Cast of "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying"

Stephen Johnstun

Character: J. Pierpont Finch

This is Stephen Johnstuns second attempt at acting. He has only been in one Show before this. He was Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress(youth). He is really excited for the opportunity to expand his acting knowledge and career. He is thankful to the director of this show. He is also super grateful for Don Bluth for inspiring him and pushing him to go farther in his acting career.

Katie Marburger

Character: Rosemary Pilkington

Katie is thrilled to make her Phoenix debut! An actor/comedian based in NYC, Katie is a one-time winner (and four-time nominee) of the Memphis Theatre Ostrander Awards, as well as the recipient of a tee-ball participation award. She obtained a BA in Theatre from Rhodes College in 2014 and an autographed photo of Bradley Cooper in 2015. Favorite credits: Hairspray (Penny Pingleton), Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Storyteller), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife). Her solo show Are You There, Tony? It’s Me, Katie (which she also wrote) premiered in Memphis in 2014. Love and thanks to Mom & Dad, her McCoy family, Ryan Gosling, the Taco Bell on North 90th Street, and Cheryl Schaar, who gave Katie the most wonderful gift of performing with Daddy (who recently struggled for survival in the hospital due to an unexpected heart condition) one more time. “To my new Phoenix theatre family: I love you and I like you.”

Darryl Poenisch

Character: J.B. Biggley

It has been quite a year for Darryl Poenisch (Mr.Biggley) at DBFRT. After playing a gay set designer/pigeon in The Producers and a Yiddish pants salesman turned producer in Bullets Over Broadway, he now takes on the role of corporate big shot J.B. Biggley in H2$. Prior to 2016, he has had roles in Arsenic and Old Lace, Oklahoma!, Young Frankenstein, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Heaven Can Wait. Darryl is humbled to be working with this talented cast and is grateful to Mr. Bluth and to Cheryl for this wonderful opportunity.

Erica Parrish

Character: Hedy LaRue

Erica Parrish is excited to return to the Don Bluth Front Row stage as Hedy LaRue. Her roles at DBFRT include Ela Delahey in Charley’s Aunt, Director’s Assistant for It’s A Wonderful Life, and ensemble in Oklahoma! and Hello Dolly!. She recently played Daisy Bates in Hour of Decision at Herberger’s Lunchtime Theatre. Erica is a member of Essential Theatre, a Playback company that works with marginalized communities, where she is co-director of rehearsals and an actor.

Brian McCarthy

Character: Bud Frump

Brian McCarthy is very excited to be making his debut at DBFRT. Having done well over 30 mainstage productions, Brian has played a variety of roles in plays and musicals across the Valley with some highlights being Willard (Footloose), Ernie (Rumors) and Ko-Ko (The Mikado). Brian is very thankful to the theater and cast for being so welcoming during his return to the theater after a long hiatus and to his family for their continued love and support

Sonia Rodriguez Wood

Character: Smitty

Sonia is delighted to be making her debut at Don Bluth Front Row Theater. A veteran to Phoenix stages, she’s appeared in productions all around the valley. Most recently she performed at Desert Stages Theatre in Shrek the Musical as the Dragon. Other favorites include: Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Sleeping Beauty (Fairy Meany), Little Mermaid (Sea Witch), Footloose (Rusty), Lucky Stiff (Rita)/Hale Centre Theatre, JUDY the Musical (Nancy)/Tempe Center for the Arts, Captain Louie (Ziggy)/Stageworks-MAC, Man of La Mancha (Antonia/Aldonza u/s performed)/ABT. Much love to my darling daughters and my husband for all their love, support and encouragement.

Elizabeth von Lau

Character: Miss Jones

"Elizabeth von Lau is extremely excited to be joining the cast of How to Succeed. Elizabeth has been acting since she was 11 and has never looked back. She has studied at The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Studio 5 and The Bali Actors Conservatory. Miss. von Lau has also performed at numerous theaters across the valley including Southwest Shakespeare, Nearly Naked Theater and Scottsdale Community College

Rob Dominguez

Character: Mr. Bratt

Winter of 1982, darkness sweeps the land. The wizards knew something had to be done; gathering what power they had to create a child of pure Awesomeness. While this dashing and witty man is not saving the world or performing on stage all around the valley, he works at a local animal hospital, teaching his clients how to properly take care of their puppies and kittens. The most common words to describe him are charming, wise, luscious, and vigorous. Rob is also modest. Some of Rob's favorite past roles include: Aldolpho (Drowsy Chaperone), Lt. Joe Cable (South Pacific), Lurch (Addams Family: The Musical), Joe (9 to 5), Orin Scrivello D.D.S. (Little Shop of Horrors), just to name a few. Big thanks to his mom, family, K, and D. Also, lastly, Rob would also like to apologize in advance for his dancing. Sorry!

Dan Marburger

Character: Twimble/Wally Wamper

Dan Marburger (Twimble/Womper) is thrilled to be in his first DBFRT production. This is a very special show for Dan. He and his daughter, Katie, performed together in nearly 20 community theater shows in Arkansas over the years. When Katie graduated from college and moved to NYC to pursue professional theater, Dan relocated to Phoenix to take his present position as Professor of Economics at ASU. In April, Dan spent 17 days in the hospital with a life-threatening condition. Katie flew to Phoenix to be with her father and to help him recover for a couple of months. She decided to audition for How to Succeed and asked if her dad could have a small role. So here we are, on stage together again, quite possibly for the last time! Thanks, Cheryl, for the best Get Well present a father could wish for!

Ricco Machado-Torres

Character: Mr. Gatch

Ricco Machado-Torres is a Film Making Practices major and Theatre minor at Arizona State University. Though still new to the world of theatre, Machado-Torres has worked consistently appearing in ASU Mainstage’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Addison and the Black Hole with Binary Theatre Company, Monty Python’s Spamalot at Mesa Encore Theatre. Machado-Torres has also been in a number of films for the ASU Film Making Productions program. Credits include Max Kurtz’ Traction, Patrick Overton’s The Book of Answers, and Kendyl Feldman’s One Trip Charlie. Machado-Torres is very excited to be in his first production with Don Bluth Front Row Theatre!

Anna Katen

Character: Miss Krumholtz

Anna is absolutely ecstatic to be making her Don Bluth Front Row Theatre debut in this snazzy show! Since moving to The Valley of the Sun Anna has been seen in productions at Mesa Encore Theatre, Brelby Theatre Company, Nearly Naked Theatre, and currently performs as a company member of All Puppet Players. (Season 7 coming in October!) When not singing, dancing, and emoting Anna diligently (read: not as diligently as she should…) works on her screenplay and takes glamour shots of her cat. She would like to take one moment thank her mother who has been so supportive of her in all of her endeavors. Thanks, Mom!

Frederick Alphonso

Character: Tackaberry/B.B.D.O

Frederick Alphonso is a Midwest native who believes With God The Impossible is POSSIBLE. Now living on the West Coast in the Valley of sun He is super pumped to be making his Arizona theatrical debut with Don Bluth Front Row Theater. Frederick holds a BFA in Dance Education & Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago and enjoys keeping his dinner warm, and long coffee breaks at Starbucks on Southern and Mill. Frederick would like to thank his family, close friends and his newly adopted Arizona Family for their continued support. To our cast, crew and our wonderful Director Cheryl thank you for this great experience. Frederick also holds a 6 year Performing Artist Residency with Chicago Public Schools, and is the founder of #DreamChasers Entertainment. Frederick is so blessed to be able to be living his dreams. Favorite past performance credits: Songs In The Key of Love, Closing Night in Chicago, The Wiz, Dreamgirls. “Believe In Yourself Enough To Chase Your Dreams”

George Gonzalez

Character: Mr. Jenkins

George is very excited to make is professional debut here at the Don Bluth stage. He has been acting mostly in college productions for the past three years. Some of his favorite roles have been Ernie Cusack in RUMORS, Jim Tracey in THE MINEOLA TWINS, Leon Trotsky in ALL IN THE TIMING, and Kemp in ENTERTAINING MR. SLOAN. He is very thankful for the chance to begin his career in this amazing theatre.

Frank Aaron

Character: Ensemble

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

Jorie Davis

Character: Ensemble

Jorie Davis has been performing since a young age. Some of her previous roles include Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, The Stepmother in Cinderella, Lucy Van Pelt in Snoopy! The Musical, and July in Annie. Additionally, Jorie has been active in children's theatre as a stage manager and director's intern. She is thrilled to be performing in her first show with DBFRT! Jorie is currently studying theatre at Scottsdale Community College and aspires to become a director in the future. She'd like to thank her mother for instilling the love of theatre in her; and her family, boyfriend and friends for being supportive of her dreams!

Melissa Kamel

Character: Ensemble

Melissa Kamel recently graduated from GCU with a B.A. in Theatre and Drama. How to Succeed... is her first show with Don Bluth Front Row Theater and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to branch out to another theater in the valley. Melissa has previously played Audrey in As You Like It at GCU, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors at Brelby Theatre Company, and was part of her first opera Die Fledermaus at GCU last fall. She has vocally trained with Christopher Herrera of Arizona Opera for four years. Melissa also occasionally works in costume design, previously stitching for Arizona Opera and designing for Brelby Theatre Company. She is currently ending the school year as drama teacher for Nadaburg elementary and Desert Oasis elementary.

Maddie Kinzie

Character: Ensemble

Maddie Kinzie has been in several shows at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. Her most recent role was Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress. Some of her favorite roles include, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast and Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man. Other shows at DBFRT include Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Peter Pan. Maddie is very grateful for the opportunity that she has to be apart of this talented cast. She would like to give a big thanks to her family and friends for all the love and support they have given her.

Jeff Viso

Character: Ensemble

Jeff Viso is a math teacher at Boulder Creek High School. He is the proud father of two young daughters Emma and Marisa. This is Jeff’s first production at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre and fourth production overall. Previously he has performed in Les Miserables, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Mary Poppins. Jeff is honored and grateful to DBFRT and the community for the opportunity to perform in How to Succeed Without Really Trying.

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