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WHO’S WHO
MICHAEL CAVINDER (Inspector Pinckney & Ensemble) is an actor, producer, director, writer and halfFilipino giant. He is the creator and Artistic Director of Ambush Cabaret. Regional credits: CCAE Theatricals’ Bottle Shock! The Musical (Mike Grgich), 9 to 5: The Musical (Tinsworthy) at Musical Theatre West, Mamma Mia! (Bill) and Clue (Mr. Body) at La Mirada Theater. International Tours: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan. Michael originated the role of King Agnarr in Disney’s Frozen: Live at the Hyperion, directed by Liesl Tommy, and appeared as Drake in Annie alongside an all-star cast at the Hollywood Bowl. TV Credits: “Law & Order.” He is forever grateful for his lovely wife Libby, his family and friends, Lindsay Brooks and the rest of the team at ATB Talent Agency. www.ambushcabaret.com.
ANDREW HEY (Tom Copley, Magistrate, Ensemble, & U.S. Monty) is thrilled to make his debut with Laguna Playhouse. Andrew, along with his wife, Shinah, are recent transplants to Southern California and spent the past 12 years performing in the Twin Cities of Minnesota at theatres such as Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Ordway Center, Theater Latté Da, and others. Theatre highlights include: Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli), Grease (Doody), Joseph…(Joseph), Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka), Little Women (Laurie), Disney’s Newsies (Finch, U/S Jack), The World Over (Adam), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (U/S Prince Eric), Pirates of Penzance (U/S Frederic), and the Minneapolis cast and international touring cast of All Is Calm (Littlefair) among others. TV: BroadwayHD/ PBS recording of “All Is Calm” (Littlefair). Andrew also holds a MA in Counseling and works as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. IG:@heyandrewhey “Love to Shinah, Jane and Charlie.”
SHINAH HEY (Miss Barley, Lady Eugenia, Ensemble, U.S. Sibella, & Dance Captain) is elated to be making her Laguna Playhouse debut. Regional credits include Arena Stage, Ride The Cyclone (Ocean); Guthrie Theater, The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn); Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Cynthia Weil), Footloose (Rusty), Grease (Frenchy, Sandy U/S); Theater Latté Da, Assassins (Squeaky Fromme), Gypsy (Dainty June and Agnes), Into The Woods (Little Red and Lucinda); Artistry, Sweet Charity (Charity), Little Women (Amy/ Jo U/S); The Hive, Matt & Ben (Ben); The Jungle, Ride The Cyclone (Ocean). National Tours include The Kennedy Center, Me Jane (Jane Goodall), Sending all of her love to Andy, Jane and Charlie. Instagram: @ShinahHey
JEAN KAUFFMAN (Miss Shingle & Ensemble) This is Jean’s second expedition to Edwardian England with the D’Ysquiths; at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in 2019, she played Lady Eugenia. She was Grandma Tzeitel in the recent Jason Alexander led production of Fiddler On The Roof in La Mirada. At Hartford Stage she was in the premiere production of the new musical, The Flamingo Kid. Other SoCal credits include Emma Goldman in Ragtime, Mrs. Brice in Funny Girl, Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown, and Sara Jane Moore in Assassins. She was in National Tours of Cats, Beauty and The Beast, A Chorus Line, and On The Twentieth Century. Regionally, Jean appeared as Gertrude in Hamlet, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Carmen Bernstein in Curtains, and Lucy Schmeeler in On The Town. Her Film and TV credits include “Poker Face,” “Gangsterland,” “Shut Eye,” “What Love Sees,” “Bitter Blood,” and “Angels On Tap.”
NICHOLAS MONGIARDO-COOPER (D’Ysquith Family) Off-Broadway: Rothschild & Sons, Lonesome Traveler, Julius Caesar. Regional: Fiddler On The Roof (La Mirada), A Wicked Soul In Cherry Hill (Geffen), Waitress (Moonlight),The Tempest (ASF), The Play That Goes Wrong, Sherlock Holmes’ Last Adventure (Portland Stage) Once (Geva), Rounding Third (FST), House of Dreams (SDRep), Oliver!, Matilda (5Star) Sweeney Todd, Once, Shakespeare In Love (SCR), King Lear (Rubicon), Holmes and Watson, Harvey, (Laguna), Side Show (La Jolla), Of Mice And Men, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Sherlock Holmes, Side By Side By Sondheim, Words By (North Coast Rep). TV: “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC), “Dying For Sex” (F/X), “Ghosts” (CBS), “The Connors” (ABC), “Fairly Oddparents” (Paramount+), “Danger Force” (Nickelodeon), “Fuller House”(Netflix), “Superstore” (NBC), “Casual” (Hulu).
ANDREW POLEC (Monty) Laguna Playhouse debut! West End: Strat in Bat Out of Hell (London Coliseum, Dominion Theatre; Joe Allen Best West End Debut Award) Off-Broadway: The Beautiful Lady (La MaMa), The Fantasticks (Theatre Center) Regional: The Grinch in How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Berger in Hair, Crime and Punishment, A Comedy (Old Globe), Escape to Margaritaville (Moonlight Stage), Legacy of Love (Bucks County Playhouse), The General from America (Hudson Valley Shakespeare), Ivanov, A Christmas Carol (Trinity Repertory), Where the Wild Things Are (Providence Fringe). Film/television: “Katy Keene,” “Prodigal Son,” “Wheel of Fortune.” Music: “Disillusioned Funk.” Other: 2021 First Prize Winner of the Lotte Lenya Competition. Education: B.A.s in English, Music from University of Rochester, M.F.A. in Theatre from
Brown
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halfTheatricals’ Mamma and Hyperion, TV Brooks Laguna the Theatres, Grease (Finch, (U/S TV: as making Guthrie Musical (Squeaky Charity (Ocean). Jane England She At credits Jane The Carmen Face,” Lonesome (Geffen), Adventure (5Star) (Laguna), Sondheim, “The House”(Netflix), Coliseum, MaMa), Hair, Love Christmas Keene,” Lotte from
Brown University. Socials: @andrewpolec
KATY TANG (Phoebe) previously seen at Laguna Playhouse as Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner. North Coast Repertory: Pippin, The Cherry Orchard, The Remarkable Mister Holmes. Regional credits: Sweeney Todd, She Loves Me (South Coast Repertory), Marry Me A Little (International City Theatre), Candide (San Bernardino Symphony), A Little Night Music (EastWest Players), Spring Awakening (Cygnet Theatre), Turn of the Screw, The Mikado (Pacific Opera Project), Denver Center, Syracuse Stage, La Mirada Theatre, Independent Shakespeare Company, Laguna Playhouse, The LATC, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Sacred Fools, Chalk Rep and LA Opera. International credits: “Le Nozze di Figaro” (Mediterranean Opera Festival, Italy), “Werther,” “Orphée et Eurydice” (La Péniche Opera, France). Tang trained at UCLA & the Ecole Normale de Musique, Paris. For you, Janet.
LAUREN WEINBERG (Sibella) is so thrilled to return to Laguna Playhouse after performing as Guenevere in Camelot. Nat’l Tour: Guys & Dolls (Adelaide). Off-Broadway: Smile (Brenda) with J2 Spotlight, AMT Theater. Regional favorites: Guys & Dolls (Adelaide) at Olney Theatre Center — Helen Hayes Nomination, Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at Theatre By The Sea, Brigadoon (Fiona) & Damn Yankees (Lola) at The Wick Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine) at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Clue (Miss Scarlet) at the John W. Engeman Theater. Other New York: International Fringe Festival, The Jewish Museum, NYTF winner. Episodic: “Hustling, The Series.” Lauren appears in national and regional commercial & voiceover spots for brands such as BudLight, Zicam, & JBL. BFA Penn State, New York based. A huge thank you to David & the creative team, and love to Dru & the THPs! www.laurenweinbergofficial.com. Instagram: @ellemdoubleu.
SITTICHAI CHAIYAHAT (Male Swing-Inspector Pinckney, Tom Copley, & Magistrate) is ecstatic to be making his Laguna Playhouse debut in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder! He is a Thai-American Actor, Singer, Teacher, and Theater Artist. Sittichai is a native of Portland, OR, and was primarily raised in Oceanside, CA. Growing up his father owned a Thai restaurant so he has very high standards for good Thai food. You can find him playing video games, shooting hoops, working out, or ingesting anything related to manga and “One Piece”. He is a proud Alumni of Mira Costa College and UC Irvine’s MFA in Acting program. Favorite theater credits include: Anastasia (Moonlight), Pacific Overtures (East West Players), Pericles (New Swan Shakespeare), The Brothers Paranormal (UC Irvine), Little Shop of Horrors (New Village Arts), The Pirates of Penzance (Mira Costa College), and An Iliad (UC Irvine). IG: @sittichai_thai
MADISON MIYUKI SPRAGUE (Female Swing- Miss Barley, Lady Eugenia, Miss Shingle, & Phoebe) is an actress and singer originally from Virginia, and based in Los Angeles. She earned her B.A. in Musical Theatre from Pepperdine University, where she also trained in opera. Recent credits include: McCoy Rigby Ent.’s regional tour of The Little Mermaid, with notable stops at La Mirada Theatre and The Ordway (US Ariel); the LA premiere workshop of Pump Up the Volume (Tracie); Cabaret at 5-Star Theatricals (US Sally); Desperate Measures at ICT Long Beach (Bella Rose); Footloose at The Colony Theatre (US Ariel/Rusty); Disney’s Rogers: The Musical at The Hyperion Theatre (Ruby Starkette); and the west-coast premiere staged concert of Noble Family at La Mirada Theatre (Mali).
STEVE CHIU (Violin) Steve is a graduate of Berklee College of Music whose dynamic career spans music composition, performance, and coordination across a wide range of genres and platforms. As a violinist, Steve has performed in numerous theatrical and televised productions, including Camelot and The Remarkable Mister Holmes at the Laguna Playhouse. In 2021, he performed alongside global icon Adele in the acclaimed television special “Adele One Night Only.” In 2022, Steve joined music legend Beyoncé to perform “Be Alive” at the opening of the 94th Academy Awards. He reunited with her in 2024 for the “NFL Christmas Gameday Halftime Show” in Houston, Texas—an iconic performance now streaming on Netflix. Internationally, Steve has served as Music Director for major productions like the Disney 100 Wonderland Concert China Tour, Frozen in Concert, and the Dragon Ball Music Adventure Concert with Japan’s Toei Animation. Most recently, he composed the original children’s musical Lulu’s Adventure: Saving the Magical Spaceship, which premiered at Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. Instagram: @stevec720, Facebook: Steve C. Chiu.
CARLOS A. HERRERA (Clarinet) received his Bachelors of Music in Instrumental Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University- Long Beach and is an active freelance woodwind performer and instructor in the Los Angeles area. Apart from having a private studio, Carlos also serves as a woodwind teaching artist, woodwind coach, and program coordinator for the Los Angeles Philharmonic YOLA program, an El Sistema-based organization that provides music education in historically underserved communities. Carlos is an active member of the Los Angeles Clarinet Choir, the Synesthesia Sinfonietta Orchestra, the AfroAmerican Chamber Music Society, the La Mirada Symphony, the Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra, the
Bellflower Symphony, he has performed as a chamber musician with Jacaranda Music, the Syrinx Reed Quintet, the Mt. Lowe Chamber Players, and he performs doubling on all woodwind instruments for various musical theater productions in Los Angeles.
KEN FISHER (Oboe, Bassoon, English Horn) woodwind doubler and low-reed specialist, holds the BA in Clarinet and Saxophone and the MM in Bassoon, both from UCLA. Fisher spent the better part of 13 years on the road: in the showband with Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines, a year touring with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, then seven years living in Mexico as a member of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco in Guadalajara and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Sinaloa in Culiacán. Since returning to Los Angeles, Ken Fisher has participated in hundreds of recording sessions for albums, movies, and television, and over 50 Broadway Musical productions, most recently the national tours of Kimberly Akimbo, Chicago, The Wiz, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Phantom of the Opera, and Hello Dolly! As a baritone saxophonist, he has performed with over 30 local Big Bands, including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the Brent Fischer Orchestra, and the John Daversa Big Band.
KHRIS KEMPIS (Bass) is a Los Angeles-based musician who has performed with various groups including East West Players, Musical Theater West, and the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) at Walt Disney Concert Hall. He holds an MFA in Jazz Bass Performance from California Institute of the Arts. When not performing, Khris works as a software engineer and enjoys archery.
ROBERT L. FREEDMAN (Book & Lyrics) won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Book of a Musical for the Tony-winning Best Musical of 2014, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. He was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Score, with composer and co-lyricist Steven Lutvak, with whom he shared the 2014 Drama Desk Award for Best Lyrics. Among his television career highlights, Robert won the Writers Guild Award for HBO’s “A Deadly Secret,” and was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Writers Guild Award for writing the miniseries “Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.” Other teleplays include “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” for which he received a third Writers Guild nomination; “What Makes A Family,” which won a GLAAD Award and for which Robert was a Humanitas finalist; “What Love Sees,” winner of the Silver Plaque at the Chicago International Television Festival; as well as the highly-rated true crime dramas “Murder In The Hamptons,” “The Pastor’s Wife,” “Honor Thy Mother,” and “Bitter Blood.” In 2006, Freedman and Lutvak received the Fred Ebb Award for songwriting and the Kleban Award for lyric writing for their work on the musicals A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Campaign of the Century. More recently, Robert wrote Book and Lyrics for the musical The Flamingo Kid, with composer Scott Frankel, at Hartford Stage; and the book for Witnesses, which had its premiere at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Robert is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television, and the Big Apple Award from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He is the author of the book, “Notes On The Writing of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” (Applause Books), available at Amazon and other booksellers.
STEVEN LUTVAK (Music & Lyrics) Tony Award winning MTI author Steven Lutvak, co-author of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, passed away on October 9, 2023. He was 64 years old. Steven Lutvak made his Broadway debut with his score to A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, for which he supplied the music, and co-wrote the lyrics with Robert L. Freedman. A Gentleman’s Guide won the Drama League, the Outer Critics Circle, the Drama Desk and the Tony Awards for Best Musical of 2014. Since its successful run of over two years on Broadway, there have been two National Tours, and productions mounted in Sweden, Japan, and China. As a singer/songwriter, Mr. Lutvak performed his songs across the country, including at such prestigious New York venues as Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hall, Rainbow and Stars, and The Russian Tea Room. Among the multitude of awards won for his achievements in musical theatre, Mr. Lutvak received the Johnny Mercer Emerging American Songwriting Award, the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Awards, and is the only two-time recipient of the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Grant.
NOELLE MARION (Director) is excited to make her debut at Laguna Playhouse after directing A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Directing credits include: Waitress (Moonlight), The Tempest (Two River Theatre), Tootsie (Moonlight), Winter Wonderettes (SDMT), Escape to Margaritaville (Moonlight), Cinderella (Moonlight), Spamalot (Welk Resort), Nunsense (Welk Resort), The Addams Family (Welk Resort), and Freaky Friday (SDMT). Associate Directing credits: Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson-Apt. 2B (The Old Globe), The Merry Wives of Windsor (The Old Globe), Under a Baseball Sky (The Old Globe), Cabaret (Goodspeed Opera House), Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The
Reed various in years touring the Since movies, Kimberly Dolly! Big groups including Walt When Critics Guide co-lyricist television for My third was Television Wife,” for to musical had is and The other A Steven he Drama Since productions the Oak of Emerging the A Waitress Escape Resort), and Sky
Old Globe), Hair (The Old Globe/Two River Theatre), and Hurricane Diane (The Old Globe). Immense gratitude to David, the Laguna Playhouse staff, and the designers, cast, and crew. Endless love to my family and husband. Proud member of SDC and AEA.
LUKE HARVEY JACOBS (Choreographer) Onstage Credits: A Funny Thing…Forum and Dames at Sea. Select Choreography Credits: The Rocky Horror Show (2024 - Cygnet), The Wedding Singer (2023 - Moonlight), La Cage aux Folles (2021 - Cygnet) and Sister Act (2017 - SDMT). Select Onstage credits: Balaga in …the Great Comet… (2024 - Cygnet), Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie (2023) & Lady Enid/Nicodemus in The Mystery of Irma Vep (2022), both at Diversionary. Luke is very proud to have played a small to medium part in helping his hometown theatre scene thrive for over 15 years now. Thank YOU for your continued support of our art! Love to Paco. @lhj.thtr on IG.
ANTHONY ZEDIKER (Musical Director, Piano) is a Los Angeles-based music director, conductor and pianist. He recently made his debut at the Pantages Theatre playing keyboard for the Broadway national tour of Some Like It Hot. Recently he served as the children’s music director and associate conductor of the North American tour of Annie. Recent highlights include Jersey Boys and Into The Woods at Musical Theatre West, The Little Mermaid and Frozen at La Mirada, The Civility Of Albert Cashier at the Colony, An American in Paris at The Cape Playhouse, tick, tick…BOOM! at International City Theater. Anthony also appeared as a recurring guest star in HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and was Jim Carrey’s hand double in Showtime’s “Kidding.” He holds a B.M from DePaul University in Chicago and a M.M from the University of Southern California.
MARTY BURNETT (Set Design) At Laguna Playhouse designed Chapatti, Alexandros, and transfer designed Murder on the Links, The Angel Next Door, Tartuffe, Camelot and Peril in the Alps from North Coast Rep. Marty has a B.A. from Creighton University, Omaha, NE. Scenic designed more than 250 productions at North Coast Rep. Resident Designer at Coronado Playhouse 1981-84 and Fiesta Dinner Theater 1984-87. Co-owner Props and Drops 1987-91, Designing for Union Plaza, Hacienda and Sahara Hotels and Casinos, Las Vegas; Harrah’s, South Lake Tahoe and Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City; Drury Lane Theater, Chicago.
ELISA BENZONI (Costume Design) is thrilled to be working at Laguna Playhouse again! She is currently working on her eighth season at North Coast Rep including numerous Craig Noel-nominated productions. Elisa has also worked on more than 100 productions across Southern California with theatres such as The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre and New Village Arts. Being Italian born, Elisa has also had the opportunity to work and perfect her craft in Europe. Elisa holds a costume design M.F.A. from UCSD, where she currently is an adjunct professor.
MATTHEW NOVOTNY (Lighting Design) is pleased to be designing another show for Laguna Playhouse. This is his 12th show at Laguna, having previously designed Peril in the Alps. Matthew is currently the Lighting Designer in Residence for San Diego Musical Theatre as well as North Coast Rep, and his work can be seen at a wide variety of theatres across San Diego. Matthew holds a B.A. in Technical Theatre from San Diego State and a master’s degree in Lighting Design from Boston University. Matthew is married to his beautiful wife Amanda, with five AMAZING children: Ragan, Harper, Heston, Maddex, and Harrison.
JESSE WORLEY (Sound Design) is delighted to serve as the Resident Sound Designer at Laguna Playhouse. His work has been heard across the nation at Arizona Broadway Theatre (Phoenix, AZ), The Wick Theatre, (Boca Raton, FL), The San Pedro Playhouse (San Antonio, TX), Fort Peck Summer Theatre (Fort Peck, MT), The Modern Theater (Spokane, WA), and Lake City Playhouse (Coeur d’ Alene, ID). Some of his favorite sound designs include: The Wild Party, Next to Normal, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Newsies, Once, The Bridges of Madison County, Daddy Long Legs, Baskerville!, The Spitfire Grill, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and Hello Dolly.
AUDREY CASTERIS (Properties Designer) is a San Diego based scenic designer and fabricator. Recent credits include props design for What the Constitution Means to Me, Heart Sellers, Sense of Decency and Camelot. Recent design credits include The Hot Wing King (Cygnet Theatre), All Bark No Bite (Coronado Playhouse), We Begin in a Tavern (Orlando Fringe Festival 2023), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Theatre UCF), The Interference (Theatre UCF). Audrey is also the Resident Set Design Assistant at The Old Globe. @audreycasterisdesign.
PETER HERMAN (Hair & Wigs Design) is honored to be part of the creative team for A Gentlman’s Guide. He has designed wigs for past productions of Peril in the Alps, The Remarkable Mister Holmes, Eleanor, A View from the Bridge, and more. Peter teaches wig and makeup design at San Diego State University. He is glad to be part of the creative team on this show.
LAURA ZINGLE (Production Stage Manager) Theatre credits include: Cygnet Theatre: Angels in America, Parts I & II; San Diego Repertory Theatre: A Doll’s House, Part 2, Fun Home, Detroit. La Jolla Playhouse: The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (sub ASM), Kill Local, WithOut Walls Festival 2017, Tiger Style!, Kingdom City, ElHenry (in association with San Diego Rep), His Girl Friday, and Hands on a Hardbody. The Old Globe: Picasso at the Lapin Agile (sub ASM), Sense and Sensibility, The Metromaniacs (sub ASM), Arms and the Man. Production Coordinator: San Diego Theatres. Other credits include: Old Globe Gala (Production Manager, 2024), Spoleto Festival USA: U.S. premiere of opera The Little Match Girl (Helmut Lachenmann); different words for the same thing (workshop, Center Theatre Group), La Jolla Music Society, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, Pointeworks, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. M.F.A., Stage Management: UC San Diego. Proud member: AEA and IATSE 122.
DAVID ELLENSTEIN (Artistic Director) Born into a theatrical family, David Ellenstein has been working in professional theatre for the better part of five decades. In May 2023, he was named Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse, after filling the role in an interim capacity since September 2022. In addition, he has been the Artistic Director of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach, CA since 2003. At Laguna Playhouse, credits include directing Honky Tonk Angels, The Remarkable Mister Holmes, Eleanor, A View from the Bridge, Holmes & Watson, A Shayna Maidel, The Angel Next Door, Chapatti, Alexandros and playing Einstein in Picasso and Einstein at The Lapin Agile. Other directorial credits include The Chosen at Paper Mill Playhouse; Halpern and Johnson and Sonia Flew at Coconut Grove Playhouse; The Glass Menagerie, Rocket City and Honky Tonk Angels at Alabama Shakespeare Festival; His Royal Hipness at 59E59 in NYC; and Long Day’s Journey into Night at Renaissance Theatre. As Artistic Director at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach since 2003, over 60 directorial credits including Birthday Candles, Way Down River, The Tempest, A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Outsider and The Homecoming. His career includes acting credits of playing the title roles in Hamlet at LA Theatre Center and LA Rep; Richard III at California Shakespeare Festival; Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at Moonlight Stage; Jonathan in Sight Unseen, Max in Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Matt in Talley’s Folly at North Coast Rep as well as over three dozen film and television episodes.
ADELE ADKINS (Managing Director) is thrilled to join Laguna Playhouse. Adele is an arts leader with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit theater management and programming. She most recently served as Managing Director of Bucks County Playhouse, where she expanded revenue, increased subscriber growth, and spearheaded key initiatives in equity, accessibility, and community engagement. She has booked performances across the full spectrum of venues—from intimate 100-seat theaters to 7,000-seat arenas—presenting everything from classical music and Broadway tours to major country music stars and a wide range of genres in between. Adele has also led the Clark State Performing Arts Center in Ohio and the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine. Her early career includes leadership roles at the Collins Center for the Arts and the Maine Center for the Arts. A Juilliard-trained cellist, she brings a lifelong dedication to performance, education, and cultural leadership. Adele is a sought-after consultant for performing arts centers and theaters, known for her expertise in strategic planning and innovative revenue growth strategies.
From the DIRECTOR
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE STAFF
David Ellenstein
Artistic Director
Adele Adkins
Managing Director
MANAGEMENT
General Manager ............................................................... Denys Baker
Asst. General Manager/Company Manager .........Rachel Garlington
DEVELOPMENT
Director of Development .................................................... Erin Simon
Grants Writer............................................................Annamarie Maricle
FINANCE
Controller Rae Metcalfe
Bookkeeper Karsyn VonAchen
EDUCATION
Director of Youth Theatre, Education Joe Alanes
Education and Outreach Coordinator.......................Nakisa Aschtiani
Teaching Artists.....................................Meghan Andrews, Jack Clark, Sabrina Harper, Hillary Pearson, Corinne Provost, Luzma Ortiz, Toni Redman, Kelsey Redmond, Ella Wyatt, Evan Troutt
FRONT OF HOUSE
Artistic & Audience Services Manager
House Manager
Assistant House Manager
Wally Ziegler
Clara Bush
Jane Sabarre
Parking Supervisor Curtis Pebley
The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Please check house boards for any program changes.
The Director and Choreographer are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
MARKETING & TICKETING SERVICES
Director of Marketing, Communications, and PR..........Tom Horvath
Marketing Manager ................................................... Gracie Fleischman
Patron Services Manager .................................................... Morgan Leal
Ticketing Systems & Data Analytics Manager ............... Jason Hughes
Ticketing Services Lead Nikki Johnson
Outreach and Sales Coordinator Nicole Armour
Marketing Assistant Alexus J. Lombera
Ticketing Services Representatives Marlon Gomez-Smith, Olivia Mancillas
PRODUCTION
Production Manager Jordan Muller
Technical Director Paul Rossi
Resident Sound Designer/Audio Engineer Jesse Worley
Lighting Supervisor Jeremy Plant
Wardrobe Supervisor Stacey Nezda
Production Management Assistant Devon Rieckhof
FACILITIES OPERATIONS
Facilities and IT Operations Manager David Bryant
Facilities Maintenance Technician Brandon Sandoval
CONSULTANTS
Legal Services Stephen Berry
Press Consultant David Elzer, Demand PR IT Services
Method Technologies
Graphic Designer Teresa Meza
Website Consultant Andrew Lombardi
Broadcast Consultant Nancy Pank, Nancy’s Media Buys
Financial Services Fohrman and Fohrman Inc.
Medical Provider Caduceus Medical Group, Dr. Gregg deNicola
The designers are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, IATSE
Laguna Playhouse is a member of the League of Resident
PRODUCTION CREW
Audio Engineer............................................................................................................................................................................................................Ethan Shanklin
Production Assistant .................................................................................................................................................................................................Devon Rieckhof
A2 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Donovan Dec
Backstage Crew Josh Collins, Liz Zaragoza
Wig Maintenance Kat Scott
Spot Op Jayde Farmer, Ann Nopper
Original Sound Effects..............................................................................................................................................................................................Chris Luessman
Assistant Costume Designer.........................................................................................................................................................................................Grace Wong
SPECIAL THANKS
Theatres.
Laguna Playhouse is a member of the American Federation of Musicians.
Daniel Lincoln
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AT THE THEATRE
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Groups of 10 or more enjoy discounts on tickets. Group tickets can be purchased by calling 949-497-2787x1 or by sending us an email at groups@LagunaPlayhouse.com
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WARNING
Flashing and/or strobing lights and non-toxic synthetic fog, smoke and haze may be used during this production.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We at Laguna Playhouse acknowledge that we are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Tongva people. We recognize the enduring presence of the Tongva and are committed to showing respect to the past, present and future caretakers of this land.
WE SALUTE OUR LIFETIME SUPPORTERS
Heartfelt thanks from your Laguna Playhouse
DISTINGUISHED BENEFACTORS
Lisa Hale
Suzanne and James Mellor
The Moulton Company
Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District
BENEFACTORS CIRCLE
Jon Cobain^ & Judy Flynn
Barbara Steele Williams Foundation
Harry & Grace Steele Foundation
Maggie R. Murdy Trust
The Miki F. Young Charitable Trust
Laguna Playhouse gratefully acknowledges our many donors within the last year, April 15, 2025 – September 5, 2025 included here at Advocates and above.
CENTER STAGE CIRCLE
$25,000+
Louis & Laura Rohl
The Shubert Foundation
Harley & Lori Bassman
The Daniel & Francine Scinto Foundation
Heather Anne Chalmers
Paul & Donna Eckles
Judi Gorski
Otis & Joann Healy
The Miki F. Young Charitable Trust
Daniel & Francine Scinto Foundation
Jared & Kate Mathis
Jeffrey & Caron Winston
Jim & Karen Frank
Lisa Hale
Walker Family Charitable
Remainder Trust
Laguna Beach Tourism
Marketing District
Jon Cobain^ & Judy Flynn
PRODUCER’S CIRCLE
$15,000 - $24,000
Cody & Deborah Engle
Haskell & White, LLP
Jay Herron & Dana Klein
Jennifer Yelland
Sheila Sale
Gary & Betsy Jenkins
Greg & Barbara MacGillivray
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$10,000 - $14,999
Milli Fredricks
Karen Magnuson Mauro
South Coast Plaza
Ueberroth Family Foundation
John & Gail Ueberroth
U.S. Bank
Ray & Sandra Wirta
Ilona Martin
Torin & Carol Cunningham
Orange County Community Foundation
PATRON’S CIRCLE
$5,000 - $9,999
Jill Adams
Crevier Family Foundation
Margaret Gates
Patty Georges
Gerald & Jackie Kehle
Timothy Kippen & Ileana
Frometa Grillo
Richard & Betty Schweickert
Steve Tollefsrud
Joe & Jane Hanauer
Pramila Gupta
Rick & Kitty Malcolm
Donald & Connie Sperling
Jill Yaoz
Peter & Diane Lannon
Heidi Miller
Orange County Community Foundation
Claudia Silverman
Carolyn Brown
Sharon & Jonathan Rose
Trudi Bonnet
Penny Pralle
Justin Myers
Assistance League of Laguna Beach
ARTIST’S CIRCLE
$1,000 - $2,999
Allen Stewart Foundation
John Benecke and Lee Marino
Jim & Judy Bergman
Ron & Nancy Cambron
Paul & Donna Eckles
Pauliana Hall
Mark Hilbert
Morris & Mae Ho
Ken & Janis Kaplan
Carole & Edward Kim
Robert Krause
John & Lisa Mansour Family Fund
Richard & Lauren Packard
Michelle Reinglass
Kevin & Irene Rowe
Anonymous
Harvey & Lisa Triebwasser
Elie Weaver
Krissie & Tom Hylton
Susie Jaqua
Brent & Diane Liljestrom
Brien Amspoker & Ellen Breitman
Paul & Lucinda Prewitt
Ronald* & Sindi Schwartz
Doug & Karen Wilson
Terry McDonald & Terri Bebert
Alexander Alpert & Carol Saltzman
The Covington
Lois Jacobs
GM (Jim) & Nora Cunningham
Anita Chaitin
Olga Megdal/Fairview Warner
Jorgensen
LLC
Therese DeGroot
James & Shirley Johnson
Jorgensen Family Charitable
Gift Fund
William Kasper & Leslie Anne Mogul
Richard & Monica Thompson
Crestavilla Community
Valerie Cantwell
Playhouse Women
Mikey Lares
Oakley Van Slyke
Linda Eide
Diane Kang
Frank & Arlene O’Donnell
Ronald & June Stein
Virginia Templeton
Robert and Mary Ward
Duncan & Ellen Prince
Ryan & Allison Smith
David Ellenstein & Denise Young
Katrina Foley
Joan Riach-Gayner
Lee Kucera
Masson Family Foundation
Charles & Kathy Rosenberger
Michael Silverberg
Jean Vivrette
Ray Zadjmool
Brian and Christy Rayburn
Lucetta J. Kallis
Dennis & Joanne Keith
Patricia Romero
ADVOCATE’S CIRCLE
$500 - $999
Andy Barnicle
Terry & Diana Beeman
Gary & Nancy Beverage
Bayard Bosserman
Carole Britton
Henry & Eileen Cohen
Dr. Dvora Cyrlak & Neil Spingarn
Cynthia DeBaun
Paul Driskell
Jed Engel
Lynn April Hartline
J. Stanley & Mary W. Johnson
Family Foundation
Toni Kellenberg
Kathleen Koch
Jarrett & Tommye Kuske
Bill & Julie Long
Ramon Martinez
JENIFER MASSEY
Lilia Mead
Diane Mondini
Rey O’Day
Eleanor Palk
Amy Peninger & Jim Pisa
Cherri Penne-Myers
Russell & Jane Robinett
Mary Roosevelt
Liz Rubel
Ryan Smith
Neil Spingarn
James Thomas
Linda Thomas
Dennis Tyler
Jerald & Patricia Waldman
Jeff & Holly Hahn
Belle Tuckerman
Charles Hunter
Madeleine Peterson
Greg Herder
Jamie Marr
Kate Roth
Joan Moe
Hans & Valerie Imhof
David M Gray
Neal Warren
Krista Clark
Gene & Johanna Felder
Boyd & Carol Plowman
Wendi Chen
Sharon Domenico
Wendy & David Jones
Nelson Mamey
Patrick & Tiare Meegan
Jason Van Der Steen
Marlene Bridges
Eva Evans
Brent & Inmaculada Strombom
Mike & Michelle Polini
Joseph Davis
Robert & Linda Knoth
Merv & Sharon Simchowitz
John & Bonnie Livingston
Julie Perlin Lee
Barbara Biniasz-Gladden
Youth Theatre
Johni Pittenger
^ gift in memory of
