Holiday Performances

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PERFORMANCES

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ABOUT THE CAST OF AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL . . . . . . . . 17 FIVE CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

ABOUT THE CAST OF FIVE CAROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND FIVE CAROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 PRODUCTION STAFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 PATRON

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 DONATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

GRAND THEATRE | grandtheatrecompany.com 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Salt Lake County’s ZAP Fund for their generous financial support Special Thanks to A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FROM THE DEAN’S DESK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A NOTE FROM UOPERA'S DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS PERFORMERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CHARLES DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A CHRISTMAS CAROL PERFORMERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SALT LAKE SYMPHONY PERFORMERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 NOTES FROM THE OPERA STAGE DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . .
INFORMATION

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Salt Lake Community College and the Grand Theatre are proud to serve as the community’s home for compelling artistic experiences, including theatrical, musical and dance performances, captivating lectures, engaging screenings, and culturally-significant offerings. As the home of The Grand, the stunning Center for Arts and Media serves as a vital educational hub, combining the latest digital arts technology with the unique and varied talents of our remarkable faculty. Whether you are a community member enjoying a performance or a student embarking on a career, you are always welcome at this state-ofthe-art facility. As Salt Lake Community College prepares to celebrate its 75th year in 2023, the Grand and Center for Arts and Media serve as prime examples of our dedication to truly engaging and celebrating our community. Enjoy the show!

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 4
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation for their generous financial support Special Thanks to

FROM THE DEAN’S DESK

The Grand Theatre seeks to engage, inspire and connect with our community through exceptional and accessible production. Housed in Salt Lake Community College’s unique Center for Arts and Media, The Grand utilizes professional and local talent to create theatre that excites our audiences year after year. The Grand’s shows are just some of the many artistic and cultural events you’ll find here at the Center for the Arts and Media. Our talented students participate in a wide variety of offerings, including concerts and performances by our band, choir, and dance ensembles, engrossing art displays, screenings for thought provoking films and documentaries, and powerful productions in our Black Box Theatre. We’re excited to serve as the largest venue in Salt Lake City for the annual Sundance Film Festival, where you can join fellow film lovers to appreciate the very best cinema from around the world. You’ll also find professional exhibits in our Eccles Art Gallery, free screenings and discussions with our professors on classic films, and stimulating lectures and presentations.

Art is “doing” and at the South City Campus we are “Doing”! I hope you can continue to join us throughout the 2020-2021 Season.

Dean, School of Arts, Communication and Media

Salt Lake Community College

www.slcc.edu/arts-comm www.grandtheatrecompany.com

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Thanks for visiting us here at the Grand Theatre. We pride ourselves on being the “Community’s Professional Theatre.” In which we are committing to the community to provide exceptional theatre filled with local artists at an affordable price. By working with local talent, we are able to celebrate our community and provide an exceptional theatrical experience for our audiences all while committing to presenting productions that will entertain and engage our audience in new dynamic ways. As you enjoy our productions, please remember to spread the word; it is because of amazing patrons like you that we exist as we continue to bring you the best our community has to offer. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Grand Theatre

grandtheatrecompany.com

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are pleased to present our fifth “annual” appearance at the Grand Theatre for this exciting double bill of Menotti’s beloved Amahl and the Night Visitors and Leavitt and Buck’s Christmas Carol. We offer our sincere thanks to Seth Miller and all the folks at the Grand Theatre for this exciting opportunity to perform in this wonderful space after a two-year hiatus. We are also excited to be performing with the Salt Lake Symphony again. Thanks to our wonderful maestro Robert Baldwin and to all of the fine players for many years of collaboration.

We are pleased to present our fifth “annual” appearance at the Grand Theatre for this exciting double bill of beloved Amahl and the Night Visitors and Leavitt and Buck’s Christmas Carol. We offer our sincere thanks Miller and all the folks at the Grand Theatre for this exciting opportunity to perform in this wonderful space two year hiatus. We are also excited to be performing with the Salt Lake Symphony again. Thanks to our wonderful Robert Baldwin and to all of the fine players for many years of collaboration.

We would also like to thank John Scheib, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and his staff at the University of Utah Fine Arts. Their backing and encouragement are greatly appreciated. We also thank our newly appointed School Chairman Kimberly Councill for her support.

Special thanks to the newly appointed Associate Director of Opera at the U, James Bobick. Thanks also to our T.A., Shoaf. Special thanks also to the fantastic University of Utah voice faculty whom the students rely upon for vocal guidance inspiration. We also owe a great deal of gratitude to our Music Director, Jeffrey Price. Jeffrey has worked tirelessly with on so many things and it’s very hard to imagine how ANYTHING would get done without him.

We would also like to thank John Scheib, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and his staff at the University of Utah College of Fine Arts. Their backing and encouragement are greatly appreciated. We also thank our newly appointed School of Music Chairman Kimberly Councill for her support.

Once again, huge thanks to Seth Miller and the staff of the Grand Theatre. It feels so good to be back on this stage say enough how much I appreciate the opportunity for us to be part of the season here. Thanks, buddy!

Lastly, thanks to YOU for sharing your time with us! Inspired by these wonderful stories, may we all be touched in and find more peace in our lives.

Artistic Director of the University of Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble

Special thanks to the newly appointed Associate Director of Opera at the U, James Bobick. Thanks also to our T.A., Michael Shoaf. Special thanks also to the fantastic University of Utah voice faculty whom the students rely upon for vocal guidance and inspiration. We also owe a great deal of gratitude to our Music Director, Jeffrey Price. Jeffrey has worked tire lessly with all of us on so many things and it’s very hard to imagine how ANYTHING would get done without him.

Once again, huge thanks to Seth Miller and the staff of the Grand Theatre. It feels so good to be back on this stage and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the opportunity for us to be part of the season here. Thanks, buddy!

Lastly, thanks to YOU for sharing your time with us! Inspired by these wonderful stories, may we all be touched in some way and find more peace in our lives.

Special Thanks to

Sorenson Legacy Foundation

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A NOTE FROM THE
A Note From the University School of Music WeImage of Robert Breault

Presents

Amahl & the Night Visitors

Composed by

Gian Carlo Menotti

Grand Theatre Producer SETH MILLER

Director of Opera, University of Utah DR. ROBERT BREAULT Associate Director of Opera, University of Utah JAMES BOBICK Stage Director DR. ROBERT BREAULT Music Director JEFFREY PRICE

Conductor MATTHEW J. MAKEEVER Chorus Master MICHELLE MARIE PEDERSEN Choreographer MELISSA BOBICK

Production Manager JAMES BOBICK Stage Manager ELIZABETH WIAND Scenic Design HALEE RASMUSSEN Properties Design ARIKA SCHOCKMEL Lighting Design SETH MILLER Costume Coordinator ROBIN FARNSLEY-BECKER Technical Director HALEE RASMUSSEN Assistant Stage Director MICHAEL SHOAF Assistant Production Manager PAYTON RHYAN WRIGHT Assistant Stage Manager SAVANNAH GERSDORF ADAM JASKULOSKI

Opera Workshop Teaching Assistant MICHAEL SHOAF Production Mentor AMBER BIELINSKI

Rehearsal Pianist PAUL PISANO LAUREN ADJA TIAN

“Amahl & The Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti presented under license from G. Schirmer Inc. and Associated Music Publishers, copyright owners

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Ensemble: Aubrey Adams-McMillan, Isabel Cossa, Mara Davis, Camilla DuMond, Jourdan Elterman, MaryBeth Groth, Margaret Johnson, Elissa Jones, Micah Kenney, Jacquelyn Milligan, Josephine Neubecker, Michelle Marie Pedersen, Roslyn Reeves, Lily Winsett

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 8 AMAHL PERFORMERS
ABIGAIL
KETCH † JACQUELYN MILLIGAN
ALEXANDER HARRELSON MAX RICKS ††
LONG
MICHAEL MURRAY † MATTHEW
††
MAX
MATTHEW
CALEB
† Friday & Saturday Evening Cast †† Cover Rocky Mountain Power Special Thanks to
Amahl HANNAH OLSEN ANNA ROELOFS † His Mother KATELYN COX
YINGLING
†† King Kaspar JOSÉ MIGUEL
King Melchior
WANG
TANG
King Balthazar NELSON LEDUC The Page
RICKS
TANG † Dancers TESS ALBERT-STAUNING
HOLT

Presents

Charles Dickens’

A Christmas Carol An Opera in One Act

Music by Michael G. Leavitt Libretto adapted by Anthony T. Buck

Grand Theatre Producer SETH MILLER

Director of Opera, University of Utah DR. ROBERT BREAULT Associate Director of Opera, University of Utah JAMES BOBICK Stage Director JAMES BOBICK Music Director JEFFREY PRICE Conductor DR. ROBERT BALDWIN Chorus Master MICHELLE MARIE PEDERSEN Choreographer MELISSA BOBICK Production Manager JAMES BOBICK Stage Manager ELIZABETH WIAND Scenic Design HALEE RASMUSSEN Properties Design ARIKA SCHOCKMEL

Lighting Design SETH MILLER Costume Coordinator ROBIN FARNSLEY-BECKER Technical Director HALEE RASMUSSEN

Assistant Stage Director MICHAEL SHOAF

Assistant Production Manager PAYTON RHYAN WRIGHT Assistant Stage Manager SAVANNAH GERSDORF ADAM JASKULOSKI Dance Captain MICHELLE MARIE PEDERSEN

Opera Workshop Teaching Assistant MICHAEL SHOAF Production Mentor AMBER BIELINSKI Rehearsal Pianist PAUL PISANO LAUREN ADJA TIAN

Originally Staged by Anthony T. Buck

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL PERFORMERS

Ebenezer Scrooge

JOHN ALLEN

Jacob Marley JOSÉ MIGUEL Past JACQUELYN MILLIGAN ROSLYN REEVES †

Present LONG WANG DR. SETH KEETON † Future MICAH KENNEY MICHAEL SHOAF † MARA DAVIS ††

Bob Cratchit ALEXANDER HARRELSON Mrs. Cratchit MARA DAVIS ELISSA JONES †

Cratchit Children HANNAH OLSEN ANNA ROELOFS

Fred MAX RICKS

Fan CAMILLA DUMOND JOURDAN ELTERMAN †

Belle JOSEPHINE NEUBECKER ISABEL COSSA †

Char Woman AUBREY ADAMS-MCMILLAN Old Joe NELSON LEDUC

Mr. Fezziwig MATTHEW TANG Mrs. Fezziwig MEG JOHNSON Young Ebenezer JOURDAN ELTERMAN Ignorance MEG JOHNSON MICAH KENNEY †

Want ROSLYN REEVES

Charity Woman 1 JOURDAN ELTERMAN CAMILLA DUMOND †

Charity Woman 2 LILY WINSETT

Caroler #1 MEG JOHNSON

Caroler #2 ISABEL COSSA JOSEPHINE NEUBECKER †

Carol Boy MARYBETH GROTH Boy Ebenezer MARYBETH GROTH Tiny Tim MARYBETH GROTH † Friday & Saturday Evening Cast

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†† Cover

SALT LAKE SYMPHONY

Founded in 1976, the Salt Lake Symphony is one of the area’s most highly respected volunteer driven orchestras. The Salt Lake Symphony is a non-profit organization dedicated to performing quality classical music concerts for the Wasatch Front community. The Symphony performs around 15 concerts per year.

The approximately seventy-five hard-working musicians of the SLS volunteer roughly 10,000 hours annually to accomplish this goal. Although the members of the Salt Lake Symphony come from all walks of life and frequently work full-time in other professions, they hold one thing in common: They play for the love and passion of music. Their dedication as volunteers sets them apart and creates a unique bond.

Conductor

Dr. Robert Baldwin

Assistant Conductor Matthew J. Makeever

Violin 1 Elizabeth Palmer Marian Florence Suzanne Hawker

Violin 2

Mary Anne Peterson JoAnn Larsen Ashley Wilkinson

Viola Brianna Allen David Spencer

Cello Andrew Clement Oswaldo Chirinos Bass Denson Angulo Bret Donnelly (matinee only)

Flute Nancy Toone

Oboe Hilary Coon Charlotte Bell

Clarinet Cheryl Ann Blackley

Bassoon Jessica Wiley

Horn Jim Yehle

Trumpet Nora Smith

Percussion Brandon Williams Harp Melody Cribbs

Piano & Celeste Paul Pisano

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NOTES FROM THE OPERA STAGE DIRECTORS

Amahl and the Night Visitors has been a beloved holiday classic since its first live performance on NBC television in 1951. Menotti, under commission, found himself lacking inspiration. He wrote: “One November afternoon as I was walking rather gloomily through the rooms of the Metropolitan Museum (NYC), I chanced to stop in front of the Adoration of the Kings by Hieronymus Bosch, and as I was looking at it, suddenly I heard again, coming from the distant blue hills, the weird song of the Three Kings. I then realized they had come back to me and had brought me a gift…..This is an opera for children because it tries to recapture my own childhood. You see, when I was a child I lived in Italy, and in Italy we have no Santa Claus. I suppose that Santa Claus is much too busy with American children to be able to handle Italian children as well! Our gifts were brought to us by the Three Kings, instead.”

As the director, I hope to illuminate Menotti’s fable through the eyes of Amahl, a child. Amahl sees beauty differently and he knows only pure love. His malady brings him no shame, and, seemingly does not even pain him. In fact, he eventually sees his crutch as an opportunity to say “thank you”. It is his story to tell and ours to enjoy and learn from.

Stage Director, Amahl and the Night Visitors

MichaelLeavitt and Anthony Buck’s opera, A Christmas Carol, is well on its way to becoming a holiday favorite. U Opera, its students, and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to share this wonderful piece with you this year. From the moment I first heard it, it became one of my all- time favorites.

The opera A Christmas Carol is a piece that is deeply rooted in the original 1843 work by Charles Dickens. Anthony Buck masterfully weaves Dickens’ original text and themes with those of his own creation to create a rich libretto filled with familiar characters that never cease to warm the heart and remind us of the original story and its many wonderful interpretations. Built on the strength of Buck’s narrative foundation, Michael Leavitt has managed to capture in his beautiful music the immense wonder of the season. Through moments of rhythmic complexity, harmonic adventure, and haunting simplicity, Leavitt has composed a score that you will remember throughout the holiday and for years to come.

As director, I believe that it is my job to bring Dickens’ iconic characters and Leavitt’s rich music to life. For me, A Christmas Carol is not merely a 19th century ghost story, but a cautionary tale that seeks to remind us that we are each an important part of the incredibly diverse tapestry that is our community. As Scrooge promises, “I will live with Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” I hope that our production will help each of you keep the meaning of Christmas in your heart all year long!

Now, I invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy our new holiday classic, Leavitt and Buck’s A Christmas Carol.

Stage Director, A Christmas Carol

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ABOUT THE CAST OF AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

AUBREY ADAMS-MCMILLAN

enjoys an active career singing Opera, Chamber Works, Art Song and major Symphonic Works. During her residency with the Westminster Choir in Princeton New Jersey, she worked with renowned conductors, including maestros Claudio Abbado, Kurt Masur, and Joseph Flummerfelt singing for the New York Philharmonic. She regularly performs with the prestigious Utah Symphony and Opera, Intermezzo, Eutopia, Nova, The American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Cathedral of the Madeleine Concert Series, Southwest Symphony, and Utah Lyric Opera. Her debut album, Beautiful Dreamer can be found on all streaming platforms worldwide.

JOHN ALLEN brings a refreshing depth of musicality and new life to his work, having performed internationally both as a violinist and singer, and enjoys interpreting the standard repertoire as well as championing new works and writing his own music. Recent operatic credits include Scarpia, Sweeney Todd, Rigoletto, Germont, Gianni Schicchi, Don Alfonso, Enrico, and Leporello. In addition to music, John is passionate about teaching yoga, climbing mountains, and skiing Utah snow.

ISABEL COSSA is in her junior year at the University of Utah School of Music pursuing a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. A native of West Valley City, UT she partic ipated in a multitude of choirs, clubs, and musical theater productions throughout high school. As a soprano studying with Professor Julie Wright-Costa, she has most recently performed in a student-led production of Dido & Aeneas and the U of U Opera production of Sweeney Todd. She is currently a member of the University of Utah Chamber Choir, the University of Utah Student Opera Guild, the Black Student Union, and the Black Cultural Center’s S.U.C.C.E.S.S. program. When she’s

not singing, Isabel enjoys learning French, reading, playing board games, dancing, doing yoga, and spending time in the sun.

KATELYN COX is so excited to be debuting as Mother with U Opera. Born and raised in Utah, she is in her 4th year at the Uni versity of Utah studying to get her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, with a certification in Arts and Technology. She is a current Michie Scholarship recipi ent, as well as a School of Music Scholarship recipient. Next Fall, she will be presenting her Senior Recital entitled The Power of Women.

MARA DAVIS is a native of Henderson, Nevada. She is a junior, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and is studying with Dr. Seth Keeton. Recently, she has sung in the Opera Work shop’s Fall 2022 Opera Scenes, as Dorabella in U Opera’s Spring 2022 production of Così fan tutti, as an ensemble member and featured soloist in U Opera’s Spring 2022 production of Sweeney Todd, and in the chorus of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 at the Grand Teton Music Festival. She is currently the Vice President of the University of Utah Student Opera Guild, the acting president of the University of Utah SNATS Chapter, and has been a member of the University of Utah Chamber Choir and Michie Undergraduate Vocal Quartet since 2022.

CAMILLA DUMOND is a soph omore in the Vocal Performance program at the University of Utah. She has studied under Pro fessor Julie Wright-Costa since 2019 and has loved every minute of it. Singing has been Cami’s passion all her life. She has performed in roles in over 15 musicals, in cluding Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Martha in White Christmas, and Medda Larkin in Newsies. This is Cami’s first opera, and she could not be more grateful for this opportunity to expand her performing horizons. She would like to thank the amazing directors for giving her a chance, as well as her esteemed colleagues and

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ABOUT THE CAST OF AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

fellow students who have been so welcoming through the whole process.

JOURDAN ELTERMAN is a junior Vocal Performance major at the University of Utah. Some of her experience on the stage includes performing with the University of Utah Chamber Choir and playing roles in theatre productions such as Pippin, Footloose and Honk. Jourdan is elated to be performing in her very first operas this year. This journey has allowed her to work alongside such talented, hardworking people who fur ther fuel her inspiration and passion for voice each day. When she isn’t studying or practicing music, she is most likely taking care of her two dogs and three cats or enjoying a laugh with her husband. Jourdan is incredibly thankful to be performing with the U Opera and she is excited to see what other opportunities lie ahead for her.

MARYBETH GROTH is a second-year student at the Uni versity of Utah who is currently studying vocal performance and theatre studies with an empha sis in playwriting. MaryBeth made her opera debut in U Opera’s spring 2022 production of Sweeney Todd. She is originally from North Florida where she appeared in several musicals, straight plays, and served as dramaturge at her local theatre. MaryBeth would like to thank her private voice professor Dr. Allred, her good friend and mentor Mishelle Knight, her family, and everyone in U Opera for this amazing experience!

ALEXANDER HARRELSON is a 22-year-old tenor master’s stu dent from Tryon, North Carolina. He currently studies with Dr. Robert Breault at the U. In 2021, Alex graduated with a BA from Davidson Col lege. In 2019, Alex received a Fujita Arts Grant from Davidson College to attend La Musica Lir ica and the International Vocal Artists Academy of Payerbach where he performed as Gherardo in Copeland Woodruff’s Gianni Schicchi. In 2021,

he returned to perform as Gastone in Michael Scarola’s a Traviata. In his first year at the U, he performed as Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and as Anthony in Sweeney Todd, both directed by Dr. Breault. Most recently, he returned to La Musi ca Lirica for a third time to perform as Lindoro in a David Ronis’s L’Italiana in Algeri.

MEG JOHNSON is pleased to make her debut with Utah Lyric Opera! As a student of Professor Julie Wright-Costa, she was most recently seen in the Universi ty of Utah Chamber Choir and New Music Ensemble Performances. Some of her favorite roles have included Christine in Phantom of the Opera, Desdemona in Othello, and Susan in Baby with the Bathwater. She wants to thank her supportive family, her inspiring teachers, and caring friends.

ELISSA JONES is Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy student at the University of Utah. Most recently, she has been seen on the musical stage in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Jerusha Abbott in Daddy Long Legs. Favorite opera roles include Mrs. Nolan in The Medium and Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town. Elissa obtained a Bachelor of Music Education from Utah State University and has continued to make music with the Choral Society of Durham, Handel Society of Dartmouth College, Idaho State University Choirs and ProMusica Vermont. Elissa is excited to be a part of U of U Opera and thanks her family for their support of her higher education endeavors.

SETH KEETON, bass-baritone, has been described by the NYT as “driven” and “emotionally pointed,” and as “stentorian” by Opera News. He has performed throughout the United States and at Theater Bremen in Germany. In 2006, he was a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and received awards from the Sullivan Foundation and the Eleanor McCo llum Competition. In 2018, he was featured on

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ABOUT THE CAST OF AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Chamber Music, Volume 2, of forgotten composer, Richard Stöhr. 2020 saw the release of Trans parent Boundaries, an album set to the poetry of Whitman and Dickinson. Dr. Keeton created the free index SongHelix, simplifying the discovery of related art songs, found at songhelix.com. Keeton received his DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and is an Assoc. Prof. of Voice at the University of Utah.

MICAH KENNEY, soprano, re ceived her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in music from Idaho State University (2020) under the tutelage of tenor Dr. Geoffrey Friedley. She is currently pursuing her Master of Music at the University of Utah under the guidance and instruction of soprano Julie Wright-Costa. Kenney recently appeared in the University of Utah perfor mance of Mozart’s Così fan tutte as Despina, in the chorus of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and in Utah Vocal Arts Academy’s 2022 production of Dido and Aeneas.

ABIGAIL YINGLING KETCH, Soprano from Alpine, Utah, is currently in her 3rd year as a master’s student in Vocal Performance at the U. Abby graduated from BYU with her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance with a Spanish minor. Previously, she sang with Utah Lyric Opera as Countess Ceprano in Verdi’s Rigoletto. With BYU opera she sang the Third Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Dulcina in Puccini’s Suor Angel ica, and the chorus in Handel’s Theodora. She has participated in Scenes from King Solomon Oratorio, Carmen, The Ballad of Baby Doe, Der Rosenkavalier, and Cosi fan tutte. She also sang supporting roles in Lehár’s The Merry Widow with UVAA Summer Opera Festival. Abby re cently premiered the role of Dinah in He Shall Prepare a Way

NELSON LEDUC has never been a stranger to music. He played clarinet in elementary school, bass guitar in a rock band in the 1970s, and since 1988 has

been a regular singer with Utah Opera Compa ny, having now sung in close to 90 productions with that company. Besides singing a number of cameo roles with Utah Opera, Nelson has also been a featured soloist in the Mozart Re quiem, Messiah, and with Utopia Early Music. He has sung roles in The Mikado, Iolanthe, The Grand Duke, and Gianni Schicchi, and in several productions for Lyrical Opera Theater, includ ing Baron Douphol in La Traviata and Raimon do in Lucia di Lammermoor. Nelson is currently pursuing a degree in music composition from the University of Utah.

JOSÉ MIGUEL is a promising, eclectic, young Chilean tenor. He is currently pursuing his D.M.A. at the University of Utah. Past credits include Rodolfo in Puc cini’s La Bohème, the Duke in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Pirelli in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Arturo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, among others. In October 2021, José made his official directorial debut with De Falla’s El retablo de Maese Pedro. This past summer, he launched his own summer series: “Arias of the Vine.” His voice has been heard internationally in Chile, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Austria, Italy, and Canada. José Miguel is a native of Santa Cruz, Chile and holds a B.A. in Music from St. Lawrence University and a M.M. in Voice Performance from the Universi ty of South Florida.

JACQUELYN MILLIGAN is a first year Masters student in the Vocal Performance and Pedagogy program. She has received her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah in 2020. She has enjoyed being apart of several operas with the University including Don Giovanni, Semele, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Rigoletto. Jacquelyn is married to the love of her life and has two perfect dogs, Soprano and Athena.

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ABOUT THE CAST OF AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

MICHAEL MURRAY grew up on a small farm in Woodville, Idaho. He attended BYU-Hawaii and received a degree in busi ness and a minor in art. After working in Human Resources for a time, Mike decided he needed a career that validated him in a different way and employed skills that allowed a more creative outlet. He excitedly attended the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City from September 2012-2015. It was the perfect fit! Mike officially graduated in April 2016 and received the certificate of Luth ier. Since then he has continued learning and refining his skills as a repair and restoration technician. Having always had a propensity for music and voice. He decided to augment his musical experience by returning to school to study opera.

HANNAH OLSEN is a fresh man at the University of Utah this year and is majoring in vocal performance. She has been sing ing for six years and currently studies with Dr. Robert Breault. Some of her favorite roles that she’s played include Jenny Hill in Big Fish, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and Anastasia in Anastasia. When she’s not singing, she loves to spend time with her family and be outside. She is so excited to be a part of the opera program and hopes you enjoy the show!

MICHELLE MARIE PEDER SEN, soprano, is a third year doctoral student at the Univer sity of Utah. Michelle’s most recent performances with the U Lyric Opera have been Lucy the Beggar Woman in their 2022 production of Sweeney Todd and Gilda in their 2021 production of Rigoletto. Ms. Pedersen has also been a featured soloist with Salt Lake Choral Artists, the Salt Lake Sym phony, and was the graduate winner of the U Philharmonia’s 2022 Concerto Competition. In 2019 Michelle made her debut with The Ohio Light Opera, where she performed character roles such as Bloody Mary (South Pacific), Babcock Bellamy (The Fantastiks), Stepmother

(R&H’s Cinderella), and Mrs. Dolly Levi (Hello, Dolly!). Ms Pedersen is a voice student of Dr. Robert Breault.

ROSLYN REEVES is thrilled to be a part of the University of Utah Christmas operas. Recently she was seen as Despina in the Univer sity of Utah’s Cosi fan tutte. Roslyn is completing her last semester of her bachelors degree in vocal performance, and plans to begin a Masters degree in voice next year.

ANNA ROELOFS is a fourthyear Vocal Performance major and Theatre minor at the U. On campus, she holds multiple leadership positions, including RA, VP of the American Choral Director’s Association, Secretary for the Student Opera Guild, ASUU Scholarship Committee, and Undergraduate Chair for the School of Music SAC. Anna is a third-year member of the Uni versity’s A Capella Choir. She currently studies under Dr. C. A. Allred, with whom she credits many of her successes. Roelofs also partici pates in the arts outside of school as a soloist for the West Jordan Symphony’s Handel’s Mes siah (2019) and as a choir member in Holst’s The Planets with Salt Lake Symphony. Recently she began working as a background actor for Hallmark and Studio C, as well as starting as a voice acting director.

MATTHEW TANG is a native of Walnut Creek, California and is currently in his second year at the U. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance under the instruction of Dr. Lynn Maxfield. He started in the Contra Costa Children’s Choir at the age of 8 and has continued ever since. In high school, he was a part of the Pacific Boy choir Academy, singing in the SATB and the acapella group/chamber ensemble, Continu um. He is a part of the worship team at Rolling Hills Community Church in Danville, playing acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums. Some of the highlights of his career in music were performing in Carnegie Hall, performing with

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 16

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

the San Francisco Symphony, and lastly, com peting in the Golden State Choral Competition.

LONG WANG, internation al DMA student from China, baritone. Long has a BM & MM degree from Shandong Normal University and MM voice perfor mance degree from SUNY Buffalo.

LILY WINSETT is a music lover who has been listening to classical music since she was in the womb. She plays a lot of instruments and loves to sing. Lily is a freshman at the U. Lily has been going to operas since she was about 9 years old where she caught the opera bug and now will never leave.

CREATIVE TEAM

ROBERT BALDWIN (Conductor: C. Carol) is the Director of Orchestras and Professor of Con ducting at the University of Utah, and Music Director and Conductor for the Salt Lake Sym phony. He is also the founding conductor for the Sinfonia Salt Lake, a professional chamber orchestra that made its critically acclaimed debut in 2016. In 2019, he was appointed to an adjunct position at the Wuhan University Cen ter for the Arts in Wuhan, China. Dr. Baldwin has been working with the U opera for the last 20 years.

JAMES BOBICK (Stage Director: C. Carol) has had a versatile career, from leading oper atic roles in the works of Donizetti, Verdi, Bizet, and Mozart to those in the operas of contemporary composers including Heggie, Adamo, Eaton, and David T. Little. Mr. Bobick performed over twenty roles at New York City Opera, including an Emmy-winning broadcast of La Bohème.  He has also appeared with companies including Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Portland Opera, Opera Colorado, Connecticut Opera, Opera Mississippi, Opera Omaha, Opera Pacific, and many more.  At Car

negie Hall, Mr. Bobick was heard in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Walpur gisnacht, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, and at David Geffen Hall in Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Haydn’s Creation and Paukenmesse, Bach’s Mass in B minor, and Handel’s Messiah. Among his international credits are solo performances in the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, France, and at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. Mr. Bobick has enjoyed numerous concert appearances around the US performing Orff, Brahms, Mo zart, Bach, Handel, Haydn, Vaughan Williams, Prokofiev, and Paul McCartney. James Bobick can be heard on the original cast recording of David T. Little’s Dog Days

MELISSA BOBICK (Choreographer) is origi nally from Birmingham, AL and received her MFA degree in choreography from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance in New York. Melissa is also an ABT® Certified Teacher and earned the status of Affiliate Teacher. As a performer, Melissa was a featured dancer with The Eugene Ballet Company and Ballet Idaho. After moving to NYC, Melissa performed for the National Choreographers Initiative and was one of four dancers engaged by New York City Opera for their new production of Massenet’s Cendrillon. As a choreographer, Melissa was commissioned to choreograph three new works for Ballet Idaho and was named a Choreographic Development Resident at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has also choreographed several original works for the Utah Ballet. Melissa was twice named a finalist for McCallum Theatre’s Choreography Festival. Recently, she has shown work at the Detroit Dance City Festival and the Breaking Ground Festival presented by Conder Dance. Melissa is currently an Assis tant Professor at the University of Utah School of Dance, where she also serves as the Director of the newly created Utah Ballet Choreograph ic Institute.

ROBERT BREAULT (Stage Director: Amahl) has served as Director of Opera at the University of Utah since 1992. As a tenor, Robert has

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ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

enjoyed an international career that features an extraordinary breadth of repertoire. His warm, flexible voice and superb artistic sensibilities combine to make him a consum mate singing actor. Breault’s concert career highlights include performances with major orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, London Philharmonia Orchestra, National Symphony of Taiwan, Jerusalem Symphony, to name but a few. Robert’s opera career features a wide array of repertoire and companies. With over 90 roles to his credit, highlights of his career include appearances with New York City Opera in Carmen, La Traviata, and Semele, for which he was awarded the company’s “Kolozsvar Award.” He has performed numer ous times with Utah Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, Atlanta Opera, and Arizona Opera. Robert was awarded the College of Fine Arts distinguished teaching award in 2003. He serves as Governor of the National Opera Asso ciation’s Cal/Western region and is extremely proud that the University of Utah was awarded 1st place two years ago in the National Opera Production competition.

ANTHONY T. BUCK (Lyricist, C. Carol) has over a hundred credits to his name as stage director, music director, actor, singer, stage manager and composer on stages in Utah, Ohio, New York and Italy. Favorite credits include Cosí fan tutte, The Magic Flute, Rigoletto, Faust, Don Giovanni, L’Elisir d’amore, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Cabaret Girl, The Mikado, Ruddigore, The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, Princess Ida, My Big Fat Utah Wedding, Not the Messiah, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Into the Woods, Forever Plaid, Father of the Bride, and It’s a Wonderful Life. He sits on the board of Next Stage Productions and has been a con tributing writer to their original pieces Epic: An Audience Participation Fantasy Adventure and Arabian Nights.

ROBIN FARNSLEY-BECKER (Costumes) is widely known for her meticulous attention to detail. Her costume creations are well-re

searched with accurate historical or modern creations. They are made with breath-taking opulence when called for or heart-breaking poverty or simplicity that mirrors a composer or director’s vision. Being a singer and per former herself, she knows how to accomplish all of this with no-detail-too-small quality and the knowledge that comfort is “key” to singing that supports that adage, “You are (can be) what you wear”!

MICHAEL G. LEAVITT (Composer, C. Carol) is a doctoral student in Orchestral Conduct ing and graduate of the Collaborative Piano Masters at the University of Utah. He is a vocal coach, accompanist as well as musical director for opera, choral, and musical theater. Recently, Michael composed a new one-act opera setting of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol which premiered at the Grand Theatre performed by the University of Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble and Sinfonia Salt Lake. As associate conductor, Michael worked with Tony award winning soprano Audra McDonald for the Hale Center Theater Orem’s produc tion of 110 In The Shade. In addition, Michael has been the pianist, music director, and/or conductor for many musical theater and opera productions including: Saturday’s Voyeur, First Date, Spamalot, Perdita, Candide, L’elisir D’amore, Trouble In Tahiti, Die Fledermaus, Amahl And The Night Visitors, and many more.

MATTHEW J. MAKEEVER (Conductor, Amahl) is gaining a reputation for his thought ful programming and sensitivity in perfor mance. Matthew is the Founding Music Director and Conductor of the Milwaukee Philharmonic and Assistant Conductor of the Salt Lake Symphony. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty Conducting Teacher at Salt Lake Com munity College and the Music Director and Conductor of the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra. Matthew is also a finalist for the Music Director position at the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra in Wisconsin. Matthew is expected to graduate in December 2022 with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 18

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND AMAHL

AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Utah. He is a student of Dr. Robert Baldwin and serves as the Principal Conductor of the University of Utah Campus Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Utah Philharmonia.

SETH MILLER (Lighting Design) started out working in the Local 99 stagehands union, after which he attended the University of Utah for a degree in theatrical design. In 1997 he began working at Lagoon Amusement Park in the En tertainment Department as the Staff Lighting Designer, before moving on to be the Technical Director at The Egyptian Theatre in Park City. He has worked as a freelance Lighting Designer for several local theatre companies and many events around the country, including Walt Dis ney World, Harley Davidson’s Annual National Dealer’s Convention, W5 Creative, and many others. For the past ten seasons, Seth has been the Artistic/Executive Director for the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City.

HALEE RASMUSSEN (Set Design) received her BFA from the University of Utah’s Perform ing Arts and Design Program with a double emphasis in technical direction and set design. She is currently the Assistant Technical Direc tor and Scenic Charge Artist for the UofU De partment of Theatre, and a resident set design er for The Grand Theatre. Other design credits include UofU Opera Ensemble, Plan B Theatre Company, Salt Lake Acting Company, Salt Lake Shakespeare Company, Alligator Press Productions, and Lagoon Entertainment; with assistant design credits from Idaho Shake speare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre Company, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

ARIKA SCKOCKMEL (Props) has worked extensively in props and costume crafts for theatre, television and film, notably creating Props and blood work for the horror film, Hereditary. She is the resident Prop Manager for Plan B Theatre and the University of Utah Department of Theatre, where she teaches Prop Design and Construction. Over the last two decades, Arika has propped, crafted and designed regionally for Pioneer Theatre Co., Egyptian Theatre, Utah Festival Opera, Grand Teton Theatre, Dark Horse Company, Salt Lake

Acting Company, Utah Contemporary, Lyric Repertory Co. and many more. Proud member of S.P.A.M., the Society of Prop Managers. Other projects include AEA stage manage ment, emceeing, and the occasional acting gig. BFA Utah State.

MICHAEL SHOAF (Assist. Director) is cur rently a DMA student for Vocal Performance & Opera/Theatre Production from Donora, PA studying at the U. His concert credits include Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms Movement II, and Handel’s Messiah. He has also performed in concerts in Austria, Germany, Italy and in the premiere of Tim Ribchester’s new orchestration of L’Incoronazione di Poppea as Ottone at the Trentino Music Festival. Additionally, he has been an Asst. Stage Manager, Asst. Chorus Mas ter, Asst. Conductor, and helped with the con cept design for Sweeney Todd. He also was Asst. Director and Asst. Conductor for Don Giovanni and Asst. Music Director for Schwartz’s Pippin Last spring at the U, Michael was the Asst. Director for Sweeney Todd. He also directed and co-produced his first production, Siegmeister’s The Mermaid in Lock No.7, just months ago.

LAUREN ADJA TIAN (Pianist) has enjoyed an eclectic career of performance, teaching, and administrative leadership in the SLC and NYC Metro areas. She is currently a doctoral student in conducting at the U of U, where she assists the orchestra, choirs, and opera pro grams. Previous to this, she served as the Arts Department Chair and Director of Ensembles for the robust arts programs at the Westover School, in Middlebury Connecticut. She also held a post as Director of Ensembles for the Knox School in Long Island, New York. Simul taneously to this, she served as an assistant for the Manhattan Girls Chorus, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and the Singing City Choir. She co-founded and conducts the contemporary music ensemble Ensemble Id, which regularly performs music written by living composers alongside seminal 20th-cen tury masterpieces. Lauren has been a frequent guest conductor with numerous orchestras and choirs throughout the world.

GRAND THEATRE | grandtheatrecompany.com 19

Presents Five Carols for Christmas

Book & Lyrics by Jim Christian

Music

by

Kenneth Plain

Executive Producer KASSI BYBEE

Artistic Director MAURIE TARBOX Stage Director HEIDI HUNT Music Director KELLI MORRIS Choreographer MARILYN MONTGOMERY

Production Manager MIKENZEE HOWIE Stage Manager MARNAE MORGAN

Set Design SILAS STOTT

Lighting Design HAYDEN WADSWORTH Sound Design DAVIS BITTON Costume Design SHELLY BURKHARDT CATHERINE ZUBLIN PHIL LOWE

Custom Jewelry Design LANCE SMITH

Hair & Wig Design CINDY JOHNSON

Properties Design MARILYN MONTGOMERY Charge Artist CYNTHIA CLUMP

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 20

CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS

The Cast of Five Carols for Christmas

Carol Ann Farrell, Carol Ann MEGHAN

PARRISH

Queryl Pomerantz, Miss Q BAILEE DEYOUNG

Karil Kittenridge, Kitty KRYSTAL DAY

Carroll Ling, Ling-Ling

HEATHER POFFENBERGER

Car’l Noyes, Noyesy ALLI HOGGE

Cousin Ray/ Rae Farrell JUSTIN LEE Principal LANCE SMITH Swing KAYLEE WHEELER

The Songs of Five Carols for Christmas

A Holiday Hello

My Favorite Christmas Dish O Christmas Tree

Ding Dong Merrily on High!

Five Carols for Christmas Toyland Dress Up Your Shelter

The Glow of Christmas Worldwide Santa Claus Parade

Ding Dong Debacle Swingle Jingle Belles

GRAND THEATRE | grandtheatrecompany.com 21 FIVE
Salt Lake Community College Special Thanks to

ABOUT THE CAST OF FIVE CAROLS

KRYSTAL DAY (Kitty) is delighted to take the stage this holiday season alongside the rest of the cast in 5 Carols for Christmas! Krystal received a B.A. in Musical Theatre from WSU and has performed in various venues throughout northern Utah. Krystal’s favorite role is that of a wife and mother and she is blessed with an amazing husband and four energetic children. She is also an avid gardener, Utah Jazz fan, and world traveler.

BAILEE DEYOUNG (Miss Q) is delighted to be making her debut with Ogden Musical Theatre this Christmas! Bailee earned her BA in Musical Theatre from Weber State University in 2014, and she has enjoyed working in the Utah theatre community ever since. Bailee has choreographed over a dozen different productions across the Wasatch Front and teaches choreography year-round. She still loves stepping on the stage to perform occa sionally, too. Bailee would like to thank her incredible husband for his ongoing support (and for the many hours reviewing harmo nies together at the piano). She sends all her love to her two little boys and wishes every one a joyful holiday season! Joyeux Noël!

ALLI HOGGE (Noysey) is happy to be back with OMT performing at two of her favorite theatres, The Egyptian and The Grand both feel like home to Allison. She hold a BA in musical theatre from Weber State University. She was last seen in Centerpoint Legacy Theatres production of Bright Star as Florence. Some of Allison’s favorite roles have been Tess in Crazy For You, Lila Dixon in Holiday Inn and Florinda in Into the Woods

JUSTIN LEE (Cousin Ray) was last seen at OMT playing Harry Houdini in Ragtime: The Musical in Concert. Justin has been an actor, singer, director, producer, playwright, fight/

stunt choreographer, and even founded a theater company at one point. Despite all that, everyone (wisely) keeps him away from the tech booth. In his real-life Justin is a husband of one fantastic wife, and father of four great kids.

MEGHAN PARRISH (Carol Ann) has loved getting back on stage as a Carol this Christmas! She was last seen with OMT as the Narrator in Joseph. She is well known around the valley for that roll, having also played it at HCT, RMT, and Kingsbury Hall. Other favorite rolls include Mother in Ragtime - HCT, Lily in Secret Garden - RMT, and Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood - RMT. “Love and thanks to my amazing husband and family for their sup port. All of whom can attest to the fact that I am actually a very good cook”. Extra love and cheer to my boy in Cali for the Holidays this year.

HEATHER POFFENBERGER

(Ling-Ling) is thrilled to be joining this cast for her first appearance at Perry’s Egyptian theater. She loves portraying the character Ling Ling because of her enthusiasm for life, love for children, and unapologetic confidence. Heather started performing in musicals at the young age of 5, and has continued that passion for the last 20 years! Heather was last seen as Millie Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She was honored to get to play her dream role as the sweet, sassy, and strongwilled character. Her other noteworthy roles include Fiona in Shrek! The Musical , Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Annie in Annie. Heather likes to spend her free time traveling the world with her husband Ty, camping and fishing with family, and hiking and swimming with her golden retriever, Bogey. Heather would like to thank the OMT production staff, as well as her parents, husband, and siblings for instilling in her a

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 22

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND FIVE CAROLS

love for the arts, as well as their continued support in all she pursues.

LANCE SMITH (Principal) is thrilled to return to Ogden Musical Theatre and 5 Carols for Christmas again this year. Other credits include Peter Pan, The Veiw Upstairs, Pirated!, Full Monty, Curtains, Hairspray, Damn Yankees, Brigadoon, West Side Story, To Kill a Mocking bird and The Indian Wants the Bronx. “Love and thanks to my friends, family and Nick.”

KAYLEE WHEELER (Swing) is so excited to be in this show! Her favorite role was Ellie Blake in Freaky Friday! When she’s not per forming she’s sleeping, and teaching voice lessons! She owns Kaylee Dean Vocals and loves it! Insta: @kayleedeanvocals

CREATIVE TEAM

HEIDI HUNT (Director) is thrilled to be directing this year’s production of Five Carols for Christmas. Most recently at OMT, Heidi was seen on the stage as Evil Stepmother in Into the Woods. Heidi most recently directed/ choreographed Spelling Bee at Good Com pany Theatre, Broadway on 25th at Rovalis Ristorante Italiano, and was the guest director/choreographer of Hello Girls at Davinci Academy of the Arts. Heidi has also directed several dinner theatre productions for Hunt Mysteries. Her production resume also includes music director, choreographer, stage manager and producer. She is grateful to OMT for this opportunity, her directors and teachers throughout the years that have taught and inspired her and most of all to her very loving family, husband and three beautiful girls that continue to be her big gest support and fans.

KELLI MORRIS (Music Director) is thrilled to be a part of her first production with OMT! She has music-directed many shows throughout Northern Utah for school, community, and professional theater orga nizations, and is so grateful to have had the

opportunity to work on this fabulous musi cal. Kelli has a BM in Music Education from USU. She has taught elementary, Jr. High and High School choir and musical theatre and currently maintains an active private voice and piano studio in Ogden. Outside of music-directing, Kelli loves to get on stage herself as a singer and actor. She also loves hiking, paddleboarding, antique/thrift shop ping, and spending time with her 2 daugh ters, Josie and Quinn. Love and thanks to this incredible cast and production team for such a wonderful experience - working with you has definitely “put a Carol in my heart!”

KASSI BYBEE (Executive Producer) works as General Manager for the Ogden Eccles Con ference Center and Peery’s Egyptian Theater. She was charged with the task of bringing back live musical theatre to the Peery’s Egyptian Stage and Ogden Musical Theatre was born. For years she has been involved with musical theater but always in the role of an actor. Now she has taken on the role of a lifetime: Executive Producer, going behind the scenes to work with amazingly talented people that have come together to bring Og den Musical Theatre to our beloved historic Peery’s Egyptian Stage.

MAURIE TARBOX (Artistic Director) serves as Artistic Director for OMT. With a degree in Vocal Performance/Pedagogy from WSU and full certification in Somatic Voicework ™ The LoVetri Method from SU, she runs a full vocal studio along with teaching in the Department of Performing Arts at WSU. She has performed throughout her life singing backup to artists such as Barry Manilow, Tanya Tucker and Chubby Checker. Her MT credits include HCT, CPT, The Grand and various other venues. Maurie says the real dream is being part of building the Arts in Ogden and seeing Theatre come to life on this beautiful stage!

MIKENZEE HOWIE (Production Manager) serves as not only the production manager for OMT but is also the Theater Operations Manager for the beautiful venue that is

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ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND FIVE CAROLS

Peery Egyptian Theater. She has worked in theaters across the country and is so excited to finally make Ogden her home. Howie is excited to be part of the OMT family! Working with this cast and crew has been incredible and she is so excited to be a part of sharing the amazing talent and incredible show with the community. Being an artist herself, and having worked in theater her whole life, she knows how powerful a story can be and how it can connect and change an audience. She hopes that by sitting in our beautiful theater and getting to watch this incredible show that you’ll walk away with the idea that art and imagination are so beautifully necessary in our lives.

MARNAE MORGAN (Stage Manager) is excited to be at OMT, stage managing the production of 5 Carols for Christmas again this year. Marnae has been involved in the arts for many years with her children. She enjoys being involved in theater and watching the shows come to life. When Marnae isn’t working, she loves spending time with her husband and three children, relaxing, traveling the world and sharing new experi ences with her family.

DAVIS BITTON (Sound Designer) is a fulltime stage technician at Peery’s Egyptian Theater specializing in audio and sound design. A lifetime resident of Ogden, Davis became interested in theatrical sound design while attending Ogden High School and began working on the crew in the school’s newly renovated auditorium. After graduat ing he joined the staff at the Val A Browning

Center for the Performing Arts at Weber State University, providing technical support for both university and community events. Davis is excited to be on the team at Peery’s Egyptian Theater and to be collaborating with Ogden Musical Theater. In his free time, Davis enjoys writing and producing music as well as exploring Ogden’s beautiful trail systems on his mountain bike.

HAYDEN WADSWORTH (Lighting Designer) is the Theater Technical Lead at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, a local to Ogden Utah since 2013, and a graduate from Weber State Uni versity. Hayden’s credits with OMT include Lighting Designer and Technical Director for Little Women, Shrek the Musical, and many others here at OMT. He loves to light abstract and modern dance shows, but 5 Carols is his Christmas favorite. “I enjoy the culture and architectural beauty that is Peery’s Egyp tian Theater and Ogden Musical Theater.” Hayden has worked on Into the Woods, 5 Carols for Christmas (2021), Ragtime, and Peter Pan to name a few. Hayden would like to thank his managers, staff, and fellow design ers for the experiences he has gained here with OMT and Peery’s Egyptian Theater.

SHELLY BURKHARDT (Costume Designer) is a Seattle native and moved to Ogden 3 years ago. She got her start in costuming when her kids became involved in theatre in 2015. Some of her favorite shows she has costumed are Cats, Matilda, Charlotte’s Web, Elf, and Bright Star. She is excited to be in cluded in the Ogden Musical Theatre family.

MILLS PUBLISHING, INC.

Dan Miller, President; Cynthia Bell Snow, Office Administrator; Jackie Medina, Art Director; Ken Magleby, Patrick Witmer, Graphic Design; Paula Bell, Dan Miller, Paul Nicholas, Advertising Representatives; Transcript Bulletin, Printer. Printed on “Recyclable” paper. PLEASE RECYCLE.

The Grand Theatre playbill is published by Mills Publishing, Inc., 772 East 3300 South, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 Phone: 801.467.8833 Email: advertising@millspub.com Website: millspub.com. Mills Publishing produces playbills for many performing arts groups. Advertisers do not necessarily agree or disagree with content or views expressed on stage. Please contact us for playbill advertising opportunities. Copyright 2022.

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 24

PRODUCTION STAFF

Resident Staff

Artistic and Executive Director

Seth Miller

Natalie Trumbo Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

Patron Service Coordinator

DaQuan Hurt Technical Director

Adam Day Resident Stage Manager

Caroline Cain Marketing Manager

Trina Polta Photographer Steve Fidel

Front of House

McArthur Box Office Staff

Front of House Assistant

Elaia Echeverria, Lauren Heibel Megan McArthur, Morgan Melville Chief Usher

Cheryl Gren, Peggy Sprouse Ushers

Dixie Letts, Maria Guzman, Haylee Markham Kelly Merizalde, Teresa Nordstrom, Michelle Johnson Santana

Running Crew

House Stage Manager, Amahl and Christmas Carol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Cain House Stage Manager, 5 Carols for Christmas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kalista Vordos Audio Engineer .............................................................. Adam Day Lightboard Operator

Emily Mullaney Deck Technician ........................................................ Heather Poulsen Spot Operator Megan Willis

PATRON INFORMATION

Audio Enhancement Equipment – is available for theatre patrons who are hearing-impaired. The Box Office has Comtex wireless personal receivers which allow a patron to sit anywhere in the theatre and receive high fidelity audio. Be cause there is no charge for this service, you will be requested to leave your driver’s license with the cashier until the equipment is returned.

Babies and Small Children – often make it un comfortable for other theatre patrons. Therefore, no children under 5 are allowed. Small children must have their own seat.

Disabled Patrons – may use wheelchair seating areas in the theatre. Each area can accommodate four wheelchair patrons and companion chairs. Ticket prices vary for each section. Aisle seats may be requested by patrons who can be assisted in the transfer from wheelchairs to theatre seats.

Box Office Hours – are 12 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mon day through Friday. On performance days, the box office is open from 12 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Latecomers – will not be seated in their reserved

seats until the end of a scene. Latecomers will be seated somewhere that will not disturb punctual theatre patrons.

Lost and Found – will be held by the head usher until the end of the performance. Thereafter, please contact the Box Office at 801. 957.3322. All items, after a period of 24 hours, will be taken to Administrative Services in Rm N121. They may be contacted at 801.957.3301.

Photography, Sound Recording or Videotap ing – of any performance or the possession of any such device inside this theatre without the written permission of management is prohibited. Offenders may be requested to leave and may be liable for damages and other lawful remedies.

Theatre Parking – is available at no charge in areas on the East and North side of the building. Patrons who are unable to walk from the parking area to the theatre may be dropped off and picked up at the building doors on the North side of the College. Ticketing will occur when parked in the disabled parking

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GRAND THEATRE DONATIONS

Donation list reflects gifts made January 1, 2022 through March 21, 2022

$50,000 - $80,000

Salt Lake County’s ZAP Fund

Alternative Visions Fund

$15,000 - $24,999 Cultural Vision Fund

Pepsi Legacy

$10,000 - $14,999

BMW of Murray & Pleasant Grove George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Robert J Debry & Associates

Sam and Sherrie Goldstein

USANA Health Sciences Inc.

$2,500 - $9,999

Sorenson Legacy Foundation

Utah Division of Arts & Museums

Umbrella Theatre Company

$1,000 - $2,499

Rocky Mountain Power

$250 - $499 Richard Osborn

$100 - $249

Allison Cook

Erin Day Janet Behm

Leroy & Marilu Peterson Shirley Carlston Tolford & Mary Young William & Donna R. Vogel

$50 - $99 Angela FeldmanHarkins Carrie Watters Jason Trowbridge Jessica Curran Jona Curry Katherine Dougherty Lori Reagan Mary Despain

$1 - $49

Alane Fry

Ashley Guajardo Ashley Johnstun Barbara Cru Becky Linford Benjamin Linford Bonnie Breeze Bonnie Nell

Bronwyn Dees

Carol Dwyer

Christian Sherrow Christina Echeverria Dan Tate

Dawn Brandvold Deborah MacAdams Dennis England Duane Humphrey Faith McArthur Gerard Howells Jason Smith Jeanette Seggar John Vincent Pizzello

Jordyn Johnson Joshua Martin Judith Sumner Kathleen Gardner Kimberly Wilson Laura Hamilton Levi Pace Makenzie Skaggs Marilyn Poulsen Mary Anne Wetzel Megan FossumBlanco Megan McArthur Michael Kerner Michelle Brown Natalie Pineda Nia Sherar Oliver Spira Pamela McLeese

Patricia Hussey

Patrick Cordes

Patrick De Freitas Rachel Mardis Robert Cushing Robert Griess Ronald McLean Ryan Doidge Samuel Schmidt Sebastian De los santos Shannon Fisher Shirley Swindell Shoshana Thalberg Sierra Shepard Stacy Romleski Stephanie Chatelain Stephanie Crowe Steve Gagon Sunny Simkins Tiffanie Barton Tischelle Bonner Todd Butler Traci Black Wyatt Smith Xiaolin Yu

Though we make every effort to maintain an accurate list, if you find an error or would like to change your listing, please contact us at 801-957-3322

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES 26

SO CAN YOU.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.