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Alton Little Theater proudly presents its first
offering of the New Year. Heaven Can Wait is a delightful and
charming fantasy/comedy that proves even a celestial guardian
can make a mistake, goodness super cedes evil and we should
always dream big. Each of us has a particular role to fill in
life and against all odds we can accomplish anything.
Heaven Can Wait begins when over anxious messenger 7013 makes
an error by giving a ticket to heaven to boxing champion Joe
Pendleton 50 years too soon! Joe, who is “in the pink”
of condition is plenty upset about the whole thing, especially
when he is granted a stay on earth, but his body has been cremated.
Mr. Jordan, the keeper of the gate must makes amends by offering
to fulfill Joe’s dream of a world championship, that is,
he will have to assume the bodies of other prize boxers. Through
the transmigrations of several tries, Joe not only finds the
body to win him a championship, but embraces a reoccurring love
interest.
This production has survived several adaptations throughout
the years, including the 1978 version with Warren Beatty. ALT
will present the stage version of the 1940’s movie Here
Comes Mr. Jordan, staring Robert Montgomery, Evelyn Keyes and
Claude Raines. This diverse cast features Todd Micali (Joe Pendleton),
Orlando “Dit” Panfile (Mr. Jordan) , Margie Barban,
Missy Bemis, Grant Thornell, Kayla Korte, Mike Crause, Sandy
Barnett, Chris Eardley, Don Harlan, Pat Kulish, Virginia Stooker,
Jim Hentrich, Loren Fear. Set Designer Jerry Mueller, Light
Design Katie Cline and Jeremy Wilkins, Costumes by Julie Bellito,
Stage Manager is Stephanee Hughes and directed by Sue Mueller.
Show dates are January 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 at 8 PM and
January 20 and 27 at 2 PM. Make reservations by calling 618-462-6562.
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Todd Micali (Joe Pendleton) This
is Todd’s second show with ALT, and oh, what a show it is!
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you might even learn
a little something about how precious and meaningful one’s
life can be. We ALL have a job to do, each just as special and
unique as the person sitting next to you tonight. And, heaven
can wait until that job is done. Todd would like to thank two
special mugs that make every day extra special: Josh and Brando.
He loves you fellas and thanks you for putting up with him AND
Joe Pendleton for the past two months. He couldn’t have
done it without you! Todd would also like to thank Sue for casting
a mug like him. It’s always been a dream of his to get to
say “cahoots”, “finagle” and “be-jeezus”
on stage. Hope you enjoy the show just as much as he does performing
it for you!
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Orlando (Dit) Panfile (Mr. Jordan) This is
Dit’s first appearance on stage. Dit is a former Entrepreneur,
College Instructor, Mayor, Jet Pilot, and Sea Captain from New
Jersey. He lives with his wife, Barb, in Alton, where they have
lived for 11 years. Barb’s teaching experience has enabled
her to coach and encourage him in his new venture and he thanks
her for that. |
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Margie Barban (Messenger 7013) Besides teaching
middle school for 25 years, Margie has enjoyed being a part of
ALT. You might have seen her most recently in Meanwhile, Back
on the Couch and as Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof. She is happy
to be working with Sue Mueller, the director of Heaven Can Wait. |
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Missy Bemis (Julia Farnsworth) Missy is
making her second appearance here at ALT. She has been active
in Drama since 1988, both locally and out-of-state. Missy also
works with her church drama team at Faith Fellowship. In the
past she has worked as a makeup artist for stage productions,
runway ads, and for countless other events. Missy would like
to thank her husband, Geoff, for his love and support during
the many days of practice and production. |
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Grant Thornell (Tony Abbott) This marks
the tenth appearance on the ALT stage for Grant, who was seen
most recently as Captain Philip Lombard in And Then There Were
None. You may also remember him from the productions of Dearly
Departed, Over the River and Through the Woods, and Picasso
at the Lapin Agile. He’s blessed with 20/20 hindsight. |
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Kayle Korte (Bette Logan) Kayla is thrilled
to return to the ALT stage for the 4th time, twice as a student
in Marquette productions and last year in Guys and Dolls. She
is a Freshman at SIUE and an Edwardsville native. Her favorite
part about being involved at ALT is learning from the experienced
“theater veterans.” |
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Mike Crause (Max Lavene) Mike Crause is a “local”
boy who earned his B.S. at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
(Speech Communication) and was active in speech and theater while
in High School (Roxana) and college. He became an active member
of the Alton Little Theater in the Fall of 2005 and this show
marks his seventh production. You may remember him from his portrayal
of “Speed” in The Odd Couple, the Reverend B. J. Hooker
in Dearly Departed, or Dr. Armstrong in And Then There Were None.
Mike would like to thank our director, Sue Mueller, for entrusting
him with this “juicy role of Max Levene. Also, Mike would
like all you men in the audience to know that HE married the best
woman in the world, so he wishes you better luck next time! |
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Sandy Barnett (Mrs. Ames) Sandy is new to the
Alton Little Theater, although she isn’t new to the stage.
She was very active in the theater in college and has done several
dramas in church plays. She has also done TV commercials. Sandy
is looking forward to many more opportunities with the Alton Little
Theater. |
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Chris Eardley (Susie) Chris, a native of Alton,
lived on the West Coast for 23 years, returning in 2000. She has
two sons, Patrick, 35, and Blake, 23, both of Alton. Chris is
employed at Argosy Casino Alton as Executive Assistant to the
General Manager. She has been with Argosy for seven years. Chris
is busy in the community acting as Argosy’s Community Liaison.
This is her first speaking role at Alton Little Theater; she was
stage manager for Flowers for Algernon and was also an extra.
Chris loves gardening and making crafts, but spends every available
moment with the love of her life, her grandson, Carrick, who is
2 ½ years old.
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Don Harlan (Inspector Williams) Don has performed
in many productions here at the little theater and every time
has learned from each director he has had the honor to work with.
“If I bring one smile to one audience member, then I feel
I have had a successful performance. If I remember all the lines,
that’s even better.” |
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Pat Kulish (1st Escort) Pat has been involved
in several plays at Alton Little Theater as well as with the Alton
Children’s Theater. She just purchased a new home that she
loves. The apples of her eye are her three grandchildren, Jordan,
Makenzie and Samantha. She lives in Alton with her husband, Richard,
and works for Century 21 Seniker-Edwards in Godfrey. You may also
see her at St. Mary’s Church where she interprets the Mass
in sign language. |
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Virginia Stooker (2nd Escort) Virginia is so
happy to be a part of this fine cast. She has enjoyed Alton Little
Theater since joining in 1976, when she, with her daughter Emily,
were cast in Our Town. She has been a Board member of ALT and
currently helps at the Box Office. She is also a member of the
Play Selection Committee. Virginia was last seen in Dearly Departed
last March. |
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Jim Hentrich (Doctor) Jim wanted a small part
to play the greasy old man he is in real life. He has graced the
ALT stage many times as he created numerous diverse characters.
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Loren Fear (Workman, Radio Announcer, Lefty) Loren
is a founding member of Curtain’s Up Theater Company. He
has also enjoyed working with Eastside Theater Company, Looking
Glass Theater, Alton Little Theater, It’s About Time Theater
Company and SIU-E Summer Showbiz. Loren is happy to be making
his 4th appearance on the ALT stage. He has appeared in Harvey
(taxi driver), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (the visitor), and in
the Curtain’s Up production of A Christmas Story (the old
man and voice of Mrs. Schwartz). Other favorite roles include:
Rooster Hannigan in Annie, Albert Peterson in Bye-Bye Birdie,
the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, and Rusty Charlie in Guys
and Dolls. He looks forward to directing the Curtain’s Up
production of South Pacific in late Summer of 2008. |
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CoCo (CoCo Farnsworth) CoCo is making her debut
on the ALT stage. She currently resides at the Gerald Bemis Chiropractic
Center here in Alton. She was adopted from the 5 A’s along
with her friend, Trixie, almost two years ago. CoCo would like
to remind the audience that she loves bacon. |
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