Directed by Molly Claassen
Music Direction by Rachel Woods
Assistant Music Direction by Bradley Wyner
Choreography by Kristin Netzband
Stage Managed by Whitney Miller
Costume Design by Jenniver Sparano
Special Effects Design by Patrick Ciamacco, Noah Hrbek, & PJ Toomey
Set Design by Patrick Ciamacco
Lighting Design by Patrick Ciamacco & Brad Hughes
Sound Design by Richard B. Ingraham
Sound Operation by Anthony Newman
CAST/STAFF
Leslie Andrews (Mayor Babs Belgoody/Ma Ferd/Nun) is oozing with joy to be returning to Blank Canvas Theatre with such a talented cast and crew! Ms. Andrews was most recently seen at BCT in Little Miss Sunshine (Linda/ Miss California). Favorite credits include roles in City of Angels (Gabby/Bobbi), Young Frankenstein (Inga), Lend Me a Tenor (Diana), and Jerry Springer: The Opera (Zandra/Irene/Mary) at Beck Center, and Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical (Debbie) and High Fidelity (Laura) at BCT. Leslie would like to thank Molly and Patrick for bringing her along for this awesome ride. She is forever grateful for the love and support of her family, especially the guy with the messed-up face.
Patrick Ciamacco (The Toxic Avenger) is no stranger to playing large, green, misunderstood characters, having played Shrek in the Cleveland premiere of Shrek the Musical at Mercury Theatre Company and again at Near West Theatre. Past Blank Canvas Theatre shows include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd), Jekyll & Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde), The Wild Party (Burrs), Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie), High Fidelity (Barry), and Of Mice and Men (Lennie). Other professional credits include Beck Center’s Jerry Springer: The Opera (Dwight/ God) , … Spelling Bee (William Barfee), and Evil Dead - The Musical (Jake). His experience also includes Playhouse Square's We Gotta Bingo (Bucky Fuller), a musical version of The Nutcracker at The Cleveland Play House, and Playhouse Square's two and a half year run of Tony & Tina's Wedding. Patrick sends thanks to his Mom, Frank, his brothers, Jonathan, Ludo, Luna, and especially Becca, for her continued support and love. He dedicates his performance to the person sitting in the third row, fifth seat from the left. Pick up your trash!
Noah Hrbek (White Dude) finds it a joy it is to be a part of this Tromarrific experience! Noah was last seen on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage in the equally straight-faced drama Cannibal! The Musical (Alferd Packer) last October. He has kept busy offstage in the interim, creating animations and puppets for Avenue Q (BCT), a painting for Art (BCT), and scenic painting for The Bridges of Madison County (Western Reserve Playhouse) and Little Miss Sunshine (BCT). He is thrilled to be getting weird and wild with this wonderful group of people! Now, sit back and enjoy this legendary tale of love, community, and the endurance of the human spirit.
Madeline Krucek (Sarah) is delighted to return to Blank Canvas Theatre, doing what she loves with such a gooey show and stunning group of friends [insert clip of “Toxic” by Britney Spears here]. Her most memorable performances include Heathers: The Musical (Veronica Sawyer) at Beck Center for the Arts, Bonnie & Clyde (Bonnie Parker) at Cassidy Theatre, Cabaret (Rosie/Gorilla) at BCT, and RENT (Mimi Marquez) at Tri-C West Theatre. Having graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a Theatre: Acting and Directing degree, she finds balancing jobs, lessons, training, and performing is pretty hectic. But, she has endless adoration and gratitude for all of her loving family and friends as they support her to their fullest in her pursuits.
Pat Miller (Melvin) is grateful for this opportunity to return to Blank Canvas Theatre after getting married, starting a new job, and becoming a dad since his last appearance here. Favorite credits include Bat Boy: The Musical (Bat Boy; Cleveland Critics Circle – Best Actor in a Musical; SCENE Magazine – Best Actor) at BCT, Monty Python's SPAMALOT (Patsy; News–Herald – Best Actor in a Musical) at Beck Center, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame(Quasimodo) at Near West Theatre. He also designs the Blank Canvas Theatre season logos. Pat sends love to his wife, Tina, and his baby boy, Henry. trickmiller.com
Sydney Smith (Black Dudette) is extremely excited to be involved in her first production with Blank Canvas Theatre! She will be playing Black Dudette in tonight’s production. She is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a B.A. in Theatre, and was last seen on stage in 1776 (Dr. Josiah Bartlett) at Near West Theatre. Some of her other credits include Hairspray (Ensemble/ Motormouth u/s), Venus (Mother-Showman), Harriet Tubman Visits a Therapist (Harriet Tubman), and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). She would like to thank this extremely talented cast and crew for making this such a great experience, and her family and friends for their constant support.
Molly Claassen (Director) is currently Assistant Professor of Directing at Columbus State University. She earned her M.F.A. in directing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her B.A. in Theatre, math minor, and teaching certification for theatre from Baldwin Wallace University. She is an associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a member of SDC’s Observership Pool 2010-2012, recipient of the Fredric March Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre in 2010 and 2011, and recipient of The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Meritorious Achievement Award for Excellence in Direction of The Wedding Singer, The Rocky Horror Show, and The Children’s Hour. She previously resided in New York City where she specialized in developing new works at such theatres as Theatre Row Studio, The Duplex, The Barrow Group, Manhattan Repertory Theatre, and The Gene Frankel Theatre. Regionally, she assistant directed at The Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, and The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. As a performer, she has toured the country with Chamber Theatre Productions and Arts Power, and spent 12 consecutive summers performing with Mercury Summer Stock.
Brad Hughes (Co-Lighting Design) is ecstatic to be involved with Blank Canvas Theatre and the Cleveland theatre community. His lighting design credits include assistant designer for Kiss of the Spider Woman, and designer for Art and Little Miss Sunshine (BCT), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Chicago (both at The CWRU Footlighters). Thanks to Patrick and Whitney for bringing me back into the theatre scene and for helping me find the long-missing puzzle piece of my heart, live theatre.
Richard B. Ingraham (Sound Designer) Richard is excited to return to Blank Canvas Theatre as the Sound Designer for The Toxic Avenger. A freelance Sound Designer and AV Systems Designer for Charcoalblue, Richard has worked at numerous theatres, schools, and attractions in the Cleveland area and throughout the U.S., including Ashland University, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin Wallace University, Cain Park, Carnegie Mellon University, Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy, The Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland State University, Dobama Theatre, The University of Evansville, Great Lakes Theater, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, Oberlin College, Playhouse Square, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. He has also worked as a consultant to award-winning software companies that create products for live event production including Stage Research and Richmond Sound Design.
Whitney Miller (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre, doing what she loves. Some of her favorite past shows include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Stage Manager), Dogfight (Stage Manager), Songs for a New World (Stage Manager), The Last Five Years (Lighting Designer), Avenue Q (Stage Manager) and Kiss of the Spider Woman (Stage Manager). Whitney attended Case Western Reserve University for chemical engineering, but spent most of her time with The CWRU Footlighters. She would like to thank her cat for being patient and understanding with her busy schedule. Here's to so many more!
Anthony Newman (Sound Operator) is a writer, actor, and director who has lived in the Cleveland area his whole life. He has worked at Blank Canvas Theatre as sound engineer for three years. He holds a B.A. in Theatre and English from Case Western Reserve University, and studied classical acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London for a semester. Some of his previous acting credits include BCT’s The Bigfoot Letters (Cubby/Murphy) and Rubber City Theatre’s Julius Caesar (Casca) and Cymbeline (Pisanio). In 2018, BCT produced Is This Entertainment?! as part of the Factory Series, the first professional production of a play he has written.
Rachel Woods (Music Director) is gleeful to finally be music directing at Blank Canvas Theatre. She's been involved in multiple productions as a musician since Bat Boy: The Musical in 2015 and even made a rare appearance on stage in the 2017 production of Urinetown: The Musical. When not enjoying the best popcorn in town, she can be found playing productions at Cain Park, Lakeland Civic Theatre, and other theaters around Cleveland. Many thanks to Molly, Patrick, and Brad, as well as the cast, crew, and pit. Rachel wouldn't be here without the love and support of her husband, Tim.
Bradley Wyner (Assistant Music Director) has worked on the Blank Canvas Theatre productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Hair. He has served as music director at Cleveland Public Theater, Cleveland Play House, Kalliope Stage, and many others. He is also proud of his many years in educational theater; former students have gone on to become exceptional teachers, journalists, leaders of non-profits, and actors on stages from BCT to Broadway. As a singer/rock pianist, Brad spent a year in New York performing with Piano Loco: The Rock’n’Roll Dueling Piano Show, and currently plays keyboards for Diamond Dogs: The Sound and Vision of David Bowie. Teaching music and arts for diverse groups has led to a second career as a dual diagnosis specialist for people with autism, mental health issues, and developmental disabilities.
Jenniver Sparano (Costume Designer) has designed (and laundered) costumes for numerous Blank Canvas Theatre musicals and plays, beginning with the premiere production of The Texas Chainsaw Musical! and continuing through the recent Little Miss Sunshine. Elsewhere, her designs have been seen at Beck Center, Clague Playhouse, Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, convergence-continuum, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, the Pickwick & Frolic Cabaret Stage, and Quicken Loans Arena Rocket Mortgage Field House. In addition to her costume work, she is proud to co-produce an annual musical to benefit the AIDS Taskforce and CANAPI (this year on August 19 at Cassidy Theatre). A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, she also studied in Paris and is employed by KeyBank.