ARYN NEMIROFF (Chorus Cat) is thrilled to be participating in CATS, making this her first production with Arizona Broadway Theatre! Her other credits include ASU’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park), The World Goes ’Round (Ensemble), Francesca in West Side Story (Theatre Works), and Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (Mesa Encore). Currently a senior studying musical theatre performance at ASU, Aryn hopes to achieve her goal of making a career out of her passion for all things musical theatre. www.arynnemiroff.com

BOB BOHON (Old Deuteronomy) is a former Outstanding Educator of the Year at Rock Bridge Senior High School in Columbia, Missouri, where he taught vocal music, music theory, musical theatre, technical theatre as well as directed three concert choirs, three competition show choirs, and two mainstage musical productions each year. Favorite regional roles include: Nicely in Guys and Dolls, Sancho in Man of La Mancha, John Adams in 1776, Emile in The Sound of Music, Harold in The Music Man, Neal in 1940’s Radio Hour, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Bobby in City of Angels, Teen Angel in Grease, El Gallo and Bellomy in The Fantasticks. Also, Scrooge and Fezziwig in separate productions of Scrooge in Concert and Beadle Banford in the national tour of the John Doyle production of Sweeney Todd with musical director David Loud. Bob is also a faux finish artist and enjoys gourmet cooking. When he is not touring or working in New York, Bob lives with his wife, Janie, in Columbia, Missouri. He has two children, Melissa and Justin, who are also actors currently working on Broadway and regionally in New York.

CASSANDRA NORVILLE KLAPHAKE (Grizabella) proudly returns to the ABT stage after performances in Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy) and Kiss Me, Kate (Lilli/Katherine – ariZoni nomination). A Montana native, Cassandra holds her Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Montana and her Master of Music degree from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Her extensive operatic and concert work has taken her to regional companies throughout the United States, as well as in Europe. Favorite roles include: Mimi (La Boheme), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) and Violetta (La Traviata). Adding to her list of dramatic opera heroines, Cassandra will make her debut in the title role of Rimrock Opera Company’s upcoming production of Puccini’s Tosca in April of 2011. A busy mother of two brilliant and creative young boys, she also serves as ABT’s Artistic Producer overseeing all aspects of production, from show selection to artistic concepts to casting. Thank you Kurtis, Kiel, Mom and Dad – couldn’t do any of this without you. For Kieran and Tristan, Mommy’s biggest fans – this one’s for you!

DANIEL CARDENAS (Chorus Cat) is extremely excited to be participating in his second show here at ABT. Previously appearing as a Marine in Miss Saigon, Daniel is finishing up his degree in Music Theatre at Arizona State University. ASU credits include Tony in West Side Story, Mr. Cellophane in The World Goes ’Round, and other various ensemble roles. In the Valley, Daniel has appeared in Les Misérables (Phoenix Theatre) and as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Mesa Encore Theatre). Daniel has had an amazing time collaborating on CATS, and thanks the cast, crew, Berger, Kurtis, James, and Cassandra for the opportunity. Finally, he thanks his parents, Alicia, Mina and Lisa. Love you all.

DAVID ERRIGO, JR. (Pouncival) is one of ABT’s Resident Artists and has appeared in numerous productions here, including: A Christmas Carol (Christmas Past), Anything Goes (Ensemble), Bye Bye Birdie (Reporter), Miss Saigon (Marine, Chris u/s - performed) and Annie Get Your Gun. David recently made his Nearly Naked Theatre debut in RENT(Roger). Other credits include: Urinetown (Bobby), Paint Your Wagon (Steve Bulnack), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Reuben) all with the Bigfork Summer Playhouse. Other favorites include: CATS (Rum Tum Tugger), Batboy (Edgar/Batboy) and Urinetown (Hot Blades Harry/Old Man Strong). David has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Montana. When he isn’t acting, David enjoys working here in the office, taking pictures, and spending time with his new bride, Jacqui. He thanks her for all of her love and support.

EDDIE MALDONADO (Chorus Cat) has appeared in ABT’s productions of Anything Goes (Ensemble), Bye Bye Birdie (Karl) and Miss Saigon (Marine, Thuy u/s - performed), as well as in ABT’s Theatre for Young Audiences production of The Celebrated Jumping Frog…(Ben/Parson) and Charlotte’s Web (Homer/Sheep/Judge…). An Arizona native, he currently attends Arizona State University as a music theatre major. His recent stage credits include: The World Goes ’Round (ariZoni nomination), West Side Story (Chino), CATS (Old Deuteronomy), and Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote). Special thanks to ABT and especially to family for their unconditional love and support!

GLENN GIRON (Mungojerrie/Tumblebrutus) is a native of Santa Fe, NM. His theatrical credits include ensemble work in The Who’s Tommy, Anything Goes, Swing!, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, and The Sound of Music at the Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, and most recently, after his big move to New York City, he starred in NYC DanceMaker’s: Gotta Dance as well as The Love Shows: Nutcracker: Rated R. He is thrilled to be a part of this show and is having the time of his life playing on stage as trouble making Mungojerrie! He is so very grateful of his friends and family! Without their support and faith in him he would not be nearly as successful or as happy as he is today!

JACK MATTACHIONE (Macavity/Plato) returns to ABT, where he was one of the crapshooters and Havana dancers in Guys and Dolls. He was last seen dancing for Attack Theater Dance Company in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally born and raised in Dayton, OH, he was a competition gymnast for 14 years before pursuing his passion for theater and dance. He received his training from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, majoring in Dance with a concentration in Jazz and Ballet. Recent credits include performances with Attack Theatre Dance Company in Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Opera’s Samson and Delilah and Aida. His regional theater credits include Ohio Lyric Theater’s Brigadoon (Harry Beaton), Pajama Game (Steam Heat Dancer), and Muse Machine’s My Fair Lady (Dancer). Jack would like to thank ABT for this wonderful opportunity, and his family and friends for their never-ending support.

JENNIFER HATZES (Victoria) is ecstatic to have an invitation to the Jellicle Ball here at Arizona Broadway Theatre’s production of CATS. Proud graduate of Oklahoma City University, Jennifer received her Bachelor degree in Performing Arts. Other credits include: Pepitos Story (Casa Mañana), 19th Annual Flo-Bert Awards NYC, MARY KAY Cosmetics, The Wonder of Christmas. Huge thanks to my parents and new husband Scott for their love and support, and to my heavenly Father for grace enough to be doing this.

JEREMY SARTIN (Rum Tum Tugger) is ecstatic to return to his home away from home at ABT. Last season, he was seen in Miss Saigon (Marine), Annie Get Your Gun (Cowboy), and A Christmas Carol (Young Marley). He is originally from Tennessee and holds his BFA in Musical Theatre from Northern Kentucky University. Some favorite roles include Pharoah in Joseph and the Amazing...Dreamcoat, Al in A Chorus Line, and Senator Fipp in Urinetown. He would like to thank Cass, Kiel, Kurtis, James, and the entire ABT family for this amazing opportunity, and sends love to his inspiration and personal Rum Tum Tugger--his cat, Bella, who is taking care of his apartment back in Philadelphia.

JILL TIESKOETTER (Jellylorum/Griddlebone) has appeared at ABT in Gypsy (Electra), A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate), Cabaret (Fräulein Kost), Jekyll & Hyde (Nellie), Fiddler on the Roof (Shaindel), and South Pacific (Nurse Pamela Whitmore). Additionally, she has appeared in several TYA productions and is a teacher in ABT’s Academy. Jill spent the last four summers performing at Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre in Denali Park, Alaska. She is a 2002 graduate of Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre. She would like to thank you for being here to support this wonderful art.  Thanks, ABT, for this opportunity!

JOEY TIERNO (Mistoffelees) is honored to be making his debut at ABT. He most recently danced the part of The Jitterbug and played Nikko, the flying monkey, in The Wizard of Oz at the Media Theatre (Philadelphia). Last fall, he played Travis in Footloose at the Tropicana Resort & Casino, Atlantic City. Other recent performances were in A Funny Thing...Forum, High School Musical 2, The Music Man, and Divas Do It All! at the TriArts Playhouse in CT. A recent graduate of Wagner College, Joey received his Bachelor of Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance and is a company dancer in CaRu Entertainment Hip Hop/Jazz Dance Company in NYC. He would like to thank everybody at ABT for giving him this incredible opportunity! He also would like to thank Mom, Dad, Anthony, and Bobby for all their love and support.    

KAT THOMPSON (Rumpleteazer) is so tickled to finally be a cat! She loves this show and is delighted to be working with ABT for the first time. Kat hails from Washington where she was a member of Washington State Ballet for four seasons. It was her role as a shark girl in Portland Center Stage’s production of West Side Story that convinced her to move to NYC and pursue a life in musical theatre. Kat wants to thank her family for being behind her every crazy step of the way.

LARS VALDOR HAGLUND (Asparagus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones) is thrilled to be making his debut at the Arizona Broadway Theatre. This will be his third time performing in CATS; previously he played Skimbleshanks and Macavity. Lars has worked professionally across the country in New York, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Colorado. Some favorite credits include: Berger (Hair), Billy Lawlor (42nd Street), Ozzie (On The Town), Jack (Leading Ladies), and Josephus Gage (Gentleman Prefer Blondes). Lars is a proud Western Michigan University alum, where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. He would like to thank the ABT team for this wonderful opportunity, God, family and his soon-to-be-wife, Nicole.

LAURA BERGER (Chorus Cat) happily joins the CATS chorus after recent appearances on the ABT stage in Gypsy (Tessie Tura), Anything Goes (Reporter, Reno u/s) and The Taffetas (Kaye). A life-long student of the arts, Laura is a Phoenix native and has been performing Valley-wide since childhood. Her favorite credits include The Music Man (Marian), The Who’s Tommy (Acid Queen), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Lucy), Reefer Madness (Mae), Joseph...Dream Coat (Narrator), and Into The Woods (Cinderella). When not on stage, Laura successfully runs her own business teaching women how to enrich their lives (www.marykay.com/lauraberger). Special thanks to her cheering section: Mom, Dad, Jojo, the Berger Bunch, and her “entourage.” And to her wonderful husband, Jesse, for helping her live her dream!

LAURIE TRYGG (Cassandra) is thrilled to be returning to Arizona Broadway Theatre where she was last seen in A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Future) and Bye, Bye Birdie (Mrs. Merkle). Other recent shows: Curtains and The Producers (Phoenix Theatre). Laurie has danced with the Empire State Ballet Company in NY and Tempe Dance Company in Arizona. Much love to Rob, Sean and Tim! 

MICKEY JUNIOR-AYER (Alonzo) is agog to take a “Journey to the Heaviside Layer” with ABT and the AWESOME cast of CATS! He is best known for his portrayal as Richie (A Chorus Line), James “Thunder” Early-CEA Nominee (Dreamgirls), Zeke (High School Musical), Sweet Charity-Jeff Award Winner (Drury Lane-Oak Brook). Training: Milwaukee Ballet, Juilliard, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Long Beach Ballet Arts Center, AMDA-NY. Mickey enjoys knitting and playing with his puppy Trix, “The Aviatrix.”

MORGAN RUDOLPH (Bombalurina/ Dance Captain) serves as a Resident Artist for Season Five at ABT and has spent the past two months working with many animals. She sang to a sweet “little” lamb, became a dancing cow, and somewhat adopted an adorable dog named Mimi. But she has learned it is easier to be the animal rather than work with one. Morgan has been seen on the ABT Stage in: Gypsy (Louise), A Christmas Carol (Sally), Anything Goes (Purity), Bye Bye Birdie (Gloria Rasputin), Guys and Dolls (Mimi), Annie Get Your Gun, and Cabaret (Helge). She is an alumna of Western Kentucky University and holds a BFA in Performing Arts with a Concentration in Dance. Morgan would like to thank Kurtis W. Overby for his ineffable talent and for making this show a dancer’s dream come true! Much love and thanks to Rick, and her family and friends… ya’ll are the cat’s meow!

MORGAN SPRINGER (Chorus Cat) is delighted to continue on at ABT, having just performed as Mazeppa in Gypsy. Last summer, Morgan made her ABT debut in Bye Bye Birdie! Morgan received her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, where she appeared as The Old Lady in Candide, Judy Turner in A Chorus Line, and Lady Billows in Benjamin Britten’s opera, Albert Herring. After graduation, she toured Colorado with A Night of Comden and Green. She most recently appeared off-Broadway in a workshop/reading of the new musical, Awakening with Julia Murney and Lisa Howard. Morgan would love to thank the wonderful ABT family for giving her this fantastic opportunity. Look for her in the upcoming production of Phantom! Special thanks to Mom for her undying support.

PATRICK DAVID (Skimbleshanks) is thrilled to be a part of this production of CATS. Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Patrick graduated from Wagner College this past May with a B.A. in Theatre Performance and a Dance Minor. Previous credits include: Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street (JSE); u/s Nick Piazza, Ensemble in Fame (JSE); TeJean in Petite Rouge (HSRT); Chip in On the Town; 42nd Street, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Reagle Players); Kiss Me Kate (HSRT), and more. Patrick also performed the role(s) of Mike/Ronald/Skunk in As Bees in Honey Drown for which he was nominated for an Irene Ryan Award. Thanks to his amazing family. Peace and Love.

RYAN STEER (Munkustrap) is pumped to be joining the cast of CATS! Originally from Norman, Oklahoma, Ryan is a recent graduate in music theatre and dance from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has worked regionally in theatres and venues around the country including The Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City, The Eldorado Showroom in Reno, Surflight on Long Beach Island, Quisisana in Maine, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, City Rep, College Light Opera Company on Cape Cod, and Discoveryland! Favorite credits include Hairspray (Link Larkin), Steel Pier (Bill Kelly), State Fair (Pat Gilbert), Oklahoma (Will Parker), and a Steam Heat Dancer in Pajama Game. Much love to the family for being my base and support!

SHAYLA BENOIT (Demeter) is thrilled to return to the ABT stage after appearing in Anything Goes (Erma), Donna (The Taffetas), Bye Bye Birdie (Nancy), Miss Saigon (Gigi), Annie Get Your Gun (Annie u/s), A Christmas Carol (both years), Cabaret (Rosie), and ABT’s children’s productions of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and Charlotte’s Web. A graduate of Florida State University’s BFA Musical Theatre program, Shayla hails from West Palm Beach, FL. Seaside Music Theatre credits include: Peter Pan (Indian/Peter u/s), Nine (Heidi), South Pacific (Nurse MacGregor), and Go Dog Go! (Blue Dog). Favorite FSU credits include: Sweet Charity (Nickie), Urinetown: The Musical (Josephine Strong), Into the Woods (Florinda/Baker’s Wife u/s), and Come Back to the Five and Dime… (Sissy (Then)). She loves her CATS cast mates (though she’s deathly allergic to the real variety…) and thanks the ABT family for this wonderful opportunity, and her family, friends, and M2 for their endless love and support! Mahalo.

TIFFANY SPARKS (Jennyanydots) is very excited to be making her ABT debut in CATS. Tiffany grew up in Columbus, Indiana, where she started gymnastics and dance lessons at the age of four. It wasn’t until later that she discovered her talent and passion for theatre. Tiffany is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Manhattan. From there, she went on to play the role of Gloria Rasputin in the National Tour of Bye Bye Birdie. Tiffany would like to thank God for blessing her with many talents and dreams; her mother and father, Tammy Sparks and David Brinley, for their support in making those dreams possible; and her boyfriend, friends, and family who always believe in her every step of the way.