Burnt Fields: Cast and Crew
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Andrew Harvey Anthony a.k.a Andy (Gentry): Andy had his first post high school acting experience when he was cast in Christian St. Croix's Popstar in 2005. This is Andy's first production with Lambda Players. He has had an amazing and wonderful time working with them. Andy would like to dedicate this production to God, his cast-mates, family, and friends.
José Arriaga (Sound Design): José is a Video Editor and budding sound designer. You ever put it on your hot dog or your hamburger? Well, José Arriaga's father made that ketchup in the Hunt's cannery in Yolo County, California. Now the young José is a filmmaker and editor whose series of narrative and documentary "Escenas de la Lucha" shorts portray the struggles of everyday people. José has been working as a freelance editor for the last 6 years, cutting and assisting on various feature, short and documentary films in addition to TV spots and industrials. He holds a B.A. in cinema from San Francisco State California.
Lynnette Blaney (Momma/Mrs. Caine/Mother Owens/I.C. Scott): A Sacramento native, Lynnette has enjoyed performing since starring as The Bionic Pickle in third grade. More recently she has appeared as Mrs. Sowerberry in the Woodland Opera House’s production of Oliver, Mollie in Stage 9’s version of The Mousetrap, and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Chautauqua Playhouse. Having enjoyed the challenge of portraying characters with accents ranging from British to Chinese, Lynnette is enjoying her first opportunity to work in a regional American accent.
Curtis W. Brown (Jasper/Old Bachelor #1): This is Curtis’ fourth play with Lambda Players and he would like to thank Kurt Kurtis for having the faith to cast him as Jasper. Curtis is a hair stylist by day, an actor by night, who could ask for more? He trained in New York City under Herbert Berhoff, Uta Haagen and William Hickey, then in Los Angeles under John Kirby. Some of Curtis’ favorite roles so far besides this one, are Paul in Barefoot in the Park, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Rimbaud in Total Eclipse, Toddy in Take Me Out and Wardell in Sordid Lives.
Micail Buse (Preacher): Micail’s mother signed him up for his first acting class at age 11, "to help him lose his shyness". It worked. It also instilled in him a life long passion for theatre. Micail has been acting ever since and long ago lost track of how many plays he has done: everything from Shakespeare, Moliere and Checkov, to musicals, to (his favorites) Beckett and Stoppard. He began teaching acting in public schools in 1977 but quickly opted to teach and coach privately. Micail will be opening classes at the Ooley Theatre in the spring. After working at four theatres in Northern Humboldt for 20 years, (plus touring in a fifth for 10 years), he returned to Woodland in 1995 and has performed mostly at the Woodland Opera House, "it’s hard to get used to acting for free", he stated. This is Micail’s 2nd appearance in Sacramento since the early 70s. He would like to dedicate his performance to fundamentalist zealots of all faiths in the hope that a cure can be found.
Jimmy Cliff George (Playwright/Composer): Jimmy was born in Fulton Mississippi on July 17, 1956. He was a composer, playwright and artist enthralled with the poetic language of the south. Jimmy worked for the Itawamba County Arts Council and was a regular attendee of the Burntfields Church. He won a Red Lamp Award for poetry in 1982 and studied at the Memphis College of Art before arriving in Sacramento in the late 80s. Jimmy’s paintings were featured in Sacramento art galleries shortly after he arrived here and he went on to make his living working for art galleries in San Francisco and Mill Valley. Jimmy returned to Itawamba County to live prior to his death on August 30, 1994.
Suzanne Gonzales (Costumer): Suzanne is thrilled to be working on her first show with the Lambda Players. She learned to sew at Music Circus when she voluteered there in 1982 and has been sewing ever since. Designing and constructing costumes for many school plays has been a great hobby for Suzanne since 1993 when she made costumes for her first son's school play. She would like to thank the Lambda Players for giving her the opportunity to step it up a notch. She would like to thank her 4 children for their love and support.
Mahlon Hall (Mr. Caine/Old Batchelor #2): Mahlon recently moved to Sacramento from Los Angeles. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University where he majored in theatre. Mahlon performed in dinner theatre productions in Richmond, VA and the Washington, D.C. metro area in such musicals as Dames at Sea, Company and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Tygar Hicks (Shelby Jean): This is Tygar’s first experience with both Lambda Players and The Studio Theatre. She is very thankful to be a new member of both families. Tygar is a student at CSU Sacramento. She would like to thank her mother for her constant support and love, and her best friends Victoria Alvarez-Chacon and Ashlie Chimero; they are her laughter. Theatre is Tygar’s love and "all you need is love and laughter" – August Wilson.
Bethany Hidden (Widow, Miss Tabatha): This is Bethany’s third "official" Lambda Players show. She was last seen emceeing "The Kings of Drag – Twisted Xmas", as Lucille Ball in RAYLYNN HOSTS A CHRISTMAS CABARET and as Shees Eezie – the Trivia Gal for HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at the Crest Theatre. Past Lambda shows include SORDID LIVES (Bitsy Mae) and CARHOPS IN BONDAGE (Wanda), Bethany is a Natomas Charter graduate and works locally in film (48 Hours Later, Monster from Bikini Beach and Whispers & Shadows) and television (Cinema Insomnia). She is a long time member of the Trash Film Orgy and enjoys working with its many projects. Bethany is a fan of bad movies, good music and B-movie actors. She wishes much love and thanks to her friends and family, Kurt & West for letting her be a part of this production and especially & most importantly, her love Will.
Mark Hoffman (Capt. Tyler): Mark is a professional psychologist by day, and a recipient of the Milton Erickson Award for Scientific Excellence...in Hypnosis. For about the past decade he has appeared on various stages in the Sacramento region, most recently seen in The Mousetrap at Stage 9. Other stage credits include The Mai at The Space, the English panto-styled Cinderella (Baron Hardup) with Sacramento Theatre Company, the Depression-era saga Darlin' (Papa) at California Stage, the sci-fi comedy The Harmony Codes (Hoyt) with Beyond the Proscenium, and various dramas, comedies and musicals with Vista Players, River Stage, Tantalus Theatre Works, Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre, Woodland Opera House, Davis Comic Opera and Runaway Stage Productions. He recently originated the role of Pope Julius II in the new musical Michelangelo by Dario Vanni, and has also worked on and behind the camera as an actor, writer, and director. He is a contributing associate producer of the film, Passage to Zarahemla. He also directs a church choir, teaches music, and coaches actors.
Cameron Johnson (Beetle/Beale): Cameron comes to Lambda Players after having recently played in Stage Nine of Folsom’s MOUSETRAP and HOLIDAY IN THE HILLS. His other performances include A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, A SOLDIER’S PLAY, AMERICAN CLOCK, TARTUFFE, IN BED WITH CHUCK & LOIS, plus film and commercials. Cameron enjoys music, airplanes and life. Cameron thanks his mother for introducing him to theatre at an early age and his dad for the pleasure of a good jazz tune, his family and friends for their support and many teachers for their guidance. And he thanks God for the gift of time.
Kurt Kurtis (Young Doctor, Co-Director, Set Designer, Light Designer): Kurt was on the fringe of the Lambda experience when he was approached to play the young lead in JERKER in 1991. Upon entering the basement where the play was to be presented, complete with dirt, shovels and body mounds…. lol, he graciously refused the role. When Kurt saw the audition notice for Twilight of the Gold’s he realized that the theatre company stood for something. He joined the players as the Pool Man in The Coming Out Party, directed by Matthew Burlingame, in 2003 and has been involved ever since. His favorite roles with Lambda have been the Pool Man, Mark Fuller in Southern Baptist Sissies, G.W. Nethercott in Sordid Lives, Yakoff Queernoff in Hedwig and the Angry Inch , the M.C. for Raylynn Hosts a Christmas Cabaret and the Young Doctor in Burnt Fields. He is currently the technical director and has served in that capacity for the past three years. He would like to thank you for coming tonight and keeping community theatre alive in Sacramento.
Carissa Meagher (Kari): Carissa has been performing in and around the Sacramento area for over a decade. Her favourite roles include Josie in By the Bog of Cats (California Stage), Annie in Annie's Story (Thistle Dew Theatre), Millie in The Mai (California Stage), Abigail in Salem Mass (Natomas Charter), and Alice in The Story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (T Street Players). Carissa has credits in films, numerous musicals, and dance shows. She is on pointe in ballet and takes vocal lessons from Sam Scheiber. She attends Natomas Charter where she studies playwrighting and animation. Carissa is currently employed as a teacher at John Robert Powers Talent Agency where she teaches acting to toddlers through college age students. She'd like to thank everyone at Lambda Players for an enjoyable experience.
Ann Marie "Mouse" Patterson (Stage Manager/Light Technician): Ann Marie is happy to be back with the Lambda Players. She was last seen on stage in Lambda’s own I DO, I DON’T throwing chicken legs around the stage and in COUNTESS DRACULA laughing through her nose. She can frequently be found lurking in the light booth for both the Lambda Players and Beyond the Proscenium Productions. Any information as to her current whereabouts can be dropped off at the box office.
West Ramsey (Co-Director): West has been involved in theatre for over 20 years, mainly as an actor, but also as light and sound technician, set builder, set designer, set dresser, assistant director and director. He last appeared onstage as Android 314 in CARHOPS IN BONDAGE (unless we count his "lying in" for Dead Peggy for several performances of SORDID LIVES). West discovered film about two years ago and has been in many local, independent short and full-length films, most recently as the main character in Stingy Jack.
Noemi C. Rios (Arrabella): Noemi is pleased to be performing again with the Lambda Players. For this role she took on the challenge of learning to play the guitar in six weeks. Noemi thanks the directors, friends and family for their support and gives special thanks to Karl Kasmire for the guitar pointer and to Jamesie for being cool and supportive of her hobby.
Jackie Schultz (Miss Shelby/Momma McCarver): Jackie Schultz has been working in Sacramento area regional theatre for the last 25 years, graduating with a Master's Degree from California State University Long Beach. She was the first Artistic Director, built and opened Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre in 1981, an Associate Director at the Sacramento Theatre Company and Founder/Producer/Director of The Studio Theatre in downtown Sacramento since building the theatre in 1994. She ran the company until 2006. Her production of the musical SIX WOMEN WITH BRAIN DEATH was highly acclaimed and had a very successful 9 year run. Her work in the arts community includes A CALL FOR UNITY at the Mondavi Center, the JAMMIES and the SAMMIES for the Sacramento News & Review. Recently she directed/choreographed THE SUGAR BEAN SISTERS, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES and NUNSENSE AMEN! Jackie’s work in theatre has been acknowledged by awards from the Arts and Business Council, Sacramento Magazine, the Sacramento Bee and the Sacramento News and Review, among others. She was a founding member/president of The League of Sacramento Theatre’s and created the SeeAplay.com programming. Her favorite performances include roles in CLOSER THAN EVER, IT HAD TO BE YOU, HEROES (co-written with William Hedge), and KATHY AND MO. Jackie is very pleased to be working with the Lambda Players and helping the company prosper in their new home at The Studio Theatre.
Chad Jayson Smith (J.B. Maddox): This is Chad Jayson's first time performing for the Lambda Players Theater. He was born in Sacramento, but spent many years living around the country, mostly in Ohio. Chad looks forward to learning the Sacramento theater stage! He also likes drinking, benders, long dinners, strolls through dive bars and cheap drinks!!! Any other questions...please inquire.
Brittany Sims (Jambalaya): Brittany is from San Leandro, California. She is a freshman at Sacramento State University. Brittany has been involved with theatre since the age of ten and singing since the age of eight. She has performed in Bye, Bye, Birdie and Oklahoma. She was a member of the Oakland Interfaith Youth Gospel Choir and traveled throughout California and in Vancouver, Canada. Brittany has been in two productions at Sac State: North Star and The Vagina Monologues: V-Day 10th Anniversary. She is also a member of Suns & Ancestor Players at Sacramento State. Brittany would like to thank her family for all their love and support. She is very excited to be a part of Burnt Fields and portraying the character Jambalaya, it is one of her favorite foods.
Olivia Stevenson (Trudy Belle/Martha May Owens): Olivia is 15 years old and is a freshman at Saint Francis High School. She was last seen in Our Town at Sacramento City College as Rebbecca Gibbs. She is also currently a member of Sacramento Theater Company's STC2 for young professional actors. She has been in numerous shows with Storytime Theater such as, Cinderella, Rumpelstiltsken, Peter Rabbit, Sleeping Beauty, and Alladin. For the past three years, she has been training at the Berkeley Repertory Theater where she studied acting extensively. At Saint Francis she is currently in a Theater Arts class where she is playing the title role of Antigone in Antigone. At her elementary school, she played Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods. Later this spring, she will be playing Alice in Alice in Wonderland at Storytime Theater at Sacramento City College. She thanks her wonderful mom and dad for their love and support and for driving her to all the rehearsals.
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