Chaska Valley Family Theatre
Presents...
Cabaret Fundraiser: Heroes and Villians
Join us October 12th (Friday) and 14th (Sunday) for an evening of music and fundraising to help us kick off our new season. Come and be ready to laugh, cry and munch on some yummy treats. We will be highlighting many of our wonderful performers both almost new and CVFT veterans. The young and the young at heart. Help us continue bringing you great quality family theater to the Chaska Area!
October 12 and 14th!
Announcing The Cast:
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Kyle Szarzynski
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Oklahoma (Will Parker), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Flotsam), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Snoopy), A year with Frog and Toad (Frog), The Music Man (Tommy), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Phil) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Brother).
Biography: Kyle's performed throughout the twin cities with Lyric Arts, Minnetonka Theatre, Artistry, The Chameleon Theatre Circle, Ashland Productions, Eden Prairie Players and Morris Park Players. During the day Kyle works as a Service Coordinator for Opportunity Partners which is a non-profit enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Brie Keener
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: The Little Mermaid (Attina), Shrek (Sugar Plum Fairy), Into the Woods (Lucinda), Babes in Toyland (Lady Chrysanthemum)
Biography: Brie is very active in theatre in the Twin Cities community. Currently she is playing Thea in Spring Awakening at Century Theatre in White Bear Lake. Other recent favorite roles include: Frenchie in Cabaret (Lakeshore Players), Esmeralda in Hunchback of Notre Dame (Bunce Backyard Players), Brenda Strong in Catch Me If You Can (Chameleon Theatre Group) and Heather MacNamara (TCCT) among others. Brie is also the writing voice behind many of the Chaska Valley Family Theatre Facebook posts.
Bill Coldwell
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), Gordon (Laughingstock), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston) and more.
Biography: Bill has previously served on the CVFT board, and has performed in or directed numerous CVFT productions over the past 20+ years. Favorite roles include Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof, 2006) and Gordon (Laughingstock, 2014). Directing credits include A Christmas Carol - The Broadway Musical (2008 & 2014), Joseph (2010), White Christmas (2011), and most recently writing and directing The Wonders (based on the film "That Thing You Do") with partners Randy Herget and Scott Rogness. Fun Fact: Bill played Mr. Applegate in a high school production of "Damn Yankees" ...and still remembers the lyrics to "Good Old Days."
Gillian Barrow
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: It's a Wonderful Life (Producer), Oklahoma (Producer), The Little Mermaid (Grimsby), Joseph, 2016 (Narrator), Music Man (Mrs. Paroo), White Christmas (Ensemble), Into the Woods (Stepmother), Cinderella (Godmother), Joseph,2010 (Ensemble), The Little Women (Clarissa)
Biography: Gillian is thrilled to be onstage for CVFT's first Cabaret Fundraiser. She is currently more active behind the scenes, co-producing the upcoming CVFT holiday show, Scrooge the musical, as well as the spring production of Godspell. Gillian is an active board member for CVFT, works full time for ADP, and her main role these days is mom to almost 5 year old Adelaine, and 9 month old Noelle, whom she hopes will both join her someday on the CVFT stage!
Jessica Halverson
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Disney's The Little Mermaid (Aquata)
Biography: Jessica has been involved with numerous theatres around the Twin Cities area, including Lakeshore Players, Lyric Arts, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, and Ashland Productions, among others. She was recently seen onstage at the new Hanifl Performing Arts Center as Rosie in Cabaret. Some of her favorite recent roles include: Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein and Little Red in Into the Woods (Lakeshore Players), Lucy Van Pelt in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (OBMT), and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar (Ashland Productions). When not onstage, Jessica teaches Preschool and music classes to young children at Primrose School of West Plymouth.
Tim Johnson
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Joseph (Simeon), Footloose (Cowboy Bob)
Biography: Tim has been seen the last couple years at Lyric Arts as Kiril Ivankin (Superior Donuts), Morris Park Players as Sir Studley (Once Upon a Mattress), and Woodbury Community Theater as French Taunter (Spamalot!) and is excited to return to the stage with CVFT! Since playing Simeon in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Cowboy Bob in Footloose Tim has grown to love working with this community and has made life long friends including his beautiful fiance he met during the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!
Rory Bellmont
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Dragonfly/Summer 2018 – Alice @ Wonderland (Alice), The Little Mermaid (Ensemble)
Biography: Rory has loved acting and singing since she was four years old. She’s tickled to be able to help support one of her favorite local community theaters. Other recent performances include Child’s Play Theatre’s Lion King Jr. (Mufasa) and Big Bad (Fairy Godmother); Prior Lake Players’ recent productions of Annie (Duffy) and Noodle Rat Rotten Hat(Crafty Bear); as well as numerous camps and performance classes at Stages Theatre, Children’s Theatre, Great Theatre, Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre, Lyric Arts and The Music Lab. Rory’s in sixth grade at Twin Oaks Middle School in Prior Lake, and her other hobbies include choir, drawing, fencing and Taekwondo.
Alex Weiner
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Schoolhouse Rock Live! (Bill), It’s a Wonderful Life (Young Marty), Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Biography: In addition to CVFT, Alex has appeared in Stages Theatre Company summer productions of Madagascar - A Musical Adventure and Shrek The Musical. He was most recently seen as Jack in The Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs Before Dark with District 112 Middle School Theatre, and will soon be coming to your television in a commercial to be aired later this year. Alex enjoys traveling, animals, reading, and drawing.
Nikki Rau
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: A Christmas Story (Mother), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past), All Hands on Deck (Daisy Maxwell), It’s a Wonderful Life (Mary Bailey), The Music Man (Ensemble), White Christmas (Ensemble)
Biography: Nikki is thrilled to be involved in Chaska Valley Family Theater’s first Cabaret production! She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a degree in Communications and Vocal Performance. She has been involved with several theater companies and sporting events around the Twin Cities. Nikki is a stay at home mom to her two wonderful daughters, Makayla and Maia. Thank you to her loving and supportive family and friends!
Conor Johnson
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Footloose (Junkyard Boy), Schoolhouse Rock Live! (Little Lolly), It’s a Wonderful Life (Pete Bailey), Oklahoma (Ensemble), Little Mermaid (Ensemble)
Biography: Conor is so happy to have found CVFT. He loves the opportunities he’s had to be on stage, and all the great friendships he’s made through CVFT shows. He especially loved all the dancing in Footloose! Conor is a 7th grader at Chaska Middle School West, where he enjoys playing saxophone in the band, singing in the men’s choir, and working with his amazing band teacher Mr. Songer on a small rock 'n' roll group!
Andrew Craig
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Director & Teaching Artist for Dragonfly Theatre Arts Camp's production of Alice@Wonderland. Music Director for Oklahoma, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell (upcoming)
Biography: By day mild-mannered Andrew serves as the Director of Performing Arts at Chapel Hill Academy in Chanhassen. By night, his inconspicuous visage takes on the heroic form of a passionate music director, pianist, and conductor in musical theatre. In addition to working with CVFT, professional credits include Hello Dolly! (Music director - Summer Lyric Theatre, New Orleans), Sweeney Todd (Adolfo Pirelli - Tulane University, New Orleans), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph - New Stage Theatre, Jackson), It's A Wonderful Life (George Bailey, NST)
Lauren Manna
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Woodstock Flock), “Oklahoma!” (Featured Dancer), and “Footloose” (Rusty)
Biography: Lauren Manna is a sophomore at Chanhassen High School, and is currently playing Young Sandra in Chanhassen’s production of “Big Fish”. She has participated in a few CVFT shows, and all of her high school shows so far! She performed “Pulled” for her National Individual Event for last year’s Minnesota Thespian Festival, and she can’t wait to sing it again!
Emily Gale
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Child of want), A Christmas Story (Ensemble), Joseph in the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat (Ensemble), The Little mermaid (Ensemble), It's a wonderful Life (Ensemble), Dragonfly Alice at wonderland (Alice).
Biography: Emily is thrilled to be part of CVFT's first Cabaret. From the age of three Emily has enjoy singing for audiences of all sizes. Currently Emily participate in choir at Chaska Middle school east where she is in the eighth grade. When not on the stage Emily can be found in the karate studio, volunteering or reading a good book.
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Michael Jarrard
Chaska Valley Family Theatre:
Biography: In addition to CVFT, Michael is proud to sing with Mastersingers, USA a premier Men’s Chorus. Michael is thrilled to be performing in CVFT's first ever Cabaret show! He has loved getting to perform with his kids, Kali and Tyler over the past several years.
Guthrie Horgan
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: I think the list of shows that Guthrie hasn't performed in would be smaller...
Biography: "Guthrie has performed in 37 CVFT productions, and will be directing their upcoming holiday show Scrooge! The Musical. He's delighted for this wonderful opportunity, and encourages you, right now, to donate to this wonderful organization that makes families grow in extraordinary ways."
Mark Taintor
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: A lot!
Biography: Mark Taintor is glad to have the chance to share the stage with all these talented CVFT performers again. He has performed with the Minnesota Opera, Bloomington Civic Theatre and in numerous CVFT productions over the past 17 years. His favorite roles have been that of doting husband to Julie, proud father of Ryan, David, and Katie, and the proud grandfather to Charlie.
Micah Mills
Chaska Valley Family Theatre: The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), It's a Wonderful Life (George Bailey), Shrek (Pig), Footloose (Chuck), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Caleb).
Biography: Micah Mills has done many shows with CVFT over the last few years. Over 9 shows and 3 seasons, Micah has played numerous roles in his career. His favorites include The Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz, Scuttle from The Little Mermaid and George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. Several other roles include a Pig in Shrek, Chuck in Footloose and Caleb in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Micah got his start at Grace Church doing passion plays since he was a baby. He wants to thank his wonderful parents who have supported him all through high school and beyond, coming to every show and being supportive. Enjoy the show and come again soon!