Playing roles from a mechanical fortune teller to a precocious tot, here are the 2025 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best featured actor in a musical, as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected for this 2025 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other categories, and check back on Dec. 22 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
Emily Deler, as Star-to-Be in Theatre South Playhouse’s production of “Annie.” (Courtesy Theatre South Playhouse)
Emily Deler
‘Annie’ Theatre South Playhouse
In November: Talk about making an entrance. When Emily Deler bursts onto the stage as the Star-to-Be, you can feel the warmth and joy all the way to the back row of the theater. It’s a sparkling performance that makes you wish the role was bigger. It is her first time in the year-end honors lists.
Adam DelMedico, as Caiaphas in Theater West End’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” (Courtesy Mike Kitaif via Theater West End)
Adam DelMedico
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Theater West End
In June: Adam DelMedico gave High Priest Caiaphas an ice-cold sneer of triumph so chilling that it’s no wonder he was trusted to set the vibe for the entire show by opening it with the distinctive guitar lick. And the sadistically growling DelMedico kept that self-serving, power-hungry cruelty writ large across his face, until the show’s last moment when he brilliantly let his sneer crack into doubt. This is DelMedico’s first time in the year-end honors lists.
Laurel Hatfield, as Evelyn in the Theater West End production of “American Psycho.” (Courtesy Mike Kitaif via Theater West End)
Laurel Hatfield
‘American Psycho’ Theater West End
In October: Laurel Hatfield, so good at portraying smart, capable women flipped the script here and scored again as vacuous, status-seeking Evelyn. Her every movement and facial expression seemed calculated for maximum effect, perfectly serving the social-climbing character. This is her third time in the year-end honors lists.
Anne Hering, as Fraulein Schneider in the Orlando Shakes production of “Cabaret.” (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)
Anne Hering
‘Cabaret’ Orlando Shakes
In February: Anne Hering’s sadness and hopelessness as Fraulein Schneider watches the world she loved come crashing down around her is heartwrenching. In utter defeat, choosing practicality over morality, Hering was utterly magnificent. This is her fifth time in the year-end honors lists; she was the featured actor in a comedy Critic’s Pick in 2022 for playing Mistress Quickly in Orlando Shakes’ “Henry IV, Part 2.”
Morgan Howland-Cook, as the Old Lady in the Central Florida Vocal Arts production of “Sunday in the Park with George.” (Courtesy Central Florida Vocal Arts)
Morgan Howland-Cook
‘Sunday in the Park With George’ Central Florida Vocal Arts
In November: Morgan Howland-Cook had two chances to deliver and scored in both. Her cantankerous Old Woman had delicious chemistry with her put-upon maid and dreamy son. And in the musical’s second act, she was winningly sharp and cynical as an art critic. This is her first appearance in the year-end theater honors.
Tesia Kwarteng, as Charilee in the Winter Park Playhouse production of “Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Hoedown.” (Courtesy Michael Cairns via Winter Park Playhouse)
Tesia Kwarteng
‘Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Hoedown’ Winter Park Playhouse
In November: In what just might be the most exciting local debut of the year, Tesia Kwarteng showed she can do it all with a mix of comic timing, vocal prowess and a healthy dose of heart. In this down-home holiday fest, Kwarteng made far more of her character than was on the page.
Mark Gray Miller, as Herr Schultz in the Orlando Shakes production of “Cabaret.” (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)
Mark Gray Miller
‘Cabaret’ Orlando Shakes
In February: Mark Gray Miller’s innocent face provided a beacon of light in the dark days of Hitler’s rise, which made it all the more heartbreaking for an audience who could predict his character’s sad fate. And Miller positively twinkled in his love scenes with Anne Hering’s Fraulein Schneider. He has one previous appearance in the year-end honors list, for starring in “Born Yesterday” at Mad Cow Theatre back in 2017.
Avianna Tato, as Mary Magdalene in the Theater West End production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” (Courtesy Mike Kitaif via Theater West End)
Avianna Tato
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Theater West End
In June: In a raucous production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Avianna Tato was the beautiful calm in the storm. As Mary Magdalene she put her own stamp on “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” with appealing quiet intensity. She also appeared in this category last year, for her role in “Snapshots” at Winter Park Playhouse.
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/05/orlando-theater-best-of-2025-featured-actor-musical/
