the real housewives of sleepy hollow

Maria Berte (Heide) is thrilled to return to the stage with Pantochino Productions as Heide in The Real Housewives of Sleepy Hollow! Previous Pantochino credits include Cinderella Italiano, Noni Cimino's Kitchen, Christmas Cookies, The Waffle House Five, and Tiara's Over Teaneck. By day, Maria joyfully teaches high school choir, sharing her love of music with the next generation. She extends heartfelt thanks to Bert, Jimmy, and Justin for their incredible creativity and support. This performance is lovingly dedicated to her late dad, her biggest fan, who she knows is smiling down from the best seat in heaven.

Chelsea Dacey (Katrina Van Tassel) is delighted to make her debut with Pantochino! Some favorite credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (The Kate), Janet Van DeGraaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (Fairfield Center Stage), Sophie in Mamma Mia (LTM), Daisy in The Great Gatsby (DCT), Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes (CCP), Amber in Hairspray (DCT), and The Great American Mousical (Legacy Theatre, dir. Dame Julie Andrews), Lacey Leopard Piggy Nation the Musical Off Broadway, and more! When not in the theatre, Chelsea is usually in Disney with her husband, Andrew—watch them on YouTube @ABCDExperiences! Special thanks to Andrew, Madre, and her dog-ters, Bambi & Flower, as well as the cast & crew and Pantochino Productions for welcoming her. Peace & love! ChelseaDacey.com "

Rachelle Ianniello (Catharina) is thrilled to be part of Pantochino's 17th season, having previously been seen in A Lad in Manhattan, Welcome to Santa Claus, Tiaras Over Teaneck!, Christmas Cookies, The Panto of the Opera, And Away We Go!, Checking in on Charles, As Long As We’re Talking, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust!, The Waffle House Five, and Glitz! Her most favorite roles are those of "Mom" to Holly and Dominic and “Real Housewife” to Vin. Much love and appreciation to her family and friends for their support! 

Jimmy Johansmeyer (Ichabod Crane/Costume Design) is an award-winning actor, costume designer, educator and co-producer of Pantochino. For sixteen years, he was the ‘resident villain’ with the former Downtown Cabaret Children’s Company. A graduate of Marist College, Jimmy has performed on hundreds of stages including New York Stage & Film/ Powerhouse Theatre, NY, Wallkill River Repertory, NY, The Theatre Barn, NY, Millbrook Playhouse, PA, and on the Main Stage of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre and The Legacy Theatre in Branford  among others. He was nominated for a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for his performance in The Legacy Theatre’s “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.” and again for their production of “Noises Off.” His costume designs and creations have been seen throughout the country and internationally and include Cold As Ice starring Oxsana Baiul at Gateway Playhouse on Long Island, the Off-Broadway premiere of Matthew Passion and for Charles Busch’s Native New Yorker. His other design credits include The Theatre Barn, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre in North Carolina, Gorilla Theatre Tampa, The Emelin Theatre NY, Allenberry Playhouse, PA, Arundel Barn Playhouse, ME, to name a few. He currently teaches acting at the Regional Center for the Arts in Trumbull and continues his work as a freelance costume designer.

Valerie Loomis (Sally) a Milford resident, has been performing in New England for over thirty years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Philosophy from Clark University. Offstage, she is the goalie for the Frost Dragons Hockey Club and enjoys traveling, watching baseball (Go, Yankees!) and hockey (Go, Bruins!), attending concerts, taking long walks, and spending time with her fantastic daughter, Rhianna and wonderful husband, Fred. Valerie is extremely grateful for the privilege of working with the Pantochino Productions Team and hopes audiences will continue to support this Connecticut treasure! https://www.pantochino.com/donate

Mary Mannix (Johanna) is delighted to "raise a glass" as we celebrate the opening of Pantochino's 17th season! A founding member of the company, Mary appeared last season as Charlotte Fale in What Now, Voyager. Past Pantochino roles include Beverly Blithers in Tiaras over Teaneck, Dorothy in Dorothy's Christmas in Oz, Marjorie in And Away We Go, Bernice Britchard in Checking in on Charles, Jaycee Rae in The Waffle House Five, Ventura in Noni Cimino's Kitchen, and Cinderella in both Cinderella Skeleton and Cinderella Italiano. Other regional credits include Maria in West Side Story, Susy in Wait Until Dark, and Charlotte in A Little Night Music. Roles at Branford's Legacy Theatre include Brandy in the world premiere of Just Desserts, Daisy in the professional premiere of Joe Landry's The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play, and Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong. A recipient of the Goodspeed Guild Music Theater Award, Mary holds a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from The Catholic University of America. She resides in Killingworth with her husband Scott, and their four children, Sean, Rowan, Nora, and Brennan. Endless gratitude and much love to her family for their support.

Killian Meehan (Brom Bones) (he/him) is delighted to be back with Pantochino Productions as Brom Bones in The Real Housewives of Sleepy Hollow. Recent Pantochino credits include Welcome to Santa Claus (Tanner Tallson), Tiara's Over Teaneck (Bennett), The Executioner's Wife (Magistrate), and Dorothy's Christmas in Oz (Lion/Huey). Additional favorites include The Fantasticks (El Gallo) and Hurricane Jimmy (Steve/Narrator) at The Press Box Theater, and The Complete History of Theatre (Abridged) at Phoenix Stage Company, as well as his ongoing new media performances with Candle House Collective (Lennox Mutual). Offstage, Killian enjoys ice-skating, puzzles, and playing D&D, as well as time with his dog, Valkyrie,and cat, Morrigan. Endless gratitude to his parents, Dani, and his vocal coach, Paul Elkin, for their constant encouragement. More at www.killianmeehan.com.

Shelley Marsh Poggio (Gerda) Shelley is thrilled to be back in action, Cheers to Season 17!  She caught the acting bug at age 14 when she took the stage as Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner, and she’s been performing ever since. Her work has taken her to theaters throughout CT and abroad, including performing at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. She is a proud Company Member of Pantochino Productions, where she has brought more than 40 original characters to life, thanks to the brilliant writing of Bert Bernardi. Many of these productions have been recognized with Connecticut BroadwayWorld Awards. Some of her favorite Pantochino roles include the title characters in The Wicked Witch of the West, Kansas or Bust (2015 CT BroadwayWorld Award – Best Actress in a Musical), The Brothers Grimm & A Showgirl, The Bewitchingly Scrumptious Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat, and Honeysuckle Jones in Checking In On Charles (2022 CT BroadwayWorld Award – Best Supporting Performer in a Musical). Much love and thanks to her family for their unwavering support, and to Bert, Jimmy, and Justin for their endless creativity XO

Justin Rugg (Balthus Van Tassel/Composer) A composer, singer and actor, Rugg has co-authored 35 original musicals with writing partner Bernardi, many of which are published and available for licensing. Other works: five albums of original songs, Predictable Heart (cabaret performed at NYC’s Duplex), music for NYU Steinhardt’s 4@15 Festival, several piano works, dozens of theatre camp scores for young performers, the youth ballet I Dreamed Of A Place. A music and theatre teacher in Connecticut for 14 years, he received top honor in the “40 Under 40” awards from the Milford Chamber of Commerce. Oh, and he’s been in a good many of Pantochino’s performances—maybe even all of them! Thanks to the Pantochino family and all who support them.

Jakob Kelsey (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to continue working with the talented company at Pantochino! Jakob is a freelance theatrical lighting designer and electrician located in Stamford, CT. He graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Theatre Design/Technology. Previous credits with Pantochino Productions include: Grease, School Spirits, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You, And Away We Go, Prom, Panto of the Opera, Chicago, Noni Cimino’s Kitchen, Christmas in Oz, Saturday Night Fever and Tiaras Over Teaneck. Additional design credits include: Jester’s Dead, Peter/Wendy (WCSU); Little Women, Seussical (The Canterbury School); Into the Woods, 39 Steps (Castle Craig Players); Our Time: A Musical Showcase (ACT of CT). www.jakobkelseydesign.com

Jennifer Johnson (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be making her Pantochino Productions debut as stage manager for The Real Housewives of Sleepy Hollow! Jennifer holds a degree in Theatre and Creative Writing and has enjoyed a long career behind the scenes in film, theatre, television, and live production. In a fitting twist, she has even worked in the lighting and camera departments on several of the Real Housewives television series. Jennifer is delighted to bring her experience—and a little real-life Housewives expertise—to Sleepy Hollow.

Bert Bernardi (Director) is the co-producer and co-founder of Pantochino Productions Inc and has been bringing ‘ridiculously entertaining’ theatre to the Milford since 2010. He is the former Artistic Director of the now defunct Downtown Cabaret Children’s Company in Bridgeport and his work has been seen extensively at Cortland Repertory Theatre (NY), The Theatre Barn (NY), Millbrook Playhouse (PA) and the Surflight Theatre (NJ). His work as also been seen at Legacy Theatre (CT), Fairfield University, New York University, Music Theatre North (NY), the Boston Post Road Stage Company, Arundel Barn (NY) and TheatreWorks New Milford. With composer Justin Rugg, he has penned many, many new musicals, several of which are published and licensed by Concorde Theatricals and performed around the country. Bert is a recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in Connecticut. www.bertbernardi.com