PRESENTS
The Very Special
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
that
SAVED CHRISTMAS
PART 2
(this time it's special)
WRITERS
Emerson Rapp
Stephen Howard
Laura LaCour
Brian Duskey
Joshua Tucker
ACTORS
Vicki Kerns
Sam Hewins
David Boncyk
Stephen Howard
Laura LaCour
Brian Duskey
Joshua Tucker
Kim Kershner
Riley Neighbors
Dean Kinsey
and
Jeremy Walter
Production Team
Director
Emerson Rapp
Assistant Director
Ethan David Holland
Stage Manager
Sarah Frog Owen
Lighting Design
Mike Hadley
Set Design
Laura LaCour & Emerson Rapp
Backstage Technician/Assistant Stage Mgr
Minnie Washington
Sound Design & Operations
Ahmed Zlitni
Photographer
Jeremy Walter
THE SPECIAL
Scene 1: “Movie Night”
Written by: Brian Duskey
Brian Duskey & Riley Neighbors
Scene 2: “Elf Strike”
Written by: Emerson Rapp
Dean Kinsey, Kim Kershner, Jeremy Walter
Laura LaCour & Vicki Kerns
Video – “Radio City Rockette”
Featuring – Anna Leigh Nissen, Laura LaCour & Emerson Rapp
Scene 3: “House Band”
Written by: Josh Tucker
Sam Hewins, Josh Tucker & Vicki Kerns
Scene 4: “Aaaaamazon”
Written by: Stephen Howard
Ensemble
Scene 5: “Hellraiser Holiday”
Written by Brian Duskey
David Boncyk, Riley Neighbors, Vicki Kerns
Jeremy Walter
Scene 6: “Wake Up Parkville”
Written by: Emerson Rapp
Ensemble
Video – “Hot Coco”
Featuring Arianna Cleary
Scene 7: “The Crew”
Written by: Stephen Howard
David Boncyk, Dean Kinsey
Kim Kershner & Jeremy Walter
Scene 8: “Kringlevex Jr”
Written by: Stephen Howard
Sam Hewins, Riley Neighbors, David Boncyk
Scene 9: “HR Roll Out”
Written by: Laura LaCour
Kim Kershner, Sam Hewins, Dean Kinsey, Riley Neighbors
Scene 10: “Box! The Musical”
Written by: Laura LaCour
Ensemble
There will be one 10-minute Intermission
ACT 2
Scene 11: “Mall Santa”
Written by: Brian Duskey
David Boncyk & Kim Kershner
Scene 12: “Christmas Tariffs”
Written by: Stephen Howard
Ensemble
Scene 13: “Santa’s Divorce”
Written by: Stephen Howard
Dean Kinsey & Vicki Kerns
Scene 14: “Snowball Fight”
Written by: Emerson Rapp
Riley Neighbors, Sam Hewins, Jeremy Walter, Dean Kinsey, David Boncyk
Scene 15: “Jungle Time”
Written by: Laura LaCour
Ensemble
Emerson Rapp
Head Writer/Director
The year was 1991, a wide-eyed 7th grader sat in astonishment as he watched the local high school’s production of Guys & Dolls. He was instantly bit and infected by the theatre bug. Ever since, he’s been acting and directing across the KC metro. Emerson Rapp is forever grateful for his amazingly talented (and more beautiful than him) costar in life, Briana Marxen-McCollom for all she does to support him.
Ethan Holland
Assistant Director
Ethan Holland is a writer, actor, and director from Houston, Texas. This year Ethan graduated from University of Houston and is ecstatic to be here working on this project as his first post graduation play. Ethan’s previous works include “Everybody” (Actor, Love), “All’s Well That End’s Well” (Assistant Director), and currently teaching at The Coterie in Crown Center as well as taking Improv Classes with KC Improv Company.
Laura LaCour
Writer & Actor
Laura totally wrote for last year’s Christmas show? So, yeah. If you were here, that’s where you know her name from. She’s for real directing 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche coming up right here at BRB in March? So, yeah. You might just wanna get your tickets now. She’s so enjoyed working with everyone on this show? So, yeah. Theatre is . . . pretty much the best. Laura finds writing in 3rd person super awkward? So, yeah. This bio is super lame.
Stephen Howard
Writer & Actor
Stephen is pleased to be back writing for the fourth time for a Bell Road Christmas Show, to reunite with fellow performers and writers, and glad no lawsuits or arrests have stemmed from his participation (yet). You may have seen him recently in Corbin Theatre’s “And Then There Were None” as Dr Armstrong (spoiler: he didn’t survive-glub glub). He hopes you enjoy the zany antics and risqué revelry and also hopes the rest of your holidays bring you joy and chocolate. Don’t eat yellow snow-it’s not lemon! Remember to take your Kringlevex!
Brian Duskey
Writer & Actor
Brian is feeling remarkably festive to be taking part in this year’s show as a writer and actor. He is a local playwright and screenwriter, most recently producing the KC Fringe production, “Telling Audrey” through his production company, Ghost Theatre. Diving into sketch comedy with everyone at Bell Road has been an absolute thrill–not in the Harrison Ford, “I want my family back” kind of way, but in a Frank Capra, “grateful for the journey” kind of way. Anyway. This was fun. Enjoy the show.
Joshua Tucker
Writer & Actor
Just, be cool now. You’ve seen Tucker here, but there’s no need to call the fuzz. He made good on his word and gave up that business years ago, ya hear? He’s been laying low and keeping his nose clean, see? Put that phone away!
Much love to his wonderful wife Rachel and his great kids Sam and Lilith for letting him disappear for 4 weeks.
Riley Neighbors
Thrilled to make her Bell Road Barn Players debut, Riley is especially excited to return to the stage for a dose of comedic chaos—her first since high school (she promises she’s grown… mostly). When not on stage this Christmas season, she can likely be found committing to a fully PINK Christmas, watching an unreasonable amount of holiday romantic comedies, or ordering a Peppermint Mocha anywhere that dares to offer one.
Vicki Kerns
Looks like Vicki’s made it! She used to go by the name of Lola, back when she was a showgirl with yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there. She was well known for her merengue as well as the cha-cha. She’s proud to say she’s made it through the rain and ready to take a chance again, perhaps next weekend in New England where she’ll be tryin’ to get the feeling again.
Sam Hewins
Sam spent his adolescence in Kansas City, Louisiana, and Arkansas. He now resides in the northland KC with his dog Petunia. He plays amazing bass guitar in some outstanding rock bands. Sam is a big Royals and Chiefs fan and is frankly an incredible athlete himself. There is an English degree from the University of Arkansas bearing his name proudly magneted to his refrigerator.
Jeremy Walter
Jeremy Walter is excited to do a show with his all time favorite actor: Jeremy Walter. If it weren’t for Jeremy Walter, Jeremy Walter would be selling plasma to support his Jeremy Walter addiction. Jeremy Walter has inspired Jeremy Walter more than Jeremy Walter can put into words about Jeremy Walter. Jeremy Walter is grateful he’s not in any sketches with Jeremy Walter because he would forget all his lines and disappear into the powerful heavenly aura that is Jeremy Walter. Jeremy Walter would like to thank Jeremy Walter for being a glimmering star in an otherwise putrid Petri dish that is the Bell Road Barn Players.
David Boncyk
David is an actor/improviser originally from Colorado, and is thrilled to be back for the Holiday Shows this season! He has a BA in Theatre from Adams State University. You may have seen him recently in Fools here at Bell Road Barn. Before that, he was in Book of Days at The Met at the Warwick. He’d like to thank his partner for her love and support!
Kimberly Kershner
Kim is beyond thrilled to return with the Bell Road Barn Players for this year’s Christmas chaos! A lifelong tinsel addict, she once got stuck in her own chimney trying to prove Santa’s route is “totally doable.” (Fire department still sends her a card every year.) She’s the gal who wrapped her cat as a gift “for the vibes,” bakes cookies at 3 a.m., and firmly believes tinsel belongs in hair, pasta, and life decisions.
Dean Kinsey
The Folks down at Bell Road liked Christmas a lot, but the cast of the Special Show did not … Oh wait, I am not a writer this year. Thank Goodness, that was a terrible opening. Dean is once again happy to tread the snowy boards of the BRBP Christmas Show. Much Thanks to his wife Catherine and cat Marmadude for their support of his absences. And truly gracious respect for his fellow Cast, Crew and Writers. Even Jeremy, who I am sure I will miss most of all. Stay Festive!
SPECIAL THANKS
Melissa Ford, Bobbi Shaw, Morgan Lee, Dedric Moore, City Theatre of Independence,
Olathe Civic Theatre Association, RJ Parish, and
our generous partners, Park University
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
OUR THEATRE PARTNERS
Special Thanks to our Season Partners and Sponsors
The Newburger Foundation
and
Park University
Thank you for your support of local community theatre.
To continue your support, so that we can continue to bring you quality productions, please consider making a financial contribution to our organization. Bell Road Barn Players is 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization.