Get ready for the poetry and magic of Cats to land on the Berkeley Playhouse stage! This dream-like spectacle blends the mesmerizing movement of many dance and acrobat styles with the vintage intrigue of an old vaudeville stage, turning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical into an unforgettable variety show of feline mischief and mystique.
Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Cats explores the hijinks and heart of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. With hit songs like “Memory,” fantastical costumes and makeup, and newly-infused elements, this long-running Broadway classic is now a modernized tail for all ages—whiskers included.
Audio Described Performance
In partnership with Gravity Access Services, there will be an audio described performance to enhance the show experience for blind and visually impaired audience members. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here
Gallery
Photography by Ben Krantz Studio. Video by Jared Randolph.
25/26 Season Audience Guide
A handy guide for each one of our shows in the Mainstage Season that includes content advisories and post show discussion questions. This guide is great for any theatergoer looking to learn more about a show before attending.
The Cast
KYLE HERRERA (Old Deuteronomy) is thrilled to return to Berkeley Playhouse, where he previously appeared in Kinky Boots (Simon Sr., Ensemble) and Cinderella (King Maximillian). Other credits include Falsettos (Mendel) with The Pear Theatre, Newsies (Davey) and Mamma Mia (Ensemble) with Tri-Valley Theatre Company, Annie (Rooster) with Ray of Light Performing Arts, Shrek (Donkey) and Gypsy (Tulsa) at San Leandro High School, and A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) with Curtain Call Performing Arts. He is especially excited to be part of Cats, which has long been his favorite musical! To see more of his charting adventures, find him on YouTube (@kyleherrera7511) or Instagram (@mudsdalemadness2.0).
TIELLE BAKER (Grizabella) is a multi-award-winning performing artist and vocal instructor who is honored to return to the Berkeley Playhouse stage, where she was previously seen as Morticia in The Addams Family. She has been singing and dancing on stage for over three decades, with performances spanning The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and international music festivals in Italy and Germany. Tielle holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of the Pacific. Offstage, she is a private vocal instructor and musical theatre coach in Walnut Creek, where she has taught since 1998. Her students have gone on to perform on Broadway (Annie), in world premieres (The Prince of Egypt), on Broadway national tours (The Music Man, Anastasia, Finding Neverland), and have graduated from top musical theatre programs—many becoming educators themselves. She is deeply grateful to her family and friends for their unwavering love and support. @TielleBaker
LUCCA TROUTMAN* (Demeter) is delighted to return to Berkeley Playhouse! A versatile electro-acoustic composer, director, and performer, she holds degrees from Smith College and Mills College. Some roles she particularly enjoyed include Louise/Eve in Ruthless (NCTC), Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar (Berkeley Playhouse), and Becky Understudy/Ensemble in Waitress (SF Playhouse). She has created a number of interdisciplinary works with Driven Arts Collective, including Digital Milk at CounterPulse through their ARC Combustible Residency. Beyond the stage, she enjoys teaching, making art, and exploring nature with her dogs, Ama and Valo.
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States.
TED SCLAVOS (Munkustrap) is a Bay Area native singer and actor, and is thrilled to be joining this company for his Berkeley Playhouse debut! Previous credits: Nikos, Legally Blonde (Ray of Light Theatre), Paul, Company (South Bay Musical Theatre), Nick/Righteous Brother, Beautiful (CMTSJ Marquee), Georg, Spring Awakening (Ray of Light Theatre), Motel, Fiddler on the Roof (Sunnyvale Players). Abundant love to all of the artists. Keep live theatre alive!
ROEEN NOORAN (Rum Tum Tugger) Bio coming soon.
KAREN CANFIELD (Jennyanydots) is thrilled to be making her Berkeley Playhouse debut in Cats! Karen is a singer, actor, choreographer, director, and writer from Southern California, and a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley. Past credits include Rapunzel in Into the Woods (BareStage Productions), Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra (BareStage Productions), Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof (Canyon Theatre Guild), and Judith in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (College of the Canyons). She would like to thank the entire Berkeley Playhouse team for their incredible work, and her family for always supporting her.
LIAM CODY (Skimbleshanks) is honored to be returning to Berkeley Playhouse. Recent roles include Rooster in Berkeley Playhouse’s Annie, the “Flyboy” Ancestor in Berkeley Playhouse’s production of The Addams Family, Prince Topher in Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s Cinderella, Kenickie in Altarena Playhouse’s Grease, Stacee Jaxx in Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s Rock of Ages, Lancelot in Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s Spamalot, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Pittsburg Theatre Company’s Young Frankenstein, and Robert Martin in Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s The Drowsy Chaperone. He would like to thank his friends and loved ones for their continued support and encouragement.
DALE TANNER (Bombalurina) is thrilled to be returning to the Berkeley Playhouse stage, where she was last seen in Matilda! Originally hailing from San Jose, she is a Bay Area based performer, writer, and UC Berkeley graduate. Recent theater credits include Peter Pan (Panto in the Presidio), Mrs. Whitman’s Words for Women (Murphys Creek Theatre), Romance & Juliet (SPARC Theater), Lysistrata (UC Berkeley), Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 (BareStage), The Rocky Horror Show (City Lights Theater), and Into the Woods (BareStage). Check out her website at daletanner.com or follow her on Instagram at @dales_drama!
ALESHANI ALTAN (Jemima) (she/him) is excited to be returning to Berkeley Playhouse for one of his favorite shows! Previously, he was in The Prom as Alyssa Greene. A recent graduate from UC Berkeley double majoring in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, this is her first show since graduating – an extra special experience. Past credits include Nina from In the Heights (Woodminster Summer Musicals) Natasha in Great Comet (BareStage @ UCB), and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Ohlone College). She’d like to thank her family and friends for their support, especially those who helped her to condition her strength and technique for this beautifully dance heavy show. Enjoy!
JOHAN RAYMUNDO CASAL (Mistoffelees / Quaxo) is a Filipino multidisciplinary artist who has performed internationally across the Philippines, New York, and California. He has performed as the lead in Netflix’s The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Live Experience in San Francisco, and in Peter Pan Panto in the Presidio and has danced with Alleluia Panis Dance Theatre of KULARTS, Joe Goode Performance Group, and Megan Lowe Dances. Through his production company, Kuya Johan Productions, his independent films have screened at festivals from the Bay Area to San Diego, and he has choreographed and directed numerous concert dance works and musical workshops. This production of Cats marks Johan’s debut performance with Berkeley Playhouse.
ARIEL ANDERSON (Macavity / Busotopher Jones / Admetus) Bio coming soon.
DIELLA WOTTRICH (Jellylorum) is thrilled to be back at Berkeley Playhouse, having previously appeared in Annie, Head Over Heels, Becoming Robin Hood and Mamma Mia! Other theatre credits include Center REPertory Company’s A Christmas Carol, Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s Grease, Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A Chorus Line, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble’s Robin Hood, Diablo Theatre Company’s Guys & Dolls and Annie, and Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s The Sound of Music. She has also performed in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. She is overjoyed to be performing alongside her daughter Meaghan again after many years, and thanks Berkeley Playhouse for this amazing opportunity! Enjoy the show!
RONNIE ANDERSON (Asparagus) is ecstatic returning, hot on the heels of the much-acclaimed, Annie, portraying Daddy Warbucks’ devoted Butler, Drake. Recent roles include: the supervillain Ivan Smirnoff in Theatre Rhinoceros’ Billy (returning by popular demand!), Ensemble in Center Repertory Company’s Arsenic And Old lace, and National Theatre’s The Lehman Trilogy. Other favorites: Sir Toby Belch Twelfth Night, Madame Silvia St. Croix Ruthless! The Musical, Jaques As You Like It and Lord Evelyn Oakleigh Anything Goes. Ronnie has directed and performed with American Conservatory Theater, California Shakespeare Festival, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Contra Costa Civic Theater, and Masquers Playhouse (where Ronnie recently directed The Gods Of Comedy earlier this spring).
HANNAH MARTINEZ-CROW (Rumpleteazer) (she/her) most recently performed in The Addams Family and Jesus Christ Superstar here at Berkeley Playhouse. Credits: Margot in Legally Blonde (Ray of Light Theatre), Lilibet/Swing in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Ray of Light Theatre). SDSU MT ‘23. IG: @hannahmartinezcrow
MATEO URQUIDEZ (Mungojerrie) (he/him) has been last seen in Annie here at the Berkeley Playhouse last season, as well as 9 to 5: The Musical with Ray of Light Theatre. Mateo thanks his friends and family for their unwavering support! Instagram: @MateoUrquidez
CASEY DELA CRUZ (Victoria) is so excited to return to Berkeley Playhouse in Cats! She was most recently in their production of The Addams Family as an Ancestor. Other productions she has been a part of are Into the Woods as Cinderella Understudy (AMDA College of the Performing Arts), Beauty and the Beast as Ensemble (Missouri Street Theatre), and Mamma Mia! as Sophie (Benicia High School). In June 2024, she graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA College of the Performing Arts. She has spent the last two years teaching dance, and is happy to be performing! Find her on TikTok @suitcaseeyy and IG @kaitlynclaire.dc
SAMANTHA AYOOB (Cassandra) is excited to make her debut performance at Berkeley Playhouse! Some past favorite roles include Julia in The Wedding Singer (WMT), Doralee in 9-5: The Musical (Coastal Rep.), Wendla in Spring Awakening (PSP), Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (Hillbarn Theatre), Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime (Lyric Theatre), and Lisa in Mamma Mia! (Hillbarn Theatre). She also works as a choreographer for theatre companies and high schools around the Bay Area. She is a psychology graduate from Lewis & Clark College and a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa. She’d like to thank her family and friends for supporting her jellicle cat journey. https://www.samanthajayoob.com
SCOUT DEL REAL (Alonzo) is excited to be back at Berkeley Playhouse once again! You may have seen him previously in the ensemble for much of the 23-24 season, including Kinky Boots (swing for Angels/male ensemble) and Head Over Heels (ensemble/Pythio u/s). Scout is also a recent graduate of the Actors Conservatory at Las Positas College, where he has been so lucky to play such iconic roles as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz and Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He looks forward to seeing what other amazing opportunities the future holds!
AYANI DORSEY (Tantomile / Coricopat) is incredibly excited to return to Berkeley Playhouse for the third time! Past credits include Ancestor/Swing in The Addams Family (Berkeley Playhouse), Temple Lady/Apostle/Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (Berkeley Playhouse), and Serena in Legally Blonde (Valverde Stage Productions Incorporated). Ayani is a 2026 alumna of UC Berkeley with a BA in Film & Media Studies and Rhetoric. She made her directorial debut with Next to Normal (Barestage Productions) at UC Berkeley this spring. She can’t wait to be fierce in this kooky enigma of a show right here and now. Many thanks to her family, friends, and the theatermaking holy trinity: Kimmy, Kevin, and Michael! @ayanidorsey
SASHA HOLTON (Pouncival) is thrilled to be making her Berkeley Playhouse debut in Cats! Her recent credits include The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom) with Oasis Arts and Ray of Light Theatre, Sweet Charity (Daddy Brubeck) with Diablo Valley College, and A Chorus Line (Tricia / US Sheila Bryant / US Connie Wong) with 6th Street Playhouse. She has an AA in Acting from Diablo Valley College and is in progress of earning her B.S. in Psychology at San Francisco State University. She would like to thank anyone who has ever compared her to a cat in real life. They were correct. @sasha.holton
MEAGHAN WOTTRICH (Etcetera / Electra) is thrilled to be making her Berkeley Playhouse debut! Previous credits include Mother Goose’s The Legend of Banbury Cross with Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, Titanic and The Phantom of the Opera at Campolindo High School, The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Oklahoma! with Contra Costa Musical Theatre, The Sound of Music with Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre, and Annie with Diablo Theatre Company. She has trained in dance, theatre, and music at The Ballet School Performing Arts since she was 6, and received a degree in dance from the University of Oregon in 2024. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support, and is so excited to be performing alongside her mom again.
MARK KANAZAWA (Carbucketty / George) is thrilled to make his Berkeley Playhouse debut! You may have seen Mark in other productions around the Bay Area, such as Gangster 1 in The Drowsy Chaperone (West Valley Light Opera), Nick in The Prom (Foothill Musical Theatre), SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical (Starting Arts); Hermes in Hadestown Teen Edition, Shakespeare in Something Rotten (Dream Team); and Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd School Edition (Prospect High School). When Mark isn’t performing he is practicing flips and tumbling passes for fun. He is so excited to be performing in Cats! IG: @mark.kanazawa
