Noses Off
at Willow Springs Gardens
by Don Zolidis

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Welcome to the craziness that is Noses Off!

An amateur theater company's whodunit hurtles towards opening night -- but the real mystery is whether the cast and crew can get this disaster of a show to curtain call. It won't be easy when the costume designer's bent on revenge, the actors are wrapped up in a revolving door of showmances, one suitcase plays the role of nine, and the playwright won't admit that Nine Little Indians might owe a little something to Agatha Christie. The best seat in the house is backstage on opening night in this full-throttled homage to Michael Frayn's classic comedy Noises Off.

Scene Synopsis

ACT I  - The Rehearsal

Please enjoy a beverage and a snack at the cash bar downstairs during intermission! We need this room for re-setting the stage and changing costumes for ACT II.

ACT II - Opening Night

Cast (in order of appearance)

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Charles Lynch

Jake (playing Reginald the butler)

Charles Lynch has been seen in several area productions and has worked with River and Woods, Wausau Community Theatre, Theatre on the Side and Central Wisconsin Community Theatre. He has also worked with Nicolet Players and theatres in Milwaukee and Minneapolis. He is a proud member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe from Mole Lake, WI and is grateful for the opportunity to be a representative of his people and community through the art of theatre.

Katie Oelig

Lila (the director)

Katie is excited to bring the dramatic, ever anxious Lila to the stage in the play! She gets plenty of practice chasing disorganized people around at her day job as a middle school teacher!

Jeff MacDonald

Obo (the playwright)

Jeff McDonald (Obo) has performed in over 30 productions in central Wisconsin over the past 20+ years, but this is only his second production with River and Woods Theater. When not playing various roles on stage, he plays the role of a happily retired Instructor from NTC, and a part-time SP at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Jeff is thrilled to be working with such a great cast and crew, and especially thankful to Cindi for letting me be a part of this great show!! And thanks to my hubby Jim for 23 years of being my biggest fan – Oogaloogalooshka!

Rachel Wann

Brenda (playing Virginia Watermoose)

This is Rachel’s first show as an actor (unless you count the time she played a cow in preschool). She is a vegetarian and a cat lover; she enjoys reading, hiking, singing Broadway show tunes, and binge-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Doctor Who. Rachel’s main gig is serving as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church.

Cindi Strobel

Millie (the props girl)

Cindi is having a blast playing the hapless Millie along with her directorial duties. Why is it so much more fun to play an unhinged character? :) Cindi has directed for River & Woods, Out of The Woods, Mosinee Community Theatre, Central Wisconsin Children's Theatre, Wausau West, John Muir Middle School, and Faith Christian Academy. She loves the creative process of bringing a wonderful story to life on the stage and enjoys the occasional acting role. When she isn't at rehearsal, Cindi enjoys reading and camping with her hubby and fur babies.

Matt Adams

Tristan (playing Opie McGraw)

Matt Adams is an elementary school teacher in Wausau. This is his third play for River & Woods. He'd like to thank Cindi for casting him and his wife Wendi for her infinite patience and support. He really enjoys playing Tristan, Yee Haw!

Reanna Knapp

Sammy (the Stage Manager)

Reanna, plays Sammy in this hilarious show! She would like to thank her friend Leah for introducing me to theater with a Christmas Carol in 2018, she just fell in love with it. Reanna does as many plays as she can and loves dragging friends into theater too! She enjoys performing with friends in the community. Her favorite show so far is probably Sleepy Hallow or this play, Noses Off.

Haley Bjorn

Kaylie (playing Alana Morgenstern)

This is Haley's second show with River and Woods and she's excited to play Kaylie in this production! In her spare time, Haley enjoys hanging with her three dogs.

Matt Scott

Arnold (playing Vito Malatucci)

Matt has been in theatre for almost a year in a wide variety of roles and characters from necromantic teachers to medieval wrestlers to psychopathic serial killers. His role in Noses Off has been by far the most flamboyant., as Arnold Du Wayne. Matt has had to really get out of his comfort zone for this one! But he's excited to join his amazing castmates in this hilarious show!

Nathan Grundman

Marvin (playing Wimple VonHaberstam)

After a couple of years hiatus, Nathan decided to return to acting and what a show to come back to! He has enjoyed the role of Marvin and getting the chance to learn other people's lines is quite the challenge. In his free time, he enjoys doing improv, podcasting, escape rooms, and workouts.

Nathan Francour

Steve (playing Senator Miles Bradley)

Nathan is a newcomer to the Wausau community-theater scene. A fan of all things nerdy, when Nathan isn't playing a hipster who's playing a politician, he enjoys baking, taking long walks through the woods, and perhaps more D&D than is healthy. He hopes you enjoy watching the show nearly as much as we did preforming it.

Amanda Valencia

Taylor (playing Veronica Steele)

This is Amanda’s second show with River & Woods! Her first was R&W’s production of Peter Pan in the Gardens as a mermaid. Amanda has performed with other community theater production company’s in the surrounding area. In her spare time Amanda enjoys being outdoors, traveling and trying new eats and brews!

LaTonya Sala

Estrella (the costumer)

LaTonya loves playing comedic characters. Previous shows include The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Carol, Jesus Christ Superstar and Peter Pan. "Say the line Tristan!"

Angela Buatti Engebretson

Eleanor (playing Barbie Hayden)

Angela is so thrilled to appear in her second River & Woods show. To the Director and Cast - thank you for the master class in comedic acting. Your exuberance and talent has been an elixir for my spirit. To my husband and family - I can make leaps of faith without fear because you always provide a safe landing. You continue to be the ultimate dreamweavers of my life!

Jaclene Newell

Masha (playing Sheriff Toombs)

Jaclene is stoked to play Masha-The Sheriff. She has been in many theater productions in the Wausau area and loves, in this production, how so much hilarity ensues when rules and boundaries don't apply! Will Jaclene fall victim to her co-stars' comedic charms? We'll see! But hey, what's life without a little chaos and confusion, right? So be sure to buckle up; click it or ticket, and get ready for a night of pure hilarious entertainment!

Michael Knapp

Inigo Montoya, Stage Crew

This is Michael’s fourth show. He started out as a Caroler in WCTs “A Christmas Carol” in 2018. After a five year hiatus, he was in R&Ws “A Midsummer nights dream” as Theseus, and “Sleepy Hollow” as The Headless Horseman in 2023

Teran Olvera

Dave, Stage Crew

This will be Teran's 6th production. he will be playing Dave the fun loving and wise cracking stage hand who also loves stealing Sammy's snacks. Teran likes acting and hanging out with friends and he will be an extra in an upcoming Netflix movie!

Bruce

Bruce, Millie's Emotional Support Shark

This is Bruce's first show ever and he is very excited about it. Up until now, he has been hanging out in Chis Knutson-Auner's basement and it's been great to get out and meet new people.

Ned

The Voodoo doll

This is Ned’s first show ever and he is really excited to be in Noses Off. He has always had a dream to be in theatre and this is his chance to be involved in the cutting edge drama. Plus he gets to use his razor sharp wit too in some scenes. He’s a little shy though so hopefully he can handle all the poking and prodding from his castmates. But he’s always ready to get to the point and always wants a slice of the action. Ned's favorite part of the show is poking fun at Marvin.

Chuck Jojade

Sound Tech

Matt Adams

Set Builder

Mary Shafarik

Costumes

Cindi Strobel

Director

Donors

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