Special Thanks to the Historic Sappington House
None of any of this would have been possible without the mind-blowing hospitality of the Historic Sappington House and the tireless work of site manager Sally Cakouros. The Historic Sappington House site contains the Thomas Sappington House Museum, a house built in 1808 by Thomas Sappington. Like Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner, which is set in a new house built likely in St. Louis in the 1840’s, this museum displays what life was like for families expanding west after the birth of our nation. Just like Mother Bayard could “remember crossing the Mississippi in a new-made raft,” so also historical records of Thomas’s father, John Sappington, tell of when he crossed the Mississippi in a new raft. The Sappington House Museum is a cultural bulwark for Crestwood and St. Louis. In 2026, they are completing their biggest expansion ever, bringing over the restored 1816 Joseph Sappington House onto the Museum site. You can support this amazing work through donation at https://www.historicsappingtonhouses.org/donate
CAST
The Long Christmas Dinner
Haley is excited to be making her Bread and Wine debut. She received her B.A. in Theatre at Missouri Baptist University and has since been immersing herself in writing, performing, and backstage work. She has recently been seen in the MASC production of Jekyll and Hyde (Ensemble), and operated lights for Union Avenue Opera’s Josephine and Pagliacci. She hopes you enjoy The Long Christmas Dinner. Happy Holidays!
Haley Clegg - Lucia I & Lucia II
Adam is an actor and musician from St. Louis, Missouri, whose work spans both stage and screen. A dynamic performer, he has brought his talents to venues ranging from the Music at the Intersection festival to .ZACK, captivating audiences with his versatility and presence. On film, Adam has appeared in multiple short film projects with Krondelee Productions, and he will soon take the stage with Bread & Wine Theatre Co. in his latest role. Beyond acting, he is an accomplished musician, currently crafting his next album—blending storytelling and sound with the same passion he brings to his theatrical work. Whether delivering a line or writing a lyric, Adam is driven by a deep commitment to producing the best work possible.
Adam Usry - Roderick I & Sam
Bo Hanley - Mother Bayard; Cousin Ermengarde
Bo Hanley is excited to be in her first ever play. In high school and college she sang and did sports so she never got to act. Her degrees were in science and pharmacy and she retired from a Midwest Director of Pharmacy for Sam's Club position to care for a dying family member. She had many years business experience at a high level and garnered top pharmacy awards year after year. She served as President of the Board for St Louis Children's Choir and raised funding for the choir to go to Japan. She also worked with the St Louis Ballet Company in collaboration with the St Louis Symphony. Currently Bo is happy to serve on Bread and Wine's advisory board and to get to meet and work with some very talented actors!
Nicholas Urbanowicz - Cousin Brandon & Roderick II
Nick is so excited to return to Bread and Wine Theatre Company for The Long Christmas Dinner. His acting credits in 2025 include Chris in The Time of My Life with Bread and Wine, Tad in First Person Shooter with VPCT as part of the St. Louis Fringe Festival, and Hamlet in Hamlet Abridged as part of St Louis Shakespeare Festival's Teen Green Show. Nick is not shy when it comes to musicals and has been in Violet (Overdue Theatre), Xanadu (Hancock Place High), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Hancock Place High). Being an actor has been his dream ever since a young lad. The stage is Nick’s canvas and he is the paint.
Pietro is making his return to the stage after a 20-year hiatus, marking his St. Louis-area debut. Recently relocated from Utah, Pietro brings over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, having worked on stage, as well as in front of and behind the camera. A graduate of Full Sail University, his credits include creating the award-winning streaming series “Proper Manors,” appearing in HBO’s “Mosaic,” and serving as a producer for Amazon’s “Mistletoe Mixup.” Pietro's passions include producing, development, and collaborating with like-minded individuals to make a positive difference through their work.
Pietro D’Alessio - Charles
Laura is pleased to be a part of The Long Christmas Dinner. Happy Holidays everyone. Laura is currently in her 4th decade of singing and “treading the boards” with several theatrical companies in St. Louis. She recently performed a one-woman cabaret at the Blue Strawberry in the Central West End, featuring the songbook of Judy Garland. Laura received a St. Louis Theater Circle Award and a "Judy" Award for Angels In America with Stray Dog Theatre, and a Circle Outstanding Ensemble Award for Stray Dog's Ragtime, She also received an Arts for Life Ensemble award for A New Brain with Hawthorne Players. Favorite roles include Mrs. Meers (Thoroughly Modern Milly, Kirkwood Theatre Guild), Mame (Mame, Affton Centerstage), Rose (Gypsy, KTK), Carmen Bernstein (Curtains, Kirkwood Theatre Guild), Homeless Woman (A New Brain, Hawthorne Players), and Emma Goldman (Ragtime, Stray Dog Theatre). Love to Caesar, Akka, Breezy, and new addition, Aeriel.
Laura Kyro - Genevieve
Tara Laurel is excited to be making her STL theatre debut at Bread & Wine Theatre Company! New to the area, she graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) in May 2025 with a BA in Comm/Theatre. Tara has been in the theatre industry since 2016, having participated on and offstage in productions at New Horizon Community Theatre, Southern Union State Community College, Wadley Community Theatre, Opelika Theatre Company, Theatre AUM, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. In May 2025 she won a Distinguished Stage Management Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival at the National level for her work as the stage manager of AUM's production of RED by John Logan. Her favorite role she has performed is also her favorite literary character of all time, Jane Eyre. Outside of theatre, Tara creates homemade soy wax candles, lip balms, and crocheted items for her small business, Sophia Marie Candle Co, which can be found on Etsy and on social media at @sophiamariecandleco
Tara Laurel - Leonara
Since she was little, Abby has been known as a storyteller, a creative mind, or a "dramatic child." From acting out little skits wither her dolls to performing in high school plays, acting has always been one of her passions. There is something magical about being able to transform from the quiet girl in school everyone knows to some charismatic and eccentric character! Some of Abby's favorite roles include Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (Hancock Place High), Carl Dad in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling be (Hancock Place High), and of course Glory in Almost Maine (Hancock Place High), where she met her spectacular boyfriend, Nick! She is extremely grateful to be a part of Bread and Wine's Christmas Play Festival and is so excited to work with new people and make some new friends!
Abby Robinson - Nurse
Baked Alaska & The Last Mall Santa
Riley is thrilled to be making her professional theatre debut, originating the role of Hope in The Last Mall Santa. She is a fifth grader at Holy Infant School in Ballwin. She is part of the choir and was Slue-Foot Sue in her class production of Pecos Bill. This past spring, Riley perfected the role of Bill Gilbreth in Valley Park Community Theatre‘s first performance, Cheaper by the Dozen! Riley also plays a lot of sports like softball, basketball, volleyball, and swim team. She is currently competing on a gymnastics team for the third year. She's so excited to share this special experience with you!
Riley Schelembauer - Hope
Jordan Matt-Zeitler is a dynamic theatre director, producer, and actor known for bold storytelling, visual innovation, and a deep commitment to character-driven work. With a passion for blending classic and contemporary forms, Jordan’s productions often explore the intersections of psychology, identity, and human resilience. His directing style is marked by a cinematic eye for staging, emotional precision, and a collaborative spirit that empowers artists both on and off stage. As a producer, Jordan has championed new and emerging voices, curating projects that challenge conventions and expand the possibilities of live performance. Whether developing original works or reimagining established plays, Jordan approaches each production as both an artistic exploration and a shared human experience. On stage, Jordan brings the same dedication and authenticity that define his directing—inhabiting roles with nuance, empathy, and a fearless sense of truth.Driven by the belief that theatre can transform audiences and communities alike, Jordan continues to create work that provokes conversation, evokes emotion, and inspires connection. His creative mission: to make theatre that doesn’t just entertain, but awakens.
Jordan Matt-Zeitler - Clementine; Pete
Connor Malone is excited to return to the stage for the first time since high school, making his Bread and Wine Theatre Company debut in Baked Alaska. He previously appeared in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and The Pajama Game during high school. He has studied theatre at Missouri State University where he was a member of the Missouri State Improv team. Offstage, Connor works as a bookseller. He thanks his friends and family for their support.
Connor Malone - Virgil
Hannah Lindsey’s recent roles include Meg Magrath in Crimes of the Heart with Monroe Actors Stage Company, Molly in Peter in the Star Catcher with Act Two Theatre which won the Theatre MASC Award for which Outstanding Large Ensemble and for which she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress, Jane Fairfax in Emma: A Novel by a Lady for which she was nominated for the Theatre MASC award for Outstanding Supporting Actress,
Hannah Lindsey - Freida
John Emery is thrilled to be a part of this year's Short Play Festival and to share the stage with such a talented ensemble of artist. His previous roles include Hannibal in The Curious Savage, Doc Porter in Crimes of the Heart, and Max in The Play That Goes Wrong—a role that earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Theatre Mask Awards in 2025. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Missouri State University, where he honed his craft and developed a deep love for collaborative storytelling. He is endlessly grateful to his friends, family, and his brilliantly talented partner, Hannah, for their unwavering support and inspiration. Enjoy the show! Thank you for supporting live theatre!
John Emery - Jeb
Cast of The Gift of the Magi & Bosco’s Xmas
Michael is excited to bring to life this beloved story, but also to join Bread and Wine Co. short play festival! He has performed all over the US in New York, Boston, and different states in the Midwest. He was last seen on stage for the Lend Me Your Ear production of Nicholas Nickelby. His favorite roles include Player 1 - Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe (Stray Dog Theatre), Ferdinand/Caliban - The Tempest (Missouri Baptist University), Lord Capulet - Romeo and Juliet (Commonwealth Shakespeare Company), Dennis - The Play That Goes Wrong (Paul Bunyan Playhouse) and Actor 5 - All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (Missouri Baptist University). You might also recognize him as the playwright of The Last Mall Santa which is making its world wide premiere as part of this Christmas Short Play Festival! He has multiple other written plays (including co-writing the script for the first production of The Time of My Life) and done technical theatre all around St. Louis. He hopes you enjoy The Gift of the Magi!
Michael Cox - Jim & Bosco
Livy Potthoff graduated from Saint Mary’s University of MN with a B.A. in theatre, emphasis in Acting and Directing. Some of Livy’s stage experiences include: Jenna in Colder Than Here (Albion Theatre), Charity in Anything Goes (Kirkwood Theatre Guild), Bobchinksy in The Government Inspector (Saint Mary's University London), Josephine in Big Fish (Center Stage), and ensemble in Girls Like That (Saint Mary's University of MN). Livy is excited to be with Bread and Wine Theatre Company for the first time! Enjoy and thank you for supporting the Arts!
Livy - Della
Bruce Jehling - Mr. Crockety; Mr. Mayer
Bruce is happy to make his return to the St. Louis area stage after performing Valley Park Community Theatre's debut production of Cheaper By the Dozen. Thanks to Mom and Dad for fostering my love of theatre. Miss you Mom.
Abby Robinson as Madame Sofronie
Crew
Travis Pfeifer - Director, The Gift of the Magi & Bosco’s Xmas
Travis is thrilled to once again be working with Bread and Wine Theatre Company. He was last seen on Stage as Actor 1 in The Time of My Life. Travis has been a St. Louis artist for over 2 decades, appearing on Stage, Movies, Commercials, and in many independent videos. He serves as the Artistic Director of Maryland Heights Theater. Whether it has been performing as The Man in the Chair in Act Two's The Drowsy Chaperone or in directing Unplugged with Maryland Heights Theater, Travis has always brought passion and energy to all of his endeavors. Travis also loves storytelling and analysis of games and music. He is always grateful to those that support the arts.
Chandler Spradling - Director, The Last Mall Santa & Baked Alaska
Chandler is thrilled to be collaborating with Bread and Wine Theatre. Chandler is a graduate of the Missouri State University Theatre program with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Studies. He completed his Master of Arts in Theatre at Fontbonne University and has lent his abilities to theatre organizations and events across St. Louis, including Act 2 Theatre, Confluence New Play Festival, MCCA, Silouettes Theatre Company, and Mustard Seed Theatre. He has most recently directed Once Upon a Mattress at Act 2 Theatre, which was nominated for 5 BPA awards, including 'Outstanding Small Ensemble Musical Production." Chandler has been performing, writing, directing, and producing theatre for the last 15 years and is excited to bring his experience to Bread and Wine Theatre Company’s Christmas Short Play Festival.
Owen Brown - Producer; Director, The Long Christmas Dinner
Owen is the artistic director of Bread and Wine Theatre Company. He is the author of the first comparative analysis of the playscript of Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner and Wilder’s libretto for its opera adaptation. He remains heavily involved with The Thornton Wilder Society and hopes to continue publishing for the Thornton Wilder Journal. He has produced two full-length productions and over fifteen different table reads. This summer, he made his directorial debut alongside Lisa Pearson with First Person Shooter taking home Drama of the Year in the St. Louis Fringe Festival. His playscripts include The Long Christmas Dinner, Jefferson’s Notes on the Murder of Logan’s Family, and Injured? CALL!.
Lisa Pearson - Stage Manager, Entire Festival
Lisa fell in love with the theater in high school, where she took part in multiple productions & even continued to help put on shows after she graduated. In college, Lisa continued to fuel her passion by studying theater tech design & running the drama club. Both of which contributed to her earning the director's award for outstanding achievement two years in a row. Now, after a nearly 20 year hiatus, Lisa has come back to the theatre as part of the newly formed Valley Park Community Theatre. And in just one short year, Lisa has acted in & directed two productions (Cheaper By the Dozen and First Person Shooter), as well as directed & stage managed another (Misery). First Person Shooter, which Lisa played multiple roles in while also co-directing the production with Owen Brown, was honored by the St. Louis Fringe Festival as their Drama of the Year for 2025. From acting to directing, costuming to lighting, prop mastering to stage managing, Lisa has truly done it all!
Costume Assistant - Elizabeth Hale; Production Assistant and Space Coordinator - Sally Cakouros; Set and Prop Assistant - Bo Hanley
Winners of Our Short Play Competion
Carol W Berman (playwright: BOSCO’S XMAS) is delighted to be a part of this festival. She’s a member of The Dramatists Guild, DGPG, and APA. She has many ten-and-fifteen-minute plays, as well as full-length plays, which were presented in NYC and internationally. Please visit www.carolwbermantheatre.com to see her work.
Carol W. Berman - Bosco’s Xmas
Kelli Lynn Woodend spent many years in New York City working in the film and television industry and has written scripts for Emmy Award-winning documentaries. She now resides in her hometown where she teaches English at her former Catholic school. Her plays have been produced across the country and abroad.
Kelli Lynn Woodend - Baked Alaska
Michael Cox is an actor/playwright making a name for himself in the STL area and has written multiple developing works, one he helped write (The Time of My Life) has been staged twice. His new short play, The Last Mall Santa, he hopes you all get to see and thoroughly enjoy!
Michael Cox - The Last Mall Santa
Play Selection and Development Committee: Owen Brown & Chandler Spradling. Thank you to all our 81 submissions from our competition as well as to our finalists, Laura K. Emack, Vicki Riba Koestler, John McErnery, Mara Dressner, and Donna Latham.
Thanks to Various Organizations
For Props, Costumes, & So Much More! We truly could not have done it without you!
For a Rehearsal Space & consistent love from the whole congregation
For Costumes
For Costumes & Set Pieces