tiaras over teaneck

Maria Berte (Thomasina) is excited to return to the stage with Pantochino this spring! Her most recent adventure was traveling to Oz in Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz with the company. Maria extends her heartfelt thanks to Bert, Jimmy, and Justin for their incredible creativity. She also sends special love and gratitude to one of her biggest supporters and guardian angel, her dad.

Katie Durham (Ida) is so excited to back on the MAC stage after you saw her was as a Munchkin and Emerald City Citizen in Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz. She’s also been seen around the area in past years as Sarah in Company, Tracy in Hairspray, William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Chris in Neil Simon’s Rumors, and Louise in Hollywood Arms. She’s so happy to be working with Bert, Jimmy, Justin, and the rest of the Pantochino crew! 

Rachelle Ianniello (Mary Grace) is thrilled to be part of Pantochino's 15th season, having previously been seen in Christmas Cookies, The Panto of the Opera, And Away We Go!, Checking in on Charles, As Long As We’re Talking, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust!, The Waffle House Five, and Glitz! Her most recent favorite role is that of "Mom" to Holly and Dominic. Much love and appreciation to her family and friends for their support! 

Jimmy Johansmeyer (Dickson) is an award-winning actor, costume designer, educator and co-producer of Pantochino Productions. For sixteen years, he was the “resident villain” with the former Downtown Cabaret Children’s Company. A graduate of Marist College, Jimmy has performed on hundreds of stages including New York Stage & Film/ Powerhouse Theatre, Cortland RepertoryTheatre NY, Wallkill River Repertory, NY, The Theatre Barn,NY, Millbrook Playhouse, PA, The Legacy Theatre in Branford and on the Main Stage of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre among others. His costume designs and creations have been seen throughout the country and include The Great American Mousical directed by Dame Julie Andrews, Cold As Ice starring Oxsana Baiul at Gateway Playhouse on Long Island, the Off-Broadway premiere of Matthew Passion, Charles Busch’s Native New Yorker and My Kinda Sixties and at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, The Theatre Barn, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Gorilla TheatreTampa, The Emelin Theatre NY, Allenberry Playhouse, PA, Arundel Barn Playhouse, ME, to name a few.

Tracey Marble (Lickety Smith) is thrilled to be working with the Bernardi-Rugg-Johansmeyer dream team again for Pantochino Productions! You may have seen her lurking as Miss Biddle in Checking In On Charles, or as Bunny in As Long As We’re Talking, or as Rosalia (AKA Nonna) in And Away We Go, or most recently as Rosa in Noni Cimino’s Kitchen. Other favorite roles on Connecticut stages include Ouiser (Steel Magnolias), Eva (Evita), Sally (Follies), Fräulein Schneider (Cabaret), The Witch (Into The Woods), Rosie (Mamma Mia!), Lucy (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown) and Margaret White (Carrie). Tracey is on the Voice Faculty in the Theatre Division of The Hartt School, teaches at Music Theatre of Connecticut, and is the music director at First Congregational Church of Stamford. In addition, she has her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and released her debut album titled It's Time. Tracey is most grateful for this opportunity and sends love and eternal thanks to Mike, Nicky, Ellie, Noah, Derek and her beautiful Mom, Rosemary. traceymarble.hearnow.com

Mary Mannix (Beverly Blithers) is thrilled to be onstage with so many friends as we close out Pantochino's 15th anniversary season! A founding member of the company, Mary last appeared as Dorothy in Dorothy's Christmas in Oz. Past Pantochino roles include Christine in The Panto of the Opera, Marjorie in And Away We Go, Bernice Britchard in Checking in on Charles, Jaycee Rae in The Waffle House Five, Ventura in Noni Cimino's Kitchen, and Cinderella in both Cinderella Skeleton and Cinderella Italiano. Other regional credits include Maria in West Side Story, Susy in Wait Until Dark, and Charlotte in A Little Night Music. Roles at Branford's Legacy Theatre include Brandy in the world premiere of Just Desserts, Daisy in the professional premiere of Joe Landry's The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play, and Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong. A recipient of the Goodspeed Guild Music Theater Award, Mary holds a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from The Catholic University of America. She resides in Killingworth with her husband Scott, and their four children, Sean, Rowan, Nora, and Brennan. Endless gratitude and much love to her family for their support.

Killian Meehan (Bennet) he/him: Loves to be on the stage at Pantochino. Select credits include (Magistrate) The Executioner’s Wife and (Lion/Huey) Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz at Pantochino Productions, (John Thomas) If We Really Were Witches with Scene 24 Productions (Tour). He would like to thank his vocal coach, Paul Elkin, for making this all possible! And his Mom, Dad, and Dani for all the support. www.killianmeehan.com

Leanne Onofrio (Connie Von Cleef) is thrilled to be joining Pantochino again in Tiaras Over Teaneck. She was previously seen in Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz and Panto of the Opera as well as stage managing the Pantochino teen production of Saturday Night Fever. Leanne is a graduate of Marywood University earning her B.A. in musical theatre. Other roles include Sweeney Todd (ensemble, Downtown Cabaret), The Light in the Piazza (Clara), Children of Eden (Yonah), and Dancing at Lughnasa (Chris). Leanne has performed in various NYC cabarets (Don’t Tell Mama, The Triad) and also works as a stage manager, director, and music director. She thanks her family and friends for their support!

Shelley Marsh Poggio (Chartreuse Von Cleef) As we wind up our 15th season (wow!), she is thrilled to bring to life yet another Pantochino original character.  Shelley was bitten by the acting bug at the age of 14 performing as Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner and has performed in theaters throughout CT and abroad, most notably at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. She is proud to be a Company Member of Pantochino, bringing 40+ (and counting!) new characters to life through the genius creative writing of Bert Bernardi with many productions garnering Connecticut region Broadway World Awards. Some favorite Pantochino shows include the title roles in The Wicked Witch Of The West, Kansas or Bust (2015 CT Broadway World Best Actress in a Musical winner), The Brothers Grimm & A Showgirl, The Bewitchingly Scrumptious Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat and Honeysuckle Jones in Checking In On Charles (2022 CT Broadway World Best Supporting Performer In a Musical).  Much love and thanks to her Family for their unwavering support and to Bert, Jimmy & Justin for their endless creativity XO

Justin Rugg (Cox) A composer, singer and actor, Rugg has co-authored  over 30 original musicals with writing partner Bernardi, many of which are published and available for licensing. Other works: five albums of original songs, Predictable Heart (cabaret performed at NYC’s Duplex), music for NYU Steinhardt’s 4@15 Festival, several piano works, 35 camp scores for young performers, the youth ballet I Dreamed Of A Place. A music and theatre teacher in Connecticut for 13 years, he recently received top honor in the “40 Under 40” awards from the Milford Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to the Pantochino family and all who support them.

Valerie Solli (Ruby Mirage) is delighted to return for her seventeenth production with Pantochino Productions. A proud Milford resident for many years, Valerie has been captivating audiences across Connecticut for over three decades. Offstage, she treasures her time with her daughter, Rhianna Rose, her fiancé, Fred, and her adorable dachshund, Penny Lane. When not performing, Valerie channels her energy as a spirited ice hockey goalie with the Milford Foundry.  Valerie extends her heartfelt congratulations to Pantochino Productions on their incredible fifteenth season and is thrilled to be part of the celebration! ❤"

Sydney Yargeau (Bunianne Blithers) is so grateful to be back at Pantochino! She received her BFA in Musical Theater from Marymount Manhattan College. Previous Pantochino credits: Rocky Horror Picture Show. Some of her favorite credits include The Wedding Binder, A Bronx Tale, Athena, and Spring Awakening. She wants to thank her parents for all of their support and the cast and crew for making this a wonderful and fun experience! Follow her on Instagram @sydyarg! Enjoy the show!

T. M. Gadomski (Stage Manager) A rising playwright displaced from Long Island to Connecticut, T. M. Gadomski currently works Seven Angels Theatre as an Acting Instructor as well as with the immersive theater troupe Grymm Studios as a performer. Gadomski writes with their heart & soul often with storylines dealing with Mental Stability, Love, and Gender. T. has been involved in theater for over a decade and had the shows, Indulgence, Free Will, The Misery Theatre Guild, Harmony Lake, and The Harsh Reality of Dating a Poet, produced throughout Connecticut, the Midwest and the East Coast. Free Will was also published in Issue #10 of Fleas on the Dog Magazine (Ontario, Canada.) Plot writer at "Sustainable Collapse.”

Jakob Kelsey (Lighting Designer) is a freelance theatrical lighting designer located in Stamford, CT. He graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Theatre Design/Technology. He is thrilled to continue working with the talented company at Pantochino! Previous credits with Pantochino Productions include: Grease, School Spirits, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You, And Away We Go, Prom, Panto of the Opera, Chicago, Noni Cimino’s Kitchen, Christmas in Oz, and Saturday Night Fever. Additional design credits include Jester’s Dead, Peter/Wendy (WCSU); Little Women, Seussical (The Canterbury School); Into the Woods, 39 Steps (Castle Craig Players); Our Time: A Musical Showcase (ACT of CT). www.jakobkelseydesign.com.

Bert Bernardi (Director) is the co-producer and co-founder of Pantochino Productions Inc and has been bringing ‘ridiculously entertaining’ theatre to the Milford since 2010. He is the former Artistic Director of the Children’s Company in Bridgeport and his work has been seen extensively at Cortland Repertory Theatre (NY), The Theatre Barn (NY), Millbrook Playhouse (PA) and the Surflight Theatre (NJ). His work as also been seen at Legacy Theatre (CT), Fairfield University, New York University Steinhardt School, Music Theatre North (NY), the Boston Post Road Stage Company, Arundel Barn (NY) and TheatreWorks New Milford. With composer Justin Rugg, he has penned many, many new musicals, several of which are published, licensed and performed around the country. Bert is a recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in Connecticut. www.bertbernardi.com