Mama Won't Fly
by Jones, Hope, and Wooten
Directed by Jay Jenkins
Produced with permission of Dramatists Play Service
Produced with permission of Dramatists Play Service
An outrageously hilarious race against the clock begins when Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt agrees to get her feisty mother all the way across the country for her brother's wedding. Savannah's problem: Mama won't fly. This determined daughter has no choice but to drive her equally willful mother. Rising above their age-old mother-daughter issues, they forge an exciting new path for their own relationship and welcome the new bride into their delightfully wacky family. This comedy with all the twists, turns, up and downs of wild road trip will have you laughing your way across the country and all the way down the aisle!
The Cast
Susan Connors as Norleen Sprunt
Renee Gilbert as Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt
Introducing
Arianna Villasor as Hayley Quinn
Jeannine Early as Tanya/Reme Jean/Edweena/Kiki
Melanie Calderwood as Essie/Pawnee/Fanny/Sybil
Elizabeth Shipman as Ardale/Juliette/Teeta
Anthony Gaynes as Denton/Chicken/Mitch/Duggar/Donald/Kelvin
James Lynch as Ferd/Red/Mickey/Spud
The Crew
Jay Jenkins, Director
Ian Wight, Stage Manager
Craig Marshall, Lighting/Sound Designer
Craig Marshall, Set Design & Construction
Elizabeth Shipman, Costumer
Susan Connors, Set Dresser
Eric Helland, Set Construction
Lauren Kottwitz, House Manager
Tracy Cahill, Managing Director
Melanie Calderwood, Artistic Director
Susan Connors as Norleen Sprunt
Renee Gilbert as Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt
Introducing
Arianna Villasor as Hayley Quinn
Jeannine Early as Tanya/Reme Jean/Edweena/Kiki
Melanie Calderwood as Essie/Pawnee/Fanny/Sybil
Elizabeth Shipman as Ardale/Juliette/Teeta
Anthony Gaynes as Denton/Chicken/Mitch/Duggar/Donald/Kelvin
James Lynch as Ferd/Red/Mickey/Spud
The Crew
Jay Jenkins, Director
Ian Wight, Stage Manager
Craig Marshall, Lighting/Sound Designer
Craig Marshall, Set Design & Construction
Elizabeth Shipman, Costumer
Susan Connors, Set Dresser
Eric Helland, Set Construction
Lauren Kottwitz, House Manager
Tracy Cahill, Managing Director
Melanie Calderwood, Artistic Director
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Susan Connors/ Norleen
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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Renée Gilbert/ Savannah
Renée is thrilled to once again be on stage at the Phoenix. This is her first time working with Jay as a director and she was shocked to find out that they had similar childhoods. Huh, weird. When she is not at the Phoenix or at work trying to solve international crisis' she can be found... hmmm... well if ever such an occasion arises I hope it makes it into her next bio. She would like to thank all of her friends who are still her friends despite how many times she said, "I can't, I have rehearsal." |
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Jeannine Early/Tanya/Rema Jean/Edweena/Kiki
Jeannine Early is thrilled to return to the Phoenix Theatre and to work with all of these talented and kind artists. You might remember Jeannine as one of the gals in the Phoenix’s production of The Dixie Swim Club from a few years back. Among her other favorite roles are Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest both at The Red Curtain. Jeannine thanks you so much for supporting Live Theatre. It’s good to be Live again! |
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Arianna Villasor/ Hayley Quinn
Arianna Villasor is making her stage debut in Mama Won't Fly. She's learned many things and is grateful to her director and cast members for teaching them. As a young girl in the Philippines, Arianna had always wanted to act, but didn't have the skills or confidence she has now. She took acting classes when she came to the U.S., from North Hollywood, to Santa Monica, and to San Diego. She is grateful to her husband, who drove with her to the audition of this play and also ran lines with her, and to her friends and family for their love and support. Mama Won't Fly has been a most fun experience for Arianna and she hopes everyone has fun watching it. |
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Anthony Gaynes/
Denton/ Chicken /Mitch /Duggar /Ronald /Kelvin Anthony is making his Phoenix Theatre debut in Mama Won't Fly! While Anthony is new to the Phoenix Theatre stage, he's not new to Edmonds-- he grew up here, graduated from Edmonds Woodway High School, and even lived in the Firdale Village apartments at one time. Anthony is a devoted husband and father, first and foremost. Before becoming an actor, he was a three-sport athlete at EWHS and the 1996 athlete of the year. He played football at Azusa Pacific University, a 3 year starter. Anthony began acting in 2016 and since then has been featured in seven plays and four short films. When he's not on stage he enjoys working out and traveling. |
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Melanie Calderwood/Essie/Pawnee/Fanny/Sybil
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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Elizabeth A Shipman/ Ardale/Juliette/Teeta
Elizabeth A. Shipman has had the pleasure of costuming the last four seasons at the Phoenix theater. She appeared on stage here at the Phoenix most recently in Wild Women of Winedale, another Jones, Hope, and Wooten comedyy. She has also been seen on stage at Second story repertory, and Driftwood. |
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James Lynch/ Ferd/Red/Mickey/Spud
James is thrilled to be back at the Phoenix for such a fun show! He was last seen as Kevin in "Inspecting Carol". Other Phoenix credits include "The Miser", "Women in Jeopardy", "Ripcord" and "It Could Be Any One of Us". When he is not at work or rehearsal James spends time with his wife, Cassie, and kitten, Tali'Zorah. |
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Jay Jenkins/Director
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) and industrial films (Boeing, Bank of America 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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Craig Marshall/Technical Director
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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Ian Wight/Stage Manager
You may have recently seen Ian on stage as Wayne Wellacre at the Phoenix Theatre's December 2021 production of Inspecting Carol. He also acted in various roles during our Summer Shorts. Ian has also served as the Stage Manager for many Phoenix Theatre shows like Wonder of the World and The Wild Women of Winedale. |
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Tracy Cahill/Managing Director
Orphaned by a plane crash in the Himalayas, Tracy was raised by tigers near the banks of the Ganges. When she was young, she dreamed of growing up to be a mermaid. All things considered she is happy with the way things have turned out. Tracy graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a 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. |
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 |
This show is paid for, in large part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in the form of their Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. It is also made possible with funds from the Edmonds Rescue Plan Grant for which we thank the City Council and Edmonds' Mayor.
Coming Soon ...
Skin Flick
by Norm Foster
Directed by Eric Lewis
After losing his job at the costume shop, Rollie finds himself in a financial bind. He’s always provided for his wife Daphne and he’s going to have to come up with something fast! Enter his best friend Alex, a camera man for the local news. Thrust into the role of producers, Rollie and Daphne come to learn what’s at the heart of their marriage – and all relationships. Naughty and affectionate all at once, Skin Flick is the best kind of r-rated, romantic comedy.
Produced with permission by the Gary Goddard Agency
Tickets on Sale Early May 2022 Watch the website or your email for the alert!
by Norm Foster
Directed by Eric Lewis
After losing his job at the costume shop, Rollie finds himself in a financial bind. He’s always provided for his wife Daphne and he’s going to have to come up with something fast! Enter his best friend Alex, a camera man for the local news. Thrust into the role of producers, Rollie and Daphne come to learn what’s at the heart of their marriage – and all relationships. Naughty and affectionate all at once, Skin Flick is the best kind of r-rated, romantic comedy.
Produced with permission by the Gary Goddard Agency
Tickets on Sale Early May 2022 Watch the website or your email for the alert!
