BECOMING ROBIN HOOD

May 26 - June 25, 2023

The Cast

Cast Bios

Tosca Maltzman (Wren) (she/her) is thrilled to return to Berkeley Playhouse in this exciting new production! She previously appeared in Berkeley Playhouse’s production of Hairspray. Tosca is a Bay Area native who graduated from Tulane University with a B.F.A in Musical Theatre and Digital Media Production. Past credits include: Olive in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Contra Costa Musical Theatre), Poopsie in The Pajama Game (42nd Street Moon), Lucy in Bright Star, Whatsername in American Idiot, Wednesday in Addams Family (Contra Costa Civic Theatre), and Ilse in Spring Awakening (Tulane University). Love and big thanks to Marco, mom, dad, and Berkeley Playhouse.

Romelo Urbi (Cooper) (he/him) is delighted to be making a return to Berkeley Playhouse for the world premiere of Becoming Robin Hood. Favorite credits include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and Jack in Into the Woods (Berkeley Playhouse), Jamie in The Last Five Years (Cal Poly SLO), and Melchior in Spring Awakening (Ghostlight Theatricals). He would like to thank his friends and family for their unwavering encouragement, love, and support. Keep up with him on Instagram @romelourbi

Erika Cospin (Phoebe) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse for the world premiere of Becoming Robin Hood. Her past credits include Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Berkeley Playhouse), Kathy in Vanities the Musical (The Virtual Theatre Co.), and Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cal Poly SLO). Erika is continuously grateful for the support of her loved ones!

DC Scarpelli (Sheriff) was last seen at BPH dancing on a 40-foot piano in Big! The Musical! He just finished stints as Charley in Merrily We Roll Along with 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco, as Herbie in Gypsy at the Mountain Play, and for an all-too-brief engagement as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus with The Other Other Theatre Company. He is thrilled as ever to be on stage with his husband, Peter Budinger (Uncle), with whom he’s written and directed some plays, won some awards, and appeared in many, many productions over the past thirty years. DC has been a recipient of the Theatre Bay Area, Shellie, and Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for Lead Actor.

Melinda Meeng (Aunt Ivy / Villager) was last seen on the Berkeley Playhouse stage as Tanya in Mamma Mia! Other theatre credits include: A Christmas Carol (Sarah Cratchit), Gypsy (Rose), Our Town (Narrator), Flower Drum Song (Madame Rita Liang), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), The King & I (Lady Thiang), South Pacific (Bloody Mary, Shellie Award Winner), and many more! TV: Chance with Hugh Laurie, Film: Americana (2016), Free Byrd (2019). Cheers to my sweet Papa! Love to Todd!

Peter Budinger (Uncle) was last seen as Mr Spencer in Merrily We Roll Along with 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco, as Baron Van Swieten in The Other Other Theatre Company’s Amadeus, and as Dale Harding in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Lucky Penny. Peter also co-created and starred in Don’t Touch That Dial: DC and Peter’s Glorious Romp Through the Golden Age of TV Theme Songs, created for 42nd Street Moon with his husband, DC Scarpelli (Charley), with whom he is a frequent collaborator—they’ve directed, written, and co-starred in numerous shows together, including The Mystery of Irma Vep, for which they were both nominated for BATCC Awards. Peter’s last BPH outing was in Big! The Musical!

Billy Raphael (Friar Tuck) most recently performed at Berkeley Playhouse as Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Alexandros in Mama Mia, Uncle Henry/Guard in Wizard of Oz, and Drake in Annie. Other Bay Area performances include Smee in Peter Pan at Berkeley Playhouse, Tall Brother in Drowsy Chaperone, Louie in Lost in Yonkers, Marvin in Bleacher Bums, and Wilson in Harvey at CCCT, Sir Toby in Twelfth Night and Chebutykin in Kill the Debbie Downers at Shotgun Players, Zeller in Sound of Music and Charlie Cowell in Music Man at CCMT, & Audrey II puppeteer in Ray of Light's Little Shop. Billy would like to thank his Megan and Baby Rey Rey for all the love and support.

Paul Plain (Little John) is returning to Berkeley Playhouse after appearing in Beauty and the Beast, Billy Elliot, Urinetown and Tarzan. His most recent stage work includes the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch, Vice Principal Panch) for CCMT as well as Our Town (Stage Manager) for Center Rep, Hairspray (WIlbur Turnblad) and Crazy for You (Eugene Fodor) for Bay Area Musicals as well as the Bay Area premiere of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Ivan) for Town Hall Theatre and Sweeney Todd Sweeney Todd for Alameda Civic Light Opera. He can be seen on screen currently in Matrix 4, Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, and the forthcoming Thomas Crown Affair.

Christian Arteaga (Pennyroyal / Understudy for Sheriff) is incredibly excited to return to the Julia Morgan stage. Previous credits include Earthworm in James and the Giant Peach, Sonny in GREASE, Dolokhov in Shotgun Players production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, as well as directing and performing at several other theaters up and down the California coast.

Nicholas Jaochico (Smudgestick / Understudy for Friar Tuck & Little John) (he/him) After making his way through several stages across the Bay Area, Nico Jaochico is beyond overjoyed at the opportunity to return for his second production here at BPH! This once in a lifetime chance to convey a new story for the world is something that he will cherish forever in the accolades of his career. Apart from his time here at Berkeley Playhouse as an Ensemble/US in In The Heights, his most notable performances include Mark in RENT (Landmark Musical Theatre), Chip Tolentino in Spelling Bee (Contra Costa Musical Theater) and Minstrel in Something Rotten (Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre). He’d like to thank his father for his endless unbridled support!

Vanessa Dalpiaz (Madame De La Pauvre / Villager / Ensemble) is a Bay Area actor, director, and teaching artist.  She is thrilled to return to Berkeley Playhouse for the second time after In the Heights (Carla). Other recent acting credits include Cinderella (Step Sister), As You Like It (Celia), Little Women (Amy), and The Addams Family (Morticia). Up next, she will be assistant directing for SF Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. Find her on insta @_vdalpz

Donald Martin (Guy De La Pauvre / Vendor / Villager / Ensemble / Understudy for Uncle) (he/him) is a transplant from Upstate NY, via Philadelphia in 2007. He and his husband currently live in Richmond Annex. This is his first appearance on stage with the Berkeley Playhouse. Previous credits include several solo, duo and ensemble Cabaret appearances with Miss Smith Presents at Society Cabaret. He studies performance with the illustrious Stephanie Lynne Smith and Acting for Singers with Bobby Weinapple. In his spare time he is an RN with Alameda Health System.

Kacie Jean Hennessy (Moxy / Ensemble / Understudy for Wren) (she/her) is so excited to participate in her second production with Berkeley Playhouse! Past credits include: Matilda (Ensemble, Berkeley Playhouse), Working (Grace Clements, California Polytechnic State University), RENT (Mark’s Mom, Youth Musical Theatre Company), Mamma Mia (Tanya, Stars 2000). Instagram: @kaciejeanhennessy

Samantha Rasler (Mugwort / Ensemble / Understudy for Madame De La Pauvre) (she/her) is thrilled to be back on the Berkeley Playhouse stage, having last been seen here in the 2018 production of The Wizard of Oz.  A performer and artist based in the Bay Area, Samantha studied Drama and English at the University of California, Irvine.  Other credits include The Jungle Book: Rudyard Revised (EnActe Arts), Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (Altarena Playhouse), Cabaret (City Lights Theatre), Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Ninjaz of Drama), & Amy in Charley’s Aunt ’66 (Douglas Morrison Theatre).  Samantha wishes to extend a huge thank you to her friends, family, and cats for all of their love and support! @sam_she_be

Diella Wottrich (Ensemble / Guard / Understudy for Aunt Ivy) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse, having last performed in Mamma Mia! Theatre credits include Center REPertory Company’s A Christmas Carol, Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s Grease, Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph….., Sunset Blvd., Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A Chorus Line, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble’s Robin Hood, Diablo Theatre Company’s Guys & Dolls and Annie, and Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s The Sound of Music. She has also performed in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. She is very grateful to her friends and family for their support as she pursues her passion for the theatre!!

Scout Del Real (Ensemble / Guard / Understudy for Guy De La Pauvre) is thrilled to be in his first production with Berkeley Playhouse! After originally planning on making his Berkeley Playhouse debut with Head Over Heels, Scout is excited to finally be part of this community over a whole year later. Scout spent nearly his whole life onstage, but his most recent professional credits include “Brother” in Town Hall Theatre’s Cinderella: A Fairytale and “Georgie” in CenterRepertory’s A Christmas Carol. He’d like to thank his friends and mentors at the Lesher Center For The Arts, and especially Michael Patrick Wiles for this amazing opportunity.

Jesus Pedroza-Moreno (Understudy for Cooper) was born and raised in the Bay Area and is thrilled to be making his Berkeley Playhouse debut. He obtained his degree in Theatre at the University of California Santa Cruz at the beginning of the pandemic and is finally making his way back to the stage after many shutdowns. Special thank you to Kimberly Dooley and Michael Patrick Wiles for this opportunity. 

Danica Ding (Ensemble) has been with The Berkeley Playhouse since she was 3.  She was hooked on musical theater ever since her first role as Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz.  Since then, she has acted in The Music Man, Seussical, Mary Poppins Returns, Alice In Wonderland and Sing at The Berkeley Playhouse.  Danica also voiced 4 year old Meilin Lee in the Pixar movie, Turning Red.  Danica is grateful to Ms Lexi Diamond for inspiring in her a love of musical theater.  She wishes to thank her parents, her little sister Clara, her friends and everyone at The Berkeley Playhouse for their love and support.  Danica is excited to debut on the mainstage in Becoming Robin Hood and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Coco Ambrocente (Bramble / Ensemble / Understudy for Pennyroyal & Smudgestick) (he/him) is a sophomore at Urban School of San Francisco and is excited for his Berkeley Playhouse MainStage debut. Cole has performed with Berkeley Playhouse’s YouthStage for 5 years, where his favorite roles were Ned Schneebly in School of Rock, and Fester in Addams Family. With YouthStage, Cole has helped workshop the role of the Sheriff with the writer of Becoming Robin Hood, Laura Marlin. Cole would like to thank his parents and grandparents for helping him get to rehearsal every day, and all of his former and present directors for always helping him grow as an actor. Cole’s performance is in memory of Norman Johnson.

Ginger Dreicer (Ensemble) (she/her) is elated to be returning to Berkeley Playhouse, where she has been seen in the MainStage Matilda (Lavender) and Spotlight show School of Rock (Marcy). Credits:  Ruthless at Altarena Playhouse; new plays See in the Dark, You Have to Promise and Out of Balance (National Women’s Theatre Festival); Cinderella (Granville Island Stage-- Vancouver, BC); Alice Through the Looking Glass (Alice, Fairyland’s Children’s Theatre); and Metal Shop Players’ original musical Tulip Town at Willard Middle School. Ginger has appeared in a web series, two music videos, and album, all with Juno-award winning singer-songwriter Will Stroet. Special thanks to Berkeley Playhouse and the creative team for this opportunity. @ging

Rowen Weeramantry (Peewee / Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on the Berkeley Playhouse stage, where his love for theater started!  Past productions with the company include Christian Bechdel in Fun Home and Flick in A Christmas Story. He has also participated in their youth stage productions as Mark in A Chorus Line and Troy in High School Musical the Musical. Other favorite roles include Boy Dick/Boy in Sunday clothes in American Conservatory Theater's production of A Christmas Carol and as Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda with Youth Musical Theater Company. He is grateful to the audience for continuing to support live theater and his family/friends for their unconditional love and support. Rowen hopes you enjoy the world premier of this hilarious musical!

Johanna Lins (Guard / Ensemble / Understudy for Phoebe) (she/her) attends Piedmont High School and has performed with Berkeley Playhouse YouthStage for the past five years. Recent production highlights include Footloose! (Ariel), School of Rock (Sheinkopf), and The Addams Family (Pugsley). Johanna participated in the Becoming Robin Hood YouthStage workshops as Uncle and Moxy in Spring 2020 and is thrilled to be a part of the MainStage world premiere cast for this very special new musical. Up next: the summer spotlight production of Newsies!

Cecilia Bayley (Ensemble) (she/her) is thrilled to be part of the Becoming Robin Hood cast. Credits: Aunt Ivy and Madame in Berkeley Playhouse Limelighters Becoming Robin Hood, Peter Pan in Starlight Theater Company Peter Pan, and Dragon and Pig #2 in Kids ‘N Dance Shrek. Thank you to the Berkeley Playhouse community for the opportunity to learn.

Murphy Aldrich (Bramble / Ensemble / Understudy for Moxy & Mugwort) made his Berkeley Playhouse Debut in the Youthstage production of Footloose. He continued to perform with Berkeley Playhouse Youthstage this spring with The Addams Family and is thrilled to be a part of a mainstage production. Murphy Aldrich is fifteen years old and attends Bishop O’Dowd High School.

Mars Silva (Ensemble) (she/her) is ecstatic to perform in Becoming Robin Hood. Mars is entering the  8th grade at the Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) Theater Program. Most recently she played Tommy in Berkeley Playhouse’s Mainstage Production of Matilda the Musical, Lavender in OSA’s middle school production of Matilda the Musical, and as the Narrator in OSA’s high school production of Into the Woods. She enjoys snowboarding, theater, singing, and drinking boba. She is extremely grateful to perform with the amazing cast and crew. She hopes you love this new show!

Kyle Walsh (Peewee / Ensemble) (he/him) is excited to join the cast of Becoming Robin Hood.  He had his first theater experience as Freddy in School of Rock, the Musical, at Berkeley Playhouse, where he used his musical talents on drums and fell in love with theater.  He has  since played the role of John in Fun Home, and the role of Tommy in Matilda the Musical, both at Berkeley Playhouse.  When he’s not at school, he likes to write songs, listen to music, play guitar and drums, and shoot hoops.  He wants to thank his parents, his cousin Stephanie for encouraging him to get into theater, and the Berkeley Playhouse staff.

Lily Black (Guard / Ensemble) (she/her) is thrilled to be back on the MainStage at Berkeley Playhouse! She was last seen on the BPH stage as Lucas in the TeenStage production of The Addams Family. Lily has been involved with Berkeley Playhouse for the past ten years! She has performed in other MainStage productions including Matilda, Big the Musical, and Annie. As well, Lily has performed in twelve KidsStage and TeenStage productions. A few of her favorites include Legally Blonde, Chicago, Hello Dolly and Spamalot. Lily thanks her friends and family for all the love and support and a big thank you to her Berkeley Playhouse family!