Pageant at The Ritz Theatre Company

Tim Herman

TIM HERMAN (Frankie Cavalier) is thrilled to be making his Ritz Theatre Company debut with this show. A native of South Jersey, Tim spent the last few decades living in California and NYC. Favorite credits include Sparky in FOREVER PLAID, Fred/Petruchio in KISS ME, KATE, Malvolio in TWELFTH NIGHT, Mike in OIL CITY SYMPHONY, and Harold in THE BOYS IN THE BAND. Tim also spent six summers appearing in the THE LOST COLONY (Terrance Mann, director) on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. His directing credits include BATBOY: THE MUSICAL, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, PART 1, and THE FANTASTICKS. He attended Montclair State University and Florida State University and is a proud owner of an original PAGEANT window poster signed by the original Frankie Cavalier. Thank you, J.T.

Jerrod Ganesh

JERROD GANESH (Miss Deep South) is thrilled to be a part of the PAGEANT cast with these beautiful and talented queens! Recent credits include JOSEPH... DREAMCOAT (Judah), TICK, TICK... BOOM! (Michael), RENT (Angel), EVIL DEAD (Scott), HEATHERS (Kurt), MAMMA MIA! (Pepper), THE WHO'S TOMMY (Cousin Kevin), and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Riff Raff). Jerrod would love to thank their family and friends for believing in their dreams. Everything I do is for you pops

Brian Gensel

BRIAN GENSEL (Miss West Coast) is thrilled to be sharing the stage with these glamorous ladies. Previous Ritz credits include THE FANTASTICKS (The Mute), URINETOWN (Bobby Strong), and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. This season, he has designed props for MELANCHOLY PLAY and served as stage manager for THE ABSOLUTE FANTASTICAL ADVENTURES OF CINDY ELLA and TICK, TICK... BOOM! He would like to thank Matt Reher for the opportunity. Love as always to Juju and family.

Achilles Inverso

ACHILLES INVERSO (Miss Texas) has enjoyed working with this energetic and hardworking cast this spring. He began studying dance and acrobatics at the age of ten and has studied with companies across the country. Training has included Koresh Dance Company (Philadelphia), Millennium Dance Complex (Philadelphia), Broadway Dance Center (New York), Rock Center for Dance (Las Vegas), Velocity Dance Center (Seattle), and Vega Dance Lab (Portland). He is thankful to be working regularly as a musical theatre actor, dancer, and choreographer in and around Philadelphia. Recent choreography credits include: THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Audubon Jr./Sr. HS), URINETOWN (University of Pennsylvania PENN Players), and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Road Company), for which he won the NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Choreography. Performance credits include: Zach (A CHORUS LINE), Felix (THE NORMAL HEART), Lumiere (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Jacob (LA CAGE AUX FOLLES), Younger Brother (RAGTIME), Mark (ALTAR BOYZ), Mistoffelees (CATS), and Jackie (Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY). He has been teaching tumbling and various styles of dance since 2002 and currently sits on the faculties of Dance Incorporated in Sicklerville and The Dance Factory in Glassboro. He dedicates this run to the LGBTQ+ pioneers who made a show like this even possible.

Devon Spencer Lynch

DEVON SPENCER LYNCH (Miss Great Plains) (he/him) is delighted to finally be making his Ritz debut! He was slated to appear as Gabriel Goodman in the Ritz’s NEXT TO NORMAL, which was disrupted due to the pandemic. Select credits: On the Edge - HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING (Kevin); UArts - A NEW BRAIN (Gordon), PARADE (Britt Craig), MYTHS & HYMNS (“Hero & Leander”), RIDE THE CYCLONE (Noel); Milton Theater - CABARET (Bobby). Love to Mom, Logan, Peyton, and Jordan. IG: @devon.spencer.lynch

Antoine Martinez-Jones

ANTOINE MARTINEZ-JONES (Miss Industrial Northeast) is thrilled to finally have the chance to perform at The Ritz. He is the writer and director of the horror fiction podcast, "The Peril of Haven." He is a performing arts therapeutic activities specialist working with adults with developmental disabilities. Past credits include: Man 1 in SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, Jack in GRINDR THE OPERA, and Gabe in NEXT TO NORMAL.

Kyle Smith

KYLE SMITH (Miss Bible Belt) is thrilled to perform in The Ritz’s production of PAGEANT. Previous roles he has played include Daniel (ONCE ON THIS ISLAND), The Scarecrow (THE WIZ), Ren (FOOTLOOSE), Bernardo (WEST SIDE STORY), Paul (A CHORUS LINE), Angel (RENT), and Davey (NEWSIES). Kyle thanks the cast and crew for helping him grow so much throughout this process. Break legs to all!

Matt Reher

MATT REHER (Director) is no stranger to the director's chair at the Ritz Theatre. Previous directorial credits include BIG FISH, THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. As an actor, he performed in several Ritz productions, including MEMPHIS, PROMISES, PROMISES, SHREK, HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS, and THE FULL MONTY. By day, Matt works as an educational consultant and children's book author.

Erik Meyer

ERIK MEYER (Music Director) is an all-around musician who wears many hats. As an organist and pianist, he has performed hundreds of concerts throughout the US and Europe, both solo as well as part of the AE Meyer flute & organ duo. He is also an award-winning composer of choral and instrumental music, and recently wrote the new Johns Hopkins University school song. Erik grew up acting and playing in the pit at The Ritz, and is thrilled to return for this production of PAGEANT. He is also active both as a pit musician and actor with Newtown Arts Theater and Collingswood Community Theater.

Kelly DeFulgentis

KELLY DEFULGENTIS (Choreographer) is so excited to be back choreographing at The Ritz! She received her dance training from BalletNJ, The University of the Arts, The Rock School of Philadelphia, and The Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Dance companies include Urban Dance League, New Harlem Arts Theater, and Koresh Dance Company. She is currently the resident choreographer at Princeton High School. Some of her favorite performance credits include THE PRODUCERS, CHICAGO, CATS, SWEET CHARITY, and SPAMALOT.

Chantel Cumberbatch

CHANTEL THEA CUMBERBATCH (Assistant Director/Stage Manager) graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She recently worked as an Assistant Director/Children's Program Coordinator for MATILDA at Limelight Theater and as Assistant Director for Summer Stage Theater’s ELLIOT AND THE MAGIC BED. Performance credits include BIG FISH at The Ritz (Little Lamb), ANNIE at Limelight Theater (Lily St. Regis), and THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Horizon (U/S Celie, Nettie, and Squeak). She's been so grateful for the opportunity to work with this amazingly fun and talented cast/crew. Shoutout to my parents who have always supported me in everything I do. Love you!