*** The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.***

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Eric Jensen’s Director’s Notes:

Well, it’s that time of year again…My favorite time, Halloween. That means dusting off the old things and putting on the pointy ears and a long black cape. My favorite thing to do every October. And what other show to be performing but one of the oldest shows that the OBT has: Dracula vs. The Hunchback. This was the show that started our illustrious run of Dracula versus series. The year before we had finished a show called Dracula vs. The Wolfman, and it was so well-received that we thought, instead of just doing The Hunchback of Notre Dame or a show like The Mummy, we would try to insert Dracula and let him be the ultimate bad guy between the two monsters. 

This has been a wonderful opportunity for me, because it forces me to be as creative as I possibly can be, while still trying to be true to that historical vampire. Those were the days where we only had a few actors involved in our plays on the stage. One of them was my good friend Alexis Owen who, back in ‘98, was cast in the role of Jenny Field. She did such an amazing job and seemed to steal the show every single night. So when we decided to do the show again this year, we thought how funny it would be if someone of her caliber came back and did the show with us here in Draper. Well, to our shock and amazement, Alexis auditioned and accepted our offer to do the role again! She has made this production an amazing one to behold. Our cast is tremendously talented, full of both wonderful novices and experienced actors. Folks, you are in for a treat tonight, to watch this cast play their parts SO PERFECTLY. So sit back and relax and have a lot of fun watching a bloodsucker and our cast make you spew your guts out with laughter!

CAST BIOS

Brett Andersen as Phoebus:

Brett is excited to be back with OBT. He is so grateful for the opportunity to perform with this cast and in particular his wife and daughter. He hopes that you are able to sit back, relax, and enjoy some laughs, even if it is just at him and not with him.

Kimberly Andersen as Ingrid:

Kim LOVES to make people laugh! Kim is a huge fan of the Off Broadway Theatre and is so excited to be part of this awesome company that brings joy and laughter to people’s lives. Kim is in this show with her hubby Brett & awesome daughter Bentley! Kim would like to quote the amazing Elle Woods from “Legally Blonde” who spoke these wise words: “I once had to judge a tighty-whitey contest for Lambda Kappa Pi. Trust me, I can handle anything.”

Kasey Capanna as Vaughn Helsing:

This is Kasey’s fifth show with the OBT. He started acting two years ago and loves it! Some of his favorite shows he’s been in are the Drowsy Chaperone, Frightmare Before Christmas, Arachnokid, and Indianapolis Jones. Kasey thoroughly enjoys entertaining others, helping to brighten their day. He also enjoys music and playing in his band, The Avenues.

Krystal Funk as Esmeralda:

Krystal is excited to be returning to the stage after nearly four years. This is her second show at the OBT and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be back. Her theatre background includes an AFA in musical theatre and more than 16 shows in 13 years. Her most notable roles include Alice Kinnian in Flowers for Algernon, Pippi in Pippi Longstocking, and Annabel Glick in Lucky Stiff. Krystal thanks her family and friends for their support and encouragement of her acting.

Ed Gilmore as Archbishop Jean:

Ed is always in a happy place when performing with his OBT family. You may have seen him before as Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham in productions of Robyn Hood, the Mayor in Frightmare Before Christmas, and his favorite role of Polonius in Hamleton. Shout out to Cathy, Emma, Spencer, Beth, Jane, and Charlotte. Thanks to my Mum & Dad for putting up with my sense of humor that stands me in good stead in this environment.

Chelsea Grant as Esmeralda

Chelsea is so excited to be in her second “Dracula versus” show at OBT! She’s been performing across Utah with her family since before she can remember. Some of her favorite shows have been Jurassic Park City at OBT, The Greatest Snowman at Desert Star Playhouse, and Lucky Stiff at Draper Historic Theatre. To her favorite person, her son Van, she’d like to say “See ya later alligator”!

Denise Hassett as Olga:

Denise Renee is excited to return to the stage for her fifth OBT production. The laughs just keep coming! When not on stage, she is an artist, graphic designer, and art instructor who also enjoys playing soccer, reading, and spending time with her family and her pets.

Eric Jensen as Dracula:

Eric Jensen has been doing shows at the OBT since 1994, and playing Dracula is one of his favorite characters of all time. He enjoys playing the quirky silly guy and character parts for OBT, but as a reprised role during Halloween is his utmost delight! Between directing, writing, building, teaching, he is never bored. He hopes you enjoy this show as much as he enjoys performing it.

Aimee McPhie as Ingrid

Aimee is excited to be back at OBT after branching out to other theaters over the past year. She has enjoyed being in productions such as The Robber Bridegroom, Galactic Battles (A Star Wars Parody), and Barefoot in the Park. In her spare time, you can find Aimee doing karaoke for fun and competitively and working on her first original script. No matter where she goes, to her, the OBT will always be home.

Tristan Mouritsen as Monk

Tristan is currently employed as a software developer, but that’s the boring stuff. Tristan is still new to performing at OBT and the theater world in general, so if he does something stupid, please laugh at him. He might have even done it intentionally. Tristan receives tremendous support from his amazing wife, Emily, and his two kids, Abbi and Oliver.

Alexis Owen as Jenny Field:

Alexis is pleased to be playing Jenny Field again, and is excited to be back with the OBT after such a long absence. Although she has performed for many theaters over the past 30 years, including Hale Center Theatre, Desert Star Playhouse, Centerpoint Legacy, and others, some of her favorite roles have been with the OBT. These roles include Aubrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Ellie in Utahoma!, and of course, Jenny Field.

Daniel Peckham as Quasimodo:

Daniel sang and played saxophone throughout his school career before dedicating himself to ballet in 2017. He was a principal dancer, assistant director, choreographer, and teacher at En Pointe Ballet until retiring in January 2022. He performed in several Nutcrackers as Arabian, Sugar Plum Cavalier, Russian, and more, as well as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty. He is excited to be back in another OBT show.

Logan Rogan as Phoebus:

Logan has appeared in over two dozen OBT productions and is excited to reprise the role of Phoebus. You can also catch him performing improv Saturday nights in Laughing Stock, and throughout the week streaming video games on Twitch under the name, LoganRobo. And ladies, he’s single… which you probably already guessed since he streams video games online. He would like to thank his mom, his cat, and Optimus Prime for their continued support.

Jett Simmons as German Guy:

Jett is excited to do a second show with the OBT.  In the world today, people are in need of a little entertainment, so why not give it to all generations? Jett loves that the OBT can impact and fill the world with laughter, joy, and entertainment. He is quite honored and proud to perform to a group of all ages, to show them what he can do, and he hopes to inspire them with the way he is working with the OBT.

Daniel Smuin as Vaughn Helsing Understudy

Dan Smuin, a newcomer to stage acting, is passionate about storytelling. He looks forward to sharing the stage with his daughter, who’s also part of the cast. This marks an exciting and meaningful step into the acting world for both of them, blending their love for performance with the joy of working together as a family.

KIDS’ BIOS

Bentley Andersen as Hugo:

Bentley is excited to be doing Dracula vs. the Hunchback with her friends and family!! This is Bentley’s 17th show and her 5th at OBT! She LOVES theater and singing.

Robert Dalley as Pierre:

Robert is excited to be back on stage with his OBT family! Some of his favorite roles were playing Kelly in Jurassic Park City, and most recently he played a Who in Seussical this summer. He has caught the OBT fever!

Acelynn North as Hugo:

Acelynn likes to dance with her older sister.  She likes playing with dolls and outside with her friends. Acelynn loves being on stage and showing off her talent for theater.

Carson North as Pierre:

Carson loves karate. He loves playing video games with his dad. Carson is glad to be doing another OBT play and hopes you enjoy it.

Gemma Palmieri as Pippa:

Gemma is in 6th grade. This will be her 12th show. She loves to act! Gemma loves rehearsing for this show and she really hopes you like it! Stay weird!

Jordan Smuin as Victoria:

Jordan is 10 years old and thrilled to be in her first show with the OBT. She has enjoyed performing in Encanto and Wizard of Oz. She hopes you will laugh and enjoy this play!

CREW BIOS

Lee Wailes – Stage Manager                

Dracula shows are some of Lee’s favorite types of OBT shows: random dialogue, dad puns, and stories where the good guy always wins and gets the girl—what’s not to like? He has seen a lot at the OBT over the last decade, but not all. This theater existed for 20 years before he found it. Dracula vs. the Hunchback feels like a grand time capsule to a part of OBT’S history he didn’t get to see. Returning cast, honed set pieces, and a focus on the interactions between cast members. It’s been a pleasure to experience this older form of Dracula show as a stage manager. May you be just as delighted as an audience member. 

Viveann Godwin – Sound & Light Tech:

Viveann is happy to be back with the OBT family in another fun production, and thrilled to see her son on stage while she techs the show! You may have seen her playing Crocky, Dr. Hamblin, Bride of Frankie, and other fun characters. She hopes you enjoy this production and have a good laugh!

Robbie Dalley – Sound and Light Consultant

A Primetime Emmy Award winner (yes, it is true!), Robbie has spent the past 20 years working all things tech for various groups, including the Sugar Factory Playhouse. He helped to start the inhouse tech program and has continued to help push the boundaries of what is possible for our community theater. Always behind the scenes, he is a dad to a great, soon-to-be-10-year-old son (Robbie), two cats (Penelope & Charlie), and a Corgi (Flora). He divides his non-theater time between work and family.

November 3 – November 25

February 2 – February 24

April 5 – April 27

May 31 – June 29

August 2 – August 31

October 4 – October 26

November 1 – November 30

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Bing Fang, trustee and chair
Clarence Strohn, trustee and vice chair
Sandy Hubble Jensen, trustee and secretary
Christopher Cheeney, trustee 
Jeff Driggs, trustee
Ben Eddington, trustee
Jim Morgan, trustee
Kelly Wideman, trustee

OFFICERS

Eric R. Jensen, Co-Founder / Artistic & Technical Director
Sandy Hubble Jensen, Co-Founder / Executive Director
Bing Fang, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Hicks, Treasurer
Kelly Wideman, Marketing Director

CONSULTANTS

Aaron Bellis, consultant
Nic Brown, consultant
Austinn Jensen, consultant
Scott Hansen, consultant
Jeff Hunsaker, consultant
Daniel Gillette, consultat

ERIC R. AND SANDY HUBBLE JENSEN’S BIOS

Eric and Sandy are co-founders of the Off Broadway Theatre and Laughing Stock improv comedy troupe. They have worked closely over the past 26 years, dedicating much of their time to building and growing the Off Broadway Theatre. They have been married for 30 years and have one son, Austinn, who has grown up acting in numerous OBT and other productions.

Eric, the artistic and technical director for the OBT, grew up in Murray, Utah. He received his bachelor’s degree in theater arts at the University of Utah and his master’s degree in secondary education at the University of Phoenix. As executive producer and lead playwright, director, set designer, costumer, actor, and improviser, he guides many aspiring talents at the OBT. He teaches improv classes while mentoring up-and-coming playwrights, directors, stage managers, and set designers. His acting, writing, and directing experience has also been featured at Desert Star, Centre Point Legacy, Hale (both Orem and West Valley), and Egyptian theaters. He has taught and performed high school workshops and elementary school assemblies, as well as for some after school programs. Eric also teaches K – 6 as a fine arts specialist  in the Davis School District, inspiring children to love theatre, music, dance, and all things art. Under Eric’s leadership, OBT won the Best Community Theatre award from the Utah Theatre Association in 2000, recognizing the quality of the theatre and Eric’s work with high schools and the community.

Sandy serves as the executive director of the theatre, as well as executive producer, box office manager, and social media specialist, with more than 30 years of experience in small business management. She has an extensive acting background, including the OBT, Hale Centre Theatre WVC, The Grand Theatre, Sundance Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, Pages Lane, and Stage Right Theater. Sandy continues to work tirelessly to grow volunteer opportunities at the OBT. She was born in Vietnam and has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with endorsements in ESL, STEM, and Gifted. She teaches 1st grade in the Davis School District. She has earned two Presidential Awards for Volunteering and has been recognized in Who’s Who of America.   

The Off Broadway Theatre has been said to have a feel of “family,” and that’s because it is. Eric and Sandy’s mission has always been to provide a place where people can come together and make laughter ring true and provide a safe place to hone skills and develop friendships. Through the art of live performances, the theatre has reached many new friends, and its charitable outreach program has provided wonderful opportunities to serve our community. 

Eric and Sandy also co-founded Laughing Stock Improv and have performed together on the OBT stage as well as at corporate and  school events. They are proud to have such a long-running improv show with some amazingly talented improvisers who have been with the company for a long time.

Thank you for your many years of support and patronage at the Salt Lake downtown location, and for following us here to Draper. Please continue to donate to help us forge another 25+ years of spreading laughter in Utah! Go to www.theOBT.org to donate today.