RUTH WHITNEY BURKEis happy to be returning to community theater after a long absence. In past years she has sung Gilbert and Sullivan with the Brunswick Choral Society performing such roles as Mabel in PIRATES OF PENZANCE amd Yum Yum in THE MIKADO. She has also enjoyed singing in past Crusade Capers and most recently in the Hot Chocolate Jubilee last year at the Chocolat Church. She resides in Portland with her husband David and four cats.
JIM COLBY has long been associated with Studio Theater of Bath, both as a board member and actor/director. His most recent appearance was as Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He appeared in TINY ALICE produced by Vintage Repertory at Oak Street Theater in Portland. Jim has worked as Director and Music Director with Lyric Theater and Portland Players as well as Sanford Stage's Pine Tree Players. Jim Played Herod in the 1977-1978 Canadian touring production of SUPERSTAR, and was also the choreographer. He currently lives in Scarborough.
JAN CROSSON is no stranger to the Chocolate Church stage, having performed in five Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and numerous Studio Theater Productions; her favorite being Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. She was seen last winter as Aggie in PLAY ON! and as Mary's attendant in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR last May. Jan has performed at Community Little Theater and with Freeport Community Players. When not performing, Jan workes at Mt Ararat H.S. where she attempts to teach math to teenagers.
NANCY E.H. DURGIN is delighted to be working with her Gilbert & Sullivan cronies once again! She is a veteran performer who has worked with many perfessional and community groups throughout Maine. She recently performed in RUTHLESS at the Oak Street Theater in Portland. Nancy is currently directing A CHRISTMAS CHAROL for the Midcoast Children's Theater, opening thefirst two weekends in December at the Waldo Theater. This shows for you, Jeffy, with much love.
LANE EFFLANDT sang witht he Brunswick Choral Society, performing many leading roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas over the past fifteen years. Lane also performs in variety format at the Chocolate Church, most recently in the twentieth anniversery show, HOT CHOCOLATE JUBILEE. Lane lives in Phippsburg.
HENRY EICHMAN has been singing since childhood, starting out asa country and western singer. He performed in OAKLAHOMA and many meladramas. Henry sang with the Bath United Methodist Church choir form 1987-1991, including the role of Joseph in THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING and where he also directed the junior choir. Henry was recently a High Priest in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Gilbet and Sullivan is a new venture for Henry, one that he intends to continue. Henry lives in Topsham where he constantly remodels thier home and is hoping for a sawzall for Hanukkah, Christmas, his Birthday, or any other major holiday.
LENNIE EICHMAN has been singing Gilbert and Sullivan since her early teens. She performed the role of Ruth in PIRATES OF PENZANCE and Dame Carruthers in YEOMAN OF THE GUARD. She sang with St. Joseph's College Chorale, the University of Maine Singers, the Bath United Methodist Church choir and in area variety shows. Lennie has taught school years where she also directed school choirs, plays, and facilitated a folk singing club. She was last seen as a merchant and mob person in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Lennie lives in Topsham with her husband, two teenagers, a daughter in college and a budding young actress grand-daughter.
ALDEN GRANT is no stranger to local theater goers. He has appeared in numerous productions in several communities, including Studio Theater of Bath, Freeport Community Players, the Boothbay Playhouse, and the Community Little Theater of Auburn, to name a few. He has filled several lead roles in the Brunswick Choral Society's Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, including Pooh-Bah in THE MIKADO, Don Alhambra in THE GONDOLIERS, and Sir Mamaduke in THE SORCERER. Most of Alden's time is spent in Freeport where he and his wife Jane own and operate the Nicholson Inn Bed and Breakfast.
RICHARD HOLMAN is an anchor member of the Merrymeeting Community players, having amasing knowledge of Gilbert and Sullivan and all things theatrical. He has performed with the Mt. Ararat Stage Company, with the Theater Project, Studio Theater of Bath, and two productions with the Brunswick Choral Society, Rick was most recently seen as the show stealing Fagin in Freeport Community Player's production of OLIVER,his sixth show with FCP. Ricks favorite roles have been Michael in I DO, I DO and as Motel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Rick is a sophmore at USM majoring in Political Science and History.
TIM JANSMANN is in his third public performance. His previous experience includes four years of work with Greely Drama. Shows of note are 42nd STREET in which he played Bert Barry and DARKOF THE MOON where he played Marvin Hudgens. He is currently studying Business at the University Of Southern Maine. Tim is a welcome addition to the Merrymeeting Community Players.
KRIS MCNEILL first sang Gilbert and Sullivan in elementary school, as well as in school choral concerts. Though he has done most of his singing along with the radio in the past few years, he finds that his role in PIRATES OF PENZANCE has left him with the Gilbert and Sullivan bug. Kris is an avid mountain climber and his ambition is to climb every mountain in New England with his friends and Rachel. He is a senior in high school and plans to start college in the fall.
GAYLE METZGER has been a Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiast since inspired by her high school music teacher, Lois Libby. She performed in THE GONDOLIERS, H.M.S. PINAFORE and PIRATES OF PENZANCE. She has also sung at weddings and other private functions. Gayle is staff development coodinator at Midcoast Hospital where she was nominated to the Who's Who of Nursing, and served as operating room supervisor for many years. Gayle lives in Brunswick.
WENDY MORTON is a former voice student of Judith Cornell and David Goulet. Past roles include Luisa in THE FANTASTIKS, Guinevere in CAMELOT, and supporting roles with the Brunswick Choral Society's Gilbert and Sullivan productions, community fundraisers, musicals and revues. Wendy has sung professionally in local churches, joined the Sheepscott Valley Musical Arts Society, sang solos in their HANDEL'S MESSIAH. She was a member of the trio Mainly Harmony, has directed the Phippsburg Elementary School Choir, and the Bath United Methodist Church Choir. Wendy lives in Bath.
JOYCE MOULTON is a piano instuctor at Bowdoin College and pianist and assistant conductor for both the Oratorio and Anderscoggin Chorales. She studied with renowned pianists Frank Glazer and Anthony diBonaventura. Joyce is a busy free-lance pianist providing background music and solo presentations as well as being pianist for the Maine Chamber Ensemble. As a piano faculty member for the Summer Youth Music School at the University of New Hampshire, she gives master classes, private lessons, and performs with other faculty members from around the country. She served as music director and pianist of the Brunswick Choral Society from 1986-1991, directing Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas performed at the Chocolate Church in Bath and the Theater at Monmouth. She gives private lessons at her Portland studio and at her home in Durham, as well as collaborating with instrumentalists and soloists for competitive purposes.
RACHEL PRESCOTT has recently discovered love of Gilbert and Sullivan. She has been singing since she could talk and has sung in elementary school, and the middle school play COMING OF AGE. She was a member of the Mt Ararat H.S. Treble Choir and Chamber Singers as well as performing with the Mt Ararat Stage Company in BRIGADOON. Rachel sang with the Bath United Methodist Choir from 1988-1991, singing Mary in THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING in 1996. Rachel is a senior in high school and plans to study business administration at New Hampshire College.
BETH ANN MIERLEY SAUFLER, most recently seen in the Chocolate Church's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, she has performed in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maine. She was a member of Stone Arch Players of Lewiston, Pennsylvania, performing such roles as Alice in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. She played Frenchy in GREASE while a member of Virginia Beach Little Theater in Virginia Beach. She has been involved with Round Top Centerr for the Performing Arts, Edie Doughty, The Chamber Theater of Maine and Studio Theater of Bath. Beth has been director of many school productions and is a elementary teacher at Georgetown Elementary School. She resides in Robinhood, Maine with her Husband, son, two dogs, and a parakeet.
JOHN YORK recently filmed a scene for the upcoming feature film DARK HARBOR starring Alan Rickman and a TV spot for SMMC. Theatrically, John most recently appeared as Pontius Pilate in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and Captain Cocaran in H.M.S. PINAFORE at Portland Players where he also played Frederic in PIRATES OF PENZANCE. he also played Edwin in TRIAL BY JURY for the Maine Music Society. John appeared in CAROUSEL at Maine State Music Theater where he was also in MY FAIR LADY and 1776.
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