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CAST

in order of appearance

Purlie …………………………..Timothy Ware-Hill *

Church Soloist/Idella….………Virginia Woodruff *

Lutiebelle………………..………..…Aeja Barrows

Missy……………………….………Nicole Powell *

Gitlow…………………...………Tyson Jennette *

Charlie……………………………Ryan Bronston

Ol’ Cap’n…………………………Tom Souhrada *

Ensemble....................................LJ Brodie,
Kayla Ceaser, Berlin Lee Charles,
Shaq Hester,  Maya Mays, Joshua Shepard,
Lilliannie Arie Urgent, Jasón Wells

* Member of Actors' Equity Association

Setting

PURLIE the Musical

PROLOGUE:  Big Bethel, a country church in south Georgia,
not too long ago

ACT I:

The action is sometime before that of the prologue

Scene 1: 

A shack on the plantation

Scene 2 & 3:

Outside Ol' Cap'n Commissary

Scene 4:

The shack

ACT II:

Scene 1:

On the plantation, 4am

Scene 2:

The Shack, just before dawn

EPILOGUE:

The time and place as in the prologue

Song List

Walk Him Up the Stairs:.....................Company

New Fangled Preacher Man..................Purlie

Skinnin' a Cat........... Gitlow and the Field Hands

Purlie..................................Lutiebelle 

The Harder They Fall............Purlie and Lutiebelle

The Barrels of War / The Unborn Love..........Idella and Gitlow

Big Fish, Little Fish..............Ol' Cap'n and Charlie

I Got Love........................Lutiebelle

Great White Father..................Ensemble

Down Home......................Purlie and Missy

First Thing Monday Mornin'.............Ensemble

He Can Do It..........................Lutiebelle and Missy

The World Is Comin' to a Start:.............Charlie and Ensemble

Choir/Orchestra

Choir:

Trinity Anjelic

DiShawn Gandy

Mona Plantt

Thaïs Sherell

Sandra Ward

Orchestra:

Percussion - Brandon Jackson

Lead Guitar - Bernard Grobmam

Bass Guitar - Masaaki Saito 

Emek Tasdimir - Bass Guitar: (on March 6, 14, and 15th)

Trumpet - Joe Marta

Trombone - Leor Arbel

Woodwinds - Sabrina Isaac

Synthesizer - Rashko Nutaitas 

From the Producing Artistic Director

Meet the Company

Aeja Barrows

Lutiebelle

Aeja Barrows(She/Her) (Singer/Actor) is a Stage Actor and Vocalist dedicated to delivering captivating performances that resonate with diverse audiences. She has studied at renowned institutions like Baltimore School for the Arts, Manhattan School of Music, Interlochen arts camp and the American Musical Dramatic Academy (AMDA). Credits - AMDA - "Open Stay," (intertwined Ensemble, Maya understudy, Simone Understudy); Interlochen Arts Camp "Ragtime," (Sarah’s friend, Sarah understudy, Ensemble.) Other Credits -Baltimore school for the arts - Keystone Corner - Jazz soloist Beethoven Symphony no.9 Concert - Soprano, Chorus NFL Ravens Vs Browns ‘23, Ravens Vs Dolphins ‘22 - Soprano, Chorus. I hope you enjoy the show!

Ryan Bronston

Charlie

Ryan is thrilled to make his American Theater Group debut in this wonderful production. Since spending a year touring with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, Ryan has performed in the national tour of "The Simon and Garfunkel Story" (Art Garfunkel), "American Idiot" at BrooklynONE (Tunny), and Ryan Scott Oliver’s “Tomorrow, The Island Dies” (Wyatt). He'd like to thank his fantastic castmates and his incredible family.

Tyson Jennette *

Gitlow

Tyson Jennette is honored to be a part of this ever-relevant piece at such a time as this. A proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Tyson made his Broadway debut in the original cast of "The Book of Mormon" (2011 Tony & Grammy award for Best Musical). Select credits: "The Color Purple," "Dreamgirls," Camelot," "The Who's Tommy," and internationally as Mafala Hatimbi in the Australian/New Zealand tour of BOM. Tyson is also a nationally certified sign language interpreter who holds a master's degree from Harvard University. Thanks to Kenny Ingram, Jim Vagias and ATG, and Michael Cassara Casting. Represented by Firestarter Entertainment.

Nicole Powell *

Missy

Nicole was born in Long Island, NY, and trained as a dancer. She received her BFA in acting from Howard University. Broadway: Ragtime (revival), Hairspray. First National Tours: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, South Pacific. Off-Broadway: Curvy Widow, Sistas the Musical, and Next to Normal, becoming the first African American to play the lead role of Diana. Film/Television: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Blue Bloods, and Spike Lee's Drop Squad. Nicole is also a writer and has been selected to participate in Next Dramatist 2025, a program for new playwrights by George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick NJ. She resides in Englewood NJ with her husband, guitarist/producer Ron Pacaud. www.nicolepowell.com

Tom Souhrada *

Ol' Cap'n

Broadway & National Tours: "Mary Poppins," "Kinky Boots," "Evita," "My Fair Lady," The King & I," "The Great Divorce" and "The Boy Friend" (Directed by Julie Andrews). Off-B’way: "Popcorn Falls" (Directed by Christian Borle), "Desperate Measures" (New World Stages), "Pride House" (Flea) ,"Broken Hands" (NY Fringe Festival Award of Excellence), "The Mystery of Irma Vep," "Tony and Tina's Wedding." Regional: "12 Angry Men," "The Absolute Brightess of Leonard Pelkey" "A Christmas Carol," "Sweeney Todd," "The Sound of Music," "Young Frankenstein." TV/Film: LAW & ORDER, THE GOOD FIGHT, RAISING KANAN, SUBMISSIONS ONLY & Prof. Ed M. Ology on THE HELLO YOU SHOW.

Timothy Ware-Hill *

Purlie

Timothy Ware-Hill is a native of Montgomery, AL, where he received a BA in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University. He studied at UCLA in the MFA Acting Program. His Broadway and Broadway National Tours include: "Kinky Boots" (OBC and National Tour); "Mamma Mia!;" "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "Dreamgirls." Film/TV credits: FBI Most Wanted; For All Mankind; Cops And Robbers. Ware-Hill is a recipient of the 2020 Peabody Award for his Netflix Animated Short, Cops and Robbers, which he wrote and directed. He is the loving husband of Barry and proud father of Gloria Estelle.

Virginia Woodruff *

Church Soloist/Idella

Broadway: "The Color Purple," "Violet," "Leap of Faith," "All Shook Up," and "Smokey Joe's Cafè." Nat’l Tours: "The Who’s Tommy," "Once on This Island," "The Wiz," "The Color Purple," "Smokey Joe’s Café. Regional: "Full Monty," "Rock of Ages," "Man of LaMancha," "Matilda," "Dreamgirls," "World Goes ’Round," "Guys and Dolls." Vocals for 30th Anniversary of Michael Jackson's Live Concert at Madison Square Garden for CBS. On camera: Wu-Tang: American Saga, Cocina de Soul, Harlem Grace, and Jump the Broom. Off-camera vocals: In the Heights, The Wiz: Live, AGT, Legally Blonde II, Preachin’ to the Choir and Notes From the Field. Writer, director, and producer NOT AN ORDINARY DAY - a Short Film; Plays: ANTOINETTE: Lost in a Changing World, Seen and not Heard.

LJ Brodie

Ensemble

LJ Brodie is excited and honored to be a part of this production! He’s been seen in productions such as: "Aida" at The Met Opera (Prisoner), "Hair" (Hud), "Joseph" (Judah), "Last Days of Judas Iscariot "(Judas) and many more. When he’s not on stage, you can find him strumming a guitar in some park. LJ has BFAs in MT and Dance from Abilene Christian University and graduated from the Atlantic Acting School’s full time Conservatory. He would like to thank everyone who’s supported him along this crazy journey that we call life.

Kayla Ceaser

Ensemble/Dance Captain

Kayla Ceaser hails from New Orleans, LA, and is thrilled to be working with American Theater Group on this production of Purlie, her first show since moving to NYC in October. The show holds a special place in her heart, as she fondly remembers jokingly telling a friend years ago, “One day, I’m going to do that,” after watching Melba Moore’s iconic performance of “I Got Love” on YouTube. Now, years later, she is living that dream and it’s an honor to be part of this incredible production with such a talented cast, crew, and creative team.

Berlin Lee Charles

Ensemble

Bye bye blues! I can't lose! Berlin Lee Charles is excited to make his ATG debut in Purlie! His favorite credits include the International Tour of "Sister Act the Musical" in Asia, regional productions of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" in Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri, "HAIR" at Connecticut Stage Company, and the Off-Broadway premiere of Swan Lake Rock Opera. Proud AMDA alum. Berlin's music is available for streaming anywhere music plays! IG:

Shaq Hester

Ensemble

Off-Broadway: "Lewberger & the Wizard of Friendship"(Theatre Row, dir. Keith Habersberger) and "Antigone in Ferguson" (Theater of War). Regional: Tituss Burgess’ "The Preacher’s Wife "(Alliance Theatre, dir. Michael Arden and Tinashe Kajes-Bolden), "The Color Purple" (Short North Stage, dir. Vasthy Mompoint), "The View Upstairs" (The Progressive Theatre), "Five Guys Named Moe" (Workshop Theatre of SC). He appeared in Durand Jones: Tiny Desk Concert (NPR) and toured with Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company. Film: Here is A Man. Education: IU Jacobs School of Music, University of South Carolina. BroadwayWorld New Jersey Award Nominee. shaqhester.com

Maya Mays

Lutiebelle U/S, Ensemble

Maya Mays, a New York-based actor and producing artist, is over the moon to be making her ATG debut in the infamous Purlie! She would like to thank her family, new Purlie friends, and About Artist Agency for their support and love. Credits: Off-Broadway- "No Reservation" (La MaMa ETC). Regional- "Into the Woods" (Sierra Repertory Theater), "The Tempest" (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), "Romeo and Juliet" (Maltz Jupiter Theater) Other: "If Pretty Hurts," "ROE," "As You Like It." In addition to the stage, Maya lives in the world of Film and Voice Over projects, her most recent Audiobook is "The Treacherous Wife." She recently received her BFA from the prestigious University of North Carolina School of the Arts 2024, GO PICKLES! Let's be friends-

Joshua Shepard

Ensemble

Joshua Shepard is delighted to make their American Theater Group debut in the production of Purlie. Credits: Little Theatre on the Square - "Elf the Musical," "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Escape to Margaritaville," "Jersey Boys." Prather Productions - "Three Little Birds," "Sister Act," "Saturday Night Fever," "Wizard of Oz." Additional Credit - "The Color Purple" (Plaza Broadway Long Island). Shepard is also a writer and musician, whose performed with jazz vocalist Christine Fawson, a member of Syncopation, and gospel artists like Donnie McClurkin, Bryan Popin and Israel Houghton.

Lilliannie Arie Urgent

Ensemble

Lilliannie Arie Urgent is overjoyed to be in Rahway and bring the gift that is pure to the stage. Previous credits: "Hairspray" (Lorraine), "Footloose"(Rusty). She extends her gratitude to her unwavering support system. Rep: FSE Talent

Jasón Wells

Ensemble

Jasón Wells is a singer/dancer/ actor/ choreographer from New Jersey and is a proud Montclair State MT Alum 22’. Some of Jasón’s favorite on stage credits would include "Beetlejuice" - Norwegian Viva; "Tuck Everlasting" - Vanguard Theater Co., TYA Equity Tour of Duke Ellington’s: "Sophisticated Ladies," and "World of Dance."

Kenny Ingram *

Director/Choreographer

Kenny Ingram has worked as director and/or choreographer at Regional Theaters across the US, most recently at Maine State Music Theatre where he directed and choreographed the Reginal premiere of "Funny Girl "and "9 to 5, The Musical." He also served as director/choreographer of "The Wiz "at New Bedford Musical Festival Theater and "Blues in the Night" at Porchlight Dinner Playhouse in Chicago, for which he won a Jeff Award. Off Broadway, He choreographed "Emojiland" at the Duke on 42nd Street, "Turtle on a Fence Post" and "Till, The Musical." In addition, Ingram served as choreographer for "Dreamgirls," "Sound of Music" and "Jolly Holiday" at Paper Mill Playhouse. He will make his directing and choreography debut this spring at The Fulton Theatre in Pennsylvania with "Anastasia." And a special thanks to Kevin Foster for his generous donation of the wigs.

Gary Mitchell, Jr.

Music Director/Conductor

Musical Director Gary Mitchell, Jr., regularly collaborates with renowned singers, instrumentalists, artists, and ensembles throughout the world and has been featured at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, The Harlem Opera Festival,Columbia University, Yale University, The United Nations, Dance Theater of Harlem, 54 Below, Cape Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, and Barrington Stage Theatre with select performances in Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Denmark, and Australia. Additionally, he has worked extensively as musical director with Phillip Boykin and Lillias White, and was associate music director in Tituss Burgess’s "The Preacher’s Wife." He has also collaborated and performed with The New York Historical Society, PBS, MTV, VH1, and is currently Director of Music and Arts Administration at First AME Church: Bethel-Harlem. Gary is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. and Thee Jackson State University National Alumni Association.

Catherine (Cat) Murphy

Production Manager

Cat is delighted to be working with ATG on this incredible production of Purlie. Congratulations to an amazing cast and crew.

Bernita Robinson *

Production Stage Manager

Bernita Robinson is happy to be here at American Theater Group. Credits include: The 2023 NMT at the O’Neill Center, the 25th reunion concert of "Ragtime," 2022 revival of "For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide." Broadway revival, "Thurgood," "Moon For The Misbegotten," "Man of LaMancha," the world premiere of "Ragtime." Off-Broadway: "Assassins," "Macbeth," "The Cradle Will Rock," "Arturo UI," and "Carmen Jones" at Classic Stage Company. Regional: "Hot Wing King," "The Roof of the World," "Evita," and "Ring of Fire." Bernita is a 2022 recipient of the Stage Managers Association Lifetime Achievement Award in the Art of Stage Management.

Seth Howard

Scenic Designer

SETH HOWARD is a freelance scenic designer based out of St. Louis, MO. He has designed many regional productions and themed experiences across the country. Some of his design credits include "Athena" (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), "School of Rock" and "Ragtime" (Columbus Children’s Theatre); "The Mountaintop" and "Deathtrap" (Constellation Stage & Screen); "Jersey Boys" & "Come From Away" (Theatre Aspen); "Once on This Island" & "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" (Charleston Stage); "Cinderella" and "The Wiz Jr. "(The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati); "Topdog/Underdog" (Palm Beach Dramaworks); "The Addams Family" and "Beautiful:The Carole King Musical" (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre). www.sethhowarddesigns.com

Jose Louis Santiago

Lighting Designer

José is a New York City-based Lighting Designer. He received his MFA in Lighting Design from Florida State University. Proud member of USA829 and represented by Michael Moore Agency. www.jsantiagodesign.com

Sawaan Tiwari

Costume Designer

Saawan Tiwari is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. Beyond designing, they are a Corps member of the Good Apples Collective and teach through Roundabout Theatre Company. Credits: Off-Broadway- "The Gospel According to Heather" (Theatre 555). American Theatrer Group- "Canned Goods," "Parade," "The Evolution of Mann." Additional credits -"The Seven" (Juilliard School), "Sex and the Abbey" (Wiley Water Productions), "cunnicularii" (Good Apples Collective), "Picher Project" (Dixon Place), "Sitayana" (Waves of Love), "Hip Hop Cinderella "(New Victory Theatre), "Bruise and Thorn" (Pipeline Theatre Company). Saawan is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ and AAPI communities. saawandesigns.com

Travis Joseph Wright

Sound Designer

Travis Joseph Wright is a New York City-based sound designer and engineer. Their work focuses on building detailed soundscapes that envelop the audience in the world of the play. Recent regional theatre credits include "The Wizard of Oz," (Constellation Stage & Screen), "Water by the Spoonful," (Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center), "Hard Candy and Misdemeanors," (Troy Foundry Theatre). You can see their work in the upcoming production of "Ascend" at Point Park University.

Benjamin Merrick

Technical Director

Benjamin Merrick is proud to return to American Theater Group for another production. He is currently the Technical Director and an Adjunct Professor for Montclair State University's Theatre and Dance Department where he has taught for 13 years. He has previously worked with Crossroads Theatre Company, MAYO Performing Arts Center, Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, New Jersey Youth Theater, City Theatrical Inc., Yale Repertory Theatre, The Hartford Stage Company, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Ben actively freelances in technical theatre alongside his wife through their company Merrick Production Services. He received his MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Alison Merrick

Properties Head

Alison Merrick is happy to be officially working on her first production with American Theater Group. She is currently the Props Supervisor and an Adjunct Professor for Montclair State University's Theatre and Dance Department where she has taught for 11 years. She has previously worked with Crossroads Theatre Company, MAYO Performing Arts Center, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, Yale Repertory Theatre, The Santa Fe Opera, the Signature Theatre, City Theatrical Inc., and The Hartford Stage Company. Alison actively freelances in technical theatre alongside her husband through their company Merrick Production Services. She received her BFA in technical theatre from Otterbein University.

Kevin Foster

Wigs

Regional Credits: Algonquin Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, The Fulton Theatre, The Maltz Jupiter Theatre, The Peterborough Players, Tuacahn, Virginia Repertory Theatre, and Virginia Stage Company. Kevin is a NYC based Hair and Wig Designer. He holds a B.A. in Theatre from Virginia Tech. Representation: Summit Entertainment. www.kevinsfosterii.com. TikTok: @wigsbykevin

Max Evans

Assistant Stage Manager/U/S Charlie

Max Evans is honored to be working with American Theatre Group for the first time. Previous Credits Include "Bat Boy "at Catalyst Theatre Company (PSM), "Here You Come Again" at Goodspeed Opera House (Assistant to the Director), "44 Lights "at AMT Theatre (Production Assistant) "Lungs" at Syracuse University (Director/Producer). Thank you Sara for all the love, support, and paperwork!

Michael Cassara, CSA

Casting Director

Michael's recent credits include "Mr. Holland's Opus" (Ogunquit Playhouse, world premiere, dir. BD Wong), "An American In Paris" (international tour, dir. Christopher Wheeldon), "The Mad Ones" (Prospect Theater Company, dir. Stephen Brackett), "Spamilton "(NYC/Chicago/Pittsburgh CLO/tour), and "Gigantic" (Vineyard Theatre, dir. Scott Schwartz). Hundreds of regional theatre productions (including 16 productions for ATG). Resident casting director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) since 2013. Member, Casting Society of America (CSA) and 3-time Artios Award nominee. BFA, Otterbein University. MichaelCassara.net

James Vagias

Producing Artistic Director

Jim Vagias has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. A former attorney, Vagias co-founded American Theater Group in 2012 with industry professionals Joe Mancuso and Rick Sordelet. He has produced over 60 new and classic plays and musicals, including over 20 world premieres, nine of which successfully transferred to Off-Broadway (such as "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change," "Marry Harry," "Himself and Nora" and "Swingtime Canteen"). The most recent World Premiere, "Canned Goods," just completed a successful run in London. In addition to having served on panels of the ASCAP Musical Theater Workshops, he has served as the magic consultant for two Broadway productions, has taught courses on Theatre Management and Entertainment Law, and been a guest lecturer at numerous colleges and universities. Jim dedicates this production to his parents, who first introduced him to Broadway musicals in general, and Purlie in particular. That IS it honey…

ABOUT AMERICAN THEATER GROUP

American Theater Group (ATG), founded in 2012, produces new and classic works primarily by American playwrights with an emphasis on the development of new works and the reimagining of undeservedly neglected older ones. It also provides quality arts-in-education initiatives, including its annual Drama Fest for high school students and its PlayLab program for BIPOC and queer playwrights. ATG programming is made possible in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Programming also made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. More information can be found at         www.americantheatergroup.org.

James Vagias
Producing Artistic Director and Co-founder

Joseph A. Mancuso, Co-founder    Rick Sordelet, Co-founder

American Theater Group is led by an exemplary working Board of Directors comprised of leaders from the Broadway community as well as a variety of business industries:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Steve Schnall, Board President

Diane L. Parker, Board Co-Vice President

Alan Roseman, Board Co-Vice President

Diane Blanc Ryan, Secretary

Adam Loehner, Treasurer

Dr. Zenon Christodoulou
Amaly Homer
Paul LoSacco
Alyson Nash
Madhu Pai
Michele Pawk
Stephen Rodner
Robert Jess Roth
Chris Smith
Larry Sobin
Patrick S. Taylor
Lynne B. Whitman
Mary Beth Wilmit

Coming Soon....

Coming this May 17th & 18th!

Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge

Join us as we present a unique 90-minute “behind-the-scenes” look at Broadway with veteran theater critic and “insider” Peter Filichia!  Peter will regale the audience with anecdotes, gossip and entertaining tales of his life on the aisle, including his 20 years as the state’s top critic for the NJ Star-Ledger.  He will be joined by Broadway artists singing popular songs from the shows mentioned. Peter has seen 13,000 shows in 47 states and 17 foreign countries, appears on the “Broadway Radio” podcast and has a weekly column for Masterworks Broadway.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a Broadway Insider’s view of the Great White Way and hear some of your favorite show tunes — a “must-see” event! Tickets here: https://sieminskitheater.org/event/american-theater-group-presents-broadway-in-the-burbs/

Supporters

American Theater Group could not exist without those who have given generously to support quality live theater. We are profoundly grateful to them for their faith and support. If you wish to support ATG, please click here.

or send your gift to:

American Theater Group

c/o  57 Farms Road Circle

East Brunswick, NJ 08816