A MAGICAL HOLIDAY
Dottie Studio Theater
High-Energy Holiday Spectacular
Kick off the holidays with this 90-minute vibrant, all-singing, all-dancing celebration featuring live renditions of festive classics. Bursting with energy and colorful production design. Bring the whole family for a joyful holiday event filled with music, dance, and cheer – perfect to light up your season!
Featuring spectacular choreography, stunning vocals, and festive surprises for
an unforgettable celebration!
Performance Information
December 2-5, 2026
Approximately 90 minutes with one intermission.
Suitable for all age.
Children younger than 5 not permitted in the theater.
For wheelchair or ADA seating options, please contact the box office at 619-337-1525
MEET THE CAST
CARLOS MENDOZA
Carlos directed and choreographed Somewhere Over the Border and choreographed Evita at Cygnet Theatre. Born in Davis, California, and raised in Colombia, he holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from United States International University. An accomplished director, choreographer, and producer, Carlos has received the Mary Jane Teal Award for In the Heights at Music Theatre Wichita; San Diego Critics Circle Awards for West Side Story, Ragtime, and In the Heights with Moonlight Stage Productions and Starlight Musical Theatre; the 2014 San Diego BRAVO Award for his body of work; and the Inland Theatre League Award for Choreography for In the Heights at Performance Riverside.
MATTHEW MALECKI MARTINEZ
Matthew is THRILLED to be back at Cygnet for the holidays! He was previously here back in 2023 as Magaldi in Evita. National Tours: Magaldi in Evita. Regional: Jean Valjean (u/s) in Les Miserables (Tuacahn Amphitheatre), Erik/The Phantom in Yeston’s Phantom (Gateway Playhouse), Tony in West Side Story (Norris Theater, Performance Riverside, South Coast Symphony), Younger Brother in Ragtime (MTW), Quasimodo (u/s) in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Moonlight Amphitheater), Cinderella’s Prince in Into The Woods (Lewis Family Playhouse), Gaston in Beauty and the Beast (Performance Riverside), and Freddy in My Fair Lady (Plan-B Entertainment). Original Captain America in Marvel’s Rogers the Musical at Disneyland’s Hyperion Theater. BFA Musical theatre from AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. @mattymaleckimart
STEPHANIE BURKETT GERSON
Stephanie is a Southern California native who proudly called New York City home for seven years. Known for her powerhouse vocals and dynamic stage presence, she has captivated audiences nationwide in regional theater, national tours, holiday spectaculars, and cabarets.She’s had the honor of performing the National Anthem and “God Bless America” at professional sporting events around the world and spent four years touring with the USO Show Troupe, entertaining troops across the U.S. and abroad. Favorite roles include the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Shimmy Girl in Smokey Joe’s Café, the Fairy Godmother in Shrek, and a Nun in Sister Act. Her national tour credits include Mrs. Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Stephanie is also co-owner of SBG Studios, where she helps mentor and inspire the next generation of performers. She’s thrilled to share her voice and spread joy with you tonight! www.stephanieburkettgerson.com
RYAN FAHEY
Ryan is thrilled to return to Cygnet for the holidays and his sixth time performing in A Magical Holiday! Originally from Newfoundland, Canada, he is a graduate of Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Favorite credits include Mal Beineke (The Addams Family, SDMT), Cornelius (Hello, Dolly!, Starlight), Rooster (Annie, Starlight & Moonlight), and Miss Bible Belt (Pageant, Cygnet). Ryan also performed as a production vocalist with Oceania Cruises. He lives in San Diego with his partner, Carlos, and their three dogs, Artie, Lucy, and Lucky.
COURTNEY FERO
Courtney Fero is home for the Holidays! A San Diego native currently based in Portland, Courtney’s favorite credits include Reno in Anything Goes(Broadway Rose Theatre), Cabaret and Legally Blonde (Stumptown Stages), Meet Me in St. Louis (Musical Theatre West), Cats (Moonlight and SDMT), Hairspray (Merry-Go-Round NY), The Fantastic (Lambs Players) and A Little Night Music (Cygnet Theatre). She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from UC Irvine and teaches Dance at The University of Portland. She is currently starring as Mom to the most magnificent daughters, Eden and Gwen! @courtneyfero
ALEXANDRA KUNIN
Alexandra is so thrilled to make her Cygnet debut this year! She has recently graduated with a Masters in Law from Vanderbilt University this past August and looks forward to continuing to pursue her passion in the arts alongside her academic interests as well. Some of her favorite credits include dancing in the Disneyland parades, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Musical Theatre West, Mean Girls at Moonlight Amphitheatre, The Cher Show at Moonlight Amphitheatre, and Anastasia at Moonlight Amphitheatre. Big thank you to her mom, dad, love of her life/fiance Richard, and favorite little Bear. @AlexandraQnin
ASHLEY CHAVARRIA
Is blessed to celebrate the holidays with you today! Theatre credits include: The Cher Show (Dark Lady/Ensemble), A Chorus Line (Larry/Lori), Grease (Cha Cha DiGregorio), Matilda (Acrobat/Mrs. Wormwood U/S performed), In The Heights (Yolanda), West Side Story, American Rhythm and more. TV/Film: Blippi’s Job Show (Netflix Guest-Star), Goose Creek Candle Co. and City of Ontario Commercials (Lead), Sit Me Back Down, Dancing In My Room, Nightmare (Music Videos). Live: The Weeknd, Herbalife, Royal Flux Dance Company. Choreography: Blippi’s Job Show, Dancing In My Room, Beckman HS and studios throughout the US.
TAMARA RODRIGUEZ
Tamara Rodriguez is a multi-talented vocalist, songwriter, actress, and dancer who first rose to prominence on popular reality singing competitions: Telemundo’s Quinceañera: Mamá Quiero Ser Artista and Univision’s Buscando a Timbiriche, La Nueva Banda. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, now based in San Diego, Tamara has toured internationally, starred in over 50 theatrical productions, ranging from classic musicals like Cabaret, Evita, Rock of Ages, A Magical Holiday, Oklahoma (Cygnet Theatre) to contemporary premieres such as Up Here and Kiss my Aztec at La Jolla Playhouse. House of Joy (San Diego Rep). Her Choreography credits include most recently, La Llorona (Tuyo Theatre), Rent, La Havana Madrid (NVA). 2019-2025(CSUSM). On film, Tamara’s credits include Sugar Silence and Everyday Violence, Cholo Zombies, and Tazmania. A graduate from Berklee college of Music. Her original music is on all streaming platforms. Ceo/ founder of The Indigo Collective. www.tamararodriguez.com @itsnotodayitstamara
MEET THE TEAM
CARLOS MENDOZA
Carlos directed and choreographed Somewhere Over the Border and choreographed Evita at Cygnet Theatre. Born in Davis, California, and raised in Colombia, he holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from United States International University. An accomplished director, choreographer, and producer, Carlos has received the Mary Jane Teal Award for In the Heights at Music Theatre Wichita; San Diego Critics Circle Awards for West Side Story, Ragtime, and In the Heights with Moonlight Stage Productions and Starlight Musical Theatre; the 2014 San Diego BRAVO Award for his body of work; and the Inland Theatre League Award for Choreography for In the Heights at Performance Riverside.
KRISTEL NICHOLS
Kristel began her professional career as a dancer and dance captain with Holland America Line before relocating to Las Vegas, where she performed in Pin Up, Bite, Triumph, and Steve Wyrick Real Magic. Additional credits include Speed with Holiday on Ice and a featured role in the movie, Think Like a Man Too. Since moving to San Diego, she has appeared in On Your Feet! at Moonlight Amphitheatre and Mamma Mia! at Coronado Playhouse, while also choreographing numerous productions and special events. Kristel is thrilled to welcome Magical Holiday back to Cygnet, a production especially close to her heart.
JUSTIN GRAY
Justin Gray has been a pianist, music director, arranger, coach, and custom soundtrack creator in San Diego for over 40 years. He holds an MM degree in Conducting from San Diego State University. Theater work includes: Starlight, Moonlight, Old Globe, Broadway San Diego, and Welk. He is the author of an online study course called Piano Improvisation Using the Nashville Numbering System and is currently the organist at St Timothy’s Catholic Church in Escondido. Justin loves the variety that comes with being a pianist and enjoys documenting his adventures through his “Today’s Office” series on Social Media.
SAMMY WEBSTER
Sammy is a lighting designer from Nashville, TN. They hold a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science in Film and TV Production from Middle Tennessee State University. They were recently awarded the 2025 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lighting Design for their lighting design of Chalk Circle’s production of The Strangers. They were **nominated in the same category for their work on Scripps Ranch’s production of Mary’s Wedding. Other projects include Mean Girls, The Lehman Trilogy, A New Brain, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric…, Manifest Pussy (Outstanding Lighting Design Nomination, Broadway World), Cygnet Theatre’s A Magical Holiday, Donja R. Love’s When We Are Found, and many more. Sammy also works as a freelance lighting designer for corporate, dance, and other live events. See more of their work at SZWDESIGN.COM.
EVAN EASON
Evan is so happy to be spending the holidays with Cygnet! Previous Cygnet credits include: The Spongebob Musical, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Evita, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. Other select credits: Rock of Ages (San Diego Musical Theatre), Rent, Straddle, Eighty-Sixed, The Mystery of Irma Vep(Diversionary), Beau Jest, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Intimate Apparel (North Coast Rep), Titus Andronicus, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (USD MFA/The Old Globe), A Streetcar Named Desire (Backyard Renaissance), [title of show], The Thanksgiving Play (New Village Arts), Emily Driver’s Great Race Through Time and Space (La Jolla Playhouse).
STANLEY D. COHEN
Stanley is very pleased to return to Cygnet for his second year on Magical Holiday. Previous Cygnet credits include The History Boys and A Little Night Music (2008). Stanley has served as a production stage manager for Moonlight Stage Productions for over 30 seasons. Other theatrical credits include CCAE Theatricals, SDMT, and MTW. Stan is grateful for his family’s support of his crazy passion. He thanks the entire Cygnet family for their assistance and thanks you for supporting live theatre.
Your next great theatre experience awaits.
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