MEDIA CENTER

Meet the Magical Medora Christmas Tour Cast

For Media Contacts, Interview Requests or Additional information or materials contact Jim Sorensen – jsorensen8668@gmail.com or 701-361-8668

Tom Brosseau (Guitar, Vocals) – You may know Tom as the host, writer and producer of The Great American Folk Show, a weekly variety show on Prairie Public radio. The past few summers the show originated from Medora. Tom was born and raised in Grand Forks, ND where he learned to play acoustic guitar from his grandmother, which greatly influences his taste in music. Tom has written and recorded extensively both as a soloist and in collaboration with many prominent artists. Considered a storyteller and folksinger, NPR said Tom “possesses one of the most arresting voices in folk music today.”

Michael Cartwright (Trumpet, Vocals) – A skilled trumpet player and vocalist, Michael is new to the show. He has performed from LA to New York but is very familiar with North Dakota through his time visiting grandparents in Center, ND, and time spent living there. Michael earned a degree from the USC Thorton School of Music, performed with Young Americans and now is on his own path as a performer. Michael breathes life into his instrument – bringing it from a whispering, pensive and haunting cry to a powerful and aggressive rhythmic charge.

Damon Fichter (Trombone, Keyboards, Vocals) – Damon is a Dickinson, ND native and earned a BA in Music at Dickinson State University. After graduating he moved to Minneapolis where he taught private music lessons and performed in theater and with various bands. He now calls Nashville, TN home where he continues to teach, writes music, serves as a session musician and recording artist. Wherever he is located, Damon has come to appreciate the special magic that is only found in Medora where he has performed as a Burning Hills Singer for several seasons.

Misti Koop (Saxophone, Vocals) – Misti grew up on stages in East Grand Forks and Grand Forks. Regional theatre lovers may have caught Misti’s performances at Frost Fire Summer Theatre or The Empire Theatre Company (Grand Forks), and seven summers of the Medora Musical. After graduating from the University of ND with a Masters in Theatre Arts, she moved to NYC, toured with Jesus Christ Superstar and performed on Norwegian cruise lines The Epic. A performer, musician and music teacher Misti currently teaches K-12 band/choir/music/drama in Minto, ND. She has performed with the Fort Totten Little Theater, the SPA Program, Fire Hall Theatre (Grand Forks), Arts Power (NJ) and Smith Family Theater (TN). Misti is board president for Summer Arts Stages/Safari drama camps, co-director/emcee for the Annual Empire Theatre Holiday Show and is on the management team of Frost Fire Theatre.

Travis Smith (Music Director, Keyboard, Vocals) – Travis returns to the tour as both music director and performer. Along with being a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Travis served as musical director for over 100 professional productions. He is a freelance composer and arranger having written several children’s shows that have been performed and seen by thousands of children annually. He also helped pen the award
winning musical Steeple People: A Southern Gospel Comedy and performed in dozens of theatrical shows including a national tour of A Christmas Carol. Recently Travis served as the musical director for the Medora Musical and Medora’s Gospel Brunch.

Bill Sorensen (Host) – For over forty years, Bill was an entertainer in Medora with the 4M Review: Medora’s Music, Magic and Mirth and co-host for the Medora Musical and most recently delivering the message for the Medora Gospel Brunch. He has lived his entire life wide open to its possibilities and adventures. Born and raised in Bismarck, Bill has been involved in performance most of his life. A high school hobby of juggling led to a second career as a magician. His involvement in government, fine arts, and sports at an early age; contributed greatly to his life’s adventures. His talents as a speaker, entertainer and promoter resulted in Bill producing hundreds of shows, presenting at thousands of events, and entertaining more people than he could possibly count.

Taylor Leet Vogel (Vocals) – Taylor returns to the 2023 version of the show. Raised in Bismarck, Taylor grew up with a love for singing and dancing. Her dream of performing took her to Chicago, where she earned a BA in Vocal Performance/Contemporary Urban Popular from Columbia College. Taylor’s love of performing brought her back to North Dakota where she has been a Burning Hills singer in the Medora Musical since 2017 and more recently as part of the Medora Gospel Brunch. Taylor is married to our lead guitarist, Adam Vogel, and resides in Bismarck, ND.

Adam Vogel (Guitar and Vocals) – Originally from Melrose, MN, Adam has been the lead guitarist in the Coal Diggers, the band a part of The Medora Musical for 7 years and 4th season with A Magical Medora Christmas tour. Adam has performed in country rock bands in the Minneapolis, MN area and with Top Shelf Country, a band on Norwegian Cruise Lines. He lives in Bismarck. ND, where he gives music lessons and performs as a duo with his wife, Taylor. He and Taylor met in Medora when both were members of the Medora Musical.

Emily Walter (Vocals) – The Queen of the West returns for this year’s rendition of A Magical Medora Christmas. Emily’s career in Medora has spanned decades. She first appeared in The Medora Musical as a Burning Hills Singer in the 1990s and ended as the show’s host for 7 seasons. Her stirring renditions of Patsy Cline songs led to opportunities to perform across the United States and the world. Emily also served in the Air Force where she entertained US Troops here and abroad. She found her way back to Medora in 2010 and hosted the musical for several seasons. And she’s still dazzling audiences with her talent and warmth as the host and featured performer of the Medora Gospel Brunch.

FEATURED  ACT:

Colin Zasadny “Every kid, at some point, has some kind of interest in magic … I just never grew out of that phase.” Colin is a 21 year old magician from Florida and who has been perfecting the craft of close-up magic for more than 11 years. He’s regarded as one of the most talented young magicians in America.