Eric Bench (Principal Harry Clark/Stage Manager) is familiar to Playhouse audiences from a variety of roles: Captain Longstock-ing, Pippi Longstocking; Principal Tudor, High School Reunion; Candy, Of Mice and Men. He is also co-stage manager of Footloose. A movie fanatic, Eric challenges all who dare to a lively round of the Kevin Bacon Game.

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Judy Blessington (Eleanor Dunbar) has been in nearly 20 shows at The Playhouse since making her debut in Singin' in the Rain in 1995. Other area shows include Fiddler on the Roof (Urbandale Community Theatre) and I Love Lucy (Rerun Series, Vaudeville Mews).

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Jonathan Brugioni (Ensemble) is active in football and show choir at Ankeny High School, where he will be a junior this fall. A dancer making his Playhouse debut, Jonathan has performed The Nutcracker at the Civic Center with Moore Dance the past three years.

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David Bugg (Travis) has been studying English at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. In addition to spending his summer on stage with brother Tom in Footloose, Dave is a software tester for the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care. Dave likes running and swimming.

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Tom Bugg (Bickle) is a student at Waukee High School, where he runs cross-country, swims and dives, and performs with the show choir. Tom made his theatrical debut last summer at Urbandale Community Theatre in Fiddler on the Roof.

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Cameron Campos (Garvin) has numerous stage credits at Des Moines Lincoln High School, his favorite being Buddy Layman in The Diviners. In addition to acting, singing and dancing, Cameron plays guitar and participates in intramurals.

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Eric J. Carlson (Ensemble) is pursuing a degree in music education at Drake University, Des Moines, where he is a member of the Drake Choir and Drake Chamber Choir. Eric is a native of Bellevue, NE, where he appeared in numerous shows including State Fair and Hello, Dolly! Drake Opera shows include Pirates of Penzance and Amelia Goes to the Ball.

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Kamerin Churchman (Ensemble) has numerous credits at The Playhouse, Altoona Children's Theatre and Southeast Polk High School, with her favorite being Seussical the Musical at The Playhouse. Kam will be a sophomore at Southeast Polk, where she plays clarinet and softball and is in show choir.

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Dani Cisna (Rusty) will be a senior at Ankeny High School, where her roles have included Witch in Into the Woods and Asaka in Once on This Island. Dani is an All-Stater in speech and choir, and involved in Drama Club and Show Choir.

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Sean Coughlin (Chuck Cranston) is a sophomore at Oklahoma City University where he is studying musical theatre/vocal performance. Stage credits have varied from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Playhouse) to Parade (OCU). Sean likes hunting, fishing and weightlifting.

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Anna Rose Danielson (Ensemble) was on The Playhouse stage in 1995 in The Music Man, and had numerous roles at Hoover High School, Des Moines. She is now a musical theatre major at Millikin University, Decatur, IL. Anna enjoys yoga, and watching The Food Network and Sex and the City.

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Tony DiMeglio (Lyle) is studying vocal music education at Drake University, Des Moines, where he is a member of Drake Choir, Chamber Choir and Tehat Chi fraternity. A native of Bellevue, NE, Tony was active in theatre in high school, playing Barnaby in Hello, Dolly!

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Rusk Dorsett (Wes Warnicker) was a favorite of Playhouse audiences last summer as LeFou in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Rusk is Mr. Mom to kids Caitlin (13), Noah (8) and Rebecca (7) and wife Beth.

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Lindsay Felty (Ensemble) has been dancing since she was 5. She has shared her talents on the stage at Theatre Cedar Rapids, and as a dance instructor at Dance of Iowa and TC Dance Club International, both in Cedar Rapids. She recently graduate from the University of Iowa in Iowa City with a BA in dance.

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Kyle Frank (Young Bobby) is going into seventh grade at Norwalk Middle School/ Shining Stars Home School, and has an extensive stage résumé that includes Pippi Longstocking at The Playhouse and Camp Broadway in New York City. In addition to theatre, dance and singing, Kyle likes climbing, reading and writing.

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Stephanie Fravel (Wendy Jo) is a graduate of Des Moines Hoover High School and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, who will be entering the University of Miami in the fall to pursue a degree in music. Stephanie stays fit with step aerobics and yoga.

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Anne Frett (Irene) has appeared in many Des Moines area shows including Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof (Urbandale Community Theatre) and Guys & Dolls (Ingersoll Dinner Theatre). Anne is "CEO of the Frett Family," which includes husband Stacey and children Emily (6), Sarah (4) and Audrey (19 months).

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Susan M. Grozier (Vi Moore) recently appeared in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine at Le Petit Theatre, New Orleans, be-fore evacuating to Des Moines with her family after Hurricane Katrina. While in New York, Susan played Kandy in the Off-Broadway show Broken Toys and was in the national tour of Pippin.

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Grant C. Hansen (Ren McCormack), an Ankeny native, is a sophomore at Cedarville (OH) University, with a double major in theatre and communication arts. Grant's hobbies include ultimate frisbee and disc golf, and he is interested in drama ministry.

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Bonnie J. Hodson (Lulu Warnicker) is an analyst with the process management department at Nationwide Insurance. A familiar face at The Playhouse, she volunteers onstage (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), in the box office and as house manager and ambassador. Bonnie is an avid bowler, and raises and shows pomeranians.

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Suzanna Leibold (Ensemble) grew up on The Playhouse stage, appearing in shows as varied as Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and The BFG (Big Friendly Giant). This summer, she is an education intern at the theatre. Suzy is a sophomore at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Her interests include Egyptology, mythology, astronomy and quantum physics.

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Ed McAtee (Willard) was active in theatre in Waterloo, appearing in that community's productions of The Music Man and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. A banker with Wells Fargo, Ed says, "If it's outside, I'm in." He participates in intramurals in a variety of sports, and sings with the choir at Covenant Christian Church.

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Annie Mielke (Ensemble) made her Playhouse debut as Sheila Tudor in High School Reunion this past season, and has a variety of credits at Newton High School and Newton Community Theatre. A stay-at-home mom, Annie likes baking and testing new recipes on Josiah (11), Jordan (8) and Joy (5) and husband Chris.

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Ben Millar (Ensemble) will be a junior at Ankeny High School, where he recently appeared as Jack in Into the Woods. Other stage credits include Hello, Dolly! and Disney's Beauty and the Beast at The Playhouse, and too many Ingersoll Dinner Theatre credits to list.

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Gregory Millar (Rev. Shaw Moore) is an early childhood special education teacher at Des Moines Smouse. He is a familiar face to area audiences from shows such as Guys & Dolls (Nathan Detroit, ACTORS Ames, Ingersoll Dinner Theatre) and Over the Tavern (Playhouse). Greg and wife Carol have three kids, Ben (16), Shelby (14) and Taylor (10).

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Melody Nelson (Betty Blast) is returning to The Playhouse after a 40 year absence. (She was in the children's theatre production of The Red Shoes.) Melody likes gardening, reading mysteries and keeping up with husband Scott; kids Abbie, Jacob, Colin and Emma; and the family's two golden retrievers.

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Joni Newman (Ensemble) played Wilbur in Charlotte's Web at the Ingersoll Dinner Theatre. She is a sophomore at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, studying English and theatre with an eye on becoming a teacher. Joni's hobbies include Irish dance and knitting.

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Susan O'Connell (Ensemble) has sung with rock, country and gospel bands, and is currently a member of the Des Moines Choral Society. Active in musical theatre at Victor Valley College, Victorville, CA, where she earned degrees in the arts and science/nursing, this is Susan's Playhouse debut. Susan is a registered nurse with Hospice of Central Iowa.

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Carol Palmer (Ethel McCormack) is a favorite of Des Moines audiences, having appeared in numerous shows at The Playhouse (Singin' in the Rain, Seussical the Musical, Cabaret), StageWest (Judy's Scary Little Christmas), Drama Workshop (A Little Night Music, Assassins) and Urbandale Community Theatre (Anything Goes). She also volunteers, often alongside husband Dan Chase and daughter Madeline, as an usher/house manager.

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Madeline Peyton (Ensemble), a junior dance performance major at Oklahoma City University, is a member of the American Spirit Dance Company. She has also danced in the Des Moines Metro Opera production Salome. Her Urbandale Community Theatre shows include Bye, Bye Birdie and Fiddler on the Roof.

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Daniel Poe (Ensemble) will be a junior at Ankeny High School, where he is a member of the drumline and recently appeared in Into the Woods. At The Playhouse, he was a member of the 2002 cast of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Poe is ownerof and balloon artist with Creations With a Twist.

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Mark Pullen (Coach Roger Dunbar) has played a Coach before for The Playhouse, in High School Reunion. Other Playhouse shows include Anne of Green Gables and Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business in which he played Grandpa Jones opposite his wife, Darlene. Mark is chief pilot for Hy-Vee, Inc.

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Lester Small (Cop) is minister and a home repairman known as The Odd Job Man. He was first introduced to Playhouse audiences in Smokey Joe's Café in 2003. Since then, he has appeared in Ain't Misbehavin' at the Drama Workshop and To Kill a Mockingbird at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Lester and wife Portia are parents to seven grown children and grandparents to 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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Joseph Spiess (Jeter/Cowboy Bob) has multiple stage credits in Des Moines (Thunder, Pippi Longstocking, Playhouse) and the Twin Cities (Fyedka, Fiddler on the Roof, Mounds View Community Theatre). Joe teaches ninth grade math at Des Moines Lincoln High School and is the choreography director for the school's show choirs. He also loves all sports.

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Alexis Van Vleet (Urleen) is a graduate of Johnston High School who will be attending Drake University, Des Moines, in the fall to study vocal performance. Away from the stage, Alexis stays active running and playing volleyball.

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John W. Viars (Director) has been executive director of The Playhouse since 1982 and is a recent past president of the American Association of Community Theater. He is a charter member of the Professional Community Theater Directors Conference and has acted as facilitator and group leader for its meetings. Viars was national chair of the first-ever International Community Theater Festival held at The Playhouse in 1990 and is a frequent workshop leader and adjudicator. He has served as a member of advisory panels at the Iowa Arts Council and has written many reviews and articles for local publications. Employed professionally in community and educational theater for more than 25 years, Viars has directed more than 150 productions. In March 1990, he received the Eleanor Robson Award from the Council for International Understanding for "significant contributions to international understanding." Viars holds a B.A. and M.A. in theater from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Brenton Brown (Music Director) has served as music director for StageWest productions of A New Brain and Hair, and The Playhouse productions of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and A Year With Frog and Toad. He has appeared onstage as the title character in Sweeney Todd and as Max in Lend Me a Tenor, both at the Ingersoll Dinner Theatre. Brenton is a buyer with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He spends his free time with his loving wife, Jessica.

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Alison Shafer (Choreographer) has been choreographing, performing and teaching dance professionally for the past 17 years. Most recently, she choreographed Disney's Beauty and the Beast; Forever Plaid; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra; Ragtime; Cabaret; Annie; and The Who's Tommy; directed and choreographed Honk! and Smokey Joe's Café; and directed Winnie-the-Pooh; all at The Playhouse. She has choreographed more than 15 shows for Theatre Cedar Rapids, the Off-Broadway production Marathon Dancing, the Georgia Pacific Industrial/Tour Tree Wishes (Atlanta), the Iowa Youth Choruses, and shows and dance pieces for the University of Iowa (Iowa City), Intimate Works (Seattle), St. Ambrose University (Davenport), Cele-bration Iowa and the Mall of America. When not in rehearsal, Alison loves dancing around the house with husband Allen and children Emma and Ethan.

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Angela Lampe (Costume Designer) is in her 13th season at The Playhouse, where her costuming credits include Ragtime, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Honk!, Children of Eden, Chicago and Shear Madness. She has created costumes for Iowa Lottery commercials and Terrace Hill (period costumes for tour guides and Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack). Angie also serves as a docent at the Des Moines Art Center.

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Kevin Shelby (Scenic Designer), resident designer at The Playhouse, has designed countless sets for Central Iowa theatres over the years, and counts among his Playhouse favorites The Last Night of Ballyhoo, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Boxcar Children.

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Virgil Kleinhesselink (Light Designer) owns VTEC Productions sound company, and is technical director at Des Moines Hoover High School, where he designed lights for their production of Les Miserables Jr. Virgil began his Playhouse career in 1979, and since then has been involved with more than 200 shows as designer or actor. Virgil is also past president of the Celtic Music Association.

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Nicole Taweel (Stage Manager) is a multi-talented backstage crew member. She has stage managed High School Reunion for The Playhouse, and Johnny Guitar and Frozen for StageWest. Nicole was assistant stage manager for StageWest's production of Judy's Scary Little Christmas. She volunteered as dresser for Chicago (Playhouse) and Angels in America (StageWest). By day, Nicole is a software testing consultant for Paragon IT Professionals, currently working on a project for Wells Fargo.

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