The Chance Theater - A Christmas Story

Philip Grecian (Playwright)

Mr. Grecian began his show business career in Topeka, Kansas, by hiring out as a ventriloquist and magician at the age of four. By 15 he had written a three act comedy which was produced at a local theatre. That same year he joined Dale Easton’s melodrama theatre company, which produced the long-running Drunkard, and stayed with the show for eight years. At 16 he was founding director for Act One, a city-funded community theatre, later named The Helen Hocker Theatre. Two years later he was asked to be a part of the Creede Colorado Repertory Theatre, where he spent a season acting and writing. In 1994 he became the founding director/playwright for a theatre company which mounts an annual production of his adaptation of In His Steps, based upon Charles Sheldon’s best-selling turn-of-the-century novel. Grecian’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol has become an annual tradition in many communities around the United States, and the script of his radio adaptation of Dracula (produced and syndicated in the 1970s) has found new life as a stage production, complete with an onstage sound effects crew. Several of Grecian’s plays have been published including his widely popular The Velveteen Rabbit. The Dragon of Nitt and Lion and the Lyre have been translated and performed in Russia. [top]

Jean Shepherd (Original Material)

Born in the south side of Chicago, Illinois, Shepherd was raised in Hammond, Indiana. Shepherd started his broadcast radio career on WSAI AM in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1948. He later had a television program in Cincinnati called “Rear Bumper”. In 1957 he was recommended as the replacement for the resigning Steve Allen on NBC's “The Tonight Show”. NBC executives sent Shepherd to New York to prepare for the position, but they were contractually bound to offer the position to Jack Paar first. Between 1976 and 1994 Shepherd became a screenwriter of note, producing numerous works for both TV and cinema. He also narrated many of these works, the most famous being the holiday classic “A Christmas Story”. He performed before sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall. Shepherd wrote a series of humorous short stories about growing up in the Indiana steel towns, which were later assembled into books. Among them were, In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. Some of those situations were incorporated into his movies. [top]

Jocelyn A. Brown (Director)

After five years at The Chance, Jocelyn is thoroughly fulfilled and challenged working alongside artists of such vision, integrity, talent, and drive. Recent highlights include the OC Weekly award for “Best Female Lead Performance” for her portrayal of Ann in Goodnight Children Everywhere, the nomination for “Outstanding Individual Artist” for 2003 by Arts Orange County, and the nomination for “Best Direction” by the OC Weekly for The Cherry Orchard. Other directing credits include Big Love, The Fantasticks, Spring’s Awakening, The Worthy Master of the Law, As You Like It, Confirmation, Last Summer at Bluefish Cove, and Facing East. Jocelyn majored in Theatre and Biology at UCSD and pursued further studies at UEA in England, Laguna Playhouse, and SCR and currently teaches at Mission Viejo High School. Lots of love and thanks to Kirk. [top]

Katherine Futterer (Set Designer)

Katherine is happy to be back at The Chance. Her recent work includes Porcelain and The Diary of Anne Frank. Special thanks to her family for their support and Dain for his gravitas. [top]

Masako Tobaru (Lighting Designer)

Masako is entering her second year as a Company Member here at The Chance and has loved every minute of it. She is thrilled to be designing for The Chance again having previously designed Closer Than Ever, The Rover, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues and It’s a Wonderful Life. Masako also graduated from Concordia University, Irvine this past May where she has been hired as the Assistant Technical Director. Masako would like to thank her family for their support and encouragement. [top]

Dave Mickey (Sound Designer)

Graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in Technical Theatre Design, and is currently an MFA1 in sound design at CalArts. Dave has been a working Sound and Lighting Designer in Southern California since 1996. Design credits include the West Coast Premier of The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer, World Premier of Wicked City Blues and the World Premier of FIG: R.O. at The Chance Theater. [top]

Jim York (Assistant Sound Designer)

Jim is a Lancaster native, currently pursuing a degree in Music at Cal Poly Pomona. Although he still mostly considers himself an engineer, he is very grateful to Dave and those at The Chance for giving him a chance to collaborate and become that much closer to a "real" sound designer. [top]

Erika C. Miller (Costume Designer)

It’s always a pleasure to work with Jocelyn, and what a fun project to bring such a well loved classic to the stage! Favorite shows I’ve designed: Cabaret, Goodnight Children Everywhere, The Cherry Orchard, The Mikado, As You Like It, and HMS Pinafore to name a few. Recent stage credits: Cabaret, Closer Than Ever, R&H’s; A Grand Night for Singing, Goodnight Children Everywhere, and Lee Miller: The Angel and the Fiend… to name a few. Thanks for coming and enjoy the show! [top]

Martin Noyes (Fight Director)

Some other shows Martin has Fight Directed: Grapes of Wrath, Tom Jones, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Measure for Measure, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Romeo and Juliet, Beaty and The Beast, Zastrossi, The Elephant Man, and Richard III. Martin received his B.F.A. from Southern Oregon University, and his M.F.A. form the University of Alabama and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival both in Theatre with emphasis on Acting. [top]

Tanae Beyer (Stage Manager)

Tanae has previously stage-managed Romeo and Juliet, Seussical: the Musical, Ruthless!, Cabaret, and much more at Concordia University, Irvine where she recently received her B.A. in Communication and Theatre. While there, she also appeared in Joyful Noise, Medea, and Suddenly Last Summer. This past January marked her directorial debut with The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Tanae has also stage-managed for CAT Corona’s Community Theatre. This is Tanae’s first production with The Chance Theater and she would like to thank Alisa and Masako for giving her this opportunity. [top]

Ray Akin (The Old Man/Santa Claus)

This is Ray's fourth production at The Chance, and his first appearance here in which he is not playing opposite his dear and talented friend, Myrna Niles, to who's memory he dedicates this performance. Ray's credits here include The Illusion, The Yeomen of the Guard, and It's a Wonderful Life. He thanks Jocelyn for her delightful and inspired casting and direction, and he celebrates 42 years of marriage to his beloved and supportive Jan. [top]

Alex Bueno (Miss Shields/Mrs. Schwartz)

This is Alex's 4th year with The Chance Theater and she feels so lucky to be involved with such a talented and passionate group of people. Some of Alex's past credits include The Rover (Florinda), One Flea Spare (Morse), Big Love (Thyona) and The Laramie Project. She is currently reprising her role as Blitzen in last year’s hit Christmas show The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Alex would like to thank Jocelyn and the cast and crew for making it such a wonderful experience, her friends and family for their undying support, Casey for his constant inspiration and finally Richard for the countless hugs. Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays! [top]

Ana Maria Campoy (Ester Jane)

Ana Maria would like to thank everyone involved for making this show so much fun. This is her first production with The Chance Theater. Her past productions include Long Beach Shakespeare’s The Tempest (Juno, Island Spirit), Black Rose Players’ Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), My Fair Lady (directed by Broadway star Susan Egan) and The Miracle Worker (Polly). Ana Maria is currently a freshman at Cal State Fullerton, majoring in acting. Merry Christmas and enjoy the show! [top]

David Chorley (Flick)

Christmas Story marks the debut for Dave on a California stage, coming off a two-year hiatus from performing after moving from Arizona. Many comedic stage roles to his credit, with a recurring role in Grease as Vince Fontaine (over 100 performances). Other favorite roles include Willy Wonka, Bud Frump (H2$), Ernie (Rumors), George (Moon Over Buffalo). Dave has garnered recent awards with his short-film "Ghoulable," which was selected to the 2006 Phoenix Film Festival. [top]

Richard Comeau (Ralph)

For the second straight year, Richard is doing double duty by appearing in both holiday shows at The Chance. He was most recently seen here in The Laramie Project and earlier in The Diary of Anne Frank, and is delighted to once again unite with his talented friends both on and off stage. He dedicates his performances -- in both shows -- to anyone who dares let their inner child out to play at inappropriate times. [top]

Jeff Hellebrand (Scut Farkas/Black Bart)

As a co-founder of The Chance Theater, Jeff is very proud and excited about the growth and development being taken in the company in which he now serves as the Literary Manager. Recent Chance Theater credits include Basillo in FIG:R.O. and Mr. Kraler in The Diary of Anne Frank. Jeff would like to thank Jocelyn for working with him again, his dedicated fellow cast members and the marvelous CTRC; especially the folks in the box office tonight. He would like to dedicate his performance to the Magnificent Myrna. [top]

Carter Mason (Schwartz)

Carter previously appeared in The Worthy Master of the Law, Trail of Tears, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. He is excited to return to The Chance Theater. Special thanks to all the folks who run the best theater in Orange County! Carter has also appeared in television shows on Lifetime, TLC, and the Discovery Channel. [top]

Joe Neuhaus (Ralphie)

Hailing from Grand Island, Nebraska, Joe recently graduated from the School of Theatre at USC this past May. He’s been in various productions at USC, including a student written play called Masterpieces. This is Joe’s first production with The Chance Theater, and it’s definitely been a great experience. [top]

Kristin Norris (Randy/Helen)

Kristin is thrilled to return for her third show at The Chance Theater. She is currently pursuing her BFA at Chapman University. Previous Orange County credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank, Hang Up, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Oedipus Rex, The Crucible, and Quills. She would like to send many thanks to all at The Chance Theater for these wonderful experiences. Thanks also to her family and friends for their love, support, and encouragement. [top]

Karen Webster (Mother)

As a Company Member, Karen is proud to call The Chance “home”. Past Chance Theater credits include Little Women, Trail of Tears, Spring’s Awakening, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Hollow, The Cherry Orchard, and The Diary of Anne Frank. She balances her involvement with The Chance with a dental hygiene practice in Irvine, and is grateful once again to Jocelyn for giving her the opportunity to work on this holiday classic! [top]