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.
Steve McCoy (Scrooge) Fireside theater debut. He most recently starred with Emily Skinner and Leslie Margarita and a workshop for a brand new musical based on the film Stage Mother directed by Tony Award nominee Dennis Jones. A veteran of nine National Tours, including Grandpa Joe in Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and King Arthur in Monty Python’s SPAMALOT in which he holds the world record of playing King Arthur more than any other professional actor (1,002 and counting). Thanks to Ed for this opportunity! This one’s for Cory.
Brian Elliott (Bob Cratchit) finally has a chance to share a role with Kermit, Mickey, and Dad! He previously appeared as Henry Etches (TITANIC), Teddy Roosevelt (NEWSIES), Cogsworth (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Uncle Billy (A WONDERFUL LIFE), Grantaire (LES MISERABLES), among others. At the Mercury Theater of Chicago he’s appeared as Max Bialystok (THE PRODUCERS) and Oskar (THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER), and at PlaybyPlay Theater in Green Bay as Lord Capulet (ROMEO AND JULIET). He wishes to thank his parents, as well as Mary, Ed, and love to Skye!
Michael Haws (Jacob Marley) Recent favorite roles: Captain Smith – TITANIC; Mayor – THE MUSIC MAN; General Waverly – WHITE CHRISTMAS; Wizard – THE WIZARD OF OZ; Max – THE SOUND OF MUSIC; Arvide – GUYS AND DOLLS; Pickering – MY FAIR LADY; Clarence – A WONDERFUL LIFE; Jim – ALL SHOOK UP; Doc – WEST SIDE STORY; Thenardier – LES MISERABLES. Other theatres: Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane E.P., Beef & Boards, Fulton Musical Theatre, Little Theatre. Joke: How did Scrooge win the football game? Answer: The Ghost of Christmas passed.
Lucy Benzinger (Ghost of Christmas Past) is thrilled to be making her Fireside debut! Off-Broadway: SLANTED AND ENCHANTED (Ensemble). Selected Regional: MARY POPPINS (Mary), MARIE ANTOINETTE (Marie), MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Juliet), THE HEIR APPARENT (Isabelle). BFA MT TCU. All my love to Chandler and my family. Thanks to Jim and Bridget at Bloc. All Glory to God. @lucygivenbenzinger lucybenzinger.com
Craig Underwood (Ghost of Christmas Present) is excited to be back after appearing in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (Big Bopper) and GUYS AND DOLLS (Big Jule). A proud graduate of Ball State University Theatre and Dance, he now calls NYC home. Other past favorites: HAIR (Margaret Mead), SWEENEY TODD (Beadle), and INTO THE WOODS (Baker). Thanks to Ed and The Fireside team. Love to RDMLL @craigie_u
Fiona Mowbray (Isabel) is thrilled to make her Fireside debut! Currently based in NYC, she is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with degrees in Musical Theatre (BFA) and International Business (BS). Favorite credits include SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Kathy Selden), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Janet Van De Graaff), JERSEY BOYS (Francine), and TO DIE FOR (Grace). Thanks to her family for their constant support! www.fionamowbray.com
Adolpho Blaire (Fezziwig) Born: Landstuhl, Germany. Raised: Bowie, MD. BFA: Shenandoah Conservatory. NYC: Upright Citizen’s Brigade, Ars Nova, Secret Theatre. Tour: A CHORUS LINE. Regional/Stock: McCarter, TUTS, Walnut Street, Riverside, Maine State, Rubicon, Flat Rock, Westchester, Theatre By the Sea, The Wick, Mountain and Gateway Playhouses, Greenbrier Valley, Theatre Workshop Nantucket, TheatreZone. Film: Across the Universe. Additionally: Industrials, Workshops, Comedy Shows. Loves Being: Director, Choreographer, Educator. Thanks: Ed & especially Mary. www.justdolphy.com
Sam Joseph (Scrooge’s Nephew, Young Ebenezer) is so excited to be continuing his time at The Fireside after his first appearance in TITANIC (Jim Farrell)! Previous credits: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Don Lockwood), THE LITTLE MERMAID (Prince Eric), ORDINARY DAYS (Jason), SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Man 2). Proud BM NYU Steinhardt. Thanks Ed for this amazing opportunity! Love to Mom, Dad, Molly, Chloe and Jade for their endless support. samjosephofficial.com
Evan Hussey (Tom Jenkins, Dick Wilkins) is happy to be back after appearing in MARY POPPINS. National Tour: ELF. Regional: A CHORUS LINE (Swing, City Springs Theatre), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Avram, City Springs Theatre), ELF (Ensemble, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (Chantal, Little Theatre on the Square), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Ensemble, Victory Productions), MAMMA MIA (Ensemble, Little Theatre on the Square). Proud Marymount Manhattan Musical Theatre Alum. Many thanks to Ed, Brian at Hell’s Kitchen Agency, Maddie, and Wheeler.
Delaney Groff (Mrs. Cratchit, Miss Harty, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Fireside debut in SCROOGE The Musical! Delaney is originally from Green Bay, WI but currently resides in New York City with her wife, dog, and two cats. Most recently Delaney had her New York City stage debut as Athena in the new musical BLOOM (Best Supporting Actress SheNYC Arts). Delaney would like to dedicate her performance to her Grandpa, and Green Bay music legend Dudley Birder.
Kate Carey (Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Dilber, Ensemble) is so excited to be making her Fireside debut! Previous credits include ORDINARY DAYS (Deb), NINE, APPLAUSE and devised works like GOOD TROUBLE and STORM. BM NYU Steinhardt. Thanks so much to Ed for this opportunity, and to family and friends for their love and support! kate-carey.com
Daniel Pippert (Mr. Jollygoode, Ensemble) is excited to make his Fireside debut. Past credits include COMPANY, KINKY BOOTS, CAMELOT, BRIGHT STAR, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, SPAMALOT, MARY POPPINS, and MAN OF LA MANCHA. He is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University. Thanks to Ed and the entire fireside team. Sending love to the family back home in Virginia! @danielpippert/ www.danielpippert.com
Jessica Caldwell (Nephew’s Wife, Ensemble) is so excited to be making her Fireside debut! Regional: GYPSY (Louise), GUYS AND DOLLS (Ensemble/U.S. Sarah Brown), CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Ensemble), DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Ensemble). Other: URINETOWN (Hope Cladwell), THE FANTASTICKS (Luisa). LOVE AT FIRST FRIGHT (Elvira, Six Flags Over Texas). CAP21 Conservatory at Molloy University alumni. Thank you so much to the Fireside team for this opportunity and my family and friends for their love and support! Instagram: @jessica.r.caldwell
Lance Spencer (Punch and Judy Man, Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Ensemble), a Chicago performer, is thrilled to make his return to the Fireside this holiday season. His previous appearances at the Fireside include roles in JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT and ANNIE. Lance’s other credits extend to productions like A CHORUS LINE at Drury Lane, GRAND HORIZONS at Asolo Rep, and WHITE CHRISTMAS at the Theatre at the Center. Notably, he has also graced commercials, including Hallmark Keepsake in 2020 and International Delight in 2023. instagram: @lance.b.spenc
Arik Vega (Wine Merchant, Topper, Ensemble) joyously returns to The Fireside; last seen dancing in THE MUSIC MAN! West Texas born, he earned his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Belmont University and is now a working actor in Chicago! Theatre credits include IN THE HEIGHTS (Usnavi) Visión Latino Theatre Company, WEST SIDE STORY (Chino) Studio Tenn, GYPSY (Yonkers, u/s Tulsa) The Marriott Theatre, CLYDE’S at The Goodman Theatre, EVITA at Drury Lane Theatre. Represented by Stewart Talent. IG: @arikvega
Matt Casey (Mr. Pringle, Ensemble) is so happy to be returning to his home away from home for the holidays! Matt is originally from Iowa and now lives in Chicago. Scrooge marks his third holiday show and seventh show overall here at The Fireside. Some of his favorite credits include: NEXT TO NORMAL, AVENUE Q, THE MUSIC MAN – and with the Fireside: The Tin Man in THE WIZARD OF OZ and Benny Southstreet in GUYS AND DOLLS. Thank you for supporting the arts! Happy Holidays!!
Heather Nolting (Miss Dilber, Ensemble) is thrilled to return to the Fireside Theatre! Previous Credits include: THE MUSIC MAN, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and MY FAIR LADY (Fireside Theatre), and 42ND STREET (Fulton Theatre). She is a graduate of Marist College with a B.S. in Chemistry. She would like to thank Ed, MJ, and everyone at The Fireside, as well as her family and friends for their continuous support. @heathernolting
Joe Lehman (Mr. Bissett, Ensemble) is delighted to return to the Fireside Theatre where he has appeared in MAMMA MIA, THE MUSIC MAN, GREASE, BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES #1, 2 and 4, SOUTH PACIFIC, and RUN FOR YOUR WIFE. A proud member of Actors’ Equity, he has worked all over the country as an actor and director and always loves to be back at The Fireside. Thanks for supporting live theatre! www.joe-lehman.com
Selena Robinson (Helen, Ensemble) is excited to make her Fireside Theatre debut! She is a proud Chicago native and NYU graduate. Favorite credits include: ELF (Arvada Center), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre); CHICAGO (Arizona Broadway Theatre); and THE QUEEN’S BALL: A BRIDGERTON EXPERIENCE (Netflix/Fever). Represented by Take 3 Talent. Special thanks to her friends and family, her Physical Therapist Maddie, and the entire Fireside Team! www.selenarobinson.com IG: @selenarobinson_97support.
John Cavaseno (Ensemble, Swing) is happy to be returning to the Fireside Theatre! He was previously seen in THE MUSIC MAN. Favorite regional credits include NEWSIES (Slow Burn Theatre Co.) and WEST SIDE STORY (Tibbits Opera House). Proud graduate of both SUNY Cortland and the BDC Professional Semester. Much love and thanks to his family, teachers, and the amazing production team here at The Fireside Theatre! @JohnCavaseno “Your Very Best”
Bethany Anderson (Ensemble, Swing) is thrilled to join the cast of SCROOGE! Favorite credits include BANDSTAND 1st National Tour, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA National Tour, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT National Tour, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera), NIKOLA TESLA DROPS THE BEAT (Adirondack Theater Festival), THE LITTLE MERMAID (CPCC Summer Theatre), and more. Bethany thanks the creative team, Avalon Artists Group, her family, and her husband Colt for their love and support! IG: @blanderson4