LYMAN The Musical Comes to The El Portal Theatre

Writer and director Anne Johnstonbrown announced today the full cast for her production of LYMAN, The Musical, which tackles the prevalent issue of homelessness and how choice and chance define our future. The musical stars Lou Beatty, Jr. (Tales from the Hood 2, The Yard), and features Eric Baily, Jr., Jacob Betts, Chantel Cagle-Cordova, Jack Dempsey Collins, Tony Collins, Erik Dabrowski, Natalie Eleftheriadis, Kevin C. Ezeh, Andrew Flory, Eddie Griego, Michael Naishtut, Betty Ann Ortega, Emily Priestly, Nathan Smith-Finley, Connie Ventress, William Warren, Howard Wilson, and Veronica Crystal Young.

LYMAN, The Musical opens Saturday, August 18, 2018 and closes Sunday, August 26, 2018 for 7 weekend performances, including matinee and evening showings, at the historic El Portal Theatre.

LYMAN, The Musical follows a woman who meets a homeless man she thinks she recognizes. She ponders whether his homelessness was a cause of life choices or destiny, and she takes us on a journey through the various universes in which Lyman would have existed but for chance. With original songs written by Anne Johnstonbrown, and performed by the cast, LYMAN, The Musical, helps us learn the truth about how choices affect destiny and what it means to be a hero.

The soundtrack for LYMAN, The Musical is written and composed by Anne Johnstonbrown, and features Eddie Griego. Selected songs from the soundtrack are available for listening at www.lymanthemusical.com/audio, and the CD is available for purchase at www.lymanthemusical.com/merchandise. All proceeds of the soundtrack will benefit Pauly's Project of Los Angeles.

For more information about the play, visit www.lymanthemusical.com

LYMAN, THE MUSICAL

Written and Directed by Anne Johnstonbrown

Opens: August 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM

Closes: August 26, 2018 at 2:00 PM

Runtime: 2 hours and a 15 minute intermission

CAST

• Lou Beatty, Jr. as Anders
• Eric Baily, Jr. as Young Anders
• Jacob Betts as Lyman Liri
• Chantel Cagle-Cordova as Marilyn Liri
• Jack Dempsey Collins as Child Lyman
• Tony Collins as Raymond Liri
• Erik Dabrowski as Bernie
• Natalie Eleftheriadis as Eve St. Croix
• Kevin C. Ezeh as Barry
• Andrew Flory as Teen Lyman
• Eddie Griego as Homeless Veteran
• Michael Naishtut as Older Lyman
• Betty Ann Ortega as Frances, Nurse, Homeless Widow
• Emily Priestly Young Carolyn, Homeless Daughter, Little Girl
• Nathan Smith-Finley as Donnie Liri
• Connie Ventress as Colonel Maggie
• William Warren as Anders, understudy
• Howard Wilson as Mick, Doctor, Jack, Gramps, Homeless Man
• Veronica Crystal Young as Older Marilyn

Anne Johnstonbrown (Playwright and Director)

Anne Johnstonbrown is an actor, songwriter, teacher and author. With a Master's Degree in Theatre Arts, Anne has taught at several Southern California universities, including The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles where she taught Acting, Auditioning and the Business of Acting. Anne is the author of several works of fiction and non-fiction, as well as books for children. Her work includes the The 10 Commandments of Theater and True to archeType: A Guide to Characterization in Comedy, published by Smith & Kraus. Recommended by Theatre Topics Magazine and American Theatre Magazine to readers learning the art of method acting, The 10 Commandments of Theater is currently a required text in many college theatre arts departments nationwide. Johnstonbrown has enjoyed an illustrious career on the stage for more than 30 years. She appeared on the famed Kodak Theatre stage (now The Dolby Theatre) as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and has toured the U.S. with other nationally renowned shows. Johnstonbrown is an award-winning audiobook producer and has released nearly 100 published projects, many included in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors lists.

Lou Beatty, Jr. (Anders)

Lou Beatty, Jr. is an actor of stage, television and film, as well as a writer and producer of theater. Beatty was a series regular on the NBC show Off Their Rockers, hosted by the legendary Betty White and is memorable for roles on 2 Broke Girls, Fameless, Angie Tribeca, Welcome to the Family, Modern Family, The Messengers, as well as guest starring roles in Raising Hope, NCIS, CSI Miami, Las Vegas, Boston Legal, Cold Case among many. Beatty recently wrapped the The Yard, a pilot for the BET. He will be featured in the upcoming fall production of Tales from the Hood 2. Beatty's theater credits include: Paul Robson, Purlie Victorious, Nobody Walks Like My Daddy, Lady Patriot, Let Freedom Ring, Mama I Want To Sing, Raft of the Medusa, Howling Blues and Dirty Dogs, Joleta, Trees Don't Bleed in Tuskegee, and Hold On To Your Dream which he also wrote and produced. A veteran of many national commercials, Beatty can currently be seen in several national Carl's Jr. spots. Lou Beatty is a recipient of the Golden Nugget Award for Actors, Detroit News, for the play Back In The World and the Theater Excellence Award, Detroit Free Press, for the play I Am A Man, which also won Best Play.

Additional Cast

Find more information about the cast at www.lymanthemusical.com/cast.

Tickets currently priced at $35.00 - $45.00. Available in person at the box office, via phone at 818.508.4200 or online at www.elportaltheatre.com/lyman.html