*Eddie Egan (George Bailey)
Eddie Egan is thrilled to be making his Capital City debut with this beautiful production! New York: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Regional highlights: Chicago (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Violet (Theatre Squared), Memphis (Actors' Playhouse, Carbonell Award nomination for Best Actor), West Side Story (La Mirada Theatre, City Springs Theatre), The Full Monty (Argyle Theatre), All is Calm (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Miss Saigon (Flat Rock Playhouse), Next to Normal (La Mirada Theatre), The Last Five Years (Shadowland Theatre), and The Scarlet Pimpernel (Engeman Theatre). TV/Film: “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (Lionsgate/Starz) and “And Just Like That” (HBO Max). Eddieegan_
*Sarah Ellis (Mary Bailey)
Sarah Ellis is thrilled to be working on this exciting World Premiere in her home state! A Platteville native, she is an NYC-based actor, concert artist, and producer, with credits spanning the country in theatre, film, commercial, and symphony work, including the First Nat’l of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Select regional: The Rev, Riverside Theatre, MT Wichita, Stages STL, KC Starlight, Geva Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Pittsburgh CLO, Northshore MT, Florida Studio, The Gateway, Farmer’s Alley, WV Public, Westchester Bway & The Engeman. OHLQ Spokesperson. Co-Creator/Producer of award-winning MT SHORTS. BFA Penn State. For Daddio. Follow adventures and updates: www.meetsarahellis.com IG/TIKTOK @iamsarahellis
*Jason Williams (Clarence)
Jason Williams is NY based performer and excited to be back at Capital City Theater as “Clarence the Angel” in the World Premiere of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical. He was most recently seen as Schroeder in You’re a good man Charlie Brown (Sharon playhouse) and as Dick Halloran in the world premiere of Shining in Misery: A King Size Parody at CCT! Other favorite credits include Beautiful : The Carole King Musical (Saugatuck Center for the Arts), A Bronx Tale (1st national Tour), Other World (DTC), Dreamgirls, (South Korea Tour), Smokey Joe's Cafe (GVT), Tarzan (Arvada), Lysistrata Jones (Meadowbrook), and Memphis (Arvada). Special thanks to my agent Mikey Nagy, the amazing crew at The Collective talent agency and as always to my supportive family and friends.
*Michael Joseph Mitchell (Mr. Bailey/Joseph/Ensemble)
Michael Joseph Mitchell is a Chicago based actor and singer. Most recently he has been seen there in The Band’s Visit at Writers Theatre, Comedy Of Errors, The Wizard Of Oz & Mary Stuart at Chicago Shakespeare, Spring Awakening at Porchlight Music Theatre, My Fair Lady at Lyric Opera & Elizabeth Rex at Oak Park Festival Theatre. Regionally he has appeared at Asolo Rep, Syracuse Stage, Indiana Rep and BoarsHead Theater. He has created six different cabaret acts, most recently A [Musical] Survival Kit at Davenport’s Piano Bar & Cabaret. He is a member of Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA, and also a member of Chicago Cabaret Professionals.
Donavon Armbruster (Uncle Billy)
Donavon Armbruster is honored to be reprising his role in It’s A Wonderful Life and returning to Capital City Theatre, where he's previously appeared in their productions of The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill... and Gypsy. He is a former member of AEA, and has appeared in more than a dozen productions Off-Broadway , in regional, stock and dinner theaters around the country, and several dozens of productions here in Madison. including Ragtime, Little Women, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Oliver and many, many others. As always, all love to my son Allan xxxx
Mike Brady (Mr. Welch/Ensemble)
Mike Brady brings his resonant bass voice to Capital City Theatre for the first time! Mike is a frequent performer in the Madison area, having headlined as Captain von Trapp in the Sound of Music with Sun Prairie Civic Theatre, The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance with the Madison Savoyards, and The Monster in Young Frankenstein with Verona Area Community Theater. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he’s also a teacher of computer science and two-time mid-America champion in taekwondo. He thanks his loved ones for their support, and thanks you for supporting local theater!
Jen Farley (Bert)
Jen Farley is thrilled to be part of this production of Its A Wonderful Life, after contributing to the staged reading last year. She is a proud member of the award-winning Americana trio, Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets. Recently, Jen has been delighting audiences with her own cabaret shows in Madison. Beyond the stage, she’s a certified life coach and the president-elect of the International Coaching Federation Wisconsin Chapter, as well as an active staff member at Girls Rock Camp Madison. When she’s not performing, you can find her spreading joy and creativity, building connections, and crocheting up a storm. Huge thanks to her family for their unwavering support in all her many adventures!
Ashton Florence (Sheriff/Dancer/Ensemble)
Ashton Florence can be seen on the stage all over the Madison area, having performed with Capital City Theatre (CCT) in productions of Tick, Tick… Boom! (Michael), On the Town (Ensemble), Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble), and Andrew Keenan-Bolger in Concert (Singer/Dancer). He also Christmas caroled this past season with CCT and is looking forward to doing it again this year. In 2020, he joined Madison Contemporary Dance Company (MCD) as an Apprentice and quickly got promoted to a Company Dancer within his first year. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with his BS in Dance, BA in Communication Arts - radio, television, film, and a certificate in Digital Studies. He also holds an AA in Arts and Humanities from Madison College. He would like to thank his family, partner, and friends who have all helped him achieve his dreams.
Robert A. Goderich (Martini)
Robert A. Goderich is excited to be back with CCT after previously playing M3 in Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Musical, and being part of the Capital City Carolers since it's inception. A veteran of the Madison stage, you may recognize Robert from numerous roles with Madison Opera, CTM, CCT, Four Seasons Theatre, and more. Some favorite roles have included: The Governor in Candide, John Styxx in Orpheus in the Underworld, Father in The Seven Deadly Sins, Jew #1 in Salome, The Waiter in She Loves Me, Beppe in Il Pagliacci, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd all with Madison Opera; Alex the Lion in Madagascar with CTM, Migaldi in Evita, Nicely Nicley Johnson in Guys N Dolls, Sir Bedevere in Spamalot, John in Miss Saigon, all with Four Seasons Theatre. Many thanks to all friends, family for all of the support! Hope you enjoy this amazing new work, and enjoy the show!
Edyn Goede (Zuzu)
Edyn Goede is very excited to make her Capital City debut! When she’s not on stage she can be found reading endless stacks of books, baking new desserts, or competing with her cheerleading team. Previous favorite roles include Matilda (Matilda the Musical) and Young Anna (Frozen Kids). Edyn would like to thank Capital City for this opportunity and her family for their support.
Joseph Green (Sam Wainwright)
Joseph Green is a Wisconsin native and alum of Cap City's FYL program! As a now-Chicago-based actor, he is a graduate of the UW - Madison Theatre Department. He's received training and performed at several other institutions, including Wright State University and The Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC. Selected Credits include Romeo and Juliet (U.S. Tybalt, Sampson) and Stones in His Pockets (U.S. Jake Quinn) at American Players Theatre, Heathers (Ram Sweeney, Bud Dean), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Charlie Brown), and Mother Courage (The Cook). Nothing but love and thanks to his mentors, friends, family, and partner Courtney for all of their support, guidance, and encouragement.
Tom Hensen (Mr. Potter)
Tom Hensen has been trodding the boards of Wisconsin stages for nigh on 50 years and is delighted to participate in his first CCT mainstage production with It’s A Wonderful Life: A New Musical. He is grateful and honored to work with such an abundance of natural, polished and dedicated talent, onstage and off, and for the opportunity to revisit the role of Henry Potter in this fresh, new, and delightful version of the treasured holiday classic. He would also like to step away from his chilly onstage persona long enough to sincerely wish you all a very warm, special and “Wonderful” holiday season.
Paul Higginbotham (Carter/Ensemble)
Paul Higginbotham is making his professional theater debut with Capital City Theatre. After spending 24 years as a judge in Wisconsin, most of which he served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Paul has turned his attention to the arts. Paul serves on the boards of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the League of America Orchestras. He worked as an actor and studied acting at the UW-Madison under Del Lewis and Sybil Robinson. Some of his favorite roles were such plays as The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, 12 Angry Men, All My Sons, A Raisin in the Sun, and Charles Cheswick in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Most recently, Paul performed with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra as part of the “Musical Landscapes in Color” project, narrating Frederick Douglass in performance of “Harmony in Black.” A burgeoning voice-over talent, Paul studies with Marc Cashman, David Brower, and Susan Berkeley. He is excited to be part of bringing this brand new musical to the Madison stage!
Tess Lenzen (Ernie)
Tess Lenzen is overjoyed to return to CCT as Ernie in Its A Wonderful Life! Her recent credits include Susan in Tick...Tick... BOOM! (CCT), Mary in Merrily We Roll Along (CCT) as well as Clarisse/Charon/Mrs Dodds in The Lightning Thief (Children’s Theater of Madison). Tess was a part of the staged reading of It’s A Wonderful Life last winter, and is ecstatic to share the full production with audiences this year! When she is not performing, you can find Tess at the front desk of Be Inspired Salon here in Madison, playing with her puppy Netti or just spending time with the people she loves most. She would like to thank her family, friends, coworkers, and lovely partner Andrew for their continued love and support of her journey as a performer. She quite literally couldn’t have done it without you.
Andrew Linden (Harry Bailey/Ensemble/George Understudy)
Andrew Linden is so excited to be performing another show with Capital city Theatre, and is thrilled to be putting It’s A Wonderful Life on its feet after participating in the original staged reading! He was las seen onstage in CCT’s production of Tick...Tick... BOOM! As Jon, as well as playing Dolokhov in Great Comet. He would like to thank his friends, family, and girlfriend Tess for their love and support.
Jessica Minter (Violet/Dance Captain/Mary Understudy)
Jessica Minter is ecstatic to be back in Wisconsin and performing with Capital City Theatre! Credits include: Saturday Night Fever (Annette, Royal Caribbean International) Regional: A Chorus Line (Val, Theatre by the Sea), Newsies (Swing, The Rev), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Swing, Paramount Theatre), Singin’ in the Rain (u/s Kathy Seldon, Prather Productions), Oklahoma (Ado Annie, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts). BFA, Roosevelt University. She thanks her family and friends for their unwavering support! @jessiemint_
Izabel Nettey (Ruth/Ensemble)
Izabel Nettey is making her Capital City debut and is thrilled to be a part of this amazing rendition of It’s A Wonderful Life. Izabel is from Menomonee Falls, WiI and is currently pursuing a dance major at UW-Madison as a freshman. She had performed for 8 years with a show choir based in her home town, Accompany of Kids and recently toured this summer as a Principal Singer/Dancer with Kids From Wisconsin. She has other credits including Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch). She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for supporting her through her journey! She hopes you enjoy the show and have a happy holiday!
Leena Rathgeber (Janie/Ensemble)
Leena Rathgeber is so excited to join CCT for this holiday production! With credits from various regional theaters around Madison, she most recently appeared as Dorothy in Monona Grove High School's production of the Wizard of Oz! Leena has musical theater as well as classical piano and vocal training and enjoys reading and tennis when she's not singing at school or in the Jerry Ensemble. Sincerest thanks to Gail Becker, Andy Abrams and the creative team, Lori Nahirniak, Abby Nichols, and her family and friends for supporting her creative endeavors.
Chase Schutte (Pete)
Chase Schutte is thrilled to be making his Capital City Theatre debut in It’s a Wonderful Life! Some of his favorite past roles have been Michael in Elf The Musical at Verona Area Community Theatre, and his most recent role of Eric in Matilda at the Fireside Dinner Theatre. Chase thanks his parents and everyone who's helped him on his musical theatre Journey! @chaseschutte3a4
Lisa Spierer (Mrs. Hatch/Gladys/Ensemble)
Lisa Spierer is tickled to be returning to the Capital City Theatre stage. She last appeared as Rona Lisa Peretti in 2017 for CCT’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Between then and now, she’s continued her day job at the UW-Madison’s Division of the Arts and does occasional voiceovers for WPR and radio plays with the 9XM Players. Lisa would like to thank all her housemates for their support during this run, with a mortifyingly specific and emotionally goopy shout out to her daughter, Evie. Thanks for loaning me out, bug!
Griffin Wilkins (Nick/Ensemble)
Griffin Wilkins hails from Walpole, MA and is thrilled to be a part of the Capital City family! Recent credits include West Side Story (Riff), Bandstand (Wayne u/s), Rent (Gordon/Ensemble), and Sky (Mamma Mia). Other credits: The Rev Theatre Company, Mac-Haydn Theatre, 92NY, NCCA Jean's Playhouse, and Franklin Performing Arts Company. Proud Florida State My Alum '23. Go Noles! Shoutout to Craig and everyone at Avalon Artists Group! Huge thank you and love you to my family, friends, girlfriend, and the Boston Celtics. Insta: @griffin.t.wilkins