Cast and Crew
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
Sierra White *(Lucy Van Pelt)
Actor and cabaret artist, Sierra White was born, raised, and is still based in Chicago, Illinois. They attended Drake University where they graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre in 2011. However, they have been working professionally in entertainment since the age of eighteen and have been a proud member of the Actors Equity Association since the age of twenty-two. Some of their favorite past roles include: Matron Momma Morton, Chicago, Katisha, Hot Mikaido, and Ruth, A Raisin in the Sun. But they take the most pride in the 2020 premier of their one person show Where Am I Going?
Neil Stratman (Charlie Brown)
Neil Stratman is so grateful to be back on stage with his debut at Citadel Theatre! Some favorite recent credits include a staircase-challenged Garry in Noises Off (Metropolis) and an oh-so-sweaty Pirelli in Sweeney Todd (RMRT). Much love to his family-family, his found family, and his therapist Angela. She knows too much. Follow his shenanigans and writing at www.neilstratman.com
Jimmy Hogan (Schroeder)
Jimmy is so happy to be back at Citadel Theatre after a very long hiatus from performing. Citadel Theatre: Annie (Bert Healey), Metropolis Center for the Performing Arts: A Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley) Willams Street Rep: The Addams Family (Conquistador) City Lit Theatre: Trial by Jury (Defendant), IU Summer Theatre: The Foreigner (Owen). Jimmy has BFA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University and is from Chicago, IL. He would like to thank his family and friends for always being there for support and wants to welcome everyone back to the theater!!
Alley Ellis (Sally Brown)
Alley is thrilled to be making her Citadel Theatre debut! A Zoom University and Chicago College of Performing Arts graduate, Alley received her BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Emphasis in 2020. Pre-pandemic, she was seen as Maggie in A Chorus Line (CCPA), Reno u/s in Anything Goes (CCPA), Trinculo u/s in The Tempest (Midsommer Flight), and coming up next year, you can find her head-banging in the ensemble of Rock of Ages at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora! Catch her on all socials @lalleylellis and at alleyellis.com
Marcellus Burt (Linus)
Marcellus is excited to return to Citadel Theatre and be in his first in-person production since 2019! He is a Chicago native and a proud Northwestern University graduate. Some of his performance credits include Moby Dick (Chicago Opera Theatre), Sunset Boulevard (Porchlight Music Theatre), Fun Home (Victory Gardens), and Ragtime (Griffin Theatre). Throughout the pandemic, Marcellus collaborated with Quicksilver Shakespeare Company and developed a virtual reading series that centered black, brown, queer, and trans voices. Marcellus hopes you all enjoy the show and have a wonderful holiday season!
Tuesdai B. Perry (Snoopy)
Tuesdai is feeling quite woof-derful to work with Citadel in Charlie Brown! You may have seen her on Citadel’s TYA stage in Elephant and Piggie: We Are in a Play! Hailing from Gary, Indiana, she proudly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Directing and Writing from Western Illinois University. From Northbrook to Chicago to Oak Lawn - and a lot of places in between - Tuesdai has worked as a director, choreographer, performer, educator, and teaching artist, teaching dance, voice, theatre, preschool, and more for ages 2 and up. Some of her favorite credits include Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Pride Films and Plays); The Wiz (Emerald City); Die Fledermaus; Der Schauspieldirektor (WIU Opera); and The Nutcracker( ish) (Fleetwood-Jourdain). When not onstage, Tuesdai enjoys playing Animal Crossing, concocting smoothies, and improvising descants. “To all: love, light, and solidarity.” #RepresentationMatters
Matthew Silar (Stage Manager) *
Matthew Silar (Stage Manger) Matthew is a stage manager, director and teaching artist in both the Chicagoland and DFW theatre communities. He’s thrilled to spend the holidays in Lake Forest! Previous Chicago credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs (Citadel), Peter Pan (MTW), Singin’ in the Rain (CCT), and The Memory Tour (Pivot Arts). Texas credits include productions of 42nd Street, Footloose, The 39 Steps and Proof. Matthew is the co-founder of Awaken Theatre / 24 HR Musical where he has produced and directed The Drowsy Chaperone, All Shook Up, Godspell and Daddy Long Legs. He is also an acclaimed college audition coach with students in prestigious programs across the country. Matthew holds a BFA in Theatre Directing from Abilene Christian University and he's a proud member of Actor’s Equity. www.matthewsilar.com
Ellen Phelps (Production Manager)
Ellen Phelps is a co-founder of Citadel Theatre with her husband Scott Phelps. Ellen has been the production manager for all the main stage productions the past couple years and enjoyed performing in past roles such as Miss Hannigan in Annie and Sharon in The Roommate. Ellen has loved working with the entire production team of Charlie Brown.
Joe Lehman (Director)
Joe Lehman is delighted to return to Citadel Theatre where he previously directed Elephant and Piggy: We are in a Play! He is a long time Chicago area actor and directing credits include work with Williams Street Rep, Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Maples Repertory Theatre, and Greenbrier Valley Theatre among others. For me, happiness is being able to return to the craft I love and share the wonderful work of our actors, musicians, designers, crew and entire production team with you. I hope you find your happiness as well and, when you do, hang on tight. www.joe-lehman.com
David Zizic (Music Director)
David Zizic is delighted to return to Citadel (after Music Directing “Elephant and Piggie)! David works at Northbrook Theatre as Music Director, Director and Private Music Instructor. For many years David was Director of Music & Theatre at Virtuoso Performing Arts. In that capacity, he has had the pleasure of teaching many acting, voice and musical theatre students and administered the music and theatre programs. David is the Music Director/Accompanist at Bethany Union Church of Chicago. Performing credits include shows with Theatre at the Center, Music Theatre Works, Imagination Theatre, Bailiwick and Illinois Theatre Center. Love to Zachy!
Jake Ganzer (Choreographer)
Jake is back at Citadel for his fourth go-around, having assisted The Fantasticks, Annie, and Joseph...Dreamcoat. Choreography credits include: Teenage Dick (Theater Wit); The Tempest (Commission Theatre); All That He Was, 4000 Days (Pride Films and Plays). “Grateful to my family for the support and love.”
Eric Luchen (Scenic Designer)
Eric Luchen (Scenic Designer) is thrilled to return to Citadel, where he last designed Brighton Beach Memoirs. Since relocating to Chicago in 2010 he has designed over 70 productions in and around the Chicagoland area and in 2018 he received the Joseph Jefferson award for Best Scenic Design for Foxfinder produced by Interrobang Theatre. Upcoming productions include: Christmas Dearest (Hell in a Handbag), Outside Mullingar (Citadel). You can see more of his work at www.ericluchen.com or on Instagram @ericluchen
Nick Peebles (Technical Director)
Nick is excited to return to Citadel for this production. Prior credits include "The Roommate" and "Sentimental Journey" at Citadel, "Diary of Anne Frank" and "The Shadow Box" at Oakton Community College, and "Full Monty" and "Baskerville" at Timber Lake Playhouse. He would like to dedicate his work on this production to the memory of Ted and Loraine Zabel.
Samuel Stephen (Lighting Design)
This is Samuel’s second production this season with Citadel Theatre. They are excited to be working in the space again, and excited to be the lighting designer on You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! Their past experience includes a Bachelor's degree in Live Entertainment Design and Technology from North Central College, later working on shows such as America’s Best Outcast Toy and Dex and Abby at Pride Arts Center, and the Musical Theatre Festival at Edgewater Theatre presented by Underscore Theatre. You can find out more about them at www.DesignsBySamuelStephen.com
Colin Bradley Meyer (Costume Designer)
Colin is excited to be back designing for Citadel after just designing Brighton Beach Memoirs. Colin is a graduate from Drake University with a BFA in directing. Colin has worked for many companies across the country and throughout the Chicago area. Some recent credits include Noises Off (Metropolis Performing Arts), Runaways (Piven Theatre Workshop), and Rent (Possibilities Theatre). Colin is excited to be back in the swing of productions and hopes you enjoy the show. Website: Colinbradleymeyer.com
Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (Prop Design)
Jonathan Berg-Einhorn is a Chicago based designer and artisan. Scenic Design: Who Killed Joan Crawford? (Glitterati Productions), Alice in Wonderland, The ARC Trials (Mudlark Theatre); Curious George: The Golden Meatball (Hope Summer Repertory Theater); Brooke Astor’s Last Affair (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival), The Seven Deadly Sins, Endgame (Boston University). Prop Design: Mr. Burns, Teenage Dick (Theater Wit) Haymarket (Underscore Theatre); Something Clean, Scientific Method, I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble); HeLa, The Ridiculous Darkness (Sideshow Theatre); Sheepdog, Hannah and Martin (Shattered Globe Theatre); Twice, Thrice, Frice (Silk Road Rising); Elephant Man, Bomber’s Moon (William Street Rep); I Know My Own Heart (Pride Films and Plays). Jonathanbergeinhorn.com.
Jonesy Jones (Sound Design)
Jonesy Jones is a sound designer and engineer living in Chicago. He has an MA in Sound Art from Northwestern University. He recently worked on Ragtime with Music Theater Works. This is his first production with Citadel Theatre.
Sandie Bacon (Scenic Charge)
Sandie Bacon is a versatile artist, known both for her drawings/ paintings and her murals. She shows both locally and nationally including at the Art Center in Highland Park and the Stola Contemporary. She has won many commissions including having artwork at Art Prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Chicago Sculpture Society. Sandie has a MFA from Maryland Institute Graduate school of painting. She is a Working Artist for Golden Paints and teaches throughout the Midwest. Reach her at: sandiebacon1@gmail.com or www.sandiebaconstudios.com
Samantha Thielman (Assistant Stage Manager)
This will be Samantha’s third season with Citadel and is excited to be back in the theatre. She received her Associates in Fine Arts from Harper College and then attended Northern Illinois University for her Bachelor's in Theatre Studies. Some of her works include: Bartleby the Scrivener with Organic Theatre, The Dumb Waiter with Proud Kate Productions, Sunset Boulevard with LZP Productions, Legally Blonde, Seussical, The Mousetrap and Chicago with Big Noise Theatre, Over the River and Through the Woods with Theatre D and, The Roommate, Annie, Winnie the Pooh and Junie B. Jones with Citadel Theatre.
Blake Bortnik (Sound Board Operator)
Blake Bortnik is a first grade teacher in Aurora, and enjoys helping with sound and lighting as a hobby. Blake has done over 20 plays throughout the Chicagoland area, and has just recently come to Citadel. He enjoys the positive environment here, and is very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Charlie Brown.
Kyle Gentile (Percussion)
Kyle has been gigging and teaching around the Chicago land area for over a decade now. By 2012 he attended Capital University's music conservatory to pursue a B.M. in Jazz Studies. In 2016 he went on to become a teaching assistant at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Thompson Jazz studies program, receiving a M.M. in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy. Over the years he has performed with artists of multiple genres all over the U.S. as well as internationally. Some of these artists and groups include; Brad Goode, Safety Squad, Maria Schneider, Jonathan Saraga, Brian Casey, and Bill Boggs.
Eric Von Holst (Bass)
Eric von Holst is thrilled to be playing bass for Citadel's production of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. You may have also seen him play in Citadel's production of The Fantasticks last season. Eric has been playing bass in the Chicago theater scene for the past nine years and is excited to get back into the swing of things. Some of Eric's favorite productions include Anyone Can Whistle (Madkap Productions), Cabaret (Big Noise Theater) and Catch Me If You Can (Big Deal Productions). When Eric is not playing the bass, he is taking care of his two year old Shiba Inu, Kato. Eric thanks his friends and family for always supporting him.
Kedgrick Pullums (Reed)
Kedgrick Pullums is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, dj and educator in the Chicago area. A seasoned orchestral, musical theater, and session musician, he has played with such ensembles and projects as the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Sam Trump and the Acoustic Audile, Porchlight Theatre, and Windy City Theatre. As founder and Artistic Director of The Roscoe Collective, he is passionate about breaking down the barriers of improvisation for all musicians. He currently resides in Crete, IL.
Marquis Bundy (U/S Charlie Brown/Linus)
Marquis is excited to work with Citadel Theatre for the very first time! He is a freshman at Columbia College Chicago, where he is getting his BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. A couple of Marquis' credits include Sky Square in Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, Peter Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, Harold Hill in The Music Man, (Des Moines Community Playhouse) and Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray (Lincoln High School). Marquis has also choreographed many of his high school productions and served on Troupe 4752 Thespian Board. Marquis loves graphic design and lava lamps.
Michael J. Santos (U/S Schroeder/Snoopy
Michael is excited to be a part of this wonderful show with this great team! He is honored to be working with the Citadel theatre for the first time. Michael is a recent graduate of Millikin University with a BFA in Acting. Some of his recent works include Rumpelstiltskin (Sigman Brother’s Production), Chicago, She Kills Monsters (Millikin Main Stage), and Into the Woods (Stahl Family Theatre). You can see him in MPAACT’s production of Red Summer next fall. He hopes the audience will enjoy the show!
Korinne Yonan (U/S Lucy/Sally)
Korinne is so excited to be performing in her first show with Citadel! She has appeared in various shows in the Chicagoland area such as FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY, 25TH...SPELLING BEE, SPRING AWAKENING, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and HAIR. She would thank her sister, Hannah, for her love and support and her students for the endless amount of material they have given her to help play a child.