Sixties Kicks – Cast & Band

Antonía Darlene, Vocalist

Antonía Darlene always loves to work at Harlequin Productions. She has played Cleo Jackson in the Stardust series (2006, 2007 and 2009) and she was in Soul on Fire (2007). She has been seen recently in Rent at Tacoma Musical Playhouse and A…My Name Will Always Be Alice at the Redwood Theatre in Redmond. Other credits include Showboat, AIDA and Saint Heaven at The Village Theatre, Minty at BookIt Rep and Ragtime at TMP. She has been Rusty in Footloose, Esmeralda in Hunchback of Notre Dame, Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, Joanne in Godspell, and Charlaine in Ain’t Misbehavin’. She can be seen next in Hairspray at the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre in Idaho. Antonía would like to thank God for making everything possible and her little brothers, Trevor, Sadat and Jace for being her best critics!

Kate Dinsmore, Vocalist

Kate is an Olympia native. She is currently working toward her BFA in Musical Theatre through the Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma. Her University credits include Ensemble in Baby, Ensemble in A Chorus Line, and Smitty in How to Succeed in Business. Kate has been a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Pops Chorale, as well as a featured vocalist for two years with the OU Jazz Ensembles. She has been seen in several shows with Capital Playhouse’s KAP program, including Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast this past summer. Kate is excited to be a part of her first show with Harlequin Productions, and would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support.

Michael Lengel, Vocalist

Having participated in numerous musical and theater projects, Michael is thrilled to combine the two to make his musical theater debut at Harlequin Productions. He began acting in high school, but began playing music at age 9 and is now a singer/songwriter. A Pennsylvania native, Michael moved to Seattle in 2008 after earning his BA in English Literature from Mansfield University. He has directed shows at Sacajawea Elementary and coaches high school football. Mike would like to thank his family and friends for never letting him quit... ever.

Alison Monda, Vocalist

Alison is thrilled to be part of such an incredible cast and crew. Recent credits include the Witch in Into the Woods with Lakewood Playhouse, Miranda in My Terrible Aunt with CenterStage, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with ART, Poona in Poona the F*ck Dog with Theatre Artists Olympia, Maureen in the regional premiere of Rent at Tacoma Musical Playhouse and touring as Vicki in Talk about Stuff with Open Door Theatre’s NW tour. Thanks to family, friends and Matt Posner, the best fiancé in the world!

Matthew Posner, Vocalist

Matt has a BA in Musical Theatre from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where he resided for 20 years. He has traveled the country on the National Tour production of Camelot as Lancelot with Candlewood International, as well as numerous, regional venues including Village Theatre (Show Boat; Gypsy King). Most recently, he was seen as Robby Hart in Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s production of The Wedding Singer, but for the past few months has been getting to watch everyone else perform working in the Casting Department for the 5th Avenue Theatre. Favorite roles have included, Mark in Rent with Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Buddy Foster in Side Show with Capital Playhouse, and Capt. Von Trapp in The Sound of Music with Lyric Light Opera. This is Matt’s third production this year with his (soon to be) wife Alison, whom he loves more than anything he just wrote. Thanks as well to the Arecchi’s, and Matt #1.

David Broyles, Guitar

David is a self-taught axeman who excels in a wide variety of styles and has been applying his craft in the Northwest music scene for over 20 years. He has played with the funk groups Sweatband and Mother’s Friends and the swing group The Hot Five. His current group, Jam Camp, released its second CD to glowing reviews. Past Harlequin shows include Dancin’ in the Streets, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Pippin, Assassins, Forever Stardust, Swingtime Stardust, Stardust for Emily Jean, Tapestry and A Rock ‘n’ Roll Twelfth Night. Live Music Is Best!

Rick Jarvela, Bass

Rick has played classical and jazz string bass and blues and rock electric bass in the Puget Sound area since 1978. He has played with the Tacoma Symphony, Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, Sweatband, Mood Swing, Size 3 and The Hot Five. His Harlequin credits include Let the Good Times Roll, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Pippin, Assassins, A Rock ‘n’ Roll Twelfth Night, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Tapestry, Dancin’ in the Streets, Soul on Fire!, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sixties Chicks and so many Stardusts that he’s lost count! Rick is currently coaching the bass section of SOGO as well as performing as a freelance bassist and teaching private lessons.

Maria Joyner, Drums

Maria is an active musician and educator in western Washington. She serves on the music faculty at Pacific Lutheran University and Saint Martin’s University. She received a Bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas and earned a Masters in Music Education and Performance from the University of Washington. Her past Harlequin credits include Dancin’ in the Streets, Dancin’ in the Aisles, Soul on Fire and A Stardust Homecoming. Maria has performed in the Northwest as well as venues across the country including The Kennedy Center and the Jazz Educators National Conference in New York City. She can be seen playing with local groups such as The Seattle Womens Jazz Orchestra, The Emerald City Jazz Orchestra, and the PLU Regency Jazz Ensemble.

Brad Schrandt, Keyboard/Horns

Brad received his BA in music performance from Winona State University, MN in 1995. He has been an Olympia transplant since 1997, teaching private lessons and fronting bands with genres as varied as soul, fusion, rock, country, and jazz. Although saxophone is his primary instrument, Brad considers himself a multi-instrumentalist; he plays and teaches woodwinds as well as bass, drums, piano, and guitar. Brad is also known locally for organizing band and ensemble projects that teach teens and adults the skills of composing and arranging music for public performances. An active performer and music educator in the Olympia/Lacey community, Brad currently serves as a clinician for several local schools and is a band director and lecturer at Saint Martin’s University. For more information, check out www.bradschrandt.com

Bruce Whitney, Keyboards / Musical Director

Bruce writes software by day but can’t seem to shake the need to immerse himself in the music of Harlequin. He has composed over twenty scores for plays and has written the music for two musicals: The Incredible Undersea Trial of Joseph P. Lawnboy and A Rock ‘n’ Roll Twelfth Night. He has musically directed over a dozen shows, including several Stardusts, Rocky Horror, A Rock ‘n’ Roll Twelfth Night and all the Harlequin-original summer rock tributes. On that “note,” he sends out extreme thanks to all the local musicians and area singers who have helped make him look as if he actually knows what he’s doing! And thanks to Bonnie for all her love and patience!