Gwen was born in California, a Navy brat, and lived all over the country. She graduated from Millington Central High School but won't say when! She's been involved with Playhouse 51 for several years either onstage or backstage and has enjoyed every minute of both. She was privileged to play Clairee in Steel Magnolias and The Grand Duchess in You Can't Take It With You. Gwen says she's met some of the sweetest, most fun people she knows at Playhouse 51. Seems like it's one big happy family here! It has been an honor for her to be with such a talented cast, crew, and absolutely fantastic directors and thanks them for the chance to help her grow. She also wants to thank her sweet husband, Robert, for having to fend for himself at dinnertime and not complaining, for rehearsing lines with her, and for his faith in her! Very nice!
This is Chris's third performance at Playhouse 51 and his first leading role. He appeared in Arsenic and Old Lace and The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge at Playhouse 51 and A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis. He previously worked with Howard on Dying Out Loud and appreciates his giving him the chance to play Nick - - a role that's a challenge for him as he never had the chance to know all of his Grandparents. This play did bring back fond memories of his two Grandmothers who were wonderful, loving women always willing to make good food - - or, take Chris to Burger King because, evidently, he always looked hungry. He also remembers Grandfather Bill who told stories similar to Frank's in this play. Chris sends out a big thanks to his friends and family and dedicates his performance to his Grandparents who were always loving, always supportive. Tango famiglia!
Mike has been involved in theater for over six years. All of his roles have been with Playhouse 51; the most recent was Mortimer Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace. His best memories of his Grandparents were the times he travelled to see them in between Air Force duty stations. They lived on a farm in southern Indiana and while there he got to drive a tractor, shoot a shotgun, pick vegetables and tend to livestock. But what he remembers most is the homemade chicken and dumplings his Grandmother would make for the entire family each Sunday afternoon during their visit. Mike is a retired Naval Officer who continues to work for the Navy as an Operations Research Analyst. He is currently the Community Relations Director for Playhouse 51. He sings tenor in his church choir, plays guitar (and now the mandolin), and loves to play golf. He is married to Linda and they have four children and five grandchildren.
This is Fred's first performance at Playhouse 51. Since he grew up in New York, the characters and situations in this play are very real to him. When he was growing up, families - even after marriage - lived close to one another. As in this play, moving out of New York was very emotional for his and the extended families. Offstage, Fred is a grandfather of three with one more on the way. He lives in downtown Memphis with his wife Dorothy. Fred has appeared on every stage in the Memphis are including Crittenden County, AR, and Southaven, MS Previous productions include You Can't Take It With You, Meet Me in St. Louis, Annie, 1776, South Pacific, A Christmas Carol, and The Moon Is Blue, among others. Fred has retired from Fed Ex and presently manages two community theatres in Mid-Town Memphis.
This is Shannon's third performance at Playhouse 51 after The Odd Couple - Female Version and The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. Her other credits include The House of Blue Leaves and The King and I at Theatre Memphis, Charlotte's Web and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Germantown Community Theatre, The Match Girl's Gift at Harrell Theatre, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur at Chattanooga Theatre Centre, and two independent films. She would like to dedicate her performance to the memory of her Grandparents, Margaret and Harold Siemer. "There is not a day that goes by in which I don't think of them. They continue to influence me every day in some way. I grew up with my Grandparents and was lucky enough to sit around the dinner table with them well into adulthood." Shannon would like to thank her fellow cast members for being a joy to watch at rehearsals and a special thanks to Howard for being an inspiring and passionate teacher and for letting her take part in one of her all-time favorite plays.
This is Sherry’s first time performing at Playhouse 51. She's an actress, singer and choreographer. Sherry has 18 years dancing experience with Joe Valaine, a New York City Broadway choreographer. She was a New York City Rockette, danced on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City New Jersey and was a tap dance finalist 3 years in a row at the Garden State Arts Center in NJ. She owned and operated The Miss Sherry School of Dance in Bartlett. She started in Community Theater at age 15. She has choreographed Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, The Don’t Be Afraid Brigade, and Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost, the musical. Her acting credits include Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Jacque Brel, Gypsy, Lil Abner, The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Dearly Beloved ,Plaza Suite, and The Hallelujah Girls. Sherry was born in East Orange NJ and raised in Somerset NJ. She says she can really relate to this part. Her grandmother use to take her to the Hoboken Train Station to drop off her grandfather who worked in New York. She said it brings back lots of memories of her childhood. Sherry would like to wish all her fellow actors good luck. And, Howard, you are the best. Love Ya!!!!
Howard most recently appeared as many zany characters in A Tuna Christmas at Playhouse 51. Prior to that, he produced and directed his own play, Dying Out Loud, at Evergreen Theatre in Mid-Town Memphis. He began his theatre career in college in New York City and has been involved in many projects in and around Memphis. He attributes his comedic abilities and sense of humor to his real life 'Over the River' family. Howard dedicates this show in loving memory to two extraordinary Grandmothers: Irene Vernon and Gussie Gittleman. He hopes you enjoy the show and, if there was ever any doubt . . . Grandparents rock!
Janie has performed many duties with Playhouse 51. She last acted in Arsenic and Old Lace, last directed with Lalania Vaughn for A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, and last worked backstage as Howard Pries's dresser in A Tuna Christmas, thinking she would look ever so much better in the green chiffon than he did. Grandparents give you unconditional, boundless love and lots of 'good' advice. So, Janie thought she would go through life wearing a brick on her head to keep her from growing through the ceiling, grapevines growing out her ears from swallowing all those seeds, her crossed-eyes frozen that way, and, if she didn't immediately jump in the middle of a featherbed during a thunderstorm, she was GONNA DIE!!! I love you all, even the pair I never got to meet! And thanks to Mama Page for teaching me the fine art of finding lucky rocks!
