About the Artist

Hey Nonny’s first sell-out was our first Café Carly cabaret show — featuring Chicago’s most talented young musical theater performers, wrangled into a uniquely-themed show by hometown girl (and former NYC cabaret performer) Carly Stocking. Every Café Carly presents different songs, performers and jokes, but every one is a polished, high-energy songfest for delighted crowds. “Oh, Grow Up!” explores the lively, fun-filled, and  often awkward moments of childhood and whether or not we truly have to grow up. Featuring Carly Stocking, Sandra DeAthos, Lauren Paris, Joe Giovannetti, Nicky Mendelsohn, and Nathan Copper.

Carly Stocking is an Arlington Heights native and received her BFA in Acting from Illinois Wesleyan University. She returned to Chicago after spending five years in New York City producing, directing, and performing in cabaret shows. Theatre credits include: Cinderella in Cinderella, Miep Gies in The Diary of Anne Frank, and Helen in the West Coast Premier of Bob (B Street Theatre), Open For Me (Voices Theatre), and As You Like It (Milburn Stone). Carly is currently a director for Setting the Stage in Arlington Heights.

Sandy DeAthos is an old friend of Carly’s and is so excited to be a part of her cabaret. She comes from Michigan, resided in Illinois for 22 years where she taught at Illinois Wesleyan University for 12 of them, where she met Carly and now lives in Charleston, South Carolina where she is the Head of Opera at the College of Charleston. Some of her favorite roles are Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Mimì in La Bohème and Giorgetta in Il tabarro. Big hugs and love to her Wesleyan family, to her husband, Harold and her kids Maggie and Gray!

Lauren Paris was most recently seen in a critically acclaimed performance as Percy in THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Refuge Theatre Company), other favorite roles include Yitzhak in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (Haven Theatre), Mary Magdalene in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL, Diva in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT (Pride Films and Plays), and understudying The Witch in INTO THE WOODS (The Hypocrites). Credits also include work with Theatre at The Center, Porchlight Music Theatre, Piven Theatre Workshop, Underscore Theatre Company, Emerald City Theatre, and the first Chicago productions of SPRING AWAKENING (directed by Jonathan Berry, Griffin Theatre Company) and RENT (directed by Tony Award Winner David Cromer, American Theatre Company/About Face Theatre). A frequent cabaret performer, Lauren also co-created the #ChiTownSings concert series, honoring pop artists in quarterly, sold out shows. Lauren produces, hosts and performs in each event, which boasts a performance roster of 15+ performers from Chicago’s beloved musical theatre community, backed by a 5 piece band. Oh, and her cat Bruno is 1000x more famous than she will ever be (@theebrunobartlett). www.laurenparis.net, @theelaurenparis

Joe Giovannetti, an Arlington Heights native, is a singer, actor, teacher and arts administrator living in Chicago. Recent theatre credits include A Chorus Line (Frank, u/s Mike, Mark, Greg, Porchlight Music Theatre),The Full Monty (Malcolm, Theo Ubique), The Most Happy Fella (Herman, Theo Ubique, Jeff Award Nomination for Supporting Actor), and Wild Goose Dreams (Music Consultant, La Jolla Playhouse). Joe has worked as a teaching artist at various performing arts programs in the Chicago suburbs, including Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Saint Viator High School (interm Director of Choral Activities) and John Hersey High School. When not performing, Joe works full time in the Development office at Goodman Theatre.

Nicky Mendelsohn is an Arlington Heights native who is thrilled to be back at the gorgeous Hey Nonny! Nicky made his Cafe Carly debut last November singing in Ain’t Love a B@#$%. Nicky’s Chicago credits include Poseidon! (Hell in a Handbag), Flies! The Musical!, It’s Only a Play (Pride Films and Plays) and the final Chicago cast of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding (Chicago Theatre Works). Regionally, Nicky has worked with Timberlake Playhouse, Priscilla Beach Theatre, The Round Barn Theatre, and Cedar Point. Nicky would like to thank his parents, his brother, and his husband for the love.

Nathan Copper is an Iowa raised and Chicago-based singer. Most recently seen with Scott Alan at Davenport’s Piano Bar and with Chi-Town Sings at The Den. He is thrilled to be making his return to Arlington Heights after playing Igor in Young Frankenstein (Metropolis Performing Arts). You can also find him every Wednesday night at Replay Beer and Bourbon hosting karaoke. www.nathanmcooper.com Insta: Natopotato23

Travis Austin Wright is a Chicago native. He has performed at Drury Lane, Paramount, Chicago Shakes, Mercury Theatre & Porchlight Music Theatre. Travis produces, writes and records music as Travie AUSTIN. You can find his work on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and everywhere that music is streamed!

Jeffrey Poindexter is an active music director and pianist in the Chicagoland area. In addition to his work as an adjunct faculty accompanist at Roosevelt University, Jeffrey’s freelance work includes playing for a number of concerts, recitals and private events throughout the year. Jeffrey earned a master’s degree in jazz piano from DePaul University.