The Old, Old Story by Helen Perry Curtis

THE STORY: A children's Christmas play that draws on their imagination for its beauty and reverence. Consisting of movement, pantomime and tableau to music, the narrative is carried by carols found in any hymnal. An angel (may be played by an adult) tells the Christmas story. May be done with one soloist or large choir and several instruments. Only two to three rehearsals needed if the musical program is carefully prepared in advance.

Cast & Crew

Matthew Blackwell

is a Senior at Grand Blanc High School. This is his first appearance at Vertigo, but he has a long list of theater credits including Frankenstein, Searching for David’s Heart and Trials of Joan of Arc. In his spare time Matt enjoys playing sports and hanging out with his friends.

Rex Blackwell

is in the fourth grade at Pierce Elementary in Flint and he is making his 'acting debut' on our stage this evening. Rex enjoys playing football with his dad and reading. He also is having fun being in a show with his 'much older' brother.

Jewell Byasee

is in the third grade at Dieck Elementary School in Swartz Creek and is the youngest member of this evening's cast. However, she is one of the more experienced actresses in tonight's show with credits in Oliver, Trials of Joan of Arc, Much Ado About Nothing, and Honk. In her spare time she enjoys playing soccer and reading.

Erica Johnson

recently moved from Midland to Chesaning where she is currently the Director of Vocal Music at Chesaning's middle school and high school. Erica earned her degree in Music Education with a Choral Emphasis from Central Michigan University. She enjoys musical theater and has served as the musical director for Dow High School's musicals for the past five years.

David A. Kennedy

has been on various stages performing with Clio Cast & Crew, Swartz Creek Center Stage, Fenton Village Players, Thread Creek Community Players, Lapeer Community Theater, and Vertigo Productions, and he is also a former announcer for the Great Lakes Storm Semi-Pro Basketball Team.

Jane McMillan

teaches fist grade in the Flint School District and is the mother of the next two cast members in tonight's show. Jane has been seen in "Vagina Monologues" and "It's A Wonderful Life" at Vertigo, and she has performed with Clio Cast and Crew with credits in On Golden Pond, and Bull in a China Shop.

Sarah McMillan

is eleven years old and attends Seymour Elementary in Flushing. Sarah has appeared in It's A Wonderful Life, The Adventures of Louis & Clark, Jekyll and Hyde and Mother Goose Rhymes Run Amok. Sarah enjoys roller skating, playing on the computer, singing and hanging out with friends when not attending play rehearsals.

Will McMillan

is big brother to Sarah, first child of Jane, and a fourteen year old up and coming actor at Flushing High School where he is a Freshman and a prospective member of the National Thespian Society. His credits include A Midsummer's Night Dream, Miracle Worker and It's a Wonderful Life. His hobbies, besides acting, are playing games on the computer and reading.

Amber Rauschenberger

is thirteen years old and when she is not playing computer games she is watching Anime shows, reading, writing and drawing while being home schooled. Amber is a member of the Genesse Valley Choral Company and the Flint Festival Youth Chorus, and she enjoys playing basketball and skateboarding.

Royaa Soltani

recently returned to the stage as Margaret in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, and just ended a run with Vertigo in Nuts as Frankie MacMillan, Assistant District Attorney. Royaa attended Flint Central High School and the University of Michigan-Flint, and she is happy to once again be involved in the Flint Theater scene.

Wayne Suppes

lives in Chesaning with his wife Kay. Wayne has been an Endman on the Chesaning Showboat for the past 30 years. He sang in the Trinity Road Gospel Quartet for 11 years and is active at Trinity United Methodist Church, in Chesaning, where he continues to sing in the choir.

Ruthie Van Gilder (Vocal Soloist)

has appeared with Vertigo Productions in the title role of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline and Rats! The Musical. Ruthie has been an opening act for many major recording artists like Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Kris Kristofferson, The Judds, Vince Gill and has sung the Star Spangled Banner at an appearance featuring President George W. Bush.

Jeff Murdoch (Director/Santa/Opener)

is the director of this evening’s program and comes to Vertigo with an extensive background in theater. Jeff is a retired Speech and Theater teacher from Chesaning and has been active with various Community Theater groups in mid-Michigan and the Chesaning Showboat for over thirty years.

In 1997, Jeff was recognized as Michigan's Theater Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association. In his spare time he works with the Kiwanis Club of Chesaning, and he is also an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He serves as Lay-Leader at Trinity, and this January he will assume the responsibilities of Lay Leader for the Flint District of the United Methodist Church.

Don Hillaker (guitar soloist)

is a long time veteran of stage with credits in theatre going back 20 plus years. He has performed from Flint to California. His credits include not only stage work but, television commercials. Locally, he has performed for Flint Community Players, Flint Youth Theatre, Mott Community College and the University of Michigan. Some of his more notable performances have been as Soady in Escanaba in da' Moonlight and Fagin in Oliver. Currently he is attending U of M-Flint and is majoring in theatre. He plays guitar and is member of Studio Fade and Mighty Procrastinators performing at The White Horse.

Josh (Rusty) Flint (Light Board)

has been in this position for Vertigo Productions several times in the past. He has also been in front of the lights on a few occasions. His performances have been seen at Flint City Theatre and for Vertigo Productions Shakespeare in Kearsley Park. His last on stage performance was for Flint City Theatre's production of Bent performed at Red Ink Studios. He boasts of having all skills including reading, music and Brazilian knife fighting.

Jeff Everson (Sound Technician)

has been a sound technician for the past 7 years and a musician for 18 years. In the past he has found himself on stage playing in local bands. His technical work has brought him to Detroit's St. Andrews, The Magestic and Clutch Cargo. Although he has traveled as far south as Tampa, Florida this Flint resident enjoys volunteering his time for Local 432. He enjoys all forms of music but is a particular fan of Classical, Classic Rock and the Blues.