The Cast

Jeffrey S. Johnson

Brady

Jeffrey is an actor and a musician. His film credits include: Helter Skelter, Scorcher, Remaking Silverman, and award-winners Down Dog, Over the Shoulder and Stellina Blue.

His television credits include: “Burn Notice,” “Unhitched,” “CSI,” “Without A Trace,” “Barbershop,” “The District,” “Boomtown,” “Tremors,” among others. Jeffrey’s original music has appeared in over a dozen Los Angeles theater productions, and his single “Nothin’ Will Have To Do” was featured on an episode of “Bionic Woman.” He is proud to have appeared in the original full-length production of Nancy Keystone’s “Appolo” at The Portland Center Stage. This performance is dedicated to Nora O’Brien.

Robyn Lively

Maddy

Most recently seen on the award winning juggernaut “30 Rock”, as Tina Fey’s high school nemesis, Robyn also has a recurring role on the critically acclaimed series “Saving Grace” starring Holly Hunter. Other memorable roles include: southern temptress Lana Budding in the David Lynch cult-classic, “Twin Peaks”; as well as series regular roles in “Chicago Hope,” “George & Leo,” and “Savannah” -- the latter for which she graced the cover of TV Guide. However, it was her role as Louise Miller in the 80’s film “Teen Witch” that Robyn gained the title of ‘most popular girl’.
 
Born into an industry family in Powder Springs, Georgia, Robyn began her career at the age of three doing print work and a slew of commercials. She co-starred in a critically acclaimed TV movie, “Summer of My German Soldier” when she was five years old. Soon thereafter, the Lively family packed up the motor home and headed to Hollywood. Robyn’s career continued to blossom and at age thirteen she played the daughter of both Robin Williams in “The Best of Times” and Goldie Hawn in “Wildcats”. A few years later she co-starred in “Karate Kid 3” opposite Ralph Macchio. By age nineteen Robyn garnered further attention in “The Less than Perfect Daughter” which gained her an Emmy nomination.

Robyn married actor Bart Johnson (“High School Musical”) in 1999. Together they raise their three children, while maintaining successful careers and fulfilling their passion in life.

Tanner Maguire

Tyler

Tanner is bright and talented and at the tender age of 10, is an up and coming young actor. Born on July 15, 1998, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Tanner’s interest in acting began at the age of three after a visit to the local community theater to see “Peter Pan.” By the time he was six, he had gone on to perform in nine different productions on stage. Tanner began to express interest in not only being in front of an audience but also being in front of a camera. His family relocated to Los Angeles and immediately Tanner began to work in television appearing on numerous popular shows, proving the move successful. His first television appearance was the Season One Finale of “Desperate Housewives,” which became a recurring role.

Tanner often portrays younger versions of main characters on different shows, such as his recurring roles on “How I Met Your Mother” and “Days of Our Lives” as the young Barney Stinson and the young Shawn Brady, respectively, and his guest starring role on “My Name is Earl” as young Randy, as well as “Lost,” the Season Five Finale as young Tom. He guest starred on various shows including “Medium,” “Without a Trace,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Eleventh House,” and “Hannah Montana.”

Tanner’s success is not limited to television. His first film was Fox Faith’s Saving Sarah Cain, directed by Michael Landon Jr., in which he played a lead role, Josiah Cotrell, a young Amish orphan. Saving Sarah Cain went on to be nominated for a Movie Guide Award and Tanner received a CAMIE Award for his performance in this film.

When not acting, Tanner enjoys computer and video games, swimming, roller coasters and taking care of his dog, Gizmo. He attends school and is currently placed in the Gifted and Talented Education program in which he excels. Tanner is having the time of his life fulfilling his dreams.

Maree Cheatham

Olivia

Ms. Cheatham has a career that spans 50 years. Her many film credits include: Crossing Over, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, America’s Sweethearts, Rumor Has It, Hanging Up, The Wedding Singer, The Bachelor, Night at the Roxbury and Beetlejuice.

On television, Maree created the role of Marie Horton on “Days of Our Lives” from the show's inception until she left eight years later for New York. In New York she starred in “Search for Tomorrow” as Stephanie Wyatt for 10 years, earning three Emmy nominations. Maree starred in “Knots Landing,” “General Hospital,” and “Port Charles.” Her other television credits include: “Saving Grace,” “Till Death,” “Riches,” “Boston Legal,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Cold Case,” “Scrubs,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” and “Monk.”

Maree received a Drama Critic’s nomination for her portrayal of Mae in the Off Broadway production of “Clash by Night.” She also appeared in “Christmas on Mars” at Playwright’s Horizons. On Broadway, she stood by for Eileen Heckart and Estelle Parsons in “Ladies at the Alamo” and appeared in the revival of “Oh, Kay!” in Toronto and at the Kennedy Center.

Maree is a published poet, a potter, a basket maker, a quilter, and an avid gardener. She lives with her musician husband, Robert Staron, in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills, where they eat vegetables from their garden.

Michael Bolten

Ben

Michael is a young, ambitious, upcoming actor with a remarkable resume of television and film projects that continue to push the boundaries of his acting abilities.

Michael has starred in the feature films Genius Squad and The Woods Have Eyes. His next project is Warner Bros’ Flipped, a teen romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner.

Michael hosted and became the lead anchor for the “Retro News” sports segment that aired on TBN for kids. His other television credits include: "Without a Trace," "How I Met Your Mother," "Medium," and "Saving Grace." He recently wrapped the CBS pilot "Miami Trauma," which will air in the fall.

Michael currently resides in Los Angeles where he enjoys playing guitar, skateboarding, snowboarding, hanging out with friends, and motocross.

Bailee Madison

Samantha “Sam”

Bailee possesses an illuminating presence that is evident in each role she takes. With inherent charm, sharp intelligence, and a vibrant personality, the young actress leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.

One of her first screen roles was in the movie Lonely Hearts, in which she starred with Salma Hayek and John Travolta. She went on to capture the hearts of millions with her role as May Belle in Disney’s Bridge to Terabithia, as well as with her performance in the feature film Phoebe in Wonderland (with Felicity Huffman and Elle Fanning) and on the small screen in Nickelodeon’s made-for-TV movie, “Merry Christmas Drake and Josh.”

Bailee’s talent as an actress will soon be on display in the upcoming film Brothers (with Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Toby Maguire), as well as An Invisible Sign of My Own (with Jessica Alba) and Betty Anne Waters (with Hilary Swank). She travels to Australia for her next project, to star in Guillermo del Toro’s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (with Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce).

The youngest of seven children, Bailee, a Florida native, enjoys cooking, riding her bike, and playing with her friends.

Ralph Waite

Mr. Perryfield

Mr. Waite achieved stardom as the stalwart TV homesteader John Walton in the homespun Depression-era series “The Waltons.” The Earl Hamner, Jr. series made Waite, along with Michael Learned and Richard Thomas playing their son, John-Boy, household names. Waite also directed several episodes of the series during its nine seasons.

With a move to the west coast, Waite began collecting bit parts in prestigious movies including Cool Hand Luke, Five Easy Pieces, and the coming-of-age Last Summer. His other screen credits include Cliffhanger, The Bodyguard, Desperate Hours, The Stone Killer, The Magnificent Seven Ride!, The Sporting Club, and A Lovely Way to Die.

Outside the Walton patriarchal role, Waite appeared on television in “Roots,” for which he received an Emmy nomination, the title role in “The Secret Life of John Chapman,” “OHMS,” “Angel City” and “The Gentleman Bandit.” Waite’s second television series, “The Mississippi,” was produced by his own company, Ralph Waite Productions. Other television appearances include the recurring role of Father Matt in “Days of Our Lives,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “The Cleaner,” “Cold Case,” “The Practice,” and a recurring role as Malcolm Dietrich on “Murder One.”

Waite was once again reunited with the Walton family members in “A Walton Easter,” “A Walton Wedding,” “A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion,” “A Day for Thanks on Walton’s Mountain,” “Mother’s Day on Walton’s Mountain,” “A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain”and “The Waltons: a Decade of the Waltons.”

In the theater, Waite made his professional New York debut in a production of “The Balcony” at the Circle in the Square and was seen on Broadway in “Blues for Mister Charlie” and alongside Faye Dunaway in “Hogan’s Goat.” Other stage appearances include: “The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald,” “Death of a Salesman,” “The Gin Game,” “Ancestral Voices” and “This Thing of Darkness,” as well as Shakespearean characters Claudius in “Hamlet” and Orsino in “Twelfth Night.” Notable was his role as Pozzo in “Waiting for Godot,” which was television by PBS, and the Broadway production of “The Father.” Waite founded the Los Angeles Actors Theatre and served as its artistic director.

He resides in Palm Desert with his wife, Linda East.

L. Derek Leonidoff

Pastor Andy Dugger

Affable, charismatic, and genuine, Derek’s acting career began at a very early age, in a variety of film, television and theatrical roles.  Although a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, his family hails from New York where his grandfather was vice president in charge of Production at Radio City Music Hall for 42 years.  And, coincidentally, his mother was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette.   It seemed that passion for acting and the arts was instilled in Derek’s blood…

Recent credits include Tony Scott’s upcoming film “Unstoppable” with Denzel Washington (opening November 2010.)  Of course, if you just can’t wait, Derek can currently be seen as the father, Bob Belmont in “The Knock Knock Show” on The Smile Channel, the hit independent film, “Moving,” on The Sundance Channel, and in the fall of last year, he wrote, produced, and starred in short film “My Hero” for the international 48 hour film festival.  This film won critical acclaim including Best Acting, Best Writing, and 2009 Audience Favorite.

An adept improviser, Derek is a graduate of the famed Second City Conservatory, The Improv Olympic, and The Groundlings Improv Comedy School.  His knowledge and experience with this art form had him serving as a guest artist teaching Improvisation and Acting back in his home state of Virginia at Regent University in 2008.

Derek and his beautiful wife Holly are expecting their first child in May.  He dedicates his performance in “Letters to God” to his mother, who passed away from cancer in 1997.