Meet the Cast
Aaron Brewer( Bruce Bechdel) Aaron is happy to be back in the Iowa Theatre Building having last performed over a decade ago as Enjolras in Les Miserables. Other notable TCR roles include Roger, Jesus, Jimmy Rae, Anthony, and of course, Billy Idol impersonator. A Cedar Rapids transplant, he spends his days as the Land Sustainability Coordinator at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center.“ Lots of love to Hannah and Maribel! Thanks to Mom and Dad for singing around the house and the Spina clan for so much support. Peace.”
Maia DeGrazia( Medium Alison) Maia is a recent graduate of Grinnell College where she earned her BA in French, and is pursuing a career in medical anthropology. In the meantime, Maia is thrilled to make her TCR debut as one of her dream roles! Past productions include Anastasia( featured dancer), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee( Marcy), Little Women( young Amy), The Little Mermaid( featured dancer), and The Addams Family( Wednesday) with City Circle. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee( Marcy 2.0) and I Dig You( Lizzie) with the Grinnell Theatre department. Gratitude and love to Angie, Janelle, Lacey, and the rest of the cast and crew for putting the“ fun” in Fun Home. Thank you to her family, including bestie Sumner, for their love and support, and her partner Garrett for taking on the role of“ stage boyfriend” like a champ.
Westley Lindo Ellis( Christian Bechdel) Westley is honored to be in his 3rd TCR production! Westley made his acting debut in 2023 in Revival Theatre’ s Honk!( Beaky) and went on to perform in TCR’ s School of Rock( as keyboardist extraordinaire Lawrence Turner), McKinley’ s musical Shrek Jr.( Donkey), and TCR’ s Beauty and the he Beast( Chip). He keeps busy performing in McKinley’ s powerhouse show choir Classic Edition, playing keys in his School of Rock band, doing ninja gymnastics and playing soccer. Westley thanks his family( including his theatre family) for supporting his big dream of singing & dancing his own way through life!
Jennifer Ford( Helen Bechdel) Jen is thrilled to be back on the TCR stage as Helen in Fun Home. Some of her past roles include, Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee( RTC), Tanya in Mamma Mia( TCR), Magenta in Rocky Horror Show( RHCR) and Paula in Catch Me If You Can( City Circle). Jen feels so privileged to be a part of this moving and thought-provoking show and with such a talented cast and crew! Thank you to Angie and Janelle for this opportunity and to all my cast members for the support and positivity while telling a difficult story! A special shout out to my wonderful and supportive husband Matt, to my five fabulous kids and my parents for all the years of support and love. Thank you for coming to hear this story!