

Welcome to Laguna Playhouse!
When my collaborators, Omri Schein, Daniel Lincoln and I, set out to create The Remarkable Mister Holmes, we had one goal in mind: A raucous good time at the theatre.
Knowing how much audiences love a good musical, a funny comedy, a murder mystery who-done-it, and Sherlock Holmes, we decided to combine all these elements to create the show you will see at this performance.
Working hard with the amazingly talented actors and designers gathered for this production has been a joy for me; a labor of love filled with laughter and great comradery.
Now it is your turn, our cherished audience, to join in on the mirth. We hope you find as much enjoyment experiencing our work as we have had in creating it. So fasten your seat belts as we take you on a wild ride to 221B Baker Street and beyond!
Enjoy the show!
David Ellenstein Director/Co-Author & Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse
CHAIR
Lisa Hale
VICE CHAIR
Justin Myers
SECRETARY
Jeff Winston
Heather Anne Chalmers
Torin J. Cunningham, MD
James Hale
TREASURER
Harley Bassman
GOVERNANCE & NOMINATIONS
Jared K. Mathis
Dr. Gary Jenkins
Barbara MacGillivray
Heidi Miller
Emeritus Trustees
Glenn E. Gray
Joe Hanauer
Otis Healy
Ilona Martin
Melinda Masson
Jim Mellor
Artistic Director
David Ellenstein
Xiaohong Rose
Ryan Smith
Richard Thomas
book by David Ellenstein & Omri Schein presents
lyrics by Omri Schein
music by Daniel M. Lincoln directed by David Ellenstein
starring
Darcy Rose Byrnes, Susan Denaker, Jason Graae, Michael Scott Harris, Katie Karel, Martin Kildare, Shannon O’Boyle, Paul Slade Smith, Pat Towne, and Justin Michael Wilcox
scenic designer Stephen Gifford
costume designer Alex Jaeger
casting Michael Donovan Casting Michael Donovan, CSA Richie Ferris, CSA
lighting designer Matthew Novotny
properties designer Kevin Williams
production stage manager Vernon Willet
choreography by Jill Gorrie
sound designer Ian Scot
hair/wig design Peter Herman
musical direction by Alby Potts
The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association.
The world premiere of THE REMARKABLE MISTER HOLMES was produced by North Coast Repertory Theatre, Solana Beach, California, David Ellenstein, Artistic Director & Bill Kerlin, Managing Director
OPENING NIGHT
MARCH 9, 2025 • MOULTON THEATRE, LAGUNA BEACH
As a child and teenager, I had three major interests that occupied most of my time.
Firstly it was the murder mystery. From the country manors and locked rooms of the British golden age of Agatha Christie, Edmund Crispin, Ngaio Marsh, Anthony Berkeley, and Dorothy Sayers, to the seedy streets and straight talking hard boiled private detectives by American greats like Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Rex Stout, John Dickson Carr and Ellery Queen, to my personal new discovery of Japanese masters like Seishi Yokomizo - I read them all. I still do.
Secondly, was the Broadway musical. My portable CD player would blast showtunes from musicals you’ve probably never heard of like Flahooley, Tenderloin, Drat! The Cat!, The Baker’s Wife and Walking Happy. And lastly was the comedy shenanigans of Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Sid Caesar and all the other titans of their generation. So as a musical theatre writer it was inevitable that one day I would create something very much like what you are about to see. A hodgepodge tribute to all three of my childhood obsessions.
Writing musicals is hard. In fact, musicals are never finished. They are always in process.
And of course, this wasn’t the first time that writers had tried to make the famous detective into a musical theatre character. So how was I going to approach this?
Luckily for me, I had two collaborators to ease the concept into fruition. Contributing to the jokes, dialogue, and structure, I had the nimble mind of David Ellenstein, and making my lyrics sing, I was blessed with the melodic fingers of Daniel M. Lincoln. The three of us together, through laughs and of course a lot of harrowing work decided on a My Fair Lady meets The Producers world for our Sherlock to sing and sleuth in.
We’ve cut and added and tweaked and polished since the show first premiered 2022. But the goal remains the same: to entertain during these uncertain times. And of course to pay homage to the remarkable character created by Arthur Conan Doyle. We had a blast and we hope you have as much fun watching it as we did writing it!
Omri Schein
Playwright
Phyllis & Others ............................................................................................Darcy Rose Byrnes
Mrs. Hudson & Others ...................................................................................... Susan Denaker
Artemis & Others (3/5 - 3/23) ............................................................................ Jason Graae
Gustav Von Schwanz & Others ..............................................................Michael Scott Harris
Gerda Von Schwanz & Others .................................................................................Katie Karel
Inspector Lestrade & Others ............................................................................. Martin Kildare
Sheila Watson .................................................................................................Shannon O’Boyle
Sherlock Holmes..............................................................................................
Paul Slade Smith
Rabbi Plotkin & Others ..............................................................................................Pat Towne
Artemis & Others (3/27 - 3/30) ........................................................Justin Michael Wilcox
Musical Director/Keyboard...................................................
Alby Potts
Violin .............................................................................................................................. Steve Chiu
Reeds Jay Mason
Keyboard 2 ...................................................................................................................... Kara Ford
Drums/Percussion ....................................................................................................... Adam Alesi
The Musicians performing are represented by The American Federation of Musicians Local 7
lyrics by Omri Schein
music by Daniel M. Lincoln
The Remarkable Mister Holmes ................................................................................................................................... Company
The Man Behind the Man .................................................................................................................................................Holmes
Impressive ............................................................................................................................................................................ Watson
Hotel Magnificent ................................................................................................................................................. Artemis, Phyllis Kranz..........................................................................................................................................Gustav and Gerda Von Schwanz
Tick Tock 1 ....................................................................................................................................................................... Company
A Watson of a Different Kind ..................................................................................................................... Watson and Holmes
Buck’s Prayer .............................................................................................................................................. Reverend Buck Upton
Blame Song...................................................................................................................................................................... Company
Lullaby ........................................................................................................................................................................ Rabbi Plotkin
More! ................................................................................................................................................................................ Company
Poor Mr. Holmes .................................................................................................................................. Lestrade, Artemis, Phyllis
A Study in Hudson ................................................................................................................................................... Mrs. Hudson
Tick Tock 2 ...............................................................................................................................Gustav and Gerda Von Schwanz
Phyllis’s Song ......................................................................................................................................................................... Phyllis
After All ............................................................................................................................................................................... Watson
Sherlock’s Dilemma ............................................................................................................................................................Holmes
It’s Elementary ................................................................................................................................................................. Company
The Confession .............................................................................................................................................................................. ?
Finale ................................................................................................................................................. Holmes, Watson, Company
There will be a 15 minute intermission.
Please be considerate to the performers and your fellow audience members by turning off any device that could emitlightand/orsound.ANYAUDIOORVIDEORECORDINGOFTHISPRODUCTIONISSTRICTLYPROHIBITED.
DARCY ROSE BYRNES (Phyllis & Others) US/Ireland citizen Darcy Rose Byrnes played ‘Abby’ on Y&R, ‘Penny’ on Desperate Housewives, ‘Princess Amber’ on Sofia the First, ‘Ikki’ on Legend of Korra, ‘Maricela’, on Spirit Riding Free, ‘Harper’ on Big Shot (and wrote 5 songs for it), starring John Stamos. In November she played ‘Pamela Dare’ in To Sir, With Love starring Wayne Brady. D’Rose played Mary Lane in the Revival of Reefer Madness directed by Spencer Liff, produced by Kristen Bell and others (cast album released!). This December Darcy Rose was thrilled to make her Laguna Playhouse debut playing Rapunzel in Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish alongside Sally Struthers as Mother Gothel. D’Rose is reprising her role of Amber in Sofia the First: Royal Magic.
SUSAN DENAKER (Mrs. Hudson & Others) is a British/American actress who has worked extensively on both sides of the pond. Favorite roles: Mrs. Medlock – The Secret Garden (Ahmanson), Madame Arcati – Blythe Spirit (NCRT), Abuela Claudia – In The Heights (San Diego Rep), Aunt Alicia – Gigi (Reprise), Miss Lucy – Sweet Bird of Youth (La Jolla Playhouse), Marta – Company (British National Tour), Anne – A Little Night Music (Nottingham Playhouse), Side By Side By Sondheim (Edinburgh Royal Lyceum), Angie – Breaking Legs (Scarborough and Westport Playhouse), Frankie – Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune, Lola – Come Back Little Sheba, Paulina – A Winter’s Tale, Beatrice – A View From The Bridge, Marilyn –Ripcord. London West End: Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Budgie, Country Life, and Blockheads. Film and Television: “American Friends,” “Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” “As Time Goes By” with Judi Dench, “Just a Gigolo,” “Me and My Girl,” “Royce,” “The Woman He Loved,” “Passport to Murder” and over 100 audio books. She is delighted to be making her Laguna Playhouse debut.
JASON GRAAE (Artemis and Others (3/5-3/23)) (Broadway) Do Black Patent Leather Shoes…?, Stardust, Falsettos, A Grand Night For Singing. (Off-Bway) Hello Muddah, Hello, Fadduh (Drama Desk Nomination), Forever Plaid, Snoopy, etc. Recently he was The Wiz in Wicked (National Tour) and he originated the role of Houdini in the U.S. premiere of Ragtime (L.A.) Jason also won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Contribution in Musical Theatre.(TV/ Film) “Yes”. (Voice) He’s sung on over 80 CDs, and voiced many cartoons, including Lucky for Lucky Charms Cereal. Last year he directed “Follies” for MTG at The Broad.
MICHAEL SCOTT HARRIS (Gustav Von Schwanz & Others) is absolutely giddy with excitement to be on this madcap adventure. Recent credits include Inherit the Wind (Bannister) at Pasadena Playhouse, Annie (Warbucks) at Tuacahn, South Pacific (Emile) at Utah Shakespeare, Ragtime (Father) at Musical Theatre West, Lend Me a Tenor (Tito) at ICT. He arrived in L.A. with the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera (Piangi). Other fun productions with Goodspeed, Papermill, Broadway at Music Circus, North Shore, Arizona Theatre Company, Kansas City Rep, and a bunch of others. For more information check him out on Instagram @michaelscottharris
KATIE KAREL (Gerda Von Schwanz & Others) is so happy to be returning to the Laguna Playhouse after last appearing as Dorine in Tartuffe. Off Broadway: Lucky Duck, National Tour: Menopause the Musical 2. With North Coast Rep: Tartuffe, Pippin, The Remarkable Mr. Holmes, Always...Patsy Cline, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Sherlock Holmes & The Great Nome Gold Rush. Selected Regional: Skylight, Indecent, The Humans, Chesapeake, You Can’t Take It with You, Valhalla, Heathers, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Into the Woods, The Addams Family, Sunday in The Park With George, Sweeney Todd, 1776, In Trousers, a few Hairsprays and a couple more Patsy Clines. Her thanks to everyone at Laguna Playhouse, and to the cast and creative team. Love to Gary. Karel is passionate about her mentorship with LLS, Imerman Angels, and Friend for Life Cancer Support Network as a survivor. Connect with Katie at www.katiekarel.com
MARTIN KILDARE (Inspector Lestrade & Others) Broadway credits include Scar in The Lion King, A Raisin in the Sun, Timon of Athens, The Government Inspector, The Herbal Bed, and as Bill in the national tour of Mamma Mia! Off-Broadway appearances in Pride’s Crossing, Honor and the River, Candida, Labor Day, and Three More Sleepless Nights. At Laguna Playhouse, Love Among The Ruins. Other local theaters include South Coast Rep, North Coast Rep, Musical Theatre West, Mark Taper Forum, A Noise Within, La Mirada and 3D Theatricals. Regionally over a dozen major companies nationwide, including a combined ten seasons with the California, Alabama and Utah Shakespeare Festivals. Film/TV: “Joker 2,” “Palm Springs,” “Clipped,” “Superstore,” “NCIS,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Law and Order” and many others.
SHANNON O’BOYLE (Sheila Watson) SAG-AFTRA and AEA, is a conservatory-trained actress and teaching artist. Broadway: Once (Girl s/b), Kinky Boots (Nicola); TV: “Manifest”; Regional favorites: Zelda Fitzgerald in the premier of Christie Baugher’s The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul at Irish Classical Theatre Company, 5-Star Theatricals: The Sound of Music (Maria), Playhouse Square: Lizzie (Lizzie Borden), Broadway at Sacramento: Legally Blonde (Vivienne), Berkeley Rep: Amélie, North Carolina Theatre: Newsies, Katherine. Film: “A Marriage on the Rocks,” “The Seed of Truth,” “Blackwater”. Shannon teaches youth at BGB Studio, at LAUSD high schools through Fountain Theatre’s Fountain Voices program, and as a private coach. @shansoboyle
PAUL SLADE SMITH (Sherlock Holmes) Laguna Playhouse debut. Past credits: original Broadway casts of Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady, and national tours of Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera. Paul starred as Willy Wonka in the Australian premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Regional credits: American Repertory Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. TV: “The Blacklist,” “The Other Two,” “The Gilded Age”. Paul is also a playwright (The Outsider, Unnecessary Farce). His comedy The Angel Next Door played on this stage in 2023. His newest play, Beside Myself, comes to the Playhouse this October.
PAT TOWNE (Rabbi Plotkin & Others) is thrilled to be at the Laguna Playhouse! Theatre: A Transparent Musical at the Mark Taper Forum; Rock of Ages Hollywood at the Bourbon Room; The Thanksgiving Play; Hoboken to Hollywood - LAWeekly Award, Best Musical; Stoneface and Kiss Me Kate at the Pasadena Playhouse; Charles Busch’s DIE, MOMMIE, DIE at The Kirk Douglas; Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor at The Garry Marshall. Directing: World Premiere of Frank Zappa’s Joe’s Garage; Exorcistic - Best Musical, Hollywood Fringe; SKETCHES from The National Lampoon; Exit the King; Gorey Stories - Ovation Award, Best Musical; Ray Bradbury’s Kaleidoscope, SciFest LA. Television: “Transparent,” “I Love Dick,” “Mad Men,” “Boston Legal,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Las Vegas,” “Gilmore Girls,” more. www.pattowne.com
JUSTIN MICHAEL WILCOX (Artemis & Others (3/27 - 3/30)) is honored to play with such a stellar group of people. Last seen as Nick Bottom in Something Rotten at 5 Star Theatricals, Hamlet the Rock Musical as Rosencrantz, and traveling to Saudi Arabia to be the swing in Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan. A Chorus Line at The Hollywood Bowl as Al and Clopin in Hunchback of Notre Dame and Smee in Peter Pan at 5 Star/ Cabrillo. At La Mirada, he was Action in West Side Story, Empire, and First Date, (where he received LA Ovation nominations for best ensemble and best supporting actor in a musical.) Thanks to Ashley and the Aperture team, Michael, and Richie, and all my love to Nic, and their 4-legged love, Bizzy.
STEVE CHIU (Violin) graduated from Berklee College of Music. Steve’s work scope includes music composition, performance, and coordination. In 2021, Steve and friends were nominated for the Los Angeles New Filmmaker Award for “Best Film Score.” In the same year, Steve performed on the same stage with the world-renowned British singer, Adele, as the violinist for the program “Adele One Night Only.” In 2022, Steve performed for the world-renowned American singer and 35-time Grammy Award winner, Beyonce, the song “Be Alive” at the opening of the 94th Academy Awards. In 2024, the iconic Beyonce takes the field for a special hometown halftime show on NFL Christmas Gameday from Houston, Texas. Steve was the violinist with the show. Now showing in Netflix. In recent years, he has actively participated in various types of music performances, including Hollywood film and television recordings, video game concerts, pop music concerts, classical concerts, and even music video shooting. Cooperatives include Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, Fox Studios, Capitol Studios, East West Studios, Westlake Recording Studios, Netflix, Apple TV, Disney Plus, Riot Games, and more. Steve’s also touring Asia often, as the Music Director for Disney Concert China Tour, including Disney 100 Wonderland Concert, Disney Frozen in Concert, Toei Animation Dragon Ball Music Adventure Concert, and more.
JAY MASON (Reeds) has become one of the Los Angeles’ areas busiest saxophonists and woodwind artists since launching his career in 1983, after graduating from CSU, Long Beach. His performance credits include work with Michael McDonald, Seth McFarlane, Chaka Kahn, Bernadette Peters, Patti Austin, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, and many others. He has appeared on recordings for the motion pictures “Soul,” “Frozen” & “Frozen 2,” “Moana” & “Moana 2,” “Shaft,” “La La Land,” “Secret Life of Pets,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Ralph Wrecks the Internet,” television
productions like “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” and video games like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and hundreds more productions. Additionally, he is a member of Gordon Goodwin’s Grammy-winning Big Phat Band, and rounds out his activities by serving on the faculty where he started out, CSU Long Beach, at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, and at Concordia University in Irvine. Jay is a Vandoren Reed Artist.
KARA FORD (Keyboard 2) is a pianist, arranger, and conductor who is thrilled to be performing at Laguna Playhouse for the first time! Her credits include arrangements for the 2023-2024 seasons of the Oscars, Grammy award-winning artist LeAnn Rimes, and Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra. She has also worked in music production for shows such as NBC’s “The Good Place”, Netflix’s “Untold” series, and Amazon’s “Homecoming” series. Most recently Kara played as orchestral pianist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and is currently Music Director at St Polycarp Catholic Church. Kara holds a B.A. from Berklee College of Music and a master’s degree in Screen Scoring from the University of Southern California. All the glory goes to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!
ADAM ALESI (Drums/Percussion) Drummer Adam Alesi is a sought-after session and live performer in Los Angeles and Southern California. A student of drum legend Gregg Bissonette, Adam developed a deep musical connection, emphasizing taste and versatility. His work spans global recording projects, including the 2021 Latin Grammy-winning Ancestras by Petrona Martinez, AMC’s “Mad Men,” IMAX “Pandas” and various sessions for Disney. He has performed with legends like Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, and Richard Carpenter. Known for his reading skills, he’s a favorite in theatre productions around California. Adam resides in Orange County with his wife and daughter, continuing his passion for music.
DAVID ELLENSTEIN (Director/Artistic Director, Playwright) Born into a theatrical family, David has been working in professional theatre for the better part of five decades - from San Diego to Portland, Maine and from Miami to Anchorage, Alaska - and most places in between. Now, he serves as the Artistic Director for both Laguna Playhouse and North Coast Rep. At Laguna Playhouse, credits include directing Eleanor, A View from the Bridge, Holmes and Watson, A Shayna Maidel, The Angel Next Door, Chapatti, Alexandros and playing “Einstein” in Picasso 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 Way Down River, The Tempest, A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Outsider and The Homecoming. David’s 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.
OMRI SCHEIN (Playwright, Lyricist) Omri Schein is half of the musical theatre writing team of Lincoln and Schein of which their musicals include The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, The Remarkable Mister Holmes, Making Melrose, Grecian Burns, and Fintastic Finn. Other writing credits: Mambo Italiano, Withering Heights, and Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist (2013 NYMF Award Best Lyrics). Recent directing credits include Fiddler On The Roof and Anything Goes for San Diego Musical, Psycho Beach Party at Southwestern College and The Mousetrap at Grossmont College. As a performer: Murder On The Links (world premiere) Baskerville, Babette’s Feast, All In The Timing, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Persuasion, Noises Off, The Explorer’s Club, Beau Jest, Laughter On the 23rd Floor, Around The World in 80 Days, The Underpants, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Five Course Love, The Big Bang, When Pigs Fly, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Dear World, The People Vs. Mona (Off-Broadway/Cast Recording), Hell’s Belles, Henry V, Grease (tour) and When You’re in Love, The Whole World Is Jewish directed by Jason Alexander. Member of AEA. www.omri-schein.com.
DANIEL M. LINCOLN (Composer) is a composer, conductor, pianist, and educator who splits his time between New York City and Los Angeles. In NYC, he has played for Broadway productions such as Wicked, On Your Feet!, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, and The Cher Show. Off-Broadway: Avenue Q, tick tick BOOM!, Under the Bodhi Tree (American Premiere production), and Steven Sondheim’s Follies (NY City Center Theatre). Touring: Matilda: The Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz, and The
Midtown Men (starring the four original leads from Broadway’s Jersey Boys). Daniel has played for Broadway casting agencies such as Binder Casting, Tara Rubin CSA, and Telsey + Co. Daniel has taught at NYU Tisch and The New York Film Academy, and is currently on faculty at AMDA, Santa Monica College, and both the Thornton School of Music and School of Dramatic Artis at USC. As part of the musical theater writing team of Lincoln & Schein, original productions include Making Melrose, Fintastic Finn, Grecian Burns, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, and The Remarkable Mister Holmes. He has also written music and lyrics for multiple award-winning movie musical shorts. Proud Dramatist Guild Member and ASCAP composer. www.DanielMLincoln.com
JILL GORRIE (Choreographer) Laguna Playhouse (Camelot), North Coast Rep (Romance Romance, Desperate Measures, The Remarkable Mister Holmes, Camelot), SDMT (Fiddler on the Roof, Singin’ in the Rain, 42nd Street, Damn Yankees, Crazy for You, A Christmas Story, Hairspray (Craig Noel Award)), California Center for the Arts (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Big Band Christmas), Moonlight Amphitheatre (Cinderella), SDSU (Pal Joey, A Little Night Music, I Love a Piano), San Diego’s School for Creative and Performing Arts, Mesa College, City College, Grossmont College, Southwestern College. Other credits: Oklahoma!, Hello Dolly, Mambo Italiano (Westchester Broadway Theatre, NY), The People Vs. Mona (Abington Theatre, NYC), Aida, Hairspray, Singin’ in the Rain (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Grease (International and European Tours-Resident Director/Choreographer). Jill has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The St. James Theatre, on Broadway national tours, international and European tours, numerous regional theatres and in film and television. Education: NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA-Dance), SDSU (MFA- Musical Theatre). Jill is a Lecturer at San Diego State University in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film in both the BA and MFA Musical Theatre Programs.
ALBY POTTS (Music Director) has music directed many Los Angeles productions including Fiddler On The Roof with Jason Alexander at La Mirada Theater, A Little Night Music at the Pasadena Playhouse (LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Music Direction) and Singin In The Rain at Five Star Theatricals (Ovation Award). Alby is currently music director of the Pageant Of The Masters in Laguna Beach. Also a composer, Alby’s Joy, Hope, and Peace was recorded by George Winston on his Grammy nominated album Montana-A Love Story. Alby is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and has a Masters from Northwestern University.
STEPHEN GIFFORD (Scenic Designer) Designs for Laguna Playhouse include: Twelve Angry Men, End of the Rainbow, The Seafarer, Barefoot in the Park, Love Among The Ruins, A Shayna Maidel, Holmes and Watson, and Eleanor. Designs have been featured nationally and internationally at The Grand Ole Opry, The Chicago Theatre, Madison Square Garden, The El Sett & Abdel Halim Theaters (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), The Walnut Street Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre, Juneau Lyric Opera, La Mirada Performing Arts Center/McCoy Rigby, 3D Theatricals, Ensemble Theatre Company Santa Barbara, and many more. He has garnered many awards and nominations for his work including The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design by the LADCC. www.stephengifforddesign.com
ALEX JAEGER (Costume Designer) For Laguna Playhouse: I Am My Own Wife, The Seafarer. Other theaters: Off-Broadway: Two Sisters and a Piano (The Public Theater). Regional: Many productions for Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Mister Burns (Guthrie Theater); Other Desert Cities, A Parallelogram (Mark Taper Forum); Leopoldstadt, Prayer for the French Republic, The Light in the Piazza (Huntington Theatre); Leopoldstadt (Shakespeare Theatre Co. D.C.); Arcadia, Maple and Vine, Once in a Lifetime, others (A.C.T. SF); The Nether, Eclipsed, The Paris Letter (Kirk Douglas Theatre); Extraordinary Chambers; Love, Loss and What I Wore; Third (Geffen Playhouse); She Loves Me, Amadeus, All My Sons, many others others (South Coast Repertory) Please visit www.alexjaegerdesign.com for more.
MATTHEW NOVOTNY (Lighting Designer) is pleased to be designing another production for the Laguna Playhouse. This is Matthew’s 10th show at Laguna, having previously designed Chapatti, Murder on the Links, 2 Pianos 4 Hands, The Angel Next Door, Tartuffe, Camelot, Don’t Dress for Dinner, A View from the Bridge, and Eleanor. Matthew is currently the Lighting Designer in Residence for North Coast and San Diego Junior Theatre, and frequently designs for Palomar College, CSUSM, Pacific Ridge School, Ovation Theatre Company, along with several others. Matthew currently works for Thermo Fisher Scientific, as well as teaching Theatre Design at Cal State San Marcos. 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.
IAN SCOT (Sound Designer) is a composer and sound designer specializing in the development of new works and installations. His music and designs have been heard at Playwrights Horizons, Roundabout Theatre, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Yale University Art Gallery, Actors Shakespeare Project, Dorset Theatre Festival, Ars Nova, Heartbeat Opera, Yale Repertory Theatre, Space Wing. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Ian has made an extensive career as an A1 for productions with Audible Theatre, The New Group, Signature Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, Rattlestick Theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheater, Classic Stage Company, Theatre for the New City, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and others. Ian received his MFA in Sound Design from Yale School of Drama.
MICHAEL DONOVAN, CSA (Casting) Michael Donovan is the recipient of 9 Artios awards, presented by the Casting Society of America for Outstanding Achievement in casting. Richie Ferris has 3 Artios awards. The company’s credits include shows produced at the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, the Hollywood Bowl, the Wallis Annenberg, Pasadena Playhouse, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Geffen Playhouse, the Getty Villa, the Soraya, La Jolla Playhouse, the Garry Marshall Theatre, Ebony Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Symphony, Arizona Theatre Company, Arkansas Rep, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Rep, the Totem Pole Playhouse, and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Other credits include numerous films, TV shows and commercials. Michael is President of the Board for the Foundation for New American Musicals, and serves on the Board for Camp Bravo.
KEVIN WILLIAMS (Properties Designer) Recovering actor and L.A. native, Kevin has spent over two decades working as a designer, art director, fabricator and consultant for clients such as Walt Disney Imagineering, HUB Network, Red 5 Studios, Buena Vista Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox among many others. Notably, he was the Resident Production Designer for interactive theatre company, Delusion, for seven years: Lies Within (2014), His Crimson Queen (2016), Lies Within VR (2017), The Blue Blade (2018) and Reaper’s Remorse (2021). Kevin is the Prop Department Supervisor for UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television and lives in Orange County with his incredible family. Proud member of S.P.M.
PETER HERMAN (Hair/Wig Designer) is honored to be part of the creative team for The Remarkable Mister Holmes. He has designed wigs for past productions of Eleanor, A View from the Bridge, Camelot, Holmes and Watson, Tartuffe, A Shayna Maidel, The Angel Next Door, and Murder on the Links. Peter has designed wigs for many theatres across southern California as well as some design works for theme parks, television and film. Peter currently teaches wig and makeup design at San Diego State.
VERNON WILLET (Production Stage Manager) The Remarkable Mister Holmes marks Vernon’s 35th production with the Playhouse! His work encompasses many of the Southern California theatres: North Coast Repertory Theatre, McCoy/Rigby Entertainment, Musical Theatre West, 3D Theatricals, the Rubicon Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre. He has also worked at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and spent 10 seasons with Theatre Aspen as Production Stage Manager. He shares his life with director/choreographer/champion ballroom dancer/multiple hyphenate/entrepreneur Cate Caplin. Actors’ Equity Association member since 1983
David Ellenstein
Artistic Director
General Manager Denys Baker
Assistant General Manager/Company Manager .. Rachel Garlington
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
Director of Youth Theatre, Education Joe Alanes
Education and Outreach Coordinator ....................... Nakisa Aschtiani
Teaching Artists Jack Clark, Sabrina Harper, Anthony Kairouz, Mary Sherg Kaye, Corrine Mohr, Luzma Ortiz, Hillary Pearson, Toni Redman, Kelsey Redmond, Evan Troutt
Facilities Manager David Bryant
Facilities Maintenance Technician............................ Brandon Sandoval
Artistic & Audience Services Manager Wally Ziegler
House Manager Clara Bush
Assistant House Manager .................................................. Jane Sabarre
Parking Supervisor Curtis Pebley
Bartender ............................................................................Leanne Nolan
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.
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Technology Officer Veltria Roman
Bookkeeper ........................................................................... Rae Metcalfe
Website Consultant Andrew Lombardi IT Services ............................................................. Method Technologies
Assoc. Director of Development ..................................Savannah Casey
Development Manager Mary Grant Grants Writer .............................................................. Annamarie Maricle
Director of Marketing, Communications, and PR ........... Tom Horvath Marketing Manager Mackenzee Osborne
Marketing Assistant ........................................................ Alexus Lombera
Graphic Designer Teresa Meza
Press Consultant ............................................. David Elzer, Demand PR Broadcast Consultant Nancy Pank, Nancy’s Media Buys
Assoc. Director of Ticketing & Customer Service Chelsea Morgan
Assistant Ticketing Services Manager ................................ Morgan Leal
Ticketing Services Lead Nikki Johnson
Outreach and Sales Coordinator ...................................... Nicole Espejo
Ticketing Services Representatives Marlon Gomez-Smith, Olivia Mancillas, Robert Phipps
Season Ticket Sales .......................................................... Theatre Direct
Legal Services..................................................................... Stephen Berry
Medical Provider Caduceus Medical Group, Dr. Gregg deNicola
The Costume, Scenic and Sound Designers in this production are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, IATSE
Laguna Playhouse is a member of the League of Resident Theatres. The Director and Choreographer are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.
The musicians in this production are represented by the Orange County Musicians union, Local 7 of the American Federation of Musicians.
Production Assistant Devon Rieckhof
Backstage Crew ........................ Andie Niederecker & Liz Zaragoza
Wig Maintenance ..................................................................Kat Scott A2 Donovan Dec
Spotlight .......................................................................... Connor Huch
Light Board Operator Sub ............................................. Jordyn Tagle
Props Assistant Chris Williams
Elisa Benzoni North Coast Rep Sets
For more information about our upcoming shows, Youth Theatre classes and shows, special events, special offers, and season packages, please give us your email!
LAGUNAPLAYHOUSE.COM/EMAIL
@LAGUNAPLAYHOUSE
Your gift will provide vital support for Laguna Playhouse’s theatrical productions, education, community engagement, and ticket engagement programs. Laguna Playhouse is a 501c3 non-profit theatre. Ticket sales only cover 40% of our annual costs and we rely on the generous contributions of our donors for the remainder.
LAGUNAPLAYHOUSE.COM/SUPPORT
The box office is open TuesSun from 12pm - 4pm (or until show time) and Monday 2 hours before show time for all your ticketing needs. Please be sure to check the website for any updates to our new hours, or any holiday hours or closures.
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. Or just add 10 or more tickets online and your order will automatically be updated!
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. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
WARNING
Flashing and/or strobing lights and non-toxic synthetic fog, smoke and haze may be used during this production.
WE SALUTE OUR LIFETIME SUPPORTERS
Heartfelt thanks from your Laguna Playhouse
Lisa Hale
Suzanne and James Mellor
The Moulton Company
Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District
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, December 15, 2023 – February 15, 2025 included here at Advocates and above.
$25,000+
Harley & Lori Bassman
Jon Cobain^ & Judy Flynn
Jim & Karen Frank
Judi Gorski
Lisa Hale
Otis & Joann Healy
Hans & Valerie Imhof
Gary & Betsy Jenkins
Laguna Beach Tourism
Marketing District
Jared & Kate Mathis
O.L. Halsell Foundation
Louis & Laura Rohl
The Capital Group Companies
Charitable Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
Jeffrey & Caron Winston
$15,000 - $24,000
Heather Anne Chalmers
John & Ann Clark
Torin & Carol Cunningham
Joe & Jane Hanauer
Haskell & White, LLP
Jay Herron & Dana Klein
Greg & Barbara MacGillivray
Anonymous
Ilona Martin
Sheila Sale
The Daniel & Francine
Scinto Foundation
WHH Foundation
Ray & Sandra Wirta
$10,000 - $14,999
Orange County Community Foundation
Trudi Bonnet
Bobbi Cox
Cody & Deborah Engle
Milli Fredricks
Gerald & Jackie Kehle
Karen Magnuson Mauro
Justin Myers
Ryan & Allison Smith
Jordy Spiegel
Richard & Adrienne Thomas
Ueberroth Family Foundation
John & Gail Ueberroth
U.S. Bank
Jennifer Yelland
$5,000 - $9,999
Jill Adams
Chimo & Diane Arnold
Assistance League of Laguna Beach
Carolyn Brown
Jamie Carr
Crevier Family Foundation
Margaret Gates
Joan Riach-Gayner
Patty Georges
James & Gretchen Gorman
Timothy Kippen & Ileana Frometa Grillo
Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Foundation
Peter & Diane Lannon
Rick & Kitty Malcolm
Masson Family Foundation
Heidi Miller
Mike & Linda Mussallem
Penny Pralle
Steve & Kim Rodosky
Patricia Romero
Schlinger Family Foundation
Charles & Mildred
Schnurmacher Foundation
Richard & Maureen Schweickert
Claudia Silverman
Toni Tartamella & John Castelli
Harvey & Lisa Triebwasser
Jill Yaoz
CIRCLE OF STARS
$3,000 - $4,999
Nancy Bushnell
Caplin Foundation, ^Ruth & Mortimer Caplin
Bradford Freer
Jack & Barbara Goffman
Kathryn Burton Gray & Glenn Gray
Pramila & Anand Gupta
Jerry Harrington^ & Maralou Harrington
Daniel E. Haspert, MD & Gerard V. Curtin, Jr.
John & Bonnie Livingston
Anthony & Melinda Moiso
Playhouse Women
Boyd & Carol Plowman
Richard & Laurie Sandfer
Diane Silber
Susan Wunderlich
$1,000 - $2,999
Eric Alcouloumre & Annee Della Donna
Allen Stewart Foundation
Theresa Allen
Alexander Alpert & Carol Saltzman
Anonymous
Peter Balsells
Rick Balzer & Lyn Burke Balzer^
Andrew Barnicle
Jim & Judy Bergman
Gary & Nancy Beverage
Brien Amspoker & Ellen Breitman
Steven & Herma Brenneis
Ivan Calderon
Ron & Nancy Cambron
Valerie Cantwell
Steve Chapman
GM (Jim) & Nora Cunningham
Janet Curci
Azeem & Zeena Dhalla
Maura Doyle
William Doyle
Carol Eastman
Paul & Donna Eckles
Linda Eide
Fiel Foundation
Arthur & Shirley Forcier
Alison & Bill Gregg
Jeff & Holly Hahn
Hoag Hospital Foundation
Ara & Sandra Hovanesian
Larry Hunter
Rita Hunter
Krissie & Tom Hylton
Lois Jacobs
Steve & Judi Johnson
Jorgensen Family
Charitable Gift Fund
Diane Kang
Ken & Janis Kaplan
Dennis & Joanne Keith
Bill Kerlin
Jenny Klein
Robert Krause
Jarrett & Tommye Kuske
Paul & June Lange
Lori Livacich
John & Lisa Mansour
Family Fund
Terry McDonald & Terri Bebert
Robert & Pat Mclaughlin
Olga Megdal/Fairview
Warner LLC
William Kasper & Leslie Anne Mogul
Alexander & Pamela Munro
George Nakai
Roger & Carol Nilsen
John & Caren Nootbaar
Rey O’Day
Frank & Arlene O’Donnell
Kevin & Nella O’Grady
Richard & Lauren Packard
Paul & Lucinda Prewitt
Helene Reiner
Michelle Reinglass
Sharon & Jonathan Rose
John Scher
Ronald & June Stein
Anonymous
Scott Swenson
Virginia Templeton
The Covington
Richard & Monica Thompson
Belle Tuckerman
Oakley Van Slyke
Jean Vivrette
Jerald & Patricia Waldman
Robert and Mary Ward
Bob & Kirsten Whalen
$500 - $999
Jerry Allman
Nancy Anderson
Terry & Diana Beeman
Mark & Gloria Bird
John & Marcie Blumberg
Bayard Bosserman
Vanessa Brand
Carole Britton
Ellen Bryant
Doug & Pam Carrie
Wayne Clark
Henry & Eileen Cohen
Cathliene Cole
Trina Cole
Ed Crook Family
Dr. Dvora Cyrlak & Neil Spingarn
Robert & Julie Davey
Paula Davis
Kathryn Desmond
Paul & Eleanor Driskell
David Ellenstein
Ann & Mike Faber
Mohsen Fahmi
Fidelity Investments
Charles & Marianne Finch
Nancy Fries
Jennifer Furst
Clayton Hale
Pauliana Hall & Fariborz Milani
Terry Hanna
Lynn April Hartline
Jeffrey Hess & Sheila Williams
Telitha Holewski
Jonna Hoppes
Jaime Jacobs-Rossfeld
J. Stanley & Mary W. Johnson
Family Foundation
Lucetta J. Kallis
Toni Kellenberg
Cliff & Darlene Kiener
Zee King
Robert & Linda Knoth
Kathleen Koch
James & Patricia Kollenda
David Kristjanson
Kim & Mark Krouse
Kathy Leclair
Kathy Lee
Eric & Eleanor Lemke
Clark & Lockie Leonard
Brent & Diane Liljestrom
Nina Lozano
Shelley Lundborg
Greg & Patricia Lundeen
Amira Mansour
Ramon Martinez
Duane & Kathleen Mauzey
Alissa McCanta
Kristen & Tom McCormick
Sue Mears
Joan Moe
Susan D. Morrison
Dianna Nichols
Harold Olson
Michael O’Neil
Eugene O’Rourke
Daniel & Diana Parr
Dori Patterson
Amy Peninger & Jim Pisa
Cherri Penne-Myers
Teri Penniston
Madeleine Peterson
Robert Pflomm
Johni Pittenger
Jan Pollara
Jack & Barbara Price
Win Rhodes
Russell & Jane Robinett
James & Barbara Rotondo
Irene Schapiro
Loren Seidl
Glenn Sels
Danny Skura
James Smith
David & Mary Sonksen
Mary Steele
Clay Stevens
Robert & Janne Stollar
Diane Stovall
Brent & Inmaculada Strombom
Linda Thomas
Edie Tonkon
Lee Warden
Christopher Whitesell
Vernon Willet
Beth Wolfe
Robert & Janet Zaugg ^ gift in memory of
Special thanks to THEY improv for providing the performers for our Subscriber and Donor-Exclusive Murder Mystery Lunch at The Lumberyard!
“We provide murder mystery dinners for entertainment options for company and private parties. Bringing a bit of Holmes into your homes since 2005”
As seen on The Hills: New Beginnings, The Real Housewives of New York, and Jersey Shore: Family Vacations”
Alchemy Theatre Company www.alchemytheatre.com Treasure Island (Mar7-Mar23)
Cabrillo Playhouse www.cabrilloplayhouse.org Next to Normal (Jan17-Feb9) A Midsummer Night's Dream (Feb28-Mar23)
Camino Real Playhouse www.caminorealplayhouse.org Dearly Departed (Jan17-Feb8) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Feb14-Mar2)
Chance Theater www.chancetheater.com Tick, Tick BOOM! (Jan24-Feb23) Such Small Hands - WorldPremiere (Feb28-Mar23)
Costa Mesa Playhouse www.costamesaplayhouse.org How I Learned to Drive (Feb6-Feb23)
Curtis Theatre www.curtistheatre.com
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Feb7-23)
Electric Company Theatre www.electriccompanytheatre.org White Rabbit Red Rabbit (Feb10-Mar5)
Fullerton: Our Town (A Little Bit Wilder!) (Mar8)
Laguna Playhouse www.lagunaplayhouse.com
The Remarkable Mr. Holme
The Remarkable Mister Holmes (Mar5-Mar30)
The Larking House www.thelarkinghouse.com The Party Clown (Mar27-Apr5)
No Square Theatre www.nosquare.org Laguna Tots
(Mar 14 - Mar 30)
Ophelia's Jump Productions www.opheliasjump.org Helvetica (Feb 28 - Mar 16)
Rose Center Theater www.rosecentertheater.com Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! (Feb 21- Mar 9)
Whittier Community Theatre www.whittiercommunitytheatre.org Murder On The Nile (Feb21-Mar8)
ZPlayhouse www.zplayhouse.org Rent (Jan24-Feb9)
Nurturing, supporting, and promoting live theatre in Greater Orange County!
Laguna Playhouse is proud to offer youth acting and theatre classes in conjunction with our Youth Theatre productions. Acting classes at the Laguna Playhouse nurture students ages 4-19 in learning professional skills that will guide them to success in theatre and life.
In Conservatory, students learn important acting techniques and methods that are later utilized in full-scale youth productions. With six levels, the conservatory program is for passionate individuals who have a desire to learn professional skills, have fun, and explore their creative voices with other committed students. Our spring conservatory session begins the week of March 17th.
In addition to our conservatory classes, we offer monthly workshops throughout the school year. We’d love for you to join us for our March stage combat workshops on March 22nd. For more information, visit our website.
We offer exciting musical and non-musical summer camps for ages 4-19. During camp, students will learn to work as an ensemble, build self-confidence, and have a great time while engaging in the performing arts!
Summer camps begin June 16th, with camp sessions ranging from 1 to 5 weeks.
Registrations for this years summer camps begin in April!
Performing April 4 - 6
Buy your tickets today!
VISIT LAGUNAPLAYHOUSE.COM/EDUCATION-COMMUNITY-ENGAGEMENT for more information on Conservatory Classes, Young Adult Workshops and more!
Laguna Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Dana Klein and Jay Herron who have established the Jessica Herron Memorial Scholarship Fund in loving memory of their daughter, a former student of the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre.
This designated gift to the theatre’s permanent Endowment will help provide scholarship assistance to talented young people seeking to expand their knowledge and skills though our youth conservatory. For more information on how to apply for our scholarship program contact education@lagunaplayhouse.com
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