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

Music Director Scenic Designer Choreographer Michael Wiles Kelly James Tighe Jennifer Perry Lighting Designer Costuming Sound Designer John Earls Michael A. Berg Jeff Mockus Stage Manager Jeff Collister*

Hofmann Theatre Production December 6 - 16, 2012 Sponsor Lesher Center for the Arts

Season Season Partner Season Media Sponsor 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 Max DeSantis (Peter Cratchit/Georgie) Britt Lauer (Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig) is thrilled to feels very blessed to be back for the third be working, once again, with this wonderful Michael A. Berg...... Mr. Applebaum time in A Christmas Carol! Other favorite cast and crew to present this holiday classic! Evan Boomer...... Young Scrooge roles: Ugly in Honk! and Oliver in Oliver! Britt received her BA in Theatre from Ryan Cowles...... Future/Dick Wilkins (Sunnyvale Community Players), Kurt in The Willamette University where favorite roles Amanda Denison...... Belle/Nancy Sound of Music (TVRT), Heavenly Friend in included: Antigone (Antigone), Maureen Max DeSantis...... Peter Cratchit/Georgie Carousel (Lyric Theatre), Orphan Jack in Into (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Crystal (The Jeff Draper...... Marley/Topper/Old Joe the Woods (Diablo Theatre Company), Choir Women), and Gwendolyn (The Importance of Trevor Gomez...... Turkey Boy/Charlie in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ensemble Being Earnest) . A former Young REP student, Britt is delighted Nicole Helfer...... Catherine in Oklahoma, Fagin’s Gang in Oliver! (CCMT), Lost Boy in to be spending her summers as a teacher on the Young REP staff. Tim Homsley...... Mr. Boxer/Snuffbox/Pip Peter Pan (Woodminster), Ensemble in Joseph and the Amazing She wishes you a Happy Holiday season and a joyful New Year! Andrew Humann...... Thief//Bailey Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma, Cinderella, Seussical Heather Kellogg...... Anne/Cherry (TVRT). Max is very excited to be playing Nathan in TVRT’s Maggie Mason (Mrs. Cratchit) is very Britt Lauer...... Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig The Full Monty opening in January 2013! Max studies ballet and excited to be a part of this wonderful Maggie Mason...... Mrs. Cratchit tap at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek and loves his summers Christmas Carol and so happy to be back at Everett Meckler...... Boy Scrooge/Beggar Boy learning with Young REP. He he also studies piano and voice, and Center REP. She was last seen at Center REP Robin Melnick...... Mr. Bagstock - Bass in his free time Max likes to work in films. as Raina in Arms and the Man. New York Victoria Morgan...... Flora Fezziwig/Sophy Credits: These Seven Sicknesses, and Arok of R. Martin Newton...... Rudge/Boz Jeff Draper (Marley/Topper/Old Joe) has Java (Exit, Pursued by a Bear), Right to the Jeanine Perasso...... Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress been seen in many Center REP productions, Top (workshop and staged reading) written Grace Perry...... Lizzie/Want including Spring Awakening, Cabaret, How and directed by Amy Freed. Bay Area Credits: Henry V (SF Vince Perry...... Constable/Undertaker/Havisham the Other Half Loves, Around the World in Shakes) dir. Ken Kelleher; Period of Adjustment (SF Playhouse) Mark Anderson Phillips*...... Ebenezer Scrooge 80 Days and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Jeff dir. Bill English; Why We Have A Body dir. Katie Pearl, and Or, Barbara Reynolds...... Miss Skiffins - Soprano loves spending his summers with the students dir. Loretta Greco (Magic Theatre) for which she was nominated Tim Reynolds...... Mr. Tiffey - Tenor of Young REP, where he is Co-Education ‘Best Actress’ in the Bay Area Critics Circle Awards 2010; Joel Roster...... Fred Hastings Director with Kerri Shawn. Jeff would like to You, Nero dir. Sharon Ott and Arabian Nights (understudy) dir. Kristina Schoell...... Martha Cratchit thank his Mom, Dad, and husband Dalon for supporting his crazy Mary Zimmerman (Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Rock and Roll Kerri Shawn...... Past/Charwoman love of acting and theater. (San Jose Stage); Possibilidad (San Francisco Mime Troupe); Claire Shepard...... Belinda Cratchit/Fan Hamlet and As You Like It (Pacific Repertory Theatre); Future Grant Strain...... Barkis Trevor Gomez (Turkey Boy/Charlie) is very Me (TheatreFIRST); Oskar the Bully (Theatreworks). Film and Scott Strain...... Mr. Fezziwig/Nigel Woodward excited to perform in A Christmas Carol television: Grange Hill (BBC) Gemma Lyons, 3 seasons; Mirad Molly Thornton...... Miss Augustus - Alto for his fourth year. Trevor is a 7th grader at a Boy From Bosnia, (BBC) dir. Jeremy Irons, starring Jeremy Kyle Valentine...... Silas Pleasant Hill Middle School and participated Irons and Sinead Cusack. Ginny Wehrmeister...... Lavinia in the amazing Young Rep program for the frst Michael Wiles*...... Bob Cratchit time this year. Recent performances include Everett Meckler (Boy Scrooge/Beggar Boy) Michael Ray Wisely*...... Present Joseph (CCMT) and Bobby in A Doll’s House a 5th grader at Cooper Elementary in Olivia Wisely...... Molly/Polly (Willows). Other performances include City Mayor in Wizard of Vacaville, was first introduced to live theatre Wendy Wisely...... Lucretia Oz (DTC), Rooster in Annie, Jr. (CC Christian Theatre), David in as a member of the audience at Children’s Brady Wright...... Tiny Tim/Ignorance Rags the Musical (Willow’s Caberet), Malcolm in 13 The Musical Musical Theater San Jose’s production of Special thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator (Music Box Theatre). a member of Fagin’s Gang in Oliver! Oliver in 2009. Upon leaving the theater he (CCMT), Little Guido in Nine (CCCT), Billy in Nuncrackers exclaimed “I want to do that!”, and he has CAST BIOGRAPHIES (Willow’s Caberet), and Billy in Honk! (CC Christian Theatre). been performing ever since. His favorite Trevor also performs with Pleasant Hill’s Star Quest, church choir roles include Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at San Jose Rep as Michael A. Berg (Mr. Applebaum) is happy and enjoys baseball and flag football. well as Colin Craven in The Secret Garden and Tommy Pickles to be included in this season’s production of in Rugrats! A Live Adventure at Children’s Musical Theater San A Christmas Carol as Mr. Applebaum, one of Nicole Helfer (Catherine) is a Bay Area Jose. Everett is thrilled to join the cast of A Christmas Carol at the solicitors. Michael is very pleased to be native and a graduate of San Francisco State Center REP and he would like to thank his family, friends, fellow working on the costumes as well. He works full University. Performance credits include Betty cast members (past and present and future ;D) and the audience time for Center REP as a stitcher and sometime Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard (CCMT; Shellie for all their love and support! actor and if he is lucky he gets to design as nomination), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors well! Michael has been seen as the Usher in (CCMT), Velma Kelly in Chicago (Willows Robin Melnick (Mr. Bagstock - Bass) is Center REP’s production of Witness for the Prosecution and as Theatre Company; SFBATCC nominee), delighted to be back sharing in the holiday Starveling the tailor in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Michael Sarah in Harold Pinter’s The Lover (Off Broadway West), Val in A spirit with cast, crew, and audience of A and Ophelia (his four legged significant other), wish all of you a Chorus Line (CCMT), Kate Monster/Lucy T. Slut in the National Christmas Carol. His favorite roles elsewhere bountiful and peaceful holiday season!! Regional Premier of Avenue Q (Willows Theatre Company), have included El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Miraid in Brimstone (Willows Theatre Company; SFBATCC and Lancelot in Camelot, Rapunzel’s Prince Evan Boomer (Young Scrooge) is so Shellie nominee), and Sheila in Hair (Willows Theatre Company; in Into the Woods, and Smudge in Forever grateful to be back with Center REP for this Shellie nominee). Choreography credits include RENT (Pacific Plaid and Plaid Tidings. By day, Robin is a doctoral student in production of A Christmas Carol. Recent Coast Reperatory), Pinkalicious and Click Clack Moo (Bay Area linguistic and cognitive science, having decided that after 20 credits with Center REP include: “Klinglehoff” Children’s Theater); You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, 8 Track: years in high-tech, what he really wants to be when he grows up - The Underpants, “Man #2” - Lucky Stiff, Sounds of the 70s, and Six Women With Brain Death (Willows is a starving grad student. He is grateful as always to Mary and “Terpsicore” – Xanadu, “Hanschen” – Spring Theatre Company). She would like to thank her family, friends, Andrew for all of their love and support. Awakening (Off Center), “The Waiter” – and her amazing boyfriend for their love and support. She Loves Me. Other recent credits include: Victoria Morgan (Flora Fezziwig /Sophy) is “Jason” – Tales of Olympus [workshop] (Bay Area Children’s Tim Homsley (Mr. Boxer/Snuffbox/Pip) so happy to be working with Ceter REP on Theater), “Peter Pinkerton” – Pinkalicious, the Musical (Bay Area This will be Tim’s first time performing in A A Christmas Carol. Recent credits include Children’s Theater), “Al DeLuca” – A Chorus Line (Contra Costa Christmas Carol and he is happy to be taking Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (CCMT) where Musical Theater). He holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Cal State part in the tradition. Shows with Center REP she received the Shellie Award for Leading East Bay, and is a proud member of the Fantasy Forum Actor’s include Xanadu as Sonny Malone and Spring Female in a Musical. Ronnette in Little Shop Ensemble. He wishes you a very merry holiday season, and hopes Awakening as Melchior. Other companies: of Horrors (BBBay) Tracy Turnblad (Musical you enjoy A Christmas Carol! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Theater West) where she received the Stage Dreamcoat (CCMT), Chorus for both Pirates Scene LA Spotlight for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in Ryan Cowles (Future/Dick Wilkins) is of Penzance and Willful (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Chip a Musical, Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels (Hillbarn Theatre), beyond words to be making his Center REP in Spelling Bee (Oregon Cabaret Theater), Percy in The Scarlet Joanne in RENT (Palo Alto Players), TiMoune in Once on this debut with A Christmas Carol. He was last Pimpernel (Camelot Theater), and Bobby Strong in Urinetown Island (Berkeley Playhouse) and Karaoke Host for California seen on Broadway buying a hotdog. Broadway (Southern Oregon University). Tim earned his BFA at Southern Great America. State of Hawaii credits include Holly in The National Tours: Monty Python’s: Spamalot, The Oregon University. Wedding Singer where she received the Hawaii State Po’okela Drowsy Chaperone, and Hairspray. Bay Area Award for Best Featured Female in a Musical. Love to her Credits include: Joseph… with CCMT, 9to5 Andrew Humann (Thief/Bailey) is thrilled family and friends for their endless support! Happy Holidays. with The Willows and Fantasy Forum Actors to be working for Center REP again after Ensemble. Favorite regional credits include Zanna Don’t (Zanna), appearing in last season’s OFF Center R. Martin Newton (Rudge/Boz) This year La Cage aux Folles (Phaedra), All Shook Up (Dean Hyde), production of Spring Awakening. Andrew marks Marty’s 6th year with A Christmas Urinetown, Lippa’s The Wild Party and numerous shows and was last seen as a hillbilly brother in CCMT’s Carol. It’s a production he looks forward parades at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL including Joseph and the Amazing… Other credits to every year! This year is especially Fantasmic! and the The Hoop Dee Doo Revue (Johnny Ringo). include CB in Dog Sees God and Tommy exciting with a Giants World Series win, a Lots of love and thanks to Jenny, Jose, Mom & Dad. Gnosis in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Boxcar 49’ers Superbowl win (that’s on his list for Theater), Riff in West Side Story and Jesus in Jesus Christ Santa) and getting to work with a bunch of Amanda Denison (Belle/Nancy) is so excited Superstar (YMTC), and a handful of other shows throughout talented people he considers family! Marty to be a part of such an amazing production. the Bay Area. After the holidays, Andrew can be seen as Mark was recently featured in CCMT’s Joseph and the Amazing She recently completed her B.A in Theatre in Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre’s Rent and then again at the Technicolor Dreamcoat after a two year break and he’s exciting Arts with an emphasis in Acting at San Lesher Center in Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble’s Jack and to be bursting out of the gates with another show already in Francisco State University. Amanda has been the Beanstalk. Andrew would like to thank the Walnut Creek the works: The Full Monty a Tri-Valley Repertory Theater in performing since she was seven years old and theater community for welcoming him with open arms. HAPPY Pleasanton. Marty enjoys football, knitting and French Bull dog has been a part of numerous productions at HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!! puppies. He’s also a fan of the popular TV shows The Walking the Lesher Center for the Arts. Whether she is Dead, American Horror Story and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Marty’s onstage acting or backstage working on a production she is happy Heather Kellogg (Anne/Cherry) is happy a well-rounded guy! because she is doing exactly what she loves to do. Amanda was to be back again with the Christmas Carol last seen in Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s production of Joseph family. Recent productions include Repro and the Amazing… Amanda is proudly on the teaching staff for Rights! with PCSF, staged reading of Three The Ballet School Performing Arts and is Director of Performing Rebels (Veronica), The Cherry Orchard Arts Studio, a program of The Ballet School and Fantasy Forum (Anya), The Tempest (Prospero), Toyer Actors Ensemble. Amanda is currently on the teaching staff for (Maude), Copenhagen (Margrethe), and Titus Young REP, Center REP’s Theatre Training Program. She is also Andronicus (Nurse/Beast). She is a graduate of UCLA’s School a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. You will of Theater, Film, and Television. During the summer she is lucky next see Amanda in Center REP’s upcoming production of Sweet to teach the brilliant young students at Center REP’s Young Rep Charity. She would like to dedicate this performance to her Nanny. Conservatory. Love to mom and dad, always. Thank you Nanny for sending me on the right path! Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig/ Kristina Schoell (Martha Cratchit) is honored Michael Wiles* (Bob Cratchit / Music Director) Laundress) makes her 15th appearance in A to return to Center REP’s A Christmas Carol returns for his 11th production of A Christmas Christmas Carol with Center REP this year. for the fourth year. Past productions include: Carol at Center REP, where he was also seen It’s always a pleasure to celebrate with her Joseph and the Amazing…, Evita (CCMT), in Dracula, and The Glass Menagerie. Other 2nd family! She was last seen as The Wicked The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Into the Woods, Will stage credits include work with the American Witch in FFAE’s production of Snow White and Roger’s Follies (Diablo Theatre Company), Conservatory Theater (Edward 2, A Christmas worked behind the scenes on CCMT’s Joseph Music Man (Tri-Valley Rep), and The Sound Carol, The Glass Menagerie), American and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. of Music (Vagabond Players). Kristina has Musical Theater (Big River), Aurora Theatre Some of her favorite roles include Sr. Robert Anne in Nunsense, enjoyed Young REP’s intensive theatre training program and Company (The Persians), Berkeley Repertory Theater (Master Angel in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and The Wardrobe Musical Theatre Conservatory the past four summers. She studies Class, The Oresteia, Metamorphoses), California Shakespeare in Beauty and the Beast. She is a proud member of FFAE and ballet, tap, and jazz at The Ballet School and voice with Lucia Theatre (Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Scapin, Edward II), is honored to be a member of the CCMT Board. As a certified Scardigno. Kristina wishes you and your family a joyous holiday Capital Stage Company (Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Master arborist, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and also likes traveling season. Enjoy the show! Class, Fat Pig), Marin Shakespeare Company (King Lear, Macbeth, to new and exciting places with her wonderful husband, Fred, Much Ado), Pacific Alliance Stage Company Doubt( , Betrayal, All family and friends. Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) is grateful My Sons), Pacific Repertory TheaterJulius ( Caesar, A Number, to be returning to Center REP’s wonderful A Much Ado, Eurydice), San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Grace Perry (Lizzie/Want) is a proud student of Christmas Carol family! Most recently she had Love’s Labours Lost), and Tacoma Actor’s Guild (Twelfth Night). He Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing the good fortune of playing Cookie in REP’s is the resident music director for Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble Arts, where she studies ballet and tap. She Rumors and Ann Landers in REP’s Off Center and the Young Actor’s Studio, and is the Co-Founder/Co-Director takes Theatre classes with the Performing Arts production of The Lady With All The Answers. and Musical Director for Center REP’s Young Rep Musical Theater Studio all held at The Ballet School. Grace is Kerri is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Conservatory. BFA in Acting, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. in the second grade and loves to take Kung-Fu Actor’s Ensemble and is looking forward to with her Dad at Concord Kung-Fu Academy. Grace has been seen performing in The Biggest Gift a few days before Christmas. She Ginny Wehrmeister (Lavinia) is overjoyed in CCMT shows such as Oklahoma!, and most recently Joseph and serves as Co-Director of Education for Center REP, and along with to be joining the Christmas Carol family after the Amazing...Grace will next appear in Once Upon a Christmas. Jeffrey Draper is in the midst of planning for the 40th year of The enjoying it as a holiday tradition for years! Young Rep Acting Training Program which begins June 18, 2013. Ginny is a two-time East Bay “Shellie” award Vince Perry (Constable/Undertaker/Havisham) winner, honored for Best Actress in Role Player Some Favorite Roles include: Pharaoh (Joseph Claire Shepard (Belinda Cratchit/Fan) is Ensemble’s Bus Stop (Cherie) and Diablo Actors and The Amazing..., CCMT), Cord Elam tickled pink to make her Center REP debut! Ensemble’s Same Time, Next Year (Doris). (Oklahoma!, CCMT) Sir Evelyn (Anything She was last seen in CCMT’s, Joseph and She’s performed with CCMT, Diablo Theatre Goes, CCMT), Constable and Young Scrooge the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Claire’s Company, Town Hall Theatre, and many others. She holds a BFA in (Center REP’s A Christmas Carol), Miles other mainstage credits include: Marta, The Theatre from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and is honored (Funny Thing Happened, CCMT), Boatman Sound of Music (TVRT) and Molly, Annie to be part of such a magnificent production. She’d like to dedicate (Sunday in the Park with George, CCMT) (Diablo Theatre Co.), where she was lucky this performance to her family for their continuous love and support, Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, DLOC) enough to perform alongside her sister and Happy Holidays! Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Harry the Horse (Guys Mom! She has appeared in over 10 shows with Barrett Lindsay- and Dolls, CCMT). Vince is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Steiner’s Standing Ovations children’s theatre program. Michael Ray Wisely* (Present) 2012 marks Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org, and a multiple his 17th appearance with the company. REP’s Marty Award winner. Vince teaches Piano, Voice and Improv at Grant Strain (Barkis) is extremely excited audiences may remember him as Petkoff in last Performing Arts Studio at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek. to be back with the cast of Christmas Carol! season’s Arms and the Man and as Mr. Gilmer www.theballetschool.org He is very grateful to be able to share the stage in 2010’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Well known to with his father again, after appearing together Bay Area audiences, Michael Ray has performed Mark Anderson Phillips* (Ebenezer Scrooge) in CCMT’s Beauty and the Beast 10 years locally and at other West Coast theatres for over is pleased to be back at CenterREP, where ago. Grant is a Junior at Las Lomas High. He 20 years, most recently in Henry V for SF Shakespeare. Other credits he was last seen in Rumors. Other REP is proud to be the resident lighting designer include: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, Aurora Theatre appearances include Noises Off, Witness for the at his school, and while he has not appeared Co., Magic Theatre, San Jose Stage, San Jose Repertory, American Prosecution, How the Other Half Loves, and on stage in a few years, gives much of his time to behind the Musical Theatre, Marin Shakespeare and many others. Michael Around the World in 80 Days. Most recently, scenes work with CCMT, Center REP, and the Las Lomas Drama Ray has starred and guest-starred in television movies and series. A Mark was seen in Clybourne Park at Repertory Department. On the very rare days that he’s not working in a Director and filmmaker, he also shares the helm of a new Bay Area Theatre of St. Louis, Time Stands Still at theatre of some kind, he sees shows with his friends, duck hunts independent production company. www.3andahalfegos.com TheatreWorks, and Salomania at Aurora Theatre. His work at with his grandfather, and most importantly sleeps. Grant has been other theatres includes roles with American Conservatory Theatre, a proud student of the Young REP theatre training program for the Olivia DelRay Wisely (Molly/Polly) makes her Berkeley Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre of Seattle, San Jose past 5 years, and would like to thank Jenny, Michael, Scott, Jeff, 7th appearance with her father in A Christmas Repertory Theatre, The Magic Theatre, The SF Playhouse, Marin and Kerri, as well as all of his teachers for giving him such great Carol. She began her performing career in the Theatre Company, California Shakespeare Theatre, San Francisco instruction. Enjoy the show! womb as “a sonogram” in a commercial for a Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, and Word for local hospital. 10 years young, her other credits Word. Mark has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Joan Scott Strain (Mr. Fezziwig/Nigel Woodward) include: The Tempest and As You Like It, for Rivers - a work in progress by a life in progress) and the New York is thrilled to be back once again in A California’s Shakespeare Theatre’s conservatory, International Fringe Festival (Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Christmas Carol, and sharing the stage with Nickel and Dimed and The Imaginary Invalid at Los Positas College Party, which won Best of Fringe). He is the recipient of three Bay such wonderful people! Scott has performed in Livermore, as an M.C. for her schools’ talent show and a Video Area Drama Critics’ Circle awards for best performance by a male throughout the Bay Area. Favorites include for the San Jose Tech Museum. She is a 5th grader at Harding in a leading role. He plays Gideon T. Flummox in the children’s 42nd Street (Bert), Beauty and the Beast Elementary in El Cerrito. video project, Flummox and Friends (flummoxandfriends.com). (Cogsworth), Titanic (Charles), Annie For Bertie. www.markandersonphillips.com (Rooster) and Guys & Dolls (Nicely), for which he won a Shellie Wendy Wisely (Lucretia) Wendy’s previous Award for Supporting Actor. Scott was awarded the special Shellie Center REP productions include The Diviners, Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Soprano) Award for his contributions to the arts by CCMT in 2010. His all- The Night Hank Williams Died, and Room is enjoying her 16th season with Center REP’s time favorite role is “Dad” to son Grant, and he is very excited to Service. Originally from Seattle, she has Christmas Carol family. She is a summa cum share the stage with him in this production! acted and/or directed with San Jose Stage Co., laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in City Lights, Willows, California Shakespeare music, and currently sings with the San Jose Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto) is Theatre, Role Players, Townhall, Western Stage. Symphonic Choir. Favorite theatrical roles pleased to be making her fifth appearance this Wendy is a professor of theater and directs at Las Positas College include Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man year in this wonderful holiday tradition. Other and Santa Rosa Junior College. Wendy was recently honored with (Marian) and She Loves Me (Amalia) for favorite credits include Grand Hotel (Raffaela/ a Study Abroad Teaching position in London, 2011 and won best South Bay Musical Theatre; The Dollar Princess (Alice Conder) SCP), Nine (La Fleur/CLTC), Urinetown supporting actor at the 2012 Indie Horror Film Festival in Chicago. and The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella) for Lyric Theatre; H.M.S. (Pennywise/SCP), The Who’s Tommy (Mrs. She has an MFA in directing from San Jose State. She is thrilled to be Pinafore (Josephine) with the Lamplighters; A Little Night Music Walker/CLTC), Chicago (Mama Morton/ joining her family for a 6th year in this production. (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show SBMT), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza/SDG), Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award The Goodbye Girl (Paula / Bus Barn), Kiss Me Kate (Kate / Brady Wright (Tiny Tim/Ignorance) This as Magnolia). WVLOA / ERMA Award) and The Will Rogers Follies (Betty is seven-year-old Brady Wright’s debut Blake / CCMT / Shellie Award). Much love to James and Nicole performance as Tiny Tim in Center REP’s Tim Reynolds (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) celebrates for their continued support of my theatrical passion. production of A Christmas Carol. A Walnut his 16th year as part of the Christmas Carol Creek native, Brady is in first grade at Walnut quartet. Recent credits include Anything Goes Kyle Valentine (Silas) is thrilled to be back Heights School. In addition to acting, he (Lord Evelyn) and The Producers (Leo Bloom) with his Christmas Carol family. Most recently loves skateboarding, baseball, and reading. with Foothill Music Theatre; Urinetown he appeared in CCMT’s Joseph…Dreamcoat. He is excited to be a part of this Walnut Creek (Lockstock) with Sunnyvale Community Other credits include Hairspray and Oklahoma! Christmas tradition. Players; Chicago (Billy Flynn), The Full Monty (CCMT), and Big River (CCCT). Backstage (Harold) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate) credits for Center REP include Lucky Stiff, with City Lights Theatre Company of San Jose; and A Chorus Xanadu, Spring Awakening (ASM), The THANK YOU TO OUR Line (Zach), Hairspray (Corny Collins) and Ragtime (Tateh) for Storytelling Ability Of A Boy (ASM), Smokey Joe’s Café (A2), Lady OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS: Broadway by the Bay; and The Story of My Life (Thomas Weaver) With All The Answers (ASM), Becoming Britney (ASM), and She for The Tabard Theatre Company where he will next appear in a Loves Me. Kyle, a sophomore, will next appear in his high school’s Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar the musical revue I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony production of Gypsy and DTC’s Singin’ In The Rain. He trains with Oi-C Bowl Bennett. He holds a theater degree from Northwestern University. Young REP, studies dance at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School, and Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant studies voice with Ahmed Elgasseir. He thanks his family for all their Joel Roster (Fred Hastings) Back for his ninth love and support. consecutive year with his Carol family, REP audiences have seen Mr. Roster this season as CITY COUNCIL the Corpse in Lucky Stiff and as the Keyboard CENTER REP THANKS : Robert Simmons, Mayor Cat in Status Update. A two-time Shellie award Loella Haskew recipient for acting, Joel has been seen with Massimo’s Ristorante Kristine Lawson CCMT, Ray of Light Theatre, SHN, Town Waters Moving and Storage Cindy Silva Hall Theatre, Diablo Actors Ensemble and many, many others. Justin Wedel ARTS COMMISSION Associated Services-Alta Water CITY MANAGER Carol Fowler, Chair He currently serves as the Director of Education for Town Hall Contra Costa Musical Theatre Theatre in Lafayette, where he will be directing the Bay Area Ken Nordhoff Joe Bologna, Vice Chair premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention in February Diablo Theatre Company DIRECTOR Polly Bradbury 2013. He wishes to dedicate this performance to Michael Wiles. Shannon and Mike Demers Arts, Recreation and Community Services Glynnis Cowdery Barry Gordon Jane Emanuel CREATIVE TEAM Joe Coe (Assistant to the Production Manager) This is Joe’s fifth and programs that provide help and support to people in need; season with Center REP and he couldn’t be happier to be a part of enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens; and promote a healthy Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been a leader in the such an amazing team of professionals and friends! Joe has had and exciting future for the community. Established in 1989, Arts for 38 years for Walnut Creek and the surrounding communities. the pleasure of working with such companies as Berkeley Repertory the Foundation received its principal assets from Dean Lesher’s Under Denison’s guidance for the last 21 years as General Manager Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Summer Repertory estate in 1993 and 1995. In 1997, an additional endowment for the Lesher Center for the Arts, he oversees over 850 public events Theatre, Suicide Kings touring production of In Spite of Everything, from Dean Lesher’s estate followed the death of Margaret each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with over 85 Boston Conservatory, SpeakEasy Stage Company, and Jose Mateo Lesher. A significant and final bequest from Mr. Lesher’s estate producers and producing organizations. He is also the Managing Ballet Theatre. Joe would like to thank all of his colleagues here was received in 2003. As a family foundation, support for the Director of the Center REPertory Company producing 8 professional at the LCA for a great season and for making it such a joy to work Contra Costa community will be carried on by the next generation productions each season; and is the director and co-founder of here! of family members. Grant-making decisions are based on the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, company which presents programs for the young and Young at Heart. Alex Logemann (Deck Manager) is celebrating his 36th show diverse art programs, and healthy children and families are the Scott directed CCMT’s hits Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Rodgers backstage with Center REP. Alex has been backstage for ten building blocks of a strong and vibrant community. The Leshers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hairspray, and for the past 13 seasons and is beyond pleased to be involved with such an amazing defined the “spirit of giving” as “investing in the community seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. Denison has directed over group. Alex has also crewed shows for Contra Costa Musical and its people.” By providing financial support and direction 150 productions including most recently REP’s The Lady with All the Theatre and with Diablo Theatre Company. Alex is a proud member in these critical areas, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation Answers starring Kerri Shawn. In 1979 he created the Shellie Awards, of the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. He is very thankful for is investing every day, every week and every year in the health which annually honors outstanding performing arts achievement our community and the fun it provides. “A good conscience is a and well-being of this county that Dean and Margaret so loved. in Contra Costa county. In 2007 he created the Chevron Family continual Christmas.” Ben Franklin Theatre Festival bringing adult nationally acclaimed performances ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY together for one day performing to over 7,000 guests of all ages. Michael Butler (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s seventh season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his directing credits Center REP is the resident, professional theatre company of Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) New York: Heat Wave; include The Underpants, A Number, Dracula, Boeing-Boeing and the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our season consists of eight The Jack Cole Project, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Blanche To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Shellie and BATCC Award- productions a year – a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies, Survives Katrina In A Fema Trailer Named Desire, The Time winning productions of Around the World in 80 Days, Picasso at the both classic and contemporary, that continually strive to reach new of Mendel’s Trouble. Vegas: Triumph at the Las Vegas Hilton. Lapin Agile, The Marriage of Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, levels of artistic excellence and professional standards. National tours: Shear Madness, Cats, Movin’ Out, Almost A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enchanted April, and Witness For Heaven, Mooseltoe. Regional: Dreamgirls, My Way, Aida, The Prosecution. His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Our mission is to celebrate the power of the human imagination The Full Monty, Jesus Christ Superstar (Gateway Playhouse); Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, ACT in by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving, Beauty/Beast, Grease, Titanic, The Who’s Tommy, (Contra Costa Seattle, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose and visually astonishing live theatre, and through Outreach and Musical Theatre); Annie, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph/ Dreamcoat Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he Education programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of the (Ohio’s Carousel Dinner Theater); West Side Story, The Scarlet is a graduate. As an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, communities we serve. Pimpernel (Diablo Light Opera Co.); Around the World In 80 in regional theatres, film and television, as well as REP’s productions Days, The Pavilion, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, A Christmas Carol of The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. He is a published What does it mean to be a producing theatre? We hire the (Center REPertory Co.). Mr. Tighe served as resident Scenic songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous music- finest professional directors, actors and designers to create our designer for Michigan’s Cherry County Playhouse, and Center theatre pieces, which he has directed and performed in NY, LA, and productions at Center REP. These are not touring productions – REP. Television: Sunday Night Woah! (starring Mo Rocca) for at festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has they’re conceived and developed here, the sets and costumes are Animal Planet, several spots for Verizon, Kit Kat, Disney, and the also danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the built in our shops, and the actors rehearse in our rehearsal hall. Oxygen network. Awards and recognitions: Northern California’s villainous Pierre LeChance on The Guiding Light, and played guitar Whether the production is a Bay Area premiere or a Shakespearean “Shellie”, Drama-Logue, and the S.F. Bay Area’s Critic’s Circle. and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country western bands at all classic, each is devised to be a one of a kind, artistic creation that the notable dives in NYC. will be a unique theatre experience for our audience. Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 20 years. She was OUR SPONSORS What does it mean to be a professional theatre? It means that lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen all our artists and artisans are career theatre-practitioners. Many Fender at The Ballet School. Favorite roles include: Cassie (A Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate of the actors in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Bonnie Jean (Brigadoon), sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts Association; many of our directors and designers are members of Louise (Carousel), Mary Warren (Crucible), Jennie Mae for the past eight years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of professional unions. All do theatre because it is their profession (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A Christmas Carol) Shellie the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital and their passion. Nominee, Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark) and Bonnie (Anything improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously Goes) Choreography credits include: Joseph and the Amazing.., supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is We are very proud to have the opportunity to produce professional Hairspray (BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Line (BATCCA), the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family theatre for our community in the beautiful theatres here at the Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney’s Beauty and The Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just Lesher Center for the Arts. Thank you for your support! Beast. Directing credits include: Joseph and the Amazing.., A as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts. Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Wells Fargo (Production Sponsor) is proud to be the production Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble sponsor of Center REPertory Company’s production of A Christmas Center REPertory Company www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled to be going into her 18th Carol. As the top corporate giver among financial institutions to Managing Director - Scott Denison year of teaching for Center REP’s Young REP Acting Training Bay Area nonprofits, we take pride in supporting programming Program, where she serves as co-director of the Musical Theatre at the Lesher Center for the Arts through a season sponsorship Artistic Director - Michael Butler Program. Jennifer is the Casting Director for Center REPertory with the Diablo Regional Arts Association, the non-profit partner Audience Services Education Company. By day Jennifer is the owner and director of Lareen of the Lesher Center. On behalf of our more than 18,000 Bay Audience Services Education Directors Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts which is home to the Area team members, Wells Fargo recognizes the Diablo Regional Coordinator Jeff Draper Performing Arts Studio. www.theballetschool.org Arts Association for its leadership in making the arts accessible to residents of Contra Costa County. As the oldest and largest Courtney Egg Kerri Shawn Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) has produced music and sound financial services company still headquartered in California, Wells Ticket Office Staff Production for Bay Area theatre for 25 years, including Center REP’s A Fargo has top financial professionals providing business banking, Jeremiah Vierling Production Manager Christmas Carol, Marvelous Party, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, investments, brokerage, trust, mortgage, insurance, commercial Caitlin Downing Jeff Collister Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, Hank Williams Lost Highway, and consumer finance, and much more. Visit with a banker at any Hillary Pearsall Technical Around the World In 80 Days, and The Marriage of Figaro. of our 36 Wells Fargo stores in Contra Costa County to see how Kiersten Jones Technical Director Among his recent work are TheatreWorks’ Big River, Of Mice we can help you become more financially successful. Karla Kopfhammer Joshua Lipps and Men, The Secret Garden, Fly By Night, Superior Donuts Britt Lauer Technical Supervisor and [title of show], American Conservatory Theater’s Clybourne Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) Sadé Robinson Gerald Frentz Park, War Music, The Rainmaker, and The Circle, and California is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Andrea Toney Master Electrician Shakespeare Theatre’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Uncle Vanya, Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s Production Services Ray Oppenheimer Private Lives, An Ideal Husband, and Pericles. Mr. Mockus appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s Production Services Carpenters contributed original music to the west coast premiere of Legacy of role in the community is all about building partnerships with Coordinator Daniel Casini Light, his 70th production for San Jose Repertory Theatre. the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and Toni Kilcoyne Jordan Scott providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through Technical Staff Cameron Swartzell John Earls (Lighting Designer) Spring Awakening, The Lady partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors, with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center Steve Pino Chris Swartzell corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, John Earls Casting Director REP) Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma!, 42nd Street-Shellie Award, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment Michael Arlen Jennifer Perry Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); DRAA On Broadway/Lesher of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org. Arts Center Anniversary; Lesher Speaker Series-Newsmakers; Chris Currie Assistant Stage Manager/ Chevron Family Theatre Festival; ARF-Stars to the Rescue; The Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) In the East Bay, the Scott Dare Props Coordinator Shellie Awards; Rocky Horror Show, Let’s Go To The Movies largest newspaper of the Bay Area News Group is the Contra Costa Garrick Schuster Joe Coe (Town Hall). Thanks to the ACME Theatre Company. Times and its sister editions, the West County Times, Valley Times, Stephen Spleiss Deck Manager San Ramon Valley Times and East County Times. The Times, Josh Stouffer Alex Logemann Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) is an avid San was judged the best newspaper in its circulation category in the Costumes Quartet Manager Francisco Giants fan and is, once again, very proud of the boys state five times in a six-year period by the California Newspaper Costume Manager Barbara Reynolds in black and orange! He has been Production Manager for Center Publishers Association. In 2005, it won the prestigious national Michael A. Berg Production Assistants REP since 1995 and has stage managed more than 45 productions Freedom of Information Award from Associated Press Managing Assistant Costumers Lyle Barrere since starting with the company in 1989. Favorites include Boeing- Editors. And, in 2007, it was honored by the California Newspaper Max Alenson Claire McMahon Boeing, A Number, Almost Heaven – John Denver’s America, Publishers Association for its leadership on public records. Matthew O’Connor Yelyzaveta Tashkevych Becoming Memories, Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera, Marketing John Valentine Godspell, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood and numerous productions Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) Since 1994, the Marketing Director Administration of A Christmas Carol. Jeff directed Center REP’s Xanadu as well Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has awarded grants Gabe Marin Asst. to the Managing Director as Urinetown, The Musical, and Grease for Contra Costa Musical totaling more than $40 million and reaching citizens in all Marketing Assistant Gail Pfeifer Theatre. He worked as Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna parts of Contra Costa County. True to the original wishes of Ariel Ford Program – The Royal Tour in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning Dean and Margaret Lesher, the Foundation continues to build actor and a member of Actors Equity Association. on the strengths of the community by supporting organizations Linda Nomura