Cast of Arsenic and Old Lace
Actor
Role
Background
Deb Holmes
Deb is so excited to be on the stage at Theatre in the Grove for the first time as Aunt Martha in this hilarious classic! Her most recent roles were Danny in 20th Century Blues and Helen in Laughter on the 23rd Floor at HART, and she has had a good time at other theaters around Oregon with roles including Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Lady Cynthia Muldoon in The Real Inspector Hound, and one of the women of Lockerbie in The Women of Lockerbie. During the day, Deb is a school counselor and enjoys hanging out outside, and unlike her character, she does NOT dabble in poison. She can’t thank Alicia enough for the opportunity to be part of this talented cast!
Georgia Ketchmark
Georgia Ketchmark (Aunt Abby) has played numerous roles since her return to the stage in Portland, Oregon. Her most notable roles recently include Nurse in “Equus,” Woman in “Veronica’s Room,” and Zelda Kahn in “The How and the Why.” This is her acting and stage combat/stunt coordinator debut at Theater in the Grove. She is on stagg as Fight Coordinator/ Master at Arms at Twilight Theater Company in Portland, Oregon, and provides stage stunt, combat, and weapon coordination at various theaters in the Portland-Vancouver area.
Les Ico
Les is cheerful and delighted to return to the stage and boards at Theatre in the Grove. His last show and performance at TitG was as Pastor Greg on the hilarious and funny comedy Hand to God. He is presently and currently Vice President of Spark Plug Theatre Collective, a fresh and new theatre in Beaverton. Some of his favorite and cherished rolls include sushi and Lifesaver. Les would like to thank and praise the thesaurus he got as a gift and present in order to elevate and raise his word count to the required and compulsory number set forth.
Norma Hill
Long time veteran of community theater Norma has been in several TITG productions, usually in the chorus. She moved over to HART for a while learning how to do everything from acting, writing, directing, light and sound to running snack bar, building sets, props, costumes and even janitorial work. She is the author of Gracie for President, last performed several years ago at HART and has numerous children’s plays under her belt. After a several year hiatus she is overjoyed to portray Teddy Brewster and looks forward to more in the future.
Arun Kumar
Arun Kumar is excited to be working again with extremely talented and his favorite director Alicia to narrate this classic crime comedy. Arun’s other stage work comprises productions such as Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Christmas at Pemberley, Noises Off, Song of Extinction, Anatomy of Gray, Disgraced, True West, Almost Maine, The Miracle Worker and films such as The Given Days, Power Down, The Verdict, and Henry Mundane.
Bud Reece
Bud has been acting since age five. From age five through high school, he appeared on numerous community theatre and school stages. Then he took a 50-year, hiatus from theatre for college, family, and numerous careers. In 1990 he discovered a little community theatre in Forest Grove, and the flame was again ignited. Since retiring he has performed on stages throughout Portland and Washington county. He has also appeared in motion pictures and television shows shot in and around the Portland area.
Arsenic and Old Lace will be the 51st production he has worked on at TITG. He is grateful to Alecia and this remarkable cast for sharing another opportunity in this grand old theatre. Gratitude goes out to my parents, kids, and grandkids (all accomplished actors). Especially to Emily Jean for tolerating my other love, live theatre.
Gina Lou
This is Gina’s second show with Theater in the Grove and very first show as costumer. Gina has volunteered for a myriad of shows in the Portland Theater Community over the last decade. Break a leg to everyone involved.
Kaylen McPherran
Kaylen has been on this stage before as some fun extra roles during Scrooge! The Musical, and is excited to be back in the theater again. It’s always an amazing time getting to visit Forest Grove and the theater, not just because of the scenery and vintage shops, but just getting to step inside and have a chance to be a part of the community. Kaylen loves getting to meet the people involved and be a part of something so diverse and being brought together over our love for acting and the charity involved with putting the pieces together. Kaylen cannot wait to give it her all out there! Shoutouts to her friends and family for the encouragement and love!
Mark Ferris
Mark was last seen at TITG in “Scrooge The Musical”. Mark has been in many plays including Willy Wonka, Rumors, South Pacific (twice) and Kiss me Kate. He has been the stage manager for eleven plays including Mousetrap, Doubt, and Annie. Mark really enjoys the challenge and teamwork that goes into putting on a theatre production. Mark also enjoys tap dancing and helping to build theater sets. Mark would like to thank the audience for coming and supporting live theater.
Nate Marcel
Nate Marcel has built a life around creativity, games, teaching, parenting, and community. A muralist, musician, and longtime teaching artist. After decades away from one of his first loves, theater, he has returned to the stage, drawn by its flesh-and-blood energy and the rare alchemy of practiced collaboration, and live storytelling. For him, it’s a chance to build a living handmade moment with others, something messy and human, a moment of shared imagination through purposeful play.