Good News

July 16, 2004 - August 22, 2004
directed and choreographed by Milli Hoelscher

Kathleen Hatch (Pat Bingham)
Grant Alan (Tom Marlowe)
Malia Tippets (Connie Lane)
Brynn Baron (Professor Charlotte Kenyon)
Jeremy Southard (Coach Bill Johnson)
Shaun Hennessy (Pooch Kearney)
Lindsay Eisenhart (Babe O'Day)
Lucas Welsh (Beef Saunders)
Joe Kokofsky (Bobby Randall)
Susie Schenk (Millie)
Tyler Griffin (Grubs)
Susannah Scott (Flo)
Seth Reder (Slats)
Paul Early (Windy)
Roberta Gannett (Corda)
Keely Bond (Kathy/Dance Captain)
Connor Bond (Sylvester)
Charlie Wilson (Lefty)
Catherine Bridge (Lucy)

	Kathleen Hatch (Pat Bingham) was last seen on the Lakewood stage nine years ago in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and is excited to be back this summer in Good News! A Tigard native, Kathleen studied ballet, jazz and tap for eleven years at Westside Dance Academy, where she now teaches each summer. In 1999 Kathleen traveled to Germany for a six month foreign exchange and continued her ballet training at Ballet Konstanz in Konstanz, Germany. This fall Kathleen will be entering her senior year at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City in performance and a minor in musical theatre. Some of Kathleen's credits include Babe in The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and Gracie in St. Assumption, an original play, which debuted in The New Play Festival at Marymount last fall. Last year, Kathleen worked with Galt MacDermot, composer of the 1970s hit Hair, playing the part of Beautiful Music in MacDermot's Off-Broadway revival of The Human Comedy and was also very lucky to perform in Richard Rodger's Giving Back, a benefit concert at Merkin Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Kathleen would like to thank her parents and sister for their unconditional love and encouragement.
Grant Alan (Tom Marlowe) marks this his 5th production since his graduation one year ago. He was last seen on the Lakewood stage in My Fair Lady as chorus. Grant studies privately in vocal, acting and dance. His favorite past time consists of a hard wood floor and a pair of tap shoes. Dance is a major passion in his life. He wishes he could only follow in the footsteps of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. When he is not on the stage, he's in front of the camera as he has just finished his first independent film work. Grant is also a writer, writing his own screenplay that he plans to produce and direct himself. Grant wishes to thank his parents who have been more than supportive in his dreams for a career in the arts. He also wishes to say "I love you, and good luck" to his brother who is starting a new life in the Air Force. "I'm very proud of you."
	Malia Tippets (Connie Lane) was last seen in the role of Victoria in the Victor, Victoria production at Western Oregon University. In August, Malia will be heading to the Big Apple to pursue her education in the performing arts as a student at Marymount Manhattan College. She has studied voice for many years and has just recently discovered a passion for dance. Malia would like to thank her parents for their love and support in her pursuit of her dreams. Malia was a Lakewood scholarship winner in 2003.
Brynn Baron (Professor Charlotte Kenyon) is pleased and proud to be working with LTC. She's just off a stint as Widow Spriggins at NWCT's Jack and the Beanstalk, her first musical since her UCLA days doing Man of La Mancha, Kiss Me Kate and The Boyfriend. She received her B.A. in theatre there, where she was also a charter member of the Actors Gang with Tim Robbins. Some of her favorite roles include Babe in Crimes of the Heart; Helena, in A Midsummer Night's Dream and a role in Quilters which won her the prestigious Dramalogue Award for acting. Since moving to Portland, she's been privileged to work with some wonderful companies such as Sojourn Theatre Co., Tapestry Theatre, Cygnet Productions and Classic Greek Theatre of Oregon (where she strutted as The Preacher Bird in the critically acclaimed The Birds). Kisses to her husband Michael and her children, Imogen, Noah and Will for their wonderful love and support.
	Jeremy Southard (Coach Bill Johnson) made his Lakewood debut in My Fair Lady, playing George the singing bartender and snooty Lord Boxington. He holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting and Voice from the University of California at Davis. Favorite past roles include Luther Billis in South Pacific, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Otto Woodnick in The Food Chain, and Andrei in Three Sisters. Jeremy's offstage alter ego is a mild mannered data analyst for a financial services company in Beaverton. When he's not acting and singing, Jeremy enjoys cooking romantic dinners for his wife and follows baseball religiously.
Shaun Hennessy (Pooch Kearney) makes his debut with the Lakewood Theatre with tonight's show. He recently graduated from Southern Oregon University in Ashland with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in performance. Among the roles at SOU, he played Aaron McKinney and Jedadiah Schultz in The Laramie Project and Bailey in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, both directed by James Edmonson of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Before he left for Ashland you might have seen him, as Huck Finn in American Heritage Theatre Project's production of Big River, or as George Gibbs in Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre's production of Our Town. Shaun would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support.
	Lindsay Eisenhart (Babe O'Day) is thrilled to perform in her second show with the Lakewood Theatre Company. She performed the role of a wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last season. Since graduating magna cum laude from the University of Oregon, Lindsay has been employed as a child therapist for OHSU. Lindsay began performing at four years of age, focusing on ballet and tap. She especially enjoyed performing in The Nutcracker with Oregon Ballet Theatre. Favorite roles also include Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie and Estelle in No Exit. Much love to her family, friends and wonderful husband, Tommy.
Lucas Welsh (Beef Saunders) is thrilled to be making his debut here on Lakewood's new stage! Lucas' first show with LTC was Breakfast with/Santa at Meier and Frank (03). Other favorite shows include, Holes (Stanley Yelnats) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Augustus Gloop) both at Oregon Children's Theatre. Other credits include: A lost boy in Peter Pan (Pixie Dust Productions), Kiss Me Kate (SMA), Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Legend of Sleepy Hollow (both at NWCT), Godspell, Rumors (both  at Gresham High School) and Carmen for Portland Opera. Lucas will be a junior this fall at Gresham High School. He is an honor roll student and is happy to be involved with both the music and theatre programs. In his spare time, he is a member of an Accapella group called Random Order. Lucas would like to thank his parents for all their love and support (and for driving too)! Enjoy the show!!
	Joe Kokofsky (Bobby Randall) is making his Oregon debut with the Lakewood Theatre Company. Originally from Connecticut, Joe is a theater major at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Joe has appeared in numerous productions on the East Coast, most recently as Sheriff Joe Sutter in the musical, The Spitfire Grill. In the spring of 2003, Joe had the opportunity to work with Galt MacDermot, the composer of the popular 70s musical Hair, playing the role of Marcus in the Off-Broadway revival of MacDermot's musical The Human Comedy. Joe has also collaborated with writer and composer Rupert Holmes as a performer in a staged reading of Sweet Valley High: The Musical with writer Francine Pascal, author of the original Sweet Valley High novels, and composer David Bryan, keyboardist of the popular rock band Bon Jovi. Joe's other favorite credits include the title role in Pippin, Danny Zuko in Grease!, Jack in Into the Woods, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, Sid in The Pajama Game, and Billy in Anything Goes. Joe would like to thank the Hatch family for all of their hospitality this summer as well as his own family for all their love and support.
Susie Schenk (Millie) is very excited to be making her Oregon debut here at the Lakewood Theatre. Before moving to Oregon a few months ago and after graduating with her BFA in Acting and minor in Dance from Millikin University, Susie moved to Los Angeles, where she was an actor and resident choreographer for The Company Rep. She has done several voice over projects for Disney, and is very proud that you can hear her latest work as the voice of Kate in Hot Shot Business 2, on Disney's website. Some of her favorite roles from the past include Princess Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress, Ethel Cohan in George M., Caroline Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, and the one that started it all, Gretel in The Sound of Music. As a choreographer, her highlights include The Fantasticks, The Merry Widow, The Boys from Syracuse, and several original pieces.
	Tyler Griffin (Grubs) is delighted to have the opportunity to perform on the new stage at Lakewood Theater. Tyler began performing on stage with Rainbow Theater Company in California when he was eight years old. Locally, he has performed in two productions with Northwest Children's Theater and also with American Heritage Theater Project, Mittleman Jewish Community Center and for the Lakewood Theatre he has performed in Holiday Magic. Tyler recently finished performing in Guys and Dolls at Lakeridge High School where he will be a sophomore in the fall.
Susannah Scott (Flo) is happy to make Good News! her debut at Lakewood and her last performance in Oregon. This fall she will be transferring to Western Washington University. For the past two and one half years she has been a student at PCC. She has been involved in every aspect of theatre, from acting to lighting, and hopes to keep exploring this crazy field her whole life.
	Seth Reder (Slats) is an 18 year old 2004 graduate from Sam Barlow High School. While at Sam Barlow, Seth graduated as a class Valedictorian, Concert Choir Tenor Section Leader, Barlow Stage Drama Troupe Executive Council Officer, Member of the National Honor Society, Link Crew Leader, and a Peer Mediator. He is also a member of the International Thespian Society, Troupe 1145. Seth's most recent productions include playing the role of Schroeder in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Alexander Lord in The Philadelphia Story, and Dickon in The Secret Garden. Seth will attend Chapman University in Orange, California in the fall of 2004, where he will be majoring in both music and theater. He also plans to obtain a further degree in elementary education. Seth has also been a member of Lakewood Theater's Holiday Magic Breakfast variety show for the past year.
Paul Early (Windy) is going to be a senior at Lakeridge High School. His past Lakewood Theatre productions include three years of Holiday Magic, School House Rock 1 and School House Rock ll. Participating in Good News! as a paid performer marks the end of his amateur acting years.
	Roberta Gannett (Corda) is thrilled to be back on the Lakewood stage. She has appeared here in Carousel, School House Rock Live, and Breakfast With Santa. Other shows include Arthur and Merlyn, A Philadelphia Story, MacBeth, Oklahoma and Once Upon a Mattress. Last summer Roberta participated in Bel Canto Vocal Institute at Portland State University, and this summer she is teaching violin at Willowbrook Summer Arts Camp. A recent graduate of Tualatin High School, she will be attending Whitman College next fall, majoring in theatre and vocal performance.
Keely Bond (Kathy/Dance Captain) has been a performer and student at Lakewood since grade school. She still continues her studies with Terry Brock. Last winter she completed her second year as a performer in James Erickson's Breakfast with Santa. Keely recently graduated from Sunset High School where she was dance captain/student chorographer/dancer in Gary Cash's The Pajama Game. Keely wishes to thank Kay and Milli for this wonderful opportunity to perform on the Lakewood stage before she heads off to UNLV at the end of the summer.
	Connor Bond (Sylvester) is a sophomore at Sunset H.S. where he has appeared in I Remember Mama and The Pajama Game. He also performed in Breakfast with Santa for two winters. He is a sax enthusiast who enjoys creating short films. Currently he studies with local jazz sax extraordinaire Renato Caranto. Connor is proud to be sharing the stage with his sister once again.
Charlie Wilson (Lefty) is a graduate from Valley Catholic. From the inspiring show Aladin to the hilarious musical Honk, Good News! will be Charlie's eleventh show. Between singing and gymnastics, Charlie, regularly performs for Radio Disney AM 1640. This fall he will be traveling to California as a member of the show choir, Young Americans.
	Catherine Bridge (Lucy) marks her Lakewood debut with Good News! Prior to Good News! Katey appeared in Western Oregon University's production of Victor/Victoria. She is working on her Music and Arts degree at Western. Katey has also performed in West Linn High School's productions of Comedy of Errors (Luciana), Morgan Le Fey in Camelot and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Katey would like to thank Barbara and Solveig for their constant and subtle support.
Michael Rainey (Stage Manager/Ticket Taker) is excited for the opportunity to return to Lakewood Theatre. He has enjoyed his time on stage as well as behind the scenes. Michael's on stage rolls include Grobert in Carnival, Ching in Anything Goes and Jonathan in Carousel. Michael was the Narrator in the concert presentation of Oliver Balton is a Sissy with the Portland's Gay Men's Chorus. Michael was also a  soloist and featured dancer in the original musical review Makin' Whoopee. Technical credits include: stage manager for Carnival, Woman in Black, and Carousel at Lakewood. Michael enjoyed three and one half years as an amateur ballroom dance competitor.
	Kurt Herman (Tech Director/Light Designer) is the eldest of actress Pat Herman and playwright/novelist George Herman which probably explains why he is not an anthropologist. At fifteen he toured Australia as a photographer for his high school's touring rock opera, Everymania, and won his first award for film making a year later. At eighteen he was awarded a free round-the-world trip at the expense of the Navy's Black Knights squadron (he became a sailor). Since coming to work for LTC, Kurt has designed and operated lights for dozens of LTC productions and won so many OTAS awards that he has run out of window sills to put them on.
John Gerth (Costume Design) is doing the costume design for LTC for the first time. He has designed the sets for numerous past Lakewood productions: A Little Night Music, A Lesson From Aloes, Nunsense II, A Murder is Announced, I Do, I Do, Quilters, Murder at the Vicarage, Lend Me A Tenor, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Chess, Damn Yankees, Sugar, Sweeney Todd, Carousel and Oregon Ghosts. He has worked at many other theatres in Portland and has been an associate professor at Lewis and Clark College for 23 years, where he taught set design, scene painting, costume history, pattern drafting & construction, stage lighting, stage makeup and puppetry. Now he is spending time with his grandchildren Kethry and Lia.
	Phil Hilfiker (Musical Director) is excited to be back on the Lakewood stage. His last production was George M in '92. Phil recently retired as the choir director at Oregon City High School. He has won OTAS Awards for Music Direction of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Godspell, and Quilters. Phil has also music directed several shows at Sylvia's Dinner theatre including Nunsense. He has also music directed at Portland State University, Pacific Lyric Theatre, Lakewood High School productions, Oregon City High, West Linn High, Lake Oswego High, Canby Community Theatre and Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Phil has also played piano for many musicals at LaSalle High, Wilsonville High, North Marion High, Pentacle Theater, and Bremerton Community Theatre.
	Christopher Ford (Assistant Stage Manager). This is Chris' third show with Lakewood Theatre. He will be attending New York University in the fall.
Milli Hoelscher (Director/Choreographer) has been active with Lakewood as an actress, choreographer and director. She has directed over 34 shows, received OTAS Awards for such favorite musicals as Anything Goes (twice), George M! (twice), Sugar, Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Crazy for You, Damn Yankees and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She has received numerous awards for her work in theatre. To name just a few: Greasepaint Awards for Annie & Sugar; LTC Heritage Award 1997, and in 1998, she was one of four teachers in the U.S. inducted into the Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame for Drama Teachers. Milli recently retired as drama director at Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School. She spent April and May with Global Volunteers teaching English in Ostuni, Italy, and February on a legal cultural exchange to Cuba. For LTC she will be repeating Holiday Magic (her 14th season) and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (lost count) this fall. Director Notes Good News! has been a delightful experience, full of fabulous music and dances-with an extraordinary cast. Over the years, Lakewood has offered many young performers classes in the arts as well as opportunities to perform on stage. This year the theatre chose to gather students home from college for the summer in order to feature them in the cast of Good News! Students from Claremont, Millikan, Marymont Manhattan, New York University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University and PCC successfully auditioned to perform roles in this musical production alongside students from local high schools, including Lakeridge, Gresham, Sam Barlow, Sunset and West Linn. Two recent graduates were valedictorians of their high school graduating classes. Keep your eye on these college and high school students., Like other Lakewood actors, you may soon see them in NYC theatres, Hollywood films, or national television productions. Some of Lakewood Theatre's past performers now working professionally include Cliff Gorman, Brooks Ashmanskas, Leslie Denniston, Kelly Bush, Anne Swearingen, Bill Schaeffer, and Ben Whitely. Tonight, sit back and enjoy the talent of these young actors on their journey to fame as they further their performance careers.