The Cast Of You Can't Take It With You: Up Close And Personal

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

April 25 & 26 | 7:30 P.M.

May 2 & 3 | 7:30 P.M.

May 4 | 2:30 P.m.

Tickets | $25

PURCHASE TICKETS

MEET THE TALENTED CAST

Kayln Vallot Haughn (Alice) is delighted to be back for another Swamplight Theatre production. She has spent many years training in all forms of the performing arts and has choreographed many shows on several stages. She enjoys crafting, spending time outdoors, and spending time with her family. She is excited to hit the stage and share Alice’s story with all of you.

Kevin Anthony Lavine II (Donald) is a man from everywhere but found a home in Hammond. He started in the military, worked in plants, and is now pursuing the arts. He is happily employed as a waiter at Chili’s where he has time to engage with his passions, writing and acting with some directing sprinkled in. You may have seen him in Near Nelly Bly at Southeastern, Squirrels at the Columbia Theater, or Mrs. Whitman's Words for Women at Reimer's Memorial Theatre.

Kayla Ruiz (G-Man 2) is a student at SLU and is very excited to be back at Swamplight Theatre for another show. She was last seen on our stage in Footloose. She loves the Swamplight family and is looking forward to being more involved in it and the local theatre community. She wants to thank Kendel, Danalyn, and Miss Donna for this opportunity and for working around her schedule. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Brad Michelli (Wilbur C. Henderson) is a resident of Ponchatoula. He has degrees in Biological Sciences (Southeastern Louisiana University) and Physical Therapy (Louisiana State University - Masters). Brad works as a Balance/Neurologic/Vestibular Therapist at North Oaks Outpatient Rehabilitation Services. He is excited for his first time on stage and making his acting debut at Swamplight Theatre. And, he is praying daily that he does not die on stage. Brad is married to his wonderful wife Nancy Michelli and has two incredible children--Dylan and Sydney.

Emma Schillage (Gay Wellington & Grand Duchess Olga Katrina) is an award-winning Southern Gothic playwright, actor, and arts educator based in Southeast Louisiana and New York. They hold a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Loyola University New Orleans (2019) and an M.F.A. in Playwriting from Columbia University (2023). Their play God and Girl is a finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Their play Cockroaches was also a finalist for the O’Neill and won Best Play Script at the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search; it is currently published and available through 1319 Press. Emma has appeared in numerous New Orleans productions with Loyola University, Southern Rep Theatre, and The NOLA Project. Favorite roles include Jenny (The Christians), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Queen Elizabeth (Richard III). This is Emma’s Swamplight debut. They would like to thank their partner, Thomas, their parents, friends, and the entire cast and crew. Enjoy the show!

Dayne Commander (Miriam Kirby) is thrilled to return to the Swamplight Theatre stage with the Kay Butler Performing Arts Project! Audiences may remember her as the exuberant Spirit of Christmas Present in A Christmas Poule Deux and Carol Too…. She’s excited to be in this delightful comedy and hopes you enjoy the Sycamore family’s charming chaos as much as she does. When not on stage, Dayne stays busy as a mother of three, a writer, and a social media content creator. She would like to give a heartfelt thank you to her family for always supporting her in these wacky theatrical endeavors—especially for wrangling her kiddos during rehearsals. She’s grateful to be part of such a wonderful cast and dedicates this performance to the memory of the incomparable Kay Butler, whose passion for theatre continues to inspire.

Thaddeus Kilpatrick (Paul Sycamore) grew up in Baton Rouge and currently resides in Mandeville. He is happily employed in the field of land surveying and has been involved with several productions at Swamplight Theatre including Tracers, Greater Tuna, Pump Boys & Dinettes, and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and The University of Pennsylvania, Thad and his lovely wife Beth have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and cooking with friends. Thad is crazy about Mardi Gras and serves as vice president of the Krewe of Pontchartrain.

La’Zarus McKay (G-Man 4) is from Ponchatoula and is excited to be making his Swamplight Theatre debut. He came to Swamplight for an audition for a show that was put on hold in 2023 and finds himself now getting the opportunity to take to the Swamplight stage. Something interesting about La’Zarus is that as a child he came super close to being on Nickelodeon. He hopes you enjoy the show.

Anthony Fazzio (Ed Carmichael) is excited to be back on the Swamplight Stage for the third time! You may remember him in our Christmas show and last spring’s The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. He has spent time as an accountant, teacher, and entrepreneur. His hobbies include playing chess, sports, and finance. He would like to thank his family and Swamplight Theatre for their continued support of his theatrical pursuits!

Kristen Swanson (Essie Carmichael) is a theatre artist and educator based in Hammond, LA. She earned a Bachelor of Theatre Arts from Loyola University New Orleans in 2020. She has appeared in multiple Big Easy award-winning productions and has worked with Warner Bros. Entertainment, Jefferson Performing Arts Society, and See 'Em On Stage Productions, among others. Most recently, Kristen starred in, stage managed, and produced The Hunting of the Snark, the debut production of Homebrew Theatre Company—a group she founded in 2021. Some of her favorite roles include Eliza Doolittle (Pygmalion), Rosie (Cabaret), and Noah Gellman (Caroline, or Change). Beyond performing, Kristen is passionate about arts education and currently teaches theatre, sharing her love of storytelling with the next generation. She enjoys art journaling, cuddling with her dogs, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends. She sends a heartfelt thank you to her mom and dad for their unwavering support and love.

Quinton Williams (Anthony "Tony" Kirby Jr. ) is thrilled to be returning to Swamplight's stage after playing Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in 2022. He has been an active performer on the Northshore, recently being in both Murder on the Orient Express and The Play that Goes Wrong at 30 by Ninety as well as Macbeth in Abita Springs. He'd like to thank Swamplight for this warm and welcoming return. Quinton is dedicating this show to his parents, who are extremely excited to see this production. He'd like to thank them and the love of his life, Catherine, for all of their support and love--things he can take with him wherever he goes in life.

Jim Winter (Martin Vanderhof) is a professional actor, director, playwright, and producer. As an actor, Jim has performed at Madison Square Garden, 13th Street Repertory Theatre, The Hudson Guild, The Kennedy Center, and Cleveland Public Theatre. He has also had the honor of performing in Ireland, Scotland, and The People's Republic of China, and has appeared in several motion pictures. He was in Swamplight’s The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 last spring. Plays Jim has written have been produced in New York, Cleveland, Texas, Louisiana, Ireland, and Scotland. He is also the founder of Southeastern’s Inkslinger Playwriting Contest, which is now in its eleventh year. Jim has co-authored several screenplays, including 2022’s award-winning horror anthology, The Haunted History Tour. He was a co-founder of IMAGE production company and the Hammond Horror Festival. Jim holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Baldwin-Wallace College.

Bode McDaniel (G Man 1/Wilbur C. Henderson Understudy), a senior at Ponchatoula High, is no stranger to the Swamplight stage. He has been seen at the Swamp in a variety of roles including Simon/the Rabbi in 13 The Musical, Willard Hewitt in Footloose, and most recently as The Candy Man in Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka. He has also performed at Columbia Theater where he played Sultan Pepper in Aladdin: Choose Your Own Arabian Night. He has been in multiple Drama Club shows including his most recent roles as King Triton/Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid. He enjoys singing in his high school Choir, making music reels on Instagram, and spending time with family and friends. After high school, he plans to go to Southeastern Louisiana University and major in Music Performance. He is beyond excited to be in You Can’t Take It With You and would like to take the time to thank his family and friends for all the love and support they give him in theatre and music!

Karen Dubret (Penelope Sycamore) is excited to be back on the Swamplight stage where she was recently in our Christmas show, last summer’s Willy Wonka, and last spring’s The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940. Karen has also worked backstage in several shows. She may be new to acting, but you also may have seen her playing piano for the annual Swamplight Cabaret shows. Offstage, Karen works as a Social Worker in a private practice in Hammond. Karen enjoys crocheting, gardening, reading, and cooking. She is also a proud member of the sNoBalls Ladies Marching Group (as Green Apple) which raises funds to sponsor children in the Arts. She is married to Michael Dubret, and they have four beautiful children: Katelyn, Cole, Arden, and Remy.

Don Michael Dubret (Mr. Anthony Kirby Sr.) is a resident of Loranger with degrees in Vocal Music Performance from Loyola University (Bachelors) and Communication Science and Disorders from Southeastern Louisiana University (Masters). He works as a Speech Pathologist at North Oaks Medical Center. Michael has performed extensively in Operatic, Musical Theater, and theatrical productions. He was recently the title character in this past summer’s Willy Wonka and was in A Christmas Poule Deux and Carol Too… and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. Who can forget his annual turn as Wilbur in Swamplight’s Valentine’s Cabaret? Michael is married to Karen Dubret and they have four wonderful children: Katelyn, Cole, Arden, and Remy.

Ellen Heiman (Rheba) is excited to be taking the stage in You Can't Take it With You following her stage managing Swamplight’s Valentine’s Cabaret. Ellen has previously played a Candy Kid in Willy Wonka. She spent ten years with Livingston's talented theatre while attending Albany High. Ellen would like to thank her friends and family for their support and her new family at Swamplight for bringing her on and teaching her so much.

Sorin Gonzalez (G Man 2) is making their Swamplight debut in this show. Sorin started their theatre journey at Main Street Theater in Sulphur Springs back in 2018. Their first show was The Snow White Musicapoolza playing one of the seven dwarves, Creepy. With varying roles in 13 different shows ranging from assistant choreographer, backstage crew, and their personal favorite onstage, The Cat from Suessical Jr, they have found a second home in the theatre. After settling down around French Settlement with their Aunt Brandy and Uncle Frank, they started pursuing passions such as art, poetry, singing, and now stage acting.

Logan Watts (Boris Kolenkhov) is a Senior Theatre Major at Southeastern Louisiana University with a minor in Music and is making his Swamplight Theatre debut. He has been in productions with Columbia Theatre, A Wing and a Prayer Productions, and the Louisiana Shakespeare Company. He has 3 years of classical vocal training. His most recent roles were George Seacoal in Much Ado About Nothing, Dr. Field/McCain/A.D.A. in Near Nellie Bly, and Mr. Bumble in Oliver. He has also pursued writing by creating scripts for short one-act plays. Logan would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support.

Jeff Gatlin (Mr. De Pinna) is excited to make his Swamplight debut in this show and grateful to be on stage again (his last production was in high school). He lives in Independence with his wife Jennifer. Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing, teaching Sunday School, and spending time with family and friends. Having the gift of gab, Jeff is always ready to make others smile –whether it be the next skit at his church or appearing on Wallhanger TV.