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DAVID OWEN MICHAELS, BOOK, LYRICS AND MUSIC
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 director of choir and orchestra here at st.
Edward High 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, john and jen, at western reserve playhouse. 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 thursday through sunday nights. David would like to thank his lovely wife, Adriana, for her patience, understanding and encouragement through this long journey.
Adriana Michaels / Public Relations Manager
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.
John Max McFarland Orchestrator
John received his degrees in Composition (B.M.) and Percussion Performance (B.M., M.M.) from Western Michigan University.
He studied percussion under Judy Moonert. John has performed as the principal percussionist and Principal Timpanist for the University Concert and Symphonic Bands, as well as the University Symphony Orchestra.
He has also performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony and Battlecreek Symphony as a substitute percussionist. His compositions and arrangements have received international recognition with performances all over the United States as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
John is also the owner and founder of Six to Five Productions, LLC a marching arts music publishing company where many of his original shows for marching band, winter percussion, and concert percussion can be purchased. John resides in Medina, Ohio with his wife Sydney, his son, Camden, his daughter Cadence and his two Greyhounds (Tippy and Ozark).
Scott Spence, Director
Scott Spence is excited to do something he rarely gets to do—Work on a brand new musical! The journey to a world premiere has seemingly a thousand different steps, and Scott is thrilled to join Dave and his team on even one of those. Scott recently entered his 33rd year as Artistic Director of Beck Center. In that time he has directed over 100 titles and produced well over 250 at Beck Center alone, and his work has also been seen at Baldwin-Wallace University, Cleveland Summer Stages, Cleveland State University, Case-Western Reserve University, Weathervane Playhouse, and Berea Summer Theatre. Among the many musicals he’s helmed, he counts quite a few as favorites! Among them are: «A Man of No Importance», «Billy Elliot», «Urinetown», «Sweeney Todd», «Spamalot» and his most recent Beck Center offering…»Something Rotten». Love as always to the leading ladies in his life… Rachel and Carleigh.
Brendan Goers / Sound Engineer
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.
Maria DiDonato, Music Director
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.
John Goers, Technical Director
John Goers started his career in theatre here at St. Edward High School in 1976 as a
sophomore Edwardian Player. After graduating high school, John worked at many community theatres including The Beck Center, Huntington Playhouse and Clague Playhouse. John is proud to have taught 100’s of students the art of technical theatre over the last 33 years right here at St. Edward High School. All four of John’s children were involved in shows at St. Ed’s during their high school years. John is especially proud to be working with one of his former students, Infamous playwright, David Michaels ’03 and would like to thank him for the opportunity to TD and design the set. John also would like to thank the many alumni and friends that came back to school to build the set for this show. Most of all, John thanks his loving (and ever-understanding wife), Mary, for always supporting his quest to provide students with a safe space to learn and grow.
José Gregorio Gutiérrez Graphic Designerr / Online Media Specialist
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 nationally and internationally on graphic design. 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.
Bob Abelman (Dramaturg)
Bob Abelman (dramaturg) is a Professor Emeritus at Cleveland State University, having earned a Ph.D. at the University of Texas-Austin after studying musical theatre at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. He was the long-time, award-winning theatre critic for the Cleveland Jewish News before taking on the post at the Austin Chronicle. Bob has served as a Fellow with the National Endowment for the Arts, written for American Theatre magazine, and authored two theatre-based fictional novellas – All the World’s a Stage Fright and Murder, Center Stage – the latter of which has been turned into a play that got its 2022 premiere in Cleveland.
CAST MEMBERS
Robert Kowalewski / John Wilkes Booth
Robert grew up in Crucible, Pennsylvania and attended college at Robert Morris University.Robert has been involved in numerous 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; Bright Ideas (Josh) and Newsies (Crutchie) at Brecksville Theatre; Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Einstein) and Sweeney Todd (Anthony) with Blank Canvas Theatre; and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (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!
Gregory Violand* (AEA) as Abraham Lincoln
Performance venues include: The Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theatre, Playhouse Square, Cain Park, Dobama, Beck Center, Lakeland Summer Theater, Actor’s Summit, Ensemble Theatre, Cleveland Opera, Cleveland Lyric Opera, JCC Halle, CSU Summer Stages, The Eldrid Theater, Virginia Musical Theater in Virginia Beach, VA and Metro Stage in Washington DC. Film and TV: Dark Water, Batman v Superman (Dawn of Justice), Carol, The Assassins Code, The Toybox, My Blind Brother,Jenny’s Wedding, Miracle Dog, Take Shelter, Clowntown, Love Finds You In Sugarcreek (UP Network), Chicago Fire (NBC), Dodge & Miles (Quibi). SAG-AFTRA, AEA, Kent State (MFA) Adjunct Professor Lakeland CC.
Brian Altman, as Secretary of War Edwin Stanton
Is excited to be a part of this world premier musical! He’s been involved in community theater for many years all over PA and OH. Some of his most loved shows include Something Rotten (Brother Jeremiah), Forever Plaid (Smudge), Bent (Greta) and She Loves Me (Steven Kodaly).
Other favorites over the years include Shrek the Musical (Lord Farqaad), Ragtime (Tateh), Silence the Musical (Dr. Hannibal Lecter) and Little Miss Sunshine (Uncle Frank). He and his partner of 22 years share their Fairview Park home with their beloved cat and very old turtle. He thanks you all for supporting live theater and the arts!
Natalie Green* (AEA), as Lucy Hale
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. Other credits 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 the bands, Ovation (ovationband.net) and ParkPlace (parkplaceband.com). Sandra lives in Hudson with her son Evan, dog Kip and cat Freddy.
Natalie Green* (AEA), as Lucy Hale
Natalie Green is thrilled to appear onstage with Infamous the Musical written by David Michaels. She is a graduate of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts and member of Actors’ Equity Association. Regionally, Natalie has worked with Dobama Theatre, Ohio ShakespeareFestival, Cleveland Public Theatre, EJ Thomas Hall, Cleveland Play House, Pittsburgh Repertory Company, Mamai Theatre Company, Beck Center for the Arts, and many more. She is lead singer & amp; manager for Grand Avenue Band, a voiceover artist with American Greetings and a soloist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
Kate Michalski, as Laura Keane
Past credits include: She Loves Me (Amalia Balish), Parade (Lucille Frank), Evil Dead: The Musical (Cheryl), The Spitfire Grill (Shelby), …Spelling Bee (Olive), We Will Rock You (Oz), Reefer Madness (Mae), The Texas Chainsaw Musical (Lucretia), Jekyll and Hyde in Concert (Lucy Harris), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), The Toxic Avenger (Mayor/Ma), Ragtime (Emma Goldman), The SpongeBob Musical (Pearl Krabs). BFA Musical Theatre Point Park University. Love you Mom! Love you Dad.
Jaren Hodgson, as Harry Hawk
Jaren is very excited to join the cast of Infamous the Musical. Jaren studies theatre at Cleveland State University where some of his past credits include She Loves me (Georg Nowack), Blithe Spirit (Charles Condomine), and Into The Woods (The Narrator). Some of Jaren’s other credits include Beauty and the Beast (The Beast), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), and Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood (Robin Hood). He would like to thank his friends and family for their support over the many years, as well as the audience for supporting the arts!
Eliana Taub, as Augusta
Eliana Taub is a Cleveland native and a recent graduate from Wright State University’s BFA Acting program. Recent credits: Something Rotten (ensemble), Sweet Charity (Ursula March), Spring Awakening (Thea), 25th … Spelling Bee (Logainne). Instagram: @eliana_taub. Website: elianataub.com
Tony Heffner / David Herold
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.
Adam Rawlings, as Robert Lincoln
Adam Rawlings (Ensemble) is excited to be apart of this show. Most recently, he was in Sondheim on Sondheim (Swing Man 1&2) at Cain Park. His other favorite credits include The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin), Hanschen (Spring Awakening), and A Year With Frog and Toad (Man Bird). When he is not on stage, he works as a Patient Care Specialist at Rise. Later this fall, he will be a swing for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime at Beck Center for the Arts. Follow him on Instagram @adamerawlings for future updates. He would like to thank his high school music teacher, Mr. Burns, for being the one to introduce him to musical theatre. Special shout to the best mom in the world, Jeannie. Enjoy the show!
Zachary Monczewski, as George Adzerodt
ZACH MONCZEWSKI IS A SENIOR MUSICAL THEATRE MAJOR AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY AND IS INCREDIBLY EXCITED TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT. HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ENTIRE ARTISTIC TEAM, HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALL FOR THEIR DIFFERENT POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY’VE PROVIDED. PAST CREDITS OF ZACH’S INCLUDE: ENSEMBLE IN SOMETHING ROTTEN!, THE BEAST IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, AND FREDDY BENSON IN DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS.
Antonio DeJesus, as Lewis Powell
Antonio de Jesus (Lewis Powell) is grateful to be here on stage with friends, and thanks you for watchin’. Offstage, Antonio is a celebrated film photographer for his community, where his work can be found on BoyInGenes.com. For Mum & Uncle Todd. “To Live All My Dreams, To Share My Passions Out Loud, To Give The World Life,” – Emily Suzanne Plank. Antonio will be moving to New York City a day after the final performance.
Neda Spears, as Elizabeth Keckley
Neda is a native of Cleveland who has performed in over 50 productions both here and in Chicago. She was recently seen in The Access Theatre Project’s production of The Spitfire Grill and will be seen next at Cassidy Theater in The Drowsy Chaperone. She has performed in productions of Into The Woods (Happy Endings Lyric Players), The Texas Chainsaw Musical, Avenue Q, and We Will Rock You (Blank Canvas Theatre) and Matilda The Musical (Beck Center) and has performed in shows at Dobama Theatre (Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars), Theater in the Circle (All Night Strut!), and Ensemble Theater (Huck and Holden, Song for Coretta). Thanks to all of you who have come out to support theater in all its forms.
John Lynch, as Senator Hale/Samuel Mudd
John is a local actor who has worked with many of the area theaters over the years. Most recently he played Polonius in Cleveland Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Hamlet” and will appear in BeckCenter’s “Elf the Musical” as Mr. Greenway. He thanks you for supporting the arts.
Grant Guyton, as Isaiah
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!
Madison Phillips, as Tad Lincoln/Peanuts
(Maddie) age 11 , is a young veteran performer with the Independence Community Theatre. She jumped on the performing arts scene with the starring role as “JoJo” in the Suessical (a Kids version of “Horton Hears a Who”) at age 6, and has also had supporting roles in Aladdin Kids, Wonka Kids, and Nuncrackers (The Nunsense Christmas Musical) over the past several years.
Recently, she has starred as Middle Anna in Frozen Kids and Amaryllis in Music Man Kids! When not on stage, Madison enjoys volleyball and softball. She lives with her parents, Scott and Jenny, and her younger brother, Brayden (10).
Josh Trattner, as John Matthews
Josh is thrilled to be doing the cast of Infamous. Josh graduated from Kent State University in 2017 where they earned a BFA in musical theater. They were recently on stage at Beck Center in Something Rottenand have previously appeared at Porthouse Theatre in Newsies. They’ll soon be relocating to Chicago where they»ll be studying to get their master’s degree in social work. Josh would like to thank their parents for their endless support and would like to remind everyone to vote in the upcoming midterm elections (November 8th). #BlackTransLivesMatter
Katelyn Nolan, as Mary Surratt
Josh is thrilled to be doing the cast of Infamous. Josh graduated from Kent State University in 2017 where they earned a BFA in musical theater. They were recently on stage at Beck Center in Something Rottenand have previously appeared at Porthouse Theatre in Newsies. They’ll soon be relocating to Chicago where they»ll be studying to get their master’s degree in social work. Josh would like to thank their parents for their endless support and would like to remind everyone to vote in the upcoming midterm elections (November 8th). #BlackTransLivesMatter
Braelin Andrzejewski, Ensemble
Braelin Andrzejewski is a graduate of Robert Morris University with her Bachelors in Communication/Musical Theatre. Braelin is one of 7 nationally recognized by the Kennedy Center, winning Distinguished Performance by an Actress in a Musical for her role as The Princess in the Regional premiere of Love’s Labour’s Lost at the American College Theatre Festival. Past credits include Kate (If/Then), Mary Bailey (It’s a Wonderful Life), Emma Goldman (Assassin’s), Homeless Lady (A New Brain), Thomas Jefferson (1776), Lucy T Slut (Avenue Q), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Jo March (Little Women), Betty Jean (Marvelous Wonderettes), and Darlene (Balm in Gilead). She thanks Julie — olives & pickles
Jylian Purtee, Ensemble
Jylian received her degree in Vocal Performance from Cleveland State University in 2018. While in school she was an active member of multiple vocal ensembles, and has continued to perform locally since her graduation. She is an active member of her church music team, and is currently in her fifth season with The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, where she has been a member of select chamber ensembles within the group. Jylian is excited to come back to the theater world and is thrilled to be part of this project.
Katie Tillery, Ensemble
Katie Tillery is a 15 year-old actress, singer, dancer and musician from Avon Lake OH. Some of her favorite roles include: Matilda Wormwood (Matilda the Musical), Jemima Potts (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and Rapunzel (Into the Woods). Katie is also a percussionist and a member of the North Ohio Youth Orchestra. When she is not onstage, you can find her playing in the orchestra pit for musicals. She also loves to do film acting and has been in several short films around the Cleveland area. She was recently in the film, A Small Thing, which won best film at the Cleveland 48 Hour Horror Film Project. Katie is grateful to be apart of Infamous the Musical and
work with such a talented cast and team! @katietillery.music
Susan Wagner, Ensemble
Susan 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.
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