Des Moines Playhouse Of Mice and Men Cast Biographies

Playhouse Ambassadors: Judy Blessington, Mary Bricker, Vickie Costanzo, Sue Dittmer, Annette Duffy, Pam Falkstrom, Charlene Green, Bonnie Hodson, Jean Leibold, Ruth Miller, Becky Scholtec, Vickie Smith, Mary Whisenand

Subscriber Services: Gloria Filean

Daytime Office Volunteers: Gloria Filean, Cheryl Hamilton, Carol Larson

House Managers: Theresa Bradfield, Charlene Green, Bonnie Hodson, Mary Marshall, Ruth Miller, Marcella Phillips, Linda Sowers, Gail Stelmacher

Front of House Crew: Mara Abolins, Pat Allison, John Anderson, Pam Anderson, Mary Lu Baumbach, Shirley Benskin, Theresa Bradfield, Jene Breiten, Mary Bricker, Sue Bueler, Coralie Cherry, Jean Corbin, Cheryl Critelli-O'Donnell, Nancy Darsee, Michael Delaney, Nettie DeWit, Sue Dittmer, JoAnn Erpelding, Mark Ferguson, Susan Ferguson, Fred Gee, Sharon Gee, Charlene Green, Curt Heidt, Sharon Heidt, Bonnie Hodson, Kappa Chi, Dick Kern, Dottie Kern, Jack Kesling, June Kesling, Mona Knutson, Lincoln High School Drama Department, Sunny Liston, Doris Lutyens, Dwight Marshall, Mary Marshall, Fawn McChesney, Ruth Miller, Sharon Mitchell, Nationwide Agribusiness, Tom O'Donnell, Jean Patrick, Phyllis Pechman, Sharon Peterson, Marcella Phillips, Tom Phillips, Helen Pille, Linda Poil, Shirlee Reding, Sandy Ridgeway, Joe Smith, Carole Stevens, Phyllis Stevens, Beth Tingle, Gladys Van Sickle, Bob Vipond, Kathleen Zimmerman

Playhouse Historian: Lloyd Von Hagen

	John Bach (Carlson) is making his second Playhouse appearance, having danced in the chorus of Chicago. He was also in the chorus of Judy's Scary Little Christmas (StageWest). Outside the theatre, his interests are primarily musical (piano, organ, guitar). John says his favorite thing is his daughter, Shelby (7). TOP
	Eric Bench (Candy), a claims specialist for Wells Fargo, has a varied theatre résumé at The Playhouse, which includes playing Captain Longstocking in Pippi Longstocking and Principal Tudor in High School Reunion, volunteering as assistant director/stage manager for Biloxi Blues, and serving as production manager/stage manager for Eliot Ness. TOP
	Al Downey (Crooks) has, since 1961, done it all at The Playhouse: acting, stage management, lights, props, ushering, house manager. He is familiar to area audiences as Speed in The Odd Couple (Playhouse, Ingersoll Dinner Theatre, Charlie's Showplace), Lucien in The Boys Next Door (Playhouse, Ankeny Community Theatre) and many other roles. TOP
	Jason Frank (Curley) made his Playhouse debut in 2003, alongside children Kyle (now 11) and Alexis (9), in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. A certified master safecracker with Central Iowa Safe & Lock, Jason relaxes with woodworking, reading and his family, which includes wife Jen. TOP
	Megan Helmers (Curley's Wife) is a dance teacher and interior designer whose acting and choreography credits at her alma mater, Iowa State University, Ames, include Oklahoma!, Grease and Brigadoon. She made her Playhouse debut as Go-to-Hell Kitty in Chicago. When not dancing, Megan enjoys sewing, cooking and travel. TOP
	J Michael Kellar (Slim) recently appeared at The Playhouse in The BFG (BFG) and Seussical the Musical (Gen. Genghis Khan Schmitz). He stage managed Chicago, and has directed in the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre. Professionally, Mike is a strategist for ITAGroup, and a chapter advisor for Lambda Chi Alpha, Simpson College, Indianola. He and wife Melissa enjoy golfing, camping and watching "Lost," "CSI"s and "Law & Order"s. TOP
	Gregory Millar (The Boss) says his favorite stage role has been Nathan Detroit (Guys & Dolls), which he has played at both ACTORS (Ames) and Ingersoll Din-ner Theatre. Other Des Moines area shows include Hello, Dolly! and Over the Tavern at The Playhouse and The Music Man and Meet Me in St. Louis at the Ingersoll. Greg is an early childhood special education teacher at Smouse Opportunity School, Des Moines. He and wife, Carol, have three children, Ben (16), Shelby (14) and Taylor (9). TOP
	Joseph Parrish (George) is familiar to Playhouse audiences from Biloxi Blues (Sgt. Toomey), Chicago (Fred Casely) and Smokey Joe's Café. His numerous roles at area theatres include, most recently, Bing Crosby in Judy's Scary Little Christmas (StageWest). Joe works for Homestead Living and Learning Center and, in his free time, plays guitar. TOP
	Keith Pederson (Lennie) is on the board of directors of and building chair for the Ankeny Community Theatre, where his stage roles have ranged from Mr. Potter (It's a Wonderful Life) to Mr. Gloop (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Other area shows include To Kill a Mockingbird (Westminster Presbyterian) and Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Drama Workshop). Keith is a mail clerk at the Grimes Post Office, fiancé to Karen, and dad to Sara (16), Steven (13), Matthew (6) and Gunnar (5). TOP
	Josh Sampson (Whit) is making his stage debut, but has done modeling and voice work in the area. Josh is in the information systems department at Iowa Foundation for Medical Care. An avid sportsman – golf, baseball, football, basketball, snow skiing, hunting – Josh and wife Megan enjoy going to the movies. TOP
	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, OH. TOP
	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. TOP
	Kevin Shelby (Scenic Designer) has designed countless sets for Des Moines area theatres over the years, and counts among his Playhouse favorites State Fair, Charlotte's Web and Sabrina Fair. TOP
	Craig Kaufman (Lighting/ Sound Designer) was technical director at the Temple Theatre in downtown Des Moines, where he designed lights and sound for the Temple/Playhouse productions of Forever Plaid and Shear Madness. His recent Playhouse credits include Chicago and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. TOP
	Melissa M. Kellar (Stage Manager) is a multitalented director (True West, Vaudeville Mews), choreographer (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Central College, Pella) and actress (Matron, Chicago, Playhouse; A New Brain, StageWest). Missy is a supervisor at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage who loves golfing, playing volleyball and spending time with husband Mike. TOP

Buy Tickets
Mainstage
KG Children's Theatre
Groups
Iowa Touring Theatre   Company
Activities & Classes
   • Classes for ages
        3-1/2-adult
   • Friday Funday
   • Second Saturday
   • Story Tellers
   • Scout Activities
   • School Matinees
Trips
Get Involved
   • Audition Schedule
   • Cast List
   • Backstage
   • Front-of-House
Community Support
   • Donor Benefits
   • Planned Giving
   • Corporate Partners
   • Special Events
   • Hollywood Halloween
Season Tickets &
   Gift Ideas
Media
About Us