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November 25 - December 23, 2016 , Allen Theatre

A Christmas Story

Written by Philip Grecian
Based on the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark
Directed by John McCluggage

Run time: Two hours, including one intermission
Advisory: No advisory necessary

He’s back! One boy. One holiday wish. And a world that seems to be conspiring to make certain it doesn’t come true. The record-breaking show returns to the CPH stage in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. The perfect holiday treat for the entire family.

Photos & Videos Download Hi Res Photos

From left to right: Christopher Gerson (The Old Man), Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), Madeleine Maby (Mother), and Ian McLaughlin (Randy). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Madeleine Maby (Mother). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Madeleine Maby (Mother), Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), and Christopher Gerson (The Old Man). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), Easton Sumlin (Schwartz), and Jake Spencer (Flick). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Laurien Palmer (Esther Jane) and Rebecca Marzloff (Helen). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Laura Perrotta (Miss Shields). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Easton Sumlin (Schwartz), Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), Laurien Palmer (Esther Jane), Jeff Talbott (Ralph), Rebecca Marzloff (Helen), and Jake Spencer (Flick). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Jeff Talbott (Ralph). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Christopher Gerson (The Old Man), Tommy Bliczo (Ralphie), Madeleine Maby (Mother), and Ian McLaughlin (Randy). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Christopher Gerson (The Old Man) and Madeleine Maby (Mother). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie) and Madeleine Maby (Mother). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Rebecca Marzloff (Helen), Easton Sumlin (Schwartz), Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), Laurien Palmer (Esther Jane), Jake Spencer (Flick), and Jeff Talbott (Ralph). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Stanley Niekamp (Scut Farkas) and Jake Spencer (Flick). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Stanley Niekamp (Scut Farkas). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Madeleine Maby (Mother), Ian McLaughlin (Randy), and Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Madeleine Maby (Mother), Ian McLaughlin (Randy), Christopher Gerson (The Old Man), Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), and Jeff Talbott (Ralph). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Madeleine Maby (Mother), Ian McLaughlin (Randy), Christopher Gerson (The Old Man), and Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Jeff Talbott (Ralph) and Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Above: Madeleine Maby (Mother). Below: Ian McLaughlin (Randy). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Madeleine Maby (Mother), Ian McLaughlin (Randy), Christopher Gerson (The Old Man), Tommy Bilczo (Ralphie), and Jeff Talbott (Ralph). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Ian McLaughlin (Randy), Christopher Gerson (The Old Man), and Madeleine Maby (Mother). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Easton Sumlin (Schwartz) and Jake Spencer (Flick). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Jeff Talbott (Ralph). Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni.

Artists

Tommy Bilczo

Tommy Bilczo

(Ralphie) is ecstatic to be returning to A Christmas Story and to CPH, his home away from home. This is Tommy's fifth Cleveland Play House production. Tommy's CPH debut role was Ralphie in 2016’s A Christmas Story. After this, he performed on the CPH stages in Disney's more(Ralphie) is ecstatic to be returning to A Christmas Story and to CPH, his home away from home. This is Tommy's fifth Cleveland Play House production. Tommy's CPH debut role was Ralphie in 2016’s A Christmas Story. After this, he performed on the CPH stages in Disney's Freaky Friday (Fletcher u/s, performed), Shakespeare in Love (John Webster) and the CWRU/CPH MFA Class of 2018’s production of Macbeth (Fleance). Tommy has also been a member of the CPH Theatre Academy's Musical Theatre Ensemble, performing as Sheldon/Herb in last spring's production of Junie B. Jones, The Musical. Tommy has workshopped in NYC with the Broadway Artists Alliance and A Class Act NY. He has performed in many Cleveland area productions, and has been a featured soloist in a variety of local venues. Tommy would like to thank his family and friends for their never ending love and support. Enjoy the show! Visit tommybilczo.com.

Lexi Cowan

Lexi Cowan

(u/s Helen and Esther Jane) is a fifth grader at Laurel School and is thrilled to be performing with Cleveland Play House for the first time! She earned her first professional acting job at age 3½ when she played the role of Rosie Conlon in the Lionsgate film, Warrior. more(u/s Helen and Esther Jane) is a fifth grader at Laurel School and is thrilled to be performing with Cleveland Play House for the first time! She earned her first professional acting job at age 3½ when she played the role of Rosie Conlon in the Lionsgate film, Warrior. She has since appeared in the Focus Features film, Promised Land, as well as numerous others. Lexi has been seen at Playhouse Square as Little Cosette in Great Lakes Theater’s Les Miserables, and multiple times as a solo vocalist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. She has appeared in a variety of TV commercials and print ads. Lexi is represented by the Docherty Agency in Cleveland and the Abrams Artists Agency in New York City.

Christopher Gerson

Christopher Gerson

(The Old Man) is thrilled to be returning to Cleveland Play House as The Old Man. Some recent credits include Fennyman in Shakespeare in Love and the title role in Richard III at the Great River Shakespeare Festival, Horatio in Hamlet at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The more(The Old Man) is thrilled to be returning to Cleveland Play House as The Old Man. Some recent credits include Fennyman in Shakespeare in Love and the title role in Richard III at the Great River Shakespeare Festival, Horatio in Hamlet at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Price at Triad Stage, and The Little Prince at The Pearl Theatre in New York. Other NY credits include the Red Bull Theater, Lark Theatre Company, and New Georges. Regional credits include South Coast Repertory, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Pioneer Theatre, Actor’s Gang, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and A Noise Within. Television and Film credits include The Good Fight, Mr. Robot, Younger, Desperate Housewives, Days of our Lives, Chicago Hope, The Language of Kickball, Fort Greene, Echo’s Hammer, Darwin: The Series.

Madeleine Maby

Madeleine Maby

(Mother) is thrilled to be back at Cleveland Play House doing A Christmas Story! Favorite NY credits include Weekend at an English Country Estate and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt (The Ateh Theater Group); And to the Republic and The Tragedy of King Arthur (Guerrilla Shakespeare Project); and more(Mother) is thrilled to be back at Cleveland Play House doing A Christmas Story! Favorite NY credits include Weekend at an English Country Estate and The Girl in the Flammable Skirt (The Ateh Theater Group); And to the Republic and The Tragedy of King Arthur (Guerrilla Shakespeare Project); and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Atlantic Theater Company). Favorite regional credits include Boeing-Boeing, Witness for the Prosecution, and The 39 Steps at The Barnstormers Theatre in New Hampshire. In addition to being a theater actor, Madeleine is also an award winning audiobook narrator.

Rebecca Marzloff

Rebecca Marzloff

(Helen) is currently a fifth grader in the Medina City Schools. Rebecca began acting at age five, when she appeared as orphan Molly in Annie Jr. Other credits include: Little Mermaid Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., Seussical, Snow Queen, Shrek Jr., Cinderella and most recently, Alice in Wonderland. Outside of more(Helen) is currently a fifth grader in the Medina City Schools. Rebecca began acting at age five, when she appeared as orphan Molly in Annie Jr. Other credits include: Little Mermaid Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., Seussical, Snow Queen, Shrek Jr., Cinderella and most recently, Alice in Wonderland. Outside of theater, Rebecca sings, plays piano, runs with the “Girls on the Run” running club and is also involved with church activities at her parish. She loves spending time with friends, extended family and especially her three year old golden retriever Belle. She is thrilled to be working with everyone involved with A Christmas Story at Cleveland Play House.

Ian McLaughlin

Ian McLaughlin

(Randy) is honored and thrilled to be making his Cleveland Play House debut. Ian is 9 years old and a fourth grader at Incarnate Word Academy. He has been enjoying performing at local youth theaters since the age of five. Ian recently completed summer intensive classes in NYC with more(Randy) is honored and thrilled to be making his Cleveland Play House debut. Ian is 9 years old and a fourth grader at Incarnate Word Academy. He has been enjoying performing at local youth theaters since the age of five. Ian recently completed summer intensive classes in NYC with Broadway Artists Alliance. Previous performances include Master William/Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theatre) and Bud Ogdan-Porter in Mothers and Sons (Beck Center for the Arts). Ian also has enjoyed doing voiceovers for a children’s book, musical album and commercial. Performing various roles for background in movies and taking tap lessons have also put a lot of smiles on Ian’s face. He recently took up fencing, skateboarding and the violin. Ian also enjoys singing and has memorized all the lyrics from Hamilton.

Stanley Niekamp

Stanley Niekamp

(Scut Farkas) is ecstatic to be joining the cast of A Christmas Story here at Cleveland Play House. He is a fifth grader in Akron, where he attends Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Most recently, Stanley appeared as Charlie Bucket in Weathervane Playhouse's production of more(Scut Farkas) is ecstatic to be joining the cast of A Christmas Story here at Cleveland Play House. He is a fifth grader in Akron, where he attends Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Most recently, Stanley appeared as Charlie Bucket in Weathervane Playhouse's production of Willie Wonka. His first appearance on stage was as Michael Banks in The Akron School for the Arts production of Mary Poppins. Since then Stanley has appeared in productions at Magical Theatre Company, Weathervane Playhouse, Hudson Players, Akron's All-City Musical and Porthouse Theater. Stanley studies voice and piano. He enjoys swimming and reading in his spare time.

Laurien Palmer

Laurien Palmer

(Esther Jane) is delighted to be making her debut with Cleveland Play House in A Christmas Story! Laurien has performed in the off-Broadway production, This Way to Broadway as a soloist and ensemble member and in Destination Broadway. Local roles include Skate Girl, A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theater); more(Esther Jane) is delighted to be making her debut with Cleveland Play House in A Christmas Story! Laurien has performed in the off-Broadway production, This Way to Broadway as a soloist and ensemble member and in Destination Broadway. Local roles include Skate Girl, A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theater); Ensemble, Godspell (Near West Theater); Children’s Choir, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Westlake PAC); Clara, The Nutcracker, The Musical (Bassett Elementary) and Charlie in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (Beck Center MTC). Laurien sings and dances with the Ensemble performance group. Laurien is a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, plays basketball, studies piano, dance, singing and acting. Special thanks to Amy Hanratty, of Voice Variations, for coaching and encouragement! Love to Mom, Dad and Paul. Thank you for your love and support.

Laura Perrotta

Laura Perrotta

(Miss Shields) is a native New Yorker who has called Cleveland home for the last 21 years. She has appeared on television, Off-Broadway, toured nationally, and worked regionally. She’s appeared at Cleveland Play House as Mrs. van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, and as Miss Shields in more(Miss Shields) is a native New Yorker who has called Cleveland home for the last 21 years. She has appeared on television, Off-Broadway, toured nationally, and worked regionally. She’s appeared at Cleveland Play House as Mrs. van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, and as Miss Shields in A Christmas Story. Last Fall she was Emma Arkadina in Stupid F---ing Bird at Dobama Theater, and in the Spring had the great pleasure to open in KINDERTRANSPORT as Evelyn at Ensemble Theater before the world shut down. She looks forward to returning to the theater soon both onstage and off. laura-perrotta.com

Bryce Shepard

Bryce Shepard

(u/s Ralphie, Flick, Schwartz, and Scut Farkas) is 11 years old and very excited to be making his debut with Cleveland Play House. Bryce, a sixth grader at Highland Middle School, first began performing when he was in first grade as part of the Sharon Elementary production of more(u/s Ralphie, Flick, Schwartz, and Scut Farkas) is 11 years old and very excited to be making his debut with Cleveland Play House. Bryce, a sixth grader at Highland Middle School, first began performing when he was in first grade as part of the Sharon Elementary production of The Wizard of Oz. Since then he has been in three additional productions at Sharon performing as Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka, Rooster in Annie and as the crazy hyena, Banzai, in The Lion King. Most recently, Bryce was part of the Summer Youth Musical Production of Alice in Wonderland that took place this past June. Bryce enjoys being a member of drama club and choir, as well as tennis and golf.

Sam Spencer

Sam Spencer

(u/s Randy) is thrilled to reprise his role as Randy at Cleveland Play House. He got to know the character as understudy in 2016, and made his Randy stage debut last season. Other credits include: Ensemble in Gypsy (Beck Center for the Arts), Ensemble in The Music Man in more(u/s Randy) is thrilled to reprise his role as Randy at Cleveland Play House. He got to know the character as understudy in 2016, and made his Randy stage debut last season. Other credits include: Ensemble in Gypsy (Beck Center for the Arts), Ensemble in The Music Man in Concert (Cain Park), and Arthur in Princess Diana the Musical (Geauga Lyric Theatre). Sam has trained with CPH Theatre Academy and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. He is happy to be playing little-brother to his real-life big-brother, Jake. Sam is a third grader at Timmons Elementary in Bainbridge, Ohio, and likes wrestling, Legos, video games and food.

Jake Spencer

Jake Spencer

(Flick) is honored to be returning to Cleveland Play House and his holiday home on “Cleveland Street,” with the cast and crew of A Christmas Story. He appeared as Ralphie in the production last year, and was previously seen as Flick and Randy. Jake is a sixth grader at more(Flick) is honored to be returning to Cleveland Play House and his holiday home on “Cleveland Street,” with the cast and crew of A Christmas Story. He appeared as Ralphie in the production last year, and was previously seen as Flick and Randy. Jake is a sixth grader at Kenston Middle School and has been performing since age six. Theatre credits include Fleance in Macbeth (Great Lakes Theatre), Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird (Brecksville Theatre), and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins (Geauga Lyric Theatre). Film credits include The Autumn Prince, which was selected for the 2018 Cleveland International Film Festival. Jake has received training through CPH Theatre Academy and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. He is proud to be sharing the stage with his real-life brother Sam. In his free time, Jake likes playing video games, shoe shopping and testing out hot sauces.

Easton Sumlin

Easton Sumlin

(Schwartz) is excited to return to CPH after being seen as Schwartz in the 2016 production of A Christmas Story! Easton is twelve years old and in the seventh grade. He can most often be found singing, dancing, reading, building with Legos, or crafting comics. He was most recently more(Schwartz) is excited to return to CPH after being seen as Schwartz in the 2016 production of A Christmas Story! Easton is twelve years old and in the seventh grade. He can most often be found singing, dancing, reading, building with Legos, or crafting comics. He was most recently seen as Young Abel/Storyteller in Children of Eden at French Creek Theatre and Chen in Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars at Dobama Theatre. Other credits include: Jackie Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change at Tantrum Theater; Boris Tumbleweed in The Battle of the Cockroach and the Rhinoceros Beetle at Dobama Theatre; The Dauphin in Marie Antoinette at Dobama Theatre; Rerun Van Pelt in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; and The Three Princes in Aladdin, Jr. at Heights Youth Theatre.

Jeff Talbott

Jeff Talbott

(Ralph) is full of Christmas cheer and happy to be back sharing it with his family at CPH after opening the season in Into the Breeches! He has been on Broadway (Sly Fox, Fortune’s Fool); Off-Broadway (Abundance, Such Good Friends, Home of the Brave); and has extensive regional credits, more(Ralph) is full of Christmas cheer and happy to be back sharing it with his family at CPH after opening the season in Into the Breeches! He has been on Broadway (Sly Fox, Fortune’s Fool); Off-Broadway (Abundance, Such Good Friends, Home of the Brave); and has extensive regional credits, including his most recent: the regional premiere of Oslo. Other regional credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Odd Couple, Race, circle mirror transformation, Frost/Nixon, and Doubt at theatres including Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pioneer Theatre Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, and Yale Repertory Theatre, among many others. He has been on film (Julie & Julia) and TV (The Blacklist, Orange is the New Black, Unforgettable, Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos, all the Law & Orders, One Life to Live, and As the World Turns). As a writer, his plays include The Submission (Laurents/Hatcher Award, Outer Critics Circle’s John Gassner Award; off-Broadway at MCC Theater); The Gravedigger’s Lullaby (Off-Broadway at TACT); i (Pioneer Theatre Company) and Civics and Humanities for Non-Majors (commissioned and produced by Montclair State University). He writes musicals with composer Will Van Dyke. They have written Imagine Harry, Wintersong, Seven Broken Hearts, and The Circle and the Wheel. They have also released an EP of their songs called A View of the River (available on iTunes). Jeff is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama. jefftalbott.com

Michael Boll

(Lighting Designer) is a Cleveland-based Lighting Designer. His Cleveland Play House designs include Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, Pipeline, Native Gardens, An Iliad, The Invisible Hand, The Good Peaches, The Little Foxes, Venus in Fur, Every Good Boy Deserves Favor, In the Next Room or the more(Lighting Designer) is a Cleveland-based Lighting Designer. His Cleveland Play House designs include Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, Pipeline, Native Gardens, An Iliad, The Invisible Hand, The Good Peaches, The Little Foxes, Venus in Fur, Every Good Boy Deserves Favor, In the Next Room or the vibrator play, and Stew and the Negro Problem. Productions with the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program include Macbeth, Metamorphoses, The Winter's Tale, An Orchard, and Angels in America: Millennium Approaches. Other Cleveland lighting design work includes Cleveland Public Theatre, Karamu House, Cain Park, Cleveland Museum of Art, Dobama Theatre and Beck Center for the Arts. Off-Broadway credits include The Moliere Cycle (Classic Stage Company), Songs for a New World (George Street Playhouse), Dog Sees God (SoHo Playhouse) and The Moonlight Room (Associate Lighting Designer, Beckett Theatre). His work has also been seen at the N.Y. Fringe Festival, La MaMa E.T.C., HERE Arts Center, and Yale Cabaret.

John Godbout

(Stage Manager) was Cleveland Play House's resident stage manager from 2001 to 2008 and returned to CPH in the fall of 2011. "Most recently, John stage managed A New Brain at Barrington Stage Company. John has also stage managed at North Shore Music Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, The more(Stage Manager) was Cleveland Play House's resident stage manager from 2001 to 2008 and returned to CPH in the fall of 2011. "Most recently, John stage managed A New Brain at Barrington Stage Company. John has also stage managed at North Shore Music Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, The Weston Playhouse, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Northern Stage, Seaside Music Theatre, and Porthouse Theatre.

Philip Grecian

(Adapter) began his career as a ventriloquist and magician at the age of four. He started working at Colorado’s Creede Repertory Theatre at age 18 where his plays continue to be produced and where he has returned as a guest performer. After touring the Midwest in Androcles and the more(Adapter) began his career as a ventriloquist and magician at the age of four. He started working at Colorado’s Creede Repertory Theatre at age 18 where his plays continue to be produced and where he has returned as a guest performer. After touring the Midwest in Androcles and the Lion, Philip became artistic/managing director and resident playwright of the community theatre he founded. He resigned in 1976 to create a professional theatre where he served as producer and artistic director. Philip has also worked as a writer/director in film, video and audio production. His adaptation of A Christmas Carol has become an annual tradition around the U.S., and his radio dramatization of Dracula! is now a staged radio production. Other plays include the widely popular The Velveteen Rabbit, The Dragon of Nitt, and Lion and the Lyre.

Tom Humes

(Assistant Stage Manager) returns for his sixth season as a resident member of the stage management staff at Cleveland Play House. Selected area stage management credits include Memphis, Rock of Ages, Godspell, The Frogs, Smokey Joe's Café, Avenue Q, Pippin, and Oliver! (Cain Park); Le Nozze di Figaro more(Assistant Stage Manager) returns for his sixth season as a resident member of the stage management staff at Cleveland Play House. Selected area stage management credits include Memphis, Rock of Ages, Godspell, The Frogs, Smokey Joe's Café, Avenue Q, Pippin, and Oliver! (Cain Park); Le Nozze di Figaro and Cosi Fan Tutte (The Cleveland Orchestra); Tosca, La Boheme, and Lucia Di Lammermoor (Opera Cleveland); Caroline, or Change (Dobama Theatre and Karamu House); and History Boys (Beck Center for the Arts). He is a proud member of both Actors' Equity Association and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a minor in Mathematics from Bowling Green State University.

John McCluggage

John McCluggage

(Director) is delighted to return to Cleveland Play House and A Christmas Story. He has directed, taught, and performed throughout the country over the past 30 years. Credits include Enchanted April, Cyrano, A Flea in Her Ear, Phantom, Fiddler on the Roof, Old Wicked Songs, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, more(Director) is delighted to return to Cleveland Play House and A Christmas Story. He has directed, taught, and performed throughout the country over the past 30 years. Credits include Enchanted April, Cyrano, A Flea in Her Ear, Phantom, Fiddler on the Roof, Old Wicked Songs, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and The Pajama Game. Theatres include San Jose Repertory Theatre (associate artistic director), The Barnstormers Theatre, Studio Arena Theatre, Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Cabrillo Stage, Children’s Musical Theatre of San Jose, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Clurman, and Beckett Theatres in New York and Seacoast Repertory Theatre (artistic director). Like Buck Hill Productions on Facebook!

David Kay Mickelsen

(Costume Designer) returns for his 23rd production at Cleveland Play House, having recently designed costumes for The Diary of Anne Frank; All the Way; A Christmas Story; Bell, Book and Candle; and In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. He has designed more than 400 productions at regional more(Costume Designer) returns for his 23rd production at Cleveland Play House, having recently designed costumes for The Diary of Anne Frank; All the Way; A Christmas Story; Bell, Book and Candle; and In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. He has designed more than 400 productions at regional theatres across the country including Guthrie Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Arizona Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis; Seattle, Tennessee, Missouri, San Diego, and New Mexico Repertory Theatres, Sundance Theatre Festival; Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals. Originally from Canby, Oregon; David now makes his home in Long Beach, California. David is the Vice Chairman of The Western Region of United Scenic Artists 829.

Robert Mark Morgan

(Scenic Designer) designed Into the Breeches!, Sweat, The Diary of Anne Frank, All the Way, A Christmas Story, The Whipping Man, The Glass Menagerie, Emma, and Bill W. and Dr. Bob for Cleveland Play House. Other credits include Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Misérables, West Side more(Scenic Designer) designed Into the Breeches!, Sweat, The Diary of Anne Frank, All the Way, A Christmas Story, The Whipping Man, The Glass Menagerie, Emma, and Bill W. and Dr. Bob for Cleveland Play House. Other credits include Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Misérables, West Side Story, Billy Elliot, and Seussical The Musical (The Muny in St. Louis); exhibit designer for Avatar the Exhibition (Experience Music Project in Seattle); Fallen Angels (Asolo Repertory Theatre); Joshua's Boots (Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Amarillo Opera); The Rainmaker, A Moon for the Misbegotten (2007 Prague Design Quadrennial); The Dazzle (A.C.T. San Francisco); The Giver, The Diary of Anne Frank, Jesus Hates Me, and House of the Spirits (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Saint Joan, Jekyll & Hyde, Ordinary Nation, Rabbit Hole, Fall of Heaven, and 4000 Miles (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); The Subject Tonight is Love (Alliance Theatre Company); Just Stopped by to See the Man and The Whipping Man (The Old Globe); and numerous Utah Shakespeare Festival productions in the 2012/13 season. Robert is a Teaching Professor at Washington University in St. Louis and Director of the Beyond Boundaries Program in interdisciplinary education. morgansetdesign.com

Elissa Myers Casting, Paul Fouquet, CSA

(Casting) credits include Poisoner’s Handbook, Becoming Helen Keller, and Mystery of Matter, PBS. Other PBS projects include The Abolitionists, Dolley Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin (Emmy Award), Liberty (Peabody Award), God in America, People vs. Leo Frank, Louisa May Alcott, Great Performances (Artios Award in more(Casting) credits include Poisoner’s Handbook, Becoming Helen Keller, and Mystery of Matter, PBS. Other PBS projects include The Abolitionists, Dolley Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin (Emmy Award), Liberty (Peabody Award), God in America, People vs. Leo Frank, Louisa May Alcott, Great Performances (Artios Award in Outstanding Achievement in Casting), and Murder Of A President for American Experience. Feature films include Hank and Asha (Audience Award at Slamdance 2013) and The Union. Theatre credits include seven Broadway shows, including Tony nominated Having Our Say, as well as 26 Off-Broadway shows. Regional theatre casting in the past two years includes Denver Center, Geva Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Magic Theatre, Arena Stage, Alley Theatre, George Street Playhouse, and Arizona Theatre Company. The office has so far received 16 nominations and has won three Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting.

Jean Shepherd

(Author/Screenwriter) was a radio, television and film personality, writer and actor. For almost three decades, he told stories — culled from his youth in Indiana, his adventures in the Army Signal Corps, and tales of the obscure and infamous — to eager radio audiences. He was on the air more(Author/Screenwriter) was a radio, television and film personality, writer and actor. For almost three decades, he told stories — culled from his youth in Indiana, his adventures in the Army Signal Corps, and tales of the obscure and infamous — to eager radio audiences. He was on the air in Cincinnati from 1950 to 1954 and on WOR in New York from 1956 to 1977. Acting credits include The Goodman Theatre, on Broadway in Leonard Sillman's New Faces and Voice of the Turtle, and the film The Light Fantastic. He also did baseball sportscasts for the Toledo Mudhens and Armed Forces Radio. He created humorous narratives for PBS television collectively called Jean Shepherd's America, which later continued on PBS’ New Jersey Network as Shepherd's Pie. PBS/WGBH's American Playhouse teleplay credits include The Phantom of the Open Hearth, The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters, Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss, and The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski. He is best known for co-writing and narrating the film A Christmas Story (1983). He also wrote a number of novels including The America of George Ade, In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash; Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters, The Ferrari in the Bedroom, and A Fistful of Fig Newtons. Jean Shepherd died on October 16, 1999.

James C. Swonger

(Sound Designer) has designed sound for many Cleveland Play House productions including The Good Peaches (world premiere), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Breath and Imagination, Good People, The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, Bell, Book and Candle, The Game’s Afoot (world premiere), Bill more(Sound Designer) has designed sound for many Cleveland Play House productions including The Good Peaches (world premiere), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Breath and Imagination, Good People, The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, Bell, Book and Candle, The Game’s Afoot (world premiere), Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Heaven’s My Destination (world premiere), Noises Off!, Gee’s Bend, and I Am My Own Wife. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program credits include The Fifth of July, The Philadelphia Story, The Three Sisters, Twelfth Night, and An Orchard. Additional credits include Cleveland’s Lyric Opera Company, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, Centerstage Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, and premiere productions of why i had to dance, The Tragic Demise of the Whaleship Essex and Swinging on a Star: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Burke.

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