The Cast

CAST (in amphabolical order)

Alonzo......................................................................................................................................... John Seeley

Asparagus (Gus)........................................................................................................................... Bill Roberts
Bill Bailey...................................................................................................................................... John Lisch

Bombalurina ........................................................................................................................ Caroline Wayner

Bustopher Jones............................................................................................................................ Paul Seaton

Carbucketty......................................................................................................................... Emily Rutherford

Cassandra.................................................................................................................................. Margie Lance

Coricopat................................................................................................................................. Ann Mladinov

Demeter..................................................................................................................................... Marian Grant

Electra.................................................................................................................................... Rina Steinhauer

Etcetera............................................................................................................................. Emma Koramshahi

Exotica................................................................................................................................... Rosslyn Kooser

George............................................................................................................................. Christopher M.

Grizabella............................................................................................................................ Cyndie Eberhardt

Griddlebone.............................................................................................................................. Peggy Dorsey

Growltiger........................................................................................................................... Christophe Jouny

Jellylorum................................................................................................................................. Peggy Dorsey

Jemima....................................................................................................................................... Adele Russell
Jennyanydots/Old Gumbie Cat................................................................................................... Bonnie Legro

Jennyanydots’ Beetles..................................................... Christopher M., Andy R., Nico T.

Jennyanydots’ Mice.......................................................... Aidan L-L., Kateri P., Paris W.

Macavity................................................................................................................................ Ken Rutherford

Macavity’s henchmen.................................................................................... Christophe Jouny, Cody Tracey

Mama Cat................................................................................................................................ Martha Macgill

Mr. Mistoffelees....................................................................................................................... Jason Kimmell

Mungojerrie............................................................................................................................ Bryan Kelleher

Munkustrap............................................................................................................................... Charlie Albert

Munkustrap’s assistants in Macavity Fight................................................................ John Seeley, Eric Stewart

Old Deuteronomy......................................................................................................................... Kit Lorentz

Plato................................................................................................................................... Christopher Jouny

Bouncey..................................................................................................................................... Melissa Huch

Quaxo...................................................................................................................................... Jason Kimmell

Rum Tug Tugger......................................................................................................................... Eric Stewart

Rumpelteazer............................................................................................................................ Anna Kelleher

Sillabub..................................................................................................................................... Kelsey Albert

Skimbleshanks............................................................................................................................ Nancy Kelso

Tantomile................................................................................................................................. Barbara Swain

The Big Cat............................................................................................................................ Ken Rutherford

Tumblebrutus............................................................................................................................. Cody Tracey

Victoria..................................................................................................................................... Karin Berardo

 


Womens Ensemble

Lynne Durbin

Lois Eldred

Debby Phinney

Catherine Talbott

Louise Toby

Denise Weeks

 


Kids Ensemble

Marley F.

Paul H.

Holly H.

Sean K.

Aidan L-L.

Christopher M.

Kateri P.

Andy R.

Nico T.

Maddie T.

Paris W.


Kittens Crew

Isabella P.

Mary H.

Cameron P.




CAST BIOS:


THE DIRECTORS


Cyndie Cronk Eberhardt (Director, also playing Grizabella)):  Mezzosoprano Cyndie Eberhardt has been a choral singer and soloist for more than 25 years and has performed with groups in Virginia and the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.  She sang under the direction of Dr. James Hines at Christopher Newport University in Virginia, where she majored in English.  She currently performs for the Columbia Pro Cantare Chamber Singers and Chorus under the direction of Frances Motyca Dawson and with the Choir of Memorial Episcopal Church under the direction of Nick Fennig.  She performed solos on both tours of the Czech Republic with the Columbia Pro Cantare Chamber Chorus.  This is her fifth musical, with lead roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Wiz, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  She has also appeared in You Can’t Take it with You and The Crucible.  This is her second time in the role as director for Memorial Players, having also directed Joseph in 2003.  In her spare time she works for the YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor.  And, as the CATS cast can confirm, she is a fantastic aerobics teacher. Cyndie lives in Baltimore with her husband Rick, Emma the greyhound, and Sam the cat.


Nick Fennig (Musical Director and Conductor):  Nick has been Organist and Choirmaster at Memorial Church since September 2006.  CATS is his first adventure working on a Memorial Playhouse production.  Nick is allergic to feline critters but for some reason can’t keep them out of his life.  Daily, he receives love letters from church cat Sophia under the door of his office.  Additionally, he has fond memories of his childhood cat, Parker Fennig.  Furthermore, his entire family seems to surround him with cats, as if they have a death wish for his respiratory system.  His family boasts feline Celtic royalty, Betsy and Skyler Cooper, as well as the infamous Will & Grace-inspired couple, Gracie and Leo Fennig.  Nick spends much of his free time composing the original score to his upcoming smash-hit musical, Dogs!, starring Emily, Piddy, and Pickles McCulloch.


Jesse Milan, Jr. (Choreographer and Stage Manager):  After his high-stepping star turn as Harold Hill in last year’s production of The Music Man, Jesse is “out front” this year as choreographer of CATS.  This is Jesse’s third show as principal choreographer for Memorial Players, and he is thrilled to work again with CATS director Cyndie Eberhardt.  A dancer at heart, Jesse completed the Program in Theater and Dance at Princeton University in addition to his academic degree.  He studied jazz dance at Morelli’s in New York while attending NYU Law School, and received the Vanderbilt Award for outstanding contribution to the law school community for choreographing the annual law revue musical. He danced for two seasons with the WAVES V jazz dance company in Philadelphia, tap danced with fellow lawyers in the Constitution Follies, and performed at Princeton in the Footnotes and the famed Triangle Club.  Past roles include the calypso-singing brother in Memorial’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Conrad Birdie (Bye Bye Birdie), the Serpent (The Apple Tree), and ringmaster Charlie (Annie Get Your Gun).  Jesse is a Vice President of the Constella Group, an international health consulting firm. He sends special thanks to Jason, Karin, and Anna for their solo work, and to Bill and Mrs. Ziegfeld for their support.  


John Seeley (Set Design and Construction):  SEE biography under “THE CAST”


David Storey (Stage Design and Construction):  David Storey is a member of Memorial Episcopal and has been an indefatigable champion of this production and the stage on which it is performed.  You remember him as Salesman #4 in The Music Man last year?  He was behind that set too.  When he isn’t building grand stages in the church, he is building and restoring grand organs in churches around the region.  Thank you, David!


Louise Toby (Stage Design and Construction):  SEE biography under “THE CAST”

THE CAST


Charlie Albert (Munkustrap): Charlie sang baritone for the Richmond Revelers at the University of Richmond and the Traveling Men at Gilman School. Last year he played a Traveling Salesman in The Music Man at Memorial Episcopal. This year, extra excitement comes from the addition of his daughter, Kelsey, to the cast. In his other life, Charlie is a project manager for the employee benefits firm of RJP & Associates in Hunt Valley. Many thanks go to Directors Cyndie, Jesse, and Nick, plus Ann Mladinov, Louise Toby, and John Seeley, who devoted incredible amounts of energy and patience to this production. To his wonderful wife Tess and son Alexander--Thank you for your understanding and support.


Kelsey Albert (Sillabub): Kelsey is in 7th Grade at Calvert School. This is her first time participating in community theater, and it certainly won't be her last! She has immensely enjoyed the experience. Last year she saw The Music Man—Twice!--because her father and friends were in it. She would like to thank her Dad, Charlie, for doing the play with her; her friends Emily Rutherford and Emma Koramshahi for introducing her to the play and making rehearsals so much fun; Cyndie, Jesse, Nick, Ann, John Seeley, Louise Toby, and the whole cast for putting so much time into the play; her mother and brother for putting up with repeated singing of the songs; and her friends, for not laughing too hard when she told them what the play was.


Karin Berardo (Victoria, the white cat):  Returning to the stage after over 10 years, Karin is delighted to be joined by her 8-year old son, Nico.  Karin started improvisational dance at age three, and subsequently studied under the Royal Ballet School in London, trained in the early MTV jazz/pop era in LA, explored a variety of modern dance styles in Chicago, and exalted in the spiritual dances of western Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil.  She was a member of Synergy! a modern dance collaborative in Chicago, and was a principal with the Ginga Brasil samba school in San Francisco.  Despite her passion for dance, Karin spends much of her time structuring esoteric real estate finance and renewable energy investments for MuniMae.


Peggy Dorsey (Jellylorum/Lady Griddlebone):  Peggy is new to the Memorial Players but not to the
stage.  Baltimore’s community theaters have given her the opportunity to perform
the roles of Anna in The King and I with the Pasadena Players, Shelby in The Spitfire Grill with Fells Point Corner Theatre, and Mina in Dracula, The Musical with Musical Artists Theatre.  She has also appeared in
local commercials and print ads.  When not on stage or screen, Peggy and her
very patient husband Jim shoot photographs for their home-based business,
SITE SHOTS. She gives thanks to both of her Fathers in heaven for their
gifts and their guidance in using them.


Lynne Durbin (Ensemble):  Too many years ago to mention, Lynne last appeared on stage in her high school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Since then, she has spent many hours singing along with the radio in her car and doing dance aerobics.  She thanks her son, Christopher M. (George) for getting her involved with this production.  When not rehearsing and making the costumes for the cockroaches and mice, she spends her time as general counsel of a privately held company and working with various not-for-profit groups.


Cyndie Eberhardt (Grizabella)  SEE biography under “DIRECTOR”


Lois Eldred (Ensemble):  Lois is a member of Memorial Episcopal.  This is
her second musical, the first being Carousel when she was nine years old.  She auditioned for
 CATS because The Music Man looked like so much fun last year, and she was
 thrilled when her daughter Melissa auditioned also.  Then her husband Earl
 became involved with the stage and set construction, and lately one or more
 family members has been at the church working on CATS most nights of the week.  When she's not rehearsing, her day job is at Johns Hopkins where she is on the faculty in the School of
 Medicine, working on international studies of TB and HIV.


Marley F. (Kids Ensemble):  Eight-year old Marley has a love of
music, theatre, and all things performed onstage.  The second grader has
performed in summer and after-school theatre programs and dance classes, and is quite excited to "Meow" her way through her first Memorial Players show.


Marian Grant (Demeter): Marian has sung and danced for many years but
has not until now tried to do them at the same time and in a cat
costume. This experience shows you can teach an old cat new tricks.
When she's not hanging out in the Memorial junkyard, Marian works as a
nurse practitioner at Bayview, sings with the Baltimore Choral Arts
Society and lives with her husband, Dale, and 2 Tonkinese cats: Kaze,
the cat of her dreams, and Gus. This is her first appearance with the
Memorial Players.


Mary H. (Kittens Crew):  Mary is 10 years old and a fourth grader at The Midtown Academy.  This is her first theater performance.  She enjoys art and has attended several classes at MICA.  She is also a swimmer on the Mariners Swim Team.  She is passionate about animal rights and participates in fundraising for the SPCA.

 

Paul H. (Kids Ensemble):  Paul is 9 years old and a third grader at The Midtown Academy.  This is his first theater performance.  Paul plays soccer and baseball and swims on the Bolton Hill Barracudas swim team. He also likes to do Double Dutch jump rope.


Holly H. (Kids Ensemble):  Holly is a 5th grader at Roland Park
Elementary School.  This is her fourth production with
Memorial Players.  She has also appeared in Brigadoon,
Fiddler on the Roof and last year The Music Man with her mother Ginny and her brother Tom, who are both missed very much in CATS this year. Holly's favorite
hobbies are drawing, Girl Scouts, and singing
show tunes with her mom.


Melissa Huch (Bouncey, the Dancer Cat):  Melissa is a student at Carver Center
 
for Arts and Technology, where she is completing her junior year in Visual
Arts.  She has
taken hip-hop, jazz, modern dance classes and loves to dance. It has been a
special experience to have friends and neighbors participating in the
musical with her, including her parents.  She is a member of
Memorial Episcopal and the Teen Youth Group but this is her first time in a
 
musical. She is a varsity soccer and lacrosse player.  Her passion is
music, especially bands like Anberlin,The Almost, The Sounds, and Atreyu.


Christophe Jouny (Plato/Growltiger/Macavity’s henchman):  Christophe started singing in a church choir in France. While there he played the lead role in a local production of Folle et la Mort, a play based on satirical Middle Ages-style theater.  He combined singing and acting in Sortir de l’ombre, a drama about the illegal immigration of women to Europe from South America, which played over 40 times in Geneva and Paris between 1999 and 2000.  He came to Baltimore in 2001 to work at Johns Hopkins Hospital and sings now with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.


Anna Kelleher (Rumpleteazer):  Anna has been in all of Memorial’s musicals.  It all started way back when, when she took her first ballet class at 5 years old and realized her love for dancing.  She tried other things such as sports, but after nearly killing 2 people with her field hockey stick and spraining her ankle multiple times in soccer, she found that was clearly not her calling.  Dancing was obviously the way to go.  She would like to give a shout out to all her girls (ummmhmmm) and of course to the cast of cats.  She loves you all and wishes the best for everyone, although she will never be caught dead in a unitard again.  She one day hopes to be an accomplished dance teacher and learn how to sing like Jennifer Hudson...Hey, we all have dreams!


Bryan Kelleher (Mungojerrie):  Bryan is a proud original member of the Memorial Players, appearing as Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, Levi in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tommy in Brigadoon, Avram in Fiddler on the Roof, and the guy who worked the spotlight for The Music Man.  He is thrilled to be back onstage with his daughter Anna as his “partner in crime.”  Thanks to Cyndie and Jesse for their vision and to Martha and Jack for their support.


Nancy Kelso (Skimbleshanks):  Nancy sang “The Star-Spangled Banner”—solo—at her graduation from kindergarten and (a few years later) from college.  In between and since, she’s been in musicals, operas, recitals, Gilbert & Sullivan, straight drama, church choir, and synagogue choir.  With the Memorial Players she has enjoyed the challenging roles of Pilate’s wife in Jesus Christ Superstar, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, and Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man.  She is also Treasurer of the Memorial Episcopal vestry, a member of the choir, and a member of Baltimore Choral Arts Society.  And all this is balanced with the pleasure of being the accountant at Watson’s Garden Center.


Jason M. Kimmell (Quaxo/The Magical Mister Mistoffelees): Jason has been performing and studying theatre for the past 20-plus years and has staked his claim in the realms of dance.  Hitting his mark on the soap opera set As the World Turns and then on to the Kennedy Center, he has performed in a variety of productions from the fun and frivolous to the drama of the Broadway stage (Medea).  He has worked under renowned Directors Robert Whitehead and Hal Prince and performed with the legendary Zoe Caldwell and Dame Judith Anderson.  Jason's choreography work was last seen in Once on This Island (Winters Lane Productions) and next he is directing Aida. Other credits include: Tapestry Dancers, Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, Musical Artists Theatre Company, North Potomac Ballet, Grand Houston Opera Company, NBC, and CBS.  Jason dedicates this performance to his Mother whose love has inspired him to make a little magic in his own life.  YSLY


Rosslyn Kooser (Exotica, the dancer cat):  Rosslyn started dancing when she was six.  She performed in
musicals and dance concerts through college, ending with a BA in dance
from Goucher.  She participates in liturgical dance at Memorial, and is
thrilled to be performing in CATS.  Rosslyn works as a school
psychologist in a Baltimore City high school and middle school.


Sean K. (Kids Ensemble):  Sean is a fourth grader at Wellwood International School.  CATS
is his first theatrical performance, but definitely not his last.


Emma Koramshahi (Etcetera): Emma is a 7th grader at the Calvert School where she will be appearing as the “Hysterical Lady in Waiting” in a production of Robin Hood this May. A four-year veteran of the Memorial Players, she has appeared in Brigadoon, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Music Man. Emma has had a great time connecting with her inner feline and looks forward to taking the stage this year with her friends and her mom, who is playing Electra.


Margie Lance (Cassandra):  Hailing from a family of song, Margie gets to use the stage as an outlet for pent-up song, dance and joyful camaraderie.  She has been in Memorial’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Music Man, as well as many years of the Bolton Hill Revue.  Baptist, college, and Episcopal choirs factor in her singing background.  In Frederick she sang in the women’s barbershop chorus (the Clustered Spires) for several years and in the remarkable play Quilt. 


Bonnie Legro (Jennyanydots/Old Gumbie Cat):  Bonnie is a Bolton Hill resident with a long-dormant musical theatre career.  She appeared in Memorial’s production of Brigadoon and her family has been a big part of almost all the Memorial musicals, including as generous sponsors of the receptions before and after the production this year.  Bonnie is thrilled to have a role in CATS where she can, as her mother notes, “emote.”


John Lisch (Bill Bailey): John has sung with numerous church choirs and was a member of the Baltimore Symphony Chorus.  Seeing him onstage, you would not believe he had not been an actor in a previous life, but he made his theatrical debut last year as a memorable Mayor Shinn in Memorial Players’ production of The Music Man.  He works magic not only in his work as a lawyer but also in his work for Memorial Players--he can hunt down anything, from scripts of musicals on the Web to CATS costumes from the original West End production to actual magicians.


Aidan L-L. (Kids Ensemble): This is Aidan’s first show at Memorial but she has been singing, dancing and acting for a long time, mostly in school or at workshop camps.  She has been taking voice lessons for two years, and has not taken many dance lessons. Aidan also enjoys playing soccer, hanging out with her friends, and especially ice skating.  She is in Freestyle 4 and is entering her second competition and seventh rink show this year.  Aidan hopes that you all enjoy the play!


Christopher “Kit” Lorentz (Old Deuteronomy):  In his day job, Kit works as an emergency physician.  Kit started singing in the Glee Club and Octet at Mercersburg Academy, continued in the Yale Russian Chorus in college, and has continued in various concert choral groups and church choirs ever since.  He currently sings bass in the choir at Memorial Episcopal Church and double bass in the Yale Russian Chorus alumni which gets together twice a year to rehearse, revel, and perform at various venues around the country.  He played one of Joseph’s brothers in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mr. McLaren in Brigadoon, and Olin Britt in the Barbershop Quartet in The Music Man last year.


Martha Macgill (Mama Cat/Ensemble and Producer of CATS):  Martha, a native of Alexandria, VA, was saved by Jesus from being a tax attorney, but not saved from musicals.  Aside from participation as a child in productions at the Little Theatre of Arlington, she did not appear on the musical theatre stage until she was called back to the theatre in 2001 .  In the catacombs of Memorial Episcopal, Fred Sauter, David Lloyd Warner, and Bryan Kelleher began to hatch a plot to sing “just a couple of numbers” from Jesus Christ Superstar—and the rest is history!  She and her family have appeared or worked in all the subsequent productions at Memorial:  Joseph, Brigadoon, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, and now CATS.  Thanks to the amazing directors each year--Monty, Miriam, and David, and this year again, to our good fortune, Cyndie.  And thanks also to the wonderful music directors—Doug, Laura, Bill, and this year, Nick.  CATS is a special opportunity to perform onstage again with her husband Bryan and her daughter Anna, and to share the experience of a musical production one more time with her son Jack.  “Thanks to my family—Bryan, Jack, and Anna—I love you so much!” 


Christopher M. (George):  Christopher last performed in The Devil’s Storybook with his fourth grade class.  He also created the digital scenery for that production.  He is in the fifth grade at the Park School where he sings in the Lower School Chorus and the Soundwaves.  While not in school or rehearsing, he enjoys writing html and programming, flying, reading, swimming, writing, saving old Macs (He currently has too many computers to count), and dreaming of ideas.  He is glad his mom, Lynne Durbin, is also in this production and that he was able to help provide music for the cast.  Read his blog at happymaclife.blogspot.com.


Ann Mladinov (Coricopat, the twin cat/Dreamgirls trio/Leader of the Enemy/Production Manager):  Ann has always loved musicals, probably because her parents and grandparents shared their love of music and musicals with her and her sister from the earliest years.  CATS is her third musical at Memorial. When you audition, you think about performing to satisfy yourself or your parents and family.  Then you want to please the directors who have selected you.  In the end, you are doing it for each other, because you don’t want to let anyone in the production down, after all the effort they have put into it the stage and sets and costumes and the fantastic performances.  She thanks Martha for supporting this wonderful venture, Cyndie and Jesse and Nick for their hours of work and leadership to produce the show you are seeing, and all the cast members and volunteers.  You are wonderful!  Thanks also to Mom for the ballet and piano lessons and all the support, to Mary for getting the tickets to CATS the first time and sharing so many other journeys, to Rolf for going along to CATS the second time and sharing this journey.


Cameron P. (Kittens Crew):  Cameron, age 6, is the youngest kitten on stage. Unless
 you count dramatic performances at the dining room table or in the middle of
the grocery store, this marks his debut stage performance. He worked hard to
prepare for his audition where he sang his favorite song, "My Favorite
 Things." Cameron's favorite thing about being in CATS is when the kitties
 try to take over the big cats. He is in the first grade at the GreenMount
School. 


Kateri P.(Kids Ensemble):  Kateri is returning to Memorial Playhouse for her second
 season as one of the young cats. Last year she delighted audiences as
 Gracie, the Mayor's youngest daughter in The Music Man. A 9-year-old fourth grader at the GreenMount School, Kateri thrills to life on stage and is
already talking about "doing the show again next year!" Besides rehearsals, Kateri can be found jumping on the neighbors' trampoline, listening to Harry
 Potter books on CD, or taking care of her frog who grew from a tadpole.  Her
favorite part of CATS is "Gumbie."


Debby Phinney (Ensemble):  Debby is a long-time supporter of music and theatre and community at Memorial.  She is also a member of the choir at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church across the street.  She was the first music teacher at Midtown Academy where she wrote the “Midtown Song” and developed the movements the students still use.  She also wrote the music and lyrics and performed in The Bolton Hill Revue, the longest-running theatrical production in the neighborhood (most recently from 1978-1994 and next year celebrating the 30th anniversary of its revival), and also in the subsequent brunch musicales.  She has been involved in all the Memorial Players’ musicals.  Thank you for filling in as rehearsal pianist again this year! 


Isabella . (Kittens Crew):  Isabella was seen earlier this month on stage at The Lyric in The Baltimore
Opera Company’s production of Smetana’s The Bartered Bride. She had lots of stage time and a line. Her parents are very proud of her. CATS marks her
third consecutive season with Memorial Players. She would like to dedicate
her performance this year to Lickity and to the memory of her beloved cat
Snowflake.


Bill Roberts (Gus, the Theatre Cat):  Bill Roberts’ theatre experience includes playing one-third of the three-headed troll in The Three Billy Goats Gruff (first grade, Sunset Lane Elementary School).  To quell popular demand, he returns to the stage after an absence of nearly a half-century.  He thanks Jesse, Peggy, and Cyndie for their help and encouragement, and Martha for her vision.


Adele Russell (Jemima):  Adele graduated with a B.A. degree in Radio, TV and Film from the University of Maryland and has trained in various studios in Washington, DC, Maryland, and New York City.  She is a member of the acting unions SAG and AFTRA.  Her most recent role was as Inez in Life X 3 at Fells Point Corner Theatre.  Other favorite roles include:  Frieda/Betty in Sunday in the Park With George, Mama Rose in Gypsy, Maggie in Dancing at Lughnasa, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Alma Winemiller in Summer and Smoke, and Velma Kelly in Chicago.  Adele has acted on TV and in feature films and sung in cabarets and revues.  She is singing partner with fellow CATS cast member, Peggy Dorsey.  Websites:  adelerussell.com and inharmonysings.com


Andy R. (Kids Ensemble):  This is Andy’s third experience in the theater, after two successful turns in The Music Man and Fiddler on the Roof.  Andy was baptized at Memorial Episcopal Church and lived in Bolton Hill until he was one.  He is a fourth grader at St. Paul’s School, where he is an officer in the Lower School Student Council and a member of the vestry.  Andy plays soccer, basketball, and baseball and swims competitively when not reading or mastering the latest game on PlayStation.  He would like to thank my mom, my dad for joining the play, and my sister for being a friend.


Emily Rutherford (Carbucketty): Emily is appearing in her third Memorial Players production.  She was Amaryllis in The Music Man last year and a chorus member in Fiddler on the Roof in 2005.  A lover of all things dramatic, Emily has appeared in several Calvert School plays, attended theater classes and spent a wonderful summer doing film camp. Emily was baptized in Memorial Episcopal Church and lived in Bolton Hill for four years before moving to Homeland, where she lives now.  When not being a drama queen, she is a 7th grader at Calvert School and she swims competitively year round, as well as playing basketball for Calvert and running cross country. She gives a shout out to her “famille,” and a meow to fellow kitties Emma and Kelsey!


Ken Rutherford (The Big Cat/Macavity):  Hollywood beckoned after last year’s breakout theatrical debut in The Music Man (Rutherford’s artistic and multi-layered rendition of Salesman #1 led Director David Lloyd Warner to proclaim “He’s a legend in his own mind!”).  Moguls Harvey and Bob Weinstein secured Rutherford the role of mob boss Frank Costello in 2007’s Academy Award-winning film The Departed.  Alas, Rutherford could not honor the multi-million dollar contract as he had to begin his rigorous, self-imposed, three-session-a-day training regime that included “Finding your inner feline while still retaining your dignity;” “Tail maintenance: it’s not just for the girls;” and “Litter box target practice: pros and cons of distance vs. control.”


Paul Seaton (Bustopher Jones) first appeared on stage as one of the baseball players in Our Town he appeared on again, this time as the White Knight (on a bicycle) in Alice in Wonderland. Paul fell off the bike on opening night during his fight with the Black Knight. The ER doctor pronounced Paul’s bruise from the fall as “the largest hematoma” he had ever seen. Paul thought this experience had ended his thespian career and thus he began a series of day jobs. But his career revived in 2001when he was “called” to be the Director of the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce in Jesus Christ Superstar at Memorial Church. His stunning performance as Potipher in Joseph followed the next year and he then appeared as Stewart Dalrymple in Brigadoon in 2003. Paul took a break from the stage in 2005 and 2006 when he ushered and collected “suggested” donations before, during and after all performances both years. In 2007 Paul wanted to play Bustopher Jones so badly that he actually prepared for months for his audition and begged for the part. He got it and just loves playing a Cat!


John Seeley (Alonzo and Set Designer for CATS):  John is a sculptor and teacher. He has been involved with the theatre since he was in kindergarten, and has participated in the last five Memorial musicals. John wants to thank the 60-odd Jellicle cats he’s played and worked with over the past several months; and the cats who condescended to treat him as a trusted friend, gracing his life throughout the years:  Macavity, Moonbeam, Chester, Little Cat, and Lumos. He also thanks the Pollicle dogs Tasha, Ivan, Tansey, Lillie and Woody for their devotion and care. He is grateful to the very patient St. Hadicha Murat-bekova for her vocal coaching. He thanks his family (father actor/director, mother artist/puppeteer, sisters actresses/artists, and brother actor/playwright) for their creativity, inspiration, love, and support.


Rina Steinhauer (Electra/Dreamgirls trio): This is Rina’s fourth year with the Memorial Players, having appeared as Agnus MacDuffie in Brigadoon, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Ethel Toffelmier (“the Pianola Girl,” one of the Busybody Ladies) in last year’s production of The Music Man. Rina is thrilled to be taking the stage again this year with her daughter, Emma Koramshahi, who is playing Etcetera.


Eric Stewart (The Rum Tum Tugger): Eric began his life on the stage
playing the Butler in his high school musical theater's production of
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  He also played violin
and viola in his high school symphony orchestra for a number of years.  Eric has enjoyed parts such as the Devil, Mr. Applegate in Damn
Yankees and Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain, both
productions by St. Bernadette's Musical Theater in Springfield, Virginia. This is his first show with the Memorial Players. He is
now in his third year at the Maryland Institute College of Art, studying photography.


Barbara Swain (Tantomile, the other twin cat):  Barbara is a long-time member of Memorial Episcopal Church and its choir. She works as an Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland State Retirement Agency.  She has loved being in all the musicals at Memorial Church.  In previous years, she was able to be onstage with one or both of her sons but this year both of them are in college and she has returned for the joy of performing with her fellow thespians (and repairing their costumes!).  Thank you to Martha Macgill for building community by producing these musicals, and to our amazing directors and stage and set designers and the whole production team.  


Catherine Talbott (Ensemble):  Catherine is purring to be in this show after having to drop out of last year’s Music Man at Memorial, due to cancer.  She lives in Hampden with her housemate, a little tortoise shell named Coco.  She sends a special cat hug to her great support team.


Nico T. (Kids Ensemble):  Following his run as a River City kid in The Music Man last year, Nico is delighted to return to the Memorial Playhouse as a Jellicle kitten. Nico entertains family and friends in his tireless endeavors as an actor, writer, musician, stage designer, costumer and special effects supervisor.  Indeed, his home is filled with his abandoned concept installations.  He enjoys all theatrical genres, but is currently exploring the range of opportunity in the spy sci-fi monster thriller arena.  Nico is also developing some fine skills trying to direct his 5 year-old brother.  Nico is 8 years old and completing 2nd grade at Midtown Academy in Bolton Hill.


Louise Toby (Ensemble and Designer of the Stage): When Louise isn't designing the occasional stage, or a kitchen/bath remodel, she designs residential landscapes and sings with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.  She attended her first Memorial Episcopal the day the request went out for volunteers with power tools and she knew immediately that she had been called.  She has never left!  She joined the cast of The Music Man, helped design and build the stage and sets, and this year came back with an even more amazing concept and volunteered even more time to put it into action. Louise designed and made costumes for her high school musical productions, one of which gave her the excuse to attend a performance of “Aida” in San Francisco, where she admits she left part of her heart a long time ago.  Louise stands in awe of the wisdom, love, and talent assembled in this humble place, and is deeply grateful for having found this church.  It is hard to single out any one person for thanks when there are so many, so she directs you to the pages of acknowledgements in the program.  She welcomes her sons, Alex and Laurens, who have given incalculable help to the CATS production.  She thanks John Seeley and David Storey, her eager accomplices.  She sends her California family her abiding love and thanks. 


Cody Tracey (Tumblebrutus/Macavity’s henchman):  Cody is in 8th grade and attends Park School. This is his second Memorial Players production and Music Man of course was the first--He played Winthrop Paroo. Other performance history for Cody includes playing Prince Perviz and The Stream in his 8th grade production of Arabian Nights.  He also played Oberon in a summer production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  That leaves the role of The Frog Prince in a Twisted Fairy Tale version of “The Frog Prince” in his 4th grade production.   In other areas, Cody likes listening to and playing music--He plays guitar and piano. Thanks to friends ‘n family for support .


Madeline T. (Kids’ Ensemble):  Maddie is an enthusiastic member of the chorus for CATS.  Last year she was a River City Kid in Memorial’s production of The Music Man.  Maddie lives in Catonsville, is 10 years old and a fifth grader at The Park School.  Maddie plays the piano, takes ballet, competes on a swim team and plays lacrosse, basketball, and field hockey.  She also loves to knit and do art.  She was in the summer production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Park.  Maddie says hi to friends and family, especially Cate, Maddie, and Emily!!


Caroline McKeldin Wayner (Bombalurina) is a native Baltimorean and has been a CATS! fan since she saw the show on Broadway in 1984. She is the full-time mom of Claire, 6, and Charlie, 4, and is married to Peter Wayner. She sings in an a capella group called “Out Too Late” with Memorial Players Ginny Hornbeck, Bonnie Legro and Beth Ratrie. She thanks everyone in the cast and crew for making this show so much fun!


Denise Weeks Magras (Ensemble):  Denise is a Memorial Sunday School Assistant and loves the Memorial community.  She is the proud parent of Paris Weeks who convinced her it was a good idea to do CATS together--an idea fully supported by her husband, Steve.  An alumnus of Villa Julie College’s Inscape Theater and Northern Arizona University’s theater department, this former thespian had replaced performance on the ground with performance in the air as a flight attendant with American Airlines, until now.  This is her first production with the Memorial Playhouse.


Paris W. (Kids Ensemble):  Paris is a 4th grade student at the Calvert School, where she appeared last year as Annie in the school’s production of Annie.  Also at Calvert she has appeared in Schoolhouse Rock. The Time Machine. Hansel and Gretel in the Big Woods, and Aesop’s Fables.  When not at school or Memorial, Paris can be found playing basketball or cheerleading.  She gets her inspiration for this play from her favorite feline, her cat “Princess.”  This is her first production with the Memorial Playhouse.