ROB BERMAN
Music Director and Conductor
Rob Berman is an Emmy and Grammy Award winning conductor and music director. For fifteen years he was the music director of Encores!, New York City Center’s acclaimed series of great American musicals in concert, where he conducted over thirty-five productions, including the revival of Into the Woods, which transferred to a Broadway run and for which he received a Grammy Award as co-producer and conductor of the cast recording.
Rob’s other Broadway credits include Bright Star, Wonderful Town, The Pajama Game Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Finian’s Rainbow, The Apple Tree, and Promises, Promises.
Rob has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic for Barbara Cook, as well as the San Francisco and Seattle Symphonies for Audra McDonald and the Pacific Symphony for Kristin Chenoweth. He recently conducted a concert of Oklahoma! at Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.
For nine years, Rob was music director of the Kennedy Center Honors, for which he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction.
MARK FLEISCHER
Director and Executive Producer of Pittsburgh CLO
Mark Fleischer serves as the artistic and administrative head of the Pittsburgh CLO, one of the nation’s largest producers of musical theatre. Since his appointment as Executive Producer in June 2020, he has overseen CLO’s artistic vision and producing operations, including the PNC Summer of Musicals, the Kara Cabaret Series, the annual production of A Musical Christmas Carol, and the organization’s expanding new work initiatives. Prior to this role, he served as CLO’s Producing Director (2018–2020) and Associate Artistic Director (2014–2018).
Alongside his producing work, Mark is an accomplished stage director with a career spanning classic theatre, contemporary musicals, and new work development. His directing credits include Sunday in the Park with George —which received seven Dallas Theatre League Awards including Best Direction of a Musical—as well as Passion, A Chorus Line, Ordinary Days, and My Favorite Year. His work in classical theatre includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Hedda Gabler, and The Diary of Anne Frank,
along with numerous world premiere productions and developmental readings across the country.
Before joining Pittsburgh CLO, Mark was the Producing Artistic Director of Adirondack Theatre Festival (2007–2014) and the Managing Artistic Director of Plano Repertory Theatre in suburban Dallas (1993–2002). He is a Board Member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, where he chairs the Member Resources Committee, and a member of The Broadway League, serving on its IntraIndustry and Audience Engagement committees. Locally, he serves on the Board of Downtown Neighbors Alliance, reflecting his commitment to Pittsburgh’s civic and cultural life.
Mark holds a BA in English Literature and Communication Arts from Austin College and an MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University.
RICK EDINGER
Associate Music Director
Proud queer AAPI music director, arranger, conductor, pianist, and vocal coach. Recent Music Supervisor/ Music Director Highlights: The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (La Jolla Playhouse/ Signature Theatre Arlington; Christopher Ashley, director), The Visitor (The Public Theater; Daniel Sullivan, director), Trading Places (Alliance Theatre; Kenny Leon, director), Songs for a New World (New City Music Theatre; Miles J. Sternfeld, director), Joy: A New Musical (George Street Playhouse; Casey Hushion, director), In the Mood (Workshop; Kenny Leon, director), The Amazing Mr. X (Workshop; Jenny Koons, director), The Brass Teapot (NAMT Festival; Catie Davis, director). NAMT: Board of Directors, Festival Committee/ Consultant (The King of Harlem, Wonder Boy, Interstate, The River is Me, Maya, Hart Island ). Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra: Fiddler on the Roof (Assoc. MD), South Pacific (Assoc. MD). Faculty: Chair of Acting & Music Theater and Associate Professor of Music Theater at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama; Co-Artistic Director of the Carnegie Mellon University Center for New Work Development. Website: www.rickedinger.com. Instagram: @rickedingernyc
CATHERINE KOLOS
Stage Manager
Catherine Kolos* is a multi-disciplinary theater artist based in Pittsburgh. As an Actor & Stage Manager, her regional credits include Pittsburgh CLO, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, Fusion New Mexico, Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre, Quantum, Front Porch Theatricals and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Kolos is an award-winning producer, voice-over and cabaret artist. Recent concert performances include Birdland with Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch, the Green Room 42 and the Greer Cabaret Theater. Her one-woman show, Mood For Love, was produced earlier this year by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Kolos is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
MARTY SAVOLSKIS
Scenic and Props Designer
Marty’s designs have appeared on the stages of the Benedum Center, the Byham, Heinz Hall, the Greer Cabaret and Carnegie Mellon University. He has directed, choreographed and designed locally for The Heritage Players, McKeesport Little Theatre, Indiana University of Pa, Point Park University, Community College of Allegheny County and East Allegheny High School. He is also an instructor at his family’s dance studio, Fran’s School of Dance in Munhall and is currently adjunct faculty at IUP, CCAC South Campus and Chatham University. It has been great to be back with Shelly, Mark and The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!
SAM SILVA
Sound Designer
An award-winning Sound Designer, Sam has worked in many capacities within the theatrical audio world, including A1, A2, Associate, and Designer. He was the Sound Designer for the world premiere of Madame Clicquot: A Revolutionary Musical at the Byham Theatre and continues his ongoing involvement with the production. Recent Sound Design credits include Titanic (Lincoln Park), Jersey Boys and Million Dollar Quartet (Apex Touring), Hello, Dolly!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Wizard of Oz (SSMT), Kinky Boots, Cinderella (Theatre By The Sea), Hairspray (The Argyle), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Gateway Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof, Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, Chicago, Man of La Mancha (The Barn Theatre), The Seafarer, Taking Steps, and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Greenbrier Valley Theatre). His recent Associate Sound Design credits include the National Tour of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and Finding Neverland. He also served as Head Audio on a two-and-a-half-year international touring production of The Wizard of Oz (Apex Touring), bringing the show to five different countries. Other tour credits include A2 on Smokey Joe’s Café (Gateway Playhouse), Million Dollar Quartet, and Pippin (Apex Touring). Sam received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from California University of Pennsylvania in 2012. Special thanks to his wife Liz and his family for putting up with his antics over the years. He really likes pie but not cake. Enjoy the show!
ADAM DAVY
Associate Sound Designer
Adam Davy a sound designer and audio engineer based in Pittsburgh. He is currently head of audio at the New Hazlett Theater. Select credits include productions with: Quantum Theatre, Front Porch Theatricals, RWS Global, and The Civic Theatre of Allentown. CLO/PSO debut!
Thanks to Sam Silva for inviting me onto this production!
ALLISON SCHNEIDER
Assistant Stage Manager
Allison Schneider (she/her) is a current Senior at Carnegie Mellon University, studying Stage & Production Management. While at school, Allison has previously worked on shows such as Ghosts, Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, Lonely Planet, and Titanic: The Musical Allison has also worked with The Roanoke Island Historical Association on The Lost Colony Symphonic Drama She is thrilled to be doing their first production with Pittsburgh Symphony.
CAST
JANESSA MINTA
Ensign Nellie Forbush
Janessa America Minta is making their PCLO debut as Nellie! They are a senior at Carnegie Mellon University pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. You may have seen them on the CMU stage as Ben in Matt and Ben, or Ida Strauss in Titanic: The Musical Janessa is thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to be on stage with new and familiar faces. Thanks to Mamma Minta and the entirety of the Oregon community theatre family for encouraging them to pursue their dreams.
BEN CRAWFORD
Emile De Becque
BROADWAY: The Phantom of the Opera (Phantom, 35th anniversary), Shrek the Musical (Shrek), Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (Mr. Salt), Big Fish (Don Price), On The Twentieth Century, & Les Miserables. Other credits include
Guys & Dolls (Sky Masterson), 42nd Street (Julian Marsh), Waitress (Earl), Beauty & The Beast (The Beast), 110 In The Shade (Starbuck), Little Shop of Horrors (Orin Scrivello), Oklahoma! (Jud Fry), & Assassins (John Wilkes-Booth). Pops concerts across the US, Canada, & China. Check out Ben’s EP Electronic Pandemic across all streaming platforms. @crawdady21
CÁITLÍN BURKE
Bloody Mary
Cáitlín Burke is a versatile actress and singer whose work spans musical theatre, opera, concert performance, and international touring. She is widely acclaimed for her portrayal of Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, performing the role at Tony Award–winning Paper Mill Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, The Ahmanson Theatre, The Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, and The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and was an original cast member of the Broadway National Tour directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien.
A distinguished interpreter of Rodgers and Hammerstein, her additional credits include Lady Thiang in The King & I, Nettie in Carousel, Marie in Cinderella, and Bloody Mary in South Pacific . Cáitlín made history as the first American to tour the UK with London’s National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, earning critical praise for performances in The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, The
Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The House of Murgatroyd at The Royal Hall and the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. Her theatre work also includes Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), This is Not a Drill (Leilani), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mrs. Gloop), and Into the Woods (The Witch). She frequently appears as a principal performer at New York City Center, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, the 92nd Street Y, and the National Asian Artists Project, as well as regionally at The Filene Center at Wolf Trap, The McCarter Theatre, and North Shore Music Theatre.
As a sought-after concert soloist, Cáitlín has appeared as a guest artist with The Royal Festival Orchestra (UK), The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, The South Shore Symphony, Tysons McLean Orchestra, and The Rochester Symphony. She received two Matilda Awards for Alumni Achievement in both Music and Theatre from Oakland University where she studied piano and voice, and was a Lucie M. Kohlmeier scholarship recipient during her graduate studies at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
MATTY PALMER
Lt. Joseph Cable
Matty Palmer is a current senior at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama and is thrilled to be making his professional Pittsburgh debut with PSO! After spending the last semester studying Shakespeare at the London Academy of
Music and Dramatic Arts, he’s excited to step into a musical again! Past credits include Jack Kelly in Newsies, Toby in Sweeney Todd, Pippin in Pippin, and most recently was Frederick Fleet in Titanic at CMU. You also may have seen him in the last 3 years of Pittsburgh’s Campus Superstar contest! In the upcoming months, he will be in Carnegie Mellon’s production of Company where he will double the roles of Bobby and Larry! He wishes to thank PSO and the amazing cast!
CONNOR BAHR Sailor
Connor Bahr Is thrilled to be making his Heinz Hall debut with these world class artists. Recent credits include A Musical Christmas Carol and Into The Woods with the PCLO, Guys and Dolls and The Play That Goes Wrong with Lincoln Park Performing arts center. Thank you to the Maestro and his fellow artists. Thank you to his family for their unending support. And as always, thank you to Justin and Bobby.
RYAN CAVANAUGH
Luther Billis
Ryan Cavanaugh is excited to be singing alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for the 2nd time, the first time was the early 2000s as a teen in “Fiddlesticks”. And always grateful to be a part of any Pittsburgh CLO production and this concert will mark Ryan’s 13th production with CLO and 2nd concert with The PSO! Favorite PCLO Credits: Frozen (Oaken) Camelot (Sir Sagramore), The Music Man (Marcellus), The Perfect Mate (Homebody), Guys & Dolls, Anything Goes, South Pacific, AIDA, Shrek, Damn Yankees, Mary Poppins & Man of La Mancha and more. Favorite Regional Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House, Asolo Repertory Theatre, as well as a few National Tours. When Ryan is not on stage, he’s teaching theatre and voice at CAPA High School or in his own Marvel Music Studio at home. Always thankful for my Mom, Dad, and Jenna for the love and support that keeps me going.
LILY CLINE Nurse
Lily Cline is delighted to be making her PCLO debut in “South Pacific.” Recent credits include Shelby in Steel Magnolias (Texas Shakespeare Festival), Kiss Me, Kate! (Texas Shakespeare Festival), and Olivia in Twelfth Night (Carnegie Mellon). Originally hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Lily will be graduating with her BFA in Music Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University in May of 2026.
DASH LAPID
Jerome
James Dashel “Dash” Lapid is excited to make his professional acting debut in the PSO’s production of South Pacific . Dash is a third grader at St. Bede School and studies musical theater at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy. In his free time, Dash enjoys playing soccer and basketball. He would like to thank the wonderful cast & production team, Patty Maloney & the CLO Academy staff and his family for their encouragement and support.
ALLISON DORSEY Nurse
Allison Dorsey is so delighted to work with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on South Pacific ! She is a current senior musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University, and you might have seen her performing with PCLO’s A Musical Christmas Carol as Martha Cratchit! She owes all that she has to the unending support of her friends, family, and teachers, and is so grateful to get to do what she loves so early into the new year! All my love to Mom, Dad, and Jack.
KYLIE EDWARDS
Lead Nurse
As a Pittsburgh native, Kylie Edwards is thrilled to be making her Heinz Hall debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra! She is a senior musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University, and would like to thank her teachers, family, and friends for their unwavering support. Instagram: @kylie.edwards1
LENA FIEDLER Ngana
Lena was born in 2017 to Chinese and German parents and grew up in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. From an early age, Lena showed a strong love for performing — singing, dancing, and play-acting whenever possible. She has pursued ballet training at Bodiography Dance Studio and currently studies piano through private instruction. Enrolled at Falk Laboratory School since kindergarten, Lena actively explores a wide range of creative activities. A national of three countries, she is well traveled, multilingual, and confidently pursuing her passion for stagecraft.
DESMON JACKSON Sailor
Desmon Jackson (he/him/his) is excited to make his Heinz Hall debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Recent credits include Oklahoma (Stage 62, Cord Elam), Intimate Apparel (PGH Playhouse, George Armstrong), Sense
& Sensibility (PGH Playhouse, Col. Brandon). He would like to thank the Orchestra, Production team, the cast, his family, and God! Much love!
JENNA KANTOR Nurse
Jenna Kantor is thrilled to be performing her second Pittsburgh CLO show with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and with her talented husband, Ryan Cavanaugh. She recently finished a national tour of Dear Evan Hansen covering the roles of Heidi Hansen and Cynthia. Past show highlights include Trina in Falsettos, Tanya in Mamma Mia, Rizzo in Grease, Betty in Great American Trailer Park Musical, Velma in Chicago, Paulette in Legally Blonde, Maria in Lend me a Tenor, Aldonza in Man Of La Mancha, Vicki in The Full Monty, Pennywise in Urinetown, Mary in Vanities, Logainne in Spelling Bee, Jolene in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Alaura Kingsley in City of Angels, and Cruella DeVille for Disney. Outside of theatre, Jenna is a performing arts physical therapist with Lifeline Therapy in Penn Hills and loves rehabilitating singers, actors, and dancers in Allegheny County. Jenna would like to thank her husband, Ryan, family, friends, and her doggies, Groot and Rocket. @jennafederkantor
CHRISTINE LAITTA
Nurse
Christine Laitta has been a fixture in the Pittsburgh theater scene for over 30 years. She has been performed regularly with Pgh Civic Light Opera at both the Benedum and the Cabaret Theater. Some of her favorite shows have been Young Frankenstein, Music Man, SIster Act, I Love Your Perfect Now Change, Singing in the Rain, A Musical Christmas Carol and Legally Blonde just to name a few. Chris has also performed with the Pgh Public Theater in Barefoot in the Park and The Diary of Anne Frank . Chris is also know for her original cabaret shows such as Tv Tunes Sing a Long and is the co-author of The Dramatically Different Classroom (Kagan Publishing). She is thrilled to perform with the Pgh Symphony and the Pgh Civic LIght Opera. In addition to performing and teaching she also directs, choreographs and helps write the yearly spoof of Pittburgh Off The Record. Chris has been teaching at the Pgh Creative and Performing Arts school for over 25 years. She dedicates this perfromance to her mother and her husband Paul.
ALEX MANALO
Liat/Choreographer
Alex Manalo (Liat/Choreographer) is a Fil-Am theater maker based in Pittsburgh. Some recent credits: The Importance of Being Earnest (Pittsburgh Public Theater & Baltimore Center Stage) Guys and Dolls, A Musical Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown, South Pacific, and Gallery of Heroes (PCLO) Little Women, Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley, Young Playwright’s Festival (City Theatre) Evil Dead: the Musical (PMT), Avenue Q (Academy Theater) Big Fish (Front Porch Theatricals) and Bubbleboy The Musical (Arcade Comedy Theater). Represented by the Docherty Agency. Point Park University Grad. Proud AEA and Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh member. Mabuhay! @alexmanalo_
ANTHONY MARINO
Sailor
Anthony Marino is so very honored to be back with PSO in his 2nd concert, He send his love to his mom, dad, sister
Gia, girlfriend Maya, and his students at Westmoreland Performing Arts. Up next he will appear in PMT’s Annie at the Byham Theater. Recent credits include: Mendel, Fiddler on the Roof (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), Eddie, Trouble in Mind (Pittsburgh Public Theater) Igor, Young Frankenstein (CLO), Peter Cratchit, A Musical Christmas Carol (CLO), Tribe member, Hair! (Pittsburgh Musical Theater), Original Musical: Abduction (MTAP), Grand Hotel (Front Porch Theatrics), Austin, True West (Westmoreland Performing Arts). @anthonymaxmarino
J. ALEX NOBLE
Stewpot
J. Alex Noble is excited to be performing in this beautiful theater, singing this fantastic score, with this fabulous symphony. A Pittsburgh-based actor and native, he has appeared on stage with Pittsburgh CLO, CLO Cabaret, The Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Playwrights, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Quantum Theatre, West Virginia Public Theater, and Westmoreland Performing Arts.
HUDSON ORFE
Sailor
Hudson Orfe (he/him) is currently pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University and is so excited to be working on this production! His most recent work in Pittsburgh includes Titanic: The Musical and Mr. Burns: A PostElectric Play at CMU. He also works professionally as a Music Director, Accompanist, and Composer.
GRANT PACE
Professor
Grant is a senior musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University. Regional: Les Misérables (The Muny), Madame Clicquot (PittsburghCLO), A Christmas Carol (ZACH Theatre). Grant is deeply grateful to his parents for their unwavering love, support, and sacrifices, which have been the foundation of his journey in musical theatre. @grant.space
TOM J. SCHALLER
Capt. George Brackett
Tom J. Schaller - An alumnus of Point Park University and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Tom has performed at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center most recently as Lt. Brannigan in Guys and Dolls, and also appeared in Sister Act, Titanic, Catch Me If You Can, Memphis, Romeo and Juliet, Big Fish, A Christmas Carol, The Sound of Music, White Christmas, Oklahoma!, The Odd Couple, and Joseph…Dreamcoat . He has also directed Rumors, To Kill A Mockingbird, Little Women, The Boys Next Door, Noises Off, It Runs in the Family, Stage Door, You Can’t Take It With You, The Crucible, The Outsiders, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Clue, All is Calm, Murder On The Orient Express, The Games Afoot: Holmes For The Holidays, Gift of the Magi, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, all four productions of A Christmas Story at Lincoln Park and served as the dialect coach for many others. Tom has worked in and around Pittsburgh with such companies as The Pittsburgh Playhouse, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, CLO Cabaret, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Saint Vincent’s Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Mountain Playhouse, West Virginia Public Theatre, Mercyhurst University, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. He is currently the Director of Theatre for the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.
ALLAN SNYDER
Cmdr. William Harbison
Allan Snyder is thrilled to be back with the PSO after playing the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof in concert two years ago. Major credits include Les Miserables (original Broadway production, final cast), The Fantasticks (off-Bway), and the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera, where he often appeared in the title role. Pittsburgh credits include Frozen, West Side Story, Anything Goes, Titanic (Pittsburgh CLO), Daddy Long Legs, Hamlet (Pittsburgh Public Theater) and A Man of No Importance and Baby (Front Porch Theatricals). Allan played Emile DeBeqcue in South Pacific in concert with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, and is thrilled to revisit this classic score with the PSO. Up next, Daddy Warbucks in Annie with PIttsburgh Musical Theater.
GREYSON TAYLOR
Henri, French Servant/Sailor
Greyson Taylor is a senior musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University and is thrilled to be working with PCLO! In the Pittsburgh theatre scene, Greyson has previously appeared in The Animal Kingdom (barebones productions), Twelfth Night, and Titanic: The Musical (Carnegie Mellon University). Many thanks to the incredible team and the CMU class of 2026!
MACKENZIE WRAP
Nurse
Mackenzie Wrap is thrilled to be a part of South Pacific in Concert and make her PCLO and PSO debut! She is originally from sunny Southern California, but has been living in Pittsburgh the last four years attending Carnegie Mellon University in the Musical Theatre program. Most recently she was seen in another Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, Cinderella as Cinderella (CST), and Angustias in The House of Bernarda Alba (CMU). She hopes you enjoy the show!
VICTORIA XIKES
Nurse
Victoria Xikes is currently a senior studying Musical Theatre at CMU. Recent credits include Tecmessa in Ajax (CMU), Dakota in The Inseparables (CMU), and Quincy in Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (CMU). You can also catch her as Joanne in CMU’s upcoming production of Company this spring. She is so excited to be making her Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra debut! Special thanks to all her loved ones who have loved and supported her all the way here.
