The Gondoliers

Ensemble Bios

MARY NORA WOLF (Choreographer; Ensemble, u/s Duchess) is the singular company member to have performed in every Valenzi/Sheppard GSOC production. A self-described "Theatrical Maid of All Work," she has worked across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida as choreographer, performer, instrumentalist, costumer, and any other assortment of technical theatre roles imaginable. In addition to performing with GSOC and The Savoyaires, Mary Nora has been seen on stage at such venues as Big Noise Theatre in Xanadu and Blank Theatre Company in the Jeff-nominated The Wild Party, and has costumed such productions as Highland Park Players' Broadway World's “Best Production” of Rent, The Artistic Home's local and The Tank Off-Broadway's Malapert Love, and her current work (which can be seen this weekend and next) at Big Deal Theatre's Chicago Teen Edition in Buffalo Grove. Select credits: Caliope (Xanadu), Madelaine True (The Wild Party), Maggie Jones (42nd Street), Lucille Early (No, No, Nanette), Phoebe (As You Like It), Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables), Adriana (A Comedy of Errors), Leila (Iolanthe). Mary Nora has completed both the Improv and Music Improv Conservatories as well as Writing with The Onion at The Second City Training Center. Mary Nora’s activities off the stage include being a corporate world program control manager, sewing, fiber arts, roller skating, gardening, and her two black cats, Boo and Fionn. We leave you with feelings of pleasure! Special thanks to her fiancé Noah for taking care of her and the kitties. It’s all for you, Sitto. IAR. www.marynorawolf.com

SOPHIA ALTAMIRANO (Ensemble) is a soprano from Chicago and a recent graduate at DePaul University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. Role credits include: Nella in Gianni Schicchi, Cinderella (Into the Woods), and Cis (Albert Herring). Sophia is glad to be back for a second time, as she made her professional opera debut with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company where she performed the cover role of Zorah in their production of Ruddigore. Besides performing, Sophia can be seen running her handmade jewelry business, as well as doing makeup, baking, and decorating her room.

KATARINA BAKAS (Ensemble, u/s Tessa) was an actress who died in Mandel Hall in a freak accident in 1917 and has haunted it ever since, spooking actors and crew alike. Eventually, it was discovered that it was easier to just cast Katya rather than to get rid of her ghost, and so this is her spirit's ninth production with the Company. Katya's body is buried in Oak Woods Cemetery, where her specter appears at midnight on the anniversary of her death and demands to know if you saw her in HMS Pinafore.

NAOMI BRIGELL (Duchess of Plaza-Toro) enjoys sharing her artistry on the operatic, concert, and recital stage. Career highlights include performances with Des Moines Metro Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Saratoga, Dayton Opera, Opera in the Heights, and Opera Naples in roles such as Hänsel, Cherubino, and Olga (Eugene Onegin). Her 2025-26 season features performances with Chicago Opera Theater, the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, the Ear Taxi Festival, he Valkyrie Ensemble, and the Salt Creek Song Festival. Outside of music, Naomi is an avid tap, ballet, and jazz dancer. naomibrigell.com

CONOR BROADERS (Giorgio; Attendant), bass-baritone is a Chicago native currently residing in Hyde Park. This is his second appearance with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, having previously appeared as Sir Roderic Murgatroyd in Ruddigore. Other operatic credits include Don Magnifico in Rossini's La Cenerentola, Leporello in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Pistola in Verdi’s Falstaff, and Friedrich Bhaer in Adamo’s Little Women. He also sings with multiple choruses around Chicago including the CSO Chorus, William Ferris Chorale, and Constellation Men's Ensemble.

ANNA CALDWELL (Gianetta) is a Chicago-based soprano known for her versatility across opera, operetta, musical theater, and jazz. She is thrilled to return for her fifth show with GSOC and her eighth G&S production. Favorite roles include Kate (Kiss Me, Kate), Lily (The Secret Garden), Elsie (The Yeomen of the Guard), and Adele (Die Fledermaus), among others. She will debut her first solo cabaret, The View From Here, in November 2026. She has an M.M. from DePaul University and is a founding member of The Peppermint Patties, a close-harmony vocal group. IG: @thesleepysoprano

STEPHANIE CHIODRAS (Ensemble, u/s Casilda) is thrilled to be back with GSOC since performing in their 2023 production of HMS Pinafore (Ensemble). Her credits include Papagena (The Magic Flute), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Edith (The Pirates of Penzance), and Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd) with Kokandy Productions. Stephanie has done extensive oratorio work as the soprano soloists for Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42, Elijah, Rutter’s Requiem, Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah. She currently sings with Christ Church of Oak Brook’s Vespers Chamber Choir.

MOLLY CLEMENTZ (Tessa) is delighted to return to the stage as a company member with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company for her fourth production. She made her professional debut with Pacific Opera Project in the LA Times–acclaimed La Gazzetta as Doralice, where she was hailed as “a mezzo to be reckoned with” (Schmopra). A former Mosher Studio Artist with Opera Santa Barbara, she has performed roles including Mercédès (Carmen) and La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), and is praised for her “rich tone, gleaming top notes, and vibrant lower register” (Opera Today). mollyclementz.com

WESLEY DIENER (Giuseppe) is grateful to make his GSOC debut in The Gondoliers. Wesley has performed nationally with companies including Ohio Light Opera, Teatro Nuovo, Shakespeare Opera Theatre, Charlottesville Opera, Opera Roanoke, and the Virginia Consort. Offstage, he is a passionate voice instructor and manages WD Studio, a virtual voice studio that welcomes singers of all ages and experiences. He holds degrees in performance from Northwestern University and the University of Virginia. wesleydiener.com wdstudio.org

NOAH FRIEDLANDER (Ensemble; Assistant Producer) is thrilled to be performing in his fourth Gondoliers and his seventh show with GSOC; it’s “too much happiness!” He'd like to thank Dorian McCall for his wonderful teaching and his family for inculcating a love of G&S since he “was short-coated.” “It is scarcely necessary to express [his] pleasure” to perform together with his fiancée Mary Nora, and he’s especially proud of all the work she put in making the dances look amazing. Enjoy this “remarkable hilarity” and “sudden ebullition of unmitigated jollity!”

LIAM GANNON (Antonio), baritone and World Series of Poker ring winner, has made his return to singing after a two year hiatus. Gannon began his performing career in the children’s chorus at the Lyric Opera in 2011’s Carmen and continued to perform throughout the remainder of his childhood. This is his third collaboration with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, having first worked with the Company in 2020’s cancelled The Pirates of Penzance and then returning as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd in 2024’s Ruddigore. 

MATT HAUSER (He/Him) is thrilled to be performing in his first Gilbert & Sullivan show! Recently, he was in the chorus for the Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Salieri’s Falstaff. At the University of Illinois, he covered Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, A Little Night Music, City of Angels, Die Fledermaus, the premiere of Black Square, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Don Giovanni. Additionally, he serves as a section leader and cantor at Visitation Catholic Church in his hometown of Elmhurst.

AL KASSOUF (Vittoria) is known for her “rich and flexible voice” and “powerful free expression.” Current season highlights include company debuts with the Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Opera Theater, and Chicago City Opera, with whom she will sing the role of Sophie in their upcoming production of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. She is also a member of the Grant Park Chorus and the Florentine Opera Chorus, a voice teacher, an Alexander Technique teacher, and a collector of odd skills and hobbies.

CAMERON KIDD (Giulia, u/s Fiametta/Vittoria) is known for her expressive musicianship and versatility across operatic and concert repertoire. Recent appearances include Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte (Centralia Opera), soprano soloist in Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore (Bach Chamber Choir of Milwaukee), and soloist with the Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate & Alumni Choir in tours across Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and South Africa. Cameron holds a M.Mus. in Voice and Opera from DePaul University and a B.M. in Vocal Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University.

RYAN KIRK (Francesco, u/s Marco) has been praised for his uncanny ability to “not just sing a role, but live it,”, perpetually giving “earnest and heartfelt” performances. His recent operatic engagements include Florentine Opera’s Don Giovanni, Carmen, and Madame Butterfly. He can be found in Grossgmain, Austria at the Stimme, Leib, und Seele foundation, and in Lincoln Park as a member of the Schola of St. Clement. Outside of his musical engagements Ryan employs his technical expertise in support of Garden Center Services, a local non-profit that serves adults with developmental disabilities. 

ELLIOT KOVITZ  (Attendant; Ensemble, u/s Don Alhambra), bass-baritone, is a senior at DePaul University School of Music, where he studies with Jeffrey Ray. He has made multiple appearances with DePaul Opera Theater, most recently as Grandpa Moss (The Tender Land), as well as Simone (Gianni Schicchi) and Carl Olsen (Street Scene). He is delighted to be making his G&S and GSOC debut in this production of The Gondoliers! In his spare time, Elliot enjoys spending time with his two cats, Couscous and Tux.

GABE LEVI (Don Alhambra) is eccitata to be making their return for a second show with GSOC. Having made their debut last year, The Gondoliers is Levi’s second opera they’ve ever performed in! With a musical theatre background, Levi has performed as Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors and Tom Collins in Rent, a production that earned “Best Musical” as awarded by BroadwayWorldChicago. Levi wants to thank their mother for being so supportive of their theatre journey and Shane Valenzi for believing in them. Viva!

EMMA MIZE (Ensemble) is excited to make her Chicagoland and GSOC debut. She just wrapped up her Master's degree in May after completing her undergrad at the University of Illinois. This is Emma’s fifth Gilbert & Sullivan; previously performed G&S include Iolanthe (Fairy Queen), Patience (Lady Jane), The Pirates of Penzance (Edith), and Ruddigore (Bridesmaid). She thanks James Mills, Mark Pearson, and CLOC for sparking her love of operetta. She also thanks her family, friends, and especially her parents for their continued support. Happy Birthday, Dad! @theemmamize

TESSA NEWMAN (Fiammetta) studied voice at the University of North Texas and DePaul University. Favorite roles include Fredrika in the Jeff-nominated A Little Night Music (Theo Ubique Cabaret), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Theatre on the Hill), Lakmé in Lakmé (Chicago Summer Opera), Lucia in Lucia di Lamermoor (Mediterranean Opera Festival) and Miss Addy in a touring production of The Elixir of Love (Opera for the Young). Tessa runs her own private voice and acting studio, performs as an actor with Princess Party Chicago, and is a vocalist for the party band Electro Retro. www.instagram.com/tessasoprano

BENJAMIN RECCHIE (Ensemble; Guy who writes the program book) isn’t really supposed to have a credit here, but they put him in charge of writing the program and now no one can stop him. He has portrayed numerous G&S title characters -- a yeomen warder in The Yeomen of the Guard, a gondolier in The Gondoliers, etc. -- and this will be his 13th show with the Company. Benjamin graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in astrophysics, although his best grades were in opera and Italian, which in retrospect suggests a very different career path.

KATHRYN RIOPEL (Casilda) is a soprano from Elk Grove Village, IL. She holds a B.Mus in voice and opera performance and BA in Dance from Northwestern University and an M.Mus in voice and opera performance from McGill University. Recent credits include title roles in Jéhanne with Opera Quest Victoria and Handel’s Semele with Opera McGill. She originated the roles of Aphrodite in The Sapphic Passion with the Sapphonix Collective and Madame Z in Brother 12: The Rock Opera in Montreal, QC.

JONATHAN RODNEY (Ensemble), a Waukegan native, is elated to make his GSOC debut. A music graduate from Southern Adventist University in Tennessee, Jonathan enjoys collaborating with others across all genres—from singing choral music to creating his own original music with friends influenced by Ariana Grande, Frank Ocean, etc., and everything in between. He has had the great honor of performing in Nicaragua, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Pohnpei, Egypt, and Germany. Credits: King Balthazar, Amahl & the Night Visitors (2018); King Achish, CHOSEN (2019); Mars, Orpheus in the Underworld (July 2026). http://linktr.ee/theycallmejondoenow

ALEXANDER SPENCE (Marco) is excited for his first show with GSOC, and would like to thank this fantastic company for the opportunity to collaborate with top-notch artists. With a masters degree in opera performance from Oklahoma City University (go Stars!) Alex has performed classical to crossover at companies like Painted Sky Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Grand Opera of the Yukon, and Opera Kansas, only one of which is made up. When he isn’t up to theatrical antics, he enjoys working out and two-stepping with his husband, Gavin. 

SARA STERN (Inez) is in her fifteenth production with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company (and twelfth principal role), having started her run in the dark ages when she was 6. Her last principal role was as Dame Hannah in Ruddigore, where she was similarly tied up. Most recently, Sara played Yente in two productions of Fiddler on the Roof (Music Theater Works; Skylight Music in Milwaukee, where she also sang the role of the Old Woman in Candide) Other operetta, drama, and musical theater credits: Music Theater Works (Light Opera Works), Porchlight Music Theatre, ChicagoFolks Operetta, Chamber Opera Chicago, the Savoyaires, Red Twist, and The New Colony.

BRETT SWEENEY (Luiz) Brett Sweeney is thrilled to be back with GSOC after last year's production of The Pirates of Penzance. Some past performing highlights include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (All In Productions), The Tales of Hoffmann (Milwaukee Opera Theatre), Into the Woods (Forte Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Skylight Music Theatre), and All is Calm...(Vanguard Productions). Other companies Brett has had the privilege to work with include Lyric Opera, Present Music, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Aperi Animam, and Milwaukee Metro Voices.

ANDY TERWILLIGER (Ensemble), a man who was uncertain of what he wanted to be when he grew up, graduated from the University of West Florida with a BFA in Musical Theatre. After graduation, he enrolled in the fire academy and spent several years as a firefighter/EMT. These days, he’s out of burning buildings and back onstage with the wonderful folks at GSOC for the third time. When he’s not performing, he’s usually wondering why the code he’s written doesn’t work and counting the hours until rehearsal starts.

SASHA TOMASEVICH (Ensemble) is in his second production with GSOC, after The Pirates of Penzance in 2025, and they are completing their Master of Music degree at Roosevelt University this spring. Other recent credits include Peter Quint/The Turn of the Screw, Gérald/Lakmé, Rev. Samuel Parris/The Crucible (Ward), Laurie/Little Women (Adamo). Sasha is excited for a brief stop in Venice before preparing L’Aumonier/Les Carmelites… and Tamino/The Magic Flute later this season! They can otherwise be found crocheting and watching Survivor.  Much love to my support team!

RYAN P.C. TRIMBLE (Duke of Plaza-Toro) is an actor and comedian whose musical comedy has been seen on stages across the city such as The Lincoln Lodge, The Annoyance, iO, and Comedy Plex. He performs with bilingual French-English improv team Frogprov, and is the author of the novella Fragments from 5th Ave. This is his first GSOC production and he is out-of-his-mind excited to take part. Ryan thanks the entire GSOC team for making him feel so welcome, and his fiancé for letting him practice his songs at him. Ryan is 8'11" tall. Find Ryan on socials at @Ryntern, or at ryanpctrimble.com.

JAMIE WOODHULL (Ensemble), a native Chicagoan with an MM from UW-Milwaukee and a BM from the Eastman School of Music, has recently performed as La Fontaine (Prince Ananias) with Great Lakes Operetta. Past credits include: Mabel (u/s,ensemble Pirates of Penzance) with GSOC, Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) with Chicago Summer Opera, Alma Hicks (Marian u/s, The Music Man) North Riverside Players, Sandman (Hansel and Gretel) Opera San Jose, and two years residency with West Bay Opera’s School Outreach program. As a mom of two, Jamie stays busy as a church soloist while maintaining a private voice studio and assisting as music director for her local children's theatre.