Who's Who

Cassidy Ewert

Cassidy is a Louisiana gal closing out her first year in New York City perusing her dreams of theatre and performance. She is overjoyed to take on this dream role with this unbelievable cast. None of this would be possible without the never ending support from her family and friends that feel like family.

kannon gowen

Kannon is a San Diego native who recently moved back to NYC and is so thrilled to be making his BrooklynOne debut that also happens to be his first full musical in NYC. Some of his favorite past San Diego credits include The Emcee (Cabaret), Tobias (Sweeney Todd), Drew Boley (Rock of Ages), JD (Heathers), and Caterpillar/Angus (Alice By Heart). He is so grateful to be performing alongside such talented and encouraging individuals. Huge thanks to the entire cast and creative team for helping bring this story to life! Much love to August, his family, and his friends for all the continued support!

Kiki Dowell

Kiki Dowell is excited to make her BrooklynOne Productions and New York theater debut. While her recent endeavors have focused mostly on improv and sketch comedy, she is elated to get back to her musical roots in one of her all time favorite shows. Recent credits include ‘Sponge’ in James and the Giant Peach at Virginia Commonwealth University and ‘Bertha’ in Pippin at the Black Theater Alliance. Kiki would like to thank the cast and crew for creating such a beautiful and comfortable artistic experience and looks forward to all that’s yet to come!

Joseph Thor

Joseph Thor (he/him) was last seen on broadway as "guy who sells water in the mezzanine" and is happy to be performing along side such a brilliant team of artists at BrooklynOne! He recently wrapped up his tenure as Dwight Schrute in "The Office: a Musical Parody" and the debut performance of his musical "Haystack". He also produces cabarets with his friends through his aptly named production company "Joseph Thor and Friends" (next show December 8th @ 54 Below!!) JT has music on spotify you should listen to, gratitude for you coming to the show, and some socials you can follow him on insta: josephthormusic and josephthorandfriends, tiktok: jtcambria

Malynne Smith

Malynne Smith is a NYC based singing actor. Previous NYC credits include Cat Kid Comic Club (OffBway female U/S), Maguires in Mineral Bluff (Josie), LEAVES (Rhonda/Young Muriel), Open, Stay (featured singer). She's thrilled to take on this iconic role with such an incredible cast and crew.

Gianni Saverio

Gianni has been having so much fun and is greatly honored to be a part of brooklynONE’s production of The Last Five Years! Recent credits include: Gypsy (TheatreZone), Carrie: The Musical (TheatreZone), Good Luck In Space (Industry Reading with Greg Kotis & Mark Hollman, directed by Meghan Finn). Thank you always to my mama bear, my dad (chooches), and the rest of my family, blood and chosen, for their unconditional love and everlasting support. Special shout out the greatest Papa, Paul Saverio Gizzi. I love and miss you always. Please enjoy our rendition of The Last Five Years!

Leah Mello

Leah is thrilled to bring this musical theater kid staple to the stage along with the amazing cast and crew at BrooklynOne Productions! This show holds a dear place in many people’s hearts, and she knows this cast does it so much justice! Special thanks to my amazing parents, friends and tom for all their faith and support! I hope you all love this show as much as i do.

Jackson Garske

Jackson has had a nice time doing this show, “The Last Five Years.” Apart from scattered improv showcases in NYC, you may have seen Jackson as the Host at Truffles Murder Mystery or on the Peacock original gameshow, Frogger! He wants to thank Ben, Jake, and the creative team, as well as his stellar cast mates. They all are so talented. Almost too much so. Cheers.

brooklynONE productions

brooklynONE productions (bkONE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to producing original and existing works across theatre, film, music, and mixed media. Founded in 2006 by Anthony Marino and Tom Kane, bkONE serves as a haven for bold, alternative, and experimental works, aiming to broaden the scope of the performing arts in Brooklyn and beyond.  In March 2024, bkONE celebrated its 18th anniversary with the grand opening of the Tom Kane Theatre at Industry City, Brooklyn. This versatile blackbox venue honors the legacy of co-founder Tom Kane, providing a dynamic and intimate environment for both emerging and established artists.  Committed to fostering new talent and presenting thought-provoking work, brooklynONE productions continues to be a cornerstone of the Brooklyn arts scene, cultivating a space where creativity thrives. 

Ben Roth

Ben is grateful for the opportunity to direct this beautifully written show with such a talented, kind and dedicated cast and production team. Favorite recent projects include playing Shylock in Something Rotten and assistant stage managing Head Over Heels (both under the brilliant direction of Michael LoPorto at Playhouse Stage Company) as well as directing Finding Nemo Jr, Joseph... and Pete(her) Pan at Playhouse Stage in New York’s Capital Region. Here at bkONE, he also stage managed and assistant directed last spring’s production of American Idiot. All of the thanks to Anthony, Jake, the bkONE team, and the entire wonderful cast, creative team, and crew!! And to Pete, Pete and nothing but Pete.

Jake Goodman

Jake Goodman (MD) is so excited to be music directing The Last Five Years! He has music directed various shows and concerts at 54 Below and around NYC, as well as full musicals around the capital region such as Big Fish, A Christmas Story, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Some performance credits include Edward Bloom in Big Fish (Pace University), Jack Kelly in Newsies (Playhouse Stage), Bob Gaudio U/S / Ensemble in Jersey Boys (Capital Repertory Theatre), Bert in Mary Poppins (Schenectady Light Opera). Proud Pace University grad. Thanks to family and friends for their support!

Evelyn Johnson

Evelyn Johnson is a New York City based dancer and choreographer. Choreography credits: Carrie (Moon Phase Theatricals), American Idiot (Assoc., BrooklynOne), Automaton and Aisle 4 (Dancers at Work), collaboration Our Transitory Nature for Regional Dance America Emerging Choreographers concert. Performance credits include: New works and repertory by Mary Ann Lamb, Dolly Sfier, Netta Yerushalmy, Martha Graham, Caleb Teicher, Zvi Gotheiner, Tito del Saz, and Ingeborg Kolstad at venues such as the Joyce Theatre, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre, and the Theresa Lang theatre.

Alix Black

This is Alix’s first production with bkONE, and what a treat working with Ben and this crew! Alix is a 20+ year theatre veteran with 100+ productions under her belt across directing, producing, stage managing, and performing. [directing credits: Columbinus (EastLine Theatre), SOOP to Nuts Short Play Festival, Spring Awakening and The Laramie Project (Generic Theatre Co @ George Washington University)] She wants to thank Ben, Jake, Jodi, and Anthony for welcoming her into the production team with open arms, the cast for their immense talent and energy, her family for raising her to have costume pieces, props, and resources on hand at any given time, her friends Joc, Ronnie, and Melissa for their long term support, and Cynthia Erivo for existing.

Sophia Jacobs

Sophia Is a graduating senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts studying Scenic Design and Film production. Theatrical works she has worked on include: Tisch Drama Stage's Perhaps the world Ends Here, The threepenny Opera, BIG ZOO and Bkone's Night Of the Living Dead. Sophia has also worked on several films such as THOMAS-19 and The Beginning of The End with many more protects in the production process. Sophia Hopes to continue to work in entertainment after graduation and would like to thank BKone for giving her the opportunity to Technical Direct The Last Five Years. Find more of her work at: https://sophiajacobs43.wixsite.com/mysite

Ariel Benjamin

(they/them) is a lighting designer who has worked regionally and internationally in theatre, dance, opera, and broadcast television. Currently, they are the lighting designer for the Tamron Hall Show on ABC since its launch in 2019 and the senior lighting designer for Yahoo! NY Studios. They are also a Faculty Mentor for the MFA in Theatre Arts Program at Randolph College. Ariel received their MFA in Theatre Design from the University of Maryland and their BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz, where they are also a guest lecturer. They are a member of USA 829 and NABET and a proud native of Brooklyn, NY.

Tim McCann

Tim is excited to be speaking in third person in a bio again. And even more excited to be designing his first set. Working with bkONE has been a fantastic experience. Thanks to Ben for giving him this opportunity and to the cast for being so incredibly talented and inspiring.

Anthony Marino

Anthony Marino is the founder and artistic director of brooklynONE productions (bkONE). With over two decades of experience in the arts, Anthony has been instrumental in cultivating Brooklyn’s vibrant arts scene by championing alternative, immersive, and boundary-pushing projects. His leadership has positioned bkONE as a creative haven, especially in Brooklyn’s Industry City, where the company’s new Tom Kane Theatre now resides. Under Anthony’s guidance, bkONE has produced a wide range of programming, from original productions and adaptations like Night of the Living Dead, featuring Kyra Schon from the iconic 1968 film, to the annual Brooklyn Shakespeare Festival, which celebrated its 11th season in 2024. Anthony’s passion for artistic collaboration has led to unique partnerships, such as with NYU’s Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center, theatre collective Dialogue with Three Chords, as well as immersive experiences with major pop culture themes, including Godzilla’s 70th anniversary and Ultraman events and the creation of the convention event Kaiju Brooklyn. Beyond bkONE, Anthony brings his expertise to the real estate field as an associate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, seamlessly blending his creative vision with an entrepreneurial spirit. His commitment to the arts and his community continues to shape bkONE into a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s cultural landscape, where he empowers artists and engages audiences with fresh, meaningful work.

Canyon Kafer

Canyon (they/them) has been playing bass professionally for over 15 years. They have relocated to Brookyln as of early 2024 after spending over a decade in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. Already a veteran of the pit, having played many community musical theatre productions during their time in Texas, they are excited to continue to work with driven local theatre companies and talented musicians all over NYC.

Tatiana Dometiza

Tatiana studies forensic psychology and music at John Jay, and is also a member of the Brooklyn College conservatory orchestra. She is excited to be a part of another BrooklynONE production after playing in the pit for American Idiot!