CAST AND CREATIVES
Tom Caley | Arthur Miller/EnsembleTom hails from Sydney, where he studied at The Australian Institute of Performing Arts (AIPA). His time in Oz saw him play lead roles in productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Windows Project, and tour around Australia with AIPA’s Showgroup, then to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm in the US. He also performed with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House in The Love for Three Oranges, Nabucco, Tosca and Hansel and Gretel in addition to appearing in a number of Australian TV serials and commercials. Since moving to the UK in 2006 his credits include; the Manchester 24:7 Theatre Festival, roles in several short films with the NFTS and BSA, and touring productions of Sleeping Beauty, Rumplestiltskin and Robinson Crusoe, performing in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Tom looks forward to further success here in the UK.
Diana Chrisman | Norma JeaneDiana trained in Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where she was awarded the Helen Hobson scholarship. Previous to this, she attended the Six Month Foundation Course at the Oxford School of Drama. Roles at Mountview included ‘Gladys’ in ‘Copacabana’, ‘Jack’s Mother’ in ‘Into the Woods’ (New Players Theatre), ‘Ado Annie’ in ‘Oklahoma!’ and ‘Rosalia’ in ‘West Side Story’ (Battersea Arts Centre).
Professional theatre includes ‘Guinevere’ in ‘Enchanted The Musical’ (Pontefract Festival), ‘Teddy/Matron’ in ‘Toys – A New Musical’ (Gate Theatre, London), lead vocalist in ‘West End and Broadway Songbook’ (Regent Centre, Christchurch) and ‘Songs from the Shows’ (Pontefract Festival), ‘Cathy Eddowes’ in ‘Jack The Musical’ (Shed Theatre, Oxford), ‘Annie Crook’ in ‘Whitechapel’ (Pleasance Theatre, Islington), and ‘cover Rapunzel, Sorceress & Fairy’ in ‘Rapunzel’ (The Theatre, Chipping Norton).
Film experience includes ‘The 13th Hour’ (Bournemouth Media School) and ‘In Loving Memory’ (University of Bedfordshire).
Recording experience includes the role of ‘Guinevere’ on the original cast album of ‘Enchanted The Musical’, selected songs for ‘Annie Crook’ on the concept album of ‘Whitechapel’ and backing vocals for a demo of ‘Viva La Faff’.
Diana is delighted to be joining the cast of ‘The Marilyn Monroe Show’ and would like to thank her family and friends for their continuing love and support.
Evelyn Connors | Marilyn MonroeEvelyn Connors is pleased to be making her UK debut in The Marilyn Monroe Show. She is a native of San Diego, and attended University in Los Angeles, where she was also a member of Ben Bollinger's Citrus Singers. Evelyn spent a few years performing professionally around the United States before attending the London School of Musical Theatre in 2006. Some of her favorite roles she's performed include: Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Indiana), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Illinois) and Narrator in Joseph...(California). She would like to thank both Michael Dresser and Michael Alvarez for this opportunity, Daddy for being her #1 fan, Greg Davidson for being her go-to guy, and her fantastic husband Jon for his unwavering confidence, love and support.
Nathan Kiley | Jimmy Docherty / EnsembleNathan trained at Guildford School of Acting where he was awarded 1st Class Honours for a BA in Musical Theatre. He recently played the ‘Balladeer’ in “Assassins” (The Landor, Clapham). Other credits include: ‘Tony Blair’ in “Tony Blair: The Musical” (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh), ‘Edward II’ in “Edward II” (Rose Theatre, Bankside), ‘Achilles’ in “Achilles in Heels” (The Landor), ‘Aladdin’ in “Aladdin” (Broadway Theatre, Barking), “Notes From New York”, “The 12 Irish Tenors” (Dutch National TV) and “Christmas In An Hour” (Jermyn Street Theatre). Workshops include “Speed Dating: The Musical”, “Wonder Boy: A Superhero Musical” and “Henry V” (Tangram Theatre Co./ BAC). A personal highlight since graduating has been performing some of his own writing “Out & Out” (Cockpit Theatre).
Craig O'Hara | Johnny Hyde/EnsembleCraig Trained at Hertfordshire Theatre school. Theatre credits include: Kander&Ebb musical Coloured Lights (Greenwich Playhouse). Brooke Taylor in Calculus (New End Theatre), Gabriel in Kiss of the Spiderwoman (Emery theatre) (he also covered the role of Valentine), Around the Pond in 80 Days (Greenwich Theatre), Macduff in Macbeth, (Queen Mother Theatre), Jonny Warner in the rock musical Zombie Prom, Ensemble /Swing in Annie Get Your Gun (QMT), Aggie boy in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Landor Theatre).Wayne in Speed Dating the musical at Jerymn Street Theatre. He also Created the role of Chris in the brand new Cliff Richard musical The Young Ones. In 2006 Craig travelled around the world as a singer/dancer for P&O and Island Cruises. He has also appeared in various commercials. Craig is very excited to be part of the Marilyn Monroe show!
Mark Pearce | Joe Di Maggio/EnsembleMark trained at Central. His recent theatre credits include: ‘John Proctor’ in ‘The Crucible’ (Dukes, Lancaster), ‘Buttons’ opposite Faith Brown in ‘Cinderella’ (The Lowry), ‘Feste’ in a UK tour of ’Twelfth Night’ and the ‘Butler’ in ’Man of Mode’ at Theatre Royal Haymarket (Directed by Nicholas Hytner). He loved playing the Rock’N’Roll hero ‘Richie Valens’ in a No.1 tour of ‘Heaven Can Wait’ (Perth Rep) and was the title-role in ‘The Firebird’ (The Watermill).
TV appearances include: ‘Tajim’ in MTV’s comedy series ‘Strutter’ (opposite Paul Kaye), ‘Marcel’ in ITV’s epic ‘Hornblower’ & the ‘Mad Professor’ in the ‘Branflakes’ TV commercial. Mark is currently voicing the computer games ‘WorldShift’ (as an alien Sorcerer) and ‘Ankh 3’ (as a Parrot Referee!)
Mark is a member of the Perrier-nominated ‘Infinite Number of Monkeys’ and was MC on Phil Cool’s tour. He often works with ‘Grand Theft Impro’ and has also toured with Brighton’s own satirical ‘Treason Show’.
Jessica Sherman | Zelda ZonkJessica Sherman graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama, having completed her BA Acting degree. She also holds a music performance degree from the University of Western Ontario.
Professional theatre credits include Side by Side by Sondheim (Poor Alex Theatre, Toronto), Peer Gynt (Brent Council), The Highwayman (Counterparts Musical Theatre), Eugenia (Pacific Playhouse), Alvaros’ Balcony (Mercury Musical Developments) and the West End transfer of Rock ‘n’ Roll (Duke of York’s Theatre). Television credits include Trouble in Paradise – Seoul for Channel 5 and National Geographic.
Michael Alvarez | DirectorMichael most recently directed Alvaro’s Balcony by Jonathan Kaldor and Sebastian Michael in the Dome Room of Her Majesty’s Theatre featuring Susannah York and Edward Petherbridge and was Assistant Director on Mathilde by Conor Mitchell at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He has worked at the PreGlej Na Gras festival in Ljubljana, Slovenia on The Waiting Room and also directed Balance with nEEd Circuit.
In New York he worked for Anita Waxman and Elizabeth Williams at Waxman William Entertainment and has worked on Wicked and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, amongst others. He was awarded “Best Director” with the Riant Theatre in New York for his work on Summer’s Time, a play which he wrote that has since gone on to be published, and had another play, Pandora’s Box, produced with the Riant Theatre. In addition has done various workshops of Fetish, a new comedy he has written. Favorite directing credits include: Songs for a New World at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center (NY), The Great Twilight at Theatre Studio Inc.(NY), Vampire Lesbians of Sodom at the Morgan Stock Theatre (CA) and Cabaret and The Blue Room at SHS Theatre (CA). Training: Stella Adler Acting Academy, New York University and Central School of Speech and Drama.
Laurann Brown | Dialect CoachLaurann is currently completing her MA in Voice Studies at Central School of Speech and Drama. Laurann hails from Canada, having studied acting, directing and voice in both Calgary and Vancouver. In addition to her MA, Laurann has studied voice with David Smukler (Canadian National Voice Intensive), Richard Armstrong (Banff Centre), Marguerite Witvoet and Margaret Pikes (Roy Hart Theatre London). She was the voice coach for Central’s MA Music Theatre production of Mathilde. Some of her favourite acting roles include: Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Shakespeare Company); Rosalind in As You Like It (The Shakespeare Company); and Nan in Beautiful Child (UBC Player’s Club). She is passionate about Roy Hart based voice work and also loves accent and dialect work. Many thanks to both Michaels for this wonderful opportunity, and to the very talented cast for their hard work!
Candida has a music degree from Cambridge University where she was also awarded a University Instrumental Award for piano playing. Her musical directing credits include The Nativity - Mystery Cycles (Actors Church, Covent Garden), Hey Jack (Arcola Theatre), Princess Ida (Minack Theatre), South Pacific (ADC Theatre), Me and My Girl (Cambridge Arts Theatre), Yeomen of the Guard (Cambridge Arts Theatre), The Cabaret of Menace (Edinburgh Fringe), Wetmarsh College (Edinburgh Fringe). She also recently assisted Conor Mitchel on his new musical Mathilde (Embassy Theatre). She has worked as a repertoire coach and pianist at the Central School of Speech and Drama and at Langside College in Glasgow. She also enjoys playing the oboe and plays fiddle with the ceilidh band Tartan Wizardry. She is delighted to be in Brighton with The Marilyn Monroe Show.
Michael Dresser | Music, Lyrics, BookMichael studied drama at the University of Hull. The Marilyn Monroe Show is his third stage musical. His first, One More Kiss, was nominated for the prestigious Vivien Ellis Award and was included in The Guardian’s end of year round up of best theatre for that year. His second musical, Alice In Wonderland, was also well received.
Michael’s other writing credits include original and incidental music composition, lyrics and musical direction for over 20 theatre shows as well as a national tour. In addition, he has written many individual songs, including writing, producing and remixing several pop demos.
Paul is a member of both the Association of Lighting Designers and the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians. Lighting Design credits include, Blue/Orange (The New Wimbledon Studio, Wimbledon) Aladdin (Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip) The Threepenny Opera (The Assembly Rooms, Surbiton), Pillars of the Community (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage), Annie (UCS Theatre, Frognal), Poprygunya (Greenwich Playhouse, Greenwich), The Little Dressmaker (The Tabard Theatre, Turnham Green), Beneath & Beyond; The Thames Tunnel (The London Bubble, Rotherhithe), Not As Seen on TV. (Performance Studio, Central School of Speech and Drama), When Shadows of the World Appear (Shoreditch Town Hall, Shoreditch)
As Assistant Lighting Designer: Music Lessons (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage), Semi-Monde (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage), Faliraki; The Greek Tragedy (The Lyric Studio, Hammersmith & The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays). Other credits include: La Cage Aux Folles (Menier Chocolate Factory, London Bridge) It Can Happen Here (Wood Green High Street, London) Hyde Park Calling 2006 (Hyde Park, London)
Matt works in Production and Stage Management with recent work including: Glacier (UK Tour), Persian Revolution (UK Tour), La Cage Aux Folles (Menier Chocolate Factory, London Bridge), Moonlight and Magnolias (Tricycle Theatre, Kilburn), Confusions (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage),Major Barbara (National Theatre, London), Off the Wall (Southbank Centre), Something in Common (Community Theatre Project, Kent). Matt also works as a Stage Technician in many London Venues including The Tricycle, The Hampstead, The Bush Theatre and the BAC. Matt Trained in Technical and Production Management at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
Jenny works as a freelance Assistant Lighting Designer and Programmer and is a member of the Association of Lighting Designers and the Assosication of Stage Pyrotechnicians. Assistant Lighting Design Credits include; Aladdin (Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip), The Threepenny Opera (The Assembly Rooms, Surbiton), Ratz (St Catherine's Hall, Guildford). As Lighting Programmer; Lauren Kennedy (Menier Chocolate Factory, London), Machinal (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage), Chips with Everything (Embassy Studio, London).
Jenny also works as a production electrician, work includes; The Women (Embassy Studio, Swiss Cottage), Blue/Orange (New Wimbledon Studio, Wimbledon) Plasa '07 (Earls Court, London) It Can Happen Here (Turnham Green, London), The Wedding Party (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage), Music Lessons (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage).
Other credits include La Cage Aux Folles (Menier Choclate Factory, London ) and Dealers Choice (Trafalgar Studios, London). Current Projects include lighting programmer for The Visit (Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage).
Helen works as a set and costume designer. Helens recent production credits include Confucius Says, design assistant, at The Hackney Empire, Oleanna, designer, at the Theatro Technis, Company, design assistant, at the Embassy Theatre, Smilin’ Through, design assistant, at The Drill Hall and Music Lessons, costume designer, at the Embassy Theatre. She has also design speculative projects : A Little Night Music, Sadlers Wells, Ismene, The Royal Court Upstairs, Seven Deadly Sins, Embassy Theatre, The Strip, The Hampstead.
Fiona Rae | Choreography and Movement DirectionTraining: Central School of Speech and Drama, MA in Movement Studies London Studio Centre, BA (Hons) Theatre Dance.
Credits include: Catchy! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, Brecht Fest, Cruising, Monte Cristo, with dance works staged @ The Peacock Theatre, Cochrane Theatre, Jacksons Lane Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome and The Junction Cambridge. Corporate clients include National Wedding Show, RBS, Microsoft and Coutts. In June 2008 The Kieran & Fi Theatre Company premieres Fish as part of The Sprint Festival @ Camden People's Theatre. Fiona is also teacher of movement at The London Centre for Theatre Studies and Mountview Academy. www.raedance.co.uk