May 22-26
July 27-31, 2016
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Songs include “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Heaven On Their Minds,” “Gethsemane,” “Everything’s Alright,” “Superstar.”
THADDEUS PEARSON (Jesus) is ecstatic to play a dream role in Jesus Christ Superstar, and was thrilled to make his Music Theatre Wichita debut earlier this season with Beauty and the Beast. Originally from Clearwater, FL, Thaddeus got his AS from Florida School of the Arts and his BFA in Musical Theatre. Performance from the University of Florida. Go Gators! Favorite roles include Tony in West Side Story (West End/International Tour), Joseph Cover in Joseph… Dreamcoat (National Tour), and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid (Regional). Thaddeus wants to thank Wayne Bryan and the production staff at MTWichita for this amazing opportunity, the incredible cast and creative members of these shows, his supportive family, his gorgeous love Ashley for challenging him to be the best version of himself every day, his teachers, his friends, and most importantly, You, for supporting Professional Regional Theatre!!! @phaddeust
AVERY SMITH (Judas) is thrilled to be returning to Music Theatre Wichita! He is a Chicago native and is honored to be performing alongside the many talented artists of the 2016 MTWichita company. Credits: PCLO: Damn Yankees (Rocky); Music Theatre Wichita: Aida (Mereb), Disney’s My Son Pinocchio (Ringleader); New London Barn Playhouse: Damn Yankees (Applegate), Kiss Me, Kate (Paul); Carnegie Mellon: The Full Monty (Horse), Lord of the Flies (Piggy), Hello Again (Husband); The Boston Conservatory: The Full Monty (Horse). Additionally, he has performed to honor CMU alumnus and Tony Award winner Billy Porter. Last May Smith honored presidential candidate Hillary Clinton singing our country’s National Anthem in Pittsburgh. Avery is featured on American R&B vocal group The Dells’ re-release of their hit “Open Up My Heart” on their album Open Up My Heart: The 9/11 Suite. For Avery it is always a privilege and a blessing to be able to perform. Thank you so much to Wayne, Nancy, and all of the administrative and artistic staff here at Wichita. Mom, Dad, Austin, Amber, Amaris…YOU ROCK! Ps. 71. BFA: Carnegie Mellon University.
ERIN CLEMONS (Mary Magdalene) is thrilled to be back in Wichita! MTWichita credits include: Miss Saigon (Gigi), Big River (Betsy). Broadway: Les Misérables (Eponine), National and Int’l Tours: Prince of Broadway (u/s all women), Les Misérables (u/s Eponine). Other favorite credits include: Spelling Bee (Marcy Park), Pippin (Leading Player), Steel Pier (Bette Becker), Sweet Smell of Success (Rita O’Rourke), Zombie Prom (Ginger). Erin is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma. Much love and gratitude to Wayne, Joe, Nancy, and Josh for allowing her the opportunity to play this role. Love to God, Collin, Dad, Mom, Harpo, and family! For Isabel!
TONY LEPAGE (Pilate) is originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, but moved to NYC five years ago as a member of the Broadway cast of Rock of Ages. He has performed all over the world in places like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Bermuda, Central America, the United States, and Canada. Selected credits include: Drew in Rock of Ages (Broadway), Jamie in The Last Five Years (Theatre New Brunswick), Jeff in Tonya and Nancy: The Rock Opera (NYMF), John Kelly in The Boys in the Photograph (Toronto), Peter Allen u/s in The Boy From Oz (Australia), Simeon in Joseph…Dreamcoat (Australia/Asia Tour), Frank’N’Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (TNB), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (TYT), Seussical (LKT), The Decameron, The Bricklin, Canadian Explosion… TV/Film: “South Pacific” (Disney), “The Soldier’s Sweetheart” (Paramount), “The Way” (CBS pilot), “Black Dawn” (CBC), “It Could Be Worse” (PIVOT). He can currently be seen touring the U.S with the world renowned vocal group “The Tenors of Rock.” Tony is so grateful to be a part of this exciting production and would like to thank his incredibly supportive family and his beautiful, inspiring wife Natalie.
AARON KABURICK (Herod) – Music Theatre Wichita debut! Aaron is currently appearing on Broadway as Robin in Something Rotten! (Original Broadway Cast member). Previous Broadway credits include Motown, Sister Act, and Billy Elliot (Original Broadway Cast). He toured the country in Billy Elliot, The Full Monty, and Annie (including a stint at Madison Square Garden with Kathie Lee Gifford). Off Broadway he was seen in The Talk of the Town and Shlomo. Regionally he has been seen at the St. Louis MUNY, New Harmony Theatre and North Carolina Theatre. College: Boston University (Economics). Hometown: Carlinville, IL. Thanks to Wayne and thanks to YOU for supporting and enjoying live theater!
JOE LOCARRO (Director) is delighted to return to MTWichita, where he first appeared as Jesus in the 1990 MTW production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Joe has also directed two MTW productions of Les Misérables and a production of Ragtime. Joe’s directing credits include productions for stage, film, and television. His documentary film, Finding Billy, was nominated for two NY Emmy Awards, Best Director and Best Documentary, and appeared nationally on PBS. His other PBS television directing credits include: the series “Vine Talk” starring Stanley Tucci, two seasons of “Intelligence Squared Debates;” PBS specials “Remember Me” (with Parsons Dance and East Village Opera Company), “A Tale of Two Cities in Concert” (starring Michael York – filmed in London and Paris) and three specials with Deepak Chopra, among others. Joe’s stage directing credits include multiple productions of Les Misérables and Ragtime regionally; University of Michigan: Les Misérables and Cabaret; CCM: Peter Pan; University of Oklahoma: Ragtime plus numerous readings and new works in NYC. His film and TV directing credits include TV pilots: “Defending Your Trash,” “Patent Warriors,” “Time Zone,” and “I’m Just Warming Up.” Additionally, Joe is guest director for “Jazz at Lincoln Center” live broadcasts and his company, Suspension Productions, has created videos and commercials for over 30 dance companies and corporations around the world. Joe has been in six Broadway shows including: original company of Ragtime, Enjolras in Les Misérables, and Munkustrap in Cats, as well as numerous national tours and regional productions. A special thanks to Wayne and the wonderful staff and crew here at MTW. It doesn’t get better than this!
DARREN LEE (Choreographer) is thrilled to return to MTWichita, having previously directed/choreographed Miss Saigon and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Other creative credits include: Broadway: Pacific Overtures (Associate Choreographer); New York and Regional: NYMF, NY Fringe Festival, Dixon Place, Prospect Theatre, Asia Society, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, St. Louis MUNY, Paper Mill Playhouse, Glimmerglass Opera Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, Williamstown Shakespeare Festival, Kennedy Center, Diamond Head Theatre, Riverside Theatre, UNLV, Westchester Broadway Theatre, North Shore, Cincinnati Playhouse, Atlanta Alliance, Trinity University, Lyric Theatre, La Comedia, Casa Manana, Omaha Symphony, Ogunquit Playhouse, Little Theatre on the Square. International: Turandot (Tokyo); Copacabana, Fancy Dance, The Love at Dalu Lake (Takarazuka Revue Company); The 10,000 Person Show (Tokyo Electric); and Bryant Park. Mr. Lee has several productions that are currently playing on international waters. They include: Disney’s Wishes (Disney Cruise Line), Tableau, Playback, EverAfter, Soundstage and All For Love on the Holland America Cruise Line. Performance credits include: Feature Film: Chicago, Sisters, Hackers. Broadway: Chicago, Guys and Dolls and the original companies of Allegiance, Shogun the Musical, Miss Saigon, Victor/Victoria, Kiss Me Kate, On the Town, Seussical the Musical, Pacific Overtures, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Much thanks to Wayne, Nancy for this opportunity and to my associate choreographer Marjorie! www.darrenlee.com
THOMAS W. DOUGLAS (Musical Director / Conductor) is back for his 17th season in Wichita! He has performed more than 200 opera, oratorio, orchestral, and musical theater productions nationally and internationally. Highlights include conducting Webber’s Phantom of the Opera in Basel, Switzerland, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with the Anchorage Opera, and directing Ain’t Misbehavin’ in Malaysia. Thomas is currently the Music Director for the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Artistic Director of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, which is regularly receiving accolades for innovative, creative, and dramatically provocative productions. His MTWichita history includes ShowBoat with Kelli O’Hara, Ragtime, Smokey Joe’s Café, 9 to 5, Ragtime with Darcie Roberts, Hairspray, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, and Les Misérables, among many others. Thomas is the founder and Artistic Director of the Neighborhood Opera Company, which recently produced Mozart’s Don Giovanni with an African American cast. With the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, he has conducted jazz legend Nathan Davis’ opera Just Above My Head, Carmen Jones, and Porgy and Bess. Thomas has been the recipient of the Mary Jane Teall Award and the Robert Frankle awards for his contribution to theatre in Wichita, KS and Pittsburgh, PA. Thomas has enjoyed the stage roles of Amonasro in Elton John’s Aida, Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Serving as the Director of Opera Studies in the School of Music in addition to his position as Director of Choral Activities and Professor in the School of Drama, 2015-16 was Thomas’ 25th year on the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University.
225 W. Douglas, Ste. 202
Wichita, KS 67202
316.265.3107
office@mtwichita.org