The Fireside auditions and hires professional singers, dancers and actors from all over the United States. Many come with Broadway and National Tour experience. All of them come with great talent and a passion for their craft.
Alan Ball (Jean Shepherd): At the Fireside: Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Grandpa in Grumpy Old Men, Bruce Ismay in Titanic, Potter in A Wonderful Life, Alfie Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and Bill in Mamma Mia. Over 200 productions around the US and abroad. Artistic Associate of Michigan Shakespeare Festival 2011-2023. Proudly union 34 years. Alan loves both work and travel, but absolutely nothing beats returning home to his wife, Joan, (and their cat, Ginger,) in Chicago. www.AlanBall.biz
Catherine Bevensee (Swing): Catherine Bevensee (she/her) is thrilled to make her Fireside debut! Born and raised a Jersey girl, now a Chicago based performer. Recent credits include Patty in Grease (Metropolis PAC) and Hairspray (Beverly Arts Center). Alum of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with a BFA in Musical Theatre: Dance Concentration. Much love to her family, friends, and the team at ATB Talent for their support! Happy Holidays! @catherine.bev
Adolpho Blaire (Santa/Ensemble): Born: Landstuhl, Germany. Raised: PG County, Maryland. BFA: Shenandoah Conservatory. NYC: UCB, Ars Nova, J2, Secret Theatre. Tour: A Chorus Line. Fireside: Clarence the Angel – A Wonderful Life, Chef Louis – The Little Mermaid, Fezziwig – Scrooge the Musical. Regional: McCarter, TUTS, Walnut Street, Riverside, Rubicon, Westchester, Maine State, Flat Rock, Wick, Gateway, TBTS, 24 shows at TheatreZone & more. Film: Across the Universe. Loves Being: Director, Choreographer & Educator. Thank you: Justin and Shanna. justdolphy.com
Courtney Brady (Miss Shields): Grateful to be reprising this role at The Fireside! Other Fireside credits: Mary Poppins (Mary), Oklahoma (Laurey), White Christmas (Judy), and Wizard Of Oz (ensemble). NYC Credits: Funny Girl National Tour, Crazy For You Broadway Revival Lab, The Producers National Tour. Other regional credits: The Producers (Ogunquit; Papermill; Maltz Jupiter), Crazy For You (Goodspeed; Riverside), Funny Girl (North Shore). Glory to God! Thanks to Justin, Shanna, Ed, my Fireside fam, and my incredible family and friends. @cocobrady
Melissa Buriak (Ensemble): Melissa is thrilled to be back at the Fireside! She was last seen on this stage as Portia in Cinderella, in the ensemble of Guys and Dolls, Mrs. Greer in Annie, Deb in Elf, Anytime Annie in 42nd Street, and Cheryl Finfer in Miracle on 34th Street. Thanks to Ed, Shanna, Justin, MJ, Mary, and the whole Fireside team for all that you do! Love to Mom, Dad, and Matty B. www.MelissaBuriak.com @GPCabaret
Rachel Carreras (Mother): Rachel is thrilled to be making her Fireside debut! Rachel is a Chicago native and was most recently seen in Sunday in the Park with George (Kokandy Productions). Other credits: Nunsense and Sister Act (Drury Lane), Brighter Futures (Paramount Theatre), Mary Poppins and Cinderella (Metropolis PAC), and Honky Tonk Angels (LTOTS). Special thanks to her family and friends for their unending love and support! This one’s for you, Mom! Romans 15:13. www.rachelcarreras.com
Morgan DiFonzo (Ensemble): Morgan is excited to be back at the Fireside this holiday season! Previous Fireside credits include Matilda and A Wonderful Life. Morgan is a performer/choreographer/teacher based in Chicago. Previous Chicago performance credits include the Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and the Shakespeare Project of Chicago. Previous choreographer credits include, Paramount Theatre (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee & South Pacific), Wagon Wheel Theatre (Carousel). Enjoy the show!
Rhiva Fortuna (Ensemble): Rhiva is thrilled to be making her regional theatre debut in A Christmas Story! She recently graduated from AMDA as a Dance Theatre major this past spring, and has moved to NYC from Dallas, TX. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support, no matter the distance. Happy Holidays! @rhiva.fortuna
Brandon Kallen (Ensemble): Excited to be back to the Fireside! Past credits include the Wizard of Oz Tour, Addams Family at the Fireside, Mystic Pizza at the Engeman Theater, La Cage at Cygnet, Singin’ in the Rain with Candlelight Pavilion, Newsies, White Christmas, Mary Poppins and Les Mis with Theatre Royale, Peter Pan and Ragtime with Performance Riverside. Brandon graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in music from California Lutheran University, and would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support. @brandonkallen
Gabriel Kohlbeck (Swing): Fireside debut! Gabriel is a midwest native from Minnesota, now living in Chicago. He has most recently been seen in Rock of Ages with Metropolis PAC. Other professional credits include La Cage aux Folles starring RuPaul’s Drag Race star Ginger Minj at Music Theater Works, Footloose and A Chorus Line at the North Coast Theatre Festival, and Cinderella at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Chicago College of Performing Arts musical theatre dance alum. All the love to my wonderful friends and family. @gabriel.kohlbeck
Katie Kotila (Ensemble): Katie is thrilled to be making her Fireside Theatre debut! Past credits include Carousel, The Producers and Pippin (Music Theatre Works). The Little Mermaid (Round Barn Theatre) and White Christmas (Classic Theatre of Maryland). Katie is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts. She would like to thank her wonderful parents and friends for their love and support. @KatieKotila
Kenway Hon Wai K. Kua (Ensemble): Broadway: Beetlejuice 3.0, Wicked, The Frogs (OBC). Tour: Beetlejuice (Armless Clone), Aladdin (Omar u/s), Mary Poppins, Flower Drum Song. Regional: The King and I (Simon of Legree, Phra Alak, Kralahome u/s), 9 to 5 (Dance Captain), How to Succeed…, Waterfall, Aladdin (World Premiere), Cinderella, Pacific Overtures (Commodore Perry), Miss Saigon. SAG/AFTRA/AEA @kenwaykua @cleartalentgroup
Joe Lehman (The Old Man): Joe is delighted and grateful to return to Fireside Theatre where he has appeared in Church Basement Ladies #1, 2, 4 and 5, Music Man, Scrooge, Mamma Mia, Grease, Buddy Holly, South Pacific, and Run for your Wife and directed A Wonderful Life. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has worked all over the country most recently in Unnecessary Farce (Agent Frank) with Artists’ Ensemble. Thanks for supporting live theatre! www.joe-lehman.com
Patrick MacLennan (Ensemble): Patrick MacLennan is a NYC based performer and teacher who is thrilled to be spending the holiday season at Fireside. Select credits: Brigadoon in Concert ( Harry Beaton), Singin’ in the Rain (Production Tenor, u/s Don Lockwood), The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), A Chorus Line (Don Kerr, Al Deluca), Waiting in the Wings (NYC Premier), and Xanadu (Terpsichore, Dance Captain). Many thanks to the Fireside team for the opportunity. www.patrickmaclennan.com
Angelliz M. Rosado Ramos (Ensemble): Born and raised in Puerto Rico. Trained in Beyond Dance Studio with Michi and Solimar Arzola and graduated from AMDA. Credits: Chicago National Tour (June/Mama), On Your Feet National Tour (Rebeca/Little Gloria) On Your Feet, Puerto Rico (Ensemble). “Thanks to God, Mami y Papi and my friends who always support me. Excited to perform on my first Christmas Show! Always representing my beautiful Island everywhere I go”. @angelliz.rosado
Rodolfo Santamarina (Ensemble): Originally from Argentina, Rodolfo is happy to be back at The Fireside. Broadway National Tour: On Your Feet! Theatre: Frozen, Addams Family, Sister Act, Pretty Woman, West Side Story, Cabaret, In The Heights, Mummy In The Closet: Evita’s Return, Joseph, Fame, The Littlest Tree. Argentina: Sugar, El Gran Final, Disney Momentos Mágicos. TV: Talento Argentino, Susana Gimenez. Movies: High School Musical El Desafío (Arg & Mex) Dance: Royal Caribbean, Galleto Tango Company (NYC) @rodosantamarina
Samantha Sostarich (Ensemble): Samantha is thrilled to be back at the Fireside where she was last seen in Hairspray! National Tour: Emojiland the Musical (Swing/Dance Captain, First National Tour). Regional: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti, Skylight Music Theatre), Gypsy (Tessie Tura, Skylight Music Theatre), Boeing Boeing (Gretchen, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake, Four Seasons Theatre), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood, Children’s Theater of Madison). @SamanthaSostarich / samanthasostarich.com
Matthew Tiberi (Ensemble): Matthew is ecstatic to be returning to the Fireside! Matthew was last seen at the Fireside as Rudolpho in Matilda in 2024 and in Once Upon A Mattress and Footloose in 2013. Broadway: Finding Neverland, National Tours: Joseph…Dreamcoat (Issachar/dir./choreo. Andy Blakenbuehler), Regional: Once Upon A One More Time (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Singing In The Rain (Don Lockwood/STONC)…and more. Immense thanks to Shanna & Justin, Ed, this incredible cast/crew/team, Will, & my family for their endless support and love. @matthew_tiberi
Delaney A. (Randy): Delaney is delighted to return to The Fireside! She is a Pre-Professional member of Stoughton Center for the Arts. Notable credits: A Wonderful Life (Zuzu) at The Fireside, Seussical Kids (Horton) at SCA, and Frozen (Young Anna) at Evansville HS. Delaney is grateful to The Fireside and to everyone who encourages her to shine, especially her family, friends, and teachers. She dedicates this performance to her dad, who is undoubtedly watching from the best seat in the house.
Charlie A. (Flick): Charlie is ecstatic to be performing at The Fireside again! Charlie loves being on stage. Previous credits include Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory at Waukesha Civic Theatre, Doug in The Descendants at Lake Country Playhouse, and Tommy Bailey in A Wonderful Life at The Fireside. Charlie thanks his family, friends, theatre teacher Krystle Fell, and dance teacher Lindsay Eckert for their love & support, and The Fireside for this amazing opportunity!
Adelynn B. (Esther Jane): Adelynn is thrilled to be back at the Fireside! She is grateful to have performed in four Fireside productions, with her favorite role being Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof. Addy is a sixth-grader at St. Paul Lutheran School in Lake Mills, where she enjoys choir, volleyball, and playing the French horn. She thanks God for this opportunity, MJ, Kayce and Oliva for always being there, and her family for their continued love and support.
Raymond C. (Ralphie): Raymond, from Rubicon, Wisconsin, is making his Fireside debut! He attends 6th grade at Calvary Baptist Watertown. He found his love for the stage performing in Matilda at the Schauer Center this summer. He also loves rollercoasters, baseball, drumming, and even cross-stitching! People keep telling him to “break a leg” as Ralphie, but he hopes the only leg that breaks is the lamp’s! He thanks God, his family, school, teachers, Jerry Becker, theater friends, and the Fireside. Raymond hopes YOUR biggest Christmas wish comes true, too!
Jaliyah D. (Mary Beth): Jaliyah is thrilled to be part of her first Fireside production! This past summer, she took to the stage for the first time as Rapunzel in KFAD’s Into the Woods: In the Woods, an experience that helped her discover even more of her love for performing. She thanks Prestige Dance Company for preparing her to dance, Kids Fun & Drama for sparking her love of theater, and her family & friends for their support!
Finley F. (Dill/Nancy): Finley is a fourth grader at Sacred Hearts School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She most recently played Young Anna in Frozen here at The Fireside! Other credits include The Nutcracker, Alice In Wonderland, and Spring Into Enchantment. She is a competitive dancer with the ULDC Performance Team at Ultimate Leap Dance Center in DeForest. Finley thanks The Fireside for this opportunity, God for His many blessings, and her family and friends for their love and support!
McKay H. (Mary Beth): McKay is thrilled to make her Fireside Theatre Debut! She is a Freshman at Parker High School and is a part of the Parker Arts Academy. Previous credits include: Newsies (Scab), Honk, Jr (Grace), Addams Family Jr (Grandma Addams), Frozen, Jr (Olaf), and more! McKay enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs and learning new theater skills such as lighting and dancing. Deepest thanks to her family and friends for their endless love and support!
Kamden L. (Ralphie): Kamden is a 6th grader at Parkview Jr. High School in Orfordville, WI. His previous roles include Maxie in Beetlejuice Jr., Greylag in Honk! Jr., Ralphie in A Christmas Story, JoJo in Seussical Jr., Bruce in Matilda Jr., and Olaf in Frozen Jr. Playing Ralphie is especially meaningful to Kamden, allowing him to share his love of theater with those he loves most. He is grateful to Mrs. Schuler, Suzy, his family, and friends for their endless support. Kamden is thrilled to bring this beloved character to life on the Fireside stage and create memories he will cherish forever.
Corbin L. (Schwartz): Corbin is excited to be back on the Fireside stage in one of his favorite musicals! Corbin’s previous performances include Miracle on 34th Street (Thomas Mara Jr) – FireSide, School Of Rock The Musical (Mason) – VACT, Finding Nemo Jr (Nemo) – OSHP, Peter Pan (Nibs/Micheal Understudy) – CTM, and Elf The Musical (Charlie Elf) – SVP. Many thanks to the FireSide for this opportunity, and to his family for all their support!
Isla M. (Randy): Isla is thrilled to be making her Fireside debut! This theatre holds a special place in her heart, and she is grateful for this opportunity. She has performed in various productions in her hometown of Janesville, WI. Favorites include Matilda (Matilda), Schoolhouse Rock (featured singer) with Spotlight on Kids; Beetlejuice Jr. (Clone 1), 101 Dalmatians Kids (Cruella de Vil), A Christmas Story (Nancy) with Janesville Performing Arts Center; and The Wizard of Oz (Lullaby league munchkin) with Parker Arts Academy. Thank you to everyone who supports live theatre and the arts!
Charlie O. (Farkus): Charlie has performed in productions of Beauty and The Beast, Big Fish, and Les Miserables (Montello High School), as well as Alice in Wonderland and Newsies (Zona Gale Young Peoples’ Theater) among others. Charlie is excited to debut at The Fireside as Farkus. Charlie would like to thank the cast and crew as well as family and friends for all of their support. Come share in the journey on Instagram
@charlie.ott.2013
Nathan S. (Flick): Nathan is excited to make his Fireside debut! He is in 6th grade at St. Jude the Apostle in Wauwatosa. Nathan has been a regular in Sunset Playhouse children’s productions since 3rd grade. Credits include Lion King Jr (Young Simba), Shrek Kids (Shrek), Annie Kids (Daddy Warbucks), Frozen Kids (Hans), and more! Nathan is thrilled to be working with this amazing cast this Christmas season and triple dog dares you to have the best Christmas yet!
Chase S. (Farkus): Chase is beyond excited to be performing at the Fireside again after appearing as Pugsley in The Addams Family and Eric in Matilda. Recent credits include Trevor in the WI premiere of Trevor: The Musical (Music Theatre of Madison), Freddie in School Of Rock (Verona Area Community Theater), and Pete/ Young George/Ensemble in It’s A Wonderful Life (Capital City Theatre). TV: Into the Outdoors. He thanks his family and friends. @chaseschutte on Instagram
Lake S. (Schwartz): Lake is 12 years old and excited to make his Fireside debut. He enjoys coding, theatre, and tap dancing. Favorite credits include Old Man Jenkins in The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, Jetsam in The Little Mermaid Jr., and Jasper in 101 Dalmatians Kids, all at Waukesha Civic Theatre. Lake thanks his family, friends, theatre, dance and voice teachers, as well as The Fireside for this wonderful opportunity.
Beatrice W. (Esther Jane): Beatrice is thrilled to make her Fireside Theatre debut as Esther Jane in A Christmas Story! After spending the past two holiday seasons starring as Molly in Annie (Orlando), she is excited for a new Christmas adventure! Endless love and gratitude to her family for always supporting her dreams. She sends a special thank you to her teams at DDO Artists Agency & Bercy Talent Management.
Follow IG @_beatrice_watts_
Beatrice W. (Dill/Nancy): Beatrice is excited to be Dill, the same character her brother played in Fireside’s 2019 A Christmas Story. She is playing her 7th role at The Fireside; her favorite remains Matilda in Matilda the Musical. Bea is an 11-year-old sixth grader at Calvary Baptist School in Watertown where she plays french horn and volleyball. Thanks to God, the Klopcic Family, Shanna, Justin, Ed, MJ & Kayce (for putting up with her), Paonessa and the love and support of her family.