The North Platte Canteen: A Musical Miracle Cast Biographies
Allison O’Neill
Ensemble
Allison is an elementary music teacher and is married with four children. Her last appearance at the NPCP was as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. Her husband Tim’s grandmother and aunt came from Mullen, NE, and delivered food to the North Platte Canteen during WWII.
Ashley Aloi
Helen
Ashley is the Playhouse Manager at the NPCP. She is married to her always patient and supportive husband Ben. They have three kids. Ashley has been a part of many past productions at the playhouse. The best part of any production is the friendships made along the way. Thank you to this phenomenal cast and crew for all the hard work and time you have dedicated to bring this beautiful story to the stage. Thank you to my “son” Liam (Gene) for bringing your smile, positivity, and excitement to rehearsal every night! Your stage mom loves you very much!
Becki Wardyn
Ensemble
This is Becki’s twelfth NPCP production she’s been a part of, but the first she’s wanted to pinch herself. A musical about our hometown?! What an incredible honor! Broadway, here we come!
Ben Hill
Denver
Benjamin Hill is honored to perform as Denver for his 15th show at the NPCP. He has a connection with The North Platte Canteen as his great-great grandma, Maude “Granny” Loomis from his mother’s side has been photographed handing a cake to an Army PFC Clifton Hill (no relation) in 1942. There are still some historical inaccuracies where the credit is given to another name, but my family knows our “Granny” and will honor her memory! A Musical Theatre graduate from UNK where he has graced both the Miriam Drake and experimental Studio Theatre while on campus in numerous shows for a multitude of audiences. He’s performed in many theatrical companies including Theatre West in Scottsbluff, Crane River Theater in Kearney, and others in Kansas and Ohio. He calls North Platte his home and the North Platte Community Playhouse his home away from home where he has performed: Nigel in Something Rotten, Joey in Sister Act the Musical, Lord Pinkelton in Cinderella, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, and more. He would like to thank you for supporting this little gem of the community as the arts are always a necessity within each community!
Bentlie Ebmeier
Ensemble
Bentlie loves acting and singing. She has been in three previous productions and has helped backstage. Whether she is on stage or in the audience, Bentlie loves the theater!
Breanna Stoner
Ensemble
Breanna is currently a teacher at Hershey but has always been a fine arts enthusiast. She is from North Platte and participated in a variety of NPCP productions while still in school. As a history teacher, Breanna is excited to be a part of this musical and bring this very special time in North Platte history to life!
Brownie
Kid
Brownie is a rising star in the barnyard theatre scene, known for her dramatic bleats and impeccable chewing technique. Raised in the rolling hills of Juanita, she originally had dreams of making it big as a 4-H show goat. After earning several accolades and becoming quite bored, she turned her unbridled attention to her first true love: the stage. As a method actor, Brownie doesn’t kid around. She fully immerses herself in her roles, often staying in character for weeks and occasionally eating the scenery. Her dream roles include starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamGoat, as well as, Phantom of the Baaaahperaaa and Les Grazeérables. When not on stage, Brownie is known for her yoga techniques, headbutting her critics, and a bleat that has been described as “a cross between Meryl Streep and a broken bagpipe.”
Darr Street
George Wilson
This is Darr’s second time gracing the Playhouse stage, but he is no stranger to performing. His mother (Nettie Jean) was active in many community productions for decades. While in high school Darr was a part of all-state choir, and musical productions. His mother and grandmother were both involved with the Canteen, so this musical holds a special place for him.
Derek Ebmeier
Jimmy
Derek is a junior at NPHS. This is his fifth production at the NPCP. Derek is proud to be a part of this amazing show. He hopes that you enjoy this telling of North Platte’s history.
Desiree Fornander
Ensemble
Desiree is a 10th-grade English teacher at North Platte High School. She has been involved with many productions at the NPCP since 2008. This is her 10th production at the playhouse. Some of her favorites have been Sister Act, Gilligan’s Island, and Beauty and the Beast.
Dustin Cartmill
Soldier / Ensemble
Dustin has been involved with Theatre since high school. He is currently a student working towards his music major at MPCC. This is his second production at the NPCP, and we are thrilled to have him back on stage.
Gilbert Seck
Soldier / Ensemble
Gilbert works for the University of Nebraska at the West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center in North Platte and raises livestock on his farm. He has performed in the Frontier Revue for 6 years as Sheriff Leitfritz (The Bleep Bleep Sheriff), but this is his first large-scale production with the NPCP! His Grandfather served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, which makes portraying the various soldiers and sailors in the show even more meaningful. God Bless America!
Glenn Van Velson
Ensemble
Glenn is a 40+ year veteran of the Playhouse. He has acted in, directed, or played in the orchestra pit for dozens of productions. As a baptized child of God, he has been blessed beyond measure! One of those many blessings is living in North Platte, Nebraska.
Jackie Curtis
Ensemble
Jackie works at the North Platte Surgery Center. She returns to the stage after previously playing Truvy in Steel Magnolias. She has enjoyed being a part of this production and getting to know her fellow cast mates. Jackie’s Grandma helped with the Canteen!
Jayden Tillman
Ensemble
Jayden is a senior at Brady. This is his first time on stage! We are happy to welcome him to the Playhouse family. Jayden runs Cross Country, and also plays the alto sax in the band.
Jennifer Hinrichs
Ensemble
As a North Platte native, Jennifer is thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing production! She is an administrative assistant at AJ Sheet Metal and was last seen this spring in Something Rotten! The North Platte Canteen: A Musical Miracle is Jennifer’s 11th NPCP production.
Jess Kreger
Rosie / Ensemble
Jess is thrilled to be behind the scenes of this magical show! She was previously in The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe, and Matilda. She can’t wait for an audience to share the light and love of this powerful story!
Jessica Shore
Rae Wilson
Jessica loves being a part of theater and this community. The North Platte Canteen: A Musical Miracle is the perfect combination, and she is proud to be a part of this incredible show. Jessica hopes we can show North Platte a part of our history they may not know about.
Katy Pedersen
Ensemble
Katy resides in North Platte with her husband, Nathan. She has two sons, Liam and Eli. Katy works as a dental hygienist, is an active member of the worship team at her church, and devotes her spare time to helping out with her son’s activities.
Keri Fisher
Jessie
‘Fish’ is definitely no stranger to the stage. When she was a young girl, she longed to be a Rockette, but as she grew, her legs did not so she traded in her tap shoes & high kicks for clogging shoes & chugs.
‘As a kid, she remembers sitting in her Mema’s backyard listening to stories of her brother ‘Uncle Paul’ about his visit to the NP Canteen as a soldier and how his visit remained with him all those years later.’
Fish would love to give a huge THANK YOU for all the food our wonderful volunteers provided during rehearsals. Your generosity fueled our cast. We are grateful!
Lane Swedberg
Virgil
Lane is extremely honored to be a part of bringing a beloved piece of North Platte history back to life. He has been in many shows here at the NPCP but this role may be his most memorable one yet. He would like to invite the rest of the community to get involved at the playhouse. If you have ever thought of being in a show, the time is now! There is a place for everyone here.
Liam Pedersen
Gene Slattery
Liam is 10 years old and in 5th grade here in North Platte. He has one little brother. He is so excited to be in his first production at the playhouse and share the stage with his Mom, Katy. Liam plays the violin, loves to swim, and shows his dog Rey in 4-H.
Liz Rohs
Ensemble
This is Liz’s sophomore appearance at the NPCP following “Something Rotten” last spring. Her involvement in performing arts spans decades from Arizona to Omaha and now North Platte. Having moved to the area less than 2 years ago, she can attest to the canteen spirit displayed in the show still being present today.
Malikiah Kuns
Junior / Ensemble
This is Malikiah’s third show at the NPCP. You may remember him from Cinderella and Sister Act. He is an HVAC student at MPCC and will be graduating this spring.
Matthew Lunde
Buffalo Bill / Announcer / Ensemble
Matthew’s father was a college music teacher who taught him music as he did his students. Matt was raised on stage. His father would bring him out after every performance. He plays Buffalo Bill in this production and over North Platte! Matthew is proud to be back on stage at the NPCP.
Matthew Nelson
Mr. Jeffers
Matt is honored to be a part of this production. He loves back with the NPCP family for his fourth show. Matt makes the trip from Ogallala every night for rehearsals and says the frequent driver miles are absolutely worth it!
Sam Fornander
Sarge / Colonel / Governor
Sam has been involved at the NPCP since he was a child. Don’t worry! You won’t have to listen to his attempts to speak Spanish this time. He loves to share the stage with his wife Desiree. Sam is the proud new dad of a puppy named Ace.
Samuel Sachtjen
Soldier / Ensemble
Sam is a sophomore at Hershey. He plays the alto sax in the band, runs in Cross Country, and participates in One Act. This is his second production at the NPCP. He was previously in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. He is happy to be back on stage!
Seth Vapenik
Conductor
Seth is a familiar face at the playhouse. He has been a part of many productions over the years. Seth is always willing to lend a helping hand with whatever is needed. He is a third grade teacher as well as a judge for Speech and One Act. Seth is a member of Heartland Singers, is an avid reader, and makes a mean chocolate chip cookie.
Shelly Deardoff
Blanche Wilson (Mom)
What a joy to be able to tell our town’s story! The North Platte theater family is dear to me. I hope you enjoy the show!
Sophia Perez
Ethel
Sophia recently graduated from MPCC. This is her fourth production at the NPCP. She is so excited about this production and thankful for all of the amazing people she has gotten to know here.
Suzi Knolles
Ensemble
Suzi is honored to be a part of such a wonderful story about our town! She has been in multiple shows at the playhouse, most recently being Sister Act and Mamma Mia. Suzi would like to thank all the brave men and women who have served our country over the years.
Sydnee Nel
Ensemble
Sydnee is excited to be appearing in her 4th production at NPCP. Sydnee works at Visit North Platte and loves having daily opportunities to brag about the Canteen to people visiting North Platte. When she is not sharing our wonderful town with visitors, she can be found hanging out with her Ohana! She is so excited to have this unique opportunity to tell the story of the North Platte Canteen in a new way!
Tammy Kinnie
Ensemble
This is the third production Tammy has been a part of at the Playhouse. She is excited to be a part of this musical, and discovered her Great Aunt Margie helped at the North Platte Canteen as a young girl! Tammy enjoys traveling, riding, motorcycles, photography, and being with family in her free time.
Todd von Kampen
Piano Player / Ensemble
Todd last appeared on stage at the playhouse as Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol The Musical” in 2016. He played piano for three years in the 1980s in Ogallala’s Front Street Crystal Palace Revue and has accompanied the Nebraskaland Days Frontier Revue and the Heartland Singers. As a special projects reporter at the North Platte Telegraph, Todd compiled and edited “Canteen: As It Happened” (2019) and “Canteen: The Letters” (2022).
Trenton Emmons
Jeffrey
Trenton is a music student at MPCC. This is his third production at the NPCP. Trenton is also a skilled tenor saxophone player. We are happy to have him as part of the NPCP family.
Victoria Norgaard
Doris
Victoria is the evening news anchor for KNOP News 2. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in professional journalism at UNL. Victoria recently played Bea in the musical Something Rotten here at the playhouse.
William Lewis
Woodrow
William is excited to be a part of this powerful musical. He is also petrified that the audience will see more of his scalp than the world has seen since his birth.
Johnny Rodgers
Writer
JOHNNY RODGERS is an internationally celebrated singer-songwriter, pianist, Broadway veteran, and recording artist who is described by Stephen Holden, from The New York Times, as an entertainer “who has show business in his bones” with “fused elements of Billy Joel, Peter Allen and Johnny Mercer.”
As an Ambassador of American Music, Johnny tours for the State Department to places such as the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Johnny has toured Russia and performed with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
Rodgers doubled as piano man and singer/dancer for Liza Minnelli performances/tours and starred in and wrote the song “I Would Never Leave You” for Liza’s Tony Award®-winning Liza’s At The Palace, which was filmed and released by PBS television. Johnny has earned New York’s Nightlife, Bistro and MAC awards for his performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Jazz At Lincoln Center, Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, and other premiere clubs. His songwriting has been recognized with Billboard and ASCAP Foundation awards.
Sue Fabisch Errico
Writer
SUE FABISCH (ERRICO) is the author (book, music, lyrics) of Motherhood the Musical, which has played across the US and around the world in Peru, Scotland, Toronto, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Argentina, Hungary and Australia. Next up for “Motherhood…” are shows in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and more!
An award-winning songwriter for other artists, Sue’s songs have reached the #1 spot on Radio Disney. Her own album hit the Top 10 spot on Billboard Magazine’s Comedy Chart and her CD “The Avon Lady Album”, featuring songs to inspire and motivate Avon Ladies, was marketed by Avon for their 3 million representatives worldwide.
Formerly from New Jersey, Sue has three kids and lives in Nashville, TN. For more information, visit MommyMusic.com and MotherhoodtheMusical.com