A CHRISTMAS TRADITION PLAYBILL | December 10 – 23, 2021
THE EARL AND RACHEL SMITH STRAND THEATRE PRESENTS
PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTED BY
SHANE DELANCEY
CHOREOGRAPHER
ZAC PHELPS
VOCAL DIRECTOR
SHANE SIMMONS
MUSIC DIRECTOR
TRAVIS COTTLE
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
& LIGHTING DESIGN
IMAN HINTON
SOUND DESIGN
TRENT WATSON
SET DESIGN
JOHNNY GRAVLEY
COSTUME DESIGN
DR. JUDY CANNON
COSTUME ASSISTANTS
JUDY GRINER
LAUREN WILSON
PRODUCTION
& STAGE MANAGER
MARSHALL LEE SMITH JR
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
KATHLEEN WATERS
CAST
HOST
Chris Saltalamacchio
Ensemble
Devon Szklanka
LE’KEE HORTON
RACHEL JARRARD
Erica Lloyd
Javier Mina
SHANE MURPHY
JACOB NIXON
BROOKLYN NORRINGTON
Jordan Wilkes
BAND
Guitar, Trumpet
Travis Allen Cottle
Keys
Kevin Sanders
Trombone, Percussion
Hollie Pritchard
Ryan Black
Erik Kofoed
Bass
Bill Pritchard
Drums
Danny Paschall
WHO’S WHO
CHRIS SALTALAMACCHIO (Host) is thrilled to return to The Strand after hosting ACT in 2018 and 2019, as well starring in Whose Wives Are They Anyway? as John Baker. An expert coach to Miss America contestants, he won the 2018 MAT Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical playing Aaron in First Date across the square at Marietta Theatre Company. Atlanta credits include Luther Billis in South Pacific and Corny Collins in Hairspray (City Springs), Murdoch in Titanic and Henry Ford in Ragtime (Suzi Bass Best Musical nominee, Serenbe Playhouse), Freddy in My Fair Lady and D’Arque in Beauty and the Beast (Lyric), and The Atlanta Opera. Other favorites in NY and elsewhere include the title roles in Jekyll & Hyde and Joseph…Dreamcoat, Bobby in Company, Birdlace in Dogfight, Jeff in [title of show], Marius in Les Miserables, Jon in tick, tick…BOOM!, and Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Merry Christmas! Follow @SeaSaltRun!
DEVON SZKLANKA (Ensemble) is excited for her debut at The Strand Theatre! Originally from Pennsylvania, Devon graduated from The University of the Arts where she majored in dance. Devon is a teacher and director of the competition team at Luma Dance and Acrobatics, as well as a NASM Certified personal trainer at AKT Fitness Studio in Inman Park. Credits include Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (Netflix), former NBA Dancer (2 Seasons with Atlanta Hawks), and Holiday Belles (Six Flags Over Georgia). Devon is grateful for all the support from her friends and family and is happy to share her passion on the stage. @devon.mariee
LE’KEE HORTON (Ensemble) is a senior Theatre & Performance Studies major at Kennesaw State University. While juggling school and performing, Kee is also a playwright with a specialty in dark comedy. Driven by an innate love for all things entertainment, Kee is thrilled to be a part of this production! He hopes the audience had as much fun as he will on stage!
RACHEL JARRARD (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on stage performing live and is honored to be debuting at The Strand Theatre. Her most recent stage credits include Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods (Distilled Theatre Company), Female Lead in Night Beats: Revamped (Busch Gardens Williamsburg), and Female Lead in Mysterio (Holiday World). Rachel grew up in Lexington, Ky. where she studied musical theatre and is excited to be back in Marietta where she was born. She is overwhelmed by the love and support from her family and friends! racheljarrard.com
ERICA LLOYD (Ensemble) is brand new to Atlanta and very excited to be singing and dancing with her castmates at The Strand this Christmas season! She moved here from Orlando where she worked at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Erica loved dancing in parades, performing in the castle stage shows, and meeting guests as famous Disney characters. Her favorite show credits at Disney World include Finding Nemo the Musical, Fantasmic, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, Frozen Sing-Along, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, Villains Unite the Night, and a Frozen Holiday Wish. She still sings and dances at Universal Studios in the Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees show at Diagon Alley. Prior to performing in Orlando, Erica grew up and worked in theater companies around Denver, Colorado. Her favorite roles there were Jean in Brigadoon, Liesl in The Sound of Music, the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Zaneeta in The Music Man. She spent her childhood studying ballet and tap, then went on to study broadcast journalism and theater in college. Erica moved to Atlanta to pursue television and film opportunities and is so excited to see what the city has to offer!
JAVIER MINA (Ensemble)is a senior at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, and is thrilled to be making his return to The Strand in A Christmas Tradition. Some of his favorite roles have been Claude Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and a Jukebox Giant in Jukebox Giants: Motown & More. Most recently, Javier performed in Dr. Fright’s Dead Man’s Party. Offstage, he loves to read and write for his blog. Javier feels so blessed and honored to be performing with this talented cast, and he thanks his family and friends for all of their support and love!
SHANE MURPHY (Ensemble)is a local actor/musician and a graduate of Troy University who moved to Atlanta to fulfill his dreams of acting professionally and constantly being stuck in traffic. He has been seen in shows such as Spring Awakening, Disaster the Musical (Onstage Atlanta), Peter and the Starcatcher (Act 3), and the Addams Family (Atlanta Lyric) and is thrilled to be making his Strand debut with A Christmas Tradition. He would like to thanks his friends and family for continuing to uplift him and hopes that no one will judge him too harshly for his impression of a reindeer.
JACOB NIXON (Ensemble) is an alumnus of the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and he is humbled and excited to be returning to The Strand stage for A Christmas Tradition! Being that this is one of his favorite times of year, he’s grateful to be a part of such a wonderful story. He was last seen as a featured dancer during Jukebox Giants: Motown and More!, and earlier this year as Cosmo Brown in the Springer Opera House’s outdoor production of Singin’ in The Rain. Credits include Newsies (MIke), Route 66!, A Chorus Line (Richie), Dreamgirls (Wayne/Little Albert) , Sister Act (TJ). and The Little Mermaid; with award-winning productions and performances of Pippin (Leading Player), Smokey Joes Café (Victor/Self), Chicago (Judge), and Hair (Hud); and regional premieres of RENT (Angel) and City Kid (Mikey). It’s his sincerest wish that this show brings a little extra joy to your holiday season, and wants to send a special thanks to his friends, family, cast and crew for making this passion of his feel extra special. Feel free to follow Jacob on social media. Facebook: facebook.com/jacobnxn Instagram: @jacobnxn Twitter: @jacobnxn tiktok: @jacobnxn
BROOKLYN NORRINGTON (Ensemble) is a senior at Kennesaw State University and is working towards earning her degree in Theatre and Performance Studies with a concentration in Musical Theatre. Set to graduate next spring, she hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in onstage and film acting and musical theatre performance. She is so excited to be a part of A Christmas Tradition, and is truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this amazing cast. She wishes everyone a safe and Happy Holiday, and Merry Christmas!
JORDAN WILKES (Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to The Strand to perform. She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University, where she earned a BM in Music Theatre. Credits include: MAMMA MIA! (CSTC), Side Show (OCU), On the Town (OCU), Seussical the Musical (OCU) Can’t Stop the Feeling (Six Flags Over Georgia). Jordan has also performed as a featured soloist for Home for the Holidays productions and Good Day Atlanta’s 2020 Christmas Special. In early 2022, she will set sail with Royal Caribbean International as a Lead Vocalist on Jewel of the Seas. She wants to thank her family and friends for all their love and support! @jordanwilkes
SHANE DELANCEY (Director) After creating and directing previous Strand productions Jukebox Giants: Motown & More! (2018, 2019, 2021), A Christmas Tradition (2017, 2018, 2019), and Let Freedom Ring (2009), Shane is thrilled to return to The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre for the 2021 production of A Christmas Tradition! Shane is currently the Entertainment Manager at Six Flags Over Georgia, where he produces several shows per year and has been recognized internationally for his award-winning productions. Shane is a ten-time Best Overall Production nominee by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) and a two-time recipient of the coveted award for his productions at Six Flags Over Georgia. In addition to The Strand, Shane has also regularly created original content for City Springs Theatre Company, Wilson Pickett Legacy, Davis Direction Foundation, Entertainment Design Group, The Entertainment Department and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Shane has previously served as an Adjudicator and Advisory Committee Member for the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards program and is a member of Cobb Arts VIBE.
ZAC PHELPS is an Atlanta based actor, director, and choreographer. He serves as Artistic Director for Marietta Theatre Company. Recent credits include: Toxic Avenger; First Date: The Musical; The Last Five Years; 9 to 5; Silence! The Musical. Zac was awarded the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre President’s Award for eleven nominations in theatre and three wins for: Best Supporting Actor (Jekyll and Hyde); Best Minor Supporting Actor (Great American Trailer Park Musical); Best Choreography (First Date: The Musical). He’s a self-proclaimed whiskey, coffee, and menswear connoisseur, dog owner, and Netflix junkie. His thanks go out to the cast and crew and love to Moses and Cash!
DR. JUDY CANNON (Costumer) lives in Smyrna and is the mother of two children, Christopher and Lindsey (an angel in heaven). She retired from the Cobb County School District after thirty three years of service. Dr. Cannon is currently a full time professor of Reading and College Success at Chattahoochee Technical College on the Marietta campus. She serves as a volunteer for the Miss Cobb County Scholarship Pageant. Dr. Cannon was named the 2014 Instructor of the Year for Chattahoochee Technical College. She loves being involved with production at The Strand.
MARSHALL LEE SMITH JUNIOR (
RON CARTER (Organist) is a sought after theatre organ concert and silent film accompanist playing in theaters throughout the southeast. He is the theatre organ consultant for Allen Organ Studios of Atlanta and the House Organist for the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta, Ga. He has been a member of The Strand Theatre Board of Trustees since its inception 16 years ago having served as Board Secretary for 13 of those years. He is past Chairman of the Board for the Marietta’s Pops Orchestra, the former President of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and a recipient of its 2009 Life Time Achievement Award, the American Theatre Organ Society’s 2009 Honorary Member award, and was recognized as Cobb’s 2010 Outstanding Instrumentalist. For over 50 years Ron has served five churches in a part time capacity as organist/Choir Director and is currently part of a team of organists who play for worship services at Marietta First Baptist Church. He is a retired Commander of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after serving 38 years in public law enforcement. Ron and his lovely wife Donna live in Marietta, Georgia and have one son, John, daughter-in-law Julie and two precious grand children, Abby and Jake!
WITH APPRECIATION
The Strand wishes to thank our sponsors, patrons, volunteers, and staff for their help in making this show a success.
E Smith Heating and Air
Downtown Marietta Development Authority
SA White
Georgia Council for the Arts
Manely Firm
City of Marietta
AT&T
Ed Voyles Automotive Group
Mazloom Law Firm, LLC
HLB Gross Collins
Kiwanis Club of Marietta Art Fund
K. Mike Whittle
LGE Community Credit Union
Zaxby’s
Gail Kumpf
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
O’Dell, O’Neal, Hungerford & Blanchard
Wendy Bunch AT Remax Pure
Tom Heyer at MOTO Mortgage
Fox Theatre Institute
Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Select Cobb
SPECIAL THANKS
Bravo Dance Center
Six Flags Over Georgia
K Mike Whittle
STAFF
Andy Gaines, General Manager
Manda Costoulas, Marketing Director
Chris DeLeo, Facilities and Events Director
Iman Hinton, Technical Director
Randy Gorod, Development Director
Camilla Sanders, Bar and Events Manager
Jackie Garvin, Box Office Manager
Debbie Hall, Accounting
Catherine Moulton, Head of Education
Jan Coots, Event Coordinator
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Kim Gresh, Chair
Debbie Abernathy, Secretary
Ralph Knight, Treasurer
Cassandra Buckalew, Facilities Chair
Tracy Styf, Strategic Planning Chair
Michele Swann, Nominating Chair
Stan Wise, Development Chair
Earl Smith, Trustee Emeritus
Wendy Bunch
Stewart Campbell
Ron Carter
Jay Cunningham
Bill Dunaway
Terri Guthrie
Stephen Imler
Dana Johnson
Carol Ann King
Karen Lockhart
Elizabeth Manning
Mazi Mazloom
Becky Paden
Mary Lou Stephens
Holly Tuchman
ADVISORY BOARD
Michael Bohling
Otis Brumby, III
Bill Bruton, Jr.
Katy Ruth Camp
Tammy Cohen
Mary Karras
Gail Kumph
John Loud
Kevin Moore
Holly Quinlan
Alice Summerour
HONORARY BOARD
The Honorable Roy Barnes
The Honorable Johnny Isakson
The Honorable Sam Olens
The Honorable Van Pearlberg
The Honorable Bert Reeves
The Honorable Mary Staley
The Honorable Steve “Thunder” Tumlin
Cassi Costoulas
Earl Reece
Vic Reynolds
Gene Weeks
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright law strictly limits the use of audio or video recording devices during any performance. No audio or vide recording device, whether or not in use, is permitted in the place of performance without prior permission of The Strand. Any person found in possession of any such device or recording will be required to leave immediately and without refund. Our enforcement of the copyright law protects you and us, but most importantly it protects the copyright of the owners and artists who have made our performance possible.
The historic Strand Theatre lights up the downtown Marietta square with live theatre, films, concerts, comedy, private events, and more.
© 2019 All rights reserved
EARL AND RACHEL SMITH STRAND THEATRE
117 North Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060
The Strand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
It is The Strand’s mission to provide cultural entertainment and education, preserve the historic landmark theatre, and promote economic development in the City of Marietta and Cobb County.