Playbill
April 15 – May 3
You Can’t Take It With You is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Run Time: 2 hours with one 20-minute intermission
Advisories: This production contains sudden loud noises and theatrical smoke.
ARTISTS
Director – Melissa Rain Anderson ◊
Co Scenic Designers – Alondra Castro
…and Kenneth Martin ‡
Costume Designer – Lauren T. Roark ‡
Lighting Designer – Miguel J. Santiago
Sound Designer – Chance Beck
Co Voice and Text Directors
…– Katie Cunningham
…and Sammy Pontello
Production Stage Manager
…– Patrick Lanczki *
Assistant Stage Manager
…– Mayson Knipp*
◊ 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.
“How many of us would be willing to settle when we’re young for what we eventually get? All those plans we make…what happens to them? It’s only a handful of the lucky ones who can look back and say they even came close”
Working on this play, I can honestly say, is one of the bright spots in a life in the theater. We have had an incredible journey creating this wacky, wonderful family for you. We have leaned into this material with our full hearts, relishing the language, the spirit and the joy that this play elicits.
You Can’t Take it With You is a Pulitzer Prize winner and considered a true American Classic. It stands the test of time with its specific rhythms and carefully drawn group of individuals. This family loves easily and is easily loved. They welcome all into their home and let people live in their own unique way. They remain curious about life, family and love. It may seem like chaos, but it’s carefully curated and filled with heart. I wonder what the world would look like if more of us lived like they do… We welcome you into the family – enjoy the ride!
Melissa Rain Anderson
Moss Hart (1904-1961) began his career as a playwright, director and producer in 1930 when, with George S. Kaufman, he wrote Once in a Lifetime. Subsequent Kaufman and Hart successes include Merrily We Roll Along, You Can’t Take It With You and The Man Who Came To Dinner, among others. In collaboration with Irving Berlin, he wrote Face the Music and As Thousands Cheer. In solo efforts, he scored personal triumphs with Jubilee, The Great Waltz, Light Up the Sky and Lady in the Dark, which he also directed. His directorial credits include My Fair Lady, Camelot and Winged Victory, which he also wrote. Among his screen credits are A Star Is Born (for Judy Garland), Gentleman’s Agreement, and Hans Christian Anderson (for Danny Kaye). His autobiography, Act One, topped the best-seller list for 40 weeks.
George S. Kaufman (1889-1961) During his early career as a reporter and drama critic, he began to write for the theatre. For 40 years, beginning in 1921 with the production of Dulcy, there was rarely a year without a Kaufman play — usually written in collaboration. His only full-length plays written alone were The Butter and Egg Man and Hollywood Pinafore. A master craftsman of the theatre with a keen eye for comedy and satire, Kaufman was frequently brought in by producers to transform the script of a promising play into that of a hit. He was equally adept in almost all varieties of theatre — social satire, as in Dinner At Eight (with Edna Ferber); revues, as in The Band Wagon (with Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz); musicals, as in the 1931 Pulitzer Prize-winning Of Thee I Sing (with Morrie Ryskind and George and Ira Gershwin), I’d Rather Be Right (with Moss Hart, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart) and The Cocoanuts (with Irving Berlin); and comedies, such as Once In A Lifetime, The Man Who Came To Dinner, and the 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winning You Can’t Take It With You (all written with Moss Hart), The Royal Family (with Edna Ferber) and The Solid Gold Cadillac (with Howard Teichmann). With Morrie Ryskind, he also wrote the screenplays for the Marx Brothers’ films The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers and A Night at the Opera. Mr. Kaufman also directed some two dozen of his own plays plus The Front Page, Of Mice and Men, My Sister Eileen and Guys And Dolls. Mr. Kaufman died in New York City in 1961 at the age of 71.
One of the most popular and successful plays of the 20th century, You Can’t Take It With You is Kaufman and Hart’s hilarious, delightful portrait of a charmingly eccentric family. You Can’t Take It With You opened on Broadway at the Booth Theatre on December 14, 1936. A smash hit, the show ran for 838 performances and returned to Broadway five times, most recently in 2014. That production, directed by Scott Ellis, earned the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for Annaleigh Ashford as Essie.
ACCOLADES
- Winner! 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
- Winner! 2015 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Revival of a Play
- Winner! 2015 Drama League Award for Best Revival of a Play
- Nominee: Five 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play
- Nominee: Two 2015 Drama Desk Awards
This is the fourth time the Clarence Brown Theatre Company has produced You Can’t Take It With You, the first being our production in 1952 that was performed in the Carousel Theatre.
What has it been like serving as costume designer for You Can’t Take It With You?
Designing You Can’t Take It With You has felt like stepping into a joyful love letter to the American theatre. At its heart, the play celebrates family, individuality, and the courage to be guided by one’s bliss. While the world is grounded in the late 1930s, the characters themselves resist convention—they dress entirely for themselves.
How do the costumes contribute to the story?
I approached the design through a lens of “dopamine dressing,” layering unexpected prints, colors, and textures that might feel mismatched elsewhere but feel perfectly at home wit
hin this household. The costumes serve as an immediate storytelling tool: in a play filled with vibrant personalities, they offer clarity and specificity. From the moment each character steps onstage, the audience gains insight into who they are, how they relate to others, and how they move through the world.
Do you have a favorite costume in the show, and why?
I’m especially fond of Alice’s Act II playsuit. Inspired by 1930s leisurewear, it appears to be a dress but reveals built-in trousers — something akin to a modern skort. It’s a garment that feels both historically rooted and surprisingly contemporary, just like this play!
What makes this production special?
You Can’t Take It With You is about chosen family, and our company reflects that idea beautifully. With graduate students, professional guest artists, faculty, and local community members all collaborating, the production becomes a living example of the play’s central values.
What are you most excited for audiences to experience?
I’m most excited for audiences to experience the genuine joy and love that radiate from this family. It’s a reminder of the beauty in embracing one another fully and of the freedom that comes from living authentically.
Melissa Rain Anderson (Director) is excited to be making her Clarence Brown Theatre debut! Regional credits include The Denver Center Theatre Co, Utah Shakespeare Festival, TUTS Houston, Rep. Theater St. Louis, Cleveland Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Westport Country Playhouse, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Geva Theater, Syracuse Stage and Pioneer Theatre Co. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, actor Jim Poulos (tonight’s Mr. Kirby). Melissa is a proud member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association. please visit Melissarainanderson.com
Alondra Castro (Co Scenic Designer) is a second year MFA Scenic Design student here at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her past Scenic Design work includes The Royale (The Jenny Boyd Theatre), How to Defend Yourself (The Lab Theatre), The Colored Museum (BVTA), I and You (Angelo State University), and Bright Ideas (Angelo State University). Alondra also worked in paints and props for two years in Richmond Virginia where she was able to work on a range of productions which included plays, musicals, theatre for young audiences, and small intimate shows. You can see more of her work at alondracastrodesigns.myportfolio.com .
Kenneth Martin (Co Scenic Designer) is the Artistic Director of the Clarence Brown Theatre and Chair of the Department of Theatre. As a member of United Scenic Artists, Ken’s design work has been seen at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre, The New Theatre, The Sacramento Theatre Company, Cleveland Ensemble Theatre, Contemporary American Theatre Company, Ocean State Theatre Company, Surflight Theatre, Theatre by the Sea, Florida Repertory Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, among 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. Professor Martin has actively served his profession as a respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festivals, as a consultant for several regional theaters and through active participation in organizations like the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and University Resident Theatre Association.
Lauren T. Roark (Costume Designer) is the head of graduate costume design in the Department of Theatre at the University of Tennessee. She has previously designed King Charles III, Million Dollar Quartet, Always, Patsy Cline, A Christmas Carol (2021 & 2022) and The Giver at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Select regional credits include Cleveland Play House, Malz Jupiter Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Lauren holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829. To learn more, visit www.laurentroark.com.
Miguel J. Santiago (Lighting Designer) is a Lighting and Projections designer based in Knoxville, TN. He currently is pursuing an MFA in Design with a concentration in Lighting and Projection at the University of Tennessee. Miguel has worked in numerous theatres across the Eastern U.S., some of which include the Clarence Brown Theatre (LORT-D), North Carolina Stage Company, Clayton Performing Arts Center, and Gretna Theatre. You can view more of his work at migueljsantiago.com.
Chance Beck (Sound Designer) is a second-year Sound & Media Design Graduate Student at UT. You Can’t Take It With You is their third show here at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Chance has previously worked on The Harvest, and Failure: A Love Story here at the Clarence Brown Theatre and with the local Tennessee theatre company River & Rail on It’s A Wonderful Life. They come from the University of Southern Mississippi, where they achieved their BFA in Theatre Design & Technology. They are beyond excited to bring this beautiful show to life and have greatly enjoyed the collaborative process with the other incredible artists on this production.
Katie Cunningham (Co Voice and Text Director) has been acting at Clarence Brown Theatre since 2013 and teaching at UTK since 2018, joining the full-time faculty in 2020 with a specialty in voice, speech, and dialects. Katie is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting. Her acting credits include Lady Macbeth, Maria, and Emilia among others at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, plus work with NYC companies (Resident Acting Company, TACT), Asolo Rep, and numerous regional theaters nationwide. As resident voice, text, and dialect coach at CBT, she has also coached for PlayMakers Repertory, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Rep, and Southwest Shakespeare Company among others. Her scholarly work appears in the Journal of Voice, Voice and Speech Review, The Conversation, and IDEA. She is a certified Knight-Thompson Speechwork teacher and PAVA Recognized Vocologist with an MFA from FSU/Asolo Conservatory and BA from UNC Chapel Hill. Member: AEA (since 2010), SAG-AFTRA, VASTA, and PAVA. For Patrick and Paddy, grá mo chroí. www.katiecunningham.com
Sammy Pontello (Co Voice and Text Director) is an actor, voice and dialect coach, and teaching artist based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Currently pursuing their MFA in Acting at the University of Tennessee, they’ve worked regionally with Florida Studio Theatre, Orlando Shakes, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival, and the Clarence Brown Theatre. Past coaching credits include two productions of A Christmas Carol at the Clarence Brown and Romeo and Juliet and Comedy of Errors with Great River Shakespeare Festival. IG: @sjpactor | sammypontello.com
Patrick Lanczki (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back for his 12th season at the CBT and his 10th 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. 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, and the newest member of our family: our son Paddy.
Mayson Knipp (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working her first show as a recent UTK graduate with the Clarence Brown Theatre! Her previous credits include Primary Trust – Forward Theater Company; Hair, Inherit the Wind, Kinky Boots, and Trouble in Mind – the Clarence Brown Theatre; Hamlet and Comedy of Errors – Great River Shakespeare Festival; Assassins – Darkhorse Theatre; The Moors, How To Defend Yourself – The Lab Theatre. She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her, a special thanks to her little sister for working on this show with her, and Patrick for teaching her everything she knows.
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 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 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. 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 twelfth 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
Penelope Sycamore
…– Shinnerrie Jackson*
Essie – Gabrielle Fernandes*
Rheba / US Essie – Amanda King
Paul Sycamore
…– David Brian Alley*
Mr. De Pinna – Doug James
Ed – Steve Sherman*
Donald / US Boris Kolenkhov
…– Parker Rawlins
Martin Vanderhof – Terry Weber*
Alice – Yashashvi Choudhary*
Henderson – Izaiah Ramirez*
Tony Kirby – Clay Cooper*
Boris Kolenkhov – Jed Diamond*
Gay Wellington /
…US Penelope Sycamore
…– CortneyJo Sandidge
Mr. Kirby – Jim Poulos*
Mrs. Kirby – Laura Beth Wells*
Government-Man #1 / US Tony Kirby
…– Calvin Flowers
Government-Man #2 / US Alice
…– Elise Thayn*
Government-Man #3
…– Gideon Rainey
Olga – Carol Mayo Jenkins*
US Rheba, Olga – Alana Mara
US Ed, Donald – Jackson Neilson
US Henderson, Mr. Kirby
…– Michael Higdon
US Gay Wellington, Mrs. Kirby
…– Jennifer Pagnard
* Members of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
David Brian Alley (Paul Sycamore) has been a Lecturer and Artist-in-Residence for the Department of Theatre and Clarence Brown Theatre for 26 seasons, appearing in over 65 CBT productions in that time. Favorite CBT roles include Ed in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime; James Reiss in King Charles III; Crumpet the Elf in Santaland Diaries; Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher; Clown 1 in The 39 Steps; Ludie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful; and Charlie in Stones in His Pockets to name a few. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. davidbrianalley.com
Yashashvi Choudhary (Alice) 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. Rooted in movement and inspired by a lifelong passion for literature, she brings a multidimensional perspective to her work. She’s grateful for all the love and support from the Knoxville theatre community and is excited to graduate this May. Recent credits include: Two Gentlemen of Verona (Sylvia, Lucetta), Sense and Sensibility (Lucy Steele), The Play That Goes Wrong (Joanna/Charles Haversham), A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), and Cry It Out (Adrienne).
Clay Cooper (Tony Kirby) is so excited to be back on the CBT stage for You Can’t Take it With You! You might have seen Clay recently in the CBT production of Inherit the Wind as Bert Cates or as Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility. He holds a B.A in Theatre Education from Appalachian State University, and previous stage credits include: Bright Star! (Jimmy Ray), The Moors (The Mastiff) and The {W}right Sister (Oriville Wright). In his free time he enjoys hiking, cooking and serenading his dog Sophie on guitar. To see what he is working on next, follow his instagram @claycooper11
Jed Diamond (Boris Kolenkhov) has taught acting and the Alexander Technique at UTK since 2005. He has appeared in many roles at the CBT, including Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind and Ebenezer Scrooge 9 times now, each time a joy and privilege. He has also acted at Wheelhouse Theatre Co; The New York Shakespeare Festival; Roundabout Theatre; The Acting Company; Signature Theatre; Arena Stage; Syracuse Stage; etc. Prior to UT, he was founding faculty of the New York Shakespeare Festival Shakespeare Lab and of the Actors Center in NY. He taught at NYU Tisch School of the Arts; Stella Adler Studio; Playwright’s Horizons Theatre School; Fordham University, etc. He is an AmSAT* certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, trained in New York and London. He taught as a guest artist at Chautauqua Theatre Company, Yale School of Drama, Playmaker’s Repertory Theatre, and Great River Shakespeare Festival. He has an MFA from NYU Graduate Acting. *American Society of the Alexander Technique
Gabrielle Fernandes (Essie) is a first-year MFA Acting candidate at UTK/CBT here in Knoxville by way of Los Angeles. She recently made her Clarence Brown Theatre debut as Belle in A Christmas Carol. Other recent credits include: Katherine (Taming of the Shrew), Anne (The East), Hero (Much Ado About Nothing). TV & Film: Revenge for My Mother, Haunted by My Stalker, both with the Lifetime Movie Network and Daydream (short film). Much love to her friends and family!
Calvin Flowers (Government Man #1 / US Tony Kirby) is excited to help bring the wonderful show, You Can’t Take it With You, to life. His prior work with the CBT involves this season’s showing of A Christmas Carol as Barnaby/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. A huge thanks to the cast for their camaraderie and making this show a wonderful experience.
Michael Higdon (US Mr. Kirby, Henderson) is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the W. Allen Separk Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law. Outside the classroom, he has directed and performed with several community theaters in the Knoxville area. He is honored and delighted to be making his CBT debut.
Shinnerrie Jackson (Penelope Sycamore) is an actress and Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Tennessee. She can be seen in 30 Rock and Whit Stillman’s Damsels in Distress. Previous theater productions include Trouble in Mind (Pittsburgh Public Theatre), A Night with Janis Joplin (Arena Stage), Lady Day at Emersons Bar and Grill (Weathervane Theatre/River&Rail Theatre), and Ain’t I a Woman: a one woman show about the heroines of African American history. Shinnerrie is a proud company member of the Clarence Brown Theatre Company and The Weathervane Theatre in New Hampshire.
Doug James (Mr. De Pinna) is thrilled to be returning to the Clarence Brown Theatre. After Doug received his undergraduate degree from UT, he went onto get his MFA in Acting Performance, and his Doctorate in Educational Administration. You may have seen him on the CBT stage in productions of Inherit the Wind (Meeker), Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf), A Christmas Carol (Christmas Present), Tartuffe (Monsieur Loyal), among others, or on community theatre productions of 9 to 5, Beauty and the Beast, Rabbit Hole, God of Carnage, or Romeo and Juliet to name a few. He would like to thank the entire production team for this incredible opportunity!
Carol Mayo Jenkins (Olga) Broadway: The Three Sisters, Philadelphia Here I Come, Oedipus Rex (with John Cullum); There’s One In Every Marriage, First Monday In October (with Henry Fonda); and The Suicide (with Derek Jacobi). Off-Broadway: Zinnia (Drama Desk nomination); Moliere In Spite Of Himself, The Lady’s Not For Burning, Little Eyolf, and The Old Ones. Regional Theatre: MacBeth, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Cymbaline, Love’s Labour’s Lost, As You Like It, The Sea Gull, A Doll’s House, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Pygmalion, Les Liaisons Dangereuse, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf (directed by Edward Albee); Death of A Salesman, Amy’s View, The Retreat from Moscow, Otherwise Engaged (with Dick Cavett); Present Laughter (with Louis Jourdan); Collected Stories, Enchanted April, among many others. Television: Fame (NBC); Another World (NBC); The Garden (CBC); MacBeth (PBS); Happy Endings (NBC); Matlock, Max Headroom, and Nightingales, among others. At CBT: The Glass Menagerie, The Road To Mecca, Trojan Women, The Dresser (with John Cullum), Arsenic and Old Lace, Major Barbara, All My Sons, The Music Man, Moonlight and Magnolias, Fuddy Meers, 4000 Miles, The Trip To Bountiful, Outside Mullingar, The Crucible, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Blithe Spirit and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, among many others.
Amanda King (Rheba / US Essie) is delighted to return to the stage acting in her third Clarence Brown Theatre production. She recently graduated from UTK with a BA of Arts. Amanda recently worked on Sense & Sensibility as a wardrobe assistant, as well as first-hand and stitcher to Neno Russell. She also finished her final undergrad performance as Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Amanda is very grateful for the opportunity to join this production and to spend time with an extraordinary cast and crew. She also wants to extend her thanks to her friends and family for all their support during her time in the theatre.
Alana Mara (US Rheba, Olga) is a Chicago native studying Theatre, Italian, and Meteorology. She is thrilled to be closing out her collegiate acting career with this beautifully off-beat production. You may have seen her as Kara in How to Defend Yourself in the Lab Theatre (2024), A Christmas Carol (2023) as Liza Nubkins and Hair (2023) at the Clarence Brown Theatre, and Schwarzy in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2023) at Oak Ridge Playhouse (and maybe in the future you’ll see her on stage at the academy awards). She thanks you for witnessing her fulfill her dream of being on stage.
Jackson Neilson (US Ed, Donald) is currently enrolled as a junior here at UT as a Theatre major with a concentration in Acting, and a minor in Musical Theatre. Prior credits include Cabaret (Ensemble, Onstage Accordion Player), A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge, Topper, Peter Cratchit, Twyce), Inherit The Wind (Puppeteer), The Play That Goes Wrong (Cornley Crew, U/S Dennis), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd).
Jennifer Pagnard (US Mrs. Kirby, Gay Wellington) After graduating from UTK, Jennifer Lyons Pagnard won a position with The US Air Force Singing Sergeants performing at thousands of events, serving 23 years. In 2015, she retired from the military and continued performing throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Recently, she relocated to Knoxville where she’s a full-time mom and part-time actor/fitness instructor. Favorite past roles: Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd; Princess Puffer, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast; Genie Klein, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical; Sally Slaton, Parade; Miss Jane, Floyd Collins; Sister Aloysius, Doubt-A Parable; Florence, The Odd Couple – Female Version; and Kitty, Perfect Arrangement.
Jim Poulos (Mr. Kirby) Clarence Brown Theatre debut. Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, National Tours and Regional Theatres across the country, including Denver Center, A.R.T., Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cleveland Play House, Geva Theatre Center, Syracuse Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Aspen, Great River Shakespeare Festival and PCPA Theaterfest, where he received his conservatory training.
Gideon Rainey (Government Man #3) is a U.S. Navy veteran who is an attending Theatre student here at the University of Tennessee. After first assisting the Clarence Brown Theatre as an Assistant Stage Manager for multiple shows, he has found a deep passion for being onstage as a character actor. Gideon is thrilled to play the role of Government Man #3 and join his fellow students, friends, and professors onstage in You Can’t Take It With You.
Izaiah Ramirez (Henderson) is a first-year MFA Acting candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is excited to return to the Clarence Brown Theatre stage as Henderson in You Can’t Take It with You. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he previously appeared at the Clarence Brown Theatre as Bob Cratchit in the 2025 production of A Christmas Carol.
Parker Rawlins (Donald / US Boris Kolenkhov) is excited to be returning to the Clarence Brown stage. In addition to his work as an actor, he is also a writer, director, and professor in the field of film. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from Southern Utah University as well as an MFA in Film & Media Arts from the University of Utah. He is grateful to his partner, Ellie, and to his friends and family for their love and support. Onstage credits include Gabe (Next to Normal), Bobby Strong (Urinetown), and the titular role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. www.parker-rawlins.com
CortneyJo Sandidge (Gay Wellington / US Penelope Sycamore) is deeply grateful to return to the stage after a 13-year hiatus. A graduate of Paseo Academy of the Performing Arts, she later studied at American Musical and Dramatic Academy and earned her B.A. in Theatre (Performance) from University of Missouri–Columbia. Favorite roles include Esther (Intimate Apparel), Miss Leah (Flyin’ West), and Dorinea (Monsieur Baptiste), praised by the Columbia Daily Tribune as “wonderfully commanding.” Returning in this season of life feels both brave and joyful, a reminder that the arts never truly leave us; they simply wait for us to come home.
Steve Sherman (Ed) This is Steve’s 14th CBT show. Most recently seen as Max in The Play that Goes Wrong! Other favorite CBT roles include Caleb in The Whipping Man, Patsy in Spamalot!, Leo in 4000 Miles, George in Of Mice and Men, and Jack in The Open Hand. Other favorites include Felix in The Odd Couple and Robbie in Bloomsday. Commercials: American Century Investments (worldwide), BB&T Bank, and Cyberlink. Comedy/improv venues include The Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv and iO West. An undergraduate from Western Washington, he was recognized by The Kennedy Center for acting and writing his play, Brian and Joe. UTK MFA Class of 2016 and now in his eighth year as a lecturer. Favorite role of all is Dad to Will and Ella! All thanks to God, Hana, Melissa, Patrick, and the company of YCTIWY! SteveMSherman.com
Elise Thayn (Government Man #2 / US Alice) is a first year MFA Acting Graduate student from southern Utah. Elise most recently appeared as the Ghost of Christmas Past in CBT’s A Christmas Carol. Before coming to UTK, Elise spent several years as a professional performer and educator, most notably at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Other onstage credits include Prospero (The Tempest) and #00 (The Wolves).
Terry Weber (Martin Vanderhof) is Professor Emeritus of Theatre at UT (retired in 2021 after 31 years). Currently, he is the President of the Board of The WordPlayers, also serving as Interim Artistic Director. He holds a BFA from the University of Washington and an MFA from the University of Alabama. Terry’s acting and text coaching career has taken him to theatres in New York, Seattle, Milwaukee, Louisville, Chicago, Kansas City, Montgomery, Knoxville, Toronto, Orlando, Charleston, Asheville, Cincinnati, Chapel Hill, Washington, DC, Winona, MN, Cedar City, UT, Normal, IL, and Avignon (France). Selected roles at the Clarence Brown Theatre include Brady in Inherit the Wind, Ratchett in Murder on the Orient Express, Chairman in Madwoman of Chaillot, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Larry Morrow in Dream of the Burning Boy, Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher in Peter and the Starcatcher, Sir Jealous Traffick in The Busy Body, Rev. Parris in The Crucible, Marcus in Titus Andronicus, Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Captain Keller in The Miracle Worker.
Laura Beth Wells (Mrs. Kirby) Broadway: Emily Osborn in Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark (original cast). CBT credits include Tina in The Play That Goes Wrong, 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