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The Trail To Oregon! |
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Music and Lyrics by Jeff Blim |
Book by Nick Lang, Matt Lang, Brian Holden, & Jeff Blim |
Arranged by Clark Baxtresser & Pierce Siebers |
| Originally produced by StarKid Productions | ||
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Cast
Creative Team
Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal
Amanda Morgan
Brianna Arico
Designers and Crew
Stage Manager........................................................................................Becca Scheetz
Assistant Stage Manager........................................................................Matthew Powell
Producer..................................................................................................Tom Lott
Costume Design......................................................................................Laurel Forcier
Set Design................................................................................................Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal
Sound Design...........................................................................................Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal and Mickey Maguire Jr.
Light Design..............................................................................................Tom Lott
Projection Design.....................................................................................Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal
Light Board Operator...............................................................................Mark Kelly
Sound Board Operator.............................................................................Mickey Maguire Jr.
Orchestra
Keyboard...................................................................................................Amanda Morgan
Bass.............................................................................................................Justin McLean
Drums........................................................................................................Steve Duchesne
Meet the Company
Jesse Drake
Jesse has been performing in the NH community theatre circuit for the past 15 years with numerous companies, as well as musically directing since 2017, where his premiere was with Actorsingers' still-lauded teen production of "Jesus Christ Superstar". In 2021, he began musically directing youth productions at Kids Coop Theatre in Derry and has been working for them and Actors Cooperative Theatre ever since. Jesse's passion for theatre began with his first high school production, which was Seussical the Musical; he slayed the lead Wickersham Monkey solo in "Monkey Around" and he's been going strong ever since. Some of his recent acting credits are "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" as Butch Honeywell presented by Milford Area Players and "Hand to God" as Timothy presented by Actors Cooperative Theatre. He sincerly hopes you cackle at this hootenanny of a Starkid show!
Kelly Duffy
Kelly Duffy (Mother) wants you to be happy she looked up alternate words for “thrilled” and so instead she is delighted, elated, grateful and enthusiastic to be making her New Hampshire theatre debut. Some favorite roles include The Addams Family (Morticia) My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle) Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Into The Woods (Baker’s Wife), Young Frankenstein (Inga), and Follies (Young Carlotta). When she is not in her Kia Seltos listening to Dungeons & Dragons podcasts, she runs payroll for Belmont Instrument in Billerica. She would like to thank her family and friends and cats for their endless love & support. Special thanks to her husband Jack for always packing her snacks for rehearsal!
Garrett Meyer
Garrett Meyer is thrilled to once again act alongside ACT. A performer for over ten years, this Manchester, NH resident was last seen with ACT in “Cabaret” (Emcee) and “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” (Yusef El-Fayoumy) with the Milford Area Players. Garrett could not be more excited to bring this insane show to life, and is envious that you’ll all get to enjoy it from the comfort of your seats.
Mackenzie Goodwin
Mackenzie is thrilled to be returning to the stage for her 3rd show with ACT! She was last seen as Jessica in Hand To God. Past performances include Cecile (Cruel Intentions), Fritzie (Cabaret), Natalie (Next To Normal) and Emily (Nevermore), for which she received an Excellence in Acting award. Mackenzie wants to thank her friends and family for supporting all of her wild theatrical endeavors. Enjoy the show!
Lydia Bailey
Lydia Bailey (Son) is very excited to be joining the cast! Recent roles include Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Milton Players), Peggy in The Ghost Train (Belmont Dramatic Club), and Logainne in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Needham Community Theater). When not onstage she works as a blackjack dealer and is an amateur beekeeper. She would like to thank her family, friends, and William Lawrence for their love and support.
Connor Nugent
Connor is incredibly excited to be a part of this production of The Trail to Oregon! This is his first production with the Actors Coop Theatre. Some of Connor’s prior roles include Various in Edges and Ted Cotten in Murder Among Friends. He would very much like to thank the company for opening up and accepting him, his family for the continued support and love, his friends for always being there, and his girlfriend for simply being the best. Enjoy the show!
Alex Slocum
Alex Slocum plays Cletus Jones, among other roles, and is excited to be doing his first show since he moved! Previous roles he's proud of include Detective Tupolski in The Pillowman, Lurch in Addams Family, and Demetrius in Midsummer Night's Dream. This'll be his first show with ACT, and he's been having a ton of fun with it, and hopes to do more! Enjoy the show!
Victoria Sebastian
Victoria is thrilled to embark on her second production with ACT, following her role as Frenchie in Cabaret. Among her notable performances are Antonia in Man of La Mancha with Theater at the Mount and Liz in Chicago, Hannah in Little Women, and Ermengarde in Hello Dolly at Western New England University. She extends her gratitude to the production team for entrusting her with their vision and expresses heartfelt thanks to her family, friends, and Hillary Haft Bucs. Here's to a fantastic show!
Becky Ruccio
Becky is thrilled to be in her first production with Actors Coop. Past roles include Mama Rose in Gypsy, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Diana in Next to Normal, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias and Barbara in August: Osage County. She’s been nominated for 3 DASH Awards and a NH Theater Award and is honored to be hosting the DASH Awards Ceremony this year. Becky has a BFA in Musical Theater from Ithaca College and works as a Management Recruiter for The Cheesecake Factory. Have fun on the Trail!
Rose Chaffee
Howdy! Rose is very excited for their first production with Actors Cooperative Theatre! You may have seen them in shows with The Actorsingers of Nashua: Wednesday: Addams Family, Tobias Ragg: Sweeney Todd, and Clopin: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Most recently Rose played Judas Iscariot in Milford Area Players production of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.” Being a member of the Trail to Oregon cast has been so fun for Rose. They are so excited to be working with old and new friends on such a unique show. Rose hopes you enjoy and “See you in the trail.”
Jordan Trone
Jordan is ecstatic to be a part of this company. Previous roles include Sophie from Mamma Mia, Pearl in Spongebob the Musical and Ilsa in Spring Awakening. Jordan has been fortunate enough to be a part of many other shows and theatrical programs. Currently Jordan is in the process of transferring from a school in NYC to another school to major in Musical Theatre. Jordan is thrilled to be able to perform with this wonderful group of talented and kind actors.
Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal
Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal (Director) is so thrilled to be back working with Actor's Cooperative Theatre. She is a graduate from Plymouth State University with a degree in Political Science and Theatre and has been performing, directing and teaching in the New Hampshire and Boston area since graduation. Some of her recent directorial productions include "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" (Milford Area Players), “The New Hampshire Theatre Awards” (New Hampshire Theatre Alliance) “Hand To God” (NHTA Winning Show, ACT) “Cabaret” (NHTA Winning Show, ACT), “The Producers” (Windham Actors Guild), “Big: The Musical” (Kids Coop Theatre/ACT), “Oklahoma” (Kids Coop Theatre), “Sweeney Todd” (Actorsingers), “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Actorsingers) “Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier” (ACT) “The Sound of Music” (Kids Coop Theatre) “Bring It On” (Kids Coop Theatre) “Cannibal: The Musical” (Actorsingers) “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” (Winner of the two NHCTA awards, Actorsingers), “Mamma Mia” (Actorsingers) “21 Chump Street (Winner of the NHCTAs and six other awards, Actorsingers) “Reefer Madness” (Actorsingers) “Bye Bye Birdie” (Windham Actors Guild), “Spring Awakening” (Winner of four NHCTA awards including Directing, Actorsingers), and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (NHTA Winning Show, Actorsingers). When Angèlica is not directing she can be found on the stage and has recently been seen in “Nevermore”(Winner of NHCTA Excellence in Acting as well as Best New Show from Broadway World, Actorsingers), “Cruel Intentions''(Actorsingers), “Little Shop Of Horrors” (Dive In Productions), “Macbeth”(Hatbox), and the original cast of “God Hates Musicals”. Angèlica has also worked as a music teacher for the past 10 years. Her main instruments consist of: Cello, Violin, Viola, Ukulele, Bass, Guitar, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano and Voice. Angèlica also has an extensive background in Dance, Fight Direction, Intimacy Direction, Tech Direction, Sound Design, Stage Management and Set Design. She is also looking forward to the next production Addams Family with Kids Coop Theatre as well as returning to the role of Kathryn Merteuil in ACT's Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical. She urges you to keep an eye out for information for both shows.
Amanda Morgan
Amanda is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where she majored in Music Education, worked as an accompanist for the Department of Theater and Dance and received an award from the Kennedy Center for Outstanding Musical Direction. After graduating from UNH, Amanda joined the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and debuted with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall. With over 70 production credits, Amanda has coached theatre groups throughout the Greater Boston Area - most recently at North Shore Music Theater (Boston's Voices of Hope) and Actors Cooperative Theatre here in Derry NH. When not producing/music directing, Amanda works as an accompanist for various theatre groups/schools throughout the state. She currently lives in Manchester with her partner, Hannah, and their two beautiful dogs - Tony and Bella. Enjoy the trail everyone, watch out for Dysentery!
Brianna Arico
Brianna was excited to return to ACT as the choreographer of Trail to Oregon! Brianna has previously choreographed Sweeney Todd with Actorsingers and BIG! with KCT/ACT. Brianna is also excited for her Directorial debut this Spring with The Wizard of Oz at KCT. Brianna trained in jazz and ballet at Bedford Dance Center for 14 years. Brianna recently played Fabiana “Aziza” Cunningham in Milford Are Players, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. She has also performed as a featured dancer with Actorsingers (Joseph & The Amazing Dreamcoat, Cannibal!, & Mamma Mia!) and Actors Coop Theater (Twisted). Brianna’s favorite roles have been a featured dancer in Mamma Mia!, a wide variety of ensemble characters in Twisted, including a Monkey puppet, and Ulla in Windham Actors Guild’s, The Producers. She thanks Angelica and Amanda for being a great team and working together to bring this show to life. Most importantly, Brianna could not have done this without the unwavering support of her fiancé, John.
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Director's Note
The Trail to Oregon! Is a musical that is both witty and fun to watch. Each character has their own distinct personality and what made this show really exciting to work on was creating each one of those with each actor. Though the family has quite a framework, Garrett Meyer who plays McDoon as well as a great deal of other characters had a lot more wiggle room with what these characters looked like. There are some scenes where Garrett switches between over 6 different characters and his dedication and physical comedy really shine. I spent the most time with him, workshopping, trying things, and exploring options for every single role he is in the show regardless of if they have only one line.
With that in mind, this show is normally done without an ensemble. Brianna, Amanda and myself felt that if we had a small group of extremely strong performers we would absolutely be able to make use of them. This then took us down the rabbit hole of all the roles they could be representing, and again very much opened Pandora's Box to the creativity that this cast has together. Each moment in the show has been a group effort, and highly collaborative which is truly magic. I know an audience only sees a final product but for me the magic happens in the rehearsal room, running page 33 for two hours to try different things, to refine, to take in the ideas of other actors and really give each performer the chance to play with the material. This cast has truly been a pleasure to direct and I can’t thank them enough for their willingness to be over the top and try things.
One of the moments that really stuck out to me when I think of this cast taking risks was a musical number in act one that, in my opinion, is a little too long for a stand and sing number. Brianna and I talked, I had an idea, but then we had to pose it to the actors. Connor and Garrett truly make magic together in that dance. I had workshopped a series of very difficult lifts with them and what those two were able to accomplish was astounding. They brought such passion and dimension to this number where their characters are normally just sleeping and I am so proud of the work they did throughout the show. Connor in particular was always game to try anything, he was willing to do a scene 80 times to find the right way and always with a joke and a smile. He truly, in my opinion, set such a strong positive presence early on and throughout that he really set the bar.
I hope you enjoy the show, and remember no two shows are the same, but with this group, every single night will truly be a new experience.