"Gentlemen prefer blondes" cast

KEVIN HALPIN (DIRECTOR) is excited to be returning "home" to Tibbits this Summer for GPB.  Tibbits regulars may remember his recent TST productions of Sweet Charity, Grease and They're Playing Our Song.  Long time patrons may remember him as a performer in Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific and The Best Little Whorehouse..... in the 1985 season.  Since 1999 Kevin has been the Director of the Musical Theatre Program at State University of New York College at Cortland. Favorite recent non-Tibbits Director/Choreographer credits include; Tommy, A Little Night Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along and the World Premiere of a new musical about Coney Island: Luna Park. A special thanks to Mary Carpenter and family for their support.  Kevin's greatest achievements are his two daughters, Aisling and Cassidy, created in collaboration with his exquisite wife (a Tibbits alum) Cindy.  This production is dedicated to them and the fond memory of a friend and rare soul, Bob.

TIFFANY WIESEND (ACTOR) is delighted to "return home" to Michigan for a second summer at Tibbits after just receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. You may have seen her portray Amy in Little Women or Carol in The Bop She Bops last summer. Favorite roles Tiffany has played elsewhere include Shelley in Bat Boy, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie. Not only has her education taken her to Boston, but to such places as The Stratford Festival, the country of Greece with the U of D Actor’s Company, and next to NYC in the fall. Tiffany would like to thank sisters Wendy and Natalie for putting up with her incessant singing as a kid, and her Grandma Wiesend for starting her acting lessons early (at the age of three) with home-video court cases and cereal commercials. Tiffany sends sincere thanks to everyone in her life that has supported her along the way, and dedicates every performance to her mother, who is truly an angel on earth, and her Dad, who always has the best seat in the house—looking down from heaven.

ALISON GRITZ (ACTOR) is thrilled to be returning to Tibbits after taking a summer away to move to NYC. You may recognize Alison from the title role in Sweet Charity in the Summer of 2007. Alison has also been seen in such roles as Ti Moune- Once on This Island, Linda-Blood Brothers, Roz-Moon Over Buffalo and Elvira-Blithe Spirit. Alison was seen last year performing at New York National Dance Week in NYC, and has been blessed to have performed at such theatres as The Kennedy Center, The Shubert Theatre and The Lyric Opera House. Alison is a proud graduate of Western Illinois University where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre. Thanks to Charles, and my amazingly supportive friends and family!

RYAN MCDONALD (ACTOR) is thrilled to be working with such an incredible cast and crew here at Tibbits.  His previous credits include Guys and Dolls-Nathan Detroit, Tommy-Cousin Kevin, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Music Man, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress, Jeyll and Hyde, Cabaret, Rent, Gypsy, Oliver and several more including a world premiere musical Luna Park.  He would like to thank everyone at Tibbits for giving him the oportunity and Kevin for his continual guidiance.  He would also like to thank his friends, and most of all, Allison for her constant support.

TIMOTHY FUCHS (ACTOR) is very excited to be working at Tibbits this summer. He is a recent graduate from Dryden High School and is pursuing musical theatre in college. Most recent shows and roles include Danny-Grease, Little Jim in the world premiere of Luna Park at SUNY Cortland, Aggie-The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Tom- A Few Good Men, and Joe Hardy-Damn Yankees. He has been dancing for four years at SUNY Cortland's performing Arts Institute. Other hobbies include playing the tenor saxophone, playing piano, and writing his own music. Tim loves to skateboard and snowboard and enjoys all types of sports! He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support.

GLORIA LOGAN (ACTOR) "It's always a joy to return to the historic Tibbits Opera House!"  From Tibbits, to The Barn, to The Kentucky Repertory Theatre, to TV commercials, to video production, to narrating for the Symphony, Gloria has enjoyed a divierse career of, well, 'several' decades.  This career has included teaching, directing, designing, having a theater named in her honor, receiving performance awards from the Michigan Theatre Association, and selection as Eastern Michigan University's Distinguished Alumna.  Favorite regional roles range from Golde-Fiddler On the Roof to Tessie Tura-Gypsy, Gloria-Grace and Glorie to Bessie-Marvin's Room, Maria-Lend Me a Tenor to Clairee-Steel Magnolia's and her most favorite role--wife to musician hubby, Norman.  Special thanks to Joann Dean for continuing to be a lovely home host.

ORION SILVERTREE (ACTOR) is back in Coldwater this summer performing in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Leading Ladies, and the Popcorn Theatre productions of  The Sword and the Stone and The Princess and the Pea. This is Orion's fifth season with the Tibbits. Previous appearances on our stage include Room Service, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Desperate Hours. He's also very proud of his ongoing relationship with local troupe Young Michigan Dances, with roles in The Emperor and the Nightengale, Legends of the Great North Woods, and this year's revival of The Snow Girl.

LARS HAGLUND (ACTOR) recently finished a two and a half month run of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers in Fort Collins, Colorado and is thrilled to be back at Tibbits for the summer. If you saw any kids shows last summer, you may remember him as Tigger in The House at Pooh Corner. New York Theatre: On the Town-Dancer.  Regional Theatre: Buddy Holly Story-Ritchie Valens, 42nd Street-Billy Lawlor, CATS-SkimbleShanks, A CHRISTMAS CAROL-Fezzywig/Beadle, EVITA-Tango Dancer/Che US. Lars is so excited and blessed to be sharing the stage this summer with his new fiance Nicole Miller. He would like to thank Charles for this wonderful opportunity, God, his Mom, Dad, Sis, and grandparents for all their support and Love. Lars is a proud 2008 Graduate of Western Michigan University's Musical Theatre Program.

KIERSTIN ELLIOTT (ACTOR) is a sophomore at Wayne State University pursuing a degree in dance performance. While at Wayne State she has assumed the position of student representative for her class in the dance department and is also a member of Company One, touring to elementary schools in the Detroit area. Kierstin has also worked with guest artists such as Ray Mercer and Nicholas Leichter as well as other choreographers at the American College Dance Festival. This is Kierstin’s first appearance on the Tibbits stage and she is thrilled to be provided the opportunity. I want to thank each and every person who has inspired, encouraged and supported me throughout the years. Enjoy the show!

MARK KELLEY (ACTOR) is delighted to be returning to the Tibbits Opera House for his second season. Originally from Chesterfield, MO, Mark received his BFA in Theatre Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University and now calls New York City home. Favorites past roles include Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (St. Louis Shakespeare), Joey Evans in Pal Joey (Utah Musical Theatre), the Antipholus Twins in The Comedy of Errors (St. Louis Shakespeare), Harlequin in Triumph of Love (Utah Musical Theatre), Thomas Jefferson in 1776 (Rocky Mountain Rep), and Faker Englund in Room Service (Tibbits Opera House). Eternal thanks and gratitude to his parents, siblings, Aunt Eileen, Aunt Nancy, and his lovely Christina.

LINDSEY SPENCER (ACTOR) is working on her BFA in musical theatre, and she will be beginning her junior year this fall at the Chicago College of Performing Arts.  This is her first season with Tibbit and she is absolutely thrilled to be here!  She is originally from Kentucky where she spent nine years at The School for Creative and Performing Arts studying drama, writing, and voice. Favorite roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Eponine in Les Miserables, Essie in You Can’t Take it With You, and Ellen Manville in LUV. She would like to thank her mom and dad for working so hard to make her dreams come true, Alan for inspiring her, baby Adrian for helping her comprehend BMC movement, and all of you for supporting the arts!

TIFFANY YVONNE COX (ACTOR) is making her debut at Tibbits this season. She recently completed The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre’s Acting Internship. Credits include: A Christmas Carol, D’Tension, Ten Chimneys Readings Series and understudy roles in State of the Union, Eurydice, Trouble In Mind, I Just Stopped By to See the Man, and The Cherry Orchard . In ‘07/‘08 she was part of the Acting Intern Ensemble at PCPA Theaterfest. Her credits included: Godspell-featured ensemble, The Sound of Music-Sister Berthe, reading of Blues for an Alabama Sky, and a variety of roles in PCPA’s Educational Tour. She also was part of CPCC’s Summer Company in 2006: Parade-Angela, 42nd Street-Gladys, The Jungle Book-Ka, and The Wizard of Oz-ensemble. She has a BFA in Musical Theater with minors in Spanish and Dance from Catawba College. Tiffany would like to send love and thanks to her family and God.

NICOLE MILLER (ACTOR) a native of Livonia, Michigan is making her debut on the Tibbits stage this summer. Earlier this year Nicole modeled for Schwarzkopf and made her professional debut at the Encore Musical Theatre in Evita, understudying the title role and performing in the chorus. Afterwards she played Martha in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers for two and a half months in Fort Collins, Colorado. Theatre Credits include: Cats-Jennyanydots, Grease-Marty, Joseph-Narrator, Company-April, On the Town-Lucy Schmeeler, Edwin Drood-Eliana. Nicole is so happy to be performing this summer with her new finace Lars Haglund. She would like to thank Charles for this exciting new experience, God, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Nonna and Zoe for their never ending support and love. Nicole is a 2008 graduate from Western Michigan University.

JARED WIETBROCK (ACTOR) is thrilled to be making his debut at Tibbits Summer Theatre! He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Catawba College, and most recently performed in the children’s show Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at the Legacy Theatre in Georgia (where he played several characters, but most importantly a kangaroo). Favorite roles include: Bud Frump in How to Succeed…; Man #1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (with the fabulous Ms. Tiffany Cox); Ensemble/Coalhouse Follower in Ragtime; and Ensemble roles in Sweeney Todd and Pippin. Jared thanks his Mom and family for their constant support, all of his past teachers for making him the actor he is today, and his awesome friends for keeping him grounded and making him laugh.

GREG PRAGEL (ACTOR) is thrilled to be back at the Tibbits after having a wonderful experience with The Snow Girl. Greg is from Buffalo, NY where he graduated from Niagara University. Since then, he has performed with Sesame Street Live!; Downstairs Cabaret Theatre; Mill Mountain Theatre; the Renaissance Center as a Company Member; and Playhouse on the Square as a Resident Company Member and Resident Fight Choreographer. Recently he directed, designed, and performed in Neil LaBute's "bash." Some of his favorite roles include The Full Monty-Malcolm MacGreggor, Big River-Tom Sawyer, Seussical-The Cat in the Hat,  And Baby Makes Seven-Peter, Scapin-Scapin; and every role in Greater Tuna and A Tuna Christmas. Greg would like to thank Charles and everyone here for the good times, his mentor Tim, and his family and friends for their endless love and support.

MITCHELL THURMAN (ACTOR) writes, “I was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri.  Now, as exciting as that sounds it is actually quite a small town.  I started acting the summer before my Junior year in high school mainly because there wasn’t much to do and I loved the attention.  Acting has been a way for me to express myself, live out my fantasies and take off my clothes in front of three hundred strangers at every opportunity that came along.  I have loved every minute of it and would not trade a second.  Many people have helped me along the way.  One of them that I would like to thank is Mr. Richard Giles.  He has been my director, teacher, mentor, and friend form the beginning.  Also, to my mother who kept my head amongst the stars and my father who kept my feet on the ground:  Thank you and I love you.”

CHARLES BURR (ACTOR) For Tibbits Summer Theatre: 19th season as Artistic Director, 27th season as actor, director or author.  Acted in 32 productions, Directed 61, Artistic Director Supervision for 80 additional productions.