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Show Information
Hale Centre Theatre's production of
Book by
Craig Lucas
Music and Lyrics by
Adam Guettel
Produced by arrangement with
Turner Entertainment Co.
Owner of the original motion picture “Light In The Piazza”
Based on the Novel by
Elizabeth Spencer
Directed by
Dave Tinney
Orchestrations by
Adam Guettel
Additional Orchestrations by
Ted Sperling
Music Consultant
Andy Einhorn
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States Copyright Law. For more information, please visit:
Original Credits
Original Broadway Production by Lincoln Center Theater, New York City, 2005
The World Premiere of The Light In The Piazza was produced by the Intiman Theatre
Seattle, Washington
Opening Night: June 14, 2003
Bartlett Sher, Artistic Director; Laura Penn, Managing Director
And The Goodman Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
Opening Night: January 20, 2004
Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director
Developed with the Assistance of the Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory
Orchestrations by Adam Guettel
Additional Orchestrations by Ted Sperling
Music Consultant - Andy Einhorn
Production Team
Producer: Sally Dietlein
Director/Choreographer: Dave Tinney
Music Director: Rob Moffat
Production Stage Manager: Susan Kupferer
Scenic Design: Jenn Taylor
Costume Design: Joy Zhu
Lighting Design: Marianne Ohran
Sound Design: Michelle Ohumukini
Properties Design: Michelle Jensen
Hair & Make-up Design: Candice Cronin
Video/Projection Design: Madeline Ashton
Assistant Video/Projection Design: Alena Rodriguez
Automation Design: Jonah Garlick
•••••
Stage Managers: Riya Sahasrabudhe
Assistant Stage Managers: Skip Mulcock, Davy McGuirt
Automation Operators: Josh Sheen, Allen Mak
Lightboard Operators: Collin Schmierer, Lee Wright
Sound Engineers: Kristin Tenney, Tiffany Parker
Stage Technicians: Ben Ward, Jake Barrett, Melanie Rust, Josh Sheen, John Heath, Ben Dickson, Lucas Jessup
Followspot Operators: Madison Tredways, Kevin Ostler, Duane Woodruff, Rebecca Perkins, Kai Sadowski, Jill Heiner
Wardrobe Dressers: Maggie Sheen, Akemia Nakashima, Kyla Johnson, Emily Thompson, Emma Clark, Annick Tolman
Hair & Make-up: Cassie Firth, Claire Jones, Olivia Price, Brooklyn Maxwell, Taylor Lambert
Director’s Notes
The Light In The Piazza is a musical by Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas, adapted from Elizabeth Spencer’s 1960 novella of the same name.
The Light In The Piazza is set in 1953, and follows Margaret Johnson, the wife of a wealthy North Carolina businessman, and her daughter Clara, who is developmentally disabled due to a childhood accident. The two spend the summer together touring Italy.
It’s interesting to note that Spencer set most of her story in Florence Italy. Home to great artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli, as well as architects, political figures and thinkers, this is where the dark ages were finally eclipsed by a new age of enlightenment; a rebirth, a renewal…or as it is commonly referred to, a Renaissance. This is where light began to replace darkness.
The theme of Renaissance is evident in composer Adam Guettel’s score. You can hear the influence of his grandfather Richard Rodgers’ gift for melody. You can also detect a bit of Sondheim-esque conversational rhythmic play, a love of American jazz, and a solid foundation of contemporary opera. All these seemingly incongruent brush strokes are carefully combined to create perfectly impressionistic musical canvas. The result is a new…or rather renewed sound that transports you to a light filled mid-century Florence.
Much of the dialogue in the musical spoken by the Italian characters is in Italian, with the intentional omission of subtitles or translations. This brilliant device intensifies the audience’s empathy for the character Margaret as she navigates a foreign language, foreign customs, foreign relationships, and foreign emotions. She finds herself feeling lost, alone and in the dark.
When Clara falls in love with a young Florentine man, Margaret is forced to reexamine her beliefs about her daughter’s future and face some difficult realities about her own life. Through the alchemy of loss and love, Margaret is finally able to walk into the light of her own renaissance.
This one is for Janielle.
— Dave Tinney
Synopsis of Scenes
Overture
“Overture”
Scene 1 – Piazza della Signoria, Florence – Summer 1953
“Statues and Stories”
Company
Scene 2 – The Uffizi
“The Beauty Is”
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio, Ensemble
Scene 3 – The Naccarelli Shop
“Il Mondo Era Vuoto”
“American Dancing”
Fabrizio, Giuseppe, Signor
Scene 4 – The Duomo
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio, Signor, Priest, Tourists
Scene 5 – Piazzale Michelangelo
“Passeggiata”
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio, Giuseppe, Franca, Signor, Ensemble
Scene 6 – The Naccarelli Home
“The Joy You Feel”
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio, Giuseppe, Franca, Signor, Signora, Servants
Scene 7 – Margaret and Clara’s Hotel Room
“Dividing Day”
Margaret, Roy
Scene 8 – On the Street
“Hysteria/Lullaby”
Clara, Fabrizio, Ensemble
Scene 9 – The Hotel Room
“Say It Somehow”
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio
Entr’acte
“Entr’acte”
Scene 1 – Rome, The Ruins
Margaret, Clara, Ensemble
Scene 2 – The Naccarelli Home
“Aiutami”
Fabrizio, Giuseppe, Franca, Signor, Signora
Scene 3 – Rome, The Ruins
“The Light in the Piazza”
Margaret, Clara
Scene 4 – Florence
Margaret, Signor
Scene 5 – The Naccarelli Home
“Octet”
“Clara’s Tirade”
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio, Giuseppe, Franca, Signor, Signora, Priest, Servants
Scene 6 – The Church – The Wedding Rehearsal
“The Beauty Is (Reprise)”
Margaret, Clara, Fabrizio, Giuseppe, Franca, Signor, Signora, Priest, Ensemble
Scene 7 – The Naccarelli Shop
Margaret, Giuseppe, Signor
Scene 8 – Florentine Street
“Let’s Walk”
Margaret, Signor
Scene 9 – The Hotel Room
Margaret, Roy
Scene 10 – The Empty Streets of Florence
“Clara’s Interlude”
Clara, Fabrizio
Scene 11 – Outside the Church
“Love to Me”
“Fable”
Company
Cast in Order of Appearance
Cast Biographies
Cast Changes in Today's Performance
Male 4
will be played by
Jason Buonforte
Margaret Johnson
Jennifer Hohl
MON · WED · FRI
Jennifer is back where she belongs on the HCT Stage. Favorite credits include Hello, Dolly!, Fiddler On The Roof, Into the Woods, Little Women, Mary Poppins, and Joseph… Dreamcoat.
She has written directed, and performed the last 14 years in Witchapalooza at Gardner Village, works as a vocal instructor, and a well-known Director and Music Director in the Utah theatre community. She holds a BA in Music from BYU. “To my children Tom (Kaitlyn), Spencer (Jasmine), Mary and Olivia, who are the most interesting people I know, my two darling grandchildren, Miss E and Tanker, and my wonderful husband, Michael… vi voglio tutti bene… Tengo Famiglia!!”
Michelle Blake
TUES · THURS · SAT
Michelle is happy to be returning to the HCT stage! Her favorite credits include: HCT - Winifred Banks (Mary Poppins - 2014 & 2020), Marie (Cinderella), Madame Baurel (An American In Paris), Mae Tuck (Tuck Everlasting), Mrs. Potiphar (Joseph…Dreamcoat), and Georgia (Curtains);
PTC - Sunset Boulevard, and the U.S. professional premiere of Frank Wildhorn’s The Count of Monte Cristo; other roles include Lilli/Kate (Kiss Me Kate), Betty Haynes (White Christmas), Emma Carew (Jekyll & Hyde), and Velma Von Tussle (Hairspray). “Much love and many thanks to my family and friends, especially my husband and daughter, for your constant love and support.”
Clara Johnson
Jessica is honored to be joining the company of The Light in the Piazza! Her favorite stage credits include: The Secret Garden (Rose Lennox), Les Misérables (Cosette), A Tale of Two Cities (Lucie Manette), and A Christmas Carol (Belle/Laundress) with HCT;
Little Women (Meg/Clarissa) with HCTO; The King-Final Hours (Priscilla Presley) in NYC; and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Jessica has a BFA from BYU in Music Dance Theatre. “Many thanks to my husband and family that lets me do what I love!”
Making her Hale Centre Theatre debut! Rachel’s favorite credits include Jane Fairfax (Emma: The Musical) and Miss Dorothy Brown (Thoroughly Modern Millie) at HCTO,
and Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance) at BYU. She holds a BFA in Music Dance Theater from BYU. “Thank you to my family and my amazing husband, Cagen!”
Fabrizio Naccarelli
Ren Cottam
MON · WED · FR
Ren is ecstatic to be back on the HCT stage! His favorite credits include: HCT - A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Darney) and A Christmas Carol 2021 (Eben/Christmas Past); Covey Center - The World Premier of George Nelson’s 1820 the Musical;
BYU - Wonderland (White Knight) and Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro). He also performed with BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre and Young Ambassadors. Ren holds a BFA in Music Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University.
Matthew’s credits include: HCT - Treasure Island (Jim Hawkins), Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet), Les Misérables (Marius), Big River (Huck Finn), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Gideon), and Joseph...Dreamcoat (Simeon).
Other credits include: University of Michigan - Passing Strange, A New Brain, and My One and Only. Matthew was a national finalist in the 2014 Jimmy Awards at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. He received his BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan and is represented by TMG. matthewsanguine.com
Giuseppe Naccarelli
Excited to be playing on the Jewel Box Stage! Josh was recently part of The Secret Garden. Other favorite credits include: Hale Centre Theatre - Les Misérables and Tarzan;
Ziegfeld Theatre - Bright Star and Comedy of Errors (Director); Noorda Center for the Arts - Fly More Than You Fall; Utah Shakespeare Festival - Guys & Dolls, Mary Poppins, Shakespeare in Love, and The Cocoanuts; as well as productions at The Hive Collaborative, Sacramento Theatre Company, and Pickleville Playhouse. Josh holds a Bachelors’s in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Classical Acting from Southern Utah University.
Landon Horton
TUES · THURS · SAT
Landon’s HCT credits include The Secret Garden, Les Misérables, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
Other credits include: Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse - Jekyll and Hyde (Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Chauvelin), Footloose (Ren McCormick); and Centerpoint Legacy Theater in Hairspray. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from USU and a Master’s of Healthcare Administration from Weber State University. Landon works as the Residential Director at Ascent Behavioral Health. “To my beautiful wife and daughter Lucy, I love you!
Franca Naccarelli
Rachel is honored to be a part of this production of The Light in the Piazza. Favorite credits include: HCT - Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), The Music Man (Marian Paroo), She Loves Me (Amalia), and Les Misérables (Cosette);
Sundance - The Music Man (Marian Paroo); HCTO - The Secret Garden (Lily) and The Addams Family (Wednesday Addams). She studied English at UVU, and when not on stage, she is a fitness instructor at Train Insane. “For my husband Greg and our two lights: Sawyer and Pearl. You are love to me.”
Cecily Bills
TUES · THURS · SAT
Cecily’s favorite credits include: Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Music Man, Little Women, Candide, The Secret Garden, Ragtime, The Pirate Queen, and Sweeney Todd.
She has a performance diploma in Musical Theatre from the AMDA and both a Bachelors and Masters of Music in Voice Performance from U of U. Cecily works as an Adjunct Professor in Vocal Performance at UVU, and as a private vocal instructor. “Thank you to Dave, Kelly, and Sally for this wonderful opportunity to sing great music, to my family and friends who are so generous to help with the kids, and my three main guys: Justin, Clark, and Wyatt."
Signor Naccarelli
Jared Lesa
MON · WED · FRI
Jared is thrilled to be back on the Jewel Box stage. Some favorite credits include: Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol 2021 and Bishop of Digne in Les Misérables with Hale Centre Theatre;
Giorgio Germont in La Traviata with the St. George Opera; Opera NEO - La Cenerentola (Don Magnifico); American West Symphony - La Bohème (Marcello); and Kingsbury Hall - Bernstein’s Candide (Dr. Pangloss). He currently works as a voice teacher.
Danny Inkley
TUES · THURS · SAT
Danny is happy to be back with his Hael Centre family. His favorite credits include Trunchbull (Matilda The Musical) at HCT; Jekyll (Jekyll and Hyde) and Gomez Addams (The Addams Family) at CenterPoint, and Tateh (Ragtime) at Ogden Musical Theatre.
He has an MBA from the U of U and owns RateNow & Jambooks, and is the Executive Director at CenterPoint Academy. “Proud father of five, each of whom, depending on the day, is my least favorite. Let’s kick this pig!”
Signora Naccarelli
Melinda DeBirk
MON · WED · FRI
Excited to be back at Hale Centre Theatre; some of Melinda’s favorite stage credits include: A Tale of Two Cities (Seamstress), The Slipper and the Rose (Cinderella) with HCT;
She Loves Me (Amalia) with PG Players; Les Misérables (Cosette) with Tuacahn; The Secret Garden (Lily) with Elison Auditorium; and Savior of the World (Mary and Mary Magdalene) at the Conference Center Theater along with many recording and concerts with the likes of Kristen Chenoweth (twice) and toured through Australia with the Young Ambassadors. She has a BA from BYU and is a vocal teacher at COPA. “Love to Alex, Aurie, Evie, and Lizzie!”
Mandi is thrilled to return to the HCT Stage. Favorite stage credits with HCT include Mary Poppins, Phantom, Ghost, and A Christmas Carol. Her recent credits include: Kingsbury Hall - Mere Marie (Dialogues des Carmelites);
Salt Lake Choral Artists - Judy Shepard (Considering Matthew Shepard); Utah Opera - Bridesmaid (Le Nozze di Figaro); Utah Lyric Opera - Public Opinion (Orpheus in the Underworld) and Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte); Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble - Dwonna Elvira (Don Giovanni). She has a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah and studied Italian and opera singing at La Musica Lirica in Italy. She is the Artistic Director of Opera Contempo.
Roy Johnson
Michael Hohl
MON · WED · FRI
Michael is honored to return to the Jewel Box stage. Favorite credits include: HCT - Bright Star (Mayor Dobbs), Peter and the Starcatcher (Lord Astor), Big River (Pap), Big Fish (Amos Calloway), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Jacob), Catch Me If You Can (Roger Strong), and The Three Musketeers (Athos);
CPT - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), and Noises Off! (Freddy); and Utah Children’s Theatre - Busy Town. He has a BS in Business Management from Westminster College. “A la famila!”
Making his HCT debut! Tyler’s favorite credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frollo), A Tale of Two Cities (Jerry Cruncher), Sister Act (T.J.), Ragtime (Willie Conklin), and Broadway Villains (Sweeney Todd) with CenterPoint Legacy Theater.
He graduated from the University of Utah as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and co-owns and works as a physical therapist at In Motion Physical Therapy. “I love this show and this stage. Thank you HCT, amazing cast, crew, and production team for letting me help tell this story! I owe you a pair of boots Kristin!”
Man 1
Michael Romney
MON · WED · FRI
Recently seen in our production of The Secret Garden; other favorite performing credits include: HCT - Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, The Addams Family, An American in Paris, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Music Man;
Murray Arts Council- Jimmy (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Enoch Snow (Carousel) and Louis (West Side Story); and BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble Touring Company; Director/Choreography credits include: Murray Arts Council - Joseph...Dreamcoat. Michael has a BS in Family Studies from BYU, and an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Hawaii, Mãnoa. He works as a Theatre teacher at American Preparatory Academy and serves as Director/Choreographer with American Fork Youth Theater.
Nick Crapo
TUES · THURS · SAT
HCT credits for Nick include: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Newsies, Big Fish, 9 to 5: The Musical, and Joseph...Dreamcoat. Other favorite stage credits include: Davy (Newsies) with CPT,
Riff (West Side Story), Jimmy (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Georg (She Loves Me), and Melchior (Spring Awakening) as well as providing choreography for Midvale Main Street Theatre, UVU, Pink Neon Productions, and Taylorsville High School. Nick earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from UVU.
Man 2
Brendan Baker
MON · WED · FRI
Returning to the Hale Centre Theatre stage; Brendan was previously seen in Mary Poppins, Seussical, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
He has a degree in Dance from BYU-Idaho and is working on his prerequisites for Veterinary School. “Be weird, be random. Be who you are because you never know who would love the person that you hide.”
Dayne Joyner
TUES · THURS · SAT
Thrilled to be back on the stage at Hale Centre Theatre! Previous credits for Dayne include: A Christmas Carol and The Music Man with HCT; Emma The Musical with Hale Center Theater Orem; and Wonderland at BYU.
He is a graduate of the Music Dance Theatre Program from BYU where he works in the Theatre Department and with BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series. “Much love to Tillie!”
Man 3
Making his HCT debut! Mitchell was most recently seen as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Hale Centre Theatre Orem.
Other favorite credits include: West Side Story (Tony) at Montgomery Theater; Next to Normal (Gabe) at Los Altos Stage Company; and Emma (Robert Martin) at HCTO. He is currently a Junior at the University of Utah in the Musical Theatre program. “Thank you to my awesome support group of friends for continuously pushing me to be better. And thank you to my family for their love and support all the way in California!”
Cameron Garner
TUES · THURS · SAT
Grateful to be back on the HCT stage! Cameron’s favorite credits include: HCT - Matilda The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Forever Plaid; Midvale Main Street Theatre - Company;
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre - Into the Woods, The Secret Garden, and Noises Off; and Weber State University - The Light in the Piazza. He has a BA from WSU in Musical Theatre and Theatre Education and is in his tenth year as the Theatre and Film teacher at Taylorsville High School. “Don’t be afraid it won’t be perfect; the only thing to be afraid of, really, is that it won't be.”
Man 4
A familiar face to HCT audiences; Jason was previously seen on the HCT stage in A Tale of Two Cities, Mary Poppins, Seussical, Freaky Friday, The Wizard of Oz, Tuck Everlasting, AIDA, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, and Big Fish.
He has also performed in In the Heights and Combeferre in Les Misérables at HCTO. When not on stage, Jason works as an Analyst for Vivint Smart Home. “I myself am entirely made of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.”
Scotty Fletcher
TUES · THURS · SAT
Scotty is thrilled to be back on the HCT stage! They were recently seen in our production of Treasure Island. Along with their performances at HCT, he has performed with Lyric Repertory Company and Good Theatre Company. Scotty graduated from USU with a BFA in Acting.
Female 1
Lauren Pope
MON · WED · FRI
Honored to return to the Jewel Box Stage; some of Lauren’s favorite Hale Centre credits include: A Christmas Carol 2021, The Secret Garden, and Les Misérables; Belle (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) at Scera Outdoor Theatre; and Ariel (The Little Mermaid) at HCTO. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from BYU.
Ashley Shamy
TUES · THURS · SAT
Ashley is honored to return to Hale Centre Theatre! Some of her favorite roles include: Little Becky Two-shoes (Urinetown), Stephano (Romeo et Juliette), Madame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Pallas (Helene), Principessa (Suor Angelica), and Wardrobe (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast).
Ashley has a degree in vocal performance from UVU. “So excited to be a part of this stunning musical.”
Female 2
Making her HCT debut! Jordyn’s favorite credits include: 9 to 5: The Musical (Doralee Rhodes), and Bright Star (Alice Murphy) at The Ziegfeld Theatre; Winter Wonderettes (Betty Jean) at Rivoli Acting Company; RENT (Maureen), The Spitfire Grill (Percy), and Fiddler on the Roof (Chava) at Southern Utah University;
South Pacific, Amadeus, and Green Show at The Utah Shakespeare Festival; and Noises Off (Poppy) at Simon Fest. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Southern Utah University and works as a Medical Scribe and Assistant, and a vocal coach.
Malia Mackay
TUES · THURS · SAT
Thrilled to be back on the HCT stage! Malia’s favorite credits include: HCT - AIDA; HCTO - Sense and Sensibility, Little Women, Tarzan, and Jane Eyre: The Musical; Abravanel Hall - Lamb of God, and A Night on Broadway. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from BYU and works as a Quality Assurance Specialist at Lucid Software.
Female 3
Karen Milne
MON · WED · FRI
Excited to be back on the HCT stage! Karen’s favorite credits include Poor Wife/Fred’s Wife (A Christmas Carol) at HCT; Mrs. Darling (Peter Pan) at SCERA; Cinderella (Into the Woods) at Draper Historic Theater; and was a member of the BYU Singers for 3 years.
She graduated from BYU with a degree in Vocal Performance. “All my love and gratitude to Zack, my three beautiful daughters, and my parents for your endless support.”
MaKenna has previously been seen on the HCT stage in A Tale of Two Cities, Bright Star, The Addams Family (Wednesday Addams), Matilda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Sarah), and Sister Act.
Other credits include: Peter Pan (Wendy) and Joseph…Dreamcoat at HCTO. MaKenna recently returned from Orlando where she was working for Walt Disney World. “Enjoy the show! Or don’t.”
Female 4
LaRene Tinney
MON · WED · FRI
LaRene’s most recent performances at HCT include: Les Misérables, The Addams Family, The Wizard of Oz, and Tuck Everlasting.
Some of her favorite productions she has been in previously include Joseph…Dreamcoat and Sister Act at HCT, Crazy For You and Seussical: The Musical at HCTO, and Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma! at Sundance. “Love to my family always!”
Libby Ferguson
TUES · THURS · SAT
Making her HCT debut! Libby has a degree in Music Dance Theatre from BYU and works as an adjunct professor at BYU and UVU. “Josh, Bennett, Marshall, Beau, I love you.”
Piano
Mark Johnson
Making his HCT debut! Mark comes to Hale Centre Theatre with an extensive resume. Favorite credits include: National Tours of Miss Saigon, 42nd Street, and The Music Man; accompanist for well-known performers such as Kristen Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, and other stars of the Broadway Stage, Metropolitan Opera, and New York City Opera;
as well as numerous directorial credits form BYU and other college and professional theatres. Mark holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from BYU and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Literature coursework completed at the Eastman School of Music.
Sebastian Neugebauer
MON · WED · FRI
Making his HCT debut! Sebastian comes to Hale Centre Theatre with a long list of credits includin: Disney’s Tarzan, Mary Poppins, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, Anastasia, Ghost: The Musical, and The Voice Kids Germany with Stage Entertainment Germany.
Sebastian holds a Master’s in Collaborative Piano form HMDK Stuttgart, Germany. “The definition of perfect pitch is tossing a banjo into the garbage and it hits an accordion”
Violin
Aaron is honored to return to the HCT stage. He most recently played in our productions of Treasure Island and Always…Patsy Cline. He holds a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and performs/records with Disney, Pixar, Warner-Chappell Production Music, and the Aaron Ashton Band.
Julie is honored to play along with this production of The Light in the Piazza. Favorite Musical Theatre credits include: Treasure Island with Hale Centre Theatre and Elf and Fiddler on the Roof with Pioneer Theatre Company.
Julie earned her BA from Brigham Young University and MM from Cleveland Institute of Music. ‘Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life’ Mark Twain.
Cellist
Nicole has been the solo cellist for numerous recorded tracks and live performances including Daddy Long Legs and Bright Star here at HCT.
She is the solo cellist on three Grammy-nominated albums, a #1 Billboard charting album with Nathan Pacheco, and her own Billboard charting album of original arrangements, Away in a Manger: A Cello Christmas. Also an award-winning composer and educator. Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Contemporary Performance from the University of West London. She loves people and gardening. "Live, Love, Laugh” nicolepinnell.com
Hannah Brown
TUES · THURS · SAT
A native of Utah County, Hannah Brown, 21, has performed in spaces around the United States and Europe. Graduating in three years with Highest Honors, Hannah was a recipient of a full-merit scholarship at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
During her studies, Hannah served as Principal Cellist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and engaged in Gamelan, African, Japanese, and Baroque ensembles, contributing to her interest in diverse musical traditions. Hannah will be combining her passion for performance with her interest in organizing cultural events by attending Boston University’s MSc in Arts Administration with a merit scholarship this fall.
Harpist
Lysa Rytting
MON · WED · FRI
Lysa Rytting earned the Premier Prix in harp performance at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where she studied with Susanna Mildonian. She performed with the Utah Symphony for over 25 years, and with many other orchestras across the country, including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic, Oregon Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, and others.
She has performed in many music festivals including the Deer Valley Music Festival, Moab Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, and Chautauqua Institution. Lysa is an active studio musician. She has recorded hundreds of film scores, musicals, CDs, and other projects. She has performed with and recorded for dozens of prominent musicians including Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Barry Manilow, Kurt Bestor, Sam Cardon, David Archuleta, Jenny Oaks Baker, and many more. She has released CDs and given concerts as part of the Aurora Duo with Donna Fairbanks (violin) and the Amaryllys Duo with Mary Richards (flute). Lysa has taught at BYU, UVU, and currently teaches in her home studio. She is delighted to be performing in The Light in the Piazza!
Making her HCT debut! Alyssa is thrilled to join the Hale Centre family with this production of The Light in the Piazza! Alyssa is currently a Music Major at The University of Utah and will graduate in the Spring of 2022
Bass
Matt Larson
MON · WED · FRI
Matt Larson showed a strong interest in music at an early age. By the time he was 15, he was playing with his father's jazz groups in the Salt Lake City area. His musicianship has since earned him the reputation as one of Utah’s premier jazz bass players.
Matt has also worked extensively in numerous studios in Utah where he has recorded for national film and television scores. He has also performed with many nationally recognized musicians including Joey Defrancesco, Eddie Daniels, Cyrus Chestnut, The Moody Blues, Peter Cetera, Frank Vignola, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Shew, Maureen McGovern, and Keith Lockhart. Matt plays both upright bass and bass guitar and feels comfortable on both instruments, allowing him to play many styles of music. He performs and records with a variety of music groups in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. He received a degree in jazz composition in May 2000 and a Masters in Business Administration in May 2002 from the University of Utah.
Matt Shumway
TUES · THURS · SAT
Shumway is a native of Utah, a professional performer of many genres, and an experienced teacher. He holds two degrees in Double Bass Performance; a Bachelor’s from BYU-Idaho, and a Master’s from Northwestern University in Chicago.
Matt was the Acting Principal Bass for the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra from 2016 to 2018 and is the current Principal Bass for the Ballet West Orchestra. He is an active recording session artist and enjoys a varied and rigorous performance schedule. Matt has enjoyed performing with many prominent artists and musicians, including Andrea Bocelli, Alfie Boe, Renée Fleming, David Archuleta, Richard Marx, and Collin Raye. Although his degrees are in Classical Bass Performance, Matt has experience in other genres such as Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass, and Rock. He enjoys teaching every skill level from beginning to advanced and maintains a large active private studio.
Production Team Biographies
Director/Choreographer
Dave Tinney
For Hale Centre Theatre, Dave has previously directed Treasure Island, Chitty Chitty Bang, The Secret Garden, Guys and Dolls, Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities, Disney’s Tarzan, Disney’s Mary Poppins, Bright Star, Seussical, The Addams Family, Cinderella, Matilda, An American in Paris, The Wizard of Oz, Wait Until Dark, Newsies, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, AIDA, The Heart of Robin Hood, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sister Act, The Pirate Queen, Peter and the Starcatcher, She Loves Me, Hello, Dolly!, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Zorro the Musical, and Oliver!,.
He most recently appeared on stage as Carl Hanratty in HCT’s production of Catch Me If You Can. He has also directed for BYU, UVU, Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in NY, Sundance Summer Theatre, and, one of his favorites, 110 in the Shade for HCT Orem starring Audra McDonald and Will Swenson. He received the national Outstanding Director of a Musical award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. He works for HCT full-time as the Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education after being Artist in Residence in the Theatre Arts Department at Utah Valley University for nine years. “Thanks to Sally, Mark, Rob, Susan, Jenn, Joy, Marianne, Michelle O., Maddy, Michelle J., Candice, and an awesome cast and crew...all brilliant! Also a special thanks to my family.”
Music Director
Rob Moffat
Rob graduated with a degree in music dance theater from BYU and has performed and taught regionally in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. He received an MFA in directing from the University of Idaho.
He returned to Utah to teach musical theater at UVU in 2012 where he directed Cabaret, Anything Goes, 9 to 5, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Other recent credits include: Treasure Island, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Footloose, Million Dollar Quartet, The Addams Family, Matilda The Musical, The Pirate Queen, Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha, Peter Pan, and Letters to Myself. He was recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for Outstanding Achievement in music direction for his work on Next to Normal at UVU. “Love to Courtney and Sabrina.”
Production Stage Manager
Susan Kupferer
@susan_kupfererSusan was born and raised in Irvine, California, and holds a BA in Stage Management from Brigham Young University. Her recent credits include: Production Stage Manager of One for the Pot, The Secret Garden, Les Misérables, Bright Star and Disney’s Tarzan at Hale Centre Theatre;
Production Assistant of Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl; Utah Vocal Arts Academy’s Don Giovanni; and Assistant Stage Manager of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Noorda Center for the Arts, Sundance Summer Theatre’s Oklahoma!. Susan received the National Stage Management Fellow award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in 2019. Susankupferer.com
Scenic Design
Jenn Taylor
Jenn’s work was most recently seen as the Scenic Designer for One for the Pot, The Mousetrap, Bright Star, The Addams Family, Freaky Friday, and Steel Magnolias. Recent costume design credits for HCT: Guys and Dolls, The Wizard of Oz, and Aida.
Other Scenic Designs for HCT include The Nerd, A Bundle of Trouble, Big River, Beau Jest, Over the River and Through the Woods, Is He Dead?, The Foreigner, The 39 Steps, and The Game’s Afoot. Jenn has also done scenic design for Utah State Theater’s Lincoln Center’s KCACT award-winning design for Sweeney Todd, Mad Woman of Chailott, and lighting designer for Love's Labour's Lost, Utah Lyric’s The Foreigner, Sandy City’s Hairspray, and Park City’s Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady, Trailer Park, and many more. Jenn has a BFA from the U of U in Theatre Design and an MFA from Utah State in Scenic Design. Jenn has been with HCT for ‘nigh on 21 years.’ “A special thanks to my family, who help me every day to continue my passion in theatre design. A special thanks to Isaac, who thinks I’m the best designer in the world...you’re sweet.”
Costume Design
Joy Zhu
Previous HCT Costume Design credits include One for the Pot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Secret Garden, Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities, Murder on the Orient Express, The Addams Family, An American In Paris, Tuck Everlasting, and My Son Pinocchio, along with Joseph...Dreamcoat in 2017.
She holds a BA from Hainan University in Fashion and Leather Products Design, and an MFA from Utah State University in Costume Design. Joy also designed for UST’s Candida, and was OLR’s Costume Designer for Game of Love and Chance.
Lighting Design
Marianne Ohran
Recent Hale Centre Theatre credits for Marianne include the Lighting Design for Daddy Long Legs, Murder On The Orient Express, Bright Star, and The Addams Family.
She works as a Lighting designer and Lighting Manager for BYU's Theatre and Media Arts Department. Marianne holds her Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University and her Master’s from the University of Idaho. Recent designs for BYU include BYU Spectacular, Fiddler on the Roof and Pride and Prejudice. She also enjoys designing for Utah Metropolitan Ballet.
Sound Design
Michelle Ohumukini
Michelle has always loved telling stories. Being Hawaiian has helped her gain experience in events from a young age. She decided to dive into finding out more about sound and how it functions. This path led her to her MFA in Sound for the Performing Arts from Purdue University.
She has designed shows from Utah to Indiana, toured the United States and Central America, worked with touring groups from Olivia Newton-John to Pentatonix, and has worked many local performances in three different states. Michelle loves theater and being able to use sound to help tell the story. She currently serves on the Sound Commission of the United States Institute of Theater Technology (USITT) and is a member of Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA). She'd like to say: “Thank you to my outstanding sound team and all of your hard work!”
Properties Design
Michelle Jensen
Michelle is extremely passionate about details, research, beautiful and interesting “things,” anything to do with flowers, and opening packages. She recently designed her 84th show with our production of A Chritsmas Carol 2021; some of her other favorite designs have included The Drowsy Chaperone, Over The River..., Les Misérables, Tarzan, Tuck Everlasting, My Fair Lady, AIDA, and She Loves Me.
She retired from teaching first grade after 32 years. Michelle is thrilled to be part of the HCT production team and is grateful for the encouragement and support of her three beautiful daughters, two charming sons-in-law, and her amazing husband, Steve.
Hair & Make Up Design
Candice Cornin
@candicecroninmakeupSome of Candice’s favorite hair and makeup designs for HCT include; A Christmas Carol, Wait Until Dark, Steel Magnolias, Mary Poppins, and Always...Patsy Cline.
She is a graduate of Paul Mitchell the School, where she has been an instructor since 2008. She also works as a resident designer and cosmetologist for the HCT Hair and Makeup Department. “I would like to thank Trisha, Krissa, and Marneé for helping me grow as an Artist and Designer. I also want to thank Adam, Cordelia, and Gabriella for being so supportive of my dream to work in theatre. Kiss Kiss!”
Video/Projection Design
Madeline Ashton
@madelinemakesartAs an accomplished artist and associate Designer, Madeline’s work was recently seen in our productions of Guys and Dolls, Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities, Disney’s Tarzan, Murder on the Orient Express, Million Dollar Quartet, Baz Lurhman’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Bright Star, Seussical, Matilda, and Cinderella.
Other scenic design credits include: Daddy Long Legs, Murder on the Orient Express (HCT); Oklahoma! (Sundance); Distance of the Moon (Sackerson); and Let The Right One In, and Angels in America (An Other Theatre). Madeline earned a Bachelor Of Fine Arts in Scenic Design from Utah Valley University.
Automation Design
Jonah Garlick
Jonah is grateful for another opportunity to lend his talents in designing automation for The Light in the Piazza. Previously, he designed automation for Always…Patsy Cline on the Jewel Box stage.
Other favorite productions he has worked on include: The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Cinderella, Murder on the Orient Express, and Seusscial: The Musical. “This universe doesn’t make sense, neither should any of us. Zabahlabah, keep things weird”.
Arts & Education Programs
As part of our efforts to, "enrich lives through world-class theatre," we are pleased to announce our arts & education programs are back in session at Hale Centre Theatre! Students will have the opportunity to experience the theatre like never before, learning from world-class instructors.
From the initial audition and casting, to rehearsals, and working together with directors, choreographers, and designers, we can help participants learn new skills. Students can improve their acting, singing, dancing, and experience the technical aspects of theatre - all while building confidence and making some new friends in the process.
The whole world's a stage and Hale Centre Theatre is here to help each performer become their best!