KERRY HART BIENEMAN, Piano/Music Director – With a master’s in voice performance from Northwestern, Kerry is in her seventh year as MD of this series. She’s also been featured in several SideNotes Cabaret productions, has served as voice professor at Carthage College and UWM, as vocal coach and accompanist for the Milwaukee Rep, Florentine Opera, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and Opera for the Young, and serves as Choral Director for the KIDS from Wisconsin.

JOE EHLINGER, Performer – Joe, who has performed leading roles in more than 40 musicals in Wisconsin, California, and Georgia, is beyond grateful to be performing for Musical MainStage again after participating in the pre-pandemic Hal Prince production.  A member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, he thanks you for your support of Sunset Playhouse and other arts organizations, and wishes everyone the blessing of good health, good friends, and good music. 

HANNA ESCH, Performer – With a BFA in Vocal Performance and Music Education from UWM, Hannah is an arts educator and the MSO Concerts for Schools and Education Manager. Sunset roles include Lady of the Lake (SPAMALOT), Veronica Sawyer (HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL), and Cinderella (INTO THE WOODS). Additional credits include Ado Annie (OKLAHOMA!), Clare de Lune (DOC DANGER AND THE DANGER SQUAD), Meg (LITTLE WOMEN), and Anne (IF/THEN).

BOB HIRSCHI, Narrator – With a long history of credits as both actor and singer, Bob is delighted to be back in the Musical MainStage co-pilot chair. He also performs with the nine-piece classic rock cover band, Groove Therapy.

TIM KARTH, Percussion – With a BS in Music Education from Carroll University, this busy musician has been gigging since 1988. By day he works for Hal Leonard Music Publishing. Besides the Playhouse, Tim regularly performs with BtW Productions, Radio Rosies, and Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets. A proud alumnus of the Kids from Wisconsin, he keeps busy as a worship drummer and Technology Coordinator for his church, the U.M.C. of Whitefish Bay. 

SUSAN LOVERIDGE, Producer/Director/Writer/Narrator – A few years ago, Susan moved from voiceover and on-camera performer to career volunteer. She is grateful for your continued support of this series, soon kicking off its 15^th season! 

LILY MILLER, Rising Star – A recent high school grad, Lily will head to North Carolina’s Belmont Abbey College in the fall for a major in Philosophy, minor in Art History. Making her second appearance as a Musical MainStage Rising Star, area credits include NEWSIES at Skylight Music Theater and A WRINKLE IN TIME with First Stage Children’s Theater.

SHAYNE STELIGA, Performer – An alumnus of Wauwatosa West High School and UW-Green Bay’s theater program, Shayne has devoted several years to stage, on-camera, and voiceover work. Credits include RUDDIGORE (Skylight Music Theatre), THE DIVINE KOMEDY (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), and co-host of Public Television’s Cultural Horizons. Shayne will perform this summer with his acoustic rock group, Sorry, We’re Open, and looks forward to appearing in Skylight’s pandemic-postponed EVITA.

SPECIAL THANKS:

Stage Manager: Mary Gensler

Technical Crew: Scott Varga, Matt Carr

Also: Jim Loveridge, Peggy Peterson Ryan, and the Sunset Playhouse board and staff

In Memoriam: Robert (MAC) McIndoe