Proudly Presents
Book by John August Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture Written by John August
STARRING
Landon Barnickel Morgan Glynn Briggs Christie Coran Matthew Dunn Alicia Hurtado Aimee Erickson Langfield Allyssa O’Donnell Peter Rugar Laura Williams
Louie Bartolomeo Heidi Buyck Brianne DeFrang Nic Eastlund Daniel Hurtado Edward J. MacLennan Taylor Okey Jordan Taylor Jonah D. Winston
Marisa Boynton Alex Campea Micheael DeFrang Jerica Exum Warren Karas Kelly Maryanski Jenna Payne Katherine Trainor JZ Zaeske
Directed by DANTE J. ORFEI
Musical Direction by John Warren
Choreography by Dina DiCostanzo
Assistant Musical Direction by Carisa Gonzalez-Sambolin
Scenic Design by Michael Nedza
Lighting Design by Dante Orfei
Costume Design by Gennesse Spridco
Multimedia Design by Micheal A. Kott
Big Fish is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10018 Big Fish
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SET TING Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him-most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. There will be one 15-minute intermission. The use of flash photography and video recording devices without the written permission of the management is prohibited. Please remember to silence or turn off your cellular phones and other messaging devices. CAST Will Bloom......................................................................................................................................Taylor Okey Edward Bloom..........................................................................................................Edward J. MacLennan Young Will..............................................................................................................................................Landon Barnickel................................................................................................................................................................ Sandra Bloom.......................................................................................................................Marisa Boynton Don Price.....................................................................................................................................Jordan Taylor Zacky Price.....................................................................................................................................Peter Rugar The Witch........................................................................................................................................Jerica Exum Josephine....................................................................................................................Morgan Glynn Briggs Dr. Bennett..............................................................................................................................Daniel Hurtado Jenny Hill.............................................................................................................Aimee Erickson Langfield Mayor............................................................................................................................................Warren Karas Karl,The Giant....................................................................................................................Jonah D. Winston Amos Calloway............................................................................................................... Louie Bartolomeo Ensemble: Heidi Buyck, Alex Campea, Christie Coran, Brianne DeFrang, Michael DeFrang, Matthew Dunn, Nic Eastlund, Alicia Hurtado, Kelly Maryanski, Allyssa O’Donnell, Jenna Payne, Katherine Trainor, Laura Williams, JZ Zaeske BAND Keyboard 1................................................................................................................................... Robert Dietz Keyboard 2.........................................................................................................................Carissa Gonzalez* Violin......................................................................................................................................... Julia Birnbaum Viola..........................................................................................................................................Nicholas Jeffery Cello..................................................................................................................................................Sarah Ritch Reed 1............................................................................................................................................... Lara Regan Reed 2......................................................................................................................................Morgan Kupec* Trumpet......................................................................................................................................... Ryan Hobbs French Horn.................................................................................................................................Jordan Tyner Guitar 1.......................................................................................................................................... Brent Moore Guitar 2..................................................................................................................................Andrea Salcedo* Bass............................................................................................................................................Chris Wysoglad Drums........................................................................................................................................Mike Pryzgoda Percussion............................................................................................................................Jesus Velasquez* 2
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MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I Be The Hero.............................................................................................. Edward, Young Will, Ensemble I Know What You Want............................................................................The Witch, Edward, Ensemble I Know What You Want Reprise.............................................................................The Witch, Ensemble Alabama Wedding......................................................................................................................Will, Sandra Just Take Another Look........................................................................................................Josephine,Will Stranger..........................................................................................................................................................Will Two Men In My Life....................................................................................................Sandra, Will, Edward Ashton’s Favorite Song.....................................................................................................Jenny,Ensemble Out There On The Road...................................................Edward, Karl, Jenny, Don Price, Ensemble Little Lamb From Alabama...........................................................................................Sandra, Ensemble Time Stops............................................................................................................................. Edward, Sandra Closer to Her..............................................................Edward, Amos, Karl, Josephine, Will, Ensemble Daffodils.................................................................................... Edward, Sandra, Don Price, Zacky Price ACT II Red, White, And True............................................................. Sandra, Edward, Young Will, Ensemble Fight The Dragons........................................................................................................ Edward, Young Will Stranger Reprise..........................................................................................................................................Will Showdown..............................................................................................................Will, Edward, Ensemble I Don’t Need A Roof............................................................................................................ Sandra, Edward Start Over............................................................... Don Price, Edward, Amos, Karl, Zacky, Ensemble Start Over (Reprise)............................................................................................................... Edward, Jenny What’s Next.................................................................................... Will, Edward, Dr. Bennett, Ensemble How It Ends...................................................................................................................................Edward, Will The Procession.................................................................................................................................Ensemble Be The Hero (Reprise)......................................................................Will, Will’s Son, Sandra, Josephine
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HEADSHOTS
Landon Barnickel
Heidi Buyck
Louie Bartolomeo
Alex Campea
Marisa Boynton
Morgan Glynn Briggs
Christie Coran Brianne DeFrang Michael DeFrang
Aimee Erickson
Nic Eastlund
Jerica Exum
Daniel Hurtado
Warren Karas
Taylor Okey
Jenna Payne
Peter Rugar
Jordan Taylor
Katherine Trainor
Laura Williams
Jonah D. Winston
JZ Zaeske
Kelly Maryanski
Alicia Hurtado
Allyssa O’ Donnell
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CAST PROFILES Landon Barnickel (Young Will) This is Landon’s first show with JPAC. He made his acting debut at the age of 5 when he was cast as Dolore in DuPage Opera Theatre’s production of Madama Butterfly. He has been in several mini broadway workshops and camps at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville where he also takes dance and piano. In his spare time, he enjoys rooting for his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers and participating in any sports. This fall you can see him as part of the ensemble in Petite Opera’s production of Brundibar. Landon is very excited to be part of this production and would like to thank his family for their love and support. Louie Bartolomeo (Amos Calloway) a Chicagoan and actor, as well as composer/ Lyricist/musical director of musicals which have had productions in NYC and L.A.: Hollywood, Blues for Central Avenue, Haywire, Have You Tried Sexxx I & II, Gold Rush Follies, as well as special material for Las Vegas Revues. After jobbing back and forth from L.A. to NYC for many years, Louie has now settled in Oak Park and is thrilled to making his first appearance at JPAC in Big Fish. Morgan Glynn Briggs (Josephine) is happy to be appearing on the JPAC stage for a second time. Other Chicago credits include Metropolis, Performing Arts Center, Billy Pacholski’s Assassins, Harper Theatre Ensemble, and Illinois Theatre Center. Morgan has performed regionally with Missoula Children’s Theatre, Theatre West Virginia, Shawnee Summer Theatre, and Maple’s Reparatory Theatre. Morgan earned her B.A. in theatre (acting) from Illinois State University. Marisa Boynton (Sandra Bloom) Marisa is delighted to make her JPAC debut in this beautiful production. Recent Chicago credits include Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Harper Theatre Ensemble). Originally from Chicago, she’s recently returned after 7 years in London where her credits include Company (Union Theatre and Edinburgh Festival), Sweet Charity (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Sleeping Beauty (Sadler’s Wells), Oklahoma 6
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(Broadway Theatre), The Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Thursford Enterprises) and can also be heard on the recordings of Sleeping Beauty and Coronation Street: Street of Dreams. Marisa is a proud graduate of CCPA at Roosevelt University. Heidi Buyck (Ensemble) is so excited to make her JPAC debut! She recently received her B.A. in Theatre Performance with a minor in Dance from North Central College in Naperville, IL. Collegiate credits include: (Jenny) The Threepenny Opera,(Char) Float, and (Baptista) The Taming of the Shrew. Regional credits include: Nice Gal Edie in Reservoir Dogs (Bare Knuckle Productions), Barbra in the world premiere of Twelfth Night of the Living Dead (Shakespeare on Clark), Lindsey/Ensemble in At the End of the Road (Circle Theater), Ensemble in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), and Rosie in Cabaret (Brightside Theatre). Alex Campea (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to JPAC in this production of Big Fish! Alex was seen recently at JPAC as a featured dancer and ensemble member in Evita. Other notable roles include Clarence Darrow in And On The Eighth Day: Bryan Vs. Darrow, Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone, Hunter in [TITLE OF SHOW], Clown in Cuff Me: The Unauthorized Fifty Shades Of Grey Musical Parody, and recently his work as a dancer in Fidelio at the Skylight Music Theatre of Milwaukee was featured for its innovation in Times Square. Alex wants to thank Dante for another chance to perform at JPAC, his parents for supporting him endlessly with everything he’s wanted to do, his three leading ladies Anna, Katie, and Lindsey, and of course his awesome roommate Katie for putting up with him! Enjoy the show! Christie Coran (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Jedlicka debut with Big Fish. She is a recent graduate of Northern Illinois University, where she received her B.F.A in Acting. Christie has also studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School (MXAT) and the
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Actors Movement Studio in New York City. She would like to thank her parents for all their love and support! Brianne DeFrang (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Jedlicka debut in Big Fish and to be appearing onstage with her husband, Michael. Favorite recent credits include Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Urinetown (Little Sally), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive), and Gypsy (Louise). Many thanks to the production team for this opportunity! Michael DeFrang (Ensemble) is excited and humbled to be performing alongside this wonderful cast in his first performance at JPAC. Recent credits include Joseph… Dreamcoat (Joseph), Urinetown (Bobby Strong), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip), and Gypsy (Tulsa). Thank you to the production team of Big Fish for this wonderful opportunity to share such a new and exciting show and perform alongside his beautiful wife, Brianne. Matthew Dunn (Ensemble) is excited to be performing Big Fish at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for the first time! He’s been on stage ever since the age of 7. He has appeared in, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Tom Sawyer), Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat (Simeon), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Robin Starveling), Spoon River Anthology (Willie Metcalf, Judge Selah Lively, and Lucious Atherton) and Magdela (Macin). He just recently finished his audio book titled,”Hear no Evil” by Mary L. Hamilton (available on Amazon) and has been very blessed to be a part of Moody Radio’s, The Lesser Characters of Christmas (Priest), and Secrets from the Garden as (the disciple Andrew and the servant Malchus). Much thanks to Jeff and Christina Dunn for all of their constant unconditional love and support, my brothers Ben, Aaron, Stephen, and Jesse, to Ray Deck III, Mark Breta, Ad Vivum, Summer and Adrian Ciobanu, and to David Hahn. Love you guys! To contact Matthew, please visit matthewdunn.me.
Nic Eastlund (Ensemble) As a recent college graduate, this is Nic’s JPAC premiere. Nic received his B.F.A in musical theatre from Ball State University and is very excited about sharing Big Fish with you! Nic’s past credits include Major Barbara (Adolphus Cusins), 42nd Street (Julian Marsh), Christmas Carol (Philpot), The Drowsy Chaperone (Superintendent), and Beauty & The Beast (Beast). Nic would like to thank his loving and supporting family and his wonderful castmates. Enjoy! Aimee Erickson (Jenny Hill) is so excited to be making her JAPC debut. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre. She has worked with Real Clear in FAME and Brightside in RENT as well as studying at Steppenwolf and The Marriott. Big Fish has been such a great experience and Aimee is so grateful to work with such a wonderful cast and crew. Jerica Exum (The Witch) is thrilled to be making her JPAC theatre debut. Jerica earned her B.F.A. from Culver-Stockton College (C-SC). While attending C-SC she received 2 Irene Ryan nominations for her performances in Spoon River Anthology & The Riding Club. She was last seen out at sea performing as a Show band vocalist for Carnival Cruise Lines. Jerica is ecstatic to be back on land, where the people move and the ground stays still; returning to one of her first loves: the stage! Alicia Hurtado (Ensemble) is excited to work with JPAC again! You may have seen her as Vikki/Charity in Whistle Down the Wind, Whitney in Legally Blonde, or in Sunset Boulevard. Other credits include Rosa Giardino in Donna and Rocco’s Big Fat Italian Wedding, Little Bo Peep in Chicago Folks Operetta’s Babes in Toyland, Lady Agatha Carlisle in Dead Writer’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, Young Anita Loos in Dead Writer’s Loos Ends, Christine in Fox Valley Theatre Company’s Phantom of the Opera, Fredrika in Circle Theatre’s A Little Night Music, Jane in Circle Theatre’s The Women, Big Fish
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Sophie in Chicago Folks Operetta’s Circus Princess, and Anne in Tuesday’s Child’s A Little Night Music. Daniel Hurtado (Dr. Bennett) returns to the JPAC stage after appearing in Phantom of the Opera, Man of La Mancha (the Barber), Sunset Boulevard (Manfred) and Whistle Down the Wind (Minister). Daniel is a lawyer by day. His favorite roles from before his lawyer days include Mr. Bumble (Oliver), the Padre (Man of La Mancha), Toby (Sweeney Todd), Nicely-Nicely (Guy and Dolls), Jacey Squires (Music Man), and Gino the bad boy (Pinocchio). More recently, Daniel has appeared in A Little Night Music, The Circus Princess, and The Bar Show, a musical satire produced solely by lawyers. Daniel enjoys sharing the stage with his daughter Alicia, who also is in this production. Warren Karas (Mayor) is happy to be on the JPAC Stage once again, since playing the Sherrif in Whistle Down the Wind. Previous performances were The Miracle Worker (Father), Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard, and Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye). Recently he has completed a production of Ragtime (J.P. Morgan) at the Drama Group in Chicago Heights. During the day Warren works for Chicago Beverage Systems, the Miller Beer distributor for Chicago. Warren would like to thank the production staff for the opportunity to be in the production after having seen it a total of 3 times here in Chicago in its pre-broadway work and then again in NYC. He hopes everyone is taken in by the show as he was, and wants to thank all who support live theatre. Edward J. MacLennan (Edward Bloom) is pleased to be returning to the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in the role of Edward Bloom in Big Fish. This is his fourth time at the Center, where he was previously seen here in the roles of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera, and Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha. Recently, he performed in the Jeff nominated Spamalot for Nightblue Theater Productions, where he played Sir Gallahad, 8
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and he also made his operatic debut with the American Chamber Opera. He is very thankful for the friends he has made in the professional theater in Chicago and hopes to keep forming new, and stronger, bonds within this new theater family. Go check out my vids on youtube!?! http://www. youtube.com/user/the8rbuf Kelly Maryanski (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her JPAC debut in such wonderful storytelling! Kelly holds a B.F.A cum laude from Denison University and also acts as choreographer, pianist, and illustrator when not on stage. Favorite roles include: Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl), CATS (Rumpleteazer), Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), Oliver! (Charlotte), Sweeney Todd (Lucy/ Beggar Woman), Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes), and she was recently seen in Damn Yankees at Light Opera Works. Film: Divergent. www.thisiskellymaryanski.com Allyssa O’Donnell (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to the JPAC stage in Big Fish. She made her JPAC debut ten years ago in the world premiere production of Nefertiti. She was last seen as Liz (Pop) and Go-to-Hell Kitty in the Legacy Theatre production of Chicago in Atlanta, Georgia. Other past roles include Lisa (Collected Stories), Velma Kelly (Chicago), Rizzo (Grease), and Chantal (The Thugs). She also can be seen performing at Medieval Times Chicago Castle as Princess Catalina. She received her B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Ball State University. She would like to thank Dante, Dina, John and Melanie for bringing this show to life, and her Mom and Dad for making it possible for her to pursue her dreams. She hopes you enjoy the show! Taylor Okey (Will Bloom) is thrilled to be making his JPAC debut alongside such an incredible cast and creative team! Chicago stage credits include the world premiere production of The Next Thing (Signal Ensemble Theater), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Alone Together (Big Noise Theater), The Lockout: a Musical (Six Hours Short at The American Theater Company) and Tomorrow
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Morning (Towle Theater). This fall, Taylor will be making his Light Opera Works debut in their upcoming production of The Merry Widow. He is a proud graduate of Elmhurst College and holds a B.M. in Music Education and Vocal Performance. For mom, dad, the bros, AL&K, and my incredible group of family and friends. 1 Corinthians 10:31. www.TaylorOkey.com Jenna Payne (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her JPAC and professional theatre debut with this beautiful & extraordinary musical! Jenna is a recent Theatre and Music Theatre graduate of Carthage College, where she performed in productions such as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine Colgate), Chicago (Annie), Legally Blonde (Serena), Stars In The Morning Sky (Maria), Spring Awakening (Ensemble) A Little Night Music(Anne Egerman), See What I Wanna See (The Wife/The Actress) and more. BIG thanks to her family and friends for all their love and support, and to Dante and John for this wonderful opportunity! Peter Rugar (Ensemble) is excited to be exploring the life of a musician! Peter recently graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with a master’s degree in music with a major in voice performance, where he studied with well-respected teachers including Michael Best, David Holloway Judith Hadden and Matthew Chellis. When he is not singing Peter is also a trained baker and a marathon runner. Jordan Taylor (Don Price) is thrilled to be back on the JPAC stage for the third time! Previously, you may have seen him in Legally Blonde (Emmett) and Spamalot (Ensemble). Other Chicago productions include Zombie Prom (Joey), Kennedy (Joe Jr.), Godspell (John the Baptist), Leaving Iowa (Don), The Allen Young Show (Allen Young) and most recently Singing in the Rain (Ensemble). When he isn’t on stage, you might see him in the pit playing piano. Thanks to Dante, John, Dina, Melanie, and
the rest of this awesome team for all the hard work to bring this tall tale to life. Love to his Mom, Dad, brothers, and of course to Unit 1N. Solo de Gloria! Katherine Trainor (Ensemble) is excited to make her debut with Jedlicka Performing Arts Center. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana with a double major in English Literature and Writing, and a minor in Theatre Performance. This is her second professional theatre performance, following her role as Laura English/ Nun at Open Door Repertory. She has felt welcome working with the extremely talented actors and artists involved with Big Fish: The Musical. Special thanks to her family, friends and Mario for their support and love. Laura Kristine Williams (Ensemble) is making her JPAC debut in Big Fish! Professionally she has worked with the Metropolis theatre as Martha/Fan in A Christmas Carol, and was a singer/dancer understudy for the Arlington Million. At Theatre Nebula she has played Claire in Scaring the Normals, was a featured dancer/ensemble member in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and a Laker Girl/Others in Spamalot. She was also seen in Nunsense! at Fox Valley Repertory where she understudied Amnesia/Robert Anne/Leo and got to go on for three performances. One of her proudest moments was when she was picked as a semi-finalist in the Jason Robert Brown singing competition by the composer himself. She would like to thank her amazing family and fiancé, Charlie. Jonah D. Winston (Karl, The Giant) Jonah is overjoyed to be taking part in Big Fish, his first production at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center. A graduate of the Jordan College of the Arts at Butler University in Indianapolis and a Master of Letters holder from the Flinders University Drama & Film Center in Adelaide, Australia, Jonah has enjoyed successes on stages throughout the Midwest as well as on stages in the land down under. Some of his favorite roles Big Fish
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include Esteban in Kiss of the Spider Woman (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble), Al/Scary Man/The Architect in Hellcab (Profiles Theatre), Reynaldo in Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well (The Shakespeare Project of Chicago), and Sir Sagramore in Camelot (Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre). Next Jonah will appear as troubled farmhand Jud Fry in a production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! at the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre in his home town of Indianapolis. Thank you to the cast, crew, and everyone involved with Big Fish for making it a wonderful experience; to my family for their love and support; and to A.L.M. for being the best catch a guy could ever ask for! Cheers Everyone!
JZ Zaeske (Ensemble) is excited to be returning to JPAC as part of the ensemble in Big Fish! She was last seen in Evita at JPAC! She is also a proud EMC member. Her performance credits include Infinity Theatre Company: Understudy for Joan/Ruby in Dames At Sea, which was Directed and Choreographed by Randy Skinner; Theatre Nebula: Spamalot, Laker Girl/Dance Captain; Steel Beam Theatre: Sister Mary Leo in Nuncrackers, The Ghost of Christmas Future in A Christmas Carol the Musical; Catholic University of America: Featured Dancer in Finnian’s Rainbow which was Directed and Choreographed by Parker Esse, Helga/Gorillia in Cabaret. She attended the Catholic University of America where she recently graduated with honors with a B.M. in Musical Theater and a Minor in Psychology. Julia can been seen next as a Big Spender Gal in Sweet Charity with Madkap Productions at Skokie Theatre starting September 12! She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their love and support.
T H E AT R E S TA F F Artistic Director............................................................................................................................ Dante Orfei Managing Director............................................................................................................. Steve Calzaretta Theatre Assistant..............................................................................................................Samantha Nieves Technical Director.................................................................................................................Michael Nedza Multimedia Designer...............................................................................................................Micheal Kott Public Relations.................................................................................................................David Rosenberg Graphic Design..................................................................................................................... Rebecca Primm Scenic Construction..............................................................................................................Justin Dashiell Theatre Staff.......................................................................................................................... Antonio Barrios
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C R E AT I V E S TA F F P R O F I L E S Dante J. Orfei (Director, Lighting Designer) Dante has been the Artistic Director at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the University Of Notre Dame and has produced and directed a travel documentary titled European Sojourn, which aired on PBS. Dante also directed the U.S. Premiere of the musical Metropolis and worked closely with the show’s creator, Academy and Grammy Award-winner Joseph Brooks on the development of the show. Dante directed the national regional theatre premiere of Brooks’ most recent Broadway show, In My Life. He has studied with Tony Awardwinners Harold Prince and Jules Fisher. He directed the Midwest Regional Premiere of the Queen rock musical, We Will Rock You, and has also directed the World Premiere of Nefertiti – The Musical, as well as Premiere Chicago Productions of Little Women, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, Blood Brothers, Jekyll and Hyde, The Baker’s Wife, and numerous plays by Olivier Awardwinning playwright Ray Cooney, including the U.S. Premiere of Cooney’s It Runs in the Family. Dante has directed well over 175 stage productions on the professional, dinner theatre and academic levels. John Warren (Music Director) is excited to collaborate on another JPAC production. Previous music directing credits here include It’s A Grand Night for Singing, Sunset Boulevard, and Legally Blonde and recently Evita. No stranger to the JPAC stage, John has performed in both Phantom of the Opera and Man of La Mancha. John is the head of the music department at Morton College, and he is excited to get a chance to work with another wonderful group of musicians in Big Fish!! Carisa Gonzalez (Assistant Music Director) is thrilled to be a part of another JPAC production. She was last seen on this stage as a performer in the ensemble of Evita, and as Jenny Cavilleri in Love Story. Carisa currently music directs with The Actors Garden in Oak Park, and with BAMtheater. Hats off to the entire cast and crew of Big Fish!
Dina DiCostanzo (Choreographer) makes her JPAC debut choreographing Big Fish. She has choreographed for Fremont Street Theatre (Anything Goes, The Drowsy Chaperone-Broadway World Nomination, and Crazy For You-this August at Cutting Hall in Palatine)5 years of Broadway Jr. productions at St. Juliana School in Niles, and Chicagoland Jewish High School (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Grease). Dina is an artistic associate for Porchlight Music Theatre for whom she co-directed Fade Out/ Fade In, choreo-ed Golden Boy, and was associate choreographer on Pal Joey and How To Succeed...She has also be seen on various stages across Chicagoland including Drury Lane, Marriott Lincolnshire, Mercury, Theatre at the Center, Victory Gardens and more. She thanks you for supporting the arts and hopes you enjoy Big Fish! Genesee Spridco (Costume Designer) is a jack of several trades from the state of Wisconsin. Genesee’s costume designs credits include Cave Painting Theatre Suitcase Shakespeare, Tibbits Summer Theatre, and the Bristok Renaissance Faire. Genesee has a B.F.A in directing and a B.S. in theatre education from Viterbo University and an M.F.A in ensemble based physical theatre from Dell’Arte International School of Pyhsical Theatre in Blue Lake, California. She would like to thank her friends and family for their patience and support through the years. Michael Nedza (Scenic and Properties Designer/Technical Director) Michael is a fulltime faculty member at Morton College and recently received the Morton College Faculty of the year award. When he is not educating students he is busy designing sets for multiple theatre productions. He has been designing throughout the Midwest for over 25years. He has designed over 75 shows here at the JPAC. Some of the designs he is most proud of include, last season’s Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, In My Life, We Will Rock You, Jekyll and Hyde, and 1776. Michael has been recognized twice with the “Award of Merit” from the Kennedy Center American Big Fish
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College Theatre Festival. Micheal is thrilled to be a part of another JPAC production and hopes you all enjoy Big Fish! Micheal A. Kott (Multimedia/Sound Designer) Micheal has directed numerous plays and musicals both stateside and in Europe, including his critically acclaimed production of Murderer, by Anthony Shaffer. His JPAC directing credits include Doubt, Lilies of the Field and The Boys Next Door. Michael is also a veteran performer at the JPAC having been involved in 18 shows over the last 12 years. Among his favorites are Blood Brothers, Moonlight and Magnolias, Peter Pan, and Tuesdays with Morrie. He is very grateful to Dante Orfei for his friendship, support, encouragement and trust. Micheal played the scene-stealing Psychic in Brain Damaged Film’s 2008 release Secrets of the Clown, available at www.blockbuster. com! Micheal is the founding director of the Green Door Theatre in Garlstedt, West Germany. Currently he is the Artistic Director of Master’s Backstage Players in Carol Stream, Illinois. Micheal was also an ensemble member of Cenacle Theatre in Chicago, where he acted and directed numerous productions. Mike is the multimedia specialist for Morton College by day and at night divides his time among the various theatres in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. He is very thankful to Dr. Felicity Thoet for her guidance and direction. She is a wonderful director and I thank her for her knowledge.
Steve Calzaretta (Theatre Manager) This is Steve’s first season working at JPAC and he is very happy and thankful to be here. Over the past 26 years, Steve has performed on this stage in many productions and even directed JPAC’s production of Dial M for Murder. Steve toured with country legend Kenny Rogers as asst. tour manager and featured vocalist, toured with the Paul Chapman Project (former lead guitarist for multiplatinum band UFO) as tour manager and vocalist. As an actor Steve performed in regional theatre throughout the United States including Chicago’s Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre and Drury Lane Oak Brook Theatre and had four great months on Broadway. Steve has done many voice overs and been in several television shows and movies. Most recently he was the Company Manager and Casting Director at the historic Fulton Theatre in Lancaster PA. Once again, Steve is very happy to be a permanent part of JPAC and hopes you all enjoy this production of Big Fish. TBD (Stage Manager)
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