welcome to Santa Claus

Marlena Ascher (Holly Hopewell)

Davis Burke (Crosby)

Lia Cruz (Christy Winters)

Katie Durham (Paulette Plumb)

Quinn Fitzgerald (Meldrum Millward)

Aurora Hinden (Bing)

Rachelle Ianniello (Harriet Hofflemeyer)

Jimmy Johansmeyer (Mayor Freddie Frost) is an award-winning actor, costume designer, educator and co-producer of Pantochino. For sixteen years, he was the ‘resident villain’ with the former Downtown Cabaret Children’s Company. A graduate of Marist College, Jimmy has performed on hundreds of stages including New York Stage & Film/ Powerhouse Theatre, NY, Wallkill River Repertory, NY, The Theatre Barn, NY, Millbrook Playhouse, PA, and on the Main Stage of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre and The Legacy Theatre in Branford among others. He was nominated for a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for his performance in The Legacy Theatre’s “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.”Most recently at Legacy, he played Gary in Noises Off. His costume designs and creations have been seen throughout the country and include Cold As Ice starring Oxsana Baiul at Gateway Playhouse on Long Island, the Off-Broadway premiere of Matthew Passion and at The Theatre Barn, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre in North Carolina, Gorilla Theatre Tampa, The Emelin Theatre NY, Allenberry Playhouse, PA, Arundel Barn Playhouse, ME, to name a few. He teaches costume design at the R.J. Kinsella Magnet School of the Performing Arts in Hartford and continues his work as a freelance costume designer.

Valerie Loomis (Old Mrs. Pine), a long-time resident of Milford, has been performing in New England for over 30 years. Valerie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Philosophy from Clark University. Offstage, she enjoys traveling, sports, concerts, and spending time with her beloved dachshund, Penny Lane.  Valerie is thankful for the privilege to work with the fantastic creative team at Pantochino Productions! 

Tracey Marble (Rhonda LaRhonde)

Killian Meehan (Tanner Tallson)

Brenna Murphy (Ivy Inges)

Shelley Marsh Poggio (Fanny Frost) Woo-hoo! Here we come, Season 16! Shelley caught the acting bug at age 14 when she took the stage as Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner, and she’s been performing ever since. Her work has taken her to theaters throughout Connecticut and abroad, most notably performing at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. She is a proud Company Member of Pantochino Productions, where she has brought more than 40 original characters to life—thanks to the brilliant writing of Bert Bernardi. Many of these productions have been recognized with Connecticut BroadwayWorld Awards. Some of her favorite Pantochino roles include the title characters in The Wicked Witch of the West, Kansas or Bust (2015 CT BroadwayWorld Award – Best Actress in a Musical), The Brothers Grimm & A Showgirl, The Bewitchingly Scrumptious Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat, and Honeysuckle Jones in Checking In On Charles (2022 CT BroadwayWorld Award – Best Supporting Performer in a Musical). Much love and thanks to her family for their unwavering support, and to Bert, Jimmy, and Justin for their endless creativity XO

Justin Rugg (Dash Dawson) A composer, singer and actor, Rugg has co-authored 35 original musicals with writing partner Bernardi, many of which are published and available for licensing. Other works: five albums of original songs, Predictable Heart (cabaret performed at NYC’s Duplex), music for NYU Steinhardt’s 4@15 Festival, several piano works, dozens of theatre camp scores for young performers, the youth ballet I Dreamed Of A Place. A music and theatre teacher in Connecticut for 14 years, he received top honor in the “40 Under 40” awards from the Milford Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to the Pantochino family and all who support them.

Jakob Kelsey (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to continue working with the talented company at Pantochino! Jakob is a freelance theatrical lighting designer and electrician located in Stamford, CT. He graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Theatre Design/Technology. Previous credits with Pantochino Productions include: Grease, School Spirits, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You, And Away We Go, Prom, Panto of the Opera, Chicago, Noni Cimino’s Kitchen, Christmas in Oz, Saturday Night Fever and Tiaras Over Teaneck. Additional design credits include: Jester’s Dead, Peter/Wendy (WCSU); Little Women, Seussical (The Canterbury School); Into the Woods, 39 Steps (Castle Craig Players); Our Time: A Musical Showcase (ACT of CT). www.jakobkelseydesign.com

Bert Bernardi (Director) is the co-producer and co-founder of Pantochino Productions Inc and has been bringing ‘ridiculously entertaining’ theatre to the Milford since 2010. He is the former Artistic Director of the Children’s Company in Bridgeport and his work has been seen extensively at Cortland Repertory Theatre (NY), The Theatre Barn (NY), Millbrook Playhouse (PA) and the Surflight Theatre (NJ). His work as also been seen at Legacy Theatre (CT), Fairfield University, New York University, Music Theatre North (NY), the Boston Post Road Stage Company, Arundel Barn (NY) and TheatreWorks New Milford. With composer Justin Rugg, he has penned many, many new musicals, several of which are published, licensed and performed around the country. Bert is a recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in Connecticut. www.bertbernardi.com