Elf Cast | Drury Lane Theatre – Official Site
Close

DRURY LANE THEATRE

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
DRURY LANE ACCOUNT

Meet The Cast of

ELF THE MUSICAL

JUANITA ANDERSEN

KARMANN BAJUYO

MELODY A. BETTS

COLLIN BRADLEY

LYDIA BURKE

JENNY COUCH

SHANTEL CRIBBS

BEN DOW

BRIAN M. DUNCAN

KELLY FELTHOUS

SEAN FORTUNATO

MARYA GRANDY

MEGHAN HOYT

ELLIOTT MAYEDA

LORENZO PARNELL

IAN MICHAEL PINSKI

GARRETT SHIN

OZ SHOSHAN

GABRIEL SOLIS

ARIEL ETANA TRIUNFO

SHANNA VANDERWERKER

A.D. WEAVER

MATTHEW WEIDENBENER

BRIAN SELCIK

ADAM LASALLE

Buy Gift Certificates

Give the gift of theatre!

Become a Subscriber!

Enjoy premium benefits!

Join our Mailing List!

Receive news and special offers!

Follow Us:

Facebook Youtube Instagram

DRURY LANE THEATRE

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

SHOWS

On Stage Now

24 – 25 Season

25 – 26 Season

Theatre for Young Audiences

Show Archive Download

TICKETS

Ticket & Theatre Policies

Groups

Membership

Gift Certificates

 

MORE

News

Dining

Audition Info

DRURY LANE THEATRE

BIOGRAPHY

JUANITA ANDERSEN (Ensemble, Mrs. Claus, Waitress, u/s Deb) makes her Drury Lane debut. Chicago credits include American Mariachi (The Goodman Theatre); Native Gardens (Williams Street Rep); The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Filament Theatre); Roots in the Alley and Worthy (Adventure Stage Chicago); Giggle, Giggle, Quack and Arnie the Doughnut (Lifeline Theatre); and In To America (Griffin Theatre). Regional credits include With Love, and a Major Organ (Boise Contemporary Theater). She is a company member of Playmakers Laboratory Theatre and graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied Theatre and Latinx Studies. @juantonamera | juanitaandersen.com

BIOGRAPHY

KARMANN BAJUYO (Mr. Greenway, u/s Walter) Drury Lane: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, THE KING AND I. CHICAGO CREDITS: WIFE OF A SALESMAN (Writer’s Theatre); THE KING AND I (Porchlight Theatre); WILD BOAR, THE HUNDRED FLOWERS PROJECT (Silk Road Rising); F**KING MEN, MAHAL

(Bailiwick Chicago); SHREW’D (First Folio); WHISPER HOUSE (Black Button Eyes). Regional: THE KING AND I (Timberlake Playhouse); Tour: DEFAMATION (Canamac). TV: CHICAGO MED; CHICAGO PD; POWERS. FILM: CRITICAL NEXUS; BASTARD SON OF A THOUSAND FATHERS; THANKS MOM; YOO. Karmann has appeared in several national commercials and done voice-over work on numerous commercial spots. He is represented by Paonessa Talent.

BIOGRAPHY

MELODY A. BETTS (Emily Hobbs) was last seen at The Lyric Opera of Chicago in Fiddler as Fruma Sarah. Chicago credits include FANNIE, The Nativity (Goodman Theatre); Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Boys from Syracuse, Seussical the Musical(Drury Lane Oakbrook); Once on this Island, Nunsense, All Shook Up, The Drowsy Chaperone(Marriott Lincolnshire); Comedy of Errors, Pinocchio(Chicago Shakes); Motherhood the Musical(Royal George); Rock of Ages,Secret of My Success(Paramount). Broadway/Off Broadway: Waitress the Musical(Brooks Atkinson); Invisible Thread(Second Stage). Tour: The Sound of Music; Waitress. Regional Theater: The Color Purple, A Christmas Carol, Nunsense(Milwaukee Rep); Smokey Joe’s Café, Hairspray(New Theater); Witness Uganda, Extraordinary(A.R.T.). TV: Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire(NBC), I Can See Your Voice, Chicago Code(FOX); Power (STARZ), Southside (HBOMax). IG: @melodyabetts Website: www.melodyabetts.com

BIOGRAPHY

COLLIN BRADLEY (Ensemble, Security Guard #1, Police #1, Matthews) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane for Elf! He recently graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. Recent credits include Evita at Drury Lane Theatre, and Hello, Dolly! at the Marriott Theatre. Collin also performed with Ardent Dance Company, and trains at Visceral Dance Center. While he’s not performing, Collin teaches youth dance classes in Chicago.

BIOGRAPHY

LYDIA BURKE (Jovie) is elated to return to Drury Lane Theatre! She was last seen on the Drury Lane stage in Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Other recent credits include Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Sister Act (Mercury Theater Chicago), the Sound of Music and Junie B. Jones the Musical (Marriott Theatre), Groundhog Day and Kinky Boots (Paramount Theatre), Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (Porchlight Music Theatre), Ragtime and Billy Elliot (Music Theater Works), and Ghost: The Musical (Theatre at the Center). Lydia would like to thank her amazing family and friends for their unending love and support! @lydialburke

BIOGRAPHY

JENNY COUCH (Ensemble, Macy’s Salesperson) is thrilled to be making her Drury Lane debut! She is a Chicago-based actor, singer, dancer and gymnast, and a recent graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. CCPA credits include She Loves Me (Ilona Ritter), Head Over Heels, Macbeth, and Diamonds in the Rough. Other credits include My Way at Metropolis PAC, Chicago (Roxie Hart), and West Side Story. Jenny would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support and for putting up with her. Jenny is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. @jenny_couch, jennycouch.com

BIOGRAPHY

SHANTEL CRIBBS (Ensemble, Tiara) is excited to return to Drury! Chicago/Regional: The Color Purple (The Muny), Dreamgirls, Rock of Ages (Paramount Theatre), Beauty and the Beast, The Color Purple, (Drury Lane), Junie B. Jones (Marriott Theatre), Pump Boys & Dinettes, Sophisticated Ladies, Memphis (Porchlight Music Theatre) Little Shop of Horrors (Mercury Theatre), Marie Christine (BoHo Theatre), A Jazz Happening (Ted Shawn Theatre) and SIX (The Ordway) Training: Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. BFA Musical Theatre Performance, Columbia College Chicago. Philippians 4:13 #TheBaddest www.shantelcribbs.net @shanydrenee

BIOGRAPHY

BEN DOW (Buddy the Elf) is honored to be returning to Drury Lane! Drury Lane credits include: Forever Plaid (u/s Jinx & Frankie). Other Chicago credits include: Shakesfest: Chicago Shakespeare in the Park (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) and Sons of Hollywood (Windy City Playhouse). Ben graduated with his BFA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University – Bloomington. Ben would like to thank his family, the amazing team at Stewart Talent Chicago, the wonderful team of Elf, and Drury Lane for making this show possible.www.bennelsondow.com

BIOGRAPHY

BRIAN M. DUNCAN (Ensemble, Fake Santa, u/s Mr. Greenway)is thrilled to be back at Drury Lane after being seen in Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Saturday Night Fever and Hazel! Other Chicago credits include: Cats, 42nd Street, The Music Man, A Chorus Line, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Big Fish, A Christmas Carol and All Shook Up. Brian is also the jazz and competition co-director at Dance Images and on faculty at Columbia College Chicago. Brian Would like to thank everyone at Drury Lane for having him back as well as his parents and friends especially his husband Curtis for all their love and support. Proud member AEA.

BIOGRAPHY

KELLY FELTHOUS (Ensemble, Charlotte Denon, u/s Jovie) is so happy to be returning to Drury Lane where she appeared as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and Roxie in Chicago both earning her Jeff Award nominations. Other Chicago credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles) at Paramount Theater, Skates The Musical (Meghan) at The Studebaker Theater, Music Man (Zaneeta) at The Goodman and many more! New York/National Tour credits include Wicked (Glinda, Nessarose u/s), Flashdance (Gloria), Grease (Marty). Trip of Love (Caroline), Max and Ruby (Ruby), and Seussical (Mayzie). Kelly has also appeared in numerous regional theater productions, tv shows and commercials.  Proud AEA/SAG/AFTRA member and NYU/CAP21 graduate. Thanks so much to DDO Artists Agency, her friends and family, G, and the entire Elf team! @kellyfelthous

BIOGRAPHY

SEAN FORTUNATO (Walter Hobbs) returns to Drury Lane where he played Miss Trunchbull in Matilda and Detective Cioffi in Curtains. Credits include: Starbuck in The Rainmaker (Peninsula Players, WI), Mr. Marks in Intimate Apparel (Northlight Theatre), Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Writers Theatre), Dad in Billy Elliot (Porchlight Theatre), Joseph in The Book of Joseph (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), 2666 (Goodman Theatre), and work at Court Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Timeline Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre, About Face Theatre, First Folio Theatre, Old Globe Theatre, CA, Intiman Theatre, WA, and The Duke on 42nd, NY. TV: Antoon Dumini in Fargo (FX), Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire (NBC). Flim: The Merry Gentleman directed by Michael Keaton. Sean has received nine Jeff Award nominations and an After Dark Award.

BIOGRAPHY

MARYA GRANDY (Deb) CHICAGO: The Devil Wears Prada (World Premiere; Broadway in Chicago); Fiddler on the Roof (Chicago Lyric Opera); Emma, The Wizard of Oz (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Holiday Inn (Jeff Nomination), Honeymoon in Vegas, How to Succeed…, Sister Act, On the Town (Jeff Nomination), 9 to 5 (Marriott Theatre), Saturday Night Fever (Drury Lane), The Secret Garden (Court Theatre), Les Miserables (Paramount Theatre), Juno (TimeLine Theatre), and A Grand Night for Singing (Mercury Theater–Jeff Nomination). BROADWAY/NEW YORK: Closer Than Ever (2012 Revival), Les Misérables (2006 Revival), Damn Yankees, Bells Are Ringing (City Center Encores!), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Drama Desk Nomination), and The Water Coolers (co-author). REGIONAL: Our Town, The 25 th Annual…Spelling Bee, On Golden Pond, Fanny Brice: America’s Funny Girl (World Premiere), Pump Boys & Dinettes, Take Flight, Gypsy, Beehive, Smokey Joe’s Café, and others.. TV/FILM: “Chicago Fire”, “Chicago P.D.”, “Rescue Me”, “Conviction”, “Law & Order”, “Law &; Order: SVU”, “Denis Leary’s Merry F***ing Christmas”, and “Love Streams”. Original Cast Recording: The Great American Trailer Park Musical. B.A.: Yale University

BIOGRAPHY

MEGHAN HOYT (Ensemble, Security Guard #2, u/s Emily) is so thrilled to be back on the Drury Lane stage having performed here many years ago in My Fair Lady.   She was on this stage much of her childhood performing in Gypsy, The Music Man and Annie.  Select Chicago credits include, Diana in Next to Normal, Amy in Company, Fran in Promises, Promises,  The Witch in Into the Woods,  Mother in Ragtime and Sarah Jane Moore in Assassins.   Meghan is represented by Gray Talent Group and wants to send love to her two amazing children, Stella and Cooper, wonderfully supportive husband Joe, and biggest fan, Mom!!  Thank you to all of our audiences for supporting live theatre!

BIOGRAPHY

ELLIOTT MAYEDA (Standby Michael (1st), u/s Boy on Santa’s Lap) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane Theatre debut in one of his favorite musicals, Elf! He made his professional debut with The Sound of Music at Marriott Theatre. Elliott is in 7th grade, and loves to sing Broadway show tunes with his friends, bake, and play trumpet and piano. Special thanks to Ragan Hughes, Tina Reynolds, and his family for helping to make all of his theater dreams come true. Enjoy the show!

BIOGRAPHY

LORENZO PARNELL (Ensemble, Macy’s Manager, Charlie, u/s Santa) is excited to be making his Drury Lane debut. Mr. Parnell was awarded Buffalo Spree’s “Best of WNY 2020” for his Artie award winning performance as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray at the Kavinoky Theatre. Other credits include Rock of Ages (Mayor/Ja’Keith/Constance) at the Kavinoky Theatre, Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr) at Musicalfare, Sister Act The Musical (Lt. Eddie Souther), To Kill a Mockingbird (Tom Robinson) at GEVA Theatre and Buffalo Opera Unlimited/WNED PBS production of Susannah (Sam Polk). Mr. Parnell received his BA in Voice from SUNY Fredonia. GO BILLS!!

BIOGRAPHY

IAN MICHAEL PINSKI (Boy on Santa’s Lap, Michael (2nd)) is so excited to be joining the Drury Lane family!  Ian made his professional theater debut in 2019 as the role of Young Will in  Boho Theater’s Jeff Recommended production of Big Fish. Ian was also cast as Fletcher in Porchlight’s Freaky Friday, as well as numerous other roles locally, including Seussical, Jr., Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, Wizard of Oz, James & the Giant Peach, and Madagascar, Jr. Special thanks to Ian’s family, Shirley Hamilton Inc., Samantha Kittelson, Drury Lane Theatre, Neal Woodruff & Tommy Thurston.

BIOGRAPHY

GARRETT SHIN (Ensemble, Chadwick, u/s Buddy the Elf (2nd) is thrilled to make their return to Drury Lane for the holidays after appearing in The King and I last spring! Select Regional: World Premiere of Mr. Holland’s Opus (Assistant Dance Captain) at The Ogunquit Playhouse, The King and I (Ballet Prop Man, Phra Alack u/s) at Drury Lane, Elf (Ensemble) at The Argyle. Film: Reemergence: A Queer Visual Album (Dancer, Featured Actor) which was selected for the LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival. Garrett is proud to be represented by Brian Graziani at The Hell’s Kitchen Agency in NYC. NYU ’21. Much gratitude to the entire team at Drury for having him back. Love to Mom, Dad, Jon, and Otis.

BIOGRAPHY

OZ SHOSHAN (Ensemble, Police #2, Jim)is thrilled to return to Christmastown and make his Drury Lane debut with Elf. Recently seen on stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Fiddler on the roof. National Tours: Bandstand, Elf the Musical; Regional Theater: A Chorus Line (Greg), Kinky Boots (Angel), The Little Mermaid; International Theater: Hair, West Side Story, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof in Israel; Concert Dance: Batsheva Dance Company. May this show bring you joy in these uncertain times. Much love to Louie, Cleo, Theo, Caesar, Lizzy, Diana, and my love, Jorge. @ozshoshan

BIOGRAPHY

GABREIL SOLIS (Michael) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane Theatre debut in this amazing show. He recently portrayed Benji in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Mercury Theater Chicago. You may recognize him, though, as the “twins” in a Kellogg’s Club Crackers commercial or Ryan Miller from Chicago Med, Season 7 – Episode 5: A Tough Pill to Swallow. Gabriel feels so blessed to be part of this magical show and wants to thank the Drury Lane team for believing in him. He would also like to thank Gray Talent Group and his family for all their support. Merry Christmas!

BIOGRAPHY

ARIEL ETANA TRIUNFO (Ensemble, Sara) is delighted to return to Drury Lane, where she was last seen in An American in Paris. Other favorite credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (National Tour), Spamalot (Mercury Theater Chicago), West Side Story (Utah Festival Opera), and Gypsy (Porchlight Music Theatre). Ariel was a 2018 Festival Artist with The School at Jacob’s Pillow, where she received the Lorna Strassler Award for Student Excellence. She graduated summa cum laude from Columbia College Chicago in 2019 with a degree in Musical Theatre. Thank you to my love for the constant support! Website: arieltriunfo.com IG: @etana_ariel

BIOGRAPHY

SHANNA VANDERWERKER (Associate Choreographer) is an educator and choreographer in Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Point Park University. Favorite choreography credits include Mamma Mia at Music Theater Works, Sunset Blvd and Can Can at Porchlight Music Theater, Spamalot at Mercury Theater Chicago, Singin’ In The Rain, Newsies, 42nd St. and Saturday Night Fever at The Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI. She received a Jeff Nomination for her choreography on Lysistrata Jones for Refuge Theater Project and has also been the Associate Choreographer for Pippin at Venus Cabaret Space, Matilda and Joseph at Drury Lane in Oakbrook. Shanna was Christopher Gattelli’s associate for over 10 years, working on The Song Of Bernadette set to come to Milwaukee spring of 2023, shows Amazing Grace and High Fidelity on Broadway, and Silence! The Musical at the NY Fringe Festival. In 2019 Shanna was named an Inaugural Honoree of the Rachel Rockwell Foundation’s Fierce Women Behind the Table by Porchlight Music Theater. As a performer and member of Actors Equity Association, credits include: Broadway and first national touring companies of Wicked, Evita (Drury Lane Oakbrook) and Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Kiss Me, Kate (TUTS Houston), dre.dance company (NYC), and Kids of the Kingdom at Walt Disney World. After over four years as the Dance Captain of the First National Tour of Wicked, Shanna relocated to Chicago where she is on faculty at Columbia College Chicago and Visceral Dance Center. She also choreographs and teaches workshops for studios across the country. shannavdance.com

BIOGRAPHY

A.D. WEAVER (Santa, Ensemble Singer) Last seen at Drury Lane as Smudge in Forever Plaid. A.D. is thrilled to be back. Regional Theater: Portland Center Stage (RENT)  Phoenix Theater Company (The Color Purple), Drury Lane (Forever Plaid) Fireside Theatre (The Buddy Holly Story), Mirrorbox Theater (His Shadow), Mercury Theater Chicago (Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors), Playhouse Stage Co. NY  (Ragtime), Court Theater (Five Guys Named Moe), Children’s Theater of Madison (Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane), Black Ensemble Theater (Holiday Extravaganza, Teddy Pendergrass Story), Cardinal Stage Co. (A Year with Frog and Toad), ETA Creative Arts (Migration). Various Television and Commercial appearances. Much love to my MIGHTY village. Member of Actors Equity. A.D. is represented by DDO Artist Agency. Jeremiah 29:11. Keep up with me on all social media platforms @adeontaiii

BIOGRAPHY

MATTHEW WEIDENBENER (Sam, Ensemble, u/s Manager) is beyond thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut this holiday season with ELF! Chicago credits include Mike in A CHORUS LINE (Porchlight Music Theatre), HELLO, DOLLY! (Marriott Theatre), Young Bernadette in PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT (Mercury Theater), WHITE CHRISTMAS (Theatre at the Center), Hanna in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and Choreographer for THE LITTLE MERMAID (Music Theatre Works). Regional credits: GREASE, MAN OF LA MANCHA (STAGES St. Louis), William Barfée in SPELLING BEE, OUR TOWN (Indiana Summer Rep), WEST SIDE STORY, HAIRSPRAY, MARY POPPINS (Cardinal Stage). Matthew is a graduate of Indiana University. Endless love to his family and friends for their immense support! Be sweet! Mweidenbener.com

BIOGRAPHY

BRIAN SELCIK (Swing) is thrilled to be making his debut at Drury Lane with ELF! Recent credits include: Bitelle in La Cage aux Folles with Ginger Minj, Billy Elliot (Music Theatre Works), The Wedding Singer, State Fair (Clinton Area Showboat Theatre), The Tempest (Oak Park Festival Theatre) and Andy Lee in 42nd Street (Chicago College of Performing Arts). He is currently a senior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Concentration. @brianselcik 

BIOGRAPHY

Adam LaSalle (Standby for Buddy) Drury Lane debut! Off-Broadway: Spamilton (NY Times Critic’s Pick). Regional: Spamilton (Original Chicago Cast, Royal George Theatre), Buddy in Elf the Musical (First Stage Milwaukee), Holiday Inn, Darling Grenadine (Marriott Theatre), Forever Plaid (Theatre at the Center), Lombardi, Murder for Two* (Actors Theatre of Indiana, *Mitty Award – Most Impressive Musical Production), among others. TV/Film: NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” Countless thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team of Elf, DDO Artists Agency, and his extraordinary family for all of their support! www.adamalasalle.com