Albany Civic Theater – Albany, OR

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Albany Civic Theater • Albany, OR

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Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon

Directed by: Johanna Spencer

Performances: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 12(m), 16, 17, 18, 19(m), 2021

A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, Miss Bennet continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.

Director

Johanna Spencer: johanna.spencer@gmail.com

Johanna Spencer first directed Nickel and Dimed at Albany Civic Theater in July 2008. She has directed and appeared in many other productions at Albany Civic Theater in addition to adapting a couple of radio plays for ACT during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been acting and directing in the mid-valley since 1982 and is a graduate of the Oregon State University theater program. She resides in Albany with her spouse, Rus Roberts and is semi-retired after 35 years with the federal government.

Cast of Characters

Mary Bennet: Sanaya Forbes
Arthur de Bourgh: Christopher Ridgely
Elizabeth Darcy: Abby Brockamp Fitzwilliam Darcy: Ander Sandoz Jane Bingley: Erah McMullen Charles Bingley: Alex Asher
Lydia Wickham: Savana Johnson Anne de Bourgh: Emily Anthony

Broadway Revue - All Together Now (Special Event)

Directed by: Christi E. Sears & Josh Mitchell

Musical/Vocal Director: Mirinda Keeling

Assistant Director: Krisi Leffler

Rehearsal Pianist: Joy Wu Ueng

Performances: November 12, 13(m), 13, 2021

Directors

Christi E. Sears

Josh Mitchell

Artists:

Ashleigh Barbeau
Bill Brown
Frankie Caswell
Anya Corbitt
Rebecca Douglas
Alysha Fisher
Melissa Gutierrez
Douglas Hambley
Adam Keeling
Dean Keeling
Mirinda Keeling
Shauna Kiefiuk
Melody Murphy Kirk
Kellie McMahan
Josh Mitchell
Carri Moffatt
Doug Moxley
Ray Phipps
Tami Schult
Johanna Spencer
Christa Tillman

Dracula

by John L. Balderston, Hamilton Deane, and Bram Stoker

Directed by: Kayla Thomason

Performances: October 15, 16, 17(m), 22, 23, 24(m), 28, 29, 30, 2021

Lucy Seward, whose father is the doctor in charge of an English sanitarium, has been attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist, believes that the girl is a victim of a vampire, a sort of ghost that goes about at night sucking blood from its victims. The vampire is at last found to be a certain Count Dracula, whose ghost is finally laid to rest in a striking and novel manner. The play is appropriate for all ages.

Director

Kayla has been volunteering at ACT since 2007. This is Kayla’s directorial debut. Kayla was the assistant director for The Odd Couple, The Butler Did It, and The Unexpected Guest. She is well known for her makeup designs in shows such as The Addams Family, Sweeney Todd, Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Man of La Mancha, etc. Kayla has also appeared on stage in Fat Pig, Independence, Fawlty Towers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Love Affair, Love at First Sight, and Measure for Measure. Kayla lives in Lebanon with her husband Josh and their two cats.

Director’s email: nissen.kayla@gmail.com

Cast of Characters

Dracula: JJ Halchishick
Van Helsing: Rus Roberts
Harker: Kenneth Wilson
Dr. Seward: Bill Brown
Renfield: Audrey and Claire Spotswood
Attendant: Nicodemus Flotten
Lucy: Amanda Gandy
Maid: Kaela Bauer

"The Secret of Chimneys" ACT Radio Show

Adapted by Christi E. Sears and Josh Mitchell
Based on story by Agatha Christie

Directed by: Christi E. Sears and Josh Mitchell

Technical Director/Editor: Douglas Hambley

Sound Effects Editor: Mathew Swenson

Production Assistant: Johanna Spencer

Episode 1-Videographer: Deep Focus Media, Nancy Long

Original broadcasts will be released on: 
Episode 1: Sept. 3, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
Episode 2: Sept. 10, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
Episode 3: Sept. 17, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
Episode 4: Sept. 24, 2021 @ 7:30 pm

A murder mystery and treasure hunt, The Secret of Chimneys is one of Agatha Christie’s early thrillers. A young drifter finds more than he bargained for when he agrees to deliver a parcel to an English country house. Little did Anthony Cade suspect that a simple errand on behalf of a friend would make him the center piece of a murderous international conspiracy. Someone would stop at nothing to prevent the monarchy being restored in faraway Herzoslovakia. The combined forces of Scotland Yard and the French Surete can do no better than go in circles – until the final murder at Chimneys, the great country estate that yields up an amazing secret.

Episode 1: Episode 2: Episode 3:  Episode 4: 

Directors

 Christi E. Sears and Josh Mitchell 

Cast

(Each actor plays multiple roles)
William Brown
John Carone
Douglas Hambley
Leslie Hogan
Susan Jones
Dean Keeling
Kimberly Kelley
Timothy John Kelley II
Josh Mitchell
Harriet Nixon
Rus Roberts
Diane Slamp
Lorraine Sorensen
Johanna Spencer
Mark Summers
Michael Winder

9 to 5, the Musical

Book by Patricia Resnick
Music & Lyrics by Dolly Parton

Directed by: Christi E. Sears & Mirinda Keeling

Performances: TBD

9 to 5, the Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover. 

Director

Christi E. Sears has a string of hit musicals and plays to her credit, including: Mamma Mia!, The Addams Family, Annie, Big Fish, Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Avenue Q, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Curtains, Steel Magnolias, The Producers, The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!, The Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Bell, Book and Candle, Auntie Mame, and Greater Tuna at ACT. Christi also directed at CCT: Cinderella, Damn Yankees, and Little Shop of Horrors. A long-time administrative member at ACT, Christi has served three terms as president and two terms as treasurer. She currently is our Cheer and Condolence Manager. Christi resides in Albany and has worked for over 24 years as the Accounting Manager at Palm Harbor Homes.

Director’s email: cirsey@comcast.net

Cast of Characters

Violet: Kellie McMahon
Doralee: Tamara Merry
Judy: Melissa Gutierrez
Franklin Hart: Ray Phipps (TBD)/Douglas Hambley (TBD)
Roz Keith: Kim Garwood
Joe: Hunter Gutierrez
Dwayne: John Ross
Josh: Adam Keeling
Missy: Mirinda Keeling
Maria: Olivia Pereyra
Dick: Douglas Hambley (TBD)/Ray Phipps (TBD)
Kathy: Aly Fisher
Margaret: Christa Tillman
Tinsworthy: Tom Martin
Bob Enright: Nick Eckstein
Candy Striper: Teza Ross
New Employee: Rozanna Eckstein
Intern: Kayla Stokesbary
Cop: Kristen Marcoux
Doctor: Mackenzie Rolf
Detective: Jacob Stokesbary
Dancers: Payton Davis, Max Koberstein, Justice ColeTBD

"A Christmas Carol" ACT Radio Show

Adapted by Johanna Spencer
Based on story by Charles Dickens

Directed by: Josh Mitchell and Christi E. Sears

Editor and Special Sound Designer: Jeff MacMahon

A Christmas Carol radio holiday story. Book by Charles Dickens and adaptation by Johanna Spencer. Join our Albany Civic Theater family of actors, as they tell the story of a mean-spirited and selfish old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who despises Christmas. One cold Christmas Eve, Scrooge is unkind to the people who work for him, refuses to give to charity, and is rude to his nephew when he invites him to spend Christmas with him. Come listen as he is visited in nightmarish journeys with ghosts of Christmas past, current, and future to see how his mean behavior has affected those around him. In the end Scrooge discovers there is still time to change and transform into a generous and kind-hearted person.

Directors

Josh Mitchell and Christi E. Sears

Cast of Characters

Narrator: Leslie Hogan
Fred: Adam Vester
Scrooge: William Brown
Bob Cratchit: Josh Winters
Fundraiser 1: Susan Jones
Fundraiser 2: Shauna Kiefiuk
Youth Caroler: Jesse Leffler and Samantha Vester
Marley: Tom Martin
Ghost Of Christmas Past: Meghan Duddlesten
Mary: Rebecca Douglas
Sam: Alex Antrim
Tom: Lance Duddlesten
Fan: Christy Anderson
Young Scrooge: Josh Anderson
Principal: Shauna Kiefiuk
Fezziwig: Lance Duddlesten
Belle: Heidi Kravitz
Husband: Douglas Hambley
Ghost Of Christmas Present: Scott Harvey
Martha: Heidi Kravitz
Mrs. Cratchit: Catherine Dorn
Young Cratchit Boy: Alex Antrim
Young Cratchit Girl: Samantha Vester
Tiny Tim: Jesse Leffler
Fred’s Wife: Rebecca Douglas
Topper: Douglas Hambley
Guests: Kaela Bauer
Busy Person 1: Susan Jones
Busy Person 2: Shauna Kiefiuk
Busy Person 3: Christy Anderson
Busy Person 4: Douglas Hambley
Person 1: Heidi Kravitz
Person 2: Kaela Bauer
Housekeeper: Lance Duddlesten
Old Joe: Tom Martin
Mrs. Dilber: Meghan Duddlesten
Undertaker’s Man: Scott Harvey
Housekeeper 2: Kaela Bauer
Caroline: Rebecca Douglas
Caroline’s Husband: Josh Winters
Peter Cratchit: Josh Anderson
Boy: Jesse Leffler

"A Poe Halloween" Radio Show

stories by Edgar Allan Poe
adapted by Johanna Spencer

Directed by: Josh Mitchell and Christi E. Sears

Editor and Special Sound Designer: Nancy Long, Deep Focus Media

Performance: October 31, 2020

Six of Edgar Allan Poe’s creepy and haunting plays. Performed by local theater artists and set to 1950’s style radio. Spend Halloween evening with brilliant artists as they storytell some of Poe’s most amazing works in various imaginative journeys that are haunting and powerful. Turn down the lights and light a candle or two. Grab a snack, sit back, and enjoy the stories of: “The Cask of Amontillado”, “The Purloined Letter”, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether”, “The Oblong Box”, and “Tell Tale Heart”.

 

Directors

Josh Mitchell and Christi E. Sears

Cast of Characters

Story Teller Narrator: Bill Brown

The Cask of Amontillado: Rus Roberts and Scott Harvey

The Purloined Letter: Josh Anderson, Josh Mitchell, and Jeff McMahon

The Fall of the House of Usher: David Milner, Lance Duddlesten, and Adam Vester

The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether: Josh Mitchell, Susan Jones, Tom Martin, Lance Duddlesten, Meghan Duddlesten, Heidi Kravitz, and vocals on Bellini aria Kimberly Kelley

The Oblong Box: John Carone, Josh Anderson, Timothy Kelley II, Christy Anderson, and Adam Vester.

Tell Tale Heart: Josh Winter, Tom Martin, Josh Mitchell, and Timothy Kelley II

Squirrel Lake

by Brian Mitchell

Directed by: Scott Harvey

Performances: February 28, 29, March 1(m), 6, 7, 8(m), 12, 13, 14

In a place like Squirrel Lake, you’re bound to meet a nut or two!  Phil, Sally and Patrick gather at their family’s summer home on the shores of Squirrel Lake, Wisconsin, to read their recently deceased mother’s will. Through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, they all become convinced that the neighbor claiming to be a nun is actually a prostitute.  Meanwhile, Phil has accidently helped his law firm swindle the nun’s mother out of her house in Chicago, the nun’s brother, Lance, is insane and seeking revenge, and Patrick has a stalker in the form of his boss’s daughter, who also happens to be a psychic sent by the deceased mother to act as the vehicle of her will. Sally’s husband, Bob, is a walking accident, and their children are completely out of control. When the family decides that the nun/prostitute is possibly carrying Bob’s child, things get a little out of hand! In the end, Squirrel Lake proves that even the unlucky in life can find happiness and contentment if they simply look for the gifts given to them.

Note: Not recommended for children under 16 years old.

Director

Scott Harvey got started with ACT in 2001 and made his directorial debut at ACT in 2016 with the hit The Trouble With Cats. He also directed Daddy’s Girl and No Body Like Jimmy. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the theater productions, from assistant director (Singin’ in the Rain, Waiting for Godot) to acting (Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, It’s a Wonderful Life, Man of La Mancha, Looking for Normal) to behind the scenes duties (Little Women,Treasure Island, The Game’s Afoot, The Mousetrap).

Director’s email: actsquirrellake@gmail.com

Cast of Characters

Phillip Olsen: Jeff McMahon
Patrick Olsen: Travis Hubbird
Sally Olsen King: Catherine Dorn
Bob King: Danial Dorn
Mary Hardy: Jamie Muller
Lance Hardy: David Milner
Joy: Dinee Rae

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Book and Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman
Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak

Directed by: Timothy John Kelley II & Ken Long

Performances: January 17, 18, 19(m), 24, 25, 26(m), 30, 31, February 1, 2(m), 6, 7, 8

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is the knock-’em-dead, uproarious hit and the most-nominated show of the 2014 season. With ten Tony nominations and four wins, including Best Musical, Book, Direction and Costumes, it also earned seven Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), four Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Best Musical) and one Drama League Award (best Musical).

When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and set off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn’t the only thing on Monty’s mind…

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs and a scene-stealing role for one actor playing all eight of the doomed heirs who meet their ends in the most creative and side-splitting ways. 

Directors

Timothy John Kelley II and Ken Long have been active ACT artists on and off the stage for several years. They each have over 30 years of theater experience (60 years if you add it together) working with a healthy mix of professional and non-professional organizations. Collectively, they’ve been involved in countless productions in one capacity or another up and down the I-5 corridor. Some of Ken’s many recent musical hits were Spamalot, Sweeney Todd, and Meet Me in St. Louis at Albany Civic Theater. Tim’s recent hits were The Drowsy Chaperone at the Russell Tripp Performance Center, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at Albany Civic Theater and Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Corvallis. They are very excited to be returning to the ACT stage for the 2019-20 season.

Director’s email: GentlemansGuide2020@gmail.com

Cast of Characters

Montague “Monty” Navarro: Colby Montigue/Clayton Hollingsworth
The D’Ysquith Family:  Dean Keeling
Sibella Hallward: Samantha Johnson/Alyson Fewless
Phoebe D’Ysquith: Karen Kumley
Miss Shingle: Jillian Griffith
Miss Barley/Lady Eugenia: Kasper O’Neill
Tom Copley: Colby Montigue/Clayton Hollingsworth
Magistrate: Bill Brown
Inspector: Jacob Birchard
Tour Guide: Jakob Holden
Company Players:
Bill Brown
Jacob Birchard
Jillian Griffith
Barbara Hogan
Clayton Hollingsworth
Jakob Holden
Drew May
Kasper O’Neill
Alice Tucker
Michael Yuan

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens; adapted by Ed Monk

Directed by: Josh Anderson

Performances: December 6, 7, 8(m), 13, 14, 15(m), 19, 20, 21

A Christmas Carol is a well loved ghost story of redemption; how an old man’s heart can change with the power of Christmas.

Director

Previously at ACT, Josh Anderson directed The Three Musketeers, stage managed for The Odd Couple, and appeared in Shrek, The Wizard of Oz, Avenue Q, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Game Show, Disney’s High School Musical, Curtains, and Meet Me in St. Louis. He works as a security officer for the US Department of Energy, and lives in Albany with his wife Christy and new son, Shepard. He enjoys shooting and historical reenactment.

Director’s email: jdaa370@yahoo.com

Cast of Characters

Narrator: Leslie Hogan
Ebenezer Scrooge: Chuck Skinner
Bob Cratchit: Davin Dahlgren
Fred: Daniel Lutz
Christmas Past: Mckenzie Lockhart
Christmas Present: Tom Martin
Marley: Martin Emry
Christmas Future: Josh Mitchell
Young Scrooge: Michael Kidd
Fan: Marie Guthrie
Tom: Titus Metzger
Mr. Fezziwig: David Milner
Mrs. Fezziwig: Dawn Draper
Belle: Brianne Kephart
Mrs. Cratchit: Michelle Anderson
Cratchit Children: Teza Ross & Esme Bohlen
Tiny Tim: Alice Burt/Wyatt Callison
Fred’s Wife: Erin Burt
Joe: Nick Kimball
Maid: Sidra Metzger
Boy: Quentin Mitchell 
Party Guests: Maisie Burt, Jesse Leffler, John Ross, Audrey Spotswood