Charlie And The Chocolate Factory at La Comedia

Welcome to a world of Imagination Pure, wait, Strike That, Reverse It, welcome to a world of Pure Imagination! Dylan is back on our stage after just appearing as mullet-rocking Sammy in The Wedding Singer. A few of his other favorite roles include, Carl Bruner in Ghost: The Musical, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Inspector Carter in The Play That Goes Wrong, Jetsam in The Little Mermaid, and Nick O'Brian in Shear Madness. Dylan has been in multiple children's shows here as well, including his favorite, playing Toad in A Year With Frog and Toad. A graduate of the New York Film Academy, Dylan lived and performed in New York and Los Angeles for many years before meeting his fiancé in musical theater (on our stage no doubt). Dylan sends his love to his family for all their support, especially his mom, Allison, and his number one fan, Dalton. He dedicates the role of Willy Wonka to his dessert-loving Mamaw, she never missed a show. “Thank you for supporting live theatre!” Keep up with Dylan on his Instagram @dylanleejackson

Liam is delighted to make his return to the LaComedia stage after appearing as Bruce in Matilda: The Musical. His other recent credits include Pugsley in The Addams Family, Young Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde, and Race in Newsies Jr. Liam is currently a voice student at the Music in Me Studio in Springboro, a tap/ballet student at the Dayton Dance Conservatory, and a performance student at the Dayton Live Creative Academy. He would like to thank his family, friends, and coaches for all of their love and support. A special thanks goes to the production team, directors, and cast for their warm welcome.

Sky is thrilled to get the Golden Ticket to play Charlie Bucket after just turning 12! He’s gone from chocolate cake to chocolate bars at LaComedia after playing Bruce last summer in Matilda: The Musical.. Recent credits: Randy Parker in A Christmas Story at the Aronoff in Cincinnati with CMT and Jojo in Seussical with Town Hall. Sky was also a competitive tap dancer for several years. When not on stage, Sky loves engineering, piano and ukulele, rock climbing, making pottery, books, video games, Harry Potter (proud Ravenclaw), and his cats. Much love to his mom and dad for their support. IG: @sky_smyth

Kenn is a poet, author, and retired pastor – Barton-Books.com. Originally from the East Coast, he has performed and directed a variety of shows throughout NY, NJ, and CT, recently playing Dept. Gov. Danforth in The Crucible at Brookville Community Theatre. He is excited to “return to the boards” here at LaComedia. Favorite roles: George in Of Mice and Men, Macduff in Macbeth, and Mike Curtis in Second Time Around. Although Kenn has not actually spent the last 40-years in bed, he’s thankful to God for being cast, since he actually last auditioned for LCDT in NYC some 40-plus years ago.

Allison is excited to make her regional theatre debut with LaComedia. She is from New Jersey and Florida, and is currently based in NYC. Past credits include Prisoner in Wakeman at Circle In The Square Theatre, Kate in See Rock City and Other Destinations at the University of Tampa, and multiple cabarets in NYC across 54 Below, Green Room 42, Reverie Room, and Chelsea Table and Stage. She runs her own cabaret producing company called Aurora Light Productions with her best friend. She’d like to thank her family, friends, and team for their continued support. Represented by FireStarter Entertainment and Bright Artists Management.

D’Juliana is thrilled to make her La Comedia debut. She is grateful to the cast, crew, and production team for their warm welcome and support throughout the process. Favorite past credits include Nina in In the Heights, Paulette in Legally Blonde, and Cha-Cha in Grease. Special thanks to the Calzada’s Kitchen team for their constant love and encouragement. Thank you for supporting live theatre, and she hopes you enjoy the show. Follow her journey on Instagram: @djulianacalzada.

Olivia currently studies commercial music vocal performance with an emphasis in songwriting and a minor in dance at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She toured with Andrea Bocelli and Lauren Daigle and recently released her debut single “Orange,” available on all streaming platforms, with an EP release this summer. She interned with the Open Jar Institute, where she collaborated with current dance captains and cast members from Broadway productions including Death Becomes Her, Cabaret, and Heathers. With over ten years of acappella experience, she attended Acappella Academy in L.A. where she worked alongside members of Pentatonix. This summer, she joined the voice teaching staff at Music in Me Studio, Springboro, and Sand Dollar Music Studio, Centerville. Olivia hopes you remember to never lose the spark of imagination.

Connor is excited to make his LaComedia debut. He is a recent graduate of Tippecanoe High School/MVCTC with a concentration in media and video production. Connor has been active in local theatre productions with Muse Machine (Frozen, Cats, 9 to 5), Vandalia Youth Theatre (Beauty and The Beast, Hadestown, The Wizard of Oz, Descendants), Yellow Brick Theater (Legally Blonde, Urinetown), and Tippecanoe High School (The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, The Addams Family, Little Women). He is grateful to the amazing cast and crew for this wonderful experience. Finally, he would like to thank his family and friends for the love, encouragement and support.

Matt makes his return to the main stage after appearing in LaComedia’s productions of The Wizard of Oz in 2016 and both showings of The Little Mermaid in 2015 and 2021. This graduate of theatre from Miami University was recently seen performing in Springfield’s showing of Tarzan: The Musical, as well as Dayton Playhouse’s Avenue Q, for which he received an honorary Blackburn Award. When Matthew is not on stage, he is teaching high school students mathematics through the school’s drama club. He sincerely hopes his friends and family enjoy this show, as he works with his amazing cast mates – especially Izzy, “The Queen of Pop.

Taryn is a Los Angeles-based actor, choreographer, director, and teaching artist. She was last seen on the LaComedia stage 15-years ago, when she played “Dream Sunny” in Sleeping Beauty. As a Columbus, Ohio, native, she is excited to return to the Buckeye State. Some of her favorite credits include Jan in Grease, Kanga in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail, Telly in Godspell, and Roz in 9 to 5. She holds a B.F.A. in musical theatre from Missouri State University. Love to the cast, creative team, her family, and Cameron. “Have Courage and Be Kind” @taryn.jennifer.huffman

Ed is thrilled to be back once again on the LaComedia stage. You might remember his performances in The Wedding Singer, Singin’ in the Rain, Ghost: the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man, How I Became a Pirate, and Godspell. Ed enjoyed very much his work as a performance instructor at Centerville's Town Hall Theater from 2011 through 2024, being involved in over 40 shows there. He holds a bachelor's degree in theater performance from the University of Maryland, and has had the extreme honor of performing onstage with all four of his children (and also his lovely bride!) over the last fourteen years. He appreciates your patronage.

Haley is from Dayton, Ohio, and returns after last appearing in The Wedding Singer and Jesus Christ Superstar. A graduate of The Warren County Career Center for welding, she was a TIG welder for General Electric Aviation before deciding to pursue theatre full time. Recent credits include Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense Jamboree, Ensemble/Louise u/s in Holiday Inn, Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None, Slim in Oklahoma! Pattie in Beehive: The 60’s Musical, Francine Valli in Jersey Boys, and Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web.

Sierra returns to LaComedia after appearing in The Wedding Singer, Jesus Christ Superstar, Singin’ in the Rain, Scrooge: The Musical, Ghost: The Musical and Children of Eden. Also known as CeCe, she, began her career at an early age with voice overs and acting for the PBS TV show “Funbunch Playhouse.” She sang as one of the lead vocalists with the Cincinnati Freedom Choir, performing at the Major League Baseball Beacon Awards Luncheon in honor of Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Bill Cosby, and former President Bill Clinton. She has also performed with BeBe Winans during the Major League Baseball Civil Rights game. After moving to Atlanta, Georgia, she was featured in various movies and TV shows such as The Best of Enemies, Insatiables, Pitch Perfect 3, and GreenLeaf.

Steven is excited to return to the LaComedia stage. You may have seen him as King Triton in The Little Mermaid, Gerard Carriere in Phantom, Gaston in Beauty and The Beast, Mr. Macy in Miracle on 34th Street, and Mr. Fezziwig in Scrooge: The Musical, just to name a few of his favorite roles. Theatre is his passion, and he enjoys performing on numerous stages including his prior performance experience at Kings Island. Steven would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting him, especially James, for the encouragement to live his dream. Enjoy our world of pure imagination!

Carley is thrilled to be making her LaComedia debut. She is currently pursuing a B.F.A. in acting at Wright State University. Some of her favorite past roles include Donna in Mamma Mia! and Rusty in Footloose with Encore Community Theatre. She is also excited to appear as Rosalie in Wright State University’s upcoming production of Decision Height. Carley is grateful for this opportunity and excited to perform alongside such a talented cast and creative team. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Aaralyn is both honored and thrilled to be making her debut with LaComedia. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Miami University, and hopes to get her master’s degree in nursing as well. Aaralyn’s past performances include Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Deb in Elf: The Musical, Pugsley in The Addam’s Family, and Jane in Mary Poppins. She is incredibly grateful for her friends and family for supporting her through this journey and hopes you enjoy the show.

Noah is sophomore at Kent State University and is ecstatic to be making his first return to LaComedia since The Wizard of Oz over ten years ago when he played a little Munchkin. He has played numerous roles in the past such as such as Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde, Macavity in Cats: The Musical, and Dimitry in Anastasia. He’d like to thank his family and friends for supporting him and this incredible cast and crew for putting together such a memorable show and experience. Noah can’t wait for you to see the hard work they’ve put in and hopes you enjoy.

Meghan is thrilled to be returning to LaComedia after most recently appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar. Other LaComedia credits include Countess Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express, Witch in Into the Woods, Beverly in The Church Basement Ladies: Plowin' Thru, Betty Jean in The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Punky Olander in Grumpy Old Men. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s in music in piano performance. She has performed at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and was in the Florida Touring Choir for Josh Groban’s “Stages” tour. She has been in several operas, including Turandot, Suor Angelica, and Blind Injustice with the Cincinnati Opera.

David returns to LaComedia after appearing as Buddy in Elf: The Musical, Ralph Sheldrake in White Christmas, Mr. Boddy in Clue: The Musical, and Mara in Miracle on 34th Street, to name a few. He is is a Dayton native and has performed elsewhere in shows such as Thoroughly Modern Millie as Jimmy, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Leaf Coneybear. This is David’s first show with the new owners of LaComedia Dinner Theatre, The Gabert Family!

Zachary is very excited to be making his LaComedia debut. He is a Tampa-based actor and a recent graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. He wants to thank his family for allowing him to follow his dreams. Some of his favorite credits include Shrek in Shrek: The Musical, Mr. Wormwood in Matilda: The Musical, and Henry Saunders in Lend Me a Tenor. Keep up with everything he does on Instagram: @zacharytrenkle

Zane is so excited to be making his professional theatre debut at LaComedia. He just graduated from the South Carolina School of the Arts with his B.F.A. in musical theatre. There, he performed in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Percy Jackson), Into the Woods (Jack), and Grease (Doody). Off the stage, he enjoys improv comedy, crocheting, and spending time with his incredibly adorable corgi. He is so thankful for his family (and many, many others) for all of their support over the years. Zane hopes you have the best time watching this show. Instagram: @zane_tyberius

Izzy is a native Cincinnatian and is stoked to be making her regional premiere with La Comedia! Izzy will soon be heading into her sophomore year studying music theatre at Baldwin Wallace University. Some favorite past roles of hers include Roxie in Chicago - Teen Edition, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Luke in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Izzy has been obsessed with this musical since middle school, and she is immensely grateful to get to perform it with such an amazing cast and crew. Bow down to the Queen of Pop: @izzy.wesloh

Jordan is an Indiana-based actor who is thrilled to be joining the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A graduate of Earlham College, Jordan is known for his roles as Michel in Murder on the Orient Express (La Comedia Dinner Theatre), Dr. Duke in Dr. Duke's Electric Lab (Bright Star Touring Theatre), Yukon Cornelius in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Richmond Civic Theatre), Don Vincentio in A Bold Stroke for a Husband (Southbank Theatre Company), and Mr. Bumble in Oliver! (Nettle Creek Players). He would like to thank his family for all the support.