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Donors

We would like to thank all of our 60th Anniversary Season Donors, you are the real Arts heroes!

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Tributes

Tributes

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Our Tributes

Performers

Michael Havens

*

Electric Guitar

Tara Andújar

*

Ensemble

Ben Armstrong

*

Swing/Ensemble

Ashlinn Blevins

*

Ensemble

Danny Borba

*

Jesus and Ensemble

Coleman David Campbell

*

Chadd

Tyler Cramer

*

Ensemble (Hockey Fan Goon 2, Hotel Guest, Insurance Salesperson, Wedding Guest, Investor 1)

Parker Joh

*

Hockey Fan Goon 1, Hotel Guest, Tony Jaffe, Insurance Salesperson, wedding guest/Lawyer dude

Felicia Martis

*

Rachel

Jeffrey McGullion

*

JD, Ensemble

Haley Mizelle

*

Ensemble/Tammy U.S.

Prince Parker

*

Jamal/Ted

Selena Robinson

*

Marley

Elliott Smith

*

Brick

Ariana Valdes

*

Tammy

Michael Walker

*

Tully

Setting

A run down hotel on a small island in the Caribbean.
There will be a 15-minute intermission. NOTE TO AUDIENCE: The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Songs & Scenes

Act I
License to Chill
Tully, Company
Fins
Rachel, Tammy, Chadd, Goons, Ensemble
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere
Tully, Brick, J.D., Tammy, Company
Ragtop Day
Brick, Tammy, Tully, Rachel
It’s My Job
Rachel
Why Don't We Get Drunk
J.D., Ensemble
Three Chords
Tully, Rachel
We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About/The Natives Are Restless
Brick, Tammy
Son of a Son of a Sailor
Tully, Rachel
My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don't Love Jesus
Marley, Jamal, JD, Ensemble
Medley: Coconut Telegraph/Last Mango in Paris/Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
Company
Margaritaville
Tully, Brick, Company
Act II
Volcano
Jamal, Ensemble
Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit
Brick, Tully, J.D.
He Went To Paris
Tully, Brick, J.D.
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Brick, Tammy, Ensemble
Tin Cup Chalice
Tully, Ensemble
Love and Luck
Tully, Rachel, Ensemble
Come Monday
Tully, Rachel
A Pirate Looks at Forty
Company
One Particular Harbor
Company

Production Staff

Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Director/Choreographer
Héctor Flores Jr.
Associate Choreographer
AnnElese Galleo
Music Director
Sam Saint Ours
Production Stage Manager
Bill Muñoz*
Assistant Stage Manager
Erin Alexis Markham*
Scenic Designer
Jimmy Ray Ward
Lighting Designer
Bill Webb
Props Designers
Ginger Poole* Matt Shields
Costume Designer
Marissa Danielle Duricko
Sound Designer
Savannah Woodruff
Technical Director
Matt Shields
Spot Operators
Ches Devlin Spencer Wade
Wardrobe
Sydney Poole Trenten Woods
Run Crew
Samuel Wood
Carpenter
Trenten Woods
Master Carpenter
Joey Neighbors

Venue Staff

School Administration Staff

Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Business Manager
Larry Kufel
Director of Development
John Levin
Director of Production
Matt Shields
Director of Education
Francesca Reilly
Creative Director of Marketing
Chris Tucker
ATD/Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Savannah Woodruff
Carpenter
Trenten Woods
Conservatory Music Director
Bethany Costello
Master Carpenter
Joey Neighbors
Producing Artistic Director
Ginger Poole
Business Manager
Larry Kufel
Director of Development
Suzanne Cresswell
Director of Production
Matt Shields
Director of Education
Francesca Reilly
Conservatory Music Director
Bethany Costello
ATD/Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Savannah Woodruff
Carpenter
Trenten Woods
Master Carpenter
Joey Neighbors
Creative Director of Marketing
Chris Tucker
MMT Production Videographer
Richard Maddox
MMT Production Photographer
Richard Clompus

Musicians

Keys/Conductor
Sam Saint Ours
Guitar
Mike Havens
Bass
Jeff Hoffman
Reeds
Teresa Hedrick
Drums
J.T. Fauber
Drums Sub
Peyton Gentry

2024 Board of Directors

President

William L. Lee

Vice President

Doris Rogers

Secretary

Amy Bridge

Treasurer

David Allen

Board Members

David K. Allen* Amy Bridge Kerry Edmunds Linda Garbee Robyn Hakanson MD Larry Kufel Anthony LaMantia PhD Beverly Learman William L. Lee Laura McKeage Amanda Nelson PhD Carolyn L. Rakes Nancy F. Reynolds Doris Rogers Edward Smith Will Trinkle* Armida Valles-Klute Sherrene Wells

*Past President Board of Directors

Student Advisory Board

Credits

Lighting equipment from PRG Lighting, sound equipment from Sound Associates, rehearsed at The Public Theater’s Rehearsal Studios. Developed as part of Irons in the Fire at Fault Line Theatre in New York City.

Special Thanks

A special shoutout to our new Marketing Partners and special friends:

The Hangry Bulldog Catering Company

The Shoobies Band

Caroline LaRocca Event Design

Parrot Heads of the Blue Ridge

Rob Besselo and Roanoke College

Shannon Shaffer

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an International organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

United Scenic Artists ● Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (IATSE Local 18032), represents the Press Agents, Company Managers, and Theatre Managers employed on this production.

A Message from the Director

Jimmy Buffet is a global icon who has a legacy that spans generations. What I love most about him was his sincere want and need to create his own paradise. All he ever wanted was to play music and make enough money to own a small boat.  What he left us with was so much more: A catalogue of music spanning several decades and a brand/franchise worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Hotels, Retirement homes, restaurants, merchandise, LandShark and a Broadway Musical! He was a humanitarian and it has been an honor to lift up and build our story around his music.  His cheeky humor, lively personality and love for life & humankind is sewn into every note, word and dance step of this production of Escape to Margaritaville here at Mill Mountain Theatre. It’s been a dream because working here and on this piece has felt like party and we are so glad you’ve decided to join us. We hope you brought “License to Chill” and that your ready to clap those “Fins” because it’s “Five O’clock Somewhere”  and time to be “…wastin’ away again in Margaritaville”. We hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed making it. Cheers!

Abrazos,

Héctor Flores Jr.

Ps. Has anyone found my lost shaker of salt?  

Emergency

In case of emergency, please exit the doors in which you entered.  Thank you.

For Your Safety*

*Please be careful if you need to leave your seat any time during the performance.  We will have performers entering and exiting the house throughout the show.

Cast
Creatives

Meet the Cast

Michael Havens

*

Electric Guitar
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Mike Havens was born and raised in Roanoke, VA and has been involved in music and playing guitar since the age of 12.  He received his Bachelors’ degree in classical guitar performance from Radford University and was awarded a full scholarship for study towards a Masters’ degree at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.  In 2001, he taught guitar studies at local colleges and universities including, Radford University, Emory and Henry College, Sweet Briar College, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, and Lynchburg College.  In 2008, he was offered, and continues, a full-time position teaching guitar and electronic music at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, VA.  Mike performs regularly as an acoustic and classical guitar soloist, is a member of the classical guitar and flute duo Con Eleganza, as a guest guitarist for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and is the guitar and bassist for Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Theater.

Tara Andújar

*

Ensemble
(
U/S Rachel/Marley
)
(
U/S Rachel/Marley
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Tara Andujar is a native New Yorker who is delighted to be making her debut at Mill Mountain Theater. Credits include Ephiny in Xena: Warrior Musical with Lucier & Rose, Esmerelda in 54 Below's Radio 54.1: A Little Bit of Halloween, and various short films soon to be released. She has a certificate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Musical Theatre and has also trained at the Summer Conservatory at Stella Adler. Thank you to my beautiful family, friends, and God who have always supported me to be a disciple of my hopes and dreams!

Ben Armstrong

*

Swing/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/him

Ben Armstrong is excited to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre. His favorite credits include: Cinderella (Prince Topher), The Secret Garden (Dickon), The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke), at Virginia Children's Theatre. High School Musical (Chad Danforth), Matilda The Musical (Doctor/Ensemble), You may also remember Ben from “Best of Broadway” where he was a featured vocalist here at MMT.  Ben was the 2021 Sarabeth Hammond Scholarship recipient at Virginia Children's Theatre. He is also apart of conservatory here at MMT.  Ben would like to thank his mom, the cast, and the entire Mill Mountain Theatre staff for their continued love and support.

Ashlinn Blevins

*

Ensemble
(
Swing
)
(
Swing
)
Pronouns:

Ashlinn Blevins is a singer, actor, and dancer who has been lighting up the theatre scene since she was eight years old. Some of her favorite credits include: Katherine Plumber (Newsies), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid), Silly Girl (Beauty And The Beast) and Ensemble/Swing (Elf, the Musical). Ashlinn recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where she studied musical theatre. She is so excited to bring Jimmy Buffett to the Roanoke valley and hopes that this musical can show you what having fun is all about! 

 

Danny Borba

*

Jesus and Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/him

DANNY BORBA (he/him/el) is an actor, singer, and dancer based in New York City. He has recently appeared in Bright Star and Stellaluna and Other Tales at Mill Mountain Theater and finished performing as El Mountain Lion with the National Tour of El Otro Oz produced by TheaterWorks. He is a recent graduate of the Actor Training Program at the University of Utah. He was also seen in the Ensemble of Elf, The Musical at Pioneer Theater and also as Frog in A Year With Frog and Toad and Ryker in Cabaret & Down the Rabbit Hole, both at Salt Lake Acting Company. Past credits also include the Ensemble in Aftershock (Plan-B Theatre) and Henry V in King of France in Henry V and the musical Songs for a New World (University of Utah). He has also recently been working on the TV show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. He is represented by Act One Management in New York and Talent Management Group in Utah. He thanks his family and friends and God for their ongoing support.

Coleman David Campbell

*

Chadd
(
Minister/Hotel Guest
)
(
Minister/Hotel Guest
)
Pronouns:
He/him

Coleman David Campbell is thrilled to be making his Mill Mountain debut! He recently returned from the UK, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Musical Theatre from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  Excited to be back in Virginia, Coleman received his BFA with honors in Acting from Shenandoah Conservatory.  Born into a theatrical family, he has been onstage and backstage his whole life. His favorite roles include: Secret Garden (Colin), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), Seussical (Horton), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), Twelfth Night (Malvolio), and Les Misérables: In Concert (Javert). For Uncle Jason.

Tyler Cramer

*

Ensemble (Hockey Fan Goon 2, Hotel Guest, Insurance Salesperson, Wedding Guest, Investor 1)
(
Tully Understudy
)
(
Tully Understudy
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Tyler is thrilled to be working with Mill Mountain Theatre! He most recently performed in Christmas at the Mt. Hope Wilderness Lodge, an immersive holiday show at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Other favorite past credits include: "The Rakish Rogues" (Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire); Audrey: The New Musical (Creative Cauldron); Frosty!: A Musical Adventure, Airness, 9 to 5, Romeo & Juliet, Beauty & the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Shrek: The Musical, Tarzan, James and the Giant Peach, The Cat in the Hat (Barter Theatre); Assassins (Pallas Theatre Collective); Horn in the West (SAHA); The Odyssey (HITW Children's Theatre). Tyler is a graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Media Arts & Design. Much love to his friends, family, and teachers!

Parker Joh

*

Hockey Fan Goon 1, Hotel Guest, Tony Jaffe, Insurance Salesperson, wedding guest/Lawyer dude
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Parker Joh is exhilerated to join Mill Mountain Theatre for a third time! Previous Mill Mountain credits include: Boy Bands Through the Ages and Mamma Mia! Other favorite credits include: Annie, Guys & Dolls, and A Christmas Story: The Musical(Fireside Theatre), Spring Awakening and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson(The Warehouse Theatre). Additionally, Parker enjoys performing to give back with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Fight with Your Art(a show benefitting MD Anderson Cancer Research). Off the stage, Parker does HR consulting, studies programming language, and obsesses over candles. Special thanks to Ginger, Hector, Bill, Sam, and all the crew that make it happen!

Felicia Martis

*

Rachel
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Felicia is thrilled to be joining the Mill Mountain Theatre family! She is a singer/actress/dancer based in NYC that has traveled the world performing with noteable companies including Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Universal Studios Japan. Some of her favorite credits include: On Your Feet! (Rebecca/Gloria understudy), Sister Act (Sister Mary Robert), and Legally Blonde (Pilar). She would like to thank her family, friends, cast, and the entire team at MMT for their love and support!

Jeffrey McGullion

*

JD, Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Originally from Los Angeles, Jeffrey has performed throughout the southeast with Barpeg Productions, Barter Theatre, Roanoke Children’s Theatre, Temple Theatre, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Wohlfahrt Haus, The Barn Dinner Theatres, and as co-founder of the Roanoke Valley Shakespeare Festival.  He was last seen at Mill Mountain Theatre as Herr Schultz/Max in Cabaret.  Other MMT credits include JD in Escape to Margaritaville, Walter in Elf the Musical, Daddy Murphy in Bright Star, Clown 1 in The 39 Steps, Felix in The Odd Couple, Wilbur in Hairspray, and Mr. Dussel in The Diary Of Anne Frank. Other favorite roles include Prof. Moriarty in the regional premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily and Louie in Lost in Yonkers.   He is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia Theatre Department.

Haley Mizelle

*

Ensemble/Tammy U.S.
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Haley is a recent graduate of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (2023), having studied musical theatre, and attended Longwood University (2018), receiving a BA in Theatre with a double major in Music and Musical Theatre. Some favorite, as well as recent, credits include: Ms. James (WINNER! A New Musical) at Leicester Square Theatre London with LSMTA, Chorn (Firebringer) with Unified Theatre Company, and was recently a guest soloist at the Hazbin Hotel Premiere Cabaret at Don't Tell Mama (NYC). Haley is beyond excited to be making their MMT debut here with the cast of "Escape to Margaritaville!" Much love and gratitude to her family, friends, and colleagues for their unyielding support and love.

Prince Parker

*

Jamal/Ted
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Prince Parker (Jamal/Ted) a triple threat deriving from the state of Michigan. Prince is elated to make his first appearance on the Mill Mountain Theatre stage. He has previously worked in numerous productions in Manhattan, Long Island and several Regional Theaters across the country. Prince received his formal training at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) and Queen City Arts. Prince's philosophy on storytelling is best portrayed in this quote by Sidney Poitier. "Acting isn't a game of "pretend" It's an exercise in being real" He'd like to thank his parents, family and friends for their unwavering support.

Selena Robinson

*

Marley
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her/Hers

Selena Robinson is thrilled to be making her Mill Mountain Theatre debut! She is a proud Chicago native and NYU graduate. Favorite credits include: Chicago (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Elf (Arvada Center), Little Shop of Horrors (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre), Scrooge (Fireside Theatre), and The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience (Netflix/Fever). Represented by Take 3 Talent. Special thanks to her friends and family, her Physical Therapist Maddie, and the entire MMT Team! 

Elliott Smith

*

Brick
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him/his

Elliott is thrilled to be Escaping to Margaritaville at Mill Mountain this winter! Previous favorite regional credits include The Spongebob Musical (Patrick Star), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Sir Bedevere), Hairspray (Edna Turnblad), and Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth). As always, endless love and thanks to the fam, friends, and anyone who has been a part of the journey thus far.

Ariana Valdes

*

Tammy
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/they

ARIANA VALDES [she | they] is a mixed Cuban & Irish NYC based multi-hyphenate performer, creative, & arts educator. Tours: The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady. Off-Broadway: The Green Room. Developmental: El Otro Oz, Little Duende, Dot Dot Dot. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, STAGES St. Louis, Gateway Playhouse, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Westchester Broadway, Arizona Broadway, SpeakEasy Stage, Forestburgh Playhouse, Engeman Theater, Palace Theatre, York Theatre, Prospect Theatre, Scranton Shakespeare, Pennsylvania Shakespeare, City Theatre. Highlights: Somewhere Over the Border (Julia), In the Heights (Daniela), TSOM (Mother Abbess), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Peaches/Baby Jane), Sister Act (Mary Patrick), Beauty & the Beast (Wardrobe), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), Shrek (Dragon). Gregg Baker Management. Proud member of AEA. Artistic Director of the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship NEW VOICES (Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts). www.ArianaValdes.com @arianavaldiva

Michael Walker

*

Tully
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
he/they

Michael Jayne Walker is a Brooklyn-based actor, singer/songwriter, and rock musician. They've been seen nationally and internationally in shows like Rent (Roger), Hair (Claude), and Godspell (Jesus). Michael Jayne also plays with glam-punk band The Manimals, who leave a trail of glitter and whiskey in their wake. When not onstage, Michael enjoys playing complicated tabletop games (his half-elf warlock is level 11) and is slowly finishing a concept album inspired by The Legend of Zelda. All my love to Jessie. 

Meet the Team

Ginger Poole

*

Producing Artistic Director
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Ginger Poole is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and an Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union. She has studied, taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S. She has worked in GA, HI, FL, MS, SC and VA with, Theatre in the Square, The Alliance City Series, Theatre Gael, Synchronicity Performance Group-GA, Mill Mountain Theatre-VA and SC Children’s Theatre. Originally from Atlanta, she has worked with the N.F.L. and The Atlanta Falcons as their director and choreographer and The Atlanta Opera. Prior to coming to Mill Mountain Theatre, she was based out of North Carolina where she has worked with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, in over 25 productions. She was a part of the Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse for 5 years where she taught for their Apprentice Companies and their Conservatory Program in Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre. Ginger has taught at The University of Southern Mississippi, Western Carolina University, William Carey College, Mississippi University for Women, and currently teaches at Hollins University. With Ginger’s strong background in dance she finds herself not only acting and dancing on stage but also directing the choreography and classroom skills for her students. Ginger holds her M.F.A. in Acting Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and continues to teach acting and dance.  She has worked with students that range in age from kindergarten through professionals.

Ginger has worked in commercials, voice-overs, film, stage, and the classroom, and was profiled in the book FIRESTARTERS as “the actor”.

Ginger serves on the following Board of Directors: South Eastern Theatre Conference (SETC Secretary, Second Term), Junior League of the Roanoke Valley (Past President and Current Nominating Committee, Second Term), Burton Performing Arts Advisory Board, The Roanoke City Public Schools Education Foundation, and she has served on the Review Panel for theVirginia Commission for the Arts. She was the recipient of the DePaul’s Women of Achievement Award in the Arts in 2013 and was named the 2016 Kendig Award recipient for Individual Artist. Ginger is also a guest host with WSLS, the NBC affiliate, Daytime Blue Ridge television show, and is the host of the new Mill Mountain Theatre Podcast, Meet Me at Mill Mountain. She is very proud to be a member of the Mill Mountain Theatre team and looks forward to its continued growth, success, and artistic influence in the region.

Héctor Flores Jr.

*

Director/Choreographer
(
)
Pronouns:

Héctor Flores Jr. (Director/Choreographer) is a multi-hyphenate theatre professional.  Producer credits include Sueños: Our American Musical (Concept EP), Xena: Warrior Musical (Cast Album). Dir./Chor. credits include, In The Heights (MMT, OCT & PSF), Westside Story (Flatrock Playhouse), Matilda (MMT) and Elf: The Musical (MMT).  Performance credits include US Spanish Premiere of In The Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre), Sol of el Barrio (Jacob’s Pillow), On Your Feet (Gateway Playhouse), Urinetown (FIPAP), Mamma Mia! (Flatrock Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (St. Petersburg Opera) and is coming back to Direct and Choreograph, Cabaret at MMT fresh off originating a role in the world premiere of, Mad Hatter, The Musical. You can follow @HectorFloresJr35 and/or @NewYorkTheatreBarn on instagram for more info and the latest news on the musicals of tomorrow. 

Sam Saint Ours

*

Music Director, Keys, Guitar, Ukulele, Steel Pan
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him/His

Sam is an Equity actor, instrumentalist, and music director from the Shenandoah Valley, and he is thrilled to be working on his third show at MMT! Past music directing and composing credits include Elf, Bright Star, Once, The Lightning Thief, and almost the entireity of Shakespeare's canon with multiple companies. Selected performing credits include three years and dozens of plays as a resident member at the American Shakespeare Center, the 2019 national tour of Once, and work with the Olney Theatre Center, Cape May Stage, Atlantic Theatre Co., and more. If he isn't at rehearsal, you can find Sam at any hour of the day walking his literal angel of a dog, Nona, around every nook and cranny of Roanoke, seeking out good frisbee spots and delicious vegan muffins. A lifelong parrothead, Sam owes a huge thank you to his mom for patiently attending every Jimmy Buffett "concert" that he, his brother, and neighbors forced her to sit through (which were literally just an hour of swaying and lip syncing to the discography of their favorite nautical muse, sometimes on a weekly basis). Further thanks go to the incredible band at MMT for welcoming Sam into one of his favorite teams over these past few months; his incredible siblings for always giving him a top tier example of bravery and love to aspire to; and his parents for, well, everything!!

Erin Alexis Markham

*

Assistant Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:
She/her

Erin Markham is a Roanoke native with a lifelong passion for the theatre and music. She graduated summa cum laude from Radford University with a B.S. in Theatre and an emphasis in stage management. Along with stage managing several productions and student projects at RU, Erin worked as a House Manager, Box Office Assistant, and an Assistant to the Chair. In previous summers, Erin has worked with the Christiansburg Dance Academy, the Virginia Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities, and Mill Mountain Theatre’s Education tour of Curious George: The Golden Meatball. Her most recent work includes Assistant Stage Manager for Mill Mountain Theatre’s productions of Bright Star, Jersey Boys, Holiday Inn, The Diary of Anne Frank and Fun Home. Erin hopes this show gives you all the warm fuzzies (without the swollen tongue!)

Bill Webb

*

Lighting Design
(
)
Pronouns:

Bill is thrilled to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre as the Lighting Designer for Million Dollar Quartet.  Bill is a native of Alfred, NY, where he received his Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre from Alfred University in 1988.  He continued training at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he earned his Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Technology in 1994.  Since 1996 Bill has been on faculty at Elon University in North Carolina where he serves as the Lighting Designer/Production Manager for the Performing Arts Department. Bill has been designing lights at Mill Mountain since the MMT production of Swing in 2014 with 30  MMT Lighting design credits.  In addition to his work at Mill Mountain Theatre,  Bill has worked throughout the United States for companies such as Cirque Du Soliel, I Weiss, Bungalow Scenic Studios and  Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Matt Shields

*

Technical Director
(
Director of Production
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Matt Shields is a native of Virginia. Having grown up in Loudoun County, he first moved to the region in 2013 to attend school at Radford University where he graduated with a BS in theatre. After working for a few other companies, Matt is happy to call MMT his artistic home. In the past few years Matt has served in a variety of jobs around Mill Mountain, including Props Master, Costumes Manager, Teaching Artist, Scenic Designer, and Company Manager. Matt is very happy to now be serving MMT as the Production Manager and is grateful to MMT for all the faith they have put in him over the years.

Spencer Wade

*

Spot Operator 2
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Spencer is a rising 7th grader at James Madison Middle School and is thrilled to join Mill Mountain Theatre’s stage crew. He got his start on tech crew with his school’s recent musical production, Matilda Jr. Outside of theatre, Spencer is a competitive diver with New River Diving and loves assembling Lego Architecture and Lego Idea sets. He enjoys vacations at the beach and his three weeks each summer at Camp Maxwelton nestled at the foot of Jump Mountain in Rockbridge Baths, VA.

Bill Muñoz

*

Production Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:

Bill Muñoz – Production Stage Manager Feeling so grateful to once again return to the ‘Noke! He was in rehearsals here in March of 2020 for Dream Girls, when everything shut down due to the pandemic. Words cannot be found to express the thrill to be back doing live theatre. Past productions at MMT, The Marvelous Wonderettes, A Christmas Story, Mamma Mia and The Sound of Music. Beginning at Flat Rock Playhouse, in Western NC, (30 seasons, over 130 productions) and working in theatres in the southeast, he has also worked as an Actor and Fight Choreographer. Thank you for supporting the Arts!

Jimmy Ray Ward

*

Scenic Designer
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

With an MFA in Design from UNC-Greensboro, his credits include work at many theatre companies along the East coast such as Spoleto Festival USA, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Seaside Music Theatre, Flatrock Playhouse, and the Gainesville Theatre Alliance.  Locally, Jimmy designs for Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Children's Theatre, and Mill Mountain Theatre, where he worked as resident designer for its last nine seasons.  Some favorite designs over the years include scenery for Il Trovatore, The Flying Dutchman, The Adventures of Frog and Toad, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Seussical, and Grease, costumes for Hamlet, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat, and lighting for Driving Miss Daisy, Wit, and Rapunzel, among many others. Despite years of working in a field he loves, Jimmy feels that his best productions to date are his children, Henry and Lily, Gracie and Frank.

Kailey Absher

*

Assistant Stage Manager Sub
(
)
Pronouns:

Kailey Absher is a local Virginian, growing up nearby in the New River Valley. She is a graduate of Radford University, where she earned her BS in Theatre with an emphasis on stage management, as well as minors in English and Communications. Past Credits at MMT include: Million Dollar Quartet, A Christmas Story, and Tomás and the Library Lady. Kailey has worked as part of the intern company for The Rev (Formally Fingerlakes Musical Theatre Festival) and well as two seasons of outdoor theatre. She is so thankful to be joining the team here at Mill Mountain and to their commitment to coming back together and stronger.

Marissa Danielle Duricko

*

Costume Designer
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her/hers

Marissa Danielle Duricko is an actor, costume designer, director, and once-upon-a-time stage manager who has worked extensively in New York City, across the U.S., and Ireland. 

Marissa’s most recent costume design credits include Sweet Charity, Rent, and The Lightning Thief for The Scranton Shakespeare Festival (PA) as well as Mill Mountain’s productions of Holiday Inn, Jersey Boys, and Elf.

The role of which Marissa is, and will ever be, most proud is that of mother to Onofrio and Davin.

 

J.T. Fauber

*

Percussion
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

J.T. has been playing drums at Mill Mountain since 2008. His favorite show was My Son Pinocchio which included his wife Rachel on piano and both kids, Kyle and Caroline, on stage. Early in his career J.T. performed in the country show at Kings Dominion and on the La Boheme cruise ship. Currently he plays with The Boogie Kings, a ragtime / dixieland group that has been together since 1986. He also plays with the 1st Baptist Roanoke orchestra, The Winds of the Blue Ridge, and the Let's Dance big band. J.T. is the owner of Sun Tan City and Buff City Soap, both supporters of Mill Mountain Theatre.

Savannah Woodruff

*

ATD/Sound Designer
(
Sound Operator
)
Pronouns:
she/they

Savannah Woodruff was born and raised in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where she was encouraged to become involved in technical theatre in high school. Savannah is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and received a BFA in Technical Production. Prior to joining the Mill Mountain Theatre staff, she worked as a member of Weston Playhouse Theatre Company’s Intern Company. Savannah is grateful for the support of her family (and especially her cats) in her endeavors, and is thrilled to be able to continue working and growing with Mill Mountain Theatre.

Teresa Hedrick

*

Woodwinds
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Teresa is excited to be marking her 53rd show in the Mill Mountain Theatre pit! Other theatre work includes Hollins University Theatre Department and Columbia, South Carolina's Town Theatre and Workshop Theatre where her very first show was Sweeney Todd. Teresa has been playing woodwinds since age 12, and was a member of the Dennis Reaser Orchestra, Roanoke Jazz Orchestra, founder of Star City Swing for the Salem Jazz Festival, and is in the Sway Katz Big Band. She performs regularly for area churches and special occasions, and has performed extensively around Southwest VA including concerts with Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Shirley Jones and Maureen McGovern. Teresa teaches woodwinds at Hollins University and Roanoke College, and taught at Bluefield University from 2009-2019. She also teaches woodwinds and her husband Steve teaches brass at Hedrick Music Studios. They own Hedrick Music, Inc., which publishes the Band Fundamentals Book Series.

Ches Devlin

*

spotlight operator
(
)
Pronouns:
they/them

Samuel Wood

*

Run Crew
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Samuel Wood is from West Monroe Louisiana and is a graduate of Radford University. Throughout his studies, he designed sound for several productions at Radford University including recent productions like Rainbow Fish: The Musical, Much Ado, and Silent Sky. He also designed scenic for productions like Red Light Winter and Cows Don’t Fly and Other Known Facts. He is currently working as a production assistant and a sound and set designer. He would like to thank all his family and friends who have supported him in pursuing his passion for theatre. 

Sydney Poole

*

Associate Costume Designer/Wardrobe/Stitcher
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Sydney B. Poole (Associate Costume Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor) recently celebrated her for first anniversary with Mill Mountain Theatre and is overjoyed to get to be a part of this amazing company.  While in the fourth grade Sydney was inspired by her High schools musical production and eventually fell in love with the art form as she became more involved with her high school theatre dept. She’s since received her B.S. from Radford University in Theatre with a focus in Costume design and construction and a minor in Peace Studies. During her time at MMT she’s had a hand in Holiday Inn, Jersey Boys, Matilda, Elf and Escape to Margaritaville. She’s grateful to have found an artistic and creative family at MMT and would like to thank Ginger, Matt, and Héctor for believing in her.  Along with her mom for always encouraging her to follow her passion. She is excited to keep making more magic with and for the city and artists of Roanoke.

AnnElese Galleo

*

Ensemble
(
Assistant Dance Captain
)
Pronouns:
She/ Her

AnnElese Galleo is a performer and creative from the Roanoke Valley and a recent graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music. She was previously seen with Mill Mountain in MadLibs Live! (Merrily), Bright Star (Ensemble & Dance Captain), Stellaluna in Stellaluna, Elf (Ensemble), and on staff as a teaching artist and choreographer. She is so grateful to have been an associate on this project and getting to see her choreography on a regional theater stage for the first time! AnnElese would love to thank her dearest friends, amazing family, and incredible students for all their unending support on her creative journey this past year! 

To quote Jimmy, "When life gives you limes, make margaritas." 

Peyton Gentry

*

Drums Sub
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Peyton Gentry returns to Mill Mountain Theatre for Elf the Musical after performing Jersey Boys and Bright Star alongside JT Fauber. Peyton is a current grad student at Virginia Tech completing a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Last spring he completed his undergrad with a Bachelor of Arts with a dual focus in both Music Education and Percussion Performance. Peyton is an active performer in the Blacksburg and Roanoke areas performing with groups such as the Roanoke Opera, Mill Mountain Theatre, Celtic Steel, and Winds of the Blue Ridge. Peyton has competed in PASIC’s International Percussion Ensemble Competition placing 3rd and 4th place on separate occasions. After graduating, Peyton plans to teach middle school, elementary, or high school music and to stay in the area to continue performing.

Jeff Hoffman

*

Bass
(
)
Pronouns:
he/him

An appreciator of all music genres, Jeff began his formal study of bass at Roanoke College under the direction of Alan Weinstein, Assistant Professor of Cello and Bass at Roanoke College/Virginia Tech and a member of the Kandinsky Trio. Jeff currently teaches bass at Hollins University.

Jeff has committed countless hours to his craft and has played in bands covering jazz, gypsy jazz, blues, funk, pop, Latin, Americana, 80s, and more. His passion for folk and cultural music of different eras and geographic regions drives his desire to possess a deeper understanding of music and its subtle nuances. Prompted by his desire to educate through music, Jeff created Unison Foundation in 2004 to support artists and musicians in southwestern Virginia through performances, workshops, and free promotion.

He managed and performed with four music groups who were registered with the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Additionally, he was invited to participate in the 37th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. His bass work has appeared on more than 60 albums, as well as television and movie soundtracks, and musical productions.

Highlights for him include a film entitled “Down in the Old Belt: Voices from the Tobacco South”, commission work for an animated trailer featured at the historic Grandin Theatre in Roanoke, VA. Additional films include “The Joneses” (David Duchovny, Demi Moore), “Baby Baby Baby” (Kelsey Grammar, Bradley Cooper, William Shatner, Cloris Leachman), as well as the pilot episode of Showtime’s “Homeland”.

Having performed internationally and with more than 30 years of experience producing and performing on the instrument, Jeff brings a wealth of wisdom to anyone seeking to expand their knowledge about the bass.

Media

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2021 National Touring Cast

Pre-Show Snack or
Post-Show Dinner?

Don’t let the evening end when the curtain comes down. With The Marquee Local, you can find the perfect place for a pre-show snack, an evening meal, or a post-show cocktail. Enjoy exclusive deals from our local partners as you catch up, discuss the show, and create memories to last a lifetime.

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Fortunato

Italian
|
104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Fortunato

Italian
|
104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Marquee Deal!

The Hangry Bulldog

Burgers and Bratwurst
|
32 Market Square SE #134 inside.

We are a family-orientated business who enjoy sharing our culinary combinations! Get 15% off when you show your ticket stub from any Mill Mountain show!

The Hangry Bulldog

Burgers and Bratwurst
|
32 Market Square SE #134 inside.

We are a family-orientated business who enjoy sharing our culinary combinations! Get 15% off when you show your ticket stub from any Mill Mountain show!

Marquee Deal!

Get 15% off your meal when you show your ticket stub or ticket from your phone for any Mill Mountain Theatre production.

The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

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Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub
|
107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub
|
107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

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Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Marquee Deal!

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger
|
210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger
|
210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

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Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
|
118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
|
118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

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Wasabi's

Japanese
|
214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

Wasabi's

Japanese
|
214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

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Raise a Glass

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Marquee Deal!

‍Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

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Billy's

American
|
102 Market St SE

Buzzy dining room with a full wooden bar plating refined American cuisine such as lobster Alfredo.

Billy's

American
|
102 Market St SE

Buzzy dining room with a full wooden bar plating refined American cuisine such as lobster Alfredo.

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Fork in the Market

American
|
32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

Fork in the Market

American
|
32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

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Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

Marquee Deal!

While You Wait

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Stanley Tucci Makes London Stage Directing Debut This Summer with SPRINGWOOD
Emily Wyrwa
December 18, 2025

Stanley Tucci alert! The iconic actor, author, and screen director will make his London stage directing debut with the world premier of Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson’s new play Springwood. The play will run at Hampstead Theatre’s Mainstage from June 19 to July 25, 2026. 

Springwood was originally commissioned by Colin Callender and is produced at the Hampstead Theatre by arrangement with his company Playground. 

The play tells the story of the first ever visit of a British monarch to the United States in 1939 between King George VI and President Roosevelt. A weekend at a country house. The fate of nations hangs in the balance; King George VI’s single opportunity to convince President Roosevelt to support his country in impending war is seemingly dependent on whether he and his wife can navigate a public picnic with the decorum and dignity expected of royalty. Can the "special relationship" survive a menu of hot dogs and beer? 

“I am thrilled to be able to bring Richard Nelson’s poignant play to the stage. It is a nuanced, touching and very timely piece of writing,” director Tucci said in a statement. 

Nelson said in a statement that he had been working with Callender for years to find the right home for Springwood, and is excited to bring it to the intimate Hampstead Theatre.

Springwood runs at the Hampstead Theatre’s Mainstage in North West London from June 19 to July 25, 2026. For tickets and more information, visit here.

BEACHES Comes To Broadway Starring Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett
Emily Wyrwa
December 18, 2025

This Broadway opening is the “wind beneath our wings!” Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett will star in Beaches, A New Musical at the Majestic Theatre for a limited New York engagement to launch its multi-city National Tour. Previews begin March 27, with official opening set for April 22. The musical will run through Sept. 6.

Beaches, based on the New York Times bestseller that became a blockbuster film, tells the story of Cee Cee and Bertie, who meet as children and become fast friends. Their relationship is oil and water; as they transition from pen-pals to roommates and romantic rivals, their friendship perseveres through the most tragic trials. 

The new musical features a score by Grammy Award-winning legend Mike Stoller, lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart, and a book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas. The musical was developed in collaboration with David Austin. It is co-directed by Lonny Price and Matt Cowart. Vosk will play Cee Cee and Barrett will play Bertie.

The musical will be choreographed by Jennifer Rias, with orchestrations by Tony Award winner Charlie Rosen, scenic design by James Noone, costume design by Tracy Christensen, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, sound design by Tony Award winner Kai Harada, projection design by David Bengali, and wig, hair & make-up design by J. Jared Janas. 

Casting is by The TRC (Tara Rubin Casting) Company, Peter Van Dam, CSA, and Joseph Thalken serves as Music Supervisor. The Production Stage Manager is Thomas Recktenwald and Alchemy Production Group serves as General Manager.

Beaches will run at the Majestic Theatre on West 44th Street in New York City from March 27 to Sept. 6, 2026. Tickets go on sale in January. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Chloe Tucker Caine Is Taking New York By Storm
Kobi Kassal
December 18, 2025

Many folks who start their careers on the national tour of Mamma Mia! end up working all over Broadway. And then you have Chloe Tucker Caine who is selling multi-million dollar homes up and down that very street. 

Since pivoting to the world of luxury real estate, Chloe has become a breakout star of the hit Netflix series Owning Manhattan. Following Ryan Serhant’s team, season two just dropped and boy is it a great watch. 

I recently caught up with Chloe to discuss bringing her love of Broadway to this season, Dancing With The Stars, and of course Legally Blonde: The Search For Elle Woods. Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length. 

Theatrely: So how's it going? Season Two is now out. 

It's going great. The show came out and I was terrified because you never know what's actually going to make it on air. And the response has been really incredible. It's really the first time I put myself out there when it comes to performing, especially in the real estate world of it all, so it was nerve racking, but the response has been great. I've been getting a lot of messages, especially about the audition scene and how it touched a lot of people and people really connected to it. So it's been a joy.

So I was doing a deep dive on you.

Oh boy.

And I was reading how you went to the Boston Conservatory…

I was actually only there for four months because I went and then a lot of people don't know this, but I was on that show about becoming the next Elle Woods on MTV.

Oh trust me, we know. Let’s jump into that. 

Yeah. So I literally went to an open call for that TV show with all my friends from Boston and they were like, "okay, you made the top 10. You're going to be moving into this house." And I was like, great, I'm leaving school to be a big Broadway star, like see you never. And then got kicked off on the very first episode, scene one beat one. I was like, "I can't go back to school, this is horrifying!" So I went to LA, I went home.

How did that show prepare you for reality TV now? 

God, that's a good question. I mean, that show, I was so young and it was such a gut punch and I literally became a recluse in LA. I couldn't leave, I couldn't leave the house, I couldn't be seen. That show kind of changed the course of my life because after being in LA, because I left school, I was doing everything but performing for a beat. And then I said, "wait a minute, what are you doing? You know, you want to perform, go perform." So I was like, "I'm going to go to an open call." The first open call I went to was for Sophie in Mamma Mia! and then booked the role and was off for two years on tour.

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Photos: Joan Marcus

Have you seen it since it's been back on Broadway. 

I'm actually going on Saturday. We're taking my little cousin and I'm so excited.

Talk to me about that touring experience and going out on the road. And also, we have to know, who was your Donna?

Kaye Tuckerman. She's incredible. The whole experience was incredible. I learned so much about myself. And also, you know, that was my college experience. It was on the road. It was the years I should have been in school, but I really got a lot of hands on training. It also, I will say, messed me up a bit mentally because I booked it so fast. So when I got to New York, I was like, "hello, I'm here. Where's the parade? Where are the roles?" It definitely took me a beat to really understand how theatre works in New York.

So you finished the tour and you moved straight to New York…

You know, it's funny: I didn't realize it at the time, but I was actually doing really well. I had a huge agent and I was always getting callbacks. I was in the room. I was also in the conversations. But I think because I was so young and I didn't really understand the business of the business, to me I was like, "well I'm not making it here. I'm not good enough." And so I really got in my own head. And I kind of have this joke with my mom that the truth is no one told me I wasn't good enough but me. I was really hard on myself. I really, really struggled mentally with the industry. And I hate to say it, but I essentially ended up just giving up on myself and it's sad when I really think about that little girl in her twenties who thought she couldn't do it, but really she was doing great. Listen, it led me to here and now I'm in real estate and now we're back to the performing of it all. But you know, life, what can I tell you?

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Photo: Netflix 2025

So was there always that passion for real estate there?

I had no passion for real estate. It was never on my bingo card. I've had people in the past be like, you should go into real estate, and I'm like, that's embarrassing. Absolutely not, over my dead body. But in between theatre gigs, I was bartending, and I was just such a bad bartender, I kept getting fired. So then I was like, "okay, how can I make money?" So I started Airbnb-ing my apartment in Midtown in Hell's Kitchen. And I was doing great, like I was booked and busy. I was running this little business and then it started getting really illegal in New York. And my landlord was like, "I see what you're doing, you better pack it up." My boyfriend, my now husband, at the time was like "why don't you just go get your real estate license? It's like basically what you've been doing, but legal." And I was like I guess that's a good idea. I mean, why not? It's a two week course. So I got my license and I was like, wait, I'm really good at this. Like, I could kill this. Like, screw theater, screw Broadway. I'm going to be the biggest real estate star you've ever seen. I think I did like 150 rentals in my first year. And from there, you know, I always have had this itch to perform and be on camera. And so I started stalking Ryan Serhan, as you do, as after watching Million Dollar Listing. And I said to myself, I could do that. So I started copying the way he made his YouTube videos and I kind of told myself, when I get to 10 videos, I'm going to reach out to Ryan Serhan and I'm gonna go work for him. But I actually got to six videos and someone from his office called me and that's how it all happened.

Tell me about starting the show last season, what was going through your head at the time. 

I was one of the first people to join Ryan's new company, and even from the very beginning, there was always this kind of rumbling that he wanted to do his own real estate show. I can't remember how it happened, but I was always in the mix for this. I always kind of knew that this is something we were going to do and that I was going to be a part of it. Maybe it was just me being delusional, being like, "I'm going to be on his show." But in my memory, I was always in the mix. But eventually, they had a big casting team come in and we all had to do a casting audition and then it ended up happening. I was very excited. I always was like, put a camera on me. I'm ready.

I love it. So then after season one aired and it came out, how would you say your life changed?

I think I was just definitely a lot more known. I don't know that anything changed drastically, but it definitely gave me a bigger platform to go out and start creating stuff, which then did lead to, you know, the musical series I started, Chloe in Manhattan, the musicals series. But it definitely just opened up the possibilities of what I could do.

Why was creating this series so important to you?

I was focusing on real estate, but secretly was still singing, dancing and acting. I was renting rehearsal spaces at Ripley-Grier and singing in between listing appointments, so it was always on my heart and my conscious, but it was not something I was putting out into the world and out of the blue. In the same week I had Michael McCrary, who I went to BoCo with, reached out to me, who is now a huge director choreographer. He said, "hey, I've really been thinking about you. I really think you need to start creating stuff again. What should we make?" Literally within three days, I had Michael Farrar reach out, who was my musical director on an Off-Broadway show I did called Death of the Moon. It was a one woman show. And he kind of had the same sentiment of you've been so on my mind. Why aren't you singing? Why aren't your performing? Like, let's figure out what you wanna do. And I was like, this is Kismet. Not only is it both of them reaching out to me on the same week, they're both Michael. I was, like, the world is trying to tell me to do something. I always knew I wanted to make a version of The Wizard and I, but turned it into Ryan Serhant and I would sing it to myself, walking into the office in SoHo. And I know what I wanna make. And they just happened to be the only two people in the universe that I think could take exactly what it was in my brain and turn it into a reality.

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Photo: Netflix 2025

So now we are at Season Two. Talk to me about what you wanted with this season. Just seeing you in Open Jar Studios was everything…

I really went into season two, not really sure where my storyline was going to go, but I knew that I was coming into it as a new mom. And for me, it was such a different version of myself, especially than the one you saw on season one, that I wanted to show the world what it had been like for me trying to balance both motherhood and real estate. And it really switched something in me because I thought you only had to be one thing. I thought, going back to theatre, I can't do theatre, I can only do real estate. Being a mom really showed me that you can be a multi-dimensional human. You can be more than one thing and I just wanted to, I didn't know that we were gonna go down this path of theatre, but I just knew that I wanted to say yes to everything and go into this season a lot more open that I may have been last season.

What have you been seeing lately around town that you've been loving?

I love Death Becomes Her. I thought it was one of the funniest things I've seen in like forever. Dying to see Chess. That is the next on our list of things to see. And then Mamma Mia, which I'm so excited to see.

If you could jump into any show on Broadway right now, what do you want to do?

Ooh, I have two. I would love to do Chicago, but I want to do Velma. I want do a Velma stunt cast, and I'd love to do a Satine stunt cast in Moulin Rouge. Like, let me sing Firework, please, I'm ready.

I see you love Dancing With The Stars. I think let's start the campaign now. Who do you want your pro to be?

Obviously Val. I mean, I just think he's like such a winning ticket. He's so good. I'm ready. Sign me up. I have my dancing shoes ready.

If Ryan was going to be in a Broadway show, what do you think, where should he be?

I've already thought about this a million times and it is so clear to me. It’s Billy Flynn. He needs to play that role like he would be phenomenal.

You are at a really exciting moment in your career right now. When you think back in twenty, thirty years to now, what do you want to remember?

I want to remember that I didn't give up on myself like I got out of my own way finally, Chloe got out of her own way. I think I feel like that's really been my theme up to this point is, like I said before, the only person that was telling me I wasn't good enough was me. I've always found a way to psych myself out of things that I don't think I deserve. And now that I have this kid, I have this daughter, I don't ever want her to look at her mom and say, "oh, God, my mom had so much talent. She had so much potential, but she couldn't get out of her own damn way." So I'm in my era of that.

I recently saw Brittany Bateman from Real Housewives 54 Below.

How was it?

It was so iconic. I couldn't believe what I was watching. But when are you gonna come do a cabaret here in New York?

You know, you're not the first person to ask me that, so we are working on it. I will be doing a solo show, dates, TBD, but it's coming.

Theatrely News
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
Theatrely News
READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
Theatrely News
"Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes"
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
By: Maia Penzer
14 July 2023

Finally, summer has arrived, which can only mean one thing: it's time for camp! Theater Camp, that is. Theatrely has a sneak peak at the new film which hits select theaters today. 

The new original comedy starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon we guarantee will have you laughing non-stop. The AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, is attended by theater-loving children who must work hard to keep their beloved theater camp afloat after the founder, Joan, falls into a coma. 

The film stars Ben Platt and Molly Gordon as Amos Klobuchar and Rebecca-Diane, respectively, as well as Noah Galvin as Glenn Wintrop, Jimmy Tatro as Troy Rubinsky, Patti Harrison as Caroline Krauss, Nathan Lee Graham as Clive DeWitt, Ayo Edebiri as Janet Walch, Owen Thiele as Gigi Charbonier, Caroline Aaron as Rita Cohen, Amy Sedaris as Joan Rubinsky, and Alan Kim as Alan Park. 

Theater Camp was directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt. Music is by James McAlister and Mark Sonnenblick. On January 21, 2023, Theater Camp had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

You can purchase tickets to the new film from our friends at Hollywood.com here.

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
By: Kobi Kassal
29 May 2023

Actor Sean Hayes is what we in the biz call booked and blessed. On top of his Tony-nominated performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar, Hayes has partnered with Todd Milliner and Carlyn Greenwald for the release of their new YA novel Time Out

Heralded by many as Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights, Time Out follows hometown basketball hero Barclay Elliot who decides to use a pep rally to come out to his school. When the response is not what he had hoped and the hostility continually growing, he turns to his best friend Amy who brings him to her voting rights group at school. There he finds Christopher and… you will just have to grab a copy and find out what happens next. Luckily for you, Time Out hits shelves on May 30 and to hold you over until then we have a special except from the book just for Theatrely:

The good thing about not being on the team the past two weeks has been that I’ve had time to start picking up shifts again at Beau’s diner and save up a little for college now that my scholarship dreams are over.

     The bad part is it’s the perfect place to see how my actions at the pep rally have rotted the townspeople’s brains too.

     During Amy’s very intense musical theater phase in middle school, her parents took her to New York City. And of course she came back home buzzing about Broadway and how beautiful the piss smell was and everything artsy people say about New York. But she also vividly described some diner she waited three hours to get into where the waitstaff would all perform songs for the customers as a way to practice for auditions. The regulars would have favorite staff members and stan them the way Amy stans all her emo musicians.

     Working at Beau’s used to feel kind of like that, like I was part of a performance team I didn’t know I signed up for. The job started off pretty basic over the summer—I wanted to save up for basketball supplies, and Amy worked there and said it was boring ever since her e-girl coworker friend graduated. But I couldn’t get through a single lunch rush table without someone calling me over and wanting the inside scoop on the Wildcats and how we were preparing for the home opener, wanting me to sign an article in the paper or take a photo. Every friendly face just made the resolve grow inside me. People love and support the Wildcats; they would do the same for me.

     Yeah, right.

     Now just like school, customers have been glaring at me, making comments about letting everyone down, about being selfish, about my actions being “unfortunate,” and the tips have been essentially nonexistent. The Wildcats have been obliterated in half their games since I quit, carrying a 2–3 record when last year we were 5–0, and the comments make my feet feel like lead weights I have to drag through every shift.

     Today is no different. It’s Thursday, the usual dinner rush at Beau’s, and I try to stay focused on the stress of balancing seven milkshakes on one platter. A group of regulars, some construction workers, keep loudly wondering why I won’t come back to the team while I refuse proper eye contact.

     One of the guys looks up at me as I drop the bill off. “So, what’s the deal? Does being queer keep ya from physically being able to play?”

     They all snicker as they pull out crumpled bills. I stuff my hands into my pockets, holding my tongue.

     When they leave, I hold my breath as I take their bill.

     Sure enough, no tip.

     “What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath.

     “Language,” Amy says as she glides past me, imitating the way Richard says it to her every shift, and adds, “even though they are dicks.” At least Amy’s been ranting about it every free chance she gets. It was one thing when the student body was being shitty about me leaving the team, but the town being like this is even more infuriating. She doesn’t understand how these fully grown adults can really care that much about high school basketball and thinks they need a new fucking hobby. I finally agree with her.

     [She’s wearing red lipstick to go with her raccoon-adjacent eyeliner as she rushes off to prepare milkshakes for a pack of middle schoolers. I catch her mid–death glare as all three of the kids rotate in their chairs, making the old things squeal. My anger fades a bit as I can’t help but chuckle; Amy’s pissed-off reaction to Richard telling her to smile more was said raccoon makeup, and her tolerance for buffoonery has been at a negative five to start and declining fast.

     I rest my arms on the counter and try not to look as exhausted as I feel.

     “Excuse me!” an old lady screeches, making me jump.

     Amy covers up a laugh as I head to the old lady and her husband’s table. They’ve got finished plates, full waters. Not sure what the problem is. Or I do, which is worse.

     “Yes?” I say trying to suppress my annoyance.

     “Could you be bothered to serve us?”

     Only five more hours on shift. I have a break in three minutes. I’ll be with Devin at Georgia Tech tomorrow. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say, so careful to keep my words even, but I can feel my hands balling into fists. “What would you—?”

     And suddenly Amy swoops in, dropping two mugs of coffee down. “Sorry about that, you two,” she says, her voice extra high. “The machine was conking out on us, but it’s fine now.”

     Once the coffee is down, she hooks onto a chunk of my shirt, steering us back to the bar.

     “Thanks,” I mutter, embarrassed to have forgotten something so basic. Again.

     “Just keep it together, man,” she says. “Maybe you’d be better off with that creepy night shift where all the truckers and serial killers come in.”

     Honestly, at least the serial killers wouldn’t care about my jump shot.

     It’s a few minutes before my break, but clearly I need it. “I’ll be in the back room.”

     Right before I can head that way though, someone straight-up bursts into the diner and rushes over to me at the bar. It’s a middle-aged dad type, sunburned skin, beer belly, and stained T-shirt.

     “Pickup order?” I ask.

     “You should be ashamed,” he sneers at me. He has a really strong Southern accent, but it’s not Georgian. “Think you’re so high and mighty, that nothing’ll ever affect you? My kid’ll never go to college because of you and your lifestyle. Fuck you, Barclay Ell—”

     And before this man can finish cursing my name, Pat of all people runs in, wide-eyed in humiliation. “Jesus, Dad, please don’t—”

      I pin my gaze on him, remembering how he cowered on the bench as Ostrowski went off, how he didn’t even try to approach me. “Don’t even bother,” I snap.

     I shove a to-go bag into his dad’s arms, relieved it’s prepaid, and storm off to the break room.]

     Amy finds me head in my arms a minute or two later. I look up, rubbing my eyes. “Please spare me the pity.”

     She snorts and hands me a milkshake. Mint chocolate chip. “Wouldn’t dare.” She takes a seat and rolls her shoulders and neck, cracks sounding through the tiny room. “Do you want a distraction or a shoulder to cry on?”

For more information, and to purchase your copy of Time Out, click here.

Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes
By: Kaitlyn Riggio
5 July 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020, Broadway veteran stage manager Richard Hester watched the nation’s anxiety unfold on social media.

“No one knew what the virus was going to do,” Hester said. Some people were “losing their minds in abject terror, and then there were some people who were completely denying the whole thing.”

For Hester, the reaction at times felt like something out of a movie. “It was like the Black Plague,” he said. “Some people thought it was going to be like that Monty Python sketch: ‘bring out your dead, bring out your dead.’”

While Hester was also unsure about how the virus would unfold, he felt that his “job as a stage manager is to naturally defuse drama.” Hester brought this approach off the stage and onto social media in the wake of the pandemic.

“I just sort of synthesized everything that was happening into what I thought was a manageable bite, so people could get it,” Hester said. This became a daily exercise for a year. Over two years after the beginning of the pandemic, Hester’s accounts are compiled in the book, Hold Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic. Released earlier this year, the book documents the events of the past two years, filtering national events and day-to-day occurrences through a stage manager’s eyes and storytelling.

When Hester started this project, he had no intention of writing a book. He was originally writing every day because there was nothing else to do. “I am somebody who needs a job or needs a structure,” Hester said.

Surprised to find that people began expecting his daily posts, he began publishing his daily writing to his followers through a Substack newsletter. As his following grew, Hester had to get used to writing for an audience. “I started second guessing myself a lot of the time,” Hester said. “It just sort of put a weird pressure on it.”

Hester said he got especially nervous before publishing posts in which he wrote about more personal topics. For example, some of his posts focused on his experiences growing up in South Africa while others centered on potentially divisive topics, such as the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite some of this discomfort, Hester’s more personal posts were often the ones that got the most response. The experience offered him a writing lesson. “I stopped worrying about the audience and just wrote what I wanted to write about,” Hester said. “All of that pressure that I think as artists we put on ourselves, I got used to it.”

One of Hester’s favorite anecdotes featured in the book centers on a woman who dances in Washington Square Park on a canvas, rain or shine. He said he was “mesmerized by her,” which inspired him to write about her. “It was literally snowing and she was barefoot on her canvas dancing, and that seems to me just a spectacularly beautiful metaphor for everything that we all try and do, and she was living that to the fullest.”

During the creation of Hold Please, Hester got the unique opportunity to reflect in-depth on the first year of the pandemic by looking back at his accounts. He realized that post people would not remember the details of the lockdown; people would “remember it as a gap in their lives, but they weren’t going to remember it beat by beat.”

“Reliving each of those moments made me realize just how full a year it was, even though none of us were doing anything outside,” he adds. “We were all on our couches.” Readers will use the book as a way to relive moments of the pandemic’s first year “without having to wallow in the misery of it,” he hopes.

“I talk about the misery of it, but that’s not the focus of what I wrote... it was about hope and moving forward,” Hester said. “In these times when everything is so difficult, we will figure out a way to get through and we will move forward.”

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