![]() Full given name: Anna Elizabeth Schutz (still haven't changed my name since getting married) Where you were born/where you were raised: Born in Evanston and raised in Skokie Your position within the Godspell production team? I'm Production Manager and Stage Manager What does that mean/what do you do? I'm in charge of all of the logistical and technical things for the show. I do things like booking space and writing notes to running the show once it's up. What's surprised you most about Godspell's rehearsal process so far? How awesome it is to walk into a room of actors tuning their guitars and practicing piano before rehearsal starts. Something you're REALLY bad at: Whistling & winking Current local show you have been recommending to friends: Well it was The Great American Trailer Musical until it closed, since my husband Phil Martin, philmartindrums.com. [SHAMELESS PROMOTION] played drums for it. Now I'm recommending Night Blue's Avenue Q playing at Stage 773. I hear the drummer for that show is amazing and quite handsome. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Lakeview Favorite musical: Company Favorite play: Oh boy... from a pure enjoyment viewpoint the Bard’s Twelfth Night Your personal idols: We’re not supposed to have idols according to the research I’ve done for this show. MAC or PC? Obviously, Mac Most played song on your iPod: “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer Must-see TV show(s): Mad Men Last good movie you saw: Just re-watched Midnight in Paris which is one of my favorite movies Performer you would drop everything to go see: Audra McDonald Pop culture guilty pleasure: Project Runway & Rihanna Three favorite cities: New York, Honolulu, and Paris Three things you can't live without: Family, chocolate, and my iPhone "I'll never understand why…": You park in a driveway. ----------- See Anna's stamp on The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org.
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![]() Full given name: Thomas Joseph Anderson Role: Herb Song: "Light of the World" Instrument: Synthesizer Where you were born/where you were raised: Negaunee, MI Special skills: Musical instruments of many shapes and sizes. Rubik's cube solving - just like Jake! Something you're REALLY bad at: Replacing things once they're old and crappy. I can't remember the last time I bought a pair of shoes for myself. Usually somebody just takes pity on me and buys me new ones. Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? My Aunt Roseanne. Her community theater performances in The Music Man and Arsenic and Old Lace (among others) are legendary in my hometown. Current local show you have been recommending to friends: I actually haven't seen very many shows lately. Two shows I really liked (but are now closed unfortunately) were Sordid Lives (Ludicrous) and References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot (National Pastime). References in particular made me feel like I was in a David Lynch film from the moment I walked into the building. Very cool. Also, I'm super excited to see Pirates of Penzance on the Tall Ship Windy. Favorite show tunes of all time: Pretty much anything Sondheim or (yes I'll say it) Rodgers and Hammerstein. Favorite musical: Impossible to choose one, but... Man of La Mancha? Your personal acting idols: Daniel Day-Lewis, Kevin Spacey, Laura Dern, Jeff Bridges MAC or PC? Mac for the most part Most played song on your iPod: WFMU live stream (in iTunes) Must-see TV show(s): Arrested Development, Louie, Spaced, Rocko's Modern Life, The Office (U.S. and UK are both good in my book) Some films you consider classics: The Godfather (of course), There Will Be Blood, The Big Lebowski, Mullholland Drive Performer you would drop everything to go see: Louie C.K., Chris Rock, Jeff Mangum, Norm Macdonald Pop culture guilty pleasure: Kanye West Three favorite cities: I am not well-travelled, but let's say Chicago, Rome, and Marquette, MI. First stage kiss: As Finch in How to Succeed... Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: I was in Odyssey of the Mind (anybody remember that?) in 5th grade. I made a joke in a skit about how horrible the Detroit Lions are. Everybody laughed. It was awesome. Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: Fretting Most challenging role you have played onstage: Probably Daniel in The Complete Works of Shakespeare [Abridged]. Only because it involved rapping. Leading man role you've been dying to play: Leo Bloom in The Producers, Mozart in Amadeus, Bobby in Company, the list goes on... Three things you can't live without: Music, Laughing, Pasta. "I'll never understand why": Most things happen. I am in a perpetual state of confusion. --------------- See T.J. in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Andrew Harper Lund Role: Jesus Instrument: Piano Born: Newtown, Pennsylvania Raised: Cincinnati, Ohio Special skills: I can lick my elbow. Something you're REALLY bad at: Cooking rice. Really bad is a compliment. Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? My high school theatre director, Stephen Skiles, was big on doing really minimal sets and challenging pieces, while maintaining pretty high production quality for a high school. He really fueled my love for reinventions/adaptations of shows. He also exposed me to acting Shakespeare for the first time. I will always thank him for that. Current local show you have been recommending to friends: Anything The Hypocrites are doing at the time. SERIOUSLY. PLEASE GO SEE THEM. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: It’s not really a neighborhood, but the Museum Campus and Northerly Island is my favorite place in the city. Favorite show tunes of all time: “The Old Red Hills of Home,” “I’m Alive,” … Really anything I can belt. Favorite musical: It fluctuates between Parade, Company, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Favorite play: Our Town Your personal acting idols: Amy Poehler, Louis C.K., Benedict Cumberbatch, Kristen Wiig, Neil Patrick Harris, and anyone that plays villains. MAC or PC? PC! Most played song on your iPod: “Valerie” a la Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson Must-see TV show(s): Bob’s Burgers, Parks and Recreation, Battlestar Galactica Last good movie you saw: A documentary on Netflix called Dear, Zachary, filmed by a guy trying to preserve the memory of his murdered friend. It’s definitely sad, and fairly unnerving at times, but very much worth a watch. Performer you would drop everything to go see: Ingrid Michaelson Pop culture guilty pleasure: Do adorable internet animal pictures count? Three favorite cities: Chicago; Columbia, SC; Cleveland First stage kiss: Cabaret. It was also my actual first kiss. Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: After destroying my sanity trying to comprehend Developmental Biology my junior year of college. Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: I have a preshow playlist that I warm-up to on shuffle and I add one new song for every show that I do. It ranges from Florence + the Machine to “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas. Most challenging role you have played onstage: Jean in Miss Julie. I am not even remotely that character. At all. But I had an amazing director who not let me slack off and pushed me really hard. Leading man role you've been dying to play: The Balladeer in Assassins and Elder Price from The Book of Mormon. Leading lady role you wish you could play: My only real dream was Juliet, and I got to cross that off my list earlier this Spring! Three things you can't live without: Music. Bread. My friends. In that order? I don’t know. Cheese is a close fourth. "I'll never understand why…": I can either easily open a banana on the first try, or spend another minute and a half digging smooshed banana out of my finger nails, desperately clawing at the fruit from the side. ALL I ASK FOR IS CONSISTENCY, BANANA! ----------- See Andrew in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Veronica Garza Role: Robin Song: "Day By Day" Instrument: Guitar Where you were born/where you were raised: Chicago suburbs Special skills: Bill Cosby impression Something you're REALLY bad at: Matching my clothes Favorite musical: The Book of Mormon You personal acting idols: Emma Thompson MAC or PC? Mac!!! Must-see TV show(s): School Spirits!!! So scary!! Last good movie you saw: Brave Some films you consider classics: Mrs. Doubtfire Performer you would drop everything to go see: Jim Gaffigan Pop culture guilty pleasure: Demi Lovato Three favorite cities: Chicago, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles First stage kiss: Senior year of high school in some wacky play our drama teacher wrote. Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: After I played Addaperle in The Wiz junior year of high school. Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: Warming up with "meows." Leading lady role you wish you could play: The Drowsy Chaperone or Rafiki in The Lion King Three things you can't live without: My Mac. My orange backpack. Sleepy time. ----------- See Veronica in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Jacob Parker Mahler Role: John/Judas Instrument: Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin Where you were born/where you were raised: Minnetonka, MN Special skills: I play various instruments-piano, guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin. I can solve a rubik's cube. Something you're REALLY bad at: Cooking salmon Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? My older brother Mike has always been a hero of mine. I so wanted to be him growing up and still am inspired by him. Current local show you have been recommending to friends: Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Andersonville Favorite show tunes of all time: "Rainbow Connection," the scores to Into the Woods and The Last 5 Years Favorite musical: The Last 5 Years Favorite play: The Pillowman You personal acting idols: Michael Mahler, Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey, and Kevin Klein MAC or PC? PC Most played song on your iPod: "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" as performed by Ingrid Michaelson Must-see TV show(s): Breaking Bad, How I Met Your Mother, Castle, Perception, White Collar, Big Bang Theory, Dirty Jobs, New Girl Last good movie you saw: The Dark Knight Rises Some films you consider classics: Usual Suspects, Back to the Future trilogy, Indiana Jones trilogy (the fourth one doesn't count) Performer you would drop everything to go see: Ingrid Michaelson Three favorite cities: Minneapolis, Chicago, Santa Rosa First stage kiss: Working on the gentleman caller scene in Glass Menagerie with Mikala Bierma. Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: Watching my older brother and sister performing onstage with my mom in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Worst costume ever: I had a pretty awful wig when I played Roger DeBris in The Producers. Most challenging role you have played onstage: Konstantine in The Seagull Leading man role you've been dying to play: Iago or any of the guys in The Pillowman Leading lady role you wish you could play: There's few enough roles for women out there without me taking one. Three things you can't live without: My wife, chocolate, the puppies "I'll never understand why…": They made food that is so bad for you so damn delicious an food that is good for you taste like poo. -------------------- See Jake in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Daniel Michael Ippolito Spagnuolo (Yes, I'm Italian) Where you were born/where you were raised: Lansing, MI Your position within the Godspell production team? Choreographer What does that mean/what do you do? I try to have the musical numbers tell a story while hiding when we move furniture. What's surprised you most about Godspell's rehearsal process so far? Our cast. The energy they bring to this work inspires me to create for them everyday. They rock!!! Something you're REALLY bad at: Not talking with my hands. Avoiding carbohydrates. Current local show you have been recommending to friends: It was The Great American Trailer Park Musical but it's already closed. It was hilarious. In addition to our show, I'm really excited to go see Bailiwick's Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Chicago Shakespeare's Sunday in the Park with George, and 42nd Street at Theatre at the Center. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: East Lakeview Favorite musical: 1. West Side Story 2. Assassins 3. The Secret Garden Favorite play: "Master Harold" ... and the boys by Athol Fugard You personal idols: As a choreographer, George Balanchine. As a singer, Pavarotti. As an actor, Meryl Streep. MAC or PC? PC. Most played song on your iPod: You kids and your iPods. Must-see TV show(s): Community, Happy Endings, 30 Rock Performer you would drop everything to go see: Audra McDonald Pop culture guilty pleasure: Facebook and I have a really unhealthy relationship. Three favorite cities: Chicago, Washington, D.C., Boston "I'll never understand why…" People wait until the last minute to find an apartment in Chicago in the summer. Trust me, this is a bad idea! ------------------- See Daniel's stamp on The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Michelle 'Ma Belle' Alejandra Limon Role: Joanne Song: "O Bless the Lord, My Soul" Instrument: Percussion Where you were born/where you were raised: SouthWest Side of Chicago Special skills: I can do a pretty awesome back bend and walk around like it's normal (Creepy? Yeah...sorry). Something you're REALLY bad at: Whistling Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? My Dad was a musician back in the day. He's kind of the reason for everything. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: I'm bias because I just moved into Logan Square, so I'm kind of in love. Favorite show tunes of all time: "Shine" from The Spitfire Grill and ALL of the music from In The Heights. Favorite play: Marisol and Buried Child MAC or PC? I never discuss Politics or Religion...or MAC/PC's in polite company. Most played song on your iPod: "Good Time" by Owl City and Carley Rae Jeppson Must-see TV show(s): Breaking Bad Last good movie you saw: The Muppet Movie Three favorite cities: Mexico City, Guatemala City, and Paris First stage kiss: A lady doesn't kiss and tell.... Most Challenging Role ever played on stage: Dorine in Taruffe. She's just so sassy! Three things you can't live without: Music, trees, and Nutella. "I'll never understand why…": People just don't stop and listen, breathe, see, and love more. ----------- See Michelle in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Nicholas Robert Shoda Role: Lamar Song: "All Good Gifts" Instrument: Percussion Where you were born/where you were raised: Urbana, IL Special skills: One-handed cartwheels, run-on sentences, general sass Something you're REALLY bad at: Dancing. I excel at the art of screwing up choreography. Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? I guess I'd have to say my parents, They have always been supportive of me, even when I am truly insufferable. Current local show you have been recommending to friends: 33 Variations at TimeLine Theatre Company. Great acting, beautiful design. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Andersonville!!! Favorite show tunes of all time: So, so many, but here's a short list (in no particular order): "Move On" and "Sunday" from Sunday in the Park With George, "Say it Somehow" from The Light in the Piazza, "If I Didn't Believe in You" from The Last 5 Years, "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls, and the entire score of Pacific Overtures Favorite musical: Pacific Overtures, The Light in the Piazza, Rent, The Last 5 Years Favorite play: Death of a Salesman, Angels in America, Doubt, August: Osage County You personal acting idols: Kate Winslet is my girlfriend. She doesn't know it yet, so it's kinda awkward, but we're very much in love regardless. Also, I want to be Meryl Streep when I grow up. MAC or PC? Mac, all the way. Must-see TV show(s): Community, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Weeds Last good movie you saw: The Dark Knight Rises Some films you consider classics: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Alien, Terminator 2, The Little Mermaid, The Shining, Me and You and Everyone We Know Performer you would drop everything to go see: If I could time travel, it would be Whitney Houston circa 1993. Also, Beyonce. Always. Pop culture guilty pleasure: America's Next Top Model Three favorite cities: Chicago, Urbana, IL, and NYC First stage kiss: Rebecca Schrepfer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood during my junior year of high school. Totally unplanned, awkward, and awesome. Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: The last night of Drood. It was one of those "had-to-be-there" moments, but definitely a turning point for me. Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: Stretching, vocalizing, occasional bouts of abject terror. You know, the usual. Worst costume ever: I played a frog and had to wear hideous lime green tights. Not. Cute. Leading man role you've been dying to play: Mark in Rent, Jamie in The Last 5 Years, Bobby in Company Leading lady role you wish you could play: Effie (of course), Clara in Piazza Three things you can't live without: My family, my music collection, and my iPhone. "I'll never understand why…": People say "expresso." THAT IS NOT A WORD. ----------- See Nick in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Stephanie Lynn Rohr Role: Sonia Song: "Turn Back, O Man" Instrument: Piano Born: Grosse Pointe, MI Raised: Naperville, IL Special skills: Cross-stitch, making bike horn and wookie noises. Something you're REALLY bad at: Doing the splits. Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? I wanted to be the little mermaid. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Logan Square Favorite show tunes of all time: Everything Sondheim ever wrote. Favorite musical: Into the Woods Favorite play: Twelfth Night You personal acting idols: Amy Morton, Katharine Hepburn, Angela Lansbury MAC or PC? MAC Most played song on your iPod: "Fake Empire" by The National Must-see TV show(s): LOUIE (the best thing that has ever been on TV), Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Arrested Development Last good movie you saw: Beasts of the Southern Wild Some films you consider classics: Vertigo, The Apartment, Dumb and Dumber Performer you would drop everything to go see: Aerosmith. Yes, that is embarrassing. But they might be dead soon! And I love Steven Tyler. I don't even care that he is a creepy old man who is on American Idol. I LOVE AEROSMITH. Pop culture guilty pleasure: Dance Moms, Hoarders ...Aerosmith. Three favorite cities: London, St. Petersburg, Chicago First stage kiss: Junior year of high school, in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I was Rosemary. There is a long one during a song. I was very awkward. The boy playing Finch asked me if it was the first time I had ever kissed anyone. I was offended. (Mostly because he was right.) Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: Listening to certain songs on my ipod, and generally ignoring people Worst costume ever: In A Girl's Guide to Chaos in college, I had to be in my underwear, in the round, and then put on a pair of skinny jeans that required me to jump up and down to get into them. ...in the round. Most challenging role you have played onstage: Non-musical: Joan of Arc in Henry VI part I. Musical: Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street (I learned to tap for the show...eek.) Leading man role you've been dying to play: non-musical: Non-musical: Richard III. Musical: Max Bialystock in The Producers. I would really like to do a gender-revered production of that show. You saw it here first! My idea. Leading lady role you wish you could play: non-musical: Non-musical: Hedda Gabler. Musical: Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Three things you can't live without: Loved ones, music, alcohol. That sounds bad, doesn't it? But I stand by my answer. "I'll never understand why…": there aren't more great roles for women in theatre which are not specifically about "being a woman." ----------- See Stephanie in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. ![]() Full given name: Paul Bohdan Proczko Role: Jeffrey Song: "We Beseech Thee" Instrument: Piano Where you were born/where you were raised: I was born and raised in the west suburbs of Chicago. Special skills: I have been playing piano for 14 years, and I grew up speaking Ukrainian fluently. Something you're REALLY bad at: I'm really bad at the game Risk. So bad, that when I was younger I thought I was really good. Then, when I'd lose a dice role, I would fold the game board to ruin the game for everyone else. So bad, that after teaching someone how to play, I would lose our first game. Bad. I know now. And I enjoy playing, even though my defeat is certain. Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? My friend Connie Ford, who directed most of my high school shows, was the first person to tell me i should be an actor. Well, she actually YELLED, swearing, that i should be an actor. She was like that. She died my senior year of college, but she's with me every time I perform. Current local show you have been recommending to friends: Go see my friend Michael Kingston in 33 Variations at Timeline Theatre, playing at Stage 773. It's about Beethoven music, and it's beautiful. I laughed. I wept. Hard. Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Andersonville Favorite show tunes of all time: "The Light in the Piazza" Favorite musical: The Light in the Piazza Favorite play: Doubt Your personal acting idols: I'm inspired by Luciano Pavarotti. His voice conveyed great subtly and emotion. I am also inspired by Steve Carell; he can do no wrong. Hilarious AND touching. MAC or PC? Mac Most played song on your iPod: Alternating "The Light in the Piazza", "Lux Aurumque" by Eric Whitacre, "The River Cam" by Eric Whitacre, and "Silent Noon" by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Must-see TV show(s): Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Archer, and Parks and Recreation Last good movie you saw: Date Night Some films you consider classics: Moonstruck, Young Frankenstein, Star Wars (4-6), The Lion King Performer you would drop everything to go see: Pavarotti, if he were alive :( Pop culture guilty pleasure: Robyn and The Scissor Sisters Three favorite cities: Chicago, Louisville, Toronto First stage kiss: Guys and Dolls in 7th grade. I was Sky Masterson. Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: Singing in a Sondheim showcase with a few professional singers in 7th grade. A love for beautiful melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics was born. Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: I always warm up my whole voice. No matter if I'm singing bass, or not singing at all. Worst costume ever: I sang a diet version of "I Hear Bells" in a production of Starting Here Starting Now which ended in a gay kiss. Either because the costumer hated everything or because she wanted the gay men in the show to seem as harmless as possible, we were clad in high-waisted pleated cadet blue pants and poop colored cardigans. We looked awful. Most challenging role you have played onstage: I understudied ALL ELEVEN of Joseph's brothers in Joseph... and I was external, so I only went on in emergencies. I had to go on only once, and even after learning every dance move and watching the majority of performances I was flying by the seat of my pants. Leading man role you've been dying to play: George in Sunday in the Park with George Leading lady role you wish you could play: Margaret in The Light in the Piazza Three things you can't live without: Coffee. Music. Pizza. "I'll never understand why…": Anyone wants to go sky diving. That's terrifying. ----------- See Pavi (@PaviProczko) in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org. |
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