Theatre People | Scripps Ranch Theatre

Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door

by Paul Slade Smith
directed by Christopher Williams

August 27 – September 20, 2026

In this zany 1940s comedy, Oliver Adams is on the brink of a major success. His novel “The Angel Next Door” is set to be published, and famed Broadway playwrights Charlotte and Arthur Sanders have already adapted his book for what is sure to be a huge stage hit. And who do they have their eye on as the leading lady? Margot Bell, of course – the very person Oliver adores and about whom he has written his novel (though he hasn’t told her yet). When they all converge for a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island, the thin walls of the well-appointed mansion reveal that the angel may not be angelic, and only the power of theatre can save the play, Oliver’s novel, and perhaps most importantly, his heart.

Run Time: The show runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. There will be one 15-minute intermission.

PURCHASE TICKET

KUSI News Interview

Christopher Williams and Taylor Henderson share “Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door” with KUSI.

WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING

“The playwrighting duo, Charlotte and Arthur, are performed with impeccable comic timing by Melissa Fernandes and Danny Campbell. Theater fans will also get a kick out of Sandy Campbell’s hilarious performance as dour Hungarian maid Olga, who scoffs at the foolishness of ‘theater people,’ only to become enamored by them at the end.
–Pam Kragen, San Diego Union Tribune

“It’s hard to think of more fun you could have at the theatre right now or really more fun anywhere.”
–Broadway World

CAST

Kenny Bordieri (Oliver)

Kenny is a San Diego native and has been acting professionally since 2016, following training at PCPA and earning his BFA from Utah State University. Favorite Scripps Ranch Theatre credits include Lucky Stiff (Vinnie) and Lost in Yonkers (Eddie). Other notable local and regional credits: The Thanksgiving Play and The 39 Steps (New Village Arts), Fiddler on the Roof (San Diego Musical Theatre), Deathtrap (Oceanside Theatre Company), and Mamma Mia! (Lyric Rep). Kenny is delighted to return to SRT for this charming production alongside a fantastic team.

Connect on Instagram: @kennybordieriofficial

Danny Campbell (Arthur)

Previously for SRT: Unnecessary Farce (Mayor Meekly), She Loves Me (Maraczek), Last Night of Ballyhoo (Adolf). Recently: Public Enemy and As You Like It for New Fortune, A Doll’s House, Pt. 2 at Vista Broadway, 12th Night of the Living Dead (Sir Toby) for Loud Fridge, Jekyll and Hyde and Fiddler on the Roof at SDMT. Elsewhere: 100+ performances in The Norman Conquests at Cygnet; Hamlet, All My Sons, Richard II, Macbeth, others for Intrepid; Sweeney Todd, 1776, West Side Story, others at Moonlight; also, shows at Lamb’s, Long Beach Playhouse, Octad-One, Onstage, Diversionary, Starlight, Actors Asylum.

Sandy Campbell (Olga)

Sandy was last seen at SRT as Maria Callas in Master Class. Other favorite roles include Lucille in Parade, Sally in Follies, Charlotte in A Little Night Music, and Fosca in Passion. She is a Resident Artist at Cygnet Theatre, an Associate Artist at Lamb’s Players and has worked at most of the theaters in town in such productions as Beautiful, Ragtime and Into the Woods (Moonlight); Zhivago (La Jolla Playhouse); Clybourne Park and Mother Road (SD REP); How to Succeed… and The Prom (SDMT); Macbeth (Intrepid) and Awake and Sing (NVA). Thank you for supporting live theater!

John DeCarlo (Victor)

John is thrilled to be returning to SRT. John was last seen here on stage in I Hate Hamlet as the ghost of John Barrymore. Other SRT credits include Love Song; Italian American Reconciliation; Move Over Mrs. Markham and Lion in Winter. Other Theater credits around San Diego include: August Osage County; Perfect Arrangement; Bug; Mauritius; Stage Kiss; Death of a Salesman; The Moors and Amazons and Their Men. John would like to thank his extremely talented wife Leigh Akin and his two wonderful children, Dyllan and Jax, for all their love and support!

Melissa Fernandes (Charlotte)

Melissa is making her SRT debut. San Diego Theatre: Cygnet Theatre (Resident Artist): Present Laughter, Little Shop of Horrors (nominee, SDCC), Cabaret (nominee, SDCC); Lamb’s Players Theatre: Arms and the Man; Oceanside Theatre Company: Next to Normal; Moonlight: Kinky Boots, Sondheim on Sondheim
(nominee, SDCC); CCAE: Curious Incident of the Dog…; The Welk: Spamalot; ion: Sunday in the Park with George (nominee, SDCC); New Village Arts: God of Carnage, Into the Woods (nominee, SDCC); Moxie: Eternally Bad, Diversionary: Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show, North Coast Rep: Last Night of Ballyhoo, Regional: La Jolla Playhouse: Harmony; SDCC Female Actor of the Year, 2016.

Taylor Henderson (Margot)

Taylor is thrilled to be back onstage and performing again here at Scripps Ranch! Taylor is a multi-hyphenate artist and performer that has been working professionally on and offstage for upwards of 10 years in both San Diego and Las Vegas. Notable credits include Loves and Hours (SRT), The Pros and Cons of Feeding Stray Cats (Playwrights Project at The Old Globe) The Mountaintop, The Color Purple (New Village Arts), The High Table (Diversionary) The Savoyard Murders, The Importance of Being Earnest (Roustabouts Theatre Co), Chicken & Biscuits, Manny and The Wise Queens (Oceanside Theatre Company), Hairspray and Xanadu (San Diego Musical Theatre). This one is for Chris and Kevin, her sweet seal and her leading man. Thank you for supporting the arts and live theatre! Inspire! Aspire!

IG @tay.renee.onstage

PRODUCTION CREW

Omar Estrada (Assistant to the Director)

Omar started his theatre journey at MiraCosta College. It was there that he grew a deeper understanding and appreciation for theatre. He went on to continue his education at California State Fullerton and graduated this past spring semester, earning his BA in Theatre. He is excited to join the incredible team at SRT and learn more about the process of directing from Christopher Williams.

Dixon Fish (Set Design)

Dixon is a native Californian. He holds an MFA from Arizona State University. Dixon has taught studio art, art history and photography at the high school and college levels. Besides print-making, much of his creative time has been spent doing theatre set design and painting for a variety of professional regional theatres including Moonlight, The Avo, MiraCosta College and San Diego Junior Theater. For SRT he has designed: Lend Me A Soprano, Master Class, Kimberly Akimbo, The Dining Room, Lettice and Lovage, She Loves Me, Fully Committed, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Mary’s Wedding. His art and design work has been recognized with awards both regionally and nationally.

Natalie Gelb (ASM)

Natalie is thrilled to be returning to Scripps Ranch Theatre. She has been involved with many other theaters in the community as a stage manager and ASM. Some of her recent work includes The Rise and Fall of Little Voice with Backyard Renaissance and Lend Me a Soprano at Scripps Ranch Theatre.

Maggie Harris (Stage Manager)

Maggie is delighted to be making her professional stage management debut with this production! A graduate of San Diego State University, she previously stage managed In a Sunshine State and Waiting for Godot (SDSU), as well as Alice in Wonderland and A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens with the Coronado Junior Arts League. When not calling cues, she can usually be found surviving on equal parts gaff tape, spreadsheets, and coffee while admiring the exquisite cast and crew who helped bring this play to life.

Duane McGregor (Props, Set Dressing, Scenic Painting)

Duane is delighted to return to SRT! SRT credits include: Lend Me A Soprano, Donna Orbits the Moon, Master Class, Kimberly Akimbo, Mary’s Wedding, Unnecessary Farce, Fully Committed, Stew, and White. Other credits: Black Nativity (Common Ground Theatre); Carrie, A People’s Cuban Christmas, Blue Period, Masa, Mugre at OnStage Playhouse, as well as Craig Noel nominations for The Other Place and Knock Loudly. Thank you to everyone at SRT for their never ending creativity, support, and insight. They are what make working in the theatre a joy!

Michelle Miles (Lighting Designer)

Michelle has supported San Diego local theatre for over a decade, serving as an LD, Lead Electrician, ASM and paraeducator. Past show favorites include: SDMT’s Matilda, Sweeney Todd, Urinetown, Young Frankenstein; Lamb’s Players Theatre’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Roustabouts Theatre Co’s True West, The Savoyard Murders. When not tinkering with electronics, climbing ladders and vigorously tapping keys on the light board she can be found somewhere in the wilderness, searching for that moment where the world feels big and she feels small. Unending love and respect to her Family, the Longfellows, the Peirsons and her Motley Crew. Landagan Fam – Mahal Kita.

Heather K. Nunn (Costume Design)

Heather earned her MFA from San Diego State University where she designed RENT as well as the world premiere of Ziggy, Stardust & Me. Locally, her work includes Lend Me A Soprano at SRT, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Cygnet Theatre, Our Dear Dead Drug Lord at Moxie Theatre and Boy My Greatness and Twelfth Night of the Living Dead at Loud Fridge Theatre Group. Originally from Oregon, she has designed for Broadway Rose, Outer East Playhouse, and Staged.

John Owen (Set Construction)

John is a retired construction Superintendent with over 40 years in the construction industry. He’s not sure how he ended up in theatre, but he’s here and loving it. John’s SRT credits include: Lend Me A Soprano, Master Class, Kimberly Akimbo, Mary’s Wedding, Tiny Beautiful Things, Chapatti, Lost in Yonkers, and The 39 Steps. He spends much of his time playing board or card games, camping in the desert, and enjoying time with friends and family. Much love to his wife Diana.

Omar Ramos (Sound Designer)

Omar received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design with a dual focus in lighting and sound from the University of California, San Diego. His design and associate design credits from across the U.S. include the Goodman Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Chicago), McCarter Theatre Center (Princeton, NJ), Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Ashland), and San Diego Repertory Theatre. More information about his work can be found at www.omarramosdesign.com.

Ruth Russell (Producer)

Ruth is grateful that you’re here! Producing credits at SRT: Lend Me A Soprano, Master Class, Kimberly Akimbo, Unnecessary Farce, Mary’s Wedding, White, Tiny Beautiful Things, Fully Committed, Vanity Fair, Stew, Chapatti, The 39 Steps, Lost in Yonkers, Neat, Extreme Home Makeover, The Outsider, The Taming, and The Dining Room. Recent acting credits: Exit, Pursued by a Bear (MSCAC), Kimberly Akimbo (SRT), Reservoir Dolls (Riot), and I Hate Hamlet (Broadway Vista). Up next: Moriarty at 413rep.org.
IG: @TheRuthRussell for personal updates and @CityDoggosSD for professional doggie daycare/boarding.

Christopher Williams (Director)

During his 30 years in the industry, Christopher has made his theatrical career as a director, union actor and stage manager, as well as, fight choreographer, designer, and instructor. His directing credits include: Scapin, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Visiting Mr. Green, and the West Coast Premieres of Gabriel and Desperate Measures (North Coast Rep); The Outsider and Chapatti (Scripps Ranch Theatre); Romeo and Juliet (Southwest Shakespeare); Beau Jest and Leading Ladies (Moonlight Stages); Halpern and Johnson (AZ Jewish Theatre); I Hate Hamlet (Intrepid Theatre); Julius Caesar (New Village Arts). Christopher was also producer, casting associate, and on-set acting coach for the WWII feature “Walking With the Enemy,” starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Jonas Armstrong.