Directed by Joanna Cullinan
Music Direction by Matthew Dolan
Choreography by Liz Baumgartner
Stage Managed by Lysa Kenney
Costume Design by Luke Scattergood
Set, Projection, and Light Design by Patrick Ciamacco
CAST/STAFF/BAND
Sophia Eloise Edwards (Jackie) is very, absolutely thrilled to be playing Jackie in this production. Her recent credits include Waitress (Jenna), Bare: A Pop Opera (Nadia), Ride The Cyclone (Constance u/s), The Wild Party (Madelaine True u/s), Chicago (Velma Kelly), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), The Addams Family (Alice), Urinetown: The Musical (Penelope Pennywise), and Gypsy (Madame Rose). Next up, Sophia will be playing Rose in Caroline, or Change at Cain Park! She would like to thank her friends, family, and this entire team for their support, and she can’t wait for the audience to experience this wild, wacky, and wonderful show! Instagram: @sophiaeloisee
Neely Gevaart (Marianne) is very excited to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage! She has previously been seen here in The Wild Party (Kate), Reefer Madness (Mary Lane), and The Texas Chainsaw Musical! (Christy), to name a few. Thanks to Christopher, Taco, and Lumi for their love and support.
Trey Gilpin (Tony) is thrilled to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre. You may recognize him from BCT productions such as Groundhog Day (Ralph), Avenue Q (Nicky), Urinetown: The Musical (Harry), Silence! The Musical (Dr. Chilton), Reefer Madness (Ralph), HAIR (Woof), and 12 Angry Men (#4). Recipient of the 2021 Cleveland Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, Trey has also appeared at Dobama Theatre, Cain Park, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Public Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and more. Favorite shows include Cabaret (Emcee), Merrily We Roll Along (Charley), Matilda the Musical (Trunchbull), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho). Many thanks to Joanna, Matt Dolan, Pat, and the rest of this amazing production team!
Madeline Golya (Ensemble/ Ben/Lisa Understudy) is ecstatic to be returning to Blank Canvas Theatre for a second show. Some of her recent credits include Alice by Heart (Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds), Men on Boats (Hawkins), Silent Sky (Margaret Leavitt), The Tempest: Abridged (Storyteller), the collegiate debut of John Proctor is the Villain (Raelynn Nix), and Electra (Chrysothemis). This spring, Madeline graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a B.A. in Theater and English, as well as a minor in Marketing. She is so thankful to her mom, dad, London, and Kine for their relentless support and love, and hopes you all enjoy the show. Instagram: maddie.caprig
Natalie Golz (Sister Mary Downy) is gleefully making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut in Disaster! Rock ’n’ roll, buckaroo. :)
Tony Heffner (Chad) is thrilled to return to the Blank Canvas Theatre stage for the first time since 2018 (We Will Rock You)! Tony is in the midst of a BCT Summer, as he will be bck on stage here in Pippin next month. Tony has performed in many productions in the greater Cleveland/Akron area, including at Cain Park, Beck Center for the Arts, Weathervane Playhouse, and CVLT. Some of Tony’s favorite credits include Next to Normal (Gabe), Bonnie & Clyde (Clyde Barrow), Newsies (Jack Kelly), the Ohio premiere of Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli), and Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale, Jr.). During the day, Tony works for Cleveland Play House in their education department, teaching CARE, a social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care through theatre and drama curriculum, at Dike School of the Arts in Cleveland. Tony would like to thank his family and friends for always supporting him in all he does. GBOGB! For Sarah, Always.
Luke Jones (Ben/Lisa) is thrilled to be making his Blank Canvas Theatre debut! Disaster! marks his 28th theatrical production, with memorable past credits including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Chip), Kinky Boots (Young Charlie), Tuck Everlasting (Hugo), Kiss Me, Kate! (Second Man), Bye Bye Birdie (Randolph MacAfee), Our Town (Wally Webb, Joe/Si Crowell), Barbecuing Hamlet (Budgie), Shrek the Musical (Baby Bear, Young Shrek), Gypsy (Clarinet Boy, Newsboy), Wizard of Oz Youth Edition (Scarecrow), Music Man Kids (Harold Hill), Seussical Kids (Horton), Willy Wonka Kids (Charlie), Aladdin Kids (Aladdin), Frozen Kids (Olaf), Finding Nemo Kids (Crush) and Elf The Musical (Ensemble). He has also appeared in several feature and short films. Later this summer, Luke will be seen in upcoming productions of Beetlejuice Jr. (Beetlejuice) at Strongsville Community Theatre (July 10 through13) and Pippin (Theo) here at BCT (July 25 through August 9). Luke would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support as he chases his dreams -- and for always encouraging him to defy gravity!
David Keller (Ensemble/Ted & Tony Understudy) is very excited to be making his regional debut in Disaster! at Blank Canvas Theatre! David is a rising junior, B.F.A. Acting major with a Dance minor at Baldwin Wallace University. Recent credits include The Baltimore Waltz (The Third Man), Gross Indecency (Swing), The Rocky Horror Show (Frank N. Furter) and Joseph and the… Dreamcoat (Simeon/Joseph US). David would like to extend his gratitude to all who have supported him thus far, especially his mother, to whom he owes everything. He is so honored to have shared this experience with the entire cast and crew for the past month, and cannot wait to share tonight with you! Enjoy the show!
Jacob Lang (Ensemble/ Scott Understudy) is super-stoked to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre after appearing in 2022’s productions of Spring Awakening and The Last Starfighter! Selected credits include Flames and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Clague Playhouse, Assassins at Lakeland Civic Theatre, and the world premiere of Tom and Bobby Love at convergence-continuum. He’s super into trivia, having appeared on Jeopardy! in 2023, and hosts monthly trivia nights at The Happy Dog (Cleveland Scene Best Trivia 2023, runner-up in 2024) and One Star Lakewood. Offstage, you’ll find him obsessing over his fantasy baseball teams and waiting in line at Cedar Point.
Kenny Lear (Maury) is thrilled to be back on stage after a six-year hiatus! Selected onstage credits include The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Featured Singer, Radio City Music Hall), Naked Boys Singing! (Swing, Off-Broadway), Mrs. Smith’s Broadway Cat-Tacular (Original Cast, Off-Broadway), and Million Dollar Quartet (Jerry Lee Lewis, Show Palace Dinner Theater). His credits ass Music Director include Alice by Heart (Blank Canvas Theatre); Waitress (assoc. MD, Beck Center for the Arts); Big Fish (Cain Park)’ Chicago, Always Patsy Cline, Elf The Musical, and Rat Pack Lounge (Show Palace Dinner Theater); and Queen of the Night: A Whitney Tribute, Mamma Mia!, and A Christmas Carol (New Hampshire's Palace Theater). Kenny is also an Adjunct Professor at Baldwin Wallace University - Conservatory of Performing Arts. BWMT '06! Thank you to Patrick, Joanna, and this incredible cast! @kennylear83
Chrissy Margevicius (Ensemble/Shirley Understudy) is thrilled to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre for what's sure to be a groovy summer! She is a graduate of the Molloy University/CAP21 Conservatory B.F.A. program in NYC. Her other BCT credits include the upcoming Pippin (Fastrada), Zombie Prom (Candy), and The Last Starfighter (Jenny/Sgt. Taura). Favorite recent credits elsewhere include The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch/MD) at Ohio Shakespeare Festival and Once (The Girl) at Kent State Stark Campus. Chrissy has also performed in various projects with Rubber City Theatre, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, convergence-continuum, The Madison Theatre (New York), Williamstown Theatre Festival (Massachusetts), and Missoula Children’s Theatre (Montana). Many thanks to Joanna, Patrick, this wonderful group of collaborative artists, and her hubby, Mitch.
Kate Leigh Michalski (Shirley) has performed all over the area, with credits including She Loves Me (Amalia Balash), Parade (Lucille Frank), Evil Dead - The Musical (Cheryl), Chess (Florence), The Spitfire Grill (Shelby), The Toxic Avenger (Mayor/Ma), Ragtime (Emma Goldman), The 25th...Spelling Bee (Olive), We Will Rock You (Oz), Reefer Madness (Mae), The Texas Chainsaw Musical! (Lucretia), Zombie Prom (Delilah Strict), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), The SpongeBob Musical (Pearl Krabs), and Leap of Faith (Marla McGowan). Kate holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Point Park University. Love you, Mom! Love you, Dad.
James Robert Newton (Scott) is excited and honored to make his Blank Canvas Theatre debut in this production of Disaster! A recent B.F.A. Musical Theatre graduate of Wright State University, his recent collegiate credits include The 25th… Spelling Bee (Barfee), Our Town (Doc Gibbs), and Alice By Heart (Dr. Butridge/Others). His recent regional credits include Anything Goes (Evelyn Oakleigh) and Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) at Rubber City Theatre and Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio) at French Creek Theatre. He would like to thank the cast and production team for their wonderful work, and his family and friends for their constant support. Enjoy the show! Website: jamesrobertnewton.com Instagram: james_robert_newton
Mikaela Ray (Ensemble, u/s Marianne, Sister Mary) is “reunited” with Blank Canvas Theatre, along with so many of her friends, “and it feels so good!” She has previously appeared on the BCT stage in Zombie Prom (Toffee), Of Mice and Men (Curley’s Wife), and The Last Starfighter (Maggie). Other regional credits include A Gentleman’s Guide… Murder (Ensemble) at Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Peter/Wendy (Wendy) at Dobama Theatre, and Much Ado About Nothing (Hero) at French Creek Theatre. To her family and friends: “without you” none of this would be possible. And if you “never can say goodbye,” Mikaela would “really love to see you tonight” on her Instagram @heymikaelaray and her website mikaelaray.com.
Jack Routhier (Ted) is excited to be back onstage at Blank Canvas Theatre, playing the second Ted of his career. His recent credits include Rumors (Glenn Cooper) at Western Reserve Playhouse and Peter and the Starcatcher (also Ted) at BCT. Jack also has played keyboard in pit orchestras for Zombie Prom here at BCT and The Prom at Near West Theatre, as well as music directing Peter and the Starcatcher. Outside of theater, he does additional theater and plays with the band for Hot Goss: The Improvised Musical at Imposters Theater. Otherwise, Jack continues to be a disappointment due to his inability to beat high scores in Dance Dance Revolution, but he gives it his all and they say that’s what matters. Thank you for supporting live theater and enjoy the show!
Angel Victoria Tyler (Levora) is very excited to be playing Levora in this production. Her recent credits include La Serva Padrona (Serpina), In the Cotton (Meridian), Noyye’s Fludde (Ham’s Wife), and Spring Awakening (Chorus). Angel is a graduate of SUNY Oswego where she received her B.A. in Vocal Performance. She sang alongside the Central Ohio Symphony for two seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23) as a featured soloist for their annual holiday concerts and performed H. Leslie Adams’ song cycle Nightsongs with them in May, 2023. Angel is a proud member of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and serves as a choral scholar at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Old Brooklyn. When she is not performing, she works as the Chorus Manager for The Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Choruses. Angel is grateful for the love and support from her family and friends. She would like to thank all the lovely music educators in her life for their wisdom and care, with special thanks to Dr. Mihoko Tsutsumi, Marcella Caffie, and Dr. Jennifer Whitehead.
Liz Baumgartner (Choreographer) is currently a full-time graduate student at Case Western Reserve University, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education; she graduated from Otterbein University with a B.A. in Music and with a Dance minor. She spent ten years traveling nationally and internationally with musical theater productions. Favorite credits include two seasons with How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Big League National Tour and Grand Ole Opry), 42nd Street (Broadway and Asia International Tour), and four years with In The Mood: A 1940's Musical Revue (National/International Tour). After a decade on the road and living in NYC, she has returned to Cleveland and been choreographing all over the area. Her work has been seen at Playhouse Square and for five seasons with Cleveland Dance Project, Stagecrafters, Laurel School, and Fairview, Euclid, Bay, and Rocky River High Schools. She is thrilled and honored to be returning to Blank Canvas Theatre! Thank you to Patrick and Joanna for the opportunity!
Patrick Ciamacco (Artistic Director, Lighting, Projection, & Set Design) is so excited to be working on this show and collaborating with people he loves and respects! Patrick is the Artistic Director and founder of Blank Canvas Theatre. He dedicates this show to the person sitting in the third row, fifth seat from the left.
Joanna Cullinan (Director) is elated to be back for more summer fun at Blank Canvas Theatre, having directed last year's Groundhog Day. As artistic director of theater at Cain Park, she has credits include Big Fish, Fun Home, Ragtime, Memphis, and Rock of Ages, and will direct Caroline, Or Change for Cain Park later this summer. As a freelance director, Joanna has worked at Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Play House, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Baldwin Wallace University, Stocker Arts Center, Lorain County Community College, and Mount Union College. Thanks to Seth for his personal insight and guidance on this kooky show!
Matthew Dolan (Music Director) is a Cleveland-based music director, composer, pianist, and conductor, with 70 stage productions to his credit. Favorite productions include American Psycho (Blank Canvas Theatre), Floyd Collins (BCT), Avenue Q (BCT), Assassins (Near West Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Oberlin College). He has music directed world premiere productions including 33 1/3 (Sportelli/Turvey, Dobama Theatre) and Land of Oz (Brant/Motta, Dobama Theater), where he served as Music Director; and served as Music Assistant/Keyboard 2 for the world premier of Light It Up! (Jason Michael Webb/Lelund Thompson). Matthew served as Orchestrator for Velveteen, A New Musical by Molly Andrews-Hinders, which recently premiered at the Mimi Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square. As a composer, Matthew's work has been heard on the podcasts "Generative Spirits" and "Beyond the Habit." Matthews work as an arranger spans a wide variety of genres, and has been performed by high school, collegiate, and community ensembles across the northeast Ohio region. Matthew is the current Director of Music at The Community of St. Peter, an independent and inclusive Catholic community. He also serves as accompanist for the Vocal Music Department of St. Ignatius High School and Cleveland Heights High School. He is the director and pianist for Unwritten: The Improvised Musical at Imposters Theatre. Matthew holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Theory and Composition, and a Master's degree in Choral Conducting, both from the University of Akron.
Lysa Kenney (Stage Manager) is back in black at Blank Canvas Theatre. She was most recently seen onstage at BCT in Spring Awakening and Peter and the Starcatcher. Happy to be on the flip side of this production and working with these fine folks. Thanks again to the little brother I wish I had.
Luke Scattergood (Costume Design) is thrilled to return to Blank Canvas Season for another season. His costume design credits include Hair, Of Mice and Men, Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Reefer Madness, and many others. Regionally, his work has been seen at Cain Park, CCC Western Campus, Lorain Community Music Theater, and beyond. Luke serves as the theater director at Bay High School and directs productions throughout the area. Heartfelt thanks to Patrick and Joanna for bringing him “aboard” once again, and endless love to his wife, Laura, and their three amazing kids for their constant support. Thank you for supporting live theater — enjoy the show!