Amélie, the Musical at Masquers Playhouse

Solona Husband (Amélie) [she/her] is so excited and thrilled to be playing Amélie! This is her second show in the Bay Area after landing the leading role of Ti Moune in Once on This Island the Musical with Plethos Productions. She has been doing musical theater since elementary school and her dream of making it to Broadway has never changed. She hopes you enjoy this joyful, amazingly talented cast as they present the world of Amelie! Solona would like to thank her mother, Sharlene as she has always supported her dreams!

Sleiman El-ahmadieh (Nino - Guitar) [he/him/his] is so excited to be a part of his first show at Masqures playhouse! He just closed The Rocky Horror Show as Brad with Marin Musical Theatre Company! He’s been doing theatre for almost a decade now and is immensely grateful to be broadening his horizons to the East Bay!! He has loved working on this show with such a supportive and passionate energy emanating from the cast, and he cannot wait for everyone to see this unbelievably talented group of humans in action! Get ready to laugh, cry, and be sucked into the world of Amélie!!

Christina Boothman (Amandine/Philomene - Percussions) [she/her] is honored to be back at Masquers for her first full show since pre-pandemic times. She was last seen at Masquers in The World Goes Round (with fellow performer, Susan!). Christina studied music at The University of Michigan and has been performing in the Bay Area since 2013. Some favorite roles include Amalia in She Loves Me (Pinole), Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Pittsburg), Jenny in Company (Altarena), and Eden in Bullets Over Broadway (TVRT). Huge thanks to her son, Oliver, for sitting through many of these rehearsals. And bigger thanks to the cast and crew for tolerating the small stagehand!

Nelson Brown (Raphael/Bretodeau - Guitar) [he/him/his] is honored to be making his Masquers debut with this incredible cast and quite excited for his actor-muso debut! A regular North Bay performer, favorite roles include Roger in RENT, Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, The Adult Men in Spring Awakening (SFBATCC nomination, MMTC), Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night (Curtain Theatre), Cousin Kevin in The Who's Tommy (NTC), and Vince Fontaine in Grease (Mountain Play). Next up - Ram's Dad / Big Bud Dean in MMTC's Heathers. Thanks and love to Nikki, family, friends, and you for supporting local live theatre!

Paul Hogarth (Hippolito/Elton John - Piano) [he/him/his] is jazzed to be rocking the piano as Elton John & Hippolito. A Francophile whose family has lived in Paris since 1711, Paul is also thrilled to be in Amélie. He has performed as an actor, singer and musician with many Bay Area theatre companies – having played everything from a Nazi to a dancing hot dog. Favorite roles include Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (where he played on a real toy piano!), Harry in Company, Vinnie in Lucky Stiff, the Lounge Singer in Dogfight, and Schrank in West Side Story. A lawyer by training, Paul works for the liberal political website Daily Kos & often plays the piano in San Francisco at Martuni’s.

Anand Joseph (Blind Beggar - Accordion) [he/him/his] is super excited and grateful to be performing alongside the talented cast of Amélie. He started playing the accordion six years ago and ever since has been smitten by the instrument. In his free time, he loves to busk with his accordion in the streets and Yann Tiersen's soundtrack for [the film version of] Amélie is always part of the set list. When Enrico reached out to a Facebook group looking for an accordion player for Amelie, he couldn't believe his luck. This is his first time acting/singing. Anand is enjoying performing with this super talented and supportive cast. Anand's wife and two daughters can't wait to see him on stage. You can follow Anand's accordion adventures at @breezybellows on social media.

Hayley Kennen (Georgette/Sylvie – Viola) [she/her] is thrilled to be performing in her first Masquers Theater show. She recently graduated from Southern Oregon University with her Bachelor’s degree in theater arts, and before that studied theater at Diablo Valley College. Some past roles include Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher at DVC, William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Danville Village Theater, and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at Oregon Center for the Arts. She’d like to thank her family for putting up with her singing, and herself for looking good, so darn good.

Douglas Mandell (Dufayel/Collignon - Double Bass) [he/him/his] This is Douglas’ first appearance with Masquers, but his third actor/musician show directed by Enrico Banson. His recent performing experience has been more operatic, singing in Arianne and Bluebeard and a workshop production of Bulrusher with West Edge Opera over the summer, and also appearing with Lamplighters and Pocket Opera in past years. For more than 25 years he was the tenor section leader at St. Stephen’s, Belvedere, and has sung in productions ranging from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas to Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti. Favorite roles include Macheath (Threepenny Opera), Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte), and the Governor (Candide).

Victor Meneses (Joseph/Fluffy the Goldfish) [he/him/his] is making his first appearance with Masquers. His recent credits include productions of Godspell, Footloose, The Addams Family and Seussical at Diablo Valley College, where he is a performing arts major. When he's not onstage himself, Victor produces and directs musical showcases for nonprofit causes thru the Grant Street Players, a young adult performing troupe in Concord. He and his cat, Holmes, live in central Contra Costa.

Aaron Tan (Mysterious Man – Music Director/Piano) [he/him/his] has been playing the piano for 25 years and has been involved in musical theater for almost 20 years. He is typically found behind a piano or whatever instrument he can get his hands on, but is excited to venture onstage for the first time as a musician/actor/singer/MD for Amelie. He most recently was pianist/AMD for Next to Normal (The P.A. System Theatre) and pianist for Once on this Island (CCCT).

Susan Tonkin (Suzanne – Piano/Percussions) [she/her] is pleased to return to the Masquers to share the stage with old and new friends, having previously immensely enjoyed performing in the Kander & Ebb musical revue The World Goes 'Round prior to the big renovation. Recent Bay Area roles include Meg Boyd in Damn Yankees (Tri-Valley Repertory Theater), Joanne in Company (Altarena), Zeigfeld's Favorite in The Will Rogers Follies (West Valley Light Opera), Alice Beineke in The Addams Family (Stage1) and Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (DVC, music directed by Enrico Banson). Susan resides in Pleasanton with her husband Greg and two kids, but notes this show, team, cast and intimate venue is "worth the drive".

Heather Warren (Gina - Flute) [she/her] Heather is grateful to perform in her first in-person Masquers Playhouse production! She was seen as Mary Anthony in Masquer’s 2020 Zoom production of Just Vote by local playwright Judith Offer,and assisted with costumes for this season’s production of Sordid Lives. She is especially excited to present this show as an actor-muso and put her flute skills to use! She has performed in an actor-muso production once before as the Bird Girl in Seussical with BACT in 2018 and is delighted to have another opportunity. Other recent theatre credits include Splasher/Bowery Beauty (Newsies, TVRT); Sister (Damn Yankees, TVRT); Jenny (Company, PCP/PTC/GTE); and Ilona Ritter (She Loves Me, PCP). Heather regularly teaches and choreographs with CYT Tri-Valley and is a founding company member with Open City Dance Company. She is also active with the Peter Pan Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Lafayette that partners with local children’s hospitals and the Make-a-Wish Foundation to bring the arts, inspiration, and smiles to those who need it most! Outside of the performing arts, Heather loves being in nature, enjoying a wee cuppa (tea) with loved ones, going on hikes, and eating potatoes. She also loves to floss! @heatherbeeeee

Enrico Banson (Director) [he/him/his] is a filmmaker, stage director and actor and has written and directed two full-length indie films, The After and Some Night (played over 50 film festivals, winning Best Screenplay at Catskills Int’l Film Fest and Best Picture at Los Angeles Motion Picture Film Festival). He’s worked both in front of and behind the scenes in many movies and TV shows. Stage direction credits include Jekyll & Hyde (Fort Mason/The Royal Underground Theatre), Glory Days (Boxcar/The Royal Underground Theatre) and music directed numerous musicals. Some favorite stage acting credits: Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in Next to Normal, Stephen in Farragut North (Masquers Playhouse), Serge in Art, Roger in RENT (San Francisco Regional Premiere/Hollywood Hudson Theatre), Georg in Spring Awakening (Hudson Theatre, LA), Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (Golden Eagle Award/Winner the National Shakespeare Competition), Iago in Othello, Harry in Company (actor/muso version playing piano and trumpet as well). Much love to this amazing cast and crew, and to my family and wife, Maria.

Katherine Cooper (Movement/Choreography) [she/her/ella] is a theatre artist, advocate, and educator, who has choreographed & performed in Artistic Swimming routines for the FINA World Masters competition; Contemporary pieces for the Saint Mary's College Dance Company & the celebrated Works in the Works festival; and musical productions throughout the Bay, and beyond. It's been a joy to return and collaborate with such a wonderful and dedicated team in shaping this whimsical world. Instagram: @coopercocreative | coopercocreative.com

Bobby Scofield (Stage Manager) [he/him/his] is overjoyed to return to Masquers for this magical production of Amélie, after stage managing the uproarious comedy Sordid Lives earlier this season. Some of his other favorite productions, both on and off stage, include First Date, Next to Normal, The Wedding Singer, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and The Full Monty, all with Pinole Community Players. A high school teacher by day, Bobby likes to spend his free time road tripping with his husband Perry, and cuddling with his kitties Ginger, Felix, and Sunshine.