CAST LIST

Aunt Eller................................ Mychelle Hopkins

Curly....................................... Eric Parker

Laurey..................................... Christine Robertson

Ike Skidmore.......................... Alston Brown

Slim......................................... Eric Schinzer

Will Parker.............................. Anthony Christian Daniel

Jud Fry.................................... Joe Aiello

Ado Annie Carnes................... Kelly Maier

Ali Hakum............................... Roy Brown

Gertie Cummings..................... Bethany Wood

Andrew Carnes....................... Jake Stackhouse

Cord Elam............................... Howard McBride

Dream Laurey......................... Alexandra Ausman

Dream Curly............................ Jamey Grisham

Dream Jud............................... Billy Lawley

Ensemble:  Alexandra Ausman, Jeff Baker, Rick Coffey, Laura Cook, Jana DeBusk,

Steve Drapalski, Matt DuMont, Haven Eaves, Jamey Grisham, Megan E. Haran, Billy Lawley, Betsy Holt, Alesia Lawson, Andy Planck, Kate Ponzio, Blane Pressler, Joshua Pulos, Amber Rees, Gregg Rehrig, Amy Shelton, Cecily Smith, Jay Stark

Cast Bios

ERIC PARKER - Curly

Eric comes home for a 14^th Augusta summer after another busy season in Chicago.  His growing list of Barn credits includes several favorites: Jerry in THE FULL MONTY last summer, Rocky and Eddie in seven go-‘rounds of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Cousin Kevin in TOMMY, Freddie in CHESS, Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC, the title role in PIPPIN, Pharaoh in JOSEPH…, Jinx in FOREVER PLAID, Jimmy Powers in CITY OF ANGELS, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Remnar in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook.  His career has continued there with several roles in their dinner theatre and TYA productions, most recently Jacey Squires in THE MUSIC MAN, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Samuel in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and Fezziwig in A CHRISTMAS CAROL this past winter.  Regional: THE THING ABOUT MEN (Sebastian), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Henrik), A FUNNY THING…FORUM (Miles), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Rocky), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Jesus), and HAIR (Claude-European Tour).  TV: GUIDING LIGHT.  Eric’s an Adrian native now living in Chicago.  On our off-stage staff Eric helps oversee the maintenance of the physical plant and also moves up a notch artistically this summer by directing our popular Bar Shows. 

CHRISTINE ROBERTSON - Laurey Guest Artist

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.

JOE AIELLO - Jud

Joe returns to the Barn after celebrating his 25^th season last summer with acclaimed performances as Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and Harold in THE FULL MONTY as well as returning to a role he originated at the Barn, the infamous Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  Season after season Joe has demonstrated his talent and versatility with such varied roles as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Albin/Zaza in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Arthur in CAMELOT, Mozart in AMADEUS, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, and Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS.  A gifted director as well, Joe has earned accolades for his Barn treatments of CABARET, SHE LOVES ME, CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, LOST IN YONKERS, STEELMAGNOLIAS, SWEENEY TODD, and BAT BOY (the latter two co-directed with Scott Burkell).  Joe lives in New York City where he is Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix, Inc.

ANTHONY CHRISTIAN DANIEL - Will Parker

Anthony comes for a second season after a successful winter in New York, where he just finished a reading of the new Burkell/Loesel musical ELLA MINNOW PEA.  Last summer Anthony may be remembered for his turns as Pappy Yokum in LI’L ABNER and Motel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as well as featured bits in THE FULL MONTY and HAIR.  Other credits include a national tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SIDE SHOW, THE DIVINERS, A CHORUS LINE, THE BOY FRIEND, INTO THE WOODS, THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND, GODSPELL, THE PAJAMA GAME, and THE FANTASTICKS.  Anthony has a choreographic resume as well, and will be setting our popular Bar Shows this summer.  A Mississippi native, Anthony makes his home in New York. “For DP”.

KELLY MAIER - Ado Annie

Kelly is delighted to join the Barn this summer.  She’s currently a musical theatre major at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  A native of Florissant, MO, Kelly has worked the past three summers at Summer Showbiz at Southern Illinois University where she received two Irene Ryan nominations.  Her credits include Laurey in OKLAHOMA!, Sister Amnesia in NUNSENSE II, Sandy in GREASE, Brooke in NOISES OFF, Sprintze in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Mrs. Martin in THE BALD SOPRANO.  Kelly sends thanks and love to her family; they are her “support and inspiration.”  “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you’ve imagined”- Thoreau

ALEXANDRA AUSMAN - Dream Laurey

Alexandra is thrilled for the opportunity to join the Barn for her first season.  A native of Eau Clair, WI, Alexandra is currently a junior at the Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, pursuing her BFA in musical theatre.  Alexandra spent the last two summers at the Timber Ridge Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, IL, where she appeared as Bonnie in ANYTHING GOES, Evelyn Nesbit in RAGTIME, and Victoria in CATS.  She also created the role of Quasimodo’s mother in the U.S. premiere of THE HUNCHBACK, a version written by Chicago luminaries Tom Sivak and David Bell.  Other faves include Liesl in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Wendy in PETER PAN.  Alexandra has had many years of dance training under her belt, and was a featured dancer with the Wisconsin North Youth Ballet.  Her dance resume includes the role of Diana in THE NUTCRACKER for the Minnesota Ballet.  She thanks her family for their support as she chases her dream.

JAMEY GRISHAM - Dream Curly

Jamey hails from Tupelo, MS, and is currently a senior at Roosevelt University in Chicago, majoring in musical theatre at their Chicago College of Performing Arts Theatre Conservatory.  Jamey’s excited for a second Barn summer.  Last season audiences may remember his turns as Brad in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Ethan in THE FULL MONTY.  He also appeared in HAIR, LI’L ABNER, and THE GRADUATE.  At Roosevelt his credits include Bill in KISS ME KATE and Valentine in the musical TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.  He shared the stage with cabaret star Andrea Marcovicci in the ASCAP presentation SONGS OF OUR TIME in Chicago and was a featured singer at Jim Caruso’s CAST PARTY in New York.  Jamey sends love and special thanks to his family for their unconditional support. “Psalms 108:1”

MYCHELLE HOPKINS - Aunt Eller

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.

ROY BROWN - Ali Hakim

Roy is very pleased to be returning to the Barn for his first season as an Equity resident.  He’s gained quite a following locally for a series of wonderful performances during his apprenticeship: Renfield in DRACULA, Stewpot in SOUTH PACIFIC, Reuben in our ’99 JOSEPH…, Lefou in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Mrs. Taylor in BAT BOY, Smudge in FOREVER PLAID, and most famously, Da Jimmer in our hit productions of ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT in ’03 and ’04.  Roy’s professional experience includes a role in the Theatreworks USA 2004-05 National Tour of FREEDOM TRAIN and an independent film (working title: SUMMER DAZE) currently in post-production.   A native of Hastings and a veteran of major roles for all the prominent local civic theatres, Roy calls New York City home.  In addition to his acting load Roy is responsible for maintaining the beautiful grounds here at the Barn. 

HOWARD McBRIDE - Cord Elam

In his 25 Augusta summers, Howard has given audiences a series of wonderful performances of the type known in the old days as “first business”.  A few of his favorite roles are Jacob in JOSEPH…, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Dr. Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Herr Schultz in CABARET, and the Old Actor in THE FANTASTICKS.  He has stage managed tours of A CHORUS LINE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and JANE POWELL: INSIDE OUT as well as three years with the Staten Island Civic in New York.  With us, Howard also lends his unique charms to his offstage role of General Manager.