Directed by Patrick Ciamacco
Music Direction by Bradley Wyner
Choreography by Katie Zarecki
Stage Managed by Whitney Miller
Costume Design by Jenniver Sparano
Costume Design - Aurora and Spider Woman by Luke Scattergood
Lighting & Sound Design by Patrick Ciamacco
Sound Operation by Anthony Newman
CAST/STAFF
Josh Baum-Shmigel (Ensemble) is thrilled to return for his second show on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage! Recent work includes roles in Green Day’s American Idiot (Theo) with The Brecksville Theatre, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom) with BCT, and The Wedding Singer (Chorus) with the Cassidy Theatre. His forever favorite role was Angel in Rent with Canton’s Players Guild Theatre. While his drag persona, Maya Tack, may be back in the closet, Josh’s Winifred Sanderson impersonation is stronger than ever. Last Halloween, he competed in the Runway Costume Contest on Freeform’s Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash. He didn’t win the contest, but the experience was priceless; feel free to stream the special and choose your own winner whenever you’re feeling witchy. To follow Josh’s adventures after you’ve been kissed by the Spider Woman, check out his YouTube channel “2FabDudes.” All my Love to Roger.
Kyle Burnett (Ensemble) is so happy to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre after being last seen in Urinetown: The Musical (Billy Boy Bill) and Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom). He graduated from Kent State University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and is a proud Equity Membership Candidate. Favorite credits include Alice the Dream Child (Charles) at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Dogfight (Eddie Birdlace) at Western Reserve Playhouse, Merrily We Roll Along (Ensemble) at Lakeland Civic Theatre, The Full Monty (Malcolm) at Players Guild Theatre, and American Idiot (Ensemble) at Beck Center for the Arts. He’d like to Patrick, Bradley, Anthony, Katie, Whitney, and the rest of this amazing cast and crew for this incredible production. www.kylebur.net
Thomas Campbell (Gabriel/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Blank Canvas Theatre debut. Thomas studied Musical Theatre and Dance at Loyola University Chicago. He recently moved back to Cleveland and is very excited to be back in the theatre community here. In addition to performing, Thomas served as a stage manager, company manager, and assistant choreographer at AEA theatres in Chicago, including Light Opera Works, the Goodman Theatre, the Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Broadway in Chicago, and Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theatre. His recent credits onstage and off include Beauty and the Beast (Hatseller/Ensemble), My Fair Lady (Stage Manager), Guys and Dolls (Stage Manager), South Pacific (Stage Manager), Fiddler on the Roof (Stage Manager), Damn Yankees (Ensemble), Cabaret (Stage Manager), Annie Get Your Gun (Stage Manager), Into the Woods (The Steward), Pippin (Ensemble/Dance Captain), and Little Women (The Troll/Ensemble). Thomas would like to thank his family for all their love and support, especially his mom.
Scott Esposito (Molina) is thrilled to return to Blank Canvas Theatre. He was previously seen here in Avenue Q (Rod), Hair (Claude), and 12 Angry Men (Juror #8). Some of Scott’s other credits include both parts of Angels in America (Prior Walter) and The Normal Heart (Felix Turner) with Ensemble Theatre; Parade (Leo Frank) at French Creek Theatre; The Bridges of Madison County (Bud Johnson) and Assassins (John Wilkes Booth) at Lakeland Civic Theatre; Mothers and Sons (Will Ogden), Lend Me a Tenor (Max), Jeffrey (Jeffrey) and Lord of the Flies (Jack) at Beck Center for the Arts; Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas) at Cain Park; Arcadia (Valentine) with Mamai Theatre Company; The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (Billy) with Dobama Theatre; and The Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio) and Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. Scott can next be seen in The End of the Tour (David) with Seat of the Pants Productions. He would like to thank Patrick for this opportunity and his husband Vince for his constant love and support.
Joel Fenstermaker (Marcos) is thrilled to be returning to the stage at Blank Canvas Theatre. His recent credits include Side Show (Terry), the benefit production of Jekyll & Hyde (Bishop), Chicago (Mary Sunshine), Titanic (Henry Etches), The Wedding Singer (George), The Wild Party (Ensemble), and The Producers (Carmen Ghia). He is so happy that Pat has given him this chance to once again be part of the BCT family. He would like to thank his roommate for putting up with impromptu music rehearsals at all hours of the day, being a line rehearsal partner, and serving as caretaker to the crazed, fur-covered monster that is his dog. He would also like to thank Bryan for his care, understanding, and love.
Grace Horvath (Marta) is thrilled to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut in this incredible show! She is currently a sophomore at Baldwin Wallace University pursuing a B.F.A. in Acting. Her recent credits include As You Like It (Celia), Henry VI Part 2 (Gloucester), and Stage Door (Terry). As always, she would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support.
Rachel Maria Inés (Aurora/The Spider Woman) is delighted to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut! She recently closed the 40th anniversary national tour of A Christmas Carol with Nebraska Theatre Caravan. She has previously toured with Creede Repertory Theatre’s Young Audience Outreach Tour in the production of Albert Porter: Boy Explorer, sharing a story of diversity, self-confidence, and friendship with students across the Southwest. She has also performed in outdoor Native American dramas in both Ohio and North Carolina. When she’s not performing, you can find her reading, swing dancing, hiking, and spending time with loved ones. Favorite credits include: 9 to 5 The Musical (Maria/Missy), The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park), and Edges (Woman 1). Her choreography credits include Abandoned Way Out West (Creede Repertory Theatre), Quilters (Rabbit Run Community Arts Association), In The Heights, and Princess Diana: The Musical (both with Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild). A big thank you to all of her supporters! www.rachelmariaines.com
Mathian Lopez-Riendeau (Esteban/Ensemble) is an actor/singer/dancer from San Antonio, Texas. He got his start in theatre as “The Fonz” in Happy Days: A New Musical at 16 years old at Preforming Arts San Antonio. He continued to perform in shows at PASA ranging from from Bonnie & Clyde (Frank Hamer) to Cinderella (Ensemble). Currently, he’s pursuing a B.F.A. in Classical Acting from Baldwin Wallace University (class of 2021). There, he’s been seen in Our Town (Constable Warren u/s) and Stop Kiss (George u/s). He’s very grateful to have been given this opportunity by Patrick Ciamacco. For more information, to see him sword fight, or just to stay up-to-date, visit mathianriendeau.com.
Aidan McKeon (Ensemble) is so excited to be making his Blank Canvas Theatre debut in this amazing (and under-rated) show! A recent graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan, his favorite credits include Tuck Everlasting (Miles), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon), Godspell (Judas, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Evita.
John J. Polk (The Warden) is a Blank Canvas Theatre “hardy perennial;” Kiss Of The Spider Woman is his twelfth BCT production. Highlights include Side Show (Sir), Urinetown: The Musical (Cladwell), Cabaret (Herr Schultz), Our Town (Doc Gibbs), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Dale Harding), and 12 Angry Men (Juror #12). John has brought a parade of authority figures, blowhards, villains, and foils to area stages, including roles in Lend Me A Tenor (Henry Saunders), Mary Poppins (The Chairman, Admiral Boom), and My Favorite Year (King Kaiser) at Beck Center, Macbeth (Duncan, Old Siward), The Winter’s Tale (Old Shepherd), and Little Women (Old Mr. Laurence) at the Oberlin Summer Theatre Festival, Little Shop Of Horrors (Mushnik) at French Creek Theatre, and Other Desert Cities (Lyman Wyeth) at Clague Playhouse. Thanks, as always, to Patrick and the production staff, and Love Everlasting to My Charming (and usually quite patient) Wife, Laura, for making it all possible.
Michael Snider (Valentin) is excited to return to Blank Canvas Theatre for his second show, the first being the 2016 production of Floyd Collins (Floyd). In recent years, he has performed locally in Next to Normal (Dan), Mary Poppins (Bert), It’s a Wonderful Life (George Bailey), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Big Fish (Edward Bloom), and Tomorrow Morning (Jack). A few of his favorite previous shows include Assassins (John Wilkes Booth), Company (Bobby), Violet (Monty), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus). He would like to thank Pat and Bradley for the incredible opportunity to play this role, and the rest of the staff and cast for helping make this another great experience at BCT. Most importantly, he sends all his love to Trinidad, Kirstin, Colin, Dylan, and Michaela!
Maggie Stahl (Mother/Observer) is thrilled to finally work at Blank Canvas Theater! Some favorite area roles include Children of Eden (Yonah), Ragtime (Mother), Anything Goes (Reno), Urinetown: The Musical (Hope), and The 25th…Spelling Bee (Rona). Thank you, Patrick and Brad, for the opportunity! Huge love and thanks to Rick for his unwavering support and for holding down the fort. I love you!
Patrick Ciamacco (Director) is honored to work with such an amazing cast and staff. Patrick is the Artistic Director of Blank Canvas Theatre and is amazed that this is the eighth season! Patrick sends thanks to his Mom, Frank, his brothers, Joe, Jonathan, Ludo, Luna, and especially Becca, for her continued support and love. Thank you for supporting LIVE THEATRE!
Whitney Miller (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be a part of Blank Canvas Theatre's first show of the season, especially with this stunning production. Some of her favorite past shows include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Stage Manager), Dogfight (Stage Manager), Songs for a New World (Stage Manager), The Last Five Years (Lighting Designer), and Avenue Q (Stage Manager). Whitney attended Case Western Reserve University for chemical engineering, but spent most of her time with the CWRU Footlighters. She would like to thank her cat for being patient and understanding with her busy schedule. Here's to many more!
Luke Scattergood (Costume Design - Aurora and Spider Woman) is excited to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre and collaborating once again with Jenniver on this show. Last season they worked together on Side Show and Jekyll & Hyde. His costume designs have been seen on stage here in MANY shows, and he himself was last seen on stage here in Avenue Q. Thanks to Patrick, Brad, and the entire cast and crew. Love to the family!! Enjoy the show!
Jenniver Sparano (Costume Designer) has been a part of the Blank Canvas Theatre staff since its premiere production, designing costumes for productions ranging from the ridiculous (The Texas Chainsaw Musical!, Silence! The Musical) to the sublime (12 Angry Men, Next Fall, Chess in concert) and everything in between. Her designs have also been seen at Beck Center, Clague Playhouse, Cleveland Public Theatre, convergence-continuum, Dobama Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, Weathervane Playhouse, and the Pickwick & Frolic cabaret stage. In addition to her design work, she is proud to co-produce an annual musical production (now in its eighteenth year!) to benefit AIDS/HIV agencies in Cuyahoga and Summit counties. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, she is employed by KeyBank.
Bradley Wyner (Music Director) previously served as music director for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show and Hair at Blank Canvas Theatre, as well as assistant MD for We Will Rock You and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Other musical direction adventures include Titus: A Grand and Gory Rock Opera, … Rocky Horror Show, and Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play at Cleveland Public Theatre; Bunnicula and Mambo Italiano at The Cleveland Play House; Gutenberg! The Musical at Dobama Theatre; Cabaret at Kalliope Stage; and mainstage musicals at Case Western University. As a singer/rock pianist, Brad spent a year in New York performing with Piano Loco: The Rock’n’Roll Dueling Piano Show, and currently plays keyboards for Diamond Dogs: The Sound and Vision of David Bowie. Teaching music and arts for diverse groups has led to a second career as a dual diagnosis specialist for people with autism, mental health issues, and developmental disabilities.