Charles Norman Carter (Bobo) makes his debut on the Civic Theatre stage in this production. A native of Metairie Louisiana, Charles sang with his brothers in a group called the Carters’ 5 and worked on the lighting crew for Lettice & Courage for LePetit (New Orleans). Charles works at Clark Retirement Community and enjoys singing, writing, acting and directing in his spare time.

 

Koi Dickerson (Walter Lee Younger) last appeared on the Civic Stage in Fences as Gabriel. He also appeared at Actors’ Theatre in Blues for an Alabama Sky (Leland). Koi is also a producer and director, creating projects like Motown Revue for Wealthy Theatre. The Owner of KC & Sons Hauling/Maintenance, he was also a Project Director for “Generation Why?” and would like to state that he is an eligible bachelor. Koi is happy for this opportunity and states, “This performance is dedicated to my family. This proves that the sky is truly the limit, and to Augie, Jugie and Cinnamon I say “Never stop trying and don’t give up! Set your goals and take hold of your dreams. ‘Hope deferred’ doesn’t have to be the end of the story.”

Brandon Huddleston (Travis Younger) is a sixth grade student at Forest Hills Central Woodlands. This is his premier on the Civic Theatre stage. Brandon was previously seen as an announcer in I Need a Vacation at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. Brandon’s favorite pastimes include listening to music, skating, acting, hanging with friends and sledding.

 

Melita Travis Johnson (Lena Younger) first played the role of Lena Younger for Master Arts Theatre in 2002. Among Melita’s memorable performances are, Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird and in the Ensemble of Ragtime for Civic Theatre; Miss Emma in A Lesson Before Dying and Miss Leah in Flying West for Actors Theatre. Melita is the Director of Inclusion at Encompass, LLC. She would like to dedicate this performance to her late mother, a true matriarch, Bernice Travis Robinson.

 

Ruth Ann Molenaar (Ruth Younger) is a GR area theatre veteran. Her Civic credits include: Ms. Morgan and Ensemble in Dreamgirls and A Chorus Line (’87). Ruth Ann’s other area credits include Runaways for Heritage Theatre Group, Minnie Martinelli in Bingo-The Musical and Sonja in Godspell at Circle; and several productions for Robeson Players including The Colored Museum. “Thanks to all my family and friends (particularly my wonderful son, Leandro) for their support.”

 

Ken Parrish (Karl Lindner) is thrilled to be back on the Civic stage with this production. His other appearance for Civic Theatre was as Mr. Kirby in You Can’t Take It With You. He has appeared in or directed several local productions over the past few years, most recently as Jake in Jake’s Women with the Thebes Players. Other shows include Moon Over Buffalo, Escanaba in da Moonlight, The Foreigner and The Odd Couple, Female Version. Ken has also acted with Circle Theatre and Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids and is a member of Güf Trüpe, a local sketch comedy group. He has also appeared in the television show “Come On Over” and in local radio and television ads. Ken lives in Cascade and serves as Kent County Treasurer.

Lewis Richards (Joseph Asagai) has performed in many GRCT productions including Dreamgirls (Ensemble), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Aide Williams), Fences (Cory Maxson), and Of Mice and Men (Crooks). Other area credits include I’m Not Rappaport (Jewish Theater), Last of Mrs. Lincoln, and Little House on the Prairie. Lewis also appeared in the short film, Hill of White Elephants. Lewis has also performed children’s theatre and improvisation in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. His studies include African Dance at the University of Ghana, as well as dance with the Spring Intensive at Broadway Dance Center in New York.

John R. Robinson (George Murchison) has played several roles on the Civic Stage including: Frank the Emcee in Dreamgirls. Other Civic productions include: Peter Pan (’06), Death of a Salesman, Sweeney Todd and Ragtime. John has performed with several theatres including Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, Exonerated, and Intimate Apparel at Actor’s Theatre; I’m Not Rappaport with Jewish Theatre; Carefully Taught with KMR Diversity Theatre; The Boys Next Door with Circle; and his own production of The Meeting. John earned a 2006 Grand Award nomination as Lead Actor in a Play for Lucius Jenkins in Actors’ Theatre’s Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train. “Much love to my parents, John and Pat.”

Jessica Turner (Beneatha Younger) is a student at Grand Valley State University. She is very excited to perform on Civic’s stage for the first time. Jessica is studying Broadcast Journalism and Political Science at GVSU where she has performed in Nickle and Dimed (as Gail and Marge) and Bard-to-Go (as Puck, Witch 2, and Prospero) at GVSU. Among her many performances outside the area was as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at South Side High in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. is very excited to perform on Civic’s stage for the first time. Jessica is studying Broadcast Journalism and Political Science at GVSU where she has performed in Nickle and Dimed (as Gail and Marge) and Bard-to-Go (as Puck, Witch 2, and Prospero) at GVSU. Among her many performances outside the area was as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at South Side High in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.