welcome to Santa Claus

Marlena Ascher (Holly Hopewell) couldn't be merrier to return to the Pantochino stage! Her most recent credits include Beth in Little Women (CT State Norwalk), Debbie in Noni Cimino's Kitchen (Pantochino Productions), and Ensemble in Oklahoma! in Concert (New Paradigm Theatre/Norwalk Symphony Orchestra). She is currently studying music and theatre at CT State Norwalk. Happy Holidays!!!

Davis Burke (Crosby) is twelve years old and is thankful that Pantochino has welcomed him back for his third MainStage Christmas show. Davis has credits in Pantochino’s past shows “Christmas Carol,” and “Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz”. He enjoys performing, playing guitar, golfing, and reading. He also loves his two dogs, Maggie and Nellie.

Katie Durham (Paulette Plumb)

Quinn Fitzgerald (Meldrum Millward) is a classically trained actor, born and raised in Newtown, Connecticut. He graduated from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts with an acting BFA. Quinn is excited to be a part of Pantochino Productions’ wonderful community of actors and creatives.

Aurora Hinden (Bing) is excited to make her debut on the Pantochino main stage! Ever since moving to Milford from California, Rory has thrown herself into the vibrant local theatre scene. She has been a fixture in multiple Pantochino children’s productions, including memorable turns as "Dorothy" in Wizard of Oz... Sort of, "Mother Earth" in Cinderella '72, and "Madge" in Glam Kitty Squad. Rory has also performed in her school productions and is looking forward to bringing the Genie to life in Aladdin Jr. this Spring. Lots of love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Meemaw, Papa, and a special thanks to Pantochino!

Rachelle Ianniello (Harriet Hofflemeyer) is thrilled to be part of Pantochino's sixteenth season, having previously been seen in 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 recent favorite role is that of "Mom" to Holly and Dominic. Much love and appreciation to her family and friends for their support! 

Lia Jade (Christy Winters) is very excited to make her Pantochino debut as Christy Winters in their new musical, Welcome to Santa Claus. Lia graduated with her BA in Musical Theatre and Secondary Theatre Education at the University of New Hampshire back in May of 2024 and has been working around the Seacoast area post-grad. She is grateful to Pantochino Productions for the opportunity to work a little closer to home and can’t wait to share this holiday story with you! A special thank you goes out to her Christmas obsessed family who supports every adventure she goes on…you would have thrived in the town of Santa Claus.

Jimmy Johansmeyer (Mayor Freddie Frost) 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.”Most recently at Legacy, he played Gary in Noises Off. His costume designs and creations have been seen throughout the country and include Cold As Ice starring Oxsana Baiul at Gateway Playhouse on Long Island, the Off-Broadway premiere of Matthew Passion and at 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 teaches costume design at the R.J. Kinsella Magnet School of the Performing Arts in Hartford and continues his work as a freelance costume designer.

Valerie Loomis (Old Mrs. Pine),(formerly Solli), a long-time resident of Milford, has been performing in New England for over thirty years. Valerie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Philosophy from Clark University. Offstage, she enjoys traveling, watching baseball, playing ice hockey, attending concerts, and spending time with her daughter, Rhianna and their beloved dachshund, Penny Lane.  Valerie is thankful for the privilege to work with the fantastic creative team at Pantochino Productions!  Special thanks to her husband Fred for his endless support.

Tracey Marble (Rhonda LaRhonde) is thrilled to be working with the Bernardi-Rugg-Johansmeyer dream-team again for Pantochino Productions! You may have seen her lurking as Miss Biddle in Checking In On Charles, or as Bunny in As Long As We’re Talking, or as Rosalia (AKA Nonna) in And Away We Go, or as Rosa in Noni Cimino’s Kitchen, or most recently as Lickety Smith in Tiaras Over Teaneck.  Other favorite roles on Connecticut stages include Diane (Come From Away), Ouiser (Steel Magnolias), Eva (Evita), Sally (Follies), Fräulein Schneider (Cabaret), The Witch (Into The Woods), Rosie (Mamma Mia!), Lucy (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown) and Margaret White (Carrie). Tracey is on the Voice Faculty in the Theatre Division of The Hartt School, teaches at Music Theatre of Connecticut, and is the music director at First Congregational Church of Stamford. In addition, she has her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and released her debut album titled It's Time. Love and gratitude always to Mom, Mike and the kids. traceymarble.hearnow.com

Killian Meehan (Tanner Tallson)

Brenna Murphy (Ivy Inges) is a senior at Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University. Welcome to Santa Claus is her debut show with Pantochino Main Stage! She has previously performed with Pantochino’s Teen Theatre program in The Prom, Chicago, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Saturday Night Fever, and The Addams Family. She’s also appeared as a Wickersham brother in Notre Dame’s production of Seussical, and as the MC in their production of Chicago. Brenna is beyond excited to make her main stage debut!

Shelley Marsh Poggio (Fanny Frost) Shelley caught the acting bug at age 14 when she stepped onstage as Daisy Mae in Li’l Abner—and she’s been performing ever since. Her work has taken her to theaters across Connecticut and beyond, including a featured appearance at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland She is a proud Company Member of Pantochino Productions where, now in our 16th season, she has brought more than 50 original characters to life thanks to the brilliant writing of Bert Bernardi. Many of these productions have earned recognition from the 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 gratitude to her family for their unwavering support—and to Bert, Jimmy, and Justin for their endless creativity XO.

Justin Rugg (Dash Dawson) 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. 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

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 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, licensed 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