The Chance Theater - The World Goes 'Round

John Kander (Music) and Fred Ebb (Lyrics)

Lyricist Fred Ebb was born in 1933 and graduated from New York University and Columbia University. His first Broadway experience was as a songwriter for the 1960 revue From A to Z. Composer John Kander, born in 1927, graduated from Oberlin College and got his first taste of Broadway as a rehearsal pianist and writer of dance arrangements on Gypsy (1959). After a few individual flops, Kander and Ebb teamed up for what would prove to be a lifelong collaboration on the 1965 musical Flora the Red Menace. The next year would make them one of the most important creative forces in Broadway history with the creation of Cabaret. The 1966 production ran for 1,165 performances (a 1998 revival would stretch 2,378 performances) and won the duo Tonys for Best Musical, Best Score (Kander), and Best Lyrics (Ebb). The 1972 film version of Cabaret won eight Academy Awards, including one for actress Liza Minnelli, whom Kander and Ebb met on Flora the Red Menace. Kander and Ebb’s next major work, Chicago, opened to lukewarm critics and audiences in 1975. It managed to run for 936 performances and won no Tony Awards, but would find later success as a 1996 revival (over 3,500 performances and counting) and adapted into the 2002 Academy Award winner for Best Picture. Kander and Ebb wrote a new song for the Chicago film, “I Move On” and were nominated for an Academy Award. The duo worked steadily throughout the 1980s and 1990s, winning score and lyrics Tonys for Woman of the Year (1981) and Kiss of the Spider Woman – The Musical (1993). Both received nominations for their work on The Happy Time (1968), Zorba (1969), The Act (1978), The Rink (1984), and Steel Pier (1997). Beyond theatre, Kander and Ebb wrote the memorable “Theme From New York, New York” for the Martin Scorsese film of the same name and were honored by the Kennedy Center for their contributions to American culture in 1998. Ebb died in 2004. [top]

Kelly Todd (Director/Choreographer)

Kelly recently returned from New York City where she choreographed and performed at Off-Broadway houses and local theaters. A personal fan of Kander and Ebb, Kelly has worked with many of their works, including directing and choreographing Chicago. Kelly is the resident choreographer for the Children’s Civic Light Opera where she has choreographed nearly 20 musicals. She recently choreographed Closer Than Ever and Cabaret at The Chance. She would like to thank the staff for their support, John for believing in her, but mostly her incredible cast for their trust, inspiration and constant devotion. [top]

J. Russell Kieffer (Musical Director)

Russell gladly makes his California theatrical debut with The Chance Theater! By day, Russell manages a hospital program in Burbank for patients approaching end of life. Most recently, he was principal accompanist and contributing artistic director for several New Mexico-based musical productions. In 2001, Russell co-created/produced “Divining the Tapestry,” a theatrical celebration of life based on recorded interviews with Hospice patients. Russell is President of the Partnership for Arts-in-Medicine in NM, and lives in Hollywood with his partner of 14 years, 2 old dogs, and a needy cat. Born in Roswell, NM, Russell was reared by aliens. [top]

John Robinson (Set Designer)

This is John's third production with The Chance. He is an architect who has done set design in LA and New York. He most recently designed the sets for Cabaret and Big Love here at The Chance. He would like to thank Kelly for her support and inspiration. [top]

James Jones III (Lighting Designer)

James is very excited at this opportunity to work with The Chance Theater. He has just recently graduated from UCLA's School of Theater specializing in Lighting Design. A lover of lighting since the age of 13, James' short career ranges from small 99 seat houses, to churches, to large concert halls, with credits including: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Cinderella Stories, and the original stage musical Keep Movin' On. James also served as an Assistant Lighting Designer on the award-winning original musical, Ephraim's Song, produced by Cedric the Entertainer and Bruce Willis. James is so grateful to The Chance company for yet another opportunity to improve his craft and hopes to continue with The Chance in the future. [top]

Dave Mickey (Sound Designer)

Graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in Technical Theatre Design, Dave is pursuing his MFA in sound design at CalArts. In February of 1999 Caltech hired Dave as their Senior Audio Technician. Simultaneously working as a sound and lighting designer in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Design credits include the west coast premiere of The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer and world premiere of Wicked City Blues. [top]

Stacey Porterfield (Stage Manager)

Stacey is entering her third year at the University of California, Irvine majoring in Theatre and minoring in Education. She recently made her premier at The Chance running lights for Cabaret. Not only has Stacey worked behind the scenes on shows such as Medea and Twelfth Night, but she has also been a triple threat on the stage for several years. Some of her credits include The Who's Tommy, Bye, Bye, Birdie, Funny Girl, The Laramie Project, and The Man Who Came to Dinner. Her future is geared toward a career in directing and teaching. She would like to thank everyone at The Chance who welcomed her with open arms and constant support and inspiration. [top]

Ricky Culbertson (Soloist)

Ricky is a proud member The Chance Theater Company. He has been seen on The Chance stage in Closer Than Ever (Soloist), Porcelain (Voice Three), Cabaret (Bobby), and Big Love (Giuliano). Ricky has performed in numerous national tours, Off-Off Broadway, and regional productions, including; Sweeny Todd, A Sondheim Celebration, Black Comedy, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma!, Forum, Noises Off, Forever Plaid, World Goes Round and JC Superstar. Thanks to Kelly, Russell, and the whole cast for this wonderful show! [top]

Tamara Davis (Soloist)

Tamara is excited to once again perform at The Chance Theater. You may have seen her last year in A Grand Night for Singing. She recently starred as Annie in Annie Get Your Gun and as Reno in Anything Goes. She would like to thank Kelly for her patience and vision, The Chance family for their professionalism and most of all her husband Jeff for making it possible to perform. Grace, Alex and Andrew:"Mommy loves you!!". [top]

Glenn Koppel (Soloist)

Hooked by the consistently professional quality of Chance Theater productions, Glenn is thrilled to return to The Chance for his third show, having just completed a run as Herr Schultz in Cabaret and as Ko Ko in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado. His previous musical revue credits include Hit Tunes From Flop Shows (preformed in an art gallery in New York's SoHo district), Some Enchanted Evening (a revue of Rogers & Hammerstein hits), and Side By Side By Sondheim. [top]

Sarah Leonard (Soloist)

Sarah Leonard is excited about her first show at The Chance Theater. She has previously performed at the Haugh Performing Arts Center in How to Succeed in Business... as Smitty, and in Crazy for You. She has also been involved in several pop and musical theater revues performed at the Haugh, the LA County Fair, the Disneyland Grand California Hotel, and throughout various hotels in Hawaii. She spent this last summer touring Europe with a classical group. She hopes to perform her own music someday. [top]

Sarah Moreau (Soloist)

As a proud Company Member of The Chance Theater, Sarah is very excited to be a part of this production. Sarah has a BFA from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Sarah would like to thank Kelly and the cast for being so fantastic and hilarious. As always Sarah would like to thank her friends family, and Dean for their never ending support. [top]