Cast of "The Producers"
Special Thanks to Props to You, Kimberly Powers-Hardt for supplying the walkers for "The Producers".
Don Crosby
Character: Max Bialystock
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.
Matt Crosby
Character: Leopold Bloom
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.
Molly Jisa
Character: Ulla
Molly Jisa holds an Associate in Arts, Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Scottsdale Community College. She has also trained in New York City with Jeff Whiting and James Gray at the Open Jar Institute. She is thrilled to be a part of the DBFRT The Producers cast after dance training with James Gray who was a part of the Broadway company, Original London company, and the Movie Musical version of The Producers. This musical marks her third production at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. Last year, Molly was in South Pacific and Mary Poppins at DBFRT. Previous roles elsewhere include; Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors, Sarah Brown from Guys and Dolls, Fräulein Kost from Cabaret, Lucy from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Shulie from Schoolhouse Rock Live! (“Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical Nominee,” NYA Awards). This year Molly received a “Meritorious Achievement” award from The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for her performance as a mime in a French version of Little Red Riding Hood. She has interned, performed, and understudied roles at American Folklore Theatre (now known as Northern Sky Theater) in Door County, Wisconsin. Additionally, Molly has been in several short films.
David Rodgers
Character: Franz Liebkind
David is excited to return to the Don Bluth Front Row stage as Franz Liebkind. Dave is a classically trained tenor having sung with several major symphony orchestras. Recent Front Row Theater roles include: Emile and George Banks (South Pacific and Mary Poppins). Other recent roles include Max (Desert Stages Sunset Boulevard, Arizoni winner), Julian Marsh (DST 42nd Street), Marley’s Ghost (SWS Christmas Carol), Mark (SWS Art), Franz (Phoenix Theater's The Producers), Friar Lawrence (SWS Romeo and Juliet), Nicely Johnson (Hale Theater’s Guys and Dolls, Arizoni nomination), and Father (MCC’s Children of Eden, Arizoni nomination). David holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Utah, where his son Jeffrey is currently a Physics major.
Ian Waldraff
Character: Roger Debris
Ian thanks the entire PRODUCERS cast, especially Don, Roger, and Curtis. Ian holds a BA in Theater from Temple University. This is his fourth show with Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, including: Robert in BOEING BOEING, Burt the Cop in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and Tommy in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Other recent roles include Elyot Chase in PRIVATE LIVES in Bethlehem, PA and supporting roles in MACBETH, COMPANY, and THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA? in Hong Kong. Ian teaches currently teaches theater.
Michael LeSueur
Character: Carmen Ghia
Michael Sean LeSueur is an actor, singer, and author who resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. Some of their past roles include Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar), Benny (Epic Proportions), Stormtrooper Soloist(The Producers), and Captain Lesgate (Dial M for Murder). Their latest novella, “Pixiegate Madoka”, was published by Eraserhead Press and is available on Amazon. Their hobbies include watching films, taking photos of abandoned locations, and shoplifting with hardened criminals at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore.
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
Tom Endicott
Character: Ensemble
Tom Endicott (ensemble) is delighted to return to the DBFRT where he has appeared in several shows the past few years. Favorite roles include (Joe Benjamin) God’s Favorite, (Dr. Einstein) Arsenic and Old Lace, (Mr. Sowerberry) Oliver!, (Lt. Brannigan) Guys and Dolls and (Vinnie) The Odd Couple. Tom wishes to give special thanks to Don Bluth, Roger, Curtis, his cast mates, the audiences and love to his best friend and wife of 40 years, Shelia.
Emily Falk
Character: Ensemble
Emily Falk (Ensemble) is proud to have graduated summa cum laude in December with a Bachelors of Music in music theatre and an Italian minor from Arizona State University. She was last seen with Lyric Opera Theatre as “Ensemble” in Guadalupe, a “Soft-Shoein’ Singer” in Hollywood/Ukraine, “Kate” in Smile, “Mrs. Kirk” in Little Women, and a “Pick-a-little Lady” in The Music Man. Favorite roles include “Gabriella” in Boeing Boeing at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, “Rosalia” in West Side Story, “Mrs. Savage” in The Curious Savage, “Meg” in Little Women, “Ayah” in The Secret Garden, and “Mabel” in The Pirates of Penzance. She would like to thank Anne Kopta, Don Bluth, Curtis Watson, her wonderful family and her amazing fiancée, Derek, for all their love and support.
Ashley Miller
Character: Ensemble
Ashley is thrilled to be in her first show at DBFRT! She is a recent graduate of Arizona State University with a BA in theatre performance. Ashley was last seen as Curley’s wife in Of Mice and Men at Desert Stages Theatre. She was previously seen in the ensemble of Spellbound! at Southwest Shakespeare company, and in various roles at Murder and a Meal Dinner Theatre including Miss Scarlett/Mrs. Peacock in Clue, Chastity in Deadly Housewives, and Nurse Anita Turnenkoff in Murder! More or Less…a Comedy! Ashley considers it an honor and privilege to work with the fabulous Don Bluth, and could not have asked for a better cast to perform with. We made it! Love to family, friends and Eric. Enjoy the show! MERDE!!!
Karen Nick
Character: Ensemble
Karen Nick has loved acting since early childhood, and considers it a great escape from reality. Raised in Minneapolis, MN, she enjoyed starring in elementary, junior high and high school productions. She also had an opportunity to be directed by Frank M. Whiting, then the theatre director at University of Minnesota, author of AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THEATRE, (a high school drama class textbook of hers), and director of the Minnesota Centennial Showboat owned by the U of M. While primarily a theatre hobbyist, Karen became a non-union professional at age of 30 in a dinner theatre production of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. She has appeared in the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple. For the past 9 years, Karen has enjoyed the honor of working under the direction of Don Bluth in productions including YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, OLIVER!, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Karen has also enjoyed working behind the scenes, including r unning lights, for a number of other Don Bluth productions. In addition, Karen has appeared in several benefit Mystery Dinner Theatre productions in the Phoenix area. She appreciates the support of her husband John T. Nick, D.V.M., and is grateful he is running sound for this run of THE PRODUCERS. Karen greatly values the acquired friendships of so many within this theatre community. /p>
Darryl Poenisch
Character: Ensemble
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>
