DIRECTOR’S NOTE
LORI ROBINSON DISTEL, ARTISIC DIRECTOR | SHE/HER
Itseemsthatwe’relivingintumultoustimes. Betweenastronomicaltarrifs,highcostson essentialsandtheloomingthreatofwar,the worldisindisarray.Butitisintheseuncertain timesthatpatriotismtendstotakewing,whichis whywedecidedthatour2025/2026seasonwill beproudlyCanadian!Theatreisapowerfulagent whenitcomestosocialcommentary.Plus,it’sa greatdistractionwhentherealworldgetstoo overwhelming.Thisseasonweareoffering everythingfrompatrioticnewworkstorockstar murderessestointeractiveclassicsand reimaginedfavourites,plussomuchmore!So, ElbowsUp,everyone!It’stimetomakeourmark! Andit’stimetolettherestoftheworldknowjust whatwe’remadeof!OhCanada,thanksforagreat season!
PIPER J. DISTEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | SHE/THEY
Elbows Up! We are so excited to host our very first All Canadian Season, featuring written works and reimagined classics by local, Canadian playwrights and theatre creators. Each story features the social empowerment and bold storytelling you’ve come to expect from Penny & Pound whether it’s the queer joy of The Importance of Being Earnest, the female empowerment of Bloody Good or the bleak resilience of White Plague. Through it all, our mission shines true: to enrich, enlighten and empower local artists and audiences from all walks of life. We’re proud to be Canadian, and we’re proud to be theatre folk!
Penny & PoundTheatre |Young Adult Series
THE GREAT GATSBY
MELISSA RUEGG
Directed by Piper J. Distel and Melissa Ruegg
Choreography by Melissa Ruegg
Intimacy Coaching by ‘Nessie’ Aly Hill
Therewillbea20-minuteintermissionbetween ACTIandACTII. Thetakingofflashphotographsorrecordingof videoisstrictlyprohibited. Thisproductionfeaturesmomentsofviolence thatmaybeupsettingtosome.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Penny&Poundacknowledgesthatweperformonthetraditional territoriesoftheAttawandaron(Neutral)People,andlaterthe AnishinaabeandHaudenosauneePeoples Thislandispartofthe DishWithOneSpoonWampumBeltCovenant,anagreementtoshare andcareforthelandanditsresourcesinpeaceandmutualrespect WearegratefultotheIndigenouspeoplesofTurtleIslandwhohave caredfortheselandsthroughcountlessgenerations Westandwith theminsolidarityaswecontinuetofightongoingdispossessionand colonialviolence
THE GREAT GATSBY A GUIDE FOR AUDIENCES
SYNOPSIS
Nick Carraway arrives in New York seeking opportunity and finds himself drawn into the orbit of his neighbour, Jay Gatsby, whose extravagant parties hide a singular purpose: winning back Daisy Buchanan, the woman he loved before the war As Nick observes the reckless lives of Daisy, her domineering husband Tom, and their social circle, he witnesses a collision between romantic idealism and harsh reality one that leads to betrayal, moral collapse, and tragedy.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The play is set during the Jazz Age, a period of post–World War I prosperity marked by rapid social change, excess, and disillusionment. Prohibition made alcohol illegal but abundant, wealth became a measure of worth, and sharp divisions emerged between “old money” and the newly rich. Beneath the glamour lay widespread inequality and spiritual emptiness.
MAJOR THEMES
The American Dream – The pursuit of success and happiness, distorted by materialism
Illusion vs. Reality – Reinvention, performance, and self-deception
Class & Privilege – Wealth as both shield and weapon
Love & Obsession – The danger of clinging to an idealized past
SYMBOLS TO WATCH FOR
The Green Light – Hope, longing, and the unreachable future
The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg – Moral judgment and spiritual emptiness
Gatsby’s Parties – Spectacle without substance
The Valley of Ashes – The human cost of wealth and excess
WHY DOES THE GREAT GATSBY MATTER TODAY?
The Great Gatsby remains timeless in its examination of ambition, identity, and moral responsibility. It asks whether the past can truly be reclaimed—and who pays the price when dreams are pursued without limits.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Is Gatsby admirable, tragic, or both?
Does Nick remain objective, or is he changed by what he witnesses?
How does wealth shape morality in the world of the play and in our own?
Who bears moral responsibility for the tragedy of this piece?
How has the ‘American Dream’ evolved since the 1920s? Is it more attainable, or more illusory?
THE CREATIVES
THE CAST
JAY GATSBY | Agraj Joshi *
NICK CARRAWAY | Diem Morriswala *
LORI ROBINSON DISTEL, ARTISIC DIRECTOR | SHE/HER
YOUNG NICK CARRAWAY | Emaan ‘Wasp‘ Ansari
TOM BUCHANAN | Zachary Larsen
DAISY BUCHANAN | Casey Wells
JORDAN BAKER | Bethany Bair *
MYRTLE WILSON | Kezia Allen *
GEORGE WILSON | Leo Guo
MEYER WOLFSHEIM | Sreshth Kanjilal
CHESTER MCKEE/POLICEMAN | Jenson David Tieng
MRS. MCKEE | Jasmine Romany
CATHERINE | Kayla Manning
OWL EYES | Levaughn Wilson
DOT/ROSALIND | Anna Goad *
BET | Rihanna Sheppard *
FITZ THE BUTLER | Lucas Pinto Rito *
SALLY (DANCE CAPTAIN) | Kaitlyn Ruegg
BERNICE | Natalia Rhodes
JUDY | Emmah Hopkins *
GLORIA | Ainsley Breen *
THE CREW
DIRECTOR | Piper J Distel
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER | Melissa Ruegg
INTIMACY COACH | ‘Nessie’ Aly Hill
STAGE MANAGER | Tish Bagley
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS | Jacob Kowalchyk, Ava dal Bello
TECHNICAL SUPPORT | David Tanner, Ray Kavanaugh
PROJECTION DESIGN | Piper J. Distel
HEAD OF COSTUMES/PROPERTIES | Piper J. Distel
WARDROBE TEAM | Ariel Diamond, Jasmine Romany, Tish Bagley
SET DESIGN | Lori Robinson Distel
SET CONSTRUCTION | Lori Robinson Distel, Nikki Wills, Duncan Graham
*= Penny & Pound Debut
MEETTHE CAST
Agraj Joshi as Jay Gatsby
HE/HIM
AJisthrilledtobemakinghisPenny&Pounddebutin‘TheGreatGatsby’Inhis sparetime,helikestodabbleinfinanceandhangoutwithhisgirlfriend.Heisalsoan ‘agedgouda’enthusiast Hehopesyouenjoytheshow!
Diem Morriswala as Nick Carraway
HE/THEY
DiemishappytomakehisPenny&PounddebutinTheGreatGatsby!Diem’srecent theatrecreditsincludeTheCompleteWorksofWilliamShakespeare(Abridged)and RehearsalforMurder,bothwithGuelphLittleTheatre.Whenheisn’tonstage,Diem enjoysmakingmusicanddoinghisdayjobasatherapist Diemhopesyouenjoythe showandtherestofthewonderfulcast!
Emaan Ansari asYoung Nick Carraway
HE/THEY/SHE
Emaan‘Wasp’Ansariisaqueer,POCperformerfromtheKWRegion SelectPenny&Pound creditsincludeDr AnnRoss(TheGodCommittee),Rizzo(Grease),Romeo(Newsies), J Marley(MissScrooge),WhiteRabbit(Curiouser)andRuhksanaAmir(Hello,Love) CreditselsewhereincludeBethinOZ(JHSSDrama),RamSweeneyinHeathers(UW)and KWGlee(2019/2020) Currently,EmaanisathirdyearstudentatUniversityofWaterloo, andistheco-choreographer forUW’sproductionofLittleShopofHorrors
Zachary Larsen asTom Buchanan
HE/HIM
AveteranofthePenny&Poundstage,Zachary‘Larsen’LarsenmadehisdebutinBram Stoker’sDracula(2017) Sincethen,hehasportrayedanumberofotherwhinywhite boys:Tony(YouCan’tTakeItwithYou),Roger(Grease),Joseph(LittleHeaven),JackKelly (Newsies),TheHatter(Curiouser),MichaelMontgomery(Hello,Love),Fred(AChristmas Carol)andHimself(Godspell)
Casey Wells as Daisy Buchanan
SHE/HER
CaseyisthrilledtoreturntothePenny&Poundstageforherthirdproduction,having previouslyappearedasBethinLittleWomen,andElizabeth/BoPeepinCuriouser A longtimefanof‘TheGreatGatsby,’Caseyisexcitedtosharethisnewstageadaptation withfansandnewcomersalike!
Bethany Bair as Jordan Baker
SHE/HER
BethanyBairisanemergingplaywrightandperformer,passionateaboutcreating vibrant,originalnarrativesthatcaptivateaudiences Fuelledbyadeeploveofthe artssincechildhood,shefindsjoyinexploringtheboundlesspossibilitiesof storytelling drawinginspirationfromtheworld,dreamsandquietmomentsspent innature
Kezia Allen as Myrtle Wilson
SHE/HER
Keziaisanemergingactorwitheightyearsofexperiencesinging,dancingandactingin musicalsandshowcases,primarilywithherchurchcommunity Asawomanofcolour, shebringsheart,commitmentandastrongperformancefoundation,andisexcitedto expandherexperienceinthetheatrewiththisproductionof‘TheGreatGatsby’
Leo Guo as George Wilson
HE/HIM
LeoreturnstothePenny&Poundstageforthesecondtimethisseason,having previouslyappearedinHello,Love:AMusicalinFourWars OriginallyfromChina,Leois currentlyastudentattheUniversityofWaterlooandisanactivememberofUW’sa capellaensemble,TheWaterboys
Sreshth Kanjilal as MeyerWolfsheim
HE/HIM
Sreshthissixteen,andwasborninKolkata,India Heiscurrentlybeingeducatedat BramaleaSecondarySchoolinBrampton,wherehedirectedastageproductioncalled ‘Admissions’SreshthrecentlymadehisPenny&PounddebutasOldJoe/RickWilkinsin AChristmasCarol
Jenson DavidTieng as Chester McKee/Policeman
HE/HIM
JensonisaChinese-CanadianperformerfromKW PreviouscreditsincludeCuriouser andHello,Love(Penny&Pound);Pippin(KWLT);TheLittleMermaid(DoyleDrama); SpongeBobtheMusical(St Mary’sDrama) InMay,Jensonwillbeportrayingtheroleof JayinDescendantswithKatStudios
Jasmine
SHE/HER
Romany as Mrs. McKee
Jasminehasfoundatruehomeonthestagefollowingmanytheatricalendeavours Some ofherfavouriterolesincludeHeroinMuchAdoAboutNothing(ITProductions),Beggar WomaninSweeneyToddandPearlKellyinTheReturn:AGhostStory(Penny&Pound) Shelooksforwardtotakingonthismore‘lighthearted’roleinTheGreatGatsby
Kayla Manning as Catherine
SHE/HER
KaylaisexcitedtobeparticipatinginthisproductionofTheGreatGatsby!Thisisher secondshowwithPenny&PoundTheatre,thefirstbeingCuriouserinMay2025 Her othernotableactingcreditsincludeDorothyGaleinTheWizardofOZ,DianaBarryin AnneofGreenGablesandLouiseBrowninGhost:TheMusical
Levaughn Wilson as Owl Eyes
HE/HIM
I’mthankfulformymotherforbeingmy#1supporterinmypassionforacting Mypast experienceincludestheroleofJackMontagueinTheHauntingofHillHouse(Penny& Pound),aswellasvariousbackgroundrolesinTV,filmandhighschoolproductions I’m excitedtobepartofthisproductionandseeinghowfarintoacareerthiswilltakeme
Anna Goad as Dot/Rosalind
SHE/HER
Annafoundherloveforactingatagefour,andhasbeendoingtheatreeversince Her favouriterolewasSnowWhiteinCambridgeCommunityPlayers’SnowWhite:ThePanto Sheissoexcitedtobeapartofthisshow!
Rihanna Sheppard as Bet
SHE/HER
RihannaissoexcitedtoperforminherfirstshowwithPenny&Pound,‘TheGreatGatsby’ Whensheisn’tacting,sheenjoysplayingtheguitar,paint,andexplorenew hairstyles/fashionstyles!Rihannaissuperhappytobeapartofthiscastandshehopes youenjoytheshowasmuchasshedoes!!
Lucas Pinto Rito as Fitz the Butler
HE/HIM
LucasisexcitedtobefocusingontheatreagainafterfinishingWestSideStorywith TheatreAncaster Heistakinganyopportunitytoexpandhistheatreexperiencefor possibilitiesinthefuturefortheatreandvoiceacting
Kaitlyn Ruegg as Sally/Dance Captain
SHE/HER
Kaitlynhasbeeninvolvedwiththeatreforoveradecade,andhasexclusivelyperformed withPenny&PoundTheatresince2023 PreviousPenny&Poundcreditsinclude Morgan(Hello,Love),Clara(MissScrooge),SpotConlon(Newsies),Susan(Headinthe Game),DanceCaptain(BloodyGood),Bet(Oliver!)andEaglet/Others(Curiouser)
Natalia Rhodes as Bernice
SHE/HER
NataliaRhodesisamultidisciplinaryIndigenousperformerwithtraininginbothstage andscreenacting,modelling,andmultipledancedisciplines Withapassionfor storytelling,andaloveforexpressionthroughtheart,sheisexcitedtobejoiningthe castandproductionofPenny&Pound’sTheGreatGatsby
Emmah Hopkins as Judy
SHE/THEY
EmmahHopkinsisdelightedtobeperforminginTheGreatGatsby,asherfirstever performancewithPenny&PoundTheatre!Shewouldliketothankallherfriendsfor theirsupport
Ainsley Breen as Gloria/Housekeeper
SHE/HER
AinsleyisexcitedtojointhecastofTheGreatGatsby Herlovefortheatrebeganafter seeing‘TheSoundofMusic,’andhasn’tstoppedsince!
MEET THE CREATIVES
PiperJ. Distel as Director
SHE/THEY
PiperJ.Distelisanaward-winningqueer,neurodivergentmultidisciplinarytheatre artist,currentlyservingasExecutiveDirectorofPenny&PoundTheatre Recent directorialcreditsincludeAChristmasCarol,TheReturn,HeadintheGame,Newsies, Grease,Oliver!andTheHauntingofHillHouse AKlebanAward-nominated playwright,PiperhaspennedthebookforanumberofCanadianmusicals,including HelloLove,Curiouser,LittleHeaven,MissScroogeandBloodyGood Findherwork onlineviathePlaywrightsGuildofCanadaorThePledgeProject
Melissa Ruegg as Asst Director/Choreographer
SHE/HER
MelissaRueggisatwenty-two-year-oldmultidisciplinarytheatreartist,whois excitedtobeteamingupwithPenny&Poundtobringheradaptationof‘TheGreat Gatsby’tothestage PreviousdirectorialcreditsincludeHeadintheGame(Penny& Pound/2025) PreviouschoreographycreditsincludeNewsies,Oliver!,Alicein Wonderland,andmore!
Nessie Aly Hill as Intimacy Coach
SHE/THEY
‘Nessie’AlyHillisanactor,singer,songwriter,directorandmuchmore!She graduatedfromBrockUniversity’sDramaticArtsProgramin2019andhasdone theatreforaslongasshecanremember In2020,shebecamethemainsongwriter for‘ScottPilgrimvstheUnofficalMusical’andayearlatershewascastasRamona Flowersforthedemo Thankyouforseeingtheshowandsupportinglocalstarving artists!
"Everybody's youth is a dream, a form of chemical madness"
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Wilde’s most famous comedy about mistaken identities makes a triumphant return to the Penny & Pound stage in this delightfully queer and colourful production.
February 18 22 at KW Little Theatre
Little Women
Follow the March sisters as they navigate love, loss and sisterhood against the backdrop of the American Civil War. This fresh adaptation is warm, witty, and deeply moving.
Adapted by Piper J. Distel and Lori Robinson Distel March 12 15 at Fergus Grand Theatre
A bleak new thriller about the cost of faith and celebrity, White Plague follows the inhabitants of St. Camillus Consumption Sanitarium as they blindly follow the man they believe to be their Messiah. FOR MORE
White Plague A New Play by Piper J. Distel April 2 4 at Fergus Grand Theatre
Penny & Pound’s Young Adult Series is a dynamic performance stream created specifically for teens and young adults ready to tackle bold stories, complex characters, and meaningful themes. Designed for emerging artists who are eager to grow beyond introductory training, this program bridges the gap between youth theatre and the professional stage. Through rehearsals, workshops, and performance, participants build advanced skills in acting, movement, voice, and ensemble collaboration while exploring material that challenges, inspires, and reflects their world. The Young Adult Series fosters confidence, discipline, and creative risk-taking empowering performers to find their voice, sharpen their craft, and tell stories that matter.
Builds confidence and selfexpression in a supportive environment
Develops communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
Encourages creativity, imagination, and problem-solving
Fosters empathy by exploring different perspectives and stories
Creates a strong sense of belonging and community
Teaches discipline, responsibility, and resilience
Helps young people find and value their unique voice
Supports personal growth both onstage and in everyday life
THE JOSEPH R. DISTEL AWARD OF OVERALL EXCELLENCE
ARTHURG.BROOK(ThePeddler)-LittleHeaven(2024)
ZACHARYLARSEN(JackKelly)-Newsies(2024)
JEREMYVANDENHELM(MaestroCovali)-LittleHeaven(2024)
JONATHANHOYTEMA(Anthony)-SweeneyTodd(2024)
DUNCANGRAHAM(HarryHarper)-MissScrooge(2024)
JOHNSETTLE(Silas)-HeadintheGame(2025)
MYALEWORTHY(Daphne)-TheReturn:AGhostStory(2025)
EMMAMARCHAND(InaLiddell)-Curiouser(2025)
WILLIAMCOOPER(YoungCharles)-Curiouser(2025)
TYLERHERGOTT(Eugene)-Hello,Love(2025)
CRISKELLAND(Eleanor)-TheHauntingofHillHouse(2025)
EMILYHARTMAN(LizzieBorden)-BloodyGood(2025)
SEANSAUNDERS(Fezziwig/Others)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
EMILYSCHNURR(Past)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
THE HUGH SUTHERLAND HEART OF THE ARTS AWARD
MATTHEWBRAGANCA(Roosevelt/Jacobi)-Newsies(2024)
MELISSARUEGG(Mila)-LittleHeaven(2024)
ZOEFAULKNER(Johanna)-SweeneyTodd(2024)
JORDANBENTLEY(Iola/Others)-MissScrooge(2024)
SHERRIEMILLER(Dr.O’Connor)-HeadintheGame(2025)
CAMERONSAMSON(Marcel)-TheReturn:AGhostStory(2025)
ANNACARTER(LorinaLiddell)-Curiouser(2025)
NIKKIWILLS(Tweedledum/Others)-Curiouser(2025)
SUSANEDANG(TokyoRose/Others)-Hello,Love(2025)
JASMINEROMANY(Minnie/Others)-Hello,Love(2025)
JACOBKOWALCHYK(Luke)-TheHauntingofHillHouse(2025)
KATIEBABINEAU(MollCutpurse)-BloodyGood(2025)
AUBREEREES(Demonette)-BloodyGood(2025)
TISHBAGLEY(Mrs.Fezziwig/Others)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
HOLLYMARSHALL(Charwoman)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
THE ANNE MEIGHAN AWARD OF THEATRICAL INNOVATION
ABIGAILKLASSEN(EbenezerScrooge)-MissScrooge(2024)
PETERTUDISCO(Sid)-HeadintheGame(2025)
SEBASTIANCUDNEY(Beau)-TheReturn:AGhostStory(2025)
EMAANANSARI(WhiteRabbit)-Curiouser(2025)
AIDABECKER(Lobster/Others)-Curiouser(2025)
DAISYNGUYEN(Chi)-Hello,Love(2025)
JORDANGRAHAM(MickeyMcCade/Others)-Hello,Love(2025)
NATALIARHODES(Phantom)-TheHauntingofHillHouse(2025)
EMILYWETTLAUFER(JollyJane)-BloodyGood(2025)
ASPENWALSH(BridgetSullivan)-BloodyGood(2025)
KYLAMCCALL(Mrs.Dilber)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
MICHAELASAUNDERS(Fan)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
THE GORD ROBINSON AWARD OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
TRAVISGOLEM(Guitar)-MissScrooge(2024)
ARYAVANDERVAART(AliceLiddell)-Curiouser(2025)
JOANNAMAKINSON(WhiteQueen)-Curiouser(2025)
THEOBANMAN(Aubrey)-Hello,Love(2025)
JOSHUAPERRYFLEMING(John)-Hello,Love(2025)
CAELANMILFORD(BonnieParker)-BloodyGood(2025)
KIMBERLYGODFREY(BelleGunness)-BloodyGood(2025)
THE MARTIN SMITH AWARD OF THEATRICAL DISCIPLINE
ARIELDIAMOND(Janice/Others)-Hello,Love(2025)
BRYANRUSH(Smitt/Others)-Hello,Love(2025)
HAYLEYWILLS(MovementCaptain)-TheHauntingofHillHouse(2025)
DIANATHOMPSON(NannieDoss)-BloodyGood(2025)
STEPHANIECLARK(BelleStarr)-BloodyGood(2025)
GARYKLASSEN(BobCratchit)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
JAMESDIAMOND(NephewFred/Marley’sGhost)-AChristmasCarol(2025)
ELBOWSUP!|2025/2026SEASON
KWLITTLETHEATRE-KITCHENER,ONTARIO
— THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE | OCTOBER 9-12, 2025
— THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST | FEBRUARY 18-22, 2026
GUELPHLITTLETHEATRE-GUELPH,ONTARIO
— HELLO, LOVE | AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
— BLOODY GOOD | NOVEMBER 6-9, 2025
— AVONLEA: THE MUSICAL | MAY 14-17, 2026
— BLACK SHEEP: A MUSICAL COMEDY | JULY 10-13, 2026
FERGUSGRANDTHEATRE-FERGUS,ONTARIO
— THE GREAT GATSBY | JANUARY 29-31, 2026
– LITTLE WOMEN | MARCH 12-15, 2026
– WHITE PLAGUE | APRIL 2-4, 2026
FORMOREINFORMATION,SCANTHEQRCODEHERE
