Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical, July 6-18

In her 35th season, Penelope has more than established herself as the Barn’s quintessential leading lady. Her resume here is highlighted by a series of compelling performances. Last season’s Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD and Donna in MAMMA MIA! are additions to her favorites along with Golde in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Mona in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, (all opposite Robert Newman), and opposite Tom Wopat as Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Penelope has appeared in several feature films including RAUNCH AND ROLL, a vehicle written for her by husband Brendan Ragotzy, which recently had its national release June 1. She recently filmed her latest feature DORMANT EVIL which features many Barnies. You may have heard her on the radio as she has voiced over 125 jingles and commercials. She will once again, direct the annual Barn Christmas Cabaret. Her longest-running roles are her dearest- wife and mother to Brendan and their children Luke, Calli, Jacob and Melina. Along with her on stage work, Penelope serves the Barn as Publicist and coordinates the hiring and departmental placement of each season’s apprentice company. She’s a native of San Jose, CA, and is a proud alum of San Jose State University.

Melissa is celebrating her ten-year Barniversary this year and thrilled to be spending it back on the Main Stage! Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember her recent roles as Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SUSAN in BIG THE MUSICAL, and a two-time JANET in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (2012 and 2019). Melissa also took home a Wilde Award in 2019 for her appearance as the Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD. Past Barn favorites include Bonnie in BONNIE AND CLYDE, Olive Neal in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Elle Woods in LEGALLY BLONDE, Ariel in Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Lina Lamont in SINGING IN THE RAIN, and Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in AVENUE Q. While living in New Orleans, Louisiana, Melissa was featured in many productions with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. You can also find her in a number of upcoming feature films including Raunch and Roll-now streaming! Melissa holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Kent State University. The Covid-19 pandemic brought Melissa a lot of opportunity for growth and she took full advantage by making a permanent move with her Barnie Family to Augusta, MI as well as obtaining her Michigan Real Estate License. When not acting or selling houses, Melissa can be found hanging with her children, Christopher and Cotton, and her Barnie hubby Patrick Hunter. As always, deepest thanks go to the Ragotzy Family for their support, love, and determination to keep the arts alive and thriving!

Kayla is so excited to be at the Barn this summer! She is a rising senior at Kent State University’s musical theatre program. Regional credits include CHAPLIN: THE MUSICAL as Mildred Harris and in the Ensemble of MAMMA MIA!  both at the Mercury Theatre Company in South Euclid, OH and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at the Players Guild Theatre in Canton, OH. She would like to thank her parents, friends, and family for their constant support. Twitter and Instagram: @kaylagerogosian

Robert has become a favorite guest star for the Barn the past decade.  In the 2019 season, he was seen in the title role of SWEENEY TODD (opposite Penelope Alex) as well as MacMillian in BIG: THE MUSICAL.  Other recent Barn shows include THE CIVIL WAR, NOISES OFF, Edna in HAIRSPRAY, THE LION IN WINTER (opposite Kim Zimmer), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, LOVE LETTERS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Robert is perhaps best known for his 28-year run as Joshua Lewis on the longest-running program in broadcasting history, GUIDING LIGHT. The role garnered him 2 Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He has recently guest-starred on HOUSE OF CARDS, HOMELAND, CHICAGO FIRE, CRIMINAL MINDS, NCIS, and LAW AND ORDER: SVU, as well as INVENTING ANNA, a new, soon-to-be-released Netflix series from creator Shonda Rhimes.

Film credits include AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, DRACANO, and the short film DEADLINE, for which he won the Best Actor award at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. Off-Broadway Credits include PERFECT CRIME, SHE’S OF A CERTAIN AGE, SESSIONS: THE MUSICAL, and QUIET ON THE SET. Regional credits include KISS ME KATE at Broadway Theatre of Pitman, ANNIE at Ogunquit Playhouse, Cape Fear Regional Theatre and North Carolina Theatre, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINA WOOLF (also opposite Kim Zimmer) at Nantucket Theatre Workshop, the world premiere of NAKED INFLUENCE at Capitol Rep in Albany, Stephen Sondheim’s PUTTING IT TOGETHER at Delaware Theatre Company, OTHER DESERT CITIES at Cape May Stage; MAN OF LA MANCHA and GYPSY (with Tovah Feldshuh) at BRT; CURTAINS at Paper Mill Playhouse and TUTS; NINE at NSMT; GYPSY (with Kim Zimmer), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and THE FULL MONTY at PCLO. Other Barn credits include PICNIC, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, ROMANTIC COMEDY, SYLVIA (which he also directed), MAN OF LA MANCHA, PETER PAN and DEATHTRAP.

He is thankful for his wife Britt, their now-grown children, Connor and Kendal, and the newest addition…Grandson Leo Robert Newman, born in October of 2020.

Eliza is an upcoming senior at the University of Miami pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. As the daughter of a diplomat, she has grown up doing theatre around the world! Whenever she moved to a new place, the theatre was her home. Some of her favorite roles she has played are Fiona SHREK THE MUSICAL and the Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support.

Eric is elated to return to the Barn for their historic 75th season!  Eric was an apprentice in 2007 and 2009, where Barn audiences saw him as the Lead Tenor in THE PRODUCERS, Tommy in THE WHO’S TOMMY, and Tom Sawyer in BIG RIVER.  Eric is currently based out of the Twin Cities.  Most recently, Eric performed in GUYS & DOLLS at the Guthrie Theater and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at Artistry Theater.  Other Twin Cities collaborators: Theater Latte Da, History Theater, Mill City Summer Opera, Nautilus Music-Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, and Second Fiddle Productions.  Regional collaborators: Dayton Opera, Beef & Boards, Gallery Players, and the Heritage Theatre Festival.  Eric is the Director of Production at the Old Log Theatre where he directed the critically acclaimed production of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER.  Other Old Log directing credits include GHOST: THE MUSICAL, LEND ME A TENOR, TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL, THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB, HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, WINNIE-THE-POOH, and THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES.  Eric holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Ithaca College.

This is John’s 11th season here since ’92! Barn audiences will remember him from many roles including Cogsworth in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Julian Marx in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA. John has also served as the Barn’s musical director for SUNSET BLVD, MAN OF LA MANCHA, BLOOD BROTHERS, SOUTH PACIFIC, BIG RIVER, CHICAGO, and SPAMALOT. He will once again be musical directing our very popular nightly Rehearsal Shed bar show. J

ohn’s Conducting/ Music Directing credits around the country include: BILLY ELLIOT, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, CURTAINS, THE KING AND I, CATS, INTO THE WOODS, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, ZORBA, HOT MIKADO and three productions of LES MISERABLES. As an actor John has appeared as Archibald: SECRET GARDEN, Pseudolus: A FUNNY THING...FORUM, Madam: PACIFIC OVERTURES, Maj. General: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Sancho: MAN OF LA MANCHA, L.M.: PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, and GREATER TUNA. John studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Luke is incredibly excited to be back in Michigan for the summer alongside his family and friends! This summer, he will be continuing to assist Stage Management but will also be running the Rehearsal Shed bar. Luke has appeared on stage many times here at the Barn – most recently as Tommy in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY and Spot Conlin in Disney’s NEWSIES. Luke has also appeared in Disney’s HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, JOSEPH, GYPSY, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and OLIVER! He recently finished filming DORMANT EVIL in which, much to his delight, he plays opposite Charlie King. Luke is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University. He wishes to thank his amazing family and very loyal friends here at the Barn for all their love and support. Thank you all for coming this evening and we hope to see you throughout the summer.

Nicholas is a rising Senior Acting/Musical theatre student at Carnegie Mellon University. He is so excited to be spending his summer at the Barn Theatre in his home state of Michigan. Nicholas enjoys playing guitar and writing music in his free time, as well as wishing he had a puppy. He wants to send his love to his parents as well as everyone who has helped him along the way.

Charlie is “ALL CAPS” ABOUT RETURNING TO THE BARN THIS SEASON! He apprenticed from ‘91-’94. Some of his favorite roles at the Barn include The Big Bopper in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, Clem Rogers in THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, Caiaphas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog in MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, Dr. Scott/Brad in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Great Grandpa Alphonse in ESCANABA IN LOVE and Dirty Dave Rudabaugh in the world premiere of BILLY THE KID. We are so pleased to have had Charlie bring his banjo, mandolin, slide guitar and harmonica to various Barn productions. He has toured internationally with Barnie Stephen Lynch and is featured on Lynch’s latest release “Lion “as well as Mr. Lynch’s live DVD “Hello Kalamazoo,” and his upcoming album.

He is a former member of the musical group Asylum Street Spankers (AUSTIN, TX). He has appeared numerous times on The Bob and Tom Show, as well as America’s Got Talent, and American Idol (where he played lap steel for AI’s 2009 Season runner-up, Crystal Bowersox.) Charlie made his film debut in the A Haunting in Cawdor and recently wrapped Raunch and Roll both filmed here at the Barn and around town.

In the offseason, Charlie performs with The Deep Fried Pickle Project Jug Band (who remain humbled to be the current reigning champions of the Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands) and teaches private music lessons. Reach Charlie at charliekingbanjomusic@gmail.com for fun lessons! Charlie would like to thank his mom for her love, her support…and her basement.

Steven Lee is baaaack for his fifteenth season, here, at the Barn!

Steven began his apprenticeship and 30+ year career in entertainment here in 1987. The training he received as an apprentice seeking his Union affiliation as an actor and the mentorship of Ms. Dusty Reeds set him on a course of a lifetime. A love affair with the magical Barn has drawn Steven back again and again. As a proud member of our Equity Company, Steven has had some memorable characters pepper his career. He was our original Eddie from THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Potiphar from JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, Bobby from RUN FOR YOUR WIFE.  Most recently, Steven originated the role of Harry in the Barn’s production of Patrick Hunter’s IN HOT WATER. Steven is humbled to be a part of the Barn’s 75-year history!

Julia (she/her/hers) is an actor, singer, and songwriter. Singing highlights include the world premiere of Chandrika Tandon’s SHIVOHAM – THE QUEST at the Kennedy Center, and the lead role in the new musical THE PROJECT at Lincoln Center. Roles include Jane Eyre JANE EYRE, Josephine March in LITTLE WOMEN, Woman 2/Ensemble in SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, and The Bassoonist in SPEED DATING.

She graduated as a Presidential Scholar and Chadwick Medal Recipient at New England Conservatory studying Vocal Performance with an Acting minor, and a Music in Education Concentration. She currently is a second-year Musical Theatre and Vocal Pedagogy Graduate Student at NYU Steinhardt. Julia is most likely hiking if not in a practice room and is thrilled to be an apprentice at The Barn Theatre this summer! Juliaannecohen.com

Jason is from Plainview, New York and a recent graduate of Syracuse University. He received a Bachelor’s of Music as a Major in Music Business. Jason participated in choir and a cappella, joined theatre clubs, took acting classes, and collaborated with amazing musicians and other creatives. By his last semester, he knew that he wanted to pursue acting and theatre. He can't wait for his apprenticeship at the Barn and to continue to work with amazingly talented people.