Baked! The Musical

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September 7 – October 8, 2023

Previews: September 7-10, 2023
Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 6:00pm

Run: September 14-October 8, 2023
Thursday-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm
Special Matinee Wednesday, October 4 at 1:00pm

*Please note: No performance Saturday, September 23.

Developmental Production
Book, Music, Lyrics by Jord Liu and Deepak Kumar
Directed by Grace Dolezal-Ng

Baked! The Musical is an all-new, all-Asian musical about failure, family, and weed. When she doesn’t receive the scholarship for her dream school, habitual overachiever Jane Huang, with the help of her best friend, builds the greatest drug empire ever run by high schoolers. Kept in the dark are Jane’s parents, whose inability to cope with their daughter leaving for college while maintaining a profit at their struggling Chinese bakery, drives them to pry and potentially unravel Jane’s web of lies. Baked! The Musical is a reflection on failure, self-worth, and the question of what we owe the people we love.

In celebration of Baked!, the performance on September 29 at 7:30pm is dedicated to welcoming audiences who identify as a part of the AAPI community. We encourage audience members who do not identify as a part of this community to attend an alternate performance.

Please note the theatre’s temperature is pre-set for actor safety making the room cool to some patrons. We ask that you please dress in layers if you feel this will be a concern for you.

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Production Team

Director – Grace Dolezal-Ng

(she/her; Director) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Radial Gradient (Shattered Globe, Director), It Came From Outer Space (Chicago Shakespeare, Asst. Director), Athena (Writers, Asst. Director), Roe (Goodman, Asst. Director). REGIONAL: The Great Leap (Asolo Rep, Asst. Director). OTHER: Despierta! (Lime Arts, Director), Death for Sydney Black (Independent Production, Director). Grace was a 2022 Directing Fellow with Victory Gardens Theatre, and a 2022 Directing Fellow at Asolo Repertory Theatre. She is a proud recipient of the Herb Alpert Emerging Young Artist Award. By day, Grace is the Casting Assistant at Goodman Theatre. www.gracedn.com

Music Director – Tyler Miles (TM)

(they/them; Music Director) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Sunday in the Park with George (Columbia College), Sweeney Todd (Kokandy), Sunset Boulevard (Porchlight), The View Upstairs (Circle), Spring Awakening (Blank). Degree in Piano Performance, Northeastern Illinois University. Outside of theatre, TM enjoys writing songs and developing small video games.

Assistant Music Director - Kai Elise

(she/they; Asst. Music Director) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: It’s A Bao Damn Time (Victor Wong Fellowship; Second City). REGIONAL: Central WI Children’s Theatre, The Stage School, and the East End Players. Writer and orchestrator of Say Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Parody. Plays keys with Chicago Loud 9, Aya Ito, and her own solo shows, using innovative patches and loops with Ableton. Debut album To My Selfishi, under the name Kai Zhi Hundred, now available on all platforms. IG/TikTok: @kaionthekeys

Choreographer - Shanna VanDerwerker

(she/her; Choreographer) THEO: Debut. BROADWAY: Associate Choreographer for Amazing Grace and High Fidelity. CHICAGO: Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago (Jeff Award-winning Spamalot) and the Chicago Premiere of Lysistrata Jones (Refuge Theater Project; Jeff Award nominee for Best Choreography). She is also a recurring choreographer at The Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI, where her favorites include Saturday Night Fever, 42nd Street, Newsies, and Singin’ in the Rain. BA in Dance, Point Park University. shannavdance.com

Scenic Designer – Mara Ishihara Zinky

(she/her; Scenic Designer) THEO: Threepenny Opera, Once Upon A Mattress, 8-Track: The Sounds Of The 70’s. CHICAGO: The Porch On Windy Hill (Northlight), Routes (Remy Bumppo), Last Hermanos (Red Orchid), Cruel Intentions (Kokandy). EDUCATION: BFA in Scenic Design, The Theatre School at DePaul University. Mizinky.com

Lighting Designer – Josiah Croegart

(he/him; Lighting Designer) THEO: Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Threepenny Opera (Associate, Godspell(Assistant). CHICAGO: Last Hermanos (Red Orchid), What the Constitution Means to Me (Timeline-Associate), RENT (Porchlight-Assistant), Fen (Court-Assistant), Wife of a Salesman (Writers-Assistant). Graduate, Columbia College Chicago. Production Electrician for Theo’s 2022-23 season. josiahcrodesign.com

Properties Designer – Isa Noe

(they/them; Props Designer) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: The Women Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe (Raven), Albert Herring (DePaul Opera), Shaw v Tunney (Grippo Stage Company), and Little Shop of Horrors (Citadel). BA from Northwestern University, scenic design focus. They would like to thank their family, mentors, and partner for their loving encouragement and unwavering support.

Costume Designer – Steph Taylor

(she/her; Costume Designer) THEO: Grey Gardens & Songs for a New World. CHICAGO: In My Granny’s Garden (Goodman); Always, Patsy Cline (Firebrand); Out of Love, Falling (Interrobang); Luna, Snow Queen (Filament). Favorite Assistant and Associate credits: Alice (Lookingglass); Layalina, The Notebooks of Leonardo DiVinci & Swing State (Goodman Theatre). Resident Costume Design Assistant at Goodman and excited to kick off another season this fall.

Sound Designer/Production Manager– Matthew R. Chase

(he/him; Sound Designer/Director of Production) THEO: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Assoc. Sound Design). CHICAGO/Production Manager: Spring Awakening & Broadway in your Backyard (Porchlight) and Mary’s Seacole & Heisenberg (Griffin). CHICAGO/Sound Design: Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, Cabaret, The Apple Tree, Rent, Clear, Spring Awakening, Passing Strange & Nunsense (Porchlight); Pippin & The Producers (Music Theatre Works); Who’s Holiday (Theater Wit); Skokie Theatre and Golden Ticket Productions. As Director of Production at Theo: The Threepenny Opera & Passing Strange. As resident Production Manager at Theater Wit: Mr. Burns, a post-electric play; Who’s Holiday; Hurricane Diane, The Whistleblower & Household Spirits.

Stage Manager - Lexie Wiley

(they/she; Stage Manager) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon (Lookingglass), Spunk and 42nd Street (Roosevelt CCPA). REGIONAL: Shining in Misery (Capital City Theatre), Cabaret, A Few Good Men, Murder for Two, and Skeleton Crew (Bristol Riverside Theatre), Kong’s Night Out (Pioneer Playhouse), Unto These Hills (Mountainside Theatre), Into the Woods (McLeod Summer Playhouse). Graduate of SIUC, stage management emphasis. In their freetime they enjoy reading, playing board games, and embroidering. As always, love to all her supportive family and friends.

Percussionist - Noel Streacker

(he/him; Percussion) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Addams Family (Uptown Music Theater), Sunday In the Park With George (Columbia College Chicago), Wizard of Oz (Trinity HS), Musical Theatre Summer Intensive (Goodman), Shakespeare in the Park 17′-23′ (Wheaton College), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Arena Theater) as well as various ensembles and solo settings. TV: CBS Sunday Morning (Marimba Featurette), PBS Now Hear This (Arcomusical). MM in Percussion Performance, Northern Illinois University. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his 2-year-old daughter, and rock climbing.

Scenic Charge - Rose Johnson

(they/them; Scenic Charge) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Agnes of God & The Great Kahn (Redtwist), Lane Call (Factory), and The Once and Future Festival. Previous charge credits include Congo Square, Raven, Redtwist, and Shattered Globe Theatre. BA in Theatrical Design & Technology, Columbia College Chicago. rosejohnson.net.

Audio Engineer - Isaac Mandel

(he/him; Audio Engineer) THEO: Passing Strange, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Threepenny Opera, Refuge, Godspell, Once Upon a Mattress & 8-Track. CHICAGO: Teatro Vista, Strawdog, Pride Films & Plays, Refuge Theatre Project, Broken Nose, Hell in a Handbag.

Technical Director - Maxwell McLean

(he/him; Technical Director) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Lane Call (Factory), Shaw vs. Tunney (Grippo), Motherhouse (Rivendell). COLLEGE: Everybody, The Golden Hour & A Bright New Boise (IUN). Currently finishing his performing arts degree at Indiana University Northwest, where he specializes in scenic carpentry and design. Baked! is his Technical Directing debut and he hopes that it is the first of many.

Production Electrician - Jackson Mikkelsen

(he/him; Production Electrician) THEO: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Swing). CHICAGO: Ragtime (Metropolis), The Wild Party (Blank), The Tempest (Oak Park Festival). In addition to performing, Jackson has worked as an electrician with Hell in a Handbag, Black Button Eyes, City Lit, Redtwist, and Prop Theatre. BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where he now works as the department’s lead electrician and studio theatre lighting designer. jacksonmikkelsen.com

Dinner

Add a 3-course prix fixe meal when you purchase your tickets for just $30!

Arrive early and enjoy dinner before the show! Dinner service commences 90 minutes prior to showtime (it is not served during the performance) and must be reserved 1 week in advance. Please ensure you contact the box office at the time of purchase to request the vegetarian option if preferred. (Drinks & gratuity not included.)

Dinner provided by Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge

Appetizer
Vegetable Spring Rolls

Entree
Beef with Broccoli
(can substitute tofu for beef if requested in adavance)

Dessert
Tempura Banana

Cast

Sunnie Eraso

Sunnie Eraso (she/her; Jane) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO/REGIONAL: As You Like It and STAR (Northwestern); Cowboy Bob and Expect Victory (AMTP); and Small Town Story (SOPAC). A recent grad of Northwestern’s theatre program, Sunnie spends her free time rollerskating by Lake Michigan, making puppets out of cardboard, and learning to play the electric bass (poorly, and with a lot of heart). Represented by DDO Chicago with management by Julia Watkinson at Vision Entertainment. sunnieeraso.com

Devon Hayakawa

Devon Hayakawa (any; Kasey) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Baked! The Musical (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival), A Chorus Line (Drury Lane), Fun Home (Paramount), DREAM (Chicago Shakes). REGIONAL: Sense and Sensibility (Northern Stage), The Revolutionists (Farmers Alley), Newsies (Crane River). OFFSTAGE: What the Constitution Means to Me (Paramount, Dramaturg), Plaid As Hell (Babes With Blades, AD & Sub SM), Akiko and The Unknown (Niles West, Playwright). Devon is thrilled to return to Kasey & Baked!, which was their very first show here in Chicago! Ball State Musical Theatre grad. Thanks to friends, family, Rosie, and DDO for their constant support. devonhayakawa.com

Nick Joe

Nick Joe (he/him; Mingli) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: It’s A Bao Damn Time & Unmuted (Second City) and Your Lil Friend & Yippee Ki-Yay Merry Christmas: A Die Hard Parody ( Annoyance). TV/FILM: “Stroke of Luck”, “Shakespeare Focus Group”. Graduate of The Second City Conservatory, and recipient of the inaugural Victor Wong Fellowship at Second City. Nick would like to thank his friends and family for their support, especially his wife, Sarah, and daughters, Madison and Noelle.

Reilly Oh

Reilly Oh (he/him; Z) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Trevor: the Musical (Writers Theatre), Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare). NORTHWESTERN: Spring Awakening, Stupid F*cking Bird. Senior at Northwestern studying Theatre and Playwriting. Thanks as always to Mom, Dad, Charlie, Ted, Liam, Grandma Oh, and Violet.

Mariel Saavedra

Mariel Saavedra (she/her; Yunzhou) THEO: Debut. REGIONAL: Into the Woods (Lyric Theatre of Illinois), The Mikado (Sinfonia da Camera), Threepenny Opera, My Fair Lady (UIUC Opera). Degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A proud public school teacher and even prouder parent!, Mariel would like to thank her family for their unwavering support and encouragement. Beyond performing, Mariel enjoys cross-stitching video game characters and crocheting assorted fruits.

Bryce Ancil

Bryce Ancil (he/him; Ensemble/Swing) THEO: Godspell. NATIONAL TOUR: Linus in A Charlie Brown Christmas (Gershwin Entertainment). CHICAGO: Arpad in She Loves Me (Blank Theatre Co., Jeff Award Nomination - Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Swing in Groundhog Day (Paramount). Proudly repped by Big Mouth Talent. Bryce also writes and records independent music with new releases coming soon; find him on Spotify! Special thanks to Joce, Liv, and Mayz. IG: @bryce.ancil

Joselle Reyes

Joselle Reyes (she/her; Ensemble/us Jane & Kasey) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: London Road (Shattered Globe), The Sound of Music (Big Noise), and The Little Mermaid (Music Theater Works). She was in the first staged production of Baked! The Musical at the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival in 2020 and is thrilled to be returning to this special show. BFA, Musical Theater, Columbia College Chicago. "Mahal kita, Mama & Papa!"

Peter Ruger

Peter Ruger (he/him; Ensemble/us Mingli) THEO: Once Upon a Mattress. CHICAGO: Queer Eye: The Musical (Second City), Anything Goes (Metropolis), Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog (Black Button Eyes), 1776 (Porchlight Revisits). Graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Baking Pro Tip: For the best buttercream frosting start with a Swiss meringue and whip softened butter into it until fluffy. Happy baking!

RJ Silva

RJ Silva (he/him; Ensemble/us Z) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Jun in Daryo's All-American Diner (CIRCA Pintig). REGIONAL: Sondheim on Sondheim (Celebration TC, Orlando), From Here (CFCArts, Orlando), Peter and the Starcather (St. Luke's, Orlando). Manila born + raised. Loyola Chicago Theatre alumni. Creative producer + playwright. Co-founder of The Ampliverse and host/producer of shows "Boys Love Boys Love" and "Did You Read the Group Chat?" Adam's husband! Friedrich's dad! theampliverse.com IG: @rj.slay

Maiko Terazawa

Maiko Terazawa (she/her; Ensemble/us Yunzhou) THEO: Debut. CHICAGO: Sweeney Todd (Kokandy); Blithe Spirit (Eclectic Full Contact Theater); Mary Rose, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog, Nightmares & Nightcaps, Nevermore (Black Button Eyes); Christmas Dearest, Poseidon: An Upside Down Musical (Hell in a Handbag); The Holiday Radio Show 1944, Diamond Lil & the Pansy Craze (Three Cat); Cabaret (Cowardly Scarecrow); Ruddigore (Savoyaires); Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Pride Films & Plays). Beyond the arts, she enjoys painting and spending time with her two cats Mel & Bella.

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