Merrily We Roll Along

Jacob Brent

Jacob is a performer, director/ choreographer, and a professor of musical theater. Jacob is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Mistoffelees in the Broadway, London and Video productions of Cats. He is the only performer to have appeared in all three and the only actor to perform in both of the record-breaking performances of the longest running Broadway and West End show. He also had the privilege of working with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber while in the original cast of Starlight Express in Las Vegas. As a director and choreographer his work can be seen Off Broadway, regionally and in summer theaters across the country. Jacob holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Dance and a M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.

Chris Rayis

Chris Rayis (Music Supervisor) As pianist/conductor: Broadway: Frozen. National Tour: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elf, Man of La Mancha. Off-Broadway: Far From Heaven, Cruel Intentions. Film: The Last Five Years. As composer/lyricist: Deep Water Ballad (Elon Cast Recording on streaming & digital), Transcriber of Dreams (Original Cast Recording on streaming & digital), Jenny and the Paper Pirates (commissioned by The American School in Switzerland). Former student of Andrew Lippa and Ricky Ian Gordon. TV: Joepardy!, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. Assistant Professor and Music Director for Elon University Music Theatre. Belmont ’12. Penn State ’18.

Hailey Avari

Hailey Avari is excited to light Merrily We Roll Along at Elon University! Hailey is a sophomore Theatrical Design and Technology major at Elon. Her prior experiences at Elon include, The Fall Dance Concert (lighting designer), The Spring Dance Concert (Stage Manager), Legally Blonde (Assistant Stage Manager), and A Chorus Line (Assistant Stage Manager).

Carrington Black

Carrington Black is a current Music Theatre major at Elon University. She has had a blast her freshman year and cannot wait to continue to grow in her artistry! Her favorite past roles include: Sarah (Ragtime), Margaret White (Carrie), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), and Aida (Aida). She hopes you enjoy the show!

Charles “Charlie” Castro

Charles “Charlie” Castro is a senior musical theatre major. He is a Miami, Florida native. He is incredibly excited to be conducting the score of Merrily We Roll Along! He wants to thank Chris Rayis for being his mentor throughout this process and his family and friends for their constant support in all of his artistic endeavors! @itscharlescastro

Michayla Catron

Michayla is a first-year and is thrilled to have been a part of her first show at Elon! She is incredibly grateful to the faculty and creative team for the opportunity to swing this show. She’d like to thank her friends and family for always being her biggest supporters and making it possible for her to be doing this!

Lindsey Chambers

Lindsey Chambers is so excited to be making her stage manager debut in Merrily We Roll Along! She is a sophomore majoring in Theatrical Design & Technology and Computer Science. Previously at Elon, Lindsey has been the Assistant Stage Manager for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and As You Like It. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.

Ella Davison

Ella (she/her) is currently a sophomore year music theatre major. She was most recently seen in Grand Night and in the ensemble in Legally Blonde at Elon University. Enjoy the show!

Madelynn Forcier

Madelynn is a sophomore musical theatre major and is very excited to be performing in her second Grand Night at Elon! She would like to thank her friends, professors, and family for their support. LOVE U MOM!!

Andrew France

Andrew is a junior Music Theatre major and is extremely excited to be a part of this incredible cast! This is Andrew’s third show with Elon, and he has previously been seen as Moritz in Spring Awakening and Sisyphus in Myths and Hymns. He recently released his debut album, Better Off Gone, on to all streaming services! He is very happy to be playing Tyler and U/S Charley in this show, and hopes you enjoy! He would like to thank his friends and family for all their support!

Kaimani Gaeta

Kai is so honored to take part in his first Grand Night Performance at Elon University. Kai is a freshman music theater major and is currently performing in the spring musical Merrily We Roll Along as Joe Josephson. Kai grew up performing at The Palace Theatre in Manchester where he performed as Benny in Rent, and ensemble roles in; Grease, Kinky Boots, and The Prom. Kai is so excited for what his future holds at Elon and cant wait to see what’s next. Special thanks to Mom and Emme.

Trevor Hudson

Trevor Hudson is a first-year Music Theatre major and Dance minor, thrilled to make his Grand Night debut. He will perform as a Swing in Merrily We Roll Along, marking his first show at Elon. Previous credits include Dreamgirls (CC White), Once on This Island (Papa Ge), and the Beetlejuice pilot production (Miss Argentina). Trevor is excited to collaborate with such a talented group of artists and is eager to contribute to this unforgettable experience.

Anya Jones

Anya is so excited for you all to see Merrily We Roll Along! Last J-Term, she played Laura in Elon’s production of A Chorus Line. Regionally, some of her favorite credits include Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (Timber Lake Playhouse), Ensemble/Associate Choreographer of Something Rotten (Festival 56), Chastity in Anything Goes (Timber Lake Playhouse), Susan Parks in Billy Elliot (Signature Theatre), and getting to work with Debbie Allen in her original musical, Brothers of the Knight. You might have also taken a group fitness class from her at Campus Recreation. Enjoy the show!

Tinkie Jones

Thank you for supporting Merrily We Roll Along! Tinkie is a sophomore from Atlanta. You might have caught her in Legally Blonde or Myths and Hymns at Elon. She owes her loved ones and old friends the world. Cheers to us, and enjoy the show!

Gabriel Logan

Gabriel is so grateful to be closing out his time at Elon playing Frank Shepherd in Merrily We Roll Along. Other Elon credits include Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, Deep Water Ballad, Head Over Heels, and Spelling Bee. Regional credits include A Little Night Music at Barrington Stage, Mary Poppins at North Carolina Theater, Legally Blonde at Theater Aspen, and Fiddler on The Roof at The Aspen Music Festival, among others. Gabriel thanks his Family, Friends, and Professors for their continued support and guidance.

Alex McLemore

Alex McLemore is a freshman Music Theater major at Elon University. Most recent performance credits include Moritz (Spring Awakening), Pippin (Pippin), Laurie (Little Women), Sky (Mamma Mia), and Tulsa (Gypsy). Alex is so excited to be making his Elon debut in Merrily We Roll Along. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and for always being in his corner. Please enjoy Merrily We Roll Along!

Mia McManamy

Mia (she/her) feels incredibly grateful to close out her time at Elon as Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along. She is a senior Music Theatre major, Communications minor, and Elon College Fellow from Kansas City, Missouri. Elon credits: Amalia Balash (She Loves Me), Vivienne Kensington (Legally Blonde), Dance Ensemble (Head Over Heels), and Ensemble (Myths and Hymns). She wouldn’t be here without the support of her parents, two younger sisters, French Bulldog Louie, and entire extended family. She wants to thank the entire cast, crew, and creative team for such an incredible process; this show is a dream come true. Upcoming: Resident Company member at Forestburgh Playhouse, where she will be featured as Katherine Plumber (Newsies) and Philoclea (Head Over Heels). miamcmanamy.com, @mia.mcmanamy

Helena Padial

Helena Padial is a Junior Music Theatre major and Psychology minor from Palisades, New York. Some of her previous Elon credits include A Chorus Line (Kristine) and Spring Awakening (Adult Women). Helena also spent last summer at New London Barn Playhouse where she played Mimi in Rent amongst other roles in their season. She would like to thank everyone involved in making this show possible along with her family and friends for their love and support! Enjoy the show!

Eric Pettit

Eric is a current sophomore Music Theatre major from Dayton, Ohio. At Elon, his choreography has previously been featured in Grand Night, Collage, Elon Cares, and this Fall’s production of Legally Blonde. He would like to thank Professor Brent for his belief, trust, and guidance throughout this process and the entire cast and crew of Merrily We Roll Along for their acceptance and commitment.

Van Prigozen

My name is Van Prigozen, I am a freshman here at Elon class of 2028. I pursuing a masters degree in Business Analytics and a bachelor’s in project management. I am the drummer for the Elon University Jazz ensemble and drumming in the pit of Merrily. I am from Westchester New York and this is my 5th show! Previously I have played drums in the pit for the following Musicals – Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Percy Jackson the Lightning Thief, and Chicago.

Addyson Reese

Addy is so grateful and thrilled to be part of her first Elon Mainstage! She is a first-year student from Tampa, Florida. Addy proudly performed in and choreographed for Elon Cares and Grand Night this year. Some favorite past roles include Roxie in Chicago, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Abigail Williams in The Crucible. She would like to thank her family, her amazing professors, the wonderful class of MT ‘28, and this incredible cast for all of their care and support.

Campy Rodriguez

Campy is ecstatic to be performing in his third Grand Night! Campy’s previous Elon credits include: Spring Awakening (Melchior), A Chorus Line (Al), and Deep Water Ballad (Hill Child, U/S Daniel). He will also be performing in Elon’s upcoming box musical Merrily We Roll Along (Ensemble, U/S Frank). Come check it out! Campy would like to thank his family for always supporting him with his dreams and passions! Roll Phoenix!!!!!

Laird Stearns

Laird Stearns is a freshman Music Theatre and Arts Administration double major, from Corpus Christi, TX. He is thrilled to make his Elon musical debut as a swing in Merrily We Roll Along! Past roles include You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke), Leading Ladies (Jack/Stephanie). Laird wants to shout a big thank you to his incredible community and support system at Elon, to God, and to his parents and their never ending support and love.

Elliot Sullivan

Elliot Sullivan, a freshman at Elon University, is majoring in both Music Theatre and Arts Administration and minoring in dance. He graduated in 2024 from Artios Academies of Sugar Hill Arts Conservatory. Since performing as a bluebird in his first musical, Cinderella Kids, Elliot has nurtured a deep passion for musical theatre. He extends heartfelt gratitude to his family and friends for their constant support, and above all, to God for blessing him with the opportunities that have shaped his journey. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Lauren Trethaway

Lauren Trethaway is thrilled to be playing Gussie Carnegie in Merrily We Roll Along! A sophomore Music Theatre major from Westford, Massachusetts, Lauren is excited to return to the stage after previous Elon productions, including As You Like It and Legally Blonde. She also had the opportunity to perform in The Pros and Cons of Implosion at the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. Lauren is incredibly grateful to her family, mentors, and the amazing Elon community for all their support. She hopes you enjoy this fabulous show as much as she’s loved being a part of it!

Jonah Uffelman

Jonah is honored to be making his Elon mainstage debut! He is a first year music theatre student who is noodling with the idea of double minoring in dance and music. His most significant recent endeavor was performing at the Jimmy Awards as “Crybaby” from Crybaby the Musical. He would like to thank the community at Elon for being so welcoming to him and he hopes you enjoy the magic of Sondheim!

George Zemla

George is thrilled to welcome you to Merrily We Roll Along! He was previously seen at Elon as Dewey in Legally Blonde and Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher (Renegade). Love you mom!

Composer and Lyricist

Stephen Sondheim

STEPHEN SONDHEIM (1930-2021) wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures (1976), Sweeney Todd (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday In The Park With George (1984), Into The Woods (1987), Assassins (1991), Passion (1994), Road Show (2008) and HERE WE ARE (2023), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear A Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side By Side By Sondheim (1976), Marry Me A Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), Putting It Together (1993/99), Moving On (2001), Sondheim On Sondheim (2010) and Old Friends (2023) are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. For films, he composed the scores of “Stavisky” (1974), co-composed the score for “Reds” (1981), and wrote songs for “Dick Tracy” (1990). He wrote songs for the television production “Evening Primrose” (1966), co-authored the film “The Last of Sheila” (1973) and the play Getting Away With Murder (1996) and provided incidental music for the plays The Girls of Summer (1956), Invitation To A March (1961), Twigs (1971) and The Enclave (1973).

He won the Tony Award for Best Score for Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Passion, all of which won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday In The Park With George, the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1985).

Stephen Sondheim was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Williams College, winning the Hutchinson Prize for Music Composition, after which he studied theory and composition with Milton Babbitt. He served on the Council of the Dramatists Guild, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, and served as its president from 1973 to 1981. In 1983 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 1990 was appointed the first Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University. He was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993, the National Medal of Arts in 1996, the MacDowell Medal in 2013 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published in two volumes: “Finishing the Hat” (2010) and “Look, I Made a Hat” (2011).

In 2010 the Broadway theater formerly known as Henry Miller’s Theatre was renamed in his honor, and in 2019 he became the first living artist to have a theatre named in his honor on Shaftesbury Avenue when the refurbished Queen’s Theatre in London’s West End was renamed the Sondheim Theatre to commemorate his 90th birthday, by Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

Book

George Furth

George Furth was born in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University; he did postgraduate work at Columbia University. He has worked extensively as an actor, appearing in many feature films, including The Best Man, Oh God!, Doctor Detroit, Young Doctors In Love, The Man With Two Brains, Cannonball Run, Hooper, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Blazing Saddles, Shampoo, Sleeper, The New Interns and Myra Breckinridge; he has also acted in many major television shows. In addition to Company, he has written the Broadway shows The Act, Twigs, The Supporting Cast, Merrily We Roll Along, Precious Sons and Getting Away With Murder.

Original B'way Director

Harold Prince

HAROLD PRINCE (Director/Producer) Last season Mr. Prince directed the Goodman’s world premiere of Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett’s Hollywood Arms, which transferred to Broadway. Mr. Prince also directed the premiere productions of Cabaret, Company, Follies, Candide, Pacific Overtures, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Evita, The Phantom Of The Opera and Parade. Among the plays he has directed are The Great God Brown, The Visit, End Of The World, Play Memory and his own play, Grandchild Of Kings. His opera productions have been seen at The Chicago Lyric, The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Vienna Staatsoper and the Theater Colon in Buenos Aires. Before becoming a director, Mr. Prince s productions included The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Fiddler On The Roof and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. He served as a trustee for the New York Public Library and on the National Council of the Arts of the NEA. Recipient of a National Medal of Arts for the year 2000 from President Clinton for a career spanning more than 40 years, in which he changed the nature of the American musical. The recipient of twenty Tony Awards, he was a 1994 Kennedy Center Honoree.

Original Play Author

George S Kaufman

George Simon Kaufman (November 16, 1889 – June 2, 1961) was a playwright, director, producer, and drama critic most noted for his many collaborations with other writers. He co-authored MERTON OF THE MOVIES and BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK with Marc Connelly; JUNE MOON with Ring Lardner; THE ROYAL FAMILY, DINNER AT EIGHT and STAGE DOOR with Edna Ferber; a stage adaptation of Marquand’s novel THE LATE GEORGE APLEY with John P. Marquand and THE SOLID GOLD CADILLAC with Howard Teichmann. Possibly his most successful collaboration in the non-musical theatre was with Moss Hart, with whom he wrote several popular plays, including ONCE IN A LIFETIME, YOU CAN T TAKE IT WITH YOU, (Pulitzer Prize in 1936), and THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER whose lead character was based on critic and wit Alexander Woollcott. He wrote the play, THE BUTTER AND THE EGG MAN, (1925) alone.

Kaufman also collaborated on several musicals, including THE COCOANUTS, written with Irving Berlin for the Marx Brothers, ANIMAL CRACKERS, also written for the Marx Brothers with Morrie Ryskind, Bert Kalmar, and Harry Ruby, and OF THEE I SING (Pulitzer Prize, 1931) and LET EM EAT CAKE; with Ryskind and George Gershwin. The musical, STRIKE UP THE BAND was based on the book he wrote alone.

Kaufman was also a noted director who staged the original productions of THE FRONT PAGE by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht, OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck, and the Frank Loesser musical GUYS AND DOLLS.

Kaufman produced many of his own plays as well as those of other writers, and his drama criticism was known for its wit. He wrote of one comedy, “There was laughter at the back of the theatre, leading to the belief that someone was telling jokes back there.”

He was a member of the celebrated Algonquin Round Table, a circle of witty writers and show business people.

Original Play Author

Moss Hart

(October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright, librettist, and theater director. Co-author with George S. Kaufman on ONCE IN A LIFETIME, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, and GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE.