2025 Guest Artists

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.

More About Robert

Other television credits include guest star roles on “Law and Order”, “Extrapolations,” “Inventing Anna,””House of Cards,” “Homeland,” “Chicago Fire,” “Criminal Minds,” “NCIS,” and “Law and Order: SVU.” Film credits include “Amazing Spiderman 2,” “Dracano,” and the short film “Deadline,” for which he won the Best Actor award at the L.A. Independent Film Festival. Off-Broadway Credits include PERFECT CRIME, SHE’S OF A CERTAIN AGE, SESSIONS: THE MUSICAL, and QUIET ON THE SET. Other 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), PETER PAN and DEATHTRAP.

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 Robert and Rocky Joseph.

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 / Mrs. Pearce, MY FAIR LADY

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 / Professor Higgins, MY FAIR LADY

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.

More About Eric

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 / Mrs. Higgins, MY FAIR LADY

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.

Hannah Eakin

Guest Artist

Eliza Doolittle, MY FAIR LADY

Hannah is delighted to return to The Barn for one of her very favorite musicals! Past Barn credits include Mary in MARY POPPINS, Jane in Disney’s TARZAN, Hodel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Irene Molloy in HELLO, DOLLY!, Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS, Kathy Selden in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, and she was also featured in “Raunch and Roll” Producer Ragotzy’s film. Other theatre credits include THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, H.M.S. PINAFORE, TRIAL BY JURY, THE SORCERER, THE GONDOLIERS, RUDDIGORE at New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, LES MISÉRABLES, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, MARY POPPINS and ELF at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, SISTER ACT at Westchester Broadway Theatre, BORDERLAND at The Connelly Theatre, OUTSIDE OF EDEN at The New Ohio Theatre. On screen, she has acted in Travel Channel and Discovery Channel docuseries, as well as numerous short films and web series. Also a writer and filmmaker, her work has been recognized by New York State Council on the Arts, Inwood Art Works, The PAGE Awards, ScreenCraft, and HollyShorts, among others. Her latest film “The Poet’s Daughter” is making the rounds on the festival circuit and just won Best Short Film in Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival. Currently, Hannah is writing a new musical adaptation of her favorite book, JANE EYRE. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and a graduate of Oklahoma City University. Enormous thanks to Brendan and Penelope – The Barn is magic.

Richard Marlatt

Guest Artist

Colonel Pickering, MY FAIR LADY

We’re so pleased Richard has joined us for the rest of the season! His most recent appearances at The Barn were Joseph Pulitzer in NEWSIES, and Mr. Banks in MARY POPPINS. His first Summer here was in 1980 as an apprentice and he was most prominently featured that summer as Sonny in GREASE. Over decades he’s portrayed countless roles at Meadow Brook Theatre in FOOTLOOSE, NANA DOES VEGAS, ATOMIC, SYNCOPATION, FANCY, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SISTERS OF SWING, CALENDAR GIRLS, THREE MUSKETEERS, and others. Also in Michigan, he’s worked with Tipping Point Theatre, Detroit Opera, and many roles at Boarshead Theatre and Jewish Ensemble Theatre. His Chicago credits include Ravinia Festival as Jules in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE with Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, Light Opera Works as Tateh in RAGTIME, Marriott Theatre, The Goodman, Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane, Theatre At The Center, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Dramatists (Associate Artist), and Shaw Chicago. He’s also amassed an impressive resume Regionally, working with Cincinnati Shakespeare, Madison Repertory, Nebraska Shakespeare, Little Theatre On The Square, Human Race Theatre, Nebraska Repertory, Peninsula Players, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. He’s also portrayed Abraham Lincoln in his own one man play, ABRAHAM LINCOLN CARVED IN STONE. Richard also works in Voice-Over and Independent Film, has a Fine Arts Degree, and studied with London’s Royal National Theatre, and New York’s National Shakespeare Conservatory.