Jane Jones **, Director, Book-It Founder & Founding Co-Artistic Director
Jane is the founder of Book-It and founding co-artistic director of Book-It Repertory Theatre, with Myra Platt. In her 23 years of staging literature, she has performed, adapted, and directed works by such literary giants as Charles Dickens, Eudora Welty, Edith Wharton, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Pam Houston, Raymond Carver, Frank O’Connor, Ernest Hemingway, Colette, Amy Bloom, John Irving, John Steinbeck, Daphne du Maurier, and Jane Austen. A veteran actress of 30 years, she has played leading roles in many of America’s most prominent regional theatres including The Guthrie, American Conservatory Theater, The McCarter, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Locally, she has been seen at Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre, The Empty Space, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Tacoma Actors Guild, and INTIMAN. Film and TV credits include The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Singles, Homeward Bound, “Twin Peaks,” and Rose Red. She co-directed with Tom Hulce at Seattle Rep, Peter Parnell’s adaptation of John Irving’s The Cider House Rules, which enjoyed successful runs here in Seattle, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles (Backstage West Award, best director) and in New York (Drama Desk Nomination, best director). Jane recently directed Pride and Prejudice and Twelfth Night at Portland Center Stage which won the 2008 Drammy award for Best Direction and Production. For Book-It, she has directed The House of Mirth, The Highest Tide, Travels with Charley, Pride and Prejudice, Howard’s End, In a Shallow Grave, The Awakening, Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant, and A Tale of Two Cities. Book-It performances include roles in Ethan Frome, Silver Water, Cowboys Are My Weakness, Breathing Lessons, and Rhoda: A Life in Stories. In 2008 she, Myra Platt, and Book-It were honored to be named by the Seattle Times among seven Unsung Heroes and Uncommon Genius for their 20-year contribution to life in the Puget Sound region. She is also a recipient of the 2009 Women’s University Club of Seattle Brava Award.
Peter Parnell Adapter
Peter was nominated for Best Play from the Drama League for The Cider House Rules. His other plays include QED which was produced on Broadway; An Imaginary Life, Flaubert’s Latest, Hyde in Hollywood, Romance Language, and The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket all at Playwrights Horizons in New York City; and Sorrows of Stephen at Public Theater, NYSF. He has written extensively for television as a producer for both “The West Wing” and “The Guardian.” Peter is the co-author with Justin Richardson of The Lion Who Hugged and And Tango Makes Three—which was the most challenged book of 2006, 2007, and 2008, as well as the most banned book of 2009, and is performed as part of Book-It All Over’s Danger: Books! series.
Tom Hulce Original Direction & Concept
Tom has produced Spring Awakening (Tony Award, Best Musical), Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads (Obie Award, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics Award, Best Play), and the feature film A Home at the End of the World, directed by Michael Mayer. He has acted in Equus and A Few Good Men on Broadway, The Normal Heart in London, Eastern Standard at Seattle Rep, and Hamlet at D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre. His films include Amadeus, Dominick and Eugene, Parenthood, Animal House, and Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame I and II. He has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, four Golden Globes, and two Emmys (winning for The Heidi Chronicles).
CAST (in alphabetical Order)
Mary Murfin Bayley Billy Winkle/Nurse Receptionist
Mary’s favorite recent roles include Miss Havisham in Book-It’s workshop production of Great Expectations at Orcas Center and Sheree in Dixie Swim Club directed by Doug Bechtel. While living in Italy during the past two years, she performed with a Commedia dell’Arte group under Roberto Andrioli at Teatro Cestello and studied traditional Florentine theater with Manuelita Baylon. Mary received her BA in theatre from Reed College and studied at the Hagen Berghof Studio in New York. Favorite past roles include Mirandolina in Mistress of the Inn, Amelia Tilford in The Children’s Hour, and Beth and Ellen in Pinter’s Landscape and Silence. Mary is thrilled to be part of The Cider House Rules cast.
Eric Chappelle Musician
Eric is pleased to join in this production of The Cider House Rules. He was previously on stage at The 5th Avenue Theatre as a townsperson in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and in Buddy!. He has played fiddle in many productions of Das Barbecü including the original Seattle Opera production, two productions at ACT Theatre and one at The Goodspeed Opera House. Eric composed music for ACT’s production of The Clean House and he created numerous sound designs there. Rodeo Radio at The Empty Space, Pumpboys and Dinettes at Tacoma Actors Guild, and The Italian Straw Hat at The Bathhouse Theatre are among his favorite productions in which he has appeared.
Peter Crook* Dr. Wilbur Larch
Peter appeared in Book-It’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Silver Water. Other favorite credits include Rock’N’Roll, Stuff Happens, and A Number at ACT Theatre; The Fever and The Designated Mourner at New City Theater; Frozen at The Empty Space; Buddy at The 5th Avenue; Richard II at Seattle Shakespeare; Angels in America at INTIMAN; The Notebooks of Leonardo and The Beard of Avon at Seattle Rep; and over a dozen shows with Seattle Children’s Theatre. Regional credits include The Old Globe Theatre and New York Shakespeare Festival. On Broadway and on tour he was Mozart in Amadeus. TV and film credits include “Designing Women,” “Max Headroom,” Chaplin, Clean Slate, and Snow Falling on Cedars. He is a graduate of The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and The Juilliard School.
Melinda Deane* Nurse Edna/Mother
Melinda is delighted to return to Book-It where she last appeared as Adele in The Awakening. She has performed in regional theaters around the country including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Virginia Stage Company, Portland Center Stage, Oregon Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, and the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts. Some of her favorite roles include Rosalind in As You Like It and Gittel in Two For the Seesaw. Melinda received her training at The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She was given a Drama-Logue Award for her performance as Julie Jordan in Carousel. She can be seen in the movie Bound for Glory.
Joe Feeney Curly Day/Draper Grandson
Joe Feeney is excited to be a part of the wonderful cast of The Cider House Rules. He grew up in Richland, WA and graduated from the University of Washington in 2005.
Heather Gautschi Mrs. Eames’ Daughter/Eclampsia Patient/John Larch
Heather is thrilled to be making her Book-It debut. She has been seen on many Seattle stages, including Theater Schmeater, Balagan Theatre, LiveGirls!, ArtsWest, and GreenStage. Favorite roles include Mary Lane in Reefer Madness, Lavinia in Titus Andronicus, Millie in Picnic, and Ana in the world premiere of Mud Angel. Heather is also an alumnus of the improv company, Unexpected Productions. She received her BA in Theater from Oberlin College.
Emily Grogan John Wilbur/Candy
Emily is delighted to be with Book-It once again, particularly to be working on this play, as watching the original production was such a defining moment for her while still a student at Cornish. Most recently Emily was seen as Silvia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona for Seattle Shakespeare Company, and her most recent Book-It role was Mrs. Elton in Emma. Other Book-It credits include Miss Adrian in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Cassandra in Broken for You, Anchor Woman in The Highest Tide, Helen in Howards End (Seattle Times Footlight Award 2002), and Jane in the original production of Pride and Prejudice.
Laura Kenny* Mrs. Draper/Mrs. Claus/Mrs. Grogan
Laura was recently seen as Juanita in Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean for Woman Seeking… a theatre company and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest at Village Theatre. She has worked at San Diego’s Old Globe, Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C., McCarter Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre, INTIMAN, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and more. She received a Footlight Award for Wintertime at ACT. Her film and TV work includes “Rose Red,” Harry and the Hendersons, 10 Things I Hate About You, Mad Love, and “Northern Exposure.” A proud Union member, Laura has been in AEA for 26 years, is a local Board member for AFTRA, and the local SAG Council VP.
Julie Jamieson Nurse Angela/Prostitute
Julie is very, very happy indeed to be returning to the Book-It stage. Other Book-It roles include Big Red in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Carolyn in The Highest Tide, and Mrs. Bolton in Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Recent roles include Mrs. Gottlieb in Dead Man’s Cell Phone at ArtsWest; the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at Seattle Shakespeare Company; and Jose #3 at Theater Schmeater. Julie has three absolutely great children.
Samara Lerman Mrs. Eames/Kate O’Shaunessey
Samara is delighted to be back on the Book-It stage where she has previously been seen as Myrna and Darlene in A Confederacy of Dunces and Debbie in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Samara has worked nationally and locally with Seattle Shakespeare Company, Balagan Theatre, Theater Schmeater, Theatre 9/12, Harlequin Productions, 14/48 Festival, Centerstage, The Napa Valley Shakespeare Festival, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz.
David Anthony Lewis* Station Master/Mr. Draper/Larch’s Dad/Musician
David is very excited to make his Book-It debut in this production. He graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in 1999 with a BFA in Acting and will always be grateful for the training and work ethic he learned there. Regional credits include Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Orlando in As You Like It, Proteus in Two Gentlemen of Verona, and two seasons with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Local credits include Mr. Hyde in Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Worcester in Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol.
Jon Lutyens Fuzzy Stone/Jennings/Mary Agnes/Musician
Jon is pleased to be making his Book-It debut with this tremendous piece. He has worked as an actor, musician, and educator around the area for five years, appearing with The 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, ArtsWest, SecondStory Repertory, and several others. This marks Jon’s first Seattle summer appearing indoors, having spent the last several summers touring with Seattle Shakespeare Company and Wooden O in various roles. Favorite recent roles include Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Irwin in The History Boys, and Georg in She Loves Me. Jon holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Western Washington University.
Stephanie McAlexander Smoky Fields/13-year-old Girl/Singer
Stephanie is a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s Drama department. She is very pleased to be making her professional debut at Book-It. Some of her favorite roles at the UW include Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, Elizabeth Donderstock in The Book of Liz, Emily in Our Town, and Jeannie in Hair. Stephanie is very much looking forward to struggling as an actor in Seattle.
Ben McFadden Young Larch/Snowy Meadows
Ben is happy to return to Book-It, having been seen in The Highest Tide in 2008. He has also appeared on the stages of ArtsWest, SecondStory Repertory, Balagan Theatre, and in the parks with GreenStage. Ben is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, where he was lucky enough to play the role of Homer in the school’s production of The Cider House Rules. Returning to work on such a beautiful script is a true blessing. Ben is also an active playwright and recently had his newest play, This is a Play about Choices, produced as a staged reading by Backwards Ensemble Theatre Company.
Richard Nguyen Sloniker Truck Driver/Megan O’Rourke/Wally
Richard is a local writer, performer, and educator. He was last seen in Henry V with the Seattle Shakespeare Company as the Dauphin. He’s also appeared as Seth Gale in Abe Lincoln in Illinois at INTIMAN, Bernardo in West Side Story at Village Theatre, Pete in Bunnicula at Seattle Children’s Theatre, and Redford in Flipzoids at the Northwest Asian American Theatre. He’s an alumnus of A Guthrie Experience for Actors in Training at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and holds an MFA from the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program. He is married to Serin Ngai and has a beautifully talented daughter, Viola.
Connor Toms* Homer Wells
Connor is thrilled to be making his Book-It debut with this truly inspired show. He has worked at INTIMAN, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Wooden O, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Capitol Hill Arts Center, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, The New Victory Theater in New York City, and others. He is engaged to his best friend, local actress Hana Lass (née Slamtoss).
Terri Weagant Grown-up Daughter/Melony
Terri is stoked to be making her Book-It main stage debut in The Cider House Rules. She recently toured Washington State with Book-It’s educational program Book-It-All-Over. Terri received her BFA in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts. She is company member of Balagan Theatre and has worked with Theater Schmeater, Capitol Hill Arts Center, Consolidated Works, and Centerstage. She was awarded the 2009 TPS Members Voice Award for Outstanding Actress for her work with Theater Schmeater and Balagan Theatre. Last year Terri toured her production of Jane Wagner’s The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe to Southeast Alaska where she will return later this summer to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the Southeast Alaska State Fair.
Jonathan Wright Wilbur Walsh/Grant Winkle/House Officer/Musician
Jonathan is an award winning actor and composer as well as an Emmy-nominated producer. He is currently co-producing, writing, and starring in a children’s television/web show called “Team Marco Polo.” A native of Napa, California with a BA in Theatre Arts from CSU Sacramento, Jonathan has participated in nearly 100 theatrical productions in the last 15 years. As a relative newcomer to Seattle, he is thrilled to be appearing in his first Book-It production!
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society , a national theatrical labor union.
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