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Cast
Herberger Theater Center: September 2008
Tyler Maxson Tyler Maxson (Blackbeard) is marking his third time originating a role for a Rob Gardner production; previous roles include “Easton” in Twelve Princesses and “Steven” in Gardner and Davis’ The Price of Freedom. His previous incarnation of “Blackbeard” has been nominated for the prestigious ariZoni Theater Award, to be handed out this month. Recently, Tyler played “Joseph” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and “Sir Percival Blakeney” (ariZoni Award for Best Actor) in The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. He considers himself to be the luckiest man to be cast opposite his wife, the beautiful and talented Linsey Maxson. “Love to my boys, Bo and Cole-man.” www.tylerandlinseymaxson.com
Linsey Maxson Linsey Maxson (Mary) is proud to reprise her ariZoni-nominated role as “Mary,” which she originated in last year’s production of Blackbeard. Linsey also originated the role of “January” in Rob Gardner's ariZoni-award-winning Twelve Princesses in 2004. Other favorite roles include: “Margarette St. Just” in The Scarlet Pimpernel, “Narrator” in Joseph… Technicolor Dreamcoat, “Maria” in The Sound of Music, “Lilli Vanessi/Kate” in Kiss Me Kate, “Amalia” in She Loves Me, and “Cinderella” in Into the Woods. She sings with the 5-woman performing group “Divas of the Desert” and is the vocalist for the Red Mountain Big Band. Linsey directs musical theater groups for children and teens, and is a prolific vocalist, appearing on several recordings including Rob Gardner's The Price of Freedom. She is thrilled to be part of such a wonderful show opposite her amazing husband Tyler! They have 2 beautiful sons, 3-year-old Cole, and 4-month-old Bowen. www.tylerandlinseymaxson.com
Jordan Bluth Jordan Bluth (Lt. Robert Maynard) recently completed a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance at Indiana University. While at Indiana he performed the roles of Archibald Craven in Lucy Simon's musical, The Secret Garden, Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Ferrando in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, and Count Almaviva in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. In February of 2006, Jordan performed as the tenor soloist in Robert Levin's newly completed edition of the Mass in C Minor by W.A. Mozart under the direction of John William Gray. Other concert works performed while at Indiana University include the tenor soloist in G.F. Handel's work Alexander's Feast, and the tenor soloist in Ludwig van Beethoven's Mass in C Major. www.jordanbluth.com
Kaitlynn Kleinman Kaitlynn Kleinman (Anne) is thrilled to be part of this new production of Blackbeard after working with Rob Gardner in Twelve Princesses (December) and in The Price of Freedom (Ellen). She recently graduated summa cum laude with her BA in Musical Theatre from ASU and has plans to move to New York after the first of the year. Some of her favorite roles around the valley include “Audrey” (Little Shop of Horrors, Arizona Broadway Theatre), “Miss Dorothy” (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Phoenix Theatre), “Ado Annie” (Oklahoma!, Lyric Opera Theatre), and “Cinderella” (Cinderella, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre). She won the ASCAP Jerry Herman Legacy Scholarship in 2006 for her participation in a masterclass with Jason Graae and Paige O’Hara. She would like to thank Rob, Cambrian, the cast, her family and her friends for all their love and support!
Jere Van Patten Jere Van Patten (Stede Bonnet) has been away from the theatre for the past year when his daughter Maggie was born. He is thrilled to be returning to the role that was written for him! He has also been seen in Rob Gardner’s Twelve Princesses as “Bob the Gardener” (AriZoni Nominee).. Prior to Blackbeard he was seen as “Jinx” in Forever Plaid at the Hale Centre Theatre. Jere is the founder of The Actor's Ink studio and has been heavily involved in every aspect of theatre from the young age of 13! He has appeared in over 35 musicals, operas, and straight shows. Some of his favorite theatre roles have been: “Rick Steadman” in The Nerd (Goldy Award Winner), “Harry Witherspoon” in Lucky Stiff (AriZoni Award Winner), “Peter Quince” in A Midsummer Night's Dream (AriZoni Nominee), and “Mr. Mushnik” in Little Shop of Horrors (Goldy Award Winner) just to name a few. He and his wife Allyson are expecting their son Max due October 21st! www.jerevanpatten.com
Mark Kleinman Mark Kleinman (Governor Johnson) has performed extensively as a professional in both Operatic and Musical Theater repertory around the world. His diverse roles include Rodolfo in La Boheme, Faust in Faust, Hoffmann in Les Contes de Hoffmann, The Witch in Hansel und Gretel, The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Lt. Joe Cable and Emil de Beque in South Pacific, Capt. Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Fred in A Christmas Carol, Herr Drosselmeyer in the ballet The Nutcracker, and Borachio in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. An AriZoni Award winner, Mark has most recently been seen in the Valley as Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, Vinnie in Hale Centre's production of Lucky Stiff, as well as originating the role of Governor Johnson in Blackbeard. Mark is grateful to his family for their support.
Mark Hackmann Mark Hackmann (Mr. Hands) is excited to play Mr. Hands again.  He was recently in Cash on Delivery at the Hale, Urinetown and A Chorus Line at TLT and I Hate Hamlet at MET.  Other valley productions: The Nerd, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, 1940’s Radio Hour, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, It Runs in the Family, Company and Noises Off.  Mark also writes software for Zounds hearing aids. Thank you, Patty, for your love and support.
Alaina Beauloye Alaina Beauloye (Georgette) is originally from New York and has been working professionally in Theatre and Film since childhood. She performed on Broadway in Edward Albee’s stage adaptation of Lolita and Marvin Hamlisch’s Broadway workshop Smile. Recent theatre roles include “Lina Lamont” in Singin’ in the Rain, “Lizzie” in The Rainmaker, “Florence” in Man with the Pointed Toes, “Anna” in The King & I, “Audrey” in Little Shop of Horrors, and “Mrs. Lovett” in Sweeney Todd. She hosts the TV show Maricopa Now. Alaina is thrilled and honored to be working with such an outstanding cast in this amazing show and would like to thank Rob and Cambrian for this opportunity and also her family, Craig, Kalyn and Megan for all their love.
Joshua Alston Joshua Alston (Ensemble) is thrilled to be in this production of Blackbeard! Alston has played favorite roles as Cornelius & as Barnaby in Hello Dolly, Gad in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Caleb in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden, and James Lee in 1856, to name a few. Alston is extremely grateful for the love and support he has received from his family throughout his theatre career.   
Royal Baysinger Royal Baysinger (Ensemble) is quickly becoming a seasoned performer on the local stages of the valley. This production marks the third of his 2008 summer appearances. It began with Chandler Gilbert Community College's The Secret Garden where he performed one of his dream roles: Archibald Craven. That role was followed by The Music Man at Hale Centre Theatre where he played the part of the high tenor in the barbershop quartet. He is pleased to be working with Rob Gardner and yet again with director/choreographer Cambrian James. Special thanks to Hale Centre Theatre, Marc Denton, and Cambrian James for continuing support and confidence. 
Lisa Bulloch Lisa Bulloch (Ensemble/Anne u/s) is thrilled to join the cast of Blackbeard! A recent graduate of ASU's School of Music with a degree in Vocal Performance, Lisa brings much experience to this production. Credits include performances with ASU Lyric Opera Theater, Hale Center Theater, and Gilbert Fine Arts. As a student of voice at ASU, Lisa traveled abroad to study in Italy with some of the country's finest musicians as a participant in the Canta in Italia Opera Studies program. Other accomplishments include being a model fit for En Vogue in China and also competing in scholarship programs, among them, the Junior Miss Organization Pageant. Lisa thanks her family, friends and Heavenly Father for their constant love and support.
James Burnham James Burnham (Ensemble) is very excited to be in the cast of Blackbeard. He has been studying theater for 11 years, and is currently pursuing a degree in Music Theater Performance. In addition, Burnham is represented by the Leighton Agency. Favorite roles include: Lucky Stiff (Harry Witherspoon), Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), Godspell (Jeffery), Seussical (Wickersham Brother), Parade (Officer Ivey), You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder-ariZoni Nominee), Children Of Eden (Snake/Shem), and was part of the original workshop cast of Blackbeard. Thanks to God and to his family for all their love and support.
Matthew Hyde Matthew Hyde (Ensemble) did his undergraduate and graduate work at MCC and ASU in Choral Music. He was active in MCC's musical theatre where he performed in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Ruddigore, and The Mikado. Other shows include Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, and last year’s workshop of Blackbeard. He has written numerous choral and instrumental numbers and four children's musicals. He taught for 7 years in the Arizona public schools (K-12) and for the past 20 years he has been in the car business, currently working for Earnhardt Toyota as a sales manager/trainer. He and his wife Melisa just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with their 6 children and 8 grandchildren.
Danny Karapetian Danny Karapetian (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Herberger debut and is delighted to be working with Mr. James and Mr. Gardner on Blackbeard. He has performed in numerous productions around the valley, most recently in Hale Centre Theatre's Singin' in the Rain. He also appeared at Hale last season as Willard in Footloose (ariZoni nomination), Farleigh in The Scarlet Pimpernel with Tyler and Linsey Maxson, and Prince Frederick in The Little Mermaid. Local Theatre: Hale Centre Theatre (Lucky Stiff; Father of the Bride), East Valley Theatre Company (Bye, Bye Birdie!), East Valley Children's Theater (Heidi) (ariZoni nomination). Danny also placed first at the Tony-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival High School Competition (2005), and was regional fourth at the English Speaking Union's national Shakespeare competition in Scottsdale (2007). He thanks his friends, Joan Snyder, Casey, and Mom and Dad.
Cullen Law Cullen Law (Ensemble) was most recently seen as "Dickon" in The Secret Garden at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Other favorite roles include “Dauntless” in Once Upon a Mattress (CGCC), Hair at Tempe Little Theatre, and "Curly" in Oklahoma (CGCC). Currently, he is studying music at ASU with an emphasis on violin performance and musical theatre. Cullen attended the Wyoming All-State orchestra 4 years in a row and received several superior ratings at the North-West Music Festival. “Thanks Mom and Dad for Everything. Thanks Dustin for all your support!”
Douger Opie Douger Opie (Ensemble/Maynard u/s) is thrilled to be a part of this production. He and his family recently returned from Tucson where he studied vocal performance on scholarship. He also participated in the AZ Opera Guild, Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Tucson Chamber Artists. Some of his credits include the title role of The Impresario, Chavlin in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Curly in Oklahoma!, and Archibald in The Secret Garden. He was also a member of Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Bits and Pieces and will be in the chorus of the AZ Opera’s 2008-2009 season.  He’d like to thank Rob and everyone that allowed him to participate in this great show. Thanks to all of my family, especially my sweet wife who supports me in everything I do! 
Liz Alanna Partel Liz Alanna Partel (Ensemble) could not be happier to be performing in Blackbeard again! Previous roles include “Donna/Oolie” in City of Angels, “Birdgirl/Cadette” in Suessical, “Woman Three” in And the World Goes Round, “Ronnette” in Little Shop of Horrors, and most recently “Aysha” in Children of Eden. During the day she attends ASU as a choral education major. Thanks to her family: Mom, Dad, Michael, and Jackie for continuing to push her towards her dreams. Thank you to Rob and the Blackbeard crew for making this an amazing experience!
Laura Safsten Laura Safsten (Ensemble) recently graduated from Arizona State University with a double major in Music Theatre Performance and Choral Music Education. Some of her favorite shows she has participated in include Anything Goes, Once Upon a Mattress, The Music Man, Assassins, Oklahoma!, and The Boyfriend. She was nominated for an ariZoni Award for her portrayal of “Eulalie Shinn” in The Music Man. In addition to performing, Laura has been an acting coach, singing coach, choreographer, and dance instructor. She has received awards for being a top female dance instructor and for top routine choreography. When not performing she likes to spend time with family, and hiking and camping with her husband.
Janae Thomas Janae Thomas (Ensemble/Georgette u/s) is thrilled to be aboard this production of Blackbeard! Having earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts, she enjoys exploring many different theatrical genres, from Shakespeare to Sondheim! She has performed with Utah Shakespeare, Opera West, Sundance, The Louisville Bach Society, Hale Center Theatre, and Southwest Shakespeare. Most recently, she has been seen in Lucky Stiff at The Hale  and The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Mesa Arts Center. Some of her favorite musical roles include Johanna in Sweeney Todd, The Witch in Into the Woods, and Dolly in Hello, Dolly! “Thanks to my amazing husband and my two sweet boys for all their love and support!”         
Jenn Toon Jenn Toon (Ensemble/Mary u/s) is an Arizona native. Some of Toon’s favorite credits include the Arizona Premiere of The Secret Garden (Lily), The Sound of Music (Mother Abbess) [ariZoni nominated], Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Footloose (Vi), Brigadoon (Fiona/Meg) [ariZoni Award - Meg], and She Loves Me (Amalia). Also a music director, Jenn enjoys working with many different valley theatres. She is a private voice and piano instructor in the east valley with a thriving studio. Some opera credits include La Bohemé (Musetta) and Cosi fan tutte (Dorabella). 
Jamie Williams Jamie Williams (Ensemble) was last seen in the workshop of Blackbeard at MCC’s Theatre Outback, and is thrilled that it’s back.  She has also sung in many performances for Rob Gardner's Spire Music organization. A native of Mesa, AZ, she enjoyed growing up in a musical family of 9 children and now has four of her own! She would like to thank her parents and her husband Dallin for all their love and support! 
   
Creative
Rob Gardner (Book, Music, Lyrics/Music Director/Producer) has composed for film, television, studio recordings, and the concert stage. Among his works are four stage musicals: Blackbeard, Twelve Princesses (both of which earned him AriZoni Theater Awards), Joan of Arc, and The Price of Freedom. He is a prolific composer and conductor, having conducted choirs and orchestras in venues across the Western United States, including Abravanel Hall, Gammage Auditiorium and the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle. His compositions and arrangements have appeared on numerous albums and, as the author of three sacred oratorios, his work is almost always being performed somewhere around the world. He is also a member of and arranger for the bestselling 7-man a cappella group Two Five Nine. Among his other credits are several documentary films for which he contributed music. Rob is also a businessman, having graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management and is co-founder and president of Spire Music, a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing concerts and superior music recordings of a sacred and inspiring nature. www.robgardnermusic.com
Cambrian James (Director/Choreographer) is an accomplished dancer, actor, director and award-winning choreographer. As an actor and dancer he has performed in theatres throughout Southern California for over fifteen years as well as touring nationally. For the past decade Cambrian has become a successful director /choreographer notable for his great versatility staging many different dance styles. Whether working with seasoned pros or instructing young inexperienced dancers Cambrian has become much in demand for his ability to bring together dancers of various levels of skill and raise the quality of their performance. Since relocating from California to Arizona in 2006 Cambrian has directed six musical productions and choreographed twelve productions. He is the recent recipient of two ariZoni awards for choreographing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Brigadoon. For the 2006/2007 season Cambrian was also a double ariZoni nominee for directing and choreographing The Scarlet Pimpernel. His crowd-pleasing choreography was enjoyed by audiences in last summer’s HCT production of Footloose. Most recently Cambrian has directed and choreographed The Little Mermaid, Lucky Stiff, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Music Man. Having choreographed last summer’s workshop of Blackbeard, Cambrian is honored to have been chosen by Rob Gardner to direct, choreograph, and completely re-stage this newly revised pre-Broadway version of the show.
Laszlo Layton (Production Stage Manager) is a newcomer to the Arizona theatre community, having recently served as production stage manager for seven productions in less than one year including Lucky Stiff, Singin’ in the Rain, The Man with the Pointed Toes, Dear Ruth and most recently Hale Centre Theatre’s The Music Man. Prior to theatre Laszlo worked for over twenty years in television at Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment in California.  An advocate for nature and its conservation, Laszlo serves on the Board of Directors for Superstition Area Land Trust—an organization for the preservation of Arizona’s Sonoran desert wilderness. Laszlo is also an internationally known artist with fine art photographs in many important collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. www.laszlolayton.com
Kelly Crews (Production Assistant) Kelly is thrilled to be working with Rob Gardner, and on one of her favorite shows! She has been involved with theatre all her life, acting in and stage managing several productions in her native state of Texas, as well as writing several scripts produced locally. Her great love, though, is singing.  She has performed with choirs on concert tours of Europe, and twice at New York's Carnegie Hall. Kelly also serves as President of the Board of Directors of the ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence (her 3rd year), and she also serves as President and Production Manager for Uniting Artists, a locally based non-profit group promoting arts in the valley. Special thanks to Rob, Cambrian and the rest of this wonderful gang. You constantly amaze me! I am proud to be associated with all of you!   
Jen Thacker (Assistant Music Director) has been accompanying and music directing/teaching since junior high school. She was the Musical Director for PCYT's production of Once On This Island, and the Assistant Musical Director for Chandler-Gilbert Community College's productions of The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Secret Garden.  Other theater experiences include playing in pit orchestras for the Gilbert Fine Arts Association, and Chandler-Gilbert, Mesa, and Scottsdale Community Colleges. She has also worked for the City of Mesa/Mesa Arts Center for six years, teaching music classes for their Summer Arts and Teen Arts Camps. Jen currently teaches general music, orchestra, and choir at Noah Webster Basic School in Mesa, where she has taught for 12 years. She has also been an accompanist with the Phoenix Children's Chorus since September of 2000. Jen has taught private piano, voice, violin, and music theory lessons since 1988. When she is not teaching or accompanying, Jen can be seen playing the harp for various weddings, concerts, and private events around the valley.
Jim Gardner III (Producer)
Dane Burk (Scenic Design) A valley resident for 24 years, Dane has been involved with theater arts since youth. Though his interests in the theater are diverse, he came to rest on scenic design as his passion. Dane was recently nominated for an ariZoni Award for his previous design work on the first incarnation of Blackbeard in 2007. Now looking at this chance to reinvent Blackbeard's visual character, Dane finds the challenge exciting but most of all a stretch of the imagination. "People only see what they are prepared to see" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. And with that may you as the audience see the vision, and may it be a testament to the cast and crew and especially Rob Gardner for hard work that has created a vision worthy of an audience!
Jeff Davis (Lighting Design) is a freelance designer, programmer, and lighting technician; as well as owner of his own design and rental firm; Focus Entertainment Design. From Dramas to Musicals, Ballets to Concerts, Jeff is currently the lighting designer for local Ballet Company, Ballet Etudes. He has also designed for Mesa Encore, Shakespeare Sedona, Hale Centre Theatre (which has earned him 7 ariZoni nominations to date), Quinn Lemley, inspirational speaker and artist: Robin Crow, touring acrobatic group: Cirque Le Masque, and American Idol/country star: Kelly Pickler. An Arizona native, Jeff resides in Gilbert with his wonderful roommate and golden retriever puppy- Skye; who make it worth coming home every night. When outside the theatre, he enjoys investing and real estate. www.jeffdavisdesign.com
Brett Rothstein (Sound Design) has designed and engineered for nationally recognized theatres and national tours alike. Design credits include national tours of Nunsense staring Sally Struthers, Peter Pan and Camelot as well as regionally for Reefer Madness, Bat Boy and The Who’s Tommy as well as many other Broadway favorites. He has engineered the national tours of RENT, Evita and Camelot in addition to many other regional shows. He has also been honored with an ariZoni Award for Best sound design (The Who's Tommy). He is a proud member of IATSE. Brett would like thank his family for their unwavering support. Love to you all!

 

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