Misery at Citadel Theatre

Ellen Phelps

Co-Founder, Managing Director, Director, and Actor at Citadel Theatre. Ellen is so happy to be coming back as another Annie from her last performance A Jukebox for the Algonquin. Other past productions at Citadel Theatre include The Christians, It Runs In The Family, Annie, The Roommate, Vanya Sonia Masha and Spike, Elemeno Pea, ‘Til The Fat Lady Sings, Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Something’s Afoot, Sirens, Other Desert Cities, and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Other theatre credits include Company, Rumors, The Boy Friend, and The Glass Menagerie. Ellen is thrilled to be part of this production and so happy to be on stage with her husband Scott. Citadel and our life together has been an amazing ride.

Scott Phelps

Scott is now in his 23rd year as the Artistic Director of Citadel, the North Shore theatre he co-founded in 2002 with his friend and lifelong companion, Ellen. Over the past 2.3 decades, he has acted in and directed dozens of Citadel productions, continuing to bring his passion and vision to the stage year after year. In 2023, Scott took on the leading role of Pastor Paul in The Christians. His career has also taken him to New York City and his home state of California, where he has both acted and directed. He trained as an actor at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA, pursued a BFA at the University of Utah, and completed an apprenticeship with the renowned Actors Theatre of Louisville. In addition to his theatre work, Scott spent 18 years with a promotional company while raising his three daughters and son in Lake Forest. Now entering a new chapter of life, he has embraced his latest role—“Beepa” to his growing crew of grandchildren (almost seven and counting). While he’s not entirely convinced he’s old enough for the part, he’s enjoying the challenge.

Jonathan Cortez

“A shining element…” Jonathan is excited to join the stage for his first production with Citadel Theatre. Jonathan is a University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign alumnus, who studied Vocal Performance under Jerold Siena. Alongside this show, Jonathan is currently music directing Beautiful: the Carole King Musical and Hadestown. Jonathan keeps busy with his involvement in Second City, Chicago Fringe Opera’s premiere improv group OP*ERRATIC, previewing works with South Shore Opera, and vocal directing musicals in the Chicagoland area. Other credits include Tom Collins in RENT, Curtis in Sister Act, Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Fasolt in Wagner’s Das Rheingold. He also sings with Consonance - Chicago Choral Artists and the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. @thejonathancortez

Elizabeth Bushell

Elizabeth Bushell (Understudy for Annie Wilkes) Elizabeth is thrilled to return to Citadel where she most recently performed as Joan in Dames at Sea, Sylvia in The Cottage and Eleanor in Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish. Elizabeth is a Lake Forest-based actor / performer / producer and independent finance & strategy consultant. Recent theatre credits include the new musical, Red and the Wolf (Songbird Theatre); Gabby / Bobbi in City of Angels (JPAC) and Beverly in The Mad Ones (Towle Theatre). Elizabeth serves as Executive Producer of The Beautiful City Project, a charitable theatre organization, with production credits including Camp Rock The Musical, We Will Rock You and Jesus Christ Superstar. So much gratitude to Ellen and Scott, this wonderful team, and her loving husband, Joe!

Jason Clark

Jason is delighted to be working back at Citadel Theatre albeit in a different capacity. Jason worked for many productions in the position of master carpenter, now he is working as an actor. He earned a BA in Theatre from Barat College in Lake Forest with an acting and directing emphasis. He served as the artistic director of Bowen Park Theatre Company for 11 years and was a founding member of the Theatre of the Mindless, a radio show reproduction group. The most recent production Jason was involved in was PM&L’s production of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime where he played ED. Before that Jason played George in Of Mice and Men at Bowen Park Theatre. Jason truly hopes that you enjoy the show.

Scott Westerman

Bobby Lee

Bob Knuth

Danielle Reinhardt

Jodi Williams

Peter Wahlback

Patrick McGuire

Mitchell Pollitt

David Blixt

Alex Trinh

Natalie Barowsky