La Cage aux Folles
More about the show
Jerry Herman’s crowd-pleasing, rollicking and heartwarming musical about family, commitment, and loving who you love is widely considered one of the greatest musicals of all time. The winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, La Cage Aux Folles remains one of musical theater’s biggest hits, and perhaps more timely than ever.
~RUNNING TIME~
ACT ONE: 55 minutes | ACT TWO: 50 minutes
Sponsored by Theater League
Creative Team
music & lyrics by
JERRY HERMAN
book by
HARVEY FIERSTEIN
directed by
Daisy Buckët & Tim Scott
choreography by
TINA JANE ROJAS
music director
TY TUTTLE
scenic designer
SARAH REED
costume designer
GEORGIANNA LONDRE
lighting designer
SHELBI ARNDT
sound designer
JON ROBERTSON
stage manager
LACEY WILLIS
Performers
Christopher Barksdale-Burns
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Christopher was a dancer with the Kansas City Ballet for 21 years. He was a member of the First National Touring Company of The Will Roger’s Follies as the the Indian of the Dawn and the Ensemble. He later went into the chorus of the Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway and on tour. He has worked at Los Angeles Opera, Royal Opera of New Zealand , and many other opera companies throughout the country and around the world. He now teaches dance at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice in Overland Park as well as stages works and choreographs for schools, theaters and companies around the country. He is also the Resident Choreographer for the Black Repertory Theater of Kansas City under the Direction Damron Armstrong.
Colleen O'Gara
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Colleen O’Gara is a recent graduate of The Conservatory of the Performing Arts at Stephens College. She is an actor, singer, and dancer. Some of her recent credits include Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer at Okoboji Summer Theater and Rusty in Footloose at Stephens College. She hopes you enjoy the show! colleenogara.com and @colleenogara.
Courtney Germany
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Courtney Germany, a Kansas City native, grew up dancing locally and studied at The University of Kansas Department of Dance as well as BDC in New York City. Courtney has appeared in MTH productions as well as served as a Teaching artist at our summer camps. Courtney’s MTH credits include Blame is On The Boogie, Stevie – Signed Sealed Delivered, A Spectacular Christmas, and Cabaret.
Eddie Andrews
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Eddie Andrews is delighted to be performing with MTH again! He last appeared with MTH as Mr. Andrews in Titanic. Earlier this summer, Eddie was seen as Joe in Music Theatre Wichita’s production of 9 to 5: the Musical.
Other select credits: Two musicals with ArtsPower National Touring Theatre, Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) and The 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (Leaf) at Okoboji Summer Theatre. Enjoy the show!
Jackson Tomlin
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Jackson Tomlin is beyond excited to be returning to MTH! Apart from performing, he’s served as Stage Right Performing Arts Co-Director of Choreography 2021-2023 as well as choreographing musicals at highschools and different companies in the KC area! He’s thrilled to be combining his two favorite arts, theatre and drag, alongside some beautiful souls. He’d like to thank Miller Marley, SRPA, EH, FS, SW, MM and his incredibly supportive friends and family! @jacksonn_tomlinn & @thee_allura
Julian Rivera
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Julian (He/Him) is making his MTH debut! Favorite roles include Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit them (Kenny), Sister Act (Pablo) and Legally Blonde (Courtney). Also known as Luna Flare (She/Her), Kansas City’s favorite “Queen of Cosplay.” Luna is an award-winning cosplayer and a featured subject and producer of the Cosplay documentary film “What We Can Be” directed by Nick Young, (Amazon Prime). She is also proud of her work with organizations such as Children’s Mercy and The Make-A-Wish Foundation. Come see her host Saturday Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s KC. Follow @mslunaflare across social media for more information!
Keenan Ramos
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Keenan Ramos is humbled to be back at MTH. A graduate of Kansas State University, he has performed in National Tours with the Kennedy Center and regionally at the Huntington Stage in Boston. Locally, Keenan has performed with the Unicorn Theatre, KC Rep, and most recently with The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s production of Julius Caesar.
Margo Mikkelson
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Margo is thrilled to be returning to the MTH stage, having last appeared in Autumn Leaves: The Ruby Room Series. Her most recent roles were Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly, Hera in H.O.T. at the Unicorn Theatre, and DeeDee Allen in The Prom. She is also a Music Director and accompanist. She has 3 children, and lives in Prairie Village with her husband Eric. Thanks for coming to La Cage Aux Folles, we hope you enjoy the show!
Phil Fiorini
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Secret Garden (Music Theater Heritage), Fly By Night, Violet, and Hands on a Hardbody (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati), Sherwood, Chicago, Addams Family Musical, (New Theatre Restaurant) Finian’s Rainbow (Spinning Tree), La Cage Aux Folles (Kansas Repertory Theatre) The Lion King (National Broadway Tour)
Ryan Russell
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An incoming senior Recreation & Sport Management student at the University of Arkansas, Ryan is excited to return to the stage this summer in La Cage Aux Folles. He’d like to give a special thanks to his family, friends, and teachers for their unwavering support. Favorite credits: John Truitt in Meet Me in St. Louis (TIP), “She Cries” soloist in Songs for a New World (UofA) Jonny Warner in Zombie Prom (TIP), Crutchie in Newsies (TIP), Nick Bottom in Something Rotten (MTKC), Chad in All Shook Up (SMN HS), and Bert in Mary Poppins (MTKC). Wooo Pig! IG: @_ryan.russell
Sydnee Bell
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Sydnee is a multifaceted artist coming from Gainesville, Virginia, now residing in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating from the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, she began her professional journey with Quixotic and MTH Theater. Sydnee has showcased her talent in productions such as “Cabaret,” “Blame it on the Boogie,” “Music of the Nights,” “Whiskey Dynamite,” and “A Chorus Line.” Her on-screen appearances include Tech N9ne music videos and Boost Mobile commercials, and she has collaborated with artists like Zava and Victoria DePaula. As an award-winning young choreographer, Sydnee is highly sought after by professional artists in Kansas City. She is passionate about inspiring and mentoring young artists, dedicating time to create opportunities for aspiring dancers in the KC area. With a wealth of experiences behind her, Sydnee eagerly looks forward to furthering her career and continuing to make a positive impact in the performing arts community.
Terry O'Reagan
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This is Terry’s first production for Music Theater Heritage and he is very happy and proud to be a part of it. Terry has been seen in last summer’s Heart of America Shakespeare Festival production of The Tempest. Recently he performed for The Unicorn for their production of The Inheritance. Support live theater!
Musicians
Ty Tuttle
Piano
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Ty Tuttle is a KC-based pianist and musical theatre coach. An Illinois native, he received his Master’s degree in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has since served as an accompanist at several theaters and universities in the Midwest.
Recent Credits: A Chorus Line, Secret Garden, Titanic, Godspell (MTH), Mamma Mia! (Central Illinois Stage Co.), and Legally Blonde (Starlight).
Kassie Ferrero
Bass
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Kassie Ferrero has been playing the bass for over 20 years. She regularly performs with orchestras such as the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and the KC Symphony. While classical music is her bread and butter, you can also find her throughout the KC Metro performing in musicals and contemporary concerts.
As an educator, Kassie has a private teaching studio, working with students of all ages and levels. She received her B.M. degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory, both with a focus on double bass performance. Outside of music, you can find Kassie baking, enjoying time with her family, or helping others at KC Cannabis, her second home.
Laura Saylor
Trumpet
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Laura Saylor is a freelance trumpeter and music educator based in KC, MO. She has performed in national tours and presented educational chamber music clinics, masterclasses, and recitals. She was the co-founder of the Iowa-based Tallgrass Brass Band and Motherlode funk band. She is the former principal solo cornetist of the Eastern Iowa Brass Band.
Past performing credits include Bruce Vantine’s Cornerstone Chorale and Brass, the Quincy Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, the Iowa Brass Quintet, Brass Transit Authority, and Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx.
Karita Carter
Trombone
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Playing the trombone has opened the door to many wonderful musical experiences. Karita has participated in musical events that have featured both local and national artists within the world of Jazz, R&B, Musical Theater, etc. Her intentions are to continue to expand on her musical experiences in all genres.
Aryana Nemati
Reeds
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Aryana Nemati has been playing the saxophone, flute, and clarinet for the past 15 years. She studied at UMKC’s conservatory, receiving her bachelor’s in Jazz Performance/Studio Music. In 2017 she received a master’s degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Today Nemati performs regularly with bands of various genres and has recorded with many local and international artists including Harry Connick Jr., Bobby Watson, Mindi Abair, The Four Tops, Sister Carol, Naggo Morris, Harold ‘Spike’ Bonhart, and Ernie Andrews. She currently teaches out of her own personal studio, at UMKC, and the Tune Shop in Leavenworth, KS.
Kyle Brown
Drums
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MTH: Gypsy; Cabaret; My Fair Lady; The Producers; Cats; Christmas Spectacular; Buddy’s Holly Jolly Christmas; Local: Quality Hill Playhouse: I’ve Got Rhythm; Aquarius; New Theatre Restaurant: Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story; Church Basement Ladies; Menopause The Musical; Spinning Tree Theatre: Violet; West Side Story; 13; Assassins; Caroline, Or Change; Unicorn Theatre: Hands On A Hardbody; Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson.
Gallery
Meet the Makers
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