Leading Ladies

Cast Photos and Bios

Jessica Congleton   Jessica Congleton (Audrey) is making her Civic Theatre debut! She is employed as a dental assistant at Kentwood Dental Associates and is married to Craig Congleton. She graduated from Thornapple-Kellogg High School in 2000 and one of her favorite things to do is make people laugh.
Sheri Beth Dusek   Sheri Beth Dusek (Meg) Is thrilled to be working with Bruce and the Civic Theatre again! She has performed with GRCT in Blood Relations, Rumors, The Children's Hour, Arsenic and Old Lace and Inherit the Wind. Along with Civic, Sheri Beth has performed with Actor's Theatre most recently in Kimberly Akimbo, Circle Theatre and performed and directed for Heritage Theatre and Jewish Theatre. Sheri Beth has also performed professionally with Second City, Urban Gateways and Wing and Groove Theatre in Chicago. Sheri Beth is a freelance print, TV, radio talent and the owner of Sanctuary on Site. Thanks to her wonderful husband, Mom and family for their constant support.
John Patrick Foley   John Patrick Foley (Doc) has been in countless shows with many different organizations including Grand Rapids Civic, Heritage Theatre Group, LLC Classical Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids, ActorsÕ Theatre, Madame Babes Dinner Theatre, Robeson Players, Centre Stage, Cedar Springs Community Theatre, and Circle Theatre. Some of his favorite shows include DA, The Seven Year Itch, Mass Appeal, The Odd Couple, Glen Gary Glen Ross, Set Marks, and The Music Man. John is also a member of Saint Alive Players.
Joshua D. Lewis   Joshua D. Lewis (Butch) is making his Civic Theatre debut! He is an independent contractor working at home and has previously been involved in community affairs and public relations. He is married to Mispar Lewis and they have a two-year-old daughter named Infeoma.
Patricia Kennedy   Patricia Kennedy (Florence) is no stranger to the stage but is making her Grand Rapids Civic Theatre stage debut! She appeared in Driving Miss Daisy (Daisy), Charlie's Aunt (Charlie's Aunt), and Arsenic and Old Lace (Abby & Martha) at Master Arts Theatre as well as Squabbles (Mildred) and Nunsense (Mother Superior) with Cedar Springs Players. She's been acting for thirty years and has "loved every play, every cast member, and every director. Thank you also to my family and friends for supporting me all along the way." Patricia is a retired church secretary and is married with four children.
Keith Henry Matteson   Keith Henry Matteson (Jack) last appeared on the Civic stage as Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet. He has performed in many Civic theatre productions including To Kill A Mockingbird, Peter Pan, Amadeus, Noises Off, and Born Yesterday. Keith has also appeared in Philadelphia Story, Charley's Aunt, and Private Lives for Heritage Theatre Group as well as The Cripple of Inishmann and Gross Indecencies for Actors' Theatre and many more. Keith is currently employed at Compulit Inc.
Edward Jay Nelson   Edward Jay Nelson (Duncan) has performed with most area theatres: Actors', Ladies Literary Club, Madame Babe's Dinner Theatre, and Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids. His first role at GRCT was in A Flea in Her Ear in 1992! Since then he's appeared in numerous productions: most recently, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Winnie the Pooh, The Boxcar Children, Kiss Me Kate, and Cinderella. Ed has also been in three of GRCT's Traveling Troupe productions, and teaches musical theatre and acting at our School of Theatre Arts. While living in San Francisco, Edward sang jazz at many local piano bars including "Martuni's", "The Swallow" and "Lush Lounge" and was a guest singer at the grand reopening of "88's" in New York in '98.
Mike Smolinski   Mike Smolinski (Leo/Maxine) makes his return to Civic Theatre after his 2001 performances in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and ART. Prior to that, he appeared in Civic Theatre productions of THE FOREIGNER ('89 and '99), LOVE LETTERS, GUYS AND DOLLS, CABARET, ANYTHING GOES, SHE LOVES ME, THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940, and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. He has also appeared in more than 60 productions at Actors Theatre, Heritage Theatre, Circle Theatre, Jewish Theatre, and other theatres throughout Michigan. Mike has won two Grand Awards (for THE CRUCIBLE and DENIAL) and earned three additional nominations. He has written more than a dozen plays, starting with a series of murder mysteries for Civic Theatre and continuing films and works as a Senior Global Communications Specialist at Amway.