Mojave Beach Players
We wouldn’t be anywhere without the incredible team of talented voice actors who took part in each production.
JEFF EVANS
With over 34 years of acting experience, Jeff Evans has appeared in more than 80 films and TV shows, including 6 episodes of In the Heat of the Night for MGM/UA, Love Potion Number 9, and Made in Heaven for Lorimar. On stage, Jeff has portrayed Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Emile DeBecque in South Pacific and Shelley LeVene in Glengarry Glen Ross. His Voice Over work is too extensive to list. He and his wife now live in Florida where he frequently appears in the series of inspirational films produced by Sue Dontell.
EDDIE CRAIG
Eddie Craig is a multi-talented Florida actor/voice impressionist and filmmaker, army veteran, father, and cancer survivor. His credits include The Right Stuff TV series, Director/Producer of short documentaries “Kahana Stunt School” and “Celebrity Crush”. At home on both sides of the mic, stage and cameras, Craig has worked as production assistant and assistant to producers as well as various roles onscreen as an extra. He is heard as an East Indian dignitary in Mojave Beach Productions’ “Case of the Howling Husky”, and also as Kurt Anderson.
JACK DIAMOND
Jack Diamond has had a career in radio since earning his degree in Radio & Television from Brigham Young University. After an initial run as an Omaha disc jockey, he moved on to Las Vegas and Kansas City before settling in Topeka, Kansas where The Jack Diamond Show ran for more than ten years. When the station was absorbed by a Georgia-based network, Jack went to WREN Internet radio where his show continues, worldwide 24/7. Jack is the official voice of Mojave Beach Productions.
CHUCK FRESH
Chuck Fresh (Charles Graudins) was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He paid his way through school working a variety of day jobs while performing as a mobile, nightclub, and radio DJ in between classes. After climbing the ladder in Corporate America, Fresh now resides in Melbourne, Florida where he is an author, actor, and a nationally recognized voiceover talent. He also runs Brevard Marketing LLC and produces several popular YouTube channels.
BETTY JACKSON
Betty Jackson has been part of the production design, set construction/ set decoration or coordinating team for Warner Brothers, CBS, Paramount, ESPN, The Movie Channel, The Discovery Channel, Clear Channel Communications, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures. She also works lighting, sound or set construction for Rod Stewart, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice Cooper (Brutal Planet), Sarah Brightman, Ted Nugent, Billy Joel and Leonard Skynard. Her special effects experiences include the Texas Rangers baseball team, the Dallas Stars Hockey Team, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Betty has been associate producer, videographer and guest director for the TV show, “Crossroads Live”, in association with the Ester Davis Show, ( ION television). She began an acting career as a child and, most recently, appeared in the principal role of Brenda Marlow in the feature film “Truth or Fiction”. Betty lives near Fort Worth, Texas where her neighbors are cows, horses, deer, and possums. She confesses to occasionally singing too loudly and breaks out dancing for no apparent reason. Her loves are acting, working production, writing, playing keyboard, photography, spending time with family and friends and helping others. Mojave Beach Productions is proud to have her as a valued Mojave Beach Player.
BETTY LAIRD
Betty Laird is a writer, historian, and actor. Although a native Nebraskan, she has resided on both U. S. coasts as well as in Scotland, Germany, and Yugoslavia. A member of Screen Actors Guild, she has appeared in numerous plays, commercials, independent films, and TV movies (including the role of Ed Asner’s wife in “Gone n the Night”, and the Glen Close MOW “Sarah Plain and Tall”). Betty has authored several books, plays, and articles. She has also published two Clinton Lake maps and is listed in several Who’s Who’s. She began as a Mojave Beach Player portraying Sally Webb in “Evidence of God”.
LOGAN BELLE
Contrary to popular belief, Logan Belle was not sent from the planet Koozebane to help sell party supplies. Born and raised in New Jersey, Logan moved to Orlando, Florida, and began to carve a name for himself in the local and national music community. He’s won several awards for his songwriting and released numerous albums that showcase his abilities as a singer, writer, and musician. Having worked as a radio announcer, television announcer, studio engineer, and tour manager, Logan now teaches songwriting at Full Sail University. Logan and his wife, Yvonne, often perform as a musical duo. He’s heard in Mojave Beach pilot productions as Zachariah in “Colterville”, and as multiple voices in “Case of the Howling Husky”.
ESTHER LUTTRELL
With no desire to become an actress, but eager to earn rent money, Esther began an acting career at 19, appearing in a low-budget Hollywood movie, “The Cool and the Crazy”, filmed in Kansas City, where she was living at the time. She was also active in the Jewish Community Theater until she married and had a family. It would be years before she returned to performing, this time as on-camera host and writer for half a dozen cable television programs. Screenwriting and then the writing of novels replaced acting until she settled in Topeka, Kansas where she created Mojave Beach Productions. Starting on a slender budget, she originally told her own stories on audio podcasts then expanded to include a stable of talented actors from around the country, proudly known as the Mojave Beach Players.
MICHAEL MATHEWSON
Michael Mathewson (Mike) is a member of the Topeka Civic Theatre’s Senior Class Improvisational Company since retiring as a Captain from the US Army Captain in 2013. Since then he has performed in plays with the Topeka Civic, All Community and Ad Astra theatre companies, and Sprout Creative productions. A native of Kansas, he has lived in numerous states and several countries. This provides him a broad range of experiences to bring to his roles. He is now proud to be working with the great people of Mojave Beach Productions.
PATRICK MCGRANAHAN
Patrick McGranahan has written, produced, and directed numerous plays, videos, and musicals for local youth, as well as serving as creative director in children’s ministry. . “However,” he says, “participating as a voice talent, as well as producing all of the pilot audio programs for Mojave Beach Productions has been the highlight of my career.” Patrick can be heard as Dave Gruber in “Case of the Howling Husky”, the husband in “Moving Platforms”, the announcer in numerous productions including children’s productions in MBP’s 227 Treehouse Lane, and is the author and voice of his own Bedtime Stories series. He lives in suburban Kansas City with his large family, and four well-loved, much-spoiled pets.
CHUCK MOSLEY
Chuck Mosley is a former Air Force fighter pilot, high school chemistry/physics teacher, and football coach. In retirement, he splits his time between Theatre Lawrence where he is a member of the Vintage Players, and the Jayhawk Club golf course where he spends many hours searching the woods and creeks for errant golf balls. Of course, these activities are secondary to his primary function as a human valet and manservant to a large brown dog named Bob. Chuck, a multi-talented actor, is heard as secret agent Gustaf in “Case of the Howling Husky” and as the announcer on many MBP productions.
PHYLIS SCHAPER
Phyllis Schaper is an actress with Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy. She performed her first role there as Hermia in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the age of 17. Since then she has appeared in countless stage roles at the theater. Some of her favorites are as Maggie in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, the mother in “Beau Jest”, and Golda in “Fiddler”. She was inducted into the Topeka Civic Theater Hall of Fame in 1994. She joined the Senior Class Improv company in 2012, and has found it to be exciting and challenging. Phyllis is happy to be participating in Mojave Beach Productions.
MARVIN STOTTLEMIRE
Marvin Stottlemire is a seasoned actor whose stage roles include Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and Mr. Webb in “Our Town”. In addition to scripted plays, he performs with improvisational comedy companies. Marvin is retired from careers as a university professor and litigation attorney. He is married and has two sons and three granddaughters.
DARLENE SMITH-ASH
Darlene Smith-Ash sculpts, writes, paints, and her outstanding acting ability is evident as the Voice in the Wind in Mojave Beach Production’s “Case of the Howling Husky”. With a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Smith College in Northampton, MA, she currently tutors English language arts, composition, grammar, technique, literature, and poetry. The former radio host also interviewed interesting guests from the world of Art for WMAS-AM. She and Esther Luttrell became friends when she helped facilitate Esther’s 3-day screenwriting workshop in Concord, MA. When Mojave Beach became a reality, Esther immediately turned to Darlene to take on several roles in the first pilot productions. Darlene Smith-Ash is now a member of Mojave Beach Players.
DIANE WURZER
Diane Wurzer is back in Topeka, Kansas after having lived and performed in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Washington, DC area. Some of her past favorite roles include Sheila in “A Chorus Line”, Bella in “Lost in Yonkers”, Miss Hannigan in “Annie”, and Dottie in “Noises Off”. Her most recent roles have included Julia in “Lend Me a Tenor” with Theatre Lawrence and Abby in “Ripcord” with Helen Hocker Theatre. She is a photographic artist and performs regularly with Topeka Civic Theatre’s Senior Class Comedy Improv Troupe. Hear her now in the MBP Dark Moon Library presentation of “Case of the Howling Husky”.
BOB POWELL
Bob Powell started in Community Theatre about 10 years ago as Goodman Ace in a radio show production of The Easy Aces. Since then he has performed in numerous musicals, comedies as well as the role of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. His most notable character is Johnny Carson who he has portrayed several times. Everyone loves Carnac! He and his wife Barbara created a tv show called Food, Friends & Fun which aired on a local tv station for 18 months. Bob is a member of “Old Pros”, a group of retired film and tv professionals who live in Laguna Beach, CA, and are still actively engaged in the world of entertainment.
BARBARA POWELL
Barbara Powell came to the theatre, later in life. She began assisting in community theatre as a makeup artist, then as a singer/dancer and actor. Upon retirement, she became more involved as a producer, director, and writer. She penned 2 musicals with partner Terry Fiset: Grandparent’s Revenge and Love, Sex & the Big City, and one with Estelle DiNunzio, Chasing Dreams. She and her husband Bob created a tv show called Food, Friends & Fun which aired on a local tv station for 18 months. The variety show was aimed at enticing senior citizens to cook more through sketch comedy, singing, dancing, and cooking segments.
Of course, we can’t forget the authors of these podcasts. Without their imagination, we’d all be lost.
IAN HALL
Author of Mojave Beach Production and their Dark Moon Library presentation, “Case of the Howling Husky”, Ian Hall has this to say: “I am Scottish, born in Edinburgh, and spent the first forty-one years of my life not far from my fair and bonnie ‘Athens of the North’. I now live in Topeka, Kansas with my wife Karla (bless her) and with many gallons of home-made wine bubbling as I write. My biggest achievement to date—apart from the parenting of my darling daughter—is my published novel, ‘Opportunities: Jamie Leith in Darien’. I’m not confined by genre, having equal success in historical adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and hard-hitting, gritty crime. I watch far too much football (don’t even think of calling it ‘soccer’) and, at times—with a collection of calibrated, graphite-shafted sticks—chase a dimpled ball along the carefully manicured countryside. I play guitar, sing in a folk/rock band, and would love to have enough money to tour the world’s archeological sites until I’m too old to walk. I also love to write, and I enjoy literary challenges of all kinds.” “Case of the Howling Husky” is available in a mystery anthology by the same name, as an ebook, and in print, through Amazon.
MICHAEL D. GRAVES
Michael D. Graves is the author of three novels set in 1930’s Wichita: “To Leave a Shadow, a Kansas Notable Book”, “Shadow of Death”, and “All Hallows’ Shadows”. Each of them features detective Pete Stone. His writing has appeared in Cheap Detective Stories, Thorny Locust, Flint Hills Review, and elsewhere. When life conjures its riddles, he turns to back roads and baseball for answers
They say that music makes the world go ’round. Well, that same rule applies for our projects. Music adds suspense, comedy, wonder, to our creations, and we have these people to thank.
JACK ALLEN – TONI BEAULIEU
Jack Allen, former network executive, has been friends with Esther Luttrell since her Hollywood days and was, naturally, tapped as an advisor, counselor, a cheerleader when she started Mojave Beach Productions. In the course of conversations, Jack told her about his grandmother, Toni Beaulieu, who wrote songs for films, specifically for an Esther Williams film. He went on to tell the story of Toni’s part in blazing the path for women musicians to become ASCAP members and to be given the credit they so richly deserved in the motion picture industry. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, it was not uncommon for a female to write the songs used in movies, but for the credit to go to an established male composer. It was Toni who fought to change that situation. Upon her death, Jack inherited her extensive library of published and unpublished songs – and what a library it is! Jack, who plays piano classically, accompanies Esther, musically, in the telling of the Mojave Beach Production of “My Funny Funny Daddy”, heard at 227 Treehouse Lane. Those are Toni’s tunes that Jack plays and sings. Toni’s music is also heard as the theme for MBP’s Sagebrush Theater. Jack and Esther are developing a podcast series based on the music of all eras plus another to honor women musicians from all eras.
EDDIE CRAIG
Eddie Craig, the multi-talented Florida Actor/Voice Impressionist, and Filmmaker, is also a musician. When Esther learned of his musical gifts, she tapped him to create the haunting harmonica heard in “King of the Mountain.”
ERUDESSA GENTIAN
Coming from a very artistic family, it’s no surprise Erudessa Gentian developed a deep-seated love for the arts, including music, acting, and writing. The inspiration gathered from her world travels are supplemented by an overactive imagination that makes it easy for her to be lost in daydreams that become songs she writes then sings or plays on her harp. Hers is the voice of Julie in “King of the Mountain.” In her free time, she takes full advantage of the opportunities Okinawa, her current sub-tropical island home, offers for her, her husband, and their German shepherd pup.
