On the 20th Century
Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Music by Cy Coleman
Low-priced Previews Mar 9 - Mar 17, 2017
It’s nonstop laughs aboard the Twentieth Century, a luxury train traveling from Chicago to New York City. Luck, love and mischief collide when the bankrupt theater producer Oscar Jaffee embarks on a madcap mission to cajole glamorous Hollywood starlet Lily Garland into playing the lead in his new, non-existent epic drama. But is the train ride long enough to reignite the spark between these former lovers, create a play from scratch, and find the money to get it all the way to Broadway?
“Old-fashioned musical comedy magic” – USA Today
“The show is a nonstop delight.” – The New York Post
Companion Guide
Click the image to download a copy of the Companion Guide.
Cast
Bryan BanvilleBryan Banville
Max JacobsBryan is excited to return to Cygnet Theatre. Previously at Cygnet: Follies, Assassins, Side By Side By Sondheim, and Man of La Mancha. Bryan most recently appeared in the 2014 summer season at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Spamalot, Mary Poppins, and Catch Me If You Can! Other San Diego credits include – The Old Globe Theatre: Anna Christie; Lambs Player’s: Mixtape; New Village Arts: Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings; Ion: Passion; Coronado Playhouse: 42nd Street. He competed as a Top 16 finalist on NBC’s “The Sing Off” with his a cappella group Extreme Measures. Bryan thanks his wife, Katie, for her love and support!
Eileen BowmanEileen Bowman
Mildred Plotka/Lily GarlandEileen is beyond giddy to be here in On The 20th Century. Lily Garland is a bucket list role for her. She was last seen as Alice Beineke in Moonlight’s The Addams Family. Other favorite roles include Ruthless, the Musical as Judy Denmark at Moxie Theater; Broadway Vista’s Doyle and Debbie Show; Judy Garland in the critically acclaimed End of The Rainbow at Intrepid Theatre; Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at Lambs Players (San Diegoo Critics Circle Award); Keely Stevens in Pete ‘n’ Keely also at Lambs Players (Critics Circle nomination); Amy in Company at Cygnet Theatre. To my perfect husband and wonderful family, I am so grateful for your support. I love you!!!
Drew BradfordDrew Bradford
PorterDrew is so excited to be making his Cygnet Theatre debut! He is a graduate of Vanguard University with a degree in Business Marketing. Regional credits include The Fantasticks (Matt), SRT; The Addams Family, Peter Pan (Curly), The Music Man, All Shook Up, Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay), Moonlight; 42nd Street, SDMT; Big Fish, Young Frankenstein, Performance Riverside. He would like to thank this entire team for all their hard work. Enjoy the show!
Bryan Banville
Bryan is excited to return to Cygnet Theatre. Previously at Cygnet: Follies, Assassins, Side By Side By Sondheim, and Man of La Mancha. Bryan most recently appeared in the 2014 summer season at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Spamalot, Mary Poppins, and Catch Me If You Can! Other San Diego credits include – The Old Globe Theatre: Anna Christie; Lambs Player’s: Mixtape; New Village Arts: Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings; Ion: Passion; Coronado Playhouse: 42nd Street. He competed as a Top 16 finalist on NBC’s “The Sing Off” with his a cappella group Extreme Measures. Bryan thanks his wife, Katie, for her love and support!
Eileen Bowman
Eileen is beyond giddy to be here in On The 20th Century. Lily Garland is a bucket list role for her. She was last seen as Alice Beineke in Moonlight’s The Addams Family. Other favorite roles include Ruthless, the Musical as Judy Denmark at Moxie Theater; Broadway Vista’s Doyle and Debbie Show; Judy Garland in the critically acclaimed End of The Rainbow at Intrepid Theatre; Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at Lambs Players (San Diegoo Critics Circle Award); Keely Stevens in Pete ‘n’ Keely also at Lambs Players (Critics Circle nomination); Amy in Company at Cygnet Theatre. To my perfect husband and wonderful family, I am so grateful for your support. I love you!!!
Drew Bradford
Drew is so excited to be making his Cygnet Theatre debut! He is a graduate of Vanguard University with a degree in Business Marketing. Regional credits include The Fantasticks (Matt), SRT; The Addams Family, Peter Pan (Curly), The Music Man, All Shook Up, Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay), Moonlight; 42nd Street, SDMT; Big Fish, Young Frankenstein, Performance Riverside. He would like to thank this entire team for all their hard work. Enjoy the show!
Morgan CarberryMorgan Carberry
Agnes/EnsembleMorgan is delighted to be making her Cygnet debut with this fantastic cast and wonderful creative team! San Diego credits include: Oklahoma!, Big River, Return to the Forbidden Planet (New Village Arts); Sunday in the Park with George (ion); Everybody’s Talkin’ (San Diego Rep); Tribute (Scripps Ranch Theatre); Festival of Christmas: Northern Lights (Lamb’s Players); The Musical of Musicals (Oceanside Theatre Company). Morgan also works as a professional musical director and private vocal coach. A San Diego native, she lived in the UK for ten years and holds masters degrees from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Drama Centre London, and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. www.morgancarberry.com.
Trevor CruseTrevor Cruse
PorterTrevor is delighted to be making his debut with Cygnet Theater. Recent/Favorite credits include All Good Gifts Soloist in Godspell, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Joseph with Christian Youth Theater. He is currently a senior at Classical Academy High School. He would like to thank his parents and friends for always supporting him in all he does.
Michael CusimanoMichael Cusimano
Bruce GranitMichael was last seen at Cygnet in last season’s The Rocky Horror Show asRiff Raff (and sometimes as Frank N Furter) and as Berger in Cygnet’s concert reading of Hair. Other San Diego appearances include American Rhythm at Lambs’ Players Theatre, Ben in the workshop of Last Night in Town at San Diego Musical Theatre and Lancelot in Spamalot at Moonlight Stage. Other SoCal credits include Metamorphoses (Orpheus) at Santa Barbara Ensemble Theatre, The 39 Steps (clown) at Glendale Centre Theatre, and Grease (Zuko) at Cabrillo Music Theatre. New York credits include Titus Andronicus (Marcus), The Haunted Train (Dr. Barnes), Chinashop, Meet Bulls (Rabbit), and Chien de Moi at La MaMa ETC. Television: Devil in the Details on Investigation Discovery. Michael is a BFA graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
Morgan Carberry
Morgan is delighted to be making her Cygnet debut with this fantastic cast and wonderful creative team! San Diego credits include: Oklahoma!, Big River, Return to the Forbidden Planet (New Village Arts); Sunday in the Park with George (ion); Everybody’s Talkin’ (San Diego Rep); Tribute (Scripps Ranch Theatre); Festival of Christmas: Northern Lights (Lamb’s Players); The Musical of Musicals (Oceanside Theatre Company). Morgan also works as a professional musical director and private vocal coach. A San Diego native, she lived in the UK for ten years and holds masters degrees from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Drama Centre London, and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. www.morgancarberry.com.
Trevor Cruse
Trevor is delighted to be making his debut with Cygnet Theater. Recent/Favorite credits include All Good Gifts Soloist in Godspell, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Joseph with Christian Youth Theater. He is currently a senior at Classical Academy High School. He would like to thank his parents and friends for always supporting him in all he does.
Michael Cusimano
Michael was last seen at Cygnet in last season’s The Rocky Horror Show asRiff Raff (and sometimes as Frank N Furter) and as Berger in Cygnet’s concert reading of Hair. Other San Diego appearances include American Rhythm at Lambs’ Players Theatre, Ben in the workshop of Last Night in Town at San Diego Musical Theatre and Lancelot in Spamalot at Moonlight Stage. Other SoCal credits include Metamorphoses (Orpheus) at Santa Barbara Ensemble Theatre, The 39 Steps (clown) at Glendale Centre Theatre, and Grease (Zuko) at Cabrillo Music Theatre. New York credits include Titus Andronicus (Marcus), The Haunted Train (Dr. Barnes), Chinashop, Meet Bulls (Rabbit), and Chien de Moi at La MaMa ETC. Television: Devil in the Details on Investigation Discovery. Michael is a BFA graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
Melissa FernandesMelissa Fernandes
Olive WebbCygnet: Gypsy, The Whale, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors (nominee, San Diego Critics Circle ), Cabaret (nominee, SDCC), A Little Night Music, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. San Diego Theatre (select): ion Theatre: Sunday in the Park with George. New Village Arts: Big River, Same Time, Next Year, Into the Woods (nominee, SDCC), The Seven Year Itch, The Full Monty. Moonlight Theatre: Sondheim on Sondheim (nominee, SDCC). Moxie Theatre: Eternally Bad, Mud Blue Sky. Diversionary: Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show. North Coast Rep: Dancing at Lughnasa. Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Sierra Rep); Harmony, The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse). Education: MFA – Musical Theatre, SDSU.
Melinda GilbMelinda Gilb
Letitia PrimroseAssassins, A Christmas Carol, Dirty Blonde, The Receptionist (Cygnet Theatre); Singin’ in the Rain (Original Broadway cast); Back to Bacharach and David (Original Off-Broadway cast); Suds (Original cast and co-author); Joseph Papp’s The Pirates of Penzance (1st National tour); Original Mama Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Old Globe); Walter Cronkite is Dead, Violet, Miss Witherspoon, Always Patsy Cline (San Diego Rep), Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Craig Noel Award-Best Actress); Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly, Miss Hannigan in Annie, (Starlight Theatre); The Smell of The Kill, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (North Coast Rep); She-Rantulas From Outer Space in 3-D (Diversionary Theatre); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Welk Resort Theatre); The Melinda and Steve Show (with Steve Gunderson in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego).
Samantha Wynn GreenstoneSamantha Wynn Greenstone
Doctor/EnsembleSamantha is honored to make her Cygnet debut. San Diego credits: The Addams Family (Grandma Addams) at Moonlight Stage Productions; Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah) at The Welk; bare: A Pop Opera at Diversionary; Five Course Love (The Women) at Scripps Ranch Theatre; and Pinkalicious (Dr. Wink) at North Coast Rep. Regional: A Time for Christmas (Dolly Parton) at Candlelight Pavilion; The Drowsy Chaperone (Mrs. Tottendale), The Music Man (Alma Hix), and Mary Poppins (Mrs. Brill) at Sierra Repertory Theatre. Training: The Second City. For Roy Mote.
Melissa Fernandes
Cygnet: Gypsy, The Whale, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors (nominee, San Diego Critics Circle ), Cabaret (nominee, SDCC), A Little Night Music, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. San Diego Theatre (select): ion Theatre: Sunday in the Park with George. New Village Arts: Big River, Same Time, Next Year, Into the Woods (nominee, SDCC), The Seven Year Itch, The Full Monty. Moonlight Theatre: Sondheim on Sondheim (nominee, SDCC). Moxie Theatre: Eternally Bad, Mud Blue Sky. Diversionary: Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show. North Coast Rep: Dancing at Lughnasa. Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Sierra Rep); Harmony, The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse). Education: MFA – Musical Theatre, SDSU.
Melinda Gilb
Assassins, A Christmas Carol, Dirty Blonde, The Receptionist (Cygnet Theatre); Singin’ in the Rain (Original Broadway cast); Back to Bacharach and David (Original Off-Broadway cast); Suds (Original cast and co-author); Joseph Papp’s The Pirates of Penzance (1st National tour); Original Mama Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Old Globe); Walter Cronkite is Dead, Violet, Miss Witherspoon, Always Patsy Cline (San Diego Rep), Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Craig Noel Award-Best Actress); Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly, Miss Hannigan in Annie, (Starlight Theatre); The Smell of The Kill, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (North Coast Rep); She-Rantulas From Outer Space in 3-D (Diversionary Theatre); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Welk Resort Theatre); The Melinda and Steve Show (with Steve Gunderson in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego).
Samantha Wynn Greenstone
Samantha is honored to make her Cygnet debut. San Diego credits: The Addams Family (Grandma Addams) at Moonlight Stage Productions; Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah) at The Welk; bare: A Pop Opera at Diversionary; Five Course Love (The Women) at Scripps Ranch Theatre; and Pinkalicious (Dr. Wink) at North Coast Rep. Regional: A Time for Christmas (Dolly Parton) at Candlelight Pavilion; The Drowsy Chaperone (Mrs. Tottendale), The Music Man (Alma Hix), and Mary Poppins (Mrs. Brill) at Sierra Repertory Theatre. Training: The Second City. For Roy Mote.
Steve GundersonSteve Gunderson
Owen O'MalleyCygnet: Sweeney Todd, Dirty Blonde, Parade. La Jolla Playhouse: His Girl Friday, The Nightingale, Memphis. Old Globe Theatre: How The Grinch Stole Christmas, A Trip To Chinatown, Hadrian VII, Suds. Productions at Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Colony Theatre, La Mirada Theatre, Alliance Theatre, New Village Arts, Lambs Players Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre. National Tour: The Grapes of Wrath. Off Broadway: Suds (original cast, co-author, arranger), Back to Bacharach & David (original cast, co-creator, arranger), Forever Plaid. Cabaret: The Melinda & Steve Show with Melinda Gilb. TV: Voices on King of the Hill and (The New) Beavis & Butthead. Steve created (with Javier Velasco) Everybody’s Talkin’ which had its world premiere last year starring Tony Award winners Alice Ripley and Gregory Jbara. Recipient of 2016 Creative Catalyst Grant for The Artificial Woman, an original musical he is writing with poet Amy Gerstler. www.TheArtificialWoman.com Love to my family: Kaore and Wilbur.
Luke H. JacobsLuke H. Jacobs
Conductor/EnsembleThank you, thank you, thank you for supporting live theatre! Regional Credits: Miss West Coast in Pageant (Cygnet), Jinx in Plaid Tidings (Welk Resort Theater), Carmen Ghia in The Producers (San Diego Musical Theatre), American Rhythm (Lamb’s Players), Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown (Barn Stage), Lucky in Dames at Sea (North Coast Rep), Fastrada in Pippin (Diversionary). Tours: In the Mood LIVE, All Shook Up!, Lead Singer/Dancer with Holland America Line. Luke holds his BFA in Musical Theatre from CSU, Fullerton. Lots of love to those applicable for the constant support (i.e. family, friends, and KP).
Lafras le RouxLafras le Roux
Congressman Lockwood/EnsembleLafras is a Northern California singer/actor of South African heritage. He trained at the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and is still relatively new to the incredible San Diego theater scene, and loving every moment of it. He most recently has been seen in American Rhythm and American Christmas at Lambs Players Theater and his career highlights include Spike in Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike (Scripps Ranch Theater), Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (Out of the Box Theater Co.), Prince Ferdinand in The Tempest (PCPA Theaterfest), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Flying Monkey Productions), Chad in All Shook Up (Woodland Opera House) and Hamlet in And When Love Speaks (PCPATheaterfest).
Steve Gunderson
Cygnet: Sweeney Todd, Dirty Blonde, Parade. La Jolla Playhouse: His Girl Friday, The Nightingale, Memphis. Old Globe Theatre: How The Grinch Stole Christmas, A Trip To Chinatown, Hadrian VII, Suds. Productions at Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Colony Theatre, La Mirada Theatre, Alliance Theatre, New Village Arts, Lambs Players Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre. National Tour: The Grapes of Wrath. Off Broadway: Suds (original cast, co-author, arranger), Back to Bacharach & David (original cast, co-creator, arranger), Forever Plaid. Cabaret: The Melinda & Steve Show with Melinda Gilb. TV: Voices on King of the Hill and (The New) Beavis & Butthead. Steve created (with Javier Velasco) Everybody’s Talkin’ which had its world premiere last year starring Tony Award winners Alice Ripley and Gregory Jbara. Recipient of 2016 Creative Catalyst Grant for The Artificial Woman, an original musical he is writing with poet Amy Gerstler. www.TheArtificialWoman.com Love to my family: Kaore and Wilbur.
Luke H. Jacobs
Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting live theatre! Regional Credits: Miss West Coast in Pageant (Cygnet), Jinx in Plaid Tidings (Welk Resort Theater), Carmen Ghia in The Producers (San Diego Musical Theatre), American Rhythm (Lamb’s Players), Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown (Barn Stage), Lucky in Dames at Sea (North Coast Rep), Fastrada in Pippin (Diversionary). Tours: In the Mood LIVE, All Shook Up!, Lead Singer/Dancer with Holland America Line. Luke holds his BFA in Musical Theatre from CSU, Fullerton. Lots of love to those applicable for the constant support (i.e. family, friends, and KP).
Lafras le Roux
Lafras is a Northern California singer/actor of South African heritage. He trained at the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and is still relatively new to the incredible San Diego theater scene, and loving every moment of it. He most recently has been seen in American Rhythm and American Christmas at Lambs Players Theater and his career highlights include Spike in Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike (Scripps Ranch Theater), Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (Out of the Box Theater Co.), Prince Ferdinand in The Tempest (PCPA Theaterfest), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Flying Monkey Productions), Chad in All Shook Up (Woodland Opera House) and Hamlet in And When Love Speaks (PCPATheaterfest).
Sean MurraySean Murray
Oscar JaffeeMr. Murray co-founded Cygnet Theatre in 2002 along with partner Bill Schmidt. Cygnet Theatre: The Rocky Horror Show, Gypsy, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Fool for Love, True West, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, WCYG presents A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa ‘09, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol, A Little Night Music (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director), The Receptionist, The Invention of Love, Bed and Sofa ‘04 (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director, Best Musical Revival), Las Meninas, Escanaba in da Moonlight (SD Critic’s Circle, Set Design), The Book of Liz, Pageant, Bug, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, St. Nicholas, The Matchmaker, Desire Under the Elms, Santaland Diaries, Firebugs, Fully Committed, Arcadia, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes, My Fair Lady. Elsewhere: North Coast Rep: The Elephant Man (Patté Award, Direction), Man of La Mancha, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties; Diversionary: Never the Sinner, Love! Valour! Compassion!. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA). In 2000, Sean was named one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch” and in 2005 he was named Producer of the Year by the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
Amy PerkinsAmy Perkins
Anita/Ensemble/Lily UnderstudyAmy was last seen on our stage as Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Show. More Cygnet credits include Parade (Monteen) and Spring Awakening (Martha). Other San Diego credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne) at Intrepid Theater Company, Annie (Boylan Sister) at Moonlight Amphitheater, and American Rhythm (Female Swing) at Lambs Players Theater. Amy sends big thanks to Sean for all he does and all her love to her family and her Jordan. www.amy-perkins.com.
Debra WangerDebra Wanger
Imelda Thornton/EnsembleDebra has now played over 2 dozen roles in 5 shows at Cygnet, also having appeared in: Spring Awakening, My Fair Lady, Evita, and Dogfight. At San Diego Musical Theatre: Footloose, Sound of Music, La Cage Aux Folles, andtheir annual White Christmas. San Diego highlights: God of Vengeance at La Jolla Playhouse, Hamlet (Gertrude) at Intrepid; Titanic at Moonlight; Permanent Collection at Mo’olelo; Full Monty (Vicki) at New Village Arts; Sleeping Beauty at North Coast Rep; Anything Goes! (Reno) Oliver! (Nancy) at Lyric Opera San Diego; Carousel and Sound of Music at Lawrence Welk; My Nights With George, Kurt & Cole (NCRT & 6th@Penn, AASD & Billie Awards); Debra studied at Tufts and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a M.F.A. from SDSU. Her CD, Driving My Own Heart is available on Amazon & iTunes. She is also a certified coach, published author & proud mama of 3. www.DebraWanger.com.
Sean Murray
Mr. Murray co-founded Cygnet Theatre in 2002 along with partner Bill Schmidt. Cygnet Theatre: The Rocky Horror Show, Gypsy, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Fool for Love, True West, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, WCYG presents A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa ‘09, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol, A Little Night Music (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director), The Receptionist, The Invention of Love, Bed and Sofa ‘04 (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director, Best Musical Revival), Las Meninas, Escanaba in da Moonlight (SD Critic’s Circle, Set Design), The Book of Liz, Pageant, Bug, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, St. Nicholas, The Matchmaker, Desire Under the Elms, Santaland Diaries, Firebugs, Fully Committed, Arcadia, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes, My Fair Lady. Elsewhere: North Coast Rep: The Elephant Man (Patté Award, Direction), Man of La Mancha, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties; Diversionary: Never the Sinner, Love! Valour! Compassion!. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA). In 2000, Sean was named one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch” and in 2005 he was named Producer of the Year by the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
Amy Perkins
Amy was last seen on our stage as Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Show. More Cygnet credits include Parade (Monteen) and Spring Awakening (Martha). Other San Diego credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne) at Intrepid Theater Company, Annie (Boylan Sister) at Moonlight Amphitheater, and American Rhythm (Female Swing) at Lambs Players Theater. Amy sends big thanks to Sean for all he does and all her love to her family and her Jordan. www.amy-perkins.com.
Debra Wanger
Debra has now played over 2 dozen roles in 5 shows at Cygnet, also having appeared in: Spring Awakening, My Fair Lady, Evita, and Dogfight. At San Diego Musical Theatre: Footloose, Sound of Music, La Cage Aux Folles, andtheir annual White Christmas. San Diego highlights: God of Vengeance at La Jolla Playhouse, Hamlet (Gertrude) at Intrepid; Titanic at Moonlight; Permanent Collection at Mo’olelo; Full Monty (Vicki) at New Village Arts; Sleeping Beauty at North Coast Rep; Anything Goes! (Reno) Oliver! (Nancy) at Lyric Opera San Diego; Carousel and Sound of Music at Lawrence Welk; My Nights With George, Kurt & Cole (NCRT & 6th@Penn, AASD & Billie Awards); Debra studied at Tufts and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a M.F.A. from SDSU. Her CD, Driving My Own Heart is available on Amazon & iTunes. She is also a certified coach, published author & proud mama of 3. www.DebraWanger.com.
Creative Team
David Brannen
David has been an actor/director/choreographer in town for over 30 years. For Cygnet Theatre, David has previously choreographed Gypsy, The Rocky Horror Show, My Fair Lady, Parade, Assassins, and Cabaret, receiving a San Diego Theatre Critic’s Circle Award for his choreographic work on Cabaret both at the Theatre in Old Town and North Coast Repertory Theatre. For 3 years, David restaged the original choreography of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre. Other choreography credits include: Starlight Musical Theatre: Oklahoma, Evita, Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Urinetown, Company, Sweeney Todd; Sierra Repertory Theatre: Suds, Oklahoma, Something’s Afoot; Moonlight Theatre: Beauty and the Beast, Route 66, Pump Boys and Dinettes; Lyric Opera San Diego: Fiddler on the Roof, Babes in Arms, Iolanthe, The Merry Widow, Man of La Mancha, Blame it on the Movies, HMS Pinafore.
Craig Campbell
Craig returns to Cygnet after having worked on the August Wilson Rep: Seven Guitars and King Hedley II. Other Cygnet credits: Hay Fever and The Vortex. Other local area credits include: White Christmas, 42nd Street, La Cage aux Folles, West Side Story (SDMT); Peter Pan and The Music Man (Moonlight) The Tallest Tree in the Forest, Kingdom City and The Who and the What (LaJolla Playhouse). National tours: Forever Plaid, Guys & Dolls, and All Shook Up. Craig is an Emmy award winning Producer and Production Manager for several home makeover and lifestyle shows with HGTV, Style Network, Travel Channel and VH1.
Bonnie Durben
Cygnet Theatre: 56 productions; Diversionary Theatre: Mystery of Love and Sex, The Boy Who Danced on Air, Now or Later, She-Rantulas, Baby with the Bathwater, A New Brain, Amazons and Their Men;Mira Costa Theatre: These Shining Lights, Romeo and Juliet, Seven, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Urinetown; Moonlight Theatre Productions: Sister Act, Peter Pan, Titanic, The Addams Family, Music Man, Shrek, All Shook Up, Big Fish;Intrepid Theatre: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Quality of Life, Hamlet, and I Hate Hamlet;Scripps Ranch: Skin Deep. Member of the Society of Property Artisans and Managers.
Sean Fanning
Sean is a Southern California based scenic designer and Resident Artist of Cygnet, where he has designed over twenty productions including Gypsy, Dogfight, Hay Fever, The Vortex, The Whale, Sons of the Prophet, Pageant, Maple & Vine, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Shakespeare’s R&J, Man of La Mancha, Parade, and many more. Elsewhere: Full Gallop (Craig Noel Award Nomination), A Doll’s House, Plaid Tidings, Kingdom (The Old Globe); Everybody’s Talkin’: The Music of Harry Nilsson, Honky, In the Heights, (San Diego Repertory Theatre); My Mañana Comes (Marin Theatre Company); Brownsville Song (Moxie Theatre); Now or Later, the World Premiere of The Boy Who Danced on Air (Diversionary Theatre); West Side Story (San Diego Musical Theatre); The Improv at Harrah’s and Menopause The Musical (Harrah’s Las Vegas). He holds an M.F.A. in Scenic Design from San Diego State University. See more of his work at www.seanfanningdesigns.com.
Andie Fitch
Andie is a recent graduate from San Diego State University where she stage managed a few shows, including The Great American Trailer Park Musical. She then completed a nine month stage management internship at South Coast Repertory and is now back in beautiful San Diego and so glad to be working at Cygnet. Previously for Cygnet: Gypsy (ASM), Seven Guitars and King Hedley II (PA), Bad Jews (ASM).
Peter Herman
Cygnet Theatre: Costumes and Wig/Makeup Design for Shakespeare’s R&J, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Wigs/Makeup Design for Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, Gypsy, Stupid F**king Bird, The Rocky Horror Show, When the Rain Stops Falling, Hay Fever, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Sons of the Prophet, Pageant, Fool for Love, True West, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Spring Awakening, Maple and Vine, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, A Christmas Carol, Gem of the Ocean, Mistakes Were Made, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, A Behanding in Spokane, The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd. Elsewhere: Peter has designed hair and wigs for over 300 productions, including the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Rep, San Diego Opera and Disneyland. Peter currently teaches wig and makeup at SDSU.
Blake McCarty
Blake is thrilled to be back after designing projections for The Rocky Horror Show last season. Local designs include Sunday in the Park with George (Ion Theatre); American Rhythm and Oz (Lamb’s Players); and God of Carnage and Return to Forbidden Planet (New Village Arts). Blake’s work has also been seen in New York at Dixon Place, New Victory Theater, 3-Legged Dog, La Mama E.T.C., and MCC Theater. In addition to his work as an artist, Blake facilitates educational programming for The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Juvenile Court and Community Schools, Junior Theatre, and San Diego Film Festival. He holds a BFA in Film & Television and an MA in Educational Theatre, both from New York University.
Sean Murray
Mr. Murray co-founded Cygnet Theatre in 2002 along with partner Bill Schmidt. Cygnet Theatre: The Rocky Horror Show, Gypsy, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Fool for Love, True West, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, WCYG presents A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa ‘09, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol, A Little Night Music (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director), The Receptionist, The Invention of Love, Bed and Sofa ‘04 (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director, Best Musical Revival), Las Meninas, Escanaba in da Moonlight (SD Critic’s Circle, Set Design), The Book of Liz, Pageant, Bug, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, St. Nicholas, The Matchmaker, Desire Under the Elms, Santaland Diaries, Firebugs, Fully Committed, Arcadia, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes, My Fair Lady. Elsewhere: North Coast Rep: The Elephant Man (Patté Award, Direction), Man of La Mancha, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties; Diversionary: Never the Sinner, Love! Valour! Compassion!. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA). In 2000, Sean was named one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch” and in 2005 he was named Producer of the Year by the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
Dylan Nielsen
Dylan is excited to be back at Cygnet following last summer’s Gypsy. Dylan recently graduated from UCSD where he received a degree in computer science. Previous credits include: The Odyssey (The Public), In the Heights (Muir Musical), Spelling Bee, Scenes from an Execution, Sin Eaters, Rhinoceros (UCSD).
Terry O'Donnell
Dr. O’Donnell has served as musical director, conductor, or pianist for regional theatres including Cygnet Theatre, the Old Globe Theatre, Moonlight Stage Productions, “Starlight Musical Theatre” San Diego CLO, Theatre in Old Town, Welk Resort Theatre, and La Jolla Playhouse. Selected musical direction: Gypsy, Spring Awakening, The Who’s Tommy, Follies, Crazy for You, Little Women, Beehive (Drama-Logue Award for musical direction), Forbidden Broadway (with national company), Assassins, Triumph of Love, Song of Singapore, Master Class, Bat Boy, Honk!, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde and five years with Forever Plaid. Dr. O’Donnell is Professor Emeritus of Music and Theatre at San Diego State University (1973-2008). He is a founding faculty member of the award-winning SDSU Master of Fine Arts Musical Theatre degree program. He is Board of Trustees Immediate Past President for Young Audiences of San Diego.
Jeanne Reith
In her 25-year career as a Theatrical Costume Designer Jeanne has dressed over 350 productions. She has served as Resident Designer for theatres in Los Angeles, Glendale and Santa Barbara, and at Lambs Players Theatre Coronado. As a Resident Artist for Cygnet Theatre some of her designs include: Gypsy, The Little Foxes, A Little Night Music, My Fair Lady, Company, Man of La Mancha, Copenhagen. Costume designs awards she has received include: Craig Noel, Patte, LA Weekly, Backstage West, Dramalogue, and Critic Circle. Jeanne also teaches Fashion History, Draping, Patternmaking, and other fashion related classes at San Diego Mesa College and San Diego Continuing Education, West City.
Chris Rynne
Cygnet Theatre: Design and installation of lighting system for the original Cygnet space in Rolando, Gypsy, When the Rain Stops Falling, My Fair Lady, Sons of the Prophet, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, Gem of the Ocean, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2003). Off-Broadway: The Pianist of Willesden Lane. His other credits include The Old Globe, Geffen Playhouse, San Diego Opera, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Madison Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Michigan Opera Theatre, Berkeley Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Hartford Stage, San Diego Musical Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, Diversionary Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, and Starlight Theatre. Chris also designs lighting for museum exhibitions, special events, architectural features, and lighting systems for new venues.
Taylor M. Wycoff
Taylor is delighted to be continuing her work as dramaturg for the Cygnet Theatre. Favorite dramaturgical credits include When The Rain Stops Falling, Hay Fever, The Vortex, Dogfight, The Whale, My Fair Lady, Sons of the Prophet, True West, Fool For Love, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Spring Awakening, Maple & Vine, A Christmas Carol, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Shakespeare’s R&J, Assassins, Gem of the Ocean (Cygnet); Red Planet Respite (Circle Circle dot dot); Kita y Fernanda, Yellow Face (Mo’olelo). She has presented at multiple conferences and her work has been published in Praxis: The Journal for Theatre, Performance Studies, and Criticism. She has taught for Playwrights Project and Kids Act, and is a graduate of Young Audience’s Teaching Artist Institute. Taylor received her BA in Theatre and International Relations from the University of San Diego and is a proud member of the community based theatre company Circle Circle Dot Dot.
April 2024