OUR TOWN

Cast Bios

Dave Benson (Mr. Webb) is making his GRCT debut in Our Town, but is no stranger to Theatre. Dave’s performed in When Our Hearts Were Young at Rockford High School and has also been involved in community theatre throughout the years in Wally Webb with Rockford Community Theatre and Constable Warren with GRJC.

Jerry Borths (Howie Newsome) is appearing again on the Civic stage after last being in Moon Over Buffalo. He has also performed with Circle Theatre in Alice in Wonderland and Inherit the Wind with Heritage Theatre. Jerry has appeared with Vista Theatre in Negaunee, MI in Noises Off, Brigadoon, Greater Tuna, and Greater Tuna Christmas.

Sherryl Despres (Mrs. Webb) is no stranger to theatre in Grand Rapids. She has previously appeared with Civic in Amadeus, The Real Thing, Jack & the Giant Beanstalk, Dearly Departed, The Women, You Can’t Take It With You, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Miracle Worker and Bunnicula. Sherryl has worked with almost every theatre group in the greater Grand Rapids area, most recently as Diane in The Little Dog Laughed for Actor’s Theatre last spring and as Mama in Cornerstone University’s production of Night Mother. Ms. Despres is a Grand Award winner for her performance in Jewish Theatre’s Lost In Yonkers. “Thanks to Jon & Michael for encouraging me to audition for this show!”

Matt Dixon (George Gibbs) is back on stage at the Civic after appearing in the 2009 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has performed at several theatres and has also been involved behind the scenes, with Town Square Players and Woodstock Musical Theater Company in Woodstock, Illinois. Matt was also a member of the University of Illinois Xtension Chords a cappella group.

Frances Gentile (Lady in the Box/ 2nd Dead Woman) is debuting as an actor here at GRCT but has been an active member backstage. She has stage managed Brighten Beach Memoirs, The Middle Ages, Educating Rita, and You Can’t Take It With You. She has also done many other shows with Jewish Theatre and Heritage Theatre.

Chelsea Herrema (Emily Webb) is no stranger to the Civic stage, having performed in Cinderella (09’) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as Joseph’s betrothed, last season. She has also been in Circle Theatre’s production of Annie. Other credits include Les Miserables, Ruddigore, The Music Man, The Laramie Project, Be My Baby, and Romeo and Juliet. “Special thanks to Rob, Mom and Dad, and the rest of my fan club of friends and family, for your encouragement and support.”

Alec Juarez (Wally Webb) is currently a Freshman at Forest Hills Central High School. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts and has made his mainstage debut in Nate the Great and also served as a crew member for Bunnicula. He played the titacular role in Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine with Thebes Players in Lowell. He was featured in Blind Date, and GVSU film project. This year he received the Ranantra Fusca Team Award FHC Odyssey of The Mind and competed in the World Finals for Odyssey of The Mind.

Teri Kuhlman (Mrs. Gibbs) is thrilled to be playing her first dramatic role in a straight play the Civic. No stranger to the stage however, she has previously appeared with the Civic in The Music Man, Cinderella, and Wizard of Oz. Other area credits include Sideshow and Kiss of the Spiderwoman with Actor’s Theatre, and Circle Theatre’s Oliver! She was a Theatre major at Kalamazoo College and recipient of GRCT’s 2007 Kopka Award. “This one’s for you Dad!”

Joe LaChapelle (Simon Stimson) is thrilled to be returning to the Civic stage having a successful resume previously accomplished through the West Michigan area. Noted performances include To Kill a Mockingbird, Sound of Music, Camelot, You Can’t Take It With You, Winnie the Pooh, Anne of Green Gables, and various others with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Professional credits include KMAR Productions and appearances at the Wealthy Theatre. He received a Grand Award for Best Supporting Actor for Actor’s Theatre in The Exonerated.

Jon March (Stage Manager) returns to Grover’s Corners for the first time since 1960. He first played George Gibbs in Ann Arbor High School’s Production of Our Town, a role that started his lifelong interest in the theatre. Jon has been in numerous Civic Theatre productions, most recently in last season’s Moon Over Buffalo and is a past recipient of the GRCT Mitchell Award. Jon wants to thank Mary Ann, the “white haired lady, who has been by his side” for 44 years, and as she points out, has cooked most of the 50,000 meals that they have eaten together.

Hannah Melton (Rebecca Gibbs) is happy to return to the Civic Stage! Now a sophomore at Caledonia High School, she last appeared in Civic’s 2004 production of Scrooge. Since then she has been in 10 shows -- favorites include The Secret Garden at GVSU where she portrayed the lead role of Mary Lennox, and It’s a Wonderful Life at CHS where she played the female lead, Mary Bailey. Hannah has also performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC and the Blue Lake International Choir. She enjoys singing, the piano, playing lacrosse and spending time with loved ones. Hannah would like to thank Bruce for this great opportunity, her family and friends for their love & support and God for all of her gifts.

Larry Melton (Dr. Gibbs) is performing in his first GRCT show, his favorite play since 8th grade, Our Town. His involvement in theatre began last summer when his daughters were both performing on stage. Larry has performed at Caledonia Community Theatre in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, BFG and Children of Eden. “Thanks to the never-ending support of my family and friends, but most importantly my wife Karen.”

Todd Osbeck (Prof. Willard/Joe Stoddard) made his Civic Theatre debut with Equus (78’). Following that he appeared in 1776. His favorite credits around town include, Inherit the Wind and The Drunkard with Heritage Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Circle Theatre, and Fiddler on the Roof with Jewish Theatre.

Karan Petkus (Woman in the Balcony/1st Dead Woman) made her Civic Theatre debut in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (06’). From there she has been seen in The Sound of Music as well as Willy Wonka. With Circle Theatre she has appeared in the premiere of Alice in Wonderland. “I would like to thank Bruce and Dirk for this opportunity and my wonderful family for their support.”

Michael Phelps (Sam Craig/Baseball Player) after beginning his newfound hobby in local church skits and movies. Michael has been a student of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts and made 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 at Master Arts Theatre, and at Heritage Theatre, Inherit the Wind. “I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support.”

Mike Roberts (Constable Warren) is excited to be performing again at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre after appearing in You Can’t Take It With You, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Odd Couple. He has also been in several shows at Master Arts Theatre, including Solid Gold Cadillac, Curious Savage, and Father of the Bride.

Kitty Slasinski (Martha Foster) is a member of GRCT’s acting school and is excited to make her mainstage debut. Other credits within the Grand Rapids area include Heritage Theatre’s recent production of Inherit the Wind as Mrs. Krabs.

Alex Steinbrenner (Man in the Audience/Baseball/1st Dead Man) is making his debut to the Civic stage in Our Town. Alex has been involved in many community theatre productions. He graduated from Rockford High School in 07’ and is currently attending Grand Rapids Community College as a Theatre Major. He was the recipient of the Deb Chamberlain Scholarship Award in 2008 and was on the Dean’s List in the 2008-2009 school year.

Elly Stevens (Mrs. Soames) is returning to the Civic stage after playing in Dearly Departed (03’). Other GRCT credits include Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse and Music Man. She has been in multiple other shows throughout the West Michigan area.

Paul Tierney (Joe Crowell) is excited to make his mainstage debut in Our Town. Other area credits include Circle Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland, Children’s Creations’ Robin Hood and the film Rodney. He is also a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts.