ORIGINAL CAST & CREATIVES
In the spring of 2011, Helen on 86th St. made it's debut at the American Theatre of Actors with this spectacular cast. The majority of these actors joined us for the first developmental reading in September of 2010 and stayed with us for the full journey. We are deeply grateful to them for helping us shape and build this musical from the ground up.
MEREDITH INGLESBY (Victoria) Broadway: The Little Mermaid (Cast Recording), Beauty and the Beast (Babette) National Tours: On the Record (Cast Recording), Little House on the Prairie, The Musical. Regional: My Fair Lady (Eliza), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), Camelot (Guinevere), Crazy for You (Polly), Chicago (Roxie), TV: Law & Order. Thanks to Jen Rudin.
KATHRYN MARKEY (Ms. Dodd) 3 From Brooklyn at the Helen Hayes, The Chalks: An American Family in 3 Chords (Bay Street),Over The Tavern (Penguin Rep),Dreamers and Demons (Emelin), Parallel Lives, Dancing at Lughnasa (Northern Stage), Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound, Pirates of Penzance (St. Michael’s) Selected Shorts: Eudora Welty (NPR), world premieres of Jumping Blind (Gayfest) and Shlemiel Crooks (Merkin Hall.) At Symphony Space: The Thalia Follies, Bloomsday, and Wall to Wall Broadway. On-screen: Law and Order, All My Children, Filmic Achievement, DutchWest TV, and CollegeHumor. Kathryn is one-third of the satirical country band “The Chalks,” seen and heard in venues from Palm Springs to Passaic.
TAYLOR LEIGH BERA (Vita Calista) is thrilled to be originating Vita! 1st National Tour Little House on the Prairie, The Musical w/ Melissa Gilbert (Carrie Ingalls). Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Conservatory. Local Theatre: To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout), Music Man (Amaryllis). Thanks to my Mom and Dad, Grandparents, Mona Greenberg and Victoria Kress (DBA) for helping make my dream come true.
KEVIN PARISEAU (Farfel) Broadway: Legally Blonde the Musical; National: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Santa); Off-Broadway: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Slut, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh; Regional: 1776, All in the Timing, Lend Me a Tenor (with Mickey Rooney), Shear Madness, Prelude to a Kiss, The Tempest, Drood! (with George Rose). Recordings: Sondheim at the Movies, Midlife: The Crisis Musical, Legally Blonde the Musical, Carols for a Cure. Radio: Studio 360 (with George Rose). Recordings: with Kurt Andersen. Audiobooks: Over 70 recordings for Audible.com. Education: Brown University.
SEAN GILBERT (Tommy Aldridge) Sean's favorite roles include Gavroche in the recent Broadway revival of Les Miserables as well as the 3rd National Tour, Ralphie in A Christmas Story at the Maltz Jupiter Theater, and Prince Edward in New York Classical Theatre's Richard III. Sean has done voice work for Nickelodeon, Disney and PBS. Sean lives at the Jersey Shore and loves to surf, play baseball and root for the NY Mets and NY Giants!
AURIELLE KAMINSKI (Helen Maguire) Aurielle is very excited to join the cast of “Helen.” Aurielle’s recent film credits include Brianna in the trailer for the best-selling teen book “Lies” and Katie in “Cant’ Read My Poker Face”. Other credits include Little Jane in MMC’S Peter Pan and voiceovers for Sesame Street. Aurielle performed the role of Helen in the Summer Music Theater Workshop at Lucy Moses, which she attended since she was 5. This summer she attended the world-renowned summer theater camp Stagedoor Manor.
AMANDA YUAN (Kaitlin) Amanda is thrilled to play Kaitlin! Theatre: Ruthless (Tina Denmark), Little Shop of Horrors (Skid Row Soloist), Annie (Duffy), Once on this Island Jr. (Ti Moune) and Mulan Jr. (Mulan); Staged Reading: Sister Aimee/Playwright's Horizon (Aimee's follower); TV: Sesame Street/Word on the Street, 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Finale with Stagedoor Manor; THANKS & LOVE: family, Robby, Nicole, Jen, Pam, Victoria, Katie, Helen and friends!
IZZY HANSON-JOHNSTON (Samantha) Izzy is enthused to be joining the cast of Helen. She has had the pleasure of appearing on Broadway in Billy Elliot (Debbie). Theater: The Grinch at Carnegie Hall (Cindy Lou Who), Rockers on Broadway (Dancer). Readings: PAN (AEA Reading) (lost boy and Jane), Television: Law & Order (Amy Johnson), Dance: Othello (Little Desdemona) at the Met, The Nutcracker, Carousel, Sleeping Beauty,Festival of the Vegetables (Molly Gower). Opera: The Reef (Effie). Izzy loves to ride horses, dance, sing, act, play the drums and hang out with her friends, family and pets.
SHEREEN PIMENTEL (Lydia) is excited about joining the cast of Helen on 86th Street. She made her Broadway debut as Young Nala in The Lion King. She has also performed in the Kidz Theater productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Ragtime. Thanks to Jen Rudin, Sabina Kalfa, Barry Kolker of Carson Kolker Organization and Gulia Mitznova. A very special thanks to my Mom and Dad for alway supporting and believing in me.
MISSY DREIER (Lucy) Missy Dreier is very excited to be a part of the cast of Helen on 86th St. Missy's previous credits include two of Paper Mill Playhouse's New Voices concerts, and voiceovers for Sesame Street. Missy has also appeared on the TV show, "30 Rock." Missy thanks her family, friends, and Shirley Grant Management.
MAGGIE BERA (Ruby) is excited to be a part of making Helen a reality! Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Conservatory; Local Theatre: Les Mis (Cosette), Bye Bye Birdie (Kim), HS Musical 2 (Gabriella), Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Annie (Annie). National Anthem: NJ Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, NY Mets. Television: The Big C; National Verizon Commercial; Love and thanks to my family for traveling all over the tri-state area to see me perform. Special thanks to Mona Greenberg and Victoria Kress (DBA).
GREG IPPOLITO (Richard) is thrilled to join the "Helen" family. Greg has appeared in numerous television and radio commercials along with appearances on television shows such as "30 Rock" and "Flight of the Conchords." Greg has also had the pleasure of appearing in a number of theatre productions including; the Lion in The Wiz, Hannibal in The Curious Savage, and Schlomo in Fame.
KAYLIE RUBINACCIO (Franny) Kaylie made her Broadway debut as Young Cosette in Les Miserables and also appeared on Broadway in Ragtime. She has appeared in The People Garden and in many regional theatre productions, including Annie and The Sound of Music. Special thanks to Victoria, Pam and Katie at Buchwald, and her family and friends for their continued love and support.
MIA FITZGIBBON (Willow) Mia Fitzgibbon is so excited to join the cast of Helen! She attends the Berkeley Carroll School where she recently played Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and Alcyone in Metamorphoses. Some of her favorite previous roles include Lady Larkin in Once Upon a Mattress, Sally Brown in You're a Good Man..., Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie. Thanks to Mom and Dad for their love and constant support!
DANIELLE LEIGH ROSENTHAL (Autumn) Danielle is thrilled to join the cast of Helen on 86th Street. Danielle has been singing since the age of 2. She has performed at The Walnut Street Theatre, the oldest theatre in the country located in Philadelphia, as Eponine in Les Miserables, Violet in State Fair, and an Orphan/Chimney Sweep in Oliver. Other favorite roles include Nellie in Annie Get Your Gun, Louise in Sunday in the Park with George and Young Fan/Urchin in Scrooge the Musical. Danielle is currently working on an original childrens song CD which should be released this year. Thank you Dina Bogner and Jen Rudin!
EMMA YOUNG (Maxine) Emma Young has really enjoyed the"Helen" journey so far, and is super excited to be a part as it continues. She enjoys musical theatre and hopes to improve in all aspects while working with such talented people. She greatly appreciates everyone who has helped her grow as a performer; everyone at BCT, Nicole and Robby, and Amy for teaching voice!
MARTINE BOWMAN (Marjorie) Martine Bowman is beyond excited to be playing the part of Marjorie in Helen on 86th St. She is a member of the Tada! Resident Youth Ensemble where she recently performed the lead role of Br'er Rabbit in "Rabbit Sense". Previous roles at Tada! include: Shirley in "Golly Gee Whiz", Carla in "Everything About A Family (Almost)", Alice in "Little House Of Cookies", Alice In Wonderland (Ensemble) in "Wide Awake Jake" and Cho in "The Magic Pot: Three Tales From China". Martine is the proud recipient of the 2010 National Youth Theater Award for: Lead Actress Age 13 & Under. "Thank you Mom, Dad, Aiden, Nina, Joanna, Jim and Daren for always believing in me... and...to Nicole & Robby: Thank you for this opportunity!"
LEAH GREENHAUS (U/S Vita, Ensemble) is thrilled to be the latest addition to the “Helen” family. She made her Broadway debut as Young Fiona in the original cast of “Shrek The Musical.” She also appeared in “Meet Me In St. Louis” at the Paper Mill Playhouse, in “The Pillowman” with the Attic Ensemble, and played JoJo in “Seussical” with The Theater Company in Hoboken . Thanks to RKS Management and Barry Kolker.
CLARICE MAZANEC (The Cellist) is thrilled to be a part of “Helen.” A graduate of Northwestern University, she has been playing the cello since the age of 4 and singing since before she could talk. Off Broadway: Barn Series: Israel Short Plays (Labyrinth), Hot and Sweet (Lips), 2nd Violin (Catherine-Cellist). Regional: City of Angels (Donna/Oolie), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator). She made her NYC cabaret debut in the critically acclaimed show Blonde Bloggers and most recently in Gravity of Love. She continues to perform in several cabaret and jazz clubs across the city. Thanks to her NYC CORE, Penthouse/SAG, and her family for their continued love and support.
SPRING 2011 CREATIVES
But that's not all! We also had a truly exceptional team of creatives. We are SO grateful we had these brilliant designers and artists on board with us and for the enormous amounts of time they invested, and the skills and the talents they brought to the process. Such brilliance, such generosity and so much patience. We can't thank you enough.
JEN RUDIN (Casting Director) Native New-Yorker and former professional child actress. Casting Executive for The Walt Disney Company (2002-2007.) Films: The Incredibles, The Princess and the Frog, Brother Bear, The Wild, Meet the Robinsons, Chicken Little. Upcoming: Frankenweenie (Tim Burton, director), Turkeys, Savva, and It Must Be Love. Television credits: "Rushzone: The Gathering Storm" (Nicktoons), "Locke and Key" (Fox) , "Touch" (Fox.) Theater credits include the world premiere of Jason Robert Brown's musical "13" at the Mark Taper Forum, and overseeing the US Casting for the Broadway company and tours for The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid and High School Musical: The Tour. Jen has won two Artios Awards for her casting work, and is proud member of the Casting Society of America. For more info, visit: www.jenrudin.com.
ALICIA DHYANA HOUSE (Associate Director) MFA in directing from Columbia University; Recipient of the Richard Rodgers Fellowship and the Rose Biller Scholarship; Kennedy Center Directing Fellowship (2008) with scenic designer Ming Cho Lee. Directing credits: Jermyn Street Theatre (London), The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Atlantic Stage 2, Riverside Theatre, HERE, Martin Segal Theatre, The Looking Glass Theatre, Columbia University, and South Oxford Space; Top Girls and The Game of Love and Chance at Atlantic Theatre; Durang Durang (Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Jermyn Street Theatre in London); Medea (Official selection Prague Quadrennial 2011); The Seagull; Eurydice; The Past is Today But Further Off. Assistant directing work includes Equus, directed by Thea Sharrock for Broadway and Charles Mee’s Under Construction, directed by Anne Bogart, at the 2009 Humana Festival.
VALERIE SALGADO (Choreographer) has worked closely as the assistant to Broadway choreographer Joshua Bergasse, for several years, most recently on NBC's Smash, BC/EFA’s Gypsy of the Year opening number, Bright Lights Big City (Marymount Manhattan College); and Bergasse’s Musical Theater Performance Project. Choreography credits include: Dance Theatre Workshop with Motion Dance + Theatre, Band of Gypsies Choreographer Showcase, New Dance Group, MMAC, Steps, Dancers Who Care Present “Ruach” the Energy of Life. Teaching: University of California, Irvine musical theater satellite program, Rosie O’Donnell’s Broadway Kids, and Broadway Dance Center’s Artists in Motion. Training: Le Studio in Pasadena, California; B.A. in dance from the University of California, Irvine. Performance credits include: contemporary dance companies in LA and NY, West Side Story, Ticket to Ride, (David Marquez), I’ll Be Damned, at the Vineyard Theatre (Luis Salgado). Workshops: The Great White Way, James and the Giant Peach (with Pilobolus).
JI-YOUN CHANG (Scenic/Lighting Designer) MFA in Design from Yale School of Drama, where she was awarded the Donald and Zora Oenslager Fellowship Award in Design and a MFA in Design from Brooklyn College. Peter and the Wolf (Lights) at the Guggenheim, Light Within (Lights) at Carnegie Hall, Stairs to the Roof at A.R.T. Institute (Set & Lights); The Blue Room, Daughter of Venus, Born Yesterday, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre (Set); Durang/Durang in Edinburgh '09/London '10 (Set,Lights & Costumes), Richard II (Yale Repertory Theatre); Three Sisters, R&J, Zero Hour, Hamlet, Speaking Our Mind, The Wendy Play (Yale School of Drama); over 20 productions for Yale Cabaret.
NILUKA HOATLING (Associate Scenic/Lighting Designer) MFA in Design and Technical Production from Brooklyn College. Resident set designer for Henry Street Settlement Abron’s Art Center’ from 2002 to 2009; production designer for Arts Connection’s Broadway Junior series from 2005-2008. NY Design Credits: NY Fringe Festival; Artis Smith Dance Troupe; The Touring Company; Four Chairs Theatre Company; White Horse Theatre Company; Sackett Group; Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts; The New School; Brooklyn College; newfangled theatReR. Professor of Technical Theatre at Brooklyn College and recipient of a 2005 NYSCA Individual Artist's Grant.
CATHERINE FISHER (Costume Designer) Catherine Fisher has designed over sixty shows for stage, independent film, and television. Her work has been seen in the NYC Fringe, MITF, and most recently in Play Nice!, at 59 East 59th Theatres. Catherine is a member of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab, and a New York State Counsel for the Arts (Individual Artist) awards recipient. Her collaborative work in the 2009 Midtown International Theatre Festival, garnered a best scenic design nomination for the play Crossroads.
JASON HURLEY (Sound Designer) Professional design and engineering credits include: Off & Off Off Broadway: The Toymaker, Marrying Meg, Count to Ten, The Assistant, The Academy, Dina and Alba, and Alessia. Regional: The Glass Menagerie starring Sandy Duncan, Altar Boyz, Carmina Burana, I’ll Never Go Hungry Again, Lakme, Peter Pan, Pajama Game, A Christmas Carol, The Rocky Horror Show, Blast, The Nutcracker, The Little Prince, Romeo and Juliet, Tosca, The Jonas Brothers, Neil Sedaka, Cherry Holmes, Tommy Emanuel, BB King, and Cameron Mackintosh’s first national tours of Oliver and Oklahoma.
JEENA YOON (Props Design) BFA Technical Theater and Design from Brooklyn College. Recent credits: The Divine Sister and Dear Edwina produced by the Daryl Roth Theater; Nutcracker in the Lower (Asst to Set Designer) at the Henry Street Settlement Abron’s Art Center. Past work includes: The Odd Couple and The Foreigner for the John Engemann Theater in Northport, NY. In addition, she has worked as a prop artisan at the Utah Festival Opera; prop master for productions at the The Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School, and properties designer/carpenter during 2009-2010 for Unicorn Children's Theater in Utah.
SAM GORDON (Lighting Design Assistant/Audio Operator) is a freelance lighting designer and technician. Recent projects include Hiding the Hellers, In Vain, Amadeus GUTZ, Heterosexuals, Get Rich Cheating, The Last Five Years, If My Heart Were Enough, Before Your Very Eyes, and Six Seconds in Charlack. He also developed the current repertory plot at Kaufman Center’s Merkin Concert Hall, and designed the Broadway Close Up series. Education: BFA in Theatre: Production/Design, Montclair State University.
PHILIP NAUDÉ (Production Manager) Associate Production Manager for Manhattan Theatre Club, Production Supervisor at Brooklyn Academy of Music, technical work for: Atlantic Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Soul Pepper, New Pickle Circus and Julia Morgan Theater. Producer with the 24 Hour Plays Company since 2002, technical theater and design teacher at St. Mary’s College High School, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, City College, Opening Act and Urban Arts Partnership. Currently the Technical Director at French Institute.
KATE DIAL (Production Stage Manager) Kate Dial holds a B.F.A. from Brooklyn College, is a two-time Kennedy Center nominee, and a recipient of the Rebecca Cunningham and Jack Hilton Award. Recent SM credits include: Finding Penelope (Sojourn), Stop Kiss (Trevor Project/PPAS), Paper Angels (San FranciscoFringe), Red Cross (TheatreLab), Conveniences of Modern Living (NY Fringe), Civilization (Sundance Lab).
RAFAEL MIGUEL (Production Assistant) is thrilled and honored to be part of such an extraordinary ensemble, both on the stage and off! With diverse theater and film experience in his background, this is a great way for him to continue exploring himself as an artist, and to continue finding ways to engage the community with his work.
SUSAN L. SCHULMAN (General Press Representative) handles plays, musicals, dance, national tours, cabaret, special events and individual personalities. Broadway: Applause, Scapino, Sly Fox, Bon Fosse's Dancin', A Streetcar Named Desire, Death and the Maiden, Requiem for a Heavyweight, State Fair, Dream. Also: MTC, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Karen Ziemba, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kathleen Chalfant, etc. www.schulmanpublicity.com
MELISSA HARDY (Associate Producer) Literary Associate, Producing Associate and Company Manager for The Play Company. Dramaturgy credits include Beasley’s Christmas Party, Conscientious Objector, In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Keen Company), Bronx Express (New York International Fringe Festival), and The Sleeping Girl (Relentless Theatre Company). Previously, Melissa worked as an associate agent at Bret Adams Limited, representing emerging writers, directors, and designers. B.F.A. from Ohio University and an M.F.A from Brooklyn College.
JOSEPH & KELLY BERA (Associate Producers) are delighted to be launching the new musical HELEN ON 86th ST. Having been involved since the early stages of development, they are looking forward to what lies ahead for the show. Other producing credits include the upcoming Broadway production of Godspell. They are the proud parents of Maggie and Taylor and proud supporter of the arts in New Jersey and New York.