Directed by Patrick Ciamacco
Music Direction by Bryan Bird
Stage Managed by Cass Penegor
Set and Light Design by Patrick Ciamacco
CAST/STAFF/BAND
Maggie Adler (Ensemble) will forever be thankful for Blank Canvas Theatre and Patrick Ciamacco! In 2014, Pat cast Maggie in High Fidelity, her first professional theatre production. That show changed her life, making her feel seen and valued in a world where she felt invisible. And it still does: ten years later, Pat still believes in Maggie, again, when she needed it most. The theatre world – and the world in general -- can be really competitive and sh*tty sometimes. It feels different here at BCT, where the atmosphere builds confidence and makes people feel a part of something special. When Maggie becomes a billionaire (very soon), she looks forward to giving back to this place that has given her so much.
Liz Baumgartner (Heather) is a big fan of Blank Canvas Theatre! She was the choreographer for The SpongeBob Musical and Groundhog Day, as well as occasionally contributing as the photographer for various productions! She is excited to get a chance to perform this time around!
Troian Butler (Tunny) is so happy to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre after praising the Lord in Altar Boyz in December, 2024! He is so grateful to BCT for fostering such a collaborative and driven theatre community, and hopes to keep eating popcorn and singing songs with this awesome theatre for shows to come.
Alicia Diamond (Extraordinary Girl) is thrilled to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage. She made her debut at BCT as Lulu in the 2021 production of Cabaret. She was last seen as The Mayor in the Cleveland premiere of The SpongeBob Musical. Alicia loves working at BCT because it feels like a second family. She would like to thank Patrick and everyone with whom she has worked at this wonderful theatre for keeping her passion alive.
Trey Gilpin (Ensemble) was too old when he did this show ten years ago; now it's just plain sad. But thank you for indulging him. You may recognize him from Blank Canvas Theatre productions such as Groundhog Day (Ralph), Avenue Q (Nicky), Urinetown The Musical (Harry), Silence! The Musical (Dr. Chilton), Reefer Madness (Ralph), Hair (Woof), and 12 Angry Men (#4). Thank you for coming to support his home away from home. He truly hopes you have the time of your life.
Noah Hrbek (Ensemble) is excited to be involved in this year’s Blank Canvas Theatre benefit, and to be singing alongside such an incredible group of performers! He was last seen on stage as Orin/others in Little Shop of Horrors. He has also does production art for many BCT productions and hangs out with his amazing daughter, Lydia. Huge thanks to everyone coming out to support BCT! Enjoy the show!
Michael Knobloch (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing in American Idiot with a host of talented Blank Canvas Theatre veterans. Michael has had the pleasure of performing in both the 2016 and 2021 productions of Cabaret as Victor/Max and he also played Homer Collins in Floyd Collins to kick off Blank Canvas Theater's 2017 season. Additionally, was part of the cast of the A New Hope Concert in 2021 and the Chess Benefit Show in 2017. He loves the art that Blank Canvas Theatre produces and is so grateful to you for supporting BCT and live theatre!
Kate Leigh Michalski (St. Jimmy) is thrilled, as always, to be back here at Blank Canvas Theatre! She has been seen here over the years in The Texas Chainsaw Musical! (x3), We Will Rock You, Evil Dead - The Musical, Godspell, Hair, Reefer Madness, High Fidelity, Triassic Parq, Avenue Q, Yippee Ki-Yay Merry Christmas! A Die Hard Musical Parody, The SpongeBob Musical, The Last Starfighter, Leap of Faith, and Zombie Prom. If she's not on stage, she might be pushing buttons in the booth or handing you your tickets. BCT is one of her favorite places to be with so many of her favorite people! "Thanks" is not enough to give to Patrick for creating this place.
Pat Miller (Will) is an original cast member of The Texas Chainsaw Musical! (Groovy Teen), the very first production at Blank Canvas Theatre. He later appeared in Bat Boy: The Musical (Bat Boy), which garnered him “Best Actor in a Musical” awards from the Cleveland Critics Circle and SCENE Magazine. Pat’s other BCT credits include American Psycho (Paul Owen), Spring Awakening (Hanschen), The Who’s TOMMY (Cousin Kevin), and High Fidelity (Dick). He loves rock musicals, okay!? trickmiller.com
Cameron Olin (Whatshername) is so excited to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre with this all-star cast. Recently, you may have seen her on the BCT stage in The Crucible as Mercy Lewis/Abigail Williams understudy. Cameron hopes you have as much fun in the audience as she does on stage here at BCT. She is incredibly grateful for all of the love and support from her wonderful friends and family, without whom she would not be where she is today! JPO <3
River Onwudinjo (Favorite Son/Ensemble) is overjoyed to be back for the second time at Blank Canvas Theatre. You might recognize him from his BCT debut as Juan in Altar Boyz! Residing in Lakewood, Ohio, River is thrilled to be a part of the benefit concert and as a self-proclaimed "proud millennial,", he absolutely loves Green Day and cannot wait to sing for you all this evening.
Aaron Phillips (Ensemble) thanks YOU for investing in this awesome theatre community. Your presence shows you care about BCT and what Pat's doing as much as everyone who works here does. You'll mostly find Aaron opening the door for you as House Manager, selling you drinks and popcorn, or in the back room wielding a trombone in a pit orchestra. He did have a blast performing in Zombie Prom, should you start to think his involvement tonight is evidence of Pat’s scraping the bottom of the performer barrel. Aaron is just pleased to get to sing and hang with such great people, especially alongside his wife.
Venchise Phillips (Ensemble) is excited to be return to the Blank Canvas Theatre stage. Since 2014, Venchise has been involved in 26 different BCT productions, both on and offstage! She has been seen on the stage in The Crucible (Tituba), Zombie Prom (Ramona), comma (Nurse), and in the most recent Laughter League show. Behind the scenes, Venchise has served as Stage Manager for BCT's productions of The 39 Steps, Glengarry Glen Ross, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Fissures of Men, Of Mice and Men, and The Laughter League. Venchise has also been involved in other offstage roles at BCT: as the Assistant Stage Manager for The Texas Chainsaw Musical!, Sound Operator for The Wild Party and Cabaret, Prop Designer for One Man, Two Guvnors, and one of the Costume Designer team for The Last Starfighter. Endless thanks to Patrick for always providing a stage to call home. Love to Aaron, now and for always. Enjoy the show!
Sullivan Ratcliff (Ensemble) is delighted to once again return to the Blank Canvas Theatre stage for his first ever benefit concert performance. One of his favorite past roles was Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher here at BCT; you may also have seen him on this stage in Rocky, American Psycho, and Groundhog Day. He would like to thank Abbey Marshall, Wilder Rigel and his mother, Gretchen, for support and encouragement.
Danny Simpson (Johnny) was recently seen as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day last season, and is super-happy to be back for this season's benefit show with new and familiar friends. Blank Canvas Theatre has always been a home away from home for Danny, and he is very happy and thankful for the opportunity to sing some awesome songs to help out one of his favorite places to perform. Please consider donating and becoming a season pass holder, and thank you for supporting live theatre.
Bryan Bird (Music Director/Keyboard) is a Cleveland area pianist, organist, music director, and sometime actor. Although his only “official” performance with Blank Canvas Theatre was for the 2013 benefit Merrily We Roll Along, he has served as an occasional substitute music director. The quirky, intimate theatre space and high-quality talent has made him a faithful attendee of numerous shows year after year, and he’s excited to team up with this amazing cast and band to bring you a show he never thought he would music direct once, let alone twice. Thank you for supporting local theatre!
Patrick Ciamacco (Director) is thrilled to work with so many talented and amazing people! Without them -- and YOU -- this place would not exist. Patrick is the Artistic Director and founder of Blank Canvas Theatre. Every day when he walks into this place, he feels like the luckiest man alive! Patrick sends thanks to all those who believe in him, this theater, and dedicates this show to the person sitting in the third row, fifth seat from the left
Cass Penegor (Stage Manager) is excited to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre, after stage managing BCT’s productions Leap of Faith and Zombie Prom. When not grooving up in the light booth, Cass can be found volunteering with auditions or in the audience seats enjoying a show! BCT has become a home for Cass, a place that always feels warm and welcoming. Cass thanks Pat and BCT for this opportunity, as well as mom, partner, and friends for all of the love and support! Enjoy the show!
Hannah Benjamin (Cello) is a proud marathon musician for Blank Canvas Theatre whose credits include Cabaret, Spring Awakening, The SpongeBob Musical, The Last Starfighter, Leap of Faith, and Rocky. Having played cello for nearly 50 musical theatre productions throughout Greater Cleveland, including a recent national tour, Hannah attributes her insatiable appetite for musicals to the life-long friendships and masterful collaborations the BCT family is known for creating, and she’s thrilled to return for her third benefit concert.
Ryan Detwiler (Violin) is excited to get punked with the pit at another show with Blank Canvas Theatre! Some of his favorite past productions to be a part of include Cabaret, The SpongeBob Musical, and Leap of Faith. He’s also active at other theatres across Northeastern Ohio, has taught lessons at Westlake Music Academy since 2023, and is happy to have found a community of friends at BCT!
Jesse Hodgson (Guitar) is thrilled to be back at it at Blank Canvas Theatre as a musician. Previous BCT credits include The Who’s TOMMY, The Texas Chainsaw Musical! and Cabaret. Jesse absolutely loved sharing laughs with friends at Groundhog Day, Little Shop of Horrors, and Altar Boyz last season and cannot wait for this upcoming 2025 season!
Michael Simile (Guitar) first played at Blank Canvas in summer of 2022 with Spring Awakening and Spongebob Squarepants The Musical. Since then, he has also played for Zombie Prom and Little Shop of Horrors. Michael has a background in rock and metal, but the Blank Canvas community has played a huge role in teaching him that music theater is something he really enjoys, and nowadays he's just glad to be here. Thanks to everyone who continues to show up and make these productions possible.
Jason Stebelton (Bass) is excited to return to Blank Canvas Theatre! His start with BCT goes back to 2015, when he was asked to play the raunchy dinosaur musical, Triassic Parq. Over 25 BCT productions later, Jason is immensely grateful to Patrick and all of the BCT family to be part of the some of the most unique and exciting theatre in Cleveland. Enjoy the show!
Jaiden Willis (Drums) first played drums at Blank Canvas Theatre as a member of The Fishmongers, a fictional band in the British farce One Man Two Guvnors in 2022. After that you may have heard him drumming for Zombie Prom, Rocky, and Groundhog Day