ARTHUR KOPIT (1937-2021) Book Writer

enjoyed a seven-decade career marked by acclaimed, award-winning works. He burst onto the scene with Oh Dad, Poor Dad…, directed on Broadway by Jerome Robbins while Kopit was still an undergraduate at Harvard. His notable plays include Indians and Wings (both Tony nominees and Pulitzer finalists), End of the World, Road to Nirvana, and Because He Can, as well as the books for the musicals Nine, Phantom, and High Society. His later projects included Discovery of America, Secrets of the Rich, and The Incurables. A devoted mentor and leader at The Lark, he championed playwrights throughout his life.

MAURY YESTON  Composer & Lyricist

is the Tony Award–winning composer and lyricist of the Broadway musicals Nine and Titanic (both earning Tonys for Best Score and Best Musical) and Grand Hotel (Tony nomination, Olivier Award). The Broadway revival of Nine, starring Antonio Banderas, won the Tony for Best Revival, and Yeston received Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice nominations for the film adaptation. His Off-Broadway works include Phantom Death Takes a Holiday, and In the Beginning. Yeston’s wide-ranging compositions also include the symphonic ballet Tom Sawyer, December Songs, a cello concerto premiered by Yo-Yo Ma, and Goya – A Life in Song. He lives in New York City.

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 Chess in Concert, A Little Night Music and Gypsy. 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).

PHIL VIDECKIS Music Director

is classically trained at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. At BrightSide he has musically directed The Rocky Horror Picture 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.

MATTHEW ANDRESEN Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Pippin. He is grateful to be back at BrightSide for Phantom in Concert! He is working towards his B.M. in Musical Theatre at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Select credits: Wolfie in Love at First Fright, Dancer in Adrenal!ne (Six Flags Great America), Ensemble in Head Over Heels (Carthage College). Endless thanks to his family, friends, and mentors for their unwavering support. Enjoy the show! IG: @matthewmandresen

AMY ABRIZZANI Ensemble/us Carlotta

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Gypsy (Rose) and She Loves Me (u/s Amalia). Prior to performing Off-Broadway, Amy toured nationally with The Light in the Piazza (1st Bway Ntl) and internationally with Twice Charmed (Fairy Godmother). She is perhaps best remembered by Chicago audiences as Lucille Frank in Parade (Jeff Award) or Alma Stossel in The Christmas Schooner. Recent faves: Mamma Mia! (Donna), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Young Frankenstein (Elizabeth). Amy is a full-time performing arts teacher (K-8). Toi toi toi!

STAN AUSTIN Cholet/us Carrier

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol the Musical (Lou Award nomination), Bill Austin in Mamma Mia, Gregor Vassey in Chess in Concert, Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Sir Danvers Carew in Jekyll and Hyde in Concert and most recently Charlemagne in Pippin. Stan is grateful and quite excited to appear once again on BrightSide’s stage helping to present this beautiful score. Much love to Jean and his children Carrie, Nick, Matthias and Abigail.

MICHELLE BOLLIGER Ensemble/us Belladova

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show, Pippin, Gypsy, She Loves Me (Lou Award), A Christmas Carol the Musical, Disney’s The Descendants, Hairspray and Guys & Dolls.  Originally from Effingham Illinois, she performed in regional theaters nationwide before settling in Roselle.  Offstage, she enjoys life with her daughter Sophie Sue and rescue pup Margo Merlot. Thanks to her husband, parents, and friends for their love and support!

CADEN COLE  Phantom/Eric

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut. He is a singer, actor, and educator from Centralia, Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education from Southern Illinois University and is a master’s candidate in classical voice at Roosevelt University. He teaches voice privately across Illinois and serves as adjunct professor of voice at Kaskaskia College. He is also General Director of Centralia Opera, a company dedicated to bringing classical singing to downstate Illinois. cadencolevoice.com.

JACK KEILMAN  Ensemble/us Le Doux & Phillippe

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut. He is honored to bring one of his favorite stories to life. Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Jack received formal stage training at Columbia College Chicago, and has a modest collection of Chicago shows under his belt. Some of his past projects include ensemble roles in Highland Park Players The Hunchback of Notre Dame and RENT (both 2025), and as Dimitri in Natural Talent Productions’ Anastasia The Musical (2024).

JULIE ANN KORNAK  Carlotta

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: 11 Shows. Most recent: Jekyll & Hyde in Concert (Emma).  Other Favorites: Chess in Concert (Florence), She Loves Me (Amalia), Mamma Mia! (Tanya), Nine in Concert (Claudia), The Bridges of Madison County (Francesca), and Disney’s The Descendants (Maleficent).  She can also be seen singing at many local area churches. Many thanks to Adam and the kids and mom for their love and support!

EMILY LEWIS  Christine

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut.  Previous credits include: A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (MadKap Productions), Cinderella…Really?!, The Fantasticks, Annie (Citadel Theater), Urinetown, Heathers, The Farnsworth Invention (Surging Films & Theatrics). She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Florida and enjoys guitar and tumbling.

MICHAEL JOHN LYNCH  Jean-Claude/Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show. He has spent the last two years studying the craft of Musical Theatre at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. He recently transferred to the University of Illinois Chicago to continue studying the craft of Acting closer to the heart of the Chicago theater scene. 

MYLES MATTSEY  Inspector Le Doux/Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut. Recent credits include Blank Theatre Company’s Passion (Col. Ricci) and Spotlight Arts Collective’s Shrek: The Musical (Shrek). Myles studied Music and Voice at Valparaiso University where he received a BA. He would like to thank his family, his friends, and the love of his life, Han, for their constant support and care. He wouldn’t be here without it.

JOE MOERSCHEL  Phillippe

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut. Joe has been involved in musical theatre for more than half of his life, which is a testament to his joy of performing. He loves collaborating and singing with his fellow actors in such roles as Joseph in Joseph ATATD (BNT), Jack Kelly in Newsies (Overshadowed), and Jean Valjean in Les Miz (Spotlight). He hopes you will enjoy this production of Phantom in Concert, a beautiful and unique take on Gaston Leroux’s novel.

MICHAEL RIVERA  Gerard Carrier

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: My Way: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Sinatra A globe-trotting tenor, he trained at the Utrecht Conservatory of Music in Holland, specializing in operatic and oratorio repertoire, including Percy in Anna Bolena. While serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, he joined the original Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany, under Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and later contributed to its recordings and concerts. Returning to the U.S., he refocused on opera under the mentorship of Carl Lawrenz.

JUAN SEDONIO  Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut. A graduate from Northern Illinois University residing in the NW Suburbs of Chicago, IL.  Juan was recently seen in the Wedding Singer – OLPD, Rent – Rose Theatrics, A Chorus Line – TOTH, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Goodly Creatures Theatre. Aside from performing on stage, Juan teaches theatre for young adults with disabilities in the Highland Park/Northbrook area.

SHAINA SUMMERVILLE  Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, Promises Promises in Concert, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and The Bridges of Madison County. Shaina has performed at various Chicagoland theatres: Williams Street Rep, Citadel Theatre, The Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, Arts Judaica, and Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, among others. You can find her 225+ audiobook narration credits on Audible. Much love to Nate and her parents.

SARAHANN SUTTER   Ensemble

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Nine in Concert (Mama Maddalena).  Other credits include Pippin (Fastrada), Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Hermia), Rumors (Cookie) at Skokie Theatre, Pirates of Penzance (Ensemble, Ruth u/s) with Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Amahl & the Night Visitors (Mother), Il barbiere di Siviglia (Berta), Carmen (Frasquita) with MiOpera, Hänsel & Gretel (Hansel, the Witch) with Sinfonietta Bel Canto. SarahAnn is Artistic Director of Great Lakes Operetta.

DANA VETTER  Belladova/Ensemble/us Christine

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: A Little Night Music (Mrs. Norris).  She recently played Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, and Feu/Rossignol/Pastourelle in L’enfant et les Sortilèges with Sinfonietta Bel Canto. Other favorite roles include Eileen in Wonderful Town with Falls Patio Players, Mary Jo in Passion in Pigskin with Opera On Tap WI, and Sandy in Fortuna the Time-Bender with Milwaukee Metro Voices.