Honk!

Guest Stars

LAWRENCE CUMMINGS (Ugly) is excited to be back performing for MTWichita. He was last seen here in the role of Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, a role he also performed at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Other MTW credits include Victor in Smokey Joe’s Café and Lun Tha in The King and I. Mr. Cummings just finished playing the role of John in Miss Saigon in Los Angeles. He has traveled the U.S., Canada, and Europe singing Opera, Musical Theatre and Pop/R&B. Some credits include understudying and playing Jesus in Sebastian Bach’s Broadway National Revival Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar with Carl Anderson, Merlyn/ Mordred u/s (also performed) on the National Tour of Camelot starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess in Spain, and several productions of Smokey Joe’s Café where he won two ITL Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. Mr. Cummings has also appeared in TV and film projects, including a featured role in the blockbuster hit Pirates of the Caribbean 3 –At World’s End, where he can be found on the sound recording as well, and as a VJ for the BET show “Live from the Blue Palm.” He has given concerts at Davies Symphony Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and has also appeared alongside Carly Simon singing duets. Mr. Cummings holds a BM and MM degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and is a proud AEA Member. Thanks to God, mom, Wayne, Mr. Douglas, and the MTW family and crew. For more info: www.lawrencecummings.net

SUSAN HOFFLANDER (Ida)  Versatility is the hallmark of this performer. After seeing her performance in Bernstein Revued, Leonard Bernstein said of her, “Susan Hofflander has the voice of Jenny Tourel and the comic timing of Rosalind Russell.” And after working with her inThe Phantom of the Opera, director Hal Prince agreed “Hofflander possesses an excellent voice and acting talent.” She has performed as a soloist in numerous operas and symphony orchestra concerts nationwide, with organizations such as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Florida Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Skylight Opera and others. Recently, Susan made her debut at the Guthrie Theater in The Merchant of Venice, then went on to appear as Nettie Fowler inCarousel, and in the world premiere of Little House on the Prairie. Susan is delighted and grateful to return to Wichita after her debut performance in HONK! at MTW (and on its cast album), as well as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Footloose.

STANLEY BAHOREK (The Cat) is beyond thrilled to return to MTWichita (‘Og’ in Finian’s Rainbow, Good News!, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, …). Since last summer, he originated the role of Mike Taylor in the new Michael John LaChiusa musical Queen of the Mist produced off-Broadway by Transport Group, as well as originating the role of Benjamin Britten in the new musical February House at The Public Theatre in New York City. Broadway: Leaf Coneybear inThe 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway: See Rock City, Inventing Avi,February House and Queen of the Mist. Recent credits: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Amadeus(The Alley Theatre), Candide in Candide (The 5^th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Footlight Award), Hunter in [title of show] (Arizona Theatre Company), Mark Cohen in Rent (Syracuse Stage & The Engeman Theatre), Jack in Into the Woods (Pittsburgh CLO). He has performed at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Ford’s Theatre, Birdland, Barrington Stage, Goodspeed Opera House, and toured the country with the DeafWest revival of Big River. Original cast recordings of See Rock City, February House, Queen of the Mist, and HONK!. Founding member of Broadway in South Africa. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Graduate of The University of Michigan. www.stanleybahorek.com

JODY COOK (Turkey / Bullfrog) is thrilled to be back with Music Theatre of Wichita after appearing as stage director Christopher Belling in Curtains. A native of Kentucky, Jody now lives in NYC where he recently appeared in productions of Li’l Abner (Marryin’ Sam), HMS Headwind (Abernathy), Something for the Boys (Tobias Twitch), and All American (Snopes). As a cabaret artist he has performed at Don’t Tell Mama, HA!, The Duplex, and the Algonquin Room, recently debuting his newest solo show, 37 Stories In Which I Come Off Badly. Other NY productions include revivals of Silk Stockings, Irene, Ernest in Love, and Three Wishes for Jamie.Recent productions include A Tuna Christmas at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Mr. President! at Playwright’s Horizon, Boss in the Satin Kimono at NYFringe Fest, and as Dr. Zizmor in workshops of the new musical The Wasp Woman. Regional credits include Greater Tuna, Smoke on the Mountain, How to Succeed…, Damn Yankees, All in the Timing, Dirty Blonde, Charley’s Aunt,and his solo show Husky Jeans at the J.C.Penney.

Supporting Cast

TIMOTHY W. ROBU (Drake) is delighted to be a part of this year’s MTWichita season, as well as many previous ones. Audiences may remember Tim in past roles such as John Hancock in1776, Billis in South Pacific, the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Amos Hart in Chicago, Oscar Shapiro in Curtains, Mr. Feldzeig in The Drowsy Chaperone, Herbie in Gypsy, and Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof. Tim also performs at several other venues in the Wichita area, including Mosley Street Melodrama and the Crown Uptown Theatre. Tim has served as Technical Director at the Crown Theatre and Artistic Director of the children’s program there. When not working at Wichita’s fine theatres, Tim has plenty to keep him busy as father to his two daughters, Katie and Francie. An added bonus to this year’s season is the chance to perform with his talented wife Karen in three of the season’s shows. Thanks to Wayne and all the folks in Wichita who produce theatre, perform theatre, and enjoy theatre. They make the Wichita area a great place to work, live, and bring up kids in.

RYAN VASQUEZ (Greylag) is a UMich Musical Theatre Class of 2014 student. He’s thrilled to become a part of the MTWichita family for the first time this summer, and greatly enjoyed playing amorous young accountant Joe in 9 to 5.  UM: Spring Awakening (Moritz), Cabaret(Cliff). Other credits include Candide (Candide), The 25th Annual … Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Love to Mom, Dad, JB, MT14, Wayne, Nancy, and all of MTWichita.

KAREN L. ROBU (Maureen/Lowbutt) happily returns for her 16th season at MTWichita, where she has been seen as Rose in Gypsy, Ursula in Disney’s Little Mermaid, Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables, Mayor Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up, Martha Watson in White Christmas, the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz, Emma Goldman in Ragtime, Maureen / Lowbutt in HONK!, Dolly in Annie Get Your Gun, Mayzie in Seussical, and as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof.Karen’s solo CD “Songs for My Baby” features Broadway tunes and 40′s style music, available at cdbaby.com. Her credits as a director include Children of Eden , Cotton Patch Gospel, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Violet, as well as her own original piece No Cross, No Crown, about suffragist Antoinette Brown Blackwell. Karen has also directed for MTYP, the Crown Uptown Theatre and taught classes for MGM Studio of the Dance and Camp Allegro. Karen has one more year before graduating from Phillips Theological Seminary with her Master of Divinity degree. She is currently Director of Faith Formation for Plymouth Congregational Church in Wichita.

DANI YOUNG (Margaret) is so honored to be back at MTWichita! Favorite MTW performances include Fiddler on the Roof, 9 to 5, The Producers and Les Miserables. Favorite roles include Miss Jones in How to Succeed (WSU) directed by Wayne Bryan, Pennywise inUrinetown (WSU), plus Ida in HONK! and the Witch in Into the Woods (Friends University). The biggest thanks to Wayne, Nancy, Roger, Josh, and Mary Sue for this amazing job! Lovies to Mom, Dad, John and Graham!

ALEX FINKE (Henrietta/Queenie) was thrilled to make her MTWichita debut as Tzeitel inFiddler on the Roof, and loved playing the boss’s unsuspecting wife in 9 to 5. She is a recent University of Michigan graduate, hailing from Dayton, Ohio. Favorite roles include: Jane inTarzan (Regional Premiere) at Wagon Wheel, and Vicki in The Full Monty at University of Michigan. Thanks and love to Mom, Dad, Sarah, Chris and Jimmy!

FRANCESCA AROSTEGUI (Penny/Purple Bird) is thrilled to spend her first summer at MTWichita, and enjoyed playing Chava in Fiddler on the Roof! She is a 2012 graduate from Indiana University with a BFA in musical theatre. Favorite roles include: Chrissy in Hair, Bonnie in Anything Goes, and Zaneeta in The Music Man. She would like to thank Wayne for this wonderful opportunity and sends love to her amazing family and friends!

Artistic Staff

WAYNE BRYAN (Director/Producing Artistic Director) celebrates his 25th season at MTWichita, where he has now produced 120 Broadway-scale musicals, including dozens for which he also served as director or performer. Raised in southern California, Wayne began his professional career as both actor and director at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, while stationed as a Navy officer in Coronado. Wayne performed on Broadway in Good News!, Rodgers and Hart, and Tintypes, and on television in such shows as “M*A*S*H”(CBS), “American History” (PBS), and “Keystone” (A&E). He also directed productions for theatres all across the country before coming to Kansas, but he feels he’s doing his most challenging and rewarding work now. Wayne is co-author with Mark Madama of a revised version of the collegiate musical Good News!, whose 1993 Wichita premiere has been followed by over 300 subsequent productions around the U.S., Canada and Great Britain, plus an internationally acclaimed cast album. Wayne was a 2002 recipient of the Kansas Governor’s Arts Award as an Individual Artist, and received the NCCJ Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award, recognizing individuals who fight discrimination and encourage diversity. Wayne has served on arts panels for the NEA and the Kansas Arts Commission, and is a frequent lecturer and guest teacher at various universities.

AMY BAKER (Choreographer) is thrilled to join Wayne and the MTWichita family again, where she has choreographed Camelot and Gypsy (Mary Jane Teall Award) and was in the Resident Company for five summers, where she had the pleasure of being in HONK! eleven years ago! Amy is the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre/ Choreographer for The School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University where she teaches tap, jazz, theatre dance and choreographs numerous productions. Her work has also been showcased at the New York Jazz Choreography Project (Alvin Ailey Studios, NYC), Traditions in Tap Showcase (NYC), the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (FL), and across northern Italy. Amy has enjoyed a professional performing career in NYC and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. Highlights include playing Phyllis Dale on the First National Broadway Tour of 42^nd Street, performing with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Singin’ in the Rain at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Amy is proud to have completed her MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University and her BFA in Musical Theater from WSU. She is extremely passionate about the preservation of original Broadway choreography and mentoring students to help them make a living doing what they love. Thank goodness for family and friends who love us “Warts and All.”

THOMAS W. DOUGLAS (Musical Director / Conductor) is thrilled to be celebrating thirteen seasons with such a wonderful artistic family at MTWichita, having led 40 productions with this remarkable company. Thomas has done more than 200 musical theater, opera, orchestral and oratorio productions, including conducting Webber’s Phantom of the Opera in Switzerland. Highlights include Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Bizet’s Carmen Jones, Master Class and Mondo Mangia with the late Jillene Ringle. As the Artistic Director of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, he is receiving acclaim for adventurous, innovative debuts and premier programs, including Carmina Burana Africana, Messiah in Space, and a presentation of standard choral masterpieces with a fusion rock band and string orchestra accompaniment. On stage he has enjoyed the roles of Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Amonasro in Aida, and Fats Waller in Ain’t Misbehavin’, both in the U.S. and in Malaysia. Thomas is on the faculty of both the Drama and the Music schools at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, is the proud recipient of the Mary Jane Teall Award, and is the Musical Director of the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra. He is now developing his one man show entitled “Under the Influence” based on his eclectic group of musical experiences.

GEORGE T. MITCHELL (Costume Designer) happily returns to design some brand new costumes for HONK!, which he originally designed for MTWichita’s regional premiere in 2001. He has also designed Sunset Boulevard, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Pajama Game, and Damn Yankees, for MTW. George is the costume designer for “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on CBS. In addition to creating an image for the host, George designs a multitude of costumes for the nightly sketch comedy segments. He has also designed for music videos, opera, and ballet. Theaters in which his costumes have been seen include San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, and The Kennedy Center. George’s passion for costume design has made him a sought-after lecturer for graduate and undergraduate classes nationwide. Thanks to Wayne and Nancy. A big special thank you to the Costume Department for all of their hard work and dedication.

J BRANSON (Scenic Designer) For over twenty years, J Branson has been a Chicago-based designer. He is proud to have begun his theatrical career as an Apprentice at Music Theatre of Wichita 34 years ago. J’s national-tour credits include The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast and Brigadoon. Original productions include both productions for The Second City Chicago’s 2007/2008 season, Shockwave (Disneyworld), Stardust, A Room With a View, The Conversation, Jungle Man and A Tale of Two Cities. Past regional work includes Thoroughly Modern Millie, Smokey Joe’s Café, Jekyll and Hyde, Chess, The Wizard of Oz (for which J received an After Dark award), Children of Eden, Rags, Assassins, Guys and Dolls and The Pajama Game. J has an array of industrial design credits and has been honored with three National Addy Awards. In addition to the original production of HONK!, J’s many designs at MTWichita have included Hairspray, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Beauty and the Beast, The Secret Garden, Children of Eden, West Side Story, High School Musical 1 & 2, The Drowsy Chaperone, 1776, Curtains, Sunset Boulevard, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He has also designed the upcoming production of Legally Blonde.

EVAN SCHMIDT (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to return to MTWichita as a first time designer! As a freelance lighting and scenic designer, Evan is based in New York City. He earned his BFA in Theater from Wichita State University and his MFA in Production Design and Technology from Ohio University. Recently, he served as the Assistant Lighting Designer for the National Tour of La Cage Aux Folles. Evan has recently worked with: The Directors Company, The Santa Fe Opera, The Maltz Jupiter Theater, Indiana Repertory Theater, Cleveland Play House, Theater Under the Stars, and The Monomoy Theater.

DAVID NEVILLE (Projections) is enjoying his 29th season of “Camp MTW.” In addition to many productions at MTWichita, David has designed lighting for North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, Omaha Symphony, The United States Air Force, Stage One, Ordway Music Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, The University of Michigan, Penn State University, Portland Center Stage, North Carolina Theatre, Music Theatre West, Arkansas Rep, Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera, George Street Playhouse, California Music Circus, The 5th Avenue Theatre and Off-Broadway. David’s favorite designs at MTW include Les Misérables, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Cats, Ragtime, Once on this Island, and Jesus Christ Superstar. David also teaches lighting and scenic design at Wichita State University.

DAVID MUEHL (Sound Designer) begins his seventh season as MTWichita’s sound designer, having also served as the sound assistant previously for a season. During MTWichita’s off‐season, David is the audio producer for WSU’s College of Fine Arts where he oversees audio recording and live sound for fine arts and other performances. He also serves as sound designer for WSU’s Opera and Musical Theatre programs and is the sound advisor to student musical theatre & opera sound designers and engineers. Some of his favorite sound designs have been Children of Eden, Into the Woods, Les Misérables and Wizard of Oz. David has twice been sound designer for invited productions to the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. David has also done sound design for Wichita Center for the Arts and Cabaret Oldtown. Special thanks to Dave, Jeff and the rest of the crew of Clearwing Productions in Phoenix and Josh with Sound Kingdom and for their continued support of MTWichita.

ALENA SELLERS (Wig and Makeup Designer) is very excited to be returning for her second season as wig and makeup designer, having served as the assistant designer the previous year. She lives in Wichita and spends most of the year working at Allure Salon. She has been doing hair for fourteen years, has spent five years as an Aveda Color Educator, and is grateful for this opportunity to work with so many wonderful people. A special thanks to Sandy, Jocelyn and Anna for all your hard work this season.

LIZ SPRAY (Property Master) is in her fifth season at MTWichita and is excited to take on the role of Prop Master this year. She is a St. Louis native and has enjoyed working around the country. Most recently she has worked at Opera Theater St. Louis as an artisan for their production of Carmen. She also toured this past fall with the National Tour of The Wizard of Oz as the Prop Supervisor and Pyrotechnics Operator. Some of her favorite productions she has worked on include Deathtrap (Northern Stage), Oh! What a Lovely War (National WWI Museum), I Love a Piano (National Tour), Sunset Boulevard, Les Miserables, Drowsy Chaperone (Music Theater of Wichita), Camelot, Dr. Faustus (Utah Shakespearian Festival).

JEFF TAYLOR (Production Manager) is extremely honored to be back with this excellent cast and crew for his 11th summer at MTWichita. Throughout the years since 2000, he’s had the chance to apprentice, build, design, and even act for MTWichita, and will now be the year round Production Manager, working closely with the awesome MTW staff. A loyal Kansan, Jeff graduated from East High and earned his BA in Musical Theatre from Friends University in 2006. In 2011, he earned an MFA in Design & Technology from UMKC. Jeff would like to thank the staff of MTWichita for their support and guidance, and thanks to his wonderful family for their love.

DEREK OLSON (Technical Director) is excited to be back with MTWichita where he started in 1999 as a floater between the prop shop, paint shop, electrics, sound, and the scene shop. He ended up floating his way permanently into the scene shop. Since then he has held the title of carpenter, master carpenter, technical director and car restoration specialist. He would like to thank his wife Jenny and his two beautiful children, Phillip and Evelyn.

DEBBIE ROBERTS (Costume Shop Manager) has designed costumes for many shows here, including Curtains, Les Misérables, White Christmas, Thoroughly Modern Millie, High School Musical, State Fair, Funny Girl, The Most Happy Fella, On the Town and West Side Story, plus special costumes for Aida, My Fair Lady (all of Eliza’s gowns), Annie Get Your Gun, Man of La Mancha, Crazy for You, The Sound of Music, My One and Only, and various Festival of Broadway shows. A graduate of Friends University, Debbie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Ballet. “I am so proud of the work that Music Theatre of Wichita does, it is always a pleasure to work each season. While California is home, work in the costume field takes me to New York each Christmas season to work for the World Famous Radio City Rockettes. It has been over 20 years that Wichita has been my summer home and I look forward to meeting new people and learning new skills each time. Enjoy the shows!”

ABBY STROOT (Wardrobe Supervisor) is happy to be returning for her seventh season at MTWichita. Starting in 2005 as an apprentice she has worked her way up to Wardrobe Supervisor. Last summer she took off to tour as Assistant Wardrobe with VEE Corporation’s productions Barney Live in Concert and Sesame Street Live: 123 Imagine. Abby graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. She would like to thank MTW for the opportunity to be a part of so many great productions

TIFFANY K. ORR (Production Stage Manager) is originally from Oklahoma. She currently lives in Minneapolis / Saint Paul where she is the production manger for Theater Latte Da. While in the twin cities, she has also stage managed for companies including the Pillsbury House Theatre, The Children’s Theatre Company, Theatre Latte Da, Park Square Theatre, The Playwrights’ Center, The Director’s, and the Guthrie. Previously she has worked on more than a dozen productions as part of the stage management team at the Phoenix Theatre, including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Women, You Can’t Take It With You, Smokey Joe’s Café and The Will Rogers Follies.

EMILY F. McMULLEN (Stage Manager) is back for her 13th summer with MTWichita. Previous productions here include The Music Man, Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Curtains, Gypsy, Crazy for You, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, Les Misérables, Big River, …Forum, Seven Brides…, Sweet Charity, Phantom!, Seussical, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Chicago, Good News!, and ShowBoat. Throughout the year, she is the Production Stage Manager at Merrimack Repertory Theatre outside of Boston. She has also stage managed for North Shore Music Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, South Coast Repertory, Capital Repertory Theater, Musical Theatre Guild, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Broadway Texas, Theatre Emory, and The Shadowland Theatre. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

AMANDA BOWMAN (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to be returning for her 8th summer at MTWichita, and is very excited to graduate from WSU in December. During the year, she is stage manager for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and is also a member of IATSE Local 190.

STEVE LANDES (Director of the Apprentice Program / Shopper-Buyer) is proud to return for his eighteenth summer as the Apprentice Program Director. A Wichita resident for twenty two years, Steve worked for Friends University, the Wichita Center for the Arts, and Shakespeare in the Park. Steve moved to the Kansas City area eight years ago for a teaching position. As an educator, Steve continues to be very excited about working with the apprentices in this unique training program (and MTW is deeply grateful for Steve’s creative dedication to our young people!).

JENNIFER FISHER (Signing Interpreter) I’m thrilled and honored to be back for my fourth season at MTWichita. Interpreting music theatre is my dream job and I can’t thank Wayne and his staff enough for letting me return. Music is my passion and bringing that form of entertainment to the Deaf Community has been very rewarding. I keep busy with my two wonderful girls, Kara and Stephanie, and lead the Deaf Ministry at Central Community Church. Sporadically I interpret other theatrical productions in Wichita such as Wicked (2009) and Music Theatre for Young People’s production of No Small Feat (2011). My other interpreting passion (besides MTWichita), is concerts. I’ve worked with: Castin Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, and Clay Aiken. I would like to thank my husband for his support and most importantly God for the blessings He’s given me and the opportunity to work in such an amazing place.