lesher Speaker Series: Newsmakers. His work inlcudes Rocky
Horror Show at Town Hall Theatre. John owes his introduction
to the live stage to the ACME Theatre Company.
Mark Hanson (Musical Director) returns to A Christmas Carol
for a third season. He conducted CCMT’s Fiddler on the Roof
in the Hofmann Theatre. Previously, Mark conducted Disney’s
Beauty and the Beast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to
the Forum and Sunday in the Park with George, all for CCMT
and was the pianist for Center REPertory’s Noel and Gertie.
Mark is glad to be working once again with Center REPertory
on this timeless holiday classic - happy holidays to all!
Melissa Anne Paterson (Costume Manager) In addition to
running the costume shop for Center REP, Melissa has also
designed many shows for the company including Suds: A
Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera, Rocket Man, Cowgirls, and A
Christmas Carol. She frequently works with the Contra Costa
Musical Theatre Co. (Annie, Damn Yankees, Grease, South
Pacific, Beauty and the Beast (Shellie Award), Guys and Dolls
(Shellie Award), Cinderella, 42nd St.) Other notable credits:
Town Hall Theatre Co.; MacBeth, 5 Women Wearing the
Same Dress, The Rocky Horror Show, Copenhagen, Let’s Go
To Casablanca!, Lend Me A Tenor, Bleacher Bums, The Weir,
Moonlight and Magnolias, Baby Be Mine. Antioch Rivertown
Theatre Co.; A Funny Thing Happened… (Shellie Award),
Pump Boys and Dinettes (Shellie Award).
Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) has been Production
Manager for Center REP since 1995. He has stage-managed
40 productions since starting with the company in 1989.
Favorites include Almost Heaven - John Denver’s America,
Becoming Memories, Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap
Opera, Godspell, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and numerous
productions of A Christmas Carol. Jeff has been nominated
for Shellie Awards for his direction of Urinetown, the Musical
and Grease for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He worked as
Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna - The Royal Tour
in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor and a
member of Actors Equity Association. Happy Holidays!
Michael Butler (Artistic Director) is in his third season as
Artistic Director of Center REP, where he directed Around the
World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Marriage
of Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, Hank Williams: Lost
Highway, Nixon’s Nixon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well
as playing Paravicini in REP’s production of The Mousetrap.
His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Rep,
Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Marin Theatre Company,
Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa
Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As
an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, in regional
theatres, film and television. He is a published songwriter and
the co-writer and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces,
which he has directed and performed in NY, LA, and at festivals
in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has also
danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the
villainous Pierre LeChance on The Guiding Light, and played
guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country western
bands at all the notable dives in NYC.
2005, it won the prestigious national Freedom of Information
Award from Associated Press Managing Editors. And, in
2007, it was honored by the California Newspaper Publishers
Association for its leadership on public records. Bay Area
News Group-East Bay print and online products reach more
than 2.7 million adults over the course of one week. The
California Newspapers Partnership, headquartered in San
Ramon, CA, is the largest newspaper publisher in the Bay
Area and the state. Its co-owner MediaNews Group is the
fourth largest publishing company in the United States.
Center REPertory Company
Managing Director - Scott Denison
Artistic Director - Michael Butler
Audience Servuces
Ticket Office Staff
Rebecca O’ Connor
Faye Antaky
Caroline Dennis
Caitlin Downing
Kirsten Jones
Karla Kopfhammer
Jennifer Strones
Production Services
Production Services Coordinator
Toni Kilcoyne
Technical Staff
Doug Alvey
Joe Coe
John Earls
Nicole Iannaccone
Sid Lucas
Iain McKay
Steve Pino
Garrick Schuster
Josh Stouffer
Costumes
Costume Manager
Melissa Paterson
Assistant Costumers
Michael A. Berg
Amy Nielson
Administration
Asst. to the Managing Director
Gail Pfeifer
Program
Linda Nomura
Usher Coordinator
Jody Cook
Education
Co-Directors of Education
Jeff Draper
Kerri Shawn
Marketing
Marketing Director
Gabe Marin
Marketing Associate
Brian Katz
Production
Production Manager
Jeff Collister
Technical
Technical Director
Jim Peliwo
Crew Chief
Derek Mohler
Master Electrician
Tirzah Tyler
Carpenter
Robert E. Riggan
Assistant Stage Manager/
Props Coordinator
Joe Coe
Quartet Manager
Barbara Reynolds
Production Assistants
Adam Elsberry
Stephen Gozza
Alex Logemann
Kel Mac Cormac
Erin O’Donaghue
Erin Repp
Seth Wright
THANK YOU TO OUR
OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS:
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
The San Franciscan
OUR SPONSORS
Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate
sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for the
past eight years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the LCA
since the beginning, providing funding for capital improvements,
event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously supports
every Center REP show throughout the season, and is the
primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family
Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just
as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts.
CITY COUNCIL
Gary Skrel, Mayor
Susan McNulty Rainey
Kish Rajan
Cindy Silva
Robert Simmons
CITY MANAGER
Gary Pokorny
DIRECTOR
Arts, Recreation and Community Services
Barry Gordon
Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner)
is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher
Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s
appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s
role in the community is all about building partnerships with
the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and
providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through
partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors,
corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek,
DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment
of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org.
ARTS COMMISSION
Michael Fotheringham, Chair
Fritz Brunner, Vice Chair
Lonna Coleman
Carol Fowler
Reginald Marshall
Suzanne Masella
Jacquelyn Smith
Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) In the East
Bay, the largest newspaper of the Bay Area News Group
is the Contra Costa Times and its sister editions, the West
County Times, Valley Times, San Ramon Valley Times
and East County Times. The Times, read by nearly a half
a million people each day in Contra Costa, eastern Alameda
and southern Solano counties, was judged the best newspaper
in its circulation category in the state five times in a six-year
period by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. In
ADDITIONAL THANKS TO:
Massimo’s Ristorante
Walnut Creek Baking Company
Waters Moving and Storage
Associated Services-Alta Water
Selix Formal Wear of Walnut Creek
Shannon and Mike Demers
Hyatt Summerfield Suites