Listed in alphabetical order
Reed Alexander (Cornelius Hackl)
Reed Alexander is a Marketing Sales Specialist at Radio One Charlotte and is very excited to be in his second production at Matthews Playhouse. Reed describes himself as a stereotypical mid-30s dad who enjoys smoking BBQ, playing disc golf, and entertaining his two crazy kids. His previous shows include “Spamalot”, “Bridges of Madison County”, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Reed would like to thank his beautiful wife for holding the fort down at home while he participates in “Hello, Dolly!”.
Mary Lynn Bain (Ermengarde)
Mary Lynn Bain (Ermengarde) is a native Charlottean with a BFA in Musical Theatre from William Peace University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since graduating she has enjoyed performing around the Carolinas. Audiences might recognize her as Mrs. White in Matthews Playhouse's production of “Clue” or as the Charwoman in Theatre Charlotte's annual production of “A Christmas Carol”. She enjoys teaching summer camps at Old Courthouse Theatre and is excited to start teaching with the Playhouse this year as well! She is so excited to be back on the stage to give ‘em the ole razzle dazzle!
Bailey Bass (Children’s Ensemble)
A 4th grader at Sun Valley Elementary School, Bailey Bass (Youth Ensemble) is excited to be part of the youth ensemble in “Hello, Dolly!”. Bailey loves to perform on stage, especially as a ballerina. She is going on her fifth year of Ballet and is excited to start learning how to dance on Point. When she isn’t performing, she likes playing basketball, riding her bike, and learning to play golf. She is also in an immersion class for Spanish as a second language at her school. Her previous shows include “The Little Mermaid”, and “The Nutcracker” at Bonita School of Ballet.
Chip Bradley (Rudolph/Ensemble)
Chip Bradley (Rudolph/Ensemble) was last seen at Matthews Playhouse as Mr. Mayor in “Seussical”. He has been performing in and around Charlotte since moving back from Chicago in 2008. Favorite past roles include Franz Liebkind in “The Producers”, Brian in “Avenue Q”, Axel Hammond in “The Nerd”, Lieutenant Brannigan in "Guys and Dolls” and the Ghost of Christmas Present in “A Christmas Carol” to name a few. Chip lived in Chicago for thirteen years, eight of which he spent training and working at The Second City, as well as being a commercial voiceover artist for radio and TV. Chip would like to say a big thank you to June, Ron, Ellen, Cassie, Jessie and the rest of the production team for the opportunity to play on stage alongside his wife Lisa (Dolly).
Lisa Smith Bradley (Dolly Levi)
Lisa Smith Bradley (Dolly Levi) last appeared with MPH in “Mamma Mia” and is so happy to be back. Lisa is a multiple Metrolina Theatre Awards and Creative Loafing Theatre Awards winner, performing locally with Actors Theatre of Charlotte, CPCC Summer Theatre, Queen City Theatre, Collaborative Arts, Theatre Charlotte, Abbey Players, CSD Theatre and Davidson Players. Favorite performances include “Gypsy” (Rose), “Bright Star” (Alice Murphy), “Ragtime” (Mother), “Fly By Night” (Miriam), “Next to Normal” (Diana), “Cabaret” (Sally), “Kiss Me Kate” (Kate), “Into the Woods” (the Witch), “Carrie the Musical” (Margaret), and “Spitfire Grill” (Percy). This show is extra special as it is the first time she is performing alongside her husband, Chip, and daughter, Celia. Thank you Ron, Ellen, June and the MPH team for this wonderful opportunity.
Aaron Scott Brown (Children’s Ensemble)
Aaron Scott Brown (Youth Ensemble) is a 6th grade, musical theatre major at Northwest School of the Arts. He has previously worked in film and commercials including Hoover Smartwash Pet and Atari Gaming. He has also written two books, Acres of Enchantment and Thurnberri, which he plans to get published this summer. He is interested in the character and humanity of Disney villains and enjoys creating his own characters. His previous shows include “Peter Pan” (Matthews Playhouse), “101 Dalmatians'' (Matthews Playhouse), “Annie” (Children’s Theatre of Charlotte), “Enchanted Forest” (Charlotte Ballet), and Matthew’s Christmas Tree Lighting.
Mike Carroll (Judge/Ensemble)
Mike is happy to be onstage again with Matthews Playhouse. Previously, he’s been in Matthews Playhouse’s performances of “Sister Act” , “A Hundred Dresses” and “Freedom Train”, and in performances of “Mamma Mia” at Davidson Community Players, “Oklahoma” at Central Piedmont Community College, and in “Memphis the Musical” and “A Christmas Carol” at Theatre Charlotte. In 2016, he returned to the stage after stepping away for 25 years.
In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike on the greenway, reading, and spending time with his family, which includes his wife of 30 years, Julie, his daughter, who is an audiologist, and his son, who is a teacher.
Matthew Corbett (Horace Vandergelder)
Matthew has been performing locally since 1979 with such companies as Theatre Charlotte, CPCC, Golden Circle Theatre, Barebones Theatre, Collaborative Arts, Charlotte Shakespeare, Actor’s Theatre, Queen City Theatre, Storefront Theatre and C.A.S.T. He has toured nationally with Children’s Theatre and sung with Opera Carolina. This is Matthew’s first venture with Matthews Playhouse. Originally from Mississippi, Matthew was attending the University of Missouri when his family relocated to Charlotte. He found the local arts community to be welcoming and decided to stick around for a while. Matthew wants to thank you for being here today and supporting the local arts scene-what a great way to spend some time together!
Gabriel Craig (Court Clerk/Ensemble)
Gabriel Craig (Court Clerk/Ensemble) is thrilled to be in his first show outside of his school theatre. A junior at Sun Valley High School, Gabriel loves fashion, sewing, painting, cooking, baking, and playing piano. His previous shows include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Sun Valley High School), “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong” (Sun Valley High School), “The Almost Final Episode of Four of A Kind” (Sun Valley High School) and “Train 99” (Sun Valley High School). When he isn’t performing, he can be found thrift shopping, hanging out with his Great Dane, and playing Animal Crossing.
Layne-Ashley Harder (Minnie Fay)
Layne-Ashley Harder (Minnie Fay) is a Sophomore at Winthrop University, pursuing a BA in Musical Theater and a minor in Entrepreneurship Business. Layne-Ashley has always loved performing. Most recently she has performed in “Pippin” at Winthrop University and has been a part of the dance group, “The Winthrop Rockhettes”. Layne- Ashley has also been a Main Stage performer at the Children’s Theater of Charlotte in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical” and “Peter Pan”. She has used her love for the arts and carries it into her job as a hair stylist at Blow Out! Beauty and Dry Bar. Layne-Ashley would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support. She would also like to thank her Directing team and cast at Matthews Playhouse for their hard work and support.
Jordan Hartley (Children's Ensemble)
A rising 4th grader at Elon Park Elementary, Jordan was recently inspired by a trip to Broadway where she saw “Wicked” and “The Lion King”.
Her previous shows include “Junie B. Jones” (Ballantyne Arts Center) as Junie B. Jones, “Madagascar Jr.” (Ballantyne Arts Center) as Gloria the hippo, and “Shrek Jr.” (Ballantyne Arts Center) as Pinnochio. In addition to performing, Jordan liked softball and all things FROGS!
Josiah Jackson (Ensemble)
Josiah is a 9th grader at Northwest School of the Arts who enjoys singing, hanging out with his friends/family, playing board games, watching new movies, trying new foods, and making friends! He also loves traveling and anything Italian!
His previous shows include “Lion King Jr.” (Rea Farms STEAM Academy), “Annie” (Children’s Theater Charlotte), and “High School Musical Jr.” (SMACK Concord).
Alexander Joles (Ensemble)
Alexander was most recently seen in “Seussical” at Matthews Playhouse as Vlad Vladikoff. Alexander works at McCoy’s Feed and Pet Supply where he gets to express his love for dogs. He has 5 of his own dogs at home, including three Dachshunds!
He grew up watching Justice League and Ben 10, which he says made him want to be a superhero when he grows up. Alexander loves to perform and he credits his sister as being the reason he got into theatre in the first place. His previous shows include “Seussical TYA” (MPH), “SpongeBob” (Spotlight), “Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Legacy Theatre), “Footloose” (Spotlight), “Godspell” (Legacy Theatre) and “Wedding Singer” (Spotlight). When he isn’t onstage, he enjoys playing video games, working out, biking, yard work, running, and editing digital media. Instagram @anustydaboi
Connor Jones (Barnaby Tucker)
Connor Jones (Barnaby Tucker) is pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre at the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University, with a minor in Commercial Music. He is proficient in the violin, trumpet, ukulele, and piano, and is working on guitar. Among his many interests are music, theatre, comedy (not the movie genre), nature, and animals. When he isn’t performing, he enjoys making little songs in the GarageBand app, hiking, making elaborate [occasion] cards, reading, archery, and rollerblading. His previous shows include “Seussical” (SCSA Department of Theatre and Dance) “Anything Goes” (SCSA Department of Theatre and Dance) “Footloose” (Spotlight Performing Arts Academy).
Daylen Jones (Ambrose Kemper)
Originally from Ohio, Daylen Jones (Ambrose Kemper) is excited to be in his first production with Matthews Playhouse. Daylen loves improv comedy and poetry/spoken word and has written his own play. He also has a love for traveling and has been to 6 different countries. His previous shows include “Christmas Spirits” (Post Morten Players), “Twelfth Night” (Shepherds Shakespeare), and “Dreamgirls” (Ivan Dixon Players). When he isn’t performing, he enjoys painting, drawing, reading, and running. Instagram @Daylenj_
Hope Joubert (Ensemble)
Hope is a 10th grader at Carmel Christian School who loves singing, acting, and dancing. She has a podcast with her best friend and someday wants to travel all of Europe. When she isn’t on stage, she enjoys playing piano, reading, and writing.
Her previous shows include “Mary Poppins” (Carmel Christian School), “Singing in the Rain” (Carmel Christian School), “Wizard of Oz” (Carmel Christian School), and “The Music Man” (Carmel Christian School).
Becky Kirby (Ernestina Money)
Becky Kirby (Ernestina Money) is excited to be playing Ernestina Money! Originally from Canada, Becky is a Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank. Charlotte audiences might recognize her from performances in “Guys and Dolls” (CPCC), “Diary of Anne Frank” (CPCC), “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (CPCC), “A Christmas Carol” (Theatre Charlotte), “Sister Act” (Matthews Playhouse), “Almost Maine” (CPCC) and “Godspell” (Old Courthouse Theater). Becky has also performed in the Candlelight Processional and Epcot International Festival of the Arts (Walt Disney World). When she’s not on stage, she enjoys theme parks, escape rooms, movies, sushi and shopping. Becky is married to Sean and full of Disney magic! She is thrilled to be doing this show with some of her favorite people and would like to give a huge thank you to Ron, Ellen, and June for letting her join the parade. Becky would like to thank her parents for coming all the way from Canada to see this show!
Melissa Lindemann (Ensemble)
Originally from Wisconsin, Melissa moved to Charlotte in 2020 to pursue a career as a professional disc golfer.
Prior to moving, she directed a theater program for children with special needs called The Penguin Project from 2014-2019. She also enjoys axe-throwing, hiking, swimming, music, dancing, and singing.
Her previous shows include “Little Women" (Out of the Woods Theatre in Wausau, WI), and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre in Wausau, WI). Instagram @mlind116852
Keenan McGrath (Irene Molloy)
Keenan McGrath (Irene Molloy) splits her daytime career between selling luxury jewelry and killing bugs as a mosquito assassin at her business, Queen Bee Mosquito Control. Her hobbies include teaching dance at the MPH School of Theatre, creating bee-themed puns and merchandise, and embarrassing her kids with her videos on Instagram. Her previous shows include “Sister Act” (MPH) and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (MPH). She would like to dedicate this performance to her mom, who played the same role 24 years ago. She would also love to send love to Chris, Grace and Patrick as well as a huge THANK YOU to Ron Chisholm for his friendship and everything he has contributed to the theater community (and for finally letting her out of the chorus). Keenan would love you to join her Queen Bee hive by following her @thequeenbeeclt
Ellen McNeill (Ensemble)
A lifelong passion for singing and dancing led Ellen McNeill to musical theater, playing her first role on-stage as Mary in a community theater production of “Annie” in 10th grade. Since then, she has played principal roles in numerous productions both here in the States and abroad, including “Celtic Christmas” at the Rialto, “Carmina Burana”, “Petites Histoires du Monde” (lead role), “Bal Maquis”, and the Georgia Renaissance Festival, in addition to competing and placing at both a regional and national level with two nationally-recognized dance companies: JK’s Dance Company and Glencoe School of Highland Dance. Ellen is incredibly grateful to all of her performing arts coaches and instructors over the past 20 years for supporting her in her artistic goals, with particular gratitude to Julie Kay Stallcup, Mary Recknagel, and Joanna Dendrolivanos. As a play therapist at Zola Counseling in Southpark, Ellen’s days are filled with work that brings meaning and lots of smiles to her life, and in her spare time she can be found singing to the flowers in her garden, taking dance classes, or reading at a cozy coffee shop. Ellen is delighted to join the cast of “Hello, Dolly!” for her first Matthews Playhouse production and looks forward to many more musicals in Charlotte.
Amanda Pippin (Ensemble)
Amanda has been a theatre teacher with CMS Schools for 7 years. She is obsessed with Harry Potter and her birthday is three days after Christmas.
In addition to loving Harry Potter, she also loves theatre and church. Her previous shows include “Noises Off” (Davidson Community Players), “Ruthless” (Old Courthouse Theatre”, “A Christmas Carol” (Theatre Charlotte), “Grease” (Matthews Playhouse), and “Guys and Dolls” (Matthews Playhouse).
Andrew Pippin (Ensemble)
Andrew Pippin holds a Master's degree in computer science and is a Software Engineer at WorkWave. Previous acting credits include Garry/Roger in "Noises Off" at Davidson Community Players, Laertes in "Hamlet" at Black and White Theatre, Trotter in "The Mousetrap" at Black and White Theatre and Jack/Ernest in "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Black and White Theatre. He has also won competitions for both stand-up comedy and playwriting. When he's not performing, he enjoys playing disc golf, performing stand-up comedy, writing/playing music (guitar, cello, drums, piano) and hanging out with his 3 cats, and 1 dog (and his wife, of course). Fun fact: Andrew once spent a full year living abroad in France!
Riley Schauer (Ensemble)
Riley is excited to be in another production with Matthews Playhouse. She has been at the playhouse since she was 5 years old, performing in 8 musicals here so far.
In addition to Matthews Playhouse, she has been seen in “Jesus Christ Superstar” (CATA) and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (CPCC). Riley is naturally athletic and aside from dancing in musicals, she also runs the hurdles in track, has been a cheerleader for 6 years and is a certified lifeguard! Instagram @Rileys._
Lisa Ulanow (Mrs. Rose/Ensemble)
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Lisa Ulanow holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts as well as a Masters in Accounting from the University of Texas. She is thrilled to be part of the cast of “Hello, Dolly!” at Matthews Playhouse, as it was the first professional show (starring Pearl Bailey!) she ever saw as a child. Ever since, she has been hooked on theatre! When not performing, she enjoys reading, playing mahjongg and creating macrame. Audiences may recognize her from her previous role in MPH's productions of "It's A Wonderful Life" and “Scrooge the Musical”. Other roles include Hannah Pitt in “Angels in America” (QC Concerts) and March Hare in “Alice in Wonderland” (Old Courthouse Theater).
Jeannie Ware (Ensemble)
Jeannie graduated from the UNCSA high school program this past spring studying ballet and is going to college for her BFA in musical theatre. She has always loved performing and did her first Matthews Playhouse show when she was 6 years old. In addition to performing, she loves to read, spend time outside, and hang out with her pets. Her previous shows include “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (CPCC), “Matilda” (Children’s Theater of Charlotte), “Les Miserables” (CPCC), “Sound of Music” (MPH), and “Our Town” (MPH). Instagram @jeannie_ware
Sebastian Ware (Ensemble)
Sebastian is excited to be part of “Hello, Dolly!” at Matthews Playhouse! An 11th grade homeschool student, Sebastian loves astrology, collecting rocks and coins, and growing plants. He also loves animals, except the squirrels that mess with his plants.
He has been taking ballet and other dance classes for 5 years and especially enjoys showing off his handstand skills. His previous shows include “Our Town” (CPCC), “Shakespeare in Love” (CPCC), “Aladdin KIDS” (KIPP Academy), “Nutcracker Suite Ballet” (Open Door Studios), and “The Grinch Ballet” (Open Door Studios).
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