Lynne Soffer (Dialect Coach) has coached over 250 theater productions at A.C.T., Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, Marin Theater Company, Theatreworks, Cal Shakes, San Jose Rep and SF Opera among others including nine for Center Rep. Her regional credits include the Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, Arizona Theatre Company, the Arena Stage, Seattle Rep and the world premier of The Laramie Project at the Denver Center. Her film and television credits include “Fruitvale,” “Metro,” “Duets,” “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Soffer works frequently as a professional actor and acting teacher and is the recipient of the 2011 Actors’ Equity Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award.

Michael Butler (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s twelfth season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where his directing credits include The Liar, Women in Jeopardy, Baskerville, ‘Art,’ Anything Goes, Clybourne Park, Real Housewives of Walnut Creek, and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as the Shellie and BATCC Award-winning productions of Around the World in 80 Days, 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 (Macbeth with Glenda Jackson and Christopher Plummer and Two Shakespearean Actors), Off Broadway (Roundabout, The Public Theatre), in regional theatres (The Guthrie, Arena Stage, Long Wharf), film and television, as well as in REP’s productions of Mirandolina!, The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. He is a published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which have been produced 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 eleven 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.

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.

Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) As the namesake family for the Lesher Center for the Arts, the Lesher Foundation has provided funding to Center REP and the Lesher Center since the Center opened in 1990. Their support has had a profound impact on the quality of Center REP’s productions and has greatly enhanced the experience for Center REP’s audiences. 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.

Theater, and Marin Shakespeare Company. In addition to the stage, Ms. Deal has also had the opportunity to work in film and television including Costume Designer for “Not Your Year” currently in the festival circuit. She did costumes for Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project Winners in 2013.

John Iarla (Lighting Designer) Real Housewives the Musical (World Premier) Spring Awakening (East Bay Premier), The Lady with All the Answers, A Christmas Carol (Off Center/Center REP), Sunset Boulevard (East Bay Premier), Oklahoma!, 42nd Street-Shellie Award, Cinderella- Shellie Award (CCMT); On Broadway Gala, Walnut Creek Jazz Series (DRAA), 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 Mockus (Sound Designer) has designed sound for Center REP’s Women in Jeopardy, A Christmas Carol, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical, Life Could Be a Dream, Old Wicked Songs, Xanadu, 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 Silicon Valley’s The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga, Rags, and Crimes of the Heart, as well as The Western Stage’s Young Frankenstein, In the Heights, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Mr. Mockus served as San Jose Repertory Theatre’s Resident Sound Designer on over 70 productions, including The Haunting of Winchester, Nixon’s Nixon, Mary’s Wedding, and Thunder Knocking on the Door. He has credits with American Conseratory Theater, California Shakespeare Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz/Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Utah Shakespearean Festival and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Steve Channon (Projection Designer) Steve’s design credits include A Bed and a Chair at New York City Center (starring Bernadette Peters), Patti’s Turn (concert featuring Patti LuPone), The Nutcracker and I (George Street Playhouse) and the international premiere of R&H’s Cinderella, at the Rossiya theatre in Moscow. In California, Steve designed Les Mis (CCMT), and Miss Saigon (Broadway by the Bay). Steve has also worked on Broadway as animator and associate designer for Memphis, The Mountaintop and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short. Steve grew up in San Jose, and performed around the bay area, including in shows at AMTSJ and SBMT. Web: Channon.TV

Tom Judd (Costume Special Effects Designer) After a 26 year hiatus, Tom returns to Center REP to help bring a little magic to A Christmas Carol. Tom is a Technical Director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment where he works on Frozen Live at the Hyperion, Festival of Holidays and Disney Junior Dance Party. Traveling outside of the country Tom was also the Technical Director for Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mickey and the Wondrous Book. Tom is happy to be back where it all began.

Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is Jeff’s 20th year as Stage Manager for A Christmas Carol. When he first took the job in 1997 Bill Clinton was the President, gasoline was $1.39 a gallon and “Titanic” was cruising towards the top of the box office. Things have changed. Jeff has been Production Manager for Center REP since 1995 and has stage managed more than 50 productions since starting with the company in 1989. Jeff directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Xanadu for REP and Urinetown, The Musical, and Grease for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Next Spring Jeff will direct Disney’s Freaky Friday – The Musical for REP. He worked as Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna – The Royal Tour (1998) in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor, a member of Actors Equity Association, an avid San Francisco Giants and Harry Potter fan. “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

PRODUCTION TEAM

Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) has been the General Manager for the Lesher Center for the Arts since it opened 26 years ago and has worked for the Arts in this area for over 43 years. Scott has directed over 150 productions, including The Wizard of Oz, the musical hit Cinderella, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, The Music Man, Les Misérables and for the past 19 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol as well as all Fantasy Forum productions since 1970. He created and produces the annual Shellie Awards now celebrating 39 years. Scott has also designed lights for over 250 productions, including the national touring production of Sylvia. Under Denison’s guidance the Lesher Center for the Arts presents over 850 public events each year. He coordinates performing arts activities with over 100 producers and producing organizations. Scott created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival which hosts over 7,000 guests each year. He is also the Managing Director of the Center REPertory Company producing 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.

Michael Patrick Wiles (Music Director ) marks his 7th season as Music Director for A Christmas Carol. Other music directing credits include over 80 productions with Bay Area Children’s Theater, Berkeley Playhouse, Capital Stage Company, Contra Costa Civic Theater, Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble, Pacific Repertory Theater, San Francisco Opera Guild, and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival among others. Michael is the co-founder, co-director and musical director for Center REP’s Young REP Musical Theater Conservatory, and is the Casting Director & Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. BFA, Cornish College of the Arts.

Jennifer Perry (Choreographer/Swing/Dance Captain) has been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 25 years. She was lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen Fender at The Ballet School Performing Arts. Directing Credits Include: Billy Elliot, Gypsy (Shellie Award), Joseph and the Amazing.., A Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Red Hot and Cole for Role Players Ensemble. Choreography Credits include: Billy Elliot, Gypsy, The Music Man (Shellie Award) Les Misérables (CCMT) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Center REP) Sweet Charity (Center REP), Xanadu (Center REP, Shellie Award) Joseph and the Amazing. (Shellie Award)., Hairspray (BATCCA, Shellie Award), A Chorus Line (BATCCA), Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Annie, Sound of Music, Titanic the Musical and many other original pieces. Favorite roles include: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), bonnie jean (Brigadoon), Louise Carousel), Mary Warren (The Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A Christmas Carol), Shellie Nominee, Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark), and Bonnie (Anything Goes, Shellie Award). Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled to be going into her 23rd 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. 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 #LiveJoyCreateHope

Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Designer) has a number of Off-Broadway and national tour credits including Shadowlands, Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Madness and Cats. His regional theatre credits include Paper Mill Playhouse, Fingerlakes Musical Theater Festival, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center REPertory Company, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theatre Company, Gateway Playhouse, Broadway By the Bay, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company and Ray of Light Theatre. Kelly’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting and his work as an illustrator has been published in Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream. Awards and recognitions include the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, DramaLogue and the Shellie Awards. kellyjamestighe.com

Bethany Deal (Costume Designer) is excited to carry on the holiday tradition with her ACC family. She has her MFA in Costume Design/Hair & Make-Up design from Utah State University. She also has attended CSU Long Beach and has her Cosmetology License. She began designing costumes for school productions, and local theater productions in 2008 including Mr. Marmalade, Legally Blonde the Musical, Steel Magnolias, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Beehive!: the 60’s Musical, and The Fantasticks. She most recently designed the costumes for Annie (currently running at Berkeley Playhouse). Other collaborations include CMT- Music Circus, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Town Hall

Audience ServicesCoordinator

Courtney EggTicket Office StaffJeremiah Vierling

Rami KimRobert NolanJennifer Haga

Laina HareJave Hernandez

Elizabeth Martinié Hannah Mills

Shannon TaylorUsher Coordinator

Pat Mitchell

Production ServicesCoordinator

Toni KilcoyneTechnical Staff

Steve PinoAlex Bull

Chris CurrieHanna JohnsonGarrick SchusterStephen Spleiss

Josh StoufferJosh Yarnell

SecurityEmmaline Coartney

Nick DowdJohnny Silveira

Michael Butler Artistic DirectorScott Denison Managing Director

Center REPertory Company

Production ManagerJeff Collister

Technical DirectorJoshua Lipps

Master ElectricianAndrea Schwartz

CarpentersKevin Bennett

Trevor FreyGabriel Johnson

Caleb SalmonBrennan Shreves

Asst. Stage ManagerJoe Coe

Props ManagerRoger Anderson

Marketing AssociateMorgan Mitchell

CostumingBethany Deal

Lily ChhanMichelle KincaidMichael A. Berg

Hannah ChylinskiNelly Flores

Alea GonzalesAllison Mortimer

Linda ScottingAlice Tang

Stephanie WeldonPatiricia ZelachCasting DirectorJennifer Perry

THANK YOU TO THE STAFF OF THE

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTSEducation Directors

Jeff DraperKerri Shawn

Production AssistantsTerry D’Emidio

Erin GouldMiranda Ketchum

Daniel LevyAlex LogemannEthan WilliamsAdam Winship

Asst. to the Managing Director

Gail PfeiferProgram/Webmaster

Linda Nomura

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 COMPANYMichael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director

By Charles DickensAdaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James

Directed by Scott Denison

Music DirectorMichael Patrick Wiles

Sound DesignerJeff MockusHair Stylist

Michael Berg

Hofmann TheatreDecember 7 - 17, 2017

Lesher Center for the Arts

Scenic Designer Kelly James Tighe Costume Designer

Bethany DealChoreographerJennifer Perry Stage ManagerJeff Collister*

Lighting DesignerJohn Iarla

Projection DesignerSteve Channon Dialect CoachLynne Soffer

Season Partner Foundation SponsorSeason Sponsor

A Christmas Carol

Jeff Draper (Mr. Boxer/Marley/Topper/Old Joe) is co-Education Director for Center REP with Kerri Shawn, where they run the Young REP summer theatre training program, and he is also a teacher at The Harker School in San Jose. He has performed in numerous Center REP productions, and has also performed with Fantasy Forum, Town Hall Theater, CCMT, The Willows, California Shakespeare Theater, San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, Marin Theater Company, and others.

Ella Dunderdale (Belinda Cratchit) is very excited to be returning to Center REP! Previous performances include Fan and Belinda Cratchit in A Christmas Carol with Center REP, Keely Gibson in Billy Elliot, Baby June in Gypsy, Amaryllis in The Music Man, Little Cosette and Little Eponine in Les Misérables and Marta in The Sound of Music with Contra Costa Musical Theatre and Debbie Wilkinson in Billy Elliot at Berkeley Playhouse. She is a proud student of Lareen Fender Ballet School Performing Arts and spent a few amazing summers as part of Center REP’s Young REP program. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!

Edison Gould (Boy Scrooge/Turkey Boy) is happy to be returning to A Christmas Carol for his fourth year! He is the star of his own web series “THE KID WHO LOVED INDIANA JONES” and loves to act, write and direct when he gets all of his homework done. He would like to thank Mom & Dad, Uncle Jeff, Gigi, Gretchen & PJ, Uncle Danny, Auntie Paula, Clarabell and Tom Holland for inspiring him to continue to act.

Heather Kellogg (Dorit/Anne) is overjoyed to be back with the Christmas Carol family! Recent productions include: Gertrude Chiltern in An Ideal Husband, Hallie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Linda in Play it Again, Sam, and Rosalind in Moon Over Buffalo all with Town Hall Theatre, Evelina Bunner in The Bunner Sisters with reACT, Liz in Hilarity, and Kristin in Kristin Hersh’s RAT GIRL both with DIVAfest, Babies: The Ultimate Birth Control (winner of Best of Fringe) and Cat Ladies both with All Terrain Theater. She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television and teaches with Center REP’s Young REP conservatory during the summer. Love to mom and dad. Ikaw ang lahat sa akin, gwapo kong Baboy.

Jerry Lee* (Mr. Checkers/Present) is the Producing Artistic Director of SacImpulse Theatre (An Iliad, Orlando, Ryan Landry’s The Plexiglas Menagerie). NYC: Summer and Smoke (BASiC Theatre Project). Regional: The Fantasticks, It’s A Wonderful Life, A Little Princess (Sacramento Theatre Company); A Christmas Carol, Life Could Be A Dream (CenterREP); Forbidden Broadway (California Musical Theatre); Man of La Mancha, State Fair, The Drowsy Chaperone (Sierra Repertory Theatre); [title of show] (New Helvetia Theatre); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Les Misérables (Woodminster Summer Musicals & Contra Costa Musical Theatre); Songs For A New World, The Weir (PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre).

Amanda Leigh (Belle/Nancy) was last seen on this stage in CCMT’s recent production of Billy Elliot. Amanda has also worked with Center REP (A Christmas Carol, Sweet Charity), CCMT (Les Misérables, Hairspray, Joseph and the Amazing…, Beauty and the Beast), CCCT (Drowsy Chaperone), Berkeley Playhouse (To Kill A Mockingbird) and Town Hall Theatre (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Ideal Husband). Amanda is also a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble and is the Program Director of Performing Arts Studio at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek and a teaching artist for Young REP, Center REP’s theatre training program.

Scott Maraj (Gridley) is grateful to return to the Christmas Carol family for a fourth time. Most recently, he was seen in 42nd Street, Anything Goes and Disney’s The Little Mermaid with Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre and Baker Street and The Most Happy Fella with 42nd Street Moon. Scott’s directing/choreography credits include Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s production of Jekyll and Hyde as well as PCRT’s productions of The Last Five Years, Forever Plaid and The Taffetas and the upcoming In the Heights for Stage 1. Favorite roles include Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing…), Magaldi (Evita), Wrangler (The Will Rogers Follies), Corny Collins (Hairspray) and Bobby (A Chorus Line). #teamswirl

Michael McCarty (Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/Snuffbox) is thrilled to be back performing in this holiday classic. Previous performances on the Hofmann stage include CCMT’s productions of 1776, Gypsy, The Music Man, Les Misérables, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Michael is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble: www.fantasyforum.org. He works for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and resides with his wife and son in Benicia.

Jennifer Mitchell (Catherine Hastings) is delighted to make her Center REP debut! Her credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and Les Misérables (Cosette) at Woodminster Summer Musicals; Patience (Patience) at Lamplighters Music Theatre; Oklahoma! (Laurey) at Broadway by the Bay; Kismet: In Concert (Marsinah), The Boy Friend (Polly), and Where’s Charley? (Kitty) at 42nd Street Moon; Le nozze di Figaro (Barbarina) at Opera San José; Snow White with Beach Blanket Babylon; The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella) at Cinnabar Theater, Master Class (Sophie) at Jewel Theater Company; The Light in the Piazza (Clara) and Carousel (Julie) at Spreckels Theatre Company; and Così fan tutte (Despina) at Pocket Opera. She has received several nominations for Best Actress in a Principal Role in a Musical from the SFBATCC. Jennifer also teaches voice privately and at the Ballet School in Walnut Creek. Infinite gratitude to her family and friends. Happy Holidays to all! www.jenniferalexismitchell.com

Alex Moore (Mr. Tiffey - Tenor) is happy to return “home” for a 4th season of ACC! East Bay Area credits include: Town Hall- Mystery... Drood (Bazzard), Company (David), CCMT- Les Misérables (Enjolras), OMG...- Godspell (Judas). A proud WC native, Alex graduated from Northgate High in 2005, where he was a member of Production Workshop, president of the Madrigals, and a Dance Production captain. Alex studied vocal performance and theatre and holds a BA in music from PLNU, San Diego. Co-Musical Director at The Ballet School’s Young Actor’s Studio, Alex is also a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble! “For Erin and Andy. I love you most.”

Thomas Moore (Peter Cratchit/ Charlie) is thrilled to be back with the cast of, A Christmas Carol, for a fourth year. Thomas studies voice and saxophone locally. He also spends his summers studying theatre arts with Young REP. His favorite roles to date have been as Peter Cratchit and Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol with Center REP. Thomas would like to thank his parents, family, and friends for driving him everywhere and his teachers and mentors for helping his dreams become realities. Enjoy the show!

R. Martin Newton (Rudge) is sincerely thrilled to be back with the A Christmas Carol family in his 12th year! Recent credits include: Billy Elliot with Contra Costa Music Theater (Mr. Braithwaite), Disney’s Tarzan with Berkeley Playhouse (Kerchak) and The Full Monty with Contra Costa Musical Theatre (Dave Bukatinsky), in which Marty was honored to receive the ShellieAward for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He’s a huge San Francisco Giants and Forty Niners fan. During his non-theater hours, Marty works as a Regional Sales Account Exec for Levi Strauss & Co in SF. Marty would like to thank his family for their love and and undying support.

Josselyn O’Neill (Rosa) is overjoyed to be returning to A Christmas Carol this holiday season with such a wonderful cast and creative team. Recent productions include Billy Elliot (CCMT), My Fair Lady (PCRT), Kismet In Concert (42nd Street Moon), and she will be performing in The Elephant Man (Hillbarn Theatre) in the Spring. Love always, to Casey. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Jeanine Louise Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig) is very pleased to be returning to A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Fezziwig. This cast is truly a family that strives to spread the love and joy of this Holiday Season to everyone who has the opportunity to attend a performance. Most recently she entertained audiences as the rapping nun; Sister Mary Lazarus, in Sister Act at Berkeley Playhouse and the evil witch in Snow White with FFAE. Many thanks to her personal family; Fred, Miranda, Evan & Hensley who always believe in her and are proof of the wonder & happiness loved ones can bring. Now, it’s time to celebrate!

CAST

Jenny Angell ..................................................................AfferyKayla Marie Berghoff ........................................Mrs. CratchitChris Contreras .................................................Georgie/ThiefMichael Doppe* ....................................... Young Scrooge/BozJeff Draper ........................ Mr. Boxer/Marley/Topper/Old JoeElla Dunderdale ............................................Belinda CratchitEdison Gould .................................. Boy Scrooge/Turkey BoyHeather Kellogg..................................................... Dorit/AnneJerry Lee* ..............................................Mr. Checkers/PresentAmanda Leigh ..................................................... Belle/NancyScott Maraj .................................................................. GridleyMichael McCarty ....Mr. Applebaum/Mr. Fezziwig/SnuffbloxJennifer Mitchell .......................................Catherine HastingsAlex Moore.................................................. Mr. Tiffey - TenorThomas Moore...................................... Peter Cratchit/CharlieR. Martin Newton .........................................................RudgeJosselyn O’Neill ............................................................... RosaJeanine Perasso ................................................ Mrs. FezziwigGrace Perry ............................................................ Fan/LizzieVincent M. Perry .......... Constable/Undertaker/Havisham/PipLuke Phillips ..................................................................FutureXander Raymond ........................................ Silas/Beggar BoyBarbara Reynolds ............................. Miss Skiffins - SopranoNick Rodriguez ................................................... Dick WilkinsKerri Shawn .................................................Past/CharwomanKeelyn Snoderly .............................................Fauna FezziwigTeddy Spencer* .................................................Fred HastingsJenna Stich ................................................ Pleasant/LaudnressMolly Thornton ..................................... Miss Augustus - AltoLarry Tom ................................................Mr. Bagstock - BassBrayden Bautista Toy ............................. Tiny Tim/IgnoranceTiare Vasconcellos .........................Estella/Fig Fezziwig/WantMichael Patrick Wiles* .......................................Bob CratchitMichael Ray Wisely* ................................. Ebenezer ScroogeOlivia Wisely ..........................Martha Cratchit/Flora FezziwigWendy Wisely .............................................................LucretiaDiella Wottrich ............................................................ LaviniaSpecial thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Jenny Angell (Affery) is thrilled to be spending this holiday season debuting with Center REP. Recent Lesher Center credits include: Gypsy (u/s Louise and June) with CCMT, and Hansel and Gretel (Gretel) with Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble. Other credits include: Chicago (Roxie Hart) with Lucky Penny, Cabaret (Sally Bowles) with Oldcastle Theatre Company, Urinetown (Little Becky Two-Shoes) with Berkeley Playhouse, and Seussical (Gertrude) with Bay Area Children’s Theatre. www.jennyangell.com

Kayla Marie Berghoff (Mrs. Cratchit) is thrilled to return to Center REP for this holiday classic. Originally from Sacramento, Kayla is now based in New York City and recently graduated from the MFA Acting program at The New School for Drama. Recent credits include Camelot (Guenevere), Happy End (Lillian), Henry VI Part 3 (Queen Margaret), The Turn of the Screw (The Governess), and Cabaret (Lulu). Kayla would like to thank her husband Mike for all his support. Happy holidays, everyone! www.KaylaBerghoff.com

Chris Contreras (Georgie/Thief) is so excited to be a part of this production of A Christmas Carol. He was in A Christmas Carol last year and recently was seen as Michael in Billy Elliot with CCMT. In addition to being part of these productions you can also find him playing baseball, football and basketball with his friends like any other kid. He is 13 years old and in the 7th grade at Foothill Middle School in Walnut Creek. His favorite part about theater is working together with the rest of the cast and entertaining the audience. “Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy the show!”

Michael Doppe* (Young Scrooge/Boz) , is an actor, writer, director, projection designer, and graduate of the SCT “Actor Training Program”. And has been seen working at Foothill Music Theatre, Center Rep, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, “OMG I Love That Show” Productions, Missouri Street Theatre, 42nd St. Moon, San Jose Stage, Ray of Light Theatre, Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, New Conservatory Theatre Center, and Solano College Theatre. Full resumé at http://michaeldoppe.wix.com/actor. “Doppe” is a proud member of Actors Equity.

Grace Perry (Fan) is a proud student of Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts. She takes Ballet, Tap, Broadway Dance and Theatre classes with the Performing Arts Studio at The Ballet School. Grace is in the 7th grade. Grace studied Kung-Fu for 8 years at the Concord Kung-Fu Academy. Grace has been seen in CCMT shows such as Gypsy (Baby Louise) The Music Man (Gracie Shinn) OKLAHOMA!, and Joseph and the Amazing...and A Christmas Carol (Fan, Center REP). Grace is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble and a student of the Young REP Acting training program for the past 2 summers.

Vincent M. Perry (Constable/Crow/Undertaker) Some Favorite Roles include: Billy’s Dad, Jackie Elliot (Billy Elliot), Pharaoh (Joseph and The Amazing, CCMT, Shellie Award), Les Misérables, 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). A Shellie Award winner and multiple Marty Award winner, Vince is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org. Vincent is the head of the Music Department at The Ballet School Performing Arts where he teaches Piano and Voice in Walnut Creek. www.theballetschool.org

Luke Phillips (Future) is excited to be able to perform as the Ghost of Christmas Future and the ensemble in this annual tradition of Christmas Carol at the Lesher Center. He was the Scab/Miner/Ensemble in Billy Elliot at CCMT and Gomez Addams in The Addams Family at Miramonte High School. He’s currently a senior at Miramonte in Orinda and plans to study acting at a theatre college and pursue acting as a career. He wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and hopes you like the show!

Xander Raymond (Beggar Boy) is excited and grateful to be returning to A Christmas Carol for the second year. His favorite roles include: Small Boy (Billy Elliot, CCMT), The Baker (Into the Woods, The Meher School) and James (James & the Giant Peach, The Meher School). He studies Ballet, Tap and Voice at the fabulous Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School Performing Arts here in Walnut Creek. Xander is in the Sixth grade. He would like to thank all his teachers, mentors and family for their continual love and support as he pursues his dreams.

Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Soprano) raises a glass of champagne to her 21st season in the Christmas Carol quartet. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she recently appeared as Bobbi/Gabby in City of Angeles and Kate in Kiss Me, Kate at South Bay Musical Theatre. Other favorites include Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), and She Loves Me (Amalia) at South Bay; 1776 (Abigail Adams) at Tabard Theatre; Little Women (Marmee) at Sunnyvale Players; A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Magnolia).

Nicholas Rodriguez (Dick Wilkins) is thrilled to be a part of Center REP’s holiday tradition that is A Christmas Carol. Recent credits: Grease (Danny Zuko) and Sasha (Fiddler on the Roof). He was last seen in CCMT’s production of Billy Elliot. He would like to thank his family, friends, teachers and Wiz Khakis for their constant love and support.

Kerri Shawn (Past/Charwoman) is grateful to be returning to the role of Christmas Past! She has treasured performing in the Bay Area for several wonderful theatre companies including FFAE, Marin Theatre Company, CCMT and PlayGround, throughout the past 40 years. She serves as Co-Director for Center REP’s Young REP Theatre Training Program with Jeff Draper (youngrep.org) This coming April Kerri will be performing Shirley Valentine in celebration of Center REP’s 50th Anniversary!

Keelyn Snoderly (Fauna Fezziwig) is delighted to be a part of her first Center REP production, after spending her summer in the Young REP program. Some of her previous credits include Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest at Las Lomas High School, Ensemble in Footloose with Stars2000, Chava in Fiddler on

Michael Patrick Wiles* (Bob Cratchit) is pleased to return for his 16th season of A Christmas Carol! Previous Center REP credits include The Glass Menagerie (Tom Wingfield) and Dracula (Dr. Seward). Other stage credits include over 45 productions with American Conservatory Theater, American Musical Theater, Aurora Theater Company, Berkeley Repertory Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, Captial Stage Company, Magic Theater, Marin Shakespeare Company, Pacific Repertory Theater, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Shotgun Players, and Tacoma Actor’s Guild. Michael is the co-founder, co-director, and musical director for Center REP’s Young REP Musical Theater Conservatory, and is the Casting Director & Resident Musical Director for Berkeley Playhouse. BFA in Acting, Cornish College of the Arts.

Michael Ray Wisely* (Ebenezer Scrooge) REP’s audiences recently saw him as Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet. Other REP performances include Petkoff in Arms and the Man, Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird and as the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. Most recently Michael Ray was in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where he performed as Resten in The Language Archive for Symmetry Theatre. Well known to Bay Area audiences, he has performed locally and at other west coast theatres for over 20 years. Other recent roles: Robert in Betrayal for Pacific Coast Repertory, Gustave Flaubert in Dear Master for Aurora Theatre Company, and Off-Broadway as Ted in the critical hit Ideation for SF Playhouse and 59e59 Theater. Other credits include: Berkeley Repertory, TheatreWorks, SF Shakes, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Marin Shakes, San Jose Stage, and others. Michael Ray has starred and guest-starred in film and television. Follow him on facebook or michaelraywisely.com

Olivia Wisely (Flora Fezziwig/Martha Cratchit) Liv Wisely is super excited to be acting for her 12th year in Center REP’s A Christmas Carol! Liv has also been in a number of shows at Las Positas College in Livermore including The Imaginary Invalid, Nickel and Dimed, and most recently in a production of David Mamet’s The Water Engine. She has trained classically at Cal Shakes Conservatory for seven years, and most recently played the title role in William Shakespeare’s Richard III. Apart from her acting career, Liv has published a webcomic which you can view at actualconversations.com. Wendy M. Wisely (Lucretia) previous Center REP productions include The Diviners, The Night Hank Williams Died and Room Service. Most recently, she played Lord Henry Wotton in The Picture of Dorian Grey with the TheatreFirst/Actor’s Theatre of Berkeley Oscar Wilde festival. Originally from Seattle, she earned her MFA in directing from San Jose State University. As a professional actor and director, she has worked at San Jose Stage Co., Pacific Alliance, The Willows, California Shakespeare Theater, Role Players, Townhall Theatre, and The Western Stage. Wendy is a professor of theater at Las Positas College and Santa Rosa Junior College where she was honored with 2 semesters teaching theatre abroad: London (2011) and Florence (2014). She is thrilled to be joining her family in the show for a 11th year.

Diella Wottrich (Lavinia) is thrilled to be back with her Christmas Carol family! She was last seen on the Hoffman stage this Spring in CCMT’s Grease playing the role of Miss Lynch. Other theatre credits include CCMT’s Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph….., Sunset Blvd., Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A Chorus Line, FFAE’s Robin Hood, DTC’s Guys & Dolls and Annie, and TVRT’s The Sound of Music. She has also performed in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. Diella dedicates this performance to her beautiful, incredible, amazing Mom who passed away in April. I love you, Mom!! This one’s for you!!

The Roof at Las Lomas High School, and Ensemble in The Addams Family with Stars2000. She’d like to thank her family for their constant support and love!

Teddy Spencer* (Fred Hastings) is thrilled to return to Center REP, where he was last seen as Philiste in The Liar. Spencer’s regional credits include Hamlet at American Conservatory Theatre; Cabaret, and Henry IV at Dallas Theater Center; Assassins, and Clybourne Park at Milwaukee Repertory Theater; As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, and Romeo & Juliet at Marin Shakespeare Company; 4000 Miles at Capital Stage Company; Sense & Sensibility at Sacramento Theater Company; and Macbeth and Othello with the Arabian Shakespeare Festival. As a member of the Reduced Shakespeare Company he has performed throughout the world. His on-camera work includes “Workaholics” (Comedy Central), “Studio City Kings” (Wonk Inc), and “Steve Jobs” (Universal Pictures). He holds an MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University, and is a Company Member with the Arabian Shakespeare Festival and SF PlayGround.

Jenna Stich (Laundress) is so happy to be rejoining the cast of A Christmas Carol. A former student of Young REP, past experience includes Center REP, Lafayette Town Hall and Silicon Valley Shakespeare. Jenna sends her love and thanks to her wonderful family.

Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Alto) is thrilled to return to the wonderful cast of A Christmas Carol for her tenth year. Having just completed a run as Helen Sinclair in Bullets Over Broadway with West Valley Light Opera, other memorable roles include Morticia (The Addams Family), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Velma Von Tussle (Hairspray), Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Matron Mama Morton (Chicago), Pennywise (Urinetown), Mrs. Walker (The Who’s Tommy), Kate (Kiss Me, Kate) and Betty Blake (The Will Rogers Follies) for which she received a Shellie Award. Love to my wonderful husband, James!

Larry Tom (Mr. Bagstock - Bass) returns for another year in A Christmas Carol after appearing in the South Bay area frequently over the past sixteen years. He was most recently in The Chimes of Normandy in San Jose with Lyric Theatre and has also performed with South Valley Civic Theatre (SVCT), West Bay Opera, and others. Some favorite productions have been Into the Woods, 1776, Company, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore. Larry’s theatrical experience also includes set designer, stage manager, and board member and president for both Lyric Theatre and SVCT. He’s a graduate of Campolindo High School in Moraga and UC Davis.

Brayden Bautista Toy (Tiny Tim) is thrilled for the opportunity to play Tiny Tim again! His most recent appearance on stage has been with The Ballet School Performing Arts’ production of Once Upon A Christmas. He played one of the Three Little Kittens! He has danced ballet for four years and trained with Young Actors Studio for three summers. When Brayden is not dancing, acting, or being a 1st grader, he enjoys origami, drawing stick figure battles, and reading. Enjoy the show!

Tiare Vasconcellos (Fig Fezziwig) is excited to return to the cast of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. She is 12 years old and studies vocals, piano, guitar and dance. Tiare most recently performed in the CCMT productions The Music Man and Gypsy. Many thanks to the fantastic summer programs with Young REP and dance classes at The Ballet School. Thanks to my family, friends, the directors, cast and crew for all their support.

THANK YOU TO OUR OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS:

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine BarScott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant

CENTER REP THANKS :Massimo’s Ristorante • Waters Moving and Storage

Associated Services-Alta Water • Contra Costa Musical TheatreShannon and Mike Demers

CITY COUNCILJustin Wedel, Mayor

Rich CarlstonLoella Haskew

Cindy SilvaKevin Wilk

CITY MANAGERDan BuckshiDIRECTOR Arts + Rec

Kevin Safine

ARTS COMMISSIONAnita Sagastegui, Chair

Jane Emanuel, Vice ChairJoe Bologna

Polly Bradbury Glynnis Cowdery