|
Stephen Kanaski (Emcee) (he/they) is excited to return to MMTC for their production of Cabaret after appearing as Angel in Rent and Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Notable credits include Lionel in Cinderella Enchanted and Cat in the Hat in Seussical (Berkeley Playhouse), Robert Martin in Drowsy Chaperone (Sonoma Arts Live), Crutchie in Newsies (Hillbarn, SFBATCC Featured Actor Nomination), Fox in Pluck (Shotgun Players), Anando in the world premiere of Unpacking in P’Town and Charles in the regional premiere of Sons of the Prophet (TBA Nomination Best Ensemble in a Play) (NCTC), Pablo Picasso in Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Jack in Into the Woods (Los Altos Stage Company), Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (PSP), and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Illyria (6th Street Playhouse). Stephen’s next project will be with Kunoichi Productions at Brava Theatre in Pacific Overtures. My thanks and love to Babe, the Yak, and the Great Rest.
Evvy Carlstrom-March (Sally Bowles) (they/them) is thrilled to return to their performer roots after 6 years teaching musical theater/voice and surviving a pandemic (so far). Most recently Evvy could be seen tippy tapping as a maniacal Penguin or moonlighting as the humble Bird Woman in NBT's production of Mary Poppins. Prior credits include national tours of Musical Thrones: A Parody of Ice and Fire and Penguin goes to Flight School. They received a BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA College and Conservatory in 2017, paraded round the country twice and off broadway in New York for a while, and have utilized every ounce of skills earned to portray the most delusional character of all- a functioning adult and contributing member of society. Evvy is grateful for this opportunity to play make believe, and hopes to use this as an example for their students that effort, dedication, and a little bit of magic go a long way towards lighting a spark. Huge thanks to Katie and Jenny for bringing the light back into my eyes, and to my husband Malcolm for always pushing me to believe I am deserving of the pursuit of happiness.
Daniela Innocenti Beem (Fraulein Schneider) (she/her) is delighted to be back on stage with Marin Musical Theatre Company, previously bending and snapping her way into a TBA Award for her portrayal of Paullete in their production of Legally Blonde. A multiple award winning bay area favorite, her resume reads like a who’s who of some of the best roles in musical theater, including Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, The Witch in Into the Woods (TBA Winner) Rose in Gypsy (SFBATCC Winner and MTJA Winner), Lady of The Lake in Spamalot, Desire’ in A Little Night Music, Dolly in Hello Dolly, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Mama Morton in Chicago, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone, Miss Hannigan in Annie, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls just to name a few. She and Julie Ekoue-Totou are co-creators of “The Dynamic Duet”, an evening of cabaret, playing to sold out houses all over the Bay Area for the last 12 years (CD Available). Her evolving one woman show Over The Rainbow and Into The Woods to Sunset Boulevard I Go played to sold out houses in 2021 and will be coming back soon. In bocca Al Lupo and In Culo Alla Balena!
Russell Mangan (Cliff Bradshaw) (he/him) is excited to return to this timeless and timely classic as well as make his North Bay theatre debut with Marin Musical Theatre Company. He has previously performed in San Francisco, the South Bay, and the East Bay and has been singing, acting, dancing (or at least rhythmically moving) for thirty years now. Some of his favorite roles include Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar), Smokey (Damn Yankees), Bill Austin (Mama Mia), Richard H. Lee (1776), Judas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Warner (Legally Blonde), Baron (Grand Hotel), and Captain Walker (The Who's Tommy). He also created and performed in San Francisco a one man show titled, “Singing Solo with Sondheim” featuring some of his favorite Stephen Sondheim songs touching on themes of love and loss. When not on stage, Russell works passionately as a Deputy Public Defender with the Alameda Public Defender’s Office. He would like to thank everyone who has supported his passions, on and off the stage. Finally, he would like to thank you, the audience, for supporting community theatre and hopes you not only enjoy the show, but also take the powerful message home and are in some way inspired to take action.
Jere Torkelsen (Herr Schultz) (he/him) was a member of the SF Opera chorus from 1987 until his retirement last December. During his tenure he performed roles including, Gen. John Rawlins in Philip Glasses Appomattox, Melisso in Handel’s Alcina, The Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly, The Journalist in Berg’s Lulu, and The Steersman in Tristan und Isolde, among others. He has also appeared with other Bay Area opera companies as The Mother (Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins), Don Alfonso (Cosi fan tutte), Germont (La Traviata), Silvio (Pagliacci), Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), Count Almavia (The Marriage of Figaro), the Four Villains in The Tales of Hoffmann and Polyphemus in Handle’s Acis and Galetea. His concert performances include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Brahm’s Requiem, Hayden’s Creation, Copland’s American Folk Songs, and Faure’s Requiem. His recent musical theater performances include God and Bro Manard in Spamalot with the Novato Theater Co, Fred in Kiss Me, Kate, Chalemagne in Pippin with MMTC, and Tony in Most Happy Fella with the West Marin Players, among others. He has sung Firman and Bouquet in Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera while on the national tour.
Michael Lister (Ernst) (he/him) Michael is so excited to be a part of Cabaret. Thank you Katie and Jenny for inviting me to play! Michael studied theater at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has collaborated with Classic Stage Company (NYC), Flea Theater, and Fresh Ground Pepper.. Recent film/series credits include It's Always Something and the pilot episode of BIT. His favorite roles have included Kulygin in The Three Sisters, Saturninus in Titus Andronicus, and Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest.
Megan Schoenbohm (Fritzie Kost) (she/her) MMTC’s production of Cabaret marks Megan’s second run of this show; her first run playing drumset in the Kit Kat Club band, at the age of 14, in her hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. Her most recent roles include Mary Poppins in North Bay Theatrics’ production of Mary Poppins and Snoopy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. No stranger to the stage, Megan is a professional entertainer, performing music for audiences across the Bay Area and beyond, including a solo concert at Wolf Trap in Summer 2022. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Megan is an award- winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer with four children’s albums distributed worldwide. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy. From Megan:“Liebe gewinnt! Genieße die aufführung!”
Victor Schutz (Max - First Weekend) (he/him) is thrilled to work with his friends at MMTC, having previously appeared in MMTC’s Legally Blonde (Kyle) and Guys and Dolls (Guy). An Actor since high school, he spends his days as a Visual Effects Supervisor for movies, television, and special venue projects, suiting up for the Motion Capture Stage whenever he can. Vick has studied Voice Acting with "Voice One" and "Real Voice LA". Some of his other theatrical roles include Snider and Nunzio in Newsies, the Mayor in Bye Bye Birdie, Dan in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Miles in She Kills Monsters.
Jourdán Olivier-Vert (Max - Second Weekend) is very excited to check one the last of his top 3 bucket list roles off with Cabaret. He was last seen with he took over the role of Mr. Hawkins in The Prom at Berkeley Playhouse. Previous to that some of his most recent roles were Simon Sr in Kinky Boots the Mountain Play, Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime (Lyric Theater) Self in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Sonoma Arts Live) Hux in Hair ( 6th Street Playhouse) Jose Fajardo in On Your Feet, Samson Carrasco in Man of La Mancha and Brother Jeremiah in Something Rotten (all at Woodminster Musical) Delray in Memphis (Berkeley Playhouse) Ensemble in Scrooge in Love ( 42nd Street Moon) and Ensemble in Violet (Bay Area Musicals), The Mayor in Bright Star (Woodside). Some of his non-musical roles include, Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird ( 6th Street Playhouse) Booth in Topdog/ Underdog ( Main Stage West) Bottom in Midsummer Night’s Dream at Marin Shakespeare where he also was on the Board and served as BIPOC Alliance Co-Chair, Oberon in MSND and Catesby in Richard III at African American Shakespeare Company. He has also directed Fences at 6th Street Playhouse, Annie Jr at 6th Street Playhouse, and his own play, Four Women at Theatrico Lunatico. He receive his training from Howard University, Prince George’s College, and a semester at Cour Flourent in Paris, American Academy of Dramatic Srts -New York and the International School of Film and Television in Berkeley. He is in his final year of obtain his ALM from Harvard University Extension School. He is grateful for his support from his group of people.
Isabella Qureshi (Lulu) (she/her) was born in Marin Couty, CA. She began her early dance training at age 4 and then went on to earn her BA degree in Dance at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Upon graduating, she returned to the Bay Area to teach Jazz, Contemporary, & Ballet. Isabella has performed professionally with the Carmen Carnes Dance Ensemble, Salsa Vale Todo, Marin Musical Theatre Company, Novato Theater Company, and the Altarena Playhouse. Isabella joined the Stapleton School of the Performing Arts faculty in 2016 and is presently the Director of the Theatre Division. This is her SEVENTH SHOW with MMTC, and she is very excited to be a part of the cast of CABARET! WILKOMMEN!
Amanika Rapplin (Rosie) is currently studying theatre at College of Marin. While she finds theatre inspiring and fulfilling, most of her experience comes from studying dance. Her roots come from learning modern dance, ballet, jazz, and hip hop at Roco Dance. She further developed her knowledge at the Joffrey Ballet Contemporary/Jazz Trainee Program. She is beyond excited to be a part of MMTC’s production of Cabaret, where she’ll get to combine her love of acting, dancing, and singing while also helping to portray a heavy and deeply meaningful story and lesson for all.
Bethany Hill Mostofizadeh (Texas) is thrilled to return to the musical theater stage after 20 years away. She was born and raised in a theater family and spent her childhood years singing, dancing and acting her way across the stage. After high school, Bethany pivoted from the arts to law and politics. She studied political theory at UCLA and graduated Yale Law School in 2018. Since then, after a brief stint in corporate law, Bethany has been litigating for the plaintiff's bar, with an emphasis in employment. In the past year, Bethany reconnected with her love for the arts, and she has been taking dance and vocal classes at College of Marin and Roco Dance to prepare for a return to the stage. She is so grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with her love for musical theater by joining this cast, doing this show, at this moment in time.
Ernesto Nery Jr. (Bobby) (ze/zim) dreamed of performing on a stage as a child. Having been told by elementary school teachers that ze was not as talented as zis classmate, Ernesto was determined to be on a stage, so ze continued his acting training through the means of video tape binge watching and reenacting scenes from zis favorite show, In Living Color. It wasn’t until the eight-year-old boy was asked to play Martin Luther King Jr and recite Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” by default since he was the only student of color in his class. A defining moment for the young Ernesto’s career. Since zis return back to live theatre, Ernesto has appeared as President Garfield in The Other Mr. Lincoln: A New Musical, Senor Costa in Chanticleer Theatre’s The River Bride, and is part of San Jose’s Qplayers Theatre Company. Ernesto is excited to continue zis passion for performing and hopes to engage anyone and inspire anyone that can relate to being told they are not good enough.
Leo Beare (Victor) (he/they) Pre-professional ballet student of 14 years. Previous productions include Oliver, A Christmas Carol, Seussical, and Oklahoma performed with Stapleton School of the Performing Arts theater division. Marin County local. The next steps in his career will hopefully be in a ballet company in Europe - He has had already several responses from different companies.
Jenny Boynton (U/S Emcee - performing April 12th) (she/her) As the Artistic Director at Marin Musical Theatre Company, she has directed many shows that have performed at NTC, most notably Spring Awakening and The Rocky Horror Show. As a native to Marin County Jenny has performed with many companies in the area including The Mountain Play Association, Stapleton Theater Company and 6th Street Playhouse. She received her AA in Drama and Dance from The College of Marin and her BA in Music from Dominican University. Up next, Jenny will be performing as Willy Wonka in Stapleton Theater Company’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Gabriel A. Ross (U/S Cliff Bradshaw - performing April 4th, U/S Herr Schultz) (he/him) Gabriel recently played the role of Schultz in Cabaret at The Rhino. Last summer he played Alex in The Book Club Play at RVP. His other notable North Bay performance was Torvald in Doll's House at Marin OnStage. He played Sebastian in the long running Pearls Over Shanghai at Thrillpeddlars. Other musical performances include Assassins at CMTC (Oswald) and Superstar at Willows (Ensemble). He studied theatre at GWU and UCSC.
Shelley Skelton (U/S Kost, U/S Schneider) (she/her) is very excited to be involved in another production with Marin Musical Theatre Company. Teacher by day and thespian by night, Shelley does shows when she can. Most recent roles include The Cat in the Hat with Stapleton, concerts of Godspell, Joseph, and Jesus Christ Superstar with Theatre at Large, Sweeney Todd with NTC, and MMTC’s production of Pippin. Shelley loves her family and wants to thank them for all of their support.
Katie Wickes (Ensemble Swing - performing April 12th) (she/her) Favorite shows with MMTC include The Rocky Horror Show (SFBATCC Award - Choreography), Spring Awakening (SFBATCC Nomination - Choreography) and Legally Blonde (TBA Finalist - Choreography). When not on stage or in the dance studio, she works in hospital administration. Her recent performances include Grease, Mamma Mia, & Beauty and the Beast with The Mountain Play Association and Urinetown: The Musical (Mrs. Millennium/Dance Captain)and A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Future/Dance Captain) with Stapleton Theater Company.