presents

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United StatesCenter REP is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre

The Sound Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANYMichael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director

By Charles DickensAdaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James

Directed by Scott Denison

Music DirectorMichael Patrick Wiles

Lighting DesignerJohn Iarla

Projection DesignerSteve Channon

Hofmann TheatreDecember 6 - 16, 2018

Lesher Center for the Arts

Scenic Designer Kelly James Tighe

Sound DesignerJeff Mockus

Stage ManagerJeff Collister*

Costume DesignerBethany Deal ChoreographerJennifer PerryDialect CoachLynne Soffer

Season Partner Foundation SponsorSeason Sponsor

A Christmas Carol

Scott Coopwood* (Marley/Old Joe) Regional favorites include: The title roles in Hamlet, MacBeth, Cymbeline, King John, Edward III and Cyrano De Bergerac, Iago in Othello, Edmund in King Lear, Angelo in Measure for Measure, Kippy in Take Me Out, Shylock in The Merchant Of Venice, Jacques in As You Like It, Trigorin in The Seagull, Benedick, Don John, and Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Petruchio in The Taming Of The Shrew, Brutus in Julius Caesar, Harry Brock in Born Yesterday, Brennan in Frost/Nixon, and Edward in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me. Regional Theatres include: Arkansas Rep., Artists Rep., Capital Rep., San Jose Rep., Center Rep., Berkeley Rep., Capital Stage, The Utah, Colorado, Orlando and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festivals, Arizona Theatre Co., Sacramento Theater Co., Marin Theatre Co., Portland Center Stage, The Seattle and Marin Shakespeare Companies, Profile Theatre Project, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, and Jewel Theatre Co., as well as work with the Toronto, Windsor, and Oregon Symphony Orchestra’s. Michael Doppe* (Young Scrooge/Boz) is so excited to be back with Center REP and his Christmas Carol family. He is an actor, writer, director, musician, and graduate of the SCT “Actor Training Program”, and has been seen at various companies including Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, San Jose Stage, Town Hall Theatre, 42nd St. Moon, Ray of Light Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, New Conservatory Theatre Center, and Solano College Theatre. He is also an educator, projection designer, and the host of “I’m B.A.T.man” - Your Bay Area Theatre Podcast. “Doppe” is a proud member of Actors Equity. “Come visit me at “michaeldoppe.com”.

Ella Dunderdale (Belinda Cratchit) is very excited to be returning to Center REP! Previous performances include A Christmas Carol (Belinda Crachit and Fan) with Center REP, Billy Elliot (Keely Gibson), Gypsy (Baby June), The Music Man (Amaryllis), and Les Miserables (Little Cosette/Eponine) with CCMT, as well as Billy Elliot (Debbie Wilkinson) with Berkeley Playhouse. She is a proud member of FFAE and has spent several amazing summers with the Young REP program. She is also a student of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!

Katie Glazier (Fan) is thrilled to join the cast of A Christmas Carol this year! Katie has studied dance at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek for the past 6 years. She enjoys class and performing in the annual Once Upon A Christmas. She has also studied and performed in Young Actors Studio for the past three years. Last year Katie joined the cast of CCMT’s Billy Elliot and had an absolute blast. In her free time Katie enjoys reading, singing, and playing piano.

Edison Gould (Perch/Turkey Boy) is excited to be returning to A Christmas Carol for his fourth year. Edison is the star of his own web series “The Kid who Loved Indiana Jones” and was seen onstage earlier this year in Almost an Evening (The Other Other Theatre Company). He would like to thank his mom and dad, his Uncle Jeff, Gretchen & PJ, Gigi, Amanda & Doppe and Mark Hamill.

Tyler Patrick Hennessy (Boy Scrooge) is excited to be once again part of A Christmas Carol as Boy Scrooge. His most recent role was also with Center Rep as Fletcher in Freaky Friday. Prior to Freaky Friday, he had the honor of playing Michael/Jack in the National Tour of Finding Neverland. Tyler would like to thank everyone at Center REP for their continued support and most importantly his family! Follow all of Tyler’s adventures @tylerpatrick.h

Kevin Hinton (Charlie) is thrilled to perform in his first Center REP production. However, this is not Kevin’s first time on a Lesher Stage, he played George in Our Town for Young REP. Kevin was the stage combat choreographer and also played Chuck in She Kills Monsters at Las Lomas High School. He has won 4 Las Lomas “Knighty Awards” for outstanding performances. Kevin is thankful for all of his friends and family, for their generous support, as he continues to pursue his acting career.

Reece Jordahl (Gridley) is thrilled to be apart of his first show with Center REP, A Christmas Carol! You may have seen him in Stars 2000’s production of Legally Blonde or Anything Goes. Reece is a proud ice cream seller at the Lesher and now he is very excited to be on the Lesher stage. Reece is a freshman at Northgate High School and enjoys being in choir and the improv team. He would like to give a final thanks to Judy Ryken, his family, and countless others for all of their knowledge and support.

Heather Kellogg (Dorit/Anne) was most recently seen at Town Hall Theatre as Charlotte Corday in The Revolutionists and Margaret and Anne in Sense and Sensibility. Other recent productions include: Gertrude in An Ideal Husband, Hallie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Linda in Play it Again, Sam, and Rosalind in Moon Over Buffalo all at Town Hall. Evelina Bunner in The Bunner Sisters with reACT, Liz in Hilarity, and Kristin in Kristin Hersh’s RAT GIRL both with DIVAfest, Babies: The Ultimate Birth Control (winner of Best of Fringe) and Cat Ladies both with All Terrain Theater. She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. During the summer she teaches with Center REP’s Young REP training program.

Jerry Lee* (Mr. Checkers/Present) is the Marketing Director at Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, where he has appeared in Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Man of La Mancha, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair, and The Drowsy Chaperone. As an actor: Forbidden Broadway (California Musical Theatre); Life Could Be A Dream, A Christmas Carol (Center REP); A Little Princess, The Fantasticks (Sacramento Theatre Company); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Orlando, An Iliad, A Tale of Two Cities (SacImpulse Theatre). As a director: Holiday Jukebox, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Robber Bridegroom (Sierra Rep); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Sacramento Theatre Company).

Amanda Leigh (Belle/Nancy) was last seen in TOOTC’s production of A Few Good Men. Amanda has worked with companies all throughout the area like, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, Berkeley Playhouse and Center REP. When Amanda is not performing she is busy being the Program Director of Performing Art Studio, a program of The Ballet School Performing Arts. During the summer Amanda is busy teaching for Young REP, Center REP’s Theatre Training Program. Amanda is also a very proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. This one’s for you Grammie. Xoxo

Scott Maraj (Constable/Future) is grateful to return to the Christmas Carol family for a fifth time. Most recently, he directed In The Heights for Stage 1 Theatre, was seen in 42nd Street, Anything Goes and Disney’s The Little Mermaid with Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre and performed in Baker Street and The Most Happy Fella with 42nd Street Moon. Scott’s directing/choreography credits include Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s production of Jekyll and Hyde as well as PCRT’s productions of The Last Five Years, Forever Plaid, The Taffetas and the upcoming Mamma Mia for both PCRT and Stage 1. Favorite roles include Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing…), Magaldi (Evita), Wrangler (The Will Rogers Follies), Corny Collins (Hairspray) and Bobby (A Chorus Line). #teamswirl

Michael McCarty (Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/Snuffbox) is thrilled to be back performing in this holiday classic. Previous performances on the Hofmann stage include CCMT’s productions of 1776, Gypsy, The Music Man, Les Miserables, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Michael is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble: www.fantasyforum.org. He works for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and resides with his wife and son in Benicia.

Alex Moore (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) is so excited to be back for his 5th season singing in Center REP’s Christmas Carol Quartet! Most recently, Alex could be seen in the ensemble of Center REP’s Mamma Mia! and in the company of Ethan Cohen’s Almost an Evening with The Other Other Theatre Company. Other East Bay Area credits include: Town Hall- Bazzard (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), David (Company), CCMT- Enjloras (Les Miserables), OMG...- Judas (Godspell). FAVORITE roles: Husband to Erin and Dad to Anderson. Alex studied vocal performance and theatre and holds a BA in music from PLNU, San Diego. A private voice and piano coach and Co-Musical Director at The Ballet School’s Young Actor’s Studio, he is also a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble! Alex would like to welcome his friends and family to the show and wish you all a very HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Thomas Moore (Peter Cratchit/ Charlie) is thrilled to be back with the cast of, A Christmas Carol, for a fifth year! Thomas studies voice and saxophone locally. He also spends his summers studying theatre arts with Young REP. His favorite roles to date have been as Peter Cratchit and Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol with Center REP. Thomas would like to thank his parents, family, and friends for driving him everywhere and his teachers and mentors for helping his dreams become realities. Enjoy the show!

CAST

Jenny Angell ...........................................................................AfferyHannah Bachman ...................................................Fauna FezziwigKayla Marie Berghoff .............................................. Sarah CratchitChris Contreras .........................................................Georgie/ThiefScott Coopwood* ....................................................Marley/Old JoeMichael Doppe* .................................. Undertaker/Young ScroogeElla Marie Dunderdale .............. Belinda Cratchit/Flora FezziwigKatie Glazier ...............................................................................FanEdison Gould ...................................................... Perch/Turkey BoyTyler Patrick Hennessy .................................... Boy Scrooge/WantKevin Hinton .......................................................Charlie/PallbearerReece Jordahl ....................................................................... GridleyHeather Kellogg .............................................................Dorit/AnneJerry Lee* ......................................................Mr. Checkers/PresentAmanda Leigh .............................................................. Belle/NancyScott Maraj ........................................................... Constable/FutureMichael McCarty............Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/SnuffboxAlex Moore ..........................................................Mr. Tiffey - TenorThomas Moore ........................................................... Peter CratchitR. Martin Newton ..................................................................RudgeCharles Woodson Parker .............................. Mr. Bagstock - BassJeanine Perasso .........................................................Mrs. FezziwigGrace Perry .............................................................Martha CratchitJennifer Perry .............................................. Swing/Dance CaptainVincent M. Perry ....................................Mr. Boxer/Havisham/PipXander Raymond ................................................Silas/Beggar BoyBarbara Reynolds ......................................Miss Skiffins - SopranoJosselyn Ryder................................................... Catherine HastingsKerri Shawn ......................................................... Past/CharwomanTeddy Spencer* ..........................................................Fred HastingsJenna Stich .........................................................Pleasant/LaundressMolly Thornton ..............................................Miss Augustus - AltoBrayden Bautista Toy......................................Tiny Tim/IgnoranceMichael Patrick Wiles* ...............................................Bob CratchitKeaton Wilkerson .......................................................Dick WilkinsMichael Ray Wisely* ..........................................Ebenezer ScroogeWendy Wisely ...................................................................... LucretiaDiella Wottrich ..................................................................... LaviniaSpecial thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Jenny Angell (Affery) is grateful to be returning to A Christmas Carol for the second year. Recent credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie (Pearl Girl/Dance Captain) with CCMT, Hands on a Hardbody (Heather) and Chicago (Roxie Hart) with Lucky Penny Productions, and The Wedding Singer (Julia) with Bay Area Musicals. Merry Christmas! www.jennyangell.net

Hannah Bachman (Fauna Fezziwig) is very excited to be a part of A Christmas Carol this year with Center REP! Hannah trains at Young REP, and a few of her previous shows include Billy Elliot (CCMT), Gypsy (CCMT), The Music Man (CCMT) and Anything Goes (Stars 2000). Some of Hannah’s favorite roles with Peter Pan Foundation and Curtains Up Youth Theatre are Millie Dillmount (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Sara Crewe (A Little Princess), and Gabriella Montez (High School Musical Jr.)

Kayla Marie Berghoff (Mrs. Cratchit) is thrilled to return to Center REP for this holiday classic. Originally from Sacramento, Kayla is now based in New York City and has her MFA from The New School for Drama. Credits include Camelot (Guenevere), Happy End (Lillian), Henry VI Part 3 (Queen Margaret), The Turn of the Screw (The Governess), and Cabaret (Lulu). Kayla would like to thank her husband Mike for all his support. Happy holidays, everyone! www.KaylaBerghoff.com

Chris Contreras (Georgie/Thief) Happy Holidays! My name is Chris Contreras and I’m thrilled to be part of the production of A Christmas Carol for a third straight year. Recently, I performed as Michael in Billy Elliot with the Contra Costa Musical Theater (CCMT) and I am honored to currently be nominated for a Shellie Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical for that performance. In addition to being part of these productions, I greatly enjoy being a member of local baseball and football teams. I just turned 14 years old and I am in the 8th grade at Foothill Middle School in Walnut Creek. My favorite part about theater is working together with the rest of the cast and entertaining the audience. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy the show!

R. Martin Newton (Rudge) can’t believe this is his 14th year as part of this amazing show! Where has the time gone? You might’ve recently seen Marty in Contra Costa Music Theater’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie tap dancing away. Some of Marty’s other favorite tap dance shows include CCMT’s Billy Elliot and 42nd Street. Marty recently won a Shellie Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his role The Full Monty, which is NOT a tap show, but a strip tease show. Shows you where his forte lies! Marty is a huge fan of the San Francisco Forty-Niners, cheese, Levi’s, a pizza and beer combo and the faraway island of Alameda! Knowledge is power!

Charles Woodson Parker (Mr. Bagstock - Alto) is ecstatic to be joining the Christmas Carol family. He has a BFA in musical theatre from the Boston Conservatory and was recently nominated by Theatre Bay Area for his role as Francis in Altarena’s One Man, Two Guvnors. He won back in 2014 for Robert in Boeing, Boeing at the same theater. Charles has performed in SF, the South Bay and the East Bay in more roles than he can remember. He’s pursuing a career in voice over and you can see some of his work on his website www.charleswoodsonparker.com. He’d like to thank his family, friends and loved ones for their support as he continues to perform. Love you guys!

Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig) Returning to A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Fezziwig makes the Holidays sparkle brightly for Jeanine as she shares the love and charity of the Season with all of you. Recently she was seen as Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker with Onstage Rep, Sr, Mary Lazarus in Sister Act with Berkeley Playhouse, and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest with Onstage Rep. She is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble and has also performed with many other local theaters as well as at the SF Fringe Festival. Jeanine would like to thank her wonderful family and friends for all their love and support. It means so much to see your smiling faces in the audience at all my performances. Special thanks to Fred, Miranda, Evan, and Hensley;you make my heart smile! May all your Holidays be filled with Joy!

Grace Perry (Martha Cratchit) is a proud student of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts. She takes Ballet, Tap, Broadway Dance and Theatre classes with the Performing Arts Studio at The Ballet School. Grace is in the 8th grade. Grace studied Kung-Fu for 8 years at the Concord Kung-Fu Academy. Grace has been seen in CCMT shows such as Billy Elliot, Gypsy (Baby Louise) The Music Man (Gracie Shinn) OKLAHOMA!, and Joseph and the Amazing... and A Christmas Carol (Fan, Center REP for the past 11 years). Grace is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble and a student of the Young REP Acting training program for the past 3 summers.

Vincent M. Perry (Constable/Crow/Undertaker) Some favorite roles include: Lt. Jack Ross in A Few Good Men with TOOTC. Billy’s Dad, Jackie Elliot in Billy Elliot, Pharaoh in Joseph and The Amazing, Shellie Award Winner, Les Miserables, OKLAHOMA! Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes, Miles in Funny Thing Happened… Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George, Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls, all with CCMT. Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, DLOC) Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Constable and Young Scrooge (Center REP’s A Christmas Carol) Vincent is a Shellie Award winner and multiple Marty Award winner. He is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org. Vincent is the head of the Music Department at The Ballet School Performing Arts where he teaches Piano and Voice in Walnut Creek. www.theballetschool.org Vincent is represented by NYLO Talent Agency.

Xander Raymond (Beggar Boy) is grateful to be performing with his Center REP Christmas Carol family for the 3rd time. His favorite roles include: Small Boy (Billy Elliot, CCMT), Colin (The Secret Garden, Broadway Rep Theater), and James (James & the Giant Peach, The Meher School). When he’s not on stage this 12 year old can be found studying theater in 7th grade at Contra Costa School of Performing Arts or learning Ballet, Tap and Voice at the fabulous Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School. He would like to thank all his teachers, mentors and family for their continual love and support as he pursues his dreams.

Michael Patrick Wiles* (Bob Cratchit) returns for his 17th season of A Chrstmas Carol at Center REP, where he was also seen as Tom in The Glass Menagerie, and Dr. Seward in Dracula. Other stage credits include over 50 productions with American Conservatory Theater, American Musical Theater, Aurora Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, Capital Stage Company, Magic Theater, Marin Shakespeare Festival, Pacific Alliance Stage Company, Pacific Repertory Theater, San Franciso Shakespeare Festival, Shotgun Players, and Tacoma Actors Guild. Wiles is the Co-Founder, Co-Director, and Musical Director for Center REP’s Young REP Training Program. He is also the Casting Director & Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. BFA, Cornish College of the Arts. Michael Ray Wisely* (Ebenezer Scrooge) His 23rd appearance with the REP, audiences have seen him as Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet, Petkoff in Arms and the Man, Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird and as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Most recently Michael Ray appeared as the Sheriff in Whorehouse with 42nd Street Moon, as Bottom in Midsummer with SF Shakes, and Ray in Blackbird, with Pacific Repertory in Carmel. Well known to Bay Area audiences, he has performed locally and at other west coast theatres for over 20 years. Other recent roles: Gustave Flaubert in Dear Master for Aurora Theatre Company, and Off-Broadway as Ted in the critical hit Ideation for SF Playhouse and 59e59 Theater. Other credits include: Berkeley Repertory, TheatreWorks, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Marin Shakes, San Jose Stage, and others. Michael Ray has starred and guest-starred in film and television. Follow him on facebook or michaelraywisely.com

Wendy M. Wisely (Lucretia) is overjoyed to be joining this show for the 13th year. Her previous Center REP productions include The Diviners, The Night Hank Williams Died and Room Service. Most recently, she portrayed Lord Wooten in a staged reading of Portrait of Dorian Gray at Actor’s Theatre of Berkeley. Originally from Seattle, she has acted and directed at such theaters as SF Playground, San Jose Stage Compan, Pacific Alliance, Willows, California Shakespeare Theater conservatory, Role Players, Townhall Theatre, and The Western Stage. Wendy is a professor of theater at Las Positas College and Santa Rosa Junior College where she was honored with 2 semesters teaching theatre abroad: London and Florence. She is also thrilled to have been on the faculty of Young REP this summer!

Diella Wottrich (Lavinia) is thrilled to be back with her Christmas Carol family! Other theatre credits include CCMT’s Grease, Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sunset Blvd., Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A Chorus Line, FFAE’s Robin Hood, DTC’s Guys & Dolls and Annie, and TVRT’s The Sound of Music. She has also performed in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. Diella dedicates this performance to her beautiful, incredible, amazing Mom who passed away last year. I love you, Mom!!!

Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Soprano) is happy to return for her 22nd season in the Christmas Carol quartet. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she appeared most recently in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, City of Angeles (Bobbi/Gabby), and Kiss Me, Kate (Kate) for South Bay Musical Theatre. Other favorites include 1776 (Abigail Adams) at Tabard Theatre; Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), and She Loves Me (Amalia) at South Bay; Little Women (Marmee) at Sunnyvale Players; A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Magnolia). She also sings regularly with the San Jose Symphonic Choir.

Josselyn Ryder (Catherine Hastings) is delighted to be returning to A Christmas Carol at Center REP, one of her favorite happenings of the year! Her recent theatre work includes Follies (42nd Street Moon), The Elephant Man (Hillbarn Theatre), Billy Elliot (CCMT), and My Fair Lady (PCRT). Film: “John Legend- You & I” (Nobody In The World). She teaches voice and piano for The Ballet School in Walnut Creek and holds a BA Music/BA Theatre from Chapman University. She is recently married and would like to say I love you to her husband (husband!), Casey.

Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) is grateful to return to this glorious cast of A Christmas Carol. Most recently she played the role of Shirley Valentine in Center REP’s production of Shirley Valentine. Kerri serves as Co-Director of REP’s Young REP Theatre Training Program (youngrep.org) and is a resident actress with Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. She wishes you all a peaceful and joy-filled holiday season.

Teddy Spencer* (Fred Hastings) is pleased to be back at Center REP, where he was last seen as Philiste in The Liar. A Concord native, Teddy has performed throughout the world as a member of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Regionally, he has worked with American Conservatory Theatre, New Victory Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, TheatreWorks, Dallas Theater Center, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the Folger Theatre, Capital Stage Company, Sacramento Theatre Company, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Arabian Shakespeare Festival, Napa Valley Shakespeare, Theatre at Monmouth, the Undermain, and Summer Repertory Theatre. Teddy holds a BA in both Musical Theatre and Psychology from California State University, Chico, and an MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University. He is an Artistic Associate with the Arabian Shakespeare Festival, a Company Member with SF PlayGround, and the proud father of a dog named Dweebs.

Jenna Stich (Laundress) is so happy to be rejoining the cast of A Christmas Carol. A former student of Young REP, past experience includes Center REP, Lafayette Town Hall and Silicon Valley Shakespeare. Jenna sends her love and thanks to her wonderful family.

Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto) is thrilled to return to the wonderful cast of A Christmas Carol for her eleventh year. Having just completed a run as Maggie Jones in 42nd Street with West Valley Light Opera, other memorable roles include Helen Sinclair (Bullets Over Broadway), Morticia (The Addams Family), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Velma Von Tussle (Hairspray), Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Matron Mama Morton (Chicago), Pennywise (Urinetown), Mrs. Walker (The Who’s Tommy), Kate (Kiss Me, Kate) and Betty Blake (The Will Rogers Follies) for which she received a Shellie Award. Look for her next summer as she reprises the role of Aldonza with San Jose Musical Theater. Love goes to her wonderful husband, James, whom she started dating 10 years ago during her first season with Christmas Carol. Happy Anniversary!

Brayden Bautista Toy (Tiny Tim) is thrilled to be returning to the stage with Center REP. This will be Brayden’s third season as Tiny Tim. His training includes three summers with Young Actors Studio and five years of ballet at The Ballet School Performing Arts. He is currently in second grade and is learning Kung Fu at Concord Kung Fu Academy. In his spare time, Brayden enjoys reading and origami. Enjoy the show!!

Keaton Wilkerson (Dick Wilkins) is excited to be back home performing in the Lesher Center for the Arts after graduating with a BA in Drama from University of California Irvine this past spring. Past roles include Eddie (Mamma Mia!), Franklin Shepard (Merrily we Roll Along), Mrs. Bumbrake (Peter and the Star Catcher), Hertz (Rock of Ages), Farm Boy (Gypsy), and Ghost of Christmas Future (A Christmas Carol). He would like to thank his parents for all their support and enthusiasm.

CENTER REP THANKS :

Massimo’s RistoranteWaters Moving and Storage

Associated Services-Alta WaterContra Costa Musical Theatre

Shannon and Mike Demers

ARTS COMMISSIONJane Emanuel, Chair

Glynnis CowderyIasmine Klauber

Ann MeridethAnita Sagástegui

CITY COUNCILCindy Silva, Mayor

Loella Haskew, Mayor Pro-TemMatt FrancoisJustin WedelKevin Wilk

CITY MANAGERDan Buckshi

DIRECTOR, Arts + RecKevin Safine

Michael Butler Artistic DirectorScott Denison Managing Director

Center REPertory Company

Production ManagerJeff Collister

Technical DirectorJoshua Lipps

Master ElectricianDel MedoffCarpenters

Kevin BennettTrevor Frey

Arian GrimsrudGabriel JohnsonBrennan Shreves

Asst. Stage ManagerJoe Coe

Props ManagerRoger Anderson

Marketing AssociateMorgan Mitchell

Costume Shop ManagerBethany Deal

Wardrobe SupervisorStephanie Weldon

Costume StaffMichael A. BergMichelle KincaidMiranda Lenore

StitchersMarilyn ArnoJudy DeHont

Jan DivitoJulia McLeod Gail Russell

Linda Scotting Chase Vashel

Stephanie Weldon

Casting DirectorJennifer Perry

Education DirectorsJeff Draper

Kerri Shawn Production Assistants

Tessie BerghoffTerry D’EmidioKira DaughertyAmanda MasonNadia Thomas

Kathleen J. ParsonsEthan Williams

Asst. to the Managing Director

Gail PfeiferProgram/Webmaster

Linda Nomura

Lynne Soffer (Dialect Coach) has coached over 250 theater productions at A.C.T., Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, Marin Theater Company, Theatreworks, Cal Shakes, San Jose Rep and SF Opera among others including nine for Center Rep. Her regional credits include the Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, Arizona Theatre Company, the Arena Stage, Seattle Rep and the world premier of The Laramie Project at the Denver Center. Her film and television credits include “Fruitvale,” “Metro,” “Duets,” “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Soffer works frequently as a professional actor and acting teacher and is the recipient of the 2011 Actors’ Equity Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award.

Michael Butler (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s twelfth season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his directing credits include The Liar, Women in Jeopardy, Baskerville, ‘Art,’ Anything Goes, Clybourne Park, Real Housewives of Walnut Creek, and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Shellie and BATCC Award-winning productions of Around the World in 80 Days, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enchanted April, and Witness For The Prosecution. His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, ACT in Seattle, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway (Macbeth with Glenda Jackson and Christopher Plummer and Two Shakespearean Actors), Off Broadway (Roundabout, The Public Theatre), in regional theatres (The Guthrie, Arena Stage, Long Wharf), film and television, as well as in REP’s productions of Mirandolina!, The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. He is a published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which have been produced in NY, LA, and at festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre LeChance on “The Guiding Light,” and played guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country western bands at all the notable dives in NYC.

OUR SPONSORS

Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past eleven years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts.

Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in the community is all about building partnerships with the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org.

Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) As the namesake family for the Lesher Center for the Arts, the Lesher Foundation has provided funding to Center REP and the Lesher Center since the Center opened in 1990. Their support has had a profound impact on the quality of Center REP’s productions and has greatly enhanced the experience for Center REP’s audiences. Grant-making decisions are based on the vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, diverse art programs, and healthy children and families are the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community.

Bethany Deal (Costume Designer) is excited to carry on the holiday tradition with her ACC Family. She has her MFA in Costume Design/Hair & Make-Up design from Utah State University. Other REP costume designs include Women In Jeopardy . Another skill she has is Hair & Make-up Design – recent projects include Wig Design for Vanya Sonia Masha & Spike, Rock Of Ages and Freaky Friday at REP, as well as Beehive!:the 60’s Musical at Sierra Rep. She also freelance costume designs in the greater bay area. She recently designed Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Bay Area Theater Critic’s Circle nomination for Best in the Bay overall production), Saturday Night, New Girl In Town- 42nd Street Moon, Dream Girls, Sister Act and Annie-Berkeley Playhouse, Cymbeline-Theater of the Others. Her other work includes Mr. Marmalade (Garage Theatre), Legally Blonde the Musical (USU), Talk Radio, The Fantasticks (OMG) Blues in the Night (Stage 3) and Beehive!: the 60’s Musical (Sierra Rep). Other collaborations include CMT- Music Circus, Town Hall Theater, and Marin Shakespeare Company. In addition to the stage, Ms. Deal has worked in film and television including Costume Designer for “Not Your Year” and “North Beach” both currently in the festival circuit. She did costumes for Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project Winners in 2013.

John Iarla (Lighting Designer) Real Housewives the Musical (World Premier) Spring Awakening (East Bay Premier), The Lady with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center REP), Sunset Boulevard (East Bay Premier), Oklahoma!, 42nd Street-Shellie Award, Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); On Broadway Gala, Walnut Creek Jazz Series (DRAA), Lesher Speaker Series-Newsmakers; Chevron Family Theatre Festival; ARF Stars to the Rescue; The Shellie Awards; Rocky Horror Show, Let’s Go To The Movies (Town Hall). Thanks to the ACME Theatre Company.

Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) has designed sound for Center REP’s Mamma Mia!, Women in Jeopardy, A Christmas Carol, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical, Life Could Be a Dream, Old Wicked Songs, Xanadu, Marvelous Party, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, Hank Williams Lost Highway, Around the World In 80 Days, and The Marriage of Figaro. Among his recent work are TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga, Rags, and Crimes of the Heart, as well as The Western Stage’s Young Frankenstein, In the Heights, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Mr. Mockus served as San Jose Repertory Theatre’s Resident Sound Designer on over 70 productions, including The Haunting of Winchester, Nixon’s Nixon, Mary’s Wedding, and Thunder Knocking on the Door. He has credits with American Conseratory Theater, California Shakespeare Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz/Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Utah Shakespearean Festival and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Steve Channon (Projection Designer) Steve’s design credits include A Bed and a Chair at New York City Center (starring Bernadette Peters), Patti’s Turn (featuring Patti LuPone), The Nutcracker and I (George Street Playhouse) and the international premiere of R&H’s Cinderella, at the Rossiya theatre in Moscow. In California, Steve has designed Les Mis (CCMT), and Miss Saigon (Broadway by the Bay). Steve has also worked as an animator and associate designer around the world. On Broadway, for Memphis, The Mountaintop and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short and for shows such as Old Jews Telling Jokes (off-Broadway), The History of Invulnerability (Cincinnati Playhouse), Frank Wildhorn’s Tears of Heaven (National Theatre of Korea), and Empire the Musical (La Mirada Playhouse). Steve currently resides in New York, but grew up in San Jose, and performed around the bay area, including in shows at AMTSJ and SBMT. Web: Channon.TV

Tom Judd (Costume Special Effects Designer) is currently a Technical Director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment’s production of “Frozen Live at the Hyperion”. While working for Disney for the last 22 years, Tom has worked on numerous shows in Anaheim, Orlando and Hong Kong. Tom wants to thank his wife and kids for all of the great support they have given him on his long days and late nights work with the Mouse.

Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is year 21 for Jeff as Stage Manager for this production. He has been the Production Manager for REP since 1995 and has stage managed more than 50 shows since joining the company in 1989. Jeff recently directed REP’s hit Disney’s Freaky Friday – The Musical. For REP he has also directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Xanadu. Jeff directed Urinetown -The Musical and Grease (2004) for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He was the Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna’s – The Royal Tour (1998) in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor, an avid SF Giants and Harry Potter fan. “Although it’s been said many times, many ways – Merry Christmas, to you.”

PRODUCTION TEAM

Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been the General Manager for the Lesher Center for the Arts since it opened 28 years ago and has worked for the Arts in this area for over 45 years. Scott has directed over 150 productions, including The Wizard of Oz, the musical hit Cinderella, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, The Music Man and Les Miserables and for the past 20 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol as well as all Fantasy Forum productions since 1972. He created and produces the annual Shellie Awards, which honors the performing arts in Central Contra Costa County now celebrating 40 years. Scott and has designed lights for over 250 productions, including the national touring production of Sylvia. Under Denison’s guidance, the Lesher Center for the Arts presents over 800 public events each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with over 85 producers and producing organizations. Scott created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival, which hosts over 7,000 guests each year. He is also the Managing Director of the Center REPertory Company producing professional productions each season; and is the director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts company, which presents program for the Young and Young-at-Heart. Scott and his wife Kerri Shawn have enjoyed raising their family in this theatre supporting community for over 43 years.

Michael Patrick Wiles (Music Director ) returns for his 17th season of A Christmas Carol at Cener REP. Michael has served as music director on over 80 productions, including work with Bay Area Children’s Theater, Berkeley Playhouse, Capital Stage Company, Contra Costa Civic Theater, Cornish College of the Arts, Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble, Pacific Repertory Theater, Peninsula Youth Theater, San Francisco Opera Guild, and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. Wiles is the Co-Founder, Co-Director, and Musical Director for Center REP’s Young Rep Training Program. He is also the Casting Director & Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. BFA, Cornish College of the Arts.

Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 26 years. She was lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen Fender at The Ballet School Performing Arts. Directing Credits Include: Matilda this Spring, Billy Elliot, Gypsy (Shellie Award), Joseph and the Amazing.., A Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Red Hot and Cole for Role Players Ensemble. Choreography Credits include: Dancing Lessons and Freaky Friday (Center REP), Billy Elliot, Gypsy, The Music Man (Shellie Award) Les Misérables (CCMT) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Center REP) Sweet Charity (Center REP), Xanadu (Center REP, Shellie Award) Joseph and the Amazing. (Shellie Award)., Hairspray (BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Line (BATCCA), Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Annie, Sound of Music, Titanic the Musical and many other original pieces. Favorite roles include: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), bonnie jean (Brigadoon), Louise Carousel), Mary Warren (The Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A Christmas Carol), Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark), and Bonnie (Anything Goes, Shellie Award). Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled to be going into her 24th year of teaching for Center REP’s Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co-director of the Musical Theatre Program. Jennifer is the Casting Director for Center REPertory Company. Jennifer is the owner and director of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts which is home to the Performing Arts Studio. www.theballetschool.org #LiveJoyCreateHope

Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) has a number of Off-Broadway and national tour credits including Shadowlands, Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Madness and Cats. His regional theatre credits include Paper Mill Playhouse, Fingerlakes Musical Theater Festival, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center REPertory Company, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theatre Company, Gateway Playhouse, Broadway By the Bay, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company and Ray of Light Theatre. Kelly’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting and his work as an illustrator has been published in Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream. Awards and recognitions include the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, DramaLogue and the Shellie Awards. kellyjamestighe.com

Audience ServicesCoordinator

Courtney EggTicket Office Staff

Rami KimRobert NolanLarry AcostaBailey Ferris

Jennifer HagaBrandon Lawrence

Shannon TaylorUsher Coordinator

Pat Mitchell

Production ServicesCoordinator

Toni KilcoyneTechnical Staff

Steve PinoAlex Bull

Chris CurrieHanna Johnson

Lexie OswaldGarrick Schuster

Josh StoufferJosh YarnellSteve Young

SecurityNick Dowd

Johnny Silveira

THANK YOU TO THELESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS