The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess

TODD M. KRYGER is thrilled to be a part of his first Court Theatre production.  Credits include: International: Disney’s The Lion King (Mufasa).  Broadway: Showboat   National Tours: Showboat, Ragtime (Booker T. Washington), and Disney’s The Lion King.  Regional: Hot Mikado (PooH-BaH), Big River (Jim), The Civil War (Clayton Toler), Man of LaMancha (Tenorio/ u/s Padre), Smokey Joe’s Café (Adrian/Ken), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), The Gifts of the Magi (Him) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Caiaphas).  T.V.: All My Children.  Thanks always to God, my fiancé Erin and my Mom Gladys.

ALEXIS J. ROGERS returns to Court Theatre after just closing a nationally acclaimed Porgy and Bess as ‘Bess.’ Other Chicago credits include The Wiz (Theatre at the Center), The Old Settler (Writers’ Theatre), The Piano Lesson (Court Theatre), Seven Guitars and Black Nativity (Congo Square Theatre Company), If All the World Were Paper (Chicago Children’s Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Goodman Theatre), and Ragtime (Porchlight Theatre Company). Regional credits include Black Nativity (Kennedy Center, DC), Merchant of Venice (The Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC), and Civil War and Big River (Barn Theatre, MI). Alexis is a proud member of Congo Square Theatre Company, AEA, and AFTRA.

BEAR BELLINGER is ecstatic to be making his Court Theatre debut with Porgy and Bess. Previous credits include The Boys Next Door and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Rent with Big Noise/Ouroboros Theatres, and Tommy with Circle Theatre. He would like to thank his DC, Wisconsin, and Chicago families for always making him feel at home no matter where he is!

SEAN BLAKE is happy to return to one of his favorite places, Court Theatre. Previous Court credits: Raisin, Carousel, and Caroline, or Change (Movement Consultant). Broadway National Tour: Hal Prince's Show Boat. Regional credits: The Rose Tattoo, The Story, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Goodman Theatre); Purlie (Goodman Theatre/Pasadena Playhouse); Bounce (The Goodman Theatre/Kennedy Center original cast recording); Man of La Mancha (Longwharf Theatre); Nobody (Alabama Shakespeare Theatre).

WYDETTA CARTER is elated to be making her Court Theatre debut with this production. National tours include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Dreamgirls. Past shows include Hairspray, Menopause: The Musical, Hats! The Musical, All Shook Up, Show Boat, and The Trojan Women. Thanks to God for his many gifts and family for their continued love and support. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity.

Matt Holzfeind is honored to make his Court debut. Recent credits include: The Three Faces of Dr. Crippen at the Steppenwolf Garage Repertory (with Strange Tree Group, where he is a company member), Peter Pan (Lookingglass), The Hiding Place (Provision), Strauss at Midnight (Theater Oobleck), Romeo & Juliet (TUTA), Threepenny Opera (Hypocrites). Also: Writers', Chicago Children's Theatre, Goodman, The House, Eclipse, and Congo Square. As well as: A Crew of Patches--which brings Shakespeare to High Schools.

JAMES EARL JONES II is making his Court debut. James just finished playing the role of Mereb in Drury Lane Oakbrook’s Aida. His work has garnered Black Theatre Alliance Awards & African American Alliance Awards. Regional credits include: The Midwest Premiere of Spamalot, Ragtime (Drury Lane Oakbrook), A Civil War Christmas (Northlight), Annie get your Gun (Ravinia), Porgy & Bess (Lyric Opera of Chicago & San Francisco Opera), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway in Chicago & Mason Street Warehouse), Full Monty (Marriott), Black Nativity (Goodman/Congo Square), Dessa Rose (Appletree), Rigoletto (American Opera Group), Aspects of Love, I Pagliacci, On the Town, The Gondoliers, Patience, H.M.S. Pinafore & Pirates of Penzance. You can hear his voice on various radio & TV commercials! Thanks to Charlie, Doug & Ron for this opportunity! For Semaje…

JOELLE LAMARRE successfully completed a European tour of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess with the New York Harlem Production. Ms. Lamarre performed for audiences in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Italy and received favorable reviews for her roles as Serena and Lily. She was highly praised in the February 2010 issue of Chicago Magazine as a “young Leontyne Price.” She has performed at Ravinia, Goodman Theatre, and numerous Summer Festivals. For more info, visit www.joellelamarre.com.

BRIAN ALWYN NEWLAND makes his Court Theatre debut. Chicago credits include In Darfur (Timeline Theatre). Cats (Theo Ubique) Big River (Boho Theatre), B-A is a native of Guyana, South America. He holds a BM in voice performance from Appalachian State University & a Master in voice from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Thanks to everyone in the cast and on the production team. For more info visit: www.brianalwynnewland.com.

HARRIET NZINGA PLUMPP is proud to be home at Court Theatre where she last appeared in Caroline, or Change. Her Chicago theatre credits include: The Absolute Best Friggin' Time... (Second City etc); Rush Limbaugh... (Second City etc); Porgy and Bess (Lyric Opera); Caroline, or Change (Court); Boys Are Coming Home (AMTP); Loving Repeating:A Musical of Getrude Stein (About Face/MCA/Best New Musical-Jeff Award/Original Cast Recording); Man of LaMancha (Court/Best Ensemble & Best Musical-Jeff Award); Bubbly Black Girl (Apple Tree); A Little Night Music, Rogers and Hart Revue (Ravinia); Regional Credit: Bounce (Goodman & J.F.Kennedy Center/Jeff Award/Original Cast Recording). Harriet's best project to date is her family PII & PIII.

KELVIN ROSTON, JR. is elated to be back on Court Theater's stage. He was last seen here as Sylvester in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Kelvin's Chicago credits include: The Nativity, Saint James Infirmary, The Old Settler, Drip, Get Ready, Pill Hill (BTAA winner/best actor in an ensemble ), Nothing But the Blues, Those Sensational, Soulful 60's, and others. Regional credits include: Ruined, Death and the Kings Horsemen, Before it Hits Home, Dreamgirls, The Last Days of Judus, and others. Kelvin is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

BETHANY THOMAS is making her Court debut. Credits include: She Loves Me (Writers' Theatre); Sweet & Hot, Cabaret, Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You... (Theo Ubique); Yeast Nation (ATC); Into The Woods, Once On This Island, Nine, Ragtime, In Trousers (Porchlight); Fiorello! (TimeLine); Dessa Rose (Apple Tree); The Life (BoHo); The Rocky Horror Show (Mercury Theatre); Blues Brothers Revival (CCPA).  Bethany is the proud recipient of a Black Theatre Alliance Award, an After Dark Award and two Jeff nominations.

TRAVIS TURNER returns to the Court where his credits include Carousel (also Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT) and Raisin (Black Theatre Alliance Award Nomination, Best Featured Actor). Other credits include: Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein (About Face); Ragtime and High School Musical (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Hairspray, The 25th Annual Putnam Co. Spelling Bee, High School Musical and Footloose (Marriott Lincolnshire); Willy Wonka, Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew, Seussical and The Princess and the Pea (Chicago Shakespeare). Education/ Training: Northwestern and the School at Steppenwolf. Thanks to Doug, Charlie, Melissa, Mary, Mom and Dad.

ADRIENNE WALKER is excited to make her debut at Court Theatre. She has performed in L'Enfant et les sortileges (CCPA), Flashlight Weddin' (CCPA), Porgy and Bess (Atlanta Opera Company), and opera scenes of The Consul, Carmen, Louise, and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Harrower Opera Workshop). Adrienne received her BA from Spelman College, and her MM from CCPA at Roosevelt University this April. She is honored to be working with such a talented cast & crew!

BYRON GLENN WILLIS is excited to be a part of this amazing production. He was last seen at Court Theatre’s Jeff Award-winning Caroline, or Change. Other credits include Once On This Island, Dreamgirls, Treasure Island (Marriott Theatre), Big River and Civil War (Barn Theatre), The Buddy Holly Story (Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre), Dessa Rose (Apple Tree Theatre), Congo Square’s Black Nativity (Goodman Theatre), Purlie (Goodman Theatre/Pasadena Playhouse), Ragtime (Light Opera Works), My Heart Is Crying, Crying--The Jackie Wilson Story, Sensational Soulful 60’s, and Doo Wop Shoo Bop (Black Ensemble Theatre), Five Guys Named Moe (Drury Lane Evergreen Park), Nefertiti (Deeply Rooted Production), Higher Ground (Human Race Theatre), and the European Tour of Hair (Scala Theatre Company). Film: Barbershop 2, R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet, Detroit 1-8-7, Chicago Code, and a host of commercials. Byron is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. He gives much gratitude for this opportunity and special thanks to Charlie and Doug. "I Thank the Creator of All for All!"