Cast of Pray the Gay Away 2019

Pray the Gay Away® the musical cast headshots and bios. The premiere will run Nov. 8-24, 2019 at the Historic Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon, WA (USA).

CAST MEMBERS

Adia Bowen (Lisa)

Adia is thrilled to be a part of a Conrad Askland musical for the third time, following Pan the Musical as Tiger Lily and Romeo and Juliet the Musical as Juliet’s Understudy. Adia recently played The Witch in Into the Woods, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid with META Performing Arts. Adia studies classical voice and is a proud member of the Mount Vernon High School Choir program. She would like to thank her parents for always pushing her to be her best, and her grandparents for being her biggest fans.

 

Adrian Lane (Tyler)

Adrian will be a senior at MVHS as well as a freshman at SVC. He enjoys hiking in his free time and aspires to be a nurse and hopes to keep doing theatre throughout his life. His recent shows include A Chorus Line (SVC), Shakespeare In Love (ACT), Into The Woods (META), and The Little Mermaid (META).

 

Asia McDermott (Youth Pride)

Asia is a senior at Sedro-Woolley High School. They are always doing something theater related when the chance presents itself. Theater has been a part of Asia’s life for the past six years and every show has enriched their mind in some way. Asia is also on the Sedro-Woolley Speech and Debate team and does acting their as well. Asia views this musical as one of the only accurate stage representations for their LGBTQ+ community.

 

Benjamin Swain (Youth Pride Ensemble/Doctor)

Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana College. While there, he performed numerous roles with Louisiana College Opera Theater and Theater Louisiana College. Recent productions include Verdi’s Falstaff with Opera Colorado and Mamma Mia! with TAG. Benjamin is glad to be a part of the TAG community and is the resident ice cream maker.  He is very excited for this opportunity to help tell the story that is Pray the Gay Away. 

 

Brayden Bowman (Erik)

Brayden Bowman is extremely proud to be joining TAG for the first time in the cast of Pray the Gay Away. Brayden has performed for META Performing Arts in The Little Mermaid (Jetsam), Into the Woods (Jack) and in West Side Story (Pepe’). He is in the tenth grade and lives in Arlington, WA, with his family. In his free time, Brayden enjoys longboarding, spending time with friends, and with his puppy Bella. Brayden hopes to continue performing in productions by META and TAG in the future. Enjoy the show!

 

Bryce Ronhaar (Youth Pride, Little Bobby)

Bryce is a senior at Mount Vernon High School. This is his second production and he is overjoyed to be a part of the cast of Pray The Gay Away. He enjoys many musical past times and is an avid participant in his school’s choir program. He is a member of Synergy and a student director of Undertones.

 

Chandler Eichele (Church Ensemble, Dancer)

Chandler is beyond ecstatic to be a part of this show! His most recent appearances include Eddie (Mamma Mia!), & the Human Pin Cushion (Side Show). He has been involved in theatre for 6 years, & does everything from perform, to lights, to crew. He would like to extend a huge thank you to all of his friends, family, his coach Stewart Woods, & importantly, You for seeing this show! Prost! To friends to fun!

 

Clarence Wash (Narrator)

Having previously played Harry in Mamma Mia and Sir in Side Show, Clarence is honoured to be involved in an original TAG production that hits home for him personally. He is a production cook for the local Co-op as well as pianist for both Bay View United Methodist Church in Bay View and Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley. Clarence would like to dedicate his performance to two groups: The angels who have gone on before him who have been afraid, bullied, and tormented simply because they were being who God created them to be, themselves. And to those of various ages who feel they can’t be their true selves because of what others might say, think, or do.

 

Daisy Youngquist (Jingle Sister)

Daisy is 14 and a freshman at Mount Vernon High School.  Most recently Daisy acted as Kendra in BAAY’s production of 13 The Musical.  She also participated in META’s West Side Story, TAG’s Annie, and ACT’s Anne of Green Gables.  In her free time Daisy enjoys playing ukulele, learning about animals and making TikToks.

 

Don Brady (Harold)

Don is happy to be making his TAG debut in this serious comedy. He is a veteran of theatre, TV, radio, industrials, and film. In fact, he used to make a living as an actor. Great work if you can get it. He was last seen on a Skagit County stage as Watson in Hound of the Baskervilles at Anacortes Community Theatre. Special thanks to his amazing wife Sydney, awesome daughter Chloe, and dog Sparky.

 

Dulcey Whyte (Mildred)

Dulcey brings over 40 years of stage experience, most recently in TAG’s epic production of Mamma Mia and has enjoyed roles such as Mrs. Brill in TAG’s production of Mary Poppins and Sister Mary Hubert in ACT’s production of Nunsense. Another aspect of theatre she enjoys is directing productions like Boeing-Boeing, Inspecting Carol and HONK  for the Whidbey Playhouse and TAG. Being involved with this highly anticipated, original production of Pray the Gay Away is the “chance of a lifetime” for her, which would not be possible without the love and support of her husband Harry and family dontchya know!

 

Emily Abbott (Jingle Sister)

Emily is from the Wenatchee Valley and resides in Bellingham as a digital marketer. Performing brings her immense joy and she is so thankful for the community TAG has brought her. Emily studies voice with Holly Alcorn. Her favorite credit with TAG was Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Other roles include understudying Maria in The Sound of Music with Leavenworth Summer Theater this past summer and Betty in White Christmas with Bellingham Theater Guild.

 

Hailey Smith (Youth Pride)

Hailey is very excited to be taking part in her first production with TAG! She is a Junior at Western Washington University studying Business Management and Theatre. Her most recent shows include Hairspray, Bring It On: The Musical, and The Wedding Singer. In her free time, Hailey enjoys doing yoga, reading, and coaching dance at her former middle school.

 

Hannah York (Jingle Sister)

Hannah is 20 years old and is so delighted to be in another TAG show. She is very excited for her role as a Jingle Sister in Pray the Gay Away. She also sings with the SVC chamber and small vocal ensemble. Her most recent show was TAG production of Mamma Mia! at McIntyre hall.

 

Helen McPeak (Church Ensemble)

Helen is glad finally to have her role as Church Ensemble/Mother of the World/Prayer Warrior formally recognized. She sings and dances her way through the church into the world. Having missed out on musical theatre in high school, she’s making up for her responsible youth. Helen is delighted to be a part of bringing bold fun and thoughtful inclusivity together. Oh, and she is a wife, mother, and Episcopal priest.

 

Jennifer Jacobs (Youth Pride)

Jennifer is a mother, grandmother, veteran, and graduate of LaConner High School, The Evergreen State College, and Wayland Baptist University. She has performed with several bands in the Seattle area and participated in theater in both high school and college. Jennifer is thrilled to return to local theater and to work with so many talented, creative people to bring this original production to the stage.

 

Jenny Woods (Engebjorg)

Jenny is excited to be in her second TAG production, most recently seen onstage as Tanya in Mamma Mia! at McIntyre Hall. Past credits include Bellingham Theatre Guild’s productions of La Cage Aux Folles, Forum, Quilters,The Drowsey Chaperone, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Bellingham Music Club’s cabaret, Broadway Takes on Politics. When not rehearsing or performing onstage, she enjoys exercising, traveling, painting, and gardening. Thanks to the cast, crew, and TAG for this wonderful experience! Thank you Tom for your love and support!

 

Jocelyn Amouria (Jingle Sister)

Jocelyn is a 16 year old junior at Mount Vernon High School and a Freshman at SVC. She sings in concert choir at school and has done theatre for 4 years. She has been in 9 shows with some of her most recent roles being Granny in Into The Woods and Spider in James and the Giant Peach. When she’s not on stage or working she cuddles her cat Stormie and visits thrift shops.

 

Joe Bowen (Therapist)

Joe is a veteran of local theatre who first appeared for TAG in Blithe Spirit (1994). He also appeared in TAG’s A Christmas Carol, Romeo & Juliet, and 10th Anniversary Review. Joe has directed META’s Fiddler On The Roof, Pan – The Musical, and West Side Story. He practices law in Mount Vernon where he lives with his wife Lindsey and daughters Adia & Alex.

 

John Cal Rivera (Doctor/Youth Pride)

An avid crocheter and origamist, John Cal has worked as a chef, ukuleleist, sno-cat driver, and fitness instructor, and now splits his time between baking and freelance writing. He recently moved to the Skagit Valley after completing a year long road trip where he visited all 48 lower states. He studied speech and writing at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is currently working on a book about his travels.

 

Joshua Workman (Youth Pride)

Josh is currently a junior at Burlington Edison high school who has recently been doing theatre for 2 years now. This is the 3rd production he has ever been in, and it is his 1st production outside of high school. Josh loves singing, reading and playwriting in his spare time.

 

Katie Ramstead (Church Ensemble)

Katie is beyond excited to be part of PTGA as her fourth show with TAG! She’s recently been seen in Mamma Mia!, Side Show, and Beauty and the Beast. She is currently a senior at WWU about to graduate with her teaching degree. She would like to thank her amazing family and friends for their constant support and the Pray the Gay Away team for giving her the opportunity to be part of this important show.

 

Krista Blumenhagen (Jingle Sister)

Krista is a 23 year old actress born and raised in Skagit County. Krista has an associates degree from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in LA and NYC. This is Krista’s 4th show with TAG and she couldn’t be more excited to share this story with you. She would like to thank her parents for always supporting her, and her boyfriend Lou, for always being by her side.

 

Lacy Rae (Queenie)

Lacy is an 18 year old graduate from Mount Vernon High School. She has performed in numerous shows in the community such as CATS, Beauty and the Beast and A Chorus Line. She feels so lucky to be able to participate in such a beautiful and meaningful show. She hopes that this show sparks a passion for change in every audience member and that they leave with a feeling of hope. She would like to dedicate this performance to her sister Elsie who inspires her every day to make the world a better place.

 

Linnie Scott (Church Ensemble/Cookie Lady)

Linnie is a real live church lady, but the progressive kind. She has two fierce daughters and most days you can find her wrangling them or preschoolers at her day job. She loves to cook, read, sing, garden and smash the patriarchy. Pray the Gay Away is her first show in over twenty years.

 

Lonny Graff (Martin Luther)

Lonny has been in about 30 Community Theater productions. He has performed with ACT, SCAT, META and TAG. He started with Inherit the Wind at ACT in Anacortes. He has been in Paint Your Wagon for SCAT, Fiddler on the Roof with META and The Producers with TAG. He and his wife Terry were on stage together in Miracle on 34th Street and You Can’t Take It With You at ACT. Both of their sons have been on stage with Lonny. Lonny is a retired Boeing employee and Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He is also a Published Poet in several anthologies

 

Maddie Hamblen (Dance Captain)

Madelyn Hamblen has been dancing for 15 years with Skagit Valley Academy of Dance and has been teaching for about 3 years. She has always had a love for theater and is the current president of the Anacortes High School Drama Club. She was the assistant choreographer for TAG’s 2018 production of Annie. Madelyn feels very grateful for the opportunity to be involved in sending such an important message into the community

 

Marti Reinholtz (Youth Pride)

Marti is a 13-year-old 8th grader at Fairhaven Middle School in Bellingham. She has been involved in over 20 shows through her local theatre, BAAY, since she was 8 years old. She plays violin and takes voice lessons. This is her second TAG show after she was Pepper in Annie last year. She is overjoyed to be able to have worked with the amazing Pray the Gay Away cast and crew! Enjoy the show!

 

Matthew Woodworth (Youth Pride)

Matthew has been in many performances such as West Side Story, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Dragon Stole My Princess, Jungle Book, and many more! He used to take private voice lessons and sing in choirs. Acting has been his passion for a very long time and it only got stronger when my father, who was very into acting, passed away late 2018.

 

Michael Turner (Church Ensemble)

Michael is 14 and is a Freshman at Mount Vernon High School. Michael has had the opportunity to be in many TAG shows which include Mary Poppins, A Christmas Story, TAG’s 25th Anniversary, and Beauty and the Beast. He has also participated with META in Little Mermaid in which he played the role of Flounder. Michael is thrilled to be part of this show and part of this amazing cast.

 

Moses Marlin (Youth Pride)

Moses Marlin’s first production was King Arthur when he was only 9 months old, and ever since then has been in many productions with META such as Conrad Askland’s Romeo and Juliet the Musical, Cats, Fiddler on The Roof, Into the Woods, and many more! Moses also did theatre camp in Lenox, Massachusetts with Shakespeare and Company, lived in Brooklyn New York for a few years, and was in the Brooklyn Music School. This is Moses’ first time acting with TAG. Moses is a senior at Mount Vernon High School and is ready for what’s next in his life after high school!

 

Myles Doorn (Church Ensemble, Dancer)

After finishing his last show, playing Sky in Mamma Mia, Myles is back again with TAG to put on this incredible show. He is honored to once again work with the amazing Conrad Askland and excited to share this message with this talented team. He thanks his family, friends, and girlfriend for their endless support. He gives a shout out to Steve “The Hair” Harrington.

 

Nathan Esskew (Jerry)

 

Olivia Greso (Jingle Sister)

Olivia Greso is very excited to be a part of Pray the Gay Away and is thankful that she has such a supportive group of young women preforming with her as the Jingle Sisters. This is the 19th musical production that Olivia has been involved in, and she is proud of how much hard work has been put into the show by not only the cast, but the production team and the crew as well.

 

Ryan Mitchell (Church Ensemble, Perfect Son)

Ryan is a 17 year old Junior at MVHS, where he sings in Synergy, Undertones, and the choir. His first show was Meta’s production of West Side Story. He’s very excited to be in this production of Pray the Gay Away and looks forward to future theater appearances.

 

Sarah Amador (Youth Pride)

Sarah loves her cat, Jerry. Apart from him, she loves theater and music! This is her second show with TAG, and she is very happy and excited to be a part of Pray the Gay Away! Her most recent role was Ali in TAG’s Mamma Mia. This fall, Sarah plans to finish her AA and continue her education to become an architect! She would like to thank Jerry for his continuous support and love.

 

Sarah Bamba (Youth Pride)

Sarah Bamba performed in her first stage production in the 3rd grade. She has appeared in Meta Performing Arts’ Aladdin, Seussical the Musical, and Skagit Opera’s La Boheme to name a few. Her return to the PNW from Tucson where she studied Elementary Education at the University of Arizona has allowed her to continue her training with voice lessons and writers workshops. This Guamanian native now resides in Bellingham where she can read and write all day.

 

Shawn Steiner (Pastor)

Shawn is excited to bring his talent to the Historic Lincoln Theater. Previously Shawn has performed in the TAG productions of Mia Mamma (ensemble) and Sideshow (Terry Connor). Shawn works in construction and lives in Bellingham with his wife Victoria and his cat Pinot. You can find him most days hanging with his friends or enjoying a few craft brews. He is very thankful for all the love and support from his family and friends.

 

Sierra Jones (Jingle Sister)

Sierra is a twenty year-old who enjoys hiking, singing, playing guitar, and cooking vegan food! Her recent roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia! and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. She is very excited to be a part of PTGA and share such an important message with the community. Special thanks to her family, friends, Holly, and Myles for their encouragement, love, and overflowing support. 

 

Tim Brown (Peder)

Pray the Gay Away marks Tim’s 9th production with TAG over the past 18 years. He is deeply honored to have been given the opportunity to play a role in this beautiful show.  Not only has he been pining to be in a Conrad Askland original but being able to assist in the creation of such an important story has been truly humbling. Tim has recently been seen onstage as ensemble in META’s West Side Story, as Rooster in TAG’s Annie, and as the Beast in TAG’s Beauty and the Beast. He would like to thank his son Simon for being such an amazing inspiration.

 

Victoria Steiner (Church Ensemble, Bobby’s Mother)

Victoria is excited to be in her second show with the TAG family having previously been in the ensemble for Mamma Mia!. When not on stage Victoria enjoys being a cat parent with her husband Shawn, drinking wine with her besties, and reading a good book. She feels so lucky to be a part of this life changing show and can’t wait to share it with the community.