CWU 'Bus Stop' Cast Starts Rolling Along

February 4, 2004

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- The weather outside is frightful for both the characters in the upcoming Central Washington University production of "Bus Stop" and the eight actors recently cast to play them. Central Theatre Ensemble has begun rehearsals for its winter presentation, which opens Feb. 26 under the direction of George Bellah, chair of the CWU theatre arts department.

The play chronicles the events of a Kansas bus stop that has become the haven for an unusual mix of characters during a vicious snowstorm. As the travelers fight, talk and fall in love, renowned playwright William Inge weaves together a sweet and humorous tale of human interaction in the face of loneliness and desire for freedom.

Hannah Schnabel, senior theatre arts performance major, plays the role of Ozark lounge singer Cherie, originated on film by Marilyn Monroe. A transfer student from Long Island University, Schnabel has been in "West Side Story" and numerous student productions, which earned her nominations for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship two years in a row. She is the daughter of Richard and Virginia Schnabel of Tumwater.

Senior theatre education major Scott Yingling has the role of Cherie's cowboy suitor Bo Decker. Yingling has been featured in many CWU productions, including "West Side Story," "Macbeth" and "Man of La Mancha." He is the son of Ron and Kim Yingling of Port Orchard.

Tomas Maier will take on the part of Bo's friend and traveling companion Virgil Blessing. A senior theatre arts performance major, Maier has been involved in many productions both on and offstage. In addition to having acted in "West Side Story" and "Jungalbook," Maier is also an accomplished playwright. He is the son of Michael and Jeanne Maier of Poulsbo.

Guest artist Steve Nabors will play the part of former college professor Dr. Gerald Lyman. At CWU, Nabors has previously had lead roles in "West Side Story," "Laramie Project," "Hay Fever" and "Macbeth." He is originally from Port Orchard.

CharRe Burnam, a junior secondary education theatre major, will play Grace Hoylard, the seasoned owner of the bus stop diner. This is Burnam's first acting role at CWU.

Sophomore theatre arts performance major Alex Garnett is Grace's love interest, bus driver Carl. Garnett was most recently seen in "West Side Story" and last year's touring production of "Pinocchio." He is the son of Dick and Sandra Garnett of Colville.

Ryan Holmberg, who recently returned to CWU after three years of working in Olympia-area theater, plays the tough sheriff Will Masters. Holmberg, a sophomore theatre arts performance major, has a lengthy and varied acting resume, including parts in "True West" at the Midnight Sun Theatre, "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Tartuffe" at the State Theatre, and, most recently, two roles in the CWU "TENS: Original 10-Minute Plays" this fall. He is the son of Dave Holmberg of Tucson, Ariz., and Barb MacGregor of Lacey.

Rounding out the cast is junior theatre arts performance major Amy Hill, who plays waitress Elma Duckworth, a high school girl waiting to escape the small town. Hill has had lead roles in many CWU productions, including "West Side Story," "Pinocchio," "Macbeth" and "Man of La Mancha." Her work in the fall 2002 production of "Hay Fever" earned her a nomination for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. She is the daughter of Roger and Janet Hill of Olympia.

"Bus Stop" runs Feb. 26 and March 4 at 7 p.m., Feb. 27, 28 and March 5, 6 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for students. Senior citizens are those persons 65 and older. All students with valid student identification qualify for student pricing.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call the box office at (509) 963-1774, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and one hour prior to each performance. Tickets can also be purchased by phone with a VISA or MasterCard.

"Bus Stop" is recommended for audiences 12 and older.