MAY 2 - 4 2025
Presents
KINKY BOOTS
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper
Original Broadway Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell
Based on the Miramax motion picture Kinky Boots
Written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth
Orchestrations and Arrangements by Stephen Oremus
Original Broadway Production Produced by Daryl Roth Hal Luftig
James L. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Independent Presenters Network, CJ E&M, Jayne Baron Sherman, Just For Laughs Theatricals/Judith Ann Abrams, Yashuhiro Kawana, Jane Bergère, Allan S. Gordon & Adam S. Gordon, Ken Davenport, Hunter Arnold, Lucy & Phil Suarez, Bryan Bantry, Ron Fierstein & Dorsey Regal, Jim Kierstead/Gregory Rae, BB Group/Christina Papagjika, Michael DeSantis/Patrick Baugh, Brian Smith/Tom & Connie Walsh, Warren Trepp and Jujamcyn Theaters
Production Manager TOM HESSMAN
Scenic Designer ASHLEY CUSACK
Lighting Designer KYLE SANTOPADRE
Properties
JAMES GRAUSAM
Choreographer BRIDGET HUGHES
Technical Director KYLE SANTOPADRE
Costume Designers GABE BAGDAZIAN & JOANNE PENROSE
Production Stage Manager FRAN CENTOFANTE KATZ
Music Director JASON NERI
Director JAMES GRAUSAM
KINKY BOOTS
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Season Sponsors:
Courtyard by Marriott - Red Bank/Lincroft
The Law Firm of Jonathan D’Agostino & Associates
World Subaru
Show Sponsors: The Coleman Family HFA CPAs + Advisors
NJ Short Term Rentals
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
People often ask me, “How do you choose the shows for Phoenix?” And the answer is this – can we pull it off, does it have merit, and does it teach us something as an organization AND as a community. It’s always the same criteria and Kinky Boots is no exception. Kinky Boots is the story of a hard-working shoe manufacturing community – which means sets and props that reflect factory equipment, shipping supplies, shoes, and lots of boots. We can pull that off. Check. As far as merit – the show won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best New Musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and music by Cyndi Lauper. Check, check and check! But what does this show teach us as a community and organization? People often comment about the drag in Kinky Boots – but that’s not the whole story. The crux of the story is two seemingly polar-opposites figuring out that they are in fact – the same. Lola says several times in the show, “We’re the same, Charlie boy. You and me.” We’re all just trying to live up to the expectations others place on us – while forging our own path. The reason that I wanted to helm this production is the overarching theme of people who feel “othered” searching for their purpose. Theatre tends to attract an array of people searching for a space to explore their personal identity, grow their confidence, and demonstrate their performance skills and that, at our heart, is why Phoenix is here. I sincerely hope that we can all learn to look at our similarities as a community rather than focus on what divides us – or what “others” us. The message of the show reflects the unified mission of the Count Basie Center and Phoenix Productions to foster powerful, inclusive artistic experiences that “raise you up” so you can “just be who you want to be.”
Enjoy the show.
James
Managing Artistic Director
Phoenix Productions at the Count Basie Center for the Arts
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)
Young Charlie ANDREW W. JACOBS
Mr. Price ................................................................................................................. JIM MORRIS
Young Lola ....................................................................................................... DARIUS PARKER
Simon Sr. ..................................................................................................... MARTIN CORDERO
Nicola NOELLE DeFELICE
Charlie Price ........................................................................................................ JOEY MAHER
George ........................................................................................................... ELIAS A. AVALOS
Don................................................................................................................. ANTHONY VIERA
Lauren JANNETTE (JSA) FISHER
Pat AMANDA MUNICE
Harry .................................................................................................... FRANKIE CONFALONE
Lola.......................................................................................................................NA’JEE TARIQ
Angels .............................................. DANIEL CANCEL, MIKE GWIAZDOWSKI, HOPE REYES, NASIR ROPER, QUINCY SOUTHERLAND, GABRIEL ANGEL VALLE, RJ VANDENBROUCK
Trish ............................................................................................................... DANA DiANGELO
Richard Bailey ERIC BRÁS
Milan Stage Manager ................................................................................ AMANDA MARINO
Ensemble ............................................................. NICOLE BARILLA, ZACK BLISS, ERIC BRÁS, MARTIN CORDERO, JAVIER COSS, DANA DiANGELO, SEAN FERGUSON, BRANDON GUILLEBEAUX, ALYSSA KISELEV, AMANDA MARINO, AMANDA MUNICE, ISABELLA SISO
UNDERSTUDIES
For Lola - BRANDON GUILLEBEAUX; For Charlie and Harry - ZACK BLISS; For Lauren and Nicola - NICOLE BARILLA; For Don - ERIC BRÁS.
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager ....................................................................................... TOM HESSMAN
Director......................................................................................................... JAMES GRAUSAM
Choreographer............................................................................................ BRIDGET HUGHES
Music Director ....................................................................................................... JASON NERI
Technical Director / Lead Carpenter ....................................................... KYLE SANTOPADRE
Scenic Designer / Scenic Charge ................................................................. ASHLEY CUSACK
Lighting Designer ..................................................................................... KYLE SANTOPADRE
Costume Designers GABE BAGDAZIAN & JOANNE PENROSE
Properties JAMES GRAUSAM
Sound Design/Engineer ZACK TENETY, ACIR
Production Stage Manager FRAN CENTOFANTE KATZ
Assistant Stage Manager / Sound ASM MARISSA DeVEAU
Stage ASM................................................................................................... CASEY OKAMOTO
Assistant Director ....................................................................................... JAMES MARHOLD
Dance Captain .......................................................................................................HOPE REYES
Carpenter ................................................................................................................ ZACK BLISS
Run Crew .........................................
PHILIP HICKEY, ELENA WORTON, STEFANIE WORTON
Scenic Crew .............................................. JESSICA COGAN, PHILIP HICKEY, DONNA HUNT, PAT KAY, RYAN KOTCH, AMANDA MUNICE, MARIELLA MUNICE, ABBY SCHNEIDER, LISA SHEPPARD, LISA SIKO, DANA PANEPINTO SILVA, MAGGIE SURGUY, ALISA VANDENBROUCK, RJ VANDENBROUCK
Managing Artistic Director ........................................................................ JAMES GRAUSAM
Special Thanks ......................................COUNT BASIE CENTER MARKETING DEPARTMENT, DIANE DiYANNI, DENNIS TOLENTINO
THE ORCHESTRA
Conductor/Keyboard 1 ........................................................................................ JASON NERI
Keyboard 2............................................................................................................ KARA LEIGH
Guitar 1 ........................................................................................................ ANDY BUSLOVICH
Guitar 2 WES WHITELOCK
Violin ..............................................................................................................ALEX OGRODNIK
Cello .............................................................................................................. MAYUMI GRASSO
Bass ANDREW ROSCISZEWSKI
Trumpet ........................................................................................................... JIM CAVAZZONI
Trombone ..........................................................................................................HANS MUHLER
Reed TRISTAN SHAFRAN
Drums .................................................................................................................. JON BERGER
Cyndi Lauper wishes to thank her collaborators: Sammy James Jr., Steve Gaboury, Rich Morel and Tom Hammer, Stephen Oremus
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
SoVonna Day-Goins (Co-Chair)
Sarah Bradley
Jerry Conaty
Natalie Hayes-Scott
Tom Hessman
Nancy Karpf
Joe Wajda (Co-Chair)
Fran Centofante Katz
Maria Maher
James Marhold
Justin Christopher Odon
Adam Philipson
Izzy Sackowitz
Jarrod Scott
Dennis Tolentino
Fran Turner
Jon Vena
Darrell L. Willis
Count Basie Center for the Arts, a not for profit organization
Count Basie Center Executive Committee of the Board
Jeremy Grunin Chairperson
Stephen Cutler Treasurer
Robin Klein Governance Officer
Stuart Alderoty
Mitch Ansell
Alison Banks-Moore
Tom Bernard
Sarah Bradley
Michael Bruno
Heather Burke
James M. Cadet
Puja Choudhry
Jerry Conaty
Michael Parent Co-Vice Chairperson
SoVonna Day-Goins Co-Secretary
Claudia Dulac Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Maggie Riker Co-Vice Chairperson
Maria Maher Co-Secretary
Adam Philipson President & Chief Executive Officer, Ex Officio
Count Basie Center Board of Trustees
Craig Cummings
Lauren Goldfarb
Delisha Grant
Yvonne Grayson
Jason Jurgens
Steve Kaiman
Nancy Karpf
Marshall Knopf
Mario Monello
Mark Rohl
Peter T. Roselle
Matthew J. Saker
Dr. Perry Scaranni
Carol Stillwell
Fran Turner
Joe Wajda
Tom Widener
Darrell Lawrence Willis
Kaye Wise
Edward J. Zipprich
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT 1
“Price & Son Theme” ........................................................................................ Full Company
“The Most Beautiful Thing” ............................................................................. Full Company
“Take What You Got” Harry, Charlie, Ensemble
“The Land of Lola” .............................................................................................. Lola, Angels
“The Land of Lola (Reprise)”.............................................................................. Lola, Angels
“Step One” Charlie
“Sex Is in the Heel” ..................................................... Lola, Pat, George, Angels, Ensemble
“The History of Wrong Guys” Lauren
“I’m Not My Father’s Son” ................................................................................ Lola, Charlie
“Everybody Say Yeah” ........................................................ Charlie, Lola, Angels, Ensemble
Kinky Boots will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.
ACT 2
“Entr’acte / Price & Son Theme - Reprise”..................................................... Full Company
“What a Woman Wants” ................................................................ Lola, Pat, Don, Ensemble
“In This Corner” ....................................................... Lola, Don, Pat, Trish, Angels, Ensemble
“The Soul of a Man” Charlie
“Hold Me In Your Heart” ................................................................................................. Lola
“Raise You Up / Just Be” ................................................................................. Full Company
WARNING: THIS PERFORMANCE UTILIZES STROBE LIGHTING AND THEATRICAL HAZE.
The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, tablets, beepers, and watches. The use of cell phones in the theater is prohibited.
2024/2025 SEASON SPONSORS
Courtyard by Marriott - Red Bank/Lincroft
The Law Firm of Jonathan D’Agostino & Associates - Jon & Jade D’Agostino World Subaru - Joe & Nicole Wajda
KINKY BOOTS SHOW SPONSORS
The Coleman Family HFA CPAs + Advisors NJ Short Term Rentals
PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS
2024/2025 SEASON DONORS
RISING STAR LEVEL: $500-$999
Professor Chris Adamo, Joseph Ercolino, Maryann Larkin, The Thorner Family, Diane Tresente
FAN LEVEL: Up to $249
Dianne Asay, Joyce Barnett, In memory of Al Bevacqua, The Boyko Family, Jane Cybulski, William & Ann Emery, Judith & William Fraser, Gloria Friedman, Kenneth Groeschel, Rita LaBrecque, Leanne Lasko, Bridgette Markuson, Carolyn McCarthy, The Mele/Declarations Family, Nancy Merkel - In memory of Marie Elizabeth Corke, Donna Pinamonti, The Press Family, The Rainone Family, Barbara Saake, Richard Scott
STARS ON PHOENIX’S “WALK OF DREAMS”
Todd Aikens, Andrea Andrews Zawadzky, Matthew Blankley, Grace Brancato, Brothers Commercial Brokerage, The Brown Family, Chloe Carone, Erin O’Malley Chiaravalloti, Sarah Coleman, Liz & Randy Cooper, Sophie Creed, The Cullen Family, The D’Agostino Family, Mike & Betty Ann Dalberg, Bobby Davis, Lily DelPresto, In Memory of Mildred & Patrick DeLuca, Tina & Mike DeVito, Denise DiBona DDS, The Dobbs Family Hudson Eder & Jo Wymer Music Studios, Joe Ercolino & Melvin Polisher, FILCO Red Bank, Immediate Care Medical Walk-In & CEO Sal Cannizzaro, In Memory of Jakob Franke, Bob Fuller, Carmen Gemellaro, Kayla Goins, Jennifer Grasso, James Grausam, Anthony Greco, Keegan Robert Haack, Holly Hankins & Family, Don & Lois Heirman, Thomas K. Hessman, Taylor Nicole Kaplan, Nancy Karpf, Fran Centofante Katz, Sydney & Jason Katz, Zoe & Molly Kenney, George & Kelly Kerrick, The Kinneman Family, The LaRue Family, James, Kathleen & Patrick Marhold, The Martini Family, In Loving Memory of Pat Mercandetti, The Monteleone Family, Jillian Mueller, Scott Naef, The Nodes Family, Don Olah Hair/Wigs, Alexa Origlio, Christine Paccillo, Wayne, Daniel & Marisa Peck, The Pennington Family, Joanne Penrose, Red Oak Mortgage, The Regan Family, Remember Jones, Lily Grace Riddle, Kara Robertelli, Harper Robinson, The Robinson Family, The Scherzo Family, Haley & Chris Schmalbach, Thomas Scove, The Sheftel Family, Carl Sterling Smith, Jack & Joyce Sica, The Stefanelli Family, The Thorner Family, Mary Jo Tort-Bergeron, Carol Wade, The Wagar Family, Ellen & Michael Walsh, Amanda Winter, Lindsay Wood, Chip & Ilda Wood, World Subaru
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
ELIAS A. AVALOS
(George)
is excited to return to Phoenix Productions for this fabulous run of Kinky Boots! He works in video production by day, but he’s also passionate about being on stage. Elias is grateful to be part of this great community. Past Phoenix credits include: In the Heights and Jesus Christ Superstar. He also appeared in: In the Heights (Plays in the Park), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Mamma Mia!, and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble; CMPAC). Elias is proud to be working alongside such a talented cast. Big love to his family and friends for all the support. @spiceitall
NICOLE BARILLA
(Ensemble; u/s Lauren and Nicola) is thrilled to be part of her first show with Phoenix! A Rowan University graduate with a BA in Theatre, her previous credits include: How to Succeed… (Rosemary), Hello, Dolly! (Irene Molloy), and 9 to 5 (Missy Heart). Special thanks to her mom, dad, Chris, and Matthew for their endless support, and to her angel in heaven, “Lulu.” Though she’s no longer with us, her spirit lives on in every performance and every step of her journey.
ZACK BLISS
(Ensemble; u/s Charlie and Harry)
Previous Phoenix credits: The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke), Bat Boy: The Musical (Rick Taylor). Other favorites: Be More Chill (Jeremy Heere), Spring Awakening (Ensemble, u/s Ernst), The Rocky Horror Show (Rocky Horror). When he’s not on stage, you can probably find him doing something behind the scenes. Zack would like to thank his friends and family for all of their support!
ERIC BRÁS
(Richard Bailey; Ensemble; u/s Don) is very excited to be in his first show for Phoenix Productions. Credits include: Oklahoma! (Jud Fry; Premier Theatre Company), Company (Andy; Middlesex College), Once on This Island (Tonton Julian; Perth Amboy High School), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Levi; Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company). Eric would like to thank his supportive friends and family for rooting for him along the way. Now it is time to sit back, relax and enjoy Kinky Boots. Instagram: @eric_brassss
DANIEL CANCEL (Angel)
is excited to be back on the Count Basie stage with Phoenix Productions for the 3rd time. He is a BFA Graduate in Acting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Previous shows include: RENT (Angel), Something Rotten! (Nigel), The Drowsy Chaperone (George), Newsies (Davey), In the Heights (Usnavi), and Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour). He would love to thank his mom and stepdad for being amazing supporters in his career endeavors.
FRANKIE CONFALONE (Harry) is excited to return to the Phoenix stage after previously being seen as Will in American Idiot! Other favorite roles include: The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff; Exit 82 Theatre), The Wedding Singer (George; Exit 82 Theatre), and Next to Normal (Henry; Pierott Productions). Behind the scenes, Frankie’s costume designs have been seen with RENT and In the Heights (Phoenix Productions), Rock of Ages, Hair, Little Shop of Horrors (Exit 82 Theatre w/ Desiree Davenport), and White Christmas (Algonquin Arts Theatre). Select directorial credits include It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and Carrie: The Musical (Exit 82 Theatre).
MARTIN CORDERO
(Simon Sr.; Ensemble) is honored to be part of this beautiful production of Kinky Boots. Besides the cast & awesome production team, he would like to thank his loving family & friends for their continued support. To the theatregoers: thank you for supporting the arts and giving him the opportunity to perform for you. Lastly, he would like to give a shout out to Algonquin Arts Theatre for preparing him for this role.
JAVIER COSS (Ensemble) is excited to be part of this incredible production of Kinky Boots! Some of his favorite credits include: Footloose (Jeter/Male Dance Ensemble), Joseph... (Judah), West Side Story (Shark), and In the Heights (Ensemble / Sonny & Piraguero u/s). He’s very passionate about theatre and loves bringing stories like this one to life through music and dance and is so grateful to this bedazzled cast and crew for this unforgettable experience! @javi_coss_
NOELLE DeFELICE (Nicola) is thrilled to be making her Phoenix Productions debut in Kinky Boots. A graduate of NYU, she has a true passion for performing and storytelling. This show has brought her an incredible community and she’s eternally grateful to the entire creative team and crew for this opportunity. She would like to also thank her mom, Jaime Baker, and Mark Evans. Recent credits include: NYU Steinhardt Graduation Singer (Radio City Music Hall and Yankee Stadium, NYU), Broadway Green Alliance Earth Day Soloist (Times Square, David Alpert), various performances at 54 Below, Green Room 42, Mercury Lounge, and Rockwood Music Hall.
DANA DiANGELO (Trish; Ensemble) is very excited to be back on stage after a 6 year hiatus! She is so glad to have found a NJ theatre community in Phoenix Productions, after moving here from Brooklyn, NY. She would like to thank Dennis for his encouragement, and the cast and production team for making her feel welcome from day 1. Extra special thanks to Bruno and Eleanor for their unconditional love and support. Enjoy the show!
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
SEAN FERGUSON (Ensemble)
is 26 years old and excited to be making his Phoenix debut! His recent work includes: All Shook Up (Sheriff Earl; Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company) and The SpongeBob Musical (Plankton; Middletown Arts Center). When he’s not on stage, Sean spends his day working or at home, where he practices the fine art of mixology to make specialty drinks for him and his friends at his parties. He thanks everyone for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!
JANNETTE (JSA) FISHER (Lauren)
is thrilled to be in Phoenix’s production of Kinky Boots portraying the role of Lauren! This will be her third production with the company, and she is so excited to continue to create a future with Phoenix. Thank you to the cast and crew for sharing your grace, love and talent!
BRANDON GUILLEBEAUX (Ensemble; u/s Lola) is excited to be performing in his first full musical, and is really excited to be performing at The Count Basie Center for the Arts with this talented cast!
MIKE GWIAZDOWSKI (Angel)
is so excited to be a part of his 13th Phoenix production. Past Phoenix shows include: A Chorus Line (Greg), My Fair Lady, Damn Yankees, Shrek, and The Who’s Tommy During the day, he works as an architectural designer, but at night you can find Mike putting on his kinky boots at local clubs as his drag persona, Vanity Ray. Mike thanks his friends and family for their constant support both in and out of drag, the Phoenix Productions team for bringing such a meaningful and topical musical to life, and to his fellow Angels for their dedication to the art of drag! Follow him on Instagram @VanityRay.
ANDREW W. JACOBS (Young Charlie) is honored to be back with Phoenix Productions for his third performance. Past Phoenix productions include: Ragtime (Little Boy u/s, Ensemble) and The Music Man (Winthrop u/s, Ensemble). Andrew also performs with the Children’s Theatre on Tour Company with the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. Andrew would like to thank the creative team for this opportunity and thanks the cast and production crew for a wonderful experience. Andrew is 12 years old and lives in Westfield, NJ. He would also like to thank Mom, Dad and Lucy for their continued support of his passion for musical theatre.
ALYSSA KISELEV (Ensemble)
is thrilled to be performing in her first show with Phoenix Productions! She has a BA in Theater Studies and is currently studying at Rowan University to receive her MA in Arts Administration. She was recently seen in White Christmas (Rita), Cats (Bombalurina), and Elf (Charlotte Dennon / Ensemble).
JOEY MAHER (Charlie Price) is overjoyed to be returning to Phoenix this spring in Kinky Boots. For the past four years, he has been assisting RBC Performing Arts with productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anything Goes, The Addams Family (Basie Award Best Musical) and most recently Into the Woods. Joey has been doing theatre from a young age, performing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Ben), and has his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Rider University. Recent credits include: West Side Story (Riff; Phoenix Productions), Spring Awakening (Melchior; Phoenix Productions), Footloose (Ren; Algonquin Arts Theatre) and A Chorus Line (Mike; Plays in the Park). SAY YEAH! @joey_maher
AMANDA MARINO
(Milan Stage Manager; Ensemble) is excited to be part of Kinky Boots. Previous Phoenix credits include: The Prom, Ragtime, American Idiot, Evil Dead, and The Wedding Singer. When she is not in the theater, Amanda can be found working at A+E Global Media, singing in the Amanda & Nick Duo, and producing short films. Amanda thanks her supportive mom, family, and friends for all their love. She also thanks the entire production team for such a wonderful experience. She hopes the cast and crew break a leg!
JIM MORRIS
(Mr. Price) is very excited to be performing with Phoenix Productions again after appearing as Doc in West Side Story last July. Other recent roles include: Deathtrap (Sidney; Town and Country Players), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson; Town and Country Players), Bright Star (Daddy Kane; MPOnstage), and Something Rotten! (Brother Jeremiah; MPOnstage). His performance is dedicated to the memory of his friend Ken Page.
AMANDA MUNICE
(Pat; Ensemble) is thrilled to return to The Basie to bring Kinky Boots to life with this incredible cast and crew! She was most recently seen here as Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins. When not performing, she can be found inspiring creativity with her students at Cambridge Park Elementary School, singing with Coastal Melodies Music Together (coastalmelodies. com), crafting, or walking on the beach looking for sea glass. Now more than ever: Pursue the truth, learn something new, accept yourself and others too. Lead with love always. XOXO to Mom, Dad, Justin, and Mariella.
DARIUS PARKER
(Young Lola)
is thrilled to be making his Phoenix Productions debut! A 6th grader at Indian Hill Elementary School in Holmdel, Darius has spent years in the audience cheering on his big brother, Anthony Viera—who joins him on stage in this production as Don. This marks Darius’ very first time performing in a show, and he couldn’t be more excited to bring Young Lola to life. He loves gaming, hanging out with friends, and listening to music. Darius sends heartfelt thanks to the incredible cast and crew for welcoming him so warmly, and a special shoutout to his mom for always supporting him, no matter what.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
HOPE REYES
(Angel; Dance Captain)
is thrilled and blessed to make her Phoenix Productions and community theatre debut as an Angel in Kinky Boots. She thanks her family, friends, and her boyfriend, Luke, for always believing in her and pushing her to pursue her dreams. A special thanks to her dear friend, Matt Lacognata, Miss Elizabeth New Jersey, for providing an accepting space in the drag community, helping her reach this moment. Hope studied a wide range of dance styles and earned her BFA in Dance from Rutgers’ Mason Gross. She is over the moon about joining the Phoenix Productions family and is grateful for the opportunity to shine onstage once again!
NASIR ROPER (Angel)
(aka LeGrim-Marie for those who attend the Land of Lola ) is stoked to be making his return to Phoenix and getting a little kinky doing drag for the first time ever! Credits include: Runaways (Player 4/Ensemble), The Scottsboro Boys (Eugene), Spring Awakening (Male Swing/Ensemble), Heathers: The Musical (Ram/ Ensemble), Seussical (Horton), Once on This Island (TonTon Julian), Ragtime (Sarah’s friend/Ensemble), Ragtime (Ensemble; Phoenix Productions).
ISABELLA SISO
NA’JEE TARIQ (Lola) is elated to return to the Count Basie stage with Phoenix Productions in a dream role. Select credits include: The Little Mermaid (Sebastian; Centenary Stage Co.), RENT (Angel; CSC), Goosebumps (Emile; The Growing Stage), Jesus Christ Superstar (King Herrod), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney), and Children of Eden (Cain). When not on stage, Na’Jee is in the classroom, inspiring his scholars to reach for excellence and dream without limits. To the audience: Kinky Boots reminds us that when we step into someone else’s shoes, be it with compassion, courage, or just a little sparkle, we can all raise each other up!
GABRIEL ANGEL VALLE (Angel) sends endless love to their family and friends for their unwavering support. These performances are dedicated to every drag queen, king, and performer who’s fought through injustice to let drag shine. Huge thanks to Phoenix Productions for the chance to represent — especially for those who look like me. This spotlight isn’t just mine — it’s for everyone who has never been given the chance to “just be”. For updates, follow @gabrielangelvalle on IG.
(Ensemble) is ecstatic to be a part of her 3rd show with Phoenix Productions! Isabella is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Drama. Past credits include: Mary Poppins (Ensemble / u/s Mary Poppins; Phoenix Productions), West Side Story (Margarita; Phoenix Productions), and Gypsy (L.A.; The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute) Isabella would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support throughout her artistic journey. Break a leg to the whole cast! @isabella.siso
QUINCY SOUTHERLAND (Angel)
is excited to be a part of Kinky Boots as an Angel! His angel’s name is Sequin because she sparkles and shines like a little star! Sequin is so ready to kick face and take names with the power of love and acceptance on her side. Enjoy the show and tell someone you love how special they are, TODAY! Insta: @quincydances
RJ VANDENBROUCK (Angel)
is thrilled to be joining Phoenix Productions once again for Kinky Boots. He is currently a freshman at Rider University studying to receive his BFA in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include: Off Broadway: Camp, A New Musical (Male Swing and Dance Captain). Regional: Nutcracker (Drosselmyer), A Chorus Line (Roy, Mark u/s), Kinky Boots (Angel), Puffs (J. Finch and Zach Smith). He would like to thank Mom, Dad, Drew, his whole family, and Ryan. Instagram: @rjvandenbrouck
ANTHONY VIERA (Don)
is proud to return to the Phoenix Productions stage in a role that’s the complete opposite of who he is in real life. A longtime member of the Phoenix family, Anthony was most recently seen in this season’s RENT and previously served as Associate Production Manager for The Color Purple and Mary Poppins. Kinky Boots has been his favorite show since he first saw it ten years ago. Its message of identity, growth, and radical love left a lasting impression, and telling this story now feels like a full-circle moment. What makes it even more meaningful is getting to share the stage with his younger brother, Darius, making his debut as Young Lola. Anthony is especially grateful to work alongside the Kinky Boots production team—James, Fran, and Tom—three of his mentors who have inspired and encouraged his growth both on stage and behind the scenes. This, and everything I do, is for you, Nan.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
HARVEY FIERSTEIN (Book) is the Tony Award winning author of Torch Song Trilogy and La Cage Aux Folles. His other theater writing includes Kinky Boots (Tony nominated), Newsies (Tony nominated), Casa Valentina (Tony nominated), A Catered Affair (12 Drama Desk nominations), Safe Sex, Spookhouse, and Legs Diamond, among others. His rewrite of the classic musical Funny Girl was produced in London’s West End, on Broadway, and is currently on tour in North America. He wrote the teleplays of Hairspray Live and The Wiz Live, both for NBC. For HBO, he’s written On Tidy Endings (Ace Award), The Sissy Duckling (Humanitas Award) and Common Ground. He’s written political editorials for The New York Times, Huffington Post, TV Guide, and PBS, as well as authoring the beloved children’s book The Sissy Duckling. Beginning his acting career in Andy Warhol’s Pork at LaMama ETC, Mr. Fierstein is also well known for his theater performances in Torch Song Trilogy (Tony Award), Hairspray (Tony Award), Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage Aux Folles, Gently Down the Stream, A Catered Affair, as well as film performances including Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Mulan, Bullets Over Broadway, and Bella Bella! TV audiences know him from shows like The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, Cheers (Emmy nomination), HAIRSPRAY LIVE!, and recognize his voice from appearances on BoJack Horseman, Family Guy, The Simpsons, How I Met Your Mother, Sesame Street, and from his narration of the Academy Awardwinning documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk. His memoir, I Was Better Last Night, is published by Knopf.
CYNDI LAUPER (Music and Lyrics) is a Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning artist with over 30 sterling years and global record sales in excess of 50 million albums. With her first album, She’s So Unusual, Lauper won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and became the first female in history to have four top-five singles from a debut album. Since then, Lauper has released ten additional studio albums, been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and celebrated as a New York Times best-selling author. Overall, during her storied music career, Lauper has been nominated for 15 Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, seven American Video Awards and 18 MTV Awards. In 2013, Cyndi Lauper became the first solo woman to win Best Original Score for her music and lyrics for Kinky Boots. Never one to slow down, next she is currently writing the score for the Broadway adaptation of the 1988 feature film Working Girl, contributed a song to the score of the Broadway musical Spongebob Squarepants and launched her own fashion line A Touch of Cyn with Home Shopping Network.
WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION TEAM
TOM HESSMAN (Production Manager)
is a lifelong theatergoer, and spent 15 years on the media crew for Staples Players (Westport, CT) before fully transitioning to the New Jersey community theatre scene. In addition to seeing shows all around NJ, Tom loves volunteering in various capacities. Tom had a brief walk-on role in Phoenix’s 2019 production of Young Frankenstein as one of the hangmen, and Phoenix hasn’t been able to get rid of him since! Favorite credits include: Bat Boy: The Musical, The Prom, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Doll’s House, American Idiot, Carrie: The Musical, and Evil Dead The Musical. Tom also serves on the Phoenix Operations Committee, and as a board member at Exit 82 Theatre (Toms River, NJ). Tom would like to thank James, this amazing production team, his incredible friends, and his wonderful sister Kat. TomHessman.com
JAMES GRAUSAM
(Director; Properties; Managing Artistic Director) has directed several productions for Phoenix at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, The 30th Anniversary Gala Concert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Songs for a New World, Smokey Joe’s Café, Spring Awakening, Elf, Putting It Together, Evil Dead The Musical, American Idiot, The Music Man, and Bat Boy: The Musical. He continues to direct and perform other places as time allows. As always, for Olivia.
BRIDGET HUGHES (Choreographer) is ecstatic to be back with the Phoenix team! Phoenix credits: Young Frankenstein (Inga), The Wedding Singer (Choreographer), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble). Bridget is an actor, circus performer, and creative. Her production work can be seen at theme parks including: DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe, Six Flags, and on screen with Jimmy Kimmel Live, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Love to the cast and crew. Thank you for supporting live and local theater!
JASON NERI (Music Director; Conductor) is thrilled to be back at Phoenix Productions! Favorite past productions include: American Idiot, Evil Dead The Musical, Ragtime (Barrymore Nominated for Outstanding Music Direction), The Last Five Years, Godspell (Barrymore Nominated for Outstanding Music Direction and Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical), Rock of Ages, and Heathers the Musical. This show is dedicated to his mom, Denise, who was his biggest fan. You are so missed and loved.
GABE BAGDAZIAN (Costume Designer) is a NYC-based costume designer, returning to Phoenix Productions for the third time with Kinky Boots. Previous credits with Phoenix are Ragtime (2024 NJACT Award Winner, Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical) and The Color Purple. Gabe has also done costume work OffBroadway, as well as regionally in New York, Massachusetts, and California. Outside of the theater, Gabe is a full time In-House Designer at the TDF Costume Collection. When not doing costume work, Gabe loves to go to drag shows and cuddle with kitty Camille.
ASHLEY CUSACK (Scenic Designer; Scenic Charge) is a freelance designer and artist throughout the tri-state area. She holds her MFA in Set Design from Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts. Since 2007, Ashley has worked in the Phoenix shop mixing paint, building, and dreaming up set pieces to fill the Basie stage. Favorite past Phoenix designs include: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Once on This Island, Elf, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. When not designing for the stage, she is busy starting new home projects and keeping up with her seven year old daughter’s imagination.
MARISSA DeVEAU (Assistant Stage Manager; Sound ASM) is thrilled to be back at Phoenix after recently assistant stage managing Mary Poppins. Marissa is a multihyphenate theatre artist and holds a BM in Music Education from Westminster Choir College. Onstage: West Side Story (Anybodys), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Children of Eden (Yonah), Titanic (Kate Mullins), concerts with The Philadelphia Orchestra and NY Philharmonic. Music Direction: Tuck Everlasting, Mary Poppins, Elf, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Choreography: Elf, Mary Poppins. Marissa is also the Education Coordinator at Algonquin Arts Theatre. Thank you for supporting the arts! 143, Jess Algonquin
FRAN CENTOFANTE KATZ
(Production Stage Manager)
is excited to finally be getting a chance to work on one of her favorite shows, especially with this exceptional production team. Fran has been with Phoenix for almost 30 years, both on stage and behind the scenes. Fran most recently performed as Mrs. Greene in The Prom (Broadwayworld nomination). Phoenix Stage Management credits include: In the Heights (NJACT Perry nomination), Mary Poppins, Once on This Island, Into the Woods, A Christmas Story, 1776, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Pirates of Penzance. Thank you to James for your guidance, support and friendship. Love to Stew, Sydney and Jason!
JAMES MARHOLD (Assistant Director) has been a performer and Production Manager at Phoenix for over 35 years! Production credits include: Mary Poppins, RENT, In the Heights, Once on This Island, Evita, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, West Side Story, Grease, Legally Blonde, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Spring Awakening, Elf, The Wedding Singer, and Songs for a New World. Thanks to Kathy and Patrick for their love and support!
JOANNE PENROSE (Costume Designer) is a retired FACS middle school teacher and loves spending her time costuming for Phoenix. Some of her favorite productions are: Damn Yankees, Spamalot, Elf, and The Wedding Singer, and of course Kinky Boots will be added to the list!!! Enjoy the show!
KYLE SANTOPADRE (Technical Director; Lead Carpenter; Lighting Designer) has a BA in Theatre with a Design concentration from Rowan University. He is the Assistant Technical Director and Lighting Designer for The Count Basie Center for the Arts. Past scenic designs include: In the Heights (Phoenix Productions), Guys & Dolls (Phoenix Productions), Noises Off (Raritan HS) and Hello Dolly! (Capital Productions). Many thanks to a wonderful production team!
jpascua@kpedgestone.com
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