Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Virtual Rock Experience
Book and Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Based on the book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Directed by Leora Morris
Children’s book author and artist Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny, Elephant and Piggie’s We Are In a Play) brings another lovable character to life in this exciting family musical. Grab your friends and watch as Wilbur, a clothes-loving mole rat with exceptional style, navigates the pressure to be just like everyone else. With tail-shaking tunes, empowering messages of individuality, and classic Mo Willems humor, this musical is sure to rock audiences of all ages.
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Director
Leora Morris (Director) Alliance: Ride the Cyclone, Hey Willy See the Pyramids, Winnie-the-Pooh, Crossing Delancey, The Dancing Granny. Other directing credits include The Philosopher’s Wife (Toronto), Labour of Love (Olney Theatre Center), Spring Awakening the Musical (Connecticut College), Knives in Hens, Orphans (Coal Mine Theatre, Toronto), He Left Quietly (2014 SummerWorks Best Production Award, Toronto), Amy and the Orphans, Women Beware Women, King John, Riverbank: A Noh Play for Northerly Americans (Yale School of Drama), The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, love holds a lamp in this little room (Yale Cabaret). Awards: Toronto’s 2012 Ken MacDougall Award, Yale Julian Milton Kaufman Prize in Directing, O’Neill/NNPN National Directing Fellow, Alliance Yale Directing Fellow. Leora was recently shortlisted for the international 2020 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Prize. Leora is currently a Resident Artist in the Education department at the Alliance. leoramorris.com
Leora Morris
Leora Morris (Director) Alliance: Ride the Cyclone, Hey Willy See the Pyramids, Winnie-the-Pooh, Crossing Delancey, The Dancing Granny. Other directing credits include The Philosopher’s Wife (Toronto), Labour of Love (Olney Theatre Center), Spring Awakening the Musical (Connecticut College), Knives in Hens, Orphans (Coal Mine Theatre, Toronto), He Left Quietly (2014 SummerWorks Best Production Award, Toronto), Amy and the Orphans, Women Beware Women, King John, Riverbank: A Noh Play for Northerly Americans (Yale School of Drama), The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, love holds a lamp in this little room (Yale Cabaret). Awards: Toronto’s 2012 Ken MacDougall Award, Yale Julian Milton Kaufman Prize in Directing, O’Neill/NNPN National Directing Fellow, Alliance Yale Directing Fellow. Leora was recently shortlisted for the international 2020 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Prize. Leora is currently a Resident Artist in the Education department at the Alliance. leoramorris.com
Cast
Erik Poger Abrahamsen (Venti Mole Rat/H&M Singer 5/ASM) HOLY MOLE-Y are the only words that come to mind when trying to express his excitement for being at the Alliance for such a joyous piece of theatre!! Favorite credits: Titanic, Grease, Miss Saigon (Serenbe Playhouse), The Giver (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), Henry V (Shakespeare Tavern). Serenbe Playhouse Apprentice (2016-2017). He sends all his love to the wonderful folks over at The People Store, and the unmoving support from TTS+H!
Erik Poger Abrahamsen
Erik Poger Abrahamsen (Venti Mole Rat/H&M Singer 5/ASM) HOLY MOLE-Y are the only words that come to mind when trying to express his excitement for being at the Alliance for such a joyous piece of theatre!! Favorite credits: Titanic, Grease, Miss Saigon (Serenbe Playhouse), The Giver (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), Henry V (Shakespeare Tavern). Serenbe Playhouse Apprentice (2016-2017). He sends all his love to the wonderful folks over at The People Store, and the unmoving support from TTS+H!
Lowrey Brown (Grand-Pah Mole Rate/Stark Naked/Naked Mole Rat 4/H&M Singer 2/Announcer) is so grateful to be returning to the Coca-Cola Stage. A graduate of Kennesaw State University, Lowrey has spent the past 10 years acting in and around Atlanta on both the stage and screen. Thank you for spending your time with us today. Many thanks to my family and incredibly wonderful wife, Lyndsay. Recent Regional Theatre: Company (Actor's Express), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Aurora Theatre), Les Miserables (Aurora Theatre), and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre). Recent Tv/Film: Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix), The Gifted (FOX), The Vampire Diaries (CW). Find out more at lowreybrown.com
Lowrey Brown
Lowrey Brown (Grand-Pah Mole Rate/Stark Naked/Naked Mole Rat 4/H&M Singer 2/Announcer) is so grateful to be returning to the Coca-Cola Stage. A graduate of Kennesaw State University, Lowrey has spent the past 10 years acting in and around Atlanta on both the stage and screen. Thank you for spending your time with us today. Many thanks to my family and incredibly wonderful wife, Lyndsay. Recent Regional Theatre: Company (Actor's Express), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Aurora Theatre), Les Miserables (Aurora Theatre), and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre). Recent Tv/Film: Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix), The Gifted (FOX), The Vampire Diaries (CW). Find out more at lowreybrown.com
Danielle Hopkins (Grande Mole Rat/H&M Singer 4) is thrilled to make her Alliance debut! Recent credits: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Three Musketeers, Henry VIII, Hamlet (Atlanta Shakespeare Company), Madeline’s Christmas (Horizon Theatre Company), A Christmas Carol, Beautiful Star (Triad Stage). B.F.A. Acting/Musical Theatre Minor from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For: Ken, Corey, Matt, Denise and Justin. Much love and gratitude to all the educators that fight to make great theatre accessible to every student. Stay fierce! Instagram: @danielledhopkins
Danielle Hopkins
Danielle Hopkins (Grande Mole Rat/H&M Singer 4) is thrilled to make her Alliance debut! Recent credits: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Three Musketeers, Henry VIII, Hamlet (Atlanta Shakespeare Company), Madeline’s Christmas (Horizon Theatre Company), A Christmas Carol, Beautiful Star (Triad Stage). B.F.A. Acting/Musical Theatre Minor from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For: Ken, Corey, Matt, Denise and Justin. Much love and gratitude to all the educators that fight to make great theatre accessible to every student. Stay fierce! Instagram: @danielledhopkins
Alexandria Joy (Tall Mole Rat/H&M Singer 3) is proud and honored to make her Alliance debut. Recent credits: Ella Enchanted (Synchronicity Theatre), Jekyll and Hyde (Atlanta Lyric), HAIR (Serenbe Playhouse), Ragtime (Serenbe Playhouse). TV/Film: “Lovecraft Country”. Recent graduate of the Serenbe Playhouse Apprenticeship. B.F.A. Theatre, Emphasis Musical Theatre at Valdosta State University. Special thanks to my family and my adoring fiancé for always believing in me and supporting my dreams.
Alexandria Joy
Alexandria Joy (Tall Mole Rat/H&M Singer 3) is proud and honored to make her Alliance debut. Recent credits: Ella Enchanted (Synchronicity Theatre), Jekyll and Hyde (Atlanta Lyric), HAIR (Serenbe Playhouse), Ragtime (Serenbe Playhouse). TV/Film: “Lovecraft Country”. Recent graduate of the Serenbe Playhouse Apprenticeship. B.F.A. Theatre, Emphasis Musical Theatre at Valdosta State University. Special thanks to my family and my adoring fiancé for always believing in me and supporting my dreams.
K.D. O'Hair (Weather Mole/Naked Mole Rat 5/H&M Singer 1/ Potential Customer/ Secret Service) is so happy to be making her Alliance debut and finally brandishing her much studied Janis Joplin impression. She is a licensed cosmetologist of 10 years and can also be seen performing around Atlanta improv circles in The Jonestown Players. Recent credits include: Keely and Du (Innovocative Theatre), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (The Heather). TV/Film: “Cobra Kai,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Whatever We Want to Be.” Proud SAG-AFTRA member. Very grateful for this opportunity and her loving and supportive friends and mother.
K.D. O'Hair
K.D. O'Hair (Weather Mole/Naked Mole Rat 5/H&M Singer 1/ Potential Customer/ Secret Service) is so happy to be making her Alliance debut and finally brandishing her much studied Janis Joplin impression. She is a licensed cosmetologist of 10 years and can also be seen performing around Atlanta improv circles in The Jonestown Players. Recent credits include: Keely and Du (Innovocative Theatre), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (The Heather). TV/Film: “Cobra Kai,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Whatever We Want to Be.” Proud SAG-AFTRA member. Very grateful for this opportunity and her loving and supportive friends and mother.
Juan Carlos Unzueta (Wilbur J. Mole Rat, Jr) is so excited to make his Alliance Theatre debut after wrapping up a run in Fun Home at Actor’s Express. Other Atlanta credits: Atlanta: Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley (Theatrical Outfit), In The Heights, País de Bicicleta, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Beat Bugs A Musical Adventure (Aurora Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors and Merrily We Roll Along in Concert (Actor's Express), Freaky Friday (Horizon Theatre) Songs for a New World (BUICEntennial Productions). Education: B.F.A., B.A., University of North Florida.Other: Director of Cross-Cultural Programs at Aurora Theatre, Represented by People Store. IG: @juancho181
Juan Carlos Unzueta
Juan Carlos Unzueta (Wilbur J. Mole Rat, Jr) is so excited to make his Alliance Theatre debut after wrapping up a run in Fun Home at Actor’s Express. Other Atlanta credits: Atlanta: Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley (Theatrical Outfit), In The Heights, País de Bicicleta, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Beat Bugs A Musical Adventure (Aurora Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors and Merrily We Roll Along in Concert (Actor's Express), Freaky Friday (Horizon Theatre) Songs for a New World (BUICEntennial Productions). Education: B.F.A., B.A., University of North Florida.Other: Director of Cross-Cultural Programs at Aurora Theatre, Represented by People Store. IG: @juancho181
Creative
Eric Baumgartner (Music Director/Conductor) holds degrees in jazz studies from Berklee College of Music and DePaul University. He is thrilled to be returning to the Alliance after participating in last year's productions of Ever After and Max Makes a Million. Other Atlanta-based theatrical work includes productions with The Center for Puppetry Arts, Clayton State University, Actor’s Express, Atlanta Jewish Academy, The Lovett School, Gainesville Theatre Alliance and Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Eric works as a composer, arranger and clinician for the Hal Leonard Corporation. He has dozens of published piano works including the popular Jazz Piano Basics series. As a clinician he has conducted piano teacher workshops throughout the US, Australia, England, Canada and Germany. Eric is the principle pianist for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. He also enjoys rockin’ the keyboards with two celebrated Atlanta-based bands, Yacht Rock Schooner and A1A.
Eric Baumgartner
Eric Baumgartner (Music Director/Conductor) holds degrees in jazz studies from Berklee College of Music and DePaul University. He is thrilled to be returning to the Alliance after participating in last year's productions of Ever After and Max Makes a Million. Other Atlanta-based theatrical work includes productions with The Center for Puppetry Arts, Clayton State University, Actor’s Express, Atlanta Jewish Academy, The Lovett School, Gainesville Theatre Alliance and Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Eric works as a composer, arranger and clinician for the Hal Leonard Corporation. He has dozens of published piano works including the popular Jazz Piano Basics series. As a clinician he has conducted piano teacher workshops throughout the US, Australia, England, Canada and Germany. Eric is the principle pianist for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. He also enjoys rockin’ the keyboards with two celebrated Atlanta-based bands, Yacht Rock Schooner and A1A.
Clay Benning (Sound Designer) has been the Resident Sound Designer at the Alliance Theatre for 19 years and has designed more than 100 productions for the Alliance, including 30 world premieres, 35 musicals, and 30 Theater for Young Audiences productions. Recent works include Candide, Wizard of Oz, Ride the Cyclone, and Max Make A Million. Other design work has included Georgia Shakespeare, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Theatrical Outfit, Geva Theatre, Synchronicity Theatre, and the Georgia Aquarium. Awards: Seven Suzi Bass awards for outstanding sound design with 16 nominations. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College (B.A.), North Carolina School of the Arts (M.F.A.) and a member of IATSE/USA829 and TSDCA.
Clay Benning
Clay Benning (Sound Designer) has been the Resident Sound Designer at the Alliance Theatre for 19 years and has designed more than 100 productions for the Alliance, including 30 world premieres, 35 musicals, and 30 Theater for Young Audiences productions. Recent works include Candide, Wizard of Oz, Ride the Cyclone, and Max Make A Million. Other design work has included Georgia Shakespeare, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Theatrical Outfit, Geva Theatre, Synchronicity Theatre, and the Georgia Aquarium. Awards: Seven Suzi Bass awards for outstanding sound design with 16 nominations. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College (B.A.), North Carolina School of the Arts (M.F.A.) and a member of IATSE/USA829 and TSDCA.
Liz Campbell (Stage Manager) Recent Alliance credits include A Christmas Carol, Max Makes a Million, The Wizard of Oz, Paige in Full, Winnie the Pooh, The Jungle Book, The Dancing Granny, Cinderella and Fella, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pancakes, Pancakes!, Tiger Style!, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and Charlotte’s Web. Local credits include Camelot, The World Goes Round, Million Dollar Quartet, Dreamgirls, Peter Pan, Monty Python's Spamalot, Ragtime and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Book of Will and It’s a Wonderful Life (Theatrical Outfit). She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Niagara University. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love to Ali and Maggie.
Liz Campbell
Liz Campbell (Stage Manager) Recent Alliance credits include A Christmas Carol, Max Makes a Million, The Wizard of Oz, Paige in Full, Winnie the Pooh, The Jungle Book, The Dancing Granny, Cinderella and Fella, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pancakes, Pancakes!, Tiger Style!, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and Charlotte’s Web. Local credits include Camelot, The World Goes Round, Million Dollar Quartet, Dreamgirls, Peter Pan, Monty Python's Spamalot, Ragtime and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Book of Will and It’s a Wonderful Life (Theatrical Outfit). She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Niagara University. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love to Ali and Maggie.
Kat Conley (Scenic Designer) is ecstatic to return to the Alliance and Courtenay’s Cabaret. She has designed more than 30 Alliance productions, including last year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Wizard of Oz. Kat has designed scenery for Arena Stage, Orlando Shakespeare, the Kennedy Center, Georgia Shakespeare, Marin Theatre Company, Actor’s Express, The Atlanta Ballet, The Center for Puppetry Arts, 7 Stages, Theatrical Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre, Theatre in the Square, and Aurora Theatre. She continues to be the Charge Scenic Artist for the Alliance Theatre. Whether dramatically challenging, visionary of escapist, all theater and art is important, thank you for supporting it in our community.
Kat Conley
Kat Conley (Scenic Designer) is ecstatic to return to the Alliance and Courtenay’s Cabaret. She has designed more than 30 Alliance productions, including last year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Wizard of Oz. Kat has designed scenery for Arena Stage, Orlando Shakespeare, the Kennedy Center, Georgia Shakespeare, Marin Theatre Company, Actor’s Express, The Atlanta Ballet, The Center for Puppetry Arts, 7 Stages, Theatrical Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre, Theatre in the Square, and Aurora Theatre. She continues to be the Charge Scenic Artist for the Alliance Theatre. Whether dramatically challenging, visionary of escapist, all theater and art is important, thank you for supporting it in our community.
Fabian Fidel Aguilar (Costume Designer) was born in El Paso, TX and attended Yale University and Boston University to pursue costume design. Most recently designed; Twelfth Night (Two River Theater), Mlima’s Tale, In the Heights, Man of La Mancha, Romeo & Juliet (Westport Country Playhouse), Slow Food (Dorset Theater Festival), Max Makes a Million (Alliance Theater), safeword. (Midnight Theatricals), and Recent Alien Abductions (Play Co.). Design credits also include Winnie the Pooh (Alliance Theater, Atlanta); Afterglow (Midnight Theatricals)¡Bienvenidos Blancos! or Welcome White People! (Team Sunshine) Philadelphia;; A View from the Bridge; Seven Spots on the Sun; set and costume for The War Boys (East coast premiere); Sotto Voce (Portland Stage); Midsummer; The Moors (Yale Repertory Theater world premier); He Left Quietly (SummerWorks Performance Festival, Toronto); While in Boston he worked for various theatres, conservatories, and universities including: American Repertory Theater, Boston Ballet, Moscow Ballet, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, among others. In his spare time he likes to paint watercolors or urban sketch.
Fabian Fidel Aguilar
Fabian Fidel Aguilar (Costume Designer) was born in El Paso, TX and attended Yale University and Boston University to pursue costume design. Most recently designed; Twelfth Night (Two River Theater), Mlima’s Tale, In the Heights, Man of La Mancha, Romeo & Juliet (Westport Country Playhouse), Slow Food (Dorset Theater Festival), Max Makes a Million (Alliance Theater), safeword. (Midnight Theatricals), and Recent Alien Abductions (Play Co.). Design credits also include Winnie the Pooh (Alliance Theater, Atlanta); Afterglow (Midnight Theatricals)¡Bienvenidos Blancos! or Welcome White People! (Team Sunshine) Philadelphia;; A View from the Bridge; Seven Spots on the Sun; set and costume for The War Boys (East coast premiere); Sotto Voce (Portland Stage); Midsummer; The Moors (Yale Repertory Theater world premier); He Left Quietly (SummerWorks Performance Festival, Toronto); While in Boston he worked for various theatres, conservatories, and universities including: American Repertory Theater, Boston Ballet, Moscow Ballet, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, among others. In his spare time he likes to paint watercolors or urban sketch.
Greg Hoffman (Lighting Designer) Off Broadway: Ride the Cyclone, MCC Theatre. Selected Regional: Man of Destiny, American Players Theater; River of Song, Milwaukee Repertory Theater; Ride the Cyclone, Alliance Theatre and ACT Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jeff Award nominee), Nell Gwynn, Mary Stuart, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Ride the Cyclone, Road Show, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Wizard of Oz (Jeff Award nominee), Elf, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Oklahoma, Tommy (Jeff Award Recipient), Mary Poppins, Annie, 42nd Street, Paramount Theatre; Rock of Ages, The Game's Afoot, Les Miserables, Oliver!, Drury Lane Theatre; River of Song, Milwaukee Rep; Marjorie Prime, Outside Mullingar, Mr. Burns, Silent Sky, Sons of the Prophet, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Forward Theatre; Beehive the 60’s Musical, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, and Great Lakes Theater; Something Wicked This Way Comes, Delaware Theatre Company. Greg has also designed over 50 productions for Cedar Fair Amusement Parks across the country.
Greg Hofmann
Greg Hoffman (Lighting Designer) Off Broadway: Ride the Cyclone, MCC Theatre. Selected Regional: Man of Destiny, American Players Theater; River of Song, Milwaukee Repertory Theater; Ride the Cyclone, Alliance Theatre and ACT Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jeff Award nominee), Nell Gwynn, Mary Stuart, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Ride the Cyclone, Road Show, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Wizard of Oz (Jeff Award nominee), Elf, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Oklahoma, Tommy (Jeff Award Recipient), Mary Poppins, Annie, 42nd Street, Paramount Theatre; Rock of Ages, The Game's Afoot, Les Miserables, Oliver!, Drury Lane Theatre; River of Song, Milwaukee Rep; Marjorie Prime, Outside Mullingar, Mr. Burns, Silent Sky, Sons of the Prophet, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Forward Theatre; Beehive the 60’s Musical, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, and Great Lakes Theater; Something Wicked This Way Comes, Delaware Theatre Company. Greg has also designed over 50 productions for Cedar Fair Amusement Parks across the country.
Mike Tutaj returns to the Alliance Theatre after having designed projections for Ride the Cyclone in 2019. He has designed previous iterations of Ride the Cyclone at ACT Theatre (Seattle), MCC Theater (New York), and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Based in Chicago, Mike has designed for theatre and live performance for over 15 years. To learn more about his work and find a list of credits visit his website, miketutaj.com. Mike is the recipient of five Joseph Jefferson Awards and the Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award in 2012. He is an artistic associate with TimeLine Theatre and teaches projection design at Columbia College Chicago.
Mike Tutaj
Mike Tutaj returns to the Alliance Theatre after having designed projections for Ride the Cyclone in 2019. He has designed previous iterations of Ride the Cyclone at ACT Theatre (Seattle), MCC Theater (New York), and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Based in Chicago, Mike has designed for theatre and live performance for over 15 years. To learn more about his work and find a list of credits visit his website, miketutaj.com. Mike is the recipient of five Joseph Jefferson Awards and the Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award in 2012. He is an artistic associate with TimeLine Theatre and teaches projection design at Columbia College Chicago.