FAITH BENTIVEGNA (Jo March) Faith (she/her) is so overjoyed to be able to bring the story of Little Women alive! This is a story and role very dear to her. Some of her past credits include Rock of Ages (Sherrie), The Last Five Years (Cathy), Heathers the Musical (Veronica), RENT (Maureen) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive). She would like to thank Sam, Carmella and the entire cast, crew, for their work and effort towards this production. Enjoy!

JAY BRAIMAN (Mr. Laurence u/s) Jay is glad to be back on the CAP Merrick stage with this exceptional cast for this lovely, under-appreciated show. Prior credits include "Titanic" (Capt. Smith), "Shrek The Musical" (Shrek), "Parade" (Tom Watson), "Urinetown" (Officer Lockstock), "Pippin" (Charlemagne), "Something Rotten" (Brother Jeremiah), "The Addams Family" (Fester), "Matilda" (Trunchbull, Mr. Wormwood), "The SpongeBob Musical" (Mr. Krabs), "Legally Blonde" (Prof. Callahan) and "The Boys Next Door" (Barry). Jay is an attorney, singer/songwriter, former English teacher and Camp Pontiac theatre director. Thanks to Sam, Carmela, the production team, and everyone at CAP.

RAFFAELA CAPP (Beth March) Raffaela is a traveling heart. Gaining her first theatrical experience at the age of five in the King and I at the former Long Island Theatre Establishment Airport Playhouse where she would watch her grandma in awe on stage as she performed with such beauty and grace. Raffaela continued to appear in local theatrical productions with so many wonderful artists. Attended Sarah Lawrence College for one year with the highlight of Shirley Kaplan’s Singing Workshop accompanied by angel Tommy Mandel. Some of her favorite theatrical credits include Deliss Brown’s The Red and The Black (Elisa) at Casa Italiana, A reading of Goodbye Lizze Bordon( Lizzie Bordon) as an apprentice in The Berkshire Theatre Festival’s 2013 summer season at The Unicorn Theatre (woo), and Tony and Tina’s Wedding (Connine/Donna). Thank you, Cap Merrick, for welcoming me to the family!

LEIGH CORRADO (Amy March) Leigh is so excited to be part of this amazing production and beautiful story. She is so grateful to Sam and Carmela for this opportunity and this experience that she will always hold close to her heart. Enjoy the show!

MARIO MANNARINO (Professor Bhaer) is thrilled to be apart of CAP Merrick's production of Little Women. His previous credits include: Rent (Roger), Bare: A Pop Opera (Jason), American Idiot (Johnny), and Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf/Florinda). He would like to thank Daniella, Carmela, and Sam for this wonderful oppertunity to be a part of this classic tale. Enjoy the show!

JAMES MCQUADE (John Brooke) This is James’ third show at Cultural Arts Playhouse Merrick and he is so excited to bring John Brooke to life in the iconic and timeless story. He is so proud of the cast and crew for all the hard work they have put into bringing this production of Little Women to life. He thanks the audience for coming to see the show and hopes they enjoy!

ALEXIS MONETTI (Marmee) Alexis was last seen on the CAP Merrick stage as the Witch in Into the Woods. Other Regional: Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts); The Sound of Music (Mother Abbess); Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider); Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife); Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie); The Drowsy Chaperone (Chaperone); Mame (Agnes Gooch); Master Class (Sophie DePalma); Seussical (Mayzie LaBird); Hairspray (Female Authority Figure); A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Fezziwig); Oliver! (Widow Corney); Sunday in the Park with George (Frieda/Betty); Titanic (Caroline Neville); A Little Night Music (Mrs. Segstrom); Camelot (Nimue); Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah). TV/New Media: “These Three Girls”; “Mouse Rants”.

MIKE NEWMAN (Mr. Laurence) Mike is delighted to be making his CAP Merrick debut alongside this astonishing cast. He appeared most recently at CAP Syosset in A Christmas Carol (Scrooge), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frollo) and Rock of Ages. (Dennis Dupree). Since 2004, his CAP history has included performances in Mama Mia (Sam), Man of LaMancha (Don Quixote), Ragtime (Tateh), Big Fish (Karl), Sunday in the Park with George (Boatman/Mr.) as well as portraying Daddy Warbucks, Edna, Tevye, Javert, Gomez Addams, the voice of Audrey II and providing his voice over talents for many shows. He has appeared elsewhere in roles ranging from Applegate to Von Trapp. Thanks to Daniella, Dom, Mel and Sam for all their creativity and support. For over twenty years he has shared his life, both real and theater with his lovely talented wife. Sometimes when you dream, your dreams come true. Enjoy!

LINDA PENTZ (Aunt March) is thrilled to be in this wonderful production with this very talented cast and crew. She was last seen at CAP Syosset in A Christmas Carol (Mrs Mops). Past favorite roles were in Fiddler on the Roof (Yente), Clue (Mrs Peacock), Bye Bye Birdie (Mae Peterson) and Full Monty(Jeannette). She wants to send a huge thank you to Sam, Mel and Daniella for all their hard work in creating this beautiful production. She also wants to thank all her friends and family and especially her daughter Emily for all their love and support.

HANNAH PIPA (Jo March) Hannah is thrilled to be bringing this Louisa May Alcott masterpiece to life with this incredible cast. She graduated from Marist College where she studied Communications with a minor in Music. Hannah went to NY All-State performing vocal jazz in her junior and senior years of high school, and throughout college she performed at Carnegie Hall and the World Choral Fest in Kansas City. Her favorite roles include Cathy Hiatt (The Last Five Years), Joanne (Rent), Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Fiona (Shrek the Musical), and Sister Mary Robert (Sister Act the Musical). She is endlessly grateful to the production team for their steadfast dedication to the quality and authenticity of this show. This story is so important to tell at this point in time, to remember the resilience and multifaceted nature of every woman. Hannah couldn’t ask for a better experience bringing this show to the stage. And with that, Christopher Columbus! Break a leg, everyone!

SAMANTHA SHAPIRO (Meg March) Sam is a classically trained singer who began her theatrical journey in middle school. Some of her favorite past productions include A Christmas Carol (The Ghost of Christmas Past), The Sound of Music (Liesl), Parade, Something Rotten and Sister Act. Sam is currently studying dance and musical theatre in NYC, learning from a range of industry professionals. She wants to thank her fun and remarkably talented cast and crew. Also, a special thank you to her Mom for always being by her side. www.samanthashapiro.com

ZACH RUSSO (Professor Bhaer) A proud Marist graduate (MPA, BA), Zach is both "flabbergasted and delighted" to be in the Cultural Arts Playhouse's production of 'Little Women'! Past stage credits include A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit & Marley’s Ghost in rep), Parade (Hugh Dorsey), Into the Woods (The Baker), Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf), Pippin (Pippin), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Bonnie & Clyde (Buck Barrow). He has performed in multiple stage shows, readings, and cabarets in New York City, including in the showcase Next Stop: Broadway at The Duplex in Manhattan; he has also toured Austria and Puerto Rico with the Marist Chamber Choir. This performance is dedicated to all the women who have proved themselves to be supportive, inspiring, and life-affirming pillars in Zach's life- especially Taylor, who may be small but shines as brightly as the sun.

TRACI WEISBERG GANG (Meg March) Traci has longed to perform in Little Women for ages now, and is grateful to share the stage with so many wonderful and talented people as the oldest and most romantic March sister! Traci recently moved from Atlanta where she performed some favorite roles such as Beauty and The Beast (Belle), the Little Mermaid (Ariel), Into the Woods (Cinderella), Damn Yankees (Lola), Sound of Music (Baroness Shraeder), Annie (Lily St. Regis), the Fantasticks (Louisa) and Suessical (Mayzie La Bird). Previous roles on Long Island in 2024 include Oklahoma (Laurey Williams) with the Oceanside Theater Guild, and Iolanthe (Iolanthe) with the Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company. I can’t thank my family and friends enough for their everlasting support, and for traveling near and far to see me. And extra special shout out to my husband, Matt, for sacrificing hours of our precious time together for me to pursue this passion of mine. Xo

Try one of the signature drinks for this show during intermission!