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THE 2004 CAST & CREW
"THE THIEF OF FRISCO"
CAST
Trisha
Hart Ditsworth
(Lucy Fairweather) is excited to
be returning to Cripple Creek for another wonderful summer of melodrama.
She was last seen here as Pansy in The Spoilers. Other credits include:
Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Ariel
in The Little Mermaid, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and featured
roles in Starting Here, Starting Now, Oklahoma, and The Threepenny Opera.
Trisha just graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.F.A. in Musical
Theatre and is excited to start her journey with a career in the theatre.
She thanks the Mackin family for this wonderful opportunity and also her
own loving and supportive family for making her dreams possible. “I love
you all!” |
Mel
Moser
(Jonas Puffy & Assistant (Producer)
hails from Baker, MT and is happy to be returning for his 5th consecutive
season with the Cripple Creek Players. Mel spent this past winter in Cripple
Creek reviving the role of Zachariah Gooch for a second
season of the highly successful
Christmas show, A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol. Mel also assisted Melodrama
Producer, Stacy Mackin, with her many duties involved with producing this
season’s melodrama. And he found time to direct the community’s spring
production of You Have The Right To Remain Dead. Mel would like to
thank the former producer’s of the Melodrama, Steve and Bonnie Mackin,
for their friendship and for bringing him back to Cripple Creek those 5
short years ago to continue this Melodrama tradition. Your dedication and
passion for this project continues as it should. |
Amanda
Hunt
(Susan Fairweather) is thrilled
to be a part of this year’s Cripple Creek Players. Amanda has completed
her sophomore year as a Musical Theatre major at the University of Arizona.
She understudied a role in Arizona Repertory Theatre’s Hamlet, as well
as playing Martha in Guys and Dolls this past year. She was also a member
of the ensemble in the University of Arizona’s Encore: The Lullaby of Broadway.
Credits outside the U of A include Tracy in High Society, Sonja in Godspell,
Mrs. Higga-Jigga in Tea House of the August Moon, and ensemble in Songs
for a New World. She would like to extend thanks to her family, friends,
the cast, crew and production staff, and everyone else who has given so
much needed love and support. |
Jonathan
Brian Furedy
(Badger) is honored and delighted
to be returning to beautiful Colorado and to The Cripple Creek Players
for his second consecutive year, having appeared in last summer’s Rocky
Mountain Flyer as Percy Woodbie. Jonathan recently received his B.F.A.
in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona where he was a member
of the Arizona Repertory Theatre Company. His credits there include
Orin (the dentist) in Little Shop of Horrors, Nathan Detroit in Guys and
Dolls, and Ali Hakim in Oklahoma!. Other credits include Sir Evelyn
in Anything Goes, and Smee in Peter Pan with Arizona Theatre Company, and
A Christmas Carol with Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix. In addition to
theatre, Jonathan has also worked professionally in film, television, radio,
and print. He would like to thank the Mackins and Dick Hanson for
allowing him to be part of this wonderful tradition, and to Mom, Dad, and
Brekers for all the love and support. |
Noah
Todd
(Gideon Bloodgood) is happy to
return for his second summer of classic melodrama, where he was last seen
as Colonel Henry Mulligan in Rocky Mountain Flyer. He will be a senior
at the U of A, where he is completing his BFA in the prestigious Acting/Directing
program. He is a member of the Arizona Repertory Theatre company
where past performances have included: The Two Gentleman of Verona, Three
Sisters, The Cider House Rules parts 1 & 2, Dancing at Lughnasa, and
Hamlet. This year Noah was featured in two shows, Metamorphoses,
and The Underpants, a play by Carl Sternheim adapted by Steve Martin, performed
with the Arizona Theatre Company. Noah thanks Richard Hanson, Director
Chris, Producer Stacy, Mr. and Mrs. Mackin as well as the entire cast,
and the Faculty at the U of A. Noah wishes to pay respect to his parents,
and all theatre enthusiasts who support the art of performance. Thank-you
all. |
Clay
Froning
(Mark Livingstone) is delighted
to be a new addition to the Cripple Creek Players. He is a proud member
of the Arizona Repertory Theatre at the University of Arizona. Clay has
appeared as “Marcellus” in the recent A.R.T. production of Hamlet, as well
as several Pima Community College productions in which he played “Ross”
in Macbeth, “Al” in The Philadelphia, and ensemble in Anything Goes. Clay
would like to thank all of the wonderful people who have inspired and guided
him both in the theatre and in life. |
Jordan
Arrick
(Paul Fairweather) is making his
first appearance as an actor with the Cripple Creek Players, but this is
not his first time on the Butte’s stage. He was last seen here in
A Christmas Carol directed by Mel Moser, Romeo and Juliet, and also worked
as the lighting assistant (plus a few cameos as the Disco Duck) in the
2001 show Under Two Flags. So if you’re saying to yourself, “Gee
this guy looks awfully familiar,” you may have seen him before. Jordan
has spent the past year at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center as a member
of The Rep, the winner of the Gazette’s 2003 Reader’s Choice Award for
Best Theater Company, and Best Musical. Performances include Damn
Yankees, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, It’s a Wonderful Life, Sweet
Charity, Men Without Dates, and most recently, Hot Mikado. Jordan
would like to thank everyone he knows for their support. |
Cara
Manuele
(Alida Bloodgood) is excited to
be part of the Cripple Creek Players. Since bossing the neighborhood
kids around and making them take part in her made-up plays, she has loved
acting. Cara is a Theater Major at the University of Arizona and
just finished her sophomore year, where she was part of the ensemble of
Guys and Dolls and understudied parts in Metamorphosis and Hamlet.
She also played the roll of Pakeesa in the show Suburbia. Other credits,
that were not at the U of A, include Anything Goes, Last Night of Ballyhoo,
and Titanic. She has worked at Old Tucson Studios as a performer,
which included singing, dancing, and stunt work. So watch out she
knows how to use a gun and fake punch really well! Cara would love
to thank God, and her family and friends for their ultimate love and support.
The cast and crew have been amazing, thank you for this awesome opportunity! |
Brian
Wertz
(Edwards, Sheriff, Police Officer,
Minister & Choreographer) is ecstatic to be returning for another season
with the Cripple Creek Players. He will act in this year’s show and is
also pleased to be the choreographer. He was last seen at the Butte Opera
House in Rocky Mountain Flyer and The Spoilers. His recent credits include
Leon Czolgosz in Assassins with Arizona Onstage Productions, as well as
Hamlet and Guys And Dolls with the Arizona Repertory Theatre Company.
Other productions include Starting Here, Starting Now; Oklahoma!; Dames
At Sea; 42nd Street; My Fair Lady; and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
He is a native of Michigan and recently completed his BFA in Musical Theatre
at the University of Arizona. |
Victoria
D. Holden
(Mrs. Puffy) is excited to make her debut as a Cripple
Creek Player. She was last seen in the musical Snoopy!!! as Lucy at Mesa
Community College. Some of her favorite credits include: Lucky Stiff, Carousel,
Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees,
West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Anything Goes and she was the assistant
director for Closer Than Ever. Vicki was a sophomore this past year at
The University of Arizona pursuing her degree in Musical Theater, where
she understudied roles in Metamorphosis and Dancing at Lughnasa, and played
Gertrude in Hamlet. She also understudied as the Neighbor in Street Car
Named Desire at Arizona Theater Company. Vicki would like to thank her
professors for the knowledge, the cast, crew, and production staff for
this show. Not to mention Melissa, Katie, Timmy, her friends, family, and
most importantly her Mom for all their undying love and support! |
Sharon Beck - Musical Director
Beck has been a member of the Pueblo
Symphony since 1996 and is also an accompanist for the Pueblo Children’s
Choral Concert Choir, and an accompanist for the choirs at Pueblo East
High School and Colorado State University, Pueblo. Beck’ x extensive musical
background also includes being director for Pueblo Children’s Chorale Jazz
Choir, Colorado Music Fest Broadway Camps, accompanist for University of
Northern Colorado Opera Theater, soprano in Unc’s Top Vocal Jazz Group,
various roles in high school and college. She even managed to act as a
French maid and doubled as the piano player in a high school production. |
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CREW
Stacy Mackin - Producer/Butte Opera House Manager
Stacy is very proud to be taking over the production
of this summer's melodrama and is the third generation to produce the Cripple
Creek Melodrama. When she graduated from Colorado State University
with a BA in Liberal Arts she never imagined working in theatre, but it
has become her passion and truly a dream come true. Stacy has been
the Butte Opera House Manager for just over three years working for the
City of Cripple Creek. In those three years Stacy started the Butte
Players, which has grown into a wonderfully talented group of community
theatre actors, and has directed shows for them and also for the CC-V High
School Drama Class. She enjoys her time at the theatre, especially
watching the magic of theatre come alive to the audience, so thanks go
to all the audience members for your support. And a special thanks
goes to her inspiration, her Gramz! |
Patrick Lively - Master Carpenter
Patrick has been working in theatre as a tech professional
for over a decade. His technical expertise lies in sound design,
carpentry, and special effects design and construction. His works
have been seen and heard at the Lon Chaney with Star Bar Players, UCCS
Theatreworks, and the REP at the Fine Arts Center. When not chasing
burros off of stock scenery or digging his tools out from under snow Patrick
also serves as Chief Artistic Director with Ghoul's Gulch Productions,
responsible for the smashing success of Dante's Inferno Haunted Attraction
with UCCS Theatreworks. He also enjoys Pina Coladas, getting caught
in the rain, and never does yoga. Special thanks to Jordan for remembering
he is capable of cutting wood and gluing it back together. |
Chris Sorensen - Director
Chris Sorensen is an actor, director, teacher and
writer. He's performed over 100 roles with theatre companies in and out
of New York City (including numerous stints on the Gold Bar Room stage
at the Imperial Hotel). He's a member of the Present Company Theatre and
recently performed with them in Americana Absurdum at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival (a production which won the Fringe First Award). Chris has been
on the faculty of Cornell University, the American Academy of Dramatic
Arts and Interlochen Center for the Arts. He's the author of a number of
screenplays, including Drinkers and The Vampire of Cripple Creek and co-author
with Christopher Armbister of A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol, which he
had the pleasure of directing this past year. Cripple Creek holds a special
place in Chris's heart, and he feels extremely lucky to be a part of this
production. |
Renee Cloutier Costume Designer
Renee is happy to return as the Costume Designer for
her third summer season here at Cripple Creek. Renee originally comes from
Annapolis, Maryland, and now resides in Tucson Arizona, where she works
as a full time Costume Designer at the Famous Gaslight Melodrama Theatre.
She truly enjoys the entire process of designing Costumes,
and has a real passion for the historic aspect of the designs. Renee is
grateful to have this opportunity to experience beautiful Cripple Creek
and to work with such a great cast and crew.
When she is not busy designing a show she keeps busy
with her three teenage daughters,that keep her inspired and on track of
what's hip in the world. She is also attending school to improve her designing
skills, and diversify herself in the field of Interior Design.
She hopes you all enjoy the show, the beautiful scenery,
and hospitality of the wonderful people here in Cripple Creek. |
Richard T. Hanson - Script Adaptation and Olio
Richard is an Associate Professor at the University of
Arizona and is head of the Acting/Musical Theatre Division in The School
of Theatre Arts. He is a member of Actor's Equity Association and
the Society of Directors and Choreographers. At the School
of Theatre Arts, he has directed and choreographed Chicago, Follies, Grease,
South Pacific, Gypsy, Very Good Eddie, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Over
Here, Quilters, The Boy Friend, Cabaret Nine, Starting Here, Starting Now
and Little Shop of Horrors. Other UA directorial credits are Othello,
Caligula, Anatol and Present Laughter. Regionally, he has directed
Merrily We Roll Along, Peter Pan, Annie, Black Comedy, City of Angels,
The Sound of Music, The Odd Couple, The Nerd and Baby. In Tucson,
he has directed over twenty productions at The Gaslight Theatre, which
include The Phantom of the Opera, Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers
and A Christmas Carol. He was the artistic director of Music
Theatre Arizona and directed the MTAZ productions of Side By Side By Sondheim,
Jerry's Girls and Dames at Sea. This summer he will direct and choreography
Gypsy for The Willows Theatre in Concord, CA. For The
Cripple Creek Players, he has adapted and directed My Partner, Under Two
Flags, The Spoilers, Rocky Mountain Flyer and this year, adapted The Thief
of Frisco and created The Olio. The Thief of Frisco is his fifteenth
Mackin production! |
Erik Michael - Lighting Designer
Erik currently attends the University of Arizona in Tucson.
He is working towards his BFA in theatre production and design with an
emphasis in lighting design. In addition to working with the Arizona
Repertory Theatre at U of A, he has worked with various theatre companies
throughout Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. He has designed lighting
for Les Miserables , Parade, The Philadelphia Story, and Guys and Dolls
in the Phoenix area. Most recently, Erik designed Littke Shop
of Horrors at U of A which was directed by Dick Hanson. |
Tom Benson - Scenic Designer and Artist
Tom is enjoying his 27th year as the resident scenic
designer and artist for the Gaslight Theatre in Tucson, designing and painting
five original musical melodramas each year. He has designed and painted
scenery for theatres from Vermont to southern California, including three
seasons at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and has taught theatre design
at the University of Arizona and at Penn. State U. He has also
worked as a set designer on the films Posse, Tombstone, and Tank Girl.
Recent scenic design work includes; Little Shop of Horrors, Jerry's Girls
and Dames at Sea for Musical Theatre Arizona; Three Sisters, The Two Gentlemen
of Verona, and Crimes of the Heart for the University of Arizona Repertory
Theatre; The Wizard of OZ and Anything Goes for the Albuquerque Civic Light
Opera / Music Theatre Southwest. Tom designed and painted sets for 13 productions
with the Imperial Players and the first four seasons of the Cripple Creek
Players, including Rocky Mtn. Flyer in 2003, with a spectacular horse race.
Tom last appeared onstage with the Imperial Players in 1976 as "Green
Jones" in The Ticket of Leave Man. |
Rick Koehn - Lighting Technician
This is Rick's fifth year with the Cripple Creek Players!
He is a certified concert lighting director with over twenty years in the
business and also has an Associate's Degree in electronics. Rick
works for the City of Cripple Creek as the Butte Opera House Technician
throughout the year where he runs lights, sound and the movie projector.
This year he designed the lights for the community theatre production of
A Cripple Crek Christmas Carol. Rick has lived in Cripple Creek for
11 years with his wife Michelle and two children. |
June Scott Barfield - Assistant Scenic Painter
June is pleased that she is able to jump in and create
for the Cripple Creek Players. She received her BA in visual and
performing arts from Coker College in Hartsville, SC in 2001 and has continued
to create interesting aesthetics for herself ever since. June has
worn various hats in the theatre from her own gallery shows to set designing,
plus being a scenic artist, stage manager, and even an actress. June
would like to give a special thanks to her husband for understanding the
long hours. She would also like to thank Pat for his support, Tom
for firing her so many times throughout the days, Jordan for his time and
energy and Allison who made it possible for her to be two places at once.
June is currently the set designer for How the Other Half Loves at the
Springs Fine Arts Center and would like to say thanks to Sandy Bray for
pushing her and being a good foundation for the Rep. |
Ruth Zirkle - Marketing Director
Ruth has been a Colorado resident since 1986 when she
moved here to work as a journalist. Ruth fell in love with the mountains
and the historic communities of Victor and Cripple Creek, especially Victor.
She worked as the editor of the Ute Pass Courier and Gold Rush newspapers
for nine years, attending and reviewing the Imperial Players productions.
She lives in Victor, where she operates a marketing and internet web design
business, producing such projects as cripplecreekplayers.com and this program.
She is also a co-owner of a broadband internet service, and volunteers
with the Victor Improvement Association, Southern Teller County Focus Group
and Gold Belt Byway Association. Ruth is happily married to Jon Zalewski,
and together they enjoy hiking, traveling and restoring their 1899 Victor
newspaper building. Ruth is proud to be a part of the Cripple Creek Players’
fifth season. |
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