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Janel Atwood
(Marian Paroo) is performing in her third musical ever and
her first at GRCT. Audiences may remember her as Janet in
the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Actors' Theater last year.
She has performed numerous roles for Heritage Theatre
Group, including Celia in As You Like It, Gwendolyn Fairfax
in The Importance of Being Earnest, Mistress Ford in The
Merry Wives of Windsor and Jennet Jourdemayne in The Lady's
Not For Burning, for which she was nominated for a Grand
Award. Performances with Civic Theatre include Peggy in The
Women and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing. In addition
to her day job as an office manager for VHA Michigan, Janel
is also a freelance acting talent currently appearing in
campaigns for Priority Health, Celebration Cinema and the
Grand Rapids Planetarium. "My love and thanks to Todd -for
everything." |
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John H. Baker
(Olin Britt) is making his theater debut in The Music Man;
he comes to GRCT from the Great Lakes Chorus of Barbershop
Harmony Society. John has sung in five international
competitions with GLC and has won two Novice quartet
championships. This soon to be grandpa says: "My wife whom
I love and seldom see because of my hobbies, and who has
blessed me with children that I love so much and supportive
of what I do, and I thank them all." |
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Caleb Brooks
(River City Kid) first appeared on the Civic stage at age
seven in The Wizard of Oz (‘00), and the following year
performed as Michael Darling in Peter Pan. Since then he
has performed in several productions at GRCT and other
local theatres. Caleb is member of GRCT’s School of
Theatre Arts, and is a freelance talent appearing in short
films for The History Channel and GVSU, and several video
and commercial projects. Caleb is 12 years old and in
seventh grade at Excel Charter Academy. |
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Jay Brooks
(Constable Locke, Salesman) is performing again on the GRCT stage,
having last been seen as Tom Jenkins in Scrooge ('04). Jay has
volunteered in many shows at GRCT, both onstage and off. Jay has
been acting on stage and as a freelance talent since he was nine
years old, and particularly enjoys sharing his love for acting with
his son, Caleb. Jay would like to thank his wife, Barbara, for
encouraging him to get back into acting after many years away. |
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Amy Camp
(Maud Dunlop) is making her GRCT debut in The Music Man.
She appeared in The Sound of Music and The Mikado at The
Grove Theater in Upland, CA. Amy has a Bachelor of Music
from Northern Illinois University. She is the vocal teacher
at Walker Charter Academy. |
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Margaret Dietrich
(Townsperson) first appear on-stage a GRCT as Gretchen in
The Sound of Music. She also played the role of Rudy in
Annie 2002 at GRCT. She has appeared in Beauty and the
Beast, Honk!, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat at Civic Theatre. A junior at East Kentwood High
School, she has performed in West Side Story and How to
Succeed in Business without Ever Trying. Margaret would
like to thank God, Mom, Dad, and Alex. |
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Blake Ferris
(Traveling Salesman) is making his GRCT debut in The Music
Man. He has appeared in Annie Get Your Gun, The
Nutcracker, and Oliver at Ionia Community Theatre. He has
attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for years studying
violin and voice. |
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John Foley
(Mayor Shinn) was seen in You Can Take It With You last
season. He has also appeared in Anne Get Your Gun and The
Tenth Man at GRCT. John has performed at Circle Theatre,
LLC Classical Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids, and Actor's
Theatre to name a few. Some of his favorite shows he has
appeared in are Seven Year Itch, Mass Appeal, and Over the
River and Thru the Woods. |
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Edith Freyer
(Gracie Shinn) has appeared in Annie (2002), The Children's
Hour, Cinderella, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with
GRCT. Edith also performed in The Music Man (Cherry County
Playhouse), Beauty and the Beast and Henry and Ramona with
Circle Theater. "Love to Scotty and my Mom." |
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Julia Freyer
(Zaneeta Shinn) is appearing in her final Civic show before
heading to college, having appeared in over 30 shows in the
area in the past 9 years, most recently Civic's A Year with
Frog and Toad. Other GRCT credits include Gypsy, Ragtime,
and Kiss Me Kate. Julia also performed at other area
theatres including, Actor's Theater, The Rocky Horror Show,
and Circle Theater, most recently in Beauty and the Beast.
She has spent the past two summers at Ann Reinking's
Broadway Theatre Project and appeared on Bravo TV's On With
The Show. "Love Mowgli!" |
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Taylor Gleason
(Townsperson) was last seen on-stage at GRCT as Martha in
Annie '02. A junior at East Kentwood High School, she has
appeared in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and
Ramona Quimby with Kentwood Theatre Guild, The Women,
Cheaper by the Dozen, and A Midsummer Night's Dream with
East Kentwood High School. Taylor is also a member of the
East Kentwood Improv Troupe. |
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Alicia Gosnell
(Townsperson) recently appeared as Dorothy Gale in the
Wizard of Oz. At Cornerstone University she played the
title role in Jane Eyre: The Musical. Previously, she has
appeared in several productions with Home School Performing
Arts. This past summer Alicia attended the American Singers
Seminar, Musical Theatre Intensive with Douglas Webster.
She would like to thank her family for their amazing
support and dedicates her performance, as always, to God
who has blessed her with such talents. |
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Bob Gosnell
(Traveling Salesman/Farmer) is appearing on-stage for the
first time ever in The Music Man. Bob volunteers at Civic
as an usher and in the costume shop. Bob says it is a
blessing to join Alicia and Kate on-stage. Thanks to Bruce,
Wright and all for this opportunity. Special thanks to
Leslie and Hannah for your sacrifice and support so I can
"play." |
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Kate Gosnell
(Townsperson) recently she appeared onstage at GRCT in the
Wizard of Oz, although she is a member of GRCT's School of
Theatre Arts. She has appeared in Jane Eyre: the Musical at
Cornerstone University, Annie, The Miracle Worker, Titanic:
The Musical, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and The
Hiding Place with Home School Performing Arts. A senior,
Kate attended MPulse 2005 Musical Theatre Workshop at the
University of Michigan and plans to major in musical
theatre in college. "Thanks to God, Mom, Dad and family and
friends for all your love and support!" |
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Ellie Gramer
(Townsperson) is making her GRCT debut performance in The
Music Man. She has appeared most recently as Renata in Nine
the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and Sister's Christmas
Catechism with Circle Theater. She performed in Opera Grand
Rapids' production of Turandot. She would like to thank her
parents and brothers for putting up with constant
rehearsing and vocalizing, her brother-in-law Erik for
"stayin' classy," her sister Cici for her encouragement and
support without which she wouldn't be who she is today and
her niece Lola who's wit and giggles provide her
inspiration! |
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Devon Rochelle Hagen
(River City Kid) is appearing in her first production at
GRCT. An 8th Grader at Kenowa Hills Elementary, Devon is a
member of the GRCT School of Arts, having taken TADC. She
was Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia the Lion, Witch and
the Wardrobe at Orchard Hills Church. |
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Diane Hammerman
(Ethel Toffelmier) is thrilled to be back at Civic after
many years and feels so fortunate to be a part of this
fantastic cast. She was last seen on-stage at GRCT in The
Most Happy Fella in 1974. She also appeared in South
Pacific and The Music Man 1978 at GRCT. Diane played the
role of Grandma Tzeidel in the Jewish Theater and Heritage
Theater production of Fiddler on the Roof. |
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Paul Hufstader
(Oliver Hix) recently played of the role of the Cowardly
Lion in GRCT production of the Wizard of Oz. He has worked
with the Chicago Opera Theatre and the Grant Park Symphony
Chorus in Chicago. He attended DePaul University School of
Music and the Goodman School of Drama. Paul is currently
employed at Fox 17 WXMI. "Thanks to all my friends and
family for the not-so-gentle nudge back to the stage." |
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Kathie Johnson
(Alma Hix) is performing on-stage at GRCT for the
first-time in The Music Man. Previously she appeared in
Fiddler on the Roof, Sound of Music, Brigadoon, and
Marriage of Figaro. Kathie is a self-employed costumer, and
designed costumes for SRT's Twelve Dancing Princesses and
Disney's Aladdin at GRCT. She also is the costumer for Ada
Dance Academy, Big and Small Productions Film, Where the
Wild Things Are and The Nutcracker with Grand Rapids Ballet. |
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Phillip Johnson
(Ewart Dunlop) is performing on-stage at GRCT for the first
time. He has been a member of Grand Rapids Barbershop
Harmony Society for twelve years. John has sung in several
international chorus competitions and sung the National
Anthem at many local sporting events, including for the
Grand Rapids Grand Prix. |
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Justine A. Klein
(Townsperson) last appeared in GRCT's production of Gypsy,
most recently appeared in Assassins at Actor's Theater.
Other credits include Beauty and the Beast at Circle
Theater, which she received a Grand Award nomination for
the role of Belle, La Cage Aux Folles, and Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. |
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Robert Kraemer
(Salesman, Citizen) is appearing on-stage at GRCT for the
first time in The Music Man. A student at Aquinas College,
he has also performed in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,
Oliver, and Fiddler on the Roof. |
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Teri Kuhlman
(Eulalie Shinn) performed in this season's holiday the
Wizard of Oz. At Circle Theatre, Teri worked crew for
Beauty and the Beast and onstage in California in shows
such as Once Upon a Mattress, Lil' Abner, Showboat, The
Music Man and Carousel. She is the Vice President of
Business Administration at Infrastructure Alternatives.
Teri is married to Bob and would like to say, "Thank you,
honey, for encouraging me to play.'" |
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Sarah LaJoye
(Townsperson) is returning to the GRCT stage, after
appearing as an immigrant in Ragtime. Sarah has a
Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Performance from Michigan
State University. She has appeared in A Man of No
Importance (Actor's Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Flat
River Community Players), and Vanities (MSU). |
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Kirk Lannon
(Traveling Salesman) a freshman at Grand Rapids Community
College is making his GRCT debut in The Music Man. He has
appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Music Man,
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and
Cinderella at Rockford High School. Kirk was appeared in an
independent movie by Green Arrow Pictures call Black Ice. |
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Joy-Elizabeth Lawrence
(Farmer's Wife/Townsperson) was last seen as Ozian and Pit
Singer in the Wizard of Oz (2005). A graduate of Northern
State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota and Regent
College in Vancouver, B.C., Joy has performed in Bye Bye
Birdie, Oklahoma, Rumors, and Blood Brothers to name a few.
Joy works downtown at Spout LLC and is a freelance writer.
She wishes to thank her husband, Justin, for encouraging
her to audition and cleaning the bathroom during rehearsal. |
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Jim Lax
(Conductor) is performing on-stage for the first time ever
in The Music Man. He is an environmental quality specialist
with the Michigan Department of Environment Quality. |
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Clark MacFarlane
(River City Kid) is 5th grader at Central Woodlands Forest
Hills, was last seen on-stage at GRCT as Tiny Tim in
Scrooge (2004), also appeared in Cinderella (GRCT), La
Boheme (Opera Grand Rapids), and Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat (Circle Theater). |
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Brian Martin
(Townsperson) is no stranger to GRCT having appeared in
Ragtime, Velveteen Rabbit, Peter Pan, Stuart Little, Free
To Be You and Me and Scrooge 1999. A sophomore at Rogers
High School has a performed Lost In Yonkers at Jewish
Theater, Secret Garden at Cornerstone University, Oliver at
Riverbend Players, The Music Man at Cherry County Playhouse
and Carmen with Opera Grand Rapids. |
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Jo Meeuwsen
(Ethel Toffelmeir) is appearing in her first GRCT in The
Music Man. She in performed the role of the Narrator in
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Ridgepoint
Church. |
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Scott Mellema
(Harold Hill) is grateful for the opportunity to play this
role. During the day, he teaches Theatre and English at
East Kentwood High School. During his evenings over the
past thirteen years, he has been an active performer and
director in the Grand Rapids area. He is remembered for
turns as Harry in Lucky Stiff, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Che
in Evita, and Nick in Baby. From the director's chair,
Scott led Circle productions of Camping With Henry and Tom,
The Nerd, Sunday's With Jim VanPoolen, and the Grand Award
winning Smokey Joe's CafŽ. Scott wishes to thank his
amazing wife Cinnamon for her constant unflinching support,
son Reilly for helping him to learn his lines, and daughter
Johnnie for always asking daddy to sing Music Man in the
car. Scott also wishes to extend a very special thanks to
Principal Joe Beel for giving him the initial "go ahead" to
audition. Without his support, tonight's performance would
be one first-year teacher shy. |
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Jon Mull
Jacey Squires) is returning to GRCT after a long break,
having been last seen on-stage in Return to the Forbidden
Planet. He also perform in Amadeus, Cinderella (1998),
Camelot, and Much Ado About Nothing. Jon performed in
Violet at Actor's Theater, Passion at Circle Theater, and
Macbeth at Heritage Theater. Jon recently became a father,
his wife Becky gave birth to their daughter Angie Esther
Mull. |
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Steven C. Place
(Charlie Cowell) is a most familiar face to our stage.
Performing in his 6th GRCT production, Steve was last seen as
Ebenezer Scrooge in the musical Scrooge ('04). Steve has also been
in GRCT's productions of Ragtime, Peter Pan ('01), Annie ('02),
and Cinderella ('03). "Thanks, Ilse, for putting up with this crazy
man’s love for acting. Your sacrifice is so appreciated!" |
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Michael Ponsetto
(Traveling Salesman) is making his GRCT debut in The Music
Man. He has appeared in Carmen, Magic Flute, Tosca, La
Boheme, and Marriage of Figaro with Opera Grand Rapids. |
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Katie Rancourt
(River City Kid) is a 6th grader at Pinewood Middle School
and was last seen on-stage at GRCT as Baby June in Gypsy.
Other credits include The Adventures of Madeline (GRCT),
Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and The Hobbit. |
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Lewis Richards
(Traveling Salesman) last appeared at GRCT in Of Mice and
Men as Crooks. He also performed in Annie (2002), I'm Not
Rappaport (Jewish Theater), Last of Licon, and Little House
on the Prairie. Lewis appeared in Hill of White Elephants
a short film. |
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Philip Rossi
(Townsperson) is a member of GRCT School of the Arts and
performed in The Tolstoy Story Play, The Tomato Collection,
and SRT's Aladdin. A senior at Grandville High School, he
has appeared in To Kill A Mockingbird, Twelfth Night, and
The Crucible. Philip played the role of Claudio in Much Ado
About Nothing at Interlochen Center for the Arts and
Aladdin with Riverbend Players. |
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Gregg L. Sanborn
(Marcellus Washburn) is no stranger to community theatre in
Grand Rapids having been nominated twice for Grand Awards.
He was last seen on-stage at GRCT as Rooster in Annie 2002.
He appeared in Pump Boys and Dinettes and Chicago with
Circle Theatre; Rocky Horror Picture Show and Floyd Collins
at Actor's Theatre; and Side by Side with Heritage Theatre. |
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James Staley
(Winthrop Paroo) is making his GRCT debut in The Music Man.
A 5th grader at Roguewood Elementary appeared in Rockford
High School's production of The Music Man as one of the
River City Kids. James is a member of GRCT School of the
Arts and enjoys playing soccer when he is not on-stage. |
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Johnny Stellard
(Tommy Djilas) recently played the role of the Tinman in
the Wizard of Oz. Johnny was first seen at GRCT in Scrooge
(1999). Since then, he has appeared in the Wizard of Oz
(2000) as a flying monkey, Cinderella (2003), Peter Pan,
Scrooge (2004), and Gypsy to name a few. At Circle Theatre,
he was featured in Beauty and the Beast. Johnny is a member
of the Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble. He attended
MPulse 2005 Musical Theatre Workshop at the Univ. of
Michigan and plans to major in musical theatre in college.
"I'd like to thank Julia and Rob." |
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Tessa Sterling
(Amaryllis) is making her GRCT debut in The Music Man. A
6th grader at East Grand Rapids Middle School, Tessa has
appeared as Chip in Beauty and the Beast at Circle Theater
and Annie Jr. |
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Elly Stevens
(Pick-a-Little-Lady) was happy to find a new theatre family
in Grand Rapids during first show at GRCT, Dearly Departed.
She appeared in Lily's Purple Plastic Purse at GRCT,
Wedding of the Year with Thebes Players, and Crazy For You
at the Old Town Playhouse. Elly also enjoys volunteering at
GRCT with her daughter in the costume shop. |
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Zane Terry
(River City Kid) is happy and excited to be performing for
the first time at GRCT in The Music Man. Zane has six
years of classical dance, old time flat footing and
clogging, and has study the tuba for two years with the
West Michigan Home School Band. He has performed with the
Moscow Ballet at DeVos Hall and the Wheatland Music
Organization. |
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Michael Visser
(Townsperson) was seen in Velveteen Rabbit, The Hardy Boys,
and Gypsy at GRCT. Michael has also appeared in Oliver
(Holland Civic Theater), Wizard of Oz and Muting in the
Library with Holland Summer Repertory Theater. |
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Jeannie Wiarda
(Townsperson) is no stranger to GRCT having appeared in
appeared in Annie, Velveteen Rabbit, Ragtime, and Scrooge
(2004). Jeannie was the Kopka Seats winner for the
2002-2003 season. This past summer she performed in her
first leading role as Rhetta Cupp in Pump Boys and Dinettes
at Heritage Theater. "Love you husband." |
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Darla Wortley
(Mrs. Paroo) most recently appeared in the Wizard of Oz as
an Ozian and Pit Singer. She appeared as The Wardrobe in
Beauty and the Beast at Circle Theatre. She has also been
seen in La Boheme and Die Fledermaus for Opera Grand Rapids
in 2005. |
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Amanda Wright
(River City Kid) last appeared on-stage at GRCT in
Cinderella '03. A 4th grader at St. John Vianney School,
she has appeared in Jane Eyre, the musical, The Traveling
Lady, and Meet Me in St. Louis at Cornerstone University.
Amanda has done vocal work through Maureen Dreher and is a
student of the GRCT School of the Arts, having taken dance
and theatre lesson. |
