Brenda Sweeney (Director) returns to The Village Players once again to direct Don’t Hug Me. She previously directed A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum in 2007 and the hilarious Angry Housewives in 2004. Brenda has been involved in theatre since her high school days, but mostly as a performer. She has enjoyed being Luisa in The Fantasticks, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Agnes in I Do, I Do, and Marian the librarian in The Music Man, since that is her daytime disguise. She’s the librarian at the brand new Roy C. Start High School. Many people in Toledo may remember seeing her perform at the Westgate Dinner Theatre, at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian or at Friar Tucks in Maumee where she debuted her one-woman show about Edith Piaf.
Carol Mahn (Choreographer) has been a dance instructor, studio owner, and choreographer in the Toledo area for 30 years and is now Artistic Director of Harmony Dance Company. Carol has focused her time the past two years on the Performance in the Pond and the Artists on the River Festival on Labor Day weekend. Carol’s musical theatre credits include two separate productions of Grease, Guys & Dolls, A Year with Frog and Toad, Seussical Jr. and Luann to name a few.
Carol Ann Erford (Clara Johnson) You saw her last as Emily in My Three Angels. She previously appeared on The Village stage in Cherchez Dave Robichaux as Picket Pie. Always keeping busy, she has appeared in a number of shows at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre including Cora in Mornings at Seven, Jeannette in The Full Monty, (which is coming back by popular demand in July 2009), and Veta Louise in Harvey. Also, Carol has been very involved with Rep Edgy Readings both as a director and an actor for the last two years. Look for her this year in Durang, Durang and The Vagina Monologues.
Don Weber (Gunner Johnson) is an award-winning actor, having performed with numerous theatre companies in the area for over 37 years including The Village Players, The Croswell Opera House, The Toledo Rep, and the former Westgate Dinner Theatre. He lists his favorite roles as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Oscar in The Odd Couple, and Al Lewis (with Jim Rudes) in The Sunshine Boys. Don greatly appreciates that his wife, Kathie, has “jumped in with both feet” and co-produced the last two shows he’s been in. With the addition of his daughter, Ellison, working props, this show truly is a family affair. Don retired last year from WNWO-TV, NBC 24 after more than 34 years in television production.
Sara Speelman (Bernice Lundstrom) This is Sara’s third show on stage at The Village. Previously she has been seen in Let’s Murder Marsha and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She has also been involved behind stage for several shows. When not at The Village Sara is a full-time student at Lourdes College and works full time for Toledo Public Schools as a paraprofessional. She would like to thank her family and friends for putting up with her crazy schedule.
Connor Gavin (Aarvid Gisselsen), a senior at St. Francis de Sales High School, is starring in his first community theater show, but it is not his first time performing. In eighth grade he debuted in Gesu School’s production of Annie Junior, followed by roles as young Josh Baskin in Big, the Musical, as well as starring in the cast of Bye, Bye Birdie for his high school. He currently wishes to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison in the fall. He would like to thank Marjo, his family and CJS for the constant support of everything in which he partakes. Enjoy the show…it should be fun!
Larry “Keith” Daniel (Kanute Gunderson) This will be Keith’s second show with The Village. He previously played a role in Let's Murder Marsha as Virgil Baxter. Keith has also done three shows with Oregon Community Theatre. He was a Salesman in The Music Man, Thurston Howell, III in Gilligan’s Island, the Musical, and Bill Jukes, a pirate, in Peter Pan, the Musical. “I have had nothing but a great time. I’ve met some great people doing this ‘theater thing’. I am just amazed with the talented people that have taught me so much in such a short time. Okey-dokey, now let’s all go down to the Bunyon and have us a beer or two or three. Oh, yah, you betcha!!
Last Modified: 03/24/09