Meet The Artists for
Summer Festival 2026!!
Marc Deaton
(Singer in Barry & Bette and Outcasts & Innocents; Stage Director for A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Founding Artistic Director)
Mr. Deaton occupies a prominent place not only among today's most distinctive dramatic tenors but also as a creative and successful stage director, teacher, playwright, producer, and artistic director.
As a singer, he has appeared with leading opera companies and orchestras throughout the world, including Vienna, Salzburg, Zurich, Berlin, Dresden, Paris, Barcelona, Augsburg, Munich, Mannheim, London, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague, Bratislava, Sofia, New York, Bangkok, Hong Kong, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Santa Fe among others. He has portrayed the leading tenor roles of Wagner and Strauss: Tristan, Siegfried, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Parsifal, Erik in Der Fliegende Holländer, Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos, Narraboth and Herodes in Salome and Der Kaiser in Die Frau ohne Schatten. He is also well-known for his portrayals of leading tenor roles in Samson et Dalila, Otello, Aïda, Turandot, Il Trovatore, Carmen and I Pagliacci; Schoenberg's Moses und Aron, Berg's Wozzeck and Lulu, Reimann's Die Gespenstersonate, Britten's The Turn of the Screw, Peter Grimes, and The Rape of Lucretia, Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress and operettas such as Das Land des Lächelns and Eine Nacht in Venedig.
His concert repertoire is just as broad, ranging from classical to modern and comprising virtually all the great tenor parts in such works as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Schoenberg's Gurrelieder, Orff's Carmina Burana, Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, and Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire. He was the first man to perform the role at Vienna's Schoenberg Center.
His recordings include the title role in Tristan und Isolde with the Bulgarian Festival Orchestra on Titanic Records; the October 2011 Centaur Records release of Marc Deaton WAGNER, a solo disc of Wagner excerpts recorded with the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra; Calaf in Turandot with Bangkok Opera on DVD; and Stephen Suber's Upon the Bank at Early Dawn on Centaur Records.
In addition to thirty years as an internationally renowned operatic tenor, Marc Deaton also brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a stage director. Trained as an actor and director, Mr. Deaton appeared with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and performed key musical theatre roles including Che in Evita, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Tony in West Side Story, and the title role in Candide, in European theatres such as Salzburg, Baden-Baden, Berlin, Bregenz, and Zurich.
He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Madison Lyric Stage, serving as producer and director of many of the productions in its twelve-year history. Mr. Deaton is also a playwright, writing the libretto for Glen Cortese’s monodrama The Swan Knight; penning the one-man show We Lived only for the Music: Max Lorenz and the Third Reich; and his plays with music A Memory of Truth? in 2021 and Elegy of a Fallen Angel in 2023. For more about Marc, go to his website marcdeaton.org
Jill Brunelle
(Music Director)
Jill Brunelle is a Music Director, Vocal Coach, and Pianist. She has collaborated on many diverse projects with different schools and departments at Yale University, including Opera, Institute of Sacred Music, Yale College, and the DGSD. At The David Geffen School of Drama Ms. Brunelle directed next to normal, Fun Home, Steven Sondheim’s Passion, The Apple Tree, Trouble in Tahiti, and The Medium. As Yale Opera Chorusmaster, she prepared ensembles for Florencia en el Amazonas, Eugene Onegin, Hänsel und Gretel, Die Zauberflöte, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Le Nozze Di Figaro and La Bohème.
A member of the Adjunct Faculty at Southern Connecticut State University, Ms. Brunelle directed The Prom, Footloose, Once on This Island, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Songs For a New World, Pippin, The Addams Family and Violet. Recent music directing credits include Spring Awakening, Urinetown at Connecticut College, Sunday in the Park with George, Ragtime, and The Fantasticks at Ivoryton Playhouse. Ms. Brunelle has served as faculty/staff at Boston University, New England Conservatory, Tufts University, Hartt School of Music, Connecticut Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Opera Boston. Upcoming projects include The Drowsy Chaperone and the Wizard of Oz. As a collaborative pianist Ms. Brunelle is highly sought after as a recital partner, performing internationally as well as at Carnegie Hall and Jordan Hall, and has performed world premieres at numerous festivals, including the celebrated Bang on a Can festival in New York City.
Jordan Azzinaro
(Egeus/Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Jordan is thrilled to be making their debut at Madison Lyric Stage! They recently graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in Theater and Anthropology. Past credits include Bloom Bloom Pow (Algae), As You Like It (Touchstone), Minor Character (Actor 2), Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (Son Type), and Where Are You Going, Little Horse? (Little Boy) at Skidmore College, and Measure for Measure (Elbow) at Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.
Caroline Benzi
(Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Caroline is from Westbrook, CT, and she is a rising senior, earning her BFA in Acting at Western CT State University. This is her first production with Madison Lyric Stage, and she could not be more excited. Outside credits include: The Comedy of Errors (Company), Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner(Christina Drayton), The Donkey Show (Disco Fairy), as well as many others. Caroline would like to thank her family, friends, and educators for all of their support!
Page Bondor
(Cobweb in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Page is a former attorney and a lifelong enthusiastic amateur actor and singer. She attended Princeton, where she played Diane in Hair, and Harvard Law School, where she was Sandy in Grease. She lives in NYC and Madison with her husband Paul; they have two grownup daughters. Page would definitely have been a famous actor from the age of three if only she had not refused to eat the pickle for that commercial….She is delighted to be making her MLS debut!
Trevor Burch
(Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Trevor is a non-union CT based actor with previous credits in Measure for Measure (Provost) Elm Shakespeare Company, Macbeth (Witch 3, Seyton, Murderer 1) Shakespeare on the Sound, The Ferryman (Shane Corcoran) Hole In The Wall Theatre. He would like to thank his parents for their endless support in his risky career choice as an actor. He would also like to thank his beautiful girlfriend for her love and support throughout the years. He would lastly like to give you, the audience, a huge thanks for showing up!
Tim Caron
(First Fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
An immigration attorney from Massachusetts, Tim Caron has been performing in plays and musicals since high school. He has staged an original musical and an original play at Fringe Festivals on the East Coast, and he made his film debut in 2021 in Emilio Guido Production’s When Max Met Loralie. Favorite past parts include the titular roles in The Count of Monte Cristo and Pippin. Tim has also been composing and releasing music since 2019, with hopes of completing his third solo album in the near future. After nineteen years, Tim is excited to return to the Athenian forest!
Ashley Cotton
(Singer in Barry & Bette)
Ashley loves all forms of art and finds cabaret and musical theatre to be great opportunities for artistic expression. She has been a part of New Haven’s Neighborhood Music School cabaret workshop for many years. She has recently studied cabaret performance with Jodi Stevens of Weston. Ashley has also taken voice lessons and cabaret workshops with Marc Deaton and has performed in numerous productions with Madison Lyric Stage.
William Eggers
(Singer in Barry & Bette)
Beginning as part of the 2017 season with performances in Otello and Jesus Christ Superstar, Bill has been involved with MLS in a wide variety of capacities, whether behind the scenes or onstage. He looks forward to being part of this season’s ensemble musical tribute and he wishes to thank Marc and John for continuing to believe in his ability to contribute.
Heidi Engstrom
(Singer in Outcasts & Innocents)
Heidi Engstrom, soprano, is thrilled to return to Madison Lyric Stage. Past appearances include Elle in The Human Voice and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. In 2025 she appeared as a featured artist with the Westchester Oratorio Society and was the soprano soloist in a performance of the Verdi Requiem in Brooklyn, NY. In previous seasons, she has performed roles that include Violetta in La Traviata, Morgana in Alcina, Marie in La Fille du Regiment, Nannetta in Falstaff, Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor with multiple companies in New York City and surrounding areas. A graduate of Mannes College of Music, Heidi was a member of the acclaimed Mannes Opera.
Zachary Engstrom
(Actor in Outcasts & Innocents)
Zachary Engstrom is excited to make his stage debut with Madison Lyric Stage. Zachary was born in New York City and has always loved music and singing. Now a resident of West Hartford, CT, Zachary plays the trumpet with his elementary school band and is learning how to play piano at home. He loves playing video games and drawing, and especially loves playing with his little sister and puppy.
Shira Flowers
(Singer in Barry & Bette and Outcasts & Innocents; Philostrate/Starveling in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Shira appeared in ESCO’s A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Dilber/Fezziwig. Last summer, she performed in MLS Magic to Do and Amadeus. She has appeared in the McLean Players Broadway Concert Series as Fruma Sarah in Fiddler, Domina in Forum, and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. She has also appeared with CTG&SS and SLOCO as Buttercup in Pinafore, Lady Jane in Patience, Dame Carruthers in Yeoman, the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe, Ruth in Pirates, Bridesmaid in Trial, Mrs. Partlett in Sorcerer, Buttercup in Pinafore, and Peep-Bo in Mikado. She is a voice student of Spencer Reese.
Fredrick Goff
(Singer in Outcasts & Innocents)
Fredrick Goff is delighted to be returning to MLS for the summer festival. Recent theater roles include Kris Kringle Miracle on 34th St., Rusty Charlie Guys and Dolls, Tom Wopat Sondheim on Sondheim, Aldolpho The Drowsy Chaperone, Mr. Fezziwig/Mr. Smythe A Christmas Carol, Richard Henry Lee 1776, Franklin Hart 9-5, the musical, Nicely Nicely Guys and Dolls, Senex Forum, David Company, Dr. Nordquist Bright Star, Ensemble Jesus Christ Superstar.
Ralene Goff
(Singer in Outcasts & Innocents; Mustardseed in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
This is Ralene's third production with MLS and is thrilled to be part of this summer festival. Some favorite past roles include Shellhammer Miracle on 34th Street, Hold me Touch me The Producers, Mrs. Tottendale Drowsy Chaperone, Ziggy Young Frankenstein, First Man Kiss me Kate, Wicked Stepmother Cinderella, Mrs. Gloop Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mrs. Augustus Granville Charleston. Ralene is a music educator in Middletown. When not in the classroom or on the stage, she enjoys writing children’s books, and spending time with her husband Fredrick and her amazing corgi, Maestro. ralenegoff.com.
Ben Jesulaitis
(Francis Flute/Thisbe in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Ben is making his debut at Madison Lyric Stage during Festival Season 2026. He is a graduate of the theatre program at Southern Connecticut State University. Past credits include: Mercutio/Paris U/S in Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare on the Sound) as well as a number of short films. Much love to my parents for all they've given me. (IG: @BenJesulaitis)
John Johmann
(Singer in Barry & Bette and Founding Executive Director)
John is currently Head of Marketing & Communications with a major French bank and resides in London. He moved to the UK in 2025, following 10 successful years with the bank in New York. Prior to his current firm, John was with US investment bank J.P. Morgan for 14 years, where he held a variety of marketing and communications roles across several businesses in both New York and London. A cum laude graduate of Columbia College in New York, John is the co-founder of Madison Lyric Stage. He is also on the Board of Brooklyn-based arts organization Theater 2020. John has performed many roles with Madison Lyric Stage through the years, including Salieri in Amadeus, El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Che in Evita, and the title role in Macbeth.
Sarah Kennedy
(Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
After being in MLS’ audience for The Turn of the Screw, at the Deacon John Grave House, Sarah knew this was a rare and wonderful company, one she would love to be a part of. Beginning with Hansel and Gretel, and including The Seven Deadly Sins/Curlew River, Sweeney Todd, Pippin, Pierrot Lunaire, Spring Awakening, Amahl, and most recently, 4 Murders… (and more,) MLS has been and continues to be the most special place in the world for Sarah to find herself. Sarah began ballet training at San Francisco Ballet, studied voice with Perry Price, as well as Steve Lusmann, and Shazy King, and also loves ballroom dancing. She sends thanks and deep appreciation to her mom, and to her dog, Buck, for being such good partners in her life/artistic endeavors; and to Marc Deaton for his spirit, soul, and inspiration; and also his hard work! Sarah also loves the meaningful, chance meetings of kindred spirits, who also love Madison Lyric Stage!
Bret Lagasse
(Snug/Lion in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Bret has played many roles within MLS: long-time and current Board member, frequent patron, and occasional cast member. Favorite roles include a lovesick miscreant (with a fantastic, slow-motion death scene) in Weimar Republic Masterpieces, Malcolm in Macbeth, and Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar. Bret wishes to express his gratitude to Karis and the kids for their encouragement and for picking up the slack, and to Marc and the team for allowing him to come and play.
Elias Levy
(Singer in Barry & Bette and Outcasts & Innocents; Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Elias is thrilled to be returning to Madison Lyric Stage. This is his third season with the company, after previous appearances in 2024's Elektra (Aegisth, Junger Diener) and 2025's We've Only Just Begun, We've Got Magic to Do and Amadeus. Other recent credits include Idomeneo (Bronx Opera, High Priest cover), Iolanthe (Troupers Light Opera, Lord Tolloller), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Crystal Theatre, Neville Landless), and the world premiere performance of Orlando Diaz's opera Adventure Gospel (Rosario Davez). Thank you for supporting the arts, and enjoy the show!
Jeffrey Liggett
(Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Jeffrey is excited to be stepping onto the Madison Lyric Stage for the first time. His past productions include Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead (Claudius), Miracle on 34th Street (Sawyer), Romeo & Juliet (Friar Laurence), Noises Off (Selsdon), and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Dr. Scott). He lives in Chester, Connecticut and is very grateful to his wife Allison for indulging his later-in-life turn to theater, which as mid-life crises go is pretty benign when you stop to think about it.
Mary McCue
(Singer in Barry & Bette and Outcasts & Innocents; Associate Director in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Mary McCue Inhabits opera’s most emotionally charged landscapes, where voice, character, and storytelling collide. She is known for her portrayal of the title role in Richard Strauss’s Elektra with Madison Lyric Stage, a defining performance highlighting her dramatic intensity and vocal power. Her operatic credits span Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, Rameau, and Ullmann, with international training in Italy through Connecticut Lyric Opera’s Greve Opera Academy. A frequent collaborator with Madison Lyric Stage, Ms. McCue was appointed Co-Executive Director in 2025, continuing her work as both artist and leader committed to bold, transformative performance.
Jonathan Mildner
(Singer in Outcasts & Innocents; Theseus/Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
From the hamlet of Wallkill, New York, baritone Jonathan Mildner’s earliest memory of singing is on the kindergarten school bus, where he annoyed the devil out of his young classmates. He began his formal training in the 10th grade, completed his undergraduate education at Bard College in 2018, and—after several years of gigging, teaching, & recitaling—obtained his Master's degree from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, State University of New York. Jonathan studies with tenor Jacque Trussel, and coaches with Hugh Murphy. He performed with MLS in Amadeus and Four Murders in Forty Years in 2025.
Dylan Morin
(Snout/Wall in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Dylan is currently a New England-based actor and recent graduate from Hofstra University ‘25. Recent projects include The Cask of Amontillado a new musical (Fortunado), Taming of the Shrew (Hortensio), Objects in the Mirror are Closer Than They Appear (Mark), Guys and Dolls (Nicely, Nicely Johnson), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik). Dylan would like to thank the friends, family, mentors, as well as the IVB community who continue to give him endless support whom he is forever grateful for. Follow him on Instagram to support or just to see his kitten Aurora: @dyl.morin
Chloe Parrington
(Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Chloe’s previous roles with MLS include Macbeth, Blithe Spirit, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Drama Works Theatre: 'night Mother, Independence, Venus in Fur, Assisted Living, Intimate Apparel, and Mac Beth (director). CT Free Shakespeare: Mornings of April and May, Taming of the Shrew, and The Tempest. National tour: The Story of Anne Frank with National Theatre for Education & the Arts. Other roles include: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Hay Fever, The Rocky Horror Show, and Misalliance. Chloe holds a degree in Theatre from Southern CT State University and completed a course of study at Circle in the Square.
Nathan Russo
(Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Nathan is thrilled to return to Madison Lyric Stage! Last seen as Louis in Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Nate is proud to be a part of the amazing theatre community of the Shoreline. Other local credits include Admiral von Schreiber in The Sound of Music (Ivoryton Playhouse), Glen in The Wedding Singer (Niantic Bay Playhouse), and the Human Pin Cushion in Side Show (Brief Cameo Productions). As always, love and thanks to all family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and Brian for their tireless support and guidance.
Haley Stoliker
(Singer in Outcasts & Innocents)
Haley Stoliker has studied voice at the University of Connecticut and has been a part of local companies such as Madison Lyric Stage, Simsbury Light Opera Company, Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Connecticut Lyric Opera, Modern Vintage Opera, Yale Opera, East Haddam Stage Company, and Niantic Bay Playhouse. Some of her performances include Suor Angelica, Cendrillon, La Boheme, HMS Pinafore, Riders to the Sea, Cavallaria Rusticana, Trial by Jury (Angelina), The Sorcerer Constance), Don Giovanni (Zerlina), Patience (Patience), H.M.S. Pinafore (Josephine), Elektra (Overseer, Maid Two, Schlepträgerin), Amadeus, Ruddigore (Rose Maybud), and The Mikado (Yum-Yum). having been described as “Charming and Talented” (Trumpet Bray Review) and “a beautiful soprano voice that would soar over the whole ensemble.” (Trumpet Bray Review). She had her international debut in Italy in 2023 as Zerlina in Don Giovanni by Mozart.
Annora Trudeau
(Young Fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Annora is happy to be back on stage with Madison Lyric Stage, where she made her theatrical debut as Il Bambino in Suor Angelica. Since then, she has appeared as a featured extra in the independent film Mighty Claws, an Altar Server in Sister Act the Musical, Daphne in Blithe Spirit, and Juniper in the Connecticut premiere of Girl on the Moon. A talented pianist and percussionist with a black belt in tae kwon do and a killer hockey slap shot, Annora also enjoys dogs, horseback riding, math, and an obsession with dragons. She describes theater as "really fun" and when asked her favorite thing about being in plays, she responds "Yes." She would like to thank her parents and "anyone who has actually put me in their play."
Emily Trudeau
(Moth in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Emily is delighted to be back with Madison Lyric Stage after previously performing as Amy in Company, La Badessa in Suor Angelica, Jack's Mother in Into the Woods, Ensemble in Pippin, and as part of the Climb Every Mountain Rogers and Hammerstein review. A graduate of the University of Southern California School of Film and Television, Emily now works as a Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney which she assures you is nothing like Law and Order. Emily enjoys stepping out of the drama of the courtroom and into the drama of the theater to keep her sanity and restore her faith in the good of humanity to come together and share stories and art. Favorite roles include LCDR Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men, Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Mad Margaret in Ruddigore, and originating the role of Captain Taryn Estranger in The Trouble with Space Cannibals. She thanks her husband, Jim, mother, Julia, and daughter, Annora, for their support and encouragement through every performance, and offers apologies to her horse, Dalmiro, who suffers in silence without apple flavored cookies every time a show enters tech week.
Allison Waggener
(Hippolyta/Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Allison Waggener is thrilled to return to Madison Lyric Stage after a wonderful season last summer portraying Constanze in Amadeus and Young Dinah in A Memory of Truth. Last season she also played the title role in the opera Orphée with Libero Canto in New York City. Praised by critics as a singer of “strength and vocal beauty” with “a fine legato,” Allison Waggener has played both mezzo and soprano operatic roles. Favorite roles include Angelica in Suor Angelica and Chrysothemis in Elektra with Madison Lyric Stage, Ruggiero in Alcina with EastCoast Opera Company, Miss Pooder in Abilene Opera’s Texas premiere of The Hotel Casablanca, Mère Marie in Dialogues des Carmelites with One World Symphony, Maddalena in Rigoletto with Bleecker Street Opera, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel (8 times), and the title role in Cenerentola with Downtown Symphony. A graduate of Yale College, she grew up in Boston. During the pandemic she co-founded Bridgeport Mutual Aid, an organization helping alleviate food insecurity in Bridgeport, CT.