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BUY TICKETS
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
CAST BIOS
PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS
LEADERSHIP TEAM BIOS
2023 SEASON SPONSORS

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Whether it’s your first visit to the Addams Manor or you’ve strolled its haunted halls since childhood, I warmly welcome you to our rendition of “The Addams Family” *snap snap*. From their genesis in comic strips, progression to monochromatic television, transition to the silver screen, and last year the “Wednesday” series, the Addams legacy has left an undeniable mark on American culture spanning nearly a century. In curating this production, I wondered: what is the secret ingredient that grants the Addams their enduring charm? To truly unravel this, imagine spending a couple of hours with the family. Perhaps you’d be serenaded by musical interludes, guided by the Addams ancestors, engage in a fencing duel with Gomez, or even try feeding Morticia’s man-eating plant. For me, the answer lies in their unabashed embrace and exuberance for our intrinsic quirks. Despite their shadowy demeanor, the Addams Family embodies a clan of eccentrics and outcasts who champion unwavering loyalty and love. Their propensity for the peculiar isn’t merely tolerated—it’s celebrated. As you immerse yourself in our show, I invite you to rediscover the unique “darkness” within, and ardently champion it. For within our peculiarities, our true radiance shines.

 

-Alli Franken

CAST

Jason Philip Solís (GOMEZ ADDAMS) earned their Bachelors of Music Education from Southern Methodist University and, for the last 15 years, has music directed/performed all over the metroplex! Some of their favorite roles include: Taxi Driver from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (MainStage), Dr. FrankNFurter from Rocky Horror (OhLook), Matron Mama Morton from Chicago (OhLook), Bud Davenport from Gutenberg! the Musical (TART), Mr. Applegate from Damn Yankees (TART), Uncle Fester from Addams Family (GPAC) and Ms. Trunchbull from Matilda (GPAC). Their Firehouse stage credits include Once on this Island, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Wizard of Oz, In the Heights, Beauty and the Beast, and Spamalot. Thank you to my family who have been so supportive of me in all of my endeavors, and to the Fancy Supper Club from whom I keep nothing. Instagram: @canweduet.

Georgia Fender (MORTICIA GOMEZ) is thrilled to be back at The Firehouse in this kooky show. She was previously seen at The Firehouse as Ms. Trunchbull in Matilda. Other favorite credits include Queen Elizabeth I in The Lost Colony, Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Dells Palace), Marlafaye in Savannah Sipping Society (Millbrook Playhouse), and Witchie in Love at First Fright (Six Flags Over Texas). Thanks so much to Alli, Molly, Billy, and Owen for this wonderful experience and thanks to this cast for being so creepy and kooky and just wonderful!

Delaney Wenger (WEDNESDAY ADDAMS) (she/her) is a local actor and instructor in the DFW area, and is thrilled to be back on the Firehouse stage where she was last seen in Catch Me If You Can. Some of her favorite credits include: Lizzie: The Musical (Lizzie Borden), Grease (Sandy), Legally Blonde (Vivianne Kensington), and [title of show] (Heidi). As an instructor, Delaney has worked with several theatres including Granbury Theatre Company and Casa Mañana as well as serving on creative teams for many children’s productions. She will continue her passion for working in children’s theatre by music directing The Firehouse’s upcoming production of Finding Nemo JR! She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance con. Musical Theatre from Baylor University. She would like to thank each of you for supporting live local theatre and encourages you to keep bringing your families to support the arts in DFW and beyond!

Wyatt Hartz (PUGSLEY ADDAMS) is thrilled to be back on stage at The Firehouse Theatre where he previously appeared as the Baker in Into the Woods Jr. Wyatt was most recently seen as Evan Goldman in 13 the Musical at North Texas Performing Arts. Other favorite past roles include: Friedrich von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Boy Scrooge and Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center); LeFou in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Les in Newsies Jr. (North Texas Performing Arts); and Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr. and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins (Breitling Performing Arts). Wyatt would like to thank Alli Franken and the entire production team for this amazing opportunity!

Grant Hollowell (UNCLE FESTER) is a proud Red Raider, and currently works as a landscape designer around the metroplex. He is also a founding member of improvised musical comedy teams at Stomping Ground and Dallas Comedy Club. Previous Firehouse productions include Catch Me if You Can, Spamalot, and Newsies. Grant would like to thank The FSC and Mango for their endless support, and also his parents for his dimples and great head of hair.

Andi Allen (GRANDMA) Her many Firehouse roles include Flo Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Berthe in Pippin, Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, and Madame Dubonnet in The Boyfriend. Other DFW credits include Eulalie Shinn in The Music Man (Garland Summer Musicals), Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Level Ground Arts), Charlotte in A Little Night Music (Theatre Frisco), and Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Theatre Three). Also a busy director, she’s staged shows throughout DFW, such as The Divine Sister (Uptown Players) and Nunsense (Garland Civic Theatre). In January, she becomes Theatre Frisco’s new Artistic Director.

Christopher Ryal (LURCH) is thrilled to return to The Firehouse Theater in The Addams Family after his performance as Karl the Giant in Big Fish. His versatile credits across DFW include roles like Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Shem in Children of Eden, Snyder in Newsies, and Professor Bhaer in Little Women. By day, Chris shares his passion as an elementary school teacher in Denton ISD. He would like to thank his friends and family for their unwavering support and encouragement!

Hunter Lewis (MAL BEINEKE) is thrilled to return to The Firehouse Theatre after having been seen in last season’s Catch Me If You Can and this season’s Saturday Night Fever. Regional: Music Man (Ewart Dunlop/Quartet); Titanic: The Musical (John Thayer); Bonnie & Clyde (Bud Russel/others); The Full Monty (Teddy/others); Something Rotten (Brother Jeremiah); The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho). Workshops/Concerts/Special Performances: Quanah with Larry Gatlin (Lyric Stage); Hope in the Heartland (Masters Music); Alexander’s House (TCC/Uptown Players); Film: Bottle Rocket (dir. Wes Anderson). Hunter would like to thank this wonderful production team, Owen, Ally, Fancy Supper Club, his co-workers and family. Sic ‘Em (B.A./J.D.).

Hilary Evitt Allen (ALICE BIENEKE) marks her lucky 13th Firehouse show with The Addams Family! She has appeared here as Mayor of Bikini Bottom in The SpongeBob Musical, Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda, Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone (2020 revival), Aunt Em/Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, and Tessie Tura in Gypsy, among many others. Hilary made her Runway Theatre debut earlier this year as Jackie Noelle in Disaster. She supports her acting habit working at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and is a proud Dallas Stars fan and fur mom to three precious dogs. Hilary sends love and thanks to her Firehouse director/actor husband, Kris.

Dylan Ciminna (LUCAS BIENEKE) is absolutely ecstatic to be performing with this incredible cast! Some of his notable credits include Ed Boone (The Curious Incident Of The Dog in The Nighttime), Uncle Fester (The Addams Family), for which he won a Betty Lynn Buckley Award, Squidward Tentacles (The SpongeBob Musical) and most recently he portrayed Lumiere (Beauty and The Beast). Dylan would like to thank his family and friends for everything and he hopes you all enjoy the show!

Emily Denner (ANCESTOR) is absolutely ecstatic to be performing with this incredible cast! Some of his notable credits include Ed Boone (The Curious Incident Of The Dog in The Nighttime), Uncle Fester (The Addams Family), for which he won a Betty Lynn Buckley Award, Squidward Tentacles (The SpongeBob Musical) and most recently he portrayed Lumiere (Beauty and The Beast). Dylan would like to thank his family and friends for everything and he hopes you all enjoy the show!is thrilled to be making her debut at The Firehouse Theatre! She recently graduated from UTA with her Bachelors in Musical Theater and a Minor in Dance. Most recently, she was seen as the Beggar Woman in UTA‘s production of SWEENEY TODD. Naturally, it only makes sense for her next role to be a crazy and fun ancestor! Emily would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support throughout her theatrical journey! @emilydenneractor

Logan Hanson (ANCESTOR) is thrilled at this opportunity to work with the wonderful cast and crew here at The Firehouse Theatre! He is an Iowa native who recently earned his BFA in Theatre (Acting) from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. His most recent credits include When the Clock Strikes 13 (a piece devised for Millikin’s Children’s Show series) and 42nd Street at Garland Summer Musicals. He’d like to thank his family and his girlfriend, Maggie, for their love and support as well as all these crazy, happy people who have welcomed him into the DFW theatre community. Enjoy the show!

Lisette Sandoval Perez (ANCESTOR) is absolutely excited to be working with The Firehouse again! Lisette is a Dallas native and a Theatre teacher. She graduated from Texas State University in 2021 with a BFA in Theatre. Some of her TXST credits include: Soledad in Blu and Rosa in Lydia. Lisette’s notable DFW credits include: Spamalot (Ensemble), Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble), The Drowsy Chaperone (Ensemble), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Rent (Mimi), Othello (Bianca), and Crystal City 1969 (Blanca). Lisette has also been able to make her AD debut with Junior Players in their productions of As You Like It and Crowns of Power: Henry IV. She would like to thank Eduardo Castrejon and Diego Guevara for always being so supportive and filled with light. Thank you to Ally, Billy, Hannah, and Owen for being so amazing and trusting!

Payton Reeves (ANCESTOR/MORTICIA U/S) is very honored to be making her debut with The Firehouse Theatre in The Addams Family. Payton was recently seen as Rizzo in Grease (Rockwall Summer Musicals) and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Artisan Center Theatre). Her favorite roles include Doralee in 9 to 5, the Musical (Garland Summer Musicals) and Alice in Bright Star (East Dallas Arts). She graduated from Abilene Christian University with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance and is currently a Middle School Theatre teacher at her alma mater where she first discovered her love for theatre in 8th grade. Payton would love to thank the wonderful cast and crew of The Addams Family, her incredible family for encouraging her to follow her dreams, and her amazing husband, Charlie. Enjoy the show!

Danielle Smith (ANCESTOR/WEDNESDAY U/S) is excited to be back at the The Firehouse Theatre with this spooky, kooky cast! She has also recently performed here in Newsies (Jojo) and Hello, Dolly! (Ensemble). Danielle graduated summa cum laude from Texas Christian University (go frogs!) with her BFA in Musical Theatre. Favorite credits include; Dainty June in Gypsy! at Mainstage Irving/Las Colinas, Kitty in the Drowsy Chaperone at The Hopeful Theatre Project, and Elf the Musical (Ensemble / Tap Corps) at the Lakewood Theatre Center, in her hometown Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Maximilian Swenson (ANCESTOR) is a recent graduate at UT Arlington with a BFA in Performance and a minor in Dance. He is excited to be working with The Firehouse Theatre! His favorite roles include Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof”, William Barfeé in “Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and London Downey in “A Few Good Men”. He would like to thank his friends, family and dogs for their constant support and love. Enjoy the show! maxswenson.com

PRODUCTION TEAM

Alli Franken (DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER) is thrilled to be making her directorial debut at The Firehouse Theatre! Alli has a BFA in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis from TCU, where she focused her honors thesis on Musical Theatre Dance and Choreography. Recent credits include Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur) at Casa Manana, The Sound of Music (Assistant Director/Understudy), Clue (Assistant Director/Understudy), and Into the Woods (Associate Director) at Dallas Theater Center, Manic Monologues (Co-Choreographer/Associate Director) at Watertower Theatre, Black Comedy (Carol) at Theatre Arlington, Beauty and the Beast (Associate Director/Choreographer), Legally Blonde (Associate Director/Choreographer) and Matilda (Acrobat/Dance Capt) at The Firehouse Theatre, and Puffs (Sally/Others) at Imprint Theatreworks. She’s choreographed for Six Flags’ Holiday in the Park and Grand Prairie Arts Council’s The Wiz, as well as completed Frantic Assembly’s TRAIN movement program. She’s also worked closely with Circle Theatre, Amphibian Stage, Garland Summer Musicals, and Prism Movement Theatre. Huge thanks to Billy, Nicole, Owen, Molly, Hannah, Maggie, Esteban, and Logan for their amazing contributions!

Billy Betsill (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) is delighted that you have chosen to come visit the Family. Locally, he has also worked with Theatre Three, IMPRINT Theatreworks, Pocket Sandwich Theatre, Pegasus Theatre, Runway Theatre, Mainstage ILC, and others. When he’s not working on scripted works, he stays busy with stand-up comedy, improv comedy and musical improv with Please Sing Already (IG: pleasesingalready). Come check them out! When not at the theater, he’s busy running his residential remodeling company KS Construction Group. He sends many thanks to Alli for this unforgettable opportunity. Also, thanks to the cast, crew, and the Firehouse team. 

Hannah Tolle (STAGE MANAGER) is excited to be back at The Firehouse for Addams Family! Hannah has previously stage managed The Firehouse Theatre’s productions of Newsies, Saturday Night Fever, Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast, The Spongebob Musical, Catch Me If You Can, Big Fish, Bright Star: Concert Version, Elf The Musical, and A Year With Frog and Toad. Hannah is a Farmers Branch native and graduate of RL Turner High School where she also stage managed many productions. She has also spent time as a production assistant on many a set in Los Angeles. Thank you to Michael and Esteban for being an amazing crew.

Esteban Vilchez (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER)

Dayna Dutton (COSTUME DESIGNER) has worked with The Firehouse Theater as the Resident Costume Designer extraordinaire since fall 2021. In her two years at The Firehose Theatre, she designed Newsies, Saturday Night Fever, Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast, Catch Me If You Can, and Legally Blonde. To name a few of her favorites. Also, she has designed for Arise Acting Studio; this summer, she did Willy Wonka and Anastasia, which had a cast of 51 amazing kids. Dayna is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts emphasis in costume design. Dayna is grateful for the continued love and support of her husband and three incredible and fantastic children. She is thankful to God, and all friends that have helped her grow in her passion!

Destini Spraggins (LIGHTING DESIGNER)

Michael Marbry (SOUND DESIGNER) is excited to be returning to The Firehouse Theatre. Previous shows he’s worked on include Newsies, Saturday Night Fever, Catch Me If You Can, The SpongeBob Musical, Bright Star, Once on this Island, Oswald, and Cats. He studied theatre technical design at the University of North Texas graduated in Spring of 2022. He would like to thank Owen Beans for giving him the opportunity to work this production.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

David R. Moore, MBA (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) (he/him) David has been Executive Director at The Firehouse Theatre since 2014 assisting with vision, strategy, structure, management, fundraising, and marketing relationships. He serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors, as well as on the Strategic Planning, Funds Development, Education, Finance, and Governance Committees. For over 30 years he served as a corporate executive at The Bonneau Company, Fossil, Inc., and Visionworks, and currently provides consulting services to various clients. He also serves on the Arts & Culture and Comprehensive Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committees for the City of Farmers Branch, as well as on the Advisory Board of The Warehouse Ministry in Georgia. He holds a BBA and MBA in Marketing and Management from Dallas Baptist University. David and his wife Cindy have lived in Farmers Branch for over 50 years and are blessed with three children, their spouses, two precious granddaughters and two fabulous grandsons.

Owen Beans (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER) (he/him) Owen is an Actor, Director, and Producer for theater and film. He served on The Firehouse Theatre Advisory Board from 2014-2021 and has been the Associate Producer, overseeing all programming at The Firehouse, since September of ’21. He has directed The Firehouse’s smash hit production of Catch Me If You Can, alongside his wife, Ally and co-directed The Firehouse Jr production of Into The Woods JR. As an actor, he’s been seen on stages in New York City, as well as prominent theaters across the country including Surflight Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, The Legacy Theatre, Cortland Rep, Casa Manana, and Dallas Children’s Theatre. Pre-pandemic he appeared as part of the inaugural tour cast of Kinky Boots aboard the Norwegian Encore. Additionally, Owen has worked as a Theatre Educator, Director, Music Director, Wardrobe Supervisor, Casting Assistant, and Dramaturg. He has also served as a producer on the short film Love as well as the upcoming Show Cat. Currently/Upcoming: Swing in Into The Woods (Dallas Theater Center), and co-directing Saturday Night Fever (The Firehouse). Owen holds a BFA in Theatre from Abilene Christian University and is a member of Actors Equity Association. Love to Ally. @OwenBeans. www.owenbeans.com

Claire Boschert (OPERATIONS & ADMIN MANAGER) (she/her) is a Dallas-based stage manager and theater maker. She is excited to be a part of the Firehouse team! She graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas in 2021. She has previously stage managed I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change (Theatre 3), Women of Troy (Cry Havoc), The Laramie Project and Silent Sky (Rice Players), and The Importance of Being Earnest and As You Like It (Rice Visual and Dramatic Arts Department). Claire grew up in Lewisville and loves getting to make theater in her hometown! She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.

Shawna Robinson (PATRON SERVICES & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR) (she/her) Shawna started as a Firehouse volunteer back in 2018, and loved it so much that she joined the team in 2022 as the theatre’s Patron Services and Volunteer Coordinator. She holds a dual degree in Finance and Marketing and has extensive experience in sales, promotions, and investments. She has spent the last eleven years raising and homeschooling her children and working in a volunteer capacity on various event coordinating and children’s theatre projects. Her acting resume includes the important role of Angel #2 in her middle school’s Christmas production. She hopes you will fall in love with this theatre like she did and support its commitment to bringing the arts to our community.

Logan Uhtenwoldt (HEAD OF TECHNICAL THEATRE) (he/him) is a local technical theatre artist. He is an alumni of the University of Miami and Miami University with a background in set design, lighting design, and scenic construction. Before joining Firehouse, Logan was most recently the Technical Production Manager for House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soiree (Meyer2Meyer Production). He is thrilled to be the newest member of the Firehouse staff!

Maggie Sproul (PRODUCTION & TECH ASSISTANT) (she/her) is passionate about helping to create theatre magic! Spring of 2022, during her first show back after college, she fell in love with the art all over again. Maggie has enjoyed learning more about technical theatre as she steps into her leadership role here at The Firehouse Theatre. She uses her creative skills to help bring the director’s vision to life with scenic design and costumes. Maggie grew up acting, costuming, stage managing and scenic designing for a local children’s theatre and could have never imagined the privilege to turn her passion into a career.

The Firehouse Theatre gratefully acknowledges major support from:
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