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Kole McKinley
ROLE: Harold Hill Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Kole now resides in Clearwater, Florida. A graduate of East Carolina University with a B.F.A. in musical theatre performance, he is making his La Comedia debut. He has since performed around the country in such roles as Buddy in Elf: The Musical, Josh Baskin in Big: The Musical, Cornelius Hackl in Hello Dolly!, Dr. Fine/Madden in Next to Normal, and Hennesey/Captain in Dames at Sea. Kole is an Eagle Scout and enjoys bowling, board games, and craft breweries.
Megan Arrington
ROLE: Marian Paroo Megan is thrilled to make her La Comedia debut. She currently calls Carmel, Indiana, home but has previously lived in New York City. Some of her favorite roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Ellie in Freaky Friday, Katie in Plain and Fancy, and a singer-dancer at Cedar Point Halloweekends. She holds a B.F.A. in musical theatre from Belmont University and would like to thank her amazing family and friends for all their love and support.
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Catie Carroll
ROLE: Mrs. Paroo After 14 years, Catie is thrilled to be back on stage in her first production with La Comedia. Since the years of high school musicals and youth theater, she has been dedicated to her family and raising her three children. Growing up The Music Man was a favorite, so being a part of this is a dream come true. Catie would like to thank her friends and family, both the ones here today and those who live in her heart and memories, for shaping who she is today and La Comedia for the chance to be a part of this show.
Paul Ford
ROLE: Oliver Britt/Conductor Paul has been a La Comedia season subscriber for over 30 years and is excited to finally be on the other side of the curtain. After retiring from industry, he has been a substitute teacher with special needs students for nine years. Paul is from Springboro and has been Santa for Christmas in Springboro for six years. He has performed with Voices of Ohio since 2006 and has performed 12 times in the vocal ensemble for Kenny Roger’s Christmas Tour.
Allison Gabert
ROLE: Zaneeta Shinn Allison is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a B.F.A. in theatre performance and returns after appearing in Godspell, A Christmas Story, Footloose as Wendy Jo, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder as Miss Barley and in The Little Mermaid. 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. Thank you to my friends and family for their endless support.
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Lucas Head
ROLE: Winthrop Paroo Lucas is an 11-year old 5th grader from Miamisburg, Ohio, and is thrilled to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing as Grover Dill in A Christmas Story. Prior to his acting career, he competed in All-Star cheer for 5 years. He thought he might enjoy trying something new and has loved his experience with La Comedia so far. He loves taking singing lessons with Becky Barrett-Jones and also continues to take tumbling and Ninja classes.
Adam Holthus
ROLE: Jacey Squires Adam is from Kansas City, Missouri, and is making his La Comedia debut. He has previously performed around the world on Saga and P&O Australia cruises. Adam holds a bachelor’s in music education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. He also has experience in competitive barbershop quartet singing.
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Ed Iverson
ROLE: Mayor Shinn Ed is pleased to return to the La Comedia stage after appearing in Godspell. He is no stranger to the stage, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater performance from the University of Maryland, and having been a performance instructor for the last 10 years at Town Hall Theater in Centerville, performing in over 40 shows. He also played Father Christmas and Uncle Diggory in The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe at Dayton’s Victoria Theater in 2019.
Dylan Jackson
ROLE: Marcellus Dylan returns to the La Comedia stage for his 4th show after appearing as himself in Godspell, Chuck in Footloose, and Jetsam in The Little Mermaid. A graduate of the New York Film Academy and a Los Angeles resident for many years. Other favorite roles include, Rooster in Annie, Tin Man in Wizard of Oz, Willard in Footloose, Felix in The Odd Couple, and Frog in the children’s musical A Year with Frog and Toad. Dylan sends a special thanks to his family, his Shipoopi, and of course Dalton, his number one fan.
Elly Kirkendall
ROLE: Mrs. Squires Originally from Vacaville, California, Elly moved to Ohio to attend the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she graduated with a B.M. in voice. Previous musical credits include Elsa in The Sound of Music, Grace in Annie, Cinderella in Into the Woods. Her opera credits include Miereille in Mireille, Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, and Dorabella in Così fan tutte. Elly will soon graduate with a PhD in German literature and plans to continue her career as a professional singer, actress, writer, and a professor of German studies. She is excited to be making her debut at La Comedia.
Bridget Lorenz
ROLE: Ethel Toffelmier Bridget is from Hamilton, Ohio, and is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing in Phantom, Godspell and Shrek. A graduate of Wright State University with a B.F.A. in musical theatre, she recently performed at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. She thanks her family, friends, and teachers for their support.
Layne MacPherson
ROLE: Ewart Dunlop A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Layne is making his La Comedia debut. He holds a B.A. in theatre from Southern Virginia University, where he appeared in many productions including Julius Caesar, The Fantasticks, Arsenic and Old Lace, Pirates of Penzance, and Silent Sky. Since graduating, he has appeared as Joseph in the Wayne at Wintergreen’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Fred in the national tour of A Christmas Carol. Most recently, he toured with Bright Star Touring Theatre, performing in shows for young audiences about the Civil Rights Movement, and black history.
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Ryder Parsons
ROLE: Winthrop Paroo Ryder is excited to be returning to the stage at La Comedia! He was previously seen here as Ralphie in A Christmas Story. Ryder is a 6th grader at Brookwood Elementary School in Hamilton. He has enjoyed his time on stage in the Encore Jr. production of Elf Jr., and as Jojo in Seussical Jr. Ryder most recently appeared as Winthrop Paroo in the Encore Summer Youth Theater production of The Music Man. When not on stage, Ryder enjoys playing soccer with Ohio United FC, and entertaining his friends, family, and teachers with his quick wit, jokes, and storytelling.
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Jonathan Pendergrass
ROLE: Tommy Djilas Jonathan is thrilled to be back at La Comedia having last appeared in Footloose. His previous La Comedia credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia!, and Annie, as well as our Lunch and Learn Children’s Theatre productions of Frederick: The Mouse and Flat Stanley in The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. He thanks his mom, dad and supportive friends. Jonathan dedicates each performance in the memory of Kathryn Metz. John 3:16
Mark Reuter
ROLE: Charlie Cowell Mark is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage for his 22nd show after most recently appearing in Phantom. Other favorite roles include Jean Shepherd in A Christmas Story, Uncle Billy in It’s A Wonderful Life, and Monsignor O’Hara in Sister Act: The Musical. He has also appeared in other area productions such as Beavercreek Community Theatre’s Freaky Friday. Mark works as a Bakery/Deli Clerk at Meijer in Kettering when he is not at the theatre. He wishes to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support and to thank each and every one of you for coming out to support live theatre. God Bless!
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Meghan Slowik
ROLE: Alma Hix Meghan is excited to be return to La Comedia after just appearing in Phantom. 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, performing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and in the Florida Touring Choir for Josh Groban’s “Stages” tour. She has been in several operas, including Turandot, Suor Angelica, and most recently Blind Injustice with the Cincinnati Opera. She also worked at the 2021 Ohio Renaissance Festival as a singer, actress, and music director for the Singing Sirens.
Karie-Lee Sutherland
ROLE: Eulalie Shinn Karie-Lee is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after recently appearing in Phantom, Godspell and as Mother in A Christmas Story. Favorite roles include Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, 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, 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.”
Averi Turner
ROLE: Maud Dunlop Averi is from Miamisburg and is excited to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing in Godspell. Previous credits include Disney’s Freaky Friday, Thoroughly Modern Millie, 26 Pebbles, Once on this Island, and Songs for a New World. Averi, who is also an Italian citizen, enjoys fashion, hairstyling and makeup and hopes to be a princess at Disney World and a film actress.
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Bryson Tyler Wires
ROLE: Olin Hix Bryson is excited to return to La Comedia after just appearing in Phantom. He is from Mason, Ohio, and is a graduate of Point Park University with a B.A. in theatre arts. Previous credits include Charlie in I Know You Are But What am I, Ant in The Bug Game, Grandpa in Trail to Oregon, and Joly in Les Misérables.
