Coming off a triumphant opening weekend, “Fiddler on the Roof” is selling out its Sunday matinees and filling up houses for its evening performances. (HINT: Get your tickets now.)
Don’t miss this compelling classic musical about societal change and generational differences set in 190s rural Russia — but supremely relevant in 2017 America.
(Video by Ben Dooley)
Director Randall W. Knott is adding a third evening of auditions, Tuesday, Sept. 19, for “Sense and Sensibility,” running Nov. 17 through Dec. 10.
Knott says: “We are expanding auditions to accommodate additional younger men for several outstanding dramatic/romantic roles. Women who have not yet signed up and who wish to reserve a slot will be put on a waiting list and will be added as space opens. All waiting list participants will be given all audition materials to familiarize themselves with audition scenes.”
Please email sensewdi2017@gmail.com by Sept. 15 to request an audition appointment.
Character descriptions and other information can be found at http://www.wheatondrama.org/news-auditions/.
Director Carrie Dabelow proudly announces the cast of “Fiddler on the Roof,” running Sept. 15 through Oct. 8:
Tevye = Barry Norton
Golde = Mary Barrett
Tzeitel/Grandma Tzeitel = Emily Roldan
Hodel = Emma Lee
Chava = Reilly Roman
Shprintze = Kaia Ebel
Bielke = Ellie Struthers
Yente = Dee Hicks
Lazar Wolf = Don Dumper
Motel = Robert Hussey
Perchik = Jake Murphy
Mordcha = Richard Bucchi
Fyedka = Justin Lee
Constable/Nuchum the Beggar = Peter Buckley
Rabbi = Michael Terrill-Liesz
Fruma-Sarah/Ensemble = Paula Rada
Shaindel (Motel’s mother) = Toria Hollyn
Mendel = Stetson Cross
Yussel = Joel Sicker
Avram = Daniel Stokes
Sasha/Russian dancer = Cooper J. Meek
Fiddler = TBD
Ensemble Mama = Lisa Medearis
Ensemble Mama = Gabrielle Best
Ensemble Mama = Angel Novie
Ensemble Son = Vander England
Ensemble Son = Luke Grout
Ensemble Son = Thomas Mansour
Ensemble Daughter/Dance Tzeitel = Skylar McClure
Ensemble Daughter/Dance Hodel = Kayden Rothery
Ensemble Daughter/Dance Captain = Tess Denault
Ensemble Daughter = Gwendolynne Royle
Ensemble Daughter = Linda Coman
Ensemble Daughter = Brenna Sims
Please join us for a season filled with classics that have delighted audiences in greater Chicago and around the world.
The 2016-17 Colby Award show was held at Wheaton Drama on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Named for life member Colby Jones, the Colby Awards honor the contributions of backstage volunteers throughout the season.
Awards were presented to the following:
Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits
Jean Austin (Music Director)
Ben Dooley (Sound Design)
Charmaine Jones (Costumes)
Andy Kanturek (Video Effects)
Peter Lemongelli (Sound Design)
Sara Malloy (Choreographer)
R.J. Ogren (Set Design)
Shrek – the Musical
Dave Amato (Sound Design)
Amy Brockman (Music Director)
Andrea Kaman (Hair/Makeup, Costumes)
Allyn Marshall (Hair/Makeup, Costumes)
Christine Pfenninger (Assistant Director)
Penny Salvesen (Set Designer)
Katy Smith (Choreographer)
A Christmas Carol
Ben Dooley (Sound Design)
For other winners, see Frequent Fliers, below.
The Elephant Man
Paula Rada (Sound Design)
Jody Gosain (Assistant Director and Set Decoration)
Lisa Wallace (Props)
Edgar Gonzalez (Set Construction)
R.J. Ogren (Scenic Design)
Suzanne Ogren (Assistant Director)
Outside Mullingar
Julie Dotin (Scenic Artist)
Jackie Haiser (Stage Manager)
Jacob Plant (Sound)
Jim Quan (Assistant Director)
Teresa Reinalda (Costumes)
Lisa Wallace (Props)
The Producers
Kathy Heinze (Assistant Director)
Andy Kanturek (Video Effects)
Randy Knott (Set Construction)
Joni Kotche (Music Director)
Katy Smith (Choreographer)
Linda Spadlowski (Assistant Director)
Ben Vargas (Costumes)
Also:
Ken Beach (Starboard Photos)
Alan & Cindy Bolds (Fourth of July Float)
Frequent Flier Awards
These are for volunteers nominated for their work on three or more shows:
• Bruce Ebner (Stage Manager/Crew – Shrek – the Musical, Outside Mullingar, The Producers
• Craig Gustafson (Programs, Starboard) – Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Shrek – the Musical, A Christmas Carol, The Elephant Man, Outside Mullingar, The Producers
• Susan Hajny (Costumes) – A Christmas Carol, The Elephant Man, The Producers
• Michelle Ho (Stage Manager) – Shrek – the Musical, A Christmas Carol, The Producers
• Amy Johnson (Props, Set Dec) – Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, A Christmas Carol, The Producers
• Jim Martin (Puppet Master, Scenic Artist, Hair/Makeup) – Shrek – the Musical, The Elephant Man, The Producers
• Jim Van de Velde (Lighting) – Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Shrek – the Musical, A Christmas Carol, The Elephant Man, Outside Mullingar, The Producers
The following members were honored with special awards:
Jim Van de Velde Award: Bruce Ebner
Candlelight Award: Lisa Wallace
Bill Hamilton Award: Becky Poole
Rookie of the Year: Allyn Marshall
Icon Award: Dee Hicks
Past President Award (presented by incoming president Stan Austin): Mike Boyna
Alice Burnham Award: Elyse Willis
The 2016-17 Colby Committee was: Craig Gustafson (chair), Andy Dameron, Sara Malloy, Sande Ogren, Sean Ogren, Julie Rodgers-Baker, Lori Skubich, Pam Turlow.
Kathleen Dooley – musician, Peter Lemongelli – sound, Karin Kramer – lights. Tony Abrego was the event’s photographer. Special guest performers – Carla Mutone, Margie Gustafson.
Congratulations to everybody!
The 2016-2017 Colby Committee
