Little Orphan Boy

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ABOUT THE ANNOYANCE

For 35+ years, The Annoyance Theatre has created some of Chicago’s finest comedy. Artists at The Annoyance are encouraged to explore and develop their unique voice. Through improvisation and writing, we work collaboratively to create new and original plays, musicals, sketch-comedies, solo shows, and more in a vibrant, uncensored atmosphere.

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Song List

ACT I

LITTLE ENGLISH LAD

WALKIN' HERE

COLD

MUMMY'S LAMENT

BOBBY'S SONG

PISS AND SHIT

RAT CALL

BIRDS!

KILLIN' BOYS (RATCATCHER MAN)

RAT KING

ACT II

BIG GREEN LADY

BREAK THE CYCLE

MUM'S SONG

FINALE

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Christopher Dritsas

Little Lad

Chris Dritsas is a Chicago based actor, writer, producer, and director. He has a background in theatre and film production, and enjoys wearing many hats (literally and figuratively). He is so excited for this run of Little Orphan Boy and would like to thank the amazing cast and crew for all their amazing work! Thank you also to Mick, Jen, and all of the amazing folks at The Annoyance for your continuing support and assistance putting this show up for it's third run!

Beth Nelsen

Mum

Beth Nelsen is a performer and vocal musician hailing from southwest Iowa. Some of her Chicago credits include music improv shows like Blank! The Musical (The Revival) and Lost Realms (Otherworld Theatre) as well as writing and producing Lavender Menaces, an edu-tainment show about ill-behaved lesbians from history.

Sage Huston

Rat Catcher

Sage Huston is a writer and comedian and granola gay. She loves this cast and crew. Growing up loving Mel Brooks' comedies, *shucks* this show kinda feels like that.

Andrew Freeland

Rascal

Andrew is elated to be returning for a third time to Little Orphan Boy the Musical as Rascal. Recent select credits include Lewis in “Pippin” (Music Theater Works), John Joseph Bailey in “Shed” (Perceptions Theater), and Diet Pepsi in Clash of Colas 2 and 3 (Soda Wrestling Federation). He would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, especially to the creative team of Chris Dritsas, Zach Hacker, John Love, and Edgar Nevarres for allowing him to help to bring this wonderful little musical to the stage. Much love to all.

Faye Davis

TV

Faye (she/her) is elated to be returning to the cast of Little Orphan Boy for its third (and debatably most epic) run! Previous credits include Fantasy Quest (Lake Town Productions), Trade Federation (Otherworld Theatre), Hair, Avenue Q (Nebraska Repertory Theatre), and Girl Scouts of the USA (2007-2012). Offstage, Faye has a passion for being a theatre teaching artist at Stages Chicago. Much love to the entire Orphan Boy cast and crew, to her family in Nebraska, to her friends, and to her cat, Suki. fayecdavis.com

Kevin Veloso

Chub

Kevin Veloso is an artist based out of Chicago. He’s performed and understudied for many musicals, comedies, plays, improv teams around Chicago, including the Second City directors showcase. In addition to this he has done commercial work for Verizon, Folgers, the University of Wisconsin, and a couple hundred billboards for Dells Boat Tours in Wisconsin, he puts up solo material that is silly, wacky, and thoughtful. A proud member of Stir Friday Night, he is so happy to be part of this powerhouse cast. He wishes he didn’t need this much external validation, but alas, he is Asian American.

Haley Gadzik

Twins

Haley Gadzik loves more than anything to be a twin and a bird. If you’ve seen her in something before, she was probably still playing a little boy because that has been her typecast lately (recent credits are Titus Andronikids at the Cornservatory, Joan the Musical with the Sigman Brothers). She treasures this show for making her so sweaty and happy and tired, and she hopes you treasure it too.

Justin Fullerton

Twins

Hailing from Lubbock, Texas, Justin brings a bright voice and big presence to the stage. Since 2015, he has been an active writer and performer in Chicago’s comedy scene. Upon completing the Conservatory, Graduate Program, and the 2020 Bob Curry Fellowship at The Second City, Justin joined the casts of several Second City productions. He went on to produce several independent projects, become a member of the Shamilton and Baby Wants Candy ensembles, and write the 30-minute sitcom pilot, The A.C. (2022 SeriesFest8 finalist). When not performing, Justin enjoys propagating plants, writing songs on the guitar, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with his wife and friends

Tyler DeLoatch

Headmaster

TYLER DeLOATCH (he/they) is an actor, improviser, and singer-songwriter based in Chicago. Theatre credits include Assassins (Theo Ubique), The Threepenny Opera (Theo Ubique), Rock of Ages (one night replacement) (Mercury Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions, Jeff winner; Best Musical Production), The Virginian (City Lit Theatre), Rent (Possibilities Theatre), and Laughterreise (in association with Fourth Coast Ensemble). Tyler is a member of musical improv teams Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton (Second City Skybox), and Voila (iO). Tyler is currently working on their first EP; progress on this project can be followed on Instagram. Represented by Lily's Talent.

Charlie Thomson

Bobby

Charlie Thomson is a Chicago based actor, comedian, and musician. Previous credits include: Comet (Rhinofest), It’s Christmas Goddammit (Annoyance Theatre), PUFFS (Pittsburgh CLO), as well as many others. Charlie also recently released his first solo album, Pipe Dreams, which is available to stream everywhere. He would like to thank the cast, crew, family, friends, and his partner for their continued support.

Matty Merritt

Bird Woman

Matty is comedian and writer originally from Nebraska, she wants to thank Kate Bush in the Wuthering Heights music video for inspiring her performance.

Zachary Hacker

Papa Moneybucks

Zach has been acting since he was a child. From caterpillar #4 to an improviser in Chicago. He performs all over Chicago as a character comedian and improviser. He is known for the character Nikko in “A Comedy of Disasters” and the head of Walt Disney in “When You Wish Upon a Star” he is thrilled to be apart of this show.

Edgar Nevarez

Director

Sheena Laird

Choreographer

Sheena is a Chicago-based choreographer who has created movement for musicals, commercials, birthday parties and everything in between. Recent credits include Night Sky (Amazon Prime), Monuments (Hulu), Dress the Part (Q Brothers Collective/Shakespeare Festival St. Louis), Bachelor - The Unauthorized Musical (Right Angle Entertainment) and Medea (Tiffani Swalley, Columbia University MFA Directing Program).

Zachary Hacker

Writer/Producer

Zach is a playwright of little renown. He has written and produced major plays such as A Comedy of Disasters and When You Wish Upon a Star. He is a filmmaker having produced such films as the Cult of Two which was accepted into zero Festivals (so far.) follow him on Instagram for more updates or at Zachhacker.com

Christopher Dritsas

Writer/ Producer

Chris Dritsas is a Chicago based performer/ producer. He is a graduate of the Harold Ramis Film School at Second City, and has a Bachelors Degree in acting and directing for the stage as well as Film Production. Recently he was seen as 'The Killer' in this years production of "Splatter Theatre" at The Annoyance, but he is also known for his character 'Pepsi Boi' in the show "Clash of Colas". Chris would like to thank the entire cast and crew for all of their hard work, perseverance and amazing attitudes throughout this process. He would also like to thank Mick, Jennifer, Sam, Jayson, Joe, and the entire staff at The Annoyance for all of their help and support in putting up this show. Special thanks to Ian Mullen, Jesse Rothenberg, Alex Connors, Allison Flayton for their help as well.

John Love

Composer

JOHN LOVE (He/Him) plays music. An alumnus of The Second City’s National Touring Company, he has played pianos (mostly good, some bad) all across the country and Chicago. He pursues original musical endeavors available on Spotify/social media- working as a studio musician for Ersatz Records and a bandmate for Kid Copter. Follow his amateur photography - @johnnylove34. All his love to his family and friends; especially to Mom, to Wendy, E & A, and dear friend KB.

Arne Parrott

Musical Director

Arne Parrott has been a music director at every major comedy theatre in Chicago but spends his weekends traveling the country to various Renaissance Festivals, bringing his particular brand of sarcastic blasphemous nerd music to increasingly hesitant audiences. During the week, he writes music for whoever needs it, most commonly for podcasts such as Hello From the Magic Tavern, Hey Riddle Riddle, and Campaign Skyjacks.

Ryan Hurdle

Musical Director

Ryan has appeared onstage at Annoyance in Shark Tank, Tiny Fascists. He performs in Voila the improvised musical at iO. He's excited to be back helping with the piano duties for Little Orphan Boy! Coming in December at Annoyance you can see Y2K: a 90s Musical, co-written by Ryan J. Hurdle.

Sam McNerland

Lighting Designer

Annaleigh Stone

Set Designer

Beth Nelsen

Costume Designer

Andrew Freeland

Fight Choreography

Michael Serio

Producer

Jennifer Estlin

Executive Producer