Best of Broadway…and Everything Else! 3

Andrea Bear has captivated audiences with her performances in roles such as The Narrator in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Cinderella in “Into the Woods,” and Wendy in “Peter Pan.” Her talents extend beyond the stage, as she has graced symphony orchestras nationwide as a featured soloist and participated in the original cast of the groundbreaking musical, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” With a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan and an MA from Columbia University in NYC, she is not only a seasoned performer but also a highly sought-after voice teacher and vocal coach, adept in all styles of musical theater and pop. Andrea’s creative endeavors extend to writing, directing, and executive producing numerous large-scale musical reviews and concert events, both domestically and internationally. Notably, she served as a creative consultant for the Grammy Award-winning album and sheet music songbook for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. As one of Emily Bear’s original managers for more than 15 years, Andrea played a pivotal role in nurturing her talent and steering her career in the music industry.

Randy Crenshaw has been called “the Swiss Army knife of L.A. singers”, due to his versatility.  Randy grew up in Central Oregon, later attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying commercial music arranging.  Forty-plus years later, he has hundreds of major Hollywood film, television, commercial, and record credits.  On the TV series “The Simpsons”, Randy was usually Homer Simpson’s singing voice.  He was also Charlie Sheen’s singing voice (and, after Charlie left the show, sang for Angus T. Jones!) on the theme song for “2 ½ Men”.  He has “stunt-sung” for many other actors.  For the last 10 years, he’s been a featured character voice in the “Nightmare Before Christmas Live” film music concerts worldwide. He's blessed to be happily married for 45 years (to the same woman!), with three talented grown daughters, all professional singers.  Thanks to Shira, Dylan, Julia, and VOPA for this terrific opportunity! www.randycrenshaw.com

Cymbaline Filippi is a professional singer, actor, dancer, pianist, and flautist with many years of experience in the sacred, classical, and musical theater genres. She has been dancing since the age of 5, and choreographed Seussical the Musical, as well as several dance, musical theater, and choral numbers for various performances. Some of her favorite roles include Anna in The King and I, Fiona in Brigadoon, Nellie in South Pacific, “Pop” in Chicago, Marian the Librarian in The Music Man, and Gertie in Oklahoma!. She is very excited to dance and sing in her third Best of Broadway and Everything Else concert. Cymbaline teaches general music and band at CHIME Charter School, and directs the children’s choir that will be singing in the program. This is her fifth production with the company, and she is loving being a part of the VOPA family.

Emily Holz could not be more thrilled to be joining the VOPA family in this dream role! She fell in love with musical theater playing Aunt Eller in her high school production of Oklahoma! many years ago. She was most recently seen as Margie O'Brien in Torrance Theater Company's production of A 1940's Radio Christmas Carol and her favorite role to date was playing Linda in The Wedding Singer. Emily works as an electric vehicle mechanic and voiceover artist, currently providing the voice of animated character host "Bubbles" in the LivePLayBingo mobile app. Her voice has been heard in podcasts, audiobooks, video games, advertisements and more. She hopes to one day be the voice of an annoying sidekick in a Disney movie.

Eden Kontesz, a 14-year-old singer, songwriter, and actress, has already made a name for herself in Hollywood. She recently collaborated with Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren (Governor's Award recipient):
Watch here.

Eden has been performing in concerts, shows, television productions, sporting events, and musicals since the age of five. She has appeared in renowned venues such as the Beverly Hilton, the Saban Theater (Beverly Hills), and Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA.

Gifted with perfect pitch, Eden was featured as a soloist in director Catherine Hardwicke’s (Twilight) series Don't Look Deeper. At 11, she recorded the theme song for the feature film Jacob the Baker (available on Amazon Prime), which was nominated for the Society of Composers and Lyricists Award alongside works by Olivia Rodrigo, Jon Batiste, and Lenny Kravitz.
Listen here.

At just nine years old, Eden was a lead singer in a global project for COVID-19 relief—a collaboration between iconic songwriter Diane Warren, composer Sharon Farber, director Gev Miron, and the United Nations. The project featured lead singers from six continents, accompanied by a 200-member orchestra and choir.
Watch the performance.

Eden has also appeared in commercials, filmed for the television series Transparent, and lent her voice to The Simpsons. As a voice actress, she played the lead role of Anna in the feature film Bird Box Barcelona and has provided voiceover work for Netflix and other networks.

With extensive experience in musical theater, Eden recently starred as Hodel in VOPA’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, earning a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical by Los Angeles Broadway World. She has performed lead roles in numerous musicals, including Aladdin, Legally Blonde, High School Musical, Frozen, The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, and The Wizard of Oz.

Since 2019, Eden has performed the national anthem five times at the opening games of Supercross at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, captivating audiences of 45,000.

A dedicated member of the National Children's Chorus since the age of five, Eden was recently selected as one of 25 young singers from her choir to perform Carmina Burana at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Master Chorale and orchestra.

Andrew Landecker is an actor, singer and musician. He is thrilled to join VOPA and the talented cast of “Oklahoma!”. Andrew has performed from coast to coast. Some of his credits include: Amos (Chicago, the Musical), Motel (Fiddler on the Roof), LeFou (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Soprano (The Streaming Verse of Madness), Robin (Something Rotten!), Elf (Cirque: Spirit of Christmas), Adventure Andy (Jurassic Quest National Tour), Speed (Sky High Remote Learning), Chester (The Bully Problem). Thank you to the “Oklahoma!” creative team for the opportunity, and to my family, friends and mentors for their support.

Zach McDonald is thrilled to be returning to VOPA as Will Parker in Oklahoma! Having received formative training at AMDA College and Conservatory and Mercersburg Academy, he credits his mentors and educators for instilling in him the skills and passion necessary for his craft. Recent credits include Fyedka in “Fiddler on the Roof”, Rusty Charlie in “Guys and Dolls” and Pantalone in “Two Trusty Notaries,” experiences that have cultivated his artistic growth. Most Recently, his portrayal of The Grinch at Universal Studios Hollywood was one of his most enriching roles to date and he enjoyed the opportunity to connect with audiences in a unique and memorable way, as he hopes to do here at VOPA. Zach would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, roommates and mentors whose unwavering support and guidance have been the cornerstone of his journey.

Mady McGraw is an actor, singer, and writer born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. She currently resides in Los Angeles California, and is an AMDA alumni. Favorite credits of hers include dancing on the Wicked LA Red Carpet Premiere, Disenchanted! (Snow White), Songs for a New World (Woman 2), Les Miserables (Cosette), and Now. Here. This. (Women 2). Mady started writing her own music at the age of 12, and at 16 starred in an original music video. Her unique blend ranges from pop, rock to soulful folk. She writes original film and TV scripts, and works with her creative partner and sister, Lily McGraw. She takes pride in her passion, adaptability—and her Jennifer Coolidge impersonation. This is Mady’s first production with VOPA, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the welcoming theatre family. She thanks God, and her family for their endless support! @mady_mcgraw

Ilysia is thrilled to have been asked to participate in the 3rd Annual Best of Broadway..and Everything Else concert! Ilysia’s first solo album, Blessed, is available on CD, and can be found on all streaming services such as Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, and more! She has led Shabbat and High Holy Day services for Temple of the Arts since 1999. Ilysia has enjoyed a successful career entertaining audiences on stage, television, (she originated the role of Miss Oops-A-Daisy in PBS, The Huggabug Club), and concert halls. Some highlights include: Janina (Irena’s mother) in a reading of a new musical, Irena Sendler, King David, Beauty and the Beast, playing the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Eva Peron in Evita for which she received a Dramalogue Critics’ Choice Award for Outstanding Performance, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Frumah-Sara in Fiddler on the Roof with Theodore Bikel and Laine Kazan. Ilysia is one of only twelve readers for the first all-female audio bible and is the voice of Mrs. Bennett in a dramatic audio book reading of Pride and Prejudice. Her reputation as a consummate performer has prompted invitations to sing in concerts as a featured guest artist at venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ford Amphitheater, Saban Theatre, a multitude of fundraising events, StandWithUs, Jewish Federation, Pan Pacific Park’s Holocaust Memorial Yom HaShoah, to name only a few. She is honored to have been asked to sing our National Anthem over 100 times! Of all her successes and accomplishments, Ilysia is most thankful for her supportive and loving husband, David, children, Braxton, Madison, and Raynie, family, and friends. Please visit her website www.ilysiapierce.com

After a 25-year hiatus from the stage—spent wrangling international development projects and business strategies—Yaniv made his grand return in VOPA’s recent production of Oklahoma!. Now, he’s doubling down with VOPA's Best of Broadway...and Everything Else, because apparently, once you start jazz-handing, you just can’t stop. He thanks his family for their patience, his colleagues for still pretending to understand, and the audience for indulging his ongoing mid-life theatrical renaissance.

Dylan F. Thomas is in-demand as a Stage Director, Acting Coach, and Performer. Last year, he was invited to be Guest Lecturer and Stage Director at Yale University, where he staged the Opera Scenes and taught his unique acting method, The Dressler Technique, in “Acting for Opera”. This Spring, Dylan looks forward to directing  a double bill of operas at his alma mater, Cal State University, Northridge. Dylan acts as Opera Program Manager for the GRAMMY-winning National Children’s Chorus’s youth opera program, National Youth Opera Academy, where he teaches acting and prop-making, and co-directs the fully staged operas during the summer opera camp. Dylan is Co-Founder and Principal Stage Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), where he has directed many operas, musicals, and other events over the past 19 years.

As a singer/actor himself, Dylan has performed all over the world in many different musical genres, including musical theater, opera, jazz, pop, and classic rock. He spent 11 months performing in several different productions for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, singing for tens of thousands of people every day. At Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, he had the honor of performing for legendary musical theater lyricist and songwriter Sheldon Harnick in two of Harnick’s musicals: the rarely seen Rex, as well as Fiddler on the Roof. 

As a passionate educator, Dylan maintains a private acting studio, offering individual, small group, and large group classes for performers in all genres of theater, including musical theater, opera, straight theater, and tv/film. Acting student Eden Kontesz says that Dylan’s technique is “unique, different, and highly effective,” and Grammy-nominated composer Sharon Farber comments that he “offers a new perspective that is truly profound”. Superstar Quinn Kelsey, a favorite leading baritone at the Metropolitan Opera, shares that Dylan, "utilized his own intuitive twists on the storyline of certain pieces to give me as a singer a different perspective of my interpretation.”  

Shira Renee Thomas is the General & Artistic Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), currently in its 19th season. VOPA presents performances of everything from fully-staged opera and musical theater works with orchestra, to laid back concerts of jazz standards and even classic rock with its band, VOPA Rocks. Through the company’s outreach, education, and community service program, VOPA provides entertainment to underserved and economically or otherwise disadvantaged communities such as retirement communities, charities, homeless shelters, schools, and more. VOPA has helped launch the careers of many singers and instrumentalists who’ve gone on to perform in organizations such as English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few. 

As a singer herself, Shira has performed all over the world and with some of the biggest stars in opera, including Metropolitan Opera stars, Quinn Kelsey, Christian Van Horn, and Ana Maria Martinez. Among the numerous awards earned by her, Shira won 1st prize in the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in North Wales, which has hosted such legendary opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti and Bryn Terfel in past years. Having suffered from debilitating recurrent Depression for 25 years, Shira has become an advocate for mental health, and has been interviewed on the subject by National Geographic and KTTV News. She has also written articles for HuffPost and Classical Singer Magazine, and is frequently invited to attend various events and conferences to tell her story of overcoming Depression. Shira is grateful to the staff at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for helping her to finally beat the illness.
www.VOPArts.org   www.shira-renee-thomas.com   www.shirareneethomas.wordpress.com

Julia Timmons is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University holding a BFA in Vocal Performance with a Minor in Music Technology and a Masters in Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM). Timmons currently serves as Executive Assistant to General and Artistic Director of VOPA, Shira R. Thomas. She is also an administrator at the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and runs her vocal studio - JCT Vocal Studio. Timmons is accomplished both on and off stage. Some favorite onstage roles include Sandrina (La Finta Giardiniera), Sharpay (High School Musical), Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown) and Bunny Byron (Babes in Arms). Offstage, Timmons is skilled in audio technology, stage and production management, and Audio/Video capture and live streaming.

David Vazana did not attend the prestigious Juilliard School, but he did take an “Acting for Beginners” course at the University of Florida. He was never able to perform his final, as the professor’s dog had puppies that morning. David was the lead singer of the well-known band “Agent 99” until he was dismissed for not being good enough. David continues to sing daily, either in the shower or as a fortunate member of the Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) Community Choir, directed by the illustrious Noreen Green, who introduced him to VOPA who granted him the great pleasure of making his theatrical stage debut for Oklahoma! David would like to thank his beautiful wife Carly and his kids Gavin, Riley, and Zoey for allowing him to never be around on weekends so he could attend rehearsals.

Check out David’s podcast “The PoodooCast” wherever you like!

Shira Renee Thomas is the General & Artistic Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), currently in its 19th season. VOPA presents performances of everything from fully-staged opera and musical theater works with orchestra, to laid back concerts of jazz standards and even classic rock with its band, VOPA Rocks. Through the company’s outreach, education, and community service program, VOPA provides entertainment to underserved and economically or otherwise disadvantaged communities such as retirement communities, charities, homeless shelters, schools, and more. VOPA has helped launch the careers of many singers and instrumentalists who’ve gone on to perform in organizations such as English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few. 

As a singer herself, Shira has performed all over the world and with some of the biggest stars in opera, including Metropolitan Opera stars, Quinn Kelsey, Christian Van Horn, and Ana Maria Martinez. Among the numerous awards earned by her, Shira won 1st prize in the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in North Wales, which has hosted such legendary opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti and Bryn Terfel in past years. Having suffered from debilitating recurrent Depression for 25 years, Shira has become an advocate for mental health, and has been interviewed on the subject by National Geographic and KTTV News. She has also written articles for HuffPost and Classical Singer Magazine, and is frequently invited to attend various events and conferences to tell her story of overcoming Depression. Shira is grateful to the staff at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for helping her to finally beat the illness.
www.VOPArts.org   www.shira-renee-thomas.com   www.shirareneethomas.wordpress.com

Julia Timmons is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University holding a BFA in Vocal Performance with a Minor in Music Technology and a Masters in Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM). Timmons currently serves as Executive Assistant to General and Artistic Director of VOPA, Shira R. Thomas. She is also an administrator at the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and runs her vocal studio - JCT Vocal Studio. Timmons is accomplished both on and off stage. Some favorite onstage roles include Sandrina (La Finta Giardiniera), Sharpay (High School Musical), Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown) and Bunny Byron (Babes in Arms). Offstage, Timmons is skilled in audio technology, stage and production management, and Audio/Video capture and live streaming.

Dylan F. Thomas is in-demand as a Stage Director, Acting Coach, and Performer. Last year, he was invited to be Guest Lecturer and Stage Director at Yale University, where he staged the Opera Scenes and taught his unique acting method, The Dressler Technique, in “Acting for Opera”. This Spring, Dylan looks forward to directing  a double bill of operas at his alma mater, Cal State University, Northridge. Dylan acts as Opera Program Manager for the GRAMMY-winning National Children’s Chorus’s youth opera program, National Youth Opera Academy, where he teaches acting and prop-making, and co-directs the fully staged operas during the summer opera camp. Dylan is Co-Founder and Principal Stage Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), where he has directed many operas, musicals, and other events over the past 19 years.

As a singer/actor himself, Dylan has performed all over the world in many different musical genres, including musical theater, opera, jazz, pop, and classic rock. He spent 11 months performing in several different productions for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, singing for tens of thousands of people every day. At Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, he had the honor of performing for legendary musical theater lyricist and songwriter Sheldon Harnick in two of Harnick’s musicals: the rarely seen Rex, as well as Fiddler on the Roof. 

As a passionate educator, Dylan maintains a private acting studio, offering individual, small group, and large group classes for performers in all genres of theater, including musical theater, opera, straight theater, and tv/film. Acting student Eden Kontesz says that Dylan’s technique is “unique, different, and highly effective,” and Grammy-nominated composer Sharon Farber comments that he “offers a new perspective that is truly profound”. Superstar Quinn Kelsey, a favorite leading baritone at the Metropolitan Opera, shares that Dylan, "utilized his own intuitive twists on the storyline of certain pieces to give me as a singer a different perspective of my interpretation.”  

Noreen Green is the Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), which she created in 1994. A trailblazing, inspirational conductor, educator and lecturer known worldwide for her knowledge and skill in presenting music with Jewish themes, she has served as guest conductor and lecturer in the United States, Israel, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Canada and the Caribbean. Wherever she appears, Noreen Green exudes a spirit of joy and harmony – bringing people together through the universal language of music through a Jewish lens. In November 2022, as a panelist at the United Nations in New York City, Dr. Green spoke on Music and the Holocaust: History, Memory and Justice. In January 2023 and January 2024, she was a presenter at the International Conductors Guild Conferences on Jewish music topics (2023 in Valencia, Spain; 2024 in New York City). In June 2023, Dr. Green served as artist-in-residence, dramaturge, musical director and pianist for a three-week run of the play “Stories from the Violins of Hope” in Sydney, Australia, where she was also honored by a member of the Parliament of New South Wales for her participation in Jewish Arts’ “Melodies of Memories” at North Shore Temple. Due to her noteworthy accomplishments and prominence in her field, Dr. Green was recently inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry. Dr. Green holds a Master of Music degree from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

Lilach Cary is so excited to return to VOPA this season for their production of Oklahoma! She previously worked with VOPA on their production of Fiddler on the Roof as an ensemble member. This time, she plays the roll of Vivian, but is also dipping her toes back into the world of Stage Management as an ASM, following her 20 year hiatus from the job where she worked with the San Diego Globe Theatre, the La Jolla Playhouse, and Trinity Repertory Company, in Providence Rhode Island. When she isn't on stage, Lilach is hanging out with her wonderful family and working as a teacher. She is especially excited to work on this second production with her daughter, Ginny, who shares her love of the theatre. She'd like to thank her family, and everyone involved in putting this spectacular production together.

Opera singer, violinist, web developer, graphic designer, and master multitasker, Laura has starred in obscure operas, founded two opera companies (because one wasn't crazy enough), and juggles a career in web development & design while freelancing for nonprofits and artists. Her household is a zoo with a parade of dogs and cats, and she spends her free time painting everything in sight and trying to clean up after her menagerie. An ADHD-addled, middle-aged, leftist single mom in the conservative South (Chattanooga, TN), Laura lives for Dr. Pepper & Little Debbie Snack Cakes, loathes water and the gym, and yet is perpetually perplexed by her mysterious menopausal weight gain. Despite the chaos, she remains a Renaissance woman with a sharp wit and a healthy (ok, maybe more than healthy) dose of sarcasm thrown in for good measure.