October 8 to 25, 2026
Meet the Cast and Crew of
The Last Frontier
Written by: Michael Armstrong
Music by: Beth DeVolder
Director: Michael Armstrong
“It’s dangerous out there. There’s a hell of a lot of ways a man can die.”
It’s 1912. Northern Ontario. Hired to tend to the raucous lumberjacks in a remote logging camp, a young doctor and his wife find their lives changed forever. Set against the backdrop of the disappearing wilderness, surprising romantic entanglements and the fiery women’s protest movement, this new musical is filled with fun, drama, and danger. The original music is infectious, haunting and goose-bump beautiful.
A World Premiere Canadian Musical!
Meet the cast and crew below (in no particular order).
Michael Armstrong tells the story behind the creation of The Last Frontier
Many thanks to our sponsor
MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
Writer, Director and Set Designer
Michael is a playwright, director, set designer and actor. He has taught workshops in over thirty communities across BC. He has written eight full length plays and several adaptations and is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
In addition to various work with community theatres for over fifty years, he made his professional acting debut as McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1997 for Theatre NorthWest and since has worked frequently up and down Vancouver Island with various companies.
For ECHO, Michael has directed School for Scandal (2010), Hay Fever (2018), Longing (2024), done set design and construction, and taught a number of workshops. He recently joined the board. With Beth, he joined forces with Jennifer Kelly, Colleen Janssen Hood, and Lynn Walker to form Unleashed Heart Productions to produce quality work in the Oceanside area.
BETH DEVOLDER
Composer and Lyricist
Beth’s songwriting career started in Guelph at age 10 as part of a group of students chosen to work with Canadian composer, Norman Symonds, to write and stage an original musical, Laura and the Lieutenant. Beth went on to have a career as a singer/songwriter, recording several albums and touring the country. Beth wrote music and lyrics for several musicals, as well as several albums of children’s music.
A lifelong teacher, Beth also held four university degrees, including a PhD in Critical Disability Studies and was a Bombardier Scholar. For ECHO Players, she acted in Doubt and Collected Stories, which went on to win her the Best Actress Award at Theatre BC’s Mainstage Festival in 2018. Two years ago, she arranged and performed the music for ECHO’s production of Longing.
She passed in 2025 and we hold her in our hearts as we sing her beautiful music.
JENNIFER KELLY
Joanne Laney and Sound Design
Playing Joanne is a profound honour. My journey with Beth, the composer and lyricist, began in 2018 with ECHO Players in Collected Stories. Beyond theatre, we were personal friends and shared a passion for music education. Singing Beth’s music, I hear her voice in every word, and I feel deeply grateful that audiences can celebrate her remarkable artistry. I want to acknowledge the incredibly talented Miranda Atkinson, who first brought Joanne to life at the Nanaimo Fringe and in Victoria at Blue Bridge Theatre.
My deepest appreciation goes to Michael, Beth’s partner, playwright, and director, for his vision and strength; to Kyle, who magically transcribed Beth’s music into tracks; and to Allaina, who has contributed so much to this production as our choreographer.
A special thank you to Colleen, Cally, Calvin, Brian, Helen, Kyle, Lynn, and Shaun Andrews for their invaluable behind-the-scenes contributions.
Finally, thank you to ECHO Players for supporting local playwrights, and a huge thank you to the generous and talented cast and production team who made this journey so special.
CAL TYNDALL
Ron Laney
Calvin is honoured to appear in The Last Frontier, as Ron Laney. Recent acting credits include Lee in The Melville Boys, Nigel in The Dating Game, and Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Since returning to the stage through ECHO Players, Calvin has welcomed every opportunity to grow as a performer, and a world premiere musical was certainly a chance to grow.
A former variety and street performer, he brings a love of character, storytelling, and live audience connection to every role. He is deeply grateful to director Michael Armstrong, Jennifer Kelly, and the entire cast and creative team for their trust, encouragement, and support.
BRIAN TULL
Frank Gilmore
Brian is thrilled to be playing Frank Gilmore with ECHO Players. You might have seen Brian in his roles as Lord Farquar in Shrek the Musical, Fagin in Oliver! or Rooster Hannigan in Annie with the Qualicum Beach School of Dance (QBSD).
CALLY PHILLIPS
Grandmother
Cally is grateful and deeply honoured to play Grandmother. To be welcomed by such a truly warm and wonderful group of individuals will always be held in her heart. Originally from Canada’s Northwest Coast, Cally is an educator and artist, who has recently come back to her roots here on the Island.
She works in various art mediums and has hosted an Edmonton cable television talk show, and performed at the Citadel Theatre and Six Nations of the Grand Amphitheatre. Mother Earth has been Cally’s guiding light through diversity and has instilled a driving compassion following the old teachings of living your life with a good heart and good mind.
Huy ch q’u, Nia’:Wen, Migwetch.
LANA HARACH
Milly
Lana grew up in Qualicum looking forward to the youth acting camps every summer. University took her off the island, but she came back to act in ECHO's Spam and Maple Syrup collections over the years. Lana's last production was Longing (2024) where she played Barbie. She is beyond grateful to tell another story alongside this talented group of people.
Outside of theatre Lana enjoys shocking people with her insect collection, reading in her book nook and finding her next favourite chicken wing place.
ALLAINA WAGER
Choreographer
Allaina has been involved with ECHO Players for nearly ten years. She has also worked with the Qualicum Beach School of Dance, and Bard to Broadway. She is excited to be back at the theatre after stepping back to finish her education degree. Her recent productions include directing and choreographing Into the Woods Jr. (ECHO), stage managing Tuck Everlasting (QBSD), and ensemble in Shrek the Musical (QBSD). She would like to thank the incredible cast and crew for their dedication and talent.
KYLE BARRETT FRIESEN
Music Director, Orchestrator, Arranger
When Kyle was asked to orchestrate and arrange the music for The Last Frontier, he immediately fell in love with Beth’s music. It has been a satisfying journey working with Michael, Allaina, and the whole cast and crew to bring this fascinating, historically inspired story to life.
Kyle is usually seen performing rather than behind the scenes; he recently portrayed Angus Tuck in Tuck Everlasting (QBSD) and was last on stage with ECHO Players as Prince Edward in Queen Milli of Galt. He holds a BFA in Performing Arts from Providence University College.
Kyle also enjoys co-directing and accompanying the Village Voices of Qualicum Beach Youth Choir, as well as homesteading with his creative family (whom he thanks for their endless support!).
COLLEEN JANSSEN HOOD
Gertie
Colleen made her ECHO debut in Sylvia in 2022. Recent credits include The Children and The Dating Game with ECHO Players, Oliver! and Shrek the Musical with QBSD, and The Untold Story of Imogen Flight with Western Edge Theatre. Although still “new-ish” to ECHO, she has performed for decades in theatre, musicals, dance and television commercials across Western Canada.
Colleen is deeply honoured to be part of The Last Frontier, a lasting legacy of the beautiful creative partnership between Beth and Michael. Having playwright Michael direct has been a true gift, as has working with this extraordinarily talented and dedicated cast.
ARTHUR LEE
Buddy the Cook
After responding to a newspaper ad for auditions in 2025, Arthur made his stage debut last year in ECHO Players’ sold-out summer hit, Kinky Boots. He quickly followed up a few months later with ECHO’s winter production Holy Pantomime, Bratman!
Arthur thanks his supportive family and the amazing Last Frontier cast and crew!
EVA SIMPSON
Amelia Hines
Eva is a 17-year-old local performer with training in both classical voice and musical theatre. This past summer she represented BC at Canada West Performing Arts Festival in Intermediate Classical Voice after placing third provincially. She will next take the stage as Mary Poppins in QBSD’s spring production.
Eva would like to thank her mentors and teachers, Jennifer Kelly and Lindsey Tromba, for their continued guidance, encouragement, and support.
JACK DUCE
Crook Neck Mike
Jack has been acting with ECHO Players for over 10 years. They’ve brought many unique characters to life in a wide variety of shows, including Longing (ECHO), Shrek The Musical (QBSD), and Jack and the Beanstalk (Nanaimo Theatre Group) and most recently Archie in Shadows From a Low Stone Wall (ECHO). They're passionate about exploring visual arts, music, animation, and other forms of genuine artistic expression.
BRAD McFADDEN
Cal DeLaittre
This is Brad’s second production with ECHO Players. You may not recognize him from his earlier role as Tim in The Dating Game (he was in full clown gear for that one). He’s very happy to trade the rubber chicken for an axe and be a part of the amazing cast and crew of The Last Frontier.
It is an honour to help bring Michael and Beth’s vision to life in this premiere production. A special thank you to Michael for that opportunity. Brad has his BFA in Acting from the UBC theatre program.
GUY JELLIS
Windy Jack and Mr. Hansen
Raised in Squamish, Guy trained in Vancouver and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California. He’s worked in film, TV’s DaVinci’s Inquest and First Wave, and theatre productions including The Diviners, Shrek the Musical and many more.
Now years after his unplanned hiatus after a life-changing accident, he’s back in the saddle loving the support, camaraderie, and joy of the artistic outlet provided by the theatre. “I’ve always wanted to spark people to ponder life and feel things deeply enough that it challenges their perspectives even for just a moment.”
Guy thanks the theatre community, his friends and family for their love and support during his crazy journey.
LINDA ATTLEY & JAN TAGGART
Co-Producers
Linda has been a member of ECHO Players for over 25 years. Where has the time gone? She seems to have spent her time producing, stage managing and just about anything else that involves this theatre and just loving every minute of it. Theatre friends are the best!!
Jan is pleased to be part of the team that is helping to bring Michael and Beth’s wonderful musical to the stage here at ECHO.
LYNN WALKER & GAIL TISDALE
Stage Manager & Assistant Stage Manager
Lynn has been involved in a number of plays as stage manager, and it continues to be a fantastic experience. She has worked with ECHO and B2B over the past 10 years and hopes tocontinue for at least the next 10.
HELEN HILL-TOUT, DIANE KOROL, HALEY TURNBULL & EVA SIMPSON
Caroline Hines, Jane Williams, Marie Claire Trembley & Amelia HInes
EHSAN SHOKRGOZAR, IAN WILSON, BRAD McFADDEN, BRIAN LECKY, & GUY JELLIS
Gin Pole, Oly Olafson/Harvey, Cal DeLaittre/Conductor, Backstage & Windy Jack
ROWAN BALCARRAS, AMANDA WAGNER, BARB HICKS, JULY BUGG-COTE & MOLLY RACZ
Frenchie, Mrs. Hansen, Jacks’ Chorus, Ladies’ Chorus and Arvid
BRIAN NIKULA
Les Beatty
RICK LARDNER, WAYNE KEHLER & DON PUNTER
Set Construction
DAVID ATTLEY & JIM ROSS
Sound
KEVAN HILL-TOUT, LEWIS VERMEULEN & DICK McCLELLAN
Lighting Design & Lighting Operators
JEANNE ACKLES CARDINAL, ROXY KEHLER & MELANIE REEVES
Set Painting
EHSAN SHOKRGOZAR & CLIFF CRAVEN
Projection Design
MARY LEIGH WARDEN
Set Furnishings, Decor and Props
HELEN HILL-TOUT, PAM McCREADY, CINDY SMITH & MARIAN BUECHERT
Costumes
JILL DASHWOOD
Make-Up