Babette’s Feast
CAST
Deborah Roby is excited to join Bread and Wine Theatre this year! She has acted with multiple theaters in the St. Louis area including Clayton Community Theater, Brickworks Theater Company, and Monroe Actors Stage Company. Notable roles have included Hannah Jelkes in Night of the Iguana, a multi-faceted Sprite in A Christmas Carol, and Lady Beaconsfield in Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical.
By day she writes to the federal government about pharmaceuticals begging for funding or FDA approval. She unfortunately could not actually cook a feast of any sort and usually outsources that to friends more gifted in the culinary arts. Deborah is grateful for the gift of theater and creative storytelling and hopes you enjoy the show!
Babette - Deborah Roby
Sonya is happy to make her debut with Bread and Wine Theatre Company. Her recent credits include Vera Sanders in Smoke on the Mountain with KTK North and as Sonya (herself) in an original storytelling production Have I Told You the One About...? with Stray Dog Theatre’s Silver Stage. Sonya relocated to St. Louis in 2020 for the impending arrival of her first grandchild. She is just realizing the abundance of theatre opportunities here. When not caring for her grandchildren, she cantors at her church, teaches piano, sews, and creates. Sonya is an ECMMA Level 2 Certified Early Childhood Music & Movement Specialist.
Martine - Sonya Valentine
Philippa - Michelle Yoder
Michelle Yoder is delighted to be making her debut with Bread and Wine Theatre Company. She recently graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and minors in Musical Theatre and Business Administration. Some of her past roles at Truman include Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone and Bastienne in Bastien und Bastienne. Michelle is grateful to be doing her first show post grad and can’t wait to see what’s in store for her next. She thanks her friends and family for their love and support.
Player 1 (The Dean, The Dresser, Postman, Dagfinn) - Cole Wright
Having started performing at the age of 5 playing “the Troll under the bridge” in “Three Billy Goats Gruff”, a small but bright flame was lit. 9 years later he performed in his first musical ‘lil Abner’, his role was “Pappy Yokum” this is the role that changed the course of his entire life. Hearing a cascade of giggles, boisterous laughter he decides then he would strive to become the best Actor/Human he could be. 8 years later after doing shows such as “The Noises Off”, “39 Steps”, and various others he graduated college and was off to face the next challenge. 7 years later a few commercials, a couple plays, a dinner theatre and a marriage here he is!
When he’s not acting, he likes to watch movies with his wife even though she knows he always picks the same movies. She does still love him....
Madeline Trinity is so excited to make her Bread and Wine Theatre Company debut! She graduated from Mckendree University with a Technical Theatre degree in 2023. She was last seen in Prince of Egypt with Goshen Theatre Project and is currently designing props for Crazy for You with Kirkwood Theatre Guild. Madeline is forever grateful for the support of everyone in her life, especially from her partner John. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Player 2 (Astrid, The Lady of the Court, Espen) - Madeline Trinity
Ben returns to the stage delightedly after portraying Reverend John Witherspoon in the Archangel Players’ production of 1776. As a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, he has performed at venues that include The Sheldon Concert Hall, Off Broadway, and City Museum. Blessed with the best of day jobs as a teacher of English, French, and music, Ben directs vocal and instrumental ensembles and helps students learn to bring sensitivity, expressiveness, and joy to the challenge of reading and reciting Shakespeare. He’s grateful to everyone at Bread and Wine for the opportunity to share in the Feast and thanks his family for their patience throughout two months of rehearsals.
Player 3 (Achille Papin, Lars, Alf, The Horsegroomer) - Ben Smith
For over ten years, Charlie Labitska has called the stage his second home. He is a driven and dedicated performer who takes a professional look at all his preparation. Now appearing in his 32nd production, he remains as passionate as ever about delivering performances that ring true. Charlie is particularly excited about this show, which has not only driven him to a new level of performance but introduced him to some truly amazing colleagues along the way.
Player 4 (General Loewenhielm) - Charlie Labitska
Michael Cox (Player 5) is making his return for a show under the Bread and Wine umbrella with this fun show. He was last seen on stage for Bread and Wine's last show for the Christmas Short Play Festival as the show-stealing Bosco and as Jim in The Gift of the Magi. He's also an upcoming playwright who has had plays staged multiple times by Bread and Wine. This includes The Last Mall Santa and The Time of My Life which he helped write. It's always fun to play multiple characters in the same show and hopes you enjoy this production!
Player 5 (Young Loewenhielm, Hans, Henrick) - Michael Cox
Player 6 (Erna, Mrs. Loewenhielm) - Mary Elsa Henrich
Mary Elsa is thrilled to be making her STL stage debut with Bread and Wine Theatre Co! A Milwaukee native, she spent the past three years teaching Drama at a classical high school in Dallas, Texas, where some of her favorite directorial experiences included Romeo and Juliet, Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, and Bye Bye Birdie! She misses her students terribly and is extremely grateful for all that they taught her. She would like to thank her family for their support and Bread and Wine Theatre Co. for bringing her back to the stage after a long hiatus!
Dancers
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.
About St. Louis Irish Arts
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,
Lucy Marie
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!
Pippa
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
Special Thanks to
For Costumes
For a Rehearsal Space & consistent love from congregation
For Costumes
For Costumes & Props