A Year in Quirky Town | The Adobe Theater

CAST

Alli Marie: Willow Shaker-Spears
Dominick Martos-Ortiz: Brad Burnett, Cody, Matteo, and others
Nathen Illidge-Welch: Tanner, and others
Mariah Lujan: Taylor, Massage Customer, Olivia, and others
Deborah Schoenbaum: Rain, Susan Thomas, and others
Carolyn Hogan: Dr. Esme Hernandez, and others
Barbara Braun: Katelyn Gonzalez, and others
Daniel Anaya: Tram Tourist, Daryel Gonzalez, and others

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director and Musical Director: Cameron Illidge-Welch
Stage Manager: Terri Klein
Props: Carolyn & John Hogan, Deborah Schoenbaum, Terri Klein
Costume Design: Jason Godin
Lighting/Sound Design: Michael Klein
Technical Director: Shannon Flynn
Photography: Rhonda Ware
Production Coordinator: Nancy Sellin
Graphics Designer: Yannig Morin

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Directing this play has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my creative life. This theater is more than just a space—it’s home. The people here have welcomed me, supported me, and made me feel like family. I am endlessly grateful for that. I’m also incredibly honored to bring to life the words of one of my dearest friends and favorite playwrights. Her work is full of truth, heart, and humor—and it challenges, inspires, and reminds me why I do what I do. Though I’m not originally from Albuquerque, this city has embraced me. Like the story we’re telling on stage, I’ve found my own place here – messy, beautiful, unexpected, and full of character. That’s the magic of this town, and this play celebrates it in all its quirky glory. Thank you for being here today and for supporting this fundraiser. We are nothing without our audience—your laughter, your applause, your presence keeps this community vibrant and alive. From the bottom of my heart: thank you for being part of this journey. With love and gratitude.

– Cameron Illidge-Welch.

about the author

Terri Klein has lived in Albuquerque for ten years. That’s not nearly long enough to learn everything about this fascinating, quirky town. This show is just the one small bite of the green chile cheeseburger! Terri is grateful to The Adobe Theater for hosting the world premiere of A Year in Quirky Town, to Cameron Illidge-Welch for his brilliant direction and for going through re-write hell with her, to Rumble Productions for permission to incorporate two sketches which she originally wrote for Rumble, to ATG Playwrights Circle for the serial reading of the script and great critique, and to Susan Hering, Peggy McLoughlin, Vicki Meagher, and Kim Monti for extra critique. Terri has enjoyed working with everyone on this show and is grateful to her husband Michael (Lighting Designer/Board Operator) for joining her in theatre land, and to her mother, Diane Reuler, for holding down the fort at home.

CAST BIOS

Daniel Anaya is proud to be a part of this quirky cast! Daniel was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Did you hear about the restaurant that only caters to dolphins? It only has one customer, but at least it serves a porpoise. He’d also like to thank his lovely family and friends for all of their support.

Barbara Manganis Braun is excited to be doing her ﬁrst show at The Adobe Theater! She most recently performed in Godspell and in Romeo and Juliet with Hold the Applause. When not doing theater, she is an aerospace engineer and a mom to three amazing kids. She is extremely grateful to her family for tolerating her extracurricular activities.

Carolyn Hogan has been seen often on the Adobe stage. Her most recent roles have been Monette Gentry (Always a Bridesmaid), Elsa Dowdall (The Red Velvet Cake War), Celia (Calendar Girls), and Sister Augusta (Drinking Habits). She has also appeared as Gabrielle Buonocelli (The Dinner Party), Veta Simmons (Harvey), Ruth Condomine (Blithe Spirit), and Charlotte Hayes (Moon over Buﬀalo) to name just a few. Carolyn has also been a busy costume/prop designer for many productions in our Albuquerque theaters. She gives all of you a big THANK YOU for attending this fundraiser to keep the Adobe “alive and kicking”!

Nathen Illidge-Welch is a transplant from New Orleans with a B.A in Costume Design. They currently work with the Federal Government by day and do theater by night. They were recently seen in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown as Linus (Landmark Musicals). Other favorite roles were Pythio (Head Over Heels), Davey (Newsies, u/s), and Jeremy/Brother Venerious (Divine Sister). Special thanks to their husband Cameron and Terri for the laughs! Stay weird!

Mariah Desiree Lujan is thrilled to be back at The Adobe in this wacky show! She is very thankful to Cameron for taking a chance on her. 99% stage manager and 1% actor, Mariah would like to thank all her kids and staﬀ at Heartstrings Theatre Company for their endless support and willingness to share her.ties.

Dominick Martos-Ortiz is an OG Albuquerqian making his stage debut, so if he does great you better laugh and If he messes it up then still laugh—it’s a comedy, people! He currently works as a research specialist, or a hairstylist, or who knows … he has ADHD. You’ll also ﬁnd him all around town doing Instacart, drag performances, or raising money for charity. Currently he is raising funds for Hawthorne Elementary School’s 2025/26 Kleenex and Clorox wipes drive! He is almost at his goal so reach out to him if you’d like to help out!

Alli Marie is a proud Quirky Towner since 2007 and is thrilled to make her Adobe Theater debut. If she looks familiar, it’s probably from local stand-up comedy shows or her long-running and recurring appearances on dating apps. While she hasn’t made it to the Broadway stage yet, she did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night ….

Deborah Schoenbaum is thrilled to be in her second production here at The Adobe! She was most recently in A Streetcar Named Desire (ALT), The Red Velvet Cake War (Adobe), Jesus Christ Superstar (ALT) and Arsenic and Old Lace (The Rio Rancho Players). It’s a blessing to do what she loves. She thanks her husband, Mark, for his support every step of the way.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS

Cameron Illidge-Welch (Director, Musical Director) says, take two slices of soft white or whole wheat bread and spread one generously with peanut butter—creamy or crunchy, depending on your mood. On the other slice, smooth out your favorite jelly or jam, making sure both spreads go edge to edge because every corner matters. Press the two slices together like the dramatic climax of a rom-com, cut diagonally for ﬂair (or not, I’m not the sandwich police), and serve with a cold glass of milk, almond milk. Eat with reckless abandon. Enjoy the show.

Terri Klein (Stage Manager) also wrote this mess.

Michael Klein (Lighting Designer/Board Operator) is a retired physician who is thrilled to be learning stagecraft. This is amusing his daughter, who is an Equity stage manager in New York. He looks forward to running light/sound boards and lighting up the stage for many more years.

Jason Godin (Costume Designer) has spent his life in the theatre since the age of seven. His longtime mentor gave him solid advice early in his career: “If your life is in the theatre, ﬁnd things you can do when you’re not acting in a show that equally come naturally to you.” Costuming was a no-brainer as it just came naturally. Jason’s constant inspirations are his amazing kiddos Natalia and Sebastian. And thanks to Mark for his constant support.

Get Tickets