Sherlock Holmes (the Early Years) (2007)

Kate Ferguson has written the book for four full-length musicals, all originally performed by The Mighty Fin Productions in London: Cinderella (music & lyrics by Susannah Pearse), Snow White and Robin Hood (music & lyrics by Susannah Pearse, additional material by Robert Hudson), and Sherlock Holmes ( The Early Years) (with Robert Hudson, music by Jared Dembowski, lyrics by Susannah Pearse). Sherlock Holmes (The Early Years) has recently received a rehearsed reading by Clear Space Productions in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, who will be mounting a full production in Spring 2008. Kate has completed an as yet unpublished children's novel, and is a regular freelance contributor to various websites, writing articles on legal issues, entertainment and sport. She is also a qualified lawyer. She lives in London.

Jared is a recent graduate of NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. His work has been heard at The Duplex, Don't Tell Mama's, Baruch College's Cabaret Calvacade, The Green Concert at the Makor Theatre, The Woodstock Fringe Festival and London's Mercury Musicals to name a few. He is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop as an Advanced member, ASCAP and The Dramatist's Guild. Sherlock Holmes (The Early Years) marks his 3rd full length piece and is also scheduled for a full production in Delaware in March 2008. Jared has also been seen in New York as an Actor, Musical Director and Orchestrator. He would like to thank his family and friends for their guidance and support throughout this roller coaster of a career in writing and a special thanks goes out to Casserole who has brought him a tremendous amount of love and joy over the past few months!

Susannah Pearse received her MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University in May 2005. She has written the The Last Photograph with Gyles Brandreth, Farm!, with Robert Hudson produced by the Greenwich Theatre London in 2004, Sherlock Holmes (The Early Years) with Kate Ferguson, Robert Hudson and Jared Dembowski which had a reading at Clear Space's festival of new musicals in Delaware in 2006 and is being produced as a full production there in March 2008 and Once Upon a Time in Narcissia with Youn Young Park which has had readings at Goodspeed Opera House, Connecticut, and at the Perfect Pitch festival in London in 2006. She has collaborated on five Mighty Fin shows and she is the co-author of The Night Before Christmas with Matthew White and Ana Sanderson, published by A & C Black in 2005 and How Grandmother spider Stole the Sun with Youn Young Park published by Mondo Publishing in New York. She lives in London.

Robert Hudson is a freelance journalist, working largely for the Sunday Times. He reviews non-fiction and writes about popular culture. With Susannah Pearse, he wrote the musical Out Damn Spot! in 1999, which was selected as part of the Greenwich Theatre¹s Musical Futures season in 2002. The pair's next collaboration, Farm! was professionally showcased at the same venue in 2004. As well as working on Sherlock Holmes (The Early Years , Robert wrote the book for a pantomime version of Macbeth, performed at RADA in 2004, and, again with Susannah Pearse, produced a comic version of Frankenstein in 2006. Robert is working on a novel about a British football club and a sitcom set in a library. He lives in London.

B’way & Nat’l Tour: Associate Director; THE COLOR PURPLE, Directing: NYMF ’06; THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, N.Y. premiere productions of; PRESENT PERFECT, COOPER SAVAGE, OLYMPIA, A WINTER BEAUTY, A TULIP ECONOMY, THE SILVER PALACE. Creative Development; THE COLOR PURPLE, NOAH’S ARK; THE UNTOLD STORY, THE UNICORN’S SECRET, HELEN OF TROY

Is originally from Buffalo, New York.
Some of her previous choreography credits are:
“The King and I�, “It’s A Wonderful Life�, and she is also a
founding member of Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Inc. in NYC.

Her directing credits include:
“Sure Thing� and “Variations On The Death of Trotsky� by David Ives, and
“The Duck Variations� by David Mamet with the Prospect Theater Company’s Dark Nights Series in New York City.

Overseas, she toured in Europe as the
Assistant Director / female swing for “Jesus Christ Superstar�, directed by Baayork Lee, and Resident Director/ Dance Captain for “West Side Story

Merete has also been working as the Company Manager with
Gray Lady Entertainment, Inc. on this year’s production of “Such Good Friends� for the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2007, as well as last year’s production of “Emerald Man�, which was a part of NYMF 2006.

A few of her performing credits are “Anyone Can Whistle�, “The Wizard of Oz�,
“Anything Goes�, “West Side Story�, and numerous productions of “A Chorus Line�.

JASON LYONS (Lighting Design) Selected Shows: Bway: The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot In the Park, Good Vibrations. The Piano Teacher (South Coast Rep),Vigils (Goodman), Evil Dead, The Musical, Shout!, Once Around the Sun, HurlyBurly, Kiki & Herb: Coup de Theatre, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, A Spalding Gray Matter, Abigail’s Party, ROAR, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Comedians, The Women of Lockerbie, Smelling a Rat. Faculty: Purchase College

Michael Cassara Casting (Casting) recent credits include The Molly Maguires (Pre-Broadway workshop, dir. Sheryl Kaller, mus. dir. John McDaniel), Clear Blue Tuesday (feature film, dir. Elizabeth Lucas), The Gig (benefit concert and cast recording), Breaking In (internet series), If This Hat Could Talk (national tour, dir. George Faison), Stephen Schwartz's Captain Louie (national tour), and countless readings and workshops. Regional credits include Goodspeed Musicals, the Paper Mill Playhouse, the Kitchen Theatre Company and the Hinton Battle Theatre Laboratory. Michael Cassara Casting is the resident casting office of the 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Upcoming: 11 shows in this year’s NYMF and the inaugural 2007-2008 season of the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts in Fairfield, Iowa! For more information, please visit www.michaelcassara.net.

B.J. FORMAN is currently on the Stage Management team of the Broadway production of AVENUE Q. He stage managed both the Broadway production and the First National Tour of the revival of 42nd STREET. He has toured both nationally and internationally with MAN OF LA MANCHA, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Off-Broadway, he was the Production Stage Manager for JEWTOPIA, CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY, THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS, THE MUSICAL, PIRATES OF PENZANCE and the workshop/revival of THE RINK. B.J. spent 3 years with the Gold Coast Opera Company, Stage Managing TOSCA, NORMA, LA BOHEME, THE MERRY WIDOW, HMS PINAFORE, THE MIKADO, SHOWBOAT and CAMELOT. A veteran of summer stock, some of B.J.’s favorite credits include THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, MAN OF LA MANCHA, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, NINE, BIG RIVER, VICTOR/VICTORIA, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, TITANIC, and SWINGTIME CANTEEN. He sends his love to MJP. B.J. is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Tom Gualtieri is a playwright, lyricist, actor and director. Writer: FALLING TO EARTH (book & lyrics, music by David Sisco), ME & MEDEA, THAT PLAY: A SOLO MACBETH (writer/performer). Short musicals: LAST CALL, MY DARLING (book & lyrics), THE SUPPER AT ELSINORE (book & lyrics). Advanced Member BMI Workshop. Head Writer for 50th Annual Drama Desk Awards (’05). Additional material for two Broadway Bares events. Assistant Director: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (NYMF ’06), RIGHT YOU ARE (National Actors Theatre) As actor: HAY FEVER (with Joanne Woodward) SOUTH PACIFIC (w/Marin Mazzie, choreography by Rob Marshall), PRIVATES ON PARADE, DRAGAPELLA!, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, THE RIVALS, CLOUD 9. Proud original cast member of Off-Broadway’s NAKED BOYS SINGING. Recipient of the Best Actor award from the National Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival for his portrayal of 15 characters in David Sisco’s BAIT. www.tomgualtieri.com

Erin is excited to be working with La Vie Productions. She moved to New York two years ago and is "luck-e" enough to have the opportunity to be working with two wonderful ladies! She first got to work with Erin Craig and Michele Weathers on "In the Heights". Erin looks forward to many more projects.

NYMF debut! Gavin is thrilled to be with this very talented cast in such a whimsically wonderful production. B'way & nat'l tours: Spamalot (ensemble, u/s Galahad), 42nd St. (ensemble, u/s Julian Marsh, Billy Lawlor). Regional: Full Monty (Jerry) & Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King). He is also politically-obsessed and hopes Dennis Kucinich lasts past Super Tuesday. And he hopes to be on Law & Order SOMEDAY! 143,t.

Elizabeth's distinguished theatre career has encompassed London's West End, Broadway (On and Off), and theatres across North America including Arena Stage (Washington), The Old Globe (San Diego), Cleveland Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia), The Actors' Theatre (Louisville), the Stratford and Shaw Festivals in Ontario, Centaur Theatre (Montreal), Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Most recent roles: Fonsia in "The Gin Game", Glora Humble in "Humble Boy", Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations", Lady Catherine de Bourgh in "Pride and Prejudice", Mrs Higgins in "Pygmalion", Gloria Temple in "December Fools", Mistress Overdone in "Measure for Measure', Honor in "Honour". Musicals: Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret", Madame Armfeldt in "A Little Night Music". Television: Over 500 appearances ranging from "The Winter's Tale" (PBS: Emmy nomination) to All My Children, to Mrs Margaret Thatcher in "Shades of Black". Movies: The Tomb of Ligeia. Damien: Omen 2, Criminal Law. Desire, Invitation to the Wedding, Kidnapping of the President, Double Negative, Hellboats, The Queen's Guards.

WILLIAM RYALL - Broadway credits include HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, the Childcatcher in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the Grinch in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL (Original cast and recording), ME AND MY GIRL (Original Cast and recording), GRAND HOTEL (Original Cast and recording), HOW TO SUCCEED (Revival Starring Matthew Broderick), HIGH SOCIETY, BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE GOES PUBLIC, AMADEUS (Revival Starring David Suchet), and CHESS (in concert). Last year for the NYC Opera he played the Postman in THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. Bill won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Spats, the tap dancing gangster, in the National Tour of SOME LIKE IT HOT, starring Tony Curtis. He played Senator Gallagher in CALL ME MADAM at the Goodspeed Opera House, Big Jule in GUYS AND DOLLS at the Long Wharf Theater and the Cape Playhouse, the Auctioneer in the National Tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and was the understudy to Tommy Tune in MY ONE AND ONLY. He is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC). A frequent cabaret performer, in 2003 Bill was voted by Theatermania.com as one of the top ten male vocalists in New York. Bill will be returning to Broadway with HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at the St. James Theatre, and can be seen as Jimmy in the upcoming Charlie Kaufman film SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK. www.williamryall.com

Laura is thrilled to join the cast of Sherlock Holmes! She recently originated the role of the Young Maiden in Michael John LaChiusa's BERNARDA ALBA at Lincoln Center (original cast recording). Broadway: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Hodel) with both Alfred Molina and Harvey Fierstein, OKLAHOMA! (Vivian, u/s: Laurie, Ado Annie). National Tour: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Ruth, u/s: Millie, Miss Dorothy, Flannery). Regional: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Belle) at Alabama Shakespeare, A FUNNY THING...FORUM (Panacea) at Sacramento Music Circus, CAROUSEL (u/s: Julie Jordon) at Paper Mill Playhouse, LADY IN THE DARK (Mother, dance capt.) at Prince Music Theater, TV: Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Late Night with David Letterman. Laura is a graduate of The Juilliard School. This is for my new husband, David! www.LauraShoop.com

Toured with the Broadway National tour Les Miserables for 3years, where he portrayed the Bishop as well as performed the role of Thenardier. Off-Broadway credits include The Mikado and Pirates Of Penzance. Regionally, he has performed and starred in the title role of Phantom in four separate productions. Other regional credits include Stride in Jekyll and Hyde, Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Gaston in Gigi. Michael is married to actress Kristin Carbone.

Doug Trapp (Constable Taggart) is delighted to be a part of Sherlock Holmes: The Early Years. New York credits include Saratoga Trunk Songs (Brian) - York Theatre, If The Shoe Fits (ensemble) - NYMF - Lion Theatre, About Face (Pepperton) - Blue Heron Arts Center, Lucky Stiff (Mr. Loomis) - West End Theater, The New Yorkers (waiter) - Musicals Tonight! and three runs of his hit one-man show, The Trapp Family Singer at Danny's. He played Fred McCracken in the 04 National Tour of Annie directed by Martin Charnin. Favorite regional credits: Urinetown (Mr. McQueen) - Gateway Playhouse, Dirty Blonde (Man) - Barnstormers Theatre, the premiere of The Music of Tin Pan Alley (Jerome Kern et al) - Stamford Theatre Works, Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming (Rev Ogelthorpe) - Flat Rock Playhouse, A Little Night Music (Frid), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder) and The Merry Widow (Bogdonovistsch) - Ordway Center, Big River (Huck) - Galveston Island Musicals, Forever Plaid (Frankie) and The Music Man (Jacey Squires) - Chanhassen Theatres, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Papa Who) - Minneapolis Children’s Theatre (‘03 Regional Tony winner) and The New No Frills Revue (Man 1) directed by Martin Charnin at Lake Pepin Players. TV/Film work includes the pilot Temps (Mark), jury selection at the ‘06 New York Television Festival, One Life to Live and the reading of the upcoming film Breakfast With Tiffany alongside Ana Gasteyer, Hailie Eisenberg and Andrew McCarthy. A whole bunch of VO work includes his recent long-running gig as the AVO for Qwest. Special thanks to NSM, Billy, Mom and Dad! www.dougtrapp.com.

NYMF debut! Regional: How to Succeed... (Finch), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Benjamin), Cabaret (Emcee), Once Upon a Mattress (Minstrel), Mousetrap (Christopher Wren), Baby (Danny), Gypsy (Tulsa), Phantom, Secret Garden. Concerts: Get Happy - Harold Arlen Centennial starring Christine Ebersole (Chicago Symphony Hall), 'Swonderful (Warner Theatre - D.C.), A Tribute to the Four Seasons, Johnny Rodgers Band (Birdland, The Jazz Standard). Recordings: Fine and Dandy, Through the Years- original cast albums (PS Classics). Graduate, Tarkio College. For Belle.

Robyne Parrish is delighted to be a part of Sherlock Holmes, and the incomparable NYMF festival. Little does the creative team know that Ms. Parrish has been in love with Sherlock for most of her life. That’s right, he is NOT a fictional character and I am sure he would get a good chuckle out of this delightful musical! Off Broadway/NYC: ‘Take Me Along’ at the York (MUFTI), ‘Welcome to Our City’ at the Mint Theatre, Musicals Tonight!, CAP 21 reading series, and the Fringe. Regional: Miss Witherspoon (Maryamma), and Rough Crossing (Natasha) Maine Public Theatre, The Dinosaur Musical (Carlotta DeVries) Arden Theatre in PA, and Laura Ingalls Wilder (Caroline) ArtsPower, Natl. Tour. More NYC: Sonnet Rep - Uncle Vanya (Yelena), Much Ado (Beatrice),Ideal Husband (Mrs. Chevely), Tartuffe (Elmire). Training: BFA at NCSA and Royal National Theatre London. Thanks to the team! This is for Jeremy Brett. www.robyneparrish.com.

New York and regional credits include: The Coast of Utopia(LCT), The
Tempest(SRT), The Midnight Ride Of Paul Revere(TWUSA), ...Categories(NYC
Fringe), Mary Stuart(NYCT), All's Well That Ends Well(TFANA) and
ShakesBare(SRT). T.V.: Guiding Light. B.F.A.NCSA

Broadway: GOOD VIBRATIONS. Regional: TICK, TICK...BOOM! (Adirondack Theatre Festival), FLOYD AND CLEA UNDER THE WESTERN SKY (Hartford Stage), ME AND MY GIRL, HELLO DOLLY, and THE MUSIC MAN (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera). Television: LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (guest star), THE GUIDING LIGHT (guest star). She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in drama. Sarah recently appeared in Things to Ruin (composer Joe Iconis) at Joe’s Pub and recorded the 30th Anniversary Annie Album to be released in the fall of 2007.

MIKE MASTERS (Earl Arthur Blunt) â€" National: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (San Fran, Detroit and Toronto Companies); Off-Broadway/New York: Face The Music (Encores! City Center), Moby-Dick (NYTW), The Happy Time, The Beauty Prize (Musicals Tonight); Regional: Selected credits include South Pacific, The Foreigner, Beauty and the Beast (Flat Rock Playhouse), Twelfth Night (Atlanta Shakespeare Co.), A Christmas Carol, Charlotte’s Web (Alliance Theatre), Night and Her Stars (Jewish Theatre of the South). TV/Film: “Law & Orderâ€�, “Love Monkeyâ€�, “Mama Flora’s Familyâ€�(mini-series), “The Grantâ€�, numerous national and regional commercials.

NICHOLAS KOHN - Las Vegas: Avenue Q; Wynn Hotel. National Tour: Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story. New York: Journey to the West; New York Music Theatre Festival, The Scarlet Letter; Manhattan Theatre Club and Acorn Theatre. Regional: The Full Monty; Stages St. Louis, The Cherry Orchard, A Christmas Carol; McCarter Theatre, Evita, Secret Garden, Brigadoon, Carousel and Titanic. Workshops: Honky, Citizen Ruth, and Ace the musical. Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University. Proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. Thanks to family, friends and Leading Artists. For Mom, Dad & Mike. www.nicholaskohn.com

Susan Louise O’Connor
What the Butler Saw (Huntington Theatre), Wonder of the World (Barrington Stage). Off Broadway: Marion Bridge (Urban Stages), Apostasy (Urban Stages) Walk Two Moons, (Lucille Lortel), Never Swim Alone (Soho Playhouse), See Bob Run (Rattlestick Theatre), Indoor/Outdoor (DR2) & Girlstown (Actors’ Playhouse). Other NYC: St. Scarlet (Women’s Expressive Theatre), Nerve (Packawallop Productions), Mail Order Bride (Resonance Ensemble) the silent concerto (Packawallop Productions), The Hunger Waltz (Relentless Theatre) and How to Act Around Cops (Singularity Co.). Winner of the NYC Fringe Festival’s best actor award for the one-woman show, Take. Films include: Flying Scissors, Acts of Worship,The Franklin Abraham, The Day My Towers Fell & Parallel Passage. Television: Law & Order: Criminal Intent & Nate the Great.