For the past 30+ years, John has performed in local and regional theatre productions in Philadelphia, New York and throughout New Jersey. His recent credits include Henry Saunders in Lend Me a Tenor (Burlington Footlighters), Joe in Shadow Box (Haddonfield Plays and Players), and Lord Montague in Romeo and Juliet (Ritz Theatre Company). John is delighted to be making his Masquerade Theatre debut.
Last seen at Masquerade as Bruce in Fun Home! Performance credits include: Off-Broadway/NYC – Gemini (Fran, Lion Theatre @ Theatre Row), Sweat (Stan, The Seeing Place); Regional: God Of Carnage (Alan, Pegasus Theatre Project); Eagle Theatre – The Fantasticks (Hucklebee), Rock Of Ages (Hertz), Peter & The Starcatcher (Bill Slank/Hawking Clam); Walnut Street Theatre – Laughter On The 23rd Floor (Milt u/s), Arsenic & Old Lace (Jonathan u/s); Media Theatre – 1776 (Lyman Hall). Directing credits include The Sunken Living Room (2018, Breaking Through The Box), The Last Five Years (2019, Breaking Through The Box), American Idiot (2021, Music Mountain Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream & The Comedy Of Errors (Shakespeare in the PRC, 2023 & 2024). Feature Films: Army Of The Dead (2021), The Finders (2016), It Had To Be You (2015). Two-day Jeopardy! champion, 2006. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA. DavidNikolas.com
Shawn made his directorial debut with Laughter on the 23rd Floor earlier this year here at Masquerade. You may also remember him from Masquerade’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Fantasticks or their New Works series production of PJs Playbook in 2022. Before that, he was Ebenezer Scrooge in Burlington County Footlighters production of A Christmas Carol & has been a local actor for over 30 years. First & foremost he wants to send his love & overwhelming gratitude to the Balnes, especially Megan, for giving him this opportunity. He would also like to thank his family & friends for the loving & supporting way they love & support him. Lastly, he would like to sincerely thank you; the patron. Without you, there is no us. Enjoy!!
(She/Her) is thrilled to be on stage with this amazing cast. Favorite productions include the Perry Award winning production of Billy Elliot (Mrs. Wilkinson) at the Grand, A Chorus Line (Maggie) at Triple Threat Productions; Nunsense (Sister Robert Anne), Baby (Lizzie), Secret Garden (Martha) at HP&P; Falsettos (Cordelia), Young Frankenstein ( Frau Blucher) at the Ritz; Always Patsy Cline (Louise Seger), Mary Poppins (Bird Woman/ Ms. Smythe), Sweeney Todd (Lucy Barker), Damn Yankees (Gloria), Annie (Hannigan), Joseph…(Narrator) and Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah) at the Pitman Broadway Theater for which she received a Perry Award Nomination. Jodi performed at the Baby Grand in Delaware as “Ethel Merman” in the premiere of Gershwin by George. Thanks to her family for allowing her to continue her love of the theater.
(They/She) is thrilled to be a part of Melancholy Play! They are a sophomore Theatre major at Rowan University. They have loved diving into the world of puppetry over the past year! They would like to thank their parents and friends for their endless support. Enjoy!
Susan Jami Paschkes is an actor, a director, and a teaching artist. She is thrilled and honored to be part of Masquerade Theatre’s troupe of players, and to have the chance to work with such a talented director and ensemble in Rabbit Hole. Her favorite roles as an actor are Josie Hogan in Moon for the Misbegotten, Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt, Dotty/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off!, and Halie in Buried Child. Her directing credits include Small Mouth Sounds, House of Blue Leaves, Lost in Yonkers, All My Sons, Pippin and All in the Timing. As a teaching artist, Susan’s passion is in creating and delivering youth theatre arts workshops in BIPOC communities. She is most grateful to Ben for his unceasing support, and occasional push in the right direction.
Reese is a Ramapo College alumni with a B.A. in Theater Directing/Theater Studies. He is currently working as a Director/Playwright/Actor in the South Jersey/Philly area. This is his Masquerade debut as an actor. Previous Directing credits include: Annie, Kids (Masquerade Theater), No Exit (Ramapo College), The Coming World (Ramapo College). Previous Acting credits include: Noel Gruber (Ride The Cyclone, Ramapo College), Sandy (The Antipodes, Ramapo College), Leaf Coneybear (25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Ramapo College). He would like to thank his family for supporting his theatrical endeavors. Reesepasquarello.com
Amanda is thrilled to be making her Masquerade Theatre debut! Most recently: Legally Blonde at the Media Theatre (Paulette cover). Favorite credits: Puffs, Mamma Mia!, Anything Goes, A Gentleman's Guide..., and Clue all with PCS Theater. Amanda is a local stage director who has collaborated with companies like Upper Darby Summer Stage, PCS Theater, Walnut Street Theatre, OCTC, and the Media Theatre. She is ecstatic to be performing this alongside her love, Alec. More: www.amandapasquini.com
Jen Ponton returns to Masquerade after joining her college friends, Megan and Tommy, for THE FANTASTICKS. Her performances with Masquerade ushered in a return to the theater after she last performed off-Broadway at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, and she has since made a career in film and television. Also a writer/producer, Jen just released her interactive horror experience CARETAKER on TikTok/Instagram/YouTube Shorts @caretakerfilm. Later this year, catch her on Starz in the upcoming series THREE WOMEN.
Gabby is thrilled to be making her debut at Masquerade Theatre in her hometown! Gabby began acting in 2022 and has been in eleven phenomenal productions: Aladdin, Jr. (Iago); ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Charity); Music Man, Jr. (ensemble); Pirates! The Musical (Stowaway); Number the Stars (Kirsti ’23, ensemble ‘24); Junie B. Jones, Jr. (Junie B.); Seussical (Cindy Lou Who); Annie, Jr. (Annie); Into the Woods, Jr. (Little Red); and Bonnie & Clyde (Young Bonnie). She would like to thank all the directors, cast and crew for this amazing experience and to her family and friends for their endless support.
William is honored to be telling this story with Masquerade Theatre. He has been a fan of the piece since it’s Broadway premiere, and he is so thankful to Connor and the team for brining him on board. When not pursuing his craft onstage, Will can be found working at Adventure Aquarium in Camden or balancing gig work as a theater educator in South Jersey. He has directed over 10 shows in his 4 years teaching including regional premieres of Finding Nemo, Jr. and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. His other educational work includes stage managing, sound design, and being a teaching artist with DiAE (Delaware Institute for Arts in Education) and DWT (Delaware Wolf Trap). Wiil sends much love and appreciation to all of his friends and family for believing in him and supporting this 28 year-old juggling so many different aspects of life. Finally, he would like to thank his partner, Mj, the green light across the bay. He hopes all you blockheads enjoy the show! Favorite recent credits include: Beethoven (Dog Sees God), Nikko (Wizard of Oz), Deputy (Edwin Drood), Beleaguered Geek (Heathers), & Bud/Clyde Barrow u/s (Bonnie and Clyde). Insta: @the_william_reid williamreid.net
Scott is very happy to be back on the Masquerade stage, having had so much fun playing Belomy in last year's The Fantasticks." He has been active in professional and community theater for almost 4 decades. Although Scott was (in his younger days) fortunate enough to have performed in several national and international tours, he now enjoys a simpler life in Barrington with his family and teaches in the Berlin Township school district. Scott would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew of Next to Normal. Working with them has been a wonderful, one-of-a-kind experience. Finally, as always, he would like to dedicate his performance to his son, Walter.
Toni has been blessed to perform in a number of musicals both locally and regionally. She has also been privileged to perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Toni is also an accomplished cabaret performer who has entertained audiences in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and New York.
Julie Roberts is a Chicago-based, multidisciplinary artist, thrilled to be involved with Masquerade Theatre. More of Julie’s artistic work can be found on Instagram @julierobertsactor.
(He/Him) is having so much fun playing on this stage again. Recent Masquerade credits include Complete Works…Shakespeare (Jess) and Almost, Maine (Pete/Steve/Chad). Other credits: Newsies (Henry), Laughter…23rd Floor (Lucas), Puffs (Oliver). Alec is also a pediatric dentist and wants to remind the audience that children should stop their thumb sucking habit by 18 months old. All the love to Amanda and Aggie.
David is delighted to be performing with Masquerade Theatre. A tenor, David has also performed as a professional and guest vocalist in concerts in the Philadelphia region, New York City, Japan, and China. David is an alumnus of Dickinson College (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MA), and Temple University (JD), and works as the Executive Vice President & General Counsel of ArtSkills, Inc., a national supplier of art and consumer products to the mass market.
(He/Him) Broadway: My Fair Lady, The King & I, Carousel, Pippin, End of the Rainbow, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Les Misérables, Next to Normal, Spiderman: Turn off the Dark, South Pacific, Les Miz, West Side Story, The Color Purple (original production). Off Broadway: The Secret Garden, Once on this Island, Miss Evers’ Boys, Little Shop of Horrors, Show Boat (NY Phil concert), Talk of the Town, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Feast in Time of Plague, Imbecile D’amour (Cabaret). Regional/Local: A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theater), The Fantasticks (Masquerade Theater), Rent (Rutgers), Next to Normal (Masq), Urinetown (Rutgers).
MacKenzie is ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful production with such a stellar cast. She has loved every moment of diving into this incredible play. When not performing, MacKenzie’s full time job is working in an animal ER as a veterinary nurse. Thank you to Megan for this incredible opportunity, this show will forever be close to her heart. Thank you to Marissa, Greg, Susan and Finn for all your talent and dedication. It has been an absolute honor to watch and learn from you all.
Jennie is absolutely thrilled to be making her debut here at Masquerade and having the opportunity to work/play with this incredible group of humans! No stranger to the area, Jennie has been seen in many community/regional productions here in the tri-state area - New Candlelight Theatre: Legally Blonde (Paulette); Bootless Stageworks: Tick, Tick...BOOM! (Susan), Chess (Svetlana); 11th Hour Productions: Big Fish (Jenny Hill); Ritz Theatre: The Wild Party (Kate), Gypsy (Louise), A Streetcar...Desire (Blanche); Road Company: Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovette); Haddonfield Plays & Players: John & Jen (Jen), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Bat Boy (Meredith Parker). Jennie's small amount of free time is spent teaching group fitness and loving on her husband, Rico, little boy, Lex, and Max the cat.
Rico is thrilled to be working with Masquerade once again! You may have seen him in Masquerade’s virtual play, Wit as Dr. Harvey Kelekian, MD. A South Jersey native, Rico has performed locally and nationally for over 40 years. His most recent credits include: High Fidelity (Rob); Rock of Ages (Lonny); American Idiot (St. Jimmy); In The Heights (Usnavi); The Pillowman (Tupolski). He has also directed many productions in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. Most recently Jesus Christ Superstar at The Ritz Theater in Oaklyn, NJ where he also serves as the Vice-President. Rico is a 6x NJACT (Perry Award) nominated actor and director. He would like to thank Shawn for trusting him to be “funny” as Max. “Proud of you, bro!”. Thanks to super Stage Manager CB for always holding it down, and the entire Masquerade family for making him feel like family. Thanks to this insanely hysterical cast for all their hard work! Lastly, he would like to thank his most beautiful wife Jennie and his awesome kids for always showing love and support.