Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner wrote the score for the Broadway musical comedy FIRST DATE, which premiered at the Longacre Theatre starring Zachary Levi and has subsequently had over two hundred productions around the world. Their stage musical adaptation of Paramount’s TRADING PLACES will have its world premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in Spring 2022, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (book: Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant).

Zachary and Weiner are currently writing the screenplay and songs for an original live-action movie musical for TriStar Pictures (Jason Reed Productions). Additionally, they’re writing a movie musical for Disney+, produced by Suzanne Todd.

The duo contributed the first original song for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES (Disney+) and penned all the songs for the critically acclaimed musical episode of ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME. They’ve also developed pilots, movies and songs for ABC, CW, FOX, Disney Channel, VH1, Nickelodeon and Amazon Studios.

Upcoming stage musicals: 17 AGAIN (dir: Adam Shankman) and 13 GOING ON 30 (dir: Andy Fickman). The team also wrote music and lyrics for a stage musical adaptation of the cult family film SECONDHAND LIONS (book: Rupert Holmes / prod: Warner Brothers Theatre Ventures) which debuted at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre (world premiere recording on Broadway Records).

Zachary & Weiner are recipients of the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, presented by Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz.

Thomas Lennon is an actor, producer and New York Times Best Selling author from Oak Park, Illinois. He attended the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where he was a member of the influential sketch comedy group The State. The State’s hit television series ran on MTV for three seasons and received an Ace Award nomination for Best Comedy Series.

After his work on The State, he and his writing partner, Robert Ben Garant, created two more popular series: Viva Variety, which ran for three seasons and was also an Ace nominee for Best Comedy Series, and Reno 911!, on which he also played Lieutenant Jim Dangle. Reno 911! aired for six seasons on Comedy Central before being revived for a seventh season and nominated for an Emmy Award in 2020. Season 8 of Reno 911! is currently in post-production.

Lennon and Garant have also written numerous feature films together, including Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Reno 911!: Miami, The Pacifier, Balls of Fury and Hell Baby. In addition to writing films, Lennon and Garant co-authored, Writing Movies for Fun and Profit, a book about the studio system that Anna Kendrick called, “The Best Book about Hollywood… Hilarious and insanely accurate,” in The New York Times.

In 2019, Lennon debuted on The New York’s Bestseller List with his children’s book Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles. The narrative follows fourteen-year old Ronan Boyle, the youngest and lowliest recruit to the secret Garda – an Irish police force that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures.

Ronan sets on a mission to prove his parents innocence as he is convinced they were framed by the wee people. In March of 2020, Lennon released the sequel with Ronan Boyle and the Swamp of Certain Death. The third installment of the series Ronan Boyle: Into the Strangeplace is on sale this year. A DreamWorks Animation feature film of the Ronan Boyle series is currently in development, with Fergal Reilly (Angry Birds) directing. 

As an actor, Lennon has appeared in the films Transformers: Age of Extinction, The Dark Knight Rises, Le Divorce, Heights, Conversations with Other Women, Memento, 17 Again, I Love You, Man, Cedar Rapids, Knight of Cups, Bad Teacher, Harold and Kumar 3D and What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

His other credits include Netflix’s A Futile and Stupid Gesture, Half Magic opposite Heather Graham and Clint Eastwood’s The 15:57 to Paris. He can be seen in the Russo Brother’s upcoming film CHERRY, with Tom Holland. 

On television he has been seen in How I Met Your Mother, Sean Saves the World, The Odd Couple, Drunk History, The Santa Clarita Diet, Supergirl, Lethal Weapon, and The Twilight Zone.

Lennon lives in Los Angeles and Wisconsin with his wife, the actress Jenny Robertson, and their son, Oliver.

Tinashe Kajese-Bolden is an Award-Winning Director, Actor, Producer. She is the BOLD Artistic Director Fellow at the Alliance Theater and driven to create stories that celebrate our differences while building community. Tinashe is a Princess Grace 2019 Award Winner for Directing, and Map Fund Award recipient to develop her devised new work ALL SMILES for Theater for the Very Young, centering the experience of children on the Autism Spectrum. Recent theatre directing productions include School Girls (Or the African Mean Girls Play) at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Ghost at The Alliance Theater, Native Gardens (Virginia Stage Company), Pipeline (Horizon Theater), Nick’s Flamingo Grill (World Premiere at The Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage), Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Best Director Suzi Bass Award). Upcoming projects: Lydia Diamond’s ‘Toni Stone’ at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and The Alliance Theatre, and Candrice Jone’s ‘Flex’ at Theatrical Outfit for their 2021-22 Season. As a director and actor, she has worked On + Off Broadway, including The Imperial Theatre, Primary Stages, 59E59 Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem; and regionally at Yale Rep, Woolly Mammoth Theater Co, Cincinnati Playhouse, The Geva Theatre, CTG’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, among others, as well as recurring roles on TV/Film (Suicide Squad, Marvel’s Hawkeye, CW’s Valor, Dynasty, HBO’s Henrietta Lacks and currently filming Season 2 of Ava Duverney’s Cherish the Day.) She proudly serves on the ARTS-ATL Artist Advisory Council “My mission is the pursuit of what connects our different communities and how we create art that serves that.”

Kenny Leon is a Tony and Obie Award-winning; Emmy-nominated; Broadway and Television director. Most recently, he directed Lifetime’s Emmy-nominated Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia. Currently on Netflix, Kenny directed Amend: The Fight for America, a six-part docuseries hosted by Will Smith. Last year, he directed the Tony Award--winning Broadway premiere of Charles Fuller's Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece, A Soldier's Play starring Blair Underwood and David Alan Grier at Roundabout Theatre Company for which he also received a nomination for Best Director. He also directed the acclaimed production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Delacorte/Shakespeare in the Park. His Broadway credits include the recent production of A Soldier's Play, American Son starring Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale which was also adapted for Netflix, the revival of Children of a Lesser God, the Tupac musical Holler If Ya Hear Me, A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Stick Fly produced by Alicia Keys, August Wilson’s Fences (which garnered ten Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play), Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf, as well as A Raisin in the Sun starring Sean “Diddy” Combs, Phylicia Rashad, and Audra McDonald. He also directed Smart People and The Underlying Chris for Second Stage.  Leon’s television work includes “Hairspray Live!”, and “The Wiz Live!” on NBC. He recently released his memoir Take You Wherever You Go. He is the recipient of the 2016 Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing and the 2010 Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League. Mr. Leon serves on the board of New York's Public Theater and is Artistic Director Emeritus of Atlanta's Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. He is currently serving as Senior Resident Director at Roundabout Theatre Company.

Prior to co-founding True Colors Theatre Company, he served 11 years as Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre, where he produced the premieres of Disney's Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida, Pearl Cleage's Blues for an Alabama Sky and Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Other directorial credits include Alicia Keys World Tour, Toni Morrison's opera Margaret Garner, the world premiere of Flashdance The Musical, and the complete August Wilson Century Cycle at the Kennedy Center. Leon is a sought-after motivational speaker that has done acting and theatre workshops at universities and corporate offices around the country, South Africa and Ireland. He has directed in the UK, and extensively throughout the US, including Chicago's Goodman Theatre, Boston's Huntington Theatre, Baltimore's Center Stage, Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group and New York's Public Theatre. Leon is a graduate of Clark Atlanta and is an honorary Ph.D. recipient of Clark Atlanta and Roosevelt Universities and has served as the Denzel Washington Chair at Fordham University.

Jimmy Ray Bennett is co-creator of the off-Broadway improvised “cult hit” The Nuclear Family, Nathan Brooks in Hand of God for Amazon Prime, and the body and voice of Floyd for Grand Theft Auto 5. Past theatres include The Arena, McCarter, LaJolla Playhouse, Barrow Street, NYTW, The Duke on 42nd, City Center, the Kennedy Center, and The Groundlings. TV: “Billions,” “Hot In Cleveland,” “AJ And The Queen,” “Blacklist, “ “The Daily Show,” “Better Nate Than Ever” and “DL Hughley’s Endangered Species List.” Shout out to his friends at Dad’s Garage.

Dana Costello // Broadway: Finding Neverland (Mary Barrie), Pretty Woman (Rachel, u/s Vivian), Jekyll & Hyde (Broadway and National tour: Nellie, u/s Emma), Lincoln Center’s concert production of The Scarlet Pimpernel (Marie Tussaud). Other favorite credits include: Dave (Montana Jefferson; Arena Stage, DC), Cabaret (Sally Bowles; Argyle Theatre, NY), Enter Laughing (Miss B.; York Theatre, NYC) and many more Off-Broadway and regional works. She was most recently seen as Catherine Fox on the revival of “Law & Order” on NBC. For more visit www.dana-costello.com. Thank you for supporting live theater!

Follow @dana_coz

Kayla Marie Cruz is extremely thrilled to be making her musical theater debut and joining the fabulous cast of Trading Places! Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Kayla began dancing at just 1 year old. She most recently graduated from Wagner College with a B.A. in Dance Education, while simultaneously pursuing a professional career in commercial dance. Kayla has performed with several musical artists, such as Meghan Trainor, J Balvin, Meek Mill, and the Jonas Brothers, and has been featured on television shows such as “Law & Order: SVU” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. She also is a member of the Brooklynettes, the official dance team for the NBA Brooklyn Nets. Kayla would like to extend a huge thank you to her agency, Bloc NYC, her parents, Stephanie and Sean Cruz, as well as her RCDC and Brooklynettes families for all of their support and love through the years!  

Follow @kaylacruz

Aneesa Folds is thrilled to be joining this incredible cast and team of beautiful people! Folds was last seen on the Broadway National Tour of Freestyle Love Supreme and also joined the Special Tony Awarded show on Broadway in both 2019 and 2021. She was also a part of the Grammy-nominated Hulu documentary “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme" and is a member of the Grammy award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices. Aneesa has been featured on Disney Channel, Sesame Street, Rolling Stone and in The New York Times. Favorite credits include: Off-Broadway/NYC: Sistas The Musical. Regional: North Shore Music Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Arrow Rock Lyceum. National Tour: Ragtime. Film: Vivo, Tick Tick Boom! Much love to her family, friends and entire team for their never ending support!

Julia Grondin is beyond excited to be joining this incredible production! She is a recent graduate of Pace University with a BFA in Commercial Dance. After joining the first national tour of Escape to Margaritaville, she became a Knicks City Dancer.  She is so grateful to everyone who has trained her to get to this point, and she would love to thank her family and friends for their unwavering love and support. 

Follow @juliagrondin

Benjamin Howes // Originally from Sydney, Australia, Benjamin has performed on Broadway in [title of show], Mary Poppins, and Scandalous. He has toured the country in Mary Poppins, Shrek The Musical, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, playing Willy Wonka more than forty times. Off-Broadway credits include The View Upstairs and its recording. Regionally, he has performed at A.R.T. in the award-winning play The Shape She Makes, at the Old Globe, Goodspeed Opera House, MiIwaukee Repertory Theatre and Asolo Repertory among many others. Television credits: “The Blacklist”, “Gossip Girl”, “The Deuce” (recurring), “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Flight of the Conchords” and a small but glamorous recurring role in “One Life To Live” as Shakespeare-reciting drag queen, Alma Children. Film: Easter Mysteries as Thomas; Miles as Mr. Meely. Benjamin is currently serving as an Artist Champion for the famed HB Studio in New York. He teaches and coaches actors and singers all over the USA. Follow @benjthestar

Arica Jackson is over the moon to be making her Alliance Theatre debut in Atlanta! She recently played the role of Haley in the world premiere of Grace the musical at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. She played the Washing Machine in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Caroline, Or Change. Other Broadway credits include: Waitress (Becky u/s, Swing) and Head Over Heels (Pamela/Mopsa Standby). She was in the 1st national tour of Waitress. Arica has also appeared in the CBS show “Evil” and the Sing-Along version of the Netflix movie Jingle Jangle. She’s a proud alumni of Carnegie Mellon University class of 2017. Arica is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Arica hails from the Detroit Metropolitan area. Special thanks to Mom and my folks at The Price Group talent agency!

Follow @aaygirl1947 

Marc Kudisch // Broadway: 15 shows total, having just completed Girl From The North Country at the Belasco Theatre; Tony nominations for 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Off-Broadway: F**king A, Hand to God, The Wayside Motor Inn (Drama Desk Award), A Minister’s Wife, The Glorious Ones, See What I Wanna See. OPERA: NYCO- A Little Night Music, Pirates Of Penzance; LA Opera- A Little Night Music, anatomy theatre, Wonderful Town; Dutch National Opera- The New Prince; currently developing TRADE for The Prototype Festival/NYC, LA Opera and the Irish National Opera. FILM: Late Night, UnSeen, Man In The Dark. TV: Rathbone on “The Tick,” Dr Gus on “Billions,” “The Equalizer,” “The Good Fight,” “Condor,” “Black List,” “Mindhunter,” “House of Cards,” “Unforgettable,” “Power,” “Blue Bloods,” “Sex and the City,” “Bye Bye Birdie.”

McKenzie Kurtz is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Atlanta playing Penelope in the world premiere of Trading Places. Previous credits include Star to Be in NBC’s Annie Live!, Anna in Frozen on Broadway/the North American Tour, and Ariel in Footloose (The Muny). Proud alumna of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Special thanks to Tim and Erica. So much love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, and Lydia for their endless love and support.

Follow @mckenziekurtz

Josh Lamon most recently appeared at the American Repertory Theater in the world premiere of Wild* with Idina Menzel. Broadway: The Prom*, Groundhog Day*, Finding Neverland*, Elf, Hair*. SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Into the Woods. Off-Broadway: A New Brain* (Encores!); Little Miss Sunshine (2nd Stage); Little Me!; Emojiland*; February House (The Public Theatre); Notes From Now (Prospet). NATIONAL TOUR: Hair (Helen Hayes Award), Wicked (1st National). TV/Film: “Here Today” (Dir. Billy Crystal), “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Blacklist,” “The Good Fight,” “30 Rock,” “Deadbeat,” “Inside Amy Schumer.” Podcast: “Josh Swallows Broadway,” Broadway Podcast Network. (*Original Cast Recording)

Follow @Josh.Lamon

Raymond J Lee is excited to make his Alliance Theatre debut with this incredible group of people! Ray was most recently in the company of Once Upon A One More Time at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Broadway credits include Aladdin, Anything Goes, Groundhog Day, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Mamma Mia! Other NY credits include Soft Power (The Public), Mack & Mabel (Encores!), The Wild Party (Encores!), Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Public), and Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical.  Regional credits include productions at A.C.T., CTG, La Jolla, The MUNY, Paper Mill, and Portland Center Stage. Film/TV credits include Marriage Story, Fire Island, Ghost Town, "The First Lady," "Succession," “Billions,” “Red Oaks,” and “Smash." His voiceover work includes projects for Dreamworks, Netflix (including Squid Game), and numerous audiobooks. Ray is a proud graduate of Northwestern University and is repped by Nicolosi & Co. and Sullivan Talent Group. Love to Robbi & Ella!

Follow @raymondjlee

Michael Longoria is best known for his star turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. He made his Broadway debut in the smash hit musical Hairspray. Additional Stage credits include the original Off-Broadway cast of The View Upstairs, and international productions of West Side Story & A Chorus Line. Select TV Credits Include: "America’s Got Talent," "Broadway Under The Stars: A Tribute To Harold Prince," and "Dora the Explorer." As a singer-songwriter, Longoria has released 3 albums: Broadway Brick By Brick, Merry Christmas Darling, and Like They Do In The Movies.

Follow @michaellongoriasings

James Luc is excited to be making his musical theater debut with Trading Places! Born and raised in Queens, NY, James began dancing at the young age of 7. Consistently watching and imitating the legendary Michael Jackson helped create a dream that he would soon turn into reality. He fell in love with the ability to perform and truly entertain others. In the past, he has worked with musical artists such as JLO, Travis Scott, Mariah Carey, Daddy Yankee, and more. James also most recently appeared in the films Marry Me and In the Heights, and shows such as “Law and Order: SVU” and “Harlem.” When he’s not in the studio moving, he’s investing his time in other artistic endeavors like modeling, acting, and teaching the youth. He believes that everyone has this common undeniable talent called “Potential.” With potential and your own faith there is nothing you cannot master. This belief is what helped create his favorite saying, “Success is a must!” He would love to give a special thank you to his agency, Bloc, and his family and friends back home for being pillars to his strength.

Follow @Iamrythmj

Michael McCorry Rose (Ensemble) was recently nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award for his performance in Dan Levine’s film adaptation of Snapshots and this Fall he will be seen in Disney’s live-action film Disenchanted premiering on Disney+. On Broadway and on tour he has appeared as “Fiyero” in the hit musical Wicked, the Tony Award-winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and in Anastasia. His theater credits include roles at regional theaters such as The Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Paper Mill Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theater, Capital Repertory Theater, and Project Shaw in New York City.

Bryce Pinkham (he/him) // This is the first time Bryce has performed since Broadway shut down in 2020, and he is thrilled to be back onstage, making his Alliance Theatre debut! Mostly, he hopes that the company can make you laugh a little (or a lot) at this show. If they can’t, that’s ok too, just know that they all tried, but that Bryce tried the hardest. Bryce’s Broadway credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Heidi Chronicles, Holiday Inn, The Great Society, Ghost, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. TV and Film: The Comedian, “The Get Down,” “Mercy Street,” “Person of Interest,” “The Good Wife,” “Blacklist,” and the upcoming HBO series “Julia.” He is also the voice of Stolas on “Helluva Boss.” Bryce co-founded a charity for under-resourced kids in Madagascar (www.zaraaina.org) and has performed with Outside the Wire for US military audiences in Kuwait, Qatar, Guantanamo Bay and Japan. Bryce studied acting and bio-writing at the Yale School of Drama and Boston College, but he is most proud of his permanent role as Winnie and Wilder’s Dad and Scarlett Strallen’s husband.

Follow @theBryceCapades 

Malaiyka Reid // Off-Broadway: Black No More; Miss You Like Hell (ass. choreographer); The Fortress of Solitude; Cabin in the Sky (Encores!). National tours: Fela!. Regional: The Wiz (The Muny), Staggerlee; Man in the Ring (movement director). TV: “The Get Down,” “Dickinson,” “The Wiz: Live!,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” Film: Coming 2 America, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Other credits: The Metropolitan Opera: Porgy and Bess.
 

Xavier Reyes (he/him) is a Puerto Rican actor constantly and actively pursuing ways of storytelling. Xavier is very grateful and excited to be part of this fun story! Having performed all over the US, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Canada, some credits include the Kinky Boots Broadway National Tour, the Night at the Museum musical workshop, Working, Fun Home, Hair, In the Heights several times, Rent several times, West Side Story several times, La Cage Aux Folles, Lynn Nottage’s SWEAT, and Encanto, a new musical in Puerto Rico. Thank you, God. Thank you to the creative team, cast members, Telsey & Company for seeing me, Kenny Leon, BLOC NY Agency (Jim, Kyla, Bridget), Bohemia Group (Naomi Kolstein), my friends who constantly pull up (and help me self-tape), and my family for always praying for my success and artistry. Everything I do is for my Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico! I love being an artist. Thank you, audience member, for showing up, supporting, and being a part of this experience. Proud Alum of Ithaca College.

Follow @XavierReyesActor

Jacob Roberts-Miller is delighted to make his Alliance Theatre debut! National Tours: A Bronx Tale (Handsome Nick, u/s Calogero–Networks). Off-Broadway: From Here to Eternity, (Anderson, Baryshnikov Arts Center). Regional: Spamalot (Ensemble–Ogunquit Playhouse), Kiss Me, Kate (Gremio, u/s Bill–Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), A Christmas Carol (Ensemble–Zach Scott Theatre), Footloose, South Pacific, Mamma Mia (Ensemble–The Rev), Secret Garden (Dickon–New London Barn Playhouse). Many thanks to his wonderful fiancee, his incredibly kind friends and family, and the folks at the Daniel Hoff Agency.

Follow @jacobtwolastnames

Don Stephenson most recently created the role of Bill O'Wray in the Broadway premiere of Trouble in Mind. Previous Broadway appearances: Starred as Leo Bloom in The Producers, the D'Ysquith Family in A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, Victor in Private Lives, and Hertz in Rock of Ages. He created the roles of Mr. Peavy in Parade, Bingo in By Jeeves, Renfield in Dracula, and Charles Clarke in Titanic (Broadway debut). New York City Opera: Frank Lippencott in Wonderful Town. New York City Center Encores!: Me and My Girl, Pardon My English, The Bandwagon. Other NY credits include Death Takes a Holiday, Chess. TV & Film credits: “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Law & Order,” “The Blacklist,” “The Americans,” “Deception,” “Happy,” “The Good Wife,” “30 Rock,” “Glee,” “Ugly Betty,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” and “Heartland Express.” Recordings: Titanic, Parade (RCA); Death Takes a Holiday (PS Classics); the complete recordings of Guys and Dolls, Wonderful Town, The Most Happy Fella (JAY Records).

Nyla Watson // Giving all glory to God, Nyla Watson is a Cleveland-born NYC-based actor, concert artist, voice teacher and acting coach. She joins us after shining bright in the star-studded new musical Black No More Off-Broadway and after making her Broadway debut in Waitress the Musical with Sara Bareilles. Other notable performances include Gigantic (Off-Broadway), touring with Wicked and the Color Purple revival and having the honor to play both Reno Sweeney and Mama Rose at NYU. She attributes her success to her Christian faith, her parents, her education, the team at CGF Talent, and her professional and personal influences. Proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace and NYU - Steinhardt. Thank you the amazing team of Trading Places and the Alliance Theater for this amazing opportunity. Acts 4:7-12. This one is for Dr. Sears. Thank you.

Follow @brandnewnyla
www.queennyla.com

Lenny Wolpe is delighted to be at the Alliance.  He has appeared on Broadway in Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Sound of Music, Mayor, Into the Light, Onward Victoria and Copperfield.  Off-Broadway: Heartbreak House, Midnight Street, Marry Harry, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Company, Radio City Spring Spectacular.  National tours: Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, Forum, Guys & Dolls, South Pacific. Regional: Papermill Playhouse (Baker’s Wife, Gypsy, The Outsider), Godspeed Opera House (Showboat, Christmas Carol), Musical Theatre West, North Coast Rep, Barrington,  Pasadena Playhouse, Westport, Reprise LA, Capital Rep, La Mirada, St Louis Rep, Maltz Jupiter, Asolo Rep, McCarter, Sacramento, Pittsburgh CLO, Kansas City Rep, DTC, Cape Playhouse, Bucks County, Denver Center, TUTS Houston, Hollywood Bowl (Music Man).  TV: Lenny has guest starred on nearly 100 shows from ER, Ally McBeal, L.A. Law to The Golden Girls, Chapelle’s Show, Law &Order SVU and The Good Fight. Lenny received an Emmy nomination for the Amazon series After Forever. 

Kevin Zak is a NY-based actor, comedian, and writer. Off Broadway: An Evening With Pam Goldberg (Ars Nova), Clinton The Musical (Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Original Cast Recording) Neurosis (Original Cast Recording), Katie Thompson’s R.R.R.E.D. (Original Cast Recording) Silence! The Musical. National Tours: Waitress (1st national), Cats. Other credits include shows at The MUNY, BPAC, and Goodspeed Musicals, as well as countless workshops. TV: “The Flight Attendant,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Kevin’s internet comedy has been featured in many press outlets including The Daily Beast, The Wrap, Out, Buzzfeed, and The Today Show.

Follow @Kevinjzak

Jimmy Ray Bennett is co-creator of the off-Broadway improvised “cult hit” The Nuclear Family, Nathan Brooks in Hand of God for Amazon Prime, and the body and voice of Floyd for Grand Theft Auto 5. Past theatres include The Arena, McCarter, LaJolla Playhouse, Barrow Street, NYTW, The Duke on 42nd, City Center, the Kennedy Center, and The Groundlings. TV: “Billions,” “Hot In Cleveland,” “AJ And The Queen,” “Blacklist, “ “The Daily Show,” “Better Nate Than Ever” and “DL Hughley’s Endangered Species List.” Shout out to his friends at Dad’s Garage.

Dana Costello // Broadway: Finding Neverland (Mary Barrie), Pretty Woman (Rachel, u/s Vivian), Jekyll & Hyde (Broadway and National tour: Nellie, u/s Emma), Lincoln Center’s concert production of The Scarlet Pimpernel (Marie Tussaud). Other favorite credits include: Dave (Montana Jefferson; Arena Stage, DC), Cabaret (Sally Bowles; Argyle Theatre, NY), Enter Laughing (Miss B.; York Theatre, NYC) and many more Off-Broadway and regional works. She was most recently seen as Catherine Fox on the revival of “Law & Order” on NBC. For more visit www.dana-costello.com. Thank you for supporting live theater!

Follow @dana_coz

Benjamin Howes // Originally from Sydney, Australia, Benjamin has performed on Broadway in Mary Poppins, Scandalous and [title of show]. He has toured the country in Mary Poppins, Shrek The Musical and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, playing Willy Wonka more than forty times. OffBroadway credits include The View Upstairs and its recording. Regionally, he has performed at A.R.T. in the award winning play The Shape She Makes, at the Old Globe, Goodspeed Opera House, MiIwaukee Repertory Theatre and Asolo Repertory among many others. Favorite roles include Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Lord Farquaad in Shrek, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Albin in La Cage Aux Folles. Television credits: “The Blacklist”, “Gossip Girl”, “The Deuce” (recurring), “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Flight of the Conchords” and a small but glamorous recurring role in “One Life To Live” as Shakespeare-reciting drag queen, Alma Children. Film: “Easter Mysteries” as Thomas; “Miles” as Mr. Meely. Benjamin is currently serving as an Artist Champion for the famed HB Studio in New York. He teaches and coaches actors and singers all over the USA.

Follow @benjthestar 

Arica Jackson is over the moon to be making her Alliance Theatre debut in Atlanta! She recently played the role of Haley in the world premiere of Grace the musical at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. She played the Washing Machine in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Caroline, Or Change. Other Broadway credits include: Waitress (Becky u/s, Swing) and Head Over Heels (Pamela/Mopsa Standby). She was in the 1st national tour of Waitress. Arica has also appeared in the CBS show “Evil” and the Sing-Along version of the Netflix movie Jingle Jangle. She’s a proud alumni of Carnegie Mellon University class of 2017. Arica is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Arica hails from the Detroit Metropolitan area. Special thanks to Mom and my folks at The Price Group talent agency!

Follow @aaygirl1947 

Michael McCorry Rose was recently nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award for his performance in Dan Levine’s film adaptation of Snapshots and this Fall he will be seen in Disney’s live-action film Disenchanted premiering on Disney+. On Broadway and on tour he has appeared as “Fiyero” in the hit musical Wicked, the Tony Award-winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and in Anastasia. His theater credits include roles at regional theaters such as The Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Paper Mill Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theater, Capital Repertory Theater, and Project Shaw in New York City.

Xavier Reyes (he/him) is a Puerto Rican actor constantly and actively pursuing ways of storytelling. Xavier is very grateful and excited to be part of this fun story! Having performed all over the US, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Canada, some credits include the Kinky Boots Broadway National Tour, the Night at the Museum musical workshop, Working, Fun Home, Hair, In the Heights several times, Rent several times, West Side Story several times, La Cage Aux Folles, Lynn Nottage’s SWEAT, and Encanto, a new musical in Puerto Rico. Thank you, God. Thank you to the creative team, cast members, Telsey & Company for seeing me, Kenny Leon, BLOC NY Agency (Jim, Kyla, Bridget), Bohemia Group (Naomi Kolstein), my friends who constantly pull up (and help me self-tape), and my family for always praying for my success and artistry. Everything I do is for my Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico! I love being an artist. Thank you, audience member, for showing up, supporting, and being a part of this experience. Proud Alum of Ithaca College.

Follow @XavierReyesActor

Nyla Watson // Giving all glory to God, Nyla Watson is a Cleveland-born NYC-based actor, concert artist, voice teacher, and acting coach. She joins us after shining bright in the star-studded new musical Black No More Off-Broadway and after making her Broadway debut in Waitress the Musical with Sara Bareilles. Other notable performances include Gigantic (Off-Broadway), touring with Wicked and The Color Purple revival, and having the honor to play both Reno Sweeney and Mama Rose at NYU. She attributes her success to her Christian faith, her parents, her education, the team at CGF Talent, and her professional and personal influences. Proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace and NYU - Steinhardt. Thank you to the amazing team of Trading Places and the Alliance Theatre for this amazing opportunity.

Follow @brandnewnyla

Kevin Zak is a NY-based actor, comedian, and writer. Off Broadway: An Evening With Pam Goldberg (Ars Nova), Clinton The Musical (Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Original Cast Recording) Neurosis (Original Cast Recording), Katie Thompson’s R.R.R.E.D. (Original Cast Recording) Silence! The Musical. National Tours: Waitress (1st national), Cats. Other credits include shows at The MUNY, BPAC, and Goodspeed Musicals, as well as countless workshops. TV: “The Flight Attendant,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Kevin’s internet comedy has been featured in many press outlets including The Daily Beast, The Wrap, Out, Buzzfeed, and The Today Show.

Follow @Kevinjzak

Jonathan Bauerfeld is an NYC based composer, orchestrator, and music director. He has worked on the music team for several Broadway shows, first class national tours, and developmental workshops, including Hamilton, King Kong, Escape to Margaritaville, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Bauerfeld’s original musical with longtime collaborator Casey Kendall, The Jury, recently premiered at A.R.T. New York’s Gural Theatre in NYC, and his short musical written with Talaura Harms, Book Lovers – available in two languages through MTI – has been produced many times across North America. Other original scores by Bauerfeld include The Book Of Names (Edinburgh Fringe) and Short Shakes! Comedy Of Errors (Tony Award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater.) Bauerfeld’s orchestrations have been heard at Symphony Space, Off-Broadway, NYMF, The Green Room 42, The American Pops Orchestra in Washington DC, and more. He has conducted for Friends: The Musical Parody (St. Luke’s Theatre), The Office! A Musical Parody (Jerry Orbach Theatre), Single Rider (The Player’s Theatre), and music directed several TWUSA tours, including The Pout Pout Fish at the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street. Graduate of Northwestern University, and member of the Advanced BMI MT workshop.

Beowulf Boritt designed Saint Lucy’s Eyes and …Spelling Bee at the Alliance Theatre.  25 Broadway designs include Act One (Tony Award), The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Nomination), Therese Raquin (Tony Nomination), Come From Away, Flying Over Sunset, Freestyle Love Supreme, Be More Chill, The New One, On The Town, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Meteor Shower, A Bronx Tale, Prince Of Broadway, Hand To God, Sondheim On Sondheim, …Spelling Bee, LoveMusik, Rock of Ages, Chaplin, and Grace. 100 Off-Broadway designs include Much Ado About Nothing, Merry Wives, The Last Five Years, Fiddler On The Roof (in Yiddish), Sleepwalk With Me, and Miss Julie. He has designed for The NYC Ballet and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and around the world in England, Russia, China, Australia, and Japan. 2007 OBIE Award for sustained excellence. 

Rick Edinger (he/they) is a proud queer AAPI music director, educator, vocal coach, and pianist. Edinger is thrilled to be making his Alliance Theatre debut with this hilarious show and brilliant team of collaborators! Edinger started the 2021-2022 season as Music Director for the world premiere of Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey, and Kwame Kwei-Armah’s The Visitor at The Public Theater in New York (Daniel Sullivan, director) starring David Hyde Pierce.  Additionally, Edinger was Music Director/ Keys/ Man 2 for New City Music Theatre’s inaugural production of Songs for a New World at Radial Park in New York (Miles J. Sternfeld, director) starring Nancy Opel, Liz Callaway, Bonnie Milligan, Christy Altomare, Jason Gotay, Jay Armstrong Johnson, et al.  In late fall 2021, Edinger music directed the developmental reading of Mizer and Moore’s The Amazing Mr. X starring Kate Baldwin, Krystina Alabado, & Nik Walker.  They arrive in Atlanta after Music Supervising Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama’s production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Tomé Cousin, director). This summer and fall, Edinger will music direct the pre-Broadway workshop of Joy by AnnMarie Milazzo and Ken Davenport. Edinger serves as Associate Professor of Musical Theater at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. They also serve on the Board of Directors of The National Alliance for Musical Theatre and New City Music Theatre.  As new work consultant, Edinger has recently contributed to the development of The River is Me, Interstate, Māyā, and Hart Island. 

Follow @rickedingernyc 

August Eriksmoen // Broadway: Orchestrations – Come From Away (Olivier Award, Grammy nomination), Bright Star (Tony nom.), Prince Of Egypt (London West End), Gigi, First Date, Hugh Jackman Back On Broadway (additional orchestrations); The Addams Family (dance arrangements, additional orchestrations), Memphis (dance arrangements), Million Dollar Quartet (assoc. music supervisor), Ring of Fire (assoc. MD), All Shook Up (MD), Rent (assoc. conductor). Off-Broadway: Bare, Romantic Poetry, Walmartopia, Imperfect Chemistry. Other: A Christmas Story Live (Fox), Once Upon A Time (ABC), Disney’s Descendants (Andrew Lippa’s “Evil Like Me”), 2011 Billboard Music Awards, I Am Harvey Milk, Bull Durham, James and the Giant Peach. 

Jeremy Green // A true creative, leader, and trendsetter, Jeremy Green is quickly taking the entertainment industry by storm by way of Atlanta. His work can be seen in television shows such as Netflix’s “Insatiable,” ABC’S “Queens,” BET Hip Hop Awards, BET Awards, “Grownish,” ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” Fox’s “Labor of Love,” and as a creative director/choreographer for the film Uncle Drew starring Shaquille O’Neal. Jeremy recently worked with Fatima Robinson on the feature film Coming 2 America and JCrew’s commercial with Tracee Ellis Ross. Working alongside Eboni Nichols, Jeremy also assisted on the film Night School (starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish). He has worked with artists such as Lil Baby, Latto, Bia, Cardi B, Migos, and more for TV shows and tours. Jeremy believes that all artists should be approached with vision and passion which has led him to be the visionary and founder of the annual Atlanta event “Behind the Movement,” a production company known for dance showcases and training intensives for up-and-coming talent and to raise funds to benefit youth in the dance community. 

Adam Honoré // Broadway: Chicken and Biscuits. Off-Broadway: Select: The Public: Ain’t No Mo; Classic Stage Company: Carmen Jones; Out of the Box: The Last Five Years. REGIONAL: Select: Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Huntington Theater Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival. AWARDS: Drama Desk, Henry Hewes, Helen Hayes Nominee; AUDELCO Award recipient. 

Follow @itsadamhonore 

Fatima Robinson // As The New York Times notes, Fatima Robinson is “one of the most sought-after hip-hop and popular music choreographers in the world”. Fatima was recently nominated for a Emmy award for producing the highly regarded 2021 Grammy Awards. Fatima’s film resume reads like a who’s who of Hollywood having choreographed the critically acclaimed Dreamgirls, Coming 2 America 2, The Harder They Fall, American Gangster, Public Enemy, Ali, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Space Jam 2 as well as working with stars like Will Smith, Halle Berry, Eddie Murphy, Colin Farrell, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, The Rock, Sandra Bullock, Thandie Newton, Queen Latifah, and Academy Award winning directors such as Michael Mann, Mike Nichols, Ridley Scott, and the list goes on.

She has choreographed many memorable television performances including five different Academy Awards performances. Fatima’s television choreography has been featured on such popular shows as Queens, Blackish, Grownish, American Soul, the Voice, Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol and NBC’s live musical the Wiz. Fatima also notably choreographed the 2011 Super Bowl Halftime show with the Black Eyed Peas and the Coachella performances including the Tupac Hologram, Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer, Brockhampton, and Halsey.

Fatima’s unique vision expands beyond just the steps of the choreography and into the outstanding overall look of these events as producer. She recently executive produced “Taking the Stage: Changing America”, the concert honoring the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. She was also invited to teach a master class at the White House to celebrate African American Women and Dance. Fatima has also been the creative director behind such notable events as Fashion Rocks, BET Awards, The American Music Awards, and the Grammy’s. Renowned for her ability to blend classic dancestyles with her distinct hip hop flavor, Fatima has choreographed for notable spots including Gucci, Chanel, Burberry, Target, H&M, Pepsi, Gap, Apple, Nissan, Verizon, Motorola and Heineken. In addition, through her work with artists such as Britney Spears, Meghan Trainor, Pharrell Williams, Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Lana Del Rey, Usher, Sade, Prince, Rihanna, Major Lazer, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J Blige.

Named one of Entertainment Weekly’s “100 Most Creative People in Entertainment,” she has received numerous MTV VMA nominations for Best Choreography. Her work as a choreographer and video director for the Black Eyed earner her a win for Best Hip Hop Video for “My Humps” and Best Choreography for “Hey Mama”. Fatima was also the creative force behind breaking artist Meghan Trainor and was the director of “All About The Bass” (over 2 billion You Tube hits and counting), “Dear Future Husband” and “No”. Fatima was also nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Choreographer – Off-Broadway, for her theatrical debut, Radiant Baby, a musical based on the life of artist Keith Haring, produced and directed by George C. Wolfe at the New York Public Theater.

Upcoming projects include the 2022 Superbowl and the highly anticipated Warner Bros. musical The Color Purple.

John Shivers // Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Worldwide), Pretty Woman, Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour (Worldwide), Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award recipient) (Worldwide), Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, 9 to 5, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan (Worldwide), & Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays. International: Wicked (Hamburg),Spirit of Life, The Secret, Das Wunder Von Bern, The Lion King (Shanghai) and (Singapore), Regional: The Muny 2015 – Present, The Wanderer, Becoming Nancy, 42nd St., The Heart of Rock and Roll, Moonshine, Harmony, The Nutty Professor, Tales of the City, Emma, Robin and the 7 Hoods. Other credits include: Savion Glover, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Gregory Hines.

Emilio Sosa // Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Emilio is one of Broadway’s most unique talents. He began his theater career at Grace Costumes, starting as a shopper, and eventually becoming its Creative Director. Emilio went on to tour the world with Celine Dion, The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Emilio made a name for himself styling music videos for Hip Hop pioneers and designing for music icons like Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, and Gloria Estefan. Emilio became Spike Lee’s in-house stylist, working on national and international ad campaigns, before setting his sight on Broadway, where he was mentored by director George C. Wolfe, for whom he designed his first Broadway show, Topdog/Underdog. His other Broadway credits include, On Your Feet! The Emilio and Gloria Estefan Story, Motown: The Musical, Porgy and Bess (Tony Award nom) and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. He shares the unique distinction of being the first designer of color to design The Radio City Music Hall Spring Spectacular and a new permanent number for the legendary Christmas Show, both starring The Rockettes. He has received both Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations and has been the recipient of a Lucille Lortell Award, NAACP Theate Awards, and an LA Ovation Award. The proud Chair of the American Theater Wing. Emilio shares his vast theater knowledge with communities rarely represented, by sponsoring theater trips, workshops and talk backs.

Follow @esosafashion

Adrian Wiltshire // Adrian Wiltshire’s strong background in classical training (School Of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and Dance Theater of Harlem) has led to his current niche in hip hop/urban commercial dance and choreography. As an associate/assistant to highly esteemed choreographer Fatima Robinson, his recent credits include the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show (Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige, Eminem), the 94th Academy Awards with Beyonce “Be Alive” from King Richard, Coming 2 America, Space Jam II, “Black-ish,” and the highly anticipated feature film The Color Purple. His choreography can be seen in Fox’s hit show “The Masked Singer,” in the film Straight Outta Compton, the Grammy’s tribute to Nipsy Hussle, and as creative producer for “The Voice.” He has worked with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Will.I.Am, Fergie, Ariana Grande, Keyshia Cole, One Republic, and many more. In addition to success as a choreographer, Adrian can be seen as a featured dancer in the films Honey, Stomp the Yard, DreamGirls, and Step Up 3D, directed by Jon M Chu. 

Danielle Bergman (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to the Alliance Theatre! Her previous Alliance Theatre credit was as the stage management observer for Cinderella and Fella. Danielle is a graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Stage Management and minors in Psychology and Theatre & Drama. Her favorite Indiana University credits include Little Women, Adored You, Haus of Mirth, Crazy for You!, The Heiress, and City of Angels. She is currently an MFA Candidate in Stage and Production Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Other credits include Parallel 45's Reading Series of 2021, The Sound of Music (P45), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (P45), and The Alchemist of Sharpsburg (RealTime Interventions). Danielle would like to thank her mentors, friends, and family for their support! 

David S. Cohen lives in Portland, OR and is thrilled to be coming home to Atlanta and the Alliance. David has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, and is also a show-caller and deck manager for large-scale corporate events and trade shows. Some highlights include TedX, Yahoo, the International Science and Engineering Fair, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Teaching Visit to the U.S. Much love to Jimmy and the fam. 

Samantha Honeycutt studied Stage Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before beginning her career working across the country. Her credits include: Year of the Rooster, When January Feels like Summer, and Five Times in One Night (Ensemble Studio Theater). Legally Blonde, Hello! Dolly, My Fair Lady, and Music Man (Cape Playhouse). Frankenstein, Hairspray, Penny Candy, American Mariachi, Supreme Leader (Dallas Theater Center). Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Hartford Stage). 

Ralph Stan Lee (he/him) hails from Long Island. Ralph graduated from an HBCU, NC A&T and went to grad school after. During his career he has worked several festivals, off-Broadway and regional shows. Ralph primarily has worked on National and International tours. Ralph also served as the Head of B.F.A. Stage Management at Penn State University. Selective PSM Credits: National Tours; Hamilton (Angelica first national); Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (first national); Chicago (Cellblock tour); The Bodyguard (first national); Motown (second national, 1st SM); Nice Work if You Can Get it; A Christmas Story; Dreamgirls; Hello Dolly (50th anniversary w/ Sally Struthers); Kinky Boots (Asia); Cinderella (2nd National). He is blessed to have been taken around the world to do theater. 

Mia Neal // Academy Award for Best Hair and Makeup in 2021, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Broadway credits: West Side Story (2020), Iceman Cometh, Shuffle Along (Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Hair and Wig Design), A Raisin in the Sun. Off Broadway: Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare in the Park), By the Way Meet Vera Stark (Signature Theatre), Carmen Jones (Classic Stage Company). Numerous film and television credits. Education: Jackson State University and Juilliard Professional Internship program for wig and makeup. 

Shaina Pierce is the Alliance Theatre's Inaugural Recipient of the Stage Management Fellowship. She is a recent graduate of The University of Alabama with a MFA degree in stage management. Shaina has stage managed The Merchant of Venice, Legally Blonde, and Intimate Apparell at The University of Alabama. She has also stage managed Cinderella and A Comedy of Errors at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Some of her other credits include The Last Five Years at the Cloverdale Playhouse and Disney's The Beauty and the Beast, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Disney's The Little Mermaid at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She was the Production Stage Manager for ArtPlay 2021 at Alys Stephen's Performing Arts Theatre doing Frozen Kids and The Addams Family musical.  Shaina wants to thank her family and loved ones for their continued support and doing all they can to help her continue to do art. Thank you to the Alliance Theatre and Roll Tide!