NPT Holiday Show

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We all thrilled to have you all at our annual Holiday Show.  Every year since our inception in 2012 we have produced this family-friendly show.  

We hope you enjoy the show! 

Kristin Huffman and the NPT Board of directors

Song List

FIRST HALF:

1 Need a little Christmas - Jamie, Patrick, Kristin, Clayton, Janelle, Barbara, Carolyn, Katherine, Gina, Rydell, Marion

2. Some Children See Him - NPT Youth 

3. Carols from around the world:

FRANCE: Il Est Ne- Katherine Griffin
GERMANY: Still Still Still- Clayton Winters
ENGLAND: What child is this- Patrick Heffernan and Katherine Griffin
GHANA: The Botweh family, Creflo, Kinnelle and Nana
SPAIN: Canta Rie Y Bebe - Gina, Paul, Gabby, and cast.

4. Hanukka Oh Hanukka - Jamie and Ofer

5. Pie Jesu- Mathew with Carolyn

6. Holly and the Ivy - NPT Youth  

7. The Prayer -  Dominick and Jamie

8 Children Go where I send thee - Janelle, Creflo, Rydell. (Barbara, Carolyn, Helen and Lauren)

- Arranged by Melanie Guerin 

INTERMISSION

(Put your friends on the naught and nice list!)

SECOND HALF:

1. Ms. Clauz with a Z "Project Clauzway" -
NPT Youth with Kristin, Barbara and Katherine and special "North Pole stars". 

-Written by Barbara Distinti with song re-wording by Jake Oswell.

- Costumes for fashion show designed by Julia and Bea Allen

2. Frosty the snowman - Patrick 

———MERMAID SECTION—Introduction by Scott Bryce

3. Under the "tree" - NPT Youth, Barbara and Marion

-Reworded and directed by Marion Howard

4. Mermaid video auditions -NPT Holiday show cast

- Edited and produced by Kristin Huffman

5. I Saw Three ships- Maggie, Amelie, Lauren, Helen, Creflo and Kinnelle and Paul

6. Chris Coogan and the Band - Holiday Medley

7. Three Tenors - Dom, Clayton, Rydel with Chris Coogan

-Written and directed by Clayton Winters

8. O Holy Night - Dominick with Kristin, Barbara, Carolyn, Gina, Katherine, Clayton, and Rydell

9. Silent night with Helen, Clayton, Marion and cast

10. Finale: Felice Navidad - Patrick and the cast 

Cast

Meet the Company

Ofer Gordon

Singer

Ofer Gordon is an Israeli performer and is currently a Junior pursuing his BFA in musical theatre at The Hartt School. Ofer is thrilled to be part of the New Paradigm holiday show. Previous credits include: Mr. McQueen/Old Man Strong: "Urinetown", Ensemble: "Head Over Heels" (The Hartt School), Rolf: "Sound of Music" (Beit Hillel Theatre Workshop). Special thanks to Kristin Huffman, my family, and Asaf.

Julia Allen

Elf

Julia Allen has performed in over 20 shows. She always enjoys participating in NPT productions. She's excited to be back with old and new friends on The FTC Stage for the Holiday Show! Happy Holidays to all.

Gabriella

Elf, Child

Gabby Perez is a 13-year-old who loves spending time singing and playing instruments. She has a passion for playing the guitar and the ukulele. This is Gabby's first-holiday show and she is so excited to be a part of the production. Gabby is so grateful to have come across NPT and she is looking forward to building a long-lasting and creative relationship for years to come.

Margaret (Maggie) Schumann

This is Maggie’s second Holiday Show and she is thrilled to be back on stage with NPT. Previously, she’s been in Newsies, School of Rock, and Into the Woods. Outside of theater, Maggie is a reader and loves being outside. Maggie hopes to continue working with NPT and pursing theatre in the near future.

Katherine A. Griffin

Katherine Elf

Katherine is thrilled to be in her first LIVE Holiday Show, reprising her role as Ms. Clauz's right-hand elf-woman, Katherine Elf! Katherine has been involved in NPT since 2013, and currently serves as the Director of the Youth Board and an Advisory Board member. Katherine is a local Teacher of the Deaf, theatre practitioner, and cat mom. She also serves as a Board Member for Connecticut Deaf Theatre (formerly NTD-CT). Katherine wishes everyone a happy and-- she cannot stress this enough-- healthy holiday season.

Patrick Heffernan

Singer

Patrick Heffernan is an actor, singer, dancer whose performing history includes the national tours of 42nd Street, Anything Goes and Fiddler on the Roof. He's worked regionally at the Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, the Engeman Theater, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, The Wick Theater and Musical Theater West. Patrick is thrilled to return to New Paradigm Theater Company after performing as Albert in Bye Bye Birdie two summers ago. When not performing Patrick runs an online yoga and wellness business where he works with individuals in a group setting on engaging with their potential, reaching their health goals and living their fullest lives. To learn more please visit www.patrickyoga.com

Michael Ljungberg

Drummer

Michael is honored to be taking a weekend break from Boston to perform for NPT once again! He has had the privilege to work in two previous holiday shows and provide percussion for Hunchback of Notre Dame. When he lived in Fairfield County, he worked on musicals with Staples Players and New Canaan High School. In addition to theater, Michael enjoys playing guitar, studying martial arts, running and building.

Amelie McCool

Ensemble

Amelie McCool is a sophomore at Stratford High School where she also plays the cello. She has participated in school musicals since the 4th grade such as Music Man, Madagascar Junior, Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins Junior, Specs in Newsies, and pre-Covid was cast to play Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors at Wooster Middle School. She has been studying with Kristin Huffman for 3 years, participating in So You Want to be a Broadway Star and other singing opportunities, and is excited to take part in her first holiday production for New Paradigm Theatre, where she also enjoys being on the youth board.

Kinnelle Kwaku Botweh

Youth Ensemble

Kinnelle Botweh is 12 years old and has been with NPT for a few years now . He enjoys acting, singing and dancing. He says he has come a long way and thanks to all the board of directors for their help and guidance! And thanks his mom and dad for their support.

Matthew Bussell

Matthew is 13 years old and from Westfield, Massachusetts. Some past productions include: Middle Tommy in The Who’s Tommy with Exit 7 Players, Pugsley in The Addams Family with Valley Student Theatre, Michael Banks (twice!) in Mary Poppins with Exit 7 Players and Bay Path University, Billy in Assassins with K&E Theater Group, Ugly in Honk! with Good Company Theater, as well as ensemble characters in The Little Mermaid with Exit 7 Players, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Wizard of Oz with Bay Path University and Shrek with Opera House Players. He has also performed in Houston, TX, New York, NY and Washington DC with the Boys and Girls Club of America and performed this summer as the opening act for the Westfield Concert Series.

Dominic Mantuano

soloist

Dominic Mantuano is a powerful vocalist and performer who has been singing since the age of four. In 1999, he first came to international prominence after winning the World Championship of Performing Arts, beating out performers from 30 different countries in eight categories of music. Today, he maintains a prolific tour schedule throughout the United States and continues to sing a mix of classic and contemporary ballads, pop, and other genres. Blessed with a sonorous, compelling, and engaging voice, Dominic Mantuano puts his heart and soul into each note of music and every live performance. As a young child he began working in American Theater and has gone on to perform in almost every medium of music including Opera, Pop, Adult Contemporary, and more. Known for his versatility, expansive repertoire, and impressive vocal range, He is glad to return to the NPT Stage!

Creflo Botweh

Performer

This is Creflo's second year doing the Holiday show with NPT but Creflo has also worked with NPT shows, charity event and yearly events like this. Creflo is a 9th grader with a passion for music and an even greater passion of being busy and expanding his social group. Because of this, Creflo has worked with many famous figure such as Paul Bogaev, Scott Bryce and many more. Creflo is extremely excited to perform this year and wants to improve on as many new things as he can.

Paul Litchfield

Ensemble

Paul is enjoying his fifth NPT Holiday show with Ms. Clauz. He began his involvement in fourth grade with NPT’s first musical, Oliver Reinvented! He was also part of the cast of Peter Pan, Reimagined, several spring concerts and both South Pacific and West Side Story in concert with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves as NPT’s Youth Board Marketing Director. He studies voice with Kristin and is always grateful for the opportunities NPT has given him. He also enjoys sports, guitar and is an avid bass fisherman. Enjoy the show!

Kristin Huffman

Ms Clauz with a Z

Kristin Huffman (Artistic Director of NPT) appeared as a leading role in the Tony award winning Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim-"Company". It also won a Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards for Best Revival of a Musical. She played the leading role of “Sarah” as well as flute, sax and piccolo. The production was filmed and aired on PBS's Great Performances. She has a career that has spanned over 30 years professionally performing with operas, theatres, symphonies around the US and she played “Christine” in the European tour of Phantom. Kristin is the Founder and Producing Artistic director of The New Paradigm Theatre (NPT). She produces video shows for broadwayword.com including her own educational show “Kristin’s Korner” where she interviews pros from the industry to get their advice about challenges and changes in the entertainment industry. As a former Miss Ohio/Runner-up Miss America she continues hosting and producing charity events for NPT that feature her favorite Broadway, Film and TV colleagues often in combination with the NPT Youth Board of directors and college interns. She is a professor at the University of Hartford, a member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG/AFTRA) and she frequently judges international choir competitions in the US and Canada. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from both Capital University Conservatory of Music BM (Music ed: flute and voice concentration) and Northwestern University (Masters of Music- Opera) www.kristinhuffman.com

Lauren Eyerman

Youth Ensemble

This is Lauren's 2nd NPT Holiday Show with New Paradigm Theatre Company, and she couldn't be more excited! She's excited to not only be back on stage after over a year of everything being alone, but also to get another opportunity to work with all of the amazing people who are a part of NPT! Lauren is an active member of the NPT Youth Board of Directors and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Steve Taylor

bassist

Steve Taylor (electric and acoustic bass) has been playing music in the NY-NJ-CT area for over 30 years with jazz, pop, country, bluegrass and improvisational combos, theatre and choral groups. Originally from Darien, he studied music first with his piano teacher father and later at Berklee, New England Conservatory and Reed College. Steve was the NPT bassist for our recent production of “Footloose.” He has performed as an orchestra member for school productions in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, Westport and Milford. He toured with the 40s-style vocal group “Swing Fever” and performed for many years with the “Swingstreet” band from West Hartford. He played for 20 years with the Stamford event band “Paul Lacano and the Cocktail Shakers.” He plays regularly with the Roylety Steel Pan band and the Silver Steel band, under the direction of Jim Royle, and with soulful baritone Richard “Cookie” Thomas... and, happily, under the baton of Mr. Chris Coogan! In his day job, he has worked as a graphic designer, textbook and catalog typesetter and CD-ROM developer. He does volunteer graphic design, video and production development work for the Oratorio Society of Queens (queensoratorio.org), where he and his wife are members of the ensemble and the board. You can hear his playing on the CDs “Streams” (Doug Schlink Trio) and “Sweet Happy Life” (Tracey Lyons) via CDBaby.com. photo by Jeff Green

Jamie Karen

performer

Jamie Karenhas appeared on Broadway in Man of La Mancha and the First National tours of Jersey Boys as Mary Delgado, and Spamalot where she understudied and performed the role of Lady of the Lake as well as Anita in West Side Story. She has been fortunate enough to perform roles at many prestigious regional theatres across the country such as The Muny, North Shore Music Theatre, The Hollywood Bowl and Broadway At Music Circus to name a few. She appeared as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie for the New Paradigm Theatre and at 54Below and Birdland Jazz Club in NYC. She just performed in her very first one-woman show called “If You’re Coming, Don’t Tell Me” at The GreenRoom 42 in NYC. She will be appearing in “City On A Hill” on Showtime as Annabella Zanghi. Jamie attended New World School of the Arts and holds a BA in dance and psychology from Hofstra University. She is a also a BMI singer/songwriter who had an original song featured on an ABC television show.

Helen Hen

Youth Ensemble

This is Helen's fourth Holiday Show and she is so excited! She's also been in Footloose, South Pacific, and Bye Bye Birdie with New Paradigm Theatre. Outside of theater, Helen is a figure skater, a viola and piano player. Plus she enjoys crafts like sewing and crocheting. Helen loves being a part of NPT, is on the Youth Board of Directors and hopes to continue doing shows with them for years to come.

Carolyn Savoia

Carolyn Savoia is beyond grateful to be performing again in the NPT Holiday Show! Regional: Snow White - TYA (Title role, Downtown Cabaret Theatre), Jekyll & Hyde (Music Theatre of Connecticut), West Side Story and South Pacific in concert (Norwalk Symphony Orchestra/New Paradigm Theatre), The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Footloose (New Paradigm Theatre), Joseph...Dreamcoat (ACT of CT), Hairspray, Cinderella - TYA, The Little Mermaid - TYA (Summer Theatre of New Canaan), Gypsy (Dainty June, Two Planks Theater Company), Seussical (Westchester Broadway Theatre). BA Theatre Performance, Wagner College. Many thanks to Kristin, Chris, and the whole company! www.carolynsavoia.com

Barbara Distinti

Candy Winsmore

Footloose (New Paradigm Theatre), Bye Bye Birdie (New Paradigm Theatre), It’s a Wonderful Life (Stray Kats), Evita, Anything Goes (Pittsburgh Playhouse); A Funny Thing…Forum, Cymbeline, Tartuffe, Othello (Three Rivers Shakespeare). MFA Theatre, University of Pittsburgh and SAG member. Barbara directed and wrote short films Zap, Summer School, House of Fury and A Coming Out Homecoming with Connecticut FilmWorks. She is a member of Theatre Artist Workshop and is THRILLED to be back on stage with her beloved NPT family. Happy Holidays!!

J Clayton Winters

Vocalist

J Clayton Winters (Vocalist) as a Performer and Digital Story Maker Clayton has been blessed to work with Professional and University Theaters across the US. Professional credits include Zach, A Chorus Line (Riverside Center) Riff, West Side Story (Sioux City Symphony) Billy, Anything Goes (Lyric Stage). Production credits include Amazing Grace the Musical - The New World Theatre MOTB (Choreography and Fight Direction) Footloose - NPT (Director/Choreographer) Ring of Fire - Riverside Center (Direction and Choreography), Gypsy - Great Plains Theater (Choreography), The Secret Garden - Red Mountain Theater (Choreography), Thank you for supporting the show!

Marion Howard

Marion Sherman Howard, is thrilled to be join NPT’s Holiday Show, after served in previous NPT shows: as Lulu in Footloose, Mrs. Merkle in Bye Bye Birdie, and in the chorus of Hunchback of Notre Dame. Marion has a long history of theater credits in her native Chicago area in productions of The King & I, Godspell, Sound of Music, Seesaw, South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, Oklahoma, Hello, Dolly! and Diary of Anne Frank, and many others. She was a member of the chorus of the celebrated Lyric Opera of Chicago. Marion serves as a member of the board, and a soprano chorus member of the Fairfield County Chorale, where she was a featured soloist in the premiere of “The Blessing” written by her husband Chris Coogan, for which she is the lyricist, the first of a number of music/lyrics collaborations with her husband. Outside of creative and community endeavors, Marion works as a healthcare marketing executive overseeing large scale launches of transformational healthcare solutions.

Chris Coogan

Music Director

Chris Coogan has spent a lifetime astounding audiences with his jazz and gospel music.   The N.Y Times calls him “a masterful pianist”.  Winner of the John Lennon song Writing Competition, he has recorded 8 CDS featuring his original jazz and gospel music.  He has performed at Manhattan’s Blue Note and Montreaux Jazz Festival and shared the spotlight with musical legends Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Paul Shaffer, Stevie Van Zant, Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love, Mavis Staples, Phoebe Snow, Aztec Two Step, Lesley Gore, Blue Oyster Cult, Gene Cornish and Felix Caviliere of the Rascals, Steve Cropper of Stax Records. He’s accompanied Gene Wilder, Kelly O’Hara, James Naughton. Played jazz with Harold Danko, John Pattituci, Randy Brecker, Larry Coryell, Dave Liebman, Sal Salvador, Will Lee, Shawn Pelton, John Tropea and Liberty Devitto, Rob Mathes and made arrangements for Teo Maceo. Chris has entertained Bill and Hillary Clinton, Paul Newman, Jo Ann Woodward, Martha Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg.  His TV credits include Celebrity Jeopardy, the Arsenio Hall show, a PBS documentary with Brain Keane on evangelist Amy Semple McPherson, BBC America’s series “Copper” and four national spots for The Humane society.  As a gospel artist, Chris has performed with Take 6, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou and Richard Smallwood.  As a writer/arranger Chris founded and directs the good news Gospel Choir.  He performs regularly at churches, festivals and fundraisers.  Most weekdays you will find Chris teaching Jazz piano and gigging with his quintet.  “I see myself as a catalyst who uses the medium of music to bring people together.”

Gina Zammit

Gina Zammit is thrilled to make her debut in NPT’s Holiday Show. Gina has had a lifelong passion for performing, starting off taking dance lessons at age 3, competing regional choir competitions in high school, and eventually studying improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. Gina is a two-time Connecticut Press Club Award recipient and currently works as a freelance travel journalist. Her work has been featured in a wide variety of publications including Refinery29, Quartz, Roads & Kingdoms, and Time Out. One of her pieces was awarded gold in the 2017 Society of American Travel Writers Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition and was featured on The New York Times' "Great Stories Around the Web" list. She is currently working on her first book, a memoir.

Rydell Harrison

Rydell is thrilled to spread holiday cheer in his second show with NPT. This summer he made his NPT debut as Principal Harry Clark in Footloose. As a performer, Rydell has a varied background. He performed with Opera Theatre Rutgers and Princeton Opera Theatre, recorded and toured as a solo singer/songwriter, and sang throughout the southeast with the Headliners. Rydell's past on stage credits include Westside Story (Tony) and Joseph (Reuben). He also music directed The Wiz, Cinderella, Gypsy, The Music Man, and Once on This Island. Rydell is a former music teacher, principal and superintendent and currently serves on Westport Country Playhouse's Board of Trustees and New Paradigm Theatre's Advisory Board. When he is not making music, he is a program coordinator with Partners for Educational Leadership where he focuses on leadership development and equity.

Janelle Robinson

Soloist

Janelle Robinson has performed in over 50 Equity productions, including originating the role of Mrs. Corry in “Mary Poppins”. Some of her other favorites are “Oklahoma” with Susan Stroman, touring in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and singing in Barack on Broadway. A few theaters she’s had the privilege to work in: The Papermill Playhouse, MSMT, North Shore Music Theater, STONC and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Janelle has also taught for the last 25 years and is presently on the voice faculty at The Hartt School, WCSU and Random Farms Kids Theater. Thanks to all who have made the journey grand!

Photos

The New Paradigm Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre promoting social responsibility and fostering creative problem solvers, leaders, and global citizens through theatre arts education and productions.

We are a professional theatre that bridges, elevates, and advances society. Through its synergistic mission of combining Broadway, Film, and Television professionals, it cultivates today and tomorrow’s creative leaders through experiential learning; leading up to professional productions.

Our theatre arts education enhances students’ complete intelligence through classes, seminars, and workshops. This places them side by side with professionals, who combine artistic techniques with experiential and project-based learning activities.  This transformative platform fosters creative and critical reasoning skills necessary for problem solving, global thinking, and leadership growth.

Our professional productions are designed as “theatre shows on the move” with a limitless community reach, often assisting other nonprofits by way of partnerships. We understand theatre and the arts are key components to a healthy community.

NPT Board of Directors

Adult Board of Directors:

• Mark Holleran, Chairman
• Andrew Reimann, Vice Chairman
• Lynn Vetare, Treasurer
• Lou Benedetto
• Scott Bryce
• Barbara Distinti- Secretary
• Janelle Robinson
• Joel Dommell
• Kristin Huffman, ex officio

Youth Board of Directors

• President , Charlie Fischer (Westport)
• VP &Treasurer, Cameron Distinti (Trumbull)
• Secretary, Sienna Rubin (Easton)
• Head of Marketing Committee, Paul Litchfield (Stratford)
• Head of Board Recruitment Committee, Marlena Ascher and Madeline Lawler (Weston)

Board: Cameron Distinti, Marlena Ascher, Sienna Rubin, Charlie Fischer, Paul Litchfield, Madeline Lawler, Austin Lewis, Helen Hen, Amelia McCool, Lauren Eyerman, Creflo Botweh

Little Mermaid in August /Student Registration in January