PBT Welcomes 20 Pittsburgh Celebrity Guest Stars to The Nutcracker

Posted on by Machaela Erdeljac

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) is thrilled to be joined by 20 Pittsburgh celebrity guest stars during this year’s The Nutcracker. During 17 performances, the guest stars will have walk-on roles during the prologue and the “Party Scene” in Act I. They will appear in performances during the production, which runs December 5-28 at the Benedum Center.

Having celebrity guest stars in cameo appearances has become a tradition for PBT’s The Nutcracker production. This year, the local celebrities range from local government officials and television stars to news anchors, sports stars and social media influencers. The Pittsburgh celebrities participating in guest star roles in The Nutcracker this year include:

  • Charlie Batch (Fri., Dec. 5 @ 7 pm), Pittsburgh Steelers and Founder of Best of the Batch Foundation
  • Latasha Wilson-Batch (Fri., Dec. 5 @ 7 pm), Executive Director of Best of the Batch Foundation
  • Megan Shinn (Sat., Dec. 6 @ 2 pm), KDKA-TV Anchor and Reporter
  • Corey O’Connor (Sat., Dec. 6 @ 7 pm), Allegheny County Controller & Pittsburgh Mayor-Elect
  • Bonny Diver (Sat., Dec. 6 @ 7 pm), iHeart Radio Host, & Founder of Hair Peace Charities
  • Jeremy Reynolds (Sun., Dec. 7 @ 12 pm), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Critic and Journalist
  • Chandi Chapman (Fri., Dec. 12 @ 7 pm), WTAE-TV Anchor and Reporter
  • Victoria Vespico (Sat., Dec. 13 @ 2 pm), Miss Pennsylvania 2025
  • Brooke Hyland (Sat., Dec. 13 @ 7 pm), Dance Moms
  • Amanda Neatrour (Sun., Dec. 14 @ 4:30 pm), Mrs. Pennsylvania 2024
  • Arjun Manjunath (Fri., Dec. 19 @ 7 pm), Social Media Content Creator
  • Daisy Jade (Sat., Dec. 20 @ 7 pm), KDKA-TV “Pittsburgh Today Live” Reporter
  • Perry Ninness (Sat., Dec. 20 @ 7 pm), Administrative Officer at UBS
  • Sara Innamaroto (Sun., Dec. 21 @ 12 pm), Allegheny County Executive
  • Frzy (Sun., Dec. 21 @ 4:30 pm), Musician
  • Chloe Lukasiak (Tues., Dec. 23 @ 7 pm), Dance Moms
  • Kendall Vertes (Fri., Dec. 26 @ 7 pm), Dance Moms
  • Mary Ours (Sat., Dec. 27 @ 2 pm), KDKA-TV Meteorologist
  • Lindsay Ward (Sat., Dec. 27 @ 7 pm), Pittsburgh Reporter and Content Creator
  • Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier (Sun., Dec. 28 @ 12 pm), Dance Moms

*Please note that guest star appearances may be subject to change

PBT’s current version of The Nutcracker, choreographed and created by former PBT artistic director Terrence S. Orr, is the perfect fit for local celebrity appearances due to its special Pittsburgh-centered vibe. The Nutcracker includes more than 13 Pittsburgh connections – from Kennywood, the Kaufmann’s Clock and Shadyside to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Mount Washington, the Aviary and more. The distinctive Pittsburgh feel of this ballet makes it great fun to include Pittsburgh guest stars in walk-on roles – adding to the Pittsburgh flair!

Join PBT on this unforgettable adventure during the most magical time of the year.

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Read more about The Nutcracker celebrity guests below:

Charlie Batch

Pittsburgh Steelers and Founder of Best of the Batch Foundation
Friday, December 5, 7:00 P.M.

Charlie Batch is an NFL quarterback, community advocate, author, media personality, entrepreneur, and professional speaker who takes his “Expect Your Best” message to audiences across the country. Charlie’s NFL career spanned 15 years, and in 2002, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as the backup quarterback and was instrumental in critical game wins that led the team to Super Bowl XL and XLIII. After his retirement, he has continued to be a respected strategist in the NFL, providing game commentary for national sports outlets, including CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, SiriusXM NFL Radio, and Yahoo! Sports.
In 1999, Charlie created the Best of the Batch Foundation, which gives Pittsburgh city kids a safe place to learn and grow. The Foundation offers numerous programs that teach kids life skills and help them succeed. He also serves on multiple non-profit boards to help improve the lives of others. A graduate of Steel Valley High School and a native of Homestead, PA, he has become widely known as a service leader who gives back to his hometown. Charlie resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Latasha, and their five dogs.

Latasha Wilson-Batch

Executive Director of Best of the Batch Foundation
Friday, December 5, 7:00 P.M.

Latasha Wilson-Batch serves as the Executive Director of the Best of the Batch Foundation. Her leadership has helped spearhead the growth of the Batch Foundation, which reaches more than 3,300 boys and girls from financially challenged communities annually. She has also developed special programs for young girls and women with emphasis on education, sports, and fun. Latasha is a community advocate and motivational speaker. Honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for Engagement and Inclusion, Ms. Wilson-Batch serves on several boards, in the Pittsburgh area and is currently Vice President in the Off The Field Players Wives Association, which raises funds for local and national charitable organizations with a focus on supporting children’s health and charities that strengthen families.
Latasha and her husband, Charlie Batch, have five four-legged kids: Roxie, Bunz, Snoop, Nate, and Aysia. They reside in the Pittsburgh area. Ms. Wilson-Batch recently completed her MS degree in Professional Counseling at Carlow University and is now pursuing her doctorate in psychology.

Megan Shinn

KDKA-TV Anchor and Reporter
Saturday, December 6, 2:00 P.M.

Megan Shinn is the morning weekend anchor and a weekday reporter at KDKA-TV. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Megan anchored the morning newscasts in Indianapolis, and launched a new evening show focused on in-depth, community-based stories. She covered everything from breaking news, to military homecomings, and the Indy 500. This has earned her an Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her passion for news took off in Southern California where she earned a BFA in Television Broadcast Journalism from Chapman University. During college, she interned at top markets including KNBC and KCBS/ KCAL in Los Angeles; she also worked for ESPN3. One of her favorite college experiences was having circumnavigated the globe on “Semester At Sea.”
Megan is invested in the Pittsburgh community, and she loves cooking, hiking, and exploring her forever home with her husband, Mike.

Corey O’Connor

Allegheny County Controller & Pittsburgh Mayor Elect
Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.

A lifelong Pittsburgher, Corey O’Connor grew up in Squirrel Hill, attended East Hills Elementary, and earned his degree in early childhood education from Duquesne University. He began his career working on community development for Congressman Mike Doyle before entering public service himself.

Elected to Pittsburgh City Council in 2011, Corey represented District 5 for more than a decade, focusing on community revitalization, public health, and equity. His legislative achievements include authoring the City’s Paid Sick Days Act, advancing affordable housing, passing common-sense gun reforms, and securing record investments in early childhood education and neighborhood infrastructure.

In 2022, Corey was elected Allegheny County Controller, where he prioritized transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. He led audits and investigations that exposed inefficiencies, uncovered unused public funds, and strengthened ethics and pension protections.

In 2025, Corey O’Connor was elected the 62nd Mayor of Pittsburgh. As Mayor-Elect, he is preparing to lead a city government focused on service, equity, and results — strengthening neighborhoods, improving delivery of city services, and building a more resilient and inclusive Pittsburgh for all residents.

He lives in Point Breeze with his wife, Katie, their two children, Molly and Emmett, and their dogs, Tippy and Nova.

Bonny Diver

iHeart Radio
Saturday, December 6, 7:00 P.M.

A cancer survivor for 22 years, Bonny Diver hosts the iHeart Radio podcast, Everybody Dies, which features inspiring stories from those encountering end of life. Additionally, she is a Morning Drive Traffic Reporter for 6 iHeart Radio Stations in Pittsburgh and has a streaming show on Music from the 412 called Bonny With A WhY.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Bonny moved to Pittsburgh in 1993. She was featured in Family Circle magazine as a “Survivor Making A Difference”, received the Komen Survivor of the Year Award (2010), and won two trophies from the March of Dimes Air-Awards.

Bonny is the Founder and Executive Director of Hair Peace Charities, providing financial assistance for women and girls to purchase wigs. Every afternoon, when done reporting traffic, she talks to cancer survivors. In her free time, Bonny loves walking her dog, Diego, and aims to attend at least one concert every week.

Jeremy Reynolds

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Journalist
Sunday, December 7, 12:00 P.M.

Jeremy Reynolds is the classical music critic and cultural reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A trained clarinetist, Reynolds now covers the performing arts in Pittsburgh and beyond for a range of publications including Symphony Magazine, OPERA America Magazine, Opera Magazine, Early Music America and more.

Reynolds also trained as a radio announcer in Syracuse, New York, and Dallas, Texas, where he served as a weekend host for the classical station WRR and as the national host for the broadcasts of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Although he never studied ballet, Reynolds did earn a college scholarship from the Texas Square Dancing Academy. In his spare time, Reynolds is a fitness and performing arts enthusiast.

Chandi Chapman

WTAE-TV Anchor and Reporter
Friday, December 12, 7:00 P.M.

Chandi Chapman anchors Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 weekend evening newscasts and reports during the week. She is a New Castle native and University of Pittsburgh graduate who joined the WTAE team in 2017. Chandi has won several awards for her work, including multiple regional Emmys and two Edward R. Murrow awards. She has also been honored with two National Association of Black Journalist Salute to Excellence Awards and numerous Associated Press and state broadcast association awards, including Best TV Personality.
Chandi held positions in the industry that include anchoring, producing, editing, shooting, web producing and assignment desk duties. Chandi started her career at WTAE and has worked in various positions at stations in Ohio, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia before returning to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. Outside of the newsroom, she enjoys cooking, traveling, volunteering in the community, watching mystery and comedy movies and having new adventures. She is active in the Junior Miss Program to help young girls shape their futures and loves practicing martial arts whenever she gets a chance. She resides in the Pittsburgh area with her family.

Victoria Vespico

Miss Pennsylvania 2025
Saturday, December 13, 2:00 P.M.

Victoria Vespico, 26, a native of Shavertown, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania 2025 on June 21st at the Appell Center in York. A proud graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, she is a sustainable development advocate and a three-time children’s book author. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Education at Wilkes University.

As Miss Pennsylvania, Victoria travels the state and Washington D.C. with her
community service initiative, “Sustainability Starts With You.” As the Founder and Executive Director of Sustainability Starts With You, she empowers people to embrace sustainability for future generations. Victoria encourages changing the world through #Simple Changes. Her mission is to inspire youth to lead with purpose and impact.

She is an author of three children’s books introducing young learners to sustainable
development concepts in an accessible way. The books are titled”Cows Are More
Than Milk”, “Bring a Bucket”, and “Sustainability Starts With You.”

She brings over 20 years of Girl Scouting experience to her mission of inspiring youth to be future leaders. She is currently part of the Communications team at America250PA, the Pennsylvania Commission for the celebration of the Semiquincentennial of the United States of America. Victoria was also named to Governor Shapiro’s Next Gen Advisory Committee. Victoria represented Pennsylvania in the Miss America Competition in September, where she brought her advocacy to a national stage.

Brooke Hyland

Dance Moms
Saturday, December 13, 7:00 P.M.

Brooke Hyland was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her appearance as part of the original cast of “Dance Moms” from Seasons 1–4, where she was a dancer. She later attended Ohio University, where she studied business and put those learnings into practice. Today, she continues to grow her online presence as a social media personality while pursuing opportunities in lifestyle, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. After moving back to Pittsburgh a few years ago, she has loved reconnecting with the city, contributing to its growth, and becoming more involved in the community. In Brooke’s free time, you’ll find her trying a new restaurant or experience, spending time with friends, family, and her dog Jack, planning her 2026 wedding, taking a workout class, or cooking something fun in the kitchen.

Amanda Neatrour

Mrs. Pennsylvania 2025
Sunday, December 14, 4:30 P.M.

On April 14, 2024, Amanda Neatrour was crowned Mrs. Pennsylvania American 2024, and proudly represented the Commonwealth at the Mrs. American competition. As a caregiver to a mom with Alzheimer’s, Amanda worked alongside the Alzheimer’s Association, being recognized as a Community Leader to support efforts to raise awareness of the needs of caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s, and advocating for greater societal and government support. As Mrs. Pennsylvania, Amanda spoke with state lawmakers about the impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia on caregivers, has been a moderator for important community discussions, and was a speaker and performed the US National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Amanda also partnered with Healthy Start Pittsburgh, supporting efforts to further education on the impact of healthy parents and caregivers on the health and wellbeing of our babies.
As a community leader, Amanda served as an inaugural member of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission and as its Chair, advocating for a more equitable city, with a particular focus on pay equity. This year Amanda completed a term as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women where she served as the Chair of the Aging sub-committee, and Spring 2025 Amanda was sworn in as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Office of Alzheimer’s Dementia, and Related Disorders.
An opera singer and producer, in 2022 Amanda co-produced and starred in an all-woman, new production of Missy Mazzoli’s opera “Song from the Uproar” which was a project aimed at raising awareness of gender disparities in the performing arts. Amanda performed the starring role of Isabel just 7 weeks after giving birth to her second child and is the first Black woman to perform the lead role.
Amanda is an ACC certified coach, certified 200 hour Raja yoga instructor, and owner of Lewis Neatrour Group, a firm which supports leaders and organizations to align their actions and intent, with creating positive outcomes for a sustainable future. Amanda is a graduate of Howard University, and Robert Morris University. She is wife to Russell, mom to two beautiful boys, and dog mom to their rescue Maltese, Tiberius.

Arjun Manjunath

Social Media Content Creator
Friday, December 19, 7:00 P.M.

Arjun Manjunath is a 22-year-old social media content creator and event producer, and a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He got his start in social media creating content about his time as a Pitt cheerleader, studying abroad in Florence, Italy, and living in New York City while interning at TikTok headquarters.
He is the founder of the viral series Romanticize Pittsburgh, where he hosts creative community events and shares a fresh perspective on the city through his storytelling and videos. Originally not from Pittsburgh, Arjun has made it his mission to explore and highlight everything the city has to offer.
Before his work in social media, Arjun was a proud theatre kid and performed in several stage productions, including Legally Blonde: The Musical, Evita, Seussical, Annie, Newsies, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, among others. He credits GVPAA, Garnet Valley High School’s theatre program, for sparking his lifelong love for the arts.

Daisy Jade & Perry Ninness

KDKA-TV “Pittsburgh Today Live” Reporter
& Administrative Officer at UBS
Saturday, December 20, 7:00 P.M.

Pittsburgh native Daisy Jade is a Film/TV Actress, TV Host and Producer. She is the Host and Co-Producer of Fan N’ATion, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated show on KDKA-TV/CBS Pittsburgh, highlighting Pittsburgh sports fans from all over the world. Daisy also reports for the city’s lifestyle and entertainment show, Pittsburgh Today Live. Fan N’ation won a Keystone Media Award for Best Regularly Scheduled News or Sports Talk Program in 2022 and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy.
She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and has appeared in numerous national and regional shows, commercials, and industrials since 1999. She is also involved with various film organizations in Pittsburgh, including Women in Film and Media Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Film Industry Association (PAFIA). Daisy graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts and a Film Studies Certificate.
Perry Ninness is a Pittsburgh-based financial professional and community leader, currently serving as an Administrative Officer at UBS Financial Services. He also lends his expertise to neighborhood development as past President of the Board of the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation, helping guide projects that strengthen and uplift the community.
A graduate of Point Park University with a background in accounting, Perry is known for combining sharp financial insight with a genuine passion for civic engagement.

Sara Innamaroto

Allegheny County Executive
Sunday, December 21, 12:00 P.M.

Sara Innamorato was sworn in as the first woman to serve as the Allegheny County Executive on January 2, 2024. The Innamorato Administration’s guiding principle is to build a strong Allegheny County for All – one that serves all 1.3 million residents – built on a foundation of dignity and respect.

In June 2024, Innamorato announced ‘500 in 500,’ a signature initiative to move people from shelter into stable housing. On day 500 in October 2025, over 600 people had been housed, and more than 500 housing units had been identified.

Innamorato has also prioritized economic development initiatives by investing in business development, Mainstreet improvements, and leading the County’s comprehensive planning efforts.
Sara is a lifelong resident of Allegheny County, currently residing in Upper Lawrenceville. She is a graduate of North Hills High School and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration.

Frzy

Musician
Sunday, December 21, 4:30 P.M.

Harvey “Frzy” Daniels is a 2018 Emmy Award winner for his collaboration with WQED on his hip-hop version of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” and on November 1, 2023, simultaneously released his second and third albums titled Popularity and Success. Frzy is a member of the Recording Academy (which bestows the annual Grammy Awards) and is a Governor of the Board for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. The City of Pittsburgh was inspired to officially declare January 11, 2018, as “Frzy Day.’

Since then, Frzy has become a 2020 Guinness World Record holder for longest freestyle rap at 31 hours, the Smiley Face Cookie at Eat ‘N Park, and has had a mural created in his likeness by famous muralist, Jeremy Raymer. Frzy also serves on the Board of Directors of The Lindsay Theater, all this while being the face of Steve Madden’s “Self Made” Campaign. He has helped to raise more than one million dollars for charities and in May 2023 helped to increase diversity and inclusion awareness via the successful “Books to Bars” campaign with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. He collaborated on a historic one-night concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall on November 8, 2023, which is the world premiere of an orchestration of the nationally known rapper’s new album, Success.

He was honored in City Paper’s People of the Year issue as Musician of the Year 2023 for “taking his craft to new audiences and new heights.” In Fall 2024 Frzy headlined at the epic America250PA national Convening of the States and Partners in Philadelphia, PA and was honored to lecture and perform at TEDxPittsburgh. Recently Frzyheadlined the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s First Night 2025 New Years Performance for 22,000 people. Frzy’s ( Got Milk ) Frzy Day campaign entitled “Milking It” teamed up with legendary Dairy Company “Turner’s Dairy” and The Pittsburgh Public School System to raise $2,500 for the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to provide over 10,000 meals.

Chloe Lukasiak

Dance Moms
Tuesday, December 23, 7:00 P.M.

Chloe Lukasiak was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and was an original cast member of the reality dance show “Dance Moms,” appearing in seasons 1-4 and the “Dance Moms Reunion Series” in 2024. Chloe is an award-winning dancer, actor, author, and activist who has inspired generations with her grace and charisma.

She is a best-selling author of “Girl on Pointe: Chloe’s Guide to Taking on the World” and has a strong social media following, with over 8.3 million followers on Instagram and 3.8 million on TikTok. Chloe has worked with top brands like Pantene, Cover Girl, and Victoria’s Secret Pink!, and continues to share her life with millions of followers online.

She has also served as a ‘Messenger of Peace’ for the United Nations. Chloe graduated from Pepperdine University last year and recently moved to New York City.

Kendall Vertes

Dance Moms
Friday, December 26, 7:00 P.M.

Kendall Vertes, one of the original Pittsburgh girls from the hit series DANCE MOMS is a talented dancer, singer, and creator. Kendall is known for her charismatic, relatable and down-to-earth personality on the show. As a competitive dancer she won the National Championship for JMU in 2024. She is launching her very own new show, “Not So Little” as an addition to Alex Cooper’s UNWELL Network.

Mary Ours

KDKA-TV Meteorologist
Saturday, December 27, 2:00 P.M.

Mary Ours is a KDKA-TV Meteorologist. Mary grew up about 45 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh in the small town of Beaver Falls, known as the hometown of Joe Namath. Mary went to high school there for three years before graduating from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in 2008 where she majored in musical theater.
She began her career in 2013 at WTOV9 in Steubenville, Ohio, where she was a reporter and weekend weather anchor then went to WJAC-TV as the weekday morning meteorologist in 2016.
Mary has always been interested in helping people ever since she was young, including starting her own event to help victims of 9/11 when she was 12 years old. In Mary’s spare time she loves to sing the national anthem at sporting events, binge watch TV shows, and most importantly spend time with her husband, children and her pomsky Jasper.

Lindsay Ward

Journalist
Saturday, December 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Lindsay Ward is an award-winning journalist, having worked as an anchor and reporter for almost 20 years. Her career has taken her to North Carolina, West Virginia, Central and Western Pennsylvania. Lindsay has been Emmy-nominated for her anchoring and
reporting multiple times and is the winner of two Keystone Media Awards for her “Feature Reporting.” She is also the recipient of Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s “2023 Young Alumni Achievement Award,” for her successful career in journalism. Lindsay is from Indiana County and graduated from IUP. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Tony and their two children, Sebastian and Aurora.

Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier

Dance Moms
Sunday, December 28 at 12:00 p.m.

Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier, best known as the “voice of reason” as an original cast member on the popular docuseries, Dance Moms. A doctoral graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, Dr. Hatcher-Frazier worked in education for more than 20 years, in various roles, including as a teacher, administrator and principal before joining the show. Dr. Hatcher-Frazier served as a positive role model both on and off the reality television show. Dr. Hatcher-Frazier enjoys new challenges and inspires others through public speaking and sharing her reflections as a podcast co-host. An avid traveler with an adventurous spirit, Dr. Hatcher-Frazier also enjoys giving back to her community and is honored to serve on the boards of City Theater and the Pittsburgh Film Office. Dr. Hatcher-Frazier is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she enjoys working with other women who are passionate about service, leadership and scholarship. Her most fulfilling roles in life are those of wife and mother to three fabulous children.