Hurricane Jimmy at The Press Box Theater

Jason Boghosian (Jimmy) is thrilled to be in his first show with Press Box! His recent roles include Prof. Callahan (Legally Blonde), Davey (Newsies), and Ricky (Ride The Cyclone). He would like to thank William, Deb, and Carol, as well as the crew and all his wonderful cast mates!

Shannon Bailey (She/her) is making her Press Box Theater debut as NADIA in Hurricane Jimmy. Recent credits include Mrs. Schwartz/ Ensemble : A Christmas Story (Golden Fox Theatre Co), Fiona : Shrek (LCT Thomaston Opera House) and Constance Blackwood : Ride the Cyclone (Showpeople Theatre Collective). Shannon is a music and theatre educator at Soulshine Arts and Rocky Hill High School. She is a professional princess performer (11 years) and avid cosplayer who loves spreading joy and providing representation for kids who need it. In her spare time she enjoys playing various instruments, exploring the vast world of the Elder Scrolls Games and hiking. Instagram: @shannon.baileyyy

Billy Hicks (Benny) Press Box Theater debut! Off-Broadway: Friends! The Musical Parody (Chandler); International: Lead Singer for Holland America Line and Seabourn, Tokyo Disneyland (Diamond Jim); Favorites: Next to Normal (Gabe), The Pajama Game (Sid), Les Mis (Marius), Camelot (Lancelot). Boston Conservatory alum, current 2L at Quinnipiac University School of Law. Thanks to William and Carol, and to my amazing husband James.

KILLIAN MEEHAN (he/him) is honored to return to The Press Box Theater with Hurricane Jimmy. Previous Press Box credits include El Gallo in The Fantasticks. Recent work also includes Welcome to Santa Claus and Tiaras Over Teaneck with Pantochino Productions, The Complete History of Theatre (Abridged) at Phoenix Stage Company. Offstage, Killian enjoys gaming, puzzles, and playing D&D, as well as time with his dog, Valkyrie, and cat, Morrigan. He thanks his parents, Dani, and his vocal coach Paul Elkin for providing the steady ground when the storm hits. www.killianmeehan.com

Autumn Eliza Sheffy is a CT based performer and musician (streaming on all platforms as autumneliza). Favorite credits include Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Ivoryton Playhouse), Waitress (Cape Playhouse), Beautiful The Musical (Reagle Music Theater); and singing internationally onboard AIDALuna. She is so excited to work with this team on an incredible premiere. Proud alum of the Boston Conservatory. Connect at @autumnelizasheffy.

CHEYENNE WALENT is honored to be a part of the Playwright’s Festival after most recently ho-ho-ho-ing her way through the Christmas season as Betty Jean in “Winter Wonderettes” at the Press Box Theater. Favorite past roles on stage include Betty (“Great American Trailer Park Musical”), Dragon (“Shrek the Musical”), Marianne (“Cayuga Canal Girls”-World Premiere Production) and The Chaperone ("The Drowsy Chaperone”). Occasionally finding herself behind the production table, Cheyenne has directed and choreographed such shows as “Urinetown,” “9 to 5,” “It’s Only a Play,” and “Addams Family.” Cheyenne also has a solo cabaret act, that has performed both locally and at Don’t Tell Mama in NYC. When she’s not performing, Cheyenne can be found teaching 3rd grade. This adventure—and all the rabble I rouse—always for Phyllis.

Joe Stango (Carlo Monterissi) is delighted to reprise the role of Carlo Monterissi, which he originated at the 2023 reading of Hurricane Jimmy at Phoenix Stage Company. His previous stage credits include The Sound of Music (Max Detweiler) and Annie Get Your Gun (Mr. Wilson) at the Newbury Theatre in Southbury, White Christmas (General Waverly) at the Landmark Community Theatre in Thomaston, and Legally Blonde (Professor Callahan) at the Newbury Musical Theatre Company. Earlier credits include Who Killed the Boss (Mafia Type) with the NVCC Foundation, Fiddler on the Roof at the Warner Theatre, Cinderella (Prince Charming) and Biloxi Blues (Sgt. Toomey) at Southington Theatre, and 42nd Street (Phil Denning) and Bye Bye Birdie (Mayor) with Naugatuck Valley Players.W hen not on stage, Joe works as a financial advisor with Centurion Wealth Management.

MATTHEW BENSON is excited to be returning to Press Box Theater as Jerry in Hurricane Jimmy. Matthew previously played the Stage Manager in Villains of Broadway and Mortimer in Press Box Theater’s production of The Fantasticks. He has recently choreographed Winter Wonderettes at Press Box Theater and Landmark Community Theater’s Teen production of Rock of Ages. Past credits include; Jack Kelly Newsies, Eddie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Al DeLuce A Chorus Line, Dance Captain Shrek, Joshua American Idiot, Mike Costa A Chorus Line, Dance Captain Beauty and the Beast, and Snowboy West Side Story. Matthew currently teaches dance at Revolution Academy of Dance. Special thanks goes to his family and friends.

Tyler Caisse is an actor/director/choreographer living in Connecticut. Tyler is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University, where he received a BA in Theatre Performance. Past directing credits include: Chicago (Director/Choreographer), The Drowsy Chaperone (Director/Choreographer), and Parade (Director). Recent performing Credits include: The Music Man (Tommy), A Chorus Line (Mike), Gypsy (Tulsa), and Hairspray (Link).

Katherine A. Griffin is thrilled to be making her Press Box debut in Hurricane Jimmy. Katherine is a neuroqueer educator and theatre artist based in CT. Select performance credits include: Oklahoma! In Concert (Gertie) with The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and The New Paradigm Theatre; Fiddler on the Roof (Chava) and Our Town (Emily Webb) with Landmark Community Theatre; She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms (Tillius the Paladin) with Backyard Theatre Ensemble. Select choreography credits include: Rocky Horror Show with Connecticut Deaf Theatre; Shrek, Mean Girls: Teen Edition, and Beauty and the Beast with Landmark Community Theatre; Company, Heathers, and Grease with UConn PAWS. When she isn't busy with rehearsals or trying to convince middle schoolers that reading isn't cringe, Katherine enjoys wandering through antique shops, annoying her cat, and making excessive lists. She is grateful for The Press Box Theater for enriching the CT arts community through transformative storytelling and accessible live performance. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

WILLIAM LINSTER is a Connecticut native and New York-based composer, pianist, music director, and arranger. A graduate of the world-renowned New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, William has studied and worked with some of the greatest musicians in the world, including Grammy® nominees Bobby Sanabria, Darius Douglas, Charles Tolliver, Cecil Bridgewater, and Andy McKee, as well as Grammy® winners Bill Kirchner, Robert Sadin, and Hank Shocklee (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Public Enemy). While at The New School, William became the songwriting protégé of music industry mainstay Billy Seidman, whose former students include Bebe Rexha and Rachel Platten. As an accompanist and session musician, he has worked with artists such as Katie Stevens (American Idol, The Bold Type), Coyle Girelli (Your Vegas, The Chevin), Ron McClure (Blood, Sweat & Tears), and R&B hitmaker James “D-Train” Williams, among numerous Broadway stars and opera singers. Upon first working with William, the late acclaimed librettist Roger O. Hirson (Pippin, Tony Award nominee) remarked simply, “He’s a genius.” William made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 16 and was featured on NBC Nightly News at 17 while performing at the Havana International Jazz Festival in Cuba. In 2019 he served as the Music Director for the Off-Broadway production of Fringe Deaths. William is currently developing several full-length musicals, including Hurricane Jimmy and Quentin: A Roosevelt Musical, with the late Hollywood screenwriter Lawrence Alexander (Charlie’s Angels, CHiPs, Barnaby Jones, The Six Million Dollar Man). He was named a Jonathan Larson Grant Finalist by the American Theatre Wing in 2022. William’s original score for Romney Humphrey’s short film The Bench was recently featured at the Berlin International Film Festival. He is also the creator of The Press Box Theater’s Villains of Broadway and is honored to collaborate again with director Carol Ziske and this extraordinary company in bringing Hurricane Jimmy to life.

The late Lawrence Alexander was a prolific writer and master of his craft. His credits included numerous popular series, including the iconic Charlie's Angels, Streets of San Francisco, Baretta, Barnaby Jones, ChiPs, and The Six Million Dollar Man. His exceptional writing skills captivated audiences and earned him a reputation as one of the most versatile television writers of his time. In addition to his work in television, Alexander wrote the lyrics for Lincoln Center’s production of Dandelion Wine—a musical adaptation of Ray Bradbury's novel—which was optioned for Broadway by acclaimed producer Stu Ostrow. Bradbury himself wrote the book for this musical, while renowned composer Billy Goldenberg wrote the music. Notably, his song, “Shouldn’t There Be Lightning?” was recorded by Liza Minnelli on her It Amazes Me album. He authored several novels, including The Big Stick, which were published by Doubleday. His writing talent attracted the attention of major producers and directors, including Gene Kirkwood and John Avildsen, director of Rocky. Avildsen also directed Alexander's own comedy-drama, The Stoolie, starring legendary comedian Jackie Mason. He passed away in February 2021. All future productions of Hurricane Jimmy are lovingly dedicated to his memory.

CAROL ZISKE (Director) is an accomplished theatre director, choreographer, actor, and educator with over five decades of professional experience, making significant contributions both on stage and behind the scenes. Carol’s acting credits are impressive, with performances in the original run of Fiddler on the Roof (Broadway) and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (1st National Tour). She has shared the stage with luminaries such as John Lithgow, Robert Morse, Rudy Vallee, Rita Rudner, Chip Zien, Craig Lucas, Ron Holgate, Bob Gunton, Jerry Zaks, and F. Murray Abraham, and has worked under renowned directors including Hal Prince and Patricia Birch. Her acting repertoire also includes memorable roles in A Little Night Music, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Jesus Christ Superstar, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. With an extensive portfolio of Off-Broadway and regional directing credits, Carol has brought to life a diverse array of productions including Valadon, Mad Dog on the Loose, The Great American Backstage Musical, The Snow Queen, Harvey, Anne of Green Gables, Mame, The 1940s Radio Hour, Evita, Our Town, and Love Letters. Recently, she directed One Touch of Ava as part of Ivoryton’s STAGEd Intent: New Play Readings for Boomers by Boomers. She is currently collaborating with composer William Linster on the development of new musicals including Hurricane Jimmy and Quentin: A Roosevelt Musical. Carol is also active in the theatre community, serving on the steering committee of the League of Professional Theatre Women in Connecticut and recently serving as director and co-producer of the CT Theatre Women Awards. She is proud to be collaborating with William Linster and the talented cast and creative team of Hurricane Jimmy at The Press Box Theater. Carol is a proud member of AEA, Actors’ Equity Association Union of Professional Actors.

Debra is excited to be stage managing Hurricane Jimmy at The Press Box Theater, working with William and Carol, and getting to be graced by an unbelievably talented cast. Recently coming off stage managing at The Press Box for Winter Wonderettes and at Landmark Community Theater for Shrek the Musical, she's completely happy to be "in the dark once again. With Stage Managing previous shows such as It's Only A Play, The Addams Family, and directing The Memory Box at Phoenix Stage Company; theater is definitely her sport. Love to my fur girl, Nova for still loving her mom even though she's doing another show! Break a leg to our amazing cast and crew!