Arsenic and Old Lace 2014

MEET THE CAST OF *Arsenic & Old Lace*
	Laura Soldan Abby Brewster Laura Soldan is very grateful for the opportunity to appear on the Hale stage for the 13th time. Laura studied theatre at SIUE and later enjoyed a 7-year run singing with a vocal trio, INACHORD, in various Midwest venues. Some favorite roles include Mimi in A New Brain, Mrs. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle in The Happiest Millionaire, and Edith Lambert in Never Too Late. Thanks Dave, Corrin and Kent for this amazing role!
	BARBARA McGRATH Martha Brewster Barbara McGrath has been performing since childhood. Recent Hale productions were Harvey and Over the River & Through the Woods, for which she received her 5th ariZoni award. This is her 13th show at HCT but she has worked at many valley theaters. With BA and MA degrees in theatre and 17 years as the Mesa Schools Drama specialist, she is grateful to still be doing what she loves. Thanks Kent, Dave, Corrin and the wonderful Hale audiences.
	BROOKE ANDREWS Martha Brewster Brooke Andrews is making her sixth appearance at Hale: Emma (Over the River & Through the Woods - ariZoni nominee), Miriam (Beau Jest), Aunt Ev (The Miracle Worker), Mary Drexel (The Happiest Millionaire), and Ma/Mother Bailey (It’s A Wonderful Life). For more than 50 years Brooke has worked in radio, television, commercials and film but her heart is in live theater. Thanks to Dave and Corrin for giving me a wonderful place to “play.” Special love to Don.
	Drew Leatham Mortimer Brewster Drew Leatham is thrilled to be back at Hale Center Theatre. A proud alumni of the national champion producing Speech, Theatre, and Debate program at Dobson High School, Drew returned home recently after studying improv and acting techniques in Hollywood. Credits include: 9 to 5, My Cousin Vinny, See How They Run, and The Princess Bride. He would like to express special thanks to his wonderful family and the talented people that surround him every day.
	Emily Batterson Elaine Harper Emily Batterson just graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Musical Theatre. After a five year absence she is back at the Hale Theatre where she was last see in Beauty and the Beast. During those years she worked on a number of college productions including Parade, Legally Blonde and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. She thanks the cast and crew as well as her wonderful friends, family, and Chris. Enjoy!
	James Melita Teddy Brewster James Melita is thrilled to be playing Teddy again and to be at HCT where he was Robespierre and the Prince of England in The Scarlett Pimpernel. Other credits: Lend Me a Tenor (Saunders), 1776 (Rutledge), The Mikado (KoKo), Patience (Bunthorne), and a voice actor in two video games as well as the animated film Dinonauts (2015). Winner of 2013 AZ NATS 7M Division for opera singing. Many thanks and love to my soul mate and wife, Deborah!
	James Olsen Jonathan Brewster James Olsen is thrilled to be returning to Hale Theatre and reprising his favorite theatrical role. His previous Hale experience was in Harvey as Dr. Sanderson. When not onstage he enjoys writing, exercising, watching movies and spending time with his family. James thanks his wonderful wife, Jennifer, and his awesome step-daughter Shelby for their endless love and support of his artistic, yet not always sane, endeavors. “I love you two!”
	JEff Brown Dr. Einstein Jeff Brown is proud to be making his Hale Theatre debut as Dr. Einstein. This will be the third time he has had the privilege of portraying the [not so] “good doctor.” In addition to Dr. Einstein, you may recognize Jeff from other roles. He has played Mr. Kirby in You Can’t Take it With You, The Gangster in Kiss Me Kate, Mayor Shinn in The Music Man and various other character roles.
	Ned Peterson Dr. Harper / Mr. Gibbs / Mr. Witherspoon Ned Peterson returns to Hale where he appeared in The Miracle Worker. He has sung on Broadway in My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison, played Erica’s chauffeur on All My Children, and was the leading role in Goodspeed Musical’s Babes in Arms. Ned toured as the featured singer on international cruises and been in numerous other musicals and plays. In January he will star as the lead in a new musical entitled Space Number Nine.
	Ammon Opie Officer O'Hara Ammon Opie is an Arizonan native pursuing a vocal performance degree at MCC. He recently played Elder Greene in the 40th Anniversary of Saturday's Warrior alongside his newborn daughter, Elmina. He was last seen at HCT in Beauty and the Beast. Other roles include Pirates of Penzance (The Modern-Major General) and Into the Woods (Mysterious Man) at MCC. He thanks his wife, Ruth, for her love and support and his parents for instilling in him a love of theatre.
	Tom Endicott Officer Brophey Tom Endicott is ecstatic about joining this superb cast! Previous Hale appearances include The Man with the Pointed Toes, Harvey, It’s a Wonderful Life and Never Too Late. Other valley productions include The Odd Couple, Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz (Don Bluth’s) and A Streetcar Named Desire (Desert Stages). Thanks to Dave, Corrin and Kent. Thanks also, to my love, Shelia, for 39 fabulous years!
	Frank Aaron Officer Klein Frank Aaron is a familiar face around the valley having appeared in over 65 theatrical productions and more than half a dozen TV shows and movies. Favorite roles include: Kralahome (The King and I), Murray (The Odd Couple), Dr. Bradman (Blithe Spirit), The President (Annie). He’s excited to be working with this cast. Thanks to the Dietleins and Kent for this opportunity. Offstage, Frank is the proud father of four children and two grandchildren.
	Darryl W. Poenisch Lieutenant Rooney Darryl Poenisch is making his Hale debut and couldn’t be happier about it. After a lengthy hiatus from the stage Darryl joined the cast of Oklahoma! and Big River with Mesa Encore Theatre. He followed those with a fun turn as Benny Van Buren in Barefoot Productions’ staging of Damn Yankees. Darryl thanks his wife, Tina, for her love and support and a certain band of turtles for their inspiration and encouragement.
	Kent Burnham Director Kent Burnham comes to the Phoenix area from NYC to make his HCT directing debut. Directing and Assisting Directing credits include Primary Stages Developmental Wing, Planet Connections (Best Director), Boomerang Theatre, Adirondack Theatre and Chester Theatre Company. Regional Theatre acting credits include ASF, Ford's Theatre, Arvada Center and Western Stage. TV: Law and Order: SVU, As the World Turns, One Life to Live, All My Children, Melrose Place, General Hospital. Film: Discord, Long Lost Love. He has an MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre in DC and is the Drama Teacher at Chandler Prep.

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