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Matt Whalen / Wednesday, December 28, 2022 / Categories: Past Shows

The Nerd

Event date: 7/8/1994 8:00 PM - 7/17/1994 5:00 PM Export event

The Nerd
By: Larry Shue

Naperville Central High School
July 8-17 1994

The Cast
Willum Cubbert………………..John Corona
Tansy McGinnis……………….Jean Marciniak
Axel Hammond………………..Rene Ruelas
Warnock Waldgrave………….Kevin Fenner
Clelia Waldgrave……………..Marianne Hofbauer-McCoy
Thor Waldgrave………………Beau Butherus
Rick Steadman……………….Dan Muir

Creatives & Crew
Director………………………..Craig Gustafson
Assistant Director……………Julie Fenner
Scenic Designer……………..Ken Frykholm
Lighting Designer……………Joe Pietrie
Sound Designer……………..Ken Frykholm
Sound Designer…………….Joe Pietrie
Costume Designer………….Julane Sullivan

 

Biographies

Beau Ashton Butherus (Thor) was last seen as Peter, the goatherd in The Summer Place production of Heidi. He was also cast as a lost boy in the Naperville Park District's production of Peter Pan. Beau is a 3rd grader at Ranchview elementary school.

John Corona (Willum) was recently seen in Grove Players' production of Cabaret as the M.C. Most of his acting experience has been for theatre companies in Indiana. Some of his stage credits include, John Adams in 1776, Sgt. Trotter in The Mousetrap, Jason in Romantic Comedy, Uncle Ben in Death Of A Salesman, Sebastian in Twelfth Night and Duncan in Macbeth. By day, John works for United Way of Chicago.

Kevin Fenner (Mr. Waldgrave) has been seen quite regularly on The Summer Place stage having acted in Twelve Angry Men, Rumors as Ken and A Thousand Clowns as Arnold. Other acting credits include Mel in Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Paul in Barefoot In The Park, Mr. Toumel in A Flea In Her Ear, Lord Godalming in Dracula and Judge Gaffney in Harvey, all for theatre companies in Wisconsin. Kevin is Vice-President - Sales & Marketing for Guernsey Dell Co., in Chicago.

Jean Marciniak (Tansy) is happy to be making her Summer Place debut. She was most recently seen as Annie Sullivan in Miracle Worker for South Suburban Theatre Guild. Other roles Rita Boyle in Prelude To A Kiss, Eileen Taylor in Sunday In New York, Agnes in Agnes Of God, Eileen Ruttledge in The Miss Firecracker Contest, Gwendolyn in The Importance Of Being Earnest, Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap and Joan Webber in Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

Marianne Hofbauer-McCoy (Clelia) most recently appeared in the role of Cookie Cusak in Rumors and Mrs Higgins in My Fair Lady both for The Summer Place. Prior to these, she performed with the Chicago Park District Theatre and the Improv Institute in Chicago. Marianne is employed as a sales assistant for The Mickelson Group, a manufacturer's representative group for "Starter" Apparel, in Naperville.

Dan Muir (Rick) has an extensive theatre background, having worked with many local theatre companies. Dan has portrayed Barry in The Boys Next Door, Hero in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Forum, Eddie in Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Billy in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and Groucho in A Night In The Ukraine, to name a few.

Rene Ruelas (Axel) understudied the part of Axel Hammond 3 years ago at Pheasant Run in St. Charles. Other roles include Norman in The Boys Next Door, Zig in Bleacher Bums, Able in Sly Fox, Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Malcolm in Macbeth, and Glogauer in Once In A Lifetime. He was last seen at The Summer Place as Detective Kelly in The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940. When Rene was asked what his occupation was, he replied by saying "a burden on society".

Craig Gustafson (Director) reaches the Larry Shue triple crown with The Nerd. He played Charlie in Shue's The Foreigner at Wheaton Drama and Mr. Skreech in My Emperor's New Clothes at The Summer Place. Also for The Summer Place, Craig directed The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, wrote an adaptation with music and lyrics for Alice In Wonderland & played the Mad Hatter, performed in Twelve Angry Men, My Fair Lady as Alfie Doolittle and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown as Linus.

Julie Fenner (Assistant Director) had never worked in theatre until 1991 when she worked on gathering and making props for Summer Place's production of A Thousand Clowns. We have kept her busy ever since by doing props and assorted other jobs for Rumors, Twelve Angry Men and Look Homeward Angel. Julie is employed as art director for Kidd & Co., Inc. the manufacturer of marshmallow products.

Ken Frykholm (Set Designer) has a MFA from Northern Illinois University and works as a teacher of art English and theatre at Lockport High School. The Nerd marks his 27th production as our set designer and technical director. Ken's shining moment on stage was his wedding held at The Summer Place pavilion.

Joe Pietrie (Lighting Designer) has worked with The Summer Place for the past 6 seasons. Some of his technical highlights include, Music Man at the Odeum, Chess for Marriott Lincolnshire and Is There Life After High School? for Tempo Players. Joe would like to thank his wife Sue (holder of the coveted Beaner Award) for her continuous support.

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