The Drowsy Chaperone
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
April 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 @ 8:00PM
April 13 @ 2:00PM
The show begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album
on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling
the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true
love. The Drowsy Chaperone is a parody of the 1920/30s Broadway musicals written by the writing team that created
the popular Canadian television series Slings and Arrows. It was nominated for thirteen 2006Tony Awards winning five, including Best Musical.
Cast

Elliott Plowman
as Man in Chair
Elliot is a senior BFA Acting Major from Westmont, IL. Previous McPherson credits
include As You Like It (Corin), Tartuffe (M. Loyal), 9 to 5 (Dick Bernty), and The
Children's Hour (Grocery Boy). In the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre,
he has appeared in Treasure (Frederick Muhlenberg), and Human Terrain (Delty).
Contact: eplowman@iwu.edu

Erica Werner
as Janet Van de Graff
Erica is a sophomore BFA Music theatre major from Lake Forest, IL. McPherson Theatre
credits include A Class Act (Cyd), 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."
Contact: ewerner@iwu.edu

Jenna Haimes
as The Drowsy Chaperone
Jenna is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from Conifer, Colorado. Jenna has been seen
in McPherson in Hay Fever (Myra Arundel), Promenade (Miss I), 9 to 5 (Missy Hart/Dance
Captain), and Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins. Credits in the E. Melba
Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre include Election Day (Brenda) and Alice's Golden
Hour/Adaptation (Player). She appeared in the Music Theatre Society's productions
of Big! The Musical (Susan) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Eloise). Jenna
has served as a dancer, choreographer, and producer for the Student Choreographed
Dance Concerts during her time at IWU and is a company member of Cohesion Dance Company,
as well as an Executive Artistic Director of Shringara Theatre Company. Professionally,
she appeared in The Confession (Alyson) with Blue Gate Musicals. "Thank you to my
parents for their endless support."
Contact: jhaimes@iwu.edu

Jordan Lipes
as Aldolpho
Jordan is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Geneseo, Illinois. He has performed
in McPherson in A Class Act (Charley), 9 to 5 (ensemble) and Faculty Choreographed
Dance Concert 2013: Sins (dancer). He has served as a wardrobe crew member for As
You Like It and Promenade, and as light board operator for The Children's Hour and
Election Day in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre. Also in the Lab
Theatre, Jordan appeared in Alice's Golden Hour/Adaptation (Phil Benson). He has also
worked in the Phoenix Theatre in Dog Sees God (Beethoven) and with the Music Theatre
Society in Redhead (Charlie), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Melvin P. Thorpe) and
Bloomer Girl (Beethoven). Jordan has also performed in the Student Choreographed Dance
Concert and is a member of Cohesion Dance Company here at IWU.
Contact: jlipes@iwu.edu

Elizabeth Albers
as Mrs. Tottendale
Elizabeth is a junior BFA Acting major from Cedarburg, WI. Previous positions in McPherson
include As You Like It (asst. stage manager), Hello Again (light hang electrician),
Tartuffe (light hang electrician), and Promenade (wardrobe crew). In the E. Melba
Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, she has appeared in Treasure (Betsy Hamilton),
The Memory of Water (Mary), and Alice's Golden Hour (7/Tigerlilly). In the Phoenix
Theatre, she performed in The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket; I Just Knew (Dottie
Fifer), and Strip, Strip, Hooray! (Mia Divine), as well as the Shringara Theatre productions
of Monologue Cabaret, Holiday Celebrations, and Hearts All Over the World. Elizabeth
is a member of the Music Theatre Society, Quickies Sketch Comedy Troupe, the Shringara
Theatre board, and is a Masquer.
Contact: ealbers@iwu.edu

Marek Zurowski
as Robert Martin
Marek is a senior BFA Music Theatre Major from River Forrest, IL. His McPherson Theatre
credits include A Class Act (Bobby), As You Like It (Charles/Sylvius), 9 to 5 (Detective/Ensemble),
Hello Again (The College Boy), and Promenade (The Dishwasher/Injured Man/Soldier II).
He also appeared 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 Redhead () 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), Hatfields & 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!"
Contact: mzurowsk@iwu.edu

Will Henke
as George
Will is a senior BFA Music theatre major from Cedarburg, WI. Previously in McPherson
Theatre, Will has been seen in Hay Fever (Simon Bliss), Promenade (105), 9 to 5 (Dwayne/Ensemble),
and As You Like It (Touchstone). Earlier this season performed in the Music Theatre
Workshop's production of Redhead (George). He participated in the Music Theatre Workshop,
playing Eric in All the Kids Are Doing It, and was seen in the Phoenix Theatre in
Thrill Me (Nathan Leopold). Professionally, Will has performed at the Huron Playhouse
in The Wizard of Oz (Lion) and Gypsy (LA).
Contact: whenke@iwu.edu

Ian Scarlato
as Feldzieg
Ian is a senior BFA Acting major from Lisle, IL. Previous McPherson credits include
Hay Fever (David Bliss), As You Like It (Jacques) and A Shayna Maidel (Mordechai).
In the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, he appeared in Playhouse Creatures
(Earl of Rochester). Professionally, Ian served as the lighting/sound designer for
the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Special thanks to "friends and family for being
so supportive. Couldn't have done it without you."
Contact: iscarlat@iwu.edu

Julia Cicchino
as Kitty
Julia is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey. In
McPherson, she has appeared in A Class Act (Ginger). Previous Phoenix Theatre productions
include Steel Magnolias (Della) and Shringara Theatre Company's Shadow Cabaret.
Contact: jcicchin@iwu.edu

Steven Czajkowski
as Gangster #1
Steven is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major and German minor from Skokie, IL. He
has served on several crews for previous McPherson shows, including A Shayna Maidel
(light hang electrician), Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins (light hang
electrician), As You Like It (light hang electrician), and 9 to 5 (run crew). In the
E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, he appeared in Treasure (James Monroe).
Steven has performed in scenes for the Directing 1 class and in Shringara Theatre
Company's production of House of Sleeping Beauties (Kawabata).
Contact: sczajkow@iwu.edu

Nick Giambrone
as Gangster #2
Nicholas is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Chicago, IL. He has served on several
crews for previous McPherson shows, including A Shayna Maidel (usher), As You Like
It (light hang electrician), and Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins (light
hang electrician). In the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, he has
performed in Treasure (James Reynolds), The Breach (Lynch/Francis), and served on
light hang crew for Red Devils, and appeared in the May Term production of The Breach
(Lynch/Francis). He also appeared in Harvest (Om) in the Phoenix Theatre. "Thank to
my family, all my friends, especially my little cousin Sean for inspiring me to want
to grow up to be more like him."
Contact: ngiambro@iwu.edu

Halimah Nurullah
Trix the Aviatrix
Halimah is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Detroit, MI. McPherson credits include
9 to 5 (Barbara Woods/Ensemble) and Faculty Choreographed Dance Concert 2013: Sins
(dancer). She has been actively involved in McPherson Theatre behind the scenes, including
The Children's Hour (wardrobe crew), Promenade (light hang electrician), As You Like
It (hair/makeup crew), and Tartuffe (sound board operator. In the E. Melba Johnson
Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre, Halimah has performed in The Breach (Water/Quan/Chorus
3/Poet), and Alice's Golden Hour/Adaptation (Player). She has been seen in the Phoenix
Theatre in Beautiful Bodies (Jessie Lee Young), and acted in the Directing 1 class
scenes, as well as dancing in the Student Choreographed Dance Concerts. "Thank you
to professor, family, and friends for sticking with me through all the craziness."
Contact: hnurulla@iwu.edu

Adam Walleser
as Underling
Adam is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from Waterloo, IA. Previous McPherson productions
include Hay fever (asst. director), As You Like It (Adam/William), 9 to 5 (Joe Perkins)
and Promenade (asst. stage manager). Credits in the E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory
Theatre include The Spitfire Grill (The Visitor/Eli) and Election Day (Adam). In the
Phoenix Theatre, Adam has performed in Demon Baby (Alan) and the Contemporary Cabaret.
He has also been both a dancer and the Publicity Manager for the Student Choreographed
Dance Concert, and performed in the Music Theatre Workshop production of All The Kids
Are Doing It (Drew).
Contact: awallese@iwu.edu

Kelsey Bearman
as Ensemble, Reporter One
Kelsey is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from St. Louis, MO. In McPherson Theatre
she has been seen in A Class Act (Vera). McPherson crews include 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.
Contact: kbearman@iwu.edu

Chris Long
as Ensemble, Superintendent
Chris is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Castle Rock, CO. He has been involved
with several McPherson Theatre productions including A Class Act (Ed Kleban u/s),
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.
Contact: clong2@iwu.edu

Heather Priedhorsky
as Ensemble, Reporter Two
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 Concerts here at IWU. "Special thanks to my friends and
family for their love and support, especially my mom, Aunt Cheri, and Uncle Steve."
Contact: hpriedho@iwu.edu

Ian Stewart
as Ensemble
Ian is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Birmingham, AL. On the McPherson stage,
he has been seen in A Class Act (Michael Bennet), 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 in McPherson. He appeared 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."
Contact: istewart@iwu.edu
Production Team
Entire Cast & Crew - The Drowsy Chaperone Program
View photo gallery from this season