Book, Lyrics, and Music by Jonathan Hogue
Backstage Theatre
10330 84 Ave NW
October 18 to 26, 2024
Director
David Son
Stage Manager
Justine Woodfall
Musical Director
Grace Huang
Assistant Stage Manager
Pat Sirant
STRANGER SINGS! THE PARODY MUSICAL is a hilarious ‘upside down’ take on the hit Netflix series – and all its campy 1980s glory. Join Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, and the whole Hawkins gang for a night of adventure, thrills, pubescent angst, heavy synth, poor parenting, convoluted love triangles, cheap effects, dancing monsters, and maybe, just maybe… justice for everyone’s favourite missing ginger, Barb Holland.
#StrangerSingsYEG #JusticeforBarb
Brian Christensen
Renell Doneza
Connor Foy
Jack Hunting
Liz Jansen
Lucas Paterson
Carly Pettitt
Melenie Reid
Jason Wong
Jeremey Zimmerman
Starring
Song List
ACT 1:
Welcome to Hawkins – Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Mrs. Wheeler, Nancy, Barb, Steve
Hopper Triggered – Hopper
Forever – Nancy, Barb
Forever (Reprise) – Barb
The Adventure Song – Mike, Lucas, Dustin
The Dad I Never Had – Eleven, Ensemble
In These Woods – Jonathan, Nancy
Crazy – Joyce
Getting Closer – Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, Mr. Clarke, Joyce, Hopper, Steve
ACT 2:
Nice – Dustin, Steve
Stranger – Mike, Eleven
Where There’s A Will – Will, Ensemble
Barb’s Turn – Barb
The Final Battle – Ensemble
The Dad I Never Had (Reprise) – Hopper, Eleven
The Dad I Never Had (Reprise 2) – Dustin, Lucas, Mike
Upside Down/Welcome to Hawkins (Reprise) – Joyce, Steve, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, Hopper, Mike, Will, Barb
The Cast
The Band
The Creative Team
Meet the Cast and Crew
Brian Christensen (Steve/Jonathan)
Brian Christensen is an Edmonton-based musician and actor, and after stumbling upon an early Stranger Sings’ workshop in New York in 2019 he’s jazzed to have the chance to do the show himself! A graduate of MacEwan University’s music program, Brian has been an active member of the Edmonton theatre and music scenes for most of the past decade as a performer and creator. Brian toured USA and Canada playing Brit in We Will Rock You, during which he created a ranked list of the 74 sandwiches that he ate in cities along the way (shout out to top-ranked Brick & Tin in Birmingham, Alabama). Other favourite past theatre credits include: Ash in Evil Dead The Musical (Fringe 2024), Mark/us Drew in Rock Of Ages (Mayfield), Sonny Malone in Xanadu, Roger in RENT, Chris in Miss Saigon, and Jerry in The Full Monty.
Renell Doneza (Dustin)
Renell (He/Him) is excited to be back in his second show with DarkStage productions! Renell is a Queer, Canadian-Filipino originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Select Credits: Prison Dancer (Citadel, National Arts Centre), High School Musical (Uniform Theatre), Altar Boyz (Walterdale), Avenue Q (FDP), The Little Mermaid (Stageworks); Forbidden Broadway (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), Cabaret (Crosswalk Players), Cannibal (MPMM), and Mamma Mio: Here We Go Again, Once Upon a Time In Graceland (Jubilations). You may have seen Renell on Cross Country Cake Off S01 (CTV/Crave) or on The Good Stuff with Mary Berg (Bell Media) Sending love to Cam, Niko, family, friends, and YOU! 🙂
Connor Foy (Hopper)
Let me be one of the first to welcome to your little show! We got quite the cast or crazy talented people and Connor couldn’t be more proud to be apart of it. You may have seen Connor in previous show such as Austentatious, Guys and Dolls, 9 to 5 and lots of dancing along the way. Thank you so much for coming and enjoy the ride!
Jack Hunting (Eleven)
Jack Hunting (Eleven) is a queer artist from Amiskwacîwâskahikan in their 2nd year of MacEwan’s Music Theatre Performance program. Notable roles include Nina in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Walterdale Theatre), Hook in Bad Hat’s Peter Pan (Citadel Young Performing Company), Ms. Norbury/George in Mean Girls and Adult Women in Spring Awakening (Scona Theatre Company). Enjoy the show!
Liz Janzen (Nancy Wheeler)
Liz Janzen (she/her) is STOKED to be playing Nancy Wheeler in this production. She is an emerging Edmonton based performer, writer, director, producer and musician originally from Stony Plain, Alberta. She is a graduate of the inaugural class of MacEwan University’s BFA in Music Theatre Performance program, and a founder/producer/artistic director of Top Bunk Theatre. You may have recently seen her in Soup & Hogan’s 16th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at Fringe, Ride Lyke Hell at NextFest, or in six of the last MacEwan Theatre productions. Enjoy the show!
Lucas Paterson (The Demogorgon/Dr. Brenner/Several Other Hot People)
Lucas is a person of average intelligence who enjoys short walks on the beach and corporate embezzlement. You may have seen him recently in Best Baddies, 10 Minute Musicals, or Freaky Friday. He wishes to thank his parents, boyfriend and besties for being so supportive. A special shoutout also goes to Leanne Hiebert for dragging him back into the world of theater a few years ago.
Carly Pettitt (Barb/Mr. Clarke)
Carly is an actor based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Colonially known as Edmonton) and is so thankful to bring justice for Barb. She is a proud UofA alumni, receiving her BA/BEd in Drama and French. Carly’s recent credits include: Shelly/Annie in Evil Dead the Musical (SATCO), Mistress Page in Merry Wives of Windsor (Primestock), and Pythio in Head Over Heels (Leduc Drama Society). She would love to thank her wonderful husband, parents and friends for their support, and YOU for supporting the arts. Now, have you seen her inhaler? She’s been winded during the entire rehearsal process…
Melenie Reid (Joyce/Will)
Melenie is CRAZY excited to bring a whole new dimension to Joyce AND Will in Stranger Sings! While this is her first time balancing multiple personalities, she has taken on multiple different roles. Recent credits include: Betty Haynes in White Christmas, the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Melenie is also a past Disney Cruise Line performer, and is currently serving as President of the Edmonton Pops Orchestra. Whether she’s dressing up as a princess or a mom searching for her missing kid in a parallel universe, she’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even question if Demogorgons are real. Spoiler alert: They’re not. Or are they?
Jason Wong (Lucas)
Jason is enthused to make his Edmonton stage debut after his last performance in far-away London (Ontario) as part of the ensemble in LCP’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. When he is not on stage, he can be found playing through obscure musical piano scores for his Tiktok (@mtmash). He thanks his partner Derek for his constant love and support in making their new life in Edmonton a dream.
Jeremey Zimmerman (Mike Wheeler)
Jeremey is thrilled to be back on stage after making his debut in ELOPE’s production of “Rent” earlier this year. He wishes to thank his husband, Derek and his family and friends for all their support. A special shout out to his dog Harvey who helped him run lines at home and also gave him endless kisses on the face for encouragement.
Joe Caruk (Drums)
It’s typical; all the money my parents spent on music lessons could have been wasted when I became a lawyer. Nonetheless, I have continued to enjoy playing multiple forms of music from orchestral to punk. Much love to my wife Brenda and daughter Serena for being my major cheerleaders.
David Hockett (Guitar)
David has been a part of the Edmonton music community for the past 30 years. He has played in the Canadian Armed Forces military band as a reservist for all that time. He is very excited about being a part of the orchestra for this production of The Bridges of Madison County.”
Grace Huang (Musical Director/Keyboard)
Grace Huang has a huge amount of gratitude to her parents for piano and violin lessons since age 5. She holds ARCT certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance and has completed Grade 10 in violin. Grace began her pit orchestra journey in 2012. To date, she has performed in over 40 musical productions in the band throughout Edmonton and area. Grace wishes to acknowledge the dedication and effort of the entire cast, crew, and band, for going on an adventure to Hawkins, Indiana.
Justin Litun (Bass)
Justin studied music at Grant MacEwan Community College (which it was still known as at the time) and at St. Francis Xavier University. After a long period away from playing he came back to music three years ago. Justin plays with the local rock band, Blue Light Special, and the jazz ensemble, the Basement Collective. He recently played in the band for Beaumont Composite High School’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone and ELOPE’s production of Rent. He is grateful to be back behind a bass and excited to be a part of this production.
David Son (Director/Choreographer)
David is thrilled to be back behind the scenes, directing and choreographing this amazing show with this fantastic group of people. While he’s usually seen on stage, his recent credits include roles in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Walterdale Theatre) and Misidorus in Head Over Heels (Leduc Drama Society). He’d like to send out a special thank you to his friends and family for their endless support.
Justine Woodfall (Stage Manager)
Justine is excited to be stage managing this musical and to be working with a talented group of people. She has previously stage managed Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike, All My Sons, and The Realistic Joneses at Walterdale Theatre. Welcome to the show and have fun in the Upside down.
Pat Sirant (Assistant Stage Manager)
Pat is a University of Alberta alumnus who has been involved in theatre in roles both onstage and backstage for the last 7 years. Some shows they’ve worked on include Feast at the New Works Festival and Edmonton Fringe Festival, The 39 Steps at the Walterdale Theatre, and She Kills Monsters with University of Alberta Studio Theatre. They are very excited to be part of Stranger Sings!
Debo Gunning (Costume Design)
Inspired by her mom, a talented dressmaker in Ireland, she discovered her passion for sewing at a very young age. She continued designing and sewing, eventually owning her own business and contributing to numerous productions. She loves a good musical and is thrilled to be a part of Stranger Sings!
Rachel Whipple (Props Master)
Sourcing props is one of Rachel’s favorite things. She is so grateful that David chose her to join the extremely talented cast and crew of ‘Stranger Sings’! With Halloween right around the corner, this silly and spooky musical will be sure to get you in the spirit! Enjoy the show!
Our Sponsors
VIASTRAT Expeditions
Numble Accounting
Compound Cut Club
The Grindstone Society
A Special Thank You to
Emily Rutledge
Leduc Drama Society
Lee-Anna Semenyna
Linette Smith
Lucas Paterson
Michael Hancharyk
Randy Cusack
Simon Abbott
The Grindstone Theatre Society
The Son Boys