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This zany musical “brings to life” the story of mad scientist Frederick Frankenstein, who repeats his grandfather’s monster mistakes–while creating a lot of insane fun along the way. Victor Frankenstein has died and Frederick travels to his grandfather’s castle in Transylvania where he ends up conducting his grandfather’s experiments to create human life.
Rated PG13 for suggestive lyrics and mature content
Conducted by Maestro Dennis Assaf
Leslie Castay - Director
Ken Leach - Music Director
Jaune Buisson - Choreographer
Nikki Lopez - Stage Manager
Eric Porter - Technical Director / Sound Designer
Emery Foster - Scenic Designer
Olivia Winter - Props Designer
Stephen Thurber - Lighting Designer
Briana Acosta - Light Board Op
Avery Colle - Costume Designer
Mina Perkins - Costume Assistant
Amanda Bravender - Hair & Makeup Designer
Brittany Spreen - Hair & Makeup Assistant
Carlie Goodlett - Crew Captain
Cursten Smith - Crew
Jenevieve Bourgeois - Crew
Lauran Sparacello - Crew
Vinny Barbaro - Spot Op
Avery Gerosa - Spot Op
October 27-November 5, 2023
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Drive | Metairie, LA
Thanks to our sponsor "The Mortuary"
JPAS patrons receive a $5 discount on Mortuary tickets
Leslie Castay is delighted to return to the JPAS family after directing last season’s Big Easy Award winning production of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, for which she also won the Big Easy Award for Best Direction of a Musical. 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 The Addams Family at JPAS, 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 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 as “Alicia Mayfair” on AMC’s Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. Leslie is delighted to return to the stage in JPAS’ upcoming comedy, Looped, playing the infamous Tallulah Bankhead.
Click headshot for bio
Michael Paternostro (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein) returns to JPAS after his recent music direction of Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family. He has had a full career as a Broadway performer as well as a Musical Director/Conductor. His Music Director/Supervisor credits include: Havok Theater Company’s Kiss of the Spider Woman, Story of my Life, and the Los Angeles Premier of Thrill Me. In Los Angeles, the launch of Roger Bean’s Life Could Be A Dream for which he won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award and Backstage’s Garland Award. At Musical Theater West, RENT and played their debut of Forbidden Broadway. At Cabrillio Music Theater’s Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, he had the privilege to play for Neil Sedaka as he joined the band after the show! Suds and Bingo for Sacramento Music Circus. Bernstein’s Trouble In Tahiti at New York University, Reprise’s Kiss Me Kate staring Tom Hewitt and Lesli Margherita (LA Drama Critics Circle Nomination). In 2010, Michael Conducted the LA WEEKLY AWARDS. Paternostro was Asst. Director of How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe for Benjamin Endsley Klein and Vices at the Zipper NYC for Glenn Casale. Paternostro co-wrote Scary Musical, the Musical.
DR. FREDERICK FRANKENSTEIN
Adriel Aviles (Monster) is excited to once again be performing as a part of a JPAS production! Last seen as a part of TWTC’s production of The Night of the Iguana, Aviles has been grateful to perform for JPAS in other shows, such as Holiday Inn, In the Heights, Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Aviles would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for taking the time to see this show, and would especially like to thank the cast and crew for putting up with him for as long as they have! Thank you so much, and enjoy the show!
MONSTER
Scott Sauber (Igor) is proud to keep the human adjacent trend going at JPAS as his first (major) role with the company was the Scarecrow in 2003’s The Wizard of Oz and he continued with the 3 production, 5 year run as Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. In 2013 he puppeteered Princeton in the N.O. premier of Avenue Q while playing Claude de Gator in the long running JPAS Kids Petite Rouge. Last year, Mr Sauber ruled Duloc as Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical, the only human among the ogres albeit, not a whole human. His Big Easy Award was for his 2006 Snail with the Mail in the BBPresents A Year With Frog And Toad at LePetite where he also garnered a Big Easy for lighting the N.O. premier of RENT. Scott has been seen on the Rivertown stage as Pinnochio (not a real boy) in the 2014 premier of Shrek the Musical, inside of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, as Perch Perkins and your favorite Electric Skate in The Spongebob Musical and finally a break as the rooftop dancing chimney sweeping Bert in the 2022 Mary Poppins. As a human - Scott directed the JPAS Kids Summer Program for 10 years, has lit the stage in every theatre as a designer, been a teacher in St. Tammany Parish for 25 years, and enjoyed over 250 performances as your Conductor on the Polar Express Train Ride through Rail Events - a human role hidden behind a mustache.
IGOR
Charlie Carr (Inga) A recent transplant from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, Charlie is over the moon to be making her New Orleans musical theater premiere. She attended Emerson College in Boston where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Theater Performance. Some past credits include, The Donkey Show (Tyania/Sander, American Repertory Theater), James and the Giant Peach (Spiker, Emerson Stage), Surprise! (Ashley, dir Nate Hapke). Charlie would like to thank her family for always supporting her dreams of the stage, the Covid pandemic for reminding her how badly she and the world need live performance, and her source of never-ending inspiration, her husband. Te amo, Eliaz. Vamos juntos, para siempre!
INGA
Jennifer DeLatte (Elizabeth Benning) has performed all over the world alongside Broadway and West End veterans. She is an original “JPAS Baby”, having begun her theatrical/vocal studies in the JPAS Children’s Chorus and has performed in numerous JPAS productions over the past 25 years. Fresh off the stage at Rivertown in Newsies, she is thrilled to join such an incredible cast in Young Frankenstein. Favorite career roles include: Maleficent (Descendants), Alice Beineke (Addams Family), Marie/Fairy Godmother (Cinderella), Anne (A Little Night Music), Emma (Jekyll & Hyde), Marian (The Music Man), Mrs. Potts (Beauty & the Beast), Ulla (The Producers), Lina Lamont (Singing in the Rain), Christine Colgate (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Maria (The Sound of Music). She teaches private voice lessons to over 25 incredibly talented kids/adults and has served as musical director for multiple shows at Rivertown in Kenner. Jennifer is also a film/TV actress; she wrote, directed, and stars in the YouTube web-series, The Cybernaturals. Leslie, thank you for this gift of a role as Elizabeth! Love to my mom, Brian, and incredibly supportive family! www.jenniferdelatte.com
ELIZABETH BENNING
Meredith Long (Dieth) is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at Shenandoah University. She moved to New Orleans in 2002 after having lived and performed in New York City. Her past credits include: Ruthless, where she won the Big Easy Award for Best Actress, The World Goes Round and Tunes at Le Petit Theatre, “Miss Mona” in the JPAS production of The Best Little Whore House in Texas, “Ms. Pennywise” in Urinetown at Rivertown Theatre and most recently Widow Corney in Oliver at Tulane Summer Lyric. Meredith also portrayed “Cha Cha” in the national tour of Grease with Frankie Avalon and Chubby Checker, and “Ethel Toffelmier” in The Music Man with Tony Award Winners Gary Beech and Terrence Mann. She also worked for The Disney Cruise Line and various regional and touring companies. You may have also seen her on TV in Disney's Secrets of Sulphur Springs, and a few Lunchables commercials. Meredith loves working with children and has grown several school theatre programs in the New Orleans area. She is currently serving Christian Brothers School. For more about her you can go to www.themeredithlong.com
FRAU BLUCHER
Ken Goode (Kemp/Hermit) is a local actor who as been seen on stages of varying size, both length AND width, but never a one so tall! Besides being excited to be making his JPAS debut, he is excited to be on stage with friends old and new. Thanks to everyone for the joyous whirlwind it's been
THE HERMIT / INSPECTOR HANS KEMP
Sasha Munchak (Ensemble) began her 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 works as artistic director at New Orleans Dance Academy and as a recruiter with Adeeta Corporate Staffing. Recent JPAS performances include Holiday Inn, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker. She thanks the leadership team, cast, and crew for this wonderful experience.
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Camille von Hoven (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to the JPAC stage! She was last seen in Holiday Inn as Daphne/Radio Quartet/Dance Captain. Prior to that, she starred in 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 opportunity, and her husband, Frank, for always supporting her even though she’s never home and always at rehearsal. 🙂
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Keri Palmer (Ensemble) is a Senior at Loyola University and studies Musical Theatre. This is Keri’s first show with JPAS! She is so grateful for this opportunity where she can work alongside her cast mates to produce a fabulous show. Keri's theatre credits include The Color Purple( Church Lady Doris), Once on this Island( Mama Euarlie), Intimate Apparel( Mrs. Dickson), The Color Purple(Church Lady Jarene), The Wiz(Dorothy), Fela! ( Vocal Ensemble), High School Musical Jr.( Martha Cox), Fences(Raynell). Keri also studied acting at Charnelle Brown Acting School and Talented Tenth Theatre. Keri also had the opportunity to film for a national commercial. She sends her love and support for the cast and crew!
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Ava Young (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her JPAS debut in Young Frankenstein with such a talented and supportive cast! Ava is a level 4 senior at NOCCA studying musical theater. Ava has appeared in productions at NOCCA, local and river parish theaters since the age of 6. Ava was recently dance captain, fight captain, and ensemble in a production of Little Shop of Horrors, dance captain and a featured ensemble member in Frozen Jr., dance captain and Amanda Thripp in Matilda, and Gabrielle in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Ava wants to give a special thank you to Ms. Leslie for giving her the opportunity to be in such a fun show! Ava also sends lots of love to the JPAS creative team, crew, cast, and her family for their support in all of her theater adventures.
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Sara Ritsch (Ensemble) is a classically trained vocalist and actor from Fort Worth, Texas. From a young age, Sara studied theatre under Deborah Jung and toured nationally and internationally with Kids Who Care Performing Arts, while also taking extensive coursework in diction, blocking, voice, dance, scriptwriting, and more. After a decade of studying and performing jazz in New Orleans, Sara’s recent reentry to the musical theatre world include the accomplishments of playing both Horsey and Ashen in EF! The Musical in New England two years in a row, a site-specific, Broadway style musical about ecological activism. She studies classical voice technique under Robert Wagner and with the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans. Dabbling in songwriting and self-production, Sara’s work can also be found on Spotify/Apple Music under her surname, “Ritsch”. She currently takes Scene Study, Monologue Intensive, and Audition Technique courses with Crescent City Stage, and you can commonly find her at the Actor’s Apothecary trying to sharpen her craft. Sara is beyond excited to return to what she loves, the spotlight, and humbly thanks JPAS for the honor of her first opportunity to do musical theatre in New Orleans. Thanks, y’all!
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Madison Lewis (Ensemble) is excited to be making her debut with JPAS in Young Frankenstein. She was most recently seen on Theatre Baton Rouge’s stage in Rock of Ages (Regina) and The Addams Family (Fester). A recent graduate of Louisiana State University with a BFA in Digital Art, throughout her college career she was very active in the campus’s Musical Theatre Club, holding a position as its Graphic Designer for two years, as well as being a performer and director. Firebringer, Twisted (Bird/Cruella), Theory of Relativity (Joanna/Catherine), MTC’s Singeaux, among many other productions are some. An alum of St. Mary’s Dominican Highschool and their Drama Club, Maddy is thrilled to return to her hometown and perform once again!
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Gabriella Harlamert (Ensemble/Dance Captain) could not be more excited to be back on the JPAS mainstage! She was most recently seen in In the Heights in October 2022. She has been dancing for over 25 years and is currently a teacher at the Metropolitan Dance Theatre of New Orleans. Recent credits include White Christmas (JPAS), 42nd Street (Tulane Summer Lyric), and Something Rotten (Le Petit). Gabriella would like to thank her husband, family, friends and Jaune for their continued support. A big shout out to her sister, Daniela Vazquez, and finally getting to do a show together!
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Kayla Ceaser (Ensemble) is from Laplace, Louisiana and is so excited to be performing in her first JPAS show. She has performed all across the country including at Rivertown Theaters in Kenner, Tulane Summer Lyric, the Fireside Theater in Wisconsin, and at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. Kayla is most excited to be home in Louisiana doing what she loves in the place she loves.
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Daniela Vazquez (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her professional debut in JPAS’s production of Young Frankenstein! She is ecstatic to make her way back to the theater after 5 years since graduating from her high school theatre program. Daniela has been dancing at Metropolitan Dance Theatre of New Orleans for 20 years and is currently occupying a new role: dance teacher! Huge shoutout to her students, a dazzling new generation of performers. Daniela would like to thank her amazing family, friends, boyfriend, and Jauné for always supporting and believing in her. Finally, Daniela would love to thank her big sister and cast mate, Gabriella Harlamert, for consistently cheering her on and always pushing her to seek opportunity.
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Jackson Scott (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on the JPAS stage as a member in Young Frankenstein. Jackson has been apart of the Jefferson Parish Performing Arts Society community for years. Jackson is a level 3 junior at NOCCA studying musical theater. Jackson has most recently been seen in Newsies (Rivertown Theaters), Little Shop of Horrors (Nocca), Frozen Jr (Rivertown Theaters), NOT SHREAK (Nocca), Raise Your Voice 5 (Rivertown Theaters), and Into The Woods (JPAS). Jackson was also selected to serve on the new teen council at Le Petit Theatre. He would like to give a special thanks to his supportive family and the amazing creative team!
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Tyger Hammons (Ensemble) is in his Sophomore year at NOCCA for Musical Theater. Some of his previous credits include. With JPAS, Shrek the Musical Jr. (Donkey). He has also performed at Tulane Summer Lyric in Oliver the Musical (Dodger), in Matilda (Tommy), and CES in Addams Family (Gomez). John & Nancy (grandparents) were longtime denizens of New Orleans stages. Aunt Shannon was a Broadway dancer, dad J was an international dance and theater performer and Mom Maritza a choreographer and performer as well.
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Matthew Welch (Ensemble) is honored to return to JPAS in Young frankenstein. Most recently he has been seen in The view Upstairs at Jefferso performing arts society and Tulane Summer Lyric Theater in The Music Man and Oliver. He has played memorable Characters such as Lonny in Rock of Ages and Joseph Gillis in Sunset Blvd at the Cutting Edge Theater. Matthew is a member of the Thespian Society and fine arts major At Delgado. He has been in numerous productions across the GNO. A member of Hollywood South look for him as "Jared" in Disney's Untitled Sister's Project.
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Danny (Ensemble) is a devoted actor who is elated to perform in his first JPAS production. After a 20-year hiatus, he has fully immersed himself in the world of musical theater over the past 15 months. His unwavering passion has led him to secure roles in eight productions, three of which took center stage at The Company: a St. Bernard Community Theatre, where he delivered fantastic performances in "Company" and "9-5: The Musical." Notably, Danny was named by The Company as the “Best Actor in a Musical” for his portrayal of Caiaphas in "Jesus Christ Superstar." Danny has participated in three engagements with Rivertown Theaters, previously showcasing his talents in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Newsies," and "Singin’ in the Rain." He eagerly anticipates his role in their forthcoming production of "Sister Act: The Musical," scheduled for May 2024. For Danny, musical theater isn't merely a hobby; it's an insatiable passion that brings boundless joy and a profound sense of fulfillment. He expresses heartfelt gratitude to his beloved family and friends, with special acknowledgments for his parents and those at The Azienda. @dannyboyrubio
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Frank Von Hoven (Bertram Batram, Bob, Ensemble) is excited to appear on the JPAS stage again! He was recently Mr. Sowerberry in Oliver at Tulane Summer Lyric and has been seen around town as Pharaoh in Joseph and pit singing for the Big Easy Award winning Holiday Inn. He has performed on and off for over a decade with credits in A Chorus Line (Don Kerr), Footloose (Rev. Shaw), Plaid Tidings (Frankie), and more. He would like to thank Leslie for the opportunity to perform above the stage again.
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*Member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
Young Frankenstein
Wigs & Makeup Master Class
Amanda Bravender, Wig & Makeup Artist
Sunday, October 29 | 11:30am–12:30pm
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
Join us as we take you backstage and show you the magic of stage makeup with a live demonstration by Master makeup artist and wig designer Amanda Bravender. In this class you will learn what it takes to achieve Frankenstein's look. Guests will watch and learn as Amanda transforms actor Adriel Aviles into Frankenstein's monster, and showcases other makeup techniques, wigs, and more. Plus, you'll get a sneak peek at the backstage of Young Frankenstein.
*Participants will receive a promo code for a $15 discount on adult and student Young Frankenstein tickets! Orchestra and Mezzanine section(s) (Limit 2 per participant)
