REAF Help is on the Way for the Holiday's, Cast Page

S USAN ANTON

2011 CAST:

JASON BROCK
DAVID BURNHAM
DAKABOOM
BONNIE FRANKLIN
OLIVER FREESTON
RJ HELTON
ALEXANDRA KAPRIELIAN
AMANDA KING
LA TOYA LONDON
SHERYL LEE RALPH
SHAWN RYAN
SAMANTHA SAMUELS
JEAN MICHELLE SAYEG
VON SMITH
SALLY STRUTHERS
PAULA WEST
MARY WILSON

David Galligan, Director

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PERFORMER BIOS

JASON BROCK

Jason Brock is a San Francisco singer, actor, emcee and entertainer. He has shared the stage with many stars of theatre and music, including Diane Schuur, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Paula West, Bruce Vilanch, Taylor Mac, Deborah Gibson, Shawn Ryan, Fauxnique and more. He has performed all his life and began a professional entertainment career in small theatre and musical productions in Arizona. He eventually moved into ongoing shows like those at Martuni's, Bubble Lounge and Rasselas. Jason has performed at the Rrazz Room, Ritz Carlton, Pier 39 and other venues in the Bay Area and can soon be seen in the upcoming film “Love is not Enough”. Jason just finished playing the role of a demented flower girl in “The Lily’s Revenge” at the Magic Theatre, where he had the pleasure of working with Julia Brothers, Jeri Lynn Cohen, Mollena Williams and many other Bay Area talents. Jason’s skills have brought him recognition as a highly talented, interactive and improvisational performer. This is Jason's second appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production although he has also appeared in other REAF "One Night Only" productions.

DAVID BURNHAM

David Burnham is a member of the original Broadway cast of the 6-time Tony Award winning musical "The Light In The Piazza", performing both on the "Tony Awards" and the PBS telecast "Live From Lincoln Center". He is the 2007 recipient of the prestigious "Helen Hayes Award" for best actor as well as the 2007 best actor "Garland Award" for his portrayal of Fabrizio Nacarelli in the national tour of "The Light In The Piazza".

In New York City he lent his talent to the Actor's Fund production of "On The 20th Century" at The New Amsterdam Theatre and performed his solo concert at the famed New York jazz club "Birdland". He traveled from NYC to Oz to create the role of Fiyero in the pre-Broadway workshops of the mega-hit "Wicked". David first gained critical acclaim when, after a two year search, he was chosen to replace Donny Osmond in the national tour of Andrew Llyod Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (Dramalogue Award) a role which he has subsequently played 4 more times in productions all over the country.

At Boston's North Shore Music Theatre he created the role of Tom in the new musical "Tom Jones" as well as the role of Billy (opposite Maureen McGovern) in the new musical "Letters from 'Nam", a role which he reprised at The Kennedy Center and Seattle's Village Theatre. In Chicago he originated the role of Charlie in the world premiere of "Peggy Sue Got Married", after touring the country as Peter in the national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (opposite Ted Neeley).

Other stage productions include the L.A. premiere of The Road Theatre production of "The Woman In Black" (the Actor) directed by Ken Sawyer, "Assassins" (John Hinckley) at Reprise - with members of the original Broadway cast, "Children of Eden" (Caine - Robby Award) at Musical Theatre West, "Godspell" (Jesus) at the St. Louis MUNY, and "Pirates of Penzance" (Fredrick) at The Sacramento Music Circus.

On film, David was the voice of the Prince in the Warner Bros. animated feature "The King & I", and can also be heard as "Willy" in Disney's "Home On The Range". Recordings include the soundtracks to "Ghepetto", "The King & I", and "Home on the Range". Also the recordings "Strouse, Schwartz, & Schwartz", "Lerner, Loewe, and Lane" and "Lee Lessack's - In Good Company".

David is very proud to announce the release of his debut solo CD "David Burnham" for LML Music, available online at Amazon.com, itunes, Barnes and Noble Bookstores, and other fine retailers. This is David's second appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production.

DAKABOOM

Edgy music-driven comedy duo Dakaboom is two guys with mics and a piano doing comedy that collides musical genres including jazz, pop, opera, hip-hop, musical theatre and a cappella. One is a curly redhead who has Valli's sinuses, William's quirks and Stalin's sense of humor. The other is a wide-eyed brunette ingénue with old-fashioned flair, a flawless voice and an occasional mermaid costume. They're long-time best friends who reference the old-school vaudeville style, while manipulating it into a playful, modern art form. They begin touring Winter 2011; Get awesome.

Ben McLain is classically trained in voice, a graduate of UC Irvine with degrees in music and drama. While Ben has recently made appearances on 'General Hospital,' he spends most of his time touring and recording with Verve vocal band Sonos, featured recently on NBC's 'The Sing Off.'

Paul Peglar, a graduate of UCLA's School of Theater, has worked on stage and screen as an actor, singer, musical director, and as a pianist was seen in the Fox series 'Glee.' Having returned from a summer of teaching music at The American School in Switzerland, Paul is now working on a new musical project featuring the musical catalog of Burt Bacharach. m

BONNIE FRANKIN

Bonnie Franklin is perhaps best known for her starring role as Ann Romano on the long running series “One Day at a Time” but her first love is theatre. She has appeared on Broadway in Applause (Tony® nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award, Theatre World Award) and off-Broadway in Grace and Glory, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Your Own Thing, and Dames at Sea. Regional Theatre performances include Dancing at Lughnasa and A Delicate Balance at Rubicon Theatre Company, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Communicating Doors at the Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Denial (World Premiere) at the Long Wharf Theatre, Shirley Valentine and Love Letters at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Gingerbread Lady, Love Letters, Double Act (American Premiere) at the American Stage Festival, Love Letters, Peter Pan and Roberta at Studio Arena Theatre, Thousand Clowns, and George M! at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and Oh Coward! at the Cincinnati Playhouse. She also appeared in the record-breaking productions of Same Time Next Year, Annie Get Your Gun, Wait Until Dark, and Carousel and in Andrew Bergman’s Social Security at the legendary Cape and Ogunquit Playhouses. Bonnie has appeared in Love and Shrimp by Judith Vorst in L.A. and N.Y. She performed her act in clubs in New York, L.A. and throughout the country. In addition to her nine years as the Emmy® nominated star of her popular series, Bonnie also starred in many television movies and specials, including “Margaret Sanger: Portrait of a Rebel,” “The Law,” “Breaking up is Hard to Do,” “Your Place or Mine,” and her own CBS variety special, “Bonnie and the Franklins.” Her beginnings as a tap dancer with Donald O’Connor led her to make “I Hate to Exercise, I Love Tap,” a video aimed at getting families to exercise through dance. She was the spokesperson for Save the Children for five years and now serves on its Advisory Council. She received the Torch of Liberty award from the Anti-Defamation League for her dedication to issues of human concern, and in 1985 the organization Women For honored her with the Woman of Achievement Award. She also proudly serves on the Board of Advocates for Planned Parenthood. Bonnie is also a founding member of CCAP, a play-reading group committed to exposing high school students to our legacy of Classic and Contemporary American Plays.

OLIVER FREESTON

Oliver Freeston trained at Central School of Ballet in London, graduating with a BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Performance. He has since danced for Nina Ananashvilie and Peter Schaufuss and toured in the UK, Denmark, Georgia and Japan. He has performed roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Michael - I'm Bad and The Boys from Liverpool. Oliver currently dances with Company C Contemporary Ballet based in Walnut Creek under the artistic direction of Charles Anderson.

RJ HELTON

A native of Cumming's, GA, RJ Helton was thrust into TV & music stardom via the breakout hit TV series "American Idol," where he quickly rose to fame with his captivating performance as a Top 5 Finalist in the first seas on. RJ was one of the featured performers on the American Idol cast album which went Gold and reached No. 1 status on the Billboard charts in the Soundtrack category. He also participated in the national radio and media promotional tour which became a nationwide phenomenon.

With a passion for positive, uplifting music and finding comfort in faith, RJ found a natural home at B-Rite Music/Zomba Records, the pop music imprint of music industry powerhouse Gospo Centric Records. Produced by Tommy Sims (CeCe Winans, Michael McDonald, Kelly Clarkson), Reed Vertelney (Luther Vandross, Heather Headley), Bernie Herms (Natalie Grant, Plus One, Darwin Hobbs), New Tone Productions (Dana Glover, Black Eyed Peas, Eric Benet) and acclaimed songwriter Sam Mizell (Chris Rice, The Martins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Matthew West), RJ released his debut album, the Christian-oriented REAL LIFE which made the Billboard Christian Top 20. During that time, the Latin crooner was managed by Matthew Knowles, father of pop diva Beyonce.

REAL LIFE "demonstrated (RJ's) command of urban/pop/Latin vocal stylings only hinted at on American Idol" (Amazon.com). "RJ is an immensely talented young man and the overall R&B influenced album is impressive" (Truth Magazine). "REAL LIFE is filled with the usual R&B pop, but fans of the genre (and "American Idol") will embrace it for the strong production, Helton's impressive vocals, and his clear expressions of faith" (Christianity Today).

The silky-voiced tenor has since appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," (performing with Kirk Franklin and Friends), "The Today Show,""Good Morning America," CNN, MTV's "Total Request Live," and other major television outlets. RJ has also been featured in publications including Billboard, Radio & Records Magazine, People Magazine, US Weekly, Entertainment Weekly , Metro Source and many more. Having co-written much of his own material on REAL LIFE, RJ is currently back in the studio working on his sophomore album with producers from Atlanta, Houston, New York and other major cities. With renewed faith and passion for music, RJ intends to break all boundaries and showcase his music as it has never been heard before.

ALEXANDRA KAPRIELIAN

Credits include - National: 25th Anniversary Braodway Tour of "Nunsense" with Sally Struthers. Regional Theatre: "Nunsense 1, 2, 3" and" 7" (Sister Mary Amnesia) Willows Theatre Company and Meadowbrook Theatre, Michigan; "Babes In Arms" (Billie Smith), "Nymph Errant" (Henrietta), "Very Warm For May" (Miss Wasserman),"Golden Apple" (Helen of Troy), "Can-Can" (Claudine) for 42nd Street Moon. Regional Concert Series:" All the Things You Are" with Rebecca Luker, "Trip to the Moon on Gossamer Wings" with Brent Barrett, "All That Jazz" with Karen Ziemba and Noah Racey and a back-up singer for Jason Graae. Recently release her album" Born Too Late," available on iTunes.

AMANDA KING

Combining the best of jazz and cabaret by focusing on the words, the music, and the swing, Amanda King masterfully interprets the music she adores. Based in San Francisco and well known to audiences throughout California, she specializes in the glorious music of the 30s, 40s, and 50s doing much research to find and preserve rare and lost song treasures. In 2007, her singing career was launched with her one woman show "It's About Damn Time" at New Conservatory Theatre Center and has climbed steadily with critically acclaimed shows at some of the finest venues on both coasts. She's been hailed by the New York Times as "an exceptional rising [nightclub] talent..."

This fall, Amanda debuted at The Gardenia in Los Angeles and again participated in The New York Cabaret Convention presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall. She is beginning work on a new recording that is planned for 2012. This spring she will present parts of her show 'Forgotten Women, Lost Songs" as part of an SFJazz education series. Her inaugural cd "Chanteuse" may be found on CD Baby and iTunes, etc. Stay tuned! www.amandaking.com

LA TOYA LONDON

Comedic, sagacious, welcoming, and astonishing are words that describe the short, petite, and stunning songwriter and songstress, La Toya London. With her chocolate colored skin and brilliant smile that illuminates the television screen and stage, London was voted a top performer not only on TV, but also on her summer 2004, American Idol World Tour. La Toya’s composed demeanor and buoyant approach to her performances while touring made her a favorite to watch and work with.

For months, La Toya London captivated audiences across the United States and world when she delivered powerful, show-stopping performances—seemingly with ease—on the 2004 season of the hit reality show “American Idol”. Her talents even managed to ignite the razor sharp tongue of none-other than the program’s most infamous judge, Simon Cowell, to go so far as to hail La Toya as the odds-on favorite to win the 2004 competition. But as fate would have it, millions of American voters along with the show’s celebrity judges were dumfounded as La Toya was unceremoniously voted off the show at what seemed the crest of her success in the final weeks of competition. This pitfall proved not to be the end. Along with La Toya’s millions of loyal TV viewing fans, a number of record labels had also fallen under the hypnotic spell of this young Chanteuse’. Peak Records, in partnership with Concord Records (the last record label of the late-great Ray Charles), instantly signed La Toya to a recording contract. There she made a home with fellow legendary label mates, Regina Belle and Miki Howard. Her debut album Love & Life, are a collection of timeless, original R&B and soul classics fused with songs, written by La Toya. The CD, which will be in stores September 20, 2005, will no doubt establish her as a victorious star.

Raised in Allen Temple Baptist Church, La Toya has been a natural singer since the age of four. London was born in San Francisco, but has lived in East Oakland majority of her life. She graduated from Skyline High School, where she was in the same arts program made famous by actor Tom Hanks. La Toya has participated in several choirs, including the Youth Choir at Allen Temple Baptist Church, the Oakland Youth Chorus and Skyline Gospel Choir.
London has spent the last several years perfecting her craft, performing live with her band both in the United States and overseas. Throughout her singing career, La Toya has shared the stage with such superstars as Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Chaka Khan, Rachel Farrell, Goapele and the legendary Burt Bacharach. She is also featured on the top-selling “American Idol Season-3 Greatest Soul Hits” CD.
La Toya was given the opportunity to co-host “Access Hollywood” in 2004, and displayed her comedic side. In the height of the elections, she participated in the DeclareYourself.com PSA advertising campaign along with Andre 3000 and Christina Aguilera. It was directed by legendary photographer David LaChapelle. Also Oakland mayor, Jerry Brown, declared May 4th, La Toya London Day, and she officially received the key to the city of Oakland on June 15, 2004. During the summer of 2004, La Toya along with the rest of the top 10 contestants of American Idol, not only toured across the country, but also Canada, Hawaii, and Singapore.

La Toya has showcased her vocal talents at the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, 100 Black Men fundraising gala, NABFEME PRESENTS Women Who Jam, FOX-TV Good Day Atlanta, WGN-Chicago, Vibe Music Festival, California State Fair and the Clear Channel holiday party. London has also performed the national anthem for numerous NFL teams and the Atlanta Braves. She was also a featured performer at the 2005 Super Bowl NFL Commissioner pre-game party. She celebrated the late Ray Charles’s life during Concord Record’s Grammy party, by singing a tribute song for him.

La Toya has immersed herself in career pursuits designed to mold her into a true triple-threat. Most recently, she has added “actress” to her resume. She played one of the lead roles as Chastity in the Latarras R. Whitfield stage play Issues: We All Got ‘Em that toured nationally Spring 2006. La Toya was simply outstanding earning rave reviews from city to city. After a stirring performance in New York, La Toya is currently being considered for roles in the Broadway production of "The Wiz" and "Rent". La Toya London is no longer an "American Idol." She has her sites set on becoming a true American Icon. This is La Toya’s fourth appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

SHERYL LEE RALPH

Original DREAMGIRL, Sheryl Lee Ralph is an acclaimed veteran of film, television and the Broadway stage. Her award winning body of work includes creating and originating the role of Deena Jones on Broadway in the landmark musical Dreamgirls, which earned her both a Tony and Drama Desk Award Nomination for Best Actress. After Dreamgirls, Ms. Ralph turned her attention to music, television and film. She scored a top-ten selling dance hit in the mid-eighties with the infectious anthem In the Evening andagain in the nineties with her remake of Here comes the Rain Again.

On television, Sheryl Lee has starred in It's a Living, her own series New Attitude, the George Foreman series George and in the hit comedy Designing Women. She was also voted one of TV's Favorite Moms for her portrayal of step mom Dee on the number-one rated television series Moesha. She broke new ground In the SHOWTIME series, Barbershop, as the popular, post-operative transsexual, Claire. Recently, Sheryl brought a new face to the sufferings of war in the NBC hit series ER.

Her extensive film credits include Sister Act II with Whoopi Goldberg, The Flintstones with Rosie O'Donell, The Mighty Quinn with Denzel Washington, Mistress with Robert De Niro, and Eddie Murphy's Distinguished Gentleman. Sheryl Lee's performance with Danny Glover in To Sleep with Anger won her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.

As a producer, Ms. Ralph created the critically acclaimed Divas Simply Singing!, an evening of song and entertainment that has become one of the most highly anticipated AIDS benefits in Hollywood. She is also the founding creator of The Jamerican Film & Music Festival which in five years has given birth to five SHOWTIME Filmmaker Finalists. Sheryl Lee has found new success in writing and directing with her award-winning film short Secrets. With an all-star cast that includes Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard, Tina Lifford, Victoria Rowell, La Tanya Richardson, Robin Givens and Ralph herself. Secrets was a finalist in the HBO Film Short Competition, Showtime Filmmakers Series, Acapulco Black Film Festival, Hollywood Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Urban World Film Festival and an audience favorite at Outfest Film Festival.

Following on the success of Divas Simply Singing, Ms. Ralph has added a one-woman show Sometimes I Cry, to her list of credits. Written, directed and performed by Ms. Ralph, this complex and thought-provoking play, illustrates the heartbreaking, yet inspiring real life stories of culturally diverse women whose lives unravel as they cope with their HIV/AIDS reality. Ralph uses her remarkable talent to poignantly bring these women to life in a way that touches the heart leaving audiences deeply moved and encouraged to know their status. Met with an extraordinary outpouring of love and acceptance after its initial performance at the National Black Women and HIV/AIDS Conference in Los Angeles in 2005, Sometimes I Cry, continues to be performed in the US and abroad.

Mother of two, Sheryl Lee Ralph loves every moment of raising her children. Recently married to State Senator Vincent Hughes of Pennsylvania in what Entertainment Tonight called, "The most elegant and romantic wedding of the summer!" she acknowledges that love is the greatest gift to be given and shared. This is Sherly Lee's thirdappearance in a REAF production

SHAWN RYAN

Shawn Ryan is one of the rising stars performing jazz and standards today - having what the LA Times calls “a charm that is rare!” Most recently, Shawn joined forces with writer Bruce Vilanch to create "Shawn Ryan Live" with debuted August 24th, 2007 at The Herbst Theatre to a sold out crowd and will tour Internationally in 2008 to over 40 cities. After placing in the semi-finals of NBC's 2006 Summer hit, America's Got Talent, Shawn’s star continues to ascend. He currently has two albums, numerous national TV appearances, and 3 National Tours. The first national tour brought a nomination for the prestigious MAC Award (Manhattan Association of Cabaret) as “Best Musical Comedy Show.” Shawn’s career in film and TV is on the ascend. Shawn appeared in the films American Pie 3, First Daughter, and in Boston Public on TV. Now based in LA, this young, openly gay performer lives with his partner of six years, actor John Ainsworth. Shawn has two CD’s currently available. Shawn Ryan The Debut with the Kelly Park Trio, spotlights this "new jazz wunderkid", and his newest album “Blue Skies” (LML Music) continues to garner rave reviews as Shawn heads out on his 4th national tour this year. www.shawn-ryan.com. This is Shawn's third appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production.

SAMANTHA SAMUELS

Popularly known as "SAM", she is a DramaLogue and Cabaret Gold Award-winning national and international Cabaret performer who has shared stages with such luminaries as Joan Rivers, Robin Williams, and Howie Mandel, and starred as Edith Piaf in the award-winning musical PIAF, NO REGRETS. Currently she is Producer/Partner of Esses Productions known for creative programming at venues throughout the Bay Area including Lesher Center for the Arts, Firehouse Arts Center, and The Willows Theatre with productions like their award-winning CABARET IN CONCERT Series; JUDY, JUDY, JUDY: A Cabaret Tribute to the Songs of Judy Garland; and the innovative children's variety program KABARET FOR KIDS "Chanteuse" may

JEAN MICHELLE SAYEG

David Burnham From Glendale, CA Jean Michelle began her early career performing on "Star Search." After training at Le Studio and San Francisco Ballet she became a soloist at State Street Ballet. Her multifaceted career includes performing internationally and with the National Tours of "CATS" and "Camelot." She has been featured in aerial ballets, productions with the Hollywood Bowl, LA Opera and Lincoln Center. Jean Michelle is Pilates Certified, a recipient of the Music Center Spotlight Award and the 2006 Lester Horton Award. Unions include AEA, SAG and AGMA. Her diverse artistic journey brought her to Smuin Ballet in 2008.

VON SMITH

First introduced to the world when his version of "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" became a sensation on YouTube, Von Smith has garnered a legion of fans and performed on some of the most celebrated stages in the U.S. including ABC's The View (by personal invitation of Rosie O'Donell), and perhaps the biggest stage, American Idol Season 8 alongside Adam Lambert.

The Kansas City native and recent Los Angeles transplant brings his signature sound to the stage which he describes as "SoulPop", encompassing "all facets of soul music in a pop realm." From Nina Simone to George Michael, Prince to Dreamgirls, as well as, new original material; Smith's song selections celebrate his past successes and set the tone for an artist who is coming into his own. This is Von's second appearance in a Help is on the Way production

SALLY STRUTHERS

Sally Struthers is a two-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner for her performances in the groundbreaking TV series" All in the Family.' She starred in the Fox television series "9 to 5" and her own CBS series "Gloria." Her last two series were the CBS comedy "Still Standing" and the CW network’s highly acclaimed "Gilmore Girls."

Sally was heard as the voice of the teenage dinosaur “Charlene Sinclair” in the ABC prime-time series "Dinosaurs." She is also the voice of “Pebbles Flintstone” on the "Pebbles and Bam-Bam" cartoon series and the lead female character on the popular Disney cartoon "Tailspin." Ms. Struthers’ television movies include: "A Gun in the House," "And Your Name is Jonah,"" The Great Houdinis,' "Hey, I’m Alive," "In The Best Interest of the Children", "Deadly Silence", "My Husband is Missing," and" Intimate Strangers."

Sally co-starred in two legendary motion pictures in the 70’s: "Five Easy Pieces" with Jack Nicholson and "The Getaway" with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. She was also featured in two independent films: Out of the Black and A Month of Sundays with Rod Steiger. She made a cameo appearance for actor/writer/producer Mario Van Peebles in the Sony feature Baadassss! Sally’s first two Broadway forays were in Wally’s Café with Rita Moreno and Jimmy Coco and Neil Simon’s female version of the Odd Couple with Brenda Vaccaro. For three years she starred as “Miss Mamie Lynch” on Broadway and on tour in the Tommy Tune production of Grease. In the 20th Anniversary National Tour of Annie, Sally played the coveted role of “Miss Hannigan”. Sally was named Best Actress by the Los Angeles Artistic Director Theatre Awards for her role as “Louise Seger” in the musical, Always, Patsy Cline, a true story based on the relationship between Seger and Cline. She won the 2003 Ovation Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as “Agnes Gooch” in the Los Angeles production of Mame, and won a second Ovation Award this year for Cinderella. Additional starring roles include regional productions of Hello, Dolly!, Anything Goes, The Fifth of July, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, and The Full Monty, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, All Shook Up, Drowsy Chaperone, and Legally Blonde. For thirty years, Sally Struthers has worked tirelessly to help the hungry and uneducated children everywhere. She has visited these children in many Third World countries, and has filmed numerous public service announcements and documentaries on their behalf. In recognition of her devotion to children and animals, Sally has received numerous humanitarian awards. Sally’s daughter, Samantha, however, is her favorite child..

PAULA WEST

The Great American Songbook has never sounded as captivating as it does when Paula West sings. Says Steven Winn of the San Francisco Chronicle, “It’s doubtful that anyone is singing better than Paula West these days…this extraordinary jazz singer wears each song like perfectly fitted silk”. With a particular dusky soulfulness, West has captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike from coast to coast. Known and respected for her creative and distinct repertoire, West adds her own depth and drama to whichever song she chooses for the moment, creating whole new frameworks of meaning for American favorites. Without fail, the songs come from a place of sincerity. "In the end" she explains, "it's just getting the story across. To me, the words are the most important thing. "As New York Times’ Margo Jefferson writes in her liner notes, “Ms. West never forces anything. She is rhythmically fluid and she knows just where to alter a melody but there are none of the embellishments that show off the voice, bury the song and leave the heart untouched”.

Born into a Marine Corps family, Paula West grew up in San Diego. "My parents didn't have a lot of jazz records. My father liked to listen to classical music”. Moving to San Francisco, she attended singing classes and jam sessions. Drawn to songs with interesting harmonics and literate lyrics, West always keeps two things in mind – communication with the audience and an intelligent approach to lyrics. "I'm a jazz singer – not an avant garde singer."

West has performed to sell-out houses annually at The Plush Room in San Francisco and at The Oak Room in New York's Algonquin Hotel, increasing her exposure via films, radio broadcasts and performances in France, Italy and Switzerland. West has also sung at major jazz festivals and has shared the bill with numerous jazz luminaries including Rosemary Clooney, Stacey Kent, Mose Allison, Freddy Cole, Jimmy Scott, Oscar Brown Jr., Rita Rudner, Mavis Staples and Dave Frishberg.

Performing consistently with The Eric Reed Trio, recent appearances include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sculler’s, Jazz Aspen and a performance at The White House in a salute to American writers. Steven Holden of The New York Times comments: “Working with Mr. Reed, Ms. West has blossomed into a savvy jazz and blues interpreter and is as persuasive an illustration as I’ve seen that an inspired collaboration between singer and musicians can charge a career and send it hurtling in the right direction.” In addition to Eric Reed, West has worked with such jazz greats as Bobby Hutcherson, Bill Charlap, Frank Weiss, Mulgrew Miller, Peter Washington, Victor Lewis, Bruce Barth and Regina Carter.

In January 2004, West tied with Dianne Reeves for the New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalist. Her critically acclaimed cd’s include Temptation, Restless and Come What May, which received the California Music Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, as well as guest appearances on Eric Reed’s Max Jazz Christmas CD, Merry Magic, and Frank Mantooth’s final project, Ladies Sing for Lovers, featuring Karrin Allyson, Ann Hampton Callaway, Sheila Jordan and Oleta Adams. West has been featured on numerous television programs including A&E’s Breakfast with The Arts and also on The Oxygen Network. Her film appearances include Chris Columbus’ Bicentennial Man starring Robin Williams and The Lynn Hershman film Teknolust starring Tilda Swinton

WESLA WHITFIELD

Wesla is a remarkable singer, with a deep love for that rich storehouse of musical treasures often identified as The Great America Popular Songbook. Her sound and approach would seem to place her somewhere that borders on both jazz and that aspect of pop music which draws its material largely from the great standards and neglected gems of such as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hart.

Wesla Whitfield was born in Santa Maria, CA. The youngest of three girls, she experienced routine childhood music training (piano lessons at age 7, sang in church, studied voice - “classical, of course” - at about age 14). She did discover her mother’s extensive sheet music collection at an early age, “and used it to sight-read.” Serious radio and record listening provided some important influences including Rosemary Clooney, the Hi-Los, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine and Dean Martin. Among her earliest professional experiences was a mid-70s stint with the San Francisco Opera as a salaried chorister.

Wesla, with her husband / pianist / arranger, Mike Greensill performs annually at the Hollywood/Roosevelt Cinegrill (LA), The Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room and Arci's Place (NY), at Blues Alley in Washington DC, Jazz Alley in Seattle, at the world renowned Pizza on the Park in London as well as numerous concert venues throughout the States and Europe. She has opened for such notables as George Burns, Michael Feinstein and Frankie Laine.
Solo symphonic appearances include two concerts with the SF Symphony as well as San Jose, Sacramento, Omaha, Stockton, Napa, Auburn, Concord Pavilion, Santa Rosa and CA Symphonies. On radio, Wesla has appeared nationally on "Prairie Home Companion," "Weekend Edition," "Fresh Air," "All Things Considered" and "Marian McPartland PBS Piano Jazz" series. On TV the pair have performed on the "Regis and Kathie Lee Show," the "Charles Grodin Show," and "CBS Sunday Morning" with Charles Osgood. Wesla and Michael appeared at the JVC Jazz Festival at Avery Fisher Hall in NY and also made their Carnegie Hall debut that same summer, in the Tribute to Frank Sinatra. Since then they have appeared in the ’96 Ella Fitzgerald, the ‘97 Nat Cole and the ‘98 Judy Garland tributes, also at Carnegie Hall. In June of ‘96 they were invited by Hillary Clinton to perform at the White House. In October ‘98, Wesla debuted her one-woman, autobiographical show at the Kaufman Theater on 42nd St. in New York to critical acclaim.

Wesla and Mike have recorded over 15 CD’s including: "Let’s Get Lost," "Best Thing For You Would Be Me" (featuring the songs of Irving Berlin) and a totally new concept album titled, "September Songs" featuring songs by Harry Warren, Alec Wilder and Kurt Weill debuts their pairing with such greats as Tommy Flanagan and the Kronos Quartet. This latest venture, on the HighNote Records label is the 15th recording from Whitfield and Greensill and was released in May 2003. This is Wesla’s seventh appearance in a "Help is on the Way" production.

MARY WILSON

Mary Wilson is a living legend. It was her dream of musical stardom as a Detroit teenager that led Mary Wilson to join her friends, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Betty McGlown in forming a singing group, The Primettes. The Primettes were the sister group to a male trio, The Primes. The Primes later became The Temptations, and The Primettes (with Barbara Martin replacing Betty) became THE SUPREMES - the most successful female vocal in the world. Between 1964 and 1969, The Supremes charted an incredible string of twelve number one hits, including “Where Did Our Love Go?” (1964); “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” (1965); “You Can’t Hurry Love,” (1966); and “Someday We’ll Be Together,” (1969). In all, The Supremes produced an incredible 33 top forty hits by the time they disbanded in 1977. They are the only American group to have five consecutive number one hits - all between 1964 and ’65! The group scored another four consecutive number one hits between mid-1966 and 1967. No other group before or after The Supremes has accomplished this feat. Recently, it was announced that while the “girl group” T.L.C. has sold 22 million records and had four Number Ones, The Supremes are still the all-time biggest female group.

In 1977, Mary officially disbanded The Supremes, and set out on her own as a solo artist. Her first solo album, Mary Wilson , yielded the dance classic, “Red Hot.” Simultaneously, Mary broadened her horizons in the acting world, starring in the musical, “Beehive,” which toured Canada and the United States for over a year. In addition, she played roles in the Disney movie, “Tiger Town,” the TV sitcom “227,” and the documentary “Brown Sugar,” and “Girl Groups: The Story of a Sound,” among others. More recently, she had a starring role in the Lifetime original movie, “Jackie’s Back.” Earlier this year, Mary co-hosted the PBS documentary concert special, “American Soundtrack: Rhythm, Love & Soul,” with Aretha Franklinand Lou Rawls. She can currently be seen in the Miramax Films documentary, “Only The Strong Survive.”

Mary also became a New York Times best-selling author in 1986, when she released her autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme. The book sold more than 500,000 hardcover and paperback copies, received rave reviews, and continues to be the most successful Motown autobiography to date. Dreamgirl recounted the fairy tale history of Mary’s life as a Supreme, as well as the struggles she faced in order to achieve her dreams. The overwhelming response to her first book prompted Mary to write its 1990 sequel, Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together, in which Mary recalled her struggles to keep The Supremes together. She candidly wrote about her personal life, including raising her family, the tragic death of Florence Ballard, the explosive reunion with Diana Ross on Motown’s 25th Anniversary television special in 1983, and her abusive marriage. Mary’s third literary project, released in January, 2000, was entitled, Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life As A Supreme, an amalgamation of her first two books, with an updated chapter added. She is currently working on a coffee table book about The Supremes, as well as a cookbook. She is also working on what she terms her ultimate book on her philosophy of life. “But at age 58,” she says, “I haven’t lived enough yet!”

In 1992, Mary went back into the recording studio to record her first album in thirteen years, “Walk The Line”, debuting the title track on The Arsenio Hall Show. A second single from the album, “One Night With You”, reached the Top Thirty in several local markets. Much to her surprise, Mary found out that the independent label had folded just days after the album was released, halting distribution. Mary is currently putting the finishing touches on a new, full-length CD, which she says will “reflect the nuances and shades of my life experiences.” The CD is being produced by Richard Davis for the Holland Brothers Group. Following her own motto that, “dreams do come true,” Mary began telling her story on the lecture circuit, speaking in front of groups all over the world. Because of her experiences, Mary is able to touch individuals with her motivational speeches, which are tailored to specific groups. Mary also began participating in various charities, donating her time, talent and services to organizations including: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The American Cancer Society, The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (for which she served as spokesperson in 1996), St. Jude’s Research Hospital, The Easter Seals Foundation, UNICEF, The NAACP, The People with AIDS Coalition of Tuscon, Q Circuit, and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mary has served as national spokesperson for Pfizer’s “Value Your Heart” campaign in 2001, traveling around the country to educate people about the risk factors associated with high blood pressure and prevention techniques. Currently, Mary serves as the National Spokesperson for Universal Sisters, a division of National Speaking of Women’s Health. Mary also serves as a vice president of F.A.M.E. (Friends Against Musical Exploitation of Artists), and has testified before legislatures in Massachusetts, California and Washington, DC, about the need for legislation to protect the identities and rights of legendary artists. All of this activity is nestled in-between 100 to 150 concerts a year!
Tragedy struck Mary’s family in 1994, when she lost her youngest child, 14-year old Rafi, in a car accident that nearly claimed Mary’s life, too. “Sometimes your best lessons stem from those that hurt the worst,” says Mary. “The death of my baby prompted me to take a stronger look at my life. In many ways, this tragedy kick-started my life all over again.” Ironically, it was only a few weeks after Rafi’s funeral that The Supremes were celebrated once again, when they received a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Embracing new challenges, Mary moved to New York to make a fresh start. She enrolled in New York University, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts in May, 2001, fulfilling her mother’s dream that one of her children would graduate from college. In 1995, Mary found herself back in the recording studio to record a new single with a new sound. Entitled, “U,” the single became an R&B hit on the European charts. She released the single “Turn Around,” which was also a hit in Europe, in 1996.

Since then, Mary has maintained a hectic, but fulfilling schedule, touring the world with her own band, performing with major symphony orchestras across the country, fusing her pop melodies with symphonic compositions. Mary has also worked as a radio disc jockey, on New York’s classic R&B station, WWRL. In addition, Mary is the only Supreme to venture into theater, starring in three Off-Broadway plays-“Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral,” “Mother Hubbard,” and “Idella’s Soul Shack.” She has also starred in the musicals, “Supremesoul,” in Sweden, and “Dancing In The Streets,” in the U.K. In April, 2001, Mary starred in “Leader Of The Pack,” at Boston’s Shubert Theater. In 2002, Mary produced and starred in the national touring company of “Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies.” In March, 2003, Mary starred in “The Vagina Monologues,” at the Detroit Opera House. This is Mary’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production

DAVID GALLIGAN, Director

David most recently directed "Out Late," a world premiere drama, and Anita Finlay in her one-woman show "The Devil Takes a Wife" in Los Angeles as well as "Always… Patsy Cline" with Sally Struthers and Julie Johnson at the Pavilion Theatre in Palm Springs and" Like a Dog on Linoleum," written and performed by Leslie Jordan, which has played to standing room only audiences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Other recent work includes "Madly, In Love" at the Odyssey Theatre, "Rod McKuen in Concert" at New York’s Carnegie Hall as well as the musical play "The Last of The Honky Tonk Angels" in Los Angeles. For Singapore Rep he helmed The "Fantasticks". Musical Theatre West credits include "Mame" starring Carol Lawrence, Ruth Williamson and Sally Struthers," Show Boat" starring Dale Kristien and Sean McDermott and "Brigadoon." His direction of the musical revue "Blame It On the Movies," which he co-originated with Billy Barnes and Ron Abel, played off-Broadway and he repeated the staging for a Pasadena Playhouse main-stage production. Other Los Angeles productions include" Lettice and Lovage," "Alone Together" with Nancy Dussault , "The Lion in Winter" with Carole Cook and Tom Troupe at the Pasadena Playhouse, "The Gay 90s Musical" (Celebration), "Blame It On the Movies II," "Cabaret" ( East West Players), "Angry Housewives" (Odyssey), "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening," "Fortune and Men’s Eyes," "Slings and Eros," "Filumena" (Court Theatre), "Trouble in Tahiti" (Skylight), "Triplets in Uniform," "Jesus Christ Superstar" ( La Mirada), "Falsettos," "Gifts of the Maji" (Coast) and "Lullaby of Broadway" (Tiffany Theatre).

For the past 24 years he has directed and co-produced the annual S.T.A.G.E. fundraisers for AIDS charities, saluting the theatre music of noted composers and lyricists. He has co-produced recordings of nine of the events: "Strouse, Schwartz and Schwartz," "Dream, the Lyrics and Music of Johnny Mercer," "Jerome Kern: Life Upon the Wicked S.T.A.G.E."; "Harold Arlen, Over the Rainbow;" "George & Ira Gershwin: A Musical Celebration;" "ABC Adler, Bock & Coleman;" and "Stephen Sondheim: A Celebration." He has also helmed all of the S.T.A.G.E. Too benefits for The Actors’ Fund of America - "Kurt Weill: The Centennial," "Tap Your Troubles Away: The Words and Music of Jerry Herman," "The Richard Rodgers Centennial-Something Wonderful," "Sing Happy, The Words and Music of Kander and Ebb," "The Best is Yet to Come- The Music of Cy Coleman," "Hooray For Love- A Celebration of the Music of Harold Arlen" and most recently "Everything’s Coming Up Roses: The Jule Styne Centennial." Galligan co-produced the Actors’ Fund recordings "Tap Your Troubles Away: The Words and Music of Jerry Herman" and "Kurt Weill: The Centennial" as well as Dale Kristien’s first solo recording – "Beauty of Broadway" and Pamela Myers’ debut CD "The Chance to Sing." For The Center Theatre Group he directed "Loesser is More" at The Doolittle Theatre and "An Evening With Noel Coward" as well as Lansford Wilson’s "A Poster of the Cosmos" with Brian Kerwin paired with The Los Angeles cast of "The Phantom of The Opera" performing Leonard Bernstein at the Taper. Among his other recent credits, the original musical "Vampire Virgins from Venus" and the writing and staging of Valarie Pettiford’s new one woman show "Finding My Voice." He stage directed the Ford Motor Company’s special "Heroes for the Planet" starring Charlotte Church and Haley Joel Osment that aired on the A&E network. He also staged "IMPACT at Ford Field," the opening extravaganza of the new Detroit Lion’s Stadium, starring Gladys Knight. David Galligan, a native San Franciscan, began his career at the famed Opera Ring under the guidance of Irma Kay to whom he owes an eternal debt of gratitude. He is the recipient of the Los Angeles Stage Alliance’s Ovation Career Achievement Award for 2005. David has staged ten "Help is on the Way" and all eight "Help is on the Way for the Holidays" productions.