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.
Craig Underwood (Miss Trunchbull) is thrilled to be back at The Fireside after appearing in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Constable) SCROOGE (Christmas Present), BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story (Big Bopper) and GUYS AND DOLLS (Big Jule). A proud Ball State University Theatre and Dance graduate, he now calls NYC home. Past favorite roles include HAIR (Margaret Mead), INTO THE WOODS (Baker), GUYS AND DOLLS (Nicely Nicely), and SWEENEY TODD (Beadle). Many thanks to Justin, Shanna, Ed, Mary, MJ, and the entire Fireside team. Love to RDMLL @craigie_u
Alix Rhode (Miss Honey) is a proud Latina and Chicagoland artist. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She’s represented by the amazing agents at Gray Talent Group. A few favorite credits include: Mimi Márquez in RENT (Porchlight Music Theatre), Marela in ANNA IN THE TROPICS (Remy Bumppo), and Ensemble and Nina/Vanessa Understudy for IN THE HEIGHTS (Marriott Theater). Many thanks to her family and friends for their love and support. Find her at @alixrhode and www.alixrhode.com.
Daniel Pippert (Mr. Wormwood) is thrilled to be back at The Fireside, recently appearing in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and SCROOGE. Past credits include COMPANY, KINKY BOOTS, CAMELOT, BRIGHT STAR, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, SPAMALOT, and MAN OF LA MANCHA. He is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University. Many thanks to the great team at The Fireside, to his families on and off stage, and the Henrico Musical Theatre Class of 2014. @danielpippert / www.danielpippert.com
Kelly Felthous (Mrs. Wormwood) is excited to make her Fireside debut! National Tours: GREASE, WICKED, and FLASHDANCE. She originated roles in TRIP OF LOVE, MAX AND RUBY, and BRING IT ON (Stage 42, Lucille Lortel, The Alliance Theatre). Favorites: Violet in VIOLET (Theatre Squared), Lauren in KINKY BOOTS (Orlando Shakes), Roxie in CHICAGO and Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Drury Lane) and Sally Bowles in CABARET (Paramount Theater). TV: “Law and Order SVU” (NBC), “Night Sky” (Amazon Prime), and numerous commercials. @kellyfelthous for more.
Daniel Patrick Russell (Michael Wormwood) is from Umina Beach, Australia. Film: Spielberg’s WEST SIDE STORY. Television: FBI, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, FOSSE/VERDON, 75TH TONY AWARDS. Broadway: THE MUSIC MAN. Tours: starred as the title role in BILLY ELLIOT (Broadway Tour, Australian Tour), WEST SIDE STORY (International Tour, Centennial World Tour). Regional: Christopher in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (CCAE Theatricals), Fireside Theatre, Asolo Rep. In this production, Daniel is sharing the stage with his wife, Carley.
Elizabeth Romero (Doctor, Mrs. Phelps) is thrilled to make her Fireside debut! Regional: CINDERELLA (Drury Lane Theatre); AMERICAN MARIACHI (The Goodman); BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Paramount Theatre); INTO THE WOODS (Rose Center Theatre). She is a graduate of Northwestern University where she pursued Musical Theatre Performance and Arts Administration. She interned with Baseline Theatrical where she worked on the Broadway productions of HAMILTON and THE GREAT COMET… Elizabeth received the 2012 Jimmy Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Ivan Bracy Jr. (The Escapologist) is more than thrilled to be making his Fireside debut with this magical story: MATILDA! Credits include Marquee Productions, The REV Co. (BEAUTIFUL:The Carole King Musical and A CHORUS LINE), Lincoln Park (IN THE HEIGHTS as Bennie) and PCLO. Recently appeared as Mr Beauregarde in Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Ivan’s a proud graduate of Point Park University’s BFA Musical Theatre and resides in Chicago. He also works as a director/choreographer in theatres on the West Coast. Enjoy the show! @ivanbracyjr
Sissa Strain (The Acrobat) is delighted to return to The Fireside! Originally from Louisiana, B.S. Dance and Kinesiology from Indiana University, currently NYC. Credits: In The Heights (Film), Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (TV), THE LITTLE MERMAID (Syracuse Stage), ELF (The Argyle), GUYS AND DOLLS (The Fireside), Pilobolus, Porsche, Southwest Airlines, American Horror Story, Roots, and The Righteous Gemstones. Commercial Dance Intensive Director of Operations, Broadway Dance Center faculty, member Dance Masters of America, Choreographers Guild, and Actors’ Equity. @sissa.strain
Matthew Tiberi (Rudolpho) is ecstatic to be returning to the Fireside! Matthew was last seen at The Fireside in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and as Chuck Cranston in FOOTLOOSE in 2013. Broadway: FINDING NEVERLAND; National Tours: JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT (Issachar/dir./choreo. Andy Blakenbuehler); Regional: ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME (Shakespeare Theatre Company), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Don Lockwood/STONC)…and more. Immense thanks to Ed, this incredible cast/crew/team, Will, and my family for their endless support. @matthew_tiberi
Anna Backer (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Fireside debut in MATILDA! National Tours: MY FAIR LADY (dir. Bartlett Sher), GIRLS NIGHT. Select Regional: PIPPIN (STONC), CHICAGO (Big Noise Theater), ANYTHING GOES, PETER PAN, MAME (Music Theater Works), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (WPPAC), BULLETS OVER BROADWAY (NightBlue), The Who’s TOMMY, MY FAIR LADY (Northwestern University). Represented by DDO Artists Agency. Much love to Roux and the fam. @annabackertap
Logan Becker (Ensemble) is so excited to be making his debut at The Fireside. This will be his first contract after graduating with a BFA in Musical Theater, with a dance concentration, from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Some of his favorite past credits include THE MUSIC MAN (Marriott), ANYTHING GOES (Porchlight), and Andy Lee in 42ND STREET (MTWichita). Special thanks to his parents and the people at Gray Talent Group! @lbecker99
Morgan DiFonzo (Ensemble) is over the moon excited to be making her Fireside debut in MATILDA! Previous Regional Theatre credits include Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and Shakespeare Project Chicago. What a joy it’s been not only getting to perform in this production, but also associate choreograph and get to work with the incomparable dream team that is Shanna VanDerwerker and Justin Brill. Enjoy the show!
Isa Ramirez (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Fireside Theatre debut in MATILDA The Musical! Isa is from Chicago, Illinois and has performed in Chicago Regional Theater: Marriott Theatre, IN THE HEIGHTS (Ensemble), Music Theater Works, BRIGADOON (Maggie Anderson), WHITE CHRISTMAS (Ensemble/ Dance Captain), ZORRO! (Ensemble), and THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT (Gus Legacy Dance Company). Special thanks to my family and my husband for always believing in me; and for Jayden. Follow isa_nychi on instagram!
Matthew Ranaudo (Ensemble) is over the moon to be making their Fireside debut! New York: BROADWAY CARES EASTER BONNET (Minskoff), A CHORUS LINE (Argyle Theatre), and The MET Opera. They have traveled to 37 countries on Royal Caribbean (CATS) and two International Tours: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Lefou) and WEST SIDE STORY (Swing). Regional: Cincinnati Playhouse, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Tuacahn, and WBT. TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Special thanks to The Take3 Team! This performance is dedicated to their late father, Mike Ranaudo. @mattranaudo
Selena Robinson (Ensemble) is so excited to return to The Fireside! She is a proud Chicago native and NYU Gallatin graduate. Favorite credits include SCROOGE The Musical (Fireside Theatre), CABARET (Mill Mountain Theatre), ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE (Mill Mountain Theatre), ELF (Arvada Center), CHICAGO (Arizona Broadway Theatre); and THE QUEEN’S BALL: A Bridgerton Experience (Netflix/Fever). Represented by Take 3 Talent. Special thanks to Ed, Shanna, Justin, and the entire Fireside Team! www.selenarobinson.com IG: @selenarobinson_97
Carley Russell (Swing) Tours: WEST SIDE STORY Centennial World Tour 2016-18 (Minnie, Anybodys understudy), WEST SIDE STORY International Tour 2023 (Teresita) performing in over 25 cities including Tokyo, Dublin, Auckland, Dubai, Paris, and Mumbai. Regional Theatre: GREASE (Cha-Cha),
OKLAHOMA. Training: Point Park University. Shoutout to the love of my life, Daniel Russell.
Parker Joh (Swing) is grateful to be back at The Fireside Theatre! He is a graduate of, and now on staff at, Broadway Dance Center and is a South Carolina alumni. Past Fireside credits include GUYS AND DOLLS (Rusty Charlie/u.s Nathan), A CHRISTMAS STORY: The Musical, and ANNIE. Others include ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE and MAMMA MIA! at Mill Mountain Theatre and SPRING AWAKENING at The Warehouse Theatre. Special thanks to Shanna, Justin, Ed, MJ, and Mary! @parkerjohact