HOUSTON — Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is excited to announce the cast of the first show in its 2019/20 Season, A Chorus Line.
“A Chorus Line is perhaps the best musical ever written,” said Artistic Director Dan Knechtges. “It’s also got some of the most unbelievable choreography you’ve ever seen wedded to an almost perfect score. It’s thrilling, and I can’t think of a better show to celebrate our place as Houston’s home for musical theatre.”
Leading off the cast is Joe Tapper as “Zach” and Sarah Bowden as “Cassie.” Joining them are Brooke Averi as “Kristine,” Tiffany Chalothron as “Connie,” Brian Corkum as “Mark,” Sean Ewingas “Al,” Veronica Fiaoni as “Maggie,” Samantha Marisol Gershman as “Diana,” Eddie Gutierrezas “Paul,” Paige Faure as “Sheila,” Leeds Hill as “Greg,” Logan Keslar as “Bobby,” Jacob Majoras “Don,” Celia Mei Rubin as “Val,” Alex Stewart as “Mike,” Gabi Stapula as “Bebe,” Madison Turner as “Judy,” Josh Walden as “Larry/Associate Choreographer,” and Sharrod Williams as “Richie.” Austin Colburn and Yasmyn Sumiyoshi will serve as swings.
As previously announced, A Chorus Line, will be directed by Julie Kramer and choreographed by Jessica Hartman. They are joined by Music Director, Michael Horsley; Set Designer, Ryan McGettigan; Costume Designer, Colleen Grady, Lighting Designer Michael Gilliam; and Sound Designer, Andrew Harper. Casting for A Chorus Line is provided by Associate Artistic Director, Megan Larche Dominick, CSA.
Biographies:
Joe Tapper (Zach): Broadway: You Can’t Take It With You. Off-Broadway/Regional: The Public Theater: Socrates, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry V. Shakespeare & Co., Berkshire Playwrights Lab, Esperance Theatre Company, 59E59 Theaters, Cherry Lane Theatre, Mabou Mines, Studio 42, Huntington Theatre Company, Pioneer Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe. TV: “Chicago Med,” “Blue Bloods,” “Masters of Sex,” “Odyssey,” “Brooklyn Taxi,” “Law & Order: SVU.” Training: Ithaca College BFA, Yale School of Drama MFA.
Sarah Bowden (Cassie) After playing Cassie firstly in German in a tiny town in Austria, then in English at the massive Hollywood Bowl… Sarah is extremely excited to be playing Cassie again and especially to be doing it with the TUTS team in Texas!
Brooke Averi (Kristine) is delighted to be making her TUTS debut. Her New York Theater credits include, The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes, The New York Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes, The 71st Annual Tony Awards, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Radio City Rockette), Women on Fire: Scorching The Dividing Lines, Anne Of Green Gables: Part 1 (Royal Family Productions). Brooke is a proud alumni of Orange County School of the Arts and graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Dance.
Tiffany Chalothorn (Connie) will be making her TUTS debut in her 9th production of A Chorus Line! She has previously appeared in the role at Gateway Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre, MSMT, North Carolina Theatre, and Ordway Theatre. Other select credits include: Mamma Mia! (Flat Rock Playhouse), Junie B. Jones (TheatreworksUSA), Urinetown (Barnstormers), The Drowsy Chaperone (Speakeasy Stage Company), A Christmas Carol (TheatreworksUSA). She received her BFA from The Boston Conservatory and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.
Austin Colburn (Swing) is a Houston native and currently pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre at Sam Houston State University. Austin has previously been seen at TUTS in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (Ensemble) as well as All Shook Up (Ensemble). Additional credits at other institutions include: Footloose (Ren McCormack), Newsies (Jack Kelly), American Idiot (Johnny), West Side Story (Riff), and Heathers (JD).
Brian Corkum (Mark) will be making his TUTS debut! Recent credits include West Side Story (Big Deal) at A.D. Players, West Side Story (Snowboy) at The Abilene Opera, A Chorus Line (Mike) and The Music Man at The Lexington Theatre Company. Other credits include Ragtime, A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde, and Kiss Me, Kate at Texas State University.
Sean Ewing (Al) is thrilled to return to TUTS and be on the line! B’way: West Side Story (revival), Amazing Grace (OBC). NY: Zorba, Fanny (Encores!), NY Philharmonic’s Company. awards/noms: Helen Hayes Nominee, winner of the Berkshire theatre Critiques Award. Regional: The Muny, TUTS, Goodspeed, Papermill Playhouse, Lexington Theatre Co., Asolo, NSMT.
Paige Faure (Sheila) has starred on Broadway in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the title role, as well as the first national tour. Other Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Bullets Over Broadway, and How To Succeed In Business… starring Daniel Radcliffe. She’s toured internationally with A Chorus Line, Chitty Bang Bang, Aida and Little Women, and has been involved in an array of regional shows and pre-Broadway workshops and tryouts, including The Heart of Rock and Roll, at the Old Globe, Chess at Kennedy Center, and the North American premiere of Tim Rice’s From Here to Eternity (Lorene).
Veronica Fiaoni (Maggie) was recently seen in TUT’s production of Jerome Robbins Broadway. Other credits include the International Tours of West Side Story and A Chorus Line. Veronica has also performed in productions of Memphis, Mamma Mia!, The Bodyguard, and West Side Story at regional theaters in and out of New York. Veronica attended Montclair State University where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre.
Samantha Marisol Gershman (Diana Morales) is a proud Latina actress and is beyond excited to make her TUTS debut. Samantha was most recently seen in Tommy at the Kennedy Center and in Cinderella at the MUNY. She is also a proud member of the musical improv troupe, Broadway’s Next Hit Musical!
Eddie Gutierrez (Paul) TUTS debut! Theatre: A Chorus Line (NY City Center & Hollywood Bowl), Miss Abigail’s Guide… opposite Joyce DeWitt & Christine Pedi (Off-B’way), Matthew Lopez’s Somewhere alongside Priscilla Lopez (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), West Side Story (Musical Theatre West), On The Town (Capital City Theatre), Moments created with Moisés Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project (NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing), and original one-man show Loveology(Ars Nova). Film/TV: Safe & Sound (Cannes Film Festival Short Selection), This is Me, “Conan”, “Mysteries at the Museum”. B.F.A. NYU/Tisch.
Leeds Hill (Greg) is thrilled to be making his TUTS debut! Leeds was most recently seen in Beauty and the Beast at Paper Mill Playhouse (Lumiere Understudy, understudying Gavin Lee). Broadway: Cabaret (Emcee Understudy/Bobby/“Two Ladies”/Violin/Clarinet) – 2014 Original Broadway Cast. Leeds understudied Alan Cumming and got to play the Emcee 7 times on Broadway and 5 times on Tour. National Tours: Cabaret; Mary Poppins (Neleus). Regional: Jerome Robbins’ Broadway at The Muny (Ozzie), Anything Goes at Westchester Broadway Theatre (The Purser/Moonface Understudy). Graduate of CCM Musical Theatre. Leedshill.com @leedshill
Logan Keslar (Bobby) is thrilled to be back on the line in his most favorite role. He previously played the role for TUTS at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, and played Mark prior to that. Broadway: Tony Award-winning La Cage (Original Cast Recording, 1st National Tour); West End: West Side Story50th Anniversary Production; Hollywood Bowl: Into the Woods (Assoc. Choreographer). Regional: Papermill, Maltz-Jupiter, Riverside Theatre, Kansas City Starlight, HGO. TV: “TONY Awards”, “Today Show”, “GMA”, “Regis and Kelly”. HSPVA Dance graduate. Follow Logan on Twitter and Instagram: @logankeslar
Jacob Major (Don) grew up here in Houston and is thrilled to be back at TUTS to kick off their 51st Season. Favorite credits: Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast (TUTS), Don in A Chorus Line (The LEX), “Riff” in West Side Story (Cortland Rep), “Ren” in Footloose (Tibbits/Bigfork). He received his BFA from Elon University and now resides in NYC. @jacobmajor
Cecilia Mei Rubin (Val) TUTS debut! Broadway: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812; Matilda. West End: Parade; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Candide. National Tours: Chicago, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon. Regional: Waterfall (5th Avenue Theatre/Pasadena Playhouse); Paradise Square (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). Royal Caribbean: Saturday Night Fever. Cast albums: Parade (OLC); Matilda (OBC); The Great Comet (OBC). Other appearances: Tony Awards; Olivier Awards; “Good Morning, America”; “David Letterman Show”. When not rehearsing, creating, or performing, Celia Mei hunts down tea shops, ramen houses, urban walks, and non urban hikes. Follow her adventures: @celia_mei
Alex Joseph Stewart (Mike) After dreaming of being in this show since childhood, Alex is thrilled to finally be in A Chorus Line! Theatrical credits: Oklahoma!, Oliver!, A Connecticut Christmas Carol(Goodspeed Musicals), Annie (Bert Healy, North Carolina Theatre), Elf: The Musical! (National Tour), Pirates of Penz. (Frederic, PCPA), Nice Work… (Jimmy Winter, Summer Rep.) Alex is also excited to return to North Carolina Theatre in the fall to play Action in West Side Story! Former member of Sacramento Ballet and proud graduate of the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA).
Yasmyn Sumiyoshi (Swing) recently graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Her recent credits include Mamma Mia! (ensemble) and All Shook Up (ensemble) at TUTS. Her favorite collegiate credits include The Wolves (#11), Hairspray (Shelley), and The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom). Yasmyn spent her summer as an artistic intern at the Performing Arts Project. She plans to move to New York City in January.
Madison Turner (Judy) Favorite credits include: “Dream Laurey” Oklahoma! (Goodspeed), “Columbia” The Rocky Horror Show (TUTS), “Lulu” Cabaret, (Cape Playhouse), Gypsy (Riverside) Les Misèrables (Arrow Rock), Best Little Whorehouse… (TUTS), “Brenda” Hairspray (WBT), “Silly Girl No.1” Beauty and the Beast (TUTS), and “Young Groupie” Rock of Ages (Nat’l Tour).
Josh Walden (Larry/Associate Choreographer) Broadway: “Harry Thaw”, Ragtime; “Mercedes”, La Cage aux Folles; “Bobby/Larry/Paul/Don/Greg/Richie” covers, A Chorus Line; “Thug/Waiter”, 42nd Street. Off Broadway: “Bill Cagney”, Cagney; “Mayor of Whoville”, Seussical; “Dickie Harrington”, The Awesome 80’s Prom; “Doonce”, Doonces! Special Events/Concerts: Simeon’s Gift at Bay Street Theatre with Julie Andrews; Children of Eden at The Kennedy Center with Jeremy Jordan; Camelotat The Granada Theatre with Robert Sean Leonard; Walden is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Sharrod Williams (Richie) is excited to be back at TUTS! Broadway: Tuck Everlasting, CATS, Hamilton: An American Musical (Chicago). Off-Broadway: Grand Hotel (Encores!). Tours: A Chorus Line, Bring It On: The Musical. Regional: TUTS (Memphis), MUNY, Asolo Rep, Allenberry Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, and Park Playhouse. TV: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “Good Morning America”, “The Today Show”. Film: Happy, Yummy, Chicken. For more visit www.SharrodWilliams.com. @SharrodSharrod7
The singular sensation that is A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975 and was an instant classic. This incisive portrait of the life of the Broadway dancer received nine Tony Awards® as well as the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It went on to become one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama, A Chorus Line is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. A Chorus Line runs September 10 through 22 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at just $30, and are available online at TUTS.com, or by contacting the TUTS Box Office by phone at (713) 558-8887 or in person by visiting the Box Office located at 800 Bagby Street.
Theatre Under The Stars is grateful to our 2019/20 Season Sponsors: Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, United Airlines, KTRK ABC-13, and Hampton Inn / Homewood Suites Downtown Houston. TUTS is supported in part by the City of Houston through the Theater District, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.