When composer Jim Jacobs and lyricist Warren Casey in 1971 first presented at Chicago’s Kingston Mines Theater their nostalgic look at the rougher edges of 1950s high school life, Grease was a play with just a bit of incidental music. Encouraged by producers Ken Waissman and Maxine Fox to expand it into a full-scale musical, the show reached New York as an off-Broadway attraction in February of 1972 and by June of that year, word-of-mouth had propelled it to a Broadway run which was to last for 3,338 performances, for a time making it the longest running musical in Broadway history. Initially presented in a straightforward, simple manner on a single unit set with a cast of only 17, the show rose to glory on its tuneful score of “new” 50s songs as well as its likeable cast of archetypical characters that every audience member could identify from his/her own high school experiences. In 1977, with the show still running on Broadway, the film version was released. Starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the movie retained much of the stage show’s score and included the interpolation of a few new songs as well as actual popular music hits of the 1950s. A smash hit, the movie became (and remains) the most profitable film musical in screen history. A successful London run of the show opened in 1973, with two revivals in London’s West End following: one in 1979 and another in 1993 which ran for six years. Back in New York, Grease received a Broadway revival in 1994, running 1,505 performances and even now continues to brighten the Great White Way with a current revival which opened last August and goes on and on. Here at Riverside, we have had a “rockin’” good time putting this show together, gathering much of the finest young talent you have seen on our stage during the past decade. In many instances we have literally watched these kids grow up, so it’s quite a charge to see them in an exuberant, fun, life-affirming show like this. Rollin Wehman has given more care to the vocal arrangements and musical direction of this show than is usually given its score, and boy, can you hear it! One of our favorite performers, Vilma Gil, has put on her “choreographer’s hat” and really put the kids through their paces with some of the most athletic choreography we’ve ever presented. Sit back, relax and let the good times roll as Grease gives you “a blast from the past!”

JOSH KIDD (Danny Zuko) celebrates his third Grease casting and his premiere as Danny, having performed years ago at Chancellor High under the direction of Jerry Pritchett (whom he credits with instilling his passion for the performing arts) and later in the role of Kenickie at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theater. Josh made his Riverside Center debut as Tommy Djilas in our 1999 presentation of The Music Man, and appeared on our stage in subsequent seasons as Rolf in The Sound of Music, Levi in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly, Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof, and more recently last season as Sam in Shenandoah, Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and the Young Prince/Fish Man in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Before moving to Los Angeles three years ago, Josh assisted in the training of FBI and DEA agents at “Hogan’s Alley” in Quantico. While in Hollywood, he studied at the Lesly Kahn Film and Television Acting Institute and was mentored by Allen Gregory in learning the Bolevslavsky acting technique. He recently earned his certification from the American Council on Exercise as a personal trainer, and during the day provides personal training for clients at Sport and Health in Fredericksburg’s Central Park. Josh feels truly blessed to be working in the two fields of his greatest passion – fitness and performing. He dedicates these performances to his Mom, Medina, Saghar and Ben. You have each pushed me to be a better man and in return I send you much love and appreciation. Now – let’s rock and roll!!

ANTHONY WILLIAMS (Kenickie) is a graduate of C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, VA, and for the past two years has embarked on his journey into the wide world of entertainment. With his Riverside Center debut in Ragtime, he added musical theatre to an already broad array of sports, modeling, dancing, music producing and vocalist credits, and has subsequently been cast as one of our featured dancers in The Music Man, Cats, Bye Bye, Birdie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Among other acting credits are an “All Star Casting” award for his role as Delphin in Roman Fever at a regional One-Act Competition and numerous principal roles in our Children’s Theater presentations. An accomplished dancer and winner of awards in five different areas of dance competitions, Anthony has most recently added Choreographer to his Riverside résumé, creating the dances to School House Rock, Jr. Future goals include travel and eventually opening an institute to train others seeking careers in entertainment.

CHERIÉ WEHLE (Sandy Dumbrowski) is excited to perform in her second Riverside mainstage production, following last season’s debut in the cast of Bye Bye, Birdie and previous appearances in Children’s Theater presentations of Alice in Wonderland, Seussical, Willy Wonka, Charlotte’s Web, Pinocchio (the Blue Fairy) and Jack and the Giant (Princess Tulip). Cherié has also been seen at The Pied Piper Theater in Cinderella. She has studied dance at Barton & Williams, The Performance Place, the M&S Academy and American Talent, acting with John Clark, and voice with Kevin Perry. Hugh thanks to Stephen R., Ron, Vilma, Carole and all those making possible this wonderful opportunity. Special thanks also to the cast, her best friends who keep her laughing and create great memories, her family for their love and support, and her Heavenly Father for His love and guidance through this “surreal” experience.

ASHLEIGH KING (Betty Rizzo) brings an impressive array of musical and dance credits to her second Riverside Center mainstage role. Ashleigh appeared here last season as Ursula in Bye Bye, Birdie and in Children’s Theater presentations of Seussical (Gertrude), Narnia (Mrs. Beaver), and Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte). Appearances at other venues include Mrs. Potiphar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, South Pacific, No, No, Nanette and Beehive at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theater, Aida and Chicago with the American Music Stage Company, International Dance Festival (Broadway, NYC), and Debbie Allen’s Kennedy Center presentations of Brothers of the Knight, Dreams, Pearl, and Pepito’s Story. She was recently recognized for “Outstanding Choreography” awards at regional competitions for the Show Choirs at Colonial Forge High School where she currently serves as dance instructor and choreographer. Additional dance credits include The Spirit of Kwanzaa, The Chocolate Nutcracker, and several presentations of The Nutcracker with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the Virginia Ballet, the Carolina Ballet, and the Columbia City Ballet companies. Ashleigh represented the USA at the Grande Prix d’Italia 2005 in Cesena, Italy as a member of the American Dance Company. She thanks her family for their love and support.

STEPHEN R. HAYES (Vince Fontaine, Director) has served as Riverside Center’s resident director since our 1998 opening and has appeared in all but two of our mainstage productions – 1998’s Oklahoma! (which he directed) and last season’s Nunsense (for which he was gender inappropriate!). Significant among his numerous Riverside portrayals have been Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Fagin in Oliver!, Mayor Shinn in The Music Man (both productions), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! (2004), Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly!, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, J.B. Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Frank Schultz in Show Boat, FDR in Annie, Buffalo Bill Cody in Annie Get Your Gun, Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music (both times), Jacob Marley in Scrooge! (both times), Lippy in Kiss Me, Kate, Bustopher Jones in Cats, Harry MacAfee in Bye Bye, Birdie, and most recently Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Mr. Hayes has been honored with Best Actor in Dinner Theater awards for his Riverside portrayals of The Duke in Big River and his favorite role to date, Tateh, the Latvian-Jewish immigrant in Ragtime – The Musical.

MATT CURTIS (Roger, Danny u.s.) is a transplanted Californian who moved to Virginia “on a whim,” and soon thereafter was cast as “Big Deal” in our Spring 2004 production of West Side Story, with follow-up appearances during the past four seasons in Oklahoma!, Man of La Mancha, Scrooge! (Fred), Brigadoon (Clansman), Kiss Me, Kate (Gremio), Big River (Sheriff Bell), The Sound of Music (Rolf), Ragtime (Harry K. Thaw), The Music Man (Tommy Djilas), Cats (Alonzo, Munkustrap alternate), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Phil). Matt brings to the Riverside stage a wide range of musical theatre credits which include Tony in West Side Story, Fyedke in Fiddler on the Roof, Che in Evita, MoonFace Martin in Anything Goes, and Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank, together with performances in a host of Shakespearian plays. In our Children’s Theater, he has been seen in the title roles of The Pied Piper and Snoopy!!!, the Talking Clock in The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast and most recently as Willy Wonka himself in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Special thanks to his family for standing by him even when times were tough.

GISELLE GIL McCLAIN (Marty, Rizzo u.s.) marks her twelfth Riverside production following appearances here as Ursula in Bye Bye, Birdie, Etcetera and Demeter in Cats, teen dancer and Zaneeta in The Music Man, a featured dancer in Kiss Me, Kate and Brigadoon, Kate in Oklahoma!, Margarita/Anybodys in West Side Story, Marjorie May in Gypsy, Bubbly in The Little Mermaid, and Duck/Flora in Alice in Wonderland. “Gigi” loves to be on stage, whether performing selections from Annie, playing Glinda in We’re Off to See the Wizard, or being a bilingual Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. She began dancing in Fairfield, Connecticut at the tender age of three and has never looked back, having received numerous awards there as well as studying with prominent New York instructor Chuck Kelly. She is an Access Broadway Scholarship winner and was invited to participate in Michael Rafter’s Destination Broadway in New York. Now a student at Christopher Newport College in Newport News, Giselle has been involved in CNC productions of Little Shop of Horrors (Construction Crew), and Great Men of Science (Construction Crew/Hair & Makeup Crew). Last year she appeared in the Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Angel/Dance Captain/Asst. Choreographer) and Richmond’s Theatre IV production of The Wizard of Oz (Dance Captain). Many thanks to her family for always encouraging her to follow her dreams.

SAMANTHA GRAVES (Patty, Dance Captain) is delighted to be in yet another Riverside production, having appeared in multiple mainstage and Children’s Theater offerings over the past nine years, most recently as Cora in Thoroughly Modern Millie, a featured dancer in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, one of the Gemini-twin courtesans in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a townswoman in Shenandoah, Helen in Bye Bye, Birdie, and Tantomile in Cats. At 17 years of age, she has literally “grown up” here – as Gretl (the youngest Von Trapp child) in our 1999 presentation of The Sound of Music, then progressing as the youngest child of the Snow family in Carousel, Molly in Annie, Princess Ying Yaowlak in The King and I, Nellie in Annie Get Your Gun (a personal favorite), Baby June in Gypsy, Young Kim in Show Boat, a teen dancer in The Music Man, and the title roles in our Children’s Theater presentations of Tiny Thumbelina and Pinocchio. She has studied dance, voice and piano for 11 years and over the past two seasons has served as resident choreographer for the Children’s Theater, with Jack and the Giant as her latest endeavor. Samantha was thrilled in 2003 when she made the final cut for the role of Baby June in the Broadway revival of Gypsy. The recipient of numerous awards in vocal and dance competitions including a Triple Threat winner at Access Broadway, she ishappy to join many good friends in the cast of this production. Many thanks to Ron and Stephen for all the wonderful opportunities and fun, to voice instructor Barbara Powell, and to Heaven Above for God’s many blessings.

BRITTNIE WORLEY (Jan) is excited to make her Riverside Center debut with such a wonderful cast and crew. A 2007 graduate of Riverbend High School, she was a member of the choir and cheerleading team and performed in the school’s production of Oklahoma!. Prior to her transfer to Riverbend High during her sophomore year, Brittnie appeared at Spotsylvania High School as the Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and developed a strong interest in acting and musical drama. That summer she was accepted for Virginia Commonwealth University’s summer intensive acting workshop, and she’s been learning and growing as a performer ever since. Now serving as an instructor at a local fitness center, Brittnie hopes to continue expanding her artistic horizons in musical theatre. Thanks to Riverside for giving her this opportunity and to family and friends for believing in her.

JOHN MATTHEW FLEMMING (Doody) is a junior at Culpeper County High School, where he is immersed in choral and drama programs. John was recently honored as one of three Culpeper County students to be selected for the Southeastern Division ACDA National Honors Choir and has appeared in over twenty theatrical productions and scholastic honor choirs. Thrilled to make his Riverside Center debut, he counts among his musical theatre credits the roles of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man, Curly in Oklahoma!, and Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin. John is also active in the Precious Blood Active Catholics Youth Group and the Precious Blood Heritage Choir. Thanks to Mr. Wehman, Stephen R., and Carole for this opportunity and for making him feel at home at Riverside. Thanks also to his parents for their support, fellow cast members for their awesome talents, and his music and drama teachers for their guidance and direction.

GRACE DABNEY (Frenchy) is happy to return for her second successive mainstage production after appearing as Ruth in Thoroughly Modern Millie and in recent Children’s Theater offerings of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Babes in Toyland, Jack and the Giant, and Willy Wonka. Prior credits with Young People’s Theatre and Pied Piper Theatre include Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Lily St. Regis in Annie, and Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress. When not at the theater, Gracie spends time with friends and family and loves “scary movie nights” with her “bff,” Beka. Thanks to Vilma, Ron and Stephen R. for this wonderful opportunity. Philippians 4:13.

JOHNATHON JENKINS (Sonny) is excited to expand his performing experiences at Riverside Center following his portrayal of the Mandarin character Bun Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Johnathon is familiar to recent Children’s Theater audiences as Inspector Marmaduke and Alan in Babes in Toyland, in the principal role of Jack in Jack and the Giant, and as Mr. Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Junior). As a student at North Stafford High School, he was featured as Oronte in The Misanthrope and as The Assistant in Chamber Music. Continuing his passion for musical theatre, he assisted in directing the school’s rendition of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Following graduation, Johnathon plans to attend college, majoring in musical theatre and minoring in medicine. Thanks to friends and family for believing in him, to Mrs. Katie Facemire-Snead for introducing him to his passion and always making the day bright, and to his Heavenly Father for the talents given him.

LOGAN UMBACH (Cha-Cha, Jan u.s.) is delighted to be back on our mainstage after earlier appearances over the past nine years as Marta in The Sound of Music, Kate in Annie, a royal child dancer in The King and I, Sandy in our Children’s Theater presentation of The Little Mermaid, Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye, Birdie, and Ethel in Thoroughly Modern Millie. A varsity cheerleader at Chancellor High School in Spotsylvania, Logan has won top honors at national and regional dance competitions and plays on both her high school and select travel soccer squads. She extends thanks to her mother for always providing encouragement and motivation, sister Santina for showing her that any personal goal in life is within reach, and family and friends for their continued support.

BRENT R. GALLAHAN (Eugene) is a junior at Chancellor High School, where he is active in the National Honor Society, Drama Club, French Club, and string orchestra and serves as president of Chancellor’s chapter of ASTA. He has studied acting, dance and voice at The Performance Place and the M&S Academy, and has taken private voice lessons from Toni Crowder, Patti Dunn, and Dr. Stephen Burton. At Chancellor High, he studies acting under the direction of Stuart Gelzer. A proud Eagle Scout (Silver Palm) with Fredericksburg Troop 179, Brent is also a “Brotherhood” member of the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s fraternity for honor campers, and participates on the chapter’s ceremony team. At Riverside Center, Brent has appeared in Oliver! as a workhouse boy and member of Fagin’s gang, a newsboy in Gypsy, young Tom in Camelot, Henry in Shenandoah, and in the ensembles of Kiss Me, Kate, Big River, Bye Bye, Birdie, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He was also seen as Peter in our 2006/07 Children’s Theater presentation of Narnia and appeared in principal roles for Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. His versatility has extended to the challenging role of audio technician for recent Riverside performances of Cinderella, Sleepy Hollow, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Special thanks to Mr. Wehman and Stephen R. Hayes for another mainstage opportunity, and to Mom and Dad for their love and support.

MARY G. THOMPSON (Miss Lynch) is absolutely delighted to return to the Riverside mainstage where she appeared last season as Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and in our Children’s Theater as Jack’s mother in Jack and the Giant. Earlier portrayals here include Maud Dunlop in The Music Man and Sister Mary Therese in The Sound of Music. Mary is probably best known to Riverside audiences and actors alike as the director of the majority (fast approaching Number 36) of our Saturday Children’s Lunch ‘n Show productions – most recently Sleepy Hollow, Cinderella’s Glass Slipper, and Babes in Toyland – while serving as music director for Jack and the Giant and Willy Wonka, Jr. earlier this year. Prior to joining our resident staff, she was an active member of the Washington, DC performing arts community, performing at Wolf Trap and the Kennedy Center as well as with the Washington Civic Opera. Favorite operatic roles include Susanna in Le ‘Nozze di Figaro, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, and Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance. For 12 years Mary directed the Fredericksburg Players, a youth-oriented performing arts troupe, before focusing on Riverside Center children’s presentations. She also founded the Nine Points Theater Company, which provides production support to civic and not-for-profit fundraising activities. When time permits, she performs at east coast renaissance fairs, music festivals, and choral concerts. Thanks to Stephen R., Ron, and “my Steve” for your continuing support!

JOHN WEATHERS (Johnny Casino, Teen Angel) hails from Warrenton, Virginia and comes to us from the Philadelphia College of the Arts in Pennsylvania. He is excited to debut at Riverside Center while continuing his professional performing journey. John lists as past favorite musical theatre roles Chad in All Shook Up, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, Grantaire in Les Miserables, Launce in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and Antony in Antony and Cleopatra. He plans to pursue further studies in music and theatre at Shenandoah University/Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia this fall. Many thanks to our director, musical director and production manager for allowing me this great opportunity!

GREG OLSON (Bud, Roger/Doody u.s.) is excited to perform in his fifteenth mainstage production at Riverside, first appearing here at age 8 as one of the Snow children in Season III’s Carousel. Since his teenage years he has been seen in recent seasons as a teen dancer in The Music Man, Freddy in Bye Bye, Birdie, Pouncival, Coricopat and Mistoffelees [alternate] in Cats, John Anderson in Shenandoah, an acrobatic Protean in Forum, the Salt Shaker in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and a featured dancer in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Greg has also been active in dozens of our Children’s Theatre presentations – most recently, Seussical!, Narnia, Cinderella, Sleepy Hollow, Babes in Toyland, and Jack and the Giant. He made his Choreographer debut in our CT Spring 2008 presentation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory while also appearing as the Candy Man. A participant in advanced dance training at Dance and Gym Expressions, gymnastics at Paragon, voice studies with Barbara Powell, and advanced tap with Baakari Wilder, Greg is the winner of numerous dance/acting awards and plans to embark on a professional career in dance and theater. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and all seven brothers and sisters for their love and support. Additional appreciation to Ron, Stephen R., and Vilma for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful production.

SALLY ROEHL (Betty, Cha-Cha u.s.) returns to us for her third mainstage production, having previously appeared here as a Shark Girl and Dance Captain for 2004’s West Side Story and more recently in 2007 as a featured dancer in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She is a former student of dance and musical theatre at the M&S Academy in Fredericksburg, where she was selected Captain of the dance competition team, the Starz Dance Company. Currently in her senior year at Virginia Commonwealth University, Sally will graduate May 17th with a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in General Business. Plans after college graduation include graduate school to pursue a Master’s Degree in Teaching. Many thanks to Ron, Stephen, and Vilma for another wonderful opportunity and to her friends and family for all their love and support.

JULIAN GORDON (Wally, Eugene u.s.) has been involved in the performing arts since elementary school, with appearances in Clue (Mr. Green), Into the Woods (the Mysterious Man), Sweeney Todd (Anthony Hope), The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. Julian debuted at Riverside Center in our 2006 production of Ragtime, and was subsequently seen in 2007’s Bye Bye, Birdie and several Children’s Theater offerings. A freshman theatre and communications double major at George Mason University, he lists as his favorite role to date Lucien P. Smith in GMU’s The Boys Next Door. He is delighted to return for his third Riverside mainstage show, and sends out thanks to God (first and foremost), his friends throughout the Grease cast and crew, good friends Mike and Braden, best friend Nich, and his mom, dad and sister for their love and care.

KATHRYN E. WINTER (Kitten, Sandy u.s.) is a native of southern Rhode Island, where she grew up performing in numerous dance and music recitals as well as exploring all facets of the performing arts. Making her Riverside Center debut with this production, she lists as favorite dramatic credits the roles of Jane in Pride and Prejudice, Alice in Bye Bye, Birdie, and Urleen in Footloose. Kathryn graduates this May from the Catholic University of America with a B.A. in Classical Civilizations and a minor in Art History, and following graduation hopes to pursue a career in musical theatre. Thanks to family and friends for their encouragement and support.

RASHELLE SCHWAM (Linda, Patty u.s.) is very excited to debut on the Riverside mainstage following her Spring 2008 appearances in our Children’s Theater as Mrs. Beauregarde in Willy Wonka Junior. She’s a long way from her hometown Seattle, where she attended the University of Washington and was cast in principal roles for The Pajama Game, Midsummer Night’s Dream, You Can’t Take It With You, Flowers for Algernon, and Snoopy!!!, as well as appearing in productions of Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and Psycho Beach Party. Rashelle loves musical theatre and wishes to continue nurturing this passion wherever her journeys may lead. Special thanks to her husband for supporting this late night hobby of hers.

ADAM WORKMAN (Russ, Kenickie u.s.) delighted young audiences last year as Ichabod Crane in our Children’s Theater presentation of Sleepy Hollow and now joins several fellow cast members in a first mainstage appearance. Currently taking classes at Germanna Community College, Adam hopes to transfer to a theatre conservatory in the near future to further prepare for an acting career. Past drama credits include Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Alan in William Inge’s Picnic. Many thanks to the Riverside production staff for this wonderful opportunity to again perform onstage.

MICHAEL S. TAYLOR (Johnny Casino/Teen Angel u.s.) is excited to continue his Riverside presence following recent principal appearances as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Albert Peterson in Bye Bye, Birdie, the Lieutenant in Shenandoah, Erronius in Forum, the Bookseller and Monsieur D’Arque [alternate] in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and in the ensembles of Ragtime and The Music Man. A frequent performer in our Children’s Theater presentations, he has been seen as the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, “Rat” in Wind in the Willows, The Cat in the Hat in Seussical!, Tumnus in Narnia, Uncle/Bat in Charlotte’s Web, Antonio in Pinocchio, and Prince Charming in Cinderella’s Glass Slipper. Additional musical credits include The Opera House Theater Company and The Thalian Association in Wilmington, NC, and numerous appearances with various production companies in the Corning/Elmira area of upstate New York. Favorite roles include The Mute in The Fantasticks, Bert Demarest in A Visit to the Golden Age of Radio, Harvey in The Damnation of Theron Ware, and Paco in Man of La Mancha, along with various characters in the standards Funny Girl, Carousel, Cinderella, The Russian Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and The Music Man. Among his TV and film credits are Ragtop, Dawson’s Creek, Enchanted, The Wedding, Blair Witch II: Book of Shadows, and the History Channel’s Digging for the Truth. Michael holds an A.S. in Mathematics and Science from Corning Community College, a B.S. in Computer Science from UNC, and an M.S. in Computer Science from VCU. He is employed as a scientist at NSWC Dahlgren.

SHARON E. WEHLE (Miss Lynch u.s.) debuted on the Riverside stage as a nun in our 2005-06 presentation of The Sound of Music and continued with appearances as a “Pick-A-Little Lady” in The Music Man, Doris MacAfee in Bye Bye, Birdie, and in our Children’s Theater as the Housekeeper in Jack and the Giant. Originally from southern California, and holding a degree in both music and acting, Sharon is familiar with each side of the curtain. She has served as both production manager and actor, and lists as favorite roles Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music, Contrary Mary in Babes in Toyland, Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and – on a more serious note – Ann Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She enjoys her involvement with her church and community choral ensembles, and is appreciative to her voice teacher Kevin Perry. Thanks to husband Mark and their 4 children: David, Matt, Cherié and Jonathan, for their love and support as she becomes more involved in musical theater, joining daughter Cherié who plays Sandy in this production. Sincere appreciation also to all her friends at Riverside and gratefulness to God for the opportunities to share her talents.

EDWARD GREGSON (Male ensemble swing) is a senior at Massaponax High School, returning for his eighth Riverside production after his most recent appearance as a featured tap dancer in Thoroughly Modern Millie and in past seasons as Pouncival in Cats, a teen dancer in The Music Man, Baby John in West Side Story, a cowboy in Oklahoma!, Philip in Kiss Me, Kate, and Jack in the Children’s Theater holiday show Babes in Toyland. Edward began his musical theater career locally with Stage Door Productions, where he was seen in Fiddler on the Roof, Here’s Love, Oliver!, and Scrooge. He has studied acting at theater camps and dance summer intensives including Stagedoor Manor in Loch Sheldrake, New York and Steps on Broadway in New York City, and has trained with the Washington School of Ballet as well as the Fredericksburg Dance Centre. At Massaponax High, he serves as SCA President and Drama Club Vice President and has enjoyed roles as Ralph in Working and Seymour Krelbourn in Little Shop of Horrors. Following high school graduation this year, Edward plans to continue performing and pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in dance media studies.

MARAH BALLARD (Female specialty-dance swing) is a junior at Chancellor High School and has been involved in dance since the age of six. She danced competitively in jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip-hop, lyrical/modern and production styles from 1997 through 2006, earning numerous top awards. In 2006, her love of hip-hop and performing led her to train in Washington, DC where she joined Joy of Motion’s Hip-Hop Dance Company and Urban Impact, and subsequently performed/choreographed with DC’s Black Expressions Hip-Hop Festival, the National Cherry Blossom opening day ceremonies, and Earth Day 2008. Marah continues to study a variety of dance styles, and recent accomplishments include nomination to the Virginia Governor’s School, a scholarship to Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Intensive for 2007-08, selection by audition to perform her original choreography for the 2008 National Cherry Blossom festivities and Joy of Motion’s Choreography Showcase, Radio City Rockette’s Summer Dance Intensive 2006, and Michael Rafter’s Destination Broadway 2005. Future plans include performing in music videos and on Broadway and auditioning to be a L.A. Lakers dancer. Special thanks to Vilma and the Riverside staff for this opportunity and to Mom and Rob for their continued support on these journeys.