Asbury Memorial Theatre has announced the cast for its 2018 spring production of “Plaza Suite,” which will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 2, 3, 9 and 10, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 4 and 11 at the Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 E. Henry Street, Savannah.  

“Plaza Suite,” directed by Dr. Ronnie Spilton, is composed of three acts, each involving different characters, but all set in Suite 719 of New York City’s Plaza Hotel. The first act, “Visitor from Mamaroneck,” is about an unhappy couple revisiting their honeymoon suite to rekindle the romance they had when they were young and in love, but ends in a heated argument as her husband’s alleged affair surfaces. The second act, “Visitor from Hollywood,” revolves around a meeting between a movie producer and his old flame. The suburban housewife believes it will be a casual chat between old friends, but the movie producer and his reputation as a smooth-talking ladies’ man sees it differently. The third and final act, “Visitor from Forest Hills,” is a frantic couple on their daughter’s wedding day trying to coax her from the bathroom she locked herself in, saying she doesn’t want to attend her own wedding. Luckily, this comedic tale ends in marriage.

Ann Robb is excited to play the role of Karen Nash in Act 1. Ann is a lifelong professional vocalist who moved to Savannah after she retired in 2010. She was the stage manager in 2013 for “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” directed by Dr. Ronnie Spilton. She has also appeared in “Dixie Swim Club,” Vera in “Stepping Out,” and Jessie Rose in “Good Help Is So Hard To Murder.”

Ed Wischmeyer, who will play the role of Sam Nash, has a Ph.D. in engineering from MIT and is currently retired from Gulfstream as an engineer, researching advanced concepts for jet cockpits. He has a background in musical theater, but this will be his first performance on stage in 35 years. He currently studies voice, sings in parish and compline choirs at Christ Church Anglican. Ed has lived in Savannah since 2011.

Donald Jarvis will return to perform at Asbury Theatre, but this time in his first AMT production as Waiter in Act 1. Don has been involved in the theater since elementary school in the 1970s and has never gotten out. He currently lives in Savannah with his wife Bonnie Terrell.

Catherine Erhardt is anticipating her performance of Jean McCormack. Theater has been a part of her entire life, having played the baby Jesus at 9 months old. She’s been involved in performances in North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, and now in Georgia. She spends her spare time watching movies, reading, and hanging out with her husband, Kelly, and their alley cat. 

Patrick Prokop is pleased to play the role of Bellhop as he joins Asbury Theatre once again. Pat has been in several previous AMT productions, such as Simon Stimson in “Our Town,” and is excited to be under the direction of Dr. Ronnie Spilton once again. He enjoys singing in ensembles in musicals and has participated in several musical productions, “Pirates of Penzance,” “The Mikado,” as well as the ensemble for “Barnum” and “Cotton Patch Gospel.” Pat is an active AMT board member and their web master.

Kelley Gray is excited to play Muriel Tate in her first production with Asbury Memorial Theater. She has performed in Savannah and the Low Country since moving here in 2009. As a student of improv, she is excited to be working under the direction of Dr. Ronnie Spilton.

Ray Ellis, who will play the role of Jesse Kiplinger, has been active in the theater scene in Savannah for over 30 years. He has participated in several AMT performances, such as “H.M.S. Pinafore” (2016), “The 39 Steps” (2015), “Barnum” (2015), and “Cotton Patch Gospel” (2014). He is excited to be in this production of “Plaza Suite.” Besides being active on the stage at AMT, he is also very active off stage as an AMT board member.

Cheri Hester, is excited to be back at Asbury Theater playing the role of Norma Hubley. She has been performing since she was 10 years old, with her last performance being at Asbury Theatre as M’Lynne in “Steel Magnolias.” After graduating from Northwester University with a degree in theatre, she moved to NYC for 10 years where she performed on and off Broadway and met her husband, actor-turned-minister, Billy Hester. Cheri continues to be an active AMT board member.

Les Taylor is pleased to return to AMT as Roy Hubley. Les is retired from Gulfstream as a data manager and manufacturing engineer. He has done theatre, opera, light opera, and musical theatre for over 50 years. Most recently, he has been a part of AMT’s productions of “The Mikado” (2011), “H.M.S. Pinafore” (2016), “God’s Favorite” (2012), and “Our Town” (2013). Les is also actively involved with the Savannah Children’s Theatre and has appeared most recently in their production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Rachel Veazey, stage manager, is an AMT board member. Having been involved in theatre since high school, her favorite roles include, assistant stage manager in AMT’s production of “Steel Magnolias,” Jennie Mae in “The Diviners,” and Maud in “The Music Man.”

Dr. Ronnie Spilton is the director for AMT’s 2018 spring performance of “Plaza Suite.” She has been a part of the theatre community for over 50 years as an actor, teacher, and director. This will be her third production for AMT, as she previously directed “God’s Favorite” (2012), and “Our Town” (2013). She holds a M.A. in Latin from Emory University and a Ph.D. in Communicative Arts from Georgia State University. After 31 years as an educator and high school administrator, she retired from Fulton Co. in Atlanta.  

“We are grateful that Asbury Memorial Church has a theatre to hold magnificent performances, such as this one,” said Asbury Memorial UMC, Rev. Billy Hester. “We are looking forward to another pleasing performance with extraordinary talent again this year.”

Tickets for this production cost $15 each and are available online at www.asburymemorial.org/theatre or at the door.