2012 Cast

 

Emily Walter - Queen of the West
Born in WI, frequently in NYC, but always at home in Medora, Emily Walter is excited to host this summer! Originally a Burning Hills Singer from ‘93-’95, her time in Medora spurred the portrayal of the legendary Patsy Cline in various tours and cities, beginning here on this very stage! With an M.F.A. in Acting from Mankato, MN, she’s spent her career playing Shakespeare to Annie Oakley, and recently toured, "Church Basement Ladies" with William Christopher (Father Mulcahy of M.A.S.H). Emily was lead vocalist and Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force SAC Band, is a Gulf War Veteran, and has worked with stars such as Bob Hope, Lee Greenwood and John Denver. She divides her professional time between land and sea, traveling the globe extensively as a Guest Entertainer with select cruise lines. You can find her latest CD “Falling in Love Again and Again” in the gift shops along with a genuine "Queen of the West" Tiara Cowboy Hat!
Alicia Magliaro - Burning Hills Singer
Alicia Magliaro is delighted to be joining the Burning Hill Singers for the first time. A native of Connecticut, she now resides in NYC. She received her B.A. in Musical Theater Performance & Dance from Wagner College and has learned all of her clogging skills with Lord of the Dance in Sugar Hill Manhattan. Favorite credits include setting sail with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holly Jolly Christmas with P.E.G., and dancing in commercials for both Buick and Hue Leggings. “Thank you to Curt and Bo for this amazing opportunity!”
Bethany Wagner - Burning Hills Singer
Bethany Wagner is thrilled to be spending her second summer in North Dakota. A graduate of Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University, Bethany has professionally performed at different theatres in eight states and hopes to keep adding to that list. She would like to thank her dear friends and family for all their super support, Curt and Bo for another “Medor-iffic” summer, and God in paving the way for her to live out her childhood dreams.
Bo Price - Burning Hills Singer/Choreographer
Bo Price is once again thrilled to be back in the wonderful state of North Dakota for the summer! Bo has been a Burning Hills Singer for eight years, (taking one year off) has choreographed the show for six years and has worked for StageWest Entertainment for nine amazing years. Bo has worked around the U.S. for almost ten years and is still kicking. “I would personally like to thank Curt Wollan for taking a chance on me and for being so great to work with, I can't wait for more chapters of the ‘Curt and Bo Show!’ Thank you Sandy Tipping for making awesome music arrangements and for putting up with my tempo changes. Special thanks to ‘Great Grosch’ for writing the script, having great ideas, helping with music selections and giving great advice towards the entire show! I would also like to dedicate this show to my wonderful family, the energetic and world's best audience member Shelia Shaffer, and especially to Wade Westin and his family. I would like to thank the cast of 2011 for their hard work and dedication and for giving up every single night of their summer to perform to you. Another special thanks to Mandi, Lexie (my work horse), Chetty, Alicia, Kevin, Bethany and every single former Burning Hills Singer I have worked with! On closing night I will have performed 826 different variations of the Medora Musical! Now, hand me my walker, sit back and let’s enjoy the GREATEST SHOW IN THE WEST!”
Candice Lively - Burning Hills Singer
Candice Lively is thrilled to be back for her second season in the Medora Musical. Over the past year she has been seen at the Black Bear Dinner Theatre and the Black Bear Christmas Spectacular in Pigeon Forge, TN. Candice has also been featured as a production singer aboard the international cruise ship, The Norwegian Gem. Other credits include the American Jukebox Theatre and Dollywood’s Buddy Baxter’s Bandstand, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Country Crossroads. Candice would like to thank her family for their love and support. She is also very fortunate to be able to perform on the Medora stage with her boyfriend, Chet, for a second time!
Chet Wollan - Burning Hills Singer
Chet Wollan is very excited to be back for his sixth season as a Burning Hills Singer! As many times as he leaves, Medora keeps calling him back. Chet has most recently been seen at Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood. During his stay at the park, he appeared as “D J Danny Dugan” in the award-winning Dreamland Drive-In where he was nominated for “Male Performer of the Year” among international theme parks (IAAPA). Other shows include Babes In Toyland and Twas the Night Before Christmas. Chet is very much looking forward to making this the most amazing summer in the majestic Badlands. How could it not be? He gets the pleasure of performing with his sister, Lexie, and his beautiful girlfriend, Candice!
Erica Smith - Burning Hills Singer
Erica Smith, from Roswell, GA, recently graduated with her Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre. In the fall, she made the big move to NYC! Her regional theatre credits include: Once in a Lifetime (Alliance Theatre), Tosca (Opera Birmingham), and Aida (Opera Birmingham). She also has enjoyed touring with Student Life and performing at Six Flags Over Georgia in Back to the Beach and Flashback. She is excited to be making her Medora Musical debut!
Jeremiah Swenson - Burning Hills Singer
Jeremiah Swenson is excited to return for his second season as a Burning Hills Singer with his new wife, Lexie! Jeremiah is a native of Stanley, ND and graduated from Minot State University with a degree in Elementary Education. He now teaches in the Minneapolis area and would like to thank everybody for coming to the greatest show in the west!
Karen O'Connell - Burning Hills Singer
Karen O’Connell is thrilled to be making her Medora debut! She is a native of Alexandria, VA and a recent graduate of the Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre. She has enjoyed working in various theatres on the East Coast, in productions of Cats (Grizabella), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Spelling Bee (Marcy), Footloose (Wendy Jo), and as Wonder Woman at Six Flags America. She’s performed at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as part of the New Year’s Eve Celebration and the Page-to-Stage Festival. On the big screen, you might see her this summer in Transformers 3 and Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You. Karen sends love to her family, friends, and the cast and crew of the Medora Musical!
Kevin Korczynski - Burning Hills Singer
Kevin Korczynski happily joins the Medora family for a new adventure! And he has a feeling he’s not in Kansas any more. While Kevin has performed regionally, this is his Badlands debut! “Many thanks to Curt, for providing this rip-roarin’ opportunity, and to Bo, for being a rootin-tootin’ Lord of the Dance.” Kevin resides in NYC and sends much love to Mom and Dad. Giddy on up, giddy on out!
Ken Quiricone - Burning Hills Singer
Ken Quiricone is thankful to be back for his second summer as a Burning Hills Singer in beautiful Medora. Originally from Connecticut; Ken spent this past winter skiing in Aspen; and loves a stage! Ken is fortunate to have worked with so many amazing artists and met so many friends over the years as an actor. Favorite credits include; Off-Broadway: Phantom of the Opera (Richard), Hansel and Gretel (Groundskeeper); Regional: Death of a Salesman (Happy), Grease (Kenickie), The Mikado (Mikado); Tour: Chamber Theatre of Boston; And Dollywood in the Great Smokies. Ken can’t thank his family enough. Giddy-Up Medora!!
Lexie Wollan Swenson - Burning Hills Singer
Lexie Wollan Swenson is thrilled to be back in Medora for another season and is doubly thrilled to be on stage with her new husband, Jeremiah, and her brother, Chet. Lexie has performed at Dollywood and has been on the road with the Christmas Carol National Tour and the Church Basement Ladies National Tour. She has also been a reporter for the Minneapolis NBC affiliate award-winning “Whatever” TV show for young adults and was seen in the Johnny Cash tribute musical, Ring Of Fire at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse. Enjoy your stay in Medora!
Reid Robinson - Burning Hills Singer
Reid Robinson is thrilled to be back for a second summer at Medora! He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Elon University. Reid most recently finished a run playing Ryan in Disney’s High School Musical at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, GA. Other credits include: Route 66’ Nat’l Tour (Springer Theatricals), Route 66 (Springer Opera House), Baby John in West Side Story (Loessian Summer Playhouse), Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, as well as Dreamland Drive-In, Christmas in the Smokies, and Twas’ the Night… at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. In his free time Reid can be seen hiking and playing his ukulele… at the same time.
John Kunik - Theodore Roosevelt
John Kunik returns as Theodore Roosevelt for the 20th anniversary season of “Bully!” This will be Kunik's sixth season as our 26th President. A well-rounded theatrical professional, he has appeared in nearly 200 productions, directed over 50, and as a playwright has had ten produced scripts including one Off-Broadway. Based in Minneapolis, his theatrical credits include two national tours with the Children's Theater and the current national tour of Deer Camp-the Musical, as well as acting with the Guthrie Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Theatre in the Round, and five years in the long-running Tony 'n Tina's Wedding. Over the last year, Kunik had lead and supporting roles in two feature films shot in the Twin Cities. He has also made his mark in the world of stand-up comedy performing in clubs, festivals and competitions in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, and North Carolina. He is excited to return to Medora, the Badlands, and have the opportunity to again study and portray one of America's most dynamic and influential historic figures.
Amberly Rosen - Fiddle
Known for her eclectic musical repertoire and contagious smile, violinist Amberly Rosen has been playing violin since the age of three. She has performed styles of music including classical, American fiddle, Celtic, Balkan, Mediterranean, and Scandinavian folk music. Her desire to share these musical traditions has led her to study in Greece, Bulgaria, and Japan. Since graduating from the Berklee College of Music in 2008, Amberly has been working across the country playing tribute shows for Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams. Fresh from Orla Fallon’s first tour of the USA, Amberly is thrilled to be joining the Coal Diggers for her first summer in Medora.
Chad Willow - Keyboards
Chad Willow dons a cowboy hat and embraces the Wild West once again, to appear on the bandstand for the phenomenon known as the Medora Musical, 2011 edition. In the midst of his many return visits to the Burning Hills Amphitheater, Chad has worked as a musical director, conductor, and musical supervisor on national and international productions, including State Fair (River Valley Theatre Company), Menopause the Musical (GFour Productions), Don Giovanni (Minnesota Opera), Babes In Toyland, Guys on Ice, and Christmas Carol (Troupe America), Scarlet Pimpernel (Candlewood International), Le Cirque Rouge (Le Cirque Rouge). If one follows the dusty trail from Medora to Chad’s back porch, you will find a banjo there, and influence from the Badlands could be the culprit for that pickin’ and grinnin’.
Jason Uhlmann - Bass Player
Known around these and other parts as “Crawdad,” Jason Uhlmann has been pretending to be a bass player since he was a 10 year-old boy in Williamsburg, IA. After playing for several years in the Minneapolis area in jazz and blues combos like “Three Card Monte” (featuring Medora piano legend Chad Willow), blues legend Cornbread Harris, and performing over 300 shows of “Forever Plaid” for Troupe America across the nation, Jason is proud and thankful to be here sharing the “Medora Magic” with you.
Marcus Bohn- Drums
Marcus Bohn, from St. Paul, MN is “tickled pink” to be returning for his fifth summer as the Coal Digger's drummer for the Medora Musical. He spent last winter on the ms Statendam as a drummer for the Holland America Cruise Line. He also enjoys playing with Ross William Perry, Porkchop, Mary Cutrufello, The Robinson Caruso Organization, and Tree Party when he is home.
Roger Rettig - Pedal Steel
Originally from London, Roger Rettig turned pro in 1959 and spent the next few years playing guitar with many big names of the UK music scene (Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Eden Kane, Billy Fury) and touring alongside the Beatles, The Hollies and the Rolling Stones. He graduated to studio work in the ‘70s, then took up pedal steel guitar. Roger has appeared on countless recordings, TV shows and commercials and has been featured playing in numerous West End shows. He has performed with Tom Jones, Duane Eddy, George Harrison and his boyhood idol, Lonnie Donegan! Roger emigrated to the U.S. in 1998 and continues living his life doing the best job in the world. He now resides in Naples, Florida and is delighted to be returning to the Medora Musical for the seventh time!
Tyler Jewell - Guitar Player
Tyler Jewell was born and raised in Springfield, MO. The 24 year-old started singing in church as a young boy, but when he picked up the guitar at age 13, that changed everything. After moving to Nashville, TN in 2008 to finish up college at Belmont University, Tyler explored the various facets of the music industry, and after completing an internship at Starstruck Studios (Reba McIntyre) he chose guitar as his primary focus. His influences range anywhere from Vince Gill, and Bryan Sutton to Larry Carlton, and Joe Walsh.
Patti Laird - Stage Manager
Patti Laird, from Auburn, NY is thrilled to be returning for her third year as stage manager for the Medora Musical. She has been in great stage management teams at Northern Stage and Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and recently toured across the USA with Church Basement Ladies 2. She has a B.A. in Theatre from Suny Potsdam and is an EMC candidate with Actor's Equity. She would like to thank Patrick Lanczki for being a great mentor and her mom for never giving up on her. Patti would also like to thank her wonderful cast, band, and of course the production team.
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18˚F, Fair | Wind: NNE 8mph | Sunrise: 7:13am | Sunset:5:04pm 

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