It's Karate, Kid the Musical - Honor, Friendship, Fisting

CAST

Jennifer Byrne (Mrs. Lucille Larusso) A graduate from The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto with a BA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Plattsburgh, Jen is psyched to join the cast of "It's Karate Kid the Musical". She was most recently seen in Gateway's production of Gypsy as Louise. Past performances include: Singin' In The Rain (Merry Go Round), From the Mixed-Up Files... (Nat'l Tour), Oleanna, Quilters (Pendragon), Side By Side, Macbeth (T.O.), The Stratford Express (CA), Godspell (UK) Anything Goes, Chicago, Vinegar Tom, and An Evening With Durang (PSU). She can also be seen this winter as Ruth in Inside Broadway's Pirates of Penzance. Jen wishes to thank her family and friends for all their love and support and dedicates this "longer bio" to her father.

Charles Duff (Tim Reynolds) Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina; Charlie began his theater training at Thalian Hall. After graduation he joined Ray Kennedy Entertainment onboard the S.S. Palm Beach Princess and on Commodore Cruise Lines in review and cabaret shows. Receiving a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina; Charlie has performed various roles in regional theaters and summer stock. Moving to NYC in early 2003, he has performed in the USO Show Troupe, Rock Stars NYC, the National/International Tour and Off Broadway Show Naked Boys Singing and still performs in promotional work Thanks so much for support from my family and partner who have sacrificed so much for me to be here.

Kerry Flanagan (Bitchkick #3) Recent Credits: Hamlet-Musical Reading (Abingdon Theater); Al Takes a Bride (Actors Studio); Jesus Christ Superstar (Actors Studio); 1998 Lilith Fair Tour (Eden White Band); MFA-Actors Studio Drama School; Co-Founding member of CryHAvoc Company; Resident Member of Epic Repertory (Resident Company at The O'Neil Theater-CT); Lifetime Member of the Actors Studio. Thanks Everyone.

Sarah Hubbard (Ali Mills) Is thrilled to be back on stage in New York working on such a fun show. Selected Credits: U.S. National Tours: Grease with Frankie Avalon (Frenchy), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and Godspell where she can be heard on the original cast recording(DRG Records). Sarah has appeared on "Saturday Night Live", "All My Children", and Nickelodeon. "To all my gays, thanks for the inspiration."

Mary Kelly (Bitchkick #2) is new to the New York area, she has just recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in Musical Theatre. She was last seen as Lily in The Secret Garden, and Mary (Singer#1) in A Grand Night for Singing. She would like to thank her Mom and roommates for everything!

Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Musical Director/Mr. Miyagi) holds a B.A. in Fine Arts (Music Concentration/Interactive Arts Studies Minor) from Fordham University where he conducted the award winning Fordham University Glee Club. Off-Broadway: Dragapella: Starring the Kinsey Sicks! (Trixie). National Tours: Grease (Johnny Casino/Teen Angel) with Cindy Williams; Godspell (Swing) plus National Tour Cast Recording; Jesus Christ Superstar European Tour (Simon). Regional: Batboy (Rick/Lorraine); Big River (Huck Finn); The Wiz (Scarecrow); Gypsy (Tulsa), Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely); Two Gentlemen of Verona (Valentine); Rock, Rhythm, and Soul (Featured Soloist). NYC Cabaret: �Impossible, Bitch!� (The Duplex); �Julie O�Connell: Dances� (Featured Vocalist); �It�s Me Baby, It�s Kevin!� (Upstairs at Rose�s Turn). Plus respected venues such as the Roxy (LA), the L.A. Comedy Club, Caroline�s Comedy Club, Town Hall NYC, Studio 54, R.S.V.P. Cruises and even the world renowned Montreal Comedy Festival. Jake and Travis, I love you. Thanks to this amazing cast and production team for accomplishing a major feat! Art is power!

James LaRosa (Freddie Fernandez) will graduate from NYU's Tisch this december and could not be more excited. He is thrilled to be playing Freddie in this awesome, hilarious new musical! Recent credits include: WSS (Baby John/'Somewhere' solo), WORKING (Joe Zutty), Parade (Young Soldier), Songs for a New World (Man 2), and Gypsy to name a few. He would like to thank the entire cast and creative team, and all his family and friends, especially Meli for sharing in this experience!

Thomas Lash (Evil Sensei) is happy to be joining the cast of It's Karate, Kid! The Musical after his long run of two Jesus Christ Superstar European tours as Pontius Pilate. He also toured Europe with the tour of Evita. He has a BFA in Opera Performance and sends his love to his family and friends. Bitte!

Nicole Lewis (Bitchkick #1) NY Credits: Boy Gets Girl (Harriet & Beck u/s) Manhattan Theater Club; Ponies (Cashier) Theatre La Tea; Odysseus (Circe) Gilgamesh Theater Group. Regional: Tazewell Thompson's Constant Star (Ida Wells u/s) Hartford Stage Company; The Tempest (Miranda) Williamstown Theater Festival, Act I Co.; Tartuffe (Flipote) and The Threepenny Opera with Bebe Neuwirth (Beggar Woman/ Ensemble) A.C.T. San Francisco; The Wiz (Dorothy), Once On This Island (Ti Moune), Ain't Misbehavin' (Nell), Children of Eden (Yonah) The Weathervane Theatre. Film and Television: Law and Order SVU, A Beautiful Mind and various National Commercials and Voice Overs. Nicole holds a BA from Yale University and an MFA from The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Many thanks CED, KSK, Nat, Jim, Ivi, J, and Tom.

Andrew Rannells (Johnny Lawrence) joins the cast straight from the world of children's television where for the past three years he has directed and starred in several Saturday morning cartoons for Fox, the Kids WB and PBS. Andrew was last seen on stage as Hedwig in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH in Austin, TX.This is for all his friends and neighbors! (I would thank my boyfriend by name, but that is a sure way that we would break up by the end of this run.) Best of luck!

Matthew Simpkins (Daniel-San Larusso) Tours : CAMELOT w/Robert Goulet; SOUND OF MUSIC. Regional: PETER PAN and OLIVER (WVPT); GYPSY, SOUND OF MUSIC (Carousel D. Theatre) Other favorites include WHO'S TOMMY (Cousin Kevin); MOST HAPPY FELLA (Herman); MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Demetius). Love and thanks to family, friends, Michelle, everyone with IKKTM and...the Buss.

Karl Warden (Brad Stevens/Dance Captain) is originally from Cincinnati and a former competitive diver. World Tour: Fosse starring Ruthie Henshall and Ben Vereen. National tours: Chicago, Cats (Macavity). New York : Broadway Bares X, Dick Clark's Millennium Rockin' Eve. Regional: Footloose (Ren McCormack), Cabaret (Emcee). TV: "Sex and the City". Thanks to Family, Gmaw, Shelley. "Become your Dream" www.karlwarden.com

Amanda Weeden (Crazy Old Bitch) spent the summer at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and is thrilled to be using her Shakespearean training in this production. She is performing concurrently in "Women of Hope and Valor," an evening of music by Elizabeth Swados. Favorite role: Nurse Nancy, "Body Snatchers: the Musical."

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PRODUCTION TEAM

Jake Hirzel (Producer/Director) Off-Off Broadway: Conor McPherson's This Lime Tree Bower (The Belt Theater) and It's Me, Baby! It's Kevin! (Upstairs at Rose's Turn). Other directing credits include: West Side Story, The Fantasticks, Old Times, Equus, and Ernest Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants. This marks his debut solo producing effort. Special thanks to everyone whose trust, time, and talent made this possible.

Travis Kramer (Author) creates art and stuff. Sometimes he illustrations and feature articles appear in national trade and humor publications including Cracked. Sometimes he designs publicity and props for fabulous Off-Broadway cabaret shows such as "It's Me Baby, It's Kevin!" and "Impossible Bitch!" And sometimes - just sometimes - he writes musicals... Travis has also published over twenty volumes of original sequential art and an absurdist newsletter, The Daily Grind. His weekly comic strip, Lik-A-Strip, appeared in The Ram, the Fordham University newspaper, from 1997 - 1999. Travis thanks his entire family - both immediate and extended, real and imaginary. Extra large props to Mom, Dad, Darci, Alex, Kelli, Kevin, Angelo, Tom, Mike, and Dave. Peace to the cast, crew, and everyone who influenced and informed this wacky-ass show. Thanks a bunch, bitches!

Jennifer Mudge (Choreographer) is excited to be a part of this hot show. She has been dancing since the age of 8 in both Virginia and New York. A former competitive dancer, Jen has competed and attended master classes at Dance Masters of America and Dance Makers, Inc. A graduate of the theatre program at James Madison University, her performing, directing and choreography credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, Man of La Mancha, Blood Brothers, Follies and Brigadoon. She also choreographed Flesh & Bone's Off-Broadway production of Tango 'Til They're Sore at the Flea Theatre. Thanks to Jake, Kevin & Travis for making me feel at home, and to all my family and friends who haven't seen me in the last 2 months!

Qui Nguyen (Fight Choreographer) is a Co-Artistic Director (along with Robert Ross Parker) of Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company (www.vampirecowboys.com). He has worked as a stage-combat/martial arts instructor for such places as City Lights Youth Theatre, Ohio University, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, The North Central Louisiana Arts Council, The Chicago Park District, numerous State Thespian Festivals, and The Rabid Vamps Fight Studio, which he also founded. He is a Recognized Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.

Michael Sag (General Manager) was a producer of Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway and is general manager of Around the World in a Bad Mood. He works at Richard Frankel Productions, whose Broadway credits include The Producers, Hairspray, and Little Shop of Horrors, and Off-Broadway productions of Stomp and Cookin'. He is a recent graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute's 14 week class and was the Managing Director of XYZ Theatre Company, Inc., for two years where he produced several shows with the Present Company. He currently administers the Lucille Lortel Awards, the only exclusive Off-Broadway award, in conjunction with the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers. He is thrilled to forge a wonderful new relationship with this amazingly talented cast and crew.

Nick Francone (Scenic Designer) New York design credits include Fatwa; Vampire Cowboy Trilogy; Down the Road; Ruffian on the Stair; F*cking Love; The Insight Series at PRTT; and several productions for the AADA; Regional design credits include Touch the Names at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Hot and Sweet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Rivals, and A Winters Tale at The Hartt School; Oliver, Prides Crossing and All My Sons at Monomoy Theatre in Cape Cod. Recent Assisting credits include Wicked - the Broadway production and National Tour; A Number, Valhalla and Hedda Gabler at the NY Theatre Workshop.

Bill Sheehan (Lighting Designer) has been a lighting designer for the past 20 years for dance, drama, and musical theatre. He is a former cameraman with Michael Landon Productions in Los Angeles, where he learned film lighting and has applied those techniques successfully to the theatre. Bill has authored several articles on Theatrical Lighting and Pyrotechnics and has written a children's novel. He has a Ph.D. in communications. He resides in New York.

Sidney Shannon (Costume Designer) has worked extensively with many New York CIty companies including The Milkcan Theatre Company, Prospect Theatre Company, Resonance Ensemble, Oberon Theatre Company, Boomerang Theatre Company and many others. She was one of two costume designers for the Actor's Studio School of Drama Repertory Season last year. Academically she has also designed for Hofstra University 's Faculty Dance Concert, and The Opera Workshop at Laguardia High School. Her assistant credits include HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, DOUBLE FEATURE at New York City Ballet, all with William Ivey Long. She also assists on THE PARTY PLANNER WITH DAVID TUTERA airing on the Discovery Channel in January.

Adam Farquharson (Sound Designer) has literally been brought up in the Theater; after all that is where his parents Bob and Paula met. �I still remember the first day I was allowed to carry a lighting instrument. It was in Proctors Theater in Schenectady, New York.� Adam�s fascination with technical theater has remained constant from community theater to touring with N*Sync, and most recently working with famed sound designer Abe Jacob in the State Theater at Lincoln Center. Adam has worked on many productions with New York City Ballet, and New York City Opera. He has also enjoyed many great summers in his hometown of Albany, New York working with Park Playhouse, Capital Rep., and Specialized Audio Visual Inc (SAVI).

Kevin Frederick (Production Stage Manager) Credits include The Exonerated National Tour with Robin Williams, Stockard Channing, Lynn Redgrave, Brian Dennehy, Mia Farrow, Lyle Lovitt and many others. Tommy National Tour, Footloose, Las Vegas. Resident Production Stage Manager, PaperMill Playhouse 2002-2003 Miss Saigon, Annie, Blue, Romeo and Bernadette, Camelot, Grease, My Fair Lady, King and I. Stock includes, Titanic, A Chorus Line, Showboat, 1776, Man of LaMancha, Music Man, Brigadoon, The Will Rogers Follies, West Side Story. Kevin has also been Production Manager of the Cherry County Playhouse in Muskegon, Michigan 2001. Kevin has also directed at the Sarasota Opera House staging two world premiere youth opera productions Arabica and The Eye of Ra. Also staged the premier of Brundibar. Glad to be on New York Soil and doing what I love. Thanks to all.

Tom Jeffords (Asst. Stage Manager) has been a part of touring theatrical productions in eleven countries on three continents. He was honored to be the Tour Manager for ASF's Macbeth Military Base Tour, which was funded entirely by the NEA and the Department of Defense. Uh, strange. Off-B'way: The Exonerated (dir. Bob Balaban), De La Guarda's Villa Villa (New York and Seoul). Resident work at PaperMill Playhouse (NJ), Riverside Theatre (FL), Blowing Rock Stage Company (NC) and Portland Stage Company (ME). Hey, Kev, where are we going next?

Karl Schuberth (Associate Lighting Designer) originally hails from Orlando, FL, will graduate this January from the NYC College of Technology with a Bachelor�s degree in Entertainment Technology. He is currently working at Hudson Scenic Studios building scenic automation systems for such Broadway shows as La Cage Aux Folles, Spamalot, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Although this is his first time as the Associate Lighting Designer, he has served as electrician, programmer, assistant, and designer for numerous shows for nearly a decade.

JP Nardecchia (Assistant Lighting Designer) lives and works in Detroit where he designs lighting for small theatre projects, perhaps he will attend graduate school in Vegas, perhaps he will move, no one really knows. However he likes Jake and is pleased to be working on Karate Kid, if you have any questions... ask him.

Daniel R. Naish (Moving Lights Programmer) hails from San Jose California. Daniel Naish has been a theatre technician for the past five years and has designed lights for drama, dance, and musicals such as Les Miserables, Once On This Island, and Macbeth. He has also programmed lights for Grease as it traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. He will soon be graduating from NYC College of Technology with a Bachelors degree in Entertainment Technology and hopes to continue working in the greater New York area.

Lauren Hunter (Marketing Director) this is Lauren's first foray in to the dark and scary world of Off-Broadway theater. She would like to thank Jake and Jen for asking her to join the Karate team. Freeze wizard.

ackwalk vom westen (Graphic Designer) is the brain child of Parsons School of Design students Alec Walker & Sascha Leifer. Currently completing their degrees, Alec & Sascha have an enthusiasm for graphic design that surpasses all else. Their base consists of everything from non-profit organizations and theatre to up-and-coming fashion designers. ackwalk vom westen pulls design senses from the old to new and east to west providing the best possible solution for their clients.

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