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

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Chris Kennedy’s  Director’s Notes:

What a wonderful time of the year to reflect on “days of old” as well as to look forward to all that the future holds for us. It’s a delight to get to help bring to life a timeless classic that warms your soul. The movie It’s A Wonderful Life has a special place in so many hearts, including mine. Its message of hope, love, and belonging speak to what all of us long to have and teaches us that every one of us is supposed to be here. Without any one of us, it “would leave an awful hole.” This theater is another source of hope, love, belonging, and laughter, so this show fits perfectly well with the Off Broadway Theatre. So many lives have benefited from either being involved in the shows or even just sitting in the seats you’re sitting in. I hope you feel that same love, hope, and belonging as you enjoy the show this wonderful cast has prepared for you. So sit back and get ready to laugh and enjoy because It’s a Wonderful Life.

CAST BIOS

Bee Fisher Asay as Violet Bick

This is Bee’s debut with the Off Broadway Theatre at the Draper Historic Playhouse! She is very excited to be a part of this fun cast and has loved being part of a show again! She just recently got married to the man who plays Bert (Nathan Asay) and is over-the-moon excited that they get to be in a show together! Bee graduated with a theatre degree, so she is very excited to exercise her skills again.

Nate Asay as Bert Swellman

Nathan is excited to be back on stage making his OBT debut after taking a couple years off! Previous shows he’s been part of include The Music Man, West Side Story, The King and I, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pirates of Penzance, and A Tale of Two Cities, plus many more over the years. Nathan is most excited to be performing this show with his new, beautiful wife, Bee Asay! Enjoy the show!

Adam Frary as Ernie Wright

Adam has fairly recently decided he spends entirely too much time as himself. As such, he figured, “eh, why not be someone else?” Thus his recent foray into acting. He has performed in two plays, My Fair Lady and The Scarlet Pimpernel, the latter being this past June. He decided, though, that that more recent role wasn’t bloodthirsty enough. Consequently, he sought for a role that is the pinnacle of ruthlessness: a cab driver.

Eric Jensen as Uncle Billy

Wow, after 29 years of creating funny, zany, and memorable characters for the OBT, Eric is thrilled to bring this show back to our patrons and never seen in Draper! “Uncle Billy” is one of his favorite roles. He was last seen as Dracula in Dracula vs.The Hunchback, and also performs with Laughing Stock. Eric thanks his family, especially Sandy, whose tireless efforts make all of this possible. He hopes this show makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, and makes memories for you and yours for many years through bonding with laughter.

Anna Kennedy as Harriet Goodwin

Anna is thrilled to (finally) get back into theater with her OBT debut! After consistently coming to OBT shows for 10 years, she thought it was about time to join in the fun. Some of her favorite roles include Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez in Charlie’s Aunt and a Newsie in Newsies. She is also thrilled to be part of a production with her brother, Chris, as they haven’t done a show together in twenty years!

Scott Macdonald as Henry Potter 

Scott believes that theater embiggens the soul of the smallest man. He is excited to be playing mean, old Potter in this production with such an amazing and talented cast, but especially that Angel and his kiddo. In the past Scott has played multitudinous roles, from maniacal bad guys to endearing hobos and dashing heroes. When not theater-ing Scott likes to bike, ski, big-wheel, and talk in the third person, and is grateful for the support of his son, Jonas, his girlfriend, Jill, and his friends and family.

Boston Smith as William Knott Jr.

Since birth it seems, Boston has been a performer. You might have recently seen him in The Play that Goes Wrong with the Bluffdale Arts Advisory Board. He’s also played other classic OBT roles such as Fruit Tree in Wicked Wizard of Ahhs and Jurassic Park City, Jack/Brassett in Charlie’s Aunt, and Mayor Renfield in Frightmare Before Christmas. He dedicates this show to his family and friends for their incredible love and support. And viewers like you. Thank you.

Jill Stark as Clarence Oddbody

Excited to reprise the part from the second show she performed at OBT. After acting for at least 30 years (more if you ask her parents) she still longs to be on stage and make others chuckle. She’s a teacher so she can always perform, and she knows her students are listening intently whenever she teaches. She is grateful to be a part of these shows that bring out such talented individuals and develop a theatre family for a time. Thank you to my friends and family who always support me. To Scott and Jonas: “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

Clarence Strohn as George Bailey 

At 50+ years old, Clarence has seen his fair share of comedy, and he still keeps choosing this stage. He’s thrilled to be reprising one of his favorite roles in one of his most favorite shows. Clarence has no doubt delighted you as a villain, hero, or insane sidekick in years past. He hopes to do the same tonight. He’s got a whole tribe of people, in one tiny house, who love, support, and depend on him. And he’s sure lucky!

Liz Thompson as Harriet Goodwin

Liz is delighted to be performing with her two youngest children, Clark and Ivy. Favorite past credits include Mrs. Mayor in Seussical, Irma in Anything Goes, Kim in Bye Bye Birdie, and Tessie in White Christmas. She is an in-house lawyer and has a ridiculous collection of 40s and 50s retro dresses. She thanks her husband and oldest daughter, Ellie, for putting up with our crazy.

Alisa Woodbrey as Mary Bailey  

Alisa loves performing and has done so all over the Wasatch Front. Some of her favorite stage credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Truly Scrumptious), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Rosemary), and Sister Act (Mother Superior). During the day she uses her MBA to manage Woodbrey Family Travel, which she owns with her husband. Thanks to my family for always coming to my shows!

KID BIOS

Pirate Anderson as Pete Bailey/Young Harry 

Pirate is so excited to do his third Christmas show with OBT. In his spare time he likes to go hunting for bugs and snakes: he’s never met a snake he didn’t adore. He is so excited to get to do a show with his big sister. Thank you for supporting the show!

Zuma Anderson as Lulu Bailey/Sister

Zuma is so thrilled to be back on stage with the OBT. She loves the chance to get to sing and dance on stage and is happy to do so again with her brother. Zuma loves school, loves writing her own songs, and loves designing clothes. She wants to be a vet when she grows up. Thank you for coming to the show!

Holly Chisholm as Zuzu Bailey/BooBoo Bailey

Holly began acting at seven years old and first appeared as Zuzu in OBT’s last staging of It’s a Wondrous Life. This has remained her favorite show, and she is excited to be back on stage performing in a beloved role. Holly is always smiling and enjoys singing, dancing, bike riding, baking, and painting.

Aubrey Gremillion as Lulu Bailey/Sister

Aside from school and a small community play, this is Aubrey Gremillion’s theatrical debut. She is happy that it is with the OBT. She loves to play the piano, use her imagination, and play games with her friends and brothers.

Alina Hartvigsen as BooBoo Bailey/Sister:

Alina loves acting and she loves the Off Broadway theater!! This is her fourth show with OBT. Her most recent role as Pip in Indianapolis Jones was definitely one of her favorites. When not on stage she’s often baking, writing stories and poetry and making elaborate superhero movies with her awesome neighbor friends.

Jonas Macdonald as Pete Bailey/Young Harry

Jonas is a talented young actor lighting up the stage for the sixth time. When he’s not performing, he loves gaming, hanging with friends, and solving sudoku puzzles.

Clark Thompson as Pete Bailey/Young Harry

Clark is nine years old and is performing with his mom and his sister. He enjoyed playing Max in Seussical, Tiny Tim in the musical Christmas Carol, Captain Goodfellow in A Pirate’s Tale, and Happy in Shrek.

Ivy Thompson as Zuzu Bailey/Sister

Ivy is five years old and performing with her mom and her brother. Ivy enjoyed playing Dopey in Shrek, Mutton and Shortstack in A Pirate’s Tale, and a Who Cadet in Seussical.

CREW BIOS

Stacee Hubsaker – Stage Manager:

Stacee Hunsaker is excited to be a part of The Off Broadway Theatre once again. “It’s not that I don’t like humans—it’s just that you’re not a cat and that disappoints me. Stop spraying Lysol and remember, kids: only you can prevent linger longers.” Previous roles include Mimi in Guys & Dolls with Cottonwood Heights, Amy Spettigue in Charlie’s Aunt with Off Broadway Theatre, and Alabama Lamb in Big Fish with Sandy Arts Guild.

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.

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.