Chicago Sings Broadway Pop II

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret, Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Merrily We Roll Along

Michael Weber is a nationally recognized, award-winning director, producer, actor and educator. He recently directed the Off-Broadway and European premieres of Call Me Elizabeth written by and starring Kayla Boye as Elizabeth Taylor. Under his artistic leadership, Porchlight Music Theatre was awarded Chicago’s Jeff Award for “Best Production” six times for A Class Act, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Scottsboro Boys, Dreamgirls and Blues in the Night. Porchlight productions that he directed, include Cabaret, Gypsy, End of the Rainbow, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pal Joey, Assassins and Side Show, as well as Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and She Loves Me at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for the Jeff Award Award for Best Production. He previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (1998-2004). Directing credits include Living the History-125 Years of The Auditorium Theatre starring Patti LuPone and John Mahoney, Fifth of July and Talley’s Folly at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Petrified Forest at Theatre at the Center, Beauty and the Beast at Marriott Theatre, Over the River and Through the Woods at Mercury Theater, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Pheasant Run Theatre, and Cirque du Symphony at Sears Center Arena featuring stars of Cirque du Soleil with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, he has been nominated for nine awards and he wrote and directed 14 Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies (2006-2018). Weber’s regional acting credits include The Merry Widow (starring Renée Fleming) at Lyric Opera, Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy (both starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia Festival, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Around the World in 80 Days at Cleveland Playhouse, Disney’s My Son Pinocchio at First Stage Milwaukee, It Had To Be You (starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka) at Little Theatre on the Square, Angel Street at First Folio Shakespeare, and The Gifts of the Magi at Indiana Repertory. He is author of the play, WAR of the WELLeS (about Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast) and he is a longtime pledge host for PBS station WTTW channel 11.

Frankie Leo Bennett is Porchlight Music Theatre’s producing artistic associate. He recently assistant directed Porchlight Music Theatre’s RENT and Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim, directed Porchlight’s free summer series, Broadway in your Backyard, in 2022; New Faces Sing Broadway 1971 and has appeared in its productions of In The Heights, New Faces Sing Broadway 1985 and Porchlight Revisits 1776. Bennett is also a teaching artist for The School at Porchlight and was a guest contributor to Porchlight’s free virtual offerings including Movie Musical Mondays on several occasions and Sondheim @ 90 Roundtable. He serves as the chair of Porchlight’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. His regional credits include Punkass Pastry (Independent Workshop/director), The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes (Hell in a Handbag Productions, assoc. director) and performing with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Kokandy Productions and Hell in a Handbag Productions.  He is also the playwright/composer of the recent Resident Services: A Crossed-Up Animal Musical.

Clayton Cross works nationwide as a choreographer, performer and dance instructor. Clayton was most recently in the ensemble and dance captain of Rock Of Ages with Mercury Theater and with Drury Lane in the ensemble and dance captain in Grease as well as ensemble in Evita. He was last seen at Music Theater Works’ stage as “Scuttle” in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and in the ensemble of Mamma Mia! and as choreographer for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Billy Elliot the Musical.  He was choreographer in residence with Music Theater Works under the direction of Rudy Hogenmiller for seven seasons where he choreographed and/or performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat “Benjamin”, Hunchback of Notre Dame, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Into The Woods, Anything Goes “ensemble”, Pirates of Penzance “ensemble”, Peter Pan “Nana/Croc”, Gypsy “Tulsa”, Mame “Ensemble”, Candide, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Die Fladermaus, The Fantastiks “Mute” and Damn Yankees “Eddie”, and in A Chorus Line as “Greg” with Porchlight Music Theatre. Clayton also performed at Marriott Theatre in La Cage as “Mercedes”. Clayton is an Instructor and choreographer for M.A. Dance Nation, a Texas based traveling convention circuit, where he has been choreographing, teaching, and judging since 1999. Clayton has five times been a consultant and contributed choreography for the Capital One Bowl’s All American Halftime Show. Throughout his 25 year career as a dancer he has worked with Robert Battle, Fernando Bujones, Sherry Zunker, Paul Taylor & Anne Reinking. Clayton’s television credits include “Every Dancer Has a Story,” a PBS special on the River North Chicago Dance Company, where he was a company member for 10 seasons and toured nationally, and internationally. Clayton Cross is originally from Midland, TX where he received his early training from La Petite Dance Co., Coleman Academy, and the Midland Community Theatre as a member of the Pickwick Players. Clayton holds a double B.F.A. in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University.

Previously at Porchlight: Gypsy, Merrily We Roll Along, multiple ICONS Gala and Chicago Sings concerts

David Fiorello is a music director, performer, director, composer and arranger who’s no stranger to Porchlight. He is the music director for the upcoming Chicago Sings Broadway Pop II and has served as music director most recently for Chicago Sings Broadway Pop, New Faces Sing Broadway 1951, Porchlight Revisits The Apple Tree and previously for Porchlight’s Blues in the Night, Gypsy, Do Re Mi, Woman of the Year, several seasons of New Faces Sing Broadway as well as several Chicago Sings and ICONS Gala benefits. He also appeared onstage as “Joe” in Merrily We Roll Along. Fiorello currently serves as founder and artistic director of “The Beautiful City Project,” a theatre company committed to raising funds for local Chicago charities and nonprofits, using some of the city’s finest musical theatre talents. He’s music directed national and international tours, including John Doyle’s re-imagining of Sweeney Todd. He also served as music director for the Off-Broadway hit Danny & Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical. His orchestrations and arrangements have been heard across the nation, and on several albums. He’s taught and directed/music directed as part of the International Lyric Academy in Italy and is adjunct faculty at Columbia College Chicago. An in-demand vocal coach, Fiorello Studios has also provided unique cabaret programming featuring the music of The Indigo Girls, Jason Mraz, Kelly Clarkson, Eva Cassidy, Sara Bareilles and Colbie Caillat. 

Previously at Porchlight: Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along, A Funny Thing…, Chicago Sings

Credits include: Assassins – Jeff Nomination for Principal Performer, Hello Again (Theo Ubique); Botticelli in the Fire (First Floor), 110 In the Shade – Jeff Nomination for Principal Performer, Marie Christine (Boho); Queen of the Mist (Firebrand); Ragtime, Titanic (Griffin Theatre); Adding Machine (The Hypocrites); Assassins, The Full Monty (Kokandy Productions), The Fly Honey Show, and other projects with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Circle Theatre, BPB Co., Raven Theatre, GRSF, and more. TV: “Chicago Med” (NBC), “Night Sky” (Amazon). BFA Acting, UIUC. Represented by DDO Chicago!

Previously at Porchlight: Broadway by the Decade, Sundays on State 

Darilyn was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and got her start singing in church. In high school, she discovered her love for theatre and had since enjoyed blending her gospel roots with other genres such as pop, rock, jazz and classical. Since moving to Utah in 2021, she cherishes the rare moments she gets with the Chicago theatre community, whom she’ll always love. Thanks to Porchlight for always being a joy to work with!

Previously at Porchlight: Side Show, Sunday in the Park with George, Chicago Sings

Chicago credits include: “Buddy” in Porchlight’s production of Side Show, “Charlie Price” in Kinky Boots, “Doctor Madden/Fine” in Next to Normal, “Rapunzel’s Prince” in Into the Woods, “Tommy” in The Who’s Tommy (Jeff Award Nomination – Best Actor), “Marius” in Les Miserables (Jeff Award Nomination Best Supporting Actor) and “Prince Eric” in Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, “Britt Craig/Young Soldier” in Parade at Writers Theatre, “Frank Churchill” in Emma at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, “Dr. Frankenstein” in Young Frankenstein at Drury Lane and “Matthew” in Altar Boyz Chicago. He was a singer for four years in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes at the world-renowned Radio City Music Hall. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Music and a proud member of Actor’s Equity. He is a lead singer with the Bluewater Kings Band in Chicago, a member of the Four C Notes: a Tribute to Franki Valli and the Four Seasons and an adoption consultant with RG Adoption Consultants—helping people all over the country grow their families through adoption. Have courage and be kind.

Previously at Porchlight: Anything Goes

Tafadzwa Diener recently made her Porchight debut in Anything Goes.  Chicago credits include A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Rock of Ages (Mercury Theater); 1919 (Steppenwolf Theatre); Sound of Music, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Marriott Theatre); MotherFreakingHood (Venus Cabaret). Regional: Ragtime, Pirates of Penzance (Utah Shakespeare Festival) TV: “Chicago PD.” She is represented by Big Mouth Talent. IG: @tafadzwadiener

Previously at Porchlight: ICONS Gala

Kelly has performed for Porchlight’s Icons Gala in years past and is honored to be back singing some Pop Hits! Chicago credits: “Roxy” in Chicago and “Audrey” in Little Shop of Horrors (Drury Lane), “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret (Paramount), “Zaneeta” in The Music Man (Goodman), and “Charlotte” in Oliver and “Gertrude” in Seussical (Marriott). Off Broadway: “Mayzie” in Seussical (Lucille Lortel/OOBCR), originated “Caroline” in Trip of Love (Stage 42) and “Ruby” in Max and Ruby (Lucille Lortel). National Tours: “Marty” in Grease, “Galinda /Nessarose u/s” in Wicked and originated “Gloria” in Flashdance. For more check out kellyfelthous.com

Previously at Porchlight: Broadway in your Backyard, Spring Awakening, New Faces Sing Broadway 1975, Porchlight Revisits Do Re Mi 

Desiree is happy to be working with Porchlight again! She is currently in Streetcar Named Desire (Paramount Bold Series) and prior to that she had been in Pippin (Music Theatre Works); Spring Awakening (Porchlight); I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet and Blind Crest (Parallel 45); Tru (Gosz and Fotos); Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein (Lookingglass); The Abuelas (Teatro Vista); New Faces Sing Broadway 1975 and Do Re Mi (Porchlight); Bonnie and Clyde of which Desiree was nominated for a Jeff Award (Kokandy Productions); Destiny of Desire and Another Word for Beauty (Goodman Theatre). TV credits include “Chicago Fire” and several regional commercials. Desiree is a graduate of Carthage College and is proudly represented by Big Mouth Talent.

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Nunsense

Credits include: The Band’s Visit (Writers Theatre, TheatreSquared), As You Like It and The Old Man and The Old Moon (Door Shakespeare); ShakesFest! (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Indecent, Ride the Cyclone (Contemporary Theatre of Ohio), Nunsense (Porchlight Music Theatre),Tuck Everlasting, Mockingbird and Auntie Claus (Nashville Children’s Theatre); A Little Night Music (Writers Theatre) and others with Marriott Theatre, First Folio, Strawdog, and A Red Orchid Theatre. She holds a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. Proud AEA Member and represented by DDO Artists Agency.

Previously at Porchlight: Broadway in your Backyard, Chicago Sings Series; Rock&Roll and Sondheim, Revisits Series;  “Kenneth” in Call Me Madam, “Chico Marx” in Minnie’s Boys, “Boris” in Can-Can, and a 2017 New Face.

Chicago: Grease, A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane), Once (Paramount Theater), Twelfth Night (Writers Theatre), Love’s Labour’s Lost, Henry V (Chicago Shakespeare), The Hundred Dresses (Chicago Children’s), Hello Again (Theo Ubique), Pinocchio, Edward Tulane (Filament Theatre), Skates the Musical (Royal George).

Previously at Porchlight: RENT, Dreamgirls

Eric is excited to be returning to Porchlight where he was last seen as “Tom Collins” in RENT and previously as “Jimmy Early” in Dreamgirls (Jeff Award). Other credits include “Simon/Judas standby” in the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar; Spamilton (original Chicago cast); Five Guys Named Moe (Court Theater). Eric would like to thank God and his family for their continued love and support for which he is immensely grateful.

Previously at Porchlight: Anything Goes

Recent credits include: “Natalie (U/S)” in Next to Normal (Paramount Theatre), “Ella” in R+H’s Cinderella (The Barn Theatre), and “Kendra” in Gloria (CCPA). Education: BFA MTD at CCPA. Rep: Stewart Talent. Endless thanks to her family and friends for their unending support! Web: emilylingmei.com, IG: @emily.lingmei

Previously at Porchlight: Blues in the Night, Dreamgirls, Far From Heaven

Evan is a Chicago based actor whose recent credits include: the world premiere of the one-man cabaret Let’s Fall In Love — which he created, co-wrote and starred in to reopen Florida Repertory Theatre’s 24th season last fall. Other credits include: Jim Bishop in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s (NYC) digital reading of Spunk by Zora Neale Hurston and directed by Chicago’s own Lilli-Anne Brown, Ensemble in The Black Clown (Lincoln Center 2019 MMF // A.R.T., BOSTON), Horton in Seussical (Marriott TYA), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! (Marriott Theatre), Duke Ellington’s Greatest Hits (Music Theatre Works), Hud in Hair (Mercury Theatre), Jesus of Nazareth in Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theatre, BTAA Nomination), I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett (Mercury Theatre, Jeff Nomination), Curtis Taylor, Jr. in Dreamgirls (Porchlight Theatre, BTAA Nomination), Raymond Deagan in Far From Heaven (Porchlight, Jeff Nomination), King Triton in The Little Mermaid (Paramount Theatre) and (Arkansas Rep), Jake in Side Show (Porchlight, Jeff Nomination), Tom Collins in Rent (Paramount), Harpo in The Color Purple (Mercury Theatre). Evan has also worked with FWD Theater Project, Chicago Children’s Theater, Silk Road Rising and Arkansas Shakespeare Theater and has even been featured as a performer in Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times. Additionally, Evan did two national tours starring in his one man shows Unforgettable: Falling in Love with Nat King Cole, and An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas through Artists Lounge Live and recorded a Live! album. Evan sends love and thanks to his friends, family and amazing agents at Paonessa Talent!

Previously at Porchlight: RENT, New Faces Sing Broadway 1971

David Moreland is a Chicago based actor and freelance contractor in and around the city. Previous credits include; Rock of Ages (Mercury Theater) American Psycho, Cruel Intentions (Kokandy Productions) RENT and New Faces Sing Broadway 1971 (Porchlight Music Theater) Don’t Dress for Dinner, Bridges of Madison County (Brightside Theater) Special thanks to friends and family for all of their continued support. Enjoy the show!

Previously at Porchlight: Chicago Sings, Spring Awakening

Juwon Tyrel Perry is a dynamic and versatile multidisciplinary artist with a passion for storytelling through various mediums. His southern roots make way for a range of musical influences that help him blend gospel, blues, rock and jazz with the perfect splash of theatricality into one individual sound that is so uniquely him. Juwon has left an indelible mark on numerous renowned theaters across the country including the Tony Award -winning Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre, North Carolina Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare and many more.  IG:  @juwontyrelperry W: JuwonTyrelPerry.com Jeremiah 29:11

Previously at Porchlight: Anything Goes

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nataki is a graduate of the musical theatre dance concentration program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Recent theatre credits include The Spongebob Musical at Kokandy Productions (“Sardine 2,” “u/s Sandy Cheeks”), Once on This Island (female swing/dance captain) and A Christmas Story (ensemble/ dance captain) at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan. In her free time she enjoys thrift shopping, creative writing, and laughing with loved ones. Nataki would like to thank all of her family, friends, and teachers for their endless love and support. IG: @nataki__

Previously at Porchlight: Pump Boys & Dinettes, Sunset Boulevard, Porchlight Revisits They’re Playing Our Song

Billy Rude was seen at Porchlight in Sunset Boulevard, Pump Boys & Dinettes, They’re Playing Our Song. Other credits include Matchbox Magic Flute (Goodman Theatre), Grease, Beauty and The Beast (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Blue Heaven (Black Ensemble Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet (Broadway Nat’l Tour, South Coast Repertory, Laguna Playhouse, others). TV/Film: “Chicago PD” (NBC). He received the 2023 Berkshire Theatre Critics Association Award (Outstanding Leading Actor in A Musical) and was nominated for BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Award (Best Performer in A Musical), Jeff Award (Best Supporting Performer In A Musical). Music, art, and more IG: @billy_rude W: BillyRude.com.

Previously at Porchlight: Numerous Chicago Sings, Marry Me A Little 

Bethany Thomas is an award-winning, Chicago actress, singer and writer recently seen at Northlight Theater as “Sister Rosetta Tharpe” in Marie and Rosetta and in the one-woman show Songs For Nobodies, as Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas. Other credits include A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theater); Once, Into the Woods, A Moon for the Misbegotten (Writers Theater); Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Ragtime, The Color Purple (Milwaukee Rep); The Tempest (Chicago Shakespeare); Marry Me a Little (Porchlight Music Theater); Porgy and Bess (Court Theater) and a season as “Madame Z” in Teatro ZinZanni. She’s also frequently entangled with Grelley Duvall, The Fly Honeys, Jon Langford, The Neo Futurists, Steppenwolf, The Paper Machete and The Hideout. Bethany’s original music is available on Apple Music, Bandcamp, Spotify and everywhere else.

Previously at Porchlight: Anything Goes, Cabaret, New Faces Sing Broadway 1951

Huzzah! Jerod Turner (He/They/She) is elated to be returning with Porchlight Music Theatre this season. A proud Missouri native, Jerod comes from a small town named Eureka but has resided in Chicago for the past five years. Jerod graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Columbia College Chicago in May of 2022. They recently performed with Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in their 2023 summer season in addition to their fall show. Previously with Porchlight, Jerod had the opportunity to perform in Cabaret and New Faces Sing Broadway 1951.  Outside of theater Jerod’s’ simple joys include drag, scrapbooking, copious amounts of pinot noir, and seasonal availability items at Trader Joes. Credits include: Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver, Something Rotten, Pirates of Penzance, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater), Damn Yankees, Desperate Measures, The Sound of Music, Something Rotten, Music Man, Mary Poppins, A Year with Frog and Toad, Sister Act (Post Playhouse); A Man of No Importance, Xanadu (Columbia College Chicago). IG: @jerod_turner

Previously at Porchlight: Memphis

Aeriel Williams is ecstatic to be returning in Chicago Sings Broadway Pop  II with Porchlight where she was last seen as “Felicia Ferrell” in Memphis. Credits include Off-Broadway: Trevor the Musical!; Regional: Oedipus Rex, Gospel at Colonus, Antigone (Court Theater); “Dyanne” in Million Dollar Quartet (Theater at the Center); “Diana Ross” in Women of Soul and “Young Josephine” in  Josephine Baker: The Black Pearl (Black Ensemble Theater). Television: “The Chi,” “Empire”.  Aeriel would like to thank her family, friends, educators, and mentors for all their love and support! Psalms 91. IG: @MonAerie.

Previously at Porchlight: New Faces Sing Broadway 1964

Missy Wise Vanderzee is thrilled to be back at Porchlight! Missy’s regional credits include: Million Dollar Quartet (Clarence Brown Theater); Bright Star (Boho Theater Ensemble); Kinky Boots; Legally Blonde (Paramount Theatre); FLIES! The Musical! (Pride Films and Plays); Sweeney Todd (Theo Ubique); Bonnie & Clyde (Kokandy Productions); Big Fish; Hair; Legally Blonde (BigNoise Theater); 24 Words (Steppenwolf LookOut) and Guys & Dolls (Music Theater Works). Missy was the 2016 Winner of the NATS National Musical Theater Competition and 2020 Bronze Medalist for the American Traditions Competition. Missy is also the proud recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards: Best Supporting Actor for her work as “Blanche Barrow” in Kokandy Productions’ Bonnie & Clyde and for Best Lead Actor for “Alice Murphy” in Bright Star.