MICHAEL RAY HELMS - Albert Soady, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT

Michael is thrilled to rejoin his hunting pals Scott, Joe, Eric, and Roy for another trip ‘over the bridge’. Since the last round of "Escanaba" in 2004, Michael has been very busy with All Ears Radio Theatre in Kalamazoo. He also appeared last summer in THE FANTASTICKS as Bellomy with the Portage Players. His work with us started when Jack and Brendan Ragotzy ‘discovered’ Michael in the Kalamazoo Civic’s acclaimed production of ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT and snapped him up to reprise his turn as Soady patriarch Albert when we put it on our 2003 schedule. Michael certainly is no stranger to the stage, with some of his favorite roles including Alfred P. Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY, Lord Fancourt in CHARLEY’S AUNT, Dr. Zubritsky in FOOLS, both fathers in the FANTASTICKS, and Pseudolus in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. He is currently employed by Van Buren ISD as a migrant/bilingual teacher.

 

KIM ZIMMER - Rose, GYPSY

Kim began her daytime television career with a role as a terrorist on ONE LIFE TO LIVE but achieved stardom as Reva Shayne on GUIDING LIGHT, a role she originated and continues to this day, facing such daytime dilemmas as year-long amnesia, apparent death by car accident, cloned alter-egos, and, new this past season, life-threatening illness. Through it all, Reva endures and earns Kim numerous accolades, such as four Daytime Emmy Awards (including her most recent Emmy win this spring). Other notable series TV appearances include MODELS, INC., BABYLON 5, SEINFELD, MACGYVER, DESIGNING WOMEN, and Jodie Walker on SANTA BARBARA, as well as TV movie roles in THE DISAPPEARANCE OF VONNIE, KEEPING SECRETS, and HELL HATH NO FURY. Kim’s film credits include BODY HEAT. A talented stage actress as well, Kim performed Off-Broadway in FOR DOGS AND A BONE and lists several starring appearances here at the Barn, first in THE RAINMAKER, followed by THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, JAKES’S WOMEN, DAMN YANKEES, LOST IN YONKERS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, and BLOOD BROTHERS. She’s a native of Grand Rapids and studied at nearby Hope College as well as the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Kim and her husband, actor/director A.C. Weary, have three children, Rachel, Max, and Jacob.

 

HAILEY JAMANN - Baby June, GYPSY

Hailey was plucked from our audience one night during the run of 1776 and debuts on our stage as Baby June. A resident of nearby Ceresco, Hailey is eight years old, loves to sing, and has performed at Newton Methodist Church and in Christmas programs. She is currently on a gymnastics team at Branch Gym and is entering third grade this fall at Endeavor Academy. Her folks are Frank and Dawn Jamann.

 

KELLY SEECH - Baby Louise, GYPSY

Kelly makes her Barn debut with GYPSY but is no stranger to the stage, having appeared as Molly in ANNIE and Gracie Shinn in THE MUSIC MAN, both at the former Battle Creek Junior Civic Theatre. She lives in Battle Creek with her proud parents, Jim and Susan Seech. Kelly is eight years old and is thrilled to play Baby Louise.

 

JENNA GILLESPIE - Balloon Girl, GYPSY

Jenna is ecstatic to be part of the GYPSY cast and to be making her Barn debut. Jenna’s from Kalamazoo and will be starting fourth grade this fall at Climax-Scotts. She’s a Barn fan, having seen JOSEPH…, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and OKLAHOMA! earlier this summer. Her proud mom and dad are Don and Wendy Gillespie of Kalamazoo.

 

CALLI RAGOTZY - Ballerina Girl, GYPSY

The second-oldest child of Barn Producer/Director Brendan Ragotzy and wife, Barn actress Penelope Alex, Calli is nine years old and is starting fourth grade this fall at Galesburg-Augusta Intermediate School. Calli’s Barn credits include appearances in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ANNIE, JOSEPH…, and OLIVER! In 2001 when she was only four! Calli really likes ice skating, learning to play the drums, and playing with their new bloodhound, Brutus.

 

PATRICK GALIZIO - Newsboy, GYPSY

Patrick is going into the seventh grade this fall at Lakeview Middle School. His first exposure to theatre was being in the children’s choir in the Barn’s JOSEPH… in 2002. Shortly after his Barn appearance, Patrick moved to England, where he performed in three plays with the Cheadle Hulme drama club: DREAMMAKER, BABUSHKA, and RAINMAKER. On his return from England, Patrick appeared in the Battle Creek Junior Theatre’s production of SLEEPING BEAUTY as Sir Oliver. Patrick has attended dance lessons for seven years at Danse Bravura in Battle Creek and two years at the Amanda Cooper School of Dance in Wilmslow, England. He’s also a member of the Lakeview Middle School Choir. Patrick’s folks are Cindy and Pat Galizio of Battle Creek.

 

SEAN GRIFFIN - Clarence, GYPSY

Sean is going into seventh grade at Plainwell Middle School this fall. He plays oboe in the band, is a member of the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus Touring Choir, studies piano with frequent Barn musician Aaron J. Cassette, and guitar with Kurt Nelson. In addition to music, Sean enjoys participating in Destination Imagination and the annual “Trash Dash” held in Allegan County. Sean’s stage credits include an Oompa Loompa in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, Chicken Soup in REALLY ROSIE, and some backstage technical work with the Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre. Others include Michael Darling in PETER PAN, a member of the Lollipop Guild in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and a Who child in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL. Sean is excited to be at the Barn and thanks McKay McKibben for teaching him how to play clarinet in just one afternoon! Jon and Judy Griffin of Plainwell are Sean’s parents.

 

SAMUEL MATTIES, Jr. - Newsboy, GYPSY

Sammy is a 6th grader at Galesburg-Augusta Middle School and had fun acting in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF here at the Barn last summer. Sam also played the important role of President in THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE MUSEUM PLAY at school. He’s an active lad who enjoys playing many sports such as Tae Kwon Do, soccer, basketball, and baseball. Sam just turned eleven and thanks his parents, Sam and Denise Matties of Galesburg.

 

LUKE RAGOTZY - Newsboy, GYPSY

Luke, at eleven, is the dean of the Ragotzy kids, and is starting sixth grade at Galesburg-Augusta Middle School this fall. Luke has been in Barn productions of OLIVER!, JOSEPH…, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Chip in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. In the fall Luke will test for his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and he also likes to play baseball, but his new love is electric guitar and mastering the catalogs of Iron Maiden and Coheed and Cambria.

 

CHRISTINE ROBERTSON - Laurey, OKLAHOMA!

Christine is thrilled to be making her first appearance at the Barn as Laurey in OKLAHOMA! She currently resides in the Chicago area where she recently appeared as Amalia in SHE LOVES ME at the Theatre at the Center that garnered the production a prestigious Jeff nomination for Best Musical. Other regional credits include FINIAN’S RAINBOW (Sharon u/s), ANNIE (Grace u/s), HELLO DOLLY!, and MY FAIR LADY all at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. She has also appeared in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Maria), BRIGADOON (Fiona), and TITANIC (Caroline Neville) at the Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, New Jersey. She has worked at the Arvada Center Theatre in Colorado, Virginia Musical Theatre, and the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Montana. Christine has also appeared as a soloist with the Virginia Symphony. Last summer she performed the role of Adele in a concert setting of Act II of DIE FLEDERMAUS at the Breckenridge Music Festival where she will present a cabaret later this summer. As a member of the U.S. Air Force Blue Aces, she opened concerts for Louise Mandrell, Eddie Money, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. She is a proud Equity member and sends thanks to her family and husband Jemmie for their continued support.

 

MYCHELLE HOPKINS - Aunt Eller, OKLAHOMA!

Last season's audiences will undoubtedly remember Mychelle’s hysterical portrayal as Jeanette Burmeister in the Barn’s smash-hit THE FULL MONTY. Along with her many stage appearances in the area, she has directed numerous productions throughout the U.S. and in England where she received her M.A. from the Shakespeare Institute. Her acting credentials are extensive, having performed in the U.S., England, Monaco and Greece. While Shakespeare is her first love, anything Irish comes in a close second. Mychelle is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. She teaches Theatre at Western Michigan University and is Director of Education for the Whole Art Theater in Kalamazoo. Mychelle has also appeared at the Barn in the Barn’s 2000 production of MY FAIR LADY and was featured as Mrs. Eynsford-Hill. Mychelle is also the proud mother of Macready who is 19 months old.

 

JOHN NEWTON - Ben Franklin, 1776

John is delighted to be back at the Barn after a five year absence. Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember his wonderful portrayals in our 2001 season most notably Sheriff Bedford in OLD TIMER and Fagin in OLIVER!. John first arrived in Augusta in 1954 with his wife, Dusty, and infant son, Robin. Over the next five years, he performed in over 50 consecutive shows and added another son, John. During the 1995 season John gave a cameo appearance with Angelo Mango and Louis Girard one evening during he run of PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW to the delight of the audience. John has quite an impressive New York resume having performed in 13 Broadway shows, with the most recent being FORTUNES FOOL. Others include RING ‘ROUND THE MOON, IVANOV and ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS for the Lincoln Center Theatre, as well as HAMLET (as the gravedigger), PRESENT LAUGHTER with George C. Scott, and FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER with Henry Fonda and Jane Alexander. Mr. Newton also spent two happy years in residence doing THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS with his son Robin and other Barnies on Broadway. Regionally he has done many shows in Florida for the Florida Stage and Florida Repertory Company. John has also done scores of TV shows, most recently LAW AND ORDER, where he was seen as Judge Eric Coffey.  

 

RANDY WOLFE - Dr. Josiah Bartlett, 1776

The Barn is pleased to have Randy join the company for 1776. The last time Randy performed here was in our 2000 production of MY FAIR LADY. Randy graduated from The Goodman School of Drama in Chicago where he performed in numerous productions in the Chicago area. Recently Randy has been teaching “The Actor’s Studio Theatre Project” in Kalamazoo – a successful actor training 12-week program that he created, now it its second year. A successful director as well, he recently directed the critically acclaimed productions of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH and two productions of PSYCHO BEACH PARTY at the Whole Art Theatre, and ZOMBIE PROM at the Parish Theatre. Next season he will be directing REEFER MADNESS – THE MUSICAL and DIE MOMMY DIE at the Whole Art Theatre and will perform in the one person show I AM MY OWN WIFE which will open the 2006-2007 season. Randy also appeared in BUG, HAMLET, and MISERY locally. Randy would like to thank Brendan and Penelope and the entire Barn family for the opportunity and the warm welcome.