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Les Misérables

June 26-30, 2013

Rated PG

A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
Based on a novel by VICTOR HUGO
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
Original French Text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL
Additional material by JAMES FENTON
Adapted and originally directed by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD
Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON
Original London Production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH
and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Guest Stars

NICHOLAS F. SAVERINE (Jean Valjean) is thrilled to be back “home” in Wichita! First recipient of the Elizabeth B. Koch Young Artist Fellowship Grant, graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and Wichita State University, where he studied voice with Dr. George Gibson and Dr. Dorothy Crum, audiences may remember Nick from his numerous MTWichita roles, including Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, Max in Sunset Boulevard, Archibald in The Secret Garden, Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Rev. Moore in Footloose, Father in Children of Eden, Tony in The Most Happy Fella, Carriere in Phantom, Gus/ Growltiger/ Bustopher Jones in Cats, and his favorite as Wayne’s dad Clem Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies! Twice! Nick is also very proud to have performed locally with the Mosley Street Melodrama, Cabaret Oldtown, Crown Uptown, Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita Community Theatre, Opera Kansas, Wichita Symphony, and WSU Opera Theatre. Nick performed in numerous Words and Music editions with Stage One, and has directed and designed sets for Music Theatre for Young People. Other credits include Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables; Tours: Joseph … Dreamcoat; Caroline, or Change; Les Miserables; European: The Phantom of the Opera (Vienna/Hamburg), Les Misérables, Dance of the Vampires (Vienna); Regional: Man of La Mancha (Light Opera Works), Most Happy Fella (American Music Theatre of San Jose), A Christmas Carol (People’s Light and Theatre), The Baker’s Wife (Arden Theatre), Annie Get Your Gun (Hal Prince Theater), Annie, Annie Warbucks and Les Misérables (Walnut Street Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors and The Pirates of Penzance (Louisiana Lyric Opera), Jacques Brel Is … (Skylight Theatre), Camelot (West Virginia Public), and Oliver! (Media Theatre). Nick would like to thank Wayne, Joe, Thomas, Suzanne, and Nancy for another awesome experience in a long list of awesome experiences! And he dedicates his performance to JC, Claude, Gary and Ferdenan … “My friends who sing no more.”

KEVYN MORROW (Inspector Javert) Mr. Morrow’s Broadway credits include the original casts of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dream, Smokey Joe’s Café, Leader of the Pack as well as Dreamgirls (1987 revival) and A Chorus Line (1990 closing company). His London West End credits include the world premiere of 125th Street (Georgie Blues), and Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr.) – 2004 Olivier Award Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical. Off-Broadway he appeared in the 40th Anniversary Production of The Boys in the Band (Bernard) and Blue (Blue Williams). Regional credits include The Whipping Man (Simon) – 2012 BWW Best Actor Nom, It’s A Wonderful Life – live radio play (Clarence the Angel), Gem of the Ocean (Solly Two Kings), Stormy Weather (Billy Strayhorn) and Broadway bound The First Wives Club (1st Husband Bill) – 2009 NAACP Best Actor Nom. Other credits include David Mamet’s Race (Henry), Radio Golf (Harmond Wilks), The Pajama Game (Sid), The Three Musketeers (Aramis), Five Guys Named Moe (Nomax/ Four-Eyed), Thunder Knockin’ On The Door (Jaguar), Our Town ( Dr. Gibbs), Stone My Heart (Othello) and Tambourines to Glory (Buddy Lomax) – 2005 Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Best Actor. Film credits include Dark LightThe Trade and Stayin’ Alive. Television credits include, most recently, new fall series “Hostages” (guest) “Person of Interest” (recurring), “The Good Wife” (guest), “Elementary” (guest) Kennedy Center Honors (featured) and “Half-Share”- pilot (series regular), as well as “Hope and Faith” (recurring), “Ed” (recurring),”Law and Order” (guest), “Coach” (guest), “Murphy Brown” (guest), “L.A. Law” (guest), “One Life To Live” (recurring), as well as Host of “Kidsworld.” He has previously appeared at MTWichita in Smokey Joe’s Café, as Danny Maguire in Xanadu, and as King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
IAN PATRICK GIBB (Marius) is so excited to be back at MTWichita, where he was a member of the company from 2001-2003, 2008 and 2009. A graduate of Oklahoma City University, Ian comes directly from the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Les Misérables where he played the role of Jean Prouvaire and understudied Marius. Regionally, Ian has performed with Paper Mill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, The Fireside Theater, and The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Favorite roles include Dean in All Shook Up, Joseph in Joseph… Dreamcoat, the Production Tenor in The Producers, and Lucas in The Student Prince. Ian’s two albums, Fill in the Words and The Time of Year for Miracles, are currently available on iTunes or by going to his website www.ianpatrickgibb.com. On July 19th at 8pm, Ian will be giving a concert to help kick-off the 50th Anniversary of his former high school Wichita Collegiate. “Christmas in July,” at Collegiate’s Galichia Auditorium, will be an evening of holiday and musical theater favorites with partial proceeds given to the theater and choral departments. For more information and to purchase tickets head over to his website! Ian couldn’t thank his family, The Mine, Wayne, Nancy, and the whole MTW gang enough for all of their support. Mom and Dad this is for you! Twitter: @ianpatrickgibb
SHAUN-MICHAEL MORSE (Bishop of Digne) is a multi-talented artist whose credits include all aspects of theater and music, including work as a performer, director, and designer. As an actor he has appeared in more than seventy regional and stock productions in both his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, and the San Francisco Bay Area where he lived for eleven years. Bay Area credits include Sir Toby Belch (Twelfth Night)Jasper (The Mystery of Edwin Drood)Nathan (Guys and Dolls), and George (Sunday in the Park with George). Wichita credits include Vittorio (Sweet Charity), the Minstrel (Once Upon a Mattress), Lun Tha (The King and I (opposite Kristin Chenoweth)) at MTWichita, Rothko (RED) and Shylock (Merchant of Venice) at the Wichita Center for the Arts, and Tito (Lend Me a Tenor) at Stage OneHe is the recipient of eight local-area Mary Jane Teall Theatre awards for acting, directing and set design, and his productions of Inventing Van Gogh, The Grapes of Wrath, Picnic and Moon Over Buffalo have been honored as Best City-Wide Drama/ Comedy in their respective seasons. Mr. Morse holds a Theatre degree from Wichita State University. Shaun-Michael is delighted to return to a role he played here in 2008.
ELEANOR FISHMAN (Fantine) is from Pennington, NJ and is excited to be making her MTWichita debut this summer! She is a rising junior Musical Theatre major at the University of Michigan where she has played Amanda Gronich in The Laramie Project and ensemble in Spring Awakening. Some other favorite roles include Erma in Anything Goes and Maria in The Sound of Music. Thanks to MTW for this wonderful opportunity and to her family both in New Jersey and at UM for their unending love and support.
CAROLYN ANNE MILLER (Eponineis so excited to be making her debut at Music Theatre of Wichita. As an upcoming junior at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, her favorite credits include Roxie Hart in Chicago, Kim MacAfee in Bye, Bye, Birdie, and Lost Boy (Twin Two) in Peter Pan. A special thanks to MTWichita for this lovely opportunity, and all of my love and thanks to my dear friends and Mom, Dad, Ali, Mock, George, Camille, and Grandma.
KATHRYN BOSWELL (Cosetteis so excited and thankful to be making her MTWichita debut! She is a recent musical theatre graduate of CCM and some of her favorite recent credits include: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Naomi) at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, [title of show] (Heidi), Chess (Svetlana) Spring Awakening (Wendla) at CCM, Little Women (Amy) and Seussical (Mayzie) at CVC, and The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily) with Hamilton Theatre. Kathryn is also a voice actress with Radio Disney. Thanks to my family, the Lookers, and to God for these pockets of grace!
SEAN RONAYNE (Enjolras), originally from Lake Zurich, Illinois, is excited to be back for his second season with MTWichita, and looks forward to the remaining three productions! He just graduated from Elon University with a BFA in Music Theatre, and will be moving to New York in the fall. Favorite roles include Robbie in A Man of No Importance (Elon University), and all five shows last season at MTWichita, including the Production Tenor (signing “Beautiful Girl”) in last season’s Singin’ in the Rain.. Thanks and love to Mom, Dad, Brian, Bridget, and also Wayne, Nancy, and Thomas for the wonderful opportunities and endless support!
TIMOTHY W. ROBU (Thénardier) 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 Bedevere in Spamalot, John Hancock in 1776, 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. Tim also performs at several other venues in the Wichita area, including Mosley Street Melodrama and the Crown Uptown Theatre. Tim served as Technical Director for the Crown Theatre and Artistic Director of the children’s program for over twenty years. He now works as an Exhibit Technician for Exploration Place. 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.
KAREN L. ROBU (Madame Thénardier) happily returns to MTW having performed in 15 of the past 18 seasons. Highlights include Rose in Gypsy, Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Roz in 9-5, Mayor Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up, Ms. Darbus in High School Musical, Martha Watson in White Christmas, the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz, Emma Goldman in Ragtime, Maureen / Lowbutt in HONK! (2001 and 2012 productions)Dolly in Annie Get Your Gun and Mayzie in Seussical. Karen’s 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’s two beautiful daughters, age 14 and 10, enjoy performing as well and will be seen onstage this summer. Karen recently graduated from Phillips Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. She is Minister of Faith Formation for Plymouth Congregational Church in Wichita and invites the entire city to her ordination ceremony on September 15. Thanks to Wayne for another opportunity to spend the summer at MTW and to her favorite actor, husband Tim for his love and support.
EMMA BOYLE (Young Cosette) is tremendously honored to be making her MTWichita debut as Young Cosette. She is looking forward to being a 6th grader at Central Christian Academy. Emma is a dance and drama student at the Wichita Children’s Theater and has been in a number of performances there including Cheaper by the Dozen and Beauty and the Beast. Emma would like to thank her family for their unconditional love and support and is thankful to God for the gifts He has given her.

ZE’EV BARMOR (Gavroche) is beyond thrilled to be returning to MTWichita, having appeared last year in Fiddler on the Roof. His past shows include WCTDC’s Guys and Dolls Jr. and Honk Jr. When he isn’t singing or dancing, he is preparing for his Bar Mitzvah this October. He would like to thank Wayne for believing he could take on this amazing role, and his voice coach Miss Amy. Much love to my mom, papa, yia yia and Hadasa for their support. Go Ari!!!

HANNAH KINTZEL (Young Eponine) is thrilled to be performing again with MTWichita!  She has appeared with MTW in Music Man, and as a featured duckling in HONK!  Hannah also loves performing with Christian Youth Theater, where she has been in AnnieCinderella, and Charlotte’s Web. This busy 5th grader began her love for music theater with roles in children’s choir  at church, and  also dances at Kansas Dance Academy.  She would like to thank all of the MTW staff, Linda McGinness, Karen Schwertfeger, Reed Bishop, and Lauren Hirsh.

Supporting Cast

ROBERT ARIZA (2nd MTWichita season) He is a rising senior pursuing a BFA from The University of Michigan. Recent UM credits: Sunday in the Park with George (Mr./Lee Randolph), Spring Awakening (Hanschen), Next Fall (Brandon). Recent awards: Emerging Talent Award from the Lotte Lenya Competition sponsored by the Kurt Weill Foundation, Roger Sturtevant Award in Musical Theatre through Actors’ Equity. Thanks to everyone at MTW, and his family and friends in NY and at UM.  

DANIEL BEEMAN (MTW debut) Originally from Bellevue, Nebraska, Daniel will be a senior at UMKC in the fall. His favorite performances include Next To Normal (Gabe), The Nutcracker (Ensemble), the World Championships of Irish Dance, the Celtic Irish Dance Festival at Walt Disney World, and many performances with the Omaha Symphony. Many thanks to friends, the Stanek clan, Mom, Dad, Jean, Chris, Bri, and Tricia for their undying support!

DANIEL BEVINS made his MTW debut in Spamalot. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Daniel is a rising junior at Elon University pursuing a BFA in Music Theatre. He has worked professionally at Artpark (Cinderella) and The Muny (Thoroughly Modern Millie and Aladdin!). Past favorites include: Hair, A Man of No Importance, The Wild Party, Into the Woods, and Les Misérables. So much love and gratitude to his outstanding family, friends, teachers, and to Wayne, Nancy, and the entire MTWichita family for making this wonderful opportunity possible!

JACOB CHANCELLOR (2nd MTW season) Originally from Edmond, OK, he is going into his senior year at The University of Oklahoma! Credits: OU University: On The Town (Chip), …Forum (Protean). Lyric Theatre OKC: Xanadu, 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Broadway Rose (Oregon): The Drowsy Chaperone (George). MTWichita: SpamalotThe Music Man, Finian’s Rainbow, Sunset Boulevard, Xanadu, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Thanks and love to family and friends for all the love and support.

KIM CORBETT (MTW debut) This fall she will begin her senior year as a BFA in musical theatre at Penn State University, where she was most recently seen as Susan in [title of show]. Previous credits also include All Shook Up (Natalie), Bernstein’s Mass (Swing), and Grand Hotel (Raffaela). Love to Mom&Dad.

IAN CUMMINGS   worked with MTW last summer in “Fiddler on the Roof” and the Teen Choirand other credits include Grease, High School Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Willy Wonka. Ian is a recipient of scholarships for acting, dancing, and script-writing, and a high school senior from Ponca City, Oklahoma. He hopes to pursue a career in Music Theatre at either OU or UCO.

JORDAN DE LEON MTW debut. Born and raised in Chicago, Jordan is a rising senior musical theatre major at the University of Cincinnati – CCM. CCM credits: Chess, The Threepenny Opera with Robin Guarino, Spring Awakening, Out of This World, The Civil War. Elsewhere: Anything Goes (Luke), Godspell (Lamar), and All Shook Up at West Virginia Public Theatre; Pippin at The Carnegie (Covington, KY). Much love to Mom, Papa, Jared, and all of his teachers, both past and present. For Grandma.

CALEB DICKE (2nd MTW season) Performed last summer in Fiddler on the Roof (Russian), 9 to 5Honk! (Barnacles), Singin’ in the Rain, and Legally Blonde. He will be a senior dance performance major this fall at Oklahoma City University. While at OCU, he has performed in the American Spirit Dance Company’s Home for the Holidays Christmas Show and Spring Show, as well as Legally Blonde (Kiki) and The Wedding Singer (Billy Idol).

HANNAH FREEMAN (2nd MTW season) Hannah is a senior musical theatre major at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Favorite CCM credits include Jenny (The Threepenny Opera), Dream Laurey (Oklahoma!) and Fredrika (A Little Night Music). Other credits: Solo Dancer in Oklahoma! with Ashley Brown at the Lyric Opera of Chicago (dir. Gary Griffin). Many thanks to Wayne, Nancy and MTW, and much love to family and DB.

REBECCA GANS is a Wichita native and a dance performance major at Oklahoma City University. Her favorite credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), Footloose (Ariel) and The Pajama Game (Gladys). Performing with MTW created some of Rebecca’s favorite memories as a kid, and she is excited to be a company this summer. Thanks to her family, friends, and The Man up above for supporting her in all her dreams.

CLAIRE GERIG MTWichita debut. A Wichita native, she will be a senior at Wichita State University pursuing a BFA in Music Theatre where she was last seen as Amalia in She Loves Me, directed by Wayne Bryan. While a student at Maize High School, Claire was selected to represent the Jester Awards in the Leading Actress category at the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City. Thanks to Wayne and all of MTWichita. Love to Linda, Amy, Pina, Marie, Bret, Mom & Dad.

DYLAN HARRIS is so thrilled to be a part of the MTWichita family this summer as a teen intern! Next year Dylan will be an incoming freshman at Wichita State University, where he will major in musical theatre. You may have seen Dylan in Xanadu, Finian’s Rainbow or Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Dylan would like to thank his family for all of their love and support, Wayne, Nancy, Josh, and the directors for giving him a really great opportunity!

MICHAEL HARTUNG made his MTW debut with Spamalot. A native of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Michael is a rising senior Musical Theatre major at the University of Michigan. Michael also trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Past favorites include The King and IThoroughly Modern Millie (The MUNY) Oliver!, Cats (West Virginia Public Theatre) All’s Well That Ends Well, The Last Tempest (RADA), Chicago, Brigadoon, The Full Monty, Crazy for You (U of M). So much love to family and friends. Go Blue!

CATHERINE HELM (2nd MTW season) A rising senior at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music’s Musical Theatre program, Catherine’s favorite roles include: Mae in Street Scene, Molly in The Threepenny Opera, and Lucinda in Into the Woods. Other favorites include Oklahoma!, Out of this World, Under Construction II, and Into a Lamplit Room. Love and thanks to friends and family, and to Wayne, Nancy, and the MTW family.

DAN HORN (3rd MTWichita season) He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma class of 2013. Some of his favorite roles at the University are Ozzie in On The Town, Wickersham Brother #2 in Seussical the Musical, and The Puppet Master in The Adventures of Pinocchio. Thanks to Wayne and Nancy for giving him such an amazing opportunity and his family for their endless love and support.

EMILY KELLY made her MTW debut with Spamalot. She is from Sacramento, California, and will be entering her sophomore year as a BFA Musical Theatre student at Indiana University. Favorite roles include Thea in Spring Awakening (IU Theatre), the Witch in Into the Woods, Mayzie La Bird in Seussical, and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Thanks to her family and friends back home and at IU for their endless support, and the entire MTW team.

BROOKE LACY (2nd MTW season) She is an upcoming senior Musical Theatre major at the University of Oklahoma. Favorite credits include: On the Town (Dance Captain/Ensemble), Avenue Q (Mrs. T/ Bad Idea Bear U/S), Seussical (Bird Girl), The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Soloist), and OKC Philharmonic’s A Very Merry Pops (Mistletoe). Love and thanks to her wonderful family for their support, to Cary and Julie Danielson for inspiring her, and to Wayne, Nancy, Josh, and all of MTW for this amazing opportunity!

ELLIOTT MATTOX (2nd MTW season)  Elliott performed here in The Music ManFinian’s RainbowSunset BoulevardXanadu, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Other credits include Jack (Into the Woods), Tobias Ragg (Sweeney Todd), Phil D’Armano (The Wild Party) at Oklahoma City University; Hugo Peabody (Bye Bye Birdie) at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. He will be a senior musical theatre major at OCU in the fall. Love and gratitude to Wayne and everyone at MTW, and to his friends and families at OCU and in Kentucky.

EVAN MAYER (2nd MTW season) Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Evan recently graduated from Indiana University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. MTW: Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Legally Blonde (Kiki), 9 to 5, Honk!, Singin’ in the Rain. Other favorites include Cabaret (Emcee), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Sweeney Todd (Anthony). While in school he spent two years recording and performing with IU’s Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers as a featured soloist, with notable performances in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Love and thanks to Wayne and Nancy, and to my family and friends for their incredible support.

ALEXANDER H. MILLER  (MTW debut) From OKC, OK, Alex is a musical theatre major at the University of Michigan in the class of 2016. Thanks to Amy, JBR, Jay, Dr. Bill, and Dr. H. for years of training and continued encouragement. Love to Mom, Dad, and Elle for the unconditional support, and thanks to Wayne, Nancy and MTW. Thank you to the entire UMICH faculty and friends especially Brent Wagner, Linda Goodrich and Catherine Walker Adams. Credits: UMich: Crazy for You; Lyric Theatre OKC: Oliver!, Hairspray. Go Blue!

CHET NORMENT (2nd season at MTW) where credits include Legally Blonde (Pforzheimer), Singin’ in the RainHonk!9 to 5, and Fiddler on the Roof. Regional: Joseph…Dreamcoat (Theatre of the Stars), Hairspray (IQ/Dance Captain, ZACH Theatre), Deborah Cox’s Everybody Dance (The Mirage). University: Crazy for You (Pete/Dance Captain), She Loves MeTapped Out, and Dancing in the Blackbox. Film: Right on Sunset (Steve). Chet will be a senior BFA Acting major at Elon University this fall. Love to Wayne, Nancy, the Fam, and Kit!

NICHOLAS PALMQUIST 3rd MTWichita season.  Nick is a 2013 graduate of Oklahoma City University, with a Bachelor of Performing Arts, Nicholas’ fifteen MTW shows include Legally Blonde (UPS man Kyle), 9 to 5, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Music Man, and of course, Singin’ in the Rain. Nicholas sends thanks to Wayne, Thomas and Nancy for the overwhelming opportunities and support, and love to his friends, his family, and his outrageously beautiful fiancé.

BECCA PETERSEN made her MTW debut in Spamalot  She is originally from Carmel, Indiana and will be a senior in the fall studying musical theatre at Brigham Young University. Favorite credits: Thoroughly Modern Millie at The MUNY (Lucille/ensemble), Dreamgirls at The MUNY (Sweetheart/ensemble), Oklahoma! (Laurey), and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). She recently performed in China with the BYU Young Ambassadors, and this fall will play Clara in The Light in the Piazza at BYU. Gratitude to everyone at MTWichita, and a big thank you to her family and friends for their endless support!

SARAH QUINN  (4th MTW season)  Sarah, a Wichita native, recently completed her freshman year at the University of Oklahoma (BFA Musical Theatre), and made her University Theatre debut in On the Town. Favorite MTW shows include Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel u/s), 9 to 5, and Legally Blonde (Greek Chorus). Thanks to Wayne and the entire MTWichita family, and love to family, friends, and Jeff for their constant love and encouragement. 1 Peter 4:10-11

MADDIE RAZOOK , an incoming freshman musical theatre major at Oklahoma City University, is thrilled to be performing with MTWichita again. Some past credits include Rizzo (Grease), Yonah (Children of Eden), Rona (Spelling Bee), Lucy (Charlie Brown), Little Sally (Urinetown) and Jo (Little Women). Thanks to Wayne, Josh, and Nancy for the opportunity, to all of her wonderful mentors, and to her incredibly supportive family and friends. Most importantly, she would like to thank God for always pointing her in the right direction. ”Every single day, do something that makes your heart sing.”

BENJAMIN RIVERA (2nd MTWichita season) He recently finished his junior year at Oklahoma City University as a dance performance major. Some favorite past shows include: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Benjamin) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Simeon). Favorites at MTW include: Legally Blonde (Nikos), Spamalot, Singin’ in the Rain, and 9 to 5. He would like to thank his friends and family for all their unconditional love. Jeremiah 29:11

RIZA TAKAHASHI made her MTW debut with Spamalot. Education: BFA in Musical Theatre at The Hartt School. Recent credits include: MUNY: Little Eva/Fan Dancer (King and I), Ensemble (Thoroughly Modern Millie). Woodstock Playhouse: Connie Wong (A Chorus Line), Crissy (HAIR), Charity (Anything Goes). Love and thanks to my family, friends, and the Hartt family, and also to MTWichita for this amazing opportunity!
ANDY TOFA (MTW debut) Andy is currently a student at OU’s School of Musical Theatre (2016). OU credits include: School of Dance’s Cinderella and School of Musical Theatre’s On the Town. He is from California, but he currently lives in Saint George, Utah. His nationality is Filipino and Samoan, he enjoys playing sports, and greatly enjoys food from different ethnicities.  He is grateful for the love and support of his friends and family. He is excited to be a part of the MTWichita family.
KATIE WESLER made her MTWichita debut with Spamalot. A senior Musical Theatre major at CCM, Katie received the 2013 Kurt Weill Foundation of Music Emerging Talent Award and the 2013 Roger Sturtevant Award from Actors’ Equity. CCM credits include Parade (Sally Slaton), Chess (The Arbiter’s Assistant), and Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. Professional roles include Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street (Tent Theatre), Shelby Thorpe in The Spitfire Grill and Maggie Pelletier in Red Herring (Timber Lake Playhouse), and Hunyak in Chicago (Red Mountain Theatre Company). Thanks to Wayne and Nancy, and to her family for their support.
HAYLEY WILHELM  (MTWichita debut) Hayley is a dance management major at Oklahoma City University and just completed her junior year. She has been seen in numerous American Spirit Dance Company shows at OCU and in Legally Blonde at OCU. She has also danced in the Mary Kay Cosmetics 2012 International Seminar. Thanks to Wayne, Nancy, and Josh, and to her husband Zachary, Mom, Dad, Hannah, and Grandmommy for their support!

ZACK WILHELM  (3rd MTW season) Zack is a part of the 2013 graduating Musical Theatre class at Otterbein University, where credits include Paul in Carnival, Eddie in Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party, and Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone. Thanks to everyone at MTWichita for the amazing opportunity, and endless gratitude to his wife Hayley (whom he has the joy of performing alongside this summer), Nick, Mom, and to the Good Lord for a truly wonderful life!

SUMIRE YU is ecstatic to be making her MTWichita debut and to be a part of the family this summer! Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Sumire is a junior musical theatre major at Elon University. Elon credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park) and Hair (Tribe)Thank you to my family at home and at Elon for their endless love and support, as well as Wayne, Nancy, and MTW for this incredible opportunity.

ARI BARMOR (Gavroche u/s) is incredibly excited to be back at MTWichita, having appeared in last year’s Fiddler on the Roof. He has participated in WCTDC’s Guys and Dolls Jr., Honk Jr. and Thwacked. Thanks to Wayne, the music theater family and Miss Amy. So much love to my mom, papa, yia yia and my beautiful sister Hadasa. Go Ze’ev!

FRANCIE ROBU (Young Cosette u/s) played a froglet in last year’s production of HONK! Other roles include Matilde in Willy Wonka and Thing One in Seussical, both with Music Theatre for Young People. Francie has taken dance since she was three years old and has been a company member at MGM Studio of the Dance for the past three years. She looks forward to being in the 5th grade this fall. Thanks to Wayne for the great opportunity!

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