Paula McGeary (Ensemble, RVCO Board Member) is excited to perform again with RVC&O. This will be her 4^th RVCO and 3^rd Gilbert and Sullivan production. After many years away from the stage, she has recently performed in The Pirettes of Penzance with The Ardensingers and The Gondoliers, State Fair, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra. She is grateful that she gets to share this experience with her daughter Jocelyn and loves sharing the stage with her. Paula is thankful for the love, support, and encouragement she gets from her family. Back to top

Marie Maguire (Ensemble) is happy to be in her fifth production with RVC&O. She loves performing with this wonderfully talented cast and production company. Marie has performed in all 13 Gilbert and Sullivan shows as of the Spring of 2024, where she performed in The Grand Duke with the Savoy Company of Philadelphia. She has sung and danced in 39 Gilbert and Sullivan productions with The Savoy Company, the GSSCC, Thespis, and RVCO. Marie has been a student of dance, acting, and voice for many years. Marie is thankful to her husband, family, and friends for their support of her stage performances. Back to top

Florrie Marks (Music Director) is a past recipient of the Best Musical Director award at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival and has music directed the entire G&S canon. Other directing credits include Allenberry Playhouse, the G&S Society of Chester County, Penn Singers, Ardensingers, Ridgewood (NJ) Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Ridgewood High School Alumni Band, and Glen Rock (NJ) Pops Orchestra. For several years, she was also the Music Director of the fall and spring musicals at Archbishop Wood High School. In addition to her conducting activities, she is Director of Music Ministries at Temple Lutheran Church in Havertown. Before picking up the baton on a regular basis, Florrie was a professional violinist, with credits ranging from symphony orchestras to a bluegrass band. She has music directed several of our productions since 2017, most recently last season’s The Gondoliers and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and she is delighted to return this fall to direct this all-too-seldom performed gem of a comic opera! Back to top

Julie May (Stage Director) is pleased to direct RVCO’s The Grand Duke collaborating with Florrie Marks, a long time G&S directorial partner. Julie previously appeared at RVC&O as Vera Charles in Mame and most recently as Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore. She’s directed 25+ G&S productions, the majority with G&S Society of Chester County as well as Bucks County G&S, Ardensingers, Penn Singers and more in the Delaware Valley, and in England (The Philadelphia Union at the International G&S Festival). She has performed in all 14 G&S operettas with the above, and Savoynet, and in B’way shows at Forge, Theatre, Footlighters, the Barn/The Dramateurs, Swarthmore Player’s Club, Barley Sheaf, winning performance awards in England with Savoynet and at Forge Theatre. Love to Richard! Eloia! Eloia! Eloia! to the cast and crew of RVCO’s The Grand Duke! Thank you! Back to top

Albert Melli (Ensemble) was last seen with RVC&O in the Spring 2026 production of How To Succeed In Bussiness Without Really Trying. Before that he appeared in the Fall 2025 production of The Gondoliers after a hiatus of nearly 25 years. His RVC&O career began with Trial By Jury in Fall 1982 and ran through Fall 2001 when he was Leonard Meryll in the The Yeomen of the Guard. During that time he also worked with several other groups including the Ardensingers and the late lamented Thespis Etc. Some of the roles he played with these groups included Richard Dauntless, Nanki-Pooh, and Marco. He currently spends his retirement hiking, singing, reading, traveling, and in various other forms of dissipation. Back to top

Robert Moore ((Viscount Mentone, Chair of Show Selection Committee, Make-Up Designer) is a Life Member of RVC&O and holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova Univ. He has a long list of professional credits in film, theater, and touring companies and was last seen in How to Succedd in Bussiness Without Really Trying. He also performed in Brigadoon at Longwood Gardens last summer (Brandywiners) and sings in The Brandywiners Chorale. He serves on the artistic staff of the Next Generation Youth Theater where he teaches acting and directs shows. He dedicates this show to the memory of his parents and Bonnie Decktor. He hopes that you enjoy The Grand Duke! Back to top

Ray Murphy (Herald, Ensemble) has worn many hats as a life member of RVC&O, from playing in the pit, to tackling sets with the tech crew, lingering on the lighting cues, handling the house, practicing patience with the parking lot, and course, chewing the scenery whilst onstage. His most recent role was that of the Duke of Plaza-Toro in The Gondoliers. Other onstage appearances include the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, Ko-Ko in The Mikado, Zeus in Thespis, Colonel Caverly in Patience, Sir Joseph Porter KCB in H.M.S. Pinafore, Wilfred Shadbolt in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man, in addition to parts in Vintage with a Vengeance, Nailed in Vegas, Radio Days, Iolanthe, Ruddigore, Princess Ida, and Trial by Jury. He turned up at Ardensingers in Sullivan's The Emerald Isle, and also took a turn as Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows at Opera Delaware. He is appreciative to his wife Jan who supports his theatrical habit, and gives thanks and praise for his gifts and blessings at New Hope Christian Church in Broomall. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Back to top

Steve Naz (Ensemble, RVCO Board Member) This season begins Steve’s fifth year with RVC&O as he suits up to play a resident of Pfennig Halbpfennig, as well as a chamberlain to the Grand Duke, himself, and a toga-wearing jolly, jolly jinkster in the royal court. Between practices and performances, Steve serves as a board member, with responsibilities that include tending to the RVC&O headquarters building. Steve has played in numerous bands and ensembles from elementary school through Temple University’s marching and concert bands, and has been a member of orchestras in various musicals. Off-stage, Steve is a retired I.T. professional and an all-around technologist. Back to top

Sean O’Donnell (Notary - Dr. Tannhäuser) is excited to be back on the Rose Valley stage after a 20-year hiatus for The Grand Duke! Since 1999, Sean has performed in 12 of the 14 G&S operettas with The Ardensingers, Rose Valley, and GSSCC. He has also performed with the Opera Delaware Family Workshop, Delaware Humanities Forum, and done solo work including the tenor solo in the Mozart Requiem. Sean has also produced/directed multiple shows including a revival of Sullivan’s last work, The Emerald Isle, in 2025. Sean currently works as a band, chorus, and orchestra teacher in Maryland. Back to top

Mary Punshon (Julia Jellicoe) most recently appeared as Lady Angela in Patience. Her favorite roles with RVC&O roles include Josephine in H.M.S Pinafore, the title role in Iolanthe, Lalume in Kismet, Mad Margaret in Ruddigore, and Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard. Mary also represented RVC7am\O at the Gettysburg International G&S Festival as Amanda in The Carp. Mary was a frequent performer with The Concert Operetta Theater. Among her roles with them were Masha in The Chocolate Soldier at The Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ with The Ocean City Pops and Princess Margaret in The Student Prince at the Academy of Vocal Arts. Back to top

Caroline Pashos (Ensemble) is excited to return to the stage with RVCO for her seccond season after performing in The Gondoliers and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying last year. She also performs with the Delaware Valley Opera Company, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as the Chorus Manager. Her credits with them include 14 operas from Carmen to The Merry Widow to Le nozze di Figaro, as well as singing the role of Sister Martha in Dialogues of the Carmelites. She also sings in the choir of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansdale, PA. In 2017, she graduated in from Temple University with a BA in Theatre. Outside of theatre, she loves aviation, nature, roller coasters, and sports. Back to top

Chris Rubino (Ernest, Producer, Set Designer, RVCO President) is proud to be part of this premier for RVC&O, the last of 14 operettas to complete the G&S canon! Memorable RVCO roles include Tolloller in Iolanthe, Dexter in High Society, Marco in The Gondoliers, and Finch in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Notable set designs include The Sorcerer (2018), A Christmas Carol - the Musical (2019), and The Pirates of Penzance (2024). “Much love to my wife Meagan and our two sons Marc and Brian for matching wits with my thespian side. To paraphrase Ernest, a man who can rule a theatrical company can rule anything!” Back to top

Kathy Sarlson (Elsa) is delighted to return to RVCO after playing Giulia in The Gondoliers last fall. Recent credits include Godspell (By My Side soloist) and Kinky Boots (Trish) with Viviana Theatre. Kathy works as a national nonprofit fundraising consultant. With thanks to Julie, Florrie, and the cast and crew for a joyous experience; gratitude to her voice teacher, Christie; and with love always to Ben, Lily, and Aaron. Back to top

Joyce Severin (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back performing with Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra in their production of The Grand Duke. This marks her 5th Gilbert and Sullivan show. Last year, Joyce appeared in The Gondoliers with RVC&O both in the Ensemble, and as Inez. Joyce also performs with the Ardensingers, Havertown Choristers, St. Andrew’s Choir, and the William Penn Community Chorus. When not performing, Joyce is the proud mother of 4, and grandmother of 1. She would like to thank her family for their love and support in all of her ventures. Enjoy the show!Back to top

Jeff Swafford (The Prince of Monte Carlo, Ensemble, RVCO Board Member) enjoys spending time with his RVC&O family. Recent RVC&O roles include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (J.B. Biggley), The Gondoliers (Antonio/Ensemble), State Fair (Abel Frake), The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel), Cinderella (King Maximillian), Patience (The Duke of Dunstable), High Society (Mike Connor), H.M.S. Pinafore (Dick Deadeye), A Christmas Carol - The Musical (Bob Cratchit), Naughty Marietta, Revised 2018 and The Mikado (Ensemble), and with other local theaters, and Seussical the Musical (Horton). Jeff enjoys the shore, camping, Italian food, red wine, and hopes to revive his love for the piano. Back to top

Sharon Weil-Chalker (Bertha) is thrilled to return to her childhood passion, in her sixth RVC&O production, including State Fair (not staged in 2020), H.M.S. Pinafore, Patience, The Gondoliers, and How to Succeed in Bussiness Without Really Trying. Much gratitude to Florrie, Julie, and this wonderful cast that feels like old friends. Sharon sings baritone with Philadelphia Freedom Chorus (women’s barbershop). She sang with Northwestern University Singers, Swarthmore College Chorus, and Singing Moms. She enjoys tap, salsa, and bachata and paddles dragonboat with Making Waves. Favourite roles: By My Side (Godspell), Sylvia Barrett (Up the Down Staircase), and the never staged Hoopla Barker! She plays flute, some piano, and very little guitar. Back to top

BrendaRose Simkin (Baroness von Krakenfeldt) debuted with RVC&O as The Duchess last year and had such a blast that she is back to play The Baroness who wants to be a duchess. At Columbus Light Opera, 30 years ago, she was a maiden in The Pirates of Penzance (and Mabel 40 years ago). BrendaRose sang with The Vox Amadeus Ensemble, The Philadelphia Singers Chorale, and Voces Novae et Antiquae. She has performed in the chorus for Delaware Valley Opera Company and for Pig Iron Theatre’s A Period of Animate Existence. BrendaRose is a soloist at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Devon. She teaches music and theatre at Wilmington Montessori School. Her favorite role is being a grandmother. Back to top

Heidi Williams (Gretchen) is thrilled to join RVC&O as Gretchen in The Grand Duke. Her love of comedy, poetry, music, dance and costumes are all combined in Gilbert and Sullivan. She is grateful to join this fun-loving, joyful, theatrical troupe. Best wishes and good luck to everyone!. Back to top