Kris Joseph

Nicole Milne

Born and raised on the windy prairie of her hometown Winnipeg, Nicole’s love for musical theatre was sparked from the moment she hid on the backstage steps of a dinner theatre to watch her father perform on stage.  After countless hours of begging her parents to join the business, she was cast in local theatre productions that spawned a professional performing career that is over 25 years strong.  Ottawa audiences, particularly Zucchini fans, will know her from her work in I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change which was presented on two of the NAC’s stages; the Studio, and the one you’re joining us in tonight.  Nicole also fulfilled a life long dream on the “role wish list” when she was asked to play “Cathy” in Zucchini Grotto’s production of The Last 5 Years in 2004. 

Sarah Lynn Strange

This show marks the semi-ottawa debut for Sarah Lynn Strange. Having grown up here, she has performed in such memorable shows as Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of Music with Orpheus Musical Theatre Society. However, shortly after college, she ran away to the States to pretend to be a showgirl aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, workshop new musicals in New York City, and perform children's theatre in Brooklyn. Since her return to Canada, she has auditioned for kajillions of shows. Currently, she waits tables with the utmost of flair, entertaining hundreds of pub patrons a week! She would like to dedicate this show to the Musical Theatre Gods, for finally bestowing this show upon her humble soul, and her mother, without whom she wouldn't have had all of the opportunities that she has had. Love.

Shaun Toohey

Shaun is a familiar face with Zucchini Grotto from both runs of their production of I Love, You You're Perfect, Now Change. Recent directing credits include Sweet Charity and Grease for Orpheus, Nunsense for the Ottawa Little Theatre and lots of school productions for the Western Quebec School Board, The Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama. As an actor Shaun has appeared locally with Orpheus, OLT, and ACTco as well as touring I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change through Quebec, and with the Cow Patti Theatre Company in Cornwall. Most weekends Shaun can be found holding a smoking gun as a member of the Eddie May Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre company.

Wendy Berkelaar (Piano, Musical Director) |
Pierre Huneault (Percussion) | TBA (Bass)

Wendy Berkelaar (piano, musical director)

Originally from Smalltown, Nova Scotia, Wendy came to Ottawa eleven years ago with dreams of earning a masters degree in classical piano performance, and then touring the world over. Instead she tripped over an Orpheus show, rediscovered her love of musical theatre and now usually only plays classical music at weddings, when forced. Working her way up from rehearsal accompanist to musical director, Wendy has musically directed shows in Ottawa, the Eastern Townships, Brockville, and recently spent a year in Australia, working for theatres on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. She is thrilled to have been invited back by Zucchini Grotto (she MD'd the Ottawa Premiere and the Remount of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change).

Wendy does indeed hold a masters degree in classical piano performance.

Pierre Huneault (percussion)

Pierre Huneault has been a performing musician around the Ottawa area, with a number of theatre groups and various music ensembles, for more than fifteen years. He is a graduate of the Department of Music and the Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa. In addition to performing, Pierre has been the Musical Director for several local high school productions, including the OCCSB presentation of The Music Man. He is currently a Music teacher with the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board.

TBA (bass)