The Chance Theater - Closer Than Ever

Richard Maltby, Jr. (Lyrics)

Richard Maltby, Jr. is the son of the celebrated composer and bandleader Richard Maltby. He worked as a director in the legitimate theatre during the 70's before collaborating with David Shire on two successful off-Broadway revues, Starting Here, Starting Now... (1977) and Closer Than Ever (1989). The duo combined again for the Broadway musicals Baby (1983) and Big (1996), as well as an off-Broadway project, Urban Blight (1988). Maltby won a Tony Award in 1978 as Outstanding Director for Ain't Misbehavin'. His other Broadway credits include directing, adapting, and providing extra lyrics for Song And Dance (1985); as well as writing the lyrics with Alain Boublil for Miss Saigon (1989), and Nick And Nora (1991). In November 1998, The Story Goes On, a revue surveying the music of Shire and Maltby opened at the Kaufman Theatre, New York. Singer Loni Ackerman performed most of the material, accompanied by Shire on the piano. Maltby is also known for the "fiendishly difficult" crosswords he contributes to Harpers magazine. [top]

David Shire (Music)

David Shire studied music at Yale where he began his collaboration with Richard Maltby Jr. He subsequently studied briefly at Brandeis University where he was the first recipient of the Eddie Fisher Fellowship Award. Shire has also written dozens of television and feature film scores, including "All The President's Men", "The World According to Garp", and "2010". In 1979, he won an Oscar for the song "It Goes Like It Goes" (lyric by Norman Gimbel) which was sung on the soundtrack of the film "Norma Rae" by Jennifer Warnes. He was also awarded two Grammys for his contributions to the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack album. His songs have been recorded by numerous other artists, including Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, and Judy Collins. He has had several US chart successes, including "Washington Square" and "With You I'm Born Again". Shire has also composed songs and incidental music for Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre, and other acclaimed theatrical productions. [top]

Oanh Nguyen (Director)

In 1999, Oanh co-founded The Chance Theater, where he is currently Artistic Director. His most cherished projects as a director are Undeclared..., Is Pepperoni a Vegetable? and other mysteries of love, The Stroop Report, But I Don’t Feel Grown up, Three Days of Rain, Bash, Lee Miller: The Angel and The Fiend at the Getty Museum, The Fantasticks, Lord of the Screen..., Goodnight Children Everywhere and Tape. Among a number of national commercials, Oanh’s television and film credits include "American Dreams", “Saved by the Bell”, “Hang Time”, “Kenan and Kel”, “Party of Five”, “The Beast”, “Andy Richter Controls the Universe”, “Clockstoppers”, and Jean Jacques Annaud’s latest film “Two Brothers”. He would like to thank his cast and crew for their tremendous talent and hard work. [top]

Dean Anderson (Musical Director)

Dean is a Chance Theater Staff Member and excited to be involved with his seventh production here. After working as a violinist, conductor, and music director in Columbia, Missouri, Dean moved to California. He has studied music and plays with the Santa Monica Symphony. Most recently, he composed the original music for the critically acclaimed production of Goodnight Children Everywhere, as well as performed in Company and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. He would like to send his gratitude to Oanh for the opportunity and his family for all their support. [top]

Kelly Todd (Choreographer)

Kelly recently returned from New York City where she choreographed and performed at Off-Broadway houses and local theaters. Kelly is the resident choreographer for the Children’s Civic Light Opera where she has choreographed nearly 20 musicals. She has performed throughout Los Angeles, including her favorite role, Cassie in A Chorus Line. She would like to thank the cast and staff for their dedication and trust and her regular following for traveling to be here, especially her new husband, John. She dedicates her work to her beloved Grammy. [top]

Jeremy Golden (Set Designer)

Jeremy is the Technical Director for The Chance and is excited at the growth of the company over the past year. In addition to designing sets and lights for past shows, Jeremy has also been seen on The Chance stage, most recently as Jack Point in Yeomen of the Guard. Jeremy holds a BFA in theater from Southern Methodist University. Favorite design credits include The Crucible, Into the Woods and Twelfth Night. Jeremy wishes to thank his wife Karen and two kids for their constant love and support. [top]

Masako Tobaru (Lighting Designer)

Masako is glad to be designing at The Chance again. Most recently she has designed the lighting for It's A Wonderful Life and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues here at The Chance. She is also a senior at Concordia University where she is a lighting designer, stage manager, and soon to be a director. Some of her favorite productions include Tape, Medea, Ruthless!, and The Eight. She would like to thank Alex, Casey and Michael for keeping her sane and always making her smile. [top]

Clarissa C. Pitts (Costume Designer)

Closer Than Ever marks Clarissa's third turn as Costume Designer for The Chance. She previously designed Company and Oedipus at Colonus. Ms. Pitts has also appeared onstage at The Chance - Lord of the Screen and Rodgers & Hammerstein's A Grand Night for Singing are among her favorite productions as a performer. Clarissa would like to thank Oanh, Erika, and the cast. Extra special thanks to Bryan for his faith, love, and support. [top]

Casey Long (Stage Manager/Sound Designer)

Casey is proud to be a part of the Orange County premiere of a show that caught his attention from the first time he heard the opening number. Previous design credits at The Chance include lighting for That Which Remains, The Mikado, and The Cherry Orchard, stage management for Lee Miller: The Angel and The Fiend, and sound design for Saving the World. He would like to thank Oanh for his vision, the cast for their hard work and dedication, and Alex for always being there when he needs her most. [top]

Jocelyn A. Brown (Nancy)

Jocelyn is thrilled to have found artists of such vision, integrity, talent, and drive as here at The Chance. Recent highlights include the nomination for “Best Direction” by the OC Weekly for The Cherry Orchard and the portrayal of Ann in the acclaimed production of Goodnight Children Everywhere. Other acting credits include Woman 2 in That Which Remains, Woman in Bash, Jo in Little Women, Teresa in The Hostage, and Cathos in The Affected Ladies. Jocelyn double majored in Theatre and Biology at UCSD, pursuing further studies at SCR and in England. [top]

Darren C. Buckels (George)

Darren has been performing for the last 14 years throughout Orange and LA County. Now he has made The Chance his home by becoming a Company Member. Some of his favorite roles include: Emile in South Pacific, El Gallo in Fantasticks, Sid Sorokin in Pajama Game, The Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance and John Wilkes Booth in Assassins. Darren would like to pursue a career as a professional stage actor. Darren and his wife Victoria would like to thank their friends and family for their support. Plus, a new addition to the Buckels family, a baby girl named Alana Rae born last October. [top]

Ricky Culbertson (Paul)

National Tours: Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow); Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Icabod Crane). Off-Off Broadway: Sweeny Todd (Tobias U/S); Black Comedy (Brindsley); A Sondheim Celebration (Soloist); Black Sox (world premiere – Abe Attell). Regional: Louisiana Purchase (Jim Taylor); Guys & Dolls (Nathan Detroit); Oklahoma! (Curly); Noises Off (Gary Lejeune); Forever Plaid (Sparky); World Goes Round (Soloist); J.C. Superstar (Annas); Sister Mary… For You (Gary Sullavan); Snoopy!!! The Musical (Snoopy); Damn Yankees (Sohovik). [top]

Jim Goodridge (Michael)

Jim would like to thank the cast and crew of this amazing show for making him a part of it. Favorite roles include: Che (Evita), Moonface Martin (Anything Goes), Marcellus (Music Man) and Flint (Somethings Afoot). Jim will be appearing as a new Dad in his own life in September. Thanks Jolee for the life altering news. I love you. [top]

Erika C. Miller (Alice)

As a founding member you’ve probably seen me on stage, behind it, and running it with our team of extremely talented individuals. It’s a joy and a pleasure everyday to be able to come here to our home and work! Recent favorite shows include Goodnight Children Everywhere, A Grand Night for Singing, The Fantasticks, and Lee Miller: The Angel and the Fiend. I am so excited and thrilled to be in this production I can’t even say. I have been in love with it since hearing it for the first time over 10 years ago. Thank you for coming to see this obscure piece and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Much love to Mom and Dad for always supporting me and of course to Oanh, without whom I am utterly lost. [top]

Bonnie Wickeraad (Angela)

Bonnie is thrilled to be working again at The Chance. You may have seen her recently as Amy in Company or as Mary Bailey in the Holiday Hit It's A Wonderful Life. She is a recent graduate of UC Irvine with a degree in Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Maisy in The Boyfriend, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Phillia in Forum. She was also a cast member in the 2000 National Tour of Up With People. Her dream role is to play Jen in the musical John and Jen. She would like to thank everyone at The Chance Theater for giving her such a wonderful environment to create in. She would also like to thank her family for their love and support as well as her vocal coach Mahlon Schanzenbach. "We've had this date with each other from the beginning". ~Streetcar Named Desire [top]