Something Rotten Cast

Ben is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University, and also a proud alumni of Apple Dumpling nursery school. Ben is returning to PPTOPA after working on A Wonderful World for Miami New Drama. Other recent acting roles include: Boss Hart in 9 to 5 The Musical, Jekyll & Hyde in Jekyll & Hyde The Musical, and Tony in Disaster The Musical. Ben would like to thank all South Florida theatre patrons for supporting the arts with their cold hard cash. For more info, please visit, www.bensandomir.com. *Member, Actor's Equity Association

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 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 as Nigel in Something Rotten. Many thanks to all of my friends and family for their love and support!

Sara Grant received a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts. After graduating, with degree and the best cat in the world in hand, Sara moved to South Florida. Favorite credits: Twelfth Night (Viola), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania/Puck), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) with PBSF, Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) with Florida Shakespeare, In the Heights (Carla US/Ensemble), Island Song (Caroline; opened/closed the same night before quarantine) with Measure for Measure, Freaky Friday (Hannah) with Slow Burn, Oleanna (Carol) and the Last 5 Years (Cathy) with Evening Star. Sara is the Managing Director of Sol Theatre and Artistic Director of Sol Children Theatre.

Matthew can be seen very soon in the World Premiere of The People Downstairs at Palm Beach Dramaworks. He is a five-time Carbonell Award nominee and has been a member of two Carbonell award-winning ensembles (Indecent, Rumors) Other roles: Man of La Mancha (The Duke), Indecent (Mendel), A Christmas Story (Jean Shepherd), Legally Blonde (Callahan), The Secret Garden (Dr. Craven), Titanic (Andrews), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frollo), Romance, Romance (Alfred/Sam) and Big Fish (Amos). He holds a BFA in performance from UW–Stevens Point and is the Co-Founder of Slow Burn Theatre Company. *Member, Actor's Equity Association

Shalia is a litigation partner at Bilzin Sumberg in Miami. She is delighted to return to the PPTOPA stage after previously appearing as 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.

Bob is a speech pathologist who likes to spend his free time on stage singing and dancing. He most recently appeared in Cabaret at PPTOPA. Some of his favorite previous roles include Gabe (Next to Normal), Doody (Grease), Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid), Jason (Ordinary Days), and Jean Valjean (Les Miserables). Always endless thanks to my parents and to Anna for her unwavering love.

Chris is thrilled to return to PPTOPA to work with such a wonderful cast, director, and production crew. Recent favorite roles include Herr Schultz (Cabaret), Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), Jack Lawson (Race), Mr. Paravicini (The Mousetrap), Tennessee Williams (Confessions of a Nightingale), Ernst Janning (Judgement at Nuremberg), Twimble/Womper (How to Succeed in Business…), Black Stache (Peter and the Starcatcher), Pirate King (Pirates of Penzance), and Brick (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).

Murphy is proud to be making his debut at PPTOPA with this production, but is extremely excited to be working again with so many of South Florida's most talented humans! What a great way to get back on stage and share in the healing powers of Laughter, Music, and our chosen Family! Some of Murphy’s favorite roles have been The Polar Express Trainride (Santa), See Rock City and Other Destinations (Grampy), Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar Wolf), Let There Be Balloons (Rupert Gates), Parade (Old Soldier), The Mystery Of Edwin Drood (The Chairman/Mayor Sapsea), A Christmas Carol (Marley’s Ghost / Mr. Fezzywig), and Murdered To Death (Colonel Craddock). Murphy would like to dedicate his performance to the memory of Jane Kelly, the director of The Actors Workshop of South Florida. Jane's direction and mentorship helped put him back on track to chase an old dream. Many thanks to Reggie, Tammy, Cynthia, Peggy as well as friends and family for unwavering love and support.

Welcome to the renaissance (of live theatre). Doriyan is thrilled to be stepping back on to the stage with such an amazing cast and crew. He is currently studying Musical Theatre at FAU in the BFA program. After having a fruitful career, his dream is to open a theatre for low-income families. He is so grateful to have the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences and hopes that other performers of color will continue to have the same opportunity. “Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor”-Into the woods.

Larry has performed on many stages throughout South Florida and New York, including PPTOPA’s The Addams Family (Fester). Other roles include: Young Frankenstein (Kemp, Victor), Gypsy (Herbie), Annie Get Your Gun (Davenport), The Pajama Game (Sid), I Do! I Do! (Michael), Arsenic and Old Lace (Mortimer). When not acting and singing his heart out, Larry is a Quality Manager/Director in the Aerospace Industry…which is not nearly as exciting as acting and singing. Twitter @LarryBressler

Sarah is beyond ecstatic to be part of Something Rotten! This may be her 6th production with PPTOPA, but this is her first time stepping up as choreographer! Sarah has been dancing for 21 years, training at Academy of Arts in all styles. While at UCF earning her Mechanical Engineering degree, she was on the Knights and Damsels Dance Company as an artistic board member and choreographed several routines for the groups. She is incredibly thankful for this opportunity and deeply cherishes the support from her family and friends. I love you all, enjoy the show, and let’s make an Omelette!

Gabriella Giardina (20 years old), was last seen in PPTOPA's production of Cabaret, as Frenchie! She is thrilled to be working with PPTOPA again and to share the stage once again with such talented individuals. Some of Gabriella's favorite, previous roles include, Shy in Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Nina in In The Heights and Maria in West Side Story.

Jessie is so happy to be a part of this show, cause nothing's as amazing as a musical! 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.

(He/They) Is a South Florida Renaissance Man. They were last seen in Miami's Prelude to 2100 as Mother Earth. Through the pandemic they worked with Shakes Troupe of South Florida in their production of Twelfth Night (Feste). They also served as a composer for the production. They are also the voice of ButterFace on YouTube. Other credits include: Willy Wonka (Barclay, Mrs. TeeVee); Urinetown (PPTOPA, Mr. McQueen); Macbeth (Florida Shakespeare Theater, Porter, Doctor, Captain); The Wedding Singer (PPTOPA, George)

Meagan is the Manager of Pure Barre Weston and owns two small businesses, one creating custom Magical Denim Creations (@magicallyeverafter.co) and the other selling vegan-based beauty/wellness products! She loves content creating and making reels! Follow along with Meagan on Insta (@meagan.nagy).

Anna was last seen onstage in PPTOPA's Cabaret. She also appeared as Ariel in The Little Mermaid in Gainesville, Florida, where she was also finishing up her bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida (go gators). Anna spends her 9-5 working in marketing for everyone's favorite travel brand, JetBlue, and travels often in her spare time.

JaVonda was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Florida A&M University with a B.A. in Theatre Performance. She has appeared in Dark Legends in Blood (Ensemble), Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble/Ronette U/S), and King Hedley II (Ruby) with the FAMU Essential Theater. She has served in various tech positions such as the stage manager, Sound Board Operator, subscriber relations & various costume positions for a plethora of shows. Her directing credits include the world premiere of Santa’s Christmas Storybook and Blues for an Alabama Sky.

Meredith is ecstatic to be joining the ensemble of PPTOPA's Something Rotten! She went to school for Acting at NYFA and UCF. Her favorite roles include Rachel in Reckless (NYC) and Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar (PPTOPA). When not on stage, Meredith has a solo copywriting business. She would like to thank her fiance and cats Arya and Disney Doodles for their love and support.

Heather is thrilled to make her debut at PPTOPA! Some of her favorite roles include Sara in Murder Ballad, Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde, Ilona Ritter in She Loves Me, Eponine in Les Miserables, and Ariel Moore in Footloose. She has also previously worked as a seasonal performer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and as a 7-track swing for the Art Heist Experience at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. She would like to thank the talented cast and creative team, family, friends, and her husband, Oliver for their love and support! www.heathersimsay.com

Thomas is so grateful to be in this production of Something Rotten. He wants to thank everyone who has helped him and supported him in his journey of performing. He hopes you sit back and enjoy the show!

Courtney Ruebens is a Freshman in college and so excited to be a part of Something Rotten. Courtney began her collegiate journey in the University of Central Florida’s BFA acting program but recently switched to a BS in Entertainment Management. Some of her favorite credits include Bring it On (Eva), Legally Blonde (Paulette), and On the Town (Lucy). She would like to thank everyone at PPTOPA for this opportunity, Caryl Fantel and Karen Rassler for being the best teachers/mentors she could ask for, and her family for their endless love and support.

Aaron is excited to be returning to PPTOPA. He was last seen in Urinetown, and is currently touring with Fantasy Theatre Factory. Some of his other favorite works around South Florida include The Mousetrap, Into the Woods, West Side Story, Aida, and Judgment at Nuremberg. He would like to thank his friends, family, and the cast/crew of Something Rotten.