Neezer Schneider

Neezer is an 18 year old severe Macaw. She was unfortunately removed from the wild for the pet trade. Neezer encourages anyone wanting a parrot as a pet to only deal with reputable dealers. She was removed from an abusive home and found peace in the Schneider household 14 years ago. Although she has participated in several educational productions throughout San Diego County, this is Neezer’s first appearance on a theatrical stage. Her least favorite line is “Polly want a cracker?” She absolutely never says it. Her favorite activity is cuddling with her humans and eating corn.

Krystal Price

Krystal Price is returning to Patio Playhouse after a lengthy hiatus from community theatre. Previous theatre experience includes the role of Mrs. Webb in Our Town at On-Stage in Chula Vista and the role of mrs. Tredwell in Black Coffee at Patio Playhouse. “It is good to be returning to the stage and I feel privileged and honored to be working with such a talented cast ad director along with a team of others who work behind the scenes. Special thanks to my family and friends for all their ongoing encouragement and support. Particular acknowledgement to my good friend, Gordon Mullinger, now living in Las Vegas - You are missed more than words can express.”

Jeff Laurence

Jeff is following the example set by his wife, Lee Donnelly. She has been a long-time performer at Patio. This is Jeff’s first performance here. While Lee more actively auditions for dramas, Jeff loves nothing better than a good comedy. He has been seen recently in Lend Me a Tenor, Rumors and Same Time, Another Year and has appeared in nearly every local theatre. He has flirted with musicals in a downtown performance of O.J. The Musical (really) and a San Diego Comic Opera stint in The Chocolate Soldier. His favorite show of all time is Noises Off. All seriousness aside, he has loved doing this show for Patio and hopes to be invited back.

Kristin Bauer

Light Up the Sky is a new direction for Kris who has previously performed only in musicals. At Patio, she’s appeared in Tin Pan Tavern, Kiss Me Tony and Working. She’s also appeared in Footloose at CCT and in Chorus Line (twice) for Scripps Ranch Theatre and Sunnie Brooks.

Jim has been busy this past year at Patio appearing in Nuts, Man of La Mancha, Working and The Dining Room. He won an Aubrey Award for cast ensemble for The Dining Room. He’s also garnered Patio awards for best lead actor in Blithe Spirit and best major support for The Fantasticks and Bedroom Farce. In addition to entertaining audiences throughout the year, Jim also serves on Patio’s board of directors as the artistic director.

Peggy Schneider

Peggy has been seen at Theatrx, PowPAC, Scripps Ranch, a number of travel commercials and even on the motion picture screen as an extra in Titanic, but Patio Playhouse Community Theatre is her home stage. Her favorite roles since moving to Escondido in 1984 include Joanne in Vanities, Tom in Sylvia and most recently E.M. in Wit. Peggy serves on the Patio Board in the Treasurer position and as our ACT representative. She considers herself extremely fortunate to have a “day job” that lets her perform regularly as an educator at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. Her current focus is in the area of voice acting. She is a featured character in the recently released CD Mr. Quizmee Asks About Animals.

All of John’s theatre experience has been at Patio Playhouse – The Subject Was Roses, Lost in Yonkers, Ramshackle Inn and now Light Up the Sky. John has take acting lessons with Bob Reese in San Francisco, Bill Howey in Denver, Peter D’Anrello in Denver and New Village Arts in Carlsbad. He’s starred in two films – Class and Cellular.

Recently returning from abroad while working on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean and Bahamas, Randy is equally comfortable on the stage as well as behind it, having participated in over three hundred productions as actor, technician, designer, manager or director. He’s played Abner Dillon in 42nd Street, Little John in Robin Hood and the Wizard in Wizard of Oz. He’s also been involved in TV and film projects including Forever Young, Indecent Proposal, Sliver and Herman’s Head.

This is John’s first project since graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. His work there included Orgon in Tartuffe, Touchstone in As You Like It, Walter Hollander in Don’t Drink the Water and a best dramatic performance award for his role as Creon in Antigone.

Karen is happy to return to the Patio Playhouse stage. Her previous Patio credits include Violet in It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical and Daphne in Present Laughter. Karen has also performed in several productions including Curious Savage, Don’t Drink the Water, Play On, and The Bride of Brackenlock at Mira Mesa Theatre Guild, PowPAC and the Rohnert Park Spreckels.

This is John’s first appearance in the theatre since the mid 80s when he was in Bye Bye Birdie and Pajama Tops. He also narrated a local landmark in Cleveland, Ohio. He’s taken acting classes at Palomar College and is excited to be a part of community theatre again.

Steve has played a number of roles at Patio Playhouse - Felix Ducotel in My Three Angels, Frankie Salvucci in Breaking Legs, Uncle Louie in Lost in Yonkers, a guard and gypsy in Man of La Mancha and Dr. Herbert Rosenthal in Nuts. He won a Patio best supporting actor award as Uncle Louie. Steve has an associate degree in theatre arts from Palomar College and was in their productions of You Can’t Take It With You and Beauty and the Beast.