Cast Announced for Lyric Stage's MY FAIR LADY

As the Lyric Stage has shown with Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Big River, and more, our forte is turning a grand musical into a completely thrilling event in our uniquely intimate space. Now, director Scott Edmiston will re-fashion My Fair Lady, the delightful story of a down-on-her- luck London flower girl taken on as an "experiment" by a chauvinistic speech therapist, into another Lyric Stage winner. Based on George Bernard Shaw's beloved play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady introduced the world to a treasure trove of classic tunes including "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "The Rain in Spain," and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face."

Remo Airaldi* (Colonel Pickering) returns to the Lyric Stage having appeared in last season's Sweeney Todd. He has appeared in over sixty productions at the American Repertory Theater, including Lilly's Revenge, Cabaret, Endgame, Oliver Twist (also at Theatre for a New Audience and Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Island of Slaves (IRNE Award-Outstanding Actor), The Miser, Henry IV and V, Waiting for Godot. Other credits: Six productions with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company including this summer's Twelfth Night, The Hound of the Baskervilles (Central Square Theater), Camino Real, Eight by Tenn, No Exit (Hartford Stage), and productions at La Jolla Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, Cirque du Soleil, American Conservatory Theater, Walnut Street Theatre, Prince Music Theater, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Serious Fun Festival, Moscow Art Theatre, and Taipei International Arts Festival. He is a Lecturer in Dramatic Arts at Harvard University and was the Monan Professor in Theatre Arts at Boston College.

Elise Arsenault*(Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage having previously appeared in City of Angels, Into the Woods (IRNE Award, Best Ensemble) and Avenue Q (Elliott Norton Award, Best Ensemble). Recent area credits include Diary of Anne Frank, The King and I (Ocean State Theatre), Beat Generation (Merrimack Rep), Miracle on 34th Street (Stoneham Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew (Colonial Theater), and Footloose (Ivoryton Playhouse). Elise has performed, directed, and facilitated workshops throughout the country with numerous organizations, including the Smithsonian Institute, The Lady Project and Washington National Opera. As a voiceover artist, she can be heard on commercials and narrating audiobooks. She is a graduate of George Mason University and the British American Drama Academy. elisearsenault.com

Tony Castellanos* (Zoltan Karpathy/Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage after making his debut last spring in City of Angels. He was seen in The Drowsy Chaperone at The Barnstormers in New Hampshire this summer. Other credits include In the Heights (SpeakEasy Stage), The Drowsy Chaperone (Theatre by the Sea), Man of La Mancha (Seacoast Rep), Jesus Christ Superstar (National Tour), The Mapmakers Opera (NYMF '14), and Zapata!(NYMF '13). Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Tony now resides in Astoria, NY. Tony studied Musical Theatre at the University of Arizona. This one is for Mrs. Jackson.

Christopher Chew* (Henry Higgins) returns to the Lyric Stage having appeared in Sweeney Todd, Working, Man of La Mancha, Urinetown: The Musical, Shakespeare in Hollywood, A Little Night Music (IRNE Award, Best Actor), Sunday in the Park with George, It's All True, Side Show, and The Spitfire Grill. Other Boston area credits include productions at SpeakEasy Stage, Wheelock Family Theater, Hanover Theater, Stoneham Theater, Worcester Foothills Theater, The American Stage Festival, North Shore Music Theater, The Huntington Theater, CentaStage, and the Village Theater Project of which he was a founding member. Christopher earned his B.F.A. in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University, an M.A.T. in English from Fitchburg State University, and an Ed.D. from Northeastern University.

Catherine Lee Christie (Ensemble) is making her Lyric Stage debut. Previous local credits include Company, The Importance of Being Earnest (Moonbox Productions), Me and My Girl, Into the Woods, La Cage Aux Folles (Reagle Music Theatre), Ragtime, Fiddler on the Roof, Funny Girl, A Christmas Carol (Fiddlehead Theatre), Assassins, Drawin' on the Walls (FUDGE Theater), Pirate Lives! The Musical! (Flat Earth Theatre), Regina (Boston Opera Project),Tartuffe (The Umbrella). She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and obtained her Master's Degree in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University.

Jennifer Ellis* (Eliza Doolittle) returns to the Lyric Stage having previously appeared in City of Angels, 1776 and Urinetown. She was most recently seen in Wonderful Town (Reagle Music Theatre) and Out of Sterno (Gloucester Stage). Boston: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, New Rep, Central Square Theater, Boston Lyric Opera, Peterborough Players, Stoneham Theatre, Shear Madness (Charles Playhouse). National Tour: A Christmas Carol. NYC: Sibiline Shakespeare, Project Rushmore. She received an IRNE Award for The Most Happy Fella (Gloucester Stage) and an ArtsImpulse award for Far From Heaven (SpeakEasy Stage). Jen works frequently as a corporate spokesperson and voiceover artist. She studied at Bridgewater State University and Circle in the Square Theatre School. Many thanks to Scott, Catherine, Spiro, MJ and our loverly cast and crew! All my love to Ben. JenEllis.net

Beth Gotha*(Mrs. Higgins) returns to the Lyric Stage having appeared in Into the Woods, Superior Donuts, Dead Man's Cell Phone, The Importance of Being Earnest, Book Of Days, The Miracle Worker, Comedy of Errors, and Sunday in the Park with George. Boston area credits include Richard III, Measure for Measure, Design for Living (The Publick Theater), Kiss of The Spider Woman (SpeakEasy Stage), Well of the Saints (Súgán Theatre Company), My Fair Lady, Beauty and The Beast (Reagle Music Theater), Steel Magnolias (The NextDoor Theater Company), and Beauty and the Beast, Our Town, See How They Run (Worcester Foothills Theatre) . She has also performed with Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, American Stage Festival, North Shore Music Theater and, Northern Stage, among others. Beth will be seen in Mary Poppins at the Wheelock Family Theater in February.

Meghan LaFlam (Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage after appearing in Sweeney Todd and City of Angels. Her other credits include Henry V (Colonial Theater) and Spring Awakening (Gloucester Stage Company). She will also be appearing in Moonbox Production's Wild Party, opening in April. Meghan has a B.F.A. from The Boston Conservatory. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support.

Carla Martinez (Ensemble) is making her Lyric Stage debut. New England credits include: Far From Heaven (SpeakEasy Stage Company), Shrek, Hairspray (Elliot Norton Award, Outstanding Ensemble), It's a Wonderful Life, Oliver (Wheelock Family Theatre); The Wiz, The Full Monty, Forum, Dreamgirls (Interlakes Summer Theatre). Carla is a performer, teacher, and choreographer currently residing in Boston and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Endless thanks to family and friends for continuous love and support. Paciencia y fe! www.carla-martinez.com

Kathryn McKellar (Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage having previously appeared in Mikado. This season includes appearances with Boston Lyric Opera (La Traviata), Boston Midsummer Opera (Martha), Raylynmor Opera (Magic Flute) and she looks forward to performing in Boston Lyric Opera's Merry Widow next spring. She has recently worked with Metro Stage, Reagle Music Theater, Opera Hub, New England Light Opera, Boston Opera Collaborative, Musicians of the Old Post Road, and Greater Worcester Opera. Originally from Texas, Kathryn received her M.M. from the Boston Conservatory. She is on the faculty of CMCB, teaches voice and piano in the Boston area and is the founder and director of Opera on Tap Boston. Love to M&D, Sarah and Russ. KathrynMcKellar.com

Cheryl McMahon* (Mrs. Pearce/Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage having appeared in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Spitfire Grill, The Porch, and Lend Me a Tenor. This summer, Cheryl appeared in Steel at New London Barn Playhouse. Recent credits include appearances at North Shore Music Theatre, Huntington Theatre, Stoneham Theatre, SpeakEasy Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Gateway Playhouse, Wheelock Family Theatre, Next Door Theatre, and Boston Playwrights. With Stickball Productions, Cheryl originated the role of Ma in Bill Doncaster's Two Boys Lost. She also originated the role of Mother in Gail Phaneuf's and Ernie Lijoi's, Monsters, the Musical. Cheryl is a three time IRNE award recipient. Film credits include Russian Doll, The Box, RIPD, Brilliant Mistakes, Clue I & II,and The A Plate Next, Cheryl will return for her 22nd year, to NSMT, to take part in A Christmas Carol.

Davron S. Monroe* (Ensemble) is returning to the Lyric Stage after having appeared in City of Angels, Sweeney Todd, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Mikado, Avenue Q, and Ain't Misbehavin'. Musical theatre credits include: Godspell (Moonbox Productions), Hairspray (Reagle Music Theatre), Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Children of Eden, Songs for a New World (premiere, Key West Symphony, Broadway Across America), Smokey Joe's Café, Cinderella, Streakin'!, a '70s musical revue, Sweet Charity, Brigadoon, and Show Boat. Cabaret: The All Night Strut. Opera: fully staged or concert/scene productions of Carmen, Treemonisha, Porgy and Bess, La finta giardiniera, Rigoletto, Lucia di Lammermoor, La fille du régiment, L'élisir d'amore, Così fan tutte, Die Fledermaus, The Tailor of Gloucester, The Gondoliers, Aida, and Die Zauberflöte. Mr. Monroe premiered the role of Thomas Edison in Juventas's New Music Group production of Light and Power. He has also appeared with many orchestral and vocal organizations such as Boston Landmarks Orchestra (Lost in the Stars - a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech, and The Chariot Jubilee), the First Church UU, Belmont, the Brevard Music Center (finalist, Orlando Opera's Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Awards), Disney Entertainment's Voices of Liberty, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Key West Symphony (young artist), Houston Ebony Opera Guild, The New England Spiritual Ensemble, New England Voices, the Longy School Orchestra, and many other organizations throughout the greater Boston area. Davron is the first recipient of the Bob Jolly Award for up-and-coming local actors.

Andy Papas* (Ensemble) is making his Lyric Stage debut. He was most recently seen in Rigoletto with Union Avenue Opera of St. Louis. He returns there this fall for Yeoman of The Guard, where he has also performed in The Pirates of Penzance and Turandot. A classically trained baritone, Andy makes company debuts this season with Fiddlehead Theatre (The Little Mermaid & Showboat), and The Longfellow Chorus (Evangeline). Last year he charmed audiences coast to coast as Cinderella's evil stepfather, with productions of Rossini's La Cenerentola in Seattle (Skagit Opera), Milwaukee (Skylight Music Theatre), and at the Bar Harbor Music Festival. Andy has sung all over the Northeast in shows such as L'Italiana in Algieri (Opera Co. of Middlebury), Sir John in Love (Odyssey Opera), Pirates of Penzance (Opera Providence), The Mikado (Opera New Jersey, Raylynmor Opera) and Fiddler on the Roof (Reagle Music Theatre). Additionally, he has over 250 performances throughout the Great Lakes under his belt, in shows including The Barber of Seville and Hansel & Gretel (Opera for the Young). B.M. - U.Michigan, M.M. - U.Houston. Proud AEA Love to thePapasFam & Chris. AndyPapas.com

Aaron Michael Ray (Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage after making his debut last season in Sweeney Todd. Regional: The Boston premieres of The Color Purple (Speakeasy Stage Company) and A Little Princess (Fiddlehead Theatre Company). Wonderful Town, Singin' In The Rain, South Pacific (Reagle Music Theatre), Shrek The Musical (Wheelock Family Theatre) and A New Brain (Moonbox Productions). Aaron was a soloist at Boston Symphony Hall for the Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy concert in 2013. Aaron is currently in his final year in the MFA Musical Theatre program at The Boston Conservatory and received his BM in Professional Music at Berklee College of Music. Special thanks to his family and the cast and crew of My Fair Lady.

Jared Troilo* (Freddy Eynsford-Hill) is making his Lyric Stage debut. Recent credits include Far From Heaven (SpeakEasy Stage), The Drowsy Chaperone (Barnstormers), West Side Story, Les Miserables, Godspell (The Palace Theatre), A Little Princess (Fiddlehead Theatre), City Of Angels (FUDGE Theatre), and Chicago (Interlakes Theatre). Jared is also a frequent cast member of the Off-Broadway interactive show That Bachelorette Show, and has traveled the world as a vocliast on board several luxury cruise lines.. BFA The Boston Conservatory. Proud member of AEA. Love to mom, dad, and Kira.

J.T. Turner* (Alfred P. Doolittle) returns to the Lyric Stage having appeared in City of Angels, On the Town, Kiss Me Kate, Man of La Mancha, Big River, and 1776. Locally he has appeared in A Christmas Carol, All Shook Up, (North Shore Music Theater), The Drowsy Chaperone, Floyd Collins, Chess, Triumph of Love, (Speakeasy Stage Co.), Something's Afoot (Stoneham Theater), and Johnny Baseball, (A.R.T.). Feature films include The Crucible, Meet Joe Black, The Judge, American Hustle, and The Fighter. For TV, he appeared in The Brotherhood, Clear History, and Body of Proof. He records audio works with The Colonial Radio Theater, and has been heard on XM Radio in The Father Brown Mysteries. J.T. tours with several one-man shows, including Robert Frost: Light and Dark, Shakespeare's Ghost, and An Evening with C.S. Lewis. He is the founder of moonlight productions, a theater group dedicated to using theater as outreach to kids and teens, and The Actors Company, a training and performance company. He is also a professional Ringmaster and has worked with Granite State Circus, Circuscape, and Diamond Family Circus. Proud member of SAG/AFTRA, and Actor's Equity. jtturner.org.

J.T. Turner* (Alfred P. Doolittle) returns to the Lyric Stage having appeared in City of Angels, On the Town, Kiss Me Kate, Man of La Mancha, Big River, and 1776. He has appeared in Saturday Night, The Drowsy Chaperone, Johnny Guitar, Floyd Collins, Triumph of Love and Chess at (SpeakEasy Stage), Johhny Baseball (American Repertory Theater), and will return for his 6th year in A Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theater). J.T. has appeared in many feature films, including American Hustle, Mystic River, Meet Joe Black, The Game Plan, Dan In Real Life, The Crucible, and A Civil Action. For T.V., he has worked on episodes of The Sopranos, Body Of Evidence ,and had a small recurring role as a State Senator in The Brotherhood, on Showtime. J.T also serves as the Descriptive Narrator for many PBS shows, including Martha Speaks, Arthur, and episodes of Mystery!. Additionally, his voice can be heard on many audio dramas by the Colonial Radio Theater, including Captain Blood, Treasure Island, Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Halloween Tree and H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines. J.T. can also be heard as Father Brown in The Father Brown Series. J.T. is a historical re-enactor, and tours as Benjamin Franklin, Charles Dickens, Aesop, and William Shakespeare. He has toured with throughout the Northeast in Beyond The Wardrobe, a play about C.S. Lewis, Shakespeare's Ghost as William Shakespeare, and in his newest work Robert Frost, Light and Dark. jtturner.org

Photo by Nile Hawver

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