Cast
Adam Halpin (Esau)
recently made his Broadway debut in Glory Days (Skip). He is thrilled to be working with Matt & Billy on such an exciting new show, and alongside an immensely talented cast. Regional credits include North Shore Music Theatre, Signature Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, etc. Many thanks to the crew at Abrams Artists and lots of love to a wonderful family! For Guy Stroman: Always playing my play.
Chuck Cooper (Principal)
is a veteran of nine Broadway plays and musicals and numerous television guest leads and film appearances over the span of his 30 years as a professional actor. He won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a musical for his portrayal of Memphis in The Life. His other Broadway credits include: Lennon; Caroline, Or Change (Audelco Award, Best Featured Actor); Chicago; Passion; Someone to Watch Over Me; Rumors; Amen Corner; Getting Away With Murder; Hair (BCEFA concert event); and St. Louis Woman; in City Centers acclaimed Encore series. National tours: The Tap Dance Kid; Eubie and Whistle Down the Wind.
Off-Broadway: Caroline Or Change (the Public Theatre)Thunder Knocking On The Door (Minetta Lane, Audelco Nomination); Marco Polo Sings a Solo (Signature Theatre); Avenue X; Police Boys; Four Short Operas (Playwrights Horizons); Colored People's Time (Negro Ensemble Co.); King Island Christmas (SIR Studios)
Regional Theatre: Being Alive (Westport Country Playhouse, Philadelphia Theatre Co.) Dance of the Holy Ghosts (Yale Rep); The World Beyond the Hill (Berkshire Theatre Festival); Robeson (Passage Theatre); Thunder Knocking On The Door (Trinity Repertory); Othello (New Jersey Shakespeare Festival); Julius Caesar (Philadelphia Drama Guild); Two Trains Running, The Doctor Is Out, Coriolanus, and Timon Of Athens (The Old Globe Theatre); The Tempest, American Dreams Lost And Found (Alliance Theatre). Television credits: 3 LBS. ,Hack; 100 Centre Street; Law & Order; Law And Order SVU; Oz; Strangers with Candy; NYPD Blue; Cosby; The Cosby Mysteries; New York Undercover; I'll Fly Away; The Bold and the Beautiful; As The World Turns.
Film credits: Noise; Evening; American Gangster Find Me Guilty; Three Days of Rain; Our Song; The Hurricane; The Opportunists; Gloria; The Peacemaker; The Juror; North; Criminal Justice.
Mr. Cooper is a Beinecke Fellow at the Yale school of drama.
Favorite role: Eddie, Alex and Lilli's father.
www.chuckcooper.net
Natalie Venetia Belcon (Beth)
B’way: Avenue Q (original cast as Gary Coleman), Rent. Off-B’way: The Glorious Ones, Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin and The World Goes ”Round. Other theatre credits: Being Alive, Once on This Island, Josephine Baker. Film: Sugar Hill, Woo, Grace of My Heart. TV: “Damages,” “Fresh Prince,” “90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Roc,” “Love and War,” “Martin” and many others
Leslie Alexander (Peg Obrie)
appeared on Broadway in "The Boy From Oz" starring Hugh Jackman, as Josie Mann and Marion (u/s). She was also in the original Broadway cast of "Mamma Mia!" She most recently played Rose in "Gypsy" and Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret" at the Forestburgh Playhouse. She originated the role of The Baroness in the World Premiere of ""Hats!" (inspired by the Red Hat Society). She has worked regionally at Denver Center Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Muny, TUTS and many others. Favorite roles include Lady Macbeth with the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Sylvia Fowler in "The Women", Anna in "The King and I", and Louise in "Always, Patsy Cline." Cast albums include "The Boy From Oz" and "Hats!" Leslie also plays Phyllis on ABC-TV's One Life To Live. Other TV appearances include Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tony Awards, and As The World Turns. She is a member of the Workshop Theatre Co., AFTRA, SAG, and this year marks Leslie's 25th anniversary as a proud member of Equity.
Jessica Phillips (Mother)
was most recently Off-Broadway as an original cast member of Tom Kitt's NEXT TO NORMAL, directed by Michael Greif, and was honored to appear opposite Brian D'Arcy James in the role of Diana. On Broadway, Jessica performed this spring with Angela Lansbury, Debra Monk, Donna McKechnie and other
Broadway Divas in THE LADIES WHO SING SONDHEIM, directed by John Doyle; appeared in all three versions of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (Marguerite, Marie cover); was a part of the 25th Anniversary Revival of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (original cast); and toured internationally with THE WHO'S TOMMY (Mrs. Walker). Regional: Mary in the world premiere play GODS OF AUTUMN opposite Jarred Emick, John Bucchino's IT'S ONLY LIFE (Jessica) -- Ovation Award Nomination, INTO THE WOODS (Witch), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE (Millie), JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT (Narrator), and the world premiere of JUNGLE MAN! in which she originated the role of Jane. Film & TV: "The Imposters", dozens of children's television shows and soundtrack demos for animated films. www.jessica-phillips.com
Valerie Wright (Secretary)
Broadway credits include: CATS, SONG AND DANCE, SALLY MARR AND HER ESCORTS,STEEL PIER, DAMN YANKEES and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.Off Broadway: SHOWING OFF, THE WORLD GOES'ROUND, WANDA'S WORLD
Regional favorites: ON THE TOWN (Arena Stage), ANNIE ( North CarolinaTheater),THE PAJAMA GAME (Goodspeed Opera House), REDHEAD (Goodspeed Opera House),PETER PAN (The Muny), THREE (The Ahmanson), SWEET CHARITY (Barrington Stage Co.)
National Tours: HELLO DOLLY, SONG AND DANCE, THE WORLD GOES'ROUND (Jefferson
Award; Helen Hayes nomination), DAMN YANKEES (Helen Hayes nomination)
Film: SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, ORDINARY HEROES, YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HIM.
Valerie is married to actor Mark Lotito and mommy to Luca and Giovanni!!
Lucas Steele (Leo)
Appeared on Broadway with Cyndi Lauper and Alan Cumming in the revival of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's The ThreePenny Opera. Off-Broadway and other New York credits include the world premiere of Oliver Twist (TFANA), Corpus Christie (Bouwerie Lane Theater), Dalliance In Vienna (ATA), Cheri (The Actor's Studio), All American Boy (NYC Fringe), Trippin' by Daniel Beatty, and a year long run of John Tartaglia: ADLIBerty at Joe's Pub. Most recently, Lucas took part in the world premiere of John Bucchino's It's Only Life (Rubicon Theatre) Directed by Daisy Prince. Other regional credits include ART, Berkeley Rep., and The Walnut Street Theater. He is also a singer/songwriter of his own material, a violinist and lead vocalist for The Infinite Orchestra, and an original member of The Broadway Boys. For more information please visit www.LucasSteele.com.
Jenna Coker-Jones (Katy)
just finished playing the "Narrator" in JOSEPH and the AMAZING in St Louis. Last seen in NYC as "Cheryl", being raped by a tree & covered in blood in the off-broadway craziness that was Evil Dead the Musical. (cast album) Also drumming it up as"Lambchops"" in FAME on 42nd (cast album) Jenna has toured nationally 4 times and worked regionally with some hot peeps. Thanks to Matt Gould for being an inspiration; and Chriswho is the best husband a girl could ever dream of. God is Good! Full credits and other fun stuff at www.jennacoker.com
Paul Downs Colaizzo (Kenny)
Previously at NYMF: The Brain from Planet X. For Cubby Bernstein Fans: Dyllun von Ritter. National Tours/Regional: the upcoming High School Musical 2, Fiddler on the Roof, Merrily We Roll Along, Great Expectations. NYC: Mabou Mines' The Spider Operas @ PS 122, Hair, Snakebit, The Spickner Spin, The Yellow Wood. BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Lots of Love. www.pauldownscolaizzo.com
Alexis Grausz (Shantelle)
is so excited to be part of this exciting new project! She is a founding member of The Ateh Theater Group (www.ateh.org), and has appeared in their NYC productions of The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Girl Detective, and Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays and has directed their most recent production entitled, Long Distance. Other New York City credits include Vanessa in the premiere of Neil Berg’s musical, Tim and Scrooge, Henry Sweet Henry at the York Theater and Anna in Lawrence O’Keefe’s musical Sarah, Plain and Tall. Alexis is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she studied at the Atlantic Theater Company and at Cap 21.
Alex Covington (Goldie)
is thrilled to be a part of "Twilight in Manchego" and NYMF! Originally from Los Angeles California, Alex made the transition to New York in 2005 to study at the Atlantic Acting Conservatory. Regional Credits include: "My Fair Lady", "Brigadoon", "Into the Woods" and "Urinetown."
Jill Ginsberg (Flo)
is delighted to be joining the NYMF and Twilight in Manchego this fall! A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in Theater and Vocal Performance, she is now pursuing the stage in New York City. Recent credits include: "Orpheus in the Underworld" "The Impresario" "Pagliacci" and The Impact Theater Festival."
Kevin Curtis (Mortimer)
was last seen as Steve in Hair. Film: Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings Off Broadway: Maccabeat! The Hanukkah Musical 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival, Twist at the Kraine Theatre and Daniella Uses Dirty Words at the Abingdon Theatre Company. Regional Theatre: A Chorus Line at Northern Stage, Disney's High School Musical and the regional premiere of Hairspray at North Shore Music Theatre. Kevin is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the Baltimore School for the Arts. Proud member of AEA.
Alex Brightman (Geo)
was last seen (or not seen) understudying the roles of Will and Jack in the history making, "Glory Days" on Broadway. He played the role of Posner in the West Coast Premiere of "The History Boys" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Look out for Alex in early 2009 in the cast of the new Comedy Central series, "Important Things w/ Demetri Martin." Proud AEA member.
Matt Gould (Book/Music/Lyrics)
Matt Gould's original musical Twilight in Manchego won last year's Jonathan Larson award and is a selection for this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival. Most recently, Matt was commissioned by Jason Alexander's REPRISE! Theatre Company to direct and write the book for the original musical Free Style in Los Angeles. His music can be heard in the upcoming web series Rascals and Routines produced by Haydenburri Lane. He was assistant director to Billy Porter on his African American Sondheim Review 'Being Alive', at the Philadelphia Theatre Company and is serving as assistant to director Sheryl Kaller on the soundtrack recording of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's Rosewater. As a Peace Corps volunteer in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania he translated, adapted, and directed their first ever production of Romeo and Juliet, in Pulaar, with an all female cast. His one-man musical, Mamadou, produced at the Hudson Theatre in LA, and the corresponding soundtrack, was based on that experience. Hes written music for productions at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston and for the Union Square Cafe in NYC. An acting and vocal coach for a myriad of talented actors, Matt also runs the music and performance program for NYC's School of the Ascension where he has developed original musical productions and plays with his students. As an actor, he has performed at the Huntington Theatre Company, International City Theatre, The Hudson Theatre, Circle Stage, and has guest starred on 7th Heaven, Fat Actress, In Justice, Club House, and Hallmark's Pandemic.
Billy Porter (Director)
Broadway: Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Dreamgirls, Hair. Off Broadway and Regional: Romance in Hard Times, The Merchant of Venice, House of Lear, Radiant Baby, Birdie Blue, Topdog/Underdog, Angels in America, Going Native, Songs for a New World, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jelly's Last Jam. His one-man show, Ghetto Superstar: The Man That I Am, Debuted at the Public Theatre. It was nominated for a 2005 Drama League award and GLAAD Media Award. Billy's debut solo CD is Untitled, his sophomore CD is At the Corner of Broadway + Soul: Live. His Sondheim Review, Being Alive, which he conceived and directed, debuted to rave reviews at the Westport Community Playhouse and the Philadelphia Theatre Company.
Patrice Miller (Co-Producer) is a producer, arts administrator and choreographer. She has produced small festivals and has worked with Artichoke Dance Company, Nancy Bannon, Art for Progress and the Hunter College Dance Department. Founder Public Acts of Decency, a production company focused on live art and the public. Patrice also teaches at Upbring Dance Company and various high schools throughout NY. In her spare time, she writes. Special thanks to her first theater company (the Millers) and sorbet.
Laura Brandel (Co-Producer) is the co-founder of Public Acts of Decency, a recently formed production company that produces new, live, interdisciplinary art. She holds a BA in Dance and Dance Education from Hunter College, and has danced in works choreographed by Charles Moulton (City Center), Larry Keigwin, Susan Marshall, Johannes Wieland, Martha Bowers, and Lori Belilove's Isadora Duncan Dance Company. She thanks her family for their love and enthusiasm. It's all happening.
Andrew Resnick (Musical Director) is thrilled to be making his NY debut with Twilight in Manchego. Past MD credits include Into the Woods, John and Jen, Sideshow, Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors, and One Night Stand: An Improvised Musical. Big thanks to Matt, Billy, Justin, and his family and friends for their incredible support.
Karen Parlato (Stage Manager)returns home to New York after her fourth season as PSM of The Reagle Players' summer season in Waltham, MA. Recent credits include No, No, Nanette starring Donna McKechnie, Annie with Sally Struthers, Frankenstein and Wanda's World Off-Broadway, and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, where she has been a sub for almost five years. She is happy to be returning to Manchego after stage managing the reading this past spring.
Driscoll Otto (Lighting Designer) is thrilled be working on Twilight… with Matt and Billy! Most recently he lit Once On This Island also directed by Billy porter at Reprise in LA. This summer Driscoll lit Pete N’ Keely for Alpine Theatre Project in Montana. In May Driscoll was out in LA again lighting Flora, The Red Menace for Reprise. Driscoll was the 2007-2008 resident lighting designer for the Brown/Trinity Rep. Consortium where he lit Figaro, The Cure at Troy, and Elektra. Off-broadway: I Have Loved Strangers at the Ohio Theatre; Deep Run at the Puerto Rico Traveling Theatre, Illuminating Veronica directed by Michael Sexton, and Coronado at the Manhattan Theatre Source. Driscoll has worked and designed at New York Stage and Film, Williamstown Theatre Fesival, and Utah Festival Opera. Driscoll holds an MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Driscoll wants to thank his new wife Amelia Otto for all of her support! http://www.LoneStarNYC.com
Alexis Distler (Set Designer) Recent credits include "Our Lady of 121st Street" directed by Michael Sexton, "PEOPLE Like US" choreographed by Silas Riener and Kristen Arnold, "Tiger, Tiger" directed by Lee Aaron Rosen. Assistant set design for "Sleeping Beauty" designed by Tony Walton at the Metropolitan Opera. Upcoming: "To Paint the Earth" directed by Michael Bush at NYMF, and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" directed by Daniel Fish at Bard College. She is conversational in French and Italian, has an insatiable passion for harmonicas, and is an amateur gourmet chef. MFA: NYU www.alexisdistler.com
Karen Marshall (Publicity/Web Design)
New York credits include work in various positions on The Fabulous Life of a Size Zero, Blueprint (2007 SPF), Honeymoon in Vegas (Reading), Williamsburg! The Musical (Fringe 2007), The Last Starfighter (NYMF 2007) and Wood (NYMF 2008). Proud creator/maintainer of www.NextStopBroadway.com and www.BroadwayUnderstudies.com. Public Relations for Public Acts of Decency; Media Coordinator for the New York Theatre Barn. www.KarenMarshall.com
Michael Cassara Casting (Casting)
Casting Director Michael Cassara, CSA and associate Lindsay Levine cast for theatre, film and television in New York City. They serve as the resident casting office for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, the White Plains Performing Arts Center, the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts, the Kitchen Theatre Company, and Central City Opera in addition to casting many readings, workshops and developmental productions in New York and beyond each year. NYMF credits include over two dozen productions since the festival’s inception in 2004 and other recent theatre projects include …Forum (Sondheim Center, starring Richard Kind), End Days (by Deborah Zoe Laufer, starring Amy Aquino and Adam Heller), Perez Hilton Saves The Universe (or at Least the Greater Los Angeles Area) and Green Eyes in FringeNYC, and Cassandra’s Angel (workshop, starring Malcolm Gets). Member, Casting Society of America. Please visit http://www.michaelcassara.net
Michael DiRaimondo (Logo Design)
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