RICHARD O’BRIEN Book, Music & Lyrics

Richard, who was born in 1942, began his life in the world of entertainment in 1965, when, at the age of 23, he rode horses in British-made movies. He had no desire to become a full-time stuntman and, wisely, took himself off to an evening drama school which claimed to adhere to the teaching principles of Stanislavski, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler and anyone else that had decided to embrace the more ‘naturalistic’ approach to acting, commonly known as The Method. In 1967, Richard became an ASM and understudy in a musical touring version of The Barretts of Wimpole Street, retitled as Robert and Elizabeth. He worked backstage in many West End theatres, most notably the Cambridge Theatre at Seven Dials, where, among other duties, he shone a Lime Light upon John Hanson, who at the age of forty-six, may well have been the oldest Student Prince that the world had ever laid eyes upon.

In 1969, Richard joined an ensemble group in a joyous production of Gulliver’s Travels at the Mermaid Theatre. This show was designed and directed by Sean Kenny. The choreographer was a young Japanese Canadian called David Toguri and the following year, Richard auditioned for him once again and joined the cast of the British touring production of the American ‘hippie’ musical Hair. After Hair came Jesus Christ Superstar, which was directed by Jim Sharman. The following year, 1973, Jim cast Richard in a Sam Shepard play at the Royal Court Theatre’s Theatre Upstairs. It was here that he met Richard Hartley, his music partner of more than 40 years. The Rocky Horror Show opened in July of the same year and, slowly but surely, became the biggest cult musical of all time.

Other highlights of Richard’s career are, of course, The Crystal Maze, a game show that warmed the autumn nights for Channel 4. The Child Catcher in the first stage production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Performing for the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace upon Her Majesty’s 80th birthday and playing Fagin in a New Zealand production of Oliver!. In a career that has spanned 50 years, Richard has acted with some of the biggest and best known names in the industry and, lately, he has won over a new and younger crowd of fans as the voice of Lawrence Fletcher, the father of Phineas and Ferb, in the Disney cartoon series of the same name. Although now in his late seventies, Richard still refuses to make eye contact with the grim reaper.

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).

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.

JEFF SAND  Technical Director

works in IT at Villa Park Public Library and as a technician at COD’s McAninch Arts Center. Excited for another BST season!  BrightSide: She Loves Me, Gypsy (TD).  Summer Place Theatre: The Secret Garden (sound design), Don’t Dress For Dinner (TD), Joseph…Dreamcoat (co-TD, sound), and Mamma Mia! (producer/sound design). Natural Talent Productions: Urinetown (co-producer, sound), Disney’s Hunchback… (sound – regional premiere).  Riverfront Playhouse: Between Riverside and Crazy, Lady Day at Emerson’s… (lighting).

ROSE KURUTZ  Choreographer

 is a performer and choreographer who recently graduated from Miami University. Her previous musical choreography credits include The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Addams Family with MU Stage Left. She has also produced six pieces for the concert stage with MU Dance Theatre that integrate various aspects of theatrical production. These, along with previous works, have enabled her to develop a distinctive choreographic style.

ARABELLA ZURBANO Scenic Design

is a theatre designer with a BA in Theatre Design & Technology from Columbia College Chicago. She is a member of Nothing Without a Company’s Junior Board, and former Properties Apprentice with Olney Theatre Center. Recent credits include Over/Under (prop/lighting design), BrightSide Theatre’s Dracula (scenic charge), Factory Theater’s Stabbed in the Heart (scenic charge), Dawn Theatre Project’s Arriving at Dawn 2024 (set/prop design), and Goodman Theatre’s The Nacirema Society (assistant scenic design). 

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. Most recently he Music Directed last seasons Jesus Christ Superstar and this season’s Jekyll and Hyde in Concert. 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.

MICHAEL BOLAÑOS Phantom

is over the moon about making his post-grad debut at the BrightSide Theatre. Following other musical credits at Michigan State University like 9 to 5: The Musical (Dwayne), [title of show] (Jeff), and Spring Awakening (Otto), he’d like to thank his closest friends, family, and mentors for their everlasting support and love. Go green!

MICHELLE BOLLIGER Magenta

is delighted to be back for Rocky Horror! Originally from Effingham Illinois, she performed in regional theaters nationwide before settling in Roselle.  BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Pippin, Gypsy, She Loves Me (Lou Awarded), A Christmas Carol, The Descendants, Hairspray! and Guys and Dolls. 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!

BEN CHALEX Rocky Horror

Professional actor based in Chicago. With credits in film and theater including Mr. William’s Town and Vox Pop!, the Indiana University Bloomington graduate is beyond excited to be a part of this production.  He hopes that you enjoy the show and be sure to notice what’s on the slab…

ANGEL DIAZ Phantom

Rock of Ages (Ja’Keith Gill/ Mayor/ Ensemble) and Cabaret (Victor/Ensemble) Metropolis Performing Arts. BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Mamma Mia! (Ensemble). Excited to return to BrightSide for such a fun show!

ERICA HARRINGTON Phantom/US Janet

is thrilled to be returning to BrightSide Theatre. BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Dracula and Jesus Christ Superstar. Erica’s Chicago area credits include productions with: Porchlight, Edge of the Wood Theatre, Second City, Highland Park Players, and Up and Coming Theatre. She sends her love to Jason and Wren.

SYDNEE HOWES Phanton/US Columbia

is an actress originally from California. She just finished getting her BFA in Musical Theatre (Dance Concentration) at Chicago College of Performing Arts, and she’s ready to dance the Time Wrap as her first show post college. You might have seen her in Big Noise’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ensemble/Canaan Dancer). She would like to thank her, friends, family, and Epsom salt baths for always being a support system. 

BROOKE KASSAL  Janet Weiss

is thrilled to be continuing her BrightSide Theatre journey. Brooke’s first role with the BrightSide Theater Youth Project playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at 15 years old. She earned her degree from Western Illinois University.  Some favorite performing adventures include Dreamland Drive-in (Birdcage) at Dollywood, The Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzy), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Radium Girls (Grace Fryer), Stupid F**king Bird (Nina). Thanks to her family and friends for all their love and support. 

SCOTT KELLEY Narrator

is thrilled to be on the BST stage once again. BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: 2025’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom) and 2024’s Lou Award-winning production of Deathtrap (Sidney), as well as Miracle on 34^th Street, The Bridges of Madison County, The Descendants and Spamalot (Patsy), among others. Other recent productions include 1776 (John Adams), Something Rotten! (Nick Bottom) Company (David), and 9 to 5 (Franklin Hart). Love to leading lady Staci, and his favorite production, Carson.

CHARLIE KUNGL Phantom/US Riff-Raff

is thrilled to share this production with you! A recent Ithaca College graduate with an Acting BFA, Charlie is incredibly excited to enter the Chicagoland theatre scene. Keep an eye out for future projects and enjoy the show!

MICHAEL LYNCH Brad Majors

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. Rocky Horror is a dream show for him, and he couldn’t be happier to perform this wonderful material with such an esteemed company, and talented group of performers.

MARY GRACE MARTENS Eddie/Dr. Scott

graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Musical Theatre. Performing Credits: 25th Spelling Bee (Wheaton Drama), American Idiot, Songs/New World (ECC Theatricals), Shrek the Musical (Point2Productions), and Joseph/Dreamcoat (BrightSide) Directing/Choreography Credits: Up and Coming Theatre (The Prom, Fame), Point2Productions (Dogfight*), Fox Valley Theatre Co. (American Idiot, Spelling Bee) Thank you mom, dad, Beth, Tim, and Lindsey for constant support. For Matt, always. *Lou Award 2022 Best Choreography

THOMAS MCMAHON Riff-Raff

BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE: Jesus Christ Superstar (Apostle).  Recent performances include Rent (Angel), West Side Story (Action), and Something Rotten (Shakespeare).  Thank you to his Found Family, his mother, and especially Tyler for all of their love and support.  He hopes you enjoy the show!  Instagram/TikTok: @actorthomasmcmahon 

JOHN MCNALLY Frank-n-Furter

BrightSide Theatre debut. Previous stage credits include Annie (Rooster Hannigan), The Fantasticks (The Mute), It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play (Uncle Billy), Jesus Christ Superstar (Pontius Pilate), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), Meet Me in St. Louis (Lon Smith), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Dale Harding) The Rocky Horror Show (Frank-n-Ferter, Brad Majors), Seussical the Musical (The Cat in the Hat) and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow, Tin Man)

COLLETTE MICHELLE Columbia

is thrilled to debut at BrightSide Theatre! They are a recent graduate with a BFA from Millikin University, where she has most recently portrayed The Maid in The Moors (Jen Silverman) and Foster in the New Work production of The Spell of Red River (EllaRose Chary). She thanks her family and friends for their constant love in support!

AMELIA TAM Phantom/US Magenta

is so unbelievably grateful to be joining the cast of The Rocky Horror Show Live.  Rocky Horror is one of her all-time favorite shows, and she is absolutely pumped to get the chance to embrace the odd and unusual to bring it to life onstage

SABASTIAN BLANCO  Phantom Swing

is elated to be making his post-high-school theater debut with BrightSide! Currently a full-time student in his first year at the College of DuPage, he is thrilled to be keeping his passion for theater alive as he continues his journey toward a degree in the field.

JJ O’CONNELL Stage Manager

loves being a part of the BrightSide team! Theater has played a major role in her life since middle school. She has previously directed and choreographed many shows for children including The Lion King, Seussical, Bare, Zombie Prom, and The Sound of Music. She has also been known to participate on stage from time to time, appearing as Zaneeta in The Music Man and the French Taunter in Spamalot.

Paige Klopfenstein Intmacy Director

is curious about the stories you want to share.  As an actor and intimacy director, she knows that the stories we tell matter. But how we go about the telling of those stories, how we bring them to life and to audiences also matters. Recent Chicago Intimacy direction includes Constellations (Atheneum) and Drunk Dracula (Drunk Shakespeare Chicago). Training through IDC. Love and thanks to the Home Team.