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Andrew S. Bates (Policeman/Ensemble) is honored to be on stage again with Performance Now! Andrew has been seen on stage as George in The Drowsy Chaperone (PNTC), White Christmas (Town Hall), and Funny…Forum (Vintage Theatre).  He has been nominated for a Henry Award for Outstanding Scenic design for The Drowsy Chaperone. To Amy, Victor, and Etta; I love you enormously. To all others; thank you for supporting live arts in Colorado, and enjoy the show.

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Etta Bates (Ensemble) loves performing in her free time for friends and family, but this is her first actual show! Etta loves making new friends and enjoys make believing that she is a cat. Etta had her theatrical debut in an old-timey photograph on the set of Little Women. Since it was only a picture of her on stage, she's looking forward to being on stage in person this time!!  Etta would like to thank her family for support and encouragement at this big step in her life. 

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Victor Bates (Ensemble) is very excited for his theatrical debut with this show! During a Christmas production last year, Victor was called upon to fill in last minute and discovered his ability to rise to the occasion. He filled in the role excellently! He's looking forward to being in a show on purpose this time!  In his free time, he enjoys computer coding and reading as well as being outdoors running as much as possible. Victor would like to thank his family for all their love and support in this new endeavor. 

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Grant Bowman (Brother Joshua/Ensemble) is an actor, singer, and teaching artist. Credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth with Denver Center for the Performing Arts Education; Love’s Labour’s Lost and Cyrano de Bergerac with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival; Peter and the Starcatcher with Cherry Creek Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare in the Wild; and Bye, Bye, Birdie with Performance Now. He holds a BFA in acting, summa cum laude, from CU Boulder.

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Liz Brooks (Nettie Fowler) is excited to be back with Performance Now! Her last appearance with the company was in 2022 as Estonia Dulworth in Nice Work If You Can Get It. A graduate of Arizona State University with a Master of Music in opera and musical theatre, she has had the amazing opportunity to pursue both styles of performance as well as teaching private voice lessons. Liz has spent time performing for Disney Cruise Line, Prather Entertainment, Blue Gate Musicals, Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Opera Colorado Chorus, as well as various venues in the Denver metro area. 

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Ryan Buehler (David Bascome) is excited to share the stage with his wife, Cara, in another Performance Now show. PNTC audiences may remember him as Emile in South Pacific or the General in Kiss Me, Kate. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

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Samantha Burley (Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the stage with Performance Now. She was last seen in The Drowsy Chaperone at Vintage Theatre. Favorite past credits include The Wedding Singer, Curtains, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Hairspray. Thank you Mom, Kyle, Anna and Jeremy for being my village. Isla, happy toddling. Thank you for supporting live theatre! Enjoy the show! 

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Jennifer Burnett (Mrs. Mullin) Past shows include Annie (Miss Hannigan), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), and Pump Boys and Dinettes (Rhetta) with Performance Now; The Drowsy Chaperone (Mrs. Tottendale) with PNTC and Vintage; the national tour of Beehive: The 60s Musical (Swing); I Am Alive (Mari) with Well-Orchestrated Madness; Stepping Out (Mavis) with Evergreen Players; and You Can’t Take It With You (Penny), Pride & Prejudice (Mrs. Bennet), and Sylvia (Kate) with Platte Valley Players. She thanks her supportive family and friends, especially Carlos and Mia, and baby dog, Tine.

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Greer Caldwell (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Performance Now debut. A recent transplant from Chattanooga, Greer was active in community theatre in Tennessee and Georgia before moving to Denver in 2021. Favorite roles include Kate Monster in Avenue Q, Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Judy in 9 to 5, and Catherine in Proof. She also co-founded the social activism group Moms for Social Justice. Thanks to her husband Joe, five kiddos, and friends and family for their encouragement and support.

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Rebecca Dean (Ensemble/Assistant Choreographer) has performed professionally in the Denver area for several years. Past musicals include A Chorus Line (Connie), The Drowsy Chaperone, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Nine to Five, Producers, Hello Dolly, Grease, and West Side Story. She danced professionally as a soloist with Ballet Ariel and Apex Dance. Rebecca is Ballet Director of Colorado School of Dance and directs the Nutcracker of Parker. She thanks Annabelle and Chris for their love and support.

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Bill Diggle (Jigger Craigin) was last on this stage playing Professor Bhaer in Performance Now's production of Little Women – The Broadway Musical. Some of his favorite regional credits include Salieri in Amadeus (Texas Shakes), Thomas Jefferson in 1776 (Ford’s Theatre), Curly in Oklahoma! (Monomoy Theatre), and Cornelius in Hello, Dolly! (Circa ‘21). Bill has an MFA from the University of Houston’s Professional Actor Training Program. All the love to Katie and Emmie who make everything possible.

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Regan Fenske (Ensemble) is excited to join Performance Now again! She has performed around Colorado for years including shows such as Miracle on 34th Street and Mary Poppins, and was recently seen as Beth in PNTC’s Little Women. Regan has been dancing her whole life as well as choreographing shows for kids. She recently graduated from CU Boulder with a BA in Molecular Biology and Summa Cum Laude honors. She would like to thank her mom, dad, Ryan, Nana, and Gramps for all the love and support they have given over the years!

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Jennifer Grahnquist (Lousie Bigelow/Ensemble) – Credits include The Producers, Crazy for You, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and The Drowsy Chaperone (Performance Now), The Drowsy Chaperone (Vintage Theatre), and A Chorus Line (PACE). Jennifer has danced with the Colorado Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Texture Contemporary Ballet. She enjoys swing dancing and being a 5th grade teacher. Many thanks to my parents, who met in their roles of Louise and Billy Bigelow, for sparking my love of theatre.

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Jack Cordray Griffin (Enoch Snow Jr./Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Performance Now in Carousel! His previous credits with the company include The Courier in 1776. You may have also seen him around the state in productions of Newsies (Town Hall Arts Center), First Date: The Musical (Equinox Theatre), Clue: The Musical (Inspire Theatre), 42nd Street (The Spark Performing Arts), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (StageDoor Theatre). Jack would like to thank his family and friends for encouraging him to pursue the arts, as well as the cast and crew for making this a wonderful experience! 

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Tiffany Gruman (Ensemble, Carrie u/s) is honored to be making her Performance Now debut. Favorite recent credits include Urinetown (Platte Valley Players, Longmont Theatre Company), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (StageDoor Theatre Company, Equinox Theatre Company), Chess (Longmont Theatre Company), and Godspell (CenterStage Theatre Company). She also carols with The Original Dickens Carolers over the holidays. Thank you to KVO and the team for believing in her. All her love to Tom and Oliver.

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Anna Hardcastle (Ensemble, u/s Julie) is thrilled to have this production be her lucky number 7th with Performance Now. Past favorites include Crazy For You (PNTC), The Wedding Singer (PNTC), Legally Blonde (THAC), Ragtime (PNTC) and Curtains (Vintage Theatre). Anna would like to thank R&H for creating one of the most beautiful pieces of musical theatre in the world, and Kelly, Heather and Ken for allowing her to cross this off her bucket list. Love to Mom, Dad and Jer. Always. 

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Kelsey Harris (Ensemble) is a soprano from Denver. She has appeared on stages and in cathedrals across the country and internationally. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Denver, and a Master’s Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Kelsey has performed with The Central City Opera and Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company of Chicago, and Lawrence Opera Works, as well as Ensemble Parallel in San Francisco.

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Hazel Kachline (Ensemble) is a young actress who enjoys performing in Regional productions throughout Colorado. Favorite roles include Ancestor/Female Swing in The Addams Family, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof (Henry Nominated), Maggie in A Chorus Line (Bobby G Nominated), Ensemble/US Ellie in Freaky Friday, and with Performance Now in 2018 as Annie in Annie, and Mary in The Secret Garden. She is so happy to perform with PNTC once again.

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Cara Lippitt (Ensemble) is excited to be back performing with Performance Now! Past favorite performances include The Winter Wonderettes (Suzy), Cabaret (Fritzie), Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick), Hairspray (Penny), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzy), How to Succeed (Rosemary) all at THAC; Oklahoma! (Ado Annie) and Fiddler on the Roof at The Newman Center, and Oklahoma! (Ado Annie) at PACE Center. Thanks to Kelly and Heather for this incredible opportunity, and my parents and Ryan for all of their love and support!

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Carolyn Lohr (Carrie Pipperidge) is just as happy as "a bee in a bucket o' tar" to return to one of her favorite Denver stages. Previously, you may have seen her in PNTC's productions of Once Upon a Mattress, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Into the Woods, The Secret Garden, and 1776. Carolyn has BA degrees in theatre and vocal performance and an MA in education. She'd like to thank everyone in attendance for keeping theatre companies alive, particularly PNTC, where so many complex and beautiful stories have been told and where dozens of Carolyn's most cherished friendships began.

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Adam Luhrs (Ensemble) is a serial theatre hobbyist who has performed throughout the Denver area in productions with Performance Now, the Platte Valley Players, and Firehouse Theatre.  Favorite roles include Sparky in Forever Plaid, the Duke in Man of La Mancha, Ted Scheider in Disaster!, and Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown. Adam is overjoyed to be onstage again and would like to thank YOU for supporting the Denver theatre community.

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Pierre André McNair (Ensemble) is excited to be returning to the stage for his fifth show with  Performance Now and to share his love of performing with this amazing cast. He has appeared on stages dancing and singing around the world with the global organization Up With People. Some of his favorite ensemble roles were Hairspray, Ragtime, and the Wedding Singer. He would like to thank God, his wife Candice, and friends/family for their continuous love and support. 

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ZaVien McNair (Ensemble) is excited to be making his Performance Now debut after finding a passion while rehearsing Hairspray’s “Good Morning, Baltimore” with Dad at the age of two. He started dancing with the Hip Hop Tots at three and has been with Kinetic Movement Dance Academy since. He was last seen rocking the courts of the Harlem Globetrotter's half time show, pregame Nuggets show, and parades /local fairs. ZaVien is thankful to be performing with Dad.

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Justin Milner (Ensemble) is ecstatic to returning for his fifth production with Performance Now Theatre Company! Recent credits include Martin in A Grand Night for Singing (PNTC), Man 2 in Putting it Together (Town Hall Arts Center), and ensemble in Footloose (Give 5 Productions). He would like to thank his mom for her endless love and support, and everyone who has helped him get to this point. Love ya’ll!

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Wes Munsil (Starkeeper/Dr. Seldon/Ensemble) is happy to be back at LCC for the ninth time, and his seventh show with PNTC. A few of his 50 or so past roles are Cladwell (Urinetown), Franklin (1776; Henry award nomination), Rory (Kiss/Daughter/Father), Stopnick (Caroline, or Change), Grandpa (You Can’t Take It With You), Eden (The Audience), the Marquess of Queensbury (Gross Indecency), Gilmer (Mockingbird), Senex (Forum), Max (Sunset Boulevard), Grandfather (Ragtime), Lundie (Brigadoon), Niels Bohr (Copenhagen; BroadwayWorld Denver award nomination), and Tevye (Fiddler). He thanks you for supporting live theatre.

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Lars Preece (Enoch Snow) is delighted to be back with Performance Now in such a beautiful show! PNTC credits include Jason in A Grand Night for Singing, Richard Henry Lee in 1776, and Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden. Other notable credits include Slank in Peter and the Starcatcher (Cherry Creek Theatre), John Utterson in Jekyll and Hyde (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), and Dom in the world premiere of Nathan Hall's contemporary opera UNBOUND. Lars is also a member of The Opera Colorado Chorus.

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Jeremy Rill (Billy Bigelow) is excited to return to Performance Now after last being seen as Edward Rutledge in 1776.  Other PNTC credits include Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into the Woods, Frankie in Forever Plaid, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, Younger Brother in Ragtime, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, and Rochester in Jane Eyre. Selected Regional credits include Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music (Henry Nomination) with Cherry Creek Theatre, Reverend Shaw in Footloose with Parker Arts, and Sunday in the Park with George and Jesus Christ Superstar with the Arvada Center. 

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Robert Shelley (Ensemble) is a 24 year professional ballet dancer out of Knoxville, Tennessee. He graduated from Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts with his Bachelors in Dance General Studies. He currently dances for Ballet Ariel here in Denver and is looking forward to performing more in musical theatre!

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Monica Joyce Slabach (Julie Jordan) is delighted to be making her Performance Now debut! She grew up in Colorado and graduated from Oklahoma City University with an honors double major in Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre. Monica was Miss Colorado 2019 and placed in the top seven at Miss America 2020. Favorite credits include Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (Parker Arts), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival), and Katherina Cavalieri in Amadeus (Theatreworks). Monica is a theater teacher at an elementary school in Colorado Springs. Love to Jesus, family, and her husband, Ben. IG: @BitofMonica

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Peter Strand (Ensemble) has danced with several companies including Oakland Ballet, Minnesota Ballet, Granite State Ballet in New Hampshire, Micheal Mao Modern Dance Company, Les Ballets Trocaderos de Monte Carlo, the Connecticut Ballet, and as a principal for “Pirouettes” International, the Lexington Ballet (KY), and The Quad Cities Ballet. Locally, he has danced with Zikr Dance Ensemble. Currently, he is the Department Chair for the Multimedia Graphic Design program at Pikes Peak State College and designer/photographer for Ballet Ariel. This is his third show with Performance Now!

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Jessica Strong (Ensemble) is beyond excited for the opportunity to share her talents with the amazing cast and crew of Carousel! This is her ninth show with Performance Now Theatre Company! She first appeared in 2012 in Footloose and most recently in the 2022 Production of Nice Work if You Can Get It. She would like to thank her husband Todd for all his love and support in her career. As well as to her mom, Lori, for being her biggest fan. 

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Will Treat (Ensemble) - This is Will’s ninth production with Performance Now. He was last seen as Henry/dance captain in THAC’s Newsies and served as tap choreographer for The Drowsy Chaperone. He has performed with/choreographed for Backstage Breckenridge, Inspire Theatre, Evergreen Players, Magic Moments, and Vintage Theatre. Favorite roles include Edmund Tilney (Shakespeare in Love) and Adult Billy (Billy Elliot: The Musical regional premiere). Will has a B.F.A. in Film, and a minor in dance from C.U. Boulder. 

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PRODUCTION BIOS
 

 

Kelly Van Oosbree (Director) is privileged to be back at Performance Now.  Carousel marks her 33rd production with PNTC as a director and/or choreographer. Recent Performance Now credits include 1776 and The Drowsy Chaperone.  Other recent local credits include Peter and the Starcatcher at Cherry Creek Theatre, Urinetown, The Musical at Platte Valley Players, and Footloose at Give 5/PACE Center. Upcoming projects include Damn Yankees at The Arvada Center and Man of La Mancha at Platte Valley Players. Special thanks to Rebecca Dean and Victoria.

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Heather Iris Holt (Music Director) - Carousel is Heather’s sixth show with Performance Now. Heather has music directed and performed in theatre pits for Town Hall Arts Center, Forgelight, Breckenridge Backstage, BDT Stage, Candlelight, Ignite, Vintage, and Inspire Creative. Some of her favorite projects include Little Women, Next to Normal, 35 MM, The Toxic Avenger, Plaid Tidings and Spitfire Grill. She is grateful to be able to work in a field that feeds her passion!

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Kirsten Simmons (Stage Manager) is very excited to be working on this production of Carousel with such an amazing cast, crew, and production team. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Stage Management from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film. This is Kirsten’s 21st Performance Now show. Her favorites include Into The Woods, Ragtime, Hairspray, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women, and Nice Work If You Can Get It. Love to David, Mekere, Luna and Albus!!

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Victoria Holloway (Assistant Director) is delighted to be back at Performance Now after directing their production of Little Women - The Broadway Musical. Other credits include Pride & Prejudice (Platte Valley Players), and Nunsense (Performance Now). This upcoming May, she is directing Almost, Maine at Platte Valley Players. She has a BFA in Theatre Performance from Baylor University. As always, thank you to KVO for keeping her booked & blessed. If you are interested in saying nice things to her, follow @vicholly

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Caitlyn Clark (Costumer) is delighted to be designing her first show with Performance Now Theatre Company. She made the move to Colorado during covid and has had the opportunity to participate in theaters around Northern Colorado. Recently she has designed for Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in shows such as Singing in the Rain, Sound of Music, and Cinderella.

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Kelly Mann (Props Master) is excited to be the Props Master for her 44th show with Performance Now. She has been seen onstage with PNTC as a nun in The Sound of Music, and as Betty Blast (on roller skates) in Footloose. It is a lovely diversion from her “paying gig” as a Court Judicial Assistant. Kelly would like to thank her husband Ken Goodwin for the opportunity to work with this wonderful company.

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Brett Maughn (Lighting Designer) is the Resident LD for BDT Stage, where he has lit Little Mermaid, Footloose, Peter & the Starcatcher, and Mary Poppins (2015 Henry Award), to name a few, and frequently designs for the Aurora Fox and Town Hall Arts Center. Favorite designs include Rock of Ages (BDT), Caroline or Change and Hedwig & the Angry Inch (Aurora Fox), American Idiot (Town Hall) and Drowsy Chaperone (Performance Now - 2022 Henry Award). www.maughanbrett.wixsite.com/lightingdesign

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Ken Goodwin (Executive Producer) is thrilled with the continuing professionalism of everyone involved with Performance Now. He has been a professional musician for over 50 years and runs his own music production company which includes performing, film scoring, arranging, recording, and studio production. Thanks to Kelly Mann for all her love and support, Alisa Metcalf for her guidance, and all of YOU for supporting live theatre and Performance Now Theatre Company!

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Alisa Metcalf (Artistic Director) is celebrating her ninth season as the Artistic Director for PNTC, following in the footsteps of Nancy Goodwin (founder and original AD for PNTC), who we lost to cancer in 2007. Originally from San Diego, she has been involved in theatre, both onstage and off, for over 20 years. Alisa would like to thank Ken Goodwin, this wonderful artistic team and this cast for another great show, and thank you, the audience, for supporting live theatre in Colorado!

 

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MUSICIANS

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Alex Burse (Reeds) is a Virginia native and has lived in Colorado since 2006. He has played woodwinds for several national and local performing groups, and toured as a background vocalist for John Legend. Having played in Colorado theatre since 2016, Alex is excited to return for his fifth show with Performance Now after most recently playing in 1776.

 

Jon Gauer (Trombone) is a trombonist and vocalist with professional performance experience in all styles and a discography of over 30 albums. He is a member of the local genre-bending band Vanimal Kingdom, and an active performer in the Denver/Boulder jazz scene. His first project of original music, "Silver in Red," can be heard on all streaming services. Gauer holds degrees in music performance from the University of North Texas (MM '15/BM '13).

 

Brian Kriss (Percussion) is thrilled to be once again working with a very talented group of musicians and actors in his 75th production with PNTC.  He has been with the group since their debut show, The Sound of Music, in January 2002. Brian is a freelance percussionist in the Denver Metropolitan area and has played with numerous groups, including the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, Arapahoe Philharmonic, Golden Eagle Concert Band, and the Empire Lyric Players. When not playing the drums, Brian works as a Software Engineering Senior Manager for Lockheed Martin Space.  Brian thanks his violinist wife Lisa, Elise, and Jeffrey for their love, support, and encouragement.

 

Lisa Kriss (Violin) is excited to be back for her 30th Performance Now show. She manages and performs with the Metropolitan Strings group, and also with Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, St Andrews Orchestra, Empire Lyric Players, and other freelance work. Her favorite “gig” is mom of two amazing kids and wife to Brian Kriss (Percussion)! She thanks her family members for their amazing support, to God for the opportunity to enjoy all of this, and to you for supporting live music theatre!

 

Ron Pflug (Trumpet) -After a career in  education, Ron is working to find his “niche”.  Endeavors have been discouraging (the orange-juice factory was a bust, as he couldn’t concentrate, the bank job was over when he checked on a customer’s balance by pushing him over, and the job making soft-drink cans was just soda pressing…).  But the trumpet playing is going well.  Besides playing in pits for shows, Ron also plays in a brass quintet, a dixie band, a polka band, a big band, and a 1920’s jazz band.  Visit  www.pflugproductions.com for information!

 

Alex Salek (Reeds) is thrilled to join Performance Now for the third time. She previously played for their productions of Little Women and Nice Work if You Can Get It. She began performing as a reed player back in 2018 during her undergraduate studies of music education. Alex has had a love of theatre since a young age and is honored to be a part of every production she is in!

 

Zach Stailey (Keyboards) is so happy being back with Performance Now! He recently played Brooke/Braxton in PNTC’s Little Women, but this time he is enjoying his time in the pit with some amazing musicians! His very first theatre show was with PNTC ten years ago, and he couldn’t be more excited (and grateful) to be a part of such a fun show and to be back with everyone here again!

 

Sydney Stulock (Violin) is excited to be back with Performance Now after being involved in Nice Work If You Can Get It and Into the Woods. She has played at many community theaters across the metro area, taking part in musicals both classic and contemporary. During the day, she keeps busy as a 5th grade teacher in Littleton Public Schools. Sydney is grateful for the opportunity to be involved in live musical theatre whenever she can!

 

Stephen Weidner (Cello)has been playing cello since age of 8. He studied cello in Montana and finished at Lamont School of Music, DU. He's retired as Adjunct Professor, Colorado School of Mines, as Director - Conductor of the CSM Orchestra. He owns his piano technician business and teaches privately at his music studio in Evergreen Co. He also plays with Stratus Chamber Orchestra and is called in to ring for local orchestras. "I'm very honored to be able to play with such amazing musicians, here with Performances Now.”

 

Rob Yost (Horn) has played numerous musicals including Man of La Mancha, The King and I, Oliver, and Beauty and the Beast, and he’s conducted pits for Oklahoma, Pajama Game, Iolanthe, and others. He’s been a member of Timberline Brass, Colorado Wind Ensemble, Horn Society of the Carolinas, and Charlotte Civic Orchestra. He also free-lances with ensembles such as Neophonic Jazz, and he’s served as conductor/performer with Colorado Ambassadors of Music performance tours in Europe.

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