Meet the Cast (continued)

Kristen Jepperson (Miss Shingle) National tour: Ragtime, The Musical (Emma Goldman); the New Christy Minstrels (vocalist/harpist). DC area: Studio Theater: Adding Machine (Daisy Devore), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Zandra); Olney Theatre Center: Anything Goes (Mrs. Harcourt/Reno US); Pandemonium: Nevermore (Muddy). Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Mame (Agnes Gooch), Nunsense (Reverend Mother). West End Dinner Theater: Brigadoon (Meg), The Pirates of Penzance (Edith). Lazy Susan Dinner Theater: Once Upon a Mattress (Winnifred), 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Milly), The Pajama Game (Babe). Other shows: They’re Playing Our Song (Sonia, ACT Award), Das Barbecü (Brunhilda, WATCH Award). Website: DC-Harpist.com

Derek Marsh (Newsboy/Actor/Chief Inspector Pinckney/Ensemble) is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the LTA stage for his sixth production! Previous credits include The Producers (LTA), The Lion in Winter (TAP), West Side Story (LTA) and Spamalot (LTA). This will be his final production for the foreseeable future as he will be joining the United States Army once this show is concluded and going back to school upon his discharge. Special thanks to all the family and friends who have been by his side his whole life!

Allison Meyer (Tour Guide/Newsboy/Ensemble) is delighted to debut in her first LTA production! She has most recently appeared in the DC area as Agatha in Guys and Dolls (KAT), Charlotte in Oliver! (KAT) and Princess Ella in Frosted (British Players). Other favorite roles include Die Fledermaus (Adele), Orpheus in the Underworld (Eurydice), The Marriage of Figaro (Barbarina), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney). Education: B.M. in vocal performance from Simpson College and M.A. in international training and education from American University.

Jordan Peyer (Tom Copley/Newsboy/Actor/Guard/Ensemble) is honored to be making his DMV community theatre debut with LTA’s Gentleman’s Guide…. His most recent performance was The Holiday Show with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Previous theatrical performances include Telly in Godspell and Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at his alma mater, Vassar College.

In case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs (automated external defibrillators) They are located as follows:

1. in the lobby, near the Council Green Room

2. in the cast entrance hallway, near backstage door

3. in the Alexandria Academy, on the first floor

Margie Remmers (Newsboy/Lady Eugenia/Ensemble) had no idea how important LTA would become in her life when, in 1996, she first enjoyed a production of Forever Plaid, put on by the dream team of Frank, Chris, Mary Beth and the lovely Grace Machanic. Two years later, that very same dream team cast her as Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense. She got married here, raised her children here and, sadly, got divorced here. Along the way, she performed in The Sorcerer, The Mikado, The Secret Garden and Sweeney Todd; served on the Board of Governors; and much more. She is moving west in just a few months, so it is only fitting that Margie closes this chapter of her life by performing one last show at LTA with the very same dream team that brought her here. Goodnight, Gracie.

Katie Weigl (Sibella Hallward) is honored to be making her LTA debut! Previous credits include The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van de Graaf), Avenue Q (Kate Monster), Cats (Bombalurina), My Favorite Year (KC Downing), The Music Man (Marian) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky), for which she received a Perry Award nomination from the New Jersey Association of Community Theatres. Katie also spent the past eight years teaching musical theatre for children in her native NJ. Katie thanks her parents—the best fan club imaginable!

Theater Abbreviations Used in This Playbill

ACCT – Aldersgate Church

Community Theater

ACT – Alliance of Community Theaters

AFI – American Film Institute

ASC – Annapolis Shakespeare Company

ATMTC – Adventure Theatre and Musical Theater Center

BCT

Bowie Community Theatre

BST – Baltimore Shakespeare Factory

CFTC – City of Fairfax Theatre Company

CCDC – Capital City Players of DC

CCP – Chevy Chase Players

CFTC – City of Fairfax Theatre Company

CRT – Castaways Repertory Theatre

CT – Chalice Theater

DTC – Damascus Theatre Company

DS – Dominion Stage

ES – Encore Stage

ESP – Elden Street Players (now NST)

FCT

Fauquier Community Theatre

FP – Foundry Players (now CCDC)

GAC – Greenbelt Arts Center

GFP

Great Falls Players (now MCP)

HBP – Hard Bargain Players

IS – Infinity Stage

KAT – Kensington Arts Theatre

KT – Keegan Theatre

LMP – Laurel Mill Playhouse

LSDT – Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre

LTA – The Little Theatre of Alexandria

MCP – McLean Community Players

MP – Montgomery Playhouse

MPAT – Metropolitan Performing Arts

Theatre

MSA – Metropolitan School for the Arts

MTA – McLean Theatre Alliance (now MCP)

MTC – Musical Theater Center

MVCCT – Mount Vernon Community

Children’s Theatre

NST – NextStop Theatre

NVP – Northern Virginia Players

NVTA – Northern Virginia Theatre Alliance

OTC – Olney Theater Center

PCP – Port City Playhouse

PGLT – Prince George’s Little Theatre

PPF – Providence Players of Fairfax

PTC – Pandemonium Theater Productions

PTC – Potomac Theatre Company Inc.

PTP – Port Tobacco Players

PWLT – Prince William Little Theatre

RCP – Reston Community Players

RLT – Rockville Little Theatre

RMT – Rockville Musical Theatre

SCT – Springfield Community Theater

SMP – St Mark’s Players

SP – Sterling Playmakers

SSS – Silver Spring Stage

ST – Signature Theatre

TACT – The American Century Theater

TAP – The Arlington Players

TAT – The Alliance Theatre

TBP – The British Players

TCP – Tantallon Community Players

TT4W – The 4th Wall

VTC – Vienna Theatre Company

WATCH – Washington Area Theatre

Community Honors

WS – Washington Savoyards

Meet the Crew

Kirstin Apker (Property Design) has filled numerous backstage roles at LTA, including props designer (The Producers, The Nance—LTA Award, Legally Blonde, Key for Two, Laughing Stock), set decorator (Legally Blonde, Steel Magnolias—WATCH Award), assistant stage manager (A Party to Murder, Plaza Suite, Sweeney Todd) and artistic painter (Heaven Can Wait). She has also appeared onstage in To Kill a Mockingbird, and she serves as a house manager and as the coordinator of the theatre’s Floodlight newsletter. Thanks to Frank and Mary Beth for inviting her along for another fun artistic journey, and love always to Tom and her four sweet kiddos for their support of Mommy’s avocation!

Stacey Becker (Co-Set Painting Design) is excited to be working on another production at LTA and is especially delighted to be partnering again with Mary Hutzler on painting design. Stacey’s latest work behind the scenes was co-producer and set painting designer for The Haunting of Hill House. She hopes the audience enjoys the show as much as she did working alongside the wonderful cast and crew.

Cheryl Bolt (Wardrobe Coordinator) is thankful to be involved in her second show at LTA but this time backstage. She was last seen onstage in The Producers at LTA. She has been in many community theatre productions since deciding to pursue the hobby in 2013. Favorite roles include Tanya in Mamma Mia! (TAT), M’Lynn Eatenton in Steel Magnolias (FCT), Vi Moore in Footloose (Loudoun Centre Theatre), Alice in The Addams Family (TAT) and Sarah in Company (TCP). She will be seen onstage next as Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes with the Good Shepherd Players.

Susan Boyd (Hair/Wig and Makeup Design) is happy to be designing hair and makeup for this delightful musical comedy of manners. She has designed costumes, hair and/or makeup for film and theatre in the DC area and has won both WATCH and LTA awards. Susan is Governor for Artistic Support at LTA, where she is surrounded by terrific people. In her day job, she is a wardrobe stylist and image consultant, teaching real people how to dress for their real lives. Thank you, wonderful hair and makeup crew, for helping make this happen every night!

Rob Cork (Co-Stage Manager) has stage managed many productions and education class showcases at LTA, beginning with The Sorcerer in 1996. He also directed The Soul Sitter and A Christmas Carol at LTA. Favorite roles include Jungle Cruise Skipper at Walt Disney World, Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun (SCT) and Melbrook the Jester in Rumpelstiltskin with the Bergen County Players in New Jersey. He periodically appears as Will Rogers in a traveling production of Will Rogers’ U.S.A. with Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, a nonprofit organization that he co-founded.

(in alphabetical order) Follow

written by Neil Simon

produced by Nick Friedlander and Katie Kellenberger

directed by Matthew Randall

When Neil Simon needed a good laugh, this is the play he wrote! Join us for this first-rate farce with plenty of physical comedy, high-octane energy, and loaded with classic Neil Simon wit. It begins with three couples as they arrive at an upper-crust Manhattan anniversary party to discover that their host (the Deputy Mayor of New York), has accidentally maimed himself. Watch as the couples go to outrageous lengths to keep the police and press from finding out the truth. Don’t miss this gem of a comedy!

Meet the Crew (continued)

David Correia (Sound Design) has done sound designs for area community theaters, including LTA’s The Nance (2018 WATCH nomination for sound design in a play). Recent works include The Explorer’s Club (Lorton Workhouse), Anne of Green Gables – the Musical (LTA), The Boys Next Door (PCP), The Count of Monte Cristo (ACCT) and The Lion in Winter (TAP). Previous notable LTA productions include Hairspray (2011 WATCH Award for Sound Design in a Musical), Spamalot (2014 WATCH nomination for sound design in a musical) and Proof (2014 WATCH nomination for sound design in a play).

Ken and Patti Crowley (Lighting Design) are excited to be working with Frank, Chris, Stefan and Mary Beth once again at LTA. Their most recent designs include LTA’s The Producers, The Nance, The History Boys, In the Heights and 33 Variations; RCP’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Peter and the Starcatcher, Aida and Gypsy; PWLT’s Cabaret, The 39 Steps and Jesus Christ Superstar; DS’s Last Summer at Blue Fish Cove; TAP’s She Loves Me and Deathtrap and PCP’s Black Hole. Other noteworthy designs include Curtains, Picnic, The Secret Garden, The Will Rogers Follies, Widdershins, Into the Woods, Blithe Spirit, Das Barbecü, Teahouse of the August Moon and I Hate Hamlet. They are the recipients of numerous awards, including LTA, RCP, FCT, and WATCH awards for their lighting design. They want to dedicate their design to the production team, their fellow designers and the cast and crew.

Nick Friedlander (Co-Stage Manager) is excited to be back at the stage manager’s desk for another musical. Most recent stage manager roles include The Producers (LTA) and The Giver (ACCT). He would like to thank Rob for putting up with him for yet *another* show, all of his friends reading this in the audience, and Queen Helen and Bob for being the most supportive parents he could ever ask for!

Jim Hutzler (Co-Set Construction) has worked on many LTA sets as master carpenter and set construction crew, and once again it is a pleasure to be working with Jeff Nesmeyer and set designer Matt Liptak and the dedicated volunteers that bring LTA’s magic to life.

Mary Hutzler (Co-Set Painting Design) is delighted to join this talented and enthusiastic cast and crew. She has worked on many productions at LTA, most recently The Producers. She enjoys the creative process and working with a cast and crew dedicated to enhancing your enjoyment of the show.

Pam Leonowich (Master Electrician) has been climbing the light ladders at LTA for over 100 consecutive shows and is proud to follow in her mother’s theatre footsteps. Her mother managed and designed productions for the troops during World War II with the British Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). She is pleased to be teaming with lighting designers Ken and Patti Crowley. Special thanks to our fabulously dedicated light crew and her loyal and loving Max and Poppy.

Matt Liptak (Set Design/Photographer)

Gentleman’s Guide… marks Liptak’s eighth time set designing for LTA. Liptak has designed, painted and dressed sets across the DMV for the last four years. Notable shows include Harvey (WATCH nominee), Dracula (WATCH Award), Steel Magnolias (WATCH Award), Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The History Boys. Liptak thanks everyone who worked tirelessly to make this show happen and thanks Kieran for his constant support.

Steven J. McBride Jr. (Associate Music Director/Pianist) has worked on over 35 musicals as music director, vocal director, and pianist in schools, community theatres and nonequity theatres, most recently as vocal director for LTA’s The Producers. His previous credits include The Producers (Milburn Stone Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (PA Theatrical Arts), Into the Woods and My Fair Lady (Henderson HS). Since coming to the DC metro area, Steve has become in demand throughout the area as a vocal coach, accompanist and conductor. He is a teaching artist for Young Artists of America and serves as interim choir director/organist at Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, VA.

Myke Taister (Set Decoration), also known by the mononym “MYKE,” is a retired forensic artist who fell into set decoration and design as a hobby some 30 years ago. He served as LTA’s president in the late ’90s. Myke has won several awards for his theatrical endeavors, and his next project is decorating a Victorian home on Main Street in his hometown of Midland, Michigan. He dedicates this show to his mentors and friends, Anne Lash and Jean Stuhl.

Jeff Nesmeyer (Co-Set Construction) is pleased to be working at LTA once again and sharing the duties of master carpenter with Jim Hutzler. Jeff has been set building for the past several years at LTA, and this is his ninth venture as co-master carpenter. Together, Jeff and Jim have built sets for shows such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Spamalot, A Christmas Carol, Anything Goes, The Fabulous Lipitones, Anne of Green Gables—the Musical, Harvey and Dracula. He thanks LTA for its confidence in his carpentry abilities.

Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley (Costume Design), armed with many yards of Velcro, are delighted to be part of this fun group of naughty Victorians! They have costumed many shows here at LTA, including this season’s The Haunting of Hill House and The Producers. Past LTA costume design awards include To Kill a Mockingbird, The Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Carol, Ragtime, The Full Monty, 1776 and Into the Woods. WATCH awards include LTA’s Hairspray and The Nance. Kit and Jean have costumed for theaters throughout the DMV and have taught costume design at the high school level here in Northern Virginia. Many thanks to Mary Beth and Frank for inviting us on this wild ride and to our “theater widower” husbands for putting up with the crazy hours and occasional other duties as assigned!

Meet the Crew (continued)

Frank D. Shutts II (Director) At this very time 30 years ago (1989), Frank was in rehearsal for The Fantasticks, his directorial debut here at LTA. Since that time, he has directed 23 shows for LTA (both musicals and non-musicals) and an additional 37 shows in the DMV, picking up a “best” award here and there along the way. His most recent productions of The Nance and In the Heights were two such shows that were honored by both the LTA and WATCH awards programs. His 30-year resume would not have been possible without the tutelage of Dorthie R. Kogelman; the artistic collaboration of Grace Manley Machanic, Mary Beth Smith-Toomey, Chris Tomasino and Stefan Sittig; his extended LTA family; and the love and support of Myke. Thank you all for 30 exciting years full of hard work, fond memories and lots of laughter!

Cheryl Sinsabaugh (Dialogue Coach) has spent her life in amateur (community) theatre all over the world—mainly onstage, but in recent years she has worked backstage as stage manager and on lighting, makeup, props, etc. Plays for which she has been the dialect/accent coach are The Audience, Key for Two, A Christmas Carol (twice), Funny Money, Something’s Afoot and The History Boys at LTA, Pride and Prejudice, The Miracle Worker and Enchanted April at ACCT, California Suite at Providence Players, The Explorer’s Club at Lorton Workhouse and Leading Ladies at Vienna Theatre Company.

Stefan Sittig (Choreographer) 90+ productions including NYC: Who Is Eartha Mae? (Theatre Row), Jessie (Chelsea Playhouse); INTERNATIONAL: Trabajadores (Uruguay), Changing Hearts (Canada); DC AREA: Flora The Red Menace (1st Stage), Man of La Mancha (Washington Savoyards), The Wiz (ATLAS), Jesus Christ Superstar (Open Circle Theatre), Polaroid Stories (Studio Theatre), Noel & Gertie (MetroStage), Dorothy Meets Alice (Adventure Theatre), Hollywood Pinafore (The American Century Theater); LTA: The Producers, The Nance, Legally Blonde, Anything Goes (also director), West Side Story, In the Heights, The Rocky Horror Show, A Streetcar Named Desire, Into the Woods; 2 WATCH awards, eight nominations; M.F.A in theatre and musical theatre, faculty at George Mason University. www.stefansittig.com

Mary Beth Smith-Toomey (Producer) returns with one of her favorite directors, Frank D. Shutts II (this is No. 18 as producer/director!), music director Chris Tomasino and choreographer Stefan Sittig. Together, they received LTA and WATCH Outstanding Production Awards for our last two shows together as a team, The Nance and In the Heights; they each also received individual awards recognizing their artistic achievements. Mary Beth produced Frank’s first LTA directorial show, The Fantasticks. Together and working separately on numerous productions, they always support each other’s artistic endeavors.

Stefan and Mary Beth just worked together on LTA’s The Producers , which she co-produced and he choreographed. A special thanks to Steve McBride for his dedication. Many thanks to this awesome cast, staff and crew! Very special thanks to Kim, Wesley and Mike and always to Michael.

Christopher A. Tomasino (Music Director) returns to LTA with Gentleman’s Guide (GGLAM), having last music directed Jesus Christ Superstar and The Nance for LTA in 2018. He is very excited to be working once again with the “dream team” of Frank, Stefan and Mary Beth; our fantastic stage managers Rob and Nick; and a highly talented cast, orchestra and crew. GGLAM is the 33rd production Chris has music directed at LTA since starting in the fall of 1988 with Chicago. Chris has been honored to receive the WATCH Award for Music Direction on past LTA productions of In the Heights, Hairspray, Cabaret, Das Barbecü and Tommy. He has also been the recipient of the LTA Demaine Award for Music Direction on numerous productions, as well as ACT Awards for Music Direction. In addition to LTA, Chris has been the music director for Bishop Ireton High School’s theater arts program for over 30 years. In real life, Chris is a vice president with Burke & Herbert Bank in Alexandria.

Russell Wyland (Rigging) has dressed sets for and produced several LTA productions, including Hairspray, The Full Monty, Avenue Q, 33 Variations, The Underpants and A Fox on the Fairway. He is the winner of several LTA and WATCH awards for set decoration, special effects and producing. Russ’ specialty and first love, however, is rigging, and he has been hanging curtains, signs and chandeliers at LTA for almost 25 years.

LTA wishes to recognize and thank all the volunteers who have given their time and talents by helping with house managing, ushering, or working in the box office for our previous production of The Haunting of Hill House. Your contributions to the success of LTA are very much appreciated. Thank you!

Box Office Volunteers

Lloyd Bittinger

Tammy Preston Boyd

Kurtis Carter

Patricia Espinet

Sharon Field

Ira Forstater

Gary Gladstone

Sue Gladstone

Terri Griffith

Barbara Helsing

Brittany Huffman

Ai-Nguyet Huynh

Front of House Volunteers

Lloyd Bittinger

Jamie Blake

Luana Bossolo

Lorraine Bouchard

Susan Boyd

Dee Brown

Gina Cavallaro

Susan Costa

Rita Costello

Carol Dorsey

Charles Dragonette

Robin Fradkin

Jean Miller Frane

Marcia Gillespie

Sarah Holt

Valerie Larkin

Wayne Johnson

Phil Krzywicki

Caterina Lillis

Michelle Mattox

Melissa Nielson

Steve Percy