In the late 1980s screenwriter Paul Rudnick was trying to come up with an idea for a new screenplay. He was intrigued by characters disguising themselves as people who are completely opposite their true selves, such as men in drag in the classic Some Like It Hot and Barbara Stanwyck’s burlesque queen turned good girl in Ball of Fire. He eventually decided that nuns should be the central characters and the idea for Sister Act was born. Rudnik worked on the project in its early stages, eventually leaving the writing to others. Whoopi Goldberg came on board and agreed to star as the lead character Deloris Van Cartier. Sister Act was released in 1992 and went on to be a great success for Goldberg, becoming one of the most financially successful films of the early ‘90s. It is now listed on Bravo’s top 100 funniest films of all time. The sequel, Sister Act 2, Back in the Habit, followed in 1993.

In 2006 the Pasadena Playhouse in California gathered together an impressive creative team to take the hilarious story to the stage and develop it as a musical. Former Disney Studios Chairman Peter Schneider, (who brought The Lion King and Aida to Broadway) was hired as director, eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken came on board to write the music, and Glenn Slater joined the team as lyricist. The book was written by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner, Emmy-winning writers from the hit television show "Cheers." The theatre premiered the stage musical version of the popular film to critical success and it became the largest grossing show in its history at that time. The show then opened in Atlanta for one month in 2007, to continue its trial run before heading to the West End’s London Palladium in May 2009.

When the London production team began working on the show, they asked Whoopi Goldberg to sign on as one of the producers, which she immediately agreed to do. In an interview with the Daily Mirror she explained, “They asked me to be part of it so I said ‘sure.’ I live in New York so they send me updates and videos of rehearsals and I send them my notes or I call them. Some of my notes they take on board and others they don’t. That’s how we keep it moving.” Goldberg had a long list of stage credits to her name by this time. Early in her career she created The Spook Show, a one-woman show composed of different character monologues. She caught the eye of director Mike Nichols who offered to take the show to Broadway. Steven Spielberg saw her performance on stage which led to her breakthrough role playing Celie in his period drama film The Color Purple, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Actress. She went on to great success as the wacky psychic helping the ghost of Patrick Swayze in the film Ghost, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Goldberg was the second black woman in the history of the Academy Awards to win an acting Oscar (the first being Hattie McDaniel for Gone with the Wind in 1939.) Goldberg was also the producer of the Broadway productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie and the revival of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. She is one of the few entertainers who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. In the 1990s, Goldberg was rumored to be the highest paid actress for her appearances in film.

The London production of Sister Act opened after a year-long search for a leading actress. Patina Miller was eventually cast as Deloris, alongside Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior and Ian Lavender as Monsignor. The show ran in the West End until October 2010. During its run Goldberg joined the cast for a limited engagement to play Mother Superior and sent box office sales through the roof.

After the successful run in London, a newly revised adaptation of Sister Act opened on Broadway in April 2011. Jerry Zaks came on board as director and Douglas Carter Beane was engaged to rewrite the book. Patina Miller reprised her role, making her Broadway debut. The original cast featured Victoria Clard as Mother Superior and Fred Applegate as Monsignor. The show was very successful on Broadway and went on to receive 5 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. The show closed on August 26, 2012.

Since its Broadway debut, Sister Act has enjoyed several U.S. National Tours and has been produced in multiple countries throughout the world including Germany, Austria, Italy, Japan, Holland, France, Spain, and Brazil. The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to be the first regional theatre in the U.S. to produce the musical Sister Act. For this production a creative team, that includes Adam Koch who has designed an all new set for Ogunquit and members of the original Broadway team, has gathered together to bring an invigorating show to the historic stage.

RASHIDRA SCOTT (Deloris Van Cartier) has appeared as Deloris van Cartier in both the Broadway (understudy) and tour companies of Sister Act. Currently on Broadway as Janelle in Beautiful - the Carole King Musical (AEA ACCA Award, 2015 Best Musical Theatre Album Grammy). Other Broadway credits include: Avenue Q, Finian’s Rainbow, and Hair. Regional appearances include: Lorrell in Dreamgirls (Marriott Lincolnshire), Hairspray (Paper Mill Playhouse), Little Shop… (STAGES St. Louis - Kevin Kline nomination), and Dionne in Hair (Arizona Theatre Company). She has a BM in Music Business/Management from Berklee College of Music. Walt Disney Entertainment Disney Cruise Lines (Disney Wonder), Tarzan Rocks! (WDW Animal Kingdom), and Nala in Festival of the Lion King (Hong Kong Disneyland opening team). Television appearances include: “Rescue Me” (Sony/FX). Rashidra gives thanks to God, Leading Artists, and family. “All things being even, here’s what I believe in, nothing matters more than love.” For Ira Harris. Facebook: facebook.com/rashidra.scott Twitter: @RashidraScott

JENNIFER ALLEN (Mother Superior) Broadway credits include: starring and co-starring roles in Bridges of Madison County, Sister Act (Mother Superior), Memphis, A Catered Affair, Cats (Grizabella), Little Me, Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide) and City of Angels. Jennifer has been seen in National Tours of Ragtime (Emma Goldman), Jerome Robbins Broadway (Ma and Tessie Tura) and Cabaret (Sally Bowles); and regionally, she has worked at the Williamstown Theater Festival, Goodspeed Opera House and Paper Mill Playhouse. Jennifer makes her home in New York with her loving family; husband Rob and two talented children Cedric and Frances.

AVIONCE (TJ) is a Rock Hill, SC native and a graduate of The American Musical & Dramatic Academy of NY. Avionce is thrilled to be a part of this "FABULOUS" production of Sister Act! Some of his past credits include; (National/European tour) Memphis: the Musical (Gator), Bring it On (Harlem Gospel Singer), The Haves and Have Nots (Wallie u/s), (Regional) Rent (Angel), Songs For A New World (Man 1), and Five Guys Named Moe (Little Moe). Huge thank you to production and creative team for this awesome opportunity!

MERYN BECKETT (Ensemble) feels FABULOUS (baby) to be making her Ogunquit debut! She was last seen under the direction of the magnificent Lisa Shriver, playing the classic role of Mrs. Cratchit in Scrooge No More at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Other credits include: Le Cabaret Grimm (The New York Musical Theatre Festival), Oliver (Fullerton Civic Light Opera), and Brigadoon (The Barnstormers Theatre). She is a proud graduate of The Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Love and endless gratitude to her Mama, Jerry, and the Ogunquit team. Get ready to raise your voice!!!

CHRIS COOKE (Joey/Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Ogunquit! He was last seen here as Nikki/Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q. Chris spent most of last year on the Sister Act Broadway National Tour understudying the role of Joey and is happy to be back in the convent. Other Favorite Credits: Company starring Neil Patrick Harris (Harry u/s), Happy Days (Ralph Malph), Legally Blonde (Emmett), Spamalot (Sir Bedevere). Chris is in the Groundlings improv program where many people from SNL trained. You might spot Chris in a national Coca Cola commercial as a depressed food court guy. Thanks to God and love to his wife and ONE year old daughter. Proud member of AEA. ChrisCookeOnline.com.

MADGE DIETRICH (Ensemble) is feeling #blessed to return to beautiful Ogunquit after appearing in the IRNE award-winning ensemble of Billy Elliot! Other credits include: Elf and The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Babes in Arms (B-Side Productions). Madge is also a concert/cabaret artist and has performed in venues throughout NYC including 54 Below, The Duplex, and Joe’s Pub. Love and thanks to friends, teachers, and family for their endless love and encouragement. Proud member AEA, BM OKCU. For more, visit www.madgedietrich.com or follow her on Twitter @madgeikal “KEEP THE CHANNEL OPEN!”

DIERDRE FRIEL (Mary Patrick) Broadway: Leap of Faith. Film/Television: "The Sopranos," "My Father’s Will," "Pretty Bird" (Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee). New York/Regional: Under My Skin (The Little Schubert); Oliver! (Papermill Playhouse); Golden Age (MTC); Dogfight (Second Stage); Doubt, Tennessee Playboy, Masquerade (Triad Stage Co.); Lighter (NYMF); Over the Tavern (Portland Stage Co.); Cinderella (Arkansas Repertory Theater); Zorba! (BTF); King Lear, Richard III, The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, London). Follow her: @dierdrefriel (Twitter) or check out her website: http://www.dierdrefriel.com

RASHAD GUY (Ensemble) is elated to be making his Ogunquit/Gateway debut in the cast of Sister Act! He is an Orlando native who's previous credits include: Slender in the The Merry Wives of Windsor and Feuilly in Les Mis at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Donkey in Shrek at the Stephen Foster Drama Assn., and Leaf Coneybear in Spelling Bee! He holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Central Florida. He hopes this is the first of many productions with this amazing team!

BLAKE HAMMOND (Monsignor O'Hara) is excited to return to the Convent having appeared in the original Broadway cast of Sister Act. Other Broadway include: Living on Love (Bruce), First Date (Waiter), Elf (Chadwick), Billy Elliot (Braithwaite), Hairspray (Edna), The Lion King (Pumbaa), The Music Man (Quartet), Kiss Me Kate (Gangster US), On the Town (Uperman/MC). Off Broadway: 6, most notably the Drama Desk and Obie winning When Pigs Fly. National Tours: 7 including Fester in the Addams Family and the current tour of Cinderella as Sebastian. His many Film/TV credits include the films Handsome Harry, An Englishman in New York, Mafia, as well as "Frasier," "Ed," and a webseries about four couples in group therapy at "ThenWeGotHelp.com." Blake has received the LA Critics, Carbonell, Chicago After Dark, and the Indy Soap Award. He has previously appeared at Ogunquit Playhouse as Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls.

TINA JOHNSON (Mary Lazarus) is thrilled to be making her debut at Oquinquit Playhouse. Broadway: State Fair, Damn Yankees, She Loves Me, South Pacific, Festival, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Angel).Into the Woods and The Skin of Our Teeth at the Delacorte-Public Theatre. Off-Broadway: Anthem, Christina Alberta's Father (Vineyard), Blue Plate Special (MTC), Just So, Personals, Angry Housewives, Anne of Green Gables. National Tours: 42nd Street (Maggie), Footloose (Lulu), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Mrs.Claus).TV: "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (Mrs. Pokorny) "Pan Am," "Law & Order: SVU," "Murphy Brown," "Empty Nest," "Newhart," "Texas" (Lurlene). Films: Saving Face, Fireflies, Aquarium. Most recent regional: The Savannah Disputation at Penguin Rep. Proud member AEA. Love to Mark and Alice.

APOLLO LEVINE (Curtis Jackson) International: The Monkey King, Beijing China (originated role: The Monkey King) Regional credits include: Ragtime, Dreamgirls (North Carolina Theatre), Sideshow (Onstage Atlanta), Hair (Serenbe Playhouse). Apollo received a Metrolina Theater Award nomination for the role of Adrian in the musical Smokey Joe’s Café. TV: “Let’s Stay Together” (BET). Film Credits include: I Thought You Knew and Bolden.

LEXI LYRIC (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her Ogunquit debut with Sister Act! Lexi’s credits include: A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Rent (Wagon Wheel Theatre), How To Succeed…. (Ensemble U/S Smitty/Krumholtz) and Pal Joey (Terry U/S Vera Simpson) at Porchlight Music Theatre, The Kiss at Chicago Dramatists Theater, Xanadu (Kira) Shrek (Mama Bear/Dragon) Pirates of Penzance (Edith) Avenue Q (Bad Idea Bear) Fox On The Fairway (Murial) Summer Repertory Theater (CA). She is a recent graduate from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with her BFA in Musical Theatre. Love and thanks to the Daniel Hoff Agency, Mom, Dad, Chaz, Nana and her amazing friends for their love and support!

JOE MEALLO (Ensemble) is wicked psyched to make his debut on The Ogunquit Playhouse stage! Joe has performed locally at The Palace Theatre, Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Prescott Park. Some favorites include: Charlie Brown, Chicago, The Spitfire Grille, 42nd Street, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, The Full Monty and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. When not on stage Joe teaches and choreographs Dance and Color Guard at UNH, Simmons College, SRT, PDP and SODA. Thanks to Brian and the Ogunquit Staff for this dream and to all of my friends and family for the love. Big thanks to Ma, Merl and IO, for helping me get to NYC.

JULIA MOSBY (Ensemble) returns to Ogunquit Playhouse after appearing as Brenda Parsley in the northeast American premiere of The Witches of Eastwick. Most recently, Julia starred as Betty Haynes in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. At the Mac-Haydn Theatre, she appeared in Sondheim’s Putting It Together and The Music Man as Marian Paroo. Other credits include: The Sound of Music with Music Circus at California Musical Theatre, Liz Wallace in the world premiere of Small Box with Magic Carpet Opera and multiple solo appearances with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Lafyette Symphony Orchestra and Sacramento Valley Choral Society.

AMY PERSONS (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at the convent after playing Martin-of-Tours on the 1st National tour of Sister Act, directed by Jerry Zaks. Other favorite touring credits include: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Michael Bolton, and Grease with Frankie Avalon. Regional: Urinetown (Penny), and Medea (The Nurse). Concerts at Joe's Pub, 54 Below and The Beechman. BA in Theatre Performance: Western Michigan University. Thanks to Anthony C. Daniel, the creatives, and Zane and Dave at Daniel Hoff. Proud AEA member. www.amypersons.com

HEATHER JANE ROLFF (Mary Martin-of-Tours) is thrilled to be back at Ogunquit Playhouse after playing Greta in last season's The Witches of Eastwick. Broadway: Original Cast of Shrek the Musical. National Tour: Original Cast of the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables. Off Broadway: Silence! The Musical, Wanda's World, Sophie, Totie & Belle. Favorite Regional: Shrek (The Muny), Oklahoma (Sacramento Music Circus), Grease (Paper Mill Playhouse), Footloose and I Love You, You're Perfect... (Actor's Playhouse - Carbonell Nominations), Legally Blonde (Stages St. Louis). Her voice can be heard on the animated series' "Peppa Pig" and "Gordon The Garden Gnome." Much LOVE and thanks to her family!! HeatherJaneRolff.com

MICHELLE ROMBOLA (Tina/Female Ensemble) is thrilled to be getting back in the habit after touring with the First National Tour of Sister Act for over a year! Favorite past credits include: Legally Blonde (Kate/Chutney) and The Little Mermaid (Andrina) at The Muny. Proud Buffalo native and CCM alum. Many thanks to Ogunquit/ Gateway and our creative team for giving me the opportunity once again to Spread the Love! All my love and thanks to my incredible husband, Patrick, and my amazing family for all their support. For Nonna. Proud member of AEA.

CELESTE ROSE (Sister Mary Robert) is so excited to be making her Ogunquit debut in this ridiculously fun show! Favorite recent credits include: Ali in Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s premiere production of The Bad Years, Kate Mullins in Titanic at Westchester Broadway Theatre, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at HSRT, and Clara in The Light In The Piazza. BFA Ithaca College! Love and endless thanks to Mom, Dad, Gabi, and the fabulous ladies at Judy Boals, Inc. For more info check out www.CelesteRose.com.

NATALIE STORRS (Michelle/Ensemble) is singin’ “Glory, Hallelujah!” to be back in the habit after recently completing the First National Tour of Sister Act! Originally from Los Angeles, Natalie studied acting at both USC and BADA (London). Favorite credits include: Rosemary in How To Succeed… (Welk San Diego, Craig Noël Award Nomination); Vivienne in Legally Blonde, Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Cabrillo Music Theatre); Betty Jean in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Utah Shakespeare Festival, Moonlight Amphitheatre); Georgie in The Full Monty, Penny in Hairspray (Sierra Rep). PRAISE BE to Todd Eskin/ATB Talent, the fabulous creative team (especially B-A, Erin and Steve!), and Mom, Dad, Jess & Jeff for undying support and love. www.nataliestorrs.com, @natstorrs

TYLER SIMAHK (Pablo/Ensemble) is so excited to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut. Tyler just graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College. Some favorite roles there include: Franklin Shephard in Merrily We Roll Along, as well as Carnival Boy in Carousel. Tyler has also recently worked at Reagal Players as well as the Peterborough Players. Thank you to the cast and crew and as always my family for their love and support.

ZURI WASHINGTON (Deloris Understudy/Ensemble) is a NYC native and is beyond thrilled to make her big-time regional debut with such an amazing production! She just finished starring in the National Tour of Memphis, the Musical as Felicia. Other credits include: Bring It On: The Muscal (Danielle), The Me Nobody Knows, and M33 (Sugar Hips Johnson). She would like to thank her family, Matthew, and Nate for being branches when she was surrounded by quicksand. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: zgirl522

BRIDGET ELISE YINGLING (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of this incredible company. Favorite credits include: 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Les Miserables (Eponine), The Addams Family (Wednesday) and Carnegie Hall. In August, you can find Bridget Elise playing Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Huge thanks to Brad, Steve, Erin and the rest of her Ogunquit family for an amazing opportunity! MDDJ – All my love! bridgeteliseyingling.com

DASHAUN YOUNG (Eddie) is so excited to get the opportunity to revisit the role of Sweaty Eddie again after touring the country as Assistant Dance Captain, Ensemble and understudy TJ, Curtis, and Sweaty Eddie in the North American Tour of Sister Act. Other credits include: Motown (Broadway), Simba in The Lion King (Broadway, West End, Tour), Hairspray (1st National Tour) Hunchback of Notre Dame (Papermill Playhouse), Legends (NYC Premiere), Hairspray (North Shore), Hello Dolly (Stages St Louis), Aida (Ogunquit Playhouse), Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Film: Sex and The City 2. Thanks to Steve, Erin, and BA. Hi Mom and Jake. :-) Enjoy the show!

ALAN MENKEN (Composer) Theater: God Bless You Mr Rosewater, Little Shop Of Horrors, Real Life Funnies, Atina: Evil Queen Of The Galaxy, Kicks, The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz, Beauty And The Beast, A Christmas Carol, Weird Romance, King David, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act, Leap Of Faith, Aladdin and Newsies. Film: Little Shop Of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, Newsies, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Hercules, Life With Mikey, Lincoln, Home On The Range, Noel, Enchanted, Shaggy Dog, Tangled andMirror Mirror. Songs: Rocky V, Home Alone 2 and Captain America. Awards: 8 Oscars (19 nominations), 11 Grammys (including Song of the Year), 7 Golden Globes, Tony® (plus 4 nominations), Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics, Olivier and London's Evening Standard Award, Drama League. Honors: Songwriter's Hall of Fame, Doctorates from New York University and University of North Carolina School of

the Arts.

GLENN SLATER (Lyrics) Broadway: Disney's The Little Mermaid (2008 Tony Award Nomination - Best Score, Grammy Nomination - Best Cast Album). West End: Sister Act the Musical (2009), Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies (2010, Olivier Nomination - Best Musical). Regional: Leap of Faith (Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, 2010). Off-Broadway: Newyorkers (Manhattan Theatre Club, 2001, Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations). Film: Disney's Home On The Range (2004), Disney's Tangled (2010, Oscar and Golden Globe Nominations - Best Song). Awards: The Kleban Award for Lyrics; the ASCAP/Richard Rogers New Horizons Award; the Jonathan Larson Award. Upcoming: Houdini, with composer Danny Elfman, The Hudsucker Proxy, with composer Stephen Weiner, and Beatsville, with composer/lyricist/wife Wendy Leigh Wilf. Glenn lives in New York City and has two sons, Benjamin and Daniel.

CHERI & BILL STEINKELLNER (Book) Eight Emmys, four Golden Globes, two BAFTA’s, People’s Choice, Parent’s Choice, Writers’ Guild, TV-Land Legend and Annie Awards for writing/producing “Cheers” and creating Disney’s acclaimed animated series/feature film. “Teacher’s Pet.” They enjoy the distinction of writing one of TV Guide’s top three “Funniest Television Episodes of All Time” for “Cheers.” Other TV: “The Jeffersons.” “Who’s the Boss?.” “The Facts of Life.” “Family Ties.” Broadway: Bill co-wrote The Pee-wee Herman Show. Off-Broadway: Cheri co-wrote Mosaic (Primary Stages). West End: book for Sister Act (Oliver nomination. Best New Musical) World premieres: Sister Act (Pasadena Playhouse, Alliance Theatre), Princess (Goodspeed, 5th Avenue Theatre), and Cheri’s Hello! My Baby (Goodspeed Festival of New Artists. Rubicon Theatre). Alumni of Second City and the Groundlings, they co-created Instaplay, L.A’s fist and longest-running improvised musical comedy. Bill is the best-selling author of Postcards From the Moon and a popular blog, Greetings from bill. Bill and Cheri love kit. Teddy and Emma.

STEVEN BECKLER (Director) Staged the national tours of Guys and Dolls, ’night, Mother, Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Smokey Joe’s Café, Sister Act (both national tours), Lend Me A Tenor and Six Degrees of Separation. He also directed productions of Guys & Dolls at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, at the old Desert Inn Hotel in Las Vegas and here at Ogunquit Playhouse, starring Richard Kind, Liz Larsen, Christian Hoff and Glory Crampton. The current US tour of Sister Act is about to leave for Japan and China. Internationally he supervised Smokey Joe’s Café in Australia, staged the UK tour of Sister Act and the current version in Sao Paulo, Brazil. On Broadway, Steven has been the original production stage manager for over 35 plays and musicals including: Wicked, Hairspray, Footloose, Moon Over Buffalo, The Dresser, The House of Blue Leaves and of course, Sister Act. On tour: On Your Toes with Leslie Caron, Hello Dolly with Pearl Bailey and Timbuktu with Eartha Kitt.

ERIN HENRY (Choreographer) was recently seen performing in the First National Tour of Sister Act (dance captain). Previous credits include: Grease (Patty Simcox/dance captain, 1st nat'l tour starring Taylor Hicks) and the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ethel Peas). Some favorite regional credits include: Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Cape Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Gateway Playhouse and North Carolina Theatre. Erin has worked as a dancer in Tokyo Disney and originated the role of Cinderella on Disney Cruise Lines production of Twice Charmed the Musical, where she can also be heard on the original cast recording. She has taught master classes in dance across the country through Broadway Connection and various local organizations. Erin is the assistant choreographer for the current national tour of Sister Act.

BRENT-ALAN HUFFMAN (Conductor/Music Director) B-A was Music Director for Sister Act on Broadway and on the First National Tour, as well as for the World Premier in Pasadena and Atlanta, and is Associate Music Supervisor for the Brazilian production in São Paulo. Also on Broadway, B-A conducted Leap Of Faith, and was Assistant Conductor for Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, and conducted the national tours of Little Shop Of Horrors and Beauty and the Beast. For television, B-A served as Production Music Coordinator on ABC’s The Music Man starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth, and as Associate Music Producer on NBC/Hallmark’s A Christmas Carol starring Kelsey Grammer, and his singing voice is heard on the Disney motion pictures Enchanted and Tangled. Most recently, B-A was music director and conductor for the US Premier of Hunchback of Notre Dame, scored by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

ADAM KOCH (Scenic Design) Ogunquit debut. 100+ productions nationwide, credits include: Regional: Million Dollar Quartet (now in its 7th year, Apollo Theater); Hello, Dolly! (Ford’s Theater); Miss Saigon, Dreamgirls, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, See What I Wanna See (Signature Theatre); Big Fish, A Little Night Music, Tarzan, Bye Bye Birdie, Sweet Charity, Call Me Madam, Big River, Triangle (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma); Hairspray, Godspell (Syracuse Stage); Bat Boy (1st Stage, 2015 Helen Hayes nomination); A Christmas Carol, Five Course Love, Sweeney Todd (Geva Theatre Center); Master Harold and the Boys, Greater Tuna; (Portland Stage); Always…Patsy Cline (Bristol Riverside); Play It By Heart, The 39 Steps, A Tuna Christmas (Human Race Theatre Company). Off-Broadway: Rooms: A Rock Romance, Loaded, We the People, Pinkalicious, Freckleface Strawberry. Education: Carnegie Mellon University. Thank You OPH for your love and support.

DUSTIN CROSS (Costume Design) is pleased to be returning to Ogunquit for his third season. Previous shows on this stage include: West Side Story (Broadway World nomination), Joseph (Broadway World Award), Grease, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, and The Witches of Eastwick. Dustin is a New York based designer who has been creating costumes for the last 10 years. Broadway: The 24 Hour Plays; Off Broadway: The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Nights Dream (both at 47th Street Theater), Cougar The Musical (St. Luke's), The Other Josh Cohen (SoHo Playhouse) Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking (Davenport Theater) Regional (select): In the Blood (Baruch) and The Christmas Rose (Carnegie Hall), The 24 Hour Musicals (Irving Plaza), The Countess of Storyville (Signature Theater). Many thanks to Brad and the entire team at Ogunquit Playhouse, the audiences who truly love theater in this town and my parents for always supporting me in all I do. www.dustincross.net Enjoy!

RICHARD LATTA (Lighting Designer) created the lighting for last season's The Addams Family, Mary Poppins (Ogunquit and Music Hall Portsmouth), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Music Hall Portsmouth) and Grease. Recent work includes: El Posada Nunca Se Termina (Projections, Chicago Lyric Opera), Twas the Night before Christmas, The 39 Steps, Hasbro Toy Fair 2015 and Newark Arts Ballet 2015. Previous work includes: Cabaret (Engeman Theatre, Maltz Jupiter, Ogunquit) Projection research for the opera Moby Dick (Houston, SF, Sydney, Kennedy Center), Thurgood, The People In The Picture (Broadway), Fiddler on the Roof (Engeman, Ogunquit) Legally Blonde (Ogunquit). He proudly salutes all his Ogunquit friends who helped make the Playhouse what it is today.

JEREMY OLEKSA (Sound Design) is very excited to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse for his seventh season. His most recent venture was the National Tour of Peter and the Starcatcher. Jeremy would like to thank his friends and family for their support, including his wife Becky Oleksa.

ANTHONY C. DANIEL (Casting Director) is thrilled to be serving as Casting Director for the Ogunquit Playhouse’s 83rd season after having worked on last year's Grease, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, Witches of Eastwick, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and Addams Family. He has also served as Associate Director to Shaun Kerrison on both of Ogunquit Playhouse’s productions of Mary Poppins and Witches of Eastwick. Anthony is on staff at the Growing Studio in NYC as a Director and Coach for the Showcase Series. As a performer, Anthony has been seen in several tours including: Mary Poppins (1st National), High School Musical (Original Cast Member - 1st National), Fiddler on the Roof (40th Anniversary), Grease (Int’l).

BRITT E. GRIFFITH (Wig and Makeup Design) is thrilled to return to the Ogunquit family for a second season. She has been working professionally in theater/film for the last 13 years, and spent the past winter working for The Cincinnati Arts Association at the Aaronoff Center. Britt has been on the International Tour of The Addams Family, and the national tours of 39 Steps, Cabaret, and Oz: The Musical. Favorite regional design credits include: Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, The Witches of Eastwick, Beauty and the Beast, and The Drowsy Chaperone. She would like to thank her nearest and dearest for always supporting her, with a special thanks to Mommy Dearest for being her

biggest fan.

TIMOTHEY SULLIVAN (Production Manager) 2015 marks Tim’s second season with the Playhouse. Prior to joining the OPH team, he worked for several years as a producer for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS; producing Broadway staples such as Broadway Backwards and Broadway Bares. Previous to his time at BC/EFA, Tim was the Production Director for the Tony Award winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle. He has also served as Production Manager for the Brown University/ Trinity Rep MFA Program as well as the Drama Desk award winning Mint Theater. He has worked on production teams for several Broadway shows & national tours, as well as the American Repertory Theatre, Trinity Rep, The Public, Lucille Lortel and New World Stages. He is also the Associate Director & Production Stage Manager for Charles Busch’s annual off-Broadway production of Times Square Angel. As an Educator, Tim has taught at Bridgewater State University, Brown University and Harvard University’s Institute for Advanced Theatre Training; as well as teaching courses and seminars at various high schools and colleges throughout the United States.

BRIAN J. SWASEY (Associate Producer) Brian is originally from South Portland, Maine and is a graduate of The University of New Hampshire. After moving to NYC in 1995 and focusing on pursuing a career as an actor, he changed focus and became the Founding Artistic Director of The Astoria Performing Arts Center, followed by the Associate Producer position at Queens Theatre in the Park in Flushing, NY. There he was involved in producing the 20th Anniversary Revival of Closer Than Ever starring Sally Mayes and Lynne Winterstellar. NYC developmental projects have included: the rock musical The 12, being produced at The Denver Center in the Spring of 2015, and a new holiday musical entitled Tim and Scrooge which is slated to play Westchester Broadway Theatre for Christmas of 2015. Also, a Director/Choreographer, Brian has had the pleasure of directing such shows as Pump Boys and Dinettes, Hairspray, Chicago, A New Brain, and Altar Boyz. He was the Assistant Director for the NYC Revival of Die, Mommie, Die! starring Charles Busch. At The Playhouse, Brian directed the TYA productions of The Berenstain Bears, and The Cat In The Hat. In addition, Brian has been involved with booking cabaret entertainment at The Triad in NYC, as well as bringing such artists as Christina Bianco and Bruce Vilanch to Maine Street in Ogunquit, ME.

GEOF DOLAN (Technical Director) is returning for his 9th season as the Playhouse's Technical Director and Scenic Coordinator. Immediately prior to Ogunquit he served as Technical Director for Worcester Foothills Theatre. He has done supplemental design work for several shows and received 2014 Broadwayworld.com’s Best Scenic Design in Maine for his work on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Robert Kovach original design.) He is also the technical supervisor for the Children's Theatre program. Geof began his technical career working backstage for both of his parents who are theatre directors and began his professional career at Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. For 5 years he split his seasons between Maine and Florida, working the same technical areas for the Orlando Shakespeare, but now stays with the theater year round. His wife, Cheryl (Scenic Charge Artist at the Playhouse for 8 seasons), has designed award winning parade floats and designs many of the Children’s Theater Shows. His "born-in-a trunk" 14 yr. old daughter Ashlynn is an aspiring actress, musician and artist who can definitely call the Playhouse her second home.

KAREN PARLATO (Production Stage Manager) Karen's qualifications include six years of Catholic school and having been PSM for 19 professional stock productions. She is feeling especially "blessed" to be starting her first summer season at Ogunquit, after serving as PSM of Ogunquit's Mary Poppins at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH last winter. Off-Broadway: LIFT (59E59), Revolution in the Elbow of Ragnar Agnarsson Furniture Painter, Silence! The Musical, Triassic Parq, Frankenstein, The Fantasticks. Stock highlights include: Carousel with Shirley Jones, Into the Woods and Hello, Dolly! with Rachel York, Annie with Sally Struthers, No, No, Nanette! with Donna McKechnie, Hairspray, Crazy for You, The Sound of Music. She was the PSM of The Acting Company tour for 3 years, and has been a sub stage manager at The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway for the past 11 years. Twitter: @HeadsetChatter, headsetchatter.com

DANIEL EVERETT (Assistant Stage Manager) saw his first production at the Ogunquit Playhouse at the age of eleven. Ogunquit Playhouse: The Addams Family, Mary Poppins, Grease, Young Frankenstein, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Off-Broadway: The Exonerated, Golda’s Balcony, Savage Acts. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, West Virginia Public Theatre. Special thanks to his family for all their support.

NANCY BLAIR WOLFE (Associate Music Director) is pleased to make her Ogunquit Playhouse debut with Sister Act, a show she has previously worked on with the Broadway company as well as the first and second national tours. Aside from Sister Act, Nancy has played over 25 Broadway productions, including Damn Yankees, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grey Gardens, and others. Touring productions include: Show Boat and Beauty and the Beast in the U.S. and West Side Story in Europe. Regionally she has worked at Dallas Summer Musicals, Bucks County Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, and The Old Globe Theatre.

ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theatres from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists, and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.

BRADFORD T. KENNEY (Executive Artistic Director) is a New England based artistic director, producer, stage and film director and artist. Since joining the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2005, the Playhouse has doubled its audience growing from a single season summer stock theatre into one of the Northeast’s pre-eminent regional theatres with a three season performance schedule. During his stewardship, the Playhouse has garnered a number of awards and honors including the Moss Hart Award, Regional Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre from the New England Theatre Conference, multiple IRNE award nominations and a number of BroadwayWorld awards including Best Musical and others. Mr. Kenney is also noted for his work at Carnegie Hall including directing the holiday special The Christmas Rose starring Jane Seymour and producing An American Christmas Carol with Tim Janis also at Carnegie Hall. In New England, Mr. Kenney has been proud to be associated with a number of different theatre companies. Ogunquit highlights include Damn Yankees starring Carson Kressley, Sunset Blvd starring Stefanie Powers, Charles Shaughnessy and Rachel York in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Jefferson Mays in My Fair Lady, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly! and Andrea McArdle in Cabaret. He was also formerly the Artistic Director of the Foothills Theatre and Wachusett Theatre Companies in Massachusetts. He is a fourth generation plein air landscape artist, having studied with Beth Ellis, Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art, and Maine College of Art. His artwork is represented by the Sea Bell Gallery, Shore Road, Ogunquit, Maine.

Sister Act, the Jubilant Broadway Musical Comedy Kicks Off the Ogunquit Playhouse Season!

For Immediate Release:

May 7, 2015

Rejoice! The Ogunquit Playhouse kicks off its 83rd season with the glorious Broadway musical comedy Sister Act, on stage May 20 to June 20. This hilarious and joyful musical, based on the hit Whoopi Goldberg film with book by Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning duo Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, follows Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look - a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. This sparkling musical comedy was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and features original music by Tony Award and 8-time Oscar Award winner Alan Menken, with lyrics by Broadway’s Glen Slater. The New York Post called Sister Act “ridiculously fun,” and audiences around the world have jumped to their feet in total agreement.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to welcome Broadway’s Rashidra Scott in the role of Deloris Van Cartier. She performed as Deloris in the original Broadway production as well as the National Tours of Sister Act. She is on leave from her current role on Broadway as Janelle in Beautiful-the Carole King Musical to star in the Ogunquit Production. Ms. Scott has also appeared on Broadway in Avenue Q, Finian’s Rainbow and Hair. She has performed in many regional theatres across the U.S. in shows including Dreamgirls, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors, for which she received a Kevin Kline nomination.

Reprising her Broadway role as Mother Superior is Jennifer Allen. She has appeared in many Broadway productions including Bridges of Madison County, Memphis, Cats, Guys and Dolls and City of Angels, as well as in the National Tours of Ragtime, Jerome Robbins Broadway and Cabaret as Sally Bowles. Her regional theatre credits include Williamstown Theater Festival, Goodspeed Opera House and Paper Mill Playhouse.

Blake Hammond joins the cast to reprise his role as Monsignor, which he performed as part of the original Broadway cast of Sister Act. He was last seen at the Ogunquit Playhouse as Nicely-Nicely in the critically acclaimed production of Guys and Dolls. Mr. Hammond’s many Broadway credits include Living on Love, First Date, Elf, Billy Elliot, Hairspray and On the Town. He has also performed in multiple Off-Broadway shows, most notably the Drama Desk and Obie winning When Pigs Fly, as well as many National Tours including The Addams Family as Fester and in the current tour of Cinderella as Sebastian. His film and television credits include Handsome Harry, An Englishman in New York and Mafia, as well as Frasier and Ed. Mr. Hammond has received the LA Critics, Carbonell, Chicago After Dark and the Indy Soap Award.

Helming the Ogunquit Playhouse production is Steven Beckler who has staged both US tours of Sister Act, as well as productions in the UK and Brazil. Mr. Beckler and staged the National Tours of Guys and Dolls, ’night, Mother, Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Smokey Joe’s Café, Lend Me A Tenor and Six Degrees of Separation. He was last at Ogunquit Playhouse in 2008 when he directed Guys and Dolls, starring Richard Kind, Liz Larsen, Christian Hoff and Glory Crampton. He has also directed productions in many regional theatres including the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle and at the old Desert Inn Hotel in Las Vegas. On Broadway, he has been the original production stage manager for over 35 plays and musicals including; Wicked, Hairspray, Footloose, Moon Over Buffalo, The Dresser, The House of Blue Leaves and of course, Sister Act, as well as the National Tours of On Your Toes with Leslie Caron, Hello Dolly with Pearl Bailey and Timbuktu with Eartha Kitt.

Erin Henry is the Assistant Choreographer for the current National Tour and joins the creative team as the Choreographer for the Ogunquit production of Sister Act. Her other dance credits include the National Tours of Grease and Thoroughly Modern Millie as well as at regional theatre throughout the U.S. including Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Cape Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Gateway Playhouse and North Carolina Theatre.

Brent-Alan Huffman joins the company as Conductor/Music Director. He is no stranger to the show, having worked as the Music Director for Sister Act on Broadway and on the First National Tour, as well as for the World Premiere in Pasadena and Atlanta, and is Associate Music Supervisor for the Brazilian production in São Paulo. His Broadway credits include conductor for Leap Of Faith, Assistant Conductor for Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, and conductor for the National Tours of Little Shop Of Horrors and Beauty and the Beast. For television he served as Production Music Coordinator on ABC’s The Music Man starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth, and as Associate Music Producer on NBC/Hallmark’s A Christmas Carol starring Kelsey Grammer. Most recently, Mr. Huffman was Music Director and Conductor for the US Premiere of Hunchback of Notre Dame, scored by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

An all new set has been designed for the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Sister Act by Adam Koch. Mr. Koch has designed sets for over one hundred productions nationwide including Million Dollar Quartet (now in its 7th year) at the Apollo Theater in Chicago, Hello, Dolly! at Fordís Theater, Miss Saigon, Dreamgirls, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, See What I Wanna See for the Signature Theatre, and Bat Boy for 1st Stage, which he received a 2015 Helen Hayes nomination. Off-Broadway his credits include Rooms: A Rock Romance, Loaded, We the People, Pinkalicious and Freckleface Strawberry.

Dustin Cross returns to Ogunquit for his third season as Costume Designer for Sister Act. He has worked on many shows at the Ogunquit Playhouse including West Side Story (Broadway World nomination), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for which he won the Broadway World Award for Best Costume Design, Grease, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, and The Witches of Eastwick. Mr. Cross is a New York based designer who has been creating costumes for the last 10 years. On Broadway he created the costumes for The 24 Hour Plays and Off Broadway for The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Nights Dream and Forbidden Broadway.

The Ogunquit Playhouse will produce 5 more Broadway musicals in 2015. On stage from June 24 to July 18 is the 20th anniversary production of Victor/Victoria, the musical comedy based on the hit Blake Edwards film about a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. The delightful Nice Work If You Can Get It hits the stage July 22 to August 15 with Ogunquit’s favorite comic actress Sally Struthers as the town temperance enforcer set against a gang of bootleggers. The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet is on stage August 19 to September 19.Saturday Night Fever, with a newly revised book and musical arrangements, comes to life on stage from September 23 to October 25. The Irving Berlin classic White Christmas will be presented just in time for the holidays, December 9 to 20 at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH.

Mark your calendars now and get ready to see every show this year. Tickets are on sale now. Prices start at $44 per show. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse member, or to purchase tickets and gift certificates, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511.

PHOTO CAPTION: Sister Act is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse, May 20 to June 20 and starring Broadway’s Rashidra Scott reprising her role as Deloris Van Cartier! The New York Post calls it, “ridiculously fun,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement. Featuring original music by eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), Sister Act is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act and a reason to rejoice!

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

- from MTI