Evita Cast

Gabi Gonzalez is delighted to be making her debut at PPTOPA playing her dream role in Evita. She recently returned from traveling around the globe performing with Oceania Cruises. Credits include Parade (Lucille), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Yitzhak) Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie), Shrek the Musical (Fiona), Songs for a New World (Woman 1) and The Divorce Club (Original One Person Show). BFA New World School of the Arts. She would like to thank everyone who was a part of this journey, especially her amazing support system. You can check out more at www.thegabigonzalez.com

Sahid Pabon (Che) is beyond excited to return to PPTOPA for this long awaited production of Evita! He was last seen at Slow Burn Theatre Co. as Sergei/Ensemble in Matilda the Musical and prior to that, in Sister Act at MNM as Ernie/Ensemble. Sahid was also seen performing at Universal Studios in Orlando scaring guests in Halloween Horror Nights 30 and singing some holiday classics with Grammy Award winning Mannheim Steamroller in their 2021 Holiday Concert. Previous credits include Bobby Strong in Urinetown (PPTOPA), Snoopy in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde, Jekyll & Hyde (Slow Burn Theatre Co.), Mark in Altar Boyz, Tank in Zanna, Don't!, Jack in Starmaker and Johann in the Radicalization of Rolfe (Island City Stage) and Sir Robin in Spamalot (MNM Theatre Co.) Sahid would like to thank Geoff, Wendy, Mark and the entire team at PPTOPA for this opportunity, to the cast for making some wonderful art on stage with him, and to his Mom and Alex for always supporting him in the craziest of endeavors. You can follow Sahid and his antics on IG/TikTok @theonewiththedimple.

Joshua is thrilled to be returning to PPTOPA where he last appeared as Juan Peron in Evita. Other recent credits include MNM Theatre Co. (Joey, Sister Act), The Barn Theatre (Tom Collins, Rent), Lake Worth Playhouse (Khashoggi, We Will Rock You; Alf, Peter and the Starcatcher; Dan, Next To Normal). He would like to thank his wonderful husband, Justin, for being such a huge support, and Amy, Eric and the PPTOPA administration for this amazing opportunity.

Shalia is a litigation partner at Bilzin Sumberg in Miami. She is delighted to return to the PPTOPA stage after previously appearing as Portia in Something Rotten, Mary in Mary Poppins, Cosette in Les Miserables, Louise in Gypsy, Hope in URINETOWN, and Julie in Carousel. Other favorite regional credits include Olivia in Twelfth Night, Ophelia in Hamlet, Nina in In the Heights, Luisa in ZORRO the Musical, Philia in … Forum, and Cinderella in Into the Woods. She originated the leading roles of Ophelia in Elsewhere in Elsinore at the Folger Theater in D.C. and Phoebe in Smooth Sailing the Musical with New England Light Opera, for which she is featured on the original cast recording. She holds B.A.s in Musical Theater and Law & Society from American University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Austin is proud to perform in his first show with PPTOPA . A lifelong performer, Austin possesses credits in over a dozen mainstage productions including King Arthur (Camelot), Fagin (Oliver!), Enoch Snow (Carousel), and Javert (Les Misérables), as well as leading roles in several works of Shakespeare and Gilbert and Sullivan. Many thanks to the wonderful cast, crew, and audience for supporting live theater!

Matthew is now thrilled to be apart of PPTOTA’s EVITA. He has found his love for movement, dance, music, theater, and musicals only a few years ago and has been involved in several productions with Standing Ovation Theatre, Encore Theatre, and Every Little Step. Some of his favorites credits include Bert (Mary Poppins), Chino(West Side Story), Prince Henry(Ever After), and one of his favorites Race(NEWSIES) He is currently studying dance and voice and looks forward to a future in the preforming arts.

Justin is thrilled to take the stage at PPTOPA again. Justin recently discovered his love for performing, taking part in his first show in July 2021. You may have seen him in productions of We Will Rock You (Teacher), Peter and the Starcatcher (Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher), 9 to 5 (Dick) and Something Rotten (Tom Snout). He is looking forward to sharing the stage with his husband, Josh, who has supported and encouraged Justin’s growth in theatre. He sends a big thank you to director, Geoff, and the PPTOPA administration for the opportunity to be part of the PPTOPA family!

Michelle is a graduate of FIU where she earned a B.A. in Theatre and would like to continue her education by pursuing an MFA in performance. She is excited to be returning to PPTOPA; she was last seen in The Wedding Singer. When she is not performing, she enjoys cooking and baking for family and friends. She would like to thank director Geoff Short for the opportunity, as well as her family, and friends for their continued support.

Jose is an aspiring writer excited and eager to return to the PPTOPA stage. A consistent volunteer for over five years, he hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Angel is proud to say that this is his first full production and he's glad to be embarking on this journey with the PPTOPA family. He found his love for singing and performing in his freshman year of high school, and performed in the choir along other with showcases outside of school. He taught himself to play piano, guitar and has been taking singing and acting lessons at Rising Starz and had the privilege to co-write, manage and perform in their annual show. He's currently finishing up his first year of college and currently double majoring in Musical Theatre and Communications. "I'm beyond grateful for Mr. Short and the team at PPTOPA for giving me this opportunity".

Stephen Keenan is a teacher, an instrument rated pilot studying for his commercial aviation license, and has degrees in both law and musical theater from the University of Florida. Stephen has appeared in diverse roles such as Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten, Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Marius in Les Miserables, and as a featured singer in the Mozart opera The Magic Flute. He is thrilled for the opportunity to return to the PPTOPA stage in Evita. Many thanks to all of my friends and family for their love and support!

Mariangeli Collado is from Miramar, Florida and just finished her freshman year as a BFA Musical Theatre major at the University of Michigan. Growing up she had the pleasure of participating in local theatre, competitive dance, a pop group called “L2M”, a YouTube Red series called “Hyperlinked”, and a blind audition on NBC’s “The Voice”. Some of her previous theatre credits include Spring Awakening (Wendla Bergmann), Heathers (Veronica Sawyer), Carrie (Sue Snell), and In the Heights (Nina Rosario). This is Mariangeli’s first production back with PPTOPA as an adult, and she’s beyond grateful & excited to be part of the cast!

This is Ayon’s first production with PPTOPA. Ayon has returned to the stage after a 15 year hiatus. He was last featured earlier this year’s in Inside Out Theatre’s production of “Cabaret”, where he took on the role of Ernst Ludwig. He was also seen in the Shakespeare’s Troupe of South Florida production of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream “where he played Lysander. Other memorable roles include: Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, Trinculo in “The Tempest,” and Mr. Applegate in “Damn Yankees.” He is excited to be a part of this stellar cast, and looks forward to being in many more productions in the future.

Ross Cornell studied Dance Performance at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts before performing in the national tours of Footloose, CATS, and The Music Man (Tommy Djilas). Favorite regional credits include 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Footloose (Ren), Pippin (Leading Player), and A Chorus Line (Paul). Ross has spent the past several years as a Cruise Director/Performer and now serves as the Entertainment Manager for American Queen Voyages. After recently relocating to the area, Ross is thrilled to join the PPTOPA family in this amazing production!

MANUELLA GUERRA is glad to be returning to PPTOPA for Evita! Previous PPTOPA credits include Urinetown (Soupy Sue) and The Addams Family (Ancestor). She is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major and has been seen in their productions of Shrek the Musical (Dragon) and First Date (U/S Casey). Other credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), and Bring It On (Kylar). @manuellaguerrac

Jessie most recently appeared in PPTOPA's production of Something Rotten. Favorite roles include Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), Princess Fiona (Shrek The Musical), Olive (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Little Sally (Urinetown), Mary Lane (Reefer Madness), Maria (The Sound Of Music), Dorothy (The Wizard Of Oz), Audrey (Little Shop Of Horrors), as well as Natalie (Next To Normal). She’s also appeared as Marian (The Music Man), Inga (Young Frankenstein), Maureen (RENT), Patrice (13 The Musical), both Jeanie and Sheila (Hair), and both Cinderella and Little Red (Into The Woods). Jessie was also the winner of the “Are You An Addams” contest (chosen by the original Broadway cast of The Addams Family). Thank you to mom and dad for your support.

Geoffrey is excited to return to PPTOPA after performing in Cabaret! Other South Florida credits: Guys and Dolls (MNM - Benny Southstreet), Sister Act (MNM - Monsignor/Ens.), Kinky Boots (Slow Burn - Mr. Price/Ens.). National Tour: The Wizard of Oz (Ens./Tinman US). NYC/Regional: The Metropolitan Opera (Lincoln Center - Actor), Beauty and the Beast (Sharon Playhouse), George M!, A Christmas Carol, Damn Yankees, Wonderful Town (Prather Productions). Much love to family, friends, and JDQ! @geomergs

Katelyn is thrilled to be making her debut with PPTOPA. Some of her favorite roles include Maria in West Side Story and Liesl in The Sound of Music with Standing Ovation Theatre. She has trained in acting programs with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and Florida State University. She has been a recipient of the Andrew Lloyd Webber American Theatre Wing Training scholarship for two years. She is a rising Junior Theatre for Youth Major at Samford University and can be seen this next fall in Orphie and the Book of Heroes as Orphie and in the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. All the love to her family, friends, and teachers who have supported her journey every step of the way. Psalm 104:33-34 @katelynjoyortiz

Zach is excited and grateful to return to PPTOPA with Evita! Zach plays piano and sings barbershop with The Miamians. He previously appeared with PPTOPA as Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business, as Gladhand and a (clean-shaven) utility Jet in West Side Story, as Mal Beineke in The Addams Family, and as Edsel and one of the Aggies in Best Little Whorehouse. Zach would like to thank his incredibly supportive girlfriend, Luanna, his children (including fellow PPTOPA veteran, Elijah), The Pediatric Heart Center and the amazing Evita cast and crew for all their patience and support.