DIANA KAARINA
The following is used with permission from Diana Kaarina (added April 14, 2007)
Diana was last seen in the Broadway company of Rent as the Mimi/Maureen swing. She left Rent to perform her favorite role to date, mother to her wonderful daughter who was born in June 2006.
Diana began her career in her hometown of Vancouver, Canada, doing television commercials, radio voiceovers and cartoon voiceovers. She is recognized by Anime fans everywhere as the English voice of Lychee in the movie Ranma 1/2: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China. She originally studied to be a ballet dancer, but after winning awards and scholarships in vocal competitions, she decided to combine the two mediums and pursue musical theatre.
Diana's first professional opportunity was given to her by Jacques Lemay, the choreographer for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, who cast her while she was still in high school as a dancer in the Charlottetown Festival's Anne of Green Gables. Shortly thereafter, she was given the role of Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera. She performed this role in the Toronto company, the Vancouver company, and the historic Asian tour which traveled to Hong Kong and Singapore and was the subject of a documentary for the BBC. Les Miserables was next, and she performed in that show for 5 years. Diana had the honor of performing as Broadway's last Eponine in the 2003 closing company of Les Miserables. She also played the role in the National Touring Company, for which she was nominated for a National Broadway Touring Award as Best Actress in a Musical (fellow nominees included Marilu Henner and Eartha Kitt). She also originated the role of Miss Dorothy Brown in the First National Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Diana has also been a part of many readings and workshops. Favorites include Sister Act, Liberty Smith, Tale of Two Cities, and the role of Cinderella in Disney's Twice Charmed. She is also a singer/songwriter and has worked as a session singer on many demo recordings in both the musical theatre and pop fields.
ANDY KARL
The following is used with permission from Andy Karl (added April 16, 2007)
Andy is currently appearing on Broadway in Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Andy is originally from Baltimore where he began working in the theatre as a teen. He studied voice, music and art at universities around Baltimore including Towson State and Maryland Art Institute. He moved to New York in search of work as an actor and found success on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, and in film and television. Andy has originated roles in Romeo & Burnadette (Best Actor nomination - Carbonell Awards), Altar Boyz (Bes Musical OCC and Billboard Chart album), Slut The Musical, Disney's On The Record and Legally Blonde.
On January 10, 2001, Andy married the lovely and talented Orfeh. They currently reside in Manhattan. They have starred together in many shows including Saturday Night Fever, Me & Mrs. Jones, Nights on Broadway II, and now appear together in Legally Blonde as Kyle and Paulette (the duo brought together with a touch of the Irish). They continue to seek work together as often as they can.
Also a songwriter, Andy is a composer at the Lehman Engle BMI Musical Theatre Workshop under a full scholarship.
Visit Andy at www.andykarl.com
REED KELLY
The following is used with permission from Reed Kelly (added March 10, 2007)
Reed Kelly was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota where he grew up playing hockey, as any true Minnesotan boy would. At the age of twelve his mother decided to enroll him in an all-boys dance class that met once a week, because he had always loved music and equally loved to move to it. Thus began his training at Larkin Dance Studio and from that first class it was Reed's new passion and remains so to this day. He continued his training at Minnesota Dance Theatre, The Julliard School and American Ballet Theatre.
Reed has spent time on both coasts and everywhere in between. Some of his most recent credits include the romantic 2007 Valentine's Day comedy starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore "Music and Lyrics". Reed is also a "Hemocyte", a blood-thirsty super-evolved human being, in the November 2007 release of "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith.
He currently resides in New York City where, in 2004, he made his debut in the Ensemble of Wicked on Broadway, also understudying the role of "Chistery" the trustworthy and affectionate monkey-servant to The Wizard of Oz and friend to Elphaba. After the filming wraps on "I Am Legend" it is off to see The Wizard again, resuming his role in the Broadway company of Wicked.
Other performance credits include working with Elton John, Cher, Jessica Simpson, 'NSYNC, Stevie Wonder, Michelle Branch, Vanessa Williams, Kristine W. and Mai Kuraki. Additional performance credits include Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes; National Radio Shack commercials; NBC's hit family drama "American Dreams"; Elton John's music video "In the Heart of Every Girl" from "Mona Lisa Smile"; a company member of Myo Dance/Aerial Arts LA; Dance Break 2005 for choreographer Ray Leeper; performing in the opening ceremonies for the Paralympics 2002; and a solo performance opening the Inaugural Ball for the Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota in 2001. Lastly, Reed has done industrials for Redken, Warner Brothers, Target, Marshall Fields and Gap. Not forgetting to mention at least a million dance competitions growing up...Reed sends out great thanks to his Mom!
Reed is a proud card-carrying member of Actor's Equity Association, Screen Actor's Guild, and American Guild of Variety Artists. He feels very blessed for all the gifts God and others have shared with him to get him where he is today.
Visit Reed at www.myspace.com/reedkelly
ANDY KELSO
The following is used with permission from Andy Kelso and www.andykelso.com (added February 22, 2007)
Andy Kelso is an Actor/Singer/Dancer/Guitar Playing Rock Star living in New York City. All of that is true except for the Rock Star part. He is originally from Aurora, Colorado (a suburb of Denver) where his family still lives. He attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where he received a BA in Theater. After graduation, Andy stayed in the Denver area and did various shows at The Country Dinner Playhouse, The Arvada Center, and Walden Family Playhouse. All the while, He (and few of his greatest friends) were in a rock band called DizzynovA!
After about a year or so, he finally made "The Move" and has now been living in the city for about 3 years. And what a 3 years it has been! Andy has had many odd jobs, taken numerous classes and lessons, and spent a summer in Atlantic City doing Footloose at Trump Plaza. In addition, he recently became an uncle as his sister and her husband gave birth to Stephen Elijah Jones on September 26, 2005. And to top things off, not a month after that, Andy made his Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! at the Winter Garden Theater where he is currently playing the role of "Sky".
photo credit: Laura Rose
GRASAN KINGSBERRY
The following is used with permission from Grasan Kingsberry (added March 17, 2007)
Grasan most recently appeared on Broadway in The Color Purple. His other Broadway credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Aida. Grasan has also performed works by Paul Taylor, Ohad Naharin and Jiri Kylian.
Grasan is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from the Julliard School with a Bachelor's degree in Dance.
Grasan can next be seen in the upcoming Warner Brothers feature film I Am Legend.
MICHELLE KITTRELL
The following is used with permission from Michelle Kittrell and www.michellekittrell.com (added February 4, 2007)
Michelle Kittrell, a native of Atlanta, Ga., departed for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida before she had even graduated from high school. After three months as a summer Kid of the Kingdom, she ventured across the world to Tokyo Disneyland where she spent the next seven months playing such roles as Alice, Wendy and Snow White in One Man’s Dream.
From there, Michelle took the plunge and headed to the Big Apple. The day after her arrival, she landed her first New York job in the workshop of Girl of My Dreams presented by Musical Theatre Works. Since then, she has steadily worked in Europe, across the United States and on the Great White Way. Broadway credits include: Hairspray, All Shook Up, Urban Cowboy, Sweet Smell of Success, Seussical, Footloose, Grease, Wonderful Town, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Regional credits include: Chicago, Ragtime, Redhead, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, West Side Story, and Good News! Michelle has also toured in Victor/Victoria, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and 42nd Street (Europe).
In musical theatre, Michelle has held various positions including understudy, dance captain and principal roles. In addition, she recently appeared on "Law and Order." Michelle teaches workshops and master classes in NYC as well as around the country.
Michelle can be seen in the new musical LEGALLY BLONDE at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theater from January 23rd through February 24th. Previews begin on Broadway at the Palace Theater on April 3rd, followed by opening night on April 29th.
photo credit: Tim Schultheis
RENEE KLAPMEYER
The following is used with permission from www.evildeadthemusical.com
Renee's Broadway credits include: The Producers (u/s and performed Ulla); 42nd Street (original cast recording); Anything Goes (Lincoln Center benefit). Renee also performed in the National tour of The Producers (Ulla). Her Film/TV credits include: The Producers (1st pearl girl/soundtrack recording); The Today Show; Guiding Light; David Letterman. Renee was last seen Off-Broadway in Evil Dead The Musical.
SARA KRAMER
The following is used with permission from Sara Kramer and www.sarakramer.com (added March 4, 2007)
Sara starred as Sophie in Mamma Mia! which marked her Broadway debut. Prior to her Broadway run, she toured nationally with the show, which earned her a Carbonell Award nomination.
Sara performs regularly as a soloist with various symphony orchestras across the country in The Fabulous Fifties pops concert. She was privileged to sing "God Bless America" at Fenway Park during a Red Sox vs. Yankees game, as well as the National Anthem at the Meadowlands during a Nets vs. Sixers game. She performs in many benefits throughout the year, donating to such causes as the NYCLU and Toys for Tots. Sara writes her own music and has played the popular New York venues Joe's Pub and The Cutting Room.
Sara is currently working toward earning her undergraduate degree at NYU's Gallatin School, as well as attending Chef's Training Program at The Natural Gourmet Institute.
DOUG KREEGER
The following is used with permission from Doug Kreeger and http://dougkreeger.com (added January 30, 2007)
Doug is currently making his Broadway debut playing Jean Prouvaire (and understudying Marius) in Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre.
He has appeared Off-Broadway as Richard Loeb in THRILL ME: The Leopold and Loeb Story. Other New York appearances include: Stu in YANK at NYMF; Todd in SWIMMING UPSTREAM at the New York International Fringe Festival (won the 2005 Fringe Festival Award for Outstanding Actor); Matt in BEACH RADIO at Cap 21 Theatre; Henri in THE EMBRACERS at Hudson Guild; Tom in TEA AND SYMPATHY at TOSOS II; and American Admiral in PACIFIC OVERTURES at Abe Burrows Theatre.
Regional credits include: Spangler in THE HUMAN COMEDY at Barrington Stage Company; Coyote (understudy) in THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' at the Old Globe; Cain in CHILDREN OF EDEN at the Arkansas Rep; Tribe/Featured in HAIR at the Bay Street Theatre; Kenickie in GREASE with the Reagle Players; David in MILK AND HONEY at Forestburgh; and Eros/Ceasar in ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA at RADA.
Doug also played Slightly in the National Tour of PETER PAN; Daddy Zuko in the International Tour of GREASE; and Berger in the International Tour of HAIR.
Doug received training at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts (B.F.A.); The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London (Shakespeare in Performance Practicum); and The School for Film and Television in New York City (On-Camera Scene Study - Julia Carey).
His special skills include stage combat; weird sounds: elephant, monkey, dolphin; double-jointed; licensed driver (standard or automatic); swimmer; and wiffle ball.
