Staged Reading – November 11, 12 2022 at 7 pm
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Young Mindy/Mindy | Emily Smith |
| Eli | Don Lampasone |
| Young Lillian/Teen Lillian | Lauren Foley |
| Bella | Ande Kolp |
| Ronnie | Stephanie Clark |
| God | Todd Hochkeppel |
| Andy/Josh | Scott Bittner |
| Nina/Renee | Johanna Alonso |
| Scott/Steve | Danny Bertaux |
| Host/Dr. Weber | Gary Grabau |
Ande Kolp (Bella)– is a local artist who is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful show and be amongst such amazing people! She was most recently in Silhouette Stages (SS) Calendar Girls (Celia) and has previously held both acting and production team roles, notably Cinderella (Producer- SS), Behind the Curtain (Director/Producer-SS), She Loves Me (Props, Set Dressing, Ensemble- SS), My Other Mother (Sherry), 9 to 5 (Violet Newstead-ASGT) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Domina- SS). Ande wants to thank Miriam and Steven for the opportunity to be Bella, her husband Marc, and her family for their love and support.
Emily Smith (Mindy) grew up in Howard County, MD. She graduated from Atholton High School and worked with Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts’ Teen Professional Theatre and Young Columbians. This is the third original piece she has worked on (Magic Under Glass, JQA: A Theatrical Inquiry, & Joy Comes in the Mourning). Past roles include Meg (Little Women), Buelah (Allegro), Elle (Legally Blonde), and Julia (The Wedding Singer). She earned her B.A. in Musical Theatre from American University. Thank you to family & friends!
Don Lampasone (Eli) enjoys a decorated career in film and television as a director, director of photography, producer, and editor. He attended prestigious New World School of the Arts for Musical Theater in Miami, FL and is a graduate of American University Master of Arts in Film Production program. Don is thrilled to work on Joy Comes in the Mourning. He has acted in films, videos, and on various stages over the years but his all-time favorite performances are when he gets to share the stage or screen with his kids. When not performing, Don enjoys his filmmaking, completing his honey-do lists, and spending time with his family who love theater just as much as he does. To see some of Don’s work in production and more go to donlampasone.com.
Lauren Foley (Lillian) – Lauren is a junior at Catholic University of America. She has accumulated her theater experience through school shows and her many years working with StoryTellers: A Theater Arts Academy. Some reputable characters include Cinderella (Into the Woods), Madam Thenardier (Les Miserable), and Sally Brown (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown). She found Joy Comes in the Mourning through a facebook group and is excited to be a part of Miriam’s story on the stage. She would like to thank the cast, composer, and director, for a great experience!
Gary Grabau (Host, ensemble, Dr Weber) is excited to work with Miriam and company in this second original musical for which she has written words and music. When not working backstage with props and set building he has played Scrooge (type casting?), Mr Potter, J P Morgan, and Inspector Hound (HCC). Gary is humbled and thanks this awesome cast for retelling a life story that is heartwarming, full of emotion, love and loss, guiding us through the mourning toward renewing joy. Enjoy the journey with us!
Todd Hochkeppel (GOD) – Todd is delighted and humbled to portray the role of God. He also hopes that THE ALMIGHTY does not strike him down during any of the performances. As a local actor and VO talent, Todd has had the privilege to play many delicious roles to include Thenardier (Les Miz), Fagin (Oliver!), Wilbur (Hairspray), Lazar Wolfe (Fiddler), Sylvia (Ruthless!), Moonface Martin (Anything Goes), Tony/Luigi (Lucky Stiff) and most recently Mayor Shinn (The Music Man). By day, Todd scripts and directs educational and promotional multimedia productions. Todd thanks Miriam and Steven for this AMAZING theatrical experience and his family for their support and love. Enjoy the show and may peace be with you.
Johanna Alonso (Renee/Nina) is thrilled to be in her first musical in over four years. Past roles include Carmen Bernstein in Curtains (UMBC MTC), Enid Hoopes in Legally Blonde (UMBC MTC), and Ensemble in Fabulations (CCBC). She also directed and music directed several productions in college, including Godspell, Spring Awakening, Ordinary Days and Daddy Long Legs. A 2020 graduate of UMBC, Johanna now works full time as a journalist.
Stephanie Jo Clark (Ronnie) is ecstatic to be joining Miriam on the journey of completing her show! Stephanie has been doing theatre since before she was born! Her first role was the pregnant belly of her mom in The Music Man. Stephanie went to Indiana University of PA, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and Performance as well as minors in Dance and Creative Writing. She has missed doing theatre, as many have, during the pandemic and would like to thank Miriam for the chance to let out her creative side!!! Enjoy the show!!
Scott Bittner (Andy/Josh): Scott Bittner grew up in Howard County and attended Oakland Mills high school where he worked both on stage and behind the scene doing lighting for productions. He’s very excited to be back on stage for JCITM and hope’s you enjoy the show!
Danny Bertaux (Scott) – is very honored to be a part of this production. What a joy to be on a stage again after four long years! Some favorite past roles include Gabe (Next to Normal), Jamie (The Last 5 Years), and Melchior (Spring Awakening). He would like to thank Miriam and Steven for the opportunity to create and grow once more. And of course for creating something truly beautiful out of darkness. A special thanks to those who have helped me get here; what a long road it’s been. With love, enjoy the show!
Miriam Kook (Book, Music, and Lyrics) collaborated as composer and music director with playwright and lyricist Steffi Rubin on a play about adoption called My Other Mother which enjoyed two staged readings in the Maryland area recently. She music directed a staged reading and collaborated as composer with writer and lyricist Ben Kintisch on his new hospice musical called Life Review. She has music directed, accompanied and acted for high schools, in community theatres (ShadowBlock, Silhouette Stages, and Howard County Summer Theater) and been involved in musical productions in New York City, Maryland, Israel, and Egypt. Credits include West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. She has six grandchildren with one on the way and a grand dog named Waffles! Thanks to God, Doug, and my wonderful family for a lifetime of encouragement and support.
Enjoy the show!
Steven Fleming (Director) has worked on many productions in the area over the last 20 years. For eight years he was the theatre teacher at Oakland Mills High School where he directed over 15 productions. Other directing credits include Next to Normal and Big River with Silhouette Stages, Les Miserables as the co-director at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, and many shows with the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts. In addition to directing, he has designed projections and lights for several productions, as well as served as a stage manager in the area.
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