In Memoriam

We dedicate this production of Disney’s Descendants to Ruth Ann Peake.  Ruth Ann had been a staple in our organization for much longer than most of us now can remember.  She was instrumental in so many ways, moving our organization forward on the board, behind the scenes and out in the community.  As she did less later on she still remained involved in any way she could and was our constant cheerleader. We can never express how important she was. This show is for her.  We miss her and hope we make her proud. 

………

It is with grateful hearts and warm affection we remember that little group of talented men and women who had a dream of performing live theatre in Portland over 60 years ago. We also remember those who helped keep the dream alive. Because of their dedication to that dream, we pause for a moment to think of those who worked so hard to establish a firm foundation that has lasted to this very day.

Listed here (in alphabetical order) are those who have passed. They represent steadfast devotion to the Portland Civic Players in every way. We truly hope that all have been remembered here. 

Richard & Betty Anesi 

Dale Barnard Denise (Frye) Bandfield 

Tom & Marilyn Bandfield

Rex Bennett 

Ruth Callihan

Tom & Marie Cook

William & Anne Eddy 

Olive Fitzpatrick 

George & Pearle Frye 

Shirley Habegger

William J. Hill 

Winfield & Lora Hubbell 

Mel & Fram Huhn 

Vada Hummel 

Tom & Pauline Jordan

Alvin & Catherine Kelly 

William & Jennie Koster

Dr. Martin J. Kozachik 

Alan Lazette

Barbara W. Longstreth 

Herb & Verena Miller 

Cree Peake 

David and Ruth Ann Peake

Lillian Phillips 

Brenda Pung 

Chris Rainey 

Adam Reeves 

Floyd Rice, Jr. 

Joe & Caroline (Snooks) Rich 

Donald Rogers 

Margaret Schrauben

Marilyn Shaw 

Laban & Marge Smith 

Tony & Catherine Snitgen

Mary Lou Tannery

Richard & Sydell Teachout 

Particia Thelen 

Tommy & Martha (Bea) Thompson 

Marvin & Mary Thrasher 

Jerry Tiemann 

Jim Trierweiler

Willa Utterback

Sally VanPoperin

Don Webert 

David & Brenda Whitaker

About the Show

Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a musical jam-packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs from the films!

Imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost – home of the most infamous villains who ever lived – the teenaged children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella De Vil have never ventured off the island… until now. When the four troublemakers are sent to attend prep school alongside the children of beloved Disney heroes, they have a difficult choice to make: should they follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or learn to be good?

Disney’s Descendants is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com 

Scenes

ACT 1  

Scene 1:  Auradon Castle….Better Together (Ben, Royal Page, Beast and Belle)

Scene 2:  Isle of the Lost….Rotten to the Core, Evil Like Me (Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Maleficent,  Jafar, Cruella, Grimhilde)

Scene 3:  Auradon Prep….Be Our Guest, Good is the New Bad (Ensemble, Chad, Mal, Evie,     Carlos, Jay, Fairy Godmother, Jane, Ben, Audrey,  Doug, Maurice) 

Scene 4: Mal and Evie’s Dorm Room

Scene 5:  Dorm Hallway

Scene 6: Museum of Cultural History…Evil Like Me Reprise (Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Royal Guard, Jane)

Scene 7: Auradon Prep

Scene 8: Maleficent’s Lair…Rotten to the Core Parent’s Revenge (Maleficent, Cruella, Jafar, Grimhilde)

Scene 9: Tourney Field….Goal (Coach, Ensemble, Jane, Jay, Carlos, Chad, Ben, Mal, Evie, Fairy Godmother)

Scene 10: Mal and Evie’s Dorm Room….Ways to be Wicked (Evie, Mal, Carlos, Jay, Ben, Jane)

Scene 11: Auradon Prep….Did I Mention (Ensemble, Mal, Ben, Jay, Evie, Carlos, Audrey, Chad)

Scene 12: The Date….Better Together  (Mal and Ben)

There will be a 15-minute intermission. 

Concessions will be available in our lobby.

ACT 2

Scene 13: Mal and Evie’s Dorm Room…Space Between, Chillin’ Like a Villain (Mal, Evie, Ben, Carlos, Jay, Royal Page)

Scene 14: Isle of the Lost………Chillin’ Like a Villain (Ben, Carlos, Evie, Jay, Ensemble)  

Scene 15: Auradon Prep….Good is the New Bad (Beast, Fairy Godmother, Belle, Audrey, Chad, Doug,  Ensemble

Scene 16: Isle of the Lost….If Only (Evie, Jay, Carlos, Mal, Ben, Maleficent)

Scene 17: Auradon Prep………Ways to be  Wicked (Ensemble, Evie, Jay, Carlos, Ben, Beast, Belle, Doug, Maurice, Chad, Audrey, Mal)

Scene 18: Auradon….Go the Distance, Evil Like Me, Better Together, Break This Down (All)

Meet our Cast and Crew!

CAST

Mal/Emberlyn Dilley:

Emberlynn is currently a senior at PHS. She started acting in the PCP summer theater program in 2016 as Tinkerbell. She has been involved in the PHS drama program, and MSU Wharton Center’s Take it From the Top Program. Some of her favorite theater roles have been Karen in Means Girls, and Wednesday in Addams Family. Ember is currently in the Ionia career center nursing program, and after graduation plans on continuing her education in Nursing. She would like to thank all the people who have gotten her this far in theater and life, especially her brother for the many years of running lines. 

Evie/Jazlyn Morales:

Jazlyn is excited to return to the PCP stage after an 8 year break for school and travel. Her previous shows with PCP include Annie, Oliver, Bye Bye Birdie, and her favorite, The Little Mermaid, where she played the role of Ariel. She also loved her many years in the Summer Theatre program. Jazlyn is thrilled to return to her theatre home & acting family to play “Evie” alongside a very talented cast! She is grateful for this community, her cast and directors, and most of all, Jesus for leading her sweetly.

Carlos/Sam Thelen:

Jay/Emerson Dibean:

This is Emerson’s 7th fall production with the Civic Players, and his 17th overall stage production, having most recently played Michel the Conductor in the Civic Players’ production of Murder on the Orient Express. He currently works in Tech Support at Farm Bureau and attends LCC. In his spare time, Emerson enjoys watching and reviewing films, design work, and video editing (having filmed and edited previous Civic Players productions). He is grateful for all the amazing theater opportunities available in Portland and would like to thank the Summer Theater program and the High School Drama program for helping to form him as an actor. He would also like to thank the Civic Players organization for giving him the opportunity to continue participating in stage productions beyond school.

Maleficent/Kelly Sandula-Gruner:

Kelly is excited to be gracing our stage as the villain Maleficent.  Some of her other favorite roles include Sgt. Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls and the sweetly ditzy Hope Langdon in Something’s Afoot. Kelly is excited to be digging into the evilicious Maleficent with the Portland Civic Players! You may have previously seen her on stage in the Pandemic Show review and as a long time member of Singers on the Grand. Kelly is also a member of the Lansing Concert Band on French Horn,  vocalist with the Lansing Concert Jazz Big Band and half of the duo Clique Vocals. She holds degrees in both music and commercial art and works as a graphics designer. She has been doing the graphics for PCP the last few years. Kelly and her husband live in Grand Ledge with their two sons, Nathan and Declan.

Cruella/Emily Perry:

Emily is excited to join the cast of Disney’s Descendants as the classic villain Cruella De Vil. Emily is a local artist and musician who has performed with the Portland Civic Players in multiple productions over the years. She recently portrayed Sarah Brown in PCP’s musical production of Guys and Dolls and Princess Dragomiroff in Murder on The Orient Express. Her favorite roles to date include Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls and Emily Webb in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Recent shows include: Murder on the Orient Express, Guys and Dolls, Shrek The Musical and Our Town. Past shows include: The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and The Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and The Music Man.

Evil Queen Grimhilde/Lydia Bowling:

Lydia is extremely excited to be returning to the stage for her second performance with the Portland Civic Players. Theater has been an important part of Lydia’s life since she was a child.  From 2010-2012, Lydia was actively engaged in Grand Rapids community theater. In her young adult years, her favorite roles were Winnie Foster in Cornerstone University’s Tuck Everlasting, Guinevere in Magic Circle Theater’s Robin Hood, and Judy in Civic Theater’s Night of the Living Dead. Lydia’s most recent theater performance was in March of 2024, playing Mary Debenham in PCP’s Murder on the Orient Express. She would like to dedicate her performance to her biggest, little hero, her daughter Harper. We are better together! Xoxo

Jafar/Alex Port:

Alex is so happy to be returning in his second show with PCP! He grew up a huge fan of all the iconic, classic Disney villains and is very excited he gets to play one. Alex grew up in Ohio and studied music education at Miami University. He currently lives in Potterville with his wife Kate and his two cats, Jupiter and Nelson. He teaches 8-12 choir at Harper Creek Community Schools and works at Interlochen Arts Camp during the summers. Outside of work and rehearsals, Alex and his wife enjoy being vegan foodies, reading, solving escape rooms and murder mysteries and planning their next trip to Disney World.

King Beast/Dan Braker:

Dan to PCP having previously played Monsieur Bouc in Murder on the Orient Express and the Wolf in Shrek. He has also performed many shows with Thornapple Players, The Revue, and Master Arts Theater. When not on stage, he enjoys cooking, eating, and the Green Bay Packers. He is thankful that his awesome wife encourages him to follow his folly.

Queen Belle/Amber Miller:

Amber is from Freeport, MI. Amber caught the theater bug in high school and went on to graduate from GVSU with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Theater. Since then, she has performed with various theater companies around the greater Grand Rapids area and has performed in over 25 different shows. This is her fifth show with the Portland Civic Players. You may recognize her from past Portland shows such as Greta from Murder on the Orient Express, Adelaide from Guys and Dolls, Ellen from The Art of Dining, and the Sugar Plum Fairy from Shrek. When she is not rehearsing for a show, she enjoys singing, art, reading, and playing DND with her friends.

Prince Ben/Cooper Wittenbach:

Cooper is a senior at Portland High School, this is his third musical production, his previous being Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street in the ensemble and The Little Mermaid as Prince Eric. Cooper is still new to theater starting just over a year ago with a dinner theater show. Cooper recently was nominated to go to the Sutton Foster Awars and perform at MSU’s Wharton Center. Cooper is excited to be in his first Portland Civic Players production and has enjoyed all his time with the cast and crew.

Fairy Godmother/ Haven Miller:

Haven is 22 this is her second show with Portland, but her 30th show. She’s done some performing, directing and choreography in her time in theatre. Her favorite show that she has been a part of has been Ursula in the Little Mermaid with a close second directing Seussical the Musical.

Jane/Claire Jandernoa:

Claire is excited to be in her first production with Portland Civic Players! When not with PCP, she acts and student directs with PW’s theater, and most recently played Jordan in The Great Gatsby. She also enjoys weight lifting, milking cows, and babysitting.

Chad/Simon White:

I am a high school senior from St. Pat’s. I live in Portland and I have 3 brothers and four sisters. I have been in theater since I was little. The last performances I was in were Alice in Wonderland and Our Town. I love playing the funny roles and I love playing obnoxious or clueless characters. I go to the career center for construction and I currently work for KDH Construction. I play baseball, trap, and bowling and I also love hunting and fishing. I also enjoy building small projects in my free time and am working towards getting to where I can sell them.

Audrey/Maddision Clelland:

This is Maddision’s first show with PCP and says it’s been such a great experience. She can’t wait to keep watching this show come to life. She was most recently seen as The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd with Ionia Community Theatre. 

Doug/Jay Bell:

Jay is from Mulliken and this is his first musical! He was in years of school choirs. He works for McDonalds in their manager training program. He is excited to take on this role of Doug because he says he was a geek in school as well.

Royal Page/Claire Reynolds:

Maurice/Aaron Swan:

Aaron was born and raised in Stanton but has also lived in Kentucky and Florida. He has done quite a few shows with Portland, the most recent being Murder on the Orient Express as Colonel Arbuthnot. He loves making videos and playing music. Aaron serves on the PCP Board as a trustee. Aaron would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting him and sticking around for him. 

Museum Guard/Leon Miller:

Leon was in several plays in high school at Pewamo Westphalia in the mid 70’s and several more with the Pewamo Westphailia Community Players in the late 70’s. He is retired from Meter Reading with TriCounty Electric. Has been in productions with Portland Civic Players since 2019. His last part was as Lt Branagan in Guys and Dolls.

Snow White/Candice Dilley:

Candice grew up attending the Portland Civic players summer theater program, and was so excited when her kids Ember and Xander were old enough to attend. Shout out to Summer theater directors Devann, Rachel, Rory, and Sara who are amazing at making the theater a magical place for so many kids. Some of her favorite theater moments have been being a tornado in Wizard of Oz, helping build the boat in Little Mermaid, and of course watching her kids on stage. She feels so lucky to have met so many theater friends over the years, and has loved watching all the “theater kids” grow up, even though they promised they wouldn’t- Peter Pan (1997 & 2016)

Coach/Sarah Jandernoa:

Sarah grew up in Pewamo MI. She has been in love with theater since freshman year of high school and has been involved in local theater ever since. This is her third theater production with Portland! Her favorite part of Descendants so far is all the fun and challenging choreography! Outside of theater she loves to spend time working out and playing with her dog.

Ensemble/Maddy Sharp:

This is Mady’s second production with PCP, her first being Gingy in Shrek. After a year away from the stage she is excited to be back after PCP re-sparked her love of theatre. She is very happy to share the stage once more with an amazing cast and crew.

Ensemble/Natalie Bengel:

Natalie is a junior at Pewamo-Westpahlia High School where she was recently seen as Catherine in The Great Gatsby. She has loved working with the cast of the Descendants and bringing energy to the stage with them. She has a pet bunny and loves to craft. Natalie is very excited for this show and other theater opportunities.

Ensemble/Peyton Heron:

Ensemble/Rana Tekinel:

Rana’s dream has always been to act, ever since she was little. This is her fifth show with PCP. She’s currently a junior at Michigan Connections Academy. She’s had an amazing time being a part of this show, she loves working with everyone. The cast is so nice and accepting, it’s truly been a wonderful experience! In her spare time, she enjoys playing games with her younger siblings. Special thank you to the cast, crew, and wonderful Antonius and Erin for this production.

Ensemble/Rachel Jandernoa:

Rachel is very excited to be in her first musical with PCP! She has acted and been in backstage crew at PW’s Middle/High school theater. When she is not in theater, Rachel enjoys music, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

CREW

Director/Erin Hoard:

Erin is an alum of the Summer Theater program and is making her directing debut with Descendants. She was the assistant director for Shrek in 2022 and has been involved in productions of 1776, Art of Dining, Addams Family, Guys and Dolls and Murder on the Orient Express. She is Vice-President of the Portland Civic Players Board of Directors, a full-time nursing instructor, a doctoral student working on her DNP and currently opening Scrappy Divas in Portland with two of her friends. She and her husband live in Carson City with their 2 dogs and cat.

Assistant Director/Antonius Watkins

Musial Directors/Jessica Cymbal

Music Director/Alex Port:

Alex is so happy to be returning in his second show with PCP! He grew up a huge fan of all the iconic, classic Disney villains and is very excited he gets to play one. Alex grew up in Ohio and studied music education at Miami University. He currently lives in Potterville with his wife Kate and his two cats, Jupiter and Nelson. He teaches 8-12 choir at Harper Creek Community Schools and works at Interlochen Arts Camp during the summers. Outside of work and rehearsals, Alex and his wife enjoy being vegan foodies, reading, solving escape rooms and murder mysteries and planning their next trip to Disney World.

Choreography/Emma Dassance

Choreography/Mary Green

Choreography/Alexa Juras

Choreography/Mahlea Maresh

Costumes/Shelly Pung

Costumes/Dawn Ward

Costumes/Ashley Morris

Costumes/Rose Mary Leik

Costumes/Pam Robinson

Lights/Garrett Ramsey

Sound/Jeremy Hoard:

Jeremy is originally from Carson City and came to our theater after his wife Erin (The Director) made her return to the stage. Jeremy has been our sound engineer since Shrek the Musical back in 2022. He has also been active with building sets for our productions.

Scenic Projections/ John Roy Vogl:

John Roy is a Portland native and began his theater career with the Summer Theater program three years ago. This will be his first time working with the Civic Players and also his first time with sound and projection.

Properties/Laurie Reeves:

Laurie has been involved with the Portland Civic Players since 2017. Previously, Laurie was involved in the Summer Theater program and participated in shows during her high school years. She found that she enjoyed the work behind the scenes, though she has been onstage. Her favorite show moment to date is the exploding bird in Shrek.

Properties/Kelly Frazee

Properties/Audrey Frazee

Make Up and Wigs/Lynette King

Set Design/Clay Ramsey

Set Construction/Clay Ramsey, Chad Teachout, Jeremy Hoard

Set Decoration/Erin Hoard, Mary Teachout, Laurie Reeves, Shelly Pung

Box Office/Laurie Thelen

Program/ Mary Teachout

Publicity/Gruner Graphics, LLC, Mary Teachout

Website/Joshua Snitgen

Special Thanks!

The Cast and Crew of Disney’s Descendants and the 

Portland Civic Players would like to thank the following individuals 

and organizations for their support throughout this production:

PFCU

Sierra Homes

Simon Insurance Agency

Duff, Chadwick and Assoc.

Fabricated Customs

Portland Community 

Orchestra

Gruner Graphics, LLC

Portland Family Dentistry

A very special thank you to the West Michigan Mustang Club for their donation of sound equipment including speaker, monitors and cords.  We greatly appreciate the generosity and hope you enjoy the new equipment during the show! 

Content and Effects Warning

Effects Warning:  This show contains fog and flashing lights.

Meet our Sponsors

The Portland Civic Players would like to say a special thank you to this season’s sponsors.  We could not provide what we do to the community without them.  Their sponsorship and support of the arts in our community is essential for us to continue to provide quality, affordable entertainment.

Would you like to be a sponsor for our season?  Check out all the details here!

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