YES, A CAT NAMED MARTY COHEN
THE MUSICAL!
CAST
DANIEL BRAATEN (Artie Cohen) is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch’s New Studio on Broadway Musical Theatre Program. When he is not performing you can find him singing and serving at Central Park Cafe’s new immersive dining experience, Central Park Live. Recent credits include Mr. Puppy (Off-Broadway) and Forevermore (MTC Staged Reading). As a Canadian born and raised actor, he is grateful to call both NYC and Vancouver home. He thanks both Wendy and Jonathan for having him on board. Repped by The Characters Talent Agency and managed by Roger Paul Talent. @danielbraaaten.
MARIKO KAI (Heedley) is a Japanese-born performer who began violin at two and has pursued music ever since. She holds a BFA in Opera from Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and trained in musical theatre at New York Film Academy. Credits include Netflix’s “Maniac” with Sally Field and a Spotify commercial with Cardi B. Recently, she appeared in Mr. Puppy, The Musical, directed by Jonathan S. Cerullo. She feels deeply honored and excited to be part of this wonderful new musical. https://www.marikokai.com
CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL (Marty Cohen) is thrilled to lead Yes, A Cat Named Marty Cohen, The Musical! Proud member of AEA. Off-Broadway/NYC: The Hollow, Mr. Puppy, the Musical reading, In this Life concept album, E.G.G. National Tour: Blippi in Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour. Select Regional: Elf the Musical (Buddy u/s), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Jean-Michael), The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric u/s), Safari Sid in “Zoo-phonics®: The Adventures of Zoophonia”, an educational web series teaching phonics to children. Michigan State alum. Marketing manager/associate producer at Bailey St. Entertainment. Teaching Artist with Inside Broadway. Repped by Firestarter Entertainment. Much thanks to Jonathan & Wendy! Love to Kevin. IG: @christopherxmichael | christophermichaelx.com
BRADLEY VIKTOR (Jacques/PSR Agent) is a Yale-educated actor, singer, cellist, and fledgling guitarist. Career highlights include his national tour debut as Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, Usher/Understanding (Everybody, Milwaukee Rep), Tartuffe (Tartuffe, Stag & Lion), Fester (The Addams Family, Yale), and M (Lungs, The Grange Theatre). In addition to acting, Bradley is an aspiring law student who scored in the top 0.3% on the LSAT. He lives in Washington Heights with his two roommates and his cello, Roger. Managed by Serendipity Entertainment. bradleyviktor.com
ANGELA ZHANG (Daisy) is an interdisciplinary artist and trained dancer graduated from Columbia University. Starting at the young age of 4, she fell in love with ballet, and has since expanded her training to contemporary, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and even aerial silks. Angela most recently made her Off-Broadway debut and has additionally choreographed and performed in many musicals in NYC, including The Addams Family, Pippin, Annie, and more. She is very grateful to have the opportunity to work with the lovely director Jonathan Cerullo and Amas once again! @angelazballet
JAMIEL T. BURKHART (Hector Toro) is an alumni of the Fame School, Jamiel is a familiar face in the NYC theater scene as well as a regional favorite. He is the artistic producer of MilkyWay Theatre Company, developing new musicals and plays premiering soon. He is writing a new musical Underneath Concrete with his best friend Aidan Arbona (aidenarbona.com)! Jamiel is blessed to do what he loves everyday having worked in various capacities with Off-Broadway at the Public Theater, MCC, EST, and Amas. Thank you to Jonathan for this opportunity. Recent credits: 518 (World Premiere) Mr. Puppy (Kimba/Yohan/Toy Bear. World Premiere), Hair (Hud), BIG FUN: The Heathers the Musical Tribute (Bar 9 NY), Miss Maybelline’s Nocturnal Flights of Fancy (Trey Vanderkamp, World Premiere), Hip Hop Cinderella (Prince, U/S Runka/Dance Captain, World Premiere Amas), Grease (Danny Zuko), Comedy of Errors (Dromio), Rock of Ages (Ja’Keith Gill/Mayor), Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince/the Wolf), Pippin (Pippin/Lewis), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Caiaphas). Insta: @jamielburkhart TikTok@jamielburkhart_official jamielburhart.com
THE CREATIVE TEAM
WENDY ANN GARDNER (Author) began her career as a painter. She studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, and in 1985 moved to New York City. In 1997 she formed her company, SCARY STORIES INC, and began selling her plush toys, Dig Ivan Dig, Heedley Pecked Me in the Eye, and all the other Naughty Naughty Pets characters, which have been sold in boutiques, design stores, gifts shops, and art museums throughout the world. Her unique graphics have been commissioned by many companies, notably, Target, Nylabone, and Paul Frank Industries, for use as logos, branding and character art. Her illustrations of the Naughty Naughty Pets have been licensed worldwide to create various products, including children’s clothing, books, stationery, lollipops, stickers, greeting cards, pet toys, watches, wallets, fashion bags, t-shirts and pajamas. Her series of four Naughty Naughty Pets children’s books were published by Hyperion Books for Children in 2002. In 2006 the animated TV series “The Naughty Naughty Pets” aired on Cartoon Network, CBC Canada, BBC UK, NHK Japan and was syndicated worldwide. Most recently, she is the author and composer of the children’s musical, Windywoo and Her Naughty Naughty Pets, which was performed as a developmental reading at the New York Musical Theater Festival in 2015 and at the last Amas Dare to Be Different Festival in 2019.
JONATHAN S. CERULLO (Director/Choreographer) Broadway/NYC: choreographic consultant: Say Goodnight, Gracie, assistant director and/or choreo: Band in Berlin, Anna Karenina (four Tony Award nominations), The Three Musketeers, original cast: Legs Diamond (three Tony Award nominations), choreographer, Big Apple Circus’ Carnivale! & Picturesque (Lincoln Center). Produced/directed: With Love Now and Forever, CATS4COVID Relief (Streaming). Off-Broadway: directed and choreo Mr. Puppy, The Musical (AMT Theatre/NYC) Conceived and directed A Lotta Night Music (Amas Musical Theatre), produced/directed, Legs Diamond Reunion Concert (Feinstein’s/54 Below also Lincoln Center Library of Performing Arts), directed and/or choreo, The Flip Side and No Foolin’ (Amas Musical Theatre), Fictitious (Theatre Now NY, 2016 Best Director), Windywoo (Amas and NYMF), Pins and Needles (La Mama), Uta Hagen’s Tribute (Town Hall), Chance (Fresh Fruit Festival Multiple Fruity award-winner), choreographer; Under Fire (2009 Best of Fest NYMF). TV: Created and directed “Dear Mr. Gershwin” (CBC TV), choreo, “Evening At Pops”, assistant director, “Donny Osmond's This Is The Moment”, “Natalie Cole’s Christmas Special”, all for Great Performances. Film: The First Wives Club, The Stepford Wives, The Cowboy Way. Regional: Denver Center, Goodspeed, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Uta Hagen in Six Dance Lessons; Geffen Playhouse, The Blank Theatre. Member of SDC (President’s Award 2020), AEA, DG. Artistic Associate at Amas Music Theatre. For more information, please visit www.jsctheatricals.com
COLIN FREEMAN (Music Director) Theatre credits include: Annie, Anything Goes, Cats, Chess, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Forever Plaid, Harmony (Broadway). Recordings for the B.B.C. and conducting appearances for many leading U.S. and Canadian Symphony Orchestras, including PIttsburgh Pops Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. An Ovation Award winner for Best Musical Director. He lives in New York with his wife and singer Lorna Luft.
NIKOLAS GEORGE BROWN (Production Stage Manager) is a 16+ year veteran of the entertainment industry, with credits spanning Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, concerts, film, television, and large-scale events. He has worked with RWS, Cirque du Soleil, and TAIT, bringing a deep love for logistics, collaboration, and storytelling to every production. Love to family and friends.
SYDNEY WEISER (Assistant to Director) is delighted to work with Jonathan again, after assisting him on Mr. Puppy Off-Broadway this summer. Off-Broadway: Singfeld. National tour: Charlotte’s Web. Select regional: Indecent (Playhouse on Park), Windywoo and Her Naughty Naughty Pets (Legacy Theatre), The Spongebob Musical (Barn Theatre). BFA in musical theatre/directing from Marymount Manhattan College. sydneyweiser.com
A.R.T./NY (Venue) Established in 1972 by an innovative collective, A.R.T./New York has matured into an indispensable cornerstone for over 475 theatres and more than 150 individual producers and artists throughout all five boroughs of New York City and across the state. As the singular membership organization dedicated to encompassing New York’s entire not-for-profit theatre sector, A.R.T./New York’s reach extends from playwriting collectives and developmental labs to producing organizations and pioneering independent artists. A.R.T./NY continues to serve the field through four essential service areas — Funding, Space, Professional Development and Advocacy — in order to help theatremakers put their creative ideas on stage.
