Merely Players

GUYS AND DOLLS

2025

 

WHO’S WHO

 

Jennie Albert (Costume Designer) is excited to join Merely Players again for Guys and Dolls. Her first Merely Players show was 30 years ago and she loves opportunities when she can join them. This is her third time working on Guys and Dolls, and she has a great love for this show both on stage and in the world of costumes.  Jennie is grateful for her family: Luke, Abbie, Will and Gabriella. She is passionate about her career as a counselor as well. Thank you, JoAnn, for all the years. This one is for you. I miss you, my friend.

 

Kelsea Anderson (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be participating in her second Merely Players production. Kelsea is getting back into theatre after a few years away figuring out life and school. She is excited to be working with such a wonderful group of people to bring this production to life. 

 

Matt Bodo (Nathan Detroit) is a Shakespearean Skaterat & native Durangatang. Merely audiences may have hit their saturation point with Matt as the doll-mender Lucius & the hobo Bull (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane), Shakespeare’s best friend Henry (Book of Will), the radio DJ Frank (Hands on a Hardbody), the villainous Caliban (The Tempest), and the evil Duke Frederick and lovable dope Silvius (As You Like It). Durango audiences have also been over-watered by Pastor Greg in Hand to God and Ebenezer Scrooge in the radio play of A Christmas Carol both by Doctuh Mistuh Productions. Matt also wets his beak as a featured writer for Durango Magazine. Winner: 2024 BroadwayWorld Denver Award – Best Performer in A Play for Henry in Book of Will.

 

Kaitlyn Bosveil (Faith) is returning to the stage after a brief intermission since 2015. She is full of butterflies and excitement to join the cast and crew of Merely Players for this production of Guys and Dolls. In the time-lapse of performing in shows such as: Grease, The Wedding Singer, Godspell, and I Know I Saw Gypsies, Kaitlyn has been pursuing a career in education (all beginning with work in children’s theater!) Originally from Georgia, she has explored different educational environments and teaching styles. Kaitlyn currently teaches at Durango Montessori School, and holds the magic of theater, storytelling, performance, and the playfulness of this human experience (we often forget about) dear to her heart. She is thankful to be here.

 

Stephen Bowers (Benny Southstreet) is over the moon to reprise a role he played as a college freshman and revisit his years in da Bronx as a middle schooler and later a young doctor.  He dedicates this show to his doll with one hundred percent eyes from Jersey.

 

Michael Chapman (Calvin) is thrilled to be a part of Merely Players’ production of Guys and Dolls. He enjoys musical theatre, and has appeared in Chicago, Shrek the Musical,

Pippen, and The Secret Garden.

 

Zachary Chiero (Choreographer) is so excited to be working with this fabulous group. This is Zachary’s second year on the staff of Merely Players as their Associate Director. Zachary was last seen as Billy Flynn in Merely’s production of Chicago, which he also choreographed with the brilliant Dallas Padoven for which they won the Best Choreography BroadwayWorld Award for their work. Up next, Zachary will be reprising his role as Clown in Clown Sex Ed, performing in A Grand Night for Singing at Act 2 Playhouse in Philadelphia, and performing in a production of Scheherazade with the Cleveland Orchestra in collaboration with Enchantment Theatre Company of Philadelphia, where he serves as the Artistic Director. Love always to Dallas.

 

Daniel Clark (Luke/Angie the Ox) is 24 years old and is honored that this will be my second Merely Players show after having the opportunity to be in Chicago last year. He is a machine shop manager in Durango and has enjoyed being a part of musicals and plays since he was five years old. He’s had the great pleasure of finding his identity through the camaraderie that musicals brought over the years, and he is excited to be able to share a piece of that with others. If Daniel isn’t working or acting, you will find him with his wife in the mountains hunting and fishing this beautiful area of Durango! Cheers!

 

Mary Lynn Clark (Wardrobe/Props/Production Asst.) is delighted to be a part of this classic musical. This is her third season with Merely Players as Company Manager. She loves how the job gives her the opportunity to learn new things and be creative. She is not much of a gambler of dice, but she plays a mean hand of gin.

 

Natalie Cohn (Stage Assistant) is excited to work alongside her good friends, Katy and Kelsea. She’d like to thank them for being the bomb diggity – which is a sentiment she would also like to extend to David Bowie and the invention of the modern potato. 

 

Jane Collard Gould (Asst. Costume Designer) has a degree in Fashion Merchandising from J. Gibson in Boston, as well as an MA and a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly. Jane has always been a creative person. Her passion for design is shown in her having been a Landscape Designer, lnterior Designer, Jewelry Designer, and Costume Designer, as well as an artist in many medias. She also has been an antique dealer for over 30 years. She worked as the resident costume designer at Fort Lewis College Theatre Dept. for 15 years as well as Railevents Productions for 4 years, where she took care of over a thousand costumes for The Polar Express Train Ride across the nation. Jane is honored to be costuming for Merely Players and working with past students and new faces.

 

Grace Dendy (Costume Manager) is excited to be backstage again working the magic of Merely Players! Having grown up performing on stage, Grace has taken a liking to the backstage scene and loves working with everyone and helping the show run smoothly. 

 

Evan Dion (The Greek/Havana Dancer) appears in his first show with Merely Players. If you would like this to be his last you can email him: maybemusicaltheatreisn’tyourthing

 

Lori Fisher (General Matilda Cartwright/Parlay Pat) is thrilled to be bringing her mug to this production of Guys and Dolls. As an avid but somewhat incompetent poker player, Lori is confident she can bring a touch of realism to the desperation of the craps-playing gentleman! Lori has recently seen in other Merely productions, including Tiny Beautiful Things, the Chicago ensemble, Virginia Drew in Hands on a Hardbody, and as Jane Throttle in the Durango Arts Center production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. When not on stage, Lori can be found devouring books, rafting rivers with her family, and taking hammock naps in the sun. Lori is all in on this production, and on Merely Players!

 

Silvia Fleitz (Pepper/Two-Time Tex) has performed on stages from the Missouri Ozarks to the Arizona Sonoran Desert to Southwest Colorado. She has become a favorite at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez where, with the Sunflower Troupe, she portrayed Ruth in A Miracle on South Division Street and Mickey the cop in The Odd Couple – Female Version. She is thrilled to dust off her dance shoes and join Merely Players for her first performance over the mountains in Durango!

 

Charles Ford (Tech Director/Designer) is a master backstage technician and the Technical Director of Merely Players.   An avid puppeteer, mask-maker, make-up artist, robotics engineer, and special effects designer, he has designed dozens of sets for a variety of theatrical genres. During his career as Durango High School’s tech director and resident designer, Charles was the recipient of several awards, including the Durango Foundation of Educational Excellence’s Outstanding Teacher Award and the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association Technical Theatre Award. He loves being a part of the magic.

 

Jeni Hartmann (Agatha) is beyond thrilled to be appearing in her first production at Merely Players. The last she graced the stage was in Sweet Charity, The Night of January 16th, and The Terrible Story of Lyman Hart Wayne. When not on stage, she takes solace in being outdoors to hike, bike, snowboard or cross-country ski. She wants to thank her husband, Shawn, and their dog, Finn, for always supporting her endeavors. She also wants to thank her family for their enthusiastic support, especially Keenan, for mentoring her in her return to the stage! She dedicates this show to her mother, who acted out bedtime stories as though they were one woman plays and thus instilled her love for the theater. 

 

Braden Helfrich (Rusty Charlie/Havana Dancer) performs as Rusty Charlie in his third show, having played Chris in Hands on a Hardbody and an ensemble member in Chicago. He’s grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community of people, and he’s especially grateful for the people who come and support him and all of his friends in these wonderful productions.

 

Katy Hutchinson (Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to the backstage to reprise her dream role as the orchestrator of logistics. Her previous shows with Merely Players include The Tempest and Bright Star as stage manager, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol as light board operator, and Swing State as costume designer. In her free time Katy loves to bake bread and read books.

 

Mandy Irons (Adelaide) is excited to play Miss Adelaide, especially since she played Sarah Brown in high school and always lamented not getting to sing “Adelaide’s Lament.” Now, too many years later to count or admit to, she gets her chance! Mandy was most recently seen with Merely Players in The Book of Will (Elizabeth) and Bright Star (Alice); she also was honored to direct and play Sugar in Tiny Beautiful Things for Merely’s Studio Series. Mandy is a minister at Christ the King Lutheran Church and sings with the Durango Women’s Choir. She would like to thank the inimitable Brian Geisinger for his love and support.

 

Mohriah James (Lulu/Society Max/Havana Dancer) grew up in Bayfield and received her B.A. in Theatre from Fort Lewis College. She was last seen on the Merely Players stage as Alice in The Book of Will. Mohriah enjoys dance and musical theatre, both as a performer and spectator. Her favorite movie musical is An American in Paris with Gene Kelly. The actor she loves most, though, is her husband, Geoff Johnson. Some of her favorite onstage roles include Mona in Chicago (Merely Players), Mary Lane in Reefer Madness (Doctor Mistuh/DAC), Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show (Durango Arts Center), Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins (Sandstone Productions), and Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Thingamajig Theatre Company).

 

Geoff Johnson (Nicely Nicely Johnson) is excited to embody this famous, fictional, familial fellow. Recent Merely musical credits include: Amos in Chicago, Mike in Hands on a Hardbody, Mayor Dobbs in Bright Star, and Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical. He was also featured in the one man show: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. Geoff has played hundreds of games of Yahtzee in his life in preparation for this roll. He is once again thrilled to share the stage with his exuberant, ethereal wife, Mohriah James.

 

Emilie Kershaw (Martha) has always had a love for theater and performance. She has held lead roles in both high school and college musicals and had a stint as lead singer in a folk band in Washington, DC. She is overjoyed to be playing the role of Martha in Guys and Dolls and is excited to embrace the theater community of Merely Players. Emilie has lived between Wyoming and Colorado for the last decade, originally hailing from upstate NY. She has built herself a successful and joyful career in Montessori Education over the last 15 years, as an educator and now Assistant Director of the Durango Montessori School.

 

Tom Kyser (Music Director) retired in 2018 after 44 years in Music Education. During

that time, his DHS choirs performed at Disneyland and Carnegie Hall, as well as at festivals throughout Colorado. The highlight of his musical theater career was emerging from the orchestra pit in a sequined jumpsuit and platform shoes (thanks to JoAnn Nevils) to sing “Beauty School Dropout” in the DHS production of Grease. Other musical direction credits include Merely Players’ Forever Plaid, Dames at Sea, Mamma Mia!, Matilda, Bright Star, and Chicago. It is with great joy that he’s back to work on this production of Guys and Dolls.

 

Paul Laasko (Arvide Abernathy) is thrilled to return to musical theater after all these years; especially to relish Guys and Dolls for his third appearance. Heavens! After three years of embracing the words of the bard on this stage here’s a thank you to Merely Players for a new opportunity. And a thank you to Mary Jo for her continued support.

 

Beth Miller (Mimi/Scranton Slim/Havana Dancer) is delighted to be back on stage with Merely Players. A passionate story-weaver by nature, she has appeared in The Secret Garden, Man of La Mancha, Men on Boats, and most recently, Chicago. As a writer and educator, she believes in the power of story and the connecting gift of the arts. She would like to thank Jacob for encouraging her creativity in every form and for putting up with hours of living room choreography practice, much to the dog’s dismay.

 

Melissa Mossinghoff (Sarah Brown) is thrilled to be joining the incredible guys and dolls of Merely Players as Sergeant Sarah Brown. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Melissa has been overwhelmed with the talent, love, and magic of Durango’s theatrical community over the past few years. Other recent credits of hers include Merely Players’ Chicago, Hands on a Hardbody, Durango Arts Repertory Theatre’s Rocky Horror Show, and Durango Theatreworks’ A Christmas Carol. Melissa is forever grateful for this sweet, welcoming community, for the family and friends that lift her up daily, and for all the Durangotangs that show so much love for the arts.

 

JoAnn Nevils (Wardrobe Consultant) was designing costumes for Guys and Dolls just before she passed away. The gifts of her artistry, work, generosity, humor, and kindness will always permeate our theater. We miss you and thank you, JoAnn.

 

Dallas Padoven (Choreographer) is grateful to be choreographing again on the Merely Players stage, after his 2024 BroadwayWorld Award for Best Choreography along with husband, Zach Chiero for Chicago. The last work you may have seen of his was as Director of Hands on a Hardbody. After spending the past 10 years in and out of New York City and Philadelphia performing professionally with Pittsburgh CLO, Walnut Street Theatre, TheatreRow NYC, Sacramento Music Circus, West Virginia Public Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse and more, he now spends his days working with the students of Animas High School!.Much love to my husband Zachary Chiero, the Merely Players team, Mother, and Brother.

 

Diane Panelli (Box Office Manager/Props Lead/Production Asst.) co-founded a theatre production company at Sarah Lawrence College, then went on to attending a cooking school in NYC and owning a restaurant in Telluride before moving to Durango in 2004.  She serves on the Merely Players board and truly loves the hunt for all the props that make a show special.

 

Jamie Pickering (Props Manager) was a homeschooled kid and was allowed to watch TV after all her assignments were completed for the day.  Rushing through school work she would turn on the TV and tune into either Turner Classic Movies or AMC to watch the wonderful variety of musicals offered.  After years of immersion in the classic Hollywood musical genre, if you were to ask her what her favorites were, she would state South Pacific, The King and I and Guys and Dolls. When not lurking backstage of Merely Underground, Jamie spends her time at the beck and call of her four cats.

 

Heather Rasmussen Thomas (Mic Technician) has grown up in Durango, getting her love of theatre early at four years old. She loves being involved in theatre both on and off the stage. Merely Players credits include Mary Poppins, Man of La Mancha, and Chicago as the microphone operator and on stage for shows such as A Wrinkle in Time, Sense and Sensibility, and most recently the Studio Series show, Tiny Beautiful Things. Heather is excited to return to Guys and Dolls as the microphone operator. Enjoy the show!

 

Greta Richter (Ticket Manager) was born and raised in Sierra Madre, not far from Hollywood and Burbank. She grew up enjoying musicals and was excited when her children became involved in theatre when they moved to Durango. Greta loves her work as Merely Players’ Ticket Manager. She is grateful to God for bringing amazing theatre people into her life.

 

Conor Sheehan (Sky Masterson) is honored to follow the fold yet again with Merely Players in this boat-rocking bonanza! Last seen as the title bunny in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, some of his favorite musical credits are Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie (DAC), Billy Cane in Bright Star (M.P.), and J.D. in Heathers (Durango Theatreworks). He also had the pleasure of musically accompanying Clown S*x Ed. He wishes to thank Mona, Charles, each unbelievable Merely artist on-and-off-stage, his bandmates, and every one of you, with special thanks to Mom, Grace, and Tara (his favorite dolls) and extra special thanks to his father, Mike (the best guy). Endless love and gratitude and enjoy the show. (I’m sure it won’t be a gamble).

 

Mick Souder (Soundtrack Technician) has been on tech for Merely Players productions since 2015. In his lifetime in various theatre, audio and moving picture arts, he once tried to direct a group of student activists at the University of Illinois in performing Joesph Heller’s one act, Clevinger’s Trial.  When his actors couldn’t remember their lines, he changed the show to a Readers Theatre production.

 

Ian Thomas (Lt. Brannigan/Hot Box Emcee/Joey Biltmore/Havana Waiter) is excited to join the group for Guys and Dolls where he will be performing a minimum of singing and dancing. Having recently joined a goodly number of these fine folks as recently as The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, he is happy to have time enough to join them again. When he isn’t on stage, which is most of the time, Ian works as a tile setter in Durango, and enjoys running a Dungeons and Dragons campaign for his friends whenever he can.

 

Riki Tsethlikai (Harry the Horse/Havana Dancer) is excited to be returning to the stage in Merely Players’ performance of Guys and Dolls. He has been involved in many productions with Merely Players from Hector McQueen in Murder on the Orient Express, Red Eyes in A Wrinkle in Time and most recently Daddy Cane in Bright Star. Riki graduated Bayfield High School and spent a couple years at Fort Lewis College studying vocal music performance. He is ready to jump in and share this wonderful production with Durango.

 

Selena Trujillo (Light Technician) is a Durango native.  She has worked as stage manager, techie, and crew for Salt Fire Circus and Bare Bones Burlesque, Durango Arts Center, the Henry Strater Theatre, Snowdown Follies, 20 Moons Dance Company, Merely Players, Imaginario Circus, and Tami Graham Presents.  She has been seen onstage in the roles of Andrew Hall for Men on Boats and the Second Sibling in As You Like It.   Her first show as a techie was as a Spotlight Operator for Guys and Dolls at Durango High School, so she is thrilled to come full circle with Mona Wood-Patterson and Merely Players. Outside the theatre, she works as an Admin Assistant at Fort Lewis College and as a freelance graphic designer.  

 

Ethan Vlchek (Big Jule/Havana Dancer) Standing 6’3 and 230 lbs., you may be asking yourself, ‘He looks like a football player.’ Well, you’d be right. Played football for over a decade as an offensive lineman, then switched to theatre after he retired. Turns out, way better on the knees and head. Now he’s a fight coordinator. Hope you enjoy!

 

Jeff Widen (Stage Assistant), a Durango local, has worked in set construction in Durango theatres for the last decade, including Durango High School, Merely Players, Durango Arts Center, and Fort Lewis College. Some of his favorite works include Sweeney Todd, Matilda the Musical, Murder on the Orient Express, Heathers, Hand to God, I Hate Hamlet, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Cabaret, Romeo and Juliet, and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. He is excited to be working with the cast and crew of Guys and Dolls, and hopes everyone will enjoy the show.

Siena Widen (Candy/Brandy Bottle Bates/Havana Dancer) a Durango native, is thrilled to return again to Merely Players for Guys and Dolls. Now graduated from Fort Lewis College, previous credits include: Mamma Mia, Next to Normal, Men on Boats, Sweeney Todd, Heathers, Cabaret, Reefer Madness, Durango PlayFest, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Mona Wood-Patterson (Director) has devoted her professional life to studying, teaching, and making theatre. She has directed around 200 productions in various venues and presented at educational and theatre conferences both in the United States and abroad. The Artistic Director of Merely Players, Mona has been the recipient of numerous awards; including Colorado Theatre Teacher of the Year and Fort Lewis College Distinguished Alumnus. She was awarded a Fulbright to teach theatre in England, and was inducted into the Colorado State Thespian Hall of Fame. She is grateful that she gets to work and play amidst remarkable people in Durango.