Who’s Who

NIA ALSOP (Madame de la Grande Bouche, La Fille, Castle Staff) is a sophomore Musical Theater major at MSM. Her musical journey began at an early age when her parents recognized her singing ability at her 6th birthday when she sang back her reply to the song, “How old are you?” with the perfectly pitched, “ I’m siiiiixxx years old.” Since then, she studied Classical Voice at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Some of her favorite credits include Into the Woods (The Witch) and Big Fish (Older Sandra). She is thrilled to be performing and hopes that you enjoy the show!

DAVID BELL (Maurice, Narrator) has been active regionally for many years as a musician and actor. He previously appeared on the Legacy stage as George Wilson and other characters in The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play. He was the music director for three Legacy productions: Just Desserts, Joan Joyce, and A Christmas Carol (for which he also arranged the music). As an actor, he has appeared at Ivoryton Playhouse (Children of Eden/The Father; Taming of the Shrew/Lucentio; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown/Schroeder), with the Orange Players (Guys and Dolls/Sky Masterson), East Lyme Regional Theatre (Footloose/Rev. Moore), Center Stage (I Hate Hamlet/John Barrymore; Anything Goes/Evelyn Oakleigh), and many others. He won an Outstanding Contribution by a Leading Actor award for his performance at the 2007 New Works New Haven Festival. In his other lives, David is an accompanist, singer, church organist, choir director, hiker, biker, and cat owner (or perhaps the cat owns him).

KIERSTEN BJORK (Enchantress, Madame D’Arque, La Fille, Wolf, Castle Staff / Business Manager) is thrilled to join the company of Beauty and the Beast in this incredibly fun and multifaceted track! Kiersten has performed with companies such as Legacy Theatre, Shoreline Theatre Company, Theatre Fairfield, and more. Favorite performing credits include Footloose (Ethel McCormack), The Spitfire Grill (Percy), [title of show] (Susan – BroadwayWorld Award Nomination: Best Performer/Musical), Joan Joyce! (Young Joan Joyce – BroadwayWorld Award Nomination: Best Performer/Musical), Chicago (June/“Squish”), A Christmas Carol (Fan/Mrs. Fezziwig/Others), Woman and Scarecrow (Auntie Ah – BroadwayWorld Award Nomination: Best Performer/Play), Titus Andronicus (Demetrius), A Princess Tea (Evil Queen), The Tales of Custard the Dragon (Ink), Fortinbras (Laertes), Authenticity (Alice), and The Tales of Christopher Robin & Winnie-the-Pooh (Rabbit). Kiersten has also worked on numerous productions from the creative and technical sides, with favorites being Rabbit Hole (Scenic Designer), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Master Carpenter), and I Do! I Do! and The Last Five Years (Assistant Stage Manager). At Legacy, Kiersten worked as the Theatre Manager for the past two years and is excited to be a part of this third season in a role that covers everything from marketing and communications to finance and administrative work! She is a 2021 graduate of Fairfield University, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in Theatre and English. In addition to her work with Legacy, Kiersten does freelance theatre work as a stage manager, technician, and carpenter for the Quick Center for the Arts and Theatre Fairfield. She is also the Communications Specialist for the Branford Community Foundation, a Theatre Critic with the Connecticut Critics Circle, and a Book Reviewer for Booktrib.

NIKO CHARNEY (Lumiere, Crony) is ecstatic to join the Legacy Theatre’s company as “Lumiere” in Beauty and The Beast. Niko is currently studying musical theatre at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music and will be returning to complete his junior year in the fall. Apart from Musical Theatre, Niko is active in hearing loss advocacy throughout the music community and has even started his own blog, “howihearit.com” where he shares his journey with hearing loss. Niko thanks his mom and dad for their endless support and love, his family, and all of his teachers. Lastly, he thanks the entire cast and creative team at the Legacy Theatre for making this such a special time!

PATRICK CLIFFORD (Chip, Boy) lives in Guilford, CT and will start 8th grade at Adam’s Middle School in the fall. He attended Allegro Performing Arts Academy while in elementary school and realized his love of the stage! He previously appeared in The Guilford Youth and Family Services production of Really Rosie as Chicken Soup and in Seussical the Musical Junior as Jojo. In addition to acting, Patrick plays ice hockey with the Wallingford Hawks and loves gaming.

DAN FRYE (Prince/Beast) couldn’t be more excited to be back at the Legacy for such a fantastic show. His previous Legacy credits include You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Snoopy), The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play (Nick), A Christmas Carol (Fred), and The Tales of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh (Eeyore). Big thanks to the tremendous cast and crew for this phenomenal experience. Here’s to many broken legs!

JOSHUA HEGGIE (Ensemble, Wolf, Gargoyle, Castle Staff) is super stoked to be back at Legacy after being seen as Leonard “Reaper” Barnett in Masters of Puppets earlier this season! It has been a while since he was seen in the NYMF Roofless, locally at STONC as Jim in Big River, or as Harker in Dessa Rose at the New Rep in Boston; and he couldn’t be happier. He is so blessed and lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing family, great friends, and outstanding colleagues. Gratitude, awe, and appreciation for all of the Medics, EMTs, Nurses, Police, Firefighters, Military, and school personnel. You keep us safe, help raise our kids, and enrich our community and culture. Thank you.

SUSAN KULP (Mrs. Potts, Villager) is happy to be back at Legacy Theatre after appearing in their 2021 production of Just Desserts (Jean). Recent credits: Angels in America (Angel), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Martha) Madison Lyric Stage; Away We Go (Snooky), Pantochino Productions; Barbecue (Lillie Ann), Collective Consciousness Theater; Songs for a New World (Woman 2), FUSE Theatre; Annapurna (Emma), NHTC; Susan is a company member with New Haven Theater Company (NHTC); dabbles in commercial, print and VO work and “acts” a Simulated Patient/SP Educator for Quinnipiac & Yale University Medical & Nursing schools. Grateful for our audience and the chance to work with this talented cast and the Legacy team.

MELANIE MARTYN (Belle) is thrilled to be returning to the Legacy stage to fulfill a dream role! Born and raised in Maryland, she grew up primarily as a dancer before going off to Boston College to earn her BA in Theatre Arts. She’s lived and trained in London, New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Past Legacy credits include Ophelia in Hamlet, Amanda in Private Lives, and Corie in Barefoot in the Park. She also works in film as an actress and producer and currently has many projects in development to be released in the near future. She and her husband currently live in New York City with their dog, and were ecstatic to welcome their daughter into the world in May! IG: @Melanie_martyn.

ROBERT PETERPAUL (LeFou, Wolf, Castle Staff) is an actor, singer, writer and host of The Art of Kindness podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network. He is thrilled to be making his Legacy debut with such a wacky role. Recent theatre credits: Newsies at Westport Country Playhouse, Beauty & the Beast at WPPAC, Spelling Bee at ACT and being a company actor at the historic Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Film/TV credits: CBS’ Bull and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Netflix’s King Cobra and the upcoming Amazon film Sitting in Bars with Cake starring Yara Shahidi. He thanks the entire Legacy company, his wife Cassie and you, dear patron, for supporting theatre arts. Say hi: robertpeterpaul.com / @robpeterpaul on social media.

BELLA PACHECO RARICK (Babette, La Fille) is ecstatic to make her debut on the Legacy Theatre stage! Her favorite roles include Anna in A Coney Island Christmas (Ivoryton Playhouse), Velma in Chicago (Shoreline Theatre Company), Maggie in Maggie (Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center) and Ensemble in For Madmen Only (Manhattan School of Music). She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in all her artistic endeavors, especially her father and her mother Paola, who she enjoys working with and appreciates immensely. She cannot thank her enough for her influence on her theatre experience. Instagram: @bellararick, YouTube: @isabellararick4888

JOSIAH ROWE (Cogsworth, Crony) is delighted to be a regular at Legacy Theatre, where he has played roles ranging from Claudius in Hamlet to Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play to Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Legacy’s young audiences might also remember him as Custard the Dragon or Winnie-the-Pooh. Other past roles include Atticus, To Kill a Mockingbird (Landmark Community Theatre, Thomaston); Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz (Thomaston Opera House); Bhaer, Little Women, Lefou, Beauty and the Beast (Hartford Children’s Theatre); and the Pirate King, Pirates of Penzance (Alliance Theatre). He has also appeared in Amadeus and The Producers (Warner Theatre); and Macbeth, Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Learned Ladies (Capital Classics). However, his favorite role is Daddy to Ashlin (11), Diana (8) and Verity (4). Love and thanks to Erin.

SCOTT A. TOWERS (Gaston) is a Branford native making his Legacy Theatre debut. He currently produces the BHS Performing Arts Spring Musicals. Scott obtained his Bachelor of Science in Music Ed. Voice Concentration from WCSU, where he was classically trained in opera, and was the Principal Tenor. He has his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Post University and currently works at WCSU. Previous performing credits: Reverend Shaw Moore - Footloose, Comfort Counselor - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Roger De Bris - The Producers, Corny Collins – Hairspray, Tamino - The Magic Flute, Rinuccio – Gianni Schicchi, and Frederic – The Pirates of Penzance. Scott is so happy to revisit Beauty and the Beast, which will always have a special place in his heart.

NATE BLOOM (Swing) is super excited to be performing with Legacy Theatre! He is a recent graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. He previously worked with Legacy on their production of The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) (Run Crew). Prior performances include WCSU’s Head Over Heels (Basilius) WCSU’s Sweat (Stan) and WCSU’s The 1940s Radio Hour (Stanley). He has also recently worked at Hamden Hall Country Day School as the Assistant Director for their productions of The Mojo Jojo Cabaret and Oh, Kay!

JILLIAN MILLETTE (Swing) is excited to be making her professional debut with the company of Beauty and the Beast! She recently graduated from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy where she received her acting and musical theatre training. Jillian would like to thank her family and friends for their immense support. She would also like to thank the entire company of Beauty and the Beast and staff at Legacy Theatre for making this beautiful show/opportunity possible.

KEELY BAISDEN KNUDSEN (Director / Artistic Director & Co-Founder) An award-winning director, Keely has performed, directed, and choreographed internationally in plays, musicals, operas, and dance companies in hundreds of theatrical productions and has performed in 48 of the United States and in the UK. Realizing her vision of a new theatre company on the Connecticut Shoreline, Keely’s ideals of inspiring, inclusive work that uplifts the human spirit and connects communities formalized in the creation of the Legacy Theatre with Co-Founder Stephanie Stiefel Williams, a performing colleague and dear friend. Keely has directed, choreographed, and taught a myriad of performing arts courses at such institutions as Quinnipiac University, Yale University, Fairfield University, Hartt School of Drama, Southern Connecticut State University, Westminster College, and was the Director of Education of New Haven’s acclaimed Elm Shakespeare Company for several years. Additionally a composer/lyricist and playwright, she is a member of ASCAP and a writer/curator for Rewls Productions (www.rewlsproductions.us). Her directing has been heralded by the Arts Paper as “…visually striking, emotionally moving” and “captivating” and of her direction of Hamlet it was said, “Knudsen has made the notoriously difficult Shakespearean language accessible.” Her creation of the Wheel Life Theatre Troupe has been an especially rewarding program as she acts and directs with those who ambulate with crutches and wheelchairs. Her BFA is from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, at which she graduated first in the class, and she received her Masters Degree in Drama on full scholarship from The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Keely, her husband Brian, and five children (Saviah, Liviana, Wynter, Emery, and Reeves) reside in Guilford, CT.

PAOLA PACHECO RARICK (Choreographer) was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was exposed to art at an early age by her father who was a writer and renowned director in Argentina. She has extensive training in Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Lyrical dance. Paola danced competitively for 10 years and was a member of nationally recognized, award-winning dance companies. She holds a BS in corporate communications from Southern CT State University. Paola has choreographed for various theatre companies over the last decade. She serves/served as choreographer for Shoreline Theatre Company, Artful Living Productions, and Branford High School to name a few. Some of Paola’s favorite choreography credits include, Hairspray, Mary Poppins, Chicago, Anything Goes and The Producers. Most recently, Paola choreographed The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) here at Legacy. Aside from her countless shows she has choreographed, she is Artist Director and Owner of Studio One Dance Center in Branford for the past 15 years.

JAMIE BURNETT (Scenic & Lighting Designer) is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, recipient of the 2005 New Haven Arts award, and Founding member of The Elm Shakespeare Company. Lighting Designer at Elm Shakespeare for 26 years and Set Designer until 2009. Lighting Design credits include International Festival of Arts and Ideas 2018, Requiem for an Electric Chair; Iseman Theater 2017, Never Stand Still. CCT: Skeleton Crew, Rasheeda Speaking, Jesus Hopped the A Train, Sunset Baby, Topdog/Underdog. SCSU: Stop Kiss, Much Ado About Nothing, The Boyfriend, and Our Country’s Good. SHU: In The Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar. Citywide Open Studios: New Haven Armory; Projects2k: Stamford Train Station Façade Lighting; Designer/Production Manager for Terra Tractus (The Earth Moves) (2005), Terra Mirabila (2001), Terra Lumina and Terra Continuum (1999): performed in the Stony Creek Granite Quarry; PNM’s Branford (2010) lighting Branford Green Town Hall. His company, Luminous Environments, specializes in theater and TV studio renovations and public art installations involving specialized lighting. Recent projects: Branford HS Theater, Fairfield Community Theater, and Legacy Theatre.

JIMMY JOHANSMEYER (Costume Designer) is excited to be back at The Legacy Theatre, after being seen in Just Desserts. Most recent design credits include The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play, Pirate Schmirate!, Rough Crossing, Saturday Night Fever, Newsies, The 39 Steps, La Cage Aux Folles and Footloose. His work has also been seen at Cortland Repertory Theatre, Allenberry Playhouse, Penobscot Theatre Company, Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Gateway Playhouse, Theatreworks New Milford, Stamford Center for the Arts, The Emelin Theatre, Tampa’s Gorilla Theatre, The Theater Barn and at Off-Broadway’s American Theater for Actors. Jimmy is also co-founder and producer of the award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc. in Connecticut.

ADAM JACKSON (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be a part of Legacy’s third season! Adam has worked on over 50 productions as an actor and designer. He has done technical theatre design work for Walsh Intermediate School, the Branford High School Fall Play and Spring Musical, Ivoryton Playhouse, WCSU Opera, and Elm Shakespeare Company. He is also the resident technical supervisor at Shoreline Theatre Company where he particularly enjoys working on the summer camp shows. Adam recently graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BS in Music Education and a concentration in classical trombone. He runs sound for The River Church in Danbury and occasionally has the pleasure of being invited into theatre classes to speak to students about the joys of technical theatre!

RICH BURKAM (Master Carpenter) came to Connecticut to study music and music recording at UNH. He played in bands such as 4:20, Space Cushion, and Over The Line. His studies continued, learning to be a luthier under Barry Lipman and Chris Tatalias, giving him a taste for fine woodworking. Richard now owns a woodshop that makes fine furniture, in a space which is shared with lighting designer Jamie Burnett. Together they have built sets for many production companies, including Elm Shakespeare, Yale Baroque Opera Project, and many small black box theater productions.

SARAH PERO (Production Stage Manager / Production Manager) Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Sarah has been involved with local community and professional theatre for 20+ years. Acting at the age of 10, and directing at 16, Sarah received her BFA in Theatre, with a concentration in directing from the University of Rhode Island. Right after college, Sarah was a part-time drama teacher in New Haven Public Schools and also taught theatre classes with Performing Arts Programs (South Windsor, CT). Sarah then worked at the Music Theatre of CT (Norwalk, CT) School of Performing Arts, wearing many hats as Administrative Manager, Teaching Artist, Director, Music Director, and Choreographer for the school. Sarah also managed the Box Office and was the Resident Sound Designer for MTC’s Professional Main Stage. Following MTC, Sarah worked as Administrative Manager at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre (Bridgeport, CT). As a Production Stage Manager for various Theatre Productions in Rhode Island and Connecticut, some of her favorites include: Tick, Tick Boom; Little Women: The Musical; and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Most recently, Sarah served as the Production Stage Manager for multiple Legacy productions in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons. Sarah is thrilled to officially join the Legacy team as Production Manager.

NICK FETHERSTON (Assistant Stage Manager / Box Office Manager) is an actor operating out of the New Haven area. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University with a degree in Theater Studies and is also an alumnus of The National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Previous Legacy Theatre acting credits include Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rosencrantz in Hamlet, and a brief cameo as The Prince in this year’s A Princess Tea. Other notable credits include Don John/The Sexton in Much Ado About Nothing (Capital Classics), various roles in the 2019 New Play Festival (The Barrow Group NYC), Albert in Goldfish (New Haven Theater Company), and Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice (The Little Theatre of Manchester). Nick is also the Box Office Manager here at The Legacy Theatre (he might’ve sold you a ticket to this very show). He is also an instructor for a variety of acting classes that Legacy provides. He thanks you for supporting his work and hopes you enjoy the show! Website: nickfetherston.com Instagram: @nfetherstonblue

CATHYANN RODING (Music Director & Conductor) was the Director of Choral Music at Branford High School for 32 years before retiring in June 2017. Over the years, her groups performed in various places in the U.S. and Europe, as well as raising money for countless organizations in Branford. Cathyann was the Musical Director, Choreographer, and Conductor of Branford High’s Spring Musical. Some of her favorites include productions of Phantom of the Opera, In the Heights, Les Miserables, and Titanic. Awards and honors that she is proud of include Branford’s Citizen of the Year, Branford’s Teacher of the Year, the Branford Education Hall of Fame, and is truly humbled that the Branford High School Auditorium has been named after her. She is incredibly happy to be working at Legacy Theatre on this production of Beauty and the Beast!

JORDAN BRINT (Bass) Jordan’s initial introduction to music was through her brief stint as a violinist from the third to sixth grade. Upon deciding the instrument wasn’t large enough, she picked up a bass for the first time and hasn’t put it down. While she ultimately decided to pursue a degree in psychology through Brown University, her love of the instrument held firm. Since then, Jordan has been lucky enough to continue pursuing that passion by playing throughout the state and has formed some of her closest friendships and fondest memories in the process.

CHRISTINE COHEN (Violin) performs on violin and viola. She retired from the Branford Public Schools a few years ago. She has taught music at all levels from kindergarten to grade 12 both instrumental and vocal. She has been playing in the pit of musicals since college (many years ago!). Christine teaches privately and performs at churches and weddings (lots of weddings) and most recently performed with the Mystic Chorale playing viola for Faure’s Requiem. Other performances include playing with the Eastern CT Symphony, Con Brio Chorale, CT Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Walsh Intermediate School and Branford High School musicals. Hobbies include ukulele, recorder, trombone in the Branford Town Band, church choir and walking the dog. Great to play B & the B with the pit peeps and Cathyann!

NATE DOBAS (Drums/Percussion) is a versatile drummer who is home in a variety of musical settings, such as rock, funk, jazz, big band and pit orchestra. A wealth of experience, he has played with countless regional acts opening for Cowboy Mouth, King’s X, Sister Hazel, Dick Dale, Skid Row, The Breakfast, John Fogerty, The Tubes and Eddie Money. Additionally, he has played with Billboard Artists Funkee Boy and Leila. In 2006, Nate was 1 of 2 finalists from CT in Guitar Center’s Drum Off. Nate has studied with Dom Famularo, John Riley, and Henrique DeAlmeida. Nate has also studied with legendary drumset instructor Gary Chaffee. Previous drumming show credits: Mama Mia, Once (Svec), Tommy, Rock of Ages, Spring Awakening, Urinetown, Rent, City of Angels, Leader of the Pack, Producers and Little Mermaid. Also, Dogfight, Sunset Boulevard, Adams Family, West Side Story, Taffetas, Chicago, School of Rock and Anything Goes…among many others. Thank you to Jen, Frank and Lou. Special nod to my coach Alex Scot, the master of emotional regulation(@thealexscot). Gratitude also goes to James Beier, Predator Percussion, Neil Breen, Flooded Studios, Remo, and all the wonderful folks at Vic Firth. Please visit www.dobasdrums.com.

BLAKE HANSEN is a versatile musician who performs internationally as a soloist, collaborative artist, chamber musician, repetiteur, vocal coach, and conductor. Blake has appeared in many notable venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall in NYC, Teatro Municipal de Niterói in Brazil, The Bushnell in Connecticut, and the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Hall in Seattle. Blake is a much sought-after vocal accompanist for choirs, opera, and music theater. He collaborates as a repetiteur, coach, and music director with CT Lyric Opera, Salt Marsh Opera, Hartford Opera Theater, Opera Theater of CT, Madison Lyric Stage, and Greve Opera Academy in Italy. In addition to opera, Blake is also a very active choral accompanist and director. He has appeared with many of the leading professional choral ensembles in CT, including CONCORA, Voce, and Concinnity, and has for 5 years been the assistant conductor and accompanist for the New Haven Chorale. He currently accompanies and coaches at UCONN and the Hartt School.

STEVE PERRETT (Trumpet) is at home playing in a variety of musical styles, from symphony orchestra and chamber music to big band and traditional jazz. He is thrilled to be playing for the first time at Legacy Theatre, after a career that has taken him to orchestra pits all over Connecticut — from the Goodspeed Opera House, Shubert Theater, and Downtown Cabaret to countless college, high school and middle school auditoriums.

KENNETH TEDESCHI (Trumpet) taught instrumental music for thirty-seven years in the North Haven Public Schools, directing the award-winning High School Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Tedeschi has been assistant principal trumpet of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra since 1994. An active freelance musician, he performs regularly at Hartford’s Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts for National Broadway Tours, including Wicked, Anastasia, Beauty and the Beast and My Fair Lady. Mr. Tedeschi is a proud UConn alum.

ELAINE THOMA (Flute, Piccolo) is a Boston native where she studied with James Pappoutsakis of the Boston Symphony. She is celebrating her 30th year as a Teaching Artist at Neighborhood Music School where she maintains a thriving studio and coaches several chamber ensembles. Elaine is also the Band Director of the lower and middle school at Hamden Hall Country Day School, an active freelance performer in New England, and a founding member of the CT Flute Orchestra. She holds a dual degree in Music Ed and Performance from Syracuse University and also studied with Jean Pierre Rampal, Andras Adorjan and Robert Stallman. Flute and guitar repertoire is one her favorite collaborations and she performs regularly with guitarist, Neal Fitzpatrick.