Meet the Cast
Alan Elliott -
Pastor Gunderson
Alan is happy to be returning to Cornwell's this year to reprise his role as Pastor Gunderson in this season's production of Church Basement Ladies. Previously at Cornwell's, Alan has been seen as the side-steppin' booty-shakin' Governor in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Some of his favorite roles have been Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate, Juan Peron in Evita and Da Jimmer in Escanaba in Da Moonlight. Alan lives in Marshall, Michigan with his lovely bride Dawn, and his three fabulous children - Kierstin, Erik and Keegan.
Kelly Hackett -
Mavis
Kelly, a native of Wisconsin, is pleased to spend the holiday season here in the Midwest! She spent much of her summer and fall gardening (Did you know deer eat tomatoes?!) and performing big band music. Kelly is an alumnus of Lawrence University and serves as the University of Wisconsin - Rock County's Performing Events Coordinator. Some of Kelly's favorite roles include: The baker’s wife in Into the Woods, Sister in Damn Yankees, Anna in The King and I, Nancy in Oliver! and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Kelly also enjoyed South Pacific; she played Nellie opposite Tom Wopat as Emile! Thanks to Dennis for working around my crazy schedule. Love to family and friends, old and new!
Casey Kilroy -
Signe
Casey Kilroy originally from Pittsburgh, PA holds degrees in both Political Science and Musical Theatre from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. Her first and last time she was on the Cornwell’s stage she was murdered! In the recent Newlydead Murder Mystery show, she portrayed the diva Bianca. For the past two years, Casey was a singer aboard boats with Majestic America Line in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. She has performed across the country at various professional theatres including the Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin and Bearcreek Farms in Indiana. In 2005-2006, Casey traveled in the national tour of Care Bears Live! as the full-body costume character, Grumpy Bear. She also has an extensive resume as a political organizer, and has worked for the both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate as well as several Presidential and Congressional candidates. Favorite past roles include Jo in Little Women, Josie Cohan in George M! and anything where she tap danced!
Suzanne Ogden -
Karin
Suzanne loves to return to Cornwells. Much like a home away from home. Suzanne’s first production was Tintypes in 1988, can you believe 20 years ago and still looks 19. She is currently working on her Masters Degree in theatre at EMU, in Ypsilanti. She has traveled this great country to dozens of theatres, in hundreds of roles and thousands of songs. Favorite shows: Abigail Adams in 1776, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Agnes in I do I do. Anna in the King and I. She wishes to thank Dennis for this glorious cast and crew. Love to Mom and thanks to Pete.
Jill Stapleton Bergeron -
Vivian
Jill is thrilled to be making her debut appearance at the Cornwell Dinner Theatre for Top Hat Productions. She is a native of Virginia with degrees in Music and Theatre, and has had varied career in theatre as teacher, director, and actor. Her most recent regional credits include playing Clairee in Steel Magnolias for Maples Repertory Theatre in Missouri, Gertie in Fuddy Meers for the Seaside Repertory Theatre in Florida, Vivian in CBL for Troupe America in Nashville and Goody in Vinegar Tom for the Actors Co-op in Knoxville, Tennessee. She would like to thank her family, especially her husband, Gary, for their love and support.
About the Show
A celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES is a new musical comedy featuring four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church about to undergo changes in 1965.
From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, we see them handle a record breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter Fund Raiser, and, of course, a steaming hot July wedding. They stave off potential disasters, share and debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the Pastor on due course while thoroughly enjoying (and tolerating) each other as the true "steel magnolias" of the church.
Funny and down to earth, audiences will recognize these ladies as they witness the church year unfold from below the house of God.
Gallery
Click on a picture to launch slide show
