Neil Simon's Proposals
April 29 - May 21
SYNOPSIS - Comedy
PROPOSALS is a delightful romantic comedy following the story of nine people whose lives intertwine as unexpected guests arrive at a summer vacation retreat. Romantic complications ensue – the heartache of lost love, the thrill of new love, and the bittersweet reunion of past love – resulting in a hilarious story of loyalty, honesty, and forgiveness. Written by the famous comedic playwright Neil Simon, this is one show you won’t want to miss.
CAST LIST
DIRECTED by:
John Wilkerson
Comedy by:
Neil Simon
PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH:
Samuel French, Inc.
Michael Alger
Role: Kenny Norman
Michael is very pleased to be a part of PROPOSALS. His other acting credits include NUPTIALS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, SOUTH PACIFIC, ANNIE, CAMELOT, and PRINCE CASPIAN. He also enjoys golf and real estate. He would like to thank John for the opportunity, and his wife, family, and friends for their encouragement and support.
Zeke Branim
Role: Ray Dolenz
Zeke is once again appearing on the Artisan stage, marking PROPOSALS as his fifth Artisan show. Past shows include OKLAHOMA (Curly), SOUTH PACIFIC (Stewpot), CAMELOT (Guilliam), and most recently, PHANTOM (Cholet). This is Zeke's first non-musical in over two years, but he's glad to take a break from musicals. He would like to thank his parents for always pushing him to do his best, and his friends for helping him along the way.
Charles I. Bryant
Role: Lewis Barnett
Charles would like to thank God for everything. He also wants to thank all the cast, crew, volunteers, and patrons for making this possible. This is his second show at Artisan, previously seen in TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD. Other Acting credits include being an extra in the movie "The Dead Don't Screen" and a television pilot "What A Deal.” This is his favorite role because his favorite role is always the one he’s currently performing.
Lynsey Hale
Role: Sammii
Lynsey is very happy to be a part of PROPOSALS. This is her fifth show at Artisan. Her other shows include NUPTIALS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, SOUTH PACIFIC, ANNIE, and PRINCE CASPIAN. She also enjoys performing improvisational comedy. She would like to thank John for the opportunity, her husband, parents, and friends for their encouragement and support.
Debbie Hillaker
Role: Annie Robbins
Debbie is extremely delighted to be in her third production at Artisan. She also appeared in NUPTIALS (Mrs. Carpenter), and STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Truvy). She sends thanks to the cast, Lindsay Hardisty, John Wilkerson, and DeeAnn Blair for the pleasure. As always, great appreciation goes to her mother, her two daughters, her six - maybe seven by the time this production is finished - grandchildren (Mimi loves you!!!), and all her friends for their unending support and love. But thanks most of all to her Lord and Savior; for without Him, she would be nothing. To Jennifer and Kaitlyn: "You will always be my two best productions! Love and light - finish well in all you do!"
Rose Anne Holman
Role: Annie Robbins
Rose is pleased to be back at Artisan after last appearing in STEEL MAGNOLIAS as Truvy. Having appeared throughout the DFW area for over twenty-five years, her favorite roles include Chris (RUMORS), Florence (THE ODD COUPLE-FEMALE VERSION), Martha (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF), M’Lynn (STEEL MAGNOLIAS), Bernice (THE FULL MONTY), Miriam (BEAU JEST), Ethel (ON GOLDEN POND), Felicia (I HATE HAMLET), and Karen (JAKE’S WOMEN). During the day, Rose Anne is a teacher for learning-differenced students in Dallas. She thanks her family and friends for their support and letting her have the evenings to play.
Ronnie Hunter
Role: Lewis Barnett
Ronnie is excited to be returning to the Artisan stage and to be working with John, the cast and crew. Ronnie has previously appeared at the Artisan as Reverend Sykes in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, as well as on the Runway Theatre stage in the same role. Most recently, he was seen in Runway Theatre’s production of MIRACLE ON 34th STREET as Jim the Zookeeper, a reporter and Al the postal worker. Ronnie is a native Texan having lived in the Fort Worth area all his life and most recently retired from IBM with 30 years of service. Ronnie would like to thank his family and friends for all of their love and support and glory and honor to God for this wonderful opportunity.
Lori Jones
Role: Josie Hines
Lori is delighted to be a part of PROPOSALS. This is Lori’s eighth production at Artisan where she has been seen as Caroline in NUPTIALS, as Ernestine in BELLES ON THEIR TOES, and as Virginia in OKLAHOMA! She has also been in SOUTH PACIFIC, THE MUSIC MAN, THE MIKADO, and most recently as Lady Anne in CAMELOT. Lori would like to thank her family for their love and encouragement in all her endeavors, and a special thanks to John and DeeAnn for this incredible opportunity!
Tiffany Long
Role: Sammii
Tiffany is excited to play the fun, comedic role of Sammii in Neil Simon’s PROPOSALS. Tiffany has a background in television production and producing, writing, and acting on camera. This is her first theatrical performance. Her outside interests include photography, running, and humanitarian efforts.
Edward Ciaren Masen
Role: Ray Dolenz
Edward is excited to be in his sixth production at Artisan. His first Artisan production was THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE as Adult Edmund and one of Jadis' Cohorts. You could have recently seen him in BRIGADOON as one of the dance core and in OKLAHOMA! as Sam Lawton, although most recently he was Sir Castor in Artisan’s production of CAMELOT. Edward was also in Artisan’s summer camp production of LES MISERABLES. He really enjoys theater and he would like to thank God, his friends and family for their support and Lindsay for always writing his bio because she is AWESOME!
Caleb Merrill
Role: Kenny Norman
Caleb is very excited to be doing another show at Artisan. So far he has done SOUTH PACIFIC, CAMELOT and PHANTOM here at Artisan. He started theatre in high school and has worked his way to Artisan. He thanks all of his family and his friend on which he would be lost without.
Gary Payne
Role: Burt Hines
Gary is very excited to be back on the boards at Artisan. You may remember him from other Artisan productions, including: DRIVING MISS DAISY, WALKING ACROSS EGYPT, WEST SIDE STORY, THE MIKADO and BRIGADOON. Most recently Gary appeared as Kanute in ONSTAGE’s production of A DON’T HUG ME CHRISTMAS CAROL. Favorite roles include Ray in LONE STAR, Arnold and Norman in numerous productions of THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, and Harold in THE BOYS IN THE BAND.
Mateo Prada
Role: Vinnie Bavasi
Mateo is very excited to be part of the cast in his first production with Artisan. His other acting credits include THE ROADS THAT LEAD HERE, THE PHARMACIST’S DAUGHTER and THE RED COAT at Black Box Theater, also BABY BANDIT and CONFESSION OF TEENAGE DRAMA GEEKS at Stage West Theater. He’s a graduate from KD Studio Dallas. Mateo would like to thank God, his family and friends for their continuous support.
Sandy Pruitt
Role: Clemma Diggins
Sandy learned at an early age her desire to entertain and perform. She has been singing and acting professionally for years and has gained a variety of professional experience by acting in, Commercials, Theatre Productions, and performing in Bands and Choirs. She is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful cast with PROPOSALS here at Artisan. Other acting credits includes portraying Jewell in THE BEST …. IN TEXAS, Alice in BIG RIVER, Effie in DREAMGIRLS and Calpurnia in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD here at Artisan. She maintains a solid commitment to entertain others through her professional, emotional, inspiring and live performances. She has also had the pleasure of recording vocals for local and major recording artists for Texas to California. She enjoys entertaining children and adults of all ages in public, private or corporate events. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, reading and dancing and spending time with family and friends.
Randy Sarver
Role: Vinnie Bavasi
Randy is excited to make his tenth appearance at Artisan in the role of Vinnie Bavasi. Randy most recently appeared in PRINCE CASPIAN, where he reprised the role of Aslan. He also has enjoyed other great character roles such as Sir Lionel in CAMELOT, Ali Hakim in OKLAHOMA, and as Lt Schrank in WEST SIDE STORY. Randy was previously a feature actor at both The Sands and Stage Two theaters in Florida, and was also a managing director of The Shoestring and Riddle Theaters, also in Florida. Randy is excited to be in this great production and looks forward to many more!!
Ginger Smith
Role: Josie Hines
Ginger is originally from Memphis, TN, and is very excited about performing in her first role since moving to Texas last November. She was last seen in ALL SHOOK UP during Elvis Week 2010 at the Harrell Theatre in Tennessee. Other favorite roles and shows include Beth in LITTLE WOMEN, ANYTHING GOES, and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She is very excited to be a part of such a wonderful cast and crew and would like to thank John for giving her the opportunity to play such a great character. She would also like to thank her Husband and Son for giving up their time with her and for always supporting her. I love you both!
La’Netia D. Taylor
Role: Clemma Diggins
La'Netia feels honored to make her debut performance at Artisan in PROPOSALS. Originally from Tyler, TX, La’Netia is RTVF /English graduate of TCU. She has worked professionally in the media world for almost twenty years as a writer, producer, & voice talent. With an extensive background in acting, public speaking, ballet/modern dance, music, & the classical discipline of mime, La’Netia’s love of the arts also extends to teaching. She is the founder/director of the award-winning mime team, “With New Eye” at Harvest Christian School in Ft. Worth. On the stage, her roles have included Gateway Church’s original production THE ELAVATOR as Kim. She later reprised this character in Gateway’s original musical MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME. Recently, she played the character of Calpurnia in RCT Theater’s production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Most importantly, La’Netia gives all glory to God, and deeply appreciates her family, friends, and especially teachers who have left a lasting impact on her life.
Mark Winter
Role: Burt Hines
Mark is thrilled to return to the Artisan stage after playing Sir Dinadan in CAMELOT and Gerard Carriere in PHANTOM. An ordained minister, Mark operates his own traveling drama ministry called One Man Show. Since PROPOSALS is a story of family, Mark would like to dedicate this show to his wife of 28 years, Laura, and their three children, Paul, Sam and Abby.
John Wilkerson
Role: Director
John feels blessed to direct PROPOSALS. He is thrilled to be working on a non-musical with a small cast after recently directing the large PHANTOM cast. Last year he played the lead role of Emile DeBeque in Artisan’s production of SOUTH PACIFIC. On Broadway he had a starring role in ABBY'S SONG, was in STATE FAIR with John Davidson and Andrea McArdle, and in PETER PAN with Cathy Rigby. His national tours include BRIGADOON with John Schneider, MAN OF LA MANCHA with Ed Ames, STATE FAIR, PETER PAN, and SOUTH PACIFIC, in which he understudied Robert Goulet and played Emile may times to critical acclaim. He was the star of several world premieres and many regional productions including Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Frederick in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Ben Stone in FOLLIES, Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Father Flanagan in FATHER FLANAGAN'S DREAM, Abel Frake in STATE FAIR, and Emile in Dallas Theatre Center's nationaly acclaimed SOUTH PACIFIC, for which he received a Leon Rabin Award Nomination. John received third place in the Metropolitan Opera Competition. Many opera, operetta and concert credits including the prestigious City Center Encores! Series in New York City. He sends much love to his wife, actress Margaret Shafer, sons Michael and Shafer, daughter Marcia, and grandchildren Payton, Jackson and Lilly.
Lindsay Hardisty
Role: Stage Manager
Lindsay is excited to be stage managing another non-musical and especially excited to be working with John Wilkerson again. She was recently was in Artisan’s production of CAMELOT as Morgan Le Fay. Lindsay has stage managed numerous shows at Artisan her favorites being WEST SIDE STORY, SWING, OKLAHOMA!, CAMELOT and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD which she won Best Stage Manager a of Play non-equity at the 2011 Column Awards. She is thrilled to work with such a great cast on this production and would like to thank Adam Livingston for being such a great best friend. Go Rangers!!
Jennifer Cadenhead
Role: Costume Designer/Costumer
Jennifer is happy to be a part this wonderful Neil Simon show and working with such a great production crew. She has previously contributed her designs to the Artisan stage for the shows PHANTOM, CAMELOT, ANNIE and PETER PAN. She also enjoys creating natural stone jewelry and preparing for her little bambina's impending arrival.