Current Playbill

South City Theatre

Presents

Much Ado About Nothing

Emily Wolfe (Balthazar/Conrade) is thrilled to be returning to the stage for her second production with South City Theater. She was last seen in Christmas Queens (Alison Pettigrew) and is grateful for the opportunity to once again perform alongside such a talented community. Emily would like to thank her friends and family for their encouragement and hopes you enjoy the show!

Lisa Nelson (Don John/Dogberry) is thrilled to once again be working with SCT. Taking on two roles, Lisa has challenged her to portray characters that are both villainous and dim-witted. The audience can decide which of those roles came naturally to her. It is a big leap from Christmas Queens (Norma Faye) to Shakespeare. The encouragement of this incredible cast and crew has made the transition seamless. Enjoy the show and thanks for your continued support.

David Gauntt (Antonio) is delighted to be in his third South City production. He previously appeared in the Carol Burnett Shorts, and in Panache (Jumbo). He has also appeared with Homewood Theater in Catch Me If You Can, and in many productions with Park Players, Center Stage, and the Stanford Savoyards, most notably in Park Players’ Tweflth Night (Andrew Aguecheek) and in CenterStages’ 42nd Street (Abner Dillon). Offstage he is the father of 4 wonderful children, the husband of Yvonne Gauntt, and a soon-to-retire faculty member at UAB.

Leah Tkacik (The Watch) is thrilled to return to South City Theatre for this production of Much Ado About Nothing! She has performed in several shows at South City, including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Alice) and Bye Bye Birdie (Ensemble). A recent Theatre graduate from the University of Montevallo, she has also performed in the opera ensemble there and participated in the staged reading of Booth! The Lincoln Conspiracy (Lucy Hale) with the Cahaba Theatre Group.

Katherine Simmons (Hero) is grateful for another chance to perform at South City Theatre! She was last seen in The Christmas Queens (Cece Whitlow) and Murder is a Fine Art (Sharon Sharalike). Katherine would like to thank this wonderful cast and crew for the joy of this process. She would like to thank YOU for supporting your local theatre!

Gabrielle Metz(Don Pedro) is grateful to get back on the boards with the Bard in her 11th production at South City Theatre, playing in 4 locations of Alan & Francie Gardner’s lasting legacy & vision in creating theatre in their “backyard!” She last was seen Snowmobiling here (pre-pando) in Almost Maine. Wife After Death (wife) with The Cahaba Theatre Group was her last show of over 110 productions on almost every stage in the Magic City. 🙂 Many thanks to Lisa for your belief in me taking on this challenge with such short notice. I truly hope we can help bring needed joy & connection to you. Gabrielle sends peace, love, & happiness to all; & dedicates her work as Don Pedro to the blessed memory of Helen Logue in thanksgiving of her life & kind support.

Maximus Berrios (Claudio) is excited to be back onstage. Over the past year, he has performed in three productions at South City Theatre: Carol Burnett Summer Shorts (multiple roles), Murder is a Fine Art (Pete Casso, the impressionist artist), and Christmas Queens (Cooper Tatum, an aspiring filmmaker). This is his first major role, and he is thrilled to bring this character to life. He would like to thank his director, Lisa Ponder, for the opportunity to return for another production, as well as his fellow cast members for making this such a wonderful experience. He bids thee enjoy the show—God bless!

Mona Eldahshoury (Beatrice) is new resident of Pelham and she is thrilled to make her debut at South City Theatre. She currently teaches acting and theatre at UAB and is an international educator, performer, and advocate for using theatre as a tool for social change. Her previous acting credits include The Penelopiad (Penelope), Our Town (Stage Manager), Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), Hit the Wall (Madeline), and Predictor (Jody). Mona is deeply grateful for the support of her husband, Azideen, her family, her friends, and her furball cat named Fish. Mona dedicates this performance to those who refuse to be silenced, who challenge expectation, and who live boldly on their own terms.

Alex Arnold (Benedick) would like to share that working with South City Theater over the past two decades has been a true pleasure. The opportunity to return to the stage in Much Ado About Nothing is especially rewarding. Bringing to life the wit and charm of Benedick, one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved characters, has been an absolute delight for him. He is deeply grateful to South City Theater, its generous patrons, the talented cast, and the director, Lisa, for their support and collaboration in bringing this production to life

LeAnn Wilson (Margaret) currently works as a professional development manager at Baker Donelson. LeAnn was a theatre minor at The University of Alabama where she was involved in the performing arts community. Previous roles include The Vagina Monologues (Chorus) and Chicago (Liz). Outside of theatre, she enjoys figure skating, reading and writing, and is a competitive jiu jitsu athlete.

Zander Vanhook (Boy/First Watchman/Messenger) has been active in the children’s program at South City Theatre  since the ActingUp! Summer Camp 2023. Now a seventh grader, his roles include Alex in Wonderland (Doorjam), The Great Cell Phone Catastrophe (Stevie), Moana, Jr. (Tamatoa’s right claw), Matilda, Jr. (The Escapologist, Rudolfo), and the upcoming Spaghetti Western (Duke Dreadful). Outside of acting, he is a drummer and enjoys playing video games in his spare time. This is his first time performing Shakespeare, and he is excited to be part of this production.

Josh Robertson (Borachio) is excited to be back at South City Theatre, having previously appeared in SCT’s Summer Shorts ‘25, Our Town, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and other fun shows at SCT. Thanks to this cast and crew for the fun process and working with me!

Jon Curren (Leonato) is thrilled to be back at South City Theatre working with another wonderful cast and director. Past roles include (all at South City Theatre) Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Clause (Goss/George/Tom Pryor/Ocer Akins, Night of January 16th (John Whitfield), Hulas and Homicides (Pono Pahu), Carol Burnett Summer Shorts (Dummy/John), and Murder is a Fine Art (Luigi Lambrusco). Jon is looking forward to another great show.

Michelle Vercher (Ursula/Second Watchman/Stage Manager)
recently appeared in Murder is a Fine Art (Fiona Fakes) in South City Theatre’s Covering Dish (Willodean), and The Wild Women of Winedale (Edith). Most often you’ll find her working behind the scenes as the Stage Manager in many wonderful productions including Christmas Queens, Covering Dish, Love Loss, and What I Wore, A Reunion to Die For, Tuna Christmas, Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming, Elvis People, A (Not So) Retro Christmas, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Night of January 16th. She would like to thank my family and all the wonderful directors and cast members who have made my time at South City so enjoyable.

Yvonne Gauntt (Verges) would like to thank Lisa for allowing her to perform in her favorite Shakespeare play! Growing up with a mother who was very active in the closest community theater group (45 minutes away) Yvonne always knew she wanted to participate, but only played in the orchestra through High School. In college she managed to fit in a production of Catch 22, and has been performing off and on ever since. Her favorite roles were Much Ado about Nothing (Ursula’s understudy), The Misanthrope (Arsinoe), and Guys and Dolls (Agatha). She has also been in the chorus for every Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta except The Grand Duke, which never gets performed. Her most recent role was in Dearly Beloved (Madame Nelda – one of many) with Homewood Theatre.

Katy Walker (Friar Francis/Tranio) is excited to return to the stage since appearing as in Noises Off (Poppy) at Leeds Arts Council in 2024. She has stage managed or done lights/sound for several shows. Some of her favorite roles have been The Sound of Music (Sister Margaretta) at LAC and, Drop Dead (Alabama Miller) at ACTA. Next up will be assistant directing Red, White, and Tuna here at SCT. She would like to thank everyone involved.