THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a comedy about a small theater company staging a production of a 1920s-style murder mystery, THE MURDER AT HAVERSHAM MANOR but when the curtain goes up, everything quickly goes from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead and actors who trip over everything (including their lines).
“A riotous explosion of comedy!” – (THE DAILY BEAST)
“The funniest play Broadway has ever seen!” – (HUFFPOST)
THE NEW YORK TIMES calls it
“A GUT-BUSTING HIT! The audience roared as loudly as the crowds at any wrestling match.”
Armin Shimerman* (Dennis Tyde) is best known to television audiences as Quark, on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” or maybe as Principal Snyder in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”.
On Broadway: Joe Papp’s THREE PENNY OPERA, Circle-in-the-Square’s ST. JOAN (with Lynn Redgrave), Richard Rodgers’ I REMEMBER MAMA, and GEORGE ABBOTT’S BROADWAY. Selected Regional Theatre – San Diego Repertory Theater: where he played the role of Lear’s Fool, Marius in Fugard’s ROAD TO MECCA, and was honored for his blind Irishman in Conor McPherson’s THE SEAFARER (San Diego Critics Circle Award for Best Actor); San Diego Old Globe: RICHARD III, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR; American Shakespeare Festival: HENRY V; Indiana Repertory Theatre: HOAGY, BIX, WOLFGANG BEETHOVEN BUNKHOUSE; Guthrie Theatre: THREEPENNY OPERA, CAMILLE, WILD OATS and Fool in KING LEAR. Recently, at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, he was in HAMLET (Broadway World Nomination for Polonius), MACBETH, and THE PRICE. Selected Los Angeles theatre: DISCORD AND HUGHIE (with Brian Dennehy) at the Geffen Theatre, BIRTHDAY PARTY at the Matrix Theater (LA Drama Critics Circle Nom. Lead Performance); MACBETH and THREE DAYS IN THE COUNTRY (Robby Award for Best Supporting Actor) at Antaeus, RICHARD II at the Mark Taper Forum. At the Antaeus Theatre in Glendale (a past Associate Artistic Director): he co-directed THE CRUCIBLE (Broadway World nomination) and COVID shut down his production of MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
TV: 80 different Guest Star roles including the Nox on “STARGATE”, Judge Hooper on “Boston Legal”, “Brooklyn Bridge”, “Seinfeld”, “Beauty And The Beast”, and “Timeless”. Nominated for a daytime Emmy for his performance in the web-series, “Red Bird”. As a voice-over artist, his work with the “Maltese Falcon” and “Zorro” was nominated for separate Grammys. In the field of games, he has done dozens, receiving kudos for his voicing of Dr. Nefarious in the Ratchet And Clank franchise as well as Andrew Ryan in the Bioshock series.
In addition, he is a sought-after teacher of Shakespeare and was an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California. This interest in the bard led to his being a novelist with Jumpmaster Press, and the first two books of his trilogy, Illyria, an Elizabethan historical work mixed with Shakespearian characters, is currently on sale and doing well. The third book will be written while in Kansas City. Being happily married to Kitty Swink for over 40 years is unquestionably his greatest achievement.
Ross Hellwig* (Chris Bean) is honored to be making his Kansas City debut in New Theatre’s production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. Ross has performed at several theatres near his home on the West Coast including The Old Globe Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara, B Street Theatre, Rubicon Theatre Company, Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, International City Theatre, North Coast Rep, Intrepid Theatre Company, The Fountain Theatre, LA Theatre Works, A Noise Within, Sierra Rep, Palos Verdes Performing Arts, and Diversionary Theatre. He has also worked with Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Southwest Shakespeare Company, and Vienna’s English Theatre among others. His film and television credits include “The Selling”, episodes of “Law & Order: SVU”, “Numb3rs”, and “Guiding Light”. Ross is deeply grateful for the opportunity to perform here in Kansas City and thanks you all for supporting live theatre.
Allison Jones* (Annie Twilloil) is making her debut at New Theatre & Restaurant! Local Credits include RAGTIME and MY FAIR LADY at Music Theatre Heritage, BASEBALL: A MUSICAL LOVE LETTER at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, FUN HOME, SCHOOL GIRLS; OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL at KCRep. You also may have seen her in GODSPELL at Starlight, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and EMOTIONAL CREATURE at Spinning Tree Theatre, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at The Coterie Theatre, and SISTER ACT at The Barn Players Theatre.
Jerry Kernion* (Robert Grove) Regional/International: WEST SIDE STORY (Krupke) at Chicago Lyric Opera, HEARTBREAK HOTEL (Col. Tom Parker) at Broadway Playhouse and Ogunquit Playhouse, Cirque du Soleils’ THE BEATLES, LOVE (Mr. Piggie), Cirque du Soleils’ BANANA SHPEEL (Marty Shmelky) as well as various shows at The Mark Taper Forum, The Shakespeare Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Laguna Playhouse, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, A Noise Within, The Colony Theatre, Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and HENRY IV PT.1 (Falstaff) at Shakespeare Fest/LA. He performed around the world with The Reduced Shakespeare Company for over 10 years. FILM/TV: Recent recurring and guest starring roles On “The Blacklist”, “The Good Fight”, “Law & Order: SVU”, “FBI”, “Chicago Fire”, “Rebel”, “Tangled: The Series”, “Rosewood”, “Longmire”, “Snowfall”, “The Middle”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “NCIS: LA”, “NCIS”, “Mad Men”, “Castle”, “The West Wing”, “The Princess And The Frog” and the upcoming Netflix film, “Players”. Jerry is also an Ovation-nominated director.
Jen Mays* (Sandra Wilkinson) is so very excited to be here with you tonight. With you in the audience, certainly this evening’s show will be simply perfect, yes? A union stage and screen actor, Jen is proud to be part of Kansas City’s amazing arts community. Some of her favorite KC shows include PROJECT DAWN, CLYBOURNE PARK and the one-woman APPLICATION PENDING (Unicorn), PICNIC (KC Actors Theatre), CAROLINE, or Change (Spinning Tree), MIRACLE WORKER and SEUSSICAL (Coterie), AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and GUYS & DOLLS (KC Rep), MOTHERFREAKINGHOOD! (Moonshine Variety), and MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL, DIXIE SWIM CLUB, BEAU JEST, ON GOLDEN POND, ALL SHOOK UP, GYPSY, MAMMA MIA and so many more here at NTR. Look for Jen in ABOUT ALICE at KC Actors Theatre in Union Station in August! Thank you for supporting local live theatre. www.jenmays.com
David Fritts* (Jonathan Harris ) is a Kansas City actor who is very happy to be back with his friends at the New Theatre. Previous credits include “Rumors”, “Run for Your Wife”, “Social Security”, “Leading Ladies”, “Beau Jest”, “Funny Money”, and “Driving Miss Daisy”. A professional actor for 30 years, David is thrilled that theatre is flourishing in Kansas City, and is very grateful to be a part of it.
R.H. Wilhoit (Max Bennett) is excited to join this company of talented artists. A graduate of Drury University (BA-Theatre), he has been working professionally in Kansas City for the past seven years. R.H. has been seen on stages across the KC metro including Kansas City Actors Theatre (THE PESTS), Heart Of America Shakespeare Festival (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING), Spinning Tree Theatre (EVERY BRILLIANT THING, THE NANCE), and The Living Room Theatre (NOCTURNE, MILKING CHRISTMAS). As always, he’d like to thank his father, Chris, and his partner, Alisa, for their continued support.
Matt Williamson (Trevor Watson, u/s Robert) Since moving from LA to KC in 2015, Matthew has been working steadily in television, radio, and theatre. His voice-over work includes audiobooks and commercials for companies such as Sprint, Hallmark, Missouri Lottery, Bayer, Applebee’s, John Deere, Lowes, and many more. While living in LA, he appeared in television shows such as STAR TREK: VOYAGER, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, WILL & GRACE, BOSTON LEGAL, THE WEST WING and more. On Broadway in William Inge’s COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Matthew played Ned Alleyn in the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and Don Pedro in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. He is particularly proud of appearing in The Coterie Theatre’s production of WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED. Currently, Matthew teaches and directs at Maple Woods Community College. He thanks his wife for still being his wife and all of you for being here tonight.
Ai Vy Bui (Bryony, u/s Annie) is thrilled to make her New Theatre debut with this very serious play. Previous appearances include: Tong in VIETGONE (Unicorn Theatre), Violet in A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (The Coterie), Miss Julie in MISS JULIE (Kansas City Public Theatre), Ensemble in SECRET IN THE WINGS (Forge Repertory Theatre), Girl 5 in EMOTIONAL CREATURE (Spinning Tree Theatre), Trau in THE MEDICINE MAN, and Detective Nguyen in CA$H 4 CARNAGE (both Kansas City Actors Radio Theatre). She would like to thank her loved ones for their endless support.
Coleman Crenshaw (Adam, u/s Chris, Dennis, Trevor) is thrilled to join the cast of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG for his first experience at the New Theatre. He is an active member of the KC theatre community with over 50 credits to his name. Most recent credits include: SECRET IN THE WINGS (Forge Rep), SCREAM IN BLUE (KC Fringe); BLITHE SPIRIT (KCAT); THE LITTLE PRINCE (Mesner Puppet Theatre); ORPHANS HOME CYCLE (MET). Other KC stage credits include work at The Coterie, Fishtank, Living Room, Melting Pot KC, TYA, and The KC Fringe Festival. He has also performed in Boston, Providence, and Oxford, UK, along with being a co-Founder of Forge Repertory Theatre. He has two dogs, one girlfriend, and a handful of nickels. He is content.
Tyler Rowe (Phil, u/s Max & Jonathan) is thankful to return to the New Theatre. Credits: BILOXI BLUES (u/s Eugene, Epstein), New Theatre. MEMPHIS (Huey) – BRTKC. CAMELOT (Lionel), Company (David) – MTH. A DOLL’S HOUSE (Krogstad) – KCAT. ASSASSINS (John Hinckley) – Spinning Tree. TUCK EVERLASTING (Miles) – The Coterie. SPELLING BEE (Leaf), FALSETTOS (Mendel) – Faust Theatre.
Mandy Morris (u/s Sandra) Most recent KC credits: New Theatre: MAMMA MIA (Lisa), SISTER ACT (Michelle/Nun), CHICAGO (Merry Murderess), HAIRSPRAY (Amber Von Tussle), BUDDY HOLLY (Maria Elena Holly), SPELLING BEE (Marcy Park), JOSEPH.. (Mrs. Potiphar), and GREASE (Cha Cha) Coterie Theatre: BEAT BUGS and SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL EGADS! Theatre: LYSISTRATA JONES (Lysistrata), ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Janet) KC Rep: CABARET, CHRISTMAS CAROL. Mandy has directed/choreographed for Winterfest at Worlds of Fun, FOREVER PLAID and SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS at Music Theatre Heritage, and had the pleasure choreographing THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY here at the New Theatre. When not onstage, Mandy and her husband run their own plant-based food truck called The Tree Hugger Truck.