Love Among The Ruins

JoBETH WILLIAMS (Jessica Medlicott) has starred in the films “Poltergeist,” “ Big Chill,” Blake Edward’s “Switch,” Fever Pitch,” “The Big Year” opposite Steve Martin, “Kramer vs Kramer,” and over thirty others. 

PETER STRAUSS (Sir Arthur Granville-Jones) recently appeared in “Operation Finale” with Ben Kingsley and Oscar Isaac. He recently directed and appeared with Marsha Mason and Jean Smart in two staged reading productions of Bruce Graham’s play The Outgoing Tide. Born in New York City, he attended The Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY and graduated from Northwestern University. He starred on Broadway in Einstein and the Polar Bear. Off- Broadway he was seen as Ben Bradley in Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers at New York Theater Workshop, Sabina at Primary Stages, Chinese Friends at Playwrights Horizons and The Outgoing Tide at Primary Stages.

Films include “The Last Tycoon,” “The Secret of Nimh,” “Nick of Time,” “XXX2: State of the Union,” and “License to Wed.” Select television credits include: "Rich Man, Poor Man," "Masada," “The Jericho Mile," “Heart of Steel,” “Tender is the Night,” “Kane and Abel,” “Men Don't Tell,’’ and “The Yearling.” He won the Emmy Award as Best Actor in the film “The Jericho Mile."

He is married to actress Rachel Ticotin and they have three children. He currently resides in Ojai, California and farms 400 tons of citrus per year. He is an avid gardener specializing in Mediterranean plants and South African and Mexican cacti.

AVA BURTON (Stenographer/Understudy Fanny, Hermione) Classically trained at East 15, London, Ava toured with the Shakespearean Peoples Theatre Company performing in theatres and festivals throughout the UK. Other Notable UK performances include Kate in BEDROOM FARCE, Wynne in DINNER & Janet in STAND. Elsewhere in Europe Ava performed at the English Theatre of Hamburg and Theatre Antibes, France. Known in her adopted city of Laguna Beach for appearances in SHAKESPEARE’S FOOL and performances in local Bare Bones reading series, she can be heard voicing trailers, Marvel Universe game characters and the odd DR. WHO monster! Recently she performed in North Coast Rep’s BLITHE SPIRIT.

CJ BLAINE ELDRED (Alfred Pratt) is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful production and to make his Laguna Playhouse debut! Most recently he performed with the Hamburg Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in John Neumeier’s BERNSTEIN DANCES. Past credits include USA Network Pilot THE TAP. Off Broadway: ROCK OF AGES(Drew),DESPERATE MEASURES(Johnny Blood), CLAUDIO QUEST(Claudio). BOOK OF MORMON First National Tour (Elder Price). Regional: SEX WITH STRANGERS(Ethan),SOUTH PACIFIC(Lt. Cable),BILLY ELLIOT(Tony). Many thanks to Robert Stein, everyone at HCKR, and most importantly my family and friends for all the love and support!! Go Blue!

MARTIN KILDARE (U/S Jarvis) Broadway: Scar in THE LION KING, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, TIMON OF ATHENS, THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, THE HERBAL BED, and the national tour of MAMMA MIA! Off-Broadway: PRIDE’S CROSSING, HONOR AND THE RIVER, CANDIDA, and LABOR DAY. Locally: South Coast Rep, A Noise Within, La Mirada, Musical Theatre West, 3D Theatricals, and North Coast Rep. Regionally: Over 20 major companies including a combined ten seasons with the California, Alabama and Utah Shakespeare Festivals. Film and TV: PALM SPRINGS,WHAT/IF, GOOD TROUBLE, GROWN-ISH, SUPERSTORE, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, LAWAND ORDER and many others. Education: Stanford University and the American Conservatory Theatre

TOM SHELTON (Judge Phillip Tandy/Understudy Sir Arthur Granville-Jones, George) made his debut at Laguna Playhouse in 1993 with BEDROOM FARCE, followed by WHAT THE BUTLER SAW, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, COMMUNICATING DOORS, WHO’S HOT WHO’S NOT, THE CONSTANT WIFE, THE UNDERPANTS, RED HERRING,TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, COMPANY, and MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN. South Coast Repertory: HOTEL PARADISO, GALILEO, AN ITALIAN STRAW HAT, IN THE NEXT ROOM, and A CHRISTMASCAROL. He is also a faculty member at SCR’s Adult Conservatory. Tom is a grateful member of Actors’ Equity since 1981. He dedicates his performance tonight to Diana, Miriam, Lionel, and Wally, with love.

KATY TANG (Hermione Davis) is excited to be making her Laguna Playhouse debut! Regional: MARRY ME A LITTLE(International City Theatre), A CHRISTMAS CAROL(Denver Center), SWEENEYTODD, SHE LOVES ME(South Coast Repertory),CANDIDE(San Bernardino Symphony), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC(East West Players), SPRING AWAKENING(Cygnet Theatre),THE MIKADO, TURN OF THE SCREW(Pacific Opera Project), Independent Shakespeare, North Coast Repertory, Arrow Rock Lyceum. International: Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO(Mediterranean Opera Festival, Italy),Sophie in WERTHER, Amour in ORPHÉE ET EURYDICE(La Péniche Opera, France). Training: UCLA& Ecole Normale, Paris. She was runner-up Miss CA 2013 and is a two-time Junior Olympian ice-skater.

TYEE TILGHMAN (Sir John Frances Divine) is an actor, filmmaker, and teaching artist. He holds an MFA from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Selected film & TV credits include BLINDSPOTTING(Starz), BASKETS(FX), REACHER(Amazon Prime), PARTY OF FIVE(FreeFormTV), A DEADLY LULLABY(Lifetime), CRIMINAL MINDS(CBS), and AMERICAN NIGHTMARES. Selected theatre credits include Master Page: MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR(Folger Library), Salif: OUR VERY OWN CARLIN MCCULLOUGH(Geffen Playhouse), Reggie: SKELETON CREW(Studio Theatre), Caesar: GEM OF THE OCEAN(Marin Theatre Company), Jelly & Slemmons: SPUNK!(California Shakespeare Theatre), George: A RAISIN IN THE SUN(DCPA), Solyony: THREE SISTERS(Chautauqua Theatre Company).

PATRICK VEST (Male Understudy) is delighted to be back at the Laguna Playhouse. He was recently seen as Herbert and the Bailiff in Love Among the Ruins. He earned his MFA in acting from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and has acted throughout the country. Orange County audiences may be familiar with his work for his portrayal of Mr. Doyle in THE NETHER at Wayward Artist Theatre, which earned Patrick a nomination for best supporting performance by the OC Theatre Guild. Patrick also regularly tours through Orange County with Shakespeare by the Sea, where he has played such roles as Richard III, Macbeth, Bottom, Marc Antony, Caliban, Leontes, Mercutio, Malvolio, and Iago. He was also recently seen in the Rubicon’s magical production of ALMOST, MAINE.

WENDY WORTHINGTON (Fanny Pratt) spent 15 months with the National Tour of WICKED as Madame Morrible. Theatre work includes MAN OF LA MANCHA(Reprise), THE GUARDSMAN(A Noise Within), and DIE! MOMMY! DIE! with Charles Busch. She has over 100 film and TV appearances, including working with directors from Steven Spielberg (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) to Clint Eastwood(CHANGELING), and recurring roles on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, BONES, ALLY MCBEAL, and SO LITTLE TIME. She has been featured on dozens of episodes of JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE and is a published short story author. She is delighted to be making her debut at Laguna Playhouse

NICK MOLARI (Understudy Alfred, Herbert, Bailiff) alumni of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, has recently performed in the interactive-immersive theatrical experience of Netflix’s ARCANE. Stage: CLOSELY RELATED KEYS(Long Beach Playhouse), MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Shakes on the Deck), SECRET IN THE WINGS (Courage Theater Co.) REASONS TO BE PRETTY/Happy(The Collective Studio), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM/Lear (Theatricum Botanicum). Film: THE NOWHERE INN(IFC/Hulu), RANCHLANDS(Amazon Prime), JOURNEY TO ROYAL(Amazon Prime).