Heather Krebs just wants a boyfriend. But how can she even navigate her way through high school if she might be the New Messiah? A small town in Ohio grapples with politics, religion and teenage romance in this eclectic pop musical comedy from Tony®-nominated composer/lyricist/writer Paul Gordon, featuring Golden Globe-winning TV comedy veteran Katey Sagal.
MEET THE CAST
KATEY SAGAL (Agatha) has entertained audiences in a variety of dramatic and comedic roles throughout her notable career. Her television credits include “Sons of Anarchy” (Golden Globe Award), “Superior Donuts,” “8 Simple Rules,” and “Married…With Children.” She has also appeared in feature films including “Bleed for This,” “Pitch Perfect 2” and “The Good Mother.” An accomplished singer, Katey has released the CDs “Well” and “Room” and performs with her band The Reluctant Apostles. Her first book, “Grace Notes: My Recollections,” was published in 2017 by Simon and Schuster. Katey can currently be seen on “The Conners” on ABC and starred in the title role of the ABC series “Rebel.”
CARLOS ALCALA (Creature/Matthew/Mr.Stevens) is incredibly grateful to be making his Off-Broadway debut in The Gospel According to Heather! Very big thank you to UNC Chapel Hill, the DGRW fam and the Amas Musical Theatre team for the opportunity.
JARRED BEDGOOD is ecstatic to be joining this cast/show while making his Off-Broadway debut! Praise her! Some Credits: Anne of Green Gables at Goodspeed (Fred), Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour (Benny), Wu-Tang Saga on Hulu (Luther Simmons), The Book of Mormon (Australia Tour), Sister Act (TJ, Asia Tour), Memphis (Gator). Huge thanks to casting, SW-Artist, and every single creative on this team! @jar95red
LAUREN ELDER Broadway: Side Show, Hair; West End: Hair; Theater: The Village of Vale (Lincoln Center); Regional: Mary and Max (Theatre Calgary, BroadwayWorld Award: Best Actress), Side Show (Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse), Cinderella (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); TV: Law & Order SVU, Louie, Boardwalk Empire. On-set acting coach for Disney & private voice and acting coach. Winner: Masters of Musical Whistling (2017). Lauren’s self-titled debut album was released in 2017. www.laureneldermusic.com
BADIA FARHA is thrilled to be a part of this cast, and working with Amas again! She’s done a lot of cool things with a lot of cool people. Love to my family and everyone who makes this a fun journey. www.BadiaFarha.com, @BadiaFarha
ARMANDO GUTIERREZ Off Broadway: Red Roses Green Gold (Minetta Lane), Wonderland (Atlantic Theater Company). Regional: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Cincinnati Playhouse), Million Dollar Quartet (South Coast Rep), Buddy (Florida Rep). Founding member of the NYC rock band, Saddlemen. Thanks to my family, Lanae, PMA, Rachel Klein and Stephanie Klapper. @saddlementheband
GEORGIA KATE HAEGE Mamma Mia! (National Tour), The King and I, Henry Box Brown, Lizzie Borden: The Musical, To Kill a Mockingbird, Now Comes The Fun Part, Spiegelworld’s Empire, Lost in Love: The Air Supply Musical, For All My Girls, Date Me Do Me Dump Me, Hell Hole Honeys. Backup vocals for Meat Loaf. Film/TV: Law & Order: SVU, Madam Secretary, Dispatches From Elsewhere, I Love You… But I Lied, Townhouse Confidential, Late Fee. @GeorgiaKateHaege
MARIA HABEEB Maria is thrilled to be making her off Broadway debut! Recent credits include #46 in The Wolves (McCarter Theater Center) and Woman 1 in Songs For A New World (Village Theater). Maria has a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. Love to Mom, Dad, Mikey, Diego, and Rochel!
JEREMY KUSHNIER has starred in numerous Broadway shows, including Footloose, Jersey Boys, and Head Over Heels. His TV appearances include Nurse Jackie, Person of Interest, and The Good Wife. In addition to his acting work, Kushnier has released three albums available where ever you listen to music. He would like to dedicate this performance to all the amazing women in his life.
MAYA LAGERSTAM Off Broadway Debut. Recent: The Tattooed Lady (Philadelphia Theatre Co), Most Happy in Concert Directed by Daniel Fish (Williamstown Theatre Festival) The Tempest (Guthrie Theatre) and the movie musical "1660 Vine" directed by Patricia McGregor and choreographed by Paula Abdul. Graduate U of Minnesota/Guthrie. Thanks Artist & Representatives, Ann Kelly, and my family :) @mayalagerstam
SARITA AMANI NASH Sarita is a versatile performing artist residing in Harlem. Recently she had the joy of performing multiple principal roles during her time in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Broadway). Other select credits: Dreamgirls (Springer Opera House); Raisin (Astoria PAC); The First Noel (Classical Theatre of Harlem); Hairspray (PSCA); Junie B. Jones (National Tour). "FBI" (CBS). www.saritanash.com, @saritaamani
ZACH RAND (Samuel/Stanley) is excited to be working with Amas Musical Theater for the first time. Broadway: debut at age nine as Gavroche in the revival of Les Misérables followed by Michael Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins. First National Tour: Disney’s Mary Poppins “and a bunch of other stuff” - His Mom
CARSON STEWART (Zach) is thrilled to join the cast of The Gospel According to Heather. Regional: The Notebook (Premiere) National Tours: Fame. Carson is proudly represented by BRS/Gage and is a graduate of Northwestern University. Love to the team, Mom, Dad, and Celeste.
BRITTANY NICOLE WILLIAMS (Heather) is so excited to reprise her role in The Gospel According to Heather! Some of her favorite credits include Hip Hop Cinderella (Cinderella) at the New Victory Theatre, Broadway’s Aladdin, the 1st National Tours of The Prom (Shelby, Emma & Alyssa U/s), SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical (Ensemble, Disco Donna U/s), and A Bronx Tale (Swing); and the Pre-Broadway Engagement of Kiss My Aztec! at Hartford Stage in Connecticut. She is an alumnus of The Ailey School, and AMDA New York. Thank you so much to God, my family, and friends! Much love to my agents at MSA! IG: @brittany_nicolew
WAYNE WILSON is excited to make his Off-Broadway debut, a Baltimore native and graduate of SCAD in Savannah. Since graduating, he’s spent his time singing with Ye’s Sunday Service, and can be seen in the upcoming George C. Wolfe film, "Rustin" and 50cent’s "Raising Kanan". Broadway workshops, Keenan Scott’s Return of Young Boy and Troy Anthony’s Champs. He thanks his Mom, Dad, agents at HCKR, his manager Shana, and the Amas Creative Team for license to tell this story. -@Iamwaynewilson
MEET THE CREATIVES
PAUL GORDON (book/music/lyrics) is a 2001 Tony Award nominated composer for his musical Jane Eyre. Other works include Sense and Sensibility (winner of the 2015 Jeff Award for Best New Work), Daddy Long Legs (2009 Ovation Award, 2 Drama Desk Award nominations, Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination and 3 Outer Critic Circle award nominations). He is the co-founder of StreamingMusicals.com, where his musicals Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Estella Scrooge, Being Earnest and No One Called Ahead can currently be streamed. Knight’s Tale, written with John Caird, has had multiple productions in Japan. His other shows include: Stellar Atmospheres, Little Dorrit, Schwab’s, Analog and Vinyl, The Front, Juliet and Romeo, Sleepy Hollow, First Night, The Circle, Ribbit, Greetings From Venice Beach and The Sportswriter. In his former life, Paul was a pop songwriter, writing several number one hits. paulgordonmusic.com
RACHEL KLEIN (Director/Choreographer) Off-Broadway: Red, Roses, Green Gold (Minetta Lane Theatre/ft. the music of the Grateful Dead); Around the World in 80 Days (The Davenport Theatre); The Anthem (Lynn Redgrave Theatre). Selected NYC: Tink! (NYMF); More Than All the World (Theatre for the New City); Circus of Circus (The House of Yes). Selected Regional: The Suffragist (Gallagher Bluedorn Theatre), Dead Certain (composer: Air Supply's Graham Russell); 54 The Musical (House of Independents NJ). http://www.rachelkleindirector.com
CHRISTOPHER & JUSTIN SWADER (Scenic Designers) Previous designs with: Red Bull Theater, Fiasco Theater, Tectonic Theater Project, The New Victory Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem, York Theatre Company, Dallas Theater Center, Two River Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Everyman Theatre, Miami New Drama, Dorset Theatre Festival, A$AP Rocky, Sotheby’s, Big Apple Circus, National Geographic. www.cjswaderdesign.com
SAAWAN TIWARI (Costume Designer) is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Beyond designing, they teach through Roundabout Theatre Company. Selected credits - Hip Hop Cinderella (New Victory Theatre), Footloose (American Stage), Far From Canterbury (Barnstormers Theatre). Saawan is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ and AAPI communities. saawandesigns.com
JAMIE RODERICK (Lighting Design) Off-Broadway: ¡Americano!, Disney's Winnie The Pooh, Em😉jiland, Stranger Sings, Midnight at the Never Get (Drama Desk Nomination), Candida, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Caesar & Cleopatra, Safeword., Accidentally Brave, Red Roses, Green Gold, The Woodsman, Afterglow. Regional: Denis DeYoung's Hunchback of Notre Dame, Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night, Midsummer, Macbeth, Hamlet. JamieRoderick.com
SEAN HAGERTY (Sound Design) Drift (New World Stages), Ghost Light (LCT3), Then She Fell (Bessie Award), Midsummer: A Banquet (Drama Desk Nom.), Around the World in 80 Days (Davenport Theatre), The Anthem (Lynn Redgrave Theater), Sweet and Lucky (DCPA), The Wild Party (DCPA), Ikaros (La Jolla), Hound of the Baskervilles (Weston Playhouse) https://.seanhagerty.com/
JOSH IACOVELLI (Production Manager) 20 years in theatre and television spanning production design, art direction and scenic design. From fabrication to ideation, Josh has spent his entire career making ideas into reality. Numerous shows with Amas Musical Theatre. Selected Credits: Romeo and Bernadette, Hip Hop Cinderella, New Victory. BA Theatre and Direction Stockton University, MFA Actors Studio Drama School at New School University. JoshIacovelli.com
MORGAN R. HOLBROOK (he/him) Stage Manager Broadway: The Inheritance, The Ferryman, The Boys in the Band, Six Degrees of Separation, The Cherry Orchard, Blackbird, The Gin Game, The Audience, The Realistic Joneses, Betrayal, Picnic. Off-Broadway: A Sherlock Carol, The Portuguese Kid (MTC), Sons of the Prophet (Roundabout). Love and thanks to my parents.
STEPHANIE KLAPPER (Casting Director)’s award-winning work is frequently seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, on concert stages, film, television, and streaming media. She and her incredible team are dedicated to the growth of arts education, the development of new talent, and the reimagining of established works. Thank you Rachel, Donna, Jim and Paul, and TGATH team. www.Klappercasting.com; @stephanieklappercasting
JODIE MOORE (Music Supervision) Broadway: Tina, Waitress, If/Then, American Idiot, Hair, 9 to 5 the Musical, Spring Awakening, and Hairspray. Off-Broadway: Rent, Avenue Q, Toxic Avenger. 1st National Tours: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hairspray, Aida, Rent, and Footloose the Musical. Most recent credit: Disney’s Hercules at Papermill. Most important credits: daughters, Sofia and Hattie.
JONATHAN BAUERFELD (Music Director/Add’l Vocal Arrangements) is a New York based musical theater composer, orchestrator, music director, and certified vocal coach. Music Director: Off-Broadway at the New Victory Theater and Theaterworks USA. As a composer, with Casey Kendall, he has written The Jury, (A.R.T. Gural Theatre in NYC, Limbo: The Twelve, and Legacy: The Book of Names (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Orchestrations: Off-Broadway, NYMF, the Actors Fund Gala, The Green Room 42, and Symphony Space. Jonathan holds a BM in Composition from Northwestern University and is a proud member of the Advanced BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. More information on Jonathan’s collaboration with Casey can be found at kendallandbauerfeld.weebly.com.
AMAS MUSICAL THEATRE DONNA TRINKOFF, Artistic Producer. Since 1994, Donna has led Amas Musical Theatre in the creation, development and production of new musicals and the training and encouragement of inner-city young people. Donna has produced the original musicals Broadway and the Bard, starring Len Cariou, Red Eye of Love, The Other Josh Cohen, Triassic Parq! Wanda’s World, Shout! The Mod Musical, Lone Star Love, Magpie, Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Story, Zanna, Don’t!, Latin Heat, From My Hometown, Langston Hughes’ Little Ham, 4 Guys Named José, Rollin’ on the T.O.B.A., among others, and she has presented over 90 original musicals in the Amas Musical Theatre Lab. More HERE
JIM KIERSTEAD (Producer) is a Grammy-nominated, Emmy, Olivier, and six-time Tony Award-winning producer of the Broadway, touring, Toronto, and London productions of Kinky Boots, Pippin, Hadestown, The Inheritance, The Lehman Trilogy, and Company. In addition, he has been a co-producer of 25 Broadway productions and is currently represented on Broadway with Sweeney Todd and Hadestown. Off-Broadway projects include Titanique, Stranger Sings, Unexpected Joy, Yank! (Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Nominees), Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, and Thrill Me (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominees). He has also produced extensively in London’s West End and produced Miami’s hit immersive show Amparo. Jim is on the Board of Directors of The York Theatre Company and The Abingdon Theatre Company and is the founder of the digital theatre content creation company Broadway Virtual. www.kiersteadproductions.com
BROADWAY FACTOR (Producer) is a theatrical production company dedicated to promoting diversity and fostering new voices in American theater. It was co-founded by Jim Kierstead, William Fernandez, Deborah Ramirez, and the late George Cabrera. Broadway Factor served as executive producer of Miami’s longest-running immersive play, The Amparo Experience.
LINDA KARN (Producer) Theater credits include producing The Adult in the Room in Chicago and co-producing Mrs. Doubtfire and part of Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Linda is an Emmy winning producer for “Matt Shepard Is A Friend of Mine” and produced the Netflix documentary series “Happy Jail” and executive produced the award-winning documentary film "Mossville: When Great Trees Fall."
DAVID BRYANT (Producer) Broadway: A Beautiful Noise, Kite Runner, Getting the Band Back Together, Come From Away (Michael Alden Productions), A Time to Kill, Tale of Two Cities. Off-Broadway: Daddy Long Legs, Wiesenthal, Streaming; Estella Scrooge. Film: "Lilly" (Actor) Broadway: Amadeus, Sunday in the Park with George, Show Boat, Les Misérables (original Marius).