Anna Ward-Bennett
(Queenie Derwent)
Anna Ward-Bennett is new to playhouse 51. She recently moved to Millington because she married Brent Bennett, United States Navy and found the audition for Opal’s Million Dollar Duck on the Internet. Anna has been acting since the 5th grade. In her very first play she won best supporting actress at the 1997 Jackson Theater Guild awards for her role as Imogene in the best Christmas Pagent Ever. Anna has continued acting all through school and stared in the Wizard of Oz in middle school and as Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra. She has had roles in many other productions including The Music Man, Little Women, South Pacific, Harvey, and Sleeping Beauty to name a few. Anna likes doing comedy best because its more physically demanding than drama. Anna loves playing the role of Queenie because, “she is bit overly dramatic and I can be a little overly dramatic sometimes too, so its really fun to play someone with a over the top drama queen state of mind.” a queen state of mind."
Barry Martin
(Desmond Derwent)
Barry is a temporary employee in the maintenance department at the University of Memphis. His involvement with Playhouse 51 has included set construction, lights and sound and acting. He was the assistant director for the Playhouse 51 production of Everybody Loves Opal and appeared in Barefoot in the Park as the Delivery Man, The Odd Couple: Female Version as Manolo and It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Version as Clarence the Angel. He is active in his church and community. He lives with his wife Cindy, his daughter Bonnie, his 2 dogs Ricky and Stinker and Pepper the devil cat.
Rebecca Sherrod
(Rosie Montefalco)
David is 39 years old and a native of Connecticut. He has been a resident of Millington for about 1 1/2 years. He started acting in elementary school, he played Charlie Brown in Your A Good Man Charlie Brown. In junior high he was in A Raisin in the Sun. In high school he played Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie. Everybody Loves Opal is his first production in many years. David says that he loves and enjoys acting, and looks forward to doing many more in the future.
Teresa Yarwood
(Opal Kronkie)
Teresa is married to artist/musician Charlie Yarwood. Her daughter, Kell, is also a talented artist. Teresa is a 5th grade teacher at Presbyterian Day School. She has been involved with Playhouse 51 since its inception. Previous roles include Melissa in Love Letters, Renee in The Odd Couple: Female Version, Opal in Everybody Loves Opal, and Director for The Rainmaker. She is delighted to reprise her role as Opal.
Director
Melissa Wright
Melissa has been involved with Playhouse 51 from very early on. She was Ethel in Barefoot in the Park and directed Everybody Loves Opal, and performed the voice of Mary in It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Version. She is the Artistic Director for the group, was Assistant Director for The Rainmaker, and directed the first in the Opal series, Everybody Loves Opal. She has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working on something with such a great group and seeing it all come together.
Assistant Director
Nick Settle
Nick debued last fall at Playhouse 51 with his performance of numerous voices in It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Version. He has appeared in Theatre Memphis productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, A Christmas Carol and East of the Sun/West of the Moon. He has also appeared in two movies, 21 Grams and Streaker. He also recently appeared as Joe Stoddard in Our Town at Millington Central High School, where he is a sophomore. He participates in Concert Choir as a baritone. Nick hopes to become a professional author and is now working on a 4-part tragedy novel. He sends his gratitude to his loving supporters and family, and appreciates that their support has helped him on his way.
Amy Settle
Amy is a native of Millington. She has played support roles in numerous Theatre Memphis productions, including Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, East Of The Sun/West Of The Moon, Robber Bridegroom, A Little Night Music and The King & I and also in several productions of A Christmas Carol.She has worked as a crew member on nearly 40 Theatre Memphis productions and for Playhouse 51.She has appeared in several movies shot in Memphis, including 21 Grams, Chosen, Streaker, 40 Shades Of Blue and 36 Coconut Shrimp.For the last decade, she has been very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and is a proud member of Order of the Arrow. All of these activities she shares with her loving husband and son. She sends a big Thank You to Playhouse 51 for letting her play in her own backyard.
Stage Manager
