The Cast of Men on Boats
The Powell Geographic Expedition of 1869, led by American naturalist John Wesley Powell, was the first thorough cartographic and scientific investigation of long segments of the Green and Colorado rivers in the southwestern United States, including the first recorded passage of white men through the entirety of the Grand Canyon. The expedition, which lasted approximately three months during the summer of 1869, embarked from Green River Station, Wyoming Territory, and traveled downstream through parts of the present-day states of Colorado and Utah before reaching the confluence of the Colorado and Virgin Rivers in present-day Arizona and Nevada. Despite a series of hardships, the voyage produced the first detailed descriptions of much of the previously unexplored canyon country of the Colorado Plateau.
Wikipedia
Aboard the Emma Dean
Lauren Kelley (John Wesley Powell) This is Lauren’s second performance with Valley Players. Lauren is always looking for challenging roles that help to hone her craft. Along with roles such as Susan Hendrix in Wait Until Dark and Angela, in Natural Shocks (her first one-woman show), playing John Westley Powell, a male amputee, is no exception. She’d like to thank her director, Richard, for the opportunity to play and her friends & family for the continued support of her passion. And lastly, she thanks YOU, the audience, for taking this ride with us. She is grateful for your attendance and the opportunity to entertain you. For news & representation visit www.lauren-kelley.com.
June Alane Reif (William Dunn) has a B.A. in Theater, Interpretation, and Communication from Louisiana State University, and furthered her acting studies at the San Jose Repertory Theatre and in private classes with Ed Hooks and Barbara Titus. She is also a graduate of Bay Area TheatreSports in San Francisco. Earlier this year, June directed Valley Players’ production of August: Osage County, and in 2022 she had the pleasure of performing in Resolving Hedda. A founding member of Valley Players, she currently serves as Artistic Director.
Sonya Keller (John Colton Sumner) is an actor/vocalist based in Sebastopol, California. She has performed with notable Boston theatre companies (including Litterbox Productions and Queer Soup) as well as demonstrated her behind-the-scenes prowess as Stage Manager on several East Coast productions. Her recent work includes staged readings in Napa. Sonya is proudly re-emerging in the Northern California theatre scene and is ecstatic to be back on stage.
Aboard the Kitty Clyde’s Sister
Krisi Pilkington Adams (Walter Henry ‘Old Shady’ Powell) has been involved in the theater both on and off stage since 2000. She’s very pleased to portray the character of Old Shady. Enjoy the show!
Patte Quinn (George Young Bradley) has been up the creek without a paddle many times. At least this time she is not alone. She’s joined by a very talented cast and crew. As one of the founders of Valley Players, she would like to thank you for your support. She hopes you will enjoy your journey as we venture through uncharted territories.
Aboard the No Name
Ginna Beharry (O.G. Howland / Johnson) joined Valley Players’ inaugural Staged Reading Series this past summer but she is tickled pink to be making her debut in a full production with Valley Players in Men on Boats. Aside from the Staged Reading Series, Ginna’s other recent projects have included Shakespeare Summer Stroll at the diRosa Preserve (Prospero/Quince/Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare Napa Valley), It’s a Wonderful Life – a Live Radio Show (Joseph/Mr. Potter, Napa Valley College), Romeo and Juliet (Sister (Friar) Laurence – Shakespeare Napa Valley), and Playfest 2022 (Chrissie/Hazel, with Upstage Napa Valley).
Esmé Nicolson-Singh (Seneca Howland / Just Jim) is new to Valley Players, but fell in love with singing and acting at a young age, attending productions with her mother, a theatre critic/artist. She attended a performing and fine arts school where she sang as a solo performer and also wrote and performed plays, before moving to Napa to pursue a pastry arts degree. She has performed roles throughout the years in A Doll’s House, Once on This Island, Little Shop of Horrors, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, and most recently in Christina Julian’s Growing Old WithOUT Grace.
Jessica Romero (Frank Goodman / Mr. Asa) is an actor/director based in the North Bay. She has recently been seen onstage in Valley Players’ 2023 Summer Staged Reading Series. Other acting credits include Romeo & Juliet (Nurse, Napa Valley College), the workshop of Hamlet’s Big Adventure! (a prequel) (Ophelia/King, Napa Valley College), Annie (Mrs. Greer, Lucky Penny Productions), and The Zero Sum Mind (Hallie, On The Fringe Visual and Performing Arts). Directing credits include A Charlie Brown Christmas (Napa Valley College), The Vagina Monologues (The Black and White Center), The Aristocats KIDS and Seussical KIDS (both at Napa Valley Language Academy).
Aboard the Maid of the Canyon
Debbie Gargalikis Baumann (Andrew Hall) has been a theatergoer for years and has played many roles, as director, actor, artistic director, and board member for Valley Players. She is most happy on stage. She has been a director of many and knows all the hard work that goes on from choosing a play, building a set, before a show, backstage, and so on. She would like to dedicate this production to the entire staff and crew that has made this journey along the Colorado River.
Nancy Heine (William Robert Hawkins) is a long-time Napa resident who was most recently seen as Mattie Fae Aiken in Valley Players’ production of August: Osage County. Her previous work includes several independent films, including Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for Planned Parenthood and The Snake, a romantic comedy. While living in England she also did voice-overs.
Opening night wine poured by Teaderman Vineyards.
October 15th wine donated by Truchard Vineyards.