Laura MacGregor (Irene)
Laura started acting as a 14-year-old for her local community theater in Kona, HI, and went on to study theater in college. Some of her favorite roles were Blanche in Streetcar Named Desire, Lady Croom in Arcadia and Olivia and Maria in two different 12th Nights.  She has worked for many area theaters, including Jedlicka Performing Arts, Odds Bodkins, Oil Lamp, Chemically Imbalanced, and Lincoln Square Theater. She has had the pleasure of working with the Towle several times, including as humorist Erma Bombeck in a one-woman play, At Wit's End.  She is very involved with the Hyde Park Community Players, for whom she produces a monthly staged reading series, now in its 10th season. She spends any remaining free time with her husband and wonderful grown children.

Gary Murphy (Peter)
Thanks to everyone with Towle Theater for their warm welcome and hospitality.  The cast and crew of Slow Food have worked extremely hard to bring our audiences a play that will share some laughter, a memory, perhaps a tear here and there, and above all, a show to enjoy and remember.  Gary’s theatrical journey began with a Beverly Theatre Guild musical, City of Angels, where fortunately for all concerned he was not required to sing and will do his best to continue that tradition.  While he has yet to meet a play he didn’t like, his favorite roles include Clarence Darrow, Oscar Madison, and three of the Twelve Angry Men.  As always, thanks to my beloved Marnie without who none of this happens and all our wonderful friends and supporters. Oopah!

Colin Funk (Stephen)
Colin is so happy to be back at the Towle! Previous credits include Adrift in Macao, Nunsense A-Men, as well as choreography for Refer Madness and the Towle Youth Ensemble. Other Chicago credits include Avenue Q (Metropolis), Heathers (Kokandy) and Side Show (Porchlight). You can also watch Colin in his podcast 2Grooms1Plot where he and his husband review different stories.

Jeff Casey (Director)
Jeff is thrilled to be working with this small and incredibly talented ensemble on Slow Food, by one his favorite contemporary writers – Wendy MacLeod. Having directed Women in Jeopardy by Wendy MacLeod a few years ago, Jeff is excited to have the assistance and keen eye of Ryan Alan Jones on this project.

After 21 years and over 100 productions, Slow Food marks the last subscription series show for Jeff here at the Towle. His final artistic contribution to the Towle will be the upcoming A Fabulous 50s Christmas, ironically, the very first show he directed here in 2003.

Jeff would like to thank all our board, subscribers, donors and supporters for making his dream job a reality and he dedicates Slow Food to all the dear friends that he and Kevin have dined out with all these years – Cheers to many more!! With gratitude and love to Ryan, Laura, Colin and Gary!

Ryan Alan Jones (Assistant Director)
Ryan is privileged to be returning to work at the Towle, this time as Assistant Director. You may have seen him in the role of Jimmy in 2022’s summer production of Reefer Madness or as Tom in 2023’s Murder Ballad. He has been a professional actor since performing in South Coast Repertory’s 2010 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He has since played such roles as Melchior in Spring Awakening, Alan Strang in Equus, and Candide in Optimism! Or Voltaire’s Candide. From 2017 to 2020 he artistic directed and produced for Quicksilver Shakespeare, a classical, Chicago-based Shakespeare ensemble. He is eternally grateful to his loving wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Tuazon, for her support, care, and commitment to building a beautiful life together and parenting our daughter, Lyla Rose. 

Kevin Bellamy (Set/Costume Design)
This show marks Kevin’s 115th production at the Towle Theater and his 185th production to date.  He has enjoyed his time over the past 19 years performing and designing sets, costumes, and sound for the Towle.  Some of his favorites were The House of Mirrors and Hearts, Standby, Hollywood Arms, Ruthless, Ordinary Days and Next to Normal.  Kevin has had the chance to work with some amazingly talented artists over the years and would like to thank them publicly for sharing their time and talent here at the Towle Theater.  He is also thankful to have had the opportunity to create art side by side with his husband, Jeff Casey.  Lastly, he would like to thank all of the patrons who have filled our theater with laughter and tears over the years.