Meet the Cast of The Wizard of Oz

JULIA SURIANO
(Dorothy) is thrilled to be making her Starlight debut! Regional favorites: West Side Story (Maria, Fireside Theatre), Show Boat (Magnolia, Interlakes Theatre), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle, Interlakes Theatre), Les Miserables (Cosette, Red Mountain Theatre Co.). She’d like to give a big thanks to the incredible creative team, her insanely talented cast and crew, and her family & friends! She dedicates her performances to her grandma Marie whose favorite song was “Over The Rainbow”! IG: @juliasuriano

CATHY BARNETT
(Wicked Witch/ Gulch) Cathy Barnett is delighted to return to Starlight where she has performed in productions of Hairspray, Grease, The Producers, Footloose and The Sound of Music. Recently, she appeared in The Humans at the Unicorn Theatre and Always, Patsy Cline at North Coast Repertory Theater in San Diego. She was last seen in Sister Act at The New Theatre. Cathy has toured nationally and internationally in productions of both Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Hollywood. She also portrays the Hallmark greeting card character, “Maxine.”

STEPHEN PETROVICH
(Hunk/Scarecrow) Starlight audiences may recall him as Doctor Gangle – the demented master of ceremonies in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies – the role he originated in the North American Premiere company and played over 400 times across the country. This is his 4th productionof The Wizard of Oz – he has previously played the Scarecrow at Moonlight Amphitheatre and Theatre by the Sea, as well as the Tinmanat West Virginia Public Theatre. Tour: Beautyand the Beast (u/s Lumiere). Regional: NorthShore, MGR Playhouse, Arrow Rock Lyceum.Favorites: The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert), Spamalot, La Cage, Hairspray(3x), 42ndStreet. BFA Musical Theatre: The Boston Conservatory. Stephen wishes to pay homageto the great Ray Bolger whose enchanting Scarecrow has so influenced his performancethis evening. @stephenpetrovich

RICHARD COSTA
(Hickory/Tinman) received his BM Degree in Music Theatre from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music. His Broadway credits include : Gentlemen Prefer Blondes directed by Charles Repole, Cabaret directed by Sam Mendes & Rob Marshall, and the origional Las Vegas Company of Spamalot directed by Mike Nichols. National Tours include: Spamalot directed by Mike Nichols, Annie (30th Aniv.) directed by Martin Charnin and Annie Get Your Gun Starring Cathy Rigby. Regional credits include: Spamalot – Ogunquit Playhouse, 42nd Street starring Jerry Orbach, Gigi starring Gavin MacCloud, and Oliver! starring Davy Jones. Rick has worked extensively throughout the country at many regional theatres including: Radio City Music Hall, Goodspeed Opera House, Theatre Of The Stars, Theatre Under The Stars, Walnut Street Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, Artpark, Engeman Theatre, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and North Shore Music Theatre, Fox Theatre Atlanta, MUNY. Thanks Hudson Artists Agency

ROBERT J. HINGULA
(Zeke/Cowardly Lion) is ecstatic to be making his Starlight debut! Past credits in Kansas City include Spinning Tree Theatre: A Little Night Music, Assassins (Guiteau), Billy Elliot (Dad); Theater League: Wizard of Oz (Lion/Zeke); Musical Theater Heritage: Into the Woods (Baker), Next to Normal (Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas), Hello Dolly!, Bernstein’s Broadway; KC Rep: Invisible Hand, Sticky Traps; Quality Hill Playhouse: A Grand Night for Singing; The Chestnut: Pump Boys and Dinettes. Thank you to the wonderful staff, crew, musicians and cast! It is a pleasure to be telling this story with you all! Sending all my love to my amazing, loving and supportive family! Love you Melissa and Darcie!

ADRIENNE STEIFEL
Aunt Em/Glinda ) is thrilled to be in KC! She began performing at 9, as the voice of Sally in Peanuts . She went on to star in 5 touring productions of Annie (Annie) and The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy) and became the youngest winner ever of the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award. Recent credits include the Los Angeles premiere of Hit Song!, and the cast album An American Victory (Sarah). She can be heard on A Christmas Story, Live!, King Kong, and The Shaggy Dog. In London, Adrienne had a top 10 single with “Little Boxes” and starred in Ol’ Blue Eyes and Friends: Live On TV (Judy Garland) and 1916 (Bridie). New York: Tom Sawyer, My Way and Same Time, Next Year. Currently, Adrienne tours with the Irish Tenors and sings the National Anthem for the Lakers, Dodgers and Angels. Big thanks to Phil McKinley, Mom, Kerby Lee and Dean. www.adriennestiefel.com IG: adriennestiefelmusic

JIM KORINKE
(Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper) has been a proud member of The Actors Equity Association, SAG, and AFTRA for over forty- five years. This highly regarded, award winning performer has starred in over 200 Equity stage productions, including Harold Hill in The Music Man , Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Starbuck in The Rainmake, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Billis in South Pacific, Herbie in Gypsy, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, and Detective Rossetti in 17 different productions of the longest running play in American theatre history, Shear Madness. Since 2014, Jim has also been starring in the Pulitzer Prize nominated one man show Cronkite, portraying the “most trusted man in America” at the Cronkite Museum, Lincoln Center in New York, and The Newseum in Washington D. C.

EDDIE KORBICH
(Professor Marvel/The Wizard Of Oz) has appeared on Broadway in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, A Christmas Story, The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone (Drama Desk nomination), After the Night and the Music, Wicked, Seussical, Carousel , Singin’ in the Rain, and Sweeney Todd . His Off-Broadway credits include Assassins, Godspell, The Gifts of the Magi, Flora The Red Menace, A Little Night Music, and Eating Raoul . He appeared regionally in The Gamester (St. Louis Rep), Dracula (North Shore), 3hree (Ahmanson), George M, and Man of La Mancha. He toured nationally as Frank in Showboat (dir. Harold Prince). His film and television credits include “The Deuce”; “Law & Order”; “New York Undercover”; “Out of the Box”; “Deadbeat”; “Elementary”; “Mysteries of Laura”; Jennifer 8; and Quiz Show. Saturday morning cartoon fans may recognize his voice as a regular on Nickelodeon’s “Doug” and “PB & J Otter.” He received the 2000 Obie Award for Taking a Chance on Love (York Theatre).

KARI BAKER
(Ensemble)is excited to performat KC Starlight! Credits include – NationalTours: Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble/u/s Belle); Regional: Yuletide Celebration, Anything Goes (Hope, Virtue), Mary Poppins, A Chorus Line, The Producers, The Wizard of Oz and Front Page Flo. She thanks her friends,family, and God for all the love and support. IG:@KBake222

SAM BRACKLEY
(Ensemble, Crow) is overthe rainbow to be making his Starlight debut! Credits: Norwegian Cruise Lines. Regional: LaCage aux Folles (Signature Theatre), Joseph in Joseph…Dreamcoat (Dutch Apple), 42ndStreet (Broadway Palm), Jekyll & Hyde, Seussical (Virginia Musical Theatre). Sam is a graduateof James Madison University. Much love andgratitude to this incredible team, family andfriends!www.sambrackley.com

GRACE CALIO
(Ensemble) KC Starlight debut! Regional: Beauty and the Beast (PCLO), In the Heights (Geva Theatre), Young Frankenstein (The MUNY), Legally Blonde (Sacramento Music Circus), The Donkey Show (A.R.T), Shrek , The Little Mermaid (North Shore Music Theatre). BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. Special thanks to Lucille. Love and gratitude to my grandparents. For my mom, always. @thegracecalio

KATIE CALL
(Ensemble) was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she attended Los Angeles Country High School for the Arts, specializing in Musical Theatre and Dance. Katie moved to New York City in 2012 to pursue her passion of dance and received a BFA from Marymount Manhattan College. Much love to mom, dad and family.

MARILYN CASERTA
(Ensemble) is so excited to be in Kansas City performing the Wizard of Oz! NYC: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Bible Stories. Regional: Cabaret, West Side Story, Sondheim on Sondheim, Snoopy! The Musical, Within Reach. Thanks and so much love to mom, dad and little D. www.marilyncaserta.com @marilyncaserta

VIKTORIA CHIAPPA
(Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing at Starlight! Credits include Titanic (Alice Beane), Light in The Piazza (Franca), Saturday Night Fever (Doreen), Oliver! (Bet), Spelling Bee (Marcy). Viktoria is a member of the Hungarian World Figure Skating team and performed as Tinkerbelle with Disney on Ice. She’d like to thank her family, Mom and loving boyfriend Thomas. viktoriachiappa.com @Toritutu

JOEY DIPPEL
(Ensemble) started his career when he was 14 in a production of Wizard of Oz as an UNDERSTUDY for a TREE. So, needless to say, he is thrilled to be making his Starlight debut! Credits include: Mary Poppins (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), It Happened One Christmas (Pioneer Theatre Company), Mamma Mia! (Dance Captain, John W. Engeman Theater). CCM alum. www. joeydippel.com

EJ DOHRING
(Ensemble ) was raised in Phoenix, AZ and is a graduate of CCM’s BFA musical theatre program. Performance credits: Mamma Mia! at North Shore Music Theatre and Theatre By The Sea, The Music Man at Arizona Theatre Company, Cabaret at Lake Dillon Theatre Company, and Newsies at Westchester Broadway Theatre. Thanks to Henderson Hogan! #ForMax IG: @ejdohring

CAITLIN DONOHUE
(Ensemble) is honored to be making her KC Starlight debut. Off- Broadway: Sherry in 1001 Nights (NYT Critic’s Pick), Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes, Addy in Addy & Uno (World Premiere). Selected regional: All Shook Up (Natalie), Hairspray (Shelley), Footloose (Rusty), Chicago (June/Dance Captain). Love & gratitude to Michael + B&B. @caitdono / caitlin-donohue.com

LIV GALLO
(Ensemble) is so excited to be back on stage at Starlight Theatre! Credits include: She Loves Me (Tent Theatre), Xanadu (Starlight Theatre) and Cinderella (Starlight Theatre). MSU Musical Theatre 2017. HUGE thank you to Mom and Dad, family, friends, teachers, and Jason Elam. IG: @thewaytoliv

ANTHONY J. GASBARRE, III
(Dance Captain, Ensemble, Apple Tree) is happy to be back at Starlight in The Wizard of OZ . Anthony recently appeared as Joey in Maine State Music Theater’s Saturday Night Fever and Rum Tum Tugger at MTH in CATS . Regional: Grease, Cinderella, Xanadu (Starlight), Spamalot! (The Barnstormers), Rocky Horror Show, CATS ( Crown Uptown Theatre); CATS, Cabaret, Hello Dolly! (MTH). WSU graduate, BFA- Musical Theatre 2016. IG: @agasbarre

MIRANDA GELCH
(Ensemble) is so excited to be part of this magical production! Previous credits include: Oliver! (Goodspeed), Shrek The Musical, The Sound of Music (NSMT), Grey Gardens (The Cape Playhouse and Lyric Stage). Proud Penn State grad. Many thanks to the entire team at Starlight, TPG, my wonderful family, and Ben. @Mirandagelch

STEPHEN C. KALLAS
(Ensemble/Crow/ Flying Jitterbug) is excited to stroll down the yellow brick road at Starlight! Proud graduate of Wagner College Theatre. National Tour/ Regional Credits: SpongeBob: The Musical (1st National Tour); Fireside Theatre’s Newsies (Davey); Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Catch Me If You Can (u/s Frank Abagnale Jr); Westchester Broadway Theatre’s Newsies (Swing). www. StephenCKallas.com

CODY KNABLE
(Ensemble, Mayor, Nikko) is a thrilled to be returning to Starlight after previously being seen in Grease! Knable has appeared with the Grinch company at the Grand Ole Opry. Regionally he has performed in Newsies (Specs), Joseph.. .(Benjamin) Shrek (Pinocchio), Mamma Mia!, Singin’ in the Rain, and more. Knable is a Temple U grad, Go Owls! @codyleek

TUAN MALINOWSKI
(Ensemble) is making his Kansas City Starlight Theatre debut! Regional: Mamma Mia!, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing… (Flat Rock Playhouse), Peter Pan (Artpark), Ragtime, Peter Pan, Showboat (Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Cider Mill Playhouse). Upcoming: Peter Pan (Pittsburgh CLO). BFA, Ithaca College. @ tuanmalinowski / tuanmalinowski.com

NICK MONALDO
(Ensemble, Apple Tree) Starlight debut! Credits include: Tangled, Twice Charmed and Disney Dreams on the Disney Magic. Regional: Mamma Mia! (New Theatre), West Side Story (Spinning Tree), Thoroughly Modern Millie and Oklahoma! (John W. Engemen Theater in New York). BFA from Montclair State in Musical Theater/minor in Political Science. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Luke, Joseph, and Anna for their endless support! @ monaldstro

KYM CHAMBERS OTT
(Ensemble/Wicked Witch Understudy/Flying Witch) KC Starlight: Sound of Music, Anything Goes, Wizard of Oz . National Tours: Cats, Cinderella. Regional: Ordway: Jesus Christ Superstar, Cinderella, Joseph, Contemporary Songbook . KC Rep: Cabaret. Bushnell CPA: The Music Man. Forestburgh Playhouse: Mame, Evita, The Music Man, Titanic. Training: MA New York University, BA St. Olaf College. NATS Voice Teacher/Coach. AEA since 2005.

OLIVIA RENTERIA
(Ensemble) is ecstatic to be back at Starlight, where she was last seen in Grease! Credits include: Grease (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines). Regional: Beaches A New Musical, Saturday Night Fever (Drury Lane Theatre), Brigadoon (The Goodman Theatre), The Bardy Bunch (Mercury Theatre). Thank you to my family – especially to my 4 sisters whom I love so much. IG: @oliviarenteri

MAGGIE SPICER
(Ensemble, Coroner, Damien) National Tour: The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble, Glinda U/S); Regional theatre: Jekyll & Hyde, Mamma Mia (Lisa), Hello, Dolly! at Casa Mañana; Mamma Mia! (Ali), Hello, Dolly!, Freaky Friday (Torrey), A Little Night Music (Anne Egerman), Les Miserables at Lyric Theatre of OK. Proud Kansan! Love to mom, dad, T and Justin.

FRANCISCO THURSTON
(Ensemble, Apple Tree) is very excited to be in his first Starlight production. Dance credits: Justin Bieber, Zendaya, Todrick Hall, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Saturday Night Live, Americas Got Talent. Commercial: Disney, Cartoon Network, Sensa, Amtrak. Misc: Norwegian Cruises, Holland America, Universal Studios Japan, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

CHRISTOPHER TREPINSKI
(Ensemble, Apple Tree) is thrilled to be flying over the rainbow to make his Starlight debut! NY City Center Encores!: Grand Hotel. Regional: Into the Woods, A Year with Frog and Toad, The Drowsy Chaperone. Lawrence, KS. BFA, KU. Thanks to GBM, AEA, teachers, friends, and family! IG: @christophertrepinski

EMILY VARGO
(Ensemble, Barrister, Flying Jitterbug, Winkie General) is a local, Kansas City based actress. Starlight debut! Some of Emily’s favorite local credits include The Blue Fairy in My Son Pinocchio (Music Theatre Wichita), Ermengarde in Hello, Dolly! (Music Theatre Wichita), Frenchy in Grease. You may have last seen Emily in Emotional Creature with Spinning Tree Theatre.

DANIEL WALTON
(Ensemble, Apple Tree ) is so excited to be at Starlight! Credits: Jack Kelly in Newsies, Frank Schultz in Show Boat (Westchester Broadway), and Otto in Spring Awakening (Gloucester Stage – IRENE Award Best Musical). Boston Conservatory alum. Thanks to the team at The Mine, Mom, Dad, Michael, and Doppy for their endless support. www.danielscottwalton.com @danielscottwalton

ALEX TEMPLE WARD
(Ensemble, Crow, Tinman Understudy ) is humbled to be part of such a tremendous company! Favorite credits: Ghost the Musical (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival), Kristoff in Frozen (original cast, Disney Cruise Lines), Charles Schultz in Sparky: A New Musical (New York Theater Festival). Thanks to this cast and crew, The Mine, JayJay, Mom, Dad, and Max. www. alextward.com IG: @atempleward