The Fireside auditions and hires professional singers, dancers and actors from all over the United States. Many come with Broadway and National Tour experience. All of them come with great talent and a passion for their craft.
Mary Ehlinger (Vivian) happily reprises this role. Other Fireside credits: CINDERELLA (Queen), GREASE (Miss Lynch). Regional Theatres: George Street Playhouse, Old Globe, Arkansas Rep, Tennessee Rep, Actors Theater of Louisville, Barter, Maine State, Florida Studio, Mountain Playhouse… to name a few. Off-Broadway: OIL CITY SYMPHONY, original casts of COWGIRLS and RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET (American premiere). Along with her daughter, Mary performs, directs, and is Artistic Director for Play-by-Play Theatre in Green Bay.
Rhonda Rae Busch (Mavis) is thrilled to return to the Fireside and revisit her past, when she attended Lutheran grade school and real, live Church Basement Ladies served her hot lunch every day! Recent Fireside shows include NUNSENSE (Mother Superior), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Yente), TITANIC (Ida Straus), MUSIC MAN (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), and CINDERELLA (Stepmother). Favorites elsewhere: WHITE CHRISTMAS (Martha), ANNIE (Miss Hannigan), and LES MISERABLES (Madame Thernardier). Love to Bill for 38 years of wedded bliss. @rhondatherae
Lorelei Sturm (Karin) is thrilled to be making her Fireside Theatre debut in the Church Basement alongside her husband, Joe. She holds a Master’s Degree in Acting from Wayne State University. Regional theatre: Timeline Theatre, Metropolis Theatre, Fox Valley Rep, New American Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Maples Repertory Theatre, and Little Theatre on the Square. Lorelei is a Registered Dietitian and certified yoga instructor. You can find her on YouTube as Nutrition with Lorelei and Namasturm Yoga.
Laurie Sutton (Beverly) is excited to return to The Fireside after appearing in CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES 1 and 2 and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN! Other favorite credits include: OKLAHOMA (Laurey), WONDERFUL TOWN (Eileen), LES MISÉRABLES (Cosette), DAMES AT SEA (Ruby), GREASE (Frenchy), and GYPSY (Dainty June). Special thanks to Ed and the Klopcics for the opportunity, family and friends for their support, and God for His many blessings! https://Laurie-Sutton.com
Joe Lehman (Pastor Gunderson) is delighted to return to the church basement and Fireside Theatre where he has appeared in CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES #1, 2 and 4, THE MUSIC MAN, SCROOGE, MAMMA MIA, GREASE, BUDDY HOLLY, SOUTH PACIFIC, and RUN FOR YOUR WIFE. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has worked all over the country as an actor and director and always loves to be back at the Fireside. Thanks for supporting live theatre! www.joe-lehman.com
Delaney Groff (Vivian/Mavis Cover) is a NYC based actress originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She is thrilled to be back at The Fireside! Her most recent credits include Carol in ‘TWAS A GIRLS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (National Tour), Paulette in LEGALLY BLONDE (The Milton Theatre), and Mrs. Cratchit in SCROOGE The Musical (The Fireside Theatre). Thank you to Delaney’s wife, Ran, for the constant love and support. “No one is equal until we are all equal.” @delaneygroff
Kaylee Verble (Karin/Beverly Cover) is thrilled to return to The Fireside! Fireside credits: THE CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES IN A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR BASEMENT (Beverly – BWW Award), THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and ELF. Off-Broadway: DO RE MI. Other Favorites: 42ND STREET (Peggy Sawyer – MITTY Award), NOISES OFF! (Brooke – BWW Award), DAMES AT SEA (Ruby), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, Disney Cruise Line. BM, NYU. Many thanks to Ed, Curt, and Mary! Love to Drew, Mom, Dad, and my real life Church Basement Lady, Grandmother! @kayleeverble
D Eric Woolweber (Pastor Gunderson Cover) A native of SE Wisconsin, D Eric has performed globally aboard Crystal Cruises; at Milton Theatre in DE; in the Chicago area with Bailiwick Arts Center, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater, Theater at the Center, and Music Theater Works; in Branson with Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Silver Dollar City, and the Clay Cooper Theater; in the Milwaukee/Madison area with MKE Rep, First Stage, Forward Theater Co, Renaissance Theatreworks, Skylight Music Theatre, and this is his second appearance with The Fireside. 143 mum and Gale.