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Cast Bios

Steven J. Anderson (Elwood P. Dowd) was first seen in Dracula in the early 80s on the Civic stage. Since then he’s been in Twelve Angry Men and Crossing Delancey. He also received Grand Awards for his performances in Devour the Snow at Heritage Theatre and Opus at Actor’s Theatre.

Dave Benson (E.J. Lofgren, Cab Driver) is making his return to the Civic stage after having last been seen last season in both Our Town and Charlotte’s Web. Dave would like to dedicate his performance to Joe Lachappelle.

Mary Ann Heinen (Betty Chumley) is making her return to the Civic Stage after her appearances in Diary of Anne Frank and Charlotte’s Web. Mary Ann has also been in many shows at Master Arts Theatre including Quilters, Little Princess, Little Women, and Things We Couldn’t Say. Mary Ann has also performed with Jewish Theatre in Women’s Minion. Thanks to Penny for this opportunity, and to Jack for all your support.

Dennis Hess (Judge Omar Gaffney) Is making his return to the Civic Stage after having last appeared in 1776. Dennis has also been seen in Waiting in the Wings, and the Miracle Worker at Civic. His other local credits include Dr. Watson in, The Hound of Baskervilles, and Hal in ‘Til Death do Us Part with Flat River Community Players. Dennis also participates in the Schubert Male Chorus, where he sings first tenor.

Rebekah Hughes (Ruth Kelly,R.N.) made her Civic debut in this season’s Night of the Living Dead. She has also been seen as Heddy Larue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Rebekah’s other credits include Lady Monley-Prowe in Something Afoot, Hildy Johnson in His girl Friday, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Grand Award Nomination), and Rachel Lynde in Anne of Green Gables, for which she received a Grand Award, all with Cornerstone University.

Emily Nichols (Miss Johnson, Maid) is excited to make her Civic theatre debut in Harvey. She is has been very involved with Caledonia Community Players for the past three years where she received a scholarship for her volunteering. She has done six shows on and off the stage at CCP with her favorite role being Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka. She currently studies English and theatre at GRCC. She would like to thank Penny and Jason for making her one line role into an actual character. She would also like to thank her Mom, ‘I would have never made it this far without you, I love you, Mama.’

Grace Perkins (Myrtle Mae Simmons) is returning to the Civic stage after having appeared in last season’s Charlotte’s Web. Grace has also been seen in High School Musical 2, Tales of Molly Malloy, Alice, and The Adventures of Nate the Great at the Civic. When she is not onstage Grace is often found backstage, she has been a dresser/deck crew for Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Willy Wonka, and most recently The Wizard of Oz as Deck Captain, and Props Mistress. She has received both the 750+ hours and the 500+hours service awards for her volunteer work here at the Civic. Grace’s other local credits include Master Art’s Theatre’s Meet Me in St. Louis, The Homecoming, and I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Grace is also currently a student at GRCC. She would like to thank her family, especially her mom, for all their support, but most importantly she would to thank her lord and Savior.

Michael Phelps (Duane Wilson) is making his return to the Civic stage after having appeared in last season’s production of Our Town, after beginning his newfound hobby in local church skits and movies. Michael was a student of the of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts and his theatre debut in Civic’s rendition of The Foreigner in 2008. Since then he has been in Death by Chocolate and I Remember Mama as Master Arts Theatre, and at Heritage Theatre, Inherit the Wind. “I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support.”

Elly Stevens (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet) was first seen in Dearly Departed in 2004 here at Civic. Since then she’s been in Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse, Music Man, and Our Town with Civic. She has also been a part of Wedding of the Year, On Golden Pond, and Moon Over Buffalo for Thebes in Lowell. Other credits include, Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, Anne of Green Gables, and Crazy For You with Traverse City’s Olde Town playhouse. This is Elly’s third onstage role in which her character’s name has been Ethel. When not onstage, Elly volunteers in Civic’s costume shop.

Rob Thomasma (William R. Chumley, M.D.) is no stranger to the civic stage having just recently been seen as Auto Frank in last season’s Diary of Anne Frank (Grand Award Nomination), and in this season’s 12 angry Men. Rob’s first show with Civic was The Wizard of Oz in the 1960s. Since then he has been seen in, Dearly Departed, Hello Dolly, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Oliver. His other local credits include, Mack and Mable, Sweeney Todd, Arsenic and Old Lace, Sunday in the Park with George, Boys from Syracuse and Jeffery. Rob has received Circle Theatre’s Norma Brink Award, and A Grand Award for special service and Actors Theatre’s ”backstage award.”

Nancy Wagner (Veta Louise Simmons) is delighted to be performing for the 4th time on the Civic stage. Audiences may remember her in Oklahoma! as Aunt Eller, in Cinderella as The Fairy Godmother, and in the title role of last season’s Hello, Dolly! She has also appeared locally at Actors’ Theatre of Grand Rapids in Rabbit Hole and The Clean House and in Circle Theatre’s Sunday in the Park with George. Last summer she performed at Hope Summer Repertory in I Remember Mama! In addition to numerous theatrical roles in Minneapolis, Chicago and Los Angeles, her television credits include Home Improvement with Tim Allen, and Carol & Company with Carol Burnett. Nancy holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Iowa and a BFA in Theatre from the University of Evansville, and teaches Acting and Voice & Movement at Grand Rapids Community College, Cornerstone University and at the Theatre School at Civic. She has been accredited as a Practitioner by the Arthur Lessac Training and Research Institute for Voice, Movement and Acting, and is a proud member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA), as well as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). “Thanks, Penny, for trusting me once again; and thanks, Liz, for blazing the Veta trail so well!”

Joe Worth (Lyman Sanderson, M.D.) debuted to the Civic stage in Anything Goes in 1993. Other Civic shoes Joe has been a part of are A Few Good Men, Diary of Anne Frank, and Night of the Living Dead. Joe has been in Kiss of the Spider Woman at Actor’s Theatre, and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Chess at Circle Theatre. He also teaches classes here at Civic Theatre, as well as 2nd grade for GRPS. Thanks R.B. for all your support.