JOSEPH KEEGAN
(Mr. Puppy, he/him)
is beyond ecstatic to be making his Off-Broadway debut alongside this wonderful company! Joseph just completed his Sophomore Year in the BFA Musical Theater program at Pace University. Recent credits include cabarets at 54 Below and Regionally with “Grease” at Ocean City Theatre Company. Joseph would like to thank all of the team members who made this possible, specifically Michael, Jonathan, David, and Helene! I hope you all enjoy the show!
ANJA VASA
(Nehal/Marie)
is an actor and model based in NYC. Her recent theatre credits include Antigone (Ismene) and Inner Styles (Alanna), and her recent film credits include Bindi (Lead) and Explaining Elizabeth (Lead). She also recently graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University with a BA in Psychology and Human Rights. Outside of acting and modeling, Anja enjoys biking in Central Park, playing NYT Games, and practicing her Ariana Grande impression.
JAMIEL T. BURKHART
(Kimba/Yohan/Toy Bear)
An alumni of The Fame School, Jamiel is a familiar face in the NYC theater scene as well as a regional favorite. He’s also the Artistic Producer of MilkyWay Theatre Company, developing new musicals and plays premiering soon. Check out his website for more information on Underneath Concrete, a new musical he’s writing with one of his best friends Aidan Arbona! Jamiel is blessed to do what he loves everyday, having worked in various capacities with Off-Broadway companies like the Public Theater, MCC, EST, and Amas. Thank you to Jonathan, Donna, Michael, David, and Saul for this opportunity and their incredible work on this project. Recent Credits: Hair the Musical (Hud), BIG FUN: The Heathers the Musical Tribute (Bar 9 NY), World Premiere of Miss Maybelline’s Nocturnal Flights of Fancy (Trey Vanderkamp), World Premiere of HipHop Cinderella (Prince, U/S Runka/Dance Captain), Grease (Danny Zuko), Comedy of Errors (Dromio), Rock of Ages (Ja’Keith Gill/Mayor), Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince/the Wolf), Pippin (Pippin/Lewis), and Jesus Christ Superstar(Caiaphas). Insta:@jamielburkhart,TikTok:@jamieltburkhart_official | jamieltburkhart.com
BEATRIZ CORONEL
(Alejandra/Aline)
is a NYC-based performer from Ecuador and grateful to be part of this meaningful project. She recently made her Off-Broadway debut as Maria in SMILE and has performed in many shows with Teatro SEA. Beatriz is an AMDA alum and was also featured on The Voice Ecuador. @beatrizcmusic
MARIKO KAI
(Yoshi)
Mariko Kai is a Japanese-born performer who began violin at two and has pursued music ever since. She holds a BFA in Opera from Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and trained in musical theatre at New York Film Academy. Her credits include Netflix’s Maniac with Sally Field and a Spotify commercial with Cardi B. A proud mom to her son and dog Hapuna, she’s excited to return to the stage. https://www.marikokai.com
LIANA KUROGI
(Female Standby)
Born and raised in Tokyo, Liana recently graduated from AMDA in New York. Notable credits include Mozart! (Imperial Theatre, Japan), Urinetown (Cosmo Theater), Broadway in Bryant Park 2024, Hanamachi Suikoden (Shinbashi Enbujō), and The Wizard of Oz (Koshu Civic Cultural Center Hall). Endless gratitude to her family and friends. @lianakurogi_
DANIEL BRAATEN
(Mr. Puppy Standby)
is a new graduate of NYU Tisch’s New Studio On Broadway Musical Theatre Program. Recent credits include participating in MTC’s Create Theatre Reading (Forevermore). As a Canadian born and raised actor, he is grateful to call both NYC and Vancouver home. He is extremely thankful to Mr. Puppy team for having him on board. Repped by The Characters Talent Agency and managed by Roger Paul Talent! @danielbraaaten
ANGELA ZHANG
(Standby/Assistant to the Choreographer/Dance Captain)
is an interdisciplinary artist and trained dancer graduated from Columbia University. She has choreographed and performed in many a musical in NYC, including The Addams Family, Pippin, Annie, and more. Angela is very excited to be making her off-broadway debut with this cast and team!
KYLE JACK
(Understudy)
was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated with an MBA from Grand Canyon University. He is happy to be returning to the company and working with these wonderful dancers. Kyle has just returned from the Arrow Rock Lyceum where he was featured in The Addams Family, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and State Fair. This year he has become a Zumba Instructor and a Travel Agent (Thejackexperience.com). He is also teaching all over the city dance and gymnastics. He has also choreographed his first off Broadway show, The Importance of Being Earnest LGBTQIA+. Some of his favorite credits include Rubble in Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure, Hud: Hair the musical, The Cowardly Lion: The Wizard of Oz Enlightened Theatrics (Won BroadwayWorld.com award for Best Featured Actor), Owen: Owen and Mzee (Vital Theater) and Snoopy: Plaza Theatrics. He wants to thank his family and friends for their support. He is represented by Tsu Tsu Straton at Tsu Tsu Unlimited.
MICHAEL DAVID LEE (Author) is the creator and artist of the Mr Puppy brand. Lee designed a licensed apparel and accessories line featuring Mr Puppy, which evolved into a musical he created and authored. The musical was inspired by his work as an international photojournalist, and by memories of a childhood plush toy who was an adventurer, in Lee's imagination.
DR. DAVID L. TOLLEY (Composer) received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from The Ohio State University. Dr. Tolley is an Emmy and Grammy-nominated, internationally renowned pianist, composer, and producer. He has performed for four separate United States Presidents (Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton), as well as a concert for Boris Yeltsin in Russia, and several performances on THE TONIGHT SHOW with Johnny Carson. He has composed and produced music for all of the major TV Networks and several of the major Film studios, as well as a project for Steven Spielberg, and all of the original music for the DISNEYLAND theme park in Paris. He has also written nine complete musicals, including one that ran off-Broadway and was nominated for 2 Grammy awards. Dr. Tolley has been a Full Professor of Music and Director of the Music Industry program at Delaware State University for the last 16 years.
JONATHAN S. CERULLO (Director/Choreographer) is an award-winning director-choreographer and executive producer whose four-decade career spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, International productions, Symphony Concerts, Cabaret, Film, Television, and the Circus Arts. Broadway & NYC credits include serving as choreographic consultant on Say Goodnight, Gracie, assistant director/choreographer on Band In Berlin, Anna Karenina (4 Tony Award nominations), and The Three Musketeers, and appearing in the original cast of Legs Diamond (3 Tony Award nominations). He also choreographed Carnivale! and Picturesque for the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center. His production and direction of With Love Now and Forever: CATS4COVID—a benefit reunion concert streamed during the pandemic—raised over $25,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Jonathan also originated the role of Skimbleshanks in the CATS National Tour 3. Off-Broadway highlights include directing/producing the Legs Diamond Reunion Concert (Feinstein’s/54 Below and NYPL at Lincoln Center), directing/choreographing The Flip Side, No Foolin’ (Amas Music Theatre), and Fictitious (Theatre Now NY – 2016 Best Director), as well as Windywoo (Amas/NYMF), Pins and Needles (La Mama), Uta Hagen’s Tribute (Town Hall), Chance (Fresh Fruit Festival – multiple Fruity Awards), and choreography for Under Fire (Best of Fest, NYMF 2009). Television and film work includes directing the CBC-TV special "Dear Mr. Gershwin", choreographing Great Performances "Evening at Pops", and assistant directing Donny Osmond’s "This Is the Moment" and "Natalie Cole’s Christmas Special", all for Great Performances. Film credits include "The First Wives Club", "The Stepford Wives", and "The Cowboy Way". Regional theatre includes work with Denver Center, Goodspeed Musicals, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and LA’s Geffen Playhouse and The Blank Theatre (RISE). He also taught Uta Hagen the dances for Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. A member of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society (recipient of the President’s Award, 2023), AEA, and the Dramatists Guild, Jonathan has served on the Callaway and Lucille Lortel Award committees. He is an Artistic Associate at Amas Music Theatre. As Executive Producer and President of JSCTheatricals, Jonathan has produced festivals, special events, award shows, AEA showcases, and professional readings. He is an alumnus of the Commercial Theatre Institute and the New York Foundation for the Arts' Entrepreneurial Program. He holds a BFA in Directing and an MA from Emerson College. Learn more at www.jsctheatricals.com.
JOSHUA WARNER (Scenic Designer) is the founder of Joshua Warner Studios, a full-service design and fabrication company with over 200 credits. His work spans from the Off-Broadway revival of The Goodbye Girl (starring Sierra Boggess) to nationally touring musical parodies including The Bachelor, Love Actually?, and FRIENDS! The Musical Parody. His designs have been featured at renowned venues such as JFK International Airport, YaYa Theater in Shenzhen, China, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Paper Mill Playhouse, Bucks County Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Lincoln Park PAC, and Ogunquit Playhouse. Proud member of USA 829. @joshuawarnerstudios
ANGELINA AVALLONE (Costume Designer) has designed costumes for choreographer Alison Chase, on the productions of The Most Handsome Drowned Man, Tsu-Ku-Tsu, Ben’s Admonition, Femme Noir, Orangutango, The Night of the Dark Moon, Monkey and The Bone Demon, Lucid Dreams, Elysian Fields, Bugonia, and Solo. She has also designed sets and costumes for special projects with Alison Chase, such as The Urban Nutcracker, Rockabolus for Radio City Entertainment, and Lucid Dreams at Carnegie Hall. She has designed over twenty productions for Pilobolus Dance Theatre, including costumes for the Salt Lake City Olympics. Her work has been seen at The Joyce Theatre in NYC, The Kennedy Center, The Shubert Theatre in CT, Wolf Trap, The Emerson Theatre in Boston, and internationally in Europe, Japan, and South America. She has designed for Momix for the 100th Anniversary of Fiat in Italy, for the Elliot Feld company at the Joyce theatre, The Perks Dance Company at the Joyce, Faust Works Theatre and the European tour of Attack Theatre Company Her creative credits also include designs for The Public Theatre in NYC, Joe’s Pub at the Public in NYC, The Rainbow Room, Cirqus Flora at The Kennedy Center, Syracuse Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, Yale Repertory Theatre, Yale University Theatre, Yale Experimental Theatre, Yale Cabaret, Long Wharf Theatre Company.
STACEY BOGGS (Lighting Designer) is an award-winning lighting designer working internationally in theatre, opera, dance, and TV. Recent works include Black Water & Savior (City Lyric Opera), La Calisto (Montclair University), La Carmencita (Lincoln Center), 9 to 5 (Ohio Northern University), Verses at Work (651 Arts), Make a Joyful Noize (Carnegie Hall), Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes) co-design with Lucrecia Briceno (La Jolla Playhouse), Afrocosmicmelatopia (Afrofuturism Festival), Everything for Dawn (EiO), The in[heir]itance Project (14 th Street Y), Amp (Here Arts Center), Theatre Three’s Tick Tick Boom, The Prom, Something Rotten, Guys and Dolls, and Miracle Worker. She has designed with Bill T. Jones, Dianne McIntyre, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Toshi Reagon, Doug Varone, Y Music, Manuel Vignoulle, Robert Moses, and Christopher Wheeldon. She is a graduate from the University of Evansville with a BS in Theater and Technology and NYU Graduate Design Program with an MFA in Lighting Design. Proud member of USA 829. https://www.staceyboggs.com/
WENDY ANN GARDNER (Props & Puppetry) is a composer, lyricist, and author who lives in New York City. She wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Windywoo and Her Naughty Naughty Pets, which was presented in the 2015 New York Musical Theater Festival as a Developmental Reading, directed by award-winning Jonathan Cerullo, produced by Tony Award-winning producer Greg Nobile (Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, Sweeney Todd, Gypsy) and Seaview Productions. Wendy was nominated for two Gemini Awards in 2006 and 2007 for her Animated TV show, The Naughty Naughty Pets, produced by CBC Canada and Decode Entertainment, which aired on Cartoon Network, CBC, BBC, NHK, and has been translated into 7 languages and syndicated worldwide. She also wrote a series of children's books about the Naughty Naughty Pets characters, published by Hyperion Books for Children in 2006. (an imprint of Disney) She is the founder and creator of Scary Stories Inc., which licensed her unique graphics, commissioned by many companies, notably, Target, Nylabone, Paul Frank Industries, Mudpuppy, and Fiesta for use as logos, branding, and character art. Her illustrations of the Naughty Naughty Pets have been licensed worldwide to create various products and accessories since 1998. She is a member of ASCAP, ACTRA, and the Dramatist Guild and sits on the board of All Out Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting prejudice through the arts. Wendy Ann Gardner is an Honors graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD), Toronto, Canada, and is currently in the Master's of Visual Arts Education program at Hunter College. She is currently working on a musical adaptation of her children’s book, "Yes, A Cat Named Marty Cohen".
CARLA COSTABILE (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be working on her first production at AMT Theater! Sound designer/operator and actress born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel de Falla and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Her stage credits include The Polar Express Train Ride, I Will Call Again, The Dropouts, and several productions with Teatro SEA. She has also worked on numerous productions at both AMDA and the Gerard W. Lynch Theater. Carla appeared on stage at Rapiña: Cuatro Obras de Amor y Depredación, for which she received the 2020 ATI Award for Best Actress in a Short Play.
CONNOR KOPKO (Production Stage Manager) found his love for theatre upon moving to New York. He has stage managed all over the city, as well as The Thorn on their national spring tour. Other recent work includes Cirque: The Spirit of Christmas at the Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor, Coriolanus with HCTC, Blueprint: A DNA Musical, and Everyday Charlie at the Tank, as well as producing his Red Umbrella Theatre Company's site-specific production of All My Sons. Connor continually searches for ways to tell unique stories, and thanks God for the ability to work with such wonderful productions, sharing the joys of theatre."
SAMANTHA GOLDMAN (Stage Manager) Samantha Goldman is thrilled to be working on her first production at AMT Theater! With a BA in Theater & English from Binghamton University you’ll find her with a book in hand. Other stage management credits include; Ride the Cyclone, Kiss - (Queen’s College) & Plot Twist, Julius Caesar - (Prague Shakespeare Company).
HELENE GALEK of HELENEGALEKCASTING (Casting Director) Helene is thrilled to work on Mr. Puppy, The Musical with such a fine creative team! Helene has been casting in the indie world for over a decade and has worked on such varied projects, including films, musicals, revues, plays, and voiceover. She has led casting seminars and coached actors. Helene also works as an actor and writer. You can find out more about her at www.helenegalek.org
SYDNEY WEISER (Assistant to the Director/Choreographer) is an NYC-based actor/director. She has directed the new works Liberty Belles (Carousel Music Theater) and I’m Living in a Wonderland (Marymount Manhattan College), and assistant directed Oh! What a Lovely War at the York Theatre. Sydney holds a BFA in musical theatre and directing from Marymount Manhattan College, where she also had the honor of being valedictorian. Her acting credits feature the TheaterWorks USA national tour of Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte), Indecent at Playhouse on Park (Chana/Halina/Vera swing), Windywoo and Her Naughty Naughty Pets at the Legacy Theatre (Ella), The Spongebob Musical (Sandy) and The Rocky Horror Show (Columbia) at the Barn Theatre, A Christmas Carol at the Rochester Opera House (Christmas Past) and The Marvelous Wonderettes at Carousel Music Theater (Betty Jean). Additionally, her props designs have been featured Off Broadway with EPIC Players and regionally at the Barn Theatre. Sydney extends tremendous gratitude to loved ones who support her as she hops around the country from theatre to theatre. sydneyweiser.com @weisersydney
ABBS LYMAN (Observership / Production Assistant) is thrilled to be joining the Mr. Puppy team! She is a 2024 graduate of Manhattan School of Music with a focus in Musical Theatre. Since graduating Abbs has been directing and teaching at Broadway Rise Academy. Other credits include MSM’s Freshman Pops (Guest Director), Urinetown (Assistant Director), Rhinoceros (Director) and The Taming of the Shrew (Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Dramaturgy Intern). Thank you to Jonathan S. Cerullo for this opportunity! Follow the journey - @_.abbs
RRR CREATIVE (Publicity and Marketing) is a boutique agency of seasoned communicators, designers, and brand strategists specializing in visual identity, communications, and image direction. With the expertise of a large firm and a highly personal approach, we craft bold, imaginative strategies that elevate our clients' work across entertainment, lifestyle, and the arts. Founded by industry veterans who have represented over 30 Broadway productions and led campaigns for numerous Tony Award-winning talents, RRR Creative blends cultural insight with creative vision to deliver standout storytelling, branding, and design. We empower clients to shine by amplifying their unique voice and freeing them to focus on what they do best. Visit us at RRRCreative.com or @rrrcreative on Instagram.
STARRY NIGHT PRODUCTIONS (General Manager) in 2019 and 2022, completed the North American Tour of Broadway and the Bard, starring Len Cariou. She produced the Off-Broadway Premiere of SILENCE! The Musical (Christopher Gattelli, Hunter Bell, Jon & Al Kaplan), the unauthorized parody of the iconic film "The Silence of the Lambs", to critical acclaim, sold-out houses, and a two-year run. Winner Off Broadway Alliance Award and the Obie Award for Best Musical. Donna is the artistic producer of Amas Musical Theatre, a non-profit performing arts organization in New York City dedicated to equity and multi-ethnic casting and devoted to the creation, development, and production of original musicals and the education and training of young people since 1968. She was an associate artistic director at the Cabaret and Performance Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Center in CT. B.A. SUNY Binghamton and National Theatre Institute grad.
JOSHUA WARNER STUDIOS (Production Manager) is proud to provide production management services for Mr. Puppy, The Musical. Backed by years of experience in professional theater, spanning commercial, regional, and touring productions, our studio specializes in bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical execution. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, Joshua Warner Studios ensures every production runs smoothly from pre-production through closing night. @JoshuaWarnerStudios