The Creative Team

Andrew Barbato, Composer/ Lyricist/ Book Writer/ Director, is the proud Artistic Director and co-founder of Cellar Door Stage. As artistic director, Andrew has pioneered Cellar Door’s New Composer Project Series, developed two new musicals, and most recently re-imagined revised, and co-directed Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA. As an actor, Andrew has worked professionally around Boston at the Wheelock Family Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Stoneham Theatre, Seacoast Repertory and many more. As a writing team, Andrew and Lesley’s music has been featured as part of theStage Rep’s Musical Monday’s concert series, and Lincoln Center’s Songbook Series.

Lesley DeSantis, Composer: Lesley is currently the resident accompanist, composer and music director for Cellar Door Stage in Stoneham, Massachusetts. In addition to ALICE, this year Lesley and Andrew created a musical version of The Tortoise and the Hare for the Stoneham Theatre which is now moving on as the flagship musical for the Northeast Children’s Theatre Company of Norwalk, CT. In the past, Lesley has served as music director and accompanist for Lesley University, the Stoneham Theatre, and has been a composer and music director for the Kidstock! Creative Education Center in Winchester, Massachusetts. In addition to her musical endeavors, Lesley is a visual artist and award-winning set designer. She has illustrated two children’s books and currently sells prints of her artwork online.

Erica Ruff Productions, Producer/General Manager: Erica Ruff Productions strives to bring out the voices of talented theatrical artists who are yet to be heard. This company was created to develop new ventures, produce concert events, and assist new shows and artists in establishing their careers.  Erica Ruff is a theatrical producer and manager currently residing in New York City. Her undergraduate was done at the University of Michigan where she frequently worked with student-run musical theatre group MUSKET and the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society (UMGASS).  Erica received in May 2011 her MFA in Theatre Management and Producing at Columbia University. She has produced all over NYC including Lincoln Center, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Duplex, The Fringe Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. www.ericaruffproductions.com

Cellar Door Stage is a non-profit theatre company committed to exposing to new works and bringing innovation to existing pieces, while supporting the community through theatre. Founded by a group of young artist from the Greater Boston area in 2008, Cellar Door has created it’s own concert series (New Composer Project), developed a new musical (ALICE), presented readings of new musicals, Re-imagined classic musical theatre, and produced countless benefit concerts.  Through Cellar Door Stage’s outreach division, we’ve brought musical theatre to the children at Shriner’s Hospital in Boston, as well as donated over one hundred tickets to Horizons for Homeless Children. Cellar Door stage has served as a creative outlet for many budding artists and will continue to grow with them. Learn more about the Cellar by visiting http://cellardoorstage.org/

Brad Gardner, Music Director/Accompanist: is currently a pianist at The Addams Family on Broadway.  Recent New York credits include La Cage Aux Folles, Lucky Guy, Lippa’s Wild Party (Fordham), and Sky Boys (Making Books Sing). He is also the associate music director of Peg O’ My Heart, another musical in the Midtown International Theatre Festival this summer. Regionally, he has worked as a music director at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, and at North Carolina Theatre. Other favorite credits include being part of the “Submissions Only” web series, and his continuous as resident music director of Broadway Speaks OUT. He also works as a staff accompanist at NYU, a ballet pianist, and as a private vocal coach. http://www.bradgardner.webs.com

Angela F. Kiessel, Production Stage Manager, is a member of At Hand Theatre Company, part of the Weathervane family, and a University of Michigan alum.  Favorite credits include MCC’s Side Effects, Starkid’s Starship, BC/EFA’s Gypsy of the Year, The Active Theater’s Venus Fly Trap, At Hand’s MY AiDS, and Bobby Cronin’s Welcome to My Life.

Kathryn Pamula: bio coming soon!

Hannah Rosenthal: bio coming soon!