Eric Petersen
Guest Artist
Juror #3, TWELVE ANGRY MEN
Eric is overjoyed to be back at The Barn and performing in his 22nd Barn Show! You may have seen him last summer in the hit THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (which he also directed!).
He met his wife Barnie Lisa Marie Morabito when they worked together here in 2003 and they have now been together for 20 years and have 2 kids, Sophie and Miles!! Eric has worked extensively in Television and the Broadway stage. His television credits include Kevin on Kevin Can F*** Himself on AMC, Ant’ney on the hit children’s show Madagascar: A Little Wild on Hulu, which garnered him an Emmy Nomination, and the show Kirstie on TVLand where he played the Series Regular role of Arlo Barth alongside Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, and Michael Richards. Eric was also recently seen in High Desert for AppleTV+, and The Curse on Showtime. Eric has made guest star appearances on Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, NCIS, CSI, GCB, and the Lifetime movie “The Brittany Murphy Story.” Eric has many Disney Channel credits including appearances on the shows Jessie, Sydney To The Max, Kirby Buckets, and Pair Of Kings. Eric appeared in the Oscar-nominated Coen Brothers’ film “The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs” for Netflix. Eric has also appeared in four Broadway shows and countless regional theatre projects. His Broadway credits include SCHOOL OF ROCK as Dewey Finn, SHREK: THE MUSICAL as Shrek on the 1st National Tour and Shrek Standby on Broadway, JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE as Brick in the original Broadway cast, and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER as Ted. He is a proud Graduate of Bradley University. @ericpete @theportlygentleman
Robert Newman
Guest Artist
Juror #8, TWELVE ANGRY MEN / Gomez Addams, ADDAMS FAMILY
A favorite Guest Star here at the Barn, Robert was seen last season on both Law and Order and Law and Order SVU as Police Commissioner Robin Pettis, but 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. Robert was also Nominated for his 2022 portrayal of the villain Ashland Locke on The Young and the Restless. Robert was an apprentice here at the Barn in 1981 and received his Equity card that season. Since then, he has guest starred at the Barn many times. Last season he returned to the role of Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF for the 2nd time at the Barn ~ One of his very favorite. Other favorite Barn roles include the title roles in SWEENEY TODD, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and Edna in HAIRSPRAY. Other recent shows include CLUE, ROCK OF AGES, 9to5, MAMMA MIA, BIG: THE MUSICAL, THE CIVIL WAR, NOISES OFF, THE LION IN WINTER (opposite Kim Zimmer), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, LOVE LETTERS, and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Other television credits include guest star roles on Extrapolations, Inventing Anna, House of Cards, Homeland, Chicago Fire, Criminal Minds, and NCIS. He is thankful for his wife Britt, their now-grown children, Connor (and daughter-in-law Caroline) and Kendal, and the newest additions…Grandsons Leo, Rocky, and Sonny. At ages 4, 2, and 1 ~ they are the joy of his world.
Robin Nuyen
Guest Artist
Juror #9, TWELVE ANGRY MEN
Robin is giddy to be back at the Barn Theatre, ten years after his last appearance, and 44 years after his first. He thanks Brendan and Penelope for making this happen and you, the audience, for being here to experience one of the true joys of life, live theatre. Favorite memories at the Barn, include NUTS directed by Jack Ragotzy and Escanaba in Da Moonlight directed by Brendan. Favorite New York experiences are Roy in Lone Star and his all-time favorite acting role, Baron #9 in Becket. Great Los Angeles memories are Present Laughter and Who Killed Hamlet. (For the record, it was not Robin.) He has also appeared on the daytime dramas One Life to Live, All My Children and Guiding Light. Robin acted in Wes Craven's "Deadly Friend", and went on to co-write and direct the award winning, cult classic "Housesitter... The Night They Saved Siegfried's Brain". Still the only full length feature film shot entirely on 35 mm film in Kalamazoo. Rent it on Amazon Prime! “Thanks Mom for introducing me to my first love, by taking me to my first play, and Dad for not thinking it was crazy for me wanting to be an actor, when many parents did. And of course thank you so much to the women in my life, Debra, and daughters Danielle and Samantha, who truly make life worth living. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS.”
Mychelle Hopkins
Guest Artist
Madge Geisel, THE GAME’S AFOOT
Mychelle is a native of Traverse City, Michigan where she lives with her husband, Steven C. Smith, and her two children, Macready and Winter. Having been a company member here at the Barn in 2005- 2008, she has graced our staged many times in such roles as Ouiser in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Aunt Em in OKLAHOMA!, and Electra in GYPSY, starring Kim Zimmer, to name a few. Mychelle is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s Theatre Department (1995 Magna cum Laude) and studied at the prestigious Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon as a Fulbright Scholar, receiving her M.A. in Shakespeare Studies from the University of Birmingham, England. A member of Actor’s Equity Association, Mychelle has performed throughout the US and in Europe and continues to Direct and Choreograph in her retirement. She is beyond excited to return to the Barn this summer and we couldn’t be more pleased she’s back!
Eric Parker
Guest Artist
William Gillette, THE GAME'S AFOOT
Eric is extremely grateful to mark season 28. Last season Eric especially enjoyed his turns in WOMAN IN BLACK and OKLAHOMA!, the latter of which he was fortunate enough to direct, winning a couple Wilde Awards in the process. A proud alum of the Barn's apprentice program, patrons will remember Eric from his roles in MISERY opposite Kim Zimmer, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, LES MISERABLES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE FULL MONTY, HANDS ON A HARDBODY, SHREK, HAIR, SUNSET BOULEVARD, GROUNDHOG DAY, most of the roles in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, and EVITA, among many others, as well as directing several mainstage productions and bar shows. An Adrian native, Eric has also proven valuable throughout the region, with multiple Wilde Award nominations (and occasional wins) to go with notable guest artist turns at the Encore Music Theatre in Dexter and the Croswell in Adrian (most recently as Georges in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES) as well as a solid career at most of Chicago's musical houses, too. A couple tours, records, TV appearances, and roles in Barn Films productions dot his resume, as well.
Iris Lieberman
Guest Artist
Martha Gillette, THE GAME'S AFOOT
Iris happily returns to the Barn Theatre where she appeared in THE FULL MONTY, GREASE, ANNIE, and THE FOREIGNER to name a few. She most recently appeared in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE where she portrayed Blair/Old Lady, KISS ME KATE, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST as Mrs. Potts, MARY POPPINS as Miss Lark, and CABARET in which she received a coveted Jeff Award nomination for her role as Fraulein Schneider. Iris is a Joseph Jefferson Award winner and 4-time nominee. She co-wrote and collaborated on a short film “Grace” which was accepted at 6 Film Festivals and won 2 awards. She can be seen in “Monster” Season 3 on Netflix this fall. We are thrilled Iris is back at the Barn!
Spencer Duguay
Guest Artist
JoJo, SEUSSICAL
Spencer is a rising 9th grader at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo. He's so excited to be back at the Barn! He made his Barn Theatre debut in HEARTBREAK HOTEL in which he portrayed Young Elvis. He has also performed locally in SCHOOL OF ROCK as Mason at Farmers Alley Theatre, and PIPPIN as Theo at Western Michigan University. Kalamazoo Civic Theatre credits include Disney’s FINDING NEMO Jr. as Marlin, Disney’s THE LION KING Jr. as Timon, Cats Jr. - Penguin Project where he was a mentor and portrayed Skimbleshanks, BIG FISH as Young Will, POLKADOTS as Sky Square, and Disney’s DESCENDANTS as Doug. Spencer also runs cross country, plays baseball, and enjoys crocheting and art. He would like to thank his family for traveling to support him in everything he does.