Cast Biographies (in alphabetical order)

Garrett Balsamo (Arthur Kurnitz) is the 9-year-old son of Leo Balsamo. He is a straight-A student at Bowmar Elementary where he also serves as a tour guide. He attends Triumph Church where he serves in multiple areas. He loves football, basketball, singing, and performing. This is Garrett’s second performance here, the previous being Frozen, Jr. where he portrayed “Oaken.”

Paul Bennett (Eddie Kurnitz) is no stranger to “the boards.” His first role with VTG was in 2005 as “Doc Baugh” in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He has been in numerous plays since, and among his favorites were “Judge Harper” in Miracle on 34th Street, “Curley” in Catfish Moon, and the villainous roles of “Murgatroyd” and “Slade,” as well as “Chuck Connors,” in Gold in the Hills.

Linda Hadala (Grandma Kurnitz) is quite a veteran on stage! She is a native of Vicksburg, and is retired from ERDC. Linda is a longtime member of Crawford Street United Methodist Church, the Vicksburg Chamber Choir, and the Vicksburg Theatre Guild. Her past shows include Les Misérables, On Golden Pond, and Red Plaid Shirt. Her most recent performance was in The Strand’s production of Into the Woods.

Tiffany Strickland Lambert (Bella Kurnitz) is our “newbie,” and we are glad she’s here! Tiffany is a hair stylist by trade, and holds the title of being the “MacGyver of crafts"! She loves all things of the 1940s era (except Hitler!) and can now mark off her “bucket list” that of acting in a play. (Be careful ‑ it can be addicting.)

Joseph Simmons (Jay Kurnitz) is the 16-year-old son of Gregg and Jennifer Simmons. He has appeared at the Natchez Little Theatre in the title role in Willie Wonks, Jr. , and has also appeared in The Mississippi Medicine Show, Seussical the Musical, Of Mice and Men, and as the title role in Shrek, Jr. He was last seen on stage in The 1940s Radio Hour. He enjoys bowling, fishing, woodworking, singing, and art. Joseph lives in Natchez.

Missy Stafford Tello (Gertrude Kurnitz) is another veteran in the show. Her past involvement has included Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Sound of Music. Missy made her directing debut last year with The 1940s Radio Hour. She also has served on the VTG Board as Assistant Box Office Director for two years.

Noel Tello (Louie Kurnitz) is a San Antonio, Texas native who has lived in Vicksburg since 1986. Noel has been involved in both the VTG and WTF theatre companies, and has numerous shows under his belt, including The Rocky Horror Show and Les Misérables, to name a few. His latest two shows were The Sound of Music and The 1940s Radio Hour.