The Fantasticks Cast

Robert Arnold is taking the stage in a musical production for the very first time. A musical lover at heart, Rob is frequently heard singing show tunes like "My Shot" from "Hamilton" and other various Broadway numbers while cooking at Sugarpie Bakery & Café, the restaurant he co-owns and operates alongside his beautiful wife, Melissa. They have two wonderful daughters together, Novella (9) and Sybil (6). He was asked by Luanne Krabbe, director, to take the part of El Gallo. When Rob learned his father Lance (Hucklebee) would also be starring in "The Fantasticks", he relented and took on the challenge of playing such a larger-than-life character. As a music lover, Rob always yearned to learn how to play the piano. Since beginning piano lessons with Diane Stadtlander nearly three year's ago, Rob's passion for classical and contemporary music has only grown. He will play "Try to Remember" on the piano shortly before the show begins.

Lila Swenson is a fourteen-year-old going into her freshman year at Belmond-Klemme High School. She was in the One Act plays at school last spring but other than that, this is her first big production. For singing, she has auditioned for Opus Honor Choir and made it every year available. Lila has been a dancer for eleven years and she plans to continue for many more. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Will is a sophomore at Belmond-Klemme High School. Some of his interests include golfing, umpiring, playing baseball, gaming, and researching history. He has been interested in plays and musicals his whole life. When he was younger, he attended acting classes in the Des Moines Playhouse. Will wants everyone to come and enjoy seeing The Fantasticks at the Iowa River Players theater in Rowan on Broadway!

Lance Arnold has farmed southeast of Klemme for 40-ish years (on occasion, profitably). He’s been married to Tish for 39 years and has three grown kids. Two of them, Dr. Bradi and Rob, are on Main St. of Belmond. His other daughter Kelly lives outside of Klemme. His hobbies include gardening, cooking and trips to New Orleans. Lance also get to enjoy his grandkids along with their families on a daily basis (if needed)! His previous experience in theater include high school plays, Klemme Centennial "Our Town" (Editor Webb), and he was in the last IRP Play "Squabbles" (Abe).

Gary returns to the Iowa River Players stage after more than a 10 year hiatus. His last role was the preacher in “The Dearly Departed” , performed in Rowan and in contest in Newton. Our director, Luanne Krabbe and Gary played together in the cute one-act inaugural play of River Players in 2000, “I’m Herbert”. He is excited to be back on the stage in Rowan with song and dance. He has practiced law in Belmond for more than 50 years where he lives with his wife, Susanne. They have two children, Kariin in River Falls, Wi, and Mara who lives part time in both Chicago and Fez, Morocco, and three grandchildren, two in Wisconsin and one in The Netherlands. Gary hopes this show will entertain you, challenge your view of life and inspire you to see even more productions on the Broadway stage in Rowan. He lives by the motto to seek out things to that bring him joy. This role is one that brings him joy. Just a young farm boy looking for the lights.

Greg is an Actor and a bunch of other things which have kept him active in show business for 40 years. He saw the original production of The Fantastics in the mid-1990's. Since then, he has played Henry The Old Actor twice. Greg has performed in many Stage Productions, including several (Amadeus, Much Ado About Nothing) as the Old Actor. Greg has also had a show, with several Renaissance Festivals and various live events and recording sessions. He based the character on the late George Burns and the late NYC Actor, Engel Conrow. Greg has also done a ton of other stuff as himself.

Moli Gerken is a native of Hampton, currently employed at their KwikStar. She is no stranger to the stage, as well as a Jane of many trades behind it. Her theater experience: Franklin, Pythian and Iowa River Players – – acting, directing, managing the stage, designing and building sets, as well as costumes & props, working with lights & sound. Since joining the crew of “Room Service”, the Franklin County Arts Council production in the summer of 2011, she has had the pleasure of being a part of every FCAC production with the exception of 2. Moli is a founding member of the Pythian players who bring Vaudeville back to the Windsor Theatre every October with “An Evening Like It Used To Be“. This is Moli’s 6th appearance on stage in Rowan, with her debut in 2014 as Helen in “Born Yesterday”. Her favorite is “Outlaws, In-laws, & the Christmas Ham” as Bunny, with Big Ethel Satterwhite in “Doublewide Texas” close behind. IRP’s most recent show “Squabbles” offered her a most unique opportunity on the day it re-opened last April, when she traded the nurses dress of her Gestapo style German governess for the coveralls of a Puerto Rican handyman. Her thoughts….. “Everytime I relaxed into Hector’s accent, Mrs Fisher jumped in with hers…got great laughs. It was ssoooo much fun! Kudos to my fellow actors!!! She has volunteered over a decade at YFC Comedy Cafe & Relay for Life for M&D Sound. Moli is currently a board member of the IRP, Windsor Theatre and FCAC.

In August Kendra will be a freshman at Belmond-Klemme High School. She was in the school's one act play Goldilocks on Trial in May. She looks forward to performing more in the future.