A Chorus Line
A Hilariously Touching Dance Musical
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett
Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian
God, I hope I get it! Centered around seventeen Broadway dancers, this crowd favorite is as funny as it is intimate. After the first round of cuts at a dance call, Zach, the director and choreographer, asks each remaining dancer to speak about themselves. What follows is a glimpse into their individual lives as they vie for a spot in the chorus line. Winner of 9 Tony Awards, A Chorus Line is sure to make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
NOTE: This show contains flashing lights as well as strong language and adult themes that may not be suitable for younger audience members.
A CHORUS LINE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
Wednesday, July 13th at 8:00pm
Thursday, July 14th at 8:00pm
Friday, July 15th at 8:00pm
Saturday, July 16th at 2:00pm – THEATRE FOR ALL PERFORMANCE
Saturday, July 16th at 8:00pm
Wednesday, July 20th at 8:00pm
Thursday, July 21st at 8:00pm
Friday, July 22nd at 8:00pm - Post Show Reception
Saturday, July 23rd at 8:00pm
Location: Forest Roberts Theatre
Tickets are $17 for General Public, $12 for NMU Faculty/Staff, Seniors, and Military, $10 for Students, and $5 for NMU Students.
Musical Numbers
Opening: "I Hope I Get It" - Company
"I Can Do That" - Mike
"...And..." - Richie, Val, Judy, Company
"At The Ballet" - Sheila, Bebe, Maggie
"Sing" - Kristine, Al, Company
Montage, Part 1: "Hello Twelve" - Mark, Connie, Company
Montage, Part 2: "Nothing" - Diana
Montage, Part 3: "Mother" - Don, Judy, Company
Montage, Part 4 - Company
"Dance: Ten; Looks: Three" - Val
"The Music And The Mirror" - Cassie
"One" - Company
Tap Dance - Company
"What I Did For Love" - Diana, Company
Bows - Company
Cast List
| Zach | Gavin Carnahan |
| Larry | Nathan Petit |
| Don Kerr | Nick Petrelli |
| Maggie Winslow | Allyson Peter |
| Mike Costa | Brendan Sheehan |
| Connie Wong | Alexis Aponte |
| Greg Gardner | Gabe Kohlbeck |
| Cassie Ferguson | Chloe Calhoun |
| Sheila Bryant | Corinne Holland |
| Bobby Mills | Jonathan Tuinstra |
| Bebe Benzenheimer | Arianna Schrage |
| Judy Turner | Megan Hibbard |
| Richie Walters | Marcell Dupree |
| Al DeLuca | Jonathan Warner |
| Kristine Urich-DeLuca | Jordon Taylor |
| Val Clark | Maggie Medford |
| Mark Anthony | Timmy Bradford |
| Paul San Marco | Jack Dodson |
| Diana Morales | Jimena Flores Sanchez |
| Tricia | Sylvia Gravel |
| Vicki/Understudy | Maya Moreau |
| Lois | Brigitte Bartesch |
| Brooke/Understudy | Kyra Skinner |
| Frankie | Aja Miller |
| Roy | Devon Dickerson |
| Dance Captain | Nathan Petit |
Creative Team
| Director | Jay Berkow |
| Music Director | Donna Schaffer |
| Choreographer | Jill Grundstrom |
| Scenic Designer | Lex van Blommestein |
| Lighting Designer | David Pierce |
| Costume Designer | Joel Shinavier |
| Sound Designer | Dan Zini |
| Properties Designer | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Production Stage Manager | Lilith Kontos |
| Technical Director | Braeden Ingersoll |
Additional Artistic Staff
| Re-Staging of "Opening," "One," and "Bows" | Corinne Holland |
| Choreography for "The Music And The Mirror" | Chloe Calhoun |
| Assistant Technical Director | Ethan Rickert |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Clair Kaminski, Sam Wardisiani |
| Master Electrician | Marla Alden |
Forest Roberts Theatre Summer Staff
| Director of Theatre | Jill Grundstrom |
| Technical Director and Scene Shop Supervisor | Braeden Ingersoll |
| Properties Supervisor | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Scenic/Paint Supervisor | Lex van Blommestein |
| Master Carpenter | Ethan Rickert |
| Carpenters and Painters | Emily Iszler, Sam Wardisiani |
| Costume Shop Supervisor | Ann Juidici |
| Sound and Media Supervisor | Dan Zini |
| Electricians | Ryan Harvey, Erin Hope |
| Marketing/Box Office Manager | Lilith Kontos |
| Marketing/Box Office Staff | Erin Hope, Clair Kaminski, Sophie Sam |
Cast Bios
Gavin Carnahan (Zach) is ecstatic to be spending his summer as a YOOPER with this lovely company! Gavin is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Other favorite performances include Dave Bukatinsky in The Full Monty, Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!, and Claude in HAIR . In his free time, Gavin enjoys bodybuilding, rapping/song writing, and barbershop quartet-ing! Follow his IG @gavincarnahan or visit his website gavinearlcarnahan.com!
Nathan Petit (Larry/Dance Captain) is so excited to be a part of this awesome cast! They recently graduated with honors from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A in Music Theatre and minors in dance and recreation/tourism. Nathan recently appeared at Willard Hewitt in Footloose here at NCTF. His recent collegiate performance credits include A Chorus Line (Mike) and Something Rotten (Nigel Bottom/Dance Captain/Assistant Choreographer). Nathan would like to thank his family and friends for their constant love and support. Check out Nathan’s latest original choreography at nathanpetit.com and on Insta @nathanpetit7.
Nick Petrelli (Don Kerr) is thrilled to be back on stage after a long hiatus due to the pandemic! He is originally from Elgin, Illinois, studied musical theatre at Western Michigan University, and is now based in NYC. Some of his favorite previous performance opportunities include singing aboard the Aida Stella (Aida Cruises), touring with PJ Masks, Live! (Round Room), and playing Dickon in The Secret Garden (Theatre Raleigh). Nick is extremely grateful to have the support of his family, friends, and boyfriend, Alex. nickpetrelli.com
Allyson Peter (Maggie Winslow) is ecstatic to be taking the stage this season in North Coast Theatre Festival! She is a New York City based performer originally from the greater Philadelphia area. Most recently she was seen in NCTF’s Footloose as Dance Captain/Principal Clark/Cowgirl/Ensemble. Other favorite credits include: The Will Rogers Follies (Will’s Sister), South Pacific (Connie Walewska), and Truth at Ailey Citigroup Theatre. Marymount Manhattan College alum. When not performing, she enjoys teaching and choreographing at dance studios throughout the NYC area. Shout out to her friends, family, and mentors for their support. Follow her on Instagram @allyson_peter or at allysonpeter.com.
Brendan Sheehan (Mike Costa) is extremely happy to be performing as Mike in A Chorus Line! He is originally from New Jersey and is currently attending Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Brendan was recently seen as Ren in North Coast’s production of Footloose. He is so thankful to his family for always being supportive and is grateful to all of the amazing friends he has made this summer. Instagram- @b_sheehan1
Alexis Aponte (Connie Wong) is thrilled to join this cast in this production of A Chorus Line and make her debut at the North Coast Theatre Festival. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Western Michigan University. Alexis was most recently seen as Mopsa in WMU’s production of Head Over Heels. Some of her other credits include Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Fundamentals. Alexis would like to thank both her parents for their constant love and support.
Gabe Kohlbeck (Greg Gardner) has been loving his time as an honorary yooper so far this summer! Originally from Minnesota, he is now based in Chicago studying musical theatre and dance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. You might have caught him earlier this summer in NCTF’s production of Footloose as Chuck! His other recent theatre credits include La Cage aux Folles (Music Theater Works), Cinderella (Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis). Thank you to his wonderful family and friends. Instagram - @gabekohlbeck
Chloe Calhoun (Cassie Ferguson) is delighted to be on the U.P. this summer and be a part of North Coast Theatre Festival! You may have also caught her recently as Rusty in Footloose this past June. Chloe is a rising junior at Rider University where she is pursing her BFA in Musical Theatre. Other favorite credits include Cabaret and PIPPIN (Swing - Rider University), West Side Story (Anybodys - North Carolina Theatre), Bring It On (NCT Conservatory), and Mamma Mia! (North Carolina Theatre). Endless love and gratitude to her incredible family, friends, mentors, and peers.
Corinne Holland (Sheila Bryant) is a NYC based performing artist with a love for traveling. She has traveled internationally with the tour of Legally Blonde and has performed in many regional theatres across the country, performing in shows such as Will Rogers Follies, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, just to name a few. She received a BFA in Musical Theatre from East Carolina University and gives endless love and thanks to her Mom and Dad, Joe, AJ, and SD. It takes a village. IG: corinne_holland
Jonathan Tuinstra (Bobby Mills) hails from Sparta, Michigan and recently graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in musical theatre. His favorite theatre credits from WMU include Urinetown (Mr. McQueen), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip), and Head Over Heels (Dance Ensemble). He is very excited to be a part of A Chorus Line with such a talented cast!
Arianna Schrage (Bebe Benzenheimer) is thrilled to be making her debut at North Coast Theatre Festival! She will be heading into her junior year at Wright State University where she is pursuing a double major in acting and French with a minor in dance. Some of her recent regional and educational credits include: Spring Awakening, Sweet Charity, Lend Me a Tenor, Mamma Mia, and The Little Mermaid! She is beyond excited to be performing in one of her all-time favorite productions alongside such a talented cast and crew, and hopes that everyone enjoys this show as much as she does! IG: @arianna.schrage
Megan Hibbard (Judy Turner) is a recent graduate of NMU and received a BA in Theatre and a minor in art and design. She is a performer as well as a lighting designer. Over the past few years, Megan has appeared as Lisa in Mamma Mia!, Natalie Goodman in Next to Normal, and Ensemble of The Producers. She is so excited to be back on the FRT stage with this incredible cast. She would like to thank the whole cast, production team, and her friends and family for supporting her!
Marcell Dupree (Richie Walters) is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania where he received his bachelor’s degree in musical theatre accompanied by a minor in dance. He is thrilled to be performing with North Coast Theatre Festival in A Chorus Line! Some of Marcell’s favorite previous roles include Basilius in Head Over Heels, Oberon in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, George in Godspell, Jackson Moore in Lydia Diamond’s Smart People, Eddie in Mamma Mia!, and Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls. In addition to performing, Marcell has also choreographed, directed, stage managed, and assisted with lighting design for a myriad of shows.
Jonathan Warner (Al DeLuca) is very excited to be joining the cast of A Chorus Line at the North Coast Theatre Festival. An alumni of Western Michigan University's Music Theatre Performance class, Jonathan's previous regional credits include: Action in West Side Story, Jack in Into the Woods, Huckleberry Finn u/s in Big River. A special shout out to his friends and family for their support.
Jordon Taylor (Kristine Urich-DeLuca) is thrilled to be doing her second show at North Coast Theatre Festival. Previous credits include Footloose (North Coast Theatre Festival), Ragtime (Music Theater Works), La Cage aux Folles (Music Theater Works), and A Chorus Line (CCPA). She’s a recent graduate of Chicago College of Performing Arts where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre Dance. Jordon would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support!
Maggie Medford (Val Clark) is delighted to be making her debut with NCTF this summer and excited to work with such a talented cast and crew. Favorite credits include Oklahoma! (Laurey Williams) with Lake Travis Music Theatre, Wonder of the World (Cass Harris) at the University of Texas, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Featured Dancer/Dance Captain) with Summer Stock Austin. She has trained at Ballet Austin, Ballet Chicago, and Boston Ballet and is thrilled to continue dancing in musical theatre. Maggie is currently a New York City based performer but is originally from Austin, TX where she graduated with a dance performance degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Hookem! She would like to thank her parents for their continued love and support. IG: @maggiemedford
Timmy Bradford (Mark Anthony) is a recent graduate from Rider University's BFA Musical Theatre program. He has recently been seen in Footloose (Garvin) at North Coast Theatre Festival, Footloose (Travis) at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Pete (HER) Pan (Michael Darling), Pippin (Ensemble), Hair (Tribe), at Rider. After he is done here at NCTF he will be making the big move to NYC! Instagram - @timm.y
Jack Dodson (Paul San Marco) is thrilled to be in his first production with North Coast Theatre Festival. He’d like to thank this wonderful cast and crew for giving him a home in the UP! Jack is a NYC based performer receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College. His previous credits include Urinetown (Marymount Manhattan) and Chicago (Ohio Musical Theatre Institute). Shoutout to his amazing friends and family. Instagram - @jxckdodson
Jimena Flores Sanchez (she/her) (Diana Morales) is THRILLED to be a part of the North Coast Theatre Festival. She is originally from Ciudad Obregon, Mexico, and is a New York City-based performer. She recently performed in the brand new musical MAY WE ALL: A New Country Musical as Ruby and Dance Captain. Jimena has been a professional dancer with various elite ballet companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Cincinnati Ballet, and Oklahoma City Ballet. She recently completed her third season with Ballet Memphis. Special thanks to CESD, her parents and sister, Dylan, and her cute dog, Ruby!
Sylvia Gravel (Tricia) is incredibly excited to be a part of the North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival this summer! Sylvia is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and will be a fourth year student at NMU this fall, where she is pursuing a degree in dance with a concentration in dance science and a minor in biology. Previously, she has performed in Elf the Musical (Ensemble), The Producers (Ensemble), and CO/LAB COLLECTIVE.
Maya Moreau (Vicki/Understudy) is a rising sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student here at Northern Michigan University. She has appeared in various shows at NMU within her first year, including Above the Timberline (Captain Lathom), Elf the Musical (Mrs. Greenway), The Wolves (#14), and The Producers (Ensemble), and appeared earlier this summer in A Complicated Hope (Rose Marie) and Footloose (Ensemble) with NCTF. She was also recently elected to the Student Advisory Board for the Department of Theatre and Dance. In Maya's free time, she is diligently working to start a Metaphysical Company.
Brigitte Bartesch (Lois) recently graduated from Northern Michigan University’s theatre and dance program with a BA in Dance. She has been involved in many productions at NMU. Brigitte has been a student dancer in the North Coast Dance Festival, CO/LAB COLLECTIVE, NMU’s Holiday Cabaret (Sugar Plum Fairy Variation), and Pine Mountain Music Festival, as well as The Producers (Dance Captain/Ensemble). Brigitte would like to thank her parents, family, friends, and her amazing professors for all their continued love and support.
Kyra Skinner (Brooke/Understudy) comes to us from the EUP of Michigan. She is coming up on her final year at NMU and is happy to be in Marquette for the summer! Kyra is working towards two degrees, one in dance and the other in psychology with a developmental concentration. She is loving being a part of her first summer stock season! Some of Kyra’s other roles with NMU include CO/LAB COLLECTIVE (Dance Ensemble), Elf the Musical (Ensemble), The Wolves (#2), and, most recently, Footloose (Eleanor Dunbar/Ensemble). She is so happy that she has had the opportunity to work with and meet all the amazing and talented people in this cast. Kyra is very grateful to be a part of this iconic show, and is thankful the endless support from her family, friends, boyfriend, and cast!
Devon Dickerson (Roy) will be going into his sophomore year of college with hopes of double majoring in psychology and dance with a concentration in dance medicine and minoring in English. He has been dancing for about three years now and this will be his musical debut. Devon is looking forward to working with and learning from the rest of the incredible cast.
Creative Team Bios
Jay Berkow (Director) is thrilled to return to Marquette. He was previously here in 2019 as director and author of WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING. Jay has served as Director of Music Theatre Performance at Western Michigan University since 2004. He is the co-author and director/choreographer of the Off-Broadway hit JOLSON & CO. published by Samuel French, Inc. His internationally produced musical WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING is published by Playscripts, Inc. In collaboration with composer David Ogrin, Jay is developing a musical based on the life of Mata Hari. Jay directed the Off-Broadway revival of THE RINK, as well as RED HOT MAMA and THE LADY IN PENTHOUSE B. Regional credits include Florida Studio Theatre, Indiana Repertory, Playhouse on the Square, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Gateway Playhouse, Virginia Repertory, Connecticut Repertory, Coconut Grove Playhouse, American Stage, Florida Rep, the Burt Reynolds Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Circa ’21, and many others. Recent productions include: CALENDAR GIRLS, HEAD OVER HEELS, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, and SPELLING BEE.
Donna Schaffer (Music Director) is currently serving as the Choir Director at Ishpeming Public Schools and Assistant Professor of Voice at Northern Michigan University. Prior to this appointment, she served as Director of Choral Activities at Allen University in Columbia, SC, Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Instructor at Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS, a lecturer in voice at the University of Connecticut, and Music Director for the Shreveport Opera, among other positions. Ms. Schaffer holds fast to the simple teaching philosophy of Nelson Mandela. This proverb states, “Each one teach one.” Donna holds a Bachelor's of Music from the University of Michigan, a Master's of Music from the University of Connecticut, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at USC under the tutelage of Dr. Larry Wyatt.
Jill Grundstrom (Choreographer) has a B.S. from NMU in Secondary Education with majors in English and French, a M.A. in Dance Education from New York University, and an Ed.S. from NMU in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Dance Education with a concentration in Movement Science at Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as assisting with new Character Dance and Partnering curricula for American Ballet Theatre (America’s National Ballet Company®) in New York City. She is certified in the Luigi Jazz Technique, American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum, is a Certified FLX Conditioning Specialist, and a Hamrick Method Master Trainer. Jill has choreographed over 30 full-length musical and dance productions in New York City, Los Angeles, Italy, and here in the Upper Peninsula, including a full-length, original ballet, East of the Sun, West of the Moon (NMU). She also choreographed an independent feature-length film, Our State Fair. She has previously worked with Superior Arts Youth Theatre, the National Dance Education Organization, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.
Lex van Blommestein (Scenic Designer) is a theatre designer based out of Marquette, MI. While he currently teaches at Northern, he also maintains a prolific national and international design career. Lex earned his MFA from Wayne State University's Hilberry Repertory Program in Detroit, and has lived, designed, and taught in Edwardsville, IL; St. Louis, MO; Cincinatti, OH; Raleigh, NC; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee, WI; Detroit, MI; Lansing, MI; Windsor, ON; and Amsterdam, NL, to name a few. In addition to his love for scenic design, he enjoys using design to explore audience reaction, interaction, and emotion, and to create experiences involving virtual reality and augmented reality as well as immersive design.
David Pierce (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer and educator based out of Marquette, MI. Previous design credits include The Producers, Above the Timberline, Mamma Mia!, Sweeney Todd, What We Leave Behind, Into the Woods, Building Madness, and Tarzan. He has also partnered with UP Home Health and Hospice as Lighting Designer for Dancing with Our Stars as well as worked as Production Manager for the Adirondack Theater Festival in Glens Falls, NY. David is also an Associate Professor and Production Manager for the Department of Theatre and Dance at NMU and teaches courses in stage electrics, lighting design, and stage management.
Marla Alden (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a BFA Theatre Technology and Design student focusing on lighting. She is currently the house Master Electrician for the summer at the Forest Roberts Theatre. She also works as the student supervisor of the FRT electrics shop during the school year. Her latest work was an assistant lighting design on Next to Normal. Marla is looking forward to the upcoming work for the summer and into the semester.
Joel Shinavier (Costume Designer) is a recent graduate of Northern Michigan University’s theatre program. While at school, he designed multiple productions, including The Producers, Elf the Musical, an/one's ivory tower, and Significant Other. Additionally, he worked all four years of undergrad in the FRT costume shop and served as Assistant Manager his senior year. He has also spent three summers with Mason Street Warehouse Theater at Saugatuck Center for the Arts downstate.
Keli Crawford-Truckey (Properties Designer) serves as a teacher, director, and properties master at NMU. Recent FRT directing credits include The Wolves, Above the Timberline, The Full Monty, Proof, Sweeney Todd, Bears, Doubt, Harvey, and Into the Woods. She has worked as a stage manager/staff member on the Broadway and national touring companies of Les Miserables, and on off-Broadway productions including And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little at the Producers Club and Cloud Nine at the Bank Street Theatre in NYC. Keli holds a degree in Directing and Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Dan Zini (Sound Designer) is an award-winning designer and engineer in both live and broadcast sound and media with over a decade of professional experience. He also works as a composer, studio engineer, musician, and programmer, holding many internationally recognized certifications. Dan’s client list is extensive and includes Andy Grammar, Keith Secola, Samantha Fish, Carlos Nunez, Alash, Sandra Joseph, Joshua Davis, LDI Las Vegas, Hershey Entertainment, and various theatre companies, serving on over 100 productions including The Wizard of Oz, Les Miserables, and Mary Poppins. At NMU’s School of Music Theatre and Dance, as well as the Department of Media Studies, Dan currently serves as an instructor in sound and media as well as the sound and media supervisor and engineer.
Braeden Ingersoll (Technical Director) is from Des Moines, IA and recently received his MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University where he strove to advance his knowledge in the industry and as an educator. Prior professional credits include Technical Director for Des Moines Metro Opera & Theatre Aspen and Assistant Technical Director for Creede Repertory Theatre. Braeden is also an active member of the United States' Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) having served as President for a Graduate Student Chapter & earning the Director's Choice Award for the USITT/ASTC (American Society of Theatre Consultants) Renovation Challenge in 2019.
Lilith Kontos (Production Stage Manager) holds a B.S. in English from Northern Michigan University and currently works as the Marketing and Box Office Manager for the Department of Theatre and Dance at NMU. Stage management credits include What We Leave Behind (Forest Roberts Theatre, Mitby Theater) and Tarzan (FRT). Performance credits include Deb in Ordinary Days (Lake Superior Theatre), Viola in Twelfth Night (North Coast Theatre Festival), Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Presque Isle Band Shell), and Ali in Mamma Mia! (NCTF). Endless gratitude to her family, friends, and incredible boyfriend, Braeden, for all of their love and support!
Clair Kaminski (Assistant Stage Manager) is a recent graduate of NMU Theatre and Dance’s BFA Theatre Technology and Design program. While attending NMU, she participated in several productions, including Significant Other (PSM), Romeo and Juliet (Co-Costume Designer), Above the Timberline (PSM), The Wolves (Costume Designer), and The Producers (PSM), just to name a few. Clair is so grateful to be able to spend another summer in Marquette and in the Forest Roberts Theatre, especially working on such a fun show. She’d like to thank her family and friends for helping her through college and into the next step of her life.
Sam Wardisiani (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior from Chicago, Illinois and was most recently the Assistant Stage Manager for Footloose. In the fall, she will be the Production Stage Manager for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. When not in rehearsals, she is in the scene shop painting for upcoming shows. She hopes you enjoy seeing A Chorus Line.