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Smokey Joe’s Cafe

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Or call the Box Office:
315.255.1785  /  1.800.457.8897

at the Preston H. Thomas Theatre in the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

A song and dance rollercoaster of rock, R&B, jazz and a whole lotta soul!

With songs like “Hound Dog,” “Fools Fall In Love,” “Stand By Me,” “Jailhouse Rock” and 35 more, this electrifying musical blows the roof off and brings the house down. Join us in November and relive a golden age in American music and culture. Lieber and Stoller practically invented rock ‘n roll and SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ isn’t just great music – it’s electrifying musical theatre!

Awards: Nominated for 7 Tony Awards

Rated PG

More Details
More Details

Director/Choreographer: DJ Salisbury
Associate Choreographer: Shiloh Goodin
Musical Director: Kristen Rosenfeld
Assistant Musical Director: Jeff Cox
Set Designer: Chad Stephen Healy
Light Designer: Jose Santiago
Projection Designer: Brian McMullen
Sound Designer: Bobby Johnston
Costume Designer: Tiffany Howard
Hair & Make-up Designer: Angie Johnson

SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE
THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER
Words and Music by
JERRY LEIBER and MIKE STOLLER

SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE: THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com

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* Indicates Talkbacks         § Indicates Signed Performances

Media
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Cast

Media

Finger Lakes Theatre Festival ends with energetic and precise ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ (Review)

Nov122016Syracuse.comFLMTF

http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/11/fingers_lakes_theatre_festival_ends_with_energetic_and_precise_rendition_of_smok.html

Merry-Go-Round Offers A Rockin’ Finale

Nov092016Syracuse New TimesFLMTF

Merry-Go-Round Offers A Rockin’ Finale

BWW Review: SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE Entertains at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

Nov072016BroadwayWorld.comFLMTF

http://www.broadwayworld.com/central-new-york/article/BWW-Review-SMOKEY-JOES-CAFE-Entertains-at-The-Merry-Go-Round-Playhouse-20161107

Review: ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’ serves nonstop talent, imagination at Merry-Go-Round

Nov042016The CitizenFLMTF

http://auburnpub.com/entertainment/review-smokey-joe-s-cafe-serves-nonstop-talent-imagination-at/article_f0c34a2f-060f-5d35-9304-305241ef5fff.html

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Photos

Cast

Christin Byrdsong (u/s Ken) Christin’s credits include Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR three times, Belize in ANGELS IN AMERICA, Beadle Bamford in SWEENEY TODD, Man 1 in SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, and Lun Tha in THE KING AND I, to name a few. On camera, he can be viewed in commercials for national brands including JCPenny, RadioShack, and Hasbro Toys. Byrdsong is a skilled violinist with 13 years of training. He can also be heard on the soundtrack for “Daughter of Dawn” performed by the Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra. Christin received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University.
Rheaume Crenshaw* (BJ)  FAMILY RESEMBLANCE (Bingham Camp Theatre Retreat); Sundance Theatre Lab 2015; AMAZING GRACE (Broadway/Broadway in Chicago/Goodspeed Musicals); THE GOLEM OF HAVANA (Barrington Stage Co./LaMama, NYTW, Miami New Drama); BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(BET); AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Riverside Theater, Crossroads Theater Co.); KISS ME, KATE (Cape Playhouse); YEAST NATION:  THE TRIUMPH OF LIFE (NYFringe); THE BUCCANEER, WIG OUT! (New Dramatists); THE FULL MONTY (Paper Mill Playhouse); BLACK NATIVITY (Congo Square/Goodman Theatre); HOME: THE MUSICAL, RAISIN (St. Louis Black Rep.). Trust it all. Philippians 4:13.
Cornelius Davis* (Victor) Regional: THE LITTLE MERMAID (Sebastian) at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, LES MISERABLES (Combeferre) at Maltz Jupiter Theatre, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Papa Ge) at Flat Rock Playhouse, SHREK, THE MUSICAL (Donkey) at Alhambra Theatre, THE COLOR PURPLE (Harpo). BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Central Florida. Proud AEA member. Many Thanks to Brett, DJ, and Kristen.
Samantha Duval (Pattie) is originally from Southern California. Samantha’s most recent credits include ACCOMPLICE at La Jolla Playhouse, HELLO, DOLLY! at The California Theatre (Irene), FOOTLOOSE (Rusty) and THE SHAPE OF THINGS (Jenny). Samantha has had the honor of recently creating lead roles in workshops and productions of two new shows, HOLLYWOOD COWBOY and GUEST OF HONOR: THE STORY OF SCOTT JOPLIN. Since moving to New York, she’s had a blast working with Broadway’s Sharon Wheatley on Avenue Zoo, at the Bronx Zoo, touring with The Celtic Ladies, and performing weekly at Marty Thomas Presents the Diva’s at Industry Bar. She would like to thank her agents at The Daniel Hoff Agency, her family and her incredible husband Justin for all their love and support. www.samanthaduval.com
Denzel Edmondson (Ken, u/s Adrian, Fred) is thrilled to be making his FLMTF debut as a swing in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE. Previous credits include LES MISÉRABLES (Enjolras), RENT (Benny), DREAMGIRLS (C. C. White), SWEET CHARITY (Daddy Bruebeck), and SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE (Ken). Ithaca College Graduate. Denzel would like to thank his family and friends for their never ending support!
Michael Hunsaker* (Michael) has performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, and all over the United States.  Michael holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Florida State University and an MFA in Film Production from Full Sail University. Favorite roles: Jean Valjean in LES MISÉRABLES, Brick in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, Tony in WEST SIDE STORY, Chris in MISS SAIGON, and Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Michael has written several musicals including MEASURE FOR MEASURE, OUT OF FRAME and FETCHING WATER.
Gabriel Mudd* (Adrian) is really grateful to be back in the Finger Lakes! He was last seen at Merry-Go-Round in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, A CHORUS LINE (Al), and BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (The Apollo Emcee). Other credits: CARE (West End, Chicago). Tours: THE WEDDING SINGER (1st National), A CHORUS LINE. Regional: RAGTIME (Matthew Henson), ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Papa Ge), ELF: THE MUSICAL, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, and many others. Love and thanks to DJ, Geoff, G-d, and his family. AEA, Light:Life:Love
Christiana Perrault (u/s BJ, Pattie, Brenda, DeLee) is excited to be returning to the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE marks Christiana’s second production with the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, as she was seen earlier this season in the U.S. premiere of Tim Rice’s FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (u/s Lorene, Ensemble). Other most recent credits include IN THE HEIGHTS (Vanessa) and THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY (Suzanne), both regional premieres during her dynamic year at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. Christiana is thrilled to end the year moving to New York, and would like to thank her family and her Stagecrafters family back at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan for all their support.
Grant Richards (u/s Victor, Michael) is honored to return to FLMTF after performing in AUSTEN’S PRIDE: A NEW MUSICAL OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Red Coat, u/s Darcy, u/s Wickham, Asst. Dance Captain) earlier this season. Favorite recent credits include: WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (Carlos); FLOYD COLLINS (Floyd); SPRING AWAKENING (Melchior); SWEENEY TODD (Anthony); 42ND STREET (Billy); OKLAHOMA! (Mike, u/s Curly). Senior at Nazareth College / BFA MT ‘17. Syracuse University Tepper Semester ‘17. Love to the FLMTF team, Brett, Josh, the cast, and his family. www.grant-richards.com
Summerisa Bell Stevens* (DeLee) is honored to be a part of this incredible cast! She recently played Velma, “Somewhere” Soloist in WEST SIDE STORY at the Tony Award-Winning Paper Mill Playhouse. Regional: HAIRSPRAY at Tuacahn, MARY POPPINS at Starlight Theatre, WEST SIDE STORY at Riverside Theatre, ZORRO National Premiere. BFA Musical Theatre, Minor Ballroom Dance. Thank you to God for this opportunity, MSA, Dad, Mom, and most of all Spencer – for standing by me since 2010. www.summerisabellstevens.com @thesummerisa.
Chris White* (Fred) is a graduate of Webster Conservatory. He is a former company member with Oregon Shakespeare Festival (HENRY IV, PART 2 and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE), Nebraska Shakespeare (JULIUS CAESAR and COMEDY OF ERRORS), Theater at Monmouth (LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, HENRY V, and BARBER OF SEVILLE), and North Carolina Shakespeare (A CHRISTMAS CAROL). His favorite musical theater credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE MUSIC MAN, and SCROOGE: THE MUSICAL. At the end of this year, Chris will play the title role in NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players’ THE MIKADO: REIMAGINED. Aside from performing, Chris served as an artistic advisor to the ALT Foundation, for whom he wrote an original screenplay (“Footprints”), and served as performance coach for young artists. “Hold fast to dreams…”
Candice Marie Woods* (Brenda) This Texas native began her professional career in 2005 when she was cast in the Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY (Dynamite, u/s Inez). Her other Broadway credits include CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Ensemble, featured vocalist on original cast album), WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (Swing), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Ensemble), and THE BOOK OF MORMON (Ensemble, u/s Nabalungi). Her national tours include DIRTY DANCING: THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE (Female lead vocalist, Ensemble) and LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL (Pilar). Candice is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. She is super excited to be a part of Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival’s production of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE! She sends her love and thanks to her family and friends for their continuous support!

* Members of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

** Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

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Auburn, NY 13021
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Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
6877 East Lake Road
Auburn, NY 13021
Box Office: (315) 255-1785

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