The Wizard of Oz: The Company

Jerry co-founded the Hartford Players in 1988. Since that time, he has directed and/or appeared in many Players’ productions, including Something Rotten! (Nick Bottom), The Sound of Music (Capt. Von Trapp) and 2018’s Guys & Dolls (Sky Masterson). 2017 Footlight Award winner for Best Musical Direction (Beauty and the Beast), Best Performance (Comicality 2017 & 2019) and Best Musical (My Fair Lady, as Prof. Henry Higgins, Patio Players). He directed our record-setting 2019 production of Mamma Mia!. He is the founding concoctor and combobulator of our annual comedy revue, Comicality. He is a lawyer & husband (Karen), and serves in-house general counsel to their three kids (Grace, Richard and Claire). He is also a published composer and the leader of the award-winning wedding and events band, The Mr. Lucky Syndicate. Special thanks to Karen, Grace, Richard and Claire, Meg and the rest of the clan for making all of this possible. Eternal thanks to Mom and the Judge for making the Hartford Players possible in the first place.

Jacob earned his undergraduate degree in music from UW Eau Claire and completed post-baccalaureate work in music education at UW Milwaukee. He currently teaches elementary general music at Rossman Elementary school right here in Hartford.

Tess is grateful to be on the production staff with Hartford Players this year after having served as a board member and performer in past years. She would like to thank Lori Matasek for lending her costumes and wisdom, Laural Connolly for filling in the gaps and providing her expert handiwork, and Olya Konrath for her eye for detail and helping with alterations.

Isaac is a recent West Bend High School graduate and has been playing the flute for eight years. Although this is his first time playing with the Hartford Players, he has pit orchestra experience in his school’s productions of “Shrek, the Musical” and “Anastasia”. In the fall Isaac will be studying both flute performance and chemistry at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, where he hopes to continue as a pit musician in local theatre productions.

Siobhan loves the stage, and takes nearly every chance she has to perform. Her family has all been involved in the theater – her dad is a hilarious actor, her mom is a ingenious costumer, and her brothers … do what they can. 🙂 Siobhan has been eagerly awaiting her chance to act in the Wizard of Oz since 2013, when all of her brothers were cast, but she was “too young.” When not singing, Siobhan enjoys crafting, and creating digital and analog art. She is extremely grateful and excited to perform on the stage in Hartford with such a fun and engaging cast!

Macy is very excited for her first show with the Hartford Players. She has performed in various productions around the area. She enjoys singing, playing the piano, improv and spending time with her friends. She wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting her adventures.

A veteran of many productions, both on stage and in the band, this is Tim’s first return to the Players’ bass book since Mamma Mia!. Highlights of his stage appearances for the Players include Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), The Odd Couple (Felix Unger), and Forever Plaid (Sparky). Most recently he was seen as Matilda’s father Wormwood in DSHA Community Theatre Workshop’s Matilda! When not performing, he helps write software used in the assessment of brain cancer. Tim thanks the lovely women in life: his wife Mary and daughters Cassie, Caroline, and Liz, for their ongoing support and tolerance.

After being off the stage since high school, Emily is thrilled to play the role of Aunt Em with Hartford Players this summer! Some of her favorite roles include the Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Jan in Grease. When she’s not acting, she’s homeschooling her 5 children, making baked sourdough goods, and cooking delicious food. Huge thanks to her husband for the many bedtimes he did solo while she was at rehearsals and shows!

At home, she enjoys arts, crafts, and spending time with her family. She’s a great influence on her younger sister and has the kindest soul you will ever meet.

After seeing a Willy Wonka production earlier this year, Ivee made it her mission to be a part of something that challenges her and helps her learn from experience.

Ivee can’t wait to share her talents with you and see some smiling faces in the crowd!

Matt is extremely excited to be returning to the Schauer Center stage as the Tinman in this year’s production of the Wizard of Oz. When Matt is not in rehearsal, he is heavily involved with the construction and production of Terror on Rural Street, a premier non-profit haunted house located next door! Matt would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support! On to Oz!

Cassidy D. O’Neil is a Milwaukee-based actress and a sophomore at Marquette University. She is majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in Advertising and Public Relations. She is no stranger to the stage, this being her 55th production! Her favorite roles include Beauty in the Beast (Babette), Romeo and Juliet (Friar Lawrence), A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Old World Wisconsin’s Legends and Lore (Nachtkrapp). Outside of acting, Cassidy is also passionate about writing and directing, including two of her multi-award-winning shows, Eclipse and The World Doesn’t Revolve Around You. Cassidy serves as Company Manager for the Marquette University Players Society and the Stage Manager for the Marquette University Comet Project. She is a recent alumnus of the Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance! She is very excited about this magical performance and hopes you all enjoy the show. (https://cassidyoneil03.wixsite.com/cassidy-d–o-neil)

Claire Pergande is an aspiring actor who had two lead roles in her middle school drama club. This is Claire’s first time performing with the Hartford Players. She is thrilled to start her new adventure with this amazing group as a Munchkin in the Lullaby League.

Connelly Rodman has missed theater terribly over the last few years, and is thrilled to perform in her first production with the Hartford Players. She was always a rather dramatic person, and has loved theater for as long as she can remember. Some of her favorite performances include Oliver (Mrs. Sowerberry), and The Wizard of Oz (Glinda).

When Ethan’s not performing in productions of or sitting on the Board of the Players, he can be found teaching music in Hartland and working as a music minister in Pewaukee. He would like to thank the board for believing in him and his family and friends for unending support.