Bios for the cast of A CLASS ACT
Justin Zeno (Lehman Engel) is honored and grateful to Nancy and Jeremy for the opportunity to return to the QMPI company after having portrayed Harpo Marx in its premiere production of “Groucho: A Life In Revue”. Most recently, he performed the role of Gordon Michael Schwinn in the BALD theatre company’s production of “A New Brain”. Justin originated the role of Percy Shelley / Victor Frankenstein in the world premiere musical, “Mary Shelley And Her Frankenstein” for Tuesday Musical Club. Other notable performances include: D.B. in the Pittsburgh premiere of “Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn” for the BALD theatre company; The Baker in “Into The Woods” for Old Schoolhouse Players; Trenton Corbett in “Zombies From The Beyond” and Man 2 in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” for The Theatre Factory and Strephon in “Iolanthe” for The Pittsburgh Savoyards. Please visit www.justinzeno.com for updates and a complete listing of performances.
Jeremy Czarniak (Ed Kleban) - Jeremy is a graduate of Point Park University’s COPA department and is a current faculty member. He holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College, VT. Onstage he has been seen in numerous productions including the Off-Broadway hit Zombies From The Beyond, playing Ozzie in the International 25th Anniversary Tour of On The Town, A-rab in West Side Story at the MUNY St. Louis, Bobby in Crazy For You for Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Snug in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Pittsburgh Public Theatre, George Cohan in George M!, for The Theatre Factory, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, The Strand and countless regional productions including his favorite role as Groucho Marx in Groucho - A Life In Revue for which he has twice received mention in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Best Actor category. As a director/choreographer, Jeremy has staged several productions for The Theatre Factory including Jerry’s Girls, The Melody Lingers On and Zombies From The Beyond, choreographed and performed with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Pops, served as Director and Choreographer for Point Park’s recent Junior production of Peter And The Wolf, Light In The Piazza, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Asst. Director/Choreographer for Thou Shalt Not. Jeremy is a past recipient of DMA’s Best male Tap Dancer in the U.S. Award. With much love and thanks to Nancy for another great ride as well as my biggest fans Brett, Julia and Courtney. See www.jeremyczarniak.com for more information.
Ed Kleban Jeremy Czarniak
Bobby / Michael Bennett Zachary D’antonio- Hilbun
Charley / Marvin Hamlisch John-Michael Breen
Lehman Engel Justin Zeno
Orchestra:
Conductor / Keyboard - Nancy Gordon Galluzzo
Reeds - Rich Mansfield
Percussion - Thomas Earley
Jocelyn Snyder (Mona) is an actor, singer, and comedic improviser in the Pittsburgh area. Most recently, she was the company swing for Dora the Explorer Live! at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. Prior to that, she played Sally Fairfax in the CLO Gallery Of Heroes touring production of Young Washington. You can see Jocelyn every Monday night in the Totally Free Mondays set at the Steel City Improv Theater on the North Side. She also performs regularly with Irony City, a local improv comedy troupe. Jocelyn studied musical theater and graduated from both CAPA (Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School) and Point Park University (2008).
Sophie Caroline Nicolian
Lucy Cami Glauser
Mona Jocelyn Snyder
Felicia Jessica Whittington
Cast:
John-Michael Breen (Charley / Marvin Hamlisch) is honored to be making his Pittsburgh debut in A Class Act! A native of Boston, John-Michael is currently a sophomore musical theatre major at Point Park University. Notable credits include You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Les Misérables (Enjolras), The Secret Garden (Dickon), Cabaret (Bobby/US The Emcee), The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee (Chip), Sweeney Todd (Tobias; New Hampshire Theatre Award nomination -- Best Supporting Actor), and the state-wide theatre competition (MA) winner, Almost, Maine (Steve). John-Michael has also worked professionally at Stoneham Theatre and North Shore Music Theatre. He sends love to his Mom, Dad and sister, who are the best family he could have been given. Enjoy the show! Never forget JPN. ☮
Zachary D’antonio-Hilbun (Bobby / Michael Bennett) feels so blessed to be a part of this family. He is a senior musical theater major at Point Park University and founder of Clambake Productions. Previously you may have seen him as The Cat in Seussical, or Walt in George M. Many thanks to Jeremy for all of the trust and guidance he has given over the past four years. Hope I never let you down! “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” - Albert Schweitzer
Jessica Whittington (Felicia) is thrilled to be in her first show with QM Productions. She has been acting since high school, enjoying roles in The Music Man, Crazy For You and 42nd Street. While attending college at Penn State University, she played Mama Rose in Gypsy, Penelope Sycamore in You Can’t Take It With You, Mrs. Sheinkopf in Fame, Aysha in Children of Eden, Berthe in Pippin, and had a coveted role as The Count in a Sesame Street children’s play. Upon graduation, Jessica moved to South Korea to explore her roots and teach English as as second language. She returned to the U.S. and the stage after a six year hiatus from theater, appearing as Renee in Charlayne Henry Productions’ original play Let The Church Say Amen at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Most recently, she played Nellie in Jekyll & Hyde at the Grand Theater in Elizabeth, PA. Thanks to hubby, Alan, for his support, patience, and ability to run lines.
Cami Glauser (Lucy) is a senior B.F.A. musical theatre major at Point Park University, and she’s delighted to be a part of her first production with QM Productions. Some of her past Pittsburgh credits include...Spelling Bee (Olive), The Diary of Anne Frank (Margot), She Loves Me, Evita, and Can-Can. She has also performed in multiple seasons at Busch Gardens and co-starred with Shamu at SeaWorld San Antonio. This school year, Cami is also directing two One-Act plays at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Cami would like to thank Jeremy and Nancy for giving her this opportunity to be a part of such a magnificent show, as well as Bailey for his unconditional love and creative enhancement that he constantly gives everyday. Enjoy the show!
Caroline Nicolian (Sophie) - Caroline is thrilled to be making her debut with QM Productions! She is a native of Pittsburgh, and is honored to be involved with a company so dedicated to giving back to the community. In 2009 she received her BFA from Point Park University, and was seen in many productions there, such as Can-Can, Assassins, and Jane Eyre. Her most recent role, and one of her favorites, was the Witch from Into The Woods, with Carnivale Theatrics this past summer. Many thanks to Nancy and Jeremy for this opportunity! Enjoy the show!
