Artists
Director
RICHARD PARISON is thrilled to return to Act II Playhouse after helming the Barrymore nominated Over the River and Through the Woods. Richard is a proud member of the team at the historic Walnut Street Theatre as Casting Director and Assistant to Producing Artistic Director, Bernard Havard. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he was previously Artistic Associate to Gerald Freedman at Great Lakes Theater Festival where he assisted on numerous productions including the national tour of Death of a Salesman with Hal Holbrook and Elizabeth Franz. He also worked closely with Lynn Redgrave on her production of Shakespeare for My Father. He served as Artistic Director for Lakeland Theatre in residence at Lakeland College from 1992-1998. For Walnut Street Theatre, Richard has directed acclaimed productions of Collected Stories, Children, Alexander and the Amazing, Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, A Suite in Two Keys, the World premiere of Robert Caisley's The Lake and most recently Pump Boys and Dinettes (also with the talented Jim Ryan and creative Karen Getz). Other regional directing credits include: The Glass Menagerie for Hedgerow Theatre, The Interview for The Cleveland Play House and Eye of the Storm for the Asolo Theatre Company. Richard is a national member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Director's Lab and a BFA cum laude graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. This winter he will direct Pippin at the University of the Arts School of Theatre Arts.
Music Director
JIM RYAN (Albert Aronheim) is happy to be musically directing his first Act II Playhouse production. He recently conducted Miss Saigon at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, where he serves as resident music director. Other credits include: Pump Boys & Dinettes at the Walnut Street Theater; Batboy: The Musical and Something Wonderful, Right Away for 1812 Productions; Into The Woods and The Baker's Wife at the Arden; A Christmas Carol for three years at People's Light & Theatre Co.; City of Angels at Villanova University. Jim will return to Act II in the spring to musically direct their production of Personals. Ironically, he will be a married man by then and have no need for them. Love to Lynette.
Choreographer
KAREN GETZ (Choreographer) is delighted to be back at Act II. Last time she was here, she appeared as "Rita" in Bermuda Avenue Triangle. She choreographed that as well. She's happy to be back working with Richard and Jim. Her work has been seen at The Walnut ,1812, The Arden, The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, , The Lantern, Azuka, Theatre Ariel, The University of The Arts, Pig Iron, Villanova, Eternal Spiral, Mask and Wig and Tapestry Theatre; of which she is co-artistic director. Karen's a twice nominee for The Barrymore Award for excellence in choreography.
Cast
BEN DIBBLE (Jed) is thrilled to be back at Act II Playhouse working with the incomparable Mr. Braithwaite. A three time Barrymore nominee, Ben has performed locally at the Arden, the Wilma, the Prince Music Theatre, the Walnut Street Theater, 1812 Productions and most recently at the Lenape Regional PAC as Chris in Miss Saigon. As of July 3, Ben is the ecstatically proud husband of Amy Dagas Brown. Life is good.
TONY BRAITHWAITE (Boyd) is appearing in his 2nd show at Act II, have been in Schrodinger's Girlfriend in 2003. Since 1995 Tony has worked in and around Philly as an actor, comic and emcee. He was worked with the Arden Theatre, 1812 Productions, People's Light and Theatre Company, Hedgerow Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, among others. In November Tony will appear at the Academy of Music to host the Barrymore Awards for the 4th year in a row. By day, Tony teaches theatre, theology and serves as Fine Arts Chairman at this beloved alma mater, St. Joseph's Prep, where is he currently directing.
Design
BRADLEY HELM(Set Design) returns to Act II after having designed the set for Over The River and Through Woods. He is a graduate of Temple University's MFA program in Scenic Design. His current designs include 1984 with U. of Arts, Black Palace Pink Party at the Live Arts Festival, and Brat Production's Popcicle's Departure 1989. He has co-founded a scenic and prop shop with his partner Kristin Gardner.
SHELLY HICKLIN (Lighting Designer) is designing her first production for Act II Playhouse. She's designed lights for Walnut Street Studio 3, Belligerent Muse, Hedgerow Theatre, Snow Day Productions and ART of Las Vegas. Favorite productions include Pump Boys and Dinettes, Jacques Brel.., and Forever Plaid.
COLLEEN McMILLIAN (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be working at Act II Playhouse again! Previously at Act II, she designed Bermuda Avenue Triangle and LaMoure, N.D. Colleen is currently beginning her 8th season as costume shop manager/designer at the Walnut Street Theatre. Previous Walnut Street Theatre design credits include: Phantom!, La Cage Aux Folles (Barrymore Award-Outstanding Costume Design), Singing' in the Rain (Barrymore Nomination), She Loves Me, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Evita, La Vie En Bleu (American Premiere), Annie, Biloxi Blues. At 1812 Productions Colleen has designed Box Office of the Damned, Santaland Diaries and Season"s Greetings, Private Eyes, Like Crazy Like Wow and The UnEasy Chair. She has also designed at Maine State Music Theatre and for the Off-Broadway production of Summer of '69. Big Bang marks her 6th production working with director and best-friend Richard Parison.
JOHN MOCK (Sound Designer) is excited to be working at the Act II Playhouse this season, after having designed sound for The Drawer Boy, Alarms and Excursions, Mary's Wedding and others. Previous credits include The Secret Garden at the Media Theatre, The Madwoman of Chaillot at Mum Puppettheatre, and the Barrymore nominated The Dresser at Bristol Riverside Theatre.
KRISTEN GARDNER (Props Designer) Is the co-owner of Industrial Bohemian Workshop Inc. She is a freelance Jill of all trades in the Philadelphia Theater Community. Her talents range from technical direction to stage managing. She has worked with 1812, Lantern, Pig Iron, Wilma, People's Light, and many others.
MARGUERITE Price (Production Stage Manager) is returning to Act II Playhouse for the 2004 - 2005 Season. Stage Management credits include: Doug Wright's NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN (McCarter Theatre), ENTER THE GUARDSMAN with Robert Cuccioli (New Jersey Shakespeare Festival), SHIRLEY VALENTINE with Elaine Bromka (George Street Playhouse), Nancy Giles' BLACK COMEDY (Passage Theatre), and Tom Gibbon's 6221 (InterAct). Resident Stage Manager at Foundation Theatre (15 productions) and Bristol Riverside Theatre (19 productions). Margie is the Secretary for the Philadelphia Equity Liaison Committee, and is on the Executive Board of the Stage Managers' Association.