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De'Adre Aziza, Mel

La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Broadway: Passing Strange (Tony nominee), Women on the Verge, A Night with Janis Joplin. Off-Broadway: Passing Strange, Detroit ’67, Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Eve’s Song, Privacy (Public/NYSF); Ask Your Mama (Carnegie Hall).  Regional: Passing Strange (Berkeley Rep); The Hot L Baltimore (Steppenwolf); Good Goods (Yale); Clyde’s (Goodman); Paradise Blue, Johnny Baseball (Williamstown). Film/TV: Flint Strong (MGM), Red Hook Summer, Passing Strange (40 Acres & A Mule), The Breaks (VH1), Ghost: PowerBook II, Run the World (Starz), She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix). @deadreaziza

Aja Simone Baitey (they/them), Understudy: Mel/Becca

La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. National Tours: Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ Superstar. Cruise Ship: Six (Norwegian Cruise Lines). Education: B.F.A. from Pace University.

Giovanny Diaz de Leon (he/him), Understudy: Spencer

La Jolla Playhouse: The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical. Regional: Witnesses (CCAE Theatricals); The Ferryman (New Village Arts); Lost in Yonkers (Scripps Ranch Theatre). Featured actor in Hershey Felder’s The Assembly. Education: Graduate from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, majoring in Musical Theatre.

Idina Menzel, Jesse/Concept/Additional Contributions

Idina Menzel has won a Tony, Obie, and Drama League Award for her work in the theatre. Broadway: If/Then, Wicked, Aida, Rent. Off-Broadway: Skintight (Roundabout), See What I Wanna See (Public Theatre), The Vagina Monologues (West Side Theatre), The Wild Party (MTC), Hair (Encores). Regional: Wicked (San Francisco), If/Then (Washington, DC). Menzel also premiered Wicked in the West End, receiving the Theatregoers Choice Award. Film: You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, Which Way to the Stage? (Documentary), Enchanted 2: Disenchanted, Frozen 2, Uncut Gems, American Murderer, Cinderella, Frozen, Enchanted, Ask the Dust, Rent. TV: Beaches, Glee, PBS special, “Barefoot at the Symphony,” (accompanying live album). Idina prides herself on the importance of new musicals creating original roles and promoting young composers. Thanks to the two amazing men in her life, her son Walker and husband Aaron, for their love and support. Thank you to the redwood for teaching us about resilience, patience, and nature’s ability to help us heal.

Nkeki Obi-Melekwe (she/they), Becca

La Jolla Playhouse: Debut! Nkeki starred as Tina in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway as well as on the West End. Her theatre credits also include Sheik & Sater's Alice by Heart (MCC, dir. Jessie Nelson), Half Time (Paper Mill Playhouse, dir. Jerry Mitchell). Her television credits include recently starring in Antoine Fuqua's King Shaka (Showtime), as well as guest starring on Bull (CBS) and Smilf (Showtime). For Ehioma. @nkekio

Michael Park, Finn

Shocked it’s taken this long to get to LA JOLLA!! Off-Broadway: Hello Again, Violet, Burnt Part Boys. Broadway: Carousel, Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Grammy), Little Me, How to Succeed..., Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Tuck Everlasting, Dear Evan Hansen (Grammy). TV: As the World Turns (Emmy), The Good Wife, House of Cards, Mindhunter, You, Stranger Things Season 3, Tales of the City, The Family, Dash & Lily, Blue Bloods, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Bull, Saint X, Law & Order, Special Ops: Lioness. Wishes to thank his loving family, especially his wife Laurie, for holding down the fort in NY whilst he’s ascending Redwood! 

Zachary Noah Piser (he/him), Spencer

Zach is a Hapa, Jewish actor based in NYC. La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Broadway/Off-Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen (Evan), KPOP (OBC, Brad), Wicked (Boq), Barrow Street Theatre's West End transfer of Sweeney Todd (Tobias). TV: In Your Dreams (Netflix, upcoming). Zach has also performed at concert venues internationally, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Shanghai Grand Theatre and more. Bay Area native, Northwestern grad. Love to my team, my family, Adam and Scout. @zach_piser

Lance Arthur Smith (he/him), Understudy: Finn

Broadway LAB: October Sky (also Fight Director). San Diego: Like They Magical (La Jolla Playhouse DNA); How the Grinch Stole Christmas, October Sky, Life After (Old Globe); Spamalot, The Bodyguard, My Fair Lady (Welk); Million Dollar Quartet, Around the World in 80 Days (Lamb’s Players); La Cage aux Folles, Bed and Sofa (Cygnet); Victor/Victoria, Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls (Moonlight); Intimate Apparel (San Diego Rep); Tomfoolery, Romance/Romance (North Coast Rep); A Piece of My Heart (Mo`olelo); Tuesdays with Morrie (Vista’s Broadway Theater). Regional: Julius Caesar (Kingsmen Shakespeare); The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Merchant of Venice (ARK); Carousel, Grease (PCPA).

Tina Landau (she/her), Book/Lyrics/Concept/Direction

is a writer and director whose Broadway credits include the The Spongebob Musical (also conceiver; Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle winner, Best Direction and Best Musical, 12 Tony Award noms), Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts, Bells Are Ringing (Tony noms), and the upcoming premiere of Paula Vogel’s Mother Play with Jessica Lange (Second Stage). Tina has written and directed productions, including the musicals Floyd Collins (with composer Adam Guettel, Playwrights Horizons, Old Globe, Goodman) and Dream True (with composer Ricky Ian Gordon, The Vineyard), as well as Ms. Blakk for President (with Tarell McCraney, Steppenwolf Theatre), Space (Steppenwolf, The Taper, The Public), Beauty (La Jolla Playhouse) and Stonewall: Night Variations (En Garde Arts). Her Off-Broadway productions include Bill Irwin and David Shiner’s Old Hats, Chuck Mee’s Big Love and Iphigenia 2.0 (all Signature), Paula Vogel’s A Civil War Christmas (NYTW), and many works by Tarell McCraney including Head of Passes, In the Red and Brown Water (both at the Public) and Wig Out! (Vineyard). Most recently, Tina directed the musical Transparent at CTG in Los Angeles. She has been an Artist-in-Residence at Little Island in NYC and is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre, where her over 20 productions include McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays, The Time of Your Life (also Seattle Rep, ACT), The Wheel with Joan Allen and The Doppelganger with Rainn Wilson. Tina’s work has been recognized by the Tonys, Drama Desks, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, Obies and many more. She teaches regularly and is the author, with Anne Bogart, of The Viewpoints Book.

Kate Diaz,  Composer/Lyricist/Orchestrator/Arranger/Vocals for “Stella” and “The Trees”

is an LA-based composer-songwriter-producer. A newcomer to musical theatre, Kate has written songs and scores for film and TV, as well as for trailers and commercials. She orchestrates, arranges and produces for herself and others, and is also a session vocalist and guitarist.

Kimberly Grigsby,  Music Supervisor 

La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Broadway: Days of Wine and Roses, Camelot, Here Lies Love, Flying Over Sunset, To Kill a Mockingbird, Head Over Heels, Amélie, Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, Spring Awakening (OBC), The Light in the Piazza, Caroline, or Change (OBC), The Full Monty, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Twelfth Night (score by Jeanine Tesori). Off-Broadway: The Immigrant, The Fortress of Solitude, Coraline.

Haley Bennett, Music Director/Conductor

Recently named one of Broadway's Women to Watch, Haley Bennett is an NYC-based Music Supervisor, Conductor, Arranger and Coordinator. La Jolla Playhouse: Diana: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville. Broadway: & Juliet, Diana: The Musical, Come From Away, Once on This Island, Escape to Margaritaville, Dear Evan Hansen, Anastasia, Bandstand, Paramour, Finding Neverland, Pippin and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Film/TV credits include Schmigadoon!, Jesus Christ Superstar Live! and Peter Pan Live!. As Music Coordinator: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Austen’s Pride (Carnegie Hall), Aladdin (National Tour) and various projects for NBCUniversal. As an Album & Recording Coordinator/Supervisor, Haley has overseen several original Broadway cast recordings, including the Grammy-nominated MJ: The Musical and the Grammy Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen. B.A. in Psychology, Harvard University. @haleybmusic

Jason Ardizzone-West, Scenic Designer

Off Broadway: Monsoon Wedding (St Ann’s Warehouse); Shadow/Land, The Michaels, Illyria, The Gabriels (The Public); Elyria (Atlantic Theater); Wedding Band (TFANA); The Michaels Abroad, Uncle Vanya (Hunter); Good Grief (Vineyard). National Tours: Blue Man Group, Bullets Over Broadway. Regional: I Am Delivered’t, Party People, Once on This Island (ATL); Scrooge (ATC); Our Town (Syracuse); From the Mississippi Delta (Westport); K-I-S-S-I-N-G, The Bluest Eye (Huntington); Grace (Fords); Bliss (5th Ave); School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Berkeley); Uncle Vanya (Old Globe). Film/TV/Concerts: Jesus Christ Superstar Live! (Emmy); Usher; Phish; Florence + The Machine; Lana Del Rey; Pentatonix, Dermot Kennedy.

Toni-Leslie James, Costume Designer

La Jolla Playhouse: The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical, Come From Away, Glengarry Glen Ross, Milk Like Sugar. Broadway: Birthday Candles, Paradise Square, Thoughts of a Colored Man, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Come From Away, Jitney, Amazing Grace, Lucky Guy, The Scottsboro Boys, Finian’s Rainbow, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, King Hedley II, One Mo’ Time, The Wild Party, Marie Christine, Footloose, The Tempest, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, Angels in America, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Jelly’s Last Jam and The Old Man and the Pool. Awards: four Tony nominations, Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award and two Hewes Design Awards.

Scott Zielinski, Lighting Designer

La Jolla Playhouse: An Iliad, Beauty. Broadway: Oklahoma!, Topdog/Underdog. US: most New York and regional theatres.  International: Adelaide, Amsterdam, Avignon, Beijing, Berlin, Bregenz, Edinburgh, Fukuoka, Gennevilliers, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Linz, Ljubljana, London, Lyon, Melbourne, Orleans, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Rennes, Reykjavik, Rotterdam, Rouen, St. Gallen, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Shizuoka, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Vilnius. Upcoming: Song of Rome (Spoleto); Les Paravents (l’Odeon Paris).

Jonathan Deans, Sound Designer

has a wealth of experience with Sound Design. He has worked on many musical productions on Broadway and the West End, and plays and spectaculars worldwide, such as sixteen productions of Cirque du Soleil. His ability to create immersive soundscapes has earned him a reputation as one of the leading sound designers in the entertainment industry. He is known for his attention to detail and ability to seamlessly integrate sound into the overall production, elevating the music and the audience's experience. www.designingsound.com

Hana S. Kim, Media Designer

La Jolla Playhouse: SUMO. Broadway: The Old Man and the Pool, Summer 1976. Off-Broadway/New York: The Harder They Come, Eve's Song, The Visitor – Lucille Lortel Award nomination (Public Theater); Everything Rises (BAM); Magdalene (Prototype Festival). New Music/Opera: L’Orfeo (Santa Fe Opera), Sweet Land (The Industry), The Anonymous Lover (LA Opera). Regional: Geffen Playhouse, OSF, South Coast Rep, Magic Theatre, A.C.T., among others. Awards: Princess Grace Award, Sherwood Award from CTG, Helen Hayes Award, LA Drama Critics Circle Distinguished Achievement Award, among others. hananow.com

Geo Brian Hennings, Hair Designer

is one of New York City's most sought after stylists. His expertise in hair and makeup has led him to be signed with The Wall Group agency where he works with NYC's top photographers and celebrities. He was recognized for his creative flair and knowledge of beauty on Broadway's Spiderman, which led him to work with Idina Menzel as her personal hair and makeup artist on her three world tours. Geo’s versatile styling, precision cuts  and wig mastery have gained him an impressive roster of diverse clients from New York City’s elite entertainment industry. In 2019 he became the hair and makeup supervisor on Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, and most recently the revival of Funny Girl on Broadway. Geo continues to work with clients in TV and film, such as Gossip Girl reboot, fashion, theatre and music. 

Melecio Estrella, BANDALOOP (he/him), Vertical Movement and Staging

As Artistic Director of BANDALOOP, Melecio directs and choreographs site specific vertical performances on cliffs, buildings, bridges and trees around the world. La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Recent world premieres: Resurgam (St. Paul’s Cathedral, London), Bird Strike (Teatro A Mil Santiago, Chile), LOOM:FIELD (International tour), Momentum Curve (BMW Headquarters, Munich, Germany). Founded in 1991, BANDALOOP is an innovator of vertical dance, tours widely and offers vibrant educational programs at BANDALOOP Studios in Oakland, CA.

The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin, CSA, Casting

With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theatre, film, television and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability and advocacy.

Lora K. Powell, Stage Manager

returns to La Jolla Playhouse for Redwood, having previously stage managed to the yellow house and Here There Are Blueberries. Selected credits: Blithe Spirit (w/ Angela Lansbury) and Wicked (national tours). Broadway: Chicago, The Life, Annie Get Your Gun (w/ Bernadette Peters). Los Angeles: The Lion King, The Producers (w/ Jason Alexander and Martin Short), Wicked, Amélie, An Act of God (w/ Sean Hayes), Harmony, The Scottsboro Boys, Seminar (w/ Jeff Goldblum), Follies, Bill Irwin’s On Beckett, Parfumerie, Carrie The Killer Musical Experience, The Christopher Boy’s Communion (written and directed by David Mamet). Lora is a member of UCSD’s faculty in the department of Theatre & Dance.

Topaz Cooks (she/her), Assistant Stage Manager

La Jolla Playhouse: to the yellow house; Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord; Love All; The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical. Regional: Cymbeline, Intimate Apparel (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Akeelah and the Bee (Children's Theatre Company); Romeo and Juliet, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (The Old Globe); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Trouble in Mind (Clarence Brown Theater); Miracle on 34th Street, Memphis, Something Rotten! (Moonlight Stage Productions). B.F.A. from U of MN, Duluth. M.F.A. from UC San Diego.