playbill vip

Director - Mr. Brian Logee holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from The King's College and a Master's in reading from SUNY Oneonta.  He has been teaching and directing for twenty-nine years.  “Into The Woods” is his 42nd production here at Phoenix.  Outside of school, he enjoys camping, cycling, computer adventure games, sci-fi novels, and distance running, and maple sugaring.  He lives in Pennellville with his wife and has three grown children.  A successful Theatre program cannot happen without a solid team of competent people.  Mr. Logee would like to thank his fellow directors for twenty years of great theatrical productions, as well as the Phoenix school district for their constant support of Music and Theatre at JCB.  He would also like to express his great appreciation to the members of the Phoenix Chorus and Drama Boosters who are so critical to making each show a success.  They spend hours and hours of personal time and effort to meet the needs of each production.  This musical could not have happened without these incredibly hardworking people. Mr. Logee would also like to thank you, the audience, for your continued patronage of live Theatre at JCB and for providing that reward for which the directors, cast, and crew have worked so hard – the roar of applause at the end of each show! 

Music Director - Ms. Liza Grethel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with a Performance Certificate for Clarinet performance and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College School of Music. Ms. Grethel has been a band director in Phoenix since the fall of 2000 and has enjoyed working with Mr. Logee and the JCB students on another musical production in Phoenix. Ms. G. would like to thank all of the musical staff and students for making it so fun to work on musical productions at JCB.  A huge thank you to all the students who are working so hard this year on preparing their music and rehearsing in the pit – the music is incredibly demanding and it is so rewarding to see the dedication that these students have displayed.  A special thank you to all the professional musicians who have come to work with our talented pit students – you all add so much to our production!  

Choreographer - Ms. Jill Pitcher, having been born in dance shoes to Ruth Runions Devendorf and passing the tradition onto her daughter Emily Pitcher. Jill is part of the 69 year legacy of Runions Dance Studio. She began, with a surprising piece of luck, choreographing musical theater as a favor to her college professor. Who would have thought that would lead to spending 20+ years with the JCB Musical family as their choreographer. Having choreographed shows for SUNY Oswego, G Ray Bodley High School, and Community Theater. She is excited to be working with several second-generation talents of Phoenix. Jill is currently on the faculty of JCB as a mathematics teacher. Jill would like to thank the cast and crew for indulging her craziness, their enthusiasm, and allowing her to be part of the journey Into The Woods. BREAK A LEG! 

Costumers - Kathy Roberts and Marie Kammerer-Franke: Kathy has been on the costume team for the past three years, but this is her first year heading up the costume/hair/makeup team. Marie has been costume director for JCB Drama since 2015. With Kathy’s specialty in costume/hair design and sewing and Marie’s in wigs and makeup/prosthetics application the two make a perfect team. This year, they would like to use this space to recognize the entire costuming team: Pam Southworth, Kathy Storrings, Sophie Crandall, Sara Brunell, Maggie LaPine, Miles Patnode, and Savannah Felix. Kathy would like to give an extra special thank you to her mom, and member of the costume team, Laura Moreau, for putting up with her tantrums and fits of rage when you couldn’t see inside her brain to know what she was talking about (love you). Each of you has impressed us with how eager you are to help and do whatever is asked of you. It has been an honor to work with you; seeing your talents and love for the program shine through with every stitch or sweep of the brush (makeup or hair, lol). We love seeing your excitement. We're not sure how we got so lucky, but we'll take it! Kathy and Marie want to thank every member of Drama Club for allowing them to be part of your world. You are all amazing in so many ways; all we did was accessorize what was already there in your talent.