FIORELLO!

AMY PIERCE ALVINO
Ensemble

Bio

Amy makes her 42nd Street Moon debut with Fiorello! Originally from North Carolina, Amy previously lived in New York and Washington, D.C. before moving to the Bay Area in 2018. She was recently seen as a Priest in Ray of Light Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar. NYC credits include Dream Street (Original Off-Broadway Cast, Laura/Cassie) and Urinetown (Hope Cladwell: NYC Innovative Theatre Award Nomination). Regional favorites include Titanic (Ensemble/Signature Theatre: five Helen Hayes Nominations), South Pacific (Nellie/Chalice Theatre), Once Upon Bedtime (Mother/Capital Fringe), Song Reader (Ensemble/Capital Fringe), The Addams Family (Morticia/Temple Theatre Company), All Shook Up (Matilda Hyde/Yorktown Stage), A Christmas Carol (Sally/Yorktown Stage), Annie (Grace/Paramount Theatre) and Noises Off (Brooke/Paramount Theatre). Amy studied at Elon University and T. Schreiber Studio Acting Conservatory.

JOHN BROWN
Ensemble

Bio

John previously appeared in last season’s Saturday Night and in our concerts of Follies (Roscoe), South Pacific (Luther Billis), and Kismet. He has been performing with companies around the Bay Area since he moved from Oregon to San Francisco in 2001, most frequently with Lamplighters Music Theatre and Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Some of his favorite past roles include The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair), Assassins (Samuel Byck), The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis – TBA Award Finalist), Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie), Carousel (Enoch Snow), Forever Plaid (Jinx), Lucky Stiff (Harry Witherspoon), and The Mikado (Nanki Poo). Performing has brought about many memorable experiences in his life, including singing with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, acting in productions with the San Francisco Opera, and appearing in The Bracebridge Dinner in Yosemite. John is especially proud to perform the role of the Prince each holiday season in Sing You a Merry Christmas at Grace Cathedral. His regular gig is as a clinical psychologist.

DANIELLE CHEIKEN
Ensemble

Bio

Danielle is thrilled to be back on the Moon stage! Praised for being “magnificent, playful, and nimble” (San Francisco Classical Voice) as well as “terrifically funny and feisty” (Talkin’ Broadway), Danielle was last seen with Moon as Winnie Winslow in No, No, Nanette and Frieda Bauer in the staged reading of Pardon My English. Recent engagements include Tess and Co-Choreographer in Bay Area Musicals’ Crazy For You, Rosalia and “Somewhere” Soloist in Hillbarn Theatre’s West Side Story, Frenchy in Berkeley Playhouse’s Grease, and Ethel Toffelmier in Broadway by the Bay’s The Music Man. Her favorite operatic roles include those with a comedic touch, such as Carolina in Il matrimonio segreto, Just Jeanette in Too Many Sopranos, and Fräulein Silberklang in Der Schauspieldirektor. www.daniellecheiken.com

MARISA COZART
Dora

Bio

Marisa is very excited to be joining this wonderful cast! She was last seen at 42nd Street Moon as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific in Concert (with Peninsula Symphony). Favorite roles include: The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Ray of Light Theatre), 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). Most recently Marisa had the honor of playing Lt. Danielle Kaffee in The Other Other Theatre Company’s reimagined production of A Few Good Men. By day Marisa is the HR Director for Flagship at Facebook and gets to be mommy to her awesome kids Sawyer and Emery.

SEAN FENTON*
Neal

Bio

Sean makes his 42nd Street Moon debut with Fiorello! He was most recently seen in the world premiere of Leah Nanako Winkler’s Two Mile Hollow at Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company. At TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, he performed in The Bridges of Madison County, A Little Night Music, and the world premiere of Min Kahng’s The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga. Sean’s work at Bay Area Children’s Theatre includes the world premiere musical Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (TBA Award winner, featured actor) and the Shanghai tour of Pasek and Paul’s James and the Giant Peach. At Custom Made Theatre, he appeared as Song in M. Butterfly (SFBATCC Award finalist, principal actor); he is excited to reprise this role at the Nevada Theatre this April/May. Sean is a graduate of Stanford University, a board member for Crowded Fire Theater, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

MATT HAMMONS
Morris

Bio

Matt is honored to be part of Fiorello!, his second show at Moon. You may have caught his debut as The Bandleader in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Other recent Bay Area roles include Paul in When We Were Young and Unafraid (Custom Made Theatre), Mr. Fusco/Jay in Saturday Night Fever (Broadway by the Bay), Jack/Jesus in Reefer Madness and Papa Shtarling/Crawford in Silence! The Musical (both with Ray of Light). Matt is also proud to use his skills as a performer during his many day jobs, focusing on roleplaying for the purposes of developing interpersonal skills in the classroom and workplace.

ELLIOTT HANSON
Ensemble

Bio

Elliott is thrilled to be making his 42nd Street Moon debut in this fabulous show! Some fun previous credits include Parade (Huntington Theatre Company), Sunday in the Park with George (San Francisco Playhouse), Charlie Cox Runs with Scissors (Edinburgh Fringe), the world premieres of Seeds (Utopia Theatre Project) and You Are My Sunshine (Alma Theatre Company), and a staged reading of The Soap Myth (Marin Theatre Company). He recently stretched his bilingual muscles by organizing and performing in a traveling musical theatre showcase throughout Spain. Elliott is a Bay Area native and a graduate of Boston University. In his spare time, he is likely to be found playing tennis, watching people play tennis, or telling people how to play tennis. Catch him next right here at the Gateway playing Jimmy Curry in 110 in the Shade!

AMANDA JOHNSON*
Thea

Bio

Amanda is elated to be returning to 42nd Street Moon in Fiorello! and honored to be a part of reviving this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical. Moon credits include The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella), The Secret Garden (Rose/Dreamer), Follies in Concert (Young Heidi/Margie), Call Me Madam – Reading Series (Princess Maria) and Kismet in Concert. Off-Broadway: Music in the Air (City Center Encores!). Tour: The Sound of Music. Additional credits include South Pacific (Nellie Forbush/Woodminster Summer Musicals), The Music Man (Marian Paroo/Virginia Rep), Sweeney Todd (Johanna/Barter Theatre), White Christmas (Betty Haynes/Virginia Musical Theatre), Evita (Eva Peron/Open Circle Theatre). BFA, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (magna cum laude).

CAMERON LA BRIE
Ensemble

Bio

Cameron is a Southern California native and has been performing in the Bay Area for three years. He is very happy to be returning to 42nd Street Moon where he has been seen in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Saturday Night. Other recent credits include Cabaret (Emcee) with Stars 2000, Southern Lights (Lonnie McGee/Cash Callendar) with 3Girls Theatre Company, and The Stage Manager (Brad) in Exit Theater’s SF Fringe Festival. For more information about Cameron as well as booking and future projects, please visit cameronlabrie.com.

CATRINA MANAHAN
Mitzi/Ensemble

Bio

Catrina is thrilled to be making her Moon mainstage debut, having previously appeared in our concert of South Pacific with Peninsula Symphony last year. She is a Bay Area native who found her love of performing with the San Mateo High School Drama Department, and since then she has continuously performed around the Bay Area. Catrina graduated from UC Santa Barbara where she received her B.A. in Psychology. She most recently appeared in Mary Poppins with San Francisco Playhouse. Other credits include: Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Hillbarn Theatre and Bay Area Musicals), Cha Cha DiGregorio in Grease (Berkeley Playhouse), Phyllis in 42nd Street (Bay Area Musicals), Pilar in Legally Blonde the Musical (Hillbarn Theatre), Cabaret (Hillbarn Theatre); Chastity in Anything Goes, West Side Story (Broadway by the Bay). During the day, Catrina works on the University Recruiting team at Facebook. Follow her on Instagram at @catrina__angela!

MARIO MAZZETTI
Ensemble

Bio

Mario is grateful to make his Moon debut as well as his San Francisco debut in Fiorello! Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Mario moved to San Francisco last year to earn his MFA in Acting at Academy of Art University. Mario was last seen in Rock of Ages at Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre and Oklahoma! at Woodminster Summer Musicals. Back home Mario was a frequent cabaret performer and is currently working on a one-man show about the life and career of singer Johnnie Ray to premiere in San Francisco. For upcoming performances, follow Mario on social media at @mariomazzetti or visit mariomazzetti.com

KATRINA MCGRAW*
Marie

Bio

Katrina is very excited to be back on the Moon stage this season, last appearing as Armeila in Ain’t Misbehavin’. She is a San Francisco native who graduated from the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Some past credits include Bird Woman/ Ms. Andrew in Mary Poppins (SF Playhouse), Ms. Myers/Alexandra Daniels in Freaky Friday (Center Rep), Ms. Shields in A Christmas Story (SF Playhouse), Sour Kangaroo in Seussical (Bay Area Musicals), She Loves Me (San Francisco Playhouse) BJ in Smokey Joe’s Café (Town Hall Theatre Co.), Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (Ray of Light Theater) Kate in Zanna, Don’t! (NCTC), Dynaminte in Hairspray (Woodminster Summer Musicals and PCPA Theaterfest), Motormouth Mabel in Hairspray (Allenberry Playhouse), Abuela Clauda in In The Heights (Cohos Music Hall), Trixy/Phantom in The Rocky Horror Show (Merchants Hall and A.C.T’s Strand Theater), and Dionne in Hair (Bay Area Musicals) Follow her on Instagram! @kravmcgaw

CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Floyd

Bio

Christopher is thrilled to be back on the 42nd Street Moon stage. He is a a proud member of the San Francisco theatre community and has performed on many stages in both San Francisco and San Diego. In addition to performing, he has also had several scripts produced for the stage. He is one of the founding partners of Society Cabaret, where local cabaret artists can perform and flourish. He also has the joy of stage managing for the SF ArtsEd’s Players Program, which pairs young artists with adult artists, who make their living performing and directing. He enjoys creating, collaborating and nurturing the art of story-telling through song.

LEE ANN PAYNE*
Ensemble

Bio

Lee Ann is delighted to return to the 42nd Street Moon stage! Lee Ann was last seen at Moon in Me and My Girl, as Sue Smith in No, No, Nanette! and as Ninotchka in Silk Stockings. Recent credits include Jacqueline in La Cage aux Folles (SF Playhouse), Mrs. Weston in Jane Austen’s Emma (TheatreWorks), The Witch in The Snow Queen (SJ Rep/NYMF) and Diane Goodman in Next to Normal (Jewel Theatre Company). Also a local choreographer and director, Lee Ann earned her MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.

MATT SKINNER
Ensemble

Bio

Matt couldn’t be more thrilled to be making his 42nd Street Moon debut! This is his first show in San Francisco after playing several roles in East Bay productions, such as Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Tri Valley Repertory Theatre), Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress (Douglas Morrison Theatre), Scuttle in The Little Mermaid (Tri Valley Rep), and Thomas Jefferson in 1776 (Tri Valley Rep). Matt was born and raised in the Bay Area and is a graduate of UC Davis. In his spare time, he enjoys consuming film and television, writing music, and exploring his mind through a regular meditation practice. @mattskinner95

COLIN THOMSON*
Fiorello LaGuardia

Bio

Colin last (and first) performed with Moon in Me & My Girl as Heathersett/Constable. He recently continued his fake constabulary duties as Constable Joe in Tuck Everlasting with TheatreWorks, where he has also appeared in The Light in the Piazza, The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue, and All My Sons. American Conservatory Theater performances include A Christmas Carol, 1776 (directed by Frank Galati), and Happy End where he contributed to the production’s cast recording. Career favorites include Dirty Blonde with Portland Center Stage, Company with Marin Theatre Company, and Center REP’s Sisters Matsumoto. Television and film work includes NBC’s “Trauma” and “Blue Jasmine.” This is Mr. Thomson’s second title role performance in his career, following Romeo in Romeo & Juliet at age 18 in a post-apocalyptic interpretation that does not bear further mention. Mr. Thomson has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association for more than 22 years.

CHRIS VETTEL*
Ben Marino

Bio

Chris previously appeared in the Moon production of New Girl in Town (Chris) and the concert productions of Kismet (Hajj) and Follies (Benjamin Stone). Elsewhere, Chris’ credits include – Broadway/National Tours: Annie – 30th Anniversary Tour (Bert Healy), Sunset Boulevard – 2nd National Tour (Cliff, Joe u/s). Bay Area: Little Women – Theatreworks (Bhaer), A Minister’s Wife – San Jose Rep (Morrell – BATCC Award Nominee), Shrek – Diablo Theatre Company (Farquaad) and Les Misérables – Sierra Rep (Thenardier). Regional: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Santa Claus), State Fair – Stages St. Louis (Abel) and 1776 – Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (Lee). He’s also appeared, with the Opera Company of Boston, Opera Cleveland, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. For more info, visit www.chrisvettel.com, or Chris Vettel-Fan Page on Facebook.

Photos by Ben Krantz Studio • Click on thumbnails for full-size image

Colin Thomson as Fiorello LaGuardia

Sean Fenton as Neil

Katrina Lauren McGraw as Marie

Matt Hammons as Morris Cohen

Marisa Cozart as Dora and Christopher M. Nelson as Floyd

Amanda Johnson as Thea

Colin Thomson as Fiorello LaGuardia with the Ensemble

Chris Vettel (R) as Ben Marino with the Ensemble

Colin Thomson as Fiorello LaGuardia

Chris Vettel as Ben Marino

Marisa Cozart as Dora

Colin Thomson as Fiorello LaGuardia with the Ensemble

The Company of FIORELLO

EXPERIENCE A FULLER MOON

Opening Night Receptions

Join the cast and crew as we celebrate the opening of each new production. Savor champagne, wine, and delectable delights from our Opening Night sponsor. The best part? It’s on us!

Opening Night date for FIORELLO: Saturday, March 2, 6:00 PM

Discussion Sundays

Get all your burning questions answered about the show you’ve just seen during our fun and informative post-performance discussions with the audience, cast, and crew. Hosted by Executive Directors Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, who will share the history of the original production as well as our current incarnation! Learn more about the composers, lyricists, and book writers, as well as your favorite Moonie cast members. Discussion Sundays happen on the first and second Sunday of each show in our regular season offerings.

Discussion Sunday dates for FIORELLO: March 3 & 10, 3:00 PM

Family & Student Matinees

The best deal in town for kids, parents, and students of all ages. Young people under 18 and college students with a valid student ID can see the show for just $10! Younger students receive a family activity guide, get to participate in an intermission contest (with prizes!), and can join in on a post-show discussion and visit with the actors that includes autographs and pictures. This is a great way to introduce the next generation to the heritage of American musical theatre. This is also a great idea for a kid’s birthday party. Please contact Education Director Dyan McBride for further details or if you have a large group wishing to attend.

42nd Street Moon created the Family Matinee to make musical theatre affordable and accessible for young people along with their parents and to provide families the opportunity to experience classic Broadway. Relevant, fun activities and fascinating discussion guides enable families to rediscover how theatre has served an important function in our nation’s cultural landscape and been a way for families to come together. We have expanded the matinee to be a Family and Student Matinee, so that college-aged students can also take advantage of the generous discount.

Family and Student Matinee date for FIORELLO: March 9, 1:00 PM

The Gateway Theatre is also BARTable! Just a five-minute walk from the Embarcadero Station.