

Cast & Creative Team
Ruth Alexander,
Vocals, Piano
Ruth is an Edmonton-based actor/musician originally from Scotland. Her career spans four decades in theatre and television including A Christmas Carol, Once (Citadel Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Freewill Festival); The Children (The Roxy theatre); TWO (Edmonton Fringe); Les Misérables (U.K. Tour); Sweeney Todd (Manchester); Blonde Bombshells of 1943 (London); Macbeth (Liverpool) and a recurring role on Coronation Street. Ruth has an exciting season ahead which includes music directing Nevermore (Catalyst Theatre) and performing her new one-woman musical Dead in the Water at The Varscona Theatre in April.
Chariz Faulmino,
Vocals, Guitar
Chariz Faulmino (She/They/Siya) is a Filipinx-Canadian multi-disciplinary performer based in amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton. Recent Credits include: Almost a Full Moon, A Christmas Carol, Summer Roadshows (Citadel Theatre); A Doll’s House Part II, Mamma Mia! (Wild Side Productions); C.J. (Mayfield Dinner Theatre/Skirts-A-Fire Festival); A Christmas Carol, Summer Roadshows (Citadel Theatre); S.I.S.T.E.R.1.0 & Remount (Fox Den Collective). Catch them next: Uptown Girls, Prison Dancer (Citadel Theatre); Songs Of A Prairie Girl (Wild Side Productions); and Everybody Goes To Mitzi’s (Teatro La Quindicina). They are thrilled to ring in the New year singin’ alongside incredible artists! Manigong Bagong Taon!
Allyson MacIvor,
Drums
As a winner of five Edmonton Music Awards Allyson MacIvor is consistently gathering recognition for her percussive work in ensembles across the country. Her collaborations include such artists as Sarah McLachlan, Raine Maida, Mother Mother, 54-40, Betty, Jim Cuddy, just to name a few. Touring has led her to several main stages including Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Canmore Folk Festival, Astral Harvest, ArtsWells, L-Beach (Germany), and Burning Man. In the past she has performed with the Edmonton Opera, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Alberta Symphony, the Zelda Symphony, whilst accompanying several touring singer-songwriters on drum kit, cajon, and electronic percussion. This season, she is performing with “Jersey Boys” at the Citadel Theatre, the Chelsea Symphony Orchestra, and the Greenwich Village Orchestra in New York City. Allyson may be doing all of this while running percussion clinics across Alberta, but there is no doubt you will be able to find her at a festival, venue, or theatre nearby.
Jameela McNeil,
Vocals
Jameela is an actress, musician, and emerging writer based in Edmonton. She is thrilled to return to the Rice stage to celebrate the music of two music legends! Citadel credits: All Because I’m A Woman Concert, As You Like It (RMTC co-production), The Color Purple (RMTC co-production), The Wolves (Maggie-Tree co-production). Other select credits include: The Fiancée (Persephone); Heaven (Lunchbox); Tell Us What Happened, Here There Be Night, John Ware Reimagined (Workshop West); until the next breath (Catalyst Theatre); Sister Act, All Shook Up, and Soul Sistas (Mayfield). Jameela is a graduate of MacEwan’s Theatre Arts Program and current mentee under the RBC Horizon Emerging Artists Program (Citadel). Enjoy the show!
Allison Ochoa,
Tenor and baritone saxophone, accordion
Allison Ochoa is a musician and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Amiskwaciy Waskahikan. Allison has been playing music professionally for 20 years: performing recording and collaborating on musical projects that span many genres. She regularly performs with local artists including The Brasstactics, Tzadeka and the Murder Hornettes, King Muskafa, DBTS and others, and is excited to make her Citadel debut as part of the Uptown Girls Band.
Aretha Tillotson,
Bass
Aretha Tillotson is a freelance jazz bassist. She has recently completed her Master’s degree at the Berklee College of Music majoring in jazz performance. She is now a faculty member teaching bass at MacEwan University, and will be releasing her first album in early 2023. Aretha has performed in a number of musicals across North America, including SIX (Citadel), The Louder We Get (TC), Hadestown, and most recently Almost a Full Moon and Toque: Songs for a Canadian Winter (Citadel). Aretha thanks: My very recent husband Jacob for all the support!
Patricia Zentilli,
Vocals
Patricia Zentilli (she/her) has performed across Canada in Theatre, Film, TV and Cabaret! Most recently she was on the Citadel Stage in Almost A Full Moon and 9 to 5 The Musical. Patricia currently lives in Edmonton with her amazing 12 year old daughter Melody who has had to listen to her singing all these songs at home for the past month! She is so SO happy to be back in the Rice making music with this group of amazing women. Thank you to everyone at the Citadel Theatre and to you for coming tonight!