Tibbits Opera House

Henry Perkins has returned home from work on his birthday, accidentally grabbing the wrong briefcase on the subway. He finds his new briefcase filled with 735,000 pounds. Set in London in the late 1970's, when the British pound to dollar ratio was more than 2 to 1, you can only imagine how much money he has now found in his briefcase!!!  Henry decides to forgo his birthday celebrations and fly to Barcelona with his new fortune and his wife Jean, never to return. However, his soon arriving birthday guests and reluctant to leave wife, along with the true owners of the money briefcase, upset all of Henry's plans and hilarity ensues.

Playing Henry Perkins, is returning Tibbits company member Chad Tallon. This is Chad's second summer here at Tibbits, and has just recently played Amos Hart in Chicago. Chad is originally from Essex, IL, just 50 miles south of Chicago. He holds a BA in Theatre from Lewis University and has just completed an MFA degree in Acting from Western Illinois University.  Chad said he loved returning to the community of actors Charles Burr has cast. Chad states that Charles always seems to cast talented people who get along well together and are supportive of each other.

Chad was inspired to get into theatre by his 7th grade science teacher who was very involved in the arts and needed more boys for their production of Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. Chad joined the cast as Mr. Beaver, and tells me he is still in contact with that special teacher, who started it all for him.

Henry Perkins

Chad began his undergrad days studying to be a Math teacher, but by his Sophomore year, he changed his mind to pursue theatre, transferred schools, and began his theatre path.  Chad has worked at Summer Music Theatre in Macomb, IL and this last year was on tour with National Players performing Of Mice and Men and Taming of the Shrew. Chad's dream roles include Horton in Seussical and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls.  Chad advises people perusing theatre to always keep learning, reading, and working. "If you make your craft a priority, you can control your destiny."

Playing Chad's best friend in Funny Money, is TJ Besler as Vic Johnson. This is TJ's first summer here at Tibbits, he was featured as Olaf in Frog Prince and also fills out the ensemble in Chicago, most notably as Sergeant Fogarty.  TJ, originally from Manchester, IA, holds a BA in Theatre with a minor in Music and Dance from University of Iowa.  TJ mentioned how beautiful he thinks the theatre is, how efficiently Tibbits works, the great staff of people he is working with, and how supportive the Coldwater community is of the theatre in attendance of the shows.
TJ began in theatre during elementary school, and by his Freshman year in high school he was performing along side of his older sister. He said that the show they did together his Freshman year, Anything Goes, was when he decided he wanted to perform for a living.

Vic Johnson

TJ has worked at Old Creamery Theatre in Amana, IA, Winged Lions Players in LA, Nashville Children's Theatre and he has toured with National Theatre for Children.  TJ's dream roles include Bobby in Company, The Baker in Into the Woods and the MC in Cabaret.  His advice to young hopefuls is only do this if you are positive you can't see yourself doing anything else, "those are the people who stick with it and are successful."



Jean Perkins

Heather Jessup, our costume designer for Funny Money is bringing the late 70's fashion back to the Tibbits stage. Originally from Largo, FL, Heather has attended Florida School of the Arts, holds a BA in Technical Theatre from University of Mississippi and is entering her 3rd year as an MFA Costume Design student at North Carolina School of the Arts. This is Heather's 1st summer at Tibbits and is enjoying all the people she is working with here. Heather also designed our costumes for On Broadway 1956 earlier this summer. While in that show she was designing using several vintage items from the 50's, this show allows her to pull from the great stock the costume shop has due to the vast amount of donations received from locals here in Coldwater matching the era of this show. She tells me she has focused on the 70's silhouette in costuming this show and has stayed away from mustard yellow color, since the walls of the set will be in that color family. 


Sergeant Davenport

Heather began performing in middle school, was involved in show choir and has always loved singing. Heather has always enjoyed the analytical side of theatre as well. She found her place, as she continued to read plays and enjoyed the communication through design of the plays' intentions. In high school she got involved in FL State Thespians and enjoyed the opportunity to work beside professional costume designers. Heather has worked as a designer at Oxford Shakespeare Festival in Mississippi, at Maltz Jupiter as wardrobe supervisor and was assigned upkeep and styling of the wigs as well.  Also, Heather has worked as a costume apprentice for two years at Santa Fe Opera, but last year was a costume assistant at Santa Fe Opera.


Heather hopes to design a Tennessee Williams play in the future. She loves the text and relationships in the world he creates.  Heather advises aspiring costume designers to draw... a lot, paint, get experience and talk to people who are in the field. She stated, "You must love the substance of the play" to design well.

Betty Johnson

Funny Money, opens Thursday July 26th with both a matinee and evening performance and runs for two weeks closing on Saturday Aug. 4th.

See you at the show!!!