| PAC NYC Announces Casting for CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 04:08 pm EDT 03/28/24 | |
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| PAC NYC PERELMAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Baby, Jonathan Burke, Emma Sofia Caymares, Tara Lashan Clinkscales, André De Shields, Sydney James Harcourt, Antwayn Hopper, Dava Huesca, Dudney Joseph Jr., Capital Kaos, Junior LaBeija, Dominique Lee, Robert "Silk" Mason, "Tempress" Chasity Moore, Shereen Pimentel, Primo, Nora Schell, Kendall G. Stroud, Frank Viveros, Garnet Williams, Teddy Wilson Jr. join Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" March 28, 2024 – New York, NY – Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC, Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director, Bill Rauch, Artistic Director) announces initial casting for Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" inspired by the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T.S. Eliot. Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" will feature a company of artists whose musical and dance talents have graced the stages on Broadway and illuminated the best of New York's Ballroom floors. Featured in the company are Baby (Victoria) two-time winner of Ballroom Women's Performance of the Year award (Southeast Region); Jonathan Burke (Mungojerrie) from the Tony-winning company of The Inheritance; Emma Sofia Caymares (Skimbleshanks) from the original Broadway cast of Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Tara Lashan Clinkscales (Ensemble) a recent Carnegie Mellon Drama graduate; André De Shields (Old Deuteronomy) Tony Award winner for Hadestown; Sydney James Harcourt (Rum Tum Tugger) from the original Broadway company of Hamilton; Antwayn Hopper (Macavity) from the Tony-winning company of A Strange Loop; Dava Huesca (Understudy) a dancer-performer and member of Dance Theater Company VIM VIGOR; Dudney Joseph Jr. (Munkustrap) a member of the Ballroom community since 2011; Capital Kaos (DJ) a renowned Ballroom DJ; Junior LaBeija (Gus) member of the iconic house of House of LaBeija and MC in the documentary Paris is Burning; Ballroom icon Dominique Lee (Understudy); Robert "Silk" Mason (Mistoffelees) the founding mother of the new Kiki Royal Haus of Silk; "Tempress" Chasity Moore (Grizabella) a Ballroom Icon and the founder and Queen Mother of the house of Maison Margiela; Shereen Pimentel (Jellylorum) from the Broadway revival of West Side Story; Primo (Tumblebrutus) longtime member of the Ballroom community; Nora Schell (Bustopher Jones) from Broadway's Jagged Little Pill; Kendall G. Stroud (Understudy) a recent NYU Tisch Drama grad and member of the Ballroom community; Frank Viveros (Ensemble) from Broadway's Camelot and Aladdin; Garnet Williams (Bombalurina) a national concert performer; and Teddy Wilson Jr. (Sillabub) a recent graduate from Penn State's Musical Theater program. Additional casting will be announced soon. Performances begin June 13, 2024 and opening night is June 20, 2024. This is a limited engagement through July 14, 2024. This production will be a radical reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic dance musical Cats based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. Inspired by the Ballroom culture that roared out of New York City over 50 years ago and still rages on runways around the world, it will be staged as a spectacularly immersive competition directed by Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicken & Biscuits) and PAC NYC Artistic Director Bill Rauch (All the Way), with all new Ballroom and club beats, runway ready choreography, and an edgy eleganza makeover. Come one, come all, and celebrate the joyous transformation of self at the heart of Cats and Ballroom culture itself. The creative team also includes Choreographers Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Qween Jean (Costume Design), Adam Honoré (Lighting Design), Kai Harada (Sound Design), Brittany Bland (Projection Design), Nikiya Mathis (Hair/Wig Design), William Waldrop (Music Supervision and Music Direction), David Lai (Music Coordinator), Trevor Holder (Beats Arrangement), Capital Kaos (Ballroom Consultant), Josephine Kearns (Dramaturg & Gender Consultant), X Casting/ Victor Vazquez CSA, and Sujotta R. Pace CSA (Casting). Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" is presented by arrangement with The Really Useful Group. Company Bios: Baby (Victoria). Baby was born and raised in Queens, NY. She grew up dancing on the beach, doing community theatre, and listening to music from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. In 2018, she learned many dance styles partnering with the music from her childhood: disco (waacking), classic house (old way vogue, house, and vogue femme), and hip-hop. She joined Ballroom in 2019 and has traveled extensively, walking balls and winning Women's Performance of the Year (Southeast Region) twice. She's grateful to her Ballroom father Omari for naming her BABY, reminding her to be curious and approach life and art playfully without judgement. Jonathan Burke (Mungojerrie). Broadway: The Inheritance, Choir Boy, Tuck Everlasting. Off-Broadway: Love + Science (NY City Center Stage II); Patience (Second Stage); Toni Stone (Roundabout); Joan of Arc: Into the Fire (Public). Tours: Mary Poppins, A Christmas Story, Joseph..., Cats. TV: Harlem (Prime Video); New Amsterdam (NBC); Only Murders in the Building (Hulu); "Bridge and Tunnel" (EPIX). Film: Noah's Arc: The Rona Chronicles, The Distinguished. Co-creator of @notlookingtheseries. BFA, Ithaca College. Facebook: Jonathan Burke | X: @itsjonburke | Instagram: @itsjonathanburke Emma Sofia Caymares (Skimbleshanks). Emma Sofia Caymares graduated from SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory 2012 and immediately joined the international tour of West Side Story. She's performed with ballet companies Morphoses and Ballet Hispanico. Her Broadway debut was in the original cast of Finding Neverland as Wendy. She originated the role of Veruca Salt in Broadway's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She can be seen in Fosse/Verdon (FX) as well as in Law and Order: SVU and Alternatino. You can see her as Celia in Call Your Mother (ABC). Tara Lashan Clinkscales (Ensemble). Off-Broadway Debut! Tara is an alumna of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama where she played Sonya in The Great Comet of 1812 and Clara in A Movie Star has to Star in Black and White. Credits: Nell Gywnn in Nell Gywnn and Mrs. Squires in The Music Man at Texas Shakespeare Festival! She would like to thank God, Mom, Alex, Dad, Lisa Blair-Hawkins and friends for everyone ounce of love along the way! @taraclinkscales André De Shields (Old Deuteronomy). In a career spanning fifty-five years, André De Shields, at age 78, has distinguished himself as a legendary actor/activist, iconic philanthropist and Broadway deity. As Actor, Mr. De Shields' mission is to fill intimate spaces with enormous beauty, defining intimate spaces as the hearts of humanity. As Activist, he endeavors to restore majesty, elegance and literacy to the Black Thespian's toolbox; to advocate for long term survivors of HIV and AIDS, and to champion the legacy of the Wellderly (elderly individuals who continue to kick butt). www.andredeshields.com. Ubuntu! Sydney James Harcourt (Rum Tum Tugger). Sydney Hames Harcourt is a Grammy®-winning multidisciplinary artist from Detroit, Michigan. Stage credits include: Hamilton (Aaron Burr), The Lion King (Simba), American Idiot, Girl from the North Country (Joe Scott - Drama Desk nomination). TV/Film includes: "FBI, Blue Bloods," "Elementary," "Tell Me A Story," Edouard on Netflix's Castlevania: Nocturne, Enchanted, and Disney's Hamilton movie. Sydney recently appeared on PBS's Black Broadway concert and is currently working on a Dance/Electronic album with Netflix Music Lab. Antwayn Hopper (Macavity). Broadway: A Strange Loop, HAIR! Select Off-Broadway/New York: Memphis in The Life dir. by Billy Porter (NY Encores!); A Strange Loop (PHNY); The Loophole (NY Public); Civil War Christmas (NYTW); Showboat (Carnegie Hall); and This Ain't No Disco (NYSF). Select Regional: A Ghost In Satin (Williamstown); Nick's Flamingo Grill (Alliance); Camino Real (Goodman); The Brothers Size (Old Globe); Rent (Syracuse Stage); Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera). Film/TV: FBI, 100&1, Girl Most Likely, The Knick, and more. CMU! #HCKR Upcoming: Debut Album! Dava Huesca (Understudy). Originally from New York City, Dava holds a degree from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance and is an alum of Springboard Danse Montreal. Her performance career commenced as a company member with Dance Theater Company VIM VIGOR. Other performance attainments include works by: Yin Yue Dance Company, Telfar TV, Jacolby Satterwhite, Johannes Weiland, Laja Martin, Maxine Doyle, Rena Butler, Marla Phelan, Stephanie Batten Bland, Sidra Bell, Christoph Wrinkler Company, & Martha Graham Dance Company. Dudney Joseph Jr. (Munkustrap). Dudney Joseph Jr. is deeply honored to be part of PAC NYC's inaugural season and share the enchanting spirit of Ballroom culture since joining the community in 2011. Off–Broadway: The Harder They Come (The Public Theater). Regional: Angels in America, Little Shop of Horrors, Ain't Misbehavin'. Film: The True Adventures of Wolfboy, The American Side. TV: The Crowded Room, Harlem, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Run the World. Dudney would like to thank his parents, loved ones, and DGRW for their support and love. @DudneyJr Capital Kaos (DJ). Capital Kaos is a Brooklyn, New York-based ballroom DJ and producer who is part of an international collective production crew called PUMPDABEAT. He draws inspiration from the sounds of ballroom music and from other producers such as the late, great Vjuan Allure and the well-known DJ MikeQ. His blends and mixes are guaranteed to get your body moving and voguing on the dance floor. Some of his well-known work includes a track called "Runaway" and "Majorette C*nt." Junior LaBeija (Gus). A member of The Iconic House of LaBeija for more than 50 years, LaBejia is popular within Gay Culture and Ballroom (Worldwide) for being the trailblazer, pioneer, and iconic master of ceremony for the annual "Paris Is Burning Ball" hosted by the late trailblazer, pioneer, and icon Paris Dupree. LaBejia is the M.C. in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning by filmmaker Jennie Livingston. He is a humanitarian. Dominique Lee (Understudy). Dominique Lee is a dynamic singer and performer whose magnetic stage presence and soulful voice captivate audiences worldwide. With a passion for people and music, he appreciates the opportunity to connect with them through song. From Pop, Motown, R&B, Gospel, Classical, and beyond, he delivers it all. To this day, he continues to enchant fans with his special Prince Tribute. He looks forward to creating music that will be enjoyed by generations to come. Robert "Silk" Mason (Mistoffelees). Robert "Silk" Mason is a multidisciplinary artist born in the Bronx, and raised in Columbia, SC. Robert attended The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities for dance and The Juilliard School for Dance. They are an international award-winning film actor seen in Into The Colors, Forged In Chaos, and Hold You Down. National commercials: Facebook Messenger Rooms 2020, Super Bowl LVII Apple Music and Rihanna Halftime Show 2023, 212 Carolina Herrera Fragrance Campaign 2024. They are a published model, choreographer, lgbtqia+ youth leader, and founding mother of the new Kiki Royal Haus of Silk. "Tempress" Chasity Moore (Grizabella) actress, singer, and Ballroom Icon/Hall of famer from Mount Vernon, N.Y. She began singing in church at age 5, which led her to Star Search, The Apollo, and traveling with a high school drama troupe. Chasity attended Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and pursued a singing career. She was discovered by Tyler Perry, being cast as a transgender person prior to her own transition in I Know I've Been Changed. The name Tempress was born in Ballroom. She's a founder and Queen Mother of her house organization Maison Margiela, has made appearances on Ryan Murphy's Pose, and in campaigns for Sephora and Tvone. She hosts a YouTube series and a podcast FqCrazySexyCool. Shereen Pimentel (Jellylorum). Shereen Pimentel was last seen as Eva Perón in ART & STC's co-production of Evita. Her other credits include West Side Story in the 2020 Broadway revival as Maria, Young Nala in The Lion King on Broadway, Guenevere in Camelot at The Muny, and New York City Center's Encores! production of Into the Woods as Rapunzel. Shereen is a graduate from the Juilliard School with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance. Primo (Tumblebrutus). Primo is a Cincinnati, Ohio, native living in New York City. At 14, Primo started at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati. Ballets include Giselle, Dracula, The Nutcracker. Musicals include 101 Dalmatians, Brigadoon, Peter Pan. In 2015, Primo attended The Young Americans College of Performing Arts, touring more than 16 countries and teaching dance, vocal music, and confidence building through the arts. Primo has performed in international dinner theater (Germany) and was the top producer choice for the final season of "So You Think Can Dance" (2020). He's a freelance instructor and voguer and hopes to own his own dance studio to plant just a tiny seed of hope that music can change the world. Nora Schell (Bustopher Jones). Nora Schell graduated from The University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in gender, race, and nation. They received Drama Desk, Drama League, and Clive Barnes Award nominations for their Off-Broadway debut in SPAMILTON. Nora made their Broadway debut in Jagged Little Pill. With their educational background, Nora continues to cultivate a career focused on the intersection of performing and social justice. Love and gratitude to Gregg Baker Management, their family, and Jane. Kendall G. Stroud (Understudy). Kendall Stroud is honored to have been part of this 'Jellicle' family since the beginning. This project has taught them more about family, self-love, and artistry than their entire artistic career. They are immensely grateful to the Ballroom community for welcoming them and providing a space where they could find themselves. They thank PAC NYC for putting their trust in them to be a part of this historic moment. They'd also like to thank X Casting for everything they've done for this budding queer artist of color. NYU Tisch School of the Arts' Department of Drama graduate (2022). Frank Viveros (Ensemble). Recently seen on Broadway in Lincoln Center Theater's revival of Camelot. Broadway: Aladdin (Genie standby). Tours: Phantom of the Opera (Piangi); Aladdin. Off-Broadway: Yellow Brick Road; Play Like A Winner; When Pigs Fly. Disney: Finding Nemo—The Musical (Original Bloat) TV: Danny's House. Gracias a Dios, Creatives, Pantera/Murphy, Familia, Amigos y Matt! Made in Colombia. @frrankly Garnet Williams (Bombalurina). Garnet Williams is a writer, actor, and singer originally from Atlanta. Some favorite roles include The Lovebird in Skyward: An Endling Elegy (Powerhouse), Dionne one Hair (Roundabout), Miss Olivia Blonde in At Hotel MacGuffin (Parity). More recently she has been on concert stages from Caveat to Joe's Pub. For Lucile. Teddy Wilson Jr. (Sillabub). Ft. Lauderdale born with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Penn State University, Teddy, is extremely grateful and excited to be a part of this production of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. With special thanks to CTG and the friends and family who have supported them along the way. The show is filled with a rich culture and history that is so necessary to the black and brown queer community. We hope to do it justice! Zhailon Levingston (Director) is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a board member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University. He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel's A Broader Way Foundation. His directing credits include: Neptune (Dixon Place, Brooklyn Museum); The Years That Went Wrong (Lark, MCC); The Exonerated (Columbia Law School); Chariot Part 2 (Soho Rep. for The Movement Theatre Company); Mother of Pearl (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center). He is the associate director of Primer for a Failed Superpower with Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin, and Runaways at The Public Theater with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently, he directed Chicken and Biscuits which premiered on Broadway in 2021 and Patience which premiered at Second Stage UPTOWN Summer of 2022. Zhailon is also the former resident director at Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway, and the associate director of Hadestown in South Korea. Bill Rauch (Director) is the inaugural Artistic Director of Perelman Performing Arts Center. His work as a theater director has been seen across the nation, from low-income community centers to Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production of Robert Schenkkan's All the Way and its sequel The Great Society, as well as at many of the largest regional theaters in the country. His other New York credits include the world premiere of Naomi Wallace's Night Is a Room at Signature Theatre, the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House at Lincoln Center Theater, and a site-specific Occasional Grace in multiple Manhattan churches for En Garde Arts. From 2007 to 2019, Bill was artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), the country's oldest and largest rotating repertory theater, where he directed seven world premieres and 20 other plays including several by Shakespeare as well as innovative productions of classic musicals including a queer re-envisioning of Oklahoma! Bill is also co-founder of Cornerstone Theater Company where he served as artistic director from 1986 to 2006, directing more than 40 productions, most of them collaborations with diverse rural and urban communities. Arturo Lyons (Choreographer) (aka NY Father Icon Arturo Miyake-Mugler) is a choreographer based in New York. Finding dance in school at a young age, he has studied Hip Hop, Vogue, Reggae, and Street Jazz, combining them to form his own signature style. He has also learned music as a DJ and to create his own dance tracks. He has choreographed for multiple New York showcases: The Carnival Choreographers Ball, Sybarite: Love Is Love, The Doll House Sirens After Dark, and Dance Harlem as well as produced the Off-Broadway Vogue 4 Your Life which premiered fall 2019 and aimed to showcase vogue on a broader scale with an aim for a worldwide tour. Recently, Arturo joined HBO Max's new hit show Legendary as a choreographer in its pilot season and returned leading the House of Miyake Mugler to victory as the $100,000 Ultimate Superior House on Season 2. In June 2021, Arturo performed for WNBA's NY Liberty Pride Night Half-time show and with Madonna for an exclusive Pride event in New York City. Omari Wiles (Choreographer). Ousmane Wiles is an African American West African and vogue dancer. Wiles is best known as, legendary Omari NiNa Oricci, co-founder of The House of Nina Oricci [est. October 2019] and creative director of LES BALLET AFRIK dance company. His choreography has been featured with Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, John Legend, Jidenna, Goldlink, Rashaad Newsome, and many more. Wiles also appeared with his house as a contestant on Legendary (season 2) on HBO Max. Wiles is now evolving his own style of dance with his company LES BALLET AFRIK, blending African, vogue, modern, and house as one. He and his company have performed at the Joyce Theater, Works and Process, Guggenheim Museum, and Lincoln Center. Major support for Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" is provided by BNY Mellon. Tickets All tickets including stage-side cabaret table seating are available now. For memberships and tickets call 212-266-3000 or visit pacnyc.org. All performances are located at PAC NYC at 251 Fulton Street. Citi is the Official Card and a Proud Sponsor of PAC NYC. PAC NYC is grateful for the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies. About PAC NYC PAC NYC (251 Fulton Street) is a dynamic new home for the performing arts, serving audiences and the creative sector through flexible venues that embrace wide-ranging artistic programs. The inaugural season features work across theater, dance, music, opera, film and more. Conceived as the cultural keystone of the plan to rebuild the World Trade Center after 9/11, PAC NYC marks the final triumph in the growth and rebirth of Lower Manhattan. Its presence represents the resiliency of New York and the power of the arts to entertain, inspire, and unite. The inaugural season showcases the unparalleled flexibility of three performing arts venues inside PAC NYC: the John E. Zuccotti Theater (seating up to 450 people), the Mike Nichols Theater (seating up to 250) and the Doris Duke Foundation Theater (seating up to 99). These venues can recombine in over 60 configurations with capacities ranging from 50 to 1080 seats. Named for businessman, philanthropist and benefactor Ronald O. Perelman, the Perelman Performing Arts Center is 129,000 square feet, rising 138 feet from street level. Its cube-shaped exterior is wrapped in glass-covered Portuguese marble tiles, arranged in a book-matched pattern that radiates from the center of each façade. The tiles, less than half an inch thick, allow light to radiate in during the day, and glow out during the evening. Designed by the architecture firm REX, led by founding principal Joshua Ramus, the building was created in collaboration with executive architect Davis Brody Bond, theater consultant Charcoalblue and acoustician Threshold Acoustics. David Rockwell and his architecture and design firm Rockwell Group designed the interior of the lobby and restaurant with a dynamic ceiling visible from the street to create an inviting entry experience. The lobby's restaurant by chef Marcus Samuelsson, along with the bar and outdoor terrace, offer a new gathering space for the Lower Manhattan community. www.pacnyc.org # # # |
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