Meet The Cast

Want to know who's making you laugh so hard ?

Well, meet our cast !

Richard Cortez
Cast Member
Award winning and internationally recognized singer-songwriter and Wollenberg Records founder, Richard Cortez, is overjoyed and grateful to be a part of the Laffing Matterz cast. Richard, named Best of Gay South Florida's Male Entertainer of the Year '07, has appeared most recently at both South Carolina and Milwaukee Pride with legendary musicians and television personalities RuPaul, Kathy Griffin, Joan Rivers, Bruce Vilanch, Patti LaBelle and Melissa Ferrick. Having just released his 4th independent album, "Sleeping with Strangers," Richard is delighted to announce that his work can now be purchased world-wide through the itunes music store, amazon.com and cdbaby.com! In the way of theatre, Richard studied Musical Theatre at AMDA in New York City and has appeared most recently in shows such as BARE - a rock opera, Escorts the Docu-Musical,The Jungle Book and Let There Be Balloons. Richard would like to thank God, his Fans, Friends and Family and he would like to especially thank Mark & Rita Wells, Jamie Cooper, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, his fellow Cast Members for making this incredible experience a
possibility!

Clay Cartland
Cast Member
Is thrilled to join the cast of Laffing Matterz. After returning to Florida one year ago Clay has been performing with Slow Burn Theater Company in their productions of Assassins and The Rocky Horror Show. Before the move Clay was in Austin, Texas where credits include Parade, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, On the Town, Macbeth and Urinetown. When Clay is not performing he can be seen around South Florida doing Stand-Up comedy and Improv at Just the Funny in Coral Gables. Clay would like to thank his family for their support through this transitional phase and Laffing Matterz for letting Clay do what he does best, make people laugh.

Cannon Starnes
Cast Member
Broadway National Tour "THE FULL MONTY" (Buddy Keno Walsh), Off-Broadway "NAKED BOYS SINGING (The Naked Maid), Regional Theatre Favorites: "CABARET" (Emcee), "JOSEPH/AMAZING TECHNOCOLOR DREAMCOAT" (Joseph), "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES" (Nicky), "FOOTLOOSE" (Lyle), "THE SECRET GARDEN" (Fakir), "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN" (Tommy Keeler), "CRAZY FOR YOU" (Wyatt), and some I have purposely forgotten. Happy to be back in Florida for the winter enjoying the sun and fun with family and friends. LIVE, LAUGH, AND LOVE - you only get one chance!

Angela Thomas
Cast Member
Angela was discovered at the age of 4 singing and dancing on tables for money at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Decatur Illinois. Immediately after, her mother used her earnings to enroll her in Tap lessons. Angela continued to perform and received her BA in theatre from Eastern Illinois University. It was her MFA in Acting and Directing from Florida Atlantic University that brought her to Florida. Angela was the Artistic Director of the Florida Playwright’s Theatre in Hollywood from 1993-2000. She was named Best Actress in a Comedy by the New Times “Best of” issue for her portrayal of Doris in The Loman Family Picnic and received a Supporting Actress Carbonell nomination for the role of Holly in Uncommon Women and Others. Angela teaches theatre as an adjunct professor at Broward College and is a theatre teacher in the Broward County schools. She received a Broward County Teacher of the Year nomination in 2008. Angela is so thrilled to be a part of Laffing Matterz and would like to thank Mark, and Rita for the incredible opportunity, the amazing Phil Hinton for getting her back into the biz, and her 6 year old daughter Frances aka “Frances Harvard” for the insight, direction, and constant motivation

Olivia Williamson
Cast Member
Back in South Florida for the first time since high school, Olivia Williamson is very excited to join the cast of Laffing Matterz. After finishing an entire season as an acting intern at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, she is thrilled to be wearing shorts and skirts once again, but not so thrilled about the shaving all the time part. Olivia graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a B.F.A. and a new found love of cowboys. Yeehaw! Some of her favorite acting credits include Sorel Bliss in "Hay Fever", the Official in "The Possibilities", Mrs. Cheveley in "An Ideal Husband", and Belisa in "La Discreta Enamorada". In her spare time Olivia does not enjoy going to the gym, cleaning her room, or watching the sun rise. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant encouragement and love and all of you for coming out to support live theater.

Gina Gloria
Cast Member
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, Gina began a promising career as a preventative healthcare specialist after obtaining her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. But she soon realized that she could not find true fulfillment and happiness working behind an ergonomic desk and carpeted cubicle walls. So one fateful day, Gina packed her most cherished belongings into two suitcases and a duffel bag, boarded a plane to New York City, and vowed never to look back. She studied musical theatre performance at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has been fortunate enough to be a working actor ever since graduating in October 2009. Her favorite credits include Chicago (Go-to-Hell Kitty), High School Musical (Ms. Darbus), and most recently Miss Saigon (Yvonne) at the Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables. Gina is delighted to begin the newest chapter of her fairy tale with Laffing Matterz and looks forward to the adventures that await her. Onward, to happily ever after!

Kaitlyn O'Neil
Cast Member
Kaitlyn O'Neill is thrilled to be joining the cast of Laffing Matterz. A graduate of University of Miami, she was most recently seen in Evil Dead: The Musical as Cheryl at The Promethean Theatre, and as Sara Jane Moore in SlowBurn Theatre's Assassins. Recent credits include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Paulina in A Winter’s Tale, and Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She has also performed with the Florida Gold Coast Opera and the Dallas Opera Company.

Travis Lane McDiffett
Cast Member
Travis has been a performer for as long as he can remember. Past performances include 4+ years as "wrangler of unruly children" in K-8 Music Educator, "folder of napkins and setter of table"s for 13+ years in The Food Service Industry, smiling politely and nodding for 2+ years as front desk agent in Hotel Guest Relations, getting in touch with his working class roots for a few months in Warehouse Box Lifter and most recently learning patience and perseverance in the Barnes & Noble production of Bookseller.
He has even been an actor on occasion; appearing regionally as Seymour in The Little Shop of Horrors, Bobby in Company, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Older Patrick in Mame, and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, among several others. However he’s most proud of the 6 years he assumed the new identity of Lane and joined the cast of The Crystal Palace Theatre Restaurant in Aspen, CO. Although he’s traded his snowboard and goggles for flip flops and sun glasses, a part of his heart will always be with the family of friends he left behind in the mountains. Now, Travis is excited to be part of the Laffing Matterz family and looking forward to entertaining/offending the masses here in Fort Lauderdale!

Rusty Allison
Cast Member
Rusty Allison is thrilled to be back Laffing along with so many old friends. He also is thrilled to add a few new faces to the Six Degrees of Rusty Allison game. A graduate of AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy), Rusty has worked all over South Florida since relocating here from NYC in 2000. Recently scene in 1776 at Actor's Playhouse and Taming of the Shrew at New Theatre, favorite roles include Sweeney Todd and Morris in No Way to Treat a Lady. Special thanks to Mark, Rita, Jamie and Phil for the chance to be your server, as well as his old friends at the Broward Center, where he has been scene in Tony & Tina's Wedding, Grandma Sylvia's Funeral (which he also co-directed). Rusty sends his love to Robin, Jake, and brother Jay. And by the way, would you like lobster bisque with that?

Marisa Guida
Cast Member
Marisa is thrilled to be in her second season at Laffing Matterz. Upon graduating from the William Esper Studio in NYC Marisa moved to Florida to be with her family and continue her education.
Marisa is currently studying at FAU for her BA in Theatre and looks forward to continuing on to graduate school...some day.
Favorite performances include Connie in Tony n' Tina's Wedding (off broadway), Ortega in Ferdinand the Bull (TheatreworksUSA), Delores in Working, Rachel in Reckless & Frastrada in Pippin.

Phil Hinton
Production Musical Director
Phil was, for many years, a pianist, arranger and conductor for the BBC in London, UK. He has also arranged and conducted more than 250 albums for artists such as Anthony Newley, Shirley Bassey, Howard Keel, Vince Hill and Andrew Lloyd-Webber to name just a few. He was also Vince Hill's personal music director for nine years. Since permanently relocating to the USA in 1994, he has directed countless theatre shows all over the USA as well as having toured with Aretha Franklin and Jim Bailey. He has also given many classical and jazz piano recitals around the USA and on several cruise ships, including the world-famous QE2. Phil was also conductor of the Florida Pops Concert orchestra for three years. Apart from now being music director for the new Laffing Matterz he is also director of music for LMIC in Coral Springs.

John Eustace
Executive Chef
Chef John has been the Executive Chef at Laffing Matterz since its doors first opened in August of 2005. Originally from Norwalk, CT, he studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Since relocating to the Sunshine State, Chef John has shared his culinary talents at the Wyndham-Bonaventure Resort and Spa, East City Grille, Himmarshee Bar and Grill, Café Max and Pa’ DeGennaro’s.

Jamie Cooper
Production Goddess
Jamie has been actively working as a production manager in South Florida for over fifteen years. Originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, she came to Florida to attend the University of Miami where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education. Jamie has stage managed and served as technical director for numerous musicals and revues for corporate events including Motorola, Hewlett Packard, The Florida Sterling Awards, and The Nevada Governor’s Council. Some of her musical theatre credits include La Cage Aux Folles, Zero Hour, The Life, Perfect Harmony, Jim Bailey as Barbra Streisand, The Kid From Brooklyn, and Groucho starring Gabe Kaplan. Jamie has also served as tour director / company manager for over 30 Florida touring productions. In addition to stage managing, Jamie has also worked extensively as a choreographer and lighting designer all over the world. Her International credits include production shows at The Theatre Variete, Palais Montcalm, and The Shawinigan Theatre in Canada, Minakami, Dogashima, and Inatori Resorts in Japan, and most recently The Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas.