Cast of Characters
PEOPLE OF ARGENTINA
SCOT ALLAN, ALBERT ALTOVILLA*, LAKISHA BOWEN, WILLIAM CABRERA,
NICOLLE COOPER, THOM GRAHAM*, ROBIN LOUNSBURY, ERNEST MARCHAIN*,
MICHAEL MCKINSEY, MICHAEL PIZZI, ALEXANDER QUIROGA*, GINA RESTANI,
MICHAEL SCIBILIA, SARAH SHAHINIAN, GREGORY TRECO*, ROBIN WILNER*,
TAD WILSON, DANA WINKLE*, MATTHEW ZIMMERMAN
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
DEANNA
ALEXANDRA |
OLIVIA
ANDRUNIK |
CONNER
BYRNES |
DANIELLE
CARLACCI |
RYAN
KOERBER |
MICHELLE
VEINTIMILLA |
 SCOT ALLAN (Ensemble) is happy to be performing in his first production at Gateway. After traveling the country with the national tour of Grease starring Frankie Avalon (Eugene, u/s Doody), Scot came to New York and appeared in Personal Space Theatrics’ production of A Christmas Carol (Peter Cratchitt, dance captain). Originally from Boston, Scot has studied at the Boston Conservatory, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia. Other credits include; A Chorus Line (Greg), 42nd Street (Andy Lee), Me and My Girl (Bill), Footloose (u/s Ren), My Fair Lady (Harry), The Lark (Charles). Many thanks to Jacquie, Suzanne and all of his family and friends for their endless support.
 ALBERT ALTOVILLA (Ensemble). This show marks Albert’s sixth at Gateway. Previous mountings here in the barn have been Pippin, Kiss Me, Kate! and On The Town; Jesus Christ Superstar and Miss Saigon at the Patchogue Theatre. He has sailed the sea aboard Disney’s Magic Cruise and toured the land with the companies of Hello, Dolly! and Annie Get Your Gun. Performed regionally at Austin Musical Theatre, West Virginia Public, Sacramento Music Circus and on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre in Chess for the Actor’s Fund. Albert is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, a unionized league of professional stage managers and stage actors. Thanks to the powers that be. Peace on earth and in space.
 LAKISHA BOWEN (Ensemble/Mistress) made her New York debut as part of the Negro Ensemble Company’s production of Colored People’s Time in October 2004. She was most recently seen at The Collective: Unconscious Theatre performing in a one-woman rendition of The Yellow Wallpaper. Past credits include: Our Town (Emily Webb); A Chorus Line (Maggie); Pirates Of Penzance (Kate); Premier of Over The Rainbow… at Arena Theatre of South Africa (Maggie/Wicked Witch); Premier of Rosa Parks (Young Rosa); as well as Space by Steppenwolf’s Tina Landau (Singer). Lakisha holds her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University where she spent six months training in Cape Town, South Africa. Lakisha attended the SITI Company Summer Intensive under the direction of Anne Bogart and served as a company intern in 2004. Many thanks to my family, friends, and Ike. I love you all!
 LISA BRESCIA (Eva) played the role of Amneris in AIDA on Broadway in 2004 until its closing, and had the privilege of touring in the role prior to that. Also on Broadway she was seen in Jesus Christ Superstar. Regional credits include Cathy in The Last Five Years at the Skylight Opera Theatre, Petra in A Little Night Music and Meg in Brigadoon at the Goodspeed Opera House and Jenny in Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief at Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theatre. For five years, she toured worldwide as a “Mama” with The Mamas and The Papas with original members John Phillips and Denny Doherty. TV credits include Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Lisa is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and was a member of the AADA Repertory Company. She was the recipient of the Academy’s Lawrence Langner Speech Award and the Charles Jehlinger Award for excellence in acting. Lisa lives in New Jersey with her partner, songwriter Craig Carnelia.
 WILLIAM CABRERA (Ensemble) is excited to be a part of Gateway’s production of Evita. An American Musical and Dramatic Academy grad, he recently completed the national tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as an Aggie. His regional credits include 42nd Street (Andy Lee), Grease (Roger) and Footloose (Jeter). Summer stock: Sweet Charity, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph...Dreamcoat. William thanks his family for their love and support.
 DAN COONEY (Che) is very happy to be back at The Gateway Playhouse where he was last seen as Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate. Broadway: Les Miserables. Off-Broadway: The Thing About Men (Man), Kathie Lee Gifford’s Under the Bridge. Nat’l Tours: the First National Tours of Les Miserables and Frank Wildhorn’s The Civil War, Evita (Che), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik). Regional: Measure for Measure (Lucio, Yale Rep. Company) (Peter, the Kennedy Center); The Last Five Years (Round Table Rep.); Carousel (Billy) at Connecticut Rep; Evita (Che) at Papermill Playhouse, the Muny, Theatre Under the Stars; Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas, Maine State Music Theatre), (Herod, Gateway Playhouse). Dan is a 1999 graduate of the Yale School of Drama.
 NICOLLE COOPER (Ensemble) is honored to make her debut at Gateway Playhouse in the production of Evita. She has studied with the Eglevsky Ballet Company, and most recently with the Department of Dance at the University of Michigan. She was recently a part of the NYC production of The Devil is An Ass, choreographed by Jeff Shade, and has been an apprentice at Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project for several years. Nicolle wishes to thank her wonderful family and friends for their continuous love and support. “To my best friend in the world, who always said that if you want something badly enough, and work as hard as you possibly can, that you will get it... I love you Mom.”
 THOM GRAHAM (Ensemble/Dance Captain) recently returned from many years in London where he was in the original West End productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, and Contact. Also there, Fame, Evita, Cats, Hello Dolly, West Side Story, etc. Ballet companies include: Netherlands Dance Theatre, Australian Dance Theatre. Signed to Sony as a member of United Colors of Sound. Backing vocalist for the late Robert Palmer and Enrique Eglesias. ENCORES! Can Can and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Love to wife Nathalie and children Daniel, Megan and Claire.
 JONATHAN HAMMOND (Peron). Theatre credits include: Transport Group (Drama Desk Nomination – The Audience), Center Stage, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Theatreworks – Palo Alto, Fulton Opera House, Syracuse Stage, Pioneer Theatre Company, Meadowbrook Theatre, Penguin Rep, Barrington Stage, The Public Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Theatre For A New Audience, Lark Theatre Co, McCarter Theatre, Kennedy Center and productions of Forbidden Broadway and Forever Plaid. Television: Law and Order. Jonathan received both of Boston’s highest theatrical honors – the Elliot Norton Award and an Outer Critic’s Circle Award for Best Performance By An Actor for Barrington Stage’s production of Cabaret. Training: American Repertory Theatre Institute For Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and the University of Michigan.
 ROBIN LOUNSBURY (Ensemble) is very excited to be doing her first show at Gateway. Previous experiences include Paper Mill Playhouse: Agatha / General Cartwright, Guys and Dolls; Northern Stage: Mrs. Pierce, My Fair Lady; Merry-Go-Round Playhouse: Singin’ in the Rain, Footloose. Regional: Marian, Music Man; Josephine, H.M.S. Pinafore; Glinda, Wizard of Oz. NYC: Morgana, Alcina; Zerbinetta; Ariadne auf Naxos. Robin sends her love out to her family and friends. Thank you Alan! www.rkwstudio.com
 ERNEST MARCHAIN (Magaldi/Ensemble). This is Ernest’s Gateway Playhouse debut! Most recently Ernest was seen in the Off-Broadway, Drama Desk Award winning show Toxic Audio, a show performed entirely a cappella! He also performed both as The Beast and Gaston on the US National Tour of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast. He has spent the better part of the last 11 years on skates in ALW’s Starlight Express in the Las Vegas and German companies playing Rusty in earlier years and more recently as the bad boy Greaseball. He just completed a reading of the new 70’s disco musical Last Dance directed by Phil McKinley of Boy From Oz fame. He has also performed in various stunt shows in Orlando and Las Vegas and feels just as comfortable singing on stage or diving from 10 meter platforms! He dedicates his performance to his newly married brother Mike and lovely sister-in-law Anne Marie.
 MICHAEL MCKINSEY (Ensemble/u/s Peron). Michael “Tuba” McKinsey (Battle Ground, WA) is pleased to be making his Gateway Playhouse debut! A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Michael was last seen on the first National Tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! Favorite regional roles: Mr. Andrews (Titanic), Frank Butler (Annie Get Your Gun), Cpt. Corcoran (HMS Pinafore). Look for Tuba later this summer playing Smudge (Forever Plaid) and Michael (Tick Tick Boom) in PA. Thanks and love to my family (Ma, Pa, and Sis), my friends, KK, and Kimberly Vaughn.
 MICHAEL PIZZI (Ensemble/General) makes his debut at Gateway in one of his favorite musicals, having played Che in the Washington DC area. He is primarily a singer/actor, with roles that include Frankie Cavalier in Pageant (Director Joal Paley and Musical Supervisor Marvin Laird), the Baker in Into the Woods, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and his favorite role of Sancho in Man of La Mancha (4 times!). He has performed in 1776 at DAR Hall in DC, and with the Washington Opera. Opera credits include Leporello in Don Giovanni, Papageno in The Magic Flute and King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Michael has trained as a therapist and is a wellness life coach, helping people attain a higher level of health and well-being in all areas of their lives. mpizzi5857@aol.com
 ALEXANDER QUIROGA (Tango Dancer/Ensemble). This is Alex’s first appearance both at Gateway and in Evita, one of his favorite shows. Others include Taboo on Broadway (u/s Marilyn), National and European tours of West Side Story (Bernardo), and A Chorus Line at TUTS (Al). Love and Thank Yous to Mom, Dad, Paul, The Girls, and D.J.
 GINA RESTANI (Ensemble, u/s Eva) is thrilled to be a part of Gateway’s production of Evita. A few of her favorite roles include; Edwin Drood in The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, Jen in John And Jen (West Coast Premier), and Carla in Nine. Gina holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Much love and many thanks to my beautiful and amazing Mama!
 MICHAEL SCIBILIA (Ensemble/u/s Magaldi) is excited to make his Gateway premiere. Michael is a graduate of AMDA. Recent credits include: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (National Tour), Cinderella (National Tour), West Side Story (Asst. Dir./Chorus, Riff/Action), Crazy for You (Bobby Child), Evita (Che), Pirates of Penzance (u/s Frederick), My Way (Tenor Soloist). Michael thanks his family and friends for their love and support, and says “Be a storyteller; the world will always need them.”
 SARAH SHAHINIAN (Ensemble). A graduate of NYU Tisch, Sarah is thrilled to be joining this wonderful cast and reviving her dance skills and Latina roots (or lack-thereof). National Tours: Oklahoma! (Ado Annie, 1st Nat’l of ’02 Bway Revival). Regional: Philadelphia Premiere of I SING! (Heidi), South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), Sound of Music (Liesl), A Chorus Line (Val). Other favorites: Falsettos (Trina), Cabaret (Sally) and multiple original works by Brian Lowdermilk. Thanks to all my amazing friends and family for their support. I love you Mommacita!
 GREGORY TRECO (Ensemble, u/s Che), originally from Nassau, Bahamas, is the most excited to be back on stage. (You have no idea!) Gregory created the role of Zanna in Zanna Don’t! and made his Broadway debut last season in Rosie O’Donnell’s Taboo in which he played the producer and understudied Boy George. He would like to thank his family; Dad, Mom, Eb and Math. The princesses for the personal reflection, Bunny for being my partner in crime and last but not least, Desperate Housewives, 24, American Idol and the good Lord for getting him through the long winter. Enjoy. Really.
 ROBIN WILNER (Ensemble) is delighted to be making her Gateway Playhouse debut in Evita. A native of Chicago, Robin studied and danced intensively with Ballet Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, Gus Giordano and Hubbard Street before coming east. She made her childhood dream come true performing in the National Tour of CATS (Demeter), and has toured nationally with Scrooge: The Musical, In The Mood—Live, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Robin also enjoyed playing in the Off-Broadway disco smash The Donkey Show (Helen/Vinnie). Regional credits include Footloose (Urleen, u/s Rusty), West Side Story (Rosalia), Children Of Eden (Snake), Grease (Cha Cha), and 42nd Street. Much thanks and love to Mom, Dad, and her NY family for their continuous encouragement and guidance.
 TAD WILSON (Ensemble/General) recently relocated to New York City and is excited about his debut performance in Gateway’s Evita. He holds a commercial music vocal degree from Belmont University in Nashville, TN and his favorite roles include George in Sunday in the Park with George, Pierce in The Civil War, and Simon Stride in Jekyll and Hyde. He would like to thank his family for all of their love and support.
 DANA WINKLE (Ensemble, u/s Mistress) is very happy to make her Gateway debut in Evita! She recently had the pleasure of understudying Christiane Noll as Mabel in Goodspeed Opera House’s production of Mack and Mabel. Favorite credits include the national tours of 42nd Street (1st National) and Chicago (Liz, u/s Velma), the European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar (Maid by the fire, u/s Mary Magdalene, Soul Girls), A Chorus Line (Cassie), Chicago (Velma), Anything Goes (Reno), Me & My Girl (Jaquie), State Fair (Emily), Pippin (Fastrada), and Sweet Charity (Nickie). BFA: NYU/TSOA. Much love and many thanks to family and Brian.
 MATTHEW ZIMMERMAN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing for the first time at Gateway in Evita. He is also looking forward to being back in a rural area, since he grew up in one in Delaware. He studied at the Dance Conservatory in Dover, DE, and danced with its affiliated company, the Ballet Theatre of Dover. Credits: National Tours – Kiss Me, Kate (Hortensio, u/s Bill Calhoun), Cinderella; Regional – Man of La Mancha (Anselmo). His teachers include Teresa Emmons, Carla Fillman, Kat Wildish, Edie Cohee, and Alia Malkeeva. Thanks to the family, friends, and teachers who have supported and loved me.
PAUL ALLAN (Producer) Paul has been involved in theatre since before he can remember. In the early days he spent his summers following around his grandfather who had his hands full trying to make ends meet – running a theatre in the 60’s. Paul grew up at Gateway, looking forward to each summer and being able to do more each year. By the time he was a teenager he was an integral part of the back stage crew and was the self appointed handy man as well. In the 80’s as a young Gateway producer, Paul spent part of the winter months working in NY on many off-Broadway shows serving as technical supervisor/production company. At the same time he co-founded a touring company whose shows traveled throughout the US and other countries world- wide. The set rental company was also founded at this time and Gateway scenery is constantly being trucked to various theatres across the country. The main focus though, is still the productions produced here for our patrons - and this season begins with his 150th! Paul wishes to dedicate this season to his father whose presence is constantly felt as he continues to inspire and guide him - as he did while he was still here.
DJ SALISBURY (Director/Choreographer), a good ol’ Kentucky boy, has directed and choreographed from coast to coast after having seen the nation from a performer’s perspective on four touring shows. As a director-choreographer, he has set Annie Get Your Gun, Man of La Mancha, several productions of The Will Rogers Follies (including the Dallas Summer Musicals tour starring Larry Gatlin), Swinging on a Star, Into the Woods, They’re Playing Our Song, Swingtime Canteen, Grease!, The Wizard of Oz, and many other shows for various theaters nationwide including Papermill Playhouse (NJ), Riverside Theatre (FL), Artscenter of Coastal Carolina (SC) and Gateway Playhouse. (His new conception of Cats had audiences purring in Patchogue in 2004.) Favorite experiences creating dance include Nine, Irene, Annie, the premiere of Great Expectations adapted by novelist John Jakes, and for Sacramento Music Circus, The Secret Garden, Gypsy, Paint Your Wagon and A Funny Thing/Forum. DJ has had the privilege of working on several original productions and workshops in and around New York: The Will Rogers Follies, Titanic, Time and Again, Femme Fatale, Harold and Maude (starring Estelle Parsons) and Long Road Home. Also a bookwriter/lyricist, DJ’s musical adaptation of Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King, written with Neil Berg (composer of Off-Broadway’s The Prince and the Pauper) was showcased as part of the first New York Musical Theatre Festival. Another of his shows, The Honey Boys, performs on cruise ships worldwide. Delighted to return to Gateway, DJ wishes to thank you for supporting live theater!
MARY GIATTINO (Associate Director and Choreographer) is thrilled to return home to Gateway. As a director and choreographer she has been a creative force behind numerous Gateway Children’s Theatre productions. As a teacher Mary has educated many children in theatre and dance at the Gateway Acting School and Stage Door School of Dance. As a performer she began her career at Gateway in productions such as Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, A Chorus Line, Meet Me In St. Louis, It’s a Wonderful Life, 42nd Street, and The King & I. She has also performed at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in South Carolina, and at Hershey Park. She performed in the Broadway National Tour of 42nd Street and is currently a Radio City Rockette. She would like to extend a huge Thank You to Paul, Robin, and DJ for this amazing opportunity.
JEFFREY BUCHSBAUM (Musical Director) is so pleased to be back at Gateway with Evita, which marks his 16th production here. Others include: Cats, Miss Saigon, Phantom, and Ragtime. Recently in NYC: Off-Broadway production of On Second Avenue (2 Drama Desk Nominations), A Dash Of Rosemary (also arranger) a new show about Rosemary Clooney; Tallulah’s Party with Tovah Feldshuh (Kaufman Theatre); and Michael Valenti’s Song By Song (West Bank). Out of town: Broadway Rhythm, produced in China for the Macao International Music Festival (also conceived, orchestrated); The Magic of Musicals, produced in Athens, Greece (also conceived, orchestrated); The Skinflint (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Tours: Phantom of the Opera (European/South American), A Chorus Line (European/National), Romance, Romance (National), Song and Dance (National). Jeffrey recently conducted a series of seven musical theater recordings with the Warsaw Radio Philharmonic in Poland and the Pecs Philharmonic Orchestra in Hungary. Jeffrey also enjoys teaching voice, and has taught at New York University, Baruch, Middlesex and Mercer Colleges and LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts.
ROBIN JOY ALLAN (Casting and Artistic Director) has been the Casting Director at Gateway for the last ten years. Previous to moving back home, she was the Associate Casting Director on the feature films; Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, Lord of the Flies, Side Out and Ghost. She also cast several television series, pilots and MOW’s, whilst in Los Angeles for five years. Along with her Artistic and Casting Director duties, she is the force behind Gateway’s Acting School Division, where she teaches the advanced classes. Her best friend is her daughter Hayley who teaches her every day. Music, her great passion, was infused into her soul by her parents. She devotes any creativity she is able to conjure up this year, to her father, Stanley Allan, who always listened and heard her voice.
CHRIS LANDY (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be back home at Gateway where he has designed numerous productions over the years including Phantom, Tommy (CT Critic Circle Award), Jekyll & Hyde, Showboat, West Side Story, Brigadoon, Cabaret, and Crazy For You. Other credits include A Little Night Music for Goodspeed; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for Long Wharf and Williamstown; Hay Fever, Princess Turandot and Angel Street for Westport Country Playhouse; Orfeo ed Euridice and Turandot for Virginia Opera and Madame Butterfly, Marriage of Figaro, Die Fledermaus and Rigoletto for Boheme Opera. Off-Broadway credits include Oedipus, Hotel Universe, Princess Turandot, Ivanov, and Retribution. Working in television, Chris lit Tough Crowd w/ Colin Quinn for Comedy Central as well as Showbiz Tonight and Nancy Grace Live for CNN. He has designed extensively for MTV including TRL, DFX, Beach House, Mardi Gras, New Years Eve Specials, 1st Listen Concerts for U2, Britney Spears, Dave Mathews, Justin Timberlake, and Destiny’s Child as well as Unplugged’s for R.E.M., Jay-Z, Lauren Hill, Staind, Dashboard Confessional and Ken Hirai (for MTV Japan). For Oxygen, he lights their Custom Concert series featuring The Goo Goo Dolls, Macy Gray, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette and India.Arie, Michelle Branch, John Legend, and LeeAnn Rimes. He holds an MFA in lighting and set design from NYU and has recently launched his own design firm, Vibrant Design.
STEPHEN HOLLENBECK (Costume Designer). This award-winning costume designer joined the Costume World team in 2002. For over a decade, he was the Costume Designer for the Indianapolis Civic Theatre where he won the prestigious Encord Award. His award-winning designs include Oklahoma, Pippin, and My Fair Lady. His designs for Into the Woods won state, regional, and national awards and Stephen was thrilled to be able to tour Japan with this production. Since joining Costume World, Stephen has designed Crazy For You and George M! for Candlewood Productions, Cinderella and Forum for the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Ragtime for Musical Theatre Southwest, and for Gateway Cabaret, Miss Saigon and The King and I. He is pleased to once again be working with the Gateway Playhouse.
JOVON E. SHUCK (Production Stage Manager) is happy to return for a third season at Gateway. His credits include: Broadway: Noises Off, The Graduate. Gateway: Oklahoma!, Miss Saigon, The King and I, Carousel, Cats, Fosse. Other: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theatre, Actors Studio Drama School, Cherry County Playhouse, Lycian Centre, Main Street Theatre and ArtsPower National Touring Theatre.
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Winner of seven Tony Awards ®, EVITA brings to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. The charismatic Eva, captivated a nation by championing the working class, of which she belonged and rose to fame, as the lyrics tell us, "hustling and fighting, scratching and biting." Exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences create a gripping theatrical experience as the story is told mostly in song. The memorable and compelling score, groundbreaking for its time, has become one of the most popular collaborations between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. 
