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The Chance Theater

MAIN STAGE : The Gondoliers
JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 24, 2002
FRIDAYS/SATURDAYS 8PM, SUNDAYS 2PM

$20 OPENING NIGHT GALA (JAN 19)
$18 GENERAL, $15 SENIORS/STUDENTS
$10 PREVIEW PERFORMANCE (JAN 18)

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This satirical musical is famous among the operas for its sparkling and tuneful music and as the last musical to be produced by Gilbert, Sullivan, and D'Oyly Carte. The story satirizes snobbery in all grades of society, following Gilbert's favorite theme of topsy-turvydom. The 2002 season kicks off with this sparkly, buoyant and delightful musical comedy. Kent Johnson returns to directorial duties for his fourth Gilbert and Sullivan opera at The Chance.

Designers
Performers (in alphabetical order)
 

 
   Kent Johnson (Director)

Mr. Johnson began his theatrical career 53 years ago in Chicago. He has acted in 22 commercials and in many industry films. Moving to California, he pursued a career in the theatre and television as a performer and a director. Mr. Johnson was one of the original producers/directors at KOCE-TV, where he produced PBS and educational programming. He wrote the award winning musical, "The White Arrow", and regularly performs his one man show, "Ben Franklin". [top]

  

 
   Erika Ceporius (Musical Director/Costume Designer)

This is the closest thing to insane I have ever been! Whew, I'm tired! Everyone has been a gem to work with and I'm overjoyed to see so many old friends again. Thanks to all for your patience, perseverance and assistance. For those whom are returning to see this lesser known G&S show, you may remember me from "Pirates", "HMS Pinafore" and "Mikado". For all you newbies... have fun, laugh lots, and where were you before?! [top]

  

 
   Jenna Kantor (Choreographer)

Jenna is please to be choreographiong for Kent Johnson's production of "The Gondoliers". In the past, she has had two pieces, shown at Regional Dance America. She also had the honor of attending a choreography conference through RDA, as a dancer in 1998 and a choreographer in 1999. Thanks to mom, dad, brothers, friends, teachers, Frisky, Autchadotcha and Richard Simmons. [top]

  

 
   Oanh Nguyen (Set Designer)

Oanh owes everything to his selfless-overworked-sleep deprivated-gut busting witty-crew. [top]

  

 
   Robert G. Davis (Lighting Design)

Robert is pleased to once again be lighting The Chance Theater stage. Previous lighting credits at the Chance include "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday", "Our Town", "Dragons in New York", and "Therese Raquin". Other lighting credits include "Love Letters" and "Good Morning Miss Vickers" at Cypress Civic Theater. Robert holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Massachusetts. Thanks for joining us. [top]

  

 
   Rick Friend (Accompanist)

Rick Friend studied music at Oberlin College Conservatory, and introduced himself to New York City by playing piano for a comic revival of the 1890’s melodrama, “The Drunkard”. He introduced himself to Toronto by composing and playing music for silent movies. He then introduced himself to the Silent Movie Theatre in Hollywood where he now composes and plays regularly. He will be appearing February with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra playing for “The Thief of Baghdad”. [top]

  

 
   Tamara Thomas (Stage Manager)

Tamara is excited for the opportunity to be a stage manager for the first time. She studied theatre for a short time at Graceland University, Iowa before coming back to Southern California. Since then she has earned her license in Massage Therapy. Tamara's acting credits include Betty in "The Crucible" and Jane/Mermaid/Indian in "Peter Pan" where she also served as Make-up Manager. She would like to give a special thanks to Suzi, "Have Fun!" [top]

  

  Candice Balen (Tessa)

Candice, a Santa Ana native, is delighted to be performing in Southern California again, after graduating in Vocal Performance from the University of Washington in June. Candice performed in many operas and musicals in the Seattle area over the last four years, her favorites being "Fiddler On the Roof", "South Pacific", and "Falstaff". She is very excited to be doing her first Gilbert and Sullivan production. Big thanks to her super supportive parents! [top]
  

  SuzAnne Joy Braderic (Fiametta)

SuzAnne is thrilled to be performing back home in California, after recently graduating from Anderson University in Indiana, where she studied theatre, voice and writing. Favorite roles include Anne Frank, Papagena in "Magic Flute", and Judas/John the Baptist in "Godspell". She has performed at Barn Theater, an Equity Summer Stock Theatre in Michigan, where she became an Equity Membership candidate. SuzAnne's directing credits include "Peter Pan", "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains..." and Assistant Director for "Hamlet". [top]
  

  George Brunk (Inez)

This is George's sixth appearance at the Chance. Having completed the Gilbert and Sullivan trio and most recently, "Little Women ". He is very happy to be a part of such a wonderful cast and crew. George's film acting credits include commercials and television extra work. George wants to thank all those who support The Chance Theater through seeing shows, volunteering and contributions. [top]

  

  Michael Buss (Duke of Plaza Toro)

Michael Buss became very involved with theatre in the UK where he has played roles as various as a psychopathic killer in a musical melodrama, a hero village idiot, Marco - the lead tenor in "The Gondoliers", Oberon in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Napoleon in "Animal Farm". He is experienced in the British genre of pantomime and directed three shows at his home base in Shaftesbury, England: "The Boy Friend", "The Private Ear" and "Robinson Crusoe". He has also written very succesfully for the stage and video movies. This current role as the Duke of Plaza-Toro is his acting debut in California. [top]

  

 

Erika Ceporius (Casilda)

This is the closest thing to insane I have ever been! Whew, I'm tired! Everyone has been a gem to work with and I'm overjoyed to see so many old friends again. Thanks to all for your patience, perseverance and assistance. For those whom are returning to see this lesser known G&S show, you may remember me from "Pirates", "HMS Pinafore" and "Mikado". For all you newbies... have fun, laugh lots, and where were you before?! [top]

  

 

Jack DeZell (Annibale)

A graduate of Loyola-Marymount University, Jack has played character roles such as Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls" and Bascomb Shanks in the "Eye That Never Sleeps" at the Lakewood Civic Light Opera. He is best known at The Chance Theater as Marston, the bumbling English playboy in "Ten Little Indians". [top]

  

 

Dimas Diaz (Francesco)

This is Dimas' second show at the Chance. He has enjoyed this experience immensely, as this has been his first musical in four years. All thanks to God, may you live to see the dawn. [top]

  

 

Kristy Errera (Gianetta)

Kristy is a recent addition to the Los Angeles area, having moved here from Boston in October. Born and raised in New York, she began singing at a young age and continued her education at Boston University, graduating with a degree in vocal performance. She has performed in many opera productions and musicals such as "Albert Herring", "La Boheme", "Dialogue of the Carmelites", "West Side Story", and "South Pacific". She would like to thank her family for the unrelenting support in making this huge cross-country move and AJ for his love, and more importantly for his driving lessons. She dedicates this performance to her best friend and puppy, Baby, who has recently passed and is missed terribly. [top]

  

 

Barbara Gibbs (Duchess of Plaza Toro)

Barbara is making a return to musical theatre after 27years with this production. She returned to the dramatic stage in the Fall of 2000 and to comedy improvisation in Spring 2001. She has been singing again for two years. Enormous thank you's to her husband, Bruce, for support, encouragement and sacrifice at home, and to the late Al Morris for training, guidance and friendship. [top]

  

 

Casey Long (Don Alhambra del Bolero)

Casey has been a part of The Chance Theater from very close to the beginning and may never live down his procastination. Casey's acting credits include Danny in "Laura", Billy in "Betterlands" both at the Long Beach Playhouse, Eric in "An Inspector Calls" at the Cypress Civic Theater, Robert in SCP's "But I Don't Feel Grown Up" and "Lethal Persuasion", Mordechai in "The Stroop Report", Laertes in "Hamlet", David in "To Gillian...", Dick Deadeye in "HMS Pinafore", Seth in "Facing East", and has just completed work on two independent films, "The Layover" and "Fink". [top]

  

 

Wes C. Martin (Giorgio)

Wes has studied acting at SCR in Costa Mesa. He played the roles of Roy in "Laundry+Bourbon", Robert in "Standing on my Knees" for Actor's Repertory Theater of Idaho. Also playing Elwood in "Harvey", Bob Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol" along with many sketch comedy and scene shows in the southland. He wants to thank The Chance Theater for allowing him the "Chance" to experience his first Musical from the stage. [top]

  

 

Nikhil Korula (Marco)

Nikhil has been singing since the age of 5. As one of the founding members of the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, he has perfomed in Carnegie Hall, for the Grammy Awards, numerous movie and commercial recordings as well as 6 operas with L.A Opera Company, 4 of which were with Placido
Domingo. He recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance. His musical theater roles include Albert from "Bye Bye Birdie" and Noah in "The Rainbow Express". Nikhil has also had the recent opportunity to sing in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic (with the Long Beach Camerata Singers). As well, he plays guitar and piano and is now pursuing the dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. [top]

  

 

Michelle Pierce (Giulia)

Michelle is a second year student at the University of California, Irvine. She recently was seen in "Carousel" at Yorba Linda CLO. Other productions she has been in are: "Guys and Dolls", "West Side Story", "A Chorus Line", and many others. Michelle would like to thank Jenna Kantor for this wonderful opportunity. As well as Ms. Sharon Lowan, and her mom and dad for all their support. Thank you and enjoy the show! [top]

  

 

Timothy Quirus (Luiz)

Timothy enjoys spending the new year with friends, and at The Chance Theater feels right at home. Special kisses go out to Melissa, Faron, Doris, and Susan. This performance is dedicated to Jeannie Marie who helps his soul to sing! And an enormous amount of gratitude to Erika Ceporius! Tim was most recently seen in The Chance Theater's "Pippin" and FCLO's "Jekkyl & Hyde". [top]

  

 

E. Philip Schneider (Giuseppe)

Philip, 23, began singing at age 9 with the Los Angeles Children's Chorus. Through LACC he had the opportunity to sing in movie soundtracks, television commercials, with the Los Angeles Opera, and even on the Grammy's. He has done musical theatre since age 15 with roles including Billy Lawler in "42nd Street", Curly in "Oklahoma", Fred in "Kiss Me, Kate", and the Wolf in "Into the Woods". He spent the last two years living in Holland studying at the Conservatorium Maastricht. He has had the opportunity to sing throughout Europe inclinding Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland. He is now finishing his BM degree at USC and studies with Richard Fredrichs, formerly with the Met and NYC Opera. [top]

  

 

Ivar Vasco (Antonio)

Ivar is happy to be returning to The Chance Theater in such a classic musical, having previously appeared here in "The Pirates of Penzance" and last season's "The Mikado." Favorite roles include the Constable in "Fiddler on the Roof," Harry the Horse in "Guys and Dolls". He just finished "Evita" at Huntington Beach. Ivar enjoys his three grandsons and loves to play golf. Dr. Vasco is a dentist in Anaheim Hills and wishes to thank his friends and family for coming to see the show. [top]