Cast & Crew Bios
ROSE BEACH (Sound & Projections Op) is excited to be back for their second Play-by-Play production! A soprano and multi-instrumentalist, they moved to Green Bay last year for their work with the Billboard-charting classical crossover trio REGINA (formerly Tre Principesse). When Rose isn't onstage or backstage, they're usually crocheting or at the park with their dog Adora. rosemaemusic.com
LYLE BECKER (Bernhardt) is exited, grateful and humbled to be involved in telling this powerful story. If you’ve followed local theater these last 45 years or so, you have probably seen him on the stage. Thanks to all the talented, hard working and wonderful people who’ve helped bring this story to life. As always, many thanks to line coach and wife, Michele.
LUCAS BRUNETTE (Joseph) is so excited to be returning to the stage in Play-by-Play’s production of Lincoln and Liberty Too! Some of his recent roles include Jack in Into The Woods, Sonny in Xanadu, and Sky in Mamma Mia!. Outside of theater, Lucas is a server/bartender at Plank Road Plate + Pour, and he graduated from NWTC this week! He would like to thank his family and friends for always being so supportive and he hopes you enjoy the show!
JOE EHLINGER (Father Wendel) has sung and soloed with Master Chorales in Los Angeles and Atlanta and currently is a proud member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. While he has been blessed to work with many incredible conductors and directors, he’d like to recognize the impact that Rev Guy Guyon and Dudley Birder had on his love of musical theater. Joe would like to thank Play-by-Play for the opportunity to help bring this story to life.
MARY EHLINGER (Composer/Director) has had a varied career in the entertainment business: actress, pianist, composer, music director, director. A member of ASCAP, her music has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Broadway’s Tony Award event “Stars in the Alley,” and at Carnegie Hall with the NY Pops. Thanks to the shutdown, this collaboration with her brother Ralph finally became a reality.
RALPH EHLINGER (Book & Lyrics) Ralph's first world premiere was his one-act play The Planets, performed at the annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner in St. Philip’s church basement in 1948. That script and the glowing reviews have been lost. Thanks to Mary’s magical music and the way this unbelievably talented cast is making his words come alive, he is confident that Lincoln & Liberty Too will be more durable. He is already working on the next one.
ELIZABETH JOLLY (Stage Manager) hails from Abrams, WI where she is very involved as an actor and director in her local community theater: Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. She graduated from St. Norbert College with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies and Classical Studies and following that completed a conservatory program in acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. Her next projects include The Father with Theatre Z and Macbeth with Play-by-Play.
WILL KNAAPEN (Capt. Walker) is a Green Bay local who began acting in school and church plays as a child. Recently, he has been in productions with Play-by-Play Theatre and Abrams Spotlight Productions. He is playing Captain Charles H. Walker, a real-life person who served on the Wisconsin State Assembly and as a judge in Manitowoc County, when he resigned to volunteer to serve in the Union Army.
CASSIDY MACARTHUR (Props Mistress) is a recent graduate of UWGB with over 13 years of theater experience, but this is her first time on a brand new show! Working with the cast and crew has been absolutely wonderful, and she’s so excited for the audience to see their hard work. She’d also like to send a special shout out to Robert Kramer and Rochelle Van Erem for getting her involved!
MOLLY MAHER-LUCARELI (Choreographer) is thrilled to be back with PbP! She played Dust in Belles, and was choreographer for their productions of Romeo and Juliet and tick, tick... BOOM!. Recent credits include Singin' in the Rain (Kathy Seldon), Curtain Rises Again (Featured Ensemble), and Sondheim on Sondheim (Featured Ensemble) with SNC Summer Stage. Molly also enjoys working each summer with SNC Next Stage as assistant choreographer!
KAARA McHUGH (Jennie) A native of Massachusetts, Kaara has performed in the U.S. and Europe. Some favorite roles: Maria Von Trapp (The Sound of Music), Christine Colgate (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Johanna (Sweeney Todd), and Ulla (The Producers). Kaara was the soprano soloist for the Beethoven Mass in C with the Dudley Birder Chorale, soprano soloist for the Allouez Village Band, Della in Play-by-Play’s The Gift of the Magi, and will be playing Eulalie Shinn in SNC Summer Theatre’s upcoming production of The Music Man. She and her husband Ben Olejniczak are both voice teachers at Studio 12.
AMANDA MEO (Magdalen) feels so lucky and privileged to have been invited to participate in this show after having read for Clara in the Lincoln & Liberty Too reading last spring! Amanda has been a familiar face in the Green Bay theatre scene, but this will be her first production with Play-by-Play. She would like to thank Twila, Bill, Savanna, and Alex for their support and dedicates her performance to her daughter, Catherine.
BEN OLEJNICZAK (Peter) is a performer and voice teacher associated with Studio 12 School of Music, the University of Green Bay, and Green Bay East High School. Recent engagements include The Gift of the Magi with Play-by-Play Theatre, Music Director of If/Then at UWGB, and Music Director of I Sincerely Doubt That This Old House is Very Haunted with Evergreen. He is excited for the opportunity to perform this Lincoln and Liberty in full!
AARON REYNOLDS (Union Soldier) is from Chicago, IL and graduated from St. Norbert College with a degree in Vocal Performance. In addition to the very first reading of Lincoln and Liberty Too (2021), he has joined Play-by-Play in Return to the Forbidden Planet (2018), Words Words Words (2020), and an episode of Inspecting Shakespeare (2022). He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant love and support! Let Love Lead, and Drag is NOT a Crime.
Rachel Richards (String Bass) is honored to be joining Play-by-Play Theatre in this original production of Lincoln & Liberty Too. An Appleton, WI native, Rachel wears many hats as a musician and educator. Her most recent pit orchestra projects include Jesus Christ Superstar (Kimberly HS) and Fun Home (UW-Oshkosh, Fox Cities). She has a passion for community music-making and looks forward to seeing you in the views from her stand! "Thank you for supporting us!"
LEVI SCHUMACHER (Ferdinand) At 22-months-old, Levi is thrilled to make his stage debut with Play-by-Play Theatre! He has, however, enjoyed putting on puppet shows at his local library and having dance parties in the kitchen with mama, dad, and big brother, Wilson. Levi enjoys Elmo, trains, using utensils, somersaults, and doing anything Wilson is doing. He also does a mean impression of a duck, cow, and angry bird. “Thanks for the opportunity!” - Levi, probably.
WILSON SCHUMACHER (Nicholas) is excited to add a show to his growing list of performances. He was featured in two Christmas concerts at Peace Christian Preschool, and their recent 4K Joke Theatre, (where he confidently shared a hilarious joke about a locomotive!). Wilson loves trucks of any kind, digging for worms, walleye fishing with dad, and art projects. He enters kindergarten this fall and can’t wait to tell his school friends about his wonderful experience with Play-by-Play!
CAROLYN SILVERBERG (Woman/Violin/Asst. Director) is ecstatic to see this musical on its feet after reading early drafts and hearing compositions in progress during covid's early days. It has been a privilege to play a part in the creation of this piece, from playing “Michael” (her great-great grandfather) in the reading last spring to brushing up on the violin. In addition to being a proud cat mom to Tybalt, Carolyn is also a proud dual-citizen of Luxembourg. For dad, always -- he'd love this one. carolynsilverberg.com
SAMANTHA TREVARTHAN (Clara) As a 5th grader at Langlade Elementary, Samantha is looking forward to more musicals as she heads into middle school at Lombardi. She has performed in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and a small summer production before that. Samantha loves performing, singing, art and soccer!
TOMMY VANDERVELDAN (Michael) is delighted to join the cast and crew of Lincoln and Liberty Too. He has been active in theater for almost 2 years now. He has done musical and plays. He has been part of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as the centaur, High School Musical Jr. as Ryan, Moana as Maui, and The Taming of Katie Lou as Pete Johnson. He also plays bass guitar, and the bass in orchestra.
SCOTT WILDEMAN (Sound Engineer) started off interning audio engineering at First Avenue in Minneapolis, then later moved to Chicago and pursued audio engineering and live music at The Metro. Scott has had the pleasure of working with such bands as Coldplay, OK Go, Papa Roach, Plain White T’s and many more. He currently works with local bands and touring Nashville artists at Narrow bridge, and very much looks forward to the opportunity to work theater whenever he can.
LYLE BECKER (Bernhardt) is exited, grateful and humbled to be involved in telling this powerful story. If you’ve followed local theater these last 45 years or so, you have probably seen him on the stage. Thanks to all the talented, hard working and wonderful people who’ve helped bring this story to life. As always, many thanks to line coach and wife, Michele.
LUCAS BRUNETTE (Joseph) is so excited to be returning to the stage in Play-by-Play’s production of Lincoln and Liberty Too! Some of his recent roles include Jack in Into The Woods, Sonny in Xanadu, and Sky in Mamma Mia!. Outside of theater, Lucas is a server/bartender at Plank Road Plate + Pour, and he graduated from NWTC this week! He would like to thank his family and friends for always being so supportive and he hopes you enjoy the show!
JOE EHLINGER (Father Wendel) has sung and soloed with Master Chorales in Los Angeles and Atlanta and currently is a proud member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. While he has been blessed to work with many incredible conductors and directors, he’d like to recognize the impact that Rev Guy Guyon and Dudley Birder had on his love of musical theater. Joe would like to thank Play-by-Play for the opportunity to help bring this story to life.
MARY EHLINGER (Composer/Director) has had a varied career in the entertainment business: actress, pianist, composer, music director, director. A member of ASCAP, her music has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Broadway’s Tony Award event “Stars in the Alley,” and at Carnegie Hall with the NY Pops. Thanks to the shutdown, this collaboration with her brother Ralph finally became a reality.
RALPH EHLINGER (Book & Lyrics) Ralph's first world premiere was his one-act play The Planets, performed at the annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner in St. Philip’s church basement in 1948. That script and the glowing reviews have been lost. Thanks to Mary’s magical music and the way this unbelievably talented cast is making his words come alive, he is confident that Lincoln & Liberty Too will be more durable. He is already working on the next one.
ELIZABETH JOLLY (Stage Manager) hails from Abrams, WI where she is very involved as an actor and director in her local community theater: Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. She graduated from St. Norbert College with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies and Classical Studies and following that completed a conservatory program in acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. Her next projects include The Father with Theatre Z and Macbeth with Play-by-Play.
WILL KNAAPEN (Capt. Walker) is a Green Bay local who began acting in school and church plays as a child. Recently, he has been in productions with Play-by-Play Theatre and Abrams Spotlight Productions. He is playing Captain Charles H. Walker, a real-life person who served on the Wisconsin State Assembly and as a judge in Manitowoc County, when he resigned to volunteer to serve in the Union Army.
CASSIDY MACARTHUR (Props Mistress) is a recent graduate of UWGB with over 13 years of theater experience, but this is her first time on a brand new show! Working with the cast and crew has been absolutely wonderful, and she’s so excited for the audience to see their hard work. She’d also like to send a special shout out to Robert Kramer and Rochelle Van Erem for getting her involved!
MOLLY MAHER-LUCARELI (Choreographer) is thrilled to be back with PbP! She played Dust in Belles, and was choreographer for their productions of Romeo and Juliet and tick, tick... BOOM!. Recent credits include Singin' in the Rain (Kathy Seldon), Curtain Rises Again (Featured Ensemble), and Sondheim on Sondheim (Featured Ensemble) with SNC Summer Stage. Molly also enjoys working each summer with SNC Next Stage as assistant choreographer!
KAARA McHUGH (Jennie) A native of Massachusetts, Kaara has performed in the U.S. and Europe. Some favorite roles: Maria Von Trapp (The Sound of Music), Christine Colgate (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Johanna (Sweeney Todd), and Ulla (The Producers). Kaara was the soprano soloist for the Beethoven Mass in C with the Dudley Birder Chorale, soprano soloist for the Allouez Village Band, Della in Play-by-Play’s The Gift of the Magi, and will be playing Eulalie Shinn in SNC Summer Theatre’s upcoming production of The Music Man. She and her husband Ben Olejniczak are both voice teachers at Studio 12.
AMANDA MEO (Magdalen) feels so lucky and privileged to have been invited to participate in this show after having read for Clara in the Lincoln & Liberty Too reading last spring! Amanda has been a familiar face in the Green Bay theatre scene, but this will be her first production with Play-by-Play. She would like to thank Twila, Bill, Savanna, and Alex for their support and dedicates her performance to her daughter, Catherine.
BEN OLEJNICZAK (Peter) is a performer and voice teacher associated with Studio 12 School of Music, the University of Green Bay, and Green Bay East High School. Recent engagements include The Gift of the Magi with Play-by-Play Theatre, Music Director of If/Then at UWGB, and Music Director of I Sincerely Doubt That This Old House is Very Haunted with Evergreen. He is excited for the opportunity to perform this Lincoln and Liberty in full!
AARON REYNOLDS (Union Soldier) is from Chicago, IL and graduated from St. Norbert College with a degree in Vocal Performance. In addition to the very first reading of Lincoln and Liberty Too (2021), he has joined Play-by-Play in Return to the Forbidden Planet (2018), Words Words Words (2020), and an episode of Inspecting Shakespeare (2022). He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant love and support! Let Love Lead, and Drag is NOT a Crime.
Rachel Richards (String Bass) is honored to be joining Play-by-Play Theatre in this original production of Lincoln & Liberty Too. An Appleton, WI native, Rachel wears many hats as a musician and educator. Her most recent pit orchestra projects include Jesus Christ Superstar (Kimberly HS) and Fun Home (UW-Oshkosh, Fox Cities). She has a passion for community music-making and looks forward to seeing you in the views from her stand! "Thank you for supporting us!"
LEVI SCHUMACHER (Ferdinand) At 22-months-old, Levi is thrilled to make his stage debut with Play-by-Play Theatre! He has, however, enjoyed putting on puppet shows at his local library and having dance parties in the kitchen with mama, dad, and big brother, Wilson. Levi enjoys Elmo, trains, using utensils, somersaults, and doing anything Wilson is doing. He also does a mean impression of a duck, cow, and angry bird. “Thanks for the opportunity!” - Levi, probably.
WILSON SCHUMACHER (Nicholas) is excited to add a show to his growing list of performances. He was featured in two Christmas concerts at Peace Christian Preschool, and their recent 4K Joke Theatre, (where he confidently shared a hilarious joke about a locomotive!). Wilson loves trucks of any kind, digging for worms, walleye fishing with dad, and art projects. He enters kindergarten this fall and can’t wait to tell his school friends about his wonderful experience with Play-by-Play!
CAROLYN SILVERBERG (Woman/Violin/Asst. Director) is ecstatic to see this musical on its feet after reading early drafts and hearing compositions in progress during covid's early days. It has been a privilege to play a part in the creation of this piece, from playing “Michael” (her great-great grandfather) in the reading last spring to brushing up on the violin. In addition to being a proud cat mom to Tybalt, Carolyn is also a proud dual-citizen of Luxembourg. For dad, always -- he'd love this one. carolynsilverberg.com
SAMANTHA TREVARTHAN (Clara) As a 5th grader at Langlade Elementary, Samantha is looking forward to more musicals as she heads into middle school at Lombardi. She has performed in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and a small summer production before that. Samantha loves performing, singing, art and soccer!
TOMMY VANDERVELDAN (Michael) is delighted to join the cast and crew of Lincoln and Liberty Too. He has been active in theater for almost 2 years now. He has done musical and plays. He has been part of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as the centaur, High School Musical Jr. as Ryan, Moana as Maui, and The Taming of Katie Lou as Pete Johnson. He also plays bass guitar, and the bass in orchestra.
SCOTT WILDEMAN (Sound Engineer) started off interning audio engineering at First Avenue in Minneapolis, then later moved to Chicago and pursued audio engineering and live music at The Metro. Scott has had the pleasure of working with such bands as Coldplay, OK Go, Papa Roach, Plain White T’s and many more. He currently works with local bands and touring Nashville artists at Narrow bridge, and very much looks forward to the opportunity to work theater whenever he can.