Meet The Cast of Athens Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

This upcoming weekend is the second in our run of "A Christmas Carol, the Musical", and here are just a few of the reasons we're so proud: Our marvelous cast!

Bob Brandenburg (Scrooge)
is back on stage after spending years as a director, producer, writer for Nickelodeon. Bob has performed at The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park, appeared as Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors at the Osceola Performing Arts Center and Phil Rizzardi in The Fabulous Lipitones, Matron in Women Behind Bars in the 2016 Fringe Festival and Frank Hamer in Bonnie and Clyde at the Garden Theatre. Bob has directed Cabaret at Seminole State College, The Drowsy Chaperone for Mad Cow Theater Company, wrote and directed Name That Tune for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. Currently, he is performing at Sleuth's Mystery Theater and at Universal.

Noa Carmel (Mrs. Cratchit, Emily U/S)
is returning to the Athens after her debut here in The Addams Family. Noa is a proud AMDA NY alumna. Favorite credits include Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, Wendla Bergmann in Spring Awakening in Dr. Phillips Center, Maria in the Israeli production of West Side Story, Kate in Zanna, Don't!, Miss Jolie in Miss Jolie, Amy in Elevators To Eden, and Cassandra in The Lost Women Of Troy. A big thank you to the cast and crew for making this a magical experience.

Michael Vincent Cerasoli (Young Scrooge/Charity Man)
is so happy to take the stage for A Christmas Carol! He's returning to The Athens Theater after playing Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family Musical. Some previous ventures from 2016 include playing Curly McLain in Oklahoma! for the Wekiva River Players, the Purser in Anything Goes at the Icehouse Theatre, and performing The Tell-tale Heart in Poe Poe Poe at the Orlando Fringe Festival. He'd like to thank his family and friends for always supporting him, and for continually driving long distances to see his shows.

Kit Cleto (Ghost of Christmas Present/Sandwichboard Man)
is thrilled to be returning to the Athens Theatre this holiday season! He was last seen on the Athens stage in a blond wig as Sir Galahad in Monty Python's Spamalot. Recent credits include the regional premieres of Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical (Garden Theatre) and Hands on a Hardbody (TheatreWorks Florida). This coming February, Kit will be playing William Barfée in the Beth Marshall Presents production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Garden Theatre. He would like to thank his friends and family for their continuous love and support.

Brendan Colangelo (Ebenezer at 12/Charity Man/Undertaker)
is excited to do his first full production at The Athens Theater. He has previously been a cast member in school productions of Alice in Wonderland, Yes Virginia and Peter Pan. He has also had roles in production camps here at The Athens Theater in both Charlotte's Web and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He is currently an 8th grader at Ivy Hawn Charter School of the Arts.

Anthony Cordero (Fred, Beadle)
is thrilled to return to the Athens theater this holiday season. He received a Bachelor of Music with an outside field in education from Stetson University here in Deland, FL. He has performed here at the Athens as Teen Angel in Grease, Anthony the sailor in Sweeney Todd, and Fred Anderson in a previous showing of A Christmas Carol. At Stetson he performed as Krushina in Anton Smetana's The Bartered Bride.

AJ Daniels (Young Marley)
is delighted to return to The Athens Theatre stage once again. His former debut in the Athens' Beauty and the Beast made him want to come back for more, as it was the best experience that he has ever had in his life. He would like to thank all of his wonderful cast members, his grandparents, and his mother for yet another amazing opportunity to perform on this magical stage.

Donald Fields (Mr. Smythe/Mr. Hawkins/Old Joe)
is excited for his second season at the Athens. This is his eighth show here. Most recently, he played Patsy this summer in Monty Python's Spamalot and Mal in The Addams Family. When not at the Athens, Donald is an educator in Seminole County. He'd like to congratulate this remarkable cast for bringing the very best of Central Florida to this production! It's been a true joy working with you all. He'd also like to thank his family and friends for their support.

Aubrey Heiss (Pantomime Girl/Safe-In-Chest Ghost/Cooks)
is excited to be preforming in another Athens Theatre production. She has loved preforming since she was in fourth grade. She is happy to say that this is her second show here at the Athens. Recently she has performed in Beauty and the Beast (Athens) and The Grim Brother Spectaculathon (Shoestring Theatre). She thanks her Mom, Dad, siblings and chickens for all their support. She also is very appreciative of the amazing family that has come together in Athens Theatre.

Melina Kay (Emily)
is thrilled to be making her debut at Athens Theatre. Melina grew up in Orlando and just graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre Studies. Past credits include Maria in West Side Story, Wendla in Spring Awakening, Hope in Urinetown the Musical, and Liat in South Pacific.

Rockie Kobrin (Mrs. Fezziwig/Charwoman) Rockie began at age eight as a star on a CBS Philadelphia children's television show for 8 years; and continued in touring summer stock productions in the northeast; and as the lead singer in a female trio on the nightclub circuit. Locally, she was a featured vocal soloist and dance member of the Fab Follies for five years. She has appeared here at the Athens Theatre as Aunt Ev in The Miracle Worker, Martha Watson in White Christmas, Juror # 9 in Twelve Angry Jurors, but some of her other local theater appearances include Shoestring Theater, Theatre Downtown, Orlando Shakes, Orlando Fringe, Wilde Coward, CFCarts and the Breakthrough Theatre. She is grateful to Craig Uppercue for the opportunity to return to The Athens and share in this wonderful, classic holiday story.

Michele Malinda (Ensemble)
is very happy to be in her 2nd production at the Athens Theatre where she was Mrs. Brady in Inherit the Wind. She has been in community Theater Productions in New Orleans, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Leesburg, Mt. Dora, Honolulu and Cocoa Village. She has performed in Meet Me in St. Louis, My Three Angels, Sound of Music, Christmas Belles, Southern Hospitality, and many others. Michele was last seen the DaytOna Playhouse as Aunt La Merle Verdeen Minshew in Rex's Exes. She is originally from New Orleans and is known as "Mimi" to her 10 most beautiful grandchildren. And, Patrick - I love you - come here and give me a kiss!!?

Meghan Marsh (Ghost of Christmas Future/Blind Old Hag/Dance Captain)
makes her debut performance at The Athens Theater. Meghan studied music education at Penn State and the University of Central Florida. She's been involved in many productions including Why Do Fools Fall In Love?, Bonnie and Clyde, Grease, Peter Pan, Godspell, Bat Boy, Summer of Love, The Wizard of Oz and Almost, Maine. For the last ten years Meghan has been building a career with Universal Orlando. She is beyond excited about this new opportunity and can't wait for the great things to come.

Thomas Muniz (Jacob Marley)
is returning to The Athens after three performances -Cabaret, Lend Me a Tenor, and most recently as Fester in The Addams Family. He has also starred in Spamalot, The Good Doctor, and House of Blue Leaves at the Limelight Theater in St. Augustine Florida. A native of New Jersey, Tom now lives in Palm Coast with his wife and four Pugs.

Nelson "Noah" Rodriguez (Jonathan/Factory Worker/Ensemble)
is excited to be making his debut at The Athens Theater. Noah has had a passion for theater since he learned how to talk. He attended Lochwood Academy for the Performing Arts this past summer and performed various roles in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and The Granny Awards. He is in 4th grade at Midway Elementary School of the Performing Arts and was just cast for the role of Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical. He thanks his family and teachers for their constant support for his passion of performing. He would also like to thank Mr. Uppercue and Mr. Fields for making his dream come true.


John Rice (Mr. Cratchit)
is happy to be returning to his friends at The Athens Theatre for the second time after appearing as several characters in last spring's Gypsy. John has had the good fortune to appear in several shows in Orlando over the course of the last two years, along with frequent appearances at Universal Orlando which muggles needn't worry about. John would like to thank his parents for giving him undying support, his daughter Mara for giving him limitless inspiration, the DOB's for giving him treasured memories, The Athens for giving him a place to play and you, yes you, sitting here reading this right now - thank you so much. Enjoy the show!

Brittany Rose (Sally Anderson/Ensemble)
is very excited to be back at The Athens Theater after making her debut in Addams Family as an Ancestor. Favorite past credits include The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Oliver! (Artful Dodger), and Catch Me If You Can (Carol Strong). Brittany originated the role of Cathy in the World Premiere of Sherlock in Love at the Cocoa Village Playhouse. She would like to thank the entire cast, production team, and her family for their support during this amazing show.

Alejandra Sofia Soto-Colon (Martha Cratchit / Fan)
is delighted to be back at the Athens after her debut in Beauty and the Beast Jr. earlier this year. Currently a 5th grader, Alejandra has been taking vocal and piano lessons for over a year. She has performed in various music recitals and appeared in WDPAC production of My Son Pinocchio Jr. as the Cricket. Alejandra is thankful to the great production team at the Athens for this opportunity and is most appreciative to her family for their support and for encouraging her to follow her dream to be on Broadway.

Russell R. Trahan (Mr. Fezziwig)
is thrilled to be back at Athens Theatre, having recently been seen in Inherit The Wind and Lend Me a Tenor. Other Orlando area credits include: Sylvia, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club at Theatre Downtown; NUTS, and two Christmas shows at Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park; Diary of Anne Frank with Baggy Pants Theater; five plays with Playwrights' Round Table; The Odd Couple at CFC Arts; Michael Wanzie Presents; and the 2015 Tampa Bay Theatre Festival. Russell would like to thank his partner, David, for his encouragement, support, and love.

Payton Underwood (Ensemble)
is thrilled to be a part of yet another fantastic production at the Athens Theatre. Payton is a freshman at DeLand High where she is enjoying Theater Production, being a part of the Cross Country team and Young Life. She has been seen on the Athens stage in Little Mermaid Jr., The Miracle Worker and Beauty and the Beast. Payton looks forward to pursuing her acting career thanks to the inspiration she is receiving from The Uppercue's and the entire cast/production team.

Joaquín Keno Watson Villalobos (Ensemble)
is 16 years old, and is acting in The Athens Theatre for the second time. With his first show as the Prince in Beauty and the Beast Jr., Keno has enjoyed working at The Athens and is glad to be back onstage. Keno would like to thank his parents for always supporting him and believing in him. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Jolee Seven Villalobos (Grace Smythe)
is ten years old and she is returning to the Athens Theatre from her previous show Beauty and the Beast Jr.. She says The Athens Theatre experience has been fun and would be glad to work at the Athens again. Her favorite part about being in A Christmas Carol was meeting all the cast members. Jolee would like to thank her entire family for being with her. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Shiloh Madison Villalobos (Ensemble)

is ecstatic to work in The Athens Theatre for the fourth time this year after her three previous shows including an ensemble role in Beauty and the Beast Jr., and tech in both Gypsy and Addams Family. Shiloh wants to thank her director, Mr. Uppercue, for giving her so many opportunities. She would also like to thank the stage manager, Hunter, for dealing with all the crazy kids and adults in A Christmas Carol. Shiloh would also like to give a shout out to J.T., the assistant stage manager, for helping us rehearse and making the show come alive. Shiloh hopes you love the show! #HappyChristmas

Jeremiah Williams (Tiny Tim)

is a home-educated 5th grader and is very excited and thankful to make his Athens debut! He can also be seen in The Happy Elf at the Orlando Rep. Past favorite roles include Lamar in Godspell (Breakthrough Theatre), Fudge in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Orlando Rep), Mowgli in The Jungle Book (Episcopal Church of the Resurrection), and Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (The Cherry Tree). When not on stage he likes doing science experiments, playing games, and attending theater shows.

Rachel Whittington (Ghost of Christmas Past)

an Elon University graduate, is thrilled to back at the Athens! She was featured in several operas with the Opera Academy of California led by Metropolitan Opera director Yefim Maizel. In 2012, she performed with multi-platinum singer/songwriter Ben Folds. Central Florida Credits: Gypsy, Into the Woods, The Dead, Equis, The Philadelphia Story, 1776. Other Credits: The Music Man, Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicchi. Rachel would like to thank her family, friends, and everyone who chooses live theatre for making her dream job a reality!

To post a comment, you must register and login.