Cast of "Bullets Over Broadway"
Matt Crosby
Character: David Shayne
Matthew Crosby is excited to be joining the wonderful cast of this great production of THE PRODUCERS. Some of his favorite Don Bluth Front Row Theatre roles include Mortimer Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE; Frank Butler in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN; and Burt in MARY POPPINS. A three-time AriZoni award winner, Matt has recently directed WAIT UNTIL DARK at Mesa Encore's Black Box on Brown, and both of his plays SEASONS, and AFTER ALL THESE YEARS I STILL HATE YOU, were produced last year. Other productions he has been in are MAN WITH THE POINTED TOES, CASH ON DELIVERY, and LUCKY STIFF at Hale as well as A CHRISTMAS STORY, GREASE, and I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at Mesa Encore. He would like to thank his Father for introducing him to the stage, his friends and family for all their support, and Malory for putting a smile on his face.
Darryl Poenisch
Character: Julian Marx
Darryl is happy to be making his DBFRT debut with such a fun and talented cast. A relative newcomer to local theatre, he has appeared inHeaven Can Wait, The Man Who Came to Dinner, A Christmas Carol and Arsenic and Old Lace at Hale Centre Theatre; Young Frankenstein at Fountain Hills Theater,Oklahoma! and Big River at Mesa Encore Theatre; and Damn Yankees with Barefoot Productions. He would like to thank everyone involved for this wonderful opportunity, his wife for her love and encouragement, and four young turtles for their inspiration. /p>
Frank Aaron
Character: Rocco
Frank is a familiar face around the Valley having appeared in over 100 theatre productions as well as more than half a dozen TV shows and movies. He is very excited to be working with this incredible cast. Some of his favorite rolls have been the recently performed Uncle Billy (It's A Wonderful Life), The Kralahome (King and I), Dr. Bradman (Blithe Spirit) as well as Murray (The Odd Couple). A very special thank you to our Director Mr. Don Bluth for this fabulous opportunity. When not performing Frank is the proud father of four wonderful grown children and two fabulous granddaughters
Don Crosby
Character: Nick Valenti
Don, a 6 time Arizoni nominee actor, is excited to be back on the Don Bluth stage. It’s especially exciting to take the stage with his very talented son, Matthew! Don is a familiar face in valley theatre, having performed at the Hale Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, and others. He is the Director of Heartlight Productions & Kidz on Stage where he teaches acting, piano, & directs. He recently finished directing GREASE for Kids on Stage, a youth theatre in Scottsdale. Don would like to give a BIG thanks to Don, Roger and Curtis for letting him be a part of this great show & to an awesome cast that make him look good every night. Thanks to his family for their support, his son for always reminding him what’s important in life, & the Lord for the talent & the opportunities to share it.
Jaimie Sofia
Character: Olive Neal
Jaimie Sofia is delighted to be returning to Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, where she last appeared as Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez in Charlie’s Aunt. She has been involved in theater as an actor, dancer and choreographer for over 20 years, enjoying roles such as Miss Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Mrs. Potiphar (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat), and Harriet Stanley (The Man Who Came To Dinner). Special thanks Don Bluth and Curtis Watson for this opportunity and to her family and friends for their support!
Mo Simpson
Character: Sid Loomis
Mo Simpson began performing at the age of three on the county fairgrounds in upstate New York. After cultivating a love for the stage he attended Hillsdale College to broaden his theatrical mind, starring in plays such as Rosencrantz and Guilenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard, The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen and Ah,Wilderness! by Eugene O'Neill. Mo went on to perform twice in Scotland's Edinbourgh Fringe Festival and spent two years back in the valley on the main-stage at the Jester'z Improv Comedy troupe. Now Mo teaches drama to elementary and middle school students at BASIS charter school. He is thrilled and honored to be a part of this production at Don Bluth's Front Row Theatre.
Martha Welty
Character: Helen Sinclaire
Martha Welty got her B.A. in Theatre at ASU in 1978, and was a student of actor/director David Vining. This is Martha’s second show with the DBFRT; she played Winnifred Banks in last fall’s production of Mary Poppins. Martha has performed with Childsplay, Scottsdale Community Players, Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, Janus Theatre, Phoenix Little Theatre, and Theatre Artists Studio. Favorite roles include Joanne in Company, Maria in Lend Me A Tenor, Sister Jeanne in The Devils, Ruth in Homecoming, Eleanor in The Haunting, Rosemary in Bullshot Crummond, and Kitty in Charlie’s Aunt. Martha is an accomplished storyteller, and a retired school librarian, and spent several years as a church soloist and choir member at the Franciscan Renewal Center. She has studied voice with the talented Christy Welty! Martha is currently an artistic member at Theatre Artists Studio, and will be appearing this June in their Summer Shorts Festival in Midnight Petunias.
Roger McKay
Character: Warner Purcell
Roger has toured professionally throughout the U.S. as a member of the New Christy Minstrels, the King Family and toured nationally with BYU’s Young Ambassadors. He’s performed as a vocalist with the Ken Tuttle Singers, backing up Paul Anka and Barry Manilow during their Las Vegas engagements. Roger received his theatrical training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Los Angeles). While growing up in L.A., his and Don Bluth’s friendship began in 1969, singing under Don’s direction for three years in a group called The New Generation, performing with such artists as Johnny Mathis, Ray Bolger, Ken Barry and Bob Hope. Roger’s favorite acting credits include Leonard Vole (Witness for the Prosecution), Bogart (Play It Again Sam), Tom (No No Nannette), Barnette Lloyd (Crimes of the Heart), Tod in the original California cast of Saturday’s Warrior, The Patriot Son (Threads of Glory), Sir Francis Chesney (Charley’s Aunt), Dr. George Bradman (Blithe Spirit), and his most recent AriZoni-nominated role as Officer O’Hara in Arsenic & Old Lace.
Jori Mosier
Character: Eden Brent
Jori Mosier is excited to be back at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre! She was most recently seen as Mary in Mary Poppins. Other Don Bluth Front Row Theatre roles include Gretchen in Boeing Boeing and Amy in Charlie's Aunt.
