Anastasia The Musical
Come see our performance of Anastasia The Musical at the Ciccone
Theatre at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey July 26th and July 27th, 2024!
Our Cast
Ariela Pizza
Anya
Ariela is deeply honored to perform in and produce Sceneworks Studios' inaugural summer production of Anastasia. She extends her heartfelt gratitude to her incredibly talented cast and crew for their dedication and hard work in making this show a resounding success. A 2021 Manhattan School of Music graduate with a bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre, Ariela's recent credits include roles such as Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act and Dora in Fiorello!
Aidan Briggs
Dmitry
Aidan is excited to join his first production with Sceneworks Studios and to work with an amazing cast. Some of his recent performances include a concert for AARP at The Grand Opera House in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, as well as recently opening for Ramin Karimloo (Anastasia, The Phantom of the Opera, Funny Girl) at City Winery in New York City. He has also played roles such as Jack Kelly in Newsies, and Che in Evita, both of which he won BroadwayWorld Regional's 'Best Actor in a Musical.'
Norrice Raymaker
Dowager Empress
Norrice is very pleased to be part of this wonderful production. Originally from South Milwaukee, WI, she has performed at the Civic Light Opera, St. Vincent, and City Theatre Companies in Pittsburgh, the Drury Lane and Northlight Theatres in Chicago and the Papermill Playhouse, J City, and Tongue in Cheek Theatres in NJ and NYC. Favorite roles include Sissy File in The Inn at Lake Devine and Marrietta Claypool in Regrets Only.
Cedric Gegel
Gleb
Cedric Gegel is an actor, director, and screenwriter based in the NYC area. Theatre (selected credits): Pippin (Pippin), Something Rotten (Shakespeare), Beauty and the Beast (The Beast), Kennedy: Bobby's Last Crusade (Robert F. Kennedy), Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis). Film/series (selected credits): Cadia: The World Within, Forbearance, Strangers of My Imagination, American Dynasty, Cocoa, and the Astra-nominated, Indie Series Awards-winning The Coroner's Assistant, for which he received a 2024 ISA Best Lead Actor - Comedy nomination. YouTube: Cedric Gegel. Micah 6:8. Thank you always to the whole Gegel gaggle. All my love to Sarah. @cedricgegel
Maxwell Swangel
Vlad
Maxwell is so excited to chew scenery as Vlad Popov; most recently he has been seen on multiple off Broadway stages, as well as the world premiere of "Planet W: a New Sci-fi Musical" (look for the album this fall!). More of his work can be found on his Instagram (@maxwelldavisswangel), and his website (maxwellswangel.com). Many thanks to his endlessly supportive partner, Kia; and his two cats, Barbara and Diane.
Arielle Hubbard
Countess Lily
Born and raised in Denver Colorado, Arielle Joy has always had a love for music. Arielle grew up singing in church and participating in local theater productions. She went on to attend Azusa Pacific University on a full ride scholarship for vocal performance. Arielle Joy continues to perform nationally in theater and opera productions. In addition to performing Arielle Joy has a passion for songwriting and has released original music available on all streaming platforms.
Mackenzie Reff
Little Anastasia
Mackenzie Reff is thrilled to be playing the role of Young Anastasia while doubling as Alexei. Most recently, Mackenzie played the title role of Poppy in Trolls Junior the Musical, Dory in Finding Nemo with Paper Mill Playhouse's Traveling Children's Theater, and Susan Waverly with Bucks County Playhouse in White Christmas. Mackenzie loves spending her free time outdoors with her Mom, Dad, brother, dogs, and horses. Many thanks to Bubbe, Gah, Meemah, and Pop Pop. A special thank you to the wonderful teachers at Annie's Playhouse, Jenna Shapiro, and Jody Prusan.
Matthew Meade
Tsar Nicholas II
Matthew Meade (Tsar Romanov ll/ Count Leopold/ Ensemble) is excited to be making his Sceneworks Studio debut in Anastasia. Regional credits include The Addams Family (Imagine Productions), Crazy For You (Marion Palace) Mary Poppins (Marion Palace Theatre), and Mamma Mia (Short North Stage). He studied Theatre at The Ohio State University and works as a pageant coach with his company MM Pageant Consulting. For more information check out matthew-meade.com. @matthew.allen.meade
Sarah Grace Mastro
Tsarina Alexandra
Sarah Grace Mastro is a NYC-based dancer, singer, and choreographer originally from Pennsylvania. She studied at Mercyhurst University under former Ballet West principal Tauna Hunter, earning a Bachelor of Arts in dance/choreography and English, summa cum laude. Favorite performance credits include Lincoln Center Out of Doors with Mark Dendy (dendy/donovan projects), West Side Story at White Plains Performing Arts Center, Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, and Ballet Bloom Project. Choreography credits include commissions for New England Ballet Theatre, Lake Erie Ballet, the Erie Festival of Dance, and Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Mastro is thrilled to be traveling to the land of yesterday this summer with Sceneworks Studios! Sarahgracemastro.com. IG: @sarahgracemastro
Alex Birchwale
Count Ipolitov
Alex Birchwale (Ensemble/Ipolitov/Gorlinsky) Proud Montclair State BFA Musical Theatre survivor. Credits: Angels in America (Prior Walter), This Is Our Youth (Dennis), Seminar (Martin). MSU: Titanic (Thomas Andrews), Working (Raj), Smalltown Boy (Workshop). Up next: The Boys in the Band (Donald). Jobs that pay the bills: NYU Adjunct/Music Director/Conductor. Job that will pay the bills eventually: Playwright. For everyone who told me to shut up and do musicals again, especially Harry. See what he’s up to next! @alex.birchwale
Gianna DiTucci
Maria Romanov
Gianna DiTucci (Maria Romanov & Ens.) is a musical theatre student at the Manhattan School of Music and is elated to make her professional debut in Anastasia! Recently at MSM, she has been a swing for a new musical called The Hills Are Alive!, assistant directed Bye Bye Birdie, and performed as Flounder in The Little Mermaid Vocal Reading. Her favorite past roles include Nickie in Sweet Charity and Glory in Almost, Maine. She wants to thank her teachers, friends, family, and boyfriend for always supporting her as well as this amazing cast and creative team for such a wonderful experience! IG: @gianna_ditucci
James Suarez
Ensemble
James Suarez (Ensemble) is delighted to be making his debut with Sceneworks. Recent credits include Claudius with Playground NY, Oliver with Playground NY, Swing in Polar Express with Rail Events Productions and Valet in a Bridgerton Experience with Fever. Recently he's been making his way around the New York Cabaret scene at The Greenroom 42 and more. You can find more @jamo_suarez on Instagram.
Livia Rose Barrell
Tatiana Romanov
Livia Rose Barrell (Tatiana Romanov/ Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her east coast debut with Sceneworks Studio after moving to NYC this year! Credits include: The Little Mermaid, Big Fish, Seussical, Ring of Fire, The Mousetrap, Oklahoma (Round Barn Theatre), Elf the Musical (Cincinnati Landmark Productions), and Top Mom and Pop (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park). Livia earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Northern Kentucky University and is releasing original music in her debut album ‘New Year’s Eve’ on August 23rd, 2024! IG/TikTok: @livibeee www.liviarosebarrell.com
Kenneth Sweeney
Ensemble
Kenneth is a current sophomore at the Manhattan School of Music, where he plans to get his B.M. in Musical Theatre. He is thrilled to be in this wonderful production of Anastasia, and excited to bring the story to life. Previous shows include Urinetown (Hot Blades Harry), Twelve Angry Men (Juror #2), and Sweeney Todd (Ensemble). He wants to thank the wonderful cast and creative team for making this show happen. IG: @_kennethsweeney_
Fia Fusco
Olga Romanov
Fia Fusco (Olga Romanov/Ensemble) is excited to make her debut with Sceneworks Studios! Fia is an NJ-based performer attending The Manhattan School of Music. Credits include The Prom (Alyssa Greene), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Fame (Serena Katz), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van De Graaff), Gypsy (Louise), Future Artists Program NYU Tisch, New Voices at The Paper Mill Playhouse (Self). Fia is grateful for the latitude to be creative and to follow her heart. She thanks both the creative team and her cast members for this exceptional summer experience!
Aidan Olmo
Ensemble
Aidan Olmo (Ensemble) Aidan is thrilled to be making his Sceneworks Studio debut in Anastasia! Aidan is a graduate of Paramus High School. He's currently in his 2nd year at Manhattan School of Music for Musical Theatre. Other theatre productions include The Prom (Kevin) Ghostlight Theatre Company, Mamma Mia (Sam Carmichael) PHS, Legally Blonde (Warner Huntington III) Little Fall of Rain Productions, The Addams Family (Gomez Addams) PHS, Heathers (JD) Little Fall of Rain Productions, Be More Chill (The Squip) Little Fall of Rain Productions. He is excited to be working with this very talented cast and crew. Aidan would like to thank Sceneworks Studios Casting Team for this opportunity and finally his family for always supporting him.
Sierra Joy
Paulina
Sierra Joy has been a performer since the day she could walk. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (2019) with a degree in Musical Theatre and has since been in a multitude of projects both in film and on stage. Most recently she has appeared in a TV comedy pilot spec (The Podcast) and an original play in New York Theatre Festival (Roommates). Sierra has also been seen in roles such as Paulette (Legally Blonde), Mary Hatch (It’s a Wonderful Life), and Hailey (Macbitches) as well as sketch comedy. Sierra is a very diversely talented and incredibly passionate actor who loves to challenge herself with every new role she’s given. She is excited to see what else is in store for her as she continues her journey in this field, who knows what’s next!
Carlos De La Cruz
Ensemble
Carlos De La Cruz is very happy and ecstatic to make his Sceneworks debut in Anastasia. He is glad of all the hard work put in by everyone for this production. He currently is studying Musical Theater at Temple University and is excited to make his mainstage debut in the fall.
KileyRose Burke-Perez
Marfa
KileyRose Burke-Perez (Ensemble/Marfa) is a Bergen County native who graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson Florham (#GoDevils) this May with a BA in Musical Theatre. Some of Kiley’s previous credits include Violet in "9 to 5", Stratyllis in "Lysistrata", Meg Magrath in "Crimes Of The Heart", Fiona in "Shrek: The Musical", and Ensemble in "First Date", and "A Class Act". Kiley thanks her parents for their love and believing in her enough to endure countless living-room performances. Keep up with Kiley at www.kileyroseburke-perez.com
Steven Cusimano
Ensemble
Steven Cusimano (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Sceneworks Studios debut alongside such a talented, passionate, and fun-loving cast/crew! Some of his favorite roles in the past include Jack Kelly (Newsies, Pequannock Summer Theatre), Laurie (Little Women, Rhino Studio 237), Drew Boley (Rock of Ages, Star Royale Theatre), and Ted Hinton (Bonnie & Clyde, StageWorks Theatre Group). Steven would especially like to thank his family and friends for their unending support in everything he does! Instagram: @stevetcusimano
Victoria Meneses
Dunya
Victoria Meneses (Ensemble) is happy to join the cast of Anastasia. She holds a BM from Susquehanna University. She is a Music Educator in Union City, NJ where she has music-directed Urinetown, Mamma Mia, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other credits include: Meg (Little Women), Lulu Warnicker (Footloose), Zerlina + Donna Anna (Scenes from Don Giovanni).
Luli Mitchell
Little Anastasia
Luli Mitchell (Little Anastasia) is thrilled to be part of this great production. Favorite roles include: A Christmas Story Broadway National Tour (Esther Jane, Ensemble, u/s Randy, u/s Tap Specialty), AEA Work Session of Sarah Silverman's The Bedwetter (Amy) in NYC, Matilda the Musical (Matilda) at Gretna Theater and Forestburg Playhouse, White Christmas (Susan Waverly) at Surflight Theater and recently Letters to Home (Young Grace) at the New York Theater Festival. Thanks to Sceneworks, cast, crew, and creatives of Anastasia and to Take 3 Talent, Sherry Kayne, Rebel Creative Group, DDO NY, the Prep, Dance Plus, Badiene Magaziner, friends and family.
Lily Tan
Assistant Choreographer / Ensemble
Lily is an upcoming senior at River Dell High School. She has been dancing since she was 5, at Mariann's School of Dance, competing by age 9. Lily trains in all styles: ballet, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, and jazz. She has had the pleasure of working with many renowned choreographers while winning numerous awards both regionally and nationally. Lily is very excited to be a part of Anastasia, her very first musical, and thanks both IMP studios and Sceneworks for this opportunity to work with such an amazing cast!
Acxel Portillo
Ensemble
Calderon-Portillo is thrilled to be part of the ensemble and also serving as costume designer in Scene Work Studios' production of Anastasia. They are delighted to share their passion for musical theater in this show. Acxel has previously been seen in NexGen’s productions of Company and A Chorus Line as Paul, Kidz Theater’s Cabaret as Bobby, and Jose Marti’s Urinetown as Bobby Strong. Follow their journey on Instagram @acxel_yes!
Award Winning Production Team
Katie Collins
Director
Katie Collins is currently the Department Chairperson for the Performing Arts at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, NJ. For her most recent production of Urinetown, Katie won the prestigious Best Director award from both the Paper Mill Rising Star Awards and The Metropolitan High School Theater Awards. Urinetown also won Overall Outstanding Production - an accolade she shares with her best friends and best production teammates, George Croom and Ariane Ryan. She earned her BA from Marist College and her MA from NYU in Educational Theatre, and her Ed.S from Seton Hall University. Her passion for theater is not limited to the production end of things, and she has performed in countless productions on the Off-Broadway and Regional stages. Theatre Credits: Hair (Sheila Franklin), Sister Act the Musical (Sister Mary Patrick), The Last 5 Years (Cathy), Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley), Children of Eden (Eve), and Songs for New World among others. When not spending her time with her incredible production team and cast, she spends time at home with her husband Billy, her daughter Keira, and their loveable pups Whiskey and Stella.
George Croom
Music Director
George has served as music director for over 200 productions, including, Groundhog Day, Into The Woods, Kiss if The Spiderwoman, 42nd Street, Cabaret, Urinetown, City of Angels, Miss Saigon, Nine, Songs For A New World, A Little Night Music, And The World Goes Round, Gypsy, West Side Story, Blues In The Night, Merrily We Roll Along, the European premiere of Myths And Hymns, and the off-Broadway premiere of The Scarlet Letter. He has directed productions of Something Rotten, Ragtime, Disaster!, Spamalot, Bonnie And Clyde, Company, Dreamgirls, Bloodbrothers, Sweeny Todd, Damn Yankees, On The Twentieth Century, Me And My Girl, Assassins, The Odd Couple, You Can’t Take It With You, Hairspray, 9 to 5, and In The Heights. He wrote the score for Shakedown Street for the New York Fringe Festival, Twelfth Night at the Herbert Mark Newman Theater, and Suicide In Bb for the 18th Street Playhouse. For AHA he has done Drowsy Chaperone, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Children Of Eden, Sister Act, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He is currently working on productions of Bat Boy, Nice Work If You Can Get In, The Lightning Thief, and Peter And The Starcatcher (which he is also directing).
Ariane Ryan
Choreographer
Ariane earned her BA in Theatre Performance & Speech (Magna Cum Laude) from Wagner College, and has received additional training from NYU’s CAP 21, Rutger’s Mason Gross, and the New Jersey Ballet Company. She has been lucky enough to pursue her passion across multiple mediums and has performed in many Off Broadway, Regional, and International venues such as The Paper Mill Playhouse, Snug Harbor Music Hall, the Historic St. George Theatre, FringeNYC, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Frightfest at Six Flags. In addition choreographing for the past nine years at AHA, she’s also the resident theatre teacher and director at José Martí, and has choreographed and assistant directed at SJR and Broadway Theatre Workshop. Ariane’s work has been nominated by both the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards and the NY/NJ Metros for Outstanding Choreography (The Drowsy Chaperone, 2019 & 2015; Catch Me If You Can, 2018; The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 2017; Children of Eden, 2016). She’s ecstatic to be part of this vibrant creative team and work with these incredible kiddos.
Nick Gonzalez
Sound Designer
Nick is a tristate area sound design mad scientist. With over 10 years of work in the industry, he has designed sound for a variety of NY/NJ venues. Nick received his BA from Stevens Institute of Technology (Music Technology, Recording Arts, and Sound Design), his Masters from Concordia in CTE, and prides himself on his work in Experimental Music Production. In addition to designing sound, Nick has spent a lot of time behind the camera working as a Director of Photography for music videos and short films. Sound Design/Technical Director credits include: The Drowsy Chaperon, Matt & Ben (Off-Broadway), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Little Shop of Horrors, Catch Me If You Can, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Twelfth Night, and more.
Jerin Yoo
Assistant Director
Jerin has been in musicals and plays since middle school and wants to continue studying musical theater in college. Her most recent productions have been the Laramie Project at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, and Mean Girls at her high school, and has recently completed the 2024 Future Theater Artist program at NYU’s Tisch. This was the first time Jerin has had in a directorial role on a production, and she is so grateful to have been able to work with such a talented and dedicated cast and production crew!
