Articles in the Back Stage Category
CORE CAST:
- Maytal Bach…Lucy (***Role shared with Dakota Dry – scroll down to see youth performance dates)
- Alona Bach… Susan
- Michael Barrett Austin…Tumnus (Member of Actors’ Equity Association)
- Jonathon Brooks…Ensemble – Servant, Wolf
- Reid Davis…Mr. Beaver
- Dakota Dry…Lucy (***Role shared with Maytal Bach – scroll down to see youth performance dates)
- Alex Franklin…Edmond (^^^Role shared with Will Reicher – scroll down to see youth performance dates)
- Mary Gibboney…Mrs. Beaver
- Ben Haas…Fenris Ulf
- Andrew Humann…Peter
- Calia Johnson…Ensemble – Servant, Reindeer, Unicorn
- Kayla Lauzier…Ensemble – Servant, Fox, Dog
- Charisse Loriaux…White Witch/Mrs. Macready
- Kimberly Miller…Ensemble – Servant, Reindeer, Phoenix
- Betsy Picart…Ensemble – Servant, Dryad
- Anthony Rollins-Mullens…Aslan/Professor Digory
- Will Reicher… Edmond (^^^Role shared with Alex Franklin – scroll down to see youth performance dates)
- Terry Rucker…Father Christmas
- Elissa Stebbins…Ensemble – Servant, Squirrel, Leopard
- Jonathan Trinh…Ensemble – Servant, Wolf
- Jeremy Vik…Dwarf
- Brenna Wahl…Ensemble – Servant, Reindeer, Bull
- Jimi Wheeler… White Stag
YOUTH ROLE PERFORMANCE DATES:
^^^Alex Franklin & Dakota Dry Performance Dates:
3/12 @ 2pm; 3/13 @ 3:30pm; 3/18 both shows; 3/19 @ 2pm; 3/25 @ 7:30pm; 3/26 @ 2pm; 3/27 @ 11am; 4/1 @ 7:30pm; 4/2 @ 2pm; 4/3 @ 3:30pm
***Will Reicher & Maytal Bach Performance Dates:
3/12 @ 6:30pm; 3/13 @ 11am; 3/19@6:30pm; 3/2 both shows; 3/24 @7:30pm; 3/26 @6:30pm; 3/27@ 3:30pm; 3/31 @ 7:30pm; 4/2 @ 6:30pm; 4/3 @ 11am
YOUTH INTERN (ENSEMBLE) PERFORMANCE DATES
THE SWORDS
Performing 3/12 – 6:30pm; 3/13 – 11am; 3/18 – 7:30pm; 3/19 – 2pm; 3/20 – 3:30pm; 3/25 – 7:30pm; 3/26 – 6:30pm; 3/27 – 11am; 3/31 – 7:30pm; 4/2 – 2pm; 4/3 – 3:30pm
- Shoshana Fendel
Bayla Jaffe
Miya “Mouse” Drain
Nandi Drayton
Averil Lough
Francesca Fernandez
Bridey Bethards
THE ARROWS
Performing 3/12 preview; 3/13 – 3:30pm; 3/18 – 9:45am; 3/19 – 6:30pm; 3/20 – 11am; 3/24 – 7:30pm; 3/26 – 2pm; 3/27 – 3:30pm; 4/1 – 7:30pm; 4/2 – 6:30pm; 4/3 -11am
- Leo Jergovic
Danieli Sarid
Jacob henrie-Naffaa
Niamh Collins
Abby Medina
Truly Edison
Leah Treidler
Frenchie Davis was born in Los Angeles, Calif. She began as a theatre student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. While studying there, she got her first acting/singing job playing one of the street urchins in a production of Little Shop of Horrors with a small theatre company in Germany.
The same German company later rehired her for a production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the following year. After her return to the states, she auditioned for American Idol…and was flown to LA, made her mark on the show, and turned out to be a huge favorite with america to win the show.
Frenchie worked in 2003 as a “Grammy” correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and performed the song “And I Am Telling You” on the set of ET for the show as well.
She was then cast in the Broadway show RENT, from which she took a leave of absence to portray the role of “Effie White” in the West coast tour of the play DreamGirls.
Frenchie was originally signed to star in RENT for 6 months but it turned into nearly 4 years. Before she left the show in early April 07.
Rent, featuring book, music and lyrics by the late Jonathan Larson, has played almost 11 years at the Nederlander Theatre, where it opened on April 29th, 1996. A rock musical adaptation of Puccini’s La Boheme, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning musical.
Frenchie also starred as “Betty Currey” in the comedy satire about President Clinton, called “Monica” the musical. This was done for the New York musical theater festival.
In August, Frenchie stepped into the shoes of Jennifer Holliday and starred in a one women stage play (for Hartford, Conn. Stage) based on the legendary gospel great “Mahalia Jackson” This production was called “Sing, Mahalia, Sing’.
In November of 2008 Frenchie co-headlined in (with her American Idol friend Ruben Studdard) the 30th Ann. touring road show of the hit broadway play “Ain’t Misbehavin.” Naturally she will be playing the part that won Nell Carter a Tony Award….and got rave reviews for the role and received a Grammy nomination for the cast recording.
In July 2009 Frenchie released a dance cover of the Shannon classic “Give Me Tonight” which takes thishit song to a whole new place and for a whole new generation. The song got amazing reaction from the Billboard DJ’s and from Frenchie’s fans all over the world. his song went top 20 on the Billboard Dance Charts.
In the late summer of 2009 famed DJ/Remixer Tony Moran released Frenchie’s second dance single called “You Are” as a Cd single. The song turned out to be an amazing track from the legendary producer Tony Moran. This song went to #5 on the Billboard Dance Charts.
In November of 2010, Frenchie took on the starring role of the “Fairy God Mother” in the Berkeley Playhouse production of “Cinderella.”
Frenchie is also in the process of starting to record her “debut” CD, which will be a combination of the “classics,” “broadway” and a few new “original” songs.
Needless to say the sky is the limit for this amazingly talented lady with a “god given” voice from above…..
Aladdin …….. William Hodgson
Jasmine ……. Jenna Davi
Genie ……….. Ted Barton
Jafar …………. Anthony Rollin-Mullens
Sultan……….. John Hale
Iago ………….. Dan Saski
Magic Carpet……… Hannah Dworkin
Razoul ………. Salvador Real
Ensemble: Emily Alvarado; Crysthian Avyar (First 3 Weekends); Michael Bulatao; J.P Gonzales; Betsy Picart; Salvador Real; Sukanya Sarkar; RJ Villanos (Last 2 Weekends); Chris Waters
Youth Ensemble:
Siena Bogatin …appears 8/8; 8/22; 9/3; 9/4; 9/5
Alex Franklin…appears 8/7; 8/12, 8/14; 8/15; 8/20; 8/21; 8/26; 8/27; 8/28/; 8/29
Jackie Grigsby…appears 8/8; 8/20; 8/21; 8/22; 9/3; 9/4; 9/5
Caroline Hall…appears 8/7; 8/12, 8/14; 8/15; 8/26; 8/27; 8/28/; 8/29
Rachel Kamil…appears 8/7; 8/12, 8/14; 8/15; 8/26; 8/27; 8/28/; 8/29
Averil Lough…appears 8/8; 8/20; 8/21; 8/22; 9/3; 9/4; 9/5
Caleb Meyers…appears 8/8; 8/20; 8/21; 8/22; 9/3; 9/4; 9/5
Emma Pond… appears 8/7; 8/12, 8/14; 8/15; 8/26; 8/27; 8/28/; 8/29
Laurel Rosenbaum…appears 8/8; 8/20; 8/21; 8/22; 9/3; 9/4; 9/5
Director: JENNIFER KING
Music Director: AMY DALTON
Choreographer: DANE PAUL ANDRES
Costume Design by JULIA KWITCHOFF
Lighting Design by SCOTT PHILLIPS
Scenic Design by NINA BALL
Sound Design by MATT COWELL
Props design by MEGAN LUSH
The West Coast Premiere of Disney’s Aladdin is based on the screenplay by Ron Clements with musics by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and produced under license from Disney Musicals and MTI.
In the mythical middle eastern city of Agrabah, City of Enchantment, Aladdin, a kind, but wily street urchin falls in love with the beautiful, Princess Jasmine – but winning her affection is out of the question given his station in life, and her long line of rich and powerful suitors. With a little help from a wacky genie, and a lot of exciting twists and turns and adventure, Aladdin manages to win Jasmine’s hand in marriage, proving that the only thing that really matters, is the richness and power in your heart.
Disney’s Aladdin brings all your favorite characters from the blockbuster animated movie to life on stage, along with all your favorite songs and music including “Friend Like Me”, “Prince Ali”, and “A Whole New World”. Expect a family treasure presented with Disney charm, Broadway bang and Bollywood-style buoyancy!
Running Time: 75 minutes
Single Tix: Adult – $33 / Senior (65 & up) – $30 / Child (up to 17) – $22 / Tot (5 & below) – $15
Julia Morgan Center for the Arts/Berkeley Playhouse has been awarded a $5,500 grant to support its innovative TheatreReach program for Summer and Fall 2010. TheatreReach provides local schools and summer camps with interactive workshops and live theatre experiences. The Long Foundation funds will be used to subsidize professional teaching artist visits to Berkeley and Oakland Click here to read more…
CAST LIST
Bill Sykes ………..……………………………. Aleph Ayin
Bet………………………………………………….. Alona Bach
Dodger ……………………………………………. Katy Corbus
Alister/Maribelle ………………………………. Lauren Doucette
Oliver ……………………………………………… Nandi Drayton
Hester/Ellie/Old Sally ……………………… Hannah Dworkin
Mrs. Sowerberry ………………………………. Mary Gibboney
Charlotte …………………………………………. Sachi Granich / Juliet Wayne
Fagin ………………………………………………. Gabriel Grilli*
Knife Grinder/Ralph/Barret ……………….. Don Hardwick
Mr Bumble ………………………………………. Steven Hess
Grimwig/Bristol ………………………………… William Hodgson
Noah/Book boy ……………………………….. Andrew Humann
Bedwin/Pryne ………………………………….. Mary Kidwell
Bitsey/Mortician ………………………………. Hannah Knapp
Corney/Carrie …………………………………. Casi Maggio
Mr Brownlow ………………………………….. Alex Shafer
Mr Sowerberry ………………………………… Matthew Trahan
Nancy ……………………………………………… Kathryn Zdan
*Appears courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association
FAGIN’S GANG
Emily Abel
Siena Bogatin
Abigail Cohen
Niko Darci-Maher
Alexander Franklin
Ophir Gilad
Bayla Jaffe
Camron Jones
Laurel Rosenbaum
Tess Rubenzahl
Lena Sibony
WORKHOUSE CHORUS
Milo Baker
Toby Darci-Maher
Dakota Dry
Devon Hayakawa
James Hayakawa
Jacob Henrie-Naffaa
Chloe Killebrew-Bruehl
Alyssa Kim
Sami Kuderna-Reeves
Natalie MacMillan
Luke Maier
Zach Maier
Marina Mosley
Shira Wolkenfeld
Tessa Zitter
Orli Ziv
Bessie Zolno
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Don Lockwood, Brendan Simon*
Kathy Selden, Shaye Troha
Cosmo Brown, Rich Bianco
Lina Lamont, Rana Weber
R.F. Simpson, Alex Shafer
Zelda Zanders, Ensemble, Maggie Kelley Connard
Ensemble, Gilberto Esqueda
Young Cosmo, Ensemble, Alexander Franklin
Young Don, Ensemble, Jackie Grigsby
Ensemble, William Hodgson
Ensemble, Calia Johnson
Ensemble, Rana Kangas-Kent
Roscoe Dexter, Ensemble, Jimmy Robertson
Ensemble, Lauren Rosi
Dora Bailey, Ensemble, Nonoko Sato
Ensemble, George Patrick Scott
Rod, Ensemble, Brad E. Smith
Mrs. Dinsmore, Ensemble, Sonya Smith
Ensemble, Jeremy Vik
Ensemble, RJ Villanos
*Appears courtesy of The Actor’s Equity Association
BAND
Keyboards & Conductor, Robert J. Cowan
Reeds, Bill Aron
Trumpet, Rafa Postel
Drums, Dominic Moisant
Bass, Jeff Patterson
Rich Bianco (Cosmo) is a Graduate of Dell ‘Arte Physical Theater School and co-founder of the physical theater company, Pendulum. He is also a 5 year vet of the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe, and a Fringe First Award Winner in 1994. He spent 3 years with Diavolo Dance Theater under artistic director, Jacques Heim, choreographer of Cirque du Soleil’s Ka, in Las Vegas and did the Maskwork for Mountain Dew’s Spy vs. Spy commercials. Rich teaches movement, acro, ensemble & physical theater and is an ward-winning Drag performer. Graham, Laugh! Mick, Love…
Maggie Connard (Zelda, Ensemble) is overjoyed to be working with Berkeley Playhouse for the first time! She graduated with a BA in Modern Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and since moving to the Bay Area in 1999 has had the good fortune to perform with great companies such as EmSpace Dance, Leyya Tawil’s Dance Elixir, Deborah Slater Dance Theatre, and Printz Dance Project among others. Most recently she was seen on The Willows Theatre stage, baring her soul (ahem) in a wonderful production of Hair. Maggie just loves the Bay Area and YOU! (She thinks you’re the “cat’s meow”!)
Gilberto Esqueda (Ensemble) is so happy to be back at Berkeley Playhouse! He was last seen as Papa Ge in their production of Once on This Island. Other shows include: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (SF Playhouse), Friends (Brava Theater), Little Shop of Horrors (Broadway by the Bay), Godspell (American River), Ragtime (Kenyon College). He is a graduate of Kenyon College, as well as the Musical Theatre Conservatory at Notre Dame de Namur. He thanks his wonderful and loving family, and is blessed to have met this amazingly talented cast!
Alexander Franklin (Young Cosmo, Ensemble) loves acting and being on stage. He is thrilled to be in another production with the Berkeley Playhouse: this summer he played Cubs in the professional production of Peter Pan and most recently, he played Mushu and Qian Po in the Youth Company Production of Mulan Jr. In addition to acting, Alex enjoys playing guitar, spending time with friends and making people laugh. He dreams of being a stand-up comedian someday.
Jackie Grigsby (Young Don, Ensemble) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Singin’ in the Rain. Jackie, who is eleven and a sixth grader at Park Day School, has appeared in numerous Berkeley Playhouse productions, his favorite roles include Daniel in Once on this Island Jr., Cubs in Peter Pan and most recently Captain Shang in Mulan Jr. When not rehearsing at the Julia Morgan Theatre, Jackie plays soccer, basketball and baseball.
William Hodgson (Ensemble) has performed at PCPA (since 2007): The Sound of Music (Friedrick, u/s), Othello (Ensemble, swing), Ragtime (Ensemble), Hot Mikado (Ensemble), White Christmas (Ensemble), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Fairy, Puck u/s) Les Miserables (Brujon, Ensemble), The Music Man (Ensemble). Other Theatre credits include: Seussical the Musical (Cat in the Hat), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Guy), Dog Sees God (Beethoven), PCPA in the Schools (Ensemble)
Calia Johnson (Ensemble) a recent graduate of the UCSC Theater Department. She is beyond excited and blessed to work with such a great company. She thanks her little sister (Olivia) for always being such an inspiration. She also sends thanks to her loving parents and of course God.
Rana Kangas-Kent (Olga Mara, Sound Engineer, Ensemble) performs in her first show with Berkeley Playhouse and what an awesome show to make her debut here. Recent roles include Rosalie in Landscape of the Body and Inga in Cabaret (SF Playhouse). She also was a lead in Shopping! The Musical! for 1½ years and is a 6-year Mountain Play veteran with lead roles in Hair and Oklahoma!, among others. Rana received her training at San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Donna Cerio’s Broadway Dance Company.
Jimmy Robertson (Roscoe Dexter, Production Tenor) is thrilled to be back for his second production with Berkeley Playhouse! Some of his recent favorite roles include Bud Frump in How to Succeed… (Solano College) and Noodler, the pirate, in Berkeley Playhouse’s own Peter Pan. Jimmy is a recent graduate of Chico State’s musical theatre program. He wishes to thank everyone involved in this production for treating him like family and, of course, to his actual family.
Lauren Rosi (Lina’s Double for film, Mary Margaret, Ensemble) Regional theater credits include several world premiere productions at ACT’s Young Conservatory, Private Fears In Public Places (RVP), Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business (B Street Theatre), Rumpelstiltskin (B Street), Oklahoma (Woodminster), Hello Dolly (Woodminster), Ragtime (Woodminster) and Miracle on 34th Street & Scrooge with Town Hall Theater where Lauren is proud to be a Teaching Artist. She is a graduate of Idyllwild Arts Academy and Emerson College. Thank you to my family and friends for their endless love and support.
Nonoko Sato (Dora, Ensemble) is thrilled to join the talented cast and crew as Dora and Ensemble member. She was last seen on stage in Meadowland with Second Wind Productions and with Young California Writer’s Project. She is a Board Member of Asian American Theater Company and the Executive Director of SMART “ a SF based non-profit that provides access, advocacy, and support to low-income students. Special thanks to Graham, Ted, and the SMART family for their support!
George Patrick Scott (Ensemble) is honored and thrilled to be performing with the unique cast of Singin in the Rain at the Berkeley Playhouse. George has toured nationally with the Missoula Children’s Theatre and recently debuted How to Survive the Apocalypse: The Burning Man Opera at Teatro Zinzanni. Theatrical credits include: Some Men, S.F. FOLLIES, The Nutcracker (Ballet Califia), Our Lady of 121ST Street, Aida, A Chorus Line, Little Shop of Horrors , Beauty and the Beast , 8 Reindeer Monologues, Aladdin, Working, the Musical and Rent. He is a recipient of the West Coast Regional Costume Design Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Electricidad.
Alex Shafer (R.F. Simpson). Alex has performed throughout the Bay Area, and is delighted to be part of this production, his first at The Berkeley Playhouse. Some of his favorite roles include Boolie in Driving Miss Daisy (Ross Valley Players), The Gangster in Kiss Me Kate (ACLO), Michael Flaherty in Playboy of the Western World (Cinnabar), Detective Hennessey in Cocoanuts (CCCT), Snout in Midsummer Night’s Dream (CCCT), and Sipos in She Loves Me (Masquers).
Brendan Simon (Don Lockwood) is a proud Bay Area native with over 50 productions under his belt including Once On this Island and It’s A Wonderful Life: the Live Radio Play for Berkeley Playhouse. An advocate for theatre that is accessible to youth, Brendan acts and choreographs with Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences, directs with the City of Santa Clara Youth Performing Arts program, and teaches dance to young people throughout the East Bay. He is also in his 8th season as a company member for Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Programs. Brendan’s most recent project is Torch, a new musical which he wrote and directed.
Brad E. Smith (Rod, Policeman, Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the Bay Area stage and working with the Berkeley Playhouse. Local roles include Jean in Miss Julie and Madam in The Maids. He can also be seen exploding violently (on YouTube) in Rick Springfield’s music video for Bop ‘til you Drop. Brad is also very excited to be performing with the Stephen Pelton Dance Theater this April at CounterPULSE in San Francisco.
Sonya Smith (Miss Dinsmore, Ensemble) A lifelong athlete, Sonya Smith discovered dance at Macalester College while earning a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. A dancer, aerialist, choreographer, and teacher, she has performed around the country and abroad with a slew of amazing Bay Area companies. Last summer she was thrilled to be part of Berkeley Playhouse’s Peter Pan doing all manner of wacky things in the air, and is delighted to rejoin Berkeley Playhouse as part of this incredible ensemble.
Shaye Troha (Kathy Selden) loves this show and these people. She last performed in and co-choreographed the New York and Berkeley productions of Shotgun Players/Banana Bag and Bodice’s Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage. Shaye is a longtime member of sketch comedy troupe Killing My Lobster and has made ‘em laugh at NYC, SF and Vancouver Sketchfests, Cobb’s Comedy Club and ACT. Other credits: NYC Fringe, SF Playhouse, Ray of Light Theatre and PCPA Theaterfest, where she is a graduate.
Jeremy Vik (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of Singin’ in the Rain. He has been acting in the Bay Area for the past three years and has most recently acted in shows for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and 42nd Street Moon, as well as having played half the male roles in Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding on Pier 39. Jeremy Vik is a proud graduate of the Clown Conservatory.
RJ Villanos (Ensemble) is appearing with Berkeley Playhouse for the fourth time (previous credits include, Once On this Island, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz). RJ is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts (2007) and works for Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Programs.
Rana Weber (Lina Lamont) is delighted to make her Berkeley Playhouse debut with Singin’ in the Rain. Rana has performed locally with The Willows Theatre (Hair), 42nd Street Moon (Destry Rides Again), No Nude Men (The Monk, Fishing), Thunderbird Theatre Co. (Pride & Succubus), Dark Porch Theatre (The In Betweens) and Hurly Burly Productions (William Mastrosimone’s Cat’s Paw). She just wrapped her first leading role in a feature film (Charlotte in Parlay), as well as the web series Chance Encounters and Copy & Pastry. Rana has a B.F.A. from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (Founder’s Day Award) and is enjoying being back in the Bay Area after a long hiatus.
MEET THE MUSICIANS
BILL ARON (Reeds) has been a professional Bay Area musician for the last 38 years. He has performed with organizations such as the San Francisco Symphony and the Sun Valley Symphony, as well as most of the “Freeway” symphonies of the SF Bay Area. His major performances have been with the San Francisco Saxophone Quartet, of which he was a member for over 28 years. He has played many featured parts with several of the symphonies as well as the SF Conservatory, Other Minds and others.
ROBERT J. COWAN (Music Director) is making his Berkeley Playhouse debut. As vocal director and conductor, he has recently worked on shows including The Music Man, Seussical, The Pajama Game, and Guys and Dolls with groups including The Spindrift School of Performing Arts, the SF Arts Education Project, and a number of schools, colleges, and community organizations. He holds a Masters in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and degrees in music and philosophy from Gonzaga University with extensive studies in music education and conducing. An avid performer as well, Robbie has recently been seen with local companies including 42nd Street Moon, Woodminster Amphitheater, Diablo Theatre Company, Contemporary Opera of Marin, and the SF Conservatory of Music.
DOMINIC MOISANT (Percussion) is a percussionist and drummer who is currently studying music at Cal State East Bay in Hayward with Artie Storch. He has been playing drums since he was ten and has played with various orchestras and bands around the Bay Area, such as The California Youth Symphony, Silicon Valley Symphony, Young People’s Symphony Orchestra, and the Stanford Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also played for various musicals, such as Seussical, The Wiz, City Of Angels, and Bye Bye Birdie. He also plays bass and guitar.
JEFF PATTERSON (Bass) is a music major in performance at Cal State East Bay who plays a wide variety of projects from salsa and Jazz to Heavy Metal/Pop and Classical. He’s toured Europe with the acclaimed CSU East Bay and played with pop/singer-songwriter Chris Marsol. Jeff is currently a member of several metal projects including Awake the Plague, Catapult the Dead, and Ethereal Dawn. Future projects include the CSUEB Orchestra, the upcoming production of Oliver! as well as with the Napa Valley Chorale on their upcoming cabaret. Jeff returns to Berkeley Playhouse after playing in Peter Pan and the youth production of Godspell and Urinetown.
