Performances: October 17-26, 2002
Cast:
Bev Jennifer Doug Brynne
Patrick Janet Dean
Rebecca Pat Bob
Bill Michelle Michael
Joe Tim Shelly
Karen Chuck Kevin
June
The Crew
Our Corporate Sponsors Special
Thanks
Before the parties sucked all the spontaneity out of them, political conventions were the ultimate in reality TV: no-holds-barred, high stakes contests with an uncertain outcome and a huge national audience. This is the setting for Gore Vidal's The Best Man, written 40 years ago yet still remarkably timely in its Broadway revival. Fighting for their party's presidential nomination are Secretary of State William Russell, a high-minded patrician liberal who believes politics is a process of educating people about the issues, and Senator Joe Cantwell, an expert at grabbing headlines with sensational investigations who will go to any length to win. He threatens to destroy Russell by releasing his medical records. Russell's team has dug up some dirt of its own on Cantwell, but Russell has doubts about sinking to his opponent's level by using it.
Beverly Holden (Director) Bev's
theatre career began at the age of 5 at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
Following her graduation from M.S.U., Broadway bound, Bev spent 2 years in New
York doing some stage and TV work. Then to Chicago and Don McNeill's
Breakfast Club. Thirty-four years ago, Bev and her late husband, Mel,
moved north and joined Little Traverse Civic Theatre. They worked on many
shows both behind the scenes and onstage. Bev is a retired 5th grade
teacher and directs the annual "Elementary All School Play".
This year will be the 12th show. She has been active with Northern
Michigan Chorale, Bay View Summer Theatre and the Young Americans. She
recently received the prestigious eddi Award for her outstanding work in
"Arts in Education". In her spare (?) time Bev swims, plays
bridge, and is the very proud grandmother of Jamie and Erika.
Jennifer Schmidt (Assistant
Director) Jennifer has assisted
backstage in many capacities including producing, props, make-up and Box
Office. This is her first experience as assistant director. No one
has yet convinced her that performance onstage is the next logical step,
"We're working on it" says the producer. Jennifer is a former
president of the LTCT Board of Directors and a current member of the Artistic
Committee. By day, Jennifer is the Director of Opinion Research at Arbor
Associates in Petoskey. By night (and weekend) Jennifer enjoys spending
time with her family and friends, Chloe and Bongo (her feline friends) and their
aquarium of fish, hiking, camping snowshoeing, kayaking, reading, playing piano,
blah, blah, blah. top
Doug Flewelling (Secretary
William Russell) "It seems like
we've re-harnessed some old war horses for this production, and after nearly
thirty years with LTCT, I'm proud to say I'm one of them. Of course, we've
slowed down a bit since that early period when we had to be involved in
everything and the new talents and dreams of today are superb
replacements. Enjoy the new faces tonight and thanks for putting up with
old kids...again."
Brynne Klawuhn (Alice
Russell) this is Brynne's second
appearance the Little Traverse Civic Theatre, having debuted as Nora in The
Doll's House in February, 2000. She moved here 2 years ago from
Midland with her husband, Bryan, an attorney with the Hartman Law Firm.
They recently started a family with their son, Brandon, just turned 9 months
old. Brynne was active in the theatre in Midland, appearing in Talking
With.... Oleanna, and The Curious Savage, among other
productions. A graduate from Michigan State University in Materials
Management, she is currently employed as Executive Director for the CharEm
United Way. top
Patrick Shaller (Dick Jensen) Patrick
Schaller, a native of Petoskey, has been an avid actor most of his life.
His most recent productions include Forever Plaid with the Cheboygan
Opera House, playing the part of Sparky; and Charley in Bay View's production of
Charlie's Aunt. Patrick recently finished his Bachelor's Degree
from the university of Michigan in film production. He has studied film at
North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as the prestigious New York Film
Academy. In the realm of the unusual, Patrick is a certified
hypnotherapist by the Michigan State Board of Education and he is also a
certified Reiki Therapist. Patrick currently works as an advertising
consultant for the Phone Guide. He hopes, in the next year or so, to be
moving to Los Angeles, California.
Janet Cross (Catherine) Janet
first appeared on stage in LTCT's production of An Act of the Imagination
and went on to play the lead in A Prelude to a Kiss. She has also
lent her hand backstage in various areas and produced The Curious
Savage. She has a daughter, Lindsay, currently living in Grand
Rapids. Janet and her fiancé, Ross, stay busy spending their time between
Petoskey and Detour Village. top
Dean Tahtinen (Senator
Joseph Cantwell) Dean is a first time
actor who would like to thank his wife, Diana, his sons, Nick and Mitch, and his
daughter, Jana for their support. He can be seen in his daily performances
as a physical therapist at First Choice Therapy, where therapy and fun combine
in a Patch Adams style of treatment.
Rebecca Sand (Mabel
Cantwell) A math and theatre major at
North Central Michigan College, Rebecca Sand has loved theatre since as long as
she can remember. Though this is her first performance with LTCT, she has
performed in numerous productions in the Port Huron area including the Barn
Theatre of Sandusky. She has also had the privilege of acting in two
independent films, one of which, The Pawn of Deception, will be shown
this month at North Central Michigan College. Rebecca is currently
teaching dance at Center Stage School of Dance and looks forward to doing more
productions with LTCT. top
Patrick Richmond (Don
Blades) Pat has become a mainstay at
Little Traverse Civic Theatre in just five short years. He has been a
director, actor, stage manager, light designer and sound tech. He is a
member of the Board of Directors serving as Vice President and Program
Co-Chair. Pat will be running in the New York Marathon one week after The
Best Man closes. Go Pat!
Bill Zoerhof (Ex-President
Arthur Hockstader) Bill has been active
in LTCT and Bay View Theatre Arts since 1962. His performances have
included Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, and Oklahoma;
playing Harold Hill in the The Music Man was his most thrilling.
Bill has also performed in many stage plays and considers the role of Norman
Thayer in On Golden Pond the most exciting. "The Best Man is
a challenging show and I am excited to play a role in
it." top
Bob Snideman (Ex-President Arthur
Hockstader) Bob is sharing the role of Ex-President
Hockstader with Bill Zoerhof and loving every minute of it. "It's
interesting to see the different characterizations that Bill is bringing to the
character and I'm sure he's as interested in my interpretation." Bob
is now enjoying the productive years of retirement. After 34 years in the
teaching profession, most of it in Harbor Springs, Bob has time for other
pursuits including special effects and set finishing for The Best Man.
Bob also received the eddi Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.
Michelle Taylor (Mrs.
Sue-Ellen Gamadge) Michelle came to
Michigan from southern California almost a decade ago. She has been active
with LTCT for much of that time, both onstage, back stage, and on the
Board. Michelle recently directed Ibsen's The Doll's House, and
previously Checkov's The Sneeze for Theatre in the Park and Twain by
the Tale for Reader's Theatre. Michelle is a paralegal who works with
families to obtain Medicaid eligibility for Long Term Care patients and lives
with Kevin, Jessie - the dog, and Spectre and Angel, her two black cats.
Michael Roth (Senator Clyde Carlin) Mike
practices law with his partner, Lynn Corgan, in Petoskey. Lynn is his
partner in life as well and they have two children, Cara, 16, and Adam, 9.
Mike seems to land roles that allow his art to imitate his life. In 1994,
he ran for judge as an old party hack. This summer, he was Sam in Pirates
of Penzance.
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Joe Hickey
(Dr. Artinian) This is Joe's first
return to the stage since his role as Simple Simon in his second grade's
production of Simon Meets the Pie man. In between he made his
career in advertising in Detroit. Joe and his wife, Peggy, retired to
Harbor Springs in 1991.
Tim McKanic (Sheldon Marcus) This
is Tim's second show with LTCT. He recently moved to Petoskey with his
wife, Cindy and is looking forward to becoming more involved in Petoskey and the
community.
Shelly Cutshall (Reporter 1) Shelly
was bitten by the theatre bug during LTCT's Phantom 2000 and has been involved
ever since. She got her real break playing Edie in last year's Too Soon
for Daisies. Shelly thanks her husband and two sons for all of their
support while she plays at the theatre.
top
Karen LaCross
(Reporter 2) Karen has been in numerous
LTCT production and was the director of The Curious Savage. She lives in
Petoskey with her husband, Bill, and children, Chris, Craig and Stacey.
Karen has discovered a new passion for writing. She's written one and
three quarters novels (unpublished) and numerous short stories published on the
web. Karen has published articles in "Builder/Architect
Magazine".
Chuck Donnelly
(Reporter 3) "I'm excited to be in
my first show at LTCT." Chuck is currently a student and earning a
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. The most recent production
he was involved in was NCMC's production of Story Theatre at the
Cheboygan Opera House. His favorite quote is "Luke, I am your
father." - Darth Vader. top
Kevin Drummond
(Reporter 4) Kevin is a senior at
Petoskey High School. He is a member of the Madrigals and loves singing
and acting. This is his third show with LTCT. He was also involved
in Much Ado About Nothing and Too Soon for Daisies.
June Zoerhof (Delegate)
June's theatre and acting credits are both with LTCT and Bay View Performing
Arts, including most recently the LTCT production of A Doll's House.
She graduated with a degree in Applied Music from MSU and toured with the Young
Americans for two seasons. She has served on the LTCT Board of Directors
and as Chair of the Artistic Committee. June is married to Bill Zoerhof,
an active member of LTCT, and together they have six children.
The
Crew 
Our Corporate Sponsors 
Special Thanks 
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