Iolanthe 2025 Cast
The Principals
Therese Kulas — Phyllis
Therese is tickled to be back with the GSVLOC for her fourth production after brandishing a knife as Pretty Jean in last fall’s The McAdo. Hailing from the Red River Valley (the Minnesooota side; not the North Dakooota side), she studied with Maria Williams Kennedy at the Bel Canto Studio of Voice and went on to study with Katherine Henjum at the University of Mary where she earned a degree in Vocal Performance and Theater. Favorite roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Penny in Hairspray, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Therese is a past recipient of the Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. When not in rehearsals, she works in marketing and enjoys trying new foods, pretending to be Esther Williams at water aerobics classes, taking her puppy Charlie Brown for walks, and supporting her husband at his symphony concerts. Special thanks to the directors and creative staff for sharing their talents, Nick for the unending support, and Darin for the audition coaching. Miss you, friend!
Mike Tober — Strephon
Mike is thrilled to return for his second show with the GSVLOC in Iolanthe! He is an Actor, Director & Musician in the Twin Cities! Mike has performed with various theaters and companies such as: The Guthrie, Artistry, Old Log Theatre, Zephyr Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Sidekick Theatre, Lyric Arts, Lakeshore Players Theatre, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Chaska Valley Family Theater, Cross Community Players, Chameleon Theatre, Theatre In The Round, Classical Actors Ensemble, and The Phipps Center for the Arts. Notable credits include: (as Actor) Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof (CVFT); Robert/ Max/ Jonathan U.S. in The Play That Goes Wrong, JD in Escape To Margaritaville (Old Log Theater); The Squip in Be More Chill (Minneapolis Musical Theatre); Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde The Musical (Paul Bunyan Playhouse); & Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (Artistry); (as Assistant Director) Little Shop of Horrors Directed by Joe Chvala (Artistry); (As Director) A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Imaginary Invalid (Nova Classical Academy); May The Musical Be With You (A.Y.N.E. Productions); Boeng Boeng, A Streetcar Named Desire (North Central University); Newsies!, Seussical Jr., James & The Giant Peach Jr. (The Zephyr Theater). Mike is honored to perform with this incredible group and is especially grateful to perform alongside his ever-so-loving fiancé, Maya Gitch.
Lara Trujillo — The Fairy Queen
This is Lara’s third production of Iolanthe with the GSVLOC. Having appeared in the titular role in the two previous productions, she is thrilled to be taking on a new role as the Fairy Queen. This is Lara’s seventeenth appearance with the GSVLOC, having performed in previous productions of Patience, The Yeomen of the Guard, Utopia, Limited, The Sorcerer, Orpheus in the Underworld, The Mikado, Ruddigore, and The Pirates of Penzance. Lara has also appeared with the GSVLOC and the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, in concert versions of H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Lara has appeared in the Ordway Theater’s productions of In the Heights, and in My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, as well as at the Guthrie Theater, in 7th House Theater Company’s production of The Passage, at the History Theater in River Road Boogie: The Augie Garcia Story and J.D. Steele’s Snapshots: Life in the City, at The Pantages in HAIR, in Joe Chvala’s production of Heaven at Park Square Theater, as well as in productions with Minnesota Opera, Mill City Summer Opera, Theater Latte Da, Teatro del Pueblo, Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, Artistry and Mu Performing Arts. Some of her favorite roles include The Witch in Into the Woods, Anita in West Side Story and Eva Peron in Evita. Lara directed and appeared in Full Circle Theater Company’s production of Atacama, at Park Square Theater. She is immensely grateful to her husband, Stephen, and to her family and friends who continually offer her their love, support, and encouragement.
Eric Sorum — The Lord Chancellor
Eric has been a musician in the Twin Cities since 2007, singing with numerous companies such as the Minnesota Opera Chorus and the Bach Society of Minnesota. He is happy to be returning for his third production with the GSVLOC, previously performing the roles of Colonel Caverly in Patience and Antonio in The Gondoliers. Other recent credits include the lead role in Shakespeare’s Macbeth with Classics Lost and Found, and Monsignor (us) in Sister Act with Lyric Arts. He currently works for BlackStack Brewing and lives in Minneapolis with his beautiful wife, Kristina, and their dog Joy. Thanks!
Hannah Pantano — Iolanthe
Hannah is so grateful to be returning to the magical GSVLOC after performing in H.M.S. Pinafore and Patience! Life is short and unpredictable, and the stories we tell together help us live in the moments we have and make sense of the rest. Hannah has worked with Yellow Tree Theatre, Skylark Opera, Ashland Productions, and many other theatres across the Twin Cities, with favorite roles including Titania in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical, and Rosalind in As You Like It. She spends the rest of her time trying to keep up with her two boys (and drinking lots of coffee in the process) and sewing custom wedding wear, costumes, and clothing. All her heart goes to her husband and best friend.
Scott A. Gorman — Lord Mountararat
This is Scott’s sixth show with the GSVLOC, which officially makes it less of a hobby and more of a cry for help. But seriously, why are you still reading these bios? You could be talking to the person you came with. You can’t talk during the show, so this is literally your last chance! Still here? Alright then. Recent roles include the daft leader of the McAdo clan in The McAdo (GSVLOC), Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore (GSVLOC), Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance (GSVLOC), and Patsy in Spamalot! In short: he’s been yelling, dancing, or dying dramatically on Twin Cities stages for a while now. Offstage, Scott serves as a pastor for a church plant in Uptown, works as a voiceover and on-camera actor, and freelances in the digital marketing space … because who doesn’t love juggling three careers? Additionally, he has worked with several other Twin Cities ensembles, such as: Minnesota Opera, Opera 101, The Dale Warland Singers, Minnesota Chorale, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Surrounded almost entirely by females for most of his married life (his wife and four adult daughters) who remind him regularly that he’s not nearly as funny as he thinks he is, Scott now makes his home in the southwest suburbs with his far better half, Valerie, and a tiny green ball of avian energy, a parakeet named Zipadee … who absolutely runs the house.
Ella Rose Katzenberger — Celia
After a much-needed rest, Ella Rose is making her return to the Conn for her fifth GSVLOC production. She has recently been seen in roles such as Wee Jo in The McAdo and Fiona in Brigadoon. She has also spent her little free time performing at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival with acapella group, DeCantus. She is delighted to play the role of Celia as she is drawing inspiration from her very own real-life fairy sister, Celia Katzenberger. As always, thank you to her family and friends for their never-ending support. Break a wing to the cast of Iolanthe!
Timothy Kelly — Lord Tolloller
Timothy is a Twin Cities-based artist and eccentric who is elated to be making his debut with the GSVLOC. As Managing Director and co-founder of grassroots theater company Melancholics Anonymous, he finds joy in producing local, engaging, and accessible theater and embracing his small portion of the vibrant TC arts community. Timothy has directed, designed, and acted in several productions with Melancholics, other local companies, and independent endeavors. When not on or behind stage, he is likely fiddling with a spreadsheet or singing in his car. He would like to thank this cast of peers and peris for graciously welcoming him into this truly delightful (and bizarre) little story.
Maria Kosovich — Leila
Maria saw her first opera at age five. She is still mad her older sister saw HER first opera at age four (not that she’s still bitter). Maria is now a singing actor based in the Twin Cities. Opera credits include Little Women, Suor Angelica, and Les mamelles des Tiresias. Theatre credits include Julius Caesar, The Bald Soprano, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kiss Me, Kate, and Titus Andronicus as the genderbent titular character. Maria would like to extend her apologies to the great nation of Scotland for her earnest attempts at a Scottish accent.
Adam Arnold — Private Willis
Adam returns to the subversive world of the GSVLOC after performing this past spring as “that flexible guy” in Patience. Additional onstage credits include Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Umbrella Collective, The Phipps, Artistry, College Light Opera Company, and Chanhassen Dinner Theaters. Enamored by the illimitable connections between theater and mental health, Adam founded blank slate theatre in 2006, spending eleven years there as Artistic Director, collaborating with ability and culturally diverse adolescents (all of whom are somehow now adults) to produce over two dozen theater pieces centering on themes of mental health and social change, including the award-winning Disordered [thy name is teenager], and Bottom, a play on child sex trafficking. Adam ardently considered a career as a military man until he realized he could serve his country in other ways, such as gallivanting onstage with a flutter of fairies.
Kelly Danger — Fleta
Kelly lives with her two spectacular children in New Brighton. Yes, her last name really is Danger and, sadly, no, she is not a superhero. This is Kelly’s seventh (and a half) appearance with the GSVLOC, and she is honored to be playing Fleta, along with her duties as dance captain, hair and makeup designer, and labor pool coordinator on the GSVLOC board! You may have seen her on stage in the 2019 production of The New Mikado, the tragically truncated 2020 production of Ruddigore, the remounted production of Ruddigore in 2022, 2023’s The Sorcerer, 2024’s The McAdo, and Patience last spring. Some Roles of note include, Mrs. Blushington from the GSVLOC’s production of Utopia Limited in the spring of 2024, Athena the Android in Artificial (2019 Fringe), Tessie Turra in Gypsy (Lakeshore Players), Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Morris Park Players), the titular role in Mary Poppins (SACT), Woman-Who’s-Skirt-is-Too-Tight-to-Get-up-the-Stairs in Rhinoceros (TRP), and First Sea Otter in Mrs. Wilcox’s Fourth Grade production of the original play, Sea Creatures of the Pacific Northwest (She totally got an A on that project and got to wear her friend’s grandmother’s fur coat!). Originally from the Seattle area, Kelly never ceases to marvel that she is fortunate enough to continue treading the boards with such a tremendously talented company. She sends all her love to Ayla and Rue!
The Ensemble
Jancyn Bindman
Jancyn is thrilled to be singing and dancing in Iolanthe for her second show with GSVLOC! She was ensorcelled with Gilbert and Sullivan ever since her father, shocking I know, made her watch Kevin Kline as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance at the impressionable age of eight. Jancyn immediately set about memorizing the entire libretto while acting out the show in her bedroom and has attempted to catch the show live whenever possible. She attended Michigan State University to study vocal performance and would like everyone to know that she’s from the west side, not the east, so as to give her more street cred. Last year, Jancyn came back to the stage and has been performing ever since. She was recently Mary Poppins in Rosetown Playhouse’s Mary Poppins, has been small sword certified with recommendation and is currently taking sword and shield with Art in Arms. In her spare time (hold for eye roll), Jancyn is also in the adult performance ensemble with Ballet Co. Laboratory and can be seen in this year’s Snow Queen and next year’s Mary Poppins.
Natalie Dulka
Natalie is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist who has created, performed in, and directed productions across the metro area at Lyric Arts, Lakeshore Players Theatre, Raison d’Etre Opera, and more. They recently debuted their solo comedy cabaret, Chronically Single. Outside of the theatre, Natalie is a professional church vocalist, pet sitter, and IT project manager. The hustle, as they say, never stops. To keep up with Natalie’s various projects and passions, follow them on Instagram @nataliedulka or check out the website they pay $23/month for: nataliedulka.com
Lily Eastman
Lily is thrilled to be making her debut with the GSVLOC in this production of Iolanthe! This past spring, she wrapped up her role as Jane Doe in ARCC’s production of Ride the Cyclone. Lily has also performed in multiple productions at Saint Francis High School, with notable roles including Margo in Bright Star, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Miss Honey in Matilda Jr., Katherine in Newsies Jr., and Warwick in The Alibis. She enjoys taking voice and dance lessons, painting, and reading. Lily is excited to continue building her singing and acting experience. She plans to attend university in the fall to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre. Lily is grateful to have the GSVLOC be part of her journey and looks forward to wherever life takes her next!
Mitch Engel
Mitchell has been performing on the stage for over decade and could not be more excited to be in Iolanthe. Other roles he’s played on stage include Herr Schultz in Cabaret, Caliban in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family, and Jimmy in Almost Maine. A recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, Mitchell is currently trying to find his way in the world, but hopes to be able to sing, dance, and make money simultaneously one day. Outside of theatre you can commonly find him in his basement either attempting to make art or playing with model trains. Mitchell would like to thank his wonderful family, his amazing sister Maddie, and his three best friends, Jack, Jo, and GiGi for continuing to support his passion for theatre.
Jonathan Flory
Ten long years after a rousing rendition of H.M.S. Pinafore, Jonathan returns to the stage with the GSVLOC. Not to be pedantic, but “to the stage” is an important qualification, as he has performed in the pit with the GSVLOC as recently as last year’s production of The McAdo. Although Jonathan has been involved in many productions since 1994 as a child of seven years, a few that stand out as his favorites include Wayne Frake in a 2015 production of State Fair with the Lakeshore Players, as part of the chorus for a 2015 production of La fille du regiment with the Mill City Summer Opera, and as part of the chorus for a 2009 production of Ruddigore with the GSVLOC, his first show upon moving to Minnesota from Iowa. Jonathan’s latest passion in life is learning how to dance seventeen different flavors of ballroom and spending time at home with two new divas: sister cats from the same litter born just a year ago.
Doug Freeman
Doug fell in love with classical music at age eighteen when he had a chance to see friends rehearse a production of H.M.S Pinafore. He was smitten, and though he’s sung music from centuries before and after, he is happy to be back with the GSVLOC, working on the style that first captured him. Doug has performed with the GSVLOC in The Sorcerer, Ruddigore, The Mikado, Princess Ida, Orpheus in the Underworld, and The Gondoliers. Over the years and across several states, he’s done all but three G&S operettas; he also enjoys musicals (Narrator / Mysterious Man in Into the Woods and El Gallo in The Fantasticks, both with Eat Street Players), opera (Leporello in Don Giovanni with Twin Cities Fringe Opera; Dr. Gibbs in Ned Rorem’s Our Town with Skylark Opera; Don Magnifico in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with the National Opera Company), and an occasional straight — well, non-musical — play (Harold in The Boys in the Band).
Alexander Gaya
Alexander is delighted to make his debut ap-PEER-ance (oh yes!) with the GSVLOC. A California transplant, he was first introduced to Gilbert and Sullivan while attending Saint Olaf College, where he played Tarara in Utopia, Limited, and was further encouraged in what ap-PEERS (oh no!) to be a lifelong addiction by his voice teacher James McKeel. Alexander was last seen onstage in 2019 as Eumaeus in The Odyssey with the Northfield Arts Guild. Other previous past roles include Pirelli in Sweeney Todd (Showtime Singers, Aberystwyth, Wales), Mr. Bumble in Oliver! (Musical Masquers, West Bend, Wisconsin), Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale (Bailey Theatre Company, Durham, England), Seneca in The Coronation of Poppea (Saint Olaf Lyric Theater), and Betto in Gianni Schicchi (also Saint Olaf Lyric Theater). When not treading the boards or working retail, he frequents museums, bookstores, garden centers, antique shops, and concert halls of various descriptions. A thoroughgoing Anglophile with elitist tendencies, he finds membership in the House of Peers highly congenial.
Maya Gitch
Maya is excited to return to the GSVLOC stage for her fourth time, after most recently being seen in the company’s production of The McAdo last fall. She was recently seen in Cross Community Players’ production of Once Upon a Mattress, and Chaska Valley Family Theater’s productions of Something Rotten and Fiddler on the Roof. Maya is beyond thrilled to share the stage with her mother and stepfather, and of course, her incredibly talented fiancé, Mike Tober. When not performing, she loves to fill her time by escaping to the mountains with her pup and fiancé.
Jakob Gomez
Jakob is so excited to be tagging along for another GSVLOC adventure! Fairies have always been an inspiration for how he lives his life, and now he gets to share that with the world! You may have seen him in other GSVLOC shows, such as Ruddigore, The Sorcerer, The Pirates of Penzance, and H.M.S. Pinafore. Jakob would like to thank Phia, Timmy, Lydia, and Julie for their warm words and soft hugs.
Jane Gowen
Jane (soprano, voice teacher, music director) is a natural story-teller. With a M.M. in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory, her humblest (*wink*) flex is having studied voice with GRAMMY®-nominated soprano Fotina Naumenko. Jane is ecstatic to make her Twin Cities debut with the GSVLOC as Crunchy-Water-Fairy-With-The-Wet-Look. Though they pale in comparison to CWFWTWL, Jane’s career “lowlights” have included Die Fledermaus (Adele), Cosi fan Tutte (Despina), the G&S classic The Pirates of Penzance (Edith), and rocking out with the regionally touring Vocal Jazz Ensemble of University of Mary. In addition to running literal marathons with her vocal folds, Jane is equally passionate about teaching voice—the art, science, and psychology of it. She is committed to continuing education and refinement of her teaching artistry. (Curious about lessons? Visit janegowen.com!) Jane often eats oatmeal for breakfast and is a huge fan of meaningful conversations. Her sincerest thanks and respect go out to the GSVLOC and its wonderful cast, crew, and production team.
Erin Grams
Erin is delighted to be joining the GSVLOC in her inaugural production to the Twin Cities. Having worked up and down the east coast with a brief stop in the Windy City, she is happy to be returning to her Midwest love. Erin’s first dip into the world of opera was a new opera adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale in South Carolina. Followed by her leg in Chicago singing Victor Herbert and performing as a Supernumerary in Chicago Lyric Opera’s production of The Listeners. While also working in musical theatre, Erin loves tripping hither and thither between artistic genres whether it be modern opera, musical theatre or the fantastical world of Gilbert and Sullivan. When she isn’t playing with sorrowful hearts onstage, Erin is painting landscapes, reading too many books and maintaining optimal caffeination.
Stephen Hage
Stephen’s lifelong passion for Gilbert and Sullivan began in the eighth grade when he was cast as Sir Joseph Porter in his middle school’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore and it’s carried him through the years to this, his forty-eighth appearance in a G&S production … but then, who’s counting!? In addition to appearing on stage, he also serves the GSVLOC as its Producer. Stephen has also performed on stage with Artistry, Mill City Summer Opera and Minnesota Opera. He is active in the Twin Cities’ vibrant film community and has appeared in numerous feature films, short films, commercials, and music videos, in roles ranging from principal, to supporting, to background. By day, he is responsible for Human Resources for the Orion Associates organization of companies, which he does with a wonderful staff of Human Resources professionals, all the while enjoying far too many cups of coffee. Stephen dedicates this, and all that he does, to his wonderful children, Lyndsay, Madeleine, Maya, and Liam … and to his lovely and loving wife, Lara.
Liza Hartshorn
Liza is excited to join Iolanthe for her second production with GSVLOC. Her previous experiences with the company include Brahms’ Requiem and performing with the chorus in the spring 2025 production of Patience. Other roles include the Ghost of Christmas Past and Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Saint Croix Festival Theatre) and Lucy in Bright Star (Saint Croix Art Barn). Outside of performing, Liza enjoys ballet, thrifting, and finding the best coffee shops wherever she goes.
Kat Felicis Ioco
Previously best known in the GSVLOC as the percussionist who makes the violins jump from the force of her thunderous “boom” moments, Kat is thrilled to make her full-length, on-stage opera debut in Iolanthe! (She’s still playing a few percussion parts in this production due to the density of the score, so violins may still jump.) Prior to joining the GSVLOC pit in 2023, Kat’s most involved Gilbert & Sullivan experience was music directing and co-abridging The Pirates of Penzance for Arts Garden in 2022. This Minnesota native is a composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist (among other roles) working in the realms of classical, soundtrack, and metal; she often overlaps this with her geeky interests, particularly her love for video games. Her operatic and/or on-stage highlights from this decade include powering pseudo-Latin over 200 live musicians in a hotel atrium, flopping half-off an elevated platform, performing songs from video-game-based operas, and belting off-the-staff high notes with fellow metal musicians. Kat is also a solo symphonic metal artist; her debut album released in 2019. If any of the above sounds intriguing, visit https://katfelicisioco.com for more information.
Amanda Jensen
Amanda is so excited to be a part of her second show with the GSVLOC! She made her debut as a lovesick maiden in Patience and is now thrilled to be a fairy in Iolanthe. As a long-time theater lover she enjoys every moment she gets to spend on the stage, and she feels truly blessed to be surrounded by so many talented members of the cast and crew. When she is not singing, she spends her time both as an educator in the Metro area and as a graduate student of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Tony J. Palumbo
Both noble and fairy in equal measure, Tony J. Palumbo (the “J” stands for “Juicy”) has his GSVLOC debut this year in Iolanthe. He comes to this wonderful company after playing the Beast in Rosetown Playhouse’s Beauty and the Beast, Prince Charming in Rosetown’s Cinderella, Gaston and Amorous Soldier #1 in Minnski Theatre’s production of Twisted, and the spooktacular horror host Jack J. Skelton (the “J” stands for “Juicy”) in Khaos Productions’ Jack Skelton and his All-Monster Band. Tony is ready to play something even more monstrous … a British Peer! This is his first Gilbert and Sullivan, and he is already both enchanted and highly amused. Harrumph!
Eric Pasternack
Eric was bitten by the G&S bug in 1963, when he was cast as Jack Point in a summer-camp production of The Yeomen of the Guard. Despite that auspicious start, he stayed off the stage for thirty years before joining the chorus of the (late) Texas Gilbert & Sullivan Company from 1994 to 1998. He joined the GSVLOC in 2000 after moving to the great state of Minnesota and has appeared in twenty-two productions as a second tenor in the chorus. As the oldest member of the chorus, he thoroughly enjoys being on stage surrounded by wonderfully talented younger people. Now that he has fully retired from his career in petroleum geology, Eric is able to explore other musical passions. He has joined the cast of Alive and Kickin’, where he thoroughly enjoys singing rock music surrounded by people ranging in age from 60 to 90. He also leads and accompanies singalongs in senior living facilities. Eric is extremely grateful to his wife JoAnn for putting up with his rehearsal and performance schedule in his so-called retirement.
Andrew Peterson
Andrew is a tenor from Owatonna, Minnesota, who has recently returned to the state after completing his Master’s degree in Vocal Performance this past Spring at Miami University. Iolanthe is his first performance with GSVLOC, and he has been thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to be a part of the company, and its lively cast of characters (on and off stage!). A fresh face to the opera scene, Andrew’s career began in the Summer of 2022 as Basilio in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro as a part of Festival of International Opera: Italy in 2022. Since entering the world of opera, he has sprinted forward with performance on stage and screen. His recent roles include Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, the principal character of Jacques in Benjamin Smolder’s new work, the filmed opera The Book of Hours, and Frederic; the golden-hearted leading man of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, as a part of Seagle Festival. Andrew has also been a featured concert soloist in Bach’s Cantata 116 with the Bach Ensemble of Saint Thomas, and Miami University’s performance of Schubert’s Mass in G. An artist of diverse talents and engagements, Andrew brings his joy for singing to his work in a manner that presents his roles for all that their worth.
Matthew Polum
Matthew is delighted to be returning to the GSVLOC stage in Iolanthe! A native of Apple Valley, he earned his Music Degree at Saint Mary’s University before taking root in Northeast Minneapolis. You may have seen Matthew previously in H.M.S. Pinafore and The Sorcerer (u/s Ralph, Hercules) with the GSVLOC, along with productions of Into the Woods (Wolf / Cinderella’s Prince) at 4CT, and Brigadoon, Beauty & The Beast and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Tommy, Beast, Pharaoh) at Faith Community Theatre. When not onstage, he enjoys spending his time cooking meats, demolishing his friends at Super Smash Bros, and cuddling with his potato cat, Mabel. Matthew studies with Metropolitan Opera alumnus, Dennis Peterson.
Aaron Rolloff
Prior to Iolanthe, Aaron performed with the GSVLOC in The Mikado, Patience, The Grand Duke, Ruddigore, and H.M.S. Pinafore. He has been in several plays at Theatre in the Round, most recently A View from the Bridge, and Romeo and Juliet. Aaron plays tuba with Brio Brass and some other groups. He also has a wife, Peggy, and son, Tom, who are really cool!
Emma Shine
Emma is thrilled to return to the stage after a five-year hiatus and is making their GSVLOC debut! Emma received their BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein University in the fateful year of 2020. In their time at Otterbein, they performed in multiple main stage productions, student workshops and as a Drag King in the yearly Otterbein Drag Show. Notable roles include Myra Arundel in Hay Fever and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Emma would like to thank their partner, Max, for encouraging them to get back on the stage!
Charlotte Smith
Charlotte is making her light opera debut with the GSVLOC. This is her first opportunity in over a decade to sing classically, and she has very much missed sounding so fancy and posh! Across the cities and suburbs, Charlotte has enjoyed playing such roles as Kira in Xanadu, Marty in Grease, Betty Jean in Winter Wonderettes, Margot in Legally Blonde, and Ensemble in Les Miserables. Her favorite project has been monologuing about her passion for mental health and her day-job as a licensed therapist. In her free time, Charlotte laments not having any pets, cries over fictional characters, and accidentally burns herself on hot glue guns and irons. In her not-free time, she wishes she had free time and then still decides to be in another show.
Sydney Summers
Sydney is absolutely ecstatic to be making her debut with the GSVLOC in their production of Iolanthe. A graduate of Whittier College, she has a BA in both Music & Theatre, with an emphasis in performance, and has deeply missed high caliber classical music like that in this production. To be performing Gilbert and Sullivan again with this incredibly talented group of individuals has made Sydney’s heart soar! A regular on the musical theatre circuit, some of her favorite credits include: Once Upon a Mattress with CCP, Next to Normal at Whittier College, Putnam with OBMT, and Godspell with SOAR Regional Arts. An avid musician, award-winning costumer, and impassioned teacher; she also enjoys dressing her small dog in tiny sweaters.
Riley Webster
Riley is thrilled to be returning with the GSVLOC! Previous credits include Angel in Kinky Boots (Lyric Arts), Dan in Next To Normal (Wildwood), Collins in RENT (Century), Emmett in Legally Blonde (Burnsville Summer Theater), and Saucy Jack in Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (Century). Apart from performing, Riley enjoys terrorizing his cat with his unwanted affection, playing video games, and taking care of his many, MANY plants.
Trevor Woggon
Trevor is thrilled to return to the GSVLOC for his third production, bringing a lifetime of experience being a haughty snob to his role in the chorus of Peers. Raised in the heartland of southwestern Wisconsin, he began his musical journey at the age of six, playing the cello and singing in church. Trevor went on to study music education at Saint Mary’s University and has spent the last decade leading a wide variety of musical acts, honing his skills as a performer and music director. He last appeared on-stage as Pishtusch in The McAdo in fall of 2024. Trevor currently studies voice with Metropolitan Opera alumnus Dennis Petersen, and is a proud member of Twin Cities Musician’s Union Local 30 – 73.
