I arrived in Des Moines at the beginning of August, 1982. Twenty-five years is a long time in one job. Practically everyone I know has held two, three or four different positions, some in completely different careers, in the same period of time, but for a volunteer performer to continue a single avocational activity this long, it's either passion or obsession. I hope you have had a chance to see some of the shows performed by these three talented actors, whose tenure at The Playhouse matches mine.
Linda Juckette
Linda Juckette started performing at The Playhouse shortly before I arrived, but my introduction to her came with my first show, Annie Get Your Gun. She was Linda Garland then, working at Des Moines General Hospital and dating Tom Juckette. There was an inherent power in her voice that set her apart.
Linda Juckette with the late J.R. Walker in Annie Get Your Gun, 1982
Music Director, Paul Dieke, recognized her talent and worked with her to develop it. Over the years, Linda's singing has become richer, stronger and more mature. She has an uncanny ability to communicate such strength and passion, that she often leaves people emotionally spent. Her Evita was breathtaking. (more about that in an upcoming blog). When she performed the song, "You Can Never Go Back to Before," in Ragtime, a sizeable chunk of the audience took out their hankies.
Linda Juckette, as cool as ice, in Evita, 1986
Trying out for Cats, just a few months ago, she sang "Memory," as her audition piece. When she left the room, I turned to Alison Shafer, co-director and choreographer of the production, who had never met Linda, and asked, "What do you think?"
"What do I think?" she said. "She just made me cry at an audition!"
Linda as "Grizabella," in Cats, 2007
Linda singing at our "Hollywood Halloween" fundraiser, 2007
Gina Gedler
Gina Gedler's first role at The Playhouse was in the chorus of The Music Man, in 1983. She was beautiful, young and incredibly talented. Gina was a passionate, charismatic singer with the ability to move like a professionally trained dancer.
Gina Gedler as "Anita," in West Side Story, 1986
As she performed in show after show at The Playhouse, these talents grew and matured, with milepost roles such as "Anita," in West Side Story, and "Mama Rose," In Gypsy.
Gina as "Mama Rose," in Gypsy, 1991
Twenty-five years after her Playhouse debut, she performs regularly in our "Entertainment to Go" program, doing Broadway reviews and the spoofy The Joey Libido and Sugar Show (It's Vegas, Baby). She had the role of "Vicki" in last spring's The Full Monty, and, once again, shared her infectious talent with us at this year's Hollywood Halloween.
Gina performing at our Hollywood Halloween Fundraiser, 2007
Lenny Houts
Lenny Houts started at The Playhouse in The Music Man, September, 1983. He was 18 years old and one of the best male dancers any of us had seen.
Lenny Houts in The Music Man, 1983. I'm sure he can still do this
Todd Buchacker, Lenny Houts, Rosa Chagnon, and Warren Westlund at Music Man Fundraiser, 1983
He performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the next season, and followed with roles in Evita, Gypsy and West Side Story, getting better with each show. Lenny took a hiatus from The Playhouse for several years, returning for 2002's Cabaret. His "Master of Ceremonies" was stunning - Broadway quality or better.
Lenny as the "Emcee" in Cabaret. 2002. What a performance!
Lenny has developed into an excellent actor/singer and his dance ability remains especially strong. He was a truly believable "Jerry," in last spring's The Full Monty, portraying a working class character torn between emotional immaturity and responsibility. At The Playhouse and other local theatres Lenny continues to grow and develop his considerable talent.
Lenny as "Jerry," in The Full Monty, 2007
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