Nancy Dodge (Bag Lady, Little Old Lady, Ensemble) is making her GRCT debut with The Producers. She has appeared in Broadway Revue as a chorus girl for Fig Theater Company in Dallas, Texas. She was involved with Oberlin College Chorus as well as Oberlin Radio Theatre. Aside from being a singer, actress, mother, and wife, she is also very talented at amateur clowning. GRCT is very excited to be welcoming a new face to as well as new talent to their stage.

Michael Doriean (Roger De Bris) is appearing on GRCT’s stage for the first time, though he currently serves on the Board of Directors. He has appeared in various other shows with many other theatres including Scrooge(Scrooge), Company(Bobby), and RSVP Jerome Kern, an original review with the Bay City Players. With the MCFA, Michael played Will Parker in Oklahoma! and was in Side by Side by Sondheim. For his portrayal of Albin in La Cage Aux Folles with Riverwalk Theatre, Michael received an award for Best Actor in a Musical and People’s Choice Award for Best Actor. His professional credits include King Sexitmus in Once Upon a Matress with Peachtree Theatre, as well as An Evening with Maya Angelous with Fox Theatre, both in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael has also appeared in the film Project Sites as Robert. This is Michael’s 78th show working as an actor, director or set designer. He would like to dedicate this performance to Patricia Ankney who passed away in January: For casting me in my first show and being an inspiration. “Thanks Miss Pat.” Michael would also like to thank his partner Mike, his family and his friends.

Ellie Gramer (Ulla Inga Hansen Bensen Yonsen Tallen-Hallen Svaden-Svanson + her last name) last performed at Civic in Music Man as a chorus member in 2006, and is very glad to be back on the Civic stage again. Some of her theatre credits include: her work with Circle Theatre as Nancy in Oliver! (which garnered her a Lead Actress Grand Award in 2007), Frida/Betty in Sunday In The Park With George, Esta in Moby Dick! The Musical, Renata/Ens in Nine, and chorus in Beauty & The Beast and Pippin. She was last seen as Mrs. Walker in Tommy at Circle Theatre last summer. With Actors’ Theatre she was given the chance to play a life-changing role as Siamese twin, Violet Hilton, opposite her best friend and sister Cici, in Side Show. Also she served as an ensemble member in Evita at Mason Street Warehouse theatre. “Thanks to: My parents and brothers for all their support; the Judis/The Chotches; my little Lola for just being; the midnight society; Duane Davis for being an amazing vocal coach and like a second Dad to me; Robert Darling for being there when I need him; and to Cici thanx Susan… you are my hero and my inspiration.”

Liz Groen (Usherette, Follies Girl, Ensemble) is also making her GRCT debut in The Producers!  Liz has been in many shows at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. Among her favorites are Dr. Saltzer in Plague of Angels (Dr, Saltzer), Quite in the Land (Hannah Bauman), Six Impossible Things before Breakfast (Alice), and many other roles in several shows. Liz was the Costume Mistress for You Can’t Take it With You. GRCT is very happy to have Liz performing on our stage!

Jordon Hudson (Leo Bloom) is excited to be on the Civic stage for the first time appearing in The Producers. He is a regular at both Circle and Actors’ Theatre with some of his favorite roles including: Phil in The Wild Party and Czolgosz in Assassins at Actors; Uncle Ernie in Tommy and Malcom in The Full Monty at Circle; as well as many more! Jordon has directed Clue: The Musical for the East Kentwood Alumni Performers. He also co-choreographed for Rogers High School and Heritage Theatre. “Thank you to my family and to my Jeremy for loving me!”

Kathie Johnson (Lick Me, Bite Me, Follies Girl, Ensemble) is a familiar face to the Civic stage having appeared in last season’s The Sound of Music as Sister Berthe, as well as appearing in Junie B. Jones, Oklahoma! and The Music Man. Other community theatre credits include Esther the Musical with Jewish Theatre, Artspeaks! with Forest Hills, and several shows with theatres in Chicago. Kathie has worked as a costumer for GRCT’s Summer Repertory Theatre, West Michigan Youth Ballet Company, Jewish Theatre’s 2009 season, and also designed the mascot for Caledonia High School’s Fighting Scots. Her favorite costumes are costume animals, especially the Cow and Wolf costumes for GRCT’s Summer Repertory production of Into the Woods Jr., and the upcoming horse.

Travis C. Knoll (Accountant, Stagehand, Ensemble) has returned to the Civic again after his run in A Wonderful Life as Bert/Men Ensemble and 1776 as the Leather Apron. He has appeared in numerous productions elsewhere, including Neil Tilden in 1940’s Radio Hour, the title role in Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Herald in Cinderella, Lun Tha in The King & I, Sasha in Fiddler on the Roof, and Simon in Cotton Patch Gospel. He also appeared as The Boss in Side Show and as Lefou in Beauty and the Beast. Travis was also a Tenor soloist in the Muskegon Chorale’s performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Daniel Krause (Accountant, Officer O’Rourke, Ensemble) is happy to be back at the Civic Theatre after performing in 1776 as the Courier and well as Disney’s High School Musical as Troy Bolton for its Summer Repertory Theater. Dan is a member of the School of Theater Arts here at GRCT, where he was a part of the Pirate Ship Players. He recently graduated from East Kentwood High School, where he was a part of the theater program.

 

Sarah LaJoye (Usherette, Follies Girl, Ensemble) has a BA in Theatre from Michigan State University, where she was seen in many productions, including Evita and Vanities, and many more productions. Previously, she has performed on the GRCT stage in Grease (Rizzo), Junie B. Jones (Mrs.), Music Man, and Ragtime. Locally she has performed with Circle Theatre in Tommy (Mrs. Simpson), with Actors’ Theatre in The Wild Party (Ruby) and A Man of No Importance (Adele), and also with Heritage Theatre Group and Aquinas College. “Thanks to Civic Theatre. Love always to my family and my Nick!”

Shane Michael Lynn (Accountant, Kevin-Roger’s Team, Ensemble) Shane is making his GRCT debut in The Producers! Shane has appeared at Holland Civic Theatre in You’re a good man Charlie Brown (Snoopy), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander), Cinderella (Prince Charming), and Godspell (Jeffrey). He also appeared in many shows in West Ottawa High School including Once Upon A Mattress, Anything Goes, Get Your Gun, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Shane is also a trained dancer.

Edward Jay Nelson (Mr. Marks, Scott-Roger’s Team, Ensemble) GRCT is very excited to have Edward back on stage. Ed has been involved with many plays at Civic, twenty of them to be exact! His first show with GRCT was A Flea in Her Ear in 1992. He is very involved with GRCT’s Summer Repertory Theatre as well as Traveling Troupe. He is also an instructor for Civic’s School of Theatre Arts. Ed has appeared at Jewish Theatre, Circle Theatre, Madame Babe’s, Ladies Literary Club, and Actor’s Theatre. Ed was last seen on stage at Wealthy Theatre in the critically acclaimed Jack and The Beanstalk by Charles Lloyd Productions.

Kallie Pershon (First Nighter, Follies Girl, Ensemble) is making The Producers her eighth show with us at the Civic Theatre, appearing first in Trixie True Teen Detective, and most recently in A Wonderful Life as Ruth Reynolds/Womens Ensemble. She also appeared in Scrooge: The Musical, Cinderella, Wizard of Oz (’00) and Oklahoma! (’07) at Civic Theatre. Her other stage credits include Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat as the Narrator with Central Park Players, Rocky Horror Picture Show as Janet with the Flat River Community Players, and The Who’s Tommy with Circle Theatre. Kallie has also appeared in the movie “Broken” which was produced by Landmark Productions.

Keith Rikli (Accountant, Sgt. O’Brien, Ensemble) is welcomed back to the Civic stage for this production of The Producers. Keith has also appeared onstage as Mr. Martini/Bob Hepner/Ensemble in A Wonderful Life, Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music (‘07) and backstage as the Stage Manger for the Summer Repertory Theatre’s Alice.  He is no stranger in the Grand Rapids area, as he’s appeared in The Tempest (Sebastian) and Lion in Winter (Geoffrey) at Heritage Theatre; Steamship Quanza (Tom McPherson) with Jewish Theatre; and Sleeper (Ensemble) with the GRCC Players. Keith was a member of the Student Theatre Arts Guild for Entertainers (S.T.A.G.E.) at Grand Valley State University and has studied acting at The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts.

Eva Switek (Hold Me/Touch Me, Ensemble) For the last 25 years Eva has been involved in every theatre in the area, and she has proudly earned the title of Veteran Theatre Performer. Some of her favorites include A Chorus Line (Diana), Cinderella (Stepmother), Annie (Miss Hannigan), Wizard of Oz (The Wicked Witch of the West), all at Civic. Other favorites are Tony and Tina’s Wedding, Beauty and the Beast, and Six Woman with Brain Death. Eva would like to thank her husband, Daniel for his constant love and support in all her endeavors.

Steven Taber (Franz Liebkind) first appeared on the Civic Theatre stage in Journey’s End in 1975. Favorite productions at Civic include Oklahoma!, Gypsy, A Year with Frog and Toad, The Foreigner (‘96), and Black Comedy. He is a charter member of Actors’ Theatre, appearing in their first season in Who’s Life is It Anyway? Favorite shows at Actors’ include Fifth of July, A Man of No Importance, Pacific Overtures, and both productions of Assasins, one of which earned a Grand Award nomination, and many others. At Actors’ Theatre, he has directed many shows including Lone Star, Tomfoolery, and T-Bone and Weasel. Steve is currently a member of the Actors’ Theatre Board of Directors. He has acted in and directed many shows for Circle Theatre, Heritage Theatre and Jewish Theatre of Grand Rapids as well. In 2007, he was nominated for an Emmy for editing “Come On Over”; a children’s television show co-produced by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Special Thanks and Love to Pegeen Jefchak and Irene Mead. And in special memory of Paul Hufstader.

Adam Wager (Accountant, Bryan-Roger’s Team, Ensemble) Adam is back on the GRCT stage after last appearing in Grease in 2008. Adam has performed in many shows ranging from high school to college. At Charlevoix High School he played The Baker in Into The Woods, Uncle Max in The Sound of Music, and Jesus in Godspell. While Adam was in High School, he made it to the state competition for Storytelling in Forensics. He has also appeared in The Little Princess and Sleepy Hollow at Allendale Civic Theatre. Adam is now a Senior at Grand Valley State University, and is majoring in Elementary Education.

Hannah Wagner (Shirley-Roger’s Team, Little Old Lady, Ensemble) 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 was last seen as Jan in Grease 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 two of my biggest fans, my Grandma, and Mom.

James Wallington (Accountant, Sabu, Ensemble) was last seen on the GRCT stage as Mr. Carter in A Wonderful Life, and is delighted to be back. Other Civic shows include: GRCT Summer Repertory’s production of High School Musical in which he played a Jock. He also is a member of the Civic Theatre’s School of Theatre Arts, where he has taken acting classes. He is a 2007 graduate from Forest Hills Central where he performed in over a dozen shows which include: Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music and School House Rock Live. James is currently in his final semester at GRCC and hopes to go out West to pursue his film and television dreams as well as a communications degree. In his spare time he also works as an extra in films. His credits include “Miss January” and an Untitled HBO pilot. He’d like to thank God, his family and friends for their continuous love and support, as well as the audience for coming out to see this production.

Katie Wilson (First Nighter, Follies Girl, Ensemble) is welcomed back on stage after last appearing in A Wonderful Life as a part of the Ensemble. We thank Katie for serving as the Dance Captain for this production. Her first show with the Civic was the Wizard of Oz (’05) and she also appeared in Oklahoma! and Grease with us. Katie has been cast in lead roles for Sleeping Beauty as well as Carnival of the Animals with Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble. During her high school years, she frequented the stage as well, performing in 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, and The King and I.

Darla Wortley (Nun, Kiss Me/Feel Me, Accordianist, Ensemble) is a current member of the Opera Grand Rapids chorus with whom she has performed several operas. Her most prominent role was the Mother in Madama Butterfly. Some of her many theatrical roles include pit singer and Ozian in Wizard of Oz and Mrs. Paroo in Music Man at Civic; and Hegai in Esther, the Musical at Jewish Theatre for which she recieved a Grand Award nomination. Darla recieved a Grand Award for her role of Mother Abbess in Sound of Music at the Civic. ‘Thanks to Rebecca for all your support!”

Brendan Van Stee (Carmin Ghia, Drunk, Stormtrooper) GRCT is very happy to welcome Brendan back to the stage. Brendan has appeared in Annie Get your Gun (1990), Ragtime (2004), and Really Rosie (1991) at Civic. He has been in many professional theatre performances including West Side Story at Cherry County Playhouse, The World Goes Round at Bijou Orchestra, and Forever Plaid with The Theatre Project at The Bob. He has appeared in The Wild Party, Side Show, Urinetown “The Musical,” at Actors Theatre; Tommy, Secret Garden, Passion, and Gypsy at Circle Theatre. Brendan thanks his partner George for putting up with his ever-changing life.

Tom Zainea (Max Bialystock) Tom’s work with the Civic Theatre dates back to the Leonard Street location in 1976. Audiences may remember him as Col. Jessup in A Few Good Men, Tito in Lend Me A Tenor, and many other plays like Inspecting Carol, I’m Not Rappaport, City of Angels, and Rumors. Highlights at other local theatres include the Circle Theatre, where you saw his sensitive side as Alfred in Romance, Romance, and at Actors Theatre, where you saw his crazy side as Charles Guiteau in Assassins. Beyond Grand Rapids; four summers at Alpena’s Thunder Bay Theatre, Cherry County Playhouse, and Indy’s Beef ‘n Boards. On a whim, he took a chance and left for the NYC market in 1995. Principal roles in six National Tours covering all fifty states followed, including The Sound of Music, Damn Yankees, Titanic, and the award winning Broadway revival tour of 1776. Some favorite comic turns include Clem Rogers in Will Rogers’ Follies for Phoenix’s Broadway Palm West, General Schmitz in Suessical The Musical at Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Theatre, with a few stops at New York’s Artpark, Philadelphia’s Media Theatre, and the entire West Virginia Public Theatre 2004 season. A proud member of AEA, Tom recently played Jacob Marley in Michel Legrand’s musical version of A Christmas Carol at Illinois’ Little Theatre on the Square, and Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof at Wisconsin’s Fireside Dinner Theatre. Currently back in Grand Rapids, his 12 years in NYC also included Off-Off Broadway appearances, as well as voices for Heineken, Web MD, and Exxon Mobil. In addition to the stage, Tom also publishes and writes the blog TZO Magazine.