The Mystery of Edwin Drood Cast & Creative Team

DAVID BEACH* (Durdles/Master Nick Cricker) Damn Yankees, Goldrich/Heisler/Bell's The Great American Mousical (Julie Andrews, dir.) Broadway: Something Rotten, It's Only A Play, Fish In The Dark, Mamma Mia!, Urinetown, and Moon Over Buffalo. Off-Broadway credits include Claudia Rankine's Help (The Shed), Opus (Primary Stages), The Perfect Game (Theater Row). Regional: Pioneer, Westport, Adirondack Theater Festival, Alabama Shakespeare, Wilma, among others. TV/Film: Veep, The Sopranos, New Amsterdam, Elementary, Dangerous Book For Boys, The Good Wife, Person of Interest, Submissions Only, Delocated, Law & Order, among others. Graduate: Dartmouth College/LAMDA. He and husband Russell Granet are the proud parents of actress Sadie Granet-Beach.

JETTA JURIANSZ (Helena Landless/Janet Conover) is a winner of the Diversity Scholarship at The Groundlings, was a cast member on the CBS Showcase 2023, and a cast member on sketch comedy TV show Studio C. She originated the role of Ali Mills in the pre-Broadway premiere of The Karate Kid: The Musical. Last year, she appeared on Station 19 (ABC), S.W.A.T. (CBS) and the feature Deepfake. She is currently on the UCB Maude team, Petty Crime. Jetta is thrilled to be performing at Goodspeed for the first time! IG: @shmetta

JAMIE LaVERDIERE (Bazzard/Phillip Bax) is happy to be back at Goodspeed where he appeared in the Rob Ruggiero-led production of Oliver!. CT audiences might also recognize him from his award-winning turn as John Adams in 1776 at CT Repertory. Much like the character he portrays tonight, Mr. LaVerdiere has often understudied notable actors: Tony winners Matthew Broderick and Roger Bart in The Producers, Broadway stalwarts Max Von Essen (The Baker’s Wife) and Peter Benson (Cabaret), as well as West End favorite Hadley Fraser (Pirate Queen) to name a few. He lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife, daughter, and dog.

LIZ McCARTNEY (Princess Puffer/Angela Prysock) Liz was part of the Broadway revivals of Funny Girl, Sunday in the Park with George, Annie, My Fair Lady and South Pacific, and the long-running Broadway productions of the Phantom of the Opera, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!. She has also created rolls in Boy George’s Taboo and The Dance of the Vampires. In addition to Broadway, she has also toured the country in Wicked, Cinderella, Souvenir, and The Little Mermaid and has also appeared on TV. Liz is so happy to be back at Goodspeed in one of her favorite shows. This one’s for you, Chita.

MARCUS MONTGOMERY (Deputy/Mister Nick Cricker) is a multi-hyphenate artist based in NJ. In 2022, Marcus began his theatre career understudying Mordy in The Burdens (Mile Square Theatre) and was later cast in A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre) as the understudy for four roles. In 2023, he appeared in Dog Man: The Musical (New World Stages), played Melvin in Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical (Lucille Lortel Theatre), and toured with the Australian production of Dog Man: The Musical.

RILEY NOLAND (Rosa Bud/Deidre Peregrine) Originally hailing from Honolulu, Hawai’i, Riley is so delighted to be making her Goodspeed debut. Riley was last seen as Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Muny). Favorite past credits include Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812; Marie in Marie Antoinette; and Squeaky Fromme in Assassins. BFA: Carnegie Mellon University. Special thanks to Laura Gibson, Rob Ruggiero and the rest of the incredible team of Drood, and most importantly, her family for all their endless love and support.

MAMIE PARRIS (Edwin Drood/Alice Nutting) Goodspeed credits include The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella) and A Grand Night for Singing. Broadway: Cats (Grizabella), School of Rock (Rosalie and Patty), On the 20^th Century, Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone, and 110 In the Shade. National tours: 9 to 5 (Judy), Wicked (Elphaba), and Legally Blonde. Regional: The Muny, The Old Globe, Pittsburgh CLO, Paper Mill Playhouse, and more. Off-Broadway: See Rock City, Anything Can Happen in the Theater (both with cast recordings). TV/Film: The Blacklist, A Standup Guy, PBS Great Performances 50 Years of Broadway’s Best. Concert dates, new audiobook releases, masterclass opportunities and more atmamieparris.com. Follow my Bell’s Palsy journey on Instagram and TikTok. Love to Johnathan.

PAUL ADAM SCHAEFER (Jasper/Clive Paget) Is SO grateful to be making his Goodspeed debut. He recently was in the closing cast of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera playing the title character and others over 16 years and 5,000+ shows. Other stage work: ...Millie Nat’l Tour and PCLO, Company at Barrington, High Society at Walnut Street, My Life With Albertine at Playwrights, Giant at Signature. TV: FBI, Uncoupled with NPH, Blacklist, Baker and the Beauty, Law and Order, and Guiding Light. He is a proud graduate of the MT program at University of Michigan. Many thanks to CPM, Clear, my loving parents, and my sweet Elena.

PAUL SLADE SMITH (Rev. Crisparkle/Cedric Moncrieff) Connecticut native making his Goodspeed debut. NYC credits: original Broadway casts of Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady. National tours: Wicked, Phantom, My FairLady. Paul starred as Willy Wonka in the Australian premiere of Charlie.... Regional credits: Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol), American Repertory Theatre, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Paul’s three plays – Unnecessary Farce, The Outsider, and The Angel Next Door – have collectively received nearly 500 productions. For Mom & Dad, who loved the Goodspeed. For Arthur, who is dearly missed. And, as always, for Erin, my love.

LEVIN VALAYIL (Neville Landless/Victor Grinstead) Levin has performed in roles across the country including John Smythe/Abdul Karim in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Jersey Lily at the Alley Theater, Matt in The Fantasticks at the Cape Playhouse, Fakir in Secret Garden at Broadway Sacramento, Dharun Ravi in Poster Boy at Williamstown Theater Festival, and Mowgli in the North American Tour of Jungle Book. As a film actor, Levin recently played Aladdin in the Disney+ movie Descendants: Rise of Red. Upcoming, he will play Vigneshwar Paduar in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Next Act Theater in Milwaukee, WI. www.levinvalayil.com

LENNY WOLPE (Chairman/William Cartwright) Goodspeed: Show Boat (Captain Andy), The Baker’s Wife (Baker), A Connecticut Christmas Carol (Scrooge). Broadway: Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, Drowsy Chaperone, Sound of Music, Mayor, Into the Light, Onward Victoria, Copperfield. Off-Broadway: Jerusalem Syndrome, Heartbreak House, Marry Harry, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Company, Mayor, Radio City Spring Spectacular. National Tours:  Wicked, Little Shop, …Forum, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific. Regional: Paper Mill, Alliance, Kansas City, Barrington, Berkshire Theatre, Pasadena, North Coast, Westport, St. Louis Rep, Asolo, McCarter, Bucks County, Cape Playhouse, Denver Center, Hollywood Bowl. TV: nearly 100 shows. Lenny received an Emmy nomination for the Amazon series After Forever.

JON COOPER (Ensemble) is happy to return to Goodspeed after appearing in A Connecticut Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway: Errol and Fidel at Playwright’s Horizons. Regional: Otherworld at Delaware Theatre Company, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Florida Rep, Oklahoma! at Trinity Rep, Guys and Dolls at Theatre Aspen, among others. Film: Girl Most Likely. Skidmore College alum. Thanks to Paul. @jonmjcooper

BENJAMIN HOWES (Ensemble) For Goodspeed, Benjamin previously played Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes. Broadway: [title of show], Mary Poppins, Scandalous. National Tours: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, Shrek. Off Broadway: includes A Man Of No Importance, The View Upstairs and its recording. Film/TV: Full Circle directed by Steven Soderbergh, Gossip Girl, The Deuce, Deadly Women, One Life To Live, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and others. Countless regional productions. Benjamin serves as an Artist Champion for HB Studios. Follow @benjthestar

ALBERT JENNINGS (Ensemble) is bloody excited to be making his Goodspeed debut! Hailing originally next door from the tiny state of Rhode Island. Broadway: Aladdin. National Tours: Aladdin (OTC); Mamma Mia!. Regional: Mereb (Aida), Angel (Rent). Gratitude to my incredible agents at Hudson Artists. Many thanks to the company of Drood and the team at Goodspeed. Hugs and kisses to my family and friends for their undying love and support. @albertjj

MIYUKI MIYAGI (Ensemble) Goodspeed debut! Regional: Natasha Rostova in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet... (Capital City); Peggy Maruyama in Allegiance (East West Players); When You Wish (Tuacahn); Anne in A Little Night Music (Princeton Summer Theater); Lucia in Black Coffee (Barnstormers); South Pacific (Culver City Symphony); Jacques Brel... (Odyssey Theatre). BA: Princeton University (politics w/certificates in environmental studies & theater). Miyuki is also a violinist, multi-instrumentalist, and academic tutor. For Mom, Daddy, and Andrew. MiyukiMiyagi.com IG:@mkmiyagi

JACQUELINE PETROCCIA (Ensemble) Goodspeed: Jeanne in Because of Winn Dixie. Jackie won a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of Patsy in Always...Patsy Cline, a role she has played across the US. Other credits: Sweeney Todd (w/ Emma Thompson and Muny); Carousel (PBS); The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington); Fancy, Honky Tonk Angels (Meadowbrook - Andes Award Best Actress); The Producers (tour) and more! Her album Champagne & Moonshine is available everywhere. LUVB&T www.jacquelinepetroccia.com @jackiepetro

NATALIE WELCH (Ensemble) is so grateful to be making her Goodspeed debut! Regional: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Bucks County Playhouse, Rock of Ages and Cinderella at Paramount Theatre, A Chorus Line (Val) at Porchlight Music Theatre. Readings: Shimmer (Caroline) at the Wirtz Center. Northwestern alum. Thanks to The Luedtke Agency and love to Bryan, mom, dad, and friends. @natwellly

ROB RUGGIERO (Director) is thrilled to be returning to Goodspeed, after directing past productions of A Grand Night for Singing, Oliver!, Rags, La Cage aux Folles, Fiddler on the Roof, The Most Happy Fella, Carousel,  Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Big River, and 1776. Rob has won multiple Connecticut Critic’s Circle Awards for Best Direction, including a highly-celebrated production of Next to Normal at TheaterWorks Hartford, where he is currently the Artistic Director. His Broadway credits include High (starring Kathleen Turner) and Looped (starring Valerie Harper in a Tony-nominated performance). Off-Broadway, he conceived and directed the original musical revue Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn. The production received nominations for both the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Rob has earned national recognition for his work on both plays and musicals, and his shows have been seen on many major regional theaters around the country. He is so happy to be returning to Goodspeed. This summer he will be directing a 60th Anniversary Production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Muny in St. Louis.

JAMES GRAY (Choreographer) James is so happy to be back at Goodspeed. Credits include The Sound of Music International Tour for Broadway Asia, Annie staring Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba as Miss Hannigan, Oliver! at The Goodspeed, the movie Humor Me starring Elliot Gould and Annie Potts and a KPOP number for Madame Secretary CBS. He staged the Emmy Award-Winning TV Special, Mel Brooks – The AFI Lifetime Achievement Award and directed and choreographed Peg O’ My Heart, the Musical (Best Musical).  James has worked closely with Susan Stroman as her associate choreographer/director and resident on many projects (Broadway: The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Bullets Over Broadway; The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville at ART and HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Fatwa the musical starring Lin Manuel Miranda. He was resident choreographer for the Hal Prince and Susan Stroman Prince of Broadway (Tokyo & Broadway) as well as associate choreographer on A Christmas Story The Musical on Broadway. James is currently writing and creating a show with legendary designer Bob Mackie. www.jamesgray.biz

ADAM SOUZA (Music Director) Broadway credits include Wicked, Kinky Boots. National Tours: Wicked (2nd National, original MD/Conductor), Kinky Boots (1st National original MD/ Conductor), Spamalot (1st National, MD/Conductor), The Midtown Men, and Les Misérables. Adam also served as Associate Music Supervisor for the international mountings of Wicked in São Paolo, Brazil (in Portuguese) and Mexico City (in Spanish). His regional credits include Next to Normal (Hartford TheaterWorks), North Shore Music Theatre, and over 20 productions with Goodspeed, including 42nd Street, Cabaret, Because of Winn Dixie, The Great American Mousical with Julie Andrews, Snapshots by Stephen Schwartz, George M!, Brigadoon, Very Good Eddie, The 12, Gypsy, Summer Stock, and Rags. Adam has served as Music Supervisor for Destination Broadway (destinationbroadway.org) and has served on faculty for the Boston Conservatory at Berklee as an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre, of which he is also an alumnus.

ANN BEYERSDORFER (Scenic Designer) is an NYC-based set designer for theatre, opera and television. TV Design Credits: Saturday Night Live (art director of the Film Unit, NBC), Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas (production designer, Showtime), Vir Das: Landing (production designer, Netflix). Broadway Associate Design Credits: How to Dance in Ohio, Company, Ink, Jitney, The Children, and Anastasia (first national tour and international productions). Other select set design credits include: Southwark Playhouse London (Afterglow), The Muny (West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Camelot), The Alliance Theatre (Knead), Maltz Jupiter Theatre (Beautiful), Syracuse Stage (Yoga Play, What the Constitution Means to Me) Geva Theatre, Irish Repertory Theatre, Lincoln Center (Carmen), The Hudson Theatre (Afterglow, The Dodgers), Flint Repertory Theatre, 59E59, and Theater Row. Ann is an adjunct professor at Fordham University, is a LA Drama Critics Circle Award Winner (for Afterglow, 2022), and is Live Design/LDI 30 Under 30 recipient (2018). www.annbeyersdorfer.com

HUNTER KACZOROWSKI (Costume Designer) New York credits include: Yours Unfaithfully (Hewes Award nom., Mint Theater), Stet and The Gentleman Caller (Abingdon), Mister Miss America (AFO/Rattlestick), HAM (Ars Nova), as well as Heartbeat Opera, The Public, Astoria Performing Arts Center, HERE Arts, Dixon Place and The Joyce Soho. Regional credits include 9 seasons with The Berkshire Theater Group including the trailblazing Covid-19-era production of Godspell, as well as The Importance of Being Earnest (Berkshire Critics Award), The Petrified Forest (Berkshire Critics nom.). Other Regional: Sense and Sensibility (Alley Theatre), Ragtime (Bay Street), Doubt (Theater Aspen), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakes NJ), The Fix (Signature Theatre), A Streetcar Named Desire (Yale Rep), The Sound of Music, Dear Elizabeth, and A Doll’s House (among others, Northern Stage). As Assistant: Company and Angels in America (Broadway revivals). Hunter is also a co-creative director of the sustainable apparel brand Deadstock Outfitters, @deadstockoutfitters. MFA: Yale Drama. www.huntersk.com

ROB DENTON (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Goodspeed Musicals. His previous designs at Goodspeed were Thoroughly Modern Millie and Will Rogers Follies. Rob’s recent designs include Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Off-Broadway), The Jerusalem Syndrome (Off-Broadway), Chess and Little Shop of Horrors (The Muny), The Wizard of Oz (Capital Repertory Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Jersey Boys and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). Some of Rob’s upcoming designs include: Baskerville (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Dreamgirls, In the Heights and Anything Goes (The Muny); Disney’s Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). IG @rdentexdesign

TOMMY KURZMAN (Hair & Wig Designer) Goodspeed debut! Broadway credits include: I Need That, Gutenberg: The Musical!, The Cottage, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Pictures From Home, The Collaboration, Macbeth, Mrs. Doubtfire, All My Sons, True West, Saint Joan, My Fair Lady, Little Foxes and Bright Star. Off-Broadway credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, MCC, Atlantic, The New Group, The Public, MTC, and NWS. Regional credits include Arena Stage. The Huntington, The MUNY, Geva Theatre, Cape Playhouse and Signature, VA. This one is for you Ms. Widner! Instagram: @tommykurzmanwigs

JAY HILTON (Sound Designer) is pleased to continue his long association with Goodspeed Musicals and is happy to once again be working with director and friend Rob Ruggiero. Other Goodspeed productions with Mr. Ruggiero include 1776, Show Boat, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage aux Folles, Rags, Oliver and A Grand Night for Singing. Jay has designed countless productions at both The Goodspeed and The Terris Theatre in Chester. In addition to being Goodspeed’s Resident Sound Designer, Jay serves as their Audio Supervisor and also spends some of his time recording, mixing and mastering musical theatre content for streaming platforms. He and his wife, Goodspeed Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton, make their home (and garden) in Hadlyme, Connecticut with Cookie and Macy.

CHRISTOPHER JAHNKE (Orchestrator) Orchestrator: Legally Blonde, Porgy and Bess (Tony Nom), A Man of No Importance, King Kong, Dessa Rose, Cry-Baby, Grease (2007 B’way), Wind in the Willows (2016 London), add’l orchestrations for Dear Evan Hansen (with Alex Lacamoire), and new orchestrations for Les Misérables (performed worldwide since 2006). Other credits: Music Supervisor & Arranger for Memphis, Escape to Margaritaville. Orchestrations for: Emily Bear, Rufus Wainwright, Adam Schlesinger, Coheed and Cambria, Jagermeister Blaskapelle, Radio City Rockettes, Leo (Adam Sandler), Beauty and the Beast (2023 ABC - Josh Groban, Shania Twain). Jahnke also orchestrated Lady Gaga’s Sound of Music Tribute for the 2015 Oscars with Stephen Oremus. 18 years as apprentice to legendary orchestrator William David Brohn: Ragtime, Mary Poppins, Sweet Smell of Success, The Witches of Eastwick, The Secret Garden, Wicked and more… Jahnke happily returns to Goodspeed, where he worked on over 20 productions while on staff here from 1995 to 2001.

PAUL HARDT (Casting Director)

EVAN ZAVADA (Associate Music Director) Goodspeed debut! Evan is a NYC based pianist and music director who has performed a wide variety of music across the US and Europe. Broadway/Nat’l Tour: Wicked. Off-Broadway: Center of The Youniverse (with Jane Krakowski & Tituss Burgess), Superhero (assistant MD), Fiorello! (MD, Orchestrator), Showtime! (MD). Regional MD: Girlfriend (Theaterworks), Mamma Mia! (ACT of CT), Next to Normal (Farmer’s Alley). Proud graduate of The University of Michigan. Gratitude to the cast, crew, and creatives. Love to Chelsea & Ella.

CHRIS ZACCARDI (Production Stage Manager) returns to The Goodspeed stage after a triumphant run of The 12 in 2023. Goodspeed: Double Trouble; They All Laughed; A Little Night Music; A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; All Shook Up; Pippin; The 60’s Project; Radio Girl; Band Geeks; Snapshots; My Paris; A Sign of the Times; Hi, My Name is Ben and The 12. Broadway: Hello, Dolly!; Noises Off; Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike; The Anarchist; One Man Two Guvnors; Hair; In the Heights; 9 to 5; Wicked; Lestat; All Shook Up. Many Regional/Off Broadway, Former Marine, Head of the Stage Management program at Pace University. Much love to Niall and Monty.

LARA SATO (Assistant Stage Manager) Off-Broadway: A Sign of the Times, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical, Americano¡ Regional: The 12 (Goodspeed). Graduate of Pace University. A special thanks to Chris, Sam, my wonderful friends, and my incredible family.

RUPERT HOLMES (Book, Music, Lyrics, Original Orchestrations) current New York Times best-selling author was the first person to singly win Tony® Awards for book, music and lyrics of a musical, this for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which also won the Tony® for Best Musical. The Drama Desk bestowed all identical honors with yet another to Holmes for Best Orchestration. Drood’s 2012-2013 Broadway return received a Best Revival Tony® nom. Other Drood venues: Kennedy Center Opera House, two national tours, London’s Savoy Theatre, and throughout the globe. Add’l Broadway:  Curtains with Kander and Ebb (Drama Desk to Holmes, Best Book; Tony® noms Best Musical, Book, Lyrics); Say Goodnight, Gracie (Tony® nom. Best Play; LORT Nat’l Theatre Award, Best Play); Accomplice (Edgar Award); A Time to Kill (adapting John Grisham). Spring 2025: his new Broadway adaptation of Pirates of Penzance. Novels: Where the Truth Lies, Swing, current bestseller Murder Your Employer. Film & TV: songs for Golden Globe-winning score of A Star is Born; created-scripted AMC’s acclaimed series Remember WENN. Recording: written, arranged, conducted platinum recordings for Barbra Streisand; pop songwriter of Top 40 recordings including his own #1 hit “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” Recipient of ASCAP’s George M. Cohan Award and an Honorary Doctorate from The Manhattan School of Music.