OUR TOWN Cast

Dennis is thrilled to be appearing in a bucket-list role in this classic play. He last appeared as Rev “Harry” Harrington in Shadowlands at Western Reserve Playhouse. Past shows on other NE Ohio stages include Jekyll & Hyde (Sir Danvers Carew), Something Rotten (Brother Jeremiah), To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus), Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Big Daddy), and South Pacific (Emile). Dennis sends immense thanks to Claudia and Rollin for including him in this very human story, and to Kathleen, for whom he appears in an open-ended run as loving husband and assistant pug wrangler. Welcome to Our Town!

Conor is delighted to return to the stage for the first time since he was in college, and especially so with Summit Hill Players in this beautiful play! Performing with his wife, Lindsay, and son, Noel, makes this production especially sweet. While Conor has not acted in over twenty years, he has directed and assistant-directed various plays at the schools he’s worked at as an English teacher, including his current school, Western Reserve Academy. Thanks so much to Claudia, Rollin, and the production team for giving Conor a chance to act again, and congratulations to everyone involved with the show!

Lisa is so excited to play Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town. She was recently seen in Curtains on the Hudson Players stage. Favorite roles: Denise/Mrs. Perkins in The Play That Goes Wrong; Jodi in The Bikinis; Ensemble/Lady Eugenia in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder; Theresa Lu/Terry Mason in Working, A Musical; Mrs. Phelps in Matilda; Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast; Grace Farrell in Annie; Lady Merrell/Nightingale in Once Upon a Mattress. Thank you to cast and crew for the experience of performing this piece of literature. Love to Dan.

Ryan is very excited to be making his community theater debut with the Summit Hill Players in Our Town. He attends classes, workshops and performs Improv at Imposters Theater in Cleveland, which has prepared him for his first scripted role in Our Town. He works as a Medical Assistant for Apex Dermatology, and in his free time enjoys playing piano and reading. Ryan would like to thank Rollin, Claudia and Angela for putting their trust in him for this role, and to the rest of the cast for their guidance and kindness while preparing for the show!

Alexandra is ecstatic to make her community theater debut in this production of Our Town. She previously played a newsroom girl in the Stagecrafter's camp production of Newsies and Lady Macbeth in Hudson Montessori School's production of Macbeth. She is a fourth-grade student at Ruffing Montessori School. When not acting, she can be found at dance class or on the tennis courts. She also enjoys playing the violin. She would like to thank the O'Sullivans for encouraging her at all steps of preparing for this performance, her teachers Lynn and Max for their understanding at school, and her family for all of their love and support.

Brandt is excited to play Editor Webb in his first production at Summit Hill Players. He recently played in Leiken Productions of a staged reading of Our Town, playing Professor Willard. He was also seen in Waiting for Godot as Estragon, and a staged reading of 12 Angry Jurors. Brandt wants to thank the cast and crew, Jon Leiken, Betsy Werbel, John Sloan, Michelle Federer, Peter Lawson Jones, David Vegh, and the entire team at 1st Team Actors Studio. His biggest gratitude goes to his wife Naomi, daughter Ana, and son Jacob. He dedicates his performance to Jacob’s memory. Never Ever Give Up!

Lin began performing at Near west Theater and is a veteran of over 20 musicals in the Cleveland area alongside her darling son, Vinnie. Our Town is her favorite play! Thank you to Claudia for casting her as Emily and Wally's mother...her best role in life. Favorite shows are Sister Act, CVLT, Sweeny Todd, Geauga Lyric, Godspell and Scrooge at NWT. Welcome to Grover's Corners.

Noel is delighted to join Summit Hill Players for the company’s debut performance of Our Town. During the winter, Noel enjoyed being a member of the stage crew for Hudson Player’s production of Curtains. Last spring, he played Tommy in Aurora Community Theatre’s Matilda the Musical. Previously, Noel acted as Hamlet and Banquo in Acting Up’s “Shakespeare for Kids” productions at Hudson Montessori School, where he is a fourth grader. Noel enjoys school, singing, fencing (and many other sports), reading, and games. He appreciates all the support from family and friends—especially his sister Maisie.

Jessie Pollak is thrilled to be in her first production at Summit Hill Players! Recently, she has been seen in Urinetown at Aurora Community Theater, Diary of Anne Frank at Fine Arts Association, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Twin Masks Performing Arts Center. She recently received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and works as a child therapist in Beachwood. She would like to thank Rollin, Claudia, Angela and the cast for such an incredible experience!

Tim has most recently been seen on stage at Hudson Players productions and Curtains, ensemble, and Something Rotten, Lord Clapham. With a love of theater from the 8th grade, he appeared as Bass in The Highwayman, and in a high school production of The Crucible as Thomas Putnam, and Kurt Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Tim feels blessed to be a part of Our Town with Summit Hill Players, and he hopes you enjoy the show.

Jenny is excited to be included in Summit Hill Players inaugural show. Some of her past favorite characters include, Jeri Neil in Dixie Swim Club, Marla Faye in Savannah Sipping Society, Maureen in Skin Deep, Veronica in God of Carnage, Jean in Good People and Gayle, Marci, Rhonda and Marvalyn in Almost Maine. This is her 14th year performing all over Northeastern Ohio. When not on stage she works with special needs children at Orange Schools. Love you Cinderella, fourth row center

Mark is an original member of CVLT's RSVP Improv troupe, along with scene partners Jenny Barrett and Rollin DeVere. Mark has also performed with Imposters Theatre. He is excited about being included in Summit Hill Player's christening voyage. He and his wife Karen and doggy Sobe live right up the street.

Roland is thrilled to be cast in Summit Hill Players inaugural production of this classic American play. He started acting in KSU’s production of Oliver in 1968 and has since appeared on numerous stages throughout Northeast Ohio. Recent favorites include An Act of God (God) and The Country House (Elliott) with CVLT, Diary of Anne Frank (Otto Frank) and To Kill a Mockingbird (Heck Tate) with Weathervane Playhouse, Glorious! (St. Clair) with the Hudson Players, and A Night With David Ives (Don) with Twin Masks PAC. He lives in the wonderful Larchmere Community of Cleveland with his partner, Jane, and their cats, Poppy and Sugarfoot.

Tommy Kim is very happy to play Howie Newsome in Our Town! Tommy currently attends Andrews Osborne Academy where he spends as much time as he can performing. He has previously done shows with the Willoughby Summer Theater Festival in "12 Angry Jurors" as Juror #7 and funnily enough, "Our Town" as Wally Webb for his debut performance.

Steven is honored to be a part of the Grover's Corners community. He is very thankful and humbled by the support and encouragement of his wife, Brooke, their seven children and the members of his congregation to participate in community theater. This is his debut performance with the Summit Hill Players. Growing up, Steven developed a love for the theater through his parents and brother. His first stage appearance was at 11 years old as Oliver in Oliver. Later, while living on Long Island, he appeared at the Clare Rose Playhouse in The Lillies of the Field (Father Gomez) and in Company (Peter). Recently, he portrayed the Minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress with Euclid’s Silhouette Productions and was a part of the staged workshop production as for the development of David Owen Michaels' INFAMOUS: A New Musical portraying John Ford/John Garrett. Outside of the theater, Steven serves as Pastor of Shore Haven Lutheran Church in Euclid.

John has been involved in live theater since 2014, where he made his debut as Stuart Dalrymple in Brigadoon at Rabbit Run in Madison. Recent roles include Simon Stimson in Our Town, and Murray in The Odd Couple at the Willoughby Summer Theater Festival at Andrews Osborne. He has also performed in several operas with Opera Circle and The Cleveland Opera. "Theater is the best therapy money can't buy!"

Lindsay is excited for her first ever performance with Summit Hill Players. She joins the cast of Our Town along with her husband and son. She recently appeared in Hudson Players productions of Curtains and Something Rotten! and ACT’s Matilda the Musical. Lindsay works in college counseling and college admissions, and she enjoys cycling, cooking, singing, swimming, traveling, consuming too much media, and walks with the family dog. She’s extremely grateful for the support of family and friends, especially her daughter, who hopes to make a stage debut very soon!

Rollin is excited about making his producing debut with his new production group, Summit Hill Players! Its been a great ride putting this show together with this great cast! Rollin's family was paramount in the beginnings of the Chagrin Valley Little Theater since its inception in 1930 to today (94 years!!). Recent shows are CURTAINS and SOMETHING ROTTEN at Hudson Players. Playing drums for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for Willow Creations. Back to back Spamalots-at CVLT, Weathervane and Cassidy Theater. Mr. Lundie in Brigadoon and drums for GREASE at Aurora Community Theater, GODSPELL-Garrettsville, and drums for In The Heights at Geauga Lyric and drums for Joseph ATTD and THE SPONGEBOB E MUSICAL for Mighty Goliath. Coming up, drums for DISASTER THE MUSICAL at the Knight Stage in Akron. He hopes you have a good time tonight visiting Grover's Corners!

Leo was part of Chagrin Falls Intermediate theater. He was also in "Annie", "Jungle Book", " Rats", "Once upon A Mattress ". He Leo loves to play basketball, soccer, and football. Our town is his favorite show.

Henrik is excited to play Si Crowell in his first production with Summit Hill Players. He has appeared as Bundles McCloskey in Annie Jr. and as a chef in The Little Mermaid, Jr. He also ran spotlight as part of the crew for Rats Jr!. Henrik is a 7th grader at Chagrin Falls Middle School.

BREANN ZERBY Is a Findlay native and ONU graduate who just moved to Cleveland in September. She spent 8 wonderful years performing in NYC at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Hair (SOOP), 1st NY reading of A is for Abortion (Dani), and in cabarets around the city. Since returning to Ohio, some favorite roles have included Nunsense (Robert Anne), Harvey (Myrtle Mae Simmons), Godspell (Lindsay), Sound of Music (Sister Margaretta) at The Star Theater, Something Rotten (Lady Clapham/Egg) at CVLT, Tommy (Various) at Fine Arts Association, Anything Goes (Virtue) and Drinking Habits (Sister Mary Catherine) at Independence Community Theater. Many thanks to her everything, Emily Penton!