C A S T  

Raynelle	.....	SHELLY HIGGINS HUGHES
Delightful, Nadine	.....	ZOIE MATTHEW
Ray Bud	.....	BILL WHITE
Junior	.....	KENNY LOGSDON
Suzanne	.....	BRANDY HILBOLDT ALLPORT
Marguerite	.....	BROOKS ANNE HAYES
Royce	.....	MICHAEL FRITTON
Rev. Hooker	.....	EDWARD KRAMER
Veda, Lucille	.....	SKYLA DAWN LUCKEY
Norval, Bud	.....	FRED GATLIN
Clyde, Joy of Life Singer	.....	JOE WALZ
Juanita	.....	TERESA ARNOLD-SIMMONS
Merline Depew	.....	RACHEL CLIFTON
Joy of Life Singer	.....	AMBER HOLLAND
Joy of Life Singer	.....	DEBORAH HURM
Joy of Life Singer	.....	LISA LeGRANDE
Joy of Life Singer	.....	JESSICA PALOMBO
Joy of Life Singer	.....	NEAL THORBURN
Joy of Life Singer	.....	CHRIS VALADE

Teresa Arnold-Simmons (Juanita) This is Teresa’s debut at Theatre Jax and she is thrilled to be on stage with such a talented cast and crew and under the direction of a fabulous director. A native of SC until her move here in July 2006, her prior theatrical performances include Lucky Stiff (Dominique), The Music Man (Ethel Toffelmeier), Beauty & the Beast, The Wiz, The Women (Crystal), and Bye Bye Birdie. Teresa is a graduate of Theatre Jax’s Acting for Adults and currently undertakes private instruction and acting workshops from The Acting Coach – Cindy Hogan. Teresa obtained a BA in English and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina (THE USC) and is a partner in the law firm Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer. She thanks her wonderful husband Kory and her daughters, Rhyan & Kendall, for their love, support, patience, and the Juicy Fruit. Brandy Hilboldt Allport (Suzanne) is thrilled to be a part of the tradition that is Theatre Jacksonville— for a second time. TJ audiences last saw her on the boards here as Patsy in Silent Heroes. Brandy has appeared in numerous stage productions throughout the Southeast and in several independent films. Other recent favorite roles include Becky Sue in Polyphony (Ninth and Main); Jill in Accidental Felon (Players by the Sea); and Phyllis in Seven Menus (Wilson Center Studio Stage). Brandy would like to thank her husband and family, and of course, as always, Margie Benson. Michael Fritton (Royce) has a B.F.A. in Theatre Education from Jacksonville University. He is employed by The Bolles School where he is the Lower School Fine Arts Coordinater, and the Drama Director on the Bartram and Whitehurst Campuses. Michael is also well known in the British Virgin Islands where he writes, records and performs Calypso Music under the name of "Lord Landcrab". He is a member of the Florida Association of Theatre Educators and a co-founder of the British Virgin Islands High School Drama program. He would like to thank his wife Wanda, and his son Daniel for their support in his continual "crazy endeavors". Fred Gatlin (Norval, Bud) is very pleased to be making his first appearance at Theatre Jacksonville. He recently played Wilson the handyman in the Orange Park Community Theater production of “Whose Wives Are They Anyway?” Fred said that was one of his favorite roles, and took great pride in making the character his own. He has previously performed in many comedy murder mystery plays at various locations such as Professor Plum’s and Dave & Busters in Jacksonville. His forte is in role-playing different characters with a comedic twist. Fred loves to laugh, and is especially delighted if he can inspire others to laugh. He is always helpful to his fellow actors, and shares their love of participation in acting. He is currently taking lessons to play classical guitar music. Fred thanks his wife for her support, and many thanks to Andrew Dickson for this opportunity. Brooks Anne Hayes (Marguerite) has performed in many productions, but she is thrilled to be making her first appearance on the Theatre Jacksonville stage. Theatergoers may remember seeing her in productions at the Alhambra, ABET, and Players by the Sea where she has received three Pelican Awards for Best Supporting Actress. In addition to her stage work, she has also appeared on film, television, and does voice-over work. B.A. is also the drama teacher at the Bolles School in Ponte Vedra. Although she loves the stage, time spent with her family is her favorite. "Thanks Kenny, Charlie, and Annie for putting up with me!" Amber Holland (Joy of Life Singer) just recently relocated to Jacksonville from Pennsylvania and is making her debut in Florida at Theater Jacksonville as one of the Joy of Life Singers in Dearly Departed. Previously, she has performed as a Diva in Little Shop of Horrors, Aunt Belise in The Learned Ladies, Aunt Polly in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and several other professional and non-professional performances. Amber is enjoying the "Sunshine State" and looks forward to being able to continue to share her love of theater with others by way of performing. Shelly Higgins Hughes (Raynelle) - Shelly is always happy to be involved in any production at Theatre Jacksonville. She most recently finished the run of last season’s Over the Tavern playing the role of Ellen Pazinski. In all her years of performing in theatre, Over the Tavern was hands down her favorite theatrical experience. Another recent credit that she is particularly proud of being involved with is Accidental Felon (by local playwright David Sacks) at PBTS. Shelly played the role of Susan for which she received the Pelican Award for Best Actress. Shelly has been involved with professional, regional and community theatre for as long as she can remember. Some of her more memorable roles include; The Hot L Baltimore (Jackie), Crimes of the Heart (Chick and Meg), Side Man (Terry), Italian American Reconciliation (Janice), A Few Good Men (Jo) and Biloxi Blues (Rowena) to name a few. Shelly is the Director of Theatre Programming for the Jewish Community Alliance where she performs daily in the Magic Wardrobe Theatre as “Zoe” and directs the Theatre of Youth. Shelly would like to thank Andrew Dickson for his guidance, the staff at Theatre Jacksonville for all the wonderful work they do, the Magic Wardrobe gang for being the “coolest kids” she knows and Rio for being such an inspiration. Shelly would like to add special thanks to her parents for making cultural arts a part of her upbringing! Debbie Hurm (Choir Director) has been active in the local theatre scene since 1997. Roles at Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre include Mabel in Little Mary Sunshine, Guissipina in The Rose Tattoo, Christine in Picnic, and Mrs. Hazel Chumley in Harvey. She just recently finished appearing at FCCJ as Mrs. Fezziwig in Ian Mair’s adapted play Eb Scrooge: A Southern Fried Christmas Carol, and dancing in the Times Union Nutcracker Ballet. Debbie is a guidance counselor in the Duval County School system, but her passions are acting and dancing. She is a line dance instructor and choreographer. Debbie is thrilled to be in her first Theatre Jacksonville production, and would like to thank Andrew Dickson, director, for this opportunity Edward Kramer (Reverend Hooker) is thrilled to be making his Theatre Jacksonville debut with this amazing cast. Being a Southern native has given him a lot of knowledge for this funny and touching show. He has been seen on several other local stages in such shows as Beyond Therapy, Betty's Summer Vacation, Morning's At Seven and the Jacksonville Premier of Sordid Lives (where he played another Southern Preacher). He would like to thank Andrew for giving him this chance to work at TJ, David for always believing in him, and his family & friends for their continued support. He would like to dedicate his performance tonight to his Grandmother Lenora who was the heart and soul of his family. Lisa LaGrande (Joy of Life Singer) Lisa grew up on our stage in many children’s productions and is thrilled to return to her roots Theatre Jacksonville for this new endeavor. An Alumnus of both Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Florida International University, Lisa celebrated a fruitful partnership which gave her such leading opportunities as portraying the role of Darlene in Lanford Wilson’s Balm in Gilead, Fraulien Kost in Cabaret, and the Woman with Furs in Jose Rivera’s Marisol. Lisa studied in New York City with the Actor’s Movement Studio where she worked with such master instructors as the late Mala Powers and Catherine Fitzmaurice. Most recently, she created and starred in her own one-woman show entitled Love Goddess: Being Rita Hayworth as well as various professional play readings throughout Miami. She would like to thank her family and loved ones for their constant support. This is Kenny Logsdon’s (Junior) third trip to the boards in three seasons at Theatre Jacksonville, and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to be working again with a wonderful organization, cast, and director. He has not laughed this hard with (and at) his fellow actors in a long time! Kenny was honored to be nominated in the 2005-2006 season for Best Actor in a Lead Role (God’s Man in Texas). Originally from Pewee Valley, Kentucky, Kenny spent many years performing at “the Louisville area’s oldest and best community theatre”, the Little Colonel Playhouse. After graduating from the University of Louisville, he moved to Jacksonville and soon got back into theatre with First Coast Theatre Arts, appearing in Suddenly Last Summer, Durang Ho! (Portraying 4 characters at once), and Bill Kroner’s Tartlette to name a few. Currently he is featured in a local furniture commercial (pre-Junior), appeared as a lead actor in an award winning short film for the 48 Hour Film Festival, and was cast as a lawyer in HBO’s Recount due out in the spring. Kenny also continues to work with the Murder Mystery Players of Jacksonville performing interactive and improvisational theatre. Lastly, Kenny was recently elected Vice-President for the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association – Jacksonville chapter and looks forward to working with local writers, directors, producers, and actors to make Jacksonville “Hollywood” again. On Sundays in the fall, you will find him wearing his #17 Jacksonville jersey, cheering on the Jaguars and is now a proud member of the Jaguars Champions Club. During the week, he acts like a Senior Planner with the City of Jacksonville’s Housing and Neighborhood Department. Kenny would like to thank Erin and Harlow for putting up with his antics and every time he looks at Harlow, he wants to quote Junior: “Well, would you look at that!” Skyla Dawn Luckey, (Veda, Lucille) 23-years-old is pleased to be making her debut performance in Jacksonville with the cast of Dearly Departed. She is originally from Jackson, Mississippi where she received training from the professional theatre New Stage Theatre and performed in productions with different community theatres. Previous theatre credits include Bellhop in Lend Me A Tenor, Korean Woman in M*A*S*H, Sylvie in The Odd Couple (female version), Roller Coaster Woman and Nintendo Woman in Vital Signs, Nora in Life With Father, Allison in And Then... Lead Newscaster in Voices in the Storm (a play based on Hurricane Katrina). In 2007, she spent a month in her native state working as a researcher and interviewer for a film documentary with the Canadian based film company Sunrise Films Limited. She has experience with radio and television voice-overs. Skyla is a news and traffic reporter for Westwood One Metro Traffic. Zoie Matthew (Delightful, Nadine) is performing for her first time at Theatre Jacksonville, and she is delighted to have the opportunity of playing both an obese teenager and a pregnant woman. She aspires to someday stand on the stages of Broadway, but for now is working hard as a freshman theatre student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. She would like to thank her dad and step mom for exposing her to theatre all her life, her mom for driving her “all over creation” (AKA, rehearsals), her family, every acting teacher she’s ever had, her awesome director, her fellow cast members, and her extraordinary friends, Shelby, Hurley, Kacie, Garrett, Danny, and the rest of the gang! Jessica Palombo (Joy of Life Singer) last appeared on the Theatre Jacksonville stage as Rose Weiss in A Shayna Maidel. She has done many shows at the Orange Park Community Theatre, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Philia), The Fantasticks (The Mute), and State Fair (Eleanor). She also has performed with the Jacksonville Murder Mystery Players in A Friendly Game of Death (Detective Chris Carlson) and Rodger and Rita’s Comedy Wedding (Rita). Jessica is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Florida. Neal Thorburn (Joy of Life Singer) again returns to the stage of Theatre Jacksonville after last appearing in A Midsummer Night‘s Dream as Tom Snout. His past credits include Footloose (Stanton), Moon Over the Brewery (TJ, tech), Guys and Dolls (TJ), Twelfth Night as Malvolio (Stanton), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Stanton), Seussical the Musical (TJ), Urinetown: The Musical (Stanton), and The Taming of the Shrew (Stanton). As a Junior at Stanton College Prep, he actively participates in Stanton’s Drama Troupe 3929. Neal thanks Andrew for allowing him to be part of this production and his family for constantly driving him across the city for his love and pursuit of theatre. Chris Valade (Joy of Life Singer) Chris is very happy to be returning to Theatre Jax as a chorus member. He sees this as another stepping-stone on the way to Broadway. He has already performed in Stanton's annual musical for the past two years. He has also taken two musical pieces to the District Thespian Festival and acheived awards with "excellent" ratings on each of them. This is not his first show at TJ, however. He played many roles in Guys & Dolls during the summer of 2007. None of this would be possible without the support of his family, Stanton's drama department, and specifically Mama Sacks. He is happy to return and hopes to be in many TJ productions yet to come. Joseph Walz (Clyde/Joy of Life Singer) has been in theatrical productions around the Jacksonville area for more than 10 years. Recently, you may have seen him at Players by the Sea in It’s a Wonderful Life (George Bailey) or the Orange Park Community Theatre in R&H’s Cinderella (Prince), State Fair (Pat Gilbert), The Fantasticks (Hucklebee), A Funny Thing . . . Forum (Pseudolus), Monky Business (Brother Forte), or Gypsy (Tulsa). Joseph also has had roles at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in Damn Yankees and The Music Man. During a year teaching at Orange Park High School, Joseph directed Fiddler on the Roof and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). He was recently sworn in as a member of the Florida Bar after graduating from the Levin College of Law at UF and has degrees in both psychology and criminology from FSU. Joseph would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support. Bill White (Ray-Bud) is positively delighted to be back on the Theatre Jax stage and is excited to be working with such an exceptionally talented cast. He previously appeared at Theatre Jax in Lettice and Lovage and in Pajama Game. In addition to Theatre Jax, he has appeared at ABET, and at Players By The Sea in several roles, most recently as George Bailey’s father in It’s a Wonderful Life. In addition to acting, Bill is a member of the Orange Park Chorale. Bill began acting during his school years and is continually grateful to his late mother for introducing him to music and the stage at an early age. He lives in San Marco and enjoys working on a ‘79 Triumph Spitfire in his spare time. Bill is a professional civil engineer specializing in railroad bridge design and rehabilitation, with a national practice.   PRODUCTION STAFF   Andrew Dickson (Director) attended Oberlin College in Ohio, interned in dramaturgy at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, and trained in acting with Jacques Lecoq in Paris and Philippe Gaulier in London. He has taught English at The Bolles School since 1998, where he also taught and directed theater for eight years. His production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a Mainstage finalist in the 1999 Florida State Thespian Festival in Tampa. Since then, he has directed everything from musical comedy to Greek tragedy, and has mentored student-created work at Bolles. Through Bolles, he received a grant to develop a mask theater workshop, and has built dozens of masks for productions and classes. With his wife, Anna Jacobson, he was awarded grants to study Elizabethan theater at the Shakespeare’s New Globe in London, and classical theater at Epidaurus in Greece. Andrew is delighted to direct for the first time at Theatre Jacksonville, and would like to thank Sarah Boone, her superb technical staff, and the abundantly resourceful actors in this show. Most of all, he is grateful to his wife, Anna, and their son, Atticus. Audrey Wagner (costume designer) is glad to be back at Theatre Jax during her winter break from graduate school. Life at SCAD has been going very well, and she was last seen in Savannah doing the production design for an MA thesis film. With two more student film projects coming up this year and a slew of classes, she's going to be very busy. Locally, her work was last seen on this stage for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other notable shows include Leading Ladies, Seussical: the Musical, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Pajama Game. Special thanks to the wonderful team at Theatre Jacksonville. It's always a pleasure coming back to work with you. Jefferey L Wagoner (Technical Director/ Lighting Designer) first brought his talents to Theatre Jacksonville in the 2001 season. In that time he has had the opportunity to work with many talented artists from not only the local community but from all across the country. In addition to his work at Theatre Jacksonville he has had the opportunity to design lighting for music concerts, video shoots, dance concerts, musicals and television. He also has served as a Consultant or Designer on several lighting installations and has even been a Production Assistant on a number of episodes of TLC's While You Were Out. A proud graduate of U.S.F.'s theatre program, he would like to thank his wife Kelly for her unending support and for being such an awesome mother to their son David. Kelly J. Wagoner (Scenic Designer) began her involvement with Theatre Jacksonville in 2001 with Crossing Delancey and has had the honor to be a part of the creative team ever since. Her theatrical degree comes from the beloved University of South Florida in whose exchange program she spent an incredible year in London studying numerous aspects of Theatre. U.S.F. is also where Kelly first met her awesome husband, Jeff. They have had the joy of working together on many productions, the best creation yet being their son David. He is now a growing two year old who loves Thomas the Tank Engine and all things Disney. Kelly would like to thank God for the gifts that make all of this possible - to Him be the glory.