Lend Me a Tenor
by Ken Ludwig
Performances: February 12-22, 2004
Bios: Gary Albert Larry Willis Eric Grandstaff Karen G. E. Nemecek Doug Flewelling Charles Brecheisen Rebecca Sand-Dugas Julie Stoppel Heather McCuen Michael Deschermeier Christine Taylor Lori White
Crew Corporate Sponsors Special Thanks Review
Gary
Albert (Director) Lend
Me a Tenor marks Gary's directing debut with LTCT. A Harbor Springs
native and LTCT veteran actor, Gary appeared in such LTCT shows as Sweet
Charity, The Shadow Box and Oliver! as the the artful
Dodger. After graduating from MSU with a BA in Theatre, Gary spent 18
years in Chicago as a professional actor appearing with Bailiwick Repertory
Theatre, Healthworks Theatre, New Tuners Theatre, Live Theatre, Chicago Theatre
Ensemble, and Pegasus Players, to name a few, in shows such as The Christmas
Schooner, The Glass Menagerie, Bedroom Farce, A Change in the Heir, The Wizard
of A.I.D.S., West Side Story, The Robber Bridegroom, A Funny Thing...Forum, My
Night With Reg, Inferno Beach, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, The School for
Scandal, The Real Inspector Hound, Man of La Mancha, Company, A Chorus Line, The
Shadow's Box, Son Of Fire, Applause and Strike Up The Band.
"I would like to thank Larry, Betsy, Karen, Frank, and the entire gang at
LTCT for their support and for welcoming me back."
Larry Willis (Assistant
Director) Larry is a tireless supporter of civic theatre. He has
done everything from emptying wastebaskets to serving as president of the
organization. His directing credits include, Noises Off and Phantom
2000. He can often be found at the top of a ladder hanging theatre
lights for a show, and most recently he was seen onstage in last winter's
production of Rebecca. In between shows, Larry and his wife Betsy
travel extensively and play Bridge.
Eric Grandstaff (Tito)
Eric is returning to the LTCT stage after an absence of 19 years with several
years of theatre and musical experience including the lead role as Little Chap
in LTCT's production of Stop The World I Want To Get Off (1984) , Lun Tha
in LTCT's The King and I (1983) and John in LTCT's comedy John Loves
Mary (1982). Eric toured as a singer/performer in the International
cast of Up With People for two years in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and
Canada. For the past 17 years Eric has proudly worked at North Central
Michigan College as Director of Library and Academic Technologies. A tenor
in real life, Eric performs at area churches as a soloist and credits strong
loving support from his wife, Alexis, and their two children, Alexandra and
Anderson.
Karen G. E. Nemecek (Maria)
A fixture of LTCT for over 20 years, Karen has appeared in over a dozen
productions and has worked backstage on more than she can recall. Karen
teaches AP English Composition and Drama at PHS. When she's not attending
real estate open houses, she chauffeurs her kids to and from school, Boy Scouts,
and ballet lessons. "Thanks to Frank for building another fantastic
set. Welcome back Gar!!! Buona fortuna a tutti."
Doug Flewelling (Saunders)
"It is obvious that I've been here too long...I'm finally playing someone
younger than me. With a great cast like this it's still 'fur' after
nearly 30 years."
Charles Brecheisen (Max)
While not busy at Fletch's of Petoskey, flying down the local ski hills on a
snowboard, mountain biking on the trails or working on his '66 Pontiac, you will
find Charlie performing on the stage of LTCT. He has been in a handful of
shows over the past few years including Much Ado About Nothing, Too Soon for
Daises, Rebecca, and Shadowlands. "I was very enthusiastic
about trying out for Max in Lend Me a Tenor. It's the most
challenging and exciting role I have had. I would like to thank the
director, and the cast and crew of Tenor for all their help and support
for making this a great and memorable experience! Special thanks to Jim
Owen, my vocal teacher, for taking the time and patience to help with the
singing, and Jaime MacGregor for all her support throughout the show.
Enjoy the show!"
Rebecca Sand-Dugas (Maggie)
This is Rebecca's second performance with LTCT, her first being Mabel Cantwell
in the Best Man. She has been performing onstage since elementary
school and performed with numerous dance and theatre groups throughout Michigan,
including the International Ballet Theatre of Sandusky. She has also acted
in four independent films, one shown at an international film festival.
She is currently double majoring in Theatre and Mathematics and teaches Dance at
Center Stage School of Dance, both in Petoskey and in the Boyne area.
Julie Stoppel (Julia)
Julie teaches Art and Drama at Concord Academy Boyne. She last appeared on
the LTCT stage as Freda in Too Soon for Daisies. "It is nice
to get a chance to be on this side of the stage every few years after directing
30 shows with middle and high school students." Julie is excited to
play the Chairman of the Opera Guild as her daughter Hannah is hoping to one day
sing with Tito Merilli. Besides Hannah, she and her husband Joel are also
the proud parents of Jonah and Petra.
Heather McCuen (Diana)
This is Heather's first performance with LTCT. Recent credits elsewhere
include Eponine in Les Miserables at Studio One in New York and Viola in Twelfth
Night in Oxford, England. She studied at the American Musical and
Dramatic Academy in New York and the British American Drama Academy (in
association with Julliard) in England. She spent two years with the
Montreal West Operatic Society and was co-founder of the Simonsmith Theatre
Company. She earned a BFA in Theater and Music from the New School University
in New York.
Michael Deschermeier (Bellhop)
"This performance with LTCT is my first, it is far more challenging than
anything I've done and I am loving every second of it." Michael has
performed in Time Out for Ginger and Cheaper By The Dozen, both on
the Petoskey High School stage. "Besides spending time with Poosch
and Nana, my pets, I compete on my high school Forensics Team."
Christine Taylor (Producer)
Christine has been involved with LTCT for the past three years, appearing
on-stage in Wife Begins At Forty and Rebecca. This is her
first time working behind the scenes for LTCT. She is currently serving on
the Artistic Committee of the Board. Previously Christine was a member of
the Ionia Community Theatre Board and assisted in several productions for that
group. Christine moved to Petoskey a little over a year ago and is married
to Kendal Taylor. She enjoys gardening and sewing and considers herself a
very amateur golfer.
Lori White (Producer)
"If one has time to give, the theater is one of the most rewarding projects
to tackle. If one likes a challenge, this it it! Try to imagine that
one small prop on this set (and more than likely not available in the theatre
storage barn) was diligently pursued by one persistent person then multiply that
by each and every one of the props. The set design, construction, painting
and decorating take many willing hands using any talents they possess.
Then, lighting, sound, publicity, wardrobe, make-up, hair and can you just
imagine the time that's gone into the costumes? The actors give one
hundred percent of their time to learn each word in their lines and then deliver
them in the most artful way...such energy and commitment for seven
performances! All of us who have "performed" in this play, and
all the way back to the first performance in 1981 of Oliver!, have been
committed to bringing art, talent and entertainment to this beautifully updated
theater. Thank you for being here and I thank all of the individuals and
businesses for their donations which help us to stay within our budget.
Enjoy!"
