Oliver!

JANE BUNTING

Female Swing

JANE BUNTING (Female Swing) is excited to be back in D.C. after being seen as a mersister in Olney’s The Little Mermaid last fall. New York/regional credits include Les Misérables (Eponine), Evita (Mistress, u/s Eva), Jekyll & Hyde (u/s Lucy - performed), The Threepenny Opera (Polly Peachum), Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), The Secret Garden and Legend of the Word. Jane will make her Kennedy Center debut in February 2016 in the Washington National Opera production of Lost in the Stars. She holds a BM in Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University and hails from Houston, Texas. For HHR.

MOHAMMED BADAWI

Workhouse Boy / Fagin's Gang

MOHAMMED BADAWI (Workhouse Boy/Fagin’s Gang) is extremely happy to make his Arena Stage debut in Oliver! He was most recently seen as Zaid in the CBS drama Madam Secretary. Other credits include Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and Geppetto in Pinocchio at the Westminster School. Mohammed’s first play was The Wizard of Oz at age five as the Warlock, which is when he discovered his passion for acting and singing. An eighth grader at the Westminster School, Mohammed lives in Falls Church, Virginia with his family. His favorite subjects are history and math, and he enjoys playing soccer and eating. Mohammed would like to thank his mom and dad for their love and support. He also wants to thank the entire Oliver! cast and director Molly Smith for allowing him to enjoy this valuable experience.

KYLE COFFMAn

The Artful Dodger

KYLE COFFMAN (The Artful Dodger) made his Broadway debut as an original cast member in the 2009 revival of West Side Story (A-rab), which first ran at The National Theatre in D.C. He was also seen in the original Broadway casts of Newsies (Henry) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Christopher Lyon, u/s Deputy). Kyle was featured on the cast albums of all three shows and served as the original Newsies logo. He has appeared twice on the Tony Awards, as well as multiple performances on TV shows such as Good Morning America and The View. In 2012, he had a featured role in the film Someday This Pain Will Be Useful. Kyle is thrilled to be playing his childhood hero in his first production at Arena Stage!

IAN ANTHONY COLEMAN

Workhouse Boy / Fagan's Gang / Long Song Seller

IAN ANTHONY COLEMAN (Workhouse Boy / Fagin’s Gang / Long Song Seller) is elated to perform at Arena Stage for the first time. He was last seen in Keegan Theatre’s Dogfight. D.C. credits include Keegan Theatre (Hud in Hair!, Helen Hayes ensemble nomination; Lance Corporal Dawson in the Irish tour of A Few Good Men), Imagination Stage (Wiley in Wiley and the Hairy Man), Creative Cauldron (Daniel in Once on This Island), ATMTC (Teddy in first national tour of Big Nate: The Musical) and Capital Fringe Festival (The 27 Club). Ian holds a B.S. in International Relations and Politics from Carnegie Mellon University, graduated from the Overtures Summer Musical Theatre Institute at Signature Theatre and studied at Theatre Lab and Studio Theatre in D.C. He will next be seen in Looking for Roberto Clemente at Imagination Stage. ianthonycoleman.com, Instagram: @YungUptown

CATHERINE FLYE

Old Sally / Rose Seller

CATHERINE FLYE (Old Sally / Rose Seller) was last seen at Arena Stage playing Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady, a role she reprised this summer at the Cape Playhouse on Cape Cod. She graduated from London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and since moving to the United States has worked extensively in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, writing, acting and directing. Acting credits include principal roles at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Round House, Studio Theatre and the Kennedy Center. Favorite roles include Shirley in Shirley Valentine, Lettice in Lettice and Lovage, Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Joyce Grenfell in George—Don’t Do That! Catherine has received 13 Helen Hayes Award nominations, and her production of The Pirates of Penzance won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical.

ELEASHA GAMBLE

Nancy

ELEASHA GAMBLE (Nancy) is delighted to be back at Arena Stage, where she was last seen in The Power of Two and as Laurey in Oklahoma! (Helen Hayes nomination). D.C. credits include Arena Stage (The Women of Brewster Place), Signature Theatre (Chess, Into the Woods), the Kennedy Center (Broadway Three Generations), Ford’s Theatre (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for Civil War; Little Shop of Horrors; A Christmas Carol), Round House Theatre (Once on This Island, Helen Hayes nomination) and Toby’s Dinner Theatre (Ragtime, Helen Hayes nomination). Eleasha made her Off-Broadway debut in the Kathie Lee Gifford musical Under the Bridge and performed in the national tour of The Lion King. Regional credits include Dreamgirls and Big Fish. Dedicated to Joe and Claretta.

SEBASTIAN GERVASE

Workhouse Boy / Fagain's Gang

SEBASTIAN GERVASE (Workhouse Boy / Fagin’s Gang) is over-the-moon to be making his professional debut at Arena Stage, where he was featured on video in last season’s Our War reading the Gettysburg Address. Sebastian is a fifth-grader at Maret School and recently turned green to play Young Shrek in its production of Shrek the Musical. He has been a member of the Foundry UMC Children’s Choir and the Children’s Chorus of Washington, with concerts in several venues including the French Embassy. He has enjoyed attending Camp Arena Stage, appearing in shows at Adventure Theater MTC and taking lessons in piano (Levine School, Adam Edison), dance (Joy of Motion, Heather Parcells/BAA) and voice (Lisa Shaw, Amanda Bean). Sebastian thanks his Papa and Daddy, brother Michael, family, teachers and friends for encouraging his creative spirit.

JULIANE GODFREY

Old Lady / Milk Maid

JULIANE GODFREY (Old Lady/Milk Maid) is delighted to return to Arena Stage after playing Zaneeta in The Music Man. A proud Californian and UCLA graduate, she now resides in New York where her credits include Volleygirls (Katie, New York Musical Theatre Festival “Best of Fest” winner) and the workshops of Top Hat (director/choreographer Chris Gattelli). Regionally, her favorite credits include New York Water (Linda, The Depot Theatre), the world premiere of Holiday Inn (Louise US/ensemble, The Muny/Goodspeed), How to Succeed… (Stages St. Louis), A Chorus Line (Bebe, California Music Circus), Oliver (Charlotte, Paper Mill Playhouse), The Great American Mousical (director Julie Andrews, Goodspeed) and Anything Goes (Erma, Woodstock Playhouse). Love and huge thanks to the cast, Molly and Parker for taking me in as “one of the family” and also to BBR, Mom, Dad and Steven! www.JulianeGodfrey.com

RAYANNE GONZALES

Widow Corney / Strawberry Seller

RAYANNE GONZALES (Widow Corney / Strawberry Seller) happily returns to Arena Stage following her appearances in Destiny of Desire, Mother Courage and Her Children, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Damn Yankees and Señor Discretion Himself. She was also recently in Man of La Mancha at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Broadway credits include The Phantom of the Opera and Hands on a Hardbody. Additional credits include South Pacific (North Carolina Theatre and Casa Mañana), Porgy & Bess (Natchez Festival), the first national tour of In the Heights and NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! An alumna of Boston University, Longy School of Music and The Banff Centre, her honors include the National Federation of Music Clubs, Metropolitan Opera Auditions and Plácido Domingo’s Operalia. With warmest thanks to my family, CGF Talent and Paloma, smart and beautiful. Credo.

CHAZ JACKSON

Charley Bates

CHAZ JACKSON (Charley Bates) is excited to make his Arena Stage debut. New York/Off-Broadway credits include Carnival! with Musicals Tonight (ensemble) and The Brady Bunch (Bobby Brady). Regional credits include A Christmas Carol with Arkansas Repertory Theatre, A Chorus Line (Mark) and Hairspray (IQ) with Lyric Theatre Oklahoma. Additional favorite credits in Big River (Huck Finn), High School Musical (Ryan) and Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby Tucker). B.M. in Musical Theatre, OCU. Follow Chaz on Instagram and Twitter @CJack4.

IAN LASSITER

Bill Sykes

IAN LASSITER (Bill Sykes) was seen on Broadway in War Horse (Lincoln Center). Off-Broadway credits include An Octaroon (Theater for a New Audience), Antony and Cleopatra (Public Theater, RSC Swan Theatre, UK), Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Kazino) and Mission Drift (co-writer/performer, Connelly Theater). New York/regional credits include The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare & Co), An Iliad: Guerrillas at Troy (Continuum Company, Florence, Italy), Henry V (Two River Theater), Ash Girl (Connelly Theater), Martian Chronicles (Fordham Alumni Co), Land O’ Fire (Wings Theater), September 12th (Nuyorican Poets’ Café) and Fitz and Walloughs Get it in the End (NYC Fringe). Ian wrote and produced his first short film, Mixed Up, which is being submitted to the festival circuit, and is currently writing two original feature films. Ian earned his MFA from NYU Tisch, Graduate Acting Program. www.ianlassiter.com, Facebook: IanLassiterNYC

JIMMY MAVRIKES

Male Swing

JIMMY MAVRIKES (Male Swing) is incredibly happy to be back at Arena Stage after performing as Yussel in last year’s Fiddler on the Roof. Other Washington credits include Cabaret at Signature Theatre; Bat Boy (Edgar, Helen Hayes nomination for Best Actor) at 1st Stage; Petite Rouge at Adventure Theatre; Spamalot and Into the Woods (Jack) at Toby’s Dinner Theatre; and The Pirates of Penzance with Washington Savoyards. Regionally he has performed with Infinity Theatre Company (Arpad in She Loves Me, Sisters of Swing and Stories: Live and in Person!). Proud B.M. Musical Theatre graduate from CUA. Much love and thanks to Molly, Parker, Paul and Sue. He will appear next in James and the Giant Peach at Adventure Theatre.

JEFF McCARTHY

Fagin

JEFF McCARTHY (Fagin) happily returns to Arena Stage, where he was last seen in You, Nero. Other D.C. appearances include the world premiere of Fox on the Fairway at Signature Theatre and Mame at the Kennedy Center. Jeff has enjoyed a theater, TV, film and recording career that has taken him to Asia, Europe and Africa. Leading roles in New York include Chicago, Urinetown, Side show, Southern Comfort, Zorba, Sympathetic Magic, Dream True, Smile and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Regional credits include The Front Page, Kunstler, Sweeney Todd, The Price, Follies, All My Sons, The Underpants and hundreds more. TV credits include The Good Wife, Schweitzer: Called to Africa (title role), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Designing Women, Law & Order and Cheers. Film credits include Starting Out in the Evening, Robocop 2, Consent, Eve of Destruction and Cliffhanger.

JAKE HESTON MILLER

Oliver Twist

JAKE HESTON MILLER (Oliver Twist) is thrilled to be making his Arena Stage debut as Oliver. He was previously seen as Tiny Tim in the original cast of Scrooge No More at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia and as a special guest singer at the US Open Tennis Tournament in Flushing, New York. In addition to performing, Jake is a straight-A student in the fourth grade and likes to play tennis. Jake would like to thank his mom and dad, Jordyn, Jackson and his family and friends for their love and support. A special thank you to his manager Colette Palmerio of CP Talent, his agent Michelle Thompson of Avalon Artists and Elysabeth Muscat at the Peabody Institute for nurturing his voice. Follow @jakesings05.

HENRY NIEPOETTER

Workhouse Boy / Fagin's Gang

HENRY NIEPOETTER (Workhouse Boy / Fagin’s Gang) makes his Arena Stage debut. Other Washington appearances include Oliver! (orphan/thief/ensemble) at Adventure Theatre/MTC, presented at Round House Theatre, and two productions at Olney Theatre Center – Carousel (Starkeeper/Heavenly Friend 2) and The King and I (Louis Leonowens). At Constellation Theatre Company, Henry portrayed Itys in The Love of the Nightingale, and as a member of the Washington Opera Children’s Chorus he sang in La Bohéme and The Little Prince at the Kennedy Center. He appeared as Wolfie in Signs of Life at the American Stage Theatre Company in St. Petersburg, Florida and Young John Alex in the film Of Dice and Men. Henry is a company member of the pre-professional program at Adventure Theatre/MTC.

JESSE PALMER

Bet / Dance Captain

JESSE PALMER (Bet / Dance Captain) is excited to be back “home” at Arena Stage. She is a proud graduate of Catholic University and a Maryland native. Credits include Arena Stage’s Fiddler on the Roof (swing/dance captain) and My Fair Lady (ensemble); national tour of Spamalot (ensemble), Signature Theatre’s The Visit (u/s Young Claire), Washington Savoyards’ The Music Man (Zaneeta) and Toby’s Dinner Theatre’s Grease (Frenchie). Much love and gratitude to her big ol’ family, friends and mentors. To Elise; to Jamie, Justin and everyone at Clear Talent, as well as her wonderful, supportive fiance! Always inspired by LAA, JPT, SAB, JAW and PJP. Thank you to Molly, Parker and Paul for always being a source of inspiration. It is an absolute privilege to be working with you again! Jesse is also the co-founder of Motivated Movers.www.jessekpalmer.com

KYLE SCHLIEFER

Noah Claypole

KYLE SCHLIEFER (Noah Claypole) is thrilled to be back at Arena Stage, where his credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Sasha) and A House of Glass (Kip Kiernan) as part of the Kogod Cradle Series. D.C. credits include Olney Theatre’s A Chorus Line (Mike, Helen Hayes nomination) and Peter Pan (Nibs, u/s Peter Pan); Theater J’s Lost in Yonkers (Jay); Ford’s Theatre’s The Member of the Wedding (Barney Mackean); Folger Theatre’s Arcadia and Round House Theatre’s Lord of the Flies (Eric). NY credits include Songs for a New World (Off-Broadway), Alchemical Theatre’s Sing to Me Through Open Windows (Andrew Linden) and The Actors Fund’s Always, The Young Strangers (Billy). Film/TV credits include Trident Gum’s “Anthem” national commercial and CBS’ The Good Wife. Kyle can be seen next on the second season of Showtime’s The Affair. Kyle is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College. www.kyleschliefer.com

DOREA SCHMIDT

Mrs. Sowerberry / Mrs. Bedwin

DOREA SCHMIDT (Mrs. Sowerberry /Mrs. Bedwin) is overjoyed to return to Arena Stage after performing as Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. Other D.C. credits include Olney Theatre Center’s Carousel (Carrie); No Rules Theatre Company’s The Fantasticks (Luisa), Black Comedy (Clea) and The Last 5 Years (Cathy); Constellation Theatre Company’s The Love of the Nightingale (Procne); and Adventure Theatre’s Goodnight Moon. Regional credits include The Cape Playhouse’s My Fair Lady; Everyman Theatre’s Crimes of the Heart (Babe) and The Beaux’ Stratagem (Cherry); Open Stage of Harrisburg’s [title of show] (Heidi) and Doubt (Sister James); and Fulton Theatre/Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s The Sound of Music. Education: Messiah College, National Theatre Institute and the William Esper Studio. Dorea is a proud company member of Only Make Believe. www.doreaschmidt.com

THOMAS ADRIAN SIMPSON

Mr. Brownlow

THOMAS ADRIAN SIMPSON (Mr. Brownlow) returns to Arena Stage where he was last seen in Fiddler on the Roof. Other Arena appearances include Abraham Lincoln in Mary T. & Lizzy K., Pickering in My Fair Lady and Roy in The Light in the Piazza, among others. Tom’s D.C. performances include Signature Theatre (The Threepenny Opera, Company), the Kennedy Center Family Theater (Orphie and the Book of Heroes), Ford’s Theatre (1776, Liberty Smith) and Shakespeare Theatre Company (Candide, The Boys From Syracuse). Regional credits include Goodman Theatre (Candide), The Wayside Theatre (Quixote in Man of La Mancha), The Riverside Center (9 to 5 with Sally Struthers, Les Misérables) and New Mexico’s Fusion Theatre (Outside Mullingar). Tom is a graduate of the U.N.C. School of the Arts.

TOM STORY

Mr. Snowberry / Chairman / Second Bowrunner

TOM STORY (Mr. Sowerberry / Chairman / Second Bowrunner) returns to Arena Stage after appearing in The Book Club Play. He is an affiliated artist with Shakespeare Theatre Company where he has appeared in many productions. Additional appearances in the D.C. area include Round House Theatre, Ford’s Theatre and Folger Theatre. At Studio Theatre, he has acted in numerous productions and directed two productions. Regional credits include Seattle Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Great Lakes Theater, Yale Repertory Theatre, McCarter Theatre and ten seasons at Berkshire Theatre Festival, where he most recently directed Design for Living. Tom is a graduate of Duke University and The Juilliard School where he studied with Michael Kahn. He also studied with Joy Zinoman at Studio Theatre. He has seven Helen Hayes nominations and is a recipient of a Fox Foundation Fellowship.

ETHAN VAN SLYKE

Workhouse Boy / Fagin's Gang

ETHAN VAN SLYKE (Workhouse Boy /Fagin’s Gang) is honored to make his Arena Stage debut in Oliver! An eighth grader at Lunsford Middle School in Loudoun County, VA, he was last seen as Colin in The Secret Garden (NextStop Theatre) and Gavroche in Les Misérables (RCP, WATCH Award nominee), in addition to performing in his school, community theater and professional productions. Ethan has performed with the ACDA Children’s Honors Chorus at GMU and the VA All District 16 Band (percussion). He dances with Encore Performers, has studied piano for eight years, trains in gymnastics and plays lacrosse. Ethan would like to thank Raynor van der Merwe (ETAP), Evan Hoffmann (NextStop) and Zoe Dillard (Herndon Theatre) for their inspiration, and his family and friends for their love and support.

KYLE VAUGHN

Pauper Asst. / Knife Grinder / Night Watchman

KYLE VAUGHN (Pauper Asst. / Knife Grinder / Night Watchman) is grateful to be back at Arena Stage after appearing in the critically acclaimed Oklahoma! as Dream Curly. D.C. credits include Ford’s/Signature Theatre’s production of Hello Dolly! (Helen Hayes Award) and the Kennedy Center’s Children of Eden concert. Favorite credits include world-premiere musicals The Nutty Professor and Catch Me If You Can. Regionally, he has performed at Santa Fe Opera, 5th Avenue Theatre, Avery Fisher Hall, TUTS, Seattle Opera, Arvada Center, North Shore Music Theatre, Music Theatre West, Opera Carolina, Grand Ole Opry and has performed in six musicals at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Touring credits include the first national tour of All Shook Up! (u/s Chad), Fame and internationally with Celtic Fusion. Special thanks to Molly, Parker, Paul and all his mentors, family and friends who constantly inspire him.

PAUL VOGT

Mr. Bumble

PAUL VOGT (Mr. Bumble) makes his Arena Stage debut. Broadway credits include Amos Hart in Chicago and Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, and he also replaced Harvey Fierstein in the Las Vegas production. He was Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The Muny). Regional credits include Elf and A Funny Thing Happened… (Paper Mill), Hairspray (numerous productions) and Minsky’s (Ahmanson). Audiences may know him from MADtv. On NBC’s The Rerun Show, he played Mrs. Edna Garrett from The Facts of Life. Paul’s voice can be heard in the films Igor, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters and Norm of the North. Film credits include Blonde Ambition, Good Boy, Princess Diaries 2, Valentine’s Day and Lilo and Stitch 2. Television credits include Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Hannah Montana, Arrested Development, Reno 911 and Maximum Bob. www.paulcvogt.com, @Therealpaulvogt.

LARA ZINN

Charlotte

LARA ZINN (Charlotte) is ecstatic to make her Arena Stage debut. She was most recently seen as Ariel in Olney Theatre Center’s The Little Mermaid. Previous credits include Believe (Mary Poppins), Villains Tonight (Evil Queen), Toy Story: The Musical (Bo Peep) and Dreams (Ariel) for Disney Cruise Line. She performed in Les Misérables (ensemble) and Grease (Sandy) at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. University credits include Cabaret (Frauline Kost/Fritzie), On the Town (Claire DeLoone) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy). Education: BM in Musical Theatre from The Catholic University. @larazinn