Cast
Casey Donovan
Deloris Van Cartier
Casey Donovan is one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers, making her mark not only as a musician, but also in the areas of stage, screen, presenting and writing. Casey is a multi-award winner and nominee, including Deadly Awards and the ARIA #1Award and is a Double & Triple Platinum selling recording artist. Casey has starred in theatrical productions such as The Sapphires, The Flowerchildren, Opera Yarrabah, As You Like It, Rent, We Will Rock You, Chicago, 9 TO 5 The Musical and & Juliet. On screen at age 16, Casey was the youngest winner of Australian Idol and has since appeared in the TV series Street Smart, How To Stay Married, What Does Australia Really Think? and crowned Queen of the Jungle in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Casey has been called the Queen of NewYear’s Eve, with her annual powerhouse performances at the Sydney Opera House.
Genevieve Lemon
Mother Superior
Genevieve has appeared in many premiere Australian productions in a 40-plus year career including Steaming, Steel Magnolias, Seventeen, Miracle City, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Billy Elliot, which she also played in the West End (UK). Other performances include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Death of a Salesman, Summer Rain, The Venetian Twins, Summer of the 17th Doll and North by Northwest. Screen performances include Sweetie, The Piano, Top of the Lake and The Power of the Dog (among others with Jane Campion); Ticket to Paradise, Colin from Accounts, Prisoner, Here Out West, The Dressmaker, Suburban Mayhem, Rake, The Tourist, Acute Misfortune, Population 11 and the upcoming feature film Runt. Awards include Helpmann, Green Room and Sydney Theatre Critics awards for Best Actress in a Musical for Billy Elliot and Best Actress in a Feature Film from the Sydney Film Critics’ Circle for Sweetie.
Rhonda Burchmore
Sister Mary Lazarus
From Sydney to London’s West End, to the depths of the South African jungle, Rhonda Burchmore has endeared herself into the hearts of all Australians. Her favourite stage credits range from Hairspray to Hot Shoe Shuffle and include Mamma Mia, The Drowsy Chaperone, Mame and numerous others. Rhonda performed on the West End in Sugar Babies featuring Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller and Stop The World I Want To Get Off with Anthony Newley.
Her screen credits include I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, a lead recurring role in Channel Seven’s sitcom Fam Time, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, The Don Lane Show, The Midday Show, GMA with Bert Newton, Spicks and Specks, all of the morning shows, Carols in the Domain and Carols by Candlelight. She has also appeared as a guest on Kath & Kim and Nine Network’s Love Child.
Rhonda has recorded five albums including last year’s tropical release, A Red Hot Swingin’ Christmas with ABC Records.
Sophie Montague
Sister Mary Robert
Sophie Montague is a 2023 graduate from the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre (QAEMT), formerly the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Prior to this, they completed their Diploma of Musical Theatre at Brent Street in 2020.
Soon after graduating Sophie performed as a soloist in QPAC’s Spirit of Christmas with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra alongside Stephanie Jones, Daniel Bell and Marcus Corowa. They also performed in Dowling Street Productions workshop of Once In A Lifetime, a new musical directed by James Millar. Their QAEMT credits include Dupree in Cry Baby directed by Alister Smith, Martha Dunnstock/Veronica Sawyer understudy in Heathers the Musical and Babe Williams in The Pajama Game.
Sophie has fond memories of sitting on their father’s knee at the piano as he played and sang Send in the Clowns, sparking their love of music and theatre.
Sophie is a proud MEAA member and is represented by Sue Barnett & Associates. They are honoured and thrilled to be making their professional Musical Theatre debut alongside the Australian cast of Sister Act.
Bianca Bruce
Sister Mary Patrick
Bianca is swiftly solidifying her status as one of Australia’s preeminent comedic talents on stage, having recently wrapped up her role as Rosie in the 2023 Australian tour of Mamma Mia! The Musical (LWAA) and previously as step-sister Charlotte in Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Opera Australia), delighting audiences with her performances.
Bianca has also appeared as a featured artists in Boublil and Schönberg’s Do You Hear The People Sing? (Enda Markey Presents) and Music of the Night- The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Spears Entertainment); as Pam in the Australian Tour of 50 Shades! The Musical Parody (DVE); Camila in the Australian Premiere cast of In the Heights (StageArt), Falsettos (StageArt); and as Ethel in the Australian Premiere cast of Memphis the Musical (StageArt).
Bianca’s onscreen presence includes, appearing as Heather throughout Season 3 of How To Stay Married and as Jackie in the ABC TV limited series Fires.
Bianca is represented by Aran Michael Management and would like to thank her partner and family for their ongoing love and support. Bianca would also like to pay her respects to the traditional owners of the lands on which we live and perform.
Raphael Wong
Eddie Souther
A versatile classical-crossover artist, Raphael made his professional debut in Opera Australia’s 2012 Melbourne season and, since then, has performed across Australia and internationally. He is a two-time finalist in the prestigious Herald Sun Aria Competition, a runner-up in the National Liederfest Competition, and a Green Room Award nominee for his role as the Musiklehrer in CitiOpera’s Ariadne auf Naxos. In 2018, Raphael took part in Rotary International’s Next Generation Services Exchange, where he was a featured soloist in the Monteverdi Vespers at the Bayreuth Young Artist Festival in Germany. Raphael was a Top 6 Finalist in the Inaugural Artists of Colour (AOC) Initiative Music Theatre Competition in 2020.
Credits include: Papageno in The Magic Flute (Manhattan Opera Studio – USA); Tiridate in Radamisto (Manhattan Opera Studio – USA); Passarino/Phantom Understudy in The Phantom of the Opera (HOSH/Opera Australia); Joseph Buquet/Phantom Understudy in The Phantom of the Opera (RUG/Opera Australia/Cameron Mackintosh); Cinderella’s Father in Midnight (Aspect Entertainment); The King in The Sleeping Beauty (Victorian Opera); Rapunzel’s Prince/ Lucinda in Into the Woods (Watch This).
Raphael is regularly engaged as a national anthem singer, having performed at official events with Government of Victoria and he, most notably, sang the Australian National Anthem at the 2022 Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Raphael is also a freelance music director and educator, having taught and conducted with the Australian Boys Choir and Melbourne Singers of Gospel, and has taught at schools across Victoria. He co-produced a number of musicals with OXAGEN Productions and music directed Little Women: The Musical and Songs for a New World. Raphael is incredibly grateful for his two favourite humans in the world, Tiffany and Theodore.
James Bryers
Curtis Jackson
James graduated with a BA in Music Theatre from WAAPA. Most recently James starred as The Duke in the Australian tour of Moulin Rouge. James’ notable theatre credits include playing the role of the Escapologist in the enormously successful Australian and New Zealand tour of Matilda the Musical for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Louise Withers Productions, The New Zealand & Australian tour of Jersey Boys for Skyline Theatricals, Pirates of Penzance for The Production Company and Dirty Dancing for The Gordon Frost Organisation.
James was also a lead performer alongside Melinda Schneider for the Blake Entertainment production of Doris, which opened at the Sydney Opera House. In 2018 James appeared as Eddie/Dr Scott in the national tour of The Rocky Horror Picture Show for GFO and in 2019, in the lead role of Cedric in the tour of Puffs for TEG Live.
Damien Bermingham
Monsignor O'Hara
Damien’s professional career began as a cast member of the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. He was a founding cast member of Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical where he understudied the role of ‘Miss Understanding’ and was the alternate ‘Bob’. He has since gone on to play ‘Amos Hart’ in the international touring production of Chicago. For this role he was nominated for a Helpmann Award as well as winning the Sydney Theatre Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. Damien spent two years overseas performing his solo cabaret show as well as being a voice–over artist for several animated TV series.
He returned to Australia to cover and play the role of ‘Carl Denham’ in King Kong and played ‘Merv’ in the Australian Premiere of Strictly Ballroom – The Musical. Damien produced and appeared as ‘Father’ in the Sydney Theatre Award winning, Australian premier production of the musical Violet. He went on to play ‘Tony’ in The Bodyguard and was most recently seen in the role of ‘Big Davy’ in the national tour of Billy Elliot. Sister Act marks Damien’s return to the boards post COVID and he couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of such a fantastic show.
Emma Powell
Sister Mary Theresa
Emma’s first performance was at the age of three when she appeared on US television with Ronald McDonald. As a grown-up, she toured Australia in The Pirates of Penzance with Jon English and Simon Gallaher. She then joined Les Miserables which toured to Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Cape Town. She went on to perform in Mamma Mia as ensemble in the original production then took over the role of ‘Rosie’ for the Australasian tour.
She played ‘Hattie’ in Kiss Me Kate and ‘Fruma Sarah” in Fiddler on the Roof. Emma took a break from mainstage musicals to create her own work; A self-devised comedy – Busting Out! which ran for five years touring Australia, New Zealand, the UK (including the Edinburgh Festival). Emma also created another female driven stage comedy – Dumped! The Musical We’ve All Been Through. An original Australian musical comedy Dumped! had three seasons in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
The last decade has seen a return to major musicals for Emma, touring Australia in Kinky Boots as ‘Trish’ and in Priscilla – Queen of the Desert as ‘Shirley’. Last year Emma completed a four-year Australia-wide run as an original cast member, playing ‘Beulah & Others’ in Come From Away, before joining the regional Australian tour of Menopause The Musical as ‘Housewife’.
Sally Bourne
Sister Mary Martin of Tours
Sally has been working in theatre, TV, film & cabaret for 45 years having made her debut in the title role of the original Australian cast of the musical Annie. She was then cast in the Australian productions of Nine & Les Miserables before moving to London in 1991.
Sally’s London credits include My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol, Les Miserables, A My Name is Alice, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hey, Mr. Producer, Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, The John Wayne Principal & the world premier productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game & The Royal National Theatre’s production of Jerry Springer the Opera. Sally was also a regular on the cabaret & stand up circuit, appeared in numerous plays & was cast as Eva’s maid in the film Evita whilst in the U.K.
Since returning to Australia in 2004, she has performed in Damn Yankees, The Boy From Oz, Brigadoon (State Theatre), Company & the world premier productions of Shane Warne the Musical as Brigitte Warne, Once We Lived Here (Green Room Award nomination) & as Layla in the Cat Stevens musical Moonshadow. Most recently Sally played Trish in the Green Room Award winning production of Kinky Boots at Chapel off Chapel in Melbourne.
Her television credits include The Sullivans, I Can Jump Puddles, Prisoner, Small Time Gangster, Neighbours, Newtons Law & Ms Fishers Modern Murder Mysteries.
Sally has been involved in over 30 cabaret shows as performer, writer, director and dramaturge as well as performing regularly with the improv comedy group Spontaneous Broadway & is one of Melbourne’s busiest singing teachers.
For more info visit: www.sallybourne.com
Jordan Angelides
Pablo
Originally from Wollongong, Jordan ignited his formal training at The Australian Institute of Music studying a Bachelor of Music Theatre and went on to graduate from Brent Street Studios. Jordan’s professional credits include Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical (Norwegian Creative Studios), the 25th anniversary tour of The Secret Garden (OA/GFO) as Lieutenant Shaw U/s Fakir, Catch Me If You Can (LPD/Hayes Theatre Company), Matt in Bare: A Pop Opera and most recently seen in They’re Playing Our Song (Neglected Musicals) as Phill/Voice of Vernon.
Jordan’s international journey includes touring with Boys In The Band, Royal Caribbean International and Lead Male Vocalist in Burn The Floor. Jordan is thrilled to be proudly representing his Spanish heritage and extends gratitude to his family for their unwavering support.
Tom Struik
Joey
Tom made his professional theatre debut in the 2019 HANDA / Opera Australia production of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour. In 2020, he joined the cast of Shrek the Musical!, featuring in the roles of the Pied Piper/Captain. Tom performed in the 2022/23 Opera Australia production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, understudying the role of Prince Topher.
As a member of the high energy, tap comedy show, The Tap Pack, Tom has toured throughout Australia, North America and the UK. He performed in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games closing ceremony and has worked with artists including Will.I.Am, Kylie Minogue and Ricky Martin. Tom made his film debut, in Baz Luhrmann’s movie Elvis. Tom most recently performed in Mamma Mia! The Musical, understudying the role of Sky.
James Bell
TJ
James Bell has a long history on stage both as an actor and musician. Stage roles include Roger in Rent (Courthouse Theatre, NZ) Joe Vegas in Fame the Musical (HAMA Productions, WA), Elias in John (Outhouse Theatre), Francis in Black is the New White (STC) and Evan in The Aliens (Redline Productions), which won him Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2015 Sydney Theatre Awards.
Previous productions include Next to Normal (Black Swan), Children of the Sun (STC), War Horse, National Interest (MTC/Black Swan). A graduate of WAAPA, James made his mainstage debut in the lead role of Danny in The Joy of Text (MTC) in 2011. Screen credits include feature film Acute Misfortune directed by Thomas M Wright.
Kayla Carter
Tina
Training: The Royal Academy of Music. Kayla’s theatre credits include originating the role of Bonnie in I Should Be So Lucky (UK Tour); The Color Purple (Curve/Birmingam Hippodrome & UK Tour); Bedknobs and Broomsticks (UK & Ireland Tour); Rent (Hopemill Theatre); Refresh (Underbelly Festival) and The Limit (Vaults Festival).
Workshops include Military Wives (Dominion Gallery); Lovestuck (Unicorn Theatre), Jubilee (Old Vic), Superyou (All Awesome LCC); Prom Fever (Mirrorball Films); Fangirls (Sonia Friedman Productions) and I Should Be So Lucky (Ambassador Theatre Group).
Instagram: @kaylacarter_
Gabriyel Thomas
Michelle
GABRIYEL THOMAS (Michelle) is excited to be back down under! A few of her previous credits include – Tour: Hairspray (Lorraine, International), Regional: Sound of Music (Ensemble, Ogunquit), and Rock of Ages (Justice/Mom, Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre). Gabriyel would like to thank her amazing team at Firestarter Entertainment, as well as her friends and family for believing in her dreams and supporting her every step of the way! ig: @gabriyel.thomas
Theodore Williams
Clemont
Theo Williams (He/Him) stepped onto the Newcastle theatre scene at age 10 with Metropolitan Players SOUTH PACIFIC in the role of Jerome. Of African-American descent, Theo was awarded the ‘Tenor Excellence Award’ for Senior Vocal Ensemble and has performed with various vocal ensembles and bands. Recent productions include; RENT 2024 (LPD Productions), the Australian premiere of CHOIR BOY 2023 (Riverside Theatre) for which he received a nomination for ‘BEST NEWCOMER’ at the Sydney Theatre Awards 2023, PASSING STRANGE 2022 (Antipodes Theater Company), CHESS THE MUSICAL 2021 and JERSEY BOYS 2022 (The Very Popular Theater Company).
Patrick Volpe
Cop / Bartender
Patrick is a recent graduate from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre). He also completed a Diploma of Music Theatre at WAAPA in the year before starting his bachelor’s degree.
His WAAPA credits include ‘Sweeney’ in Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, ‘Macavity’ in Cats, ‘Chuck Cranston’ in Footloose and ‘Mack Sennett Understudy/Ensemble’ in Mack and Mabel.
Patrick is absolutely thrilled to be making his professional theatre debut in Sister Act The Musical. He would like to thank his family for their continuous support and can’t wait to share this production with Australian audiences.
Elenor Smith Adams
Swing
Elenor graduated University of Ballarat, BA Music Theatre 2004. She toured nationally in Wombat Stew, My Grandma Lives In Gooligulch, Possum Magic, Stripey (Garry Ginivan Attractions) and Hairy Maclary (Andrew Kay & Associates).
Other performance credits include Pacific Overtures as Shogun’s Wife (Watch This and Manilla Street Productions), Flora The Red Menace as Maggie Magnormos (The World Goes Round) and Threepenny Opera as Polly Peachum (Redroom Theatre).
Her cabaret work includes La Femme Nouvelle, The Petticoat Soiree, Sing Happy and The Candy Totts. Elenor won 1st Prize in Short Sweet + Cabaret 2008 and is currently a vocalist in the trio The Wild Tonics. Elenor wholeheartedly thanks and dedicates her performance to her amazing family.
Cara Bessey
Swing
Cara Bessey, originally from Canberra, received her training at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Her passion for music theatre ignited when she appeared in high school productions of You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown as Sally Brown and Xanadu as Kira/Clio. Notable theatre credits include Featured Ensemble member in Chimerica (Sydney Theatre Company, NIDA), as well as the recent tour of Mary Poppins (Michael Cassel), where she performed in the ensemble and covered various roles including Mrs. Corry, Mrs. Brill, Miss Andrew, and The Birdwoman.
Cara has made appearances on television in shows like Wakefield (ABC TV) and in commercials for KFC and MyDeal. Cara would like to thank her reps at Focus, Robert Bertram, Natasha Crane, Kelly Roberts and her parents. Cara is a proud member of MEAA.
Melanie Bird
Swing
Melanie Bird is a Melbourne-based performer. She is a 2020 graduate of Showfit’s two year full-time musical theatre course. Prior to Showfit, Melanie completed a year at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music studying classical singing and opera. Her professional theatre credits include Candide (Victorian Opera), A Christmas Carol (GWB and The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Hayes Theatre Company), MIDNIGHT The Cinderella Musical (Aspect Entertainment), Jekyll and Hyde (Hayes Theatre Company), The Grinning Man (Salty Theatre) and Next to Normal (James Terry Collective).
Her involvement in developments of new Australian work include Kate Miller-Heidke and Kier Nuttall’s Bananaland (Brisbane Festival), Sheridan Harbridge, Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank’s My Brilliant Career (Melbourne Theatre Company) and Miranda Middleton, Grace Chapple and Luke Bryne’s Paper Stars (Salty Theatre). Melanie has also been featured on the original cast recording of My Brilliant Career by Bryant and Frank as well as Scarlet: The Original Concept Recording (DhB Theatrical).
Jake Ameduri
Ensemble Swing
Jake Ameduri (he/him) is an exciting artist on the rise. Originally from Perth, he has always had such a fascination with storytelling.
Studying at both WAAPA and the Elder Conservatorium, Jake’s a rounded triple threat with a unique performance style. Throughout his training, his credits included US Marius/Swing in Les Misérables, Carlos/US Kyle in Legally Blonde, Old Man Strong/Swing in Urinetown and as a soloist in Songs for A New World.
Professional credits include Sticks & Stones (Brainstorm Productions) and new work When Henry (Be You Group). Jake is excited to make his mainstage debut in Sister Act and continue a career spanning all parts of the performance industry. He loves meeting new people, eating his Nonna’s food, and as someone who loves lighting up a room, Jake will also use his Kazoo abilities whenever a time calls for it.
Simon Fairweather
Dance Captain / Swing
Simon grew up in Melbourne where he trained at The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. He has gone on the perform in many of Australia’s most loved musicals such as King Kong: Live on Stage (Global Creatures), Ghost the Musical (GWB), Carmen (Opera Australia) and The Wedding Singer (David Venn) as well as Hairspray, Chicago, We Will Rock You and Saturday Night Fever for Royal Caribbean cruise liners. In 2022, Simon joined the Australian cast of the critically acclaimed Hamilton (Michael Cassel) and was Dance Captain for the show.
Simon’s professional credits also include the 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing ceremonies and televised performances on the Logies and Dancing with the Stars. Simon has worked with recording artists including Guy Sebastian, Havana Brown and Sneaky Sound System.
Most recently Simon was a part of the Australian ensemble of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and understudied the role of Santiago.
Creatives
Alan Menken
Music
ALAN MENKEN (Composer). Theater: God Bless You Mr Rosewater, Little Shop Of Horrors, Real Life Funnies, Atina: Evil Queen Of The Galaxy, Kicks, The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz, Beauty And The Beast, A Christmas Carol, Weird Romance, King David, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act, Leap Of Faith, Aladdin and Newsies. Film: Little Shop Of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, Newsies, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Hercules, Life With Mikey, Lincoln, Home On The Range, Noel, Enchanted, Shaggy Dog, Tangled and Mirror Mirror. Songs: Rocky V, Home Alone 2 and Captain America. Awards: 8 Oscars (19 nominations), 11 Grammys (including Song of the Year), 7 Golden Globes, Tony® (plus 4 nominations), Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics, Olivier and London’s Evening Standard Award, Drama League. Honors: Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, Doctorates from New York University and University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Glenn Slater
Lyricist
Glenn Slater (Lyrics) co-created Disney’s 2010 worldwide smash Tangled (2011 Grammy Winner, 2010 Oscar and Golden Globe nominee), as well as the Broadway and international hit musicals Sister Act (2011 Tony nominee – Best Score) and The Little Mermaid (2008 Tony nominee – Best Score, Grammy nominee – Best Cast Album), and, most recently School of Rock (2015). With longtime collaborator Alan Menken, he is Executive Producer and Lyricist for the ABC-TV musical comedy series Galavant, and has also written songs for the Disney animated film Home On The Range (2004) and the Broadway musical Leap of Faith (Tony nominee – Best Musical, 2012). In the West End, Glenn provided both book and lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies (2010 Olivier nominee – Best Musical), the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. Other work includes an Emmy-nominated song for the ABC-TV comedy The Neighbors (2013), and the stage revue Newyorkers at The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations). Glenn is the recipient of the prestigious Kleban Award for Lyrics, the ASCAP/Richard Rogers New Horizons Award, and the Jonathan Larson Award. He is an alumnus of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, and a member of both ASCAP and the Dramatists’ Guild.
Cheri Steinkellner
Book Writer
Cheri Steinkellner has won four Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, The People s Choice, BAFTA, Writers Guild Award, Parents Choice and TV-Land Legend Awards, for writing and producing Cheers (recently named one of the Top 10 Best Written Comedies in TV history), and The Jeffersons, Facts of Life, Family Ties and Who’s The Boss, and for creating the acclaimed Disney animated Saturday morning TV series and feature film, Teacher s Pet. A 2011 Tony-nominee for Sister Act (with husband Bill Steinkellner, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater); Cheri has also written Princesses (with Bill, David Zippel and Matthew Wilder); and book and lyrics for Mosaic (with Georgia Stitt), and Jailbirds on Broadway (with Bill and Jeff Rizzo). Other stage includes Our Place, and Instaplay – L.A. s original – and longest-running – improvised musical-comedy. An Indy Award winner and Ovation nominee for Hello! My Baby, Cheri currently teaches writing at Stanford and UCSB and directs youth theatre in beautiful Santa Barbara, where she and Bill raised their three favorite children/writers/ artists: Kit, Teddy, and Emma.
Bill Steinkellner
Book Writer
Award-winning television and screen writer: “Cheers” and Disney’s “Teacher’s Pet” (Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAS, Writers Guild and People’s Choice Awards). Book writer (with wife, Cherri): Sister Act the Musical (London Palladium, Hamburg, Broadway 2011), Princesses (Goodspeed, 5th Avenue). Writer/director (with Paul Reubens): the original Pee-wee Herman Show (Groundlings, Roxy Theatre, HBO). Creator/director: Instaplay, L.A.’s first all-improvised musical-comedy. Author: the L.A. Times bestseller Postcards From the Moon.
Douglas Carter Beane
Additional Book Material
Douglas Carter Beane’s play “The Nance” opened on Broadway starring Nathan Lane, where it received five Tony nominations and won three. It was filmed for PBS “Live from Lincoln Center” and was shown in movie theaters and then broadcast on PBS.
Beane’s previous play “The Little Dog Laughed” opened on Broadway where it was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play and won a Tony award for Julie White. It then opened in the West End at the Garrick Theater where it starred Tamsin Grieg and Rupert Friend and Gemma Arterton and was nominated for the Olivier for Best New Play.
His other plays include “Fairycakes” starring Mo Rocca, Jackie Hoffman, Ann Harada, and Julie Halston, “Shows for Days” featuring Patti Lupone and Michael Urie, “The Country Club” starring Cynthia Nixon and Amy Sedaris, “Mr. & Mrs. Fitch” which starred John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle , “Music From a Sparkling Planet” and “As Bees in Honey Drown” which won the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award and an Obie award for its star, J. Smith Cameron. His first play “Advice From A Caterpillar” was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle award and was made into a film starring Cynthia Nixon and Timothy Oliphant. It received the Aspen Comedy Festival Best Feature award.
He wrote the film, “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” which starred Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo, Wesley Snipes, Robin Williams and Stockard Channing.
A respected practitioner of musical theater his adaptation of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” ran on Broadway for two years and was also nominated for Tonys for both Best Book of a Musical and Best Musical Revival. His musical stage version of the film “Xanadu” also ran on Broadway for two years and was nominated for a Tony for Best Book of a Musical and Best Musical. It received the Drama Desk Award for best book of a musical and the Outer Critics Circle Best Musical award. Beane’s new book for the musical “Sister Act” ran on Broadway for two years and was nominated for the Tony for Best Book of a Musical and Best Musical. It opened in London this summer with Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior. He wrote the book for the Broadway musical, “Lysistrata Jones” and received both the Drama Desk and Tony nomination for Best Book of a musical.
He wrote the book to the stage adaptation of MGM’s “The Bandwagon” which was produced at the Old Globe and Encores and he’s written the summer show for the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. His libretto for “Die Fledermaus” debuted at the Metropolitan Opera and is in their repertoire.
He is married to composer Lewis Flinn and they have two children Cooper and Gabrielle who like theater but don’t want to do it.