AMY ARBIZZANI Alice Beineke

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: She Loves Me, Yeston & Kopit’s Phantom in Concert, and Gypsy (Momma Rose). As a member of Actor’s Equity, Amy made her Off-Broadway debut with Theodore & Co., toured nationally with the first Broadway national tour of The Light in the Piazza, and performed internationally with Twice Charmed. Chicago audiences may remember her Jeff Award-winning performance as Lucille Frank in Parade or Alma Stossel in The Christmas Schooner. Amy holds a master’s degree and teaches performing arts full-time. Snap snap!

MATTHEW ANDRESEN Lucas Beineke

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Phantom in Concert, Pippin.

MICHELLE BOLLIGER  Ancestor, u/s Morticia Addams and Alice Beineke

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show, Phantom in Concert, Pippin, Gypsy, She Loves Me (Lou Award), A Christmas Carol the Musical, The Descendants, Hairspray and Guys & Dolls. Thrilled to return to the BST stage, she is originally from southern Illinois and performed in regional theatres across the country before settling in Roselle. Offstage, she enjoys dancing to Huntrix with Sophie Sue and discovering new wines with her husband, Nick. Special thanks to her family and friends for their endless love and support!

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.

SHANE BROWN  Choreographer

DE HADDAD Director

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.

COLLIN BORISENKO Uncle Fester

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Debut! Previous credits include Circuit Splitter (Robocop, The Playground Theatre) and The Wolfman of Wrigleyville (Mayor Willard, The Annoyance). He would like to thank his family, friends, and especially his partner, Holden, for always supporting his dreams and running lines for every show.  “Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.” 

ASHLEY CHAVEZ Ancestor

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE Debut! A Stage Manager as well as Actor, Ashley has previously worked professionally as an ASM with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. Ashley holds an A.A. from College of DuPage and will graduate with their Bachelor’s from North Central College this coming Spring with a double major in Acting and Theatrical Design & Technology.

JAKE KELLER Pugsley Addams

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE Debut! A recent graduate from North Central College with degrees in Musical Theatre and Theatrical Directing & Dramaturgy. There, he acted in, designed, and directed various productions such as RENT, The Musical of Musicals, Assassins, and Heathers. This summer, he toured with Alphabet Soup Productions as Tigger in Winnie The Pooh. He would like to thank all those who believe in him most!

CHRIS FREWEN-PEÑ​A (Ancestor, u/s Gomez Addams & Mal Beineke)

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Producers, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.A graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, Chris is thrilled to return to the BST stage! Chris has also previously appeared in productions with Chicago Kids Company, Inkwell Arts, and the Beverly Arts Center. Many thanks to the BrightSide team and his wife Melanie for their support!

SAMANTHA KERET Morticia Addams

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE Debut!  She is a graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Previous roles include: Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Marie in Cinderella (Magical Starlight Theatre); Linda in The Wedding Singer, and Peter in Peter Pan (Little Mountain Theatre). She is also a former company member of 30 Minute Musicals in Los Angeles.

SAMMY MENAPACE Ancestor Swing

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: A Little Night Music (Fredrika), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Children’s Choir) and in BST Youth Project Shows. Sammy is represented by Gray Talent and has performed professionally throughout the Chicagoland area since the age of 8. She is a National Honor Society student in her senior year at Benet Academy and wishes to thank her family, friends and teachers Lisa and Roberta.

SYDNEE HOWES Ancestor

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show, Private Lives and The Producers. An actress in the Chicagoland area with 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.

DONA MULLEN​ Grandma

 BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE Debut! She is very active in Chicagoland theatre. Some favorite roles include Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider), Steel Magnolias (Ouiser Boudreaux),  Bye Bye Birdie (Mae Peterson), and Golde (Fiddler on the Roof). Dona is a Chicago radio personality and hosts a jazz show on 90.9 FM WDCB. Thank you Laura for all your support and love!

PETER KATTNER Ancestor, u/s Lucas Beineke

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Producers. 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 Gomez Addams

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Producers (Max Bialystock) 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), Scott has previously portrayed Nathan Detroit (Guys and Dolls) and Max Bialystock (The Producers) and now rounds out the Nathan Lane trifecta as Gomez Addams. Love to leading lady Staci, and his favorite production, Carson.

HANNAH DECKER Ancestor, u/s Wednesday Addams

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE Debut!

KATELYNN PITZAFERRO Ancestor

BRIGHTSIDE TEHATRE Debut! Recent credits include Lady Saphir & Lady Ella in Patience at Great Lakes Operetta, Vivian in Girlfriends with Le Lamer Entertainment. A graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University with a degree in Theatre, and has a passion for musical theatre performance and ballet. Special thanks to her husband Ethan, family, friends, and God for their constant encouragement. Ecclesiastes 7:8

JOHN MCNALLY Mal Beineke

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show (Frank-n-Furter). His favorite Chicagoland stage credits include: The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, Rooster, Joseph, Pontius Pilate, The Cat in the Hat, Brad Majors & George Banks. He gratefully thanks his friends and family for their endless love and support, especially his fiancé Jeffrey…the best is yet to come!

LARUEN MATHEWS Wednesday Addams

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: 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_

NAHUEL REBOBA Lurch

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE Debut! is ecstatic to “lurch” back onstage as everyone’s favorite butler! A Wisconsin native now based in Illinois, he previously appeared in Fiddler on the Roof (The Fireside Theatre) and is delighted to join this production of The Addams Family. Much love and thanks to family and friends. @nahuelarecoba

EMILY SHERMAN Ancestor

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Private Lives (Sibyl), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peaseblossom). Emily holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University. Other favorite credits include Pride and Prejudice (Jane Bennet) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia) with Inkwell Arts, where she is also a resident company member; The Secret Garden (Jedlicka PAC); Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Bullets Over Broadway (The Barn Theatre). Love always to Mom, Dad, and Benjamin!  IG: @emilysherman94

ARIEL MOSES Scenic Designer

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: The Producers. He has been a part of shows at North Riverside Players, Theatre of Western Springs, and Greenman Theatre. He wishes to give a big thank you to his friends and family who are always supportive of his theatre adventures.

ANDREW LIPPA Music & Lyrics

Andrew Lippa is a Tony Award-nominated composer, lyricist, and writer whose work spans Broadway, film, television, and concert music. His Broadway credits include music and lyrics for The Addams Family, Big Fish, and The Wild Party, which won the Drama Desk Award. His hit song “Evil Like Me,” written for Disney’s Descendants and performed by Kristin Chenoweth, topped soundtrack charts and earned Gold certification.

Lippa’s large-scale concert and choral works, including I Am Harvey Milk and Unbreakable, have been performed at major venues worldwide. He has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and composed works for renowned pianist Lang Lang. His honors include Tony, Emmy, and Grammy nominations, a shared Emmy Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Lippa currently serves as President of the Dramatists Guild Foundation.

RICK ELICE Book

Rick Elice is a Tony Award-winning writer whose Broadway credits include Jersey Boys (Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award winner), The Addams Family, Peter and the Starcatcher (winner of five Tony Awards), and The Cher Show. Current projects include musical adaptations of The Princess Bride, Smash, Silver Linings Playbook, and The Marvels, as well as the original musical Treasure.

Before focusing on writing, Elice served as Creative Director of Serino Coyne, creating campaigns for more than 300 Broadway productions, and later worked as a creative consultant for The Walt Disney Company. A charter member of the American Repertory Theater and trustee of The Actors Fund, he holds degrees from Cornell University and Yale School of Drama, and has served as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University.

MARSHAL BRICKMAN Book

Marshall Brickman is an Academy Award-winning writer, director, playwright, and musician whose career has spanned film, television, music, and Broadway. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he began in entertainment as a member of the folk groups The Tarriers and The New Journeymen, a precursor to The Mamas and the Papas.

Brickman served as a writer and director for Candid Camera, head writer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and head writer/co-producer of The Dick Cavett Show. His film credits include Sleeper, Annie Hall (Academy Award winner), Manhattan, and Manhattan Murder Mystery, many in collaboration with Woody Allen.

In musical theater, Brickman co-wrote the international smash hit Jersey Boys, one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, and The Addams Family. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Playboy. In 2006, he received the Writers Guild of America’s Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Lifetime Achievement.