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On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Players, as well as the cast and crew of Pippin, I want to welcome you to St. Mark's.  This is truly a unique and vibrant church community, of which The Players are simply one of many significant parts.  The production you are about to see would not be possible without the active and tangible support of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.  While other community theater companies have church affiliations, few if any perform as we do, here in the Nave.  Audience and cast members alike have commented for years how using the Nave of this historic church as a stage adds to the magic of live theatre.

If this is your first time at a St. Mark's show, we are especially glad that you have chosen to come and see what we do.  Of course, if you are a returning audience member or even an old timer we are thrilled that you are back.  We are extremely proud of our long-standing reputation for high-quality theatre and have therefore been fortunate to attract talent and audiences from a wide geographic area.  The cast of this show is much like the audience, with a blend of both old and new to the St. Mark's experience.

The Players is an active membership organization.  Our life's blood is the efforts of our volunteers who do everything from managing the Company to appearing on stage, providing technical expertise, ushering, doing publicity, and so on.  We are always looking for folks who would like to join us; we have numerous roles to fill both on and off stage.  We will have membership information available during intermission, or you can learn more from a leisurely visit to our web site: www.stmarksplayers.org.

The St. Mark's Players is an active member of NVTA (Northern Virginia Theatre Alliance), WATCH (Washington Area Theatre Community Honors), and annually competes for the Ruby Griffith awards presented by the British Embassy Players.  Over the years we have been fortunate to receive an occasional award and a number of good reviews.

We hope you have a marvelous time; enjoy the show.  We hope to see you either as a member or in the audience, or both, for years to come.

Rich Rutherford, President
For the Board of Directors

Jeffrey Scott Auerbach (Lighting Designer)
This is Jeff's third year designing lights for St. Mark's Players.  Some of his other shows were Six Degrees of Separation, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat, just to name a couple.  He enjoys working with St. Mark's and hopes to be doing more shows for them in the future.  Jeff graduated from George Mason University with a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in theater tech and design, with an emphasis in lighting.  While attending Mason, one of his shows was nominated for the American College Theater Festival.  He has an opportunity to learn the intricacies of designing lights for Dance at the Dance Studio on the NOVA Alexandria Campus.  He currently works for Card Alert Services, Inc., a subsidiary of HNC Software as a Data Analyzer in the Data Integrity Department.  He wants to thank Mikey P., for all of his help during this production as well as others he has worked with at St. Mark's.  He also wants to thank Dave, Don, John, George, Rachel, Jacob, Mitch, Colleen, Mom, and Dad.   And finally, he hopes you enjoy the show.

Lauren Bloom (Fastrada)
Lauren is making her debut with the St. Mark's Players.  A lawyer by day, Lauren is an actress and aspiring cabaret singer, working on her own one-woman show.  Thanks to the cast, artistic team and crew for this terrific opportunity!

Giuseppe DeBartolo (Player/Co-Dance Captain)
Giuseppe is pleased to make his St. Mark's Players debut in Pippin.  Other roles in the Metro area include Protean in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Rockville Musical Theatre), Bird Seller in Sweeney Todd (Sandy Spring Theatre Group), male lead in the Spirit of Washington holiday show, and in the ensemble of Lake of Panthers (reading) at The Kennedy Center.

Ron Gebhartdtsbauer (Player)
Ron's last time in a show was 30 years ago, back in high school, when he did Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and the Captain in HMS Pinafore.  He's been a regular soloist with several church choirs and the Capitol Hill Choral Society, but has not danced in a long time.  He thanks Lauren and the powers that be for letting this rusty Player back on stage, and he loves it.  During the day, he is an actuary and spokesperson for the actuarial profession in the U.S., often testifying before Congress or in a Town Hall forum on Social Security issues.

Sharon Wilson Géno (Player/Co-Dance Captain)
Sharon cannot believe it's been ten years since she last graced the stage.  She last performed with the Georgetown Gilbert and Sullivan Society in various productions, and prior to that, with a number of community theater groups in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.  Since then, Sharon has been busily engaged as an affordable housing lawyer/lobbyist for a Washington-based firm. She is eternally grateful to Frankie, Scott, and Brian for talking her into this; to the welcoming cast and crew; and especially to her husband, Jason, who endured numerous dog walks and take-out meals without complaint to make her performance possible.

Douglas Gowin (Costume Designer)
Dougie has been doing lights, sets, costumes, and props since his early days in Kansas City, MO. His costumes for last year's Cheverly Young Actors' Guild production of The Wizard of Oz were seen again at St. Mark's Players, for whom he has designed Pippin this season.  Another Wizard of Oz is on the horizon, and future engagements will take him from DC to Florida to Pennsylvania.

Frankie Haan (Berthe)
Frankie still has all her teeth, and is not really as old as she might appear on stage.  When the nice nurses let her leave the nursing home, Frankie is the General Counsel for Insuractive, Inc. and WorldTravelCenter.com, where you can purchase travel insurance for your next trip home to visit your grandma.  Back in her younger days, Frankie was seen on stage as Patricia Fodor in Crazy For You with The Arlington Players; Marty in Grease with Georgetown Gilbert and Sullivan Society; and Meg Brockie in Brigadoon, many women, three men and a cow in Quilters, the dancing horse in Man of La Mancha and various other stunning roles with the St. Mark's Players.  Frankie would like to thank you for coming and encourages you to sing along - but only when you're asked!

Rick Hayes (Director)
Rick is directing his seventh production for the Players.  Past shows include Godspell, Nunsense, My Fair Lady, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat.  He has also directed productions for Port City Playhouse, Little Theatre of Alexandria, and Georgetown Gilbert and Sullivan Society.  His next production is a funky techno drama entitled Because He Can by Arthur Kopit for Port City Playhouse.  Rick would like to thank Pat for her usual artistic triumph, Chad (who will be knockin' em dead with his own productions), Rikki for being the best dang choreographer in the whole world, Bill for steppin' up for another dose of working with me, Arthur for seeing everything that I don't see, Laurie for loving this show, and Michael for being my best friend for so many years and still wanting to do this stuff with me!  And, as usual, this show is for my furry creature.  This wouldn't be nearly as fun without you.

Richelle "Rikki" Howie (Choreographer)
This is Rikki's first show with SMP and her swan song for the DC area. She is moving back to North Carolina. Previous stage performances have been Rockville Musical Theatre's Chess, Meet Me in St. Louis, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Victor/Victoria; Sandy Spring Theatre Group's Godspell; and Common Realities at Lincoln Theater. She thanks SMP for giving her the opportunity to choreograph this show.  She's loving it and loving everybody and all of you will be very, very missed.

Pat Jarvis (Vocal Director)
Pat is an old hand at St. Mark's. She and Rick and several of the other cast and crew members have worked on My Fair Lady, Godspell, Nunsense, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat.  She has also been music director for several shows in Northern Virginia and Maryland.  Among them are Oklahoma! for Dominion Stage; Gypsy and The Fantasticks for The Arlington Players; Into the Woods and I Do! I Do! for Tantallon; and The World Goes 'Round for Springfield Community Theater. Her day job involves trying to create an audience for future productions among the students of Hammond Middle School in Alexandria.

Doe B. Kim (Player)
Doe is delighted to be back with St. Mark's after a fun run as the Tin Woodsman in The Wizard of Oz last spring.  He was last seen as a policeman in Sandy Spring Theatre Group's Sweeney Todd.  Doe has provided music direction for SSTG's productions of The Fantasticks, Nunsense, and Into the Woods, and also has dabbled as the drummer for SSTG's Ruby Griffith Award-winning Godspell.  Special thanks to Rosie Dyer for helping him find his true vocal range.

Pete Krueger (Pippin)
This is Pete's fourth show with St. Mark's Players.  Previously, he performed in Six Degrees of Separation, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor(r) Dreamcoat, and Pal Joey.  Some of his other roles have been Tulsa in Gypsy, John Truitt in Meet Me in St. Louis, and El Dancairo in Bizet's Carmen.  He is also an assistant with the Complete Meisner-Based Actor's Training Program with Robert Epstein.  "Art is what happens when you reveal yourself to the world."

Marla McClure (Player)
Marla is happy to be appearing in her first production with the St. Mark's Players (and in her second production of Pippin!).  Last year, she was seen as a marathoner in The Arlington Players' Steel Pier. Other productions include TAP's Damn Yankees and Crazy for You (Follies Girl), Into the Woods (Little Red Ridinghood), Anything Goes (Hope), The Sound of Music (Liesl), Pippin (again!), Big River, and Gypsy.  Originally from Wheeling, WV, Marla graduated from Wake Forest University and is a devout Demon Deacon fan. During the day, Marla works for an economic consulting group in DC.  Go Deacs!!!

Anya Audette Randall Nebel (Leading Player)
Anya is excited to be making her Washington, DC debut with the St. Mark's Players.  Anya has worked in the Baltimore area for the past 15 years in productions of Hello, Dolly!; Nunsense I and II; Purlie; Dreamgirls; Sophisticated Ladies; The World Goes 'Round; and has directed and starred in Ain't Misbehavin'.  Anya has toured the country and Europe in the National Tours of Godspell; Ain't Misbehavin'; Little Shop of Horrors; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor(r) Dreamcoat; and Buddy, The Musical.  Her film credits and television credits include John Waters' Hairspray, Performance Profiles on Howard County Cable 8, and Newsbreak for CNN.  This summer Anya once again has the pleasure of directing and choreographing Ain't Misbehavin' for the Summer Theatre at Essex Community College.  Anya dedicates this show to her o-so-patient husband, Joe, and to Atholton High School where she played the Leading Player in Pippin 20 years ago this May.  TA DA!!

William D. Parker (Orchestral Director)
This is Bill's third time with the conducing baton in hand for a St. Mark's musical, previously music directing The Wizard of Oz and Pal Joey.  Other credits include Closer Than Ever with Springfield Community Theatre, which won him Best Music Director at the 2000 ACT Awards; Wizard of Oz with Cheverly Children's Theater Guild; and Cabaret at Colonial Players Theater in Annapolis.  He's also been seen on stage at St. Mark's as Levi/Butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor(r) Dreamcoat.  He's currently music director at Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, but is trying to find his own corner of the sky, pursuing interests in the performing arts but outside the classroom.  Though it's still worth the drive, it sure is nice to be closer!

Michael A. Pemberton (Producer)
After swearing that he would never produce a musical again, here he is.  Michael has been with the Players for over 11 years now and has every gray hair to show for it.  Rare is the show where Michael isn't doing something with SMP.  Lately, he's been in the rafters a lot with the bats hanging the lights.  The Assistant Controller for Treasury and Investments at the Catholic University of America by day, he's a dyed-in-the-wool thespian by night.  His meager spare time is taken up watching his partner Chad take care of their new house on Capitol Hill.

Heather Powers (Player)
Heather is appearing in her first theatrical performance beyond 8th grade.  As a case manager for families moving from homelessness into permanent housing by day (and often night), backstage work has been one of her avocational passions for years, including extensive work on St. Mark's' production of Oliver!  A dramatic soul at heart, to the occasional chagrin of her friends and family, she is excited to get the opportunity to perform with such a talented group.  She thanks the production team for this wild and whimsical chance to romp.

Keiara Robinson (Player)
Keiara is a sophomore at Montgomery Blair High School, and is new to the St. Mark's Players, although not to area theater.  She performed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Kennedy Center and in the Capitol Hill Theater Alliance's production of Ain't Misbehavin'.  Keiara enjoys going to the theater, listening to music, working out, and snow boarding/skiing.  She is an avid dancer and hopes to pursue it after graduation.

Arthur Rodger (Stage Manager)
Arthur last worked in the St. Mark's nave stage managing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor(r) Dreamcoat.  Before that he was the Assistant Director for Six Degrees of Separation here. He also works with The Arlington Players, Industrial Strength Theatre, Dominion Stage, and The American Century Theatre acting, producing, stage managing, directing and designing make-up. "It is a pleasure coming back to St. Mark's and working with Rick and Mike again."

John Scheer (Charlemagne)
John is delighted to be portraying Charlemagne in the St. Mark's Players production of Pippin.  Although this is the first time he has appeared in an SMP show, John is no stranger to the theater, having appeared in some 25 shows (including a professional light opera) with several Washington Area theater companies.  Some of his favorite roles over the years include Melvin P. Thorpe in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Dr. Frank Gibbs in Our Town, and Herbie (the Agent) in Gypsy.  His off stage roles in additional shows have included stints as a stage hand, stage manager, assistant director, and producer.  John and his wife, Carol, have been married for 35 years and have three grown sons.

Susan Sedgewick (Properties Mistress)
Susan is pleased to return to the theater after a 39-year hiatus.  While away, she finished high school, college, graduate school, and a career.  She enjoys being married (to John) and being a mother (to Wally).

Brenda Shaw (Player)
Brenda likes to find a way to play at everything she does and is extremely happy to be part of this fabulous cast!  She sends a warm hug to all involved in this production!  Brenda comes to SMP following her daughter's performance in Lord of the Flies. Brenda is a regular (and Board member) at Chevy Chase Players and can frequently be found on, behind and around that stage. Barely prior to this production, she was there as Liz in The Snow Ball. Other favorite roles there:  Sabina in Skin of Our Teeth and Andy in Steppin' Out.  She has produced and directed a number of productions with children in the area and works with elementary age children every day. Brenda's future plans are to live in her garden for the summer!  She wishes a "Sweet Sixteen" to her daughter, opening night.

Scott Shumaker (Lewis)
Scott is not "addicted to the physical."  In fact, he had to borrow weights to work out for Pippin.  His normal fitness routine includes walking to and from his job at Service Employees International Union (unless it's raining-then he takes the Metro), leafing through his collection of record albums, and balancing an acoustic guitar on his knee.  He hasn't appeared on the stage since high school, when he played Schroeder-the toy piano-tinkling wunderkind-in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!  He is very pleased to be making his Washington stage debut with the St. Mark's Players.  Instead of wearing war gear and showing off his buff bod, Scott's more likely to wear turtlenecks and entertain at coffee houses and other venues, where he plays his own folky compositions.  Scott would like to thank all his friends and co-workers for their support, "Frankengranny" for being such an inspiration, and Brian for his infinite patience and constant instruction.  And of course, he thanks all of you for attending this fun show.

Laurie Smith (Accompanist)
Laurie is happy to be returning to the St. Mark's Players and thrilled to finally be able to play "Corner of the Sky" in a real production!  She's also pleased to be working with Rick, Pat, and the rest of the gang again!  Other St. Mark's productions have included Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor(r) Dreamcoat, Oliver!, The Secret Garden, and Man of La Mancha.  Her non-musical life is spent juggling her work at the U.S. Department of Energy and her newfound obsession-training for the Marine Corps Marathon.  Sleep?  When?

Joshua Soble (Theo)
Favorite food: soft shell crabs (the ones that his mother makes); favorite book: Last Train to Alcatraz by Leon Whitey Thompson; favorite film: 3-way tie-"Apollo 13," "Power of One," and "Princess Bride"; favorite trip:  to China and Hong Kong; especially the night of the British-Chinese handover (1997); favorite sport: swimming (All Stars competition) and basketball; school:  St. Andrew's Episcopal School-favorite subject: science.  This is Josh's fourth production with St. Mark's.  Previously, he performed in Lord of the Flies, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver!  His dance training has been with The Washington Ballet, with whom he performed at the Kennedy Center, the Warner Theater, La Plata and George Mason University, for 4 years.

Michael Kenneth Varelli (Sound Designer)
Stage technician to technical director in theatres from graveside to God's house.  Artist, graphic and literary.

Jill Vohr (Catherine)
Jill is psyched to be working with the St. Mark's gang on Pippin.  From studying theatre at NYU and performing in everything from Shakespeare to summer stock to Club MTV, Jill decided to balance her theatre passion with her interest in the environment.  She now works at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Other area credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Sweeney Todd, G&S, Fiddler on the Roof  (Tzeitel), Godspell (Joanne), and Simon's California Suite (Millie).  Jill would like to thank all the folks with St. Mark's for their warmth and spirit and remarks how she's glad to now be the company's neighbor with her new home on Capitol Hill.

Chad M. Wilmer (Assistant Director)
This is Chad's second season with the St. Mark's Players.  Spending most of his time behind the scenes, Chad has worked on Pal Joey and The Wizard of Oz, as well as filling the roles of Secretary and Webmaster for the Players.  A graduate of Georgetown University, Chad is Director of Training for the Litigation Support Division of CACI Inc., working for the U.S. Department of Justice.  Chad is also pursuing a Master of Science degree in Technology Management from the University of Maryland.  Chad would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael for his love and support.

Gary Worster (Player)
Gary says he is enjoying his time with the St. Ma????????????o support them.

St. Mark's Players Production Archive