Annie

ANNIE

ANNIE

BOOK BY THOMAS MEEHAN MUSIC BY CHARLES STROUSE LYRICS BY MARTIN CHARNIN BASED ON LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE BY PERMISSION OF THE MEDIA TRIBUNE SERVICES, INC.

DECEMBER 1 - 17

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30PM AND SUNDAYS AT 3PM

4530 COLORADO AVE., SHEFFIELD VILLAGE, OH WWW.METROPARKS.CC

COMING SOON! LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS’ FRENCH CREEK THEATRE PRESENTS:

I’M NOT RAPPAPORT

BY HERB GARDNER

DIRECTED BY JACQI LOEWY

FEBRUARY 2 - 18

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30 PM AND SUNDAYS AT 3 PM TICKETS: $10 - $16 | (440) 949-5200 OR WWW.METROPARKS.CC

French Creek

THEATRE

FRENCH CREEK NATURE AND ARTS CENTER

Cultural Arts Manager / Site Manager....................................Rick Fortney Ranger Supervisor / Park Manager....................................... Brian Holmes Senior Naturalist................................................................................. Aimee Potonic Cultural Arts Programmer..............................................................Brian McNally Front Desk Staff.............Camille Olsen, Chris Bizub, Robert Scott Taylor FCNAC Building and Grounds Crew............................................Tim Barrett,

Thomas Bourque, David Davis

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

Director.....................................................................................................................James Ziemnik Assistant Director..........................................................................................Jennifer Bracken Operations Supervisor............................................................................................Paul Hruby Chief Naturalist...............................................................................................Grant Thompson Public Information Officer...........................................................................Vanessa Klesta Web Developer and Graphic Artist.....................................................Nicholas Baker

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

Chairman ................................................................................................... Ms. Cookie McLoda Board Member..............................................................................................Mr. Joseph Hribar

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French Creek

THEATRE

2017-2018 SEASON E W I N G T H E AT R E

E W I N G T H E AT R E

BONNIE & CLYDE

ANNIE

The Great Depression. As the country’s corporations, banks and institutions crumble, suffering Americans crave a reckoning. Two upstart criminals emerge from the dust of poverty to become folk heroes for their brazen, lawless and deadly deeds.

Billionaire Oliver Warbucks is a man who thinks he has everything. Elevenyear-old Annie is an orphan with nothing. When the unlikely pair meet, together they find the thing that was missing in each other.

Oct 13 - 29, 2017

Book by Ivan Menchell Lyrics by Don Black | Music by Frank Wildhorn

P I J O R T H E AT R E

Dec 1 - 17, 2017

Book by Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse | Lyrics by Martin Charnin Based on Little Orphan Annie by permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc.

E W I N G T H E AT R E

I’M NOT RAPPAPORT

CHILDREN OF EDEN

From a bench in Central Park, Nat & Midge, two feisty octogenarians, refuse to disappear into the diminishing twilight of their lives.

While Nat’s daughter imperils his independence with the threat of nursing homes, Midge fights the yuppie forces trying to push him out of his job. Using the wiles and wisdom that only come with age, they make their final stand in this sidesplitting and thoughtful Tony-award winner.

In the beginning, Adam and Eve live in a state of perfection with their Father.

But when they eat from the Tree of Knowledge, their disobedience sets off a powerful chain of events spanning generations, and leaves the far reaches of their bloodline searching for the way back to Eden.

Feb 2 - 18, 2018

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By Herb Gardner

Mar 9 - 25, 2018

Book by John Caird Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Based on a concept by Charles Lisanby Orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin and Martin Erskine

P I J O R T H E AT R E

E W I N G T H E AT R E

THE ELEPHANT MAN

OLIVER!

In 1886, a horrifically deformed sideshow attraction named John Merrick is taken in by a young English surgeon named Frederick Treves.

As Treves endeavors to civilize him by introducing him to London’s elite, Merrick dreams of being like other men. But when manners and propriety leave Merrick dissatisfied, Treves begins to question his own altruistic pursuits.

Sold from the only life he’s ever known in a toilsome workhouse to be an apprentice coffin-follower for a jocund undertaker, the orphaned and hapless Oliver escapes to find someplace he truly belongs. Taken in by a band of young pickpockets, Oliver thinks he’s finally found a family until a robbery gone sour incurs the wrath of their menacing leader.

May 4 - 20, 2018

July 13 - 29, 2018

Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart

By Bernard Pomerance

L A K E V I E W PA R K , LO R A I N

ROMEO & JULIET

Aug 17 - 19 (Shows at 7pm) One of the greatest tragedies of all time, Shakespeare’s tale of passion and calamity is performed outdoors as Lorain County Metro Parks is transformed into “fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”

By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare in the Park!

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Visit Us! 38790 Chester Road Avon Ohio 44011 440.934.WINE (9463) www.thewoodnwine.com

Proud supporter of French Creek Theatre!

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French Creek

THEATRE

ANNIE Book by Music by Lyrics by Thomas Meehan Charles Strouse Martin Charnin Original Broadway Production Directed by Martin Charnin Based on “Little Orphan Annie”®

By Permission of Tribune Content Agency, LLC Director // Monica Olejko Music Director // Anthony Trifiletti

Originally Produced at The Goodspeed Opera House, Michael P. Price, Executive Director Presented on Broadway by Mike Nichols Irwin Meyer Alvin Nederlander Associates Inc.

Produced by Stephen R. Friedman The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Lewis Allen Icarus Productions

Annie Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. • www.MTIShows.com The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

–– PLEASE NOTE ––

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

WELCOME TO FRENCH CREEK THEATRE Welcome!

This holiday season we can all learn a few things from Annie: Stay optimistic even when life is tough. Be kind to all creatures.

You’re never fully dressed without a smile. Work hard for your dreams. Strive for work-life balance. Truly, lessons that are worth remembering!

Thank you for your support of French Creek Theatre and of the arts. We are RICK FORTNEY blessed to live in Northeast Ohio where Cultural Arts Manager, the arts flourish. I’d also like to thank Lorain County Metro Parks our production team, crew, theatre staff, actors and musicians for their time and talent.

If you have yet to receive a brochure for the 2017-2018 French Creek Theatre Season, don’t leave without one! Stop by our box office during intermission or between 10AM and 6PM daily to find out more about upcoming events.

Thank you for supporting the arts here at French Creek Theatre and throughout the region. Happy Holidays!

RICK FORTNEY Cultural Arts Manager

SCENES/SONGS ACT I MAYBE...........................................................................................................ANNIE, ORPHANS HARD KNOCK LIFE..................................................................................ANNIE, ORPHANS TOMORROW........................................................................................................................ANNIE HOOVERVILLE..........................................................................................................ENSEMBLE LITTLE GIRLS...............................................................................................MISS HANNIGAN I THINK I’M GONNA LIKE IT HERE...............ANNIE, GRACE, DRAKE, ENSEMBLE N.Y.C.................................................................................................WARBUCKS, ENSEMBLE EASY STREET............................................................MISS HANNIGAN, ROOSTER, LILY YOU WON’T BE AN ORPHAN FOR LONG..............GRACE, DRAKE, WARBUCKS, ANNIE, ENSEMBLE

// END OF ACT I //

ACT II FULLY DRESSED..........................................................BERT HEALY, BOYLAN SISTERS FULLY DRESSED (CHILDREN).............................................................................ORPHANS EASY STREET REPRISE........................................MISS HANNIGAN, ROOSTER, LILY CABINET TOMORROW.....................................FDR, ANNIE, WARBUCKS, CABINET SOMETHING WAS MISSING.............................................................................WARBUCKS I DON’T NEED ANYTHING BUT YOU................WARBUCKS, ANNIE, ENSEMBLE A NEW DEAL FOR CHRISTMAS..........................................................................COMPANY

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CAST MISS HANNIGAN............................................................CARLA PETROSKI OLIVER WARBUCKS.............................................................IAN ATWOOD ANNIE....................................................................................KAYLA HASKINS GRACE FARRELL........................................................................EMILY ZART ROOSTER HANNIGAN.............................................................ALEX CRAIG LILY ST. REGIS................................................................JESSICA ATWOOD JULY...........................................................................................AVA ANSELMO PEPPER.....................................................................ZOEY PAPANIKOLAOU TESSIE.............................................................................KENDALL GUTHRIE KATE.....................................................................................ASHLYN AUDINO DUFFY..........................................................................REBECCA STRIFFLER MOLLY..........................................................................................NIKKI VANCE SANDY............................................................ABBIGALE SMILES SPRENG CECILE/WOMAN 1 & 4.........................................VANESSA RICHARDS ANNETTE/APPLE SELLER.........................................JILLIAN LaRICCIA BERT HEALY/JUDGE BRANDEIS........................................JOHN HNAT BUTLER/HOWE/DOG CATCHER/MAN 1/EDDIE/ SOUND EFFECTS MAN/BUNDLES..................MATTHEW GERGELY CONNIE BOYLAN.....................................................NICOLE POTCHATEK BONNIE BOYLAN.........................................................MEGAN CAMPANA MRS. PUGH/SOPHIE/BOYLAN SISTER...................VIOLET PISKUR PERKINS/MAID/WOMAN 3.........................................DAWN GALANG STAR-TO-BE........................................................MARLENE C. KARPINSKI DRAKE..................................................................................................BILL MAY BUTLER/ICKES/LT. WARD/FRED MCCRACKEN..........SPENCER RILEY MORGANTHAU/BUTLER/MAN 2 & 4.........................NOAH MEAUX MRS. GREER/WOMAN 2...............................................LARA ANSELMO ROOSEVELT..............................................................................DAVID BOYCE WOMAN 4....................................................................CHRISTEEN CURRIE RADIO INTERN/MAID/MAN 3.........................TESSA WIDENHOFER

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PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER................................MONICA OLEJKO MUSIC DIRECTOR.................................................ANTHONY TRIFILETTI STAGE MANAGER..................................................JULIE BILLINGHURST SOUND DESIGNER..................................................................STAN KOZAK LIGHTING DESIGNER..................................................................ROB PECK SET DESIGNER/PROPS..............................................KELSEY GARRETT TECHNCIAL DIRECTOR/PROPS.....................................DEVIN GALLO COSTUME DESIGNER........................................D. JUSTIN BILEWICZ III SOUND OPERATOR...................................JORDAN DEMICH-BOGNER SPOT OP/SOUND ASST................................................SARAH ROUNDS CREW......................................................................................BRIAN HOLMES CREW............................................................................................TIM PERKINS

ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR/KEYS............................................ANTHONY TRIFILETTI ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR/KEYS..............KRISTEN JOHNSON VIOLIN........................................................................JACKSON BROTHERS TRUMPET..........................................................................JIM WONNACOTT BASS..................................................................................EVERETT BRANDT DRUMS..........................................................................................BRAD ELLES

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ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS

CAST AVA ANSELMO (July) is thrilled to be a part of such a phenomenal cast, and is so happy that she was able to persuade her mom to join the show, and share the stage with her. This is Ava’s fourth show at French Creek.

You may recognize her from Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble), Knuffle Bunny (Trixie), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kid’s Captain). Ava also appeared in Fiddler on the Roof (Shprintze) at Olde Towne Hall. Ava would love to thank her spectacular parents for their support, and the wonderful directors, cast, and crew.

LARA ANSELMO (Mrs. Greer/ Woman 2) is making good on her promise to do a show with her talented daughter, Ava – already a seasoned veteran of Cleveland community theater at the young age of 13 – after a 30-year hiatus from theater. She is humbled and honored to share the stage with Ava and everyone else Pg. 14 in the talented cast. She

would like to thank her directors, Mo Olejko and Anthony Trifiletti, and Stage Manager, Julie Billinghurst, for this opportunity and for sharing their wisdom and humor throughout the rehearsal process. She would also like to thank Dance Captain, Alex Craig, and fellow cast mates Dawn Galang and Jillian LaRiccia for the never ending patience and encouragement they exhibited in helping her learn the choreography, despite her lack of rhythm and general clutziness. Fingers crossed she doesn’t actually “break a leg”, and she thanks you for seeing this show.

IAN ATWOOD (Oliver Warbucks) is a native of the St. Louis area who moved to Cleveland after receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from ONU. Ian has had the pleasure of working at many professional and educational theatres in the area, but some favorite roles include Horton (Seussical), Robert (Company), Max (Producers), Moonface (Anything Goes), and Gangster (Drowsy Chaperone). Thrilled to be back, French Creek credits include The Duke (Big River) and Adam/Noah (Children of Eden). Huge thanks to Mo, Anthony, Julie, and Rick for this incredible opportunity. This performance is dedicated to Lucy, an amazing young lady who continues

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS to inspire from many, many miles away. Much love to Jess, Neil, and Maggie. To the journey!! TPOG J E S S I C A ATWOOD (Lily St. Regis) is thrilled to once again be sharing the stage with her husband AND her dad!!

She was previously seen at French Creek in Children of Eden (Dance Captain/ Aphra/Snake/Storyteller), and codirected Pajama Game here as well.

During the day she is both a Social Studies Teacher and the Director of Stagecrafters at Fairview High School.

Love to Neil, Margaret, and Captain for dealing with mommy being away!

ASHLYN AUDINO (Kate) is thrilled to be a part of Annie! This is not the first time she has played the role of an orphan – she played July in Annie at Brecksville

Theater last year. Ashlyn is a sixth grade student at Brecksville Middle School who loves reading and writing. Her love of performing has found her roles in Out of the Book (Brecksville Theater), The Little Mermaid Jr. and Madagascar Jr. The Musical (82nd Street Theatre), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Beck Center for the Arts) and Children of Eden (Stagedoor Manor in New York).

Ashlyn also enjoys playing volleyball for Saint Basil the Great. Ashlyn is grateful for the love and support of her family, and is excited to once again be a part of a wonderful cast!

DAVID BOYCE (Roosevelt) is excited to be back at French Creek Theatre; earlier this year he played the role Doc Gibbs in Our Town. Most recently he was part of the cast of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Beck Center for the Arts, You Can’t Take It with You at Karamu House, and The Hollow at Brecksville Little Theater. He also has appeared at Garfield Players,

We love you, and are so proud of you! Have fun up there!

“Look, it ’s Ashlyn! She’s on stage... again.”

Break a leg!

- Love, Mom & Dad

- Love, Ava, Arrison & Franco

To our little orphan, Ashlyn

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS Workshop Players, Olde Towne Hall and Huntington Playhouse. David has also has had the privilege of taking acting classes at Beck Center.

ALEX CRAIG (Rooster) is ecstatic to be returning to the French Creek stage. Previous onstage credits include: Bert (Mary Poppins), Emmett (Legally Blonde), Donkey (Shrek), Sebastian (Little Mermaid), and Linus (You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown). Alex is the Drama Director for Columbia High School, and the Director of the Acting Department for Absolute Dance Company in Avon Lake.

Thank you for supporting the arts.

Enjoy the show.

CHRISTEEN CURRIE (Woman 4) was last seen at OTHT in Murder in Black and White (Anne White/ kindergarten teacher) and Moon over Buffalo (Ethel). She also appeared in Fiddler on The Roof (Yente). She writes, acts, and directs for a murder mystery company, but for her it’s all about performing. She can be seen honoring her native Scotland in a precision

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drill team in Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, or playing tenor drum with Red Hackle pipe band. By day she is a nanny. Christeen has eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren – in other words: she’s very active.

DAWN GALANG (Perkins/Maid/ Woman 3) is very excited to be back onstage after a long hiatus, and is enjoying being a part of French Creek Theatre.

She was drama club director for St. Mary’s in Avon from 2006-2009, and appeared as Electra in a local production of Gypsy way back in 1990. A longtime resident of Bay Village, Dawn currently resides in Westlake, and is a preschool educator at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. Special thanks to family and friends for supporting the show!

M E G A N C A M P A N A (Bonnie Boylan) is delighted to be making her fifth appearance on the French Creek Theatre stage, and she is excited to be sharing the stage with her real life sister, Nicole.

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS She has been in Godspell (Ensemble), Jekyll & Hyde (Lady Beaconsfield), White Christmas (Mrs. Snoring Man), and Bonnie & Clyde (Stella). Megan loves being backstage as much as she loves being on it, and has been actively involved with the Lorain Community Music Theater as hair and makeup artist since 2008. Megan cantors at her church, St. Peter in Lorain, and is a member of Project Praise (her church’s contemporary choir) under the direction of Mr. Anthony Trifiletti. She is also a member of Choral Spectrum, a local chamber choir under the direction of Dr. Ted Williams.

M A T T H E W GERGELY (Butler/ H o w e / D o g Catcher/Man 1/ Eddie/Sound Effects Man/ Bundles) is happy to be in his second musical at French Creek Theatre and third overall this year. Previous credits include Mr. Lawrence in Little Women at Vermilion High School, and Ensemble in The Little Mermaid at LCMT. Matthew would like to thank his mom, dad, grandma

Kendall, We’re so proud of all that you do! We love you!

- Mom & Dad

and grandpa for supporting him, especially with this show as he attends LCCC with plans to transfer and get his degree in Political Science. ENJOY THE SHOW! K E N D A L L GUTHRIE (Tessie) is in 8th grade at Avon Middle School, and loves all things musical. Her first production was Happily Forever After at the Beck Center. Now she is thrilled to be part of the cast of Annie, and hopes to return for more. She is grateful for the loving support of her family and friends.

KAYLA HASKINS (Annie) is making her debut with French Creek Theatre. She is eleven-yearsold and in the sixth grade. Her previous theatre experiences include The Jungle Book and Improv classes with The Mad Factory, and Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Shrek the Musical with Palace Youth Theater.

She would like to thank her mom for her encouragement and time and for driving her to rehearsal, and her singing teachers Amber Michalak and Nina Fisher for always being

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS there to help. Kayla would also like to thank her school teachers and principal for their support. Last but certainly not least, she would like to thank the cast and crew for making the show possible. Sit back, enjoy the show and let tomorrow forever shine!

JOHN HNAT (Bert Healy/ Judge Brandeis) is pleased to be appearing again at French Creek Theatre. He was last seen in Our Town this summer as Professor Willard; he also appeared here as Vinnie in The Odd Couple. John is a veteran of community theater venues on the West Side for over 25 years. Some of his favorite musical appearances have been John Dickinson in 1776, Vinnie DI Ruzzio in Lucky Stiff, and Senex in ‌Forum...

Remember, Smile, Darn you, Smile!

MARLENE C. KARPINSKI (StarTo-Be) is happy to be in her first production with French Creek Theatre. Although she prefers to be behindthe-scenes, she is delighted to be performing onstage once again.

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She is grateful to the outstanding production staff, the amazingly talented cast and musicians who have devoted their time and talent to the show.

J I L L I A N L A R I C C I A ( A n n e t te /A p p l e Seller) is making her debut at French Creek Theatre.

She earned a Theatre minor at Bowling Green State University in May 2016. Favorite past roles include The Music Man (Dance Captain), 9 to 5 the Musical (Kathy), and Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl).

She is excited for this performance, and is grateful to be working with such a dedicated and talented group. Jillian would like to thank her family and friends for their love, strength, and support, especially Joel, Jenny, and Ryan.

BILL MAY (Drake) is excited to be returning to the French Creek stage for a second time, having previously appeared in Pajama Game (Pop). Thanks to Mo for the challenging opportunity; thanks to Ian and Jessica for their support; and special thanks to

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS Shirley for putting up with me.

NOAH MEAUX (Morganthau/ Butler/Man 2 & 4) is a BFA Acting major at Baldwin Wallace University. Some of his past credits are Sweet Charity (Oscar), Aida (Zoser), and Seussical (Mr. Mayor).

Noah is psyched to be a part of this cast! He’d like to thank Mo and Julie for all they’ve done. Enjoy the show!

Z O E Y PAPANIKOLAOU (Pepper) is thrilled to be in her second production at French Creek Theatre.

She previously performed at French Creek last fall in All I Really Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

Zoey is a devoted dancer, and has performed in The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet. Zoey has also performed in her school theater productions of Hairy Tale Rock and Peter Pan Jr. Zoey is thankful for this opportunity to be a part of Annie because it has given her the chance to do what she loves: dance, sing, and perform.

Thanks to her twin sister, Ella, who has always been her biggest fan!

C A R L A PETROSKI (Miss Hannigan) has been a performer in Northeast Ohio for over 30 years.

She recently played Bonnie Parker’s “Ma” on this stage in the musical Bonnie & Clyde. Other French Creek Theatre appearances include Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank and Truvy in Steel Magnolias.

Favorite roles include Lita Encore in Ruthless, Bunny Flingus in The House of Blue Leaves and Maria in Lend Me a Tenor (Beck Center), Sr. Aloysius in Doubt (Strongsville Community Theatre), Germaine in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Blank Canvas Theatre), Jenny Diver in The Threepenny Opera (Fine Arts) and Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Ensemble Theatre). She also played 7 different roles, including Tina, over the full run of Tony ‘N Tina’s Wedding (Hanna Theatre). In addition she has joined in cabarets at Brother’s Lounge, Nighttown, Music Box Supper Club and Cain Park. She was the first female company member to perform with the improvisational group Something Dada. Carla is a proud graduate of Cleveland State University.

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ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS VIOLET PISKUR (Mrs. Pugh/ Sophie/Boylan Sister) is excited to perform in her first show at French Creek.

Recent theatre credits: Mary Poppins (Ensemble) and The Little Mermaid (Arista) at Lorain Community Music Theatre, Legally Blonde (Delta Nu/Chutney) at Sandstone Summer Theatre, Little Women (Clarissa) at Vermilion High School. When she’s not onstage Violet can be found studying at LCCC or teaching in the children’s ministry at her church. She would like to thank everyone involved in the production of Annie, and hopes everyone enjoys the show!

N I C O L E P OTC H AT E K (Connie Boylan) is excited to be returning to the stage. She has been behindthe-scenes with Lorain Community Music Theater since 2010 as the prop mistress, and this past summer as sound operator. Nicole is very happy to be performing with her real life sister, Megan Campana. Break legs to the cast of Annie!

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V A N E S S A R I C H A R D S (Cecille/Woman 1 & 4) is 17-yearsold, and a senior for Ohio Virtual Academy. She has been in multiple p e r fo r m a n c e s , but her favorite was Legally Blonde as a Delta Nu sister. She has been a girl scout for 11 years, and has earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. In her free time she likes to read and spend time with her friends and family. Vanessa would like to thank her family for working around her schedule so she could make practices. She is really excited to be a part of this cast, and hopes you enjoy the show.

SPENCER RILEY ( B u t l e r/ I c k e s / Lt. Ward/Fred McCracken) is delighted to be doing this timeless classic for a second time – he played an orphan in the Lorain Palace Youth Theater’s summer 2002 production. Moreover, he is excited to be working with such an amazing group of people for his eighth show at French Creek! Spencer was last seen on the French Creek stage in Bonnie and Clyde (Joe/Alcorn/Ensemble).

He has also recently appeared

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS in The Little Mermaid at Lorain Community Music Theater (Pilot/ Chef/Ensemble) and Beauty and the Beast at Mighty Goliath Productions (Ensemble). Spencer is a 2014 graduate of Marietta College, where he received a BFA in Theater. He would like to thank his family and friends for their undying love and support. To the audience, enjoy the show and may you have a joyous and happy holiday season!

A B B I G A L E SMILES SPRENG (Sandy) is a CGC, CGCA, TDI therapy dog Golden Retriever, and is thrilled to be back performing at French Creek for a third time. Thank you, Rick! Abbey most recently played the role of Candy’s dog in Of Mice and Men, and the role of Belle in The Miracle Worker. Abbey would like to thank the director Mo and the entire talented cast/crew for a wonderful experience. Abbey would also like to thank her owners Kim and Scott Spreng, and her trainer Andrea Cuson for all of their support. When not in the theatre, Abbey works as a therapy dog, enjoys watching TV, and playing with her frisbee and tennis ball.

REBECCA STRIFFLER (Duffy) is very excited to be a part of Annie.

She dances with Absolute Dance Company of Avon Lake. Rebecca

would like to thank her parents and her brother for their sacrifices so she could attend rehearsals. She would also like to thank her good friends, Ava and Anna, for helping her prepare for auditions. Lastly, she would like to thank “Miss Brandie” and Mrs. Sebastian for helping her to get where she is today, and their positive influence.

NIKKI VANCE (Molly) is a sweet yet wild, determined, and talented sixyear-old little girl.

Like her older sisters, she has had a passion for entertaining since she was only two-yearsold! Nikki has been involved in the TrueNorth Cultural Arts program for many years, and has attended all age appropriate theatre camps thus far including Teddy Bears Picnic, Dr. Seuss, The Nutcracker, Act like an Animal. Additionally, she’s played Gretl in The Sound of Music, and Chip in The Disney Spectacular. This will Be Nikki’s first time on “the big stage,” and she is very excited to be in this wonderful musical! Nikki would like to thank everyone for this opportunity, and she

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ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS would like to thank her family for always supporting her, and being her fans! She looks forward to many more acting opportunities, and hopes to see each and every one of you in the future!

T E S S A WIDENHOFER (Radio Intern/ Maid/Man 3) is a freshman at Baldwin Wallace University, and is delighted to be in her first show at French Creek Theatre. Some of her previous acting credits include The Music Man at Heights Youth Theatre (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine (Eleanor VanHeusen) and The Secret Garden (Mrs. Winthrop) at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. Being in this show is fulfilling a lifelong dream, as Annie was one of her favorite shows growing up, and she is so thankful to get to do it with such a kind and talented group of people.

EMILY ZART (Grace Farrell) is delighted to be making her debut at French Creek alongside such a marvelous cast.

She was most recently seen in The Rainbow

Serpent (the Dancer) at Tailspinner Children’s Theater, Brigadoon (Fiona) at Aurora Community Theater, and Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at Mighty Goliath Productions. Look for her next as the Mermaid in Big Fish at Mighty Goliath in February.

Emily would like to dedicate her performance to her mentor, Joe Petrolia. Thank you for lighting the flame that has been burning bright for 11 years and counting.

PRODUCTION TEAM: MONICA OLEJKO (Director/ Choreographer) As a local actor, director and choreographer for the past three decades, Mo has been an active part of the theatrical family that makes up Cleveland.

This award-winning performer’s work has been seen on stages throughout the area. She has also performed from Fairbanks, Alaska to Zimbabwe, Africa (The Harare International Festival of the Arts). By day, she teaches dance at Above The Barre dance studio in Berea and does voice-over work for radio, television and American Greetings. She is also the voice of some Little Tyke toys. By night, she and her longtime friend Lora Workman perform a cabaret act of comedy and music which has been well received.

KELSEY GARRETT (Scenic Designer/ Properties Master/Master Painter) is a local scenic artist and designer.

She currently works as a scenic painter for the Cleveland Play House

ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS and freelances as a designer in the area. Originally from Oregon, Kelsey graduated from Linfield College in 2015 and has been travelling and working ever since. Annie is her first show at French Creek Theatre and she is thrilled to be a part of this production team.

JULIE BILLINGHURST (Stage Manager) is pleased to be returning for her third season at French Creek Theatre. She has previously staged managed Big Fish, White Christmas, Godspell, Next to Normal, Jekyll & Hyde, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She has also been the SM for Lorain Community Music Theatre’s production of Into the Woods. During the day, she is the librarian at St. Peter School in Lorain.

The entire cast and crew has been wonderful! Teamwork makes the dream work!!

STAN KOZAK (Sound Designer) Stan Kozak, currently in his twenty-seventh season at Great Lakes Theater, has more than 50 design credits including Bat Boy: The Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Comedy of Errors, Amadeus, You Can’t Take It With You, Private Lives, Into the Woods and the Tom Hanks’ benefit performances. His work in 1979 and 1981 with Geraldine Fitzgerald on Streetsongs at GLTF led to the original cast album. Mr. Kozak was the resident sound designer for four seasons at the Porthouse Theatre Company, including productions of Driving Miss Daisy, Niteclub

Confidential and a Nightingale Sang.

His collaborations with Victoria Bussert at Baldwin-Wallace College include productions of Chess, Hair, Company, Cabaret, West Side Story, Tommy in Concert, Parade, the Ohio premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion, and one of the first nonprofessional productions of Phantom of the Opera.

For Cain Park, his design credits include Secret Garden, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Bat Boy, Tick, tick…Boom, Nine, The Wiz, Harold and Maude and Pippin. Mr. Kozak has also designed sound for Wit and Last Five Years for the Dobama Theater, Iolanthe and Sweeney Todd for the Cleveland Opera, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Forbidden Broadway SVU for the Hanna Theatre and A Shayna Maidel, Brooklyn Boy and Pangs of the Messiah for the JCC. He has served as sound designer for the All-City Musical for the Cleveland school system for eight seasons. He also had the good fortune to have worked with Bebe Neuwirth in her concert performance for the Ideastream Gala in 2005. He was honored to be among the first group of LORT sound designers to achieve recognition in USA 829.

ANTHONY TRIFILETTI (Music Director) is an active solo pianist, collaborative artist, and music director throughout much of Ohio. As a pianist and music director, Anthony has held positions at TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center, The Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain Palace Youth Theatre, Sandstone Summer Theatre, Amherst

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ACTOR/ACTRESS BIOS Workshop Players, Lorain Community Music Theatre, The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton Opera, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings, and numerous other venues. Anthony is currently serving on the Board of Directors for TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center. He is a recent graduate of the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. While at UD, Anthony was the recipient of the Award for Outstanding Collaborative Pianist and performed at the American Choral Director’s Association National Convention in 2013. Besides working in theatrical and other performance related settings, Anthony is an active church musician having served at numerous parishes throughout the state. He is currently the music director at St. Peter in Lorain. Congratulations cast, crew, and orchestra on a wonderful performance!

D. JUSTIN BILEWICZ, III (Costumer) Justin’s theatrical credits extend across Northeast Ohio, working as a costume designer for community and academic theatres in Amherst, Cleveland, Lorain, Shaker Heights, Case Western Reserve University, Westlake, etc. He is also the Costume Shop Supervisor for Ashland University and the drama director for Clearview High School. Justin graduated from Ashland University with a BA in Costume Design. Justin’s recent costume design credits include Mothers and Sons (Beck Center for the Arts), Carrie, the Musical (Sandstone Summer Theatre), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Death of a Salesman, White Christmas, and Jekyll and Hyde (French Creek Theatre). Enjoy the show.

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