SEUSSICAL

November 8 - December 22, 2024


The Cast

Cast Bios

STEPHEN KANASKI (Cat in the Hat)  is excited to return to Berkeley Playhouse for their production of Seussical after appearing last year as Lionel in Cinderella Enchanted. Notable credits include Robert Martin in Drowsy Chaperone (Sonoma Arts Live), Angel in Rent and Dr. Frank-n-Furter in the Rocky Horror Show (MMTC), Crutchie in Newsies (Hillbarn, SFBATCC Featured Actor Nomination), Fox in Pluck (Shotgun Players), Anando in the world premiere of Unpacking in P’Town and Charles in the regional premiere of Sons of the Prophet (TBA Nomination Best Ensemble in a Play) (NCTC), Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (PSP), and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Illyria (6th Street Playhouse).

CHRISTIAN ARTEAGA (Horton the Elephant)  is super excited to be performing on the Berkeley Playhouse Stage! Previous credits at Berkeley Playhouse include Sonny in GREASE, Earthworm in James and the Giant Peach. Other Bay Area credits include Dolokhov in Shotgun Players Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Max Detweiler in Cinnabar Theatre’s The Sound of Music.

NO'EAU KAHALEKULU (Gertrude McFuzz)  (she/her) There once was an actor named No’eau K, and she’s done lots of her shows in her day! She’s acted in Kinky Boots, Little Mermaid, and more, her life at Berkeley Playhouse is never a bore. No’eau performed all over the Bay, Legally Blonde and Descendants at Lucky Penny (hooray!). Freaky Friday at Center Rep and Matilda at Contra Costa Musical Theater, but this is the first show she’s speaking in meter. To see what is next on IG you must go, @noeaukahalekulu and click follow. Much love and gratitude to her mom, partner, and friends for this is where No’eau’s bio ends! 

ANDREA RAE (Mayzie La Bird)  (she/they) is so excited to be returning to Berkeley Playhouse! Originally an Orange County based artist, she is thrilled to have found such a loving community in the Bay area! Their previous roles include: Maureen-RENT (Berkeley Playhouse), Paulette-Legally Blonde (Tri-Valley Theatre Company), Alice-The Addams Family (Landmark), Audrey-Little Shop of Horrors (The Gem Theatre), Pennywise-Urinetown (Orange Cost Theatre), Snoopy-You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Aliso Niguel Players) She would like to thank her incredibly loving family for always supporting her, and her amazing friends! Insta: AndreaRaeH

SOLONA HUSBAND* (Sour Kangaroo)  is honored to be back on the Berkeley Playhouse stage. Solona has been doing musical theater since kindergarten and hopes to do it forever! You may have seen Sol in Rent as Joanne at Berkeley Playhouse and Hillbarn Theater, Sally in the world premiere of Being Alive, at TheaterWorks, Ariel in The Little Mermaid with Sunnyvale Community Players; Sandy Cheeks in The Spongebob Musical with Palo Alto Players; Amelie in Amelie with Masquers Playhouse; or as Ti Moune in Once on this Island with Plethos Productions. Solona is so excited for you to see this wonderful production of Seussical! You can follow Sol on Instagram @solonstage

ALICIA “ASH” HURTADO (Mr. Mayor / Ensemble)  (he/they) is hype to make his debut with Berkeley Playhouse! Some of Ash’s recent musical theatre roles include Pippa (Peep-Bo) in Il Ducato (The Mikado) with Lamplighters Music Theatre and Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Landmark Musical Theatre. Ash got his MM in Vocal Performance at The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins and performs operatic roles with West Edge Opera, Ópera Cultura, Pocket Opera, Opera Modesto, Thompson Street Opera, and Opera Southwest. Back in 2016, Ash played Jojo in Seussical with Greensboro Light Opera and Song, and he’s delighted to be playing Jojo’s dad this time. www.thisisaliciahurtado.com

MARISA COZART (Mrs. Mayor / Ensemble) (she/her) is thrilled to be performing for the first time with Berkely Playhouse, and is equally thrilled to be sharing the stage with her husband and daughter!  Marisa was last seen onstage with the Peninsula Symphony and 42nd Street Moon as Meg Brockie in Brigadoon in Concert. Favorite roles include: The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Ray of Light Theatre), Nellie Forbush in South Pacific in Concert (42nd Street Moon/Peninsula Symphony) Maria in The Sound Of Music (Tri-Valley Rep), Woman #2 in Songs for an New World (Diablo Theatre Company), and Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown (Tri-Valley Rep). Much love to DEC, SWC, and EDC.

DANNY COZART (General Genghis Khan Schmitz / Ensemble)  has been an active Bay Area Actor, Director & Musician for the past 20 years. This is Danny's 10th production at Berkeley Playhouse, after playing in the pit for Head over Heels, Rent, Fun Home, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors, the cast of Kinky Boots and To Kill a Mockingbird and Directing Avenue Q and Urinetown (TBA winner) Danny is so excited to be sharing the stage with 3/4 of his family in this production. For Sawyer.

DANIEL BARASH (Yertle the Turtle / Ensemble)  (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Berkeley Playhouse debut in Seussical. This is his first stage production in over 25 years, though he acted in many musicals while growing up in Wisconsin. Daniel is founding director of Firelight Shadow Theater, and is a national teaching artist for Focus 5, Inc., and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Daniel thanks his family for the support to pursue long-dormant passions like musical theater, and is excited to share the Seussical experience with his son, Lev Jacobs, who is a member of the youth ensemble in this production.

BRIELLE DESHEE (Bird Girl / Ensemble)  (she/they): Brielle Deshee is a storyteller, creative, and changemaker based in the Bay Area. Brielle believes that art and creation inspire change, revolutionary joy, and radical love. She embodies these practices through her many artistic disciplines and their teaching at the African American Shakespeare Company. Brielle could not be more excited to make her professional debut at Berkeley Playhouse, since completing her Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of California Irvine. Brielle expresses her gratitude to her friends, family, and community for always encouraging her to share her light. See more of her work @brielledeshee on Instagram.

SIDNEY MCNULTY (Bird Girl / Ensemble)  (she/they) is a San Francisco based actor, and is over the moon to be making their Berkeley Playhouse debut! Some favorite past credits include Girl in Are You Goth Enough to be Haunted, Fall in Love with the Wrong Guy, and Burn Down the Mall? (Awesome Theatre),Frenchy in Grease (6th Street Playhouse) and Viola in Shakespeare in Love (Shakespeare in the Cannery). addition to acting, Sid is a sometimes singer/songwriter, and an all the time cat lover/whisperer. Sid is a graduate of Portland State University. Thanks and love to Armand and family! Instagram: @ladymacbetch

GENIE TJAHJADI (Bird Girl / Ensemble)  is excited to make her Berkeley Playhouse debut as a Bird Girl! Genie has performed in the Bay Area on and off throughout the years with companies such as Lamplighters Music Theatre, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, and the Peter Pan Foundation. When she isn't being a dancing bird on stage, she’s probably at work as a middle school teacher and after school music director.

NICO JAOCHICO (Wickersham Brother / Ensemble) returns to the Berkeley Playhouse for his second show this season, having just had an absolute joy of a time playing Nick in The Prom. He hopes with Seussical to not only inspire children and adults alike to let their imaginations run wild, but also have a great time doing it. Previous credits include Plankton in The SpongeBob Musical (Palo Alto Players), Princeton in Avenue Q (Plethos Productions), Mark Cohen in Rent (Landmark Musical Theatre), Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Cal State East Bay) among many others all over the Bay Area.

ADAM MENDEZ JR. (Wickersham Brother / Ensemble)  (he/him) is excited to make his debut with Berkeley Playhouse! Adam is represented by MDT for the Bay Area region, and works as an actor in Los Angeles as well. Some of Adam’s past credits include Tomas in Tomas & The Library Lady (Childsplay), Henry Reyna in Zoot Suit (OC Shakespeare Co), Clopin in Hunchback of Notre Dame (South Bay Encore Theatre), Leaf Coneybear in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (ISU Theatre), and Angie the Ox in Guys & Dolls (Grandsteet Theatre). Adam has also written a one person show Chicano in the Sun (Teatro Bravo), and is looking towards creating a new one person show in 2025. Adam would love to thank his hometown (Helena, MT), his family (El Vaquero Taqueria) and No’eau for getting him back on the stage. @adammendezjr

SYDNEY JACOBS ALLEN (Wickersham Brother / Ensemble)  (she/they) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse, the place Sydney considers to be their musical theater home. A Bay Area native, Sydney has enjoyed roles such as Crystal in her very first stage production, Little Shop of Horrors at Shotgun Theater with the Imagination Players (Berkeley Playhouse at the time). Sydney went on to perform with Berkeley Playhouse in the following productions; Once on This Island, Sweeny Todd, and Urinetown among others. Sydney graduated from Oakland School for the Arts School of Vocal Music where she was a part of the award winning acapella group Vocal Rush. Sydney has been a part of Oakland Theater Project’s Dance of the Holy Ghost and enjoyed multiple ensemble roles earlier this year in Berkeley Playhouse’s Rent. Most recently Sydney was seen as Matron Mama Morton in Chicago with Plethos Productions as well as multiple ensemble roles with Ray of Light’s Legally Blonde. Sydney would love to thank her family for their unwavering support.

LOU COOPER (Vlad Vladikoff / Ensemble)  (they/them) is thrilled to be back performing with Berkeley Playhouse! They were last seen on the Julia Morgan stage strutting their stuff as an Angel in Kinky Boots. Lou is a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s College with their degree in Dance: Choreography and Performance. Lou is also a teaching artist specialising in improv, dance, and (naturally) improv dance. They are the director of the award-winning teen improv troupe Creatures of Impulse in Pleasanton. Lou also likes to roller skate and read tarot. You can check out more of their work and life on Instagram: @superduperlcooper. They hope you enjoy the show!

YOUTH “VIPPER” CAST:

KEENAN MORAN (Jojo) is a 7th grader at St. Perpetua School in Lafayette. He is thrilled to be returning to the stage at Berkeley Playhouse. Previously he played Young Charlie in Kinky Boots and Eric in Matilda. For 6 months of this year Keenan had the honor of playing Friedrich von Trapp in the International Broadway Tour of The Sound of Music, performing in 14 cities throughout mainland China. Other Bay Area credits include Merrily We Roll Along (Frank Jr/42nd Street Moon), Newsies (Les/Tri- Valley Repertory Theatre) and Fun Home (John/42nd Street Moon). Keenan plays Sam in the feature film No Address coming soon to theaters. @keenanthomasmoran 

JUNIA MARTENS (Ensemble) is so excited to be a part of this amazing production with such an amazing cast. Junias past credits include Diva (starmites), Eponine (fall showcase) both at berkeley playhouse. Nun, leandler dancer, u/s Sister Berthe (sound of music) Youth Musical Theater Company. As Well as Fruma Sarah (Fiddler on the roof), Gerda (the snow queen), Both with Kairos youth academy. And several other shows. She hopes you enjoy the show. Junia would like to thank her mom for being so supportive throughout the whole process  @Juniaisadonkeyy

ASTRO CAMACHO (Ensemble) (he/him) Astro is so excited to be back at Berkeley Playhouse for Seussical this fall. Past Berkeley Playhouse credits include Bruce in Matilda, and Zach Mooneyham in School of Rock. Astro has also been a frequent performer in Berkeley Playhouse’s Teenstage program. Astro is a student at Acalanes high school. He is an artist, a musician, and loves academics. He has played in many bands and might be releasing an EP soon. Astro would like to thank all of his friends and family for always supporting him throughout his creative endeavors. You can follow Astro on Instagram and Tiktok @astroz_not.r3al

ELIZA DILLON (Ensemble) (she/her) a current 7th grader at Martin Luther King Middle School, is very excited for her Mainstage debut. Previously a participant of Youthstage productions, you might have seen her in recent shows such as Starmites, and Cinderella Jr. In which she played Eleanor (Starmites) and Lionel (Cinderella). She enjoys spending her summers acting at Berkeley Repertory Theater. When not up on stage, you can also find her on the volleyball court or writing plays. Eliza is grateful to her family and amazing friends who support and encourage her.

JUSTICE BROWN (Ensemble) (he/him) last appeared on the Berkeley Playhouse mainstage in Cinderella (Fall 2023) and is happy to be home with the slayful cast and crew of Seussical! Justice has been part of many Youthstage productions at Berkeley Playhouse including summer spotlight shows Newsies (ensemble) and School of Rock (Freddy). He is a drag artist and dancer and you can find him on Instagram at @jayqueen_14. Big thanks to the incredible team at Berkeley Playhouse for making this the best place for young artists to learn and grow.

NATHAN BENNETT-CRUMP (Ensemble) (he/him) is excited to be making his second appearance with Berkeley Playhouse’s MainStage. Nathan has been acting at Berkeley Playhouse since age five, when he debuted as Scar in a summer camp production of The Lion King. Since then he has acted in the Youth Ensemble in Cinderella Enchanted, as well as the YouthStage Productions of Monty Python’s Spamalot,  Starmites, and Freaky Friday. Nathan lives in Berkeley with his mom, dad, and brother. When not acting, he enjoys running his 3D printing business and helping to manage his brother’s soccer team. Nathan thanks his parents for their support for his love of theater.

LEV JACOBS (Ensemble) (he/him) is delighted to be a member of Seussical’s youth ensemble. He has been singing and making music since he was a toddler, and a favorite pastime has been singing “Tomorrow” from Annie at the top of his lungs in the family living room. Currently a 3rd grader at Berkwood Hedge, Lev has seen Berkeley Playhouse productions since he was five, and has always enjoyed meeting the actual actors on the patio after each show. Now he is one of those actors! Lev is thankful to everyone for their support, and is excited to share the stage with his dad, Daniel Barash, who is also a member of the ensemble.

EMERY COZART (Ensemble) (she/her) is so excited to make her Berkeley playhouse debut with the amazing cast of Seussical!  She was most recently seen as Alexei/Ensemble in TMC Arts Production of Anastasia, and prior to that as The Balloon Girl in 42nd Street Moon's production of Gypsy in concert. Emery is in the 3rd grade and attends elementary school in Castro Valley. In her spare time, she's a killer defender on her soccer team with CVSC, and gave Flag Football a go this season! She hopes you all enjoy the show!

KAYLEE LOPEZ (Ensemble) (she/her) is delighted to join the cast of Seussical in her first performance at Berkeley Playhouse. Her previous theatre credits include: Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s The Music Man (Amaryllis), TMC Art’s Anastasia (Young Anastasia), and Hillbarn Theatre’s The Sound of Music (Gretl). Other recent credits include: Frozen Jr. (Elsa) at Starting Arts and Finding Nemo Jr. (Nemo) at Hillbarn Conservatory. Kaylee also enjoys swimming, singing, Girl Scouts and Irish dancing. Follow her adventures on Insta @kayleeolopez

YOUTH “SOLLEW” CAST:

COLETTE GOODMAN (Jojo) (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to Berkeley Playhouse’s MainStage in the role of Jojo. Previous theatrical credits include: Youth Ensemble in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Berkeley Playhouse MainStage); Matilda in Matilda Jr. (Berkeley Playhouse KidStage); Small Alison in the Fun Home Reunion Concert (The Public Theatre NYC). TV/Film (on camera): Shell (Max Minghella/Blank Tape Productions); suddenly. (Ben Sanders/BX Films); (voice): a new animated series (Netflix), LOL: House of Surprises (MGA) and Zenless Zone Zero (MiYoHo Games). Fun facts: Colette is an advanced classical pianist, a competitive swimmer and a Lamorinda Idol 12x category finalist and 3x winner. Thanks to Mom and Dad! Enjoy the show! IG:coletteannalise

TESSA SHAFFER (Ensemble) is delighted to be back at Berkeley Playhouse and thrilled to be a part of the Seussical cast in her MainStage debut.  Credits include Newsies (Jojo), The Lightning Thief (Clarisse), and Matilda (Amanda Thripp) with Berkeley Playhouse YouthStage program; Gypsy (Ensemble) with Woodminster Summer Musicals;  The Little Mermaid(Ursula) with Performing Academy; and Dear Edwina(Billie) with Broadway Kids Auditions.  Tessa studies dance at the California Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA).   She enjoys playing volleyball, reading, baking, and being outside.  Many thanks to her parents, brothers, and friends for all the love and support!

ELLA ZABARSKY (Ensemble) is making her Berkeley Playhouse MainStage debut in “Seussical” but she has been performing at the Berkeley Playhouse since she was 5 years old. She has performed in Berkeley Playhouse YouthStage titles such as “Les Miserables”, “Newsies”, “The Lightning Thief”, “Matilda, Jr.” and more. Ella thanks her family for supporting her acting dreams since the beginning. Ella also thanks all the amazing directors who gave her guidance throughout these years, especially Megan McGrath, who was Ella’s first ever director and will always mean a lot to her.  

NEVO NAFTALIN-KELMAN (Ensemble) (he/him) has been seen in many shows at the playhouse. He was Billy in School of Rock, and Mr. Duvall in Mean Girls, both YouthStage Spotlight shows at Berkeley Playhouse. He was also Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown at Berkeley High. Nevo is very excited to be in his first MainStage show at Berkeley Playhouse, and he hopes you enjoy it!

SAM CANNY (Ensemble) (he/him) is ecstatic to finally be returning to Berkeley Playhouse in his first ever mainstage production. He has performed in many teenstage productions here at Berkeley Playhouse including Newsies (Wiesel), The Addams Family (Mal), Footloose (Willard), and Head Over Heels (Musidorus). Most recently he appeared in The Sound of Music (Herr Zeller) and in the ensemble of Little Shop of Horrors, both of which at Youth Musical Theater Company. Outside of theater, Sam loves to sleep, watch movies, and sometimes do other stuff. He would like to thank his family, friends, and all his previous and current directors for getting him where he is today.

AUSTIN ENGWERDA (Ensemble) (he/him) is excited to make his Berkeley Playhouse Mainstage debut. Austin has been in many Berkeley Playhouse Youthstage productions such as The Black Knight, Not Dead Fred, and Sir Bedevere in Spamalot, and Lional in Cinderella and just this summer, Adam in Freaky Friday the Musical. He was also in Ray of Light Theatre's Kinky Boots as Young Charlie. Austin is a student at Piedmont Middle School. When not performing, Austin likes to make short films with his friends. Austin is excited to join this wonderful production of Seussical!

DANICA DING (Ensemble) is incredibly excited to be part of this incredibly talented cast of Seussical The Musical.  She fell in love with this fun musical years ago at a Berkeley Playhouse summer camp and its timeless themes of hope, triumph through adversity, standing up for what’s right, imagination and friendship.  She has been with The Berkeley Playhouse community since she was 3 years old and has recently been in Becoming Robin Hood.  She thanks her castmates and everyone at The Berkeley Playhouse for their endless support, guidance, kindness and friendship. Danica is grateful to her friends and family for their enduring love and support and hopes you enjoy the show!

DIEGO OSORIO (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on the MainStage at Berkeley Playhouse where his previous roles include John in Fun Home and, in YouthStage Productions, King Arthur in Spamalot and Nigel in Matilda, Jr. When not on stage, Diego enjoys drawing, playing piano and reading. Diego quiere agradecer a su familia por el apoyo constante.

GAVIN SCHLESINGER (Ensemble) (he/him) is excited to be making his MainStage debut at Berkeley Playhouse. He previously appeared as Savannah in Freaky Friday in Berkeley Playhouse’s YouthStage. When not acting, Gavin enjoys singing, fashion and hanging out with his friends. He lives in Oakland with his Mom, Dad and younger brothers Connor and Max. Gavin is currently a fifth grader at St. Paul’s. He wants to thank his family for their support and all of the help they have given him.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.