Hair

Van Wilmott

Musical/Artistic Director

Welcome to the Mayfield Dinner Theatre and our production of HAIR. This is truly an amazing piece of theatre. It opened on Broadway in 1968, billing itself as a ‘tribal love rock musical’. It shocked audiences with its outspoken political views and captivating snapshot of the spirited and turbulent times of the late 60’s and early 70’s. It had a hugely successful revival in 2009/2010 in New York – it was this production that inspired us to do it again. HAIR is many things – irreverent, often crude, sometimes in questionable taste, all true to the time and place when this story is set. We have assembled a young, extremely talented cast for this production, most of whom were born 25 years after this show was first produced or when the actual Vietnam war took place. It was an extraordinary rehearsal process where we all celebrated our inner hippy; some of us reliving it, some figuring it out for the first time. That is one of the great things about theatre and all art, for that matter. It becomes a learning experience for all involved; whether you are seeing and hearing this for the first time or reacquainting yourself to the show. HAIR has one of the best rock music scores ever written, including many tunes that are now pop and musical theatre standards. Why this show? Why now? The message of HAIR is anti-war. It promotes peace and love, all told through the celebration of the life of its central character, Claude Hooper Bukowski. Easy to say and perhaps naive, but I can’t think of a time in the world where it would be more important to promote these values than right now. And to that end, we present HAIR – a dose of the sweet sound of youth, brimming with hope that the world is going to change tomorrow. Experience HAIR and let the sunshine in!!

Ron Jenkins

Director

Ron is thrilled to be returning to the Mayfield after directing Chicago in 2012. Selected Credits Include: Turn of the Screw (Vertigo); Romeo and Juliet (TSC); Playing With Fire (Citadel/PTE); Othello (TSC); High Life (GZT); ENRON (NAC); Playing With Fire: The Theo Fleury Story, Nisei Blue, and The Blue Light (ATP); Good Night Desdemona Good Morning Juliet (Belfry Theatre); Diligent River Daughter (Ship’s Theatre Co.); 1984 (Saint John Theatre Company); Next to Normal (Theatre Calgary/Citadel); Chicago (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); The Forbidden Phoenix and Extinction Song (Citadel Theatre); The Trespassers (Belfry/Vancouver Playhouse); Bash’d (Off Broadway); 17 Dogs, Mary’s Wedding, and Mesa (Workshop West); Confessions Of A Paper Boy (Ghost River Theatre); The Black Rider (November Theatre Co.); The Red Priest (Eight Ways to Say Goodbye); What the Butler Saw (Studio Theatre); Steel Kiss, Eureka, and The Horror, The Horror (Skid), Liars (MTYP) and Burt (Shadow Theatre). Ron has won ten Sterling Awards as a director and playwright and two Betty Mitchell Awards for Direction for The Black Rider and Playing With Fire. Last year he was honored with a CCA award in Ottawa for his direction of ENRON. Ron is also the winner of the 2004 Syncrude Award for Artistic Innovation and a Critter Award Winner for Playing With Fire. Ron was shortlisted for the 2007 and 2010 Siminovitch Prize in theatre for Direction.

Christine Bandelow

Choreographer

Christine is an Edmonton based choreographer and performer. Choreography credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (Citadel Theatre), It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman! (Plain Jane Theatre), Hello…hello (Kill Your Television), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Neptune Theatre), Rent (Montreal, Mexico City and Barcelona) and seventeen productions here at the Mayfield including Back to The 80’s, Top Of The Pops, Carousel, Peace, Love, Rock ‘n Roll, Little Shop of Horrors, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story and The British Invasion. Recent performances include Songs For Sinners and Saints (Catalyst Theatre), Laura Krewski’s The Yellow Wallpaper (Chinook Festival), Back To the 80’s and Cabaret (Mayfield Theatre). Thanks for supporting live theatre in Canada and thanks to my amazing family and friends for supporting me.

Alyssa Billingsley

Tribe/Jeanie Understudy

Alyssa is stoked to make her Mayfield debut with the groovy cast of Hair! Select credits include It’s A Wonderful Life, Little Women (Persephone Theatre), Chickens (Station Arts Centre), Canadian Tour of The Backyardigans : Sea Deep in Adventure (KOBA Entertainment), Evil Dead : The Musical (Hit and Myth/Ground Zero), Songs of A Prairie Girl (Wild Side/National Arts Centre). This flower child hails from Saskatchewan but is a frequent globetrotter and circus fan, from a puppeteer in Canada to a clown in Peru to a miscellaneous volunteer in West Africa. Peace, love, and enjoy the show!

Amber Bissonnette

Tribe

Amber is so grateful to return to the Mayfield stage for the production of Hair!! Performance Faves: Hairspray, 9 to 5, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Buddy Holly Story (Mayfield), The Scent of Compulsion, The Euphorians (Teatro la Quindicina), The Leisure Society (Theatre Network), Mack and Mabel (Plain Janes), Featuring Loretta, End of Civilization (Puntuate!), Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook, Evil Dead: The Musical (Hit & Myth/GZT), 80’s Solid Gold I and II, The Wedding Singer, Uptown Country Girls, Joseph and the… Dreamcoat (Stage West Calgary). Choreo Faves: Rent, Spelling Bee (Citadel/Robbins Academy), Gruesome Playground Injuries, Evil Dead: The Musical (Hit & Myth/GZT), Little Red Riding Hood (Storybook), The Toxic Avenger (Broadway West), Putting it Together, Andrews Brothers, Life Could be a Dream (Cornerstone). Amber is proud to boast that her artistic career has been fostered entirely in Alberta, having performed in and/or choreographed nearly 100 productions.

Andrew Cohen

Berger

Andrew is psyched to be letting the sun shine in with this incredible company. Favourite shows include: Buddy the Elf in Elf The Musical (Chemainus), Judas in Godspell (Arts Club), Pharaoh in Joseph (Stagewest), Phoebus in Hunchback (Catalyst), Urinetown (Firehall), Hamelin (Axis), Game Show (Stagewest), and Chicago here at the Mayfield. He was a National Finalist on CBC’s Triple Sensation, and was a tapper and featured vocalist in the 2010 Olympic Opening & Closing Ceremonies.  He holds a BFA in Acting from UBC, where he directed the viral video “UBC LipDub”.  Huge thanks to Ron ‘Duder’ Jenkins, Van ‘The Man’ Wilmot, Christine ‘Dream Machine’ Bandelow, and the entire Mayfield staff.  Next, Andrew is developing Circle Game, a reimagining of the music of Joni Mitchell with his collaborator, muse, and wife, Anna Kuman.   Peace and love.

Karina Cox

Tribe/Sheila Understudy

Karina is thrilled to be making her Mayfield debut working alongside such an incredible cast, crew and creative team! She is an Edmonton-based artist recently graduated from MacEwan University’s Theatre Arts Program where she was seen in Sondheim on Sondheim, Catch Me If You Can, Nine, and The Seagull. Since graduating from MacEwan she has been in The Nutcracker Unhinged (Teatro La Quindicina), Bone Cage (Theatre Yes) and has become a musical theatre/acting instructor for St. Albert Children’s Theatre, where she grew up performing and found her passion for theatre. Love and many thanks to her amazing mentors, family, and friends! Enjoy the show and let your Hair down! (Karina also considers herself to be pun-ny.)

Michael Cox

Claude

Michael is over the moon to be a part of Hair. He is a graduate of the Sheridan College Music Theatre Performance Program and a Calgary Critics Award nominee. Some favourite theatre credits include: The Chasse Galerie (Red One Collective/Storefront Theatre), Prom Queen: The Musical (workshop w/ Theatre Aquarius), Les Miserables, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Rainbow Stage), Les Miserables (Drayton Entertainment), Mary’s Wedding (Stephenville Theatre Festival), Next to Normal (Theatre Calgary/Citadel Theatre), Come From Away, Marathon of Hope (Canadian Musical Theatre Project/Theatre Sheridan). Film credits: Reign (The CW). Michael would like to thank everyone at Talent House, his family, friends and his partner in crime Julia for all the love and support. Follow me on instagram @mikecoxjresq. This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius!

Tiffany Deriveau

Tribe

This is my 6th production at the Mayfield and I am so grateful to be back.  You may recognize me from Hairspray, The History of Rock and Roll, The Buddy Holly Story, or both of the Super Groovy 70’s shows.  After all these years, coming to the Mayfield is like coming home. A special thank you to Adil, the most supportive husband ever and to my daughter and light, Daniya. Thank you for allowing me this grand adventure. I love to meet our patrons and I will be in the lobby after the show.  And if you don’t already have a copy, my album of 50’s favorites is selling for $10.  Thank you for your support and enjoy the show! Other credits, pictures, music and more can be found at www.tiffanyderiveau.com.

Austin Eckert

Tribe/Hud Understudy

Austin is so stoked to be in this production of HAIR – his first show on the Mayfield stage. Originally from Regina SK, Austin attended the Canadian College of Performing Arts. After graduating from the program in spring 2015, he moved to Vancouver where he has appeared on stage, as well as in film and television. Some favourite theatre credits include; Tom Collins (RENT), Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors), Moritz (Spring Awakening), Zeus/others (Metamorphoses), Son (Six Characters In Search Of An Author), John Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility), Man (Miss Understood). Film/ TV credits; Generation Y, Rules to Move By, Untold Stories of the E.R., Supernatural. Austin sends so much love to his friends and family, and hopes that you all are ready to raise some hell!

Sheldon Elter

Tribe

Sheldon is probably best known for his one-man show, Metis Mutt, which has won him 2 Sterling awards, and has toured across Canada and internationally. Other theatre credits include One Man Two Guvnors (Citadel Theatre), Tartuffe, Sound of Music, Enron (National Arts Centre), Marvelous Pilgrims (Teatro La Quindicina), Beowulf (Workshop West Theatre), L’Homme de la Mancha (L’Unithéâtre), HROSES: An Affront to Reason (Maggie Tree), NEVERMORE (Catalyst Theatre), Shear Madness, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, The Buddy Holly Story and The Full Monty (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), Julius Caesar, A Prairie Boy’s Winter, and Vimy (Citadel Theatre), and several seasons with Free Will Players. Sheldon was also a Top 14 finalist on Canadian Idol in 2006. TV credits: Hank Williams’ First Nation, CAUTION: May Contain Nuts (APTN), Hell On Wheels (AMC). He is the co-star, writer, and Co-Executive Producer on Delmer and Marta (APTN) He is also a core-member of the ukulele rock band sensation, The Be Arthurs.

Tara Jackson

Dionne

Tara is thrilled to be a part of this tribe! Born and raised in Calgary, she began singing at the age of three and has had a passion for it ever since. An honours graduate of Berklee College Of Music, Tara has filled the past few years with performances at theaters across Western Canada. Recent credits include: Rumours and Dreams (StageWest Calgary) and Back to The 80’s (The Mayfield). Much love to Steven, my family, and friends.

Jeremy Koz

Woof

Jeremy Koz has dreamed of performing in Hair since he was 17. This is his first show with Mayfield. Last summer he starred in Oh Canada, What A Feeling (Annerin Productions) which played at The Princess of Wales theatre in Toronto. Currently Jeremy sings in The Ron Paley Big Band, Big City All Star Band, Indian City and his own original band, Deep Dark Cave. He is currently working on their first album and his own solo album. He was also lead singer for original rock band, Floor Thirteen who has played with such Canadian acts as Our Lady Peace, Buckcherry, Default and The Guess Who to name a few. Their debut album Mmmm was played on radio stations all across North America and earned Koz a nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal at the L.A. Music Awards. Floor Thirteen songs have been featured in film and television as well as EA Games Need for Speed and Sims. For the past two years, Koz has performed across Canada and the U.S. with Vancouver’s leading corporate event band, Famous Players and popular tribute band, Snake Oil. This summer he will be touring various festivals throughout the U.S. Past select theatre credits include Avenue Q (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), Cats, Rent, and Full Monty (Rainbow Stage), Cranked (MTYP), The Wave (MTC), and Strike (Danny Schur Productions).

Jarrett Krissa

Tribe/Claude Understudy

Jarrett is absolutely ecstatic to be making his Mayfield Theatre debut with this fantastic company of HAIR. He is a recent proud graduate of MacEwan University’s Theatre Arts program, where he was privileged to perform in roles such as conman Frank Abagnale, Jr in Catch Me If You Can, and Bobby Strong in Urinetown. Other credits include Carmen (Edmonton Opera), Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson (No Tomatoes Theatre), Big Fish and Sondheim on Sondheim (MacEwan). He also happily spends his summers and Saturdays instructing musical theatre for kids with St Albert Children’s Theatre! Many thanks to Van and the whole Mayfield team, and to you for supporting Edmonton’s incredible theatre community. Enjoy the show! 

Laura Olafson

Sheila

Laura is overjoyed to be among her tribe at the Mayfield, performing in her dream musical in the same sacred theatre where she earned her first professional credits! Mayfield audiences may remember her portrayals of Doralee in 9 to 5: The Musical, Dolly Parton in Queens of Country, Narrator/June Carter Cash in Nashville Outlaws and Urleen in Footloose. Laura hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba where she has lived/worked as a theatre artist and educational assistant upon graduating from the Theatre Arts program at Grant MacEwan University in 2006. Laura wishes to thank her hippie parents and family for their influence and Ron and Van for this incredible gift. Love and light to you all.

Chelsea Preston

Jeanie/Dance Captain

Chelsea is extremely excited to be working with this psychedelic cast, crew and creative team on her sixth show at the Mayfield. You may have seen Chelsea play the naughty and nice twins, Jessica and Julia Youngstead in the Mayfield’s previous show The Last Resort. Selected theatre credits include: Prom Queen (Theatre Aquarius, workshop), Spamalot (Citadel Theatre), One Touch Of Venus (All Star Productions, Off-West End), The Last Resort, Cabaret, Hairspray, Chicago and The Wedding Singer (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), and Bells Are Ringing (Plain Jane Theatre Company). Selected performer/choreographer credits include: The Hoof and Mouth Advantage (Teatro La Quindicina, Sterling nominated for Outstanding Choreography), Friends of the Forties (Kaybridge Productions, co-choreographer) and Letters and Words (Synaethesis Dance Theatre, associate choreographer). This hippie child is originally from Vancouver Island and is a graduate of the Grant MacEwan University Theatre Arts Program. Love and thanks to her incredible family, Remi, and the TH team!

Andrea Rankin

Crissy

Andrea is delighted to be making her Mayfield debut. Born and raised in Edmonton, Andrea has performed on stages across Western Canada including The Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary and Bard on the Beach. Recent credits include: Fanny/Norah in A Christmas Carol (’14-15, The Citadel); Ginger Rogers in Make Mine Love (The Citadel); Cordelia in King Lear (Theatre Calgary/Bard on the Beach); Desdemona in Othello (The Shakespeare Company); Luciana in The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare By the Bow); Thea in Spring Awakening (Strathcona Theatre Co.); Macbeth, Hansel & Gretel (Edmonton Opera); MOTE (Blarney Productions); Love’s Labour’s Lost, Pains of Youth, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Blood Wedding (Studio Theatre); and voice acting on Mass Effect 3 (EA Games). Andrea completed the Professional Musical Theatre Program at the Banff Centre and was a recipient of the Dasha Goody Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance. She has a BFA in Acting from the University of Alberta. @andrealrankin

Hal Rogers

Hud

Hal is happy to be back in Edmonton working on his second show with Mayfield. Originally from Leduc, Hal moved to Vancouver six years ago, where he attended the theatre program at SFU. With the help of director Tracey Flye, he earned his final credits towards his degree working on Hairspray with Mayfield in 2014. Previous credits include Kurt Kelly in the Canadian premiere of Heathers: The Musical (Frolicking Divas), Qris in the world premiere of The Best Laid Plans: a Musical (Patrick Street/Touchstone), Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Fighting Chance Productions) Roger in Rent (Flourishing Age) and Ensemble in Dreamgirls (Arts Club Theatre). Hal has also been seen on stage locally as Angel in Rent (Two One-Way Tickets). This is Hal’s second turn at the role of Hud which he played in 2010 in Vancouver with FCP. Thanks to Candace, Pat and Dad!

Brad Wiebe

Tribe/Berger Understudy

After working “9 to 5” it’s always great to treat yourself and come to a “Cabaret” and let your “Hair” down! (all shows Brad has done or is now doing here with us at the Mayfield). Brad was most recently seen here over Christmas in Back to the 80’s: A Most Excellent Adventure where he played Bill of the Bill and Ted duo and sang numerous artists – Steve Perry and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ for example. Grab yourself a cold one, let YOUR hair down and relax and enjoy your day today. Peace and love baby, peace and love.

Steve Hoy

Drums

One of the most respected and in-demand drummers in Western Canada, Stephen performs and records with numerous national and international artists. Known for his versatility and keen musicianship, Stephen is looking forward to performing again with the Mayfield Dinner Theatre.

Paul Lamoureux

Reeds/Keyboards/Percussion

Multi-instrumentalist Paul Lamoureux was born here in Edmonton. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in music from North Texas State University, and a diploma in Performing Arts from Grant MacEwan College. Paul has performed with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas (“O” at the Bellagio), the Tommy Banks Band, and Princess Cruises. Mayfield Dinner Theatre productions include Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Full Monty, The Wedding Singer, Chicago, and Cabaret. He has backed up Robert Goulet, Flip Wilson, Mickey Rooney, Red Skelton, and toured with Grammy-nominated Christian rock act “Degarmo and Key”. Fluently bilingual, Paul was Musical Director of CBC French radio’s Gala Albertain de la Chanson for 8 years and has recorded 4 CDs of his own instrumental pop/jazz music on his own label. Paul is passionate about being musically diverse/useful. His mission is to be a “Swiss Army Knife” musician. When not working in theatre, Paul loves to entertain Seniors under the stage name “Lam-Chops”.

Lisa MacDougall

Keyboards/Assistant Musical Director

Lisa is happy to be back in Edmonton for HAIR. Lisa’s music has taken her around the world with such greats as Rita MacNeil, Roger Whittaker, and Molly Johnson, to name a few. For 4 seasons Lisa was music director of Anne & Gilbert in Charlottetown, PEI. Other theatre credits include Le Cage Aux Folles, Elf, Legally Blonde, Jesus Christ Superstar, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Flying On Her Own, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, Annie, Chicago, The Sound of Music, Evita, Oliver, Beauty and the Beast and most recently Mary Poppins (Neptune Theatre, Halifax); Nashville Icons, Super Groovy 70′s parts 1 & 2, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, History of Rock ‘n Roll, Folkswaggin’: Music of the People, Top of the Pops, Cabaret, Dark Star and Back to the 80’s (Mayfield Dinner Theatre). Enjoy the show!

Derek Stremel

Bass

Derek grew up in a musical family and learned piano from his mother and fiddle, mandolin and guitar from his father. He studied bass and banjo on his own and started gigging in venues as a bassist with his father before he had a driver’s license. He moved to Alberta after high school, leaving his Manitoba farming roots behind, and began a musical career primarily playing the electric bass. He wanted to learn ‘what those smart guys knew’ so he enrolled in the GMCC Jazz program in 1990 and learned to read the ‘little black dots’. For more than a decade and a half now he has been employed at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre playing musical revues and Broadway musicals. He also has a home studio where he teaches, writes, records and produces and plays many of the instruments on the recordings; yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah…boring but true, riiiiiight? He is grateful to be a part of Hair and work with a bunch of friends, old and new. He dedicates this show and it’s funds to his girls Pam, Emily and Ashley. Derek is always delighted by the opportunity to write about himself in the third person!

Harley Symington

Guitar/Head of Audio

Harley is very happy to be onstage with this great cast playing for Hair, instead of in a trailer in the parking lot like last time. Things have advanced a little since then.  A busy fall and winter included performing for both Dark Star: The Life and Times of Roy Orbison and Back To The 80’s, as well as running live sound for The Last Resort. Other Mayfield highlights as guitarist/performer include Folkswaggin’: Music Of The People, Four Lads Who Shook The World: The Beatles Story Parts 1 and 2 (as George Harrison), and Jesus Christ Superstar back in the 90’s. He was also the live sound engineer for Hairspray and Cabaret, and continues to work as Head of Audio for the theatre. Harley has toured extensively with artists of many different genres, including stops at events such as Lilith Fair and major jazz festivals. Outside of the theatre he plays and sings with his own group in support of his debut jazz/blues CD, entitled “Don’t Talk”. He also holds a diploma with honors from the Computer Systems Technology program at NAIT.