THE STARLIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS:

THE GUY WHO DIDN'T LIKE MUSICALS

Music and Lyrics by Jeff Blim

Book by Nick & Matt Lang

Originally produced by StarKid Productions

Licensed for Official Performance with Starkid Productions (DBA Sandhill Productions)

UPCOMING BEYOND BROADWAY SHOWS!

PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

June 26-27: Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals

September 27: Green Valley Recreation, Green Valley

October 2: Unity of Tucson, Tucson

January 24, 2027: PHX Third Street Theatre, Phoenix

March 7, 2027: Saint Mark's, Tucson

March 22, 2027: Scottsdale TBA

September 12, 2027: First Christian Church, Scottsdale

FOR MORE INFO VISIT: ZACH WETZEL - Beyond Broadway

THE PLAYERS:

Bill - Jesus Diaz

Paul - David Gunther

Charlotte - Kiley Bishop

Mr. Davidson - Conner Smith

Melissa - Samanta Cuallo

Ted - Tom Mangum

Emma - Lacey Dixon

Coffee Jerk - Conner Smith

Nora - Kiley Bishop

Obnoxious Teen - Zach Wetzel

Zoey - Samanta Cuallo

Greenpeace Girl - Samanta Cuallo

Homeless Man - Tom Mangum

Sam - Conner Smith

Alice - Samanta Cuallo

Deb - Kiley Bishop

Smoke Club Kid - Lacey Dixon

Professor Hidgens - Zach Wetzel

Rod - Steve Velardi

Donna - Sarai Allen

Cop 1 - Samanta Cuallo

Cop 2 - Zach Wetzel

Infected Teen - Lacey Dixon

Soldiers - Ensemble

General MacNamara - Conner Smith

Infected Soldier - Samanta Cuallo

Colonel Schaffer - Kiley Bishop

Nurse - Samanta Cuallo

Carol: Sarai Allen

Ensemble: Sarai Allen, Zach Wetzel, Kiley Bishop, Samanta Cuallo, Conner Smith, Tom Mangum, Jesus Diaz

PRODUCTION:
Beyond Broadway Artistic Director: Zach Wetzel

Beyond Broadway Resident Music Director: Jay Melberg

Production Director: Steve Velardi

Choreographer: Sarai Allen

Costumes: Taylor Finnell-Stroupe

Props: Kate Morter

Set Design and Build: Sarah Wetzel

Set Build Apprentice: Julia Wetzel

Sound Design: Jay Melberg

Lighting Design: Elizabeth Witte

Lighting Op: Alisha Tanveer

Special Make-Up Effects: Matthew Copley

Publicity Photography: Amy Dangerfield and Fourth Wall Photo Studio

Special Thanks to Paige Westfall, Makayla Eneboe, Nick Gearing, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Fountain Hills Theatre, Main Street Creative Arts Center, Nancy & Braden Pastore, Kiley Bishop, JP Clemente, Order Chaos Theater Company, Arizona Diamondbacks GSR Management, Unity Church of Mesa, Vanity Lang

Dedicated to Tyler Gastelum

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

When Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, and the rest of the writing team assembled for their first day of work on Blazing Saddles, Brooks began the session by writing on the chalkboard, “First, We Laugh.” This anecdote and little phrase stuck with me, and it felt right to approach this silly, stupid show with the same attitude. So I brought a rubber chicken to our first rehearsal.

I wasn’t familiar with The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals until I got involved with this project just a few months ago. But it didn’t take long for me to appreciate its intelligence and heart as well as its “infectious” songs and zany story. It even manages to sneak in some social commentary for you smarty-pants out there, while providing some low brow comedic moments for those like me, who have the sense of humor of a 9 year old. You know, just like a Mel Brooks movie.

Planning this production was an interesting process. I haven’t directed anything since 2015, so I wanted to ease back into it. In November, Zach hired me to be his assistant director. Perfect. He liked my ideas, so he made me co-director in January. Okay. And then in late May, Zach had to step into the Professor role, leaving me as the sole director. So much for easing into it. But ya roll with the punches, and I think it all worked out for the best…but only because of the efforts of the following people:

Zach, who put this whole shebang together from the beginning, provided constant leadership even when thrust into the cast, and then knocked my low rise socks off as the Professor-

Sarai, who gave so much time early on planning and brainstorming, and then impressed me night after night with her inventive choreography and endless well of ideas, energy, and PATIENCE. Oh, and that winsome laugh-

Jay, who was a co-producer. And taught the music. And got us rehearsal space. And built us sound cues. And got us props. And…you get the idea-

Matthew, Taylor, Sarah, and Eliz, our designers who just kept saying “yes,” and made this show with no budget look better than I ever could have imagined-

Paige and the gang at Main Street who welcomed us into their space with open arms-

Braden, Vanity, Kate, and Alisha for bringing us through the final stretch without missing a beat-

The folks that helped out after I wrote this (there’s always a couple of those!)-

And finally, the people who brought these characters to life (and death!) in 3 short weeks of rehearsal, the cast:

David, a leading man who leads by example, helping collect props and commuting from Tucson for rehearsal every night-

Lacey, a pro’s pro who knows the material better than anyone. Our “final girl” and uncredited dramaturg who I think would also make a great director-

Conner, who I just met a few hours before writing this, but I will remember forever for stepping in at the last minute and getting us where we needed to be-

Kiley, a natural comedic virtuoso, an unnatural graphic design whiz, and a supernatural roller skating queen-

Tom, every theatre group in the valley is fighting over him. And for good reason, he can do everything. Thankfully, we won the fight this month-

Sammy, a true triple threat in the making. Friggin’ funny too. Excited to see the things she will do in the future-

And JD, the only cast member I knew coming in. He’s the glue, and once again, the MVP. Wouldn’t want to do a show without him-

To all of you, I’m extremely grateful for your dedication and effort. But most of all, thanks for the laughs.

And finally, for real this time, I would like to thank and welcome the final but most important element in comedy. You, the audience. We’ve definitely put our own spin on this modern cult classic and we hope you enjoy it. And if you do like what you’ve seen tonight, then this has been a Beyond Broadway production, please check us out on the social crap. And if you didn’t, you can talk to my fucking gun. I’m sorry, that’s a line from the show. Wait, why am I apologizing? I don’t need to apologize. THIS IS NOT THE JUNIOR VERSION, REBECCA! It’s 18 and over in Mesa tonight, bitches!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for coming to my director’s note.

-Steve Velardi

Act 1

"The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals" – Ensemble

"La Dee Dah Dah Day" – Greenpeace Girl, Homeless Guy, Ensemble

"What Do You Want, Paul?" – Mr. Davidson

"Cup of Roasted Coffee" – Nora, Zoey, Emma

"Cup of Poisoned Coffee" – Nora, Zoey, Ensemble

"Show Me Your Hands" – Sam, Cops

"You Tied up My Heart" – Sam

"Join Us (And Die)" – Charlotte, Sam

Act 2

"Not Your Seed" – Alice, Deb, Hatchetfield Bee

"Show Stoppin' Number" – Professor Hidgens, Greg, Stu

"America Is Great Again" – General MacNamara, Soldiers

"Let Him Come" – Ensemble

"Let It Out" – Paul, Ensemble

"Inevitable" – Paul, Ensemble

THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION.

THIS PRODUCTION CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE, BLOOD, AND GORE. ALL AISLES AND ENTRANCES WILL BE USED. YOU MAY GET WET. THE SHOW ALSO CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS.

David Gunther

David Gunther (Paul) is very excited to make his Phoenix debut with The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals. He's recently performed in Newsies, Miracle on 34th St, and Side Show at Arts Express Theatre. He's been seen in the Gaslight Theatre productions of A Small Town Christmas and Curse of the Pirate's Gold, and prior to that performed with Invisible Theatre, Winding Road, Scoundrel and Scamp, and Unscrewed Theater, to name a few. Outside of theatre he's an accomplished computer technician, and dabbles in a wide variety of hobbies, such as standup comedy, homebrewing, tabletop gaming, cooking, baking, and anything else odd and eclectic that catches his imagination. He'd like to thank all of you for coming and supporting local live theatre, and hopes your integration into the alien hive mind will be fun, entertaining, and mostly painless!

Lacey Dixon

Lacey Dixon (Emma) is excited to be in her third Starkid show after playing Keeri in Firebringer at Phoenix College and Mother in The Trail to Oregon with Valley Players! As someone who has loved musicals all her life, this is definitely her most difficult acting role to date. Past credits also include Lily (The Secret Garden), Nancy (Oliver!) and Rona Lisa Piretti (Spelling Bee). She would like to dedicate her performance to Peanuts the Hatchetfield Pocket Squirrel.

Samanta Cuallo

Samanta Cuallo (Alice) is very excited to be doing her first post grad show as well as making her Phoenix debut! she is from Portland Oregon and has just graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Utah. She most recently performed as Little Becky in Urinetown: The Musical and as an understudy in Spring Awakening through the University of Utah’s theatre department. Some of her other favorite roles include Fantine in Les Miserables and the ensemble of Tuck Everlasting. She is ready to keep up her comedy musical streak and fully dive into these wacky (and slightly tragic) characters.

Zach Wetzel

Zach Wetzel (Professor Hidgens) has been working as an educator and theatremaker in Arizona since 2017. He has worked with many prominent Arizona Arts organizations including: The Herberger Theater Center Mainstage, Arizona Musicfest, The Phoenix Theatre Company, The Phoenix Third Street Theatre, The Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona, The Gaslight Music Hall, and Saguaro City Music Theatre. Arizona credits include: FROZEN: THE MUSICAL, MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, MATILDA: THE MUSICAL, CAMELOT, MAN OF LA MANCHA, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, BRIGHT STAR, TICK TICK BOOM, TITANIC: THE MUSICAL, THE GUY WHO DIDN'T LIKE MUSICALS, and SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL. Education: BM Vocal Performance, Brigham Young University. JD Media Law, USD School of Law. ZACH WETZEL

Special thanks to my acting coaches Mark Stoddard and Julia Wetzel!

Kiley Bishop

Kiley Bishop (Charlotte) is an Arizona-born actor, puppeteer, roller skater, and graphic designer who is excited to be appearing in her first StarKid musical with such a fabulous team. Recent credits include Parody Puppet Princess Bride and Die Hard: A Christmas Carol (All Puppet Players), Kristine in A Chorus Line (MET), and Babe in Crimes of the Heart (Order Chaos). She would also like to put it out into the universe that her dream role is Dinah in Starlight Express. “Am I doing this ‘manifesting’ thing correctly? Anyway, break a leg, everyone!”

Tom Mangum

Tom Mangum (Ted)

"You didn't invite me!" Tom grew up in Arizona and has been on stage most of his life. Participating in nearly fifty productions, he is an AriZoni Award winning actor.

Among his credits are The Addams Family (Music Director), Annie (Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks), Beauty and the Beast (The Beast), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Buddy Holly), Fiddler On the Roof (Perchik), Ghost: The Musical (Sam Wheat), The Great Gatsby (Tom Buchanan), Into the Woods (The Wolf/Cinderella's Prince), Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks), Million Dollar Quartet (Johnny Cash), The Pajama Game (Sid Sorokin), Seussical the Musical (Horton the Elephant), and West Side Story (Riff).

He is thrilled to share the stage again. Enjoy the show!

Jesus Diaz

JD (Bill) is thrilled to join the hive in this infectiously thrilling production of The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals! Some favorite past productions they have been involved in are Sister Act (Pablo), School of Rock (Doug), In the Heights (Ensemble), Shrek (Pig 1), Scrooge in Rouge (Lottie), Annie (Rooster), Little Shop of Horrors (Puppeteer) and was most recently in The Christians as Associate Pastor Joshua. JD is so honored to share the stage with this group of talented artists and beyond grateful to Zach, Steve and the whole team for their support!

Conner Smith

Conner (Davidson/Sam/Macnamara) is excited to perform this role for the second time now! He was previously seen in this role in April at B3. A few other roles he’s been is Pontius Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar), Gaston (Beauty and The Beast) and Hero (A Funny… Forum). He wants to thank Steve for reaching out and letting him into the production.

Steve Velardi

Steve Velardi (Director) is happy to be making his AZ directorial debut collaborating with the marvelous Zach Wetzel. Favorite directing credits include Merrily We Roll Along, She Loves Me, Sisters Rosensweig, Pajama Game, The Fantasticks, and Frost/Nixon. In Phoenix, Steve has performed with DST, MTAA, and plays the father of the groom in the recurring southwest company of Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Before moving here from Brooklyn NY in 2021, Steve was a bartender/performer for 9 years at the legendary Greenwich Village piano bar, Marie’s Crisis Cafe.

Jay Melberg

James Melberg (Music Director) has been music directing in Phoenix Arizona for the past 35 years. Graduated from the University of Arizona in 1987 in Music Education. Currently teaching piano and voice at the Phoenix Center for the Arts since 1994. Has directed over 65 musicals and cabarets and past favorites include: Little Shop of Horrors, Million Dollar Quartet, RIng of Fire, Buddy Holly Story, The Great Gatsby, Shrek the Musical, The Full Monty, Ave Q, Spamalot, Man of La Mancha and La Cage Aux Folles. Performs with the band Sacred Blues and has written eight original musicals.

Sarai Allen

Sarai Allen (Choreographer/Dance Captain), Arizona native and no stranger to the local dance scene, has made her return to the stage this year in the productions of Troubadour Cafe (La Mirage) and TGWDLM. She joined the creative talent company, Beyond Broadway to help bring this raucous comedy to life using the dynamic power of movement. Sarai lives and works in Phoenix with her beloved houseplants and occasional lover(s).

Matthew Copley

Matthew Copley (Special Makeup Effects) is a native Tucsonan, educator, storyteller, and avid participant in all of the theatre things. He typically feels more at home ON stage, but has been coerced into slinging the blood and guts (and blue crap) for this crazy show. He blames mostly his children. And his friend Mike. Matthew has done bloody stuff for other shows, including PLAYING WITH FIRE, MACBETH, FLAMING GUNS OF THE PURPLE SAGE, THE SINS OF SOR JUANA, and REAL LIVE DEATH, and for the films LEGEND OF THE PHANTOM RIDER, WORMWOOD, THE PARASITE, HELL'S FURIES, and TOUS LES FRANCAIS SONT DES PUTES. Matthew is a big fan of delicious sandwiches and frosty beverages.

Liz Witte

Liz Witte (Lighting Designer) has been passionate about live theatre since high school. She furthered her tech knowledge at Mesa Community College and has received four certificates including Audio, Lighting, and Backstage Crew. She has had several opportunities to design lighting at Main Street Creative Arts Center including “The Lights Are On” by Owen Panettieri and "Exit, Pursued by a Bear” by Lauren Gunderson both produced by Main Street, and “Lost Girl” by Kimberly Belflower produced by Rebel Phoenix. In her early design career she's also had the opportunity of designing at MCC twice. She did the sound design for their 2024 production “Appropriate” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins which she got nominated for a AriZonie award with. She also did the lighting design for the Student clubs show “Spike Heels” by Theresa Rebeck in 2024. She is very excited to be the lighting designer for her very first Musical with this wonderful team!

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