Meet the members of the Chicago Red Line…
Michael Begale
As a recent graduate of Michigan State University, Michael is excited to be a part of The Chicago Red Line. He received his undergraduate degree in Music Education and currently teaches music.
Joel Camden
Joel Camden is thrilled to be joining The Chicago Red Line as one of its newest members. He has performed in the Chicago area with Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, Village Players Theatre, and was seen at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora as Angel in Jonathan Larson’s Rent.
A native of the Philippines, he has been a member of various singing groups through high school and college and is currently a member of The Festive Singers, spreading holiday cheer throughout the season singing traditional and contemporary christmas carols in quartets. A healthcare interior designer by day, Joel loves to spend his free time learning new music, performing, and shopping for home furnishings that he can’t afford
Adam Cartwright
As one of the original reindeer from this group’s first production of Grandma Got Run Over by the Redline, Adam continues to show his excitement to be part of The Chicago Red Line. Adam has been singing most of his life. He appreciates all of the exposure to theatre given to him throughout his life. His college days were filled with singing and dancing at Northwest Missouri State University and is excited to continue this with the Chicago Red Line.
Adam spends his days teaching 2nd graders in District 83 and teaching private piano lessons after school in Park Ridge, IL. He also performs with the Park Ridge Chorale and the world famous St. Luke’s Bottle Band, which has appeared on the David Letterman Show, Wild Chicago, WGN Morning News, The Jenny Jones Show, and many more. Adam’s hobbies include music, travel, and doing anything ‘outdoorsy’ by the lake. Thanks to all who have been supportive in my musical endeavors.
Andrea DeCamp Pikscher
Andrea is thrilled to be a part of The Chicago Red Line! She is a graduate of Millikin
University, where she received her BFA in musical theatre, and she’s been here in this
great city of Chicago ever since. Andrea has performed in several plays around the city
of Chicago with companies like Gorilla Tango, Lights Out Theatre, and Untitled Theatre
Company. She has been anxious for the opportunity to flex her vocal chords again, and
is very grateful to The Chicago Red Line for giving her the opportunity to do so.
During the day, Andrea also runs a free theatre community online for theatres and
theatre professionals called Theatre Pros – you should totally check it out because it’s
free and awesome. As always, she would like to thank her parents, siblings, friends,
and her wonderful husband Jason for their mostly constant love and support.
Adam Gilbert
Adam is a recent graduate from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he double majored in Vocal Performance and Communications. While he is classically trained, he enjoys singing and performing musicals and popular hit numbers. He grew up performing, from early beginnings singing on stage with Ben Vereen to being mentioned in *The New York Times* for his performance for DePauw University’s Board of Trustees. He’s performed in many musicals and operas, including “Crazy for You,” “Hello, Dolly!,” Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” and others.
Adam now works in advertising downtown at Spark Communications, a part of Starcom MediaVest Group. He currently works with clients such as NBC Owned and Operated and Cellular South, and does Out of Home advertising for all of Spark’s clients. Adam is really excited to be jumping on board the Chicago Redline, and he hopes to see you at a performance soon!
Erin Gosser
“This one time, at show choir camp…” was often a popular phrase heard by friends and family of Erin Petron Gosser, fondly known as “Petron.” Although she never actually attended a show choir camp, she came to know some of her best friends through the University of Illinois’ Cutting Edge Show Choir. These friends have since stood up and sung at her wedding this past July, when she married her fellow narcoleptic husband, the other Aaron Gosser,
or simply “Gosser.”
When Petron got a call about joining what was soon to be The Chicago Red Line, she jumped at the chance! She missed seeing her friends on a weekly basis and hadn’t really performed since college…except for the Kindergarteners – 6th graders in her French classroom, that is. Though her sight reading is a bit rusty, and she still occasionally dozes off mid-singing, she’s ecstatic to be back with her best friends and back on stage!
Adam Hickenbottom
Adam (or “Hick” if you know him) has been performing most of his life. Getting involved in school music programs at a very young age he has been in everything from childrens theater all the way to that wonderful group from the University of Illinois known as Cutting Edge. In high school Adam was in productions of “Bye, Bye Birdie” as Albert, “Dirty Work at the Crossroads” and “You Cant Take It With You.”
During his time as an Edger singer/dancer, he also got the opportunity to put his love for dancing out front as a guest choreographer a number of times both in and out of the group. Adam currently works for the main man Jimmy John himself as a regional director, but can also be found slinging drinks as a bartender around town as well.
Matt King
Matt King is a graduate of University of Illinois, originally from Momence, Illinois. He’s been performing since a young age, including 8 years of show choir, which includes his time in U of I’s Cutting Edge Show Choir. He’s an avid musical theatre fan and has had roles in Urinetown, Pippin, The Music Man and performed the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His day job involves IT management and interactive media consulting for, Insiders Entertainment, a production company in the northwest suburbs. He is very excited to be a part of the Red Line and getting back to the stage.
Elizabeth MacDonellElizabeth recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shorter University in Rome, GA. After graduation, she moved up to Chicago to get involved in the theatre scene. She couldn’t be more excited to be breaking into it with the Chicago Red Line! Elizabeth loves and misses being onstage, and is thrilled to get to be singing and dancing again with such an amazing group.
April Rose Mallo
April is a graduate of the University of Illinois where she had the pleasure of being a part of the Cutting Edge Show Choir! This is where she met a majority of the wonderful, other members of The Chicago Red Line. Since graduating college, April spends her days working at a law firm in the Western suburbs.
Throughout the years, she has been able to perform in different shows including most recently Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Miss Saigon (Yvette) both with the North Shore Theatre Group, Meet Me in St. Louis (Rose Smith) at the Starlight Theater, Carousel (Carrie), Into the Woods (The Witch), Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie), A Midsummer’s Night… (Puck), and Joseph… (Children’s chorus) at the Chicago Theater. She is so blessed to have such a supportive group of family and friends. She sends a big Thank you!!
Chelsea Maroney
Chelsea is a recent graduate from Western Illinois University with a double major
in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Performing most of her life, Chelsea
has been a member of the Buffalo Grove Expressions Showchoir as well as a
counselor at Showchoir Camps of America for the past 5 years. She has performed
in a variety of roles, including Rosie in “Bye, Bye, Birdie”, Hansel in “Hansel and
Gretel”, The Mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, and most recently Lucy
from Menotti’s “The Telephone”. She is currently working at a country club in
Glenview, IL and teaching private voice lessons as well as choreographing. Chelsea
is extremely excited to be a part of The Chicago Red Line!
Nikki Miner
Music has been a part of Nikki’s life since she can remember. There are countless home videos of her skipping around the house singing as a child. Over time, music continued to become more significant in her life, especially in high school and college. In college, Nikki was a member of the University of Illinois’ Cutting Edge Show Choir, and a cover band called the Illini Contraband. After college, Nikki sang with a Chicago cover band called Daily Special.
Now she’s fully devoted to The Chicago Red Line and loving it! As a member of The Red Line, Nikki sings soprano and helps coordinate costuming. When she’s not singing, she works as a Speech-Language Pathologist at an elementary school in Glenview, IL. In her free time, she loves going out with friends, lounging around with her wonderful husband, and visiting family. She would like to thank the Chicago Red Line for providing a positive outlet for her to do what she loves to do best, with some of the people she loves best!.
Jessica Murphy
As one of the founding members of the group, Jessica is so excited to be a part of a group bringing a new type of performance to the Chicagoland area. Jessica has been performing since she was a small child, and was seen most recently as Kim in the North Shore Theater of Wilmette’s production of Miss Saigon. At the University of Illinois, she spent her time singing and dancing away as choreographer for Cutting Edge.
During the day, Jessica works in Advertising and her hobbies include music (duh), cooking, and running. She appreciate’s the patience and dedication of the entire Red Line, and a special shout-out to the LOOP for our blood, sweat, and tears that helped launch this group. Finally, much love to Tim for all his support 
Mark Pino
Mark has been involved in music and theatre for the majority of his life, having performed in countless regional and touring productions throughout the US. Some favorite roles include Joseph in Joseph…Dreamcoat, Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie and Neville Craven in The Secret Garden. Originally from New Mexico, Mark realized his passion for the arts at a young age and began studying voice in college.
He attended the University of New Mexico and graduated with a BA in Communication and Performing Arts. Upon completion of his degree, he moved to New York and has taken the stage as a soloist in various venues singing a wide range of musical genres including opera, pop, rock, country and jazz. He is also a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Julie Robinson
Julie Ann Robinson (Artistic Director) made her theatrical debut as a member of the children’s ensemble in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with Donny Osmond. Her love for performing grew through her high school years, culminating in her participation as a cast member of the 1998 All-State Musical, “Carousel.” Julie earned her bachelor’s degree at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her master’s degree at DePaul University.
After three years on the Fine Art’s staff at Elk Grove High School, Julie is now the Theatre Director at Glenbrook North High School where she has directed eight theatrical productions including the 2008 Glenbrook Musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” She currently resides in Lincoln Park.
Mollie VanderLaan
Originally the pianist for the Red Line, Mollie is excited to be joining the group and performing on stage again! Mollie has mostly been working as a pianist and music director in the past couple years for numerous area shows including Grease, Charlotte’s Web, Seussical, Footloose, Ragtime, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Mollie has also performed on stage as Erzulie in “Once on This Island” and Fleta in Iolanthe.
When she’s not performing, Mollie is a work-at-home consultant and stay-at-home mom to the beautiful Elle! Special thanks for her husband Jay for all his love and never-ending support!
Andy Wallace
Andy is excited to be performing again in the Chicagoland area. Andy’s recent performances include singing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and as a featured soloist with Northwestern’s summer chorus. At the University of Illinois, he spent his time performing and music directing for the Cutting Edge Show Choir.
Andy spends most days as the director of choirs for Glenbrook North High School. He would like to thank his friends and family for all their support.
Alumni…
Aaron Antonio
Born and raised in the Philippines, singing has been a huge part of Aaron’s family and culture. The passion only grew during his college years at the University of California Berkeley when he joined Noteworthy, UC Men’s Chorale, and UC Gospel Choir.
Michael D. McGuire
Michael has been acting since he was a kid and some of his Chicago acting include HONK! (Cat) and Seussical (Horton) at NSTW, No Way To Treat A Lady (Kit Gill) at Attic Playhouse, and Music Man (Ewart) and Sweeney Todd (Ens.) with ATG. As a directed and music director, he has worked in productions with Big Noise, SJTP, NSTW and Starlight Theatre. He has also preformed professionally on several cruise ships and opera companies across the US.
Christopher R. Patrick
Over the past few years, Chris has shared his time between on stage and off stage endeavor. Most recently, he appeared in the North Shore Theater’s Productions of Honk! (Ugly), Miss Saigon (Chris), Once Upon a Mattress (Prince Dauntless), Sweet Charity, Anything Goes (Sexy Sailor No. 1), Damn Yankees (Sohovik) and Chicago (Sexy Dancer No. 3).
Between his theatrical pursuits, Chris pursues his professional career as a software engineer with Citadel Investment Group. He wishes to extend his thanks to all involved with the Chicago Red Line, love to his family and friends, and as always to Michael.
Joe Rosenmayer
Joe has performed in Chicago and beyond with Big Noise Theater, Light Operaworks, North Shore Theater of Wilmette, Starlight Theater, Decatur Park Singers, and more. He grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois where he performed in several IUB musicals, sang with the U of I Concert Choir, and was part of the wonderful Cutting Edge family.
In addition to performing, Joe has also music directed for area theaters and plays piano and guitar. Currently, he is the Director of Music at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside and is working on a show with his folk band, Jen and Joe, or as he prefers to call it, Joe and Jen. He currently resides in Edgewater.
Andy Shaw
Andy is a 2007 Purdue University graduate in Visual Communications Design with a minor in Theatre. A theatre man for going on fifteen years now, Andy has been involved in a wide range of theatrical arenas.
From cleaning urinals as Bobby Strong in “Urinetown” to speaking in twang as Willard in “Footloose” to serving cucumber sandwiches as Lane in “The Importance of Being Earnest”, Andy has had his share of creative roles. He loves an acting challenge and is equal to the task. As always, he would like to thank his family and friends.
Danny Singer
Daniel is a 2003 graduate of Northwestern University, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Choral and Instrumental Music Education. Since leaving NU, he has been active in Chicago’s musical community as a singer, music director, conductor, arranger and teacher. He know lives in Cleveland, OH where he leads a HS choral program
Jenny Stash
Jenny is thrilled to perform with her University of Illinois Cutting Edge family again in the CRL. Jenny has a Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music. During the day, she teaches music and choir at London Middle School in Wheeling and Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove.
Jenny has performed with local community theater groups and sings at St.Emily in Mount Prospect. She thanks the loves of her life for supporting he rreturn the stage: her Cutting Edge sweetheart, Aaron, and her two adorable
children-Cecily and Kai!
Cherie Turner
Cherie currently lives in Los Angeles where she is getting her law degree. She previously worked as a real estate agent. She has been active in the musical theater scene in Chicago.
Katherine C. Wilhelm
Katherine C. Wilhelm is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Education. She was a member of the School of Music’s Concert Choir and performed in several Illini Union Board Musical Productions including West Side Story (Anybodys), Fiddler on the Roof, and Crazy for You. She was Combo Director and Pianist for the Cutting Edge Show Choir, also performing and co-choreographing several featured dances with the group. She has played the piano and danced her whole life, has been trained in voice and guitar, and is learning the Bluegrass Fiddle! Other interests include songwriting, yoga, soccer, and Habitat for Humanity. Katherine has taught Elementary School General Music and Choir in Palatine and choreographs musicals at Willard Elementary in Evanston.
