FEATURED PERFORMERS
Tom Robbins
After leaving Lehman high school, Tom Robbins attended the Juilliard School of Drama. Since graduating in 1977 he has worked steadily as an actor, performing in the original casts of six Broadway shows including “The Lion King” in which he created the role of Pumbaa and which he played for almost thirteen years.
Other Broadway credits: “Is He Dead?”, “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway”, “Threepenny Opera”, “Sunset Boulevard” and “Once Upon A Mattress”. He played Thenardier in the First National Tour of “Les Miserables”.
Mr. Robbins appeared Off-Broadway in the New York premieres of: “On The Verge”, Isn’t It Romantic” and “The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket”. He played Bardolph in the Public Theatre’s production of “Henry V” in Central Park.
Recently he appeared in “My Name is Asher Lev” at the Cleveland Playhouse and played Tevye (a role he first played at the Crate and Canvas Theatre) at Wolf Trap and in Atlanta. He will be traveling to the Denver Theatre Center in December to play the lead in the world premiere of a new play called “The Whale”. He lives in New York with his wife Leslie and his daughter Mary Rose, who is a junior at Clark University.
Lisa Troyer
Lisa is a radio personality and talk show host for Moody Radio as well as the lead host with Circle of Friends radio, airing on many radio stations nationwide. Lisa is a founding member of the Circle of Friends leadership team. Her album, Meet Me At The Well, released in 2010 is available on iTunes & at local bookstores. Following the release and success of her first single “The Well” Lisa released “People Need the Lord.” a fresh remake of the Steve Green classic, and received much radio airplay. Lisa and her husband Bob live in Sugarcreek Ohio with their two children, Jillian and Christian. Lisa’s performance in our program is sponsored by Malone University
Jennica McCleary
Jennica McCleary is excited to return to her old stopping grounds and be a part of OFCC. She was a part of many productions at The Players Guild including Magenta in “The Rocky Horror Show,” and Lucy in “Jekyll and Hyde.” She currently resides in Orlando where she originated the role of Remy in “The Mommies: A Musical Blog” from the same producers as “Menopause The Musical.” Jennica is also a performer at Universal Studios, “The Treasure Tavern”, “The Pirate Dinner Adventure” and continues to travel the country performing as Bette Midler in her self-written tribute “Divine Deception.”
Barry Debois
Barry DeBois is so happy to return to Canton Ohio and the beautiful Canton Palace Theatre for his 4th consecutive year in the Old Fashioned Canton Christmas. Barry is an actor/singer living in New York City and is originally from Canton, Ohio. He grew up singing at Grace United Methodist Church in North Canton, later received a Music Specialization from GlenOak High School, and was a member of the Kent State Chorale, as well as the lead singer in rock bands around Canton.
Now he performs around the country and in New York with various theater companies. Most recently he originated the role of Benjamin in “The Seed of Abraham” in NYC. Some of his favorite roles include The Wedding Singer (Robbie), Godspell (Jesus), West Side Story (Tony), and RENT (Roger). Please visit Barry online at www.barrydebois.com and www.facebook.com/BarryDeBois.
STILL MORE INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES BY…
Joseph M. Haladey III
Joseph M Haladey III has been seen in numerous productions in the Canton area over the last three years. Most recently he has been working with Top of the Town Productions, creating original roles in Scarlet Fever (Griffin Darcy), Let Them Eat Cake (Alvin Chandler), and A Walking Shadow (Ethan Masters). Joe has also appeared on the North Canton Playhouse’s stage as the title role in Sweeney Todd, Rev. Samuel Parris in The Crucible, and Tom Collins in Rent. Joe has been gearing up and training this year for the monumental task of auditioning for The Juilliard School in January.
McKayla Morris
McKayla Morris is 15 years old and a sophomore at Hoover High School. McKayla attended Fieldcrest Montessori For The Preforming Arts and studied Musical Theater and Music Theory and Piano under Jacquie Ferrell, Theatrical Dance under Jack Wadsworth, Improv under Rufus Malone and Theater under Deborah Fezelle. In Eighth Gradeshe was the Munchkin Coroner in “The Wizard Of Oz” . She was most recently in productions of “The Paper Chase” and “Aida”. She is excited to be branching out into community theater!
Kevin Wells
Kevin returns to the stage after serving a one year sentence for inciting riots with his most recent audience. Success has ventured Kevin’s way on numerous occasions only to leave disappointed and unamused. Staggering through such roles as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof”, the King in “The King and I”, and his more infamous role as a German third class voyager on the ill-fated ” Titanic, The Musical”, Kevin has amazed his audiences….that he is even allowed on stage! The most exciting thing about this production is that Kevin gets to be on stage with Marilyn Wells, his beautiful and talented wife….for real!!!!
Lisa B. Knight
Lisa Belopotosky Knight is delighted to return to An Old Fashioned Canton Christmas for a second year. A graduate of Perry High School and Miami University, Lisa has performed in productions throughout Ohio. Lisa is most recently appeared as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz at the Players Guild Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include: Anita in West Side Story, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Agnes Gooch in Mame, and Joanne in Company. Lisa is a teaching artist at the Players Guild Theatre and with the Page to Stage Outreach Program.
YOUR EMCEE FOR THE SHOW..
Gary 
Rivers
Mr Rivers returns to emcee our show in 2011. Gary has spent over 30 years entertaining audiences on local radio stations in Canton, OH; Marion, OH; Findlay, OH; Portsmouth, OH; as well as stints in Nebraska, Illinois & Tennessee. Four years ago, his appreciation for the performing arts and his passion for volunteerism, were combined. The result was the creation of “An Old Fashioned Canton Christmas”, which to date, has raised approximately $60,000 for local charities. He’s proud to be this year’s emcee and is looking forward to working with this year’s talented cast. Be forewarned, Gary says he’s planned a few “fun surprises” for the audience.
HOST
Ross Rhodes
Appearing for the second time in An Old Fashioned Canton Christmas, having served as our emcee in 2011. Ross will “host”, our show is in his “living room”. Mr Rhodes has appeared in many area venues, including the Players Guild (God’s Favorite, 2009; Peter Pan, 2008); the Kathleen Howland Theatre (Twelve Angry Men and That Face, 2010); (The Evil that Men Do, 2010); and Top of the Town (The Disappearance of Raven Bloodbone, 2010). Mr. Rhodes serves on the board of the Guild. He has studied drama at Tufts University and law at the University of Connecticut. He is an Assistant Prosecutor, Chief of the Civil Division, in the office of Stark County Prosecutor John D. Ferrero.
His “wife”, Marilyn Wells
Marilyn is very excited to be performing with such an amazing cast again (including her husband) and working with an incredibly inspired writer/director. Her theatre credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Steel Magnolias, Bad Seed, Grease, and most recently, A Walking Shadow. Marilyn hopes you rediscover the warmth and the magic of the season through “Christmas at Home.”
GRUMPY OLD GUYS
Rufus Malone Jr.
As a self-employed actor/director/stand up comedian from Cleveland, He has been in productions at Weathervane Playhouse: “Smoke Joe’s Café”, and “Amahl and the Night Visitors” Christmas Opera. He has performed for many comedy shows in areas such as Cleveland, Columbus and all around Ohio including the Funny Stop in Cuyahoga Falls. His Indy film credits include “Martians from Venus”, “Pizza the Movie”, and the action film “Greater Threat”. He is excited to be part of this cast and also to work with Gary Rivers and the rest of the cast.
John Kiste
John has been Executive Director of the Canton / Stark CVB for ten years. He is Treasurer of the Ohio Association of CVB’s, and Secretary / Treasurer for the Stark Chambers Association. He is also on the Boards of therefore Better Business Bureau and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. His acting credits include playing Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind on the Players Guild stage. He currently performs a one-man show as Edgar Allan Poe. He and his wife Lonna just celebrated their 30th anniversary on Halloween.
GROUP PERFORMANCES
Amherst Elementary Choir Cubs
Under the direction of Cindy Grove this Jackson Choir will make your heart melt. 120 children all in sweet harmony are back with An Old-Fashioned Canton Christmas for their fourth year.
MajesticVoice
Committed to bringing a powerful message of joy and uplifting celebration through an outreach to nursing homes, civic organizations, hospitals, local schools, and other similar venues through high caliber choral music presented in a professional manner. Directed and choreographed by Kathy Bell, this group forms the core of the “Old Fashioned Canton Christmas” cast of extraordinary singers! website
Malone University Chamber Choir
The Malone University Chamber Choir is an ensemble of voices selected by audition. The Chamber Choir performs a variety of musical styles both sacred and secular. The Malone University Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. David Donelson, is comprised of 20 singers chosen through competitive auditions from the ranks of the Malone University Chorale. This highly selective choir performs several styles of music, from a cappella classics to contemporary small-group works. The Malone Chamber Choir has received several invitations to perform throughout Norway in 2012. See a Video of them performing in 2010
Voices of Canton, Inc.
VOCI is dedicated to engaging adults in the performance of choral and vocal works in various genres in Canton, northeast Ohio and, whenever possible, other regions of the United States and abroad. As the community’s premier choral organization, we enrich the quality of life in these areas. Beginning in 1939 as a non-profit, 501C3 choral organization, then known as Canton Civic Opera, VOCI has been performing opera, operettas, musicals, major works, madrigals and musical reviews for the public of greater Canton for 70 seasons. In 2003 the Board of Trustees unanimously changed the organization’s name to VOCI, pronounced VO-Chee, an Italian word meaning many voices.
YOUTH VOCALISTS
(mouse over each name for their bio—be patient it may take a second to load)
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| Madison Hayes | Bella Gill | McKenzie Mack |
THE KIDS GROUP
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| J.T. Cole | Kylie Gambone | Elijah Johnson |
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| Natalie James | Aaron Bolek | Trinity Smith |
ORGANIST
Jay Spencer
Jay is assistant house organist at the Canton Palace Theatre, and has been playing the Mighty Kilgen Organ for close to 14 years. He directs and appears in local theatre productions, and is co-author of the Samuel French published play Happy Anniversary Angel, Love Gino! and the OCTA award winning, Conversations at the Christopher Street Grille. He has been a volunteer house manage at his beloved Palace theatre for 24 years.
