'A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Rewired Musical' Cast

Ben Reynolds (Lysander/Mustardseed) is thrilled to join FUSE Theatre of CT for this production. He lives in North Branford and has played Jack in Into the Woods for the NBIS Drama Club, Aaron Fox in Curtains: The Musical for the NBHS Drama Club, Mr.MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie for EHAC, and many other roles. Ben receives vocal lessons from the wonderful Kelliann Festa, as a part of Festa Studios, along with Improv lessons from director Lara Morton, as part of the Focus Teen Improv group. Ben would like to thank all of his family and friends for their support in his acting endeavors. “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”-Michael Scott

Emma Blanchette (Hermia/Moth) is a 14-year-old freshman at Amity High School. She is thrilled to join FUSE Theatre of CT for this unique and exciting production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s not her first time playing Hermia; she has previously played the role at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, where she studied theatre as her arts concentration. Emma recently won Amity's school level competition for the English-Speaking Union's National Shakespeare Competition, and she'll be representing Amity at the upcoming CT state competition. Her other past roles include Molly in Annie and Little Ti Moune in Once on This Island (Square Foot Theatre, Wallingford, CT). She’s also had ensemble and small speaking roles in various other shows, including Seussical the Musical, The Little Mermaid, Elf, and Shrek. She has training in acting, dancing, music, voice, and improv. She’d like to thank her former theatre teacher, Matthew Young, for helping her grow as a serious actor.

"Kenny Pelphrey (Demetrius) is a 15 year old freshman at Guilford High, professionally repped by Nouveaux Talent Management. Since he started acting in 3rd grade, he has been in many shows. Under the direction of Lara Morton, he has been 'Buddy The Elf' in Elf Jr., the 'Bookseller' in Beauty and the Beast Jr, and 'Scar' in Lion King, Jr. He was also 'Brett' in 13! with WISP, 'Bert' in Mary Poppins with GYFS and 'Horton the Elephant' in Seussical Jr with Rich Theater in Virginia Beach. Kenny is a founding member of FOCUS teen Improv and has performed with them in competitions and school performances. Kenny is an experienced improv comedian, singer, voice actor, and now a Shakespearean actor. When he isn't acting, he's an expert folk-style wrestler, David Bowie fanatic, and a proud middle child. He hopes you enjoy the show! "Life is this crazy, mystical thing, and sometimes you go out like a buster."- Joseph Marquez

Sylvia Sonenstein (Helena/Moth) is 15 years old and a Sophomore at Daniel Hand High School in Madison. She attends Westbrook Dance Academy where she has been dancing for 14 years. She performs on the WDA senior competition team and studies Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyric and Pointe. Sylvia loves all things Broadway and enjoys sewing, crew, gaming, playing ukulele, and guitar. She also performs improv semi-professionally with FOCUS Teen Improv. Past theatre roles: Nala (Lion King Jr.), Brooke Windham (Legally Blonde the Musical), Patrice (13 the Musical), Margot (The Diary of Anne Frank), Rose Alvarez (Bye, Bye Birdie), Jovie (Elf Jr the Musical), Peter Pan (Peter Pan). Sylvia would like to thank FUSE Theatre of CT for this opportunity to explore theatre via zoom during Covid. Many thanks to our amazing director and production team; as well as friends and family for their love and support!

Dean Paglino (Bottom) is excited for his first official production with FUSE Theatre of CT. He is a freshman at Guilford High School and ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven (Acting). Dean is no stranger to the boards, having appeared as 'Miss Trunchbull' in Matilda, 'Lefou' in Beauty and the Beast Jr., 'Captain Hook' in Peter Pan Jr., 'Macy's Manager' in Elf Jr., Malcolm in 13 the Musical, Sonny in Grease, Teddy Roosevelt in Newsies and 'Leaf Coneybear' in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Dean has also performed with FOCUS Teen Improv as a founding member under the direction of Lara Morton, and is represented by Nouveaux NY. He made his network television debut last year in 'Madame Secretary'. He would like to thank his cats, Charlie and Cougar for this wonderful opportunity.

Noah Sonenstein (Oberon) is thrilled to be playing Oberon in this imaginative production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Noah is a Junior at Daniel Hand High School in Madison and attends New Haven’s Educational Center for the Arts for Music; where he studies percussion and vocals. He is also a member of FOCUS. Noah enjoys art (drawing), guitar, History and Civics. Past roles: Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (WISP), The Prince in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Legacy Theatre), Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde the Musical (WISP), Ignacio in Anon(ymous) (Mercy HS), Vince Fontaine in Grease (WISP), Police Officer in Sister Act the Musical (Mercy HS), Mr. Harry MacAfee in Bye, Bye Birdie (Our Lady of Mercy), Coroner in The Wizard of Oz (OLM) and Captain Hook in Peter Pan (OLM). Noah would like to thank FUSE and this wonderful creative team for the opportunity to explore Shakespeare during this time spent mostly at home. Love to his family and friends.

Norah Stotz (Titania) is very excited to be a part of Fuse’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She started studying Shakespeare during quarantine with Fuse and is really enjoying it. Norah has been doing theater since she was about seven years old. Since then, she’s been in dozens of productions and a movie, and performs regularly with FOCUS Teen Improv. Some favorite roles include 'Ms. Hannigan' in Annie, 'Enid' in Legally Blonde, and 'Rona' in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She sends her thanks to her family and to Lara who have supported her along her theatrical journey.

Noah Enjalran (Quince) is very excited to be performing in Fuse Theater’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He has been a member of FOCUS Teen Improv, under the guidance of Lara Morton, for three years and appeared in a Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Robinson Crusoe at The Kate in Old Saybrook in the summer of 2019. He is 14, and lives in Madison with his parents, two cats, and a dog.

Harper Hellerman (Puck) is eager to join FUSE Theatre of CT for this production. She lives in Hudson, MA and is participating virtually. She's acted in several shows at school, including Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, and Pippin, and is thrilled to leap into an outside company with encouragement from parents, friends, and teachers alike.

Barbara Hentschel (Hippolyta): is delighted to be working on this terrifically creative Midsummer with this wonderfully talented company! Recent roles: 'Queen Gertrude' in Hamlet (Legacy Theatre), 'Lady Montague' in Romeo & Juliet, directed by Mark Lamos (Westport Country Playhouse), 'Mrs. Eynsford Hill' in Pygmalion (Legacy Theatre), Ride the Tiger (Long Wharf Theatre), Apple Season (Ivoryton Playhouse, WPI), 'Laura' in The Glass Menagerie (MLS, CT) and 'Lady Macbeth' in Macbeth (MLS, CT). TV: 'Amy Price' in Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (Netflix), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon). Barbara earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and has an MFA in acting from The Actors Studio Drama School, NYC. Barbara coaches privately and has worked on staff as a Resident Teaching Artist for Long Wharf Theatre. Much love to her dear family and friends for their love and support. Please visit: www.bhentschel.com

Theo Zucconi (Flute/Thisbe/Peaseblossom) s very excited to join his cast in putting on this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Theo has been acting his whole life and has been seen locally in the roles of 'Michael' in Elf The Musical Jr., 'Cogsworth' in Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Chip in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 'Young Simba' in The Lion King Jr. and 'Carlos' in Legally Blonde. He is also a singer and a skilled improviser, having trained and performed for the past three years with FOCUS Teen Improv, under the direction of Lara Morton. Theo attends Daniel Hand High School and the Educational Center for the Arts for Theatre.

MARTIN SMITH (Theseus) is excited to have his debut at Fuse Theatre. He has performed in a variety of theaters and singing groups including Center Stage, Whitney Players, Southington Community Theater, Bregamos Community Theater, SATB Cabaret, Atlanta Theater Festival and Act 2 Theatre. Favorite roles include: 'Donkey' in Shrek, 'Merc' in Legends of the Forgotten Borough by local playwright Sharece Sellem and 'Cinderella's Prince/Wolf' in Into The Woods. Martin studied theater & acting at Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet Highschool, University of Connecticut and Southern Connecticut State University. He has preformed on stages from New York to Georgia and in performances in associations Disney, Michael Bolton and the Force MDs, and toured around CT for several years with Handful Productions SATB Cabaret, under the direction of Lara Morton and Musical Direction of Lydia Arachne.

Brician Belizaire (Snug/Lion) is an eighth grader at Amity Middle School in Orange. He has participated in several theatre productions, including playing Elmer in Newsies at Fairfield Woods Middle School, Ed in Fuse Theater’s Lion King Jr. and Von Hussler in Amity Middle School’s production of Mary Poppins. Brician has participated in Odyssey of the Mind and he enjoys playing piano, cello, singing, dancing, launching rockets, and being a comedian. He is thrilled to be a part of this version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Julia Murphy (Snout/Wall) has been in several theatre productions such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek, and Young Frankenstein to name a few. You might have seen Julia acting in various haunted houses like Legends of Fear in Shelton, as a scary contortionist. Julia has trained in dance for over 9 years. She attended Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School and took many theatre, video production, and dance classes. She is a part of the Bunnell Singers group at her high school, and performed in Bunnell's marching band show as a dancer and actress. Julia would like to thank her parents for supporting her through her journey in the performing arts.

Juna Banks (Starveling/Moonshine) is thrilled to be in the role of 'Starveling.' Juna has previously appeared in musical productions including Evita, Neverland, and Little Shop of Horrors at the Broccoli Hall school, as well as Linx camp productions of Madagascar and High School Musical 2. She is presently performing the role of 'Leading Player' in a Broccoli Hall production of Pippin. Juna has taken improv theater classes from Linx and receives voice training from Jamie Schwartz. She is grateful to her family for helping her achieve her acting goals, and to Jake O’Hara for directing her in Little Shop of Horrors, connecting her to this show, and giving great advice.

Jake Egan O'Hara (Philostrate) holds a Bachelors (Hons) in Drama, Applied Theatre,and Education from the Royal Central School of Speech of Drama, and has completed Masters coursework through Harvard University and the Harvard University Extension School with a concentration in the Dramatic Arts. He is a licensed Theatre teacher Additionally, he is a master teacher and adjudicating member of the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, and a member of the New Hollywood LGBT, a leadership group and think tank comprised of entertainment professionals dedicated to giving back to the community and helping shape the future of the film, television and theatre industries. Previous acting credits include 'Hanschen' in Spring Awakening, 'Puck' in Shakespeare in Hollywood, 'Dickon' in The Secret Garden, 'Action' in West Side Story and Victor in Train Guard (cabaret). Jake has recently been featured in the

Noah Golden (Egeus) has been involved with theater for most of his life, and is excited to embark on this creative journey, on a project that utilizes virtually (pun intended0 all of his skillsets. Favorite onstage roles include Barfee (25th Annual...Spelling Bee), Sancho Panza (Man of La Mancha) and Chas (Trestle at Pope Lick Creek). He has also worked as a director (The Orange Players), assistant director (A Shared Stage Productions), writer (Vintage Soul Productions, Long Wharf's upcoming New Haven Play Project) and played drums in the pit for several musicals around CT. Noah also covers New Haven theater for Onstage Blog and, during the day, is a video producer for Yale School of Medicine.