evergreenplayers.org

Lucky Stiff

Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty. Based on "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" by Michael Butterworth.

Directed by Gene Kato. Music directed by Janelle Kato.

From the Tony-Award winning creators of 'Ragtime the Musical,' comes the zany, murder, mystery, musical farce, Lucky Stiff. Shy, unworldly British shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon is convinced that he is doomed to live a life of cold stew, overdue rent and barking dogs. Just as he dreams of a better life, he discovers that his recently murdered uncle has left him an inheritance. But there's a catch: Harry must take his uncle's dead body on a week-long vacation to Monte Carlo.

A colorful cast of characters will do anything to prove the uncle is a stiff and get their hands on the money. The events that occur are sheer lunacy. A sidesplitting romp you won't forget!

Read the review of this show in the Denver Post here.

Cast

Monica Bergevin Ensemble

This is Monica's first show with the Evergreen Players. You may recognize her, however, as she has performed many times at Center/Stage with the Evergreen Chorale, the Evergreen Children's Chorale, and Dandylion Theater Company. Monica is also actively involved with Conifer Stagedoor Theater, where she recently was the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, and Peggy in Godspell. Monica will be a junior at Evergreen High School this fall.

Tim Blesse Vinnie Di Ruzzio

Tim has been a middle school teacher for the past 22 years at Christ the King School in Denver, and spends his summers as an Interpretive Naturalist at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park. In his spare time, he loves to act and most recently played Protean in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Other roles include Bennie in Guys and Dolls and ensemble in Brigadoon. Tim, who lived in Africa for three years, says he feels privileged to be a part of such a talented and creative cast.

Jennifer Chengery Dominique Du Monaco

Jen, who grew up in a family of performers and musicians, is thrilled to be working with the Evergreen Players. A recent graduate from Colorado Christian University, Jen majored in Music Performance for Voice and minored in Theatre. She has performed various roles at Town Hall Arts Center, Northglenn Recreation Center, the Missoula (MT) Children's Theatre, and the Palm Beach (FL) Princess Cruise Line. Jen would like to thank her family, friends, and God for his blessings.

Jessica Clare Annabel Glick

Jessica has a BFA Degree in Musical Theatre from Ohio Northern University. Since moving to Denver, Jessica has performed with several companies, including Main Street Players, Performance Now, Ovation Players, Town Hall Arts Center, and Imagination Makers Theatre Company. Her theatrical credits include The Secret Garden, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Godspell, The Music Man, Most Happy Fella, Sweeny Todd, Carmen, Darlene (Byre Theatre, Scotland), Suddenly Last Summer (Gateway Theatre, Scotland), Medea, Our Town and A Streetcar Named Desire. Jessica would like to thank her family and friends for all their love, laughter and support.

Melissa Marilyn Fowler Rita La Porta

Melissa has been an actress, singer, and dancer since 1989, appearing locally and nationally in television, film, and theatre. She previously performed as Joy and Hortense in Players' productions of Cinderella and The Boy Friend, respectively. As part of her commitment to the Players, she has served on the Board of Directors for the past year and a half. She holds degrees in Musical Theatre from Ricks College, and English/Secondary Education from UNC. She has taught theatre and English for the past six years, most recently at Arvada High School. Melissa also sings with the Colorado Mormon Chorale, and plans to return this season.

Sarah Mae Johnson Ensemble

Making her debut with the Evergreen Players, Sarah has been in the Denver theatre community for 10 years. She was last seen at the Phoenix in the regional premier of Recent Tragic Events, and in Quilter's at the Aurora Fox last summer. Some of Sarah's previous roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods, a Lady in Waiting in Once Upon A Mattress, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, Lula in The Dutchman, and in a myriad of ensemble and dance roles. Sarah works to inspire change, supporting Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Programs, where she has been the Booking Coordinator for a year. She is grateful for your support of local theatre, and gives much applause to Panub for her tireless support of her theatre habit.

Daniel Langhoff Harry Witherspoon

Daniel, who has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, has performed in and around the Denver-area for six years. His favorite roles include Mr. Applegate in Dame Yankees, Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Craven in the Secret Garden, and Herr Hahlo in Painted Bread. Daniel is a member of Hunger Artists Ensemble Theatre and also writes and directs. He plays the guitar, bass, piano and accordion, and is a rabid Stephen King fan, reading his complete works - 47 books! Daniel would like to thank Gene, Janelle, the entire Evergreen Players cast, Stacey and his family.

Jason Maxwell The Body of Tony Hendon

This is Jason's fourth show with the Evergreen Players, his sixth performance working with Gene Kato. Recently delivering a hilarious performance as Peachy in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Jason says he loves the possibilities that present themselves with the Evergreen Players - even if that means playing a dead man. Jason received his B.A. in Theatre, Film and Television for CU-Denver and his Associate of Arts from Red Rocks Community College. He thanks his family, friends, and the hand of God in his life.

Robert Payo Luigi Gaudi / Ensemble

This is Robert's first show with the Evergreen Players. Past roles include: Tiresias in Oedi, Saul in True West, and Protean in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Robert, an Education and Outreach Specialist at the National Science Digital Library, is grateful to be back on stage again, especially in the company of such wonderful people.

Jake Williamson Ensemble

This is Jake Williamson's first show with the Evergreen Players and he is thrilled to be a part of this production. Jake is currently working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre at Metropolitan State College. Some of Jake's previous roles have been Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, The Major General in Pirates of Penzance, Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and various characters in The Laramie Project. Jake can also be seen in the upcoming full length independent film Don Juan's Diary, in the lead male role. In addition to being an actor/singer, he is also an acting and guitar instructor at the Ascot Theatre. Jake would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers who have helped him get to where he is today.

Gene Kato Director

Gene is thrilled to be at the helm of this musical he has waited 12 long years to direct. He especially loves that he can share the project with such a talented group of performers, designers, and production personnel. Audiences may remember Gene from his past roles with the Players - Nick in Over the River and Through the Woods and Pierre in The Boyfriend. His Players directing credits include Inherit the Wind and he is slated to direct Sabrina Fair next season. He and his lovely wife Janelle own their own theatre company called Next Stage and are preparing to work on Stephen Sondheim's controversial musical Assassins which will play at the Phoenix Theatre in September.

Janelle Kato Music Director

Janelle is happy to be back working at Center/Stage with the fabulous cast & crew of Lucky Stiff. She's been seen onstage here as Polly in The Boy Friend, and the title role in Cinderella. Janelle holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University. She would like to thank her family and friends - especially her husband, Gene - for their never-ending love, support, and encouragement. She looks forward to her next project, Assassins, with Next Stage at The Phoenix in September.

Stephanie Lynn Prugh Stage Manager

Stephanie recently made her third appearance with the Evergreen Players, playing Sunny in The Last Night of Ballyhoo. She also previously appeared in Miracle Worker and Inherit the Wind. Since Ballyhoo, she has been busy, appearing in the Music Man with Town Hall. She has also choreographed Annie with Performance Now and A Midsummer Nights Dream with Muse of Fire Acting Company. Stephanie would like to thank Gene and the entire cast and crew of Lucky Stiff.

Peggy Morgan Stenmark Set Design

This is Peggy Morgan Stenmark's final production with the Evergreen Players as Artist-in Residence. She has worked extremely hard on the past ten Players' productions, and her last set for Down the Road was recently named Best Set Design at the 2005 Colorado Community Theatre Coalition (CCTC) Festival. Peggy has been painting full time for the past six years and teaches watercolor workshops at Foothills Art Center in Golden. Her works have recently been accepted in the National Watercolor Society Show, the San Diego Watercolor Society's 25th International Exhibition, and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolor.

Production Crew

Images from Lucky Stiff

Photography by Ellen Nelson and other volunteers.

The Dead Body of Anthony Hendon alarms the cast of 'Lucky Stiff'