Open Bar • Heavy Hors D ’Oeuvres • Great Performances
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Festivities begin at 6:30pm
at MUSIC THEATRE OF CONNECTICUT
509 Westport Avenue (Route 1) in Norwalk
(Click here for directions)
Tickets: $125/each
VIP Friends: $250/each (front row seats)
All proceeds benefit Music Theatre of CT’s programming.
About
Get ready for this season’s most exciting night! The MTC Voice is back with an evening full of great hors d'ouevres, an open bar, and unforgettable performances by some of the area’s most beloved amateur celebrities. Rally behind your favorite contestant by joining their fan club and becoming a sponsor and then make your voice heard by voting at the event! Help crown the crowd favorite and enjoy a night of fabulous fun and local talent.
MEET THE CONTESTANTS!
More contestants to be added soon!
Contestant: Greg Cole
Coach: Kevin Connors
I remember seeing my first show at MTC in their little Westport theater in 2010 when I had just moved to CT. I fell in love! Although my background is Early, Renaissance and Classical repertoire, the occasional parlay into Broadway and the American Songbook compliments my need to express myself completely.
Contestant: Dan Guller
Coach:
Dan Guller is a Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe watching father and husband. He is President of Darien Pride, which has been promoting diversity in Darien since 2022. Dan teaches improv comedy through Yes And Company, which he founded. He is such a strong believer in the work that MTC is doing, that he joined the Board of Directors and currently serves as Vice-President.
Contestant: Anthony Kesselmark
Coach: Jodi Stevens
A longtime Weston, CT resident, this devoted family man and part-time pizza truck owner is once again stepping on stage to support MTC, five years after his memorable (and slightly embarrassing) performance of Burning Man by Dierks Bentley. Encouraged by MTC to reprise his role as an unlikely performer, he’s using humor and heart to raise funds for the organization’s incredible arts programs, which serve around 300 kids by giving them access to music and theatre education.
Though he jokes about his singing skills, he’s serious about the cause—and about giving it his best shot. Outside of his theatrical adventures, he runs Tony Pizza Napolitano, a beloved local pizza truck, and spends his time with the true loves of his life: his wife Lisa and their children, Maia and Nate. Whether cheering them on or feeding the community, he’s all in—and now he’s calling on the community to give back by supporting MTC, ensuring it remains a vital part of local life for years to come.
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Hello All,
Its been roughly 5 years since I have embarrassed myself by singing Burning Man by Dierks Bentley, but MTC asked me to do it again this year to help raise funds for their unbelievable programs that help roughly 300 kids learn the arts. It’s so important that all of us have outlets to express ourselves and kids learning theatre and music could be their only outlet, at least for some. MTC has been doing this for years, it is so important and honestly such a good time. No, you can not throw rotten produce at me but yes, along with donating you can also purchase tickets to watch me suck. Food and Drinks will be served so even if I am bad, you will have eaten and gotten drunk. I can promise I will try. I am not throwing in the towel and making it a tragic comedy. I will get an A for effort regardless and Kevin pledged to have a plaque on the wall of me and could possibly give a scholarship in my name after this years performance. Any way. Pony up. You can’t die with your money. Do some good and give some kids a chance. Some need it. Literally. Please.
Aside from aspirations of being a country music star and crying watching American Idol and The Voice, I am a full time family man and part time pizza man. I have resided in Weston Ct for 15 years and have been with the love of my life since I was 18 years old (33 years). I am pretty sure she is sick of me by now but the options are to kill me or give me half. I think she flips a coin every day but realizes she can’t survive on just her half. Along with Lisa, my joy is watching my kids Maia and Nate, do anything. Seriously. I can watch them do almost anything and find wonder in it. The three of them are my everything. When I am not thinking about my family I run a local pizza truck in Weston and Westport. Tony Pizza Napolitano. (Facebook and Insta, check us out).
That’s it. Click and cough up some money please. As long as I hit my $3000 Ill post on all of social media so everyone can see how serious…..ly bad I am across all platforms. Kidding aside I would appreciate any help. MTC is great and has been a staple in our community for years. Give a hand to help make sure it’s a staple for years to come. See you on stage.
Contestant: Carlie Russell & Emerson
Coach: Elissa DeMaria
My name is Carlie Russell. I met Jim Schilling through my work and am unbelievably excited to participate in this event! I am a physical therapist assistant and have been working in the field for 5 years now. I specialize in treating chronic pain as well as athletic injuries. MTC is a wonderful company that brings the arts to a community in which it lacks. I was a professional dancer in my late teens and early twenties and am grateful for this opportunity to return to the stage! My musical theater experience has been limited since my childhood in terms of performance. However, I have always loved to sing and adore all musicals that I have the pleasure to watch and experience!
Emerson is a CT native and a long-time lover of music theater. She performed in plays and musicals from first grade to senior year of higher school. Emerson ended up studying exercise science for her undergraduate degree, and just received her M.S. in exercise science from Southern Connecticut State university. Though Emerson has found a love for science, she is grateful for the opportunity to rekindle her relationship with the arts.
Contestant: Charlie Scatamacchia
Coach:
Charlie Scatamacchia spent his school years as a Broadway musical nerd. He gave what is widely considered the definitive performance of Horace Vandergelder in HELLO, DOLLY! in 1972 at New Hyde Park Memorial H.S. He spent his early adulthood working in the theatre with (excuse the shameless name-dropping) Herschel Bernardi, Theordore Bikel, Jerry Stiller, Anthony Quinn and Dixie Carter. Early middle age saw him attain his NY State licensure in Ophthalmic Dispensing (I was an Optician, y’all) – don’t ask. In later middle age his prayers were answered when he worked as Vice-President of R&H Theatricals – the live-stage licensing division of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. He’s here tonight in early old age hanging on by a thread, and is so grateful that theatres like MTC are here to bring the arts to the people. Please support this important organization.
Contestant: Pat Shaeffer
Coach:
Pat Shaeffer is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She performed in several summer stock musicals, including Carousel, Brigadoon, Mame, Camelot, and The King and I. Her favorite role was as a Kit Kat Club dancer in Cabaret. Pat also performed as a solo singer with a band at a supper club.
Her career later took a different turn toward teaching, due to her husband's employment in the Foreign Service, which led their family to assignments at U.S. embassies overseas. While stationed in Prague, Pat became a drama coach and co-director of the theater program at the International School of Prague. Back in the U.S., she created a music-movement-drama program for preschoolers and served on the board of Classical Ballet Theater. She also appeared as the grandmother in the opening party scene of The Nutcracker and performed a pas de deux with the grandfather-what a joy!
Pat was introduced to MTC through her granddaughters, who take acting and voice lessons in MTC's children's musicals. Today, as she celebrates her 75th birthday, she is still in love with theater. Jim's adult acting classes have allowed her to re-explore the joy of the craft, with his expertise and guidance always appreciated-and it's a lot of fun!
Pat thanks Kevin and Jim for their many contributions to our arts community, offering a warm, welcoming, and safe place for all.
Contestant: Chris Spiegelman
Coach: Elissa DeMaria
By day, Chris battles the IRS armed with spreadsheets and caffeine.
By night, he belts out show tunes like it’s 1986 all over again.
Returning to the stage for the first time since Hello, Dolly! at Suffern High School, this tax accountant is trading deductions for high notes—because even CPAs deserve a standing ovation.
Chris is a strong proponent of making theatre accessible to all. MTC's youth theater programs and Main Stage productions make fabulous theater accessible to so many and why he joined the Board this past year.