CREATIVE GET TICKETS
BERRY GORDY, JR. (Book)
Berry Gordy, Jr. is the founder of Motown, the hit-making enterprise that nurtured the careers of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, and many other music greats. The “Motown sound” reached out across a racially divided, politically and socially charged country to transform popular music. The year 2009 marked an international year-long celebration of Motown’s 50th Anniversary. Mr. Gordy is also a songwriter, boxer, producer, director, innovative entrepreneur, teacher and visionary. In the 1960’s, Gordy moved his artists into television, on shows like American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show. Actively involved in the Civil Rights movement, he also released the recorded speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His films include Lady Sings the Blues, which garnered five Academy Award nominations, and Mahogany. Gordy has received four honorary doctorates: one in philosophy from Occidental College; two in the humanities, from Morehouse College and Michigan State University; and one in music from Eastern Michigan University. Among the awards recognizing Gordy’s accomplishments are the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, the Gordon Grand Fellow from Yale University, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Rainbow Coalition’s Man of the Millennium Award, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award, and the Grammy Salute To Industry Icon’s President’s Merit Award. In February 2011, President Barack Obama honored him with a Salute to Motown evening at the White House. Berry Gordy’s unparalleled contribution to music and popular culture is chronicled in his autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown.
CHARLES RANDOLPH-WRIGHT (Director)
Charles Randolph-Wright has a diversified career in directing, writing, and producing for theater, film, and television. Theater directing credits include the record-breaking musical Sophisticated Ladies (starring Maurice Hines) and the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined at Arena Stage, the 75th Anniversary international tour of Porgy and Bess, Brian Stokes Mitchell in Love/Life (Lincoln Center), Daniel Beaty’s Through the Night and Emergency, the national tour of Guys and Dolls, Blood Knot (featuring music by Tracy Chapman at ACT in San Francisco), The Diva is Dismissed (starring Jenifer Lewis) and They’re Playing Our Song (in Portuguese in Brazil). Charles wrote the plays Blue (starring Phylicia Rashad, Diahann Carroll), The Night Is a Child (starring Jobeth Williams), Cuttin’ Up, and co-wrote Just Between Friends (starring Bea Arthur) on Broadway. He directed the award-winning film Preaching to the Choir, and has written screenplays for HBO, Showtime, Disney, and Fox. Television credits include directing “Lincoln Heights (ABC Family),” “South of Nowhere” (The N), Bebe Winans’ special “America America,” the “Freestyle” soccer campaign for Nike, and producing and writing the Showtime series “Linc’s.” Charles was chosen for a playwright residency in Arena Stages’ American Voices New Play Institute, and was the recipient of the Paul Robeson Award from Actors’ Equity. www.Randolph-wright.com
PATRICIA WILCOX (Choreographer)
Selected credits include Children’s Letters to God (Off-Broadway), Blues in the Night (Off-Broadway, International companies, and Thames Television in London; NAACP Image Award nomination), Bowfire (National tour and PBS Special), A Marvelous Party (co-conceiver and choreographer; Geva Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center Repertory Theatre). Other credits include: Guys and Dolls (Paper Mill Playhouse), Smokey Joes Cafe, Camelot and Aida (North Shore Music Theatre), The Pajama Game (Chicago’s Marriott Lincolnshire; Jeff nomination), The Pirates of Penzance (Missouri Repertory Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret and A Little Night Music (Sacramento Music), Emma, Hair, HMS Pinafore and Little Shop of Horrors (Arizona Theatre Company), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Moscow Arts Center) and Broadway Under the Stars in Bryant Park. She choreographed the rock ‘n roll premiere of Falco for the Ronacher Theatre in Vienna, the premiere of A Night Magic for the Berns Theatre in Stockholm, and numerous tours and television shows in Europe. She has staged original works for the Houston Symphony, Minnesota Pops, Phoenix Symphony and for Lyrics and Lyricist at the 92nd Street Y. She has also created numbers for ice skating gold medalists Viktor Petrenko, Ilia Kulik, Katya Gordeeva, Miki Ando and two ice dancing teams for the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
WARREN ADAMS (Choreographer)
is an award-winning director, choreographer and adjunct professor at NYU and Princeton University in the Theater department. He recently directed the film documentary Africa Straight Up, which premiered in October. He recently choreographed the Pulitzer Prize-winning Off-Broadway plays How I Learned to Drive and Ruined, the Opera Magdalena at the Teatre du Chatelet in Paris, Toy Story the Musical for Disney and Nora Ephron's last film Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep. Adams was a part of the Disney Team that launched Hong Kong Disney in 2005. He was the associate choreographer for The Lion King and created The World Drummers Show. Other theater work has been presented at New York City Center, The Joyce, Second Stage, South Coast Rep, Teatro du Municipal Sao Paulo, Theatre for a New Audience, The Intiman, The Geffen, and several dance companies including the critically acclaimed The Audacious One for Phoenix Dance Theatre in England. Film and TV: “The View” starring Ben Vereen (ABC), "The Windrush Gala" and "The Sportsbank Documentary" (BBC) and "Top Billing" (SABC), Bewitched, starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. Born and raised in South Africa, he won the Nelson Mandela / Sainsbury scholarship to study at the Rambert Ballet in London. He is a graduate of Brunel University in England and winner of the Rudolf Nureyev Award.
ETHAN POPP (Musical Supervisor/Co-Orchestrator/Arranger)
Television: “Smash” (Music Supervisor, Music Producer, Arranger, Orchestrator), “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The 2009 Tony Awards” (CBS), “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (NBC). Broadway/Theatre: Rock of Ages (Broadway, U.S. Tour, Toronto, Australia and London productions as music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator), Disney’s Tarzan (Broadway), Glory Days (Broadway), We Will Rock You (German Premiere), Disney’s Aida (German Premiere / European Tour), Mamma Mia! (German Premiere), Disney’s The Lion King (German Premiere), Forever Plaid (U.S. Tour), Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular (Mexico City Production), Fame! (U.S. Tour), and many, many others. Ethan also received a 2007 Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on the Philadelphia premiere of Being Alive (Philadelphia Theatre Company).
DAVID KORINS (Scenic Design)
David Korins is a New York based scenic and production designer for theater, film, opera, television, concerts, festivals, residential and commercial spaces and immersive experiences. His Broadway credits include Annie, Bring It On, Chinglish, An Evening with Patti LuPone & Mandy Patinkin, Magic/Bird, Godspell, The Pee-Wee Herman Show, Lombardi, Passing Strange and Bridge and Tunnel. He has also worked extensively both Off-Broadway and regionally. David's opera credits include The Gospel of Mary Magdalene at San Francisco Opera and Oscar and Life is a Dream at the Santa Fe Opera. In 2011, David served as Kanye West’s creative director designing several concerts in the United States and abroad. David has designed installations across the country for festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and The Great GoogaMooga. He has been the production designer for several feature films, television specials and series on NBC, CBS, HBO, Bravo TV, IFC, Comedy Central, Lifetime and the Game Show Network. David has done commercial work for Target, Samsung, World MasterCard, McDonald's and Friendly's. He has received a Drama Desk Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, three Henry Hewes Awards and the 2009 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Design. davidkorinsdesign.com
ROD LEMMOND (Associate Scenic Design)
Rod Lemmond has been Senior Designer and Partner at David Korins Design since its inception. He has been the Lead Associate on more than 200 shows and projects over the past 10 years. His Broadway credits include Annie, Chinglish, An Evening with Patti LuPone & Mandy Patinkin, Magic/Bird, Godspell, The Pee-Wee Herman Show, Lombardi, Passing Strange and Bridge and Tunnel. Rod has also worked extensively both off-Broadway and regionally and on TV, commercial & film projects around the country. Rod is a fourth generation craftsmen and woodworker. His knowledge of construction, furniture and its design has been a major contribution to the many projects produced by David Korins Design. Rod holds a Masters of Fine Arts from New York University/Tisch School of the Arts with a concentration in design for Theater and Film.
ESOSA (Costume Design)
Broadway: Porgy and Bess (Tony Award nomination), Topdog / Underdog. Off-Broadway: Second Stage: Water by the Spoonful; By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Lucille Lortel Award); Trust; Crowns. MCC: Break of Noon (Geffen Playhouse). Delacorte: The Capeman. Public Theater: Juan and John, Father Comes Home from the Wars, Romeo and Juliet. NYTW: The Misanthrope, All That I Will Ever Be. Regional: La Jolla/Center Theatre Group: American Night; Arena Stage: Ruined, Cuttin’ Up, Senor Discretion Himself (Helen Hayes Award nominee); Alliance: Twist; Pasadena Playhouse: Twist (2011 Ovation Award); A.R.T.: Best of Both Worlds; Geva Theatre: Fences; Berkeley Rep: The Blue Door; Bay Street Theatre: Big Maybelle: Queen of the Blues; Turandot: The Rumble for the Ring; Ain’t Misbehavin’; Centerstage: Once on This Island, Gleam; Williamstown Theatre Festival: Whaddabloodclot!!!; Denver Center Theatre Co.: Sense & Sensibility The Musical (upcoming). www.esosadesign.com
NATASHA KATZ (Lighting Design)
has designed extensively for theater, opera, and dance. Recent Broadway credits: Once (Tony Award®), Follies, Sister Act, Elf, The Addams Family, The Little Mermaid, The Coast of Utopia: Salvage (Tony Award), A Chorus Line (revival), Spelling Bee, Tarzan, Aida (Tony Award) and Beauty and the Beast. Other designs include Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Royal Ballet), Buried Child (National Theatre, London), Cyrano (The Met), Carnival of the Animals (NYCB), Don Quixote (ABT); EFX! (Las Vegas). She has worked extensively Off-Broadway including Altar Boyz and The Normal Heart. Her many regional credits include work at: The Mark Taper Forum, Trinity Rep, ART, Dallas Theatre Center, Spoleto, Alliance and Seattle Rep. Opera/dance: NYC Ballet, London Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Edinburgh Festival, Metropolitan Opera, and The NYC Opera. Concert acts: Shirley MacLaine, Ann-Margret and Tommy Tune. Las Vegas: EFX! Permanent lighting installations: Niketown NYC and London and the Big Bang at the Museum of Natural History in NYC.
PETER HYLENSKI (Sound Design)
Grammy, Tony and Olivier Award nominated. Selected Broadway designs include: Shrek the Musical (New York, US Tour, London), Rock of Ages (New York, London, Toronto, Australia, US Tour, Las Vegas), The Scottsboro Boys, Lend Me A Tenor, Elf, Wonderland, Cry Baby, The Times They Are A-Changin’, The Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Little Women, Brooklyn. Other credits: Le Reve at Wynn Las Vegas, Ragtime (London), Rocky das Musical (Hamburg), How To Train Your Dragon, Walking with Dinosaurs, Mame, Opening Doors, Annie. Architectural projects include 54 Below, the Plaza Hotel (New York City), Lake of Dreams at Wynn (Las Vegas), Chicago Auditorium Theater, Big Bang Theatre at the American Museum of Natural History. Peter is also a producer and engineer for film, album and television projects. He holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.
DANIEL BRODIE (Projection Designer)
Daniel's projection and video designs made with love include Jekyll and Hyde (Broadway), Basil Twist's Rite of Spring and Arias with a Twist, Christopher Wheeldon's Cinderella. Music projects include collaborators such as Bonnaroo Music Festival and singer Kanye West. Daniel has also been a guest lecturer on projection at Yale University and Winthrop University. For Caitlin, Inky, and BBC. www.brodiegraphics.com
TELSEY + COMPANY (Casting)
Broadway/Tours: Kinky Boots, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Jekyll & Hyde, Hands on a Hardbody, The Other Place, Annie, Newsies, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, Rock of Ages, Wicked, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sister Act, Memphis, Million Dollar Quartet. Off-Broadway: Bare, Atlantic, MCC, Signature. Regional: La Jolla, Paper Mill. Film: The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Friends with Kids, Joyful Noise, Margin Call, Sex and the City 1 & 2, I Love You Phillip Morris, Rachel Getting Married, Dan in Real Life, Across the Universe. TV: “Smash,” “The Big C.” www.telseyandco.com
CHARLES G. LAPOINTE (Hair & Wig Design)
Broadway: Clybourne Park, Newsies, The Columnist, Magic/Bird, Bonnie and Clyde, The Mountaintop, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Merchant of Venice, Memphis, Henry IV, The Rivals, Cymbeline, Lombardi, Fences, Looped, Miracle Worker, Superior Donuts, 33 Variations, Guys and Dolls, In the Heights, Jersey Boys, The Color Purple, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Good Vibrations, The Apple Tree, A Raisin in the Sun, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Lieutenant of Inishmoor, Radio Golf, Sight Unseen, High Fidelity, Xanadu, and Bring it On.
BRYAN CROOK (Co-Orchestrator/Additional Arranger)
is a producer, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist for Broadway, TV and films. He is an executive producer of Special Guest Music Productions. In addition to playing woodwinds for The Book of Mormon on Broadway, his recent work can be heard on Ice Age 4 (FOX), “Smash” (NBC), The 2011 Billboard Music Awards and The 2011 Emmy Awards. Other show credits include Rock of Ages, Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia!, West Side Story, Legally Blonde and Spelling Bee. His most important credits, however, are as a husband to Hilary and father to Liam, Ethan, and mystery baby #3.
ZANE MARK (Dance Arranger)
Broadway: Leap of Faith, All Shook Up, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Never Gonna Dance, The Full Monty, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk (Tony and Grammy nomination) Bubblin’ Brown Sugar and The Wiz. Off-Broadway/Regional: Pippin, Frog Kiss, Crowns, The Brother Sister Plays, Ray Charles Live, Imagine Tap, Radiant Baby, George Wolfe’s Harlem Song (Audelco Award), Thunder Knocking On The Door, Insurrection, and Betsy Brown. Film: The Dancer Chronicles, Lackawanna Blues, Frances Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club.
JOSEPH JOUBERT (Music Director/Conductor)
Credits as orchestrator, arranger, conductor, producer, musical director include Broadway’s Nice Work If You Can Get It, Leap of Faith; Caroline or Change; The Color Purple; Billy Elliot. Off-Broadway: Violet, Three Mo’ Tenors; Three Mo’ Divas. TV: “We Shall Not Be Moved;” “Macy’s Fireworks 2010.” Film: Nights in Rodanthe. Recording: Fantasia’s “I’m Here;” Century Men’s Beautiful Star; Total Praise, Broadway Inspirational Voices’ Great Joy. Accompanist/arrangements include Patti Labelle, Ashford & Simpson, Diana Ross, George Benson, and Kathleen Battle (White House and Carnegie Hall). Grammy, Emmy and Drama Desk Award nominee.
KEVIN MCCOLLUM (Producer)
received three Tony Awards for Best Musical for In the Heights (2008), Avenue Q (2004), and RENT (1996), which was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and made into a major motion picture. He also produced The Drowsy Chaperone (five 2006 Tony Awards), Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme (two 2002 Tony Awards), the revival of Ragtime (2009), West Side Story (2009), Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (2011), [title of show] (2008), the debut stage production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, and the Off-Broadway hit De La Guarda. McCollum also serves on the Board of Governors of the Broadway League as well as on the Labor Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Executive Committee, assisting in League negotiations with unions and theatre owners. McCollum was trained at the University of Cincinnati's Conservatory of Music and earned his Master's degree in film producing from the Peter Stark Program at the University of Southern California. In 1995, he received the Robert Whitehead Award for Outstanding Commercial Theatre Producing. McCollum received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, in 2005.
DOUG MORRIS (Producer)
is widely considered the most influential executive in the music industry. Currently Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, the world’s second largest music company, he has worked in many different capacities over his career with some of the most popular and influential artists of the past four decades, including The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, Pete Townsend, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler, Tori Amos, INXS, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder and U2, among many others. He is on the board of The Rock–N–Roll Hall of Fame, and he has been recognized by numerous organizations for his outstanding contributions to the music community, including City of Hope, which presented him with its Spirit of Life award in 2008, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which honored him with its President’s Merit Award in 2003, and its Icon award in 2009. He also has as a star on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the founder of VEVO, the top music entertainment destination on the Web, and he previously spent 14 years as Worldwide Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, which was the world’s largest music company under his leadership. He began his career as a songwriter and producer, with credits including The Chiffons’ 1966 hit “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” and Brownsville Station’s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.”