Cast Bios of Mainstage Rent!
Joe Thomas (Paul)
Joe is very excited to be back doing RENT at CAP. Joe’s past credits include School of Rock (Dewey), Hairspray (Edna), and Batboy the Musical (Dr. Parker). Thank you to Shiloh, Sam, and Bruce for letting him back in the vicinity of CAP after the unfortunate incident. Joe wrote this bio while enjoying BOGO boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings with fellow castmate, Domenick Napoli, and friend, Jared Grossman. Time to get my freak on. Abolish ICE!
Domenick Napoli (Roger/Set Designer)
Domenick is beyond excited to be back playing Roger for the second time. Past credits include Roger (RENT) and more, if you can believe it! He would like to thank Shiloh, Sam, Ruben, and Camilla for their hard work throughout the entire process. Without them, the show you’re watching right now would not exist…..at all…. so that’s something! Shoutout to his friends and family for coming to support. He loves you all. Domenick can confirm Joe Thomas did write their bio at BOGO Boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, and it is for sure time to get their freak on. @domenicknapoli
Giovanni Marine (Collins)
Gio is a Dominican-American actor/director born and raised on Long Island. He is very excited and honored to perform Collins, one of his dream roles, under the direction of the phenomenal Shiloh Bennet. He is excited to help bring this story to life with this amazing and incredibly talented cast! He has studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute for Theatre and Film in NYC and has been fortunate enough to direct and perform at 54Below and various projects throughout the tri-state area. He would like to give thanks to Jesus, his wife Mahi(Mrs. Cohen), and his daughters for their constant support and inspiration; without them, I’d be nothing! And a thank you to Sam Eagle, Ruben, and Camilla, the cast, and everyone involved in bringing this story to life! “The powers that be must be undermined where they dwell.” -Collins
Sam Shapiro (Mrs. Cohen)
Sam is so excited to finally be in Rent with this awesome cast. Some of her past credits include: Little Women (Meg March), A Christmas Carol (The Ghost of Christmas Past), The Sound of Music (Liesl), Something Rotten, Ragtime, and Sister Act. Sam deeply appreciates the opportunity to sing such a beautiful score that resonates with so many.
Spencer DeStefano (Steve)
Spencer DeStefano is thrilled to be returning to the CAP stage to do RENT for a second time with such an incredible group of people to tell such a powerful and important story. His past credits include Evil Dead: The Musical (Ash), Bare: A Pop Opera (Matt), and Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (CB). He also starred as Taylor in Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares by NBCUniversal and took on the role of Fish Master Mu at Lost Island Theme Park.
Ty Renna (Mark Cohen)
Ty Renna is thrilled to be back at CAP for another stellar Mainstage production of RENT. He spent four years earning a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Television at Boston University, where he also actively participated in extracurricular theater and a cappella. Ty couldn’t ask for a better production to reignite his love for community theater and is endlessly grateful to be reunited with CAP. Previous credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone (Underling), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), RENT (Roger), American Idiot (Will), and A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge). Ty extends his heartfelt thanks to his family and friends for their unwavering support in all of his visual and performing arts endeavors.
Alyssa Cortez (Mimi Marquez)
Alyssa Cortez is thrilled to bring Mimi Marquez to life in this production. You may have seen Alyssa as Vanessa (In the Heights), Kate Monster (Avenue Q), and Linda (The Wedding Singer). Alyssa is incredibly grateful for the unwavering love and support of her family and friends, whose encouragement has made this opportunity possible.
Michael Anthony Garcia (Benjamin Coffin III)
Michael is thrilled to be a part of his first production of Rent at Cultural Arts Playhouse! Michael’s previous theatrical productions include Guys and Dolls (Benny) at Five Towns College, Assassins (John Wilkes Booth), and Trail To Oregon (Mr. McDoon) at Sparkle on Stage, Into The Woods (Baker) at Our Lady of Victory, The Wizard of Oz (Hickory/Tin Man), and the Broadway Favorites Revue at CAP Syosset. This past summer, Michael also directed Art Isn’t Easy: A Musical Revue at the Oceanside Library. Michael would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support. He is also thankful for the wonderful cast, and Most of all, he is grateful for the support of his partner, to whom he sends all his love. In a time when it feels like the odds are against the meek and the underprivileged are beaten down, I am proud to be a part of a message to spread love to the masses, lend a hand to those in need, and fight violence with creation. Thank you for attending, and enjoy the show! Keep our stories alive!
Leah Raquel Petraglia (Joanne)
Leah Raquel Petraglia is a Long Island-based singer/songwriter, music director, performer, and a cappella enthusiast. After graduating from Hofstra University with a degree in Music Business, Leah co-founded Black to Gold, an award-winning professional a cappella group that actively performs and participates in festivals, workshops, and clinics across the tristate area. As a songwriter and solo artist, Leah earned a 2024 CARA nomination for Best Original Song and continues to release music in the pop/R&B space. She also performs with Broadway Goes A Cappella while pursuing opportunities in the musical theatre space. Most recently, she music directed Hardscrabble Theater’s productions of “Disenchanted” and “Rainbow Fish The Musical”, as well as multiple cabaret and musical revue productions across the NYC metro area. Leah is excited to make her main stage debut with CAP Merrick in this production of RENT!
Warren Tierney (Gordon/Benny u/s)
Warren Tierney (Gordon/Benny u/s) is honored to be taking on a dream show of his with this incredible group of performers. Past credits include Bare (Matt), Footloose (Willard), School of Rock (Ned Schneebly), Newsies (Darcy/Mugsy), Hair (Woof), Dog Sees God (CB), and Reefer Madness (Ralph). He would like to thank the production team for putting all of this together, as well as this stellar cast for all of their hard work! As always, this performance is dedicated to Carol Tierney and Linda Yearsley.
Elizabeth Anglim (Police Officer/Featured Ensemble)
Elizabeth is very excited to be doing Rent at CAP Merrick! This is her 5th time doing Rent! Some of her past credits include Rent (Maureen), Evil Dead (Linda), and Hair (Jeanie)! Elizabeth would like to thank the production team for making this show an awesome experience:)
Isabella Andrade (Alexi Darling/Mrs Davis)
Isabella Andrade is a freshman musical theatre major at Long Island University. Select productions include American Idiot (Whatshername), Mean Girls (Regina George), Matilda (Ms.Honey) & Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown). She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, and she hopes everyone enjoys Rent.
Anthony Orellana (Mark)
Anthony is beyond excited to be returning to Rent as Mark. You may have seen him in previous CAP productions such as Rent (Angel), Rent (Benny), and of course Rent (Gordon). He would like to thank Shiloh and the entire production team for all of their hard work in putting this show together. Enjoy the show!
Geode Erdakos (Tom Collins)
Geode is thrilled to be making his CAP debut in one of his favorite musicals! He is currently completing his Theatre Acting degree at Nassau Community College and plans to continue his education in the city. Outside of CAP, Geode has starred in several stage productions, including Everybody (Love) and Working! The Musical (Allen Epstein, Raj, Utkarsh Trajillo), She Kills Monsters (Chuck), and The Proposal (Chubukov). Geode is over the moon to be sharing the RENT stage with such a wonderful cast and wants to thank the CAP crew for welcoming him into their space. Geode would also like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he’s enjoyed being part of it!
Laila Canelo (Mimi)
Laila Canelo (Mimi) is so excited to be performing in such an impactful show. Regional: A Bronx Tale (Freida/Jane US). Other major credits include: Grease (Sandy), West Side Story (Maria), Natasha, Pierre…comet of 1813 (Natasha), Carrie (Carrie), Next To Normal (Natalie), A Bronx Tale (Jane), Urinetown (Hope), All Shook Up (Lorraine). She is a senior at LIU Post for a BFA in musical theatre. She would like to thank Shiloh and Sam for their constant hard work and passion on this production! She would like to thank her family and her boyfriend Scott for their constant love and support! @laila_canelo
Aidan Schroh (Mark and Steve)
Aidan Schroh is extremely excited to be performing in Rent at CAP! Some past credits include: Newsies (Jack Kelly), Bye Bye Birdie (Conrad Birdie), Next To Normal (Gabe), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo), Catch Me If You Can (Frank Jr.) and We Will Rock You (Galileo). He would like to thank the amazing creative team and talented cast that put this awesome show together!
Taahtyana Desir (Alexi Darling)
Taahtyana Desir is excited to be a part of Rent at Cultural Arts Playhouse, marking her second show ever. She made her stage debut on the CAP Merrick stage in Once on This Island and is thrilled to be back for such a bold, meaningful, and powerful production. Taahtyana feels incredibly lucky to work alongside an amazing cast and a talented, dedicated production team who have made this experience both welcoming and inspiring. She sends endless love and thanks to her family, friends, and everyone who continues to support her as she continues to grow, learn, and find her voice on stage and off.
John DelGenio (Angel Dumott Schunard)
John is absolutely thrilled to be stepping back into Angel’s heels for the third time! This story is so important to him, and getting to tell it again is an absolute honor. Past credits include Alice by Heart (Dodgy/Duchess), We Will Rock You (Khashoggi), A Chorus Line (Greg), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Huge thank you to the cast and production team for making this process an absolute dream. No day but today!
Regina “Reg” Brickhouse (Joanne / Mrs. Jefferson u/s)
Regina “Reg” Brickhouse was born and raised in Queens, NY, and is 27 years old. They’ve been in productions such as Sister Act (Deloris), Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle), Ragtime (Ensemble), and Once On This Island (Papa Ge). This is Reg’s third time performing in a production of Rent. They’d like to thank the team and the cast for putting together this beautiful piece of art, and they thank their family and friends for their continued support.
Kara Burke (Police Officer/Ensemble)
Kara Burke (she/they) (Police Officer/Ensemble) is so excited to finally be a part of Rent! She’s always dreamed of being in this show; it holds a special place in her heart. She’s so grateful to work with this incredibly talented and special cast and crew. She’s always had a strong passion for musical theatre and the deep, moving themes that accompany them. Her favorite past credits include American Idiot (Whatsername), Little Women (Aunt March), Hairspray (I.Q.), and Into The Woods (The Baker’s Wife). Kara is also a yoga instructor and has a deep love for that. She wants to thank everyone for this fun and emotional experience. LA VIE BOHEME. ACT UP. WE’RE NOT GONNA PAY.
