GEORGE REINBLATT
(Book & Lyrics / Music)
Toronto’s own George Reinblatt is quickly establishing himself as one of this country’s hottest comedy writers. Over the past few years, George has written for the likes of John Cleese, Tina Fey, William Shatner, Kelly Ripa, Jason Alexander, Howie Mandel, George Lopez, Jim Belushi, Tom Arnold, Tim Allen, Dame Edna, Craig Ferguson, and many more comedic greats at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. George has also written for television programs such as Canada’s Walk of Fame and Rick Mercer’s Monday Report. Evil Dead: the Musical is George’s first stage production.
FRANK CIPOLLA
(Music/ Music Production & Music Supervision)
Frank has performed percussion, keyboards & electric bass for more than 15 years while concurrently studying at the Royal Conservatory of Music program. He recently music directed/arranged York University’s Mock Trial Law School Revue and Queen’s Players Toronto’s The Apprentice Bride. Frank’s passion for performing has translated into a talent for arts management. He holds an M.B.A. in Arts & Media Management and has been the General Manager of numerous arts organizations. Frank would like to thank Anne-Katherine Dionne for her musical wisdom and guidance over the years. This is Frank’s first musical.
MELISSA MORRIS
(Music)
Melissa is a graduate of Queen’s University with a double major in both Music and Theatre. Evil Dead: the Musical is her second musical production, also having composed a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. She is also an actor and singer, performing in Ontario and internationally. Melissa also loves teaching and inspiring young people to perform.
CHRISTOPHER BOND
(Director, Co-creator, Co-composer)
He has been developing and directing Evil Dead with his partners since 2002, including the show’s US debut Off-Broadway (nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical) and its triumphant return to Canada at the Diesel Playhouse (Winner of the 2007 Dora Mavor Moore Audience Choice Award) which also received a Dora nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Musical. Christopher was also a cast member of Tony & Tina’s Wedding at Second City Toronto and directed the horror spectacle FearFest at Paramount’s Canada’s Wonderland. Thanks to a great cast and crew for making the 6th time so groovy.
HINTON BATTLE
(Co-director/Choreographer)
Hinton is a three-time Tony Award winner whose B’way credits include: The Wiz, Chicago, Dreamgirls, The Tap Dance KId, Sophisticated Ladies, Miss Saigon and Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. TV credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sister, Sister, 13 Days to Glory, Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story among others. Battle is a recipient of the Ira Aldridge Award, NAACP Image and Fred Astaire Awards and the founder and artistic director of The Hinton Battle Theatre Laboratory. He recently choreographed the film Idlewild starring Outkast and starred in the motion picture Dreamgirls.
JENNIFER BYRNE
(Associate Choreographer)
Recent NY: All My Children (Cowgirl), Evil Dead: the Musical (original cast recording) Regional: Milly in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Carousel), Louise in Gypsy (Gateway), Singing in the Rain (Merry Go Round), Oleanna, Quilters (Pendragon), Godspell (Maddermarket, UK). Past favorites: Seriously Sketch (Epiphany Theatre Co), Ataria, Relationships (Tada!), It's Karate, Kid the Musical! (NYIT Outstanding Lead Actress Nomination), Pirates of Penzance (Lortel), and From the Mixed Up Files (Nat'l Tour). Upcoming: Smokey Joe's Cafe in the spring. Special thanks to Hinton, the cast and crew, and my family and friends.
CATHERINE RUSSELL
(Stage Manager)
Catherine Russell has stage managed in theatres across the country, including the Vancouver Playhouse, Citadel Theatre, Neptune Theatre, YPT, Shaw Festival and CentreStage (now CanStage). Her Production Stage Management credits include the Stratford Festival, Charlottetown Festival and the Toronto production of Crazy for You. She holds a B.F.A from York University.
KRISTA MACISAAC
(Assistant Stage Manager)
Krista MacIsaac’s credits include: Stage Manager: A FiBBer’s FaBle, eDENTITY, Raging Dreams (Theatre Gargantua), Various (Roy Thomson Hall), New Year’s Comedy Extravaganza, Women in Blues (Massey Hall); Assistant Stage Manager: eDENTITY (Mirvish), An Evening with Glenn Gould (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, NAC), Senior’s Jubilee (Roy Thomson Hall).
DAVID GALLO
(Scenic Design)
Broadway: Xanadu; Radio Golf (Tony nom.); Company; The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards); Gem of the Ocean (Tony nom.); Drowning Crow; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; Dance of the Vampires; The Smell of the Kill; Thoroughly Modern Millie (also London); King Hedley II; Epic Proportions; Voices in the Dark; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Little Me; The Lion in Winter; A View from the Bridge; More to Love; Jackie: An American Life (also London); and Hughie. Off-Broadway: Evil Dead, Shout!; The Wild Party; Jitney (also London); Wonder of the World; Bunny Bunny: Jar the Floor; Machinal; and Blue Man Group (NYC, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas). International: numerous, recently Ich War Noch Niemals in New York, The Wiz, and Beauty and the Beast for Stage Entertainment. Mr. Gallo is the recipient of numerous awards including Drama Desk, American Theatre Wing, Lucille Lortel, Hewes Design, Outer Critics Circle, Ovation, FANY, NAACP, AUDELCO, Barrymore and Eddy Awards and nominations. He was selected to represent American set design at The Cooper-Hewitt Design Triennial and is a recipient of the Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Set Design. His work is part of the national archive at The Smithsonian Institute.
JASON LYONS
(Lighting Design)
Bway: The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot In the Park, Good Vibrations. Recent: Two Thousand Years (The New Group), Scarcity (Atlantic), Sive (Irish Rep), The Piano Teacher (South Coast Rep), Vigils (Goodman), Evil Dead, The Musical (NYC & Toronto), Shout! The Mod Musical, The Field (Irish Rep), Once Around the Sun, Kiki & Herb: Coup de Theatre. At The New Group: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, A Spalding Gray Matter, Abigail’s Party, Hurlyburly, ROAR, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Comedians, The Women of Lockerbie, Smelling a Rat Associate Designer on the Broadway productions of: The Pillowman, Fiddler on the Roof, Nine, Tartuffe, Frankie and Johnnie…, Into the Woods, The Women, A Thousand Clowns, Judgment at Nuremberg. Faculty: Purchase College.
CLAUDIA KADA-MASCERIN
(Costume Designer)
is thrilled to yet again resurrect her costume design for Evil Dead: the Musical. Claudia began her costume career with Evil Dead – her first costume design was the Evil Dead production at the Tranzac Club in 2003. Since then Claudia has designed sets and costumes for film and theatrical productions across Canada. She is currently also working as an associate producer for The Shopping Channel. Claudia would like to thank her husband and family.
KEVIN LACY
(Sound Design)
As designer, credits include: (B’way) Say Goodnight, Gracie ; (Nat’l Tour) Golda’s Balcony (Off-B’way) Jewtopia, Evil Dead: the Musical. As engineer, (B’way) Sideman, Annie: The 20th Anniversary. He owns Freudian Slip Recording, where the sound f/x for his designs are created. Kevin wishes to thank his family and friends for their unending support and love. Finally, thanks to Marla for being the greatest gift in the world.
MICHAEL LAIRD
(Sound Design)
Michael’s work has been featured in theatre productions throughout North America. Selected credits: Evil Dead: the Musical (Off B’way, Toronto & Montreal); A Beautiful View (da da kamera) (2006 Dora Award nomination); Hamlet (The Classical Theatre Project); The Wizard of Oz (LKTYP); Marion Bridge (Company Theatre); Noble Parasites (Theatre Passe Muraille); Tiny Dynamite (Theatre Smash); City of Angels, Cabaret & Urinetown (Toronto Youth Theatre)
PETER HIGGINS
(Additional Props, Puppetry and Special FX)
Peter has worked on every run of Evil Dead: the Musical since its professional debut at the Tranzac in 2003. His roles during those productions have included Production Manager, Technical Director, Set/Props/Special Effects Designer, Head Carpenter and Assistant Stage Manager. Along with Matt Olmstead, Peter is the co-designer of the "Blood Delivery System" (BDS) which is the device used to shoot the fake blood all over the stage... and audience! Peter is a graduate of Queen's University's Film Studies programme, and is the president and co-founder of Queen's Players Toronto Theatre Group, a not-for-profit comedy troupe that has donated more than $40,000 to charity over the last four years. He is married to former Evil Dead: the Musical Stage Manager Amy Hopkins. Long live the BDS!
SANDRA YANG
(Wigs/ Hair & Make-up Design)
Sandra comes to Evil Dead: the Musical from the world of fashion as one of Judy Inc.'s make-up and hair specialists. Her recent credits include shoots with Toronto Life, Passion Mag, Chatelaine and the music band Hedley. Sandra's work has also been featured in numerous commercials, music videos, films and advertisements. Her work has also allowed her to travel extensively to NYC. Sandra is excited yet again to have the support of MAC cosmetics and would like to thank Miss J. for her support and humorous yet inspiring words, SB for all the lovin’, and finally Bondo for a very interesting year.
B.H. BARRY
(Fight Director)
Broadway: Kiss Me, Kate; The Life; Crazy for You; An Inspector Calls; City of Angels; Moon Over Buffalo; Voices in the Dark. Off-Broadway: Signature’s The Late Henry Moss, Thief River; Theatre for a New Audience’s Troilus and Cressida; Julius Caesar; Evil Dead: the Musical. The Met: Don Giovanni, Carmen, Otello, Il Trovatore, Faust. Film: The Impostors, Glory, The Addams Family, Mulan. TV: “All My Children.” Drama Desk, Obie awards for Sustained and Consistent Excellence. Co-founder, Shakespeare and Company and Blue Light Theatre Co. Currently Directing Treasure Island on Broadway. www.BHBarry.com
AMANDA BARKER
(Assistant to the Director)
is an actor, writer and producer originally from the east coast. She holds a degree in English and Theatre from Mount Allison University. Recent credits include The Second City (Touring Co/NCl cast), Dufflebag Theatre, Solar Stage, The Heritage Theatre, Tony N Tina's Wedding, and The Book of Liz. She has co-written, produced, and performed in 4 reviews with her award winning sketch ensemble "Shame is Right!" and has been featured in CBC's "Get Set for Life" in addition to being a regular contributor to Much Music's "Video on Trial". To cleanse her zombie palate, she is currently working on an animated children's series; "Queen Jacobine". In addition she can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about both pizza and Chris Bond.
JEFFREY LATIMER ENTERTAINMENT
(Producer)
Jeffrey Latimer has produced live theatre, musical productions and events in Canada for the past 15 years. His company, based in Toronto is set up to develop and create, produce and present the best in live entertainment and events. Jeffrey’s first two theatrical productions, Closer Than Ever (1991) and Forever Plaid (1993) both won Best Musical in Toronto (Dora Awards). Jeffrey launched Forever Plaid in Vancouver as well as the National Tour. Jeffrey’s success with Forever Plaid led to an almost two year run of I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change and the operation of the New Yorker Theatre for the next 11 years. In 1992, Jeffrey had the honour of bringing 96 year old legend George Burns to Toronto’s O’Keefe Centre. Other projects as producer in Toronto, Vancouver and across Canada include sit-down and touring productions of Closer Than Ever, Stomp, Forever Tango, High Life, Late Nite Catechism, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Gross Indecency--The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, Ladies Night!, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Forever Swing, If You Ever Leave Me, I’m Going With You starring Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor, Grease, legendary Bea Arthur in Just Between Friends and Cookin At The Cookery. Jeffrey’s show Evil Dead: the Musical, that received worldwide attention at the Just for Laughs Festival, opened in NYC in October at The New World Stages before opening at The Diesel Playhouse. Jeffrey operates the newly appointed Diesel Playhouse on Blue Jays Way which houses Toronto’s only commercial cabaret theatres with 110 and 400 seats. Jeffrey presented Quebec’s Cabaret U~Mano and launched Rob Becker’s Defending the Caveman at The Diesel and is currently touring Rob Becker’s Defending the Caveman across Canada. Jeffrey is working with the Toronto Just For Laughs Festival in building strategic partnerships. Jeffrey produced with Second City the Tribute to John Candy for the CFL starring Dan Ackroyd. Jeffrey is currently working with the Canadian Tenors and is developing with partner Linda Barnet Queen For A Day The Musical. Charitably - Jeffrey was Chairman of ONEXONE, sits on the Sick Kids Community board, works with Kiwanis as well as Free the Children. He is also producing True Patriot Love an event to celebrate and support our Canadian Military Families - this November 10th.
