Download ruddigore bios - Pittsburgh Savoyards

RUDDIGORE BIOS
Andrew Adams (Production Manager) is the Food Services Director at Riverside School
District and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Pittsburgh Savoyards. Andrew has been the
concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Savoyards orchestra for nine years. This is his first venture out of
the orchestra pit and into producing He hopes you enjoy the show.
Patrick Brannan (Sir Despard) is having a busy theatrical year. He most recently played Felix in
the Apple Hill Playhouse production of Humble Boy. Savoyard audiences may remember his
performance as Archibald Grosvenor in the spring production of Patience. Other Savoyard
credits include Princess Ida (Ensemble), Pirates Of Penzance (Frederic), and Trial By Jury
(Defendant). Patrick also directed and choreographed the fall 2003 production of H.M.S.
Pinafore, which was given an honorable mention in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for best
production of 2003. Earlier this year Patrick performed in the Pittsburgh Musical Theater
productions of West Side Story (Glad Hand) and Evita (Ensemble, u/s Magaldi) at the Byham
Theater. He is a proud graduate of Skidmore College, where he produced and directed Sweeney
Todd, and his favorite performances included Blue Window (Tom), American Buffalo (Bobby),
Pippin (Leading Player), True West (Austin), The World Is Round (Willie), Arcadia (Septimus),
and The Skin Of Our Teeth (Henry). Patrick was also featured in George Romero's feature film
adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Half (Young Thad).
Samuel P. Buzzeli (Mens Chorus). A veteran Savoyard, Sam was on the Savoyard stage this
past spring in Patience, and returns to his accustomed spot on the boards for this production of
Ruddigore. Beside the G&S shows of past years, he has appeared with the Tuesday Musical
Club in The Biddle Boys & Mrs. Soffel and Dido and Aeneas. Sam works at a local bank, and in
his non-working hours, pursues various literary and musical endeavors.
Bethany Cirota (Ruth) is in her first show with the Savoyards. Bethany graduated from Grove
City College in 2002, with a degree in Music with concentration in voice, and participated in Grove
City College's Opera Workshop for 3 years. Some favorite roles include Lola in Gallantry by
Douglas Moore, Latitia in The Old Maid and The Thief by Menotti, Mimi in La Boheme by
Puccini. She is also a member of the Tuesday Musical Club Vocal Division and director of its
Choral Division, and is a private voice instructor. Bethany would like to thank the Savoyards for
giving her the opportunity to participate in Ruddigore and also her husband Ben, family and
friends for their constant support and encouragement and most importantly, she would like to
thank the Lord for using her voice for His glory.
Michael Davidson (Mens Chorus) is a graduate of Carlynton Jr/Sr High School, a member of
Stage 62, and now of the Savoyards. Michael has worked in many, many shows, including Meet
Me in St. Louis, Will Rogers Follies, Jesus Christ Superstar, King of Hearts, Anything Goes, Kiss
Me Kate, Once upon a Mattress and Children of Eden. He has also appeared at the Imperial
Theater on Broadway in NYC. He will be appearing in the upcoming show at Stage 62, Annie.
Michael would like to thank his parents for encouraging him to do anything he wants.
Sally Denmead (Dame Hanna) is as new to the Savoyards as she is to Pittsburgh. Sally
graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a degree in Vocal Performance, and moved on to play
numerous roles with the Amato Opera Company in New York City, including Susanna in The
Marriage of Figaro, Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Oscar in Un
Ballo in Maschera. This is the third role Sally has performed in Ruddigore, having played Mad
Margaret with the Oberlin College Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and Rose Maybud with the
Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island. She'd like to try Despard next.
Michael Duggan (Men’s Chorus) is a graduate of CMU’s undergraduate Electrical and
Computer Engineering program. He first joined the Pittsburgh Savoyards in 1998 in order to
perform as a Chorus Member in Patience. He has since appeared as a member of the chorus in
Trial By Jury, The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore (twice), The Gondoliers and as a Peer in Iolanthe.
Laura Ferlan (Womens Chorus/Wardrobe Assistant) is in her fifth engagement with the
Savoyards; among other shows, she has performed in Patience, The Mikado, and as a General’s
Daughter in The Pirates of Penzance. Laura received her BS in Mathematics and Economics
from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. She has worked with Retro Active and with the Gemini
Theatre, where she performed in the Awards Banquet ceremonies and as Nana in The Velveteen
Rabbit. Laura thanks her family and co-workers for their patience, interest and support.
Alexandra ‘Ali’ Fink (Womens Chorus) attends Baldwin High School half day; the other half is
spent at the Richard E. Rauh Conservatory's Young Performers Institute of Pittsburgh Musical
Theater. She is also a member of the Baldwin Highlander Choir. Ali's theatre experience includes
the following roles: Yonah in Children of Eden (Stage 62, Summer 2004); Mama Bear in
Goldilocks and The 3 Bears (South Park Children's Theatre, Summer 2004); and Ms.
Collinswood in Holes (Prime Stage Theatre, performing at the Byham Theatre, Fall 2003). Ali
would like to thank the Savoyards for giving her the opportunity to perform with such a talented
cast.
April Fullerton (Women’s Chorus). Ruddigore is the fifth PS show that April has performed in,
including performing in the orchestra. Previously, she has worked in Patience and H.M.S.
Pinafore on stage, and in Pirates of Penzance and Trial by Jury in the Orchestra. April graduated
from Belmont Technical College in 2001 with a degree in accounting. She has performed as a
soloist in Cameron Community Choir, Bellevue Christian Church, and Cameron First Christian
Church. April would like to thank her family for all of their support, and the Savoyards for the
opportunity to be in this production.
Nils K. Hammer (Men’s Chorus/Wardrobe Assistant) has been associated with the Pittsburgh
Savoyards in many and various ways since The Grand Duke in 1975. Some of his favorite roles
with the Savoyards are Synthius in Princess Ida, Sir Roderick in Ruddigore and Private Willis
in Iolanthe. Nils has also worked with the Tuesday Musical Club in Gluck’s Orpheus and Purcell’s
Dido and Aeneus, and in Ondine with the Comedia Forensica.
Susan Hood (Womens Chorus) returns for her third performance with the Savoyards, having
appeared in the Chorus of A G&S Review and H.M.S. Pinafore. She will graduate from the
University of DE with a BA in Music next year. Sudan has also performed with Stage 62,
Harrington Theatre Arts Company and the UD Opera Scenes Workshop. Favorite shows include
Merrily We Roll Along and Dido and Aeneus, in which she played Dido. Susan is thrilled to
perform with the Savoyards again. She’d like to thank her family and friends for their support.
Ronald G. Jalbert (Mens Chorus) previously performed with the Savoyards as the Foreman in
Trial By Jury. He has been studying voice for the last several years with Brent Stater, learning the
Bel Canto, or Italianate, voice style. Recently, he began studies with Diana Walters, the head and
founder of Sing It Productions at Grove City. Ronald has sung solos since his teen years,
performed in choirs and scholas, and is currently Cantor of St. Scholastica’s Church in Aspinwall,
where he has sung at weddings and other ceremonies. Ronald is also on the roster for the
Pittsburgh Opera Chorus for the 2004-2005 season. In his professional life, Ronald is a Ph.D.
Psychologist and Jungian Analyst in private practice.
Greg Kornides (Publicity Coordinator/Lighting Design/Photography/Videography) long ago
decided to perform his crafts behind the scenes, helping to make better productions for audiences
to enjoy. He has worked with the technical side of stage, live productions, radio, recording studios
and live television for more years than he likes to recall, and has been with the Pittsburgh
Savoyards since 1997.
Robin Kornides (Costumer) has a wide and varied background designing and constructing
costumes for theater, opera and ballet. Robin has worked as a custom designer and sewing and
knitting instructor in Pittsburgh. Her credits for the stage include designing period costumes and
custom designs for Pittsburgh Youth Ballet and the Boyce Campus Theater, and on wardrobe
maintenance for the Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Ballet, Civic Light Opera and Pittsburgh
Public Theater.
Meighan Lloyd (Mad Margaret) returns for her seventh Savoyard production, having recently
appeared as Lady Jane in Patience and as Buttercup in HMS Pinafore, a role which garnered
her a Leading Actress Nomination in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A&E Best Performances of
2003. Ms. Lloyd holds a BA in Theatre Performance from Seton Hill College. Favorite SHC
credits: Quilters, The Learned Ladies, Moonchildren, The Grass Harp, The Little Prince, A
Comedy of Errors. She toured with Pittsburgh CLO in the Gallery of Heroes productions of Steel
and The Amazingly True Adventures of Nellie Bly (original cast). Local performance credits:
McKeesport Little Theatre (Jerry’s Girls), Penn Avenue Theatre (Threepenny Opera), CCAC
South Campus Summer Theatre (Big River), Trafford Theatre Factory (Honk!), California
University of PA Summer Repertory (Pippin). Apple Hill Playhouse credits: Humbleboy (Rosie);
Isn’t it Romantic (Janie); Sylvia (title role); Jesus Christ Superstar; and Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat. Ms. Lloyd was a cast member in the recent revival of Forbidden
Pittsburgh, a Rockett Productions (formerly Don Brockett) and Gateway Clipper Fleet
collaboration. Other Savoyard credits: Trial by Jury (Bridesmaid); Princess Ida (Lady Blanche);
The Mikado (Pitti-Sing); and Pirates of Penzance (Director/ Choreographer). Much love to Joe
and Greg for taking such good care of me.
Dana Lundquist (Rose Maybud). Ruddigore is Dana's first show with the Savoyards. Presently,
she is a Junior at Quaker Valley High School. She played Mad Margaret in Ruddigore at
Interlochen Arts Camp over the summer, and Mabel in Pirates of Penzance in Quaker Valley
High School's musical, for which she won the Gene Kelly award for best actress of 2004. Dana
also appeared in the Chorus of Gondoliers and Smile, has sung in the Jr. Mendelssohn Choir
and several PMEA choirs. Currently, she takes voice lessons with Susanne Marsee. Dana would
like to thank Beverley Rinaldi, Susanne Marsee, Jill Thompson, and the cast and crew for all their
warmth and patience, and most importantly her parents for their support and rides to rehearsals.
Michael Miller (Stage Manager) makes his debut with the Savoyards with this production.
Michael has previously worked with the Pittsburgh Playwrights, and has stage-managed
productions of Meagher and Black and White Festival. He would like to thank his wife, Natalie, for
being so patient.
Roger D. Miller (Men’s Chorus) began his music career in Metuchen, New Jersey, playing B flat
trumpet in his high school's spring musicals. Later at Southern Methodist University, he played in
the school's 96 piece jazz-marching band at the Cotton Bowl and on tour. After a ten-year career
in the oil industry, he returned to Philadelphia, studying voice, and performing as a tenor with
regional opera and orchestra choruses, including the Singing City Choir, Delaware Valley Opera
Company, Mary Green Singers at Kennet Square and Plays and Players’ Theater. Currently,
Roger helps fill out the Savoyards orchestra on trumpet, but is most often seen in the tenor
section for major productions. For the past three years he has studied adult ballet with Robert
Vickery of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater where he was recently privileged to be cast as a rocketselling Gypsy in PBT's Don Quixote. Other dance credits include the role of Captain Belaye in
the Savoyard/CPAC production of Pineapple Poll.
Johanna Nadler (Womens Chorus) is thrilled to be making her debut with the Savoyards in
Ruddigore (following in her daughter Sarah's footsteps). She attended college in Miami, medical
school in Chicago (where she was teased for being a music major) and then trained in New York
in pediatric cardiology. Thanks to her daughters Becca (the "real" singer) and Sarah (the worlds
best rehearsal partner), her son Ben (the "Soy Butter Man") and her husband Leigh – who knew
she could still be a bridesmaid after 20 years of marriage.
Sarah Nadler (Women’s Chorus) returns for her second Savoyards production, having made
her debut in H.M.S. Pinafore. Sarah is in the sixth grade at Boyce Middle School, and plays the
oboe, violin and guitar. She also enjoys gymnastics and jazz dance, as well as singing in the
chorus at school. Her hobbies include annoying her sister, hanging out with her brother and
rollerblading.
Paul Pachuta (Technical Director/Stage Carpenter) has been working with the Pittsburgh
Savoyards for the past year, and he hates referring to himself in the third person. Preferring to
work behind the scenes, he has been the Technical Director and Set Carpenter for the past
several shows, doing everything possible to make sure the show goes on for everyone's
enjoyment.
Bob Pohl (Mens Chorus) while born and raised on the North Side, spent most of his life in New
York State as a public school librarian and Latin teacher. He is a graduate of Villanova and
Columbia Universities. He began his singing career at the age of 8, appearing on the Children’s
Amateur Hour at the Enright Theater in East Liberty, hosted by the then unknown Dick Powell. He
was a member of the Lock City Glee Club in Lockport, New York, and the Harmony Singers of
Pittsburgh. He worked with Jude Pohl Productions. This is Bob's first appearance in a Gilbert and
Sullivan Opera. Bob says: "I have always loved Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, and am so happy to
be a member of the Savoyards of Pittsburgh "
Guy Russo (Music Director/Conductor) has been involved in Pittsburgh area music and
theater, as performer and conductor, for many years. His association with the Savoyards goes
back to his high school days; later, he sang Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore and NankiPoo in The Mikado with the Savoyards. He’s performed with opera companies and orchestras
throughout the Mid-Atlantic, has sung a number of roles for the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh
Opera Theater, and has been tenor soloist at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Rodef Shalom,
and Temple Sinai. Guy has been resident music director for CCAC South Campus Summer
Theater for over ten years, and is currently vocal director at Community Presbyterian Church of
Ben Avon, choral director for CMU’s Pre-College Summer Institute, and director of vocal music at
Sewickley Academy.
Garth Schafer (Sir Roderic Murgatroyd) has worked for over a decade in a local theatre
companies, both on stage and in a technical capacity. He even got to take a few of his technical
tricks to NYC for that city's premier of the Pittsburgh work, Garret the Blue Giraffe. Garth has
appeared at Canterbury Dinner Theatre in The Little Shop of Horrors and Miracle on 34th Street,
and with the Pittsburgh Savoyards as King Gama in Princess Ida. Recently he performed in
Triumph of Love for Proudly Presents Productions and At the Movies, a Stage 62 fundraiser.
Garth has studied the various theatre arts with his parents (both former Red Masquers), Glen Z.
Gress (everything but music) and his wife Janette (for music).
Janet Schafer (Scenic Painter) thanks the Savoyards for presenting her with ever-moreinteresting set painting challenges.
Jeffrey R. Simpson (Director) is excited to be making his Pittsburgh Savoyards debut as
director of Ruddigore. Jeffrey’s previous directing credits include Assassins, Into the Woods,
Tuesday Nights at Nine, One Seat in the Shade and Meagher. Jeffrey received his BA in Theatre
and English from Allegheny College.
David Svoboda (Old Adam) has been involved with the Savoyards since 1995, acting as Board
member, techie, chorus singer, pianist and violinist in the orchestra. He recently played Major
Murgatroyd in Patience, the Carpenter's Mate in H.M.S. Pinafore, and the Sergeant of Police
in The Pirates of Penzance. He has also appeared in Pittsburgh Proudly Presents' production of
Chess and provided music in the South Park Theatre's production of Quilters. He studies voice
with Brent Stater. Outside of theatrical life, David is a Software Engineer in the Language
Technology Institute at Carnegie Mellon.
Beverly Tamburino (Women’s Chorus) is pleased to be in her ninth Savoyards production.
Beverly was last seen in the Chorus of H.M.S. Pinafore and in Trial by Jury. She has also
performed in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mame and Merrily We Roll
Along with Stage 62. She is happy to be working with this fun, talented group once again.
Nathan Tatro (Richard Dauntless) received his BA in Psychology from Lycoming College in
2003. He is currently employed by UPMC as a research associate, and intends to pursue
graduate study in the near future. Some of the favorite roles he has played include Pseudolus in
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Sebastian in Twelfth Night, for which he
was an American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship nominee. Although an
avid "a cappella"- ist, this is his first attempt at Gilbert and Sullivan-style theater and he thanks
the cast for their tremendous support!
Corey Nile Wingard (Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd/Robin) returns to the Savoyards for his fifth
production with the company. Corey previously appeared as Colonel Calverley and Archibald
Grosvenor in our last two productions of Patience; as Wilfred Shadbolt in Yeomen of the
Guard; and as Giuseppe Palmieri in The Gondoliers. His other favorite roles include: The Mayor
and The Senator in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Snoopy in You're A Good Man Charlie
Brown; and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a role he played
for both Jude Pohl Productions and Canterbury Dinner Theatre; and Choreographer and
Performer in Dream Along With Me, a tribute to Perry Como produced at the Perry Como Dinner
Theatre.
Eva Yarsky (Zorah) returns for her fifth Savoyards role, having previously played Lady Ella in
Patience, Kate in Pirates of Penzance, Leila in Iolanthe and Peep-Bo in The Mikado. A former
Miss America finalist, she holds a Masters degree in Speech Pathology and is the mother of three
beautiful children. Favorite roles include Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Maggie in A Chorus
Line, Marta in Company, and of course the role of Mom.
Myles Zuckerman (Mens Chorus) first performed with the Savoyards in their recent production
of Patience, his first appearance on any stage anywhere. Myles is also a member of the Yad
b'Yad folk dance troupe of Pittsburgh. He graduated from SUNY at Albany in 1976 with a BA in
Psychology, and earned his MD in 1982 at the Université de Liége in Belgium. He works as a
private practice family doctor in his spare time, and is a member of American Academy of Family
Physicians, American Board of Family Practice and Beth El Congregation. Myles is delighted to
be back with the Savoyards and looks forward to a terrific show.
Ruth Zuckerman (Womens Chorus) is performing in her first show with the Savoyards. She is
presently in the 10th grade at Mt Lebanon High School. Ruth’s theatre experience includes a
Summer Camp Drama Elective (Camp Young Judea, Tel Yehudah), and three years with the
Center for Theatre Arts, including productions of Grease and Schoolhouse Rock. Ruth is starting
a theatre elective in High School this year. She is very excited to be working with the Savoyards,
and hopes to be involved in many more shows to come.