Dan Embree
ROLE: John Gustafson Dan is happy to be making his La Comedia debut along with his beautiful wife, Dana. The Embrees live near Branson, MO, where they have been entertainers at a number of Branson’s famous theatres and attractions, including the Silver Dollar City theme park and the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama and Homestead. Some of Dan’s favorite credits include Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life (Silver Dollar City), Jean Sheperd/Narrator in A Christmas Story (The Playhouse Dinner Theatre), Little Big Man/Opry Comic/Vegas Comic in A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline (The Fireside, The Alhambra, and Circa 21) and Max Goldman in Grumpy Old Men (The Fireside).
David Shough
ROLE: Max Goldman David was last seen at La Comedia as Mr. Lawrence in Little Women. Other recent area acting credits include Mayor Dobbs in Bright Star, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, Henry II in The Lion in Winter, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, John Adams in 1776, Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap, King Arthur in Spamalot, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Emile De Becque in South Pacific, and The Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Directing credits include Hedda Gabler, The Shadow Box, The Elephant Man, Outside Mulligar, An Inspector Calls, and Dracula.
Patrick Philip Becker
ROLE: Stan/Ensemble Patrick recently was seen as Troy Richards in Game Show and Theseus in A Midsummer’s Night Dream with Run, Rabbit, Run Theatre. He was the tenor soloist in Carmina Burana, and Pirelli in a semi-staged concert of Sweeney Todd, as well as in the backup choir for Kenny Rogers’ Christmas Show. He also portrayed Cosmic Ray, a comic book superhero in Cosmic Ray and the Amazing Chris with Thompson Street Opera Company in Louisville, Kentucky. His most recent film project was as Sergeant Kemper in the film Talons of the Phoenix with BulletTime Productions and Harry for In the Forest at Night with WAOB (We Are One Body Radio Theatre).
Colin Cranstoun
ROLE: Tim/Ensemble Colin is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing as Lou in Just Desserts, Footloose, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Little Mermaid, The King and I, as the operator of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, and as LeFou in Beauty and the Beast. He has also been seen here in Sister Act, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Story, The Addams Family, South Pacific, Miracle on 34th Street, Happy Days, Titanic, and A Christmas Carol.
John Dorney
ROLE: Chuck Barrels Since retiring from corporate life in 2021, John has had a busy theatrical life performing in 20 productions with almost a dozen different theater groups in the greater Cincinnati area. He was last on stage at La Comedia for Phantom last year. He has also performed over 40 improv shows, and co-hosted at Game Show Battle Rooms. He usually includes some pithy, show-relevant, current events remark here, but with Grumpy Old Men — well, where do you start? All my love to the Mrs., the kids, the kids-in-law, and the kids’ kids.
Dana Embree
ROLE: Sandra Snyder Dana is ecstatic to make her La Comedia debut along side her husband, Dan. This marks Dana’s second time to play the villainous Sandra Snyder (The Fireside Dinner Theatre). Other credits include Mother in A Christmas Story, Mrs. Cratchit in A Dickens Christmas Carol, Miss Hannigan in ANNIE, Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense and Martha Jefferson in 1776. Recently, the Embrees performed in Branson’s Who Dunnit Hoedown Murder Mystery. Hugs and kisses to Kelly, Max, Dani, and Kinsley for all their support.
Charlie Goetz
ROLE: Grandpa Gustafson Charlie adds to the scores of shows he has done at La Comedia, beginning in the mid-70s. Favorite La Comedia roles include Julian Marsh (the producer) in 42’d Street, FDR (several times) in Annie, and General Waverly in White Christmas (more than once). Elsewhere, he has acted in and directed Shakespeare plays. Two of his television appearances netted him Emmys, one, for his work in a Peabody-winner. Two plays he wrote, The Best Intentions and Borrowing Spring, were judged ‘Best of…’ by panels engaged by Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative.
Don Hart
ROLE: Harry/Ensemble Don is from Columbia City, Indiana, and is ecstatic about making his La Comedia debut. After graduating from the School of Hard Knocks (not at the top of his class), he began his professional acting career in 2007 at the age of 54. Highlights include Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Eddie in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Henry in The Fantasticks, and Noah in both The Ark and Two by Two – which is one of the few roles he is age appropriate for. “Enjoy the show and welcome to Wabasha!”
Mitch Holland
ROLE: Jacob Goldman Mitch is happy to return to La Comedia having recently appeared in Margaritaville as an ensemble member. Mitch got his B.F.A. in acting from Webster Conservatory. His favorite roles include: Marston in And Then There Were None (New York Gallery Players), Jerry in The Zoo Story (Mitchell Squared Productions) and Curly in Oklahoma! (Moss Performing Arts Academy).
Kathryn McCarty
ROLE: Fran/Ensemble Kathryn is excited to be making her La Comedia debut. Favorite credits include Patti di Marco in School of Rock (Columbus Children’s Theatre), Miss Pross in Tale of Two Cities (Actor’s Theatre of Columbus), and Kristine Linde in A Doll’s House (Ohio Northern University). She is a graduate of Ohio Northern University, receiving a BA in theatre and youth ministry. She thanks her family, especially her parents, her friends, and her teachers. “I would not be who I am today without you!”
Julie McNamara
ROLE: Melanie Norton Making her La Comedia debut, Julie is an actor, singer, and comedian based in New York City, who holds a degree in voice performance from Westminster Choir College. Favorite roles include Amy in Company, Fairy Godmother in Shrek: the Musical, Mistress Quickly in Henry V and Blue Fairy in Pinocchio. Julie is also an actor with both the Magnet Theater Sketch house team and BoogieManja Sketch Collective. She would like to send her love to her fiancé Matt.
Meghan Slowik
ROLE: Punky Olander Meghan is excited to be returning to La Comedia after appearing in Escape to Margaritaville, Phantom and The Music Man. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, she is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s in piano performance. She was in a professional children’s choir for 10 years, performed at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and was in the Florida Touring Choir for Josh Groban’s “Stages” tour. She has been in several operas, including Turandot, Suor Angelica, and Blind Injustice with the Cincinnati Opera.
Karie-Lee Sutherland
ROLE: Ariel Truax Karie-Lee returns to La Comedia after appearing as and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Favorite roles include Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family. Karie-Lee has toured the world as a performer for the DOD-USO, and is a veteran of live shows at Kings Island. She has worked as an actor, director, and choreographer at various theaters in Cincinnati including the Covedale Center, Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, the Educational Outreach program at Playhouse in the Park, Showboat Majestic, CCM’s Prep Department, and Miami University’s theatre department. Love to Matthew, William, Aubrie-Lee, and Jeremy. Find her on YouTube at “Still Kicking with Karie-Lee.”
Rachel Villalon
ROLE: Karla/Ensemble Rachel is excited to be back at La Comedia for their production of Grumpy Old Men: the Musical. This is her 10th production here and she is always grateful to God for every opportunity. She’d like to give a shout out to her wonderful husband, and thank him for being so supportive. “I love you and our sweet baby so much! To God be all the glory!”
Kelsey WIlson
ROLE: Unis/Ensemble Kelsey is excited to make her La Comedia debut. Originally from North Carolina, Kelsey is a Chicago-based actor. Recent projects include Pattie in Beehive, Belle in A Christmas Carol, and Ensemble/U/S Sandra in All Shook Up at Temple Theatre Company. Other credits include Dancer in The Lost Colony, June in Gypsy, Sarah in Archibald MacLeish’s J.B., and Universal Television’s The Enemy Within. She received her B.F.A. in theatre from Western Carolina University and currently trains with Innovative Voice Studio. She gives a special shout out to her parents for making the road trip from NC to Ohio.
