Bios 

Meg Averill (Ensemble) returns to the stage after a long hiatus and is delighted and honored to be part of this wonderful cast and RVCO for the first time. Past theater ensemble experiences include Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado and Ruddigore (Moore Family Singers in upstate NY); and The Pirates of Penzance (Players Club of Swarthmore); Bells Are Ringing (Y in Northeast Philadelphia), and West Side Story (the Wilma and PCS). She currently sings with the Villanova University Faculty Staff Choir, enjoys contra and latin dancing, playing the piano, traveling, cooking, and especially, spending time with her sons (who are in the Five-College area of western Mass.) her siblings (in central upstate NY), and her cousins and friends in the Philadelphia area. She is grateful to Sally, Bob, and Florrie for giving her this terrific opportunity and to her parents, brother and sister for inspiring in her a lifelong passion for music and theater. Back to top

Michael Chang (Sound Design, Set Consruction) As an accidental theater tech person, Michael Chang has run sound systems for RVCO, Narberth Community Theatre, and Wolf Performing Arts Center for over 20 years. With the help of his loving wife, Sally, he has also crafted dragons, gargoyles, doghouses, sailboats, and a baby grand piano or two. Back to top

Lisa Cleek (Ensemble, Props Chair) started at RVCO as a sound assistant, Lisa is now a "regular," and glad to be back for another season. Past Productions include A Christmas Carol - The Musical, The Sorcerer, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, and H.M.S. Pinafore to name just a few. She is looking forward to entertaining our audiences with her fellow Socialites in High Society. Back to top

Sally Foster-Chang (Director) directed her first show at age 8 and has since sung, danced and acted her way through over 40 musical and straight shows. In addition to directing for three other local theater organizations, prior directing credits for Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra include: Ruddigore, My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, and A Christmas Carol - The Musical. In 2022, Sally was nominated by Broadway World as best director of a musical for A Little Night Music. Her favorite role is that of "Mimi" to her four perfect grandchildren: Adelaide, Theodore, Calliope, and Eleanor. Back to top

Bruce Conley (Chester, Producer, President) is enjoying being part of this production of High Society. He has been a member of RVCO since 1988 and has performed in over 40 productions, always in the ensemble and including numerous minor roles. Bruce is in his thirteenth year serving as President of the Company and handles many of the administrative matters behind the scenes. He is proud of the talented, capable people who work together to make this show the best it can be, and at the same time bond to provide a wonderful friendly and supportive experience. The audience applause is great, too. He especially thanks his wife, Rae, for her support in these many efforts, and appreciates her talents and devotion to creating the beautiful lobby posters for the productions. I hope you enjoy our High Society! Back to top

Lisa Franks (Ensemble) is delighted to return to the RVCO stage where she previously appeared as Mrs. Fezziwig (A Christmas Carol - The Musical) and a singing gypsy (Annie Get Your Gun). Professional Credits: Understudied Charlotte Hay (Moon Over Buffalo, Walnut St. Theatre). Other roles: (NCT & St. Francis Players) 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!), Rosalia (West Side Story), Mrs. McAfee (Bye-Bye Birdie) and Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes). When not on stage, Lisa can be found teaching French at Villanova University. Back to top

Rob Hull (WIlliam "Uncle Willie" Tracy) is happy to be returning to RVCO. His first role with Rose Valley was Robin in Ruddigore many years ago, followed by Prof. Higgins in My Fair Lady about a decade later. More recently, he protrayed John Wellington Wells in The Sorcerer and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol - The Musical. He has also appeared with City Theater, De Shakespeare Festival, Opera Delaware, Steel River Playhouse and Candlelight Dinner Theater as well as many other local, touring and regional/stock companies. An alumnus of the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble, he also received training from Circle in the Square's Theatre Workshop. Back to top

Maria Leonetti (Liz Imbrie) returns to Rose Valley - previously Constance in The Sorcerer. Professional credits: Leia in Star Wars Musical (Bootless), Cassie/Ensemble in Snyder v. Phelps (FringeArts), Lottie/Ensemble in Show Boat (Pitman), Frou Frou in The Merry Widow (Washington Savoyards), and a featured soloist in New Voices Cabaret (Society Hill Playhouse). She's received two Broadway World nominations for Best (Supporting) Actress in a Musical for Natalie in All Shook Up (Forge) and Rosalia in West Side Story (NCT). Other recent roles include Essie in You Can't Take It with You (Village Playbox), Anne in A Little Night Music (Playcrafters), and Miss Scarlet in Clue (Ghostlight). Back to top

Sage Lincoln (Dinah Lord) Sage takes the stage for the 2^nd time! This time as a sassy little sister in High Society. On stage with Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra, it has been a rags to riches world of performing for Sage. She previously played the humble role of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol - The Musical at the age of 6 years old. At the age of 10, she is now High Society ready to stir up some trouble as the tween character of Dinah Lord. When Sage is not in her 4^th grade class at Wayne Elementary, she enjoys soccer, taekwondo, skiing, playing the Violin, and time with family and friends! She wants to say a big thank you to her real life, big sister and brother-in-law for being such supportive, loving role models, even when she is sassy and all! Back to top

Florrie Marks (Music Director) is delighted to be music directing her fifth RVCO production. A past recipient of the Best Musical Director award at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, her directing credits include the G&S Society of Chester County, Allenberry Playhouse, Penn Singers, Ardensingers, Ridgewood (NJ) Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Ridgewood High School Alumni Band, Glen Rock (NJ) Pops Orchestra, Archbishop Wood High School, and the Ursinus College Jazz Ensemble. 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. Back to top

Rosemarie McKelvey (Costumer) has designed costumes regionally for the last two decades and currently is on the staff of Villanova University's theatre department, where she is the cutter/ draper in the Costume shop. During Rosemarie's career she received two Barrymore awards, a Pew Grant to travel to London, and was selected to attend the PQ festival in Prague by Philadelphia Theatre Initiative. Rosemarie lives in Delaware County with her husband, two boys (Theo and James), and fur babies. Thank you to Cathy for help and guidance on this production. Thank you to Bob and Sally for the opportunity to collaborate! Back to top

Bill Michael (George Kitteridge) is happy to get another chance to come out of the chorus after almost getting there before Covid closed down the production of State Fair. He is a long-time member of RVCO and met his wife, Kathy, over 30 years ago at a cast party for his first RVCO show, My Fair Lady 1992. She became my “One Alone” during The Desert Song a year later. Besides being in many ensembles and doing minor roles, he has performed many off-stage roles including but not limited to Vice President, Webmaster, Stage Manager, Set Designer, and Producer. Performing with his daughter and son in a few RVCO productions have been some of his most enjoyable theater experiences. Back to top

Robert Moore (Co-Stage Director, Executive Board, Make-Up Design, Chair- Show Selection Committee) is a proud RVCO Life Member, Stage Director, and Actor! He is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (where he served in Sierra Leone, West Africa), retired Art teacher, and holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University. He has professional credits in film, theatre, touring companies, and has worked in numerous theatres around the area, especially RVCO where he's directed many shows and created principal roles in productions, the last being Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol - The Musical. He is the co-founder of the Young People's Theatre Workshop in Swarthmore, Pa. where he has been an acting teacher/stage director since 1978! He is part of the directing team of their final production - Disney's The Little Mermaid which opens a week after this show! This Summer he will be appearing as Dr. Grimwig in the Brandywiners production of Oliver! at Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre. He dedicates this show to his parents, Alan and Dorothy, who showed him the thrill of musical theatre at a young age! Back to top

Edwin Nealley (Seth Lord) returns home to RVCO in 2023, after recently performing in RVCO Naughty Marietta, Revised 2018 (Lt. Gov. Grandet) in 2019, The Sorcerer (Sir Marmaduke) in 2018, The Mikado (Pish-Tush) in 2017 and Iolanthe (Lord Chancellor) in 2016. A veteran of more than 30 RVCO productions, he also performs with other local companies including The Gondoliers (Giuseppe) with Bucks County G&S and Princess Ida (Florian) with Ardensingers. It is a particular joy to play father to his talented daughter Sara Nealley onstage, and to help create High Society at RVCO. Wishing you all a 'swell-egant' time at the show! Back to top

Sara Nealley (Tracy Lord) considers herself a true RVCO native, as her parents met during RVCO's 1990 production of Ruddigore. Sara has not been able to perform with the company since singing Fiona in the 2013 production of Brigadoon, so she is delighted to be returning to RVCO for a personal dream role. Sara's recent roles with other companies include Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, Mrs. Segstrom in A Little Night Music, and The Plaintiff in an online version of Trial By Jury. Sara received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Masters Degree in Opera from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Back to top

Steve Naz (Ensemble) Fresh off RVCO's production of H.M.S. Pinafore, Steve Naz has his land legs back, returning in his second RVCO appearance, this time as a trusted butler to the Lord family. Steve's performance background includes participation in numerous bands and ensembles from elementary school up through the Temple University marching and concert bands. He has been an orchestra member in several musical shows, including Brigadoon, Wildcat, and Call Me Madam. Off-stage, Steve is a retired computer specialist and technologist who recently judged a STEM fair showcasing student projects from parts of five states and the District of Columbia. Back to top

Mary Punshon (Margaret Lord) is pleased to be back at RVCO. Most recently she appeared as Josephine in H.M.S Pinafore. Other favorite roles with RVCO include the title role in Iolanthe, Lalume in Kismet, Bertha in The Red Mill, Mad Margaret in Ruddigore, and Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard. Mary also represented RVCO at the Gettysburg International G&S Festival as Amanda in The Carp. She was a frequent performer with The Concert Operetta Theater. Among her roles with them was 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. Favorite opera roles include Musetta in La Boheme, the title role in Carmen. Back to top

Chris Rubino (C.K. Dexter Haven/Set Designer/Vice President) has been performing tenor roles with RVCO since 2012. Notable roles include Freddy in My Fair Lady, Charlie in Brigadoon, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, and Ralph in H.M.S. Pinafore. He has also produced several RVCO shows, including Annie Get Your Gun (2017) and The Sorcerer (2018). Chris began designing sets for RVCO in 2018, first for The Sorcerer, subsequently for A Christmas Carol - the Musical (2019), and most recently for Narberth Community Theater's A Little Night Music (2022). He is particularly excited to have designed the set for this production of High Society. “Much love to my wife Meagan, and our two sons, Marc and Brian, who have supported me, (as well as joined me on stage!), in many theatrical endeavors.” Back to top

Joyce Severin (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her debut with RVCO! Joyce was last seen in Spotlight Theatre's The Wedding Singer, as well as numerous other community theater productions. Joyce is an avid singer, and is a member of the William Penn Community Chorus, as well as the Saint Andrew's choir. When not performing, Joyce is the proud mother of four, they truly make life grand! Sit back and enjoy, we're “having a ball tonight”. Back to top

Michael Stadnicki (George Kitteridge) is honored to be in the cast of High Society. He was last seen on stage with RVCO as Harry Blake in Julie Zaffarano's revision of The Naughty Marietta, Revised 2018. Besides appearing on stage, he has also served as Music Director for Kiss Me, Kate, and State Fair. His favorite moments on stage include Crazy For You (Bela Zangler), Wind in the Willows (Rat), Brigadoon (Jeff Douglas), and The Drowsy Chaperone (George). Outside of theater, Michael is an elementary band director, assistant marching band director, hornist, and private brass instrumental coach. Many thanks to Sally for bringing me on this fun journey, Alex for his unending support, and Pac-Man for his endless cuddles! Back to top

Jeff Swafford (Macaulay "Mike" Connor) enjoys time with his RVCO family and will include adding Patience to his Gilbert & Sullivan performances this Fall. Recent RVCO roles were in H.M.S. Pinafore (Dick Deadeye), A Christmas Carol - The Musical (Bob Cratchit), Naughty Marietta, Revised 2018 (Ensemble), The Mikado (Ensemble), and with other local theaters, South Pacific (Stewpot), Seussical the Musical (Horton), and The Pirates of Penzance (The Pirate King... it is, it is... a glorious thing!). Jeff enjoys singing, photography, camping, spending time down the shore, Italian Food, red wine, and is most eager to challenge himself, after many years away, at the piano again. Back to top