elcome to Crunchem Hall! We are very glad you have come to visit us this evening. Our school is under the direction of the Olympic class hammer throwing champion of 1969, Agatha Trunchbull. Our school moto is "Bambinatum est magitum," which means "Children are maggots" All of our teachers in the school follow this motto to a T, except maybe Miss Honey. Matilda and friends are going to challenge this motto and show you just how clever children can be when it comes to mean adults.
I am very excited to be directing my first Applefest® Show at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Matilda has been in the making for over two years, having been canceled during the "Extended Intermission" of the pandemic. I have directed multiple shows here, my favorites being A Christmas Story the Musical and It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.
I would like to thank my good friends and family for taking on many roles to make this show happen: Mary Beth, Kelly, Martha, Heather, my mother Betsy, and my assistant director/lighting designer David. Lastly, I would like to thank my service dog, Einstein, for being so patient during rehearsals. Sit back and enjoy the show!
Jill Kellner Director
Photo by Richard Sayer
Matilda was first commissioned and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at The Courtyard Theatre, Statford-upon-Avon, England on 9 November 2010. It Transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End of London on 25 October 2011 and received its US premiere at the Shubert Theatre, Broadway, USA on 4 March 2013.
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
This show includes theatrical fog, haze, and strobe lights.
Ella Fleeger Shawn Clerkin Andrea Fenske Kevin Fox Brooke Lawrie Logan Welms Emilie Weaver Cameron Whitling Makena Shaffer
Ryan Carter
Reagan Exley James McGinnis Elizabeth Williams Libby Best Ashlynne Cornmesser Angela Higby Jenny Jack Alaina Kuhaneck Ben Coyer Lilian Griffin Isabel McNulty Lily Black Baylee Rice
Kaylee Hibbard
Chelsey Wright
Amelia Polito
Ivy Black Laila Marvin Aria Marvin
stagE DirEctor
Jill Kellner
assistant stagE DirEctor
David Kellner
music DirEctor
Mary Beth Hutchinson
chorEograPhEr
Kelly Zerbe
gymnastics coach
Heather Marvin
ProDucErs
Shawn Clerkin
Martha Heise
Kristy Moore
Stephen Teig
tEchnical DirEctor
James Amero II
costumEr
Bridget Kennedy
stagE managErs
Joie Fox
Kaitlynn Moore
accomPanist
Beth Orris
Susie Sheatz
orchEstra
Stephanie Adams
Cheryl Butler
Rae Connolly
Wendall Holmes
Richard Ward Beth West
Terri Wittreich
lighting DEsign David Kellner
lighting ExEcution
Brandon Huff
ProjEctions ExEcution
Joshua McLoughlin
sounD ExEcution Zach Dempsey
sPotlight oPErator
Brandon Huff
ProPs mastErs
Ashlynne E. Cornmesser Cheryl Heffernan
stagE crEW Eryn Moore
Kaitlynn Moore
Dean Peterson Emily Wright Zachary Wright hair Jenny Jack
scEnic DEsignEr Madison Zimmer
scEnic PaintErs
Kaitlynn Moore
Emily Wright Chelsey Wright Madison Zimmer
The Hammer
Naughty Reprise (Superglue) Chokey Chant Loud
This Little Girl Bruce
Kids, Parents, Matilda, Ensemble
Matilda Acrobat, Escapologist Kids
Miss Honey
Trunchbull, Kids Matilda Kids
Mrs. Wormwood, Rudolpho, Ensemble
Miss Honey Kids
Libby Best (Doctor/ Cook) is excited to join the cast of Matilda and return to the Barrow stage! Her previous FCOA productions include Godspell and Into the Woods. Libby would like to thank the marvelous production team and cast, and she hopes you all enjoy the show!
Ivy Black (Ensemble) is proud to make her Barrow debut in FCOA's production of Matilda. She has previously played Molly in AC Valley's production of Annie and has also been a member of the choir in AC Valley's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat She is a 7th-grade student at AC Valley and enjoys dance, chorus, band, basketball, and softball. She would like to thank her mother and her Grump-pa for their support and for driving her to and from rehearsal.
Lily Black (Hortensia) is pleased to be making her debut at the Barrow as Hortensia in FCOA's production of Matilda She is a fourthgrade student at AC Valley Elementary. In addition to her new passion for theater, she also dances, cheers, plays softball, and does gymnastics. She would like to thank Kelly, Jill, and Mary Beth for making this a great first experience. She would also like to thank her mother for getting her everywhere she needs to go.
Ryan Carter (Rudolpho) is excited to louden things up as the show’s over-the-top dance instructor! You may have recently seen him on the Barrow’s stage in the Red Eye Theatre Project, or perhaps you saw him under it when he music directed Something Rotten! this past July. When away from Franklin, Ryan is the choral director and Drama Club advisor at Brockway High School. While he’s grown comfortable being in the director’s chair, Ryan’s excited to be back on the stage. He’d like to thank the production team for their hard work and his friends and family for their support. He’d especially like to thank his students back in Brockway for inspiring him to return atop the stage to perform once again.
Shawn Clerkin (Agatha Trunchbull) is the vicar of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Franklin and a member of the leadership team of the C.O.R.E. (Collaborative Oil Region Episcopal) Ministries. He is happy to be an active member of the Franklin Rotary Club. Shawn serves on the F.C.O.A./Barrow-Civic Board, the Academy Theatre Foundation Board (in Meadville), FAM Tour Director for I.C.T.F. (International Collegiate Theatre Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland), and Vice President for Communications for P.A.C.T. (the Pennsylvania Association of Community Theaters). Shawn was at Gannon University for more than three decades, serving as a faculty member, program director, and school administrator. He and his wife Almi are proudest of their son, Seamus, who is continuing their theatre legacy as
The Producers and Production Staff of Matilda the Musical would like to send a big THANK YOU to the following community members for their outstanding support in this production!
Flying Needles Quilt Group (Franklin First United Methodist), the Polk Quilters, & Krista Cloonan of the Franklin Friends of the Library
Jenalee schenk
Jill Harry
a research master in devised musical theatre for children at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland.
Ashlynne Cornmesser (Mafia member/ Ensemble), 21, winner of the Rotary Club's 2022 Celebration of Talent, is excited to be acting on the Barrow stage again; After props mastering for Nunsense, Something Rotten!, Black Coffee, and now Matilda. She is grateful to have participated in every main stage show this season, as well as Off-Barrow's Black Coffee (directed by good friend, Andrew Ritsig), directing for this year’s Labor Day Red Eye with The Hybrid of Darkrod and Eternity (written by the talented Lydia Braughler), and hopes to continue her running streak.
She notes that, while Dad number 3, Older school girl, and Tracksuit mafia henchman aren't as glamorous as her stint dancing naked in the woods for Nick Hess' version of The Crucible, she is ecstatic to be a part of the team bringing her favorite (cheerful) childhood book to life! She would like to thank her eversupportive boyfriend, Caleb, for dealing with her insane schedule and her dear friend, Brooke, for always believing in her and pushing her to do greater things (even though she doesn't listen when told to take a break).
Ben Coyer (Nigel) is excited to take the stage in another Barrow performance. He is a 6th-grade homeschooler from Rocky Grove and loves being on the stage! He has had roles in Aladdin & Wizard of Oz and has participated in the FCOA youth theater workshops & camp. When not on stage, he loves hanging out with his cast mates. Ben is also active in his church's
youth group and his homeschool co-op. Ben would like to thank his family for all their love & support.
Reagan "Reji" Exley (Natasha) is excited to be returning to the theater after her brief college-sized hiatus. She is excited to be in Matilda as Natasha the Russian Mob boss. You probably remember her from youth theater, Seussical, Miracle on 34th Street, or Mary Poppins. If none of these performances ring a bell then perhaps you remember her from Taste of Talent. Reji is currently expecting a tiny person to come live with her and her husband (and yes she is showing. It was really hard to costume her). If Reji’s busy schedule of teaching preschool, starting a memorial science fair, writing a novel, and being a new mom doesn’t interfere with the next show, we might see her again!
Andrea Fenske (Miss Honey) Meeting your heroes is one thing, but getting the opportunity to portray one of your favorite fictional heroes on stage is an incredible honor. Miss Honey has always held a special place in Andrea's heart, and she is ecstatic to be a part of this production. She has most recently been seen on the FCOA stage as Bea in Something Rotten! She has also played other notable roles such as Mother in A Christmas Story, Abigail Adams in 1776 in Concert, and Irene in Crazy For You. Andrea would like to thank Jill, Mary Beth, Kelly, and the entire production team for their hard work to bring this beloved story to the FCOA stage. Let's make some 'theater magic,’ kids!
Ella Fleeger (Matilda Wormwood) is thrilled to portray Matilda in FCOA’s Applefest production of Matilda the Musical. Ella has previously performed in On the Shoulders of Giants, The Little Mermaid, Harmony High, Aladdin, The Granny Awards, The Music Man, and The Wizard of Oz. Ella is the daughter of Justin and Jennifer Fleeger. She is 11 years old and a sixthgrade student at Cranberry Elementary School. Ella is a member of HOLeY Jeans and competes in recreational softball and elementary basketball. Driven by her love of dance and music, Ella looks forward to participating in this and future stage productions. Ella would like to thank her family for their love and support, and the directors for this opportunity. A special thank you to her mentor, Aoife Salusky, for her time
and dedication in helping Ella prepare for this role, and her first-grade teacher, Angie Carothers, for introducing Ella to the theatre.
Kevin Fox (Mr. Wormwood) has enjoyed theater since his high school days at OCHS. He has been on the Barrow stage for several productions and this will be his 22nd show with the Barrow. Some of the productions are Elf the Musical, Big Fish, It's A Wonderful Life Radio Show and many, many more. He has so enjoyed working with the cast and crew in this production and hopes to spend a lot more time in stage in the future! Kevin sends a big thank you to his wife, Tonya, and his children for putting up with him during tech week and acting along side him in many shows.
Visit our Daughters of the King & Emmaus Haven Booths 10:00 am 4:00 pm
Blessing of the Animals park & walk or drive by! 10:00 am Noon
Saturday Celtic Evening Eucharist 5:00 pm
Sunday Online Service 9:00 am
Sunday Sung Holy Eucharist 10:00 am
St. John’s Episcopal Church
1145 Buffalo Street
Franklin, Pennsylvania 16323
www.stjohnsfranklin.org (814) 432 5161
Rev. Shawn J. Clerkin, Vicar Rev. David E. Betz, Deacon
Ittsey Tologo, Senior Warden
1145 Buffalo Street
Franklin, Pennsylvania 16323 www.stjohnsfranklin.org (814) 432 5161
Rev. Shawn J. Clerkin, Vicar
Rev. David E. Betz, Deacon
Ittsey Tologo, Senior Warden
Wednesday Night Bible Study 6:30 pm in church Parish Hall
Thursday Evening Theology on Tap (begins Oct. 13) 5:30 pm at Trails to Ales
Sunday School (2nd 7th grades) 9:00 am church Social Hall
Saturday Celtic Evening Eucharist 5:00 pm
Sunday Online Service 9:00 am
Sunday Sung Holy Eucharist 10:00 am
Lilian Griffin (Erica) is a 6th-grade student at Valley Grove Elementary school, where she enjoys cheerleading and playing the flute in the school band. She is excited to be participating in her first Applefest production of Matilda. She has previously appeared in the FHS production of The Sound of Music as Marta Von Trapp. Lilian would like to thank the directors and producers for giving her the opportunity to participate in her first Barrow Civic Theatre show, she would also like to thank her family (her dogs too!) for always supporting her.
Kaylee Hibbard (Ensemble) is pleased to be a part of FCOA's production of Matilda. Kaylee is fifteen years old and attends the Oil City High School. Matilda will be Kaylee's eleventh theater production. Her first show was Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies. In Kaylee's free time she goes to Thomas School of Dance. She dances tap, lyrical/modern, jazz, and pre-point. Kaylee loves to go camping, swimming, boating, and to the beach with her family. Kaylee Hibbard wishes her fellow cast mates the best of luck and can't wait to perform in Matilda!
Angie Higby (Henchwoman, Ensemble) just finished her ensemble role in FCOA’s Something Rotten! Some other roles include Ann Putman, The Crucible; Manager/Ensemble, Elf the Musical; Mrs. Spencer, Anne of Green Gables; and Mrs. Cratchit, Seussified Christmas Carol. Angie is excited to be a part of the ensemble of a group
of talented people. It has been a joy. When Angie is not on stage, she enjoys spending time with her family, learning to sing and dance, and teaching social/ emotional skills to students at St. Stephen’s Academy. She looks forward to being on stage again.
Jenny Jack (Children's Entertainer, dancer, parent, Big kid) Jenny is excited to be a part of the Applefest 2022 production of Matilda! She has been involved in many musicals at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Jenny performed in Elf the Musical, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Ethel Toffelmire in Music Man, Patricia in Crazy for You, Meg in Little Women, Willy Wonka, The Messiah, and others. Jenny also enjoys doing hair and makeup for the musicals she is in as well as many other productions. She recently opened and is the proud owner of the hair salon Jenny's Hair Extraordinaire! She is grateful and thankful for all the love and support she has received in making this dream come true! Thank you also for the encouragement and love of her family always! She has enjoyed working with the cast and the littles- I am so proud of them! Break a Leg cast and crew! Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!!
Alaina "Lainie" Kuhaneck (Amanda Thripp) is delighted to be playing Amanda Thripp in the FCOA's production of Matilda Her previous stage credits include a Munchkin, Poppy, and Ozian in FCOA's The Wizard of Oz and a Children’s Chorus member in The Sound of Music at Franklin High School. Lanie has also participated in several FCOA Youth Theatre camp productions and workshops. When she's not making trips across the Barrow stage, Lanie is a 5th-
grade student at Sandycreek Elementary. She enjoys taking dance classes at TPAA with Darin and guitar lessons at West Park Guitar. Lanie would like to thank her parents, sister, her family, church family, FCOA Youth Theatre team, and her friends Tesla and Lindsey for their love and encouragement. Finally, she would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to her castmates, crew, director, management, and production teams of Matilda. She has had a blast making (snap, snap) THEATRE MAGIC!
Brooke Lawrie (Mrs. Wormwood) is so incredibly excited to be the woman to bring this LOUD character to life. She is no stranger to the Barrow, having worn many hats on and off the stage. Most recently she has played Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense and Ella Raynor in Off Barrow’s production of Black Coffee. She also produced both of those productions. While not at the theatre, Brooke is a doting cat mom to Leroy and Daisy. She would like to thank her support system for never giving up on her and for their endless love. She now invites you to enjoy Mrs. Wormwood the Musical
Aria Marvin (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be a part of FCOA’s production of Matilda! She is 10 years old and is a homeschooler. She has been a competitive gymnast for 4 years and is currently competing as an Excel Gold. Her favorite events to compete are floor and beam. This is her first time performing on stage and her first experience with theatre. Aria would like to thank Jill and Mrs. Hutchinson for their encouragement to join the cast!
Laila Marvin (Ensemble) is delighted to be a part of FCOA’s production of Matilda. She is 13 years old and is a homeschooler. This is her first experience being on stage, although it is not her first time performing. She has been doing gymnastics since she was 4 years old and is currently a Level 6 competitive gymnast. Her greatest accomplishments include many medals and trophies, but specifically a 1st place all-around finish at States and earned 1st place on beam and floor at Nationals. Laila would like to thank Jill and Mrs. Hutchinson for their encouragement to join the cast!
James McGinnis (The Escapologist) is thrilled to be returning to the Barrow Mainstage for the FCOA’s production of Matilda as the Escapologist. He previously took to this stage to portray William Shakespeare in Something Rotten! James has also had the pleasure of playing endlessly fun roles such as Donkey and Will Parker in productions with Titusville Summer Theater, of which he sits on the Board of Directors. Currently, James is an English major at PennWest and a longtime employee at The Barking Lot. He is very thankful to have the support of the cast and production team of Matilda. He wishes to extend a special thank you to his voice teacher (Sonia Neu), his dear friend who graciously allowed him to carpool (Andrea Fenske), and his network of supportive loved ones. Y’all know who you are, and he’s so thankful that you
came to see him and the cast of Matilda be revolting!
Isabel "Izzy" McNulty (Alice) is thrilled to be a part of Matilda! She has really enjoyed working with the directors and other cast members of the production. Izzy is in the 6th grade at Sandycreek Elementary School. When she’s not singing, you can find her playing the piano, drawing, painting, or crafting something beautiful. She has participated in various school plays and talent shows. She has attended youth theater camp and performed in On the Shoulders of Giants. Izzy also starred as Brigitta VonTrapp in Franklin High School’s production of The Sound of Music. Izzy loves singing and performing, and she is so thankful for the wonderful friendships. Izzy would like to thank her parents. She would like to thank Jill, Kelly, and Mary Beth for this
incredible opportunity. She would like to thank Deanna Wolfgong and Suzi Beach for fostering her love of music. Izzy hopes you enjoy the show!
Amelia Polito (Ensemble) Amelia is so excited to be a part of FCOA's pageturning production of Matilda and its amazing and wonderful cast. She has had so much fun working with them and learning dances together. She has also been in many other shows including Willy Wonka, A Pinocchio Story, The Little Mermaid, and others. But most recently she was in The Wizard of Oz, which so far has been her favorite production to be a part of. She is in 7th grade at Rocky Grove High School and lives with her parents and little sister. She is also an avid lover of nature, art, and reading. She enjoys cooking, dancing, and acting in her spare time. Lastly, she would like to tell the cast to "Break a leg!" and the audience to enjoy the show!
Baylee Rice (Tammy) is a 6th-grade student at Valley Grove Elementary School. Her parents are Justin and Amber Rice, and she has two siblingsan older brother, Trenton, and a younger sister, Aubree.
Baylee is very excited for the opportunity to perform in this musical.
Makena Shaffer (Lavender) is thrilled to be cast as Lavender in this production of Matilda. She is currently in sixth grade at Cranberry Elementary and has loved the art of performing since a very young age. She began taking dance and gymnastics lessons at the age of four. Within the last several years she has been involved in numerous youth theater productions at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Makena loves singing, dancing, and acting. She has had a blast playing this role and meeting new friends at the theater. Makena would like to thank the producers and everyone involved in making this such a fun experience. She hopes everyone has a chance to feel a little of that theater magic while watching Matilda.
Emilie Weaver (Miss Phelps) is a 2022 high school grad and is so excited to be a part of Matilda, especially since her first show with the Barrow-Civic Theatre was last year's Applefest show, Wizard of Oz. Most recently at the Barrow, she was a part of The Crucible in March and
wrote for the Red Eye Theatre Project in May. Some of her favorite shows she has been in the past couple of years include a few productions in Meadville Community Theatre's 2020-2021 series of virtual theatre, Mamma Mia! this year at the Academy Theatre, and Seussical (Mayzie) and Into the Woods (Rapunzel) at French Creek Community Theatre, where she wrote and directed for the children's show Fairy Tales with a Twist in April, and which is also where a 2-act dram-edy play she wrote will be premiering the first weekend of November!
Logan Welms (Michael Wormwood) is excited to be playing Michael in The FCOA’s production of Matilda. Logan is a 7th-grade student at the Oil City Middle School where he plays the trumpet in the band. Last year, Logan participated in PEMA Band
Cameron Whitling (Bruce Bogtrotter) is the son of Ed and Molly Whitling and is a 7th-grade student at Rocky Grove High School. Cam has been involved in the FCOA Youth Theatre for many years. He was in the ensembles of No Strings Attached: A Pinocchio Story and The Little Mermaid. Cam was also Sultan’s Assistant in Aladdin, as well as the Big Bad Wolf in The Granny Awards. You might have caught Cameron in FCOA’s production of The Wizard of Oz where he played a member of the Lollipop Guild and Nikko, the Wicked Witch’s right-hand flying monkey. He also performed in the ensemble of the popular family classics, A Christmas Story, Elf the Musical, and A Seussified Christmas Carol. When he is not on stage, he is the goalie for the Franklin Junior High Soccer team. Cam
fellow cast members, break a leg!
Elizabeth Williams (The Acrobat/ Ensemble) is absolutely thrilled to be part of an FCOA production again, having last been seen on the FCOA stage in 2006, playing Susan in Big The Musical In the intervening years, she’s gotten married, raised a family, begun her piano tuning business, and found her passion of teaching people how to play music. It’s been an honor and a great adventure to be part of the cast of Matilda the Musical! As an avid reader herself, playing in a show that was adapted from a book was the perfect re-entry into the local theater scene. Special thanks to her husband Omar, and the kids for being so supportive about mom being gone so many evenings for rehearsal. Thanks also to the staff and students of Porch Music Store for their love and support.
Chelsey Wright (Ensemble) Picture this: A cool autumn day. The wind playfully dancing through leaves, and the few birds who haven't migrated chirp away merrily. Then you see her. Chelsey Wright. She's in costume ready to perform in her Barrow Mainstage debut. You recognize that you might've seen her before in the Off-Barrow production of the Red Eye Theatre Project. Chelsey is very grateful for such a wonderful experience for her first Mainstage show, and is looking forward to more great performances in the future. She would like to thank her incredibly supportive family, her parents who drove her to every rehearsal, and her sister Maddog for encouraging her to audition in the first place. And an extra special thanks to Gavin Empson for writing this bio.
Do you have a special talent? Would you like to perform on stage for a chance to win up to $500?
Celebration of Talent is a variety talent competition where winners are determined by audience vote! Talent categories include vocal, instrumental, dance/movement, magician, or other. Individual and group acts of all ages are welcome!
Visit the Barrow-Civic Theatre or barrowtheatre.org/talent for more info!
Joie Fox (Stage Manager) has been doing backstage work with Barrow productions since her youngest child started doing youth theater 15 years ago. The first main stage show that she was crew on was A Christmas Story in 2011 in which her son played Randy Parker. She first became stage manager quite by accident when the original stage manager of Steel Magnolias in 2015 was unable complete the role and she stepped in. Most recently Joie was stage manager for Something Rotten! She was backstage in some capacity for every production in the 2016 and 2017 seasons at the Barrow and is very happy to be back for this show!
Mary Beth Hutchinson (Music Director) is very excited to be serving as the music director for Matilda. She has been involved in too many FCOA shows to list, but some of her favorites include music director for Seussical, Godspell, A Christmas Story, and The Wizard of Oz, as well as accompanist for Les Miserables, and Songs for a New World, and Nunsense. When not at the theatre,
Mary Beth is also the music instructor and director of the Bells of Joy for the Venango Region Catholic Schools in Oil City, serves as the Music Director and accompanist for the Oil City High School musicals, and is a 36 year member of the Franklin Silver Cornet Band. Mary Beth would like to thank her husband Scott and family for their endless support and sharing in her love of the theatre. To the cast...”I am so thankful for the time and amazing talent you've shared with me throughout this process! I have so enjoyed spending time with each of you. You're all incredible and each a Miracle! Break a Leg everyone!"
David Kellner (Assistant Director) is very excited to be assistant directing and light designing this years Applefest® Show! In the past David has been seen on the stage in Agatha Christie's The Hollow, South Pacific, Pajama Game, and more. More recently he has been behind the scenes doing pyro for Young Frankenstein, and You Can't Take it With You. He has also designed lights for The Adventure's of Tom Sawyer, Charlotte's Web, and A Christmas Story the Musical He wishes to thank his supportive wife Katy and daughter, Georgia for all of
there support.
Heather Marvin (Gymnastics Coach) is thrilled to be part of the team for FCOA’s production of Matilda! This is her first experience with theatre and has enjoyed working with the cast. She has been involved with gymnastics in some way for over 25 years in different capacities including being a participant (Level 8), a coach, and a parent. She currently holds a USA Gymnastics safety certification and is considering becoming a USA Women’s gymnastics judge. Outside of the gym, she is a wife, mom, and Early Childhood Educator. She would like to thank Jill for thinking of her experience and asking her to be part of the production team!
Kaitlynn Moore (Stage Manager) is very happy to be a stage manager for the first time! She is no stranger to the Barrow stage, her previous shows include numerous Youth Theatre productions as well as FCOA's Crazy for You, A Christmas Story, and most recently Something Rotten! Kaitlynn has been dancing for 14 years at Thomas School of Dance and is a senior at Cranberry High School, where she is a member of Select Choir
and is student council president. She has had a blast working with her sister Eryn and her friends in the show. Break a leg everyone!
Kelly Zerbe (Choreographer) is happy to be a part of the 2022 FCOA Applefest Show, Matilda the Musical She previously choreographed
mainstage shows Music Man, Peter Pan, Chicago, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Big Fish, and Crazy For You, as well as numerous musicals for Oil City and Cranberry High Schools. Kelly is also currently in her 17th year as choreographer for the FCOA Youth Theatre program here at the Barrow, and is excited to be working with some of the YT students in this production. Kelly is a math specialist for the Oil City Area School District. She is also a dance instructor at Thomas School of Dance. Kelly would like to thank her husband, Tim, and their two sons, Devin and Jordan, for being so supportive of her love of dance and her busy schedule. Kelly would also like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work, Jill and Marybeth for being great teammates, and the kids for always making “theater magic!”
Dennis Kelly: Work for theatre includes Debris, Osama the Hero, After the End, Love and Money, Taking Care of Baby, DNA, Orphans, The Gods Weep, and The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas. He has written the book for the new musical of Pinocchio which opens at the National Theatre at the end of 2017, and in 2018 his new play Girls and Boys opens at the Royal Court. His plays have been performed worldwide and to date have been translated into nearly forty languages. For television he co-wrote and co-created Pulling and wrote and created Utopia, and for film he wrote the screenplay for Black Sea, directed by Kevin MacDonald. He also wrote the book for the Olivier and Tony winning Matilda the Musical. In 2010 DNA became a set text on the GCSE English Literature syllabus.
Tim Minchin: Tim is a musician, actor, comedian, writer and director. He’s toured extensively in the US, UK and Australia, performing solo, with bands, and with symphony orchestras. He’s released five DVDs, the most recent recorded with the Heritage Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Screen acting credits include Robin Hood Origins (2018), Secret River (2015), and Californication (Season 6 - 2013). Stage acting credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Sydney Theatre Company) and Jesus Christ Superstar (UK/Australia tours). Tim has
written extensively for theatre, and is the composer-lyricist of Matilda the Musical (with Dennis Kelly) and Groundhog Day the Musical (with Danny Rubin).
Roald Dahl: Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and many more of the world’s best-loved children’s stories. He remains one of the world’s greatest storytellers and is celebrated annually by the world’s biggest authorbased event, Roald Dahl Day – which is recognised across the globe on 13th September.
His first children’s story, James and the Giant Peach, published in 1961 and was a huge hit. Every subsequent book became a best-seller.
Today, his stories are available in 59 languages and, by a conservative estimate, he has sold more than 250 million books. Many of these stories have also been adapted for stage and screen, including the 1971 film classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wes Anderson’s acclaimed Fantastic Mr. Fox, and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award winning production of Matilda The Musical https://www.roalddahl.com www.facebook.com/roalddahl http://www.twitter.com/roald_dahl www.instagram.com/roald_dahl/
Returning by popular demand! Sandi Patty enjoyed her visit to Franklin so much last year, and she is excited to return to welcome in the holiday season in what she referred to as a “beautiful Hallmark town.” Sandi’s music has delighted and inspired audiences around the world for over 30 years. With numerous Grammy, Dove, and Billboard Music Awards, platinum and gold records, Sandi is one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time. Joining Sandi for this exciting and inspiring holiday event will be singers from the Franklin High School Choir. You don’t want to miss this performance of the season!
The Barrow-Civic Theatre is excited to welcome audiences back into our auditorium in 2022! We continue to track the positive and negative COVID testing and transmission rates and deaths in our area. In addition, we are studying the CDC, PA Dept. of Health, and Venango County guidelines on a regular, ongoing basis. In order for us to remain open, it is paramount that we do all we can to provide a safe environment for our patrons, volunteers and staff, visitors, and performers. We are making every effort to mitigate the spread of the virus within our building.
Vaccinations are highly recommended. We recommend that all guests who fall into the eligible categories as defined by the CDC become vaccinated as soon as possible. At this time, proof of vaccination is not required to enter our building.
Masks are a requirement in the building for unvaccinated individuals. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, are encouraged to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in the building while the CDC’s community transmission rate in Venango County remains in the “substantial” or “high” categories. (Click here to check status.)
Approved face coverings include masks made of tightly-woven and layered fabric. Surgical masks and KN95 masks are also approved face coverings. Gaiters, bandanas, ski masks, scarves, or vented masks are not approved facial protective coverings. Face shields are appropriate if you are unable to wear a face mask.
Approved face coverings are available upon request for those guests who enter without one.
We would like to thank all of our patrons for their patience and understanding as we continue to work through the process of presenting live theatre during a pandemic.
Please join us as we all do our part to mitigate the spread of the virus within the theatre. Please monitor your health and the health of your family. If you feel ill for any reason, please do not come to the theatre. Your health and safety, and that of our other patrons, our artists, and our staff is our highest priority.
We certainly appreciate your cooperation as we work to keep our theatre as safe as possible!