'Falsettos' by William Finn & James Lapine Cast

Andy Friedland (Marvin), he/him, is a Connecticut native and Hartford High School Humanities Teacher who is thrilled to be making his debut at FUSE before moving to Portland, Oregon a week after this show closes! Previous roles in CT include “Rent” (Mark Cohen), “Picasso at the Lapine Agile” (Pablo Picasso), and “The Rocky Horror Show” (Brad Majors). Thank you to the FUSE cast/creative team for this incredible opportunity, challenge and fun. Thank you to Sarah and my whole family for always being my number one fans.

Johanna Milani (Trina), she/her, is honored to be making her FUSE Theatre debut in such an amazing and powerful production. Johanna is a singer and actor based out of CT. She has her BA in theatre from Ashland University (Ashland, OH), and her MAT in English Education from CCSU (New Britain, CT). Some of her past credits include: “Mary Poppins” (Mary Poppins), “Beauty and the Beast” (Belle), “Shrek” (Fiona), “Hairspray” (Tracy Turnblad), “Into the Woods” (Baker's Wife), “Spamalot” (Lady of the Lake), “Young Frankenstein” (Inga), “The Addams Family” (Morticia), and “Pirates of Penzance” (Mabel). Johanna spends her days as a SAHM, as well as the owner of her small handmade business, Songbird Creative Designs. She would like to thank Lara and all of Fuse for the opportunity to perform with such an incredible group. As always, her performance is dedicated to her two wonderful children, Emilio and Luca, as well as her amazing husband, Tullio.

Noah Golden (Mendel), he/him, is thrilled to be back on stage after a six year hiatus in such a beautiful, impactful show. The child of two neurotic, Jewish mental health professionals, Noah has been preparing for this role all his life. Favorite roles include “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (William Barfée), “Man of La Mancha” (Sancho Panza), and “Trestle At Pope Lick Creek” (Chas). For FUSE, Noah directed Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs For A New World” (which is currently available to stream at FuseTheatreCT.org), produced “Lost Girl” and “All Together Now!,” as well as edited and co-conceived their film, “A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Rewired Musical,” which won Best Feature Length Comedy at the 2022 Legacy Film Festival. He has also worked behind the scenes with Legacy Theater, The Orange Players, A Shared Stage, Meriden Youth Theater, Eastbound Theatre, Vintage Soul Productions and Long Wharf Theatre. During the day, Noah is a video producer for Yale School of Medicine. Gratitude to this wonderful cast and crew, FUSE, Bregamos, his family, and all of you for coming out to see it. “The highest form of wisdom is kindness.” – Talmud

Daniel Sbriglio (Whizzer), he/they. is an actor, singer and creator living in West Haven, CT. A founding member of the New York based Bluebird Theatre Company, Daniel graduated from the Atlantic Acting School’s Full-time Conservatory and the University of Minnesota’s Theater Arts program. His recent credits include “Xanadu” (Sonny Malone) at Center Stage Theatre, “Newsies” (Jack Kelly) at the Connecticut Performing Arts Center and “A Little Less Than Kind: A Genderbent Hamlet Adaptation” (Harry) with Bluebird Theatre Company. He currently serves as Bluebird’s Development Director and the social media coordinator at Ryders Health Management.

Preston Ottaviano (Jason), he/him, is a sixth grader from Guilford. He is thrilled to be joining the company of Falsettos. Preston recently starred as Charlie Bucket in Broadway on Main Theatre Company’s “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” alongside his fellow Jasons Graeme and Luke, as well as “Falsettos” director Lara Morton. Previous shows include “Alice in Wonderland,” “Addams Family,” and “Frozen, Jr.” Preston loves listening to music, playing the drums, and serving as Emotional Support Hugger to pretty much everyone he meets. He would like to thank his family for their love and support, especially his beloved englishdoodle Winter and his oripei Winston. Preston will be performing the role of Jason at the following performances: 6/3 7:30 p.m. 6/10 3:00 p.m. 6/11 3:00 p.m.

Graeme Kennedy (Jason), he/him, is a 4th grader from Madison and is participating in his first FUSE Theatre of CT production. Previous shows include “Willy Wonka,” “Madagascar Jr.,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Frozen Jr.,” “The Lion King Kids,” and numerous cabarets. Graeme loves all things Broadway, playing piano and singing in the car with his mom. He would like to thank his family, friends and NHAOPA teachers. He is thrilled to be sharing the stage with such a talented group of people! Graeme will be performing the role of Jason (Act I) at the following performances: 6/4 3:00 p.m. 6/9 7:30 p.m. 6/10 7:30 p.m.

Luke Cashman (Jason), he/him, is a 6th grader at Baldwin Middle School in Guilford. He realized his love of theater last summer at New Haven Academy Of Performing Arts where he was given the opportunity to “Move It, Move It” as Maurice, King Julien’s assistant, in “Madagascar Jr.” His most recent production was “Willy Wonka” (Augustus Gloop” with Broadway On Main Theatre Company. Luke enjoys sharing his love of the arts by volunteering as an assistant for the drama club at his former elementary school, taking voice lessons with Mr. Edwin at NHAOPA, and is a proud big brother to his three little sisters and newborn baby brother. Luke will be performing the role of Jason (Act II) at the following performances: 6/4 at 3:00 6/9 at 7:30 6/10 at 7:30

Jonna Capone (Charlotte), she/her. After spending the last six years in Manhattan performing, Jonna is overjoyed to be returning to the stage as Dr. Charlotte, since moving to Connecticut in 2019. Jonna has been blessed to work with some incredible companies in the past but this is her first time performing theater in CT as well as with Fuse Theatre. Her recent projects have been in commercials and TV/Film including two national commercials as well as nationwide modeling ads but Jonna’s first love has always been theater. Some of her most notable roles include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Rona Lisa Peretti) “Carousel” (Nettie Fowler), “Annie Get Your Gun” (Dolly), and “Les Miserables” (Fantine). She couldn’t be more excited to be performing this truly important piece especially now and hopes the audience will truly take away something special. She looks forward to performing more in CT and working with Fuse in the future. Jonna wants to thank all of those involved in this production for their talent. hard work and for making her fall in love with theater all over again. She also wants to thank her wonderfully supportive partner in crime Nathan for following her through this wild, and beautiful  journey. Jonna will be performing the role of Dr. Charlotte at the following performances: 6/3 at 7:30 6/10 at 7:30 6/11 at 3:00

Kate Stango (Dr. Charlotte/Female Swing), she/her, is ecstatic to be making her FUSE debut in one of her all-time favorite shows! She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she now employed as an Admissions Officer. Some of her favorite roles include Shoreline Theatre Company’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, Suffield Players’ “Almost, Maine” (Marvalyn/Hope), and UConn Page To Stage’s “Cabaret” (Fraulein Schneider). She would like to thank everyone involved with this production for being so welcoming, her partner Sam for his everlasting support, and her sister Lauren for driving her to see the pro-shot of the Falsettos revival in theaters six years ago and for singing along to all the songs with her ever since. Welcome to Falsettoland! Kate will be portraying the role of Dr. Charlotte at the following performances: 6/4 at 3:00 6/9 at 7:30 6/10 at 3:00

Ronnie McLaren (Cordelia), she/they, recently moved to Connecticut from Houston, Texas to finish her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Theater has always been her first love and she recently performed in her 100th show since she got her start in 4th grade! Favorites include “Zombie Prom” (Candy), “Little Women” (Meg) and “The Last Five Years” (Cathy). She is looking forward to the next 100 shows and is thrilled to get started on them in Connecticut, at FUSE Theater, and with such a meaningful show and lovely group of people.

Elvin Melendez (Male Swing), he/him, is an unsigned artist and active singer in his community. He is well known by his followers as the winner of the worlds famous Apollo Theatre competition in New York City. He sang back up for Grammy® Award winner Josh Groban in a live performance of “You Raised Me Up” and has done the opening bids for seven-time Grammy® Award nominee John P. Kee and Dove® Award nominee Alvin Slaughter. A recording artist with a CD release in 2011 titled “Collage” and an EP release in 2020 titled “Wonder,” Elvin combines genres of RB, Pop and Gospel influences in his music. His most recent passion includes performing with Fuse Theatre CT. When not performing, Elvin works for a not-for-profit organization developing programs and services for underserved communities in Connecticut to help families with their social determinants of health.