Kersten Rodau* (Donna Sheridan) is excited to be back at CDT where she was last seen as Medda Larkin in Disney’s Newsies. Favorite CDT roles include Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Melpomene in Xanadu and Fantine in Les Misérables. Regional credits include Pirates of Penzance, Damn Yankees and The Sound of Music at the Ordway; H.M.S. Pinafore and Sweeney Todd at the Guthrie; Ragtime and Side Show at Park Square; Urinetown at the Jungle and Carousel with the Minnesota Orchestra. “This show is dedicated to my wonderful daughter, Paige.”

Jessica Fredrickson* (Sophie Sheridan) has appeared at CDT in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Lila), Disney’s Newsies (Katherine), Sister Act, Grease (Marty), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly! (Minnie Fae), Disney’s The Little Mermaid, State Fair and Bye Bye Birdie (Kim McAfee). Other credits: Ordway (Cinderella in Cinderella, White Christmas and Contemporary Broadway Songbook), Broadway Asia (Joseph…Dreamcoat), Guthrie (The Cocoanuts), Theater Latté Da (Clara in The Light in the Piazza, Evita), Skylark Opera (Mlle. Modiste), Artistry (Crazy For You, The Music Man, Fiorello!, The Light in the Piazza, Oklahoma!). Proud member of AEA. "Love to Aleks!"

Michelle Barber* (Tanya) has appeared in over 70 CDT productions. Favorites include: Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Louise), Hello, Dolly! (Dolly, Mrs. Molloy),  and Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney). Other credits: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Martha), Hamlet (Gertrude) at Jungle Theater; Caroline or Change (Grandma Gellman), Pen (Helen Bayer), Roman Holiday (The Countess), Other Desert Cities (Silda) at the Guthrie; Henry IV, Part I (King Henry), Electra (Clytemnestra) at Ten Thousand Things; and Mama Rose in Gypsy at Theater Latté Da. But her real favorites are her husband, Michael, her daughter Cat and son-in-law, David.

Therese Walth* (Rosie) AEA member and choral music teacher at Hill-Murray School. Credits include CDT: Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick), Grease (Jan), Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), Bye Bye Birdie (Ursula); the Guthrie: The Music Man (Ethel Toffelmier); the Ordway: Broadway Songbook: Gershwin; Jungle Theater: Urinetown; The World Goes ‘Round; Second Fiddle: 110 in the Shade (Lizzy Curry). Therese wants to thank God, her family and friends for their continued love and support.

John-Michael Zuerlein* (Sam Carmichael) is excited to be revisiting Mamma Mia!, having performed the show nearly 1,000 times in his three years on the National Tour. Other credits include the Off-Broadway production of Plaid Tidings (Smudge) and Regional productions of Sunday in the Park with George (Boatman), Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin) and A Tuna Christmas with Jim J. Bullock, among others. He’s happy to be back in Minneapolis after being gone for 16 years, traveling and performing all over the world. Proud member of AEA.

Michael Gruber* (Harry Bright) is delighted to be back performing at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. He has also worked at the Guthrie, History Theatre, Theater Latté Da, Ordway and Artistry. Before moving to Minneapolis, Michael lived in New York, appearing in nine Broadway shows over a 23-year period. He also works as a choreographer, director, musical director, composer and vocal coach. He is grateful for all the diverse opportunities that the Twin Cities theater community provides to local artists.

Jay Albright* (Bill Austin) has performed here at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in The Producers, The Sound of Music, Anything Goes, Jesus Christ Superstar, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and lots of other shows. Locally he's performed at the Guthrie, Frank Theater, Jungle Theater, History Theatre, Penumbra Theatre and Illusion Theater. Regionally, he's performed at The People's Light and Theater Company, St. Louis RepertoryTheater, Hope Summer Theater and The Old Creamery. He lives in South Minneapolis with his wife, children and a dog.

Aleks Knezevich* (Sky) Opa! Aleks thanks the Greeks for delicious feta cheese and gyros which he won’t be able to enjoy any time soon because of spending so much time at the beach. Past CDT credits include Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Disney’s Newsies, Grease, Camelot, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Others: National Tour of Jekyll and Hyde, H.M.S. Pinafore at the Guthrie and PBS, and other local and NY theaters. “Much love to wife Jess (Sophie), family, friends and CDT. Thanks to God for all things.” Proud member of AEA.

Kasano Mwanza* (Pepper) is excited to be back at CDT! Recently seen in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Disney’s Newsies as Mush, Sister Act as TJ and Grease as Teen Angel! Previously, he worked with Contempo Physical Dance, Theater Latté Da, Guthrie Theater, Park Square Theatre, History Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company among others! For more on Kasano & his band (Kasano & The Vibes) go to kasanomusic.com For social media: kasanoworld. “To family & friends, much love!” Member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Renee Guittar* (Ali) is overjoyed to be back at CDT after appearing in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Disney’s Newsies, Grease, Camelot and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! Past credits include Guthrie (The Music Man), Ordway (In the Heights, A Chorus Line), Old Log (The Wedding Singer). Company Member, Collide Theatrical Dance Company. National tour: The Magic of Jared Sherlock. Current Teaching: Cowles Center Teaching Artist, Ashley Ballet Arts Academy. Training: Gustavus Adolphus College. “Love to family, friends and Rush!”

Tony Vierling* (Eddie) has appeared in over 40 productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, as well as 20 productions at the Guthrie and Ordway theatres. Regional credits include Paper-mill Playhouse in New Jersey, TUTS in Houston, Minnesota Opera, Kentucky Opera, Louisiana Opera, as well as dancing at Disneyland, Holland America Cruise Line and the national tours of A Chorus Line and Little House on the Prairie. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association for 32 years.

Emily Sue Bengtson (Lisa) is overjoyed to be making her Chanhassen Dinner Theatres debut in Mamma Mia! Some of her favorite shows include Noises Off (Brooke Ashton), Follies (Margie/Showgirl), Assassins (Squeaky Fromme) and She Loves Me (Ilona Ritter). Emily Sue graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. A special thanks to Melissa Hart. “Love to my family, friends and partner in crime, Dylan!” Follow Emily Sue @emilysue42 on Instagram and emilysuebengtson.com

Mark King* (Ensemble) was last seen on Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Main Stage in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. His Main Stage roles have included: Lumiére in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Bert in Disney’s Mary Poppins, Chef Louis in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Cosmo in Singin’ in the Rain and Carmen Ghia in The Producers. Other favorites are: Nachum in Fiddler on the Roof, Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes, Xanadu and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Thomas Schumacher* (Ensemble) Mamma Mia! marks his 46th CDT production, having played many lead roles and performed on all 4 stages here. Favorites include: Les Misérables (Valjean); Phantom (Phantom); Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Beast) and Disney’s Newsies (Joseph Pulitzer). Credits at the Ordway include I Love a Piano and A Grand Night for Singing, and many productions for MN Opera. Career highlights include: Phantom of the Opera (National Tour) and Hello, Dolly! (National Tour with Carol Channing). Thomas holds a B.A. from Yale and is a proud member of AEA.

Alan Bach* (Ensemble) is happy to be back at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Mamma Mia! Alan has a degree in Vocal Performance from North Central University. He has performed with Theater Latté Da, The Guthrie and most recently appeared as Davey in Disney’s Newsies here at CDT. Alan was also recently featured as a singer and dancer aboard Holland America Line cruise ships. “Huge thanks to CDT for the opportunity and to my supportive family and wife, Janette.”

Joey Miller* (Ensemble) is excited to be back at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres where he has been seeing productions since he was seven years old! Local credits include: Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Disney’s Newsies, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (CDT); West Side Story, A Chorus Line, White Christmas, Pirates of Penzance and Damn Yankees (Ordway). Joey holds a BFA in music theatre from Viterbo University and is a resident choreographer at the La Crosse Dance Centre. “Love and gratitude to my dear ones – family, friends, mentors.” Member Actors’ Equity Association.

Lucas Wells* (Ensemble) is excited to be back after playing Crutchie in Disney’s Newsies. Theatre: Spring Awakening (First National Tour); Next to Normal (Yellow Tree); Life Could Be a Dream (Old Log); Assassins, Peter and the Starcatcher, Fiddler on the Roof, Marie Antoinette (freeFall Theatre); Small Craft Warnings, The Red and the Black (Off-Broadway); I Love a Piano, Altar Boyz, Forever Plaid, Andrews Brothers (Meadow Brook Theatre). Film: Boardwalk Empire (HBO); many national and local commercials. “Much love to my wife!” @TheLucasWells

Alyssa Seifert* (Ensemble) is overjoyed to be back at CDT. She was last seen here in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, preceded by Sister Act, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Mary Poppins and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Other local credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Jolene), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Lucy, Marcie) at Old Log; Shrek the Musical (Swing, Dance Captain) at Children’s Theatre Company; On the Town (Ivy Smith), Singin’ in the Rain (Zelda Zanders) and 42nd Street at Artistry; and Into the Woods (Cinderella) at Lyric Arts. She thanks her Mom and Dad for their unending support and encouragement.

Nickie Kromminga Hill* (Ensemble) is excited to share Mamma Mia! with you! This is Nickie’s 18th production at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. She holds a K-12 theatre and dance license and loves teaching around the Twin Cities area. Nickie also sings with the holiday a cappella group “Chick Cheer” and is Executive Director of The Spread Sunshine Gang, a non-profit that finds creative ways to give back to the community. She is thrilled to be sharing the stage with her percussionist hubby, Paul, and is a proud dog mom to Trooper. Member Actors’ Equity Association.

Nicole Renée Chapman* (Ensemble) CDT credits include Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Daphne), Grease (Patty Simcox) and Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle). Other favorites: West Coast Premiere of That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Joy Ciro Hatfield) at The Group Rep, Los Angeles, DuBarry Was a Lady (Alice Barton) alongside Bruce Vilanch, 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco, and Pinkalicious The Musical (Pinkalicious) El Portal Theatre, Los Angeles. Nicole is a graduate of AMDA in NYC and holds her B.A. in English Writing from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame. Member AEA.

Teri Parker-Brown* (Ensemble) is delighted to re-live her childhood with the music of ABBA! She spent 2018 onstage as a nun in Sister Act, a not-so-tech-savvy mom in Right Wrong or Bomb – A Dating Musical and Karen Velline in Bobby Vee. She has been in over 25 productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres including Sister Act, Disney’s Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, State Fair and Brigadoon. “Je T’aime Vin, Audrey, Max, Everett.” Proud member Member Actors’ Equity Association. TeriParkerBrownVO.com.

Laura Rudolph* (Ensemble) is thrilled to be on stage at CDT! Favorite CDT credits include: Grease (Sandy), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Hello, Dolly! (Irene), All Shook Up (Natalie), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Ensemble/Narrator U/S), Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Mary Poppins, Disney’s Newsies and Sister Act. First National Tour: Nunset Boulevard (Sr. Leo). Guthrie: South Pacific, Roman Holiday, H.M.S. Pinafore. Old Log: Million Dollar Quartet (Dyanne). Member AEA.

Brian Saice (Ensemble) is so happy to be back on the stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres! Other credits include CDT: Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (ensemble), Disney’s Newsies (Buttons, Bill, Davey U/S); The Underground Theatre: American Idiot (Theo/Ben), Avenue Q (Princeton), Bare: A Pop Opera (Peter); Duluth Playhouse: Grease (Doody/Teen Angel), 13: the Musical (Evan Goldman). Brian holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. “Love to my family, mentors, and friends!” Equity membership candidate. briansaice.com

Maura White* (Ensemble) is from New York City where she had been a working actress and dancer since 1989. After graduating from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, she got her first national tour of 42nd Street followed by tours of A Chorus Line, Oklahoma!, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and The Goodbye Girl. Regional: Hal Prince’s Show Boat with the Chicago Company, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Actors Theatre Louisville. Maura is happy to be back at “The Chanhassen.”

Jen Burleigh-Bentz*  (Ensemble) is Abba-solutely stoked to join CDT's production of Mamma Mia!  Broadway: Mamma Mia! (Tanya). National Tours: Cheers Live On Stage, Buddy Holly Story. Regional: The Music Man (Maud Dunlop) at the Guthrie, Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett) at the Duluth Playhouse, Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party (Queenie) at the Fitzgerald Theater, Christmas of Swing (Laverne Andrews) at History Theatre, Disenchanted (Snow White) with Casting Spells, 9 to 5 (Violet Newstead) at Minnetonka Theatre. Love to Tommy, M&D, GMA & BW90s. jenburleigh-bentz.com brickhousemusic.com. Proud AEA member.

Tommy Benson* (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be in Mamma Mia! He holds a BFA in Musical Theater and a BA in Music from the U of MN Duluth. He has performed in Turkey, China and across the Twin Cities, most recently in Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn here at CDT. Favorite roles include David DiNotello in Spandex the Musical, Oscar D’Armano in The Wild Party, Cowboy Bob in Footloose, Neville Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Frog in A Year with Frog & Toad. Proud member AEA.

Jordan Oxborough* (Ensemble) is honored to be back at the Chan! He was last seen in Grease. Other local credits include Guys & Dolls (Sky) at Old Log Theatre, Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story (Dick Clark) at History Theatre and Grease (Danny) at Lyric Arts. Jordan holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato. “All my love and gratitude to my wife Sarah, Mom, Dad, family and friends for their never-ending support!” Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Michael Brindisi (Artistic Director) happily celebrated his 30th year as Resident Artistic Director for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in 2018; however, he has been affiliated with CDT since 1971 when he first appeared on stage here in The Matchmaker. In addition, Mr. Brindisi is proud to serve on the CDT ownership team (established in 2010). While he continues at the artistic helm, he adds the title of president to his “credits,” seeing and responding to daily operations. (On your visit, you might see him walking through the dining room, holding a door for a guest, taste-testing a new menu item or assisting where an extra pair of hands is needed.) He directed his first CDT production, Private Lives, in ‘88. Since then, Mr. Brindisi has well over 100 Chanhassen productions to his credit. He previously spent several years in freelance directing, overseeing 40 productions in seven consecutive seasons of summer stock; three as Artistic Director of Bemidji’s Paul Bunyan Playhouse and four with Minnesota Festival Theatre. He directed The Two-Character Play and Translations for Actors Theatre of St. Paul and Once in a Lifetime for Theatre in the Round. Other directing credits include The Beauty Part, The Robber Bridegroom, and Twigs for Chimera Theatre and a Minnesota Music Theatre summer stock series with Winona St. Mary’s. Prior to directing, Mr. Brindisi enjoyed a successful acting career. CDT productions include: Annie Get Your Gun, What the Butler Saw, Loot, The Robber Bridegroom, My Fair Lady and his favorite production, Fiddler on the Roof (appearing in 1978, 1987 and 2013 productions). He performed the role of Kenickie in the national tour of Grease and appeared in the Broadway revival of Once in a Lifetime with John Lithgow and Treat Williams. In 2002, he was a guest artist in the Ordway’s production of Anything Goes with Sandy Duncan and in Singin’ in the Rain. He was honored by the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization to co-develop and direct the World Premiere of Irving Berlin’s Easter Parade, which debuted on CDT’s Main Stage in 2007. When able, he takes time to guest direct locally and around the country. Some credits include: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and A Grand Night for Singing at the Ordway; and Grease and Hair at the Historic Pantages Theatre. He had the unique pleasure of directing Elmo, Big Bird and friends in the Sesame Street Live national tour of  Can’t Stop Singing. On a personal note, life in the theatre is a family affair. Michael is married to actor Michelle Barber, seen on stage here and across the Twin Cities. Their daughter Cat, also a professional actor, is married to actor and director, David Darrow and they reside in New York.
 

Tamara Kangas Erickson* (Choreographer) is Vice President at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, as well as its resident choreographer since 2004. She has proudly choreographed over 30 CDT Main Stage productions. Tamara became part of the CDT family in 1981 when she appeared as Marta Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Also, she has choreographed and directed in the other CDT theatres – Fireside: Respect (director/choreographer), Altar Boyz (choreographer); Playhouse: The Musical of Musicals: The Musical (director/choreographer). Other credits include Off-Broadway: This One’s for the Girls (director/choreographer) and the national tour of Sesame Street Live Can’t Stop Singing (choreographer). Tamara was named “Outstanding Choreographer” (2005, 2006 and 2008) by the Star Tribune for Singin’ in the Rain, West Side Story and 42nd Street and received an Ivey Award in 2008 for her choreography in 42nd Street.
 

Anrew Cooke (Music Director) Broadway: Aspects of Love; Sweeney Todd (first revival); Off-Broadway: Company, The Night They Invented Champagne, The World Goes ‘Round; Guthrie Theater: The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, H.M.S. Pinafore, Caroline, or Change, The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde, 1776, She Loves Me, The Pirates of Penzance, Wintertime, Merrily We Roll Along, Sweeney Todd, and others.; Chanhassen Dinner Theatres: Another Night Before Christmas, Footloose, All Shook Up, Forever Plaid, Plaid Tidings, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Disney’s Mary Poppins, Bye, Bye Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hello, Dolly!, Camelot; Children’s Theatre Company: The Wizard of Oz, Honk!, Cinderella, Bert & Ernie, Goodnight, Seussical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Disney’s Aladdin, A Year With Frog And Toad, and others. Composer/Arranger: The Gift of the Magi, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Our Hometown Christmas Pageant, Jane Eyre, To Fool the Eye, The Night of the Iguana, Death of a Salesman, Alice in Wonderland, The Queens of Burlesque, Masquerade, and others. Teaching: Long Island University, The University of Minnesota, A Guthrie Experience for Actors in Training.