The Mystery Of Edwin Drood Cast

Amanda Briskin-Wallce (Miss. Sarah Cook Featured Dancer)
Amanda Briskin-Wallace (she/her) is an NYC based Actor and Teaching Artist. She is so excited to be making her Heights Players debut with this incredible Cast and Crew! Some of Amanda’s theatre credits include: Pippin (Catherine), Hear Them Roar: The Fight for Women's Rights (Agatha Nathan), Here All Dwell Free of The Handless Maiden (Devil) and She Kills Monsters (Tilly Evans). Amanda recently voiced the role of “Emily” on the new soundtrack for Bound! The Musical. Her voice is also featured on “Forever and Ever and Always” on the album “Little Love Notes” by Collard and Rosenblatt.
Amy Catherine Welch (Wendy/Miss. Florence Gill)
Amy is thrilled to be performing with the Heights Players, as this is her first production with the company! Amy's honored to be a part of the cast, and her favorite previous credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius), and is currently working on a web-series with her friends. She studied at the Atlantic Theatre Conservatory in 2018-2019, and is also pursuing her own art business and music career. Amy would like to thank her wonderful partner for always being there, her fantastic friends/family and this wonderful community that she is so grateful to be apart of now.
Anna Bencivengo (Miss Jamie Hitchins / Ensemble)
is thrilled to return to live theatre and to the Heights Players where she has previously appeared in Crazy For You, George M., and Seussical. She was recently seen in the St. Jean’s Players’ productions of Bye Bye Birdie (Kim MacAfee) and Curtains (featured dancer). Favorite past credits include Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Carousel (Julie Jordan), Li’l Abner (Daisy Mae), and A Funny Thing Happened...Forum (Philia).
Ashley Lamos (Ensemble/Rose Bud Understudy)
is thrilled to be making her debut at The Heights Players! She is incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to play ensemble and understudy one of her favorite Ingénue roles. Favorite past roles include: The Sound of Music (Maria Von Trapp, Dance Captain), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally Brown, Dance Captain), and Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Lead singer, Dance Captain). She is forever thankful to her many mentors in life who always believe in her and for this new family full of mystery, murder, and love!
Bridget McNiff (Stage Manager/Miss James Throttle/Featured Dancer)
is thrilled to be making her Heights Players debut! A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Bridget received her BFA in Drama through the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Favorite credits include: Little Women (Jo), Pippin (Catherine), What Every Girl Should Know (Anne). Much love to the family & friends who screamed at her to, “Please for the love of god go on an audition,” and the beautiful cast & creative team involved in this murderous mayhem.
Caity Redfern (The Princess Puffer/Miss. Angela Prysock)
a native of Silicon Valley, now calls New York City home. They are thrilled to have studied their craft at Interlochen Arts Academy and Matthew Corozine Studio. Caity is the proud Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Gatehouse Theatre Company, originally based in San Francisco @gatehousetheatreco. Most recently Caity produced and acted as #13 in The Wolves at The Flea Theater. Their previous producing credits include Heathers the Musical and Stupid Fucking Bird. Caity is also the published author of the highly acclaimed children’s book, Multicolored Kid. Their one act, Scenes from a Falafel Restaurant was recently performed at the Matthew Corozine Studio in midtown. Their past favorite roles include Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Lizzie Borden in Lizzie: The Musical and The Witch in Into the Woods. They have sang at Carnegie Hall and have originated roles in a cast album and a TV show. They hope you enjoy the show and vote for the murderer that feels right to you!
Cassaundra Reed  (Miss Isabel /Yearsley/Featured Dancer)
is thrilled to be back on stage at The Height’s with this talented cast/crew/creative team! A Wagner College Theater alum, notable performances include: Little Shop (Audrey), Guys & Dolls (Adelaide), and Sweet Charity (Nikki). Cassaundra is part of the PMT House of Dance family and has danced in multiple live performances with this group. Up next- performing with her dance team, The Tailshakers, in this summer’s Coney Island Mermaid Parade and the NYC Pride Parade. Love to Haydn, Margot, & Shubert!
Colin Roth (Bazzard/Mr. Phillip Bax)
is positively giddy to be making his Heights Players debut, returning to theatre for the first time in over 5 years. By day, he serves as Marketing Director for an architecture firm in Queens. Previous credits include Bells are Ringing (Inspector Barnes), Spring Awakening (Melchior), Little Women (John Brooke), and Jekyll & Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde). He is so grateful for this opportunity and wants to thank the show’s incredibly talented cast and crew, as well as his ever-supportive family, friends, and fellow cube spinners for whom he would not be here without.
Courtney McEvoy Lee (Helena Landless/Miss. Janet Conover)
is making her Heights Players debut as Janet Conover/Helena Landless. She has been involved in Brooklyn & Staten Island community theater for over 15 years. When she is not learning lines or music, she is saving lives as an ER nurse. Favorite roles include Cindy Lou (Marvelous Wonderettes), Catherine (A View From the Bridge), Sister Mary Catherine (Drinking Habits), Christine Colgate (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), and Velma con Tussle (Hairspray).
Eliah James Furlong (Mr. Medford Moss /Featured Dancer and Dance Captain)
Homegrown in the bluegrass of Kentucky, he began his training in youth at prestigious schools including The Ailey School, Joffrey Ballet School, Milwaukee Ballet, The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, and The Institute for American Musical Theatre. In which time he had the opportunity to tour with Bella Moxi Dance Convention working closely with Mia Michaels, Alex Little, Carlos Dos Santos, Chase Benz, and more. Eliah has performed both domestically and internationally along with his choreography being featured on stages across the country. Eliah is thrilled to be back on the stage post pandemic! Enjoy the show! @eliahjamesfurlong
H. Lamont Watson (Neville Landless/Mr. Victor Grinstead)
Hailing from the city of Brotherly Love, H. Lamont Watson (the “H” is silent) came to New York 13 years ago in pursuit of a career in theater arts. After earning his master's in music performance from NYU, (insert sad violin music) things would not go as planned, and Watson would find himself gripped in the clutches of corporate America. Determined to stay connected to the arts, however, Lamont would go on to appear in a few tv pilots and musicals throughout the tri-state area. Recently, he played the role of “Luiz” in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers” at Ridgewood Opera. Lamont is very excited to be making his debut at “The Heights Players” and he would like to thank the cast, crew, directors, and musicians for making this a healing and fulfilling return to the theater!
Helora Danna (Helena Landles Understudy/Ensemble)
is so excited to be in Edwin Drood, this is her first show at the Heights Players and it is so much fun to be a part of. She can’t wait for everyone to see how fantastic this cast is! Much love to all her friends and family, and also her fluffy dog. Check out her other work at heloradanna.com
Isaiah Michaels (Mr. Alan Eliot / Ensemble)
s an actor living in New York City. He trained at Hunter College, as well as T. Schreiber Studios and The Barrow Group. He is happy to be back with Heights Players and performing again after a stressful two years. Past credits include William Barfee(Spelling Bee), Into the Woods(Wolf) and Lewis(Pippin). Huge thanks to Hilary and the immensely talented cast and crew for making this return to the stage such a blast!
J. Scot Cahoon (Deputy/Mr. Nick Cricker Jr.)
is thrilled to join this talented cast after waiting two years to finally head 'Off to the Races'! — You may recognize this lanky boi from previous Heights productions, like Seussical and Hair. His tenorific tambour can also be heard in various children's cartoons, usually as a pre-adolescent anthropomorphic robot dinosaur. Scot hails from colorful Colorado where he grew up hiking, climbing trees, and setting things on fire. With a BA Theatre: Acting/Directing from Colorado Mesa University, he uprooted himself and landed in Brooklyn. Special thanks to Mariela Flor Olivo, who is way too good for him.
James Canal (Mr. Christopher Lyon / Featured Dancer)
is thrilled to be making his debut with the Heights Players after 2 years of anticipation! Performance credits include Willa at Ars Nova (Storyteller/Pianist), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Hedwig), Bare: a Pop Opera (Peter), A Chorus Line (Don Kerr), Spring Awakening (u/s Hanschen/Ensemble), Clue (Prof. Plum), Mamma Mia (Eddie, u/s Sky), On The Town (Tom/Dancer), Oh No, My Leg! (Revolutionary) and Curtains (Harv Fremont). He also previously worked as a Digital Account Executive for Broadway’s Come From Away + Girl From The North Country.
Jeanne Cascio (Miss. Violet Balfour / Featured Dancer)
is happy to be back with the Heights Players! Favorite roles include: BPCMT Pippin (Catherine), George M! (Fay Templeton), Cabaret (Liesel), 42nd Street (Gladys), ...Forum (Geminae), Hello, Dolly! and Anything Goes (Ensemble). Jeanne is a choral conductor and voice teacher at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Heartfelt thanks to the cast, crew and creative team!
Joshua Lopez (Mr. Montague Pruitt / Neville Landless Understudy/Ensemble)
is so happy, after a long unforeseen hiatus, to be back on stage. And with so many friends! Josh is a Heights veteran! In the before times you could have seen him in Cabaret, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, George M!, or Crazy for You! Joshua is so happy to be performing again among friends. Huge thanks to the cast and crew and his family back in Cali. And that little dog too!
Kaylie DeLauri  (Edwin Drood)
is absolutely chuffed to be playing Edwin Drood in this production after a (forced) two year hiatus from the stage! When she’s not busy playing an esteemed gender bending actress, she’s usually found in her Brooklyn apartment showing her cat youtube videos of birds. Her most recent credits include Mae in (The Wild Party), Maeve in a staged reading of (Coming Out: The Musical), Janet (The Drowsy Chaperone), as well as numerous roles with The Good Idea Bears: Children’s Theatre. She is also slated to make her off-broadway debut next month at The Players Theatre! Thank you to her friends, family, and Celine Dion for no other reason than her iconic pipes! @kaylieanndelauri
Marie Ingrisano Isner (Beatrice/Miss. Gwendolyn Pynn / Durdles Understudy)
recently directed Clybourne Park as part of the 66th season at the Heights Players. Most recently at the Heights Players, Marie directed Overtones and worked on The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as Mrs. Beaver / Assistant Director, and A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Cratchitt. Marie has performed in numerous workshops and galas throughout the years as well as, Fiorello!, It’s a Wonderful Life, George M!, Showboat and Candide. Other NYC credits include, Steel Magnolias, A Sketch of NY, The Vagina Monologues and A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail (title role).
Mariela Flor Olivo (Rosa Bud/Miss. Deidre Peregrine)
Hailing originally from SA, TX, Mari’s called Brooklyn home for 8 years, continuing her lifelong career as a Multi-Disciplinary Artist. Theatrically, she's enjoyed countless roles, productions, and regional work. Favorites include Maria (West Side Story), Wendla (Spring Awakening), Olive Ostrovsky (The 25th Ann…Spelling Bee), Sheila Franklin (Hair), and Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz). As a Singer-Songwriter, she’s been heard in every borough, from outdoor gardens & smelly subways, to iconic venues. Mari’s thrilled for another Heights Players production, & thankful for this kind group of artists. Love & endless thanks to family, friends, loved ones, mentors, Uncle Frank & R.C, & the Universe, always.
Martha Sue Allen (Chairperson/Mayor Sapsea)
is so thrilled to be making her debut with the Heights Players! A recent recipient of her Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music in classical voice, Martha’s favorite credits include scene work from Hansel and Gretel (Hansel), La Rondine (Bianca), and Akhnaten (Daughter 3) with the Manhattan School of Music, as well as featured cabaret spots with venues such as Don’t Tell Mama! and ensemble work with the cast of A Sketch of New York! Martha is SO happy to be back where she belongs—in the marvelous world of Musical Theatre! Love to her family.
Matthew Turkle (Mr. Nicholas Michaels / Bazzard Understudy/Ensemble)
is thrilled to be returning to the stage, after a grad school and then pandemic-induced hiatus. Matthew has been seen in The Dreaming, The Boys from Syracuse (also with the Heights Players), Jesus Christ Superstar, and Dog Sees God. When not performing, Matthew teaches high school theatre. Matthew would like to thank Hilary, Hilarie, Cara, and the company of Drood for this extraordinary experience. Much love to his family and friends for the support always.
Michael J. Salerno (John Jasper/Mr. Clive Paget)
is thrilled to be making his Heights Player debut in his favorite murder mystery musical. When not plotting and scheming, you can find Michael performing daily as a History teacher for a captive audience of 8th graders in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Previous theatre credits include Ragtime (Gallery Players), Into the Woods (Village Light Opera Group), and Hairspray (BPCMT). Love to family, friends, castmates, and production crew.
Michelle Maccarone (Durdles/Miss. Nicole Cricker )
Member of the Heights Players Executive Committee, Favorite Heights roles include Vera (Mame), Boo (The Last Night of Ballyhoo) and Domina (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum). Proud member of Theatre For Children at the Heights/Good Idea Bears where she enjoys scaring children with her evil demeanor. Outside of theatre Michelle serves as the Managing Editor of The Vintage Woman Magazine and has a blog/podcast called Vintage Old Biddy.
Morgan DeTogne (Miss. Harriet Sayle / Featured Dancer, Chairman and Princess Puffer Swing)
Morgan is so happy live theater is BACK! The last production she was seen in was the Off-Broadway musical comedy, Good Morning New York! Other favorite credits include NYC and regional productions of Oklahoma! (Laurie), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Romeo & Juliet (Juliet) and Songs for a New World (Woman 1). She currently does musical improv in the off-broadway show Chick Flix and recently played the lead in her first feature film! When not acting, Morgan creates video content for children as her alter ego, Maker Morgan, and teaches drama with her favorite stage manager (and person) Felisha. @maker_morgan
Rachel Hering (Miss. Penelope Nichols / Edwin Drood Understudy/Ensemble)
is very excited to be making her Heights Players debut with The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She is thrilled to be back on stage after the past two years having had to shut a show down due to Covid. Originally from Columbus,Ohio Rachel received her B.F.A in Musical Theater at Wright State University. Some of her favorite credits include, Jekyll and Hyde, Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar and A Little Night Music. When not performing Rachel can be found teaching Pilates around Manhattan. Many thanks to the cast and crew of Drood for keeping us safe and allowing us to make art in these crazy times!
Sylvester Nunnery (The Reverend Crisparkle/Mr. Cedric Moncrieffe)
is thrilled to be making his Heights Players debut. His stage credits are Showboat (Joe), The Wild Party (Max), Into the Woods (Baker), My Fair Lady (Featured Dancer) and Hair (ensemble). He also has a B.A in Theatre Performance from Marymount Manhattan College.