SWEENEY TODD

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From The Producing Artistic Director

Welcome to the 23-24 Season, featuring a spectacular mix of shows for our 2nd full season on the campus of KSU at Stark! We are thrilled to continue to bring you the titles you love and the high-caliber performances you have come to expect.  

I want to take just a moment to draw your attention to our Superheroes Campaign.  We are looking for heroes like you, who will step up and save the day!  We are an independent organization and our ticket sales only cover a fraction of the cost of producing live theatre.  We hope to continue the tradition of keeping the Players Guild strong while extending our reach throughout the community.  We can only do that with your support.  Please take a moment to consider the lasting impact your gift will provide!

Our profound thanks to our current and past board members, presenting sponsors of SWEENEY TODD, for their generous support.  Thank you to our advertisers and supporters, and continued thanks to everyone here on campus for their hospitality.  And finally, our thanks to you for seeing the value live theatre brings to our community!

Enjoy the show!

Josh

Cast

The Orchestra

Conductor - STEVE PARSONS

Oboe/English Horn - LAURA LAZARITES

Clarinet/Bass Clarinet - WILLOW DIGIACOMO

Horn - PHIL TRYON

Trumpet - MICHAEL WILLARD

Percussion - SCOTT THOMAS

Keyboard -  BRET TASSONE

Violin - MARY BONTRAGER/MARIA VIÑAS

Cello - ABIGAIL BONTRAGER

Bass - JEREMEY POPARAD

Creative Team

Production Team & Front of House

COSTUME TEAM

Kate Joseph

George McCarty II (Designer)

Jacki Dietz

SET CONSTRUCTION

Ross Carmichael (Technical Director)

Megan Herbert

Michaela Muckelrath

Natalie Steen

BACKSTAGE

Anthony Antoniades
Baley Major
Bill Joseph
Patricia Woodside
Mikal Ford
Fran Nichols
Susan Mullikin
Max Lord Fry

FRONT OF HOUSE

The Amiot Family

Kelly Aneshanel

Barbara Berasi

Diana Collum

Marilyn Davies

Michelle Davis

Sandy Dodd

Pat Donald

Samuel Dorto

Sandy Feielin

Krista Gibson

Ingrid Green

Barb Hostetter

Steve Hostetter

Hannah Jolly

Linda Keith

Tim Keith

Joseph Lamancusa

Tina Louise

Kathleen McClure

Anne Martin

Susan Mullikin

Esther Oustampasidis

Mary Jane Philips

Andrea Raffle

Laura Rich

Kathy Rogers

Sandy Rosetta

Jo Roten

Jennifer and Tim Rowles

Joyce Ryan

Nancy Shanklin

Barb Stephens

Carol Warner

Mary Ann White

Judy Whitman

Jill Williams

Karen Wilson

Cindy Wingerter

Laurie Zupp

HOUSE MANAGERS

Molly Moriarty

Tyra Grisak

Missy Hays

Meet the Company

BART HERMAN

Sweeney Todd

is thrilled to be playing one of his dream roles. A big thank you to the production staff for this great opportunity. Some Players Guild roles include Addams Family (Gomez), Little Shop (Audrey II), A Christmas Carol (Christmas Present). He has had the pleasure of working all over the US as well as in Europe. Other favorite roles include, Whorehouse (Melvin), Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Trumpet in the Land (David Zeisburger), Assassins (Guiteau), Ruthless (Sylvia) Man Who Came to Dinner (Whiteside) Enjoy the show! Much love to Jeff! Watch your throats, I want you bleeders!

HEATHER CULOTTA

Mrs. Lovett

is excited to be joining this cast in her first production with the Players Guild! Thrilled to be given the opportunity to play Mrs. Lovett for a second time, some of her other previous roles include Kinky Boots (Lauren), Ragtime (Emma Goldman), Kiss Me, Kate (Lilli Vannessi/Kate), Music Man (Marian Paroo), Joseph and… (Pharaoh), Seussical (Mayzie), as well as several Stepp Stewart productions in New York and Atlanta. Thank you to everyone who has loved and supported her throughout her life and career. This one is for Elphie!

MATTHEW HEPPE

Anthony Hope

Is excited to explore Fleet Street and to create theatre with its peculiar inhabitants! He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from Capital University, where he studied voice in their Conservatory of Music. Last year, Matthew directed Elf the Musical at PGT and was seen onstage in SpongeBob the Musical (SpongeBob), The Elephant Man (Ross/Bishop How), and A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit) along with Much Ado About Nothing (Balthazar/Sexton) with Shakespeare at the Castle. Some favorite previous credits include Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Cabaret (Cliff) at PGT and Bright Star (Billy Cane) with CCP.

MADISON KEARNEY

Tobias

is an Honors student at Kent State University, and she is beyond excited to perform as Toby in her second show with PGT! Most recently, she performed as “Junie B.” in PGT’s Junie B. Jones the Musical. She would like to thank the cast, crew, her supportive family, and everyone who made this experience possible! (Especially awesome director Tess for being so open to non-traditional casting- it’s so much fun to play a dude!!) Lastly, Madison would like to dedicate this performance to her antisocial rescue hedgehog, Toby. Enjoy the show!

ELIZABETH DOMER

Johanna

is a Teaching Artist, actor, and director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theatre Performance from the University of Mount Union. At the Players Guild, she has performed in The Addams Family (Alice Beineke) and The Toxic Avenger (Mayor Belgoody/Ma). She also served as the Stage Manager for A Christmas Carol, and the Assistant Director/Music Director during The Spongebob Musical. Other favorite credits include Trouble In Mind (Judy Sears), Bat Boy: The Musical (Shelley Parker), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), and Twelfth Night (Maria). Elizabeth enjoys time offstage on the golf course and with her cat, Bean.

TYLER FERREBEE

Pirelli/Ensemble

couldn’t be happier that he made the cut for this one! This will be his second visit to Fleet Street, previously portraying Beadle Bamford at Weathervane Playhouse. Some of Tyler’s Players Guild Theater accolades include playing Patrick Star (SpongeBob), Uncle Fester (Addams Family), Sheldon Potts (Junie B. Jones), The Ghost of Christmas Present (Christmas Carol), and Chef Louis (Little Mermaid) among others. Tyler would like to thank both Tess Burgler and Tess Marie, the wonderful cast, crew, and orchestra for allowing him to revisit his favorite show.

CONNOR MAST

Beadle Bamford

is thrilled to make his Player's Guild debut in his second production of Sweeney Todd. Some of Connor's other works include: Kinky Boots, Cinderella, Hair, and Ragtime. However Connor has been doing theater for about ten years. Some of his favorite roles have been Shrek in Shrek the Musical, King Triton in Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beast in Disney's Beauty and The Beast, and brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Connor would like to thank the cast and crew for the hard work and plenty of laughs in this wonderful and enjoyable production.

STEPHANIE CARGILL

Beggar Woman

is delighted to reprise the role of Beggar Woman, having played her in the last production of Sweeney Todd at the Players Guild Theatre. Stephanie has been seen in theaters throughout northeast Ohio, most recently as the Queen in Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s production of Cinderella. Other notable roles include Masha in Vanya and Sonio and Masha and Spike, Mother in Ragtime, Diana in Next to Normal, Alice Russell in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, and Vivian Bearing in Wit. She is grateful to be included in this extraordinarily talented cast. Her favorite roles, by far, are Nana of three beautiful grandchildren and Wife of one practically perfect husband.

HAROLD DARKOW

Judge Turpin

is very happy to join this Players Guild production of “Sweeney Todd”. Harold worked throughout the Akron-Canton theater community for almost twenty years (40+ productions) until 1988 when he paused performing to raise two sons with his wife, Buff. Two of his favorite productions included lead roles in “Man of La Mancha” at KSU Stark, and the Players Guild production of “A Little Night Music”. He retired after 47 years of teaching and rekindled his theater career playing Judge Wilson in “1776” at the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Special thanks for the support from family and friends, and from this wonderful cast for this opportunity.

ASHLEY LULI

Ensemble/Flashback Lucy/US Johanna

is thrilled to return to the Players Guild stage to “tell the tale of Sweeney Todd!” Some of her recent credits include A Christmas Carol (Christmas Past/Mrs. Crachit), Elf the Musical (Chadwick/ Sam/ others), The SpongeBob Musical (Karen), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), Spring Awakening (Thea), and Where’s My Tony (Ariel-The Little Mermaid). She would like to thank God, her family, friends, and “youthies” for their love and support!

NICK HUGHES

Ensemble/US Todd

Is beyond excited to be back on the PGT stage performing in one of his bucket list shows. Nick earned his Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Malone University, where he studied voice under Mrs. Rachael Pavloski. He currently teaches 6-12 Band and Choir at Sebring Local Schools. Some of his roles at PGT are Peter Pan (Tootles) and Mary Poppins (Ensemble). His other favorite roles include Matilda (Miss Trunchbull), SpongeBob the Musical (Mr. Krabs), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and Cinderella (Prince Topher). Nick would like to send a thank you to his sisters-in-law for coming and watching the dogs while he was at rehearsals. He would also like to thank his lovely wife, Alex, for all of her love and support

BRIANA HAGER

Ensemble

is so excited to be back on the PGT stage after most recently appearing in Elf: The Musical as Emily Hobbs. She is thrilled to get to attend the tale with these wonderfully twisted, talented individuals, and can’t wait for you all to experience the thrill of this show. Some of her favorite previous credits include 25th…Spelling Bee (Logainne), Hairspray (Penny), and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Briana would like to thank her husband for being a rock star dad while she does what she loves, and her mom for giving her the love of theatre and being her biggest supporter!

THOMAS HAREN

Ensemble/US Tobias

is very excited to make his second appearance at the Players Guild. Thomas was an ancestor in the Players Guild production of the Addams Family during the fall of 2023. Thomas is a senior at Perry High School where he has varsity lettered in choir, cross country and track. He has performed in three New Direction Performing Arts Academy productions: he was Jack Kelly in Newsies Jr., Lt.Ward / Ickes / Ensemble in Annie, and SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical. He has aspirations of pursuing theater and communications at Kent State University Stark Campus. He sends a heartfelt thank you to the director, production team and fellow cast members for making him feel welcome on the Players Guild stage! A special thank you to his family for their continued support!

BRAD MOTYER

Ensemble/US Antony

is ecstatic to return to the PGT stage! After appearing in shows such as High School Musical (Troy Bolton), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (R.F. Simpson), and The Play that Goes Wrong (Dennis), he is excited to explore Fleet Street (and welcomes the drastic tone shift from his previous shows). As always, he is grateful for his beautiful wife and her support of him achieving his dream of becoming the perfect trophy husband.

ANTHONY HARBERT

Ensemble

is thrilled to return to the Player’s Guild stage in Sweeney Todd! He has been seen on stage in Assassins (Balladeer), Dracula (Harker/Helsing), Spongebob the Musical (Patchy/Old Man Jenkins), and many others! He is grateful for the loving support of his friends and family. As his mother would say, it “takes a village”.

COURTNEY KAY VATIS

Ensemble/US Lovett

is thrilled to kick off 2024 by joining Players Guild in Sweeney Todd. Favorite past roles include Audrey in As You Like It, Lady Macduff in Hamlet, Consuelo in West Side Story, and Lowbutt in Honk! She most recently played Berta Van Tassel in Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s production of Sleepy Hollow and has also appeared in productions such as Romeo and Juliet, Two Gentlemen of Verona, You Can’t Take It with You, and Ragtime. She earned her bachelor’s degree in theater, English, and education at Baldwin-Wallace University, has two incredible children, and is lucky to make a living reading books.

TESS MARIE

Ensemble

is overjoyed to be diving into yet another production with The Players Guild! She was recently seen in Junie B. Jones The Musical (Lucille/José) and A Christmas Carol (Belle/Emma). Tess would like to give a huge thank you to her friends and family for their endless encouragement as well as this immensely talented cast and production team for putting together such a thrilling and twisted tale!

ZOE VAUGHN

Ensemble

is ecstatic to be performing in PGT’s Sweeney Todd. She is a senior in Jackson School for the Arts (JSA) at Jackson High School. Favorite shows from middle and high school include Seussical JR. (JoJo), Mary Poppins JR. (Jane), Peter/Wendy (Wendy), and White Christmas (Martha Watson). Zoe is the President of Jackson’s most advanced choir, Chorale, and she performs in Jacks-N-Jills, Jackson’s show choir. Outside of school and theatre, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family. Zoe would like to thank her mom, dad, brother, choir directors, and vocal coach for their unwavering support.

GREG LULI

Ensemble

is excited to return to the Players Guild stage to tell the tale of Sweeney Todd! He is humbled to join such a talented cast! He was last seen in A Christmas Carol. In his spare time, Greg enjoys being goofy, staying active, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. He would like to thank his lovely wife for the support and encouragement.

AMANDA BROWN

Ensemble

is delighted to perform in her first Players Guild Production. She is currently a Sophomore Musical Theatre Major at Kent State University. Her most recent credits include the Kent State University Opera Scenes (Human Frailty/Ensemble), Pump 5 (Joy), Anastasia (Anya), The Little Mermaid (Ariel) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Florika).

GUINEVERE RHOADS

Ensemble/ US Beggar Woman

is excited to be returning to the stage in this wonderful production of Sweeney Todd. She was last seen as Mrs. Dilber in A Christmas Carol. She would like to thank the cast, the crew, the pit musicians, the directors, her family, and her friends, for all their support.

DANNY HEADLAND

Ensemble/US Turpin

after a more than thirty year absence from the theater, I HAVE RETURNED… and on the stage I cut my teeth on under the direction of Phil Robb, Dale Seeds and Ken Furlan. I recieved my B.A. form KSU in theater and recieved my Honorary Fraternity of Alpha Psi Omega from KSU, President of University Threatre 83, 84, and a 4 year stint in the U.S.A.F. Retired from the USPS after 28 years. And currently working for Meijer and Better Choice Driving School in my retirement. I am very excited to be apart of this talented cast and production crew. Remember it is never to late to try again.

GABE SAWYER

Child Ensemble

is excited to make his stage debut in the Players Guild rendition of "Sweeney Todd!" His favorite part has been getting to meet all of the great people here who have made it so welcoming and fun. Gabe loves playing sports, the color orange, and all things cute and tiny! He is thankful for his family’s support and for driving him to all his rehearsals.

BETSY LUNA VATIS

Little Girl

is so excited to join the cast of Sweeney Todd. She made her stage debut with Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the age of five and has been itching to get back on stage since. She spends much of her free time singing, dancing, and playing pretend with her little sister, Clarke, and is proud to have recently lost her first tooth.

JOSHUA ERICHSEN

Producing Artistic Director

Father of two amazing daughters, the oldest studying architecture, the youngest on her way to taking over his job. Husband to his dream girl wife of twenty-one years - they met at the PGT! Blessed beyond measure to have this amazing job and to be able to call the Players Guild Theatre his home for twenty-four years! During that time he has had the privilege of producing, directing and designing countless productions.  Favorite credits include, Players Guild: Titanic, Next To Normal, Jesus Christ Superstar, Memphis, Ragtime, Hunchback…, Assassins, Cabaret, Les Miserables, A Christmas Carol (’04-present), The Full Monty, A Few Good Men, 1776 and Jekyll & Hyde.  Ohio Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, and The Tempest.  Other credits include: Romeo and Juliet (Magical Theatre Co), Joseph… Dreamcoat (Natl. Tour), and served as producer for An Evening with George Takei, starring Mr. Takei.  Additionally, Josh is a magician/illusionist, a Christopher Nolan film-fanatic, and has a true passion for all-things-Charles Dickens. Josh is a graduate of Kent State University, and is a recipient of the Spotlight Award for Outstanding Contributions to Theatre. Love to my family and my beautiful wife and daughters for their unconditional love and never-ending support!

BETH KNOX

Managing Director

Beth is in her eleventh season at the Players Guild Theatre.  She earned her degree in Business Management and Marketing from the Ohio State University.  Beth spent the majority of her career in management in the cosmetic and fashion industry in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and NYC markets for brands including Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Yves St. Laurent, Paloma Picasso, and Giorgio Armani.  Her background also includes grant writing, event planning, and fundraising. Beth is a co-founder, Executive Producer, and playwright for Red Fig Productions.

TYRA GRISAK

Guest Services Manager

Tyra is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this exciting season!  This is Tyra's eighth season with the Players Guild Theatre.  With a career in the Cosmetics Industry as a special event manager, make-up artist, and account coordinator, Tyra couldn't be prouder to be a part of the Players Guild Theatre staff as Guest Services Manager. The arts and dance have always been a passion of hers, and it is her sincere pleasure getting to know the numerous talented performers in our community, and the incredible Volunteers that give a hand towards the theatre's success.

STEVE PARSONS

Resident Musical Director/Conductor

Steve is the Resident Musical Director at the Players Guild of Canton, having served in the same capacity at Carousel Dinner Theatre from 2004-2009, where his work received the 2006 Cleveland area Times Newspapers “Outstanding Musical Direction” award. Other credits include The Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida, The Ohio Shakespeare Company, Carnation City Players, and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Additionally, he provided new arrangements for Dean Pitchford’s official revised version of FOOTLOOSE, created new versions of the NUNSENSE scores for creator Dan Goggin, wrote original music and fight song arrangements for the hit video game COLLEGE SLAM, and performed in the “Tickestra” for the FOX animated television series THE TICK. Steve was also the arranger for the Grateful Dead musical CUMBERLAND BLUES, which was presented at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and orchestrated the regional musical IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. An active composer, Steve has a Master’s degree in composition and numerous published symphonic pieces and choral works. His original musical version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is published by Steele Spring Stage Rights, and has received an NYC Off-Off Broadway production, a fully staged production in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, numerous regional theatre performances across the United States, and is presented annually at The Players Guild. Steve arranged and orchestrated the hit LA musical LIFE COULD BE A DREAM and is a consultant and contributor to Defying Gravity, the biography of legendary songwriter Stephen Schwartz. He presently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University – Stark Campus in the areas of Musicology, Piano, Ensemble Direction and Conducting, and is a proud member of ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild of America.

ROSS CARMICHAEL

Technical Director

graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Theatre. Since then, he has worked professionally as an actor, a director, and in technical theatre. Technical credits: Technical Director (Gamut Theatre Group) Scenic Designer (Gamut Theatre: Hamlet; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Every Christmas Story Ever Told; Pericles; A Streetcar Named Desire; TYA) Production Manager (Gamut Theatre, Powerhouse Apprentice Company); Carpenter (Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Gamut Theatre, York College of PA) Lighting Designer (Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Gamut Theatre) Directing credits: FoodPlay Productions.

BREANNA ANTONIADES

Production Stage Manager

is excited to be back for her sixth season at the Players Guild Theatre! Prior to her work here, Breanna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies with a concentration of Theatre Production and a minor in Theatre Performance from Kent State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has been given many titles throughout her fourteen plus years working in theatre, but her favorite title continues to be Production Stage Manager. She could not be happier that she gets to work in a career she is so passionate about! In her free time, she loves playing board games, throwing themed parties, and cuddling with her three adorable cats. She would like to thank her husband Anthony, her family, and her friends for all of their support over the years. Enjoy the show!

FRANKIE CASTROVILLARI

Lighting Designer

Frankie joined the Players Guild family in the summer of 2019 with Rock of Ages and has been around ever since. In addition to his role as lighting designer here at Players Guild Frankie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Brecksville Theatre. Frankie’s work can also be seen at Cassidy Theatre and Magical Theatre Company, to name a few.

BOBBY SEVERNS

Sound Designer/Engineer

is grateful to be working with such a fine cast and crew while running sound. This is his third venture on the production-side at the Player's Guild, having just recently completed sound design for Stephen King's Misery and Spongebob The Musical. When not at the theater, Bobby is a Senior Corporate Trainer at DRB Tunnel Solutions in Green and runs a wedding and event entertainment company, Pro Party DJ.

TESS BURGLER

Director

is so pleased to be directing at Player’s Guild Theatre for the first time. She works full time in Akron with the Ohio Shakespeare Festival as Associate Artistic Director. Some favorite acting roles there include Hamlet, Juliet, d’Artagnan (The Three Musketeers…). She has directed She Kills Monsters, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Complete Works...Abridged, Cinderella, Love's Labour's Lost (2023) for Ohio Shakes; The Mousetrap for Coach House Theatre, Hamlet and She Kills Monsters for Firestone Theatre. Up next: The Wizard of Oz at Ohio Shakes with a 9-person-cast of actor-musicians. But absolutely nothing is better than the role of Mama to Zelda and Persephone, who she loves more than words can tell. She owes it all to her parents and Ryan.

RYAN ZARECKI

Fight Director

loves his job as Resident Fight Director at the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. He's played Bottom, Orlando, Porthos, Mercutio, Quincy (Dracula), Robin Hood, Thomas Jefferson (1776), and Roy (Lone Star). His fight production company [They Fight], with partner Tess Burgler, works to bring safe, affordable, and awesome stage violence to Northeast Ohio stages. Ryan is a Bowling Green State University graduate, a member of the Society of American Fight Directors, and he loves his pups, kittehs, and girls Zelda and Persephone. He is ever grateful for his Tessa, Fridays and Saturdays and all. Check out his leather goods shop, The Buckle & Rose on Etsy.com.

KATE JOSEPH

Costumer

is pleased as punch to be back for her second season working in the costume shop at the Players Guild! Kate is a graduate of the 2022 class at the College of Wooster where she got her Bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre. Kate has worked on every show the last two seasons here at the PGT, but her favorite show recently she has designed was *The Toxic Avenger*. Kate enjoys puppetry, making food for everyone during tech, and being the quick change champion she is. She dares you to do a quick change faster than her, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Donors

Patrons $1,000-$1,999

Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Susan Wilkof

Producers $500-$999

Dr. Derek and Heidi Varansky

Molly Sperling

Directors $200-$499

Bob Burkhart

Krista Gibson

Becky and Jim Cole

David Cardarella

Sam Knox

Mark Fichtner

DeLauder Family

Gary and Susan Floyd

Lisa Schroeder

Al and Lori Perry

Molly Moriarty

Designers $100-$199

Steve Knox

Shaun and Jeanna Doherty

Denise Seachrist

Judge Chryssa Hartnett

Rachael Knisely

Kristi Bifolchi

Barbara Stephens

Charles and Alice Ross

Dennis Thomas

Missy Hays

Barbara Stephens

Daniel Sibila

Ryan Kuchmaner

Friends $25-$99

Blake Knore

Destiny Ross

Laurie Zupp

Patricia Donald

Jeanette Fatigati

The Amiot Family

Kayla del Rio

Nicholas Mamone

Mary Jane Phillips

Hannah Jolly

Barrie and Marilyn Thorp

Kelly Woodward