presents

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United StatesCenter REP is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre

The Sound Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANYMichael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director

By Charles DickensAdaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James

Directed by Scott Denison

Music DirectorMichael Patrick Wiles

Lighting DesignerJohn Iarla

Projection DesignerSteve Channon

Hofmann TheatreDecember 12 - 22, 2019

Lesher Center for the Arts

Scenic Designer Kelly James Tighe

Sound DesignerJeff Mockus

Stage ManagerJeff Collister*

CostumingMichael A. BergMichelle Kincaid

ChoreographerJennifer Perry

Dialect CoachLynne Soffer

Season Partner Foundation SponsorSeason Sponsor

A Christmas Carol

Isabella Capozzi (Rosa) has been training in singing, acting and dancing for over 10 years with many companies throughout the Bay Area. She has recently released a new single which can be found along with her 7 other tracks available on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you get your music! Her professional and MainStage credits include: Town Hall’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, CCMT’s Billy Elliot, Town Hall’s Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Berkeley Playhouse’s Billy Elliot. Miramonte’s Anything Goes (Hope), Heathers (Heather McNamara) and Mamma Mia (Sophie). You can see her next at her band, Chocking On Flowers’ next concert. She would like to thank her parents for their loving support, her mom and MCVT for the vocal training and everyone at The Ballet School and Young REP for her life altering training!

Kate Conner (Belinda Cratchit) ) is thirteen years old and thrilled to make her Center REP debut with A Christmas Carol, a show she has been coming to see for many years. Kate has appeared in a number of shows with I Can Do That Theatre Company and other youth theaters around the Bay Area. She would like to thank all of her friends and family for their love and continuous support!

Michael Doppe* (Young Scrooge/Topper) DOPPE is so excited to be back with Center REP and his Christmas Carol family. He is an actor, writer, director, musician, and graduate of the SCT “Actor Training Program”, and has been seen at various companies including Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, San Jose Stage, Town Hall Theatre, 42nd St. Moon, Ray of Light Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, New Conservatory Theatre Center, and Solano College Theatre. He is also an educator (Performing Arts Studio and Young REP Program), projection designer, and the host of “I’m B.A.T.man” - Your Bay Area Theatre Podcast. “Doppe” is a proud member of Actors Equity. “Come visit me at “michaeldoppe.com”.

Jeff Draper (Marley/Old Joe) is co-Education Director for Center REP with Kerri Shawn, where they run the Young REP summer theatre training program, and he is also a teacher at The Harker School in San Jose. He has performed in numerous Center REP productions, and has also performed with Fantasy Forum, Town Hall Theatre, CCMT, The Willows, California Shakespeare Theater, San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, Marin Theater Company, and others.

Kai Echeverria (Charlie) is thrilled to be performing in his first Center REP show! Credits include, Francis Nurse (The Crucible), Lt. Shaw (The Secret Garden), Ensemble (Mamma Mia), and Amahl (Amahl and the Night Visitors). Over the summer, Kai attends Center REP’s Young REP Acting and Musical Theater programs. He would like to thank his parents, friends, and family for supporting him. Enjoy the show!

Isabella Fletcher (Flora Fezziwig) is excited to be performing with Center REP for the first time! During the summer, she trains with the Young REP program, and throughout the year she performs with The Ballet School Performing Arts. Some of her favorite roles include The Cat In The Hat from Seussical the Musical, Romeo from Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth from Macbeth. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers from The Ballet School for their continual support.

Sophia Gilbert (Martha Cratchit) is thrilled to join the cast of Center REP’s legendary A Christmas Carol. Most recently, she was honored to play the title role in Pinocchio (Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble) as well as Matilda in the Northern California regional debut of Matilda the Musical with Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Other favorite credits: Annie in Annie (Berkeley Playhouse), Ellie in Freaky Friday (Berkeley Playhouse Teen Intensive), Jack in Into the Woods (Berkeley Playhouse TeenStage) and Little Girl in Ragtime (Contra Costa Civic Theatre). She is looking forward to performing as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden with Tabard Theatre in the spring of 2020. Sophia thanks her musical theatre mentors, family, and friends who continually support her on her journey.

Katie Glazier (Fan) is excited to return this season as Fan. Katie has studied dance and music at The Ballet School and Performing Arts in Walnut Creek for the last 8 years and performs in their annual Once Upon a Christmas. She has performed in many Young Actor Studio showcases and performed in CCMT’s Billy Elliot as an ensemble cast member. This past year she joined Center REPertory’s Young REP summer program and invested her entire summer in the study of acting. Katie is also on Northstar’s competitive ski team and this past winter placed first in her free ski category. In her free time she enjoys reading, art, and her friends.

Edison Gould (Thief/Georgie/Turkey Boy) is excited to be returning to A Christmas Carol for his fifth year. Edison was seen onstage last year in ALMOST AN EVENING (The Other Other Theatre Company). He would like to thank his mom and dad, his Uncle Jeff, Gretchen & PJ, Gigi, Danny and Paula and last but not least John Boyega.

Jerry Lee* (Mr. Checkers/Present) is the Associate Artistic Director of Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, California. He has appeared in the SRT productions of Cabaret, Route 66, Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Man of La Mancha, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair, and The Drowsy Chaperone. As an actor: Forbidden Broadway (California Musical Theatre); Life Could Be a Dream, A Christmas Carol (Center REP); A Little Princess, The Fantasticks (Sacramento Theatre Company); Les Misérables (Contra Costa Musical Theatre – Shellie Award); Songs for a New World, The Weir (PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Orlando, An Iliad, A Tale of Two Cities (SacImpulse Theatre); They’re Playing Our Song, [title of show] (New Helvetia Theatre Company); The Threepenny Opera (6th Street Playhouse). As a director: I Love You… Change, The Wizard of Oz, Holiday Jukebox, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Robber Bridegroom (SRT); I Love You… Change (STC).

Scott Maraj (Constable/Future) is grateful to return to the Christmas Carol family for his sixth consecutive year. He was last seen on this very stage in CCMT’s recent production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Within the last year, he directed two productions of Mamma Mia for both Stage 1 Theatre and Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre. Scott’s directing/choreography credits also include Stage 1’s In the Heights, Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s Jekyll and Hyde, HDP’s The Taffetas and PCRT’s productions of The Last Five Years, Forever Plaid and The Taffetas. Favorite roles include Sebastian (The Little Mermaid), Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing…), Magaldi (Evita), Wrangler (The Will Rogers Follies), Corny Collins (Hairspray), Caleb (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Bobby (A Chorus Line). #teamswirl

Michael McCarty (Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/Snuffbox) is thrilled to be back performing in this holiday classic. Prior to A Christmas Carol, Michael spent 25 holiday seasons performing in The Bracebridge Dinners in Yosemite National Park. Previous performances on the Hofmann stage include CCMT’s productions of 1776, Gypsy, The Music Man, Les Miserables, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Michael also appeared in Disney’s Freaky Friday with Center REP and is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble: www.fantasyforum.org. He works for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and resides with his family in Benicia.

Robin Melnick (Mr. Bagstock - Bass) After a few years away, Robin is delighted to return for his lucky thirteenth season sharing in the holiday spirit with cast, crew, and audience of A Christmas Carol. His favorite roles elsewhere have included El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Lancelot in Camelot, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods, and Smudge in Forever Plaid and Plaid Tidings. For Robin, A Christmas Carol is a wonderful break following the school year, when he is a professor of cognitive science and linguistics. He is grateful as always to Mary and Andrew for all of their love and support.

Lindsey Meyer (Affery) is delighted to be in Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. She was recently seen in 42nd St. Moon’s Hot Mikado and Titanic the Musical in Concert (Kate Mullins). Some of her favorite performances include Princess Celeste with RWS Entertainment, Janet Van De Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone, Dainty June in Gypsy, Amber in Hairspray, Zaneeta in The Music Man, Kira in Xanadu, and Brooke in Legally Blonde. Lindsey has performed with various theater companies, including San Jose Rep, American Musical Theater, 42nd Street Moon, Broadway By the Bay, and Contra Costa Musical Theatre. She graduated with a BA in Interior Design from Seattle Pacific University.

CAST

Heather Kellogg Baumann ........................................ Dorit/NancyKayla Marie Berghoff* ............................................ Sarah CratchitMattingly Biener ........................................................ Peter CratchitGianna Capozzi .......................................................Fauna FezziwigIsabella Capozzi ........................................................................RosaKate Conner ...........................................................Belinda CratchitMichael Doppe* ......................................... Young Scrooge/TopperJeff Draper ...............................................................Marley/Old JoeKai Echeverria ......................................................................CharlieIsabella Fletcher .......................................................Flora FezziwigSophia Gilbert .........................................................Martha CratchitKatie Glazier ...............................................................................FanEdison Gould ........................................ Thief/Georgie/Turkey BoyJerry Lee* ......................................................Mr. Checkers/PresentScott Maraj ........................................................... Constable/FutureMichael McCarty............Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/SnuffboxRobin Melnick ................................................. Mr. Bagstock - BassLindsey Meyer ....................................................................... AfferyLaura Millar ...................................................... Catherine HastingsAustin Milgram ..................................................................Tiny TimAlex Moore ..........................................................Mr. Tiffey - TenorR. Martin Newton .......................................................... Rudge/BozMadeleine Page-Schmitt ......................................................... BelleJeanine Perasso .........................................................Mrs. FezziwigJennifer Perry .............................................. Swing/Dance CaptainVincent M. Perry ....................................Mr. Boxer/Havisham/PipXander Raymond .................................Boy Scrooge//Beggar BoyBarbara Reynolds ......................................Miss Skiffins - SopranoKerri Shawn ......................................................... Past/CharwomanTerrance Smith............................................................... UndertakerTeddy Spencer* ..........................................................Fred HastingsJenna Stich ........................................................................LaundressMolly Thornton ..............................................Miss Augustus - AltoMichael Patrick Wiles* ...............................................Bob CratchitKeaton Wilkerson .......................................................Dick WilkinsMichael Ray Wisely* ..........................................Ebenezer ScroogeWendy Wisely ............................................................Lucretia/AnneDiella Wottrich ..................................................................... LaviniaSpecial thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Heather Kellogg Baumann (Dorit/Nancy) is happy to be back once again with her Christmas Carol family! Past productions include: Charlotte Corday in The Revolutionists, Margaret and Anne in Sense and Sensibility, Hallie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Linda in Play It Again, Sam, and Rosalind in Moon Over Buffalo, all with Town Hall Theater. Evelina Bunner in The Bunner Sisters with reACT, Liz in Hilarity, and Kristin in Kristin Hersh’s RAT GIRL both with DIVAfest. Heather spends her summers teaching with Center REP’s Young REP theater training conservatory. She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, and is currently learning all things clown and circus in Circus Center’s Clown Conservatory.

Kayla Marie Berghoff* (Mrs. Cratchit) is thrilled to return to Center REP for this holiday classic. Originally from Sacramento, Kayla is now based in New York City and has her MFA from The New School for Drama. Credits include Camelot (Guenevere), Happy End (Lillian), Henry VI Part 3 (Queen Margaret), The Turn of the Screw (The Governess), and Cabaret (Lulu). Happy holidays, everyone! www.KaylaBerghoff.com

Mattingly Biener (Peter Cratchit) is thrilled to make his Center REPertory Company debut as Peter Cratchit! He recently starred as the title role in Barrett Lindsay-Steiner’s Indianapolis Smith and the Temple of Gloom. Other credits include Alice in Wonderland Jr. (The Caterpillar), Willy Wonka Jr. (Mike Teavee), Aristocats Jr. (Toulouse), and Lion King Jr. (Pumba), all at Curtains Up Youth Theatre. Mattingly has trained with several wonderful instructors at Young REP, CUYT, Standing Ovations and Ballet School of Performing Arts. He thanks Center REP for this amazing opportunity, his fantastic cast mates, as well as his family and friends for their support.

Gianna Capozzi (Fauna Fezziwig) is thrilled to be in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol. Gianna’s favorite time of the year is Christmas time and her favorite thing to do is perform. You may have seen Gianna most recently in CCMT’s production of Billy Elliot and Town Hall’s production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Gianna wants to thank all of her mentors from Young REP who have helped her get to this point, and also her Mom who has been her biggest fan throughout it all. Gianna wishes you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and hopes you enjoy the show.

CENTER REP THANKS :Massimo Ristorante

Waters Moving and StorageAssociated Services-Alta WaterContra Costa Musical Theatre

Shannon and Mike Demers

Laura Millar (Catherine Hastings) is a local actor and teaching artist. She is a graduate of Sonoma State University’s acting program. Recent credits include Sandy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Lucky Penny, Violet in The Speakeasy in San Francisco, and Star to Be in Annie at 6th Street Playhouse. She spent the summer teaching drama to children with both Marin Shakespeare Company and Transcendence Theatre Company. She is excited to be making her debut at Center Rep with a holiday favorite!

Austin Milgram (Tiny Tim) is a first grade student who has had a passion for performing since age 3. Outside of school he enjoys producing and performing in shows for family and friends. He has been a part of many young actor productions including The Lion King, Aristocats, and The Jungle Book to name a few. Austin looks forward to sharing this special story with you and dedicates his performances to his little sister Elise.

Alex Moore (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) is thrilled to be returning for a 6th season of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol! East Bay Area credits include: Center REP- Mamma Mia!, Town Hall- The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Company, CCMT- Grease, Les Miserables, Billy Elliot, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. FAVORITE roles: Partner to Erin and Dad to Anderson, age 2. Alex studied vocal performance and theatre and holds a BA in music from PLNU, San Diego. A private voice and piano coach and Musical Director at The Ballet School’s Young Actor’s Studio, he is also a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble! Alex dedicates all his thanks and gratitude to his wife, Erin, for being the greatest partner and support---Celebrating 10 YEARS of marriage this April!

R. Martin Newton (Rudge/Boz) Earlier this year, Marty was part of the cast of Big The Musical at Berkeley Playhouse and most recently, as a Fire Lizard in CCMT’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert. One of the best shows he was ever associated with. He is a fan of the San Francisco Forty Niners and a fan of Pro Bull Riding. His favorite riders are Cody Teel, Cody Campbell, Cody Nance and Derek Kolbaba. And, a bull named Cody! When not onstage, Marty enjoys being an Account Executive at Levi’s Strauss & Co. A company that he’s been with for over 20 years! Marty would also like to thank Center REP for having him back for his 15th year selling fruit! It never gets old!

Madeleine Page-Schmit (Belle) is thrilled to be making her Center REP debut this season. She is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory’s B.F.A program. University credits include Our Country’s Good (Mary Brenham), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), Di and Viv and Rose (Viv), Con Amore: A Romeo and Juliet Selection (Juliet), and Eurydice (Little Stone). Professional credits include Casquette Girl (Clifton Playhouse) as the titular character in Madeleine’s original one-woman show regarding the life of her French ancestor. She will appear later this season as Jane/Miss De Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice at Center REP. Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig) is so happy to be returning to the role of Mrs. Fezziwig. It is always such a delight to share the joys of this story with so many families. Recently, Jeanine has been seen in TOOT’s Cannibal the Musical, FFAE’s Pinocchio, and as Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker with Onstage. Shout out to all my own family and friends who support my theatre addiction, especially Fred, Miranda, Evan, and Hensley. You are a constant source of joy for me.

Vincent M. Perry (Mr. Boxer/Havisham/Pip) Some Favorite Roles include: Billy’s Dad, Jackie Elliot (Billy Elliot), Pharaoh (Joseph and The Amazing, CCMT, Shellie Award), Les Miserables (CCMT), Cord Elam (OKLAHOMA!, CCMT) Sir Evelyn (Anything Goes, CCMT), Mr. Boxer, Constable and Young Scrooge (Center REP’s A Christmas Carol), Miles (Funny Thing Happened, CCMT), Boatman (Sunday in the Park with George, CCMT) Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, DLOC) Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Harry the Horse (Guys and Dolls, CCMT). A Shellie Award winner and multiple Marty Award winner, he was also awarded best Music Teacher by the Diablo Magazine. Vince is a proud company member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org where he also serves on the board of directors.Vince is the head of the Music Department at The Ballet School Performing Arts where he teaches Piano and Voice. He is represented by NYLO Agency where he does commercial, film and print work.

Michael Patrick Wiles* (Bob Cratchit/Music Director) is pleased to return to Center REP for his 17th A Christmas Carol with the company. Other Center REP credits include The Glass Menagerie, and Dracula. Other stage credits include work with the American Conservatory Theater (Edward 2, A Christmas Carol, The Glass Menagerie), American Musical Theater (Big River), Aurora Theater Company (The Persians), Berkeley Repertory Theater (Master Class, The Oresteia), California Shakespeare Theater (Romeo & Juliet, As You Like It, Scapin), Marin Shakespeare Company (Macbeth, King Lear, Much Ado), Pacific Repertory Theater (Winters Tale, Julius Caesar, A Number, Eurydice, Much Ado) San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Loves Labour’s Lost), and Tacoma Actor’s Guild (Twelfth Night). Wiles is the Casting Director & Resident Music Director for Berkeley Playhouse. BFA, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle.

Keaton Wilkerson (Dick Wilkins) is grateful to be joining this marvelous show again here in the beautiful Lesher Center for the Arts. Past roles include Taxi Driver (Women on the Verge), Eddie (Mamma Mia), Franklin Shepard (Merrily we Roll Along), Mrs. Bumbrake (Peter and the Star Catcher), Hertz (Rock of Ages), Farm Boy (Gypsy), and Ghost of Christmas Future (A Christmas Carol). He would like to thank his friends and family for all their support and enthusiasm.

Michael Ray Wisely* (Ebenezer Scrooge) is honored to share this timeless story with you again. This is his 24th appearance with the company. REP audiences have also seen him as Sam Phillips in The Million Dollar Quartet, Petkoff in Arms and the Man, Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird and as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Most recently Michael Ray appeared as Iago in Othello for African-American Shakespeare Company and as Don in Rapture, Blister, Burn for Lucky Penny Productions (TBA nomination for outstanding performance). Well known to Bay Area audiences, Michael Ray has performed Off-Broadway, regionally and internationally, including : 59e59 Theaters (NYC), Teatro Santa Ana (SMA), Aurora Theatre Company, SF Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory, TheatreWorks, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Marin Shakes, San Jose Stage, and others. Michael Ray has starred and guest-starred in film and Television including the recent Independent film Free Byrd and a Netflix series he can’t discuss. Follow him on social media or at michaelraywisely.com

Wendy M. Wisely (Lucretia/Anne) is thrilled to return to her Christmas Carol family for her 13th year! Past Center REP productions include The Diviners, The Night Hank Williams Died, and Room Service. Originally from Seattle, she came to California to earn her MFA in directing from San Jose State University. Wendy has since been acting and directing throughout the Bay Area including San Jose Stage Company, City Lights, Willows Theater, California Shakespeare Theatre, Role Players Ensemble, Townhall Theater, The Western Stage, The Children’s Theater Workshop, DEO Ireland in San Francisco, and Pacific Alliance Stage Company in Rohnert Park. Wendy works as a professor of theatre arts with Las Positas College, Santa Rosa Junior College, and University of California, Berkeley. She has also taught theatre abroad in London and Florence. She’s also very proud to be a member of the Young REP faculty!

Diella Wottrich (Lavinia) is thrilled to be back with her Christmas Carol family! Theatre credits include CCMT’s Grease, Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph….., Sunset Blvd., Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A Chorus Line, FFAE’s Robin Hood, DTC’s Guys & Dolls and Annie, TVRT’s The Sound of Music, and most recently Berkeley Playhouse’s Mamma Mia! She has also performed in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. She is very grateful to her friends and family for their support as she pursues her passion for the theatre!!

Xander Raymond (Boy Scrooge/Beggar Boy) is grateful to be performing with his Center REP Christmas Carol family again. His recent roles include: Bruce (Matilda, CCMT), Benji (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, CCMT), Colin (The Secret Garden, Broadway Rep Theater). When he’s not on stage this 13 year old can be found studying theater in 8th grade at Contra Costa School of Performing Arts or learning Ballet, Tap and Voice at the fabulous Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School. He would like to thank all his teachers, mentors and family for their continual love and support as he pursues his dreams. Special shout out to his amazing voice teacher & coach Marcus Klinger!

Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Soprano) delightedly returns for her 23rd season in the Christmas Carol quartet. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she appeared most recently in Queen of the Mist at Tabard Theatre in San Jose, as well as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, City of Angels (Bobbi/Gabby), and Kiss Me, Kate (Kate) for South Bay Musical Theatre. Other favorites include Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), and She Loves Me (Amalia) at South Bay; Little Women (Marmee) at Sunnyvale Players; A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Magnolia). She also sings regularly with the San Jose Symphonic Choir.

Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) is grateful and proud to be returning to Center REP’s A Christmas Carol this December. She is happy to be a part of this wonderful production team and cast. Kerri wishes all of them and all of you a peaceful and joy-filled holiday season and new year!

Terrance Smith (Undertaker) is ecstatic to ring in the holiday cheer with his very first performance at Center REP! He has been acting professionally in the Bay Area for over three years and has had the great fortune of telling some phenomenal stories at so many remarkable theatre companies. He’s had the honor of working at Town Hall Theatre, B8 Theatre, The Contra Costa Civic Theatre, The Role Players Ensemble, The Other Other Theatre Company, SF Playhouse, African-American Shakespeare Company, The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company, and Marin Shakespeare to name a few. He recently became eligible to join the Actor’s Equity Association and he hopes to do more regional theatre in the near future. Check out his Instagram to see more of his work, as well as the work of his fellow peers![@yountsmith23]

Teddy Spencer* (Fred Hastings) is excited to return to Center REP, where he was last seen as Philiste in The Liar. A Bay Area native, Spencer has performed throughout the world as a member of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Regionally, he has worked with the American Conservatory Theater, New Victory Theater in NYC, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the Folger Theatre in DC, TheatreWorks, Capital Stage Company, Sacramento Theatre Company, Jewel Theatre Company, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Arabian Shakespeare Festival, Napa Valley Shakespeare, Theatre at Monmouth, the Undermain, and Summer Repertory Theatre. Spencer’s on-camera work includes Workaholics (Comedy Central) and Steve Jobs (Universal Pictures). He holds an MFA in acting from Southern Methodist University, and is a company member with the Arabian Shakespeare Festival and PlayGround. He’d like to thank his partner Lindsey and dog-son Dweebs for their love, support, and snuggles.

Jenna Stich (Laundress) is delighted to be rejoining the cast of A Christmas Carol. A former student of Young REP, Jenna’s past experience includes Center REP, Lafayette Town Hall and Silicon Valley Shakespeare. Jenna sends her love and thanks to her wonderful family.

Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto)is thrilled to return to the wonderful cast of A Christmas Carol for her twelfth year. Having just completed a run as Rosie in Mamma Mia! with West Valley Light Opera, other memorable roles include Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Anna Edson Taylor (Queen of the Mist), Maggie Jones (42nd Street), Helen Sinclair (Bullets Over Broadway), Morticia (The Addams Family), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Pennywise (Urinetown), Mrs. Walker (The Who’s Tommy), Kate (Kiss Me, Kate) and Betty Blake (The Will Rogers Follies) for which she received a Shellie Award. Look for her this spring when she will be playing the Witch in Big Fish with Sunnyvale Community Players. Love goes to her wonderful husband, James.

ARTS COMMISSIONGlynnis Cowdery, Chair

Ann Merideth, Vice-Chair Jane Emanuel

Iasmine KlauberAnita Sagástegui

CITY COUNCILLoella Haskew, Mayor

Kevin Wilk, Mayor Pro-TemMatt Francois

Cindy SilvaJustin Wedel

CITY MANAGERDan Buckshi

DIRECTOR, Arts + RecKevin Safine

The Prosecution. His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, ACT in Seattle, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway (Macbeth with Glenda Jackson and Christopher Plummer and Two Shakespearean Actors), Off Broadway (Roundabout, The Public Theatre), in regional theatres (The Guthrie, Arena Stage, Long Wharf), film and television, as well as in REP’s productions of Mirandolina!, The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. He is a published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which have been produced in NY, LA, and at festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre LeChance on “The Guiding Light,” and played guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country western bands at all the notable dives in NYC.

OUR SPONSORS

Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past eleven years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts.

Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in the community is all about building partnerships with the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org.

Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) As the namesake family for the Lesher Center for the Arts, the Lesher Foundation has provided funding to Center REP and the Lesher Center since the Center opened in 1990. Their support has had a profound impact on the quality of Center REP’s productions and has greatly enhanced the experience for Center REP’s audiences. Grant-making decisions are based on the vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, diverse art programs, and healthy children and families are the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community.

California with her costume designs. She loves designing costumes just as much as she loves building costumes, and is so excited to be working on A Christmas Carol with Center REP!

John Iarla (Lighting Designer) Real Housewives the Musical (World Premier) Spring Awakening (East Bay Premier), The Lady with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center REP), Sunset Boulevard (East Bay Premier), Oklahoma!, 42nd Street-Shellie Award, Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); On Broadway Gala, Walnut Creek Jazz Series (DRAA), Lesher Speaker Series-Newsmakers; Chevron Family Theatre Festival; ARF Stars to the Rescue; The Shellie Awards; Rocky Horror Show, Let’s Go To The Movies (Town Hall). Thanks to the ACME Theatre Company.

Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) Center REP credits include: Mamma Mia!, Disney’s Freaky Friday, Women In Jeopardy, Noises Off, Xanadu, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Nixon’s Nixon, Hank Williams Lost Highway, and A Christmas Carol. Among his recent work are Evita at The Western Stage, Macbeth for African American Shakespeare Company, and Mark Twain’s River of Song for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, where he now serves as Resident Sound Designer. Previous TheatreWorks projects include Tuck Everlasting, Native Gardens, The Bridges of Madison County, The Four Immigrants, Tokyo Fish Story, and Silent Sky. Mr. Mockus was San Jose Repertory Theatre’s Resident Sound Designer for over 70 productions, including The Haunting Of Winchester, Mary’s Wedding (BATCC Award), Old Wicked Songs (BATCC Award), Major Barbara (Dean Goodman Award), and Thunder Knocking On The Door. He has credits with American Conservatory Theater, California Shakespeare Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz/Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Utah Shakespearean Festival, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Steve Channon (Projection Designer) Steve’s design credits include A Bed and a Chair at New York City Center (starring Bernadette Peters), Patti’s Turn (featuring Patti LuPone), The Nutcracker and I (George Street Playhouse) and the international premiere of R&H’s Cinderella, at the Rossiya theatre in Moscow. In California, Steve has designed Les Mis (CCMT), and Miss Saigon (Broadway by the Bay). Steve has also worked as an animator and associate designer around the world: On Broadway, for Memphis, The Mountaintop and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short and for shows such as Old Jews Telling Jokes (off-Broadway), The History of Invulnerability (Cincinnati Playhouse), Frank Wildhorn’s Tears of Heaven (National Theatre of Korea), and Empire the Musical (La Mirada Playhouse). Steve currently resides in New York, but grew up in San Jose, and performed around the bay area, including in shows at AMTSJ and SBMT. Web: Channon.TV

Tom Judd (Costume Special Effects Designer) is currently a Technical Director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment’s production of “Frozen Live at the Hyperion”. While working for Disney for the last 22 years, Tom has worked on numerous shows in Anaheim, Orlando and Hong Kong. Tom wants to thank his wife and kids for all of the great support they have given him on his long days and late nights work with the Mouse.

Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is year 22 for Jeff as Stage Manager for this production. He has been the Production Manager for REP since 1995 and has stage managed more than 50 shows since joining the company in 1989. Jeff recently directed REP’s hit Disney’s Freaky Friday – The Musical. For REP he has also directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Xanadu. Jeff directed Urinetown -The Musical and Grease (2004) for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He was the Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna’s – The Royal Tour (1998) in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor, an avid SF Giants and Harry Potter fan. “Although it’s been said many times, many ways – Merry Christmas, to you.”

Lynne Soffer (Dialect Coach) has coached over 300 theater productions at A.C.T., Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, Marin Theater Company, Theatreworks, Cal Shakes, San Jose Rep and SF Opera among others including nine for Center Rep. Her regional credits include the Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, Arizona Theatre Company, the Arena Stage, Seattle Rep and the world premier of The Laramie Project at the Denver Center. Her film and television credits include “Fruitvale,” “Metro,” “Duets,” “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Soffer works frequently as a professional actor and acting teacher and is the recipient of the 2011 Actors’ Equity Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award.

Michael Butler (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s fourteenth season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his directing credits include Native Gardens, The Liar, Women in Jeopardy, Baskerville, ‘Art,’ Anything Goes, Clybourne Park, Real Housewives of Walnut Creek, and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Shellie and BATCC Award-winning productions of Around the World in 80 Days, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enchanted April, and Witness For

PRODUCTION TEAM

Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been the General Manager for the Lesher Center for the Arts since it opened 30 years ago and has worked for the Arts in this area for over 49 years. Scott has directed over 150 productions, including The Wizard of Oz, the musical hit Cinderella, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, The Music Man and Les Miserables and for the past 22 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol as well as all Fantasy Forum productions since 1972. He created and produces the annual Shellie Awards, which honors the performing arts in Central Contra Costa County now celebrating 41 years. Scott and has designed lights for over 250 productions, including the national touring production of Sylvia. Under Denison’s guidance, the Lesher Center for the Arts presents over 800 public events each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with over 85 producers and producing organizations. Scott created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival, which hosts over 7,000 guests each year. He is also the Managing Director of the Center REPertory Company producing professional productions each season; and is the director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts company, which presents program for the Young and Young-at-Heart. Scott and his wife Kerri Shawn have enjoyed raising their family in this theatre supporting community for over 45 years.

Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 27 years. She was lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen Fender at The Ballet School Performing Arts. Directing Credits Include: 9 to 5 this Spring, Matilda, Billy Elliot, Gypsy (Shellie Award), Joseph and the Amazing.., A Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Red Hot and Cole for Role Players Ensemble. Choreography Credits include: Matilda (CCMT) Dancing Lessons (Center REP), Freaky Friday (Center REP), Billy Elliot, Gypsy, The Music Man (Shellie Award) Les Miserables (CCMT) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Center REP) Sweet Charity (Center REP), Xanadu (Center REP, Shellie Award) Joseph and the Amazing. (Shellie Award)., Hairspray (BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Line (BATCCA), Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Annie, Sound of Music, Titanic the Musical and many other original pieces. Favorite roles include: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Bonnie Jean (Brigadoon), Louise (Carousel), Mary Warren (Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A Christmas Carol) Shellie Nominee, Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark) and Bonnie (Anything Goes, Shellie Award). Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled to be going into her 25th year of teaching for Center REP’s Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co-director of the Musical Theatre Program. Jennifer is the Casting Director for Center REPertory Company. Jennifer is the owner and director of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts which is home to the Performing Arts Studio. www.theballetschool.org #LiveJoyCreateHope Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) has a number of Off-Broadway and national tour credits including Shadowlands, Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Madness and Cats. His regional theatre credits include Paper Mill Playhouse, Fingerlakes Musical Theater Festival, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center REPertory Company, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theatre Company, Gateway Playhouse, Broadway By the Bay, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company and Ray of Light Theatre. Kelly’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting and his work as an illustrator has been published in Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream. Awards and recognitions include the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, DramaLogue and the Shellie Awards. kellyjamestighe.com

Michael A. Berg (Costuming) has created costumes for many Bay Area theatre companies including Center REP, The Mountain Play, Marin Shakespeare Company and the College of Marin. He is pleased to be working with Center REP again and considers it “like coming home.”

Michelle Kincaid (Costuming) is an independent Costume Designer in the Bay Area, and currently works at Center REPertory Company in Walnut Creek, California, as a Performing Arts Costume Manager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theatre from SonomaState University, and her Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design from California State University, Fullerton. She’s worked with Conan O’Brien for ConanCon, The Birthday Boys S1 & S2 on IFC, and tons of amazing theatres all over

Audience ServicesCoordinator

Courtney EggTicket Office StaffJeremiah Vierling

Rami KimRobert NolanBailey Ferris

Brandon LawrenceHali Loyd

Shannon TaylorUsher Coordinator

Pat MitchellCommunity Engagement

Alex Moore

Production ServicesCoordinator

Toni KilcoyneTechnical Staff

Steve PinoAlex Bull

Chris CurrieJohn Owens

Garrick SchusterJosh StoufferJosh YarnellSteve Young

SecurityNick DowdBen Garcia

Johnny Silveira

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Michael Butler Artistic DirectorScott Denison Managing Director

Center REPertory Company

Production ManagerJeff Collister

Technical DirectorJoshua Lipps

Master ElectricianDel MedoffCarpenters

Kevin BennettTrevor Frey

Arian GrimsrudGabriel JohnsonBrennan Shreves

Asst. Stage ManagerJoe Coe

Props DesignerAlyssa Tryon

Marketing AssociateTatiana Kelly

Costume Shop ManagerMichelle Kincaid

Wardrobe SupervisorSarah MendezCostume StaffScout Del Real

Kiara MontgomeryStephanie Weldon

StitchersJan DiVito

Alea GonzalesJulia McCleodLinda Scotting

Stephanie WeldonCasting DirectorJennifer Perry

Education DirectorsJeff Draper

Kerri Shawn Production Assistants

Terry D’EmidioKira Daugherty

Miranda KetchumJoe Lubmann

Nadia ThomasKathleen J. Parsons

Ethan WilliamsAsst. to the Managing

DirectorGail Pfeifer

Program/WebmasterLinda Nomura