2024 Summer of Musicals
June - August 2024
Cultural District
Benedum Center
A DEVILISHLY CLEVER COMEDY SURE TO HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK!
Batter up! Just in time for the thick of baseball season comes the muscular musical about baseball super-fan Joe Boyd. Joe is transformed into a star slugger after he makes a deal with the devil and his sexy associate, Lola, for a chance to lead his home team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. This 11-time Tony Award®-winner, including Best Musical, puts America’s favorite pastime center stage as Joe swings for the fences before realizing the true worth of the life he’s left behind. Will he succeed in his race for glory, return home to the life he loves or be lost for all eternity to the devil himself? The winning score by Adler and Ross and a devilish book by George Abbot feature songs “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets,” “(You Gotta Have) Heart” and many more home-run hits!
JOHN BOLTON (Applegate) starred on Broadway last season in Dames at Sea. Best known for his critically acclaimed performance in A Christmas Story The Musical on Broadway and on tour, his other Broadway credits include Curtains, Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, How To Succeed… and Damn Yankees. He headlined two sold-out NY Pops concerts at Carnegie Hall and was the host of Off-Broadway’s Pageant. TV: “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Law and Order,” “All My Children,” “Show Boat” and 4 seasons on “Gossip Girl.” He will play Vlad in the Broadway musical Anastasia this Spring. @itsjohnbolton
RYAN CAVANAUGH (Smokey) is trilled to be apart of another summer season here at Pittsburgh CLO! Pittsburgh CLO Credits: Mary Poppins & Man of La Mancha (‘15), and as a teenager Ryan was a Pittsburgh CLO Mini Star for several years as well as apart of numerous productions at the Benedum in The Pittsburgh CLO Teen Ensemble. Credits: Damn Yankees! (Goodspeed Opera House), South Pacific (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Parade (NYC), Damn Yankees! (National Tour), The Wild Party (NYC) and more, visit www.RyanCavanaugh.net for more! Thanks Mom, Dad, and Jenna for your endless love and support!
JESSICA CROUCH (Gloria) is thrilled to be making her debut at Pittsburgh CLO. This year, Jessica was named NYMF’s Next Broadway Sensation. Her credits include the national tours of We Will Rock You (u/s Killer Queen and Oz) and All Shook Up (u/s Miss Sandra). Regional highlights: Hair (Sacramento Music Circus), Vibrata in A Funny Thing…Forum (Bay Street Theatre), and Elle in Legally Blonde (Palace Theatre and PCPA Theatrefest). Big thanks to Pittsburgh CLO and her family! www.jessica-crouch.com
JEFFREY HOWELL (Joe Boyd) is happy to be back for another season. Most recently seen at the REP in Choir Boy and Souvenir. Some favorite CLO shows include Man of La Mancha, 42nd Street, Singin’ in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit) Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella. Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still, Chicago, and Tribute to Lerner and Loewe with Marvin Hamlisch and the PSO.
BENJAMIN HOWES (Welch) Recently seen as Professor Higgins in Pittsburgh Public’s production of My Fair Lady. Originally from Australia, Benjamin had performed on Broadway (Scandalous, Mary Poppins, & [title of show]), Off-Broadway and in the National Tours of (Mary Poppins, Shrek). Regional credits include A.R.T., The Old Globe, Pittsburgh Public and Asolo Rep, among many others. Film: “Miles”, “Easter Mysteries”. Television credits: “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Flight of the Concords”, “One Life To Live”. Full scoop at www.benjaminhowes.com; Instagram @benjthestar
JILL KEATING (Doris) began her performing career with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Turning to her true love, musical theatre, she appeared as Roxie (Chicago), Miss Hannigan (Annie) and Winnifred (Once Upon A Mattress) in New York City, Bucks County and Rhode Island. After touring nationally with the Tony Award-winning Big River, she returned to Pittsburgh to portray Florence in Souvenir opposite Jeff Howell at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. This performance is dedicated to Lori, Mark and Van---words can not express my gratitude!
CHRISTINE LAITTA (Sister) CLO Cabaret: Girls Only, I Love You You’re Perfect…, Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Broadway SVU. Favorites: The Diary of Anne Frank, Lazarus, Annie, Singin’ in the Rain, Fiddler on The Roof, Carousel, To Kill A Mockingbird, On The Town, The Sound of Music, PBS pilot “Scientastic!” Chris originated the role of Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus Live!, created TV Tunes Sing-A-Long! and co-authored The Dramatically Different Classroom. She is excited to get married this summer! Love to Paul.
DALLAS PADOVEN (Vernon) is so excited to return to Pittburgh CLO after performing in Singin’ in the Rain, Legally Blonde, Footloose, Gypsy, and The Wedding Singer! NYC: Wonderful Town. Regional: Hands on a Hardbody (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati), Cinci King (Playhouse in the Park), Who’s Tommy, South Pacific (WVPT). Thank’s Mom, Dad, Dakota, Caleb, and Henderson Hogan Agency! CCM Graduate. Proud Member of AEA. Dallaspadoven.com
follow @dallaspadoven
PAUL PALMER (Commissioner) is proud to be back on the Benedum stage for his 36th CLO summer season, his 60th CLO production and his first time at bat against those “Damn Yankees." On behalf of the entire CLO family, on stage and off, he would like to express profound gratitude to all those countless Pittsburgh subscribers who have supported the CLO over the years, both as audience members and as providers of critically vital financial assistance to our organization. You are the true STARS of the Pittsburgh CLO and your continued support is deeply appreciated.
GAVAN PAMER (Van Buren) TOURS: CATS , A Chorus Line, 42nd Street. Pittsburgh CLO: Gypsy, Man of La Mancha, 42nd Street, Joseph..., Carousel, Me and My Girl, Crazy for You. CLO CABARET: Forever Plaid, My Way. PPT: Guys and Dolls, A Grand Night for Singing. LPPAC: Jesus Christ Superstar, White Christmas, My Way. PITTSBURGH PLAYHOUSE: Big River, DROOD. WVPT: Dames at Sea, Oklahoma!, George M!. TEMPLE: The Addams Family.
JOHN RIDDLE (Joe Hardy) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after making his debut in the 2011 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Most recently, he appeared in The Secret Garden at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. He made his Broadway debut last spring in Kander and Ebb’s The Visit. Tour: Evita. Regional: Kennedy Center, Long Wharf Theatre, MUNY, Goodspeed. NY Workshops/Concerts: The Public Theater, York Theatre Co., Metropolitan Room, Joe’s Pub. John recently debuted his solo show, Keep It Simple, at Feinstein’s/54 Below and appeared as a soloist in the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra’s Gershwin: An American in Paris. TV: “The Late Show” w/Steven Colbert, “One Life
to Live.”
AVERY SMITH (Rocky) is thrilled to be making his Pittsburgh CLO debut! Credits: Music Theatre Wichita: Aida (Mereb), Disney’s My Son Pinocchio(Ringleader), New London Barn Playhouse: Damn Yankee’s (Applegate), Kiss Me, Kate(Paul), Carnegie Mellon: The Full Monty(Horse), Lord of the Flies(Piggy), The Boston Conservatory: The Full Monty (Horse). Mom, Dad, Austin, Amber, Amaris…YOU ROCK! Ps. 71. BFA: Carnegie Mellon University
SARRAH STRIMEL (Lola) Broadway: An American In Paris (Milo u/s), Big Fish (Girl In The Water), Catch Me If You Can, Rock Of Ages (Constance Sack), Young Frankenstein (Inga u/s), The Producers (Ulla u/s). National Tours: The Producers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Regional(selected): Sweet Charity (Charity), Cats (Bombalurina), Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), Sammy (Hedda Hopper). TV: “Smash”, “Late Show with David Letterman”. A native Pittsburgher, passionate yoga teacher, and CLO Mini Star for life! Thrilled to be back at Pittsburgh CLO where it all started!
SALLY WILFERT (Meg) Broadway: Assassins, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, King David. Nat’l Tour: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-B’way: See Rock City, When We Met (co-collaborator), Make Me A Song, The Prince & The Pauper. Regional: Footloose, Les Miserables, Copacabana (Pittsburgh CLO), Kiss Me Kate (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Light in the Piazza (Finger Lakes MTF), LMNOP (Goodspeed), Little Miss Sunshine (LaJolla Playhouse), Marry Me A Little (Cincinnati Playhouse), Elegies (Barrington Stage), The Last Five Years (Hartford Theatreworks).
www.sallywilfert.com
BEN BOGEN (Henry, Ensemble) is ecstatic to be returning to Pittsburgh CLO this year after appearing as Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins, along with Man of La Mancha, Gypsy, and The Wedding Singer! Recent Credits: The Light in the Piazza (Giuseppe), The Music Man (Tommy), and Cabaret (Bobby). Training: University of Michigan B.F.A Musical Theatre! Proud member of AEA! Go Blue!
CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Pittsburgh CLO debut! Christopher is a rising Junior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Community Action and Social Change from The University of Michigan. Credits: Hairspray(Seaweed), American Idiot(Declan), The Music Man. Proud new member of Actor’s Equity. Endless thanks and love to my family, Linda and the entire Pittsburgh CLO staff!
IXCHEL CUELLAR (Autograph Hunter, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning to Pittsburgh CLO for her second summer season! This past May, Ixchel graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State University and shortly after made her Broadway debut as a swing in Finding Neverland. Thank you so much to my friends, family and teachers for all of the love and endless support. @itsixchel
LUCAS FEDELE (Teenager, Ensemble) This is Lucas’ fourteenth show with Pittsburgh CLO and he’s happy to be back home on his favorite stage. “Thanks for all the incredible feats of artistry and effort, backstage and upstairs, that make this magic happen!” lucasfedele.net Á ma fleur.
JEFFREY GORTI (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his CLO debut this summer season. He will be graduating in the fall from Point Park University with a degree in Musical theatre and Dance Minor. Recent credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Joseph...Technicolor Dreamcoat (Judah). This past year he directed and choreographed, Alex Newell's (GLEE) one night only concert at the CLO Cabaret. Love you mom!
MICHAEL GREER (Sohovik, Postmaster, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning to the Pittsburgh CLO! He was last seen in Altar Boyz (Luke) at the Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret. Regional credits: Shrek (Big Bad Wolf) North Shore Music Theatre, Guys & Dolls Pittsburgh Public Theater, Miss Saigon (2010 Tour), & You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! at the Denver Center. Endless love to Mara and his family.
JUSTIN LONESOME (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at the Pittsburgh CLO! Tours: Jersey Boys First National (Barry Belson.) Regional: Pittsburgh CLO (Oliver, Curtains, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstart, Fiddler on the Roof, Sunset Bouldevard, A Chorus Line, The Wedding Singer.) Local: PICT (Narrator-Two Tales of Terror, Henry-For the Tree to Drop.)
CARINA-KAY LOUCHIEY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! A rising Junior B.F.A Musical Theatre major at The University of Michigan, credits include: Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Girl), Hotel California (Yolanda). Other favorite credits: West Side Story (Margarita) and Bye Bye Birdie (Sad Girl/Penelope) at Wagon Wheel. Proud new member of AEA! Endless thanks to Pittsburgh CLO, her supportive parents, Linda Goodrich, RISPA, and BDF! GO BLUE!
MARA NEWBERY (Dance Captain, Ensemble) is honored to return to the Pittsburgh CLO, where she met and later married her handsome husband, Michael. Credits: A Christmas Story, the Musical (Broadway, Tour), Shrek, the Musical (Tour, London), On Your Toes (Encores), and Honeymoon In Vegas (Paper Mill Playhouse). BFA University of Michigan. Love to Mom and Dad, J&K, CTG, JPot, Jook, and the big man upstairs.
JJ NIEMANN (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his Pittsburgh CLO debut this summer in Damn Yankees, Shrek, Aida, and South Pacific! Rising senior BFA Music Theatre major at Elon University. Recent credits: Hairspray (The MUNY), Peter Pan (Artpark), Oklahoma! and In the Heights (Elon). Many thanks to God and to my parents for their endless support. www.jjniemann.com
IG: @jjniemann
KATE MARGALITE (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! A Manhattan native, she is a rising junior Musical Theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University. Some of her favorite credits include Wendla in Spring Awakening and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. Infinite thanks to Mom, Dad, Julia, Lois, and all of her professors at CMU!
TAYLOR KELLAS WARREN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be taking part in his very first season with Pittsburgh CLO! He is a 2016 graduate of Point Park University’s BFA Musical Theatre Conservatory. Recent regional credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), West Side Story (Bernardo), Urinetown (Caldwell B. Cladwell), and The Boyfriend (Pepe/Dance Captain). He would like to thank his family for their unyielding love and support!
CHARLES REPOLE (Director) Pittsburgh CLO: Gypsy, Legally Blonde, 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, Curtains, White Christmas, Annie, and Copacabana. NYC/Broadway: Dubarry was a Lady, Call Me Madam, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Benefit (Carnegie Hall) and Lyrics and Lyricists 25th Year Celebration (92nd Street “Y”). Kennedy Center: Where’s Charley? Broadway performance credits include starring in: Doubles, Whoopee! (Drama Desk Award nomination) and Very Good Eddie (Tony Award® nomination, Theatre World Award). His Off-Broadway credits include starring in: Olympus on my Mind and Magdalena. Mr. Repole is Chairman of the Drama, Theatre and Dance Department at Queens College.
MICHAEL LICHTEFELD (Choreographer)is thrilled to be back at CLO. Choreographer: six Broadway musicals, eight off-Broadway Musicals and nine National/International tours. Ten seasons Stratford Festival, Ontario, Canada. Award nominations: Drama Desk, Three Outer Critic’s Circle, The LA Ovation, and as Best Director, the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) and winning the IRNE for Best Choreography. Currently at work on a new musical, Stardust Road, which will be done in London 2017. Special thanks to his associate choreographer, Joe Bowman.
TOM HELM (Musical Director) happily returns for his 21st Pittsburgh CLO season, having conducted more than 60 productions. His other adventures include conducting the Broadway productions of the Brigadoon revival, CATS, Me and My Girl, Les Misérables and Souvenir. Tom was musical director of the first national tour of CATS, Radio City’s 5-6-7-8 Dance!, and television productions of Mornings at Seven and Crazy For You. Tom supervised touring productions of Me and My Girl, Dora the Explorer, Diego Live, Rugrats and Madagascar. He has also been music director of some 50 Paper Mill Playhouse productions, among other regional and national theatres.
ROB BISSINGER (Scenic Designer) Rob has been designing for the theater and live events for over 15 years and his work has been seen by millions of people worldwide and has earned him an Emmy nomination. He is a cofounder of ARDA Studio, Inc, which provides production design for large scale international spectacles along with countless theatrical presentations of all sizes throughout the United States. See www.ARDAStudio.com for more.
KEN BILLINGTON (Lighting Designer) Almost 100 Broadway shows to his credit including such theatre milestones as Sweeney Todd and the longest running American musical in history Chicago. Touring productions have included Chicago (worldwide), Riverdance (lighting supervisor) Fiddler on the Roof (from 1976 till 2012), White Christmas and The Drowsy Chaperone to name a few. Other projects include Hugh Jackman in Concert, from 1979 to 2006 the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular as well as the architectural lighting for New York’s Tavern on the Green. Awards include the Tony, NY Drama Desk, Outer Critics Awards, the Ace award for Television lighting the Lumen for his architectural work.
KARYN MEEK (Production Stage Manager) PCLO: 6 seasons 2009-2016. Broadway: Elf, Fiddler on the Roof, RENT, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1st National Tours: The Drowsy Chaperone, 9 to 5, La Cage Aux Folles. Off Broadway/ Regional: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Kazino, ART), The Royale, Preludes (Lincoln Center Theater), Almost, Maine (Daryl Roth Theatre, World Premiere) Summer of ’42 (Variety Arts) Iphigenia in Aulis, Naked, Hurricane, The Misanthrope (Classic Stage Company) The Day Emily Married, Barefoot Boy With Shoes On (Primary Stages), What Didn’t Happen (Playwright’s Horizons), The Dying Gaul (Vineyard Theatre) and many others. Dallas Summer Musicals, TUTS, TOTS, Pantages Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Missouri Rep.
ASHLEY ROSE HORTON (Costume Coordinator) is a costume designer and puppet maker in New York whose work was recently featured in the San Diego Zoo's Centennial Celebration. Other NY credits include Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Kazino, Asst.); Dry Land, How to Live on Earth (Colt Coeur); Those Lost Boys (Ars Nova); Bitchtwitch: The Taking of Vicki Presh (The Silent Barn); Til Divorce do us Part (DR2)
DANIEL KOYE (Hair Designer)Broadway: Love Letters, Cinderella, Trip to Bountiful, Follies, Hair, Book of Mormon, Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Curtains, Chicago, Gypsy and Spring Awakening. Film/Television: “The Blacklist,” “Trip to Bountiful,” “Royal Pains,” “Blue Bloods.” Clients- Vanessa Williams, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cicely Tyson, Mia Farrow, Carol Burnett, Candice Bergen, Brian Denhany, Patti Labelle, Fantasia, Gladys Knight, Paul Rubens, Toni Shalhoub, Cuba Gooding Jr, Dan Stevens, Jessica Chastain, Heidi Klum, Seal, Susan Lucci, Carol Channing, Elaine Paige just to name a few. Check out Daniels own hair product line DKOYE the product. www.dkoye.com
KELLY HAYWOOD (Assistant Stage Manager)is happy to be back at Pittsburgh CLO. Past productions include: Mary Poppins, Monty Pythons Spamalot, A Musical Christmas Carol and 42nd Street. Pittsburgh Public Theater: Born Yesterday, Noises Off, An Iliad and True West. World Premier of Tell it to the Marines at Soldiers and Sailors museum. Kelly has also done several productions with the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet.
MARK A. SYLS (Assistant Stage Manager)This year marks his 20th musical with PCLO! Selected Credits: Broadway: Honeymoon in Vegas, Big Fish, Act One, Newsies. Paper Mill Playhouse: West Side Story, Oliver!, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, A Chorus Line, Newsies. TV: NBC’s The Wiz Live! Events: Time Square New Years Eve Celebration 2014, 2015, 2016, A Night of Serious Fun Celebrating the Legacy of Paul Newman.
TELSEY + COMPANY (Casting) Broadway/Tours: Motown, Paramour, Waitress, Fiddler on the Roof, The Color Purple, On Your Feet!, Hamilton, Something Rotten!, An American in Paris, Finding Neverland, Kinky Boots, Wicked, If/Then, The Sound of Music, Newsies, Rock of Ages. Off-Broadway: Atlantic, MCC, Signature. Film: “Into the Woods,” “Margin Call,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Across the Universe,” “Camp,“ “Pieces of April.” TV: “This Is Us,” “Grease Live!,” “The Wiz Live!,” “Flesh and Bone,” “Masters of Sex,” “Smash,” “The Big C,” commercials.
www.telseyandco.com
RICHARD ADLER (Words & Music) is the award-winning composer behind many of America’s great symphonies and stage productions. In the 1950s, he collaborated with Jerry Ross to write the music and lyrics for Broadway’s The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. Other notable credits include The Gift of the Magi and Music Is. Alder is a two-time Tony Award-winner and a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee.
JERRY ROSS (Words & Music) partnered with Richard Adler to write the music and lyrics for both The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. At the time of his untimely death in 1955, he had written two of the top-running shows on Broadway, as well as more than 250 popular American songs. He was inducted to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1982.
GEORGE ABBOTT(Book) collaborated with Douglass Wallop to write Damn Yankees. Abbott was considered by many to be the history of Broadway in the 1950s and he garnered respect around the nation for his work with The Pajama Game (1954), Once Upon a Mattress (1959) and over 100 additional productions. He had a multifaceted career in which he acted as a theatre director, producer, playwright and screenwriter.
DOUGLASS WALLOP (Book) was the 17th John Douglass Wallop from an old Eastern Shore family. His love of baseball began when he was 5 years old, when his father took him to a Senators’ game. A newspaper reporter by profession, he was the author of 13 novels, the second of which, “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant”, was published in 1955 and became his best known work. Wallop died in 1985.
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theatres from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide. - See more at:
http://www.mtishows.com/content.asp
Jul 05, 2016 - Jul 10, 2016
Benedum Center
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including intermission
Find directions, traffic alerts and affordable parking options.
Sat, Jul 9 at 2:00pm
Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted to the theater.
Benedum Center
A DEVILISHLY CLEVER COMEDY SURE TO HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK!
Batter up! Just in time for the thick of baseball season comes the muscular musical about baseball super-fan Joe Boyd. Joe is transformed into a star slugger after he makes a deal with the devil and his sexy associate, Lola, for a chance to lead his home team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. This 11-time Tony Award®-winner, including Best Musical, puts America’s favorite pastime center stage as Joe swings for the fences before realizing the true worth of the life he’s left behind. Will he succeed in his race for glory, return home to the life he loves or be lost for all eternity to the devil himself? The winning score by Adler and Ross and a devilish book by George Abbot feature songs “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets,” “(You Gotta Have) Heart” and many more home-run hits!
JOHN BOLTON (Applegate) starred on Broadway last season in Dames at Sea. Best known for his critically acclaimed performance in A Christmas Story The Musical on Broadway and on tour, his other Broadway credits include Curtains, Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, How To Succeed… and Damn Yankees. He headlined two sold-out NY Pops concerts at Carnegie Hall and was the host of Off-Broadway’s Pageant. TV: “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Law and Order,” “All My Children,” “Show Boat” and 4 seasons on “Gossip Girl.” He will play Vlad in the Broadway musical Anastasia this Spring. @itsjohnbolton
RYAN CAVANAUGH (Smokey) is trilled to be apart of another summer season here at Pittsburgh CLO! Pittsburgh CLO Credits: Mary Poppins & Man of La Mancha (‘15), and as a teenager Ryan was a Pittsburgh CLO Mini Star for several years as well as apart of numerous productions at the Benedum in The Pittsburgh CLO Teen Ensemble. Credits: Damn Yankees! (Goodspeed Opera House), South Pacific (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Parade (NYC), Damn Yankees! (National Tour), The Wild Party (NYC) and more, visit www.RyanCavanaugh.net for more! Thanks Mom, Dad, and Jenna for your endless love and support!
JESSICA CROUCH (Gloria) is thrilled to be making her debut at Pittsburgh CLO. This year, Jessica was named NYMF’s Next Broadway Sensation. Her credits include the national tours of We Will Rock You (u/s Killer Queen and Oz) and All Shook Up (u/s Miss Sandra). Regional highlights: Hair (Sacramento Music Circus), Vibrata in A Funny Thing…Forum (Bay Street Theatre), and Elle in Legally Blonde (Palace Theatre and PCPA Theatrefest). Big thanks to Pittsburgh CLO and her family! www.jessica-crouch.com
JEFFREY HOWELL (Joe Boyd) is happy to be back for another season. Most recently seen at the REP in Choir Boy and Souvenir. Some favorite CLO shows include Man of La Mancha, 42nd Street, Singin’ in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit) Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella. Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still, Chicago, and Tribute to Lerner and Loewe with Marvin Hamlisch and the PSO.
BENJAMIN HOWES (Welch) Recently seen as Professor Higgins in Pittsburgh Public’s production of My Fair Lady. Originally from Australia, Benjamin had performed on Broadway (Scandalous, Mary Poppins, & [title of show]), Off-Broadway and in the National Tours of (Mary Poppins, Shrek). Regional credits include A.R.T., The Old Globe, Pittsburgh Public and Asolo Rep, among many others. Film: “Miles”, “Easter Mysteries”. Television credits: “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Flight of the Concords”, “One Life To Live”. Full scoop at www.benjaminhowes.com; Instagram @benjthestar
JILL KEATING (Doris) began her performing career with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Turning to her true love, musical theatre, she appeared as Roxie (Chicago), Miss Hannigan (Annie) and Winnifred (Once Upon A Mattress) in New York City, Bucks County and Rhode Island. After touring nationally with the Tony Award-winning Big River, she returned to Pittsburgh to portray Florence in Souvenir opposite Jeff Howell at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. This performance is dedicated to Lori, Mark and Van---words can not express my gratitude!
CHRISTINE LAITTA (Sister) CLO Cabaret: Girls Only, I Love You You’re Perfect…, Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Broadway SVU. Favorites: The Diary of Anne Frank, Lazarus, Annie, Singin’ in the Rain, Fiddler on The Roof, Carousel, To Kill A Mockingbird, On The Town, The Sound of Music, PBS pilot “Scientastic!” Chris originated the role of Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus Live!, created TV Tunes Sing-A-Long! and co-authored The Dramatically Different Classroom. She is excited to get married this summer! Love to Paul.
DALLAS PADOVEN (Vernon) is so excited to return to Pittburgh CLO after performing in Singin’ in the Rain, Legally Blonde, Footloose, Gypsy, and The Wedding Singer! NYC: Wonderful Town. Regional: Hands on a Hardbody (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati), Cinci King (Playhouse in the Park), Who’s Tommy, South Pacific (WVPT). Thank’s Mom, Dad, Dakota, Caleb, and Henderson Hogan Agency! CCM Graduate. Proud Member of AEA. Dallaspadoven.com
follow @dallaspadoven
PAUL PALMER (Commissioner) is proud to be back on the Benedum stage for his 36th CLO summer season, his 60th CLO production and his first time at bat against those “Damn Yankees." On behalf of the entire CLO family, on stage and off, he would like to express profound gratitude to all those countless Pittsburgh subscribers who have supported the CLO over the years, both as audience members and as providers of critically vital financial assistance to our organization. You are the true STARS of the Pittsburgh CLO and your continued support is deeply appreciated.
GAVAN PAMER (Van Buren) TOURS: CATS , A Chorus Line, 42nd Street. Pittsburgh CLO: Gypsy, Man of La Mancha, 42nd Street, Joseph..., Carousel, Me and My Girl, Crazy for You. CLO CABARET: Forever Plaid, My Way. PPT: Guys and Dolls, A Grand Night for Singing. LPPAC: Jesus Christ Superstar, White Christmas, My Way. PITTSBURGH PLAYHOUSE: Big River, DROOD. WVPT: Dames at Sea, Oklahoma!, George M!. TEMPLE: The Addams Family.
JOHN RIDDLE (Joe Hardy) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after making his debut in the 2011 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Most recently, he appeared in The Secret Garden at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. He made his Broadway debut last spring in Kander and Ebb’s The Visit. Tour: Evita. Regional: Kennedy Center, Long Wharf Theatre, MUNY, Goodspeed. NY Workshops/Concerts: The Public Theater, York Theatre Co., Metropolitan Room, Joe’s Pub. John recently debuted his solo show, Keep It Simple, at Feinstein’s/54 Below and appeared as a soloist in the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra’s Gershwin: An American in Paris. TV: “The Late Show” w/Steven Colbert, “One Life
to Live.”
AVERY SMITH (Rocky) is thrilled to be making his Pittsburgh CLO debut! Credits: Music Theatre Wichita: Aida (Mereb), Disney’s My Son Pinocchio(Ringleader), New London Barn Playhouse: Damn Yankee’s (Applegate), Kiss Me, Kate(Paul), Carnegie Mellon: The Full Monty(Horse), Lord of the Flies(Piggy), The Boston Conservatory: The Full Monty (Horse). Mom, Dad, Austin, Amber, Amaris…YOU ROCK! Ps. 71. BFA: Carnegie Mellon University
SARRAH STRIMEL (Lola) Broadway: An American In Paris (Milo u/s), Big Fish (Girl In The Water), Catch Me If You Can, Rock Of Ages (Constance Sack), Young Frankenstein (Inga u/s), The Producers (Ulla u/s). National Tours: The Producers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Regional(selected): Sweet Charity (Charity), Cats (Bombalurina), Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), Sammy (Hedda Hopper). TV: “Smash”, “Late Show with David Letterman”. A native Pittsburgher, passionate yoga teacher, and CLO Mini Star for life! Thrilled to be back at Pittsburgh CLO where it all started!
SALLY WILFERT (Meg) Broadway: Assassins, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, King David. Nat’l Tour: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-B’way: See Rock City, When We Met (co-collaborator), Make Me A Song, The Prince & The Pauper. Regional: Footloose, Les Miserables, Copacabana (Pittsburgh CLO), Kiss Me Kate (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Light in the Piazza (Finger Lakes MTF), LMNOP (Goodspeed), Little Miss Sunshine (LaJolla Playhouse), Marry Me A Little (Cincinnati Playhouse), Elegies (Barrington Stage), The Last Five Years (Hartford Theatreworks).
www.sallywilfert.com
BEN BOGEN (Henry, Ensemble) is ecstatic to be returning to Pittsburgh CLO this year after appearing as Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins, along with Man of La Mancha, Gypsy, and The Wedding Singer! Recent Credits: The Light in the Piazza (Giuseppe), The Music Man (Tommy), and Cabaret (Bobby). Training: University of Michigan B.F.A Musical Theatre! Proud member of AEA! Go Blue!
CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Pittsburgh CLO debut! Christopher is a rising Junior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Community Action and Social Change from The University of Michigan. Credits: Hairspray(Seaweed), American Idiot(Declan), The Music Man. Proud new member of Actor’s Equity. Endless thanks and love to my family, Linda and the entire Pittsburgh CLO staff!
IXCHEL CUELLAR (Autograph Hunter, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning to Pittsburgh CLO for her second summer season! This past May, Ixchel graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State University and shortly after made her Broadway debut as a swing in Finding Neverland. Thank you so much to my friends, family and teachers for all of the love and endless support. @itsixchel
LUCAS FEDELE (Teenager, Ensemble) This is Lucas’ fourteenth show with Pittsburgh CLO and he’s happy to be back home on his favorite stage. “Thanks for all the incredible feats of artistry and effort, backstage and upstairs, that make this magic happen!” lucasfedele.net Á ma fleur.
JEFFREY GORTI (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his CLO debut this summer season. He will be graduating in the fall from Point Park University with a degree in Musical theatre and Dance Minor. Recent credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Joseph...Technicolor Dreamcoat (Judah). This past year he directed and choreographed, Alex Newell's (GLEE) one night only concert at the CLO Cabaret. Love you mom!
MICHAEL GREER (Sohovik, Postmaster, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning to the Pittsburgh CLO! He was last seen in Altar Boyz (Luke) at the Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret. Regional credits: Shrek (Big Bad Wolf) North Shore Music Theatre, Guys & Dolls Pittsburgh Public Theater, Miss Saigon (2010 Tour), & You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! at the Denver Center. Endless love to Mara and his family.
JUSTIN LONESOME (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at the Pittsburgh CLO! Tours: Jersey Boys First National (Barry Belson.) Regional: Pittsburgh CLO (Oliver, Curtains, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstart, Fiddler on the Roof, Sunset Bouldevard, A Chorus Line, The Wedding Singer.) Local: PICT (Narrator-Two Tales of Terror, Henry-For the Tree to Drop.)
CARINA-KAY LOUCHIEY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! A rising Junior B.F.A Musical Theatre major at The University of Michigan, credits include: Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Girl), Hotel California (Yolanda). Other favorite credits: West Side Story (Margarita) and Bye Bye Birdie (Sad Girl/Penelope) at Wagon Wheel. Proud new member of AEA! Endless thanks to Pittsburgh CLO, her supportive parents, Linda Goodrich, RISPA, and BDF! GO BLUE!
MARA NEWBERY (Dance Captain, Ensemble) is honored to return to the Pittsburgh CLO, where she met and later married her handsome husband, Michael. Credits: A Christmas Story, the Musical (Broadway, Tour), Shrek, the Musical (Tour, London), On Your Toes (Encores), and Honeymoon In Vegas (Paper Mill Playhouse). BFA University of Michigan. Love to Mom and Dad, J&K, CTG, JPot, Jook, and the big man upstairs.
JJ NIEMANN (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his Pittsburgh CLO debut this summer in Damn Yankees, Shrek, Aida, and South Pacific! Rising senior BFA Music Theatre major at Elon University. Recent credits: Hairspray (The MUNY), Peter Pan (Artpark), Oklahoma! and In the Heights (Elon). Many thanks to God and to my parents for their endless support. www.jjniemann.com
IG: @jjniemann
KATE MARGALITE (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! A Manhattan native, she is a rising junior Musical Theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University. Some of her favorite credits include Wendla in Spring Awakening and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. Infinite thanks to Mom, Dad, Julia, Lois, and all of her professors at CMU!
TAYLOR KELLAS WARREN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be taking part in his very first season with Pittsburgh CLO! He is a 2016 graduate of Point Park University’s BFA Musical Theatre Conservatory. Recent regional credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), West Side Story (Bernardo), Urinetown (Caldwell B. Cladwell), and The Boyfriend (Pepe/Dance Captain). He would like to thank his family for their unyielding love and support!
CHARLES REPOLE (Director) Pittsburgh CLO: Gypsy, Legally Blonde, 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, Curtains, White Christmas, Annie, and Copacabana. NYC/Broadway: Dubarry was a Lady, Call Me Madam, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Benefit (Carnegie Hall) and Lyrics and Lyricists 25th Year Celebration (92nd Street “Y”). Kennedy Center: Where’s Charley? Broadway performance credits include starring in: Doubles, Whoopee! (Drama Desk Award nomination) and Very Good Eddie (Tony Award® nomination, Theatre World Award). His Off-Broadway credits include starring in: Olympus on my Mind and Magdalena. Mr. Repole is Chairman of the Drama, Theatre and Dance Department at Queens College.
MICHAEL LICHTEFELD (Choreographer)is thrilled to be back at CLO. Choreographer: six Broadway musicals, eight off-Broadway Musicals and nine National/International tours. Ten seasons Stratford Festival, Ontario, Canada. Award nominations: Drama Desk, Three Outer Critic’s Circle, The LA Ovation, and as Best Director, the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) and winning the IRNE for Best Choreography. Currently at work on a new musical, Stardust Road, which will be done in London 2017. Special thanks to his associate choreographer, Joe Bowman.
TOM HELM (Musical Director) happily returns for his 21st Pittsburgh CLO season, having conducted more than 60 productions. His other adventures include conducting the Broadway productions of the Brigadoon revival, CATS, Me and My Girl, Les Misérables and Souvenir. Tom was musical director of the first national tour of CATS, Radio City’s 5-6-7-8 Dance!, and television productions of Mornings at Seven and Crazy For You. Tom supervised touring productions of Me and My Girl, Dora the Explorer, Diego Live, Rugrats and Madagascar. He has also been music director of some 50 Paper Mill Playhouse productions, among other regional and national theatres.
ROB BISSINGER (Scenic Designer) Rob has been designing for the theater and live events for over 15 years and his work has been seen by millions of people worldwide and has earned him an Emmy nomination. He is a cofounder of ARDA Studio, Inc, which provides production design for large scale international spectacles along with countless theatrical presentations of all sizes throughout the United States. See www.ARDAStudio.com for more.
KEN BILLINGTON (Lighting Designer) Almost 100 Broadway shows to his credit including such theatre milestones as Sweeney Todd and the longest running American musical in history Chicago. Touring productions have included Chicago (worldwide), Riverdance (lighting supervisor) Fiddler on the Roof (from 1976 till 2012), White Christmas and The Drowsy Chaperone to name a few. Other projects include Hugh Jackman in Concert, from 1979 to 2006 the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular as well as the architectural lighting for New York’s Tavern on the Green. Awards include the Tony, NY Drama Desk, Outer Critics Awards, the Ace award for Television lighting the Lumen for his architectural work.
KARYN MEEK (Production Stage Manager) PCLO: 6 seasons 2009-2016. Broadway: Elf, Fiddler on the Roof, RENT, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1st National Tours: The Drowsy Chaperone, 9 to 5, La Cage Aux Folles. Off Broadway/ Regional: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Kazino, ART), The Royale, Preludes (Lincoln Center Theater), Almost, Maine (Daryl Roth Theatre, World Premiere) Summer of ’42 (Variety Arts) Iphigenia in Aulis, Naked, Hurricane, The Misanthrope (Classic Stage Company) The Day Emily Married, Barefoot Boy With Shoes On (Primary Stages), What Didn’t Happen (Playwright’s Horizons), The Dying Gaul (Vineyard Theatre) and many others. Dallas Summer Musicals, TUTS, TOTS, Pantages Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Missouri Rep.
ASHLEY ROSE HORTON (Costume Coordinator) is a costume designer and puppet maker in New York whose work was recently featured in the San Diego Zoo's Centennial Celebration. Other NY credits include Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Kazino, Asst.); Dry Land, How to Live on Earth (Colt Coeur); Those Lost Boys (Ars Nova); Bitchtwitch: The Taking of Vicki Presh (The Silent Barn); Til Divorce do us Part (DR2)
DANIEL KOYE (Hair Designer)Broadway: Love Letters, Cinderella, Trip to Bountiful, Follies, Hair, Book of Mormon, Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Curtains, Chicago, Gypsy and Spring Awakening. Film/Television: “The Blacklist,” “Trip to Bountiful,” “Royal Pains,” “Blue Bloods.” Clients- Vanessa Williams, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cicely Tyson, Mia Farrow, Carol Burnett, Candice Bergen, Brian Denhany, Patti Labelle, Fantasia, Gladys Knight, Paul Rubens, Toni Shalhoub, Cuba Gooding Jr, Dan Stevens, Jessica Chastain, Heidi Klum, Seal, Susan Lucci, Carol Channing, Elaine Paige just to name a few. Check out Daniels own hair product line DKOYE the product. www.dkoye.com
KELLY HAYWOOD (Assistant Stage Manager)is happy to be back at Pittsburgh CLO. Past productions include: Mary Poppins, Monty Pythons Spamalot, A Musical Christmas Carol and 42nd Street. Pittsburgh Public Theater: Born Yesterday, Noises Off, An Iliad and True West. World Premier of Tell it to the Marines at Soldiers and Sailors museum. Kelly has also done several productions with the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet.
MARK A. SYLS (Assistant Stage Manager)This year marks his 20th musical with PCLO! Selected Credits: Broadway: Honeymoon in Vegas, Big Fish, Act One, Newsies. Paper Mill Playhouse: West Side Story, Oliver!, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, A Chorus Line, Newsies. TV: NBC’s The Wiz Live! Events: Time Square New Years Eve Celebration 2014, 2015, 2016, A Night of Serious Fun Celebrating the Legacy of Paul Newman.
TELSEY + COMPANY (Casting) Broadway/Tours: Motown, Paramour, Waitress, Fiddler on the Roof, The Color Purple, On Your Feet!, Hamilton, Something Rotten!, An American in Paris, Finding Neverland, Kinky Boots, Wicked, If/Then, The Sound of Music, Newsies, Rock of Ages. Off-Broadway: Atlantic, MCC, Signature. Film: “Into the Woods,” “Margin Call,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “Across the Universe,” “Camp,“ “Pieces of April.” TV: “This Is Us,” “Grease Live!,” “The Wiz Live!,” “Flesh and Bone,” “Masters of Sex,” “Smash,” “The Big C,” commercials.
www.telseyandco.com
RICHARD ADLER (Words & Music) is the award-winning composer behind many of America’s great symphonies and stage productions. In the 1950s, he collaborated with Jerry Ross to write the music and lyrics for Broadway’s The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. Other notable credits include The Gift of the Magi and Music Is. Alder is a two-time Tony Award-winner and a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee.
JERRY ROSS (Words & Music) partnered with Richard Adler to write the music and lyrics for both The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. At the time of his untimely death in 1955, he had written two of the top-running shows on Broadway, as well as more than 250 popular American songs. He was inducted to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1982.
GEORGE ABBOTT(Book) collaborated with Douglass Wallop to write Damn Yankees. Abbott was considered by many to be the history of Broadway in the 1950s and he garnered respect around the nation for his work with The Pajama Game (1954), Once Upon a Mattress (1959) and over 100 additional productions. He had a multifaceted career in which he acted as a theatre director, producer, playwright and screenwriter.
DOUGLASS WALLOP (Book) was the 17th John Douglass Wallop from an old Eastern Shore family. His love of baseball began when he was 5 years old, when his father took him to a Senators’ game. A newspaper reporter by profession, he was the author of 13 novels, the second of which, “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant”, was published in 1955 and became his best known work. Wallop died in 1985.
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theatres from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide. - See more at:
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