Tyler Boyles (Rapunzel’s Prince) is very honored to be on the RiverStage stage for the first time. From Cogan Station Pennsylvania, Tyler graduated from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s in Music with a minor in Music Technology. He also has been a part of CTL productions such as Elf the musical (Chadwick), Cinderella (Ensemble), The Prom (Ensemble), Catch Me If You Can (Agent Cod) and two Corner of Third and Broadway concerts as well. Tyler wants to thank every single person that have given him opportunities to which have lead him here today. He also wants to give thanks to his parents, Theater Friends, and Girlfriend for the never ending love and support.
Shanice Brandon (Cinderella) is ecstatic to be making her RiverStage debut in the role of Cinderella. Most recently seen as Sarah in the 2022 CAC production of Ragtime, Ms. Brandon is a classically trained vocalist and a graduate of Mansfield University. Currently, she works as a project manager with a focus on non-profit theater organizations. In her free time, Shanice is an avid reader and has finished over 70 books since the start of the year. She would like to thank her friends, family, and cast for their endless support!
Maddy Bucher (Rapunzel) is very excited to be making her debut at RiverStage as Rapunzel! She is so grateful for the new friends she has made during this production. Maddy is thankful for her parents who have always loved her and supported her through all her endeavors. Finally, she says, “I can’t wait to share this beautiful story with the community. I am beyond thankful to be given this opportunity to share the stage with such talented humans.”
Susan Diffenderfer (Jack’s Mother/Granny) (she/her) is honored to return to RiverStage to work with this wonderful cast and crew. She writes, “Into the Woods is a deceptively challenging musical and its been a fabulous journey. Adding you, the audience member, into our world makes it magical. Thank you for being here!” Recent RiverStage credits include Sound of Music (Mother Abbess–same role at Christ Wesleyan), I Know What’s Best for You (director), Spamalot (Mother & Chorus), Lewisburg Victorian Nutcracker (Parent & Peppermint). Other productions include Gaspipe’s Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), Romeo & Juliet (Lady Montague), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Quince) and Salt & Light Theatre’s A Little Off Broadway (Chorus & soloist).
Isaiah Inch (Baker): This is Isaiah’s second productions at RiverStage. He has previously played Lyons Maxon in August Wilson’s Fences. Isaiah had also previously played Sebastian in CTL’s production of The Little Mermaid at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, PA. Isaiah would like to thank his cast members, the production team as well as his friends and family for their utmost support.
Ashley Jackson (Witch) is thrilled to be making her onstage debut at RiverStage! Previously at RiverStage, she could be found on the production staff for Puffs, Oliver!, and The Mousetrap. Other onstage roles include Lucy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Doris in Same Time, Next Year, Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, and in a variety of different ensemble and tech roles. Some of her favorite performing experiences include Sound of Music and Candide at Carnegie Hall. She would like to thank her husband, her “Pillars” for their love and all their help with the show, the cast for their endless support and friendship, and Sara, for her unwavering faith in my ability to do the thing. Thank you all for being here, and Into the Woods we go!
Judy Machesic (Cinderella’s Mother and the Giant) – Judy is thrilled to appear in her first stage role with the talented cast of Into the Woods. She has always enjoyed theatre from the audience’s perspective (particularly when watching her son in high school, college and community productions) and is excited to step into the spotlight for the first time. Offstage, Judy is the Interim Director at the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau where she works to promote our beautiful region and over 330 partner businesses to travelers and residents alike. Her happily ever after is found in exploring new places and in quality time with her husband, Lenny F., and her son, Lenny P.
Joyce Martin (Baker’s Wife) is thrilled to be performing in Into the Woods, which has been a favorite show since childhood. She was recently seen in Oliver! as Mrs. Sowerberry at RiverStage in 2024 and Beauty and the Beast (ensemble, 2019) and Mary Poppins (Mrs. Brill, 2018) at Christ Wesleyan Theatre Productions. She loves being a nurse and seeing her 2 awesome kids grow. Thanks to Brennen for putting up with all these late nights!
Tyler Marvin (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf) is overjoyed to be performing on RiverStage’s stage for the second time this year! Previously seen in Tick, Tick…Boom! here at Riverstage, Tyler has also been in productions of Rent and Cabaret, among others, up at CTL. Tyler would like to thank his friends and family, both blood and chosen, and all those who support the arts in the area.
Jacob Molina (Steward) is honored to be making his RiverStage debut in this production of Into the Woods. He resides in Kratzerville, PA, and is taking his first dip into community theater since graduating from Selinsgrove Area High School in 2024. There, he played roles like Chef Louis and Lord Farquaad in the Selinsgrove Area High School productions of The Little Mermaid and Shrek the Musical. Something Jacob values most in his life is the love and support of his friends and family, especially his mom! Jacob’s next adventure is earning his BFA in musical theatre!
Elliot Muller (Jack) is making his debut at RiverStage in the role of Jack. He is a student at Susquehanna University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. His past roles includes Harry Wintgate in Blood Relations (Susquehanna), Swift in Words, Words, Words, (Susquehanna) and Shrek in Shrek (Selinsgrove High school). Elliot wants to thank his parents for all of their love and for giving him his red hair. He also wants to thank his bawdies for all their support.
Lauren Rovito (Lucinda) is excited to be making her RiverStage debut with Into the Woods. At Southern Columbia, she was part of several productions such as: Grease in Ensemble, Clue as Singing Telegram Girl, Beauty and the Beast as Monsieur D’Arque, Curtains as Daryl Grady and Big Fish as Sandra Bloom. After high school, Lauren worked with the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble and was in productions The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as Peter and A Christmas Carol as The Ghost of Christmas Past/Future. Along with acting in shows, she also got to stage manage productions for the entire BTE 45th Season. When not on stage, Lauren helps the community as a bank teller at Journey Bank.
Briana Shervinskie (Florinda) grew up outside of Sunbury and has been participating in theater for over a decade. Some of her favorite roles have been Paulette in Legally Blonde, Tootles in Peter Pan, the Stepmother in Cinderella, and the Witch in a past production of Into the Woods. She is thrilled to be taking the stage in the role her sisters say is the perfect fit!
Hannah Miller Smith (Cinderella’s Stepmother) is excited for her debut at RiverStage. This will be Hannah’s first community theater performance (but hopefully not last!). Into the Woods has been her favorite musical since she was six years old, listening to the soundtrack on cassette during family road trips and watching the original Broadway recording on VHS. She is extremely grateful to the directors and her fellow cast members for the chance to play a part in this show!
Eliza Whyman (Little Red) is thrilled to be making her Riverstage debut. She is honored to portray one of her dream roles on stage, and is so grateful for this opportunity. You may have seen Eliza in past CTL productions of The Prom, Catch Me If You Can, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and RENT. When she’s not on stage, Eliza can be found collecting books, under-watering her plants and overfeeding her cats and dog. She’d like to thank her family, friends and vocal teacher for their incredible support. She’d also like to dedicate this show to a few key people: her amazing nieces, who inspired her portrayal of Little Red. Her wonderful sister and brother-in-law, who finally get to see her perform. And last but not least, her grandmother Glenys, who is one of her favorite people in the world, and who has inspired her love of acting and a real connection to Little Red.
Katherine Leister (Music Director) (she/they) is a musician, stage actor, voice actor, composer, singer, and – as of now – music director! Katherine joined Lewisburg School District’s music programs in elementary school, where she stayed until her graduation in 2020. She qualified for PMEA District 8 Band and Orchestra her senior year, as well as PMEA Region IV Choir her junior year. She went on to graduate from AMDA NY’s Integrated Musical Theatre conservatory program in 2022. The original INTO THE WOODS production was the first Broadway show Katherine ever watched, and it left quite an impression. She often cites Sondheim as one of her biggest musical inspirations when it comes to her own arrangements/compositions. She’s so honored to have been a part of the leadership team and work with this wonderful cast! Music/composition credits include: “Turnabout: An Ace Attorney Musical” (2022-2023); “Turnabout Big Top: Another Ace Attorney Musical” (2024); “Hey, Girlie! A Kristen Applebees Dating Simulator” (2025). https://leilikeadog.carrd.co @LeiLikeADog
Emily M. Shaffer (Director) is a theatre maker based in Sunbury, PA. They hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts with an Integrated concentration from Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg. Shaffer is a current student at Point Park University, where they are earning their MFA in Screenwriting & Playwriting. Recently, they were the first student from Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg nominated to attend the KCACTF National Festival at the Kennedy Center in DC, where they were 1 of 11 students across the country in the ASPIRE Arts Leadership program. Upcoming, Shaffer is heading to NY for their residency with Theatre4thePeople at TheBarn, where they will work on further development of their play, Earth, I Want to Stay, which underwent a weeklong new play development process in April. Some previous work includes Dramaturg and Assistant Stage Manager (The Velveteen Rabbit, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble), Assistant Director, (Oliver!, Riverstage Community Theatre), and Stage Manager, (14th Annual Dance Minor Concert, BUPlayers.) Learn more about Shaffer and their artistry at emilymshaffer.com.