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December 2 - 11, 2022
Fri + Sat @ 7:30 pm
Sun @ 2:00 pm
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Drive | Metairie, LA
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge
Based on the Film from Universal Pictures
DIRECTED BY LESLIE CASTAY and CHOREOGRAPHED BY KENNETH BECK
Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical is a 2016 Broadway musical based on the 1942 film of the same name. The libretto is by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Based on the classic film, this joyous musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs, including “Blue Skies,” “Easter Parade,” “Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” “Heat Wave,” and “White Christmas.” Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut. He quickly discovers life isn’t the same without a bit of song and dance. So Jim and Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare, turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn that celebrates each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July.Don't miss a single act by subscribing to our 45th Season (2022-2023). Enjoy a discount off your ticket price, avoid ticketing fees, and keep your seats next season!
Leslie Castay is delighted to return to the JPAS family after directing last season’s The Addams Family. A multiple Big Easy Award winner for both directing and acting, Leslie was director and co-creator of Southern Rep’s hilarious original holiday musical, Mandatory Merriment which ran for three seasons. Other directing credits include Musical of Musicals (co-directed with Brandt Blocker) at Le Chat Noir, This Property is Condemned at Le Petit Theatre for the Tennessee Williams Festival, Guys and Dolls at NOCCA, The Rocky Horror Show at Tulane, and most recently Little Women for Southeastern University at the Columbia Theatre in Hammond. As an actor, she has been featured on Broadway (Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, 3Penny Opera, 42nd St), Off-Broadway, and National Tours. Her cabaret shows Unscripted, Food of Love, Old School, and Crazy World garnered great acclaim at Le Chat Noir, Tulane Shakes, Little Gem and Le Petit Theatre. Film and TV credits include The Big Short, Green Book, NCIS:New Orleans, Beautiful Creatures, Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Hulu Network’s Mike and upcoming as “Alicia Mayfair” on AMC’s Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches in 2023.
Kenneth Beck (Choreographer) is a lifelong member of the New Orleans theatre and dance community. He studied ballet and performed for many years with Gayle Parmelee and the Loyola Ballet, and for a time with Ballet Hysell. Beck has performed and choreographed in most every theatre venue in the city, including JPAS, Le Petit Theatre, Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre, Loyola Opera Theatre, the New Orleans Ballet Ensemble, and for the New Orleans Opera. He has worked for the UNO and Tulane University theatre departments and has taught as a guest artist for Newcomb College and Loyola University. He now works regularly with the Jesuit High School Philelectic Society. For JPAS, Beck has directed productions of Cinderella, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Chicago, Tarzan, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Annie, and Fiddler on the Roof. He and his wife, Kimberly, are the co-directors of the Jefferson Ballet Theatre, and recently presented for JPAS audiences The Nutcracker, Coppélia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Alice in Wonderland as full length original ballets.
Click headshot for bio
Richard Arnold* (Jim Hardy) is excited and honored to return to the JPAS stage, where he last appeared in Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp), Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio, Big Easy Award), and All Shook Up (Chad). Other recent favorites include She Loves Me (Georg) at Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre and Merrily We Roll Along (Franklin) at Le Petit Theatre. NYC credits include the Broadway tour of42ndSt. Rich is currently collaborating on a new show for his company, The Big Easy Boys (www.bigeasyboys.com) that pays tribute to New Orleans’ legendary musical heritage. Much love & thanks to my “old friend” Leslie! AMDG.
JIM
Chloe Vallot (LINDA) is a Louisiana native from Ponchatoula. She grew up performing in various productions with her Grandmother, a local legend, Teacher and Director, Kay Butler. Chloe studied Musical Theatre for four years at NOCCA, (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) during her High School years, then went on to graduate from The Young Americans College of Performing Arts in Corona, California.
She toured for 3 years with The Young Americans Music Outreach, performing and teaching at schools across Europe and the US.
Chloe is a performer at The National World War II Museum as a Victory Belle. The Victory Belles tour across the US, as well as locally, honoring the Veterans who fought to secure our freedom.
Chloe is an administrator, director, and choreographer for Swamplight Theatre, home of The Kay Butler Performing Arts Project, In Ponchatoula, where she also teaches afternoon classes in dance, acting and musical theatre, and she teaches private lessons in voice, guitar and ukulele.
Some of her most current roles were Percy in Spitfire Grill, Penny in Hairspray, Sandy in Grease, Sophie in Mamma Mia, the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio, and Miss Honey in Matilda.
Chloe is excited to be playing the role as Linda in Holiday Inn and hopes you enjoy the show!
LINDA
Alcee Jones (TED) studied Musical Theatre in high school at NOCCA: a pre-professional conservatory for the arts, that disciplined him in acting, dance, and singing all throughout the four years of school. After graduation, he briefly attended Roosevelt University in Chicago for a BFA in Dance, as well as thoroughly studying his voice and acting. He is back in town for the Holiday and is enthralled to be back in his taps for Ted! He couldn’t be more grateful, working with such a phenomenal production team and cast! Starting with his JPAS debut, credits include: In the Heights (Usnavi), Hit the Wall (Mika), Urine Town (Officer Lockstock), Xanadu (Melpomene), Titanic (Barrett), Footloose (Ren), Mamma Mia (Sky), Kiss Me Kate (Paul), and Legally Blonde (Aaron Schults, Delta Nu, U/S Warner & Elle’s Dad).
TED
Bailey Gabrish (Lila) is thrilled to be back for her 4thJPAS production! Originally from Maryland, Bailey moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University(’19) where she received a BFA in Musical Theater and a BA in Communication. Roles include Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Ms. Pinkerton (Old Maid and the Thief), Mother/Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Rona Lisa Peretti (Spelling Bee). Bailey has also performed in theaters around New Orleans including Summer Lyric Theatre, Le Petit Theatre, and BB’s Stage Door Canteen at the National World War II Museum. Shows include Something Rotten,42ndStreet,She Loves Me, My Fair Lady, Stagedoor Songbook Series: Cole Porter. JPAS roles include Liesl (Sound of Music), Mimi (A Comedy of Tenors), Gabrielle (Cinderella). Bailey is delighted to be working with Leslie again after studying Voice under her for 3 years! Bailey also wants to take the time to thank Dennis, Kenny, and Michael for their guidance and her friends and family for the constant love and encouragement!
LILA
Tracey E Collins, (Louise) is a multiple Big Easy award winner who has been trodding the boards in and around New Orleans for more than 40 years. She was last seen at Loyola with the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company as Big Daddy and Amanda Wing valley in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, and at Tulane “Summer Shakes” as Amelia in A Comedy of Errors. She played Mrs. McGillicuddy in the 2019TWTCA Period of Adjustment, Irene Reillyin A Confederacy of Dunces for the 2019 Tennessee Williams Festival and had a Big Easy Award-winning turn as Mrs. Wire in 2018 in Vieux Carre’ for the TWTC. Her last venture into musicals was as Miss Marietta Shingle in LePetit Theatre’s 2019 production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. She is delighted to return to JPAS (and musical theatre) to hang out with Maestro, having last performed on this beautiful stage as Mrs Brice in Funny Girl in 2016.
LOUISE
Adam Segrave (Danny) is filled with holiday spirit to return to JPAS and be a part of this great production. He was seen on the JPAS stage in White Christmas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Much thanks to Reagan, Leslie, the cast, and his family.
DANNY
Caleb Cantrell (Charlie) is a 9th grader at DHS. He is involved in Show Choir, Talented Theatre, and Talented Music. Past performances include Shrek (Young Shrek), The Wizard of Oz (Lion/Zeke), Annie (Bert Healy), Puffs (Oliver Rivers), The Little Mermaid (Flounder), Peter Pan (Michael), and Beauty and the Beast, Jr. (Chip) to name a few. Caleb credits his beloved mentors Chris and Kyle Aucoin-Melohn for inspiring his love of theatre. He would also like to thank his family and friends for all of their love and support throughout his theatrical endeavors!
CHARLIE
Trey Dieth (Charlie) is a 7th grade student at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. He has been involved in theatre since he was a small child. Both his parents, Meredith Long and Ford Dieth have graced the JPAS stage. Trey’s credits include, Sleeping Beauty, How to Eat Like A Child, We Will Rock You, Oliver, Shrek, Ben in the Descendants, and Young Scrooge in Humbug High. Trey enjoys Star Wars, tennis, and gaming with his brothers Lee and Kelly.
CHARLIE
Eli Strain (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to the JPAS stage! He was the last scene on the JPAC stage in the Nutcracker as the Chinese Dancer. He also appeared in the role of Friedrich in The Sound of Music with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. Eli is a junior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts where he was last seen in Pippin. Eli has performed with Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre and was most recently scene as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid at Slidell Little Theatre. Eli was recently selected for the Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Boot Camp where he was coached by Broadway legends Kristin Chenoweth, Kenny Ortega, Kevin Chamberlin, Faith Price, Lara Teeter and pianist/music director Michael Orland. He can be seen in the upcoming documentary“1300 Miles to Broadway” on Netflix. Eli is also an avid dancer and is a member of the Jefferson Ballet Theatre where he has appeared in several productions including theNutcrackersince2020. Eli enjoys playing the piano and violin, singing and writing songs in his spare time. Many thanks to Leslie and Kenny for this wonderful opportunity!
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Camille von Hoven (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on stage at JPAS again this year! She was last seen in An Evening With Dick Pistonat Four Sweater Vests. Her most recent JPAS production was The Addams Family where she choreographed and danced in ensemble as an ancestor. As a young dancer, she trained under Harvey Hysell and Diane Carney, then later earned a minor in dance from Tulane University. She wants to thank Dennis and Leslie for this amazing opportunity and her husband, Frank, for always supporting her even though she’s never home and always at rehearsal. Happy Holidays 🙂
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Julia Crescenzi (Ensemble) is so excited to be making her JPAS debut. She recently made the move to the Big Easy this past summer from New York. She is a proud alumni from The Hartt School of Music Theatre. A huge thanks to the cast and crew for the opportunity to perform!
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Sasha Munchak (Ensemble) began her dance training with Linn McDonald in Scranton, PA, and studied at the Rockette Summer Intensive, the American Dance Festival, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's Teachers Workshop. She serves as artistic director at New Orleans Dance Academy and as a recruiter with Adeeta Corporate Staffing. She recently performed in Cinderella and The Nutcracker with JPAS, and in Mary Poppins and Cabaret with Rivertown. She thanks Leslie and Kenny for this wonderful experience.
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Virginia Borne (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her JPAS debut! She has previously been seen onstage at Rivertown theaters in productions such as Music Man and Elf. Virginia is a graduate of the University of New Orleans where she studied vocal performance under Megan Dearie. She would like to thank Dennis and Leslie for this opportunity. Extra big thanks to her three children:Seth, Nathan, and Brendan who keep her smiling. To her husband, Brad, all the love and gratitude in the world for putting up with the craziness of studying and rehearsals.
ENSEMBLE
Jorden is a native of New Orleans and has grown up performing with companies such as JPAS and Rivertown locally. He attended high school at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts as a Musical Theater student. His senior year he made the decision to pursue a career in classical Ballet. His training began with the Jefferson Ballet School and with Ballet West in Salt Lake City. He has also had the opportunity to travel around the country guesting for various ballet companies. Jordan is excited to return to the stage with JPAS for this production Holiday Inn. He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant and continuous support.
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Brandon Garza (Ensemble) is thrilled to part of the JPAS production of Holiday Inn. Brandon is a classically trained Vaganova ballet dancer, has performed in 8 different countries with Komenka Dance Ensemble, and also participates in trapeze classes in Chicago. He has performed in other JPAS productions such as West Side Story, Tarzan, Catch Me if You Can, Rocky Horror, and Cinderella.
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Isabel Gisclair (Ensemble) is delighted to spread holiday spirit in her first show with JPAS! Isabel has been involved in various projects around the city. Some of her favorite credits include Annie (Annie), Shrek (Dragon), Descendants (Mal), You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Freida), and Pippin (Ensemble). A student at Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, she is very focused on her education and academic future, while also attending the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) where she studies Musical Theater, and previously, Classical Piano. She is thrilled to join this incredible cast in bringing such a fun story to life!
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Will Cooling is a seventeen year old junior at NOCCA who is studying musical theatre. He began doing shows in 2015 debuting in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Gaston. He has done many shows regionally, in the New Orleans area and hopes to continue bettering himself in his art. Will is excited to take the next step and be back at JPAS again.
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Adriel Aviles is proud to join the cast and crew for this production! Aviles has been a part of JPAS productions in the past, including Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family Musical, and Cinderella most recently. Additionally, he has been in Rivertown Theater’s productions of The Little Mermaid and Guys and Dolls. Adriel would like to thank JPAS for allowing him a place to express himself and a chance to continue working with them, and hopes that all who see this show enjoy it thoroughly.
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Katherine Nezames is excited to be returning to the JPAC stage alongside this very talented cast. Her favorite stage credits include 42nd Street (Lorraine, Phyllis), A Chorus Line (Judy Turner), Annie Get Your Gun (u/s Annie Oakley), The Producers, Catch Me If You Can, Mary Poppins, and Funny Girl (Mimsey).
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Lancon had become a JPAS regular appearing in Chicago, Tuck Everlasting, Hunchback of Notre Dam, and Shrek. A graduate of Northwestern State University, her most notable roles include Thea Elvsted in Hedda Gabler, Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein, and Kate in Oklahoma. She has also appeared in the following shows at Cedar Point: Lusty Lil's French Review, Lights Camera Action, and Forbidden Frontier Festival. While in New York, Lancon got the opportunity to work under choreographers such as Luis Salgado, Connor Gallagher, and Jessica McRoberts. Her New York City debut was Matilda with Salgado Productions. Along with performing, Lancon has worked on the artistic side choreographing shows such as Anastasia, The Sound of Music, How to Succeed in Business…, and Once on this Island Jr. She was recently recognized as a TOP CHOREOGRAPHER at the Star Dance Alliance Organization.
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Cade Garafola, 19, is so excited to be a part of this production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn! Cade has taken part in numerous productions throughout the New Orleans area over the years, including Irving Berlin's White Christmas here at J.P.A.S. and Newsies! and 42nd Street at Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre. In the past, he attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and in the spring he will be attending Tulane University. He wants to send a big thank you to the cast and crew for welcoming him so quickly into the process!
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