Dani Apple (Helen Wells-Morton-The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall), thirteen years old, is delighted to be a part of this wonderful production. She is excited to work with Pierre-Jacques Brault and the entire MSS cast and crew. Some of her favorite roles include Annie in Annie at Beachwood Theater and Heights Youth Theater, Opal in Opal at Kalliope Stage, Oliver in Oliver, Childrens’ Ensemble in Evita – National Touring Cast, Josephine in Adelphia’s television production Friends Forever, Gretyl in The Sound of Music at Cain Park, Brigitta in The Sound of Music at CenterStage Theater, Baby June in Gypsy, Sally in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio.
Joan Bendix (Dot-Honk!) is very happy to be in Honk! again, especially with Dan as her husband. She is eternally grateful to Pierre and Brian for letting her have her time onstage (even if it includes green tights and goggles). She's usually hiding offstage in an orchestra pit, as a musical director or pianist/keyboard player at theaters and schools around the region. She thanks Jeff, Peter, Lia and her parents for loving and supporting her.
C.J. Bonde (Coot-Honk!, Cartoon-Blues Clues Live!, Felicia Carswell-The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) (17) happily returns to MSS after performing in Seussical last season. Performing since age 5, venues include: Great Lakes Theater Festival; Playhouse Square 14th Street Theatre; Carousel Dinner Theatre; Acting Out; Actors’ Summit; Beck; Cain Park; CCC-E; Halle; HYT; Kalliope; Adelphia television; independent and industrial films. After capturing the Regional Shakespeare Competition title and the Thomas Joynes Award at the Cleveland Play House, CJ emerged as a National Semi-Finalist in the National Shakespeare Competition at NYC’s Lincoln Center. This summer, CJ will return as an Apprentice with Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio’s ArtWorks Program. She is also part of the touring troupe of Expect Respect. For Nana.
Abby Bryan (Alice Stillwell-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is fourteen years old and is completing her freshman year at Shaker Heights High School. She is very grateful to be joining the Mercury Summer Stock cast this season. Some of her more recent credits have been Storyteller in Children of Eden, Aunt Em in the Wizard of Oz, and Urleen in Footloose. She wants to thank her friends and family for all the love and support. For them, always.
Philip D. Bryan (Blue-Blue’s Clues Live!) is a junior at Shaker Heights High School and is anxiously waiting for his senior year. His recent theater credits include earlier this year Nekko, the Commander of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz, and Uncle Wes/Ensemble in Footloose at Heights Youth Theatre. He enjoyed performing in the Cleveland premiere of High School Musical under the direction of Pierre Jacque Brault. He is thrilled to be working with Pierre again and with this being his first show with Mercury Summer Stock Theater. Philip fondly recalls that Blue’s Clues had a special role in his life when he was growing up.
Max Chernin (Turkey-Honk!, Cartoon-Blue’s Clues Live!, Man I-Blood Brothers) is thrilled to be joining Mercury this season. Max is soon to be a graduate of Shaker Heights High School, where he was in Into the Woods (Baker) and Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch), as well as the co-dance captain of the amazingly honest Chanticleers. Recent credits include The History Boys (Timms) Children of Eden (Adam/ Noah) at Heights Youth Theatre, Urinetown (Lockstock), Sweeney Todd (Anthony) and Bat Boy (Dr. Parker) at Stagecrafters Theatre Academy. In the fall, Max will be studying Musical Theatre at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).
Aimee Collier (Mrs. Lyons-Blood Brothers) is delighted to return to Mercury and to this amazing show. She has recently been seen around Cleveland as Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde (Beck Center), Dot/Marie in Sunday in the Park with George (Lakeland) and Cathy in The Last Five Years (Ashtabula), and in Boston as Eden in Respect: A Musical Journey. She would like to thank Pierre and Brian for bringing Cleveland such quality theater for the past ten years, and to thank you for supporting Mercury Summer Stock.
Talia A. Cosentino (Marjorie Wheatley-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall), age 13, is in the 7th grade in the Ohio Virtual Academy. Talia returns to Mercury Summer Stock for the first time since 2005 when she performed in Jane Eyre The Musical (Young Jane) and Childrens’ Letters to God (chorus). Talia’s other recent credits include Honk! (Lowbutt, Maggie Magpie), Forgotten Broadway (soloist, chorus), Not Yet! (soloist, chorus), A Christmas Carol (Grace Smythe) and Seussical (Citizen of Who, Hunch, Fish and Cadet). Talia can also be seen in the feature length film Between the Walls (Glowing Nose Productions) available at many video stores. In addition to theater, Talia enjoys playing volleyball and studying piano, dance and voice.
Sarah DiFiore (Fluff-Honk!, Angela Suftin-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is thrilled to be in her debut show at Mercury Summer Stock. She is 12 years old and attends the Chagrin Falls Middle School. She has been in many productions including Honk! (Beaky), Oliver (Children's Ensemble), Alice in Wonderland (Alice), and Grease (Sandy). She also starred in a television commercial for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Sarah enjoys basketball, martial arts, going to Starbucks and (of course) acting and singing!
Kara Dominak (Cartoon-Blue's Clues Live!) is thrilled to be returning to MSS for her second summer. Last summer she was seen in Seussical! as Bird Girl 3. Kara is a junior attending Akron University for Special Education. Love to Mom, Dad, bestest, and the rest of my Dominak clan!
Ben Fankhauser (Steve-Blue's Clues Live!) is thrilled to be making his MSS debut. He is currently a Sophomore Musical Theatre major at Ithaca College, where he just appeared in the main stage production of A Midsummer Night's Dream as Starveling/Moonshine. Recent Credits include: ...Forum (Hero), Footloose (Ren), Urinetown (Bobby). "Many thanks to Pierre for the opportunity and all my friends and family for their constant support."
Amanda C. Fertal (Mrs. Shelduck-Honk/, Cartoon/Blue’s Clues Live!, Miss Newton-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is thrilled to be part of the MSS family again after leaving audiences in stitches as Agnes Gooch in Mame. Amanda was last seen making her soli debut as the Shepherd Boy in Opera Cleveland’s Tosca, and was a regular chorus member with Cleveland Opera. Other recent projects include Master of Ceremonies/ Lucy in Cedar Point’s Snoopy’s Summer Vacation, and 110 in the Shade at Kalliope Stage. Amanda has a BA in Music from Baldwin-Wallace College, and is currently a graduate student at The University of Akron. Amanda is also a music teacher at OLA, and a proud Parma resident. Much love and thanks to the lovely people at MSS, her family and friends!
Jon Gellott (Jay Bird-Honk!, Cartoon-Blue’s Clues Live!, Man II-Blood Brothers) – is thrilled to be making his debut with Mercury Summer Stock. Most recently he played the role of the Mute in Ensemble Theater’s The Fantasticks. He is a graduate of Mayfield High School, where he had roles in Noises Off, Beauty and the Beast, Children of Eden, Damn Yankees, Fools, and I Never Sang for My Father. Jon was the 2007 winner of the Tom Joynes Memorial award at the regional Shakespeare Competition here at The Cleveland Play House. He was also a member of the Gold Medal team at The Cleveland Play House Improv Olympics where he received the award for Best Stage Presence. Other roles around town include Theodore “Laurie” Laurence in Little Women at Chagrin Valley Little Theater, and the voice of Vassili in Firebird at Cleveland State University.
Emily Grodzik (Louise Vickers-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is very excited to be performing in her Mercury Summer Stock show. She is a junior at The Interlochen Arts Academy, where she has been fortunate to work with performers that include Tony Award winner Victoria Clark. Recent performances include Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Francisca/Escala u/s in Measure For Measure. Emily is also involved in stage managing and sound design at school and is looking forward to her senior year, when she will have the opportunity to direct at Interlochen. Cleveland area performances include Ragtime at the JCC, Children of Eden at Cassidy and numerous productions at The Beck Center for the Arts that include some of her favorite shows: Joseph...Technicolor Dreamcoat, Parade, Seussical. and Evita. This one is for my Uncle Glenn.
Sarah Maria Hess (Woman I-Blood Brothers) began her theatrical career at the age of three in a Christmas pageant titled A Festival of Gifts. Since then, some of Sarah's favorite roles have included Gretl in the The Sound of Music, Little Becky Two-Shoes in Urinetown, Beth in Merrily We Roll Along, Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Grizabella in Cats. She recently finished a wonderful stint as the Assistant Director of Near West Theatre's production of Seussical, Jr. Sarah is proud to be a co-founder of the independent theatre troupe The Thespians of Enchanted Vigilance, where last summer she served on the directing team of their inaugural and original production, Swearing It Off. Next up, Sarah will be seen in the Ohio premiere of the musical Rent at Stagecrafters. Many thanks to Aimee, for connecting her with Blood Brothers, Matthew Weiderhold, her not-quite-blood brother, and Stephanie Morrison-Hrbek, her inspiration. Much love to Stephanie Taylor-Ayers, the most fabulous of women.
Annie Hickey (Henrietta-Honk!, Miss Jones-Blood Brothers) happily returns to the Mercury Stage for a second summer of fun! She has just recently graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a degree in Theatre Arts, and is excited to be back in Cleveland. Some of her favorite past roles include: The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Miranda (The Tempest), Thing 2 (Seussical- The Musical!), Prisoner/Maria (Man of La Mancha), and Belinda Watson (The Unerring Instinct) last summer, and is so thankful for the opportunity to continue developing her craft. Annie would like to thank, "Pierre- for this delightful opportunity, my family for their enthusiastic support, and my savior Jesus for taking care of me in every way.".
Angie Holecko (Pauline Boody-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is happy to return to Mercury Summer Stock, having last been seen as Tina Denmark in Ruthless. Other professional credits include A Christmas Story at Cleveland Play House (2 seasons), and Far Away also at Cleveland Play House. She has been seen locally in numerous other productions including Annie, Gypsy, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Sound of Music. In addition, she has appeared in television commercials for the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Metro Health. She was in a short film, Carpet Kingdom, had a lead role in the cast of Zoom for WVIZ, and has done voice-overs for Reading Rainbow.
Sara Hymes (Penny-Honk!, Cartoon-Blue’s Clues Live!) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at Kent State University, and is thrilled to be making her debut with Mercury Summer Stock. She performed as Ursula in Sweet Charity last summer at Porthouse Theatre, and could be seen in both main stage musicals at Kent this past year; Urinetown and Wonderful Town. Other favorite past credits include Catherine in Pippin, and Harper Pitt in Angels in America: Millennium Approaches. When not busy with rehearsals or school, Sara makes time to waitress, spend time with Miko and Maya, and plan her eventual move to NYC!!
Tia Karaplis (Mary Moley-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is 10 years old and has been involved with theatre since she was 7 when she got her first role- Snakebite Sally in Katastrophe Kate with Sunshine theatre in Amherst. She has been in about 15 shows since then including The King and I -LCMT (royal princess); The Music Man- AK, Lorain (Amaryllis); 101 Dalmations, Brecksville Theatre on the Square (Cruella De Ville); Childrens Letters to God- Workshop Players- (Iris); Cut to Pieces- Cleveland Public Theatre (nervous girl); Amahl and the Night Visitors-Tri C (Amahl); Oliver!-Cain Park (workhouse girl); The Wizard of Oz-Beck Center (Dorothy); Honk!-Beck Center (Ida); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat-FPAC (Dan and Butler). Tia was also a semi finalist in the Rising Star competition at Playhouse Square 2007, she appeared on the Robin Swoboda show That's Life as a superstar kid, and most recently won 2nd place in Brecksville's Entertainer of the Year 2008. Tia is thrilled to be part of this production and thanks Pierre and Joanna for giving her this opportunity.
Larissa Laughlin (Cartoon- Blue's Clues Live!) This is Larissa's second season with Mercury, after appearing as in last season's Big River (Strange Woman/Susan Wilkes), Mame (Mame's Friend) and Seussical The Musical! (Bird Girl). She performed at the Cassidy Theatre, in Parma, in Simple Joys, Ragtime, and Little Me, and at Geauga Lake Amusement Park for the summer and fall season in 2004. She played Elsa and choreographed Regina High School's production of The Sound of Music. At Bowling Green University Larissa performed in How To Succeed. Last summer, Larissa also performed on the Palace Theatre stage at Cedar Point Amusement Park in the Divine Divas, and is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
Nathaniel Leeson
(Cartoon/Blue’s Clues Live!) is totally stoked to be making his Mercury Summer Stock debut! He was last seen in CAMEO’s production of Oklahoma! directed by veteran actor and director Bill Hoffman. Other credits include That’s Entertainment (Sir-Lancelot Vocalist), Honk (Cat), It’s a Wonderful Life (Clarence), Our Town (Mr. Webb), Comic Book Artist (Stanley), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Prince Florimond), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Butler), and Footloose (Principal Clark). Many extended thanks to my voice teacher without whom I would go insane, Bizz, friends, and of course my family. This one goes out to all my show choir friends singing and dancing their hearts out at SCA 08, see you next year Jason!
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Hester Lewellen (Julia Faysle-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) debuted with Mercury Summer Stock as Auntie Reed and Lady Ingram in Jane Eyre: the Musical. Since then she has been seen as Melba in 70, Girls, 70, Madame Arcati in High Spirits, and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret—all at Aurora Comm. Theatre. In between she did The Full Monty (Jeanette) and Sacred Hearts (Alma Ryan) at CVLT and Scrooge! (Mrs. Fezziwig) at Willoughby Fine Arts. Hester first came to Cleveland in 1975 with The National Tour of The Magic Show, playing Charmin the magical magician’s assistant, and the magic goes on.
Judy Lucas (Foresta Studley-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) has spent almost 40 years on stages throughout Northeast Ohio in a wide variety of musical, comic and dramatic roles including Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Fonsia Dorsey in The Gin Game, Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Joanne in Company, and as author/playwright Lillian Hellman in the one-woman show, Lillian, for which she was honored by the North Canton Playhouse as their Best Actress of the 2005-2006 Season. She is delighted to be returning to the Mercury stage for a second season, having appeared as Miss Watson/Aunt Sally in Big River and as Doris Upson in Mame during our 2007 season. Judith holds an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Cuyahoga Community College, where she is also employed as the District Coordinator of Operations Support. She lives in Bratenahl, Ohio, with her husband, actor/director Frank Lucas, and their two canine buddies, Amber and Sauli.
Brian M. Marshall* (Drake-Honk!, Edward Lyons -Blood Brothers, Richard Tidewell-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is ecstatic to ecstatic to return to Mercury Summer Stock, having completed the Cleveland run of Forbidden Broadway SVU at Playhouse Square. He appeared last season at The Cleveland Play House in My Fair Lady, The Jungle Book and The Nutcracker. He has made his way around the country in seven national tours including Titanic, A Thousand Cranes, and Tintypes and as Slim Goodbody in the hit one-man tour de force The Musical Health Show (of which, after 5 years of therapy, he now feels comfortable talking about). He also recently directed Titanic at Virginia Musical Theatre. For MSS he has been seen in a show here and there including Big River, Mame, Seussical The Musical!, Blood Brothers, Evita, and Honk!
Daniel Marshall* (Greylag-Honk!, Mickey Johnstone-Blood Brothers; Teresa Winkle-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) was most recently seen on the Cleveland Stage as Jeremy in We Gotta Bingo at Playhouse Square. He congratulates MSS on our tenth season, and having been there for seven of ten, he can't believe we haven't killed each other yet. In the Fall Dan will be attending NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writer's Workshop. MSS credits: Every show in the past seven years. What a blast they have all been.
Sara Masterson (Coot-Honk!)
is ecstatic to be spending yet another summer with MSS. Since her Mercury debut 7 years ago as Molly in Annie, she has performed in over 20 shows. Favorites include The Mistress in Evita, Mary Lennox in Secret Garden at Cain Park, Adele in Jane Eyre, Tessie in Annie at Beck, and JCC's Ragtime. Thanks and love to Pierre & Brian, Cynthia O'Connell, and (of course) Mom & Dad.
Joseph A. McIntyre (Mr. Weyburn-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is elated to return to Mercury Summer Stock Theatre. Joseph won Best Actor at Cassidy Theatre and Best Featured Actor in 2006. Shows include: To Kill A Mockingbird at GLTG, Deathtrap at Royalton Players; Ragtime (Grandfather), How To Succeed In Business (Wally Womper) and the title role in Father Of The Bride at Cassidy Theatre. In real life, Joe is a counselor for alcohol and drug rehabilitation, and an OSHA trainer for JATC, and Cuyahoga Vocational School in Brecksville. "Special thanks to my wife, Edie."
Tommy Miller (Cartoon-Blue's Clues Live!) has just finished up his senior year at Berea High School and is thrilled to be performing with MSS this summer. Next year he will be attending The Ohio State University to study architecture. He was most recently seen as a featured dancer in Godspell, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin (Genie), and Alice In Wonderland (The Caterpillar). He would like to thank his family for all their support over the past 18 years, “love you guys!”
Jennifer Myor (Queenie-Honk!, Mrs. Johnstone-Blood Brothers ) This is Jen's first season with Mercury. She has participated in many shows for Elyria Summer Theatre Assoc. including The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy) Fiddler on the Roof (Chava) and Joseph... Other favorite roles include Sarah in Guys and Dolls and Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain. Jennifer majored in Musical theatre at Point Park University and is a 2007 Graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Cassidy Nelson (Little Girl-Honk!), aged 4, is very excited to be making her MSS debut and sharing the stage with her big sister Courtney!
Courtney Anne Nelson (Beaky-Honk!) is very excited to join MSS for their 10-year celebration and be part of the cast of Honk. She is 9 years old and in the 4th grade. Courtney has enjoyed theatre, and dance from a young age, and her interest continues to grow. She has been fortunate enough to have participated in many plays at her young age. Some of her favorites include: Wizard of Oz (Beck Center), Children of Eden (HYT), Oliver (Cain Park), Peter Pan (Tri-C) and A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theatre Festival). She will also be in Music Man (Porthouse Theatre) later this summer and will be attending Fairmont Performing Arts Camp (FPAC). Courtney's other interests include piano, math, basketball, dance and reading. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
Shane O'Neill (Cat-Honk/, Sammy-Blood Brothers) is very excited to be returning to Mercury Summer Stock for his second season with the company. He was last seen here as Marshall in Babes in Arms. Favorite credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Violet (Monty), Dead Man Walking (Matt Poncelet), and Ragtime. Shane will graduate with a B.A. in Musical Theatre and a minor in Vocal Performance from Ashland University this December.
Matthew Patrick (Cooked-Honk!, Narrator-Blood Brothers) is ecstatic to perform again in Ohio after a three-year hiatus caused by a combination of college and summers studying drama in London. A rising senior at Duke University, Matthew cannot wait to spend some time at home working with Mercury and he thanks Brian and Pierre for offering him this tremendous opportunity. His recent credits down in North Carolina include Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel in Grease, Hysterium in A Funny Thing... Forum, the Beast from Seventy Scenes of Halloween, Antiochus/Lysimachus in Shakespeare’s Pericles (all at Duke), and Officer Barrel in Urinetown (UNC). He would like to thank his family for their years of endless love and support along with his voice instructor Wayne for all his skill and passion.
Sam Peplin (Downy-Honk!) of Westlake is excited to be making his Mercury Summer Stock debut. Sam is a ten year old fifth grade student who loves to read, draw, play trombone, sing in his school choir, study hapkido, and anything to do with Star Wars. He has performed at Tri-C West as a Lost Boy in Peter Pan, and most recently as Amahl in Amahl & The Night Visitors. He wishes to thank MSS for this wonderful opportunity.
Danielle Renard
(Ida-Honk!, Donna Marie-Blood Brothers, Cartoon- Blue's Clues Live!, Mona Delmonde -Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is excited to be back on the stage this summer with some of her closest friends. She's had quite a tenure with MSS, so I'm sure you've seen her before. She was practically born with a mic in her hand, with influences from her grandparents, uncles cousins and awesome sister. Thanks to MSS family for being so wonderful to work with, thanks to her family and friends for always being so supportive, and special thanks to her sister Michele...for dragging her to her first audition over 12 years ago.
Molly Richards (Lowbutt-Honk!; Linda-Blood Brothers, Elizabeth Wilkins-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) resides in NYC where she recently directed the NYC Premiere Please Remove This Stuffed Animal From My Head and the smash hit Connecting Flight. She also teaches theatre at Manhattan Country School. Molly recently toured with Chamber Theatre Productions and Arts Power. Some of her favorite roles include Kitty in the OOBR Award Winning production of Where’s Charley, Linda in Blood Brothers, Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical and Delores in Babes in Arms.
Emma Schreibman (Pink Foot-Honk!) is going to be a Musical Theatre sophomore at Roosevelt University in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. She has been performing for about 9 years and plans to continue performing for the rest of her life! Her most recent shows were freshmen showcases at CCPA. Her most recent shows in Cleveland were Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit) at Stagecrafters Teen Academy, and Footloose (Ariel) at Orange High School. She started with Mercury Summer Stock in 6th grade with the role of Annie, and has been trying to work with them ever since! Emma has also performed in Honk! at MSS in the role of a duckling. She wants to thank her parents for all their love, and support, through the stressful and not-so-stressful times, and sends love to her brother. She also wants to thank Johanna and Pierre for letting her be in Honk! again, and for letting her have another wonderful summer experience. “Love you all!”
Tina Rose Shaerban (Maureen-Honk!) is thrilled to be back in the theatre world after nearly a six year absence. Past MSS productions include the last two productions of Honk!, Little Shop of Horrors and Hello, Dolly! She was also seen in Tony N Tina’s Wedding at the Hanna Theatre in Cleveland. By day, Tina works in advertising for Cleveland.com and is a Fitness Instructor. Many thanks to Pierre for the opportunity to get back on stage!
Lisandra Stebner (Frances Eaves-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) has performed in over 22 shows since the age of 8. She most recently portrayed Eva Schloss in a touring production of Then They Came for Me (Pittsburgh area.) She was the female swing/understudy in A Christmas Story (Cleveland Play House). Some of the shows she has appeared in have been: Stuart Little at Canton Players Guild; Les Miserables (Little Cosette), Annie (Molly), Mulan (Mushu), and Wait Until Dark (Gloria) at Salem Community Theatre; Secret Garden (Mary Lennox) and Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Gladys) at the Youngstown Playhouse; Music Man (Gloria Shinn) at Hiram College; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Veruca Salt) and Pocahontas (Pocahontas) at the New Castle Playhouse; as well as Reflections (Child Peggy Lee) at the Beck Center. She has appeared in the television series “Overrated Understudies” and is a host for the SMARTS show in Cleveland. She has appeared in various commercials and print work both regionally and nationally. Lisandra will be entering the sixth grade in the fall of 2008 and attends Willow Creek Learning Center in Youngstown, Ohio.
Miles Sternfeld (Charles Hill-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is thrilled to return to MSS after appearing in last season's Mame and Seussical. Recently, Miles played Duke in Tall Tale, an educational video by the Cleveland Clinic Theatre Company, and played Chip twice in Beauty and the Beast at The Beck Center for the Arts. Miles was last seen in Oliver! at Cain Park. Miles would like to thank his family and friends for their support.
Kevin Strang (Rooster-Honk!) is very pleased to be returning to MSS. Favorite roles include 'Rooster' in Mercury Summer Stock's inaugural production of Honk!, and Jem in Cuyahoga Community College's production of To Kill A Mockingbird. In addition, he has performed in Great Lakes Theater Festival's production of A Christmas Carol as Tiny Tim, James Cratchit and Adolescent Scrooge. He has also appeared in Cain Park's productions of Damn Yankees as Batboy, Bye Bye Birdie as Randolph MacAfee, and The Music Man as Winthrop Paroo, as well as Theo in Baldwin-Wallace's production of Pippin, and Bernie Wallace in The Water Engine at Case Western Reserve University. He has also appeared in Hello, Dolly! with Mercury Summer Stock, Medea at Lakeland Community College, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Man Who Came To Dinner and Noises Off! at Lake Catholic High School and The King and I in Philadelphia. Kevin recently completed his sophomore year at Bowling Green State University.
Kris Tesar (Mrs. Stokes-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) made her theatre debut in A Christmas Carol, the Musical, directed by Pierre-Jacques Brault in 2005. She is forever grateful to Pierre for the opportunity of realizing a life long dream to act on stage. Since then she has been active in Chagrin Falls at CVLT as a performer, production board member, and youth theater assistant. She has been seen in The Full Monty, A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Murder by the Falls, the annual Variety and Holiday Shows, and in the original musical These People, which she also choreographed. Kris dances at En Pointe Danse, is a founding member of the Chagrin Valley Tap Divas, and performs with Showstoppers show choir. She was last seen with Mercury Summer Stock in the 2007 production of Mame. Congratulations to Pierre, Brian and all the dedicated, talented folks at Mercury on their 10th anniversary! And, as always, love and gratitude to George, Thomas and Eme for their support of Mom’s adventures!
Cindi Verbelun (Grace-Honk!, Florence Dickerson -Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) very happily returns to reprise one of her favorite roles for her eighth MSS season, where she previously appeared as Grace Poole in Jane Eyre, and performed her Cabaret: Life Upon The Wicked Stage, among other shows. Favorite roles include: Miss Maudie (Atkinson) in To Kill A Mockingbird (her latest appearance - at GLTG), Becky in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (The Beck Center), Maria in West Side Story (Willoughby Fine Arts Association), Amy in Company (Powers Players), Zosia in Throne of Straw (JCC) and a townsperson in The Beck Center's Parade. On screen, Cindi can be seen in My Summer Story/It Runs In The Family (MGM) and as Aunt Marilyn in The Carpet Kingdom (The Orange Boy Productions). Regionally, Cindi appeared in the one-night-only YouTHeatre - America benefit of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, Ben Vereen, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen, and Jack Black at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, and House Managed BeckettFest at the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, CA. Locally, Cindi has performed at/worked with Dobama Theatre, Beck Center, Fine Arts Association, and many others. She has studied theatre/coached with Joseph Fuqua, Brian Zoldessy, Tom Fulton and Andrew May. Thank you, Pierre and Brian for another wonderful summer with her MSS Family! Cindi dedicates her work in theatre to her Parents, Family and Best Friend. . www.myspace.com/cindiverbelun. Thanks to everyone who supports theatre & MSS!
Luke Wehner (Cartoon-Blue's Clues Live!) is excited to be making his Mercury debut. Recent credits include The Who's Tommy (Second Pinball Lad), Children of Eden (Abel/Ham) Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnik) and Heart of a Dog (Pooch). He does a mean Truman Capote impression.
Adrienne "Addy" Wheeler (Haverfield-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) happily makes her Mercury debut. She is a member of The Singing Angels for the past four years and has been acting since she was about 6 years old. Her first time ever performing on a large stage was when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" (from Les Miserables) in an operatic style at Playhouse Square with The Singing Angels. Addy has been seen in Middle School Musical (Vivian) and Counselor Osborne in There's No Place Like Shiloh. She makes time between her schedule in The Singing Angels, Drama Club, and other various plays to do singing training and national writing competitions.
Matthew Wiederhold (Mr. Lyons-Blood Brothers!) is honored to join Mercury Summer Stock. A Toledo transplant to Cleveland, Matt is thrilled to finally have the chance to perform in Blood Brothers, one of his favorite shows. Recent credits include Disney’s Beauty & the Beast (Lumiere), The Music Man (Constable Locke), Chess (Arbiter), and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Simeon) with Near West Theatre. He has also performed in Cabaret (Clifford Bradshaw), A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine (Chico), and Angry Housewives (Larry) with the Village Players Theatre in Toledo, Ohio.
Aiden Patrick Wilson (Billy-Honk!) is 9 years old and has been “hooked” on acting ever since he played Hermie the Dentist Elf in Rudolph at age 5. Aidan studies at the Beck Center. Recently he was seen playing “Young” Dick Feagler in Christmas at Aunt Ida’s at The Huntington Playhouse and The March Hare in Alice In Wonderland at Brecksville Theatre. He also just completed a Kid’s T.V. Pilot for TBN and two films with both New York and Cleveland based filmmakers. He can be seen later this summer playing Winthrop Paroo in Music Man at the Porthouse Theatre. Thank you MSS for this terrific opportunity!
Alex Wyse (The Ugly Duckling-Honk!) is currently pursuing a BFA in Theatre Arts at Boston University. Regional credits include The Cherry Orchard (alongside Dick Latessa and Kate Burton,), Our Town, Gypsy, The Lion in Winter, Urinetown, She Loves Me, Summer of ’42, Carousel, Into the Woods, and Lord of the Flies. He is a member of the new children’s music group NFusion, which had its' premiere album and music videos sold through PBS this past autumn. He is also a composer/lyricist, and a cabaret of his work was presented at Kalliope Stage last June. Visit alexwyse.com..
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors
and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance
Contract
Production Staff for 2008 Season:
Pierre-Jacques
Brault (Co-Director - Honk!, Blood Brothers, Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) is a 2001 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College's Music Theatre Department and is the co-founder of Mercury Summer Stock, which enters its tenth season this summer at Parma Little Theatre. He has directed countless shows, ranging from full-scale musicals such as Evita and Annie to lesser-known plays including Never the Sinner. His favorite directing credit was putting together the critically acclaimed musical Honk!, which he happily remounts for this season. As an actor, Pierre has worked with Broadway legends Donna McKechnie and Pamela Myers and has assisted some of today's top directors and choreographers, including Cleveland's own Victoria Bussert. Last summer Pierre also directed at Virginia Musical Theatre and Stage Door Manor, a theatrical camp in upstate New York, and recently directed the Cleveland theatre premiere of High School Musical, the highest grossing production ever staged at Heights Youth Theatre.
Lori Anne Elias (Musical Director-Blues Clues, Blue's Clues, Mrs. Potts/Musical Director-Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall) happily returns to MSS to music-direct Blue’s Clues and Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall! Mercury credits include I Sing!, Seussical, and A Year with Frog and Toad. She has also music-directed The Fantasticks (Ensemble Theatre—Cleveland Play House); Scrooge!, Suds, Disney’s High School Musical (Fine Arts Association); To Kill a Mockingbird (Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild); assistant music director--High School Musical (Cleveland theatre premiere, Heights Youth Theatre); Guys and Dolls (FAA). Also a scholar of Canadian music, her research on Atlantic folksongs appears in Folk Music, Traditional Music, Ethnomusicology: Canadian Perspectives, Past and Present. She holds a BM from Bowling Green State University, where she studied piano with Distinguished Teaching Professor Virginia Marks, and a MM from Cleveland State University. Lori teaches general music and drama at Willoughby Middle School and is a frequent presenter across the U.S. and Canada on teaching Canadian music. Love and gratitude to all of my teachers, Pierre and Brian, Fabio, Trey, Jenn, Bob, family, and friends; all to Aslan.
Joanna May Hunkins (Co-Director-Honk!)
is proud to be returning for her eighth season with Mercury. Previous MSS credits include: Mame, I Sing!; Just So; Blood Brothers; Footloose; Fame; and A Class Act. In the northeast Ohio area, Joanna recently starred in Ferdinand the Bull at the Cleveland Play House, Smokey Joe’s Café and The Last Five Years at Weathervane Playhouse, and Urinetown: The Musical at The Beck Center. She also stage-manages, directs, and teaches acting throughout the Cleveland area. Much love to the boys and a big thank you to you, the audience, for supporting live theatre!
Evie Morris (Musical Director-Blood Brothers) works as a musical director, accompanist, pit player and vocal coach in Northeast Ohio. She returns to MSS for an encore as the musical director for Blood Brothers, having been MD for the first production in 200??? In addition to Blood Brothers, Evie has been the musical director with MSS for several other shows including Little Shop of Horrors, Hello, Dolly!, Just So and Childrens' Letters to God. She appeared on the MSS stage as Mrs. Strakosh in Funny Girl, and just finished a 5-month engagement at Playhouse Square in We Gotta Bingo. Evie is delighted to be a part of the MSS 10th anniversary season, and wishes everyone a creative and rewarding theatrical summer experience!
Sara Smith (Musical Director-Honk!) With her Bachelor and Masters degrees from The Eastman School of Music, Sara works as an accompanist, arranger and educator in the Cleveland area. She has worked with numerous schools, and theatres in the northeast Ohio region. She is currently a staff accompanist at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory, and is on the music staff at Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights. Previously, she was a staff accompanist for 10 years at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and was former head of the accompanying department at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. She also served as a staff accompanist at Hiram College and Kent State University. Sara is also active as an arranger and accompanist for regional artists, theatres and ensembles. Other area performance venues/affiliations have included the Cleveland Play House, Playhouse Square Theatres, Cleveland Opera on Tour, Shaker Ensemble Theatre, Blossom Festival Opera, Mercury Summer Stock, Cain Park Theatre, Kalliope Stage, Access to the Arts, Halle Theatre, Greenbrier Theatre, Beck Center, Yellow Barn Workshops, the Kent Acting & Touring Company, and other theatre, dance and choral organizations. Sara has enjoyed working with Mercury Summer Stock since 2002. She music directed HONK! (2002 and 2003), Funny Girl (2004); Ruthless and Jane Eyre (2005), and Big River and Mame (2007). In addition to her performing and collaborative work, Sara teaches Piano and Music Theory in her home studio. She also has an interest in Arts Management, and for ten years served as Assistant Administrator for both the Cleveland International Piano Competition and the Art Song Festival.
