WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION TEAM

from IN THE HEIGHTS - Official Playbill

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

CHRIS CICHON (Lighting Design) is the Head of Sound and Lighting at Plays-in-thePark in Edison, NJ and the Technical Director at Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville, NJ. He would like to thank the entire Phoenix team for their professionalism and kindness, and to his wife who happens to be the Director, Elizabeth Gonzalez, for being the best work and life buddy ever.

FRANKIE CONFALONE (Costume Design) is thrilled to return to Phoenix, previously seen onstage as Will in American Idiot! Favorite Costume Designs: Boeing, Boeing at Monmouth HS and Rock of Ages, Hair & Little Shop of Horrors at Exit 82 Theatre (with partner Desiree Davenport). Next Up: Director for Exit 82’s Elf JR and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play!

ASHLEY CUSACK (Scenic Charge) is a freelance scenic designer and artist working throughout the tri-state area. She holds an MFA in Scene Design from Mason Gross School of the Arts, and loves transforming spaces into magical environments to be explored and developed. Everyday life with her wild-child daughter keeps her on her toes and ready for any adventure that comes along.

LIZ GONZALEZ (Director) is so excited to make her Phoenix debut directing IN THE HEIGHTS! Liz has a BA in Theatre from Ramapo College and works full time as the Production Stage Manager at Music Mountain Theatre. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and team for their passion, dedication and hard work on this production as well as Phoenix Productions for this incredible opportunity! Endless love and thanks to her parents and her husband, Chris.

JAMES GRAUSAM (Artistic / Managing Director) has directed several productions for Phoenix at the Count Basie including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, The 30th Anniversary Gala Concert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Songs for a New World, Smokey Joe’s Café, Spring Awakening, Elf, Putting It Together, Evil Dead The Musical, American Idiot, and The Music Man. He continues to direct and perform other places as time allows. As always, for Olivia.

NATALIE HAYES-SCOTT (Choreographer) is an educator, teaching artist, and performer from Long Branch, NJ. She started working with Phoenix Productions in 2020. When not at Phoenix, Natalie is the Program Manager of the Be S-Well Program for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. A special thank you to the production team, to this amazing cast, and to her husband, family, and friends for their love and support! She dedicates her work to her mom, Susan Hayes-Stasio.

ISABELLA (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior at East Brunswick Magnet School studying Arts Technology and has done almost twenty shows since being in high school. She has worked on multiple productions at Two River Theater among school productions. This is her ﬁrst time with Phoenix Productions and she’s excited to be here!

FRAN CENTOFANTE KATZ (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be back in the booth after serving as Production Stage Manager for Once on This Island last season. Fran started with Phoenix Productions in the cast of Peter Pan back in 1997 and since then has been a part of all aspects of the organization both on stage and behind the scenes, most recently as Production Manager for Guys and Dolls. Fran would like to thank her Assistant Stage Managers and Production Assistants for all of their hard work as well as Stew, Sydney and Jason for their love and support.

SYDNEY KATZ (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior at Marlboro HS and is excited to work on her 7th Phoenix production! She was last seen in the Dance Ensemble of The Music Man this summer and has previously been on crew for Nice Work If You Can Get It and A Christmas Carol. She’d like to thank the rest of the production team and the cast for the fantastic learning experience!

TEDDY KERNIZAN (Music Director) is excited to be returning to Phoenix Productions as Music Director. He is a pianist, conductor, and educator from Mount Holly, NJ. Previous Music Director and Keyboard credits include: School of Rock, The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, and Once on This Island (Count Basie Center); Anything Goes, Gypsy, SpongeBob the Musical and Cinderella (Spring Lake Community Theatre); The Addams Family and Avenue Q (Axelrod Theatre). Teddy would like to thank the AMAZING Production Team here, this talented cast, and a special thank you to his supportive parents and 3 sons for all of their love and support.

JAMES MARHOLD (Production Manager) has been a performer and Production Manager at Phoenix for nearly 35 years! Production credits include: Once on This Island, Evita, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, West Side Story, Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, Songs for a New World and many others. Thanks to Kathy and Patrick for their love and support!

WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION TEAM

AMANDA MUNICE

(Assistant Stage Manager/Properties) is delighted to return to some of her favorite roles behind the scenes to support this talented cast and crew. She was last seen on the Phoenix stage in The Music Man as Maud Dunlop. Previous backstage credits with Phoenix include: Stage Manager for A Chorus Line, City of Angels, and CATS; Lights/Sound for Jeffrey and A New Brain.

KYLE SANTOPADRE

(Scenic Design/Technical Director) has a BA in Theatre with a Design Concentration from Rowan University. After college, Kyle worked for Royal Caribbean as Technical Stage Staff on board the Oasis of the Seas (CATS, Frozen in Time, Come Fly With Me, Oasis of Dreams). He is currently the Assistant Technical Director and Lighting Designer for The Count Basie Center for the Arts. Past designs include: Spring Awakening, A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz (Phoenix Productions), Hello, Dolly! (Capital Productions), and Noises Off (Raritan High School). Many thanks to a wonderful production team!

DYLAN SHEPPARD (Production Assistant) is excited to be helping on her second show at Phoenix. She was most recently a Production Assistant for The Music Man. Currently, she goes to Muhlenberg College for Theatre and Music. She hopes the cast and crew have an amazing run. Alabanza!

QUINCY SOUTHERLAND

(Assistant Choreographer) is excited to be a part of the creative process of IN THE HEIGHTS! This is Quincy’s tenth show with Phoenix dating back to Phoenix’s 2018 production of IN THE HEIGHTS. Since then Quincy has worked for Royal Caribbean and Axelrod Contemporary Ballet. He is very thankful for the opportunity to work with this amazing production team and talented cast. @quincydances

KENDALL THORNER (Production Assistant) is excited to be a ﬁrst-time Production Assistant! She has been a part of many productions as an actor, but is so grateful to be part of the crew to learn more about what happens backstage to make a show look spectacular! She wishes the cast luck and thanks the Production Team for their guidance!

JO WYMER (Assistant Production Manager) is a Navy Veteran, a 2x AMA award winner & a 2x Grammy nominee for her original music written for TV & ﬁlm. Recent credits include: The Bikinis (Karla) - Asbury Park Theater Company, International touring cast of IN THE HEIGHTS (Abuela Claudia). Phoenix Productions credits: Evil Dead The Musical (Production Stage Manager), The Wizard of Oz (Assistant Stage Manager), Mamma Mia! (Rosie Mulligan), Every Wednesday Night (Teresa/Gloria Genovese), IN THE HEIGHTS (Abuela Claudia), Evita (Juana Duarte/Aristocrat). She is the 2023 NJACT Perry Award Nominee and Phoenix Award winner for Outstanding Stage Management for Phoenix Productions’ presentation of Guys and Dolls. She is grateful for her family and her Phoenix family. Que Dios Te Bendiga. @jowymermusic

MARK ZUCKERMAN (Sound Design) is excited to return to Phoenix Productions for IN THE HEIGHTS. Mark was the resident sound designer and engineer for Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, New York for over 10 years and works extensively throughout the New York and Nashville metro areas. Favorite credits include: Aida (Studio Tenn), Phantom, Jekyll and Hyde, Hairspray, Always… Patsy Cline, as well as the regional premier of IN THE HEIGHTS (Westchester Broadway). More at MarkSZuckerman.com & MZTheatrical.com