Who's Who in the "Forgotten" Show, Detroit 2004

Production Staff and Cast

PRODUCTION STAFF

Writer/Composer: Steve Jones
Director: Elise Bryant
Assistant Director: Anne Drake
Musical Director: Bill Meyer
Stage Manager: Elaine (Hendriks) Smith
Set and Lighting Designer: Ron Burns
Costume Designer: Scarlet Jade
Production Manager: Alisa Lomax
Executive Producer: Dave Elsila
Managing Director: Shaun Nethercott
House Manager: Sister Brenda Moon
Assistant House Manager: Corretha Montague

CAST

PRINCIPALS

Lewis Bradford: Jason Landis
Ella Bradford: Stephanie Pascaris
Alan Johnson: Mitch McMurren
Rosie Johnson: Lynn Marie Smith
Henry Ford: Mark Moultrup
Clara Ford: D. Yarrow Halstead
Harry Bennett: Henry Nelson
Father Coughlin: Davis Gloff

COUGHLIN'S QUARTET

Father C. Coughlin
Clara Ford
Foreman (Mike Carluccio)
Chorus Member (Susan Newell)
Chorus Member (Stephen Jones)

MISSION QUARTET

Lewis Bradford
Ella Bradford
Allen Johnson
Rosie Johnson

OTHER ROLES

Joe Cantor: Jim Salerno
Frank Lopez: Sam Kirkland
Foreman: Mike Carluccio
Hospital Attendant: Denise Dotson
Nurse Attendant: Russanne Bucci

WORKER'S CHORUS

Jason Landis (as Lewis)
Stephanie Pascaris (as Ella)
Lynn Marie Smith (as Rosie)
Mitch McMurren (as Allen)
Malinda Lewis
Russanne Bucci
Sandra Esparaza
Clara Lovelle
Denise Dotson
Kae Halonen
Susan Newell
Lisha M. Sly
John "Bruce" Liles
Melvin Beasley
Jim Salerno
DaJuanny Taylor
Gordon Patton
Stephen Jones (of Detroit)
Sam Kirkland
Maurice "Skip" Turner

FORD HUNGER MARCH CAST

Joe York: John 'Bruce' Liles
Joe York's Mom: Kae Halonen
Joe DeBlasio: Stephen Jones (of Detroit)
Joe DeBlasio's Wife: Susan Newell
Curtis Williams: DaJuanny Taylor
Curtis Williams' Dad: Sam Kirkland
Coleman Leny: Maurice 'Skip' Turner
Joe Bussell: Jim Salerno

BIOGRAPHIES

ELISE BRYANT (Director) teaches at the George Meany center for Labor Studies National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland, and has directed labor theater for almost 20 years in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and other cities.

RUSSANNE BUCCI (Mary Corio Bucci/Workers Chorus) Russanne Bucci was born and raised on the East side of Detroit and went on to study traditional theatre, storytelling and improvisation in high school and college. She first began working with director Elise Bryant when both were members of Common Ground Theatre Ensemble of Ann Arbor. After living in Philadelphia and careers as a public radio producer and trainer in diversity and intercultural communication, Russanne returned to Michigan where she now works as a social studies teacher in a fine and performing arts high school. She sees everyday how little young people know and appreciate about the sacrifices and accomplishments of the "unsung heroes" who have paved the way for them. Bucci values being part of a production that shares such powerful history that is also "personal to so many of us." It was the opportunity of work in the automobile plants that prompted her grandfather, a Sicilian immigrant, to bring his family from a small coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania to Detroit in the 1920s. Bucci says that most of her family members have been union members and her brother now continues this tradition as an International Representative in U.A.W. Local 1281. Russanne dedicates these performances to all of her Motor City ancestors but particularly to her grandmother Mary Corio Bucci who in the 1930s was working on the line at the Packard Motor Car Company. They are not forgotten.

ANNE DRAKE (Assistant Director) Retired Ford Motor Company employee with 36 years (18 years Electrician) Member 8 elected official of UAW 898. Editor of award winning Raw Facts - newspaper for UAW 892 for 16 years. Assistant editors of UAW Region 1A Retiree News. Cast member in "Workin' for a Livin'", written by & directed by Elise Bryant. Long time FOR (friend of Elise). Performance in Labor theatre group - Worker Lives/Workers Stories. Wrote song parodies for Hudson's organizing drive, the strike at Caterpillar and the Detroit Newspaper strike. On the planning Committee for the Worker/Writer festival. Lives in Ann Arbor.

KAE HALONEN (Joanna Arsenau/Workers Chorus) Kae grew up in a Finnish-American working class family who emphasised the importance of singing, theatre & social consciousness. Amature singer, violin & mandolin player who frequently joins husband, Sam Stark, singing a variety of people's music in a variety of situations. Has been involved with education programs focused on industrial workers for the past 15+ years. Looks forward to seeing her daughters & grandchildren finding their cultural place in building a more just world. Lives in Southfield.

STEPHEN JONES (Workers Chorus) Stephen Jones is a poet and songwriter who teaches English and journalism at Chadsey High School in Detroit. He is a member of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and a former member of Newspaper Guild Local 22 in Detroit. As a singer-songwriter, he has performed at Labor Fest and the Concert of Colors as well as at various coffee houses in the Detroit area. He has appeared in a variety of local theatre productions, most recently in a production of The Fantasticks in Southfield. A CD of his labor songs, One More Day was issued in 2000 as a fundraiser for the Council of Newspaper Unions. With his wife, Colette Gilewicz, and their son, Alex Jones, he lives in Detroit.

STEVE JONES (Composer) lives in Maryland, where he is a jazz musician and teacher, and can often be found sharing music at union events with his brother Peter and others. He is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 161-710. His grandfather was Ella Bradford's first cousin.

JASON LANDIS (Lewis Bradford) Jason is 24 years old, and excited to be part of FORGOTTEN: The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant. He's been working in theatre all of his life. His last show was Jekyll and Hyde, in which he played Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He has a band named "Maybe Never" in which he sings. He wants to thank his beautiful Kathleen, his family and friends. Break a leg everyone! Lives in Clawson.

BRUCE LILES (Ed Sweeney/Workers Chorus) Bruce has compiled a one-man play using the words and music of Woody Guthrie and he hopes he has a chance to perfect it for you someday. He also writes children's songs for children and smarmy political pop for the rest of you. Currently, he's a member of the DFT. Lives in Detroit.

BILL MEYER (Music Director) is a composer/arranger for TV and radio. He has performed as keyboardist for several Broadway shows including Guys and Dolls, Wizard of Oz, Mama Mia, and The Rockettes. Meyer is a favorite accompanist to acclaimed artists including Johnny Trudell, Mark Randisi, Dee Dee McNeil, and Marcus Belgrave. He is a member of Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local 5.

CORRETHA MONTAGUE (Assistant House Manager) Union activist. Retired UAW member, after 30 years and is still active.

"SISTER" BRENDA R. MOON (House Manager) Dedicated trade unionist, member of UAW #22 & TNG/GWA #35. National Field Representative for AFL-CIO. Percussionist including African Drums. Performs with Ubaka Hill & Drum Song Orchestra. President of "Power Surge Posse". Former Assistant Director in the Education Department of the AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C. Formerly a staff member at George Meaney center for Labor Studies, Silver Spring, Maryland. (Traded places with Elise Bryant.) Lives in Southfield.

MARK MOULTRUP (Henry Ford) Working pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger for over 25 years--3 CD releases--Performed with artists of many genres including jazz, Motown, and pop. Member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 5. Lives in Royal Oak.

STEPHANIE PASCARIS (Ella Bradford) Stephanie is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful music experience! After touring the East Coast with an improv comedy troupe, Stephanie returned home to Michigan where she worked for Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and then to Boarshead Theatre in Lansing. She currently works as a consultant for education, marketing and development. Recent roles include; Lizzy Sweeny in Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Merilee in An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, and Carley in The Most Massive Woman Wins. Lives in Dearborn Heights.

JIM SALERNO (Workers Chorus) Jim is a retired UAW tradesman with no formal vocal training. He's hosted jam sessions at Baker's Keyboard Lounge and Bert's Market Place in Eastern Market. Jim has also done a lot of shows and private parties. He's had the good fortune to work with some exceptional musicians - Teddy Harris Jr., Don Mayberry, Marcus Belgrave, Rayce Biggs, Charles Boles, Dwight Adams, James Carter, Bill Meyer, George Davidson, Kenny Cox and many others. This is Jim's first musical. Though he is used to standing on stage with a micropohone in his hand, one of his goals for life has been the ability to sing and dance at the same time. Jim is used to standing on a stage with a microphone in his hand. One of Jim's goals is to have his jazz band ALMOST come down for an open mic. Lives in Warren.

ELAINE (HENDRIKS) SMITH (Production Stage Manager) Elaine hails from Fraser, MI where she fell in love with the theatre working on plays at Fraser High School. Elaine's Stage Management Credits include; Phantom Menance to Society (The Second City, Detroit), Annie Get Your Gun (Minnesota Festival Theatre), Comedy Works with The Guild (The Century Theatre), The Ball & Chain Gang (Planet Ant Improv Colony), Tony & Tina's Wedding (Metro Detroit), Trinity Irish Dancers (Nationwide). Elaine has also Production Stage Managed concerts for artists such as; LL Cool J, Fishbone, Lou Rawls, Nancy Wilson, Jan Luc-Ponty, De La Soul and Nas. Elaine is a member of Actor's Equity Association and the Staff Association union at Wayne State University. Elaine would like to thank her husband (Denny) and daughter (Erin) for all their love and support. Carpe Diem! Lives in Eastpointe.

LYNN MARIE SMITH (Rosie Johnson) Lynn Marie Smith is a talented singer-songwriter with energy to burn! As a foot soldier for worker justice, she is an Organizer with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union Local 24 for the past 8 years. Lynn Marie has recorded with many superstars and enjoyed her own international success with a debut album that reached number five on the Billboard Charts with Infinity Records recording artist "Natures Divine". She is presently working on her latest recording venture and entertains at some of Detroit's premiere entertainment spots. Lynn Marie is very involved in the labor community and viewed as labors' cheerleader. Lynn's unique ability to place labor lyrics to popular music and her gift for bringing joy to her audience has earned her the title "MotownDiva" a name given to her by her sisters in the labor movement. Lives in Detroit.

MAURICE "SKIP" TURNER (Workers Chorus) Skip was born in Beckley, WA. He attended Detroit Public schools. He found himself interested in the stage at an early age. Skip traveled the eastern half of the United States as the Road Manager of the Spyder Turner show. Skip's acting experience came during his work life. He performed in When you Strike Flint, Workin' for a Livin', and The Grevance Trilogy. Brother Turner has written and directed his own plays; The Terrible Three, Last Day in a Non-Union Shop, Overtime in a time of Layoffs, and his latest work, Just Between You and Me. Skip was also a producer along with his brothers on the 2000 production of the hit CD "Spyder Turner". He currently is coordinator of "Black Men in Unions", "Michigan Summer School for Women Workers", Winter Leadership Institute and The Unity Conference at the University of Michigan. Lives in Detroit.