PLAYBILL
APRIL 16 – MAY 4
ARTISTIC TEAM
Director – Hunter Foster ♦
Scenic Designer – Sophie Smrcka
Costume Designer – Alex Heder
Lighting Designer – Todd Wren ‡
Sound Designer – Allison Bucher
Fight Director/Choreographer – Jeb Burris ♦
Voice and Text Director – Katie Cunningham
Production Stage Manager – Patrick Lanczki *
Stage Manager – Sadie DeSantis *
Artistic Director, Department Head – Kenneth Martin
Managing Director – Tom Cervone
Production Manager – Susan L. McMillan
♦ The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
‡ Represented by United Scenic Artists, local USA-829 of the IATSE.
* Members of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Run Time: 2 hours with one intermission
Advisories: Includes rude humor, mild language, and brief simulated violence including gun shots and weapons (2 swords, a pistol and a shotgun).
Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, and Henry Lewis
Jonathan, Henry, and Henry met while training at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). All core members of Mischief Theatre, they had already worked in comedy together for several years before they started out as a writing team. The three’s first piece was ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (winner – Best New Comedy – Olivier Awards and What’s On Stage Awards). The show started out on the London and Edinburgh fringe before touring the UK and internationally and then returning to the West End in September 2014, where it is still running. It has been performed in over 20 other countries around the world. ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ was the trio’s second piece, opening in November 2014 for a UK tour before a hugely successful West End season in Christmas 2015. Henry, Henry, and Jonathan recently adapted the script of ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ for the BBC, which was filmed with the original West End cast and broadcast to rave reviews on New Year’s Eve. They were invited back to wreak more havoc at the BBC in 2017 with ‘Christmas Carol Goes Wrong’ on BBC1. ‘The Comedy About a Bank Robbery’ marks their third writing project as a trio and earned them another Olivier Nomination. @mischiefcomedy and mischieftheatre.co.uk
The wonderful thing about The Play That Goes Wrong is that it’s so relatable to audiences. Almost anyone who has attended an event, a wedding, or a birthday party, has witnessed something planned go horribly wrong. At my own wedding, my wife and I went to cut the cake, and as soon as we posed for a picture, the entire cake came tumbling down leaving us both covered in frosting. We were horrified, but we had a big laugh, as did everyone at the wedding. We still talk about this memory to this day. It made us laugh because it was so unexpected. People can’t seem to get enough of watching “things go wrong”.
The Play That Goes Wrong highlights an evening where a British community theatre known as the Cornley Drama Society attempts to put on H.K. Brideswell’s The Murder At Haversham Manor. But the production is a bit beyond their means, resulting in a disastrous evening for their Players. As someone who has been actor, director and writer, many of these “disasters” hit very close to home. In 2014, I performed on Broadway in the musical, The Bridges Of Madison County, and in the first scene, I was preparing my family to go on a road trip to Indiana. I am singing a song called, “Home Before You know It” to my wife in the show, Kelli O’Hara. I am packing a cooler with food, chips and soda. The last thing I was supposed to do was to take out a bag of “ice” (they were plastic cubes) from the freezer. Low and behold, one night, someone forgot to tie the bag, so when I took it out, the little plastic cubes went everywhere, all over the stage. Kelli, myself, and the two actors playing our children spent the rest of the song trying to pick up over 100 cubes scattered across the stage. The audience knew it went wrong, and gave us a thunderous applause when we finally cleaned up all the ice.
Though there is much to laugh at in The Play That Goes Wrong, the most important thing is to tell a good story that makes sense for our actors and our audiences. In rehearsals, we approached it as we would approach any play, with discussions of each character, and their wants, needs and objectives. By this exploration we created backstories that weren’t necessarily on the page, and that led us to fully flesh out how these characters would respond to the evening’s misfortunes.
Most mishaps in life happen in front of small groups of people, but for the Cornley Drama Society, it’s in front of a live audience. You, as a patron, are also an important character in this play, so don’t be afraid to laugh, enjoy yourself and, when necessary, respond to our Players as they stumble their way through The Murder At Haversham Manor!
1. How many years have you been working in theatre?
I’ve been involved in theatre for 24 years. I started working professionally in 2004 at Meadow Brook Theatre in Oakland, Michigan.
2. What do you do as CBT’s Technical Director?
I serve as a liaison between multiple groups, including designers, production staff, students, and ultimately the audience. My role is to bring scenic designs to life by ensuring they are practical, safe, and achievable within the given budget and time line. I work closely with undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them through the technical aspects of scenic construction. Sometimes, this means helping them realize their own designs; other times, it involves teaching them the principles of technical theatre — problem-solving, adapting designs for real-world execution, and working collaboratively in a production environment. My job bridges the gap between creative vision and physical reality, making sure that what’s imagined can be safely and effectively built for the stage.
3. Why is working on this production different from other shows you have been a part of?
‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is incredibly challenging because of all the technical tricks involved. There were a lot of unknowns going into the build that needed to be figured out. Fortunately, other technical theatre professionals have shared how they tackled similar problems, which made researching solutions easier. Some productions can be straightforward — just flats and platforms — but we always seek challenges, and this show almost has too many!
4. How does your work contribute to the storytelling? Can you give an example?
For this production, we have a platform that “goes wrong.” To support the story that everything is falling apart, I had to engineer a way to safely drop actors in two separate movements from different heights. When the audience sees the floor break onstage, they will truly believe that the show is spiraling out of control.
5. Do you have a favorite farcical moment in this show?
I still laugh — and always will — at the moment when the actors get lost in the script and stumble round and round through several spit takes.
6. What has been the most rewarding part of working on this production?
I usually get to work closely with my better half (Christy Fogarty), who is the prop shop supervisor, but on this show, we’ve had even more opportunities to collaborate. It’s been rewarding to support each other and problem-solve together throughout the production.
7. What do you hope audiences will take away?
I hope that our audience members leave the theatre smiling.
Artistic Team
Hunter Foster (Director) Most recent directing credits include A Little Night Music starring Kathleen Turner and Little Shop Of Horrors starring Latrice Royale – both at the Ogunquit Playhouse. He adapted, co-wrote and originally directed Clue: On stage which has become one of the most produced plays in the U.S. In 2018, he directed The Other Josh Cohen off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in NYC, and was named “Director of the Year” by the Wall Street Journal for his productions of 42nd Street at the Bucks County Playhouse, and The Drowsy Chaperone at the Goodspeed Opera House. He is an Artisitc Associate at the Bucks County Playhouse where he has directed The Bridges of Madison County starring Kate Baldwin and The Rocky Horror Show starring Frankie Grande, Grease, Noises Off, White Christmas, Clue, 42nd Street, Guys & Dolls, Company, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Buddy Holly Story, National Pastime, Summer of ’42, Million Dollar Quartet, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life. Other directing credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone, A Christmas Story, A Connecticut Christmas Carol (Goodspeed); Million Dollar Quartet (Paper Mill); Once, Cabaret, My Fair Lady, The Foreigner, Clue, Million Dollar Quartet (Cape Playhouse); Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, The Crossword Play, Our Town, Guys & Dolls, Give Em Hell Harry (Theatre Aspen); Clue (Utah Shakespeare theatre); Rent, God of Carnage (Redhouse); Grease (North Carolina Theatre); Spamalot (Casa Manana); The Other Josh Cohen (Geva Theatre); A Little Night Music, Parade (ATG); Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast (Western Carolina University); Elf (Northern Michigan University); and Into The Woods (Nazareth College); and he has directed over 25 productions around the country of Million Dollar Quartet for such esteemed theaters as Center Rep (Theatre Bay Award for Best Director), The Paper Mill Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Geva Theatre and St. Louis Rep. Graduate of the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre program.
Sophie Smrcka (Scenic Designer) was born and raised in Colorado, and graduated from the University of Denver in 2022, with B.A.s in Theatre and Communications. This will be Sophie’s final show as a graduate student at the University of Tennessee. Previously her scenic designs have been seen in shows like Anon(ymous), and The Moors. Most recently her work was seen in Inherit the Wind, as the projections and puppet designer. More of her work can be found at smrckadesigns.com or on Instagram @smrckadesigns. Enjoy the show!
Alex Heder (Costume Designer) is completing his third year as a Costume Design MFA candidate at UTK, where he will graduate in May 2025. Alex’s work spans a range of productions, with The Play That Goes Wrong being his seventh realized production. Outside of design he is also an accomplished costume technician with a list of skills ranging from millinery to blacksmithing. In the fall of 2025, Alex will begin his new role as the Costume Design and Technology Lecturer at the University of North Texas, where he will continue the proud traditions and skills that he learned here in Tennessee. His portfolio, both design and technology, can be viewed at www.alexheder.com
Todd Wren (Lighting Designer) is the Associate Professor of Lighting Design and Technology for Florida State University School of Theatre. He is a working professional Lighting Designer and has designed more than 300 productions across the country. In 2022, Todd designed the Off-Broadway production of Mr. Parker, a new play by Michael Mckeever and directed by Joe Brancato, and Breath and Imagination, directed by Geovany Jones, at The Penguin Repertory Theatre. Other New York City credits include The Sabbath Girl (59e59), The Fall to Earth (59e59), A Dash of Rosemary (Pantheon Theatre), Harry and Pep (Center Stage), and SeXurity (IRT). World premiere productions include Stand by Your Man, starring Grammy Award winner Jim Lauderdale and directed by Gabriel Barre; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, conceived and choreographed by Chase Brock; and Turned Funny, directed by Fred Chappell. Todd Wren is a vested member of IATSE/United Scenic Artist #829 and an ETCP certified Entertainment Electrician. Todd serves on the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Lighting Commission and is the Lighting Lab Coordinator for the Seatle 2024 convention.
Allison Bucher (Sound Designer) is from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is currently finishing her third year as an MFA Candidate in Sound and Digital Media Design at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is set to graduate in May 2025. She has previously earned a BFA in Theatre: Design and Technology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Recent sound design credits include The Giver and Men on Boats at the Clarence Brown Theatre; The Burn Vote, A Case for the Existence of God, and Fun Home at River and Rail Theatre Co. More of her work can be found at www.allisonbucher.com
Katie Cunningham (Voice and Text Director) is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting at UTK. As an actor, she has appeared on a host of stages in New York and across the country, including multiple seasons at Utah Shakespeare Festival; Asolo Rep; and many productions at Clarence Brown Theatre since 2013 (resident acting company, most recently as Mrs. Helen Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express). Recent voice, text, and dialect coaching includes PlayMakers Rep; Great River Shakespeare Festival; and many productions at Clarence Brown Theatre as the resident Voice and Text Director. Katie is a Certified Teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork and a PAVA Recognized Vocologist. Her writing, expert commentary, and peer-reviewed research have been published in The Journal of Voice, The Voice and Speech Review, The Conversation, and The Huffington Post. MFA Acting, FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training; BA, UNC Chapel Hill. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2010, SAG-AFTRA, VASTA, and PAVA. www.katiecunningham.com
Jeb Burris (Fight/Movement Director) is new to Knoxville and UT as an Assistant Professor of Movement. Jeb is an Actor, Fight Director, Intimacy Director, Movement Director, and Director who has worked on over 75 professional productions. When not teaching, he is the Director of Movement at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. His work has been seen around the country in places like Portland Center Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, American Players Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Company, to name a few. Jeb holds an M.F.A From Illinois State University and trained with Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company in the U.K.
Patrick Lanczki (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back for his tenth season at the CBT and his eighth as Production Stage Manager. His regional stage management credits include five years as resident stage manager at Asolo Repertory Theater, as well as multiple seasons at Arkansas Repertory Theater, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Northern Stage, and several Off-Broadway productions. As an actor, starting at age 16, he has appeared in numerous national and international tours, including seven tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, television, movies, and voiceovers. A special thanks to my stage management team: Simone, Rachel, Gideon, Emily, Ada, Ben, and Maggie for all their hard work on this production. Patrick has been a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association since 1984 and dedicates his work on this production to his family. AHFOL to Katie, my best friend, favorite actress, and wife.
Sadie DeSantis ( Stage Manager) currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Stage and Production Management and Production Manager at Coastal Carolina. #GoChants! Before joining the faculty at Coastal Carolina, she was the Director of Production and Head of the Stage Management MFA graduate program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City for 7 years. She serves as a freelance stage manager and has production experience in concerts, ballet, opera, musical theatre, outdoor production, and corporate galas. After attending the University of Pittsburgh–Johnstown where she obtained a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in English Literature, she earned her MFA in Theatre Design and Technology (Stage Management) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has worked for numerous companies including Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Mountain Playhouse, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, New Theatre Restaurant, and Des Moines Metro Opera. Ms. DeSantis was the production stage manager for a brand new production of Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Anneliese van Der Pol in Fort Worth, Texas for the inaugural season of Prism Theatrics. Ms. DeSantis was the stage manager for A Christmas Carol at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. In 2018, Ms. DeSantis co-founded Opera 180 in Kansas City. She is a member of the Stage Managers Association where she is the Regional Representative for the Carolinas Area. While working in the SMA, she was an interim Co-Regional Director for the Central Region. A Proud Member of Actors’ Equity Association, Ms. DeSantis is part of several committees and was a delegate to the first National Convention.
Kenneth Martin (Department Head, Artistic Director) Ken comes from the University of Missouri, at Kansas City, where he was the Patricia Mcllrath Endowed Professor and Chair of the Theatre Division. His 26-year career in academia also included nearly 18 years serving as chair of the theater departments of Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina and Ashland University in Ohio. Tremendously successful as an administrator at both institutions, Martin navigated curricular revisions and development, managed resources effectively and efficiently, created innovative collaborations, cultivated significant enrollment growth, and forged international partnerships. A member of United Scenic Artists, his designs have been seen at theatres across the country including Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, New Theatre, Ohio Light Opera, Cleveland Ensemble Theatre, Ocean State Theatre and many others. He has also designed shows for many colleges and universities including Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Coastal Carolina University, Cuyahoga Community College, and The Ohio State University. Martin has actively served his profession as a respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, as a consultant for several regional theaters and through active participation in organizations like the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Educational Theatre Association and the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
Tom Cervone (Managing Director) Tom is grateful and honored to serve the Clarence Brown Theatre as Managing Director. Cervone has also served as executive director for both Dogwood Arts and the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation, but the CBT/UTK Theatre Department is Tom’s administrative and artistic home. Cervone arrived in Knoxville in 1989 as an MFA candidate in acting and was hired in May of 1993 as the company manager, then promoted to managing director in 1995. And for his brief foray downtown, Tom has been in this chair, blissfully, ever since. Tom is and has been very active within the UTK community, having served as Exempt Staff Council chair for many years, co-chair of the LGBT Commission, a member of the Diversity Council and many other UTK organizations. Cervone is a long-time board member of the WordPlayers and continues to evangelize on behalf of the art and culture community locally and nationally. Tom received the Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Service to the University in 2010. Cervone holds his undergraduate degree in Speech and English Education with an emphasis in Theatre from West Liberty University in West Virginia and a Master of Fine Arts and an MBA from UT. He is a graduate of and was selected as the Class Representative of the Leadership Knoxville class of 2011, the best class ever. Cervone was inducted into his undergraduate alma mater’s class of 2015 Wall of Honor and was appointed by the Governor of WV in 2021 to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of WLU.
Susan L. McMillan (Production Manager) is in her eleventh year as Production Manager at the CBT and UT Department of Theatre. In addition, she teaches Stage Management. Prior, Susan was the Production Manager and Stage Management Instructor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, for 6 years. Susan is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, and was a Stage Manager at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for 18 years. Additionally, she has stage managed at the Guthrie Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage, PCPA, Rogue Valley Opera, Portland Civic Theatre, and has toured to the Kennedy Center. Through science (B.S. degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from Oregon State University) and music (cellist), Susan found her way into theatre (Minor in Theatre from OSU). She is incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and adventures along the way, inspirational mentors, artistic and talented colleagues, amazing students, and the love and support of her family and friends. And very grateful for Molly – woof! This season is fully dedicated to her beloved, beautiful, and deeply missed mother, Grace – a shining light forever.
The Cast
Laura Beth Wells *
Tina
Steve Sherman *
Max / Cecil Haversham / Author
Denzel Dejournette *
Robert / Thomas Colleymoore
Gabriela Bulka *
Sandra / Florence Colleymoore
David Brian Alley *
Dennis / Perkins
Sammy Pontello *
Chris / Inspector Carter
Yashashvi Choudhary *
Joanna / C. Haversham
Molly Brennan
Annie
Izzy Monti-Chapple
CDS Stage Crew / US Tina
Cole Clemmons
CDS Stage Crew / US Max
Joseph Coram
CDS Stage Crew / US Robert
Brooke Premo
CDS Stage Crew / US Sandra
Jackson Neilson
CDS Stage Crew / US Dennis
Jacob Leon
CDS Stage Crew / US Chris
Mia Inez Hayes
CDS Stage Crew / US Joanna
Aliah Mahalati
CDS Stage Crew / US Annie
David Brian Alley (Dennis/Perkins) is pleased to be a part of a production that’s not A Christmas Carol or Murder on the Orient Express after two seasons of doing both! He was last seen on the CBT stage as Jacob Marley/Old Joe this season in the former. David has now appeared in 60+ CBT Productions. David recently appeared in a feature film shot in Knoxville, Angel of Light, which had its premiere at the SOHO International Film Festival this past September in New York. It also screened locally in November at Film Fest Knox, and in December at San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival where it earned Best Drama honors. David is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. He is married to his beautiful wife, Jill; is a dad to his favorite “productions” of all-time, Devin and Caroline; and he plays stepdad to fabulous Abby and Ethan Flowers! David dedicates this performance to long time friend Dennis Perkins. No, really. davidbrianalley.com
Molly Brennan (Annie) is thrilled to be a part of this production. A recent graduate of UT, she appeared as Brandi in How to Defend Yourself, and Huldey in The Moors at the CBT Lab Theatre. She thanks her family, friends, and teachers for their infinite support and knowledge. She is grateful to this incredible cast and crew, and feels honored to work alongside such talented and dedicated individuals. She also gives thanks to Shields, Sayer, and Lewis for this hilarious play. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Gabriela “Gabi” Bulka (Sandra / Florence Colleymoore) is delighted to return to CBT’s stage for this hilarious production! She was recently seen as The Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol on the CBT main stage and as Jessie in Cry It Out at The Lab Theatre. She is deeply grateful to her family, friends, cast and crew and the UT Theatre Department for their continuous support. A special thank you to our director, Hunter, for letting us PLAY. Enjoy the show!
Yashashvi Choudhary (Joanna / C. Haversham) is an MFA Acting student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She comes from the capital of her country New Delhi, India where she received her B.A. (honours) in English Literature from the University of Delhi. She is a trained Belly dancer and a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Recent credits include: A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), Cry It Out (Adrienne) and The Giver (Rosemary/Ensemble).
Cole Clemmons (CDS Stage Crew / US Max) is a first-year Economics student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This will be his second production with the Clarence Brown Theatre. Most recently, Cole played Phil / Juror / US Howard in Inherit the Wind, Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and ensemble in Grease. He is extremely grateful for the opportunity to take part in this incredible show!
Joseph Coram (CDS Stage Crew / US Robert) is in his final semester here at UT and is very excited to be taking his final bow as an undergraduate student here at the Clarence Brown Theatre with this show and this company of actors and crew members. For all four years of his college career, Joseph has participated in 16 different shows at the Clarence Brown, working as a Light Board operator and Programmer on some, performing in others, and even being an Assistant Lighting Designer for one. Each and every one of these shows and all of the people he has met and worked with have helped shape and mold the path that he plans to take as he leaves Knoxville after graduating, and he is excited to see what his future in Musical Theatre and Lighting Design will bring. He would like to thank his parents and little sister for helping push him to be the best he can be, his vocal coach, Coke Morgan, for helping him to keep his mechanism in tip top shape, Kenton Yeager for sharing the secrets of Lighting Design with him, Travis Gaboda for putting up with all of his antics, Kaylin Gess for sparking his love for lighting, and Jed Diamond for helping him to expand his acting abilities.
Denzel Dejournette (Robert / Thomas Colleymoore) A man living out his wildest dreams through storytelling www.denzeldejournette.com
Mia Inez Hayes (CDS Stage Crew / US Joanna) is so incredibly excited to be a member of the Cornley Drama Society in this production as her third show this season with the Clarence Brown. Her previous credits include Fan (A Christmas Carol ’23), Pat (Kinky Boots), Mercy Miggot (A Christmas Carol ’24), and most recently a member of the ensemble in Inherit the Wind. Closing out her junior year at UTK, she’s grateful for all the memories and hopes to make even more next year! IG: @mia.inez012
Jacob Leon (CDS Stage Crew / US Chris) is a junior studying Acting at UTK. In most recent CBT productions, he played in A Christmas Carol as Twyce and in The Giver as Asher. He’s grateful for his supportive friends and family, and he’s absolutely stoked to be part of such an amazing show that hopefully only goes wrong in the intended ways!
Aliah Mahalati (CDS Stage Crew / US Annie) is a senior at the University of Tennessee, graduating in May with degrees in Theatre and Political Science. She began working in theatre in Knoxville in 2020, and has been in productions with All Campus Theatre, the Clarence Brown Theatre, and Tennessee Stage Company. Some of her favorite roles in the past few years have been Jeanie and Tribe in Hair, #7 in The Wolves, Nasreen and Belen in Anon(ymous), Sampson in Romeo & Juliet, Sally (performed U/S) in Knoxville, and the Radio Man in Inherit the Wind. The Play That Goes Wrong has been one of Aliah’s dream shows for years, and she is so happy for the opportunity to work on this production with this director, cast, and crew. Aliah would like to thank her friends, professors, castmates, and crewmates for everything they have taught her and for all the wonderful experiences she has had with them over the past years. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Izzy Monti-Chapple (CDS Stage Crew / US Tina) is an undergraduate student at UT studying Journalism and Theatre. This is her first time being on stage at the CBT, and she is beyond excited to perform. Off stage, Izzy can be found absorbed in a good book, dashing around campus to get to her next appointment, or working backstage on other main stage productions. Izzy would like to thank her Theatre teachers, parents, and friends for supporting her in pursuing her passion.
Jackson Neilson (CDS Stage Crew / US Dennis) is delighted to be in The Play That Goes Wrong! He is currently enrolled as a sophomore Theatre major at the University of Tennessee, and is pursuing an Acting concentration. Prior credits include CBT’s Inherit the Wind (Organ grinder / Puppeteer / Reporter / Scientist), A Christmas Carol ’24 (Peter Cratchit / Dick Wilkins / Ensemble / U/S Young Scrooge / Topper); A Christmas Carol ’23 (Young Scrooge, Topper, Businessman 3, U/S Christmas Future), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Judah), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd). Jackson is beyond thrilled to be back with the CBT once again!
Brooke Premo (CDS Stage Crew / US Sandra) is thrilled to join the cast of The Play That Goes Wrong! She was recently seen in the CBT production of Inherit the Wind, A Christmas Carol, and Kinky Boots. Brooke would like to thank Hunter Foster, the talented cast, and crew for making this an astonishing experience. Also, to her friends and family for their love and support.
Sammy Pontello (Chris / Inspector Carter) is an MFA Acting Candidate at UT and is thrilled to be returning to the Clarence Brown Theatre community. Originally from Central Florida, they’ve worked with Florida Studio Theatre and Orlando Shakes as an actor, teacher, and advocate of new plays, as well as at the Texas Shakespeare Festival as an actor and teaching artist. Previous CBT: Bob Cratchit, A Christmas Carol; Man #1, Knoxville; Richard Bailey/Paddington, Kinky Boots. IG: @sjpactor | sammypontello.com
Steve Sherman (Max / Cecil Haversham / Arthur) is excited to tread the boards again in his thirteenth CBT production. He received his MFA at UTK (class of 2016) and is in his seventh year as a lecturer in acting. Favorite CBT roles: Caleb in The Whipping Man, Patsy in Spamalot!, Leo in 4000 Miles, George in Of Mice and Men, and Jack in The Open Hand. Others favorite roles include Felix in The Odd Couple and Robbie in Bloomsday. Steve has worked on camera in films and commercials including a worldwide comedic golf commercial for American Century Investments last year. As a standup and improviser, he has performed at The Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv and iO West. An undergraduate of Western Washington University he was nationally recognized by The Kennedy Center for his play, Brian and Joe. Favorite role of all is Dad to Will and Ella! Thanks to God, Hana, Ken, Tom, Hunter, Patrick, and the cast and crew of PGW! SteveMSherman.com
Laura Beth Wells (Tina) Broadway: Emily Osborn in Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark (original cast). CBT credits include Jessie in Knoxville, Trish in Kinky Boots, and Patsy Cline in Always… Patsy Cline. LB has also been seen locally at River and Rail Theatre as Alison Bechdel in Fun Home and Annie in In The Next Room. Regional credits include: Asolo Rep Theatre, Bridge St Theatre, CT Rep, AZ Theatre Co, Hangar Theatre, NC Theatre. Teaching Artist/Directing credits include: UTK, Maryville College, TSC/Knoxville Shakespeare, Pellissippi State, Knoxville Children’s Theatre, SF Shakespeare Festival, Hangar Theatre, Cornell University, Syracuse University, SUNY Binghamton. LB holds a BA in Theatre from UTK and an MFA in Acting from Kent State. Love you, Tiny Family, and Sing Out, Louise! For more info, go to www.laurabethwells.com or follow on IG: @thelbwells
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