On Stage Now
Directed by Eric Martinez and Laura Fuller
Music Directed by John Crawley
Lighting Design by Claire Daniels
Set Design by Eric Martinez and Tom Bastek
Costumes by Mark Jones, Eric Martinez and Laura Fuller
Orchestra Information Coming Soon.
Special Thanks to Montford Park Players, HART Theatre.
Meet the Cast
CATHERINE EARNSHAW - Clara Ray Burrus
Clara is a native of WNC and has been performing here for most of her life! She is a graduate of UNCG’s School of Music in Voice Performance and ETSU’s School of Nursing. She was last seen at HART in Steel Magnolias (Shelby) and Little Women (Meg). Some favorite roles throughout the years include Eliza Doolittle My Fair Lady, Maria West Side Story, Johanna Sweeney Todd, Cinderella Into The Woods, Sister Amnesia Nunsense, Clara The Light in the Piazza, and Anna The King & I. But her biggest and most favorite role to date is that of “Momma” to Vivienne Monroe. Clara currently works as an RN. But all her free time is spent with her amazing family, her wonderful husband Dominic, and their children (human and animal alike!). Up next, this fall she will be performing as one of the players in Dogged Utopia’s Nevermore!
HEATHCLIFF - Eric Martinez
Eric has performed in the musical roles of Jimmy Ray Dobbs in Bright Star, Benny Perkins in Hands on a Hardbody, Sonny Malone in Xanadu, John Jasper/Clive Paget in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Thomas in The Story of My Life, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, Albin/Zaza in La Cages aux Folles, Max Detweiler in Sound of Music, Whizzer in Falsettoland, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, and Edward Rutledge in 1776. In the world of Opera, he has taken on many lyric tenor roles and has participated in opera apprenticeship programs with companies such as The Santa Fe Opera. Eric has performed on stage as Ian in Shining City, Ralph Wantage in Frozen by Bryony Lavery, Lt. Kendrick in A Few Good Men, and Renfield in Dracula.
NELLY DEAN - Greta Schulz
Greta Elizabeth has performed in various community and collegiate theatres across the States in such roles as The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods and Rose in Secret Garden. This is her first performance with Dogged Utopia and she excited to see the company grow in the coming years. She sends her deepest appreciation to all of you for supporting the arts! Without our patrons’ support we wouldn’t be here.
HINDLEY EARNSHAW - David Cater
Fresh off a 10-year touring show reading nightly bedtime stories, David is thrilled to be on a stage again performing for someone other than his children. There is a faint possibility that you may have seen him as Daddy Cane in Bright Star or Rudolfo in Matilda, both at Asheville Community Theater. Other favorite roles include Bruce Ismay in Titanic, a disciple in Jesus Christ Superstar, the ensemble in Sweeney Todd and Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream (all in Atlanta, and all a lifetime ago). During the day he works as a software development manager and makes funny voices for his wife, two daughters and puppy. (The fish don't get the voices, and wouldn't appreciate them anyway).
ISABELLA LINTON - Alena Carhart
Alena is thrilled to be making her Dogged Utopia debut! She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance from the University of Delaware. She serves as an adjunct professor of applied voice and musical theatre at Milligan University and ETSU. Recent credits include 9 to 5 (Doralee), Penelope and the Geese (Aphrodite), and Next to Normal (Natalie). She recently made her directorial debut directing The Marvelous Wonderettes Caps and Gowns 58’ at Milligan University.
EDGAR LINTON - Matt Blanks
Matt has performed throughout the country as an opera singer and tenor soloist.
Highlights include Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Henrik in A Little Night Music, Charlie in Brigadoon, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. He most recently appeared as Reverend Shaw in Footloose at Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART), where he’ll music direct Lizzie this fall. Other local credits include Laurie in Little Women (HART), Music Director of Big Fish (HART), Vic/pianist in Sisters of Swing (SART) and Matt in The Fantasticks (SART). Mr. Blanks currently serves as Voice Area Coordinator at Mars Hill University Music Department. He has presented university faculty voice recitals each of the last four years, where repertoire has included Liszt’s Tre sonetti di Petrarca, Schumann’s Dichterliebe, Schubert’s Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, and selections from Die schöne Müllerin and Britten’s Serenade Op. 31. Mr. Blanks runs Soaring Sounds Voice Studio and is a certified Estill Master Trainer.
MARY - Alison Gripentrog
Alison has previously performed with Asheville Lyric Opera, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, NC Stage Catalyst Series, Parkway Playhouse, Attic Salt Theatre Company, Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective, The Magnetic Theatre, and Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. A few favorite past roles include Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! (Jerry Herman), Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (William Shakespeare), and Franca in The Light in the Piazza (Adam Guettel). In September she will play Countess Charlotte Malcolm in HART’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music.”
MR. EARNSHAW/JOSEPH - Charlie Wilson
Charlie is excited to be making his debut with Dogged Utopia Productions! Charlie is an actor, singer and voiceover artist. He has appeared in various theatre productions, commercials, podcasts and independent films in the Western North Carolina area. He is an Asheville, NC native and local. He recently appeared in films for the Asheville School of Film and The Actors Center of Asheville. His most recent theatre role was as Bertram Cates in the production of “Inherit The Wind” at HART Theatre.
LOCKWOOD/WILLIAMS - Mark Jones
Mark has been involved with theatre in Western North Carolina and Virginia for the last 35 years. Some of his favorite acting roles include: Buddy Holly in BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story, Jack in Into the Woods, Thomas Weaver in The Story of My Life, John in john & jen, Corny Collins in Hairspray, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Lurch in The Addams Family, Robert Anne in Nunsense, A-Men and the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz. Mark has also directed many productions, including: The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Seussical, Ghost: The Musical, Zombie Prom, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Mamma Mia, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Matilda.