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HEAD OVER HEELS
May 24 - June 30, 2024
The Cast
Cast Bios
JESSICA COKER (Gynecia) is thrilled to back performing with Berkeley Playhouse. She was previously seen in Ragtime and Urinetown. Most recently, she was seen as Big Jule in Guys and Dolls at SF Playhouse and Adult Woman in Spring Awakening at Ray of Light Theatre. Other Bay Area productions include Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, Miss Gardner in Carrie, the Musical, Shawntel in Jerry Springer the Opera, Emma Borden in Lizzie, Miss Fleming in Heathers at Hillbarn, Songs for a New World at Sitka Performing Arts, Henri in The View Upstairs at New Conservatory Theatre Center, Gravity, a Newtonian musical at BATCO, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Broadway by the Bay, among many others. Jessica is a founding member of the comedy trio “B.O.O.B.S.” and “The Coker Sisters”. She’s a dog mom, cabaret singer, and in her spare time can be found changing her hair color and traveling the world.
DC SCARPELLI (Basilius) (he/him) was last seen at Berkeley Playhouse being thoroughly evil as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Becoming Robin Hood and dancing on a 40-foot piano in Big! The Musical! Other recent outings include: Charley in Merrily We Roll Along (42nd Street Moon), Herbie in Gypsy (Mountain Play), and Antonio Salieri in Amadeus (The Other Other Theatre Company). He is thrilled as ever to be on stage with his husband, Peter Budinger (Dametas), 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.
JACQUELINE DENNIS (Philoclea) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse! Previous Berkeley Playhouse credits include Sarah’s Friend in Ragtime and Teen Angel in Grease. Jacqueline holds a B.A. in Music Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at Cal State Long Beach and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute. Additional performance credits include: Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music at Musical Theatre West, Natasha in the West Coast premiere of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at Shotgun Players, and The Moon in Ray of Light Theatre’s Caroline or Change. Follow and support on Instagram @drjacquelinebenson.
JAS COOK (Pamela) (they/them) is so excited to finally be playing Pamela! Being a plus-sized performer, one of Jas’ inspirations is Bonnie Milligan, who originated the role. Jas is a fat liberationist, and playing a character who is unapologetically fat and beautiful—whose weight is never mentioned (or made a joke)—is so rare in musical theater. Jas is a local theatrical, drag, and burlesque performer who has a passion for the arts and working in the LGBTQ+ community. Recent theatrical credits include: Grace the Stepsister (Cinderella Enchanted, Berkeley Playhouse), Lucinda (Into the Woods, Berkeley Playhouse), Themself (A Grand Night for Singing, 42nd Street Moon) and Hope Harcourt (Anything Goes, 42nd Street Moon). They would like to thank their friends, family, and partner Max for their ongoing support.
MILO BOLAND (Musidorus) is a graduate of Oakland School for the Arts Musical Theatre program. After his time at OSA, Milo attended Muhlenberg College and graduated in 2021 where he received his BA in Theatre. Milo’s previous credits include: Center Rep’s A Christmas Carol (Seller/Marlett/Young Scrooge & Fred Hastings U/S), Ray of Light's Cruel Intentions (Ensemble/Swing/Greg U/S) and Kinky Boots (Harry/Ensemble/Charlie and Don U/S), 42nd Street Moon's She Loves Me (Ensemble), Berkeley Playhouse's Fun Home (U/S Roy/Pete/ Mark/Bobby Jeremy) and Matilda (Doctor/Escapologist), and Landmark Musical Theatre's RENT (Roger). Milo was on American Idol, where he successfully went to Hollywood Week. Love you Mom, Dad, and Strider. Socials: @MiloBoland
MELINDA CAMPERO (Mopsa) is excited to return to Berkeley Playhouse after appearing in Into the Woods (Florinda) in 2021. She was most recently seen in Ray of Light Theatre's production of The Rocky Horror Show (Janet) at Oasis in San Francisco. A frequent to the Oasis cabaret stage, Melinda is also a guest artist with Baloney, and performed in productions of Debbie Does Dallas the Musical (Lisa), Above and Beyond the Valley of the Ultra Showgirls (Cristal) and Drunk Drag Broadway's Wicked-ish (Elphaba). Other favorites: Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette) with Hillbarn Theatre, and American Psycho the Musical (Vanden), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon) and Heathers: The Musical with Ray of Light Theatre.
PETER BUDINGER (Dametas) he/him) was last seen at Berkeley Playhouse as Uncle in Becoming Robin Hood, and before that in Big! The Musical! He has also been seen recently as Mr. Spencer in Merrily We Roll Along with 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco, and as Baron Van Swieten in The Other Other Theatre Company’s Amadeus. 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 (Basilius), with whom he is a frequent collaborator—they’ve directed, written, and costarred in numerous shows together, including The Mystery of Irma Vep, for which they were both nominated for BATCC Awards.
B NOEL THOMAS* (Pythio) (she/her) is an award-winning performing artist and vocal director currently based in New York. With her versatile baritone-to-soprano voice it has allowed her to be able to play roles that run the gamut of gender and vocal range. A selection of her credits include: ABC's American Idol Season 3, Theatre Forward 2021 Virtual Gala (featuring Jason Robert Brown, Kate Baldwin, George Salazar, Anika Noni Rose & more), The Toxic Avenger (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award winner, Theatre Bay Area Award nominee), and Sister Act (Deloris; Theatre Bay Area Award nominee). She Aspires to Inspire. @BNoelThomas
NICO JAOCHICO (Ensemble / US Musidorus) is a local Bay Area actor who, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Cal State East Bay in 2021, has gone on to work in many productions throughout the Bay. His love for theater stems from a passion for performing going all the way back to when he was child, singing and dancing to VCR tapes of NSYNC. After the passing of his late mother Melissa when he was 10 years old, he has taken any chance he can to be on stage, as that is where he feels most that she is watching over him. Previous credits include Joey Evans in Pal Joey (Altarena Playhouse), Princeton in Avenue Q (Plethos Productions) and Plankton in The SpongeBob Musical (Palo Alto Players). Instagram/ YouTube: @NEEKDADEEK
JENNA VAN OMMEREN (Ensemble / US Mopsa) (she/her) is excited to make her Berkeley Playhouse debut! Some of her favorite previous roles include: Margot in Legally Blonde (Tri-Valley Theatre Company), Lucy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (University of California Irvine), Lisa in Mamma Mia! (Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre), and Shelly in Evil Dead The Musical (Las Positas College). Jenna is honored to be part of this production and wants to thank her friends and family for always supporting her as she follows her dreams. Instagram: @jennavanommeren. Follow me :)
SCOUT DEL REAL (Ensemble / Dance Captain / US Pythio) is so excited to be back at Berkeley Playhouse for Head Over Heels! Scout’s previous Berkeley Playhouse credits include Becoming Robin Hood, Kinky Boots, and most recently Rent. He has also made appearances at CenterRep, Town Hall Theatre, and soon will be making his debut at Plethos Productions as the narrator in She Kills Monsters. He dedicates this show to the amazing Berkeley Playhouse community for being so welcoming and supportive over the past year.
JULIEN GUSSMAN (Ensemble / US Pamela) (they/he) is making their Berkeley Playhouse debut with this show and could not be more excited! They were most recently seen as Anne in A Little Night Music at South Bay Musical Theatre, with previous credits being Toad in A Year With Frog and Toad (Bay Area Children’s Theatre), Phantom in The Rocky Horror Show (OASIS/Ray Of Light), and Martha Dunnstock in Heathers (Pacifica Spindrift Players). Julien placed third in the NATS National Musical Theatre Competition and first in the Classical Singer National Vocal Competition in the Musical Theatre University/Pre-Professional Division. They thank their family, friends, and partner for their support. www.juliengussman.com
DIELLA WOTTRICH (Ensemble / US Gynecia) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse, having last performed in Becoming Robin Hood and Mamma Mia! Theater 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 Theatre Company’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 theater! Enjoy the show!!
MACEY COOK (Ensemble) has been an avid musical theater performer since she was six years old. She has spent the majority of her career at Missouri Street Theatre and is thrilled to be making her Berkeley Playhouse debut in this production of Head Over Heels! Some of Macey’s favorite recent credits include Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme in Assassins, and Margot in Legally Blonde. She is so excited to be a part of this incredible show. Thank you for supporting live theater!!!! @macey.cook
MILES MECKLING (Ensemble / US Basilius / Dametas) (he/him) is overjoyed to return to Berkeley Playhouse for Head Over Heels. He was last seen on the Playhouse stage mooing loudly in RENT. To cast and crew, the third time's the charm—after years in the making we are now finally here! We Got the Beat! Regional credits include San Francisco Playhouse: Guys and Dolls; 42nd Street Moon: The Scottsboro Boys; Sierra Rep: West Coast Premiere of Elvis the Musical; Center REP: A Christmas Carol; Woodminster Summer Musicals: On Your Feet; Sacramento Theatre Company: Mamma Mia, HMS Pinafore; Classic Theatre: The Gift of Magi. He thanks his family and friends for the love and support. Follow his journey on Instagram @Leroi23
DANY BENITEZ (Ensemble) is a Puerto Rican actor, dancer, theater educator, choreographer, makeup artist, and drag queen based in San Francisco. As an actor and theater-maker, they have performed and collaborated in shows with Berkeley Playhouse, the Presidio Theatre, Playground, Poltergeist Theatre Company, Oasis, San Francisco Youth Theatre, Throckmorton Theatre, and La Lengua. They are thrilled to be returning to Berkeley Playhouse after performing in RENT earlier this spring.
MEGAN SOLEDAD (Ensemble) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse where she was last seen in In the Heights playing the role of Yolanda (Nina/Vanessa u/s). Other Bay Area credits include Julia in 1984 (Aurora Theatre Company), Serena in Legally Blonde (Foothill Music Theatre), A Chorus Line (San Francisco Playhouse), The Woman in The Turn of the Screw (Town Hall Theatre Company), Dancing Home (San Francisco Youth Theatre), The Sound of Music (Throckmorton Theatre), and Margaret Leavitt in Silent Sky (Summer Repertory Theatre). Megan recently earned her Masters in Opera from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.
MEGAN MCGRATH (Ensemble) loves finding the beat with this divine cast and creative team! She has danced on the Julia Morgan stage in In the Heights, Pippin, Annie, Peter Pan, and The Wizard of Oz (a production she also choreographed). Other choreography credits include Berkeley Playhouse’s Mamma Mia and last summer’s YouthStage Spotlight Show, Disney’s Newsies. Megan dedicates her performance to her rockstar husband, Billy, and their little Go-Go, Rey. She thanks you for supporting live theater and for contributing to the power of art that inspires awareness, acceptance, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities. Up next, Megan will be Co-Directing/Choreographing Berkeley Playhouse’s 2024/2025 season opener, The Prom!
HANA PHIPPS (Swing) (they/she) is thrilled to be a part of their first Berkeley Playhouse MainStage production! Some of their favorite past credits include Tye in Don’t Stop Me (YMTC), Kristine in A Chorus Line (Berkeley Playhouse), and Benvolio in Romeo & Juliet (CCSPA). They would like to thank their friends and family for being so supportive and Mel for encouraging them. They hope you enjoy the show! IG: @hana.celiaa
MELISSA RIVERA (US Philoclea) is a Bay Area native Latina performer seasoned in several styles of productions. She was last seen on the Berkeley Playhouse stage as Vanessa in In the Heights, but has performed with companies all over the country including; Sight & Sound Theater (PA), Legends in Concert (MO), and Creede Repertory Theatre (CO). Favorite roles include: Mimi Rent, Hope Harcourt Anything Goes, and Hermia A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She participated in the LABrynth Theater Company’s intensive ensemble in New York where she studied with Philip Seymor Hoffman, among others, and holds an M.M. in Opera and Music Theater Performance from Southern Illinois University and a B.M. from San Diego State University. She thanks her wonderfully supportive husband and amazing stepsons. They are her BEAT. IG: @melrivcanta www.melissariveraonline.com
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
What is a Pay What You Can performance?
Berkeley Playhouse presents one Pay What you Can performance for each of our productions. This promotion is cash only at the door - no reservations required. Seating is general admission. We suggest a donation of $20, but can accept a minimum of $5. The box office will open at 6pm on the night of the performance to begin the sale of Pay What You Can tickets. There is a limit of 6 tickets per purchaser.
