ROB BARTLETT
The following is used with permission from Rob Bartlett and http://robshow.com (added March 19, 2007)
Rob is currently back on Broadway starring in Chicago through June 7, 2007.
Rob Bartlett started performing stand-up comedy in 1978 hoping it would lead to a career in acting. Nearly 30 years later, Rob has become one of the most versatile performers around. He is a successful actor, stand-up comedian, radio personality and writer.
Rob started in stand-up comedy at Richard M. Dixon's White House Inn, a talent showcase club on New York's Long Island run by the presidential look-alike. In the early years, Rob supported himself by day as an elevator operator and telephone salesman for radio advertising. It was at Dixon's club where Rob met a 17-year-old Eddie Murphy, and the two became fast friends and formed two-thirds of the improvisational trio The Identical Triplets. When the trio broke up shortly after Eddie's debut on Saturday Night Live, Rob went on as a solo act and became a headliner in comedy clubs and colleges across the country. He was headlined at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Atlantic City's Tropicana and Hilton Hotels, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort and Casino. On television, Rob has appeared on the MTV Half Hour Comedy Hour, Standup Spotlight on VH1 and on Late Night with David Letterman and Conan O'Brian.
In 1986, Rob became a regular in-studio guest of Don Imus and radio station WNBC 66AM. When the station was sold and the Imus In The Morning Program moved to the WFAN studios in Astoria, Rob became a contract player, and has since written and performed some of the show's popular cast of characters. He has brought some of them, such as Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Camilla Parker Bowles, former president Bill Clinton, and Dr. Phil to the new Imus In The Morning set at MSNBC.
Rob appeared in the films Sex O'Clock News (1984), Spin the Bottle (1999), Table One (2000), and provided the voice of Boss Baker Bunny in the animated feature, The Easter Egg Escapade (2005). Rob's other television credits include starring roles on the Paramount/CBS comedy special What's Alan Watching?, ABC's Move the Crowd, and a recurring role on NBC as attorney Milton Schoenfeld on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Rob is very proud to have been voted one of the "TopTen Worst" wrestling announcers in history for his short-lived stint at color commentator of the WWF Monday Night Raw. He wrote and starred in the Public Television special, Rob Bartlett's Not For Profit T.V. Special, produced by CPTV, which was nominated for five Emmy Awards and won for Best Writing and Best Entertainment Program.
Rob made his Broadway debut as author and star of More to Love. His other Broadway credits include Amos Hart in Chicago, Mr. Mushnik in the 2003 revival of Little Shop of Horrors, and as Herman in the 2005 revival of Sweet Charity with Christina Applegate. In the fall of 2005, he began performances as Speed, the poker playing crony of Oscar and Felix, in the revival of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. His other stage appearances include Golden Boy and Pardon My English for City Center's Encores! and he won a Drama Desk award for his role in the Off-Broadway play Tabletop.
Rob lives on Long Island with his wife Sharon and their three sons, none of whom are working yet, much to their dismay.
DERRICK BASKIN
The following is used with permission from Derrick Baskin and www.myspace.com/derrick_baskin (added February 1, 2007)
Derrick was born at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. From there he began his trek around the world. His family (4 sisters, 1 brother, mom, dad) lived in Illinois, Germany, Japan, California, Texas, and Virginia...spending most of the time in Germany (Ramstein Air Force Base) and Japan (Yokota Air Force Base). Derrick has been singing all his life, influenced by his mom's love of opera (Kathleen Battle and Jesse Norman) and his dad's love of jazz (Coltrane, etc.).
Derrick bought a one-way ticket to New York (actually Newark and then took a bus to New York) and started his life there. He didn't know anyone and had no place to stay, but he knew it was the right decision. So he got a job at TGIF where he met these kids who were auditioning for RENT. Derrick hadn't heard of the show, but decided to go and audition and ended up being on the evening news.
Derrick has worked regionally in Weston, Vermont; Salt Lake City, Utah; Florida's Broward Center and North Shore Music Theater; and other places doing some good shows: AIDA (Mereb), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Adrian/Victor), Memphis (Gator), Ragtime, and Hello Dolly! All of that has led him to.....BROADWAY!
Derrick is currently playing the role of "The Comfort Counselor - Mitch Mahoney" in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
SHOSHANA BEAN
The following is used with permission from Shoshana Bean (added March 14, 2007)
Shoshana grew up in Portland, Oregon. Her mother was a dance teacher in an urban school district and her father was a perpetual rock-n-roller. Her grandmother was responsible for giving Shoshana a deep appreciation for Jazz and Showtunes (she was a singer in the USO Clubs during World War II). From a very early age, Shoshana studied dance and participated in local community theater productions. She began classical vocal training at age 13, and by age 17 had solidified her decision to pursue a career to exercise her singular passion: singing. She attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater.
Shoshana wasted no time in heading to New York City. There she was cast in the Off-Broadway revival of GODSPELL and with the release of the cast album, which included her rousing rendition of "Bless the Lord," she had earned herself a spot on the musical theater map. Immediately following GODSPELL, she became increasingly interested in and involved with the pop music scene. Her first high-profile gig was singing back-up for a huge lineup of stars including Usher, Liza Minelli, Gloria Estefan and Luther Vandross, as well as her childhood idols Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson at Jackson's 30th anniversary concert celebration. The concert was a two-night sold out event at Madison Square Garden and Shoshana recalls it as "one of the most electrifying nights of my life." Inspired by this thrilling experience, she began focusing on writing, recording and performing her original music around the city.
But the stage kept beckoning. She made her Broadway debut in the critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning original cast of HAIRSPRAY. Following her two year run in HAIRSPRAY, she took over the role of the famed green witch, Elphaba, in the smash hit musical WICKED. During her run at WICKED, she made multiple television appearances including performances on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "MTV's Made," "Martha," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "Soul Train Christmas Starfest." She also sang the National Anthem for the New York Giants, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
Shoshana's work in the theater and behind a microphone may be her best known, but no less meaningful are her charitable efforts. She has donated her talents to perform at countless benefits, been actively involved with Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS, organized charity benefits for Quilts for Kids and the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and recently helped a class of 5th graders in Queens, NY raise funds to fulfill their hopes of seeing a Broadway show.
Harvesting her life experiences to date and her diverse background of musical influences, Shoshana is currently working on writing and recording her original music and through it, hopes to reach as many people as possible.
Visit Shoshana at www.shoshanabean.com or www.myspace.com/shoshanabean2
photo credit above 2 photos: Curtis Brown
NICK BLAEMIRE
The following is used with permission from Nick Blaemire (added March 19, 2008)
Nick Blaemire is currently appearing on Broadway in Cry-Baby: The Musical.
Born and raised just outside of Washington, D.C., Nick is currently gaining notice as an exciting young performer and songwriter. After graduating from the Sidwell Friends School, he attended the University of Michigan where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre in 2006.
Nick has appeared in the New York/Touring productions of Altar Boyz (1st National Tour), Spiderman (Pre-Broadway reading), Cry-Baby (Pre-Broadway workshop at the La Jolla Playhouse), BMI Songwriter's Showcase (Manhattan Theatre Club), Edges and Greeneyes (Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre), and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie... (Lucille Lortel Theatre). Regionally, he has appeared in Cry-Baby (La Jolla Playhouse), Calvin Berger (Gloucester Stage Company), Kiss Me Kate (Weston Playhouse), Urinetown, The Wild Party, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Chorus Line (all at University of Michigan), Rocky Horror Show (Actor's Theatre of Washington), and Footloose (Toby's Dinner Theatre).
Nick, along with friend James Gardiner, wrote their first book musical Glory Days (formerly titled Ass Backwards) which received its world premiere production at the Signature Theatre in January of 2008. Nick is currently working on a new musical, When the World Ends, with his friend Brian.
Visit Nick at www.nickblaemire.com or www.jamesandnick.com
photo credit: Robert Mannus
RICHARD BLAKE
The following is used with permission from Richard Blake and www.richardhblake.com (added May 27, 2007)
Richard Blake is a talented actor, singer and dancer who has been performing since he was eight years old. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Richard got his start when he was discovered in a dancing competition when he was only eight. Richard performed in his first show A Broadway Baby at the Goodspeed Opera House when he was only eight and a half.
At the tender age of twelve, Richard made his Broadway debut, playing the role of Archie Roosevelt in Teddy and Alice. From there, he went on to star as Macduff's Son in Macbeth on Broadway with Christopher Plummer when he was thirteen and starred as the lead, Jay-Jay, in
Prince of Central Park when he was fourteen. On a short hiatus from his theatre career, Richard Blake also competed in Star Search, winning the competition. He then starred as Roger Davis in Rent and played the lead role of Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. Richard also starred as Radames in Aida, Link in Hairspray, Glen Guglia in The Wedding Singer and currently is starring as Warner Huntington III in the hit new musical Legally Blonde, now playing at the Palace Theatre!
STEPHANIE J. BLOCK
The following is used with permission from www.stephaniejblock.com (updated January 27, 2007)
Stephanie J. Block. Broadway audiences know Stephanie for her portrayal as Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman in THE BOY FROM OZ and just recently in the First Nat'l Touring Company of WICKED as Elphaba for which she won the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.
Some of her regional credits include FUNNY GIRL (2000 Robby Award - Best Actress), CRAZY FOR YOU (2002 L.A. Ovation Award Nominee), OLIVER (2001 Critics Award-Best Actress), James Joyce's THE DEAD (The Ahmanson Theatre and Kennedy Center), TRIUMPH OF LOVE (2002 Robby Award- Best Supporting Actress), I LOVE A PIANO (the Denver Center), THE GRASS HARP (Pasadena Playhouse), BELLS ARE RINGING (Reprise!), and the World Premiere of WICKED.
Her voice can be heard on the original cast recording of THE BOY FROM OZ and numerous commercial jingles including the singing voice of Barbie. She is currently recording her debut solo album. She is a proud member of The Musical Theatre Guild and has been a member of Actors' Equity since 1995.
Stephanie is currently working on the new musical THE PIRATE QUEEN. For more information about the show including news, videos and cast information, visit www.thepiratequeen.com.
photo credit: Bill Westmoreland
photo credit: Joan Marcus
photo credit: Joan Marcus
DANIEL BOGART
The following is used with permission from Daniel Bogart and www.danielbogart.com (added February 13, 2007)
Dan grew up on a small farm in Houston, OH with his three brothers Matt, Dominic and Kevin who all happen to share similar interest in theatre and/or music. After one year as a vocal performance major at Miami University in Oxford, OH, Dan transferred to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he earned a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Dan now resides in New York City with his wife, Jayne Paterson, and is currently making his Broadway debut in the revival of Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre playing the roles of Combeferre, Bamatabois, and Marius (u/s). No stranger to Les Miz, Dan spent over 3 years in the national touring production - first, as a member of the ensemble and, eventually, moving his way into the role of Marius. Dan's stint with Les Miserables landed him overseas in Shanghai, China where her performed with Colm Wilkerson who originated the role of Jean Valjean in both the London and Broadway companies. This production at the Shanghai Grand Theatre had the distinction of being the first Broadway musical to play in China.
His other credits include The Ballad of Little Jo at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company (directed by Tina Landau), True History & Real Adventures at the Vineyard Theatre (directed by Michael Mayer), Dust & Dreams at the York Theatre Company, Phantom at Music Theatre of Wichita and appearances on As The World Turns and Guiding Light.
RON BOHMER
The following is used with permission from www.ronbohmer.com (updated January 27, 2007)
Ron has joined I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, the long-running, Off-Broadway hit which recently played it's 4000th performance. The cast, which includes Anne Bobby, Jodie Langel, and Charlie Pollock, portrays over 60 roles in a collection of delightful scenes and songs. The show features music by Jimmy Roberts with a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro, who also created The Thing About Men.
Broadway/Tours: Sir Percival Glyde in The Woman in White, title role in The Scarlet Pimpernel (NBTA award nom,), title role in The Phantom of the Opera, Joe Gillis in Sunset Blvd. (Jefferson Award nom.), Alex in Aspects of Love, Enjolras in Les Mis, Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof.
Off-Broadway: Sebastian in The Thing About Men, Forbidden Broadway S. V. U., Howard in The Joys of Sex. Regional: title role in Floyd Collins, Bed & Sofa (Barrymore nom.), title role in U.S. premiere of Dracula, Wintergreen in Of Thee I Sing.
TV: "Rescue Me", "Law & Order: SVU", "One Life to Live".
Solo Recordings: Everyman and Another Life.
Married to actress Sandra Joseph. Proud father of daughters Cassidy and Austin. www.ronbohmer.com.
Ron will next be seen in touring in fall 2007 with the new musical Frankenstein.
TODD BUONOPANE
The following is used with permission from Todd Buonopane (added May 16, 2007)
Todd made his Broadway debut as part of the original company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Todd's Off-Broadway credits include Don't Quit Your Night Job, Mudge in Henry and Mudge (Lortel) and The Butter and Egg Man (Atlantic Theatre Company). He was also in the National Tour of Godspell. Regional credits include Hershel in Gemini, The Musical (Prince, Barrymore nomination), Willie in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Goodspeed), and Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Fireside). Todd's Readings/Workshops include In My Life, Escape from Pterodactyl Island, Fat Camp, and Once Upon a Time in New Jersey. TV/Film credits include Cupid in Herbal Essences Dump Cupid campaign, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and The Black Donnellys.
Todd is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
TITUSS BURGESS
NORBERT LEO BUTZ
The following is used with permission from www.norbertleobutzonline.com (updated January 27, 2007)
Full Name: Norbert Leo Butz
Occupation: Singer, Actor, Performer
Date of Birth: January 30th, 1967
City Of Birth: St Louis, Missouri
Relations: 7th of 11 children of the Butz Family
Wife Sydney (Separated)
Daughters Clara Virginia and Maggie Lou
Educational Background: Bishop Dubourg High School (St Louis, Missouri)
Webster College (B.A. In Theatre)
Alabama Shakespeare Festival (M.F.A)
Broadway Debut: Rent (1996) Norbert Leo Butz has originated an impressive number of critical acclaimed characters and roles. His biggest roles to date include: taking over the role of Roger Davis (and being a swing for many of the principal characters) in the long running fan favorite Rent; the featured role of Camille, the murdered husband in Harry Connick Jr's Thou Shalt Not (His first Tony Award nomination); the role of the young and hopeful Jewish writer Jamie in The Last Five Years (Drama League Award for Best Actor among others); an award winning portrayal of the ghoulish Emcee for the National Broadway Tour of Cabaret (Helen Hayes Award); the role of Fiyero, the fun loving, dancing-through-life Winkie prince who comes to be the love object of the two witches Elphaba and G(a)linda in Wicked; and finally, the crude, vulgar, coniving, yet strangely lovable Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Norbert received his second Tony nomination and his first, well-deserved Tony Award for the role as well as garnishing almost all of the top awards for leading actor in a musical for 2005).
Look for Norbert next in the film, "Dan in Real Life", coming to theaters soon!
