The debate over right and wrong has never been so satisfying. This ultra-contemporary new drama is fiercely engaging, irreverently funny, and deeply moving. The 17th century and present day are seamlessly intertwined as Satan vents to an audience about her frustration at being cast out of heaven and her thoughts on oppression. When she finds out that God has created delicate new creatures called "humans," she crafts a plan for revenge and betrayal on the Almighty.
National Premiere
Content Advisory: Please note that this production includes strong themes/language and the depiction of partial nudity/sexual acts.
For a more full list of content advisories, please click here.
Todd Avery (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Actors; Theatre debut in Paradise Lost. After 33 years of directing and teaching theatre to young people, Todd retired from Jenison High School in 2020. By far his favorite pastime is spending time with his family: Zach, Ben, Katie, and grandchildren, Lilabelle (2) and Beauregard (8 months). After directing a half dozen productions during and after the pandemic (most recently Mary Poppins for Hudsonville HS), Todd has been ready to get back to acting. He is grateful to the production team for this incredible opportunity as well as this talented cast for welcoming him into the fold. Special thanks to his incredible wife, Penny, and to his parents, Jean and Dale, for always being in the front row, proudly smiling.
Linnae Caurdy (she/her) is a ceramicist and theatre artist who has acted, directed, and created new theatre pieces in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and her hometown of Grand Rapids. She is also a founding member of The (Beat) Theatre Collective based out of Chicago. In 2018 The (Beat) made its GR debut in Art Prize with Perchance to Dream, an immersive theatrical adaptation of Hamlet which she co-devised and co-directed. Some Grand Rapids acting credits include Oil and Sugar, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Detroit '67, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, Constellations, and others.
Erin Cullum (she/her) is elated to be back on the Actors' Theatre stage in Paradise Lost! Erin was last seen in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time as Sioban. Erin has had the privilege to act and direct many shows in the GR community. She would like to thank her family for encouraging her to play and to do things that scare you. Also, a big thank you to the audience for supporting the arts. We love you!
Jay Fischer (he/him) is thrilled to be working with Actors' Theatre! Recent credits include: SpongeBob (Patchy), Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks), and Shakespeare in Love (Henslowe) with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Other favorite credits include The Crucible (John Proctor) and Rumors (Lenny) with Shadblow Theatre. Jay also teaches acting downtown. “Thank you to Jason for your amazing leadership. Big thanks and love to Amanda for her undying support.”.
Keo Foster (he/him) has always had a deep love for the stage. He is excited for this return to local theater after many years away and grateful for the opportunity to get to play with Actors' for the very first time. He is also grateful for his family (Momma, Dad, Shanny, Bridgetta, Barnellz, Journ, Addy, Zuzee) for their encouragement to pursue what gives him the most life & constant reminders that it’s never too late to begin again. Keo will next appear in Circle Theatre’s A Raisin in the Sun this upcoming Fall.
Kat Hermes (they/she) is an actor, director and costume designer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are chair of The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Committee and a member of Pigeon Creek’s Repertory Company. Kat has been performing with Pigeon Creek for over 15 years, appearing most recently as Duke Vincentio in Measure for Measure. They received the 2012 Wilde Award for Best Performance of the Bard for their performance as Falstaff in Henry IV Part 1. They are excited to be working with Actors' Theatre again after appearing in their Second Space Series production of Nordost in 2014. They have also worked with The Hoosier Shakespeare Festival, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Stark Turn Players, Strawdog Theater and Piven Theater.
Ely Irving (they/them) is an actor and writer from Alpena, Michigan. They have been involved with multiple theatrical productions at Thunder Bay Theatre and Alpena Civic Theatre as well as a short film entitled “Static” by Irving Entertainment. This is their first show with Actors' Theatre as well as their first show since the start of the pandemic. They are excited to be a part of such a talented and open minded production team.
Jean Reed Bahle (she/her) has been involved with the arts in West Michigan for over 45 years, primarily as an actor, director, and teacher. As an actor, she has appeared in over 50 productions, working with Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre and Actors’ Theatre, where she has won numerous Grand Awards. Jean has directed most prominently for Actors’ Theatre, as well as for Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids, Aquinas College, GRCC, Circle Theatre and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. She has worked in film and television; conducted numerous workshops in acting and writing, and her commercial work includes narrating and directing audiobooks. A 2015 recipient of the Norma Brink Lifetime Achievement Award in theatre, Jean has recently retired from the theatre faculty at Hope College where she taught for 26 years. She is very grateful to be able to return to Paradise Lost whose rehearsals were halted in March 2020 during the pandemic. It’s been a joyous return to the stage (well, not the exact stage) where she performed in Actors’ very first production (Side by Side by Sondheim) 44 years ago. Many thanks to this wonderful cast, designers, directors, and crew—it’s been Paradise Regained.
Jean now lives in Suttons Bay with her husband David but is always happy to return to Grand Rapids every now and then to participate in the lively arts here.
Greg Rogers (he/him) is thrilled to once again be back on Actors’ Theatre’s stage. His last appearance was as Clayton in last year’s world premiere of Petty Crimes. Greg’s relationship with Actors’ Theatre goes back to 1992 when he appeared in MARVIN’S ROOM along with his son, Joe. Since, then Greg has performed in many Actors’ productions, fundraisers, etc. In addition to Sweat, some of his favorite Actors’ work includes Tent Meeting, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Urinetown: The Musical, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Next Fall, and Seven Passages: The Stories of Gay Christians.
Greg is a Jean Reed Bahle Award recipient having served on the Actors’ Theatre Board for 17 years, which included stints as Treasurer and President. Greg has worked with most of the theatre groups in the Grand Rapids area having appeared in more than 100 productions including guest artist appearances at Cornerstone University and GRCC as well as Opera Grand Rapids. Greg is a multi-Grand Award winner and has also appeared on TV and in film. Greg and his wife, Luanne have been married for over 45 years and have two children that have given them three grandsons. Greg recently retired from his position as a Technical Consultant for Liberty Mutual. “Thank you to everyone that continues to support Actors’ Theatre!”
Carter Spetoskey (he/him) is a first time actor with Actors' Theatre. He is very grateful to work with such a talented and experienced team!
Lauren Ufkes (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Actors’ Theatre debut! She is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance as well as a graduate of the University of Houston with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. For the past few years Lauren has been working with the Texas Shakespeare Festival as a Company Member and Tour Manager performing in numerous productions. Some of her favorite roles include Lorraine in A Lie of the Mind, Audrey in As You Like It, and Reba in The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Lauren loves to call Grand Rapids her home and is so grateful for the support of her family and boyfriend.
Bridgett Vanderhoof (she/her) is a freelance director and costume designer based in Grand Rapids, MI. She holds a MA/PhD in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies with a focus in Theatre for Youth from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BA in Theatre from Grand Valley State University. Recent productions include: director/costume designer for Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties (Actors' Theatre), director/costume designer for What the Constitution Means to Me (Actors' Theatre), director for The Birds (Grand Valley State University), costume designer for Grand Concourse (GRCC), and costume designer for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Grand Valley State University). In addition to her freelance theatre work, Bridgett serves as the Publicity and Recruitment Coordinator for the Dept. of Music, Theatre, and Dance at GVSU, and the Director of Junior Theatre Production at Interlochen Arts Camp.