Playbill - Lucy Pollak Public Relations

Jamelle Dolphin & Lou Spisto
present
book by
music & Lyrics by
Matt Donnelly
& Jamelle Dolphin
Andy Cooper
with
Stu James
Eric B. Anthony
Wilkie Ferguson III Jenna Gillespie Thomas Hobson Frank Lawson Matt Magnusson
:
Ashley Lynette Brown, Caitlin Gallogly, Franklin Grace, Gabi Hankins, Dylan Hoffinger,
Alfred Jackson, Bren Thor Johnson, Ryan Murray, Joel Rene,- Tyler Ruebensaal,
Matthew Sims, Jr., Sha’Leah Nikole Stubblefield, Katherine Washington, Emily Zetterberg
scenic design
Bruce Goodrich
costume design
Mylette Nora
hair & wig design
arrangements
Aishah Williams
casting
Michael Donovan CSA
Kevin Toney
Andrae Alexander
production stage manager
Ronn Goswick
sound design
lighting design
Diablo Sound
Lap Chi Chu
orchestrations & additional arrangements
John Gentry Tennyson
press representative
Lucy Pollack
music director
general managment & marketing
Theatre Planners
choreography by
Abdul Hamid Royal
Cassie Crump
directed by
Denise Dowse
This theatre operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association,
the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
LOVIN’ JOHN AND DOLPHIN’S OF HOLLYWOOD
Well before Motown ever existed, John Dolphin
was a force in the music business: creating
careers and expanding markets. “Lovin’ John”
as he was known since childhood, was the littleknown mogul who helped change the careers
of a generation of recording artists, how their
records were marketed, and the color of the
audience who bought them.
Not allowed to secure a lease in Hollywood,
Record Shop (Inside)
John Dolphin opened his first record shop on
Central Avenue in 1948 and audaciously named it Dolphin’s of Hollywood. An almost
instant success, the shop moved to a much larger location at the corner of Central
and Vernon in 1950 and soon became one of the most well-known and successful
record shops in the country. The shop was the first business to be open 24 hours,
seven days a week and the first to offer “buy one get one free” for the purchase
of any record in the store. Not content to simply sell records, the shop aired live
broadcasts that featured Dolphin and his crew of the most popular DJ’s in LA such
as Hunter Hancock and newcomers that grew to fame like Dick “Huggy Boy” Hugg
and Charles Trammel. The Dolphin’s daily broadcast became the most popular
black radio show in Los Angeles. Whether on-air or off, DJ’s would spin records in the
big storefront window attracting large crowds that spilled from inside the store onto
the sidewalk and into the street. The biggest national recording artists appeared
at the store often, performing live on-air interviews, greeting fans, and signing
autographs. If you wanted to build a fan base and create a market on the West
Coast you had to first make a stop at Dolphin’s. From Billie Holiday to Ella Fitzgerald;
to the King himself, Elvis Presley, they all came to Dolphin’s of Hollywood.
John Dolphin had an innate sense of when to play an artist, when to promote, and
what the public would be looking for next. On his broadcast, Huggy Boy was the first
to play the Penguins “Earth Angel” on-air, launching it to the top of the charts and
into the history books. John’s close friend, Sam Cooke had his first non-gospel record
“You Send Me” “break” on air from Dolphin’s. This song went on to define the genius
of this artist and an entire genre of music for generations to come.
With a recording studio at the back of his shop, Dolphin would allow local unknowns
and aspiring talent from the region to write and record songs in the hope that he
would discover a gem. As he would say: “We’ll record you today, and have you
a hit by tonight.” Between 1948 and 1958 Dolphin was a prolific record producer
and his five labels; Recorded In Hollywood, Money Records, Cash Records, Lucky
Records, and Ball records established many well-known R&B and Rock and Roll
artists. Jesse Belvin, Scatman Crothers, Hollywood Flames, Chuck Higgins, Percy
Mayfield, Little Ceasar, Pee Wee Crayton, Red Callendar, and Bobby Day were
among those whose careers were launched and nurtured by John Dolphin.
John Dolphin may have created the
concept of crossover music that still exists
today. He knew white teenagers loved
R&B as much as black kids, so he went
on the white radio station KRKD playing
a black music format, to promote his
John & Ruth Dolphin
black artists to a white market. As a result,
white kids began flocking to his shop in predominantly black South Central.
Dolphin’s of Hollywood and Central Ave became a racially integrated place
during a time of segregation. The shop and it’s DJs hosted parties where blacks,
whites, Asians and Latinos who would dance and party together until well after
dark, or until the cops came and shut them down. The police force, under the
leadership of Chief William Parker, did not support the integration happening
at Dolphin’s and throughout Central Avenue. In order to stop the “mixing of
the races” they began harassing black businesses and their black customers. It
didn’t take much for John Dolphin to wind up in jail. And for the white patrons,
they the Police used scare tactics aimed at keeping them out of South Central.
This continued harassment of his shop, his customers, and his community, lead to
Dolphin himself organizing and leading a protest and march against the LAPD.
John Dolphin had a real influence on music and the business of music during an
incredible time in history that took us from Swing and Jazz, to Doo-Wop and R&B,
and finally to Rock’ n’ Roll. After John’s death in 1958 a great energy in the most
exciting early years of the pop music business was gone, but thanks to his wife
Ruth, the shop itself remained a force for another 31 years. New generations
of stars, including the likes of Major Lance, Betty Swan, Ike and Tina Turner and
The Jackson 5, made their way to Dolphin’s of Hollywood until, in 1989, its doors
closed for good. For more information about the Dolphin family and the show
itself, please visit RecordedInHollywood.com.
TOP PHOTO: John Dolphin Huggy Boy and BillyWard
BOTTOM: John Dolphin and Lionel Hampton
John Dolphin & Billie Holiday
TOP PHOTO: Sam Cooke
BOTTOM: John Dolphin, Earl Bostic,
Joe Houston, Huggy Boy
THE CAST
(in order of appearance)
Bandleader, Hollywood Flames, Preacher…………….Matthew Sims, Jr.
John Dolphin……………………………….………………………...Stu James
Foxy Lady #1, Clementine, Cooper Sisters……...Katherine Washington
Woman In Club, Darla Summer……………………………Caitlin Gallogly
Foxy Lady #2, Beatrice, Cooper Sisters, Seductress…...……..Joël René
Doorman, Vernon Anders, Hollywood Flames………......Franklin Grace
Mr. Langley, Little Joey, Red Coats/Longboards……....Dylan Hoffinger
Alma, Cooper Sisters………………………..Sha’Leah Nikole Stubblefield
Mr. Bruce, Judge, Red Coats/Longboards…………..Bren Thor Johnson
Landlord, Dina Summer………………………………………..Gabi Hankins
Jesse Belvin……………………………….…………………Wilkie Ferguson III
Leon Washington, Hollywood Flames....……………….…...Frank Lawson
Sam Cooke………………………………..………………….Thomas Hobson
Roy, Monroe Tucker, Hollywood Flames…………...……..Alfred Jackson
Ruth Dolphin…………………………………………….……..Jenna Gillespie
Officer Teague, Red Coats/Longboards…………………....Ryan Murray
Percy Ivy………………………………….…………………….Eric B. Anthony
Cooper Sisters, Seductress, Ms. Desiree……….....Ashley Lynette Brown
Sally………………………….………………………………...Emily Zetterberg
Huggy Boy………………………....………………………..Matt Magnusson
This performance will have one 15 minute intermission.
The use of any recording device, either audio or visual,
and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash,
is strictly prohibited.
The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of the Actors Equity
Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
Musical Numbers
Act One
1948-1954
Ain’t We Havin’ A Time - Band Leader, John, Ensemble
Open Up - John
Nature Boy - Jesse
Jesus Gave Me Water - Sam Cooke and Ensemble
Baby You Got The Job - John & Ruth
By The Light Of The Silvery Moon - Percy
All I Want In A Man - Ruth
Moonlight Lane - The Coopers
Sixty Minute Man - The Hollywood Flames, Percy, Sally, Roy,
Summer Sisters, Little Joey, Ensemble
Wheel Of Fortune - The Hollywood Flames
I’ll Put You On The Radio - Huggy, John & Ensemble
I’ll Come Running Back to You – Sam Cooke
Can You Help Me Out - Clementine, John & The Seductresses
Raise My Cup - John, Ruth, Huggy, Jesse, Leon & Ensemble
Act Two
1954-1958
Lovin’ John - Vernon, Monroe & Ensemble
Earth Angel - Jesse
Man Of The Hour - Percy, Sam & Female Ensemble
Please Come Home - John, Ruth & Hollywood Flames
I Won’t Walk Away - John
Don’t Stop Now - John, Ruth, Huggy, Sam, Jesse, Leon & Ensemble
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz - The Hollywood Flames
Hope In Your Hands – The Red Coats
California – The Longboards
Lovin’ John (Reprise) - Ruth
Let The Good Times Roll - John, Sam, Jesse & Company
The Band
Conductor/Keyboard 1 ... Abdul Hamid Royal
Keyboard 2 ... John Gentry Tennyson
Guitar ... Darrell Crooks
Bass ... Ian Martin
Drums ... Land Richards
Percussion ... Vanessa Brown
Copyist and Keyboard Programmer ... Juan A. Matos
The Cast
STU JAMES
WILKIE FERGUSON III
ERIC B. ANTHONY
JENNA GILLESPIE
THOMAS HOBSON
FRANK LAWSON
MATT MAGNUSSON
ASHLEY LYNETTE
BROWN
CAITLIN GALLOGLY
FRANKLIN GRACE
GABI HANKINS
DYLAN HOFFINGER
ALFRED JACKSON
BREN THOR JOHNSON
RYAN MURRAY
TYLER RUEBENSAAL
JOËL RENÉ
MATTHEW SIMS, JR.
SHA’LEAH NIKOLE
STUBBLEFIELD
KATHERINE WASHINGTON
EMILY ZETTERBERG
The Cast
STU JAMES (John Dolphin) Stu James
is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of
Morehouse College (B. A. in Finance).
He performed as Harpo in Oprah
Winfrey’s The Color Purple, (NAACP
Theatre Award Nom. & Black Theatre
Alliance Award Nom.). Broadway:
RENT (Benny); Off-Broadway/Regional:
Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Adrian)Pasadena
Playhouse, Hoodoo Love, (Ace),
(Craig Noel Award Nom., San Diego
Critics Circle), Barnstormer Workshop
(Walter/Tim), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Andre),
Once On This Island (Daniel/Agwe )
& Cotton Patch Gospel (Tim). Films:
Chris Titus’ Special Unit, Dirty Beautiful,
Truth Be Told, Bill Condon’s Dreamgirls,
Downtown A Street Tale. TV credits:
The Neighbors, Modern Family, Happy
Endings, All My Children, General
Hospital and the new Ron Howard &
Brian Grazer Go90 series Mr Student
Body President as Asst Principal Dittman
& several commercials. He’s thankful
for strong DETERMINATION, his family &
friends for unwavering support. Stu is
available on FB, Instagram & Twitter. “I
AM Grateful”. This is for my Gladiators,
LTD and JK!! www.stujames.net
ERIC B. ANTHONY (Percy Ivy)
Broadway: Mary Poppins; Hairspray; The
Lion King. Off-Broadway/Regional: Kiss
Me, Kate; Dreamgirls; The Producers;
The Wiz; Rent; Sophisticated Ladies;
Jelly’s Last Jam; Damn Yankees; Grand
Hotel; Bye Bye Birdie; Golden Boy;
Fame; Stay on the Line; Naked Boys
Singing; Hangin’ Out; Don’t Quit Your
Night Job; The Difficulty of Crossing a
Field; Queenie Pie; bonded; Something
Happened. Film: Waiting in the Wings:
The Musical; Sexina; Running the
Code; G Love; LoveDorable; Camelot;
Voodoo Doll. TV: Tosh.0; Exposing the
Order of the Serpentine; A Cappella;
The Interns; Monogamy; Bozos. Proud
AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and NAACP member.
YoungArts and ACT-SO Award recipient.
“Thanks to my supportive family and
friends for the unconditional love. Glory
to GOD for everything!”
www.EricBAnthony.com
WILKIE FERGUSON III (Jesse Belvin)
Wilkie is thrilled to be making his Kirk
Douglas Theatre debut! Broadway: The
Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Original
Broadway Cast), Motown the Musical
(Original Broadway Cast), Wonderland
(Original Broadway Cast) Tours: In
The Heights (1st Nat’l Tour), Hairspray
(1st Nat’l Tour), Dreamgirls. Pasadena
Playhouse World Premieres: Sister Act,
Ray Charles Live (Young Ray), Stormy
Weather Former faculty member
at Boys’ Choir of Harlem (assistant
director, music theory instructor, piano
accompanist) Eastman School of
Music (classical piano performance),
Morehouse College, New World School
of the Arts. Thanks to friends and family
for their support!
JENNA GILLESPIE (Ruth Dolphin)
Jenna is ecstatic to bring this true story
to life! She is so proud to be apart of
this story since the beginning and is
looking forward to the future of this
project. Jenna received her B.A. in
drama from UC Irvine. Favorite credits
include: Disney’s Five and Dime,
Rudolph:International Tour, Universal’s
City Beat: Acapella Group, 3DT’s:
Ragtime and House of Blues:Voodoo
Lounge. If your curiosity extends beyond
this little bio, find out more about
Jenna online @ www.jennagillespie.
com. Thank you to my unbelievably
supportive family, Honey and friends!
THOMAS HOBSON (Sam Cooke)
Theatre: Complete History of America
(Thomas), Falcon Theater, Smokey
Joe’s Café (Ken), Pasadena Playhouse,
Dreamgirls (C.C. White), San Diego
Musical Theatre, City Kids (Spike),
Hudson Theatre, Ain’t No Mountain
High Enough (Mike), Center Theater
Group, Madwoman of Chaillot (Pierre),
Mc Cadden Theatre, Midsummer
Night’s Dream (Lysander), Schreiber
Theatre. Film: Leading roles in The Stars
Are Already Dead (Ashton), “23 Boss”
(David) also Producer. Television: Series
Regular on Fresh Beat Band (Shout),
Recurring on Step by Step, In Living
Color, Different World, Guest Roles
on Criminal Minds, NCIS: LA, Mind of
Mencia. Recording: Solo EP “Beyond
the Beat”. twitter.com/tommyhobson
FRANK LAWSON (Leon Washington)
Graduated from Southern Methodist
University with Bachelors in Theatre
and Advertising. Toured Asia in the
hit Broadway musical RENT. Favorite
Regional: Until, Until...Until (Ben Vereen)
at 3LD, Freeze Frame (Bishop) at
Wallis Annenberg,Hair (Berger) at
Zach Scott and (Hud) at 5th Avenue
Theatre, Summer of Love(Rufus) with
Michelle Lee at MTW, The Who’s Tommy
(Hawker) at Casa Manana. He also
crooned in the one-man musical Songs
From An Unmade Bed at Celebration
Theatre. He is honored to have shared
stages with legends Ossie Davis, Debbie
Allen, Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen
and Stephen Sondheim. Frank is the
voice of 8 year old wrestler “R Truth”
in the new animated TV series CAMP
WWE. www.thefranklawson.com
MATT MAGNUSSON (Huggy Boy)
Matt
is thrilled to be a part of this incredible
show! Favorite credits include
Theatre: Breaking Through (Pasadena
Playhouse), American Idiot (GloryStruck
Productions), The History Boys (Stella
Adler Lab), Floyd Collins (La Mirada Arts
Center), Wolves (Celebration Theatre),
Spring Awakening (Over the Moon
Productions). Film: American Girl, The
Dark Tapes, Masquerade. Matthew is
a graduate of Stella Adler Academy
of Acting and Rutgers University. When
not acting he is writing and performing
with his band The Bones. He would like
to thank his Mom, Dad, Justine, Milton,
and his beautiful wife, Ali.
ASHLEY LYNETTE BROWN (Ensemble)
a proud NYU Tisch grad, is blown
away that she gets to be part of
this incredible production and cast!
Favorite credits: Workshop and reading
of Recorded in Hollywood, Female
Swing in We Are the Tigers, Amanda
Gottadolla in Mirror, Mirror, Gena/
Reagan Understudy in Bachelorette,
Denise in Summer School: the Stage
Parody, Toshi in Show Way (Alliance
Award nominee), Chiffon in Little Shop
of Horrors, Ti Moune in Once On This
Island, Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Ashley got her start in a commercial
directed by iconic director Spike Lee
and has gone onto appear in over 15
national commercials and TV shows.
Love to Mom, Dad, Moe, Nancy &
Aaron! twitter: @AshleyisBrown
www.AshleyLBrown.com
CAITLIN GALLOGLY (Ensemble)
Caitlin
is thrilled to join Recorded in Hollywood!
Caitlin is best known for playing another
wayward youngen on TV, “Princess
Kenny” in Comedy Central’s South
Park. Most recently, Caitlin joined the
cast of Colony on USA, and appeared
on Showtime’s Masters of Sex. Recent
stage: Kevin McAllister in Home Alone
at the Rockwell, Sigourney is Boxes; The
Girl in Roar of the Greasepaint; Essie
in Redhead; Anne Hanes, Visionary
Man; Crystal Allen, The Women
(Scenie Award, Backstage’s Eddon
Award); Ciara, The Belle of Belfast, EST/
LA (Ovation and LA Weekly Award
nominations); Marya, The Government
Inspector, Boston Court; Rachel, The
Queen’s Physician, Lamb’s Theatre, NY
(opp/ Richard Dreyfuss).
www.caitlingallogly.com
Follow her on twitter/instagram:
@caitlingallogly
FRANKLIN GRACE (Ensemble) Attended
Denison University (B.A.) and Miami
University (Master’s of Architecture)
before being awarded a Fulbright
scholarship to study in Korea. Theatre:
Ragtime (Coalhouse), Big River (Jim),
Five Guys Named Moe (Little Moe),
Cabaret (Victor), Titus Andronicus
(Aaron), Sleeper (Tom), The Cave
Dwellers (Father), Hairspray (Seaweed),
A Chorus Line (Richie), Spinning
into Butter (Patrick Chibas), Home
(Cephus). TV/Film: The Big Raincheck,
Oracabessa, Extreme Forensics, Lilith,
“Chicken,” “Stones,” “Fiend,”‘Til Death,”
“I Owe You,” “A way Out,” “The Good
Kidd,” and several Commercials.
Thanks to his Family and friends for their
continued support! OH-IO!
www.franklingrace.com @franklin_grace
GABI HANKINS (Ensemble) Gabi just
recently made her Los Angeles debut in
We Are The Tigers, and is grateful to be
here at the Kirk Douglas Theatre! Other
theatre credits include: Show Search
2015, Legally Blonde, Company, Spring
Awakening (Kennedy Center American
College Theatre Festival Nominee)
and The Rimers of Eldritch (KCACTF
Nominee). You can also catch Gabi
on State of Affairs, as well as Go Four
Broke, a new series she created, wrote,
produced, and starred in. She is also the
voice of Emma, Sara, Tim, and many
others for Age of Learning. Much love
to mom, dad, friends, fam, and agent,
Steven Dry! www.gabihankins.com /
@gabihankins
DYLAN HOFFINGER (Ensemble) Dylan
is thrilled to be back with Recorded
In Hollywood family after joining the
reading cast! SD Theatre Critics Circle
Craig Noel Award for Outstanding
Young Artist ‘12. Winner of The Old
Globe’s “Globe Honor” for Outstanding
Achievement in Musical Theatre. Select
credits: Baby John in West Side Story
(MTW); Dance Captain in American
Idiot (La Mirada); Mr. Mistoffelees in
Cats (SDMT); Horace in Anita Bryant
Died for Your Sins (StageSceneLA Award
- Best Performance by a Lead Actor),
DJ in Harmony, Kansas (Diversionary); IQ
in Hairspray(regional premiere), Pinball
Wizard in The Who’s Tommy (San Diego
REP). Proud AEA member.
ALFRED JACKSON (Ensemble) Actor,
Singer, Composer, Producer, and
Choreographer. Theater: Rent (Rodger),
Hollywood Choir (Universal Studios
Japan), Solid Gold Motown (Niagara
Falls Canada), Michael Jackson’s
Man in the Mirror (Reno Nevada), Jive
Talking (Bee Gee’s Tribute), Little Shop
of Horrors (Seymour). TV/Film: General
Hospital, State Farm Commercial, Ant
Bully. Web Series: The Choir (Myron).
Recipient of the 2010 NAACP Award for
best choreographer (Sarafina). Alfred
has had the opportunity to perform his
original music domestically as well as
internationally. For more information
regarding Alfred Jackson follow
Ajismusic on Twitter or visit his website
www.AlfredJackson.com.
BREN THOR JOHNSON (Ensemble)
Bren Thor Johnson is thrilled to be
making his debut at the Kirk Douglas.
Previous credits include Disney’s Tarzan,
Sideshow, Seussical! starring Cathy
Rigby, Damn Yankees (3-D Theatricals),
Steel Pier, Joeseph…Dreamcoat
(Musical Theatre West), How to
Succeed, Grey Gardens (Performance
Riverside), Jean-Michele in La Cage
Aux Folles (San Diego Musical Theatre),
and Rudolph Int’l tour (McCoy Rigby
Entertainment). Bren wrote music for
Cabrillo Playhouse’s As You Like It,
has performed at Disneyland Resort,
and regularly works with children. Bren
would like to dedicate this and every
other performance to his three siblings.
RYAN MURRAY (Ensemble)
Ryan is a
California native & graduate of NYUTisch, is thrilled to be making his KDT
debut! Bouncing from stage to screen,
he has just returned from playing
Bing Crosby in Swinging On A Star at
Riverside Theatre & filming 2 shorts,
“Incubator” & “The Bride.” Favorite
credits: the INfamous Broadwaybound production of Lone Star Love,
which blazed headlines for its “unruly
Hollywood celebrity!” Off B’way:
Masquerade at The Cherry Lane & 1
man show King of the Mountain. Ryan
also appeared as Tom on Guiding Light
for 2.5 yrs., or you may recognize him as
the face of Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million
fragrance. In loving memory of my
‘Mama Marsha!’ www.ryan-murray.com
TYLER RUEBENSAAL (Ensemble) Tyler
is thrilled to be joining the cast of
Recorded in Hollywood at the Kirk
Douglas Theatre! Tyler received his
BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.
He has travelled the world performing
for Disney Cruise Line as well as Tokyo
Disney. TV: Cougar Town, Glee.
Regional Theater: SUDS, Buddy Holly
Story, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar,
Miss Saigon, High School Musical. Tyler
has also performed in various shows
at The Disneyland Resort including
The Dapper Dans and Mad T Party,
and continues to perform in Mickey
and the Magical Map. “Thanks to
family and friends for their constant
love and support!”
JOËL RENÉ (Ensemble) Joël is grateful
to be a part of this company and to
make her KDT debut! Previous credits
include the Las Vegas Company
of Mamma Mia! (LISA), numerous
seasons at Sacrament Music Circus:
The Sound of Music (SIS. SOPHIA), Once
on this Island (ERZULIE) and Hairspray
(DYNAMITE). Other regional credits
include: Seattle Repertory Theatre,
Village Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre and
Pioneer Theatre Company. A special
highlight includes three productions of
Mary Poppins (MRS. CORRY) at Tuacahn
Theatre, Music Circus and La Mirada
Theatre for the Performing Arts. -Love to
my four men!
MATTHEW SIMS, JR. (Ensemble)
A native
of Hammond, La. that currently lives in
Los Angeles; Ca. by way of Atlanta, Ga.
Matthew has received intensive training
in Musical Theatre, Dance and Acting,
both stage and film, at the American
Musical and Dramatics Academy
(AMDA) in Hollywood, Ca, where he
graduated February 2013. Matthew has
been a Playlist Performer for Carnival
Cruise Lines and has seen almost all of
Europe for free. Matthew has played
Leroy in Hairspray with 3D Theatricals,
Band Leader in the critically acclaimed
Recorded in Hollywood and is extremely
overjoyed to be returning to the stage
and being a part of this production. We
are going to HAVE A TIME. Matthew is
thankful to God, his supportive parents,
other relatives and friends who have
helped him every step of the way. This
is for you!
SHA’LEAH NIKOLE STUBBLEFIELD
(Ensemble) Sha’Leah Nikole Stubblefield-
Is thrilled to continue her Recorded In
Hollywood journey. Theater: Recorded
In Hollywood, Dreamgirls (Effie), Once
on this Island (Asaka), Lil Abner (Mammy
Yokum), West Side Story (Anybodys).
This Los Angeles native is no stranger to
the arts. This actress, singer, song-writer,
and mentor has been in many theater
productions from Los Angeles, to New
York. She has also had the privilege of
performing her own original music at
The House Of Blues, The Troubadour,
and the Arusha in Japan to name a
few. “Through the arts I use my gifts to
inspire and change lives.”
@ShaLeahNikole
KATHERINE WASHINGTON (Ensemble)
An AMDA Los Angeles graduate,
Katherine was a finalist in LA’s Next
Great Stage Star. Favorite credits
include Bare: A Rock Musical (2013 Los
Angeles revival/The Hayworth), The
Wedding Singer (Tina Turner/Musical
Theatre West), Tarzan (Kala, El Portal),
Aida (Aida/The Box Theatre), Memphis
(Felicia u/s /Cabrillo Music Theatre),
Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette/
Glendale Centre Theatre),Cabaret
(Fritzi/Inland Valley Rep), and new
musical premiere of Recorded in
Hollywood. Katherine also plays 5
musical instruments, the violin being
her heart. Thanks to Zach and Mom!
EMILY ZETTERBERG (Ensemble) Emily
Zetterberg is a recent graduate of the
Ray Bolger Musical Theatre program
within the UCLA School of Theatre Film
and Television. University credits include
Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel, Lucetta in
Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Lovey
Mars in The Golden Apple. She also
recently appeared on an episode of
Bones on FOX. Emily is thrilled to be joining
the cast of Recorded in Hollywood! Love
to Mom, Dad, Wyatt, Johanna and the
rest of her incredible family.
Who’s Who
JAMELLE DOLPHIN
(Book & Producer) Jamelle
(grandson of John Dolphin), authored
the book “Recorded In Hollywood:
The John Dolphin Story,” published in
2011. The book is based on research in
historical records, as well as, hundreds
of hours of verbal interviews of family
and friends — and records the true
life story of John Dolphin, who was
owner of the world famous record store
“Dolphins of Hollywood” which began
around 1948. Jamelle was inspired to
write the book, as a natural outgrowth
of hearing the many colorful stories
about his grandfather. As Jamelle
grew up in Los Angeles, having the
last name “Dolphin” always seemed
to be followed by “are you related to
John Dolphin?” Jamelle Dolphin holds
a B.A. degree in Business Administration
Marketing from Sonoma State University,
and he currently runs Dolphins of
Hollywood Productions with siblings
Ahman Dolphin and Glory Dolphin
Hammes, in Los Angeles, CA.
MATT DONNELLY (Book) Matt has
written for both television and film in
a variety of genres, including drama,
comedy, thriller, and documentary. He
has written for the ABC Studios family
drama Brothers & Sisters, as well as the
relationship comedy Mixology. He spent
the last two years developing cable
series with CBS TV Studios and recently
sold a pilot to MTV. Recorded In
Hollywood is his first stage production.
ANDY COOPER (Music & Lyrics)
Member and lead songwriter of the
group Ugly Duckling: 6 Albums, over 50
international tours, 2 European chart
songs and festival appearances at
Leeds, Reading (UK), Splash (Germany),
Coachella (US), Pyramid Rock
(Australia), Summersonic (Japan) and
Sonar (Spain), Film Soundtrack work:
Boiler Room, EuroTrip, and Drillbit Taylor.
Television Soundtrack work: Run’s House
(MTV), Boston Public (Fox), Malcolm
in the Middle (Fox) and Usain Bolt
Jamaica to Brazil (BBC). Television Music
Production: Big Shot (ITV UK) and Living
With Models (Comedy Central). Theatre:
Ovation Award nominee for Best Lyricist/
Composer of a World Premier Musical
(Recorded In Hollywood)
DENISE DOWSE (Director
) is a
well known actor in theater, film and
television and an established stage
director who is a four time recipient
of the NAACP Image Award for
Best Director. Denise has directed
productions of Grease, Wicked, Sarafina,
Beauty and the Beast, Dreamgirls, The
Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, West Side
Story and the original production of
Recorded in Hollywood. As an actor
on stage, she has performed with The
Negro Ensemble Company in A Lovely
Malfunction; and in Los Angeles area
theatre productions of Three Times
a Lady, Sassy Mamas, The Vagina
Monologues, Club Termina, Othello,
Life and Death: The Vaudeville Show
which traveled to Cuba. On television
Denise is best known as Mrs. Teasley on
Beverly Hills 90210, Castle, Secrets & Lies,
Criminal Minds, Law & Order, Charmed,
and is currently on Murder in the First.
Feature Film work includes The Call,
Ray and Coach Carter. Denise was the
Resident Director at Amazing Grace
Conservatory for 18 years.
ABDUL HAMID ROYAL
(MUSICAL DIRECTOR) the Ovation
award, the Los Angeles Drama Critics
Circle Award, & The Sage Award as
Best Music Direction for his work on
The Gospel At Colonus. Broadway/
international/national: music director,
Five Guys Named Moe, Twist,
Sophisticated Ladies, Ain’t Misbehavin’,
Jelly’s Last Jam, The Wiz, Truly Blessed,
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Sound
Of Music, Fiddler On The Roof, Betsy
Brown, Concerts For The Earth, Colors
Of Christmas, Smokey Joe’s Café, The
Life. Composer/arranger, Five Guys
Named Moe, Truly Blessed, Body And
Soul, Twist, Cole Porter Festival, Colors
Of Christmas, & several recordings and
educational publications. Recording
artists: Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson,
Melissa Manchester, Cy Coleman, Al
Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Liza Minelli,
Ashford & Simpson, Martha Wash,
Jennifer Holliday, Jeffrey Osborne,
Maurice Hines, Melba Moore, Patti
Austin, Grover Washington Jr., Masashi
Sada, Patti Labelle, Christina Aguilera,
Jason Mraz, Stevie Wonder, David
Foster, Doc Powell, The LA Philharmonic,
Ty Herndon, Freddie Waites, Brenda
Russell, and Phil Collins.
CASSIE CRUMP (Choreographer)
a native of Los Angeles, CA, has
appeared in numerous plays in which
she also served as the choreographer,
such as Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming, The
Chicken Shack, and Revival featuring
Chaka Khan, Mali Music, Michelle
Williams and Kenny Latimore. She
also performed in Debbie Allen’s
The Chocolate Nutcracker and had
her own television show, Get Up and
Dance. She traveled around the
world with Chester Whitmore in Black
Ballet Jazz. She also choreographed
the feature film Sledge, featuring Ben
Stellar and Angelina Jolie. Cassie
won the 2010 NAACP Theatre Award
for Best Choreographer for Sarafina,
received the Scenic Award for
Best Choreography for Recorded
in Hollywood, and was nominated
for the 2015 Stage Raw Awards for
Best Choreography for Recorded in
Hollywood. She is also featured in
the magazine “All About Kids” for
her contribution in working with kids
throughout the Los Angeles community.
At this time she is working with Amazing
Grace Conservatory, under the
direction of Wendy Raquel Robinson.
KEVIN TONEY
(Arrangements & Orchestrations)
Grammy nominated musician,
composer, arranger and author.
Theater credits: Words By Ira Gershwin,
James Brown-A Celebration In Dance,
Memphis, Atlanta, Five Guys Named
Moe, Ain’t Misbehavin, Its Only Make
Believe, Crowns, Sophisticated Ladies,
Dreamgirls, Smokey Joe’s Café, Henry
Iv, Ain’t Nothing But The Blues, Amen
Corner. Was leader of “The Blackbyrds”,
band’s hit songs included “Walking
In Rhythm”,“Rock Creek Park”. Kevin
has released twelve acclaimed solo
albums with “STRUT” selected by 2002
Winter Olympics Committee to be
part of “official Olympic soundtrack”.
Kevin has performed or conducted for
Aretha Franklin, The Jacksons, Whitney
Houston, Donald Byrd, George Benson,
Carl Anderson, Shirley Caesar. Kevin’s
published books are The Virtuous Man
and Super Glue Your Love Relationship
and his film scores include “Kings of The
Evening” and Clarissa’s Gift directed
by Obba Babatunde. Kevin’s awards
include two Grammy nominations,
three RIAA Gold Record awards,
NAACP Image Award, National
Endowment For the Arts Fellowship
Grant, and is member of the Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity.
JOHN GENTRY TENNYSON
(Orchestrations & Additional
Arrangements)John Gentry Tennyson is
a veteran of over 40 Broadway shows
and has worked extensively as musical
director, conductor, pianist, arranger
and orchestrator for Broadway directors
and artists including; George C. Wolfe,
George Faison, Obba Babbatunde,
Andre De Shields, Otis Sallid, Francesca
Zambello, Diana Ross, Diane Reeves,
Jennifer Holliday, The Pointer Sisters,
Patti Austin, BJ Crosby, Sheryl Lee
Ralph, Odetta, Queen Esther, Siedah
Garrett, Maurice White,Holland, Dozier
& Holland, Sarah Brightman, Liza Minelli,
Paul Simon, Carly Simon, Andrew Lloyd
Webber, Frank Sinatra, Jr., and Nelson
Riddle to name a few. Most recently
he served as Assistant Music Director at
the Pasadena Playhouse for Smokey
Joe’s Cafe and the world premiere of
Breaking Through, and was nominated
for a 2015 Ovation Award for his
contributing work on the re-adapted
stage musical of Gospel At Colonus.
ANDRAE ALEXANDER
(Additional Arrangements) Andrae
Alexander, best-selling author, veteran
of The Marine Corps, and a former
pianist in The United States Navy Band
of Washington D.C, has performed
for the Crown Prince of Norway and
countless other government and
military officials. He is an accomplished
musician, songwriter, producer, author
and performer who has performed all
over the world. Andrae has performed
with, opened shows or recorded for
artist such as NeYo, Kelly Rowland, Patti
Labelle, Vanessa Hudgens, Erykah Badu,
The Roots, and many others. Andrae
has musical directed for such plays as
Wicked, Grease, and Footloose. He has
also performed in the Off Broadway
Show, Enter Redemption. He’s a
producer on Grammy Nominated
Raheem Devaughn’s album The
Love and Masterpiece has recorded
with Producer Jesse “Corporal”
Wilson and with No I.D. for Estelle and
Common as a featured soloist on their
collaboration “Victorious”. He has
finished his piano course, “OMG Piano
course”, and published a book, “Build
Your Music Career From Scratch”,
which is an Amazon #1 best-seller in
Music Business. Andrae Alexander is
currently the musical director at Wendy
Raquel Robinson’s “Amazing Grace
Conservatory”.
BRUCE GOODRICH (Scenic Design)
Bruce most recently designed the
scenery for Fallen Angels, at Ensemble
Theatre Co. Santa Barbara, directed by
Andy Barnicle. New York and regional
venues include Primary Stages Co.
(original and Off Broadway productions
of David Ives’ All in the Timing),
Ensemble Studio Theatre, American
Stage Co. Playwrights Theatre of NJ,
Arena Stage, Fords Theatre, The Colony,
The Falcon, The Rubicon, The Odyssey
(Broadway Bound, directed by Jason
Alexander), El Portal, McCoy Rigby
Entertainment, Laguna Playhouse, The
Human Race (Dayton), Skylight Opera
Theatre (Milwaukee) and many others.
Stage Raw, LA Drama Critics and
Ovation nominations. BFA -University
of Wisconsin, MFA - Carnegie-Mellon
School of Drama, Professor of Design,
CSU, Fullerton, Department of Theatre
and Dance.
LAP CHI CHU (Lighting Design)
Recent
works include Suzan-Lori Park’s new
play, Father Comes Home From the
Wars and Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’
Appropriate. Regional designs for
Mark Taper Forum, Geffen Playhouse,
Pasadena Playhouse, South Coast
Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival,
La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe,
Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Goodman
Theatre, American Repertory Theater,
Arena Stage, Dallas Theater Center, The
Shakespeare Theater (Washington DC).
His New York design credits include
The Public Theater, New York Theatre
Workshop, Signature Theatre, Second
Stage Theatre, Performance Space
122 and Kitchen Theatre Company. His
awards have included the Los Angeles
Drama Critics Circle Angstrom Award
for Career Achievement in Lighting
Design, an Ovation award, multiple Bay
Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards, a
“Drammy” for best lighting, as well as a
Lucille Lortel nomination for The Good
Negro at The Public Theater. He is on
the lighting design faculty at California
Institute of the Arts.
MYLETTE NORA (Costume Designer)
has won the NAACP Theatre Award for
best costumes and is listed in the honors
edition of the Cambridge Registry of
Who’s Who Among Executive and
Professional Women. Her work, which
consists of television, film, and stage,
can be seen nightly on The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno. The famed artist
Synthia St. James noted Mylette as
being the inspiration for her world
renowned painting “Ensemble” which
graced the cover of the best selling
novel “Waiting To Exhale” by Terry
McMillan. Mylette’s talents continue
with her creative line of heirloom
dolls called “My Mind”s Eye” and a
line of designer doggie wear called
“From the Heart Doggie Wear”. www.
fromtheheartdoggiewear.com.
AISHAH WILLIAMS (Hair & Wig Design)
I started doing hair back in 1986. I tried
a different career, which was nursing
but I always came back to my first love,
HAIR. In 2004 I started working with
Amazing Grace Conservatory and got
my first taste of working with theater
and I just fell in love. Through the years, I
met amazing people like Denise Douse
and Cassie Crump. They invited me to
work on stage plays such as Recorded
in Hollywood and Hairspray. I also
worked on a few tv shows. I am excited
to see what the future holds for me.
MICHAEL DONOVAN, CSA
(Casting Director) Michael is the
recipient of six Artios awards, given
by the Casting Society of America for
Outstanding Achievement in Casting.
Michael casts for film, television, theatre
and commercials. His theatre credits
include shows produced at Pasadena
Playhouse, the Hollywood Bowl, La Jolla
Playhouse, International City Theatre,
Ebony Repertory Theatre, Laguna
Playhouse, the Falcon Theatre, the
Colony Theatre, The Theatre @ Boston
Court, Ensemble Theatre of Santa
Barbara, Arizona Theatre Company,
Cleveland Playhouse, and the Kentucky
Shakespeare Festival. Michael has cast
numerous independent films, over 1,200
commercials, and his TV credits include
the new series Blood Relatives.
RONN GOSWICK
(Production Stage Manager) is
thrilled to return to Recorded in
Hollywood having been the PSM on
the original production last summer.
Past productions include over 100 from
his work with Pasadena Playhouse,
TUTS in Houston, San Jose Civic Light
Opera, Musical Theatre West, San Jose
Stage, Hollywood Bowl, San Diego
Rep, Berry Gordy, the Luxor Hotel
and Casino, the Sahara Hotel and
Casino, the Gypsy Kings musical, Zorro
and most recently three summer/fall
seasons at the Mountain Playhouse
in Pennsylvania where he is headed
once he completes work here in LA.
Ronn has produced many benefits
in the Los Angeles area for various
different groups and currently works for
Chris Isaacson Presents which will be
presenting the 35th Reunion Concert of
Dreamgirls at the newly remodeled Ford
Amphitheatre on July 10 starring the
three original ladies – Sheryl Lee Ralph,
Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holiday.
Diablo Sound (Sound Design) Alex
Mackyol with Diablo Sound are an
award winning sound design and show
control company. Their experience
encompasses theme parks, cruise ships,
theatre, television, film, industrials, and
installations. In themed entertainment,
Diablo has worked for Universal Studios,
Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney
Creative Entertainment, Nickelodeon
Recreation, The Avengers Discovery
Museum, and Paramount Parks, among
others. Diablo has done extensive
sound and show control work for
Universal Studios Hollywood, most
notably for Halloween Horror Nights
2006-2015. In addition, Diablo has
designed sound for over 250 theatrical
productions. In 2015, Alex’s most
notable designs were for the World
Premiere of the critically acclaimed
new play, The Dodgers, and the World
Premiere’s of We Are The Tigers: A New
Musical and Reunion The Musical, as
well as the sound design for the 50th
Anniversary Production of A Christmas
Carol at Glendale Centre Theatre in
Glendale, CA. Other designs have
appeared in venues as varied as Disney
Cruise Lines’ Wonder for the world
premiere of Toy Story: The Musical, to
World and West Coast Premieres at
regional theaters such as South Coast
Repertory, The Laguna Playhouse,
The Colony, and The Rubicon. Diablo
has been nominated for Ovation, LA
Weekly, Garland, LADCC, and NAACP
Awards, winning multiple times.
RACQUEL LEHRMAN, THEATRE
PLANNERS (Marketing Director)
Founder and managing director of
Theatre Planners, her own theatre
production/marketing firm which
has been serving the Los Angeles
theatre scene for almost fifteen years.
Producing highlights include: Valley
Performing Arts Center, The Ricardo
Montalban Theatre, The Odyssey
Theatre, The Matrix Theatre. Owner
of The Lounge Theatres in Hollywood
on Theatre Row and now The Zephyr
Theatre on Melrose.
www.theatreplanners.com.
VICTORIA WATSON, THEATRE PLANNERS
(General Manager) Pasadena Playhouse
(highlights): Dangerous Beauty,
Twist, Fdr. Other LA credits include
Recorded In Hollywood (original 99
seat production), and Production
Management for the Los Angeles
Philharmonic and Pasadena Symphony
and Pops. Vivien and Come Fly With Me
on tour. Member of Theatre Planners
since 2013. www.theatreplanners.com
LOU SPISTO (Producer)
Broadway:
Producer, The Glass Menagerie (TONY
nominated) directed by John Tiffany
with Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto,
You Can’t Take It With You (TONY
nominated) starring James Earl Jones
and Rose Byrne; Love Letters with Mia
Farrow and Brian Dennehy, Rocky and
Big Fish. London: Producer, Strangers
On A Train at the Gielgud Theater.
Old Globe: Executive Producer,
raised $75 million for the theatre’s
capital campaign, over ten seasons
produced 140 plays and musicals,
40 world premieres, 7 transfers to
Broadway. Several theatre projects in
development; two television projects
with the Wolper Organization; Board of
Directors of the Gay Men’s Chorus of
Los Angeles.
Additional Credits
Assistant Stage Manager...………………………………………….Tiffany Thomas
Assistant Choreographer...…………………………………………….April Thomas
Assistant Set Designer...………………………………………………..Chris Schmidt
Fight Director...…………………………………………………………..Chris Johnson
Properties Master….…………………………………………………...Warren Casey
Graphic Design...……………………Jahson Meza and Kiff Scholl/AFK Design
Construction Coordinator...…………………………………………….Pete Hickok
Legal Representation...……………………………………………Gordon Firemark
For The Kirk Douglas Theatre
Director of Theatre Operations...…………………………………………..Eric Sims
Production Manager...………………………………………………..Christy Weikel
Assistant Production Manager...……………………………………Chris Reardon
Front of House Manager...…………………………………………..Tom Burmester
Facilities Manager...………………………………………………………..Max Oken
Master Electrician...……………………………Aaron Staubach, Jenna Pletcher
Stage Supervisor...…………………………………………………..Katie Polebaum
Head of Audio...………………………………………………………..Adam Phalen
Wardrobe Supervisor...……………………………………………..Cambria Chichi
Light Board Op...………………………………………………………….Sean Meyer
Deck Audio………………………………………………………..Matthew Colleran
Deck Crew………………………………………………………………Richard Dunn
Follow Spots………………………………………...Matthew Baye, Jack Herndon
Lead Carpenter……………………………………………………………..Sean Kloc
The Box Office is staffed by members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 857, Treasurers and
Ticket Sellers.
Special Thanks
The Kirk Douglas Theatre
Amazing Grace Conservatory
The Lounge Theatre
Buzz Buzz Buzz
By Robert Byrd, John G. Dolphin
Used By Permission Of
Stone Agate Music.
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Earth Angel
Composed By Jesse Belvin
Published By Embassy Music
Corporation (Bmi)
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I’ll Come Running Back
To You
Written By William Cook
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Jesus Gave Me Water
By Lucie E.campbell
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Let The Good Times Roll
By Fleecie Moore Jordan
& Sam Theard
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Songwriter’s Guild
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Lovin’ John
By Vernon Anders & Monroe
Tucker
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Nature Boy
By Ahbez Eden
Published By Golden World
Used By Permission
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Sixty Minute Man
Written By William Ward
And Rose Marks
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Wheel Of Fortune
Words And Music
By George David Weiss
and Bennie Benjamin
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