Meet the Broadway Class of 2013- Summer Edition!
By: BWW Special Coverage Aug. 22, 2013
With several new shows having opened on Broadway in the past couple of months, and a constant need for replacements, there has been a solid group of performers making their Broadway debuts this Summer. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!
Roberto Angelelli
Role: Musician in LET IT BE
Roberto started his career as a musician when he was 17, when he joined the Italian Beatles Tribute Band "The AppLE PIES". In 2005 Roberto and the band recorded their first song tracks at the legendary Studio Two at Abbey Road. In 2007 the band played on the roof floor of the Spanish Square in Rome, putting on the famous Beatles' "Rooftop Concert". In 2010 Roberto and the band participated on "X Factor" and in 2011 the band recorded their first studio album: "Strumenti d'Epoca".
Role: 'Pepper' in ANNIE
From Philadelphia, her regional credits include: Inherit the Wind, Under the Whaleback, The Music Man, Oliver!, Gypsy, A Christmas Carol, the world premiere of Macy's Yes, Virginia: The Musical, Charlotte's Web, Babes in Arms, Honk. She participated in an educational video at CHOP's Center for Autism Research.
Role: 'July' in ANNIE
Youth theater roles include: Aladdin, Annie, Wicked and the Sound of Music. Amaya thanks her parents, sisters Anika, Adriana, Alyssa, and Center Stage Studio friends in Orange County, CA.
Role: 'Musician' in LET IN BE
John is a London based musician and songwriter trained in classical piano performance and theory. Experience includes the orchestra pit for musical theatre, session work and various band projects - twice achieving chart success, including a USA Billboard Top 100 hit. Most recently he has been performing around the globe with many of the world's leading symphony orchestras as well as producing/composing for short films and performing Let It Be on London's West End.
Role: 'Franki Valli' in JERSEY BOYS
Joseph opened Jersey Boys Las Vegas before hitting the open road. Favorites from his early years: Highway to Heaven, Mama's Family, The Addams Family, Radio Flyer, Batman Returns, seaQuest DSV. He's performed on the Academy Awards, the Tony Awards & originated 'Chachi' in Happy Days: A New Musical. A member of LA's award-winning Troubadour Theater Co, he also co-wrote/directed a series of original musicals produced by Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre. Recent Film/TV: The Princess Diaries 2, Race to Witch Mountain as 'Frankie Valet,' and Valentine's Day.
Role: 'Grandman Ida/Lauren, Aaron's Mother' in FIRST DATE
Theatre credits include: Off-Broadway The Toxic Avenger (Cast Recording), First Wives Club(San Diego Theatre Critics Award, best supporting actress). Film: The Other Guys, Arthur, Hello I Must Be Going, Little Black Book. TV: "The Office," "Michael and Michael Have Issues," "Arrested Development." Training: UCB/Groundlings/Boston University.
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
Ryan trained as an actor at Rose Bruford College, London. Theatre includes Dirk and Reg, Bubbles(Watermill Theatre), Malcolm in Macbeth (Southwark Playhouse), Closer for Barefoot Theatre (Rose Theatre), David in Sombrero Fallout (Oval House Theatre). Television includes Stephen Giles, "The Bill" (Talkback Thames) as well as various commercials in the UK and overseas.
Jimmy Coburn
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
Jimmy is a Liverpool born singer songwriter. Originally from band the Blue Meanies and just recently the Cavern Club Beatles, Jimmy has been performing the role of John for 13 years. Having played on the same bill as Paul McCartney, Jimmy was also asked to perform backstage acoustically for Liam Gallager's (Oasis) band Beady Eye. In 2010, along with his brother he was chosen by Geoff Emerick as the best John Lennon to take part in hollywood production "The Sessions".
Tony Coburn
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
Tony is a born & bred Liverpudlian . As well as playing the role as Paul, he has written many songs of his own. Highlights include sharing the stage with Sir Paul himself, and many other artists He played bass for Mick Jones from The Clash - and Tony was chosen by Geoff Emerick after a worldwide search to sing as Paul in the Beatles sessions production.
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
JT was born on John Lennon's birthday. The Beatles are his passion and he has performed with several Beatles tribute acts from Los Angeles to New York. JT's album,From the Beginning, was nominated Best Independent CD by South Bay Music Awards. He is currently finishing a new album of original music. He has written and produced music for CBS, ABC, Fox, the Super Bowl and for the NCAA's March Madness. www.jtcurtismusic.com
Aaron C. Finley
Role: 'Drew' in ROCK OF AGES
A recent transplant from the Pacific Northwest, Aaron has performed at some of the nation's leading regional theaters. Regional: Rent (Roger), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus & Judas, yup both!), A Christmas Story (Pre-Broadway), Hairspray (Link), Fiddler On The Roof (Perchik).
Reuven Gershon
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
Reuven has regularly played John Lennon on stage and screen. Most recently: Let It Be in London's West End, Playing the Moldovans at Tennis (feature film), "Lennon at 70" for the BBC and The Bootleg Beatles. Musicals: Buddy Holly in Buddy (West End), Rock 'n' Roll Heaven(UK tour), Can't Smile Without You (UK tour), Over the Rainbow - The Eva Cassidy Story (UK tour), Four Steps toHeaven (West End/UK tour), Heartbeat (UK tour). Theatre: Twelfth Night, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, Othello, Robin Hood, Cry Blue Murder, Bob the Builder, Noises Off.
Role: 'Nina' in SOUL DOCTOR
Off-Broadway credits include: Rent (Mrs. Jefferson, "Seasons" soloist), A Civil War Christmas (Hannah). www.amberiman.com
Role: 'Phantom' in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Peter was introduced as the new Phantom at the 25th Anniversaries in London and New York. Peter's work on stage, record, film and television has made him one of Scandinavia's biggest stars. After being awarded a Swedish Tony for creating the role of Robert In Björn Ulvaeus' and Benny Andersson's musical Kristina, Peter was brought to London by Cameron Mackintosh to play Chris in Miss Saigon and later Michael in the original cast of The Witches of Eastwick. He received his second Swedish Tony as the Emcee in Cabaret. Peter has sold over one million albums, including the best-selling Swedish albums of 2006 and 2008, plus Scandinavia's best-selling Christmas album of all time. He's been nominated for three Swedish Grammy Awards and two of his TV specials have been nominated for the Silver Rose at the Rose d'Or Festival. In 2010, he performed at the Royal concert for Crown Princess Victoria's wedding. Peter's album La Vie, L'Amour, La Mort was accompanied by a 30-minute film with Peter at the helm of creative production. His upcoming album is I Love Musicals, which was also the name of his sold-out arena tour last year. www.peterjoback.com and www.facebook.com/peterjoback
Tyson Kelly
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tyson was born into a musical family. Son of songwriting Hall of Famer, Tom Kelly, Tyson started writing songs of his own in High School. He is the frontman for his harmony ridden rock group 'King Washington'. Their new Album is out Aug. 27th. For more info go to www.Kingwashingtonmusic.com "King Washington appeals to music fans spanning across four decades" -nowthisrocks.com
Role: 'Fiyero' in WICKED
Derek was most recently seen off-Broadway as Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight, directed by Wicked's Joe Mantello and co-starring Lindsay Mendez (Elphaba) at Second Stage Theatre. Prior to that, he portrayed Tommy Ross in Carrie at MCC. Regionally he's been seen in Hairspray (Link), Glory Days (Will), Happy Days (Richie),Cinderella (Prince), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), and Big River (Huck).
Role: 'Aaron' in FIRST DATE
Zachary Levi was last seen on NBC's hit show "Chuck." Levi portrayed a regular guy whose life gets scrambled when he inadvertently has government secrets downloaded into his brain while reading an email sent from a long lost friend. "Chuck" has been a media and fan favorite since its fall 2007 release and continues its popularity even after the series finale. Audiences enjoyed Levi in the four seasons of the hit ABC sitcom "Less than Perfect," as the quick-witted, scheming Kip Steadman. He also earned great reviews for his appearances on the hit shows, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Division" and for his supporting role in the FX television movie Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie.
Role: 'Ruth' in SOUL DOCTOR
Theatre credits include Wicked: (2nd national tour, Nessarose), Cabaret (Drury Lane Chicago, Sally), Neil Patrick Harris' Rent (Hollywood Bowl). Film/TV: "Ghost Whisperer," The Prop Is the Girl. A contemporary singer-songwriter, Mahler is currently developing her debut album.
Role: 'Musician' in LET IT BE
Chris comes directly to Broadway after touring with Rain. Originally from Madison, WI, and now living in NYC, he's had the opportunity to tour as a drummer and multi-instrumentalist all over North America, Europe and Japan with numerous acts, while continuing to gig and record in New York. He also earned his MFA from A.C.T and has acted in productions Off- Broadway and in several regional theatres across the country, including the Guthrie, Cleveland Play House and American Conservatory Theater.
Role: Musician in LET IT BE
Luke has performed with international pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor and supported Bryan Ferry on his UK tour. This has resulted in TV appearances, BBC Radio airplay and playing at prestigious events. Luke has also composed music for commercials including Christian Louboutin, Mandarin Oriental and Standard Chartered. Beginning in 2013 Luke has performed in the West End production of Let It Be and is now fulfilling a life-time ambition to play on Broadway. www.lukerobertsthedrummer.com
Role: 'Eli Chaim' in SOUL DOCTOR
Third time's the charm for Ryan in Soul Doctor! Having done the show in Florida and Off-Broadway, he's thrilled to be making this his Broadway debut! Selected credits: Jersey Boys (Frankie u/s), Altar Boyz (Abraham). www.ryanstrand.net
Role: 'Boq' in WICKED
Michael joins the Broadway production directly from the national tour. Other theatre credits include Rent, The Kid (The New Group), Seussical (Theatreworks/USA), and Oliver Twist (TFANA). Regionally he appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Christmas Carol, and A Prayer for Owen Meany (Ovation nomination), all with the Denver Center Theatre Company, andOliver Twist (co-production with A.R.T. and Berkeley Rep). His film work includes Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet and the Hallmark original movie Loving Leah.
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