Inspecting Carol
by Daniel Sullivan
Directed by Tracy Cahill
Produced with permission of Concord Theatricals
Produced with permission of Concord Theatricals
The Cast
(in order of appearance)
Stacy Lynn Gilbert as MJ McMann
Ian Wight as Wayne Wellacre
Lauren Kottwitz as Zora Bloch
Oliver Sargent as Luther Beatty
Susan Connors as Dorothy Tree-Hapgood
Mark Able as Sidney Carlton
Thomas A. Glass as Phil Hewlit
Raymond Miller as Walter E Parsons
Eric Wu as Bart Frances
James Lynch as Kevin Emery
Jay Jenkins as Larry Vauxhall
Melanie Calderwood as Betty Andrews
Stephen Waters as Men's Understudy
The Crew
Tracy Cahill, Director
Craig Marshall, Lighting/Sound Designer & Operator, Set Construction
Jim Thompson, Set Design & Construction
Elizabeth Shipman, Costumer
Susan Connors, Set Dresser
Matty Sythandone, Ticketing Admin
Tracy Cahill, Managing Director
Melanie Calderwood, Artistic Director
(in order of appearance)
Stacy Lynn Gilbert as MJ McMann
Ian Wight as Wayne Wellacre
Lauren Kottwitz as Zora Bloch
Oliver Sargent as Luther Beatty
Susan Connors as Dorothy Tree-Hapgood
Mark Able as Sidney Carlton
Thomas A. Glass as Phil Hewlit
Raymond Miller as Walter E Parsons
Eric Wu as Bart Frances
James Lynch as Kevin Emery
Jay Jenkins as Larry Vauxhall
Melanie Calderwood as Betty Andrews
Stephen Waters as Men's Understudy
The Crew
Tracy Cahill, Director
Craig Marshall, Lighting/Sound Designer & Operator, Set Construction
Jim Thompson, Set Design & Construction
Elizabeth Shipman, Costumer
Susan Connors, Set Dresser
Matty Sythandone, Ticketing Admin
Tracy Cahill, Managing Director
Melanie Calderwood, Artistic Director
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Lauren Kottwitz/Zorah Bloch
Lauren is a local actress and vocalist who graduated from Cornish College of the Arts where she earned her BFA in Theatre. Lauren works as an admin at a creative firm in Western Washington. She has two black cats, Hatty and McCoy, who live with her amazing, supportive parents Fran and Terry in Anacortes. Lauren lives with a dangerously cute dog named Emerson and she dedicates this performance to him. She enjoys birdwatching and video games. When not on stage or at work, Lauren can be seen-in the lobby! as the House Manager at the Phoenix Theatre! Lauren has been seen on stages around Seattle including Balagan Theatre, boom! theater company, and singing with the Viva Vocalists. |
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Susan Connors/Dorothy Tree-Hapgood
A regular here, Phoenix audiences may remember her most recently in Wild Women of Winedale, Wonder of the World, Inspecting Carol, & numerous others over the past 12 seasons. She has also appeared locally with Woodinville Rep, Ballyhooo, Twelfth Night, Red Curtain, Eclectic Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Bathhouse Theatre, and Tacoma Actors Guild among others. Although her TV credits age her, she confesses to appearances in Archie Bunker’s Place, Mrs. Columbo and Northern Exposure. She is a regular performer with the nationally syndicated radio drama series Imagination Theatre. She shares a special bond with Mel's pygmy goat, Forrest. |
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Mark Abel/ Sydney
Mark is excited to be back at the Phoenix Theatre in Inspecting Carol! He is playing a new character for this production and is having a great time! Mark has been acting in the Puget Sound area for over 30 years now! He is retired and enjoys his time with his doggie Prince! |
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Stacy Lynn Gilbert/MJ
Stacy Lynn Gilbert would like to thank Peter Choi for letting her use his push broom for a prop after she pulverized the theatre’s broom during an unfortunate event. She would also like to thank the audience for supporting live theatre, and to please forgive her in advance for any strange facial movements she may make during the show. Remembering how to act without a mask has been trying, along with regaining the full range of her facial expressions to emote that she is indeed a human lady. She would also like to thank The Wishingstone in Edmonds for being great sports and supporting her theatrical endeavors. Stacy enjoys staring at the ocean or into the eyes of her elderly tabby cats. If you would like to support a local artist, check out her website fishofafeatherart.com and say hello. |
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James Lynch/Kevin Emery
James is beyond thrilled to be back at the Phoenix, working with such a wonderful cast and crew. Previous Phoenix credits include "Women in Jeopardy", "Ripcord", "It Could Be Any One of Us" and "The Underpants". During the extended break he had a couple employment changes and completed more video games than he is proud of. Special thanks to my wife for being so patient while I had no rehearsals to occupy myself. |
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Ian Wight/Wayne Wellacre
At the Phoenix Theatre, Ian ran sound and light cues for The Miser, stage-managed every other Phoenix Theatre mainstage play since Ripcord in the spring of 2019, played five roles in Phoenix’s summer 2019 production of short plays, and stage managed Blithe Spirit in 2014. Less recently, at Edmonds Community College or in local community theater, Ian acted in over a dozen roles and has been a sound board operator, a dramaturge, and a director of a student production of Molière’s The Miser. |
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Thomas A. Glass/Phil Hewlett
Thomas is thrilled to be back with the Phoenix theatre after appearing as Benjamin/Lewis/Killer Clown in Ripcord. Thomas was recently seen as Felix Unger in The Odd Couple at Red Curtain Foundation of the Arts (a personal favorite). Thomas has appeared as Matthew Cuthbert (Anne of Green Gables), and Thomas Roth (Professor Roth’s Will). Other favorite roles include Roat (Wait Until Dark), Casey (Loss), Dr. Sanderson (Harvey), and John Wheeler (Night Watch). Originally from Michigan, Thomas has appeared as Greta (Bent), Will Parker (Oklahoma), Oscar (42nd Street), and Ron Miller (Breaking the Code). Thomas has also worked as a stage manager for Miss, The Boyfriend, Chess, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Thomas would like to thank Paul & Jack (the talking dog) for their love and support. |
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Raymond Miller/Walter E ParsonsRaymond Miller is delighted in being invited to return to The Phoenix Theater as Walter E. Parsons (2019) and in joining the talented cast members in the production of “Inspecting Carol.”
Ray previously played Steve Hubble in the Red Curtain Theaters production of “A Street Car Named Desire” (2017). He played Reverend Skypes in “To Kill a Mockingbird” with the Edmond Driftwood Players (2018) and he played Detective Bosman in the Red Curtain Production of “Six Degrees of Separation (2020). He is thrilled for the opportunity to revive the role of Walter E. Parsons in “Inspecting Carol”. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and continued support. |
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Eric Wu/Bart
Eric Wu was raised in both Washington DC and Seattle, and got his love of performance from Disney. He graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Theatre Arts in 2015, and is always happy to return to theatre in any capacity. Favorite hobby: reading long story fanfiction. Unique Fact: didn’t start enjoying Sushi until college, won an award leaving high school as the Most Responsible student of the class. Recent theatre credits include Friends Across The Wire (orignal work, Torao), Miracle on 34th Street (Seattle Musical, Shellhammer) and several Murder Mysteries with The American Immersion Theatre group. He would like to thank his family for supporting a very different path in life, Phoenix Theatre for his inaugural performance with the company, Natasha for staying supportive though it means a loss of time together and God for his many blessings. |
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Melanie Calderwood/Betty Andrews
Welcome back! Melanie has been doing theater for about 300 years, or maybe it just seems that way, and Hollywood has yet to call. She did get a part in Z Nation but the part was cut before rehearsals began. When not on the stage she is a nurse, or tries to act like one, at Evergreen Health Care. She lives with an extended family consisting of 3 Pygmy goats, 3 dogs and 2 cats. All of them are more talented than Melanie. Smucket, the goat is a published author and Sadie the dog is an actress. The rest are really cute. Although they are glad that she has a hobby, after seeing her sing and dance to Dua Lipa, they strongly suggest that she stay away from musical theater. They send their love to their favorite lunch partner, Aunt Susan Connors, who can actually sing and dance. |
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Stephen Waters/Men's Understudy
Stephen is excited to make his debut at The Phoenix Theatre. He was at Red Curtain for over 8 years before he migrated to THE Phoenix Theatre. It is also Mr. Waters’ first performance with his long glorious hair. After the pandemic nearly took him down (and put his passion on hold), Stephen is excited to step back on the stage! |
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Jay Jenkins/Larry Vauxhall
Jenkins has performed on stage in every Western State with the exception of Utah. Moon Over Buffalo, Kimberly Akimbo, Takings Steps, Inspecting Carol (one and two) are just a few of the plays Jenkins has appeared in here at the Phoenix. He has also performed at ArtsWest, Red Curtain, and a bunch of others; ran his own theater (RipTide); been on a couple of national tours with Missoula Children’s Theatre; done a bunch of commercials (Skippers, Washington Natural Gas to name two) plus, a really bad movie that no one ever saw or will see. During the lockdown, Jenkins performed via Zoom for Phoenix and Red Curtain. Jenkins has directed, written, run lights, stage managed, sewn costumes and built sets for various theatres, so he must like this whole live theater gig. I mean really, it has been decades and he keeps coming back. Jenkins is always tickled pink when the Phoenix lets him stop by for some laughs. Thanks guys! When he is not doing all this stuff, he is just a guy in the suburbs with a couple of college aged boyos, the remarkable Denise, who makes everything worthwhile, and Hope, a black Lab with training issues. Seriously, this dog... |
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Oliver Sargent/ Luther Beatty
Oliver Sargent is a 12-year old who discovered his love for acting in school plays but is now here for the second time and loving it! Oliver is in seventh grade at brier terrace. In his free time he loves playing minecraft, rock climing, and swimming. Oliver is reprising his role as Luther and we're thrilled to have him back! |
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Craig Marshall/Lighting and Sound Designer
Craig spent several years as a chef before becoming a stay-home dad. It is wholly due to his sons’ interest in music and theatre that he came to appreciate and get involved behind the scenes. When not in the theatre, Craig enjoys travelling abroad, going to baseball games, trying new foods, and spending time with his family and trio of black cats. Fun fact: For a stint in the early 90’s Craig worked in a travelling carnival. |
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Tracy Cahill/Director
Tracy was, for a time, suspected of stealing the Mona Lisa in 1911 before it was found in a trunk in a flat in Paris-- MILES from where she had been staying and in the care of a man, Vincenzo Peruggia, with whom she had only a passing relationship. She has enjoyed the ability to travel since her paperwork was fast-tracked by Interpol. Tracy graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with the degree in Theatre. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and bird watching. You may have seen her at the Phoenix recently as “the blubbering blonde giving the curtain speech" in the Wild Women of Winedale or as the gun-wielding home intruder Molly in Female of the Species. She lives for scary movie season. Jim Thompson/Set Designer
Over the last few years Phoenix Theater directors have asked me to create a wide variety of styles and looks for sets. These sets included looks of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, English and Germanic settings, contemporary and modern American, elegant, countryside and rustic....even a grave yard! I spent decades designing and building stages and sets in Hollywood and now I spend my time making sets here in Edmonds :) Elizabeth A. Shipman/Costumer
Elizabeth A. Shipman Has had the pleasure of costuming the last four seasons at the Phoenix theater. She appears on stage here at the Phoenix Theatre, Second Story Repertory, and Driftwood Theatre. Holiday Theatre is back! |
A Note About Inspecting Carol from Director Tracy Cahill
From a very young age I knew that Christmas miracles were real.
Not every day at our house was easy, or happy.
But I enjoyed 13 perfect Christmases in my childhood home.
It made me realize that we all have the power to affect others profoundly during the holidays. I try to use that power for good. I hope this show makes you laugh until you cry. I hope being here, together, in person, gives you a sense of community. I hope those of you on stage know how much you mean to me and how AMAZING you all are.
This play is about a Christmas Miracle and is also brought to you by one:
This production is brought to you, entirely, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Not every day at our house was easy, or happy.
But I enjoyed 13 perfect Christmases in my childhood home.
It made me realize that we all have the power to affect others profoundly during the holidays. I try to use that power for good. I hope this show makes you laugh until you cry. I hope being here, together, in person, gives you a sense of community. I hope those of you on stage know how much you mean to me and how AMAZING you all are.
This play is about a Christmas Miracle and is also brought to you by one:
This production is brought to you, entirely, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
A Huge Round of Applause for our incredible donors, without whom we truly would no longer exist. This show is for all of you, your family, your friends, and the entire community who has been there for the Phoenix Theatre.
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Amelia Peabody*
Amy Colombana Asa Sholdez Barbara Peterson Bernard Garton Brenda & Mike Carrithers Brenda Brown Brian Albright Carol Pearson Caroline Cook Christa Barke Christine Bell Cristina Jensen Cynthia Shaw Danica Larsen Dean Wingfield Don Henry Donald Haff* Doreen Harwood Eldridge McFadden Eric Lewis Erin Nihei |
George Gough
Greg G Deer Ian Wight Joanne Love Karen & Tom Jurewicz Karl Spang Kathi Swanberg Kathie Brodie Kevin Mukhar Krista Love Lawrence & Virgina Cooper Lisa Powell Liz Osborne Lou Ann Ochiltree Lynda Walrath Lynn Nixon Mark Murdock Martin Cayford Mary Beth Walsh Mary Kay Voss Megan McDermott Megan Pasternak |
Melanie Calderwood
Michael Gene McFadden Mickie Gundersen Nan Butler Peggy Kurtz Robert Kono Roberta Chang Ronald Goss Ryan Hurey Sandra Distelhorst Sharon Cordisco Sharon Lynch Shawn Donnelly Sheila Mulligan Stephanie Suereth Susan Connors* Susan Deaton Susan Shephard Tiersa Helwig Victor Chriest W.D. Barnum *Indicates Season Sponsor |
Coming Soon ...
37 Postcards
by Michael McKeever
Directed by Eric Lewis
February 4th-27th, 2022
After eight years of traveling abroad, Avery Sutton is coming home. Unfortunately, things aren't quite as comfortable as he remembers. The house is sitting on the edge of a sink hole, the dog hasn't been fed in years, and his aunt is running a phone-sex operation out of the kitchen. Despite it all, his parents seem happily oblivious to all of this, as well as the fact that his 97-year-old Grandmother is still alive and living in their home. This comedy proves that you can, in fact, go home again. You just never know what you're going to find.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
by Michael McKeever
Directed by Eric Lewis
February 4th-27th, 2022
After eight years of traveling abroad, Avery Sutton is coming home. Unfortunately, things aren't quite as comfortable as he remembers. The house is sitting on the edge of a sink hole, the dog hasn't been fed in years, and his aunt is running a phone-sex operation out of the kitchen. Despite it all, his parents seem happily oblivious to all of this, as well as the fact that his 97-year-old Grandmother is still alive and living in their home. This comedy proves that you can, in fact, go home again. You just never know what you're going to find.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
