Who’s
Who in the Company
September 19 – October 18, 2009
Scott Spence (Artistic Director) Scott is excited to enter into his 20th season at the Beck Center. He hopes that as always you are enjoying the great diversity Beck Center offers. In his tenure as Artistic Director and Associate AD, Scott has produced well over 200 productions, directing over 50 himself. The list of favorites grows every season, and includes Altar Boyz, Parade, A Man of No Importance, Sweeney Todd, Hair, The Secret Garden, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Greater Tuna, Reefer Madness, The Fix, Zombie Prom, Tommy, Urinetown The Musical, and so many more, including last season’s The Farnsworth Invention and Evil Dead the Musical. He is very proud of the awards and acclamations Beck has received over the past several years, and is especially grateful for having won the Northern Ohio Live Award for Achievement in Theatre in 2006. Outside of Beck's walls, Scott's directorial assignments have included Das Barbecü at Opera Cleveland and Noises Off at both Weathervane in Akron and Berea Summer Theatre. Occasionally on the other side of the footlights, Scott has appeared in Dick Deadeye (Berea Summer Theatre), Man of La Mancha (Jewish Community Center), The Secret Rapture (Dobama) and closer to home at Beck in Big River, The Boys Next Door and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. He also recently had the privilege of joining the cast of Passion, directed by Victoria Bussert, in his first onstage stint in the Studio Theater. Scott holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Western Illinois University and is a trained stage fight choreographer, having studied extensively with the SAFD. As always, he dedicates his work to the two leading ladies in his life – Rachel and Carleigh.
Paul Gurgol (Director) Mr. Gurgol's theatrical and event development career began at 25 directing I Am A Camera at the Actors' Outlet in New York. Don Marshall, director of marketing for New York New England Telephone (NYNEX), saw the show and brought him on board to manage corporate entertainment for NYNEX. For two years he wrote, designed, directed and produced events in Boston and New York ranging from large, festive galas for up to 800 people at the St. Regis Hotel, to intimate, lavish top management functions like the President's Club at the Helmsley Palace. As Live Entertainment Director, Mr. Gurgol created live events promoting American Movie Classics to thousands at major convention centers across the country. At the same time, he worked with the Gardner Stage in LA, teaching master classes while producing and directing Rupert's Birthday. The show sold out for months and was honored with two esteemed LA Drama-Logue awards: best directing and best acting. Returning to his native Cleveland, Mr. Gurgol brought an innovative new production of the musical Rags to the JCC Halle Theater. His close collaboration with Pulitzer and Tony award-winning writer Joseph Stein resulted in a gala opening that drew Joseph Stein and the original Broadway producers. The show invigorated the Halle Theater, broke ticket sale records for both theaters where it appeared, and went on to be recognized by the Plain Dealer in 2000 as one of the top ten shows in Cleveland's history. Other notable directing credits include: A Little Night Music for Opera Cleveland, The Long Goodbye, Over Here, Evita, Hannah...1939, And the World Goes 'Round, Grand Hotel and his Philadelphia production of Nite Club Confidential, which garnered five Barrymore award nominations, including best director. Gurgol's theatrical career has offered him the opportunity to work with stars of stage and screen, including Margaret Hamilton, Cathy Rigby, Margaret Whiting, Connie Stevens, Patricia Morrison, and Tommy Tune. Founder and Artistic Director of Kalliope for five years, Mr. Gurgol chose a diverse selection of shows to direct, including A Grand Night for Singing, Carousel, Pete 'n' Keely, Summer of '42, The Christmas Carol Rag, A Little Night Music, Baby, Cabaret, Opal, the world premiere of Coming to America, 110 in the Shade, A to Z, Andrew Lippa's Wild Party, Nite Club Confidential, The Tiniest Gift, The Music of Jacques Brel, Dear World, Reflections and Fanny Hill. Mr. Gurgol will be the new Artistic Director of the Solon Center For The Arts Signature Series. Upcoming shows Christmas Carol Rag, La Boheme and My Fair Lady.
Larry Goodpaster (Musical Director/Conductor) Fiddler on the Roof marks Larry’s 76th show in Northeast Ohio and his 49th at the Beck Center. An award-winning pianist while in high school, Larry followed quite a different path and obtained degrees in biology, chemistry, veterinary medicine, and business over the next 20 years. Upon receiving his MBA in 1997, Larry decided to pursue musical theater in his recreational time. What started as an avocation quickly became an obsession. Thanks to the thoughtful tutelage and support provided by Beck Artistic Director, Scott Spence, he is now able to fill his evenings 12 months a year musically directing shows at multiple venues in the Cleveland area. Since January 2008, Larry has spent his days at the Beck Center as a volunteer business consultant. This fall, he was hired as the Director of Business Operations at the Beck. As he begins his 12th year, he fondly remembers some of his favorite productions – Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Rocky Horror Show, Parade, Eating Raoul, Zombie Prom, Urinetown The Musical, and A Man of No Importance. Larry wishes to thank Paul Gurgol for the opportunity to collaborate on Fiddler on the Roof. And as always, he congratulates our faithful patrons and loyal donors for keeping theater alive and vibrant in Cleveland – especially during these tough times. These charitable contributions not only support our professional theater, but also allow us to instill confidence and self-esteem in the children, youth and adults in our arts education classes. Thank you!
Lisa K. Lock (Choreographer) Lisa holds a Ballet Diploma from the Grande Ecole de Danse in Bern, Switzerland and BFA and MFA degrees from the California Institute of the Arts. In 2006, Lisa relocated to Cleveland from Los Angeles, where she continues to choreograph and perform locally, nationally and internationally. She was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for 2009. Lisa also was voted best female dancer of the year 2004 by the Beverly Hills Outlook, and in 2002 she received a Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography in Los Angeles. Her solo work has been showcased in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Honolulu, and San Francisco. She has performed in Switzerland and Lithuania, as well as in major European cities like Vienna, Paris, Madrid, and Edinburgh, Latin America. Showcases include Guatemala City and Antigua in Guatemala. Since her move to Cleveland, Lisa has presented two evening-long works at the Cleveland Public Theatre and has been a featured artist in Cleveland’s Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology. She also had a great opportunity to work with Opera Cleveland on several productions, both as a choreographer and performer. She has created original works for Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater, Dancing Wheels and Verb Ballets.
Tod Huffman (Stage Manager) Tod is excited to be working on this wonderful show. He is honored to be working with such a talented cast and crew. Tod has been stage-managing for many years. He has worked around the Cleveland area at such places as Beck Center, Rocky River Community Theatre, Jewish Community Center, Cleveland Public Theatre, Tri-C Metro, Cassidy Theatre, Clague, and Dobama. When not stage managing or working as a computer programmer for Macy’s Inc., Tod travels all over China. His favorite shows have included Little Shop of Horrors, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Hair, The Fix, Perfect Ganesha, Tommy, Chicago, Fives Guys Named Moe, Smokey Joe’s Café, A Raisin in the Sun, La Cage aux Folles, Urinetown the Musical, Beehive, Joe Turner, and Aida. Please support your arts organizations. Ni hao to Jim, Christopher, Sarah, and Solomon. Wo ai nimen.
Libby Burchmore (Assistant Stage Manager) Libby is excited to have finally merited a bio! She has been working behind the scenes at the Beck Center for ten years. Some of her favorite shows in which she has not been seen include Moon Over Buffalo, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Fix, and By Jeeves. Libby would like to thank Scott, Tod and Paul for giving her this opportunity and her friends and family for tolerating her crazy schedule.
*George Roth (Tevye) George is thrilled to be back at the Beck Center and is grateful to Paul and Scott for the opportunity to play the part of Tevye, a role he played as a high school senior 33 years ago. Recent local work includes Grey Gardens (Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale} at the Beck, Nixon’s Nixon (Henry Kissinger) at Actor’s Summit, The Fantasticks (Henry) at Ensemble Theatre, The Chosen (David Malter) at The Cleveland Play House, and Oliver! (Fagin) at Cain Park. George trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. His work in England included a West End appearance in Brighton Beach Memoirs for the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain. Film and television credits include: Batman, The Russia House, Nightbreed, Doing Time on Maple Drive, Murphy Brown, and Get a Life. George is a two-time JeopardyÒ champ and a twenty-year cancer survivor. Thank you, Elizabeth and Olivia. Your love sustains me and has taught me how to better understand Tevye, a man to whom family means everything.
*Adina R. Bloom (Golde) A member of A.E.A. and A.F.T.R.A., Adina has performed nationally in summer stock, dinner and regional theaters. Locally, she has appeared at Great Lakes Theater Festival, Kalliope Stage, Cain Park, Halle Theater, Ensemble Theater, Cleveland Opera, Ceaser’s Forum and she is very excited to be back at the Beck after a 25-year absence. Never know for being idle, Adina is also a voiceover talent, speaker, curriculum consultant, prevention specialist, author of the book “Teaching Emotional Intelligence: Strategies and Activities for Helping Students Make Effective Choices”, wife and mother of 12-year-old twins. She has also been an acting and voice teacher for 20 years, having worked in a variety of schools and institutions as well in her home studio.
Rhoda Rosen (Yente) Rhoda’s last appearance as Yente was in 1995 at Baldwin Wallace's Berea Summer Theatre and she is pleased to be able to recreate this wonderful character with such a talented and dedicated cast. Rhoda has appeared in over seventy productions in the Cleveland area including The Cleveland Play House Fusion Fest, Great Lakes Theatre Festival Outreach and theaters in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Columbus, Georgia. Favorite productions (aside from 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild) have included Uncle Tom's Cabin (Performer C)with George Roth at Cleveland Public Theatre, Three Tall Women (A)at Beck Center and VE Day (Evelyn) at Dobama. Rhoda received two Times' Tribute Actor Awards, is host of the four-time Telly Award-winning cable television program “A Community of Learning” and is an active member of Beth Israel-The West Temple and its religious school staff. To my dear husband, Richard; sincere appreciation for your loving support in all these endeavors.
Morgan Greene (Tzeitel) Morgan is so excited to be a part of her first Beck Center show in this wonderful production! She was recently a part of a workshop production of Gordon Leary's Cheer Wars (Jolene/Cheer God) with Stagecrafters Summer Stock, as well as The Who's Tommy (Mrs. Walker). She will be assistant directing Seussical at Heights Youth Theatre in the upcoming months. Love and thanks to family, friends and all involved in Fiddler!
Patricia O’Toole (Hodel) Patricia is thrilled to join this cast of Fiddler after being seen at the Beck Center in My Favorite Year (Tess) and The Children’s Hour (Peggy Rogers). She is a junior at Saint Joseph Academy, and has been seen on professional, community and high school stages for almost a decade! Patricia studied drama at The University of Michigan’s summer program and was a semi-finalist in last year’s Cleveland Shakespeare Competition. She is very active at St. Ignatius High School where she has been seen most recently in Pippin (The Leading Player) and Night of the Living Dead (Barbara). She appeared in a local film last year and looks forward to doing more film work in her future. Patricia has performed in theaters throughout the Cleveland area including Great Lakes Theater Festival, Ensemble Theater, Cassidy Theatre, and CCC West. Many thanks to Paul and Scott, Lynnette, and her beautiful family.
Dani Apple (Chava) Fourteen-year-old Dani is thrilled to once again work with Paul Gurgol and to be a part of this wonderful cast and crew. Some of her favorite roles include Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Spin (Arachne), Annie (Annie), Opal (Opal), Oliver! (Oliver), Adelphia’s television production Friends Forever (Josephine), The Sound of Music (Gretyl and Maria), Gypsy (Baby June), Hair (Crissy), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), and Pinocchio (Jiminy Cricket). Dani has been seen on various stages such as the Kalliope Stage, The Cleveland Play House, Stagedoor Manor, Cain Park, Beachwood Theatre, Playmakers Theatre, and Heights Youth Theatre. She is a three-time Playhouse Square Rising Star Talent Competition winner. Special thanks to Staci Vincent and all who have given her incredible direction throughout the years!
Cameron Danielle Nelson (Bielke) Eight-year-old Cameron is honored to make her debut at the Beck Center in Fiddler on the Roof. Recent credits include Annie Get Your Gun (Little Jake) at Porthouse Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Children’s Choir) at Garfield Heights Little Theatre, A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) at Great Lakes Theatre Festival, The Wizard of Oz (Toto) at Cassidy Theatre, 101 Dalmatians (Thunderbolt and Boxer Dog) at Olmsted Performing Arts, and Circus Circus (Lion Tamer) at Independence Youth Theatre. Cameron has studied ballet and tap at The Studio of Dance in Fairview Park since the age of two and a half. Other interests and hobbies include reading, travel soccer, softball, and basketball. Thanks to Paul Gurgol and the Beck Center for this wonderful opportunity. Break a Leg Cast…….
Courtney Anne Nelson (Sprintze) Eleven-year-old Courtney is a sixth-grade student. She is very excited to make her Beck Center debut in Fiddler on the Roof. Recent credits include Annie Get Your Gun (Nellie) at Porthouse Theatre, Into the Woods (Little Red Riding Hood) at Fairmount Arts Conservatory, Heaven’s My Destination (Little Roberts Girl/Elizabeth/Rhoda May) at The Cleveland Play House, Jane Eyre (Young Jane) at Kent State University, A Christmas Carol (Skate Girl/Tiny Tim – two seasons) at Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Children of Eden (Young Abel) at Weathervane Playhouse, Music Man (Gracie Shinn) at Porthouse Theatre, and Honk! (Beaky) at Mercury Summer Stock. Courtney has also participated in Fusion Fest at The Cleveland Play House for three years. Later this year, she can be seen in A Christmas Story (Helen) at The Cleveland Play House. Other hobbies and interests include piano, dance, Beck Center classes, and math. Thank you so much to Paul Gurgol and the Beck Center for this wonderful opportunity.
Timothy Allen (Motel) Timothy is once again excited to return to the Beck stage after a very, very short hiatus. Tim most recently appeared in this summer’s production of Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour). And through playing both these meek roles, he has tried to remind the Beck audiences that the meek ones definitely shall inherit. His recent credits include Children of Eden (Adam/Noah) at Spotlights Theatre, Sweeney Todd (Ensemble) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack Worthing) at Lakeland Civic Theatre, Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) and Cabaret (Emcee) at Stage Left Theatre of Medina. Tim currently teaches English and Drama at Midpark High School. Special thanks to all the actors and designers of Fiddler for such an aesthetic production and for beautiful Amiee. Tim hopes to obtain his MFA in Acting in the near future.
Kyle Downing (Perchik) Kyle, a junior at Baldwin-Wallace College double majoring in Theatre and Political Science, is thrilled to be back on the Beck Center stage, having performed in Holy Ghosts (Virgil Tides) during the fall of 2007. Kyle's most recent musical credit was in the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Weathervane Playhouse in 2007. He has also performed in many straight plays, including a plethora of Shakespeare. Some credits include Macbeth (Fleance) at Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Macbeth (Macbeth) at Baldwin-Wallace College, Romeo and Juliet (Tybalt) at Weathervane Playhouse, and Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet with the Cleveland and Ohio Shakespeare Festivals, respectively. Off stage, Kyle is a 13-foot pole vaulter and a dedicated playwright, having written two full-length pieces and many shorter works.
Bob Abelman (Mordcha) was last seen at the Beck Center in Peter Pan (Starkey the Pirate), My Favorite Year (Leo Silver) and Beauty and the Beast (Maurice). Other recent local performances include The Odd Couple (Vinnie) at the Fairmount Conservatory, Oliver (Mr. Sowerberry) at Cain Park and the OCTA award-winning Over the Tavern (Chet) at the CVLT. Bob is a proud ex-member of Actors’ Equity and taller than his head shot suggests. Love to Judy, his rehearsal schedule widow, as well as A.J., Rys and Larry—the Patron Saint of Community Theatre. Thanks to Paul—the Muse of Epic Poetry. Go Tribe (Ashkenazi)!
Michael Dempsey (Avram) Michael’s written for television (CBS’s Cybill starring Cybill Shepherd) and is a theater writer, actor and director. His plays have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, and regional theaters like Actors Theatre of Louisville. Original local productions include Hail to the Chef and Mrs. Claus Has A Gun! at Stage Left Players in Lisbon and The Romeo and Juliet War at Oakland Center for the Arts. Local stage appearances include The Seagull (Medvedenko) and 1776 (Wilson) at the Beck Center for the Arts and Fiddler On The Roof (Mordcha) at Cain Park. Michael studied acting at Ohio State University, Actors Theatre of Louisville and the National Theatre of Great Britain Acting Programme (Shakespeare). A member of the Writer’s Guild of America, Michael’s a recipient of an Ohio Arts Council Fellowship for playwriting. Currently, he divides his time between Ohio and New York City.
Kris Hebble (Nachum, the Beggar) Kris is excited to be back at the Beck Center. A few of his favorite roles include The Full Monty (Dave), Beauty and the Beast (the Bookseller), and Little Shop of Horrors (Patrick Martin) at Beck Center, Oliver! (Mr. Bumble) at Cain Park, Once Upon A Mattress (King Sextimus) and Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby) at Elyria Summer Theatre. Currently, Kris is a graduate student at Cleveland State University studying history. As Victor Hugo said “death is nothing; it is horrible not to live.”
Donald N. Krosin (Rabbi) Donald is a veteran performer in the local theater scene having appeared in a variety of roles on many area stages including Beck Center, Dobama, Jewish Community Center, Cassidy, Berea Summer Theatre, and Cain Park. He last performed at the Beck Center in On the Town and is thrilled to return to play one of his favorite roles in one of his favorite shows.
Douglas Puskas(Mendel/Ensemble) Douglas is thrilled to back at the Beck Center with this amazing cast and crew. Recent credit include: Scapino (Scapino) at Workshop Players, Honk (Ugly) at True North, Ragtime (Harry Houdini) with Mighty Goliath Productions, Cinderella (Harold) with Beck Center Youth group, and Becks very own Peter Pan as Nibbs. He has attended The Beck Center for theatre, music and dance classes for 8 years. Currently, Douglas is a junior at Avon Lake High School. Thanks to friends and family for love and support. Natalie and Tia, keep the Tradition going.
*Leslie Feagan (Lazar Wolf, the Butcher) Leslie feels most folks would rather read about the TV stars you've worked with, rather than plays and theaters. He has worked with Richard Kiley, John Cullum, Jamie Farr, Nathan Lane, Faith Prince, Adam Arkin, Carolee Carmello, Jonathan Frakes, Scott Bakula, Ed Ames, John Raitt, Theodore Bikel, Patti LuPone, Leslie Uggams, Richard Dean Anderson, Alyssa Milano, Susan Lucci, David Cassidy, Morgan Brittany, Tom Wopat, and Peter Gallagher. He has been a proud member of Actors' Equity since 1973.
Monica Zach(Grandma Tzeitel) Monica is thrilled to be making her Beck Center debut as Grandma Tzietel! She is currently a senior at Baldwin-Wallace College studying Theater and Entrepreneurship in the Arts Management program. Previous roles include A Chorus Line (Maggie) at Lorain Community Music Theater, The Women (Miss Watts) at Cassidy Theatre and Hello, Dolly! (Ernestina) at LCMT. She is currently working with Combined Efforts Productions as they gear up to film a silent version of The Wizard of Oz. Monica would like to thank Paul, Scott and the cast for this wonderful experience and her family and Alex for their support.
Amiee Collier (Fruma Sarah) Amiee is happy to be in her tenth show at the Beck Center for the Arts. She just completed a 12-week run playing a demon in Evil Dead: The Musical (Cheryl) in the Studio Theater and was last on the Main Stage at the Beck in Urinetown The Musical (Soupy Sue) and Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy). Amiee has also been seen around Cleveland in West Side Story at Cassidy (Anita), Sunday in the Park with George at Lakeland (Dot/Marie), and The Last Five Years at Ashtabula (Cathy), as well as in Boston in Respect: A Musical Journey (Eden). Amiee would like to thank Paul, Larry, Lisa, Tod, and Scott for bringing this beautiful show to this theater. Previously at the Beck: Beauty & the Beast (Mrs. Potts), On the Town (Hildy), Moby Dick: The Musical! (Starbuck), Seussical The Musical (Bird Girl), Reefer Madness (Mae), La Cage aux Folles (Paulette). This Halloween, see Amiee as Queen Elizabeth in the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival production of William Shakespeare's Land of the Dead.
Siobhan Carroll (Daughter) Siobhan, a tenth grader, has taken many classes at the Beck Center. She is thrilled to be in this production of Fiddler on the Roof and to be working with such a wonderful cast. Other productions include Alice in Wonderland and Arcadia at the Beck Center, The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall at Mercury Summer Stock, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Into the Woods and The Laramie Project at Fairmount Performing Arts Center.
Jeffrey Glover (Constable) Previous Beck credits include The History Boys, You Can't Take it With You, Fahrenheit 451 and Seussical the Musical. Love to Nicki, Dylan and Owen.
Andy Weyenberg (Fyedka/Bottle Dancer) Andy is exceptionally eager to be a part of this magnificent musical classic! Andy, a senior at Solon High School, spends the majority of his “spare” time either in the choir room or on stage. His recent musicals include The Music Man (Harold Hill), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston) both at Solon High School and City of Angels (Stine) and All Shook Up (Chad) at Solon Center of the Arts.Special thanks to Paul, Tod, Libby, Larry, Lisa, Scott, Russ, and everyone else involved (cast, crew, and staff) with the show. Thanks also goes out to Kris, as well as all of his family and friends for their ever-present care and infinite support.
Bill Reichert (Russian/Bottle Dancer) Bill is happy to be back at the Beck Center performing in Fiddler on the Roof. He is a student at Baldwin-Wallace College, studying Theatre. Bill’s previous Beck credits include Moby Dick the Musical and Aida.
Evan Wilhelms (Russian) Evan has portrayed a mere handful of mammals onstage including one of the infamous "Jets" in West SideStory (Big Deal) and one of the very first mammals in Children of Eden (Abel). At the Beck Center, he has not appeared as a mammal since Peter Pan (Lion). He has, however, been heard contributing guitar sounds to a few productions including Evil Dead: The Musical and The GreatAmerican Trailer Park Musical. He is quite grateful to both Larry and Paul for allowing him this unique role in Fiddler, both sharing the spotlight with a fantastic cast and also cowering in a corner with his guitar, which suits him just fine, thank you.
Natalie Rosmarin (Russian Girl) Natalie is looking forward to performing in her first Beck Center production! She is a junior at Avon Lake High School and is actively involved in Drama Club, Chorale and Key Club. She also participates in PlayhouseSquare’s Students Take a Role at the Square and Cleveland Playhouse’s Key Bank College program. Recent credits include Oklahoma! at Huntington Playhouse, The Music Man with the Avon Lake Performin’ Shoremen, and Ragtime with Mighty Goliath Productions.
Abby Twining (Russian Girl) Abby is excited to be a part of the Beck Center for the Arts’ production of Fiddler on the Roof as a first-time cast member. She has recently been a part of Medina County Showbiz’s Brigadoon (Ensemble). Other credits include Tosca (Children’s Chorus) with Opera Cleveland, Footloose (Betty Blast/Ensemble) and Honk! (Henrietta/Pinkfoot/Ensemble), both with The MAD* Factory, Inherit the Wind (Sarah Brady), and Langston (Grandma). Abby’s vocal studies have been with Janine Porter, to whom she owes special gratitude. Above all, Abby would like to thank her family for their unending love and support.
Joiel D. Bauschatz (Mama) Joiel is ecstatic about making both her Fiddler and Beck Center debut! Joiel began dancing at the age of three. She has trained at Cleveland Swing and Salsa, the Savelli Dance Studio, and at Kenyon College where she earned her B.A. Joiel studied acting, voice and music along the way, at both Kenyon College and the Andrews Osborn Academy. She has performed in Annie II (Ms. Smith) at Ashtabula’s Straw Hat Theater, in West Side Story (Jet Girl) and Annie Get Your Gun (Ensemble) at Rabbit Run Theatreand in A Christmas Carol (Caroler) at The Fine Arts Association. Thanks to her family for supporting the artistic pursuits that keep her heart happy.
Tia Karaplis (Daughter) Tia is an 11-year-old student at Amherst Junior High. She has been in multiple shows around the Cleveland area. Some of her favorites include......Into the Woods (Rapunzel), Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Honk! (Ida), and 101 Dalmatians (Cruella De Ville). Tia is very excited to be in a show with such an amazing cast!! She would also like to thank Paul and everyone else that helped put this show together. BREAK A LEG!!!
Susan Kobylinski (Mama/Fruma Sarah U/S) Susan is incredibly grateful to Paul, Larry and Lisa for allowing her the joy of participation in this production. At ten years old, her involvement in Fiddler on the Roof was the first musical experience she was ever given. She thanks her parents and Bill Ambert for permitting her to experience the unforgettable magic of musical theater for the first time. Some of Susan's stage credits include Steel Magnolias, Jekyll and Hyde, Beauty and the Beast (‘06 and ‘07 productions), The Female Odd Couple, The Hitchhiker, Sorry, Wrong Number, and Sugar. Before Susan and her husband were blessed with their beautiful daughter, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For the past four seasons, Susan has enjoyed working with the Cleveland Indians mascot, Slider. She sends out all her love to Koby and Bella. She also sends out love and warm hugs to Michele, Mo, Megan, Devon, and Natasha.
Jordan Renee Malin (Mama) Jordan is happy to be back on the Beck Center stage having previously been seen in Jekyll and Hyde and My Favorite Year. Most recently she was seen in Cassidy Theatre's production of The Rocky Horror Show. Formerly from Ashtabula, Jordan has performed in many productions at the Ashtabula Arts Center including Gypsy (Louise), Funny Girl (Fanny Brice), and Oliver! (Nancy). During the day Jordan works at The Cleveland Play House. She sends her love to her parents, DJ, and her puppies, Morticia and Cicero.
Isabela Moner (Daughter) Seven-year-old Isabela was born with a love for singing and entertaining. She is bilingual and able to create lyrics and sing in Spanish. She appeared previously in Beck’s Youth Theater production of The Wizard of Oz. Isabela began Suzuki piano lessons at the age of five and is now also learning to play the violin. She currently studies privately with vocal and performance coach, Amy Hanratty. She has performed solos at various community events. Most recently, Isabela appeared at Olmsted Performing Arts in Seussical the Musical (Jojo). One of her favorite past roles has been Gretl in the Sound of Music. As the 2008 winner of the “Youngstown Superstar” Competition, she had the opportunity to record her own CD which will be released later this year. In February, she performed as a soloist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Severance Hall. She is very thankful for the opportunity to use her talents and has a passion to share them with the world. Isabela is excited to join this talented cast in Beck’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.
Frances Prusha (Mama) Frances had performed in productions of Pippin (Fastrada), The Good Doctor, Music Man (Alma Hix) and You Never Can Tell (Mrs. Clandon) at Tri-C West. She has also been seen in Evita and Carousel at Baldwin-Wallace. At Beck Center she has performed in Chicago (Annie) and Beauty and the Beast. At Strongsville Community Theatre she sang solo and ensemble numbers in the musical revue Jerry’s Girls. For two years she worked as a singing server at Castaldi’s restaurant in Tower City singing musical theater.
Carter Salis (Son) Thirteen-year-old Carter is an eighth-grade student at North Olmsted Middle School. He recently performed in Into the Woods at Fairmont Performing Arts Center and Spin: A Musical Myth at The Cleveland Play House. He has been seen in several Beck Youth Theater productions including The Phantom Tollbooth, Once Upon A Mattress, Snow White’s Adventures, Hillbilly Holiday, Alice in Wonderland, Lost for Words, The Wizard of Oz, and Treasure Island. When he is not acting or singing, he enjoys swimming with Westlake Waves USA Swim Team, Boy Scouts, and playing the French horn and piano. He is very excited to participate in his first professional production at the Beck Center. Carter would like to thank his family for all of their support.
Jen Walker (Daughter) Jen is thrilled to be a part of Fiddler on the Roof! After receiving her BFA in performance from Ohio University, Jen spent 2007-2008 in an acting internship with the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati where she had the chance to understudy several roles. Most recently, Jen was seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena) at Weathervane Playhouse. Favorite past roles include The Comedy of Errors (Luciana) and Lion in the Streets (Laura) both at Ohio University, Othello (Bianca) at Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and James and the Giant Peach (Spider) at Sign Stage on Tour. Jen wants to thank her parents and Jeff for their unwavering support and belief in her.
Aidan Wilson (Son) Aidan is 11 years old and has performed in over 23 plays. His credits include REGIONAL: Porthouse Theatre, Music Man (Winthrop Paroo). PROFESSIONAL: Mercury Summer Stock, HONK! (Billy). COMMUNITY(select): CAMEO Performing Arts Center, Oliver (Oliver Twist), Near West Theatre/Ohio Theatre Look to the Rainbow, Finian’s Rainbow, Once on this Island; TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center, Blooms of Steel (Joey Hubiak); Huntington Playhouse, Christmas at Aunt Ida’s with Dick Feagler (Young Dick Feagler); Tri-C West, Peter Pan (Twin Lost Boy). TELEVISION: TBN T.V. Pilot, The Bighed Show (Dillon); Time-Warner T.V. Specials The Movie Makers and Huck Finn Fantasy (Josh). FILM: Redemption Falls(feature) and Swing Gate (short). MODELING: U.S. Navy Catalogs (national), On the Spot Photography. OTHER CREDITS: Aidan is an honor student and enjoys creating videos and building websites in his free time.
*Actor appears courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the union of actors and stage managers.
Russ Borski (Scenic/Costume Designer) Fiddler on the Roof marks Russ's first design on the Beck's Main Stage, having previously designed Studio Theater productions of Grey Gardens, The Break-Up Notebook and Passion. He is an artistic director at Cain Park, production designing this season's Pippin and last season's Harold & Maude and The Wiz. Russ has worked at most Cleveland theaters and has collaborated with Paul Gurgol on Dear World, Cabaret, Carousel, Summer of 42, Christmas Carol Rag, A Little Night Music, and many others. Regionally his designs have been seen at Great Lakes Theater Festival, North Carolina Shakes, Portland Stage, Skylight Opera, Florida State Opera, Anchorage Opera, Merce Cunningham Studios and DanceSpace in New York, The Odyssey and McCadden Theaters in LA and many points in between. Originally from Chicago, where he has received seven Joseph Jefferson Awards for excellence in design, Mr. Borski currently resides in Cleveland Heights and is an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University.
Trad A Burns(Lighting Designer) Trad’s career has spanned theater, dance, amusement parks, as well as architectural and retail lighting. Designing over three hundred productions during the last decade, his varied work has been seen around the world. His extensive credits include designs for Cincinnati Ballet, New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet British Columbia, Washington Ballet, Alvin Ailey, New York Theatre Workshop (NYC), La Mama ETC (NYC), HERE (NYC), Classic Stage Company (NYC), The Public Theatre (NYC), The Cleveland Play House, PlayhouseSquare, Cleveland Public Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Beck Center for the Arts, Dobama, Jewish Community Center, Cedar Point, ValleyFair, Knott’s Berry Farm, Kings Island, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Japan, Disney Sea, Disney Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Universal Studios Florida & Japan, Woodstock Ice Productions, and The Family of Charles M. Schulz.
Richard B. Ingraham(Sound Designer) Richard is happy to return for his seventh season of work with Beck Center. Previous sound designs at Beck Center include: Evil Dead: The Musical, The Farnsworth Invention, The History Boys, Equus, Beauty and the Beast, Diary of Anne Frank, Agnes of God, and Of Mice and Men. Richard is a freelance sound designer and has worked at numerous theater companies and schools in the Cleveland area and around the U.S., including: Ashland University, The Cleveland Jewish Community Center, The Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland State University, Dobama Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Oberlin College, Shakespeare and Company, The University of Evansville, and The Willoughby Fine Arts Association. Richard also works for Stage Research Inc., an award-winning software company based in Cleveland that creates software tools designed for the performing arts and has also worked as a show control programmer and installer for clients such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Dialog in The Dark in Kansas City, The Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield IL, and Stone Mountain Park in Georgia.
Joseph Carmola (Technical Director) Joe enters his fourth season as Technical Director at the Beck Center. Hailing from Canton, in the past he has served as Technical Director/Lighting Designer at the Canton Players Guild, The Magical Theatre Company, as well as Paul Green's Trumpet in the Land, and numerous freelance credits as well as design for Les Miserables Jr. which has been seen in many student programs throughout Northeast Ohio. He is also the proud father of Clayton and Lily who have always brought light to his life.
