032031 Christmas Carol Insert.Indd

PRODUCTION TEAM John Earls (Lighting Designer) Real Housewives the Musical OUR SPONSORS (World Premier) Spring Awakening (East Bay Premier), The Lady Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been a leader with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center REP), Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate in the arts for 41 years for Walnut Creek and the surrounding Sunset Boulevard (East Bay Premier), 42nd Street-Shellie Award, sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for communities. For the last 25 years he has been the General Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); On Broadway Gala, Walnut the past nine years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY Manager of the Lesher Center and oversees over 850 public Creek Jazz Series (DRAA), Lesher Speaker Series-Newsmakers; the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital events each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with Chevron Family Theatre Festival; ARF Stars to the Rescue; The improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously Michael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director over 85 producers and producing organizations. He is also the Shellie Awards; Rocky Horror Show, Let’s Go To The Movies (Town supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is Managing Director of Center REPertory Company producing Hall). Thanks to the ACME Theatre Company. the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family 6 professional productions each season; and is the director Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just and co-founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) has designed sound for Center as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts. REP’s Tenderly, Life Could Be a Dream, Old Wicked Songs, Xanadu, family performing arts company which presents programs for Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) is the young and Young at Heart. Scott directed CCMT’s hits The Marvelous Party, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, Hank Williams Lost Highway, Around the World In 80 both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Center for presents Music Man, Les Misérables, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hairspray, and for the Days, and The Marriage of Figaro. Among his recent work are Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives Of Windsor and As You Like for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in the community is past 16 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. Denison has all about building partnerships with the focused goal of enhancing directed over 150 productions including REP’s The Lady with It, The Western Stage’s The Producers, Into The Woods, and West Side Story, TheatreWorks’ Emma, Sweeny Todd, Little Women, Being artistic quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for everyone to All the Answers starring Kerri Shawn. In 1979 he created the Earnest, and Big River, American Conservatory Theater’s Clybourne enjoy the arts. Through partnerships with the LCA and its producers, Shellie Awards, which annually honors outstanding performing Park, California Shakespeare Theatre’s Miss Warren’s Profession, individual donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of arts achievement in Contra Costa county. In 2007 he created and San Jose Repertory’s The Big Meal. Other work includes world Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the the Chevron Family Theatre Festival bringing adult nationally premieres of betterment of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org. acclaimed performances together for one day performing to over Tracy’s Tiger for Oregon Shakespeare Festival and 7,000 guests of all ages. Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical for Utah Shakespearean Festival, the Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) Since 1994, the Dean soundscapes for Yosemite National Park’s redesigned visitor’s center & Margaret Lesher Foundation has awarded grants totaling more Michael Patrick Wiles* (Music Director ) marks his 8th year as H[KLELWVDQGWKHRULJLQDOVFRUHIRU/HJRODQG&DOLIRUQLD¶V¿UHZRUN than $40 million and reaching citizens in all parts of Contra Musical Director for Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. Wiles has spectacular, A Spark in The Knight. Costa County. True to the original wishes of Dean and Margaret served as Musical Director on over 75 productions, including work Lesher, the Foundation continues to build on the strengths of the A Christmas Carol with the Bay Area Children’s Theater, Berkeley Playhouse, Capital Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) is an avid San community by supporting organizations and programs that provide Stage Company, Contra Costa Civic Theater, Cornish College of Francisco Giants fan and is looking forward to the upcoming even help and support to people in need; enhance and enrich the lives the Arts, Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble, Grandstreet Theater year. He has been Production Manager for Center REP since 1995 of all citizens; and promote a healthy and exciting future for the and has stage managed more than 50 productions since starting with community. Established in 1989, the Foundation received its &RPSDQ\ 2SHQ 'RRU 7KHDWHU 3DFL¿F 5HSHUWRU\ 7KHDWHU 6DQ principal assets from Dean Lesher’s estate in 1993 and 1995. In Francisco Opera Guild, and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. the company in 1989. Favorites include Boeing-Boeing, A Number, Almost Heaven – John Denver’s America, Becoming Memories, 1997, an additional endowment from Dean Lesher’s estate followed Michael is the co-founder, co-director, and musical director for Center Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera, Godspell, The Mystery WKHGHDWKRI0DUJDUHW/HVKHU$VLJQL¿FDQWDQG¿QDOEHTXHVWIURP REP’s Young Rep Musical Theater Conservatory, and is the Casting Of Edwin Drood and numerous productions of A Christmas Carol. Mr. Lesher’s estate was received in 2003. As a family foundation, Director and Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. Jeff directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and support for the Contra Costa community will be carried on by the BFA, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. Xanadu for REP and Urinetown, The Musical, and Grease for next generation of family members. Grant-making decisions are Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He worked as Production Stage based on the vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has been Manager for Dame Edna – The Royal Tour in San Francisco. Jeff education, diverse art programs, and healthy children and families teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 25 years. She was is a Shellie Award winning actor and a member of Actors Equity are the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community. The lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen Association. Go Edison! /HVKHUVGH¿QHGWKH³VSLULWRIJLYLQJ´DV³LQYHVWLQJLQWKHFRPPXQLW\ Fender at The Ballet School. Choreography Credits include: DQG LWV SHRSOH´ %\ SURYLGLQJ ¿QDQFLDO VXSSRUW DQG GLUHFWLRQ Music Man (CCMT), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in these critical areas, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation Michael Butler (Artistic Director)This is Michael’s tenth season (Center REP), Sweet Charity (Center REP), Xanadu (Center is investing every day, every week and every year in the health as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his directing credits and well-being of this county that Dean and Margaret so loved. REP, Shellie Award), Joseph and the Amazing... (CCMT, Shellie include Anything Goes, Clybourne Park, Real Housewives of By Charles Dickens Award), Hairspray (CCMT, BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Walnut Creek, Don’t Dress for Dinner, The Underpants, A Number, ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY Line (CCMT, BATCCA), Cinderella (CCMT, Shellie Award) Dracula, Boeing-Boeing and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Annie, Sound of Music, Titanic Shellie and BATCC Award-winning productions of Around the Center REP is the resident, professional theatre company of the Adaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James the Musical and Company (Town Hall) and many other original World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Marriage of Lesher Center for the Arts. Our season consists of six productions a pieces. Directing Credits Include: Joseph and the Amazing.., A Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, year – a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies, both classic and Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Enchanted April, and Witness For The Prosecution. His directing contemporary, that continually strive to reach new levels of artistic Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. work has also been seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, excellence and professional standards. In the spring she is excited to bring Gypsy to life right here at Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, ACT in Seattle, Marin Theatre Directed by Scott Denison the Lesher Center for the Arts. Jennifer is a proud member of Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Our mission is to celebrate the power of the human imagination Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and Santa Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving, is thrilled to be going into her 21st year of teaching for Center As an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, in regional and visually astonishing live theatre, and through Outreach and REP’s Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves WKHDWUHV ¿OP DQG WHOHYLVLRQ DV ZHOO DV 5(3¶V SURGXFWLRQV RI Education programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of the as co-director of the Musical Theatre Program. Jennifer is the Mirandolina!, The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. He is a communities we serve. Casting Director for Center REPertory Company. By day Jennifer published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous What does it mean to be a producing theatre? We hire the is the owner and director of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School music-theatre pieces, which he has directed and performed in ¿QHVW SURIHVVLRQDO GLUHFWRUV DFWRUV DQG GHVLJQHUV WR FUHDWH RXU Performing Arts which is home to the Performing Arts Studio. NY, LA, and at festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as productions at Center REP. These are not touring productions – Music Director Scenic Designer Costume Designer www.theballetschool.org a performer he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance they’re conceived and developed here, the sets and costumes are Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre LeChance on “The built in our shops, and the actors rehearse in our rehearsal hall. Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) Off Broadway/ National Guiding Light”, and played guitar and harmonica in many rock, Whether the production is a Bay Area premiere or a Shakespearean Michael Patrick Wiles Kelly James Tighe Michael A. Berg tours: The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, blues, and country western bands at all the notable dives in NYC. classic, each is devised to be a one of a kind, artistic creation that Movin’ Out, Shear Madness, Cats. Regional: Paper Mill will be a unique theatre experience for our audience. Playhouse, Fingerlakes Musical Theater Festival, San Jose Rep, Lynne Soffer (Dialect Coach) has coached over 250 theater Lighting Designer Stage Manager Sound Designer Laguna Playhouse, Center REP, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, productions at A.C.T., Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, Marin Theater What does it mean to be a professional theatre? It means that Company, Theatreworks, Cal Shakes, San Jose Rep and SF Opera Sacramento Theater Company, Gateway Playhouse, Contra Costa all our artists and artisans are career theatre-practitioners. Many among others including nine for Center Rep. Her regional credits Musical Theater, Diablo Theater Company, Ray of Light. Mr. of the actors in this production are members of Actors’ Equity John Earls Jeff Collister* Jeff Mockus include the Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, Arizona Theatre Association; many of our directors and designers are members of Tighe’s theatrical work is published in the text book Scene Design Company, the Arena Stage, Seattle Rep and the world premier of and Stage Lighting, and his work as an illustrator has been published professional unions. All do theatre because it is their profession The Laramie Project DWWKH'HQYHU&HQWHU+HU¿OPDQGWHOHYLVLRQ and their passion. Choreographer Dialect Coach in “Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream.” Awards and recognitions credits include “Fruitvale,” “Metro,” “Duets,” “The Land of Milk include the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle, DramaLogue, and the and Honey” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Soffer works frequently We are very proud to have the opportunity to produce professional Shellie award. Online at kellyjamestighe.com as a professional actor and acting teacher and is the recipient of the theatre for our community in the beautiful theatres here at the Lesher Jennifer Perry Lynne Soffer 2011 Actors’ Equity Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award. Center for the Arts. Thank you for your support! Michael A. Berg (Costuming) is very pleased to be working on the costumes. Michael has been seen as the Usher in Center REP’s production of Witness for the Prosecution and as Center REPertory Company Managing Director - Scott Denison Starveling the Tailor in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Michael Artistic Director - Michael Butler DQG2SKHOLD KLVIRXUOHJJHGVLJQL¿FDQWRWKHU ZLVKDOORI\RX Hofmann Theatre a bountiful and peaceful holiday season!! Production Services Dresser Technical Audience Services Quartet Manager Coordinator Edie Olson Technical Director Coordinator Barbara Reynolds December 10 - 20, 2015 Toni Kilcoyne Casting Director Joshua Lipps Courtney Egg Production Assistants Lesher Center for the Arts Technical Staff Jennifer Perry Master Electrician 7LFNHW2I¿FH6WDII Ksenia Antonoff CITY COUNCIL Steve Pino Marketing Taylor Frampton Jeremiah Vierling Lyle Barrere Loella Haskew, Mayor John Earls Marketing Director Additional Special Rami Kim Ethan Williams Season Season Partner Foundation Sponsor Rich Carlston Michael Arlen Gabe Marin Effects Design Robert Nolan Child Wrangler Sponsor Cindy Silva Chris Currie Marketing Assistant Lyle Barrere Vaughn Edward Yelyzaveta Tashkevych Bob Simmons Kieren McEntee Ariel Brewer Carpenters Kiersten Jones Administration Justin Wedel Garrick Schuster Education Sean Bryan Trevor Owen Asst. to the Managing ARTS COMMISSION CITY MANAGER Stephen Spleiss Education Directors Gabriel Johnson Ashley Rossi Director Ken Nordhoff Glynnis Cowdery, Chair Josh Stouffer Jeff Draper Caleb Salmon Shannon Taylor Gail Pfeifer *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States Polly Bradbury, Vice Chair DIRECTOR Program Costumes Kerri Shawn Asst. Stage Manager Usher Coordinator Center REP is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre Joe Bologna Arts, Recreation Bethany Deal Production Joe Coe Pat Mitchell Linda Nomura The Sound Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union Jane Emanuel and Community Services Kat Pruyn Production Manager Props Manager Anita Sagastegui .HYLQ6D¿QH Jeff Collister Roger Anderson CAST Favorite regional credits include: Zanna Don’t (Zanna), La Heather Kellogg (Cherry/Anne) Recent R. Martin Newton (Rudge/Boz) This season Barbara Reynolds (0LVV6NLI¿QV6RSUDQR) Ginny Wehrmeister (Mrs. Cratchit) is Cage aux Folles (Phaedra), The Who’s: Tommy, Lippa’s The productions include Rosalind in Moon Over marks Marty’s 10th year with A Christmas is delighted to return for her 19th year in the delighted to be returning to the Christmas Catherine Bartomeo ...... Catherine Hastings Wild Party and numerous shows at the Walt Disney World Buffalo at Town Hall, Liz in Hilarity, and Carol and each year just gets better and better! Christmas Carol quartet. She is a summa Carol family. Most recently Ginny was seen Drake Bennett ...... Perch Resort in Orlando, FL including The Hoop Dee Doo Revue Kristin in Kristin Hersh’s RAT GIRL both with He continues to be in awe of the talented actors cum laude graduate of UCLA, with a degree as the female role in Contra Costa Civic Cameron Burrill ...... Charlie (Johnny Ringo). Ryan is also the proud co-founder of “OMG, Diva Fest, Babies: The Ultimate Birth Control and musicians with whom he gets to share the in music, and sings regularly with the San Theatre’s production of The 39 Steps. Other Ryan Cowles ...... Dick Wilkins I Love That Show!” Productions in Walnut Creek and was (winner of Best of Fringe), Cat Ladies with stage. Earlier this year, Marty played the pivotal Jose Symphonic Choir. Favorite theatrical favorite roles include Eliza Doolitle in Town Max DeSantis ...... Thief/Georgie recently named one of the Bay Area’s “40 Under 40” by Diablo All Terrain Theater, Repro Rights! with PCSF. and important role of the Captain in “Anything appearances include Kiss Me, Kate (Kate) Hall’s production of Pygmalion and Rita in Jeff Draper ...... Mr. Boxer/Marley/Topper/Old Joe Magazine. Other favorites include: The Cherry Orchard (Anya), The Goes,” with Center Rep and just last month was stripping to earn at South Bay Musical Theater, where she has also appeared in DAE’s Educating Rita (opposite L. Peter Callender). Ginny is a Ella Marie Dunderdale ...... Belinda Cratchit Tempest (Prospero), Toyer (Maude), Copenhagen (Margrethe), some extra cash. As Dave, in “The Full Monty” with CCMT. Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), She Loves Me three-time East Bay “Shellie” award recipient, honored for Best Edison Gould ...... Boy Scrooge/Turkey Boy Max DeSantis (Thief/Georgie) feels and Titus Andronicus (Nurse/Beast). She is a graduate of UCLA’s Marty is also a huge San Francisco Giants fan as well as a (Amalia) and 1776 (Abigail Adams); The Dollar Princess (Alice Actress for her work in Pygmalion, Role Players Ensemble’s Bus Kathryn Fox Hart ...... Lavinia extremely blessed to be back for a sixth School of Theater, Film, and Television. During the summer she loyal San Francisco Forty-Niners fan. Even though they’re not Conder), The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella), and Princess Ida Stop (Cherie) and DAE’s Same Time, Next Year (Doris). While Tyler Hennessy ...... Tiny Tim time in A Christmas Carol! Favorite roles: teaches junior high and high school students at Center REP’s doing as well, you won’t see Marty being a fair weather fan and (Ida) with Lyric Theatre; Little Women (Marmee) and City of not on stage Ginny is the Director of Education and resident Andrew Humann ...... Young Scrooge Harvey Johnson-Bye Bye Birdie (CCMT), Young REP Conservatory. Come see her next as Linda in Town jumping on any local bandwagons!!! Angels (Bobbi/Gabby) at Sunnyvale Players; H.M.S. Pinafore teaching artist for Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette, CA. This Heather Kellogg...... Cherry/Anne Artful Dodger-Oliver!, Kurt-Sound of Music, Hall’s production of Play It Again, Sam. Love to mom and dad, (Josephine) with the Lamplighters; A Little Night Music (Mrs. performance is dedicated to her students her inspire her daily! Jerry Lee* ...... Mr. Checkers/Present Josselyn O’Neill (Rosa) is overjoyed to be Ensemble-Spamalot, (TVRT), Peter Cratchit-A Inibiig kita Will. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat Amanda Leigh ...... Belle/Nancy making her Center REP debut in this season’s Christmas Carol, (Center REP), Ensemble-Music Man and for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Michael Patrick Wiles* (Bob Cratchit) makes Scott Maraj ...... Gridley production of A Christmas Carol! Previously, 6RXWK 3DFL¿F 3&57  0D[ KDV MXVW ¿QLVKHG DQ DPD]LQJ Jerry Lee* (Mr. Checkers/Present) is the Magnolia). his 14th appearance in A Christmas Carol with Michael McCarty ...... Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/Snuffbox summer dancing in all three shows at the beautiful Woodminster Producing Artistic Director of SacImpulse she has appeared in The Magic of Merlin Center REP, where he also appeared as Tom in Alex Moore...... Mr. Tiffey - Tenor Amphitheater. He studies ballet and tap at The Ballet School in Theatre (An Iliad, Orlando, Ryan Landry’s The (Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble), Much Ado Joel Roster (Fred Hastings) Roster is honored the The Glass Menagerie and as Dr. Seward Thomas Moore...... Beggar Boy/Peter Cratchit Walnut Creek and takes voice lessons from Matt Liebowitz. He Plexiglas Menagerie). NYC: BASiC Theatre About Nothing (Shakespeare Orange County), to return to his Christmas Carol family for in Dracula. Wiles has appeared in over 50 R. Martin Newton ...... Rudge/Boz DOVRHQMR\VDFWLQJLQFRPPHUFLDOVDQG¿OPV0D[ZRXOGOLNH Project (Summer and Smoke). Regional: Urinetown (Chapman University), Zanna Don’t! (Chapman his 13th consecutive year. A two-time Shellie professional productions, including work with Josselyn O’Neill ...... Rosa to thank his teachers, mentors and family for helping make his California Musical Theatre (Forbidden University), Fiddler on the Roof (CCMT), and is a very close Award recipient and recent Theatre Bay Area the American Conservatory Theater, American Musical Theater, Jeanine Perasso ...... Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress dream become a reality! A special thank you to Jenny and all Broadway); Sacramento Theatre Company (It’s A Wonderful friend of the Buena Vista Street Community Bell Ringers in Award nominee, Joel serves as the Artistic Aurora Theater Company, Berkeley Repertory Theater, California Grace Perry ...... Fan/Lizzie of the wonderful teachers at The Ballet School for teaching me Life, A Little Princess [World Premiere], The Musical of Disney California Adventure. Josselyn holds a BA in Music and Director for Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette. Shakespeare Theater, Capital Stage Company, Magic Theater, Vince Perry ...... Constable/Undertaker/Havisham/Pip how to dance and giving me the ability to do what I love. Musicals: The Musical!); Center REP (Life Could Be A Dream); BA in Theatre from Chapman University, recently completed the Favorite recent roles include Perchik in Fiddler On The Roof 3DFL¿F $OOLDQFH 6WDJH &RPSDQ\ 3DFL¿F 5HSHUWRU\ 7KHDWHU 6DQ Ally Reardon...... Pleasant Sierra Repertory Company (The Drowsy Chaperone); PCPA STC Shakespeare Intensive at American Conservatory Theatre, (Berkeley Playhouse), and Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker Francisco Shakespeare Festival, and Tacoma Actor’s Guild. Michael Barbara Reynolds ...... 0LVV6NLI¿QV6RSUDQR Jeff Draper (Mr. Boxer/Marley/Topper/  3DFL¿F &RQVHUYDWRU\ 7KHDWUH Songs for a New World, The and is a proud alumnus of Young REP. She’d like to extend a (Town Hall Theatre). Over the last 15 years, he’s appeared in is the co-founder, co-director, and musical director for Center REP’s Joel Roster ...... Fred Hastings Old Joe) is co-Education Director for Center Weir); Woodminster Summer Musicals (Les Misérables); heartfelt thanks to her immensely supportive family and friends more than forty productions all over the Bay Area. In February, Young Rep Musical Theater Conservatory, and is the Casting Kathleen Salazar ...... Dorit REP with Kerri Shawn, where they run the Contra Costa Musical Theatre (Les Misérables); Diablo Theatre for welcoming her back to the Bay Area with open arms! Joel will be directing the second part of Tony Kushner’s magnum Director and Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. Kerri Shawn ...... Past/Charwoman Young REP summer theatre training program, Company (Shrek The Musical). Shellie Award Winner (Best opus Angels In America: Perestroika with “Carol” alums Jeffrey BFA in Acting, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. Featured Actor in a Musical, Les Misérables [CCMT]) Sara Taylor ...... Fauna Fezziwig and he is also a teacher at The Harker School Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig/ Draper, Kerri Shawn and Ginny Wehrmeister at Town Hall Molly Thornton ...... Miss Augustus - Alto in San Jose. He has performed in numerous Laundress) Being in A Christmas Carol with Keaton Wilkerson (Future/Dowler) is thrilled Amanda Leigh (Belle/Nancy) absolutely loves Theatre. He wishes to dedicate this performance to all those who Larry Tom ...... Mr. Bagstock - Bass Center REP productions, and has also performed with Fantasy Center REP is a true delight. Jeanine feels are in dire need of Christmas spirit this holiday season. to be back in the Lesher Center for the Arts for Tiare Vasconcellos ...... Fig Fezziwig/Estella Forum, Town Hall Theater, CCMT, The Willows, California this time of year because she gets to spend it honored to be returning for her 18th season. KLV¿UVWVKRZZLWK&HQWHU5(3HUWRU\&RPSDQ\ Ginny Wehrmeister ...... Mrs. Cratchit Shakespeare Theater, San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, Marin with her Christmas Carol family! Amanda was Spreading joy and laughter to so many is a true Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) Dickens Past roles include Lad in The Who’s: Tommy with Michael Patrick Wiles* ...... Bob Cratchit Theater Company, and others. last seen in Town Hall Theatre’s production gift. Recently, Jeanine performed in Fiddler on writes “There seems a magic in the very name OMG I Love That Show!, Featured Ensemble Keaton Wilkerson ...... Future/Dowler of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Amanda the Roof for Berkeley Playhouse and as Maurice of Christmas” and once again Kerri is grateful Member in Les Misérables, Jimmy Hix in The Michael Ray Wisely* ...... Ebenezer Scrooge Ella Marie Dunderdale (Belinda Cratchit) attended San Francisco State University where the Cat in FFAE’s Pinocchio6KHDOVRSDUWLFLSDWHGLQWKH¿UVW to join this loving cast and crew in the telling of Music Man both with Contra Costa Musical Theater, and Hanz in Olivia DelRay Wisely ...... Flora Fezziwig/Martha Cratchit is very excited to be returning to Center REP she obtained her B.A. in Theatre Arts with an Groundswell International Theatre Intensive in San Miguel de this wondrous tale. Recently she enjoyed being Cinderella with Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. He would like to Wendy Wisely ...... Lucretia after playing Fan in A Christmas Carol last emphasis in performance. Amanda’s passion lies in teaching Allende, Mexico. Besides theatre, dance and music, Jeanine a part of CCMT’s The Music Man and Town thank his family and friends for all their support. Special thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator year. Previous performances include Amaryllis and she is happy to be working at The Ballet School Performing enjoys being an arborist & horticulturist, cycling, spending time Hall’s Angels In America. Kerri looks forward in The Music Man, Little Cosette and Little Arts where she is the Director of their theatre training program, with friends and family and traveling. Fred, Miranda and Evan - to reuniting with her Angels family for Part Two: Perestroika in Performing Arts Studio. Amanda is also on the teaching staff for Michael Ray Wisely* (Ebenezer Scrooge) 2015 CAST BIOGRAPHIES Eponine in Les Misérables and Marta in The thank you for always supporting and believing in me. She’d like early 2016. marks his 19th appearance with the company. Sound of Music with Contra Costa Musical Theatre as well as Center REP’s young actors training program, Young REP. She is Catherine Bartomeo (Catherine Hastings) a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. She would to dedicate this year’s performance to her Mom. You are truly REP’s audiences may remember him as Petkoff Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Michael in Wish Upon a Star missed and we love you. Sara Taylor (Fauna Fezziwig) is beyond excited in Arms and the Man, Mr. Gilmer in To Kill is so happy to be returning to Center REP’s with The Peter Pan Foundation. She has performed and trained like to dedicate this performance to her Michael. to be making her Center REP debut and joining A Christmas Carol this year. Originally from a Mockingbird and as the Ghost of Christmas with Studio L in Lafayette, is a proud student of Lareen Fender Grace Perry (Fan/Lizzie) is a proud student of the Christmas Carol family during her favorite Present in A Christmas Carol. Well known to New Orleans, Catherine recently was seen as Ballet School Performing Arts where she studies Ballet, and Scott Maraj (Gridley) is thrilled to join the Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing time of year! Sara is a junior at Las Lomas and Christmas Carol cast for a second time. He was Bay Area audiences, Michael Ray has performed locally and at other Cosette in Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s spent an amazing summer as part of Center REP’s Young REP Arts. She takes Theatre and Voice classes was last seen in one of her dream roles, Mary last seen with Center REP in their production West Coast theatres for over 20 years, most recently as Buckingham Les Misérables and Nancy in Fancy Nancy program. Ella is thrilled and grateful that you are here to see with Performing Arts Studio’s program Young Warren in The Crucible. Previous productions the Musical with Bay Area Children’s Theatre. of Anything Goes. Most recently, he directed in Richard III for Marin Shakes, Ted in the critical hit IDEATION at the show, enjoy! Actors Studio all held at The Ballet School. at Las Lomas include: Pirates of Penzance (Ensemble), Arsenic the SF Playhouse, Director in The Letters at Aurora Theatre and as Catherine holds her master’s degree in opera performance from Jekyll and Hyde (TVRT), Forever Plaid and and Old Lace (Gibbs), How to Succeed…(Ensemble), and Romeo The Taffetas LQ UHSHUWRU\  IRU 3DFL¿F &RDVW *UDFH LV LQ WKH ¿IWK JUDGH 6KH ORYHV WR WDNH the title role in Macbeth for SF Shakespeare. Other credits include: Wichita State University and her bachelor’s degree in voice from Edison Gould (Boy Scrooge/Turkey Boy) is Kung-Fu with her Dad at Concord Kung-Fu Academy. Grace & Juliet %DOWKDVDU 7KHSDVW¿YHVXPPHUV6DUDSDUWLFLSDWHGLQ LSU. While studying in Kansas, she was a young artist with Repertory Theatre. Recent credits include Berkeley Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, Magic Theatre, Marin happy to return to Center REP’s A Christmas has been seen in Contra Costa Musical Theatre shows such as Center REP’s Young Rep program and loved every minute of it! Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, San Jose Repertory, American Wichita Grand Opera and has performed with Opera Kansas, Carol. After playing Tiny Tim, last year he Production Tenor/Male Diction Coach in PCRT’s Singin’ in the Sara is a Production Assistant for “OMG, I Love That Show!” Rain, Underling (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Frankie (Forever OKLAHOMA!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Musical Theatre, Marin Shakespeare and others. Michael Ray has Forum Theatre, and the Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre. Recent looks forward to playing two different roles and Music Man. Grace has been in Center REP’s A Christmas Productions, where she was the Stage Manager for Forbidden credits in the Bay Area include: The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet this time around. However, he is slightly Plaid) with TVRT, Francis in CCCT’s La Cage Aux Folles, starred and guest-starred in television movies and series and will Production Tenor in DTC’s Singin’ in the Rain and Alexander Carol since she was in kindergarten. Grace will next be Broadway and Assistant Stage Manager for The Who’s Tommy, make his Off-Broadway debut in IDEATION, by Aaron Loeb for van de Graaff) at Contra Costa Civic Theatre; Peter Pan (Wendy GLVDSSRLQWHG WR ¿QG RXW WKDW 7XUNH\ %R\ LV seen in CCMT’s Gypsy as Baby Louise. Grace dedicates her Godspell, and'RJ¿JKW. Much love to her family and friends for Darling), Rocky Horror (Columbia), The Who’s Tommy (Sally NOT a superhero. Edison is in the fourth grade Grimaldi in 42nd St Moon’s It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s 59e59 Theaters in NYC in 2016. Superman. Favorite roles include Corny Collins (Hairspray!), performance to her friends from school. always being supportive! Simpson/Featured Dancer) at Missouri Street Theatre. Recent and enjoys Legos, Super Heroes, Doctor Who, and trans global Olivia DelRay Wisely (Flora Fezziwig/Martha Cliff Bradshaw (Cabaret), Frankie and Jinx (Forever Plaid and Larry Tom (Mr. Bagstock - Bass) is very main stage choreography credits include Town Hall Theatre’s travel. He would like to thank Mom, Dad, Uncle Jeff, Clarabell, Vince Perry (Constable/Undertaker/Havisham/ Cratchit) looks forward to making her 10th Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings), Joseph (Joseph…Dreamcoat), pleased to make his debut with Center REP The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She is on staff at The Ballet School Gretchen & PJ, Doppe, Paula and Danny for all of their support. Pip) Some favorite Roles include: Pharaoh appearance in A Christmas Carol. She began her where she teaches both dance and voice and with Bay Area Wrangler (The Will Roger’s Follies), Magaldi (Evita), Caleb after appearing on stage in the South Bay area Kathryn Fox Hart (Lavinia) is thrilled to be making her Center (Seven Brides…) and Bobby (A Chorus Line). Next up, Scott (Joseph and The Amazing, CCMT, Shellie performing career in the womb as “a sonogram” Children’s Theatre’s youth education program as choreographer Award), Music Man (Barbershop Quartet) Cord IUHTXHQWO\ RYHU WKH SDVW ¿IWHHQ \HDUV +H ZDV in a commercial for Sutter Hospital. 13 years REP debut in A Christmas Carol! Hailing from will be seen as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid at PCRT. most recently seen in The Pirates of Penzance and musical director. Much love to her husband, Matt! Elam (OKLAHOMA!, CCMT) Sir Evelyn young, her other credits include: Ferdinand the San Francisco Bay Area, Ms. Hart received Many Thanks to the Center REP team and family for another in San Jose with Lyric Theatre and has also (Anything Goes, CCMT), Constable and Young in The Tempest, Horatio in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, her Bachelor of Music from The Catholic wonderful opportunity! performed with South Valley Civic Theatre Drake Bennett (Perch  PDGH KLV ¿UVW VWDJH Scrooge (Center REP’s A Christmas Carol), Miles (Funny Thing Triculo in The Tempese and Oliver in As You Like It for California University of America and has performed all (SVCT), West Bay Opera, and others. Some of his favorite appearance at the age of three and loved Michael McCarty (Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Happened, CCMT), Boatman (Sunday in the Park with George, Shakespeare Theatre’s conservatory. Other shows include Nickel around the country from New York to San productions have been Into the Woods, 1776, Company, and the limelight as the Wolf in the Opera of the Fezziwig/Snuffbox) is excited to return to CCMT) Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, and Dimed, The Imaginary Invalid and Metamorphoses at Las Diego and in between. Favorite productions Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore. Larry’s theatrical experience 3 Little Pigs. He continued to perform and this wonderful production with Center REP. DLOC) Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Harry the Horse Positas College in Livermore. She has appeared in a video for San include: Sleeping Beauty Wakes (La Jolla also includes set designer, stage manager, and board member and when his family relocated in 2010, he began Favorite roles include The Bishop of Digne in (Guys and Dolls, CCMT). Vince is a proud member of Fantasy Jose’s Tech Museum as well as creating several episodes of “Liv’s Playhouse), 'RJ¿JKW (SF Playhouse), Promises, Promises president for both Lyric Theatre and SVCT. He is a graduate of both kindergarten and training with the Young Les Misérables, Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org, and a multiple World,” a travel show she created with her father to chronicle her (SF Playhouse), 'RJ¿JKW (OMG), Myths & Hymns (Signature Campolindo High School in Moraga and UC Davis and works for Actor’s Studio. This experience was instrumental in helping and the Beast and Father in Ragtime. Michael Marty Award winner. Vince teaches Piano and Voice at The adventures living abroad. Olivia is an 8th grader at Summit K2 in Theatre) and Cabaret (BBB). Thank you to Megan, Mom & BD Biosciences in San Jose. to qualify and win the Actor of the Year Award at the 2013 Dad!” is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ballet School in Walnut Creek. www.theballetschool.org El Cerrito. International Presentation of Performers (IPOP) Convention. Ensemble. He works for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital This guided him towards his current agent, JE Talent and has Oakland and resides with his wife and son in Benicia. Tiare Vasconcellos (Fig Fezziwig/Estella) is in Tyler Hennessy (Tiny Tim) is thrilled to Ally Reardon (Pleasant) is thrilled to be WKH¿IWKJUDGHOLYHVLQ6DQ5DPRQDQGVWXGLHV Wendy McGlothlin Wisely (Lucretia) is so been in over 30 projects for companies such as HBO, Facebook, being joining Center REPertory Company and making her Center REP debut with A Christmas happy to be joining her family for the 9th year 7R\RWD DQG 3L[DU'LVQH\ 'UDNH LV LQ WKH ¿IWK JUDGH DQG Alex Moore (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) is thrilled to vocals, piano, drums and dance. Tiare is excited their production of A Christmas Carol. Tyler Carol! She is a Seattle native with a degree in to join the cast of Center REP’s A Christmas in A Christmas Carol. Her previous Center REP interested in science, sports and Legos. He loves performing be returning to Center REP for his second go Drama from the University of Washington. Bay appearances include The Diviners, The Night most recently played the youngest Tommy in at this timeless classic! SF Bay Area credits: Carol. She most recently danced her heart out DVKH¿QGVKLPVHOIWUDQVIRUPHGLQWRHDFKUROHDQGLQYHVWHGLQWR Area credits include Children of Eden and The Hank Williams Died, and Room Service. She OMG Productions’ Tommy. Prior to Tommy , Town Hall- ...Drood (Bazzard), Company as Gladys Dunlop in CCMT’s production of The each plot line. Drake hopes to attend UCLA as acting major and Tyler played one of the Royal Children in Tri- Drowsy Chaperone with CCCT, The Music is a member of the theatre arts faculty of Las to one day play the role of Bond, James Bond. (David), OMG...- Godspell (Judas), CCMT- Music Man. Many thanks to the fantastic summer programs at Valley Rep’s version of The King and I. Tyler Les Mis (Enjolras), Hairspray (Ensemble), Man and Hairspray with Berkeley Playhouse, Anything Goes at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts. Tiare has Positas and Santa Rosa Junior Colleges as well as for the California has done a few productions with the Peter Pan Grease (Ensemble). San Diego: Urinetown Broadway by the Bay, Crimes of the Heart at Altarena Playhouse, also performed with Bay Area Children’s Theatre and Pleasanton Shakespeare Theater. Wendy was awarded the opportunity to teach Cameron Burrill (Charlie) is extremely Foundation and when not performing likes to play video games, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Town Hall Theatre. Love to 2 semesters abroad: 2011 in London and 2014 in Florence. As a excited to be a part of this production of A (Bobby Strong), Little Women (Professor Bhaer), The Last 5 Civic Arts Stage Company for the past three years. Other recent soccer and baseball. Tyler thanks his Mom and Dad and his Years (Jamie Willerstein). Humboldt County: Next to Normal Mom, Dad, Kiley and Uncle Tom for all the support! productions include playing Pinocchio in My Son Pinocchio, director she has worked throughout the Bay Area including San Jose Christmas Carol7KLVLVWKH¿UVW\HDUWKDWKH sisters for being super supportive. Stage Company, Town Hall Theater, The Western Stage, Contra has been a part of this wonderful production. (Doctors), Avenue Q (Princeton), Songs...New World. Alex and various leading and supporting roles in Dr. Doolittle, Willy studied Vocal Performance and Theatre and holds a BA in Music Kathleen Salazar (Dorit) is thrilled to be a Wonka, School House Rock Live! and Aladdin. Costa Civic Theater, City Light, The Willows, Children’s Theater Cameron just recently closed The Curious Andrew Humann (Young Scrooge) is delighted to be returning SDUWRIKHU¿UVW&HQWHU5(3SURGXFWLRQ6RPH :RUNVKRS '(2 ,UHODQG LQ 6DQ )UDQFLVFR DQG 3DFL¿F $OOLDQFH Savage at Acalanes High School, as well as a from PLNU, San Diego. He is also an assistant teacher and to the Center REP Christmas Carol family. music director at The Ballet School’s Young Actors Studio. Love of her past work includes The Complete Works Stage Company in Rohnert Park. wonderful summer with the Young REP program. He was also Other Bay Area credits include 'RJ¿JKW at SF of William Shakespeare Abridged and The Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto) is Pippin in a production of Pippin last spring. He is excited to and thanks to his family and wife, Erin. Playhouse, Fiddler on the Roof and Hairspray Crucible (Northgate High School) as well pleased to making her seventh appearance in THANK YOU TO OUR perform for you today, and hopes you enjoy it! this wonderful holiday tradition. Having just at Berkeley Playhouse, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s Thomas Moore (Beggar Boy/Peter Cratchit) is as several summers training at Center REP’s OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS: The Totalitarians at Z Space, Hedwig and completed a portrayal of Mrs. Harcourt in Ryan Cowles (Dick Wilkins) is thrilled to thrilled to be back with the cast of A Christmas Young REP theatre program. She would like to Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar the Angry Inch and Dog Sees God at Boxcar Carol for a second year. Thomas studies voice thank her family and friends for their continuing support. Anything Goes at Broadway By the Bay, her return to A Christmas Carol for a fourth year! Theatre, RENT DW 3DFL¿F &RDVW 5HSHUWRU\ other recent credits include 1776 (All Female Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant Other Center REP credits include Anything and piano locally. He also participates in Theatre, Joseph... at CCMT, and Spring Awakening at Center local singing performances and competitions. Version/Dickinson), Little Women (Aunt March), Grand Hotel Goes & Sweet Charity. Ryan was most recently REP. Andrew was also an ensemble member of 2013/’14 (Raffaela), Nine (La Fleur), Urinetown (Pennywise), The Who’s seen in The Rocky Horror Show (Brad Majors) His favorite roles to date have been as Boy National Tour of American Idiot. A special thank you to the Scrooge and Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol with Center CENTER REP THANKS : Tommy (Mrs. Walker), Chicago (Mama Morton), and Man of La with Ray of Light. Broadway National entire production team, my family, and my friends. Merry REP. Thomas would like to thank his parents for driving him Massimo’s Ristorante • Waters Moving and Storage Mancha (Aldonza). Next year, Molly will be seen as Velma Von Tours: Monty Python’s: Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, & Christmas and please remember to put a penny in the old man’s Tussel in South Bay Musical Theatre’s Hairspray. She wishes Hairspray. He has performed with many companies in the Bay everywhere and his teachers and mentors for helping his dreams Associated Services-Alta Water • Contra Costa Musical Theatre hat. become realities. Enjoy the show! to extend love and gratitude to her wonderful husband for his Area including CCMT, Fantasy Forum, TVRT & The Willows. Shannon and Mike Demers continued support of her theatre passion.