Mambo Italiano

Making her MHMT Playhouse stage debut is Deborah Deans, playing Lina! Deborah hasn't been on stage for MHMT since the 1960s, but has been busy directing for other companies around the city, including 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Mary Poppins'!

Tell us about your character.
"Lina. Lina was an intriguing character for me portray. Her domineering, controlling, offensive personality was a challenge for me to embody."
What are your thought on being in the show?
"It has been a joy to work with Travis, and this outstanding cast and crew to bring this timely drama to the playhouse."
What can audiences expect?
"The audience should be prepared for some belly laughs, and to be deeply moved by the complexities and quirks of these quintessential Italian families."

Cerulea Hubbard playing Pina Lunetti! You may remember Cerulea from MHMT's production of 'Up Pompeii'! She was also in 'The Little Mermaid'.

Tell us about your character.
"I am playing Pina Lunetti, she is unlike any character I’ve played before so I’m excited to try and bring her to life on stage."
What are your thoughts on the show?
"I think this show is something that Medicine Hat hasn’t really seen before on a local level and that it is a good opportunity for the city to experience a quieter but still fun show."
What can audiences expect?
"They can expect a lot of laughs and some drama, typical to a family reunion."

No stranger to the Playhouse stage, today we are elated to present Bruce Sandford playing Gino! Bruce was most recently in 'The Full Monty', 'Spamalot' and 'A Christmas Carol'!

Tell us about your character.
"I play Gino the patriarch of the Barbieri family, a traditional Italian immigrant struggling to accept his sons' sexuality and trying to keep his family together."
What are your thoughts about this show?
"I'm delighted to be part in such a socially relevant show. Wish you were here to see it, Dave, RIP."
What can audiences expect?"
"Come out and enjoy a few laughs and some serious moments while the Barbieris' deal with life’s surprises."

Bretton Labash playing Nino! Look familiar? Well, he should! Just recently he played Professor Bhaer in "Little Women", and was part of the cast of "Evil Dead: The Musical"!

Tell us about your character.
"I will be playing the part of the “baffled lover”, Nino. Nino is an interesting character and acts as a perfect opposite to Angelo, and those opposing views lead to main conflict of the story."
What are your thoughts on being in the show?
"Being in this show has been so fun for me, and everybody is so talented it really makes rehearsals easy."
What can audiences expect?
"This show has something for everyone including perfect comedic timing and some really mature and heavy themes."

Ashley Howes playing Anna! Returning to the Playhouse stage after a brief hiatus, you may remember Ashley from "The Drowsy Chaperone" playing Kitty! She was also in the crew of "Next to Normal"!

Tell us about your character
"Anna! I love this character because, as she says she's not great with her own life, but she sure tries with everyone else. Her hearts in the right place and I think characters like that are pretty relatable."
What are your thoughts on the show?
"This is a wonderful show with a really powerful message. At the end of the day we just want to be loved and accepted for who we are. I think ultimately the lesson is to cultivate relationships that , as in the immortal words of Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones Diary 'Like you very much. Just as you are'."
Beautiful! What can audiences expect from this show?
"Audiences can expect to laugh, be a little heartbroken, and ultimately feel hopeful that , in the end being true to ourselves is the greatest gift of all."

What a perfect day to feature Loretta Lutz, playing Maria! Loretta has been on hiatus from theatre for a number of years; the last play she was in was 'Calendar Girls', so although not new to theatre, this is her first Playhouse production!

Tell us about your character.
"I’m playing Maria; Gino’s wife and mother to Anna & Angelo."
What intrigues you about this character?
"I grew up with a variation of Maria; and I am a variation of Maria! Maybe not as loud though! She is proud, fiercely loyal and loves her family beyond measure."
What are your thoughts on this show, and being in this show?
"I’m so excited to be part of this wonderful story with this fabulous cast! Life often throws you curve balls, so you can either duck, or catch them and run! Everyone deserves to be loved."
What can audiences expect?
"'Mambo Italiano' is hilarious & lighthearted but also broaches on serious social topics. Sit back & enjoy the chaos unfold!

Last, but most certainly not least in our Meet the Cast series, we have Noah Smith playing Angelo! Noah was in 'Bullets over Broadway', 'Newsies' and 'We Will Rock You'!

Tell us about your character.
"I’m playing Angelo, and I find him intriguing for his perspective in the world he lives in. He presents a very unique slice of the world that I honestly hadn’t considered before taking part in this show. He cares very deeply for his family and close relationships, but struggles to believe in himself enough to push beyond the beliefs of his family. It’s a struggle that I find myself relating to, and it’s been a fantastic learning experience to feel all of his range of emotions."

What are your thoughts about being in this show?
"Being in this show has just been so wonderful so far, everyone is so talented and really brings everything to the table, which makes acting alongside them very easy. I’m just so thankful to be standing next to so many fantastic people."

What can people expect?
"I think people can expect to be along for an emotional rollercoaster. The show brings lots of comedy but also lots of real world tension that I think will leave lots of people considering the importance of their family by the end."