Meet the cast of Shakes Faire

Cast of As You Like It

Jim Ahrens

Jim Ahrens is very happy indeed to be back with Zephyr Theatre for the second time, having previously appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018). Jim has worked as an actor, singer, and coach in the Twin Cities for more years than he cares to remember. Favorite oles include Appopolus in Wonderful Town and Simon Stimson in Ned Rorem’s opera of Our Town (Skylark Opera), Prospero in The Tempest (Cromulent Shakespeare Company) Trotter in Journey’s End (Gremlin Theatre, Jungle Theatre), Gleaton in Susannah (Theatre Latte Da), Polonius in Hamlet and Snelgrave in One Flea Spare (both with Theatre Coup d’Etat), and Florestan in the Picnic Operetta version of Beethoven’s Fidelio. He also loves and has appeared in many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. As a singer, he has appeared as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra (Bernstein’s Mass, La Boheme) the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra, the Des Moines Symphony and many other organizations. Jim is the tenor soloist for Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.

Alison Anderson

Alison is pleased to be returning to Zephyr Theatre after appearing in Much Ado About Nothing in 2020. She has appeared in various shows with local theaters including Theatre in the Round, Guthrie Theater, Cromulent Shakespeare Company, Freshwater Theatre, Shakespeare and Company, Lyric Arts, Theater Terra Firma, Stages Theater, the MN Fringe Festival and others. She is a company member of both Fearless Comedy Productions and Smartmouth Comedy Company.

Raúl Arámbula

Raúl Arámbula (Silvius/ Jacques de Boys/ Second Lord at Court) is excited to be back with the Zephyr Theatre again! He is an actor based in the Twin Cities and some of his most noticeable work is in Treasure Island, An Enemy of the People, Biloxi Blues, Romeo and Juliet, Light Years, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Kiss, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Lion in Winter, and the Zephyr’s 2020 production of Much Ado About Nothing. You can see him in the upcoming productions of It’s A Wonderful Life at Lyric Arts, where he will play the role of George Bailey, The Cowboy and the Widow, which will open in the MN Fringe Festival 2022 and Et tu, Brute? an adaptation of Julius Caesar at Theatre Coup d’Etat, where he will play the role of Brutus, which opens Spring 2022.

Neal Beckman

Neal Beckman (Oliver) is thrilled to be back with Zephyr Theatre. Previous credits include Twelfth Night with Zephyr Theatre, Peerless with Theatre Mu, Pride and Prejudice with Park Square Theatre, Twelfth Night with Classical Actor’s Ensemble, Marie Antoinette with Walking Shadow Company, and the robin in Cinderella here at Old Log Theatre. Accolades include the 2016 Lavender Award for Superlative Performance in Julius Caesar and the 2012 Ivey Award for Overall Excellence for Compleat Female Stage Beauty with Walking Shadow Company. Neal is also a proud member of the Actor’s Workout at the Guthrie Theatre.

Kirby Bennett

Kirby Bennett (Madame LeBeau/Duke Senior) is delighted to return to the Zephyr Theatre; she previously appeared as the Abbess in The Comedy of Errors. She has been seen regionally at numerous theaters including Frank Theatre, Old Log Theatre, The Jungle Theater, Park Square Theatre, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Commonweal Theatre Company, History Theatre and many others. Pre-pandemic performances include Ada and the Engine with DalekoArts, and The Visit with Frank Theatre. Kirby is the Artistic Director of Girl Friday Productions, for which she produced and performed in their acclaimed productions of The Skin of Our Teeth, Idiot’s Delight, and The Matchmaker. Upcoming: Holmes and Watson (TBA) at Park Square Theatre.

Randal Berger*

(AEA/SAG-AFTRA) has worked professionally as an actor, director, producer and educator since 1988. On Twin Cities stages, Randal has performed and/or directed with The Zephyr Theatre, The Old Log, The Ordway, The Fitzgerald, The Music Box, Pillsbury House, The Margolis Brown Company, The Minneapolis Theatre Garage, The Playwright’s Center, and the MN Fringe Festival. Since its beginnings, Randal has been involved with the Zephyr, and is extremely grateful for the admiration and growth the Zephyr has enjoyed; and looks forward to what unexpected joys are to come!

Clare Boyd

Theater: Zephyr Theater: Much Ado About Nothing; Classical Actors Ensemble: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Prague Shakespeare Co: Romeo & Juliet; The Motley Shakespeare Players: As You Like It, Pericles, The Winter’s Tale, The Knight of the Burning Pestle, Macbeth, The Spanish Tragedy; Compass Shakespeare Ensemble: Love’s Labour’s Lost, Sejanus: His Fall; City Theatre Austin: Inherit the Wind, She Stoops to Conquer.
Training: MLitt and MFA Shakespeare & Performance: Mary Baldwin University; BFA Acting: University of Texas, Arlington.

Charles Fraser*

Charles Fraser appeared as Harry in Zephyr Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia last month. He was also in Zephyr’s Twelfth Night, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He has acted at Park Square Theatre, Door Shakespeare, Yellow Tree Theatre, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Jungle Theatre, History Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic.

Alex Galick*

Alex Galick is excited to be back with Stillwater Zephyr Theatre playing Orlando in As You Like It, as well as Flute and Sir Andrew in Shakespeare LOL for the inaugural season of Shakesfaire!! His previous roles with Zephyr include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night. He’s also worked locally in the Twin Cities with Theater Mu, History Theatre and Park Square, as well as regionally with Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Eva Gemlo

Eva Gemlo is more than thrilled to be coming back to theatre after the long intermission of 2020. She has performed in Zephyr’s Shakespeare in the Park before as Titania in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Olivia in Twelfth Night, and Luciana in Comedy of Errors. A Some favorite past roles include Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher (DalekoArts), Ishmael in Moby Dick (Theatre Coup d’Etat), Ada Lovelace in Ada and the Engine (DalekoArts), and Judith in Equivocation (Walking Shadow Theatre Company). Eva also freelances as an intimacy choreographer.

Anna Hermanson

Anna Hermanson (Phebe) is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful cast. She most recently played Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Zephyr Theatre) and Lady Basildon in An Ideal Husband (Alpha NYC). Anna got her BFA in Acting from Viterbo University, and will be studying with the Actor’s Gymnasium Professional Circus Program this coming fall. Keep an eye on their aerial and acting pursuits at annahermanson.com. Anna is grateful for the support of her family, her partner & their puppy.

Sara Marsh*

Sara Marsh (Celia). Representative Theater: Zephyr Theatre: Debut; Dark & Stormy Productions (The Norwegians, Blackbird, Fool For Love, And So It Goes, Sunshine, Extremities, The Hothouse, The Receptionist, Speed-the-Plow, others), Penumbra Theatre (benevolence), Artistry Theater (the one woman show Bad Dates), Old Log Theater (The Dixie Swim Club, Weekend Comedy), Park Square Theatre (Steel Magnolias, June Moon), History Theater (Hiding in the Open), Gremlin Theatre (A Behanding in Spokane), SOS Theater (Roller Derby Queen), The Playwrights’ Center (PlayLabs), Pillsbury House Theater (Chicago Avenue Project), Jungle Theater, Thirst Theater, Theatre L’Homme Dieu, others. Film/TV: Sugar & Spice (New Line Cinema/Warner Bros.), Love Always, Santa (Hallmark), Best Man Down (Magnolia Pictures), “Theater People” (web series, Seeka TV), The Public Domain (Ten Ten/Farnum Films), Jasmine is a Star (TruRuts), How to Kill a Mockingbird, Stuck in Mute (short), Rosie (Cannes Film Festival featured short), others. Voiceover: Marsh has lent her voice to thousands of TV, radio, and internet spots. Sara is the founder and Artistic Director of Dark & Stormy Productions and serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Visit her at www.saramarsh.net.

Josh McCauley

Josh McCauley (Adam/Hymen) is an actor and vocalist who has worked in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. He returns to the Zephyr Theatre after performing with them last summer in Much Ado About Nothing. Select favorite roles include Detective Frank Cioffi in Curtains, The Cat In The Hat in Seussical, André in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Lucas Brickman in Laughter on the 23rd Floor.

Michael Quadrozzi

Michael (Touchstone) is delighted to be back onstage with Zephyr as another Shakespearean fool, having previously played both Dromio twins in The Comedy of Errors and constable Dogberry in Much Ado about Nothing, as well as appearing in It’s a Wonderful Life, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Witness for the Prosecution. Michael’s other roles include Dr. Watson in Baskerville with Paul Bunyan Playhouse, and Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Theatre in the Round. He is a company member with Theatre Pro Rata, where he appeared in Isaac’s Eye, and has also worked with Wayward Theatre, Fortune’s Fool Theatre, American Civic Forum, National Theatre for Children, Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, and the Lakeshore Players. He also acts in film and voiceover. This holiday season, he will be appearing in the comedy Another Miracle on Christmas Lake at Yellow Tree Theatre.

Mike Tober

Mike Tober is an Actor & Director who has been active in the Twin Cities for the past 7 years! Mike has performed with various theaters and companies in the Twin Cities such as: The Guthrie, Classical Actors Ensemble, Zephyr Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata, Artistry, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Sidekick Theatre, Lyric Arts, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Chameleon Theatre, Theatre In The Round, Lakeshore Players Theatre, The Phipps Center for the Arts, & Actors Theater of Minnesota. Notable credits include: (as actor) Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, Lysander/Flute in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Don John in Much Ado About Nothing (Classical Actors Ensemble); Anitipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, Damis in The Metromaniacs (Theatre In The Round); The Squip in Be More Chill (Minneapolis Musical Theatre); Emmett Forest in Legally Blonde The Musical (Paul Bunyan Playhouse); & Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (Artistry); (as assistant director) Little Shop of Horrors Directed by Joe Chvala (Artistry); (as director) May The Musical Be With You (A.Y.N.E. Productions); Boeng Boeng; A Streetcar Named Desire (North Central University); Newsies!, Seussical Jr., James & The Giant Peach Jr. (The Zephyr Theater). After As You Like It, Mike can be seen performing in The Play That Goes Wrong from October – February at Old Log Theater.

* Indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States

Cast of LOL

Ali Daniels

This is Ali’s third production with Zephyr Theatre, having just played the role of Ali in Mamma Mia, also with Zephyr. Ali is a graduate of the BFA Musical Theatre program at University of WI- Stevens Point. She has performed with Yellow Tree Theatre, Sidekick Theatre, Old Log Theatre, as well as countless other theatre companies in the Twin Cities. Ali has also worked extensively in film and will be playing the titular creature in the upcoming horror film, Frogman. Website: www.alidaniels.actor | Instagram: @missalidaniels

Adam Fielitz

Adam Fielitz, a corporate trainer by day, has made Minneapolis his home for the last 25 years. In his time here, he has worked with The Mystery Cafe, Old Log Theater, Camp Bar, and Fifty Foot Penguin to name a few.. He is half the improv duo of Police Cop Detective PI, as well as an improv instructor. He has been in several local commercials over the years, worked on the KS95 morning crew, and has been in local films. Adam wants to thank his wife Cheryl for always being so supportive of his acting career, which means she does more of the laundry during shows. “I’ll cover all our laundry in September Sweets.”

Wini Forelich

Wini Froelich is excited to making her debut with Zephyr Theater with this fun snippet of Shakespeare for the ShakesFaire. A graduate of University of WI Madison, MFA and Dell’Arte’ International School of Physical Theater in Blue Lake, CA, Wini has performed in Minneapolis the past 16 years with The Mystery Cafe in such productions as I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas and Across a Crowded Zoom. She has also performed with Freshwater Theater, Six Elements theater in Human Combat Chess and, since 2004, for the Minnesota Historical Society as multiple figures from history including Eleanor Roosevlet, Ann Pillsbury and Minneapolis muckraker, Eva Gay Valesh. Upcoming productions include Hollywood’s Most Wanted with The Mystery Cafe and The Bucket List of Booze Club with Freshwater Theater.

Craig Johnson

Craig Johnson (Quince/Malvolio “Shakespeare LOL”) is delighted to be working with Zephyr Theatre for the first time. As an actor and director based in Minneapolis, he has done numerous productions at area theaters including Ten Thousand Things, the Jungle, History Theatre, Theatre Latte Da, Artistry, Yellow Tree, Six Points Theater, Girl Friday Productions, Park Square Theatre, and many others. Regionally he has worked at Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Rochester Civic Theatre, Commonweal Theatre Company, and Cedar Summerstock. Recognition includes Ivey Awards for acting and directing, and Craig has been named Theater Artist of the Year by City Pages and Lavender magazine.

Jaclyn Mack

Jaclyn is a versatile actress in the Twin Cities area. Film, theatre, music and modeling are all part of her artistic career. Dance, in every form, as well as stage combat, improv and martial arts are all ongoing pursuits that help round out her creative interests. Jaclyn survives on Starbucks, is addicted to ice cream and always attracted to laughter! Milton Berle once said “Laughter is the best medicine in the world.” Jaclyn hopes you get a grand dose of it today. ENJOY!

Ryan Robert Nelson

Ryan Nelson is an actor, writer, improviser and puppeteer in Minneapolis. Come see him in Vaxxed and Furious at The Bryant Lake Bowl next month and Yellow Tree Theatre for Another Miracle on Christmas Lake this November!

Patrick Thomas O’Brien*

Pat O’Brien Returned to the Twin Cities fourteen years ago after twenty-five years in L.A. and New York.
He’s been in dozens of films including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pleasantville, Stuart Little, Intolerable Cruelty, and Forget Paris. He’s guest starred in dozens of TV shows including E.R., C.S.I., The West Wing, Monk, Reba, Home Improvement, Married With Children, Sabrina, The Wonder Years, Night Court, and, (if you’re around 40) was Mr. Dewey on Saved By The Bell.
Stage credits include shows with the New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles Shakespeare Festivals; The Pasadena, Cleveland, and La Jolla Playhouses; The Arizona Theatre Company, The Old Globe in San Diego, the Arena Stage in D.C., and many theatres in and around the Twin Cities. Look for him again in the Zephyr’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”. And for the last twelve years he’s been touring his productions of Underneath The Lintel, Whisper Into My Good Ear, and Tom Stoppard’s Heroes. In 2010 he was awarded the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire Lifetime Achievement Award.

Matt Saxe

Matt’s film and television credits include Jarhead, Pearl Harbor, & The Bold and the Beautiful. He’s the founder of Shadow Horse Theatre; for whom he has appeared onstage in American Midget, Crazyface, The History of the Devil, A Kind of Love Story, and Phaedra. He is the executive producer & director of “A Drinking Game – Minnesota”; now in its 10th year. Twin Cities theatre: Black Comedy (Theatre in the Round), Arcadia (Chameleon Theatre Circle), Macbeth (Theatre Coup d’Etat), Peter and Alice* & Hauptmann (Candid Theatre Company-*Superior Supporting Actor of 2018-Lavender Magazine), All My Sons (Pioneer Place, St. Cloud), The Foreigner (Lyric Arts), and over a dozen Minnesota Fringe Festival shows. He performed for 5 years in the Universal Studios Hollywood SPECIAL EFFECTS STAGES SHOW. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Alabama.

Allison True

Allison is excited to be in this wonderful show! She has worked with Pat at the Bryant Lake Bowl where she’s done a number of shows. Other theatres include Theatre in the Round, Mixed Blood, Teatro De Pueblo, Dana’s Boy’s, and many many more. She has a degree in Theatre from St. Cloud State and lives in uptown. Many thanks to Pat, Ali, Matt, and the rest of the cast and crew.

* Indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States