The Festival Announces the Cast of The Greenshow

The Festival is pleased to announce this year’s cast of The Greenshow. As a beloved part of the Festival Experience, The Greenshow features performers who sing, dance, tell stories, and interact with the audience during this free 30-minute, family-friendly pre-show on the outdoor Greenshow stage. 

Written and directed by Britannia Howe, it plays every night, Monday through Saturday, from June 16 through September 6, and rotates between three lively themes. Additionally, on July 18 and August 2, The Greenshow will feature music, stories, and cultural dance by the Paiute Tribe of Utah.

“This summer, I’m really excited that The Greenshow lawn will come alive again with these bold and entertaining nights under the open sky!” says Howe. “The Highland Games are storming The Greenshow with bagpipes, brawny feats of strength, flying sheep, and tug-o-war. Then, Mariners Greenshow docks with sea shanties, sirens, sailor antics, and a hilariously reimagined Roman tragedy aboard a ship-shaped stage. Finally, Mountain Wilderness Greenshow offers a love letter to the American West—filled with folk songs, audience line dances, soaring parachutes, and the magic of falling in love for the first time beneath a big, endless sky. I’m excited to begin working with this talented cast and our design team’s incredible concepts. Please join us for music and mischief.”

This design team includes Scenic Designer Ben Hohman, Costume Designer Diana Girtain, Music Directors Brandon Grayson and Andrew Flasch, Voice/Speech/Text Coach Jeremy Sortore, Choreographer Trey Plutnicki, Fight/Intimacy Director Jason Spelbring, and Stage Manager Grace Porter.  

The cast features nearly all new-to-the Festival actors:

Zac Barnaby is returning, as a Featured Performer in The Greenshow. Last season, he made his debut as Lord/Mariner/Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale and a Featured Performer in The Greenshow. Other credits include Jason in Falsettos, Snoopy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Ricky Potts in Ride the Cyclone, and more at Southern Utah University where he is currently studying for a BFA in musical theatre. 

Taya Christiansen is new this season and will be seen as a Featured Performer in The Greenshow. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater at Southern Utah University and has performed in Ride the Cyclone, The Wolves, and Sweet Charity. She is appearing courtesy of the SUU Fellowship Program, a partnership program between the Festival and SUU.

Austin Fronk is debuting this summer, as a Featured Performer in The Greenshow. At Southern Utah University, he played Jason in Medea, Lucius in Julius Caesar, McCluskey in Roe, and Chip Tolentino in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee while studying for a BFA in Musical Theatre. He also received Improv Actor of the Year from Ridgeline Theatre Society and is appearing courtesy of the SUU Fellowship Program.

Pixie Isabel Merkley is making her debut at the Festival as a Featured Performer in The Greenshow. She is currently pursuing her BA in Theatre Arts from Southern Utah University where she has performed in The Secret Garden and The Wolves, as well as in Annie with St. George Musical Theatre. She is appearing courtesy of the SUU Fellowship Program.

AJ Newbury is new to the Festival and will appear as a Featured Performer in The Greenshow.. As a student at Southern Utah University, he has played Oscar in Sweet Charity, Mischa in Ride the Cyclone, and Tuzenbach in Three Sisters. He also performed at Village Theatre SIP as Jimmy Ray in Bright Star, received Outstanding Leading Actor by 5th Ave Awards, and is appearing courtesy of the SUU Fellowship Program.

Mikki Pagdonsolan is debuting at the Festivalas a Featured Performer in The Greenshow. She has performed at Nocturne Theatre, Musical Theatre West, CSU Fullerton, and more. Other credits include performing with Filipino American Symphony Orchestra and being a chorus member for Do You Hear the People Sing? Music of Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and More at the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic. She has a BM in vocal performance and BA in business administration from CSU Fullerton. 

The Festival’s 64th season begins June 16 and runs through October 4. Get your tickets today at bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.