DetroitCast

The Detroit Cast

KIMBERLY VANBIESBROUCK (Soap Star) is very excited to join the "Menopause The MusicalT" family. Most recently, she was seen in "Forbidden Christmas" at The Century Theatre. Other credits include "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof;" "Forbidden Hollywood;" Sweet Charity;" "A Chorus Line;" and "Always, Patsy Cline." Kimberly would like to send her love and thanks to her amazing husband, Craig, all her family, especially her always supportive mom and dad, and her sweet, wonderful daughter, Isobel. "Thanks for making anything possible."

KATHY RAWLINSON (Iowa Housewife) is happy to be here at The Gem Theatre. Regional theatre credits include: “Orestes” (Famous Door, Chicago) “Lapin, Lapin” (Bailiwick Theatre, Chicago) “God's Country” (Attic Theatre, Detroit) NYC credits: “Dahling'” (Grove Street Playhouse), “Tasty” (Manhattan Theatre Source) “Love Monologues” (Riant Theatre). Kathy is a drama instructor with VSA Arts of Michigan and teaches improvisation for The Second City-Detroit. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre from DePaul University - Chicago.

JUDY DERY (Earth Mother), making her Gem Theatre debut, has performed all over the Detroit area as well as in New York, Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles and Athens (Greece). Favorite roles include Mama Rose in "Gypsy;" Vera Charles in "Mame;" Dr. Charlotte in "Falsettos;" Dr. Gotterling in "Les Blancs;" Mrs.Fezziwig/Chairwoman in three (so far) Meadow Brook productions of "Christmas Carol;" Bloody Mary in "South Pacific;" The Leader in "Zorba;" and Mrs. Schuster in the movie Polish Wedding. Judy does voiceover and commercial work and is chairwoman of Equity & Friends Fight AIDS. "Thanks, I love you, Mom and Dad." D*** the hot flashes - full speed ahead!

LINDA BOSTON (Power Woman) Always honoring God, Ms. Boston has received notoriety and awards for the one-woman show “Moms Mabley: The Naked Truth”, “How High The Moon: Sarah, Ella and Pops” and “Sophisticated Ladies”. Her work with some of Michigan’s most distinguished venues, includes: Fellowship Chapel, The Detroit Concert Choir (Gordon Nelson, director), Actors Alliance Conservatory, The Purple Rose Theatre, Buckham Alley Theatre, Boarshead Theatre, U-M Theatre/Flint, Plowshares Theatre Company, The Music Hall, TJ Hemphill Productions, Buku Productions, Detroit Repertory Theatre, Trinity House Community Theatre, Harmony Park Playhouse, Trumbell Theatre and Calumet Theatre.

RHONDA FREYA ENGLISH (Understudy - Power Woman) is blessed to be part of "Menopause The MusicalT." A native Detroiter with a theatre degree from MSU, Rhonda was destined to be a performer because she literally was onstage before she was born - her mother danced professionally through six months of pregnancy with her. Rhonda has numerous stage credits, awards and nominations, including "He is Christmas;" "Home;" "Born Yesterday;" "Stop Kiss;" "Orphan Train;" "East Texas Hot Links;" "Bourbon at the Border;" and more at theatres including The Purple Rose; Performance Network and Plowshares Theatre. Rhonda also performed in the original cast of the U.S. tour of "Beauty Shop." Film and TV credits include "Super Sucker" and "Layla's Girl." "This production is a blessing to all, and came at a time of crossroads in my life (not quite menopausal, but personal crossroads, nonetheless), and I thank God every morning for "Menopause The MusicalT" and everyone involved with the show. And, of course, my loved ones for their prayers and unending love and support." Matthew 7:7

TRUDY MASON (Understudy - Earth Mother, Iowa Housewife) is very proud to be a member of the “Menopause The Musical™” company, and is delighted to be making her debut at The Gem Theatre. A native Torontonian, Trudy has performed in theatres across Canada and the United States. Some favorite roles include Irma la Douce in “Irma;” Miss Hannigan in “Annie;” Mistress Quickly in Meadow Brook's “Merry Wives of Windsor;” and Mama in Planet Ant's “'Night Mother.” Trudy also has television, radio and film credits. When not in production, she enjoys the blessings of a wonderful husband (who has ridden the menopause bronco like a cowboy hero), his three children and five grandchildren, and their life in Dearborn. Trudy wants to thank God and Jeanie Linders and her team for bringing this healing opportunity to all women.

Detroit Cast Alumni

Those who have appeared in the Detroit Production of Menopause The MusicalTM

P. J. JENKINSON (Detroit's original Iowa Housewife) is delighted to be experiencing "Menopause," especially with such an outstanding group of women and men. Past performances include multiple roles in "A. My Name Is Alice" and "God's Country" with The Attic Theatre; "Women In Bars" (Rose), with The Theatre Company, and "Getting Out" (Mother) with Planet Ant. Television credits include "Unsolved Mysteries" and Perkins Restaurant commercials. She thanks and sends much love to her very supportive family, her fierce friends, and the finest husband in the universe.

WYDETTA CARTER (Understudy - Power Woman) normally seen portraying the role in the Chicago company, she is pleased to be sharing the stage with the ladies here in Detroit. As a proud member of Actor’s Equity, she has had the pleasure of touring with the national tours of Dreamgirls, How to Succeed in Business, Ain’t Misbehavin, as well as performing in productions of Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Little Shop of Horrors, The Trojan Women, Annie, and Showboat to name a few, in regional theatres across the country. Thanks to my family for their support, DGRW for sticking with me through thick and thin, and to the folks at TOCPRO for making me a part of the Menopause family.

RENEE LAWLESS-ORSINI (Understudy - Earth Mother, Iowa Housewife) comes direct from the recent Des Moines Iowa cast where she played the role of Earth Mother. She has also played the role of Soap Star and is excited to add the role of Iowa Housewife to her credits. Ms. Lawless-Orsini has spent the last 10 years performing on stage, film and TV in New York City. She was on the National Tour and in the Broadway production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast where she covered the roles of Mrs. Potts and Madame de la Grande Bouche. She also played the title role in Always…Patsy Cline and in the same role in the World Premier of Patsy: Honky Tonk Angel. Her theatrical credits include: Pirates of Penzance at Westchester Broadway Theatre, On the Town and Phantom at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, My Fair Lady, Brigadoon and Nine at Papermill Playhouse, Tintypes and Closer Than Ever on the Showboat Majestic. Film and TV Credits include: Ghost Story w/ John Houseman, Heaven’s to Betsy w/ Dolly Parton, The Lucky Ones, Bono: The Movie and The Obituary. Her Opera credits include The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Mahagony, Street Scene and The Mikado. Ms. Lawless-Orsini was a regional finalist in the 2004 Daywind Records ‘Exalt Him’ Gospel Talent Search Competition. She released her first Gospel CD, “Renee Lawless – A Live Sampler” in 2003. A graduate of Stetson University, she received her Master’s Studies from Cincinnati College conservatory of Music. This fall she taught Master Classes at the La Villa School of the Arts. Ms. Lawless-Orsini would like to thank her parents for all of their love and support and gives Jesus all the glory for His bountiful blessings.

SATORI SHAKOOR (Understudy - Power Woman) is a singer, actor, writer, and comedienne. Satori has worked wiht multiple Grammy winners, including Luther Vandross and David Foster. She has recorded and toured with George Clinton's "Parliament/Funkadelic" as one of "The Brides of Funkenstein," which won an R&B award. Satroi has opened for Joan Rivers, and has numerous credits in television, film and theatre that include: "Ain't Misbehavin'(Armelia); "The Adventurys of a Black Girl in Search of God," (Darese); "The Hurricane" (Norman Jewison); and "The Famous Jett Jackson." She was nominated for a Dora Award for 'Outstanding Performance' in her one-woman play, "Who She Wasn't," and has bee nominated for two Gemini Awards for "Thick and Thin" for Best Performance and Witing in a Television Comedy.' Satori is thrilled to join the "Menopause The MusicalTM" Family.