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Meet our
Cast & Crew
Emmanuel Ampeh (Drums, Percussion) is so happy to participate in his first SP production as a member of the pit! He previously helped in PFHS’s The Little Mermaid and The Music Man productions. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and his pit colleagues for doing such amazing work!
Hadley Anderson (Snowy, Froglet, Blizzard Dancer) is performing with SP for the first time. But she has played Milky White (Into the Woods, Jr) and Michael Banks (Mary Poppins, Jr). She loves acting and singing and her time with SP has been awesome. She hopes you enjoy the show and have a great time. HONK!
Mylo Avalan-Neptune (Assistant Stage Manager) is doing his 9th show for SP. He’s been in a variety of backstage and spotlight roles for Beauty and the Beast, Godspell, and most recently A Raisin in the Sun. His proudest work was being the stage manager for Ragtime, having his name end up in DC Theater Arts Magazine. Mylo is excited to be with this fabulous team, and can’t wait for the future ahead.
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Allison Ball (Costume Designer) has touched just about every piece of the stage with SP as set crew, hair & makeup team, sound board operator, assistant director, and performer. She is thrilled to waddle on as costume designer for Honk! She would like to thank the entire costume team, Hannah Ratcliffe for her creative assistance, and her grandmother Nancy for teaching her to sew.
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Nancy Ball (Costume Staff) is a longtime SP audience member. This is her first show as a crew member, lending her seamstress talents to Honk! for the summer. She would like to thank her granddaughter Allison for getting her involved, and for writing this bio for her.
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Justin Baughman (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone) is excited to return to SP's pit for another wonderful production! His past productions with SP include Ragtime and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. If you hear some Honking coming from the pit, it's probably him on the Bari!
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Allan Bentkofsky (Bass Player) makes his second appearance with the SP pit band; Godspell marked his introduction to the pit. Allan is a member of the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble and with Linda Anderson and Friends. He regularly plays with other jazz groups in Northern Virginia, and formerly performed with the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra. He is very happy to be returning for Honk!
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Lora Buckman (Producer) has been involved with the Playmakers since its inception with Kathy Bleutge at the helm, either as a producer, house manager, PR person or other areas. She loves seeing theater come to life with family and friends. She thanks her mom, Liz, Courtney and Laura. Respect different. HONK!
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Joe Campanella (Stage Manager) has been involved in over a hundred shows with the Playmakers and over a dozen more with STC, GTC and others. His favorite acting role was John Adams (1776, SP) but his favorite off-stage "role" is as playwright/composer/director, the next example being Cinderella: Once Upon a Time with GCP next spring.
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De’Andre Darby (Maggie Pie) is thrilled to be joining SP for the first time and is so honored to be a part of this incredible team. Her background is in advanced chorale, and this summer will be her first time performing with a theater company. She would like to thank her older brother Jarad for inspiring her to get back in touch with her inner performer!
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Jules Darmofalksi (Henrietta) is thrilled to be making her SP debut, and is honored to be part of an amazing cast and crew. Previous roles include Betsy (Sense and Sensibility, GCP), Mrs. De Pinna (You Can't Take It With You, GCP), Ms. Cratchit (A Christmas Carol, GCP)
Cara Ethington (Queenie) is thrilled to join SP for her second time and is honored to be with this incredible team. Previous roles include Diandra (A Delightful Quarantine, RCP), Mouse (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, SP), and Ugly Duckling (Shrek, NSTC). She would like to thank her parents and all of the wonderful crew.
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Kieth Flores (Drake), On the heels of his last show (as member of Bottom’s Troupe in Something Rotten, 2NDSP), Kieth was last seen as Gomez Addams in last year's The Addams Family. Humbled & grateful to Liz, Lora, Chuck & the entire production staff of Honk! for allowing me to be part of this wonderful cast! Love to the Mrs. (Sally) & daughter Melody.
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Bill Fry (Master Carpenter) has been working on Sterling Playmaker shows for over 20 years in most all technical positions. For Honk!, Bill is the master carpenter. He wants to thank Karen for her love and support and Chip for being the responsible adult this summer.
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Kimberly Fry (Set Dresser, Set Painter) is thrilled to have the opportunity to do something new and different this summer as a set dresser. Creating these giant eggs has been quite the EGG-SPERIENCE and she would like to thank Liz for trusting her with such an integral part of the show. Special thanks to Karen, Bill, Keeley, and Sarah for all their help with her “Arts & Crafts”!
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Courtney Garofolo (Assistant Director) is excited to work in yet another show with SP. She joined the Playmakers in 2004 as a Gosling in Charlotte’s Web. From onstage, backstage, or front of the house, Courtney has been a part of 18 productions with SP and has loved every minute. She has learned so much about being a director while under Liz’s wing, just in time… she is directing SP’s The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes this fall.
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Laura Garofolo (PR Manager) became involved in the Playmakers almost 20 years ago to support her 7-year-old daughter’s love of the stage. Now she sits on the Board and her daughter is the Assistant Director of this fabulous production of HONK! The Playmakers are a source of inspiration that has fueled her creativity that she brings to her social studies and math classrooms everyday!
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Helen Gernhardt (Production Stage Manager) has been involved with the Playmakers in various technical roles since her family was cast in Robin Hood. She’s been hanging around backstage for most shows since; it’s a privilege to have this group in her life! It’s a blast watching shows evolve from simple words on paper to a life in front of an audience. Love to Paul & Brian for introducing her to the theatre.
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Chip Gertzog (Technical Director and Lighting Design) has worked on more than 85 theatrical productions over the last 25 years and is thrilled to be working with Liz and the Playmakers gang once again. Over the years, Chip has directed 12 productions, designed lights, sound, projections and special effects for nearly 50 productions including SP’s The Wizard of Oz and more recently, If It's Monday, This Must Be Christmas. He has also designed and built sets, stage managed and produced several shows. He is a founder and past President of PPF which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season. Chip is a 22-time WATCH award nominee and eight-time WATCH award winner in a variety of production categories.
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Adam Gurson (Greylag, Father Swan) is thrilled to be joining SP after a 27-year hiatus from the musical theater stage. Previous roles include Stine (City of Angels), Huck (Big River), and Pape Ge (Once on this Island). He wishes to thank his family for being so flexible and the SP cast and crew for such a warm and fun welcome!
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Cathy Gurson (Hair & Makeup) is so grateful for the amazing SP company. With her performing roots in a cappella and community theater (Charlottesville’s Black Box Players & UVA’s Shakespeare on the Lawn), it is a deep joy to be a part of the team planting those lifelong theater roots now for her son Charlie who plays Barnacles.
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Charlie Gurson (Barnacles, Froglet, Boy’s Voiceover) is thrilled to be joining SP for the second time and is so honored to be a part of this incredible team. Previous roles include Ace Diamond (Ace Diamond Fairytale Detective, Acting for Young People) and Young Harold (If It’s Monday, This Must Be Christmas, SP) for which he won the 2022 WATCH Award for Best Cameo! He would like to thank his family and the whole cast and crew of this show for being super supportive!
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Joelle Hahn (Mother Swan, Old Woman Voiceover) debut with SP was as an Ancestor in The Addams Family after a long hiatus from competitive dance and musical theater. Her favorite past performances are as a vocal soloist in a workshop production of A Chorus Line and as an ensemble cast member in Grease. By day, Joelle performs behind the scenes as a corporate creative director.
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Teresa “Tweety” Harris (Flute, Piccolo)
This is Teresa’s 5th “migration” with SP! She started her musical career as the “Ugly Duckling” of the flute section but practiced regularly to become a flute/piccolo “swan.” She loves “honking” her own horn in the DMV area with her fellow “friends of a feather” musicians. Her “nest” includes 2 adopted dogs and 2 adopted cats; remember to “adopt, don’t shop!”
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Marilyn Hardwood (Keyboard) is delighted to play piano with the orchestra. This is her first production with SP. Her previous rehearsal accompanist experience includes playing for The Wind in the Willows and How to Eat Like a Child with IS. In addition, she has played piano for Godspell, Little Mary Sunshine, and Pippin with the JLT.
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Cecelia Hilliard (Light Board Operator) is excited to be operating lights in her first production with Sterling Playmakers. She has been behind the scenes with Bright Star (RCP), The Game’s Afoot (RCP, WATCH Award), and A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (RCP). She would like to thank her mom for her constant love and support.
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Hannah Hillman (Downy Duckling) is so glad to be a part of SP for the first time and is so honored to be a part of this incredible team. Previous roles include being the ensemble for Seneca Ridge’s Into the Woods Jr and playing Ares in a student-written play. They would like to thank their brother TJ Hillman, the friends they’ve made along the way (and the ones they had known before), and the entire Cast and Crew of Honk!
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TJ Hillman (Turkey, Farmer’s Voiceover, Goose Squad) is delighted to join the cast of Honk! He has played in the pit for Dominion High School’s productions of Once On this Island and 9 to 5. Despite working in other theatre productions, this is his first time acting in a musical. He would like to thank his sister Hannah and all the hard-working cast and crew that helped make this “Poultry Tale” come to life.
Amara Horton (Billy Duckling, Froglet, Blizzard Dancer) is very excited to be joining SP for the first time! Previously, she has performed as a Squirrel (Willy Wonka Jr, WES), Hei Hei (Moana Jr, EFDS), and Seahorse/Ensemble (The Little Mermaid Jr, EFDS). She would like to thank the cast and crew and her family and friends for all their support.
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Arabella Horton (Pinkfoot, Froglet, Blizzard Dancer) is delighted to be in her first SP show! She has been previously seen as Matilda (Matilda Jr, HMS), Moana (Moana Jr, EFDS), Flounder (The Little Mermaid, FTP), Humpty-Dumpty (Alice@Wonderland, SPA) and a Beggar (Aladdin Jr, HMS). She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her throughout her theater journey.
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Bradley M. Johnson (Horn) is playing his 6th SP production (Ragtime, Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street, Oliver!, Bye Bye Birdie), and also plays for shows at the Little Theatre in Alexandria. Currently a strings teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools and marching band staff for Herndon HS. Thank you for supporting the local arts!
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Margie Lazzo (Costume Assistant) This is Margie’s second venture into costumes for SP. She also enjoys acting. In her “day” life, Margie is a teacher and enjoys helping kids learn English and use their imaginations through reader’s theater and writing. She is happy to help bring this musical to life and is honored to be part of the “pond” crew.
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Anastasia Lee (Grace) Originally from Texas, Anastasia Lee spent her youth as a touring stage performer. She then taught high school theatre in public schools while raising her daughters Aria and Harmony. Music and theatre are her life’s passion. This is her first show in Virginia.
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Muggs Leone (The Cat) Joining his first show since college, Muggs, has recently performed as Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd, PSU Thespians), Frank-n-Furter (Rocky Horror Show, NRT), and Ms. Scarlet (Clue, NRT). He couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the DMV theatre scene and has loved working with this cast and crew.
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Annie Lian (Fluff Duckling, Froglet) Annie is 10 years old and is honored to be part of this awesome team! Annie also enjoys acting on stage, and she loves singing and dancing. She has also been in the Nutcracker ballet (5-6 years old), Scrooge: the Musical (9 years old), and the musical Wonderland High in the ensemble.
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Juliet Marsh (Penny, Goose Squad) is excited to be back for another summer show with SP. She will be a senior at Loudoun Valley HS in the fall where she enjoys theater and recently played Sally in The Lightning Thief. This role earned her a Cappies nomination. Other past roles include Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), Kim (Bye Bye Birdie), and Belle (A Christmas Carol). Her hobbies include ballroom dancing and karaoke.
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Kaylin “Cee” Mason (Froglet, Goose Squad, Girl’s Voiceover) is happy to be part of Honk! Previous roles include Ensemble (Into The Woods, SRMS) and Gaea (One-Acts, SRMS). Thanks to Hannah for also being here, so they aren't lonely, the new friends they made, and to their other friends and family for putting up with their obnoxious theatre obsession.
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Vivian Monroe (Choreographer) performs with professional tap dance company District Tap. She recently retired from her dream job as CDC Dance Studio Director but still teaches dance. SP credits include Annie, Cinderella’s Glass Slipper, The King and I, Aladdin Jr, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Rockin’ On Broadway. Viv is EGG-static to be working with this fabulous cast! Instagram: @vivtap
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Rosamond “Michelle” Morgan (Bull Frog) is a resident of Sterling, VA. She is 24 years old and an alumina of Potomac High School. She loves singing, dancing, theater, and animation. She has been in her school choir since the age of 10. She played in The Wizard of Oz and Fiddler on the Roof Jr in Middle School. She enjoys computer animations and currently has a YouTube channel: Jazzclown Productions. She has big big dreams of becoming a famous voice actress for cartoons and movies. Michelle is very excited to be playing The Bullfrog for this Summer’s musical, Honk!
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Liz Mykietyn (Director, Set Designer) is no stranger to the spotlight with a lifetime of theater experience. Favorite moments include directing Guys & Dolls and The Wizard of Oz with SP, performing all-time favorite role “Truvy” in Steel Magnolias twice with PPF and SP, and winning WATCH Best Director 2014 (PPF’s Rumors). She is a member of the Virginia Theater Association and serves as WATCH judge this season. Remember to “Adopt, Don’t Shop” for pets! Extra HONKS going to my HAHA sisters, Tequila Gals, Boo Boo and of course Nicolas and our zoo.
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Jerien Okoh-Tisch (Maureen) is thrilled to be performing on stage in a musical for the first time, rather than under it as a music director or cellist. Classically trained as a cellist, conductor, and vocalist, she has participated in several musicals as vocal coach, cellist, and music director, having recently played cello in Brigadoon with the Olney Theater. She is grateful to the SP team for this amazing opportunity to explore her acting and dancing capabilities while having so much fun.
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John Paganelli (Trumpet) is excited to be back playing the trumpet in another SP production. Previous shows include Guys and Dolls, The King and I, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Brigadoon, 1776, 42nd Street, Ragtime, and probably others that he is forgetting. He has also played shows for TAP and RCP. He would like to thank his wife for letting him have fun.
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Leanne Rogers (Running Crew) is a long-time theater kid, and this is her third show with SP. She discovered her calling as a techie in last year’s summer production of Ragtime. This fall, she will be starting at James Madison University to study Computer Science and Music. Go Dukes!
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Meg Roosma (Props) has been a member of SP for almost 20 years, but this is her first time running Props. While she loves being on the stage as a performer, she is very gratified to support the team as part of the crew.
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Chuck Schmidt (Music Director) After 8 SP shows as trombonist, tubist, AD, and OD, Chuck is thrilled to be MD for Honk! At Langley School (where he has been band director for 30 years), he has conducted shows such as Shrek, Mary Poppins and most recently, Honk! Jr. Special thanks to Deb (and C and K) for patience while M and I do another summer show!
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Liz Shaher (Sound) is so excited to be working on her third production with SP (and second production with Liz Mykietyn). Between SP and RCP, she has worked sound on 8 shows over the past year and a half. This show is especially fun for her because her childhood nickname was "Duckling.” Quack Quack!
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Terri Smith (Alto Saxophone) is delighted to be back in the SP Pit! She has performed with several groups in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area, including PWLT and The Manassas Symphony (on clarinet). She recently played for The Color Purple with St. Mark’s Players in DC. Terri performs regularly with the Loudoun Symphonic Winds.
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Annabel Stein (Beaky Duckling, Froglet, Blizzard Dancer) is overjoyed to return for her second SP production. Previous roles include Little Girl (Ragtime, SP) and various roles in self-produced at home productions. Thank you, Mom, for getting me into theater and for my love of music. Thanks to Dad and Lydia for putting up with not having us around this summer.
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Jenna Stein (Dot, Ensemble) is excited to join SP for the first time after watching her daughter in SP’s production of Ragtime last summer. Previous roles include Bianca/Desdemona (Othello, SOT), Susan B Anthony (The Moment Was Now, SWE) Elly (Exit Stage Death, SCT). Thank you Jeff, Lydia, and Annabel for your constant support.
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Cat Thompson (Lowbutt) has loved working with the cast and crew of HONK! Previous SP credits include Ursula (Much Ado About Nothing), Choreographer/Wolf (Beauty and the Beast) and Dance Captain/Ensemble (42nd Street). When not shaking her tail feathers, Cat enjoys spending time with her tom cats, Taz and Milo, but she asks that you don't repeat that in front of Queenie!
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Henry Waldrop (Ugly) is happy to be making his SP debut! Previous roles include Maurice (Beauty and the Beast), Mr. Mayor (Seussical Jr), and many school shows. Henry sings with the Herndon HS Madrigals and Vocal Jazz. He would like to thank his family and his dogs.
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Jane Waldrop (Ida) is thrilled to be joining SP again for such a fun show! Acting: Carol (Catch Me If You Can, SP), Secretary (How To Succeed… SP). Production: Bright Star (SLHS), Freaky Friday (LHMS), Addams Family (SP Director) and many high, middle, and elementary school shows! Alto with Master Singers of Virginia, Caritas Nova and RELC. Thanks to family and her ugly son!
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Joey West (Bewick, Understudy Ugly and Cat) is thrilled to be a new Playmaker and to be on this incredible team. Previous roles include Dr. Knef (Radium Girls, DJO), TJ (Sister Act, GVPS), and Ensemble/Tree (Little Women, DJO). He would like to thank his friends, family and fellow Playmakers, and hopes that you enjoy the show!
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Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
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MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
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MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.
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Anthony Drewe and George Stiles (Stiles and Drewe) are a multi award-winning musical theatre writing partnership. Writing credits include Honk! (National / UK Tour / Worldwide); Mary Poppins (West End / Broadway / Worldwide); The Wind in the Willows (UK Tour and West End); Cameron Mackintosh’s new version of Half A Sixpence (Chichester Festival Theatre / West End); Travels With My Aunt (Minerva Theatre, Chichester); Betty Blue Eyes (West End / UK Tour); Just So (Tricycle / Chichester Festival Theatre / Worldwide); Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure (West Yorkshire Playhouse / Birmingham Rep / Royal Festival Hall / Worldwide); Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre / in concert at the Queen’s Theatre); The Three Little Pigs (West End / UK Tour and International Tour); Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Singapore Rep).
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Future projects include a stage version of Robert Harling’s film Soapdish, and a new musical with director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
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Independently as a lyricist, Anthony’s credits include The Card (Watermill / Regents Park) and A Twist of Fate (Singapore Rep).
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Other projects include: song contributions for Dame Edna Everage’s Look At Me When I’m Talking to You; The Shakespeare Revue (RSC) as well as a variety of material for TV and radio.
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Awards include the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical for Honk!, three of the top prizes at the Musical of the Year Awards for Peter Pan and The Three Musketeers, the TMA Best Musical Award (Moll Flanders), The Straits Times Award for Best Musical (A Twist of Fate) and the first ever Vivian Ellis Prize (Just So). Mary Poppins has won 45 major theatre awards around the globe including Tony, Olivier, Helpmann and London Evening Standard Awards. Laurence Olivier nominations include Mary Poppins and Betty Blue Eyes.
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Stiles and Drewe’s passion for new musical theatre writing is recognised via the annual Stiles and Drewe Prize for Best New Song, and their new Mentorship Award supported by Music Theatre International (Europe). They are also founding board members of Mercury Musical Developments (MMD), Associate Artists at The Watermill Theatre and patrons of the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and The Musical Theatre Academy (MTA).
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Theater Acronyms
2ndSP: Second Stage Productions, CWE: Cultural Worker Ensemble, DJO: Bishop O’Connell High School, EFDS: Elite Feet Dance Studio, FTP: Fredericktowne Players, GCP: Goose Creek Players, GTC: Gateway Theater Company, GVPS: Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, HMS: Harmony Middle School, IS: Imagination Stage, JLT: Janesville Little Theatre, LHMS: Langston Hughes Middle School, NRT: No Refund Theatre, NSTC: NextStop Theatre Company, PFHS: Potomac Falls High School, PPF: Providence Players of Fairfax, PSU: Penn State University, PWLT: Prince William Little Theatre, RCP: Reston Community Players, RELV: Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, SLHS: South Lakes High School, SOT: Shakespeare Opera Theatre, SP: Sterling Playmakers, SPA: Soho Performing Arts, SRMS: Seneca Ridge Middle School, STC: StageCoach Theatre, TAP: The Arlington Players, WES: Waterford Elementary School
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HONK!
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.