Lyova Merkle( Dave the Dude / Ensemble) Lyova Merkle, a Kirkwood Community College graduate with an associate degree in music, is thrilled to return to Theatre Cedar Rapids for his second show, after appearing in Frozen( Hans Understudy / Ensemble). He recently served as a teaching artist with Footliters Traveling Playhouse. Kirkwood credits include Silent Sky( Peter Shaw), Into the Woods( Cinderella’ s Prince / Wolf), and Chicago( Billy Flynn). He thanks his family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show!
Dean Messerly( Arvide Abernathy) Dean is passionate about singing and has performed in musicals with theatrical companies throughout Iowa and Wisconsin. He is grateful for the opportunity to perform for the first time at TCR. Dean has been in several productions of Guys and Dolls as Arvide and Sky Masterson and is thrilled to be a part of this outstanding cast and crew. Other favorite roles include Fagin in Oliver and Dick Deadeye in the comic opera HMS Pinafore.
EJ Miller( Jack O’ Hearts / Ensemble) EJ is so happy to be back on the TCR stage for the fourth time. Recently, you might have seen him in Frozen( Ensemble), Little Shop Of Horrors( Ensemble), Hairspray( Duane), and Wizard Of Oz( Ensemble). EJ is currently enjoying his time as a freshman at the University Of Northern Iowa where he studies theater. EJ would like to thank both his parents and some amazing coaches that got him where he is today;
Layne Sheetz, Rishi Wagle, Pat Fagan, Mic Evans, and Carrie Tinkham. Also huge shout out to his favorite adults; Bre Kenney and Precious Kimbrough. Sit back, relax, shoot some craps and enjoy the show.
Zoe Murphy( Allison / Ensemble / Dance Captain) Zoe is delighted to be back on the TCR stage. She has previously been seen in Carrie: The Musical( Norma), Something Rotten!( Ensemble), Rock of Ages( Regina), Cabaret( Lulu), Meet Me In St. Louis( Katie), and Mamma Mia!( Lisa), all at TCR. You may also find her up in the booth, pointing a spotlight. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Connor Norfleet
( Handsome Jack Fogarty / Ensemble / Dance Captain)
Connor is positively“ crap”-ing himself with excitement to welcome audiences to this show! While being cast as Handsome Jack Foggarty may be against his type, he is glad to call the TCR sewers his home! However, this wouldn’ t be the first time Connor’ s gone underground, he previously starred as a member of the‘ Squeak Squad’ The Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, an experience which he testifies exclusively and aptly prepared him for this classic piece! You may also have caught him sneaking around on and off the stage during TCR’ s Frozen( he did a lot in that one, he actually has back problems from how hard he carried that show as the ASM and Swing, no two shows were the same). Now fasten your seatbelts, grab your dice, and take back your mink as we prepare to depart to Havana, Cuba! We’ ll be there in a bushel and a peck!