CAST LIST for The Grand Duke

Fall 2026

In Gilbert & Sullivan's ultimate collaboration, a troupe of actors conspires to overthrow the unpopular and miserly Grand Duke. Things go awry when their plot is accidentally revealed, prompting a series of disputes and political successions settled by "statutory" duel—an ingenious law that renders the legal death of the adversary who draws the lowest from a deck of cards. Hilarious entanglements, including thwarted marriages and questionable legal contracts, imbue this topsy-turvy comic opera with a wit and charm that only Gilbert and Sullivan can contrive. Never fear, a lawyer solves the problem and all ends happily.

Directors

  • Stage Director Julie May
  • Music Director Florrie Marks
  • Choreographer Susan Greene

Actors

  • Rudolph (Grand Duke of Pfennig-Halbpfennig) Rob Hull
  • Ernest Dummkopf (a Theatrical Manager)Chris Rubino
  • Ludwig (his Leading Comedian) Peter Beik
  • Dr. Tannhäuser (a Notary) Sean O'Donnell
  • The Prince of Monte Carlo Jeff Swafford
  • Viscount Mentone Robert Moore
  • Ben Hashbaz (a Costumier) Colin Dahms
  • Herald Ray Murphy
  • The Princess of Monte Carlo (Betrothed to Rudolph) Meagan Rubino
  • The Baroness von Krakenfeldt (Betrothed to Rudolph) Brenda Rose Simkin
  • Julia Jellicoe (an English Comédienne) Mary Punshon
  • Rudolph (Grand Duke) of Pfennig-Halbpfennig
  • Rob Hull
  • Ernest Dummkopf (a Theatrical Manager)
  • Chris Rubino
  • Ludwig (his Leading Comedian)
  • Peter Beik
  • Dr. Tannhäuser (a Notary)
  • Sean O'Donnell
  • The Prince of Monte Carlo
  • Jeff Swafford
  • Viscount Mentone Robert Moore
  • Ben Hashbaz (a Costumier) Colin Dahms
  • Herald Ray Murphy
  • The Princess of Monte Carlo (Betrothed to Rudolph)
  • Meagan Rubino
  • The Baroness von Krakenfeldt (Betrothed to Rudolph)
  • Brenda Rose Simkin
  • Julia Jellicoe (an English Comédienne)
  • Mary Punshon
  • Lisa (a Soubrette) Laura Hull
  • Members of Ernest Dummkopf's Theatrical Company
    Ensemble
  • Don Cheetham
  • Colin Dahms
  • Mike Dutka
  • Lisa Franks
  • Jocelyn Hall
  • Jennifer Heller
  • Roger Kennedy
  • Doug Kurtze
  • Marie Maguire
  • Paula McGeary
  • Albert Melli
  • Robert Moore
  • Steve Naz
  • Caroline Pashos
  • Brian Rubino
  • Joyce Severin

Bios

listed alphabetically

Don Cheetham headshotDon Cheetham (Ensemble) Previous RVCO shows include parts as Gatch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Giorgio in The Gondoliers, Dave Miller in State Fair, the Steward in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Andrew McLaren in Brigadoon, and chorus in several other musicals. Other favorite roles include two in Our Town – Editor Webb (Barley Sheaf Players) and Simon Stimson (St. Peter's Players), as well as Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You (Barley Sheaf Players.) Back to top

Colin Dahms (Costumier - Ben Hashbaz, Ensemble) is once again delighted to be on stage with Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra. This is Colin’s 8th show with RVC&O – he’s not really sure why they keep allowing him to come back, but he’ll keep doing it until they come to their senses – serves them right! Colin loves karaoke, playing Rock Band, being IN a rock band, and pepperoni pizza. End of Line. Back to top

Faith Donaher's headshotFaith Donaher (Olga) s delighted to be returning for her sixth show with RVC&O. She first joined RVC&O in 2022 to play Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore. She has also performed in many G&S operettas with the Bucks County Gilbert and Sullivan Society, appearing as Vittoria in The Gondoliers and Isabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Back to top

Michael Dutka's headshotMichael Dutka (Ensemble) is delighted to join RVC&O’s chorus in The Grand Duke. Previous chorus experience includes Cav and Pag with Opera Verissimo, Die Fledermaus, Rigoletto, and Aida with the State Opera of NJ, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Faust, Lucia di Lammermoor, and La Boheme with the Delaware Valley Opera Company, and Abduction From The Seraglio, La Cenerentola, and The Secret with the Bronx Opera. With this rarely-performed work, Michael will have sung twelve of the fourteen G&S operettas. He thanks his fellow cast-members, the music and stage directors, and all the folks at RVC&O who make these productions possible. Back to top

Lisa Franks' headshotLisa Franks (Ensemble, RVC&O Board Member) With The Grand Duke, Lisa (usually a Broadway Baby) now has 4 G&S productions on her resume. Previous RVC&O appearances include Melissa Frake in State Fair, Godmother in Cinderella, Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol - The Musical. She understudied Charlotte Hay (Moon Over Buffalo, Walnut St. Theatre). Other community theater roles include Fiona (Brigadoon), Liza Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Sally Smith (Me and My Girl), Sarah Brown (Guys & Dolls), Marion Paroo (The Music Man), Laurey (Oklahoma!), Agnes Cohan (George M!), and Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes). When not on stage, Lisa can be found teaching French at Villanova University. Back to top

Jocelyn Hall's headshotJocelyn Hall (Ensemble) is excited to be in her 4th RVC&O and 3rd Gilbert and Sullivan production. Previously, she has performed in The Pirettes of Penzance with The Ardensingers. Also The Gondoliers, State Fair, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra. She performed in Come Together: A Beatles Cabaret and School House Rock, Jr with Spotlight Theater. She is a vocalist for the band The G C’s, a teen band with Breaking the Barrier Music. When she is not performing, Jocelyn enjoys playing soccer, tennis, the flute, the piano, kayaking, and spending time with her friends. Back to top

Roger Kennedy (Ensemble) Previous G&S performances: Policeman in The Pirates of Penzance, and Carpenter in H.M.S. Pinafore with Musical Theater Southwest. First production with Rose Valley. I also sing with the Chester County Choral Society. Over 60 years of vocal experiences in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, New York and New Mexico. Studied with Robert Page and Robert Grouthers at Temple Univ; and with Tim Wilsonn, NY Met. Back to top

Doug Kurtze (Ensemble) last appeared as Ralph (aka Ruth) in the Ardensingers' production of The Pirettes of Penzance. With Rose Valley he has played Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore, Dr. Daly in The Sorcerer, Timidon in Thespis, Giorgio in The Gondoliers, and the Foreman in Trial by Jury. He has also appeared as Old Adam in Ruddigore with Thespis, Etc., and with Ardensingers as Sgt. Pincher in The Emerald Isle, Scynthius in Princess Ida, the Herald in The Grand Duke, and the Carpenter's Mate in H.M.S. Pinafore. Off stage, look for him dancing with the Kingsessing Morris Men. Back to top

Paula McGeary's headshotPaula McGeary (Ensemble, RVCO Board Member) is excited to perform again with RVC&O. This will be her 4th RVCO and 3rd Gilbert and Sullivan production. After many years away from the stage, she has recently performed in The Pirettes of Penzance with The Ardensingers and The Gondoliers, State Fair, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra. She is grateful that she gets to share this experience with her daughter Jocelyn and loves sharing the stage with her. Paula is thankful for the love, support, and encouragement she gets from her family. Back to top

Florrie Marks headshotFlorrie Marks (Music Director) is a past recipient of the Best Musical Director award at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival and has music directed the entire G&S canon. Other directing credits include Allenberry Playhouse, the G&S Society of Chester County, Penn Singers, Ardensingers, Ridgewood (NJ) Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Ridgewood High School Alumni Band, and Glen Rock (NJ) Pops Orchestra. For several years, she was also the Music Director of the fall and spring musicals at Archbishop Wood High School. In addition to her conducting activities, she is Director of Music Ministries at Temple Lutheran Church in Havertown. Before picking up the baton on a regular basis, Florrie was a professional violinist, with credits ranging from symphony orchestras to a bluegrass band. She has music directed several of our productions since 2017, most recently last season’s The Gondoliers and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and she is delighted to return this fall to direct this all-too-seldom performed gem of a comic opera! Back to top

Albert Melli's headshotAlbert Melli (Ensemble) was last seen with RVC&O in the Spring 2026 production of How To Succeed In Bussiness Without Really Trying. Before that he appeared in the Fall 2025 production of The Gondoliers after a hiatus of nearly 25 years. His RVC&O career began with Trial By Jury in Fall 1982 and ran through Fall 2001 when he was Leonard Meryll in the The Yeomen of the Guard. During that time he also worked with several other groups including the Ardensingers and the late lamented Thespis Etc. Some of the roles he played with these groups included Richard Dauntless, Nanki-Pooh, and Marco. He currently spends his retirement hiking, singing, reading, traveling, and in various other forms of dissipation. Back to top

Mary Punshon's headshotMary Punshon (Julia Jellicoe) most recently appeared as Lady Angela in Patience. Her favorite roles with RVC&O roles include Josephine in H.M.S Pinafore, the title role in Iolanthe, Lalume in Kismet, Mad Margaret in Ruddigore, and Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard. Mary also represented RVC7am\O at the Gettysburg International G&S Festival as Amanda in The Carp. Mary was a frequent performer with The Concert Operetta Theater. Among her roles with them were Masha in The Chocolate Soldier at The Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ with The Ocean City Pops and Princess Margaret in The Student Prince at the Academy of Vocal Arts. Back to top

Steve Naz's headshotSteve Naz (Ensemble, RVCO Board Member) This season begins Steve’s fifth year with RVC&O as he suits up to play a resident of Pfennig Halbpfennig, as well as a chamberlain to the Grand Duke, himself, and a toga-wearing jolly, jolly jinkster in the royal court. Between practices and performances, Steve serves as a board member, with responsibilities that include tending to the RVC&O headquarters building. Steve has played in numerous bands and ensembles from elementary school through Temple University’s marching and concert bands, and has been a member of orchestras in various musicals. Off-stage, Steve is a retired I.T. professional and an all-around technologist. Back to top

Sean O’Donnell (Notary - Dr. Tannhäuser) is excited to be back on the Rose Valley stage after a 20-year hiatus for The Grand Duke! Since 1999, Sean has performed in 12 of the 14 G&S operettas with The Ardensingers, Rose Valley, and GSSCC. He has also performed with the Opera Delaware Family Workshop, Delaware Humanities Forum, and done solo work including the tenor solo in the Mozart Requiem. Sean has also produced/directed multiple shows including a revival of Sullivan’s last work, The Emerald Isle, in 2025. Sean currently works as a band, chorus, and orchestra teacher in Maryland. Back to top

Caroline Pashos's headshotCaroline Pashos (Ensemble) is excited to return to the stage with RVCO for her seccond season after performing in The Gondoliers and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying last year. She also performs with the Delaware Valley Opera Company, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as the Chorus Manager. Her credits with them include 14 operas from Carmen to The Merry Widow to Le nozze di Figaro, as well as singing the role of Sister Martha in Dialogues of the Carmelites. She also sings in the choir of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansdale, PA. In 2017, she graduated in from Temple University with a BA in Theatre. Outside of theatre, she loves aviation, nature, roller coasters, and sports. Back to top

Chris Rubino's headshotChris Rubino (Ernest, Producer, Set Designer, RVCO President) is proud to be part of this premier for RVC&O, the last of 14 operettas to complete the G&S canon! Memorable RVCO roles include Tolloller in Iolanthe, Dexter in High Society, Marco in The Gondoliers, and Finch in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Notable set designs include The Sorcerer (2018), A Christmas Carol - the Musical (2019), and The Pirates of Penzance (2024). “Much love to my wife Meagan and our two sons Marc and Brian for matching wits with my thespian side. To paraphrase Ernest, a man who can rule a theatrical company can rule anything!” Back to top

Kathy Sarlson (Elsa) is delighted to return to RVCO after playing Giulia in The Gondoliers last fall. Recent credits include Godspell (By My Side soloist) and Kinky Boots (Trish) with Viviana Theatre. Kathy works as a national nonprofit fundraising consultant. With thanks to Julie, Florrie, and the cast and crew for a joyous experience; gratitude to her voice teacher, Christie; and with love always to Ben, Lily, and Aaron. Back to top

Joyce Severin headshotJoyce Severin (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back performing with Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra in their production of The Grand Duke. This marks her 5th Gilbert and Sullivan show. Last year, Joyce appeared in The Gondoliers with RVC&O both in the Ensemble, and as Inez. Joyce also performs with the Ardensingers, Havertown Choristers, St. Andrew’s Choir, and the William Penn Community Chorus. When not performing, Joyce is the proud mother of 4, and grandmother of 1. She would like to thank her family for their love and support in all of her ventures. Enjoy the show!Back to top

Jeff Swafford headshotJeff Swafford (The Prince of Monte Carlo, Ensemble, RVCO Board Member) enjoys spending time with his RVC&O family. Recent RVC&O roles include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (J.B. Biggley), The Gondoliers (Antonio/Ensemble), State Fair (Abel Frake), The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel), Cinderella (King Maximillian), Patience (The Duke of Dunstable), High Society (Mike Connor), H.M.S. Pinafore (Dick Deadeye), A Christmas Carol - The Musical (Bob Cratchit), Naughty Marietta, Revised 2018 and The Mikado (Ensemble), and with other local theaters, and Seussical the Musical (Horton). Jeff enjoys the shore, camping, Italian food, red wine, and hopes to revive his love for the piano. Back to top

Sharon Weil-Chalker'a headshotSharon Weil-Chalker (Bertha) is thrilled to return to her childhood passion, in her sixth RVC&O production, including State Fair (not staged in 2020), H.M.S. Pinafore, Patience, The Gondoliers, and How to Succeed in Bussiness Without Really Trying. Much gratitude to Florrie, Julie, and this wonderful cast that feels like old friends. Sharon sings baritone with Philadelphia Freedom Chorus (women’s barbershop). She sang with Northwestern University Singers, Swarthmore College Chorus, and Singing Moms. She enjoys tap, salsa, and bachata and paddles dragonboat with Making Waves. Favourite roles: By My Side (Godspell), Sylvia Barrett (Up the Down Staircase), and the never staged Hoopla Barker! She plays flute, some piano, and very little guitar. Back to top

Heidi Williams (Gretchen) is thrilled to join RVC&O as Gretchen in The Grand Duke. Her love of comedy, poetry, music, dance and costumes are all combined in Gilbert and Sullivan. She is grateful to join this fun-loving, joyful, theatrical troupe. Best wishes and good luck to everyone!. Back to top