Caroline Alba (Ensemble & Nightingale U/S)

Caroline is thrilled to make her SALT debut! Favorite onstage roles include She Loves Me (Ilona Ritter), Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), Cinderella (Gabrielle) and Into the Woods (Florinda). Offstage, Caroline is passionate about costume design and construction with a flair for the whimsical. She would like to thank her friends, family, and the SALT family for welcoming her with open arms. Finally, she sends all her love to her favorite person in the world, Zach, for encouraging all her hobbies and supporting her in this performance and every performance.

 

Evan Albright (Sir Studly)

Evan is thrilled to return to the SALT stage for his fifteenth show! He was last seen in SALT's production of Into the Woods (Baker alternate). His other acting highlights include The Rocky Horror Show (Brad Majors) at Footlighters Theater, as well as SALT's productions of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Panch), Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Sebastian), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Schroeder), Big Fish (Don Price), and Jekyll & Hyde (General Lord Glossop). This show has been such a blast working with old and new friends alike and he cannot wait for you all to see it.

 

Joey Bertoni (Sir Luce/Ensemble/Dauntless Understudy)

Joey is excited to be back for his fourth production with SALT! He graduated from Millersville University in 2015 with a degree in Communications with a focus in Broadcasting, and now currently works as a Shift Engineer at QVC. His most recent performing credits include Legally Blonde the Musical (Ensemble), Mary Poppins (Constable) and Cinderella (Jean-Michel) with SALT productions, Shrek the Musical (Donkey), Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida (Mereb), Legally Blonde the Musical (Emmett Forrest), and Bare: A Pop Opera (Matt), all with the All Campus Musical Organization (ACMO) at Millersville University. When Joey isn’t working, he is catching up on the latest blockbuster movies and shows and hanging out with his friends and family. Joey would like to thank said friends, family, and especially his fiancé Kathleen for all their love and support!  He would also like to thank the Once Upon a Mattress cast and crew for bringing this fun and goofy show to life!

 

Julie Booth (Wizard) 

Julie is thrilled to return to the stage in such a fun and energetic production! She previously appeared at SALT in Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche), Cinderella (Marie/Fairy Godmother), and The Sound of Music (Frau Schmidt/Nun). She most recently served behind the scenes as Stage Manager for Into the Woods. Thanks to James, Lauren, and the production team for letting her play with this ridiculous character! 

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Alyssa Brode (Nightingale of Samarkind/Ensemble/Lady Larken U/S) 

Alyssa has won over audiences with her interpretations of song, concert, musical theater and opera repertoire, with credits spanning both US coasts; favorites include La bohème (Musetta), Hansel and Gretel (Gretel), La traviata (Violetta), and A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) by Stephen Sondheim, whose music she would happily perform until the end of time.

 

Passionate about new works, Alyssa was featured in the world premiere production of Girondines (Pierrette), participated in Theatre on the Verge’s New Musicals Festival, and created the role of Clover in Christman’s A Metamorphosis–a portrayal for which she was praised for her “endearing charm” and “glittery tones and demeanor” (OperaWire). Highlights of Alyssa's 2025 season included Carmen (Frasquita) with NJ Lyric Opera, Broadway in Berwyn at Footlighters Theater, and the genre-bending Open Your Mouth: A Concert for Advocacy and Action with her own newly-established arts initiative Incantra.

 

Alyssa holds music degrees from CSU Northridge and Westminster Choir College, and though she has eagerly marked the career milestones of performing an opera during a blackout and performing an opera while eating cupcakes, she still strives to reach her all-time goal of performing while playing with cats. Alyssa is also a freelance graphic designer specializing in programs/posters for operas and recitals, as well as the proud creator of the first-ever collection of “Vocal Rest Apparel” which she sells along with other customizable music-themed designs and gifts in her online store “Musicisms.”

 

Pat Festa (Sir Harry)

Pat is honored to be performing alongside such a talented cast and crew. A native of Scranton, PA, Pat works as a children's theatre instructor at Wolf PAC in Bryn Mawr. Additionally, he works as a Teaching Artist with the Stuttering Association for the Young, helping young people who stutter gain confidence through the arts. A lifelong person who stutters, Pat believes that all kinds of voices can help craft beautiful stories. He would like to dedicate this performance to his nephew, the one and only Milo Joseph Caruso!

 

Ally Hagan (Lady Larken)

Ally, a musical theater graduate from DeSales University, is thrilled to be returning to SALT in Once Upon A Mattress!  Previous SALT credits include Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), The Music Man (Marian), Seussical (Gertrude), Shrek (Fiona) and many more. Regional credits include The Wizard of Oz (Glinda), Hitler’s Tasters (Margo) and Turning (Mary) at Centenary Stage Co, Cinderella (Cinderella) and Beauty & the Beast (Babette) at The Growing Stage, as well as numerous productions at The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival: Taming of the Shrew (Bianca), and The Little Mermaid (The Little Mermaid) to name a few! She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support, the production staff for their incredible creativity, dedication, and direction and everyone involved in Once Upon a Mattress for helping to bring such a charming tale to life. Lastly, she would like to thank her husband Ryan, a true prince on stage and off. “Today, I love you even more!”

 

Ryan Hagan  (Prince Dauntless)

Ryan is a proud graduate of DeSales University and is thrilled to be returning to SALT after playing Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, Harold Hill in The Music Man, and Mr. Mayor in Seussical. Ryan’s other favorite credits include Biloxi Blues at Act II Playhouse, Love’s Labour’s Lost at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Betrayal at the Lantern Theater Company. He would like to thank the entire production staff, his amazingly talented cast, and his family for their continuous support. He is so excited to be back on stage with his wife, Ally. Being her husband is his favorite role of all.

Ron Hamaday (Ensemble & King Sextimus U/S)

Ron is thrilled to be back for his second appearance on the SALT stage and his second time in Once Upon A Mattress.  You may have seen his SALT debut in Jekyll and Hyde (Poole, ensemble). His most recent shows in the area include: Hello Dolly (Rudolph, Ensemble), Urinetown (Old Man Strong, Ensemble), Wedding Singer (Father of the Bride, Ensemble), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Chief Berry), and Once Upon A Mattress (King Sextimus). By day Ron works at Warby Parker in the King of Prussia mall, and is a Life Insurance agent with Allstate.

Todd Hatton (King Sextimus the Silent) 

Todd is thrilled to return to SALT after a little over a year—last seen here giving maritime realness as Elisha Whitney in Anything Goes. Other favorite roles include Herr Schultz (Cabaret), George Curtis (110 in the Shade), Murray (The Odd Couple), Motel the Tailor (Fiddler on the Roof), Perch Perkins (SpongeBob SquarePants), Vince Fontaine (Grease), President Garfield (Assassins), the Grinch/Yertle/Vlad/Hunter (Seussical), and both Rapunzel’s Prince and the Mysterious Man (Into the Woods). Todd insists that playing a silent king is not typecasting… probably.

A classically trained vocalist, Todd has performed musical theatre, classical, and pop repertoire throughout the region, including guest artist appearances for summer concert series and church programs, and has sung the National Anthem for both Rutgers University and Middlesex County College commencements. Choir work includes singing baritone with the Brandywine Singers and serving as Bass Section Leader for the Master Singers of Philadelphia in Bruckner’s Mass in f minor. Todd sends love and gratitude to his wonderful parents, his cats Lucy and Tony (who supervise all rehearsals), and his husband Matthew, who supports every show, every costume change, and now—at last—a role where Todd is supposed to be quiet.

 

Makayla Hueber (Ensemble/Kitchen Wench) 

Makayla is so grateful to be a part of a second SALT show! Her most recent performance was in SALT’s production of Anastasia. When not having fun on stage, Makayla daylights as a Social Worker at Friends Association in West Chester. Many thanks to Lauren, James, Christopher, Stacy, Sandi and the rest of the production team for the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic show! To her castmates, thank you for being so inspiring and making this journey a blast to do together! Makayla would also like to thank her family, friends, and boyfriend Jonathan for their constant love and support during this amazing process. 

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Ciara Kelley (Ensemble, Jester u/s) 

Ciara is excited to be returning to SALT for Once Upon A Mattress. They were previously a part of the ensemble of SALT’s The SpongeBob Musical. Ciara would like to thank the production team at SALT as well as the cast and crew of Once Upon a Mattress for all of their hard work and dedication. They would also like to give a big thank you to their friends and family for all their support and encouragement!

 

Kasey Kelly (Ensemble)

Kasey is so thrilled to be part of her first SALT production! This is her return to the stage after a long hiatus from performing; For the last 8 years, Kasey has been getting her theatre fix by directing elementary and middle school musicals in her home town. This Spring, she will be co-directing JR Fugett Middle School's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. By day, Kasey is the librarian at Peirce Middle School in the West Chester Area School District as well as the Social Media Manager for the Great Books Summer Program. Kasey would like to thank Lauren, James, Chris, and the entire production team for the opportunity to return to her theatre kid era, the cast and crew for making this such a joyful process, and a very special thanks to her incredible family and friends for being a constant support and her greatest cheerleaders!

 

Kim Smith Knipe (Ensemble, Wizard U/S)

Kim is delighted to be in one of her favorite shows!! Kim has been involved at local community theatres for many (many) years and has loved being on the boards, on the board, backstage, and in the audience. You didn't see her in her last Salt production since she was an understudy for Into the Woods last season. But she did appear on the Salt stage in High School Musical 2 (Sharpette), in the Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon (narrator) and Once Upon a Mattress (Wizard) at Forge Theatre, and at Barley Sheaf Players in All Shook Up (Mayor Matilda), Our Town (Mrs. Webb) and Gypsy (Mazeppa). She was honored to direct last season's Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 at Barley Sheaf. Kim also performs with the local improv group, Comedy on Demand. Heartfelt thanks to James, Sandi, Stacy, Christopher, Kylee, Lauren, and the entire brilliant production staff, and to her husband Harvey for his endless support. And shout out to her fabulous daughters who are more talented than she is!

 

Graycen Paulicelli (Jester)

Graycen is thrilled to travel back to the Middle Ages. They were recently seen on the SALT stage as Mr Krabs in The SpongeBob Musical. Graycen has also played Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, as well as Sailor Ensemble in Anything Goes! Graycen would like to dedicate their run of the show to a person who taught them what it truly means to “love all”. Grandma Cookie, was a bright light in everyone’s life. She was full of joy, kindness and love. And that’s what The Jester is all about. Someone who’s there to be a shoulder to cry on, or a helping hand. Especially in this time of the world, it’s important to lead with light and love. Cookie left us in October, but we know she’ll be in the audience. She never missed a show! Thank you to everyone involved with this wonderful production. You are loved. You are valued. 

 

Gina Poletti (Lady Rowena & U/S Queen Aggravain ) 

Gina is excited to return to the SALT stage many moons later in Once Upon a Mattress. She was most recently seen last season in Into the Woods as Jack’s Mother. Other previous roles include Kate Monster (Avenue Q), Heidi ([title of show]), Sherrie (Rock of Ages), Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Lady Rowena; US Lady Larken (Once Upon a Mattress), Sarah (Company), Jackie (Disaster!), Jemima (CATS), Celeste #2 (Sunday in the Park With George), Cinderella’s Stepmother (Into the Woods). Love to Ray and to the goodest girls, Kaylee and Rogue. 

 

Emily Joy Rader (Lady Lucille, Ensemble, & Minstrel U/S) (she/her) Is beyond excited to be making her SALT Performing Arts debut! Emily graduated from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts with an Associate’s in Musical Theatre. Some of her previous credits include Sister Act (Sister Mary Robert), All Shook Up (Fella/Ensemble), CLUE! Onstage (Cook), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena/Starveling), The Spongebob Musical (Ensemble/ Mayor U/S), Fiddler on the Roof (Golde), Into the Woods (Witch) LIZZIE (Bridgette Sullivan). She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support! A special thank you to James, Christopher, Kylee, Sandi, Stacey, and William, & of course to her lovely cast, the crew, and the countless others who have made her first show here so incredibly fun! Bravo, Bravo, Bravissimo!

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Madison Sawyer (Minstrel & Winnifred U/S)

A ‘24 graduate of Sight and Sound Conservatory, Sawyer is delighted to be making her Salt debut! Favorite past productions include: Cavod’s White Christmas (Judy Haynes), Servant Stage’s A Tale of Two Cities (u/s Seamstress), Revival Productions’ Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl/Babette u/s), and Radium Girls (Kathryn Schaub) with SSC '24. She thanks James and Lauren for their enthusiasm and joy, MK for catching her up after missing almost a month of rehearsals, and her family for the more than weekly dinners. Philippians 3:13-14

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Mary Kate Shields (Princess Winnifred)

Mary Kate is thrilled to be back performing on the SALT stage to tell this hilarious and heartwarming story. Previous SALT credits include Anastasia (Maria Romanov/Ensemble, Countess Lily U/S), Legally Blonde (Vivienne Kensington), Titanic the Musical (Mademoiselle “Ninette” Aubart); additional credits include Footloose (Vi Moore), Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt), Into the Woods (Cinderella), and White Christmas (Judy Hanes). Mary Kate expresses many thanks to the production team, and to the cast & crew for their kindness, humor, and joy throughout the process.

 

Rose Sinclair (Ensemble)

Rose is thrilled to be onstage for her first show with SALT! She is a proud graduate of both UPenn and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Some of her favorite credits include Chicago (Roxie Hart), Cabaret (Rosie), Bring It On! (Bridget), and The Kitchen Sink (Sophie). By day, Rose is a personal organizer; by night, she’s happily at home with her dog, Archie, who ensures nothing stays organized for long. Rose would like to thank the cast, crew, and creative team for their dedication and for making this experience so special.

 

Kayla Velásquez (ensemble)

Kayla is so excited to return to the SALT stage since being in The Sound of Music (ensemble )in 2023. She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre at Lancaster Bible College in 2020, where she appeared in LBC’s production of Sight and Sound’s Ruth (Naomi U/S, ensemble), The Magic Flute (Spirit boy) and Mary Poppins(ensemble). She was also in The Music Man (ensemble) at SALT in 2022. Kayla is incredibly grateful to be part of a show with such a wonderful group of people and would like to thank everyone involved for making it such an awesome experience. 

 

Janine Weiss (Queen Aggravain)

Janine is thrilled to be a part of this super talented cast! A seasoned performer, she has loved bringing characters to life in productions such as The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Avenue Q (Kate Monster), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van de Graaff), and The Sound of Music (Maria). Offstage, she fills her days with music as a middle-school choral director and an enthusiastic mom of three. She extends her deepest gratitude to her adoring husband, her #1 P.I.C., whose unwavering support and encouragement fuels her passion and a heartfelt thank you to James and his talented team for bringing this production to life so beautifully.