MEGAN PALUZZI
as Sister Pascalina
as Lapopessa
as Sister Pascalina
as Lapopessa
Joel Seger
as Cardinal Tisserant
as Cardinal Tisserant
Paul Conway
as Father Pacelli (in Act One)
and Pope Pius XII (in Act Two)
as Father Pacelli (in Act One)
and Pope Pius XII (in Act Two)
Elisha Musgraves
as Narrator,
Mussolini,
and Sister Marie
as Narrator,
Mussolini,
and Sister Marie
Shaun McCoy
as Cardinal Spellman
as Cardinal Spellman
Emily Stratton
as Camillo
and Ensemble
as Camillo
and Ensemble
THE WRITERS
The book, music, and lyrics of Lapopessa the Musical and Lapopessa the Musical Concert were written by Paul N. Dion and Allen M. Dion. The production of Lapopessa the Musical Concert scheduled for September 2022 is Paul and Allen Dion's first theatrical production. A full-production workshop version of the musical is being planned in 2023. Paul and Allen are long-time musical theater fans, and Allen has written and produced an off-Broadway musical production in New York City.
THE CAST and CREW
Paul N. Dion (Producer, Composer)
Paul is an entrepreneur with a background in occupational therapy and social work. His business ventures include corporate incentive travel, computer hardware and consulting, fine art galleries, misophonia awareness merchandising, and rental property management. He was the Executive Producer of the Action Media Production of Quiet Please… a full-length film documentary on the neurological brain disorder known as misophonia. Paul is a producer and composer of the new musical, Lapopessa, a long-term project that has produced many personal rewards. As a man with many interests, Paul has enjoyed painting, clay sculpture, landscaping, woodworking, farming, making music videos, and many other aspects of music (including trumpet, guitar, ukulele, piano, and electronic keyboard). Paul's family has always been paramount, and his children and grandchildren are ever-present in his life. Along with his husband of thirty years, Paul has had opportunities for extensive worldwide travel. Lapopessa the Musical is Paul's first musical production, and the work of refining the music continues to be a welcomed part of daily life.
Allen M. Dion (Producer, Composer)
Allen is a native of New York, where he received his B.A. and M.A. at Queens College, where he wrote two musicals and won first-place trophies for each. He went on to write fund-raising musicals for Cancer Care and Muscular Dystrophy. His full-length original musical, Homeseekers, explored the struggles of abandoned and abused children. It was presented off-Broadway at the Nat Horne Theater on theater row and at the Urban Arts Theater. Allen was mentored by the extraordinary producer/director Harold Prince, a legend who won more Tony awards than any other individual. Mr. Prince inducted Allen into his "faithful first-nighters" and invited Allen to all of his first-night Broadway openings. There, he met his musical theater idol, Stephen Sondheim. His next musical, Father, Father, centered around Father George Clements of Chicago and his successful efforts to be the first Roman Catholic Priest to adopt a child. In the 80s, Allen became aware of a nun who propelled a priest named Eugenio Pacelli to become Pope Pius XII. Allen subsequently flew to Switzerland to meet with a nun who served with Pascalina. His extensive interview with her provided him with invaluable information. Today's performance of Lapopessa the Musical is the realization of a long dream for Allen. He would like to thank his extraordinarily talented and gifted composer/writer husband of 30 years, Paul Dion. He would like to offer his heartfelt appreciation to the incredibly talented and hard-working cast and crew. Enjoy the show!
JOHN LESLIE (Director)
The book, music, and lyrics of Lapopessa the Musical and Lapopessa the Musical Concert were written by Paul N. Dion and Allen M. Dion. The production of Lapopessa the Musical Concert scheduled for September 2022 is Paul and Allen Dion's first theatrical production. A full-production workshop version of the musical is being planned in 2023. Paul and Allen are long-time musical theater fans, and Allen has written and produced an off-Broadway musical production in New York City.
THE CAST and CREW
Paul N. Dion (Producer, Composer)
Paul is an entrepreneur with a background in occupational therapy and social work. His business ventures include corporate incentive travel, computer hardware and consulting, fine art galleries, misophonia awareness merchandising, and rental property management. He was the Executive Producer of the Action Media Production of Quiet Please… a full-length film documentary on the neurological brain disorder known as misophonia. Paul is a producer and composer of the new musical, Lapopessa, a long-term project that has produced many personal rewards. As a man with many interests, Paul has enjoyed painting, clay sculpture, landscaping, woodworking, farming, making music videos, and many other aspects of music (including trumpet, guitar, ukulele, piano, and electronic keyboard). Paul's family has always been paramount, and his children and grandchildren are ever-present in his life. Along with his husband of thirty years, Paul has had opportunities for extensive worldwide travel. Lapopessa the Musical is Paul's first musical production, and the work of refining the music continues to be a welcomed part of daily life.
Allen M. Dion (Producer, Composer)
Allen is a native of New York, where he received his B.A. and M.A. at Queens College, where he wrote two musicals and won first-place trophies for each. He went on to write fund-raising musicals for Cancer Care and Muscular Dystrophy. His full-length original musical, Homeseekers, explored the struggles of abandoned and abused children. It was presented off-Broadway at the Nat Horne Theater on theater row and at the Urban Arts Theater. Allen was mentored by the extraordinary producer/director Harold Prince, a legend who won more Tony awards than any other individual. Mr. Prince inducted Allen into his "faithful first-nighters" and invited Allen to all of his first-night Broadway openings. There, he met his musical theater idol, Stephen Sondheim. His next musical, Father, Father, centered around Father George Clements of Chicago and his successful efforts to be the first Roman Catholic Priest to adopt a child. In the 80s, Allen became aware of a nun who propelled a priest named Eugenio Pacelli to become Pope Pius XII. Allen subsequently flew to Switzerland to meet with a nun who served with Pascalina. His extensive interview with her provided him with invaluable information. Today's performance of Lapopessa the Musical is the realization of a long dream for Allen. He would like to thank his extraordinarily talented and gifted composer/writer husband of 30 years, Paul Dion. He would like to offer his heartfelt appreciation to the incredibly talented and hard-working cast and crew. Enjoy the show!
JOHN LESLIE (Director)
John Leslie is a retired piano and vocal instructor and coach. He is currently the organist and choir director at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in West Boylston and is frequently music director for Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. John enjoys being part of the creative process and has worked on several original musicals and plays. John's credits include being part of multiple versions of local composer-playwright Stephen Murray's original musical "Making Scents," for which John was music director at Worcester County Light Opera. He was an actor at Barre Players Theatre in 1997, an actor at NOMTI "Birth of a Musical Festival" at Suffolk U. in Boston, and director at Calliope Productions. John was also an actor (playing U.S. President John Adams) in the cast of "Cannibals of the Heart (or Louisa Adams Writes a Play)" by Santa Fe playwright Mark Dunn, produced by Vanilla Box Productions in Worcester. John is happy to now be working with Allen and Paul on their original musical, Lapopessa the Musical. John recently co-directed Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years" for Calliope Productions (performed just last week!) and will be directing "The Twenty-fifth Putnam County Spelling Bee" for New Players Theater Guild in Fitchburg (performance dates in late October and November). John enjoys meeting new theater colleagues and collaborators, such as composers Allen and Paul Dion, and particularly new talented actors, as in this show. Thanks, all.
Megan Paluzzi (Pascalina)
Megan is excited to be returning to the stage after a year-long hiatus. A 2021 alumna of Russell Sage College, she studied creative arts in therapy and was an active member of the Theatre Institute at Sage. Some of her favorite past roles include the title role in The Snow Queen, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, and Actress One in Baskerville. Megan is currently an Intensive Care Coordinator for YOU Inc. and a graduate student working towards her M.S. in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology. She would like to thank Allen, Paul, and John for this amazing opportunity and wishes broken limbs to all the cast! Feel free to learn more and reach out at www.MeganPaluzzi.com
Joel D. Seger (Tisserant)
Joel has a multi-faceted background, including performing in musicals, plays, video, film, modeling, and radio. He fondly remembers his first performance on stage… as a singing and dancing marshmallow. It's been uphill all the way! Since his humble beginnings, Joel has performed onstage and worked backstage with many theatre companies. He last appeared on stage as Agatha Trunchbull in "Matilda." Favorite shows include "George M" (playing George), "Crazy for You" (playing Bobby), and "Jesus Christ Superstar" (direction). Joel spent 22 years working at CCS Dance Academy with Christine C. Seger, his wife, and partner. Looking for a new adventure, the pair decided to close the studio in 2016. Currently, they own Vanilla Box Productions, a theatrical production company, where he is the Artistic Director.
In addition to producing and directing shows with VBP, Joel continues to direct, choreograph, and design shows for theatre groups in MA. and R.I.
Paul Conway (Pacelli/Pius XII)
is honored to be joining the cast for the original concert production of Lapopessa as Pacelli. Some of his favorite past roles have been Edward Bloom in Big Fish; Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Seymour in The Little Shop of Horrors; Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown; Bellamy in The Fantasticks; The Wizard Of Oz in The Wizard of Oz; The Constable in Mary Poppins and recently The King in Cinderella. Paul is involved in not only musical theater but Cabaret singing around the New England area. Paul is a former 22-year cast member of the Walt Disney Company. During the day, Paul is a regional manager with Konecranes. Paul wants to thank the creative and production team for giving him this amazing opportunity to be a part of the production and wishes his fellow cast mates the best…Break Legs!!
Elisha Musgraves (Mussolini, Marie, Narrator)
Elisha is thrilled to be joining the original cast of Lapopessa. She first made her debut on stage at age eight as Lady Licorice in a production of Candy Land and, since then, has been a theater and music lover and performer. Her notable roles include Paulette in Legally Blonde; Katherine in Taming of the Shrew; the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz; the Minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress; and Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors. Elisha enjoys singing rock, jazz, and blues in her free time and has performed with a few local musicians around central and eastern Massachusetts. During the day, she works as an environmental engineer for Comprehensive Environmental Inc. Elisha would like to thank Paul and Allen for writing an inspiring original musical and for allowing her to help bring their creation to life. She also thanks her friends, family, and cast mates for their support and encouragement to help her show up and do her best.
Shaun McCoy (Spellman)
Shaun is excited to portray Spellman and be on stage for the first time since college! And bring this original show to life for the first time. His favorite past roles are the comfort counselor in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family. A native of Sandwich, MA, Shaun studied chemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he was involved in musical theater and improv comedy. He has lived in Barre since graduating in 2019. By day, Shaun is a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.
Emily Stratton (Ensemble)
Emily is a vocal coach based in Grafton and has been singing her whole life. She graduated from Westfield State University with a degree in Vocal Performance and a love for the arts. She is honored to be a part of the Lapopessa the Musical ensemble. After three years away from the stage, she is delighted to make her way back to performing as a whole. She would like to thank her fellow cast member Megan for reaching out to her to be a part of this astonishing production. Previously, she appeared in roles such as Diana from Next To Normal and Woman #2 in Edges: The Musical. She knows everyone will enjoy the show and wishes her fellow cast members a sincere "break a leg!"
SOUND and LIGHTING
Don Gauvin
PUBLICITY - MARKETING - SOCIAL MEDIA
Allen Dion, Paul Dion, Henry Chipman
CREW
Frank DeGaetano, Terrance Doherty, Seamus McMaster
Megan is excited to be returning to the stage after a year-long hiatus. A 2021 alumna of Russell Sage College, she studied creative arts in therapy and was an active member of the Theatre Institute at Sage. Some of her favorite past roles include the title role in The Snow Queen, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, and Actress One in Baskerville. Megan is currently an Intensive Care Coordinator for YOU Inc. and a graduate student working towards her M.S. in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology. She would like to thank Allen, Paul, and John for this amazing opportunity and wishes broken limbs to all the cast! Feel free to learn more and reach out at www.MeganPaluzzi.com
Joel D. Seger (Tisserant)
Joel has a multi-faceted background, including performing in musicals, plays, video, film, modeling, and radio. He fondly remembers his first performance on stage… as a singing and dancing marshmallow. It's been uphill all the way! Since his humble beginnings, Joel has performed onstage and worked backstage with many theatre companies. He last appeared on stage as Agatha Trunchbull in "Matilda." Favorite shows include "George M" (playing George), "Crazy for You" (playing Bobby), and "Jesus Christ Superstar" (direction). Joel spent 22 years working at CCS Dance Academy with Christine C. Seger, his wife, and partner. Looking for a new adventure, the pair decided to close the studio in 2016. Currently, they own Vanilla Box Productions, a theatrical production company, where he is the Artistic Director.
In addition to producing and directing shows with VBP, Joel continues to direct, choreograph, and design shows for theatre groups in MA. and R.I.
Paul Conway (Pacelli/Pius XII)
is honored to be joining the cast for the original concert production of Lapopessa as Pacelli. Some of his favorite past roles have been Edward Bloom in Big Fish; Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Seymour in The Little Shop of Horrors; Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown; Bellamy in The Fantasticks; The Wizard Of Oz in The Wizard of Oz; The Constable in Mary Poppins and recently The King in Cinderella. Paul is involved in not only musical theater but Cabaret singing around the New England area. Paul is a former 22-year cast member of the Walt Disney Company. During the day, Paul is a regional manager with Konecranes. Paul wants to thank the creative and production team for giving him this amazing opportunity to be a part of the production and wishes his fellow cast mates the best…Break Legs!!
Elisha Musgraves (Mussolini, Marie, Narrator)
Elisha is thrilled to be joining the original cast of Lapopessa. She first made her debut on stage at age eight as Lady Licorice in a production of Candy Land and, since then, has been a theater and music lover and performer. Her notable roles include Paulette in Legally Blonde; Katherine in Taming of the Shrew; the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz; the Minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress; and Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors. Elisha enjoys singing rock, jazz, and blues in her free time and has performed with a few local musicians around central and eastern Massachusetts. During the day, she works as an environmental engineer for Comprehensive Environmental Inc. Elisha would like to thank Paul and Allen for writing an inspiring original musical and for allowing her to help bring their creation to life. She also thanks her friends, family, and cast mates for their support and encouragement to help her show up and do her best.
Shaun McCoy (Spellman)
Shaun is excited to portray Spellman and be on stage for the first time since college! And bring this original show to life for the first time. His favorite past roles are the comfort counselor in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family. A native of Sandwich, MA, Shaun studied chemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he was involved in musical theater and improv comedy. He has lived in Barre since graduating in 2019. By day, Shaun is a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.
Emily Stratton (Ensemble)
Emily is a vocal coach based in Grafton and has been singing her whole life. She graduated from Westfield State University with a degree in Vocal Performance and a love for the arts. She is honored to be a part of the Lapopessa the Musical ensemble. After three years away from the stage, she is delighted to make her way back to performing as a whole. She would like to thank her fellow cast member Megan for reaching out to her to be a part of this astonishing production. Previously, she appeared in roles such as Diana from Next To Normal and Woman #2 in Edges: The Musical. She knows everyone will enjoy the show and wishes her fellow cast members a sincere "break a leg!"
SOUND and LIGHTING
Don Gauvin
PUBLICITY - MARKETING - SOCIAL MEDIA
Allen Dion, Paul Dion, Henry Chipman
CREW
Frank DeGaetano, Terrance Doherty, Seamus McMaster
The Music of Lapopessa is
Copyright © 2023 Paul N. Dion and Mango Dog Music (ASCAP)
Copyright © 2023 Allen M. Dion and Never Heard of Her Music (ASCAP)
Copyright © 2023 Paul N. Dion and Mango Dog Music (ASCAP)
Copyright © 2023 Allen M. Dion and Never Heard of Her Music (ASCAP)