Cast & Crew
Valerie Hull
Musical Director
Val started out as a professional performer at the age of 7 in pantomimes but soon found it was far more fun working behind the scenes. As a Head Teacher of Performing Arts, she coordinated many shows and festivals. After co-founding Picton Theatre Group, Val was Musical Director for Rockdale Musical Society’s ‘La Cage aux Folles’, ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Les Miserables’ before joining Engadine MS for many shows including ‘West Side Story’, ‘Into the Woods’, ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Mamma Mia’.
Recently she has been MD for Arcadian Theatre’s ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change’, ‘Downtown’ and ‘Ladies in Black’. In 2023 she will be MD tunning cast for Stephen Schwartz’s ‘Snapshots’ – an Australian Premiere. She has also had great pleasure working with their children’s theatre, ACT and with NTC.
Susie Henderson
Scenic Director
Susie is an award-winning video designer whose work spans many of Australia’s leading theatre companies, including Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir and Griffin Theatre Company. In 2024, she won the APDG Award for Video Design for Live Performance.
Myah Boyne
Choreographer, Lead Dancer
Myah is truly delighted to be choreographing the SMOS production of “Carousel”, while also taking on the role of Louise Bigelow. Having been a part of musical theatre for quite some time, Myah has contributed her talent to past productions including “Annie”, “Frozen Jnr”, “South Pacific” (on board the Queen Elizabeth to Japan in 2024), “Finding Nemo Jnr”, “Heathers” and “9 to 5”.
Most recently Myah has performed in “Cats” bringing to life the role of Victoria, while she is also starting to choreograph her next “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. Myah first began training at the renowned dance studio “Dance it” in 2013, and also does vocal training with Leigh McRae. With eager anticipation, Myah looks forward to taking on this new and exciting role as choreographer onboard the Queen Elizabeth.
Sam Hernandez
Costume Designer
Sam Hernandez is an emerging artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). Initially drawn to the world of fashion, Sam's passion evolved into a deep fascination with theatrical costume design and costume history. His academic journey at NIDA further nurtured this interest, allowing him to refine his craft in both costume making and design.
With a versatile approach, Sam has created a wide range of costumes, from contemporary and historical pieces to imaginative designs. His work reflects a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the narrative power of clothing in performance. Always striving to push boundaries, Sam is dedicated to merging the artistry of costume with the transformative experience of theatre. Sam is thrilled to be taking his designs to the high seas aboard the Queen Elizabeth for Carousel in Concert.
Noah Bilotta
Featured Ensemble
Noah has been dancing across all genres since the age of two, starting with Halloran School of Dance. He is studying his final year of a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Conservatorium of Music. He has performed with Bankstown Theatre Company and the Con, and studied singing with some of Sydney’s most respected vocalists.
Samantha Atkinson
Soloist/Assistant Musical Director
Samantha is a Wollongong based musician and actor who has been performing onstage since the age of 6. Her first role was Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof, at age 9, where she then joined Arcadian’s Children’s Theatre until she was 16 years old.
Samantha continued performing in shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Carousel, Wicked and Pippin (playing Catherine). From there she has performed as Jane in Tarzan, Sharahzade in Twisted , Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, English Woman in Page 9’s production of Witches, and most recently as Deb in Ordinary Days.
This is Samantha’s first cruise performance and she is excited to see where this journey takes her.
Dani Caruso
Soloist & Resident Director
Dani graduated from NIDA in 2021 with a Diploma of Musical Theatre. In 2022, she made her professional theatre debut as Featured Singer/Cover in Do You Hear the People Sing?, working with Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. Credits include Urinetown at Hayes Theatre Co as Old Man Strong/Soupy Sue, and Lady of the Lake in Spamalot.
Melissa Bush
Mrs Mullin
Melissa’s journey into musical theatre began almost 35 years ago, and she has since embraced a wide range of roles. Some of her favorites include Anna Leonowens (The King and I), Nellie Forbush (South Pacific), Irene Molloy (Hello, Dolly!), Tracy Lord (High Society), Rosemary Pilkington (How to Succeed Business Without Really Trying), Fastrada (Pippin) and Consuela/Somewhere singer (West Side Story).
She especially enjoyed the comedic challenges of Sister Mary Amnesia (Nunsense) and the delightful unpredictability of Rona Peretti (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). Melissa is deeply grateful to her early vocal coaches, Patricia Worley-Smith, Bob Tasman-Smith, and Raymond McDonald, for their guidance, support and encouragement.
When she’s not performing, Melissa enjoys cruising with friends and family, making the chance to be part of this production a true bucket list experience.
Brett Crocker
Featured Ensemble
Brett Crocker joins Sydney Musical & Opera Society from Rockdale Opera Company, where he recently performed Father Pablos in the world premiere of Steven Stanke’s opera The Monk. His other credits include Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Colline in La Bohème and Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Andrew Del Popolo
Featured Ensemble
Andrew is happy to once more have the opportunity to perform on the Queen Elizabeth's stage. He had the privilege of performing the role of Luther Billis (South Pacific) onboard the Queen Elizabeth on its 2024 voyage from Sydney to Tokyo.
Andrew has been involved in the performing arts in Sydney for the last 33 years performing in multiple musicals, plays & concerts, including 8 different productions of the classic 'West Side Story'. This is his 3rd production of 'Carousel' but his first playing the role of the dastardly Jigger Craigin.
Pamela Diaz
Featured Ensemble
Pamela's recent credits include Guys and Dolls, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Addams Family, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mary Poppins, Heathers, Singin’ in the Rain, Kinky Boots, Miss Saigon and Chicago. She trained for 17 years at studios Ettingshausens and Dance Kinetic, and has choreographed for MMTC.
Emerson Goodenough
Featured Ensemble
Emerson is a recent NIDA Diploma of Musical Theatre graduate and continues vocal training with Todd Keys. She understudied and performed Claudia in NIDA’s Nine (dir: Dean Drieberg). Roles include Babette in Willoughby Theatre Company’s Beauty and the Beast and originating Sleeping Beauty in Guy Noble’s The Grumpy Princess.
Christian Hemsley
Featured Ensemble
Christian is ecstatic and so grateful to have another opportunity to perform again on the Queen Elizabeth! His last voyage from Sydney to Tokyo in March 2024, celebrating the Rodgers and Hammerstein 85th Anniversary, South Pacific! An amazing experience with overwhelming love and admiration, this voyage to Singapore will be a highlight in 2025.
Christian has performed in countless shows with companies here in Sydney and Canberra over the past 20 years, both contemporary and classic musical theatre productions as principal, ensemble and backstage support and sung with the legendary Canberra Qwire. Christians most recent roles ranged from Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 to having courage to play the Lion in The Wizard of OZ, and of course reprising his role as Stewpot in the production of South Pacific on Queen Elizabeth!
Christian is thrilled to be a part of Sydney Musical and Opera Society and premiering Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, we know, like Christian, you’ll “all have a real good time!”
Milli Higgins
Soloist
Milli Higgins is a Sydney/Perth based performer and creative. She has trained at WAAPA in the diploma of classical voice and foundation acting course, as well as at AMPA in her bachelors and associate degrees in music (performance) in musical theatre.
She is also trained in various dance styles and is experienced in physical theatre and comedy.
Her recent credits include performing in ‘Twisted Tales: Adelaide Fringe 2025, Sydney Fringe 2024’ as a dancer and in ‘Bubbalicious: Perth Fringe 2025’ (Last Dodo Entertainment), both roles she will be reprising for this years 2025 Sydney Fringe Festival.
Simon Militano
Soloist
Baritone, Simon Militano has performed in many musicals, operas and concert performances. Lead roles include Curly (Oklahoma), Emile De Becque (South Pacific - Cunard Queen Elizabeth Cruise Line and RMS), King Alfonso (La Favorite), The Beast (Beauty and The Beast), Billy Bigelow (Carousel), Inspector Javert (Les Misérables) and Daddy Warbucks (Annie).
Simon has performed across Australia, New Zealand and In Tulane New Orleans and performed at Carnegie Hall, New York, as the winner of an international voice competition (Golden Voices of America). Simon has performed in numerous concerts (Fly Me to the Moon, Broadway Reversed, Music for the Silver Screen), cabaret performances and major events. Simon also regularly performs his own show ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ a celebration of the Golden Age of Broadway and Big Band Specialists.
Simon has studied extensively with D’oyly Carte Baritone Eric Thornton.
April-Marie Neho
Soloist
April is a graduate of the New Zealand Music School. She was an emerging artist with New Zealand Opera, Opera de Montréal and The Australian Opera. Roles include Lady of the Course in My Fair Lady, Bloody Mary in South Pacific with Seabiscuit Productions, The Phantom of the Opera, and South Pacific on Cunard.
Kyle Nozza
Soloist
From the Illawarra, Kyle's credits span musical theatre, touring productions and crossover performance. Favourite roles include Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Charlie Price in Kinky Boots and Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde. Kyle also performs with The Three Waiters and pop-opera group Il Mondo.
Felix Staas
Soloist
Felix (he/him) is a 22-year-old singer, actor and musician, and a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s inaugural Bachelor of Music (Performance) cohort, majoring in Music Theatre.
His stage credits include Max/Cover in Bright Star (Sport for Jove & Hayes Theatre Co, 2025), Cinderella’s Prince and U/S Baker in Into the Woods (SCM, 2024), Featured Soloist in The Voices Concert (Neil Gooding Productions, 2023), and Ensemble/Male Swing in Les Misérables (Packemin Productions, 2023).Felix has also performed in Homegrown, An Evening With and the 2024 Season Launch for Hayes Theatre Co.
Felix made his cabaret debut at Claire’s Kitchen at le Salon in 2024 as both writer and performer. Alongside his music theatre work, Felix is a multi-instrumentalist with experience in band and cabaret settings.
Sydney Musical & Opera Society is delighted to welcome Felix for his debut with the company and looks forward to many future performances.
Ryan Thrum
Featured Ensemble
Ryan Thrum makes his SMOS debut in An Evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein. A recent NIDA graduate, he completed the Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2025. Credits include NIDA’s Musical Theatre showcase, Men: A Cautionary Cabaret, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone. Ryan especially enjoys Golden Age musical theatre.
Bronte Tonks
Featured Ensemble
Bronte is an AMPA graduate with a Bachelor of Music Performance majoring in Musical Theatre. Credits include Frizzle in Believe: A Christmas Musical, Josephine in Josephine Wants to Dance, Maggie in A Chorus Line, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Ariel in Footloose, Jane in Emma and Kathy in Singin’ in the Rain.
