"It's a Wonderful Life" - Grey Lite Players

"It's a Wonderful Life"
A new musical based on the Frank Capra film
Original story by Philip Van Doren Stern
Book, Music and Lyrics by Thomas M. Starkey
Directed by Susan J. Nelson

Cast Biographies

Mimi Atkinson (Mother Bailey) Her checkered past includes roles in several Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Most recently, she appeared as Alma Hix in Grey Lite's production of The Music Man.

Jennifer Poiry Beatty (Mary Bailey) Jennifer is returning to Grey Lite after performances as Rose in God's Favorite and Rose in The Secret Garden. She has performed in Fiddler on the Roof and West Side Story at Leo H.S. She has also performed in Carousel and Man of La Mancha at Center Stage. Jennifer works as a sixth grade teaching assistant at St. Vincent de Paul School. She would like to thank her husband John, Mom, Dad, and the Toads. Thanks also to Todd Dillon and Sue Nelson for their patience and dance lessons.

Mason Dillon (Zuzu) Mason is appearing in his second Grey Lite Theatre production. He was also a member of the cast of The Secret Garden. He previously had roles in Annie and Carousel with Center Stage. Mason hopes to play basketball and get more involved with gymnastics in the future. Mason would like to thank his Mom and Dad (Lyn and Todd Dillon) for all of their support.

Todd Dillon (George Bailey) Todd is the General Manager and Art Consultant for Garland's Art Galleries and is returning to Grey Lite after appearing as Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. He was also seen at Center Stage as Daddy Warbucks in Annie and has enjoyed playing Lt. Cable in South Pacific and Paul in Carnival at Civic. His biggest theatrical challenge was the role of the King in The King and I. His favorite "role" is playing husband to wife, Lyn, and dad to their four children. Todd wishes to give thanks to God for the gift of music and to his family who encourages him to experience the theater...his second love.

Sam Frushour (Clarence Oddbody) Sam was most recently seen at Grey Lite in the role of Ben Weatherstaff in The Secret Garden. He was also Buddy and Irving in City of Angels. He is a Fort Wayne native with a number of performances in his youth, at both Snider High School and Indiana University. Sam has recently portrayed Jesus in Harding's Godspell and Bernardo in West Side Story for Center Stage.

Bruce Hancock (Harry Bailey) Bruce's last appearance with Grey Lite was as Major Holmes in The Secret Garden and in The Music Man. He also appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream for GLP. Other productions include The Grapes of Wrath and The Skin of Our Teeth at Civic, The Same Time Next Year at Kendalville and First Presbyterian's Brighton Beach Memoirs. When not on stage, Bruce is a resource teacher in the Summit Program in FWCS.

Luke Hancock (Joseph) Luke attends South Side High School where he has performed in Kiss Me, Kate, Don't Drink The Water and The Music Man (a Grey Lite/South Side production). At the Civic, Luke has appeared in The Grapes of Wrath as Al Joad, and The Skin of Our Teeth as Henry. He also appeared in Grey Lite's Midsummer Night's Dream, The Secret Garden and First Presbyterian's Brighton Beach Memoirs. Luke's main focus these days is getting his driver's license.

Billy Haskins (Henry Potter) This is Billy's first role in the local theatre. He only wishes he could have been a nicer guy on his first time on stage. He wants everybody to know he is nothing like the character he portrays. Billy has been the Worship and Youth Minister at Colony Heights Church of Christ for the past four years. His home town is Newport News, Virginia. Billy will also be appearing as one of the brothers in Civic Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in early 1996.

Doris L. Hawley (Gower) Doris makes her debut with the Grey Lite Players with this production. However, she is no stranger to the theatre. She's been acting on stage since the second grade when she was a chorus member in Fiddler on The Roof. High school productions included Sugar and George M. In college, Doris appeared in several one-acts and portrayed her favorite character of all time, Helen Keller, in The Miracle Worker. She has also done choreography for Milligan College Theatre productions and the Paul Harding High School guard. Off stage, Doris is a veterinary assistant at Stellhorn Veterinary Hospital.

Kelly Kellen (Ernie) Kelly has appeared in a number of recent Grey Lite productions, including The Secret Garden, Saddle Shoes and SW/OS Club, and Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain. Kelly is a singer and hopes to finish her degree in Music Education by 1997. Her goal is to become an excellent singer and music educator with a specialty in young (K-8) voices. One day, she hopes to direct a community children's choir. Kelly wants to thank her husband Jeff for encouraging her to pursue her goals and dreams.

Ron McCavitt (Potter's Man) Although new to Grey Lite's stage, Ron has performed in Sweeney Todd at the Civic Theatre as well as productions with Arena Dinner Theatre and Center Stage Theater. He wishes to thank the queen "B" for allowing him to be in this production.

Christy Reising (Violet Bick) Christy has done a lot here at Grey Lite. Her last role was the Southern Belle maid Mady in God's Favorite and her next will be in the upcoming production of Closer Than Ever in January. She has also been in productions at the Civic and First Presbyterian theatres. She'd like to thank her lovely family and wonderful friends for their love and support. "Remember, don't wish on a star...reach for one!"

Cindy Schlichter (Bert) This is Cindy's fifth production at Grey Lite Theatre, where she has been seen in Into the Woods, The Music Man, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and The Secret Garden. Cindy loves sharing the joy and excitement of theatre with her daughters, Kristin and Annie, and hopes to be involved in many more Grey Lite Productions. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support.

Tim Shriner (Uncle Billy) This is Tim's first role at Grey Lite. Most of his previous acting experience has been at Centre Stage Theatre where he has been in The Fantasticks, Annie, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof. Oliver and numerous children's musicals and skits round out his list of theatrical experiences. He is a sixth grade teacher and cross country coach at Northwood Middle School. He and his wife of twenty-three years, Bev, have three sons.

"It's a Wonderful Life" Photo Gallery (Photos shown actual size)