Most Happy Fella Cast

Russ Cowan (The Doctor) is pleased to make his Headlee Mainstage debut in this, his thirteenth Lakewood production. He has previously appeared here in The Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man, Brigadoon, The Fantasticks, The Grass Harp, Footlight Frenzy, Carousel, Follies, Anything Goes, Carnival, and twice in the title role in the annual Lakewood/Meier and Frank co-productions of Breakfast With Santa. A 24 year veteran of the Portland area theatre scene, Russ is also active as a director (You're Gonna Love Tomorrow: A Stephen Sondheim Evening, The Grand Tour, Alarms & Excursions) and a playwright. His original work Going To Pot: The Reefer Madness Musical had its world premiere in 1999, and he has just completed a new musical, Zorro The Fox. Russ is a three time recipient of Lakewood's OTAS award for his performances in The Music Man, Carousel and Anything Goes. As always, he thanks Maria and Jared for all their support.

Teresa Lawrence (Cindy) is once again thrilled to be performing on the Lakewood stage, previous shows including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Quilters. Past roles for Teresa include The City Her in Gifts of the Magi and Nellie in Jekyll and Hyde with the Broadway Rose Theatre Company. Currently she is working for the American Steamboat Company performing in a 50s musical review called Sh-Boom and making lattes at Starbucks. Teresa hopes to graduate from PSU this fall and continue her performing career.

Carissa Ryan (Pianist) enjoys being a professional musician and is happy to be back with Lakewood Theatre Company. In the summer of 2002 she played for Lakewood Theatre's production of Quilters. She has also performed for other shows such as The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Guys & Dolls, Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella and Cinderella's Glass Slipper. When she is not playing for shows, Carissa teaches private piano lessons, group piano lessons at Harmony Road Music, and is the accompanist for Vivace Voices Ltd.

Ron Daum (Director) returns to Lakewood Theatre after having been seen on our stage as Paul in Carnival and Billy in Anything Goes. His directing credits for LTC include The Spitfire Grill, The Fantasticks, Irene, Ernest In Love, Brigadoon, The Grass Harp, Fiddler on the Roof and Carnival. For the Musical Theatre Company he directed Paint Your Wagon and No, No Nanette. Other Portland credits include several cabaret productions at Historic Wilf's, a production of The Shadow Box and the musicals I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change as well as Cabaret, Over Here! Working, Nunsense, Ruddigore, The Taffetas, Coleslaw, Once Upon a Mattress, Two By Two, The Apple Tree and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. He is the co-author of the original children's musical Silly Goose. Ron would like to dedicate his work on this production to the memory of a great friend and fabulous showman the late great Mr. E.

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	Most Happy Fella Cast & Crew Most Happy Fella Mast Head \|Tickets
Kirby Griffin (Tony Esposito) has had extensive experience in opera, musical theater, musical performance and directing, including being a solo recording artist for Columbia Records and an OTAS Award winner for roles in The Merry Widow, Lend Me a Tenor and A Little Night Music. He says that the role of Tony is the biggest challenge he has had and notes: "I'm sure I could not do it without a superb director, incredible music director, and a fantastic cast." Kirby was most recently seen on the Lakewood stage as Mr. Snow in Carousel and Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes.
	Anne-Marie Endres (Rosabella) is a winner of the Metropolitan Opera District Competition. She made her Carnegie Hall debut as a finalist in the New York Vocal Artists Competition and she most recently performed with the Oregon Symphony in their 2004 Christmas Yuletide Concert. Anne-Marie received her Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City where as a post-graduate she also taught voice. In New York City she graduated from Circle in the Square Theatre School and had the opportunity to perform as Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream and off-off Broadway in Godspell. Anne-Marie's opera roles include: Violetta in La Traviata, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Musetta in La Boheme, Governess in The Turn of the Screw, Yum Yum in The Mikado, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Clorinda in La Cenerentola, and Juliet in Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. We welcome Anne-Marie to our stage.
Lindsay Michelet (Cleo) is thrilled to be back at the beautiful new Lakewood Theatre. Past Lakewood credits include Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Sugar Kane in Sugar, Marta in Company and Irene O'Dare in Irene, for which she was awarded the 1999 OTAS for Best Actress in a Musical and a Drammy nomination. Portland credits include a 2003 Drammy-winning performance as Ziegfeld's Favorite in The Will Rogers Follies, Bianca in Kiss Me Kate, Gymnasia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, which earned her the 2001 Drammy for Best Actress in a Musical. Earlier this year, Lindsay had the pleasure of performing alongside Fred Willard (Waiting for Guffman) at a University of Oregon fundraiser gala, directed by Greg Tamblyn. This summer, you can find Lindsay at Broadway Rose Theatre in Chicago and The Melody Lingers On: The Songs of Irving Berlin. Lindsay has trained in tap, jazz and ballet for 16 years and enjoys traveling the U.S. and Canada as a dance competition adjudicator. Lindsay is an account supervisor at CMD, a Portland-based advertising firm.
	Alan Anderson (Herman) was last seen on our stage as Joe Sutter in The Spitfire Grill. He has also appeared at LTC as Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Jack in Ernest in Love, Charlie in Brigadoon, Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Bobby Van Husen in The Boy Friend. Other Portland area credits include The Will Rogers Follies, Forever Plaid, The World Goes 'Round, and Broadway Goes Hollywood at The Broadway Rose Theatre Company; Paint Your Wagon, A Chorus Line and She Loves Me with the Musical Theatre Company; Candide with the Portland Opera; and Yuletide Celebration with the Oregon Symphony. His favorite Los Angeles roles include Tony in West Side Story, Frederick in Pirates of Penzance, Jesus in Godspell, Lt. Cable in South Pacific and Tom in No, No, Nanette.
Kristi Foster (Marie Esposito) marks her fifth Lakewood show with today's performance. First appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kristi has been honored to be involved onstage, below the stage, and backstage serving as assistant stage manager for our last show, Amadeus. Kristi maintains a very active teaching schedule with her voice studio in Vancouver where she is also involved in musical directing and choreographing shows for Christian Youth Theater. She is so grateful for the many friendships forged in this Oregon theatre community throughout the past two years. Thank you, friends and family, for all your insight, wisdom, encouragement, prayers, and love.
	Chet Lundy (Joe) first and foremost is a father and is proud to be performing along side his youngest of three children,Victoria Williams, for the first time. He sends a written wink to Nichole and Jason. Chet has enjoyed opportunities to perform with Sylvia's Dinner Theatre, Pentacle Theatre, The Old Lyric Repertory Co., Weber State University Summer Stock, OSU Gilbert & Sullivan seasons, and other college and university companies and productions. Chet was vocally trained by Brian Swingle of Salem, and has degrees in Choral Conducting, and Communications from OSU. Chet is a database administrator/applications designer for the Salem-Keizer School District specializing in applications that support the management of Special Education.
Russ Cowan (The Doctor) is pleased to make his Headlee Mainstage debut in this, his thirteenth Lakewood production. He has previously appeared here in The Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man, Brigadoon, The Fantasticks, The Grass Harp, Footlight Frenzy, Carousel, Follies, Anything Goes, Carnival, and twice in the title role in the annual Lakewood/Meier and Frank co-productions of Breakfast With Santa. A 24 year veteran of the Portland area theatre scene, Russ is also active as a director (You're Gonna Love Tomorrow: A Stephen Sondheim Evening, The Grand Tour, Alarms & Excursions) and a playwright. His original work Going To Pot: The Reefer Madness Musical had its world premiere in 1999, and he has just completed a new musical, Zorro The Fox. Russ is a three time recipient of Lakewood's OTAS award for his performances in The Music Man, Carousel and Anything Goes. As always, he thanks Maria and Jared for all their support.
	James Montgomery (Postman) makes his ninth appearance on our stage, seen here most recently as Capitano in A Company of Wayward Saints, Chasuble in Ernest in Love, Lank Hawkins in Crazy For You, and Lindquist in A Little Night Music, as well as roles in Sweeney Todd, Brigadoon, Kiss Me Kate and Into the Woods. The veteran performer has appeared on many stages across the country, touring in Once Upon A Mattress, Mr. Roberts, Unsinkable Molly Brown, The Music Man and Plaza Suite among others. In Portland he won critical acclaim as the brutal Frank Maurrant in Kurt Weill's Street Scene and has sung in the Portland Opera productions of Turandot, Der Fliegende Hollander and Don Carol. Recent roles include Eddie Carbone in Civic Theater Guild's A View From the Bridge, Judge Coffey in Mt. Hood Rep's Inherit the Wind, City Marshal Henry in the Opera's production of Street Scene and Carroll/Carrell in Going to Pot (The Reefer Madness Musical) .
Darren Hurley (Pasquale) is glad to be returning to LTC for this production of The Most Happy Fella. His last performance with LTC was as Caleb Thorpe in The Spitfire Grill. Other LTC performances include Mordcha in Fiddler on the Roof, Perkins in Ernest in Love (for which he won a Drammy for Best Supporting Actor in a musical) and Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Darren has performed in Paint Your Wagon for Musical Theatre Company and as Benny Southstreet in the Oregon Symphony's production of Guys & Dolls.
	Stevie Booth (Betty) is thrilled to be returning to the Lakewood mainstage having last appeared earlier this season in Amadeus. Her professional stage career began at age seven with roles in Babes In Toyland and Oklahoma at The Musical Theater Company. Stevie has trained in New York taking classes and performing lead roles in the musicals Honk and Nine. Currently a junior at the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy, she studies tap, jazz and ballet. Recent performance credits include Lakewood and Meier & Frank's production of Breakfast With Santa, as well as lead vocals for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Jazz Orchestra at the Rose Festival and the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival. Stevie wishes to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support.
Karen Murphy (Gladys Van Pelt) makes her Lakewood debut with this production. Favorite past roles include Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in Once Upon A Mattress, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Karen teaches bilingual kindergarten at Vose Elementary School in Beaverton and lives in Hillsboro with her husband and their three children.
	Jeremy Southard (Al Sullivan) was last seen on the Lakewood stage playing the father in this season's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Also at Lakewood, he played Coach Johnson in Good News and appeared 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 roles from the past 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, collecting comic books and following the exploits of his beloved San Francisco Giants.
Nathan Williams (Clem Farnsworth) is pleased to make his fourth appearance at Lakewood Theatre. He was most recently seen in Amadeus. Other Lakewood roles include Zebulun in Joseph and chorus in My Fair Lady, last season. Nathan has also performed in The Outsiders and Narnia for NWCT; Shakespeare in the Park; and Victor/Victoria at Western Oregon University. For Portland Community College he played Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret, James Leeds in Children of a Lesser God and Bert Jefferson in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Thanks to Alan and Ron for this opportunity and to Mom, the Burnhams and Lola, for being my cheering section. Love you guys!
	Ryan Burghard (Jake Johnson) has previously been seen by LTC audiences in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, and Man of La Mancha. Ryan has been involved in the Portland theater community since he was a young child, first appearing in the 1990 production of Peter Pan at the Civic Theatre as a lost boy. Since then he has been involved in many productions throughout high school and college including Harold Hill in The Music Man, Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew, Sir Andrew Agucheek in Twelfth Night and Charley Dalrymple in Brigadoon. Ryan is a graduate from Gonzaga University with a Computer Science degree. Ryan currently works for SwiftView Inc., a high tech company in Tualatin. Ryan thanks his family, and his fiance, Robin, for all of their support throughout the years.
Mark Brown (Giuseppi) was recently seen last summer in the world premiere of Flipside, a musical revue benefitting Esther's Pantry, an Aids service organization for which he is operations manager. For Broadway Rose he performed in Jekyll & Hyde. At Lakewood Theatre Mark has been featured as Pirelli in Sweeney Todd; Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music, and Rooster in Annie (for which he won an OTAS award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical) Now in his 25th year as an actor, other favorite roles include: Matt in The Fantasticks, Greta in Bent, and the Baker in Into The Woods.
	Zachary Hoyt (Ciccio) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Music at Portland State University pursuing a Masters in Vocal Performance. He graduated magna cum laude in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from PSU. Zachary has performed the roles of Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus and Tony in West Side Story. Zachary is a Tenor Soloist at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland and has performed as soloist for the Columbia Chorale (Carmina Burana-Carl Orff, Magnificat-J.S. Bach) the Rose City Chamber Orchestra (Christmas Oratorio-Camile Saint Saens) and the PSU Chamber Choir (Carmina Burana). In the Spring of 2003 Zachary won first place in the Pre-Professional Division of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He is a former Oregon Laurels Scholar and a past recipient of the Jeannine B. Cowles Music Scholarship. Zack is a student of Professor David Jimerson.
Adam Barbay (Herbie/Max) is proud to make his debut on the stage of Lakewood Theatre. His most recent roles have been Dr. Parker in Batboy, the musical, and Henry Harry in Brilliant Traces at Loyola University, Chicago. He plans on finishing his studies in theatre and physics at the University of Tampa. He would like to thank his friends, family and girlfriend, for always believing. He is very excited to share the stage with such an amazing cast and looks forward to perhaps another opportunity. Adam would like to dedicate his performances to his late Grandpa Angelo Vocino, the real "Italian Stallion."
	Brittany Rae Caffall (Dawn) makes her second appearance with Lakewood Theatre. She first appeared as Virtue in Anything Goes under the direction of James Erickson. She also worked with Musical Theatre Company in 42nd Street, and No, No, Nanette. She has been studying dance for 13 years and now studies and teaches with Terry Brock. She is excited to be working with this cast and would like to thank her mother for her unending support and love.
Teresa Lawrence (Cindy) is once again thrilled to be performing on the Lakewood stage, previous shows including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Quilters. Past roles for Teresa include The City Her in Gifts of the Magi and Nellie in Jekyll and Hyde with the Broadway Rose Theatre Company. Currently she is working for the American Steamboat Company performing in a 50s musical review called Sh-Boom and making lattes at Starbucks. Teresa hopes to graduate from PSU this fall and continue her performing career.
	Caitlin Eslinger (Ruby) received her dance training at the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre under the direction of James Canfield and Haydee Gutierrez. At fifteen she was invited to dance with the corps de ballet of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Since then Caitlin has begun a career in theatre and commercial work. She has performed with, among others, Broadway Rose, Portland Opera, and Imago Theatre. Caitlin currently studies with Sandra Peabody at Actors Studio Northwest.
Tanner Ward (Gussie) is a member of Oregon Children's Young Professionals Program where he has been taking classes since he was 6 years old. Tanner just finished the play Ramona Quimby (OCT) at Keller Auditorium. He has previously played a River City Kid in The Music Man (Jesuit High School) and was a member of the ensemble in The Secret Garden (Young People's Theatre Project). Tanner was recently cast as the lead child (Eddie) in a Wolfsong Studio's independent production that will be a half animated, educational video that will be filmed over the summer. Tanner is thrilled to be a part of the Most Happy Fella. In his spare time he enjoys singing, football, video games and playing with his dogs, Tulip and Emmy.
	Jennie Spada (Helen Sullivan) as a member of the Portland Opera Chorus, Jennie has appeared in more than 40 Portland Opera productions over the past 12 years. She has been featured as Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor (2004), and has played and understudied other roles in Dialogues of the Carmelites, The Marriage of Figaro, and Jenufa. Last summer she appeared as Intar in Broadway Rose's workshop production of Illyria, a new musical by local composer Wade Willis and playwright Connor Kerns. Jennie has also appeared in numerous local theater and concert productions with The Musical Theater Company, Mock's Crest Productions, Portland Civic Theatre/SRO Productions, Gallery Players of Oregon and Vancouver Opera Association. Other engagements have included art, song recitals, studio recording, big band singing and tap dancing.
Kim Swennes (Fran) has performed with Portland Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Sarasota Opera, DiCapo Opera Theatre in New York City, and has toured the East Coast in Karlsrud Concerts production of The Marriage of Figaro. She was a member of the Bel Canto Sextet, an ensemble that performed operatic excerpts in the New York/Long Island area. Roles she has performed include Cherubino, in The Marriage of Figaro, Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte, Rosina in The Barbiere di Siviglia; Narrator/Singer, A Christmas Carol; Abigail Adams, 1776; and Jane in King of The Clouds. Her concert repertoire has included performances of the Vivaldi Gloria; the Beethoven Mass in C Major; the Hovhannes Magnificat and Handel's Acis and Galatea. She is a past winner of the Oregon District Metropolitan Opera Auditions and National Association of Teachers of Singing Young Artist Auditions.
	Emilee Yaakola (Gracie) is thrilled to make her debut at LTC. She is a Junior at Oregon City High School and is actively involved in the drama and music programs. Her most recent role was as Jennie Mae in The Diviners. Her favorite roles include The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Diana in Anne of Green Gables and River City Dancer (Traveling Gypsies) in The Music Man. Emilee has also appeared in productions with Canby Community Theatre and Broadway Rose. She would like to thank her family - especially Mom and Malcolm for their love and support.
Victoria Williams (Gertie) is a newcomer not only to the Lakewood Theatre program, but also to the musical theatre stage. Her performance history includes two seasons of involvement in the Corvallis Regional School of Ballet's productions of The Nutcracker. Victoria lives in Salem and is an honor student in middle school, but she'll be the first to admit - when it comes to homework, she'd rather be shopping with her friends. Victoria plans one day to be a master chef and owner of a fine restaurant, as well as a dancer, a singer, and an artist, but for now she is grateful for the opportunity to be an actor with Lakewood.
	Alan D. Lytle( Musical Director and Pianist) is happy to return for his seventh production for the Lakewood Theatre Company and to be collaborating again with Mr. Ron Daum. Previous LTC productions include Amadeus, Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady (OTAS Award), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Follies, and Ernest in Love (Drammy Award). Other recent productions include Lucky Stiff (Western Oregon University), Godspell (Pentacle Theatre), My Way (The Broadway Rose), and Victor/Victoria (WOU) where Alan appeared onstage as Toddy.
Carissa Ryan (Pianist) enjoys being a professional musician and is happy to be back with Lakewood Theatre Company. In the summer of 2002 she played for Lakewood Theatre's production of Quilters. She has also performed for other shows such as The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Guys & Dolls, Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella and Cinderella's Glass Slipper. When she is not playing for shows, Carissa teaches private piano lessons, group piano lessons at Harmony Road Music, and is the accompanist for Vivace Voices Ltd.
	Kurt Herman (Light Designer/Technical Director) is the eldest son 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 LTC, Kurt has designed and operated lights for dozens and dozens of LTC productions and won so many OTAS awards that he has run out of window sills to put them on.
Patricia J. Appleton-Rohrbach (Costume Designer) has been working in theater for 25 years and has been designing costumes for four years. Her first show for Lakewood was Fiddler on The Roof, then Carnival, and she received last year's OTAS Award for her designs for My Fair Lady and the last two Breakfast with Santa productions. Pat's full time job is Theater Program Coordinator/Costume Designer for Clark College. She has designed costumes for Dead White Males, Into The Woods, Taming of the Shrew, The Laramie Project, The Taffetas, and All My Sons. Pat has received four Best Actress Awards and three Best Supporting Actress Awards. She has directed 15 productions and will be directing Dearly Departed and The Girls Of The Garden Club this summer as well as designing costumes for Lakewood's production of Bye Bye Birdie.
	G. Marie Fish (Wardrobe Mistress) has been on staff since 1996 maintaining the Lakewood's costume shop, inventory and costumes for Mainstage and Side Door productions. Marie also organizes the biannual Halloween costume sale.
Terry Brock (Choreographer) has a diverse background in dance including multiple choreographic works and an international performing career. Now a member of the Arts and Communication Magnet School's dance staff, she has been on the staff of Dance Masters of America and has taught master classes and workshops nationally and internationally. She has shared the stage with legendary stars Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, Broadway's Honi Coles, television's Arthur Duncan of the Lawrence Welk Show, the Nicholas Brothers from the golden era of Hollywood, and the Copasetics. She is a former member of the prestigious Jazz Tap Ensemble, touring internationally with the company, which included concerts at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. In addition to performance and choregraphic projects, Terry conducts her own dance school at Lakewood Center for the Arts. The Most Happy Fella is one of multiple musicals Terry has had the pleasure of choreographing with her Lakewood family. It has been her pleasure to work side by side with Ron Daum and this wonderful cast. Terry's choreographic inspiration is gratefully dedicated to the heavenly direction from the late James N. Erickson.
	Ron Daum (Director) returns to Lakewood Theatre after having been seen on our stage as Paul in Carnival and Billy in Anything Goes. His directing credits for LTC include The Spitfire Grill, The Fantasticks, Irene, Ernest In Love, Brigadoon, The Grass Harp, Fiddler on the Roof and Carnival. For the Musical Theatre Company he directed Paint Your Wagon and No, No Nanette. Other Portland credits include several cabaret productions at Historic Wilf's, a production of The Shadow Box and the musicals I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change as well as Cabaret, Over Here! Working, Nunsense, Ruddigore, The Taffetas, Coleslaw, Once Upon a Mattress, Two By Two, The Apple Tree and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. He is the co-author of the original children's musical Silly Goose. Ron would like to dedicate his work on this production to the memory of a great friend and fabulous showman the late great Mr. E.

Most Happy Fella Cast & Crew