Cast & Creative.

ALLISON WITHER, Clara

Composer & Lyricist

Allison Wither is a graduate from Sheridan College for Musical Theatre. She has actively been performing and composing since she graduated the program in 2015. She has performed as Mrs.Banks in Mary Poppins (The Lower Ossington Theatre), Ali/co-writer in Make Your Mark (Smile Theatre), Enid Hoopes in Legally Blonde (The Lower Ossington Theatre), and Joanne in Godspell (Theatre Sheridan). Allison co-wrote Fables From Faraway Lands, which won Patrons Pick in the 2017 Kids Fringe Festival. She most recently participated in the CMTWC Advanced Writer’s Workshop taught by Leslie Arden.

LAURA PICCININ, Emily
Playwright

Laura Piccinin was born to tell stories. Whether as a dancer with Tokyo Disney, a writer for Alumnae Theatre’s Gay Play Day, a teacher at the Toronto District School Board, or as a comédienne with Just for Laughs, Laura’s unstoppable passion lies in telling people all sorts of eccentric stories, in all sorts of ways, whether they want to hear them or not. As a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Union des Artistes, Laura is committed to a life-long journey of creation, collaboration and performance as a means to push social and personal boundaries, and to contribute to the unification of a global community.

DANIEL KARP, Andrew

Daniel is very excited to be making his Toronto theatrical debut in Every Silver Lining. Daniel is a graduate of the Drama program at Queen's University, as well as a graduate of the Musical Theatre Integrated Performance Program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Select American and Canadian theatre credits include: Peter Pinkerton in Pinkalicious (Off-B'way & Nat'l Tour), Freddy u/s in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Gabe in Next to Normal (Blue Canoe Theatrical Productions), Jimmy Harper in Reefer Madness, and Tulsa in Gypsy. Selected Television credits include: Todd McIsaac (Forbidden: Dying for Love, Discovery ID) and Johnathan Shay/Smith (Cabin, Pre-Netflix). Daniel would like to thank Allison and Laura for letting him help bring their story to life, Jenny for her amazing leadership and guidance, and Toronto Fringe for giving this incredible story its debut. Rep: Butler Ruston Bell Talent Associates.

ALEX FURBER, Ben

Theatre: Robert Ross in The Wars, Chariots of Fire (The Grand) The War Show, Marathon of Hope, Brighton Beach Memoirs (Drayton). Jitters (Soulpepper), Gilbert Blythe in Anne & Gilbert (NAC), Red (Sudbury Theatre Centre), Cliff in Cabaret (RMTC), Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It (SLSF) Romeo and Juliet (TNB) Taming of the Shrew (TBTB) Alex played Albert Narracott in Mirvish’s Warhorse. Alex graduated from The National Theatre School of Canada. He is thrilled to be telling this beautiful story with this wonderful cast. Twitter: @alexfurber

JOEL CUMBER, Jeremy

Joel is PUMPED to be a part of this beautiful new musical. His recent credits include Freaky Friday: The Musical (Theatre Aquarius), The Little Mermaid & Fiddler on the Roof (The Capitol Theatre Port Hope), and Rumspringa Break! (Next Stage) for which he won a 2018 Broadwayworld Toronto Award for ‘Breakthrough Fringe Performance.’ He has also performed alongside Arinea Hermans and Georgia Bennett in an original cabaret entitled ‘Three Little Maids from School’ at 120 Diner. He is a proud graduate of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance program. And he loves Patti LuPone.

ALISON J PALMER, Judy

Alison is honoured to be a part of this brilliant musical. Theatre work: Melba Snyder in Pal Joey (TIFT), Ms. Vella in Every Silver Lining (Toronto Fringe Festival), Tanya in Mamma Mia! (Neptune), Doris in Miracle on 34th Street (Magnus), Hunyak in Chicago (Neptune), Swing/Dance Captain in The Producers (Mirvish), a Ross Petty Production, and productions at Port Hope Festival Theatre, Stage West, STC, etc. Film/TV credits: Frankie Drake, Downsizing, Entertaining Christmas, Wayne, Mayday, Imposters, Designated Survivor, The Expanse, Murdoch Mysteries, etc. Upcoming: feature film, Big Gold Brick, and The Music Man (Thousand Islands Playhouse). Follow www.alisonjpalmer.com, and @alisonjpalmer

LUKE MARTY, Kevin

Luke is delighted to join the cast of Every Silver Lining for this Next Stage performance. Recent stage credits include: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Jersey Boys, Legends of Rock N’Roll (Stage West), Leading Ladies (1000 Islands Playhouse), Fitz Happens (Lighthouse Theatre Company), and Great Expectations (Neptune Theatre). He can be seen on TV/Film in V-Wars, Titans, Good Witch, Shadowhunters, and more, as well as the upcoming film Buffaloed. Animation and video game credits include Let’s Go Luna and Glowbies, and in video games such as Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, For Honor, and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.

BEN SKIPPER, Sam

Ben is about to start his final year in the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College. Selected theatre credits include: Philippe in The House of Martin Guerre (Theatre Sheridan), Shrek in Shrek: The Musical, Gangster #2 in The Drowsy Chaperone (Eastwood C.I.), Roger in Grease, Harvey Johnston in Bye Bye Birdie (KW Musical Productions), Ginger O’Shaughnessy in The Boys in the Photograph (The Singer’s Theatre) and Toodles in Peter Pan: The Panto (Drayton). Ben wishes to thank his parents and twin brother for their constant support as well as this amazing cast and crew for their fearlessness and hard work.

JADA RIFKIN, Bev

Jada is thrilled to be reprising her role in Every Silver Lining at Next Stage! 2019 Theatre Credits include: Mrs. Pye/Blewett in Anne of Green Gables (LOT), Bev in Every Silver Lining, Mr. Kisses in Clitoria (Toronto Fringe), and Jack/Swing in Beanstock (All Together Now Entertainment). This past year, Rifkin debuted her sold-out, one-woman show, I’M PERFECT* at 120 Diner, and did voice-overs for University of Windsor. Upcoming: Full Cast Swing in Goldirocks! Tour (All Together Now Entertainment). Rifkin is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts. @jadarifkin

STARR DOMINGUE, Ms. Vella

After performing all over the United States, Europe and Canada, most recently at the Stratford Festival playing Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, Starr is thrilled to be back in Toronto lending her voice to this talented company of artists. She is particularly excited to help bring new work to fruition especially this poignant piece by Allison Wither and Laura Piccinin. Here’s to finding the Silver Lining in Every challenge encountered. Love to 2 God, Mom, Fam, SG & KC

JENNIFER STEWART, Director

Jennifer Stewart is a theatre director as well as an actor, singer, and dancer. Most recently, she was the Assistant Director for Othello, Long Day’s Journey into Night, and HMS Pinafore at the Stratford Festival. She was also recently a participant in the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival. Her directing credits include: The Shape of a Girl (Calder Theatre, London, UK), The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie (Talk Is Free Theatre), Emily, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Best of Enemies, The Heiress (Bluff City Theater, Hannibal, Missouri), Hairspray (YES Theatre), and Shakespeare’s Women (Theatre Sheridan). Jennifer holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from East 15/University of Essex in London, UK, and is a graduate of the Music Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College. You can read more about Jennifer at www.jenniferlstewart.com!

AARON EYRE, Music Director

Aaron Eyre is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with degrees in Composition and Theatre, and is the recipient of the NUMUS Award for Composition for The Poison Tree (New Art Quartet). Selected credits as Music Director include Trey Parker's Cannibal! (STARVOX), Little Women (Theatre New Brunswick), The Addams Family (SLC), Dreamgirls (LOT), Mary Poppins (LOT), In Flanders Fields (Smile Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (SLC), Evil Dead: The Musical (STARVOX), Let the Sunshine In (Welcome Wood), Central Park Tango (Theatre Sheridan/CMTP) and The Last Five Years (Angelwalk). Musical supervision on Season One of Acting Up! (Marble Media) and The Journey That Saved Curious George (Stephen Schwartz ASCAP). Also an accomplished choral conductor and vocal arranger, Aaron conducted the Note by Note Singers in a tribute concert for Canadian choral composer Alfred Kunz. Aaron arranged music for The Nick Drake Project and composed six new songs for Trey Parker's Cannibal!

ERIKA NIELSEN, Cellist

Cellist and author Erika Nielsen performs as a Baroque, Classical, and contemporary musician. She is a Dora nominee for her performance in The Musical Stage Company's Onegin at the National Arts Centre, 2017. She has performed with artists such as Kanye West, and was principal cellist of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra from 2011-13. Erika holds an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School, and is on faculty at National Music Camp of Canada. Erika is also the author of bestselling memoir and wellness guide, SOUND MIND. She is thrilled be a part of Every Silver Lining! @celloerika celloerika.com

ALEX PANNETON, Percussion

Alex is a Toronto-based actor, writer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is excited to be making his Next Stage debut on alongside some of his favourite artists. Alex is a graduate of the Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College. Select Theatre: Songs for a New World, Urinetown (We Are Here), James and the Giant Peach, Merrily We Roll Along, Violet, Beauty and the Beast (YES Theatre), The Buddy Holly Story (The Globe), Back to B4 (Smile Theatre). Musician: Mitch, Please (Buddies in Bad Times), Mamma Mia (YES Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Ovation), Floyd Collins (Theatre Sheridan)