August 9-24
Noël Coward’s delightfully cheeky comedy about love, death, and things that go bump in the séance. When fussy novelist Charles Condomine accidentally conjures the ghost of his glamorous (and gloriously mischievous) first wife, Elvira, his current marriage is haunted—literally—by supernatural chaos. With a wildly eccentric medium, snappy banter, and more ectoplasm than etiquette, Blithe Spirit is a wickedly witty romp that proves the afterlife has never been so lively
Cast Bios
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Jessica Iannitello (Elvira) is happy to be haunting the Forst Inn stage once again! You may have seen her earlier this season as Frances in 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress, or last season in an array of shows including The Play That Goes Wrong, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and RENT. She’d like to thank Hannah as well as Karter and Ash for their tireless work and dedication, and Michael for the artistic home he’s provided at the Forst. She would like to dedicate this performance to her family’s beloved late dog Ellie, the original Elvira – who was nothing at all like this Elvira but not just because she was a dog. Jess hopes this show resonates with you, but if it resonates too much perhaps you should call an exorcist at the diocese of Green Bay. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
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Kiana Liesch (Edith) is excited to make her Forst Inn debut with this amazing cast and crew. Some recent credits include Germaine in Never The Sinner and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing. Playing Edith has been a fun opportunity to play a character that does a lot while saying a little. Just like Edith, Kiana is often seen rushing about. Though Kiana prefer knitting and taking care of her pets rather than cleaning someone else’s home. She would like to thank everyone at Forst for this opportunity and their hard work. This show has been a joy to work on. Kiana would also like to thank her family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show!
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Jessica Oppeneer (Mrs. Bradman) is absolutely thrilled to be appearing in her second Forst Inn show in as many seasons. You may have seen her singing and dancing in last year’s Young Frankenstein, or singing and dancing earlier this year in Masquers’ Camelot. Come back to the Inn in September to see her singing and dancing in Swing!
When not on stage, Jessica stays busy trying new recipes, watching classic movies, and running her bookkeeping business. She is grateful to Hannah for trusting her to play an obnoxious, nosy loudmouth like Mrs. Bradman, despite the fact that she has definitely never displayed any of those qualities in real life before. Jessica is also grateful for this wonderful cast and production team, and friendships old and new. Enjoy the show! |
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Shannon Paige is as “fit as a fiddle” taking on the role Madame Arcati. She loves her care free spirit and feels everyone should channel their inner Arcati more often. She just wrapped up “Throwing Stones at the Sun”, but has been involved in a handful of productions over the years. She loves laughter and hopes to hear a lot of it during this run. When not at the Inn, which has been very rare this summer, she enjoys being around her friends and family, going to supper clubs, and hanging out with her child Olive. Now sit back, have a cucumber sandwich, wash it down with a dry martini, and enjoy yourself!
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Samuel Schoepp (Charles) has only one wife (alive, not “passed over”), Beth, with whom he raises their two children. As he takes every opportunity to overwhelm himself with theater, Sam decided it would be a good idea to do two shows that perform within two weeks of one another. He was onstage at the Forst in late July as Ignatius in Throwing Stones At the Sun, a brand new musical by Jace Seavers. Sam is incredibly thankful to the cast and crew, whose friendships are the reason to be a part of any theater, his director Hannah for the heart and soul she pours into her passions, and all those behind the scenes that help each work come to life and support the daily operations of the Forst Inn. As always, he remains ever appreciative of everything his talented and supportive wife does– both for him and for the development of young performers on the Lakeshore. This program is made possible by charitable contributions to the Forst Inn and by viewers like you, thank you!
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Joey Simmons (Dr. Bradman) is thrilled to don the coat of Dr. Bradman in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit. This marks his second appearance at the Forst Inn—after previously playing the Mad Hatter in their production of Alice by Heart. He has enjoyed sinking his teeth into Coward’s sharp British wit and the show’s paranormal twists. Next up, he’ll return to the Forst Inn stage in its September production of Swing the Musical. He hopes you enjoy the performance—no matter which side of the grave you’re watching from.
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Olivia Weyenberg (Ruth) is excited to be making her Forst Inn Debut! She is currently a Junior BFA Acting and Media Studies Major at the University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point. She will also be entering the world of ghosts and spirits again this coming fall as Jane Doe in UWSP’s Ride the Cyclone. Some recent/favorite credits are Ensemble in A Cry of Players, Anastasia in Anastasia, and Mrs. Bennett in Pride & Prejudice. Olivia wants to thank the dedicated cast and crew for their work on this show, and the kindness that everyone has given her as a newbie to the space. She would also like to thank her extremely supportive family and acting teachers who have inspired her beyond measure. Unlike Ruth, Olivia does not have a husband to boss around in her free time, but she does like to play guitar and banjo obsessively! She hopes you have a riveting time with the show, but maybe not too much, otherwise you’ll need to see a “nerve specialist.” 😉
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Artistic Team
Stage Direction – Hannah Otto
Stage Management – Karter Mueller
Scenic Design – Phillip Jindra
Set Construction – Phillip Jindra, Jon Medendorp
Set Dressing – Jon Medendorp
Scenic Painting – Missy Wendorf
Costumes – Claran LaViolette
Properties – Ash Stokes
Assistant Director – Em Schaller
June 6-14
This play will blow your mind! Funny, poignant, and engaging, it is a contemporary play blending realism, livestream culture, and mythic symbolism to explore grief, disability, intimacy, and the fear of loving in isolation. This show moves dynamically between apartments, livestreams, train platforms, and video-game worlds, all while contrasting public performance with private pain. Homebound-XIX ultimately asks whether connection is worth the risk of loss, and whether choosing love—even under threat, surveillance, and mythic fear—is an act of courage in a fractured, digital age.
Directed by Erin Lafond.
Cast Bios
Emilee E. Carroll (Ticonderoga Knight): Emilee is excited to be involved in the WORLD PREMIERE of Homebound XIX. Playing Tico since the first reading of the script has really been a fun ride, and the evolution of this show has taken life! After stepping away from the stage to direct “Radium Girls” this past March, Emilee is back onstage and ready to nerd out! Previous roles at the Inn include M’Lynn in “Steel Magnolias”, Annie Wilkes in “Misery”, Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein”, and the Beggar Woman in “Sweeney Todd”. Big thanks to family, friends, and especially her husband Brandon who took this journey with her. HUGE thank you to our Director, Erin, for taking this new piece and bringing so much life and depth into it. Immerse yourself into the virtual and real world and enjoy!!
Brandon Carroll (Homebound): Brandon is hyped to be apart of the very first stage production of Homebound XIX. Being a gamer himself, Brandon is well versed in the online gaming scene and the personas that go with it. It’s a privilege to be playing the online avatar Homebound, and it’s been a fun and fulfilling experience involving very relatable themes and topics centered around the gaming sphere and internet culture. You may have seen Brandon in other productions at the Forst Inn such as, Jeff Symons in “Murder in Green Meadows”; The Monster in “Young Frankenstein”, or the lovable Lord Cheesecake in “Mistletoe Musings Nutcracker”. Thank you to all the friends and family who come out to support and to his wife Emilee Carroll who is also in the show with him. Lastly a big thank you to Erin Lafond for putting her heart and soul into this process and really making it an unforgettable experience! Sit back, relax, and enjoy as the real world and the virtual world intertwine with one another!
Heather Love (Chat/Harmonia/Alethea): It’s been a while since Heather’s had the chance to play multiple roles like this, and it’s been a real blast! Especially with such a talented, fun, and crazy cast. She feels incredibly lucky to have been part of something so new and unique, and it’s helped her grow in many ways. It’s been amazing to see something go from being just words on paper, to become something so interesting, visual, and creative. This is what theatre is all about! (But it’s a larger challenge when you’re starting fresh and there’s nothing out there to use as a guide.) Heather hopes you enjoy the show and are able to find ways to relate to the story, as we can all find ourselves in moments of feeling isolated and scared…but just hold onto your loved ones a little tighter and remember that love can overcome any fear. (And cheesecake doesn’t hurt either!)
Karter Mueller ( Chat 2) is so excited to be a part of the first stage production of Homebound XIX. It has been a privilege to watch this show take shape , and see all the elements come together to mix the real world with the gaming world. This show does an amazing job of taking a lot of real world issues / barriers that people go through – and shows how others live through gaming. Karter has been out at the Forst for a few years now , and can be seen in a plethora of productions over the last few years , and behind the scenes to create props for multiple shows as well. Enjoy the show & delve I to the world of gaming with Homebound.
Katie Naegele (Yottie) is pumped to be back on the Forst inn stage stepping into the role of Yottie! This process has been wonderful to be a part of, breaking it down and really understanding it! She hopes audiences take the time to listen and appreciate the story as much as the cast has. This show explores so many important themes, some that Katie holds near to her heart and encourages audiences to watch with an open mind and an open heart! Being back at the Forst has meant a lot to Katie, this community was certainly something to miss while away in college which she will return to in the fall to continue her BFA in acting! Later this summer Katie will also step into the role of Beth March in a production of Little women out in Appleton so keep your eyes peeled for that! Lastly Katie would like to thank her friends (old and new!) and her family for the continuous support! Enjoy the show! It’s a wild one! P.S. this is the SECOND time Katie has played Sean’s sister in a Forst Inn production!
Britt Simmer (Ferry) is happy to be returning to the Forst Inn stage in another new work. You may have recently seen them in “Canvas” by director Erin LaFond at the 10 Minute Play Festival. They also appeared in “The Returnals” and “Throwing Stones at the Sun” by Jace Seavers. Britt has found it to be especially satisfying to bring writers’ new works to life for the first time. It’s a lot fun to be part of crafting a whole character and world and watching how they change and evolve. “Homebound XIX” has been particularly fun as Britt is a video game lover and frequent Twitch lurker. A bit of their love for performing grew from a love for gaming and video game soundtracks that led to an overall love of music. That love for music quickly became a love for performing. When Britt’s not on stage, they’re usually playing games with their partner Andrew or fetch with their dog Dug. Now prepare your favorite trebuchet and enjoy your dive into our digital world of Homebound XIX! (edited)
Sean Stalvey (Matthew Lykander) is happy to be part of the first staging of Homebound XIX. Sean is known for his many roles on the Forst Inn stage including recently as one of the clowns in “The 39 Steps”. Sean is happy to help bring this new work to life with an amazing cast of talented artists. Outside of the Forst Inn stage, Sean can be seen ravaging battlefields and adventuring on a game console or his trusty pc. To Sean, this show hits a personal note as Sean has been a lifelong gamer, and relates to the connections and community that gaming can bring. Sean hopes that this show enlightens your perspectives and that you enjoy the show!
Asher Stokes (chat 3) is thrilled to be back on the Forst Inn stage in another New Work! Homebound XIX explores themes of Covid, video games, disability and so much more. Personally, the theme he sees as most relevant is: everyone experiences the world differently. As you enjoy the show, please remember to give grace to those around you. You never know the kind of battles others are fighting. If you’ve been to the Forst before, you’ve likely seen Ash both on and offstage at least once or twice. As always, Asher would like to thank the Forst Inn for continuing to serve as a safe space for artists of all shapes and sizes!
Artistic Team
Erin LaFond – Director, Projection Slides, Costumes
Shannon Paige – Stage Management
Pete Dignan – Scenic Design
Kevin J. Sievert – Lights, Sound, Video Design
Emilee E. Carroll – Properties
Patrick Schamburek – Scenic Treatment
May Heili – Stage Mural
Paint Crew – Lisa Heili, Archer LaFond, Jasper LaFond, Erin LaFond
Carrie Counihan – Board Liaison
Tessa Jindra – Production Coordinator
Michael Sheeks – Producer
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