MEET THE CAST

Guys and Dolls

Desi Amato (Miss Adelaide) - Desi is thrilled to have the opportunity to play such an iconic character. Originating from Lima, Ohio, Desi attended Wright State University’s BFA program for Acting with a Musical Theatre emphasis. National Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neely and Corey Glover, Junie B. Jones, and Skippyjon Jones. Regional credits include: Into the Woods (Witch), Joseph …Dreamcoat (Narrator), Sister Act (Tina), Big River (Alice's Daughter), World Premiere of Green Gables (Jane), Aida (Aida), Threepenny Opera (Polly Peachum), The Gondoliers (Fiametta), and the world premiere of the musical Battlecry. Desi is constantly supported by and thankful for her husband Stephen, daughter Eloise, and twin toddlers Isabel and Theo. Thank you to NPT and NSO for this amazing opportunity.

Heidi Giberson (Sarah Brown) is thrilled to join The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and The New Paradigm Theatre Company playing one of her favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein heroines. This past fall she played Sharon in Music Theatre of Connecticut’s production of Master Class not too far down the road. Her Broadway credits include understudying and performing Ella in the original cast of Cinderella and also understudying and performing Cosette in the second original revival cast of Les Misérables. Her experience also includes Off-Broadway's The Fantasticks and the national tours of Cats, The Sound of Music, and Fiddler on the Roof. She has a BFA in Acting with a Musical Theatre Emphasis from Wright State University. Special thanks to her family, friends, teachers, and agents for all their support. For Kyle and Calvin.

Brian Ray Norris (Nathan Detroit) is a Broadway, Film and Television Actor and proud member of both Actors Equity and SAG AFTRA. Brian is best known for originating the role of Mr. Krabs on Broadway in The Sponge Bob Square Pants musical and reprised his role in the Live On Stage version that aired on Nickelodeon. Brian most recently was featured on HBOs The Gilded Age. Brian recurred on Season 11 of American Horror Story NYC as Detective Mulchahey. Brian has performed around the world and in Off Broadway productions including Guy in A Dog Story and as Miles in Sideways; and most recently played Santa in Elf at Bucks County Playhouse. Follow on Insta@brianraynorris or www.brianraynorris.com

Jeremiah James (Sky Masterson) is a West End Star (Carousel ) Broadway performer ( Funny Girl ) and international recording artist. He is also an award winning lead producer, writer and director. As a performer, Mr. James has shared his talent with well over 170 professional productions. As a recording artist (TEATRO), he has a UK Gold Record, Number 1 albums in two countries as well as performances for HRH Queen Elizabeth. As lead producer, his original musical, It Happened in Key West (a project he conceived and is co-book writer) had its world premiere on London’s West End in 2018 (with a live cast album on all streaming services) and made its US premiere at The Fulton Theatre in Jan 2024. His latest project The Last Match: A Pro Wrestling Rock Experience with a concept album starring Ramin Karimloo on all streaming services (also a show conceived, co-written, as well as directed by James) is a multiple award- winning, fully-immersive pro wrestling rock show, and will be landing in London for its residency in the fall of 2026!

Christopher Andrade (Rusty Charlie) is the choir director and music technology teacher at Darien High School. He is thrilled to be returning to the stage with NPT and NSO, having previously appeared in “Carousel” as Commander Harbison and in “The Music Man” as Oliver Hicks. Chris has also worked onstage and behind the scenes on numerous NPT productions beginning with a small role in “Bye, Bye, Birdie” and most recently as set builder, props master, and technical advisor for “Hairspray.” Chris also serves as the director of music for Holy Trini ty Lutheran Church and directs Coastal Mix, a community-centered barbershop chorus, both based in Trumbull.

Raissa Katonah Bennett (General Matilda Cartwright) - On Broadway, Norwalk native RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, appeared as "Christine Daae" in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CHESS in concert, and the First National Tours of CATS & PARADE. On television, she has appeared in shows such as: LAW AND ORDER: SVU, and UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. A multiple award-winning concert & cabaret artist, she’s headlined at Feinstein’s, the Beechman Theatre, the Metropolitan Room, The Iridium and guest starred at Rose Hall Lincoln Center, Town Hall and with various symphony orchestras throughout the East. She has 2 critically acclaimed CD’s on I-tunes and Amazon and in CT, she has been seen as “Mrs. Potts” in Summer Theatre Of New Canaan’s Beauty and the Beast, “Helen” in Fun Home and “Truvy” in Steel Magnolias at Music Theatre of CT. Most recently, Raissa produced, hosted and performed in“Broadway at the Mansion” a fundraiser for Lockwood-Matthews Mansion in Norwalk, which her parents helped to save from demolition back in the 60’s.

Dominic Mantuano (Big Jule) is a powerful vocalist and performer who has been singing since age four. In 1999, he first came to international prominence after inning the World Championship of Performing Arts, becoming he Grand Champion Performer of the World, beating out 1,500 performers from 30 different countries in eight categories of the Arts. He also toured with many shows and professionals like Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Smokey Robison, and more. Today, he continues to sing a mix of classic and contemporary ballads, pop, opera, Broadway, and other genres. Dominic’s album from Capitol Records can be heard on all streaming platforms. He is proud to be a part of NPT and work with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. Past shows with NPT have been Oklahoma!, Carousel, Footloose, The Little Mermaid, and Grease. Dominic is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation, serving burn survivors 8–18 to attend the Arthur C. Lufburn camp at no charge. Dominic is married to his beautiful wife Amy, and continue together to give and serve at their church in Fairfield. Also, he is a VP of the Stratford Rotary.

Vincent McCoy (Benny Southstreet) - NYC/National Tour: World Premier & Off- Broadway production of Liberty - A Monumental New Musical, World Premier & 1st National Tour of Magic Tree House: The Musical. CT Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mr. Salt), Guys & Dolls (Sky Masterson), How to Succeed...(J. Pierrepont Finch), Carousel (Billy Bigelow), The Producers (Leo Bloom), Spring Awakening (Melchior Gabor), and Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford). Vinny is the Associate Artistic Director of Spotlight Stage Company in Seymour, CT, where he also directs. WCSU Musical Theater graduate. He lives in Milford, CT with his wife, son, and daughter.

John Moran (Lieutenant Brannigan) has been a student of Kristin Huffman since 2023. He has performed with NPT as Grandpa George in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Joe in Oklahoma with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, and Mr. Pinky in Hairspray. John is a member of Clan na Gael Players, Tara Theater and Aspen Dream Productions. John would like to thank his Mom and Dad for the Irish accent.

Lou Ursone (Harry the Horse) was seen recently as Nick/Doug in Come From Away at Curtain Call; with New Paradigm Theatre as Wilbur in Hairspray, Grandpa Joe in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, and in la Cage aux Folles as Mnsr. Dindon at Music Theatre of CT. Favorite roles: three times as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, four times as John Adams in 1776, The Duke in Big River, Mack Sennett in Mack and Mabel, Michael in I Do, I Do, Mushnick in Little Shop, Littlechap in Stop The World, Buddy in City of Angels and as Zaza/Albin in La Cage aux Folles. Regionally, he has performed at The Goodspeed, Music Theatre of CT, Ocean State Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Falmouth Playhouse, Downtown Cabaret and Summer Theatre of New Canaan. He appeared in numerous films, commercials and TV shows, including a recurring role on ABC- TV’s Loving, plus Ryan’s Hope, All My Children and One Life to Live, with additional principal work on Rescue 911 and Unsolved Mysteries. Lou was Connecticut Arts Administrator of the Year in 2008 as Curtain Call’s Executive Director. "Thanks, Jan, for all your love and support!"

Thomas Woodman (Arvide Abernathy) - Baritone Thomas Woodman is a familiar presence in the Fairfield County arts scene, performing as a soloist with the Greater Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich Symphonies, as well as the Fairfield County Chorale, Mendelssohn Choir, Fairfield University Glee Club, and the Greenwich Choral Society. His opera, oratorio, and symphonic career includes appearances with the Metropolitan Opera (Valentin in Faust, Wolfram in Tannhäuser), San Francisco Opera (Ping in Turandot, Germont in La Traviata), New York City Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and La Scala. He has sung The Messiah, Brahms’ Requiem, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at Carnegie Hall, and performed at a State Dinner hosted by President Ronald Reagan for Queen Elizabeth II. A member of the inaugural Adler Fellowship class at San Francisco Opera, he currently serves as Bass Section Leader/Soloist at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich and teaches voice at Greenwich High School.

Max Zander (Nicely-Nicely Johnson) - The “athletically comic” and “strong-voiced” tenor Max Zander has been seen and heard with opera companies and orchestras across the United States and abroad. He is thrilled to be returning to the Norwalk Symphony, having previously appeared as Monostatos in its production of The Magic Flute. Career highlights include Bardolfo in Falstaff with both the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Berkshire Opera Festival, Pong in Turandot with Cedar Rapids Opera, the Four Servants and Nathanaël in Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Opéra Louisiane, Guillot de Morfontaine in Manon with Opera Idaho, Caius in Falstaff with Opera Saratoga, Fima Votov in the world premiere of Arkhipov with Jacaranda, and Beppe in Pagliacci with Opera Delaware. Equally at home in musical theatre, he has appeared as the Governor and Vanderdendur in Candide with the South Florida Symphony, and as Anselmo (u/s Sancho) in Man of La Mancha with Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, where he also understudied J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For more information, visit www.maxjacobzander.com.