Gavin J. Annette (Igor) doesn’t exactly have the signature wide-eyed stare of the iconic Marty Feldman, but he is honored to take on the role of the lovable stooge Igor nevertheless and assist Dr. Fronkensteen (and the cast of Young Frankenstein) in their wacky work at the Forst Inn! Gavin was introduced to the world of Mel Brooks at an early age (probably not a good idea) and immediately fell in love with his sense of uninhibited humor and Broadway-esque spectacle (still waiting on Spaceballs: The Musical, Mel!)  Gavin’s recent adventures on the Forst stage include Misery (u/s Sheriff Buster), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Roger/Ensemble), The Play That Goes Wrong (Chris/Inspector Carter), and Into The Woods (The Baker). Many thanks to Michael, Lisa, Erin, and the rest of the YF production team for making this all happen; to the cast for being amazing souls to work with; to my fiancé Jon, for loving and supporting me with quiet dignity and grace (and delicious post-rehearsal dinners); and a special thanks to my dearly departed father BJ, who inspired my love of theater and comedy by showing me Spaceballs when I was eight years old, and who always had special words of encouragement for me before going on-stage: “What the hell are you doing in the bathroom day and night? Why don’t you get out of there and give someone else a chance?”

Maddie Budner (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Forst Inn debut! She is a Wisconsin based actress who graduated from Edgewood College in 2021 with her degree in Musical Theatre Performance. Recent credits include Elf (Jovie), The Fantasticks (Luisa), Disenchanted (Sleeping Beauty), Ordinary Days (Deb), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Narrator), West Side Story (Minnie/Ballet Corps.), Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Dancer). Television: RetroTV’s Hood. Maddie recently originated the role of Rose in the (virtual) North American debut of the new musical Off The Beaten Path. She thanks her family, friends, mentors, mom, and dad for their ongoing love and support.

Brandon Carroll (the Monster) is feeling ALIVE and honored to be back on the Forst Inn stage as The Monster. This will be the first musical he has performed at the Inn, but you may have seen him at other venues as well. From various roles in another Mel Brooks production, “The Producers” to “Shrek the Musical” or even the latest, Peter Quince in “Something Rotten”. However, the most familiar role to this one by far is Lurch in “The Addams Family”. While the roles share characteristics, The Monster has a little more Ritz and a “Deep Love” that is beyond compare.
This Monster is ready to experience life, love, dance, and the eloquence of Noel Coward! Brandon is thankful for all the support of his family, friends, fellow cast mates and of course wife Emilee who is also in the show. Brandon hopes you all enjoy this Transylvanian mania of wacky works!

Emilee E. Carroll (Frau Blucher) is ready to return to the stage, yet again to bring an iconic movie character to life! You may have seen her renditions of “M’Lynn Eatenton” from Steel Magnolias or “Annie Wilkes” from Misery earlier this season. Emilee is honored to portray Frau Blucher (neigh) and to have the opportunity to be in another Mel Brooks classic (the previous being The Producers in 2013). She is grateful to work with many of her best friends, chosen family, and her husband, Brandon in this production – she’s forever indebted to the community she has here at the Inn. When not at the Inn, she enjoys all things Broadway and the hit Fox show Glee. Grab your drinks (varm milk? Ovaltine?) and enjoy the show!

​Presley Ellison (Ensemble) is electrified to be making her Forst Inn debut in the ensemble for Young Frankenstein! She feels honored to take a second crack at this show, as her first foray into the world of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein came when she was cast in her first high school musical at only 14 years old. This time around, her experience with the cast and crew have been absolutely wonderful, and she’s excited to show all the work that’s been put into this monster of a production. Recently, you may have seen Presley in the Masquer’s Something Rotten this May. When she’s not spending time in a theater, she is usually working on her personal passion project (shoutout to RARE Theatricals!), prowling antique stores, or buying more yarn than she knows what to do with.

Addison Fowler (Ensemble) is excited to return to the Forst Inn Stage! She was last seen as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show last October. Addison has been involved in musical theater since she was 5, and she can’t imagine a life without performing! Other roles she’s played have been Portia in Something Rotten (Masquers), Sandra Bloom in Big Fish (Peter Quince Performing Company), Angie Dickinson in The Prom (PQPC), Natalie Haller in All Shook Up (PQPC), and many more! This summer, she took burlesque classes. Since then, she has performed multiple burlesque routines as ‘Flora Fawn’ at Bremen Cafe in Milwaukee! She is hoping to perform in their upcoming shows and continue cultivating a burlesque career.
This show has been an amazing experience, and she is very grateful to be a part of such a talented cast and crew! This show is stacked with so many high energy musical numbers, and learning the music and choreography for them have been a blast! If she had to pick her favorite number, it would be ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’, because the tap was so challenging! She hopes that you enjoy the show!

Lisa Heili (Music Director) is a woman of international mystery. She is rumored to be the elusive Abby Normal.

Zachary Eric Glaeser (Victor, Ensemble) has been raring for his return to the Forst Inn stage, last seen as comfort counselor Mitch Mahoney in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this summer. This time, he’s ready to don his lab coat (and many other costumes) and embrace the hilarity of Young Frankenstein, where he hopes to channel the mad genius of Mel Brooks in the variety of characters he will be taking on.
Zach has been acting, singing, and occasionally tripping over his own feet since he could walk. His passion for performing runs deeper than the secrets of the laboratory, and he dreams of being on stage until the curtain calls him home… No resurrection for him though, please. As he will obnoxiously tell you, he’s here for a good time, not a long time.
When he’s not busy performing, Zach cherishes time spent with family and friends, whose unwavering support fuels his theatrical antics. He also loves patronizing The Forst Inn, so “Join the Family Business” and become a sustaining monthly donor! Zach hopes you sit back, relax, and prepare for a wildly entertaining ride (or huystropferdeschlagenwagensuchenfruchen as Inga would say!).

Phillip Jindra (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein) is so thrilled to be a part of this FANTASTIC production. Having never seen the movie or the show he had no expectations going into auditions and was blown away to be offered the title role! It’s also been a long time since Phillip has had the opportunity to act on stage with his wife Tessa in this capacity, and he’s enjoying working with her as well as many other good friends. You may have recently seen Phillip on stage in roles including Benny (Rent), Chip Tolentino (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Shakespeare (Masquers’ Something Rotten), and Macduff (Heavy Metal Macbeth). Next month Phillip will be joining some of the other cast members here in A Mistletoe Musings Nutcracker. This will be Phillip’s 8th consecutive year as an original member of the Musings. The unique theatrical experience here at the Forst Inn is tangible and precious. Phillip hopes you will consider becoming a monthly donor and supporting the art we create. Do it or else he’ll terrorize you with a tap dancing MONSTER! Love and thanks to his mom and dad who make the trip across the state to see every show.

Tessa Komorowski Jindra (Inga) is excited to be joining the stage as Inga alongside her friends (old and new) and her husband Phillip. You may have recently seen her in Rent as Joanne or Olive in Spelling Bee. She also joined the stage in Murder in Green Meadows as Carolyn and is an original member of the Mistletoe Musings. Young Fronkensteen… I mean Frankenstein is a Monster of a musical! Tessa is very happy to have this amazing opportunity to breathe life into it! Not only is this show full of crazy tap numbers and hayrides, there’s also some yodeling too! Tessa is extremely thankful to have a place like the Forst inn to call home, where she has many wonderful opportunities to grow as a performer and as a person. Not only is Tessa a member of the Arts Collective Board, she is also a part of the Forst inn Fam! So listen to your heart and sign up today and enjoy supporting something special and getting some cool perks along the way!

Erin LaFond (Elizabeth Benning/Choreographer) has been seen on stage at the Forst Inn since it reopened. Recent credits include Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona, twice!), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Godspell (Jesus), The Last 5 Years (Cathy, thrice!), Carrie (Margaret White), and an original member of Mistletoe Musings. Erin spent a decade as a middle school choir teacher, but now works as a personal banker and loan officer. Erin sends love and light to all in her support system, and especially to Jeff, Archer, Jasper, and Lee.

​Jessica Oppeneer (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her Forst Inn debut in a show as wacky and fun as Young Frankenstein. You may have seen her dipping her toes back into the performance waters in Something Rotten this past spring. When not singing and dancing on stage, Jessica stays busy trying new recipes, watching classic movies, and nerding out over color coded spreadsheets for her bookkeeping business. She is so grateful to her family and friends for their support and encouragement; to this fabulous cast and production team for their welcoming kindness (and willingness to answer all her anxious questions); and to her patient neighbors who had to listen to her learning to tap dance over the past month. Enjoy the show!

Sam Oswald (Hermit, Ensemble) is excited to once again take the stage at the beloved Forst Inn. As a lover of all things spooky, all things funny, and all things music, this show, which happens to be studded with a terrific cast, was perfect to quench Sam’s thirst to be involved in high quality entertainment.  Sam thanks all of the generous patrons who continue to support live theater allowing these humble productions to raise the bar with each show.  The quality of performance seems to get better and better every night and it is thanks to the shared energy of a dedicated cast and crew, as well as an equally dedicated and even more deserving audience.  With love and gratitude; enjoy the show.

Shannon Paige (Ensemble) is the “happiest people” to be a part of the first musical on the Forst Inn stage that includes a big tap dance number.  She is anxious to see how the audience responds to this production, and hope it produces an uproar of good times and laughter.  Inspired by some of Victor’s lyrics,  “Hershey’s have their chocolates, and Lipton’s have their teas, but when it comes to cheesecake, get them from Michael Sheeks! So join the Fab Forst family, it all depends on you!” Please come and continue to support the Forst Inn. Now sit back and relax in the NEW CHAIRS, and enjoy the show!

​Jake Puestow (Kemp) is excited to make his Forst Inn return as Inspector Kemp in Young Frankenstein. You may recall his last role in 2023’s Rocky Horror Picture Show as Rocky. Other shows he has been in recently were Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as Henry Jekyll, Ripcord as two separate sons and a haunted house clown, and the upcoming A Krampus Carol as Young Krampus at the Mikadow Theater. When not on stage, Jake enjoys reading books on history and mythology, writing and releasing his own music for streaming, and having drinks with his friends at the bar. He hopes that you have as much fun with this wonderful and ridiculous romp as much as the cast and crew did. And, if you’re still reading this, try a gin and lemonade!

Em Schaller (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on the Forst Inn stage after a year of bartending in the pub and behind-the-scenes action. She couldn’t think of a better show for her return than Young Frankenstein. She was exposed to the world of Mel Brooks at a young age when her father was cast in the Producers in 2013 and she memorized all the songs. She also read the original source material by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly at 10, which sparked a firm and deep love for all things Frankenstein (ask her about her quote tattoo). Her intrepid journey with the Forst began in 2022 and she’s been hooked on the organized chaos ever since. Some previous Forst appearances include “Lucinda” in Into the Woods, “Woodstock” in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and “Anna Maria” (Day by Day soloist) in Godspell. When not seen in a theatrical context, Em can be found at the library hoping to absorb knowledge through osmosis, baking up some sweet treats, growing warty gourds in her garden, or lounging with her cat at home since she’s actually an 85 year old brain that was transferred into a 24 year old body.

Michael Sheeks (Director) is writing his first bio after producing, directing or performing in about sixty shows out here at The Forst. It’s been a gift to work with such talented folks in this production, and with all the amazing people in our Forst Inn Arts Collective community. Mel Brooks observed that “As long as the world is turning and spinning, we’re gonna be dizzy and we’re gonna make mistakes.” That’s basically my philosophy of directing. Create a safe space and encourage people to sin boldly in their artistic choices. I’ll enjoy, with you, watching how this plays out over the performances of this show. Enjoy!

Britt Simmer (Ziggy, Ensemble) firmly believes they were typecast as Ziggy, the village idiot. Regardless of this, their father is still very proud. Other roles of varying silliness that Britt has done recently include a disillusioned Christmas caroler in RENT, the Narrator in Rocky Horror, Florinda in Into the Woods, the Narrator from Rocky Horror but dressed as a deer. Britt is thankful for their boyfriend, Andrew, who is always left at home with the dogs while Britt’s off being silly. Or being forced to listen to the same lines and refrains over and over and over and over and over and over again (probably for Britt to get it wrong the night he sees the show anyway). Finally… MERCHANDISING!! Merchandising, where the real money is made! Spaceballs-the- t-shirt I mean The Forst Inn-the- t-shirt! Get your t-shirts and hoodies, folks!

​Lydia Skarivoda (Ensemble) is absolutely electrified to be a part of this production. She hails from the Green Bay area and is no stranger to the Forst Stage. Recently, her dreams came true when she stepped into a pair of golden slippers and played as Cinderella in Into the Woods last year. Another recent (and spooky) appearance of hers was when she apparated in her witchy form in Play by Play and the Forst’s Macbeth. She extends her undying gratitude to her friends, family, and partner. She would also like to thank her cat, Willow, for helping her learn her music and dances, and her ghost writer for providing this bio for her.