50 YEARS OF CABARET

If you’re enjoying your time, please consider donating to our theatre – we greatly thank you for your support.

ACT 1: 1980-2005
ACT 2: 2006-PRESENT

Musically Directed By: Mark Ceppetelli
Light Design By: Johanna Jackson
Sound By: Tim Rinkerman
Organized by Gala Committee: Thomas Gordon, Mikayla Petrilla, Robert Peterpaul, Mark Ceppetelli

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is pleased to take you on a trip down memory lane. We honor the legacy of this award-winning theatre and the contributions of the community with a night of songs from the last 50 years of shows. We thank everyone for their generosity over the years; with the support of our audiences the Downtown Cabaret Theatre is able to keep bringing quality musical & theatrical entertainment to our community.  We thank you for joining us for tonight’s gala performance and for the donations made in honor of keeping this historical theatre alive. Enjoy the show!

Act One – 1980 – 2005

“Wilkommen” – Cabaret (1991,2023) Matthew Casey, Olivia Rivera, Emily Pisarra, Carly Jurman
“Do Re Mi” – The Sound of Music (2012) Carolyn Clinton
“Close Every Door” – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1984, 1990, 2001, 2010) Robert Peterpaul
“If I Were A Rich Man” – Fiddler On The Roof (1992, 2017)- Lou Ursone
“Danny Boy” – Stagedoor Canteen USO Show (1983) Michael Jovovich
“All That Jazz” – Chicago (1985) Emily Pisarra
“I Don’t Know How To Love Him” – Jesus Christ Superstar (1985, 2000, 2018) Sara Winant
“What I Did For Love” – A Chorus Line (1997, 2016) Olivia Rivera, Madeleine Tommins, Sheila Duckworth, Carolyn Clinton & Ensemble
“Flesh Failures/Let the Sun Shine” – Hair (1988, 2005, 2018) Ensemble

Act Two: 2006 – Present

“Back in Time” – Wizard of Oz (2023) TYA Company Members: Andrea Pane, Carly Jurman, Karen Hanley, Cassie Peterpaul, Steve Belli
“When You’re Home” – In The Heights (2017) Everton George, Jessica Parker
“Dancing Queen” – Mamma Mia (2019) Priscilla Squiers, Susan Kulp, Angela Jackson
“Colored Women” – Memphis (2015) Saige Noelle Bryan
“Out There” – Hunchback of Notre Dame (2017) Steve Belli
“Seasons of Love” – Rent (2022) Ensemble; Soloists: Everton George, Jessica Parker
“Finale: 80’s Megamix” – Robert Peterpaul, Jennifer Kaye, Everton George, Saige Noelle Bryan

Cast

Cassie Peterpaul
Cassie is grateful to be on her favorite stage once again! Typically found working on DCT’s TYA shows, Cassie has been in many productions including Guys & Dolls, Joseph and… Dreamcoat, Rapunzel, Little Witches, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hoods, and A Chorus Line to name a few and has choreographed several others. She would like to thank the entire company and the audience for their support. Love to her husband Rob and her family! Enjoy the show!

Steve Belli
Steve is honored to be performing in the Downtown Cabaret Theatre’s Fall Gala. He was most recently seen in the Cabaret’s TYA production of The Ugly Duckling (Tex/Orville). Some other Cabaret credits include RENT (Ensemble), TYA’s Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Reuben), and The Full Monty (Ensemble). He would like to thank his family for always supporting him in the pursuit of his passion, his friends for all of their love, and to the team behind the gala for all of their hard work!

Angela Jackson
Angela is extremely excited to be back on the Downtown Cabaret Theatre stage and last performed and was featured here as Rosie in Mamma Mia and Susan in The Full Monty.  She also performed in the past at Downtown Cabaret in The Wiz, Fiddler On The Roof, Phantom, Chess in Concert, Rocky Horror, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Angela performs all over CT from Stamford to New Britain in musical theater shows, most recently as Meg in Damn Yankees, Violet in 9 to 5 The Musical, and Wilson in 1776.  Earlier this year she was Music Director for Sister Act and enjoys putting together her own or assisting with musical theater themed cabarets which are featured on her website, www.allthatcabaret.com.  Angela is also a professional singer/piano player on rotation at 88 Keys Piano Bar and Cafe in Watertown.”

Sara Winant
Sara is a Bronxville, New York native who found her way to Connecticut in 2015 to teach high school history to a very captivated audience. While she spends her time working in any theater reference she can to her students, being on stage is where she always feels most at home. Some favorite Main Stage DCT credits include: Legally Blonde, Annie (Grace Farell), Sister Act!, Mamma Mia!, and for Theatre for Young Audiences Rudolph (Cupid) and A Santa Story (Jackie Frost u/s). 

Olivia Rivera
Olivia is a graduate of AMDA NY, a dance teacher at The Broadway CT, choreographer, performer, and mama (with baby #2 on the way!). She has performed in numerous shows at The Downtown Cabaret including Diana Morales in A Chorus Line, Extraordinary Girl in American Idiot, and Vanessa in In the Heights. She has also choreographed various shows including Cabaret at The Downtown Cabaret, High School Musical at Jonathan Law High School, 13 the Musical at Fairfield Teen Theatre, and most recently Guys & Dolls at The Downtown Cabaret. Much love and many thanks to everyone involved at The Downtown Cabaret!

Carolyn Clinton
Carolyn is thrilled to be a part of this gala to support the Downtown Cabaret Theatre! Here at the Downtown Cabaret, she has performed in Rapunzel (Euclid) and Snow White (Snow White) as part of their TYA company! Carolyn lives in Norwalk, CT and is a proud graduate of Wagner College’s Theatre Performance program. Other credits include: Sweeney Todd (Four Corners Musical Theatre), Jekyll & Hyde (Music Theatre of Connecticut), West Side Story and South Pacific in concert (Norwalk Symphony Orchestra/New Paradigm Theatre), Joseph…Dreamcoat (ACT of CT), Hairspray, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid (Summer Theatre of New Canaan). Upcoming: Into The Woods in concert (Connecticut Stage Company). IG: @carolynroseclinton. Thank you all for coming to support this incredible theater and community! 

Everton George
Everton is very excited to be performing at the Downtown Cabaret for such an amazing event! The Cabaret is like a second home to him. This theater has been where he first discovered his love for performing. Everton has done countless shows and concerts because of this theater and very grateful for that. His credits includes; Benny: In The Heights, Marty: DreamGirls, Gaytor: Memphis, Decades; 60s, 70s and 80s. Please help us save this incredible space that some of us call our home away from home.

Priscilla Squiers
DCT: CABARET (Fraulein Schneider), MAMMA MIA (Donna). Musicals: ONCE (Baruska), A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (Shingle), ASSASSINS (Emma Goldman), ANNIE (Hannigan), RAGTIME (Emma Goldman), TITANIC (Alice Beane), SWEENEY TODD (Mrs. Lovett), KISS ME, KATE (Lilli/Kate), INTO THE WOODS (Baker’s Wife) and THE KING AND I (Anna). Dramatic credits: AGNES OF GOD (Dr. Livingstone), THE EXONERATED (Sunny), SOUVENIR (Florence Foster Jenkins), NOISES OFF (Dotty Otley), MASTER CLASS (Maria Callas), THE BELLE OF AMHERST (Emily Dickinson), DANCING AT LUGHNASA (Kate) and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Titania).

Robert Peterpaul*
Robert is an actor, singer, writer and host of The Art of Kindness podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network, where he’s interviewed people from Megan Trainor to Lin-Manuel Miranda. He has loved being a company actor at DCT for over 7 years, performing in an array of shows from Spring Awakening to Rapunzel opposite his wife Cassie to the Decades in Concert series. Theatre credits: Newsies at Westport Country Playhouse, Beauty & the Beast at WPPAC, Spelling Bee at ACT and Jersey Boys at Music Theatre of CT. Film/TV credits: CBS’ Bull and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Netflix’s King Cobra and the Amazon Prime film Sitting in Bars with Cake starring Yara Shahidi. He sends love to his entire Cabaret family and thanks you, dear patron, for supporting our theatre. Say hi: robertpeterpaul.com / @robpeterpaul on social.

Matthew Casey (he/him)
Matthew is a performing artist and theatre educator currently based in Boston, MA. He is thrilled to return home to DCT for tonight’s gala. DCT Main Stage and Youth Theatre credits include A Chorus Line, In The Heights, Spring Awakening, Hairspray, Reflections, and Cinderella. Film/TV/Commercial: Zarra’s Law, College Musical: The Movie, and The Wendy Williams Show. MFA: Emerson College. Please visit thematthewcasey.com to connect! For Megan, always.

Carly Jurman
Carly wears many hats here at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre including actor, choreographer, writer, director, and now Executive Assistant to Hugh Hallinan. Her DCT performance credits include A Santa Story, Beauty and the Beast, Ugly Duckling, Jack & the Beanstalk, Wizard of Oz, and Cabaret. DCT choreography credits include RENT, Rapunzel, Beauty & the Beast, Ugly Duckling, and the entirety of the 2023-2024 Theatre for Youth Audiences Season.  She’s looking forward to this season of TYA as a performer and choreographer, and her debut season as a writer and director!  Carly also has performed regionally at the American Repertory Theater, Reagle Music Theatre, as a guest artist with Doug Elkins and Friends, and with many dance/theater companies in the NYC area. She holds a M.A. in Devised Theatre from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and also serves as the Project Coordinator for the Celebration Barn Theater in Maine where she continues her physical theater and clown training under masters such as Avner Eisenberg, Aitor Bausori and Bill Irwin.  She creates original solo work and her first show, Unlovable, was nominated for an Off-West End Award in 2019 for Best Show (Festival Category).

Jessica Parker
The Downtown Cabaret holds a very special place in my heart! My first show here was ‘HAIRSPRAY’ in 2011. During that time I met friends that became family. From 2011-2018 I could be seen in numerous main stage shows such as ‘The Wiz’, ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Evita’, ‘In The Heights’ as well as ‘Seudiscal’ with the children’s company. On this stage I grew as a performer and person. I’m thankful for all the opportunities! 

Michael Jovovich
Michael first auditioned for the Cabaret in New York 40 years ago- performing in such productions as Stage Door Canteen, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wop Bop…, Annie, Godspell and The 1940’s Radio Hour. Most recently he has concentrated on concert singing and recording- but did manage to perform in Stamford’s Curtain Call Theatre’s production of 1776 as Edward Rutledge. Meeting his wife Joanne at the Cabaret led to a 37 year marriage to date-with his greatest achievements being his grandchildren Annalynne, Cole Michael and Bennett Edward.

Karen Hanley
Karen has graced the DCT stage in a variety of shows, including The Wizard of Oz (as both witches!), Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, James and the Giant Peach, Rapunzel (twice!), and many others.  She’s done regional theatre, appearing in The Death of Octavia Hatcher at the Jenny Wiley Theatre and was in the Amazon Prime show Puzzled, a few local commercials and even has an (incorrect!) IMDB credit, which she finds hilarious.  While she’s only been involved in acting for about ten years now – after a career as a physical therapist – she’s performed on all kinds of stages, including CBGBs, the All Ireland Irish Dance Championships, and she had the honor of singing an original song at Jazz at Lincoln Center, which gave her the thrill of appearing in Playbill.  Forever grateful to DCT for giving her a creative home on a stage she loves, she hopes this fundraiser is a resounding success!

Sheila Duckworth
Sheila is pleased to return to the Downtown Cabaret Theatre stage for the first annual DCT Gala. She first debuted on this stage as Sister Mary Irene, Queen of Angels Nun in Sister Act. Other credits include, (Vicki Nichols) “The Full Monty”, CTC; (Jack’s Mother) “Into the Woods”, SFT; (Margaret, U/S Violet) “9 to 5”, CTC; (Mattie Fae Aiken) “August: Osage County”, Two Planks Theatre; (Mrs. Fezziwig/Old Joe) “A Christmas Carol”, CTC; (Hannah) “Newsies”, SFT; (Roger’s Mother/Minister/Life Support) “RENT”, SFT; and (Wealthy Woman) “Disaster!”, CTC. She would like to thank the production team for putting together this exciting event and she would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre.

Emily Pisarra
Emily has been performing for over 20 years in CT and NYC. Emily made her first return to the stage since graduating with a BA in theater from Baldwin Wallace this past spring as Fraulein Kost in Cabaret and most recently appeared as a swing for Guys and Dolls. A few favorite roles include Mother (Ragtime), Dragon (Shrek), and Alfieri (A View from the Bridge). Emily looks forward to returning to the stage this season as a swing for our TYA productions at DCT. When she is not at the theater she can be found taking a hot yoga class, substitute teaching at RCA or reading astrology charts for Pistarra’s Practical Magic. Thank you to anyone who has donated their time money and resources to the Cabaret. 

Saige Noelle
Saige is elated to be returning to the Downtown Cabaret for a beautiful evening to raise money to keep the doors open for a place she holds near and dear to her heart. She has had the honor of gracing the cabarets stage in Decades in Concert: The 1980s, Spirit of the 60s, and Sounds of the 70s. She is currently pursuing a path in the music industry and is working on releasing her upcoming single. You can stream all of her music on all digital platforms. She thanks the Downtown Cabaret for the many years of community, love and support.  Follow @TheSaigeNoelle on Instagram and Tiktok to keep up with her work!

Lou Ursone
Lou was most recently as Sipos in She Loves Me at Curtain Call. Previously: at Music Theatre of CT’s Jekyll and Hyde as the Bishop of Basingstoke. Other favorite roles: Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, (Kweskin Theatre & Downtown Cabaret), John Adams in 1776 (Kweskin Theatre, Ocean State Theatre, DAC), The Duke in Big River (STONC), Mack Sennett in Mack and Mabel, Michael in I Do, I Do, Buddy in Follies, Littlechap in Stop The World and as Zaza/Albin in La Cage aux Folles. He has also played in many Mulberry Street productions, including the one which he wrote. He has performed at Goodspeed, toured extensively and has appeared in numerous films, industrial films, commercials and television, including a recurring role on ABC-TV’s Loving. He also appeared on Ryan’s Hope, All My Children, One Life to Live with additional principal work on Rescue 911 and Unsolved Mysteries. Lou was recognized as Connecticut Arts Administrator of the Year in 2008 as Executive Director of Curtain Call, Inc. Proud to support DCT – one of his earliest professional gigs. Glad to be here in honor of Richard H. Thanks, Jan, for all your love and support!

Andrea Pane
Andrea is Associate Producer and a veteran of the DCT stage since 2008, audiences are familiar with him as a performer, director, and writer as well. Recent credits: RENT, The Wizard of Oz, The Ugly Duckling, Beauty and the Beast, Little Witches, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Catch him next in A Christmas Carol! IG: idaius__ www.andreapanephotography.com

Madeleine Maria Tommins*
Madeleine feels so blessed to be able to join her friends on the Cabaret stage again. Throughout her time at DCT, Madeleine has worn many hats. She’s been.an understudy, swing, ensemble member, dance captain, principal, assistant choreographer, assistant director, and member of the TYA company. Favorite DCT credits include American Idiot (Swing), Hairspray (Dance Captain), A Chorus Line (Vicki; Val/Bebe/Kristine u/s; Dance Captain), and Spring Awakening (Wendla). Madeleine has also been seen onstage at Seven Angels Theatre, where she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and an ensemble member and dance captain in The Who’s Tommy and Rock ‘N’ Roll Redemption. Madeleine wouldn’t trade the experiences she’s had at DCT for the world. Thank you very much for being here tonight to support her home away from home. Let’s save the Cabaret!

Susan Kulp
Susan was last seen at DCT as Tanya in Mamma Mia! Her local credits include COMPANY (Joanne – Castle Craig Players); THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY (Susan – The Warner Theatre); MAMMA MIA (Tanya – Thomaston Opera House LCT) and RASHEEDA SPEAKING (Ilene – Collective Consciousness Theater). As a Company member of New Haven Theater Company – MARJORIE PRIME (Tess), LOVE SONG (Joan) and the RETREAT FROM MOSCOW (Alice – Nov. 2019).

Jennifer Kaye

Jennifer has worked for various theatrical school programs and organizations as a director and choreographer throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. A Connecticut native, Jennifer began her theatre/dance career in Shelton, CT and went on to earn her BA in Dance Performance from Roger Williams University.  She served as a choreographer for CTC and was the Resident Choreographer for the SFT where she was awarded the On Stage Outstanding Choreography Award for her work.   

 

*Appears through courtesy of Actors Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

 

Band

Keyboard/Musical Director: Mark Ceppetelli
Drums:Roger Post
Bass: Niles Spaulding

Theatre Staff

Executive Producer: Hugh Hallinan
Executive Assistant: Carly Jurman
Associate Producers: Andrea Pane, Lesley Neilson-Bowman
Bookkeeper: Karen Rizzo
Box Office Manager: Matt Mihalcsik
Company Stage Manager: Lauren Elise Fisher
Lighting Designer/Production Electrician: Johanna Jackson
Marketing Team/Website & Graphic Design: The Bananaland
Box Office Staff: Jason Parry, Vaughn Sims, Dayquinn Miller
House Manager: Vicki Keiffer-Rinkerman
Backstage Crew: Kate Herr, Anya Corso, Michael Corso, Reid Fitter
Front of House: Angel Menendez, Sonja Hennessy, Kena Dudac, Jesse Costa
Security/Parking: Elijah Smith
Dressers: Krista Rocco, Thomas Gordon
Custodial Services: Connecticut Commercial Facilities Services, LLC
Board of Directors: Robert D. Scinto, Beryl Kaufman, Hugh Hallinan, John O’Connell, Susan Hallinan, Gary Clayton, Justin Falco, & Declan Mahar

And a special thanks to our volunteers!

Downtown Cabaret Theatre Sponsors

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, M&T Bank, Faxon Law Group, R.D. Scinto

Thank you for the support from all of our donors:

Diamond Level ($1,000 and up)

Dan Goggin

Platinum Level ($500 and up)

Sean O’Keefe
Thomas Gordan
Martin Garcia

Gold Level ($250 and up)

Frances Aponte
Les Dinkin

Silver Level ($100 and up)

Marie Allen
Cathy Bloxsom
Rachel Brown
Sandra Brown
Sorcha Hallinan
Tim Hawkes
David Nessel
Alessandra Pane
Alfred Pettit
Shepard & Marlene Stone
Eva Szigeti
Doreatha Brueggemann
Trista Morin
Suzanne Sapia
Susan Haggstrom
Karen Austin
Susan Lovallo

Bronze Level ($50 and up)

Britt Anderson
Bradford Blake
Timothy Cadley
Amy Gillis
Brian Goodman
Lisa Hobbs
Sheila Kavey
Patti Lavernoich
Olivia McEvoy
Mary McNiff
Tina Mulinski
Salvatore Spadaccino
Bill Tommins
Patricia Marsilio
Mary Gaits
Sherry Duff
Patricia Ochman
Stephanie Schacher
William Szturma

Copper Level ($25 and up)

Frances Aponte
Kelvin Ayala
Melanie Bell
Linda Bell
Gail Berritt
Christine Butler
Mark Carta
Meredith Chamberlain
Paula Cipriano
Gary Clayton
Melissa Coffin
Ellen Davis
Barbara DeCesare
Joseph DeVellis
Matthew Drap
Alfred Dubien
Patricia Flanagan
David Forber
Carole Jean Frawley
Thomas Frillici
Dick Dickerson
Lynette Helman
Goran Igev
Nancy Joslyn
Joanne Jovovich
Maureen Julian
Carl Kleidman
Luan Kryeziu
Judy Laxar
Sharon Lebowitz
Janice Lindsay
Anne Lowinger
Darryl MacPherson
Michael Magas
Terri Marino
Briana McCann
Nancy Mezzoni
Christine Paradis
Robert Piscitelli
Mark Prokop
Anonymous
Kathryn Reidy
Maximus Rodman
Ryan Rogers
Karin Sawyer
Alan Smith
Shawn Smith
Larissa Strautman
Sarah Tangredi
Caroline Temple
Trish Trefz
Andy Varrone
Joanne Walsh
Nancy Wilcox
Dennis Williams
James Wilson
David Valovcin
Catrina Ciufecu
Deeanna Hartwig
Cipriano Paulo
Lori Golias
Yvonne DeAngeli-Fontanez
Nancy Quint
Michelle Giacobbe
Robert Piscitelli
Lisa A. Soliani
Susan Firgeleski
Evelyn Pancaldo
Mary Keegan

Donors in Kind

110 Baked
Craft 260
Nick’s Pizza & Bacco
Pizza Castle
Pizza Post
Rowayton Pizza
Two Roads Brewing Co.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Beryl Kaufman
Beardsley Zoo
Bill & Diane Worth
Black Rock Books
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
Gary Clayton
John O’Connell
Laurel Glen Farm
Lesley Neilson-Bowman
R.D. Scinto
Thomas Gordon
The Art of Kindness Podcast
The Santello Family
Marianne Parks – Beauty Bar
Pamela Church Ceramics
Helene Cote
Lisa Coppotelli
Robyn Pepe
Waterwheel Foundation
Mitchell’s of Westport

This donors list was last updated on October 20th, 2023 – thank you to everyone that donated after this date!

If you’re enjoying your time, please consider donating to our theatre – we greatly thank you for your support.

 

Upcoming Shows

Bon JourneyNY: Bon Jovi Tribute October 28
Swearingen and Kelli: Present the Music of Simon and Garfunkel January 13
Absolute Queen: A Queen Live Experience November 11
Desert Highway: A Tribute to the Eagles January 13
A Christmas Carol: November 18 – December 30
Winnie the Pooh: January 13 – February 11
Sir Paul: The Music of Paul McCartney February 17
Alice in Wonderland: February 24 – March 30
One Hot Night: A Tribute to Neil Diamond April 6
Cinderella: April 13 – May 19
Footloose: May 31 – June 29

Cabaret Gala Sponsored by: