Vanessa Anderson (Royal Child) is excited about doing her second production with DLOC. She is a fifth-grader who enjoys dancing, modeling and taking piano and voice lessons with Carolyn Wolf. Some of her acting credits include Munchkin in The Wizard of OZ (DLOC), Martha and Jimmy in Miracle Worker (CCChristian Theatre), Martha in We Drew the Sky (J & L Center Stage).

Leah Arington (Royal Wife), a native of Nebraska, Leah received her degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester New York and pursued her graduate work at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England.  Leah is currently the Associate Artistic Director and Voice Instructor at the Contra Costa Children's Chorus in Walnut Creek.

Mia Bernardino (Royal Child) is excited to be in her first musical production with DLOC. Most recently she appeared in ANNIE at Mountain Play Theater.Other performances include South Pacific, The Sound of Music and The King & I. She is a fifth grader at St. Philip Neri who loves to play volleyball and basketball. She thanks Dennis for letting her "live the fantasy" of being a royal princess.

Brett Cashen (Louis Leonowens) is a 14-year-old freshman at Cal High in San Ramon.  He is very excited to be returning to DLOC.  He was recently seen in Ragtime as Edgar, this being the highlight of his career.  His passions include acting, singing and hanging out with his friends.  He would like to thank his family for all their love and support. 

Sherilyn Chen (Royal Wife) is very ecstatic to be making her DLOC debut with The King and I. As a junior at San Ramon Valley High School, Sherilyn enjoys singing in two choirs, participating in Drill Team and drama, and playing piano. She served on the technical crew for this past summer's production of Hello, Dolly! (Stars 2000) and has been in past shows such as The Wizard of Oz. Sherilyn would like to thank her family, friends, and the cast for their everlasting support, especially her parents for driving her everywhere!

Rizanette G. Cruz (Royal Child) is a 10 year old Walnut Creek native attanding Ygnacio Valley Elementary School as a 5^th grader. She was YVE School President as a 4^th grader and once more in the 5^th grade to present.  She has studied piano from the age of 5 and violin from at the age of 9. She is a member of the Maharlika Dance Troupe and a member of the Dance Connection Company. She had the leading role as Becky in a school play, Gold Dust or Bust.

Karine Da Silva (Royal Wife) is delighted to be performing with DLOC for the first time! She began performing in small theatre productions at age 7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (where she was born) and has been performing ever since. Credits include: Lucy Harris in Jekyll and Hyde for Youth Theatre Ensemble, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors for Youth Theatre Ensemble, Vi Moore in Footloose for Youth Theatre Ensemble, and others.

Annie Dahlberg (Principal Dancer, Wife)is thrilled to be making her debut performance with DLOC in The King and I.  Most recently she appeared in BBBay's Peter Pan (lost boy), and Oliver (orphan).  Annie has also performed in The Nutcracker with W.S.P.A. (Marionette, Russian , Clara's Friend, and Snowflake.) Annie is a busy 7th Grader and wishes to thank Berle, Jayne, Richard, Joshua, and Malu for all their guidance towards her Musical Theater dreams.

Curt Denham (The King) is excited to be making his DLOC debut as The King.  Curt holds a M.F.A. degree in Musical Theatre and has appeared in regional, summer stock and dinner theatre throughout California.  Seen recently as Lycus in CCMT’s production of Forum, other appearances include Buddy in Follies for Stockton Civic Theatre, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music for Modesto Performing Arts Association and Alfred in Romance/Romance for the Stanislaus Arts Council’s guest artist series. 

Stephen Diaz (Principal Dancer – Simon of Legree) is blessed to be under the direction of DLOC in his second Rogers and Hammerstein production. Privileged to have performed in Carousel, he has appeared in No, No Nanette, Wizard of Oz, with DLOC, as well as Annie (CCMT). Other credits include Stars 2000 and DVC productions including his most recent The Music Man (Oliver) and Hello, Dolly! (Ambrose).  Stephen would like to thank God for His guidance and his parents for their love and support.

Michael Flores (Palace Guard) is thrilled to be making his DLOC debut with a wonderful staff and cast!  Michael is thirteen years old and attends Pine Valley Middle School in the eighth grade.  Favorite past roles include: Feiuly (Les Miserables), Rolf (The Sound Of Music), Kenickie (Grease), Adam (Children of Eden), and many others.  Michael would like to thank his family and friends for all their support, and God for giving him all of his talents.

Tammy Fong (Royal Wife) a two-time cast member of John Muir's Mountain Days, Tammy Fong is a newcomer to the DLOC and is very excited to be a part of The King and I.  Tammy currently studies voice under Victoria Rapanan, performs at recitals, and sings the National Anthem at various public events.

Leanne Galanti (Principal Dancer – Eliza) is 17 years old and is very excited to perform with DLOC for the first time.  She has been studying ballet since the age of 4, and has had additional training in modern ballet, jazz, Broadway dance, tap and cheerleading dance.  She was accepted into the Kirov Ballet Academy and American Ballet Theatre at age 14.  She now attends the California Ballet and Theatre Academy where she works with director Erin Leedom.  Leanne has danced in works such as The Story of the Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Stars and Strips and Serenade, Charles Anderson’s Mental Floss and Les Sylphides.

Sean Gin (Palace Guard) is ecstatic to be returning in his second show with DLOC. Sean just came from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (CSTC) where he was part of the cast and technical crew! Credits include The Wizard of OZ (DLOC), Hello, Dolly! (YVHS and STARS2000), City of Angels (DVC), The Music Man (DVC), Fiddler on the Roof (YVHS), and Our Town (Crossroads Theatre). Sean thanks his family, friends, and the entire cast for their support.

Vincent Graham (Palace Guard) Recent performances include Danny Zuko in Pinole Young Actors' production of “Grease,” Newsboy in “Gypsy” at The Masquers, and as Charlie Bates in Contra Costa Civic’s “Oliver.”  Vincent lives in Benicia with his parents and sister, and thanks his family and friends for their continuous support and encouragement. Thanks also to Ruth Onstadt, his piano and vocal coach.

Brandon Harrington (Palace Guard) is 14 and a freshman at De La Salle High School. This is his first show with DLOC. Recently Brandon played Solly, an elf, in S.T.A.G.E. Troupe’s North Pole Revue. Some of Brandon's favorite roles include Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Linus in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. In his free time Brandon plays piano and water polo.

Stephanie Herrera (Wife, Principal Dancer) is thrilled to be in DLOC’s production of The King and I.  This is her first performance with the company and has always dreamed of being in The King and I ever since she was a little girl.  Stephanie was in Stars2000’s production of Hello Dolly! this past summer where she played “Minnie Fay” and was in the previous summer’s show Guys and Dolls where she played a “Hot Box Girl”.  She is also Cultural Director for a Filipino folk-dance troupe, Maharlika Cultural Troupe Inc.  Stephanie is currently in her second year at Diablo Valley College and plans to transfer to St. Mary’s with her AA in Liberal Studies. She wants to say, “Thanks to everyone who convinced me to audition for musical theatre.  If you didn’t push me, I would’ve never found what is now a wonderful part of my life.  Love you all so much!”

Erin Higgins (Royal Child) now age 13 began performing on stage in kindergarten, when she appeared in the Junior Stage Company production of Snow White. She has since performed in several other theatrical productions and received additional training in Musical Theatre from A.C.T. Conservatory. Erin has studied voice and violin for several years and won talent competitions for her solo musical performances.

Travis Hill (Royal Child) loves to entertain!  He is currently learning to juggle, do magic and play jazz piano.  He performed as a stand-up comedian 3 years in a row in elementary school and has attended a summer workshop at Playhouse West in Walnut Creek.  The King and I is his first opportunity to perform in a musical.

Erin Huie (Wife, Principal Dancer) is currently a junior in high school, and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of the performing arts. The King and I is the first musical she has appeared in outside school, and she's just thrilled to be a part of such a great production!  Welcome to the show!

Austin Ku (Lun Tha, Principal Dancer) is pleased to be making his DLOC debut.  A regular company member of San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon, Austin was recently featured with Leslie Caron in a gala tribute to Alan Jay Lerner.  East Bay credits: Roger in A New Brain (Shotgun Players, Berkeley Barestage), Damn Yankees (CCMT).  Austin is an alumnus of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, the Seagle Music Colony, the Aspen Music Festival and Boalt Hall; notable university credits: The Emcee in Cabaret (Rice Sammy Award), Berger in Hair (Sammy nominee) and Robert in Company.

Wayne Lee (Kralahome) was most recently seen in South Pacific with the Willows Theatre Company and has worked with theatre companies in the SF/Bay Area as well as in Sacramento and Davis. Some of his work include: God in Love’s Fire, Chan in Deep Cut (west coast premiere), Sammy in Rancho Grande, Lysander in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jimmy in Cleveland Raining. Mr. Lee has worked internationally in theatre, film, TV, commercial, voice-over and modeling. In addition to acting, he teaches and directs children’s theatre through out northern CA. Mr. Lee holds an M.F.A. in Acting from UC Davis.

Kara Lipsett (Wife, Principal Dancer) is thrilled to be making her debut with DLOC in The King and I. She recently played Smitty in How to Succeed… at Acalanes High School, where she is currently a senior. Some of her other favorites include: A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, and West Side Story, all with the Center Stage Theater Company. Kara would like to give a special thank you to Ellen Smith, who has given her such wonderful opportunities to perform over these past five years.

Ron Llenado (Palace Guard)

Jason Long  (Royal Child) is an 11 year old boy in 6th grade at Stanley Middle School in Lafayette.  Since spring of 2003, he has performed at Springhill School as Doody in Lard, at Town Hall Theatre as Johny California in Travel Americana, and is currently performing at Stanley as Mr. Smythe, the Butler, in Emma.  He thanks Barrett Lindsay-Steiner for his support.

Jennifer Lopez (Royal Child) is 8 years old. She was the second youngest semifinalist sent to Hollywood in the Fox TV American Juniors singing competition. Jennifer has performed solos at the Norton Buffalo Concert, Star Quest, Martinez Idol, Pleasant Hill Holiday Festival, and performed the National Anthem for the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association and the Oak Grove Middle School Graduation. Jennifer performed in Lafayette Town Hall Theatre’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  Jennifer will be releasing her first original single CD with Balladyre Productions in 2004.

Ethan Maisel (Royal Child) is a second grade student who loves acting and is presently a member of DLOC’s Starstruck Children’s Theater Company.  For the past three years, Ethan has been dancing at Cast and Company, where he takes, tap, jazz and hip-hop.  In his spare time, Ethan loves to watch television, play with friends and go to the movies.  He is really excited to be a cast member in the The King and I.  He wants to give a special thanks to his parents, sister and Barrett Lindsay-Steiner for their support and enthusiasm.          

Mema Mataban (Dance Captain, Principal Dancer, Wife) is pleased to be making debut performance with DLOC.  Recently seen in Evita at Woodminster Theater.  Favorite roles: Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Maria (West Side Story), Lilianne La Fleur (Nine), Crystal (Little Shop of Horrors), Connie/ Maggie in separate productions of A Chorus Line.  This is for her two loves – Alex and Mitcho.

Melinda Meeng (Lady Thiang, Principal Dancer) is thrilled to be back on the DLOC stage after appearing in their production of the Scarlet Pimpernel. She was last seen belting "Necessity", as Belva, in 42nd Street Moon's revival of Finian's Rainbow in San Francisco. Other credits include South Pacific, Teahouse of the August Moon, Mountain Days: the John Muir Musical (Willows Theatre), Harvey (CCT), Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Broadway West Theatre Company), You Can't Take It With You (Actors Ensemble of Berkeley), and more. She has also worked in film and has done Commercials and Industrials for Tech TV and BMW. She received her B.A. in Radio and Television from San Francisco State University. Praise to God! Love to Todd...thank you for the music.

Christine Mendez (Princess Ying Yaowalak) took to the stage at the age of six and hasn't stopped  perfoming since. Past performances include Hello Dolly (Dolly), Bye Bye  Birdie (Rosie), Music Man (Mrs. Paroo),  and Guys and Dolls (Adelaide) . Christine  would like to thank her drama teacher, Bart Schneider at EHMS for telling her  about the part and encouraging her to "Take a Step-Up".

Lindsey Murray (Anna Leonowens) is very pleased to be working with DLOC and director, Dennis Lickteig. A voice and dialect coach, she has taught at Marin Theatre Company’s Performing Arts School, and Solano College Actor’s Training Programme. She studied in London with Wendy Wisbee, Richard Holt, and David Gabriel, and in the United States with Rocky Spoelstra, (Ballet West) Richard P.Condie, James Kirkwood and Joe Barnett .  Favourite roles include: Ophelia, (Hamlet) Gertrude (Hamlet), Portia (The Merchant of Venice), Desdemona (Othello), Diana, (California Suite), Eva (Absurd Person Singular), Sally Plummer (Follies), Mrs. Johnstone (Blood Brothers), Anita, (Quartermaine’s Terms) Anna (The King and I), and Medea (Medea). She is the recipient of The Dean Goodman Award, two Shellie, and two Elly awards. She is grateful to her five children who helped prepare her for this role, and to her wonderful husband, Brian Evje for all his love and support.

Amanda Neiman (Royal Child) is in the 1st grade at Christ the King School.  She has enjoyed playing the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz, Rosie in Really Rosie, and a Steward and pumpkin in Cinderella, all with Theatricks.  Amanda also performs with the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus.  She studies at the California Ballet Academy and was in their Nutcracker production last year.

Amy Neiman (Royal Wife) appeared in her first production with DLOC (also The King and I) when she was twelve!  Seems fitting that her tenth show with DLOC would once again be in The King and I) but this time performing with her own children.  Other favorite roles outside DLOC productions include Marsinah in Kismet and Cinderella in Into the Woods.

Aria Neiman (Royal Child) attends St. Mark’s Pre-school.  At three years old she is both proud to be the youngest cast members and of truly being able to do anything her big brother and sister do!  She sees her first production with DLOC as a great start to long career on the stage.

Eric Neiman (Sir Edward Ramsey) Eric’s favorite credits include the Caliph in Kismet, Jack in Into the Woods, and the Ghost of Jacob Marley in Christmas Carol.  He was last seen with DLOC in Big.  He is honored to be performing in his fifth production with DLOC and even more honored to be sharing the stage with his entire family for the first time.  It was during a DLOC production where he first met his wife, Amy. 

Evan Neiman (Royal Child) is a 3rd grader at Christ the King School.  He is in the advanced boys choir at Contra Costa Children’s Chorus and was seen last year as John Bartlett in Green Eggs and Hamlet with the JCC Summer Theater Camp.  Last December he performed in California Ballet Academy’s Nutcracker.  Evan also holds a green belt in Kung-Fu.

Tammy Nishimura (Royal Wife) recently appeared in DLOC's Wizard of Oz as Nikko the Monkey Commander and the Coroner.  She has performed in the Festival of American Playwrights of Color (CCSF) for which she won two Meterious Achievement Awards and an Irene Ryan Acting nomination.  Tammy was also the lead in Opium Café (CCSF), Pinocchio (Performance Artist Group), and the independent film, Somebody.  Thanks to HBD, the Peterson, and her parents.

Rizza A. Quinio (Tuptim)is thrilled to be joining the Diablo Light Opera Company family. She is a Masters in Music candidate at Notre Dame de Namur University, where she recently played the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Since her musical theatre debut last year, she was seen in The King & I (Saratoga Drama Group), South Pacific (Willows Theatre Company), The Sound of Music (American Musical Theatre of San Jose), and Evita (Broadway by the Bay).

Jessica Raaum (Wife, Principal Dancer) is thrilled to be joining DLOC for the first time.  Her Bay Area credits include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Dawn) and Mountain Days (Wanda Muir) at the Willows, ...Forum (Philia) at Antioch Rivertown Theatre, for which she is a nominee for the upcoming Shellie Awards, and Anything Goes (Angel) at Stage Masters.

Alex Stone (Palace Guard) is appearing in his first show with DLOC.  He has been in many shows at CTA including Bye Bye Birdie, Anything Goes (Ling), Alice in Wonderland (Mad Hatter), The Hobbit (Gandalf), Gift of Winter (Winter), School House Rock Jr. (Tom), and was in CTA's Young Performers Company and played Charlie in the YPC show Hoedown. Alex is 14 and attends WCI.

Amanda Sylvia (Royal Child) is twelve-years-old and making her DLOC debut. Prior credits include: the title role in Annie (Hillbarn), Baby June in Gypsy (Stage 1), Gretl in The Sound of Music (AMTSJ), Issachar in Joseph…(Pied Piper Players), Lion in The Wiz (Bay Area e.T.c.), Marta in The Sound of Music (ACLO), and Tootles in Peter Pan (BBBay). Amanda thanks her parents for their love and support.

Bung-Fung Torng (Royal Wife) has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics.  She is delighted to be making her DLOC debut with The King and I.  Since 2000, she has been performing with Rossmoor Community Chorus, Bel Canto and Rossmoor Happy Hoopers.

Nicholas Tsai (Prince Chulalongkorn) is twelve and a sixth grader at Stone Valley Middle School in Alamo.  He recently appeared in the lead in Aladdin and the Magic Lava Lamp as Aladdin (DLOC’s Starstruck).  His credits include Hamlet as Hamlet, Gone with the Wind in the Willows asMr. Toad, Wizard of Odds as Dean Martin, The Adventure of Sheer Luck Holmes as Raiph Braveheart, and Much Ado About Nothing as Don John (Center Stage Kids).  Nicholas also played the King in Sleeping Beauty (Danville Village Theater). He has also done TV commercials and print modeling.

Rachel Wagner (Royal Child) is tickled pink to be making her DLOC debut in The King & I.  She has performed with Center REP, CCMT, Woodminster, Contra Costa Christian Theatre, ACLO and Chanticleers.  Favorite roles:  Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (Shellie award nominee), Woodstock in Snoopy (best supporting actress award), orphan Kate in Annie, and as Young Peg, the youngest member of the Senior Class. Enjoy the show!

DENNIS M. LICKTEIG (Director)

Dennis is very pleased to be making his DLOC debut with this show.  Recently, Dennis has directed A Funny Thing . . . Forum, Sunday in the Park with George (Shellie nomination)and Anything Goes(Shellie nomination), all for CCMT. 

Since coming to the Bay Area twelve years ago, Dennis spent four seasons as Artistic Director for Peninsula Center Stage in Redwood City  where he directed their productions of Company, Camelot, Brigadoon, Candide, West Side Story and The Sound of Music as well as producing twelve productions during his tenure.  Dennis also directed Closer Than Ever and A Little Night Music for Hillbarn Theatre, Redhead for 42^nd Street Moon and the San Francisco premiere (and revival) of The Harvey Milk Show at the New Conservatory Theatre Center as well as a series of industrial shows. Prior to his move to the Bay area, Dennis spent ten years in Minneapolis where he worked as a free-lance director and stage manager as well as resident director for Park Square Theatre Company in St. Paul where he directed such productions as Taken In Marriage, Crimes of the Heart, The Trojan Women, The Playboy of the Western World, A Light Left On (world premiere) and Betrayal.  Other Twin City credits include productions of Carousel, My Fair Lady, A Little Night Music, Kiss Me, Kate, H.M.S. Pinafore, Tintypes and Baby.

Cheryl Yee Glass (Music Director & Conductor) is a graduate of of UC Berkeley.  She has served on the Board of Directors for DLOC, twice as Vice President, on the artistic staff for the past 13 seasons and involved in over thirty show for the company.  Nominated seven times, she received a Shellie Award for Kismet (1999).  Known for her contributions to music as an educator, bassist, and conductor, she is the resident conductor for the City of San Ramon's annual Messiah, a Past- President for the Bay Section of California Association for Music Education, a guest conductor for the UOP Summer Music Institute, Instrumental Music Director for San Ramon Valley High School and District Coordinator of Music.  Cheryl is also a candidate for office on the State Board of CMEA.  She dedicates this production to her students and towards keeping music education in her district.

Joan Cifarelli (Vocal Coach)

Peter Crompton (Set Designer)

Georgia Taylor Benedict (Stage Manager)

Carol Edlinger (Costumer)

Paul Vega (Lighting Designer)

Jake Rodriguez (Sound Designer) has recently carved out sound and music for California Shakespeare Theater, American Conservatory Theater, Art Street Theatre, Paducah Mining Co., Exit Theatre, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, and Shotgun Players.  Recent credits include design on CalShakes' 2003 productions of Julius Caesar and Arms and the Man, Code Blue at the Genome Zoo at the Exploritorium, Forever Young with ACT's Young Conservatory, Serious Money with ACT's MFA program, Art Street Theatre's I Am Hamlet, and Potrzebie Dance Project's The Ecstasy of Saint Whatshername.  When not working in theater, Jake composes and performs music around the Bay Area and beyond.

Sara Beukers (Make-up, Hair and Wig Design)

Debbie Shelley (Properties Mistress)

Suzanne Brandt (Assistant Producer)

Ellen Smith (Producer)

Technical Staff