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

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Eric Jensen’s Director’s Notes:

I can’t believe it is our 30th year of putting on plays for the Off Broadway Theatre. I am proud to be one of the founders of this theatre, along with my wife, Sandy, the Bedores, and the Porters. I come from stout pioneer stock, people who were coming west to seek religious freedom. I can’t help but connect well with my pioneer predecessors and their hopes.  If they could see me now, they wouldn’t be offended by this comical take on early pioneer lives in Utah. I wrote this play about 15 years ago, when you would occasionally see a production of Oklahoma! come and go around the valley. Nowadays, you don’t see that happen very much, so I wanted to bring back the amazing western energy that those Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals brought to the stage. I enjoy adding jokes into the fabric of a well-crafted story. This is truly one of a kind and an absolute riot to watch on stage.  Sit back and relax and enjoy an evening of Utah history brought to you the funniest way possible. OBT Fever, catch it!

CAST BIOS

Makayla Barlow as Lenora

This is Makayla’s second show with OBT! Some of her favorite past roles include Dragon in Shrek the Musical, Queen Elizabeth in Pirate Queen, and Marta and Susan in Company. Makayla has performed with many prominent musicians, including Steve Smith of Journey, Andrew Tolman of Imagine Dragons, Christine Ohlman of SNL, and many others. She is excited to portray Lenora in Utahoma!

Kasey Capanna as Brigham

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

Dominick Chisholm as Emmet Pratt

Dominick got his start with the OBT at age 8 in Cutie and the Beast. He appeared most recently as a Wickersham brother in Seussical the Musical. One of Dominick’s favorite roles was that of Hull in The Frightmare Before Christmas. Dominick is excited to be performing again. He holds a black belt in karate. When Dominick is not acting he enjoys writing, drawing, and gaming with friends.

Madison Easton as Albine

This is Madison’s 6th OBT show! She’s proud to be playing Albine in Utahoma! She debuted with The Grouch Who Stole Christmas, and her most recent show was Seussical the Musical. She’s stoked to be in this show with such great cast mates! Even though she grew up in Kansas, she still has a special place in her heart for Utah. She hopes you have a Utah-tastic time watching the show!

Ane Genessy as Eliza R. Snow

Ane Genessy is positively brimming with excitement at being in her second OBT show. You may have seen her in Robin Hood as Lady Ackbar. She loves her family, belting showtunes anytime, and turning life into a party! She thanks OBT & the Jensen for this awesome opportunity, and Kelly & her boys for their love and support during all the private performances at the “Genessy Opera House.“ Thank you for coming out–enjoy the show!

Brady Genessy as Emmet Pratt 

Brady is excited to be returning to the OBT stage for his second show! You may have seen him in Robin Hood last year. When he isn’t performing in a play, you can catch him doing some improv with several troupes. He hopes you enjoy the show and have a great laugh!

Eric Jensen as Prospector

Eric is playing the prospector–a part close to his heart because his ancestors worked at Kennecott and other mines. Many of them had their vices, just like the prospector has. All were quite charismatic and funny people. And by funny, he means strange. It is one of his favorite roles to date. Thank you to his wife, Sandy, and their son, Austinn, for all of their love and support in this production and in running OBT. 

Emily Mouritsen as Martha Hughes

Emily is thrilled to perform in her fourth OBT show. Previously she was in The Littlest Mermaid (2021), Jurassic Park City (2022), and Frightmare before Christmas (2022). This show will be unique because she gets to perform with her husband, Tristan, and their two kids, Abbi and Oliver! Emily also works for OBT doing scenic design.

Tristan Mouritsen as Orson Smith

Tristan is thrilled to copy and paste his wife’s bio and perform in his third OBT show. Previously he was in Pirates of Penzance (2023) and Dracula vs. the Hunchback of Notre Dame (2023). This show will be unique because he gets to perform with his wife, Emily, and their two kids, Abbi and Oliver! Tristan does not work for OBT doing scenic design.

Caleigh Nelson as Agnes Cannon

Caleigh is a UVU student getting her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She works with Intermountain Healthcare. She loves to read, write, do any sport, dance, do anything outside, and spend time with her loved ones. She is currently working on getting her first book Ship Wrecked published.

Jeffrey North as Jed Bridger

Jeff is thrilled to be returning to the OBT stage. You may have seen him here previously as Grouch in Muffet’s Christmas Carol and How the Grouch Stole Christmas, Raul in The Phantom of the OBT, Barky in Forever Dead, and most recently as Steven Spielberg/Templar Knight in Indianapolis Jones. Jeff thanks you for supporting OBT. He also thanks his wonderful wife and kids for allowing him to take his turn on the stage. Unrelenting Admiration!

Alexis Owen as Li’l Ellie

Alexis Owen is excited to be playing Ellie again and sharing the stage with some of her very favorite people. You may have seen her last as Jenny Field in Dracula vs. the Hunchback. Although this role isn’t quite as crazy as Jenny, it’s just as much fun to play. There is so much to love about Utahoma! so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! 

Daniel Peckham as Del Lyman

Daniel danced professionally in classical ballet for years. After retiring, he decided to pursue musical theater, which landed him at OBT. His first play was Indianapolis Jones, and he just had the fun opportunity to play the Hunchback in Dracula vs the Hunchback. Daniel is currently studying opera and classical voice and participates in competitions for classical voice. He loves acting, dancing, and singing above all else. 

Hunter Smith as Leverle

Hunter is excited to be acting back at the Off Broadway Theatre with such a fun and talented cast. He spends his days working from home as a software engineer, so he appreciates the opportunity to interact with people in person, even if it is just make-believe on stage. 

Sasha Southwick as Lenora 

Sasha is excited to return to the OBT since her last appearance in Frightmare Before Christmas! You may have seen her in Dracula vs. The Adamns Family, Littlest Mermaid, and Peta Pun and the Pirates. When she’s not acting, Sasha enjoys opera, singing, dancing, and teaching people to ride horseback. She hopes you enjoy the show! 

Clarence Strohn as Giuseppe Fettuccini 

Clarence has delighted OBT fans for over 25 years as a villain, hero, or insane side-kick. He is excited to be chosen once again to be a part of Utahoma!, one of his favorites! He is excited to entertain you along with a great cast and crew! Clarence has a whole tribe of people, some close, some far away, who love, support, and depend on him. He couldn’t be here without their love and support.

Chris Kennedy as Giuseppe Fettuccini (Understudy)

Chris is an experienced actor/director and his is happy to return to the OBT stage since playing Robin in Robin Hood. He recently directed It’s a Wondrous Life and enjoyed the behind the scenes work. It’s fun to jump in and understudy and he hopes you enjoy the show!

KID BIOS

Pirate Anderson as Pioneer Child:

Pirate is so excited to do another fun show with OBT. He is so excited to get to do a show with his big sister.

Zuma Anderson as Pioneer Child:

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.

Azalea Brenner as Pioneer Child:

Azalea participated in a drama camp with Eric Jensen and his team this summer. When her family found out there was an upcoming play she was excited to be part of the cast. 

Andrea Brown as Pioneer Child:

Andrea loves acting and has performed for her family in many of her plays. She is thrilled to debut in her first show at the OBT!

Sara Brown as Pioneer Child:

Sara loves costume design and started with the OBT theatre camp because she thought it would be fun. Now she is very excited to be in her first play with the OBT!

Lincoln Chisholm as Pioneer Child:

Lincoln is excited to be performing for his first time with the OBT. He is a fun and creative child.

Ellie Genessy as Pioneer Child:

Ellie loves to sing & dance! She is excited to be in her first show with her mom at OBT. Thank you for coming to support her.

Charlie Lord as Pioneer Child:

This is Charlie’s seventh show and her second at the OBT. She thanks her big sister, Ever, and her mentor, Jake, for instilling in her the joy of theater! 

Abbi Mouritsen as Pioneer Child:

Abbi’s been coming to OBT shows for years. Her favorite thing about the OBT is the concessions. This is Abbi’s first time being in a play.

Oliver Mouritsen as Pioneer Child:

Oliver’s been coming to OBT shows for years. His favorite thing about the OBT is the concessions. This is Oliver’s first time being in a play.

Morgan Southworth as Pioneer Child:

Morgan is so excited to be doing her second show with the OBT. She learned so much from the OBT Summer Theatre Camp. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Braxton Steinmiller-Madden as Pioneer Child:

This is Braxton’s first play with the Off Broadway Theatre, and he is loving every minute of it. Once you see the talent Braxton displays on stage, you’ll like him as much as we do.

Aurora Steinmiller-Madden as Pioneer Child:

Aurora is just a little ray of sunshine. This is her debut with the Off Broadway Theatre. She is an amazing actress for her youthful age. What a talent!

Masie Turner as Pioneer Child:

This is Masie’s debut in acting with OBT, and she is so excited to be part of the show! She thanks everyone for their support!

CREW BIOS

Viveann Godwin – Stage Manager and Assistant Director

Viveann has been working with OBT for two years now, and has enjoyed performing on stage as such fun characters as Crocky and Dr Hamblin. She has also worked as tech on a few shows, including Robyn Hood and It’s A Wondrous Life, and is very excited to experience being the stage manager for Utahoma! She is also very excited to be an assistant director and have Eric as a mentor.

Ever Lord – Sound and Light Tech:

Ever has been doing shows with the OBT for about four years, and she has loved every second of it! She is so excited to be back to do tech for another show. When Ever isn’t involved with a production she enjoys reading and listening to music. She hopes you enjoy the show!

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 for some 30 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.