"This is a show about my friends, so you're all playing my friends."
- Jonathan Larson
The Cast
Bernadett Mescall Rodriguez (Director)
Bernadette Mescall Rodriguez (Director) has performed in, directed, and choreographed productions at CM for the past 13 years. Favorite experiences will always be A Chorus Line (Shiela), Joseph and the Amazing...(07/08 )(Dir./Chor.), and now RENT 2009/10. Every now and then a show comes along that we are destined to be a part of, and that makes a "forever" imprint on our lives. I KNOW that this production is one of those, for MY dream has become a reality. Sincere thanks to Noel for your encouragement, Patrick, because without you, this would not be what it is, the entire RENT family, Jonathan Larson, and especially her number one family, Greg, Jillian, Emily and Kiersten for their love and support with this project and always.
MICHAEL SANTANGELO (Musical Director)
MICHAEL SANTANGELO (Musical Director) is happy to be a part of Rent with this wonderful cast, production staff, and crew. Recent credits include Disney’s High School Musical on Tour, and Breaking Up is Hard to Do, and Branson Missouri. Regional credits include Curtains, Beauty and the Beast, HSM2, and Bat Boy. He is a graduate of the Crane School of Music.
TERRY BRADY (Stage Manager)
TERRY BRADY (Stage Manager) has been a part of the CM family for 7 years now and has had the opportunity to perform, play in the orchestra, and stage manage. Past credits include: Smokey Joes Cafe, Peter Pan, Aida and Ragtime. I would like to thank the cast and the production team for making this such a wonderful experience.
ROB BUCHWALD (Mark)
ROB BUCHWALD (Mark) is very happy to be back at CM again. Never much of a Rent fan, he is now a full "Rent Head". Past credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Grease (Roger), Rocky Horror (Brad), Pageant (Miss Deep South), Footloose (Chuck), Bye Bye Birdie (Conrad), Biloxi Blues (Eugene). Thanks to Bernadette, Patrick, Terry, and Michael for this wonderful opportunity.
BRETT CAMPBELL (Roger)
BRETT CAMPBELL (Roger) has dreamed of performing in Rent, and is blessed to do so alongside such a passionate cast and crew. This has proven to be one of Brett's most enjoyable theatre experiences. Credits include the Long Island premiere of Bare: A Pop Opera (Lucas) and, most recently, CM's production of the Rocky Horror Show (Riff-Raff). Sweetie, I love you. For Dad - Thanks for watching over us.
CASEY CLARK (Alexi Darling)
CASEY CLARK (Alexi Darling) Casey is thrilled to be returning to the CM stage in this production of Rent!! She is a recent graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of Manhattan and is truly grateful to be working with such an amazing and talented group of people! Thanks to friends and family for all the love and constant support. To the cast and crew, Break a Leg!
STEVEN COTTONARO (Gordon)
STEVEN COTTONARO (Gordon/Ensemble) couldn't be happier to be sharing the stage with the most talented cast ever! Previous CM credits include FDR (Annie), Lumiere (Beauty & the Beast), Miss Great Plains (Pagaent), and Cornelius Hakyll (Hello Dolly!). He would love to thank Bernadette, Patrick, Mike, Terry, and Noel for giving him the opportunity to be apart of this brilliant production that they brought to life. Jets in '10.
BRIAN CROOK (Tom Collins)
BRIAN CROOK (Tom Collins) is thrilled to be making his debut at CM in such an amazing show as Rent. Notable acting credits include Herb (Godspell), King Sextimus (Once upon a Mattress), the Baker (Into the Woods), and the Tinman (The Wiz). He has also directed several productions including Seussical: the Musical and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.
LIA DELMATER (Joanne)
LIA DELMATER (Joanne) is no stranger to the stage at CM. She has been in many productions over the last 12 years including Ragtime (Sara) and her favorite and first role as Dorothy in The Wiz. She is also the bass player for local band, Dragoneye Seven. Lia is dedicating this performance to Brian..."Living with, not dying from disease". I Love You!
EMILY DOWDELL (Maureen)
EMILY DOWDELL (Maureen) Emily has been performing in theatre since the dawn of time and is very excited to be a part of RENT. Previous credits include: Kate (The Wild Party), Amy (Little Women), Peter (Peter Pan), Iris/Pomona (Metamorphoses) and Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof). Thanks to the cast and production crew for making this such a cool experience. And, of course, thanks to her absurdly large family and her Buddy Boy.
LIANNE FLYNN (Mrs. Cohen)
LIANNE FLYNN (Mrs. Cohen) Lianne, a former resident of 11th St. and Ave. B (Mark and Roger's street!) is thrilled to be representing the East Village in one of her all time favorite musicals!!! She was last seen here as Lily St. Regis in Annie and as Tessie Tura in Gypsy. Favorite past roles include Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar (Sachem H.S.), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Dowling College), Frenchy in Grease (Bayway Arts Center), Little Becky Two-Shoes in Urinetown (Mt. Carmel Theatre Company), and Cyndi Lauper in The Wedding Singer.
JOHN MEZZINA HANNIGAN (Steve/ The Man/Understudy Mark)
JOHN MEZZINA HANNIGAN (Steve/ The Man/Ensemble) is delighted to be making his CM debut with RENT. Other credits include Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing...), Lt. Cable (South Pacific), Fyedka (Fiddler on the Roof), and Patrick (Mame). John would like to thank the entire cast and production team for making this show a success. Special thanks to his family for their love and support.
DEWAYNE QUEEN-JACKSON (Paul)
DEWAYNE QUEEN-JACKSON (Paul) is new to the CM stage. Coming all the way from New Orleans, La.
Currently living in Brooklyn, NY Dewayne is a full time student at
Nyack College were he is studying Sacred Music with a minor in Bible.
He is thrilled to be finally sharing the stage with his big brother
Rodney and thanks everyone for their love and support. I love you, I
mean it!!
Currently living in Brooklyn, NY Dewayne is a full time student at
Nyack College were he is studying Sacred Music with a minor in Bible.
He is thrilled to be finally sharing the stage with his big brother
Rodney and thanks everyone for their love and support. I love you, I
mean it!!
RODNEY JACKSON (Benny)
RODNEY JACKSON (Benny) is thrilled to be with CM again. He has performed in CM productions of Hair {Hud} and Dreamgirls {Curtis}! Other credits include Pippin (Lead Player), Guys and Dolls (Sky), and Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), to name a few. He is very excited to return to the stage after a four year break. He has studied at the Crane School of Music as well as the Tanglewood Music Institute in MA. Rodney would like to dedicate this show to his son, his muse....and remember Daddy loves you!
ANGELA RETEGUIZ ("Seasons of Love" Soloist)
ANGELA RETEGUIZ (Ensemble) is joining CM for the first time, breaking her 10 year break as part of the show of her dreams: RENT! Her credits include: Once On This Island (Ti Moune), Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah) and others. When not enjoying her music, Angela spends her time working as a nurse. She sends a big thanks to Lauren, Mom, Dad, Randy, family and friends for their support.
M.E. JUNGE (Ensemble/Understudy Maureen)
M.E. JUNGE (Ensemble) M.E. is super excited about doing RENT here at CM. Favorite credits include The Wedding Singer, HSM, & Rocky Horror. M.E. would like to thank her parents, Patrick, Lawrence, and this amazing cast and crew for making this the best experience.
JOSE TORRES (Angel)
JOSE TORRES (Angel) is making his debut after five years of not being on stage in his dream role as Angel from Rent. Past shows include Simeon (Joseph…), Ren (Footloose), Bernardo (Westside Story) and Paul (Chorus Line).Jose would like to thanks his family and friends most of all for all there support and encouragement to audition for this show.
CRISTINA VALENZUELA (Mimi)
CRISTINA VALENZUELA (Mimi) is estatic that RENT is her first show at CM and straight out of high school. Her credits include Carmen (Fame), Winifred (Once Upon a Mattress), and Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors). She would like to thank her family, friends, TFC, hand Zachary for their support and love. She is blessed to be a part of this talented and caring cast and wants to thank them for teaching her so much especially that there really is “No day but today!”
