June 15, 2018 - July 1, 2018
THE LAST STARFIGHTER
Book by Fred Landau
Music & Lyrics by Skip Kennon
Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Betuel
Original orchestrations by Kim Douglass and Greg Bolin
Based on the screenplay of the hit 1980's sci-fi movie, this high-flying show follows the adventures of 18-year-old Alex Rogan, a teenager with a gift for playing video games. When Alex breaks the record on his favorite intergalactic video game, he finds himself pulled into a reality where the fate of the galaxy is placed in his hands. Aided by an alien con-man named Centauri, and stalked by alien bounty hunters called Zan-Do-Zans, Alex sets off on an exciting quest that will change the course of his life forever. With hilarious characters, stimulating songs, and a book that will bring this magical story to life with a bang, this is one show you won't want to miss! Photos by Michael Brunk | NWlens.com
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
Stefanie Van Rafelghem (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her debut at SecondStory Rep! Stefanie graduated with a degree in engineering in Virginia before pursuing musical theater in Seattle. She has appeared in The Producers at Seattle Musical Theatre, Shrek: The Musical, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and as Belle in an original production of Scrooge: The Musical. She studies voice with Carla Hilderbrand and dance at VAM Studios School of Dance. Stefanie also enjoys playing volleyball, rock climbing, and adding to her collection of mugs from around the world. Also cuddling with her roommate's cat.
Patricia Haines-Ainsworth (Granny/Alien Ensemble) most recently appeared at SecondStory Rep as Mae Peterson in “Bye, Bye Birdie”. Some of her favorite other roles have been Joanne in “Company” at RCT and Ben Franklin in Reboot Theater’s all-female production of “1776” in conjunction with SMT. Pat is also a playwright and has been lucky to have had some of her musicals for young people produced at SecondStory. This summer, she’ll also be touring with shows for children around Western Washington.
Maya McQueen (Maggie) is thrilled to be making her SecondStory Rep debut in The Last Starfighter. Other credits include Big Fish (Sandra Bloom) at The Overlake School, Shrek (Princess Fiona) at Seattle Children's Theatre, Into the Woods (Little Red) at Leavenworth Summer Theatre, The Pajama Game (Poopsie) in the 5th Avenue Theatre RSP, and Billy Elliot (Female swing) at Village Theatre. Maya is currently a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theater program at Indiana University.
Callie Nissing (Ensemble) is new to SecondStory Rep and excited to join this unique show! She loves to dance and has trained through programs at the Joffrey Ballet School (NYC), International Dance Academy (Los Angeles) and the University of Washington. Recent works include: The Enchantress in Beauty and the Beast (Edmonds Driftwood Players) and has choreographed for Willy Wonka Jr. and The Little Mermaid Jr. (EDGE Performing Arts and Dance). Outside of performing, Callie also teaches elementary Spanish.CallieNissingDance.com.
Eric Hartley (Otis/Grig) last appeared at SSR as Dr Kelekian in Wit. Previous SSR work includes Mushnik in Little Shop..., Callahan in Legally Blonde, & Twimble/Womper in How to Succeed... Appearances elsewhere include Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd (SMT), Cladwell in Urinetown (RCT), & Mr Lundie in Brigadoon (SFFT). Go Mariners!
Sam Bennett (Alex) is ecstatic to be in his second show at SecondStory Rep. Favorite past shows include Aida, Ghost (5th Ave Award Winner), and Footloose. He would like to thank his family and friends for all their support and SecondStory Rep for this opportunity.
Alicia Mendez (Elaine) is wicked excited to be part of this 80’s-tastic musical! Alicia is no stranger to the SSR stage, however she prefers to spend her time on the production side, recently directing Closer. Her favorite roles include Evita in Evita, Timoune in Once on the Island and Little Sally in Urinetown. Special thanks to Abigail and Sara for making the rehearsal process extra enjoyable!
Max Lopuszynski (Enduran) is completely stoked to be making his SSR mainstage debut! Seattle/Puget Sound area: Church & State, The Christmas Carol Rag (Burien Actors Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher, Big Fish (Bainbridge Performing Arts), Goodnight Moon (SecondStory Rep TYA). Special thanks to Kate, Kim, Abigail, and the Squolf!
Sara Trowbridge (Mrs. Rogan) has never been so excited to call a trailer park home, and is so thankful for Beth Moursund who made this possible. Sara is a Pacific Northwest theater veteran, and was last seen here on the mainstage as Anna in Closer, and on the TYA stage as Mom in The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. Other favorite roles include Belinda in Noises Off (SecondStory Repertory), Sissy in the world premier musical The Hours of Life (Theatre22), God in Wild Party (Sound Theatre Company), and Jane Banbury in Fallen Angels (Theater Schmeater).
Jaron Boggs (Ensemble) is happy to be making his SRR debut. Jaron is a local artist that has worked at ArtsWest, Seattle Musical Theatre, Renton Civic Theatre and many others. His favorite roles have been Jimmy Harper in Reefer Madness at SMT, Fighting Prawn in Bainbridge Performing Arts’ Peter & the Starcatcher and last seen in The Producers at SMT as Franz. As always, thanks to his friends and family for their endless support as he follows his dreams.
Mariesa Genzale (Ensemble) is elated to make her SecondStory Rep debut! Past credits include; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Bainbridge Performing Arts); the title role in Antigone (Bellevue College, Irene Ryan Scholarship Nominee); Emily in Coupler (BC; IR Nominee); Deb in Ordinary Days (Basement Theatrics); and Joanne in Rent (Hi-Liners). Thanks to her family, her instructors, The Other Two, and Connor for their endless love and support!
PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES (as provided)
Abigail Pishaw (Stage Manager) This is Abigail's sixth show with SSR (Next to Normal, Evita, Fancy Nancy to name a few) and she is pleased as punch to be back "home"! She is the Production Stage Manager for Taproot Theatre Company, and was most recently unseen-behind-the-scenes of the gospel musical Crowns. Much love to Kate, Kim, Jocelyne, the amazing cast and forever to the Squolf!
Jocelyne Fowler (Costume Designer) has designed for SecondStory Repertory (Evita, Chess: the Musical, The Lion in Winter, etc.), Seattle Shakespeare Company (Mrs. Warren's Profession, Titus Andronicus, Richard II), Book-It Repertory Theatre (Treasure Island, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, Anna Karenina), Wooden O, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Vashon Opera, Youth Theatre Northwest, and others. She is the recipient for the 2016 Gregory Award in Outstanding Costume Design.
Kim Douglass (Music Director) Kim is thrilled to be back at SSR for The Last Starfighter after recently music directing Anne of Green Gables, Legally Blonde, Evita, the Snow Queen, and Mack and Mabel. Kim has worked at many companies in the Puget Sound area as a musician, director and composer including The Village Theatre, The Fifth Avenue Theatre, A.C.T., Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Repertory Theatre and Seattle Musical Theatre to name a few. She enjoys teaching music and drama classes and has worked with many students from kindergarten to college.
Jen Chenovick (Light Design) Jen's theatrical career began in 2002 when she was asked to assistant stage manage The Importance of Being Ernest right here at SSR. Following her passion for theater Jen moved to Hollywood in 2005 where she stage managed for The Blank Theatre including the oddly satisfying Lobster Alice starring Noah Wylie and Nicholas Brendon. While in California, she also worked with Syzygy Theatre Group and the World Premiere of Tender, Abi Morgan’s trenchant drama of the human hunger for connection. Jen moved back to Redmond in 2007 and jumped right back into her work with SSR. During her eighteen plus years at SSR Jen has worn many hats, from stage manager to production manager to managing director and now light design. Special thanks to my parents, they’re pretty cool.
Mark Chenovick (Set Design/Technical Director) has been designing, building, and painting sets since the mid-eighties. Having the fortune to begin his theatrical career under the tutelage of Don McLaughlin in his hometown of Helena Montana, Mark continued his training at the University of Washington where he was accepted into the Graduate Design Seminar his sophomore year. With subsequent degrees in Art History and Drama, Mark went on to serve as technical director/designer for multiple organizations including: Virginia Musical Theatre, Fort Peck Summer Theatre, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Little Theater of the Rockies, and the Norfolk Governor’s School for the Arts. As Technical Director/Production Manager of the national tour of Anything Goes (starring Gloria Loring) Mark travelled around the United States and Canada realizing that there is no place quite as wonderful as the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, and following a brief stint as a carpenter at The Studio Theatre in Washington D.C., he moved back to Seattle. Locally he has worked behind the scenes for the Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Redwood Theatre, and, of course, SecondStory Repertory.
Mark Chenovick (Sound Design) I began my sound design journey splicing reel-to-reel tape together in the basement of the original Penthouse Theater on the University of Washington campus but it was my brief time in the MFA program at Utah State University, where I learned the joys of digital sound design, and subsequently, became hooked on sound design for life. Having provided composed and curated underscoring and soundscaping, original and sourced sound effects, and performance amplification services for multiple theaters across the US, I have felt the most at home at SSR. Special thanks to Squolfie, ‘lil Squolf, and my extended family. You are the music of my life. #bandistoohot #sorrynotsorry
Mark Chenovick (Projection Design) has designed projections for over 100 shows in the last ten years. Prior to that he worked with CJS design, a website design and hosting company, developing custom websites for clients ranging from Draper Valley Farms to Seattle Film Group. He also co-created and ran the now defunct SeattleActor.com, a website focused on Seattle area theater, featuring audition listings, helpful articles, and show reviews. In addition to projections, Mark also designs all of the marketing materials you see at SSR including; posters, show graphics, and website. All my love to Jen. Enjoy the show!