ABOUT THE CAST

DALE MARACH (John Hancock) This is Dale’s second association with Celebration Players. Previously he directed their performance of Lend Me a Tenor. It is also his second association with 1776. The last time was……well, let’s just say a long time ago.
 

ORLANDO VEGA (Dr. Josiah Bartlett) This is Orlando’s first appearance with Celebration Players. He is the current Vice President of S.T.A.G.E., and has appeared in their productions of Bring Back Birdie, and Pirates of Penzance.

DON CAMBPELL (John Adams) Active in theatre, this is Don’s first production with Celebration Players. Don has appeared as Albert Peterson in Bring Back Birdie, John Hancock, in 1776, and recently directed Pirates of Penzance. Don recently moved to celebration with his wife Kathy and their children Sarah and Jonathan.

T.J. WOLLARD (Stephen Hopkins) T.J. is no stranger to Celebration Players having performed on stage and in the Pit Orchestra. In addition to performing, T.J. is a playwright. Celebration Players recently performed one of his works, A Family Tradition, as part of their Play Reading Series.

CURT WHIRL (Roger Sherman) Originally from Marion Indiana, Curt is thrilled to be making his Celebration Players debut. Curt enjoys entertaining and has worked full time for Walt Disney Entertainment for over four years. Curt looks forward to future associations with the Celebration Players.

JOE IRIARTE (Lewis Morris) Celebration resident, father of two and math teacher at Celebration High School, Joe does theatre for the attention. Joe is also a writer, having written several short stories and a novel, (any publishers in the audience?). Joe says he loves 1776 because it brings heroes to life. Joe would like to thank his parents “for making me possible”.

GREG DORF (Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon) This is his Greg’s first appearance with Celebration Players. He has as much experience with theatre as he does with the Continental Congress. This is Greg’s first performance on stage anywhere. Greg’s advice, “do what scares you”. It’s what got him here tonight and he’s having so much fun.

YOGI MUELLER (Ben Franklin) Yogi’s credits include roles as J.B. Bigley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun, and Samuel Chase in 1776. This is Yogi’s first production with Celebration Players. Yogi works at Walt Disney World, and says he loves the smell of musty costumes and grease paint. Yogi would like to thank every American who has fought and died for our freedom, and the freedom of others. 1776 reminds us that creating freedom requires as much pride and dedication as preserving it. God bless America.
 

DON McDONALD (John Dickinson) A Celebration resident, Don has been seen in other Players productions, The Fantastiks, and The King and I.

GREG POSSO (James Wilson) With two lovely daughters and a child on the way Greg is a “family man but, with stars in my eyes”. A Disney Cast Member for 10 years, Greg is originally from New York. His other acting credits include, 1776 in the role of George Read, and a 5th grade production of Noah’s Ark as Turtle 1, and Turtle 2. What versatility. This is his first Celebration Players Production.

ANDREW HENSKE (Caesar Rodney) Andrew was most recently seen in the Celebration High School production of Pippin, and in the role of Louis in Celebration Players production of The King and I. Andrew loves acting because its fun to be someone else on stage. He also loves to play the guitar. Andrew would like to thank Bobby for giving him the opportunity, Gaia for putting up with him, and most of all, his mom, who is also an actress. Andrew wants everyone to know “I’m playing the dude on the Delaware quarter”.

JEFF LEHMAN. (Col. Thomas McKean) A Celebration Resident, this is Jeff’s first Celebration Players production. Jeff enjoyed acting in high school and college but found less and less time for it when he went into medicine. An Ear, Nose and Throat Physician Jeff treats singers and actors with voice problems. His most memorable theatrical experiences are helping his wife stage a musical she wrote, and watching his daughter Cassie develop into an actress. Jeff would like to thank Don McDonald for asking him to come and audition and his wife Debi for encouraging him to do it.

MARCUS KELLEY (George Read) Marcus originally from Louisiana, currently works at The Disney/MGM Studios as a character performer in parades. Marcus has been seen in the role of George Martini in Haines City Players production One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and has performed in several S.T.A.G.E. and ENCORE productions. Marcus would like to thank Shawn Ramigos for encouraging him to audition.

CHRIS MacEACHERN (Samuel Chase) Born and raised in Toronto, Chris is a Celebration resident and this is his first Celebration Players production. The strong silent type who welcomes all challenges, theatrical and otherwise, Chris is thrilled to be a part of this talented group. When not performing Chris says he hums the Batman Theme song incessantly, and makes appointments for September 31st. Chris would like to say a special thanks to the people in his life with whom “affinity” is a two way street”.

KEVIN ROBERGE (Richard Henry Lee) A Celebration resident, this is Kevin’s first Celebration Players production. Kevin has performed off Broadway as Snork in, The Elephant Man, and Claudio in, Much Ado About Nothing. Other roles include Danny in Grease, Jack in Into The Woods, and Linus in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Kevin’s favorite role, however, is playing daddy to his 16-month-old son Brayden.

TOM DONNELLY (Thomas Jefferson) Tom is excited to be reprising the role of Thomas Jefferson. This is his first Celebration Players production and he is honored to be associated with so many talented people. Tom would like to thank his lovely wife Lisa for all of her love and support, and John and Margie for their musical talents.

KRIS SHAVE (Joseph Hewes) A Celebration resident for almost a year Kris is excited about his first production with Celebration Players. Originally from Illinois, Kris was a three-year cast member of the OPERA, Illinois Opera Company, a full scholarship recipient from Illinois State University for a double major in Vocal and Piano Performance, and a winner of the National Association for Teachers of Singing Soloist Audition. His favorite roles include Prince Charming in Into the Woods, Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, and Music Director for Guys and Dolls and The Music Man. A Disney Cast Member for six years you can find Kris dancing down Main St. USA at the Magic Kingdom.

DARRYL PICKETT (Rutledge) Darryl is a professional dilettante, actor, writer, musician, and storyteller. A Central Florida resident for 14 years, he has experience many, if not most, aspects of the theme park experience. You can learn more about his many creative endeavors at, www.odsmil.com.

DAVID HARTMAN (Dr. Lyman Hall) A Celebration resident, David id pleased to be performing in his first Celebration Players production. He has enjoyed acting since high school. David would like to thank his mom Mary Alice for her loving support and dedicates his performance to the true spirit of America.

JAKUB McDONALD (Charles Thomson) A Celebration resident and high school student “Jake” has been seen recently in the lead role in Celebration High School’s production of Pippin. Other roles include Huckleberry Finn in Celebration Players production Tom Sawyer, as well as Rolf in, The Sound of Music, and President Roosevelt in, Annie. Jake loves being an actor because “women love actors”.

SHAWN RAMIGOS (McNair) Originally from Louisiana, Shawn is no stranger to Celebration Players, having performed on stage, directed and worked on lighting, sound and sets. Shawn has over 50 shows to his credit on and back-stage and works as a professional theatre technician. Shawn would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

BARBARA BOWERS (Abigail Adams) Barbara has previously appeared with the Celebration Players as Anna in The King and I and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In addition to appearing on stage, Barbara directed the Players production of Arsenic and Old Lace, and currently sits on the Board of Directors. Before settling down here to raise family in Celebration, Barbara toured nationally in productions of The Pirates of Penzance and The Pajama Game. Her regional credits include Anne in A Little Night Music, Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!, April in Company, Corie in Barefoot in the Park, and Catherine in The Foreigner. She sends all her love to her boys, Nicholas and Sean!

LISA E. IRIARTE (Abigail Adams) Lisa has been performing since she was Dippy the Dolphin in kindergarten. Her many roles in theatre and opera include Queen of the Night and Papagena in The Magic Flute, Adele in The Bat, the maid in The Maid as Mistress, Rizzo in Grease, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and Lady Thiang in the Celebration Players’ production of The King and I. Lisa is an aspiring novelist who teaches seventh grade Language Arts at Celebration School. A wife, and the mother of identical twin five-year-old girls, Lisa would like to thank her husband for his encouragement and her parents for their support of an awkward teen who begged for voice lessons. This is Lisa’s second appearance with the Players, and she looks forward to performing with them again.

LISA McCLURE-DONNELLY (Martha Jefferson) Lisa is a Disney Cast Member working in Entertainment and is reprising her role as Martha Jefferson. Her most recent roles include Barbara Smith in, Run for your Wife, and Lucy Westrina in Child of the Night, also for which Lisa contributed to the original cast recording. When not dancing at Disney or acting, Lisa spends time with her pets and her husband of 6 years. Thanks to Tom for all his love and support.

STEVE YAWNICK (Courier) 17 years young, Steve is a Celebration resident and Celebration High School senior. Originally from Boston, Steve has been doing theatre for almost 10 years. His favorite productions include West Side Story, Pippin, Sweet Charity, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond.

 
LEANNE KLAUSEGGER (Painter/Leather Apron) Leanne is a Celebration resident and Celebration High School Student. Most recently seen in, Pippin, Leanne says, “If I wasn’t singing or performing I’d probably go nuts. I love this so much”. Leanne would like to thank her mom and dad for all their support.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR’S

BOBBY AMERENA (Director) This is the first production Bobby has directed for Celebration Players. Bobby would like to thank his beautiful, loving, and most importantly, patient wife Felicia, for putting up with him. He also would like to thank God for reminding him that he is not in control, and that all good things come through Him.

FELICIA AMERENA (Asst. Director) Also the President of Celebration Players, Felicia is multi talented and has worked on every production the Players have put up since 1997. Felicia has been producer, stage manager, prop mistress, choreographer, dancer and actor, as well as an advocate for the Players on committees around town. Felicia’s credits include, Steal Magnolias, Our Town, Godspell, Tom Sawyer, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and The king and I.

JOHN ANDERSON (Music Director) John Anderson is the choral director at Jewett Academy Middle School in Winter Haven. John earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Florida Southern College and Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of South Florida. He is a frequent clinician and adjudicator for choirs throughout Florida and is and adjunct professor of voice at Polk Community College in Winter Haven. Choirs under his direction have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and in Washington D.C. as well as on nationally released television and recordings. John has served as Choral Director, Minister of Music and Organist for over 25 years. John has also taught Musical Theater at the high school level and served as the Cast Choir Director for the Walt Disney World Candlelight Processional. High School Theater classes under John have successfully presented such plays as “Bye, Bye Birdie”, “Scrooge”, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Dracula”.

MARGIE ANDERSON (Asst. Music Director) Recently “retired” from teaching 2nd graders, Margie is currently a home school mom and has an active private piano studio. Margie earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Southern College where she also studied piano and voice. Margie has appeared as soloist with the Lakeland Choral Society and the Bartow Messiah Chorus. In addition to frequent church choir, vocal solo & keyboard work, she has also performed with the renowned Tampa Bay Master Chorale. Margie also serves as accompanist for John’s choral and theater productions.

John and Margie are frequent music leaders for church and civic events throughout the state. They’ve been happily married to each other for 23 years and have a son, John Neil who is 13 with whom they reside in Bartow along with 3 neurotic cats.