Production Bios & Headshots

Chris Reid

OPENING ACT PLAYER / J. ALTRUS BROWNE

Chris Reid is thrilled to be back on stage – this time as a former military officer.

Within the past year, he has been cast in Chase & Hamill's award-winning 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Festival production of "HEY ABBOTT! - A Classic Comedy Tribute Show", as well as both “Max And The Grinch” and “Wind of 1,000 Tales” with Fantasy Theatre for Children.

Previously, Chris also landed roles with Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and Dauphin's Theatre Amisk.

Aside from acting, Chris is recognised as a local broadcaster for CJOB 68 and 101.5 UMFM in Winnipeg. He also has a love for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and hosts a daily morning show for the online station known as “Sorcerer Radio”.

Leila Marston

OPENING ACT PLAYER / DOROTHEA BROWNE

Leila Marston recently joined the Merlyn Productions Company Staff as Production Assistant in February. Prior to this, she would describe herself as having “played a ridiculous, sarcastic geek for over two decades, 'performing' throughout the U.S. and Canada”.

Leila decided to pursue classical theatre training as a personal health measure, after reading The Bacchae and learning how much Dionysus hates to be ignored.

Her first step onto the stage was with Chase & Hamill last summer, making multiple appearances in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival hit “HEY ABBOTT! - A Classic Comedy Tribute Show”.

Leila is delighted to once again appear before Winnipeg audiences. When not playing Dorothea, she does enjoy the intellectual, as well as cynicism, music composition, and caffeine.

Kevin Hamill

OPENING ACT PLAYER / SYD WHITE

Kevin Hamill has been performing on Winnipeg stages for over a decade, and has dozens of shows to his credit. This February, he joined the Merlyn Productions Company Staff as Technical Director, following in a long-established tradition of building sets with John Chase at all ungodly hours of the night.

He has worked both onstage and off with a variety of local companies, including C.G. Productions, Merlyn Productions, and primarily Fantasy Theatre for Children. With FTC, Kevin has appeared in numerous children's theatre productions, starred in several plays with G.D. Productions (FTC's adult arm), and become an alumnus of The Theatre School.

As one half of Chase & Hamill on the local comedy scene, Kevin can be found portraying funny man Lou Costello of Abbott & Costello fame, alongside performing partner John Chase (Bud Abbott).

However, even above his history with the theatre, the art form that Kevin remains most passionate about is music. When not taking the stage as an actor, he has been involved with several local bands: writing lyrics and playing the bass guitar.

Matthew Stefanson

OPENING ACT PLAYER / CHARLIE HENDERSON

Matthew Stefanson is appearing in his third production under the direction of John Chase. The first was in 2002, playing the title character in “The Bishop's Candlesticks”.

He has appeared in numerous stage productions with Fantasy Theatre for Children, including “The Grinch”, “Charlotte's Web” and “The Wizard of Oz”. In 2006, Matthew graduated from the Academy of Broadcasting acting program. He currently studies with local acting coach Darcy Fehr, and is looking forward to appearing in “Customer Service” at the Fringe Festival this summer.

Matthew also enjoys working on local independent films. In January, he and the other cast members from the local short film “Truce” were awarded with Best Acting Ensemble at the Manitoba ACTRA Film Contest. Watch out for him in “Long Lost Lovers” and “Anniversary”, premièring later this year!

John David Gordon

SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER

John David Gordon is a regular performer at “Comedy Loser”: Winnipeg's solo alternative comedy show (www.comedyloser.com).

John was a cast member of “The Johnald Slow Show” at the 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Festival, and is also the host and producer of “Pop Infusion”: a new music program that can be heard on 101.5 UMFM (www.umfm.com).

In the late 1990's, John performed in and stage managed several local productions. In 2000, he took a hiatus from the theatre to become a registered nurse.

Believing that laughter is indeed the best medicine, John returned to performing in 2007. He has dabbled in stand-up comedy and improv, but his primary focus has been the sketch, video, and rants of “Comedy Loser”.

Many of his live performances and short films can be viewed at www.youtube.com/obijohngordon.