Cast & Creative Details
Ronald Sproat (Book Writer)
Ron Sproat's work was first produced during the tail end of the Golden Age of Television on The US Steel Hour, General Motors Presents, Kraft Television Theatre as well as the BBC and PBS. He was head writer of "Dark Shadows" and created the character of Barnabas Collins, the reluctant vampire whose images shortly thereafter appeared on board games, toys and action figures. Ron did his undergraduate work at Hamilton College where he won the William Duncan Saunders Award for creative writing, received his MA from the University of Michigan, where he was recipient of the Avery Hopwood Award and then an MFA from Yale where he studied with John Gassner. Ron began writing for the musical theatre after joining the BMI Musical Theatre Wrokshop, where, under the guidance of Lehman Engel, he wrote the books for Nobody's Perfect, produced by ELT at Lincoln Center and Ravenswood (seen at Cincinnati Festival of New Works as well as Greenwich House Theatre in New York,_ a musical a clef about the world of television and vampires. He wrote the book for Abie's Island Rose, Off-B'way at Jewish Rep and in Florida at the Hollywood Playhouse (Palm Beach Posts' Ten Best).
Christopher Berg (Composer)
CHRISTOPHER BERG has recently completed an opera based on Shakespeare's "Cymbeline." He has frequently composed cantatas, songs and vocal ensembles for the Mirror Visions Ensemble, often for performances in Paris. Among other performers who have recorded his work is theater legend Elaine Stritch. His most frequently performed song, a setting of Frank O'Hara's "Poem," begins with the immortal line: "Lana Turner has collapsed!" Berg has received grants from the NEA, Meet the Composer, the American Music Center and the Martha Baird Rockefeller Fund, and has been a guest lecturer at The Juilliard School, the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill and Greensboro campuses), and has appeared in Terence McNally's "Master Class" with Kathleen Widdoes and Elizabeth Ashley (u/s). He co-designed the sound for Stari Repertory Theater's production of "The Creation of the World and Other Business," and conducted world premieres of chamber operas, including "Young Goodman Brown" at La Mama ETC, and "A A Harlot's Progress" at La Mama and The Kitchen.
Frank Evans (Lyricist)
Jerry Bock Award for the musical version of the Kaufman-Ferber classic Dinner at Eight (Music: Ben Schaechter, Book: Julie Gilbert) (Drury Lane, 2003). Abie's Island Rose, written with Sproat, Doug Katsaros and Richard Engquist -- off B'way at Playhouse 91, then Hollywood (FL) Playhouse, ranked fifth in the year 2000's Ten Best by the Palm Beach Post. Lyrics for Ravenswood (Cincinnati Festival of New Works), No Speed Limit (Edward Albee Theatre Festival, Valdez, Alaska). Most recently: The Howard Hughes Project, seen at the Snapple Theatre in NYC. His Mid-Life, The User's Guide received a National Alliance for Musical Theatre producer-writer grant and was seen in readings at the 45th Street Theatre in New York. Non-musicals co-written Julie Gilbert: The Puma, which just had an industry reading in NYC with Marc Kudisch as Erich Maria Remarque and Gina Gershon as Marlene Deitrich; and George and Edna go to Omaha, a new play about the collaboration of George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, which will be seen at New York's Algonquin Hotel later this year. Frank serves on the steering committee of the BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and is the recipient of a 2006 Anna Sosenko Trust Award.
Bick Goss (Director)
A theatre professional for 40 years, Bick Goss has worked with such director-choreographers as Bob Fosse and Harold Prince. Most recently directed Roman Nights Off-Bway at DR2. Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle Award: And the World Goes Round; Bay Area Drama-Louge Award for Cole Directed Gwen Verdon in Damn Yankees in NYC, Tony Randall in Damn Yankees at TUTS, Estelle Parsons in Noel and Cole Do It, US Regional premiere of Side Show. Bick is Artistic Director of Musical Mondays Theatre Lab.
Musical Mondays Theatre Lab, Inc (producer)
Founded by Bick Goss, Musical Mondays Theatre Lab, a not for profit 501 (c) corporation, enters its tenth season developing new works for the musical theatre. MMTL has been active with NYMF since their inception, producing SHORTS, which the New York Times proclaimed "witty, poignant and lusty." MMTL presented initial readings of three musicals which received the Jerry Bock Award, personally chosen by the Pulitzer and Tony Award Winning composer: SEE ROCK CITY...AND OTHER DESTINATIONS, DINNER AT EIGHT and CALVIN BERGER, winner of the 2007 Ricjard Rodgers Award. Other musicals to move forward include productions of THE TRAGICE AND HORRIBLE LIFE OF THE SINGING NUN, LIKE YOU LIKE IT, TOP OF THE HEAP at NYMF and productions and workshops of WANDA'S WORLD, CUPID AND PSYCHE, ABIE'S ISLAND ROSE, THE ARC, PATSY CLINE and the upcoming NEXT TO NORMAL (formerly FEELING ELECTRIC) at 2nd Stage.
Musical Mondays has presented works by writers such as Amanda Green and Tom Kitt (HIGH FIDELITY) and Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (AVENUE Q). For more information: musicalmondays.org
Pat Flicker Addiss (Producer)
PAT FLICKER ADDISS: Spring Awakening (8 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical), Little Women, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life; Bridge & Tunnel (2006 Special Tony Award), SHOUT. Algonquin Roundtable Tea at 3, TRU Board, CTI Grad, National Arts Club Play Reading Series; Associate eBroadwayPlays.com (internet based theatre investment).
Rick Stevens (Producer, General Manager)
Mark Janas (Musical Director)
Conducting: two international tours for Leonard Bernstein, Les Miserables, 1st & 3rd National Tours, Texas Opera Theatre, Houston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, Assistant to Leonard Bernstein - New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony. Musical Direction / Arrangements: The York Theater (with Thommie Walsh), Irish Repetory Theater, Yale Rep New Dramatists, Century Center for the Performing Arts, Chautauqua Institute, Arkansas Rep. and the Hippodrome State Theater, War Brides at SBT Theatre. Original Works: PoeSCrypt, The Lone Star(with Jack Dabdoub and Ann VanCleave.) Cabaret: a legendary collaboration with Mac and Bistro winner Julie Reyburn, 2002 BACK STAGE Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction. Accompanied: Betty Buckley, Karen Mason, Byron Nease, Sylvia McNair, Liza Minnelli. Talk Of The Town at the Algonquin Oak Room. nbsp;Member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop where he is writing "Pinocchio of Chelsea."
Brett Singer and Associates (Press Representation)
Brett Singer & Associates, LLC specializes in publicity for theater, music, dance, special events and individual artists. Past and current credits include The Classical Theater of Harlem, Urban Stages, ELLE starring Alan Cumming, Criss Angel: MINDFREAK, PIRATES OF PENZANCE at the South Street Seaport, The Peccadillo Theater Company, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, and legendary film director Melvin Van Peebles.
Maruti Evans (Set and Lighting Designer)
Raissa Katona Bennett (Vera)
RAISSA KATONA BENNETT- recently debuted at the Metropolitan Room, NYC with her cabaret show "It's Possible," directed by Eric Michael Gilett with Musical Director, David Caldwell.
Broadway: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as "Christine Daae," CHESS with Josh Groban. National: "Chrstine" standby in PHANTOM...LA and 1st Nat'l tours; "Jellyorum/Griddlebone": CATS, 1st Nat'l Tour, "Mother": A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES, National Tehatre of the Deaf; "Lizzie Phagan": PARADE, 1st National Tour with composer/conductor Jason Robert Brown, and Harold Prince, director. World Premiere of SAVING AIMEE as "Grace," book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford, music by David Friedman & David Pomeranz. Solo CD: WHAT WAS I DREAMING OF available at www.raisa.info. Home is with husband, Dr. Garrett Bennett and their two tiny dogs, Brandy and Otie.
Jeff Scot Carey (Jerry)
Jeff Scot Carey (Jerry) is proud to be a part of this spirited and charming piece. Recent New York Credits include TAILS (45th St Theatre), THE FENG SHUI ASSASSIN (Ars Nova), THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Abridged) (Stella Adler Studio-City Attic Theatre), THE ORDER OF THINGS (UNDER St. Marks), and the title role in the Rock Musical DORIAN GRAY (NYMF.) National Tours include RENT, GREASE, CINDERELLA, and SOUTH PACIFIC, as well as the Tenth Anniversary World Tour of RENT. TV/Film credits include ONE LIFE TO LIVE and ALL MY CHILDREN as well as the Independent Shorts ETHAN AND JANE, SUPER BRENDEN, and R13-09. Thanks to the Cast, Creatives, and the inspiring people at NYMF. www.jeffscotcarey.com.
Adam J MacDonald (Tom)
Adam is happy to be back in the city after a great summer in the mountains at the Flat Rock Playhouse doing CINDERELLA (Prince) and NUPTIALS (Jerry Parker). Off-Broadway: The MAC nomination production of TALK OF THE TOWN (Sherwood); GOOD NEWS (Tommy); LOVE FROM JUDY (Gordon). Favorite Regional: MY FAIR LADY (Freddie)-Nat'l Tour); 1776 (Jefferson); PUTTING IT TOGETHER (Man 2); BYE, BYE BIRDIE (Birdie). It's fall and the means football -- Go Bills.
Kristin Maloney (Mo)
Kristin Maloney just completed a run of the Off-Broadway show Sessions (Sunshine/Mary u.s. - performed). Other NYC performing credits include: The Streets of New York (Irish Repertory Theatre), The Glass Blowers (New York City Opera) and Talk of the Town (Peccadillo Theatre/Algonquin Hotel). Regional favorites include: Meet Me in St. Louis (Esther - Westchester Broadway Theatre), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie - Gateway Playhouse), Chicago (Roxie - Forestburgh Playhouse) and Musical of Musicals-the Musical! (Woman 1 - Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Kristin is a member of the BMI Musical Theatre Songwriting Workshop (Lyricist) and Actors Equity Association. www.kristinmaloney.com
Vanessa June Marshall (Doris)
Vanessa June Marshall is thrilled to be returning to NYC theatre after taking a hiatus to beocme a mother! She starred most recently as Pertelote (the hen) in the Prospect Theatre Company's "The Book of the Dun Cow." Favorite regional roles include Cinderella in "Into the Woods," Marsinah in "Kismet," Irene in "Hello Dolly," Jenny in "Threepenny Opera," and -- of course-- Doris, et. al.
in the 2005 reading of "War Brides." Vanessa holds a BA in Music from UCLA and a MFA in Theatre from Brooklyn College. Endless love Jeff and Molly and many thanks to the "Back Home" creative team for the opportunity! www.vanessajunemarshall.com
Christina Morrell (Alice)
Christina Morrell-Off Broadway: WHEN THE LIGHTS GO ON AGAIN (Nancy). Regional: STEEL PIER (Rita)at the Cape Rep Theatre. 1st National Tours: OKLAHOMA (Helen/Ado Annie cover) and OLIVER! (Charlotte, original tour cast) ---
both NETWorks/Cameron MackIntosh Productions. Other New York theater: THE CLASSICS PROFESSOR (Cassandra/Helen) at CAP21's Shop Theatre; BROADWAY OUR WAY at Helen's, PACIFIC 1860 and NEW GIRL IN TOWN at the York Theatre Company. Readings: WAR BRIDES at NYMF & the York Theatre, THE CLASSICS PROFESSOR and REBELS at CAP21's Shop Theatre, SIX OF ONE, Abe Burrows Theattre, BERTHE THE SEWING MACHINE GIRL at the Players Club.
Danielle Erin Rhodes (Ivy)
Dan-i-elle feels blessed to be a part of NYMF and to have this opportunity to work with some amazing individuals. A proud member of Actor's Equity, she is a singer/songwriter and musician: (www.myspace.com/DaniRhodesRocks) and a music director for the Presbyterian Church of Astoria. She enjoys teaching voice and music to kids, cooking, baking, football season, and playing Mad Libs. Ms. Rhodes toured Western Europe as 'Rizzo' in the musical, Grease! Her national tours include Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver! (Rose Seller, Nancy cover) and The Three Irish Tenors (onstage keyboards). Regional: RAGS(Bella), Footloose(Ariel), 42nd St.(Lorraine), They're Playing Our Song ( Sonia), La Cage Aux Folles(Cagelle), Damn Yankees. Thanks to family and friends for undying support, Mark Janas rocks.
Steve Sterner (Ivy's Dad)
STEVE STERNER was most recently seen in A NOVEL ROMANCE at the Folksbiene Theatre. He's appeared on Broadway in OH, BROTHER! and YIDDLE WITH A FIDDLE, and off-Broadway in THAT'S LIFE, KUNI-LEML, YENTL and many others. Steve is the house pianist at the Film Forum in New York where he has has composed music for and accompanied over 300 silent films. He has just joined the Museum of Modern Art in the same capacity. His crossword puzzles have appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES.
Jenn Zarine Habeck (Jean)
Jenn Zarine Habeck is thrilled to be a part of the NYMF! Recent NYC credits: SHOW CHOIR! THE MUSICAL (Melissa Sparing) at the NY Fringe
Festival, OUR GOD'S BROTHER and LINNEA at the Storm Theatre, PHILIP MAZZEI: A JAZZ OPERA with Teatromania, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
(Candy). Favorite regional credits include: BERLIN TO BROADWAY
(Soprano), LUCKY STIFF (Annabel), WEST SIDE STORY (Maria), A LITTLE
NIGHT MUSIC (Anne). Jenn holds a BM in voice from the Eastman School
of Music and is a graduate of the Circle in the Square Theatre School.
Much thanks to family, friends, Frank and the rest of the creative
team! www.jennzarinehabeck.com
Joe Danbusky (Cyril)
Joe Danbusky --- is pleased to be returning to the NYMF, where he last performed in THE FLUTE PLAYER'S SONG in 2004. Recent New York Credits: HOWARD HUGHES PROJECT at the Snapple Theatre and ROSS at the Storm Theatre, ORANGE at Center Stage.
International Tour: SOUND OF MUSIC (Franz). National Tours: SOUND OF MUSIC (Franz),MY FAIR LADY (Higgins), CRAZY FOR YOU (Lank). Off-Off Brodway: SHAKEDOWN STREET (2005 NY Fringe Festival), A FIRING (Love Creek Productions), AMERICAN NOCTURNE, (Wings Theatre), FIRST KISS (TSI Playtime Series)and FAIR LIBERTY'S CALL (South Street Seaport. Regional/Stock: THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD, ANYTHING GOES, SEVEN BRIDES...,PARADE, SPIDER WOMAN, INTO THE WOODS, ROCKY HORROR, FANTASTICKS, GUYS AND DOLLS, FIDDLER...,RAGS, BILOXI BLUES, ENTER LAUGHING...among others. Thanks to Frank and the gang for this opportunity.
Karen Evanouskas (Stage Manager)
David Gilliam (Costume Designer)
|
Christopher Berg, Frank Evans and Ron Sproat
