The McAdo 2024 Cast
The Principals
Sam Vinitsky — Coco – Gilbert Casts
Sam is ecstatic to be appearing in his fourth show with the company, and his first principal role. Previously, he could be found singing far too animatedly in the ensemble, or in one-night-only special engagements as a cover (the title role in The Sorcerer, Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. Pinafore). Favorite (non-GSVLOC) past roles include Vlad in Anastasia, Bobby in Urinetown, and the Cat in Honk. When not making silly faces onstage, you can usually find Sam making silly faces with his favorite niece (and nephew).
Brandt Roberts — Coco – Sullivan Cast
Brandt is an actor, designer, and educator originally from Kennett, Missouri. Last year he appeared in The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, & Count Leo Tolstoy at Bucket Brigade Theatre. For nine seasons Brandt was a resident actor at the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro. Highlights are John Merrick in The Elephant Man, Robert in Boeing Boeing, Renfield in Dracula: Prince of Blood, and Fancourt Babberley in Charley’s Aunt. Before the Commonweal, Brandt galivanted wherever the theatre job took him. His one-person-show The Art of the Entertainer, which takes a clownish view of theatre history, has performed in three states, and was retooled for streaming in 2020. Brandt holds an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is honored to be making his GSVLOC debut.
Maggie Benham — Wynn Somme – Gilbert Cast
Maggie is delighted to find herself back on stage for her fifth show with the GSVLOC after previously appearing in The Sorcerer (Aline), The Pirates of Penzance (Kate & Mabel), Ruddigore (Bridesmaid / Young Hannah), and Utopia, Limited. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Minor in Theatre Arts from the University of Northwestern – Saint Paul. You may have spotted her on other stages in the Twin Cities (www.maggiebenham.com for more), but she is happy to spend most of her time with the GSVLOC family. As a child with a flair for the dramatic, Maggie found her love for opera by performing with the Pittsburgh Opera Company in several productions including The Magic Flute (Knaben). She’s grateful to still have an outlet for all that drama (it didn’t decrease with age). By day, you can find Maggie living the marketing dream at Hook Agency, dancing through life with her husband Brandyn (choreographer extraordinaire), and trying to keep up with her overly energetic puppy.
Mary Kettlewell — Wynn Somme – Sullivan Cast
Previously featured as Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore and Princess Zara in Utopia, Limited, Mary is ecstatic to perform in her fourth GSVLOC show! She first performed the Scottish revamp of this G&S classic with Gilbert & Sullivan Austin in 2022, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to reprise the role of Wynn Somme for Twin Cities audiences this fall. Mary holds a Bachelor of Art in Music from the University of Missouri Columbia (2016) and a Masters in Voice Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder (2018). Originally from Columbia, Missouri, she has performed across the Midwest and beyond with Opera in the Ozarks, Opera NEO, Missouri Symphony Society, Boulder Bach Festival, Loveland Opera Theater, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, Inversion Ensemble, LOLA – Local Opera Local Artists, the American Traditions Vocal Competition in Savannah, Georgia, Opera Reading Project, VocalEssence, and Lakes Area Music Festival. Outside of the world of music, Mary is a passionate arts administrator, experimental crafter, foodie, plant mom, and a “ringer” in cornhole, according to her partner.
Seth Tychon Steidl — Lanky Doug – Gilbert Cast
Seth could not be happier to perform in his sixth production with the GSVLOC after 2016’s Iolanthe (Ensemble), 2020’s / 2022’s Ruddigore (Robin Oakapple), 2022’s The Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), 2023’s The Sorcerer (Alexis), and 2024’s Utopia, Limited (Ensemble). Additional credits include Paul Andrew Willis Jr’s One Stride Behind the Setting Sun (Tiresias), Ashland Productions’ Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd), Eagan Summer Community Theater’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo), and Artistry’s The Secret Garden (Dickon Sowerby). When not performing on stage, Seth is either chanting at Saint Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church or spending quality time with good friends. To conclude, Seth would like to extend big hugs to his stage-partner-in-crime, Maggie.
Graham Remple — Lanky Doug – Sullivan Cast
A native of the Twin Cities, tenor Graham is incredibly excited to be making his GSVLOC debut in this production! He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Concordia College in Moorhead, where he was a member and Student President of The Concordia Choir under the direction of Dr. René Clausen. During his time at Concordia, Graham participated in the NATS vocal competition where he was a two-time finalist, and he portrayed Herr Frank in the school’s first ever opera production: Die Fledermaus. After completing his undergraduate studies, he moved to Evanston, Illinois where he attended Northwestern University, and began his Masters of Music in Voice and Opera Performance. There, Graham studied under W. Stephen Smith and learned several operatic roles. Notable roles include: Eisenstien in Die Fledermaus, Il Pastore in L’Orfeo, Fabian in Jake Heggie’s If I Were You, and Rodolfo in La Bohème. After completing his Master’s of Music degree in the spring of 2022, Graham moved back to the Minneapolis area and became a member of the Minnesota Opera Chorus. Since joining Minnesota Opera, he has been involved in their productions of La Fille du Régiment and L’elisir d’Amore. In the spring of 2025, Graham will once again be in the chorus for their production of The Barber of Seville!
Lara Trujillo — Katie Shaw – Gilbert Cast
Lara dedicates her performance in this production to her mother, who passed away last month. Years ago, Lara shared the stage with her mother in several Gilbert and Sullivan productions, including The Mikado, and now has the pleasure of doing the same with her own daughter, Maya! 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. This is Lara’s fifteenth appearance with the GSVLOC, having performed in previous productions of Utopia, Limited, Iolanthe, The Yeomen of the Guard, The Sorcerer, Orpheus in the Underworld, Ruddigore, and two previous productions of The Mikado in the role of Katisha. She is immensely grateful to her husband, Stephen, and to her family and friends who continually offer her their love, support, and encouragement.
Deb Haas — Katie Shaw – Sullivan Cast
Cast as a pirate (and understudy to Ruth) in The Pirates of Penzance at the tender age of twelve (her voice was lower than most of the males her age), Deb was bitten by the G&S bug too early to deny its siren song. With “cat-like tread” she sought opportunities to express her inner battle-axe and was rewarded with the role of Katisha in the Saint Olaf College production of The Mikado. Deb spent the following years pursuing her noble ambition, portraying spinsterish longing and desperation on stages from the United Kingdom to the United States. This is her eleventh show with the GSVLOC.
Waldyn Benbenek — Pubagh – Gilbert Cast
Waldyn was introduced to Gilbert and Sullivan in a Catholic grade school production of H.M.S. Pinafore in which the scandalous swear word was “Darn-It”. He had never seen anything so amazing. Little was known of the “patter-chorus” syndrome at the time and treatment options were limited. Opting for “controlled use”, his parents made him bike the hills of western Massachusetts to find for D’Oyly Carte recordings. This allowed him to assume the appearance of a normal life long enough to sneak through college and emigrate to the Twin Cities at the dawn of the computer age. Hearing of secret meeting in a Kenwood basement (now demolished), he joined Dick Fishel, Dean Lawrence, and Charlotte Morrison in forming the GSVLOC. He has continued to serve the company as computer geek and performer lo these many years, though the father-figure roles take considerably less makeup than in the past. The most significant benefit of his time with the company has been meeting and marrying Dr. Mary Mescher Benbenek, and raising their children in an environment where art, theater, and music continue to be part of their lives. When one of their children was asked his father’s profession, he replied “opera singer.” When asked why he said that, he replied, “Well, I can’t tell them you’re a computer programmer. That’s too boring.”
Joe Allen — Pubagh – Sullivan Cast
Please enjoy the following corroborative details, intended to lend artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing biography. A veteran of Minnesota theatre and opera (Theatre Latte Da, Minnesota Opera, Full Circle Theatre, Lyric Arts, Duluth Playhouse, Fringe, et al.), Joe feels most at home in the GSVLOC. This is their eleventh main stage production with the company in a decade; starting with The Grand Duke (2014), he’s come almost all the way around the G&S zodiac. Like Pubagh, Joe has Scottish heritage, and mortifies his pride continually. While they don’t hold as many titles, life proves to be a constant reinvention and juggling of hats.
Delaney Downs — Pretty Jean – Gilbert Cast
Delaney is beyond thrilled to make her debut with the GSVLOC! A recent graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (Class of ’24), she has been active in a variety of productions. Her most recent role was Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with Drake Opera Theater. Other notable performances include Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. Additionally, Delaney sang with Des Moines Metro Opera as a chorister and covered the role of the Second Spirit in their 2022 production of Die Zauberflöte. She’s excited to continue performing in the Twin Cities!
Therese Kulas — Pretty Jean – Sullivan Cast
Therese is ecstatic to be back with the lads and lasses of the GSVLOC in the re-imagining of The Mikado as Pretty Jean. She holds a degree in vocal performance from the University of Mary – favorite roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Penny in Hairspray, and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. She is a past recipient of the Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. When not rehearsing or practicing her Scottish, Therese 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 by watching him play the French horn. Special thanks to the directors and creative staff for sharing their talents, Nick for the unending support, and Darin for helping me get my butt out there again. I miss you, friend!
Jeff Erickson — Pischtusch – Gilbert Cast
Jeff is honored to be returning for his seventh (eighth, if Ruddigore counts twice!) show with the GSVLOC, having most recently appeared in Utopia, Limited as Sir Bailey Barre. You may have also seen him in The Most Happy Fella, with Skylark Opera Theatre, and My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), with Morris Park Players. In his free time, Jeff enjoys singing (obviously), playing video games more than he should, playing the piano less than he should, watching terrible reality shows, and not using his Computer Science or French degrees in any way whatsoever. Jeff is also very flattered that you think he looks twenty-two.
Trevor Woggon — Pischtusch – Sullivan Cast
Trevor is thrilled to return to GSVLOC for his second production, playing the role of Pischtusch. 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 a chorus member in H.M.S Pinafore in fall 2023. Trevor currently studies voice with Metropolitan Opera alumnus, Dennis Petersen, and is a proud member of Twin Cities Musician’s Union Local 30-73.
Mallory Rabehl — Wee Jo – Gilbert Cast
Mallory is delighted to be returning for her fifth consecutive production with the GSVLOC, helping to breathe new life in this classic show. This company has become a true source of joy in her life. Mallory was first seen on the GSVLOC as Isabel in the 2022 The Pirates of Penzance, and most recently as Princess Natasha in the 2024 Utopia, Limited. A 2021 graduate from Concordia College in Moorhead, Mallory sang in the Concordia Choir for three years, serving as the Student Manager in her senior year. She studied Music and Business (Marketing) and has been lucky enough to start her career with the Minnesota Orchestra, currently serving as the Development Operations Specialist. She also manages the tour for the Concordia Chapel Choir and serves on the GSVLOC Board. Mallory is now doing a little bit of everything that she loves, and is grateful to collaborate with the high-caliber musicians of this cast.
Ella Rose Katzenberger — Wee Jo – Sullivan Cast
You just can’t keep her away! Ella Rose has snuck her way back into the GSVLOC with a slightly different silly, young lady role (this time without a tiara)! She has had the inestimable pleasure of gracing the Conn Theater thrice before in the GSVLOC’s The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore, and Utopia, Limited. Ella Rose has enjoyed getting to know the character of Wee Jo alongside the ever-talented Mallory Rabehl, as this is her first time being double cast. She extends her extreme gratitude and patience to her friends, family, cast, crew, directors, and audience who have made the busy schedule well worth the chaos. And of course, thank you to her husband for putting up with her princess method acting from her previous production, coupled with hours and hours (and even more hours) of absolutely awful, dreadful, and somewhat shameful, Scottish accents (even at the wee hours of the night) . Toi toi toi, and Wheeeee to The McAdo.
Scott Benson — The McAdo – Gilbert Cast
Scott started performing Gilbert & Sullivan operettas when he was a law student. The Georgetown Gilbert & Sullivan Society is the only Gilbert & Sullivan company with its own law school. Upon returning to Minneapolis thirty-four years ago, Scott joined the GSVLOC where he has appeared as Bunthorne in Patience, The Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe, Grand Duke Rudolph in The Grand Duke, the Mikado in The Mikado, King Gama in Princess Ida, and Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore. This will be his fourth time with this material having played Koko twice in other companies and the Mikado with the GSVLOC. Other of Scott’s favorite non-Gilbert & Sullivan roles include Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, the Governor in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and the King of Siam in The King and I. During the day, Scott practices law with the Briol & Benson firm in Minneapolis.
Scott A. Gorman — The McAdo – Sullivan Cast
This is Scott’s fourth show with the GSVLOC, and he is thrilled that they have not yet discovered his deep dark secret (that he is actually a closet “90 Day Fiancée” fan)! Recent roles include Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore (with the GSVLOC), Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance (with The GSVLOC), and Patsy in Spamalot! Scott currently works as a worship pastor, a voiceover and on-camera actor, as well as a freelancer in the digital marketing space. 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 the better part of his married life (his wife and four daughters), he now makes his home in the southwest suburbs, with his wife Valerie, and a tiny green ball of avian energy…a parakeet named Zipadee.
The Ensemble
Adam Arnold
Adam’s fondness for the world of Gilbert & Sullivan was kindled during hot summer nights performing with the College Light Opera Company along the shining seas of Cape Cod. Younger versions of him have additionally been spotted on additional stages, including at Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Umbrella Collective, The Phipps, Artistry, and Chanhassen Dinner Theaters. Enamored by the illimitable connections between theater and mental health, Adam spent eleven years as Founder and Artistic Director of Blank Slate Theatre, 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 began his The McAdo journey with a literal broken leg, and is beholden to Mr. Andrews and the GSVLOC for their patience in allowing him to heal and get his strength back while rehearsing this magical show.
John Azbill-Salisbury
John is delighted to be joining GSVLOC for the first time in this production of The McAdo. He lives in Minneapolis with his husband, Scott, and three very willful pets. Outside of rehearsal, John enjoys knitting, weekly RPG nights with his neighbors, and the occasional round of bridge. He would like to thank his grandmother, Ruth Salisbury for introducing him to Gilbert and Sullivan by taking him to a production of The Mikado, back in the days when Jim and Tammy Bakker were showing up on CoCo’s list, and his parents for always supporting his interest in the performing arts.
Mary Mescher Benbenek
Mary has performed with the GSVLOC intermittently for over forty years. This is her third production of The Mikado, but the first set in Scotland! She portrays a matriarch and former warrior lass. As the story unfolds, you will understand the Scottish phrase: “Whit’s fur ye’ll no go past ye!” (Whatever is meant to happen to you, will happen to you!)
Sarah Brickeen
Sarah is delighted to be a part of this revised production of The McAdo. She hopes that her Irish heritage won’t interfere too much with the Scottish setting … just don’t tell the McAdo about that “Brickeen Bridge” in Ireland … he might have her head! Anyways, Sarah has been involved with G&S for about two years now, with her previous show being Utopia, Limited, where she covered the role of Princess Natasha. She can also be seen performing around the Minneapolis area. Recently, Sarah was featured in Out of the Box Opera’s interactive production of Suor Angelica at the Basilica of St. Mary. Other roles include covering Lucinda in Journey North Opera Company’s Dark Sisters and starring as Nanetta in Opera Reading Project’s Falstaff. Roles performed outside of Minneapolis include Micaela in Carmen as well as Euridice in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, both while receiving her master’s in Vocal Performance at the University of Memphis. Sarah has also been a part of a few Summer music festivals, including FIO-Italia where she performed as Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and OperaWorks. While not performing, Sarah is usually dancing an Irish jig … WAIT ACTUALLY, she is typically a homebody, hanging out with her cat and brilliant pianist partner Brian Chan.
Justin Cervantes
Justin is excited to return to the GSVLOC and to perform in his third production with the company! He was last seen performing in the chorus and understudying the role of Mr. Goldbury in the March 2024 production of Utopia, Limited. In addition to performing with GSVLOC, his most recent acting credit was with Teatro Del Pueblo performing as Paris in the Romeo and Juliet adaptation Love In A Time of Hate. Just last month in October he was haunting riders on the Haunted History Trolley Tour hosted by Zephyr Theatre. A couple of his favorite roles were performing as Pablo Picasso in Picasso at the Lapin Agile with the Chameleon Theatre Circle, Pablo del Valle in Native Gardens with the Northfield Arts Guild, and Hasler/Pop in The Pajama Game with Artistry. Justin serves as the Board Chair of CLIMB Theatre, which is where his professional theatre career began after graduating from Wartburg College and moving to Minneapolis ten years ago. He is also a proud member of the Apollo Male Chorus of Minneapolis. Special thanks to his fiancé, Adriana, and his family for all of their love and support!
Kelly Danger
Kelly lives with her two spectacular daughters, and three predictably enigmatic felines in New Brighton. Yes, her last name really is Danger, and no, she is not a superhero, nor villain. This is Kelly’s fifth (and a half) appearance with the GSVLOC, and she is honored to be reprising her recurring portrayal of Third Soprano on the Left from the 2019 production of The New Mikado, the tragically truncated 2020 production of Ruddigore, the remounted production of Ruddigore in 2022, and 2023’s The Sorcerer. Other roles of note include, Mrs. Blushington from 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 Laura’s grandmother’s fur coat which was amazing, even though she still sort of feels bad for all those mink). 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.
Theresa Drexler
Theresa is happy to return to the GSVLOC in her third production, after previously appearing in The Pirates of Penzance (2022), and The Sorcerer (2023). She is a Twin Cities-based actor and director who’s worked with many theatre companies in the metro. Recent acting credits include: Urinetown (Lakeshore Players Theatre), Fearless Five: Time (Fearless Comedy Productions), and The Three Musketeers (Lakeshore Players Theatre). Recent directing credits include: Martians! The Musical Invasion (Associate Director – The Hive Collaborative), and workshops of Henry IV Pt. 1 and Henry V (Bethel University Humanities Program). Theresa is also a Cast Member through Occasions With Character, LLC, and a House Manager at Lyric Arts. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Bethel University. Theresa would like to thank her family, friends, and God, as well as the audience for their continued support of live theatre! Up next, she will be directing an epic audio adaptation of Dracula through SPRQ Media! Coming Spring 2025.
Mitch Engel
Mitchell has been performing on stage for a decade and could not be prouder to be in The McAdo for his tenth-year production. 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 family, his amazing sister Maddie, and his three best friends Jack, Jo, and GiGi for continuing to support his passion for theatre.
Maya Gitch
Maya is excited to return to the GSVLOC stage after her last appearance with the company as an elementary schooler in their productions of The Sorcerer and Princess Ida. Although she has not been on the GSVLOC stage since 2010, you have heard her playing violin in the GSLVOC’s pit orchestra in most of their productions over the past six years. Maya has also recently been seen in Fiddler on the Roof (Chaska Valley Family Theater), In the Heights and Crazy for You (Edina High School). She is thrilled to be able to share the stage with her mom (Lara Trujillo) her stepfather (Stephen Hage), her partner (Mike Tober), and her baby brother (Liam Hage) operating the spotlight! The Mikado holds a special place in Maya’s heart since recently discovering that both of her grandmothers had been in their own productions of the show at various times. With that in mind, Maya would like to dedicate this performance to them, both of whom passed away earlier this year.
Jakob Gomez
Jakob is so excited to be tagging along for another GSVLOC adventure! Kilts and the Scottish brogue have always been a passion, and now it comes to life! 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 Colin, Sean, and Jera, for their warm words and soft hugs.
Mary Gregory
The GSVLOC has been Mary’s artistic family for thirty-five years. This is the fourth time Mary will perform The Mikado on stage at the Conn Theater. Plus, Mary sang the role of Pitti-Sing in Rochester, Minnesota before moving to the Twin Cities. Each production, indeed each performance, has been different because of direction, combination of cast and production staff, and concept for the show. This production set in the town of Ballydew, Scotland, certainly brings a fresh perspective to the show! From bagpipes to tartan, Mary hopes you enjoy this show as she is certainly having a grand time! When not on stage, Mary quilts, gardens, raises butterflies, reads, hikes, and plays with her two beautiful grandchildren! “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis
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-sixth 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.
Shawn Holt
This is Shawn Holt’s seventeenth year with the GSVLOC. She is thrilled to be a Matriarch Warrior and allowed to play with a knife in the show! There is no need to worry however, as the knife is rubber. So, if you see a knife bouncing around on stage it’s probably hers. Shawn lives in Shoreview with her husband, college senior daughter and their cat, Shadow. She hopes you enjoy the show.
Trenton Johnson
Trenton is excited to be in The McAdo with the GSVLOC. He is excited to help the group bring this new adaptation to life while enjoying the music and the characters throughout that process. Trenton has enjoyed cheering on all of the very talented principals and has cherished the opportunities to strengthen current relationships within the cast while also meeting cast members new to the company. In addition, this is the first production in which he sang some of the principal repertoire beforehand at the Minnesota State Fair, which has only added to his immense respect for the cast members appearing in principal roles. This will be Trenton’s fourth production overall, and third consecutive appearance with the GSVLOC. When not on stage, he teaches mathematics either at Mathnasium or in a local school. In his free time, Trenton enjoys reading, playing any type of game, or making music, whether singing or playing piano.
Dean Laurance
Dean just turned ninety, which makes him the oldest performer in GSVLOC history. The reason he returned for The McAdo is he was invited to be in the show by Joe, our Director. Unless he gets invited to perform by a future director, which is highly unlikely, this will finally be his last show. He has no problem retiring from the GSVLOC. He has done it several times.
Eric Pasternack
In real life, Eric is a retired petrophysicist. Nobody knows what a petrophysicist is, so he does other more recognizable things for fun, such as singing the second tenor part in the GSVLOC chorus and doing whatever the director tells him to do on stage. Eric’s first G&S experience was in 1963 as Jack Point in 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. (Note for the curious: a petrophysicist evaluates data from oil and gas wells to determine how much oil and gas is in the surrounding rock. A very narrow specialty, especially given that most wells are about 8 inches in diameter. Now you know).
Leo Andre Proctor
Leo is a second-generation GSVLOC chorus member and nepo baby. His father, Jonathan, sang in the chorus of the GSVLOC’s 2003 production of The Grand Duke, 2005 production of The Gondoliers, and several summer concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Leo was subjected to all of these, sometimes multiple times, and these and other of his father’s impositions left deep and lasting psychological scars – an obsession with Gilbert and Sullivan chief among them. Now he is making the most of things and is grateful and delighted to make his first real foray into the theatre world with the GSVLOC and The McAdo, The Mikado being his favorite of all the Savoy operas.
Mike Tober
Mike is thrilled to make his GSVLOC debut in The McAdo! He is an Actor, Director, Musician and Comedian in the Twin Cities and 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, Chaska Valley Family Theater, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Chameleon Theatre, Theatre In The Round, Lakeshore Players Theatre, Classical Actors Ensemble, The Phipps Center for the Arts, Actors Theater of Minnesota, Glowing Ember Theatre, & A.Y.N.E. Productions. Notable credits include: (as Actor) Robert/ Max/ Jonathan U.S. in The Play That Goes Wrong, JD in Escape To Margaritaville (Old Log Theater); Motel in Fiddler on the Roof (Chaska Valley Family Theater); Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, Lysander/Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Don John in Much Ado About Nothing (Classical Actors Ensemble); Anitipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, Damis in The Metromaniacs (Theatre In The Round); The Squip in Be More Chill (Minneapolis Musical Theatre); Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde The Musical (Paul Bunyan Playhouse); and 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 share the stage with this incredible cast and is especially grateful to perform alongside his ever so lovely partner, Maya Gitch.
Angela Walberg
Angela is happy to return to GSVLOC after making her debut in Utopia, Limited. She has been seen in various companies such as The Ordway, Skylark Opera, Artistry, Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis Music Theatre, Really Spicy Opera, The Zephyr Theatre and Theatre Coup D’Etat. Favorite past roles include Lily in The Secret Garden, Mother in Ragtime, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Sharon in Master Class, Petra in A Little Night Music, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot!, Rapunzel in Into the Woods and Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. Angela has also been seen in local commercials and even produces theatre from time to time! You may also catch her at a baseball game as she is frequently a National Anthem singer for The Saint Paul Saints Baseball team! Thank you for supporting the arts!
Natalie Wishcop
The McAdo is Natalie’s debut with the GSVLOC! And wow, can you even ask for a better first GSVLOC show? She graduated with honors from Bethany Lutheran College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with an emphasis in Vocal Performance and Conducting. Natalie is a singer for the Minnesota Chorale since 2019 and performs regularly with the Minnesota Orchestra. Through her work with the Orchestra, she has been a part of two albums for Osmo Vanka’s Mahler Recording Project: Symphony No. 3 and No. 8. Natalie’s most memorable theater roles include Kate/Lily Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate, Marian Paroo in Music Man, Laurey Williams in Oklahoma! and Jean McLauren in Brigadoon. In the summer, she teaches voice and keys at Shell Lake Arts Center’s Rock Band Camp in Shell Lake, Wisconsin and currently teaches elementary and middle school band at King of Grace Lutheran School in Golden Valley. Natalie enjoys ice skating, coffee and of course listening to Johann Sabastian Bach at all times of the day.
Bill Zadra
“Can you sing too?” That is the question posed to Bill by Randy when he was being courted to play bagpipes for the GSVLOC’s production of The McAdo. This has led to him being cast in a double role as ensemble and instrumentalist, in not only his first appearance with this company, but his first participation in any stage production entirely. As a member of the Minneapolis bagpipe community for the last twenty years, Bill has had the privilege of playing and competing all over the United States, as well as in Scotland. He can also often be found in the wine bars and speakeasy’s of the North Metro, singing and playing his ukulele, in a vintage inspired act, to the songs of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.
