NYMF '08 Cast

Philip Deyesso (Death) is excited to be home in New York performing in his first NYMF show.  New York credits: Broadway Bares 18, Triumph of Love, Silk Stockings, 365 Days Plays, Idol:The Musical, Cold As Ice w/Oksana Baiul. He also is an accomplished pianist and plays for the TJ MOSS BAND (Featured on BRAVO's "Step It Up And Dance"). Special thanks to the entire creative team, I would be nothing without you. Brian Kuchta Casting(oops did I just start something?)- now I know what being in the right time at the right place means. To all my teachers, fellow auditioners at AEA, and random New Yorkers who day after day drive me to drink. All my Love to the Deyesso Family, Kiara, and the house of 28-10. I love my job. FIERCE!

Meghann Dreyfuss (Raphael) is a member of the original Broadway cast of Mamma Mia, in which she has performed in the ensemble and understudied the role of Sophie Sheridan for six years. Other New York roles include Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels, Guenevere in Camelot, and Miriam in the recent staged reading of the new musical Delilah at the York Theater. She has appeared on Television with the cast of Mamma Mia on NBC's The Today Show, Broadway on Broadway, the 2002 Tony Awards, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as Guiding Light. Meghann is an NYU Tisch graduate, a proud member of Actors Equity, and is happily married to actor Kevin T. Collins.

Liberty Edwards (Eve) a Palm Beach Atlantic University graduate and Equity member is ecstatic to be making her New York Musical Theatre Festival debut. Some of her favorite rolls include Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate, Anita in West Side Story, Catherine in Proof and Mary Ann in Gilligans Island the Musical. It would be her honor to thank her fabulous cast of angels and equally angelic director and producers. Thank you Mamma and my incredible fam-bly for constant humor and love, your friendship is my rock, I lub you! To the Most High...this one's for you. Jer 29:11 LibertyEdwards.com

Tessa Faye (Gabriel) NY Theatre: Only A Lad (NY Fringe), Kidnapping Laura Linney (Stella Adler Studio), Please Remove This Stuffed Animal From My Head (Gene Frankel Theatre). Regional credits include Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (Seven Angels Theatre). Tessa provides the voice of Siara on the award-winning Pokemon Learning League animation series. Proud grad of the University of Michigan's musical theatre department and client of The Krasny Office. Love to Craig. Now and always, for Ryan Waldheger. www.tessafaye.com

Chris Gleim (Beelzebub) NY Theatre: Dispatches (Naked Angels Theatre Co.), White Widow (Peppuzzo), Radio City Xmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall), Fairest of Them All (York Theatre Co.), Paradise Lost: The Musical (off-off-Bway).  Nat'l Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley (Peter, u/s Jesus), The Best Little Whorehouse...   Faves include: The Threepenny Opera (Street Singer), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Valentine), and Company (Paul).  Workshops:  Take Flight, dir. Richard Maltby, Jr. (Charles Lindbergh).  Film: The Good Shepherd (dir. Robert De Niro).

Clarissa Grace (Mammom) is originally from Tucson, Arizona. Credits include: US national tour of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), US national tour and German companies of Starlight Express (Pearl), Las Vegas company of Saturday Night Fever (Annette), German company of CATS (Grizabella). This Christmas Clarissa will be returning to the New York production of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular as one of the six singers. Proud AEA member.

Graham Kurtz (Adam) is very excited to be participating in his first NYMF production. His favorite credits include the international tour of West Side Story, as well as regional productions of Cats, Gypsy, Hello Dolly, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. He was most recently seen as "Perseus" in The Wrath Of Aphrodite for GayFest NYC. BFA in Music Theatre from Western Michigan University.

Joe Paparella: Broadway: Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Good Vibrations; Tours: Mamma Mia!, Ragtime, Martin Guerre; Regional:  A Little Night Music (Baltimore Centerstage), Martin Guerre (Guthrie Theatre), Mame (Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), 1776 (Sacramento Music Circus). 

Danielle Erin Rhodes (Sophia) - a pianist, composer, and songwriter is proud to be returning to NYMF after last year's successful: Back Home- The War Brides Musical. She is also thrilled to be reprising the role of Sophia in this project once known as Paradise Lost. Danielle toured all over the world with such shows as Grease, Oliver! and The Three Irish Tenors.  Reg: The Buddy Holly Story, They're Playing Our Song, Rags, 42nd St., Damn Yankees.... thanks to voice teacher: Candace Goetz, acting mentor: Marilyn Sokol and strength trainer and kickboxing instructors: Brad and Eddie. Love to family for picking Dani up if she falls. Log on to www.broadwayworld.com for Sophia's fall video diaries.    

Ryan Williams (Lucifer) is thrilled to be joining this exciting new show's talented cast. National tour: Les Miserables (Enjolras u/s), Grease! (Danny& Kenickie). Off Broadway: Evil Dead The Musical. Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Bye Bye Birdie (Conrad Birdie), Romance Romance (Alfred), Sweeney Todd (Pirelli). TV :"All My Children". Love to my super Mom and Dad.

Michael Wolland (Belial) is thrilled to be part of Sophia's Fall. Some of his favorite credits include the First National Tour of Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver! (Noah u/s), Lefou in Beauty and the Beast (Allenberry Playhouse) and Foufie in The Happy Time (Musicals Tonight!). Many thanks to KTA, and much love to mom and dad for all their love and support.