“Noises Off” is a hilarious farce play by Michael Frayn that follows the misadventures of a dysfunctional theater troupe as they try to put on a play called “Nothing On.” The play is divided into three acts, each depicting the same scene from “Nothing On,” but from different perspectives – the final dress rehearsal, a performance midway through the tour, and a disastrous show near the end of the run.
In the first act, the actors are struggling to remember their lines and cues, while the director, Lloyd, is dealing with romantic entanglements and trying to keep the show on track. In the second act, the backstage chaos is revealed as we see the same scene from behind the scenes, with the actors’ personal lives spilling into the performance and causing all sorts of mayhem. In the final act, the show has completely fallen apart, with actors missing their cues, props being misplaced, and relationships crumbling.
The play is full of physical comedy and witty dialogue, as well as intricate timing and choreography as the actors rush around backstage trying to make everything work. It’s a playful and irreverent take on the world of theater, with the characters’ flaws and foibles laid bare for all to see.
“Noises Off” is a beloved classic of modern theater, known for its fast-paced action and hilarious characters. It’s a riotous romp that will have audiences laughing out loud and cheering for the beleaguered actors as they struggle to put on a show that seems destined to fail at every turn.
September 15 – October 1
By Michael Frayn
Directed By Richard Choate
Meet The Cast & Crew
Paige Bevando (Brooke Ashton/Vicki) is delighted to grace the CTC stage once again. Her acting journey commenced at the tender age of nine, resulting in a continuous thread of shows throughout her life, including performances in Here on the “Flight Path,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Fruitcakes,” and a myriad of childhood productions at Second Street Theater. Paige’s academic exploration led to a degree in marketing & sociology, nurturing her curiosity of human beings. Beyond the stage, she is a performance poetry writer who has shared her voice in poetry slam competitions in both the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest.
Grace Hardin (Poppy Norton-Taylor). This is Grace’s very first play as an adult. Her first play was when she was five. She played an orphan in a small production of “Annie” in which she hid in a laundry hamper and upon discovery jumped out and exclaimed that, “I wasn’t doing nothin’!” She is excited to have more than one line in this production and has really enjoyed this amazing experience and the chance to rediscover acting with such a talented group!
Josh Harrison (Tim Allgood) is excited to be returning to community theater in Central Oregon after taking a 3-year break! Some recent credits include “Rent” at Cascades Theatrical Company, “Jesus Christ Superstar” with Theatre in the Park, and “Newsies” and “Titanic” with Thoroughly Modern Productions, among others. Josh has been connected to theatre since childhood and hopes to continue performing in town for the foreseeable future. He thanks Richard, Kelly, Suzie and all the cast and crew that made this show possible, as well as his family and friends who continue to encourage and inspire him to this day.
Rick Jenkins (Selsdon Mowbray/Burglar). After a 30-year hiatus, Rick returned to acting several decades ago as Willie Clark in “The Sunshine Boys.” Favorite roles include Nat Burton in “Garden Politics” and Buckingham in “Richard III.” Favorite CTC roles include Saunders in “Lend Me a Tenor,” Sir Peter Teazle in “School for Scandal,” and the Butler in “An Ideal Husband.” Rick appeared two years in a row at the Tower as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” He played Uncle Billie and others in “It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play ” at CTC and he was Kris Kringle in CTC’s “Miracle on 34th Street” (also a radio play). He was last seen at CTC (before the plague years) as Sir Rowland Delahaye in “Spider’s Web.”
Deone Jennings (Belinda Blair/Flavia) brings theatrical experience and training from across the country to her first appearance with Cascade Theatrical Company. A few of her previous roles include Heidi in “Look, No Hans!” and Polly Perkins in “There Goes the Bride.” both at Okoboji Theater in Iowa. In addition, she has played numerous leading roles at Twilight Theater and Hart Theater in Portland, Oregon. Some favorite roles to date include Virginia Noyes in “It’s Only a Play,” Nicky in “The Smell of the Kill,” Joan in Murder in “Green Meadows,” and Chick Boyle in “Crimes of the Heart.” Deone earned her bachelor’s in fine arts at Stephens College and also trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Deone is thrilled to be in Noises Off and is grateful to be working with this talented cast. Many thanks to the production staff, fabulous director, and everyone at CTC.
Brad Knowles (Frederick Fellowes/Phillip) looks like the guy in that photo. He is a versatile performer who has appeared on stage in a variety of roles, as well as doing stand-up and improv comedy. He is the founder of the improv group, B.I.G. and most recently appeared in CTC’s productions of “Calendar Girls,” “A Christmas to Remember,” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Brad’s fragile personality can’t tolerate not being the center of attention, so he appreciates your cooperation in enabling this social addiction. (Please like me.)
Andrew Ledyard (Lloyd Dallas) was last seen in CTC’s “Murder on the Nile” as Canon Pennefather. Andrew has roots in Bend. He attended Pilot Butte Middle School and graduated from Bend High School, acting throughout. His passion for theater launched him on an adventurous path that has found him in Oxford, England with the British American Drama Academy, in New York City studying drama at The Juilliard School (Group 30), and a member of the company at The Flea Theater with Sigourney Weaver. When not name dropping, you will most certainly find him at the grindstone, studying to become a nurse. He thanks you for participating in this wonderful and intimate art form.
Brennon Moore (Garry Lejeune/Roger) has been a lifelong enthusiast of theater and was in several plays as a child and young adult, including studying performing arts and Shakespeare at Southern Oregon University. Additionally, Brennon was involved in improv and stand-up comedy in college and has been a public speaker and educator for the past decade. Brennon is very excited to make his first return to acting in 20 years with this incredible cast and crew of Noises Off and the Cascade Theatrical Company.
Marianne Thomas (Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clackett) is a professional singer, songwriter, classical pianist, and music teacher originally from Spokane, WA. She’s played leads in “Side by Side by Sondheim,” “Grease,” “Plaza Suite,” “The Mikado,” and “1776.” Marianne received her MA and MAT from Brown University in Music Composition and Vocal Performance. She then lived in Boston, MA, where she performed as the lead vocalist for many popular bands. In 2004, she moved to Bend and taught K-12 music and private voice and piano. An avid equestrian, Marianne competed at the national level in Dressage with her wonderful Hanoverian horse, Wally (RIP). She has recorded three original CDs, currently sings for “Swingin’ Doors,” a local country band, and recently performed solo at the 2023 Cowboy Folk Festival in Elko, NV. Marianne continues to write and teach music and is very excited about future creative endeavors.
Richard Choate (Director) last directed “You Can’t Take It with You” for Cascades Theatrical Company. He first moved to Central Oregon at the end of 2015 and began working at CTC early the next year when he appeared in “Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike.” Since then, he has involved himself in shows at venues all over Bend. He previously appeared in “Black Comedy” and “A Christmas Carol” at CTC, “Newsies” and “Titanic” with TMP Productions and “Young Frankenstein” at 2nd Street Theater. He was last seen in the role of Nostradamus in Mejaski Choreography & Productions’ “Something Rotten.” Richard has been involved in theater in one way or another for most of his life. Much of that involvement was in farce. “It’s not the number of doors you open that counts. It’s the number of doors you slam.”
Kelly Sutter (Assistant Director) grew up Miami Beach, Florida and then went to Alaska for college. She worked summers as an Alaska tour guide since 2015 and wanted to get away from the season life and moved to Bend two years ago. This is Kelly’s first big production with CTC, but she is not new to the stage or “Noises Off.” Kelly has been involved in theater for over 15 years. Past productions include “Oklahoma!” (Ado Annie), “Grease” (Patty Simcox), and “The Laramie Project” (Reggie Fluty). Kelly started directing in college at Alaska Pacific University and then at her community theater in the Florida Keys. She directed and was in “Noises Off “ (Dotty), “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Leaf Coneybear), and “Drinking Habits,” and she was Assistant Director of “Phantom of the Opera.” Kelly is so happy to be back in theater and excited to be a part of a fun show like “Noises Off.” She is also excited to be directing the Christmas show at CTC this season!
Suzie Hughes (Stage Manager) moved to Bend from the San Francisco Bay Area where she was a stage manager in community theater for over 15 years. Here in Bend, she has worked with Shore Thing Productions (“Les Misérables” and “A Chorus Line”), OperaBend (“The Secret Garden”), BEAT Children’s Theatre (”Music Man” and “Anastasia”), Central Oregon Symphony (”Carmen”), Mejaski Productions (“Kiss of the Spider Woman”), CTC (”She Loves Me” and “These Shining Lives”) and Ellipse Theatre Community (“Craig Fox Had a Wife”). This is the first time she’s been involved in a farce, and it’s been quite a ride. Hang on…and enjoy the show!
Tracy Miller (Costumer). After traveling the US with her cat Pooter for 1 ½ years building zoo and museum exhibits, Tracy is glad to be back at CTC. She played Gay Wellington in “You Can’t Take It with You” before returning to her most familiar role as “Costumer.” Previous shows: CTC’s “She Loves Me,” “Lost in Yonkers,” “Radiance,” “Arcadia,” “Miracle on 34th Street“; 2nd St. Theater’s “Young Frankenstein” and “Sweeney Todd“; TMP’s “Beauty and the Beast” and “Wizard of Oz”; OperaBend: “Elixir of Love.” Professionally, she was a wardrobe technician with IATSE TWU local 747 (Columbus, OH) on touring productions of ”The Lion King,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Seussical the Musical” and “42nd St.” She would like to thank Richard for inviting her to join in on the fun again! There is nothing like live theatre – enjoy!