Chicago Sings 30 Years of Porchlight

Previously at Porchlight: Sunday in the Park with George, Anything Goes, Cabaret, Sunset Boulevard and Gypsy

Michael Weber is a nationally recognized, award-winning director, producer, actor and educator. Previous Porchlight shows include Sunday in the Park with George, Anything Goes, Cabaret, Sunset Boulevard and Gypsy. He recently directed the Off-Broadway and European premieres of Call Me Elizabeth written by and starring Kayla Boye as “Elizabeth Taylor.” Under his artistic leadership, Porchlight Music Theatre was awarded Chicago’s Jeff Award for “Best Production” six times. He previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, he has been nominated for nine awards and he wrote and directed 14 Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies (2006-2018). Weber’s regional acting credits include The Merry Widow (starring Renée Fleming) at Lyric Opera, Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy (both starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia Festival, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and more. He is author of the play WAR of the WELLeS (about Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast) and he is a longtime pledge host for PBS station WTTW channel 11.

Frankie Leo Bennett is a Jeff award-nominated Chicago-based theatre multi-hyphenate. Directing: The Apple Tree (co-director), RENT (asst. director), multiple editions of New Faces Sing Broadway, Broadway in your Backyard and Chicago Sings (Porchlight Music Theatre); Out of
Focus (CMTF/Kokandy/Steppenwolf): The Golden Girls: Meet the Skooby Don’t Gang and Save XMAS (Hell/Handbag); Acting: The SpongeBob Musical (Jeff nom – Best Principal Performer), Head Over Heels (Kokandy); Sweeney Todd, Altar Boyz (Theo); Cabaret, 1776, In The Heights (B’Way World Award – Best Actor) (Porchlight Music Theatre) among others. Writer: The Adventures of Ash (w/ David Lipschutz) and Resident Services – A Crossed-Up Animal Musical. Member: Dramatists Guild; Staff: Producing & Casting Associate – Porchlight. W: FrankieLeoBennett.com.

Previously at Porchlight: Gypsy, Merrily We Roll Along, multiple ICONS Gala and Chicago Sings concerts

David Fiorello is an Equity Jeff Award-winning Music Director, Director, Performer, Orchestrator and Playwright that’s had his work featured across the globe. Most recent credits include serving as Music Director for Blues in the Night (starring Tony-Nominee Felicia P. Fields), Music Directing To Be with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and served as Director & Music Director for the East Coast and International Premiere of his show With a Song in My Heart: The Romance of Richard Rodgers. He Music Directed Porchlight’s hit production of Gypsy in Chicago, starring 8-time Jeff Award-Winner E. Faye Butler, has toured internationally with John Doyle’s re-imagined Sweeney Todd, and served as Music Director for the Off-Broadway hit Danny & Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Story. His musical The Language or the Kiss, which he conceived, arranged and starred in (featuring the music of The Indigo Girls) received several Off-Broadway industry readings. He has taught and Music Directed at the University level, including appointments at Northwestern University, Shenandoah University, Bucknell University, North Central College, Dominican University, and most recently Columbia College of Chicago & Loyola University Chicago, where he serves as adjunct faculty. In Chicago, David has most recently served as Music Director for productions of Woman of the Year, Do Re Mi, The Apple Tree (Porchlight Music Theatre), Sunday in the Park With George, A Man of No Importance (Columbia College Chicago), The Addams Family, Renascence (North Central College) and Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish at The Greenhouse Theatre, for which he additionally provided arrangements. He’s served as Music Director/Arranger/Orchestrator for 3 seasons of Porchlight’s New Faces Sing Broadway series, as well as Chicago Sings: Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Chicago Sings: 25 Years of Porchlight, Chicago Sings Sondheim and Chicago Sings Broadway Pop 1 & 2. Internationally, he’s worked to help create the Musical Theatre Program as part of the International Lyric Academy in Vicenza, Italy, where he now serves as head of the program. David is the Founder & Artistic Director of The Beautiful City Project, a theatre organization that uses the tool of musical theatre to raise funds and awareness for hyper-local Chicago charities and non-profits, using some of the finest talent in the city. Upcoming projects include serving as Director for Jesus Christ Superstar with The Beautiful City Project, Les Miserables in Concert in Vicenza, Italy, and Hair in the fall at Columbia College Chicago. An in-demand Vocal Coach, he currently serves as Founder and CEO of Fiorello Studios, and has created the Unique Cabaret Experience series at Davenport’s Piano Bar & Cabaret. He is continually inspired by the love of his life. Visit FiorelloStudios.com and TheBeautifulCityProject.com for more info.

Adrian Aguilar has performed on stages and screens all over the country in his 20 year career, but he will always call Chicago his home. Born and raised in the burbs, he chose to come back to Chicago to start his career and family, rather than the typical path to New York City. Adrian has been married to the woman of his dreams, Brianna Borger, for nearly 14 years, and they live a quiet life in Evanston with their perfect son, Ian, and their perfectly imperfect meatball of a pittie, Ahsoka Doggo. Adrian considers himself to be the luckiest person on the planet.

Previously at Porchlight: Fun Home, Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along, A Funny Thing..,

Neala Barron is grateful to call Porchlight an artistic home, having appeared in productions of Fun Home, Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along, A Funny Thing.., and many editions of Chicago Sings. Other Chicago credits include: 1776 (Marriott Theatre); Assassins – Jeff Nomination (“John Wilkes Booth”), Hello Again (Theo); Botticelli in the Fire (First Floor); 110 In the Shade – Jeff Nomination (“Lizzie Curry”), Marie Christine (Boho); 25th Annual… (Music Theatre Works); Queen of the Mist (Firebrand); Ragtime, Titanic (Griffin Theatre); Adding Machine (The Hypocrites); Assassins, The Full Monty (Kokandy Productions), The Fly Honey Show, and other projects with CST, Circle Theatre, BPB Co., Raven, GRSF, and more. TV: Chicago Med (NBC), Night Sky (Amazon). BFA Acting, UIUC. Represented by DDO Chicago!

Previously at Porchlight: Broadway in Your Backyard, New Faces Sing Broadway 1956 and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies

Lydia Burke is elated to return to Porchlight Music Theatre! She was last seen on the Porchlight stage as the “Danseuse” in Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. She has also been seen in the last several seasons of Porchlight’s Broadway in your Backyard series and New Faces Sing Broadway 1956. Other Chicago credits include Beautiful, Elf, and Matilda: the Musical (Drury Lane Theatre), Frozen: the Broadway Musical, The Full Monty, Beautiful, Billy Elliot, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Little Shop of Horrors, Groundhog Day, Kinky Boots (Paramount Theatre), Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Damn Yankees, Big Fish, Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Sister Act (Mercury Theatre Chicago). @lydialburke

Ms. Butler’s career spans over 40 years in the entertainment Industry; performing plays, musicals, concerts, clubs and cabaret venues regionally, nationally and internationally. Porchlight credits: Gypsy (Jeff Award), New Faces 1969. Recipient of the Guy Adkins Excellence in Chicago Musical Theatre 2016, advisory board at PMT, and several Chicago Sings! Recipient of twelve Jeffs, two Helen Hayes, R.A.M.I., Ovation, Sarah Siddons, four BTTA, fourBroadwayWorld, Excellence in the Arts Theatre School, Kathy V. Lampkey, Rosetta LeNoire 2016, Heller&Hover, After Dark, John Barrymore, two Black Excellence, Irma P. Hall, E.P.I.C. awards. Inducted RPS Fine Arts Hall of Fame, Inducted into the Women in the Arts Museum, Lunt-Fontaine Fellow, Chicagoan of Year 2021, Lifetime Achievement 2024 LOCT. W: e-fayebutler.com

Previously at Porchlight: Sunday in the Park with George, Chicago Sings, Side Show

Devin DeSantis is proud to be singing for Chicago Sings once again. Porchlight credits include Sunday in the Park with George, Side Show, and Porchlight Revisits Can Can. Other favorite credits include “Joseph” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Marriott Theatre), “Dr. Pomatter” in Waitress (The Muny), “Charlie Price” in Kinky Boots, “Tommy” in The Who’s Tommy, “Prince Eric” in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Paramount Theatre), Mary Zimmerman’s The Matchbox Magic Flute (Goodman Theatre), “Frank Churchill” in Emma (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Parade (Writers Theatre), and “Dr. Frankenstein” in Young Frankenstein (Drury Lane). He is a lead singer with the Bluewater Kings Band, a member of The Four C Notes: a Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and regular guest artist with the Colorado Symphony, Wyoming Symphony, and San Diego Symphony. Above all, he is a loving husband and proud father. Have courage and be kind.

Previously at Porchlight: Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard, Candide

David Girolmo made his Broadway debut in Candide directed by Hal Prince, and his most recent appearance on Broadway was in War Paint, Directed by Michael Greif, starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole. At Porchlight: Sweeney Todd as “Sweeney Todd”; Sunset Boulevard as “Cecil B. DeMille;” Candide, as “Pangloss/Voltaire.” He is a veteran of hundreds of productions around the country, a multiple Jeff Award nominee and Jeff winner, and a multiple Broadway World award winner. On Camera: Empire – “Dr. Sirak” – Fox; Crisis – “Congressman Langston Wirth” – Fox; Chicago P.D. – “Jim Varney” – NBC; Chicago Fire  – “Chief Grimes” – NBC; E.R. – “Officer Gaines”; Death of a President – “Hospital spokesman Dr. Peralto” – Feature Film. Mr. Girolmo is married to Heidi Kettenring, who hung the moon and stars. 

Previously at Porchlight: End of the Rainbow, The Secret Garden

Angela Ingersoll is an Emmy Award-nominated and multi-award-winning actor, singer, director, and writer. Porchlight credits include starring as “Judy Garland” in End of the Rainbow (Jeff Award, BroadwayWorld Award) and “Martha” in The Secret Garden (Jeff nomination). Other theatre recognition includes two additional Jeff nominations, four Ostrander Awards, and Los Angeles Times Woman of the Year in Theatre. She headlines stages nationwide in Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland, receiving an Emmy nomination for her performance in the concert’s television broadcast on PBS. Other television: Chicago PD. She and husband Michael Ingersoll founded Artists Lounge Live, a Chicago-based production company presenting concerts nationwide. She is the Artistic Director of Artists Lounge Live; creating, writing, and directing many of their offerings. artistsloungelive.com, angelaingersoll.com

Previously seen at Porchlight: Blues in the Night and New Faces Sing Broadway 1961

Clare Kennedy is a Chicago-based actor and vocalist. Previous credits include: Frozen (Paramount Theatre); Beehive: The 60’s Musical (Marriott Theatre); Beautiful (Paramount Theatre); Blues in the Night (Alabama Shakespeare Festival; Porchlight Music Theatre – Jeff Award Nomination). She is a proud Northwestern University music theatre alumnus and is represented by Stewart Talent. W: ClareKennedy.me IG:@ClareKMcl

Previously at Porchlight: Anything Goes

Recent credits include: “Natalie (U/S)” in Next to Normal (Paramount Theatre), “Ella” in R+H’s Cinderella (The Barn Theatre), and “Kendra” in Gloria (CCPA). Education: BFA MTD at CCPA. Rep: Stewart Talent. Endless thanks to her family and friends for their unending support! Web: emilylingmei.com, IG: @emily.lingmei

Previously at Porchlight: Chicago Sings Broadway Pop I and II, Spring Awakening, New Faces Sing Broadway 1941

Juwon Tyrel Perry is a dynamic performer and musician who brings storytelling to life with undeniable vocal power and emotional depth. A trained vocalist with deep-rooted Southern gospel influences, he blends technical precision with raw, soulful expression, creating performances that leave a lasting impact. Whether commanding the stage in musicals or shaping the music behind the scenes, Juwon’s artistry shines in every facet of his work. He has wowed audiences in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Marriott Theatre and was part of the Jeff Award-winning ensembles of The Gospel at Colonus (Court Theatre) and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marriott Theatre). His talents have graced the stages of Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Geva Theatre, and more. A standout at Porchlight Music Theatre, his credits include Spring Awakening, Chicago Sings Pop 1 & 2, and Broadway in your Backyard. Juwon thanks his incredible team for their support and gives special thanks to his guardian angels—this journey is for you! Follow him on Instagram: @juwontyrelperry

Previously at Porchlight: Anything Goes

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nataki is a graduate of the musical theatre dance concentration program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Recent theatre credits include The Spongebob Musical at Kokandy Productions (“Sardine 2,” “u/s Sandy Cheeks”), Once on This Island (female swing/dance captain) and A Christmas Story (ensemble/ dance captain) at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan. In her free time she enjoys thrift shopping, creative writing, and laughing with loved ones. Nataki would like to thank all of her family, friends, and teachers for their endless love and support. IG: @nataki__

Alexis J. Roston is a Chicago artist whose credits include: “Billie Holiday” in Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar And Grill, “Bess” in Porgy and Bess and “Armelia” in Ain’t Misbehavin‘. Regionally, Alexis was honored to portray “Nina Simone” in Nina Simone: Four Women and tours her one- woman show First Lady of Song: Alexis J Roston sings Ella Fitzgerald, with Artists Lounge Live. She’s represented by Paonessa Talent as a proud member of AEA.

Kelvin Roston Jr is excited to be back with Porchlight and this incredible team of artists having previously appeared as “John Adams” in Porchlight Revisits 1776. Off-Broadway: “Donny Hathaway,” Twisted Melodies (Apollo), written and performed by Kelvin; Some Regional Favorites: “Wiz,” The Wiz (Fulton); “Mister,” The Color Purple (MSMT); “Caesar Wilks,” Gem of the Ocean (Goodman); “Oedipus,” Oedipus Rex and The Gospel at Colonus, “Othello,” The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice (Court); “James Thunder Early,” Dreamgirls (Fulton, MSMT, Marriott-Lincolnshire, Orb [Tokyo, Japan], Festival Hall [Osaka, Japan]); TV: South Side, Chicago Med, Chicago PD; Film: Get a Job, Princess Cyd, Breathing Room; Awards: 3 Jeff Award, 4 BTA Awards, 3 Black Excellence Awards, NAMI Award, Court Theater’s 2019/20 Nicholas Rudall Classic Artist Award; Affiliations: AEA, SAG-AFTRA, Congo Square Ensemble Member, Paonessa Talent and Michael Moore Agency! 

Previously at Porchlight: Broadway in your Backyard, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies

Lorenzo is honored to be a part of celebrating this Porchlight milestone. Congratulations PMT for persevering and inspiring Chicago with 30 YEARS of amazing work. You are a part of what makes Chicago theater the best in the world! Regional Credits: Marriott Theater, Paramount Theater, Porchlight Music Theater, Drury Lane Theater, Skylight Music Theater, Court Theater. TV/FILM: “Chicago Fire,” “Fargo,” “Sirens,” “Chicago PD”. Joseph Jefferson Award recipient (Five Guys Named Moe, Aint Misbehavin’, Sophisticated Ladies). Black Theater Alliance Award (Memphis). Represented by Stewart Talent. Phoebe is my motivation. Proverbs 18:16.

Previously seen at Porchlight: Fun Home (director)

Stephen Schellhardt (he/him) is a Jeff Award-winning director as well as actor and theatre educator here in Chicago. Most recently, Stephen directed Porchlight’s critically acclaimed production of Fun Home and Paramount Theatre’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Recent acting credits include: Marvin in Falsettos (Court Theatre/Timeline Theatre), Mitchell in Cry in Out (Barter Theatre, VA), and Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Paramount Theatre). Stephen is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and a proud member of the Actors Equity Association. Favorite roles to date are proud husband to actor Devin DeSantis and adoring father to their daughter Abigail. www.stephenschellhardt.com

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret

Porchlight credits include Cabaret (“Sally Bowles,” Jeff Award) Other Chicago credits include work at The Marriott Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Theatre at the Center, and the Paramount Theatre. Other regional credits include The Muny, Peninsula Players Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, Timber Lake Playhouse, and Variety Children’s Theatre. She is a proud graduate of The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and represented by Stewart Talent.

Genevieve Thiers is a singer and actress that has worked with Chicago Lyric Opera, Goodman Theater, Porchlight Theatre, Court Theatre, Lookingglass and many more.  She got her Masters in Opera Performance from Northwestern in 2022, and her roles on TV include parts in The Layover, RUN the Series and VC the Series.  She got her Masters in Music from Northeastern.  This is her first time singing with her twins Ari and Leo Ratner!  See her total bio at www.genevievethiers.com.  Love to Dan, Nana and Pico.