TOM ADAMO – Henry Figgens

 

 SHARON CERDA – VOICE of the  Director, Muffy Ladue & Understudy Voice for Dolores Dumpry

Sharon is pleased to be working with CenterLight Theatre this year.  Although she is new to the cast and crew, she is no stranger to the stage.  She’s been acting for more than 22 years.  Some of her work includes, A Mojo, Deadwood Dick, A Raisin In the Sun, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors and Don’t Cry for Me Margarita to name a few.  She is fluent in sign language and is the mother of 2 beautiful girls.  One of whom is profoundly deaf. She has been married for 14 years to a wonderful man. “Thank you to my family for your love and support during this busy time.  I Love you with every breath I take. Smooches!”

 

 

 BRENDAN CONNELLY – Blake Powers

Although he has only been with ICODA for 3 years, Brendan is no stranger to the stage. Before getting involved with CenterLight he participated in acting classes through Piven’s Theatre, Notre Dame (his formal High School) and Oakton Community College. Brendan landed his first lead role as ‘Daddy Warbucks’ in CenterLights production of Annie. He continued in other productions such as Grease and recently played “Hook” in Peter Pan. When he is not busy taking classes at Harper Community College, Brendan enjoys playing sports, watching movies and performing with the Traveling Hands Troupe. His most favorite memory of being involved with ICODA is when he was selected to travel to Hollywood to honor and perform for Marlee Matlin as she was awarded a star on the Walk of Fame!

 

REGINA DANIELS - Trixie

Regina would like to thank family and friends for their love and unending support.  She is thrilled to be working with ICODA!  Previously Regina was seen as Lydia in The Village Players production of Children of a Lesser God, directed by Christine Strejc-Erickson.  Her film work includes the documentary Dancing with Silence for which she received an AEMMY Award for Outstanding Community Service.  Regina is also a trained dancer and has performed with companies such as Jump Rhythm Jazz Project and National Deaf Dance Theatre. 

 

 

KEITH DELK – Drew Graham

Keith has been involved with CenterLight Theatre since the spring of 2009 when he was seen as Kenickie in Grease and most recently as Smee in  Peter Pan.  In addition, Keith is a  member of ICODA’s  Traveling Hands Troupe. At present he attends Grayslake North High School as a senior. When he isn’t busy with his studies or his job, Keith enjoys participating in a variety of sports as well as staying active. Because he resides in Beach Park, a small town in Northern Illinois by Lake Michigan, commuting to ICODA hasn’t always been easy but he feels it’s worth the drive! Keith is very honored to be a member of this talented cast and would like to thank the 'ICODA Girls' for always believing in him.

 

 

KIM DELK – Cab Driver

Kim is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of ICODA’s CenterLight Theatre production of Murder Me Always.  This marks her third production after previously being seen in Grease and Peter Pan.  Kim balances acting at CenterLight with two jobs and is also an active member of the Zion-Benton 859 Moose Family Fraternity that supports Mooseheart and Moosehaven for children and Senior Citizens.  Kim wants to thank her brother, Keith Delk, for getting her involved with CenterLight.  She would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at ICODA and her family and friends for the love and support they’ve given her.

 

 

 GRETCHEN G. GANNON – Dolores Dumpry

Gretchen is proud to return to ICODA in CenterLight Theatre’s production of Murder Me Always.  Some of her previous credits at CenterLight include: Variety: Volume 1, Peter Pan, Nunsense II: The Second Coming, A Christmas Carol and Annie Get Your Gun. In Chicago, Gretchen has appeared in Hamlet Dreams with Deaf Bailiwick Theatre.  She was seen in the 2008 production of Children of a Lesser God at The Village Players Theatre in Oak Park.  Additionally, Gretchen has performed in various Deaf Education Health Videos.  She thanks her husband, Dan, for supporting her decision to work in theatre.  Gretchen sends her love to him and their son, Greagoir.  But most importantly, ”Special thanks goes to the ICODA Staff for believing in me and for asking me to a part of this production.”

 

KEVIN GRENDA – VOICE for Drew Graham & Henry Figgens

 

ESTHER HOFFMAN – Director

Esther is a senior at John Hersey High School and has been involved with ICODA’s programs since she was five years old when she first appeared as a munchkin in CenterLight’s production of The Wizard of Oz.  Some of her favorite roles include: Miss Hannigan in Annie, Marty in Grease and most recently she was seen as Wendy in Peter Pan.  Esther has been a member of Traveling Hands Troupe for many years and will be appearing as one of the Narrators in CenterLight’s upcoming Spring production of Snow White.  When she is not at ICODA, Esther enjoys cheerleading and being the Vice-President of Jr. NAD at Hersey.  Esther has also been featured in several Children’s Video’s over the years. 

 

RJ JORDAN – Detective Joe Mamet

RJ is a native Californian who just started performing in the late 1990’s.  Once he discovered his passion for the stage, he got involved with ICEWORM, a troupe founded by Crom Saunders in California which features improve and sketch comedy. Soon after, he became a member of the ASL Comedy Tour with Keith Wann, well-known CODA/ASL Performer.  RJ was also seen as the mean banker in Neil Simon’s, The Good Doctor in Vancouver, WA.  Since coming to Chicago a few years ago, RJ can be found working at John Hersey High School and coaching the Deaf Co-Ed Volleyball team.  Storytelling, producing short movies, performing in one-man shows and pursuing directing opportunities are his greatest passions. 

 

 

 

JAMES LEE – VOICE for Detective Joe Mamet, Understudy VOICE for Fritz Fontaine
Computer geek by day, aspiring thespian by night, James has been involved in theater since the fall of 2008 when his son, Ryan, got involved with ICODA’s production of Annie.  After hanging around during rehearsals, he was soon asked to help out and voice for the roles of Rooster Hannigan, Burt Healy & President Roosevelt. Then, when the show was re-mounted in January of 2009, James graciously stepped on stage for 3 performances signing, voicing and dancing the role of Rooster Hannigan.  Somehow he made it through those performances without once being hit with any rotten fruit.  Since Annie, James has been seen as Vince Fontaine in CenterLight’s production of Grease and most recently as a Pirate and the voice of Captain Hook in  Peter Pan.  James is excited to be voicing for Detective Mamet in Murder Me Always… mainly because there is no dancing involved.

 

 

JIM LOMANTO – Fritz Fontaine

Jim is delighted to be working for CenterLight Theatre again.  He recently completed filming for the video “Stop Smoking” for Advocate Lutheran General Medical Center.  He has also appeared in educational videos for Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf, Cook County Court/American Judicature Society and the Deaf Community for the Chicago Police Department.  CenterLight Theatre productions include:  Scapino, A Christmas Carol, The Diary of Anne Frank, Bye Bye Birdie, Arsenic & Old Lace, Hello Dolly, The Good Doctor, Blithe Spirit, The Fantasticks, The Tightwad and Oliver.  He received an Omni Award for his Handlandia Ensemble work with Gaia in the Kids Sign Club Video and an After Dark Award for his work in Equus at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre.  He is a past Board Member for CenterLight Theatre, Tannebaum Theatre, The Chicago International Film Festival and Friends of the Arts at Center on Deafness.  He would like to thank his wife, Charlene for her patience with his busy schedule.  Thank you to the audiences and friends who have supported him in every way.  He dedicates this show to his good friends Bernard Bragg, Joe Huber and Bob Knuth.

 

BRITTANY PALM – Muffy Ladue

Brittany is enthused to be part of the cast for Murder Me Always. She has participated in ICODance from 2002 to 2004 and CenterLight 2009's production Grease. Before being inspired to act, she belonged to Talent Forum as a dancer for 13 years and was on the Gallaudet University dance team in 2004. She would like to thank for the support of her cast, directors, fans, family and most of all, Brett Johnson. This spring she will be play the Queen in CenterLight’s upcoming production of Snow White.

 

CHERYL SCHWARTZ – Voice Coach and VOICE for Cab Driver & Trixie

 

 LIZ TANNEBAUM - Wanda Hawthorne

Liz is an Emmy award-winner from her work with The Second City and whose work in the Chicago deaf community is unparalleled.  Liz has taught deaf acting technique in Milan and continues to work as a motivational speaker about her experience as a deaf actress at schools locally, encouraging children to consider careers in film and stage.  Liz has starred in plays all over the country, directed children’s theatre, and worked in films, including “What Women Want” with Mel Gibson and “Wrong Game” with ASL Film which contained no sounds or closed captioning.  Liz was the Festival Director for Festival Cinema for the Deaf, in Chicago, which screened numerous films from a dozen countries.  She studied stand-up comedy with director Stephen Rosenfeld at the American Comedy Institution New York City and debuted at Caroline’s on Broadway.  Liz is a devoted mother to her loving sons, Morris and Luke.  Considering Liz’s extensive acting background, it is important to remember she would not be here if it was not for her involvement with ICODA at the age of 9.  Liz would like to deeply express her gratitude towards ICODA and is honored and pleased to return for CenterLight’s production of Murder Me Always.  

 

 

SANDI WERNER - VOICE for Wanda Hawthorne

Sandi is excited to be voicing for the role of Wanda Hawthorne.  She has recently had the privilege of voicing for Miss Hannigan in Annie and for Marty in Grease, both with ICODA’s CenterLight Theatre.  A graduate of Boston University with a degree in acting, she is currently enrolled in William Harper College’s Sign Language Interpreting Program.  She aspires to interpret for theater.  Meanwhile, she works for Iterim HealthCare, assisting families with Home Healthcare needs.  Sandi wants to thank her husband Rick and son Colton for all their love and support!!!

 

 

 

MIKE WILLIAMS – VOICE for Fritz Fontaine & Understudy VOICE for Detective Joe Mamet

Mike is happy for the opportunity to continue with CenterLight.  Last year he was heard as the voice of Daddy Warbucks in Annie.  Previously Mike voiced multiple characters in Variety: Volume 1, has appeared onstage as Mr. Darling in Peter Pan, Grandpa George in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: The Golden Ticket and various voices in A Christmas Carol and Hercules: A Star is Born.  Mike has also helped out backstage for several prior CenterLight productions.  During the day, Mike is a Six Sigma Black Belt at Motorola.  He would like to thank God for giving him the ability to participate in this production.

 

 

TRACEY WILLIAMS – VOICE for Dolores Dumpry

Tracey is glad to be returning to CenterLight.  Previously she appeared onstage as a signing actress as Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, a Pirate and the voice of Smee in Peter Pan and various roles in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: The Golden Ticket and Hercules: A Star is Born.  Tracey has also voiced and worked backstage for several prior CenterLight productions and Traveling Hands Troupe shows.  She would like to thank her family for encouraging her to continue to pursue opportunities in acting even though the kids have moved away.  She would also like to thank God for his blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRODUCTION STAFF:

 

CHRISTINE ERICKSON, Co-Director

Christine is the Managing Director of CenterLight Theatre and the Director of Traveling Hands Troupe at ICODA.  She has directed: Grease, Annie, Variety: The Holiday Volume, Variety: Volume 1, Hercules: A Star is Born and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory: The Golden Ticket.  She is an actor with Story-N-Sign and has been previously been seen on stage in A Christmas Carol, Scapino, Nunsense: The Second Coming and Bye, Bye Birdie to name a few.  Christine was fortunate enough to direct Children of A Lesser God at Oak Park’s Village Players Theatre in 2008. Christine would like to thank all of the actors in Murder Me Always for contributing their time and talent to help ensure the future of Children’s Theatre programs at ICODA.  In addition, a very special thank you to Carolyn and Gina for everything they have done as co-workers and friends over the past seven months.  Don, I love you and appreciate all your support!

 

CAROLYN KALINA, Stage Manager 

 

 

GINA MATZKIN, Co-Director

 

 

CHERYL SCHWARTZ, Voice Coach

*See Cast Bio