Cast

David Owen Michaels

Is a Cleveland born playwright, musician and teacher. He studied Musical Theater at Ohio Northern University under Directors Nils Reiss, Katriona McPhee and Robert Behrens from 2003-2005. David is currently the Theater/Orchestra Director of Cuyahoga Heights High School and Middle School. He has served as Director for such shows as Grease, All Shook Up, The Jungle Book and Aladdin Jr. He has also served as the Orchestra Director for several local shows including most recently, Avenue Q. David lives in Fairview Park, Ohio with his wife, Adriana, and daughter, Madeline. David can be found playing solo piano in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood on Friday and Saturday nights.

Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelly has Directed, Performed and Taught for over 30 years at many of the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Area professional and community theatres. He has worked at The Cleveland Play House, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Public ex Theatre, Weathervane Playhouse, Clague Playhouse, Near West Theatre, Western Reserve Playhouse and Rocky River Community Theatre (Artistic Director). He has won so many awards, that there isn’t enough room here to list them all. Kevin is blessed and honored to have the love and support from his TPOG family. Thank you to David for asking me to join his passion project. .

John Max McFarland

is an active composer/arranger in WGI, DCI, and BOA. He is currently the Program Coordinator for Legends Drum and Bugle Corps from Kalamazoo, Michigan, a position he has held since the 2016 season. In 2018 he was the percussion caption head and arranger for the Erie Thunderbirds Drum and Bugle Corps in Erie, PA. In WGI, John has composed and arranged for many ensembles ranging from Scholastic A Class all the way up to Independent World Class. Many notable clients include Eastside Fury (2012-2014), Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble (PIA Finalists 2012, 2013) Ferndale Independent Percussion (2015 PIA Silver Medalists), Farmington United Percussion (2017 PIA Silver Medalists), and Decatur Central Indoor Percussion (2018 PSCA Gold Medalists). John also composes marching band shows for high schools and colleges all over the country.

Brendan Goers

Brendan Goers Sound Engineer Brendan Goers has been a professional sound engineer for over 10 years, with international touring experience with bands such as The All American Rejects and Welshly Arms. With a degree in Music Technology from Capital University, Brendan has been lending his audio skills all across the midwest and beyond, from the stage to the studio, and even some high school gymnasiums. Born and raised in Cleveland, and a graduate of St. Edward High School, Brendan now resides in West Park with his wife, daughter, and two pugs.

Robert Kowalewski

Robert grew up in Crucible, Pennsylvania and atended college at Robert Morris University. Robert has been involved in numeroud theatrical performances, in both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Local highlights include: All Night Strut, Gift of the Magi (Jim), and it’s a Wonderful Life (Clarence) at Theatre in the Circle; West Side Story (Riff) with the Akron Symphony; Next to Normal (Henry) at French Creek; Bringht Ideas (Josh) and Newsies (Crutchie) at Brecksville Theatre; Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Einstein) and Sweeney Todd (Anthony) with Black Canvas Theatre; and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreeamcoat (Joseph), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Phoebus), Chess (Molokov), and Spring Awakening (Melchior) at Near West Theatre. Robert thanks Dave, Kevin and all others who made this endeavor possible. He also thanks his parents, grandparents, and partners Braelin and Patrick for supporting him both onstage and off. Enjoy the show!

Sandra Emerick

Sandra has been performing in NEOhio in more than 50 productions including Porthouse productions of Anything Goes (Reno), 9 to 5 (Roz), Chicago (Velma), Sweet Charity (Nickie), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussel), West Side Story (Anita), Bye Bye Birdie (Rose), Spelling Bee (Rona) and Godspell. Othercredits include Kiss Me Kate (Kate), Evita (Eva Peron), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Gypsy (Mama Rose), and All Night Strut at the Hanna Theatre. Sandra serves as Senior Executive Director of Academic Affairs at the Northeast Ohio Medical University and sings with thebands, Ovation (ovationband.net) and ParkPlace (parkplaceband.com). Sandra lives in Hudson with her son Evan, dog Kip and cat Freddy.

Ian Atwood

Ian is a native of the St. Louis area, who moved to Cleveland after receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from ONU. Ian has had the pleasure of working at many professional and educational theatres in the area such as Beck Center for the Performing Arts, Huntington Playhouse, Clague Playhouse, Cassidy Theatre, Blank Canvas Theatre, and Mighty Goliath Productions. Some favorite roles include Horton (Seussical), Robert (Company), Max (Producers), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), and Carl Magnus (A Little Night Music). Ian is thrilled to be a small part of getting Infamous some deserved recognition and looks forward to what lies ahead for this production. We all hope that very soon LIVE performances will grace our communities once again and while we wait, it's so important to continue to workshop and support local/original ideas like what David Michaels and this incredible ensemble is presenting to you today. Much love to Jess, Neil, and Maggie. To the journey! TPOG

Henry Foraker

Henry is excited to be making a return to live theater. Some favorite past shows includeSweeney Todd (Antony, Pirelli), Spamalot (Sir. Robbin), The World Goes Round (Man 1), TheFantasticks (Matt), Godspell (All Good Gifts), Pippin (Pippin), and The Producers (Lead Tenor). Henry holds a B.M. in Music Education (2020) from Cleveland State University and is currently working towards his Masters of Music in VocalPerformance. In addition to performing Henry loves working as a voice instructor at Studio 826 in North Olmsted where he teaches dozens of students at all ages and ability levels. He treasures having the opportunity to work with groups of young musicians and performersthrough a handful of different theater departments and show choirs in the local public schools. Henry thanks his wonderful finance, Kaylea, for her everlasting support and encouragement through countless projects and creative adventures.

Gilgamesh Taggett

is a proud participant and supporter of the arts who is thrilled to collaborate in the development of this new work. His recent national acting credits include the 2018 1st National Tour of Amazing Grace and the International tour of Annie 2014-17, playing he role of Oliver Warbucks, directed by Martin Charnin. Regionally, Gilgamesh was a long-time teacher at Beck Center For The Arts in Cleveland, OH where he also directed and performed in such productions as Shrek The Musical (Shrek), School House Rock Live (Dir.), Jerry Springer The Opera (Warm Up Guy/Satan), Annie (Oliver Warbucks), and The Producers (Franz Liebkind). He is co-founder of Fustercluck Music Poductions, an organization raising money to assist the more than 12 million that were left stranded by the pandemic. gilgameshaggett.com & fustercluckmusic.com

Matthew Cuffari

Matt Cuffari is stoked to be a part of this exciting new project known as Infamous! Most recently he could have been seen as Asher in Joseph...Dreamcoat at Mighty Goliath Productions just before the start of the pandemic. Previous credits include "The Man" in Suds: The Musical at Clague Playhouse, Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS in Little Shop of Horrors at Olde Towne Hall Theatre, Linus Van Pelt in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Amherst Workshop Players, King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at TrueNorth, "Sweaty" Eddie Souther in Sister Act and Father in Children of Eden, both at Sandstone Summer Theatre. In his spare time, he likes to watch football, basketball, and of course, sing.

Susan Wagner

Susan M Wagner is humbled to be included in this very talented group of performers. She was last seen in The Three Tenors at Clague Playhouse (pre-pandemic), and has performed in several Cleveland area theaters including, The Beck Center, Cassidy Theater, The Lorain Palace Theater, Medina Show Biz, and even Playhouse Square. Other credits include commercials, voiceovers, and murder mysteries, and in “real life” she has a wonderful husband, five adult children, four grandchildren, and is an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay.

Alexis Mann

Alexis Maxine is playing Elizabeth Keckley in our production of Infamous The Musical. Alexis is currently a senior at Notre Dame College studying Theatre-Entrepreneurship, to tackle the world of Performing Arts. Alexis started performing at a very early age, and continuously finds a reason to fall in love with the stage. Alexis Maxine has worked with Mercury Theater Company, Cleveland Public Theater, and Playhouse Square. She sends love to her two biggest supporters; her mother Dee and her daughter Harmony Joi. With Peace, Love, and Harmony we prosper!!

Tony Heffner

Tony is thrilled to be part of the early stages of Infamous! He is a proud member of the Equity Membership Candidacy Program and is eligible to become an AEA member! He lives in Westlake and has participated in many productions in the greater Cleveland area including Cain Park, Beck Center, Blank Canvas Theatre and Weathervane Playhouse. Some of Tony’s favorite credits include Next to Normal (Gabe), Bonnie and Clyde: A New Musical (Clyde Barrow), American Idiot (Johnny), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo), The Who’s Tommy (Tommy), and Catch Me If You Can: The Musical (Frank Abagnale, Jr.). Tony would like to thank his family and friends for always supporting him in all he does! GBOGB! For Bug.

Grant Guyton

Grant Guyton has been doing theatre/film in the cleveland area for over 15 years. Some of his notable roles have been Tom Collins (Rent), Sebastian the crab( the little mermaid), Doody (Grease), And Jacob (Apples). Grant would love to thank his mother and father for giving him a voice and a dream! Grant is excited to be on this journey with this amazing cast. Come along while we tell you this story!

Maria DiDonato

Maria DiDonato (soprano) is a multi-talented Cleveland based artist. She specializes in classical, musical theatre, jazz, rock, and pop music. She is an award winning songwriter, music director, actress, pianist, vocalist, band leader, teacher, and church music ministry leader. She has obtained a Bachelor of Music Education with a Minor in Theatre and a Master of Music (Vocal Performance) from Cleveland State University. Maria is a professor at Cleveland State and Cuyahoga Community College, and has her own private voice/piano studio. Maria is the manager and lead vocalist of local jazz group Hip to That, and plays all throughout northeast Ohio. Some of her favorite engagements include music directing at Playhouse Square, recording an album/performing with renowned hip hop violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain, opening for the rapper Common at the Wolstein Center, and performing the National Anthem for President Barack Obama.

TEAM INFAMOUS

Adriana Michaels

Adriana Michaels is from Venezuela. She studied at the Universidad de los Andes. She obtained her B.A. in Art History in 2013. The Summer of 2010 and the Spring of 2011, Adriana was an intern at Archeological Bodega Chattels belonging to the Department of Restoration and Conservation of Queretaro Regional Museum, branch of the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico. Adriana was part of the team of the Dirección de Cultura y Extensión de La Universidad de los Andes, where she worked as an assistant coordinator for training new guides at the programs Alma Mater, a program that helps develop cultural and urban policy within the University Campus. Her participation as a Production Assistant in various national and international seminars of art, Venezuelan Film Festival, International symposium of Aesthetic and curatorial teams have expanded her knowledge in different artistic disciplines, with local, national and international projection. Recently Adriana has been invited to participate in "Infamous the Musical" as the Marketing and Public Relations Manager. She will be instrumental in the implementation of future developmental workshops of "Infamous The Musical". She would like to thank her pianoman for including her in this beautiful project.

José Gregorio Gutiérrez

José Gregorio Gutiérrez, originally from Venezuela, is a senior graphic designer with more than a decade of experience. He also studied mechanical and computer engineering, focusing on programming and web design. In addition, he complements his knowledge with self-taught learning in digital filmmaking. For him, research and analysis are essential for the creation of harmonious and functional designs. During his career he has worked national and international on graphic design. Through graphic design he has specialized in branding, visual identity, editorial, advertising and social media. He taught diverse courses in a university level. He always shares with his students that : “Despite obstacles, the design must continue to seduce and provoke an emotional social response. ” He is currently CEO of Sotano Group a company that promotes the creation and production of design projects, art, music and other areas. José Gregorio has been a musician all his life. He has developed a love for music, culinary arts,motorcycles. travel and reading. He knows that to enjoy life you have to drink coffee, and it never hurts to party.

Genesis Echeverria

Genesis Echeverria is a native of Venezuela, She is an art historian and anthropologist who has studied both cinema and theater. Her undergraduate thesis was "Metacine and otherness: Propellant Strategies of Pedro Almodovar's Self-referential Poetics of Cinema", with which she was published by the Universidad de Los Andes. She continually applies her study of anthropology to her work in Cinema. Genesis has worked in various mediums, including TV, Radio and content marketing. She is currently a professor of Marketing at the Quality Leadership University and collaborates regularly in various blogs. Passionate about Digital Transformation, Genesis takes on projects from which she can contribute her experience in the humanities through digital media marketing. She collaborates with "Infamous The Musical" from Ecuador as our content manager and social media accounts manager. She dedicates her efforts to her family in Venezuela, mainly her Mother and her Brother, Diego.