Consider Yourself at Home for the Holidays with Milwaukee’s Home for Music Theatre

Milwaukee, WI – October 15, 2024 – Skylight Music Theatre is elated to announce the cast of its upcoming production of Oliver! by Lionel Bart. Based on the beloved novel by Charles Dickens, this classic musical will run November 15th to December 29th, 2024, at the Skylight Cabot Theatre. 

Oliver! Logo

Directed by Skylight’s Artistic Director Michael Unger, Oliver! tells the tale of a young orphan who navigates the gritty streets of Victorian London, encountering a colorful cast of characters along the way. With memorable songs like “Consider Yourself” and “As Long as He Needs Me,” this production promises to captivate audiences of all ages. 

“We are overjoyed to bring this beloved classic to life with 24 of the brightest youth performers in the Milwaukee area,” said Unger. “In addition to a host of delightful young performers, a talented professional cast and creative team will bring this holiday treat for all ages to the Skylight stage for the first time. We welcome both Skylight favorites and new faces to the Cabot stage. The youth performers will be double cast with the title role of Oliver being portrayed by Gus Kolbe and Mac Heinrich, alongside Jenna Krysiak and Harper Fornstedt as the Artful Dodger. In addition to a youth ensemble of 20 additional performers, the adult cast will include Randall Dodge as the scrappy and resourceful Fagin, Rachel Schoenecker as the large-hearted Nancy, and Jared Brandt Hoover as the sly Bill Sikes. Rounding out the cast are many other colorful characters who will delight and transport our audiences this holiday season.  

“Oliver! is a timeless story filled with heart, hope, and transformation, and this cast is perfectly suited to bring it to vibrant life on our stage in the Skylight style people have come to expect from us,” said Unger. 

Tickets for Oliver! are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.skylightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Skylight Music Theatre Box Office at (414) 291-7800. 

Skylight is grateful for the generosity of Presenting Sponsor WeEnergies Foundation and Associate Producer Moira J. Kelly for supporting this production. 

OLIVER! 

November 15 – December 29, 2024 

Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart 

Freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist 

Directed by Artistic Director Michael Unger** 

Choreographed by Stephanie Staszak 

Musical Direction by David Bonofiglio 

Cast 

Oliver  Gus Kolbe (Piccadilly Cast) / Mac Heinrich (Trafalgar Cast) 

Fagin Randall Dodge* 

Artful Dodger Jenna Krysiak (Piccadilly Cast) / Harper Fornstedt (Trafalgar Cast) 

Bill Sikes Jared Brandt Hoover   

Nancy Rachel Schoenecker   

Bet/Ensemble Hope Riesterer   

Mr. Bumble/Ensemble Miss Kyle Blair   

Mrs. Corney/Ensemble Candace Decker   

Mr. Brownlow/Ensemble Rick Richter 

Mr. Sowerberry/Ensemble Nathan Marinan   

Mrs. Sowerberry/Ensemble Samantha Sostarich   

Charlotte/Ensemble Becky Cofta 

Noah Claypole/Ensemble Connor Nekich   

Dr. Grimwig/Ensemble D Eric Woolweber   

Matron/Ensemble Rachel Bednarowski   

Bedwin/Old Sally/Ensemble Paula Garcia  

Nipper Jillian Vogedes (Piccadilly Cast) / Finley Brown (Trafalgar Cast) 

Charley Bates Brooklynn Smith (Piccadilly Cast) / Grayson Scott (Trafalgar Cast)  

Youth Performers Ensemble 

 Piccadilly Cast 

Bristol Beasley 

Steven Gayfield   

Ira Kindkeppel-Longden   

Ainsley Kosek   

Emilia Kosek 

Maia Scherman   

Brooklynn Smith 

Stevie Smith   

Elias Totleben   

Jillian Vogedes 

Trafalgar Cast 

Jozef Baudo   

Finley Brown 

Malia Brunner 

Jeremiah Cooper 

Emery Domer   

Grace Hennen   

Shaun Martin   

MacKenzie Rise Roberson    

Grayson Scott 

Ellory Woodford   

*Appearing through an agreement between Skylight Music Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. 

**The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.  

Biographies 

Rachel Bednarowski (Matron/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be returning to Skylight for this incredible season! Rachel holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and minors in Dance Performance and Music from UW-Milwaukee. Rachel’s favorite credits include Erato in Xanadu! (Skylight), Rosie – Mamma Mia! (GCT), and Charlotte in Cinderella (Appleton East Players). She also teaches and directs with Shallece Saleen Studios. Love to Gavin, family, friends and mentors for their unending support in all her endeavors. 

Miss Kyle Blair (Mr. Bumble/Ensemble) [she/they/he]: Skylight debut! Miss Kyle has spent a sizeable portion of their career in international waters, performing with Disney Cruise Line as Kings, Clocks, and Genies, and originating the role of Hook Hand in Tangled: the Musical. They have worked regionally in Chicago, Portland, Memphis, Arizona, and Colorado; with the National Players – America’s Longest-Running Touring Company (Olney, MD); and sometimes performs in drag as Great Aunt Mavis. Love to family and forever friends. Hi, Georgia!  

Becky Cofta (Charlotte/Ensemble) is thrilled to be in Oliver! She was last seen at Skylight in Noises Off, the Rocky Horror Picture Show Fundraiser and Pippin. Becky is a performer and teaching artist in the Greater Milwaukee area. She has worked with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, The Constructivists, Schmitz & Giggles and more. Endless thanks to her family and friends for their unconditional love and support! 

Candace Decker (Mrs. Corney/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her debut at Skylight Music Theatre. Favorite roles include Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly! And Marmee in Little Women the Musical at Forte Theatre Company. She is a Chicago After Dark Award winner for Best Actress as Alma in The Christmas Schooner at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, a Midwest Individual Artist grantee, and a NY Cabaret Symposium Fellow. Thank you, Susan Westfall and Steven Decker for your love and support. 

Randall Dodge (Fagin)* was last seen at Skylight as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd! He has performed and directed throughout the country. Favorite acting credits include: Frollo The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Javert Les Miserable, Billy Flynn Chicago, Emile De Becque South Pacific, Captain Hook Peter Pan, Carl Magnus A Little Night Music, Grinch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the Cowardly Lion The Wizard of Oz. He is also the Founding Artistic Director for Forte Theatre Company.