The Fireside auditions and hires professional singers, dancers and actors from all over the United States. Many come with Broadway and National Tour experience. All of them come with great talent and a passion for their craft.


Victor Hernandez (John Gustafson) created the role of Henry Barrow in BONNIE & CLYDE on Broadway. Regional credits include: B&C (La Jolla Playhouse & Asolo Repertory), Dan – NEXT TO NORMAL (Seven Angels Theatre), Lt. Brannigan – GUYS AND DOLLS (Bucks County Playhouse), George Banks – MARY POPPINS (Fireside Theatre), Harry Bright – MAMMA MIA (Fireside Theatre), and The Old Man – A CHRISTMAS STORY (Fireside Theatre). It’s great to be back! Check out his bi-yearly posts on Instagram: @thevichernandez


Dan Embree (Max Goldman) is delighted to be returning to The Fireside (especially since his last Fireside show was cut short by the pandemic), and is thrilled to be working alongside his beautiful wife, Dana.  The Embrees live near Branson, MO where they have performed in a number of Branson’s famous entertainment offerings.  His Fireside credits include A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, ANNIE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GUYS AND DOLLS, and several of The Fireside’s live band revues.


Michelle Jennings (Ariel Truax) is thrilled to be making her debut at The Fireside Theatre! Off-Broadway: Donatella in MIKE AND MINDY’S WILD WEEKEND JAM (Players’ Theatre), Diva/Executive in A SKETCH OF NEW YORK (Producers Club Theatre), Countess in FIGARO 90210! (Duke Theatre). Regional: Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Black Rock Theatre), Ida in TITANIC, (Milwaukee Rep), Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC (Hawaii Opera Theater), Marian in THE MUSIC MAN (Maryland Arts). Thanks to my amazing husband, Tom. @michellejenningssings


Stephen Joshua Thompson (Jacob Goldman) is thrilled to be making his Fireside debut!  Favorite credits: Disney’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Lumiere), RAGTIME (Tateh), THE PRODUCERS (Leo Bloom), MATILDA (Agatha Trunchbull), INTO THE WOODS (Baker), and CABARET (Emcee).  Recent NYC Workshops:  Sophie’s Light (Tectonic Theatre Project), Scribble Itch, The Art of Raising Anything.  Thanks to The Luedtke Agency and Joe for their unconditional support. Social: @thee_sjt!


Cat Greenfield (Melanie Norton) Fireside Debut! Cat is an actor, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, puppeteer, and joyful weirdo based in NYC! Recent credits include Darlene in HONKY TONK ANGELS, Kate/Lucy in AVENUE Q, Blanche in THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW!, and Trenna in RING OF FIRE. Full resume at www.catgreenfield.com. Link up on insta @catgreenfield! Original music can be found wherever you stream your tunes. Many thanks to Ed, and much love to NYD!


Dana Embree (Sandra Snyder) is ecstatic to be making her Fireside debut along side her husband, Dan! Credits include A CHRISTMAS STORY (Mother), A DICKENS‘ CHRISTMAS CAROL (Mrs. Chratchit), ANNIE (Miss Hannigan), OKLAHOMA (Ado Annie), NUNSENSE (Sister Robert Anne) and 1776 (Martha Jefferson).  Recently, the Embrees performed together in Branson’s WHO DUNNIT HOEDOWN MURDER MYSTERY (Belle) and FUNNY FARM (Ma Stewart). Thanks to Ed, and our whole family!


Alan Ball (Grandpa Gustafson) previously played Bill in MAMMA MIA and Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY at The Fireside. Based in Chicago, his 40 years as an actor/singer (and occasional art photographer) have taken him to all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Alan is also an Artistic Associate of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. He is grateful to Ed for the gig, his wife, Joan, their cat, Ginger, for their love, and YOU for coming to see LIVE theatre! www.alanball.biz


Aaron Pottenger (Chuck Barrels) is excited to make his Fireside debut while returning to Wabasha! Regional Credits: GUYS AND DOLLS (Harry), THE LITTLE MERMAID (Chef Louis), MAN OF LA MANCHA (Tenorio/Pedro), THE FANTASTICKS (El Gallo), and SHERLOCK HOLMES (Lestrade). He’s also been featured in CINDERELLA and THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Fulton Theatre) Special thanks to Ed for this opportunity. None of this would possible with the faithfulness of God and Aaron’s family and close friends. Gramps, I hope I’m making you proud! Jer. 29:11 IG: ImAaronPottenger


Tonyia Myrie Rue

Tonyia Myrie Rue (Punky Olander) is delighted to return for a fifth season! Theatre: WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS  (Tina/Diana Ross), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Chiffon), SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Candy),  THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (MC), MAMMA MIA! (Tanya). Tours: America/Norwegian Cruise Lines (production singer), DREAMGIRLS National Tour/Japan (Lorrell), Pittsburgh CLO, and Pittsburgh Opera Theatre. TV: The Piano Lessons, The Jackson Five American Dream. Tonyia is extremely thankful for another opportunity to do what she loves! Enjoy the show!!!


Jonathan Fluck (Harry) is delighted to be performing at The Fireside. In the musical theater genre, Jonathan has loved performing Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS, the Major General in PIRATES OF PENZANCE, the Beadle in Sondheim’s SWEENEY TODD, Charlie in BRIGADOON (when he was MUCH younger), but most delicious of all was as one of the gangsters in KISS ME KATE, where, with two scenes and a song, you walk off with the show!


Jason Plourde

Jason Plourde (Tim) is thrilled to be back on the Fireside stage. Past credits include THE MUSIC MAN, WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR BASEMENT, ANNIE, MY FAIR LADY, ELF, 42ND STREET, and LES MISERABLES. With 25 years experience in Opera and Theatre, other favorite credits have included Henry Higgins (MY FAIR LADY), Frank Abignale, Sr. (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN), Frank Sinatra (THE RAT PACK LOUNGE), and Macbeth (Verdi’s MACBETH). Jason would like to thank his wonderful wife, Ahlana, for all her love and support.


Aja Downing (Unis) graduated from The American Musical Arts Academy in 2016. Some of Aja’s previous roles were Annette in TJLOVESSALLY4EVA, Fairy Godmother in CINDERELLA, Jojo in CHER CHEZ LE FEMME, Cassandra in ALEX AND EUGENE, Christine Daè in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Aida in AIDA and Ella Baker in BAYARD: A New Musical. Aja would like to thank her Mom and Dad for all their support and love!


Chris Withers (Stan) is thrilled to return to The Fireside after portraying Roger in both the 2018 and 2022 runs of GREASE. He knows the power of representation on stage (and off!), so he hopes you see yourself in one of the many talented artists here on stage tonight (even if they’re a grumpy one!) Chris’s mission is to inspire and transform the arts so every person feels seen and heard. Find him at www.chriswithers.me for more!


Marisa Spahn (Fran) is excited to make her debut with The Fireside Theatre. She is a recent graduate of Webster Conservatory where she studied musical theatre. Some of her favorite credits include: Elle Woods (LEGALLY BLONDE), Campbell (BRING IT ON), and Wednesday (THE ADDAMS FAMILY). Big thank you to her friends and family for their love and support and to this cast/crew/creative team for all the hard work! IG: @Marisa_Spahn


Maria Reed (Karla) is absolutely thrilled to be making her Fireside debut. Favorite past performances include THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CAMELOT, LEND ME A TENOR: The Musical, and THE GAME’S AFOOT. When not on stage, you can find Maria teaching or taking yoga classes whenever possible! Much love to the family, especially her parents. A huge thank you to Brian Herrick and Hell’s Kitchen Agency!


Christian Fary (Bo) is so excited to be here at The Fireside! Credits include THE OFFICE: A Musical Parody (Dwight and Others) both on tour and Off-Broadway, THE LITTLE MERMAID (Scuttle), SHREK: The Musical (Big Bad Wolf), and JERSEY BOYS (Nick Massi). Thank you to his parents, siblings, and Emilee for their constant support! Follow Christian on Instagram @christian_fary


Brittany Luberda (Lo) is excited to be joining The Fireside Dinner Theater. Fresh from New Orleans, LA, notable roles include Missy (THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES), Lois Franklin (SH BOOM!…LIFE COULD BE A DREAM), Patsy Cline (ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE), Marge Gelman (BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO) and a winner of “The Marvelous Wonderettes Video Challenge.” During quarantine, I created a one-woman fan video series featuring the songs from THE MUSIC MAN called “The Music Woman.” I love you Robert! youtube.com/BrittanyLuberda