Father Of The Bride Cast | Drury Lane Theatre

BIOGRAPHY

JOE DEMPSEY (Stanley Banks) returns to DLO where he previously performed in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Chicago Theatre: The First Lady of Television at Northlight, Judgment Day at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Paramount, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Court, Remy Bumppo, Theatre Wit. Regional Theatre: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Centerstage (Baltimore), City Theatre (Pittsburgh). TV: Chicago PD, Somebody, Somewhere, Chicago Fire, Early Edition, E.R. Joe is an alum of the Neo-Futurists, American Blues Theater, and The Second City National Touring Company and a proud member of the Actors’ Equity and SAG/AFTRA unions. Thx, Michael!

BIOGRAPHY

RACHEL SULLIVAN (Ellie Banks) is thrilled to be making her Drury Lane debut with “Father of the Bride.” Other Chicago credits include: Ideation (Jackalope Theater, Jeff Nom. Best Play & Ensemble) Dada Woof Papa Hot (Theater Wit/About Face). TV: “Chicago Fire,” “The Chi,” “Justified: City Primeval.” Film: The Manifestation, Soul Sessions and Bird of Prey. Rachel is beyond grateful for her three beautiful children, her amazing mother, and her partner in crime and life, Taylor. I could not be who I am today without all of you. Rachel raises a glass to Diane Keaton’s memory.

BIOGRAPHY

AURORA PENEPACKER (Kay Banks) is elated to return to Drury Lane! Previously appearing in A Christmas Carol (Martha) and The King and I (Ensemble/Tuptim understudy), other credits include Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Jeff nomination) at Writer’s Theatre, Amélie (Jeff nomination) at Kokandy Productions, and Seagulls at Oak Park Festival Theatre, where she will return this summer as Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest! Aurora graduated with a BFA from CCPA at RU and is represented by Stewart Talent. Rory is a Filipina-American actor, singer, and writer based in Chicago. Love and thanks to her entire beloved family!

BIOGRAPHY

KYLE RINGLEY (Ben Banks, u/s Buckley Dunstan) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut! Other Chicago credits: Holiday (Goodman Theatre) Kyle is a recent graduate of the MFA acting program at Northwestern University where he was seen in Museum, The Oregon Trail, and No Exit. TV/Film: Chicago Fire (NBC). Love to everyone who has been with me on this journey!

BIOGRAPHY

CHARLIE LONG (Tommy Banks) Drury Lane debut! Chicago area theatre credits include Falsettos (Court/Timeline), Fun Home (Porchlight), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Billy Elliot, School of Rock, The Sound of Music (Paramount), and The Music Man, Finding Nemo (Marriott Theatre). Charlie also plays the piano and french horn and is a proud member of the State Champion Marching Tigers. Additional recognitions: Marquee Sports Network Chicago Cubs Jr. Broadcaster 2025, Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award, ACDA National Honor Choir. Many thanks to his teachers, coaches, friends, family, the Father of the Bride team, and Paonessa Talent Agency! @Charlie_Long_Official

BIOGRAPHY

JAKE DIMAGGIO LOPEZ (Buckley Dunstan) is thrilled to make his return to the Drury Lane stage ! Prior credits include: Grease(Drury Lane Theatre) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil(Goodman Theatre) Dear Evan Hansen, Cats, Disney’s Frozen, Next to Normal, White Christmas, The Sound of Music(The Paramount Theatre Aurora) Jake received his BFA from Coastal Carolina University and is represented by Stewart Talent. For Emma and Family always.

(jake_dimaggio_)

BIOGRAPHY

ARCHER GEYE (Buzz Taylor, u/s Tommy Banks & Pete) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane Theatre debut! Recent credits include The Shape of the Bones (The New Theatre Project at Theatre Wit); Billy Elliot (Paramount Theatre); Big Fish and The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre); A Christmas Carol and Ragtime (Metropolis Performing Arts Center); and Junior Claus and Snow White: An Original Musical (Citadel Theatre). Archer would like to thank the creative team, his agents at Talent X Alexander, and his voice instructor, Kimberly Scott. Special thanks to his family and friends for their endless support. @archergeyeofficia

MAYA HLAVA (Peggy Swift) is thrilled to be returning to Drury Lane. She was previously seen in Little Mermaid, Christmas Carol, Shrek, White Christmas and Bye Bye Birdie. Additional Chicago credits include, Come Back Little Sheba, Things With Friends (American Blues Theater); Prayer for the French Republic (Northlight Theatre); The Penelopiad (Goodman Theatre); Happy Days Are Here (Again) and Zurich (Steep Theatre); The Best Damn Thing (The Understudy Cafe); Dory Fantasmagory and Last Stop On Marketplace (YPPT/Greenhouse Theater); Spring Awakening (Porchlight Theater); Act 5, The Killing Game and The Nether (A Red Orchid Theatre); Oklahoma (Marriott Theatre); Violet (Griffin Theater); Trevor (Writers Theatre); The Secret Garden (Court Theatre); The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre); Film and Television Credits include Will Trent, The Perpetrator, Chicago Med, The Chi, and The Big Leap. Maya is represented by Stewart Talent

BIOGRAPHY

MICHELE VAZAQUEZ (Miss Bellamy, u/s Ellie Banks & Mrs. Pulitzki) is an actor, director, and teaching artist based in the Chicago area. She has appeared Off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre and The Pearl Theatre Company, and performed nationally with The Old Globe, Arena Stage, A.C.T., Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Aquila Theatre, and Goodman Theatre, as well as internationally at the International Shakespeare Festival in Neuss, Germany. Her television credits include Emperor of Ocean Park, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and As the World Turns. Michele holds an MFA from The Old Globe/University of San Diego and a BFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She’s a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

BIOGRAPHY

ED KROSS (Mr. Missoula, u/s Stanley Banks) was last seen at Drury Lane in Hazel. Other credits include Little Shop Of Horrors and 1776 (Marriott Theatre), Fiddler On The Roof and West Side Story (Lyric Opera), The Jungle Book and Animal Crackers (The Goodman), Sister Act and Shear Madness (Mercury Theater), I Love Lucy (Broadway Playhouse), as well as productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northlight, Peninsula Players, and Second City Theatricals. On camera he’s appeared in over 75 commercials, had guest roles on “Chicago Med,” “Fargo,” “Patriot,” “Chicago Fire,” “Sirens,” “Boss,” and shares one-on-one scenes with Tom Hanks in Road To Perdition and George Clooney in Ocean’s 12. Ed is a 28-year ensemble member of American Blues Theater.

BIOGRAPHY

MITCHELL J. FAIN (Joe, u/s Mr. Missoula) has been a working actor/director/storyteller in Chicago for 30+ years. He has previously worked at Timeline, Northlight; Marriott, Lookingglass; The Second City, Chicago Shakespeare, The Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, LaJolla Playhouse, Theater Wit, The Midnight Circus; and many others. Most recently he appeared in the Time Line Theater\Broadway-in-Chicago co-production of “The Lehman Trilogy” (Jeff Award winner for supporting performance); and as proud member of the #GrelleyDuvallUniverse, he appeared in “StepMom; At the Old Ethan Allen Space” at Steppenwolf. Love to Xtopher.

BIOGRAPHY

JEANNIE AFFELDER (Mrs. Pulitzki, u/s Miss Bellamy & Tim’s Gal) is thrilled to make her Drury Lane debut. She has been on stage at many Chicago-area theatres: Steppenwolf, Writers, TimeLine, First Folio, New Theatre Project, Eclipse, and Theatre at the Center, and she originated roles in The Good Times Are Killing Me (City Lit) and To Master the Art (TimeLine). Jeannie played the title role in the critically acclaimed production of Dear Elizabeth directed by Joann Green Breuer at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. She’s been on Somebody Somewhere, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and The Onion. She thanks Gray Talent Group and her family, always. jeannieaffelder.com

BIOGRAPHY

DEMITRI MAGAS (Red, u/s Ben Banks & Joe) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane! Demitri is a graduate from Millikin University’s 2024 BFA Acting class and made his first Chicago theatre debut in 2023 as Robert in Jeff and Shelly (Theatre Wit). Last winter, Demitri worked as an understudy for Drury Lane’s A Christmas Carol and is a member of The Conspirators (a Chicago neo-commedia dell’Arte troupe) and has appeared in Chicago Cop Macbeth, Ayn Rand’s It’s A Wonderful Life, and Commedia Divina: It’s Worse Than That (Otherworld Theatre). Demitri sends his appreciation to the cast/ crew and his incredible agents at Talent X Alexander. demitrimagas.com

BIOGRAPHY

BRADEN CROTHERS (Pete, u/s Buzz Taylor & Red) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane, where he was previously seen as Louis in The King and I and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. Regional credits include Scut Farkus in A Christmas Story (Marriott Theatre) and Peter Cratchit/Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep). A junior in high school, Braden has also appeared as Bruce in Matilda, Sky in Mamma Mia!, and most recently as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid at his school. Television and film credits include Chicago P.D. (NBC) and Saint Francis (dir. Alex Thompson). Much love and gratitude to God, his family and friends, and to DDO, Encore, Steps, ATC, Phil, Denise, and Matt.

BIOGRAPHY

ABBY ROSE MERRILL (Tim’s Gal, u/s Kay Banks & Peggy Swift) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane! Favorite regional credits include Grease at Drury Lane; Nunsense at The New Theater; and the Alice Bliss workshop at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley directed by Mark Brokaw. Abby has also appeared on Netflix’s House of Cards and NBC’s Chicago Med. She is a graduate of Stanford University and represented by Stewart Talent. Love to her family and friends!

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