Cast Bios
Alex Alaniz (Young Men’s Ensemble) Alexander Alaniz is a student at Modesto Junior College where he studies theatre. He recently won second place in the monologue section of MJC’s Annual Contest of The Humanities and was most recently Starbuck in their production of The Rainmaker directed by Michael Lynch. Gypsy will be his debut at Stockton Civic Theatre and his first full-length musical.
Brea Caton (Children’s Ensemble) Brea just finished the 4th grade at Mable Barron Elementary. She is currently a competitive swimmer for the Lakers at Beach Club pool. Gypsy is her theatrical debut.
Crystal Caton (Electra) Crystal works for a non-profit organization restoring and updating old furniture. Gypsy is her theatrical debut.
Howard Chi (Male Ensemble) This is Howard’s 2nd appearance on stage. He was also on stage for SCT’s A Christmas Story. Howard is usually backstage as Deck Manager for Stage Right. He is on the SCT Board serving as VP for Volunteers and CCO. He also supports the SCT Jr program as the “adult” Deck Manager stage right.
Declan DeMoss (Children’s Ensemble) Declan is thrilled to be returning to the main stage at SCT for Gypsy. He previously appeared as Randy in A Christmas Story in 2021 and will also be participating in SCT Jr.’s upcoming production of Once Upon a Mattress. He recently made the honor roll at Flora Arca Mata Elementary School and will be entering middle school this fall. He is grateful for the love and support of his family and looks forward to contributing further to SCT.
Emi Fujii (Baby Louise) Emi is an incoming 8th grader at Brookside School. Gypsy is her fourth main stage show. She was nominated for a Willie Award for supporting actress as Lavender in Matilda. Other recent credits are A Christmas Story, Annie and table read bilingual film Bento Box. She is honored to be sharing the stage with her furry sister, Maddie and her non-furry sister LiLi in the booth. Emi would like to thank the wonderful directors, cast, and crew of Gypsy for this wonderful opportunity.
Noah Galvez (Children’s Ensemble) Noah made his stage debut when he played Daniel’s son in St. Mary’s High School production of Once on This Island in 2021. Recently, he played Pugsley Addams in St. Mary’s High School’s Spring musical, The Addams Family. He is an incoming 7th grader in St. Luke’s school and he is very excited to be a part of this production.
Grace Gremel (Dainty June) Grace is a recent Bear Creek graduate and is attending CSU Fullerton for a BFA in Musical Theatre. Memorably, Grace was in SCT’s Skin Of Our Teeth (Gladys), A Christmas Story (Chief Elf), Something Rotten (Ensemble), Matilda (Snark Kid), All Shook Up (Natalie), Annie (Annie), Xanadu Jr. (Kira), Showbiz Theatre’s Alice and her Adventures Underground (Cheshire Cat). She thanks her family and friends and is honored to be a part of this talented, hilarious, fun cast.
Gabriel Guttierez (Children’s Ensemble) Gabriel is preparing to enter the eighth grade at Ustach Middle School in Modesto. He has been performing since he was eight years old. His first mainstage role was Chip in Beauty & the Beast with Sierra Rep in Sonora, and Randi Linee played his mother, Mrs. Potts! Gabe currently performs with the Gallo Center Youth Academy and has been featured in recent productions in the roles of Breaker (Bots) and Ren (The Claw). He enjoys performing, and thanks his family for their ongoing support (and patience with his tap-dancing practice)!
Jennifer Hargreaves (Tessie Tura) Jennifer graduated with a degree in Musical Theatre from U.S.I.U in San Diego. She has been dancing all her life and has choreographed many shows for Stockton Civic Theatre, University of the Pacific, Livermore Shakespeare, and Ballet San Joaquin. She is proficient in 8 forms of dance and can fake another 5. She would like to thank her husband Eddie Hargreaves, sister Wendy Poeschl, and mother Cathy Hastings for their love and support.
Mandi Jeffery (Young Women’s Ensemble) Mandi has been dancing and singing since she was a kid and has always had a love for the arts. She is currently attending Modesto Junior College pursuing an Associate’s degree in dance and theater. She was recently Snookie in MJC’s production of the Rainmaker directed by Micheal Lynch and she has danced competitively for years where she won multiple scholarships. This will be her first full-length musical and she’s very excited!
Zacheriah Johnston (Children’s Ensemble) Zach is 10 yrs old and attends Nightingale Charter School. He likes riding his motorcycle and bike and playing with his little sister. He loves his family and likes to act. Gypsy is Zach’s stage debut.
Lauren Jolley (Young Women’s Ensemble) Lauren is a senior at Lincoln High School where she sings with the sinfonia and chamber choirs and performed in this year’s spring musical, Into the Woods. She also performed as a member of the Lincoln freshman, JV, and varsity cheer squads, and has been doing musical theater performances since 4th grade. In addition to singing Broadway music, Lauren loves rescue animals, wearing T-shirts from gas stations, and visiting Haight Ashbury.
Ashlyn Kelley (Louise) Ashlyn is a Stockton local and has been involved in many SCT productions since 2016. You may have seen her recently in Game Show as Ellen Ryan. She is excited and honored to be given the opportunity to fill Gypsy Rose Lee’s shoes. “So let me entertain you, and we’ll have a real good time!” This performance is dedicated to her late father, who now always has the best seat in the house.
Kayci Kerner (Baby June) Kayci is 12 years old and is super excited to be performing in her second main stage performance at Stockton Civic Theatre. Previous credits include Molly in SCT’s Annie (2018), Princess Fiona with Musical Mayhem Productions, and ensemble with Broadway Dreams. Kayci loves painting, gymnastics, iced caramel macchiatos, and playing with her new puppy.
James Kusy (Herbie) James has been acting for almost 40 years and has been fortunate to play characters from Puck to Seymour Krelborn (and also win an award or two). He was last seen on the SCT stage in his first musical; Nice Work If You Can Get It as Cookie Mcgee. He recently played Willie in The Aristocrats by the great Irish playwright Brian Friel, and Theo in Steve Martin’s The Underpants at Prospect Theater in Modesto.
Randi Linee (Mama Rose) Randi has been a featured soloist and performer with Modesto Performing Arts, Townsend Opera, Stockton Opera, Merced Symphony, Merced Playhouse, Stockton Civic, Sierra Rep, Missouri Street Theatre, and Donald Pippin’s Pocket Opera in San Francisco. Mrs. Linee has performed throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Pennsylvania, New York, Utah, and California. Randi teaches Music at Aspire Public University Charter. She was the Founding General Director for both the Starmites program of Denair and the Turlock Youth Performing Arts. She is currently working with the Gallo Center Youth Academy. Favorite past roles performed include Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd/Stockton Civic & Missouri Street Theatre), Peter (Peter Pan/Modesto Performing Arts), and Ellen (Miss Saigon/Townsend Opera). A special thank you to Jim Coleman and Barbara Crocker for this incredible opportunity!
Joshua Litfin (Young Men’s Ensemble) Josh is glad to be back at SCT, having last been seen in Annie. He has also been seen in SCT’s Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Anything Goes, White Christmas, and 42nd Street. Josh is a graduate of Delta College’s Actor’s Training Program and Technical Theatre Studies, and is also an accomplished dancer, having been trained in tap, ballet, jazz, and Irish step dancing.
Mike Moon (Men’s Ensemble) Mike has been tickling SCT audiences since 2004 and is thrilled to return after a 3-year absence. This 5 time Willie Award recipient, who shows no signs of slowing down, shares an 1885 Victorian home in Oakdale with his husband, Kent, their several cats, and 3 rabbits.
Carmen Musch (Mazeppa) Carmen studied Theatre Arts at Cosumnes River College. In her younger years, Carmen actually performed at a Vaudeville theatre which was located off of Hwy 99. She was seen last year as Mattie Fae in August, Osage County, and most recently in SCT’s new Black Box theatre in Flanagan’s Wake. Carmen serves on SCT’s Artistic Committee. Her next project will be working as Assistant Director for the upcoming musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Nathan Origer (Young Men’s Ensemble) Nathan has been in theatre for about 9 years. You may have previously seen him in Little Shop of Horrors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Showbiz, or here at SCT recently in The Skin of Our Teeth, A Christmas Story, Something Rotten, Matilda, A Christmas Carol, and The Addams Family. Nathan got his start in theatre with the SCT Jr. program performing in The Wizard of Oz Jr. and was in the program for about 7 years. He also likes to do crew for shows here at SCT and will soon be attending Cesar Chavez High School as a Senior.
Zachary Origer (Young Men’s Ensemble) Zachary is currently a high school student going into his sophomore year at Franklin High School. He has acted since he was in 2nd grade starting in SCT’s Junior Program. You may have seen him in shows such as Mulan Jr. and Shrek Jr. or in the Saint Mary’s High School production of Romeo and Juliet. He is very excited though to make his very first Main Stage debut at SCT in Gypsy!
Gianna Smith (Young Women’s Ensemble) Gianna is entering their sophomore year of high school and is very excited to be a part of this show. They love all things Musical Theater related and is happy to get to work on this show with some amazing people from their first Lincoln Show! They hope you enjoy and remember historical news is being made!
Ron Smith (Men’s Ensemble) This is Ron’s third production with SCT. Some of his favorite roles have been Oliver Warbucks in Annie, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Albert in Bye, Bye, Birdie, and The Narrator in A Christmas Story the Musical.
Ella Uyemura (Children’s Ensemble) Ella will be entering her 8th-grade year at Brookside School and she is a devoted dancer. She has been spotted in SCT’s past summer performances of Shrek Jr., All Shook Up, Online Radio Shows, and Emma. She most recently appeared on SCT’s main stage production of A Christmas Story, as the Mobster Tap Specialty. Ella enjoys acting and you will catch her this summer in Once Upon a Mattress.
Tyler Vernon (Tulsa) Tyler is happy to return to SCT as Tulsa! Previously awarded a Willie for his cameo in Hair as Margaret Mead, Tyler took a long hiatus from SCT to study acting at San Joaquin Delta College and build his resume. Tyler’s previous roles were Pippin (Pippin), Autolycus (The Winter’s Tale), and a Somebody (Everybody). He has worked closely with Reed Martin and Faith Prince as instructors. Tyler is happy to share the stage with new and familiar faces.
Madeline Yee (Young Women’s Ensemble) Madeline is excited to be returning to the SCT stage! Recently you might have seen her singing online in Infectiously Funny, narrate in August: Osage County, or as a tapping egg in Something Rotten!. Maddy is a veteran of the SCT stage, appearing in her first show Here’s Love at 5 years old! For the Main Stage, she has also appeared in South Pacific and The Children’s Hour. She also has done multiple SCT Jr shows including Dear Edwina, Aladdin, Wizard of Oz, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. By day, Madeline is a teacher for Stockton Unified School District. Madeline is happy to be part of the Stockton theater community again and can’t wait to do more shows in the future!
Olivia Yee (Young Women’s Ensemble) Since graduating from Chico State in spring 2021 with a BS in Computer Animation and Game Development, Olivia has returned to SCT with a passion! Each production this season has been a new opportunity as Olivia has played the parts of an ensemble member for Something Rotten, backstage shift crew for A Christmas Story, opening sequence dancer for Game Show, sound board operator for The Skin of Our Teeth, and shift crew for 10 Minute Plays. When not at SCT, Olivia works from home as a Production Assistant for 2K Games.
Maddie Doran Fujii (Chowsie) Maddie is so tail-wagging excited to make her main stage debut in Gypsy! When Maddie is not panting and being lovingly carried around on stage, she loves to go for long walks, belly rubs, and chase her four-legged siblings Mango, Mochi, and Mitsu. She is honored to share this amazing Stockton Civic Theatre experience with her sisters Emi and LiLi. She would like to thank the entire crew, cast, and directors for giving her a paw’s up. Maddie would like to dedicate each performance to her own Mama, Judy Doran in heaven.
Production Team Bios
Jim Coleman (Director) Gypsy is the 21st show Jim has directed here at SCT. He has been very fortunate in his career, to have worked on Broadway, National Tours, three seasons at New York City Opera, and many regional Opera companies as a Conductor. He has done 96 musicals, multiple productions of some. His fondest memories are as Artistic Director from 2005-2013. His home away from home. Hope you enjoy the show!
Bill Yee (Assistant Director) Bill is an Oncology Pharmacist for Kaiser Permanente. He has performed throughout San Joaquin County and was recently seen on the SCT stage in Something Rotten!. Recent SCT credits include Nice Work If You Can Get It, Company, You Can’t Take It With You, and Calendar Girls. Other credits include Baby and The Drowsy Chaperone at Showbiz Theatre Company. He is a three-time Willie Award recipient: Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (Monty Python’s Spamalot), Best Supporting Actor in a Play (Are You Being Served), and Best Actor in a Play (Caught in the Net).
Paul Kimball (Musical Director) Paul is thrilled to conduct Gypsy at SCT. He is a Choir Director in Lincoln Unified, conductor of the Zion Chamber Orchestra, and has authored two books, We are all Human Beings/An Adoptee Ponders and Sight Singing Magic. He has conducted and performed in San Joaquin County Shows for 34 years and was third horn of the Stockton Symphony for 27 years. He and his wife Dominee received the 2018 Star Award from the Stockton Arts Commission.
Jennifer Hargreaves (Choreographer) Jennifer graduated with a degree in Musical Theatre from U.S.I.U in San Diego. She has been dancing all her life and has choreographed many shows for Stockton Civic Theatre, University of the Pacific, Livermore Shakespeare, and Ballet San Joaquin. She is proficient in 8 forms of dance and can fake another 5. She would like to thank her husband Eddie Hargreaves, sister Wendy Poeschl, and mother Cathy Hastings for their love and support.
Kimberlee Castillo Yee (Stage Manager) Since 1991, Kimberlee has made Stockton Civic Theatre her second home. Whether it’s on stage, backstage, or in front of the house, she continues to serve SCT. She is on the SCT board serving as Vice President of the Artistic Committee. Kimberlee has also had the honor to work on productions at San Joaquin Delta College and for Asian American Repertory Theater. Kimberlee is currently employed at San Joaquin County Human Services Agency-Aging & Community Services Division. She is excited to again work alongside the rest of the Yee Family: Bill, Madeline and Olivia.
Nikki Pendley (Lighting Design) Nikki first fell in love with theatre as a child and has been hooked ever since. She loves to be involved in every aspect of theatre. Past lighting works include A Christmas Story, Ripcord, Comedy of Tenors, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, You Can’t Take It With You, and Calendar Girls at Stockton Civic Theatre, Jingle Arrgh The Way and Frozen Jr at Woodland Opera House, and Beauty and the Beast at St. Mary’s High school. Accolades include Outstanding Light Design for Dead Man’s Cell Phone at the 2017-2018 SCT Willie Awards and Elly nominations for Beauty and the Beast and Ripcord from SARTA. She’d like to thank her family for their constant support.
Israel Rodriguez (Sound Designer) Previous SCT sound design credits include: The Skin of Our Teeth; Emma: A Pop Musical; Could You Hug A Cactus; The Last Five Years; It’s Only A Play, and Hair.
