From the Director's Chair

During our 1992-1993 theatre season we have offered varied selections of theatre pieces including Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods; A Shot in the Dark, a mystery/drama; and The Mystery of Irma Vep, a comedy-melodrama. The Board of Directors of the Grey Lite Players; enthusiasm to present major musical productions, as well as smaller pieces, has helped our theatre community to grow.

I have had the privilege of working with this community's most talented actors and actresses. The love that each exhibits through their creative performances never ceases to amaze me. I have watched the youngest cast member through the oldest enjoy a timeless piece of musical theatre. It has been an exhilarating experience observing the cast, crew, staff, theatre arts class, parent volunteers, and musicians create this production of The Music Man. The future of Fort Wayne theatre is in great shape because of this extraordinary talented cast!

This company shares with you an interpretation of Meredith Willson's classic musical. Their willingness to allow me to lead them had been one of the highlights of my career. It is most gratifying to bring people together from all areas of our community to work cohesively, have fun, and give to you, the audience, an opportunity to enjoy some very familiar music--"Seventy-Six Trombones," "Lida Rose," "Gary, Indiana," and many more! My sincere thanks to all! You are all wonderful!

Susan J. Nelson, Director

THE CAST UNMASKED

MIMI ATKINSON (Alma Hix) - Mimi makes her Grey Lite debut in The Music Man. No stranger to the show, however, she last appeared as Ethel Toffelmeier in Timber Lake Playhouse's production in 1976. She has also appeared in Carousel at TLP as well as a number of Gilbert and Sullivan presentations. Her most recent appearance was in Princess Ida at First Pres. Backstage, Mimi helped out last summer as the property mistress for GLP's Into the Woods.

TAD ATKINSON (Mayor Shinn) - Tad makes his second appearance in The Music Man, the first at Timber Lake Playhouse where he understudied Winthrop in 1976. Tad has appeared in A Shot in the Dark, Into the Woods with Grey Lite, Princess Ida at First Pres, as well as numerous Civic and Arena productions. Tad is finishing his Master's degree at Ball State University in English.

ED DELONG (Oliver Hix) - Ed is a virtual novice in musical theatre. He has spent most of his life teaching Math and coaching football and basketball at Woodlan High School. His life revolves around his family: his wife Connie, sons Matt and Noah, daughter Debbie, and his future-daughter-in-law Bonnie Holloway. This is his second stint in the quartet of The Music Man and he is a faithful member of his church choir.

MATT DELONG (Ewart Dunlap) - This is Matt's second production of The Music Man; he played Harold Hill at Woodlan High School. His other Grey Lite productions include Anything Goes and Into the Woods as Rapunzel's Prince. He has also appeared in Center Stage, Arena, and the Good News Co. productions. Matt just graduated from Northwestern University, where he appeared in the 1993 Waa-Mu On the Town. His other major production this summer is his wedding with Bonnie, from there it's on to the Univ. of Michigan Math

LISA HOLDEMAN (Ethal Toffelmier) - Lisa makes her debut with Grey Lite, but she is not new to the Fort Wayne stage. She has been active in the Plymouth Congregational Church's production of the Boar's Head and Yule Festival since 1985 and in readers' theatre. Lisa presently teaches fifth grade at Southwick Elementary School.

BONNIE HOLLOWAY (Maud Dunlap) - This is Bonnie's second show with Grey Lite. She was seen last summer as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods. She has also been seen in Pippin, Some Enchanted Evening, Cinderella, and Man of LaMancha. Bonnie teaches elementary school. She is or will be related to several cast members: she and Matt DeLong are tying the knot this July 31!

JIM HOLLOWAY (Jacey Squires) - Jim makes his debut with Grey Lite in The Music Man. He is a graduate of I.U. and works as a computer programmer for a local software company. He also composes jazz, electronic, and fusion music in his spare time.

STRETCH HOLLOWAY (Olin Britt) - Stretch is a former music teacher and choir director, but is currently a guidance counselor at Northrop High School. As a music major at Ball State University, he was involved in several operas and sang and met his wife there. Stretch is involved in another big "production" this summer--his daughter Bonnie's wedding with Matt!

JEFFERY JONES (Harold Hill) - Jeff is a recent graduate of Manchester College where he studied English, was heavily involved in theatre and music, and caused trouble for the administration. Currently, he is employed by Little Professor Book Co., is planning on pursuing a career as a college professor, and is enjoying wandering the lovely state of Indiana.

BRYCE DRAYER (Winthrop) - This is Bryce's debut with Grey Lite, but he's no stranger to the entertainment field. He's a member of Pizzazz!, Times 4 quartet, has participated in numerous talent shows, and has performed in many churches throughout the area. Most recently, he played Oliver in a musical presentation by the Tri-Kappa Follies in Bluffton. Bryce will be an eighth grader at Norwell Middle School next fall.

TORIN EIKENBERRY (Constable) - Torin first took to the stage in the third grade in Oliver!, followed by appearances in Godspell, The Diary of Anne Frank, and most recently in Shut and Bar the Door. Torin is a sophomore at Manchester College where he majors in Environmental Studies with a minor in Peace Studies. He hopes to work with the Environmental Protection Agency or as a youth camp manager.

BRUCE HANCOCK (Travelling salesman) - Bruce is a resource teacher at Weisser Park/Whitney Young School. This is his first performance after being behind the scenes for twenty years. He's glad to be involved in The Music Man with his son Luke.

LUKE HANCOCK (Conductor) - Luke makes his community theatre debut with Grey Lite in The Music Man. Currently an eighth grader at Memorial Park Middle Schools Luke enjoys fencing and band.

JANET HIGGINS-HOWARD (Mrs. Paroo) - Janet returns to Grey Lite for her third season--you may have seen her in Anything Goes or as Granny in last summer's Into the Woods. She has also worked with PIT, Center Stage and the Youtheatre. Janet received her BA in theatre from IU.

LAURA MCCOY (Mrs. Squires) - Laura has been seen in the cast and orchestra of Plymouth Congregational's Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival since its conception. She was last seen on the stage 18 years ago in Once Upon A Mattress. She is an instrumental music specialist at Weiser Park/Young School and spends a lot of time being stage mother to her three sons who are also in the cast.

JOSHUA OSBUN (Winthrop) - Joshua is performing his first performance with the Grey Lite Players. He has been seen in the Civic Theatre's productions of Peter Pan and Hans Christian Andersen. Joshua is very active in his school plays and musicals, as well as the Fort Wayne Youtheatre. Joshua enjoys baseball and basketball when he is not performing on stage.

ELIZABETH PIERCY (Gracie Shinn) - This is Elizabeth's stage debut in The Music Man She will be a fourth grader at Weisser Park where She takes ballet and plays the piano and trombone. She has sung "Pie Jesu" by Andrew Lloyd Webber with her mother at Trinity Episcopal Church where she is a choir member.

JANET PIERCY (Marian Paroo) - Janet is no newcomer to the stage. She has played the Soprano role in every Gilbert and Sullivan show at First Pres. She has also played various roles at Center Stage, Arena, and Civic theatres. Janet is a music teacher in FWC and a mother of three. This is her first production at Grey Lite.

CINDY SCHLICHTER (Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn) - Cindy was last seen in Grey Lite's Production of Into the Woods as Cinderella's Stepmother. She has also been in numerous other productions around the area, such as Carnival, Godspell, Mame and My Fair Lady. Cindy's proudest of being Kristin and Annie's mom!

KRISTIN SCHLICHTER (Amaryllis) - Kristin was last seen in Hans Christian Andersen at the Civic Theatre. She was also in last summer's production of Oliver! at Snider. Kristin is a seventh grader at Blackhawk School where she is an honor student and a member of the spelling team.

JEFF SCHMIDT (Tommy Djilas) - This is Jeff's first show with Grey Lite, but hopefully not his last. The Homestead High School junior has been seen in their productions of Into the Woods as the Baker and Guys and Dolls as Nicely Nicely Johnson. He is also an active member of Youtheatre and show choir. He also enjoys singing along with his collection of CD musicals.

DANIEL SMITH (Charlie Cowell) - Daniel is only actual Iowa resident in the cast. His family lives in Wellman, however not River City. Daniel is a recent graduate of Manchester College and is currently living and working in North Manchester. This is his first show with the Grey Lite Players.

KERRI VANDERPOOL (Zaneeta) - Kerri is a senior as Elmhurst High School where she is a member of the Trojan Singers and plays piano with the Jazz Band. She has participated in all of her high school's productions and was seen last summer in Youtheatre's Hollywood Cavalcade.

ERVIN WALTER (Marcellus) - Ervin has been involved with theatre and music for several years at Ball State, South Side, and with Grey Lite. His most recent activities have included the BSU Statesmen and GLP's Into the Woods. Erv is a Science and Chemistry major at Ball State.