Having held auditions in New York, Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, CVRep has announced the 24 cast members appearing in their upcoming, re-imagined revival of the musical, Ballroom – the largest cast ever in a CVRep production!
BALLROOM runs January 29-February 16. CLICK HERE for tickets.
MELODIE WOLFORD (Bea Asher) is thrilled to have the opportunity to play this terrific role in BALLROOM. Melodie has toured with La Cage Aux Folles and 42nd Street and has been seen Off-Broadway as Mrs. Winemiller in Summer and Smoke and the Iowa Housewife in Menopause the Musical. Some favorite roles have been Mrs. Brice in Funny Girl, Gladys in Memphis and Ms. Hannigan in Annie. Most recently Melodie was seen as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias and Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music. You may have seen her on TV: New Amsterdam, Billions, Law and Order, Blindspot. Melodie dedicates her performance to the memory of Jack Saucier. #loveislove
BILL NOLTE (Alfred Rossi) made his 1985 Broadway debut as Old Deuteronomy in Cats, followed by Me And My Girl, Joseph…Deamcoat, A Christmas Carol, King David (Goliath), 1776, Amour, Jane Eyre, The Producers (Franz), La Cage, and Waitress (Joe). Other favorite roles include the American Premieres of Jekyll & Hyde (Stride) and Children of Eden (Father), The Most Happy Fella (Tony) Goodspeed Opera (Connecticut Critics Circle Award), Fiddler On The Roof (Tevye) Maine State Music Theatre (“Vicki” Award), Oliver ( Fagin) Pioneer Theatre, The Road To Qatar (Mansour) York Theatre, Mambo Italiano (Gino) Westchester Broadway Theatre. He has performed his solo cabaret acts Billsville, All Of Me, and On Broadway at NYC’s Birdland and as a Headliner on the Seabourn Spirit Cruise Lines. He’s proud to be a “Distinguished Alumnus Award” Winner from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a TOMMY AWARD winning textile designer and an accomplished watercolor artist. www.billnolte.com
AND IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
LOIS BONDURICH (Ensemble) received her ballet training and apprenticeship from Degnan Ballet Center. She toured with Ballet Northeast for several years before taking on the role of ballet mistress. She also instructed at Studio 1, PA and Desert Dance Academy, CA. Lois has been teaching and inspiring youth to reach their personal best despite her struggles with Juvenile Macular Degeneration. Presently she is teaching at Starstruck Dance Studio, Yucca Valley. Her passion has always been dance, however, for the past 16 years she has worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs helping youth reach their goals and start great futures.
RANDY BRENNER (Artie) has been performing professionally since the age of 6! He was the Sultan in Aladdin for 6 years at Disney California Adventure, and Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast for Disney Imagineering. Regionally, he has performed in City of Angeles (Reprise!), Follies, How to Succeed, and L’il Abner (MTW), Empire Burlesque (The Broad), Guys and Dolls (La Mirada), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Virginia Museum Theatre). Broadway and Off- Broadway credits include Joley, Found a Peanut (with Kevin Bacon), The Front, Man of La Mancha, and New Faces of ’52 (with Eartha Kitt). Tours Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, and Tintypes. Randy can be seen on TV and Film in Glow, Seinfeld, My Name is Earl, Night Court, SpongeBob, Evil Dead 2, Geppetto, Coach and much more.
SEAN TIMOTHY BROWN (David) lives in Palm Springs, California with his wife Jennifer and their two toddlers, Ella and Leo. This past year saw Sean starring in his first short film “Happy Birthday Art” as well as stage roles including Palm Canyon Theatre’s 2019 production of “The Crucible”. Last year Sean was also featured in the musical “Grand Hotel” (PCT), Dezart Performs production of “White Guy on the Bus” and Desert Ensemble Theater Company’s one act, “Asleep on the Wind” – which won Sean a Desert Star award for “Outstanding Lead Actor”. Sean is thrilled to join the cast and crew of Ballroom in his first production with CVRep.
ALESSANDRA DI PIERRO (Sandy) received extensive ballet training, starting her professional career at seventeen in her native Rome. She performed soloist and principal roles throughout Europe including performances with Maurice Bejart’s Ballet du XXe Siecle and Giselle with Rudolph Nureyev, also touring with the company Aterballetto, performing in Alvin Ailey’s Night Creatures, and George Balanchine’s Agon and Allegro Brillante. After moving to the SF Bay Area in 1984 she became the Artistic Director of Western Ballet School and Company choreographing many productions like The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Coppelia. Recently she performed in her first musical, The Pirates of Penzance for Limoncarr Desert Theatricals.
MARY EWING (Emily) started acting/singing as a child in Ohio. Moving to California, she studied theater in high school and college. Relocating to Las Vegas in her 20s, she did commercials and modeling. Returning to California, Mary continued her love of the stage and performed at various clubs and theaters. She and her husband John settled in Coachella Valley over 20 yrs ago where she enjoys the wide variety of entertainment opportunities. A few credits include: Mame (Auntie Mame), South Pacific (Nellie), Damn Yankees (Meg), Sordid Lives (LaVonda) plus numerous others. Mary is thrilled to be working with Ron and Scott once again.
DOUGLAS GRAHAM (Harry The Noodle) has performed in the Broadway and National Touring Companies of Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, A Chorus Line, Cats (as the Rum Tum Tugger), Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom Of The Opera, and Chicago with Chita Rivera. Locally you may have seen him as Roy in Light In the Piazza, or Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. As a choreographer, he has worked at Disney World, staged convention shows and special events, and teaches his Master Classes in theatre dance. He recently choreographed the “Tribute to the Follies” at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA and won a “Desert Star Award” for best choreography in a musical revue for Cabaret Theatre West. He teaches voice at his home studio, and is proud (for the sixth year) to be on the faculty of Musical Theatre University. Proud member of Actors Equity since 1979! douggraham.biz
NATHAN HOLLAND (Johnny Lightfeet) was last seen in Merrily We Roll Along and She Loves You at the Rubicon Theatre (Ventura.) Other roles include 3D Theatricals Sideshow as The Boss, The Producers as Max (San Bernardino CLO), Neil Sedaka’s Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Cabrillo Theatre), Nuttin But Hutton (NoHO Arts Center), Violet (Laguna Playhouse), Steve Martin’s The Underpants (Geffen Playhouse), Crazy For You as Bella Zangler, and Lullyby of Broadway as Al Dubin. National tours include Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, and Guys & Dolls as Harry the Horse. Nathan studied acting at The Neighborhood Playhouse after serving in the US Air Force. Special thanks go out to his brothers from the award winning Vietnam play Tracers where he played Baby San.
WAYNE HUNDLEY (Ensemble) is overjoyed to be making his professional debut in his first show at CVRep. He’s pleased to be able to put his years of lessons at Arthur Murray studios to work. Having recently retired, Wayne found his way to performing just last January and hasn’t looked back. Favorite roles include Mal Beinecke (The Addams Family, the Musical) and Jean Shepherd/Narrator (A Christmas Story, the Musical). Wayne is grateful to Ron, Scott and Jose for inviting him to the Ballroom.
JULIET LAPOINTE (Martha) is thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking production of Ballroom. Nicknamed “Bubbles” by the press, the Grunion Gazette refers to her as “Beverly Sills meets Bette Midler”. Her show Bubbles and the Boys at DVAC was called the “best show of the season”. Her one-woman show Red Hot Bubbles, a tribute to Carol Burnett, Madeline Kahn and Bette Midler has delighted audiences throughout the southland. Opera credits include San Diego Opera and the Long Beach Opera. Musical theatre roles include Mama Morton (Chicago), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Cousin Nettie (Carousel) and Buttercup (HMS Pinafore).
CORINNE LEVY (Shirley) moved to the Palm Springs area 8 years ago after 31 years living and performing in the San Francisco Bay Area. A 20-month run with the SF performing group Thrillpeddlers, in the infamous Cockettes remake of Pearls Over Shanghai. Twelve years, including four national tours, with Dance Through Time, a SF based company that researches, preserves and re-enacts historical social dances from the last five centuries. Interactive “murder mystery” theater. Commercial, industrial, movie & television work, as well as print modeling. Loving to play “dress-up”, she has a storage shed that contains costumes, wigs, makeup & accessories to put together a look for almost any occasion.
BILL LEWIS (Jack) is a versatile actor, singer, dancer and editor with decades of experience in TV and film, most notably Circle (2015), Defending Santa (2013) and Damn Foreigners (2015). Some of his most recent appearances include the short film Save the Last Dance for Me, and TV series Silicon Valley, The Mentalist, and All Rise. His varied roles go back to the 2003 TV documentary series Forensic Files. A few of his roles on Broadway, off-Broadway and in touring shows, have been in Gypsy, Hello, Dolly! and La Cage Aux Folles, among many others.
ANTHONY MARCIONA (Petey) born in NYC, his career began at age five, and is now celebrating over 50 years as a professional performing artist. He has worked with Angela Lansbury, Kirk Douglas, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Lopez, F. Murray Abraham, Queen Latifah, Harold Prince, Marisa Tomei, Stephen Schwartz, the B-52’s, and Andrew Lloyd Weber. Credits include Broadway/National Tours: Gypsy, Zorba, Georgy, Tommy, Starlight Express; Television: Little Mermaid Live, This Is Us, Shameless, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Broke Girls, Glee; Film: Darkness In Tenement 45, Magic Max, La-La Land, Playing For Keeps, The Brotherhood, and over 100 commercials, VOs and music videos. Also a composer/writer, he’s developing two new musicals with NMI and a bio-pic of the late actor, Sal Mineo. Te amo Giuseppe & Cocoa. More info at www.anthonymarciona.com
TERRY “T-MAC” MCLEMORE (Ensemble) is excited to be making his theatrical debut in CVRep’s production of Ballroom. T’Mac’s professional career began in NYC where he was a “Chorus Gypsy” for years and performed in productions of 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, La Cage aux Folles and at Radio City Music Hall. National Tours included productions of Girl Crazy and Gypsy. Favorite roles include Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Lawrence Jamison in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Billy Flinn in Chicago, Chris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street and Bella Zangler in Crazy for You. T-Mac is grateful for Daniel’s love and support.
JOE MITCHELL (Joe the Bartender) graduated and majored in Theatre from Indiana-Purdue University where he performed such roles as Richard in Ah Wilderness!, Norman in Moon Children, and Bottom in A Midsummer’s Night Dream. He has done theatre in New York and won two Drama-Logue Awards in Los Angeles. He now sings with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus and is happy to be returning to CVRep, after being a part of the ensemble of Baby in 2016.
OLGA MORALES (Ensemble) has performed lead roles in stage productions of Gypsy, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Pippin, Sweet Charity, and many others, as well as being a featured dancer in other stage venues on the East Coast. Her passion for dance continues here in the Coachella Valley where she choreographs, teaches and performs. Olga is thrilled to be a part of CVRep’s production of Ballroom.
LINDSAY OUELLETTE (Ensemble) is making his debut working at CVRep. In his younger years Lindsay performed in Company (Bobby), West Side Story (Riff) and The Fantastics (Matt). Most recently he was happy to be a three time finalist at “Open Call” at the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert. He also enjoys doing open mics at various clubs in the Coachella Valley. Lindsay is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful show and work with such a talented cast.
AVIVA PRESSMAN (Diane) is an actor, singer, clown, and VO artist. Favorite theatre roles: Mrs. Claus in Rudolph the Musical (National Tour, Madison Square Garden), Gretchen in Amos & Boris (South Coast Rep), Vera in 33 1/3: House of Dreams (San Diego Rep-Craig Noel Nomination), Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Beryl Stapleton in Hound of the Baskervilles (Sacramento Theatre Company). She spent the first half of last year touring internationally and recording for Amazon Prime’s Good Omens Campaign. Next up she can be seen at Guggenheim Entertainment in Schoolhouse Rock Live and Sunday in the Park with George. Her voice can be heard in anime, commercials, trailers, and children’s toys. Thanks to Brian and happy 7 years.
TERI RALSTON (Angie) began her professional career in NY with the rock musical Your Own Thing, followed by Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Later that year she was cast in the original production of Company, which began a long, fruitful relationship with Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince, including the original A Little Night Music, Side By Side By Sondheim…once with Peggy Lee (a production she also directed), Follies, and others. She was also in the original cast of Stephen Schwartz’ Baker’s Wife. Other favorite shows include Gypsy, Carousel, Oklahoma!, Damn Yankees, Pirates of Penzance, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Sound of Music, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, and Into the Woods. She is featured on seven original cast albums and three CDs recorded in London. In Palm Springs, Teri has twice been in Michael Childer’s One Night Only and opened the Summer Cabaret Series at CVRep in 2016.
MARCIA RODD (Helen) studied drama at Northwestern University before heading to New York to pursue the stage. With an off-Broadway debut in the musical Oh Say Can You See!, she made it to Broadway two years later with Oh! What a Lovely War. She won Drama Desk Awards for Your Own Thing and Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and a Tony nomination for the musical Shelter. Among her many stage credits are Golde in the 25th & 30th Anniversary tours of Fiddler on the Roof, On Golden Pond with Julie Harris (Ahmanson Theatre), and Rogers & Hart (Geffen Playhouse). Films include: Little Murders with Elliott Gould, T.R. Baskin with Candice Bergen, and The Scout with Albert Brooks. Television credits include lead and/or recurring roles in Trapper John, M.D., 21 Jump Street, and Flamingo Road; and guest starring roles on Without A Trace, Home Improvement, Murder She Wrote, E.R. and M*A*S*H.
GLENN ROSENBLUM (Moe) is happy to be back at CVRep after appearing in last season’s production of Chess. New York: Off-Broadway: Lucky Lucy with Blythe Danner, Rise of David Levinsky. Los Angeles Area: The Pajama Game, Promises, Promises, Sugar, Mame, Zorba, Minnie’s Boys (Musical Theatre Guild), Man of La Mancha with Ken Howard/Marilyn McCoo. Regionally: Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors. TV: Bones. Solo Cabaret: Glenn Rosenblum is The Musical Man at Rockwell Table and Stage-LA. Proud member of the CVRep Conservatory Faculty and frequent guest on board Crystal Cruises with his History of Broadway Musical Lecture Series. BA Theatre UCLA.
ROBIN SOMES (Charley) is thrilled to be making his musical theater debut in Ballroom. After graduating from University of Florida, where he studied modern dance, ballet and jazz, and performed with the local Gainseville Civic Ballet, Robin traveled throughout the country in pursuit of ballet training. Favorite roles included Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle and Blue Bird Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty. He is extremely grateful for this incredible opportunity, which would not be possible without “the extraordinary love and support of my husband Stephen.”
LESLIE TINNARO (Pauline) was born and raised in Long Beach, California and moved to the Palm Springs area 3 years ago, and loves it! While living in NYC, Leslie was in the Broadway company of Evita. Fortunate to have played several roles, her favorite is Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady; a role she has performed in several productions all over the United States. Two years ago, Leslie performed her cabaret Loving Lerner here at CVRep. Loving the intimacy of cabaret, Leslie developed several different cabarets incorporating her unique perspective and passion of musical theatre and the composers.
CLICK HERE for tickets or please call the Box Office 760-296-2966
