All performances of OLLI Abroad! are completed.
Thank you to our show sponsors and all who joined us for this musical voyage!
All Aboard for OLLI Abroad!
On November 1–5, audiences will find their hearts warming to tunes like “Someone to Watch Over Me”, and their toes tapping to the likes of “Fascinating Rhythm”, plus many more!
The ninety-minute show sets sail with intrepid OLLI cast members boarding the S.S. Socrates to take classes, have fun, and broaden their horizons. What follows is a bit of everything—shipboard entertainment, a double love story, and intrigue, as nefarious billionaire Ronald Bedminster plots a hostile takeover of OLLI. Fortunately, the day is saved and no one, including OLLI, is lost at sea.
We hope you join us for the fun! OLLI Abroad! is a fundraising opportunity that offers you a wonderful evening of theater, community, and a great way to support OLLI at SOU.
Time and show information
- Wednesday, November 1, and Friday, November 3. 6:00pm. General Admission $35. Enjoy something sweet and conversation with the cast following the show.
- Thursday, November 2, and Saturday, November 4. 6:00pm. Pre-cruise party with fine wine and finger foods hosted by ship’s Captain Kirk and cruise director Hannah Funsky begins at 5pm. General Admission $50. Enjoy something sweet and conversation with the cast following the show.
- Sunday matinee. November 5. 2pm PDT. Following the show, closing celebration party. Join the cast for wine, finger foods, and cake. General Admission $50.
Terrific Raffle Drawings – Two drawings every night
Two raffle tickets are drawn after every show. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets $5. There are two prizes: OLLI’s Got Talent and the Just for the Fun of It gift basket.
OLLI’S Got Talent: Imagine an hour with an OLLI member who has expertise in something that interests you. The winner selects one name from a list of professionals and enthusiasts from many fields like the arts and crafts, theatre, film, photography, music, winemaking, woodworking, writing, horticulture, health-related fields, and more. Value: Priceless.
Just for the Fun of it: A terrific gift basket packed with gift certificates from the Valley’s finest theatres, wineries, restaurants, merchants, plus bottles of wine from local vineyards. Value: $500.
Seating
- Seating: All seating is general admission. First come-First seated.
- Doors open one hour before the show. Seating begins 30 minutes before the show.
Location
This event was held at the Ashland Bellview Grange, 1050 Tolman Creek Road, Ashland from November 1 – 5, 2023.
CAST of CHARACTERS
Jackie Bachman (Frannie)
Raised in the cornfields of Nebraska, Frannie used a whistle and her stern attitude to focus her 8 younger siblings on their chores. Today Frannie uses those same “take charge” skills to proudly direct the OLLI Gotta Dance and Sing Choir.
Kim Compeau (Coco)
grew up in horse country in the hills of La Canada, CA. She was a forensic accountant after 15 years as a dancer with Alvin Ailey dance company. She’s elated to be counting steps once again instead of assets and liabilities on the S.S. Socrates.
Teri Coppedge (Cody)
An only child, Cody always loved reading and sailing her small boat on Puget Sound. After joining a community theater group, she became a successful author of 19 romance novels, most with a nautical setting. This is her first cruise.
Mary Conn-Fitch (Dot)
Dot hails from Lake Placid where she took ballet lessons in the Olympic Arena. With an MFA in Theatre she went on to win numerous Best Supporting Actress as a Waitress Awards. She survives on Powerball winnings and cocktails.
John Ferris (John Ferris)
John has enjoyed all the presidential hats he has worn for OLLI…President-In-Training, President, and President Emeritus, but he fears the ones he’s wearing for OLLI ABROAD may give him a big head.
Dan Fowler (Don Flower)
Captain Kirk’s old Navy “buddy” is really an old rival. The only reason he’s singing on this tub is to pay off a gambling debt owed to the Captain. Once it is paid off, he’ll be the first man overboard!
Mark Goodman-Morris (Harry Shortbread)
One of 10 children, Harry hails from Scranton, PA. While his brothers were busy pitching baseballs, Harry was buckling on his tap shoes. Today Harry is the proud choreographer of the S.S. Socrate’s musical, “Oh You, OLLI”.
Kim Knoll (Soozie Berries)
Soozie dreamed of Broadway, but had trouble carrying a tune. Being practical, she decided to give her Dairy Queen job a new spin. There she met Harry Shortcake. After 45 years together, she is ready to be married.
Laura Kramer (Vinny Hench)
Vinny got ta know about da bucks. Born in da Bronx, one a six kids, Vinny learned young to strongarm for da guys wit gold. Bedminster pays real good so Vinny can send money home to his Mom.
Kate Manbert (Hannah Funsky)
Raised in San Diego, CA, Hannah is excited to join the S.S. Socrates team as Cruise Director and share her love of ships, entertainment, and ocean life (she’s also a Marine Biology nerd).
Laurie H. Morgan (Sally Stinson)
Fifty years ago, Sally put her Broadway dreams–along with her love life–on hold to care for a parent. Now, Sally gets to be a lot less responsible, and have a ton more fun, as she dives into the deep end to see if she’s still “got it!”
Colleen Patrick-Riley (Alice)
Born in Noname, Colorado, she clerked at Nutsville Emporium, selling bolt nuts and popcorn. An only child single to this day, her life’s highlight was being second voice for the Chatty Cathy doll. She loves making paper beetles and traveling.
Judith Griggs Peterson (Victoria and Chipotle Wendell)
Victoria grew up in a very theatrical family and always knew she wanted to be a singer. She never had a brother and always wondered what it would be like to have one or be one, so she is excited to also play Wendell, her alter ego.
John Pratt (Ronald Bedminster)
Born in Kenya, Bedminster didn’t want to follow his father’s preacher business, so he moved to Chicago and got rich smuggling and selling dope. Mitch and Vinny are helping him restart the fortune he lost in cryptocurrency.
Lynn Roberts (Barb)
Barb dreamed of being a dancer and practiced fancy steps walking to school in the snow, barefoot, uphill both ways. In OLLI Abroad her dreams have come true, and she finally got some shoes.
Barbara Richard (Mitch Dombrink)
Mitch is from da lower east side. He spent his teens flirtin’ wid floozies, however he remains a bach-e-lor to dis day. He’s most proud o’ his 8th grade report card wherein he forged straight A’s.
Ron Robbins (Tom Stafford)
Tom was born and raised in Manhattan. Early interest in theater led to Music and Art High School and Yale University. Directing credits include on and off-Broadway productions, including USO shows and cruise lines. Smile people, smile.
Kim Rosmaier (Smoochie)
Smoochie grew up in Brooklyn NY. She worked in the family bar while going to NYU where she received her BA in Business Management and a minor in Theatre Arts. She is a concierge for a renowned hotel in NY.
Jack Seybold (Captain Kirk James)
Widowed, and retired from the U.S. Navy, he is in his third year as captain of a luxury liner, the S.S. Socrates. Kirk grew up in arid Bakersfield, California, and is capable and publicly outgoing, although privately somewhat reserved.
Sarah Seybold (Heidi)
Born in County Mayo, Ireland, eight-year-old Heidi joined her two sisters, as contestants on Hollywood Opportunity, a 1950s TV talent show. They sang acapella and tap-danced to “McNamara’s Band.” Come back in six months, they were told.
Alice Taylor. (Bobbie)
Bobbie doesn’t understand why this play needs forty-word bibliographies. Still, the most important books in her life have been: Austin, Jane. Persuasion. Carnegie, Dale. How to Make Friends and Influence People. Robert, Henry Martin. Roberts Rules of ORDER.
Betty Kay Taylor (Ellie)
Ellie was raised on a small farm where her best friends were the cows who never found her “slow”, and the goats who taught her dancing. She is thrilled to make her late-in-life stage debut on an actual stage.
Bonnie Vandver (Twink/Millie)
Twins separated at birth, Twink is from Cleveland and inordinately proud of her career peak as cruise drink server. Millie was raised in Silicon Valley and she’s been ever so helpful providing technological advice to Frannie.
Cheryl Goodman-Morris (Director)
Cheryl Goodman-Morris was the Artistic Director of the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory, a Bay Area company she founded in 1994. A director of plays and musicals for over 40 years, her great passion is in working with community theater actors to produce works of hope, joy, and transformation.
