Lighter (2009)

Cicily Daniels (Lulu)

Credits include Broadway:  Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ursula u/s, Alana, Original Cast), All Shook Up (Sylvia u/s), Rent (Joanne u/s); National Tour:  Caroline or Change (The Washing Machine), Rent (Seasons of Love Soloist); Off-Broadway:  Irrationals, Skin of Our Teeth, Revival (w/ Sam Harris); Regional:  Once on this Island (Asaka), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Armelia), Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), Into the Woods (The Witch); TV & Film:  Ugly Betty, Across the Universe; American Gangster, Saturday Night Live, One Life to Live; Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra:  A Cole Porter Celebration (Star Soloist), Christmas Spectacular w/ Sandi Patty (Guest Soloist).  Education: Yale University, B.A. Theatre Performance.  Cicily has also appeared in numerous commercials.  She thanks her friends, family, and agents for their support and encouragement.

 

Willy Falk (Dr. Dan)

Willy received a Tony Award nomination for his performance as “Chris” in the original Broadway production of MISS SAIGON.  Other Broadway credits include LES MISERABLES, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, A CHORUS LINE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and MARILYN. Willy has created roles in many new works including LITTLE WOMEN, DOLL, NIGHTMARE ALLEY, and ELTON JOHN’S AIDA. Regionally, he was seen as “Henrik” in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, “Seymour” in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, “Mendel” in FALSETTOS, and “Che” in EVITA .Willy is a graduate of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and trained as an operatic tenor, He has performed in opera houses in Europe, as well as The Hawaii Opera Theatre, The New Hampshire Opera, The Augusta Opera, and The Shreveport Opera.

Dierdre Friel (Connie Deluca)

New York and Regional:  Sr. James “Doubt” (Triad Stage, the Appalachain Theater Festival);  Annie Pazinski “Over the Tavern” (Portland Stage, Theater at the College of Santa Monica);  Marcus Brutus “Julius Caesar” (the Kraine Theater);  Portia “Cinderella” (Arkansas Repertory Theater);  Aemelia/ Nell/ Ensemble “Comedy of Errors” (Mile Square Theater Company);  Katina “Zorba!” (Berkshire Theatre Festival);  “King Lear,” “Comedy of Errors,” “Richard III” (Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, London;  dir.  Rob Clare) .  Staged Readings: Connie Deluca “Lighter”;  Sister Mary Patrick “Sister Act:  the Musical” (with Peter Schneider and Alan Menken).  Film/Television: The Sopranos, My Father’s Will, Pretty Bird (with Billy Crudup and Paul Giamatti;  dir. Paul Schneider). Awards:  MAC Nominee for “Outstanding Female Debut 2004.”

Eric Leviton (Stevie Petrillo)

Touring: The Full Monty (Dave Bukatinsky); Seussical, the Musical (Horton) with Cathy Rigby; Damn Yankees (Sohovik) with Jerry Lewis; The Rocky Horror Show, with David Arquette; The Wizard of Oz (The Lion-Dramalogue Award).  TV: “Law & Order;” “Desperate Housewives;” “Scrubs;” “Diagnosis Murder;” Beverly Hills 90210;” Disney’s “Annie” and the recurring role as The Heckler on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Eric is the co-creator and producer of the Nightlife Award winning show, A Little Traveling Music, which he performs all over the coun

Cathy Prince (Jane)

New York stage premiere! Regional: Swing “I Love You Because” (Playhouse Square Cleveland), Witch 3 “Macbeth”, Florinda “Into the Woods” (Great Lakes and Idaho Shakespeare Festivals), Faith “Brooklyn the Musical” (Playhouse Square Cleveland).  Other credits include: Helena “Midsummer Nights Dream”, Anabel Glick “Lucky Stiff”, and Glinda “Wizard of Oz”.  Originally from Cleveland, OH and a recent graduate of the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. Thanks to Harden-Curtis and Associates.  Dedicates this first New York performance to her family- Mom, Dad, Julia, Penny and Dusty!

Beth Bright (Helen)

Tour: Disney Cruise Line (Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Ariel). New York reading:Angels: the Musical (Raphael/Ensemble). Favorite roles include Cassie in A Chorus Line, Maria in The Sound of Music and Adele in Die Fledermaus.  Soundtracks:  The Emperor’s New Clothes(Steven Spielberg’s audio book) and Enchanted.  Education: Western Michigan University, BM in Vocal Performance, Jazz Studies and French; University of Colorado, MM in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. Beth teaches voice as well as entrepreneurship for artists. Thanks to God, Penny Luedtke, B-A, Vicki, DESCO, C3M and family.

Marguerite Willbanks (Sister Rose)

Broadway: Disney's Beauty and the Beast ( Madame de la Grande Bouche). National Tours: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Secret Garden. Regional Theatre: Yeston/Kopit's Phantom (Christine) Westchester Broadway Theatre, Paramour (She) The Old Globe Theatre San Diego, Meet Me In St. Louis (Rose) The St. Louis MUNY, Grand Night for Singing (Vicki) Long Leaf Opera Company, La Cage Aux Folles ( Marie Dindon ) Riverside Theatre, Florida. Concerts: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (Mrs. Reynolds) Eastman Theatre, Holiday Spectacular 2008 (Standby for Sandi Patty) Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Very Warm for May (Liz) Weil Hall Carnegie Hall, Irene -25th Anniversary Concert (Irene) Kaye Playhouse, Babes in Toyland (Bo Peep) Avery Fisher Hall. Film Soundtracks: The Producers (Ensemble/Features), Enchanted (Ensemble/Features

Monica Bauer (Writer)

Graduate of Brown and Yale, former composition student of Robert Ward, 2005 Teaching Fellow in the Graduate Playwriting Program at Boston University. Awards: Outstanding Playwriting, Midtown International Theater Festival (The Higher Education of Khalid Amir); third place in New Works for Young Women (The Maternal Instinct), and the Audience Favorite Award at Short Attention Span PlayFest (My Trip to the State Pen). Answering is a Finalist for the 2008 Heideman Award. Member, Dramatists Guild and ASCAP. Website: monicabauer.org

 

Craig J. George (Director)

Off-Broadway: Taming of the Shrew (Duke on 42nd Street). Regional:  Measure for Measure (Cleveland Public Theatre); Alfred Kinsey: A Love Story (Michael Weller Theater); Twelfth Night; Much Ado About Nothing (Hamptons Shakespeare Festival); The Aperture (world premiere, Cleveland Public Theatre).  Assistant Directing: Man From Nebraska starring Kathy Baker and Brian Kerwin (South Coast Repertory, William Friedkin, director) and The Last Five Years (George Street Playhouse, David Saint, director.). MFA from UC Irvine and member of AEA and SSDC.

 

Brent-Alan Huffman (Music Arranger / Music Director)

Brent-Alan Huffman recently served as assistant conductor for Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Broadway, followed by a 2-month guest appearance as pianist and singer aboard the Disney Wonder cruise ship.  B-A was Music Supervisor for Disney’s Beauty And The Beast in Mexico City, also having conducted the Broadway and National Touring companies.  Additionally, B-A has worked on the Broadway and/or U.S. touring productions of The Lion King, Carousel, Grease!, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Little Shop of Horrors, and was music director and arranger for Alan Menken’s 2009 solo concert for Lincoln Center.  He served as Production Music Coordinator for ABC Television’s The Music Man starring Matthew Broderick, and as Associate Music Producer for NBC/Hallmark’s television movie A Christmas Carol, starring Kelsey Grammer.  Brent-Alan’s singing voice can be heard on the Disney motion picture Enchanted, and he appeared in the pilot episode of ABC’s “Cupid.”  A nominee for “Outstanding Music Director” by the 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards for his work on the world premiere of Sister Act, the Musical, B-A is Music Director of the upcoming Broadway musical Leap of Fait

Ann Cooley (Choreographer)

Ms. Cooley’s is happy to be on team “Lighter” and a part of NYMF! Her work has been seen on stages around the world including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.  Highlights; working creatively on national tours of “The Producers,” “The Will Rogers Follies,” “42nd St.,” “Singing In the Rain,” “Victor Victoria,” R Family and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  Regional; “Peter Pan,”  “Sugar,”  “High School Musical 2,” “Bye Bye Birdy,” “A Funny Thing....Forum,” “Guys and Dolls” and “A Century of Christmas.” On television, her work has been seen on LOGO, NBC, CBS, ABC and Lifetime.  She choreographed “Slammer” for the Fringe Festival, “Sugar” and “The Astaire Awards” in NYC.  Her “Menhattans” ™ received a standing O at Carnegie Hall and the premiere of “Monumental Baby Steps” at the Nuyorican theater was celebrated. Casting credits include; dance associate for the Kennedy Center-Broadway bound “Ragtime,” National Tours of “The Producers,” “Hairspray” and the California Music Circus. As a performer: Over a decade with the Radio City Rockettes often as line captain and choreographer, the Tony Awards w/ Hugh Jackman, “School House Rock Live,” “Free To Be You and Me,” “Victor Victoria (1st Nat. Tour D.C.), “The Will Rogers Follies,” “42nd St.,” “Evita” w/ Julia Murney, “Gypsy” w/ Vicki Lewis, ABC’s “Up Fronts” for Casey Nicholaw, “The Big Gay Sketch Show” on LOGO, “Nothin’ Like a Dame”, “Broadway Bares” and the Emmy winning “All Aboard” on HBO. As an inspired teacher Ann presents the Dance North Summer Intensive annually.   www.dancenorth.net   “Broadway to the Bridge” in beautiful Michigan and guest teaches master classes for Dancers Inc., Show Stoppers, “The Rockette Experience” and performing arts schools worldwide.  To see more -  www.coolography.com.    

Jon Collins (Scenic Designer)

Jon has recently designed "Summer and Smoke" directed by Tlaloc Rivas and "Belles" directed by Marisa Viola at Theater Row. He is glad to be back at NYMF after being an assistant set designer on "Flight of the Lawnchair Man." When not designing his own work, he assistants various set designers, most recently on the broadway productions "Next to Normal" for Mark Wendland and "Superior Donuts" for James Schuette. MFA NYU. http://www.jonwcollins.com

Amy Pedigo-Otto (Costume Designer)

Amy is excited to be a part of NYMF this year with LIGHTER. New York design credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, Bus Stop, Big Love, Fool for Love, Lynch Play, Hey You Light Man and The Journals of Fanny Kimble. Her regional credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Alpine Theatre Project in Montana, The Music Man at P-Family Arts and Violet at Plano Repertory Theatre in Texas. She has also designed for several independent films and for Second Ave. Dance Co. in NYC. She is a recent graduate of NYU’s Graduate School of Design for Theater and Film. Thank you to the whole RAtS team for this opportunity to work on this amazing musical. Thanks always to Driscoll, my husband!

Simon Cleveland (Lighting Designer)

Simon recently graduated from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts with his MFA in Design for stage and film.  While in New York Simon has lit original works by Camille Brown, Jessica Lang, Patricia Norwoll, and many more.  In addition to his work with dance companies, Simon is just as active designing for theatre including  The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Sam Gold, and  La Ronde Directed by Martha Clarke.  Simon also recently co-designed The Bellvue Sketches at the Players Theatre.

 

Kerry Watterson (General Manager)

Kerry is currently the General Manager of the award-winning 23 year-old The Barrow Group.  Prior to TBG, he worked with New Perspectives Theatre Company, where he served as Artistic Associate and Creator/Co-Director of the Apprentice Company.  As a Casting Director, Kerry worked with the New York Theatre Barn and with NYMF, having cast the 2005 award-winning NYMF production of YANK! Kerry also worked with the Artios Award winning Mark Simon Casting on numerous Broadway and Regional productions including Thirteen, Chita Rivera: A Dancer's Life, and LoveMusik.  Kerry has traveled the world presenting workshops on the business of theatre and acting in England, Ireland, Australia and throughout the US.  Kerry currently sits on the Board of Directors for the New York Theatre Barn.

Eileen Arnold (Stage Manager)

Eileen is happy to be working on her first NYMF show. Previous New York credits include four tours with TheatreworksUSA, “Murderers” with Hudson Stage Company and “Alfred Kinsey: A Love Story” also directed by Craig George. Regionally, Eileen served as Production Stage Manager for four seasons with Cleveland Public Theatre and for three summers with Cleveland State Summer Stages – a summer professional repertory company. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and is grateful to her family and friends for their love and support.

Josh Heath (Assistant Scenic Designer/Properties)

Josh is a local artist making the transition into the theatre production. He is happy to make his New York premiere with “Lighter.”  Former set design credits include, “Armstrong’s Kid,” a new play by Stanley Bennett Clay, and “Into The Woods,” a Lincoln High production.  Josh studied Fashion Design at California College of Arts and Crafts.  He is excited to combine these passions into one.  Samples of his work can be seen at jnheath.deviantart.com

Zoe Sarnak (Assistant Director)

 Zoe is thrilled to be working on her first NYMF show. She graduated from Harvard University in 2009 magna cum laude with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a secondary concentration in Music. Zoe is the writer, composer and lyricist behind the rock musical "The Quad." She received grants from Harvard Office of Fine Arts and the Radcliffe Women’s Center to run a 2-week workshop of the piece and music directed its debut at Harvard’s Loeb Experimental Theatre April 2009.www.zoesarnak.com

Cindi Rush, CSA (Casting Director)

New York: Rooms, Jacques Brel, Six Dance Lessons, The Thing About Men, Showtune, I Sing, Urinetown, Say Goodnight Gracie.  Regional: Triad Stage; Act II Playhouse; Arena Stage; Goodman; Cape Cod Theatre Project; Actors Theatre of Louisville Humanafest.  Film: Offspring, Made For Each Other, Home Movie, Jack Ketchum’s: The Girl Next Door, Headspace,Other: Hats Tours: “Curious George” “Kidz Bop”,Consultant for National Alliance For Musical Theatre (2004-08), Consultant for NYU Graduate Program for Musical Theatre Writing.