Garry Marshall Theatre presents

CINDY & THE DISCO BALL

Book and Lyrics
Joseph Leo Bwarie & Lori Marshall

Music
Rachael Lawrence

STARRING
(in alphabetical order)

Karis Brizendine

Audrey Lyn Crabaño

Saylor Bell Curda

Bobby Hogan

Cloie Wyatt Taylor*

Jorchual Gregory Vargas

Thomas Whitcomb

Understudy for Cindy, Eleanor & Kris - Amelia Prochaska

-

Scenic Design 
Tom Wagman

Lighting Design
JM Montecalvo

Costume Design
Jessica Champagne Hansen

Sound Design
Robert Arturo Ramirez

Hair & Wig Design
Danyell Weinberg

Makeup Design
Littlerock Nia

Casting Consultants
Henry Russell Bergstein
Rose Bochner

Technical Director 
Vince Davey

Stage Manager
Giselle N. Vega*

Musical Direction & Orchestrations by
Ryan Whyman

Choreography by
Anna Amiee White

Directed by
Joseph Leo Bwarie & Christine Lakin

 

There will be one 15-minute intermission.

*Appearing through an Agreement between Garry Marshall Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Mangers in the United States.


Please check house boards for any program changes.

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited

Please note: there will be flash photography from the stage.


CINDY & THE DISCO BALL is supported, in part, by The Louis L. Borick Foundation and by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors of the Department of Arts and Culture.


MEET THE CAST

KARIS BRIZENDINE
Kris

Karis Brizendine is stoked to be jumping into the 70’s! Karis is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University’s BFA Acting program. Theatre Credits include: Adobe Punk (About…Productions), Romeo and Juliet (Pioneer Summer Theatre), and Men on Boats (BWU). You can also catch Karis in “The Forgotten” Podcast, and in The Erl King, now playing with Etheria Film Night 2023. Shoutout to the Village Studio, the Lovebug & Me Fam, and the roomies. www.karisbrizendine.com

AUDREY LYN CRABAÑO
Eleanor

Audrey Lyn Crabaño is a recent BFA Musical Theatre graduate from Cal State Fullerton. She recently played Mouth in the West Coast Premiere of In The Green at The Wayward Artist. Other cherished roles include: Sandy Cheeks in The Spongebob Musical and Dory in Merrily We Roll Along. She is delighted to be making her Garry Marshall debut with this fabulous company! audreycrabano.com

SAYLOR BELL CURDA
Cindy

Saylor Bell Curda (AEA) is thrilled to be making her first appearance at the Garry Marshall Theatre. She has previously appeared in Victory Theatre, Blank Theatre and West Coast Ensemble productions. She is best known for her role as Maddox in High School Musical The Musical: The Series for Disney+ and in her recurring role as Sadie in Walker on CW.  Love to my family. Thanks to my team - Tim, Kim, Susan, Cami, and Joe! #SagAftraStrong

BOBBY HOGAN
Buddy

Bobby Hogan is thrilled to be making his Garry Marshall Theatre debut with this fabulous show. Previous credits include...National Tours: Escape to Margaritaville; Regional: Joyce Jackson's...Dating (Florida Theatrical Association); Footloose (Grandstreet), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Studio Tenn), Newsies (Chaffin's Barn), Into the Woods and Hairspray (The Muny); Film/TV: FBI, NCIS: LA, American Horror Stories, 911: Lone Star. Thank you to his team at KMR for all of their hard work and enthusiasm, his family for the undying support, and his friends, without whom he never would have lasted in this city. Thank you for supporting live theatre!! It's outta sight!

AMELIA PROCHASKA
U/S Cindy

Amelia is excited to be making her Garry Marshall Theatre debut ! A recent graduate of Northwestern University, Amelia has loved moving back to LA to pursue creative work as an actor, singer, and intimacy coordinator! Favorite credits include Brooke Wyndham (LEGALLY BLONDE), Rose (THE FLICK), #14 (THE WOLVES) and her work with MTW’s Community Education Program. Endless thanks and love to her family and friends.

CLOIE WYATT TAYLOR*
Soul Sister

Cloie Wyatt Taylor, a New York University alum, is thrilled to be back at the GMT. Last seen as “Sally Sue Tucker” in The Root Beer Bandits, you can catch Cloie opposite MC Lyte in the sitcom Partners in Rhyme (AllBlk) and alongside Nico Tortorella (Younger) in the indie drama, The Mattachine Family. Thank you to the wonderful cast and crew of Cindy. All my heart to Button. I dedicate this performance to the OG “Soul Sister” - my mom, Angela. For more information, visit www.HeyCloie.com

JORCHUAL GREGORY VARGAS
Pablo

Jorchual is an actor and filmmaker from Venezuela. His passion for performing arts brought him to Los Angeles where he has been working in film productions in-front and behind camera leading to opening his own creative agency and film studio. He recently started his journey in musical theater making part of “In The Heights” for the Morgan Wixon Theater as part of the ensemble. Cindy and the Disco Ball is Jorchual’s second musical audition and musical play. He is excited to share this experience with you and hopes you will enjoy the show.

THOMAS WHITCOMB
Tommy

Thomas Whitcomb is thrilled to be making his GMT debut. Originally hailing from Indiana, Thomas is a Ball State University Musical Theatre alum. Some of his favorite credits include: Crazy for You (Bobby), Footloose (Ren), Elf the Musical (Buddy), and Grease (Doody). He recently made his feature film debut in Miguel Wants to Fight on Hulu. Many thanks to Abby, Mom, family and friends, Scott Silver, the cast, crew, and creative team.

FOLLOW THE CAST!

Karis Brenzedine @karis.briz

Audrey Lyn Crabaño @braudwaybaby

Saylor Bell Curda @saycurda

Bobby Hogan @bobbyhogan_

Amelia Prochaska @ameliaprochaska

Cloie Wyatt Taylor @CloieWyattTaylor

Jorchual Gregory Vargus @jorchual

Thomas Whitcomb @_thomas.whitcomb_


VOICES PROVIDED BY
(in order heard)

Ty Taylor
Natalie Lander
Brandon Breault
Malynda Hale

BAND

Ryan Whyman - Musical Director/Keys
Brian LaFontaine - Guitar
Joshua Kirsh - Bass
Emiliano Almeida - Drums
Nick Stone - Percussion


Erik Garcia - Musical Director/Keys on select dates

BEHIND THE SCENES TEAM
(in alphabetical order)

JOSEPH LEO BWARIE 
Co-Director/Book & Lyrics

JLB is known for his record-breaking turn as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys (over 2,000 performances – Las Vegas, Tour & Broadway). He is a Sherman Oaks native and a recording artist popular on XM Siriusly Sinatra. Albums: Nothin’ But Love, The Good Stuff, A Little Christmas. At Garry’s Falcon Theatre, he wrote/produced seven original family productions, performed in nine “Troubie” shows, played ‘Chachi Arcola’ in Happy Days: A New Musical, and was associate director alongside Garry for the world premiere Billy & Ray. For GMT, he is a founding Artistic Director and has directed A Funny Thing Happened… Forum starring Joey McIntyre, The Root Beer Bandits, and Holidaze Harmony 2020 and Holidaze Harmony 2021 both starring Terron Brooks and Kamilah Marshall. With Julie Pearl he developed GMT’s Family Garden Days. With Impro Theatre he produced 2022’s Jane Austen Unscripted courtyard tea party event. With Kamilah Marshall he produced GMT’s 2022 Summer Concert Series (and opened the five-night event with a sold out concert). His newest album with arranger Charles Calello is due in 2023. It is always a joy to be a part of the Garry Marshall legacy. In 2005, JLB cast Christine Lakin as ‘Cindy’ in the first production of Cindy & The Disco Ball. To co-direct this all new production with his dear friend has been a gift. Thank you to my partners in crime: Jessica Champagne Hansen, Robert Ramirez, JM Montecalvo, Martha Carter, Anna Aimee White, Ryan Whyman, Kurt Swanson, Heather Hall, Kathleen Marshall, and my two storytelling partners Lori Marshall and Rachael Lawrence. Special thanks to GMT’s Tech Director, Vince Davey, who went above and beyond to bring this show to life.

CHRISTINE LAKIN
Co-Director

Christine is thrilled to be co-directing this Disco alongside Joe! While best known from her role as a young actor on the 90’s sit-com “Step By Step”, she has added television director to her resume, notably on such shows as The Goldbergs and High School Musical, The Series. You can also catch her work on Life By Ella out now on Apple+. Christine has performed in and choreographed numerous productions in this very space and even met her husband Brandon on stage here too, so it’s pretty special. Or at least her kids should think so! Much love to Mom & Dad who did lots of babysitting and to all friends of the arts who came to keep it alive.

LORI MARSHALL 
Book & Lyrics

Lori Marshall is a columnist, fairytale playwright and ghostwriter. She has published four books: Wake Me When It's Funny and My Happy Days in Hollywood, both co-authored with her father, film director Garry Marshall. She also co-wrote Cue The Bunny on The Rainbow, written with television director Alan Rafkin; and One-Way Ticket to L.A with her mother, Barbara Marshall. Seven years ago, Lori launched an online column called Lori's Library Party, which offers weekly book reviews to a loyal following of readers. As a playwright, Lori has written ten produced plays for children at The Garry Marshall Theatre, most with her long-time collaborator Joseph Leo Bwarie. Lori also works for By The Bay Health, the first hospice established in California and the second oldest in the United States. Lori has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School. She is the mother of twins Lily and Charlotte, stepmother to Ellie and Violet, and lives in Marin County with her husband Jeff Morris. 

ANNA AIMEE WHITE
Choreographer

Associate Director/Choreographer: Blue’s Clues & You Live. Staging Supervisor: Disney Princess: The Concert. Choreographer: ABC’s The Goldbergs, Netflix’s On My Block, Actor CoOp’s Miracle on 34th St. Associate Choreo: Stephen Schwartz’s The Secret Silk for PCL; Mamma Mia! at Bucks County Playhouse; Joseph at 3DT, The Root Beer Bandits at the GMT. Performer on Broadway: White Christmas, Grease (original 2007 company). NYC Encores!: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Bells Are Ringing; No No Nanette; Of Thee I Sing; Face The Music. Premiered Backwards In High Heels: The Ginger Musical as ‘Ginger Rogers’. Has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Hollywood Bowl, The Muny, Papermill Playhouse, Garry Marshall’s Happy Days. Film/Tv: New Year’s Eve; You Again; Valentine’s Day; Princess Diaries 2; Raising Helen; Georgia Rule; The Goldbergs; and HBO’s Tracey Ullman Live & Exposed.

RYAN WHYMAN
Musical Director & Orchestrations

Ryan Whyman has made a living as a keyboardist and composer in Los Angeles for the last decade or so. Recent projects have included piano for Rogers: The Musical at Disney’s G23 convention, musical direction for composer Jim Dooley’s The Revue, and composition for the documentary Unbroken. Ryan recently received an LA Drama Critics Circle award for his musical direction of Lizastrata at the Getty Villa. His piano music can also be heard on several TV and film soundtracks, including Showtime’s Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and the popular video game Fortnite. Ryan has been musical director for a number of productions at the GMT, including Joseph Leo Bwarie’s recent performance for the Marshall Gardens Summer Concert Series, Jane Austen Unscripted, and the 2019 and 2021 productions of The Root Beer Bandits. Other projects include a commissioned composition by renowned trumpeter Jonathan Heim and a collaboration with rapper George Watsky. His debut album, Fantasies & Memories has been well received and he expects to release his second album early next year.Presently he spends his time composing for video games and film productions, recording on film soundtracks, and taking care of his 7-month-old son, Julian.  

VINCE DAVEY
Technical Director

Vince has been building sets since High School in Indiana.  He received his MFA in Theatre Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He has served as the Technical Director for the Monomoy Theatre in Chatham, MA, and The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA. He has been GMT’s Technical Director since 2019. His most recent productions include Legally Brunette:The Search For Myself, Jane Austen Unscripted: Tea At Pemberley, Cindy & The Disco Ball, Santa Claus is Comin' to Motown, Holidaze Harmony, The Root Beer Bandits, and Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill.

TODD GALLOPO
Creative Director

Grammy® nominated creative director, designer, mentor, author and business owner, Todd Gallopo, began his career designing innovative packaging and image campaigns for numerous rock legends. His expertise spans from music and entertainment, to hospitality, food & beverage, fashion and beauty. His work has earned numerous awards and acknowledgements globally. In 2000 Todd founded the award-winning, LA-based branding and design agency, Meat and Potatoes, Inc. Producing quality design, brand building, key visual, packaging, and strategy solutions for global & local brands, pop stars, rock gods, celebrities, chefs, aficionados, fashionistas, entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, distillers, authors, entertainers, investors, carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians and vegans.

JESSICA CHAMPAGNE HANSEN
Costume Design

Jessica Champagne Hansen is an Ovation nominated costume designer and technician with credits in theater, dance, film, television, commercials, theme parks, and corporate clients. She is a published author and her work has been featured in numerous theater journals and books. Jessica is proud to be the head faculty and creator of the costume program at East Los Angeles College in the Theatre Arts Department. She is a member of IATSE Local 829 and serves on the Publication Committee for USITT. Jessica received an MFA in Costume Design from University of California, Irvine and a BFA in Costume Design & Technology from Emerson College.

RACHAEL LAWRENCE
Music

Rachael has been a vocal coach, musical director, composer, and songwriter/producer in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Projects range from: in-house vocal coach for Fox's Glee and ABC's Grey's Anatomy (The Music Event) to on-camera vocal coach for television shows such as Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil, personal vocal coach for many well known artists including Rebel Wilson, Halsey, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Joey McIntyre of NKOTB, Rachel Platten, and Aly & AJ. She has musically directed in Los Angeles, at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the University of Southern California, and for The Troubadour Theater Company. As composer/songwriter, Rachael has written musicals for the Garry Marshall Theatre and is co-founder of PTP Music, with many original song placements in film and television.

JM MONTECALVO
Lighting Design

A native Rhode Islander, JM holds an MFA in Lighting Design from Illinois State University. With his private company, Spectrum401, JM has designed The Nighttime Studio Tour, The Special Effects Show at Universal Studios Hollywood, and for NBC news studios nationwide. In China, Singapore, Russia, and Taiwan he has designed the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. attraction followed by the Chinese touring Transformers exhibit. Recent projections include collaborations with Fever and Netflix working on the Stranger Things Experience that opened up in eight cities around the world including Paris in London. Along with the Bridgerton Experience that toured around the US and Canada with his final location in New York City. As Lighting Director for the Garry Marshall Theatre his designs include: Master Class, The Enchanted Nightingale, The Mountaintop, My Funny Valentine in concert and The Root Beer Bandits. In 2020 JM designed GMT’s Holidaze Harmony virtual concert event remotely via webcam and technology.

ROBERT ARTURO RAMIREZ
Sound Design

Robert Arturo Ramirez is pleased to be designing for GMT again. Theatrical Designs include: Haunted House Party (Troubies/Getty Villa); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (GMT) : Santa Claus is Coming to Motown (Troubadour Theatre) and Miracle on 34th Street (Hollywood Actors co-op), (Ovation nom). For TV, he is currently Sound Designer on DC Comics' Superman and Lois (CW/hbomax), The Winchesters, Supernatural spinoff (CW) and Unprisoned (Hulu) at Warner Brothers Sound. Past theatrical designs: Lady Day at Emerson's (GMT) Ovation nom; Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and Broads! (El Portal); Romeo and Juliet (Odyssey). He’s received 3 Emmy/2 Ovation nominations. Other TV credits include: Manifest (NBC/Netflix), DC's Titans (Hbomax), DC’s Arrow, Queen and Slim. etc. He operates Orpheus SoundLabs in the NoHo Arts District.

KURT SWANSON
Managing Director

Chicago native Kurt Swanson is thrilled to be in his position with the GMT since August 2018.  Kurt has been involved in theatre and performing arts since childhood, originally as a keyboard musician. His career has spanned four decades, serving in a variety of senior positions with major social service and arts organizations in the Midwest and California. He has held executive positions with Theatre X, Steppenwolf Theatre, and others. He was Executive Director of Animal Samaritans SPCA, serves as a senior advisor with The Third Sector Company and is a lead consultant with SST Non-Profit Services, aiding clients in administration, finance and executive search. Swanson has served as General Manager of the Broad Stage and Acting COO of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts/The Wallis among others. Swanson has lived in Toluca Lake for over 22 years.

GISELLE N. VEGA*
Stage Manager

Giselle N. Vega (she/her) is a South East Los Angeles Native. She is thrilled to return for another production at the Garry Marshall Theatre. Her most recent and favorite credits as PSM/ASM include Uncle Vanya (Pasadena Playhouse), Macbeth  (Independent Shakespeare Company), Pericles (Independent Shakespeare Company),  Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Garry Marshall Theater)*Ovation Nom, The Mountaintop (Garry Marshall Theatre), and Culture Clash's Bordertown Now (Pasadena Playhouse). 

TOM WAGMAN
Scenic Design

Tom Wagman has enjoyed entertaining people with design for nearly 30 years, helping to create hundreds of projects around the world like theme parks, water parks, museums, restaurants, zoos, toys, movies, television shows...and now musicals! He hopes everyone has a great time at the show and that they remember to exercise and celebrate their own creativity a little bit everyday. 

DANYELL WEINBERG
Hair & Wig Design 

Danyell Weinberg is delighted to be making her debut with Cindy and the Disco Ball. Recent credits include Nickelodeon’s DANGERFORCE, AMERICAN HORROR STORIES DOLLHOUSE / NY (main promo/artwork), THE AFTERPARTY and Warner Brother’s BARBIE. She attended PAUL MITCHELL THE SCHOOL COSTA MESA and is a member of IATSE LOCAL 706, as a Hair Stylist. More at www.DanyellWeinberg.com
I’m so grateful to be a creative part of this beautiful, colorful show! 

DAVIDSON & CHOY PUBLICITY / VICTORIA WESTBROOK
Press Representatives

Resume includes the original LA production of Evita at the Shubert through most recently Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Pantages. In addition, dozens of dance companies including many stints with American Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Currently The Actor’s Gang, BroadStage, Center Theatre Group, East West Players, The El Capitan Theatre, The Garry Marshall Theatre, Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square, Hollywood Bowl, LA Phil, Long Beach Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and Verdi Chorus.


Cindy & The Disco Ball
Production Staff

Stage Manager, Giselle N. Vega*
Music Contractor, Eric Heinly
Intimacy Coach, Claire Glassford
Scenic Painters, Jessica Kender, Natalie Morales, Marcos Pereyra
Spot Operator, Josh Aguilar
Lead Audio Engineer, Gama Franco
Deck Crew, Violet Morris, Remy Small
Electricians, Elden Jackson, Remi Nalbantian, Daniel Wally
Carpenters, Ty Brown, Grant Gerrard
Branding Creative Director, Todd Gallopo
Branding Design Coordinator, Tory Davis
Production Photos, Ginger Sole Photography & Jeff Lorch
Promotional Photos, Damu Malik
Macaroni Mona Lisa, Richard Barakat 

Garry Marshall Theatre Staff

Producing Artistic Director, Joseph Leo Bwarie
Managing Director, Kurt J. Swanson
Technical Director, Vince Davey
Project Coordinator, Giselle N. Vega*
Special Events Producer, Heather Hall
Assistant Producer, Malynda Hale
Lighting Director, JM Montecalvo 
Sound Director, Robert Arturo Ramirez
Press Representatives, David Barber, Tim Choy, Victoria Westbrook
Box Office, Tarumi Inouye
Patron Services, Elizabeth Albright
Front of House Lead, Josh Aguilar
House Staff/Concessions, Julianne Hall, Lena Harris, Mary Frances Noser, Maryln Fisher Scott, Harper Secor, Lexi Wintermute
Volunteers, Julianna Aparicio, Ellen Deutsch, Siena LaGambina, Eleanor Maiers

GMT TEEN TECH 
Ari Olson
Sage Berg
Stella Payne
John Meneses

Thank you to

Paul Grider
Richard Barakat
John Bwarie
Nate Koach & Rachel Jackson
Kathie Bretches Urban
Ebay

GARRY MARSHALL THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barbara Marshall, Chair
Kathleen Marshall LaGambina, CEO
Heather Hall, Secretary
Scott Kay, Treasurer
Joan Boyett
Cathy King
Phill Lewis
Kelly Gerner
Dyanne Chae