Previous ArticleChristmas Carol: A 1940's Radio Show Next ArticleThe Sound of Music < Return to List of Past Shows Emma Gingold / Friday, May 14, 2021 / Categories: Past Shows The Mighty Ted August 20, 21, & 22, 2021 at 7:00pm at the 95th Street Community Plaza Wagner Pavilion Event date: 8/20/2021 7:00 PM - 8/22/2021 9:00 PM Export event When a pianist, comedian, and musical theatre buff suffers a stroke, he isn't the least surprised when wise-cracking doctors and singing physical therapists dance onto the scene. Summer Place Theatre is proud to present The Mighty Ted, a heartwarming musical comedy written by longtime Summer Place board member Ted Waltmire. Ted's stroke turned his life upside down, but it didn't damage his funny bone! We'll perform The Mighty Ted live outdoors in Naperville on August 20, 21, & 22 at the 95th Street Community Plaza Wagner Pavilion. General admission lawn seating - please bring your own chairs and blankets! Meet the Cast Paul Mullen as Ted Paul has been performing with The Summer Place since 1986 in our production of Fiddler on the Roof. Since then, he's appreciated countless summers sharing the stage with dear friends old and new. Paul is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a member of the Psychology faculty at North Central College. He dedicates this performance to those currently coping with the banana peels and curveballs of life, wishing them grace, good humor, and the support of others. Carolyn Pizzato as Michelle Carolyn is happy to return to Summer Place, where she was last seen as Mrs. Harcourt in Anything Goes. Other local performances include The Government Inspector (Anna), The Dining Room (Actor), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Sonia), Wedding Italiano (Gigi DeVino Milano – Mother of The Bride), The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. VanDaan), and The Cemetery Club (Lucille). Carolyn has appeared in many student/industrial short films and is a graduate of The Second City Training Center. Thanks to Tom. Fred Valenzuela as Dale Fred Valenzuela is thrilled to be a part of telling the journey of The Mighty Ted. This will be Fred's first-ever performance in a musical! Fred is full of energy, and his laughter fills the room. Dance like a puppet, and live your life without strings. Melissa Flores as Mary Melissa Flores is extremely grateful to be a part of this wonderful production. The story of the Mighty Ted is near and dear to Melissa's heart, as her father has had a similar experience. Although Melissa has not performed in a musical in some time, people close to her might say her life is a musical, because she sings every day about anything and everything. Be like Ted and write your own story by living your best life, even through the struggles. David Kessler as Steve David is excited to be doing his first show after "quite some time". He is humbled to be able to lend himself to the story of the Mighty Ted. David got to know Ted through the show Follies at Harper college in 2018. David has been performing in the community for some years now. Rachelle Kates as Dr. Parkes Rachelle lives in Naperville with her husband, son, and two cats. Her favorite roles to date are Mary in Mary Poppins and Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Rachelle teaches music and theatre to children and loves spreading her greatest passion to the next generation. Grant Kates as Evan Grant is in 7th grade and is excited to play Evan and Paramedic 1 in The Mighty Ted with his parents. He likes to build Legos and play basketball and golf. He has been in Bleacher Bums at Summer Place and has done Wheaton Drama Summer Camp. Subscribe to Grant's Super Channel on YouTube! Zakery Kates as Joey, Rick, and Darwin Zak couldn't be more excited to share the stage with his superly amazingly beautifully talented wife, Rachelle Kates, and his Kentucky-Lovin' Gun-Toting Pickup-Truck-Driving American-Loving son, Grant Kates. This is the first show that ALL members of the Kates family get to perform together and nothing in his life has been as enjoyable as this experience. Zak has been a part of Summer Place Theatre since 2008. He's had the pleasure to be in many shows and the honor to serve on the board. Big thanks to Ted Waltmire for the opportunity! It was great to do another show with Steve (Mr. Z!), Ted, Paul, and Jessica - and it has been so nice to get to know Carolyn, Fred, Melissa, David, Jodie, and Angela! Jess Parker as Vicky and Social Security Clerk Jess is back at Summer Place after playing Hedy La Rue in How to Succeed... She also played Pilar in Legally Blonde. Jess was also an original cast member of The Mighty Ted. Sorry, men: she's taken and engaged to the hottest paramedic in Chicago. Angela Clark as Sgt. Sarah and Sabrina Angela Clark is a sophomore at Naperville Central High School. This is her first time acting with Summer Place Theatre, and she’s thrilled to be here! She has performed in Willy Wonka, Jr. (Willy Wonka), Lion King, Jr. (Scar), Frozen, Jr. (Oaken and Kristoff), The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Ursula), The Glass Menagerie (Laura), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfée). Between rehearsals, she designs, sews, and builds costumes for herself. She is very excited about Halloween because of it. She wants to say thank you to her amazing family and wonderful friends who support her throughout this show and in her love of theatre. Angela hopes you enjoy the show! Jodie Brugler as Andrea Jodie has felt proud and inspired to be a part of the Mighty Ted cast. As a speech-language pathologist by trade, Jodie states” This musical is rare and life-changing. It helps people develop empathy toward the patient by viewing his struggle through his eyes” This production is unlike any other Jodie had participated in including Curtain Call Theatre's ( Costanza), Latitude 41’s I Hate Hamlet (Lillian) and Palos Village Players’ Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Carol) Production Staff Ted Waltmire - Book, Lyrics, and Music Ted Waltmire is a Summer Place veteran since "Damn Yankees" in 1977. As you will experience tonight, life changed drastically surviving a stroke on April 26, 2009. He is proud to share this experience as a musical comedy. Steve Zeidler - Director Steve is the past president of Summer Place Theatre and has been a major supporter of this theatre group for years. He's also an accomplished actor and singer, appearing in many Summer Place plays and musicals, most recently as Osgood Fielding in Sugar, as well as Arthur in Spamalot, and appearances in Oklahoma, Harvey, The Man Who Came to Dinner, a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Rex Meyer - Music Director Rex is excited to be performing with Summer Place twice in one summer. Rex is a music educator and musician whose previous SPT credits include Summer Lovin', Sugar, and Mamma Mia! Rex is a 2010 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, where he has since taught and performed internationally and across the country. He's been a regular member of orchestras across the Chicagoland area and has been involved with over 36 musical pit orchestras as an accompanist, musician, or music director. Emma Gingold - Stage Manager Emma is Vice President of Summer Place, and House Manager this outdoor season. Most recent SPT vocal directing credits include this season's Summer Lovin', Songs of Hope (during our virtual 2020 season), last March's spring fundraiser cabaret, and 2019’s South Pacific. When she’s not at rehearsal or serving as Vice President at Summer Place board meetings, Emma is busy pursuing a Masters of Music in Collaborative Piano and Vocal Coaching at North Park University. Emma lives in Elmwood Park with her husband, Josh, and her pup, Bonnie. Jeff Sand - Sound Design Currently the Treasurer of The Summer Place, Jeff works in information technology at Villa Park Public Library by day and as a technician at COD's McAninch Arts Center. He has been on the Summer Place board of directors since 2008, and has served as technical director and designed and mixed sound for many Summer Place shows over the last several years including this season's Summer Lovin'. Favorite SPT credits include The Secret Garden (sound operator), Don’t Dress For Dinner (technical director), Joseph...Dreamcoat (co--technical director, sound design), H2$ (sound design), and Mamma Mia (producer/sound design). BrightSide Theatre: Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast (technical director). Natural Talent Productions: Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame (sound design - regional premiere). Tickets are now on sale: Visit our Ticket Page for prices and details. Print 6028 < Return to List of Past Shows