Bethesda Little Theatre

Michael Fowle (Director)  is thrilled to be directing this original musical and making his debut with Bethesda Little Theatre. An accomplished theatre director in the D.C. region, Michael has helmed a wide range of productions, captivating audiences at festivals and theatres in both Australia and the U.S. His credits include Sweat of the Earth (2high Festival), Being Jesus (Anywhere Theatre Festival), Broken (Short+Sweet Festival), Debris, A Doll’s House, Part 2, and True West (self-produced).  He thanks the cast, creative, and backstage teams for their passion and talent, and the generous Neal Learner for creating such a heartfelt original work.

Michael hopes you enjoy the show! You can follow his work at michaelfowleactor.com.

Paul Rossen (Music Director) is a theatrical music director and educator in the DMV area. He has worked at Adventure Theatre, Imagination Stage, and the Levine School of Music. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Writer’s Center. He’d like to thank Neal, Michael, Cathy O., Leah, the cast, everyone at BLT, and the Palisades Hub church.

Neal Learner is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer whose work draws on many influences, from classical and musical theater to bluegrass and rock. He is thrilled that BLT is premiering his latest musical, “French Cupcakes,” following the 2023 BLT premiere of his sung-through musical, “TREES.” Learner’s other works include the sung-through musical “LIFE: A Comic Opera in Three Short Acts,” which premiered at the 2017 Capital Fringe Festival, and “Get Me Home,” an operetta that premiered in 2022 at the Athenaeum in Alexandria, Va. He also has presented recitals of his violin compositions in Alexandria. An active poet, Learner co-hosts a monthly poetry reading series in Del Ray, Alexandria. www.learnermusic.com

Catherine Oh (Choreographer): “Strange Fruit” (GMCW – 17th Street Dance) “Trees” (BLT), “Cabaret” (RCP), “American Spies” (HUB Theatre), “The Wedding Singer” (NextStop Theatre), “She Loves Me” (TAP), ”Chess” (KAT – WATCH nominee), “Caroline, or Change” (ESP), “Annie” (RCP – WATCH nominee), “[title of show]”(LTA), “Wonderful Town” (RCP), “Reefer Madness” (DS – WATCH nominee), “The Great American Trailer Park Musical (KAT), “The Wild Party (DS), “Side Show” (ESP), “Urinetown” (RCP-WATCH recipient)

Kevin Boteler, a lyric baritone, is thrilled to perform with the Bethesda Little Theatre.  Kevin performed a wide variety of theatre roles in his native Atlanta and in Florence, SC. Featured roles include Don Quixote (Man of La Mancha), Emile de Becque (South Pacific), Captain Von Trapp (The Sound of Music), and King Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors). He has also sung with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw and in the Atlanta Civic Opera Association Chorus. In DC, Kevin is a member of the City Choir of Washington and Mini Musicals on the Move.

Colin Creagan is a dynamic and detail-oriented multimedia professional with extensive experience in video and audio production, camera operation, and live event technical support. Adept at managing complex production environments, ensuring high-quality audio-visual output, and collaborating effectively within fast-paced teams. Committed to leveraging technical expertise and critical thinking to deliver compelling visual and audio content in television, theatre, and live event settings. I worked at Kings Dominion as an audio technician for their seasonal Halloween and Christmas shows. I set up and operated audio equipment for their live performances, including vocalists and bands. I used a Yamaha TF Stage mixer.

Aref Dajani is catatonically euphoric to perform in “French Cupcakes”. It is supremely well-written. He is active in local theatre. He performed in a one-act festival earlier this month. He serves as a WATCH judge regionally. Favorite roles include Don Octave in “The Stoned Guest”, The Padre in “Man of La Mancha” and Canon Pennefather in “Murder on the Nile”. Aref appreciates local theatre that is accessible, affordable, and allows him to break the fourth wall early and often.

Elizabeth Darby is a long-time local actor in the DC/Baltimore area. She has been seen in productions with the COIL Project, Theatre Prometheus, and Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, among many others. Much love to her family for their unending support.  She is also a dancer and songwriter; check out more at elizabethdarby.net!

Isaac Freshour has always been an appreciator of the arts, even if not always an active participant. A graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. While he wishes his mother (Maureen Freshour) would give herself more time to breathe between projects, he can’t deny her passion is infectious. Let’s see if Isaac catches anything while helping out with this BLT project.

Maureen Freshour is more than a little  puffed up (like a croissant) to be in her fourth show with Bethesda Little Theatre!  What a thrill to have sung a Bacharach Cabaret, an original musical, Got it Good, Hues in Harmony and now this? Dreams come true!  Maureen recently appeared locally as the Balladeer in Sondheim’s Assassins and the Narrator in Abdication. Many memorable other shows have nourished her life (see what she did there?). Being a Pastor, Singer/songwriter, jingle writer, fitness instructor/choreographer, and being a former drama teacher/director have driven her lifelong search for creative outlets. Longwood University (1979 Theater/English) prepared her, life honed her, children made her tough and art made her hungry (this time). Motto: “Create Some Thing Every Day!”

Maria Getahun is delighted to join French Cupcakes in her first production with Bethesda Little Theatre. She recently completed Musical Improv Conservatory at Washington Improv Theater and is ready for more singing and playfulness. Her artistic interests include clowning, yoga, and physical theater. A special shoutout to her voice teacher, Denise, for support and encouragement. Merci à tous for joining the performances!

Arthur Glover has been an integral part of Bethesda Little Theatre (BLT) since 2016, contributing as both a performer and director in productions like The Soul of Broadway. He has also performed with the Fredericktown Players and various choirs. Serving as Treasurer on the BLT Board of Directors, Dr. Glover supports the marketing team and recently participated in BLT’s productions, Trivia Tonight, Bachrach Makes the Music Play and Got it Good.. He is grateful for the support of his wife, Carole, with whom he shares 45 wonderful years, and thanks God, his family, and  Michael our director, for their encouragement.

Beatrice Ieronimo is excited to be back for her second show with BLT! She is happy to see old friends as well as make new ones within the theater community. Outside of theater, Beatrice’s hobbies include writing, singing, and playing music with her band. She would like to thank all of her friends and family for their support

Brett Jordan is excited to perform in her first Neal Learner musical and fourth full-length BLT show, following A Night Out on Times Square, The Soul of Broadway, and Trivia Tonight. As BLT’s Roadshow Coordinator, she also participates in the group’s annual road show and holiday show! When not doing theater, Brett works for the state of Maryland, plays D&D, and loves to hang out with her rescue pup, Toffee. Brett will be directing BLT’s Spring 2026 musical revue and hopes to see you there!

Steve Kaufman’s past roles have included Sandy Spring Theatre’s Arsenic & Old Lace (Dr. Einstein), Rockville Little Theatre’s Radium Girls (Dr. Von Sochocky & Dr. Ness) and She Stoops to Conquer; Montgomery Playhouse’s Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Butler); Rockville Musical Theatre’s Legally Blond  – The Musical (Elle’s dad & Winthrop, ensemble), White Christmas (Mike, ensemble), and Once Upon a Mattress (ensemble); and as an audience volunteer in the Circle in the Square Theatre’s 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Stephanie Levin is very excited to be performing in her second show with BLT, following Got it Good in February (Ensemble/Diane). Most recently, Stephanie worked stage crew with Montgomery Playhouse in their June production of Bull in a China Shop, and understudied for all five characters. She is a graduate of Dickinson College where she was a member of the Dickinson Chamber Choir. When not singing and performing, she works at her local veterinary hospital. Much love to Mom, Dad, Austin, and Adam, as always.

Jack Mayo has been performing in the Washington metropolitan area for decades. He has worked on stage, in film, industrial films, TV, and commercials. It’s a pleasure to be working on French Cupcakes, a new musical confection I hope you’ll thoroughly enjoy.

Cathy McCoskey is thrilled to be in her thirteenth BLT production and her third Neal Learner production! She has also directed four productions with BLT.  When not performing with BLT she is busy as their marketing director, performing and directing with Mini-Musicals on the Move, and performing with the Sapphires. She also enjoys performing with other local community theatres when the opportunity arises. She can often be spotted at a local pre-school with energetic pre-school children! In her spare time, she enjoys rare evenings at home with her husband, walks with friends, and traveling with her husband and grown children.

Leah Nadelman is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this production. This marks her third show with Bethesda Little Theatre, having stage managed Got It Good earlier this year and worked on stage crew for Hues in Harmony this summer. Previous credits include directing her college’s production of The Effect and stage managing Blithe Spirit, Rabbit Hole, Circle Mirror Transformation, and columbinus. Endless thanks to her friends, family, and Matt for their love and support. She’s beyond proud of this cast and production. Vive La French Cupcakes!

Catherine Taylor is excited to be making her debut with Bethesda Little Theatre. Catherine just moved back to the DMV area and was last seen in Full Monty at the Granite Theatre in Westerly, Rhode Island. Some of her past favorite roles include ‘Margie O’Brien’ 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol, ‘Rapunzel’ Into the Woods, ‘Cordelia’ Falsettos, ‘Electra’ Gypsy and ‘Gertrude McFuzz’ in Suessical. When not on stage, she owns Catherine May Taylor Photography, serving the DMV area. Thank you to all the BLT, cast, crew and Neal for this amazing new experience doing an original musical. Dad- you’re always with me. Mom and Stefano- thanks for the many times you’ve had to listen to me belt through the years.

Charlie Tell (they/she) is thrilled to return to Bethesda Little Theatre with such a magnifique cast and crew! They were last seen at BLT in the original musical Got it Good as Becca Kirby. Other theater credits include: A Christmas Carol (Fred), Goosebumps the Musical (Tina u/s) at Artistic Synergy and Puffs at Silhouette Stages (Susie Bones)! Special thanks to Mom, Dad and sister Madeleine for all the love and support!

Camilla Wilbraham is a British-Brazilian actor and singer. Camilla has worked on productions at Theatre Lab, Bristol Drama Society, Rockville Musical Theatre and is now thrilled to be joining Bethesda Little Theatre in such a fun original musical! She is a language interpreter by day and performer/ stand-up comedian by night. When not on stage in her spare time, you will probably find Camilla either baking or hanging out with her dog Rosie.

Apollo Yong is excited to make his BLT debut in his most challenging role to date: a person who likes country music. Apollo would like to thank the BLT cast and crew for helping him get up to speed in an abbreviated timeline of just 10 days. Prior credits: “The Full Monty,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (The Arlington Players); “Urinetown” (Workhouse Arts); “The View UpStairs” (Jefferson Performing Arts Society); “Follies” (Live Arts). Instagram: @apollo.oh.no