Fun Home

JEANINE TESORI (she/her) Music

Jeanine Tesori has written a diverse catalog for Broadway, opera, film and television. Her Broadway musicals include: Fun Home (2015 Tony Award Winner, Pulitzer finalist); Violet; Caroline, or Change; Shrek the Musical; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Twelfth Night (LCT); John Guare’s A Free Man of Color. Delacorte: Mother Courage (starring Meryl Streep). She has received five Tony nominations, three Obie Awards and three Drama Desk Awards. The hallmarks of her work have been described as “close-to-the-surface emotion, structural rigor and rhythmic drive.”

Her operas include: The Lion, the Unicorn and Me and Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (MET/LCT Opera/Theater and Glimmerglass Opera commission); her upcoming collaboration with Tazewell Thompson, Blue, was commissioned for Glimmerglass Opera company and will premiere there next season. She wrote the musical featured in the 2016 revival of “Gilmore Girls” and has also written special material for artists such as The Girl in 14G for Kristin Chenoweth and has been featured in the documentaries “Show Business” and “Theater of War.”

Jeanine Tesori became the founding artistic director of a new concert series at New York City Center called Encores! Off-Center, for which she has helmed seasons joined by artists such as Stephen Sondheim, Lin- Manuel-Miranda, Randy Newman, William Finn, Alan Menken, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sutton Foster and Jonathan Groff. After producing four seasons of Off-Center concerts, she took one of those concerts, Sunday in the Park with George (starring Jake Gyllenhaal) to Broadway where she produced the 2017 revival, with ATG and Riva Marker. She was the recording producer for Sunday as well as the Original Cast Recordings of Violet; Caroline, or Change; Shrek; Twelfth Night; etc.

A lecturer in music at Yale and on faculty at Columbia University, Tesori has spoken and taught at universities and programs all over the country. She is the founding creative director of the non-profit A BroaderWay, an arts empowerment program for young women. She was given the Einhorn Mentorship Award by Primary Stages for her exceptional work with young artists. Her daughter, Siena Rafter, is a sophomore at Brown University.

LISA KRON (she/her) Books and Lyrics

Lisa Kron is a writer and performer whose work has been widely produced in New York, regionally and internationally. Her plays include Well, 2.5 Minute Ride and The Ver**zon Play. She wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Fun Home (with music by composer Jeanine Tesori), winner of five 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Kron and Tesori were the first all-woman team to ever receive a Tony for best score.

As an actor, Kron was most recently seen as “Mrs. Mi-Tzu” and “Mrs. Yang” in the Foundry Theater’s acclaimed production of Good Person of Szechuan (Lortel Award, Outstanding Featured Actress). Honors include a Guggenheim fellowship, a Doris Duke Performing Artists Award and the Cal Arts/Alpert Award. She is a proud founding member of the OBIE- and Bessie-Award-winning collaborative theater company The Five Lesbian Brothers.

Kron currently serves as secretary of the Dramatists Guild Council and on the boards of the McDowell Colony and the Lilly Awards.

STEPHEN SCHELLHARDT (he/him) Director

Previously seen at Porchlight: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Stephen Schellhardt is thrilled to be back at Porchlight and working with this beautiful company of artists. Stephen is a Jeff Award-winning director whose credits include The Play That Goes Wrong , The Wizard of Oz and Footloose (Barter Theatre), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Porchlight – Jeff Nomination), Queer Eye: The Musical Parody (Second City), Big Fish (Jeff Award), Urinetown (Jeff Nomination), Dogfight (Jeff Nomination) at BoHo Theatre, Greater Tuna (Timberlake Playhouse), Songs for a New World (Rockford University) and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown(Northwestern University) Stephen is a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. W: StephenSchellhardt.com

HEIDI JOOSTEN (she/her) Music Director

Previously seen at Porchlight: Broadway in your Backyard (2024), Porchlight in Concert: Sunday in the Park with George 

Heidi Joosten is a Jeff-Award winning music director (Assassins, Theo Ubique 2024), composer and performer who has music directed and conducted more than 150 productions across the country. National conducting/adaptation credits include Avatar: The Last Airbender, Barbie: Live in Concert at The Hollywood Bowl, Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse and Labyrinth in Concert. Other recent Chicago credits include Kokandy Productions (Alice by Heart, American Psycho), Drury Lane Theater (Grease), Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Beauty and the Beast) and The Second City (Don’t Quit Your Daydream). W: HeidiJoosten.com  IG: @heidijoosten.com

NEALA BARRON (she/her) Helen

Previously seen at Porchlight: Porchlight in Concert: Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along and more

Neala Barron is grateful to call Porchlight an artistic home, having appeared in productions of 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 Theater 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!

LIZ BOLLAR (she/they) u/s Helen, Alison

Previously seen at Porchlight: Marry Me a Little

Liz Bollar (she/they): Marry Me a Little – “Woman u/s” (Porchlight Music Theatre), Assassins – “The Proprietor” (Jeff Award, Best Ensemble), The Threepenny Opera – “Jenny Diver”, Never Better – “Aynsely” (Theo Ubique), The Last Session – “Vikki” (Jeff Nomination, Best Supporting Performer) (Refuge Theatre Project), Queen of the Mist – “New Manager/Ensemble” (Firebrand Theatre), Hair-“Ensemble, u/s Jeanie” (American Theatre Company), Belfast Girls – “Hannah u/s” (Artemsia Theatre), 35MM – “Woman 2″ , Reefer Madness -” Mae (Circle Theater). “Always for Kyle Lyndee Bollar, who is with me most when I am singing”

PATRICK BYRNES (he/him) Bruce 

Previously seen at Porchlight: Far From Heaven, On a Clear Day…,  and Marry Me a Little

​​Patrick Byrnes returns to Porchlight, previously featured in Far From Heaven, On a Clear Day…, and Marry Me a Little (U/S). Recent credits: 1776 (Marriott Theatre), A Little Night Music (Theo Ubique), Clue (Mercury Theater Chicago), I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (U/S) (Steppenwolf Theatre), The Sound of Music (Beverly Arts Center), Casa Valentina (Pride Films & Plays), Assassins (Kokandy Productions) and Titanic (Griffin Theatre). TV: “Chicago Med” and “4400.” W: PatrickByrnes.us. For dad.

ALANNA CHAVEZ (she/her) Alison

Porchlight Debut

Alanna Chavez is making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut. Chicago credits include work at the Goodman, Marriott Lincolnshire, Paramount Theater Aurora and Theo. Regionally, she has performed with The Phoenix Theatre Company and Hale Centre Theatre. Alanna is a champion of new work and contemporary musicals and loves that Chicago is too. “What would happen if we spoke the truth?” – Alison Bechdel 

ELI VANDER GRIEND (he/him) Christian

Porchlight Debut

Eli Vander Griend is honored to make his debut at Porchlight Music Theatre. Eli was last seen as “Jason” in Falsettos (Timeline / Court Theatre) and “Bruce” in Matilda the Musical (Fireside Dinner Theater). Other Chicago credits include: Billy Elliot, School of Rock (Paramount) and A Christmas Carol (Metropolis). Eli is a member of the ETC Tap Company with Extensions Dance Center in Chicago. Many thanks to Stephen Schellhardt and his amazing agents at Talent X Alexander! IG: @EliVanderGriend

KING HANG (he/him) u/s Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy

Porchlight Debut

Regional Theatre: ensemble/”Jay” U/S in SuperYou!, ensemble in Evita!, “Llloyd/Freddie” U/S in Noises Off! (Skylight Music Theatre), “Actor 3” in The Anarchists (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), “Luke U/S in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (First Stage Theatre), “Claudio” in Much Ado About Nothing (Summit Players Theatre).

AUSTIN HARTUNG (he/him) John

Porchlight Debut

Austin Hartung is thrilled to be making his professional debut at Porchlight Music Theatre! Austin has performed with Ovation Academy for four years and loves all things musical theatre. He would like to thank his family and friends, his teachers, his coach Ragan Hughes and his entire team at DDO Chicago for making his dreams come true!

JOSIAH HAUGEN (he/him) u/s Bruce

Previously seen at Porchlight: Anything Goes and Cabaret 

Josiah Haugen is thrilled to be back for his thirdr season with Porchlight! Previous Porchlight credits include: “Sailor Quartet” in Anything Goes and “Ernst Ludwig” in Cabaret. Other Chicago credits include: “Beadle Bamford” in Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions), “Dan (cover)” in Sex Tips… (Matt Murphy Productions) and “Gideon (swing)” in The Last Session (Refuge Theatre Project). Josiah is a proud member and lead vocalist for The Four C Notes. Education: BFA MT from CCPA. He would like to thank his family (both blood and chosen), his wonderful partner Jack and all patrons of live theatre for their love and support. IG: @josiahjhaugen

DAKOTA HUGHES (they/them) Joan, dance/intimacy captain

Porchlight Debut

Dakota Hughes is thrilled to be making their Porchlight debut! Recent Chicago credits: “Martha,” Secret Garden (Theo ), “Arnie,” Poor People (Hell in a Handbag), “Mr. Braithwaite,” Billy Elliot, “The Steward” Into the Woods, “ensemble” Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School of Rock, Cinderella, Kinky Boots (Paramount Theatre), “Bev/Executive” Queer Eye: The Parody Musical! (Second City), “Hunchback,” FRANKENSTREISAND (Hell in a Handbag – Jeff Award). Represented by Gray Talent Group. 

CHARLIE LONG (he/him) Christian

Porchlight Debut

Charlie Long is thrilled to be making his Porchlight debut! Chicago credits include “Charlie Bucket” in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Paramount); “Jason” in Falsettos (Court); Billy Elliot, School of Rock, The Sound of Music (Paramount); The Music Man (Marriott) and Matilda (Fireside). In 2024, Charlie was a Chicago Cubs junior broadcaster finalist.  Many thanks to the incredible Fun Home team, teachers, coaches, friends, family and Paonessa Talent Agency! IG: @Charlie_Long_Official

ADELINA MARINELLO (she/her) u/s Middle Alison, Joan

Porchlight Debut

Adelina Marinello is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre Debut! Adelina, a recent graduate of Northwestern University, is a performer/playwright/teaching artist based in Chicago. Chicago credits: Gay Card (PrideArts). Regional credits: Kitty Hawk (Adrienne Arsht Center), Edge of the World (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Film credits: “The Premiere” (dir. Jon Silver). Educational credits: SHIMMER, Louisa Gillis, “Violet” in Violet (Wirtz Center for the

Performing Arts). “Eternally grateful for my family and friends!”

HAYES McCRACKEN (he/him) John 

Porchlight Debut

This is my first time on stage. I also make my own plays. I’m so happy for this to be my first play. My Dad owns Vagabond School of the Arts. I love building Legos.

Z MOWRY (they/them) Middle Alison

Porchlight Debut

Z is beyond excited to be making their Porchlight debut! Recent credits include ensemble/”Jean Michel U/S” in Cinderella (MPAC), “Jonathan U/S” in tick, tick…BOOM! (Boho Theatre), ensemble in Shrek (Music Theater Works) and “Helga/emcee U/S” in Cabaret (MPAC). Outside of theatre, you can find Z cooking, reading and hosting dinner parties. Love to Renée. Hire trans talent! IG: zzmowry W: LizzieMowry.com

TESSA MAE PUNDSACK (she/her) Small Alison 

Porchlight Debut

Tessa Mae Pundsack is excited to be making her debut at Porchlight Music Theatre. Recent credits “Little Girl” in Ragtime in Concert (Highland Park Players), “Becky Del Vechio” in Dear Edwina Jr. (ATC Chicago) and youth ensemble in Music Man in Concert (Metropolis). Her film credits include featured roles in ”Ghostlight” and ”In the Jungle.” She is forever grateful for her teachers, family and friends for always believing in her. Represented by Stewart Talent. IG: @TessaMaeOnStage

LINCOLN SKOIEN (any with respect) Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy

Previously seen at Porchlight: New Faces Sing Broadway 1984

Lincoln is extremely excited to make their proper Porchlight debut after performing in New Faces Sing Broadway 1984. . Most recently, Lincoln played “Dickon” in The Secret Garden (Theo). Other credits include: “Jesus” in Godspell (Redhouse); “Glen Guglia” in The Wedding Singer (New London Barn Playhouse) and “Franklin Shepard” in Merrily We Roll Along (CCPA). Lincoln would like to thank his family and Emma for all of their love and support. IG: Lincoln.Skoien.

MEENA SOOD (she/her) Small Alison

Porchlight Debut

Meena is thrilled to make her Porchlight debut! Chicago Credits: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory “Charlie Bucket”, Billy Elliot, School of Rock “Shonelle/Summer u/s” (Paramount Theatre); White Christmas “Susan Waverly”, A Christmas Story (Marriott Theatre); Fun Home “Small Alison” (Madison Street Theater); Shrek “Child Fiona/Baby Bear” (Drury Lane Theatre). Film: Stars in the Water. TV: Mr. Throwback (Peacock). Thank you to my family and Ragan. Love you Sophie! Rep: DDO Artists Agency @meena_marie_sood