Allison Fisher (Corie Bratter) Allison is currently a 10th grade English teacher and yearbook sponsor at Millington Central High School. She has worked at MCHS for 3 years in this capacity. She serves on numerous school committees as a member and/or chairperson, and has established the MCHS Faculty Book Club. She has performed in productions at Tipton-Rosemark Academy as a high school student, under the direction of Estes Hammons: Up the Down Staircase, It Came From the Student Lounge, Little Shop of Horrors, The Hobbit, Dr. Gorilla and Me, The Clumsy Custard Horror Show and Ice Cream Clone Reviews, She is excited to finally have the opportunity to act in her hometown in this very "real" romantic comedy. "My husband and I are not really acting...we're just using stage names!" she states.
Chris Fisher (Paul Bratter) Chris is excited to be a part of the development and growth of the Millington Civic Center. He has never performed in any state production before. After being compared numerous times by his wife to the character he portrays in this play, he decided to give it a try. He works at Community Title Associates in the city of Millington. Both he and his wife live in Millington, grew up in the church that is now the Civic Center, and were even married on the stage where they will perform as the "Bratter Newlyweds."
Barry Martin (Delivery Man) Barry spends his days working as a computer operator and his nights with Playhouse 51 building sets and wherever else he is needed. This is his first time to be on-stage as a character in a production. He is active in his church and community. He lives with his wife, daughter, 3 dogs, and Pepper the devil cat.
Carl E. Walters (Harry Pepper) Carl is a Memphis native who has done several productions in Covington at the Ruffin Theatre, including the 2005 production of Harvey (Dr. Chumley). He just finished Laughter on the 23rd Floor for Arlington Arts' East End Playhouse, and he is very happy to follow that Neil Simon play up with Barefoot in the Park for Playhouse 51
Ken Hippchen (Victor Velasco) Ken is a quiet and self effacing fellow, usually seen zipping around town for a local courier service. He's also Drama Director at New Life Fellowship in Memphis and has staged some of the plays he has written there. If you look quickly, you'll see the back of Ken's head as the father of Johnny Cash's first wife in the film, "Walk the Line." Some of his acting credits include Christmas Carol and Theater Memphis and both Arsenic and Old Lace and How the West was Fun for the Ruffin in Covington.
Melissa Wright (Ethel Banks) Melissa is Director of Recruitment for MedRP International, a Nashville based staffing company that focuses on IT and Healthcare. She is the mother of Two children, Brittany (10) and Garrett (6). Melissa was born in Millington. but raised in Northeastern, PA. She returned to the area in 1989, following her father's retirement and attended Memphis State University. Her theater experience began as a small child and continued through college with some of the shows being: Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Anything Goes, Oliver and Little Shop Of Horrors. She is very excited to be involved in this most recent production of Playhouse 51.
Jay Fox Forbess
Director
Jay Forbess has been involved in theatre all his life, starting with the role of "Johnny Dorset" in The Ransom of Red Chief performed in this very room. He earned a degree in Communications and Theatre Arts at UT Martin, studying under Broadway playwright William Syndor and becoming interested in the directorial process. His credits include: Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, Ah! Wilderness, Ten Little Indians, You Can't Take It With You, South Pacific, and Dracula, The Musical. Jay is a Systems Specialist for Baptist Memorial Hospital, and thanks Julie and Andrew for all their support and understanding.
