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Beyond the Stage

Literature plays a key role in bringing two of Maraczek’s clerks together (and setting one free!). Given the connection to books, PVTC is pleased to partner with local non-profit Benetech on this production. Benetech is working to empower communities that might not otherwise have access to books to become literate and instigate social change, especially among populations with disabilities. Check out the favorite books of PVTC cast & creatives and learn more about Benetech at www.benetech.org.

Meet the Cast of SHE LOVES ME

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Leher Pathak

Amalia Balash

Leher is thrilled to take on a dream role as Amalia Balash in her return to the PVTC stage. Previous roles include Cosette in Les Misérables, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella in Into The Woods, and Belle in Beauty and the Beast. In 2014, she received the West Valley Light Opera ERMA Award for Best Supporting Actress in Fiddler on the Roof. Leher has 16 years of vocal training and has performed in musical theater productions since the age of 12. Apart from her theatrical evening gig, Leher is a USC graduate, works in marketing at NVIDIA, and is constantly on the hunt for SF’s best ice cream sundae.

Favorite Book: Oh, The Places You'll Go!, by Dr. Seuss

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James Schott

Georg Nowack

This is James’ PVTC debut. He was most recently seen in Cabaret (Ernst) with Sunnyvale Community Players and West Side Story (Action) with Hillbarn Theatre. Favorite roles he has had the privilege to to perform include Jerry Lukowski (The Full Monty), Bobby Strong (Urinetown)--both with Stageworks Fresno--and Jean Valjean (Les Misérables) which is the role that sparked James’ life long love for musical theatre. James thanks his wife Carly for her never ending love and support.

Favorite Book: The Cleric Quintet, by R. A. Salvatore

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Jessica Sarah Bennett

Ilona Ritter

Jessica grew up in Redwood City and moved to New York City after college to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. She went on to perform in several shows Off-Broadway and in cabaret acts around the city. Some favorite roles include Linda Rotunda in Savage in Limbo, Olivia in Twelfth Night and a crazy bride-to-be named Sissy in Broken Moments, a musical that premiered at the 2015 NY International Fringe Festival. Currently, Jessica serves as teaching artist and Children’s Conservatory Director here at PVTC. You may have seen her PVTC debut as Aquata in The Little Mermaid last year! She is thrilled to be performing in She Loves Me with this lovely cast and crew and wants to thank her family and friends for all of their support. She hopes you enjoy the show! “Thank you, madam. Please call again. Do call again, Madam.”

Favorite Book: A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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Torrey Rothstein

Steven Kodaly

Torrey is thrilled to be playing Kodaly and to be back with PVTC!   His past performances here include The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Les Misérables (Marius) and Oklahoma! (Will Parker). He has also been seen at WCT as Rooster in Annie, Stormtrooper and Gay Team in The Producers, Franz the butler in The Sound Of Music, and as Frank Abignale Jr. in Redwood City’s Catch Me If You Can.  He loves his favorite customer Fiona, and his two little pen pals at home!

Favorite Book: A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson 

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Don Gustafson

Mr. Maraczek

Don Gustafson has had the wonderful opportunity to appear in many PVTC productions over the years including King Kaspar in Amal and the Night Visitor, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, The Pharaoh in Puah's Midwife Crisis, Jud in Oklahoma!, Inspector Javert in Les Misérables, and King Triton in The Little Mermaid. Each role has been an opportunity to explore the humanity of that character and his own. Now comes the chance to meet Mr. Maraczeck and share him with you. He is a man who is so sure about some things and so wrong about some others. What could be more “human” than that? Don is grateful to be back with PVTC and so happy that all of you are here. Welcome to Maraczek’s, where nothing is impossible. As always, Don is Don is grateful for the love and support of Margie. All that she does and is makes it possible to do this wonderful thing.

Favorite Book: Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner

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Max Ball

Ladislav Sipos

Over the last thirteen years Max has appeared in eight different PVTC productions, (at least that is how many he can remember) starting with his role as the Rabbi's son in Fiddler on the Roof, through the Father in The Laramie Project, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and the Pimp in Les Misérables. After a couple of years off, he's excited to be able to play Sipos, a fellow idiot with a job.  

Favorite Book: The Rabbit Series, by John Updike

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Alexandra Ornes

Arpad Laszlo

Alexandra Ornes is a junior at Menlo Atherton High School. She was most recently seen in Menlo Atherton’s production of Hairspray this fall. Alexandra attended the NYU Tisch Musical Theater program over the summer and student directed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Menlo Atherton last spring. Her favorite productions she has been a part of  include Urinetown (Hope Caldwell),  Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ms. Flannery), and The Crucible (Susanna Walcott). She is thrilled to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

Favorite Book: The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

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Dorian Dunne

Detective Keller

Dorian’s has appeared in PVTC’s productions of Peter Pan, Puah’s Midwife Crisis, Our Town, Distracted, The Diviners, and The Servant of Two Masters...to name a few. She is happy to be a part of She Loves Me and back on stage with some of her favorite co-stars.

Favorite Book: The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown

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Rob DeKruse

Headwaiter

Rob is making his musical debut with PVTC. She Loves Me will be taking Rob back to his middle school musical roots where he was last seen as Prince Charming in The Princess and the Pea. Rob hails from South Lake Tahoe, but has lived in the Bay Area for almost ten years now. Rob is a fan of numbers and math, but his wife Caitlin (also performing in She Loves Me), has kept art and music in his life, which is what drew him to PVTC.

Favorite Book: The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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Alessio Seemann

Busboy

Alessio is an experienced actor and dancer coming all the way from Germany to join our talented ensemble. Alessio started acting on stage at eight years old, appearing on film and TV at age ten and started to take dance training at sixteen years old. Working on his craft at the Performing Arts Studio in Munich, Germany for four years he gained experience in acting, dancing and singing on stage. At age twenty he decided to leave his home country and go to the US in order to get life experience. His hobbies include Kung Fu, boxing, photography and (obviously) traveling.

Favorite Book: The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

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Marsha Dimalanta

Shop Customer

Marsha is thrilled to be making her PVTC debut. Her recent credits include Virgie, Mari & Doña Julia, Departera, Teatro Visión (where she also worked as a music collaborator on the world premiere production); Camila Rosario, (In the Heights) at City Lights Theater Company; Abuela Claudia,(In the Heights) at The Hammer Theatre; Cumie Barrow & Eleanore (Bonnie & Clyde) at Stage 1; the homeless woman (RENT) at SJSU; and Sister 2 & Miguel Lopez (Bagyó) at TheatreFirst - which featured her original Tagalog lullaby "Minamahal Kong Anak.” By day, Marsha is an essential oil wellness advocate & educator, with an emphasis in senior/hospice caregiving and she also vocally mentors aspiring young artists throughout the Bay Area.

Favorite Book: The Holy Bible

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Fiona Ryan

Shop Customer

Fiona is back on stage and can't seem to stock up on enough beauty products! There must be a sale on at Maraczek's. She was last seen at PVTC Mainstage stocking Ursula's bar as Flotsam in The Little Mermaid, and countless other PVTC and WCT shows. By day she owns and runs Bloom Floral Design and has some kids around somewhere too...

Favorite Book: The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

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Erika Strandberg

Shop Customer

Erika is excited join the cast of She Loves Me after her PVTC debut in The Little Mermaid. Favorite local roles include thwarting evil while only slightly conforming to gender norms as Pamina in the Stanford Light Opera’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflote and Cecile in Woodside Community Theatre’s Annie. By day she is a Program Director at Stanford and by night she’s a mom to two wonderful kids. Special thanks to Brian, Nora and Paul for all their support.  

Favorite Book: Jitterbug Perfume, by Tom Robbins

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Carrie Perna

Featured Tango Dancer

Carrie Perna is overjoyed to return to the stage for her second PVTC production. Carrie danced professionally prior to attending Wellesley College and later moving to California. Her favorite performances and companies include Super Bowl XLIII, The Today Show, and Disney. Carrie would like to thank her amazing cast-mates for an incredible winter, and her wonderful friends for their unwavering support.

Favorite Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle

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Caitlin Savage

Featured Tango Dancer

Caitlin is excited to be returning to the PVTC stage after an amazing experience as Adella in The Little Mermaid. She has enjoyed teaching performing arts at PVTC and around the Bay Area and recently became Artistic Director at San Carlos Children's Theater.

Favorite Book: Helter Skelter, by Vincent Bugliosi with ‎Curt Gentry

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Annegret Boge

Ensemble

Annegret is excited to return to the PVTC stage after appearances in Les Misérables, Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz. Her regular musical outlets are the Valley Pres Bell- and Chancel-Choir. She loves the process of creating an experience as a group together with her immediate and chosen family.

Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Cory Downing

Ensemble

Cory is delighted to be making his PVTC debut after a recent move from the East Coast; he performed regularly with the Bryn Mawr theater program in avante-garde productions of Alice in Wonderland, Gertrude Stein's Listen to Me, The Nina Variations, Shakespeare's The Tempest, and more. His hobbies include writing fiction novels, political activism, various extremely nerdy games, and singing.

Favorite Book: Xenocide, by Orson Scott Card

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John Paul Kilecdi-Li

Ensemble

John Paul is excited to make his PVTC debut. He was last seen in West Bay Opera's production of La bohème and Carmen, and also sang as chorus and bass soloist in Google choir's recent production of Messiah. And yes, John Paul has a day job as software engineer, but he loves leaving work early to attend his night duties at operatic and musical rehearsals.

Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Geoff Moyer

Ensemble

Geoff is thrilled and touched to be near the romantic atmosphere that is about to unfold.  Previously he was seen in PVTC's productions of The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, The Diviners, Our Town, Oklahoma!, The Wizard of Oz, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Favorite Book: The Book of Wonder, by Mee and Thompson

Meet the Production Staff of SHE LOVES ME

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Noëlle GM Gibbs

Director/ Producing Artistic Director

Noëlle GM Gibbs has been involved with PVTC since 1994, when she took the first-ever intro to acting course offered by the children’s theatre. She is thrilled that twenty-four years later, she is still part of the PVTC community! Noëlle has also directed MainStage productions of The Little Mermaid, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Persephone, Proof, The Servant of Two Masters, and The Wizard of Oz . Noëlle received a B.A. in Theatre and Dance from UC San Diego, with emphasis in directing and choreography. She has worked at City Lights Theatre Company, Dragon Theatre, Arabian Shakespeare Festival, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Long Wharf Theatre, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, and Magic Theatre. Noëlle is so proud of the cast, crew, orchestra, & production team for their work and is full of gratitude for the joy and passion everyone brings to the creative process.

Favorite Book: The Beggar King and the Secret to Happiness, by Joel Izzy

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Raf Ornes

Music Director

Raf Ornes began working with PVTC in 1996 when he conducted a production of The Music Man. Since then he has been the music director for PVTC (adult and youth productions), while concurrently serving as Minister of Music at Valley Presbyterian Church. Raf earned a BS in Electrical Engineering MANY years ago, before returning to study choral conducting at Stanford. He has directed several choirs and other groups at local schools and theatre companies, including Foothill College, Stanford University, Stanford Savoyards, Woodside Elementary School and Corte Madera.  

Favorite Book: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

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Raul Aviña

Choreographer

Raul Avina graduated from San Francisco State University in 2014 with his BA in Dance theatre and then from the historical Mills College in Oakland, Ca in 2016 with his Masters in Fine Arts, Dance, and Pedagogy.  Raul has worked with such artists as Mia Michaels, Ron Kellum, Kenny Ortega, Wade Robson, Alicia Okouchi-Guy, Todrick Hall, Molissa Fenley and many more. Raul’s passion and love have lead him to many great opportunities ranging from, commercials (Geico, and General), music videos (Noah & the Megafauna.) Raul is an advocate for the arts, teaching with many theatre companies in the Bay Area such as; Pied piper players, Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, Tabard Theatre, Starting Arts, Silicon Valley Boys & Girls Club, San Jose CMT, and more. Some of his favorite Credits Include; Choreography for Open the movie (winner of 12 awards), Annie the Musical (SSPA) Choreographing at the Alcove theatre in San Francisco, Choreographer for SFSU New Moves Concert, Choreographer for A Midsummers Nights Dream (Biola University), Sudden Death (the Musical Movie 30-Awards Winner), Legally Blonde (SDMT), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Fullerton), Fiddler on the Roof (Candlelight P.), Hair (Fullerton), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (SDMT), A Chorus Line (SDMT), Rent (Fullerton), Taming of the Shrew (Hermosa B. Playhouse), and High School Musical Medley (Universal Studios Globe Theatre Red Carpet Award Show.) Raul would like to thank everyone involved in the show, Noëlle, Stacie, and the entire PVTC family for including me in this beautiful show.

Favorite Book: Coming Soon!

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Stacie Doherty

Production Manager/Managing Director

Stacie Doherty came on board with PVTC in 2011. Stacie received a B.A. in Theatre from UC San Diego. She worked as the Theatre Manager for four years at the Birch North Park Theatre in Southern California and has stage managed for a variety of productions and festivals. Here at PVTC, she has worked on both Children Conservatory and MainStage productions. She would like to congratulate and thank the cast, crew, orchestra, and production staff of She Loves Me for all their hard work and dedication. She would also like to thank her loving husband for all of his support, he lights up her life.

Favorite Book: The Giver, by Lois Lowry

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Lauren Howry

Theatre Administrator

Lauren is delighted to have joined the PVTC team this year and to be assisting with a large variety of creative tasks. She holds degrees from Washington & Lee University in both Anthropology & Theatre. Lauren is a proud Actors' Equity Association member and the resident assistant stage manager at 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco. She holds numerous stage management credits throughout the Bay Area.

Favorite Book: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

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Katya Lohngoen

Stage Manager

Katya Lohngoen has been performing in musical theater and opera since she was a young child. She has performed in over forty productions and continues to perform around the Bay Area. She has been involved in many different capacities backstage. From pit singing to supervising dressers to stagehand work, she enjoys all aspects of theater. She is enjoying being the stage manager of this wonderful production of She Loves Me!

Favorite Book: Sold, by Patrick McCormick

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Fred Eiras

Set Designer 

Fred Eiras has returned to the Bay Area after 13 years in Kentucky with his wife Christy, daughter Gina, and son Anthony. Fred has been involved with theatre for 43 years on and off the stage and is very excited to work with PVTC. He is also currently the Technical Director of Performing Arts for Sacred Heart Atherton. Fred's motto: " All the world's a stage, but someone's got to build it first." 

Favorite Book: Honor Begins at Home, by Michael Catt

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Jane Allen

Co-Costume Designer

Jane is back for her second production with PVTC. She helped with costumes for The Little Mermaid in 2017. This time she’s teaming up with her Co-founder, Tonia Barksdale under their clothing company name, “Saturday Night Style”. Jane also makes crowns and hats for her company “I’m Crowning.” Both companies are planning to vend together in the 2019 festival season.

Favorite Book: Love Signs, by Linda Goodman

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Tonia Barksdale

Co-Costume Designer

Tonia is participating for the second time at PVTC after lending a helping hand with costumes for the production of The Little Mermaid in winter 2017. She is a long time seamstress with a love for fashion and aesthetics, both on and off the stage. She is working on her Landscape Architecture degree and is a skilled organic farmer. In her freetime she enjoys yoga, spending time in nature, and tending to her plants. She is pleased to join Jane, her business partner at Saturday Night Style as a co-costume designer for her first period piece.

Favorite Book: The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield

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Charlynn Knighton

Props Designer

Charlynn is thrilled to be joining PVTC as props designer for her third MainStage show! In addition to PVTC, Charlynn has worked with such Bay Area companies as TheatreWorks, Broadway San Jose, CenterREP, San Jose Rep, WVLO, and Tabard Theatre in many and varied positions. Her training, skills, and background range from acting, props, costumes, and vocal direction to directing. She thanks her family for their constant love and support along this journey and hopes you all enjoy the show!

Favorite Book: Once Upon a Marigold, by Jean Ferris

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Alex Doherty

Lighting Designer

Alex Doherty (Lighting Designer)  received his MFA in screenwriting from Loyola Marymount, and was a video game developer at Toys for Bob and LucasArts, working on a variety of video game titles. Alex’s first show at PVTC was The Little Mermaid, and most recently he designed lights for several of PVTC’s 2018 summer camps. Thanks to Stacie, Kevin and Noëlle for maintaining PVTC’s... community atmosphere.

Favorite Book: Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson

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Cailin Wright

Assistant Stage Manager

Cailin has been part of the PVTC Family for 6 years! From STAGES, to summer camp shows, to High School Ensemble, and MainStage, she loves every part of this company. Cailin is so excited to ASM for PVTC's MainStage show for the second time. She Loves Me is such an amazing show and she's so excited to be a part of this incredible performance. Enjoy the show!

Favorite Book: Coming Soon

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Maya Segal

Assistant Stage Manager

Erika is excited join the cast of She Loves Me after her PVTC debut in The Little Mermaid. Favorite local roles include thwarting evil while only slightly conforming to gender norms as Pamina in the Stanford Light Opera’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflote and Cecile in Woodside Community Theatre’s Annie. By day she is a Program Director at Stanford and by night she’s a mom to two wonderful kids. Special thanks to Brian, Nora and Paul for all their support.

Favorite Book: The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

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Lindsay Saier

Makeup & Hair Stylist

Lindsay Saier has participated in countless productions with PVTC over the last twenty-two years. The theatre in the redwoods gave her an open stage to learn that every character has their own version of the story and you are the only one who can write your own. Lindsay has worked across the country in community, educational, and regional theatres, as well as on and off Broadway. She is American Conservatory Theater’s (ACT-SF) Wig Master, incharge of the Wig and Makeup Department. In her spare time her company LSaier builds custom hand tied facial/ body hair and wigs for productions, cosplay and personal use.

Favorite Book: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Tom Robbins

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Kevin Gibbs

Sound Design, Space Preperation

Kevin Gibbs is a member of the PVTC Board of Directors. Over the past seven years he has dabbled in every aspect of design at PVTC, including sound for The Servant of Two Masters; projections for The Wizard of Oz; media for Distracted; special lights and sound for The Diviners and sets for Les Misérables,  A Mid Summer Nightt's Dream, and The Little Mermaid along with the set and original script for Persephone.

Favorite Book: The Six Seasons by Josh McFadden

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Raissa Marchetti-Kozlov

Box Office, Production Support

Raissa Marchetti-Kozlov is a caffeinated wearer of many hats: Alphabetizer,  Color Coordinator, Executive Director and Founder of Redwood City Players, Googler, Organizer, PVTC Supporter, Red Vine Lover, SCP's Interim Artistic Director and VPC (sometimes) choir member. Last seen on the PVTC stage as Arista in Disney's The Little Mermaid, she's glad to be back helping out with She Loves Me! Thank you for supporting the arts! We love YOU!

Favorite Book: Tales from Shakespeare, by Charles and Mary Lamb

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