ANNOUNCES MILWAUKEE ENGAGEMENT CASTING

Thursday, November 7, 2013
Contact: Molly Sommerhalder
Phone: 414-273-7121 ext. 399
Email: [email protected]
ANNOUNCES MILWAUKEE ENGAGEMENT CASTING
Starring
JAMES CLOW, TRISTA MOLDOVAN, DAVID ELDER, & MEREDITH PATTERSON
AND FEATURING RUTH WILLIAMSON & JOSEPH COSTA
”Let Yourself Go.” – Irving Berlin
IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, has announced casting for its National Tour visiting the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on November 26-­‐December 1. Tickets for the BMO Harris Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across America-­‐Milwaukee series are on sale now at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown, Milwaukee, by phone at 414-­‐273-­‐7206 or online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups 10+ SAVE! Call 414-­‐273-­‐7121 ext. 210.
The show features James Clow as "Bob Wallace," David Elder as "Phil Davis," Trista Moldovan as "Betty Haynes," and Meredith Patterson as "Judy Haynes" in the principal roles. Also appearing is Ruth Williamson as "Martha Watson," Joseph Costa as "General Waverly, Tony Lawson as "Ralph Sheldrake," Cory Bretsch as "Mike Nulty," Cliff Bemis as "Ezekial Foster," and Shannon Harrington and Grace Matwijec as "Susan Waverly." Rounding out the cast are Maddy Apple, Andrew Black, Craig Blake, Allison Briner, Kaitlyn Davidson, Cody Davis, Laurie DiFilippo, Kaitlyn Frank, Joe Grandy, Alexa Glover, Andrew Hodge, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Graham Keen, Megan Kelley, Kristyn Pope, Katie Rooney, Natasha Scearse, and Krista Severeid.
IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, romance, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, including "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Happy Holiday," "Sisters," "Blue Skies," and the unforgettable title song, IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS promises to be a merry and bright experience for the entire family!
The New York Times claims "this cozy trip down memory lane should be put on your wish list." And the New York Daily News hailed IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS as "a holiday card come to life." IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Work Light Productions, whose other touring productions include American Idiot, MAMMA MIA!, and Nice Work If You Can Get It. The creative team includes direction by Norb Joerder (La Cage Aux Folles, Gypsy, My Fair Lady), features a book by David Ives (Finnian's Rainbow, On the Town) and Paul Blake (Beautiful-­‐The Carole King Musical), choreography by Randy Skinner (42nd Street) who was nominated for a Tony Award® for this production, set design by Anna Louizos (Avenue Q, In The Heights), costumes by Carrie Robbins (A Class Act), lighting design by Ken Billington (The Drowsy Chaperone, Annie), sound design by Peter Fitzgerald (Old Jews Telling Jokes, Billy Joel's Movin' Out),orchestrations by Larry Blank, also nominated for a Tony Award® for this production, vocal and additional arrangements by Bruce Pomahac, music direction by Michael Horsley, and casting by Jay Binder C.S.A/Jason Styres.
IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS features Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin with Book by David Ives and Paul Blake and is based upon the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank. JAMES CLOW (Bob Wallace) Broadway: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Assassins, Wonderful Town, Company, She Loves Me, Blood Brothers. Madison Square Garden: Peter Pan. City Center's Encores!: Pipe Dream and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Off-­‐Broadway: Marc Blitzstein's Juno. National tours: Les Miserables, Jekyll & Hyde, Oklahoma!, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Into the Woods. TV: "The Good Wife", PBS's "Great Performances -­‐ Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall" and "Live from Lincoln Center -­‐ Passion". James holds a BFA from Syracuse University, has attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and Groundlings Improv. Proud AEA member since 1985.
TRISTA MOLDOVAN (Betty Haynes) Trista is thrilled to join the Irving Berlin's White Christmas family! Broadway/National tour: Christine in The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway's 10,000th performance, Denver Ovation Nomination). Off Broadway: Sally in Me and My Girl (Musicals Tonight!). Regional: Miss Grey in Sense and Sensibility (world premiere, Denver Center), Abigail in 1776 (Pittsburgh Public), Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Arkansas Rep), Betty in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Gateway), Songbird in Simeon's Gift with Julie Andrews (Baystreet Theatre). TV: "Guiding Light", "All My Children", "As the World Turns", "Celebrity Ghost Stories". Proud member of AEA and SAG-­‐AFTRA. Love to her family and to her husband, Stephen.
DAVID ELDER (Phil Davis) Broadway: Curtains (Bobby Pepper), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor, Outer Critics and Astaire Award noms.), Kiss Me Kate (Bill Calhoun), Titanic(Frederick Fleet), Once Upon A Mattress, Damn Yankees, Beauty and the Beast, and Guys and Dolls. Recently, David starred as Bert in the Regional Premier of Mary Poppins for the Music Theater of Wichita. Favorites: Joe Hardy opposite Jerry Lewis in the National Tour of Damn Yankees and starring as Timothy opposite Kristin Chenoweth in City Center Encores! production of Strike Up The Band. TV/Film: Across the Universe, Cradle Will Rock, Jeffrey, and Guiding Light. Happy Holidays!!!
MEREDITH PATTERSON (Judy Haynes) Broadway: Originated Judy in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Cast Album), Original Cast/Peggy Sawyer in 42nd ST (Revival), Julie Taymor's The Green Bird (Cast Album). Off Broadway & Regional: Kit Baker in Face The Music (City Center Encore's/Cast Album), Louise in Steve Martin's Underpants (Dir. John Rando), Polly in The Boy Friend (Dir. Julie Andrews), Young Phyliss in Papermill's Follies (Cast Album) MSG's A Christmas Carol (Mike Ockrent/Susan Stroman) TV: Guest Starring on Good Wife, Person Of Interest, Made In Jersey, Law & Order SVU, Boston Legal (4 episodes opposite Tom Selleck). Film: Every Little Step, Princess Diaries II, etc. Concerts: Broadway By The Year Series (NYC), Birdland, Feinstein's & The Gardenia. Solo album available on ITunes. Best role ever is mother to her baby Max. www.meredithpatterson.com.
RUTH WILLIAMSON (Martha Watson) Broadway: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, La Cage Aux Folles, Music Man (Outer Critics Nomination), Epic Proportions, Little Me , Guys & Dolls, Smile, Musical Comedy Murders, Annie. Off-­‐Broadway: Green Heart (Drama Desk Nomination), The Good Times Are Killing Me, Queen Amarantha. Regional: Music Man, Les Miserables, Guys & Dolls (Hollywood Bowl), Arena Stage, Old Globe, Long Wharf, Hartford Stage. Film: Evan Almighty, The Producers, Legally Blonde II , Family Man, Malcolm X, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie, Die!(Charles Busch's singing voice) . TV: Modern Family, Castle, Monk, Medium, The O.C., The Practice, ER, Star Trek : Enterprise, Law & Order and Mrs. Grubman on Nip/Tuck.
JOSEPH COSTA (General Waverly) Broadway: The Best Man. Off-­‐Broadway: The Tempest, Julius Caesar, Love's Labours Lost, Henry V, Titus Andronicus, A map of the World, Macbeth, all for Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival. The Crucible and The Show-­‐Off, Roundabout Theatre. Jail Diary of Albie Sachs, Manhattan Theatre Club. National Tours, Dirty Dancing and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Over 125 regional theatre productions for Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Alley Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, the Williamstown Theatre Festival and many others. Guest star on many television productions and appearances in the films Off The Black, First Born, Power, Without a Trace and Prisoner Without a Name.
CLIFF BEMIS (Snoring Man/Ezekiel Foster/Quintet/ u/s General Waverly) originated the role of Ezekiel Foster in Irving Berlin's White Christmas on Broadwayas well as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Off-­‐Broadway as Chris in New Girl In Town at Irish Rep, First National tour of The Drowsy Chaperone, Pool Boy at Barrington Stages, Twist, at the Pasadena Playhouse. Films; Billy, Nancy Drew, World Trade Center, Au Pair II. Over 75 TV appearances, including White Collar, Law and Order SVU, One Life To Live, Dallas, and Cheers to name a few. He also established the Cliff Bemis Music Theatre Scholarship at his alma mater, Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. Member of Actors' Equity since 1968, visit www.cliffbemis.com.
CORY BRETSCH (Mike Nulty/Ed Sullivan Show Announcer/Train Conductor/Regency Room Announcer/ u/s Sheldrake) Cory is excited to be joining the cast of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Off-­‐Broadway: Storyville (NY Premiere, The York Theater). Regional: Storyville (San Diego Rep); Wizard of Oz (San Diego CLO); Oklahoma (San Diego CLO); Invasion! The Musical (World Premier, Ovation Award); NeverWonderland (World Premier, Ovation Award); Cory holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Southern California. www.corybretsch.com
SHANNON HARRINGTON (Susan Waverly) age 9, is happy to return to "Pinetree" as "Susan" for the second year in a row on the National Broadway Tour! Regional: George M! (Little Girl/Baton Twirler/Acrobat), Gypsy (Baby June). Shannon has been featured nationally on radio & TV commercials, on the Biography Channel, Sprout, and America's Got Talent. Thanks to Norb Joerder, Blue Skies Tour, Binder Casting, old and new friends in the cast and crew, CESD, Station 3 Entertainment, and big sister Brigid, the 1st "Susan" in the family! Let her sing and she's happy!www.ShannonHarrington.US. "Like" her on Facebook.com/ShannonHarringtonActor.
TONY LAWSON (Ralph Sheldrake/ u/s Bob Wallace) Broadway: Thenardier in Les Misérables. National Tours: Damn Yankees opposite Dick Van Dyke, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street and Ken Hill's Phantom of the Opera. Regional: Fagin in Oliver! (Paper Mill), Bruce Granit in On the Twentieth Century (Goodspeed), Harold Hill in The Music Man (Arena Stage), Fred Graham in Kiss Me Kate (Maine State) and Colonel Falstaff in Lone Star Love (5th Avenue). So blessed to be working with his wife, Krista Severeid, on this tour! Proud Dad to twin sons, Dean & Ben.
GRACE MATWIJEC (Susan Waverly) Past performances include: Really Rosie (ensemble/Rosie) at The Bucks County Playhouse, Gypsy (Baby June) at the Kelsey Theater, The Music Man (Ensemble) at The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, A Year With Frog and Toad Jr. (Frog), Annie Jr. (Tessie), Winnie The Pooh Jr. (Tigger) and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Jr. (Dwarf) at the Bristol Riverside Theatre. She has also performed in The Music Man (Gracie), The Sound of Music (Gretl), and The Christmas Carol (TinyTim). She was an extra in the film "The North Star." Grace lights up the stage!
MADDY APPLE (Ensemble) Maddy is thrilled to be joining IBWC's 2013 Company! Recent Credits: Hello, Dolly! (Goodspeed Musicals); Nunsense, Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes (MGR Playhouse). Love and thanks to the cast and crew of IBWC, Randy, Binder Casting, TKO, and her amazing friends and family. BFA DRAMA (NYU-­‐TISCH CAP21).www.maddyapple.com ANDREW BLACK (Dance Captain/Swing/ u/s Mike Nulty) has performed from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the streets of Tokyo's DisneySea. Credits include: Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Dance Captain and Swing); 42nd Street (Andy Lee); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Dance Captain); Joseph... (Swing) and Freshly Tossed (NYMF). Andrew teaches theater and tap dance at STEPS, NYC.
CRAIG BLAKE (Ensemble/ u/s Phil Davis) Craig is thrilled to spend the holidays with Irving Berlin's White Christmas. National Tours: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Grease, Reel to Real. Regional: Millie at Papermill Playhouse, Showboat and Sugar! at Sacramento Music Circus, Funny Girl at Riverside Theater, My One & Only at Stages St Louis. Graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory, BFA Music Theatre. ALLISON BRINER (Ensemble/Mrs. Snoring Man/Quintet/Sheldrake's Secretary/ u/s Martha) Mamma Mia! Broadway and National Tour, Follies: Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, Titanic...A New Musical and LES MISERABLES National Tour. Over 45 Off-­‐Broadway and Regional theatre credits plus concert appearances and commercials. Television: The Carrie Diaries, Law and Order (s), All My Children, One Life to Live.
KAITLYN DAVIDSON (Ensemble/Rhoda/ u/s Judy Haynes) Happy Holidays! Broadway: Nice Work If Your Can Get It. New York: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice The Musical (Caroline Bingley); Favorite Regional: 42nd Street (Peggy); A Chorus Line (Val); La Cage Aux Folles (Anne). Training: CCM. Thanks to Randy, Binder, DGRW, friends, and family! www.kaitlyn-­‐davidson.com.
CODY DAVIS (Ensemble/Jimmy/Quintet/ u/s Ezekiel Foster) National tour debut! Regional: Infinity Theatre Company (Dames At Sea), Penn. Shakes. Festival (Oklahoma!), Music Theatre of Wichita (The Little Mermaid, Sunset Boulevard). BFA, University of Michigan. Tulsa, OK native! Thanks to Randy, Binder Casting, and HH. Love and gratitude to God, friends, and amazing family. Matthew 6:33. LAURIE DIFILIPPO (Swing/ u/s Rita) is thrilled to be traveling with this incredible cast and crew of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Favorite credits: Irving Berlin's White Christmas (U/S Judy Haynes), Crazy For You (Louise), 42nd Street (Lorraine), Sweet Charity (Carmen), National Tour of Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). This one's for you Little Michael!
KAITLYN FRANK (Ensemble) Kaitlyn is so excited to be joining the Irving Berlin's White Christmas team for her first National tour! Favorites: Anne Bogart's Café Variations (Lucia)at the Cutler Majestic in Boston. BFA Musical Theatre at Emerson College. Love to Mom, Dad, Emily and David.
JOE GRANDY (Ensemble) Joe is thrilled to join this beautiful production!Favorite credits include: Singin' In The Rain (Don Lockwood), Gypsy (Tulsa), My One And Only (Billy Buck Chandler u/s), A Chorus Line (Don). Big thanks to Sally Wilfert, Randy, WTG, and the greatest family -­‐ snow, trees, and Christmas wishes to Jason. www.JoeGrandy.com
ALEXA GLOVER (Ensemble) Alexa is excited to spend the holidays dancing in Irving Berlin's White Christmas for a second consecutive year. She previously toured the country with Monty Python's Spamalot and enjoyed many holiday seasons as a Radio City Rockette. She sends huge amounts of thanks and love to her ever-­‐
supportive family and Chris. ANDREW HODGE (Ensemble) Tours: 42nd Street, Cats, A Chorus Line, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Regional credits include: Arena Stage (Oklahoma!, Helen Hayes Outstanding Ensemble nomination), Westchester Broadway Theatre (42nd Street, Billy understudy), TUTS, NSMT. TV: America's Next Top Model. Andrew is a songwriter, choreographer, certified SCUBA diver and founding member of The Boop Troupe.
BRYAN THOMAS HUNT (Ensemble) National Tours: Billy Elliot, Irving Berlin's White Christmas (TOTS and Kennedy Center, Paper Mill Playhouse). Regional: Harmony (Alliance Theatre), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ogunquit Playhouse), A Chorus Line (Berkshire Theatre Festival) and The Big Bank (NYMF). BFA Boston Conservatory. Thanks and Love to his family and Kelly for their constant support! Happy Holidays!
GRAHAM KEEN (Ensemble) is honored to be spending the Holidays on the road with Irving Berlin's White Christmas! National Tours: Young Frankenstein, The Music Man. Regional: Good News! (Goodspeed), Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Gateway), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor -­‐ TriArts), Hello Dolly! (Ambrose-­‐Studio Tenn.), 42nd Street (Surflight). Native of Nashville TN, BA Wagner College. Currently falls asleep counting his blessings.
MEGAN KELLEY (Ensemble): Irving Berlin's White Christmas 2012 Tour. Regional; Gateway Playhouse: Singin' in the Rain (Girl in Green); Infinity Theatre Company: Dames At Sea (Ruby), The Engeman Theatre: 42nd Street (Ensemble, u/s Peggy Sawyer), Paper Mill Playhouse: Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Ensemble), Merry-­‐
Go-­‐Round Playhouse: Anything Goes (Angel-­‐Purity) and 42nd Street (Diane), Musicals At Richter: 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer).
KRISTYN POPE (Ensemble/Rita/Assistant Dance Captain) is grateful for Norb, Randy, Mr. Corker, Binder Casting, and this wonderful opportunity. She sends love to family, friends, teachers, and the "...White Christmas" company. Happy Holidays! {BA Psychology, Northwestern University}. PS100
KATIE ROONEY (Ensemble) Katie is thrilled to make her IBWC debut! Favorite credits: Guys and Dolls (5th Avenue & the Ordway), Phyllis in 42nd Street (Riverside Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre) and Anything Goes (Arizona Broadway Theatre). BFA, UCI. Special thanks to Randy Skinner, Binder Casting, and MSA. Love to Patrick and her family. NATASHA SCEARSE (Ensemble/ u/s Rhoda) Natasha is thrilled to return to the magic of IBWC! Tour: ...Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Regional favorites: MTWichita and Lyric OKC: Crazy For You (Patsy), Annie (u/s Lily), Bye Bye Birdie (Nancy), Sweet Charity (Frenchy). Oklahoma City University grad. Much love to my incredible friends, family, and mentors! Ephesians 3:20.
KRISTA SEVEREID (Ensemble/Tessie/Quintet/ u/s Betty Haynes) Recently opened the new Wick Theatre in Boca Raton as Maria in The Sound of Music opposite her husband, Tony Lawson. Happily returning for a second year of IBWC! Credits include: Meet Me In St Louis (Esther), Legally Blonde (Elle), Camelot (Guenevere) and Sunday in the Park... (Celeste, 5th Ave). For more information on IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, visit www.whitechristmasthemusical.com or
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ABOUT THE MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is owned and partially funded by Milwaukee County. The
Marcus Center has been the premier entertainment destination for Milwaukee and Wisconsin since
1969. It provides the setting for outstanding cultural experiences, where the arts come to life for
current and future generations. Located in the heart of the Downtown Theater District, the Marcus
Center is a community facility that offers live performance of opera, ballet, children’s theater,
symphony and first-class national touring productions. For more information on Broadway shows
presented as part of BMO Harris Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across
America-Milwaukee series, visit the Marcus Center website at www.MarcusCenter.org.
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A leading Broadway producer and the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North
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across the US and Canada including in Milwaukee and markets such as Costa Mesa, Fort
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productions include Million Dollar Quartet, Pippin, Big Fish, Betrayal, Bullets Over Broadway, Little
Miss Sunshine and Bull Durham.
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