COMPLETE BIOGRAPHIES
OF CAST AND PRODUCTION STAFF BELOW

view the company list and biographies, pictures, reviews and features of ...

the Beck Center '05 original production

the Beck Center '07 encore production

Meet the cast ...
(order of appearance)

Adam Shimko (Young Prince / Villager) Adam is thrilled to be performing at the Beck Center for the first time with such an amazing show and cast. Privileged with this opportunity, Adam has never been more excited about a show. Past roles include Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar and, most recently, Lancelot in Camelot. Adam would like to thank his friends and family for their support and his lady for all that she puts up with. “I leave you with this, crab legs are not in my contract.”

Kathleen Culler (Old Woman / Enchantress / Silly Girl / Napkin / Belle US) Kathleen is making her first appearance at the Beck Center. She was most recently seen in The Cleveland Play House's production of My Fair Lady (Ensemble / Bystander / Mrs. Higgin's Maid) and The Sound of Music (Maria) at Weathervane Playhouse, for which she won a Chanticleer award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical 2005-2006. Other credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hermia) at The Actors' Summit, Gilligan's Island, The Musical (Ginger) with Carnation City Players, Titanic, The Musical (Caroline Neville) at Player's Guild Theatre. In May 2007 she can be seen in Musical of Musicals, the Musical at the Actor's Summit. She is a member of the Equity Membership Program and holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Point Park University, Conservatory of Performing Arts, with a concentration in musical theatre. Much thanks to her family and Jon for all of their love and support!

Dan Folino (Beast / Associate Magic Consultant) Apart from the busted knuckles, the fifty-pound costume, and the two hours of make up, Dan couldn't be happier to be back for year two of this show. Dan's upcoming projects here at Beck include Alan in Equus in February 2007 and the title characters in Jekyll and Hyde next summer. When not acting, Dan is busy traveling to Nashville to study with his guitar hero, Reeves Gabrels, doing voice-over work for Lowe's, and wrenching' at Giaco's Mower Shop. His band vanityCrash is also in the midst of recording their long-awaited Rock Opera/Concept Album entitled "Yours, Justice"...scheduled for release in the spring of ‘07. Special thanks to Joel for sharing his girlfriend with us again this year, and to the crab leg club...you know who you are.

Natalie Green (Belle) Natalie is delighted to return to portray Belle, the strongest and smartest Disney princess, who has been one of her favorite characters since she was a little girl. Natalie earned a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Since returning to Cleveland, she has been seen in Necessary Targets (Seada) at Fine Arts Association and in Pride and Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennett) at Lakeland Theatre. Upcoming projects include The Stylettes at Pickwick and Frolic and Boogie Woogie Baby at The Cleveland Play House Club Cabaret. Special thanks to Mary Jo Davies for her talented contributions and to friends and family for endless love and support.

David Malinowski (Fish Man / Wolf / Pepper / Villager) David is elated to return to the cast of Beauty and The Beast for this encore presentation. Local audiences may have seen him on such stages as Fine Arts Association, Ashland University, JCC, Stagecrafters Summer Stock and here at the Beck in Seussical!, A Man of No Importance, and last year’s Beauty and the Beast. David (along with his business partner, Jarred) has just finished a very successful collaboration for the Magnificat Performing Arts Center’s critically acclaimed production of Fiddler On The Roof (Ruff!), featuring some of the most talented high school students in the Greater Cleveland area. As always, David would like to thank Scott, Fred, Larry, Martin, Tod, the entire cast and crew, and Jarred. David would like to dedicate his performance tonight to Mary, Amanda and Lauryn Papa.

Erin R. diLauro (Milkmaid / Plate / Silly Girl US) Erin will graduate this December from Ashland University with a B.A. in Musical Theatre, where she recently made her directing debut with Greenberg’s Life Under Water. This is her first appearance at the Beck Center. Favorites elsewhere include Into the Woods (Cinderella), Violet (Young Violet), You Can't Take it With You (Essie), Peter Pan (Wendy), Parade (Lola Stover), and the title role in Gigi. Erin says "Happy Holidays" to the audience, especially her little cousin, Madison!

W. Lee Domenick (Egg Man) Lee is pleased to make his Beck Center debut as the Egg Man in this production of Beauty and the Beast. Prior to moving to Ohio, Lee performed in many theatrical productions, amateur and professional, including Oklahoma, The Secret Garden, Evita, The Fantastiks, Meet Me in St. Louis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Little Shop of Horrors. Lee is an Episcopal priest and rector of Church of the Ascension in Lakewood. He and his wife, Julia have one son, Taylor. What a wonderfully talented and gifted cast and crew this production has. It is my honor and privilege to work alongside each and every one of you. Thank you so much!

Lauren Skirbunt (Sausage Curl Girl / Measuring Spoons) Lauren is very excited to be a part of this absolutely outstanding cast for an encore performance! She is a graduate of Miami University where she studied psychology and neuroscience. By day she is the Leasing Manager for Landmark Management properties in downtown Cleveland (if you need a place to stay, come my way)! Her recent credits include South Pacific (Janet McGreggor), By Jeeves (Missy), Oedipus Rex (Jocaste), Godspell (Robin), and The Dining Room, among others. She sends much love to row J (the best row ever)!

John A. Doyle (Baker / Cake Server) A returning cast member, John is happy to be back at the Beck Center for the 2006 encore production. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from Mount Union College in 2003. While there, he had the privilege of playing Roger in Rent, Pippin in Pippin, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof. In his spare time, John enjoys playing the piano, singing, participating in sports, and is an outdoor enthusiast. He would like to thank Laura for her support and understanding of his love for performing.

Annie Meyer-Steinheiser (The Aristocratic Lady) Annie is delighted to return to the Beck Center in Beauty and the Beast and to be with such an outstanding cast and crew, "I missed them." She has performed as a professional singer and actress throughout the area for many years. Her favorite roles include Anna in The King and I, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Lizzie in The Rainmaker. She would like to thank all her family and friends for their kind support and prayers especially her three sons and "The Bible Babes".

Susan Wagner (Lady with Cane / Whisk) Susan is happy to be back for this year’s production of Beauty and the Beast. Outside of taking care of her family of seven and running her own business, there is not a lot of time to get on stage, so it really is a treat to be involved with such a talented group of people! Other accolades include a recent commercial shoot for WOIO and a current casting in a Pickwick and Frolic’s Holiday Trio. I wonder if they serve crab legs there….

Julia Joyce Domenick (Lady with Baby / Broom & Dustpan) Julia’s Beck Center debut was as Strawberry in Porgy and Bess. Prior to moving to Ohio, Julia performed in many theatrical productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma, Anything Goes, West Side Story, and Little Shop of Horrors. Julia is a registered nurse in the emergency room at Lakewood Hospital. She is married to Lee Domenick who is also in the Beauty cast and they have one son, Taylor. She would like to thank Scott Spence for her debut performance at the Beck and Fred Sternfeld for the opportunity to work with the fabulously talented Beauty and the Beast cast.

Tim Anderson (Candle Man / Corkscrew) Tim is once again thrilled to be on the Beck stage and part of this phenomenal cast, reprising the roles of “Corkscrew,” et al. Since last year’s run, he has directed a couple of one-act radio plays, staged a youth production and taught at a theater camp. Previous acting credits include You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Bye, Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson), and Big River (Tom Sawyer). Tim works for the North Royalton City School District where he teaches gifted pull-out classes for grades three, four and five. He extends thanks to J.G., D.I., D.C., G.P., C.L. and G.M. Mom and Dad – you’re the best!

Adam Kapis (Hat Seller / Monsieur D'Arque) Adam is back for his second season of this wonderful show at the Beck Center. He is currently studying music education and composition at Cleveland State University and is a singer/pianist for Jerry Bruno Productions. Adam would like to thank the entire cast and crew for making this show such a wonderful experience. He would also like to thank YOU for reading this far into his bio! "Wow!!! Thanks!"

Brandon Michael Fleming (Shepherder / Wolf / Knife / Villager) Brandon is a freshman at Wright State University majoring in Musical Theatre. This is his Beck Center debut. Past shows include Ragtime, Anything Goes, Fame, Footloose, and West Side Story. Brandon would like to thank God, his family and friends, and the cast and crew for all of their help and support.

Kris Hebble (Bookseller) This is Kris’ second show at the Beck Center, appearing in last season’s The Full Monty as Dave Bukatinski; and he is excited to be back. Some of Kris’ favorite roles include King Sextemus in Once Upon a Mattress, Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly, Diesel in West Side Story, and Nathan Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird. Kris will be graduating this month from Cleveland State University with a degree in European History. He will be attending graduate school at Cleveland State beginning in January where he will be majoring in Special Education.

Mark W. Goins (Villager) Mark is excited to return to Beck Center’s Main Stage for his second time this year and for their 75th season. Recent credits include Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida here at Beck Center, and Footloose and Oklahoma at Bay Village High School, where Mark is a Junior and member of The International Thespian Society. Mark has worked with the National Tours of Wicked and Hairspray. He is also a student of Theater and Dance at the Beck Center. Thanks to Fred, Martin and Larry for this amazing opportunity and the support of family and friends.

Kate Buddenhagen (Plate / Villager) Making her Beck Center debut in Beauty and the Beast, Kate has performed locally in shows including Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Nunsense (Amnesia), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), Once Upon a Mattress (Winnifred), Annie (Annie), Peter Pan (Peter), Godspell, A Little Night Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and many others. With an M.A. in Communication from The Ohio State University and a degree from the University of Miami (FL) with majors in music (voice) and public relations, Kate also studied piano for 13 years at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. She recently bought a house in her hometown of Independence and will begin her fifth season with the Cleveland Indians in Creative Services. She thanks her family and friends for their continued love and support.

Assad Khaishgi (Dinner Bell / Villager) Assad transplanted himself from Karachi, Pakistan to Lakewood, Ohio in 2001. He is enjoying his return to theater from 2004 onwards. He loves the show, loves his fellow cast, loves his family and will, with some regret, step on all of them for more stage time. BWAHAHAHAHAA!!

Megan DePetro (Plate / Villager) This is Megan's first appearance on the Beck Center stage. She is very excited to be a plate as part of this cast. Some of Megan's previous performances include her role as Nurse Flinn in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre and Miss Anne DeBourgh in Pride and Prejudice at Lakeland Community College. Megan would like to thank Fred for the opportunity to be in such a wonderful production. Thank you to the cast for being so much fun! Thanks also to her family and friends for the support. Bill - love you brother! Kristen - 7 year reunion! I love Arec Barwin and legwarmers!

Susan Ann Kobylinski (Napkin / Villager) Susan was last seen onstage at BHS as Florence Unger in the (female) Odd Couple. She is happy to return to the Beck Center for the encore performance of Beauty and the Beast. Recent productions have included The Hitch-Hiker, Sorry, Wrong Number, and Sugar. Formerly an elementary school teacher, Susan is now employed as a mascot assistant for the Cleveland Indians. She would love to thank her crazy/talented cast mates, company and crew. Susan sends out forever thanks and love to her two sweethearts – Koby and Bella.

Lindsay Kostelnik (Napkin / Villager) Lindsay is a senior at Medina High School. A first timer to the Beck stage, she is thrilled to be working with such a talented cast. Lindsay is an avid member of her school's Show Choir, Women's Chorus, Concert Choir, and Drama Club. Her past performances include Godspell, Beauty and the Beast (Babette), and West Side Story (Graziella); along with several others. She would like to thank her crazy friends for making her who she is, as well as her family for supporting her through thick and thin. "You are important to me, I need you to survive.”

Melissa Smith-Beudert (Napkin / Villager / Dance Captain) Melissa returns to the cast this year ready to entertain all. She started out her career as a professional ballet dancer from Cleveland Ballet traveling all over North America, then headed down to Florida to work as a princess at Disney World. When Melissa felt she had enough of the "mouse," she landed back in her hometown of Cleveland to enhance her musical theater career. Melissa wants to thank her Mommy, Daddy, Jas Jas, and "fur" children. She is ecstatic about working with all of her favorites yet again. Borio bolly!!!

Megan Green (Plate / Villager) Megan, who is currently a junior at Hawken School, is ecstatic to be a part of this extraordinary cast! Megan was last seen as “Crissy” in Cain Park’s production of Hair, and has also just finished the show Magic Time at University School in which she portrayed the role of Anne. In the past year, Meg has gone from playing the role of “Peter” in the award-winning production of Peter Pan at the Fine Art's Association to the role of “Lucy Van-Pelt” in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown at HYT. Megan would like to sincerely thank Fred for not only the magnificent journey he has taken her on in the process of this magical show, but also for everything he has taught her about the purity of acting. Also love to the cast and crew, and of course, her parents for being the best people ever!

Devon Shriver (Salt / Villager) Devon recently graduated from the University of Akron with degrees in Theater Arts and Child Development. She has been choreographing and performing at The Ashtabula Art Center, The University of Akron, and other various venues around Northeast Ohio for 15 years. Her most recent roles include "Soupy Sue" in Urinetown, "Brooke/Vicki" in Noises Off, "Sarah Brown" in Guys and Dolls, "Joan" in Dames at Sea, and "Tiger Lily" in Peter Pan. She made her directorial debut this past summer with Seussical the Musical, at Straw Hat Theater in Ashtabula, which she also staged and choreographed. Devon also enjoys choreographing and working with children, which she has also been doing for almost 10 years. After Beauty and the Beast, Devon will be appearing as "Nurse Ratched" in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest at the Ashtabula Art Center in January.

Caroline Hatch (Villager) Caroline, a seventh grader at Shaker Middle School, is thrilled to be part of Beauty and the Beast. Her most recent role was Lily St. Regis in Annie at Heights Youth Theatre where she has also played, Judah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Smee in Peter Pan and Oliver Twist in Oliver. Last summer she appeared in Mercury Summer Stock's Babes In Arms and she was a member of Adelphia TV's cast of Friends Forever. Caroline has been dancing with Cleveland City Dance for 8 years and has performed with both the Ohio Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Rachel Rebekkah Gerard (Plate / Villager) Rachel is ecstatic to be making her Beck Center debut with such a wonderful cast! Rachel is a recent graduate from Madison High School graduating with the ranking of “Most Dramatic.” For the past fourteen years, she has studied at the Fordu School of Dance learning techniques in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, swing, salsa, disco, and Cecchetti (grade two graduate). Rachel has also attended the Radio City Rockette Summer Intensive ('05 and '06) at Point Park University and a master class at Playhouse Square for the musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Her future plans include attending Point Park University to major in dance. Some of her past productions include Urinetown, Seussical the Musical, The Foreigner, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Skin of Our Teeth. Rachel especially wants to thank Fred for letting her experience this excellent opportunity, her parents for always being so supportive of her dreams, and Adam for being the amazing person that he is (I Love You). "Enjoy!"

Michael A. Green (Wolf / Wooden Spoon / Villager) Michael has appeared in over 100 professional and community productions throughout his life. This is his third role at the Beck Center, having played Juan Peron in Evita and Gliardi in The Fix. Local roles in the past few years include Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George, Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, Fagin in Oliver, Narrator in Rush Limbaugh at Night School, Clifford in 1940’s Radio Hour, Count Shebelski in Ivanov, Honest John in Pinocchio, and Governor/Ensemble in Candide. Michael has enjoyed many memorable roles throughout the years and his love for the stage is exceeded only by his love for his three children. He is delighted to be working with Fred Sternfeld and this exquisite cast. “Once more dear friends, into the breach!”

Jose Ayala III (Doormat / Villager) Jose graduated from Clearview High School in 2001 and went on to attend The University of Akron majoring in Vocal performance/ Opera. This is his first appearance at the Beck Center and he is very excited to be a part of a great production. Past performances include opera scenes from Begger's Three Penny Opera for The University of Akron's Opera Workshop and a super numerary role in Cleveland Opera's Turandot. As a member of The University of Akron's Concert and Chamber Choirs, he was given the opportunity and honor to sing at Severance Hall with The University of Akron's Symphony Orchestra. He was also a two-year member of Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corp where he was a member of the color guard. You will see him again soon in Beck's spring production of Equus.

AJ Abelman (Vase of Flowers / Villager) AJ is a 16-year-old sophomore at Chagrin Falls High School and is thrilled to be performing in Beauty and the Beast, as it is her first Beck Center and Fred Sternfeld production. AJ was last seen as Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Lakeland Community College and in the JCC tour of The Diary of Anne Frank. Huge thank-you’s and love to the entire cast and production team for an amazing experience. Love and mad thanks to her awesomely supportive friends and family, especially Daddy for sharing this experience with her. AJ dedicates this production, as all others, to her Oma and Opa and to Mary.

Zac Hudak (Lefou / Fork) Zac is happy to return for this year's encore. Recently, he starred in the original musical Ain't We Got Fun! at the 14th Street Theatre on Playhouse Square. He will also appear in the film Survival which is due out in 2007. Regional credits include Footloose (Chuck Cranston), Man of La Mancha (Barber), Scrooge The Musical (Tom Jenkins), Rocky Horror Show (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Cabaret (Emcee), My Fair Lady (Jamie) Other local credits include Anything Goes (Billy Crocker), La Cage Aux Folles (Hannah), Children Of Eden (Cain/Japheth). Zac also appeared as a featured comic at the New York Comedy Club in Manhattan.

Josh R. Noble (Gaston) Josh is thrilled to return to the Beck Center for the encore production of Disney’s Beauty & the Beast! A resident of New York, Josh has had the privilege of performing the role of Gaston across the country including stints in Colorado, Georgia and Florida. Other favorite credits include Godspell (John/Judas), The Fantasticks (Matt), Jekyll & Hyde (Stride), Forever Plaid (Smudge), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II Voice), Guys & Dolls (Sky), The Music Man (Harold), Grease (Kenickie), and Lend Me A Tenor (Max). Josh studied musical theatre at the University of Miami Frost School of Music and is a member of the Equity Membership Candidate program. He is a recipient of the Lisa Bowlin Abney Award for Excellence in the Arts. Next up, Josh heads to Florida to play Sid in the Lyric Theatre production of Pajama Game. Many thanks to the cast, company and crew, and to his family and friends for their constant support.

Sara Carnes (Silly Girl / Spoon) Sara has been singing professionally for most of her adult life, with extensive experience in show tunes, Country, and Rock along with classical training from Youngstown State University. She has performed leading roles in a number of musicals including The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, and many more. She has also appeared singing the national anthem for the Cavaliers, Rockers and Lumberjacks at the Gund Arena. One of her most recent performances found her opening for country music star Terri Clark. She's thrilled to be performing at Beck and would like to thank her family and husband, Russ for all their love and support!

Katie Carr (Silly Girl / Napkin) Born in Texas and raised in Tennessee, Katie is a real southern girl. Her radio voice can be heard weekday mornings on the Light 95.9 in Canton. Past credits include Wizard of Oz, Batboy, Babes in Arms, Pirates of Penzance, Breakfast with Santa at Carousel Dinner Theatre, live entertainment at Dollywood theme park, and Universal Pictures' October Sky. Katie would like to dedicate this performance to her two pregnant sisters, Beth and Becky.

Bob Abelman (Maurice) Bob was a professional actor in NYC before taking a 20-year hiatus. He returned to the stage by replacing an ailing 12-year-old in his daughter’s all-kids production of Oliver at Heights Youth Theatre. Bob is honored to be riding the boards with A.J. once again. He was last seen in the JCC production of South Pacific, the OCTA award-winning production of Over the Tavern at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre and teaching kung fu at the Fairmount Performing Arts Camp. Thanks to Fred, who brings out the dancing cutlery in everyone. Love to Judy, my rehearsal schedule widow.

Douglas Collier (Cogsworth) Douglas is happy to once again spend the month of December with his favorite counterpart "Cogsworth.” Since last year, Douglas has been blessed to play in the orchestra with his friends, Larry and Karen in productions here at the Beck and in countless other venues. (Hi, Larry Goodpaster. Hi, Karen Langenwalter.) He has been blessed to be on stage as an actor and/or musician all over the Greater Cleveland area, and is happy to be on staff here at the Beck Center for the Arts in the Theater Education Department. SHOUT OUT to all my students! Douglas dedicates his performance to his friend, Tracy Lind. I miss you, Tracy. And also to his amazing sister, Amiee, who is always an inspiration.

*Larry Nehring (Lumiére) Larry is happy to be back as the "Fire-Daddy". He has been an active part of Cleveland's theater community for the last thirteen years, working for nearly every theater in town. He just closed Modern Orthodox for the JCC/CCC Eastern Campus. At the Beck Center, Larry has appeared in Lughnasa, By Jeeves and last year's Beauty & Folino. He also appeared in Playhouse Square's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and played George Washington in the PBS miniseries The War That Made America. Larry is the Artistic Director of the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. Directorial credits include Cymbeline, Sweet Love Adieu (for CSF), The Alchemist (Bad Epitaph), Much Ado (Weathervane), Servant of Two Masters (The Cleveland Play House Children's Series), and numerous shows for The Cleveland Play House's summer camps. He received his MSCD from University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of the National Theater Institute (Eugene O¹Neill Theater Center). Larry is also a sign language interpreter, stage combat choreographer and member of the Actor’s Equity Association and the Screen Actors' Guild.

Kristin Netzband (Babette) Kristin’s Beck Center credits include Beauty and the Beast (also as Babette in the 2005 production), The Fix, Reefer Madness, and Miss Saigon. Other credits include Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit) and the Playhouse Square Cabaret Series. This spring, Kristin will be performing in Jolson & Company with Marc Moritz and George Roth. Kristin would like to thank her family, the cast and crew, Megan (after a 7-year break), and Travis (Je t’aime!). For Grandma.

*Tracee Patterson (Mrs. Potts) Tracee is delighted to be playing “Mrs. Potts” in the Beck Center’s encore presentation of Beauty and the Beast, having had the opportunity to play “Wardrobe” in last year’s wonderful production! Other credits include “Stevie” in The Goat (Dobama); “Woman 2” in Songs for a New World (Cain Park); “Violet Chandler” in The Fix, “Arkadina” in The Seagull, and “Gertrude McFuzz” in Seussical (all at the Beck Center); “Zlata” in Necessary Targets (Willoughby Fine Arts); “Yentl” in Yentl and “Aldonza” in Man of La Mancha (Halle Theatre); and various roles in Nickeled and Dimed (Great Lakes Theatre Festival/Cleveland Public Theatre) and in Cally’s Tally, Tuesdays with Morrie, and the Staged Reading Festival at The Cleveland Play House. Tracee will be playing “Emma” in Song and Dance (Beck Center’s exciting joint production with Verb Ballets) later this season, and will be reprising her role as “Luisa” in Nine at Cain Park next summer. Tracee is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and chairs the Cleveland Equity Liaison Committee.

Miles Sternfeld (Chip) Eleven-year-old Miles is thrilled to play “Chip” again in the encore production of Beauty and the Beast at the Beck Center. Since the age of six, he has been performing as an actor, singer, dancer, and pianist in theater productions and recitals. Miles is in sixth grade at Ballard Brady Middle School in Pepper Pike and has performed in several school plays. Recently, he played “Duke” in Tall Tale, and educational video produced by the Cleveland Clinic Theatre Company and played “Lefou” in his school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. For the past three summers, Miles has attended the Fairmont Performing Arts Camp, performing under the tutelage of his uncle, Fred Sternfeld, the acclaimed director of this production of Beauty and the Beast.

Beth O. Cubbison (Madame de la Grande Bouche) Beth is thrilled to be a new member of this amazing cast. She has performed on many local stages including Actor's Summit Theatre, Cain Park, Dobama, Lakeland, and Willoughby Fine Arts; and most recently played Aunt Alicia in Cassidy Theatre's production of Gigi. Some of Beth's favorite roles include Julie in Carousel, Magnolia in Showboat, Cunegonde in Candide, and Amalia in She Loves Me. She would like to thank Fred for this wonderful opportunity and sends her love and thanks to Tom and Ian for their unending support.

*Actor appears courtesy of the Actors Equity Association, the union of actors and stage managers.

Meet the production staff...

Scott Spence (Artistic Director) Scott has just begun his 17th full year with the Beck Center, 15 of them as Artistic Director. He is proud to be on board as Beck celebrates its 75th anniversary, and hopes he can be here for the 100th (after which he'll need a nice vacation in Fiji). Recently Scott was honored to receive the Northern Ohio Live Award of Achievement in Theatre for the 2005/2006 theater season at Beck, which included directing credits of Urinetown: The Musical, The Full Monty and A Man of No Importance. Previous favorites include Reefer Madness, Hair, The Secret Garden, Eating Raoul, Parade, Moby Dick, Picasso at The Lapin Agile, Assassins, and The Diviners, where he met wife, Rachel. Other area directing credits include Noises Off at Weathervane in Akron, and most recently, Das Barbecu for Opera Cleveland (formerly Cleveland Lyric Opera.) Scott holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Western Illinois University and is an adjunct professor at Baldwin-Wallace College. He dedicates this 75th season to Rosemary Corcoran, who has been there for him at every turn.

Fred Sternfeld (Director) Fred recently directed the Beck Center’s award-winning productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Stephen Sondheim’s Saturday Night. He is producer of the Jewish Community Center’s theatre productions, most recently directing Modern Orthodox, From Door to Door, South Pacific, and Ragtime, the musical (Cleveland Theatre Collective ‘Critic’s Choice Awards’ – Best Local Musical & Best Director; Cleveland Scene ‘Best of Cleveland 2005’ – Best Musical). He previously served as Artistic Director at Lakewood Little Theatre - Beck Center for the Arts and the Seattle & Dallas Jewish Community Centers and is a freelance director in the Cleveland area, garnering numerous honors and awards. Selected credits include Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music at Cain Park; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife and The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek at Dobama Theatre; Man of La Mancha, Rags, The Twilight of the Golds, The Immigrant, The God of Isaac, Crossing Delancey, Beau Jest and Conversations With My Father at the JCC Halle Theatre; Bad Seed at Ensemble Theatre; Amadeus & Chicago at Willoughby Fine Arts; The Man Who Came to Dinner at Berea Summer Theatre; Mass Appeal and Suddenly Last Summer at Cabaret Dinner Theatre; Table Settings, Isn’t It Romantic, The Diary of Anne Frank, Broadway Bound & A Shayna Maidel at Center Stage in Seattle; Of Mice and Men, On the Town, La Cage aux Folles, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Foxfire, Gypsy, Side by Side by Sondheim, The Foreigner, Play It Again, Sam, Noises Off, Peter Pan, Children of a Lesser God and The Importance of Being Earnest at the Beck Center; Proof at GLTG; and Milk and Honey, All My Sons and Enter Laughing at the Dallas JCC. His next projects are Jolson and Company for the JCC, opening in April 2007 and Oliver at Cain Park, opening in June 2007.

Larry Goodpaster (Musical Director) This encore production of Beauty and the Beast marks Larry’s 36th production at the Beck Center and 60th Northeast Ohio production since re-entering the world of theater in 1998. An award-winning pianist while in high school, Larry followed quite a different path and obtained degrees in biology, chemistry, veterinary medicine, and business over the next 20 years. Upon receiving his MBA in 1997, Larry decided to pursue musical theater in his recreational time. What started as an avocation quickly became an obsession. Thanks to the thoughtful tutelage and support provided by Beck Artistic Director, Scott Spence, he is now able to fill his evenings 12 months a year musically directing shows at multiple venues in the Cleveland area. As he approaches his 10th year at the Beck Center, Larry fondly remembers some of his favorite productions – Floyd Collins, The Rocky Horror Show, Parade, Eating Raoul, Zombie Prom, Urinetown The Musical, Moby Dick the Musical, and A Man of No Importance. But most of all, our production of Beauty and the Beast is also special because of you, the audience. Rarely does a show speak so passionately to every generation of theatergoer as does Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. So this is dedicated to you, the Beck Center audiences – may you enjoy, send all of your friends, and come back and see us again.

Martín Céspedes (Choreographer / Musical Staging) Martín, a proud member of the Actors Equity Association, has served as Director and Choreographer for Beck Center's Smokey Joe's Café and Five Guys Named Moe, Aint Misbehavin’ and My Way (the Music of Frank Sinatra) at Weathervane Playhouse. Martín is a frequent collaborator with Fred Sternfeld, having choreographed South Pacific, Ragtime, the musical and Man of La Mancha at the JCC, the original '05 production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, On the Town, La Cage aux Folles and Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night at Beck Center and Chicago at Willoughby Fine Arts. They will collaborate again on the upcoming Jolson and Company at the JCC in April, 2007 and Oliver! at Cain Park in June, 2007. He has appeared in several Broadway national tours, including Man of La Mancha with Jack Jones and Ron Holgate (where he completed over 300 straight performances in the role of Pedro), The King and I with Hayley Mills, Marie Osmond, and Faith Prince, South Pacific with Robert Goulet, and West Side Story with Bebe Neuwirth. In New York City, Martín co-directed and staged choreography for the off-off-Broadway production of Scrooge and Marley to rave reviews and restaged Israel Horowitz' long-running production of Line with Keith David at the 13th Street Repertory Company. Martín danced in opening acts for Earth, Wind, and Fire and the Bee Gees, and appeared on TV's Dance Fever and NBC's Weekday Fever. He served as assistant choreographer in the Great Lakes Theater Festival's The Tempest (directed by Dennis Rosa), performed in John Kenley’s last theater season. Martín's most recent opera credit was the lavish PBS production of Le Cid with Placido Domingo and the Washington Opera (live from Kennedy Center) where he served as associate choreographer and fight captain. Martín has taught theater dance for the School of Cleveland Ballet and theater dance workshops for National Dance Conventions. He is an alumnus of Jacque d'Amboise National Dance Institute at New York City’s PS 161 and has studied with Chet Walker and the late Christopher Chadman. Martín was featured in Bravo magazine for his work in the theater and was nominated for this year's back-to-back Northern Ohio Live Theater Achievement Award for his staging of Ragtime. Winner of Scene Magazines best Choreographer of 2006, Martín's work can also be seen in the 2007 productions of Oliver and Nine at Cain Park , Jekyll and Hyde, Equus and Jolson and Company. Special congratulations to Scott Spence. For my father, Gabriel Montalvo Céspedes.

Tod Huffman (Stage Manager) Tod is excited to be returning to steer this ship once again. It was a blast last year and is even better this year. He has been stage managing for many years. Tod has worked around the Cleveland area at such places as the Beck Center, Rocky River Community Theatre, JCC, CPT, Tri-C Metro, Cassidy Theatre, and Dobama. When not stage managing or working as a computer programmer for Federated Department Stores (formerly May Department Stores), he travels all over China and just completed a trip to Japan in June. Tod just completed a sell-out run of Joe Turners Come And Gone, written by the acclaimed author, August Wilson at Tri-C Metro. His favorites show have included Beauty and the Beast, Hair, The Fix, Perfect Ganesha, Tommy, Chicago, Five Guys Named Moe, Smokey Joe’s Café, A Raisin in the Sun, La Cage aux Folles, Urinetown the Musical, Beehive, Joe Turner, and Aida. Please support your arts organizations. Ni hao to Jim, Christopher, Sarah, and Solomon. Wo ai nimen.

Ben Needham (Scenic Designer) Ben returns this year to design the set for Beauty and the Beast at the Beck Center. He is the founder of Digital Squirrel Studio, a full-service theater design, 3-D animation and architectural illustration studio. Ben has designed over 90 productions for a number of theaters in the Cleveland and Atlanta area. He has worked with organizations such as Geauga Lake, Signstage on Tour, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Stage Crafters, The Jewish Community Center/Tri-C East, The Fine Arts Association, Porthouse Theatre, LaGrange Opera, and Lyric Opera of Cleveland. He would like to thank Christie, Aaron and Helen for all their support.

Aimee Kluiber (Costume Designer) Aimee is a costume, fashion and millinery designer from Lakewood. She studied theatre and music at Wittenberg University and The Cleveland Institute of Music and fashion and millinery design at The Virginia Marti College of Art and Design. Her theatrical associations include Lyric Opera Cleveland, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Cleveland Institute of Music, Cain Park, Case Western Reserve University, Caesar’s Forum, Red Hen Productions, the Beck Center for the Arts, Willoughby Fine Arts Association, and the Jewish Community Center. She was assistant to the costume designer for the feature film, Welcome to Collinwood and American Movie Classics: Fashion in Film on Tour with Shirley Jones.

Richard B. Ingraham (Sound Designer) Richard is happy to be returning for this encore run of Beauty and the Beast and his fourth season of work with the Beck Center. Previous sound designs at the Beck Center include Hamlet, Porgy and Bess, A Man of No Importance, Diary of Anne Frank, T.I.D.Y., Agnes of God, and Of Mice and Men. Richard is a former Resident Sound Designer at The Cleveland Play House, and the current Resident Sound Designer for Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan. He has designed sound for numerous theaters in the area and around the country including The Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland State University, The Cleveland Theatre Company, Dobama Theatre, The University of Evansville, The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, Playhouse Square Center, Rabbit Run Theatre, Shakespeare and Company, and Willoughby Fine Arts Association.

Scott Gamble (Beast Make-up Designer & Creator) Scott attended the studio art and sculpture programs at Kent State University and completed extracurricular studies under Academy award-winning makeup artist, Dick Smith. Gamble has done numerous makeup jobs for print, television and live theater performances. He has worked on numerous motion pictures applying makeup to stars ranging from Rob Lowe to James Coburn and has traveled the United States and Europe with the world renowned Cirque du Soleil for their feature motion picture, Journey of Man. Scott operates his own fully functional special effects make-up studio where for the past twelve years he has provided specialty costuming for Warner Bros. licensed amusement park Batman stunt shows internationally.

Don McBride (Resident Scenic Designer / Production Manager) Don has been with the Beck Center for the Arts since 1984. In that time he has designed scenery for over 200 shows. His designs have also been seen at Dobama, Huntington Playhouse and Lyric Opera Cleveland.

Joseph Carmola (Technical Director) Joe is a new addition at the Beck Center. Hailing from Canton, Ohio where he served as Technical Director/Lighting Designer at the Canton Players Guild. In the past, he has served as TD for the Magical Theatre Company and Trumpet in the Land, as well as a freelance designer. He is also the proud father of Clayton to whom he dedicates his "free time.”

view the company list and biographies, pictures, reviews and features of ...

the Beck Center '05 original production

the Beck Center '07 encore production