Cast of "Fiddler On The Roof"
Gary Caswell
Character: Tevye
Gary is thrilled to be on the Front Row Stage once again. Some of his past performances with Don have been, The Wizard of Oz, The Odd Couple, Guys and Doll and How the Other Half Loves. Don has also allowed Gary to Direct. South Pacific, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, God's Favorite and most recently- We're No Angels. Thanks to Don, Roger, Erica, Brandon, Joe and the entire cast of Fiddler for all the fun. As always, Gary thanks his wonderful Girl Friend Diana and his son Brandon. Love you both.
Angela Kabasan
Character: Golde
Angela Kabasan is beyond blessed to be working with this cast of Fiddler on the Roof! She was previously seen as Ma Bailey in DBFRT’s It’s a Wonderful Life. Other credits include: The Music Man (Maud Dunlop), Footloose (Ethel McCormack), at Mesa Encore Theatre, Quilters (Dana) at Fountain Hills, and Picnic (Mrs. Potts) at Tuscany Theatre. She thanks the cast & crew for all of their warmth, talent, & awesomeness. It takes a village & she believes that everyone has helped create a beautiful and heartfelt one in this Anatevka! She would like to give special thanks to Erica Parrish & Don Bluth for guidance given to her these past months. She thanks her loved ones for encouragement & support even after many nights of “I can’t. I have rehearsal.” She says: “Thank you for everything! I love you from the bottom of my heart!”
Hillary Lowe
Character: Tzietel
This will be Hilary's third show with DBFRT and she is thrilled to be back. Some of her favorite rolls include rainbow, California...kidding! This play is deeply significant to Hillary on a cultural/religious level and she is so grateful to be able to share that with her costars. Much love to her family and friends who support her so much, and a dedication to her granddad and grandma who couldn't be around to see this performance.
Marija Petovic
Character: Hodel
Marija Petovic is excited to be making her debut at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre! She is thankful to be with such a welcoming and supportive group of people. Some of her favorite past roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Rosemary in How to Succeed..., and Phoebe in As You Like It. In addition to performing, Marija enjoys costume design/construction and photography. She is incredibly grateful for her family and friends for the never-ending love and encouragement!
Bethany Bacca
Character: Chava
Bethany is an actress who graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with a B.A. in Theatre Arts. While at Westmont College, some of her credits included The Pirates of Penzance as Pirates/Sisters, Dido & Aeneas as Second Woman, and Dido: Queen of Carthage as Juno. Her favorite credit after moving back to Phoenix so far is Paranormal Witness as a Featured Extra (Season 5 Ep. 10). She is also proud to have been recently cast in an outdoor drama in Chillicothe, OH called Tecumseh! set to perform this summer! “I’d like to thank all of my friends, family, and mentors because without them I wouldn’t be the actress I am today! Love you all so much!”
Allie Angus
Character: Shprintze
Allie Angus is excited to be performing in her fourth production at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre! She is 14 years old and is attending 8th grade at Mountainside Middle School. Some of Allie’s recent shows are: Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail (Fox) at at Valley Youth Theatre, 13 The Musical (ensemble / Patrice U/S), Honk (Lowbutt *NYA nomination) and Oliver (Fagin boy) at Greasepaint Youth Theatre, South Pacific (Tura/Jerome), Wizard of Oz (Toto) and Beauty and the Beast (Chip) at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. Allie has also been in multiple plays and choir performances for her school. :)
Brailey McDaniel
Character: Bielke
Brailey McDaniel is a 6th grader at Horizon Honors in Ahwatukee. She is member of student council and holds the title of school Ambassador, where she is responsible for giving tours to potential school families. She loves EVERYTHING about being on stage and really would rather be acting than do anything else. She was bit with the acting bug in 3rd grade when she was cast as Zuzu Bailey in a high school production of It's a Wonderful Life. Since then she has many credits to her name. You many have seen her here at Don Bluth in Oklahoma, Hello Dolly, Annie Jr. or as a Bailey child in It's a Wonderful Life for the last two years. She is currently very excited to be preparing for the role of The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland Jr. at school this May. Fiddler has been a lot of fun!
Lisa Piccininni
Character: Yente
Lisa Piccininni is excited and grateful to be making her debut and final performance at Don Bluth’s Front Row Theatre. She is a parent of two teenage performers, George and Marissa, who can be seen here in next months show in “The Little Mermaid. “ When not dabbling in theatre and learning to use her Babylock Serger, Lisa is a lead speech language pathologist, helping young children and students develop their articulation, language, and social skills.
Eric Bond
Character: Motel Kamzoil
Eric Bond is thrilled to make his debut at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre Company. He has been working in the valley for the past few years, having been in such varied productions as Cinderella (Prince Bobby), Moon Over Buffalo (Paul), and Macbeth (Malcolm). He holds an associate’s degree in Theatre from G.C.C. and is soon entering the ASU theatre program to achieve his bachelor’s degree in Acting. He would like to thank the cast and crew for their amazing work and dedication to this show. Don Bluth, for awarding him such a fantastic role and being a great director and coach. Lastly, he would like to thank his loved ones for the never ending support, love, and inspiration they give him. Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide, but I love you until the end of time. Die liebe höret nimmer auf. Enjoy the show!
Zach Parrish
Character: Perchik
This is Zach's second production at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, following his take on Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls. He has also been in Othello in Shakespeare's Othello and Dr. Gibbs in Thornton Wilder's Our Town.
Doug Avery
Character: Lazar Wolf
Doug Avery is returning to live theater after a 30 year absence. In the mid 1980s he regularly acted at a melodrama theater in Cave Creek, AZ, and that's been it until now. Doug is father of seven and grandfather of 11 (plus one on the way)! His wife Lisa plays Yente the matchmaker in this play. Their two children, George and Marissa, have participated in productions at DBFRT and other theaters around Phoenix for a few years. Doug auditioned for this role for four reasons - 1) he's always loved this musical, 2) to work with Gary Caswell, 3) he was jealous of the fun and comaraderie his children were enjoying in the theater, and 4) he wanted to demonstrate to them the source of their acting genius! Thanks to Don, Roger, Erica and the entire cast and crew for their confidence and support! L'Chaim everybody!
Danny Gonsowski
Character: Mordcha
Danny Gonsowski is excited to be acting in his first musical at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. He was previously involved with IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE at the Front Row Theatre as well as DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS at Paradise Valley Community College. He also appeared in the premiere of Randy Messersmith’s play KILL WILL at Scottsdale Community College, as well as in a number of short films. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Danny has received acting training at Verve Studios for many years. He also had the opportunity to train with the Moscow Art Theatre School at their annual Stanislavsky Summer School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is currently represented by Dani’s Agency. Danny would like to thank his family for their eternal and loving support.
Dan Stroud
Character: The Rabbi
Dan Stroud is pleased to be making his Don Bluth Front Row Theatre debut in Fiddler on the Roof. He is a transplant from California where he performed in Los Angeles and Orange County theaters. A graduate of the UCLA School of Law, Dan is now (mostly) retired but remains a member of the California Bar. Dan has performed in more than forty stage productions, including five operas. Favorite roles include the role of Belle’s loony but loveable father in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Van Buren in Damn Yankees, Mayor Shinn in The Music Man, Bellomy in The Fantasticks, The Old Man in Prelude to A Kiss, Captain Andy in Showboat, Grandfather in Ragtime and as Herr Schultz in Cabaret. Dan now lives in Phoenix with his beautiful wife, Maureen.
Brandon Detra
Character: Mendel
Having been given this unique and wonderful opportunity, Brandon is grateful and ecstatic to be working with such an incredible cast and crew and to be a part of such a magical production. Brandon has studied for most of his life as a musician but has now transitioned into the field of acting, making this his first production with Don and in theater performance.
Addison Wead
Character: Avram
Addison Wead expresses a distinct talent for the theatre. This is not Addisons first time in a musical at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre he made his debut in the theatre in Oklahoma in the ensemble. His talents were noted then, which gained him to perform once again in Fiddler on The Roof. You can expect to see much more of this young man in future productions. His enthuisasim for the roles he plays has been the subject of several of our audience members.
Frank Aaron
Character: Nachum
Frank is a familiar face around the Valley having appeared in over 100 theatre productions as well as more than half a dozen TV shows and movies. He is very excited to be working with this incredible cast. Some of his favorite rolls have been the recently performed Uncle Billy (It's A Wonderful Life), The Kralahome (King and I), Dr. Bradman (Blithe Spirit) as well as Murray (The Odd Couple). A very special thank you to our Director Mr. Don Bluth for this fabulous opportunity. When not performing Frank is the proud father of four wonderful grown children and two fabulous granddaughters.
Wendi Grezlak
Character: Grandma Tzietel
This is Wendi's first appearance at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, and she is enjoying the talent and camraderie of the cast and crew. She has been performing onstage since second grade, when she appeared in a school Christmas play and had one line. She performs and directs frequently with Moezart Productions, playing roles such as Cordelia Biddle in The Happiest Millionaire, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music, Miss Bates in Emma, and Alma Hix in The Music Man. She also sings classical choral music. She couldn't be more thankful for her supportive family.
Carolyn Paski
Character: Fruma-Sarah
Carolyn Paski has been character actress in the valley for about 10 years. She particularly loves the classic family friendly musicals like Fiddler on the Roof. She has previously played Fruma Sarah, the grandmother from Into the Woods, the mayor's wife in Bye Bye Birdie and most recently, the bird woman in Mary Poppins at DBFRT. Carolyn would like to thank her family and friends for their wonderful support and encouragement.
Todd Corbeil
Character: Constable
Todd Corbeil returns to the Don Bluth Theatre after a short hiatus. He in the 2015 cast of It's a Wonderful Life and in Hello Dolly before that. Todd's recent shows were SMTC's Guys and Dolls, AFTC's Gypsy and Seussical at Desert Stages. Todd is an ASU graduate.
George Gonzalez
Character: Fyedka
George is very excited to be back on the Don Bluth stage for the third time. His past roles here include Jenkins in How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying, and Harry the Horse in Guys & Dolls. Other roles he's been a part of include Ernie Cusack in Rumors, Jim Tracey in The Mineola Twins, King/Monkey in The Sun God's Coin. He wants to thank the theatre for allowing him another chance to perform on the stage. He also wants to thank his family for their patience and understanding of why he's barely ever home.
Vonda McDaniel
Character: Fiddler, Shaindel
Vonda McDaniel returned to the stage 2 years ago at DBFRT in Oklahoma and, then again, as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly. Over these 2 years she has enjoyed getting to hold many jobs backstage at the theater while her daughters performed in It's a Wonderful Life and Annie Jr., but it was time for her to get back on stage. Fiddler holds a special place in her heart because it was the first show she did as a Freshman in high school 30 years ago, starting her love of theater. Sharing this wonderful production with 2 of her daughters now feels like it's all come full circle. When not on stage, she is an Elementary General Music Teacher and Drama Teacher in Ahwatukee. She'd like to thank her girls for being such amazing people and God for his constant love.
Olivia La Porte
Character: Ensemble
Olivia is 13 years old and attends Our Lady of Perpetual Help as a 7th grader. A veteran to children's and youth theater throughout the valley, Olivia was recently honored with the part of Belle in Beauty & The Beast Jr. Olivia has also performed in Les Miserables company at Youthworks, Downy in Honk! at Greasepaint, and the Narrator in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Olivia is excited to be in her very first production at Don Bluth Theater.
Hasley McDaniel
Character: Ensemble
Hasley McDaniel is an 8th grader at Horizon Honors in Ahwatukee. She is a straight A honors student and the president of her school's chapter of National Jr. Honor Society. She is also a member of her schools select girls ensemble and was chosen to perform with the Junior High All State Choir this year in Showlow. She has performed at Don Bluth in Oklahoma, Hello Dolly, Annie Jr. and has been one of the Bailey children for the last two Christmas Seasons in It's a Wonderful Life. At school she has performed in It's a Wonderful Life, Sound of Music, Honk and many other small productions. While in Fiddler, she has also been preparing for the production of Cinderella at school which opens at the end of April. She has loved getting to be a part of Fiddler with her mom and sister.
Jeff Robinson
Character: Ensemble
Jeff is pleased to be making his theatrical debut at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre! He would like to thank Don Bluth for this opportunity as well as his friend Frank Aaron.
Max Mashal
Character: Ensemble
Max Mashal is thrilled to be making his DBFRT debut with such a charming show and wonderful cast and crew! Notable shows include Little Shop of Horrors (Voice of Audrey II), Heaven Can Wait (Max Levene), Anastasia (Piotr Ivanovich Petrovin), and Seussical (Mr. Mayor). Max is currently a senior at Pinnacle High School and will be attending Arizona State University in the fall to start his daunting triple major in Psychology, Philosophy, and Musical Theatre with an Opera Performance concentration. He would like to thank the cast for making this show so enjoyable to work on, the crew (because without the crew we would be standing naked on a stage with no lights or sound), his mother for always supporting his endeavours, and YOU for supporting local theatre.
Stephanie Cartwright
Character: Ensemble
Stephanie is very excited for Fiddler on the Roof as it is not only her debut at DBFRT, but her first ever stage production. Prior to Fiddler, she has been a member of Dickens Carolers for two season, spent one year with Sweet Adelines Chorus, and has been involved with various other choirs and ensembles over the years.
