Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Pippin"

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is proud to announce the full cast for its upcoming production of Pippin, running May 8–17, 2026. From Stephen Schwartz, the renowned creator of Wicked, comes a dazzling and thought-provoking musical about a young man's journey to find purpose.

With unforgettable songs, mesmerizing choreography, and a touch of magic, this Tony Award®-winning classic invites audiences to experience the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Leading the cast is Matthew Paul Johnson in the title role of Pippin, alongside Natalie Hayes-Scott as the Leading Player, Savannah Fouchi as Catherine, David Fusco as Charlemagne, Danny Marks as Lewis, Colleen Renee Lis as Fastrada, Lynne Truex as Berthe, and Parker Spagnuolo as Theo. They are joined by a dynamic ensemble of Players who bring this magical and theatrical journey to life.

Matthew Paul Johnson and Natalie Hayes-Scott

The creative team for Pippin includes: Jessica O'Brien (Director/Choreographer), Mark Megill (Music Director), Onali Rosado (Stage Manager), Jason Greenhouse (Scenic Designer), Roman Klima (Lighting Designer), Jan Topoleski (Sound Designer) and Joesph Ficarra (Properties).

Tickets are available for purchase online, by calling the box office at 732-528-9211, or in person Monday–Saturday from 10:00am–4:00pm. Tickets start at $27. The Algonquin Arts Theatre & Box Office are located at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive in Manasquan, New Jersey.

Pippin is sponsored by Shorehaven Wealth Partners and Carrie & Robert McGowen.

CAST BIOS

MATTHEW PAUL JOHNSON (PIPPIN) is celebrating his ninth show on the Algonquin! He is more than excited to perform such a beautiful show with incredibly talented people. He was previously seen at Plays-in-the-Park in Grease (Danny), as well as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph) and Avenue Q (Princeton) here at Algonquin Arts Theatre.

NATALIE HAYES-SCOTT (LEADING PLAYER) is excited to be back on the AAT stage! A Long Branch native, she has spent years creating and collaborating across Monmouth Co. as a performer, teaching artist, choreographer and director. Recent credits include The Mountaintop (Camae), American Son (Kendra), and A Chorus Line (Sheila).

SAVANNAH FOUCHI (CATHERINE) is thrilled to be making her Algonquin Arts Theatre debut. She is currently a sophomore Musical Theatre major at Rider University. Some of her favorite previous credits include Mean Girls (Cady), The Prom (Alyssa), Frozen (Anna), and Matilda (Matilda).

DAVID FUSCO (CHARLEMAGNE) is thrilled to be back on stage at the Algonquin! Favorite credits include The Sound of Music (Captain von Trapp), Annie (Warbucks), Beauty & the Beast (Gaston), Mary Poppins (George Banks), Evita (Juan Peron), and The Prom (Mr. Hawkins).

DANNY MARKS (LEWIS) is proud to be part of AAT's Pippin! You may know him from previous AAT productions such as Grease! (Ensemble), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh, Levi), White Christmas (Marty, Ensemble), and Footloose (Travis).

COLLEEN RENEE LIS (FASTRADA) is delighted to make her Algonquin debut! Favorite credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Chicago (Roxie Hart), The Wild Party (Queenie), Holiday Inn (Lila Dixon), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), A Christmas Story (Miss Shields), Annie (Lily St. Regis), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), and She Loves Me (Ilona Ritter).

LYNNE TRUEX (BERTHE) Credits include Hello, Dolly! (Dolly); Gypsy (Rose); Mamma Mia! (Donna); Beauty & the Beast (Mrs. Potts); Mame (Mame); Steel Magnolias (Ouiser); The Glass Menagerie (Amanda); and Fiddler on the Roof (Golde). Oh, it's time to start livin'... Time to take time, 'cause spring will turn to fall in just no time at all!

PARKER SPAGNUOLO (THEO) is thrilled to make his debut at AAT. He recently toured Asia as Charlie Bucket in Broadway International's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Stage credits include Miracle on 34th Street (Thomas Mara Jr.), Legally Blonde Jr. (Callahan/Emmett), SpongeBob SquarePants (Larry Lobster), and Moana (Maui). Screen credits include Netflix's Black Rabbit and Sesame Street.

PLAYERS (Alphabetical by Last Name)

JUSTINE BOUTON (PLAYER) is a graduate of Monmouth U with a degree in Literature. She is grateful to join AAT for her first production, especially with Pippin, her favorite musical. She has appeared in over 20 Spring Lake productions, including The Prom (Emma), Cinderella (Charlotte), and The Sound of Music (Sister Sophia).

CASSIE ESPINOZA (PLAYER) is thrilled to be making her Algonquin debut! Performance credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Knicks Halftime, Liberty Halftime, and Disney Springs. Film: Wicked Promotion – Christopher Scott, choreographer.

KYRA GRIGGS (PLAYER) is delighted to be returning to the Algonquin stage! Recently, she played Candy Striper/Ensemble in AAT's production of 9 to 5. Favorite past credits include Mamma Mia! (Donna Sheridan), White Christmas (Tessie/Ensemble), and All Shook Up (Mayor Matilda Hyde).

AMIE HUESTON (PLAYER) is thrilled to be back for her fourth production at AAT! Past credits include Newsies (Buttons), Mean Girls Jr. (Gretchen), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), It's a Wonderful Life (Mary), Beetlejuice Jr. (Delia), Cats (Coricopat), Mary Poppins (Mary), The Wizard of Oz (Beautician/Tree), and White Christmas (Rita).

ROBERTO JIMENEZ (PLAYER) is thrilled to be making his debut at AAT. He was recently seen in Joseph (Naphtali) at the State Theatre. Other credits include Catch Me If You Can, Charlie Brown, Seussical, and many more.

DANIELA JULIAN (PLAYER) is beyond thrilled to return to AAT for the fourth time! Past credits include 9 to 5 (Maria/Ensemble), Xanadu (Terpsichore), Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), Beetlejuice (Sky), Cats (Tantomile), and Matilda (Lavender).

KYLE KENNEDY (PLAYER) is thrilled to be in his third AAT show! He was last seen on the AAT stage in The Wizard of Oz (Crow/Ensemble) and White Christmas (Scooter/Dancer Ensemble). Kyle is an English teacher at Long Branch High School and an adjunct professor at Montclair State University.

ALYSSA KISELEV (PLAYER) is thrilled to be performing another Algonquin Arts Theatre show. She was recently seen in White Christmas (Rhoda), CATS (Bombalurina), ELF (Charlotte Dennis/Ensemble), and Hello, Dolly! (Ensemble).

PATRICIA MCCARRON (PLAYER) is elated to be returning to the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Pippin! Some of her favorite past roles include Pippin (Catherine), A Chorus Line (Kristine), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), South Pacific (Liat), and 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer).

ADELINE FAITH O'MARA (PLAYER) is currently a junior at RBRHS and is thrilled to be back on the Algonquin stage! Recent credits include Little Women (Amy), Peter and the Starcatcher (Ted), Joseph (Mrs. Potiphar), Newsies (Race), and CATS (Quaxo).

Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance, and film. Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore region and is deeply committed to education and community engagement.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, along with support from corporate partners, foundations, and individual donors.

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