Jack and the Beanstalk Press Release

Hollywood Film Writer Pens Script for Hale's Jack and the Beanstalk.

August 18th, 2009

Jack and the Beanstalk Hale's Children's Theatre opens September 12th at Hale!

GILBERT, AZ (August 28th, 2009) - Hale Theatre is ready to deliver one of the most clever adaptations of a children's story ever told! Written specifically for Hale Theatre, film writer Byron Simpson has penned a musical fable likely to sprout into a giant children's theatre success. AriZoni award-winner Gary Caswell (who played Gaston in Hale's production of Beauty and the Beast, his eighteenth production at Hale) will direct this fertile adaptation. A fresh garden of actors include Gilbert's ariZoni award-winner Dorman Smith (Hale's Scrooge seven years running) and three time nominee, AriZoni winner Jere Van Patten will debut in his first Hale Children's show playing Hocus, a non-traditional magician (ala the narrator in Miss Saigon ). Other cast members are sure to be a hit. Jack and the Beanstalk opens September 12th and runs through November 21st.

Jack and the Beanstalk writer and composer Byron Simpson began his creative career as  a classically trained concert pianist before turning his attention to composition and writing. A graduate of University of Southern California, Byron co-penned the animated adventure The Rescuers Down Under for Walt Disney Studios, and wrote scripts and music for various television projects, including Disney’s Timon and Pumbaa. Byron’s stage endeavors include collaborating on an adaptation of The Little Mermaid, and Snow White. Byron lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is currently involved in launching a personality-driven web cast entitled Ambria.TV.

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PRODUCTION TEAM CREDITS:

• Book, Music & LyricsByron Simpson
• ProducersDavid and Corrin Dietlein
• DirectorGary Caswell
• Music DirectorLinsey Maxson
• Set & Prop DesignDavid Dietlein
• Costume DesignRebecca Willcox
• Lighting DesignNicole Zoellner
• Sound DesignDavid Dietlein
• Master CarpenterBrad Alger
• Set PainterLon Saline
• Directors AssistantDiana Varvel
• Stage ManagerGary Caswell
• Sound Board OperatorAndrew Stidham
• Backstage ManagerRachel Newmeyer

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

• HocusJere Van Patten
• JackSkyler Bean
• MotherLaura Soldan
• Bessie Ashley Letizia
• KingRichard Enriquez
• Joust / WindsorDorman Smith
• PrincessRebecca Bryce
• Mrs. GooseHeidi Krauss
• IvanGary Caswell

CAST PROFILES:

Skyler Bean - ASU Student

Jack

Skyler is excited to be back for his fourteenth production at Hale, where he also works as a technical assistant. Credits: Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), Sleeping Beauty (Fantasy), The King and I, The Music Man (Tommy Djilas), Singin' In the Rain, The Little Mermaid (Bowser), Footloose, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Joseph..., The Sound of Music, and A Christmas Carol ('03, '05, '07). Skyler is currently a sophomore at ASU majoring in English Lit and History. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Dave and Corrin, Gary and Linsey, and Cambrian and Laszlo for the opportunities and support. "I'm calling..."

Rebecca Bryce - ASU STUDENT

Princess

Rebecca is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful show! Becca has appeared in thirteen Hale productions, most recently as the tap-dancing pepper shaker in Hale's Beauty and the Beast. She was also seen in last season's Cinderella as La Marquesa di Roma. Becca will be graduating in the spring with a Bachelor's degree in Music Theatre from ASU. Thanks go out to this wonderful cast and crew!

Gary Caswell - CHANDLER RESIDENT

Ivan the Giant

Gary is proud to be making his eighteenth appearance on the Hale Stage. Some of his past favorites have been Beauty & The Beast, The Odd Couple, Charley’s Aunt, Music Man, and A Christmas Carol (07’ & 08’). Gary also enjoys directing and stage managing here at the Hale.

Richard Enriquez - CHANDLER RESIDENT

King

Richard is intrigued to be performing in his first children's production, and thrilled to work with Laura Soldan again for the first time in six years since their only other venture together in Dinner With Friends. Favorite roles include Lancelot du Lac (Camelot), Valentin (Kiss of the Spider Woman), and Will (Will Rogers Follies).

Heidi Krauss - GILBERT RESIDENT

Mrs. Goose

Heidi is a senior at Highland High School and has been acting, singing, dancing, and playing the piano for most of her life. This is her third production at Hale, having been in the ensemble for Beauty and the Beast and Singin’ in the Rain. She has also performed in other numerous shows around the valley. Heidi would like to thank God for His many blessings and her parents for their endless support.

Ashley Letizia - ASU STUDENT

Bessie

Ashley is so happy to be a part of this production! She recently performed at Hale as Amy Spettigue in Charley’s Aunt, and can be seen in She Loves Me through October 10th. She is majoring in Psychology/Pre-Med at ASU, although her real ambition in life is to become a Disney princess. Thank you's to Gary, Linsey, Diana, Dave, Corrin, and the cast and crew for such a fun experience, and to family and friends for their love and support!

Dorman Smith - GILBERT RESIDENT

Joust/Harpo

Dorman has performed in over sixty plays and musicals, and has directed many productions, as well. He can currently be seen here as Mr. Maraczek in She Loves Me through October 10. Some of his favorite roles are Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Jacob/Potiphar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Zak in A Chorus Line, Arvide in Guys and Dolls, and the King in Big River. Dorman would like to thank his wife Barbara for her love and understanding of his desire to be an actor.

Laura Soldan - CHANDLER RESIDENT

Mother

Laura thanks Hale for the opportunity to be involved with Jack and the Beanstalk. Some favorite past credits include Mimi in A New Brain, Jessie in ‘Night Mother, Mrs. Forrest in Psycho Beach Party, Inez in No Exit, and Beth from Dinner with Friends. Laura is employed at the Southwest Dental Plan in Marketing.

Jere Van Patten - MESA RESIDENT

Hocus

Jere was last seen at Hale as Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He is thrilled to be returning to his “happiest place on earth,” the Hale Theatre. Much thanks to Dave, Corrin, Linsey, and Gary for this incredible opportunity. Love to Allyson, Maggie (2), and Max (9 mo). Check out www.jerevanpatten.com

Gary Caswell - TEMPE RESIDENT

Director

Gary Caswell (Director) is very pleased to once again direct at Hale. Gary has also directed Cinderella, Pillow Talk and Come Blow your Horn, all here at Hale. Audiences might also remember Gary on stage in The Odd Couple, John Loves Mary, Dear Ruth, The Music Man, and A Christmas Carol ‘07 and ‘08. Gary thanks his talented cast and crew and his wonderful girlfriend Diana for all their hard work. He also thanks his son Brandon for being such a great kid!

Linsey Maxson - MESA RESIDENT

Music Director

Linsey is thrilled to be back at the Hale Theater! She was last seen on stage here as Belle in Beauty and the Beast opposite her amazing husband Tyler. While she has a deep passion and love of the stage, she also truly enjoys being on the other side of it all having music directed for the Arizona Jewish Theater Company, Phoenix Center Youth Theater, Gilbert Fine Arts Association, and Mesa Community College’s Summer Music Theater Workshops just to name a few. Linsey teaches private voice lessons, and also directs three musical theater performing groups for kids and teens. She and her husband are the parents of the cutest boys ever, Cole (4 years old) and Bowen (1 year old). Visit them at www.tylerandlinseymaxson.com

Byron Simpson - TENNESSE RESIDENT

Writer / Composer

We are pleased to be working again with writer / composer, Byron Simpson.  Byron began his creative career as  a classically trained concert pianist before turning his attention to composition and writing.  A graduate of University of Southern California, Byron co-penned the animated adventure The Rescuers Down Under for Walt Disney Studios, and wrote scripts and music for various television projects, including Disney’s Timon and Pumbaa.  Byron’s stage endeavors include collaborating on an adaptation of The Little Mermaid, and Snow White. Byron lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is currently involved in launching a personality-driven web cast entitled Ambria.TV.