A Christmas Story, The Musical

Cast Bios

DANNY BERNARDY* (The Old Man)  Pioneer Theatre Company Debut! NYC: PEMDAS (59e59, Edinburgh Stage Award, Excellence in Acting), Balls (59e59), Cougar the Musical (St Luke’s), Clue (original development, Playwright’s Horizons) alongside productions at Cherry Lane, The York, SoHo Playhouse, NY Classical Theater, and NY Theater Workshop. Nat’l Tour: “Sex Tips…” Regional: Prof. Henry Higgins in Haye’s nominated My Fair Lady (Olney Theatre Center), Shear Madness (Kennedy Center), Spamalot (North Carolina Theater), and principal roles at American Conservatory Theatre, Cape Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre (Nominee, Best Actor, Alabama Story), Virginia Stage Co, Delaware Theatre Co, and Florida Rep. TV/ Film: Magnum P.I. (Maxwell), As the World Turns, One Life to Live (recurring).  Member:  OYL Theater Company, SAG-AFTRA, & AEA. Danny is a first responder in FEMA’s Reservist Corps. Carnegie Mellon, BFA.

STACIE BONO* (Mother) Stacie Bono joins A Christmas Story straight from the critically-acclaimed New York City Center, Encores! revival of Parade. Prior to that, Stacie could be seen touring the country as Ellen in Miss Saigon. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman/Pirelli), Avenue Q (Kate Monster/Lucy). Regional Highlights: Guthrie Theater – The Music Man (Marian); Tuacahn – Les Miserables (Fantine), Denver Center – Sense and Sensibility (Lucy); Flat Rock Playhouse – My Fair Lady (Eliza); Infinity Theater – Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey). Awards: NHTA Award – Best Actress in a Musical (The Apple Tree). Training: MFA in Acting – Royal Central School of Speech and Drama; BFA from NYU Tisch. Love to DSR and Mama B. Instagram:@stacie_bono

KYLE CARESS* (Ensemble) Kyle is happy to be back for his third show at Pioneer Theatre Company! National Tour: Disney’s Aladdin, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Off Broadway: Seesaw (J2 Spotlight). Select Regional: The Rev, Bucks County Playhouse, Studio Tenn. BFA Belmont University. Kyle sends his love to his friends, family, mentors, and Danny and Meghan at HAA for their support. KyleCaress.com IG: @kyle_caress

LENNY DANIEL* (Ensemble, Associate Director) Choreographed Mary Poppins (Utah Shakespeare Festival) and Spamalot (Geva Theatre Center and Arkansas Repertory Theatre). Directed and choreographed Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical (TexARTS); choreographed The Little Mermaid (Forestburgh Playhouse); assistant directed The Wizard of Oz National Tour starring Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt; assistant choreographed Gigi (Papermill Playhouse), assisted Ann Reinking and performed in Here Lies Jenny starring Bebe Neuwrith (NYC & SF). Performing credits include Broadway: Cats (final original company) and The Wizard of Oz. NYC: Sinatra (Radio City Music Hall), Wonderful Town (NYC Opera). Tours: Spamalot, Chicago, South Pacific, Camelot, Jekyll & Hyde. Favorite Regional: Something Rotten!, La Cage aux Folles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Newsies, Chess, Oliver!, The Last Ship (PTC), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Baltimore Center Stage), Mary Poppins, Peter Pan (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Gigi, and Evita (Paper Mill Playhouse).

ANDY FRANK* (Ensemble, u/s The Old Man) Andy is thrilled to be back at Pioneer after appearing in Hello, Dolly! last season. Andy has toured the world performing in West Side Story (Big Deal). Regional theatre highlights include Kiss Me, Kate (Gremio), The Sound of Music (Rolf), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Gideon), as well as dancing in the ensembles of shows such as 42nd Street, Crazy for You, Cinderella, and Spamalot. Special thanks to Karen and Lenny for this opportunity and my parents for their love and support. May your days be merry and bright!

HOWARD KAYE* (Ensemble, u/s Narrator) Howard Kaye returns to Pioneer Theatre Company for his seventh production. Previous shows include Peter and the Starcatcher, The Music Man, It Happened One Christmas, Oliver, Elf, and Something Rotten!. As a native of Cincinnati, he is glad to come back to Salt Lake, his artistic home. Much thanks to Karen, Lenny, and the entire fantastic staff at PTC. He has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, many regional theaters and one of his favorite credits as the original Broadway guest artist for the Disney Cruise Line. Howard is a graduate of CCM and Juilliard Drama School. Merry Christmas!

TITO LIVAS* (Ensemble) Happy Holidays! Tito is thrilled to be back at Pioneer and to get to work with all these children! There’s nothing quite like hearing several theatre kids sing their faces off for ten hours nearly every day for a month. The joy! The passion! The…volume! Such fun! Previous PTC shows include Fireflies, the staged readings of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and In the Heights. Other local credits include productions at Salt Lake Acting Company, Plan-B Theatre, and Utah Opera. Other credits include productions with Princess Cruises, Holland America, Disney World, National Theatre for Children, TheatreWorks USA, and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. You can also see him in several Hallmark and lifetime films during the Christmas season. And if you look up while driving past the Point of the Mountain you’ll see him on a billboard.

STEPHANIE MALONEY* (Ensemble, u/s Mother) One pandemic and one baby later, Stephanie is excited to be back at Pioneer since last being seen in Oliver. Other credits include: national/international tour of Broadway’s Chicago, The Wick Theatre (Carbonell Nominee for Funny Girl), Sacramento Music Circus, The Fulton, Pittsburgh CLO, Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh Public, Pittsburgh Symphony, Arc Stages, and Farmers Alley. TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. UMich Alum. StephanieMaloney.com

PARIS ALEXANDER NESBITT* (Santa, Ensemble) Broadway/National Tour: The Book of Mormon; Regional: Curtains, My Way (Walnut Street), Sister Act, H2$ (Marriott Lincolnshire). Upcoming: ISAAC (Kennedy Center).

DON NOBLE* (Narrator/Jean Shepherd) Delighted to be here at Pioneer! Don has appeared in the Broadway productions of Once and End Of The Rainbow, the National Tours of Mamma Mia! (Sam Carmichael) and, most recently, An American In Paris (Monsieur Baurel), as well as regional productions across Canada and the United States. Some favorites:  As You Like It (The Dukes), Jane Austen’s Emma (Mr. Weston), To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), James Joyce’s The Dead (Gabriel Conroy), Funny Girl (Nicky Arnstein), An Ideal Husband (Lord Goring), Candida (Reverend Morell), The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack Worthing), Blood Brothers (The Narrator), Henry IV, The Tempest, Elizabeth Rex, Road. Recent TV shows include New Amsterdam, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, FBI, Madam Secretary, and The Blacklist. Christmas wish: to be home with family! 

KATE CASSIDY RYAN* Kate is thrilled to return to PTC for this holiday season! She was last seen in PTC’s production of Grease as Jan. Off-Broadway: Addy & Uno (Kirk Theatre). Some favorite regional credits include Kate Monster in Avenue Q (MNM Theatre Company), Silly Girl/Puppeteer in Beauty & the Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), and Tracy in Hairspray (Cape Rep Theatre). Proud member of AEA and Penn State alum. Many thanks to Karen, Helen, Pantera/Murphy, the cast and crew. What a gift it is to make theatre again! All my love to my wonderful partner, Ashlynn, and Mom and Dad. IG: @kateryan37

TYLER SYMONE* (Ensemble, u/s Miss Shields) Tyler Symone is excited to make her Pioneer Theatre Company debut and spread some holiday cheer with this amazing cast and crew! Tyler is a New York City based-artist who has been fortunate enough to have her work featured all over the country. Favorite credits include: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Marie), And The World Goes Round (Woman 1), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier), Xanadu (Kira), and many more. You can find out more about Tyler at TylerSymone.com. Many thanks as always to her wonderful friends and family for their endless love and support. Repped by Shirley Hamilton Talent Inc. 

EJ ZIMMERMAN* (Miss Shields) EJ is ecstatic to return to Pioneer! Broadway: Les Misérables (Eponine u/s, Ensemble). National Tour: Avenue Q. Other favorites: Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Gulf Coast Symphony); Nancy in Oliver! (Goodspeed Opera House); Kim in Miss Saigon (Riverside Theatre, Arvada Center – Henry Award); Reza in Once (Geva Theatre, Pioneer Theatre); Julia in Writing Kevin Taylor (Meadow Brook Theatre); Maureen in Rent (Oguma Playhouse); and Mira in The Porch on Windy Hill (Ivoryton Playhouse). Gratitude always to my loved ones and Avalon Artists Group for continued support. Representation matters. @ejzimmerman47, EJZimmerman.com

MACK BOYER (Ralphie) Mack Boyer is ecstatic to make his Pioneer Theatre Company debut as Ralphie in A Christmas Story! His previous roles include Frozen Kids (Olaf) at HCT, Willy Wonka (Mike Teavee) and Matilda (Bruce) at CHAC, and Newsies (Les) at CCHS. He would like to thank his family and friends who always support him, and the mentors who have helped him get here! 

AUSTIN FLAMM (Scut Farkus, Ensemble) Austin is thrilled to be back performing at Pioneer Theatre Company! You may have seen him as Michael in Elf at PTC, Charlie in Willy Wonka at Cottonwood Heights Arts, Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at Hale, Olaf in Frozen, and Michael in Mary Poppins at Midvale Main Street Theater. Austin loves soccer, skiing, and playing guitar. He’d like to dedicate his performance to his sisters, Millie and Cece. 

GENEVIEVE FLUCKIGER-ROBERTS (Ensemble) Genevieve is delighted to join the cast of A Christmas Story with Pioneer Theatre Company. She loves being onstage, and performed in Ballet West’s Snow White, and many other ballet productions. She played the role of Indian Chief in the Southland Elementary musical Lewis & Clark. She has five years of ballet training, as well as piano and singing. Genevieve also enjoys gymnastics, aerial arts, cooking, and horseback riding.

LANGLEY HAYMAN (Ensemble) Langley is thrilled to be making her Pioneer Theatre debut! Langley is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program at the U of U. Recent credits: Sister Act (Sister Mary Robert), Nine (Saraghina, Claudia u/s), In Pieces, and Les Miserables. Endless gratitude for the love and support from my family, both given and chosen! @langleyhayman

TESSA JENSEN (Ensemble) Tessa is so excited to be making her Pioneer Theatre Company debut! Her previous stage credits include: Eccles—Waitress (Lulu); Hale Sandy—Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Jemima); Hale Orem—Christmas Carol (Little Fan/Want); Midvale Main—Annie Jr (Molly). Off-stage, Tessa loves jokes, science experiments, and dancing everywhere.

JESSIE KRANZ (Ensemble) Jessie is so excited to be a part of this production! She is currently a senior in the Musical Theatre Program at the University of Utah, earning her BFA and graduating this spring. Her previous roles include Alex in In Pieces (Babcock Theatre), April/Shadow in Liminal (Studio 115), Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Hopebox Theatre), and Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia! (Luminaire Theatre Co.). Thanks and love to my professors and parents for the last four years of supporting and encouraging me to pursue my dreams and goals. IG: @jessiekranz

ETHAN MARCHANT (Schwartz, Ensemble) Ethan is thrilled to perform in Pioneer Theatre Company’s A Christmas Story! Favorite roles include: Michael in Peter Pan, Jeremy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a Storyteller in Once On This Island, and Pabbie in Frozen Kids. He would like to thank his family for their loving support.

ANNIE MAUTZ (Ensemble, u/s Farkus / Dill) Annie is thrilled to be returning to Pioneer Theater Company for A Christmas Story, The Musical. Annie recently appeared as Matilda in YTU’s production of Matilda Jr.- The Musical. Other credits: Elf the Musical (PTC), and performing with YTU since age 6.  Annie thanks Penny Caywood and Shalee Schmidt for their guidance and support. Love and thanks to her family and friends.

ELLA MURPHY (Ensemble) Ella is thrilled to be making her Pioneer Theatre Company debut. She is a senior in the Musical Theatre program at the University of Utah, where she recently Assistant Directed The Thanksgiving Play and appeared in The Night Witches. You can also see her in the University of Utah’s production of Cabaret! this spring. Endless thanks to the entire A Christmas Story team, and to her family and friends. Fine Arts Academic Excellence Scholarship recipient.

ASHER NEHRING (Randy) Asher is thrilled to join Pioneer Theatre Company’s, A Christmas Story as Ralphie’s kid brother, Randy. At the beginning of his stage career, credits include: in Utah as Jeremy Potts in HCT’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and ensemble in Parker Theatre’s production of The Sword in the Stone; Peter Pan Jr.’s Michael Darling in Beijing, China; and many Storybook Theatre children’s productions in Eastern Idaho.

ELSA PARRY (Ensemble) Elsa feels like she won a major award by being cast in this show! Her favorite roles have been the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland and Taylor in High School Musical Jr.  She is currently playing Matilda in Matilda the Musical at her middle school. She trains in dance and musical theatre at Utah COPA and is grateful to her parents for driving her to rehearsals every single day. 

SOREN RAY (Ralphie) Making his Pioneer Theatre Company debut, Soren is excited to return to the exotic city of Hohman, Indiana in a role he adores. Other stage credits include: A Christmas Story (Ralphie), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Child Ensemble), and Newsies (Les) at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre. Outside of theatre, Soren enjoys choir, learning Chinese, swimming and pickleball. “Thank you Tara Wardle and Jules Snarr for the voice help and confidence boost! Love to Miriam, Byron, Mom and Dad!”

TYSON RUSSELL (Ensemble, u/s Schwartz / Randy) Tyson is a 4th grader who has dreamed of being on the Big Stage his entire life.  Being cast in this play is his dream come true. He loves to delight others with his talent for singing and dancing. He has done several plays with the OBT Theater Company in Draper and thanks them, and COPA American Fork, for teaching him so much.

DANIEL SOROKINE (Flick, Ensemble) Daniel Sorokine is thrilled to be making his Pioneer Theatre Company debut! Credits: Hale Centre Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Fredrick Cratchit/Carol boy). CenterPoint Legacy Theater: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. (Toby), Annie Jr. (Rooster Hannigan), Legacy Prep. Academy: The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair), Matilda Jr. (Trunchbull), Beauty and the Beast (D’Arque). Draper Historic Theater: Mary Poppins (Chimney sweep). Daniel also enjoys Orchestra and bass guitar.

JANE E. WILKINS (Ensemble) Jane is excited to make her Pioneer Theatre Company debut. Recent credits include The Audience (Young Queen Elizabeth), Creekside Theatre Festival; Frozen Jr. (Middle Anna) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Marta), Hale Centre Theatre; The Sword and the Stone (Meadow), Parker Theatre; and Matilda (Matilda), Cottonwood Heights Arts.  When she isn’t performing, Jane studies ballet and loves writing her own plays.

KIYAN R. WYNESS (Grover Dill, Ensemble) Kiyan is excited to make his Pioneer Theatre Company debut in A Christmas Story. Kiyan has been training at the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) for 4 years and has performed in Willy Wonka, Matilda, Beauty and the Beast, and The Wonderful World of Disney. Kiyan is passionate about everything to do with performing. Outside of performing Kiyan enjoys martial arts (Krav Maga & Muay Thai), guitar, and drums.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association