Director's(s) Notes(s)
As we began to wrap up the end of our 2023 Summer Season with both a fantastic run of ONCE – The Musical as well as a collaboration with the SMSO of The Sound of Music on Silver Beach, it became evident that our actors and audience were ready for even more here at The GhostLight! After we sold out 15 of our final 16 performances (as well as over 1200 for Sound of Music!) we threw caution to the wind and decided to take on the beast that is The Rocky Horror Show Musical. Without the right personnel, an AMAZING choreographer and a tight band we’d be foolish to even attempt such a venture. Fortunately, all of those things are on display for you here in our little black box space tonight.
It has been my extreme pleasure to take on this production, at this time, with these folks and in this space. As you’ll see Rocky is a very silly, naughty sex romp and is just a ton of fun if the audience knows what they are in for. We hope you are ready to have a BLAST along with us! We are even more excited to announce that we hope the success of this show will push us to perform Rocky again and again – every fall near the holiday of Halloween. I am very excited for us to share with you our plans for our full 2024 season, and hope you might be able to join us at our Fall Brunch Gala – Sunday, Nov. 5th at 12:30 pm at Shadowland Ballroom. I might even sing something myself. Now I’d like to give the reins over to one of those incredible pillars I mentioned, our choreographer as well as my Co-Director on this project, the amazing Paige Mulick. -pm (Paul Mow)
I would like to thank this incredible cast and crew for their never-ending enthusiasm and sense of wonder as this whacky world of Rocky Horror came to be. I’ve been so lucky to dive into this madness alongside some of my favorite people around and learn so much from these performers and Paul as the pieces came together. Thank you to you, our audiences for joining us for an unforgettable night of thrills and sensational madness. – pm (Paige Mulick)
Acknowledgements
Special Thanks to: Jollay Orchards, 3 Pillars Music, Twin City Players, Lauren Mow, Cindy Jakeway, Andy Sawyer, John Taylor, Doug Peterson, Susan and Jim Graham
ROCKY HORROR SHOW – The Musical – Program notes
CAST
USHERETTE – Meggie Anderson
BRAD– Wes Shenker
JANET – Paige Mulick
RIFF RAFF – Sam Blyveis
MAGENTA – Caiti Hernandez/Shay Beeson
COLUMBIA – Abby Hosinski/Alyssa Hyska
FRANK N’ FURTER – Brandon Rock / Michael Finchum
ROCKY - Ricky Wallsten
EDDIE – Eric Thiele
DR. SCOTT – Doug Peterson
PHANTOMS / TRANSYLVANIANS
Dennis Davis, Jacob Holmes, Caitlin Sampsell, Meggie Anderson
CREW
Paul Mow, Stage Director
Paige Mulick, Co-Director/Choreographer
Lindsay Gilmore-Gaspari, Assistant Director
Brady West, Stage Manager
Maddie Schrock, Assistant Stage Manager/Board Operator
Collin Wagner, Lighting Designer
Will Hays, Scenic Designer
Beth Ward, Costume Designer
GarryLee McCormick - Wigmaster
Susan Salas Graham, Volunteer Coordinator/Box Office Manager
ORCHESTRA
Evan Closser, Keyboard/Synth
Carolyn Lyons Murray, Drums
Emily Mikel-Rowe, Saxophone
Evan Gillenwater, Electric Guitar
Ivan Torres, Bass
Cast, Crew & Orchestra
Michael Finchum
(Frank’N’Furter)
Mike is thrilled to be making his GhostLight debut as Frank! Credits include – Matt/The Fantastiks, Pharoah/Joseph, Lumiere/BATB, Orin/Little Shop, Riff Raff/Rocky Horror. Mike earned his Bachelor’s in theatre at Indiana State. Mike would like to thank his family, friends, and husband for all their love. Don’t dream it – be it!
Samuel Blyveis
(Riff Raff)
Samuel Blyveis remembers doing the time warp every summer as a child. After an 11 year hiatus from the stage, like a void to be calling, he is finally completing his noble mission to let the theater flow into his life. His last show was Spring Awakening in 2012, it's astounding how time is fleeting. With Rocky Horror being one of his favorite shows, he is absolutely thrilled to allow his madness to take its toll once again.
Paul Mow
(Stage Director)
Paul Mow, General Manager, Artistic Director & Co-Founder. Prior to founding The GhostLight Theatre, Paul Mow was an accomplished operatic tenor for over a decade, performing at the New York City Opera for five years, as well as several engagements at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center. and with dozens of opera companies and orchestras both domestic and abroad. In addition to his performing on the operatic and concert stages, he won many awards and competitions, most notably The George London Award for the Kirstin Flagstad Prize. His lifelong dedication to the arts has fueled his passion for what he saw as a need for a “more immersive performing experience in Southwest Michigan” which sparked the plans for what is now The GhostLight.
Jacob Holmes
(Phantoms/Translyvanians)
Jacob is excited to perform in his first production at Ghostlight! Jacob previously was in Sound of Music with Ghostlight and SMSO and has directed and performed in numerous productions with Twin City Players, where he also serves on the Board of Directors. Thank you, Cassi, for all your support!
Ivan Torres
(Bass Player)
Ivan Torres - he/him - was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. He started playing bass guitar at the age of 12 and loves playing different genres such as Ska, Rock, Pop, Latin, Folk, Jazz, Blues, and Funk in both electric and upright bass. Currently he is living in the Michiana area and is very excited to join the Ghostlight theater team again.
Brandon Rock
(Frank’N’Furter)
Brandon is thrilled for his Ghostlight debut after a long-awaited return to theatre after playing Roger in RENT (Hanson Theater 2015). As the lead singer of Ultrafab, performance runs in his veins. MUCH love and thanks to his friends, family, and supporters for encouraging him to do what he loves!
Ricky Wallsten
(Rocky)
Ricky Wallsten is grateful to be performing in his second production here at the Ghostlight Theatre. After studying Acting at Western Michigan University, he went on to pursue the craft in cities like New York, NY, and Atlanta, GA, and plans to continue his artistic education across the lake in Chicago! Ricky would like to dedicate this performance to his late Uncle Todd and Grandpa Charlie, both of whom encouraged him to live honestly, lovingly, and passionately.
Caiti Hernandez
(Magenta)
Caiti Hernandez is a native of St. Joseph with a life long love of being onstage, she's been singing, acting and dancing for over 30 years. Recently she had monumental amounts of fun as a nun in The Ghostlight Theater and Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra's production of the Sound of Music this past July. She has also appeared in St. Joseph High School's Encore productions, many Lake Michigan College shows including; Sweeney Todd, Quilters, and her favorite role, as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She is thrilled to have been cast in The Rocky Horror Show. Caiti is currently a dance teacher at The Connie Cassidy School of Dance.
Collin Wagners
(Lighting/sound designer)
This is Collin Wagners 3rd show with Ghostlight. Collin is currently studying Theatre Design and Technical production at WMU. Other credits (Cabaret, Once, Thanksgiving play, 12 angry jurors)
Caitlin Sampsell
(Phantoms/Translyvanians)
Caitlin, a veteran on the stage and recently behind the scenes at Twin City Players, is new to the Ghostlight indoor space, having performed in the outdoor production of Much Ado About Nothing. She is grateful to be part of this experience with the amazing talent in this production of Rocky Horror.
Paige Mulick
(Janet)
Paige Mulick (she/her), is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Arts Administration. Paige is passionate about performing, choreographing, teaching, and administration in dance. A native of southwest Michigan, Paige trained at The Citadel Dance & Music Center, and has been involved in numerous productions throughout her life. You may have seen her choreography in Cabaret or The Sound of Music this summer. Paige is thrilled to be performing in The Rocky Horror Show alongside her incredible partner Wes, and the rest of this ensemble of rockstars. I can’t wait to do the time warp again and AGAIN!
Alyssa Hyska
(Columbia)
Alyssa “Action” Hyska is thrilled to be time-warping her heart out as Columbia! A Ghostlight regular, you may have seen her in Cabaret (Lulu), Urinetown (Soupy Sue), and The Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn). Alyssa would like to thank her three aunts who showed her Rocky Horror when she was 4. This is for you.
Abby Hosinski
(Columbia)
Abby Hosinski is thrilled to be making her second appearance on the Ghostlight stage as Columbia! You may have seen her previously this year as Fraulein Kost in Ghostlight’s production of Cabaret. She has also performed in several productions at Lake Michigan College’s Hanson Theatre including Working, RENT, The Drowsy Chaperone, Urinetown, No No Nanette, and Anything Goes. Abby is hugely grateful for all of those who continue to support local community theatre!
Doug Peterson
(Dr. Scott)
Doug is honored to be back at the Ghostlight playing his 3rd character from German decent in a year. Eins, Zwei, Drei! All my Love to the Rocky cast and the Ghostlight honchos. Not to mention my Family. Wife Cindy, kids. Julie, Brian, incoming family. Rayna and Tongus. Enjoy the show!!!
Dennis Davis
(Phantoms/Translyvanians)
Dennis Davis has danced professionally in NYC, Pittsburgh, and Michigan in ballets and contemporary companies. He has toured the U.S. with dance competitions, worked with Disney Cruise Lines, and is currently on staff at the Lighthouse Education Center. Dennis is super excited to be back in the theater!
Wes Shenker
(Brad)
Wes Shenker is stoked to be back for another show at The Ghostlight, after playing Billy (Once) and Max (Cabaret), Wes is excited to play Brad Majors (remitted) and try something new. He wants to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work and his family
Shay Beeson
(Magenta)
Shay Beeson is very happy to be in her first performance at the Ghostlight Theatre! She recently graduated from Lake Michigan College with her Music Associates in Applied Science. During her time there she performed in several productions including Sweeney Todd, Addams Family, Antigonick, and Working. She is looking forward to getting her bachelor’s and pursuing opera and theatre.
Eric Thiele
(Eddie)
Eric Thiele returns to The Ghostlight following a hiatus, missing the stage, the crew and the community in theatre. Drawn to the appeal in Rocky Horror Picture Show being a cult classic, Eric knew he needed not miss the chance for a good time in his element.
Meggie Anderson
(Usherette)
Meggie has been on stage since she was a wee tot. Her recent forays in musical theater include The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd and, the highlight of her performing life so far, as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She has a Master’s Degree in Education and works as a Foster Care Specialist.