*denotes TATL ensemble member
Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder: reimagined by Tony Lawry
Cast
Dolly Levi………..…………Justine Serino
Horace Vandergelder….Caleb Ryan Jones
Cornelius Hackl….……....Ross Compton*
Irene Molloy……….Stephanie Stockstill*
Barnaby Tucker…………Teddy Nielsen
Minnie Faye……………….Izzy Schafer
Ermengarde/Rudolph…Mery Drilling-Coren
Ambrose Kemper/August….Elijah Warfield
Due to the intimate setting of our theatre and out of respect for the audience and artists there is no late seating for this production. Thank you for understanding.
Production Staff
Director……………….…..……..….Tony Lawry*
Stage Manager.…..……….Reagan Stevenson*
Sound Design……….………....Lou Stockmeyer
Set Design……..…….….Katelyn Montgomery
Lighting Design………………...Max Molenda
Justine Serino - Dolly Gallagher Levi Justine is tickled pink to be making her first appearance with the lovely folks at Theatre Above the Law here in her beloved Rogers Park. Some of her favorite Chicago credits include work with The Gift Theatre, Babes with Blades, The Side Project, Stage Left, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and The Artistic Home, where you can catch her this August in their Summer on the Patio series. For Lucia – Grazie di cuore, cugina!
Caleb Ryan Jones - Horace Vandergelder Caleb Ryan Jones (he/him) is perfectly pleased as punch to be joining all of you fools in his first show with Theatre Above The Law! Caleb Ryan trained at Columbia College and graduated in the inaugural class of Comedy Writing & Performance. He is an alumni of Nashville School of the Arts. His recent credits include Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee (James Johnston), Three Sisters (Kulýgin), Machinal (George H. Jones) and can be seen next in Sandbox Theatre Collective’s upcoming production of Henry IV, Part I (Glendower/Douglas) If you’d like to get to know more about his life on and off the stage, follow @the_bookeyman.
Ross Compton - Cornelius Hackl Ross is having such a fun time with the cast and crew of The Matchmaker, and wants to thank you all for coming out to see their work. He has been an ensemble member of Theatre Above the Law and Idle Muse Theatre, and you may have caught him recently in The School For Scandal with the latter or Strange Cargo: The Doom of The Demeter with City Lit. He also wrote and co-starred in a film called I Agree With You which you can learn more about at Fortified-Films.com. He wants to thank his mom, sister, brother, the director Tony for always giving him a shot time and time again, and of course, his cat Nimbus.
Stephanie Stockstill - Irene Molloy Stephanie Stockstill (she/they) is a TAtL ensemble member, returning for her 4th show with the company! Some favorite roles include The Witch in Into the Woods (Kokandy Productions), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Porchlight Music Theatre and Kokandy), Charlotte in A Little Night Music (Boho Theatre), Anne in A Little Night Music (Circle Theatre), Tilly in Melancholy Play: a Chamber Musical (Piven Theatre), Maria in The Sound of Music (Beverly Arts Center), and Laura in Goblin Market (Black Button Eyes). Stephanie has had the honor of originating two roles: Catherine in Northanger Abbey (based on the novel by Jane Austen) at Lifeline Theatre and Mary Rose in Mary Rose with Black Button Eyes Productions (original cast recording on all streaming platforms)! They graduated with a vocal performance degree from Northwestern University.www.stephanieblairstockstill.com
Teddy Nielsen - Barnaby Tucker Teddy is thrilled to be making his Theatre Above the Law debut! A high school junior, recent credits include 1984 (O’Brien), The Actor’s Nightmare (George), 12 Angry Jurors (Juror 9), Dial M For Murder (Hubbard), and a whole lotta Shakespeare. He wants to give all his love to this wonderful group of people, as well as to his parents for their endless support (and every drive to and from home).
Izzy Schafer - Minnie Faye Izzy Schafer (she/her) is so excited to be returning for her fourth show at Theatre Above the Law. She is a senior in high school and will be attending NYU Tisch School of the Arts in the fall. Recent credits include The Portrait of Madame X (LookingGlass Theater), The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Above the Law), Anything Goes, Much Ado About Nothing, and California Suite (Latin School of Chicago). Izzy is so grateful for Tony and the entire cast and crew of Matchmaker.
Mery Drilling-Coren - Emengarde Mery Drilling-Coren is so excited to be back with Theatre Above the Law! She has previously been seen in Grimm as the Miller’s Daughter. Mery studied Theater Performance at Bradley University and has loved performing throughout Chicagoland! Mery wants to thank Tony, Reagan, and her amazing cast for allowing her to tumble and cry throughout this process! She would also like to thank her friends and family for their continuous support! She would also like to honor her Uncle Gary who passed away last year. He played Barnaby in Hello Dolly (the musical version of The Matchmaker) making this show even more special. Now grab some champagne and enjoy the show!
Elijah Warfield - Ambrose Kemper Elijah Warfield (He/Him) is a Chicago-based actor and is thrilled to be making his Theatre Above the Law debut! Recent Chicago credits include: Company (MadKap Productions) Ragtime, Prom the Musical (Highland Park Players); The Music Man in Concert (Metropolis); Girlfriend, Gay Card, A New Brain (PrideArts); Something Rotten! (Russo/Richardson Productions). Elijah received his degree in Theatre from Northwestern University.
Reagan Stevenson — Stage Manager Reagan Stevenson (she/her) is excited to be back in the booth at Theatre Above the Law (she actually never left). Reagan is a Chicago based stage manager, UIC graduate, and ensemble member at TATL. Credits include Grimm, The Pyg Hypothesis, Matt & Ben, Cyrano (Theatre Above the Law); Gay Card (Pride Arts); This Music Should Not Be (The Terror Cottas); Seven Year Glitch (Yellow Rose Theatre). Upcoming: Good Day (A Short Leap). Extra special thanks to Eric, Tony, Mom, and Dad.
Lou Stockmeyer - Sound Designer Lou is excited to be back at Theatre Above the Law doing sound design for Black Comedy! They recently graduated with a B.A. in Theatre from Northwestern, and are incredibly passionate about new work. Recent sound credits include The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals at The Athenaeum, Matt & Ben and The Pyg Hypothesis & Grimm at Theatre Above the Law, as well as John Proctor is the Villain and The Thing About the Dream, both at Northwestern. They'd like to thank their family, friends, and the wonderful cast and crew of this show for making this process so enjoyable!
Max Molenda - Lighting Design Max is beyond thrilled to be behind the scenes here at Theatre Above the Law! Max has helped with and designed shows across the Chicago-land area for 4 years. Design Credits include Gypsy, Shrek, Singing In the Rain (The Beverly Theatre Guild), Mean Girls (Ghostlight Educational Theatre Collective), Seusicall, Matilda, and The Wizard of Oz (St. Linus Players). Assistant Design Credits include Beautiful the Carol King Musical, Hairspray, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Wedding Singer, Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street, Sister Act, and Mean Girls (Erica Heilmann Theatre). Max would like to thank the entire production staff for giving him this amazing opportunity. @max_molenda29
Tony Lawry - Director Tony has had a wonderful time closing TATL’s 10th season with this production. The process with this entire cast and design team has been un-”matched”… ;) ! Tony hails from Michigan & has directed at some Detroit area theatres as well, including winning the P.A.G.E Award for directing Romantic Comedy. He would love to thank his ever supportive wife and soon to grace the TATL stage someday daughter for putting up with the bedtime absences and dinner leftovers. Tony is represented by Stewart Talent and would love to direct for your theatre company whenever possible :)
Special Thanks!
Reagan Stevenson, Stina Taylor, River Run Press, The TATL Ensemble, Subscribers and Board, Tyler Core, Idle Muse Theatre Company, Barbara, Olivia and YOU, the audience!
MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED WHILE IN OUR INTIMATE SPACE.