Who’s
Who in the Company
June 26 - August 2, 2009
Main Stage
Scott Spence (Artistic Director/Director) Scott is excited to enter into his 19th season at the Beck Center. He hopes that as always you are enjoying the great diversity Beck Center offers. In his tenure as Artistic Director and Associate AD, Scott has produced well over 200 productions, directing over 50 himself. The list of favorites grows every season, and includes Altar Boyz, Parade, A Man of No Importance, Sweeney Todd, Hair, The Secret Garden, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Greater Tuna, Reefer Madness, The Fix, Zombie Prom, Tommy, and so many more, including Urinetown The Musical being revived as this season's opener. He is very proud of the awards and acclamations Beck has received over the past several years, and is especially grateful for having won the Northern Ohio Live Award for Achievement in Theatre in 2006. Outside of Beck's walls, Scott's directorial assignments have included Das Barbecü at Opera Cleveland and Noises Off at both Weathervane in Akron and Berea Summer Theatre. Occasionally on the other side of the footlights, Scott has appeared in Dick Deadeye (Berea Summer Theatre), Man of La Mancha (Jewish Community Center), The Secret Rapture (Dobama) and closer to home at Beck in Big River, The Boys Next Door and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. He also recently had the privilege of joining the cast of Passion, directed by Victoria Bussert, in his first onstage stint in the Studio Theater. Scott holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Western Illinois University and is a trained stage fight choreographer, having studied extensively with the SAFD. As always, he dedicates his work to the two leading ladies in his life – Rachel and Carleigh.
**William Roudebush (Director) (SSDC) Most recently at the Beck Center, Bill directed My Favorite Year last season and the critically-acclaimed Equus in February 2007. He has been directing for over thirty years at theaters such as Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Cleveland Play House, Syracuse Stage Company, Theatre Virginia, The GeVa Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, The Boar’s Head Theatre, The Miami and Palm Beach Opera Guilds, and many others. In New York, he was Artistic Director for the Ten More By Noonan series at the John Houseman Theatre as well as directing for Ensemble Studio Theatre, The American Folk Theatre, The Mint Theatre Company, The Actors Outlet, Pulse Ensemble Theatre, The Samuel Beckett Theatre, and the Village Gate where he researched his new musical, Village Gate Follies. Bill has been based in Philadelphia for the past thirteen years where he works as a freelance director/writer. His 2002 revival there of Equus was nominated for eight Barrymore awards and won five including Best Overall Production of a Play, Best Ensemble and Best Director. Recently, he adapted and directed a new musical based on the works of singer/songwriter Harry Chapin called Remember When The Music which played the Barter Theatre. Bill is also an educator having taught at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, The University of Memphis, The University of the Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, along with being Theatre School Director for the Walnut Street Theatre for four years. He is currently director of Musical Theatre for the Performing Arts Institute in Kingston, PA. His book entitled Acting By Mistake is available online and at select bookstores.
Larry Goodpaster (Musical Director) Little Shop of Horrors marks Larry’s 75th show in Northeast Ohio and his 48th at the Beck Center. An award-winning pianist while in high school, Larry followed quite a different path and obtained degrees in biology, chemistry, veterinary medicine, and business over the next 20 years. Upon receiving his MBA in 1997, Larry decided to pursue musical theater in his recreational time. What started as an avocation quickly became an obsession. Thanks to the thoughtful tutelage and support provided by Beck Artistic Director, Scott Spence, he is now able to fill his evenings 12 months a year musically directing shows at multiple venues in the Cleveland area. Since January 2008, Larry has spent his days at the Beck Center as a volunteer business consultant. As he completes his 11th year at the Beck, he fondly remembers some of his favorite productions – Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Rocky Horror Show, Parade, Eating Raoul, Zombie Prom, Urinetown The Musical, and A Man of No Importance. Larry wishes to thank Bill Roudebush for the opportunity to collaborate on Little Shop of Horrors. And as always, he congratulates our faithful patrons and loyal donors for keeping theater alive and vibrant in Cleveland – especially during these tough times. These charitable contributions not only support our professional theater, but also allow us to instill confidence and self-esteem in the children, youth and adults in our arts education classes. Thank you!
Michael Medcalf (Choreographer) In 1998, Michael established Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (CCDT). Over the next 9 years as artistic director, he developed the company into a dynamic and highly sought after organization known for its innovative artistic programming, outreach approaches and collaborations. Michael has served on the Boards of Ohio Dance and Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio and on panels for Dance Cleveland, the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Art Presenters Network. Amongst his many awards, including Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland’s Sunshine Award in 2007, Northern Ohio Live magazine honored him for contributions to the dance community with its Award of Achievement. His early training in dance began as a student at the Cleveland School of the Arts. He received additional training at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia at Philadanco, The Chautauqua Institute and the Ailey School. As a professional dancer, Michael has worked with choreographers such as Talley Beatty, Katherine Dunham, Donald McKayle, Ronald K. Brown, Bill T. Jones, Cleo Parker Robinson, Kim Robards, Dianne McIntyre, Kevin Jeff, Gary Abbott, Eleo Pomare, Dwight Rhoden, David Taylor, Shapiro and Smith, David Shimotakahara and David Rousseve amongst others. His professional performing career includes work as a soloist and principal ensemble member of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Denver. His award-winning choreography has also been highlighted in showcases presented by St. Marks Dancespace Project in New York City, in Cleveland Public Dance Theatre’s Danceworks Series, as well in as Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton for the annual statewide Ohio Dance Festival. Michael’s choreography for opera and musical theater, produced by Opera Cleveland, Cleveland Public Theater, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, The Weathervane Playhouse and Firestone High School includes Dreamgirls, Hansel and Gretel, A Little Night Music, Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, Guys and Dolls, Crowns, Carmen Jones, La Traviata, Urinetown the Musical, The Hot Mikado, The Wiz, Westside Story, South Pacific, and Wole Soyinka’s The Bacchae of Euripides. He is a current Verb Ballets company member and co-directs Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s All City Dance Ensemble. This is Michael’s first production as a choreographer at the Beck Center.
Tod Huffman (Stage Manager) Tod is excited to be working once again with the fabulous Bill Roudebush. He is honored to be working with such a talented cast and crew. Tod has been stage-managing for many years and has seen this show a number of times but is excited to finally be working the show. He has worked around the Cleveland area at such places as Beck Center, Rocky River Community Theatre, Jewish Community Center, Cleveland Public Theatre, Tri-C Metro, Cassidy Theatre, Clague, and Dobama. When not stage managing or working as a computer programmer for Macy’s Inc., Tod travels all over China. His favorite shows have included Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Hair, The Fix, Perfect Ganesha, Tommy, Chicago, Five Guys Named Moe, Smokey Joe’s Café, A Raisin in the Sun, La Cage aux Folles, Urinetown the Musical, Beehive, Joe Turner, and Aida. Please support your arts organizations. Ni hao to Jim, Christopher, Sarah, and Solomon. Wo ai nimen.
Katrice Monee Headd (Crystal, the Urchin) Katrice is super excited to be making her debut at the Beck Center! She is a native of Bloomington-Normal, IL, who has grown to call Cleveland her home. Katrice graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a concentration in Acting. Since her graduation she has been actively seen performing on and behind the stage. Karamu productions include Bow Wow Club (Beverly), House with No Walls (Cadance Lane), Caroline or Change (Radio), Purlie Victorious (Lutibelle), A Colored Funeral (Choreographer/Ensemble), Permanent Collections (Kanika Weaver), and Colored Museum (the party-loving Topsy). Other productions include Nikki Giovanni in The Fire Inside Ingenuity Festival, Oklahoma! and A Chorus Line at Porthouse Theatre; Guys and Dolls, Chicago and Side Show at Kent State's Stump Theatre. She also serves the community as an acting coach. She gives honor to God for LOVE and LIFE. Enjoy! MDGRE... love ya'll!
Tonya Broach (Ronette, the Urchin) Tonya is an accomplished, trailblazing actress who is not afraid to push the envelope when it comes to performing. Whether it’s a dramatic, comedic or musical production, she is in her element and definitely leaves her mark. She has appeared on many stages, toured with theater groups, and has performed in notable productions such as Smokey Joe’s Café, Dreamgirls, Beehive, Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical The Musical, Purlie, Two Trains Running, and Black Nativity within the Greater Cleveland area. She most recently performed the role of Esther Mills in Weathervane Playhouse’s production of Intimate Apparel. Her performance in Smokey Joe’s earned her the coveted Chanticleer Award for best actress in a musical at Weathervane’s annual awards ceremony. “Doing live theater is very therapeutic for me. You get to experience life through someone else’s eyes and step out of your own life if only for a few hours.” Little Shop of Horrors is Tonya’s second project at the Beck Center for the Arts. She thanks you for coming to see the show and hopes you enjoy the ride!
Taresa Willingham (Chiffon, the Urchin) Taresa is excited to return to the Beck Center where she was seen in Aida. It has been a long-time desire of hers to be an Urchin in Little Shop of Horrors. She's glad for this opportunity. Taresa received her B.A. in Theatre from Baldwin-Wallace College. Most recently she performed at Karamu House in A House With No Walls (Oney Judge) and Caroline, or Change (Radio 2). She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and continuous support. God Bless-Estrella!
Timothy Allen (Seymour) Tim is elated to return to the Beck Center after his little stretch in Peter Pan (Murphy the Pirate) last December. While stomping around in boots and talking like an Aussie amuses him; he is overjoyed to take on the role of Seymour Krelborn. There aren’t many nerdy AND socially-inept romantic leads out there and fortunately Tim excels at both. Recent credits include Children of Eden (Adam/Noah) at Spotlights Theatre; Sweeney Todd (Ensemble) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack Worthing) at Lakeland Civic Theatre; West Side Story (Bernardo), Fools (Leon), and Godspell (Jesus) at Huntington Playhouse; Cabaret (Emcee) at Stage Left Theatre of Medina, and many others. Tim currently teaches English and Drama and runs the theater program at Midpark High School. Special thanks goes to his entire family; Bill and Scott for this wonderful opportunity; the entire cast of Little Shop, all his friends; and especially his Aunt Patti for teaching him the power of possibility. Tim hopes to obtain his MFA in Acting in the near future.
*Leslie Feagan (Mr. Mushnik) Leslie feels most folks would rather read about the TV stars you've worked with, rather than plays and theaters. He has worked with Richard Kiley, John Cullum, Jamie Farr, Nathan Lane, Faith Prince, Adam Arkin, Carolee Carmello, Jonathan Frakes, Scott Bakula, Ed Ames, John Raitt, Theodore Bikel, Patti LuPone, Leslie Uggams, Richard Dean Anderson, Alyssa Milano, Susan Lucci, David Cassidy, Morgan Brittany, Tom Wopat, and Peter Gallagher. He has been a proud member of Actors' Equity since 1973.
Meg Maley (Audrey) Meg is thrilled to be a part of her first Beck Center production! In the fall, she will be a sophomore Music Theatre major at Baldwin-Wallace College where she was last seen in Parade. Other credits include You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie) and Damn Yankees (Lola). Thanks to Vicky, Scott, Mrs. O, and all her family and friends – especially Mom and Dad! Best wishes to such a supportive cast and crew!
Curt Arnold (The Customer/Audrey II Operator) Curt continues a busy season at Beck Center after recently performing in The Farnsworth Invention here on the Main Stage and co-directing and stage managing the critically acclaimed Talking Heads 2 in the Studio Theater last fall. Also at Beck, he has directed productions of The Lisbon Traviata and Fully Committed, stage managed six times, and performed in a dozen or so plays and musicals since 1995. Working primarily as an actor, director and stage manager, he has worked with most Cleveland theater companies since relocating from Columbus in 1994. Curt is a board member of the Cleveland Theatre Collective and, since 2003, has co-produced and directed an annual staged reading of a musical to benefit the AIDS TaskForce of Greater Cleveland and the Community AIDS Network in Summit county. Watch for this year’s benefit, The Great American Trailer Park Musical on August 24 in Cleveland and September 14 in Akron.
Connor O'Brien (Orin Scrivello, the Dentist) Connor studied opera at the Eastman School of Music in New York, and has since toured the country as a professional vocalist. Other notable theater performances have included leading roles in Miss Saigon (Chris) here at the Beck Center, and at The Erie Playhouse in Erie, PA; 2008 Plain Dealer Musical of the Year, Altar Boyz (Abraham) at the Beck Center, Sweeney Todd (Anthony) at Lakeland Civic Theater as well as recently directing and starring in Forever Plaid (Sparky) at the Rabbit Run Theatre and The Last Five Years (Jamie) at Ashtabula Arts Center. He can be seen again this fall in the rat-pack themed Martini Show Dinner Spectacular at Pickwick and Frolic. Connor has been a featured soloist with both the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, served as executive music supervisor to the Discovery Channel for the series, The Kustomizer, charted a number one radio single in France, and has traveled the country to support his three full-length pop/rock albums. Along with his band, he has performed with over 20 national tours, including Ashlee Simpson, Huey Lewis and the News, Edwin McCain, Richard Marx, Vertical Horizon, Rick Springfield, The Verve Pipe, Jordan Knight, Sixpence None the Richer, Hall & Oates, and Mariah Carey. He sends his love to HB.
Woodie Anderson (Bernstein/Ensemble) Woodie is happy to be back with the wonderful Beck family after last year's My Favorite Year. Working with Bill, Larry, Tod, and this amazing cast is such a treat. As well as doing theater in Northeast Ohio, Woodie is an AFTRA actor and "BONK!" comedy gameshow host. Love to my kids, Alex and Zack, both have grown up so fast.
Bernadette Hisey (Mrs. Luce/Ensemble) Bernadette is making her second appearance at the Beck Center, having appeared in the 2007 production of Beauty and the Beast (Aristocratic Lady, Mrs. Potts U/S). She has performed at Cain Park, Jewish Community Center/Tri-C East, CAMEO, Cassidy Theatre, Lorain Community Musical Theatre, and most extensively for Mighty Goliath Productions where she has also been the drama director, music director and choreographer. Her favorite roles have been King and I (Mrs. Anna), Kiss Me, Kate (Lili Vanessi/Kate) and Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley). By day, she is the music teacher at Harrison Elementary School here in Lakewood. Bernadette would like to thank her family for supporting her whenever she's in a show!
Darius Stubbs (Skip Snip/Ensemble) Darius is making his Beck Center debut with Little Shop of Horrors. He has had his hands in many aspects of the theater arts - from stage management to carpentry - but feels most at home on the stage. Some of his show credits include The Boys Next Door (Lucien) at the Medina Showbiz Company, Gao Xingjian's The Other Shore (Zen Master) at Cleveland Public Theatre and Once On This Island (Tonton Julian) at Near West Theatre. Mr. Stubbs enjoys gardening, cigars and being fed to man-eating plants. Cheers!
Kris Hebble (Patrick Martin) Kris is very excited to be back performing at the Beck Center for the Arts. He has performed in such shows as Oliver! (Mr. Bumble) at Cain Park, Beauty and the Beast (the Bookseller) and The Full Monty (Dave) both at the Beck Center, and Hello Dolly (Barnaby) at Elyria Summer Theater. Kris is currently a graduate student at Cleveland State University studying History with an interest in nineteenth-century France, as well as a substitute teacher for the Elyria School District. As Victor Hugo said, “It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.”
Darryl Lewis (Ensemble/Voice of Audrey II) Darryl is thrilled to be back on Earth at the Beck Center to perform his dream role with so many deliciously talented earthlings. Prior Beck Center productions include Grey Gardens, My Favorite Year, Jekyll & Hyde, Passion, Porgy and Bess, and Miss Saigon. Darryl is the proud son of Calvin and Daisy Lewis and he dedicates this performance to his loving parents who have continued to support him in his acting and singing. Thanks to Bill, Scott, Larry, Michael, and especially Jim Lenahan, Mike Rogan and Bob McCoy for making this all possible.
Stacey Arielle (Ronette U/S) Stacey is excited to be working at the Beck Center this season for the first time. Her love for the arts began at a very young age and she uses her creativity as a hairstylist, actress and singer/songwriter. Stacey has worked as a professional background vocalist in both studio sessions and live performances for many different recording artists including Lyle Lovett. She was most recently seen on stage in The Wiz (Pit Singer) at Cain Park and Caroline or Change (Radio) at Karamu House. Stacey would like to thank God and her family and friends for their love and support.
*Actor appears courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the union of actors and stage managers.
** Member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, a national theatrical labor union.
Don McBride (Scenic Designer) Don is pleased to be back at Beck Center after spending more than 20 great years here. He is now teaching at Cleveland State University.
Alison Garrigan (Costume Designer) Alison has been designing at Beck Center for ten years, and her past designs here include Urinetown the Musical, My Favorite Year, Jekyll & Hyde, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Seagull, and Hamlet to name a very few. Designs elsewhere include The Alchemist (Cleveland State University); The Aperture, Our Town, Rocky Horror Show, Pulp, Osama the Hero, A Bright Room Called Day, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Cleveland Public Theater); Die Fledermaus (Cleveland Institute of Music); and many more at most area theaters. As an actress, Alison was last seen in the critically-acclaimed Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett) at Lakeland Civic Theatre, and has been seen on Beck's stage in several productions. Cariad, Wolf.
Gregory Falcione (Lighting Designer) Greg is excited working again at the Beck Center. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and has spent the last year working in the Cleveland area as the associate designer for trAd DESIGN. Greg has worked with the Beck Center for the Arts, Verb Ballets, Inlet Dance Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cedar Fair, and Lafayette Ballet Theatre.
Richard B. Ingraham (Sound Designer) Richard is happy to be returning for his sixth season of work with the Beck Center. Previous Sound Designs at the Beck Center include: Evil Dead, The Farnsworth Invention, The History Boys, Equus, Beauty and the Beast, The Diary of Anne Frank, Agnes of God, and Of Mice and Men. Richard is the Resident Sound Designer for Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan. He has designed sound for numerous theaters in the area and around the country, including: The Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland State University, The Cleveland Theatre Company, Dobama Theatre, The University of Evansville, Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, Oberlin College, Playhouse Square Center, Rabbit Run Theatre, Shakespeare and Company, and Willoughby Fine Arts Association. Richard also works for Stage Research Inc., an award-winning software company that creates sound and lighting applications for live production. Richard has worked as a Show Control Programmer and installer for clients such as The Lincoln Amphitheatre, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, The Abraham Lincoln Library, and Museum and Stone Mountain Park.
Joseph Carmola (Technical Director) Joe enters his third season as Technical Director at the Beck Center. Hailing from Canton, in the past he has served as Technical Director/Lighting Designer at the Canton Players Guild, The Magical Theatre Company, as well as Paul Green’s Trumpet in the Land, and numerous freelance credits as well as a design for Les Miserables Jr. which has been seen in many student programs throughout Northeast Ohio. He is also the proud father of Clayton who has always brought light to his life.
