November 11-27, 2011 
The Princess & the Pea
Book & Lyrics by Stan Gill
Music by Jeffrey Payne & Cindy Bright
Based on the story by Hans Christen Andersen, the Princess & the Pea tells the story of Hannah, a storm-tossed girl who shows up on the castle-step of Prince John & The Queen.  After a whirlwind romance Prince John & Hannah wish to marry, but not unless Hannah passes the Queen’s nobility test.  Hannah’s “studying” pays-off, and they all live happily ever after.

MEET THE CAST

Jan Dunlap (Upstairs Maid) is thrilled to be making her debut on the SecondStory stage in this production, and very thankful for the opportunity.  She also thanks her daughter for allowing her to go out and “play” at the theater, her parents and sister for believing in her, her friends and church family for urging her on, and God for everything else!  She is most commonly seen acting, directing and producing at Evergreen Family Theatre in Redmond, and continues to expand her acting to film and voiceover work.  Jan grew up in Gig Harbor, WA, where her love of theater began 25 years ago in high school productions.  Her favorite role was dancing and singing on tabletops as Nancy in Oliver! She studied at Pacific Lutheran University and graduated from UW. 

Brandt Sterling (Prince John) is excited to be making his debut performance with the SecondStory Repertory.  He comes to the Seattle area with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Theatre and a Master's in Liberal Arts from Oklahoma City University. Brandt has recently been seen as Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Redwood Theatre and is also a new member of the Seattle Men's Chorus.  Some of his previous roles include Ralph Wiley in Reefer Madness, Ty Williamson in Sordid Lives, Carl-Dad in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and a Wickersham Brother in Suessical the Musical.  He has also performed in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Beauty and the Beast, and Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels.  Brandt would like to thank his cast, crew, family, and friends for their continued love and support!

Patricia Haines-Ainsworth (Queen) “The Princess and the Pea” was the first production Pat saw at SecondStory.  She is very happy to be able to have a role in this year’s production of this Sprouts favorite.  “Many thanks to SecondStory in the years since that initial visit for inviting me to perform and teach here”.  In March of 2012, Pat’s original play, “The Dancing Princess” with music by Terry Alaric Levitt will premiere on the SecondStory stage.  Also, in 2012, Pat will make her ArtsWest debut in “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”.  2011 has been a busy year.  Pat appeared on the Village Theatre stage in “Anne of Green Gables”; as Jack’s Mother in “Into the Woods” at Seattle Musical Theatre”; and as Sister Mary in “Sister Mary Ignatious Explains It All For You” at Renton Civic Theatre.  This past summer, Pat toured with Last Leaf Productions in their summer programs for young audiences across western Washington.  Pat was last seen at SecondStory in “Harriet’s Halloween Candy” and “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”. She played the mother in both those shows.  There might be a trend developing. Pat is also a mom in the real world.  She thanks her children and her husband, Mark, for their tolerance of her artistic obsessions.

Jennifer Makenas (Hannah) is thrilled to be debuting at SSR in a role her mom says she was born to play….the Princess!  You might have seen Jennifer most recently as Minnie Fay in Northwest Savoyards’ production of Hello Dolly, or previously at one of many theaters around the Puget Sound including Seattle Musical Theater, Burien Little Theater and Driftwood.  Special thanks to the Pea for being a dream to work with and only throwing a minor fit about being billed second in the title.

Sara Trowbridge (Downstairs Maid)  Sara happily returns to the SecondStory stage, where she was last seen in “A Year With Frog and Toad.”  She is delighted to be playing the role of the work-challenged Downstairs Maid, and is thrilled as always to work with friends old and new.  Much love to all. Sara earned her BA in Theatre Performance at Central Washington University.

Danny Miller (Prime Minister) Danny is delighted to be back on stage at SecondStory bringing back this popular Sprouts show and reprising his role as Prime Minister from 5 years ago.  An old familiar face at SecondStory (hopefully more familiar than old) he has been seen more around town lately than on this stage (except for Split 2nd Improv) with recent roles including Jasper in Drood! at Redwood, Tommy in Brigadoon at SFFT and the Dentist in Little Shop at Microsoft.

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Stephanie McBain (Director): A 15 year veteran of theater in the Seattle area, Stephanie is delighted to be directing here at SecondStory Rep where she has so enjoyed acting, assistant directing, and teaching. This is her 22nd production with SSR. From our Mainstage series you may remember her as “Reba” in The Last Night of Ballyhoo or “Veta Louise” in Harvey, among others. In SSR's Theater for Young Audiences series some of her favorite roles have included “Fairy Godmother” in Cinderella, “Mama Bear” in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and “Modron” (the dark witch) in Sleeping Beauty. An educator for over 25 years, Stephanie feels blessed to have found a way to combine her love of children with her passion for theater. Thanks go to her favorite music director in the whole wide world, Kevin Miller (who also happens to be her husband), and to this very talented and dedicated cast and crew. Special thanks as well to George Lewis (Freehold Theatre) and Michael Kelley from whom she learned so much about the art of comedy. And of course, love always to her daughter, Kathryn Grace.

Kevin Miller (Music Director) is delighted to climb back up to the SSR loft for "The Princess and the Pea.”  Thanks to the cast for all their hard work, and to Christina for being a delightful stage manager and the most enthusiastic proto-audience-member ever.  Kevin has had a great time working with Stephanie in a different role, having previously music directed and directed shows in which she acted. Previously at SSR, Kevin was musical director for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “She Loves Me” on the Mainstage, and "Hansel and Gretel” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” in the Theater for Young Audiences series.  Next up for Kevin at SSR is directing “Beauty and the Beast” in the spring, which will be confusing since it won’t involve climbing a ladder.

Christina Masson (Stage Manager) is extremely excited to work on Princess and the Pea after previously stage managing A Year With Frog and Toad at SSR last spring.  She graduated from WWU with her BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography and a minor in Theater.  Most recently she performed in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and My Fair Lady with Leavenworth Summer Theatre.  Look for her in the female ensemble in Joseph..., coming to the SSR stage in December!

Mark Chenovick (Set Design/Technical Director)

Robert Falk (Light Design)

SPECIAL THANKS: Ted Scott, Megan Chenovick, and Lake Washington United Methodist Church in Kirkland