Who's Who at the Palace

J. Kevin Butler     

J. Kevin Butler, a graduate of      Indiana University, is a highly respected clinician, adjudicator and choral director from the state of Indiana.  He has served as Associate Director of the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers, Musical Director for the Chicago Children's Choir and choral director at numerous high schools in Indiana.  Mr. Butler has served on the staffs of many summer music camps including the Indiana University Summer Music Clinic, Macomb Show Choir Workshop, Brightleaf Music Workshop and the internationally known, Show Choir Camps of America.  Mr. Butler is an active soloist and musical theatre performer including roles in musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd, Li’l Abner, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Annie and 1776.   He is the author of a manuscript on the history of the American Musical Theatre and a show choir production manual.  He is also a respected private voice teacher and vocal coach.

Matt Hanlon

Assistant Technician Matt Hanlon is in his second year with the Palace Theatre.  He is married to Andrea Swift-Hanlon, and likes buttons.

Andrea Swift-Hanlon     

  A Nashville, IN native,   Andrea Swift-Hanlon has performed 4 consecutive years at Coachlight Musical Theater and is tickled to be performing her 5^th year under the Palace Theater of Brown County! The past two seasons you may have seen her in Hollywood Serenade, Tumbleweed, HappyHolidays.com, Cowboy Sweethearts, Platinum Girls, and Our Brown County Christmas. Andrea has a Theater degree from Indiana State University. She has performed at venues like the Little Nashville Opry, Conseco Fieldhouse, Mike's Dance Barn, and various other venues throughout the state. She was a company member of Crossroads Repertory Theater (Formerly ISU Summerstage) and received rave reviews for her role as Laura Wingfield in "The Glass Menagerie." She also had the honor of performing in the David Rudder and Tony Hall World Premiere production of the hit Musical "The Brand New Lucky Diamond Horseshoe Club. In Sligo, Ireland, Andrea starred as Emer in the William Butler Yeats' Play "The Only Jealousy of Emer." She has also been seen in the Truth Commercial "Drop Dead Day." Andrea is the resident choreographer, and also teaches dance classes for the Palace Theater.  She has choreographed for show choirs, dance Studios, and dance companies around the state including Fusion Dance Company from Indiana State University. After performing in many states, cities, and venues, including New York and Ireland, she still says there is no place like home.  She is having a blast being a newlywed living in Bloomington with her wonderful Husband Matthew, who you can see tinkering behind the soundboard sometimes at the Palace from time to time. She is also delighted to add playwright to her resume as co-writer of “It’s Only Temporary,” that she wrote with her friend and fellow actress Amy Smidebush. Andrea is very thankful to the Palace Theater Management for giving performers like her an opportunity to create, entertain, and make audiences laugh night after night. This is truly the best job  ever!

 Russell Moss  

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Russell has worked in all entertainment mediums including film, television, theatre and night clubs.  You may recognize him from his many television commercials including Pontiac, Roy Rogers Restaurants, Marriott Hotels, McDonalds, Pioneer Chicken and Pepsi.   He was featured in the Tri-Star picture NIGHT OF THE CREEPS and the ABC Television mini-series CROSSINGS, based on the Danielle Steele novel, where he     died in the arms of Cheryl Ladd.

Russell's stage experience is extensive, as a member of the famed Occidental Summer Repertory he has starred in CHARLY'S AUNT, ROMEO AND JULIET, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, THE MUSIC MAN, THE BOYFRIEND, MAN OF LAMANCHA, CABARET and HELLO DOLLY. He has worked with Nicholas Cage, Joan Fontaine, Tom Atkins, Stewart Granger and Christopher Plummer among     others.  

In Las Vegas and Laughlin Nevada he starred in the musical   reviews HOLLYWOOD SERENADE, THE GOLD RIVER     FOLLIES as well as the musical SAGEBRUSH with Ruth Buzzi and Hoyt Axton.     

In Branson, MO, he starred in JUKEBOX JAMBOREE, THE       1940S RADIO SHOW MUSICAL, SANTA'S WILD     ADVENTURE, and RAGTIME LIL AND BANJO, BANJO.         

It is Russell's pleasure to be part of the Boggstown Players.  As part Owner of the Boggstown Cabaret, his greatest joy is making people laugh and he is blessed to be working with such a       talented group of people.               

Russell is currently a member of the Screen Actor's Guild.                    

Julie Powers     

  Julie comes to us from the  Indianapolis area.  An accomplished actress, director, singer and costumer, Julie is a recognized name in the Indianapolis theatre scene. Julie received her MFA in Acting from Minnesota State   Mankato, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Butler University.  In addition, she has received accolades for her direction and costume work in professional, educational and community theatre.    She received raves as Noleeta Nethercott in Del Shores' SORDID LIVES and as Vicki in THE LAST SESSION at Theatre on the  Square.  Julie was a regular ACTF attendee, being nominated for the Irene Ryan award on several occasions, most recently for her role as Maggie in THE SHADOWBOX and as Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD, opposite Cedric Yarborough (Reno 911-Miami; Black Dynamite).  Additionally, Julie has appeared in productions of CHICAGO, PHANTOM, THE MUSIC MAN, JERRY'S GIRLS, FALSETTOS, and preview productions of TALE OF TWO CITIES with Richard Kiley, now on Broadway.  The mother of a beautiful little girl named Lilly, Julie Powers   brilliantly balances the art of parenting and artistic endeavor.  In addition to her new position as one of the owners of the Palace Theatre,  she is also "The Voice" of the BC Supper Club.  In her singing,  Julie conveys both joy and heartbreak, vibrant yet fragile.   Her supportive business partners and exciting performance space offers her artistic freedom and a rare artistic opportunity that she is thrilled to be a part of.  

 Judy Turnbow 

 Judy was born in Kentucky but     has lived most of her life in Indiana. Her Dad put her on stage with him when she was nine years old so she was hooked at an early age. She comes from a very large family of musicians and singers. She performed all through school acting and singing in all the musicals. Her roots are mostly in country, bluegrass, and gospel. Her Dad says, "you've got music in you and it has to come out somehow".
She is going into her seventh season with Coachlight Musical Theatre and is loving every minute of it. Past performances include The Higher the Hair the Closer to Heaven I and II, The Road to Gnawbone, Frankie Annette Elvis and Me, Music Mystery and Mayhem, Gospel Jubilee, and the annual Brown County Christmas shows. She can be seen this season in Cowboy Sweethearts as Loretta Lynn and Platinum Girls as Ruby Lee.
She is having the time of her life thanks to the support of a great husband and family who understand her need to do this. She can't imagine slowing down anytime soon.... It's a wonderful life.

Amy Smidebush          

   Amy Smidebush is thrilled to     join Coachlight's company after returning to Indiana from New York City, where she spent most of the last decade. She graduated from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in Manhattan, studying musical theatre performance. Amy has performed with several choirs and been featured in singer showcases throughout New York and, most notably, she has starred in her own cabaret shows. She continues to perform in New York, including her most recent show, What the hell IS a Smidebush? at the world-famous cabaret Don't Tell Mama, just off Times Square. Some of Amy's favorite musical theatre roles include Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, and Petra in A Little Night Music. Amy wants to give special thanks to her incredible friends and family, especially the world’s most wonderful and adorable parents, for their  unending love and support.

Jim Smidebush       

Our Box Office Manager, Jim keeps everything running smoothly for all the patrons, actors and musicians at the Palace. If you visit or call, Jim will most likely be your welcoming party. Far too qualified for the job, we are delighted to have him with us. Jim is married to the lovely and charming Jane Smidebush, with whom he has three grown children, and three adorable grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Amy Smidebush, can be seen regularly on our stage, with her proud papa regularly in the audience!

Brad Zumwalt

Mr. Zumwalt purchased the Palace in the late 1990s.  With his diverse and comprehensive banking background and financial acumen, he is transforming the Palace Theatre of Brown County  into a world-class tourist destination. To move forward, embrace change and new ideas, and to be uncompromising in attention to detail and quality in every facet of the business.  Hiring the best entertainers possible,  sparing no expense in design enhancements and maintenance . . . the Palace Theatre is redefining tourism at its BEST! Mr. Zumwalt hails from the great state of Utah.  Other than that, no one really knows anything about him.  Nevertheless, standards are defined by the owner, and when you visit the Palace Theatre or her sister theatre, the Boggstown Cabaret, he is sure that you will experience a level of customer service, enjoyment, and just "Pure Fun" quotes the Indianapolis Star. 

  Robert Shaw  

 Robert Shaw, born in  Southeast  Indiana and raised in a musical family, began performing at the age of ten when he discovered the trumpet. As a freshman in  high school he realized that musical theatre was his true passion and began studying voice, acting, and dancing. Shaw attended the University of The Arts in Philadelphia, which prepared him for new opportunities performing at theme parks, Performing Arts Centers and prestigious venues across the country. In 1998 Robert accepted an offer to perform the role of Elvis, The King of Rock and Roll, at the historic Gaslight Theatre in Tucson, Arizona. Robert’s dark hair, full range voice, and “Elvis Eyes” all combined for a tremendous audience response that led him to create a series of specialized Elvis programs, celebrating the many musical and visual stages of Elvis’ career.    Robert Shaw’s “Celebration of Elvis” is available to venues throughout the United States and abroad. A   symphony orchestra program of Elvis’ most popular hit tunes has been charted by leading industry professionals to offer symphonies and their audiences an even more dynamic, fun-filled, and  memorable musical experience. According to recent polls by both CBS and ABC News, 42% of all Americans call themselves Elvis fans- including a whopping 66% of 55-64 year olds. Giving them the opportunity to attend “A Celebration of Elvis” with Robert Shaw will allow your patrons to enjoy and relive some of the greatest music ever  performed. 

Eric Brown

Man of mystery, we hope to learn more about this "Eric Brown" guy soon.  Aware that he is a magnificent guitarist with a new album out, we have also heard that he is something of a businessman as well.  We've seen the effect he has on the ladies (they seem to approve!), but other than that, we don't know much about him!  

Ron Kadish   

Bassist, educator, composer,     and bandleader Ron Kadish has been a staple of the phenomenal music scene in and around Bloomington, Indiana since 1993 when he dropped out of graduate school to pursue a freelance career. In the ensuing years, his musical journey has taken him down many roads: from touring string sections backing up John Denver and the Moody Blues to rhythm sections backing up Mark Robinson, Merrie Sloan, and the mainstays of the Bloomington music scene; from jamming in a hotel room with the Master Musicians of Jajouka to jamming on stage during the 1997 Lillith Festival tour with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sarah Mc Lachlan, and Paula Cole; from the bass section of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra to cutting demos with John Mellencamp. In the process he has played in concert halls, arenas, university student buildings, school auditoriums, outside ampitheaters, private golf courses, public downtowns, bars, and countless other venues throughout the United States and Europe …. and been in a ton of hotel rooms all over.

As an educator, Ron has maintained a small private studio of serious, dedicated students since 1992, and was Instructor of Double Bass at Indiana State University from 1993-1999. Many of his students have won awards at the high school level; most recently two won gold medals at the 2007 ISMA Solo and Concerto Competition. Others have gone on to such prestigious music schools such as Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Berklee College of Music and still others are themselves working as bass players throughout the US. From 1998 to 2004 Ron toured the elementary and junior high schools of Indiana under the auspices of Young Audiences of Indiana as part of educational Middle Eastern ensemble Salaam, which he helped form in 1993.

As a student himself, Ron holds both a BM in Double Bass Performance and an MM in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and has also attended the Berklee School of Music, Aspen Music Festival, and the Steans Institute at Ravinia. As a composer, Ron has written for local bands Postmodern Jazz Quartet, OffRamp Quartet, and Salaam; and has written jingles and theme songs for Bloomington area businesses- his most recent commission being tutto bene wine café. Ron leads or has led many bands throughout the years in Bloomington, including the seminal world music fusion ensemble Salaam which toured regionally and release several CDs during the 1990s. Recent projects include original jazz group OffRamp Quartet, the Ron Kadish Trio, Sarah's Swing Set (www.reverbnation.com/sarahsswingset), the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, Hatbacks (www.hatbacks.com) and Ron Kadish/Jeff Isaac Duo.

Benjamin Handel

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