CAST BIOS

(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

VANESSA TARABOCCHIA (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be working with The Naples Players once again! Born and raised in New Jersey, Vanessa has appeared on various stages in the northeast coast, including renowned theaters; Paper Mill Playhouse and Carnegie Hall. Vanessa is an alumna from Montclair State University where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. You might remember her as Sister Sophia from The Sound of Music; the last show in the Blackburn Hall. Other credits include; Marty Maraschino/Grease, Velma/West Side Story, Hot Box Girl/Guys and Dolls. Vanessa would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support. Shout out to Saint Aphrodisius ;) Enjoy the show!

KENNY TRAN (Choir) is a TNP regular, currently an upcoming junior at FGCU. Some of his recent TNP appearances include the ensembles of Something Rotten! and Mary Poppins, as well as Jim the Drummer in The Wedding Singer. He’s ecstatic to be back with The Naples Players during their renovation process, and would like to thank TNP for putting on this fantastic show. He hopes you enjoy what it’s like Out There :)

ASEEM UPADHYAY (Phoebus) is thrilled to make his musical theatre debut in the United States. His last musical was more than a decade ago in India, called Shakuntala , where he played the role of Kanva the sage. He was most recently seen as Paul in Saving Kitty at The Studio Players. He also played the eccentric roles of Max/Peter in By The Way, Meet Vera Stark and Simon Bright in The Game’s Afoot at TNP last season. Additionally, he is a local singer-songwriter and has played at various spots across Southwest Florida. Delighted to be surrounded by uber-talented cast and crew, he would like to thank his family back home for their unending support. Time for some “Rest and Recreation” now!!! IG: @justameesa

LORELAI VEGA (Ensemble/Florika) is 17 years old and a dual-enrolled rising senior. She is beyond excited to be a part of this beautiful story alongside such a lovely cast and crew. You may have seen her recently as Liesl in The Sound of Music, Emily in A Christmas Carol , or Portia in Something Rotten! Teen. She would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who made this show possible and she hopes you enjoy the show!

RACHEL WEINER (Choir) is a freshman musical theatre major at Florida Southern College and this is her fourth year with The Naples Players! Previous roles at TNP were Troupe/Something Rotten! Teen and Ensemble/The Wedding Singer Teen. Other roles were Flounder/The Little Mermaid and Baker’s Wife/Into the Woods. She is so grateful and excited to be doing another show at TNP! Rachel thanks her parents for all their support and hopes you enjoy the show!

CIARAN WELCH (Ensemble) is currently attending AMDA for a BFA in Musical Theatre. He is currently a 2nd Semester, and hopes to make the Broadway stage. TNP Credits: Nigel/Something Rotten! Teen, George/The Wedding Singer Teen, Ms. Trunchbull/Matilda JR , Rolf/The Sound Of Music JR , Ensemble/Mary Poppins, Ensemble/Footloose, Ensemble/Mamma Mia! Teen. Other Credits: Gomez/The Addams Family (CFABS), Prof. Callahan/Legally Blonde (SJN High), Ensemble/Hairspray (GCHS). He thanks his Mom, Dad, and family for their continuous love and support. He also thanks Dawn and Charlie for believing in him, and pushing him to become a better performer. He thanks TNP for everything. He hopes you enjoy your time listening to the bells in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame!

JACK WELD (Ensemble) is excited to be working with Charles and Dawn Fornara again on another great musical. He was last seen in Sweeney Todd with the Lab Theater earlier this year and in Something Rotten! with TNP last summer. Other shows include Guys and Dolls, She Loves Me, The Music Man, Footloose, Young Frankenstein, Les Misérables, and The Producers. Thank you to everyone who supports the performing arts!