Mamma Mia: Cast

CAST (in order of appearance)

Ensemble: Katy Agans, Emma Brandenburger, Olivia BZ Haynes, Mai Hartwich, Brittany Sue Hines, Peyton Knowski, Carlie Merola, Anna Meyer, Jamie Redwood, Callan Roberts, Anisa Rosado

RECORDING ENSEMBLE:

Leslie Ann Harkins, Mai Hartwich, Brittany Sue Hines, Peyton Knowski, Luke Nowakowski, Ben Paynic, Jamie Redwood, Callan Roberts

 

UNDERSTUDIES:

CAST PROFILES

LILI ADAM (Sophie Sheridan) is a senior Theatre Arts major at Dominican University and she is thrilled for you to see her as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia! She wants to thank her friends, family, and everyone at Dominican for always supporting her and her dreams, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

KATY AGANS (Pastor/Ensemble/Lisa US) was last seen in Dominican’s virtual production of She Kills Monsters, and is thrilled to be a part of Mamma Mia! She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support.

EMMA BRANDENBURGER (Ensemble) is a senior at Dominican University double majoring in Fashion Design and Theatre Arts. While she enjoys performing in her free time, Emma also works behind the scenes, pursuing a career in costume design. She is excited to be back on stage this year as an ensemble member, and is thankful for her family and friends’ endless support.

KELLI CLEVENGER (Donna Sheridan) is thrilled to be returning back home to the stage with this incredible creative team and company. Favorite credits include: Irene Malloy in Hello Dolly starring Sally Struthers, She Loves Me (Writers Theatre), Dennis DeYoung’s Hunchback of Notre Dame (Bailiwick Repertory Theatre), Chicago premiere of Tomorrow Morning (Victory Gardens Theater Greenhouse), Joanne Jefferson in the Chicago premiere of Rent, Sister Hubert in Nunsense (Metropolis). TV: Leverage, Prison Break. Kelli’s most recent film project, Being Alive, just screened at LA’s historic TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. Thanks to Big Mouth Talent. Love to Tommy and Chase for all your support. @kelliclevenger1  KelliClevenger.com

DAN COLLINS (Harry Bright) is excited to be at Dominican for the first post pandemic show! Favorite roles: Bobby Child in Crazy for You, Don Lockwood in Singing in the Rain, Wilbur in Hairspray, Seymour in Little Shop. Performing since the age of 18: theme parks, cruises, and regional theatre; been a great ride! Huge traveler, having been to over 80 countries and counting!  20 years in residential real estate in all of Chicagoland. Thank you for supporting live theatre. Vaccinate!!!

MELISSA CRABTREE (Tanya Cresham-Leigh) is thrilled to be joining Dominican for a joyous return to the theatre! Favorite Credits: Mabel (Pirates of Penzance - Tall Ship Windy), Nellie Forbush (South Pacific - MOS), Lina (Singin' in the Rain), Domina (A Funny Thing... - Metropolis), and Mrs. Claus (9 years running - Navy Pier Entertainment) @melissa.m.crabtree  @an_actor_plans

RACHEL ESSER (Lisa) is a freshman at Dominican University and is very excited to perform in her first show as Lisa! She would like to thank the amazing cast, crew, and directors, as well as her friends and family for all their help and support. Enjoy the show!

LESLIE ANN HARKINS (Ali/Recording Ensemble/Donna and Sophie US) is thrilled to be back on the stage after a two year hiatus. Favorite credits include: Chicago (Roxie), Sister Act (ensemble), and Urinetown (ensemble). When not on stage, Leslie Ann enjoys choreographing, teaching children’s gymnastics, and hanging out with partner and 70 pound puppy. Big thanks to Zach and Edgar as well as the cast, crew, and production staff of the show!

MAI HARTWICH (Ensemble/Recording Ensemble) is a Massachusetts native who attended the University of New Hampshire. She graduated with a degree in theatre in 2020. After a year-long hiatus, Mai returned to the stage this year. Her most recent role was Percy in The Spitfire Grill at Hackmatack Playhouse. This summer, she also played Mimi Marquez in Rent. Other notable roles include Heather Chandler in Heathers and Luisa in The Fantasticks. Mai thanks her family for their support.

OLIVIA BZ HAYNES (Ensemble/Understudy for Pastor) is currently pursuing a major in Theatre Arts. She was seen last year in DU’s virtual production of She Kills Monsters, and is looking forward to being a part of many future productions.

BRITTANY SUE HINES (Ensemble/Recording Ensemble) is an actress, educator, arts administrator, and yoga instructor who is stoked to be making her Dominican University debut! Recent credits include BRIGHT STAR (BoHo Theatre), ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Chicago Kids Company), OLIVER! (Main Stage Musicals), SISTER ACT (The Palace Theatre). BFA, The Hartt School. She gives a big thanks to coffee for its endless hard work!

PEYTON KNOWSKI (Ensemble/Recording Ensemble/Harry and Bill US) is a junior BFA musical theatre student at Columbia College Chicago. He also is a proud member of The Beautiful City Project team! His last stage performance pre-covid was set to be Columbia’s production of Urinetown as the role of Officer Barrel. Peyton would like to thank his family and friends for their continuous support. He would also like to dedicate this production to his father, Eric. 

CARLIE MEROLA (Ensemble/Sky US) is a junior Photo-Cinema major at Dominican University with a minor in Theater Arts. She is so grateful for the support from her family and friends, as well as the wonderful energy from the cast and crew members. She hopes you all have a blast watching Mamma Mia!

ANNA MEYER (Ensemble) is from Madison, MS and is the second youngest of five siblings. She is a sophomore here at Dominican University and majoring in Theatre Arts performance.

LUKE NOWAKOWSKI (Pepper/Sam US) is thrilled to be making his Dominican debut as Pepper. A graduate of Elmhurst University, he was previously seen at The Drama Group as Finch in How To Succeed In Business. Luke is thrilled to finally be able to bring his mom and see his feel good show come alive.

BEN PAYNIC (Eddie/Dance Captain) is ecstatic to be back doing live theatre! He is a recent college graduate of North Central College with a degree in Musical Theatre and a minor in dance. He would like to thank the team, his friends, and his family for all of the support.

JAMIE REDWOOD (Ensemble/Recording Ensemble/Tanya and Rosie US) is in her first show at Dominican University. Jamie is an Irene Ryan Scholarship semi-finalist and finalist, and competed for these titles at the KCACTF in 2020 and 2021. Jamie is so thankful to have been a part of this show, and extends her thanks to the company for making it happen. Enjoy the show!

CALLAN ROBERTS (Ensemble/Recording Ensemble/Pepper and Eddie US) is a senior musical theatre major at Columbia College Chicago. He is originally from the swell Plains of Omaha, Nebraska. Cal is very excited to be joining the cast of Mamma Mia! after so long of no theatre, his last show was Urinetown before the world had that big hiccup known as COVID. Cal loves watching the Dick Van Dyke Show, Scooby-Doo, and solving mysteries in his free time!

LESLIE RODRIGUEZ (Rosie Mulligan) has been the director of the Dominican University Performing Arts Center since 2005. Highlights from her past life as an actor include A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella), A Shayna Maidel (Rose), A Girl’s Guide to Chaos (Cynthia), Beautiful Bodies (Nina), The Great Nebula in Orion (Carrie) and A Christmas Carol (Alice), among others. She is inspired by the amazing work of the Mamma Mia! cast and delighted that they let her share the stage with them. 

ANISA ROSADO (Ensemble)

TYLER SONKIN (Sam Carmichael) is thrilled to be returning to the stage with DUPAC’s production of Mamma Mia!. Tyler has a BA in Theatre from Millikin University. Past credits include Curly (Oklahoma), Man in Chair (Drowsy Chaperone DUPAC), Max (Lend Me a Tenor), Billy (Anything Goes), Smudge (Plaid Tidings), Bill Calhoun (Kiss Me, Kate), Galahad/Black Knight (Spamalot), Prince Eric (Little Mermaid). Tyler would like to thank his friends and Family for all of their support. 

HERSHEY SURI (Sky) just received her BA in Politics and Theatre from Pomona College in Los Angeles, CA. Some of her previous credits include Jo March in Little Women and Fastrada in Pippin. She would like to thank Krista, David, Dyanna, and the cast and crew of Mamma Mia! for giving her so much love, support, and guidance during her first production in Chicago.

MATT WHALEN (Bill Austin) is excited to join the cast of Mamma Mia!. He previously played Bill, and was set to play the role at Metropolis in 2020. Other previous credits include Bridges of Madison County, Joseph...Dreamcoat (Brightside Theatre), Parade (Harper Theatre Ensemble-BWW Award: Musical), as well as work with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Light Opera Works, First Folio, Signal Ensemble Theatre (1776-Jeff Award, Musical). Proud graduate of North Central College. Thanks to Lauren, family and friends for support.

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