Wayne Asbury will be portraying Villiars, Duke of Buckingham

Wayne originally hails from Kansas City, Mo, where he began his professional career over twenty years ago. He has performed all over the country before landing in New Hampshire, via NYC. He is thrilled to be appearing with Back Alley Productions for the first time. Past credits include: Quinn in Penelope, Bradley in Buried Child, Martin in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia, and Henry in Mud and Lorenzo in The Melancholy Play.

It’s been such an intriguing process working on Stage Beauty. The play has such pathos and confronts emotionally complex issues that we, as a society, are still sorting out. But it is also hilarious. To vacillate between these two extremes is a challenge that actors rarely get the opportunity to undertake. I love that this modern play, written about theatre (and morality) in the 1600’s, is still so topical and serves as a step in the process of determining what we are willing to accept in our culture, and in ourselves.

Samuel Bennett will portray Samuel Pepys in Compleat Female Stage Beauty

Sam is a comedian, and he’s sorry for not taking himself as seriously as some professional directors might like. He has performed in three countries, seven states, a few hundred schools and bars, and at least a few closets. Co-creator and originator of two Seacoast improv groups, Sam is currently taking on one of his largest undertakings – being taken seriously with a British accent. After spending several weeks reciting his lines as Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Hugh Grant, Stephen Hawking, and so many more outstanding, renowned individuals, he possibly might have found a voice that isn’t reminiscent of somebody that you’ve seen in a movie. The biggest interest Sam has in this show is the fantastic cast and crew that will bring this all to life: Todd, Danica, Billy, Molly, Justin, Jen, Adam, Olivia, Wayne, Samantha, Chris, Jess, and Joi. Each of these people are amazing artists, musicians, actors, writers, designers, craftsmen, and producers, and it would be a disservice to not find out more about them.

Olivia Tobin as Nell Gwyn. Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Olivia Tobin will portray Nell Gwynn in Compleat Female Stage Beauty

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Olivia has lived in the NH Seacoast area for ten years. She is very excited to return for her second show since Decision Height with Back Alley Productions at the Players’ Ring last May. You can find her working in downtown Portsmouth, rolling croissants and baking bread at Ceres Bakery. Olivia would like to send a huge thank you to Mum & Dad, fiancé Jordan, siblings and friends.

Todd Fernald as Juror #4 in 12 Angry Jurors at The Rochester Opera House 2017

Todd Fernald will portray  Sir Charles Sedley in Compleat Female Stage Beauty

Todd is thrilled to once again be working with Back Alley Productions having last appeared five years ago in the memorable role of Nurse Scottie in Wit.  A theatrical performer, director and playwright, Todd has appeared at numerous theatrical venues and his credits include stage, radio, and television.  He has toured extensively throughout New England with Get-A-Clue Productions and is the recipient of three Spotlight Nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.   Favorite roles include Juror #4 in 12 Angry Jurors, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family Musical, Barfee in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Horton in Seussical the Musical all at the Rochester Opera House; Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors with PDP Productions; Frankie in Forever Plaid and Sancho in Man of LaMancha at Dover Repertory Theater; COMiCALiTY with DARWiN’s WAiTiNG ROOM; and the Baker in Threshold Stage Company’s premiere production of Into the Woods.  Todd has also appeared for 13 seasons as part of the Governor’s Inn Murder Mystery series and has written nine original scripts for the Inn, of which he recently garnered a 2017 Seacoast Spotlight Nomination for Best Original Play for his 2016 script Roch of Ages.

Justin MacDougall will portray Thomas Betterton in Compleat Female Stage Beauty

Justin began acting in early 2014, playing a bevy of supporting roles in the Rochester Opera House production of Hamlet. Since then, he has performed over 30 roles spanning 19 productions ranging from a fly-eating Renfield in Vagabond Production’s Dracula, a foul-mouthed, ethically unscrupulous Officer Shrank in West Side Story at Hackmatack Playhouse, to the Spotlight Award-nominated performances of Macduff/Duncan in Macbeth at the Rochester Opera House and Gonzalo in The Tempest with Theater Unmasked. For me, this opportunity to learn, work and laugh with so many luminaries of the Seacoast theatre community has been a happy and humbling bounty of wonders. I owe so much in thanks and gratitude to Joi & Danica – for their keen talents, their unstinting graces and unflagging support. And I am ever indebted to this luminous cast and crew for their warm, welcoming embrace: it has been a privilege bringing the wit-rich, propulsive and heartfelt Stage Beauty to life with you all!