About the Artist

We all have dreams, big and small. Whether it’s climbing Mount Fuji or finally organizing your kitchen junk drawer. And if you’re an actor you most definitely have a dream role. Join us for a night of some tears, lots of laughs, and all of the magical music as Carly Stocking, Cara Chumbly, Nathan Cooper, Nicky Mendelsohn, and Neil Stratman sing the music they’ve always dreamed of singing. 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. With nine shows at Hey Nonny under their belts, you are most definitely in for a dreamy night!

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. She has spent the last year and a half creating sold out cabarets at Hey Nonny. 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), and As You Like It (Milburn Stone). Carly has recently become co-owner of Setting the Stage children’s theatre in Arlington Heights.

Cara is so excited to be performing with Hey Nonny again! She just finished performing at the Greenhouse Theatre in Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish as Glimmer the Elf and has recently started singing with Shout Section Big Band around the Chicagoland area. She is an assistant preschool teacher and part-time pasta server when she is not on the stage. Cara is a teaching artist, animal lover, health & wellness coach, performer, and mental health advocate. A big shout out to my 20 lb. cat, Guinness, for being my biggest fan.

Nathan Cooper 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

Max DeTogne is thrilled to be back performing in his hometown. A bit of a cabaret enthusiast of late, Max is a graduate from local John Hersey High School in 2009 and then North Central College in 2013. Max is a three time Jeff Award Nominee for title roles as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Theo Ubique), Rob in High Fidelity (Refuge Theatre Project), and Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde (Kokandy Productions) and most recently performed as Lord Evelyn Oakley with Music Theater Works. www.MaxDeTogne.com

Nicky Mendelsohn is thrilled to be back for his 5th Cafe Carly! Nicky’s Chicago credits include Annie (Citadel Theatre), Freaky Friday (Williams Street Rep), Poseidon! (Hell in a Handbag), Flies! The Musical!, It’s Only a Play (Pride Films and Plays), and Tony and Tina’s Wedding (Chicago Theatre Works). Regional credits include Timerlake Playhouse, The Round Barn Theater, Priscilla Beach Theater, and Cedar Point. Nicky holds a BFA from Western Michigan University. He would like to thank his family and Nick for the love!

Neil Stratman is Dreaming. Sweetly. Of the day he will play McDreamy in Grey’s Anatomy – the musical farce. Since that probably won’t happen (rights are pending, finger’s crossed), he will sing about his sweet, sweet dreams for you all tonight. Some recent favorite credits include Pirelli in Sweeney Todd (RMRT), Garry Lejeune in Noises Off (Metropolis), and Neil in Living his Best Life (My Apartment). Much love to Carly, Jeff, and his family. Follow his writing and other shenanigans at neilstratman.com