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Matthew Wade
ROLE: Phantom/Erik Originally from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Matthew now makes his home in New York City and is happy to be making his La Comedia debut. He has previously performed in the original East Coast companies of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (and original cast recording). Workshop/reading performances include Anastasia and Joel in But I’m a Cheerleader. Other favorite roles include Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, Antony in Sweeney Todd, Enoch Snow in Carousel, and Gordon in A New Brain. Matthew has also performed as a featured soloist in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and at Madison Square Garden, Avery Fisher Hall, and NYCGMC.
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Lily Autumn Page
ROLE: Christine Lily is from New York and is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a B.F.A. in musical theatre. She most recently performed as the title role in the Off-Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. Previous credits include Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Brigitte in the Off-Broadway production of Swan Lake Rock Opera, and Ensemble in Gypsy. She has studied with the Joffrey Ballet School, and has been training in opera for over 10 years.
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Maxtyn Barton
ROLE: Young Erik/Ensemble Maxtyn is excited to be returning to the stage at La Comedia. He was previously seen here as Randy in A Christmas Story: The Musical, and in Elf: The Musical. He is a fourth grader at Bell Creek Intermediate School in Bellbrook, Ohio. His favorite subjects are STEM and science. When he is not on stage he enjoys playing football and lacrosse and loves being outdoors climbing trees. Maxtyn also likes spending time with his family and friends and enjoys playing with his two brothers and two dogs. He wants to thank his family and friends for all their love and support. He also wants to give a special thank you to everyone at La Comedia and the cast for making him feel so welcome. Matthew 19:26
Hannah Brown
ROLE: Flora/Ensemble Hannah is excited to be returning to the La Comedia stage after last appearing in Godspell and as Signe in Church Basement Ladies. She has also been seen here in A Christmas to Remember, in Nunsense as Sister Mary Leo, as Shelby in Steel Magnolias, and in Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver, and Annie. Other favorite roles include Lola in Damn Yankees, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, and Meg in Crimes of the Heart. Hannah has also performed in many shows at Kings Island. She is a graduate of Miami University with a degree in middle childhood education and a minor in musical theatre. All her love to God, her family, and Matt.
Charmien Byrd
ROLE: Belladova/Ensemble Charmien is delighted to return to the La Comedia stage for the fourth time after last appearing as Chelsea in Timeless Memories of Christmas. She moved to New York City in 2019 after graduating from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Specialized Studies in musical theatre performance and media production. She has since appeared Off-Off-Broadway three times, including originating the role of Gluttony in Infernal the Musical, which is headed to Off-Broadway this summer. Other favorite roles include Estrella in Life is a Dream, Kate Monster in Avenue Q, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, and Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Charmien would like to thank her family, friends, and God for all their love and support.
Linda Dew
ROLE: Carlotta Linda is happy to be back on the La Comedia stage after last appearing as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. A frequent performer at La Comedia since 1997, favorite roles include Anna in the 1999 production of The King and I, Sister Hubert in Nunsense, and M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias. Though she has performed in countless operas, musicals and plays throughout the Tri-state and New York, she considers La Comedia home. When she isn’t performing she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, four grown children, their spouses, 13 grandchildren. She dedicates her performance to her heavenly Father. 1 Corinthians 10:31
John Dorney
ROLE: Cholet John is excited to be returning to La Comedia after recently appearing as The Old Man in A Christmas Story. After 20 years, John returned to the stage in 2019 in La Comedia’s Disaster! Since retiring last year from non-theater work, he has been in 12 Angry Men with Merit Theater, The Odd Couple with Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and Murder at the Banquet with Beyond the Proscenium. Thirty-four years of marriage has been the perfect training for a role of being nominally in charge and practically subservient. He is looking forward to a busy 2022 if his wife lets him.
Montana Iverson
ROLE: Count Philippe Montana is from Springboro and is happy to return after just appearing as Jesus in Godspell. He has been involved in local theatre productions for over 10 years with Town Hall Theatre and Beavercreek Community Theatre. He has performed with the rock band Bohemian Funk, playing shows in Ohio, Indiana, and Nashville and can be heard playing bass on the five singles currently out and the upcoming full studio album recorded and produced in Nashville by Grammy Award-winning sound engineer Jeffrey Thomas.
Philip Krinsky
ROLE: Inspector Ledoux/Ensemble Philip is excited to be returning in his second show at La Comedia after appearing in A Christmas Story. He has performed around greater Cincinnati in productions of Hello Dolly!, Grease, Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol, Cinderella, 9 to 5, and Mockingbird. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2015 with a B.F.A. in acting. At NKU he performed in productions of Antony and Cleopatra, Our Country’s Good, and It’s A Grand Night for Murder. Philip first developed his passion for acting in 2008 when he won $10,000 at a national acting competition. He has performed in a variety of commercials and films and is also a photographer, videographer, and editor for his own business. He thanks his family and friends for always being so supportive.
Steven Lakes
ROLE: Carriere Steven is excited to return to the La Comedia stage, having last appeared as King Triton in The Little Mermaid. A few of his other favorite roles include Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in Annie, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Papa Ogre in Shrek: The Musical, Lurch in The Addams Family, and Cornelius Hackel in Hello, Dolly! Steven would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting him and encouraging him to pursue his passion. He is so grateful to have this opportunity to work with such a talented cast. Enjoy the show!
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Bridget Lorenz
ROLE: Dance Mistress/Ensemble Bridget is from Hamilton, Ohio, and is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after appearing in 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.
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Isaac Muniz
ROLE: Young Erik/Ensemble Isaac is a 3rd grader at Madison Elementary School who loves to entertain. He’s thrilled to be in his first production with La Comedia. You may have seen him before playing Tiny Tim in Scrooge! The Musical. He would like to thank his parents for their love and support and the entire cast and crew for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible show.
Justin Perez
ROLE: Lead Tenor/Young Carriere/Ensemble Justin is thrilled to be joining La Comedia and help tell this incredible story. Raised in Tampa, Florida, Justin moved back to New York City, where he graduated from the American Music and Dramatic Academy with a B.F.A. in musical theatre. His regional credits include The Drowsy Chaperone and Anything Goes. He has also appeared in HBO’s And Just Like That and The Time Travelers Wife, and Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He would like to thank his family and partner for supporting him every step of the way. Thank you and enjoy the show!
Mark Reuter
ROLE: Jean Claude/Ensemble Mark is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage for his 21st show after just reprising his role as Jean Shepherd in A Christmas Story. Other favorite roles include Uncle Billy in It’s A Wonderful Life, 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!
Emma Salchak
ROLE: Fleur/Ensemble Emma is from Dayton, and returns to our stage after performing in the child ensemble of The Little Mermaid in 2015. She studied music at Sinclair Community College, performed with the Kettering Children’s Choir for eight years, and now sings with the alumni choir. She has performed in Nutcracker, Hansel & Gretel, and Britten’s War Requiem with the Dayton Ballet & Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Meghan Slowik
ROLE: Florence/Ensemble Meghan is excited to be making her La Comedia debut. 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: Wardrobe Mistress/Ensemble Karie-Lee is happy to be returning to the La Comedia stage after recently appearing in 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.”
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Rachael Watts
ROLE: Opera Performer/Ensemble Rachael is so excited to take part in her first production with La Comedia. Prior to this, she was last seen performing with the Dramatic Voices Program- Berlin as the Aufseherin in Strauss’ Elektra. She currently teaches piano at Ohio Music Pro in Fairborn Ohio. Rachael has a Master’s in music from Wright State University. For fun, Rachael enjoys painting, video games, and weight lifting. She would like to thank her partner Aaron, and her cat Apollo for supporting her passions and helping her practice at home.”
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Bryson Tyler Wires
ROLE: Buquet/Head Waiter/Ensemble Bryson 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. He is excited to be making his La Comedia debut.
