For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.
The New York Times proclaims PUFFS, “A FAST-PACED ROMP through the ‘Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.’ For POTTERphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, ‘PUFFS’ exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry!”
This clever and inventive play “never goes more than a minute without a laugh” (Nerdist) giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers “who are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along” (Hollywood Life). Their “hilariously heartfelt!” (Metro) and epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.
“‘Hufflepuffs’ finally get their moment in hilarious Potter play, ‘PUFFS’!” —Mashable
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
Legally Blonde The Musical is perfect for high school and community theatre, featuring a large ensemble and several big song-and-dance numbers.
Elle Woods – Erin Pettijohn Paulette Buonufonte – Noa Adams Vivienne Kensington – Ashton Botts Brooke Wyndham – Taylor Kaschke Enid Hoops – Ashton Bennett Pilar – Cara Parisi Margot – Ashlyn Robertson Serena – Briana Smith Professor Callahan – Don Leonard Warner Huntington III – Timothy Houston Emmett Forrest – Colin Rohach Kyle – Chris Zimmerman Dewey/Winthrop – Brad Dawdy Chuteny – Kelsey Linn Grand Master Chad/Nikos – Scotty Sharp Sundeep Padamadan/Carlos – Micah Watny Aaron Schultz – Evan LeRoy Elle’s Mom/Laker Girl – Alexis Close Elle’s Dad – Cole Bracken Kate – Ashlyn Warren Leilani – Kristien Nett
Bruiser Woods – Fancy Jo Rufus – Stella Rose
Galean – Sophia Zacharias Courtney – Rachel Pinchi Store Manager – Alicia Santee-Davis Lowell – Jonathan Kirkland Pforzheimer – Keegan Donovan Judge – HeatherAnne Norbury Court Stenographer – Paige Reese Sonya the Stylist – Pancha Brown Kiki the Colorist – Haley Roberts DA Joyce Riley – Brenna McConaughuy
Delta Nu/Harvard Students Sola Owens Gretchen Anast Risa Norbury Ruby Schubert Scarlett Nevins Pascale Hunt Lauren Daugherty Zoe Pearson Audrey Chopin Jess Smith
Join us for some Legally Blonde family fun!
Community theater is an affordable way to bring the arts to your life.
Legally Blonde The Musical is presented with special arrangement with Musical Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTI shows.com
Spread fun and laughter in the Kansas City area by supporting the arts!
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’sBeauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
This “tale as old as time” is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities or, even more simply staged, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast offers a great opportunity to bring your entire community together for family theatre at its best.
Silly Girls:Jennifer Coville, Taylor Kaschke, Kelsey Linn
Featured Company
Cole Bracken Sola Owens
Tucker Burks Amy Pearson
Brad Dawdy Zoe Pearson
Amy Fish Johanna Quigley
Andrea Hobley Matthew Santaularia
Natalia Monterio Jaime Tanner
El O’Brien Rachel Pinci
Children’s Company
Brilyn Brilhart
Madeline Copeland
Amelia Coville-Schweigert
Lincoln Coville-Schweigert
Sutton Hamm
Autumn Nicholes
Abby Peterson
Henry Tanner
Piper Thompson
Join us for Time as old as Tale family fun!
Community theater is an affordable way to bring the arts to your life.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is presented with special arrangement with Musical Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTI shows.com
Spread fun and laughter in the Kansas City area by supporting the arts!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Our hearts are heavy as we announce the cancellation of the remaining performances of Leawood Stage Company’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
The Board of Directors came to this challenging decision based on the rising number of cast and crew members testing positive for COVID. The safety of our cast, crew, musicians, and audience members is our priority and we hope all those affected get well soon.
After weeks of rehearsals and the hours spent on set and costume construction, it is disappointing to see the work of this outstanding cast, orchestra, and crew not being rewarded with applause from an audience. Those that saw the one and only performance, gave The Drowsy Chaperone exceptional reviews. It is heartbreaking to shut down this wonderful production, but it is the responsible decision in order to keep our community safe.
Our box office will be reaching out to all ticket holders over the course of the next few days.
Ticket holders have the following options:
Receive a full refund
Turn your ticket purchase into a donation to Leawood Stage Company
For any questions regarding tickets, please email vicechair@leawoodstageco.org and we thank you for your patience as we work to get your order processed.
Thank you for your support through this challenging time and we hope to see you at our future events!
Jazz age fun in our spring musical!
Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz Age musical. The show features two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan, and an intoxicated chaperone.
Hailed by New York Magazine as “The Perfect Broadway Musical,” The Drowsy Chaperone will be a delightful production of madcap fun.
Leawood Stage Company is thrilled to welcome Madison Dodd as Director of the first show in our 24th Season. Madison has made several Leawood Stage Company appearances beginning in 2007 when she played the loveable Amaryllis in The Music Man. She was also seen in LSC productions of Annie Get Your Gun and Brigadoon. Most recently Madison appeared as Emily in the virtual reading of Our Town in 2020 and was seen live as a Bird Girl in Seussical last summer. She is a graduate of Stephen’s College.
Director – Madison Dodd Music Director – Christina Vogler Choreographer – Hewleek McKoy
Cast: Man in Chair– Brian Larios The Drowsy Chaperone – Sydney VanDyke Aldolpho– Doug Jones Janet Van de Graff– Kelly Urschel Edgar Robert Martin – Carson Tate George – Chy F. Billings Mrs. Tottendale – Julie Fox Underling – Ron Meyer Mr. Feldzieg – Paul Anderson Kitty – Camille Breckenridge Gangster #1 –Micah Watney Gangster #2 – Ryan Barber Trix – Andrea Hobley Super – Jonathan Kirkland Ensemble – Joyce Hess Gracie King Emily Alphine Jonathan Kirkland Cody Kreutzer John Carver
Character breakdown
Man In Chair Musical theatre aficionado who mourns the end of the Golden Era. He narrates the show as he listens to the record on vinyl.
Mrs. Tottendale The air-headed, proper, and bossy host of the wedding.
Underling Mrs. Tottendale’s savvy butler who is thrifty and stiff yet has an understated sense of humor.
Robert Martin The dashing, ever-cheerful groom; played by matinee-idol Percy Hyman.
George Robert’s anxious, dim-witted best man who has Robert’s best-interest always at heart.
Feldzieg Broadway producer who is desperate for his star to return to his show; played by Jack Adler.
Kitty Feldzieg’s dim-witted companion who has hopes of being a star; played by Sadie Adler.
Gangsters Posing as pastry chefs, this duo is intending to collect from Feldzieg; played by the vaudeville duo Tall Brothers.
Aldolpho European self-proclaimed “ladies man”; played by former silent movie star Roman Bartelli.
Janet Van De Graaf The famous bride. Glamorous and talented star of Feldzieg’s Follies; played by rising star Jane Roberts.
The Drowsy Chaperone Janet’s alcoholic confidante and friend; played by well-established stage actress Beatrice Stockwell
Trix The brave and brash female aviator who, by chance, is recruited to perform the wedding.
Ensemble Staff and Reporters
Join us for Jazz-Age family fun!
Community theater is an affordable way to bring the arts to your life.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: It is with great sadness we announce both weekends of The Addams Family have been cancelled.
The Addams Family, a new musical, is fun for the entire family and will feature performers of all ages with a children’s ensemble. Based on characters created by Charles Addams, this musical with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa brings to life our favorite ghoulish family.
The Addams Family is a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. The Addams face change as they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.
Leawood Stage company is thrilled to welcome back Kevin Bogan as Director for another summer production. Kevin directed Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, and Promises, Promises. He performed in Sunday in the Park with George and has music directed several additional shows for Leawood Stage Company.
Escape the summer heat and rain, inside the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High
School, 9301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64114 July 14, 15, 16, & 21, 22,
23 at 7:30 p.m. or July 17 at 2:00 p.m. Doors will open one half hour before
curtain time. Admission is free. Select your seats as you enter the theater. The
Leawood Stage Company presents the highest quality free theater in the area. We offer summer performances free to the public, serving senior citizens on a limited budget or families that might otherwise not be able to afford live theater performances. This is a great way to introduce young audiences to the arts.
Escape the summer heat and rain, inside the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64114 July 14, 15, 16, & 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. or July 17 at 2:00 p.m. Doors will open one half hour before curtain time. Admission is free. Select your seats as you enter the theater. The Rose Theater is handicap accessible.
No food or drink is allowed in the theater, no concessions will be sold. No dogs are allowed other that registered service dogs.
Cast & Production Team
Gomez – Brian Larios Morticia – Ramsey Self Wednesday – Averey Shaw Pugsley – Leo Covitz Grandma – Pam Sollars Fester – Tony Francisco Lurch – Rob Hallifax Mal – Doug Jones Lucas – Edmund Castle
Alice – Meredith Hollan Cupid – Emma Daggett Ensemble – Katherine Allison, Amelia Clark, Sean Dearing, Charlotte Gilman, Ashley McGuire, Adele Milligan, Karen Seaton, Camryn Warner, Miles Wirth
Director – Kevin Bogan Stage Manager – Chuck Harper Choreographer – Valerie Martin Co-Choreographer – Tyler Rene Harper Costumes – Annette Cook Set Design/Construction/Props – Frank Gentile Sound/Lighting Tech – Atem Akuei, Andrew Classen, Logan Cook, Owen Lundstrom, Trevor Murphy, Aldric Yang
Character breakdown
Gomez Addams Stage Age: 35-55 Vocal Range: Bb2 – G4 A suave man of Spanish descent who adores his wife and children and takes immense pride in being an Addams. Gomez finds himself trapped between his daughter and his wife, being forced to hide Wednesday’s big secret from Morticia. He has great comedic timing and is a good dancer. Spanish accent is a plus!
Morticia Addams Stage Age 35-55 Vocal Range: G3 – Bb5 The beautiful, leggy and mysterious head of the Addams family who believes strongly in family tradition. Morticia is unnerved thinking that Gomez is hiding something from her. She is confident and sexy with a side of dry wit. She is a strong mover (tango skills a plus!)
Wednesday Addams Stage Age: 18 – 22 Vocal Range; A3 – E5 Gothic big sister Wednesday who has her father’s heart and her mother’s sensibility falls in love with a “normal” boy who she brings home to meet the family. Wednesday is trying to balance her relationships with “strange” family with that of her new love and his “normal” family. Wednesday showcases compassion, a bit of stubbornness and strong will. She has a strong belt.
Pugsley Addams Stage Age 10 – 13 Vocal Range: A3 – F5 The youngest of the Addams Family, Pugsley loves to be tortured by his big sister. He is lost trying to figure out his place now that she has a new boyfriend and family dynamics are changing. Pugsley is charming and funny, ideally with an unchanged singing voice.
Uncle Fester Stage Age: 30-50 Vocal Range; C3 – G4 (optional C5) Serving as the narrator of the show, Uncle Fester is lovable, childish, enthusiastic and highly incorrigible. Fester has great comedic timing and a tenor voice. Ukulele skills a plus!
Grandma Stage Age: 102 Vocal Range: G4 – F5 Fun, quirky and feisty, Grandma always has a trick up her sleeve. Grandma is wise, wacky and sometimes a bit crass. She has great comedic timing and physicality.
Lurch Stage Age: 25 – 50 Vocal Range: Eb2 – E4 A man of few words, Lurch is the Addams Family butler. His unmistakable commanding presence is accented by grunts, moans and deliberate movement. Must have great non-verbal story-telling abilities (think: facial expressions and sound). Lurch has a rich bass voice.
Lucas Beinecke Stage Age : 18 – 22 Vocal Range: C3 – C5 The hopeful romantic and son of Alice & Mal, Lucas has fallen in love with Wednesday and intends to marry her. He is optimistic and hopeful yet struggles to find the balance between his ‘normal’ family and the macabre Addams. Strong singer.
Mal Beinecke Stage Age 35 – 55 Vocal Range: C3 – A4 The uptight and father of Lucas and cold-shouldered husband to Alice, cynical Mal meets the Addams with skepticism. He finds the Addams to be too bizarre for his liking and cannot fathom being related to them.
Alice Beineckee Stage Age 35 – 55 Vocal Range: C3 – A4 The uptight and father of Lucas and cold-shouldered husband to Alice, cynical Mal meets the Addams with skepticism. He finds the Addams to be too bizarre for his liking and cannot fathom being related to them.
The Ancestors Stage Age: 15+ All Vocal Ranges Male & Female The Addams ancestors from various eras serve as the chorus for the show and help bring the story to life. They will be featured both singing and dancing throughout the entire show (once released from the family crypt!). Seeking actors with both vocals and dancing abilities.
The Ancestor Children Stage Age: 5 – 14 Vocal Range SA (Unchanged Voices) These children are keepers of the secrets of the Addam’s family and help guide them along. (Must be 7 years old to audition)
Join us for family theatre fun!
Community theatre is an affordable way to bring the arts to your life. With free summer productions, it’s fun for the entire family while supporting the arts in your area.
Leawood Stage Company is pleased to present an encore performance of a virtual holiday spectacular. In the spirit of traditional holiday shows by Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, or Andy Williams, this variety show of holiday classics will be available for viewing throughout December.
Our talented group of performers, directed by Kevin Bogan, will lift your spirits in a year greatly influenced by the corona virus. The cast includes:
Ruth Baum Bigus
Ginger Birch
Ashton Botts
Chad Burris
Macy Cherra
Megan Coble
Annette Cook
Elrinda Du Toit
Grace Piper Fields
Estelle Gordon
Matt Hendrickson
Andrea Hobley
Emma Jacobson
Jerilyn Main
Brenna McConaughey
Susan Neu
Denise Oades
Matt Richardson
Toby Rodriguez
Robin Robles
Courtney Koval Scahill
Essy Seigal
Drew Squire
Austin Stang
Alecia Stultz
Fritz Sullivan
Tess Tappan
Jace Vendelin
Kara Vonwyl
Cathy Wood
“Home for the Holidays” will feature your favorite holiday songs, readings and instrumentals. From the comfort of your own home, you will be able to experience a free celebration of the season by simply logging on to your computer day or night.
The opening night performance will also feature a Facebook Live event where you can “chat” with your friends and performers while watching the show.
Join us for an evening of holiday fun!
Share the event with friends across the world and take part in this one of a kind community theater experience.
Horton hears a Who this summer at Leawood Stage Company!
Leawood Stage Company (LSC), in cooperation with The Leawood Parks and Recreation Department, presents SEUSSICAL.Join us July 9, 10 ,11 & 15, 16, 17 at 8:00 p.m. at the Ironwoods Amphitheatre in Ironwoods Park, 147th and Mission Road.
SEUSSICAL is colorful fun for the entire family!Based on the works of Dr. Seuss, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, this musical brings to life our favorite Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Amayzing Mayzie and Jojo – a child with a big imagination.The show highlights the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community
SEUSSICAL, will feature a cast of actors of all ages and promises to be an enjoyable free night of theatre under the stars.Bring the entire family to beautiful Ironwoods Park Amphitheater.We will take every precaution necessary to keep audience members socially distanced for the safety of all at performances.
LSC is thrilled to welcome back Chris McCoy as Director.McCoy has directed other popular summer musicals for LSC including: The Music Man (2007), Guys & Dolls (2010), Hello, Dolly! (2014), and Annie (2017).McCoy is Assistant Professor of Theatre at William Jewell College and serves as a member of the LSC Board.His directorial style is dedicated to presenting classic American musicals with modern sensibilities.
Leawood Stage Company presents the highest quality free theater in the area. We offer summer performances free to the public serving senior citizens on a limited budget, families that might otherwise not be able to afford live theatrical performances, and provide a great way to introduce audiences, young and old, to the arts.
Attending our summer musical
Our summer shows are the perfect way to enjoy beautiful Ironwoods Park and experience free theatre for the entire family!
Some seating is available at the amphitheater; however, we recommend bringing a blanket and/or lawn chairs.
Leashed, well-behaved, quiet dogs are allowed and we request they not disturb the audience members around them.
Make it a picnic! Food and non-alcoholic drinks can be brought.
Feel free to set up a blanket or chair anytime after 3pm on the day of the show.
Seussical Program
Cast & production team
Director – Chris McCoy
Music Director –
Langston Hemenway
Choreographer –
Madison Shelley
Cat in the Hat – Alec Bridges
Jojo – Delilah Rose Pellow
Horton – Colin Rohach
Gertrude – Emily Vargo
Mayzie – Laura Irwin
Mayor – Ray Ettinger
Mrs. Mayor – Taylar Rabel
Kangaroo – Alyson Golladay
Bird Girls –
Miranda Brand
Emily Bridges
Madison Dodd
Ella Graham
Haley Knudsen
Josephine Pellow
Wickershams –
John Carver
Kennedy Kinnick
Simon Schupp
Terrace Wyatt, Jr.
General Ghengis Khan Schmidt –
Matthew Henrickson
Grinch – Joshua Young
Yertle the Turtle –
Zach Lofland
Adult Ensemble (Who’s, Jungle of Nool, etc.) –
Noah Bridges
Erin Coleman
Jennifer Coville
Andrea Hobley
Carrigan Rohach
Rosie Smith
Children’s Ensemble –
Sloane Burgess
Amelia Coville-Schweigert
Lizzie Cure
Lucy Dandurand
Benjamin Garner
Avonlea Graves (Elephant Bird)
Wilson Rabel
Isaac Schupp
Ivy Sollenberger
Veronica Stverak
Oliver Yeung
Character breakdown
The Cat In The Hat
Our story's omniscient narrator, he is fun loving and enjoys rhyming. Pops up throughout the story to help the audience. Wise and attentive. Gender: Any
Vocal range top: F4 - bottom: F2
Jojo
The Mayor's son, he is a Who that is always finding trouble. Bright, creative, and inadvertently mischievous. Possesses a wildly expansive imagination and finds solace in his friendship with Horton.
Gender: Male
Age: 8 to 12
Vocal range top: C5 - bottom: Ab3
Horton The Elephant
Our story's main character, he is a compassionate and gentle elephant. Misunderstood because of his larger size. He is protective and loving of all creatures in the jungle.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: F4 - bottom: A2
Gertrude Mcfuzz
Horton's one-feathered-tail bird neighbor. Gertrude is sweet and timid. Though kind and loyal, she is also self-conscious of her shortfalls.
Gender: Female
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: F5 - bottom: F3
Mayzie Labird
The most beautiful bird in the jungle. Oblivious to her self-centered ways, she relies on her talent of manipulation, and intoxicating beauty, to navigate her way through life.
Gender: Female
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: Eb5 - bottom: G3
The Sour Kangaroo
The 'leader' of the jungle. She is loud, brassy, and stubbornly set in her ways. A caring mother, but unabashedly sassy and soulful.
Gender: Female
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: F5 - bottom: F#3
Ensemble
Jungle Creatures - including The Wickersham Brothers, Yurtle The Turtle, Bird Girls
The Whos - Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Mayor, General Genghis Khan Schmitz
Join us for family theatre fun!
Community theatre is an affordable way to bring the arts to your life. With free summer productions, it’s fun for the entire family while supporting the arts in your area.
Leawood Stage Company is pleased to present a virtual holiday spectacular! In the spirit of traditional holiday shows by Bing Crosby, Bob Hope or Andy Williams, this variety show of Holiday classics will premier December 5 at 7pm on Facebook live with a fun live viewing and chat as well as on Youtube.
Our talented group of performers, directed by Kevin Bogan, will lift your spirits in a year greatly influenced by the corona virus. The cast includes:
Ruth Baum Bigus
Ginger Birch
Ashton Botts
Chad Burris
Macy Cherra
Megan Coble
Annette Cook
Elrinda Du Toit
Grace Piper Fields
Estelle Gordon
Matt Hendrickson
Andrea Hobley
Emma Jacobson
Jerilyn Main
Brenna McConaughey
Susan Neu
Denise Oades
Matt Richardson
Toby Rodriguez
Robin Robles
Courtney Koval Scahill
Essy Seigal
Drew Squire
Austin Stang
Alecia Stultz
Fritz Sullivan
Tess Tappan
Jace Vendelin
Kara Vonwyl
Cathy Wood
“Home for the Holidays” will feature your favorite holiday songs, readings and instrumentals. From the comfort of your own home, you will be able to experience a free celebration of the season by simply logging on to your computer day or night.
The opening night performance will also feature a Facebook Live event where you can “chat” with your friends and performers while watching the show.
Join us for an evening of holiday fun!
Share the event with friends across the world and take part in this one of a kind community theater experience.
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beehas charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
This PG-13 musical comedy introduces us to an eclectic group of six tweens (played by adult actors) who vie for the spelling bee championship of a lifetime, while candidly disclosing hilarious and touching insights into their home lives. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! A riotous ride, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.
*Masks required for all audience members.
Time
November 4-6 & 11-13
7:30 p.m.
November 7 & 14
2 p.m.
Location
Black Box at Avila University 11901 Wornall Rd. Kansas City, MO
Kyle Tarvin (Director/Choreographer) has choreographed at least 20 shows, including Mamma Mia, Newsies, Annie, Oklahoma, and also has experience doing choreography for a side-saddle horse-riding competition. Tarvin has worked with casts ranging from 10 to 102 people, has taught youth theater classes, and has experience directing several youth productions. Tarvin loves working in community theater. He finds it immensely rewarding to take a group of people who swear they cannot dance from hating and fearing choreography, to feeling proud they accomplished what they swore they would never be able to do.
Bernadette Ferraro (Music Director) lives in Kansas City, KS where she has taught elementary music for five years. Ferraro grew up with a love for musicals and community theater. She has performed in several productions with the River City Community Players and Shockey Productions.
Heidi Keith (Stage Manager) grew up in community theater and loves being part of the family. She lives by the words, “do more of what makes you happy.” and that is what brought her here! Keith enjoys reading, puzzles, crafting, chicken tending, and problem solving which are all critical skills she utilizes to achieve success as stage manager.
Cheryl Stutz (Accompanist) received three Music Degrees from ESU, and taught music for 30 years in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. She has been involved in over 100 musicals and currently lives in St. Joseph where she is a church musician and operates Cheryl’s Studio.
Cast
Rona Lisa Peretti – Michaela Sewalson
Vice Principal Douglas Panch – Michael O’Brien
Mitch Mahoney – Robin Carroll-Dolci
Olive Ostrovsky – Bailey Self
William Morris Barfée – Aaron Hoffman
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre – Brooke Ariel
Marcy Park – Brittany Hill
Leaf Coneybear – C.J. Miller
Chip Tolentino– John Carver
Character breakdown
Chip Tolentino
An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy)
Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.
Leaf Coneybear
The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.
William Barfeen
A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive.
Marcy Park
The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents’ work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts you can find in your casting pool.
Olive Ostrovsky
A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
Rona Lisa Peretti
The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward.
Douglas Panch
The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years’ absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an “incident” at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in “a better place” now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
Mitch Mahoney
The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
Carl Dad
Schwarzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.
Dan Dad
the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Jesus Christ
Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip.
Leaf’s Mom, Dad, And Siblings
All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
Olive’s Dad
A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Olive’s Mom
A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
Get your tickets for this musical!
Community theater is an affordable way to bring the arts to your life.
Plan an evening of fun with a comedic escape while supporting the arts in your area!
Crazy Christmas fun with the Mount Saint Helen's nuns!
The Nunsense Christmas Musical, NUNCRACKERS, takes place in real time in the basement of Mount Saint Helen’s Convent. It is the first TV Special being taped in the Cable Access TV Studio built by Reverend Mother with part of the prize money won earlier by Sister Mary Paul (aka Amnesia).
The show includes some traditional carols in the overture and as underscoring, plus some Christmas Carol spoofs including Here We Come-a-Waffle-ing and The Holly and the Ivory. Of course, the show is filled with the traditional “Nunsense-sense of humor” and one-liners that have made the three previous NUNSENSE shows so popular.
Cast & production team
Pamela Klifar – Director
Kathy Murphy – Sister Mary Regina (Reverend Mother) She tries to be strict but things often get out of her control. Her circus family background and sense of humor shine through her attempt to create a tough exterior.
Sharon Johnson – Sister Mary Hubert Second in command. Wanted to be a nun all of her life.
Alecia Stultz – Sister Robert Anne A streetwise nun from Brooklyn. Tuff girl with a heart of gold. Constantly frustrated when Reverend Mother refuses to let her star in the show.
Tracy Pratt – Sister Mary Paul (aka Amnesia) Was hit on the head by a crucifix and didn’t remember who is was. A country singer who was the first nun to appear at the Grand Ole Opry. A “little vacant” but endearing.
Kate Wiese – Sister Mary Leo A former novice now has her black veil. She has dedicated her life to being the first famous nun ballerina.
Bill Bergman – Father Virgil Manly Trott Sister Mary Leo’s brother. A Franciscan Father. Grew up as part of the Trott Family Singers.
