Water by the Spoonful Cast

BJ Nash first appeared on stage in 2015 as Officer Ramona Trigos in “Getaway Service Guaranteed” by Lonon Smith. Her most recent theatre production was "Livin Fat" by Judi Ann Mason, directed by Michael Benjamin. Nash’s film and stage work includes “Bootycandy” by Robert O'Hara, “Black Nativity” by Langston Hughes, “Steal Away” by Ramona King and “King Lear”–as well as several others–with Macbeth Project productions. She's thrilled to be reunited with her Celebration Arts Theater family and new Livin Fat family. BJ looks forward to the release of the short film “I Remember Yesterday” by I AM Studios’ Imani Mitchell. The role of Odessa Ortiz in “Water by the Spoonful” has been a bucket list role for the past few years.

Jon-Marcus Ruiz is a Sacramento-born actor, writer and director. He is excited to join Sunny Side Theatre Company in "Water by the Spoonful"–alongside artists in the show he has worked with before. He would like to thank his friends, family, and the theatre community that brought him up.

Johanna Crystal is a KCACTF nominated actor, playwright, singer and the Founder & CEO of Sunny Side Theatre Co. She wrote, directed, produced, set-designed, costumed and performed in Sunny's first shows–originating the roles of Dia (“City of Trees”) and Geraldine (“Anything Green”). Her previous theatre roles also include Beneatha ("A Raisin in the Sun") and Thomasina ("Arcadia"). She is honored to lead and collaborate with this incredible team! It is a fierce dream of hers to be able to adapt "Water", her longtime favorite show. Yaz is a character that makes her feel so seen in such a rare way; she is excited for new audiences to connect to this story too. Crystal holds a BA in journalism from CSU Sacramento. You can now find her debut play "City of Trees" at Sac Central Library. Shout-out to A Seat at the Table Books for letting her borrow an orange chair!

Sarah Dedal Lopez, Sunny Side Theatre Co's Chief Financial Officer, a company actor, and fight choreographer, has a strong background in dance and musical theatre. She is grateful to work with this tremendously talented cast and crew as she finds her way back to the stage as Orangutan. Having originated two Sunny roles, Rosamie ("City of Trees") and Laila (“Anything Green”), she is so happy to be a part of a company dedicated to multicultural and mental health awareness. Dedal Lopez works in finance, and recently became a mom! She thanks her fantastically supportive family–especially Christien and Milo–she couldn’t do it without you. She dedicates this performance to the diverse audiences that have struggled to see themselves onstage and long to see their story told. We see you and we hear you. This is for you.

K'von Blakemore-Johnson is an actor, singer, dancer, director and visual artist. He has acted at the Phoenix Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Weathervane Summer-Stock Theatre, Cross-Roads Summer Stock Theatre, No Exit Theatre of San Francisco, Intersection of the Arts, The San Francisco Mime Troupe, The Indianapolis Opera Company, Soul People Repertory Theatre, Actors Inc., The Memphis Black Repertory Theatre, NoExit Productions of Indianapolis, and The Asante Children’s Theatre–with which he has been an assistant director and director. He has studied under Harriet Richardson, Anne Erickson, Casey Jo Ailes, Jean Benadot. He has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Evansville and is currently working on his master’s degree. He has toured in Europe with the Madrigal singing ensemble The Choral Ayres. During his travels, he has mounted exhibitions of his creations. He has art displayed in Indiana, Memphis, San Francisco, Whitefield, and Lincolnshire, England. Blakemore-Johnson can be contacted for additional opportunities to buy his paintings. [email protected] | IG: @kvon_b.johnson

Andy Hyun is delighted to make his debut in support of Sunny Side Theatre Co and its artistic mission. He has been active in the Sacramento theatre community for 16 years, in such roles as Princeton ("Avenue Q"), the Cat in the Hat ("Seussical") Leo Bloom ("The Producers"; Elly nomination) and Claude Frollo ("Hunchback of Notre Dame; SARTA Outstanding Achievement). Hyun thanks Johanna and the Sunny Side leadership team for their trust in this role, and his family and friends for their love and support. IG: @achyun

Said Noori, who is originally from Afghanistan, is very happy to be a part of this show. He has been busy acting on stage for 7 years–including roles in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and most recently “The Sleeper”–and it has become his pleasure. He loves cats and dogs, but most of all he loves Bruno Mars.