Music and Lyrics by Edward Kleban Bookby Linda Kline and Lonny Price
October 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 @ 8:00PM
October 13 @ 2:00PM
A Class Act provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how a musical is created and brought to the
stage. It is based on the real life of composer/lyricist Edward Kleban winner of
a 1976 Tony Award andPulitzer Prize for Drama for the lyrics to A Chorus Line. Though put together after his death, Kleban is the composer and lyricist for all
of the songs in the show. Linda Kline, a personal friend of Kleban, worked with Lonny
Price to write the libretto for this Broadway musical which first premiered off-Broadway
in October of 2000 and went to Broadway in early 2001. The show includes characters
like the late Michael Bennett, Marvin Hamlisch and Lehman Engle, the founder of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and was nominated for five 2001Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Ben is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from Dubuque, IA. Previous McPherson Theatre
productions include A Class Act (Ed Kleban), As You Like It (Orlando), A Shayna Maidel
(Duvid Pechenik), and Promenade (Mr. T). Ben was in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick
Laboratory Theatre production of The Spitfire Grill (Joe). He was also part of the
Music Theatre Workshop's production of All The Kids Are Doing It (Lars), and Thrill
Me (Richard Loeb) in the Phoenix Theatre. Outside of IWU, Ben works as a professional
singer and performer at Six Flags Great America. "Special thanks to my family and
friends for their love and support."
Alec is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Oakford, IL. Positions in McPherson include
for A Shayna Maidel (light hang electrician), 9 to 5 (light hang electrician), As
You Like It (fly crew head), and Faculty Choreographed Dance Crew 2013: Sins (light
hang electrician). As an actor, Alec appeared in A Class Act (Lehman Engel), scenes
for the Directing 1 class, and was cast in 24 Hour Theatre Festival and in Music Theatre
Society's production of Bloomer Girl (Hamilton Calhoun). He was also in Shringara
Theatre's production of Harvest (cyborg/agent). "Special thanks to my friends and
family for supporting and encouraging me during this process.
Marek is a senior BFA Music Theatre Major from River Forrest, IL. His McPherson Theatre
credits include Hello Again (The College Boy), Promenade (The Dishwasher/Injured Man/Soldier
II, 9 to 5 (Detective/Ensemble) and As You Like It (Charles/Sylvius). He was also
in Alice's Golden Hour (White Rabbit/Cheshire Cat/Gryphon) in the E. Melba Johnson
Kirkpatrick Theatre. Marek appeared in the Music Theatre Workshop's production of
All The Kids Are Doing It (Mike) and in Steel Horses (Sunshine) in the phoenix Theatre.
Professionally, Marek worked at Theatre West Virginia where he was in Rocket Boys
the Musical (Jim Hickham understudy/ensemble), Hatfield & McCoys (Selkirk McCoy) and
Honey in the Rock (Smeath). "A special thanks to all my family and friends who have
been there and supported me through my life and career. Another thanks and congrats
to all the seniors who have made it this far! I wish us all the best in the future!"
Ian is a junior BFA Music Theatre major who comes to us from Birmingham, AL. On the
McPherson stage, he has been seen in 9 to 5 (Eddie Smith/ensemble) and in the Faculty
Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins (dancer). Ian has also served as a wardrobe
crew member for Tartuffe. He was in the Phoenix Theatre production of The Rise and
Rise of Daniel Rocket. "Thank you to my mother, Beth Stewart, and unstoppable woman
of unending quality."
Jordan is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Geneseo, Illinois. We have seen him
perform in McPherson stage in 9 to 5 (ensemble) and Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert
2013: Sins (dancer) and as wardrobe crew member for As you Like It and Promenae. He
has operated the light board for The Children's Hour and Election Day. Jordan was
in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre's production of Adaptation
(Phil Benson). He has also worked in the Phoenix Theatre in Dog Sees God (Beethoven)
and with the Music Theatre Society in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Melvin P. Thorpe)
and Bloomer Girl (Beethoven). Jordan has also performed in the Student Choreographed
Dance Concert here at IWU.
Evan is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Dubuque, IA. He served on various
crews for several McPherson Theatre productions, including 9 to 5 (wardrobe crew),
As You Like It (wardrobe crew), and Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins
(run crew), as well as sound and light board operator for Memory of Water in the E.
Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre. Evan also served as an actor for the
Directing I class and was a dancer in the Student Choreographed Dance Concert 2013.
"Special thanks to the three important "f's": family, friends, and faculty!"
Carlos is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Libertyville, IL. This season he appeared
in McPherson in A Class Act (Dr. Nodine), and has previously served on crews for Hay
Fever (usher), Treasure (usher), A Shayna Maidel (usher), 9 to 5 (light hang electrician),
As You Like It (run crew), Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins (light hang
electrician). In the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, Carlos was the
sound designer for the production of The Breach. He acted in the Directing I class
scenes and the Music Theatre Society's production of Bloomer Girl (Gus). "Special
thanks to my father, mother, sister, brother, George, and Gabby. Thanks for all the
love and support. I'd also like to thank all of my Phi Gamma Delta brothers. Mighty
proud to have your support."
Tyler is a sophomore BA Theatre Arts major from St. Charles, IL. He served backstage
on several productions last year including Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013:
Sins (run crew), As You Like It (sound board operator), 9 to 5 (usher), and A Shayna
Maidel (light hang electrician). Tyler also served as an actor in the one act scenes
for the Directing I class. "Thanks Mom and Dad for all of your love and sacrifice!"
Heather is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Portland, Oregon. In McPherson,
she has appeared in A Class Act (Sophie Callan), 9 to 5 (Margaret), and Faculty Choreographed
Dance Concert 2013: Sins (dancer). Heather participated in the Music Theatre Society's
production of Bloomer Girl (Evalina), and has been a dancer and choreographer in the
Student Choreographed Dance Concert 2012 and 2013 here at IWU. "Special thanks to
my friends and family for their love and support, especially my mom, Aunt Cheri, and
Uncle Steve."
Mandi is a senior BA Theatre Arts major with a minor in Theatre Dance from Mokena,
IL. On the McPherson Theatre stage she served as assistant costume designer for Promenade,
musical director and flautist for As You Like It, and appeared in 9 to 5 (Maria Delgado)
and A Class Act (Felicia Lipshitz). She has also been involved in a number of Phoenix
shows, including Dog Sees God (Marci), The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket (Fire),
Celebrations Cabaret (cabaret performer), The Insanity of Mary Girard (Polly Kenton
and with the Student Choreographed Dance Concert.
Kayla is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from Phoenix, AZ. She has been seen in
9 to 5 (ensemble) and in Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins (dancer) in
McPherson Theatre, and in The Breach (Woman, Linda, Quan Older) in the E. Melba Johnson
Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre. Kayla has also performed in the Phoenix Theatre in
Wedding Band (Mattie), The Insanity of Mary Girard (Fury #4/Ms. Phillips), and Colorblind
(Darla/McKeny). Kayla has appeared in the Music Theatre Society's productions of Best
Little Whorehouse in Texas (Ruby Rae) and Bloomer Girl (Aurelia/Topsy). She also worked
on All The Kids Are Doing It in her classroom work for Music Theatre Workshop. Kayla
is a board member of Shringara Theatre Company. Professionally, she has been seen
in Cinderlla (Patches) and Princess and the Pea (Chief) at Missoula Children's Theatre
International Tours. "I would like to give an obscene amount of thanks to my parents,
family and friends, and faculty at IWU, because they have put up with me through the
crazy mess and have always been a million percent behind me pursuing my dreams. Also,
Adam, you've been here since the very first Thursday, and I don't know how to even
begin to thank you for that."
Brittany is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Bloomington, IL. She was last
seen in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre production of Red Devils
(Alice). Previous McPherson shows include 9 to 5 (ensemble), and The Children's Hour
(wardrobe crew), Hello Again (light hang electrician), Tartuffe (wardrobe crew), and
Promenade (usher). Brittany is also involved in the Student Choreographed Dance Concert,
Cohesion Dane Company, Shringara Theatre Company, and SoTA Shoppe.
Kelsey is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from St. Louis, MO. She has been on
several crews in McPherson Theatre, including A Shayna Maidel (light hang electrician)
and 9 to 5 (run crew), and Red Devils (usher) in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick
Laboratory Theatre. She appeared in the Phoenix Theatre in Do-Overs. Professionally,
Kelsey performed in 101 Dalmatians (Trixie, ensemble) at Stages St. Louis. "I'd like
to thank my family and friends for always supporting me; and I'd especially like to
thank the IWU faculty, as well as this amazing cast and crew, for making my experience
in my firs college production so positive and fun!"
Julia is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey. In
the McPherson theatre, she has appeared in A Class Act (Ginger). Previous Phoenix
Theatre productions include Steel Magnolias (Della) and Shringara Theatre Company's
Shadow Cabaret. "Special thanks to my family back home, my amazing friends and teachers
who have become a second family to me, and the fantastic cast and crew!"
Erica is a sophomore BFA Music theatre major from Lake Forest, IL. She has held several
positions in McPherson, including A Shayna Maidel (light hang electrician), 9 to 5
(wardrobe crew), As You Like It (light hang electrician), and Faculty Choreographed
Dance Concert 2013: Sins (wardrobe crew and makeup assistant). Erica also participated
as an actor in the Music Theatre Society's production of Bloomer Girl (Dolly), and
acted in 24 Hour Theatre and the Directing I class scenes. Professionally, she served
as choreographer for the Performing Arts Sumer Theatre Academy. "Special thanks to
my parents for their constant support and love. I wouldn't be here without you. XOXO."
Chris is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Castle Rock, CO. He has been involved
with several McPherson Theatre productions including Hay Fever (assistant master electrician),
A Shayna Maidel (light hang electrician), 9 to 5 (run crew), As You Like It (light
hang electrician), and Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins (follow spot
operator). In the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, Chris was involved
with The Memory of Water (wardrobe crew), and acted in the Directing I class scenes.