The Christmas
Schooner
A musical by John Reeger,
Music and lyrics by Julie Shannon
Production dates: December
9-12 and 16-19, 2004
Bios
Cast: Tori
Robin Chris
Will Jordan
James Aaron
Don Ellen
Krista Sabra
Corinne
Hannah
Directors: Gary
Gig Sally
The
setting Musical
Numbers Director's
Notes The
Crew Corporate
Sponsors Special
Thanks
Tori
Garborg (Peter Stossel)
Tori grew up in a family of Norwegian singers. His
uncle was renowned in Norway. On the other hand, his mom and dad simply
enjoyed singing in the church choir. Likewise, all his singing has been of
the more homespun sort. His formal acting experience fizzled in the 9th
grade. This is his first experience in a Civic Theatre production,
but he is "t'rilled" (as his dad would intone) for the challenge and
opportunity. He and his wife Jennifer have been married for 17
years. They are the proud parents of two teenage boys, Jasen and
Jordan. They are also the new adoptive parents of two little girls,
Torri Rose and Jolyn, who came to them through the local foster system in
October. The rest of his life is spent as Design Engineer for RediRock
International in Charlevoix and serving various roles at Family of Christ
Church, including youth group volunteer. Occasional boating, skiing, dog
loving, home remodeling and gardening fill in the final gaps, 'I am proud of my
"Old World" Norwegian heritage and traditions, so I love the history
and setting of this play. I am excited to help tell this story of courage
and personal sacrifice to bring a gift of love to others. May God bless
you, each and every one.' top
Robin Kredell (Alma Stossel)
Robin was last seen on the LTCT stage as Christine in Phantom 2000
and previously as Cecily in The Importance of Being Ernest. She
currently performs with the Northern Michigan Chorale and The Little Traverse
Choral Society. Robin also performs with In Motion Productions, a professional
song and dance company. She is a first-year 4th grade teacher at Shay
Elementary School in Harbor Springs. top
Chris Anderson (Gustav Stossel)
This is Chris's first play (due to momentary insanity). He's a
self-employed computer technician and part-time instructor for North Central
Michigan College. top
Will
Bednar (Karl Stossel--age 9)
Will is 12 years old. He has been in many children's plays, including The
Lion King; The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; and Peter Pan.
He lives with his mother, father, four sisters and three dogs. He enjoys
playing videogames, BeyBlades, and other average 12-year-old stuff. top
Jordan Garborg (Karl
Stossel--age 15/Young Man)
Jordan is 14 years old and in the 8th grade. He has some acting
experience from his school drama program. His favorite food is ice cream,
he cheers for Michigan State's football team, he is part Norwegian, and he
especially loves playing the drum set and paintball. He also likes riding
go-carts. top
James Bruney (Rudy/Man
#1)
This is James' second LTCT show. Previously he
portrayed Orin (the Dentist) and other characters in last summer's hit Little
Shop of Horrors. Before arriving in Petoskey, he performed at the
Round Barn in Nappanee, Indiana and at Bethel College in South Bend, Indiana, in
productions including My Fair Lady, Music Man, Pajama Game, The Pirates of
Penzance, Matchmaker, Our Town, Damn Yankees, Curious Savage, Cinderella, West
Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat. James currently works with the youth of his
church and in real estate. top
Aaron
Place (Oskar/Man #2)
This is Aaron's first time performing with LTCT. He was a part of
Boyne Meets Broadway and appeared in Boyne City High School productions
throughout his years in high school. He is currently studying business at
North Central Michigan College. Aaron used the expertise he gained in his
job at the Wood Shop in Boyne City to design and build the bow of the
"Schooner". Have a look, she's a beauty. top
Don
Roberts (Steve/Man #3)
Don takes the stage for the first time in this production. After being
pulled by the heart into helping with The Rainmaker, he found himself hooked on
all aspects of the theatre. Don is a senior account executive with Yellow
Book Phone Directories. He has lived in the area for several years with
his two wonderful children, Justin and Meghan. Besides the love and care
of his children, his interests include golf, snowmobiling, music, and of course
his new love, Ellen. top
Ellen McKinney (Enid)
Ellen grew up locally but just recently returned to the area to teach at
Harbor Springs Middle School. While down-state teaching, she directed Cinderella,
Peter Pan, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? and Bye Bye
Birdie. Just recently, she performed as Lizzie in LTCT's production of
The Rainmaker. Ellen is glad to be home again among her family and
friends, and especially about meeting her forever love, Don. She knew in
her heart she was meant to be an "Up North Girl". top
Krista Scott (Kate/Woman #1)
Krista is a sophomore at Petoskey High School. This is her second
performance in an LTCT production having previously appeared in The Taming of
the Shrew. Besides her love of drama and music, she has an avid
passion for horses. He favorite quote is, "A ship is safest in the
harbor, but that is not what a ship is used for." top
Sabra Hayden (Martha/Woman #2)
Although Sabra is well known around Civic Theatre, this is only her second
time onstage in a musical. Her first venture was as Madame Giry in Phantom
2000. She is very excited about this role and is looking forward to
stretching her vocal chords. Sabra lives with her husband and two children
in the Deer Lake area. She will be directing the upcoming LTCT children's
production of The Wizard of Oz. "I hope this will become an
ongoing production and I look forward to sharing my passion for the theatre with
my children." top
Corinne Koury (Olive/Rose/Woman
#3)
This is Corrine's first musical with LTCT, however she performed in The
Music Man, Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof, Damn Yankees and My Fair
Lady in Saginaw before moving to Petoskey 14 years ago. With LTCT, she
has been on stage in Steel Magnolias, Odd Couple-Female Version, Jake's Women
and Wife Begins at 40. She works at Research North, does radio
news for WTCM, and can be seen in local TV commercials. Corinne wants to
thank her daughter, Delaney, and husband, Chris, for all their help and support
during this show. top
Hannah Stoppel (Mary
Claire--age 10/Young Girl)
Hannah has been active in the theatre since she played Christopher Robin at
3 years old. Her favorite roles have been Marian the Librarian in The
Music Man at Concord Academy Boyne and Shprintze in Bay View's production of
Fiddler on the Roof this last summer. She also sings lead vocals
and plays flute in the Celtic band "Irish in the Mist", which has
performed at Blissfest and the Harbor Celtic Festival. She lives near
Charlevoix with her mother Julie, father Joel, sister Petra, brother Jonah,
three rabbits, a dog and a cat! top
Gary
Albert (Director) (Hans/Officer Wells/Man #4)
Gary is excited to be directing his second show with LTCT and proud to bring
The Christmas Schooner to Northern Michigan for the first time! A
Harbor Springs native and LTCT veteran actor, he has appeared in the recent
productions of The Rainmaker (as Deputy File) and The Taming of the
Shrew (as Petruchio) and in past LTCT productions of Sweet Charity, The
Shadow Box, and Oliver!. 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 Box, Son of Fire, Applause, and Strike
Up the Band. top
Gig
Stewart (Musical Director)
Gig will tell you he came to Northern Michigan to spend the summer one year
and just never went home to Cincinnati. But don't think he's been on
vacation ever since, far from it. In the past 50 years, Gig has been at
the core of the arts and education communities here. In fact, in September
of 2004 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious eddi
Awards. His education career took him from the Alanson Littlefield School
District to Petoskey Public Schools and on to NCMC. He used his knowledge
of electronics to plan state of the art audio visual departments at Petoskey and
NCMC. In the arts, he has been active as a bass player with many area
groups including the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and the Epsilon Jass Band, he
conducted the Petoskey Presbyterian Church choir for over 40 years and was the
person who suggested to LTCT that they were ready to try a musical. Guys
and Dolls was that musical and Gig went on to be the musical director for
countless LTCT and Bay View shows after that. He moved on to work with the
Young Americans, the Northern Michigan Chorale, and Little Traverse Choral
Society, but LTCT is pleased to have his enthusiasm and talent back on board in
his "retirement". top
Sally
Page (Musician/Pianist)
Sally returned to northern Michigan in 1988 and resides in Harbor
Springs. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Degree in
Music where percussion was her major instrument. After 25 years away from
the piano, she returned to play for LTCT's production of The Pirates of
Penzance. She has played piano for many AHA productions and for high
school performance work. Sally is currently the accompanist for Harbor
Springs First Presbyterian Church. She has managed the Emmet County
Prosecuting Attorney's office for over sixteen years. Her children Liz
(Chris) and Josh (Jenny) and grandson Will live in Boyne City. top
