CREATIVE TEAM
BOOK, LYRICS, PRODUCER
DOUGLAS THOMPSON
Douglas is a New York-based writer, producer, and performer. He adapted and produced the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Disney’s The Happiest Millionaire at Joe’s Pub, starring Lesley Ann Warren (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella) and Joyce Bulifant (The Mary Tyler Moore Show), reprising their film roles, alongside Brooke Shields, Dana Ivey, Tonya Pinkins, Brad Oscar, Nicholas Barasch, Luca Padovan, Sam Poon, Cherish Myers, and a special video appearance by John Davidson. Douglas also wrote, produced, and starred in his one-man show, Dougie Who: A Live Rock n’ Roll Adventure Through Time and Space, inspired by Doctor Who and the music of David Bowie, originated the role of Billy in Daryl Roth's Off-Broadway production of Dear Edwina, and toured nationally as lead conman, Freddy Benson, in the Tony-winning musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Douglas is a proud graduate of the Texas State University Theatre program. www.douglasjthompson.com
MUSIC
JOHANNA TELANDER
Johanna Telander, a Finnish-American singer-songwriter and composer, is currently working on three captivating stage musicals, releasing her first solo songwriting album, and weaving her unique music touch into film scores, including the award winning indie short, Gray Land. Her latest single, "For You to Know," is igniting the indie music scene, while Kalevala The Musical”, Johanna’s debut musical, has reached international acclaim both in and outside of theater communities around the globe. Other career highlights include singing with Residente and Bad Bunny on the "Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon”, as well as performances at the UN and Lincoln Center. She is also a published poet, with her most recently released book of poems, A Deep Blue Green Song, available in most places books are sold.
DIRECTION
SAKI KAWAMURA
Saki is a New York City-based theatre/film director originally from Japan. As an immigrant artist, Saki is interested in challenging notions of traditional American theatre by combining non-traditional theatrical elements including butoh dance, visual arts, different languages, and devising. Her works reflect an international viewpoint, which incorporates eastern culture and values. She aims to create theatrical experiences which will build bridges across cultures. Recent directing credit includes: ICEBERG (Ren Gyo Soh), The Sugar Plant, Everest (Chain Theatre), Grown-ups, The Giving Tree (Unfix NYC), The Man Who Turned Into A Stick, Spite, Margaret’s Bed, The Librarian (ASDS Rep). Associate/Assistant credits include: The Cher Show (1st National Tour), Murder on the Orient Express (Paper Mill Playhouse), JOY: A NEW MUSICAL (George Street Playhouse), Clue (Paper Mill Playhouse), A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney's Broadway Hits (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Mystic Pizza (Ogunquit Playhouse). Saki is currently the Associate Artistic Director of Ren Gyo Soh, an award-winning butoh theatre company in NYC. A member of Roundabout Directors Group Cohort 5. MFA Directing at Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. www.sakikawamura.com
PRODUCTION, SCENIC & PROJECTION DESIGN
CHASE KNIFFEN
Chase is a New York City-based director and designer. He was the Associate Artistic Director of Virginia Repertory Theatre for ten seasons, where he produced, directed, and designed numerous productions. Select Directing credits include The Sound of Music, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Other Desert Cities, Caroline, or Change, Violet, Next to Normal, Gypsy, Fun Home and South Pacific. He has won multiple Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards for his work on those productions. Chase has also designed sets, lighting, and projections for multiple plays, musicals and concerts. He received his BA in Theatre with a concentration on Scenic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and his MFA in Directing from Pace University. www.chasekniffen.com.
LIGHTING DESIGN
JOE DORAN
Broadway (Asst. LD): Summer, The Donna Summer Musical, Prince of Broadway; Doctor Zhivago, Magic/Bird; National Tours: Hamilton, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph ... Dreamcoat, Anything Goes, West Side Story, Flashdance the Musical, In the Heights; Off Broadway: Chanteuse, H4 and Shakespeare’s Slave. International: Norwegian Cruise Lines: Summer, The Donna Summer Musical, Disco Wonderland; NYC Dance: Sean Curran Company, Armitage Gone! Dance, Stephen Petronio Company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, and Martha Graham Dance Company; Regional Credits: Virginia Repertory Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre, The Fulton Theatre, and Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Graduate of UNC School of the Arts. www.joedorandesign.com
COSTUME DESIGN
DAVID MARMON
David is a New York City-based fashion designer. With 20 years in the fashion industry, David is currently the Senior Designer for Men’s Tailoring at the international brand, Express For Men. By curating and distilling fashion trends from the past, present and future, from concept to design to in-store, David endeavors to inspires self- expression and confidence in his customer. His work can be seen, everyday, displayed and sold, in over 500 stores around the country.
Musical Direction
Brian walters
Brian Walters is a NYC based Music Director, Pianist, Conductor, and Composer. Off-Broadway: Des Moines (Theatre for a New Audience). Selected productions and presentations: The Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Kalevala: the musical, In the Heights, Hello Again, A Little Night Music, Cabaret, Heathers. Brian has served as Music Director and Pianist for National Theater Institute at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Institute, Goodspeed Opera House, The Acting Company, Theatre SilCo, ArtsPower Touring Theater, Montclair State University, and the New Studio on Broadway at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Concert performances at Lincoln Center, The Kimmel Center, NJPAC, Hudson Theater, Jazz @ Lincoln Center and more throughout the US and Canada. Brian is an award winning composer; recent compositions include orchestral scores for stage adaptations of Frankenstein and Macbeth. www.brianwaltersonline.com