Pirate Queen News

Pirate Queen Cast List
Thursday, July 27 2006 <Field: Subject>

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Sch�nberg�s THE PIRATE QUEEN, the spectacular new musical from the authors of Les Mis�rables and Miss Saigon, will begin previews on Broadway beginning February 23rd, 2007, opening March 22nd, 2007 at the Hilton Theatre (214 West 43rd Street, NYC) on Broadway, following a World Premiere engagement in Chicago from October 3rd through November 26th, 2006.

The cast of 39 is led by Stephanie J. Block (Grace O�Malley), Hadley Fraser* (Tiernan),

Linda Balgord (Queen Elizabeth I), Marcus Chait (Donal), Jeff McCarthy (Dubhdara) and

William Youmans (Bingham). The company also includes Nick Adams, Richard Todd Adams, Caitlin Allen, Sean Beglan, Timothy W. Bish, Jerad Bortz, Troy Edward Bowles, Grady McLeod Bowman, Rachel Bress, Don Brewer, Kimilee Bryant, Alexis Ann Carra, �ine U� Cheallaigh*, Noelle Curran, Bobbie-Ann Dunn, Brooke Elliott, Christopher Garbrecht, Eric Hatch, Cristin J. Hubbard, David Koch, Timothy Kochka, Jamie LaVerdiere, Joseph Mahowald, Tokiko Masuda, Padraic Moyles, Brian O�Brien, Kyle James O�Connor, Michael James Scott, Greg Stone, Katie E. Tomlinson, Daniel Torres, Jennifer Waiser, Briana Yacavone.

*Hadley Fraser & �ine U� Cheallaigh are appearing with the permission of Actors� Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors� Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

BIOGRAPHIES:

STEPHANIE J. BLOCK (Grace �Grania� O�Malley). Broadway audiences know Stephanie for her portrayal as Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz. Stephanie just recently starred in the First Nat'l Touring Company of Wicked as Elphaba for which she won the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress. Some of her regional credits include Funny Girl, Crazy For You (2002 Ovation Award Nominee), Oliver (2001 Critics Award-Best Actress), James Joyce�s The Dead (The Ahmanson Theatre and Kennedy Center), I Love A Piano (the Denver Center), The Grass Harp (Pasadena Playhouse), Bells Are Ringing (Reprise!) and the World Premiere of Wicked. Her voice can be heard on the original cast recording of The Boy From Oz and numerous commercial jingles including the singing voice of Barbie. She is currently recording her debut solo album. She is a proud member of The Musical Theatre Guild and has been a member of Actors' Equity since 1995. www.stephaniejblock.com

HADLEY FRASER* (Tiernan) West End/UK: Pacific Overtures (Kayama Yesaemon), Assassins (John Wilkes Booth), Longitude (William), The Far Pavilions (Ash), Putting it Together (Various), One Day More (Various), The Shaughraun (Captain Molineux), The Pirates Of Penzance, (Frederic), Peter Pan (Curly), Les Mis�rables (Marius), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Blues Brothers�Live! (Jake Blues), Assassins (Zangara), Far Far Away (Leonard).

LINDA BALGORD (Queen Elizabeth I). Broadway: La Cage aux Folles (Mme. Dindon), Passion (Fosca�s Mother), Cats (Grizabella). First national tour: Sunset Boulevard (Norma Desmond), Aspects of Love (Rose Vibert). Regional: The Fix (Violet), Funny Girl (Fanny), Evita (Eva) and Man of La Mancha (Aldonza).

MARCUS CHAIT (Donal) was most recently seen in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award winning Million Dollar Baby and Niki Caro's North Country. On Broadway he originated the role of Wes Hightower in Urban Cowboy and starred opposite Frank Langella in Cyrano de Bergerac at The Roundabout. Other favorite roles include Barrett in Titanic (Joseph Jefferson and Helen Hayes nominations), the title role in the World Premiere of Birdy, and Chris in Miss Saigon. TV appearances include �ER�, �CSI: Miam�, �Numbers�, �Without a Trace� and �Crossing Jordan�. A Carnegie-Mellon graduate, Marcus is co-founder of GhostLight Entertainment, an independent film company. For Zoe.

JEFF McCARTHY (Dubhdara). Broadway: Urinetown (Officer Lockstock), Side Show (Terry Connor), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Smile (Big Bob Freelander), Zorba (Nikos). Los Angeles theatre: Les Mis�rables, Three Sisters, City of Angels. Off-B'way: Dream True (Vineyard), Sympathetic Magic (Second Stage). Regional: Arms and the Man (Huntington), The Misanthrope (Guthrie), Henry IV (Indiana Rep), Sunday in the Park (Seattle Rep), A Lie of the Mind (Denver Center).

WILLIAM YOUMANS (Bingham). Original B�way casts: Wicked, Baz Luhrman�s La Boh�me, Titanic, Big River, Little Foxes (with Elizabeth Taylor). Off B�way: Miracle Brothers (Vineyard), The Widow Claire (Circle in the Square), Weird Romance (Alan Menken musical), Orphan of Zhao (Lincoln Center Thr.), Flux (Public) Henry V (Delacorte). Film: Mrs. Soffel, Compromising Positions, Nadine, Fresh Horses, A League of Their Own. TV: Every cop show for past 20 years. Also, �The Little Match Girl�, �Separate But Equal�, �The Private History of a Campaign That Failed� (Peabody Award).

NICK ADAMS (Ensemble). Broadway: Chicago (Mary Sunshine standby). US/International Tour: Chicago (Swing, Fred Casely u/s, Mary Sunshine u/s). Regional: Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The MUNY. Training: Boston Conservatory (BFA Musical Theatre), Lake Erie Ballet, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.

RICHARD TODD ADAMS (Ensemble, Donal u/s, Bingham u/s). Broadway: The Woman in White. Off-Broadway: Little Fish, Listen to My Heart. National tours: The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul). Regional: Caraboo, Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Ragtime, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands. Training: The Juilliard School.

CAITLIN ALLEN (Ensemble) Broadway: Riverdance. National Tour: Riverdance. Eight-time World and All-Ireland medalist, two-time North American Champion; winner of North American Junior Cup, NFAA Scholarship, 1997 Presidential Scholar. University of Notre Dame (BBA), Account Supervisor at Weber Shandwick Worldwide.

SEAN BEGLAN (Ensemble). TCRG has over twenty years dance experience. He has toured the world, most notably with Riverdance where he was the principal lead. A certified Irish dance instructor, Sean hails from Co. Cavan, Ireland.

TIMOTHY W. BISH (Ensemble) is thrilled to be joining The Pirate Queen. Broadway: Movin' Out, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Tours: Swing!. Companies: Parsons Dance, Dendy Dance. Regional: Camille Claudel, Carousel, Sweet Charity. Thank you friends, family and especially Mom.

JERAD BORTZ (Ensemble). On Broadway has performed Sky in Mamma Mia!, Fiyero in Wicked and Actor�s Fund�s Chess and Hair. Other NYC credits include the workshops of Sweet Charity, Robin Hood, and Flyer, the Musical.. Ithaca, DGRW, AEA.

TROY EDWARD BOWLES (Ensemble). Bway: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (original cast). Ntl Tour: Movin' Out (James). NY City Opera, Radio City Christmas

Spectacular, NY Musical Theatre Festival, Cedar Lake Contemporary

Ballet, Disney World, Tokyo Disney. Love to Caron and Ed!

GRADY MCLEOD BOWMAN (Ensemble). Broadway debut. Fayetteville, NC native. NC School of the Arts BFA (2005). Tour: Fosse. Regional: Marriott Theatre (IL), Fulton Opera House, NC Theatre. Film/TV: Forrest Gump, �The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles�. Family, friends, & God - thanks for everything! www.gradymcleodbowman.com

RACHEL BRESS (Associate Choreographer/Ensemble ). Associate/assistant choreography: Dirty Blonde (Broadway), Old Money (Lincoln Center), Carol King: Making Music with Friends (Madison Sq. Garden), On a Clear Day and The Apple Tree (City Center, Encores!), Pippin (Goodspeed / National Tour). Choreography: NBA All-Star Half-time (NBC), Sex and the City (HBO), Apt. 3A by Jeff Daniels (NYC). Performance: Mamma Mia! (Broadway), West Side Story (National Tour), Most Happy Fella (NYC Opera).

DON BREWER (Ensemble). Recent credits include: Les Mis�rables (Broadway and National tour), The Who's Tommy (National Tour), The Will Rogers Follies (National Tour). Favorite roles: Father to beautiful baby girl Georgia, and husband to beautiful wife Lisa.

KIMILEE BRYANT (Ensemble) played Christine in Phantom of the Opera (Broadway, Switzerland, Toronto, Tour). City Center: Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Josephine in Pinafore, Casilda in Gondoliers and Encores! Bye Bye Birdie. Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music. www.kimileebryant.com

ALEXIS ANN CARRA (Ensemble) has her BA in Theatre Studies from Yale University. Broadway: Sweet Charity (ass�t dance captain, swing, u/s Nickie), Wicked. Nat�l Tour: Fosse. Other credits: Sacramento Music Circus, Oklahoma!, Fame on 42nd St. Love & thanks to family and friends. Om Shanti.

�INE U� CHEALLAIGH * (Evleen) was the solo singer with Riverdance on its very first run. She is recognized as one of the most outstanding traditional singers in Ireland and has won the Gold Medal for sean-n�s singing on two occasions.

NOELLE CURRAN (Ensemble) has been Irish dancing since she was five, and is a two time World Champion. She performed in Riverdance-The Show for five years, and earned a Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University.

BOBBIE-ANN DUNN (Ensemble) has trained extensively in numerous dance styles, with Cashel-Dennehy School of Irish Dance, Milwaukee Ballet, and in Graham and Horton techniques. She has competed, performed and received awards worldwide, recently toured with Riverdance.

BROOKE ELLIOTT (Ensemble) was recently seen in the First National Tour of Wicked. Other credits include: Taboo (Broadway), Beauty and the Beast (National Tour). TV: �Law & Order: Trial by Jury�, ABC�s �The View�. Love to my family.

CHRISTOPHER GARBRECHT (Ensemble) most recently portrayed the Boatman in Ravinia�s production of Sunday in the Park with George after having played the same role at Chicago Shakespeare. He was also seen in the title role in Phantom in Chicago, Indianapolis and New York.

ERIC HATCH (Ensemble) is excited to be making his Broadway debut. Regional: Walnut St., North Shore Music Th., and PCLO. Graduate of Point Park College. Thanks to my hope and foundation: mom, family, Charice and friends. Proud AEA member.

CRISTIN J. HUBBARD (Ensemble). NYC: Chess, Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill. Regional: The Boyfriend (dir. Julie Andrews), Aida, A Little Night Music (Goodspead), Secret Garden (Sacramento Music Circus and North Shore), Camelot, Sweeney Todd. AEA member. Many thanks family, teachers, friends.

DAVID KOCH (Ensemble). NY: Jekyll & Hyde (Original Broadway Cast), Pajama Game (NY City Opera), Chess (Off-Broadway), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Pre-B�way). Tours: Producers, Copacabana, Jekyll, Jerome Robbins� Broadway, Joseph� Regional: Chicago, South Pacific, Damn Yankees, Kismet and Show Boat (also filmed for PBS).

TIMOTHY KOCHKA (Ensemble) has the distinction of winning the World Irish Dance Championships two times and the All Ireland Championships three times. Since 2000, Tim has performed with Riverdance on Broadway, the North American and Asian tours.

JAMIE LAVERDIERE (Ensemble). Broadway: The Producers (Original Company). Tours: Urinetown (First National), A Chorus Line (Europe). Off-Bway: I Love You, You�re Perfect�, Cam Jansen. Favorite roles: Billy (Anything Goes), Puck (Midsummer...), Leo (The Producers). Thanks Pete and Bev.

JOSEPH MAHOWALD (Ensemble). Broadway, Off-Broadway, recording, film, television and regional theatre. Soloist at Carnegie Hall, and with over a score of major Symphonies around the world. For my children, Molly and Patrick who keep the pirate in me alive! josephmahowald.com

TOKIKO MASUDO (Ensemble) started dancing at age seven. After earning numerous titles, she joined Riverdance in 1998. She toured Europe, Asia, and North America, and did the run on Broadway. Kiki is excited about The Pirate Queen!

PADRAIC MOYLES (Ensemble). Dance credits: The Irish Reps production of Grandchild of Kings directed by Harold Prince, Riverdance- The Show (principle and dance captain). Padraic would like to thank his parents, family and friends for their continued support.

BRIAN O�BRIEN (Ensemble). Broadway/NY: Beast/Gaston cover in Disney�s Beauty and the Beast, Annie Get Your Gun, Steel Pier, Anything Goes (Lincoln Center Benefit), My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs (City Center/PBS). AEA.

KYLE JAMES OCONNOR (Ensemble) performed and competed in Irish dancing since childhood. 2002 North American Champion. He toured North America with Riverdance (2003-2005) as a dancer and choir member. Thanks to his family for love and support.

MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT (Ensemble). Broadway: Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up. Off-Broadway: Here's to the Public!. Int / Tour: Fosse (standby for Ben Vereen), Mamma Mia! (1st Nat�l Tour). Regional: Aida, Cinderella, South Pacific, Ragtime. B.F.A. from Webster Conservatory. Love to Family and Friends. www.MichaelJamesScott.com

GREG STONE (Ensemble). Broadway: Les Mis�rables, Oklahoma!, Urban Cowboy. Greg has starred in the national tours of Les Mis and Miss Saigon as Jean Valjean and Chris respectively. Much love to his beautiful wife Chelsea.

KATIE E. TOMLINSON (Ensemble) is thrilled to be onboard with The Pirate Queen! Favorite roles include: Lily in The Secret Garden, Rosemary in How to Succeed� and Estella in Great Expectations. Bachelor of Music, New England Conservatory. For Mom and Dad.

DANIEL TORRES (Ensemble). Broadway: The Woman in White (Walter Hartright u/s, Performed), A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge). Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz (Juan). Sundance: Most Wanted (Danny Reyes). CCM Grad. Thanks to family, friends and Nicolosi & Co. www.DanielTorres.net

JENNIFER WAISER (Ensemble). Selected credits: Into the Woods, Fiddler on the Roof (Stratford Festival), Jane Eyre (Mirvish), The Diary of Anne Frank (Anne). Received Dora nominations for Little Sally in Canadian premiere of Urinetown and The Boy Jones.

BRIANA YACAVONE (Ensemble) comes directly from the Broadway, Touring and Chicago companies of Wicked. Credits include Hal Prince and Larry Fuller�s Evita, as well as West Side Story at La Scala Opera, Milan. Love to parents, Stephen and Isabel the cat.