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Grantors

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Donors

Mill Mountain Theatre would like to thank the generous gifts from our Donors. We would not be here without you!

Donors

Standing Ovations 2022
Gifts of $5,000 and more

The Honorable and Mrs. G. Steven Agee *

Avis Construction Company, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason E. Bingham *

Boxley Materials Company

Carilion Clinic

Ceres Foundation Inc.

Roanoke Arts Commission

Commonwealth of Virginia, Rebuild Virginia CARES grant

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc.

Freedom First Federal Credit Union

The Sam & Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation, Inc.

The Huntly Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Shields Jarrett *

Jewell Machinery

The Louise R. Lester Foundation

W. E. McGuire Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Kathryn B McQuade Foundation *

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Roanoke Women's Foundation

The Honorable and Mrs. Frank W. Rogers, III *

Skyline National Bank

Edgar Thurman Foundation For Children

U.S. Small Business Administration, Pandemic Economic Stimulus grants

Virginia Commission for the Arts

Producers 2022
Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999

Brandon Oaks Retirement Community

Center in the Square

Davenport & Company LLC

Mrs. Anne G. Downing

Ms. Sarah Copenhaver and Mr. G. Franklin Flippin, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs. W. Heywood Fralin Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Garbee *

Gentry Locke Attorneys

The Glebe

Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia Ph.D. *

Mr. & Mrs. G. John Levin, Jr.

Member One Federal Credit Union

Mr. & Mrs. G. Marshall Mundy

Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op

The Roanoke Star

Marsh & McLennan Agency

Truist Bank

Mrs. Mary Meade G. Winn

Stars 2022
Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499

American National Bank & Trust Company

Anonymous donors to Mill Mountain Theatre

Anstey Hodge Advertising Group

ARD Properties LLC

Mr. and Mrs. John T. Avis *

Mr. and Mrs. L. Scott Avis

Better Sofas, Inc

Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop *

Mr. and Mrs. Abney S. Boxley, III *

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Brock, Jr.

Business Solutions

The Candy Store

Mr. and Mrs. George B. Cartledge, Jr.

City of Salem

Claytor-Wirt Associates

Cox Communications Charities

Mr. and Mrs. Warner Dalhouse

Dixon, Hubard, Feinour, & Brown Inc.

Dominion Risk Advisors, LLC

Dunkenberger-Waskey Group at Morgan Stanley

Elk Hill Advisors, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Elliot

Entre Computer Center

Mrs. Sibyl N. Fishburn

5 Points Creative

Frith, Anderson & Peake, P.C.

Dr. Gary E. Glontz

Ms. Nancy O. Gray and Mr. David N. Maxson *

Dr. Robyn Hakanson and Mr. Erik Moledor *

Mr. Harry W. Hamilton, III

Mr. and Mrs. John Higginbotham

Howell's Motor Freight, Inc.

Innovative Insurance Group

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jones, Jr.

Kiwanis Club of Roanoke

Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Lawrence *

Dr. and Mrs. Lee Learman *

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lionberger, III

Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Lunsford, II

Lunsford, A Trustpoint Company

Miller, Long & Associates, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Norris

Oakey's Funeral Service & Crematory

Ms. Yvonne Olson

Ms. Nancy R. Patterson *

Mr. and Mrs. William N. Powell

Punch Boutique

Mrs. Carolyn W. Rakes

Roanoke Animal Hospital

Roanoke Gas Company - RGC Resources, Inc.

Roanoke Valley Orthodontics

Mr. and Dr. John G. Rocovich, Jr. *

Frank W. (Bo) Rogers, Jr. Fund

Rosie's Gaming Emporium

Ms. Rachel Sailer and Mr. Peter Barber

Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Smith *

Dr. and Mrs. Donald G. Smith, Jr.

Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division

Mr. Maury L. Strauss

Ms. Lesleigh B. Strauss

Sun Tan City

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Tenzer *

Dr. Bruce R. Thomas and Ms. Linda Bowden

Dr. and Mrs. John T. Tielking

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael M. Traen

Will Trinkle and Juan Granados *

Mr. Charles J. Wehrmeister *

Mr. and Mrs. Barton J. Wilner

Woods Rogers PLC

Leading Roles 2022
Gifts of $500 to $999

Ms. Cathy Acri

Reverend and Mrs. George C. Anderson *

Mr. & Mrs. D. James Bailey III

Mr. and Mrs. W. Chan Bolling *

Mr. and Mrs. J. Keith Bown

Ms. Dorothy S. Clifton and Dr. Lou Singer

Connexions Professional Services

Mr. & Mrs. Grimes W. Creasy

Dr. and Mrs. Antonio T. Donato

Dr. and Mrs. F. Joseph Duckwall

First Citizens Bank

The Honorable and Mrs. Robert W. Goodlatte

Mr. and Mrs. Will Griffeth

Mrs. Robert Jaeger

Dr. and Mrs. David A. Kinsler

Laurence Kufel *

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Lee

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Long

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds G. Lynch lll *

Dr. Elizabeth Rice Martin and Mr. Eddie Martin *

Mast General Store, Inc.

Dr. and Mrs. G. A. McClellan

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip McKeage *

Mr. and Mrs. Robert McMican

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Meidlinger

Ms. Donna L. Mitchell

The Newbern Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Nordt, III *

Mr. & Mrs. J. Lee Osborne *

P1 Technologies, Inc.

Capt. and Mrs. Gary S. Powers *

Mrs. B. J. Preas *

Dr. Randall R. Rhea

Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Timmermann

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael M. Traen

Ms. Vicki Turner

Ms. Yvette Van Hise

Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Vaughn

Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Vietmeier

Wabtec Graham-White

Mr. and Mrs. Byron L. Yost

Scene Stealers 2022
Gifts of $1 to $249

Ms. Kailey Absher

Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Akers

Mr. and Mrs. David K. Allen *

AmazonSmile Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Don H. Andree

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs W. Andrews

Ms. Sharon Angle

Mr. Andrew S. Arbury, III

Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Ashwell

Anne T. Avis

Ms. Brenda Ayers

Ms. Bettie Baber

E R Bane Trust

Mr. & Mrs. D. Stan Barnhill

Dr. and Mrs. Vincent T. Basile

Ms. Ashleigh Bayer

Mrs. Ruth G. Babylon

Ms. Kathy Bibb

Ms. Mary H. Bivens

Mr. Norman Blanchard

Ms. Joellen K. Bland

Ms. Cynthia Blevins

Ms. Leanna Blevins

Dr. and Mrs. John Bouldin

Ms. Nancy A. Bourne

Mr. Alexander Bowman, Jr.

Ms. Amanda Bozack

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Bradshaw Jr.

Ms. Michelle Brandt

Ms. Henriette B. Brooks

Ms. Stephanie Bryant

Ms. HelenRuth Burch

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bush

Mr. Andrew Callahan

Capt. Anne Cannon

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Carlin

Mr. Zachary Carney

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Carroll

Mr. and Mrs. Reed Carter

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cates

Ms. Gloria Cauley

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Celin

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Cheadle

Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Childress

Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Clemmer, Jr.

Mr. William Colbert

Carl E. Coleman Family Trust

Mr. and Mrs. W. Patton Coles, IV *

Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Conner

Mrs. Mary Ann Conrad

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Conte

Mr. John Cornthwait

Mr. and Mrs. James G. Cosby

Frankie Courtemanche

Mr. & Mrs. Grimes W. Creasy

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Cribbs

Mr. Mark Culbreth

Mr. and Mrs. Declan F. Daly

Mr. & Mrs. H. Lawrence Davidson

Ms. Michelle Davis

Ms. Elizabeth G. Deisher

Kelly Derrick

Ms. Stacy Deyerle

Mrs. Barbara M. Dickinson

Dr. Elizabeth H. Duckworth & Mr. John M. Duckworth

Ms. Jeanne M. Duddy

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Dunkenberger, Sr.

Ms. Kathy Dupont

Ms. Patricia Ebbett

Mr. Charles L. Echols Jr.

Ms. Melvina Edwards

Ms. Christina Englehart

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. English

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Ewart, Jr.

Ms. Kelly T. Farber

Ms. Emily Farmer

Ms. Janet Faulkner

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Feldmann *

Ms. Victoria Ferris

Mr. Eric E. Fitzpatrick

Mr. and Mrs. Juergen F. Fleck

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Francis, Jr.

Ms. Gail Godsey

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Goldstein

Mr. Mark Goodes

Dr. James J. Gooding

Mr. Glen Graye

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Greear

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Guilfoyle

Mr. James E. Hall, Jr.

Dr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Harter

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Harvey

Dr. & Mrs. J. Bruce Hauser

Ms. Katherine Havener

Mr. and Mrs. Walker B. Healy Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Hess

Ms. Jessica Hilbish

Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Hill, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Hite, III

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Hoff

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Holdgreve

Macel Holloway

Ms. Donna B Horak

Mr. Chris Howard

HHHUNT Homes Richmond

Ms. Carin Hunt

Dr. and Mrs. Alvin J. Hurt

IBM International Foundation

Mr Richard L Ikenberry

Mr. and Mrs. John Jackson

Mr. Edward F. Jennings Jr.

Ms. Sarah Jernigan-Tompkins

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jewell

Marcia and Lewis Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Pegram Johnson, III

Drs. James and Janet Johnson

Ms. Erma L. Jones

Mr. Pedro Martin Jose Juan

Mrs. Ann M. Journell

Mrs. J. Robert Justice

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Keesee

Mr. Matthew Kelley

Mr. and Mrs. Herman D. Kemp, Jr.

Ms. Victoria Kessler

Mr. Joshua Kier

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kirchhoff

Ms. Shoshana Knapp

Mr. and Mrs. Alton L. Knighton, Jr.

Kroger

Dr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Kunkle

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kurshan

Mrs. Susan P. Lancaster

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Laughon

Mr. Terry Lauver

Mr. and Dr. Todd A. Leeson

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony F. Lefkowicz

Ms. Zoe Manoukian

Ms. Tara A. Marciniak

Ms. Jane Markson

Mr. Gene H. Marrano

Mr. Robert Martin

Ms. Lee B. McBride and Ms. Katherine M. Rakes

Mr. Norman Foggin and Mrs. Kathryn McCathern

Debra McClure

Dr. and Mrs. Maston R. McCorkle, Jr.

Mr. W. D. McCoy

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas McLaughlin

Mr. and Mrs. John G. McLeod

Ms. Amber McLoney

Mr. and Mrs. John D. McMillen

Ms. Bette McNamara

Ms. Melissa Merritt

Mr. Thomas Mesner and Ms. Jeanne Larsen

Mr. and Mrs. David Moledor

Ms. Connie Jo Montz

Ms. Pamela Morgan

Leslie J. Morrissett and Rebecca F. Morrissett

Ms Katherine Mortara

Mr. Marcus B. Moses

Mr. and Mrs. Allan Mower

Ms. Suzana Muller

Ms. Bethany Murphy

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Myers

Richard Nance

Ms. Jacquelyn Nasca

Ms. Carmen Neal

Ms. Rhonda Neely

Theresa Ruth Neilsen-Steinhardt

Network For Good

Mr. and Mrs. John Nicklo

Dr. and Mrs. James R. Niederlehner

Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Nordt, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. George W. Norton

Ms. Rachel Nunez

Amanda O'dell

Mrs. Phyllis A. Olin

The Rev. and Dr. David Olson

Mr. Patrick J. O'Reilly

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald B. Overstreet

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Padis

Ms Melissa Palmer

Mr. & Mrs. John C. Parrott, II

Mr. Jeffrey Pasciak

Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Pasternak

Dr. and Mrs. John W. Pendleton

Mrs. Ashley Pennington-Tripp

Ms. Joan K. Petrus

Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Pooley

Mr. and Mrs. John Powell

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pratt

Dianne & Nick Prout

Mr. Mauricio Ramos

Jacqueline Rearick

Dr. and Mrs. Wayne G. Reilly

Mr. Ian Ridgway

Mr. William Riedy

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rigsby

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Robertson

Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Rottkamp

Mr. Carl Milton Rowan

Mr. James Royalty

Mrs. Charles B. Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Sailer

Mr. Connor Savage

Ms. Sharon Schwind

Ms. P. Annie Seago

Ms. Sally A. Seagraves

James C. Sears, Ed.D.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick N. Shaffner *

Ms. Katherine Shaver

Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Shelor

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Silverman

Mrs. Gene H. Smallwood

Ms. Diane T. Smith

John H. Smithey, Jr.

Ms. Mary J. Snedegar

Ms. Ann Marie Soltis

Ms. Melanie Starks

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce C. Stockburger, Esq.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Strickland

Mr. Robert Stutes

Ms. Leila Summo

Ms. Angela Swain

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Swanson

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Symonds

Ms. Anne T. Tiffany

Mr. and Mrs. David Todd

Ms. Ann Penny Tully

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Vernon

Mrs. and Mr. Jane I. Wallace

Mr. Jason Walsh

Mr. & Mrs. J. Robert Walton

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy R. Ward

Mr. and Mrs. Lilburn E. Ward, III

Ms. Tiffany Waters

Ms. Maureen Watson

Hugh and Jaye Harvey Wellons

Ms. Virginia West

Ms. Judy West

Mr. Roy Westmoreland

Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Whaley

Mr. and Mrs. Damon W. White

Mr. and Mrs. James Whitney

Mrs. Pamela H. Wiegandt

Ms. Deborah Wilhelm

Ms. Kimberly Williamson

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Willis

Mr. and Mrs. J. David Wine

Ms. Edna Wood

Ms. Savannah Woodruff

Mr. Trenten Woods

Mrs. Lee H. Woody

Ms. Vella Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Keith F. Young

VIPs 2022
Gifts of $250 to $499

Mr. and Mrs. Carlton W. Alcorn

Mrs. Lynn D. Avis

Ms. Hazel Bernard

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Brailsford

Ms. Helen A. Burnett

Mr. and Mrs. Russel M. Danstrom

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. David Dixon, III

Mr. Paul A. Economy and Mr. Randy Craver

Mrs. Lauren Ellerman *

Mrs. Marianne E. Gandee *

Dr. and Mrs. Charles D. Gilliland

Dr. & Mrs. J. Bruce Hagadorn

Donna Hancock

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Janoschka *

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Jernigan Jr.

Robyn and David Johnsen

Mr. and Mrs. James F. Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Keely

Mr. Talfourd H. Kemper

Anna and Tom Lawson

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk A. Ludwig

Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Machado

Ms. Martha L. Martin

Dr. Suzan R. and Dr. John R. Merten

Paul and Robert Metz

Mr. Bob Mills

Ms. Leisa Mundy

The Muse Family Foundation *

Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Nash

Dr. and Dr. Michael S. Nussbaum

Mr. and Mrs. Mike O'Brochta

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Pillis

Mr. Dale Rakes

Ms. Mary L. Sailer

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Shaver

Mr. and Mrs. James D. Sheahan

Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Shelor

Janet M. Siems

Dr. and Mrs. Bertram Spetzler

Dr. and Mrs. Brian A. Torre

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Whittle

Mr. & Mrs. W. Lee Wilhelm, III

Mr. Adam Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Winter

Meet Our Donors

Tributes

Mill Mountain Theatre is honored to acknowledge gifts made in tribute or memory of special friends. To make such a gift please contact John Levin at (540) 342-5761 or development@millmountain.org.

Tributes

In honor of Nancy Agee and on her birthday by Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop

In special commemoration of Ginger Poole Avis and Jack Avis being honored at the 2022 Multiple Sclerosis Society Dinner of Champions by current and former presidents of Mill Mountain Theatre’s Board of Directors including: David Allen, Nancy Gray, Macel Janoschka, John Jessee, Cynthia Lawrence and Will Trinkle, and by Ginny Jarrett

In honor of Ginger Poole Avis by Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Conte, by Ms. Melvina Edwards, by Nancy Gray and by Macel and Stephen Janoschka

In honor of Jack Avis by Ginger Poole Avis

In memory of Jim Ayers by James C. Sears, Ed D

In memory of Willeyne McCune Clemens, Dorothy Meyer Hannaford and Sam Zulis by Nancy Ruth Patterson

In memory of Tracy D’Souza by Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Rottkamp

In memory of Becky Gilbert by Paul and Robert Metz

In honor of Mary Hubbard by Macel and Stephen Janoschka

In honor of Randall Hubbard by Macel and Stephen Janoschka

In memory of Timothy A. Kelly by Talfourd H. Kemper; by Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Lunsford, II; by Mr. W. D. McCoy; by Mr. and Mrs. John G. McLeod; by Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Nordt, III; by Mr. and Mrs. William N. Powell, and by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Robertson

In honor of the MMT Team by Ms. Edna Wood

In honor of Tuillo Brenna O’Reilly by Mr. Patrick J. O’Reilly

In honor of Nancy Ruth Patterson by Mr. and Mrs. Walker B. Healy, Jr.

In honor of B.J. Preas by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Cheadle

In memory of Charles Ruff, Jr. by Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Feldmann

In honor of Maury Lee Strauss by Ms. Lesleigh B. Strauss

In memory of Crystal Lynn Van Hise by Mrs. Yvette Van Hise

In honor of Susan Williams by Mr. Adam Williams

Our Tributes

Performers

Juliana Andrea Betancur

*

Yolanda/Ensemble

Noah Blessing

*

Jose/Ensemble/Dance Captain

Chris Carranza

*

Sonny

Gara Roda Cendra

*

Camila Rosario

Lillian Andrea De León

*

Nina Rosario

Brenda Ortiz Flores

*

Vanessa

Robert Spence Gabriel

*

Piragua Guy/Ensemble

Tauren Hagans

*

Abuela Claudia

Keith Johnson

*

Graffiti Pete

Kianna Price Marshall

*

Yesenia/Ensemble

Osmar Martinez

*

Domingo/Ensemble

Khalid Rivera

*

Carla

Eliette Rogers

*

Daniela

Sean Royal

*

Usnavi de la Vega

Ben Tostado

*

Kevin Rosario

Evan Walker

*

Benny

Setting

One block of Washington Heights, Manhattan.
There will be one 15-minute intermission

Songs & Scenes

Act I
“IN THE HEIGHTS”
Usnavi & Company
“BREATHE”
Nina & Company
“BENNY’S DISPATCH”
Benny & Nina
“IT WON’T BE LONG NOW”
Vanessa, Usnavi & Sonny
“INÚTIL” (Unless)
Kevin
“NO ME DIGA”
Daniela, Carla, Vanessa & Nina
“96,000”
Usnavi, Benny, Sonny, Vanessa, Daniela, Carla & Company
“PACIENCIA Y FE” (Patience and Faith)
Abuela Claudia & Company
“WHEN YOU’RE HOME”
Nina, Benny & Company
“PIRAGUA”
Piragua Guy
“SIEMPRE” (Always)
Camila & Bolero Singer
“THE CLUB”
Company
“BLACKOUT”
Company
Act II
“SUNRISE”
Nina, Benny & Ensemble
“HUNDREDS OF STORIES”
Abuela Claudia & Usnavi
“ENOUGH”
Camila
“CARNAVAL DEL BARRIO”
Daniela & Company
“ATENCIÓN”
Kevin
“ALABANZA”
Usnavi, Nina & Company
“EVERYTHING I KNOW”
Nina
“NO ME DIGA” (REPRISE)
Daniela, Carla & Vanessa
“PIRAGUA” (REPRISE)
Piragua Guy
“CHAMPAGNE”
Vanessa & Usnavi
“WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN”
Nina & Benny
“FINALE”
Usnavi & Company

Production Staff

Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Director/Choreographer
Héctor Flores Jr.
Associate Choreographer/Director
Michael Anthony Sylvester
Music Director
John Daniels
Production Stage Manager
Eric Montesa*
Assistant Stage Manager
Kailey Absher*
Lighting Designer
Bill Webb
Director of Production/Props Master
Matt Shields
Dance Captains
Noah Blessing‍ Juliana Andrea Betancur
Dialect Coach
Gara Roda Cendra
Sound Designer
Savannah Woodruff
Deck Chief
Drew Callahan
Spot Operators
Merlin Frazier‍ Elise Legault
Wardrobe
James Moledor
House Managers
Tom Fitzpatrick‍ Larry Kufel‍ Richard Maddox‍ Josh Polk‍ Ian Ridgway‍ Matt Shields‍ Jeff Taback‍ Tiffany Waters

Venue Staff

School Administration Staff

Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Director of Development
John Levin
Business Manager
Larry Kufel
Director of Education
Victoria Buck
Production Manager/Props/Scenic Designer
Matt Shields
Creative Director of Public Relations
Ian Ridgway
Resident Musical Director
Seth Davis
ATD/Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Savannah Woodruff
Education Associate & Community Engagement Coordinator
Francesca Reilly
Teaching Artist
Josh Polk
Spot Operators‍
Drew Callahan Trenten Woods

Musicians

Conductor & Keyboardist
John Daniels
Guitar/Bass
Mike Havens
Reeds
Teresa Hedrick
Drums
J.T. Fauber‍ Travis Schmidt

Board of Directors

President

Macel H. Janoschka

Vice President

J. Lee E. Osborne

Treasurer

Lori D. Cauley

Secretary

Nathaniel L. Bishop

Board Members

David K. Allen Lauren Ellerman Linda Garbee Nancy O. Gray Dr. Robyn Hakanson Laurence E. Kufel Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia Cynthia Lawrence William L. Lee Reynolds Lynch III Dr. Elizabeth Rice Martin Laura McKeage Nancy Ruth Patterson Gary S. Powers Doris Rogers Edward M. Smith Judy Tenzer Will Trinkle Maxwell Huddleston Wiegard

Student Advisory Board

Credits

Lighting equipment from PRG Lighting, sound equipment from Sound Associates, rehearsed at The Public Theater’s Rehearsal Studios. Developed as part of Irons in the Fire at Fault Line Theatre in New York City.

Special Thanks

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an International organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

United Scenic Artists ● Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (IATSE Local 18032), represents the Press Agents, Company Managers, and Theatre Managers employed on this production.

Letter from the Director

Firstly, thank you for joining us this evening. In The Heights is a story about a tight-knit community living in New York City’s Washington Heights. This beautiful story and soaring score explore the generational experience of what it means to be an immigrant, to follow your dreams, to find love, and the indelible power of home. Buckle up, buttercups, because we are about to take you on quite the ride!

Cast
Creatives

Meet the Cast

Juliana Andrea Betancur

*

Yolanda/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Juliana is over the moon about making her regional theatre debut in In The Heights! This show began her love of musical theatre, and she can't think of a better show to be a part of post-pandemic. Juliana would like to thank her family, friends, and Mill Mountain Theatre for making this happen.

Noah Blessing

*

Jose/Ensemble/Dance Captain
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Noah (he/him) is thrilled to be a part of this production! He is a San Antonio native currently residing in New York City. He recently performed with Disney Cruise Lines in Tangled, Disney Dreams, and Twice Charmed. Noah was also seen in 9 to 5 (Joe), Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat (Simeon), and You’re…Charlie Brown (Snoopy) at Cedar Summerstock. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with his BFA in Musical Theatre in 2020. Noah would like to thank God, his family, and his friends for their endless support!

Chris Carranza

*

Sonny
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Chris is so excited to be bringing some heat all the way from Southern California! Favorite past credits include: Newsies & West Side Story (Rocky Mountain Rep.), Altar Boyz (Short North Stage), Sister Act (Town Hall Arts Center), and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Candlelight Dinner Pavilion). A proud graduate of the University of Northern Colorado’s Musical Theatre program and a very proud Mexican/Samoan! Chris is so grateful to finally be fulfilling this dream show/role and would like to thank you for supporting live theatre. “¡Muchas gracias y Dios te bendiga!”

Gara Roda Cendra

*

Camila Rosario
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Gara is overjoyed to be invited to the Barrio to tell this story with this incredible group of people! Roda is a proud graduate of Aules, School of Performing Arts. Her most recent credits include the new version of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum where she had the pleasure of being the Resident Director of the Spanish company as well as understudying the role of Philia; Cabaret (Rosie & Kost Alt.), Sister Act (Sister Mary Roberts), Bare, a Pop Opera, Cyrano de Bergerac (Roxanne), Our Class (Dora), amongst others. Gara has choreographed several shows around the world, like Side by Side and The Last 5 Years (Grassroots Theatre, Switzerland) or Legally Blonde and West Side Story (La Coupole, France). She is also the Co-founder and the Artistic Director of MyssTic Rooms, an immersive theatrical escape room experience in Brooklyn, NY.

Lillian Andrea De León

*

Nina Rosario
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

A singer, actor, and songwriter, Lillian (she/her/hers) is a New York City-based artist from Texas. She is incredibly grateful to be playing her dream role in this beautiful show! NY CREDITS: (Michelle) Aztec Pirates Part 1 & 2 by David Davila - Playwrights Horizons, (Leonora) Promesa - Musical Theatre Factory, NY FEATURED PERFORMANCES: 54 Below, Green Room 42, City Winery, Laurie Beechman Theatre. REGIONAL: Les Miserables - Dallas Theater Center (dir. by Liesl Tommy), Creep - WaterTower Theatre, Sweeney Todd - Uptown Players. This show is dedicated to my late “adopted father” Phillip Samuel Brown.

Brenda Ortiz Flores

*

Vanessa
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

All the way from Mexico, Brenda is a versatile actor and athlete who came to the USA to pursue a career in the theatre. A joyful storyteller and a runner. Recent credits include Mimi in Act 3 Rent concert, and Los Pochos with Teatro Vivo. Proud Ball State graduate and thankful to her family.

Robert Spence Gabriel

*

Piragua Guy/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Robert Spence Gabriel is a Hispanic actor from Tampa, FL. He attended the theatre conservatory at Chicago College of Performing Arts before returning home to Tampa in 2016. Since then he has been seen on Floridian stages in shows such as Jobsite Theatre’s Threepenny Opera (Crookfinger Jake), Hir (Isaac), and Romeo and Juliet (Paris), and Freefall theatre’s The Lion in Winter (John) and War of the Worlds. Chicago credits include: Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens (Soloist) and Ext Think You Know (Luke). Robert is grateful to tell a story that means so much to him as In the Heights does, and wishes his immensely talented cast broken legs! Special thanks to his family, parents, and mentors for their unwavering, inexhaustible support.

Tauren Hagans

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Abuela Claudia
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Tauren is excited to be back in the barrio after performing in the National Tour of In the Heights in 2011-12.  She also sang in the vocal ensemble of the movie version that was in theaters last summer. Some of her other favorite credits include Mamma Mia (Rosie), 9 to 5 the Musical (Roz) and The Dixie Swim Club (JeriNeal) all at Flat Rock Playhouse, the premiere of Far From Canterbury (Oracle) at The Barnstormers and Pride and Prejudice (Mrs. Bennet) at Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Proud PANK (Professional Aunt No Kids) to Jaimie, Kori, Bea, Beck, Miles and Baxter.

Keith Johnson

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Graffiti Pete
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)
(
)
Pronouns:

Keith is excited to make his Mill Mountain debut! He hails from Central Illinois with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Southeast Missouri State, Masters in Teaching Physical Education from Lindenwood University, and a graduate of Stella Adler Studio of Acting Summer Conservatory in NYC. Regional Credits: Bring It On (Cameron - HSVPA), Cats (Plato/Macavity - San Diego Music Theatre), A Chorus Line (Don - Rocky Mountain Repertory), Grease (Kenickie - HSVPA). Keith would not be where he is today without God’s guidance, the unshakeable support from his family, the absolute best son he could ever ask for, his Champaign brothers, Judith, Jenna, Gary, Mrs. McGraw and Michelle! BBDD Phil 4:8

Kianna Price Marshall

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Yesenia/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

After a long hiatus from theatre, Roanoke native Kianna Price Marshall is excited to return back to the Mill Mountain stage. At the age of 9 she appeared in her first MMT theater production, The Wiz. In the Heights makes her 12th Mill Mountain production and she is thrilled to be part of this empowering musical celebrating the Latinx culture. Always a supporter of the performing arts, recently she appeared in Southwest VA Ballet's Nutcracker, was Mrs. Little in Stuart Little at the VA Children's Theatre and volunteers with the Roanoke Valley Children's Choir.  The last four years Kianna has greeted you every weekday morning on the local Fox affiliate as the Host of lifestyle show Living Local. In 2020 and 2021 Readers of Roaonoker Magazine has voted her as the Female Star of the Star City. Kianna says, "The real stars are those you are about to see on stage today."

Osmar Martinez

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Domingo/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Osmar Martinez is a proud Mexican American performer. He is a first generation immigrant and is not easy, he often misses home, friendships, family and his dog Luna. He first immigrated the country when he was 18, right away he started doing theatre. Being part of In the Heights is exciting because he get to find his home away from home. This will be his Mill Mountain Theatre debut and is excited to share this heartwarming story to Roanoke’s audiences. His favorite credits include: West Side Story (Chino), In the Heights (Jose), Luchadora (El Hijo), Evita (Buenos Aires dancer/Military/Ensemble), West Side Story (Luis). He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University. To follow his journey as a performer follow him on Instagram.

Khalid Rivera

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Carla
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)
(
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Pronouns:

Khalid is thrilled to finally be doing In the Heights and debuting at Mill Mountain Theatre. As a Puerto Rican New Yorker (Nuyorican), this story holds a special place in his heart. Enjoy the show! He is an Actor, Recording Artist, and Media Personality. Follow him @KhalidRivera. TV: Russian Doll, Pose, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Broad City. FILM: Milkwater (Netflix), Poultrygeist. BROADWAY: Paul Simon's The Capeman, Julie Taymor's Juan Darien. THEATRE: The Buddy Holly Story (Ritchie Valens), Seussical the Musical (National Tour), Fly Guy... (National Tour), Cocoadios (House Of Yes, NY), Cool Yule Christmas (Carowinds, NC). Proud AEA and Sag-Aftra member.

Eliette Rogers

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Daniela
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)
(
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Pronouns:

Eliette Rogers is a singer/actress living in the Florida Panhandle. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Theatre Performance. This is Eliette's first time working with the Mill Mountain Theatre Company, and is ecstatic to be here! Her most recent roles were Dancer/Actor in Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama, Anita in West Side Story, and a Dynamite in Hairspray! She would love to thank her church, family & friends for all the support!  “Whatever you do, do it with love.”

Sean Royal

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Usnavi de la Vega
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Sean is so so so excited to be able to tell the story of the barrio and portray Usnavi De La Vega! Sean is based right outside of Austin, TX but has moved around a bunch of places recently. Previous roles include Indio in West Side Story, Jimmy Winters in Nice Work if You Can Get It, Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight and so much more. He hopes you enjoy the powerful, fiery fiesta you’re about to witness. Special thanks to Ginger and Paul for giving him this amazing opportunity. A BIG THANK YOU to all the production and technical crew members that made this beast of a show happen. We wouldn’t be here with y’all. Mom, Jack, Ariel, and Liliana thank you for inspiring him to follow his dreams.

Ben Tostado

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Kevin Rosario
(
)
(
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Pronouns:

Originally from Burbank, California, Ben is an actor-director-producer based in New York City. He recently co-starred with Queen Latifah on her It’s Bigger Than Me Campaign. Theatre: Seussical (original Off-Broadway cast), Life of Galileo (workshop at Tectonic Theatre Project), The Giant Hoax (Theatre Row, NYC), Hair (Gallery Players), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Hangar Theatre), Bye Bye Birdie (Music Theatre of Southern California). Television: General Hospital, Port Charles. Ben has worked as a teaching artist in the NYC area and has co-authored several children’s musicals and plays over the past 20 years. His family-friendly comedy The Great Pie Robbery…or, We Really Knead the Dough opened at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2012 and later had a four-week run off-Broadway in 2017. He is the artistic director of Playlight Theatre Company. Thank you to the cast and to Christian, as always. This show is dedicated to my beautiful mother and our Mexican ancestors.

Evan Walker

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Benny
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Evan is beyond excited to be making his Mill Mountain debut. After a 4 year hiatus from the stage, he is ecstatic to return with the role of Benny. National Tours: Hairspray and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Other Favorite credits include  Aladdin (Omar u/s), Little Mermaid (Sebastian), and Once on this Island (Papa Gay). Evan thanks his parents, Drew, and especially his partner Michael for his endless support and love.

Meet the Team

Ginger Poole

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Producing Artistic Director
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Ginger Poole is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and an Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union. She has studied, taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S. She has worked in GA, HI, FL, MS, SC and VA with, Theatre in the Square, The Alliance City Series, Theatre Gael, Synchronicity Performance Group-GA, Mill Mountain Theatre-VA and SC Children’s Theatre. Originally from Atlanta, she has worked with the N.F.L. and The Atlanta Falcons as their director and choreographer and The Atlanta Opera. Prior to coming to Mill Mountain Theatre, she was based out of North Carolina where she has worked with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, in over 25 productions. She was a part of the Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse for 5 years where she taught for their Apprentice Companies and their Conservatory Program in Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre. Ginger has taught at The University of Southern Mississippi, Western Carolina University, William Carey College, Mississippi University for Women, and currently teaches at Hollins University. With Ginger’s strong background in dance she finds herself not only acting and dancing on stage but also directing the choreography and classroom skills for her students. Ginger holds her M.F.A. in Acting Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and continues to teach acting and dance.  She has worked with students that range in age from kindergarten through professionals.

Ginger has worked in commercials, voice-overs, film, stage, and the classroom, and was profiled in the book FIRESTARTERS as “the actor”.

Ginger serves on the following Board of Directors: South Eastern Theatre Conference (SETC Secretary, Second Term), Junior League of the Roanoke Valley (Past President and Current Nominating Committee, Second Term), Burton Performing Arts Advisory Board, The Roanoke City Public Schools Education Foundation, and she has served on the Review Panel for theVirginia Commission for the Arts. She was the recipient of the DePaul’s Women of Achievement Award in the Arts in 2013 and was named the 2016 Kendig Award recipient for Individual Artist. Ginger is also a guest host with WSLS, the NBC affiliate, Daytime Blue Ridge television show, and is the host of the new Mill Mountain Theatre Podcast, Meet Me at Mill Mountain. She is very proud to be a member of the Mill Mountain Theatre team and looks forward to its continued growth, success, and artistic influence in the region.

Héctor Flores Jr.

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Director/Choreographer
(
)
Pronouns:

Héctor Flores Jr. (Director/Choreographer) is a multi-hyphenate theatre professional.  Producer credits include Sueños: Our American Musical (Concept EP), Xena: Warrior Musical (Cast Album). Dir./Chor. credits include, In The Heights (MMT, OCT & PSF), Westside Story (Flatrock Playhouse), Matilda (MMT) and Elf: The Musical (MMT).  Performance credits include US Spanish Premiere of In The Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre), Sol of el Barrio (Jacob’s Pillow), On Your Feet (Gateway Playhouse), Urinetown (FIPAP), Mamma Mia! (Flatrock Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (St. Petersburg Opera) and is coming back to Direct and Choreograph, Cabaret at MMT fresh off originating a role in the world premiere of, Mad Hatter, The Musical. You can follow @HectorFloresJr35 and/or @NewYorkTheatreBarn on instagram for more info and the latest news on the musicals of tomorrow. 

Michael Anthony Sylvester

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Associate Director/Choreographer
(
)
Pronouns:

Michael Anthony Sylvester is a Puerto Rican American Actor, Singer, Dancer, Choreographer and Instructor from Fort Worth, TX now living in New York City. Performance Credits include: TV: MTV Movie Awards (2015) BET Soul Train Awards Commercial feat. Eryka Badu, Season 1 of Todrick on MTV (Dancer, Vocalist) and Dance Moms!!! STAGE: Guys and Dolls (Rusty Charlie), Theatre Under The Stars; In the Heights (Graffiti Pete, Dance Captain), Dallas Theatre Center; In the Heights (Man 2), Walnut Street Theatre; West Side Story (Chino), Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma; and many more!

Michael has also worked as an Instructor and Choreographer for Casa Manana Performing Arts Conservatory, as well as the 2017 Tony Award-Winning Dallas Theatre Centers Project Discovery and Summer Stage Program and Salgado Production's ICONOS KIDS located in the heart of Washington Heights, NYC!

Choreography Credits: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Artisan Center Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (Plaza Company Theatre); Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, World Premiere (Casa Manana Theatre); Little Women Dallas (LIFETIME NETWORK); and is a Recipient of the 2011 Dallas Column Awards for Best Choreography for All Shook Up (Plaza Company Theatre). He also choreographed the family friendly movie Rising Stars, starring Kyle Riabko (Spring Awakening), Leon Thomas III (Victorious, August Rush) and recording artist Rebecca St. James, now available on Amazon Prime Video!!

Thank you to Mill Mountain Theatre for welcoming us into your Familia!
No Pare Sigue Sigue!

John Daniels

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Music Director
(
)
Pronouns:

John most recently concluded his tenure as Music Director at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, where some of his favorite credits include South Pacific, Miss Saigon and the American premiere of the West End hit, Love Story. For their annual gala, John has had the opportunity to play for some of Broadway’s finest performers including Tony nominee Rob McClure, Phantom of the Opera’s Hugh Panaro, and The Lion King’s Ben Lipitz. Outside of Philadelphia, John’s favorite regional credits include Gypsy, starring Karen Mason, The Hot Mikado with Tony nominee B.J. Crosby and Elton John’s Aida with Adrian Zmed. On the road, he was a keyboardist with the National Tours of Camelot starring Michael York and was the Music Director for the National Tour of Cabaret. John is originally from Wilkes-Barre, PA and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music.

Francis Eric Montesa

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Production Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:

Francis ERIC Montesa is happy to return to MMT as Production Stage Manager for In the Heights, previously with MMT–Driving Miss Daisy and Greater Tuna. Coming out of lockdown, ERIC stage managed Twelfth Night twice for The Acting Company and Shakesperience Production, Inc. ERIC's other credits include Romeo & Juliet & Ain’t Suppose to Die a Natural Death (Tour) for The Classical Theatre of Harlem, Hong Kong for Blueberry Pond Ensemble Theatre, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Rules Of Charity for Theatre By The Blind, Romeo & Juliet for Princeton Rep Shakespeare Festival , The Tempest for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre; Falstaff for The Shakespeare Project; Driving Miss Daisy and Charley's Aunt for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival; Welcome to Our City for Mint Theatre Company; Awake & Sing! w/ Anne Jackson and Dark Laughter for The Actors’ Studio; Murder in Mind at Ubu Rep. and Regionally for the Wayside Theatre (Va.), Source Theatre Co., Arena Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre (Washington, DC) and the Centenary Stage (Pa.). He has directed scenes from A Raisin in the Sun, A Centennial Celebration of Langston Hughes, and stage managed A Cultural Celebration for Actors Equity.  ERIC has done National Tours of Porgy & Bess, How to Suceed in Business Without Really Trying, Singin’ In the Rain, Titanic, and Crazy for You. When New York went on lockdown due to the pandemic in March 2020, he was in the middle of teching his first dance concert, Princess Yaa, produced by The Gloria Eve Performing Arts Foundation. The day after finishing Act I, he got the call that the performances were cancelled. Regardless, he still went to the theatre and finished a paper tech of Act II with the director and lighting designer in the hope of rescheduling the performances in June, which never happened. ERIC has been a member of Actors Equity since 1997.

Bill Webb

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Lighting Design
(
)
Pronouns:

Bill is thrilled to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre as the Lighting Designer for Million Dollar Quartet.  Bill is a native of Alfred, NY, where he received his Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre from Alfred University in 1988.  He continued training at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he earned his Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Technology in 1994.  Since 1996 Bill has been on faculty at Elon University in North Carolina where he serves as the Lighting Designer/Production Manager for the Performing Arts Department. Bill has been designing lights at Mill Mountain since the MMT production of Swing in 2014 with 30  MMT Lighting design credits.  In addition to his work at Mill Mountain Theatre,  Bill has worked throughout the United States for companies such as Cirque Du Soliel, I Weiss, Bungalow Scenic Studios and  Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Matt Shields

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Production Manager/Props Designer
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Matt Shields is a native of Virginia. Having grown up in Loudoun County, he first moved to the region in 2013 to attend school at Radford University where he graduated with a BS in theatre. After working for a few other companies, Matt is happy to call MMT his artistic home. In the past few years Matt has served in a variety of jobs around Mill Mountain, including Props Master, Costumes Manager, Teaching Artist, Scenic Designer, and Company Manager. Matt is very happy to now be serving MMT as the Production Manager and is grateful to MMT for all the faith they have put in him over the years.

Jimmy Ray Ward

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Scenic Designer
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

With an MFA in Design from UNC-Greensboro, his credits include work at many theatre companies along the East coast such as Spoleto Festival USA, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Seaside Music Theatre, Flatrock Playhouse, and the Gainesville Theatre Alliance.  Locally, Jimmy designs for Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Children's Theatre, and Mill Mountain Theatre, where he worked as resident designer for its last nine seasons.  Some favorite designs over the years include scenery for Il Trovatore, The Flying Dutchman, The Adventures of Frog and Toad, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Seussical, and Grease, costumes for Hamlet, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat, and lighting for Driving Miss Daisy, Wit, and Rapunzel, among many others. Despite years of working in a field he loves, Jimmy feels that his best productions to date are his children, Henry and Lily, Gracie and Frank.

Kailey Absher

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Assistant Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:

Kailey Absher is so excited for live theatre to be back! She was seen most recently at Mill Mountain as Assistant Stage Manager for Million Dollar Quartet and Production Stage Manager for Tomás and the Library Lady. She is a Virginia native, growing up nearby in the New River Valley and is a 2020 graduate of Radford University. Kailey is a member of the Southeastern Theatre Conference as well as the Stage Managers’ Association.

Antonio Consuegra

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Costume Designer
(
)
Pronouns:

Antonio Consuegra is thrilled to make his MMT debut! Some credits include: TV: CBS' 70th, 72nd and 73rd Tony Awards (Assistant Costume Designer) Broadway: Hamilton (Assistant Costume Designer), Funny Girl (Assistant Costume Designer). Off-Broadway: Can Do Duck–The Musical (Costume Designer), Daddy Issues (Costume Designer), All Aboard–The Musical (Costume Designer).

Savannah Woodruff

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Lead Electrician & Sound Engineer
(
)
Pronouns:
she/they

Savannah Woodruff was born and raised in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where she was encouraged to become involved in technical theatre in high school. Savannah is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received a BFA in Technical Production. Prior to joining the Mill Mountain Theatre staff, she worked as a member of Weston Playhouse Theatre Company’s Intern Company. Savannah is grateful for the support of her family (and especially her cats) in her endeavors, and is thrilled to be able to continue working and growing with Mill Mountain Theatre.

Media

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2021 National Touring Cast

Pre-Show Snack or
Post-Show Dinner?

Don’t let the evening end when the curtain comes down. With The Marquee Local, you can find the perfect place for a pre-show snack, an evening meal, or a post-show cocktail. Enjoy exclusive deals from our local partners as you catch up, discuss the show, and create memories to last a lifetime.

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Grab a Bite

Fortunato

Italian
|
104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Fortunato

Italian
|
104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

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The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

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Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub
|
107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub
|
107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

Marquee Deal!

Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

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Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger
|
210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger
|
210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

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Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
|
118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
|
118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

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Wasabi's

Japanese
|
214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

Wasabi's

Japanese
|
214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

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Raise a Glass

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Marquee Deal!

‍Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

Marquee Deal!

Billy's

American
|
102 Market St SE

Buzzy dining room with a full wooden bar plating refined American cuisine such as lobster Alfredo.

Billy's

American
|
102 Market St SE

Buzzy dining room with a full wooden bar plating refined American cuisine such as lobster Alfredo.

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Fork in the Market

American
|
32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

Fork in the Market

American
|
32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

Marquee Deal!

Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

Marquee Deal!

While You Wait

With the help of our friends at Theatrely.com, Marquee Digital has you covered with exclusive content while you wait for the curtain to rise.

Harvey Fierstein Will Receive 2025 Special Tony For Lifetime Achievement In Theatre
Alan Koolik
April 24, 2025

Harvey! Today, The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced today that legendary actor and writer, and four-time Tony Award winner, Harvey Fierstein will receive the 2025 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

Harvey Fierstein is the winner of four Tony Awards: two for Torch Song Trilogy (Best Play and Best Actor in a Play) as well as Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical for La Cage Aux Folles and Best Actor in a Musical for Hairspray. He has also written the Tony-winning hit Kinky Boots along with Newsies, Casa Valentina, A Catered Affair, Safe Sex, Bella Bella!, Legs Diamond, Spookhouse, Flatbush Tosca, Common Ground and more. He revised the book for Funny Girl, which had a hit run on Broadway and a multi-city North American tour, following its London production. His children’s book, The Sissy Duckling (Humanitas Award), is now in its fifth printing, and his New York Times bestselling memoir I Was Better Last Night is available on Knopf. 

“Harvey Fierstein’s contributions to the American theatre, both as an artist and activist, represent an extraordinary legacy,” said Heather Hitchens, President & CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Jason Laks, President of the Broadway League.  “We are thrilled to honor him with this year’s Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Award and can’t wait to celebrate one of our icons at the Tony Awards on June 8th.” 

Some of the luminaries previously honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award include Carol Channing, Graciela Daniele, Joel Gray, Jane Greenwood, Sheldon Harnick, Julie Harris, Rosemary Harris, Jerry Herman, James Earl Jones, John Kander, Angela Lansbury, Marshall W. Mason, Terrence McNally, Jack O’Brien, Harold Prince, Chita Rivera, Marian Seldes, Stephen Sondheim, Tommy Tune, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Harold Wheeler, and George C. Wolfe.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards will return to the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City later this year. Hosted by Tony, Emmy, and GRAMMY Award-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards will broadcast LIVE to both coasts on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (8:00 – 11:00 PM ET/5:00 – 8:00 PM PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.*.  

Trust Me, You Will Want To Know Ainsley Melham
Kobi Kassal
April 24, 2025

There is one thing for certain, when director Jerry Mitchell compares his leading man to Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, it’s safe to assume they are pretty talented. Enter Ainsley Melham. 

Growing up in Australia, Melham has made a name for himself in the Land Down Under playing lead roles in everything from Merrily We Roll Along to Wicked to The Normal Heart, and trust me this list goes on and on and on. After landing the leading role of Dwayne in Boop! The Musical now on Broadway, Melham is getting his chance to truly shine. 

I recently caught up with Melham after opening night to chat all things Boop, catching one of those iconic red balloons, and finding himself in Dwayne.

Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. All photography was shot on film by Carianne Older for Theatrely.

Theatrely: So how was opening night last week?

Melham: Oh my gosh, it was wonderful and so, so thrilling. I had my family there all the way from Australia. You know, this is my first opening on Broadway...I was here with Aladdin, but stepped into the cast as a replacement in Aladdin. Such an exciting night.

I'm curious, what was your history with Betty Boop as a character before stepping into this project?

We know who Betty Boop is in Australia but she's much more part of the cultural fabric of this country. And so when I heard about the project and got the brief, I was like, “Oh, this is interesting. I wonder how this sort of show will hit with audiences.” Even if you don't know much about the history of Betty Boop, you certainly know the character and perhaps what she stands for. And that's all you really need to know coming into this show because everything else is new and we get to you with a new story and new music.

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I think it's so refreshing for a leading man on Broadway to be a true triple threat — we just don’t see it anymore. It's just a thrill to watch. So I want to dive into the character of Dwayne. Tell me, to start out, how did you land the role? 

I sort of made the move permanently here at the top of 2023 in March. I'd been back and forth for a while doing Aladdin and other projects, but I nailed down the Green Card and made the decision to move permanently. I knew Jerry and went into the room, sang the material, and I think it was a week and a half later and I heard I had received an offer. Dwayne is not a character in the Betty Boop canon; he's not a Fleischer Studios character. So he's completely new in this musical. It gave me room to fully realize him in a way that felt true and real to me. And in reality, he's just a guy, he's a young musician, you know, trying to carve out his way in New York City. So it's not unlike my own story as a young actor trying to carve out a space. 

I want to circle back to that for a second, but when you decided to make the move here full time, was that for work purposes? Was it to pursue a career on Broadway?

Yeah, it was for work. You know, I worked for about 10 years really successfully in Australia. And then Disney brought me here with Aladdin. In that situation, it's very specific. You're brought here on an entertainment visa and you are contracted to the show. And so part of my decision to come back with the Green Card was to come back unattached to anything just to see where that would lead me. I'm obviously very grateful to Disney and the opportunities that they provided, but I wanted to come back and be part of something original. And to do that, I had to come back on my own and take that risk in a way to see if I could land something. I'm really happy and glad that it paid off. So this was definitely a move for the career and I hope that I can stay here for a little while and see what New York has to offer. 

Were you always a lover of jazz, or was that a newfound thing with Dwayne?

I've always been a lover of that style. I've been a tap dancer since I was very young. And so tap and jazz like this go sort of hand in hand really. So jazz has always been a part of my life and a part of my regular sort of playlist. But doing the show and stepping into this character has certainly allowed me to dive deeper into that, which is exciting.

Did you know how to play the trumpet or did they give you lessons before hopping on the stage?

I did not know how to play the trumpet at all. I had some lessons to get me up to speed, but like anything, that's a skill that you work on from when you're very young. It's a hard thing to try and emulate every night, but I'm doing my best! When someone comes up to me at the stage door and tells me I played wonderfully, I know I'm doing something right! 

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Obviously Bob Martin is a genius musical comedy writer. I'm curious how much of—since Dwayne is not in the canon of Boop—how much of yourself did you put into the character?

They were so generous and collaborative when it came to everyone in the cast, even Jasmine as Betty, which is such a realized and popular character. But for Dwayne, the team was really open and welcoming of ideas for this character. I came to this city because I was missing something and that wasn't really in the character of Dwyane—it was something Bob and I really discussed. 

And then I'm curious on the flip side of that, is there something that the character of Dwayne has taught you? 

I think he has taught me to trust myself more on stage because there is so much of myself in this character that can be quite scary and vulnerable. And because Dwayne is sort of the most real or natural character in this show, amongst all of these more heightened and cartoonish characters, it can sometimes feel a bit exposing to stand up there and trust that what you're doing is enough when you're delivering a performance that is—it feels weird to say naturalistic in the music theater world—but that is more natural than Betty Boop and Grampy and all of these other characters. So I guess Dwayne has taught me to trust in myself, Ainsley the actor, and know that what he's delivering is enough.

Tell me about collaborating with David Foster, who I personally think has written one of the cachiest scores in recent memory. 

I mean, David Foster has produced for just the most incredible people, one of whom is Michael Bublé. Bublé was one of the artists that I listened to from young because he was emulating and paying homage to those crooners of the 30s and 40s, whom I love so much. So then stepping into a room with David and singing this sort of music, which feels so jazz and big band inspired, is incredible. And then we were in Chicago. When we were in Chicago, we added a song for Dwayne, She Knocks Me Out. And so David wrote this song over the weekend and came in and said, here I've written you your Bublé song, which is insane. You would have told a little boy from Bathurst County, Australia, that he'd be working with David Foster and he'd get his own Michael Bublé song. It's pretty incredible. 

When you think about that you are starring in a big Broadway musical and on the press tour Jerry Mitchell is out there comparing you to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, wow does that sit with you as an actor? Obviously it's high praise and extremely well-deserved, but how does it feel?

I have a lot of beautiful friends around me who keep reminding me of that fact—they'll text me or when I speak to them, they're like, “Ainsley, you're doing the thing that we all aim for in one way or another, you're originating the role and you're going it so beautifully and he's comparing you to Gene Kelly, like what the hell?” So it's in those moments, I think, that sometimes it takes somebody else to go, “Hey, just take a breath and realize,” because you can get caught up in it. You get caught in the process, you put a lot of pressure and stress on yourself and you can sometimes lose sight of the fun and the pinch me moment of it. But in those moments where I do reflect, it feels... it feels really... you know, I've danced and sung and worked in this way since I was very, very young. Since I was three years old, I had tap shoes on my feet and I've idolized those sorts of figures all through my childhood and through my professional career. So to have somebody like Jerry turn around and make that comparison, it sort of doesn't feel real sometimes.

I think my favorite part of your preview process were the balloons outside that you could just see all around Midtown. Did you ever take a balloon?

Oh my gosh, yes. And you know, as I was walking home the other day, halfway up 9th Avenue, I walked past a brownstone and I could see a balloon just in the living room, through the window. And I was like, “Oh my gosh, that person's been at the show!” These balloons are finding themselves all over Manhattan. It's really cool.

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The show is such a lovely love letter to New York City. I'm curious, where do you find yourself on days off?

That's a good question. Well, you know, I live so close to Central Park, I'm just a couple of blocks away. That's usually how I start my day or if I have a day off, I'll go and sit in the park. It probably seems extremely touristy. But you know I lived and grew up in Australia and spent much time in Sydney where we have direct access to the beach and to beautiful nature reserves all around us. So Central Park for me is my dose of that.

The thing that I think is undisputed about this production is that Jasmine Amy Rodgers is really cementing herself as a true bonafide Broadway star. I'm curious, what is it like to watch her journey through your eyes on stage every night opposite her?

Jasmine offstage is such a clown, and we get along like brother and sister. So in that way, it's sort of unbelievable and hard to resolve the fact that this sort of clownish, goofy, you-know, little sister type offstage is stepping on stage and delivering this absolutely incredible star-making performance. Not that I doubt it from her, but when you stand back and watch from the sidelines, you're like, “Oh, wow, this is really incredible. Where was she pulling this from inside of her?” I'm so thrilled that this show came along and was met with Jasmine's talent because she is the character, she is Betty Boop. When you hear her laugh in real life, it's the same laugh you hear on stage, you know? There's so much of her in Betty. And it just took a vehicle like this for people to see it and realize it. And now I'm excited, not that I'm wishing this experience away, but I am excited to see where it goes from here, because it's only art. 

When someone looks at your resume, I'm sure it's a resume that young actors aspire to. I'm curious, what advice do you have for young folks who want to get into the business and start a career that looks like yours?

When people ask me that question, I always say that you just need to stand firm in what makes you you in the audition room, what you have to offer. I don't really see myself—this might seem odd from someone on the outside looking in—but I don't really see myself as the particularly strong, tall, leading man type. When I was doing Wicked, I would step onto the stage as Fiyero and half the ensemble was taller than I am and traditionally they cast really tall, strapping guys in in that role and so here I am going, “Okay, well I'm playing this role which is really cool but it sort of it feels a little bit, you know, against time aesthetically,” if you will. But, you know, I'm trusting that whatever I'm bringing as Ainsley is enough. So, you can't be like anyone else. You're never going to. People can see through it so easily. So, for young people, I think they need to find their point of view and just stand firm in that.

When you wrap up Boop and you're reflecting back in five, ten, twenty years, what do you want to remember most about this time right now? 

Oh gosh. Um... I think just how happy we make people. You can sort of get caught up in the politics and in what people think, what critics think, which casting people are in the audience and what would they think of my performance and will it be enough to get me the next gig or whatever. But when we stand up there at the end of each show and the whole audience is on their feet and they're all singing and smiling — it's so joyous. I mean, that's really what we're there to do. It's why we go back each night. It's why we stay in this career, to move people. And for this, in this show, we're moving them to such beautiful joy. And so I think I want to remember that. 

Before we go, I have to ask, if you were at Comic Con, who would you dress up as? 

Oh my gosh. Well, I have sort of two options. It would either be like a Studio Ghibli character, maybe Howl from Howl's Moving Castle?? Or I have always loved Sailor Moon! 

Cathartic Communication in the Haunting New GRIEF CAMP — Review
Juan A. Ramirez
April 23, 2025

We don’t learn much about its characters’ particular reasons for being there and, save for a few lines deployed in ways that skirt the thud of exposition, might not even know where they are. The limits and limitations of communication are central to Grief Camp, a haunting, humane new play by the 27-year-old (!) Eliya Smith, premiering in an excellent Atlantic Theater production.

Though the realistic cabin set (by Louisa Thompson) visible before the one-act’s start doesn’t hint at anguish to come, the mood is betrayed by the damp, blue-green summer light which bathes it (excellently rendered by Isabella Byrd). Its young inhabitants have regular teen conversations, about crushes and their home lives and who’s been craving too much attention, but their vibe is decidedly off – eerie, even. None of them seem to be able or willing to connect with each other, as if in avoidance.

Of course, as the title conveys, they are there because they’re each dealing with some sort of grief, one which might hopefully be resolved by season’s end. To divulge the details of their grief would not really spoil anything, but feels beside the point. The tone of their interactions, and what their timbre says about how they all cope, form the backbone of the play, which Smith and director Les Waters present in an unusually cinematic way. Some scenes stretch the length of a conversation, others offer glimpses of bedtime chats, brief morning routine, or interludes by a zen, speechless guitarist (Alden Harris-McCoy). A particularly cryptic one gestures at the kind of therapy they might be receiving there: its seven participants lined up at the edge of the stage, sitting silently with different comfort foods (a glass of milk, a bowl of spaghetti), which they eat when prompted by the camp’s unseen head psychiatrist, Rocky (Danny Wolohan).

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The company of Grief Camp | Photo: Ahron R. Foster

The effect is almost that of skipping through security camera footage, or a timelapse carefully calibrated between the lighting’s cuts. That need-to-know basis is also how we get to know the campers: Cade (Jack DiFalco), an adult counselor who’s mother’s passing led him there years prior; sisters Ester (Lark White) and Olivia (Renée-Nicole Powell), the latter of whom grasps at control by hypersexualizing her interactions with Cade; Luna (Grace Brennan), who wields her weirdness defensively; Blue (Maaike Laanstra-Corn), whose oddness comes naturally, and through the thinly-veiled plays she writes; Bard (Arjun Athalye), a shy, hurting boy; and Gideon (Dominic Gross), who’s toughness shields him from the brink of collapse.

A stunning sequence finds them all haphazardly exorcising their emotions during a thunderstorm (designed, not superfluously, by Jeremy Chernick), and the closest descriptor within reach here – emblematic of the whole play – is that they all act as if on psychedelics; as if each is undergoing something immense and overwhelming but cannot express it, left alone to wander through a subjective experience where the cleanest past forward is through, and through impulse alone.

It’s not all traumatic. Grief and its manifestation are funny that way. Grief Camp offers plenty of room for humor and for touching insights into the ways we move about our lives carrying memories both burdensome and beautiful. The play trusts us to consider its title’s significance throughout with the gentle nudge of a catharsis-in-waiting, and to trust in continuing power from Smith.

Grief Camp is in performance through May 11, 2025 at the Atlantic Theater Company on West 20th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Theatrely News
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
Theatrely News
READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
Theatrely News
"Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes"
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
By: Maia Penzer
14 July 2023

Finally, summer has arrived, which can only mean one thing: it's time for camp! Theater Camp, that is. Theatrely has a sneak peak at the new film which hits select theaters today. 

The new original comedy starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon we guarantee will have you laughing non-stop. The AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, is attended by theater-loving children who must work hard to keep their beloved theater camp afloat after the founder, Joan, falls into a coma. 

The film stars Ben Platt and Molly Gordon as Amos Klobuchar and Rebecca-Diane, respectively, as well as Noah Galvin as Glenn Wintrop, Jimmy Tatro as Troy Rubinsky, Patti Harrison as Caroline Krauss, Nathan Lee Graham as Clive DeWitt, Ayo Edebiri as Janet Walch, Owen Thiele as Gigi Charbonier, Caroline Aaron as Rita Cohen, Amy Sedaris as Joan Rubinsky, and Alan Kim as Alan Park. 

Theater Camp was directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt. Music is by James McAlister and Mark Sonnenblick. On January 21, 2023, Theater Camp had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

You can purchase tickets to the new film from our friends at Hollywood.com here.

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
By: Kobi Kassal
29 May 2023

Actor Sean Hayes is what we in the biz call booked and blessed. On top of his Tony-nominated performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar, Hayes has partnered with Todd Milliner and Carlyn Greenwald for the release of their new YA novel Time Out

Heralded by many as Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights, Time Out follows hometown basketball hero Barclay Elliot who decides to use a pep rally to come out to his school. When the response is not what he had hoped and the hostility continually growing, he turns to his best friend Amy who brings him to her voting rights group at school. There he finds Christopher and… you will just have to grab a copy and find out what happens next. Luckily for you, Time Out hits shelves on May 30 and to hold you over until then we have a special except from the book just for Theatrely:

The good thing about not being on the team the past two weeks has been that I’ve had time to start picking up shifts again at Beau’s diner and save up a little for college now that my scholarship dreams are over.

     The bad part is it’s the perfect place to see how my actions at the pep rally have rotted the townspeople’s brains too.

     During Amy’s very intense musical theater phase in middle school, her parents took her to New York City. And of course she came back home buzzing about Broadway and how beautiful the piss smell was and everything artsy people say about New York. But she also vividly described some diner she waited three hours to get into where the waitstaff would all perform songs for the customers as a way to practice for auditions. The regulars would have favorite staff members and stan them the way Amy stans all her emo musicians.

     Working at Beau’s used to feel kind of like that, like I was part of a performance team I didn’t know I signed up for. The job started off pretty basic over the summer—I wanted to save up for basketball supplies, and Amy worked there and said it was boring ever since her e-girl coworker friend graduated. But I couldn’t get through a single lunch rush table without someone calling me over and wanting the inside scoop on the Wildcats and how we were preparing for the home opener, wanting me to sign an article in the paper or take a photo. Every friendly face just made the resolve grow inside me. People love and support the Wildcats; they would do the same for me.

     Yeah, right.

     Now just like school, customers have been glaring at me, making comments about letting everyone down, about being selfish, about my actions being “unfortunate,” and the tips have been essentially nonexistent. The Wildcats have been obliterated in half their games since I quit, carrying a 2–3 record when last year we were 5–0, and the comments make my feet feel like lead weights I have to drag through every shift.

     Today is no different. It’s Thursday, the usual dinner rush at Beau’s, and I try to stay focused on the stress of balancing seven milkshakes on one platter. A group of regulars, some construction workers, keep loudly wondering why I won’t come back to the team while I refuse proper eye contact.

     One of the guys looks up at me as I drop the bill off. “So, what’s the deal? Does being queer keep ya from physically being able to play?”

     They all snicker as they pull out crumpled bills. I stuff my hands into my pockets, holding my tongue.

     When they leave, I hold my breath as I take their bill.

     Sure enough, no tip.

     “What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath.

     “Language,” Amy says as she glides past me, imitating the way Richard says it to her every shift, and adds, “even though they are dicks.” At least Amy’s been ranting about it every free chance she gets. It was one thing when the student body was being shitty about me leaving the team, but the town being like this is even more infuriating. She doesn’t understand how these fully grown adults can really care that much about high school basketball and thinks they need a new fucking hobby. I finally agree with her.

     [She’s wearing red lipstick to go with her raccoon-adjacent eyeliner as she rushes off to prepare milkshakes for a pack of middle schoolers. I catch her mid–death glare as all three of the kids rotate in their chairs, making the old things squeal. My anger fades a bit as I can’t help but chuckle; Amy’s pissed-off reaction to Richard telling her to smile more was said raccoon makeup, and her tolerance for buffoonery has been at a negative five to start and declining fast.

     I rest my arms on the counter and try not to look as exhausted as I feel.

     “Excuse me!” an old lady screeches, making me jump.

     Amy covers up a laugh as I head to the old lady and her husband’s table. They’ve got finished plates, full waters. Not sure what the problem is. Or I do, which is worse.

     “Yes?” I say trying to suppress my annoyance.

     “Could you be bothered to serve us?”

     Only five more hours on shift. I have a break in three minutes. I’ll be with Devin at Georgia Tech tomorrow. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say, so careful to keep my words even, but I can feel my hands balling into fists. “What would you—?”

     And suddenly Amy swoops in, dropping two mugs of coffee down. “Sorry about that, you two,” she says, her voice extra high. “The machine was conking out on us, but it’s fine now.”

     Once the coffee is down, she hooks onto a chunk of my shirt, steering us back to the bar.

     “Thanks,” I mutter, embarrassed to have forgotten something so basic. Again.

     “Just keep it together, man,” she says. “Maybe you’d be better off with that creepy night shift where all the truckers and serial killers come in.”

     Honestly, at least the serial killers wouldn’t care about my jump shot.

     It’s a few minutes before my break, but clearly I need it. “I’ll be in the back room.”

     Right before I can head that way though, someone straight-up bursts into the diner and rushes over to me at the bar. It’s a middle-aged dad type, sunburned skin, beer belly, and stained T-shirt.

     “Pickup order?” I ask.

     “You should be ashamed,” he sneers at me. He has a really strong Southern accent, but it’s not Georgian. “Think you’re so high and mighty, that nothing’ll ever affect you? My kid’ll never go to college because of you and your lifestyle. Fuck you, Barclay Ell—”

     And before this man can finish cursing my name, Pat of all people runs in, wide-eyed in humiliation. “Jesus, Dad, please don’t—”

      I pin my gaze on him, remembering how he cowered on the bench as Ostrowski went off, how he didn’t even try to approach me. “Don’t even bother,” I snap.

     I shove a to-go bag into his dad’s arms, relieved it’s prepaid, and storm off to the break room.]

     Amy finds me head in my arms a minute or two later. I look up, rubbing my eyes. “Please spare me the pity.”

     She snorts and hands me a milkshake. Mint chocolate chip. “Wouldn’t dare.” She takes a seat and rolls her shoulders and neck, cracks sounding through the tiny room. “Do you want a distraction or a shoulder to cry on?”

For more information, and to purchase your copy of Time Out, click here.

Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes
By: Kaitlyn Riggio
5 July 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020, Broadway veteran stage manager Richard Hester watched the nation’s anxiety unfold on social media.

“No one knew what the virus was going to do,” Hester said. Some people were “losing their minds in abject terror, and then there were some people who were completely denying the whole thing.”

For Hester, the reaction at times felt like something out of a movie. “It was like the Black Plague,” he said. “Some people thought it was going to be like that Monty Python sketch: ‘bring out your dead, bring out your dead.’”

While Hester was also unsure about how the virus would unfold, he felt that his “job as a stage manager is to naturally defuse drama.” Hester brought this approach off the stage and onto social media in the wake of the pandemic.

“I just sort of synthesized everything that was happening into what I thought was a manageable bite, so people could get it,” Hester said. This became a daily exercise for a year. Over two years after the beginning of the pandemic, Hester’s accounts are compiled in the book, Hold Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic. Released earlier this year, the book documents the events of the past two years, filtering national events and day-to-day occurrences through a stage manager’s eyes and storytelling.

When Hester started this project, he had no intention of writing a book. He was originally writing every day because there was nothing else to do. “I am somebody who needs a job or needs a structure,” Hester said.

Surprised to find that people began expecting his daily posts, he began publishing his daily writing to his followers through a Substack newsletter. As his following grew, Hester had to get used to writing for an audience. “I started second guessing myself a lot of the time,” Hester said. “It just sort of put a weird pressure on it.”

Hester said he got especially nervous before publishing posts in which he wrote about more personal topics. For example, some of his posts focused on his experiences growing up in South Africa while others centered on potentially divisive topics, such as the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite some of this discomfort, Hester’s more personal posts were often the ones that got the most response. The experience offered him a writing lesson. “I stopped worrying about the audience and just wrote what I wanted to write about,” Hester said. “All of that pressure that I think as artists we put on ourselves, I got used to it.”

One of Hester’s favorite anecdotes featured in the book centers on a woman who dances in Washington Square Park on a canvas, rain or shine. He said he was “mesmerized by her,” which inspired him to write about her. “It was literally snowing and she was barefoot on her canvas dancing, and that seems to me just a spectacularly beautiful metaphor for everything that we all try and do, and she was living that to the fullest.”

During the creation of Hold Please, Hester got the unique opportunity to reflect in-depth on the first year of the pandemic by looking back at his accounts. He realized that post people would not remember the details of the lockdown; people would “remember it as a gap in their lives, but they weren’t going to remember it beat by beat.”

“Reliving each of those moments made me realize just how full a year it was, even though none of us were doing anything outside,” he adds. “We were all on our couches.” Readers will use the book as a way to relive moments of the pandemic’s first year “without having to wallow in the misery of it,” he hopes.

“I talk about the misery of it, but that’s not the focus of what I wrote... it was about hope and moving forward,” Hester said. “In these times when everything is so difficult, we will figure out a way to get through and we will move forward.”

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