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Meet The Cast of

BEAUTIFUL

AVERIS ANDERSON

RYAN MICHAEL ARMSTONG

ALEX BENOIT

ANNA LOUISE BRAMLETT

MICHAEL LAWRENCE BROWN

LYDIA BURKE

RAEVEN CARROL

MAXWELL J. DeTOGNE

ALLEY ELLIS

IAN GEERS

SAMANTHA GERSHMAN

EMILY GOLDBERG

MAKENZY JENKINS

ALANNA LOVELY

ANDREW MacNAUGHTON

CHAMAYA MOODY

AUSTIN NELSON JR

ALEXANDRA PALKOVIC

NATAKI RENNIE

MITZI SMITH

MICHAEL TURRENTINE

RICO VELAZQUEZ

REBEKAH WARD

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DRURY LANE THEATRE

100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Box Office: +1 (630) 530-0111

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DRURY LANE THEATRE

BIOGRAPHY

AVERIS ANDERSON (Ensemble, Drifter) is grateful to make his Drury Lane debut! Recent credits include Paramount Theatre’s Beautiful and Dreamgirls, Le Petit Theatre’s Choir Boy (Pharus), Circle Theatre’s The View Upstairs (Patrick), BoHo Theatre’s Marie Christine (Paris), The School for Lies with The Artistic Home (Acaste), and Theo’s An Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse Songbook [Jeff Nom], as well as, additional credits with Pride Film and Plays, Goodman Theatre, and Black Ensemble Theatre. Endless gratitude to my family/friend support system, my tribe and cavalryAxé. YouTube:  Averis Anderson ⎮ Instagram:  @averisisrae

BIOGRAPHY

RYAN MICHAEL ARMSTONG  (Swing, U/S Barry, Righteous Brothers, Nick, Neil, Lou) is so excited to be making his debut at Drury Lane! Recent credits include: Christmas Carol: The Remix (St. Louis Shakespeare Festival) American Psycho: The Musical (Kokandy Productions) Andy Warhol in Iran (Northlight Theatre), The Best Friggin’ Songs of Second City (Second City), Q Brothers Christmas Carol, Short Shakes! Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Style & Grace (Black Ensemble Theatre), The Last Session (Refuge Theatre Project – Jeff Nomination – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical). Ryan has also performed at Theo Unique Cabaret Theatre, Pride Films & Plays, Timber Lake Playhouse, Midsommar Flight, & Underscore Theatre. Ryan attended Millikin University.

BIOGRAPHY

ALEX BENOIT (Gerry Goffin) Broadway: The Notebook. Chicago: The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare); Into the Woods (Writers Theatre); A Chorus Line, Matilda, Mamma Mia! (Drury Lane Theatre); School of Rock (Paramount Theatre). 2019 Chicago Tribune Hot New Faces: 10 Actors to Watch. MA Classical Acting, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. So much gratitude for this opportunity, and forever thankful for Jordan. Tonight and always, I am hers completely. @AlexBenoit95

BIOGRAPHY

ANNA LOUISE BRAMLETT (Swing, U/S Marilyn, Betty, 2nd Carole King) is ecstatic to be involved in her fourth Drury Lane Production! She is a Chicago-based actor, dancer, singer/songwriter, and creator. Theatre credits include: Guys & Dolls: Mimi/Hotbox swing (Drury Lane), Beautiful: Swing- Ensemble/Carole/Cynthia (Marriott Theatre), Grease: Marty (Drury Lane), Shrek: Ugly Duckling, Teen Fiona U.S. (Drury Lane), Billy Elliot: Julie Pope (Porchlight Music Theatre), and Let It Be Christmas (Epic Theatre). Anna Louise would like to thank her parents, friends, and siblings for always supporting her many endeavors. Anna Louise Bramlett is represented by Paonessa Talent. @annalouisebramlett on all platforms. Visit her website for more info: annalouisebramlett.com

BIOGRAPHY

MICHAEL LAWRENCE BROWN (Donny Kirshner) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane where he last performed in Camelot. Other theater credits include A Little Night Music at Light Opera Works, Into the Woods at the Mercury Theater, Breaking Up is Hard to Do at Fox Valley Rep, and Brigadoon at Music by the Lake. As a classical soloist, he has performed the Fauré Requiem, Haydn’s The Creation, Handel’s Messiah, and Kurt Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Michael has also performed with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is active in the Chicago choral scene and has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus for a decade. Michael is a lecturer in musical theater at Northwestern where he teaches voice. 

BIOGRAPHY

LYDIA BURKE (Ensemble, Lead Shirelle, Shirley, Backup Singer, U/S Janelle) is elated being back at the Drury Lane Theatre! She was last seen on this stage as Jovie in Elf and in Matilda: the Musical. Other Chicago credits include Frozen: the Broadway Musical, the Full Monty, Beautiful, Billy Elliot, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Little Shop of Horrors, Groundhog Day, Kinky Boots (Paramount Theatre), Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Damn Yankees, Big Fish, Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Sister Act (Mercury Theatre Chicago). @lydialburke

BIOGRAPHY

RAEVEN CARROL (Ensemble, Shirelle, Uptown Singer, Backup Singer, U/S Little Eva) is thrilled to make her Drury Lane debut! Her previous credits include: The Salon & Blue Eyed Soul Sung by Brown Eyed People (Jeff Awards Recommended) at Black Ensemble Theatre! Raeven recently graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in Acting in 2023. She thanks God, her family, friends, and her partner for all of their unwavering love and support.

BIOGRAPHY

MAXWELL J. DeTOGNE (Ensemble, Low Righteous Brother, Neil Sedaka, Lou Adler, U/S Donny) is so excited to make his Drury Lane debut. Notable past roles in Chicago include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre), Rob in High Fidelity (Refuge Theatre Project) and Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde (Kokandy) and most recently Oscar Jaffee in On the Twentieth Century (Blank Theatre). Recent regional theatre roles include Dan in Next to Normal, Jon in tick, tick, boom! and Robert Kincaid in Bridges of Madison County. He was fortunate enough to work with The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the premier of Emma right before everything shut down in 2020, and has been more and more appreciative of each moment to create and share. Continue to listen and be kind to one another.

BIOGRAPHY

ALLEY ELLIS (Ensemble, Marilyn Wald, Assistant Dance Captain, U/S 1st Carole King) is a New York based actor, thrilled to be back at the Drury Lane after she played Maggie in A Chorus Line. Other Chicago credits include: Rock of Ages, School of Rock, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Paramount Theatre), Beauty and The Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Citadel Theatre). Chicago Fire (NBC). She is a proud MTD alum from CCPA at Roosevelt University and is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Endless thanks to Jane, Carolyn, her community, and most of all her parents for their abundance of support and magic. @lalleylellis on all socials. You’ve got a friend!

BIOGRAPHY

IAN GEERS (Ensemble, High Righteous Brother, Nick, U/S Gerry) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut! Tour Credits: Othello at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Macbeth with Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, To Kill a Mockingbird, As You like It, and The Tempest with National Players; Regional Credits include The Seagull, Measure for Measure, King Lear, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Killer Angels at Michigan Shakespeare Festival, The Tempest at Virginia Stage Company, Once at Olney Theatre Center, The Secret Council at First Folio, American Idiot at Surging Films and Theatrics. Ian received his BFA in Acting from Boston University and is the proud co-writer/co-director/co-producer of Fawx & Stallion, an award-winning Comedy Mystery Podcast available anywhere you listen to podcasts. Ian is member of Actor’s Equity and like to send much love and thanks to Lauren, Laz, Dad, Megan, Mom, and the awesome team at BMG. 

BIOGRAPHY

SAMANTHA GERSHMAN (Carole King) Drury Lane debut! This musical holds such a special place in Sam’s heart – she grew up listening to Carole King with her family on repeat, dancing to I Feel the Earth Move in the kitchen with her mom, playing the tapestry album on road trips. She feels incredibly grateful to tell this story and to sing this iconic music. Broadway: Water For Elephants (Marlena standby), A Beautiful Noise (Swing). National Tours: Jersey Boys (Mary Delgado), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy standby). Favorite regional credits: Evita (Eva Perón), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales; Helen Hayes Winner*), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Shimmy Girl). Endless thanks to DGRW and to her beautiful family. Dedicated to her dad. 

BIOGRAPHY

EMILY GOLDBERG (Ensemble, Betty, U/S Cynthia) Emily is grateful to be a part of this beautiful team! Select Chicago credits include: A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder at Porchlight (Jeff

nomination); You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Marriott; Emma, Nell Gwynn at Chicago Shakespeare; Into The Woods at Writers; Sweeney Todd at Paramount; Into The Woods, Loving Repeating (Jeff nomination) at Kokandy; Songs For A New World at Theo Ubique; Dogfight (Jeff nomination) at Boho; The Spitfire Grill (Jeff nomination) at Refuge; Guys & Dolls at WilliamsStreet; Schoolhouse Rock at The Broadway Playhouse. Emily is represented by Big Mouth Talent.

BIOGRAPHY

MAKENZY JENKINS (Ensemble, Drifter) is thrilled to be making their Drury Lane debut!  Regional credits include: A Taste of Soul & The Salon at Black Ensemble Theatre, Passing Strange at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, several TYA shows in the city, as well as Shrek & Frozen at New Stage Theatre in their home-state of Mississippi.  They attended Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts for Acting. They enjoy their free time by exploring the city, writing, and listening to Beyonce, SZA, or a Soulquarian. It’s a privilege to be able to serve in theatre. Represented by DDO Artists Agency. Instagram: @makenzyx”

BIOGRAPHY

ALANNA LOVELY (Ensemble, Shirelle, Janelle Woods, U/S Shirley) is very happy to be welcomed back to Drury Lane Theatre! Chicago credits: The World Goes Round and The Wizard of Oz (Marriott Theatre); Shrek (Drury Lane Theatre); The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Lookingglass Theatre Company); Nina Simone: Four Women (Northlight Theatre); Merrily We Roll Along (Porchlight Theatre); Ragtime (Griffin Theatre); Bare: A Pop Opera (Refuge Theater); and A Christmas Story: The Musical (Paramount Theater). Regional Credits: The Wanderers (Forward Theatre); Nina Simone: Four Women (Merrimack Rep); Mother Divine and The Music Man (Western Playhouse).  Recent recurring TV credit: “Empire” (Fox). Other TV credit: “Power Book IV: Force” (STARZ); “Chicago Fire” (NBC).

BIOGRAPHY

ANDREW MacNAUGHTON (Barry Mann) is excited to return to Drury Lane in Beautiful! Past Drury Lane credits include Shrek the Musical, An American in Paris, and Matilda the Musical. Other Chicago credits: “Bob Gaudio” in Jersey Boys, “The Monster” in Young Frankenstein (Jeff nomination), and Clue at Mercury Theater Chicago; Groundhog Day at Paramount Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chicago Shakespeare; New Faces Sing Broadway NOW! at Porchlight; White Christmas and Pajama Game at Theatre at the Centre. Originally from Canada, Andrew holds a BA and an MA in Music Theatre Performance from Sheridan College and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Proud AEA member, represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Love to family and friends!

BIOGRAPHY

CHAMAYA MOODY (Ensemble, Shirelle, Little Eva, Backup Singer, U/S Uptown Singer) Safronia (Lyric Opera of Chicago), In My Granny’s Garden (Goodman), The Threepenny Opera (Jeff Nom.), 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70s (Jeff Award), Sweeney Todd (Kokandy), and “The Emperor of Ocean Park” (MGM+). Graduate of Northwestern University from the Musical Theatre Certificate Program. Outside of performing, she likes to make social media content about neurodiversity and accessible business practices. Represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Thankful to God. Sending love to Mom.

BIOGRAPHY

AUSTIN NELSON JR. (Ensemble, Drifter, Dance Captain) is so excited to be making his return to Drury Lane with Beautiful! Previous theatre credits include: The Little Mermaid, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, Shrek the Musical (Drury Lane Theatre); 1776, Seussical the Musical (Marriott Theatre); Dreamgirls (Paramount Theatre); Godspell (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre); New Faces Sing Broadway 1947 (Porchlight Music Theatre); Bachelor: The Unauthorized Parody Musical (Apollo Theater Chicago); Sister Act (Mercury Theater Chicago); The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Elf the Musical (First Stage Theatre). TV/Film: Dark Matter (AppleTV+). Austin is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Much love to his family and friends for their undying support. @austinnelsonjr

BIOGRAPHY

ALEXANDRA PALKOVIC (Cynthia Weil) A graduate of Western Illinois University, past Chicago credits include: A Chorus Line (Sheila), Guys and Dolls (Hot Box/Mimi/Sarah Brown us)and Singin in the Rain at The Drury Lane Oakbrook, Kiss Me Kate (Lois Lane/Bianca-Jeff nominated Supporting Actor), Singin in the Rain (Lina Lamont), Anything Goes(Erma), 9 to 5 (Doralee Rhodes), Sweet Charity(Ursula March), Cats(Demeter), Cabaret, Legally Blonde(Serena), The World Goes Round, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Pirates of Penzance, South Pacific, Cinderella, and Seussical(The Marriott Theatre). Off Broadway: Attack of the Elvis Impersonators. Other credits: Tommy(Paramount Theatre), Smokey Joe’s Cafe(Delee)New Theatre Company, Elf the Musical(Ensemble, u/s Jovie)Arvada Theatre Center, Constellations(Marianne)Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Cabaret(Sally) and Sweet Charity(Charity)Timber Lake Playhouse, and Chicago(Mona)Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre. A few commercial credits include: American Financing, KFC, Taco John’s, and Visible Wireless. Alex can also be found underwater touring as a professional mermaid with Wands and Wishes Mermaids.  Love to my family and the entire team at Drury Lane!

BIOGRAPHY

NATAKI RENNIE (Swing, U/S Shirelle, Lucille, Backup Singer) is beyond excited to be making her Drury Lane debut with the company of Beautiful! Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nataki is a graduate of the musical theatre dance concentration program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Recent Chicagoland theatre credits include White Christmas at the Marriott Theatre (Ensemble), and Anything Goes at Porchlight Music Theatre (Purity). In her free time she enjoys thrift shopping, creative writing, and laughing with loved ones. Nataki would like to thank all of her family, friends, and teachers for their love and support. IG: @nataki__ 

BIOGRAPHY

MITZI SMITH (Off Stage Singer, U/S Genie)  is thrilled to return to Drury Lane after appearing in Fiddler on the Roof  last season. Recent Chicago credits include Madame in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (MPAC.) Former casting director, with Jay Binder NYC, Mitzi worked on casting GYPSY, A Chorus Line and Grease on Broadway. Mitzi’s performance credits include California regional theatres Moonlight Amphitheatre (Sweeney Todd, Mary Poppins,) Diversionary Theatre (Marry Me A Little,) Cygnet Theatre (Assassins,) and Lady of the Lake, in Monty Python’s Spamalot. Mitzi leads the Musical Theatre program at North Central College. BFA, Boston Conservatory, MFA, San Diego State. Thank you to the Beautiful creative team and everyone at Drury for this incredible experience. Dedicated to my parents, husband & daughters, I love you! Proudly represented by Talent X Alexander.  www.MitziSmithMFA.com IG:MitziSmithMFA 

BIOGRAPHY

MICHAEL TURRENTINE (Ensemble, Drifter) is extremely excited to be returning to Drury Lane! He was previously seen in Drury’s production of Shrek the Musical as Donkey! Michael has also worked at such theaters as Steppenwolf, Marriott Theater, Paramount Theatre, The Gift Theater, Griffin Theater (of which he received a Jeff Award for Best Performer in a Supporting Role), Remy Bumppo Theatre, The Lyric Opera, and many others. Michael would like to thank his family, especially his mother, for their undying support. Michael is represented by Gray Talent Group.

BIOGRAPHY

RICO VELAZQUEZ (Swing, U/S Drifter) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane Debut with such an incredible cast, crew, and show! Television Credits Include: America’s Got Talent(s12) (Top 10 Finalist-Diavolo). National Tours: The SpongeBob Musical (Ensemble/ u/s SpongeBob), Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (Onstage Male Swing), Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Ensemble/King MoonRacer). Regional: The Boy From Oz (Ensemble) West Side Story (Chino) at OFC Creations Theatre Center, Disney’s Newsies (Ensemble/Spot Conlon) at 3-D Theatricals , Hairspray (Duane/Ensemble) at Palos Verdes PA Center . Other Credits: Carnival Cruise lines(Playlist Performer Inaugural Cast), Paris Dance Festival, Helena Fischer’s Christmas Spectacular (Germany) Rico would love to send a special thank you to his friends and family as well as agents over at BMG Chicago for all of their continued love and support. @Ricovelazquez

BIOGRAPHY

REBEKAH WARD (Genie Klein) (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) – previous theatrical credits include The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Northlight Theatre, IRT (Indiana Repertory), The HOUSE Theatre, BackStage Theatre Company, Strawdog Theatre Company; Oak Park Festival Theatre, Remy Bumppo. Film/Television credits include roles on Empire (FOX), Chicago Fire (NBC), Sam & Cat (NICKELODEON), Chicago PD (NBC), Chicago Justice (NBC.) and guest stars on Chicago Med (NBC) & Masters of Sex (SHOWTIME). She is represented by Stewart Talent and Grossman & Jack Talent for Voiceover.