Who's Who...

The cast of our 2008 Production of GREASE
 
Kyle Burton Black (Vince Fontaine) is returning to the GRCT stage after being in You Can’t Take it With You as Tony and in Oklahoma! as Dream Curly. Kyle was in Sunday in the Park With George as Louis and The Apple Tree at Circle Theatre, among many others. Kyle also worked for Fox Films in Los Angelos. Kyle is a dance teacher for Ada Dance Academy and works for Landmark Productions as a Film/Video Producer.
 
David Bleckley (Johnny Casino) is making his GRCT debut with Grease. David played the part of the Captain in The Tempest at the University of Michigan Rude Mechanics. During high school, he was The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz and Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. David would like to thank his sister, Elizabeth, who inspired him to get back into theatre.
 

Howie Brown, Jr. (Teen Angel) was last seen on the GRCT stage in the ensemble of Dreamgirls this past fall. Howie also appeared as Dream Curley in Oklahoma!, Hello Dolly, and The Wizard of Oz during High School, and was part of a TV Show called Good Company. “Much love to the cast and crew who helped put the show together!”
 
Joe Carroll (Kenickie) last appeared on the Civic stage as Al in A Chorus Line during the 2006/07 eason. A senior at East Grand Rapids High School, Joe has appeared as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and Barnaby in Hello, Dolly!, and is a member of C.A.R.E. (Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble) in which he has danced principal roles in Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Joe looks forward to attending college to study Musical Theatre. “To the family, without you I wouldn’t do it.”
 

Lisa Catrett (Cha-Cha DiGregorio / Asst. Choreographer) choreographed Junie B. Jones last season with GRCT as well as appearing as Peter in Peter Pan and Diana Morales in A Chorus Line. She has performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at North Shore Music Theatre and Cabaret with Mason Street Warehouse. Lisa is a professor of Dance at Grand Valley State University and is commissioned to choreograph throughout the country.
 

Addison Reid Coe (Danny Zuko) is hand jivin’ his way onto the GRCT stage for the very first time! Addison is a student at Calvin College where he appeared as Judas in Godspell. “I am excited to be with such a talented cast. This being my first time with Civic, I feel honored to get such a role as Danny. I’d like to say thank you to my family and friends. Enjoy the show.”
 

Tyler Davis (Ensemble) is returning in his 7th show with the Civic Theatre having recently appeared in Oklahoma!, Peter Pan, and A Chorus Line. Other GRCT credits include The Wizard of Oz, Scrooge, and Cinderella. Tyler also appeared in Oliver! and Pippin with Circle Theatre, Side Show with Actors’ Theatre, and Coppelia with Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble.

 
 
Zach Flood (Ensemble) is performing with GRCT for the first time. A student at East Grand Rapids High School, Zach has performed as Perchick in Fiddler on the Roof, Angelo in Comedy of Errors, and in the ensemble of Beauty & the Beast. Zach has danced with C.A.R.E. in The Carnival of Animals, and is part of the Madrigals at East. “I want to thank my parents for letting me quit basketball and baseball to do theatre.”
 

Stephen Grzybowski (Doody) is a veteran to the Civic stage, having performed as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Don in A Chorus Line, and many others. Stephen was nominated for two Grand Awards for his performances as Jonathan in Tick, Tick… BOOM, and The Boss in Sideshow (both with Actors’ Theatre). He also performed as LeFou in Beauty & the Beast at Circle Theatre and as Frank N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show at GVSU. “Thanks to my friends and family for their constant support and love.”
 
Ashley Hehrer (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing for the very first time with the Civic Theatre! Ashley attends Grand Valley State University and graduated from West Catholic High School where she appeared as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Dream Laurey in Oklahoma!, Lady Luck in Guys and Dolls, and the Nightengale in Once Upon a Mattress. Ashley has also performed in the Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker for ten years.
 

Stephen Hohendorf (Eugene Florczyk) is “geeked” to appear in his 13th show at GRCT! Most recent productions include Peter Pan and A Chorus Line. Stephen played Nathan for a year in a touring company of The Full Monty. A senior at Catholic Central High School, he played Gavroche in Les Miserables, King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar and Jack in Into the Woods. Other credits include The Apple Tree with Circle Theatre and Trance at Actors’ Theatre. Stephen looks forward to college where he’ll study Musical Theatre.
 
Justine A. Klein (Frenchy) is thrilled to be back on the Civic stage having appeared in The Music Man and Gypsy. With Circle Theatre, Justine appeared as Celeste 2 in Sunday in the Park with George, Ishmael in Moby Dick! The Musical and Belle in Beauty & the Beast for which she received a Grand Award Nomination. Other credits include Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors at Holland Civic Theatre and Squeaky Fromme in Assassins at Actors’ Theatre. “Thanks to my family and friends for supporting me and putting up with my big mouth!”
 

Sarah LaJoye (Betty Rizzo) last appeared with the Civic Theatre in Junie B. Jones, last Spring. She was also in The Music Man, and Ragtime with the Civic Theatre. Other credits include Miranda in The Tempest, Sympathy in Arabian Nights, Brandi in Brunch the Musical, and Alcyone in Metamorphoses, for which she received a Grand Award for the Outstanding Ensemble. Sarah choreographs locally for Rogers High School and Hastings High School, and is stage manager for the Miss Spirit of the State Pageant. She Is also on the faculty of GRCT’s School of Theatre Arts.
 
Kirk Lannon (Roger) is jumping into another production at GRCT, having just completed The Sound of Music. He also appeared in The Music Man. At Rockford High School, he appeared in The Music Man, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and numerous other musicals. Kirk will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to perform at the Kennedy Center with the Grand Rapids Community College Choir in the spring. He would like to thank his family and friends for inspiring him to perform.
 

Davin Lepisto (Ensemble) is making his GRCT debut with Grease. He appeared as Sid Sawyer in Tom Sawyer and as Little Jake in Annie Get Your Gun at the Darke County Civic Theatre. “I would like to thank my family and friends for all of their support.”

 
Mary Little (Ensemble) is returning to the Civic stage after engaging audiences as Liesl in The Sound of Music and as Wendy in last season’s Peter Pan. She is a junior at Forest Hills Central where she appeared as an Indian in Peter Pan and as Belle in the Summerstock production of Beauty and the Beast. Other credits include The Apple Tree and Hansel and Gretl at Circle Theatre. Mary would like to thank her family and Michael for being so supportive.
 

Brian Martin (Ensemble) is no stranger to GRCT having just appeared as Rolf in The Sound of Music and last season’s Oklahoma! and A Chorus Line. Other Civic credits include The Music Man, Ragtime, Velveteen Rabbit, Peter Pan (’01), Stuart Little, Scrooge (‘99), and Free to Be You and Me. Brian was also seen in Moby Dick! The Musical at Circle Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Rogers High School where he is currently a senior. Brian is currently Associate Director Penolope Notter’s intern. He looks forward to receive a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre during College.
 

Luis Pellecer, Jr. (Sonny) is making his GRCT debut with Grease. Other credits include Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander and The Glass Menagerie at Spectrum Theatre with GRCC Players. He would like to thank his family and girlfriend.

 
 

Jenny Peters (Patty Simcox) is returning to the GRCT stage after playing Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and Judy in A Chorus Line last season. She was seen as Graziella in West Side Story with Opera Grand Rapids. She has also performed in Pippin at Circle Theatre, The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music with the Cherry County Playhouse and in the Royal Hanneford Circus in Muskegon. Jenny is a Dance Major at GVSU. Her past training credits include work at Spotlight Dance Company and a contestant of The Miss Michigan Scholarship Program.
 

Jenna Pope (Ensemble) is returning to the GRCT stage having appeared in Gypsy, The Wizard of Oz (’00 and ’05), Ragtime, Scrooge, Cinderella and The Velveteen Rabbit. A sophomore at Forest Hills Central High School, Jenna has appeared as Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music, and in Beauty & the Beast and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Forest Hills Summerstock. “This is for the O-5, and Sisterhood Girls – thanks!”
 
Kelly Ryder (Sandy Dumbrowski) is a junior at GVSU studying Public Relations and Dance. She is returning to the GRCT stage after appearing in Oklahoma! Kelly has worked at Cedar Point Amusement Park and performed at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. She has appeared in productions at Ludington High School including as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls and as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, and at West Shore Community College, including productions of The Music Man and To Kill a Mockingbird. Kelly would like to thank her family for their love and support!
 
Sharon E. Sprague (Miss Lynch) is making her GRCT debut in Grease! Having performed in over 26 musicals since the age of five, Sharon’s most memorable roles were Maria in West Side Story and Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie with the Historic Ironwood Theatre. She also starred in Hecuba with CMU and performed in Dreamgirls at WMU where she studied musical theatre performance. Sharon is an award winning copywriter having worked for both Disney and Universal Studios. She is also a voice talent, and creator of the comic strip Pep! Currently, Sharon is the senior copywriter for The Image Group in Holland.
 
Chelsea Michelle Swanderski (Ensemble) is returning to the GRCT stage after being in A Chorus Line as Maggie and in Oklahoma! She was seen in The Apple Tree and Pippin at Circle Theatre and was Tricia in Dog Sees God at Actors’ Theatre. Chelsea is a special education major at GVSU. She would like to thank her amazing Dad for all of his support and lots of love to her Billy!
 
Jana Veldheer (Marty) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Grease. Previous GRCT credits include A Chorus Line and Gypsy, among others. She has appeared with GRCC in numerous shows, and was nominated for a Grand Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her work in Fortinbras. Jana has worked both onstage as well as backstage at many theaters in town, as well as spending two summers with Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck. She is one of the cofounders of The Theatre Project, which produce I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! Nunsense, and Forever Plaid at The BOB. “Thanks to the A’s (always), Mom & Dad, and to Tim!”
 
Adam Wager (Ensemble) appeared in The Little Princess as Ram Das and Sleepy Hollow as Bram Bones at Allendale Civic Theatre, as well as Into The Woods as the Baker at the Charlevoix High School of the Performing Arts. Adam is employed with the Charlevoix Police Department. He would like to dedicate this performance to his High School Theatre Teacher.
 
Hanna Wagner (Jan) is a stylist at the Edge Salon, and a free lance make-up artist. With the support of the co-workers, she returns to the stage. She last appeared in Sweeney Todd at GRCT. She has been the stage manager for numerous productions at Circle Theatre, including Chicago, Honk, Pippin, Into the Woods, and Beehive! “I would like to thank the A’s, Matt and the rest of the family and friends. This performance is dedicated to my biggest fans, my Grandma and Mom.”
 
Katie Wilson (Ensemble) is returning to the GRCT stage, having been in The Wizard of Oz and Oklahoma! She appeared in Beauty & the Beast, The King and I, and 42nd Street with Grand Rapids Christian High School. She is an ensemble member of the Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble, with lead roles in Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.