Kayla Stroud
ROLE: Jo Kayla is excited to be making her La Comedia debut. She has a B.A. in theatre and mathematics from The University of Kentucky and was most recently seen as Audrey in Descendants with the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Other credits include June in The Musical of Musicals with The Story Collective, Jovie in Elf: The Musical, with Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and Sally Bowles in Cabaret at UK. She thanks the directors and cast for this amazing experience, her family for their constant support, and God for all His blessings. Kayla dedicates this performance to her sisters and brother who are the “fire within her” own heart – “love you all endlessly!”
Gracie Adkins
ROLE: Amy Gracie is returning to the La Comedia stage after most recently appearing as Gracie Shinn in The Music Man. Some of her favorite credits include Annie in Annie, Teen Fiona in Shrek: The Musical, Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof, Elf the Musical, The Sound of Music, and A Christmas Carol. Gracie has been taking piano lessons for over 10 years and also enjoys playing guitar. She is a senior at Dayton Christian and plans to attend Lee University in the fall to study digital media production, piano, and musical theater.
Angela Allen
ROLE: Marmee Angela is excited to be a part of her first show at La Comedia. She received her masters in vocal performance from the University of Akron and has worked as an artist with the Cleveland Opera, performing in Madame Butterfly, Tosca, La Traviata, and Sweeney Todd. She has performed as a soloist at the Crystal Cathedral, Severance Hall, and with many local theaters. Angela enjoys volunteering with local arts organizations. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband and their three beautiful boys and hopes you enjoy the show.
Catie Cumings
ROLE: Meg Catie is a recent Kent State grad and returns to our stage after appearing as Sister Berthe/Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music. She also recently directed and performed in her alma mater’s production of A Queer Mosaic. She’s thrilled to spend her first musical performance in nearly two years back on the La Comedia stage to help tell another iconic story. The real life oldest of four kids, Catie sends a million thanks to her family and friends for their unending support and hopes you enjoy the show.
Allison Gabert
ROLE: Beth Allison is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a B.F.A. in theatre performance and returns after appearing as Judy Haynes in White Christmas, Virginia in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Babette in Beauty and the Beast, Zaneeta Shinn in The Music Man, and Wendy Jo in Footloose. Some of her favorite roles include Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda: The Musical, Eponine in Les Misérables and Little Red in Into the Woods. She has choreographed for several youth musical theatre productions and NKU dance shows. She thanks her friends and family for their endless support.
Elliot Handkins
ROLE: Laurie Elliot is excited to be back at La Comedia after a long hiatus. A graduate of NKU with a B.F.A. in acting, he lives in Cincinnati and is typically seen in local productions around the Tri-State area. Besides acting, he assistant directs at a local high school and constructs their sets. Some favorite credits include The Last Five Years, A Funny Thing… Forum, The Addams Family, The Graduate, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Godspell.
Tyler Kirk
ROLE: John Brooke Tyler is excited to return to the La Comedia stage after appearing as Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He recently returned to Ohio after eight years in San Diego, California, where he originated the role of Scott Fernsby in Marry Me Dennis Branigan. Other favorite credits include Rocky in Rocky Horror Show and George Berger in Hair. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and constant support.
Bobby Mantaniz
ROLE: Professor Bhaer Bobby is originally from Long Island, NY, and is elated to make his La Comedia Debut. National tour: Greenway/Santa u/s in Elf: The Musical. Regional: Swing for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz (John W. Engeman Theatre), Dave Bukatinsky in The Full Monty (Maples Repertory Theatre), as well as William Barfée in The 25th Annual… Spelling Bee and Horton in Seussical. He has also sailed the Atlantic and Mediterranean as a performer with Disney Cruise Line. Dedicated to his fiancé Michael, with whom he’ll always share his small umbrella in the rain. @bobbymontaniz
David Shough
ROLE: Mr. Laurence David is excited to make his La Comedia debut. Other area acting credits include Oscar 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 The Shadow Box, The Elephant Man, Outside Mulligar, An Inspector Calls, and Dracula.
Karie-Lee Sutherland
ROLE: Aunt March/Mrs. Kirk Karie-Lee is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing as Lola in Steeple People and Rona Lisa Peretti in 25th Annual..Spelling Bee, and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. 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 at Miami University’s theatre department. Love to Matthew, William, Aubrie-Lee, and Jeremy. Find her on YouTube at “Still Kicking with Karie-Lee.”
