Bright Star Digital Program

JUNE 13-23

Paul Mow, Director

A Note from the director -PAUL MOW

WelcometoSteveMartinandEdieBri

Bright Star hereattheGhostLightTheatre.Ithasbeenmyextreme pleasuretostagethisintricatetaleofhopeandperseverancetold throughthelensofearly20th-centuryAmericana,morespecificallyin theCarolinaHighlands.Inourownlives,weoftenlookforlessonsand metaphorswhendealingwithlossandtheneedforforgiveness,and Bright Star takesyouonquiteadramaticjourneyofbothduringa somewhatsimplertimeinourcountry.

Themusicalcompositionssootheandsoar,whilethevocalswilltruly pinyourearsback.Ourcastandcrewhavebeenworkingformonths nowtobringthismusicaltolifeinoursmallblackboxspace,andwe certainlyhopeyouenjoythefruitsoftheireffortsheretonight.Thank youtoallwhomaketheseperformanceshappen,fromourdesignersto ourdonors,ourmusicianstoourboardmembers,noneofthishappens withouteachandeveryoneofthembeingabrightstar.

-PaulMow,GeneralManager&StageDirector, Bright Star

Our Sponsors!

Alice Murphy ...................................................................................................... KellY Collins

Billy Cane ............................................................................................................... Wes Shenker

Daddy Cane ............................................................................................................. Zach Puplis

Margo .................................................................................................................... Alyssa Hyska

Max .......................................................................................................................... Sam Donoho

Florence ..................................................................................................................... Sofia Pate

Edna ................................................................................................................... Taylor Fishman

Daryl ........................................................................................................................... Lane Alsup

Lucy ................................................................................................................ Meggie Anderson

Mama Murphy .................................................................................. Karlianne Loshbough

Daddy Murphy ....................................................................................................... Brady West

mayor Dobbs ................................................................................................. Doug Peterson

Jimmy Ray Dobbs ....................................................................................... Landon Mitchell

Stanford .................................................................................................................... Eric Thiele

Dr. Norquist .................................................................................................... Daryl Collins

Government Clerk ........................................................................................... Laura Gomez

Well-Dressed Woman ............................................................................................ Abbi Kalin Ensemble

Sam Donoho, Daryl Collins, Taylor Fishman, Laura Gomez, Ella Harris* , Abbi Kalin, Sofia Pate, Kristen Wielenga & Percy Wielenga *Alice Understudy

Director ...................................................................................................................... Paul MOw

Music Director .......................................................................................... Gabriel Palacios

Choreographer .................................................................................................. Paige Mulick

Assistant Director .................................................................................... Lindsay Gaspari

Technical Director ..................................................................................... Collin Wagner

Costume designer ......................................................................................... Eni Buckhanan

Intimacy choreographer ........................................................................ Rachel thomas

Dance Captain .................................................................................................... Alyssa Hyska

Vocal CoacH ....................................................................................... Carrie Vandenburgh

Light board operator .............................................................................. Curtis Munson

Volunteer Trainer ........................................................................................ Susan graham band

Music Director Gabriel Palacios (Piano), Laura Chaddock (Fiddle/Mandolin), Dan Moser (Banjo), Ivan Rodriguez-Torres (Upright Bass), Glenn MacFarland (drums), Dan Geib & Dustin Lowe (Guitar), Burke Lokey (Viola), and Ryan Lokey (Cello)

KElly Collins - Alice Murphy

Kelly Collins (she/her) is beyond honored to be returning to The GhostLight in her all-time dream role. You may remember her as Jo March (Little Women), Réza (Once), or Texas (Cabaret) Kelly sends endless thanks to her friends & family for their unwavering support, and to this incredible cast for making her feel right at home Dedicated to my angel, Noel. www.KellyACollins.com

Wes Shenker - BIlly cane

Wes Shenker is pumped to be playing Billy Cane and happy to be back at The GhostLight. He admires the way Billy follows his heart and pursues his dreams even in the midst of adversity After playing Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, Billy in Once and Max in Cabaret in 2023, he’s excited to be involved in the rest of the 2024 season as well!

Landon Mitchell - Jimmy Ray Dobbs

Landon Mitchell is excited to make his GhostLight debut! He’s studying musical theatre at Lake Michigan College Some of his past roles include: Squidward (The SpongeBob Musical), Jack (Into the Woods), and Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief). He looks forward to putting on a great show with a wonderful cast!

Alyssa Hyska - Margo & Dance Captain

Alyssa “Action” Hyska is beyond excited to be back on stage in Bright Star! A GhostLight regular, you might’ve seen her as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show (GhostLight), Lulu in Cabaret (GhostLight), and Sally Jackson in Lightning Thief (LMC), among many more In the fall, she is ecstatic to attend Western Michigan University to study Music Theatre Performance! She would like to thank her wonderful friends and family for their never-ending love and support.

Karlianne Loshbough - Mama Murphy

Karlianne is very excited to be a part of Bright Star at GhostLight Theatre. Last summer she appeared in The Sound of Music as a Nun. Karlianne is a Travel Surgical Tech, by trade, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She wants to thank her family and friends for encouraging her to continue to do the things she loves.

Brady West - Daddy Murphy

Brady is delighted to kick off his third season at The GhostLight Theatre. His previous roles include Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret and Theodore Laurence III in Little Women, and he is thrilled to be playing the lead role in Pippin later this summer. Brady is a lifelong singer, whether in church, choir, or musical theatre

Doug Peterson - Mayor Dobbs

Doug is excited to be back at the GhostLight as Mayor Dobbs. He just appeared as Mr. Assalone in The Minutes. Since moving to Watervliet he discovered the GL and since then has been very active with them. “This company is a gem and really needs help to expand. The talent that comes through here is amazing Please consider any donation” All my love to wife Cindy for her support. Love you too kids!

Meggie Anderson - Lucy

Meggie Anderson has been performing since she was a wee tot. Some of her recent forays in musical theater include The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Sally Bowles, in Cabaret, and the Usherette in Rocky Horror. She has a Master’s Degree in Education and works as a Foster Care Specialist.

Lane Alsup - Daryl

Lane Alsup holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Choral/General Music Education, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish, both received from Western Michigan University and an Associate of Arts degree from Lake Michigan College.

Zach Puplis - Daddy Cane

Though this is Zach's first show at GhostLight, he is not a newcomer to community theater, having caught the bug in Grease at Lakeshore High School back in 2005 He has been performing consistently since 2017, at Twin City Players, Collywobbles Theater Company and at the Beckwith in Dowagiac.

Taylor Fishman - Edna

Taylor is excited to make her GhostLight debut! Bright Star has been a show she has adored for years. Her favorite credits are: Catch Me if You Can, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Beauty and the Beast. Taylor is happy to be sharing a stage with her best friend, Kelly, again.

Sofia Pate - Florence

Sofia Pate (she/her) is a 19-year-old, Michigan native who has played the roles of Amy and Beth in two productions of Little Women, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and an ensemble member in Violet. This fall, Sofia will enter her junior year at Michigan State University to continue working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism

Sam donoho - Max

Back to the stage after 10 years, Sam is excited to be back to performing. This is Sam's second show at GhostLight after The Minutes and will also be in Brad in this year's production of The Rocky Horror Show. Sam is big into movies, tv, music, gaming, and basketball! And you as well, for reading this bio and coming to the show!

Ella Harris - Ensemble & Alice U/s

Ella Harris is thrilled to make her GhostLight debut! She’s pursuing Musical Theatre at Lake Michigan College. Favorite credits: The SpongeBob Musical (Sandy), Shrek the Musical Jr (Fiona), Descendants the Musical (Mal), The Lightning Thief (Clarisse). Thank you to those who have encouraged me to “follow my own bright star”.

Laura Gomez - Government clerk

Laura Gomez is excited to return to the GhostLight stage. Laura was previously seen in Eleanor's Very Merry Christmas Wish - a 2022 musical production at the GhostLight. Some past credits include being a Laker Girl in Spamalot at Twin City Players. Old Ma Strong in Urinetown at Lake MI College. When not on stage Laura is spending time with her children and partner. She thanks them all for their support so she can pursue her love for musical theatre!

Eric Thiele -

Eric Thiele returns to The GhostLight Theatre for another iconic role! You may have seen Eric on stage in past productions of Violet as the preacher, The Rocky Horror Show as Eddie, or in Sweeney Todd at Lake Michigan College.

Daryl Collins - Dr. Norquist

Daryl is so proud to be in his first show with The GhostLight Theatre. He recently moved from the Detroit area. His favorite role was Potiphar is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat He excited to perform for his wife Mikki and kids, Isabella and Jacob.

Abbi Kalin - Well-dressed Woman

Abbi Kalin is so excited to perform in her third GhostLight show, Bright Star! You might have seen her as Rosie in Mamma Mia! (SJHS) or Frenchie in Cabaret (Ghostlight). She’s currently attending the University of Michigan for Creative Writing and is excited to enter the local Ann Arbor theater scene as a sophomore

Kristen Wielenga - Ensemble

Kristen is very excited to be in this production of Bright Star. She is originally from the Kalamazoo area and has been involved in theatre since childhood Kristen took a break from acting while raising her children but resumed again in 2019. As the pandemic hit and theatres closed, she branched out into movies and shows, which has been her acting outlet for the past few years. As co-chair of the Board of Directors for The GhostLight, Kristen was at the theatre often, so it was only a matter of time before she got back on stage again This is the first full-length musical Kristen has been a part of in over 20 years, and she has loved every minute of it.

Percy Wielenga - Ensemble

Percival Wielenga is a sophomore at Lakeshore High School He has always loved watching plays, but hasn't gotten on stage himself until 2022. Bright Star is the second musical that Percy has performed in at The GhostLight and he hopes to do more in the future

Paige Mulick - Choreographer

Paige Mulick (she/her), graduated from Western Michigan University with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Arts Administration. You may have seen her choreography in Cabaret and The Rocky Horror Show (GhostLight), White Christmas at Berrien Springs High School, or The Lightning Thief at Lake Michigan College Paige also serves as a faculty member at the Citadel Dance & Music Center, Company Member for CPR Dance: Inhale Movement, and the Front of House Manager here at the GhostLight Theatre! Enjoy the show!

Gabriel Palacios - Music Director

Since beginning his piano studies, Gabriel has enjoyed playing at summer music festivals, accompanying choirs, and playing with orchestras For the past several years he has enjoyed collaborating with the musicians in the Michiana area

Lindsay Gaspari - Assistant director

Lindsay Gaspari is the Upper Elementary lead teacher at Brookview Montessori School. She enjoys bringing dramatic arts into the classroom and has more recently begun directing and assistant directing within the local community theatre. “Bright Star” is her second official production with GhostLight

Collin Wagner - technical designer

This is Collin Wagner’s 2nd year and 5th show with GhostLight Theatre! Collin is currently studying Theatre Design and Technical production at Western Michigan University Other credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Once, Cabaret, Argonautika, Thanksgiving Play.

Eni buckhanan - costume designer

Eni came up in the local theatre scene, with 20+ productions from TCP to, the Tin Shop, and CMW to right here at GhostLight. They have been costuming since age 12, and are currently studying Theatrical Design & Technical Production at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, where they live.

Rachel Thomas - Intimacy Choreo.

Rachel Thomas is a Chicago-based dance and intimacy choreographer, performer, and content creator She has trained with the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) on her practice and has worked with a variety of theatrical shows of both new and existing work. Some of her intimacy credits include The Rocky Horror Picture Show (The Ghostlight Theater), Tuko Tuko (The University of Notre Dame), The Dance of Death (Irish Theater of Chicago) and Big Scary Animals (The Acting Ensemble) She believes that the work of an intimacy choreographer is essential in the industry today and is continuing to further her experience and education in consent forward practices. You can find her on social media at @rachel.ann.thomas and at her website rachelannthomas com

Ivan Rodriguez-Torres - Bass

Born and raised in Mexico, has been part of bands playing genres like rock, pop, jazz, blues, ska, and in different theater productions (most recent being A Chorus Line In Notre Dame) Ivan is very excited to be in his third production with The GhostLight Theatre.

Laura Chaddock- Fiddle/violin

Laura Chaddock is delighted to be returning to The GhostLight Theater. Playing both violin/fiddle and mandolin for this production, she brings 49 years of musical experience with performances in over 35 musicals and one season in The Ohio Light Opera. Most recently, she performed in South Bend Civic’s production of “Holiday Inn.” She has performed with numerous orchestras and has been a member of quartets, an Irish punk band, and a Klezmer band. She also sings soprano in several local SW Michigan choral groups and will be participating in the Paris Chorus Festival in July She is eternally grateful for her husband’s love and support of her musical endeavors

Burke Lokey - Viola

Burke Lokey is the Orchestra Director for St. Joseph High School. Under his leadership, the orchestras have earned top ratings at Michigan school band and orchestra festivals and performed across the country. In 2014, Burke was appointed the Director of the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra and has grown the program into four ensembles Burke received a BA in Music and String Pedagogy from Arizona State University and an MA in Music Education from Columbia University Burke shares his love of music with his wife, Becky, and two sons, Ryan and Evan. He also enjoys cooking, sports, reading, and traveling.

PAUL MOWDirector

An accomplished operatic tenor for over a decade, Paul performed at the New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for over 5 years, and also worked with dozens of opera companies and orchestras both domestic and abroad In addition to performing on the operatic and concert stages, Paul won many awards and competitions, most notably The George London Award for the Kirsten Flagstad Prize

Paul’s career in academics includes Director of Theatre at both Southwestern Michigan College and Lake Michigan College (2013-2019) as well as stage directing at a multitude of regional companies including the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, The Twin City Players, The Beckwith Theatre, and the South Bend Civic He’s produced countless celebrated shows including Spring Awakening, Airline Highway, Peter & The Starcatcher, Next to Normal, Caroline: Or Change, Parade, Hairspray, Sister Act, In The Heights, The Secret Garden, SHREK: The Musical, Amahl & The Night Visitors, and The Last 5 Years.

After years of witnessing what the performing arts can do to uplift people, Paul’s passion sparked an idea to create “a more immersive performing experience in Southwest Michigan.” Once he partnered with other like-minded community leaders, he saw his dream become a reality with what is now The GhostLight Theatre, located in the Benton Harbor Arts District. Since it’s inception in 2019, as it’s Artistic Director and now General Manager, he has directed The Bridges of Madison County, West Side Story, Violet, Cabaret, The Sound of Music, The Rocky Horror Show Musical and Bright Star He knows that he could do absolutely nothing without the incredible and supportive partner that is his wife, Lauren and can’t thank her enough for her limitless support.

Design team

Collin Wagner, Technical Designer

Eni Buckhanan, Costume Designer

Dan Williams & Dan Cooper, Set Designers

Cindy Jakeway, Mural Artist

Laura Gomez & Lindsay Gaspari, Prop Design

Curtis Munson & Pyper Florin,

Board Operations

SpECIAL THANKS

Dan Cooper

Jaime Froelich

Lindsay Gaspari

Laura Gomez

Susan Graham

Barb Klein

Eliga Miller

Lauren Mow

Doug Peterson

Andy Sawyer

Suz Schalon

Carol Sizer

John Taylor

Twin City Players

Carrie Vandenburgh

Land Acknowledgement Statement

We collectively acknowledge that The GhostLight Theatre occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabek – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. We recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve federally-recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. By offering this Land Acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold The GhostLight Theatre more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples. We are committed to bringing Native American voices to the forefront. As part of an ongoing effort to celebrate and tell the histories and contemporary experiences of Native American people, we also recognize the Native American presence on the land where our building is located.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Vondale, Co-Chair

Kristen Wielenga, Co-Chair

Roni Buckley, Vice Chair

Carol Sizer, Treasurer

Jeff Dunlap

James Kalabokis

Chokwe Pitchford

Leslie Pickell

LaToya Turner

Keith Winters

STAFF

Paul Mow, GM & Artistic Director

Paige Mulick, Front of house Manager

KIDS SUMMER CAMP

Hosted at the Boys & Girls Club

JUNE 24-28

This exhilarating day camp builds self-esteem & mutual respect through the practice & performance of circus arts!

For SW Michigan Boys & Girls Club

Members Ages 6-16

NO COST to Campers

Applications Due May 15th

Limited to 35 Campers

2023-24 Donors

Chicago Records MANAGEMENT

Mr.

THe

Sterling

Jeff and Laura Lukas Robert J. Hiddema & Joan B. Hiddema