The Fantasticks Cast

Rob Burns has been involved in community theater since 2004. Of the 14 shows he did with Stone Arch Players over the subsequent 12 years, his favorite role was Tony in ‘Dial M for Murder’ in 2010. He went on to join Mifflin County Community Christmas Musical as George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ and Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol.’ He joined SCCT in 2017, served on multiple production staffs as director and producer, and was elected secretary in 2018. He played Claudius in SCCTs Hamlet that summer, was elected President in 2019, and reprised Claudius with Studio 570 that summer. He debuted at the Boal Barn playhouse as Nick in ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ in May 2019, and reprised his role as Tony in SCCTs production of ‘Dial M for Murder’ that September. Last season, Rob was cast in Molly Howard Is No More, 9 to 5 The Musical, and (the cancelled) Glass Menagerie. He ended the 2021 season as Costumer for Murd-arrr: Pirates of the Salty Dog, and usually fulfills various production staff roles for most shows. Earlier this season, he was seen as Wadsworth in Clue. Rob has worked for BK Medical for 16 years, and lives in Reedsville with his wife, Kerry.

Madeleine Christopher is thrilled to be making her SCCT debut! Previous stage credits include: Gussie (Merrily We Roll Along), Bird Girl (Seussical the Musical), Edith (Alice in Concert) Witch (Into the Woods), and Eponine (Les Miserables).

Al Eburne is a Sophomore at State High who is thrilled to be doing their first show with SCCT! Al has been doing theater for as long as they can remember, doing countless productions with Singing Onstage and State High Thespians, and with Penn State Center Stage in their production of Men on Boats. They have been in shows including Merrily we Roll Along, Seussical, Little Women, Alice in Concert, Side by Side by Sondheim, and many, many more. Al is very excited and very thankful to work with such a wonderful show and fantastic people!

Rob Arnold (Hucklebee): is excited to return to the stage with SCCT this season! Rob was most recently seen in On Golden Pond as Bill Ray. Past roles include: Professor Plum in Clue!, Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!, Ken Gorman in Rumors, Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone, Lord Savage in Jekyll & Hyde, Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, Patsy in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Horton the Elephant in Seussical: The Musical, Jack/Stephanie in Leading Ladies, Juror #7 in Twelve Angry Men, and Albin/Zaza in La Cage aux Folles. Rob is currently serving on SCCT’s Board of Directors. Originally from Pittsburgh, Rob attended Penn State pursuing a degree in English Education, minoring in Theater. When not on stage, he can be found managing the Avantor Stockroom at Penn State or cuddling with his cat on the couch! Rob would like to thank his friends, and Zac, for their continued love and support.

Alex Mika is a professional ear wiggler and amateur cat trainer. He has been playing the piano since he was five years old, and enjoying doing so since he was ten. His most recent theatrical works include two one-man musical comedies: "Piano Is Not My Forte" and "Major Issues." He is thrilled to be a part of this production.

Over the years, Rod has enjoyed being in several shows with SCCT and Nittany Theatre at the Barn. When Rod is not advising the Federal Reserve or monitoring elections in Kenya or skydiving in Provence, he and wife Beth and two border collies lead a quiet life in Oak Hall. Their self-supporting(!) daughters have gone on to more exciting places. Rod has been known to embellish his bio with misleading information.

Jared Kehler has been dying to be a part of “The Fantasticks”, but who knew that would have been taken so literally! Graduating from Penn State with a Film-Video degree in 2019, he decided to stay in State College for a couple of extra years. As a student, he was involved in SCCT’s “Jekyll & Hyde” (2015), “The Wedding Singer” (2016), and was Charlie Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (2017). Last season he was involved in “Barefoot in the Park” (2021) and “9 to 5: The Musical” (2021). Currently serving as the Vice President of SCCT, Jared was both the Undercover Cop and Backup Cop in “Clue”, and Charlie Martin in “On Golden Pond” earlier this season. He feels incredibly honored to have been acting in every mainstage show this season, and he hopes you have a “fantastick” time!

Jerry wrote and produced three full length musicals, “Arthur & Merlin”, “Ever yours, Vincent”, and “Holmes! The Musical” at the Boal Barn Playhouse. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Retired Writer, TV producer/Director/Editor, Penn State Public Broadcasting, 1995-2010. Past President, Penn State Centre Stage. Board Member, State College Community Theatre. Producer, “Happy Valley’s Got Talent” to benefit the Tides Program in 2011-2019 at The State Theater. Author of poetry, short stories, one-act plays, and the juvenile novel, “The Dragon Legend of Wah”.