CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY Michael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director

presents A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens Adaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James Directed by Scott Denison

Music Director Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Michael Patrick Wiles Kelly James Tighe John Iarla Sound Designer Costume Designer Projection Designer Jeff Mockus Bethany Deal Steve Channon Hair Stylist Choreographer Dialect Coach Michael Berg Jennifer Perry Lynne Soffer Stage Manager Jeff Collister*

Honorary Producer Angie Coffee

Hofmann Theatre December 8 - 18, 2016 Lesher Center for the Arts

Season Season Partner Foundation Sponsor Sponsor

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States Center REP is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre The Sound Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union CAST Jeff Draper (Mr. Boxer/Marley/Topper/Old Forum Actors Ensemble: www.fantasyforum.org. He works for Joe) is co-Education Director for Center REP UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and resides with Catherine Bartomeo...... Catherine Hastings with Kerri Shawn, where they run the Young his wife and son in Benicia. Chris Contreras...... Georgie/Thief REP summer theatre training program, and he Max DeSantis...... Future is also a teacher at The Harker School in San Alex Moore (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) is happy to Michael Doppe*...... Young Scrooge Jose. He has performed in numerous Center return “home” for a 3rd season of ACC! SF Jeff Draper...... Mr. Boxer/Marley/Old Joe REP productions, and has also performed Bay Area credits include: Town Hall- Spelling Ella Dunderdale...... Belinda Cratchit with Fantasy Forum, Town Hall Theater, CCMT, The Willows, Bee (Chip), Mystery... Drood (Bazzard), Edison Gould...... Boy Scrooge/Turkey Boy California Shakespeare Theater, San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, Company (David), CCMT- Les Mis (Enjolras), OMG...- Godspell (Judas). A proud WC Heather Kellogg...... Dorit/Anne Marin Theater Company, and others. Jerry Lee*...... Mr. Checkers/Present native, Alex graduated from Northgate High Amanda Leigh...... Belle Ella Dunderdale (Belinda Cratchit) is in 2005, where he was a member of PW, president of the Scott Maraj...... Gridley very excited to be returning to Center REP! Madrigals, and a DP captain. Alex studied vocal performance Michael McCarty...... Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig Previous performances include Fan and and theatre and holds a BA in music from PLNU, San Diego. Alex Moore...... Mr. Tiffey - Tenor Belinda Cratchit in A Christmas Carol An instructor at The Ballet School’s Young Actor’s Studio, Thomas Moore...... Peter Cratchit/Charlie with Center REP and Baby June in Gypsy, Alex is a proud member of FFAE! He looks forward to his next R. Martin Newton...... Rudge Amaryllis in The Music Man, Little Cosette and biggest role to date, as he and his wife Erin will become Josselyn O’Neill...... Rosa and Little Eponine in Les Misérables and Marta in The Sound parents early next April! Zachary Padlo...... Dick WIlkins of Music with Contra Costa Musical Theatre. She is a proud Jeanine Perasso...... Mrs. Fezziwig student of Lareen Fender Ballet School Performing Arts, has Thomas Moore (Peter Cratchit/ Charlie) Grace Perry...... Fan performed and trained with Studio L and Town Hall Theatre is thrilled to be back with the cast of A Vincent M. Perry...... Constable/Undertaker in Lafayette and spent an amazing summer as part of Center Christmas Carol for a third year. Thomas Xander Raymond...... Beggar Boy REP’s Young REP program. Ella is thrilled and grateful that studies voice and saxaphone locally. He also Barbara Reynolds...... Miss Skiffins - Soprano you are here to see the show, enjoy! participates in local singing performances and Kerri Shawn...... Past/Charwoman competitions. His favorite roles to date have Edison Gould (Boy Scrooge/Turkey Boy) Teddy Spencer*...... Fred Hastings been as Boy Scrooge and Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol is excited to be returning to A Christmas Jenna Stich...... Laudnress with Center REP. Thomas would like to thank his parents, Carol for the third year! He hopes to bring Sara Taylor...... Fauna Fezziwig family, and friends for driving him everywhere and his teachers a complexity and depth to the role of Turkey Molly Thornton...... Miss Augustus - Alto and mentors for helping his dreams become realities. Enjoy the Boy that has never been seen in the history Larry Tom...... Mr. Bagstock - Bass show! of the role. Ever. Without giving too much Brayden Bautista Toy...... Tiny Tim away -- longer sleeves in the jacket! Edison would like to Tiare Vasconcellos...... Fig Fezziwig R. Martin Newton (Rudge) Marty, as he thank Mom & Dad, Uncle Jeff, Gigi, Gretchen & PJ, Uncle Ginny Wehrmeister...... Mrs. Cratchit likes to be known, is thrilled to be returning Danny, Auntie Paula, Clarabell and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Michael Patrick Wiles*...... Bob Cratchit to Dickensian England in his 10th year. Michael Ray Wisely*...... Ebenezer Scrooge Some of Marty’s favorite roles include Dave Heather Kellogg (Dorit/Anne) is happy to be Bukatinski in The Full Monty (CCMT, Shellie Olivia DelRay Wisely...... Martha Cratchit back with her Christmas Carol family! She Wendy Wisely...... Lucretia Award Nominated), Andy Lee in 42nd Street was last seen at Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre (CCMT) and George in The Drowsy Chaperone (TVRT). Marty Diella Wottrich...... Lavinia playing Hallie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Special thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator revels in his multiple roles that he plays in A Christmas Carol Valance, and Linda in Play it Again, Sam. (Center Rep). He looks forward to it every year. He’s also a Recent productions include: Evelina Bunner CAST BIOGRAPHIES huge fan of the San Francisco 49’ers, Game of Thrones and in The Bunner Sisters with RE:ACT, Rosalind stinky cheese. in Moon Over Buffalo with Town Hall Theatre, Liz in Hilarity, Catherine Bartomeo (Catherine Hastings) and Kristin in Kristin Hersh’s RAT GIRL both with DIVAfest, was recently seen as Luisa in The Fantasticks Josselyn O’Neill (Rosa) is delighted to spend Babies: The Ultimate Birth Control (winner of Best of Fringe), a second year with Center REPertory’s A with OMG. Recent credits include Dainty June and Cat Ladies both with All Terrain Theater. She is a graduate in Gypsy (CCMT), Cosette in Les Miserables Christmas Carol family. Previous credits of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Love to include My Fair Lady and the World (CCMT), Catherine Hastings in A Christmas mom and dad. Iniibig kita, gwapo kong baboy. Carol (Center REP) and Nancy in Fancy Premiere of Enchanted April (PCRT), Much Nancy (BACT). Catherine holds her master’s degree in opera Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare Orange Jerry Lee* (Mr. Checkers/Present) is the county), and Disney California Adventure; performance (Wichita State University) and her bachelor’s Producing Artistic Director of SacImpulse degree in voice (LSU). Other credits: The Drowsy Chaperone she holds a BA Music/BA Theatre from Chapman University. Theatre (An Iliad, Orlando, Ryan Landry’s When she is not performing, she is grateful to be teaching and (Janet van de Graaff), Peter Pan (Wendy Darling), Rocky The Plexiglas Menagerie). NYC: Summer and Horror (Columbia), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), and West Side learning from her students at The Ballet School and Performing Smoke (BASiC Theatre Project.) Regional: Arts Studio. Love always to Casey. Joyeux Noel! Story (Maria). She teaches both dance and voice at The Ballet The Fantasticks, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Little School. Much love to her husband, Matt, and pups, Nola and Princess (Sacramento Theatre Company); A Christmas Carol, Dixie! Zachary Padlo (Dick Wilkins) is happy to Life Could Be a Dream (Center REP); Forbidden Broadway be joining the cast of A Christmas Carol. (California Musical Theatre); State Fair, The Drowsy Chris Contreras (Georgie/Thief) My name Previous credits include: Jack Ross in A Few Chaperone (Sierra Repertory Company); [title of show] (New Good Men (Hilbarn Theater), Josh in Big: is Christopher Contreras and I am in the 6th Helvetia Theatre); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Les grade at Foothill Middle School. I am 12 The Musical and Man 2 in I Love You, You’re Misérables (Woodminster Summer Musicals & Contra Costa Perfect, Now Change (Coastal Repertory years old and I love theater. The first show Musical Theatre); Songs for a New World, The Weir (PCPA - I was in was at my old school, Walnut Acres Theater), Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate and Riff in West Side Pacific Conservatory Theatre). jerryleeonline.com Story (Broadway by the Bay), Dick in the original cast of Elementary, it was the Jungle Book and I was a monkey. Ever since that show I have Amanda Leigh (Belle/Nancy) is thrilled to Speakeasy, an immersive theatrical experience in downtown had a passion for theater. I also love sports and I play soccer, be back on the Hofmann stage performing San Francisco (Boxcar Theater), Bad Idea Bear in Avenue football, baseball, basketball and I skateboard when possible. one of her very favorite stories. She has been Q and the Machinist in Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play (Summer My favorite part of theater is making the audience laugh. I am a part of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol Repertory Theater), Friar John in Romeo and Juliet and Man 6 very excited to be in the 2016 production of A Christmas Carol. since the age of seven and can’t imagine in the American Premiere of My Fairytale (Pacific Conservatory a Holiday without spending time with her Theater). Zach holds a BA in Theater and Dance from UC Max DeSantis (Future) feels extremely “ACC Family.” Amanda was last seen Davis. Zach would like to thank his mom, dad, grandma, sister, blessed to be back for a seventh time in A on the Berkeley Playhouse stage in To Kill A Mockingbird and girlfriend Catrina for their unconditional love and support. Christmas Carol! Favorite roles: Harvey playing the role of Mayella Ewell. When Amanda is not Johnson - Bye Bye Birdie (CCMT), Artful onstage performing, she teaches Ballet and Theatre at The Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig) is Dodger - Oliver!, Kurt - Sound of Music, Ballet School Performing Arts and is the Program Director of very pleased to be returning to the Christmas Ensemble - Spamalot, (TVRT), Peter Cratchit Performing Arts Studio. In the summer she is an instructor for Carol family. The joy and laughter you get - A Christmas Carol, (Center REP), Ensemble- Center REP’s acting training program, Young REP. Amanda is to share with others keeps the magic of the Music Man and South Pacific (PCRT). Max has just finished also a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. She Season alive. Jeanine is a proud member of an amazing summer attending MPULSE at the University of would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Happy FFAE and just performed in Princess and Michigan. He studies ballet and tap at The Ballet School in Holidays! the Pauper. She also was recently at the SF Walnut Creek and takes voice lessons from Matt Liebowitz. He Fringe Festival in Medicine Cabinet. Love and thanks to my also enjoys acting in commercials and films. Max would like Scott Maraj (Gridley) is honored to return to wonderful family; Fred, Miranda & Evan for always believing! to thank his teachers, mentors and family for helping make his the Christmas Carol family for the third time. dream become a reality! A special thank you to Jenny and all Most recently, he was seen in Baker Street and Grace Perry (Fan) is a proud student of of the wonderful teachers at The Ballet School for teaching me The Most Happy Fella with 42nd Street Moon. Young REP Summer training program how to dance and giving me the ability to do what I love. Previously, Scott appeared as Sebastian in and Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre’s production Performing Arts. She takes Theatre classes Michael Doppe* (Young Scrooge) is so of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and directed/ with the Performing Arts Studio’s program excited to be back with Center REP and his choreographed Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s production of all held at The Ballet School. Grace is in the Christmas Carol family. He is an actor, writer, Jekyll and Hyde as well as PCRT’s productions of The Last Sixth grade. Grace loves to take Kung-Fu with director, musician, and graduate of the SCT Five Years, Forever Plaid and The Taffetas. Favorite roles her Dad at Concord Kung-Fu Academy. Grace has been seen “Actor Training Program” and has been seen include Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing…), Magaldi – twice in CCMT shows such as Gypsy (Baby Lousie) The Music Man working at Foothill Music Theatre, Contra (Evita), Wrangler – twice (The Will Rogers Follies) and Bobby (Gracie Shinn) OKLAHOMA!, and Joseph and the Amazing... Costa Musical Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, OMG I Love That (A Chorus Line). #teamswirl and A Christmas Carol (Fan, Center REP). Grace dedicates her Show! Productions, Missouri Street Theatre, 42nd St. Moon, performance to her Nanny (Kerri Shawn). Thanks for always Michael McCarty (Mr. Applebaum/Mr. San Jose Stage, Ray of Light Theatre, Pacific Coast Repertory being there for me! Fezziwig/Snuffbox) is thrilled to be back Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, New Conservatory Theatre performing in this holiday classic. Previous Center, and Solano College Theatre. Full resumé at http:// Vincent M. Perry (Constable/Undertaker) performances on the Hofmann stage include michaeldoppe.wix.com/actor. “Doppe” is a proud member of Some favorite Roles include: Pharaoh (Joseph CCMT’s productions of 1776, Gypsy, The Actors Equity . and The Amazing, CCMT, Shellie Award), Music Man, Les Misérables, and Disney’s Music Man (Barbershop Quartet) Cord Beauty and the Beast. Michael is a proud member of Fantasy Elam (OKLAHOMA!, CCMT) Sir Evelyn (Anything Goes, CCMT), Constable and Young Scrooge (Center Larry Tom (Mr. Bagstock - Bass) returns Wendy McGlothlin Wisely (Lucretia) Wendy’s REP’s A Christmas Carol), Miles (Funny Thing Happened, for another year in A Christmas Carol after previous Center REP productions include The CCMT), Boatman (Sunday in the Park with George, CCMT) appearing in the South Bay area frequently Diviners, The Night Hank Williams Died and Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, DLOC) over the past sixteen years. He was most Room Service. Originally from Seattle, she has Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Harry the Horse (Guys recently in The Music Man in San Jose with acted and directed at such theaters as San Jose and Dolls, CCMT). Vince is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Lyric Theatre and has also performed with Stage Co., Pacific Alliance, Willows, California Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org, and a multiple South Valley Civic Theatre (SVCT), West Shakespeare Theater, Role Players, Townhall Marty Award winner. Vince is the head of the music department Bay Opera, and others. Some favorite productions have been Theatre, and The Western Stage. Wendy is a professor of theater at at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek where Into the Woods, 1776, Company, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Las Positas College and Santa Rosa Junior College where she was he teaches Piano and Voice. www.theballetschool.org Vince Ruddigore. Larry’s theatrical experience also includes set honored with 2 semesters teaching theatre abroad: London (2011) studies Kung Fu at the Concord Kung Fu Academy. designer, stage manager, and board member and president for and Florence (2014). She is thrilled to be joining her family in the both Lyric Theatre and SVCT. He’s a graduate of Campolindo show for a 10th year. Xander Raymond (Beggar Boy) is delighted High School in Moraga and UC Davis. to be making his debut with Center REPertory Diella Wottrich (Lavinia) is overjoyed to be company. He recently had the pleasure Brayden Bautista Toy (Tiny Tim) is honored in her first production with Center REP and of playing James in The Meher School’s to make his acting debut with Center REP and to join the Christmas Carol family! She was production of James and the Giant Peach. share the stage with so many of his favorite last seen on the Hoffman Stage this Spring in He has been dancing for five years with the people. His training includes: two summer CCMT’s Gypsy playing the role of Electra. fabulous Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School sessions with Young Actors Studio and three Other theatre credits include CCMT’s The here in Walnut Creek. He would like to thank all his teachers, years of ballet with Lareen Fender’s The Ballet Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph…., mentors and family for their continual love and support as he School Performing Arts. Brayden is currently in Kindergarten, Sunset Blvd., Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, pursues his dreams. where he is part of a Spanish immersion program. Some of his Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A interests include origami, Transformers, Battle Bots, and bugs! Chorus Line, FFAE’s Robin Hood, DTC’s Guys & Dolls and Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Soprano) Enjoy the show! Annie, and TVRT’s The Sound of Music. She has also performed celebrates her (really!) 20th season in the in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. Christmas Carol quartet. A summa cum laude Tiare Vasconcellos (Fig Fezziwig) is Diella thanks her friends and family for their love and support! graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she thrilled to return to the cast of Center REP’s Enjoy the show! most recently appeared as Bobbi/Gabby in A Christmas Carol. She is 11 years old and City of Angeles and Kate in Kiss Me, Kate at studies vocals, piano, clarinet and dance. PRODUCTION TEAM South Bay Musical Theatre. Other favorites include Ragtime Tiare most recently performed in the CCMT (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), and She Loves Me (Amalia) productions The Music Man and Gypsy. Many Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been the General at South Bay; 1776 (Abigail Adams) at Tabard Theatre; Little thanks to the fantastic summer programs with Young REP Manager for the Lesher Center for the Arts since it opened 26 years Women (Marmee) at Sunnyvale Players; A Little Night Music and dance classes at The Ballet School. Thanks to my family, ago and has worked for the Arts in this area for over 43 years. Scott (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show friends, the directors, cast and crew for all their support. has directed over 150 productions, including The Wizard of Oz , the Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award musical hit Cinderella , Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, as Magnolia). Ginny Wehrmeister (Mrs. Cratchit) is over The Music Man, Les Miserables and for the past 19 seasons Center joyed to return to the “Christmas Carol” REP’s A Christmas Carol as well as all Fantasy Forum productions Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) is grateful family after enjoying it as a holiday tradition since 1970. He created and produces the annual Shellie Awards to join her Christmas Carol family in lifting for years! Ginny is a three-time East Bay now celebrating 38 years. Scott and has also designed lights for up this remarkable and well-loved story. She Shellie award winner, honored for Best over 250 productions, including the national touring production currently serves, alongside Jeffrey Draper, Actress in Role Players Ensemble’s Bus Stop of Sylvia. Under Denison’s guidance the Lesher Center for the as co-Director of Education for Center REP (Cherie), Diablo Actors Ensemble’s Same Arts presents over 850 public events each year. He coordinates heading up the Young REP Theatre Training Time, Next Year (Doris) and Town Hall Theatre’s Pygmalion performing arts activities with over 100 producers and producing Program (youngrep.org). Wishing all a peaceful and loving (Eliza Doolittle). Most recently she was nominated for a organizations. Scott created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival holiday. Theatre Bay Area award for her performance in Play it Again which hosts over 7,000 guests each year. He is also the Managing Sam at THTC. When not on stage Ginny serves as the Director Director of the Center REPertory Company producing professional Teddy Spencer* (Fred Hastings) is very of Education and resident Teaching Artist at Town Hall Theatre productions each season; and is the director and co-founder of excited to be joining the Center REP family in Lafayette. She’d like to dedicate this performance to her Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts for this production of ACC. Regionally, family for their continuous love and support, Happy Holidays! company which presents program for the young and Young at he has worked with the Dallas Theater Heart. Center, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Michael Patrick Wiles* (Bob Cratchit) makes Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Aurora Theatre his 15th appearance in Center REP’s A Christmas Michael Patrick Wiles* (Music Director ) has served as Musical Company, San Francisco Playhouse, Capital Stage Company, Carol. Previous Center REP appearances include Director on over 80 professional productions, including work Sacramento Theatre Company, Eugene O’Neill Foundation, The Glass Menagerie and Dracula. Other stage with the Bay Area Children’s Theater, Berkeley Playhouse, Theatre at Monmouth, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Notre credits include over 50 productions with the Capital Stage Company, Center REP, Contra Costa Civic Theater, Dame, Texas, Arabian, and Napa Valley Shakespeare Festivals. American Conservatory Theater, American Cornish College of the Arts, Open Door Theater, Pacific Repertory He is a Company Member with the Reduced Shakespeare Musical Theater, Aurora Theater Company, Berkeley Repertory Theater, San Francisco Opera Guild, San Francisco Shakespeare Company and SF PlayGround, and an Artistic Associate with Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, Capital Stage Company, Festival, and the Village Theater. He is the Casting Director and the Arabian Shakespeare Festival. Teddy received his MFA in Magic Theater, Marin Shakespeare Company, Pacific Alliance Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. Michael is the Acting from Southern Methodist University. Stage Company, Pacific Repertory Theater, San Francisco Co-Founder, Co-Director, and Musical Director of Center REP’s Shakespeare Festival and Tacoma Actor’s Guild. Michael is the Young REP Musical Theatre Conservatory. Wiles studied at the Jenna Stich (Laundress) is so happy to be Co-Founder, Co-Director, and Musical Director of Center REP’s Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, and received his BFA from rejoining the cast of A Christmas Carol. A Young REP Musical Theatre Conservatory. Wiles is the Casting Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. former student of Young REP, in addition to Director & Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. Center REP, other work includes Berkeley BFA, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has REP, Lafayette Town Hall and Silicon Valley been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 25 years. She Shakespeare. Jenna sends her love and thanks Michael Ray Wisely* (Ebenezer Scrooge) was lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, to her wonderful family. 2016 marks Michael Ray’s 20th appearance with Lareen Fender at The Ballet School Performing Arts. Favorite the company. REP audiences may remember roles include: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Sara Taylor (Fauna Fezziwig) is honored to him in Arms and the Man, To Kill a Mockingbird Bonnie Jean (Brigadoon), Louise (Carousel), Mary Warren return to the cast of this wonderful story! A and as Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. (Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A senior at Las Lomas High School, Sara was Recently, Michael Ray worked Off-Broadway Christmas Carol) Shellie Nominee, Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until most recently seen onstage as Gwendolen in the critically acclaimed premiere of IDEATION and starred Dark) and Bonnie (Anything Goes) Choreography Credits Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest. in Dear Master for Aurora Theatre. Well known to Bay Area include: Gypsy, The Music Man (Shellie Award) Les Misérables Previous productions at Las Lomas include: audiences, he’s appeared with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, (CCMT) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Center The Crucible (Mary Warren), Pirates of TheatreWorks, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Co., SF Playhouse, REP) Sweet Charity (Center REP), Xanadu (Center REP, Shellie Penzance (Ensemble), and Romeo & Juliet (Balthasar). She has SFShakes, Marin Shakes, American Musical Theatre, San Jose Award) Joseph and the Amazing. (Shellie Award)., Hairspray trained with Center REP’s Young Rep program for the past six Repertory, San Jose Stage Co., Shotgun Players, and others. (BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Line (BATCCA), summers, and she has also taken classes at The Ballet School Michael Ray has starred and guest-starred in film, television and Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney’s Beauty and The and with Performing Arts Studio. Sara is a Production Assistant on the radio. Find out more at www.michaelraywisely.com Beast, Annie, Sound of Music, Titanic the Musical and many for OMG...Productions, where she recently stage managed The other original pieces. Directing Credits Include: Gypsy, Joseph Fantasticks. Enjoy the show! Olivia DelRay Wisely (Flora Fezziwig/Martha and the Amazing.., A Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! Cratchit) has been performing in A Christmas (Shellie Award), 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto) is Carol since age 3. At 14 years old her other Costa Musical Theatre. Red Hot and Cole for Role Players thrilled to return to the wonderful cast of A credits include The Imaginary Invalid, Nickel Christmas Carol for her ninth year. Having just and Dimed and Metamorphoses at Las Positas completed a run as the Storyteller in Bloody College, Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), The Tempest CITY COUNCIL Bloody Andrew Jackson with Sunnyvale (Trinculo / Ferdinand), Hamlet (Hortatio), As Rich Carlston, Mayor Community Players, other memorable roles You Like It (Olivier) in the California Shakespeare Theater Summer Loella Haskew include Mama Rose (Gypsy), Velma Von Tussle (Hairspray), conservatory. Currently, she is the illustrator of the webcomic Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Matron Mama Morton “Actualconversationswithmysons.com”. Olivia attends El Cerrito Cindy Silva (Chicago), Pennywise (Urinetown), Mrs. Walker (The Who’s High School where she is on the Speech and Debate team and is Justin Wedel Tommy), Kate (Kiss Me, Kate) and Betty Blake (The Will the founder of the Comics Club. Kevin Wilk Rogers Follies) for which she received a Shellie Award. Love ARTS COMMISSION CITY MANAGER to my wonderful husband, James! Polly Bradbury, Chair Ken Nordhoff THANK YOU TO OUR Anita Sagastegui, Vice Chair DIRECTOR OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS: Joe Bologna Arts, Recreation Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Glynnis Cowdery and Community Services Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant Jane Emanuel Kevin Safine Ensemble. Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Michael Butler (Artistic Director) is currently in his eleventh ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled year as Artistic Director of Center REP, the resident professional to be going into her 22nd year of teaching for Center REP’s theatre company at the Lesher Center for the Arts where he Center REP is the resident, professional theatre company of the Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co- mostly recently directed Baskerville. Other Bay Area directing Lesher Center for the Arts. Our season consists of six productions director of the Musical Theatre Program. Jennifer is the Casting credits include Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre, a year – a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies, both classic Director for Center REPertory Company. Jennifer is the owner Shakespeare Santa Cruz and San Jose Rep. His directing work and contemporary, that continually strive to reach new levels of and director of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing has also been seen in New York, Los Angeles, at major regional artistic excellence and professional standards. Arts which is home to the Performing Arts Studio. www. theatres around the country, and the Juilliard School, of which theballetschool.org #LiveJoyCreateHope he is a graduate. He is a published songwriter and the co-writer Our mission is to celebrate the power of the human imagination and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which he has by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving, Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) Off Broadway/ National directed and performed in New York, LA, and at theatre festivals and visually astonishing live theatre, and through Outreach and in India and Morocco. In his varied career as a performer, he Education programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of the tours: Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, communities we serve. The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ has acted on Broadway, Off Broadway, in film and television, Out, Shear Madness, Cats. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, performed with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed What does it mean to be a producing theatre? We hire the Fingerlakes Musical Theater Festival, San Jose Rep, Laguna the villainous Pierre LeChance on “The Guiding Light,” and finest professional directors, actors and designers to create our Playhouse, Center REP, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, played guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country productions at Center REP. These are not touring productions – Sacramento Theater Company, Gateway Playhouse, Contra western bands at all the notable dives in NYC. they’re conceived and developed here, the sets and costumes are Costa Musical Theater, Diablo Theater Company, Ray of Light. built in our shops, and the actors rehearse in our rehearsal hall. Mr. Tighe’s theatrical work is published in the text book Scene Lynne Soffer (Dialect Coach) has coached over 250 theater Whether the production is a Bay Area premiere or a Shakespearean Design and Stage Lighting, and his work as an illustrator has productions at A.C.T., Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, Marin classic, each is devised to be a one of a kind, artistic creation that been published in “Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream.” Awards Theater Company, Theatreworks, Cal Shakes, San Jose Rep will be a unique theatre experience for our audience. and recognitions include the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle, and SF Opera among others including nine for Center Rep. Her DramaLogue, and the Shellie award. Online at kellyjamestighe. regional credits include the Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, What does it mean to be a professional theatre? It means that com Arizona Theatre Company, the Arena Stage, Seattle Rep and the all our artists and artisans are career theatre-practitioners. Many world premier of The Laramie Project at the Denver Center. Her of the actors in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Bethany Deal (Costuming) is excited to carry on the holiday film and television credits include “Fruitvale,” “Metro,” “Duets,” Association; many of our directors and designers are members of tradition while adding a fresh take as the new designer. She has “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “America’s Most Wanted.” professional unions. All do theatre because it is their profession her MFA in Costume Design/Hair & Make-Up design from Utah Soffer works frequently as a professional actor and acting teacher and their passion. State University. She also has attended CSU Long Beach and and is the recipient of the 2011 Actors’ Equity Lucy Jordan has her Cosmetology License. She began designing costumes Humanitarian Award. We are very proud to have the opportunity to produce professional for school productions, and local theater productions in 2008 theatre for our community in the beautiful theatres here at the including Mr. Marmalade, Legally Blonde the Musical, Talk OUR SPONSORS Lesher Center for the Arts. Thank you for your support! Radio, Steel Magnolias, Blues in the Night and Beehive!: the 60’s Musical. She most recently designed the costumes for Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate The Fantasticks with OMG Productions. Other collaborations sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for include CMT- Music Circus, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Town the past nine years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of Hall Theater, and Marin Shakespeare Company. In addition to the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital the stage, Ms. Deal has also had the opportunity to work in film improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously and television including Costume Designer for “Not Your Year” supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is currently on the festival circuit. She did costumes for Salt Lake the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family 48 Hour Film Project Winners in 2013. Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts. HONORARY PRODUCER John Iarla (Lighting Designer) Real Housewives the Musical Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) (World Premier) Spring Awakening (East Bay Premier), The Lady is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher ANGIE COFFEE with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center REP), Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s Sunset Boulevard (East Bay Premier), 42nd Street-Shellie Award, appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); On Broadway Gala, Walnut role in the community is all about building partnerships with Creek Jazz Series (DRAA), Lesher Speaker Series-Newsmakers; the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and Chevron Family Theatre Festival; ARF Stars to the Rescue; The providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through Shellie Awards; Rocky Horror Show, Let’s Go To The Movies partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors, (Town Hall). Thanks to the ACME Theatre Company. corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) has designed sound for Center of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org. REP’s A Christmas Carol, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical, Life Could Be a Dream, Old Wicked Songs, Xanadu, Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) Since 1994, the Marvelous Party, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Musical of Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has awarded grants Musicals: The Musical!, Hank Williams Lost Highway, Around totaling more than $40 million and reaching citizens in all the World In 80 Days, and The Marriage of Figaro. Among his parts of Contra Costa County. True to the original wishes of recent work are TheatreWorks’ Daddy Long Legs, Cyrano, Tokyo Dean and Margaret Lesher, the Foundation continues to build Fish Story, and Emma. Mr. Mockus served as San Jose Repertory on the strengths of the community by supporting organizations Theatre’s Resident Sound Designer on over 70 productions. and programs that provide help and support to people in need; He has credits with Utah Shakespearean Festival, American enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens; and promote a healthy Conservatory Theater, California Shakespeare Theatre, and and exciting future for the community. Established in 1989, Oregon Shakespeare Festival. the Foundation received its principal assets from Dean Lesher’s Angie Coffee has played a starring role in the success estate in 1993 and 1995. In 1997, an additional endowment of DRAA and the Lesher Center for the Arts for more Steve Channon (Projection Designer) Steve’s design credits from Dean Lesher’s estate followed the death of Margaret than three decades. Lesher. A significant and final bequest from Mr. Lesher’s estate include A Bed and a Chair at New York City Center (starring was received in 2003. As a family foundation, support for the She served as founder, DRAA’s first President and Bernadette Peters), Patti’s Turn (featuring Patti LuPone), The Contra Costa community will be carried on by the next generation Nutcracker and I (George Street Playhouse) and Pauly Shore’s of family members. Grant-making decisions are based on the as DRAA’s President during the 25th Anniversary “Pauly~tics” (Showtime special). In California, Steve designed vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, Campaign. Les Mis (CCMT), and Miss Saigon (Broadway by the Bay). Most diverse art programs, and healthy children and families are the recently, Steve designed the International premiere of Rogers building blocks of a strong and vibrant community. The Leshers In appreciation of her extraordinary leaership, Angie and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, currently playing in Moscow. defined the “spirit of giving” as “investing in the community Coffee is recognized as the Honorary Producer of Steve has also worked on Broadway as animator and associate and its people.” By providing financial support and direction Center REPertory Company’s 2016 production of A designer for Memphis, The Mountaintop and Colin Quinn: Long in these critical areas, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation Christmas Carol. Story Short. Steve grew up in San Jose, and performed around is investing every day, every week and every year in the health the Bay Area, including in shows at AMTSJ and SBMT. Website: and well-being of this county that Dean and Margaret so loved. Channon.TV Managing Director - Scott Denison Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is Jeff’s 19th year as Stage Center REPertory Company Artistic Director - Michael Butler Manager for A Christmas Carol. He has been Production Manager Quartet Manager for Center REP since 1995 and has stage managed more than 50 Production Services Costumes Technical Audience Services productions since starting with the company in 1989. Favorites Coordinator Bethany Deal Technical Director Coordinator Barbara Reynolds include Boeing-Boeing, A Number, Almost Heaven – John Toni Kilcoyne Wardrobe Supervisor Joshua Lipps Courtney Egg Production Assistants Denver’s America, Becoming Memories, Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Technical Staff Alea Gonzales Master Electrician Ticket Office Staff Lyle Barrere Musical Soap Opera, Godspell, and The Mystery Of Edwin Drood. Steve Pino Casting Director Del Medoff Jeremiah Vierling Casey Leugemors Jeff directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Yelyzaveta Tashkevych Xanadu for REP and Urinetown, The Musical, and Grease John Iarla Jennifer Perry Additional Special Rami Kim for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He worked as Production Alex Bull Marketing Effects Design Robert Nolan Ethan Williams Stage Manager for Dame Edna – The Royal Tour (1998) in San Chris Currie Marketing Assistant Lyle Barrere Cheyenne Clarke Administration Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor, a member of Hanna Johnson Ariel Brewer Carpenters Vaughn Edward Asst. to the Managing Actors Equity Association, an avid San Francisco Giants and Garrick Schuster Education Elyse Fink Jave Hernandez Director Harry Potter fan. Trophaeum Gigantis! “Happy Christmas to all, Gail Pfeifer and to all a good night!” Stephen Spleiss Education Directors Gabriel Johnson Kiersten Jones Josh Stouffer Jeff Draper Caleb Salmon Alyssa Montany Program CENTER REP THANKS : Monica Thompson Kerri Shawn Asst. Stage Manager Shannon Taylor Linda Nomura Massimo’s Ristorante • Waters Moving and Storage Josh Yarnell Production Joe Coe Usher Coordinator Associated Services-Alta Water • Contra Costa Musical Theatre Production Manager Props Manager Pat Mitchell Shannon and Mike Demers Jeff Collister Roger Anderson