Cast of "It's A Wonderful Life"

Brian Grudzinski

Character: George Bailey

Brian is a United States Army veteran in his last semester at Arizona State University finishing a B.A. in Theater. He is excited to be making his debut at Don Bluth Theater as well as his return to the stage after an almost ten year absence due to a vocal injury.

Erica Parrish

Character: Mary Bailey

This is her fifth show assistant directing at the theater. Her recent roles at DBFRT include Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business and Guys and Dolls where she was co-choreographer, and a Hotbox Girl. Others at DBFRT include Ela Delahey in Charley’s Aunt, It’s A Wonderful Life, Oklahoma! and Hello Dolly!. She recently played Daisy Bates in Hour of Decision at Herberger Lunchtime Theatre. Erica works at Essential Theatre, a Playback company that works with marginalized communities including developmentally disabled adults and homeless youth, where she is Associate Ensemble Director, co-director of rehearsals and an actor.

Jim Coates

Character: Mr. Potter

Truly grateful to Don and Cheryl this year to get to play Lionel Barrymore, I mean, Mr. Potter, Jim has also enjoyed performing with New Fortune Theatre (San Diego), Arizona Curriculum Theater (Founding member), and Southwest Shakespeare Company (Associate Artist), among many others. He also acts in films ("The Dog Wedding" 2015) and commercials ("old Jimmy" in 2014 Doritos "Time Machine"). A free-lance non-union professional actor, Jim is represented in AZ by Dani's Agency.

Brandon Sibetang

Character: Joseph

Brandon has been in many of the plays at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. His experience brings a lot to the stage and is a delight to watch.

Tom Endicott

Character: Clarence

Tom Endicott is excited to return to DBFRT in this holiday classic. Previous DBFRT productions include Guys & Dolls, The Producers, God’s Favorite, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver!, The Odd Couple, South Pacific and Arsenic & Old Lace. Other recent favorite roles Col. Thomas McKean (1776), Owen Musser (The Foreigner) and Judge Gaffney (Harvey). Tom thanks the cast and crew and a special thanks to Shelia for her love and support.

Robert Bledsoe

Character: Uncle Billy

Mr. Bledsoe: Uncle Billy, is pleased to have been cast in his first production with Don Bluth Front Row Theatre as Uncle Billy in It’s a Wonderful Life. Mr. Bledsoe started his acting career in Minneapolis, Minn, where he performed such roles as: Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace and Mike Talman in Wait Until Dark, and was cast in many more wonderful productions. His favorite role in the Phoenix area was Jack in In My Humble Opinion, where he was nominated for best actor at the Arizoni Awards. Mr. Bledsoe is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has performed in film and TV.

Angela Gonzalez

Character: Ma Bailey/Mrs. Thompson

Angela Gonzalez was recently seen at MET gossiping as Maud Dunlop in The Music Man and as Ren's outspoken mother, Ethel Mccormick in Footloose. Her other credits in the valley include: Quilters (Sarah's daughter) -Fountain Hills, Picnic (Mrs. Potts) -Tuscany Theatre, and Fiddler on the Roof (Mama) - MET. After IAWL, she can be seen in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Fountain Hills. When not performing, her favorite past times include: karaoke, helping out other theatres in various technical ways, and creating works of art. She is humbled by everyone who has welcomed her as a part of the IAWL family, ecstatic to be a part of one of her favorite holiday classics, and thanks DBFRT for making that happen. She would like to thank everyone who has ever been a part of her life, if only for the briefest of moments, because their love, support, and presence, has shaped her to whom she is today. She has truly had a "wonderful life" because of it!

Danny Gonsowski

Character: Ernie/Charlie

Danny Gonsowski is excited to be making his debut performance at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. He was most recently seen in the production of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS at Paradise Valley Community College. He also appeared in the premiere of Randy Messersmith’s play KILL WILL at Scottsdale Community College, as well as in a number of short films. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Danny has received acting training at Verve Studios for many years. He also had the opportunity to train with the Moscow Art Theatre School at their annual Stanislavsky Summer School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is currently represented by Dani’s Agency. Danny would like to thank his family for their eternal and loving support.

Deryl Wayne

Character: Bert/Suitor 2/Randall

Deryl Wayne is super thrilled to be making his Don Bluth Front Row Theatre debut in this timeless Christmas classic. Deryl was previously seen in Desert Stages Theatre Actor's Café's production of another Christmas classic, Miracle On 34th Street where he played various characters. Some of his favorite roles include Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Spotlight Youth Theatre and Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q at Mesa Encore Theatre. Special thanks to the cast for all their hard work and talents and to Cheryl Schaar and Don Bluth for this wonderful opportunity. I hope for this show to be the first of many that I'm cast in at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre.

Mary Plante

Character: Violet/Ruth/Mrs. Davis

Mary Plante is excited to be a part of her first production at the DBFRT. She has been acting since the age of eight, and she spent the last three years as a drama teacher in Yuma. Favorite past roles include Paravicini in The Mousetrap, M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Mary in It’s a Wonderful Life, and Stevie in The Goat. Mary also recently directed Legally Blonde, The Beverly Hillbillies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hairspray. This summer she moved from Yuma to Phoenix and she hopes to soon be seen in many more productions around the Valley.

Maddie Kinzie

Character: Tilly/Francis

Maddie Kinzie: Head Angel Francis/Tilly has been in several shows at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. Her most recent role was Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress. Some of her favorite roles include, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast and Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man. Other shows at DBFRT include Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Guys and Dolls. Maddie is very grateful for the opportunity that she has to be a part of this talented cast. She would like to give a big thanks to her family and friends for all the love and support they have given her.

Pierce Nielsen

Character: Young George/Pete

Pierce Nielsen is a 13 year old 7th grader at The Jones-Gordon School in Scottsdale, AZ. Pierce is back at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre (DBFRT) for his 3rd consecutive year as the “Young George Bailey” in It’s a Wonderful Life. His first experience on the stage was as an Indian in Peter Pan during a Summer Camp at DBFRT. Other DBFRT production experience include: Oliver Twist in Oliver, Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr., a monkey in Suessical, and the Minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress. Pierce is excited to be back at DBFRT and loves being at the theatre and associating with all the amazing people.

Chandni Shah

Character: Young Mary/Bailey Child

Chandni Shah is a 15 year old sophomore at Horizon High School where she has been heavily involved in her theater class. This is Chandni's first time performing for DBFRT stage and feels grateful for the opportunity to be in this amazing play. Participating in multiple theatre and film productions at her school and around the valley, Chandni is hoping to go to Yale to further her training in acting after she graduates with honors.

Brailey McDaniel

Character: Angel/Young Mary/Janie/Beth

Brailey McDaniel is 11 years old and is a 6th grader at Horizon Honors in Ahwatukee. She received her first major role of Zuzu in It’s a Wonderful Life at school in the 3rd grade and hasn’t stopped acting since. This is her 2nd year of Wonderful Life at DBFRT. She has also performed at DB in Oklahoma and Hello Dolly. When she isn’t acting she is probably socializing with friends.

Teylah Beeson

Character: Zuzu

Teylah Beeson is elated to make her theatrical debut alongside her fun, talented castmates of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. Off stage, Tey is an effervescent fourth grader who loves science and nature, Running Club, hula hooping, spending time with friends, and doing service projects with her Girl Scout sisters in Troop 509. She is grateful to her teachers at East Valley Children’s Theatre, where she discovered a love of acting, and would like to thank her family for their love and support, and Cheryl for giving her this “wonderful” opportunity!

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