2019 World Premiere Cast
SAMANTHA BONZI | ELEANOR
Samantha is super excited to be sharing the magic of her favorite time of the year with you! Recent credits include: Nancy in Oliver (Nordlof Center,) Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Clinton Area Showboat,) Nettie Fowler in Carousel (Timber Lake Playhouse,) and Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins (Timber Lake Playhouse.) She would like to thank her wonderful parents and family for supporting her, the amazing cast and production team, and of course, the lovely Denise for without whom we would not be able to share this magical story!
SCOTT GRYDER | SPRINKLE
Scott has been seen on stages throughout Chicagoland, with recent appearances in the Jeff-Nominated Buyer & Cellar (Pride Films & Plays), Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera Chicago), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Drury Lane Water Tower). He has performed in a multitude of cabarets, including SIMPLY SCOTTY (with Nick Sula), WOZ: A Rock Cabaret, and Life Is A Cabaret - The Music & Words of Kander & Ebb. Gryder has a B.A. in Theater from Texas Tech University. MeTV’s Green Screen Adventures earned him Daytime Emmy Awards in 2012, 2014, and 2015 for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup. www.thescottgryder.com
JOHN MARSHALL JR. | SPRINKLE
John is thrilled to be a part of this show for the Holidays! You might also currently see him on stage at the Mercury Theatre in Spamalot. He was nominated for a Jeff Award for his supporting role in YANK! A WWII Love Story (Pride Films and Plays). Other favorites include: Mamma Mia and Madagascar (Marriott Theatre); Hairspray (Paramount Theatre); West Side Story (Drury Lane Theatre); Big Fish, All Shook Up and Nice Work...(Theatre at the Center); Side Show, Memphis and A Chorus Line (Porchlight Music Theatre) and Annie (Fireside Theatre). Thanks to KaCee at DDO Artist Agency and love to Patrick! @john_marshall_jr
LINDSEY JANE BULLEN | TWINKLE
Lindsey is thrilled to be making her return to the stage with the cast and crew of Eleanor. She recently returned from Los Angeles where she was working in commercial music, releasing her EP ‘I’m For You’ as a singer-songwriter. Currently working on her first solo album ‘Turn Me Up’ with Lakeshore Records, Lindsey is excited to be getting back into the musical theatre community right here in Chicago, and so glad to be adding some magic to the holiday season for everyone who is here to share Eleanor’s story.
EMILY ROHM* | HOLLY/CLARA
Emily was last seen as Glinda/Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. She originated the role of Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone, and has performed that role off-Broadway at MCC Theatre (Lucille Lortel Award Nomination) as well as Chicago Shakespeare Theater, ACT Theatre/5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, and Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Other favorite roles include Mary Poppins (Paramount Theatre), Arminy in Carousel (Lyric Opera), Marian Paroo in The Music Man, Jane Ashton in Brigadoon (Goodman Theatre), Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Drury Lane Oakbrook), and Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Paramount Theatre). TV: Chicago Fire. She earned her B.A. in Music Theatre from Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Emily is also the owner of Röhm, a clothing design label that specializes in handmade bridal garments. Follow her @emilyrohm on Twitter and Instagram for updates and dark humor.
SYDNEY SWANSON | NOELLE
Fresh out of high school, Eleanor marks Sydney’s professional theatre debut. She is no stranger to the stage having performed in a host of community productions over the years including West Side Story, Almost Maine, and Legally Blonde. She is filled with gratitude and excitement as she and the rest of the ‘Eleanor’ family bring this story to life. She thanks her family and friends for their unwavering support and the Eleanor team for giving her this opportunity. She hopes the show will send holiday cheer into the hearts of many. Make Your Wish!
ERIN PARKER* | MRS. “COOKIE” CLAUS
Erin is so excited to bring Eleanor’s story to Chicago audiences! Select Credits: And Then There Were None (Drury Lane), Mary Poppins (Mercury Theatre) , Ring of Fire (1st National Tour), Martina McBride’s Joy of Christmas Tour. A Southern Illinois native, University of Evansville graduate, and former Resident Company Member at Barter Theatre in Virginia, Erin received the Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artists Fellowship Grant in Theatre and is a founding member of MAS Nashville (www.masnashville.com). Much appreciation to DDO Chicago and her favorite human, Matt Crowle.
www.erin-parker.com
KIM GREEN | SPARKLE
Kim is ecstatic to be spending the Holiday Season with Eleanor’s…Wish! Favorite Chicago credits: Amy in Little Women (BPBCo.); Bye Bye Birdie, White Christmas (Drury Lane); Mack & Mabel, City of Angels (Porchlight); Anything Goes (MTW); Mary Poppins (Mercury); 42nd Street (TATC); Sweet Smell of Success (Kokandy); Wicked City (CTW); The Producers, Victor/Victoria, SPAMALOT! (NightBlue); Legally Blonde (Big Noise). Regional credits: A Chorus Line (McLeod) and High School Musical (Broadway in the Dells). A huge thank you to the production team! Love to her family and friends, especially Brian, Leo and Senna for their endless support. www.GreenKim.com
DAVID TURRENTINE* | SANTA
David has been seen at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Elizabeth Rex, As You Like It, Hamlet, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, The Merchant of Venice, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Richard II, Antony and Cleopatra, The Tempest, Pericles, and Much Ado About Nothing. Other Chicago credits include Hamlet, She Loves Me, Arms and the Man and The Seagull at Writers Theatre. Regional credits include Richard III, Hamlet, Cymbeline, The Importance of Being Earnest, Pygmalion, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Love’s Labour’s Lost at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. Mr. Turrentine received his MFA in acting from the University of California, San Diego.
CLAIRE LATOURETTE | GLIMMER, U/S - SPRINKLE, TWINKLE and SPARKLE
Claire is thrilled to be spreading some holiday cheer this season! Favorite Chicago credits include You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Drury Lane Theatre), New Faces Sing Broadway 1964 (Porchlight Music Theatre), Spring Awakening (Blank Theatre Company), The Addams Family and All Shook Up (Williams Street Rep). BFA in Musical Theatre from the Conservatory at Roosevelt University. Co-founder/company member of Blank Theatre Company. Proudly represented by Stewart Talent. Love to her real & chosen family. www.clairelatourette.com.
CARA CHUMBLEY | SHIMMER, U/S - ELEANOR, COOKIE, CLARA and HOLLY
Cara is a Chicago-based actress and teaching artist. Originally from Moline, Cara has been performing in Chicago with Chicago Kids Company for 5 years in shows such as Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. She has been a teaching artist and director for Chicago Kids Company, Emerald City, and the Beverly Arts Center. This past summer Cara performed in productions of Sister Act, Disaster!, and Sweeney Todd at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in Grand Lake, Colorado. Cara would like to say thank you to her friends, family, Patrick, and her 20 lb. cat, Guinness- for all their love and support! Happy Holidays!
* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and Stage Managers in the United States.