Nolan Ballantyne – Taylor
Nolan is excited to be back on stage this year. Last seen as Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest last year, he is excited to be a part of this wonderful show. Big thanks to cast and crew for bringing this story to life.

Steve Byers – Reverend
Steve Byers is back on stage after most recently appearing as Harding in 2023s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He’d like to thank Kevin and the entire cast and crew of Prelude to a Kiss for an incredible experience and reminds everyone to not miss 7 Stories, which he’ll be stage-managing, and opens June 12, 2025.

Michael Johnston – Peter
Michael is excited to be back on stage with OSLT.  This is Michael’s fourteenth show with OSLT since 2018 and the fourth that he has acted in. Michael has also worked on various shows such as The Games Afoot, Red Plaid Shirt and The Addam’s Family as sound and light design or stage management. Next season Michael will be joining OSLT as the director for The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare Abridged.

Colleen Martin – Aunt Dorothy
Colleen first worked with Kevin Haxell when they were cast as Captain and Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker. She is happy to be under his guidance in this play as she continues to explore and learn as an actor. Colleen was last seen on the Roxy stage in The Prom.

Paula Mercer – Rita’s Mom
This season, Paula has taken to the stage in Prelude to A Kiss as Dr. Marion Boyle otherwise known as Rita’s mom. A sincere thank you goes to Kevin for casting and guiding her in this role and to the rest this amazing cast and crew for their efforts and support. Enjoy Marion’s sharp tongue and controlling nature as she banters with her husband and dishes out advice. Paula started her involvement with the OSLT in the early 2000’s choreographing such musicals as The Music Man, Anne of Green Gables and Sound of Music and most recently, Anything Goes, Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast and Something Rotten!. In the last 15 years, she has performed in OSLTs West Moon and Born Yesterday as well as several musicals in Florida including The Producers and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Bill Oliver – Old Man

Rick Ringer – Rita’s Dad
Rick is pleased to be back on the Roxy stage in his fifth OSLT production. Previously seen in The Mousetrap, White Christmas, The Long Weekend and West Moon, Rick is loving working with Kevin and the talented, dedicated cast and crew. And loving the role of Rita’s Dad, who is a little too much like Rick in real life! Kudos to Michael and Zoë, for taking on such huge roles and to Paula, for being a fun onstage wife. And thanks to Rick’s real-life wife, Donna Lynn, for her patience and understanding. We hope you enjoy the show!

Becky Robinson – Leah
Becky Robinson is thankful to return to the OSLT stage for this incredible experience. After a few years away, she played Bea Bottom in Something Rotten! last year and it felt like being home again. She can’t wait to see what the years ahead bring in this wonderful group of people.

Kassidy Shaw – Bartender/Waiter
Kassidy is excited to return to the OSLT stage, where she has previously been in Something Rotten!, The Children’s Hour, and a few one act plays. She’s been involved with many other productions locally as well as at the University of Waterloo, where she completed her BA in Theatre and Performance and English. She thanks the fantastic cast and crew for all of their hard work, and the audiences for supporting live theatre. “Enjoy!” 

Zoë Woodrow – Rita
Zoë Woodrow is very excited to be playing the part of Rita. Her past experience includes Aggie in The Games Afoot and Martha in The Children’s Hour. She is thrilled to be working with Kevin and the team of Prelude to a Kiss and can’t wait to see what her future with the OSLT has in store.

Kevin Haxell – Director
This is Kevin’s fifth show for OSLT as a Director. He directed Peter Colley’s The Ghost Island Light, Noises Off, Born Yesterday and You, Me and A Bit of Driftwood.  For Bruce Country Playhouse, he directed I’ll Be Back Before Midnight in 2023. As an actor for OSLT, he has appeared as Captain Keller in The Miracle Worker, Dr. William Bingham in Having Hope at Home and Dr. Bradman in Blithe Spirit. In 2015 Kevin visited Owen Sound and attended a performance of OSLT’s The 39 Steps and was blown away by the professionalism of the production. After being involved in over 40 productions in Oakville, Kevin and his wife, Sandi, retired to Grey Bruce in 2016. He was delighted that he could become a member of OSLT and work with this talented and welcoming community theatre.

Sandi Holland – Producer
Sandi was an avid theatre fan when she met, her now husband, Kevin Haxell. His passion for community theatre introduced her to various volunteer roles in stage management including Producer. As a former Toronto business executive and now a sole proprietor, the ability to engage in OSLT’s creative ventures challenges and ignites her own right brain thinking. Sandi loves this script and its many messages. Congrats to a cast and crew that gave so much of their time and energy to bring audiences this wonderful production. 

Valerie Underwood – Stage Manager
Val is a long-time member of OSLT and has enjoyed many aspects of membership working both behind the scenes and on stage. She has directed several productions including White Christmas and A Red Plaid Shirt; has costumed such plays as The King and I and My Fair Lady and has stage managed Dads 2 and The Graduate. “It is with great pleasure that I join Kevin’s team as Stage Manager for this wonderful production and hope you enjoy it as much as I have.”

Elaine Anderson – Assistant Stage Manager
Elaine is thrilled to be part of the crew for Prelude to a Kiss. She has become a very active volunteer in the OSLT since moving here in 2021. Elaine enjoys working in a supporting role backstage and as a Front of House Manager. She gives her thanks to Kevin and Sandi for the opportunity to be part of such a dedicated and talented cast and crew.

Kara Gibson – Assistant Stage Manager
Kara is thrilled to be a member of the crew for this fabulous play! This is her first time working backstage in an OSLT show. She’s appeared onstage in Something Rotten!, The Prom, and others. Huge thanks to Kevin, Sandi, and Val for giving her this opportunity to work behind the scenes.  “Enjoy the show!” 

Jed Phillips – Set Design/Build
As an actor, Jed has been around the world & back….now he breaks with tradition to continue his journey with our theatre to design and lead the building and painting teams in presenting Prelude to a Kiss. He sends thanks to Kevin, Sandi and crew for their cooperation, guidance & patience, and a special thanks to everyone backstage with special shout out to Thomas, Martin, Scott, Val, John, Terry and new OSLT member John Dyer. “They kept….the rig between the ditches.” Jed’s message to the cast: “What, do you have it all written down behind the bar or something? Your talent and hard work inspire us all!”  And his message to his wife, Jane, and all my family, “for helping me in this and everything I do; my love, respect and thanks!”….ain’t life a wonderful thing!

Leah Faulkner – Properties
Leah Faulkner is so excited to be working on a Roxy production once again. She recently returned to the Grey-Bruce area after 14 years away and has been welcomed back to the Roxy with open arms. Leah is thrilled to be working on props for Prelude to A Kiss with a great cast and crew. She can’t wait to get more involved in future productions!

Gord McConachie-Anderson – Sound
Gord has been involved in many OSLT productions over the years, on stage, in pit bands and in the booth. Most recently, he was the music director for Something Rotten!. He gives kudos to all the cast and crew of Prelude To A Kiss for their hard work in preparing for the show, and for the fabulous result of their efforts. “Special thanks to Kevin for his direction, and Gary for his technical assistance. Well done, everyone!”

Wendy Smart – Makeup

Lindsay Mahy – Hair
Lindsay is a skilled hairstylist with 20+ years of experience, specializing in special occasion and wedding hairstyles.  She is excited to be part of this amazing production, while bringing her expertise and creativity to the stage!

Sheilah Spurr – Mentee Director
Sheilah has been a memorable volunteer on many OSLT productions. Most recently, as an actor in You, Me And A Bit of Driftwood, and as the playwright of Gorgeous Gallivanting Goddesses.   Always up for new challenges, she has been honing her skill as a Director and learning the new skill of lighting design with this production. 

John Prettie – Cast Portrait Photography

John White – Promotional Photography