The Rose Theater
2001 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 345-4849
www.rosetheater.org
For Immediate Release
DATE: August 2024
CONTACT: Erin Petersen, erinp@rosetheater.org, 402.345.4849
CAST INFORMATION
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical
Cast Information
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Jack Reilly
Landon Backhaus
Landon Backhaus (Rowley)
Landon is thrilled to be back on the Rose Theater MainStage in the show Diary of
a Wimpy Kid playing Rowley. You might have seen Landon as Charlie in Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory this past summer on the Rose stage. Landon is 13 years
old and has been taking acting/dancing classes at the Rose Theater since he was 3
years old. He has starred in many roles in the Rose Theater Mini & Junior Brigade
productions- Daddy Warbucks in Annie KIDS, Aladdin in Aladdin KIDS, Pinocchio in
My Son Pinocchio JR., Marty the Zebra in Madagascar JR., a Wickersham Brother in
Seussical JR. and Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach JR. He also performed
as JoJo in Seussical last summer at the Papillion Area Community Theater and
as Young Thomas in Tuck Everlasting at the Papillion La Vista South High School
last fall. He just started up eighth grade at Russell Middle School. When he’s not
performing on the theater stage he enjoys playing his violin, playing the percussion
instruments in his school band, or singing with his school show choir. Landon is
thankful for this opportunity to be up on stage performing and thanks everyone who
has supported him. Enjoy the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID show!
Jack Reilly (Greg)
Jack Reilly is so excited to be making his debut at The Rose Theater playing one of
his favorite book characters. He is in 8th grade and loves playing his French Horn
and participating in show choir and jazz band. Jack is so thankful to the cast and
crew who made this an amazing experience. He wants you to know if he had a
journal (NEVER a diary) it’s denitely an experience he’d want to write about. He
hopes you enjoy the show!
Cast Information - Diary of a Wimpy Kid:
The Musical at The Rose Theater
Page 2 of 6
Contact: Erin Petersen, 402.345.4849
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Roz Parr
Finley McKamy
Jaylin Wiese
Sam Rhodes
Jaylin Wiese (Dad)
Sam Rhodes (Rodrick)
Roz Parr (Mom)
Roz is thrilled to be back at The Rose! Most recently, she was Pig-Pig in the world
premiere of “Night at the Farm.” She loves to sing, bake cookies for her cast mates,
and practice yoga. Roz works in communications and as an adjunct English and
theater professor.
Finley McKamy (Manny)
Finley is so excited to be taking the stage once again. Son to Alex and Brooke
McKamy and the middle of four kids, Finn has always loved making people laugh; it
has always been his thing. Ever since he was a baby you could say he’s had a are
for the dramatics. During his down time, Finley loves to sing, read and be with his
family. Finn is also a foodie and always up for tasting new things. Finn is a friend to
everyone and genuinely loves being around people!
Cast Information - Diary of a Wimpy Kid:
The Musical at The Rose Theater
Page 3 of 6
Contact: Erin Petersen, 402.345.4849
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Cruz Martinez
Adele Coffey
Leland Pfannenstiel
Marcus Buttweiler
Leland Pfannenstiel (Fregley)
I have been in classes at The Rose since I was four, and love Boys Athletic Dance
and Junior Brigade. My other interests are all strategy and role playing games, live or
online.
Marcus Buttweiler (Joshie / Ensemble / US Greg & Rowley)
Marcus Buttweiler is excited to be back onstage at the Rose! He has been a fan of the
Diary books since elementary school so he is pumped to be a part of the story now!!
Previously, Marcus played Templeton in Charlotte’s Web. If you want to see Marcus
rocking a Britney mic more than just in the show, catch him coaching at CycleBar
West Omaha!
Cruz Martinez (Chirag Gupta)
Cruz is a freshman at Papio South High School. He has been a part of The Rose
Brigade since 2019. In his spare time he likes to sh and just this summer got a
Master Angler award from the state of Nebraska. He also participates in 4H riding his
horse and enjoys being outdoors.
Adele Coffey (Patty Farrell)
Adele Coffey is a 7th grader that loves singing, acting, and dancing. You may
have seen her last Christmas as an elf in Rudolph. She has participated in The
Junior Brigade at the Rose in shows such as James and the Giant Peach, Seussical,
Madagascar, The Lion King, and Aladdin. When she is not on the stage, you can nd
her playing soccer, running track, reading or hanging with her friends.
Cast Information - Diary of a Wimpy Kid:
The Musical at The Rose Theater
Page 4 of 6
Contact: Erin Petersen, 402.345.4849
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Brendan Brown
Leila Franzen
Sarah Schrader
Joseph Busch
Sarah Schrader (Mrs. Clayton / Fregley’s Mom / Ensemble / US Mom)
Sarah Schrader is very excited to make her Rose debut! Since graduating Benedictine
College in 2021 with degrees in theatre and history, she has pursued her love of
educational theatre and TYA! She toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre for a year
and a half, traveling to 25 US states and Japan before moving back to Omaha. She
currently works as the Education Coordinator at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
When she’s not teaching, rehearsing, or performing, she enjoys hanging out with
her friends and family, being way too competitive while playing board games, and
reading a good book or play. She’d like to thank her parents for their constant love
and support, her sisters for enjoying the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books as much as she
did, and Jeff Kinney for writing a story where the middle child is the main character.
Enjoy the show!
Joseph Busch (Teen Hooligan / Overgrown Kid / Ensemble / US Rodrick)
Joseph’s excited to take the next step in their theatrical career in Diary of a Wimpy
Kid: The Musical. Being a fan of the books they were dumbfounded at the fact that
a Musical rendition even existed. Joseph could be found at your local thrift store or
found at Homers still trying to nd a Type O Negative cd that isn’t Bloody Kisses. I
hope you enjoy the show!
Brendan Brown
(Mr. Huff / Mr. Underwood / Bill Walters / Mr. Winsky / Ensemble / US Dad)
Brendan Brown is excited to be making his debut at The Rose! Brown was last seen
in The Play That Goes Wrong, as Trevor, at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP).
His previous credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots, The
Color Purple, Ragtime, She Kills Monsters, Parade, A Christmas Carol, Mamma Mia!,
Sister Act, and Hairspray, all at OCP. He also appeared in Red Summer at Bluebarn
Theatre.
Leila Franzen (Yvette / Ensemble)
Leila is excited to make her debut in her rst Rose Theater mainstage show Diary
of Wimpy kid. She has previously performed in Shrek as teen Fiona and has played
ensemble roles in productions of Mean Girls and James and the Giant Peach. She is
currently a member of the Rose senior brigade and was previously a member of the
junior brigade. She is also involved with show choir at her middle school. In her free
time, she loves to read, draw, travel with her family and spend time with her friends.
She just started musical theater last year and has fallen in love with it!
Cast Information - Diary of a Wimpy Kid:
The Musical at The Rose Theater
Page 5 of 6
Contact: Erin Petersen, 402.345.4849
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Kylah Calloway
Conrad Balvanz
Max Kolker
Erin O’Hara
Max Kolker (Bryce Anderson / Ensemble)
Hi I’m Maxwell but you can call me Max I’m a fun guy who likes a lot of movies and
theater which led me to try it and love it. I am a huge food nut and I love to cook and
experience food culture, especially Italian stuff. I am super enthusiastic about my
future wherever it takes me. I love to make friends and meet new people. I love to
experience, great thrills and fun and I’m going to enjoy wherever life takes me.
Erin O’Hara (Claire / Ensemble / US Patty Farrell)
Erin is from the very distant and far away state of Iowa and is excited to be back
on the mainstage for Diary of a Wimpy Kid! She is a lover of all things Spider-Man,
Disney, and warm chocolate chip cookies. In addition to her time at The Rose, she
enjoys touching grass with the Girl Scouts, singing with the River City Mixed Chorus
and exploring everything the Omaha area has to offer.
Kylah Calloway (Pauline / Ensemble)
Kylah is excited to be returning back to the Rose Theater in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Growing up this was one of her all time favorite book series to read. She is super
excited to show everyone all the hard work her and her cast mates have put into this
show! Please enjoy the show!
Conrad Balvanz (Chris Hosey / Ensemble / US Manny)
Conrad is thrilled to be making his debut performance at the esteemed Rose Theater.
Currently in the 5th grade, his interests include mathematics, swimming, and various
sports. He is an accomplished percussionist and has achieved the distinguished
rank of Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts. Notably, Conrad holds the esteemed title of
popsicle-eating champion among the cast. He extends his heartfelt gratitude to his
family for their unwavering love, support and driving him to practice. Furthermore,
he expresses his appreciation to his aunt and cousin for introducing him to the Rose
Theater. Lastly, he acknowledges the invaluable contributions of Isaiah, Jerry, and
Meghan for their unwavering support and encouragement during rehearsals.
Cast Information - Diary of a Wimpy Kid:
The Musical at The Rose Theater
Page 6 of 6
Contact: Erin Petersen, 402.345.4849
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Carter Frey
Ainsley Powell
Ainsley Powell (Charlie Davis / Ensemble)
Ainsley is 12 years old and attends Papillion LaVista Community Schools where
she sings in her school chorus. Ainsley has been a Rose Kid since she was 4 years
old, taking Ballet, Tap and Musical Theater classes. Ainsley is currently in her
fourth year as part of the Rose Theater’s award-winning Junior Rose Brigade and
competing at the Junior Theater Festival, winning the award of JTF All-Star for her
role of “Ladybug” in JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH last season and appearing
in the “Outstanding Performance” winning SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL JR. She has
performed in several Rose Theater Main Stage productions debuting in 2022 as
“Marta” in THE SOUND OF MUSIC , the ensemble of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
and one of Santa’s Elves in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. Ainsley’s other
endeavors include performing with the Ralston Community Theater’s WIZARD OF
OZ in July of 2024, placing 3rd overall in Omaha’s Mobile Stage Talent Show 2023
and competing in “Papillion Idol,” winning third place in 2018 and rst place in 2019.
Ainsley loves all things Musical Theater and is so very excited to be a part of DIARY
OF A WIMPY KID!
Carter Frey (Lionel James / Ensemble)
Carter has appeared as Billy in Chanticleer’s production of On Golden Pond and
Peter Cratchit in Omaha Community Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol. At the Rose,
he is active in Boys Athletic Dance and Rose Brigade, as Mayor/Horton understudy
in Seussical and Geppetto in My Son Pinocchio. Local commercials include Nebraska
Tourism, Nissan of Omaha, and Koch. Carter has studied cello for 10 years. He is
a freshman at Elkhorn South High School, and a member of the show choir. Carter
enjoys all things Star Wars and Zelda, jamming on electric guitar (self-taught!), and
extensive research on classic heavy metal and “hair” bands.
