100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Box Office: +1 (630) 530-0111
SARAH KAY (Ariel) is a New York-based performer most recently seen in Broadway’s Here Lies Love (Ensemble & Imelda u/s). Select regional credits include Grease (Rizzo), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Narrator), Into The Woods (Baker’s Wife). Pace BFA Musical Theater ‘23. All the love to her parents, Evan, Lola & Papa, Mark, Justin, and Ross. Dedicated to all the dreamers. @sarahcckay
E. FAYE BUTLER (Director) Excited to return to Drury Lane last seen in Chicago! as Mama Morton for which she received the Jeff Award. Supporting Actress Musical. Her career spans over 40 years performing and directing both musicals and plays nationally, internationally. After years of standing in front of the footlights she now enjoys passing forward all the pearls of wisdom given to her during her fruitful acting career. Directing credits include: One Mo’ Time Anacostia Playhouse, Marie and Rosetta Northlight Theatre which will transfer to Milwaukee Rep. (Fall 24’), The Wiz Fulton Theatre, The Color Purple Maine State Music Theatre, (Best Direction) BroadwayWorld, and Vickie Award, Goods Artemisia Theatre (nomination Best Direction Stream) BroadwayWorld, Ain’t Misbehavin Portland Stage, Beyond The Door Tender Touch productions (Fall24’), Ain’t Misbehavin Michigan Ensemble Theatre, Five Guys Named Moe Beverly Arts Center. E. Faye cultivates new works and directs solo performances, cabarets, staged readings. Recipient of nine Jeff, two Helen Hayes, Barrymore, After Dark, three Black Theatre Alliance, Ovation, R.A.M.I., Sarah Siddons, Excellence in Arts, Kathy, Rosetta LeNoire, Guy Atkins, Heller & Hover, two Black Excellence, E.P.I.C. awards. Accommodations Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, inducted into Women in The Arts Museum in Washington D.C., RPS Fine Arts Hall of Fine, Chicagoan of the Year, NewCity Stage Player. For upcoming projects www.e-fayebutler.com
PATRICK JOHNSON (Prince Eric) is over the moon to be making his Drury Lane debut! He is currently a senior at Chicago College of Performing Arts, pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre Dance. Recently, he played Prince Topher in Cinderella and Jacey Squires in The Music Man at Metropolis PAC. @patrickj.johnson
ANAND NAGRAJ (King Triton) makes his Drury Lane debut! Tour: Jafar in Disney’s Aladdin. Chicago: The Doppelgänger (Steppenwolf); A Christmas Carol (Goodman); A Year With Frog &Toad (Chicago Children’s); Titus Andronicus, Harvey, and Titanic (Court); Northlight; TimeLine; Silk Road. Regional: Kansas City Rep, Milwaukee Rep, Denver Center, Great Lakes Theater, Chautauqua, and the Utah, Hudson Valley, Texas, Virginia, Lake Tahoe, and Idaho Shakespeare Festivals. TV: Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. (NBC); Proven Innocent (FOX); Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS). Voice: Shiva on Ghee Happy (YouTube) and Tony the Tiger. MFA: PTTP/Delaware. Love to Liz! www.anandnagraj.com
SAWYER SMITH (Ursula) is thrilled to be under the sea at Drury Lane this holiday season! They are a Jeff nominated actor and have appeared on stages all over Chicago and the United States. Recent Drury Lane credits include A Chorus Line, An American in Paris, Mary Poppins, and Rock of Ages. Other Credits include: The Devil Wears Prada – Pre-Broadway, The Steppenwolf Theater, Paramount Theater, Mercury Theater, Drury Lane Theater, Marriott Theater, Chicago Shakespeare, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. They graduated from The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Much love to my family and Ben. Follow Sawyer @thesawyersmith
LANDREE FLEMING (Scuttle) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane, having last played Annette in Saturday Night Fever. Other select Chicago credits include Kira in Xanadu (American Theater Company), Penny in Hairspray (Paramount Theatre), and “Logainne” in …Spelling Bee (Griffin Theatre), as well as productions at Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, and Theatre at the Center. She stars in the Dungeons & Dragons TV show Encounter Party, an adaptation of her podcast with the same name, streaming on Plex and Freevee. She has appeared on Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med and is repped by Stewart Talent.
RYAN MICHAEL HAMMAN (Jetsam, Ensemble) feels electric to be back at Drury Lane! Previously at Drury Lane: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Lord Pinkleton), A Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley), The 39 Steps, Shrek the Musical. Other Chicagoland credits: Avenue Q (Rod, Mercury Theatre Chicago); Spring Awakening (Otto, Porchlight Music Theatre); Next to Normal (Henry, Beverly Arts); An Enemy of the People (Goodman Theatre); It’s Only a Play (Pride Films and Plays); Joseph…Dreamcoat, Pirates of Penzance (Music Theatre Works). Ryan is represented by BMG Talent. All my love to my husband, friends, and the Hammily. Thanks to everyone at the Lane! @RMHamman
MAYA LOU HLAVA (Flounder )is thrilled to be returning to Drury Lane Theatre! Previous Drury Lane credits include Christmas Carol, Shrek, White Christmas and Bye Bye Birdie Dory Fantasmagory. Additional Chicago credits include The Penelopiad (Goodman Theatre); Happy Days Are Here (Again) and Zurich (Steep Theatre); The Best Damn Thing (The Understudy Cafe); Dory Fantasmagory and Last Stop On Marketplace (YPPT/Greenhouse Theater); Spring Awakening (Porchlight Theater); Act 5, The Killing Game and The Nether (A Red Orchid Theatre); Oklahoma (Marriott Theatre); Violet (Griffin Theater); Trevor (Writers Theatre); The Secret Garden (Court Theatre); Jane Eyre (Lifeline Theatre);The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre); Film and Television Credits include Will Trent, The Perpetrator, Chicago Med, The Chi, and The Big Leap. Maya is represented by Stewart Talent
ROB LINDLEY (Grimsby, Ensemble) is excited to return to Drury Lane after performing in Cabaret in 2009. Other credits include Monsieur André in the North American Tour of Phantom of the Opera; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Bach at Leipzig and Oh, Coward!, for which he won a Jeff Award (Writers Theatre); Andy in Andy Warhol in Iran, and Funnyman (Northlight Theatre); Sound of Music (Marriott Lincolnshire); Fun Home (Victory Gardens); The Temperamentals (About Face); Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Secret Garden, Angels in America, Caroline or Change, James Joyce’s The Dead, Carousel (Court Theatre); Candide (Goodman Theatre). Directing credits include 50 Shades!: The Musical Parody (Off-Broadway and North American Tour); Songs For Nobodies (Northlight Theatre and People’s Light Theatre); Far From Heaven, How to Succeed in Business…, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, A Wonderful Life (Porchlight Music Theatre).
MICHAEL EARVIN MARTIN (Sebastian) is overjoyed to be making his Drury Lane debut! Chicago credits: 1776, The Music Man (Jeff nomination, Best Ensemble), & Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Marriott Theatre; Billy Elliot & Groundhog Day at Paramount Theatre; The Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; United Flight 232 at The House Theatre of Chicago (Jeff Award – Best Ensemble); Kentucky at The Gift Theatre. Regional: Rocky Mountain Repertory, Little Theatre on the Square, Sight & Sound Theatres, Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre. TV: “Chicago Fire”. Michael graduated with his MM in music theatre from Oklahoma City University (Go Stars!). Represented by Paonessa Talent. IG: @michaelearvinmartin
LEAH MORROW (Flotsam, Ensemble) returns to Drury Lane, where she was last seen following Peggy Roeder around the train in Murder On The Orient Express. Other Drury Lane credits include Seussical, James and the Giant Peach, and Superman. Professional credits also include Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas at The Studebaker Theater, as well as productions at the Marriott Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mercury Theater Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, Paramount Theatre, and Venus Cabaret Theater. On camera: “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO), “neXt” (FOX), and various commercials. Union Proud! As a choreographer, Leah has worked at Writers Theater (A Distinct Society), and with young performers around Chicagoland. Thank you to the whole Mermaid team, and thanks to you for supporting live theatre! God bless you! Love to team DDO, and especially to Doug, Perry, and Graham, who make my life whole. ig: @leahkmo
MACK ALEXANDER (Ensemble, Gull, U/S Pilot/Chef Louis) is thrilled to be back at Drury Lane for a third time this year! They were previously seen at Drury Lane in Guys & Dolls (Jeff nominated) and Fiddler on the Roof. Mack is also a proud company member of Sing to Cycle, and was seen guest music directing for this year’s installment entitled, A Place Where We Belong. Mack graduated with his BFA in musical theatre performance in 2021 from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Mack is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton, Inc. “Special thanks to my family, best friends, and my incredible partner. You all mean the world to me.” @themackalexander
EMILY ANN BROOKS (Swing, U/S Mersisters, Gull) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane after Cinderella (Ensemble, u/s Charlotte). Other regional credits include The Music Man (Zaneeta), James and the Giant Peach (Asst. Director/Choreographer), Hello Dolly (Ermengarde), Big Fish, A Christmas Story, and The Wizard of Oz at the Marriott Theatre, Beauty and the Beast (Enchantress, Silly Girl, others) at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, In His Hands (Choreographer/Asst. Director) at First Floor Theatre, and A Christmas Carol (Choreographer) at Metropolis PAC, along with teaching dance and theatre around Chicagoland. Proud Northwestern alum. Gratitude to Scott, Melissa, and the Gray Talent Group Team! emilyannbrooks.com ; @emilyannbrooks
NIC DANTES (Swing, U/S Flounder) is grateful to be under the sea. Theatre credits include: Billy Elliot (Jeff Award, Actor in a Principal Role) at Drury Lane, North Shore Music Theatre (IRNE Award), Maltz Jupiter Theatre; Newsies and The King & I at the Marriott; TV/Film: What Would You Do? (ABC), Saturdays (Disney Channel), Chicago PD (NBC). Having previously studied at the Joffrey Ballet and recently graduated from NYU Tisch, Nic is currently enjoying developing his career as a pop artist. Endless gratitude to his family, friends, Stewart Talent, and Drury Lane. Nic’s debut EP is out now on all streaming platforms. @nicdantes
STEPHEN DIAZ (Ensemble, U/S King Triton) Broadway: West Side Story (dir. Arthur Laurents), Matilda (Tour: US&Canada), Radio City Spectacular (dir. Linda Haberman). Regional Theatre: Tuacahn Amphitheater (Prince of Egypt, Hunchback, Tarzan), 5th Avenue Seattle (A Chorus Line – Paul), The Muny (dir. Chris Bailey), Maltz Jupiter (dir. Denis Jones), North Shore Musical Theatre (choreo. Mara Newberry-Greer), North Carolina Theatre (dir. Eric Woodall), Disney Hyperion Theatre (Aladdin: Musical Spectacular – Aladdin). Dance Companies: Ballet X, Connecticut Ballet, Northwest Dance Project, Stephen Petronio. Pianist/Conductor at Vanguard University, UC Irvine, various Performing Arts Schools. Photo by Ryan Hunt. As always, thank you Mara, Notre Dame. Drury Lane Debut.
MATT EDMONDS (Ensemble, Pilot, Chef Louis, U/S Grimsby) Toward the end of Matt’s audition for this show, the director asked him to read for Chef Louis, but Matt misheard and thought he was being asked to read for “Shaflooey”. He was very excited to learn which one of Ariel’s fish friends was named Shaflooey, but alas, ’twas not to be. Drury Lane: James and the Giant Peach, Boys from Syracuse. Chicago work includes: Once, Into the Woods (Writers Theatre), Music Man, Murder for Two (Marriott), Ragtime, Titanic (Griffin Theatre), Rent (Theo Ubique), White Christmas, Forever Plaid (Theatre at the Center), Death of a Salesman, All-American (Redtwist Theatre). Thanks to AEA, Shirley Hamilton Talent, and much love to Katie and the cats.
LUKE HALPERN (Swing, U/S Jetsam, Gull) Is excited for their Drury Lane debut! Previous Credits include: LAVENDER MEN (About Face Theatre) u/s Taffeta; TICK TICK… BOOM (Boho Theatre) Susan; CHILDREN OF EDEN (Broadway in Chicago) Ensemble; KINKY BOOTS (Paramount) Swing/ensemble; NEWSIES (Paramount) Swing/ensemble; A CHORUS LINE (Porchlight) Tom u/s Paul, Al, Don; MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Chicago Shakes) Moth. Much love to their friends and family for the unwavering support!
NATALIE HENRY (Ensemble, Arista, Gull) is delighted to make her Drury Lane Theatre debut in “The Little Mermaid”. Natalie has recently graduated college in May of 2022 from Columbia College Chicago. Recent Credits include: “Ensemble” in “Young Frankenstein” (Mercury Theatre Chicago) “Rosie” in “Cabaret” (Porchlight Music Theatre) “Sister Mary Patrick” in “Sister Act” and “Ensemble” in “Ragtime” at (Metropolis Performing Arts Center) and understudied the “Urchins” in “Little Shop of Horrors” at (Citadel Theatre) Natalie is from Pella, lowa where she and her twin sister were adopted into an amazing family who support them achieving their dreams in theatre.
MOLLY HERNANDEZ (Ensemble, Adrina, Gull) Drury Lane debut. Regional – Revolution(s), Lucha Teotl, American Mariachi, Rust, A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre). Buddy Holly Story (Marriott Theatre); The Scorpions’ Sting (Lyric Opera); Into the Woods (Paramount Theatre); Alice Through the Lookingglass (Lookingglass Theatre, PBS); Into the Woods (Writer’s Theatre); Into the Breeches (Northlight Theatre); Masterclass (TimeLine Theatre); Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theater); The Most Happy Fella (Theo Ubique). Television – Power: Book IV (STARZ); Chicago Med (NBC); Chicago PD (NBC); APB (FOX), several films and commercials. Actors Gymnasium Circus Conservatory 2019, BA in Spanish from Loyola University Chicago 2018. Proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA with Gray Talent. For Rosa. @mollymhernandez
ALANNA LOVELY (Ensemble, Adella, U/S Ursula)is thrilled to return to Drury Lane Theatre! Chicago credits: Ain’t Misbehavin’; Guys and Dolls; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Shrek The Musical (Drury Lane Theatre); Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical (The Studebaker Theatre); The World Goes Round and The Wizard of Oz (Marriott 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 credits: “Power Book IV: Force” (STARZ); “Chicago Fire” (NBC). Many thanks to her family and Gray Talent Group for their support! @lannalynette
AUSTIN NELSON JR. (Ensemble, U/S Sebatian) is so excited to be making his return to Drury Lane with The Little Mermaid! Previous theatre credits include: 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”
ALEXANDRA PALKOVIC (Ensemble, Aquatam, Dance Captain)
TREY PLUTNICKI (Ensemble, U/S Prince Eric) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut! Favorite credits include Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Ragtime (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Pirates of Penzance, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Something Rotten! (Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre), The Trade Federation, Twihard: The Twilight Musical Parody (Otherworld Theatre). Television credits: Chicago Med (NBC), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix). Trey is a proud dog foster parent with One Tail At A Time in Chicago, and he reminds you to adopt! Don’t shop! @choochootreyn
HANNAH REMIAN (Swing, Asst, Dance Captain, U/S Mersisters) is so excited to be making her Drury Lane Theatre debut! She is a senior at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts as a Musical Theatre major with a dance concentration. Recent Credits: Anything Goes (Porchlight Music Theatre), Gypsy (Music Theatre Wichita), 9 to 5 (Music Theatre Wichita), Frozen (Music Theatre Wichita), Matilda (Music Theatre Wichita), & Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Music Theatre Wichita). A huge thanks to her friends and family for their constant support and love! Also thank you to Gray Talent Group for being the best team! IG: @hannahremian
MAXEL McLOUD SCHINGEN (Ensemble, U/S Flotsam) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane! Chicago credits include Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, Grease, Shrek the Musical (Drury Lane Theater), Brighter Futures (Paramount Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), and Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical (Kokandy Productions). Maxel graduated with their B.F.A. in Musical Theatre at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2022. He thanks his family, friends, and agents for all of their support!
AMANDA WALKER (Ensemble, Alanna, U/S Scuttle) is excited to be back at Drury Lane for the holidays! Past credits include: CHICAGO – Cinderella, Grease (Drury Lane); You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Hello, Dolly!, The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre); Love, Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody (Apollo Theatre). REGIONAL – Nunsense, Honky Tonk Angels (LTOTS), Mamma Mia, Women in Jeopardy (Cortland Repertory Theatre). Amanda is a proud Ball State graduate. Love to J and her friends and family! @itsamandawalker
ELAINE WATSON (Ensemble, Atina, U/S Ariel) is excited to be making her Drury Lane debut and her Chicago debut! She was recently with the National Tour of Jagged Little Pill before becoming Chicago Local. This Kansas City native is immensely grateful for the unconditional love and support from her family both at home and at Stewart Talent. This story has been one of her favorites since she was a girl, and the chance to tell it herself is a dream come true. Enjoy the show!