Cassidy Theatre Hall of Honor

Class of 2024

Paul W. & Elise Cassidy

Mayor - City of Parma Heights

Paul W. Cassidy, a longtime mayor of Parma Heights, and his wife Elise, were instrumental in founding the Greenbrier Theatre in 1974, which was later renamed the Cassidy Theatre. The theater was a reflection of their shared love for the arts and community. Elise, an actress, believed that a vibrant community needed cultural outlets, and Paul supported this vision. He oversaw the construction of the theater, turning it into a central hub for local performances.

Their joint efforts helped establish the theater as a key part of Parma Heights' cultural life, where it continues to offer diverse productions to this day.

Jim Riha was a lifetime supporter and influential figure at the Cassidy Theatre (formerly Greenbrier Theatre) in Parma Heights. Over the years, as Recreation Director for the City of Parma Heights, he contributed to the development of the theatre, particularly in its community engagement and production quality. His involvement helped to enhance the theatre’s offerings, making it a cornerstone for local arts and culture in the Greater Cleveland area. Riha’s dedication to the theater has left a lasting legacy in supporting both amateur and professional talent in the region.

James Riha

Rec Director - City of Parma Heights

David Jecmen

Artistic Director

David Jecmen made significant contributions to the Greenbrier Theatre (now Cassidy Theatre) in Parma Heights, primarily as a writer and artistic director. He co-wrote Ebenezer, a Christmas musical based on A Christmas Carol, in collaboration with John D. Roberts in 1979. This work became an important part of the theater's offerings. Jecmen was passionate about bringing classic stories to the stage, contributing to the theater's tradition of producing high-quality community performances. His role as artistic director helped shape the theater’s identity as a center for local arts and culture

John D. Roberts, an educator and musician, played a pivotal role in shaping the Greenbrier Theatre (now Cassidy Theatre) in Parma Heights. As Managing Director, Roberts helped steer the theater's artistic vision. His contributions include founding the Greenbrier Youth Theatre in 1975, where he directed or musically directed over 125 shows. Roberts was deeply involved in the creative process, co-writing musicals such as Ebenezer in 1979, in collaboration with David Jecmen. Additionally, Roberts played a key role in producing original works like Tom Sawyer’s World.

Beyond his work at the theater, Roberts had a significant career in education, serving as Principal of Valley Forge High School and later as a professor at Baldwin-Wallace College. His work in both education and the arts left a lasting impact on the local community.

John D. "Jack" Roberts

Managing Director

Bruce Michalski

Youth Theater Director

Bruce Michalski was an important contributor to the Greenbrier Theatre (now Cassidy Theatre) in Parma Heights. He partnered with John D. Roberts to co-create original musicals, notably Tom Sawyer’s World in 1981, which highlighted their shared vision of bringing fresh, creative productions to the community stage. His contributions as a collaborator and creative force helped to enrich the theater’s artistic offerings, ensuring its reputation as a venue for both classic and innovative productions. Michalski's influence was particularly felt through his ability to work with local talent including young artists, fostering a vibrant theater culture in Parma Heights.

Wings Award Recipients

Acknowledging Outstanding Achievements in the Arts

Ryan Haddad

Actor, Writer

Ryan J. Haddad is an actor and playwright. He made his off-Broadway playwriting debut at The Public Theater with a sold-out, extended run of Dark Disabled Stories, co-produced by The Bushwick Starr. The production earned him the Obie Award for Best New American Play, along with Lucille Lortel, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Additional stage credits include his autobiographical solo play Hi, Are You Single? (Woolly Mammoth/IAMA, Helen Hayes nomination), american (tele)visions (NYTW/Theater Mitu, Lortel nomination), The Watering Hole (Signature), and his cabaret Falling for Make Believe (Joe’s Pub/Under the Radar). His new solo play Hold Me in the Water will premiere next season at Playwrights Horizons. TV: “A Murder at the End of the World” (Hulu) and “The Politician” (Netflix). Haddad received the Drama Desk’s 2023 Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award, Vineyard Theatre’s 2021 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, and a 2020 Disability Futures Fellowship. His writing has been published in the New York Times, Out Magazine, and Alice Wong’s anthology Disability Intimacy. He is an alum of The Public Theater’s Emerging Writers Group and a former Queer|Art Performance and Playwriting Fellow, under the mentorship of Moe Angelos. @ryanjhaddad

Tricia Tanguy

Actress

Tricia Tanguy was the Understudy for all four women in The Marvelous Wonderettes (both the original Off-Broadway company in 2009 and the 2017 Revival). She also served as the Dance Captain for the original Off-Broadway production.
She has done 1,600+ performances on National Tours across the United States, which include the First National Tour of Sister Act (Ensemble; U/S for Mary Robert, Mary Patrick, Martin of Tours, and Mary Theresa), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Understudy to American Idol’s Diana Degarmo), The Producers (Hold Me Touch Me), and Cats (both the recent Revival First National Tour, as a Booth Singer and Understudy for Grizabella and Jellylorum, and as Grizabella on the 2007-2008 Tour). Regionally, she has worked at Theatre Aspen in Aspen, CO and at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse/The Rev Theatre Co. in Auburn, NY (as both a performer and as a director).
As a soloist/vocalist, she has toured Japan and Taiwan with the Orchestra Japan for “Disney on Classic” and has been the featured soloist for concerts with The Rochester Philharmonic and The Cleveland Pops Orchestra. She has sung the National Anthem twice for the MLB's Cleveland Guardians (former Indians) and was the MainStage female vocalist for Holland America Line's Zuiderdam. In total, she has performed in 165 cities throughout 43 of the 50 United States (and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC), in 15 cities within 8 Canadian provinces, and in 30+ cities in Japan.

Corey Mach

Actor

Corey Mach is an American theater & TV actor with more than two decades of professional experience. He has been seen on Broadway in Kinky Boots and the original casts of the Godspell revival & Hands on a Hardbody. He has led the National Touring Casts of Rent, Wicked & Flashdance the Musical. He has starred in multiple World Premiere musicals such as Waitress with Sara bareilles, Mystic pizza, from here to eternity supervised by sir tim rice & mrs. miller does her thing, written and directed by james lapine. He just appeared in the mega successful Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway and will be coming to Cleveland with the national touring company of & Juliet as Shakepeare.

Corey has also been seen on television in "The Blacklist", "FBI" & "Uncoupled" on Netflix and will also be seen on Elsbeth on CBS co-starring Nathan Lane. AND he is the creator & producer of the acclaimed concert series broadway sings