Meet the Cast of A Christmas Carol's Past: Nicholas Cornfield

Meet Nicholas Cornfield

I was part of A Christmas Carol (1991-1997) as various Londoners, Matthew Cratchit, Turkey Boy, Ignorance, and in one semi-conscious version was the Spirit of Christmas Past.  I was also in Shadowlands at MBT in 1996 as Douglas.

Left acting to focus more on hockey.  Played into college. Traveled the world a little teaching English. Went back to Culinary School. Currently the Executive Chef of Courses Restaurant and Lead Culinary Arts Instructor at the Culinary Institute of Michigan.  Married in 2016 (Best man at my wedding, and I at his, fellow MBT Carol Kid Alum and Best Friend of nearly 30 years, Adam Carpenter). Wife Liz and I have 2 kids: Bash, nearly 3, and Robbie, 5 months. We live in St. Clair, MI.

Meet the Cast of A Christmas Carol's Past: Emily Muench

Meet Emily Muench

I was Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol back in 2012. Unfortunately, I was only able to do the show for one year since I was too old to audition the year after. Looking back, I will never forget what an amazing experience it was to be part of that production. It was such a unique opportunity to be in a professional production at that young of an age.

Now, I am 20 years old and I am a junior BFA Musical Theatre Major with a minor in music at Drake University. My love for theatre and performing has grown so much since coming to college and I’m super excited to start working in the industry in a year or so. Last year I had the opportunity to portray Beth March in Drake’s production of Little Women, and now that show holds a very special place in my heart. I’m currently in the ensemble of Pippin here at school, but I’m also very excited to be the hair and makeup designer and the dog wrangler/trainer. This show will definitely keep me busy this semester.

However, theatre isn’t the only thing occupying my time at school. Last year I started a club at Drake called Bulldog T.A.I.L.S. (Training Animals In Life Services). We are an on-campus organization that partners with local non-profits to train service dogs for veterans. I’ve discovered a passion for training these wonderful animals and I love to watch them learn and grow. It’s hard to give them up at the end of their training, but knowing that they’re going to someone who needs them makes it all worth it.

Also, break a “crutch” to this year’s cast and crew of A Christmas Carol! I can’t wait to see the show!

Meet the Cast of A Christmas Carol's Past: Austin Joseph Reynolds

Meet Austin Joseph Reynolds

When I was ten-years-old, my first audition for anything was Meadow Brook Theatre's A Christmas Carol. I remember the day I auditioned so clearly, reading sides from the Cratchit dinner scene - "... the potatoes are bubbling! ..." For the years 2004 and 2005, I performed the role of Scrooge as a Boy and the Boy Caroler. For the years 2006 and 2007, I performed the role of Peter Cratchit. I will forever love this production. In fact, I think I could still recite nearly every line from beginning to end. After A Christmas Carol, I attended Interlochen Arts Academy for high school. In 2017, I graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Ice. In May of 2017, I joined a contemporary ballet company called Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and traveled to and around France, Israel, Canada and the U.S. for two years. In June of 2019, I decided to move back to New York at the end of August. The week I moved back, I auditioned for the National Tour of Cats. Less than a week later, I got an offer to join as a Swing and as the Dance Captain. We are currently at the Kennedy Center and my heart is so full. I would not be here today if many people had not shared their love and wisdom with me at Meadow Brook; especially Terry Carpenter, Judy Dery and Tom Mahard. There are many different kinds of people in this business, so the fact that my first experience could be so wonderfully special and loving means the world to me.

Meet the Cast of A Christmas Carol's Past: Cheryl Zeese

Meet Cheryl Zeese (now Denenberg)

I think I was in the show 1984, 1985 and 1987. I played Fan and Belinda. Some of my best childhood memories are from those three productions - Sunday meals from the Chinese restaurant, sugar cubes on the coffee table and Secret Santa. 1987 was my heyday for theater as I did not continue. I have a Bachelor of Science in speech pathology from Michigan State University - and a Bachelor of Science in nursing and finally a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State law school. I live in Grand Rapids with my husband and our two children. One fun fact is that in 1998 one of the first dates with my husband was to see A Christmas Carol. Booth Colman was still in it at the time. We have Broadway Grand Rapids tickets and go to Chicago & New York a lot to see shows - still love the theater!