Fiddler on the Roof

Jerry Lee is Sierra Rep’s Artistic Director. He’s appeared in the SRT productions of Misery, Sunday in the Park with George, Elf The Musical, Shrek The Musical, Camelot, Cabaret, Route 66, Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Man of La Mancha, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s State Fair, and The Drowsy Chaperone. As an actor: I Love You…Change, Forbidden Broadway (California Musical Theatre); Life Could Be a Dream, A Christmas Carol (CenterREP); A Little Princess, The Fantasticks (Sacramento Theatre Company); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Orlando, An Iliad, A Tale of Two Cities (SacImpulse Theatre). As a soloist: Rodgers and Hammerstein Celebration (Sacramento Choral Society); Billy Bigelow in Carousel in Concert (Sacramento Philharmonic). As a director: HAIR, Little Shop of Horrors, Mean Girls JR., Sh-Boom! A Christmas Miracle (World Premiere), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Twelfth Night, Jersey Boys, Clue, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Elvis The Musical (West Coast Premiere), Dogfight, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Steel Magnolias, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka KIDS, I Love You…Change, The Wizard of Oz, Holiday Jukebox, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Robber Bridegroom (SRT); I Love You…Change (STC). Lee began his association with Sierra Rep in 2010 when he stepped in as a replacement in Guys and Dolls.

In 2019, Lee created SRT in Schools, a touring program that brings live professional theatre to Tuolumne County schools at no cost to the schools, students, or their families. In 2023, the program branched out to include Stanislaus and Calaveras counties.

As a proud theatrical multi-hyphenate, SRT has continually inspired and challenged Courtney as an artist since her debut here in 2007. More recent SRT credits include The Witch in 2024’s Into the Woods and serving as director for Constellations last season. She was also seen in 2023 just across the county line as Cathy in The Last Five Years at Murphys Creek Theatre. Career highlights beyond the California Foothills include the original Broadway company of The Woman in White, the Australian tour of Sweeney Todd, and the Austral-Asian premiere of Ragtime with The Production Company in Melbourne, Victoria.

Previous SRT credits: White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast. Tour: Fiddler On The Roof dir. by Bartlett Sher. Singer with the Satin Dollz. You may also hear my voice narrating your audiobooks. Thank you to Scott & Jerry, my reps at Dulcina Eisen Associates, and my wonderful husband, Spencer.

Camryn is thrilled to be entering her third season as an Artistic Associate at Sierra Rep. Previous SRT credits include: Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Sunday in the Park with George (Dot/Marie), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy Lou), Cinderella (Ella). Camryn has had the pleasure to perform at other regional houses including Casa Mañana and Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. Camryn received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona. She would like to thank her friends, family, and SRT for their endless love and support. Enjoy the show!

Natalie is thrilled to be doing her first show with Sierra Repertory Theatre! She’s based in Sacramento and is a recent graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA). Other regional credits include Mrs. Whitman’s Words For Women (Alice/Harriet), Much Ado About Nothing (Donatella, Dance Captain, Constance and Ursula U/S), and Beauty and the Beast (Napkin Swing). Natalie wants to thank her friends and family for their constant support.

Adelaide is 10 years old and a fourth-grade student at Gold Rush Charter School. She is ecstatic to be appearing in her very first SRT main stage production. Previous credits include SRT Junior productions of Frozen Jr. (Baby Folk), Finding Nemo Jr. (Kai), and Descendants Jr. (Royal Page). Coming from a long line of theatre performers and patrons, Addie is proud to be continuing in their footsteps. She would like to thank her family, her voice teacher, and everyone at SRT for their continued teaching and support. Be sure to see Addie again on the SRT stage in Fiddler on the Roof Jr.

Madilynn, a sixth grader at Tenaya Elementary School, is thrilled to make her main stage debut with Sierra Rep in Fiddler on the Roof. Previous credits include Descendants Jr., The Wizard of Oz Jr., and Cyrano de Bergerac with SRT Jr. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing production and would like to thank her family and friends for their ongoing support as she continues her theatrical journey.

Maryann Curmi has been delighting theatergoers throughout the region as an actor and director for over forty years. First stepping onto SRT’s stage back in the early 80’s she performed in siz shows between 1981-1985. After moving to Santa Cruz, she landed the role of Carol in the rock musical Angry Housewives which soon became the city’s longest-running show with a record-breaking one-year run.

Her long relationship with Sonora’s Stage 3 Theatre Company included acting in over 30 shows. Among her memorable performances were: Barbara in August Osage County, Sister Aloysius in Doubt, and Mrs. Kendall in The Elephant Man. Her directorial credits there included A Streetcar Named Desire, A Man for All Seasons, Barefoot in the Park, Driving Miss Daisy, and, Over the River and Through the Woods, among many others.

Maryann spent 16 years as the Morning Drive radio show host on Sonora’s Star 92.7 KZSQ FM station and is now providing voice-over messages for YMCAs all over the country.

Most recently Maryann has enjoyed working at Murphy’s Creek Theatre where she both acted in and directed Accomplice, and The Game’s Afoot.

She is absolutely thrilled to be back at Sierra Repertory Theatre!

Nick is grateful to be joining the SRT team! Nick was last seen as the Grinch alternate in the national tour of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical! Favorite credits include SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical, Lord Farquaad in Shrek, Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, and Bentley Barracuda in Baby Shark’s Big Broadwave Tour. For Grammy and Great.

SRT shows: Little Shop, The Play That Goes Wrong, Sunday in the Park, Love/Perfect/Change, The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Off-Broadway: On The Right Track (AMT Theater), Rio Uphill (The York), Edgar and Marie (NYTF). Select Regional: Gentleman’s Guide, (The Engeman, Oregon Cabaret), Great Comet (Capital City), Jane Eyre (New City MT: Revised World Premiere). Composer/Lyricist/Book for the new adaptation of A Room with a View (NYC Broadway Shark Tank winner). Thanks to Scott & Jerry! All my love to Juliebird. @RWAVMusical

SRT audiences may remember John over the years as Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Col. Parker in ELVIS as well as music directing many productions. John has had the pleasure to work at several regional houses including Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Barn Theatre, Amarillo Opera, Ocean State Theatre, American Musical Theatre of San Jose, TheatreWorks, Hope Summer Rep. appearing in such roles as: Plankton in Spongebob Squarepants, Igor in Young Frankenstein, Madam in Pacific Overtures, Maj. General in Pirates of Penzance, Uncle Fester in Addams Family, and Doolittle in My Fair Lady. John’s Conducting / Music Directing credits include Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Tommy, Into the Woods and Zorba.

Hunter is a California-based actor and sound designer, and is ecstatic to be making his Sierra Rep debut! He is a recent graduate of Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s Professional Actor Training Program. Regional credits include Lucky Stiff (Harry), Something Rotten! (Shylock), Elf (Buddy), Beauty and the Beast (Monsieur D’Arque), Waitress, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Of Mice and Men. Outside the theatre, he is also a competitive Super Smash Bros player.

Tom studied English and Theatre at CSU Chico. He acted and directed with small theatre companies in the Bay Area before moving to The Central Valley to teach high school. He last appeared as Nunzio in MCT’s Over the River and Through the Woods. Favorite roles include Prospero (The Tempest), Robbie Ross (Our Country’s Good), The Herald (Marat/Sade), Van Helsing (Dracula), Charlie (What I Did Last Summer), and Don Carlos (A Flea in Her Ear).

Nathan is thrilled to be making his Sierra Rep debut in Fiddler on the Roof! Recent credits: Paper Brigade (The Drama League), Grease (Metropolis PAC), New Faces Sing Broadway 1960 (Porchlight Music Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Drury Lane, Beef and Boards, Music Theater Works), Dragons Love Tacos (Northbrook Theatre), Newsies, Hairspray (Skylight Music Theatre). Special thanks to his friends, family, and partner Jacob who have always supported him.

Gideon is super excited to be making his SRT debut in this golden age classic! Gideon is a recent graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) and has recently featured in Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio), Annie (Bert Healy), J&tATD (Dan), Lucky Stiff (Luigi/Tony), and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). When he’s not on stage, you can find Gideon walking his dogs, playing D&D with his friends, putting time in at the gym, or practicing piano.

Alex is thrilled to be making his SRT debut this Spring with Fiddler on the Roof! A Chicagoland native, Alex received his B.A. from the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Recent credits include Rent (Paul, u/s Roger), Something Rotten (Bard Boy), and Into the Woods (Ensemble, u/s Jack). He would like to thank all of his family, friends, mentors, and support system.

Laurie Strawn is delighted to be a Resident Company member at SRT. Recent SRT roles: Glinda/Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz, Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods, Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone. Other SRT favorites include: Old Woman/Blair in Sunday in the Park with George, Annie Wilkes in Misery, and Clairee in Steel Magnolias. With love and thanks to all at SRT, and to her Lee and Julia, Laurie says, “Thank you for supporting live theater. Welcome!”

Lee started his career in the mid-West where he performed as Sweeney Todd and Professor Harold Hill (among many others.)  He came to California with the First National Company of The Phantom of the Opera (LeFevre). Bay Area performances include John Muir’s Mountain Days (Shellie Award – Best Actor in a Musical), Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Pickering in My Fair Lady, and Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music with Theatre Works, Diablo Theatre Co., AMT, Pocket Opera and 42nd Street Moon. At SRT Lee was last seen as The Wizard of Oz. Before that he performed in SRT’s Into the Woods and The Drowsy Chaperone as well as Man of La Mancha (2000). Lee met his talented wife here at SRT and is delighted to be on stage with her again.

Jason Wells is absolutely delighted to be making his SRT debut with Million Dollar Quartet Christmas! Some of his recent credits include: Adam (Freaky Friday), Hans (Cabaret), and Drums (Little Shop of Horrors). He’s a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory Theatre Professional Actor Training Program and when he’s not onstage, he’s likely behind the scenes making costumes, building props, or putting sets together. He’d like to thank all his friends and family, specifically his father, for inspiring him to become “The King” he is today.

Brenda O’Brien began her theater career in San Diego, where she was seen as Judas in Godspell, Louise in Gypsy, Nicki in Sweet Charity, and Viola in Twelfth Night (to name a few). She received awards for her roles as Ouisa in Six Degrees of Separation, Joan in Dames at Sea, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, and Electra in Gypsy. Brenda then went on to perform as Svetlana in the 1st National tour of Chess. Soon after she began portraying Carmen San Diego on the PBS television show and video games. In addition to acting, Brenda is an accomplished make-up artist and hairdresser for TV, Film, and Theater. She received her 25 years on Broadway pin in 2019 for her work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, Jekyll & Hyde, and Disney’s The Lion King. SRT Audiences might remember her as Tanya in Mamma Mia (2018), or as Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis (2021). So glad to be back!

Bio coming soon. 

Kason is excited and honored to be a part of this amazing production. He is a 16 year old junior at Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy. Kason first took the stage in 2018 with SRT Jr and hasn’t missed an opportunity to perform since then. Favorite SRT credits include: The Wizard of Oz Jr (Tinman), The Little Mermaid Jr (Grimsby), and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Youth Ensemble). He would like to thank his family, his friends, and the SRT team for always believing in him.

Maverick is thrilled to be a part of this incredible production! He is 12 years old and attends Columbia Elementary. He was recently seen in SRT’s mainstage production of A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge/Edward Cratchit), and Cryano de Bergerac (Cyrano) and The Wizard of Oz [Youth Edition] (Lion) with SRT Jr. He loves being up on stage and finds his true happiness performing. On his spare time he also enjoys art, music, animating and hanging out with friends. He is grateful for this opportunity and wants to give a huge thank you to all of his family and everyone at SRT! He hopes you enjoy the show!

Michelle is thrilled to be part of this production alongside such a talented group of artists, including her daughter, Adelaide. Theatre has been a part of her life for more than two decades, and she is delighted to be returning to this beautiful world as an understudy for the ladies. Alongside raising 4 children, Michelle owns and operates Beloved Doula Services, where she supports families in her community as they grow. Favorite past credits include Barefoot in the Park (Corie), The Foreigner (Kathrine), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Trisha), and Noises Off (Brooke). Thanks to everyone at SRT and much love to her mama and husband, Zadok.

Charlie Munday is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and a Broadway World–nominated choreographer for his work on Mamma Mia!, Elf: The Musical, and Young Frankenstein. Originally from Australia, Charlie has loved creating work that celebrates storytelling through movement. Some other choreography credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Dogfight, [title of show], and Nunsense. Charlie is grateful to the artists he collaborates with and sends his love to his parents, family, friends and husband Justin.

Joseph Stein won the Tony Award and Drama Critics Circle Award for Fiddler on the Roof. His other musicals include Zorba (Tony nomination, Drama Critics Circle Award); Rags (Tony nomination); The Baker’s Wife (Olivier Award nomination, London); Take Me Along (Tony nomination); Juno; Irene (starring Debbie Reynolds); The King of Hearts; All About Us; and Enter Laughing: The Musical (Lucille Lortel nomination, outstanding revival). He also co-authored, with Alan Jay Lerner, Carmelina; and with Will Glickman, Mr. Wonderful (starring Sammy Davis, Jr.), The Body Beautiful, andPlain and Fancy. His plays are Enter Laughing, Before the Dawn, and Mrs. Gibbons’ Boys. Stein grew up in the Bronx and first became a social worker while pursuing writing on the side. He began his career in TV and radio, writing for “The Sid Caesar Show,” “Your Show of Shows,” “Henry Morgan Show,” and many others, and for personalities including Tallulah Bankhead, Phil Silvers, Jackie Gleason and Zero Mostel. On Broadway he made his debut contributing to the theatrical revues Lend an Ear (featuring Carol Channing) and Alive and Kicking. He wrote the screenplays of Enter Laughing and Fiddler on the Roof, for which he won the Screen Writers Guild Award. In 2008, he was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Jerry Bock was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 23rd, 1928. That was his first out-of-town tryout. Thirty years later, he and Sheldon Harnick gave birth to The Body Beautiful in Philadelphia. That was his fourth out-of-town tryout. In between was Catch a Star, a fleeting revue that, according to critic Walter Kerr, posed the question; “What do you call something between a flop and a smash?” Kerr’s answer? “A flash”. Next, Jule Styne and Tommy Valano midwifed Bock, Larry Holofcener and George Weiss into birthing Mr. Wonderful starring Sammy Davis Jr. The title song and “Too Close For Comfort” are still active off springs. Bock and Harnick’s celebrated collaboration yielded five scores in seven years. The Body Beautiful, Fiorello! (winner of Broadway’s triple crown: The Tony Award, The New York Critics’ Circle Award and The Pulitzer Prize in drama, the fourth musical to do so). Tenderloin, She Loves Me – (winner of Variety’s poll of critics as best musical, citing Bock and Harnick as best composer and lyricist). Fiddler on the Roof – (nine Tonys, notably the citation for best musical of the year), The Apple Tree and The Rothschilds. In addition to the 1989 silver anniversary production of Fiddler (from which a major excerpt was featured in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway), a highly esteemed revival of The Rothschlds enjoyed a successful run off-Broadway the following year. Since then, Bock and Harnick were triply honored by being inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame, receiving the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Spirit of American Creativity Award from the Foundation for a Creative America. But the “award” that Bock held near and dear was the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Wisconsin. It was there that he met his wife Patti, and it was there that he decided to be a composer. Mr. Bock was a member of a number of professional guilds and associations, among which the BMI Foundation, Inc. was a membership he relished. As for Patti, his wife, George, their son and Portia, their daughter, Bock confessed they were his longest running hit. Jerry Bock passed away in 2010.

Born: April 30, 1924 – Chicago Portage Park Grammar School 1930-1938 Started studying violin while in grammar school. Carl Schurz High School 1938-1942. (Continued violin studies and music theory at the Boguslawski Musical College). During junior and senior years at Schurz began to write parodies, sketches and some original songs with collaborator Stanley Orzey. Drafted 1943. Honorable discharge 1946 (Rank: T-4). While stationed at Robins Field, Georgia, worked as a performer and wrote songs for shows put on by our volunteer Special Service Group. (I was a technician in the Signal Corps, attached to the Air Force; the entertaining was done on my own time.) Also, entered Yank Magazine’s parody contest and was one of five 2nd prize winners. After discharge from Army worked as a violinist in Bud Whalen’s dance band around Chicago. Northwestern University School of Music 1946-1949; Bachelor of Music Degree, majoring in violin. Contributed to Northwestern’s annual student revue, the Waa-Mu Show: 1947-48-49-50-51-52-53. Also, one year wrote the score for the “water” show, the Dolphin Show. After graduation worked with Henry Brandon’s dance orchestra around Chicago and the Midwest. (The size of the band had to be trimmed to continue to get engagement: I was one of several musicians let go.) Worked with Xaviar Cugat’s orchestra on a theater date in Minneapolis but was fired after the first show. Came to New York in 1950 to try to be a theatrical song writer. First song in a Broadway show: “The Boston Beguine” in “New Faces of 1952”. In the next few years I contributed songs to the following On and Off-Broadway revues (with music either by myself, David Baker or Lloyd B. Norlin): Two’s Company, John Murray Anderson’s ‘Almanac’, The Shoestring Revue, Shoestring ’57, Kaleidoscope, The Littlest Revue, Vintage ’60. (Also had songs in several Julius Monk Cabaret shows.) Did lyrics for first book show, Horatio (Book: Ira Wallach, Music: David Baker). Produced at Margo Jone’s theater in Dallas in 1954. (This show was later produced Off-Broadway in 1961 under the title Smiling the Boy Fell Dead). Worked on theater staff of summer resort, Green Mansions, for the full summer season of 1955, half the season of ’56 and several weeks in ’57. Called in to write lyrics, anonymously, on The Amazing Adele (1956 – never came to Broadway); Shangri-La (1956). Also Portofino (1958) where my lyrics, alas, were not anonymous.

SHOWS WITH JERRY BOCK (whom I met in 1956): The Body Beautiful (1958), Ford Tractor Show (Closed-circuit TV Industrial Show, 1959). Fiorello (1959). Tenderloin (1960). Man in the Moon (1963) for the Bil Baird Marionettes. She Loves Me (1963). To Broadway with Love (1964) (For New York Fair). Fiddler on the Roof (1964). Baker Street (Contributed several songs anonymously: 1965). The Apple Tree (1966). The Canterville Ghost (1966) (TV Musical). The Rothschilds (1970). Also, wrote material for the then Mayor of New York, John V. Lindsay, for his appearances before the ‘Inner Circle’ (Press Club Show) 1966-70-71-72-73. INDUSTRIAL SHOWS From 1958 to 1959 I did Industrial Shows for firms like Buick, Esso Gas, Nabisco, Columbia Phonograph, Milliken, etc., and did one Ballantine Beer TV Commercial (with Jerry Bock) in 1965. SHOWS (AND SONGS) WITH MARY RODGERS: “Pinocchio” (1973) for the Bil Baird Marionettes. Song: “William’s Doll” for Marlo Thomas’s TV Special: “Free To Be You and Me” (1974). SHOWS/FILMS WITH MICHEL LEGRAND: A Song for a King” (Unproduced film). “A Christmas Carol”. The first production was a Christmas tour in 1981. Stock and Amateur production rights are now handled by the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organziation. “Aaron’s Magic Village” Animated film released in U.S. in 1997. (Released in Europe as “The World is One Big Chelm” in 1955.) SHOWS (AND SONGS) WITH JOE RAPOSO Theme for TV series written by Alan Alda: “We’ll Get By” (1974). “Alice in Wonderland” (1975) for the Bil Baird Marionettes. “Sutter’s Gold”, a Cantana. Premiere: Boston Symphony Orchestra (1980). “A Wonderful Life” – Musical based on the film “It’s a Wonderful Life”. First production: University of Michigan (1986). Stock and Amateur rights now handled by the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization. OPERAS: With JACK BEESON: Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines. Premiere: Kansas City Lyric Theatre, Missouri (1975). Originally recorded by RCA, now available on Desto Records. Dr. Heidegger’s Foundation of Youth. Premier: National Arts Club, NYC (1978). Recorded by CRI Cyrano: Premiere: Theater Hagen; Hagen, Germany: September 10, 1994. With THOMAS Z. SHEPARD: Love in Two Countries: comprising two one-act operas: That Pig of a Molette  and A Question of Faith. Premiere: Musical Theatre Works, Theatre at St. Peter’s Church, NYC (1991). With HENRY MOLLICONE: Coyote Tales – Commissioned by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City (Missouri). Premiere: Kansas City, March 7th, 1998.

By MYSELF: Frustration, a ‘mini-opera’ in one brief act. Premiere: Encompass Theatre, NYC (1979), Frustration was one of several short comedic operas included in a presentation called “Fantasies Take Flight”. ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS/ADAPTATIONS: Stravinski: L’Histoire du Soldat. Premiere: Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia, with Bil Baird’s Marionettes (1967). Renard. (Commissioned by PBS, not yet produced.) Ravel: L’Enfant et les Sortileges. Premiere: The Manhattan Music School (1971). Now the ‘official American translation’. Mozart: L’Oca del Cairo (“The Goose from Cairo”). Premiere: Lyric opera of Kansas City, Missouri (1982). Lehar: The Merry Widow. Premiere: San Diego Opera Company, featuring Beverly Sills, (1977). Bizet: Carmen. Premiere: Houston Grand Opera Company (1981).(they commissioned the translation). An abbreviated version of my translation, slightly revised, became the English version of Peter Brook’s La Tragedie de Carmen. Premiere: Vivian Beaumont Theatre, NYC (1984). Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne. Seven of these had their first performance in a concert given by Marni Nixon, NYC (1982). J.S. Bach: The Contest Between Phoebus and Pan (Cantana). Commissioned by the Bach Aria Group. Premiere: Stony Brook, NY (1988). The Appeasement of Aeolus (Cantata). Commissioned by the Bach Aria Group. Premiere: Stony Brook, NY (1990). Chabrier: Une Education Manquee (“A Flawed Education”). This, along with L’Oca del Cairo was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera’s ‘Mini-Met’. (Not yet produced.) Jean-Michel Damase: The Heiress“. Translated from the French libretto by L. Ducreux based on the Ruth and Augustus Goetz play, which was in turn based on Henry James’s novel “Washington Square”. (Not yet produced in English.) Edouard Pailleron: Le Monde ou L’on S’Ennuie: (“A World Where Boredom Reigns”). (Not yet produced.) Eugene Labiche/Edouard Martin: Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon (“Monsieur Perrichon’s Vacation”). (Not yet produced) Verdi: “Questa o Quella” (aria from “Rigoletto”). Translated for Placido Domingo to perform on his TV Special (1985). Ives: Elgie. Translation used as the final song in Jerome Robbins ballet Ives Songs. Premiere: NY State Theatre (1988). Ghetto: Translations of Yiddish songs for use in the play of that name by Joshua Sobol. (Of a dozen songs, I translated half; Jim Friedman translated the other half). Premiere: Mark Taper Forum, L.A. (1986). Michael Legrand: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (text by Jacques Demy). Premiere: NY Shakespeare Festival Theatre (1979). Michael Legrand: L’Amour Fantome (text by Didier van Cauwelaert) (Not yet produced.) Song: “A Friend Has Gone Away” (French: “Un Ami S’en Est Alle” – lyrics: Jean-Michel Damase.

JEROME ROBBINS is world renowned for his work as a choreographer of ballets as well as his work as a director and choreographer in theater, movies and television. Although he began as a modern dancer, his start on Broadway was as a chorus dancer before joining the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre in 1939, where he went on to dance principal roles in the works of Fokine, Tudor, Massine, Balanchine, Lichine, and de Mille. His first ballet, Fancy Free (1944) for ABT, still in many repertoires, celebrated its fiftieth birthday on April 18, 1994. While embarking on his career in the theater, Mr. Robbins simultaneously created ballets for New York City Ballet, which he joined in 1949, and became an Associate Artistic Director with George Balanchine. Mr. Robbins has directed for television and film as well, with his co-direction and choreography of West Side Story winning him two Academy Awards. After his Broadway triumph with Fiddler On the Roof in 1964, Mr. Robbins continued creating ballets for New York City Ballet. He shared the position of Ballet-Master-in-Chief with Peter Martins until 1989. He has created more than 60 ballets, including Afternoon of a Faun (1953), The Concert (1956), Les Noces (1965), Dances At a Gathering (1969), In the Night (1970), In G Major (1975), Other Dances (1976), Glass Pieces (1983) and Ives Songs (1989) which are in the repertories of the New York City Ballet, the Ballet de l’Opera de Paris and major dance companies throughout the world. His most recent ballets include A Suite of Dances with Mikhail Baryshnikov (1994), 2 & 3 Part Inventions (1994), West Side Story Suite (1995) and Brandenburg (1996) all of which premiered at New York City Ballet. In addition to his two Academy Awards, Mr. Robbins’s awards and citations include four Tony Awards, five Donaldson Awards, two Emmy Awards, the Screen Directors’ Guild Award and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Mr. Robbins is a 1981 Kennedy Center Honors Recipient, was awarded the Commandeur de L’Order des Arts et des Lettres, is an honorary member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, and was awarded a National Medal of Arts as well as the Governor’s Arts Awards by the New York State Council on the Arts. Some of his Broadway shows include On the Town, Billion Dollar Baby, High Button Shoes, West Side Story, The King and I, Gypsy, Peter Pan, Miss Liberty, Call Me Madam and Fiddler on the Roof. In 1989, Jerome Robbins’s Broadway won six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director. He was most recently awarded the French Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur. Jerome Robbins passed away in 1998.

Jerry Lee is Sierra Rep’s Artistic Director. He’s appeared in the SRT productions of Misery, Sunday in the Park with George, Elf The Musical, Shrek The Musical, Camelot, Cabaret, Route 66, Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Man of La Mancha, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s State Fair, and The Drowsy Chaperone. As an actor: I Love You…Change, Forbidden Broadway (California Musical Theatre); Life Could Be a Dream, A Christmas Carol (CenterREP); A Little Princess, The Fantasticks (Sacramento Theatre Company); West Side Story (Mountain Play); Orlando, An Iliad, A Tale of Two Cities (SacImpulse Theatre). As a soloist: Rodgers and Hammerstein Celebration (Sacramento Choral Society); Billy Bigelow in Carousel in Concert (Sacramento Philharmonic). As a director: HAIR, Little Shop of Horrors, Mean Girls JR., Sh-Boom! A Christmas Miracle (World Premiere), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Twelfth Night, Jersey Boys, Clue, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Elvis The Musical (West Coast Premiere), Dogfight, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Steel Magnolias, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka KIDS, I Love You…Change, The Wizard of Oz, Holiday Jukebox, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Robber Bridegroom (SRT); I Love You…Change (STC). Lee began his association with Sierra Rep in 2010 when he stepped in as a replacement in Guys and Dolls.

In 2019, Lee created SRT in Schools, a touring program that brings live professional theatre to Tuolumne County schools at no cost to the schools, students, or their families. In 2023, the program branched out to include Stanislaus and Calaveras counties.

Scott Viets is Sierra Rep’s Executive Producer. He has directed over 60 shows for SRT since his arrival in 2002. As a director, his SRT favorites include The Wizard of Oz, Intimate Apparel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas Story, All My Sons, Shipwrecked, The Robber Bridegroom, and The Glass Menagerie. Thank you for supporting live theatre and continuing (or beginning) your journey with us!

Charlie Munday is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and a Broadway World–nominated choreographer for his work on Mamma Mia!, Elf: The Musical, and Young Frankenstein. Originally from Australia, Charlie has loved creating work that celebrates storytelling through movement. Some other choreography credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Dogfight, [title of show], and Nunsense. Charlie is grateful to the artists he collaborates with and sends his love to his parents, family, friends and husband Justin.

SRT audiences may remember John over the years as Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Col. Parker in ELVIS as well as music directing many productions. John has had the pleasure to work at several regional houses including Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Barn Theatre, Amarillo Opera, Ocean State Theatre, American Musical Theatre of San Jose, TheatreWorks, Hope Summer Rep. appearing in such roles as: Plankton in Spongebob Squarepants, Igor in Young Frankenstein, Madam in Pacific Overtures, Maj. General in Pirates of Penzance, Uncle Fester in Addams Family, and Doolittle in My Fair Lady. John’s Conducting / Music Directing credits include Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Tommy, Into the Woods and Zorba.

Kimily Conkle (Dialect Coach) recently coached Steel Magnolias for SRT and is delighted to join the creative team once again. She has coached dialects extensively throughout the Bay Area, including 20 shows for TheatreWorks (notably the world premiere of Memphis). Other theatres include Marin Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, South Bay Musical Theatre, Broadway by the Bay, Los Altos Stage, The Mountain Play, Foothill Music Theatre, Palo Alto Players, Tabard Theatre, Dragon Productions, Pear Theatre, Woodside Community Theatre, Hillbarn Theatre, Ross Valley Players, and at Stanford University and Santa Rosa Junior College. Kimily has performed with TheatreWorks, San Jose Stage, PCPA Theaterfest, Western Stage, Los Altos Conservatory Theatre, Empire Plush Room, Palo Alto Players, and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is a former member of the Theatre Arts faculty at Foothill College and received her training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, American Conservatory Theater, and Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

Gideon Rappaport, teacher and dramaturge, has taught English and Shakespeare in high school, college, graduate school, and adult education courses and served as dramaturge at North Coast Rep, San Diego Rep, California Shakes, Old Globe, BAYFEST, New Fortune, Intrepid, Coronado, Antaeus, Moonlight (Fiddler on the Roof, 2012, 2025), The Bishop’s School, and La Jolla Country Day School theaters, and for Nathan Agin’s online “Rehearsal Room.” He is the author of Appreciating Shakespeare (2022), William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (2023), Shakespeare’s Rhetorical Figures: An Outline (2024), High School Homilies (2024), and Paradox (2024).

Justin Kelley-Cahill is a California-based theatrical designer originally from Alameda, and a proud UCLA graduate (Go Bruins!). He is passionate about innovative storytelling and strives to illuminate the beauty of our differences through his work, aiming to spark joy and craft a memorable & entertaining experience for all audiences. He is thrilled to be returning to SRT after designing The Wizard of Oz and looks forward to collaborate with such a talented team on Some Enchanted Evening! Recent credits: The Wizard of Oz (SRT), Pacific Overtures (Kunoichi Productions), Electric, I (Theatre of NOTE), Forever Plaid (42nd Street Moon), and RENT (Jaxx Theatricals).

Brenda O’Brien began her theater career in San Diego, where she was seen as Judas in Godspell, Louise in Gypsy, Nicki in Sweet Charity, and Viola in Twelfth Night (to name a few). She received awards for her roles as Ouisa in Six Degrees of Separation, Joan in Dames at Sea, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, and Electra in Gypsy. Brenda then went on to perform as Svetlana in the 1st National tour of Chess. Soon after she began portraying Carmen San Diego on the PBS television show and video games. In addition to acting, Brenda is an accomplished make-up artist and hairdresser for TV, Film, and Theater. She received her 25 years on Broadway pin in 2019 for her work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, Jekyll & Hyde, and Disney’s The Lion King. SRT Audiences might remember her as Tanya in Mamma Mia (2018), or as Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis (2021). So glad to be back!

Emily is thrilled to return to Sierra Repertory Theatre for her second contract, having just served as Assistant Stage Manager for A Christmas Carol. She’s heading into her fourth season with Santa Cruz Shakespeare, where she started as an apprentice on The Taming of the Shrew and has grown into an Assistant Stage Manager for multiple productions. Emily holds a B.A. in Theatre Design and Production from Arizona State University, with an emphasis in Stage Management, and a certificate in Special Events Management. She can’t wait to dive back into creating vibrant, meaningful theatre!

Bitten by the theatre bug at the age of 13 when he saw Carol Channing in Hello Dolly!, Michael began working professionally in theatre at 19 and has never looked back. Born and raised in Hollywood, California, he is a performer, stage manager, director and producer. For the last 17 years Michael has been involved with Sacramento Theatre Company, and recently retired from his position as Executive Director. Favorite productions: The Musical of Musicals and A Little Princess (both featuring Jerry Lee), Bark – The Musical, The Pirates of Penzance, Deathtrap, and Clue: The Musical. For a kid with a love of the theatre, life is good.

Maggie Braun (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at her theatre home! SRT: Steel Magnolias, Murder on the Orient Express, Route 66, The Wizard of Oz, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, and Million Dollar Quartet. With her associate degree in Theater from Modesto Junior College, she is proud to have her dream job here in Sonora. She would like to thank her family, best friends, and Connor for supporting her in her journey of chasing her dreams. “Look ma, I made it!”