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

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Jake Andersen’s Director’s Notes:

Thanks must be given to the incredible cast for their hard work and ability to persevere until we got the result we needed. Special thanks to Michael Thrall, our assistant director, whose love of this show really comes through. Thank you also to Erin, Eric, Emily, Joy, Vicki, Kyra, Tanya, Lorrinda, Katie, and Rachel. It takes a village to create the magic of Penzance.

Eric R. Jensen’s adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance is by far the best version out there and perfect for this summer. The buccaneering energy of sea-chanting pirates (who are awful at piracy), led by the dashing Pirate King who doesn’t want to say good-bye to the kind-hearted, duty-bound and honorable Frederic—who in turn is being misled by the elderly nursemaid, Ruth, makes for a rollicking good time on the high seas. The eclectic, beautiful daughters of General Stanley make the most boring of beaches become an afternoon of delightful oceanic numbers, exploration, and adventure. The sea breeze also brings together Mabel, the general’s youngest daughter, and Frederic, our lion-hearted hero, who is instantly smitten with Mabel and her angelic voice. It is pure fairy tale told by the sea. General Stanley and his dislike of pirates, but knowledge of everything animal, vegetable and mineral, have kept the world humming and tapping toes for 144 years. There among the tombstones the sergeant and the police offer their bravery, strength, and kooky hijinx to help fight off pirates. Their ability to do nothing but soak up air keeps us laughing even in the darkest of times. The most important things to take away from this show are: 

1. Diction and enunciation are key. Just ask Ruth…they certainly changed her life. 

2.   Being an orphan is often handy during these uncertain, piratey times.

3. This show is purely for fun. Every moment is meant to have you smiling, tapping your toes, laughing hysterically or, in some way, making you wish you could be one of the Pirates of Penzance. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE SHOW!!!

CAST BIOS

Makayla Barlow as Ruth/Pirate Rummy/Cop

This is Kayla’s first show with OBT! Some of her favorite roles include Woman #1 in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Dragon in Shrek the Musical, and Queen Elizabeth in Pirate Queen. Kayla has performed with such prominent musicians as Steve Smith of Journey, Andrew Tolman of Imagine Dragons, Christine Ohlman of SNL, and many others. She’s excited to portray Ruth and pirate Rummy in this production of Pirates of Penzance!

Joy Bowe as Kate

This is Joy’s first appearance with the OBT, but she is no stranger to the DHT stage. Past roles include Vivian Dracula (Dracula: Obsessed and Hating It), Edith (Pirates of Penzance), Fruma Sarah (Fiddler On the Roof), and Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol at DHT.

Ryan Bullock as Pirate Devildom

Ryan has been in more than 20 shows including four shows previous to this one with the OBT:  Seussical, Muffets Christmas Carol, The Phantom of the OBT, and The Drowsy Chaperone! He hopes you enjoy it!

Ryan Christoffersen as Sergeant 

For those of you who are following the acting career of Ryan, we have just one question. Why? For those of you who aren’t, this is Ryan’s second show, coming to us from Scarlet Pimpernel as “Fresh frog leg salesman #2.” It seems that the theater bug has bitten deep. Will the intrepid hero keep his notes sharp or will they fall flat? Find out in just a few minutes and enjoy the show.

Cynthia Chucay as Ruth/Pirate Rummy/Cop

After taking a hiatus from shows, Cynthia came back to the stage to star in Forever Dead last year. She’s excited to be doing another show at the OBT and with Jake Andersen. Currently she’s tired and wants to hang out with her dog.

Chelsea Grant as Edith

Chelsea’s excited to finally get to check off a bucket list item to perform in Pirates of Penzance! The cherry on top is getting to perform/work with Director Jake Andersen, this cast and crew, and do it all on the OBT stage. As always, she’d like to shout out to her son Van (who’s rolling his eyes while reading this) and her twin Meg for being her best friend. “I couldn’t love you two any more if I tried!”

Brandon Halley as Pirate Scaramouche/Cop

Brandon has worked with and supported OBT for almost three years. He hopes to work with them for many years. He was assistant stage manager for Peta Pun and performed in Jurassic Park City and Frightmare Before Christmas. He also starred as Horton in Seussical. He loves the family atmosphere. He thanks his wife, family, and friends for their support.

Brett Hansen as Major General Stanley

Brett was bitten by the performing bug at a very young age and has been onstage ever since. His most recent role was the Bishop of Basingstoke in DHT’s Jekyll and Hyde. Some of his favorite roles have been Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka, Fagin in Oliver!, Bellomy in The Fantasticks, and FDR in Annie. You can also find him on the streets of London where he portrays Scrooge at the Dickens Festival every year.

Porter Hiatt as The Pirate King

Porter is thrilled to be a part of the Off Broadway Theatre’s production of Pirates of Penzance. Porter is a University of Utah student currently studying vocal performance under Dr. Seth Keeton, and has been doing many roles from the operatic to musical theater. Past roles sung include The Usher in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, Asher in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Betto di Signa in Gianni Schicchi.

Aimee McPhie as Tatiana

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.

Chloe Mizantzidi as Mabel

Chloe is going to be a sophomore at Westminster University studying music. She has been taking private singing lessons for eight years. Last year, Chloe placed 2nd in the NATS Regional Vocal Competition and has participated in NATS for multiple years. Past credits include First Date, Aunt Spiker in James and the Giant Peach, Rafiki in The Lion King, Elsa in Frozen, and Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol at the Dickens Festival.

Tristan Mouritsen as Samuel Scars

Tristan is currently employed as a software developer, but that’s the boring stuff. This is Tristan’s first play with OBT. You could even say, this is his first play at any theater, ever! 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.

Nikki North as Edith

Nikki loves performing onstage and helping offstage. She has sung with the Orlando Opera and at Carnegie Hall and acted in countless plays. Favorites include Janet in OBT’s Drowsy Chaperone, Florence in Curious Savage, Queen Anne in The Three Musketeers, and Countess Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express. She wouldn’t be able to do any of it without the support of her incredible husband and four kids! Thanks, Norths!

Erin Orr as Cop and Stage Manager                

Erin has been with the OBT since August of 2010, mostly working behind the scenes as a stage manager and sound & light tech. Thirteen years! Holy cow! After some recent onstage ventures, she is happy to manage the stage once again! She would like to thank those who have stuck by her side through those 13 years, friends both old and new! You know who you are!

Emerson Peery as Frederic

Emerson is an enigma with a dash of witticism. As an aspiring voice actor, they look for any opportunity to improve their voice and challenge themselves in new and fun ways. What better way to do that than opera? They’re very excited to be a part of this production, and they are very honored to have been accepted into it. And now, onto the pirates’ lair!!!

Rachel Peterson as Mabel

Rachel is so excited to finally play her dream role, Mabel. Pirates of Penzance has been Rachel’s favorite show for a long time, and this will be her fourth time performing this comedy; she even met her husband doing this show in 2018. Rachel has a degree in vocal pedagogy and has recently been seen on the Weber State stage as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief.

Krystal Roake as Virginia/Cop

This is Krystal’s second show with the OBT, and her first show playing sisters alongside her husband, and bff4ever, Rob. You may have seen her as Lacey, in Titus Productions’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardhouse. Krystal also enjoys singing with her husband in their post-modern folk band, painting on whatever surface strikes her fancy, and marveling at the incredible human being her 14-year-old kiddo is becoming.

Rob Roake as Amanduh

Elegance. Grace. Poise. These are just a few of the adjectives that describe me in a dress. It has been a joy being my wife’s sister, and I hope that this performance both confounds your expectations and brings a smile!

Kaz Sandberg as Gertrude/Cop

Kaz is so excited to be on the stage again. She has been focusing a lot recently on the tech side of shows, and she is so excited to be back. She would love to give a shout out to her daughter Emily, who always believes in her, her wonderful husband Brandon, who is crazy enough to join her on her adventures, and her wonderful stepdaughters who support and watch each show.

Hunter Smith as Pirate Scaramouche/Cop

Hunter is excited to be acting back at The Off Broadway Theatre after performing in Jurassic Park City last year. Hunter spends his days working from home as a software engineer, so he appreciates the opportunity to interact with people in person, even if it isn’t real. 

Roman Southwick as Frederic 

Roman is happy to be back at OBT. Aside from acting, he also does a variety of things such as dancing, singing, playing guitar, writing songs, riding horses, archery, aerial silks, snowboarding, gymnastics, Jiu Jitsu (he is a black belt in taekwondo), and he’s also been in various film productions. In addition to acting in shows, he also loves directing them and has directed shows such as The Lion King, Wizard of Oz and a special needs Peter Pan production.

Tanya Walton as Isabel

Tanya is so happy to be in this show! She has been with the OBT since 2011, and she is so grateful for the family of friends and lifelong home that the theatre provides. Tanya has been onstage in some form or another since she was little. Some favorite shows include Y-Light, Sort of The Rings, and Charlie’s Aunt. Thanks to Jake for being the Kermit to our Muppet antics! Huge thanks to husband Joe and daughter Grace!

Katie Whiteley as Samuel Scars/Sergeant

Katie has always loved Pirates of Penzance and wished for the chance to be in it. You may have seen her in such OBT shows as Forever Dead, Henry Botter vs. Dracula, The Littlest Mermaid and many others. She thanks her kids for letting her have an outlet, and her two biggest supporters: her mom, the one who sparked the fire of acting, and her amazing husband for always telling her it’s OK to shine. She hopes you enjoy the show. 

CREW BIOS

Michael Thrall – Assistant Director:

Micahel is pleased to return to the OBT as the assistant director. He has been doing theater since he was a child, having early studies in programs such as Up With Kids. He continued his passion for the arts through junior high and high school. After he married his gorgeous wife, Rossy Thrall, and had a couple of beautiful children, he has continued to participate in many community theaters, at most times acting alongside his wife and children.

Cameron Christensen – Sound Tech:

Cameron is excited to participate in his third show with The Off Broadway Theatre. He has previously played Judd Fry in Oklahoma! and Sheriff Earl in All Shook Up at West Jordan High School, but his real passion is doing tech.

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.

August 4 – August 26

October 6 – October 30

November 3 – November 25

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.