presents

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United StatesCenter REP is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre

The Sound Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY OF WALNUT CREEKMichael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director

By Charles DickensAdaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James

Directed by Scott DenisonMusic DirectorMichael Wiles

Lighting DesignerJohn Earls

Hofmann TheatreDecember 6 - 16, 2012

Lesher Center for the Arts

Scenic Designer Kelly James Tighe

CostumingMichael A. BergStage ManagerJeff Collister*

ChoreographerJennifer PerrySound Designer

Jeff Mockus

Season Partner Season Media Sponsor Foundation SponsorSeason Sponsor

Production Sponsor

Max DeSantis (Peter Cratchit/Georgie) feels very blessed to be back for the third time in A Christmas Carol! Other favorite roles: Ugly in Honk! and Oliver in Oliver! (Sunnyvale Community Players), Kurt in The Sound of Music (TVRT), Heavenly Friend in Carousel (Lyric Theatre), Orphan Jack in Into the Woods (Diablo Theatre Company), Choir in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ensemble in Oklahoma, Fagin’s Gang in Oliver! (CCMT), Lost Boy in Peter Pan (Woodminster), Ensemble in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma, Cinderella, Seussical (TVRT). Max is very excited to be playing Nathan in TVRT’s The Full Monty opening in January 2013! Max studies ballet and tap at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek and loves his summers learning with Young REP. He he also studies piano and voice, and in his free time Max likes to work in films.

Jeff Draper (Marley/Topper/Old Joe) has been seen in many Center REP productions, including Spring Awakening, Cabaret, How the Other Half Loves, Around the World in 80 Days and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Jeff loves spending his summers with the students of Young REP, where he is Co-Education Director with Kerri Shawn. Jeff would like to thank his Mom, Dad, and husband Dalon for supporting his crazy love of acting and theater.

Trevor Gomez (Turkey Boy/Charlie) is very excited to perform in A Christmas Carol for his fourth year. Trevor is a 7th grader at Pleasant Hill Middle School and participated in the amazing Young Rep program for the frst time this year. Recent performances include Joseph (CCMT) and Bobby in A Doll’s House (Willows). Other performances include City Mayor in Wizard of Oz (DTC), Rooster in Annie, Jr. (CC Christian Theatre), David in Rags the Musical (Willow’s Caberet), Malcolm in 13 The Musical (Music Box Theatre). a member of Fagin’s Gang in Oliver! (CCMT), Little Guido in Nine (CCCT), Billy in Nuncrackers (Willow’s Caberet), and Billy in Honk! (CC Christian Theatre). Trevor also performs with Pleasant Hill’s Star Quest, church choir and enjoys baseball and flag football.

Nicole Helfer (Catherine) is a Bay Area native and a graduate of San Francisco State University. Performance credits include Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard (CCMT; Shellie nomination), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (CCMT), Velma Kelly in Chicago (Willows Theatre Company; SFBATCC nominee), Sarah in Harold Pinter’s The Lover (Off Broadway West), Val in A Chorus Line (CCMT), Kate Monster/Lucy T. Slut in the National Regional Premier of Avenue Q (Willows Theatre Company), Miraid in Brimstone (Willows Theatre Company; SFBATCC and Shellie nominee), and Sheila in Hair (Willows Theatre Company; Shellie nominee). Choreography credits include RENT (Pacific Coast Reperatory), Pinkalicious and Click Clack Moo (Bay Area Children’s Theater); You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, 8 Track: Sounds of the 70s, and Six Women With Brain Death (Willows Theatre Company). She would like to thank her family, friends, and her amazing boyfriend for their love and support.

Tim Homsley (Mr. Boxer/Snuffbox/Pip) This will be Tim’s first time performing in A Christmas Carol and he is happy to be taking part in the tradition. Shows with Center REP include Xanadu as Sonny Malone and Spring Awakening as Melchior. Other companies: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (CCMT), Chorus for both Pirates of Penzance and Willful (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Chip in Spelling Bee (Oregon Cabaret Theater), Percy in The Scarlet Pimpernel (Camelot Theater), and Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Southern Oregon University). Tim earned his BFA at Southern Oregon University.

Andrew Humann (Thief/Bailey) is thrilled to be working for Center REP again after appearing in last season’s OFF Center production of Spring Awakening. Andrew was last seen as a hillbilly brother in CCMT’s Joseph and the Amazing… Other credits include CB in Dog Sees God and Tommy Gnosis in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Boxcar Theater), Riff in West Side Story and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (YMTC), and a handful of other shows throughout the Bay Area. After the holidays, Andrew can be seen as Mark in Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre’s Rent and then again at the Lesher Center in Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Andrew would like to thank the Walnut Creek theater community for welcoming him with open arms. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Heather Kellogg (Anne/Cherry) is happy to be back again with the Christmas Carol family. Recent productions include Repro Rights! with PCSF, staged reading of Three Rebels (Veronica), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), The Tempest (Prospero), Toyer (Maude), Copenhagen (Margrethe), and Titus Andronicus (Nurse/Beast). She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. During the summer she is lucky to teach the brilliant young students at Center REP’s Young Rep Conservatory. Love to mom and dad, always.

CAST

Michael A. Berg .................................................. Mr. ApplebaumEvan Boomer .......................................................Young ScroogeRyan Cowles ................................................Future/Dick WilkinsAmanda Denison ......................................................Belle/NancyMax DeSantis ............................................Peter Cratchit/GeorgieJeff Draper .............................................. Marley/Topper/Old Joe Trevor Gomez ...............................................Turkey Boy/CharlieNicole Helfer .................................................................CatherineTim Homsley ..........................................Mr. Boxer/Snuffbox/PipAndrew Humann .................................................... Thief//BaileyHeather Kellogg.......................................................Anne/CherryBritt Lauer .................................................Dorit/Fauna FezziwigMaggie Mason ........................................................ Mrs. CratchitEverett Meckler .................................. Boy Scrooge/Beggar Boy Robin Melnick ............................................. Mr. Bagstock - BassVictoria Morgan ....................................... Flora Fezziwig/SophyR. Martin Newton ......................................................Rudge/BozJeanine Perasso ...................................Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress Grace Perry .............................................................. Lizzie/WantVince Perry .............................. Constable/Undertaker/Havisham Mark Anderson Phillips* ...............................Ebenezer ScroogeBarbara Reynolds ..................................Miss Skiffins - SopranoTim Reynolds ...................................................Mr. Tiffey - Tenor Joel Roster ............................................................. Fred HastingsKristina Schoell .................................................. Martha CratchitKerri Shawn ..................................................... Past/CharwomanClaire Shepard............................................ Belinda Cratchit/FanGrant Strain ...................................................................... BarkisScott Strain .................................Mr. Fezziwig/Nigel WoodwardMolly Thornton ..........................................Miss Augustus - AltoKyle Valentine.......................................................................SilasGinny Wehrmeister ......................................................... LaviniaMichael Wiles* ........................................................Bob CratchitMichael Ray Wisely* .......................................................PresentOlivia Wisely ............................................................. Molly/PollyWendy Wisely ................................................................. LucretiaBrady Wright ................................................Tiny Tim/IgnoranceSpecial thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Michael A. Berg (Mr. Applebaum) is happy to be included in this season’s production of A Christmas Carol as Mr. Applebaum, one of the solicitors. Michael is very pleased to be working on the costumes as well. He works full time for Center REP as a stitcher and sometime actor and if he is lucky he gets to design as well! Michael has been seen as the Usher in Center REP’s production of Witness for the Prosecution and as Starveling the tailor in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Michael and Ophelia (his four legged significant other), wish all of you a bountiful and peaceful holiday season!!

Evan Boomer (Young Scrooge) is so grateful to be back with Center REP for this production of A Christmas Carol. Recent credits with Center REP include: “Klinglehoff” - The Underpants, “Man #2” - Lucky Stiff, “Terpsicore” – Xanadu, “Hanschen” – Spring Awakening (Off Center), “The Waiter” – She Loves Me. Other recent credits include: “Jason” – Tales of Olympus [workshop] (Bay Area Children’s Theater), “Peter Pinkerton” – Pinkalicious, the Musical (Bay Area Children’s Theater), “Al DeLuca” – A Chorus Line (Contra Costa Musical Theater). He holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Cal State East Bay, and is a proud member of the Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble. He wishes you a very merry holiday season, and hopes you enjoy A Christmas Carol!

Ryan Cowles (Future/Dick Wilkins) is beyond words to be making his Center REP debut with A Christmas Carol. He was last seen on Broadway buying a hotdog. Broadway National Tours: Monty Python’s: Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Hairspray. Bay Area Credits include: Joseph… with CCMT, 9to5 with The Willows and Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Favorite regional credits include Zanna Don’t (Zanna), La Cage aux Folles (Phaedra), All Shook Up (Dean Hyde), Urinetown, Lippa’s The Wild Party and numerous shows and parades at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL including Fantasmic! and the The Hoop Dee Doo Revue (Johnny Ringo). Lots of love and thanks to Jenny, Jose, Mom & Dad.

Amanda Denison (Belle/Nancy) is so excited to be a part of such an amazing production. She recently completed her B.A in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting at San Francisco State University. Amanda has been performing since she was seven years old and has been a part of numerous productions at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Whether she is onstage acting or backstage working on a production she is happy because she is doing exactly what she loves to do. Amanda was last seen in Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s production of Joseph and the Amazing… Amanda is proudly on the teaching staff for The Ballet School Performing Arts and is Director of Performing Arts Studio, a program of The Ballet School and Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Amanda is currently on the teaching staff for Young REP, Center REP’s Theatre Training Program. She is also a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. You will next see Amanda in Center REP’s upcoming production of Sweet Charity. She would like to dedicate this performance to her Nanny. Thank you Nanny for sending me on the right path!

Britt Lauer (Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig) is thrilled to be working, once again, with this wonderful cast and crew to present this holiday classic! Britt received her BA in Theatre from Willamette University where favorite roles included: Antigone (Antigone), Maureen (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Crystal (The Women), and Gwendolyn (The Importance of Being Earnest) . A former Young REP student, Britt is delighted to be spending her summers as a teacher on the Young REP staff. She wishes you a Happy Holiday season and a joyful New Year!

Maggie Mason (Mrs. Cratchit) is very excited to be a part of this wonderful Christmas Carol and so happy to be back at Center REP. She was last seen at Center REP as Raina in Arms and the Man. New York Credits: These Seven Sicknesses, and Arok of Java (Exit, Pursued by a Bear), Right to the Top (workshop and staged reading) written and directed by Amy Freed. Bay Area Credits: Henry V (SF Shakes) dir. Ken Kelleher; Period of Adjustment (SF Playhouse) dir. Bill English; Why We Have A Body dir. Katie Pearl, and Or, dir. Loretta Greco (Magic Theatre) for which she was nominated ‘Best Actress’ in the Bay Area Critics Circle Awards 2010; You, Nero dir. Sharon Ott and Arabian Nights (understudy) dir. Mary Zimmerman (Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Rock and Roll (San Jose Stage); Possibilidad (San Francisco Mime Troupe); Hamlet and As You Like It (Pacific Repertory Theatre); Future Me (TheatreFIRST); Oskar the Bully (Theatreworks). Film and television: Grange Hill (BBC) Gemma Lyons, 3 seasons; Mirad a Boy From Bosnia, (BBC) dir. Jeremy Irons, starring Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cusack.

Everett Meckler (Boy Scrooge/Beggar Boy) a 5th grader at Cooper Elementary in Vacaville, was first introduced to live theatre as a member of the audience at Children’s Musical Theater San Jose’s production of Oliver in 2009. Upon leaving the theater he exclaimed “I want to do that!”, and he has been performing ever since. His favorite roles include Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at San Jose Rep as well as Colin Craven in The Secret Garden and Tommy Pickles in Rugrats! A Live Adventure at Children’s Musical Theater San Jose. Everett is thrilled to join the cast of A Christmas Carol at Center REP and he would like to thank his family, friends, fellow cast members (past and present and future ;D) and the audience for all their love and support!

Robin Melnick (Mr. Bagstock - Bass) is delighted to be back sharing in the holiday spirit with cast, crew, and audience of A Christmas Carol. His favorite roles elsewhere have included El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Lancelot in Camelot, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods, and Smudge in Forever Plaid and Plaid Tidings. By day, Robin is a doctoral student in linguistic and cognitive science, having decided that after 20 years in high-tech, what he really wants to be when he grows up is a starving grad student. He is grateful as always to Mary and Andrew for all of their love and support.

Victoria Morgan (Flora Fezziwig /Sophy) is so happy to be working with Ceter REP on A Christmas Carol. Recent credits include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (CCMT) where she received the Shellie Award for Leading Female in a Musical. Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors (BBBay) Tracy Turnblad (Musical Theater West) where she received the Stage Scene LA Spotlight for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical, Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels (Hillbarn Theatre), Joanne in RENT (Palo Alto Players), TiMoune in Once on this Island (Berkeley Playhouse) and Karaoke Host for California Great America. State of Hawaii credits include Holly in The Wedding Singer where she received the Hawaii State Po’okela Award for Best Featured Female in a Musical. Love to her family and friends for their endless support! Happy Holidays.

R. Martin Newton (Rudge/Boz) This year marks Marty’s 6th year with A Christmas Carol. It’s a production he looks forward to every year! This year is especially exciting with a Giants World Series win, a 49’ers Superbowl win (that’s on his list for Santa) and getting to work with a bunch of talented people he considers family! Marty was recently featured in CCMT’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after a two year break and he’s exciting to be bursting out of the gates with another show already in the works: The Full Monty a Tri-Valley Repertory Theater in Pleasanton. Marty enjoys football, knitting and French Bull dog puppies. He’s also a fan of the popular TV shows The Walking Dead, American Horror Story and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Marty’s a well-rounded guy!

Michael Wiles* (Bob Cratchit / Music Director) returns for his 11th production of A Christmas Carol at Center REP, where he was also seen in Dracula, and The Glass Menagerie. Other stage credits include work with the American Conservatory Theater (Edward 2, A Christmas Carol, The Glass Menagerie), American Musical Theater (Big River), Aurora Theatre Company (The Persians), Berkeley Repertory Theater (Master Class, The Oresteia, Metamorphoses), California Shakespeare Theatre (Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Scapin, Edward II), Capital Stage Company (Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Master Class, Fat Pig), Marin Shakespeare Company (King Lear, Macbeth, Much Ado), Pacific Alliance Stage Company (Doubt, Betrayal, All My Sons), Pacific Repertory Theater (Julius Caesar, A Number, Much Ado, Eurydice), San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Love’s Labours Lost), and Tacoma Actor’s Guild (Twelfth Night). He is the resident music director for Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble and the Young Actor’s Studio, and is the Co-Founder/Co-Director and Musical Director for Center REP’s Young Rep Musical Theater Conservatory. BFA in Acting, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle.

Ginny Wehrmeister (Lavinia) is overjoyed to be joining the Christmas Carol family after enjoying it as a holiday tradition for years! Ginny is a two-time East Bay “Shellie” award winner, honored for Best Actress in Role Player Ensemble’s Bus Stop (Cherie) and Diablo Actors Ensemble’s Same Time, Next Year (Doris). She’s performed with CCMT, Diablo Theatre Company, Town Hall Theatre, and many others. She holds a BFA in Theatre from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and is honored to be part of such a magnificent production. She’d like to dedicate this performance to her family for their continuous love and support, Happy Holidays!

Michael Ray Wisely* (Present) 2012 marks his 17th appearance with the company. REP’s audiences may remember him as Petkoff in last season’s Arms and the Man and as Mr. Gilmer in 2010’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Well known to Bay Area audiences, Michael Ray has performed locally and at other West Coast theatres for over 20 years, most recently in Henry V for SF Shakespeare. Other credits include: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, Aurora Theatre Co., Magic Theatre, San Jose Stage, San Jose Repertory, American Musical Theatre, Marin Shakespeare and many others. Michael Ray has starred and guest-starred in television movies and series. A Director and filmmaker, he also shares the helm of a new Bay Area independent production company. www.3andahalfegos.com

Olivia DelRay Wisely (Molly/Polly) makes her 7th appearance with her father in A Christmas Carol. She began her performing career in the womb as “a sonogram” in a commercial for a local hospital. 10 years young, her other credits include: The Tempest and As You Like It, for California’s Shakespeare Theatre’s conservatory, Nickel and Dimed and The Imaginary Invalid at Los Positas College in Livermore, as an M.C. for her schools’ talent show and a Video for the San Jose Tech Museum. She is a 5th grader at Harding Elementary in El Cerrito.

Wendy Wisely (Lucretia) Wendy’s previous Center REP productions include The Diviners, The Night Hank Williams Died, and Room Service. Originally from Seattle, she has acted and/or directed with San Jose Stage Co., City Lights, Willows, California Shakespeare Theatre, Role Players, Townhall, Western Stage. Wendy is a professor of theater and directs at Las Positas College and Santa Rosa Junior College. Wendy was recently honored with a Study Abroad Teaching position in London, 2011 and won best supporting actor at the 2012 Indie Horror Film Festival in Chicago. She has an MFA in directing from San Jose State. She is thrilled to be joining her family for a 6th year in this production.

Brady Wright (Tiny Tim/Ignorance) This is seven-year-old Brady Wright’s debut performance as Tiny Tim in Center REP’s production of A Christmas Carol. A Walnut Creek native, Brady is in first grade at Walnut Heights School. In addition to acting, he loves skateboarding, baseball, and reading. He is excited to be a part of this Walnut Creek Christmas tradition.

Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress) makes her 15th appearance in A Christmas Carol with Center REP this year. It’s always a pleasure to celebrate with her 2nd family! She was last seen as The Wicked Witch in FFAE’s production of Snow White and worked behind the scenes on CCMT’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Some of her favorite roles include Sr. Robert Anne in Nunsense, Angel in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and The Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast. She is a proud member of FFAE and is honored to be a member of the CCMT Board. As a certified arborist, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and also likes traveling to new and exciting places with her wonderful husband, Fred, family and friends.

Grace Perry (Lizzie/Want) is a proud student of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts, where she studies ballet and tap. She takes Theatre classes with the Performing Arts Studio all held at The Ballet School. Grace is in the second grade and loves to take Kung-Fu with her Dad at Concord Kung-Fu Academy. Grace has been seen in CCMT shows such as Oklahoma!, and most recently Joseph and the Amazing...Grace will next appear in Once Upon a Christmas.

Vince Perry (Constable/Undertaker/Havisham) Some Favorite Roles include: Pharaoh (Joseph and The Amazing..., CCMT), Cord Elam (Oklahoma!, CCMT) Sir Evelyn (Anything Goes, CCMT), Constable and Young Scrooge (Center REP’s A Christmas Carol), Miles (Funny Thing Happened, CCMT), Boatman (Sunday in the Park with George, CCMT) Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, DLOC) Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Harry the Horse (Guys and Dolls, CCMT). Vince is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org, and a multiple Marty Award winner. Vince teaches Piano, Voice and Improv at Performing Arts Studio at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek. www.theballetschool.org

Mark Anderson Phillips* (Ebenezer Scrooge) is pleased to be back at CenterREP, where he was last seen in Rumors. Other REP appearances include Noises Off, Witness for the Prosecution, How the Other Half Loves, and Around the World in 80 Days. Most recently, Mark was seen in Clybourne Park at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Time Stands Still at TheatreWorks, and Salomania at Aurora Theatre. His work at other theatres includes roles with American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre of Seattle, San Jose Repertory Theatre, The Magic Theatre, The SF Playhouse, Marin Theatre Company, California Shakespeare Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, and Word for Word. Mark has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Joan Rivers - a work in progress by a life in progress) and the New York International Fringe Festival (Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party, which won Best of Fringe). He is the recipient of three Bay Area Drama Critics’ Circle awards for best performance by a male in a leading role. He plays Gideon T. Flummox in the children’s video project, Flummox and Friends (flummoxandfriends.com). For Bertie. www.markandersonphillips.com

Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Soprano) is enjoying her 16th season with Center REP’s Christmas Carol family. She is a summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, and currently sings with the San Jose Symphonic Choir. Favorite theatrical roles include Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian) and She Loves Me (Amalia) for South Bay Musical Theatre; The Dollar Princess (Alice Conder) and The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella) for Lyric Theatre; H.M.S. Pinafore (Josephine) with the Lamplighters; A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Magnolia).

Tim Reynolds (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) celebrates his 16th year as part of the Christmas Carol quartet. Recent credits include Anything Goes (Lord Evelyn) and The Producers (Leo Bloom) with Foothill Music Theatre; Urinetown (Lockstock) with Sunnyvale Community Players; Chicago (Billy Flynn), The Full Monty (Harold) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate) with City Lights Theatre Company of San Jose; and A Chorus Line (Zach), Hairspray (Corny Collins) and Ragtime (Tateh) for Broadway by the Bay; and The Story of My Life (Thomas Weaver) for The Tabard Theatre Company where he will next appear in a the musical revue I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett. He holds a theater degree from Northwestern University.

Joel Roster (Fred Hastings) Back for his ninth consecutive year with his Carol family, REP audiences have seen Mr. Roster this season as the Corpse in Lucky Stiff and as the Keyboard Cat in Status Update. A two-time Shellie award recipient for acting, Joel has been seen with CCMT, Ray of Light Theatre, SHN, Town Hall Theatre, Diablo Actors Ensemble and many, many others. He currently serves as the Director of Education for Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette, where he will be directing the Bay Area premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention in February 2013. He wishes to dedicate this performance to Michael Wiles.

Kristina Schoell (Martha Cratchit) is honored to return to Center REP’s A Christmas Carol for the fourth year. Past productions include: Joseph and the Amazing…, Evita (CCMT), The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Into the Woods, Will Roger’s Follies (Diablo Theatre Company), Music Man (Tri-Valley Rep), and The Sound of Music (Vagabond Players). Kristina has enjoyed Young REP’s intensive theatre training program and Musical Theatre Conservatory the past four summers. She studies ballet, tap, and jazz at The Ballet School and voice with Lucia Scardigno. Kristina wishes you and your family a joyous holiday season. Enjoy the show!

Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) is grateful to be returning to Center REP’s wonderful A Christmas Carol family! Most recently she had the good fortune of playing Cookie in REP’s Rumors and Ann Landers in REP’s Off Center production of The Lady With All The Answers. Kerri is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble and is looking forward to performing in The Biggest Gift a few days before Christmas. She serves as Co-Director of Education for Center REP, and along with Jeffrey Draper is in the midst of planning for the 40th year of The Young Rep Acting Training Program which begins June 18, 2013.

Claire Shepard (Belinda Cratchit/Fan) is tickled pink to make her Center REP debut! She was last seen in CCMT’s, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Claire’s other mainstage credits include: Marta, The Sound of Music (TVRT) and Molly, Annie (Diablo Theatre Co.), where she was lucky enough to perform alongside her sister and Mom! She has appeared in over 10 shows with Barrett Lindsay-Steiner’s Standing Ovations children’s theatre program.

Grant Strain (Barkis) is extremely excited to be back with the cast of Christmas Carol! He is very grateful to be able to share the stage with his father again, after appearing together in CCMT’s Beauty and the Beast 10 years ago. Grant is a Junior at Las Lomas High. He is proud to be the resident lighting designer at his school, and while he has not appeared on stage in a few years, gives much of his time to behind the scenes work with CCMT, Center REP, and the Las Lomas Drama Department. On the very rare days that he’s not working in a theatre of some kind, he sees shows with his friends, duck hunts with his grandfather, and most importantly sleeps. Grant has been a proud student of the Young REP theatre training program for the past 5 years, and would like to thank Jenny, Michael, Scott, Jeff, and Kerri, as well as all of his teachers for giving him such great instruction. Enjoy the show!

Scott Strain (Mr. Fezziwig/Nigel Woodward) is thrilled to be back once again in A Christmas Carol, and sharing the stage with such wonderful people! Scott has performed throughout the Bay Area. Favorites include 42nd Street (Bert), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Titanic (Charles), Annie (Rooster) and Guys & Dolls (Nicely), for which he won a Shellie Award for Supporting Actor. Scott was awarded the special Shellie Award for his contributions to the arts by CCMT in 2010. His all-time favorite role is “Dad” to son Grant, and he is very excited to share the stage with him in this production!

Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto) is pleased to be making her fifth appearance this year in this wonderful holiday tradition. Other favorite credits include Grand Hotel (Raffaela/SCP), Nine (La Fleur/CLTC), Urinetown (Pennywise/SCP), The Who’s Tommy (Mrs. Walker/CLTC), Chicago (Mama Morton/SBMT), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza/SDG), The Goodbye Girl (Paula / Bus Barn), Kiss Me Kate (Kate / WVLOA / ERMA Award) and The Will Rogers Follies (Betty Blake / CCMT / Shellie Award). Much love to James and Nicole for their continued support of my theatrical passion.

Kyle Valentine (Silas) is thrilled to be back with his Christmas Carol family. Most recently he appeared in CCMT’s Joseph…Dreamcoat. Other credits include Hairspray and Oklahoma! (CCMT), and Big River (CCCT). Backstage credits for Center REP include Lucky Stiff, Xanadu, Spring Awakening (ASM), The Storytelling Ability Of A Boy (ASM), Smokey Joe’s Café (A2), Lady With All The Answers (ASM), Becoming Britney (ASM), and She Loves Me. Kyle, a sophomore, will next appear in his high school’s production of Gypsy and DTC’s Singin’ In The Rain. He trains with Young REP, studies dance at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School, and studies voice with Ahmed Elgasseir. He thanks his family for all their love and support.

CITY COUNCILRobert Simmons, Mayor

Loella HaskewKristine Lawson

Cindy SilvaJustin Wedel

CITY MANAGERKen NordhoffDIRECTOR

Arts, Recreation and Community ServicesBarry Gordon

ARTS COMMISSIONCarol Fowler, Chair

Joe Bologna, Vice ChairPolly Bradbury

Glynnis CowderyJane Emanuel

CENTER REP THANKS :

Massimo’s RistoranteWaters Moving and Storage

Associated Services-Alta WaterContra Costa Musical Theatre

Diablo Theatre CompanyShannon and Mike Demers

THANK YOU TO OUR OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS:

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine BarOi-C Bowl

Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant

Joe Coe (Assistant to the Production Manager) This is Joe’s fifth season with Center REP and he couldn’t be happier to be a part of such an amazing team of professionals and friends! Joe has had the pleasure of working with such companies as Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Summer Repertory Theatre, Suicide Kings touring production of In Spite of Everything, Boston Conservatory, SpeakEasy Stage Company, and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. Joe would like to thank all of his colleagues here at the LCA for a great season and for making it such a joy to work here!

Alex Logemann (Deck Manager) is celebrating his 36th show backstage with Center REP. Alex has been backstage for ten seasons and is beyond pleased to be involved with such an amazing group. Alex has also crewed shows for Contra Costa Musical Theatre and with Diablo Theatre Company. Alex is a proud member of the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. He is very thankful for our community and the fun it provides. “A good conscience is a continual Christmas.” Ben Franklin

Michael Butler (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s seventh season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his directing credits include The Underpants, A Number, Dracula, Boeing-Boeing and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Shellie and BATCC Award-winning productions of Around the World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Marriage of Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enchanted April, and Witness For The Prosecution. His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, ACT in Seattle, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, in regional theatres, film and television, as well as REP’s productions of The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. He is a published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which he has directed and performed in NY, LA, and at festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre LeChance on The Guiding Light, and played guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country western bands at all the notable dives in NYC.

OUR SPONSORS

Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past eight years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts.

Wells Fargo (Production Sponsor) is proud to be the production sponsor of Center REPertory Company’s production of A Christmas Carol. As the top corporate giver among financial institutions to Bay Area nonprofits, we take pride in supporting programming at the Lesher Center for the Arts through a season sponsorship with the Diablo Regional Arts Association, the non-profit partner of the Lesher Center. On behalf of our more than 18,000 Bay Area team members, Wells Fargo recognizes the Diablo Regional Arts Association for its leadership in making the arts accessible to residents of Contra Costa County. As the oldest and largest financial services company still headquartered in California, Wells Fargo has top financial professionals providing business banking, investments, brokerage, trust, mortgage, insurance, commercial and consumer finance, and much more. Visit with a banker at any of our 36 Wells Fargo stores in Contra Costa County to see how we can help you become more financially successful.

Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in the community is all about building partnerships with the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org.

Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) In the East Bay, the largest newspaper of the Bay Area News Group is the Contra Costa Times and its sister editions, the West County Times, Valley Times, San Ramon Valley Times and East County Times. The Times, was judged the best newspaper in its circulation category in the state five times in a six-year period by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. In 2005, it won the prestigious national Freedom of Information Award from Associated Press Managing Editors. And, in 2007, it was honored by the California Newspaper Publishers Association for its leadership on public records.

Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) Since 1994, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $40 million and reaching citizens in all parts of Contra Costa County. True to the original wishes of Dean and Margaret Lesher, the Foundation continues to build on the strengths of the community by supporting organizations

and programs that provide help and support to people in need; enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens; and promote a healthy and exciting future for the community. Established in 1989, the Foundation received its principal assets from Dean Lesher’s estate in 1993 and 1995. In 1997, an additional endowment from Dean Lesher’s estate followed the death of Margaret Lesher. A significant and final bequest from Mr. Lesher’s estate was received in 2003. As a family foundation, support for the Contra Costa community will be carried on by the next generation of family members. Grant-making decisions are based on the vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who felt quality education, diverse art programs, and healthy children and families are the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community. The Leshers defined the “spirit of giving” as “investing in the community and its people.” By providing financial support and direction in these critical areas, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation is investing every day, every week and every year in the health and well-being of this county that Dean and Margaret so loved.

ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY

Center REP is the resident, professional theatre company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our season consists of eight productions a year – a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies, both classic and contemporary, that continually strive to reach new levels of artistic excellence and professional standards.

Our mission is to celebrate the power of the human imagination by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving, and visually astonishing live theatre, and through Outreach and Education programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of the communities we serve.

What does it mean to be a producing theatre? We hire the finest professional directors, actors and designers to create our productions at Center REP. These are not touring productions – they’re conceived and developed here, the sets and costumes are built in our shops, and the actors rehearse in our rehearsal hall. Whether the production is a Bay Area premiere or a Shakespearean classic, each is devised to be a one of a kind, artistic creation that will be a unique theatre experience for our audience.

What does it mean to be a professional theatre? It means that all our artists and artisans are career theatre-practitioners. Many of the actors in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association; many of our directors and designers are members of professional unions. All do theatre because it is their profession and their passion.

We are very proud to have the opportunity to produce professional theatre for our community in the beautiful theatres here at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Thank you for your support!

CREATIVE TEAM

Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been a leader in the Arts for 38 years for Walnut Creek and the surrounding communities. Under Denison’s guidance for the last 21 years as General Manager for the Lesher Center for the Arts, he oversees over 850 public events each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with over 85 producers and producing organizations. He is also the Managing Director of the Center REPertory Company producing 8 professional productions each season; and is the director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts company which presents programs for the young and Young at Heart. Scott directed CCMT’s hits Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hairspray, and for the past 13 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. Denison has directed over 150 productions including most recently REP’s The Lady with All the Answers starring Kerri Shawn. In 1979 he created the Shellie Awards, which annually honors outstanding performing arts achievement in Contra Costa county. In 2007 he created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival bringing adult nationally acclaimed performances together for one day performing to over 7,000 guests of all ages.

Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) New York: Heat Wave; The Jack Cole Project, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Blanche Survives Katrina In A Fema Trailer Named Desire, The Time of Mendel’s Trouble. Vegas: Triumph at the Las Vegas Hilton. National tours: Shear Madness, Cats, Movin’ Out, Almost Heaven, Mooseltoe. Regional: Dreamgirls, My Way, Aida, The Full Monty, Jesus Christ Superstar (Gateway Playhouse); Beauty/Beast, Grease, Titanic, The Who’s Tommy, (Contra Costa Musical Theatre); Annie, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph/ Dreamcoat (Ohio’s Carousel Dinner Theater); West Side Story, The Scarlet Pimpernel (Diablo Light Opera Co.); Around the World In 80 Days, The Pavilion, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, A Christmas Carol (Center REPertory Co.). Mr. Tighe served as resident Scenic designer for Michigan’s Cherry County Playhouse, and Center REP. Television: Sunday Night Woah! (starring Mo Rocca) for Animal Planet, several spots for Verizon, Kit Kat, Disney, and the Oxygen network. Awards and recognitions: Northern California’s “Shellie”, Drama-Logue, and the S.F. Bay Area’s Critic’s Circle.

Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 20 years. She was lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen Fender at The Ballet School. Favorite roles include: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Bonnie Jean (Brigadoon), Louise (Carousel), Mary Warren (Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A Christmas Carol) Shellie Nominee, Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark) and Bonnie (Anything Goes) Choreography credits include: Joseph and the Amazing.., Hairspray (BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Line (BATCCA), Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Directing credits include: Joseph and the Amazing.., A Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled to be going into her 18th year of teaching for Center REP’s Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co-director of the Musical Theatre Program. Jennifer is the Casting Director for Center REPertory Company. By day Jennifer is the owner and director of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts which is home to the Performing Arts Studio. www.theballetschool.org

Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) has produced music and sound for Bay Area theatre for 25 years, including Center REP’s A Christmas Carol, Marvelous Party, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, Hank Williams Lost Highway, Around the World In 80 Days, and The Marriage of Figaro. Among his recent work are TheatreWorks’ Big River, Of Mice and Men, The Secret Garden, Fly By Night, Superior Donuts and [title of show], American Conservatory Theater’s Clybourne Park, War Music, The Rainmaker, and The Circle, and California Shakespeare Theatre’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Uncle Vanya, Private Lives, An Ideal Husband, and Pericles. Mr. Mockus contributed original music to the west coast premiere of Legacy of Light, his 70th production for San Jose Repertory Theatre.

John Earls (Lighting Designer) Spring Awakening, The Lady with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center REP) Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma!, 42nd Street-Shellie Award, Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); DRAA On Broadway/Lesher Arts Center Anniversary; Lesher Speaker Series-Newsmakers; Chevron Family Theatre Festival; ARF-Stars to the Rescue; The Shellie Awards; Rocky Horror Show, Let’s Go To The Movies (Town Hall). Thanks to the ACME Theatre Company.

Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) is an avid San Francisco Giants fan and is, once again, very proud of the boys in black and orange! He has been Production Manager for Center REP since 1995 and has stage managed more than 45 productions since starting with the company in 1989. Favorites include Boeing-Boeing, A Number, Almost Heaven – John Denver’s America, Becoming Memories, Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera, Godspell, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood and numerous productions of A Christmas Carol. Jeff directed Center REP’s Xanadu as well as Urinetown, The Musical, and Grease for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He worked as Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna – The Royal Tour in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor and a member of Actors Equity Association.

Audience ServicesAudience Services

CoordinatorCourtney Egg

Ticket Office StaffJeremiah VierlingCaitlin DowningHillary PearsallKiersten Jones

Karla KopfhammerBritt Lauer

Sadé RobinsonAndrea Toney

Production ServicesProduction Services

CoordinatorToni KilcoyneTechnical Staff

Steve PinoJohn Earls

Michael ArlenChris Currie

Scott DareGarrick SchusterStephen SpleissJosh Stouffer

Costumes Costume ManagerMichael A. Berg

Assistant CostumersMax Alenson

Matthew O’ConnorMarketing

Marketing DirectorGabe Marin

Marketing AssistantAriel Ford

Managing Director - Scott DenisonArtistic Director - Michael Butler

EducationEducation Directors

Jeff DraperKerri Shawn

ProductionProduction Manager

Jeff CollisterTechnical

Technical DirectorJoshua Lipps

Technical SupervisorGerald Frentz

Master ElectricianRay Oppenheimer

CarpentersDaniel CasiniJordan Scott

Cameron SwartzellChris SwartzellCasting DirectorJennifer Perry

Assistant Stage Manager/Props Coordinator

Joe CoeDeck Manager

Alex LogemannQuartet Manager

Barbara ReynoldsProduction Assistants

Lyle BarrereClaire McMahon

Yelyzaveta TashkevychJohn ValentineAdministration

Asst. to the Managing DirectorGail Pfeifer

ProgramLinda Nomura

Center REPertory Company