Sam Balzac
Guest Artist
Thomas Jefferson, 1776
Sam is extremely grateful to be back at the Barn! You may recognize him from our 2016 season as Princeton/Rod in AVENUE Q, Cosmo in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, and the dancing waiter in GUYS AND DOLLS. His Off-Broadway credits include FIFTY MILLION FRENCHMEN at the York Theatre, UTOPIA, LIMITED and numerous other appearances with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and THE CHERRY ORCHARD starring Katrina Lenk in the Prospect Musical’s IGNITE concert series. A writer as well, Sam was featured in THE GUILD: THE MUSICAL, for which he also serves as lyricist, at Dynasty Typewriter in L.A. opposite TV/geek legends Felicia Day, Kirsten Vagsness, and Phil LaMarr. He is a two-time recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Support for Artists grant for his musicals EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS OF THE 21ST CENTURY and THE WRONG BOX. Other writing credits include The Other Palace’s MTFestUK with THE GUILD in London and the award-winning short musical film “You Don’t Say” in which he also co-starred; Select Regional theatre credits include TWELFTH NIGHT at the Pendragon Theatre, ROUGH CROSSING at the Cortland Rep, and LEND ME A SOPRANO at Shadowland Stages. Other film credits: “The Poet’s Daughter” (Best Short, Hot Springs International Film Festival) and many roles in Barnie Hannah Eakin’s “Sara Teasdale Project.” Sam is a Proud member of Actor’s Equity, the Dramatists Guild, and the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Look him up at www.sambalzac.com IG: @sambalzac
Jim Cummings
Guest Artist
Stephen Hopkins, 1776
Born in 1952, Jim showed early artistic promise and within weeks of graduating high school, he was touring full time. He’s toured the U.S. and other countries with Edgar Winter, Leon Russell, Dick Wagner, The Tubes, Odyssey, the Coasters, The Four Tops, The Classics IV, Gregg Allman, and many others. He has performed at the L.A. Forum, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, Shea Stadium, Cob Hall, Joe Louis Arena, Whiskey a Go Go, The Troubadour, and many more. Although he still tours, he also started a world-class recording and production facility - Soundstage I Productions. He considers this his greatest accomplishment, providing services such as Radio, TV Industrial and Corporate Communications, Film/Video, Animation, Media Consulting, design and installation, National live sound design and touring systems. For many years he was the #1 producer of high-end musical theme songs and corporate soundtracks in the U.S. Some of his clients include Disney, PepsiCo, Toyota, Whirlpool, Ford, Honda, Chrysler, Kellogg, Upjohn/Pfizer, US Government, Post, Gibson, Birdseye, Delta, Nestle, Gerber, Amway, Archway, McDonald, Comerica...and many more. He also Co-produced a National Broadway Touring Company for 12 years. Mr. Cummings is also a professional actor appearing in regional and national productions including Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, The Voice of Audrey II in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, in MY FAVORITE YEAR, MISS SAIGON, RING OF FIRE, and more. He has also appeared in films and industrial videos. Jim has been and continues to be a National entity, consistently selling music Internationally. He is referred to as a “Legend” amongst the Show-Business people that know him and continues to stay on top of his musical craft, and his business daily. We welcome Jim to the Barn stage!
Bruce Hammond
Guest Artist
Da Jimmer, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT / Richard Henry Lee, 1776
A native Michigander from nearby Brooklyn, audiences will remember Bruce’s wonderful portrayal in last season's World Premiere production of Brendan Ragotzy's OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN, as well as the Barn's 2019 production of MAMMA MIA! Bruce was also featured in our 2014 season where he appeared in RAUNCH & ROLL, SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, MOVE OVER, MRS. MARKHAM as well as the musical extravaganzas THE RATPACK and NONSTOP DOO WOP. A proud graduate of Western Michigan University, Bruce apprenticed here ’91 - ’93. He returned as an Equity member in ’94 to play the title role in the original musical written by Brendan Ragotzy, BILLY THE KID as well. Bruce starred in Las Vegas as Frank Sinatra in “The Rat pack is Back,” “Shades of Sinatra,” and was featured as Bugsy Seagal in “The Las Vegas Mob Experience.” For the past few years, Bruce has been traveling around the world with Crystal Cruise Lines performing his Tributes to Sinatra, Neil Diamond, and Bobby Darin. We are thrilled Bruce is back at the Barn!
Richard Marlatt
Guest Artist
John Dickinson, 1776
Barn audiences will recognize Richard as Colonel Pickering in our hit show MY FAIR LADY and as President Lincoln in OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN last season. In 2017 he was seen as Pulitzer in NEWSIES, and in 2015 he was Mr. Banks in our production of MARY POPPINS. In his first Summer here in 1980 he was featured as Sonny in GREASE. He’s played countless roles over four decades at Meadow Brook Theatre, and other Michigan credits include: Tipping Point, Detroit Opera, Boarshead, and Jewish Ensemble Theatre. His Chicago credits include Ravinia Festival as Jules in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, Light Opera Works as Tateh in RAGTIME, and wok with Marriott Theatre, Goodman, Paramount, Drury Lane, Theatre At The Center, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Dramatists (Associate Artist), and Shaw Chicago (Company Member). He’s amassed an impressive resume regionally, playing such roles as Hamlet, Scrooge, Falstaff, Dracula, Don Quixote, and Harold Hill, and working with Cincinnati Shakespeare, Madison Repertory, Nebraska Shakespeare, Little Theatre On The Square, Human Race Theatre, Nebraska Repertory, Peninsula Players, Fireside Theatre, and Actors Theatre of Louisville, among many others. He’s portrayed Abraham Lincoln in numerous productions of his own one man play, ABRAHAM LINCOLN CARVED IN STONE. As a Director, his many credits include acclaimed productions and work in Shakespeare and contemporary musicals, as well as the development of new works. Richard is also a Voice-Over artist, has worked in Independent Film, has a Fine Arts Degree as an Actor and Director, and studied with London’s Royal National Theatre, and New York’s National Shakespeare Conservatory.
Eric Parker
Guest Artist
John Adams, 1776
Eric is extremely grateful to mark season 29. Last season Eric happily enjoyed playing in THE GAME’S AFOOT, MY FAIR LADY, OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN and directing HOW TO SUCCEED…. A proud alum of the Barn's apprentice program, patrons will remember Eric from his roles in OKLAHOMA!, MISERY, 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 his hometown 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, too.