Once Upon a Time in New Jersey (2010)

Susan DiLallo (Book & Lyrics)

won the coveted Kleban Award for Once Upon a Time in New Jersey.  The show also won a Richard Rodgers Award (given by the American Academy of Arts & Letters) and the Global Search for New Musicals Competition, Cardiff.  Other credits include: libretto for Iron Curtain (Jonathan Larson Award), a 2009 NAMT Festival selection opening at the Village Theatre in 2011; book and lyrics for The Clear Channel/Mattel production of Barbie Live! In Fairytopia; lyrics for That’s Life (Outer Critics Circle nominee); Wild About Harry, commissioned and originally presented by NYMF; Pinocchio, a Family Musical About Adoption (winner, KIDDSTUFF New Play Competition); the revised libretto for the classic Dorothy Fields/Arthur Schwartz/George Abbott musical, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; and book and lyrics to Angelina Ballerina, commissioned by Vital Theatre Company, currently running in NYC. Member: ASCAP, Dramatists Guild. 

Stephen Weiner (Composer)

A two time Richard Rodgers Award winner, in 2010 for Rocket Science (Book by Patricia Cotter, Lyrics by Jason Rhyne) and in 2003 for Once Upon A Time in New Jersey (Book and Lyrics by Susan DiLallo), Steve has also composed the scores for The Hudsucker Proxy (Book and Lyrics by Glenn Slater), MTC’s newyorkers (Lyrics by Glenn Slater), Prospect Theater Company’s Iron Curtain (Book by Susan DiLallo, Lyrics by Peter Mills), Spittin Image (Book by Karin Kasdin, Lyrics by Laura Szabo Cohen).  Film:  The Soprano State, directed by Peter LeDonne.  Coming up:  The Honeymooners with Lyrics by Pete Mills, Book by Bill Nuss and Dusty Kay.  Proudest moment:  Playing at Carnegie Hall.  Recipient of a 2005 Jonathan Larson Development Grant, and the 2000 ASCAP New Horizons Richard Rodgers Award.  

 

Cara Reichel (Director)

previously collaborated with Susan DiLallo (book), Peter Mills (lyrics), and Stephen Weiner (music) on Iron Curtain, a new musical which was developed in July 2008 at the O’Neill Theatre Center, was a part of NAMT’s 2009 Festival of New Musicals, and received the 2006 Innovative Theatre Award for “Outstanding Production of a Musical.”  Together with Peter Mills, she has co-created numerous new musicals, including Evergreen, Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge, Honor, The Rockae, The Pursuit of Persephone, The Taxi Cabaret, The Flood, Illyria, Lonely Rhymes, and The Alchemists.  Cara has recently directed for the Village Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals (Seattle, WA), Oberon Theatre Ensemble, and the Goodwill Theatre (Binghamton, NY).  She was honored to receive the 2002 “Lucille Lortel Award” for Emerging Women Artists from the League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), an organization which she now serves as an officer, and she received 2004 and 2007 “New Directors / New Works” Grants from the Drama League. Cara was educated at Princeton University, and attended the M.F.A. Program for Directing at Brooklyn College, where she was named 2006 “Alumna of the Year.”  She is a member of the SDC, and the LPTW.

Christine O'Grady (Choreographer)

is thrilled to team up with Cara, Susan, and Stephen once again. With Prospect: IRON CURTAIN, ILLYRIA, THE TUTOR, and MUSEUM PIECES. She was the Associate Choreographer for the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR and Jerry Mitchell’s SSDC Observer on LEGALLY BLONDE (San Francisco and Broadway). Recent NY: CHILDREN OF EDEN (APAC), SIGNS OF LIFE (Amas), UNCLE PIRATE (Vital), FAMOUS (EST), Inside Broadway’s tour of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, and TOMMY (Gallery Players). Regional: INTO THE WOODS, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (I and II), SEUSSICAL, and MY SCARY GIRL (Barrington Stage Company), I DO! I DO! (Berkshire Theatre Festival), OLIVER (Cardinal Stage), and several seasons at New London Barn Playhouse. She has an MFA in Theatre (Directing Concentration) from Arizona State University and is a member of SDC. Upcoming: 1st National Tour of HAIR and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Gallery Players).

Remy Kurs (Music Director)

Previously with Prospect: The Hidden Sky, The Dome, Onward, Map Quest. Other recent NY credits as music director and/or orchestrator include The Morning After the Night Before (Fringe), Iron Curtain (NAMT). Beyond New York, Remy’s arrangements and orchestrations were heard this past year at the Village Theatre, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Current and upcoming: Rocket Science at Playwrights Horizons, Iron Curtain at the Village Theatre.

Sidney Shannon (Costume Design)

NYC: Prospect Theater Company (The Pursuit of Persephone, The Alchemists, The House of Bernalda Alba, Iron Curtain, The Flood, The Blue Flower, HONOR, Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge, The Hidden Sky), Resonance Ensemble (Sherlock:Solo, The Coffee Trees, The Cherry Orchard, Mail Order Bride, La Tempestad, Lower Depths, Time to Burn, 23 Knives), Milkcan Theatre Company (Twelfth Night, Ashes, Peace), 78th Street Theatre Lab (Oklahoma Samovar, Bomber’s Row), Boomerang Theatre Company (Henry IV, Prelude to A Kiss, Amphitryon, Monster Tales),  Oberon Theatre Ensemble (Cockfighters, Of Mice and Men, Measure for Measure), It’s Karate Kid the Musical! ,Hell House for Les Freres and many others.

Isabella F. Byrd (Lighting Design)

Recent: Binge (SLANT Theatre Project), Order and Othello @ Theater Row, Long Way Go Down (Clurman Lab Theater),  Golden Gate (Williamstown), Crimes of the Heart and Swan Lake at College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati. Associate/Asst credits: The Lisbon Traviata (Kennedy Center), Play Dead (Teller & Todd Robbins), A Steady Rain (Bway).   Isabella has also worked with Williamstown Theatre Festival,  The Alley Theater, Cincinnati Ballet, Stella Adler Studio and 13Playwrights.

Jen Price Fick (Scene Design)

Selected design credits: With Glee (Prospect Theater Company, The Kirk Theater); Blackouts; No Matinees (NY Center Stage); Rounding Third; The 7th Inning Stretch; Lily's Purple Plastic Purse (Mile Square Theatre), Giasone (Yale Baroque Opera Project); Treasure Island; The Musical (Nazareth Performing Arts Center); The Sand Storm; Becoming George (MetroStage, DC), Annie; Hair (Little Theatre on the Square, IL), 5 seasons of musicals with the Cohoes Music Hall (Capital Region, NY). 

Lisa McGinn (Stage Manager)

Previous credits include Shakespeare’s Richard II…on Trapeze! (Matchbook Productions/Sonnet Rep);  Limonade Tous Les Jours (New Voice Project); A Question of Mercy and Therese Raquin (PTP/NYC); Or, and Smudge (Women’s Project), Complete (2009 NYC Fringe Festival); Shanghai Gesture (Mirror Rep); Mary’s Wedding, A Year with Frog and Toad, (Two River Theatre Company); I Just Stopped by to See the Man (The Old Globe); A Stone Carver (Soho Playhouse); Many thanks to Richie and my family for all their support.

Jeremy Cohen (Rocco)

Recent projects include Avenue X at the Alliance Theatre and Master Class with Tyne Daly at the Kennedy Center.  Other credits include NYMF, Milwaukee Rep, Delaware Theatre Company and New York’s La MaMa Theatre.  Composer of The Bowery Boys at the Marriott Theatre (2009 Jeff Award Nomination for Best New Work, 2010 NAMT Selection).  Film: 3 Words About New York and Hell’s Gate.  Proud Northwestern graduate. www.jeremy-cohen.com

 

Jason Collins (Narrator/Ed/Announcer)

Previously, for Prospect: The Blue Flower (Sewing Machine Man); Map Quest (Various male roles). Broadway National Tour: Annie (Jimmy Johnson/Morgantha/U.S. Rooster). Off-Broadway: Amas Musical Theatre: Signs Of Life (Kurt); 2nd Generation: Concert Premier of The Wedding Banquet opposite Anthony Rapp (Sean). Regional: 2010 NYC Fringe: The Morning After/The Night Before (Rob); Village Theatre: Next To Normal, opposite Amy Spanger (Dan). Collins has also recorded numerous Audio Books for BBC AudioBooks America and Blackstone Audio.

Denise DeMirjian (Millie)

happily joins Prospect Theater Company. NYC productions include Players Theatre (George The Fourth), Actors’ Playhouse (Pitched), La MaMa (Tom O’Horgan’s The Plagues), Perry St. (Cartoons), Shakespeare Project’s The Winter’s Tale, Duplex (MAC nominated Bring Back Birdie), & a good deal more. Regional theatres include Seven Angels, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Tulsa Rep, San Diego Rep, Fulton Opera, Montana Rep, PepsiCo, and Struthers ranging from Nunsensations! to Quilters and from Romeo and Juliet to Sordid Lives.

Mishaela Faucher (Etta)

Credits: Tillie Delgado in Hurricane (Theater at St. Clements), Michelle Phillips in Dream A Little Dream: The Nearly True Story of The Mamas and Papas (Phoenix Theatre), Soupy Sue in Urinetown (Gateway Playhouse).  As well as performing, Misha is a lyricist in the BMI Songwriting Workshop, and her show, Hey, You Know What Movie Would Make A Good Musical? has been performed at The Zipper Factory, The Julia Miles Theatre, and The Duplex.  Currently, she is collaborating with Jason Michael Snow and Robert Bastron on a new musical with workshops scheduled in the early winter.  Graduate of The Boston Conservatory.  Proud member of AEA.  www.mishaelafaucher.com

Jonathan Gregg (Billy)

Jonathan is thrilled to be joining the Prospect family for this production. Other New York credits include 'Children of Eden', 'Ragtime', 'Man of La Mancha', and 'Four Unfold'. Regional credits include 'The Full Monty', 'Grease', 'The Miracle' and 'Chicago'. Jonathan was raised in Huntsville, AL - the home of Antoine Dodson. And is a graduate of Belmont University, with a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre. 

Briga Heelan (Angie)

is a proud graduate of the School of Theatre at the University of Southern California and a Massachusetts native. Credits Include: Fiona, Brigadoon. Queenie, Wild Party. Babe, The Pajama Game. Procne, The Love of the Nightingale. Regan, Delearious (Premiere). Belle/Meg, A Christmas Carol (Regional). She most recently performed at the Skirball Center and looks forward to continuing her journey as a new New Yorker! 

Jason Kappus (Ensemble, u/s Rocco, Billy, Narrator)

is making his Prospect and New York debuts, and is happy to be here.  He just ‘graduated from Harvard’ with Legally Blonde (1st National Tour) and previous credits include Catch Me If You Can, West Side Story (Fifth Avenue Theatre), Meet Me in St. Louis (Village Theatre) and High School Musical (Seattle Children’s Theatre).  

Theresa Kloos (Ensemble)

is making her Prospect Theater Company debut!  She is a recent graduate of the Baldwin-Wallace Music Theatre Program but last was spotted in Weston Vermont where she performed in Seussical and Damn Yankees.  Favorite roles include Florence in Chess, Violet in Side Show and Dot in Sunday…George.  

Alex Krasser (Ensemble)

is thrilled to be making his Prospect debut! Recent credits include the Engeman Theater, 13P, Columbia University, Vital Theatre, many with the Metropolis Opera Project and Superhero Clubhouse/Odyssey Productions, and readings with Shakespeare and Co., TRU (prod. Pat Addiss), and Extra Pulp Ensemble. BFA: Ithaca College. www.AlexKrasser.com

Catherine LeFrere (Celeste)

Television: Running Wilde (FOX, starring Will Arnett). Theatre: Just In Time: The Judy Holliday Story (Lucille Lortel/Soho Playhouse); Can I Really Date A Guy Who Wears A Yarmulke? (Theatre Row); The Blue Room (Queens Theatre in The Park); The Green Knight (Planet Connections Festival Award, Best Featured Actress); As You Like It at The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC (directed by Maria Aitken); Other: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony.  Proud graduate of Northwestern University and The School Steppenwolf. www.catherinelefrere.com

John Mervini (Tony)

is proud to be returning to Prospect! New York: Illyria, Prospect; Captain Cat in Under Milk Wood, The Mint; Church, The Public Theater; The Hanging of Razor Brown, 59E59; Found a Peanut, 78th Street Theatre. Regional: Stanley, A Streetcar Named Desire; Sammy Davis Jr., The Rat Pack Lounge; Leo, The Producers. Film/TV: "Breaking Bad", "Barely Legal", "Pardon My French". 

Samia Mounts (Loretta)

is thrilled to be making her Prospect Theater Company debut in Jersey! Aside from performing as the groovalicious soprano vocalist Seoul Sistah #1 in the New Orleans extravaganza Brother Joscephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra, credits include: Les Miserables (Ensemble/Mme. T u/s) Atanta TOTS regional tour, and Les Miserables and The Pajama Game at the St. Louis Muny. www.samiamounts.com

David Perlman (Vinnie)

is thrilled to finally be working with Prospect Theater Company! Off-Broadway: Rotelli in Yank! (York Theatre). Regional/touring: Woof in Hair (European tour),  Calvin in Calvin Berger (Barrington Stage Company), Abraham in Altar Boyz (Riverside Theatre, Arvada Center), Artie in Sunset Boulevard (with Stefanie Powers, Ogunquit Playhouse), and shows in NY with Gallery Players and Musicals Tonight!  TV: “30 Rock,” “Law and Order.” www.David-Perlman.com.

Darcy Yellin (Conchetta)

New York native with a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Regional: Fanny in Funny Girl (Westchester B’way Theatre).  NYC Theatre: Susan DiLallo’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Last Goodbye, Minimum Wage and Morning Star. Other credits: Cabaret (Sally Bowles, CCM),  Pirates of Penzance (Ruth, CCM), 2003 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland and appearances at Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center) and The Globe Theater (Boston).

Noah Zachary (Buddy)

NYC debut! B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Connecticut.  Recent theater credits include: Rent, Tommy, Hair, Abraham Lincolns Big Gay Dance Party, Spring Awakenings (Connecticut Repertory Theater). How to Succeed…, Rocky Horror Show Live (SRT), Closer Than Ever (HSRT), as well as collaborations with the Lark Theater.