About the Cast
Bob Ruiz
Nazi / PolicemanBob Ruiz is a lover of music and theatre. He has spent his life appreciating performances from the audience. To be a part of such a moving production has opened
Matthew Allarie
Nazi / Policeman / Gun SellerMattew Allarie is a senior electrical student at Kennebec Valley Community College in central Maine. Previously, he has performed in high school, at Lakewood theater, and studied acting at City College
Louis Schwartz
Frederick Stein / ChorusLouis Schwartz is honored to be a part of such a beautiful production. He is a laboratory technician in the automated chemistry lab at The Cleveland Clinic. He is a
Richie Pokrywka
ChorusRichie Pokrywka is a student at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is studying to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre and his Bachelor of Science in Business
David Miller
ChorusDavid Miller is thrilled to share this experience with his son Henry. Many thanks to Cathy and Jeff for their vision and to the incredibly talented cast for the opportunity
Jacob Liptow
ChorusJacob Liptow is recent graduate from Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Along with his architectural training, he has studied classical violin and piano since the age
Craig Housum
ChorusCraig Housum has been singing in choirs since the age of nine with the Ohio Boy Choir which included singing for President Reagan at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony,
Charles Garrard
Charles (“Chuck”) Garrard (Chorus) has been acting and singing since the age of twelve, performing with his father and in many musicals. Favorite roles include Billy Bigalow in Carousel, and
Lisa Falkenberg
ChorusLisa Falkenberg is very honored to be performing in this powerful and beautiful work. After singing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for 30 years she is excited to be on
Alfred Cowger
Willie Stein / Franz Prüfer / ChorusAlfred Cowger spends almost as much time singing as lawyering these days, even though he’s an attorney. He performs with Good Company, the North Coast Men’s Chorus, and the St. Andrew’s
Terry Smith
Ignatz Bubis / Nazi / PolicemanTerry Smith (Nazi / Policeman / Ignatz Bubis) is thrilled to be part of this awesome production! As an actor, his favorite roles include Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet;
Merrie Drees
ChorusMerrie Drees is excited to be in her first opera! Most recently she was seen as Jovie in the the Beck Center’s production of Elf. She is a Kent state
Susan Schapiro
ChorusSusan Schapiro has returned to the stage after a 41-year hiatus, Mary Poppins, Jekyll and Hyde, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Titanic. Now she
Dallas Stark
ChorusDallas Stark is grateful to be performing in this production of The Sparks Fly Upward alongside such a talented cast. Some of her recent roles have been in Sister Act (Sister
Laura Schapiro
ChorusLaura Schapiro is delighted to be performing in her first theater production since college. She was previously in The Magic Flute, Into the Woods, and The Music Man. She loves
Kara Ross
ChorusKara Ross is a classically trained Mezzo Soprano from the Cuyahoga Falls area. She has been involved with many opera productions around Cleveland since 2016. She has worked with The Cleveland
Sharon Shaffer
ChorusSharon Shaffer has been a professional singer, actor, and voice teacher for over 35 years. She has had a prolific performance career and has appeared in leading operatic, musical theatre
R. Stephen Gracey
Julius Rosenbaum / Digital DesignStephen Gracey is a content strategist by day—he does “web stuff”—and joined the Sparks crew not only as singer, but as graphic designer and website builder. He holds a Bachelor
Kathryn Wolfe Sebo
Lina RosenbaumKathryn Wolfe Sebo is honored to perform with this talented and versatile cast. She has been a cantor in Cleveland for 36 years and has served The Temple-Tifereth Israel since
Lifan Deng
Jacob RosenbaumLifan Deng is delighted to portray the role of Jacob in this powerful story. A recent graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Lifan holds a Bachelor of Arts in music
Lia Bendix
Lotte RosenbaumLia Bendix is thrilled to be returning to the stage after a long hiatus. By day she manages scholarships for a college access non-profit, by night she teaches French and
Seth Hobi
Max RosenbaumSeth Hobi, bass-baritone, comes originally from the Cleveland area, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance at Cleveland State University. He currently studies voice with Amanda Powell
Owen Connor Stout
Karl RosenbaumOwen Connor Stout is thrilled to be playing Karl Rosenbaum in the Cleveland premier of The Sparks Fly Upward. Connor received his master’s degree in Opera Performance from the University of
Lizzie Walsh
Rita RosenbaumLizzie Walsh is a sophomore at Solon High School and a member of the drama club. She loves to perform with Solon’s show choir and in the Solon Marching Band
Tana Field
Rosa SteinTana Field, mezzo-soprano, is an active recitalist and performer and has sung throughout the United States and Europe. She had the privilege to premiere the role of Rosa Stein in
Henry Miller
Peter SteinHenry Miller is a rising 7th grader at Orange Middle School. He was recently seen as Gabe in his school's production of The Lightning Thief and as Tigger in Heights
Abigail Pokrywka
Berta SteinAbigail Pokrywka is an energetic nine-year-old who loves to sing and perform. Abby’s first on-stage show was at age four months in the play Anne of Green Gables at Magnificat High School. She
Ross A. Williams
Hans WeberRoss A. Williams (he/him) recently relocated to Cleveland after an 18-year stint in New York City. He is the founding artistic director of New York Shakespeare Exchange (NYSX), an off-off-Broadway
Leslie Tinnaro
Ruth WeberLeslie Tinnaro is honored to be part of this incredible opera. Musical theatre has given her the opportunity to play many roles. The role closest to her heart—and one she’s
Julia Cooke
Berta Grynszpan / ChorusJulia Cooke is honored to work on such an impactful story with a group of wonderful people. She is a rising senior Theatre: Acting and Directing major with Music and
Benjamin Hayes
Cantor / Herschel Grynszpan / ChorusBenjamin Hayes, tenor, is from Akron, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Mount Union, and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from
Elisabeth Roter
Rabbi / ChorusElisabeth Roter is proud to be part of this meaningful production. This is Elisabeth’s first opera, although she is active in community theater. Favorite roles include Rose in Working: A
Harvey Bernstein
Lotte’s Boss / ChorusHarvey Bernstein is excited and moved to join the Sparks family with this awesome and extremely talented cast. Harvey’s last performance was “Working A Musical” at Geauga Center For The Arts
Cheryl Eitman
Candle Blesser / ChorusCheryl Eitman is a professional substitute cantorial soloist at many synagogues in the area, but primarily at The Temple-Tifereth Israel. She has performed locally at Cain Park (Fiddler on the