Jillian Arthur

is a sophomore music theatre major from Sussex. Last year, she was fortunate to be the female swing in Viterbo's production of These Shining Lives. She would like to thank her mom and dad for always supporting her dreams, and all of her teachers who have helped her on her theater journey. She hopes you enjoy! @jillian_arthur_24

Laurelle Bandy

is a senior music theatre major with a minor in dance and music. Viterbo credits include Mary Claire in Tar Beach, Ensemble in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Assistant Choreographer for The SpongeBob Musical. Other credits include Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde and choreographer for four productions this past summer: The Lightning Thief, Shrek, Kimberly Akimbo, and The Pirate Queen. She is incredibly grateful to the cast and crew for their hard work on this production, and sends love to her amazing roommates and family for their constant support and encouragement. @laurellebandy

Claire Capra

is a senior music theatre major from the suburbs of Chicago. She is thrilled to be a part of this production and grateful for the opportunity to work with everyone involved. Previously at Viterbo, she has performed in These Shining Lives, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, 42nd Street, and The Pirates of Penzance. She also had the pleasure of stage managing Tar Beach. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, as well as her peers, professors, and the production team for making this opportunity possible. @theclairecapra

Xavier Carnicom

is a junior music theatre major with minors in music and technical theatre and design. He has recently appeared in the Conservatory's productions of Godspell (We Beseech Thee Soloist), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Vocalist), and The SpongeBob Musical (Ensemble/SpongeBob u/s). Most recently, he spent this last summer with the Great Plains Theatre in Kansas, where he performed in Tuck Everlasting (Ensemble/Hugo/Jesse u/s). Beyond the stage, he enjoys painting, thrifting, and spending time with friends! He is deeply grateful for his family and for their constant love and support. @xcarnicom03

Maya Dawson

is a sophomore music theatre major from Kenosha. She is so, so thrilled to be a part of this program! She has been a part of several shows, including Young Frankenstein as ensemble, The Marriage of Figaro as Cherubino, and the pilot production of Between The Lines! She would like to thank her parents, friends, family, and faculty for their ongoing support! @mmdaws0n!

Isaac Glen

is a senior music theatre major with a minor in dance. They are thrilled to be returning to the Viterbo stage. Their past roles include: Mr. Reed in These Shining Lives (Viterbo University), Pan/Bud in Bat Boy: The Musical (Viterbo University), Chuck in She Kills Monsters (Viterbo University). They are very excited for everyone to see Young Frankenstein! Thanks for coming to the show! @Isaacglen_

Grace Hyde

is a sophomore music theatre major. She has been in multiple productions in the past but can't wait to take the stage here at Viterbo. She wants to thank everyone who believed in her and has helped her along this journey. @g_charlotte06

Angel Hernandez

is a junior pursuing his BFA in music theatre. His past credits include Prince Christopher in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Frog in A Year With Frog and Toad, Bird Seller in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and ensemble/Ogie u/s in Waitress. He is thrilled to bring Igor to life and thanks his family, friends, directors, and Viterbo for their love, support, encouragement and the opportunity to be on this stage. @_.angel.hernandez

Braeden Jackson

is a junior pursuing a BFA in music theater with minors in dance and technical theater and design. Originally from LeClaire, Iowa, he has performed as Perch Perkins in The SpongeBob Musical, Ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and as member of Jesus' Entourage in Godspell at Viterbo. In addition to performing, he is a passionate costume designer, recently designing for Viterbo's production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. He also worked in the costume department at the Des Moines Metro Opera the past two summers. Enjoy the show! @braedenjackson1

Kayden Kloehn

is a junior music theatre major. Recent credits: The SpongeBob Musical (Electric Skate/ Ensemble), Bat Boy: The Musical (Rick Taylor), Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio), A Year With Frog And Toad (Frog u/s). He's been performing since elementary, winning Best Supporting Actor from the Centerstage Awards at the Fox Cities PAC. Additionally, he's toured with Kids From Wisconsin for three summers as a Principal Singer/Dancer. This past summer he spent working and performing in the welcome show at Quisisana Resort. He is always excited to see where life takes him next! "Much love and thanks to Mom, Aaron, family, and all my lovely friends and supporters!" @kayden.klo

Katie Kostner

is a senior music theatre major with minors in music and dance. Some of her recent favorite memories include playing Fiona in Shrek the Musical and Pearl Payne in These Shining Lives. She cannot wait to make the most out of her last year here at Viterbo, and she's so thankful for her friends, family and faculty who have made this all possible! @katie_kostner katiekostner.com/

Zachary Lichner

is a senior music theatre major who is so proud to be a part of Viterbo's 2025-26 season! You may have previously seen him as Plankton (The SpongeBob musical) and Sherriff Reynolds (Bat Boy: The Musical). He would like to thank his family, friends and professors for their support. He hopes you enjoy the performance! @zack.lichner

Issy Lambert

is a second-year music theatre major with an ASL minor from Wind Lake. She is ecstatic to be performing on the Viterbo stage this year! Some of her past roles include Roxie Hart (Chicago) at Muskego High School and Matilda (Matilda) at Waukesha Civic Theatre, as well as stage managing Student Theatre Project's Go Girl North at Viterbo. She is grateful to be a part of such an amazing program and she would like to thank her family, friends, and professors for their support of her journey. She would especially like to thank her Mom, without whom she wouldn't be where she is today. @IssyLambert32

Gigi Marceille

is a sophomore music theatre major with minors in dance and arts administration from Evergreen Park, Illinois. She is so excited to return to the Conservatory for another amazing season! Past credits include: The Marriage of Figaro (Viterbo University), Chicago (Velma), and The Little Mermaid (Ariel). She would like to thank her mom and sister for their endless support and encouragement. @gigimarceille

Connor Martin

is a senior music theatre major with minors in dance and arts administration from Hartford. Viterbo credits: The SpongeBob Musical (Squidward), Godspell (Judas), The Pirates of Penzance (Sergeant of Police), and 42nd Street (Ensemble). Regional credits: The Fireside Theatre, Hope Repertory Theatre, Kids From Wisconsin, Capital City Theatre, The Palace Theater. On campus, he is the president of Student Government Assocation (SGA), a representative for Student Theatre Project (STP), a tour guide, and a social media ambassador. "Thank you to my family, friends, and faculty for their continued love and support." @connorjoseph.m/ connorjosephm.com

AJ Murphy

is a junior music theatre major with minors in dance and theatre design. Her past credits at Viterbo include Bat Boy: The Musical and The SpongeBob Musical. This fall, she is very excited to assistant costume design the play Antigone. When she's not on stage you'll probably find her running, drawing, getting coffee, or dancing around her apartment with her friends. @ajazzy.murphy

Dominic Morara

is a sophomore music theatre major with a minor in dance. Past Viterbo productions include being on run crew for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Fall 2024), Dance Kaleidoscope (Spring 2025), and performing in the ensemble of The SpongeBob Musical (Spring 2025). In addition, he is also a member of Viterbo's a capella group, Vive Voce. He sings baritone and serves as the secretary of the club as well. He hopes you enjoy the show! @dmoraraaa

Helen Riddle

is thrilled to be back on stage for her final year at Viterbo. Previously, she was in These Shining Lives as Catherine Donohue in the LaCroix Black Box Theatre as well as ensemble in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on the main stage. She wants to thank her friends and family, and STP for making her feel valued in the arts! @helen.riddle7

Trey'lon Salley

is a junior music theatre major. He is absolutely bursting with gratitude to his director for the chance to be part of this incredible show! At Viterbo, he's hit the main stage not one, not two, but three times! He was most recently as thee Dance Captain in The SpongeBob Musical. He sends endless thanks to his mom, family, and friends for backing his dream every step of the way. He is beyond thrilled to share the stage with such a talented cast and crew and wishes everyone the absolute best as they bring this magical production to life! @treylonsalley

Rhys Van Ert

is a sophomore music theatre major. As a performer, he has enjoyed a variety of roles including Patchy in The SpongeBob Musical, Troy Bolton in High School Musical, Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family, Enjolras in Les Miserables, and Bobby Strong in Urinetown. In addition to performing, he is the founder and managing director of Spark Theatre in Rochester, Minnesota, where he strives to foster creativity and bring productions to life. He's excited to bring his passion and energy to this production. @rhysvanert

Mouahlou "Lou" Xiong

is a proud Hmong-American actor, songwriter, and pianist in his third year studying music theatre with minors in music and dance. Recent credits include Young Frankenstein (Harold, u/s Frederick, Ensemble), The SpongeBob Musical (Electric Skate 1, Hip Hop Dancer, Ensemble), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Assistant Music Director, Off-stage Singer), and Godspell (Jesus' Entourage, u/s Judas, u/s Herb). He hopes to serve as a beacon for the AAPI community by telling untold stories and bringing more representation to the stage. He would like to thank his mom and grandma for their endless love and support. Enjoy the show! @mouahlou.xiong

Daniel Pivovar

is a director and actor with a professional career spanning over 20 years. Professional directing credits: Glimpses of the Moon, She Kills Monsters, Twelfth Night, The Diviners, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, An American Daughter, and Bat Boy: The Musical. Professional acting credits: Off-Broadway: Falsettos, The Greatest Pirate Story (N)ever Told. Regional: Jekyll & Hyde, The Full Monty, In the Heat of the Night, Nunsense A-men, Into the Woods, and Tuck Everlasting. "Thank you to my family for always supporting me. Love you B&C."

Janette K. Hanson

is a member of the Theatre and Musical Theatre faculty at Viterbo University, where she serves as collaborative accompanist, vocal coach, music director, pit musician, and rehearsal pianist. She previously served on the music faculty at UW-LaCrosse and Sparta High School.

At Viterbo, she has served as music director for Make Me a Song, The Pajama Game, Footloose‚ Carrie: The Musical, The Hello Girls, 42nd Street‚ Godspell, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Additionally, she has served as pit musician for Bat Boy: The Muscial, Into the Woods‚ Merrily We Go Along‚ 9 to 5‚ Cats, Edges, Lost Girl, James and the Giant Peach, and Shout. She also accompanies and co-directs cabarets, solo recitals, professional masterclasses, improv shows, showcases, and laboratory courses such as audition techniques, acting through song, and scene study.

In January 2020, she was chosen to conduct the WI All-State Vocal Jazz ensemble. Her solo singers have participated in NATS, WMEA, and ACDA honor ensembles and competitions. She judges show choir solo competitions, serves as a vocal jazz clinician, accompanies student recitals, sings with local jazz bands, and plays organ for church. She served as staff accompanist for the National NATS competition in 2019. She serves as a solo/ensemble and large group judge for Wisconsin and Iowa.

She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Missouri State University and a Masters degree in Education from UW-La Crosse. She maintains a private studio. She and her husband Mark have four children and four grandchildren.

Emily Craver

holds an MFA in dance from the Ohio State University and a BS from Skidmore College. She is currently an assistant professor of dance at Viterbo University. Her work has been shown at New Victory LabWorks, WestFest's All Over Westbeth, The PIT, and The Comedy in Dance Festival. At Viterbo, she has choreographed Young Frankenstein, The SpongeBob Musical, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, Carrie: The Musical, and The Pajama Game. Her performance company, The Little Streams, has been produced three years in a row at Triskelion Arts in NYC. She has also choreographed for Weston Drama Workshop, Stoneham Theatre young company, and Wellesley Players. She dances with NYC-based Trainor Dance and New Orleans-based CabinFever Live Art. Favorite performances include dancing at NYBG, Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out Stage, The Yard, and Joe's Pub. www.emilybcraver.com

Sony Vassor

is a junior music theatre major. He was the dance captain in the Viterbo Conservatory production of Godspell Spring 2024, also apart of the Ensemble in The SpongeBob Musical in Spring 2025. He would like to give a huge shout-out to the director for the tremendous hard work and also to his family and friends for always being by his side throughout his theatre journey. Vassor would lastly like to thank the cast for not only making this experience fun but also memorable. @sonyvassor

Jennifer Van Buskirk

is excited to return to Viterbo as a guest artist for her second show! She is a freelance costume designer and technician from Kansas City. She served as an assistant professor of costume design at the University of Central Missouri from 2019-22. Before teaching, she worked professionally in theatre as a costume designer, costume technician, and hair and makeup artist. She graduated with her MFA in Costume Design from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2016.

Previous Professional Credits: The Marriage of Figaro (Viterbo University); AIDA, Cat in the Hat (University of Missouri Summer Repertory Theater); Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Fun Home, Merry Wives of Windsor (University of Central Missouri); Legally Blonde, Amadeus, Newsies, The Color Purple, (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina); Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, Venus in Fur, Eurydice (Nevada Conservatory Theatre); Tuesdays with Morrie (Black Hills Playhouse).

Hair/wig Artisan credits include Peter Pan and Wendy (Kansas City Repertory Theater); Dial M for Murder, Sister Act, Mamma Mia, Leading Ladies, and White Christmas (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina); Mary Poppins, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Three Musketeers (Utah Shakespeare Festival). www.jennifervanbuskirk.com

Jason Underferth

is a seasoned lighting designer with over two decades of experience lighting the stages of the Midwest. He dedicated over a decade to shaping the theatrical landscape as the production manager and lighting design lecturer at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. During his tenure, he artfully designed the visual components for more than 40 shows. Most recent designs include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street and Godspell at Viterbo. Now embarking on his fourth year at Viterbo, Underferth is eager to continue in his roll as the production manager for the Conservatory for the Performing Arts. He looks forward to creating memorable experiences for the Conservatory's upcoming performances through his designs. www.UnderferthDesign.com

Braydon Dayne

is a creative based in Wisconsin, with broad experience across many different aspects of entertainment. He is a junior music theatre student, and has been fostering his love for music and performance since he was a child. Recent Viterbo credits include The SpongeBob Musical (Patrick), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Mr. Fogg), and STP's A Year With Frog and Toad (Toad). He recently was cast in a feature-length film set to premiere this summer, and also released his first single in July, exploring his passion for jazz music. He hopes you "enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed putting it together!" @braydondayne

Sarah Tellier

is a proud member of the theatre and music theatre faculty at Viterbo University, where she is a vocal coach, collaborative pianist, music director, pit pianist, and rehearsal pianist. Prior to her appointment at Viterbo, she attended the University of Central Florida, where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and her Master of Arts degree in Collaborative Piano, in addition to a study abroad program in France and Belgium. Before leaving Florida and arriving in Wisconsin, Tellier worked for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa where she was a collaborative pianist and instructor, vocal, coach, musical theatre teacher, pit pianist, and music director. She has spent the last 10 years music directing and organizing regional Jimmy Award programs and successfully training students for auditions and performances in the art of musical theatre. Past favorite projects include: Tuck Everlasting with Patel Conservatory, Heathers: The Musical with mad Theatre of Tampa, Ragtime with American Stage, Dames At Sea with freeFall Theatre, and collaborating with SIX: The Musical for their open call in Orlando. Viterbo MD credits: The SpongeBob Musical. @PianoPixie05

Chad Kolbe

is an associate professor of theatre in his 20th year teaching at Viterbo. He teaches design and technology courses such as Stage Craft, Design Basic, Fundamentals of Technical Theatre, Theatre Practicum, and Stage Lighting. He also serves as technical director and lighting designer for the theatre and music theatre department. Before beginning his journey at Viterbo, he served as instructor and technical director at The University of Northern Iowa. For six years, he served as the technical director for the Texas Shakespeare Festival in Kilgore, Texas, and before that he served three years as carpenter, head rigger, and assistant technical director for The Des Moines Metro Opera. He enjoys time with family and being outside exploring all La Crosse and the surrounding areas have to offer.

Shane Rhoades

is the chair and an associate professor in Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts for the Theatre and Musical Theatre Department. Prior to his time at Viterbo, he attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and lived and worked in New York City for 20 years. As an actor (AEA/SAG/AFTRA), Rhoades made his Broadway debut in The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman, and he was the associate choreographer for Broadway's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Off-Broadway he performed in FAME on 42nd Street. His national and international touring credits include Pippin, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Chicago, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Grinch. Regionally he has performed at Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, Arena Stage, The Ordway, North Shore Music Theatre, St. Louis MUNY, Pittsburgh CLO, Sacramento Music Circus, Atlanta Theater of the Stars, Houston Theatre Under the Stars, and Stages St. Louis. His performing career afforded him the opportunity to perform all over the world, including Japan, Europe, Central and South America, Canada, and all 50 States. At Viterbo, Rhoades earned his MBA. He directed and choreographed productions of CATS, A Chorus Line, Shout!, and Little Women. He directed 42nd Street, and he also choreographed Pippin, West Side Story, 9 to 5, Oklahoma!, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Dancing at Lughnasa, She Stoops to Conquer, and On the Verge. Rhoades serves as the dance minor coordinator and director for Dance Kaleidoscope. He was also the co-director for Viterbo's show choirs, Platinum Edition and Diamond Edition, and he serves as a clinician and adjudicator for numerous show choir competitions around the country.

Alli Austin

is a junior theatre major with an emphasis in stage management. Her favorite Viterbo credits include She Kills Monsters, Bat Boy: The Musical, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. She also actively works with La Crosse Community Theatre and will be joining them again this spring to stage manage their production of Silent Sky. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their continued support and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Jen Brown

is a designer whose work spans a wide range of theatrical productions. Over the years, she has collaborated with a variety of established theaters, including the Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts, the Commonweal Theatre Company, the University of Madison Theatre Department, and the Children's Theatre of Madison in both costume and properties design.

Through her innovative approach to costume design, she has brought countless characters to life, enhancing the storytelling with carefully crafted, visually striking costumes. Some of her favorite design credits include Three Sisters, Charley's Aunt, Our Town, Failure: A Love Story, Measure for Measure, The Hello Girls, and She Kills Monsters.

As a 1999 graduate of Viterbo with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design, she is known for her versatility and her ability to design across both dramatic and music theatre. Above all, she is driven by a passion for creating designs that not only support but elevate the artistic vision of each production.

Vee Jacobson

is a sophomore theatre major known for their vibrant energy and joyful presence both on and off the stage. They served as assistant director for the song cycle Edges and brought humor and heart to the role of narrator Silas in Go Girl North. This year, Jacobson is thrilled to take the stage in Antigone and continue exploring their craft. Jacobson feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow as an artist within Viterbo's supportive, challenging, and creatively inspiring theatre community. @vee_jacobson

Kayla Taylor

is a senior (eek!) music theatre major with a dance minor. She was most recently seen as Karen the Computer (The SpongeBob Musical), and Costume/Makeup designer (These Shining Lives) past productions: Ensemble (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Lilith (She Kills Monsters), Maiden/Mabel u/s (The Pirates of Penzance), A Year With Frog And Toad (Bird/Turtle/Mother Frog). She is currently the Swing/Choreographer of I Love You Because. She is also the co-artistic director of Student Theatre Project (go STP!) She wants to thank her family specifically for all of their support and love and hopes you ALL have a fabulous time at the show! @Kayla_taylor207

Zachary Buhl

is a junior music theatre major with a minor in arts admin. Past Viterbo shows include STP's Edges (Man 2), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Offstage Singer). Other shows include, Newsies (Jack Kelly), Les Miserables (Marius). He thanks all his friends and family for their continuous support. @zachbuhl05

Abbey Grace Messing

is a senior music theatre major with dance and arts administration minors. This past summer she apprenticed at The Barn Theatre where she was able to bring the characters Mazzie (Seussical) and Rosemary (How to Succeed...) to life. She is thrilled to tackle Marcy this year in Viterbo's production of I Love You Because. Past Viterbo credits: Ophelia (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead), Ensemble (42nd Street), Into the Dirt, and Dance Kaleidoscope 2025. She would also like to extend so much love and gratitude to her family and friend support systems. "This would not be possible without them!" @abbeys_playlist

Patrick M. Strain

has been one of La Crosse's friendly neighborhood lighting designers since moving to the area in 2015 and he has lit a number of Viterbo's shows since then, including Footloose, The Pajama Game, Into the Woods, Cats!, Oklahoma! and last season's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Marriage of Figaro. He has designed scenery and lighting for a variety of theatres around the Midwest, a few on the East Coast and even one in Germany. Trivia about Strain includes that he was one of the scenic artists to paint the "town hall" at ETC world headquarters in Middleton and he was the lighting designer on the first community theatre production of Les Miserables (2001 at the Roadside Theatre in Heidelberg, Germany).

Tucker Mensen

is a senior musical theatre major with minors in dance and music. He has been apart of many shows at Viterbo including The Pirates of Penzance, 42nd Street, Bat Boy: The Musical, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He's excited to see his peers grow in his final year as well as see the classes below him grow in their acting journeys. @tucker_mensenbfa

Music Theatre International (MTI)

is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.

MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists, and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.

MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30-and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.

Mel Brooks

is a director, producer, writer and actor. He is the recipient of three 2001 Tony Awards (Best Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Musical) and two Grammy Awards (Best Musical Show Album and Best Long Form Music Video) for The Producers. Brooks began his distinguished career during television's "Golden Age" as a writer for Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows in 1951. In 1955 and in 1957, Brooks received Emmy Award nominations (with others) for the best comedy writing for Caesar's Hour, and in 1956 he was nominated (with others) for best writing for a variety or situation comedy. In 1952, Brooks wrote sketches for Leonard Sillman's Broadway smash-hit revue, New Faces of 1952, and in 1957, together with Joe Darion, he wrote the book for the Broadway musical Shinebone Alley, which starred Eartha Kitt. In 1962, he wrote the book for the Broadway musical All-America, starring Ray Bolger. In the'60s, Brooks teamed up with Carl Reiner to write and perform The 2000 Year Old Man albums, which became immediate bestsellers. In 1960 and 1961, Brooks and Reiner received Grammy Award nominations for the best spoken word comedy for 2000 Years and for best comedy performance for 2000 and One Years, respectively. In 1997, Brooks and Reiner teamed up again for The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000. Both a book and a CD were released, the CD winning a Grammy Award in 1998 for the best spoken word album: comedy. Brooks wrote and narrated The Critic, a short satire on avant-garde art films, which received the Academy Award for best animated short subject in 1964. In 1965, he teamed up with buck Henry and created Get Smart, the long-running televisions show starring Don Adams as Agent 86. Brooks, along with others, received an Emmy Award for outstanding writing achievement in a comedy-variety in 1967 for The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special. In 1968, he wrote and directed his first feature film, The Producers, starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, which earned him an Academy Award for the best original screenplay written directly for the screen. He then went on to create a remarkable string of hit comedies: 1970, he wrote, directed and acted in The Twelve Chairs; 1974, co-wrote, directed and acted in Blazing Saddles, and was nominated, along with John Morris, for the best title song, Blazing Saddles; 1974, co-wrote and directed Young Frankenstein; 1976, co-wrote, directed and starred in Silent Movie; 1977, co-wrote, directed and starred in Silent Movie; 1977, co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in History of the World, Part I; 1983, produced and starred in To Be Or Not To Be; co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in the hit sci-fi spoof, Spaceballs; 1991, co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in Life Stinks; 1993, co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in Robin Hood: Men in Tights; 1995, co-wrote, directed, produced an starred in Dracula; Dead and Loving It. For three successive seasons, Brooks won the Emmy Award for his role as Uncle Phil on the hit comedy show, Mad About Your. His visionary film company, Brooksfilms Limited, founded in 1980, has produced some of America's most distinguished films, among them: David Lynch's The Elephant Man, David Cronenberg's The Fly, Frances, Richard Benjamin's My Favorite Year and 84 Charing Cross Road, starring Anthony Hopkins and Mr. Brooks' wife Anne Bancroft.

Thomas Meehan

received the Tony Award for co-writing the book for The Producers in 2001 and in 2003 for co-writing the book for Hairspray. He received his first Tony Award in 1977 for writing the book of Annie, which was his first Broadway show, and has written the books for the musicals Rocky, Elf the Musical, Cry-Baby, Young Frankenstein, Chaplin, Bombay Dreams, I Remember Mama, Ain’t Broadway Grand and Annie Warbucks. In addition, he was a long-time contributor of humor to The New Yorker, an Emmy-Award winning writer of television comedy, and a collaborator on a number of screenplays, including Mel Brooks' Spaceballs and To Be Or Not To Be. Meehan was also a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild. He and his wife, Carolyn, divided their time between a home in Nantucket and an apartment in Greenwich Village, near which, on Hudson Street, she owned and presided over the long-running and near-legendary children's store Peanut Butter & Jane.