John Jacob Bernal (Donner / Boss Elf) returns to Civic after his debut last season in Lend Me A Soprano as the Bellhop. Other recent roles include Jack Kelli in Newsies, Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Captain Von Schreiber in The Sound of Music (all with Spokane Children’s Theatre). Offstage John enjoys writing lyrics, having lyrically composed a full pop-country album.
Ed Bryan (King Moonracer / Clarice’s Father) is a retired State Farm Insurance Agent, who loves to fly and build airplanes, build buildings, write plays, and woodworking. As a playwright, he’s had success with his musical adaptation of Moby Dick being chosen for the Chicago Music Theatre Festival in 2020 and a short play titled The New Car has been published. His favorite credits include Weller in The Gin Game, Ezekiel in White Christmas, and Officer Krupke in West Side Story (all with Civic) and Sancho in Man of La Mancha (Woodlands). He thanks Jan for her continued support with his numerous hobbies.
Eden Day (Clarice) is a senior at The Community School and is training with NEWTech Skillcenter to become a veterinary assistant, and later a licensed veterinary technician. Her favorite credits are Portia in The Wind in the Willows (Civic Education), James in James and the Giant Peach Jr. (The Community School), and Snoopy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
*Harper Drake (Ensemble) His recent credits include being a part of the Children’s Choir in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Spokane Valley Summer Theatre), Ralph Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!, Charlie Brown in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Charlie the Elf in Elf The Musical (all with Spokane Children’s Theatre). In his free time, he enjoys skiing.
Evie Durbin (Ensemble) is excited to return to the stage! Her favorite credits include Ensemble in A Christmas Carol, Ensemble in It’s A Wonderful Life, and Ensemble in Elf The Musical (all with Civic) and Ensemble in Harry Potter with the Spokane Symphony. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Reuben Erlinso (Coach Comet) has had a blast being part of this production and learning about his voice, how to move his body, and growing as an actor. Reuben is multi sport athlete who is also ASB Secretary and a member of his school’s choir and most importantly Reuben Erlinso is Me.
*Nicholas Ewing (Fireball) has been doing CYT Spokane since 2018 and hasn’t stopped since. He attends CYT Spokane three days a week to help extend his abilities as a performer. His recent credits include Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie, Scuttle in The Little Mermaid, and Snipes in Tarzan (all with CYT Spokane). Rudolph… marks his 20th show as a performer. He attends Mt. Spokane High School and sings in their Jazz and Chamber choirs and is also on their improv team and is a part of their theatre leadership team. He also enjoys some other tech aspects of musical theatre. He enjoys working the soundboard. He also enjoys editing videos and making short films.
Marty Kittelson (Mrs. Claus) 59 years ago Marty took over the lead role of Mrs. Claus only 2 weeks before opening. The play was about Mrs. Claus saving Christmas when Santa gets a cold. Now she is honored to get to play a more age appropriate Mrs. Claus in this delightful musical. Marty’s many theatre adventures are happily shared with her ho-ho-hubby Kris Kittelson.
Connie Mack Overstreet (Rudolph) is delighted to be returning to the Civic stage. His favorite roles include Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Aviator in The Little Prince, and Wally Webb in Our Town all at Spokane Civic Theatre. He would like to thank his friends and his amazing vocal teacher, Steve Mortier, for all their support!
Paloma Partovi (Ensemble) has enjoyed numerous classes through Civic Education over the past four years as well as Hesperus Arts. She has studied piano, dance and voice from a young age. Her recent credits include Alf / Teacher in Peter and the Starcatcher and Featured Ocean Ensemble in Moana Jr. (both with Civic Education). In addition to performing, Paloma spends her time painting, drawing and writing original songs and scripts.
*William Pipinich (Sam) has extensive vocal training and has been trained in multiple forms of physical comedy. His favorite credits include Captain Hook in Peter Pan and Marvin in Guys on Ice (both with Fort Peck Summer Theater), Eddie in The Rocky Horror Show (Montana Actors Theater), and Joe in 9 to 5 (Missoula Community Theater). Offstage he’s a project manager at Spokane Restaurant Equipment, loves to build Legos, and always take any opportunities he finds to sing. You’ll also find him around town sampling local food and refreshments.
*Aaron Robertson (Yukon Cornelius) is an award-winning graphic designer and ornament designer at Old World Christmas. A lifelong creative with a love for movies, music, theatre, and art, Aaron is thrilled to make his Spokane Civic Theatre debut as the adventurous prospector Yukon Cornelius. Much like Yukon, he’s fueled by curiosity, heart, and a love for discovery—especially when that adventure means sharing the stage with his oldest daughter Lucy. Aaron lives in Spokane with his wife and two daughters, where faith, family, and creativity are the treasures he values most.
*Lucy Robertson (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Spokane Civic Theatre debut! Lucy loves movies, music, singing, and art. She has a heart of gold, a love for making new friends, and enjoys spending time with her mom, dad, and little sister. Lucy also takes singing and acting classes, and dreams of one day becoming an actress, a teacher, or an artist—whichever comes first!
Kathie Doyle-Lipe (Director / Choreographer) has been involved with Spokane Civic Theatre for nearly 40 years! In addition to being a Resident Director, she also was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and First Place for Choreography at ACCTFest National. She also earned other local awards including Best Of Spokane for both acting and directing. Most recently Kathie directed and choreographed She Loves Me, The Wizard of Oz, Matilda The Musical, Elf The Musical, and A Christmas Story: The Musical at Civic. Onstage she performed as the Stage Manager in The Play That Goes Wrong, the show that opened Civic’s “Welcome Back” Season in January 2022 after its extended closure. Kathie would like to thank her incredible crew, amazing cast and dedicated parents for all their help, time and hard work.
*Presley DuPuis (Music Director) is excited to be music directing at Spokane Civic Theatre for his debut production this holiday season. Presley has served the Inland Northwest as an educator, accompanist and primarily as Resident Music Director for Aspire Community Theatre. Recent productions include: Catch Me If You Can, Guys and Dolls, Amelie, Legally Blonde, Gypsy, and The Who’s Tommy. Other recent credits include creating Aspire’s annual holiday production, Offbeat Christmas, and recently playing Rooster Hannigan in Annie and Harold Hill in The Music Man (CCT North Idaho) alongside his wonderful wife, Bridget. Presley holds his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Eastern Washington University and currently maintains his own private studio where he instructs in both voice and piano. He is thrilled to be a part of this delightful production and extends his thanks to Kathie, Jake, and the cast, crew, and musicians who have made this new opportunity a lovely experience.
Emily Sperry (Stage Manager) loves being a part of productions from start to finish and watching the show come to life. Recent credits include being the Stage Manager for The Lion King Jr. (My Turn Theater) and Stage Manager for Lend Me A Soprano (Civic). She is thankful for the support of her family. Enjoy the show!
Janice Abramson (Producer) has been involved with the Spokane Civic Theatre family since the summer of 1975. Since then she has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at Civic and the Individual Arts Contribution Award from the Spokane Arts Commission. Janice also works full-time for Spokane Public Schools and part-time for Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club. She is very excited to be back at the theatre. “I want to thank my family and friends for being there for me.”
Jillian Kehne (Co-Choreographer) is thrilled to be back at Spokane Civic Theatre. Jillian first performed at Civic during its 60th annual season and feels fortunate to be able to participate throughout the years. She has worked in various theaters in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene since 2006. Favorite shows include Pirates of Penzance, Godspell, Curtains, RENT, Hello Dolly, and Cabaret.
Peter Rossing (Scenic Design) has designed sets for theater, opera, and dance in Portland and Austin and staging for corporate events in Europe and Asia. Recent designs for Civic have included Cats, Carousel, A Christmas Carol, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Favorite past projects include A View from the Bridge for Portland Repertory Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest for New Rose Theatre (Portland), On the Verge for Different Stages Co. in Austin, and A Comedy of Errors on Austin’s Zilker Park Stage.
Jamie L. Suter (Costume Design) holds a BA in Theater Design and Technical Production with concentrations in Costume Design and Directing from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, studying under Broadway professionals Gail Brassard, Liz Covey, and Bob Anton. Notable credits include Costume Design for The Wonder!: A Woman Keeps a Secret (T. Schreiber Studio), Assistant to the Costume Designer for Sweeney Todd (Avery Fisher Hall), Assistant Costume Designer for The Lucky Chance (Theresa Lang Theater), Director/Costume Designer for Seven Femmes (Rathskeller Studios), and Costume Designer for The Lost Cabaret (NYC Fringe Festival). Jamie joined the Civic staff in 2018, her first design on stage being Present Laughter in the Studio Theatre. She loves being part of the fun and frivolity of live theater and is incredibly happy to do that at her home away from home, Spokane Civic Theatre.
Bryan D. Durbin (Lighting Design) has a BA in theatre and is very excited to be back as Civic’s master electrician and lighting designer following the long hiatus. “I want to thank my family Heather, Evie, and Abby for all of their support.”
Lilah Gail (Puppet Design and Construction) is thrilled to be involved in another Civic production. Recently she performed as a Delta Nu in Legally Blonde, Chief Weasel in The Wind in the Willows, Ensemble in Heathers (all with Civic) and Milky White in Into The Woods (Aspire).
*Karen Heflick (Properties) is currently a retired pharmacist and worked on shows at Woodland Theatre including You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, All Because of Agatha, The Music Man and See How They Run. She loves kayaking and has four children and five grandchildren.
Marty Kittelson (Properties) 59 years ago Marty took over the lead role of Mrs. Claus only 2 weeks before opening. The play was about Mrs. Claus saving Christmas when Santa gets a cold. Now she is honored to get to play a more age appropriate Mrs. Claus in this delightful musical. Marty’s many theatre adventures are happily shared with her ho-ho-hubby Kris Kittelson.
Mackenzie Willett (Costume Assistant) loves working behind the scenes at Civic as well as working as part of the Front of House Staff. Outside of theatre, Mackenzie spends all her time watching and playing soccer, spending time at church, and reading.
Jean Hardie (Light Board Operator) Actively involved at Spokane Civic Theatre since moving here in 1981, Jean has acted in, directed and choreographed many, many shows over the years, but is probably best known as Mother Superior in Nunsense I and II and Nuncrackers. She was the director of the Box ‘n’ Hat Players for 20 years, directed the Civic Summer Program for 14 years, has had several plays accepted for Civic’s annual Playwrights Forum and is a Civic Theatre Lifetime Achievement recipient. Most recently she directed Merrily We Roll Along, co-directed Jersey Boys and even filled in as the Light Board Operator for The Wizard of Oz. Best of all, she got to perform a duet with her son David in Civic’s Musical Revue Beat by Beat. Life is good.
Wren Rhodes (Dresser) is a self-taught singer with dance training, focusing on tap. Their recent credits with Civic are Mrs. Otter in The Wind in the Willows, Arminy in Carousel, Ensemble in She Loves Me and Ancestor in The Addams Family. Wren also own Enchanted Entertainment, a princess character company: @enchanted_pnw
* Spokane Civic Theatre Debut