The Cast of The Savannah Sipping Society

Sometimes life hands you surprises. Sometimes it hands you new friends.

Christina Julian (Randa Covington), as an actress, author, and playwright, loves to escape reality onstage and behind her keyboard. She’s performed throughout the valley with favorite productions including, August: Osage County, God of Carnage, Sylvia, Black Tie, The Dining Room, Farce of Habit, Women in Jeopardy, and Dead Accounts. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Bohemian, North Bay Biz magazine, and within the pages of her novel, The Dating Bender. She wrote and produced the one-act play, Growing Old WithOUT Grace, with the full-length production coming later this year. She has loved being part of The Savannah Sipping Society, which celebrates women of a certain age and all the pitfalls and pratfalls that go with the age bracket.

Randi Storm (Dot Haigler)—yes, her real name—has been involved with Valley Players for over 8 years. Thank you to the wonderful director, Debbie Bauman, who against type, chose me to play a Southern Belle for this show. Valley Players has supported me and other fabulous actors who are over 40 years old to still have a chance to be on stage and do what they love. Thank-you to all my friends and family who have supported me through the years. Enjoy the show!!!

Mellene Miller (Marlafaye Mosley) is excited to be returning to Valley Players in The Savannah Sipping Society as Marlafaye, after appearing as Sylvia Fowler in last year’s production of The Women. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous productions, with favorite roles including Desiree in A Little Night Music, Judith in Hay Fever, and Anna in The Merry Widow. She thanks Debbie Bauman for her encouragement and wonderful direction, as well as the entire cast and crew for making this an absolutely delightful experience. Mellene is especially grateful for the love and support of her family and her husband, Karl.

Esmé Nicolson-Singh (Jinx Jenkins) is honored to be spending another year with Valley Players! She fell in love with singing and acting at a young age, attending productions with her mother, a theatre critic/artist. She attended a performing and fine arts school, singing as a solo performer and writing and performing in plays, before moving to Napa to pursue a pastry arts degree. She has performed roles throughout the years in A Doll’s House, Once on This Island, Little Shop of Horrors, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Men on Boats, Ripcord, and most recently in The Women by Clare Boothe Luce.

Kathleen Puntillo (Cordelia Covington—Randa’s Grandmother) is delighted to be working with Valley Players. After a fulfilling career as a nurse researcher and educator, she is pursuing her bucket list wish to work in theater. Kathleen has performed in the Company’s Staged Readings over the past three summers and was in the Spring 2025 production of The Women and the Fall 2025 production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. She is grateful for the support of her husband, Richard, every step of the way.