MEL BROOKS Book/Composer/Lyricist

is one of entertainment’s most celebrated and influential creators. He earned three Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards for The Producers, along with an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the 1968 film. Brooks began his career writing for Sid Caesar during television’s Golden Age and later co-created the classic series Get Smart. His legendary film career includes Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. A multi-Emmy winner and founder of Brooksfilms, Brooks has shaped generations of comedy across stage, screen, and television.

THOMAS MEEHAN Book

was a three-time Tony Award winner whose work shaped modern musical theatre. He won Tony Awards for co-writing the books of The Producers (2001) and Hairspray (2003), and received his first Tony in 1977 for Annie, his Broadway debut. His many credits include Rocky, Elf the Musical, Young Frankenstein, and Chaplin. Meehan was also a longtime contributor to The New Yorker, an Emmy-winning television writer, a screenwriter on films such as Spaceballs, and a member of the Dramatists Guild Council.

JEFFREY CASS  Director/Artistic Director

Jeffrey Cass is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and Lou Award Recipient,  has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently Phantom in Concert, The Rocky Horror Show and Pippin. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of Hairspray. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed 8 Productions including The Who’s Tommy (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).

CHERYL NEWMAN Costume Designer

Cheryl has been a theater kid her whole life. She recently quit her day job in special education to do theater stuff and is thrilled to join Brightside for the upcoming season. She also costumes the award-winning BAM children’s theater in Hinsdale, and directs and costumes for Wheaton North High school, the Westmont Park District and Westview Hills Middle School.

KURT OTTINGER  Lighting Designer

Kurt is happy to be working for BrightSide Theatre again. He retired a few years ago after 31 years as theatre technical supervisor/resident lighting and sound designer for the Northbrook Park District.  Kurt has designed lighting for Northbrook on Ice, York High School, St. Patrick’s High School, Loyola Academy, Big Noise Theatre, Highland Park Players and many other groups over the years.

MARY GRACE MARTENS  Choreographer

Mary Grace Martens graduated from Columbia College Chicago where she received her BA in Musical Theatre. Past choreography credits: The Prom, Fame (Up and Coming) You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Dogfight (point2productions), Arthur Makes a Musical (Music on Stage), American Idiot, Spelling Bee (Fox Valley Theatre Co.) 2022 Lou Award for Best Choreography for Dogfight (point2productions). All my love to Lindsey, mom, dad, Beth, and Tim. Always for Matt.

DELANEY KOSAR Props Designer

graduated from Illinois State university in 2023! She’s designed for shows at Illinois Shakespeare Festival (Complete Works of William Shakes abridged and King Lear) and has worked as Prop Overhire for The Paramount Theatre in Aurora. (Million Dollar Quartet, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Full Monty).

PHIL VIDECKIS Music Director

is classically trained at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. At BrightSide he has musically directed Phantom in Concert, The Rocky Horror Show, Pippin, Jekyll & Hyde in Concert, and Jesus Christ Superstar. In recent years, Mr. Videckis has become involved in musical theater, working with local middle schools, high schools, and community theater groups, music directing and/or accompanying shows like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, City of Angels in Concert, and Gypsy.

JULIE ABNER DONAHUE Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE Debut! Julie has performed professionally across the U.S. and on international waters. Some favorite roles include All Shook Up (Natalie/Ed), Gypsy (Gypsy), Hairspray (Amber), CATS (Demeter) and Lead Vocalist aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruise Lines. In Chicagoland: Steel Beam Theatre (99th and Nowhere-world premiere). Love always to her amazing husband Kyle, their 4 miracles: Lulu, Lincoln, Finn & River and her Mama and Dad! Julie holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Rockford College.

JOHN B. BOSS Roger DeBris

BRIGHTSIDE: The Sound of Music (Max). He is no stranger to the role of Roger, having played him in 5 previous productions, including the national tour and the El Dorado Casino in Reno. Other roles include Don Quixote in The Man of LaMancha, Georges and Albin in La Cage, Applegate in Damn Yankees, Pulitzer in Newsies and Thenardier in Les Miz. He can also be seen in several commercials and independent films.

JAX DOWNS-MARTINEZ Ensemble, u/s Stromstroomer soloist

BRIGHTSIDE: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  Excited to return to the BrightSide stage after 10 years away! Onstage: leads in Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Godspell, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Holmes and Watson, and Rumors. Music directing: Children of Eden, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and several original cabarets. Much love to E, K, & O. #MakeNazisHistoryAgain

JUSTIN DUDZIK Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE Debut! Justin is honored to begin his first performance beyond Joliet Junior College productions and is grateful for the opportunity to perform with BrightSide Theatre. Seeing the skill and passion of his fellow performers, Justin is eager to work with and learn from the cast and crew. Previous show credits include Frankenstein, Doubt, and Pirates of Penzance at Joliet Junior College.

CHRIS FREWEN-PEÑ​A Ensemble, u/s Fraz Liebkind)

BRIGHTSIDE: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  A graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts.  Chris has performed in various roles with Chicago Kids Company. He would like to thank his wife Melanie for her consistent love and support.

CHERYL NEWMAN Hold Me-Touch Me/Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE: Pippin (Berthe) has been a theater kid her whole life. After ten years of directing, choreographing and costuming shows, Cheryl returned to the stage last summer.  Thanks to her BrightSide Family and husband Aaron for putting up with all the shenanigans. 

ERICA HARRINGTON Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE: The Rocky Horror Show, Dracula, and Jesus Christ Superstar.  Chicago-area work includes productions with Porchlight Music Theatre, Edge of the Wood Theatre, The Second City, Highland Park Players, and Up and Coming Theatre. She sends her love to Jason and Wren.

SYDNEE HOWES Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE: The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom/Columbia) and Private Lives (Female Understudy) is an actress in the Chicagoland area. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre Dance at Chicago College of Performing Arts. She also was in Big Noise’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ensemble/Canaan Dancer). She would like to thank her friends, family, and planet fitness’s massage chairs for always being so supportive. 

CHARLIE KUNGL​ Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE The Rocky Horror Show. 

PETER KATTNER Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE Debut! Previous credits include Lucky in Dames at Sea, Chip Tolentino in The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Neville Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Peter would like to thank everyone at BrightSide Theatre for making this production possible!

SCOTT KELLEY Max Bialystock

BRIGHTSIDE: The Rocky Horror Show (Narrator), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom), Disney’s The Descendants (Maruice), the Lou Award winning production of Deathtrap (Sidney), Miracle on 34^th Street (Wallace), The Bridges of Madison County (Charlie) and Spamalot (Patsy).  Other recent productions include 1776 (John Adams), Something Rotten! (Nick Bottom), Company (David), Assassins (Czolgosz), and 9 to 5 (Franklin Hart). Love to leading lady Staci, and his favorite production, Carson.

ATHENA KIPULOS Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE: Jesus Christ Superstar and Jekyll & Hyde in Concert. Thrilled to return to BrightSide Theatre. Area credits include Sister Act (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre), Within (Visceral Dance Center),The Csardas Princess,The Flower of Hawaii, and The Girl on the Train In Concert (Folks Operetta). Thanks to her family, friends, and boyfriend for their continuous support! Learn more at athenakop.com

MICHAEL JOHN LYNCH Carmen Ghia, u/s Leo Bloom

LARUEN MATHEWS Ensemble, u/s Hold Me-Touch Me

BRIGHTSIDE Debut!  So excited to be involved in The Producers! She received her BFA from the University of Memphis in 2024. While in university, she has played roles such as: The Witch in Into The Woods, and Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show. After recently moving to Chicago, she was in Almost, Maine with Three Brothers Theatre. This musical is a family favorite, and she can’t wait to finally be involved! Instagram: lauren.mathews_

MYLES MATTSEY Frank Liebind/Ensemble)

BRIGHTSIDE: Phantom in Concert (Inspector Ledoux). Excited to be back with BST in their production of The Producers. A native of Chicagoland, his recent credits Passion (Colonel Ricci), Shrek the Musical (Shrek), and Beauty and the Beast (The Beast). He thanks his loved ones for the constant support and motivation.  He wouldn’t be here without it

MICHAEL METCALF Leo Bloom

BRIGHTSIDE: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joesph) and Chess in Concert (Freddie).  Delighted to return to BrightSide Theatre.  Other credits include Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages (Mercury Theater); Pretty Woman (Broadway Palm); Avenue Q (William Street Rep); Camelot, Shrek, and Annie (Music Theater Works). Michael thanks his loved ones for their continued support.

JOHN SOLOMONE Stromtrooper Soloist/Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE: Hairspray, Chess in Concert, and Jekyll & Hyde in Concert.  In addition to Corny Collins (Hairspray), John’s favorite past roles include Curly (Oklahoma!), Don Lockwood (Singin’ in the Rain), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) and Harold Hill (The Music Man). John would like to thank his wife, children, friends and family for all their love and support.

AMEILA TAM Ulla

BRIGHTSIDE: The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom, u/s Magenta) Absolutely delighted to be returning to BrightSide Theatre for a second time to perform in her all time favorite show! Some of their other recent credits include RENT (Ensemble/Maureen u/s) with Highland Park Players and 4.48 Psychosis (Body) with Backyard Theatre Company. She is SO excited to flaunt what she’s got for you 😉