Larry Farley (Director)
John Jennens (Chief Bromden) John has
appeared as Ship Hampton in The Last
Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia, Sam in
Lips Together, Teeth Apart Andrew in I
Hate Hamlet and Natwick in Pvt. Wars at
The Village. His efforts as Natwick were recognized with an Excellence in acting
award at OCTA. While he has enjoyed a number of roles at other area theaters, he
counts those at The Village as his favorites. John has been gainfully employed
as a radio announcer, television sports anchor and has made appearances in film,
radio and TV commercials. With his portrayal of the Chief, he is hoping to sweep
the audience off its feet.
Frank Venda (Aide Warren) While watching a number of plays
at The Village with my late wife Cheri, I would say to her, “I would like to do
that some day”. I’m dedicating my performances in this show to the memory of
Cheri Swartz-Venda. Without her bringing me here years ago, I would never have
known how much fun it could be. Thank You, Cheri.
Mike Caruno (Aide Williams) This is my first time on The
Village stage. I would like to thank Don Weber for his encouragement to take the
chance and tryout for this play. Acting is something I have always wanted to do.
I would also like to thank The Village Players Theatre, the cast and crew for
making this an enjoyable experience for me. Thanks for coming out to see us and
I hope you enjoy the show. I work at WNWO-TV
as a Director/Editor.
Suzanne Jennens (Nurse Ratched) Suzanne has been delighted
to portray the angry May in Fool for Love, the conniving Countess in
A Little Night Music and now the evil
Nurse Ratched in Cuckoo’s Nest for Village audiences. Other favorite
roles include Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Bella in Lost in
Yonkers. She has performed in Tiffin, Adrian, Bedford, at The
University of Toledo, Ms. Rose’s and the
Toledo Rep. Suzanne, a former drama and English teacher, presently teaches
Spanish at Whitmer High School by day. But tonight, she’s the Isildur of the
psych ward.
Amanda Cook (Nurse Flinn) I’m not originally from Toledo. I
moved here from Richwood, W.V. when I was twelve years old. I was in theater all
through high school. This is my first “real” play outside of high school.
Allen Kopke (Dale Harding) Allen has spent 35 years teaching
theater, directing plays, doing administrative work, and occasionally acting in
the theater department of BGSU. Selected roles
played include Willy in Death of a Salesman, Salieri in Amadeus
and Higgins in My Fair Lady. Roles played at the Toledo Rep were Dickens
in A Christmas Carol and Argan in The Imaginary Invalid. He is
Professor Emeritus from BGSU and a retired attorney.
Jake Gordy (Billy Bibbit) You may remember Jake as “The Man
in the Saloon” from this season’s production of
Blues in the Night, or as Gately from
our production of Pvt. Wars, for which he
garnered Regional and State OCTA awards. He has also been seen in our
productions of A Little Night Music,
The Female Odd Couple,
70, Girls, 70,
Last Night of Ballyoo,
Cabaret and 1940’s
Radio Hour. By day, Jake is a Network Administrator for TekSystems, but
considers acting his “true calling”. He currently serves on The Village Players’
Board of Directors and also as our webmaster. He enjoys swimming, cooking,
remodeling his house and cruising in his 1972 LeMans convertible. He’s like to
thank his family and Tom for encouraging and supporting his love of theater.
D. Nicholas Hansen (Scanlon) Derek has been involved in
Toledo theater for several years. Here at The Village he last appeared as Lonnie
Roy in Last Meeting of the Knights of
the White Magnolia and co-directed
Wrong Turn at Lungfish last November. His numerous accomplishments include
receiving 2 Excellence in Acting awards from OCTA, assistant directing the
independent film “In the Company of Strangers” and directing
Much Ado About Nothing in 2002. Derek will
be graduating with a BA in theater in May and hopes to be enrolled in law school
next fall.
John Farnham Scott (Cheswick) Farnham’s first local
appearance was on “Eye on Toledo” in 1958 with magician Ted Carrother’s magic
and drama class from the Toledo Boys’ Club. After college, he worked as a
professional actor for over 30 years, appearing on stages all across America as
nearby as the Cleveland Play House in “Boy Meets Girl” and “Conversations With
My Father” and as far away as Curacao in “My Fair Lady”. Since retiring and
returning to Toledo area a few years ago, Mr. Scott has rejoined community
theater work as Max in “The Sound of Music” (Bedford Players) and co-directed
“Dracula” at his Alma Mater, Bedford High School.
Farnham’s favorite role is perhaps Revolutionary War General Henry Knox, whom he
portrayed in two CBS-TV mini-series based on the life of GEORGE WASHINGTON.
He would like to acknowledge with this performance his lifetime friend,
inspiration, and high school drama teacher, Village Player member, Carol
Kwiatkowski.
Rick Vaught (Martini) Rick has done several productions at
The Village. Some were
Conversations With My Father,
Abandoned Houses, 70, Girls, 70,
Much Ado About Nothing and
Six Degrees of Separation. He has also acted
at the Toledo Rep, Croswell Opera House, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, and other area
theaters. When he’s not acting he works with delinquent youths.
Larry Janney (Ruckly) Larry has volunteered at The Village
for many years mostly working behind the scenes, but has appeared in Sly Fox
and Royal Family. He has retired from Foodtown. In his spare time he is
an active member of Zenobia Shrine of Toledo and is busy keeping track of his 12
grandchildren.
Nate Miller (Randal P. McMurphy) I have earned my living in
the home remodeling business working for Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc.,
although for more than thirty years theater has been my most passionate
avocation. Over the years I have been most fortunate in some of the roles that I
have had the opportunity to play on this stage, my last being four seasons ago
as Eddie Goldberg in Conversations
With My Father. But that is not why the Village Players holds such a
special place in my heart. Everyone that you have seen here tonight is a
volunteer: they are here for the joy of the art and it is this “leveling of the
playing field” that permits art to take risks. I hope by tonight’s final curtain
that you will agree that community theater is really community enrichment
masquerading as entertainment.
All my life my favorite audience lady has been out in the house watching me
perform. In everything that I have ever done I have always applied myself
because I knew she was out there watching and I trust she still is. To that end
I am dedicating all of my performances in this run to the memory of my mother,
Marian, my biggest fan and toughest critic. That I do this is entirely fair.
After all, you only have to experience me the next few hours, my mother had to
raise McMurphy. Miss you and love you very much, Mom.
Rich Harrison (Dr. Spivey) Rich has been involved at The
Village for several years. Some of the plays he has acted in are
The Last Meeting of the Knights of the
White Magnolia, Laughter on
the 23rd. Floor, 70, Girls, 70,
Moon Over Buffalo,
Working, Catch Me If You Can and
Abandoned Houses. He did Gross
Indecencies at the Toledo Rep. He enjoys golf, college basketball and
football, restoring his Old West End home and spending time with his
grandchildren.
John Henry (Aide Turkle)
Laura Ahrens (Candy Starr) Laura has been involved as an
actress and behind the scenes for several years. She was on stage in
Not Waving and
Children. Here behind the scenes activities include stage managing, set
construction, scenic art, sound, lights, producer and props. She also designs
the posters and postcards for each show. When not volunteering at the theater
she works as a Senior Programmer/Analyst for Honeywell in Perrysburg.
Megan Ray (Sandra) Megan is 21 years old and a 2001 graduate
of Whitmer High School. This is her fourth show at The Village. You may have
previously seen her in A Little Night
Music, Suds, or
The Sunshine Boys. Other roles include Maria
in The Sound of Music, Marty in Grease, and Mazeppa in Gypsy.
She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support, and she
hopes that one day she can make them all proud.
Last Modified: 02/21/04