2024 Summer of Musicals
June - August 2024
Cultural District
Benedum Center
A FAIRY TALE ADVENTURE THAT PROVES BEAUTY IS TRULY
IN THE EYE OF THE OGRE!
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek…” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand...and his name is Shrek. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, SHREK THE MUSICAL is the Tony Award®-winner which brings all the beloved characters you know to life on stage and shows there’s more to the story than meets the ears. Featuring instant classics: “Big, Bright, Beautiful World,” “I’m a Believer” and more, it’s sure to delight audiences of all ages!
“A TRIUMPH” – USA Today
HAVEN BURTON (Fiona) Broadway credits include Kinky Boots, Violet (Violet standby), Shrek The Musical (Gingy, Fiona u/s), Legally Blonde (Margot, Elle u/s), Rent (Maureen). National Tours/ concerts: Shrek (Princess Fiona), Rent (Maureen), Carnegie Hall’s ‘Take the Stage,’ Symphony POPs in Santa Rosa. A BIG Thank You to my amazing agents at CESD. With love and gratitude to Denny and Hudson who came to me by way of Shrek The Musical you make everyday a hilarious adventure. You are my heart.
RORY DONOVAN (Shrek) Pittsburgh CLO Debut! Broadway: Finding Neverland (Mr. Turpin/Captain Hook), Elf (“Buddy” Standby). National Tour: Young Frankenstein (“The Monster”). Regional: Finding Neverland (A.R.T.), The Who’s Tommy (Berkshire Theatre Festival). Proud University of the Arts Graduate. Endless Love to Luddy, Gussie, and Theo Feo. @rorydonovan www.rorydonovanonline.com
BENJAMIN HOWES (Lord Farquaad) was recently seen as Professor Higgins in Pittsburgh Public’s production of My Fair Lady. Originally from Australia, Benjamin performed on Broadway (Scandalous, Mary Poppins, & [title of show]), Off-Broadway and in National Tours (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
ANDRE JORDAN (Donkey) is excited to revisit the role of Donkey after playing the part on the national tour. Other touring credits include: Joseph…Dreamcoat (Zebulun), Legally Blonde (Carlos) and Mad LIVE UK! (Swing). Regional: Ain’t Misbahavin (Phoenix Theatre), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Ogunquit Playhouse) and Aida (Media Theatre). Thanks to my agent, my mom, and God…DUH!
DALLAS PADOVEN (Pinocchio) is so excited to return to Pittburgh CLO after performing in Damn Yankees, 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
LILLY KWIECINSKI (Young Shrek, Grumpy) is “tickled green” to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! She’s an upcoming 4th grader at The Campus School of Carlow University and a third year CLO Academy student where she studies musical theater, dance and piano. Lilly’s honored to join the CLO cast and crew for her first professional show. Much love to her family, teachers, friends, and pigs!
LEXI PATTERSON (Young Fiona) is thrilled to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! Entering the 6th grade at Mary Queen of Apostles School, she’s in her first year at the CLO Academy. She’s performed with the Gemini Theater (Gift of the Ice Queen) and MQA (Peter Pan Jr., Alice in Wonderland). Lexi thanks her family and teachers for their love, guidance and support!
LUCIA WILLIAMS (Teen Fiona) is excited to perform in another Pittsburgh CLO production. She most recently appeared as Baby June in Gypsy. Lucia is entering 9th Grade at Oakland Catholic High School. She also attends the CLO Academy and is a CLO Mini Star. She thanks all of her teachers, friends and family for their loving support with a special shout out to the Half Dozen!
CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL (Big Bad Wolf, Knight, 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!
RYAN CAVANAUGH (King Harold, Captain of the Guard, Knight, Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of another Summer Season! 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 a part 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!
IXCHEL CUELLAR (Shoemaker’s Elf, Blind Mouse, 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
MICHAEL GREER (Pig, Thelonius, Dragon Puppeteer, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning
to Pittsburgh CLO! He was last seen in Altar Boyz (Luke) at the 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.
MYHA'LA HERROLD (Baby Bear, Dragon, Blind Mouse, Ensemble) is a musical theater major at CMU making her Pittsburgh CLO debut. Previous: The Mother…with the Hat, Jekyll & Hyde, AIDA, Hairspray, Once on This Island, Into the Woods, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee and The Drowsy Chaperone. She recently starred as Lily Polkadot in the new musical Polkadots. Miss Herrold hopes to continue to create meaningful theater for all audiences.
JUSTIN LONESOME (Pig, Knight, 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 Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, Sunset Boulevard, A Chorus Line, The Wedding Singer.) Local: PICT (Narrator-Two Tales of Terror, Henry-For the Tree to Drop.)
CARINA-KAY LOUCHIEY(Fairy Godmother, 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!
STEPHANIE MALONEY (Mama Ogre, Mama Bear, Ensemble) is happy to be back home in Pittsburgh. Her first show with the CLO was in 1996 - so this marks 20 years! Stephanie has toured nationally and internationally with the Broadway musical Chicago. She has also performed with the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Cleveland Musical Theatre. Proud graduate of the University of Michigan. Much love to her family and her amazing fiancé Sean.
KATE MARGALITE (Queen Lillian, Wicked Witch, Bluebird, Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut this season! 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!
MARA NEWBERY (Ugly Duckling, Dragon Puppeteer, Blind Mouse, 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 (Peter Pan, Dragon Puppeteer, 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
NKEKI OBI-MELEKWE (Sugar Plum Fairy, Gingy, Ensemble) is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. She is beyond excited to be making her Pittsburgh CLO and Actor’s Equity debut! Recent credits include: American Idiot, Little Shop Of Horrors and Peter and the Starcatcher. Many thanks to everyone at CLO, with special thanks to Linda Goodrich. For my loving family. IG: @nkekio
EVAN RUGGIERO (Pig, Knight, Pied Piper, Bishop, Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Pittsburgh CLO for his second season. A native of Old Bridge, NJ, Evan holds a BFA in musical theatre from Montclair State University. Credits include: The Penalty (The Public, NYC), Man of La Mancha (Pittsburgh CLO), Paint The Universe (Transcendence Theatre Company), “The Ellen Show” (Burbank, CA), Quelli Che Calcio (Milan, Italy), Tap World (Los Angeles, CA). Social Media:
@Lord_PegLeg
TAYLOR KELLAS WARREN (Papa Ogre, Papa Bear, Dragon Puppeteer, 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!
DAVID F.M. VAUGHN (Director) is an award-winning actor, director, and writer. Recent directing credits include Beauty and the Beast at Musical Theatre West, Legally Blonde for 3-D Theatricals, and Shrek The Musical at Moonlight Ampitheatre. As an actor, David’s credits include Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, and regional theatres across the country. He’s tap danced with Tommy Tune, belted with Sutton Foster, warbled with Sheena Easton, and shuffled off to Buffalo with Gregory Hines. In addition, he is currently developing a new TV series. David has taught professionally at the Broadway Theatre Project (headed by Ann Reinking), Broadway Classroom, Camp Broadway, and master classes at various universities throughout the country. IG/Twitter: @DavidFMVaughn
JUSTIN GREER (Choreographer) is a veteran actor, having appeared in nine Broadway shows, including the original company of Shrek The Musical. This is his second time collaborating with David F.M. Vaughn, having previously set this production with 3D Theatricals in California. Other choreography credits include The Ghosts of Versailles, The Rape of Lucretia and the American premiere of L’Opera Seria at Wolftrap Opera Company in Washington, DC. Mr. Greer teaches master classes all over the country, and is currently on the faculty of Manhattan’s prestigious Dalton School, creating arts integrated curriculum for grades K-3. BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. More at www.justingreer.net
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 theaters.
TOM BUDERWITZ (Scenic Designer) Theatre designs for South Coast Rep., Center Theatre Group, Goodman Theater, Shakespeare Theater, Berkeley Rep., Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Intiman Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center, Laguna Playhouse, Chautauqua Theater Co., Indiana Rep., Arizona Theatre Co., San Diego Rep., Artist Rep., and the Antaeus Co. among many others. 5 L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards (27 nominations) and 4 L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards. Tom has designed TV specials and series for every major broadcast and cable network and has 3 Emmy Award nominations and an Art Director’s Guild Award nomination. www.TomBuderwitz.com
PAUL MILLER (Lighting Designer) Broadway: Amazing Grace, Legally Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room Only; Irma La Douce, Where’s Charley?, Lost in the Stars, Of Thee I Sing, and Music in the Air (Encores). Off-Broadway: Out Of The Mouths Of Babes, Clinton – The Musical, Lucky Guy, Nunsense, Vanities - the Musical, Waiting for Godot, Addicted, Balancing Act. Regional: Stratford Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Bay Street, Lookingglass, Goodspeed. Tours: Elf, Shrek, Storytime Live, Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd, Legally Blonde, Nunsense, Scooby Doo, The Sound of Music. Television: Live from Lincoln Center; “New Year’s Eve Celebration in Times Square”.
KATHRYN BERGH (Costume Designer) has recently opened Seussical! at Sacramento Music Circus, Casa Valentina at the Pasadena Playhouse, Hopscotch, A Mobile Opera in 24 Cars, Speaking in Tongues and Ruben Guthrie with the Australian Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Other shows include Side Show, Broadway Bound at the Odyssey, Six Dance Lessons… at the Laguna Playhouse, Cabaret, How to Succeed…, Empire Burlesque, Gigi, Art, and Woyzeck and Metamorphoses at the Ensemble Theatre in Santa Barbara.
KARYN MEEK (Production Stage Manager) Pittsburgh CLO: 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.
GAIL BALDONI (Costume Coordinator) 11th Pittsburgh CLO season. Costume Designer for New York City Opera’s Wonderful Town, New York Philharmonic’s My Fair Lady, Emmy nominated designer for Another World. Regionally for Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera, The Ahmanson Theater, The Boston Ballet, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Riverside Theatre and Cape Playhouse. 13 Off-Broadway shows. The Rockettes, Disney on Ice and Ringling Bros. Circus are other favorite projects.
DANIEL KOYE (Hair Designer) is thrilled to be back at Pittsburgh CLO. 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 Daniel’s own hair product line DKOYE the product. www.dkoye.com
DENICE PAXTON (Make-up/Prosthetics Design) is thrilled to make the trek from Southern California to The Swamp for Pittsburgh CLO’s Shrek The Musical! Make-up & Prosthetics Designer for Shrek The Musical (3-D Theatricals, 2013; Moonlight Stage Productions, 2015). Beauty and the Beast (3DT, 2016; Musical Theatre West, 2014). The Addams Family, Tarzan, Side Show, Into the Woods, The Producers (3DT). Young Frankenstein (Performance Riverside). Make-up Lead & Designer for Knott’s Scary Farm 1998 – 2012. PURSUE YOUR PASSION! www.denicepaxton.com
KELLY HAYWOOD (Assistant Stage Manager) is happy to be back at Pittsburgh CLO. Past productions include: Mary Poppins, Monty Python's Spamalot, A Musical Christmas Carol and 42nd Street. Pittsburgh Public Theater: Born Yesterday, Noises Off, An Iliad and True West. World Premiere 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. STYS (Assistant Stage Manager) This year marks his 20th musical with Pittsburgh CLO! 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: Times 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
DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE (Book & Lyrics) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent play Ripcord opens this fall at Manhattan Theatre Club. His play Rabbit Hole received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony Award® nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek The Musical, which was nominated for eight Tony Awards, four Oliviers, a Grammy, and earned David the Ed Kleban Award as America’s most promising musical theater lyricist.
JEANINE TESORI (Music) won the Tony Award® for Best Original Score with Lisa Kron for the musical Fun Home, currently playing on Broadway. She has also written Tony-nominated scores for Twelfth Night, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change, and Shrek The Musical. Her 1997 Off-Broadway musical Violet opened on Broadway in 2014 and garnered four Tony nominations, including Best Musical Revival. Ms. Tesori was cited by the ASCAP as the first female composer to have two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway.
JASON MOORE (Original Director) Broadway: Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias. Carnegie Hall: Jerry Springer: The Opera. Off-Broadway: Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q (the Vineyard), Guardians (the Culture Project), The Crumple Zone. Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, national tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV directing: episodes of “Dawson’s Creek,” “Everwood,” “One Tree Hill” and “Brothers and Sisters.” Jason has a BS in performance studies from Northwestern University.
ROB ASHFORD (Original Director) received his 8th Tony Award® nomination for his work on the Broadway revival of Evita and received the Tony Award for the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed…, Shrek, Curtains and The Wedding Singer. He has also choreographed the opening number for the Tony Awards starring Neil Patrick Harris for four years. Rob serves on the Executive Board of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
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 15, 2016 - Jul 24, 2016
Benedum Center
2 hours and 30 minutes, including intermission
Find directions, traffic alerts and affordable parking options.
Sat, Jul 16 at 2:00pm
Sat, Jul 23 at 2:00pm
Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted to the theater.
Benedum Center
A FAIRY TALE ADVENTURE THAT PROVES BEAUTY IS TRULY
IN THE EYE OF THE OGRE!
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek…” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand...and his name is Shrek. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, SHREK THE MUSICAL is the Tony Award®-winner which brings all the beloved characters you know to life on stage and shows there’s more to the story than meets the ears. Featuring instant classics: “Big, Bright, Beautiful World,” “I’m a Believer” and more, it’s sure to delight audiences of all ages!
“A TRIUMPH” – USA Today
HAVEN BURTON (Fiona) Broadway credits include Kinky Boots, Violet (Violet standby), Shrek The Musical (Gingy, Fiona u/s), Legally Blonde (Margot, Elle u/s), Rent (Maureen). National Tours/ concerts: Shrek (Princess Fiona), Rent (Maureen), Carnegie Hall’s ‘Take the Stage,’ Symphony POPs in Santa Rosa. A BIG Thank You to my amazing agents at CESD. With love and gratitude to Denny and Hudson who came to me by way of Shrek The Musical you make everyday a hilarious adventure. You are my heart.
RORY DONOVAN (Shrek) Pittsburgh CLO Debut! Broadway: Finding Neverland (Mr. Turpin/Captain Hook), Elf (“Buddy” Standby). National Tour: Young Frankenstein (“The Monster”). Regional: Finding Neverland (A.R.T.), The Who’s Tommy (Berkshire Theatre Festival). Proud University of the Arts Graduate. Endless Love to Luddy, Gussie, and Theo Feo. @rorydonovan www.rorydonovanonline.com
BENJAMIN HOWES (Lord Farquaad) was recently seen as Professor Higgins in Pittsburgh Public’s production of My Fair Lady. Originally from Australia, Benjamin performed on Broadway (Scandalous, Mary Poppins, & [title of show]), Off-Broadway and in National Tours (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
ANDRE JORDAN (Donkey) is excited to revisit the role of Donkey after playing the part on the national tour. Other touring credits include: Joseph…Dreamcoat (Zebulun), Legally Blonde (Carlos) and Mad LIVE UK! (Swing). Regional: Ain’t Misbahavin (Phoenix Theatre), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Ogunquit Playhouse) and Aida (Media Theatre). Thanks to my agent, my mom, and God…DUH!
DALLAS PADOVEN (Pinocchio) is so excited to return to Pittburgh CLO after performing in Damn Yankees, 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
LILLY KWIECINSKI (Young Shrek, Grumpy) is “tickled green” to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! She’s an upcoming 4th grader at The Campus School of Carlow University and a third year CLO Academy student where she studies musical theater, dance and piano. Lilly’s honored to join the CLO cast and crew for her first professional show. Much love to her family, teachers, friends, and pigs!
LEXI PATTERSON (Young Fiona) is thrilled to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut! Entering the 6th grade at Mary Queen of Apostles School, she’s in her first year at the CLO Academy. She’s performed with the Gemini Theater (Gift of the Ice Queen) and MQA (Peter Pan Jr., Alice in Wonderland). Lexi thanks her family and teachers for their love, guidance and support!
LUCIA WILLIAMS (Teen Fiona) is excited to perform in another Pittsburgh CLO production. She most recently appeared as Baby June in Gypsy. Lucia is entering 9th Grade at Oakland Catholic High School. She also attends the CLO Academy and is a CLO Mini Star. She thanks all of her teachers, friends and family for their loving support with a special shout out to the Half Dozen!
CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL (Big Bad Wolf, Knight, 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!
RYAN CAVANAUGH (King Harold, Captain of the Guard, Knight, Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of another Summer Season! 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 a part 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!
IXCHEL CUELLAR (Shoemaker’s Elf, Blind Mouse, 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
MICHAEL GREER (Pig, Thelonius, Dragon Puppeteer, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning
to Pittsburgh CLO! He was last seen in Altar Boyz (Luke) at the 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.
MYHA'LA HERROLD (Baby Bear, Dragon, Blind Mouse, Ensemble) is a musical theater major at CMU making her Pittsburgh CLO debut. Previous: The Mother…with the Hat, Jekyll & Hyde, AIDA, Hairspray, Once on This Island, Into the Woods, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee and The Drowsy Chaperone. She recently starred as Lily Polkadot in the new musical Polkadots. Miss Herrold hopes to continue to create meaningful theater for all audiences.
JUSTIN LONESOME (Pig, Knight, 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 Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, Sunset Boulevard, A Chorus Line, The Wedding Singer.) Local: PICT (Narrator-Two Tales of Terror, Henry-For the Tree to Drop.)
CARINA-KAY LOUCHIEY(Fairy Godmother, 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!
STEPHANIE MALONEY (Mama Ogre, Mama Bear, Ensemble) is happy to be back home in Pittsburgh. Her first show with the CLO was in 1996 - so this marks 20 years! Stephanie has toured nationally and internationally with the Broadway musical Chicago. She has also performed with the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Cleveland Musical Theatre. Proud graduate of the University of Michigan. Much love to her family and her amazing fiancé Sean.
KATE MARGALITE (Queen Lillian, Wicked Witch, Bluebird, Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her Pittsburgh CLO debut this season! 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!
MARA NEWBERY (Ugly Duckling, Dragon Puppeteer, Blind Mouse, 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 (Peter Pan, Dragon Puppeteer, 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
NKEKI OBI-MELEKWE (Sugar Plum Fairy, Gingy, Ensemble) is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. She is beyond excited to be making her Pittsburgh CLO and Actor’s Equity debut! Recent credits include: American Idiot, Little Shop Of Horrors and Peter and the Starcatcher. Many thanks to everyone at CLO, with special thanks to Linda Goodrich. For my loving family. IG: @nkekio
EVAN RUGGIERO (Pig, Knight, Pied Piper, Bishop, Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Pittsburgh CLO for his second season. A native of Old Bridge, NJ, Evan holds a BFA in musical theatre from Montclair State University. Credits include: The Penalty (The Public, NYC), Man of La Mancha (Pittsburgh CLO), Paint The Universe (Transcendence Theatre Company), “The Ellen Show” (Burbank, CA), Quelli Che Calcio (Milan, Italy), Tap World (Los Angeles, CA). Social Media:
@Lord_PegLeg
TAYLOR KELLAS WARREN (Papa Ogre, Papa Bear, Dragon Puppeteer, 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!
DAVID F.M. VAUGHN (Director) is an award-winning actor, director, and writer. Recent directing credits include Beauty and the Beast at Musical Theatre West, Legally Blonde for 3-D Theatricals, and Shrek The Musical at Moonlight Ampitheatre. As an actor, David’s credits include Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, and regional theatres across the country. He’s tap danced with Tommy Tune, belted with Sutton Foster, warbled with Sheena Easton, and shuffled off to Buffalo with Gregory Hines. In addition, he is currently developing a new TV series. David has taught professionally at the Broadway Theatre Project (headed by Ann Reinking), Broadway Classroom, Camp Broadway, and master classes at various universities throughout the country. IG/Twitter: @DavidFMVaughn
JUSTIN GREER (Choreographer) is a veteran actor, having appeared in nine Broadway shows, including the original company of Shrek The Musical. This is his second time collaborating with David F.M. Vaughn, having previously set this production with 3D Theatricals in California. Other choreography credits include The Ghosts of Versailles, The Rape of Lucretia and the American premiere of L’Opera Seria at Wolftrap Opera Company in Washington, DC. Mr. Greer teaches master classes all over the country, and is currently on the faculty of Manhattan’s prestigious Dalton School, creating arts integrated curriculum for grades K-3. BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. More at www.justingreer.net
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 theaters.
TOM BUDERWITZ (Scenic Designer) Theatre designs for South Coast Rep., Center Theatre Group, Goodman Theater, Shakespeare Theater, Berkeley Rep., Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Intiman Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center, Laguna Playhouse, Chautauqua Theater Co., Indiana Rep., Arizona Theatre Co., San Diego Rep., Artist Rep., and the Antaeus Co. among many others. 5 L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards (27 nominations) and 4 L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards. Tom has designed TV specials and series for every major broadcast and cable network and has 3 Emmy Award nominations and an Art Director’s Guild Award nomination. www.TomBuderwitz.com
PAUL MILLER (Lighting Designer) Broadway: Amazing Grace, Legally Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room Only; Irma La Douce, Where’s Charley?, Lost in the Stars, Of Thee I Sing, and Music in the Air (Encores). Off-Broadway: Out Of The Mouths Of Babes, Clinton – The Musical, Lucky Guy, Nunsense, Vanities - the Musical, Waiting for Godot, Addicted, Balancing Act. Regional: Stratford Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Bay Street, Lookingglass, Goodspeed. Tours: Elf, Shrek, Storytime Live, Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd, Legally Blonde, Nunsense, Scooby Doo, The Sound of Music. Television: Live from Lincoln Center; “New Year’s Eve Celebration in Times Square”.
KATHRYN BERGH (Costume Designer) has recently opened Seussical! at Sacramento Music Circus, Casa Valentina at the Pasadena Playhouse, Hopscotch, A Mobile Opera in 24 Cars, Speaking in Tongues and Ruben Guthrie with the Australian Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Other shows include Side Show, Broadway Bound at the Odyssey, Six Dance Lessons… at the Laguna Playhouse, Cabaret, How to Succeed…, Empire Burlesque, Gigi, Art, and Woyzeck and Metamorphoses at the Ensemble Theatre in Santa Barbara.
KARYN MEEK (Production Stage Manager) Pittsburgh CLO: 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.
GAIL BALDONI (Costume Coordinator) 11th Pittsburgh CLO season. Costume Designer for New York City Opera’s Wonderful Town, New York Philharmonic’s My Fair Lady, Emmy nominated designer for Another World. Regionally for Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera, The Ahmanson Theater, The Boston Ballet, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Riverside Theatre and Cape Playhouse. 13 Off-Broadway shows. The Rockettes, Disney on Ice and Ringling Bros. Circus are other favorite projects.
DANIEL KOYE (Hair Designer) is thrilled to be back at Pittsburgh CLO. 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 Daniel’s own hair product line DKOYE the product. www.dkoye.com
DENICE PAXTON (Make-up/Prosthetics Design) is thrilled to make the trek from Southern California to The Swamp for Pittsburgh CLO’s Shrek The Musical! Make-up & Prosthetics Designer for Shrek The Musical (3-D Theatricals, 2013; Moonlight Stage Productions, 2015). Beauty and the Beast (3DT, 2016; Musical Theatre West, 2014). The Addams Family, Tarzan, Side Show, Into the Woods, The Producers (3DT). Young Frankenstein (Performance Riverside). Make-up Lead & Designer for Knott’s Scary Farm 1998 – 2012. PURSUE YOUR PASSION! www.denicepaxton.com
KELLY HAYWOOD (Assistant Stage Manager) is happy to be back at Pittsburgh CLO. Past productions include: Mary Poppins, Monty Python's Spamalot, A Musical Christmas Carol and 42nd Street. Pittsburgh Public Theater: Born Yesterday, Noises Off, An Iliad and True West. World Premiere 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. STYS (Assistant Stage Manager) This year marks his 20th musical with Pittsburgh CLO! 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: Times 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
DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE (Book & Lyrics) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent play Ripcord opens this fall at Manhattan Theatre Club. His play Rabbit Hole received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony Award® nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek The Musical, which was nominated for eight Tony Awards, four Oliviers, a Grammy, and earned David the Ed Kleban Award as America’s most promising musical theater lyricist.
JEANINE TESORI (Music) won the Tony Award® for Best Original Score with Lisa Kron for the musical Fun Home, currently playing on Broadway. She has also written Tony-nominated scores for Twelfth Night, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change, and Shrek The Musical. Her 1997 Off-Broadway musical Violet opened on Broadway in 2014 and garnered four Tony nominations, including Best Musical Revival. Ms. Tesori was cited by the ASCAP as the first female composer to have two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway.
JASON MOORE (Original Director) Broadway: Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias. Carnegie Hall: Jerry Springer: The Opera. Off-Broadway: Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q (the Vineyard), Guardians (the Culture Project), The Crumple Zone. Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, national tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV directing: episodes of “Dawson’s Creek,” “Everwood,” “One Tree Hill” and “Brothers and Sisters.” Jason has a BS in performance studies from Northwestern University.
ROB ASHFORD (Original Director) received his 8th Tony Award® nomination for his work on the Broadway revival of Evita and received the Tony Award for the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed…, Shrek, Curtains and The Wedding Singer. He has also choreographed the opening number for the Tony Awards starring Neil Patrick Harris for four years. Rob serves on the Executive Board of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
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