February 13th - March 14th, 2009
Comedy

Shirley Temple headlined the 1945 film version of Kiss and Tell as Corliss, a precocious 15 year old, who sells kisses to support the war effort along with her best friend Mildred - an event that causes a misunderstanding to erupt between the parents of the two girls. Can Corliss solve every one's problems while hiding the secret she promised to keep? A nostalgic comedy of mistaken identity and misguided family feuds.
Written by: F. Hugh Herbert

Ticket Prices:

Adults - $12
Seniors and Students - $10
Children - $9

Special rates available for groups of 10 or more.

The Cast

BEN MIDKIFF
(Raymond Pringle)

is thrilled to be part of his 2nd Plaza production. He is an 11 year old homeschool student who is studying drama and music at Travis Academy of Fine Arts. His previous productions include SEUSSICAL with Plaza, Carnagie's OLIVER, CHRISTMAS STORY, JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT, and several other Carnagie musicals, as well as THE PROMISE in Glen Rose. Ben would like to thank Kate Hicks and Shannon Loose for their many years of drama instruction. He would also like to thank Jay-10, his big sis, Hannah (Corlis), Mom and Dad, the Barrus's and Millie for all of their help and encouragement with this production.
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CHRIS MARTINDALE
(Pvt. Earhart)

Having been in THE CURIOUS SAVAGE as Jeff and in MY FAIR LADY as the Bartender and part of the ensemble, Chris is finally able to return to the stage. He is extremely excited to have another chance at entertaining those who make their way to the Plaza. Chris's day job is a fulltime graphic artist and signs producer for a local sign shop. The theatre and graphic arts are just two of his pursuits in the general arts. He also hopes to someday be a part of the games programming arena, always dreaming up some sort of new game idea. Chris wants to thank the gang at the Plaza Theatre for giving him the chance to enjoy the stage and try to increase his acting abilites.
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CHRIS SEIL
(Bill Franklin, costumer)

performs in his 4th show at Plaza and his 19th in the area. His favorite roles in past shows have been Mercier in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, directed by JaceSon and Tina Barrus, and Anagnos in THE MIRACLE WORKER. Performing in KISS AND TELL is also another opportunity to perform with his son David -- who plays Dexter -- something which gives him great joy. Chris also enjoys working with the cast and crew at Plaza, where he has made some great friends and where he is continually awed by the fine talent and fine people with whom he has had the honor to work. Chris thanks Millie for teaching him new skills as the director and for casting him in her show, JaceSon, Tina, Aaron and Milette for once again letting him perform on the Plaza stage, his wife Sally for letting him perform period, and all of you in the audience who make all the hard work and long hours that go into a show like this so worthwhile.
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DANIEL SCOTT ROBINSON
(Lieut. Lenny Archer)

is back again at Plaza theatre for his fifth production. His past shows at Plaza were A CHRISTMAS CAROL as Poor Man, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU as Donald, FOOTLOOSE as Chuck, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST as Lefou. His other show have been 42nd STREET as Julian Marsh, GREASE as Sonny, THE COMPLETE...SHAKESPEARE as Daniel, GUYS AND DOLLS as Liver Lips Louie, MUSIC MAN as Marcellus Washbourn, OZ! as Lion, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as James, and PETER PAN as Smee. In his spare time....wait what spare time. Daniel is also excited to be doing his 2nd show with his Mommy and is gald she has done this with him. Thank you to all for never giving up on me and standing beside me in what ever I do, even if it isnt the right one. Philippians 1:3.
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DARCY FARRINGTON
(Janet Archer)

is excited to be back on the Plaza stage after a short break. Last seen as Vera in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, other favorite Plaza roles include Abby Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, Miss Skillon in SEE HOW THEY RUN, Verna in GHOST OF A CHANCE, and Vi in FOOTLOSE. Other favorite rolls include Miss Hannigan-ANNIE, Golde-FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Aunt Eller-OKLAHOMA and multiple whacky characters in LUCKY STIFF. Past experience includes director, choreographer, studio vocalist, vocal coach, percussionist and live sound engineer. Darcy enjoys serving as vocalist, percussionist and drama leader at her church, and working her day job in the financial planning arena. I’d like to thank the Lord for the gifts and talents He’s given me. To the Plaza Producers: I love you guys. It’s an honor to be a part of your dream and the Cleburne Community.
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DAVID SEIL
(Dexter Franklin)

is pleased to make his debut at Plaza. He would tell you the shows he has been in, but to be honest, he really doesn’t think anyone cares. Thanks to Millie and anyone else who had any influence in casting him in this role. And would also like to give a shout out to Candace and April! You guys rock my world!
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DICK HELMCAMP
(Bill Franklin)

is a retired CHS band director and currently owns Helmcamp’s Recyclepedia, a used book store. Dick has been in over 50 productions with The Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players and had his debut with Plaza last fall in the role of Grandpa in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. He has also performed in the Granbury Opera House. He lists his favorite role as Fagin in OLIVER and favorite show to direct as THE MIRACLE WORKER. Dick is Music Director at FUMC where he directs the Sanctuary Choir and the handbell choir known as Bells of Praise. Dick and his wife Patsy, married for 45 years, have two children, Monty and wife Janet, and Tracy and husband Johnny, and five grandchildren, Hayden, Kendall, Devin, Nolan and Lena.
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FAITH MERRIFIELD
(Mildred Franklin)

is no stranger to Plaza Theatre Company. From those delicious truffles that may be in your hand right now to her talented vocals. Some of Faith’s previous roles include Ayah in SECRET GARDEN, A Silly Girl in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Denise in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN and Annie in ANNIE. In her spare time she is a stay at home mother and homemaker where she cares for her 4 beautiful and talented children. Faith also directs the LOLLY-PUP ROUNDUP program at Plaza and the after school Community Education program at Cleburne I.S.D. Faith would like to thank her husband, Daniel, and her family and friends for all their support.
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GERALD ANDERSON
(Willard the painter, Uncle George)

This is Gerald’s fourth production with Plaza Theatre and he is excited to be back home. He has played Ali Hakim in OKLAHOMA!, Hank Stover in THE MAN WITH THE POINTED TOES and his favorite role to date was as Teddy Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. "I have done a lot of traveling in the past year but am tired of being responsible and ready to play with my friends again. It was a treat to be directed by Milly and this cast is great to be around. I wish to thank my fiancée Laura for her patience, infinite support and understanding. Thanks be to God for all he has given me and to my Lord who has taught me what love really is. May God bless you & yours as you sit back, have a laugh and enjoy the show."
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GWEN MCCARTY
(Stage Manager)

has been involved with PTC for the past year. She is a volunteer with the Theatre Guild and was Stage Manager for CURIOUS SAVAGE, assisted with props for MY FAIR LADY and made her stage debut as Miss Myrtle in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. She has always loved the theatre and is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with PTC in any capacity. It is truly a blessing to be able to work with the incredibly talented and wonderful people here at the Plaza Theatre Company.
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HANNAH BETH MIDKIFF
(Corliss Archer)

is making her debut with Plaza and has loved every moment of it. Hannah is a high school senior at Travis Academy of Fine Arts where she participates in multiple choirs and yearbook. She has been in seven Cleburne Carnegie Players productions from OLIVER in 2001 to OLIVER in 2008. Some of her favorite roles include Jennie Mae in THE DIVINERS and Charlotte in OLIVER. She also enjoyed being in THE PROMISE '08 in Glen Rose. She plans on attending Ouachita Baptist University in the fall to major in mass communications with an emphasis in photography and a minor in political science. She has been awarded five "1" ratings at solo/ensemble competition and has been in the TPSMEA All-State choir for three years. Some of her hobbies include photography, dancing, traveling and just some good ole' chill time with friends. She would like to thank her best friend, her mom, for all the encouragement and support, her little brother, Ben (Raymond) and friend Kelsey for helping her run lines. You guys
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JAY A. CORNILS
(Harry Archer)

is appearing in his second show with the Plaza Theater Company after many performances with the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players. This past fall he appeared as Paul in Plaza’s wildly funny production of YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU and this past holiday season he directed Carnegie’s critically acclaimed production of C. S. Lewis’ THE LION THE Witch AND THE WARDROBE. He is perhaps best remembered as Charlie in THE FOREIGNER and Al Lewis in THE SUNSHINE BOYS. A retired educator from Colorado, Jay lives in Cleburne with his wonderful bride, Corlis, who is terribly excited to see Jay in a show whose leading character’s name is Corliss. Besides acting, Jay is also an author having published two novels - The Cross of Lorraine and A Litany of Angels - which can be checked out at www.crossoflorraine.com. Jay would like to thank Tina, JaceSon, Aaron, and Milette as well as (of course) Millie) for the opportunity to appear in another Plaza production.
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JOEY GEISEL
(Lieut. Lenny Archer)

is thrilled to be “sparking” on Plaza’s stage with such a nifty cast and crew of fun people! Metroplex audiences may recognize him as Dennis in the SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN franchise at Plaza or ACT in Hurst over the last six years; other cherished roles include James Keller in THE MIRACLE WORKER and Tom Sawyer in BIG RIVER, both at ACT. Joey is currently in his first Senior year at TCU, studying Radio/TV/Film and Theatre (no, he couldn’t make up his mind…). In between classes he plays every instrument he can get his hands on for his church worship team, teaches guitar, and is an audio engineer and in-house composer for Inflammable Studios in Arlington. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Caro for the hours of rehearsal at being an older brother to a beautiful girl, and Curt, Daniel, Jonathan, Tony, and the Macs for their loving support of his heart’s cry: to make Jesus famous in the arts!
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JULIE HEFNER
(Louise)

is so excited to again be performing with Plaza! She was last seen as a nun/Baroness Elberfeld in SOUND OF MUSIC. Julie serves as full-time “MOM,” (her starring role!) to two precious boys – Nicholas & Benjamin, a beautiful daughter, Heather, & wonderful son-in-love, Nathaniel - who are expecting their first child in April! She is Prayer & Missions Director in her local church, and she, and her husband, James, are the Children’s Church leaders as well. They also minister at Town Hall Estates in Keene monthly. She is actively involved in the music department as a vocalist, and she and her family have worked with Children’s Ministries for over 25 years. Julie is an R.N. - Administrative Supervisor at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital - Cleburne, and also works part-time in PACU at Huguley Memorial Medical Center. She thinks JaceSon & Tina Barrus (and family) & Aaron & Millette (and family), and the rest of this cast are FANTASTIC! :)
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KRISTIN PAYNE
(Mildred Franklin)

would first like to thank everyone for coming out tonight, and would more importantly like to thank you for reading her gripping mini biography. You may have seen Kristin as Mayzie la Bird just recently in SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL. She was also in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, FOOTLOOSE, GHOST OF A CHANCE and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” – right here on the Plaza stage. Kristin absolutely wants to do theatre for the rest of her life – and will. Special thanks to Tabitha for being a hilarious best friend both on and off stage. Kristin’s performance in this show is dedicated to her. “Everything’s better in cheddar.” Enjoy yourselves, folks, and come back for more!
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MARY HELEN ATKINS
(Mary Franklin)

is happy to be back with her friends at Plaza Theatre Company! She was last seen on the Plaza stage as Mrs. Kirby in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. She appeared as Claire in THE SECRET GARDEN and served as music director for that production, and she also served as the music director for SEUSSICAL. Mary Helen is a private voice teacher in Birdville Independent School District and has recently retired from teaching middle school choirs in BISD. She serves as the children’s choir director and staff pianist at Duncanville’s First Baptist Church and is the accompanist for numerous school choirs. She wishes to thank her daughter, Amy, for her continued support and encouragement, and she also wishes to thank Millie, the producers, and the cast for providing this wonderful experience.
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MILLIE HANDLEY
(Director)

is excited to be in Cleburne for two months visiting her family, the Barrus’s, while her husband completes a Physical Therapy internship. Millie has loved theater all her life. She followed her older sister Tina onto the community theater stage at seven and has been in productions on stage and off ever since. Her favorite roles have been Corliss Archer in KISS AND TELL, Fairy May in CURIOUS SAVAGE, Alice in SEVEN BRIDES, and Belle in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Her favorite directing experience was a production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL in an old barn, in which she used JaceSon’s script adaptation. Millie thanks her wonderful husband, Trent, for his loving support and for taking care of Westley during all the long nights that she has been at the theatre. As much as she loves theatre, her favorite role remains wife and mother. Millie thanks the great cast and crew for their hard work. You guys are fabulous!
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PARKER BARRUS
(Raymond)

has been in a few shows here at Plaza. You may remember him as Fredrich in SOUND OF MUSIC and Collin in THE SECRET GARDEN. He also played Ruby Sideburns in the Lolly-Pup's Roundup show BLACKBEARDS BIRTHDAY BASH. Park is an inventor (better keep an eye on the blue tape) and a professional big brother. He sends loves to Tabby, Cam, Edie and Mimi.
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STEPHEN SINGLETON
(Dexter Franklin)

This is Stephen's sixth appearance at Plaza and he's thrilled to be working with Millie Handley for the first time. He's been Ben Whitledge in NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS at artisan. He's also been seen at C.A.T.S, and been in many shows here at Plaza, as well, the last being THE SOUND OF MUSIC where he played Rolfe. Stephen enjoys playing guitar, piano, violin, and singing. Thanks to Curt, Joey, and Buddy for being other brothers. Thanks to Mary, and Michelle for being other sisters. Also, thanks to the Geisels', McElrees', Barrus', Siler's, Everybody at Southfield, Cheri, Mom, Dad, Michael, Tim, Beka and all those that I might have forgoten to put in this list, you are dear to my heart, and most important of all thanks to Jesus Christ for always being there.
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TABITHA BARRUS
(Corliss)

is beyond excited to be returning to the Plaza stage in one of her dream roles! You may recognize Tab from past roles as A bird girl in SEUSSICAL, Liesl in SOUND OF MUSIC, Urleen in FOOTLOOSE and many others. Tabitha is a fifteen year old freshman who loves the rain, writing poetry, dancing and laughing. She sends love to her amazing friends and family, and awed gratitude to her Heavenly Father for blessing her with talents and oppertunities to use them. She is especially excited to be sharing the stage with her life long best friend, her brother Parker, as well as her long time friend KP, who is her acting inspiration. "Shut up and dance!"
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TAFFY GEISEL
(Dorothy Pringle)

The Acting Bug bit Taffy in kindergarten, when she was cast as Tigerlily, the Mean Ugly Step-Flower in CINDERELLA IN FLOWERLAND. She got to wear a flouncy orange crepe paper skirt, and was forever after enraptured with theater life. She has gone on to play Ma Bailey in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Miss Myrtle – the Amen Corner Lady – in seven different productions of SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, and Miss Hannigan in ANNIE, for which she was given the 2003 Star-Telegram Best Actress in Tarrant County award. Her real passion is behind the scenes. She loves to write, and her adaptations of C.S. Lewis’s PRINCE CASPIAN, Madeleine L’Engle’s A WRINKLE IN TIME, and Luise Putcamp jr’s THE CHRISTMAS CAROL MIRACLE have all been locally produced. She gets great joy from directing numerous plays, including, THE MIRACLE WORKER, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, ANNIE, and Plaza’s upcoming SINGIN' IN THE RAIN – for which she hopes you will all audition. Thanks to JaceSon, Tina, Aaron, and Milette for creat
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TERRIE NIELSON
(Mary Franklin)

This is Terrie's second show with Plaza. She played Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA! in 2007, which was the most fun she has EVER had in her life. She is excited to try something besides music, which is her first love; she has been singing anywhere they will let her for 39 years and counting. She would like to thank her children for encouraging her, Heavenly Father for her talents and blessings, and Plaza for giving her another chance to play!
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TONYA LAREE
(Dorothy Pringle)

is thrilled to be on the Plaza Stage once again. You may have also seen her as Miss Myrtle in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN; Mama/Grandma in Plazaʼs Lolly-Pup Roundup production of LITTLE RED RIDING BOOTS AND THE BIG BAD PRAIRIE DOG; Eleanor Dunbar in FOOTLOOSE or Lilly Belle Savage in the CURIOUS SAVAGE. Tonya has also done some film and television work. She was an extra on WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - THE REUNION SHOW, PRISON BREAK, and both Lifetime Movie Networks Movie of the Week INSPECTOR MOM, starring Danica McKeller (Winnie, of The Wonder Years). She helped to produce an indi film PROJECT CLEAR VISION (based on actual events) in which she also played Reporter Karen Kennedy. Tonya wrote her own short indi film THE DEATH OF JACKSON BOOKER in which she played the role of plastic surgeon Sarah Chandler.Tonya would like to express her love and gratitude to Plaza Theater, and her family and friends for their continued faith and support of her and for allowing her to live her dream.
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