The Mystery of Edwin Drood at The Goodspeed

David Beach

Goodspeed: Damn Yankees, Goldrich/Heisler/Bell's The Great American Mousical directed by Julie Andrews. Broadway: Something Rotten, It’s Only A Play, Fish In The Dark, Mamma Mia!, as well as the original companies of Urinetown and Moon Over Buffalo. Off-Broadway credits include Claudia Rankine's Help (The Shed), Opus (Primary Stages), The Perfect Game (Theater Row). Regional: Pioneer, Westport, Adirondack Theater Festival, Alabama Shakespeare, Wilma, among others. TV/Film: Veep, The Sopranos, New Amsterdam, Elementary, Dangerous Book For Boys, The Good Wife, Person Of Interest, Submissions Only, Delocated, Blue Bloods, Law & Order, among others. NYT Modern Love column: Just Don’t Call Me Mom. Graduate: Dartmouth College and LAMDA. He and his husband Russell Granet are the proud parents of actress Sadie Granet-Beach.

Jetta Juriansz

is a winner of the Diversity Scholarship at The Groundlings, was a cast member on the CBS Showcase 2023, and a cast member on sketch comedy TV show Studio C. She originated the role of Ali Mills in the pre-Broadway premiere of The Karate Kid: The Musical. Last year, she appeared on Station 19 (ABC), S.W.A.T. (CBS) and the indie feature Deepfake. She is currently on the UCB Maude team, Petty Crime. Jetta is thrilled to be performing at Goodspeed for the first time! IG: @shmetta

Jamie LaVerdiere

is happy to be back at Goodspeed where he appeared in the Rob Ruggiero-led production of Oliver!. CT audiences might also recognize him from his award-winning turn as John Adams in 1776 at CT Repertory. Much like the character he portrays tonight, Mr. LaVerdiere has often understudied notable actors: Tony winners Matthew Broderick and Roger Bart in The Producers, Broadway stalwarts Max Von Essen (Bakers Wife) and Peter Benson (Cabaret), as well as West End favorite Hadley Fraser (Pirate Queen) to name a few. He lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife, daughter, and dog.

Liz McCartney

has appeared in the Broadway revivals of Funny Girl, Sunday in the Park with George, Annie, My Fair Lady and South Pacific. And the long-running Broadway productions of the Phantom of the Opera, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!. She has also created rolls in Boy George’s Taboo and The Dance of the Vampires. In addition to Broadway, she has also toured the country in Wicked, Cinderella, Souvenir and The Little Mermaid. Liz is so happy to be back at Goodspeed in one of her favorite shows. This one’s for you, Chita.

Marcus Montgomery

is a multi-hyphenate artist based in NJ. In 2022, Marcus began his theatre career understudying Mordy in The Burdens (Mile Square Theatre) and was later cast in A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre) as the understudy for four roles. In 2023, he appeared in Dog Man: The Musical (New World Stages), played Melvin in Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical (Lucille Lortel Theatre), and toured with the Australian production of Dog Man: The Musical.

Riley Noland

Originally hailing from Honolulu, Hawai’i, Riley is so delighted to be making her Goodspeed debut. Riley was last seen as Johanna in Sweeney Todd (MUNY). Favorite past credits include Natasha in Natasha Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Marie in Marie Antoinette, and Squeaky Fromme in Assassins. BFA: Carnegie Mellon University. Special thanks to Rob Ruggiero, Laura Gibson, Brian Sacripanti and the rest of the wonderful team at A3, and most importantly, her family for all their endless love and support.

Mamie Parris

Goodspeed credits include The Most Happy Fella (Rosabella) and A Grand Night for Singing. Broadway: Cats (Grizabella), School of Rock (Rosalie and Patty), On the 20th Century, Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone, and 110 In the Shade. National tours: 9 to 5 (Judy), Wicked (Elphaba), and Legally Blonde. Regional: The Muny, The Old Globe, Pittsburgh CLO, Paper Mill Playhouse, and more. Off-Broadway: See Rock City, Anything Can Happen in the Theater (both with cast recordings). TV/Film: The Blacklist, A Standup Guy, PBS Great Performances 50 Years of Broadway’s Best. Concert dates, new audiobook releases, masterclass opportunities and more atmamieparris.com, Instagram, and TikTok. Love to Johnathan.

Paul Adam Schaefer

Is SO grateful to be making his Goodspeed debut. He recently was in the closing cast of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera playing the title character and others over 16 years and 5,000+ shows. Other stage work: ...Millie Nat’l Tour and PCLO, Company at Barrington, High Society at Walnut Street, My Life With Albertine at Playwrights, Giant at Signature. TV: FBI, Uncoupled with NPH, Blacklist, Baker and the Beauty, Law and Order, and Guiding Light. He is a proud graduate of the MT program at University of Michigan. Many thanks to CPM, Clear, my loving parents, and my sweet Elena.

Paul Slade Smith

Connecticut native making his Goodspeed debut. NYC credits: original Broadway casts of Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady. National tours: Wicked, Phantom, My Fair Lady. Paul starred as Willy Wonka in the Australian premiere of Charlie.... Regional credits: Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol), American Repertory Theatre, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Paul is the author of three popular plays: The Outsider, Unnecessary Farce, and The Angel Next Door, aka Theatre People–seen locally in Westport Country Playhouse’s Script In Hand series last year. For Mom & Dad and, as always, Erin.

Levin Valayil

is thrilled to make his Goodspeed debut as Neville! Levin has performed across the country in well-known theater spaces including, John Smythe/Abdul Karim in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Jersey Lily at the Alley Theater, Matt in the crowd-favorite Fantasticks at the Cape Playhouse, Fakir in Secret Garden at Broadway Sacramento, Dharun Ravi in Poster Boy at Williamstown Theater Festival, and Mowgli in the North American Tour of Jungle Book. Also a film actor, Levin recently played Aladdin in the Disney + movie Descendants: Rise of Red. Upcoming he will play Vigneshwar Paduar in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Next Act Theater in Milwaukee, WI. www.levinvalayil.com

Lenny Wolpe

is delighted to back at Goodspeed: Show Boat (Captain Andy), The Baker’s Wife (Baker), A Connecticut Christmas Carol (Scrooge). Broadway: Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, Drowsy Chaperone, Sound of Music, Mayor, Into the Light, Onward Victoria, Copperfield. Off-Broadway: Jerusalem Syndrome, Heartbreak House, Midnight Street, Marry Harry, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Company, Mayor, Radio City Spring Spectacular. National Tours: Wicked, Little Shop, Forum, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific. Regional: Papermill, Alliance, Kansas City Rep, Barrington, Berkshire Theatre, Pasadena, North Coast, Westport, Reprise LA, Capital Rep, St Louis Rep, Maltz, Asolo, McCarter, Bucks County, Cape Playhouse, Denver Center, PCLO, Sacramento, and The Hollywood Bowl. TV: nearly 100 shows from ER, Ally McBeal, L.A. Law to The Golden Girls, Chapelle’s Show, The Good Fight. Lenny received an Emmy nomination for the Amazon series After Forever.

Jon Cooper

is happy to return to Goodspeed after appearing in A Connecticut Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway: Errol and Fidel at Playwright’s Horizons. Regional: Otherworld at Delaware Theatre Company, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Florida Rep, Oklahoma! at Trinity Rep, Guys and Dolls at Theatre Aspen, among others. Film: Girl Most Likely. Skidmore College alum. Thanks to Paul. @jonmjcooper

Benjamin Howes

Albert Jennings

is bloody excited to be making his Goodspeed debut! Hailing originally next door from the tiny state of Rhode Island. Broadway: Aladdin. National Tours: Aladdin (OTC); Mamma Mia!. Regional: Mereb (Aida), Angel (RENT). Gratitude to my incredible agents at Hudson Artists. Many thanks to the company of Drood and the team at Goodspeed. Hugs and kisses to my family and friends for their undying love and support. @albertjj

Miyuki Miyagi

Goodspeed debut! Regional: Natasha Rostova in Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet... (Capital City), Peggy Maruyama in Allegiance (East West Players), When You Wish (Tuacahn), Anne in A Little Night Music (Princeton Summer Theater), Lucia in Black Coffee (Barnstormers), South Pacific (Culver City Symphony), Jacques Brel... (Odyssey Theatre). BA: Princeton University (politics w/ certificates in environmental studies & theater). Miyuki is also a violinist, multi-instrumentalist, and academic tutor. For Mom, Daddy, and Andrew. MiyukiMiyagi.com IG:@mkmiyagi

Jacqueline Petroccia

is honored to return to The Goodspeed where she was last seen as Jeanne in Because of Winn Dixie. Jackie won a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of Patsy in Always...Patsy Cline, a role she has played in numerous productions across the US. Other credits: Sweeney Todd (w/ Emma Thompson and at the MUNY), Carousel (PBS), The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington), Fancy and Honky Tonk Angels (both Meadowbrook - Andes Award Best Actress), The Producers (tour) and more! Her album Champagne & Moonshine is available everywhere. LUVB&T www.jacquelinepetroccia.com @jackiepetro

Jesse Swimm

is thrilled to return to Goodspeed for the fourth time with Drood. George, u/s Dad in Billy Elliot. Lead Bottle Dancer in Fiddler on the Roof (Yes, the bottles were real. No, we never dropped one). High Button Shoes. Broadway: School of Rock (original cast), Mary Poppins (u/s Bert). Regional: Sweet Charity (Oscar, Maltz Jupiter), Rock of Ages (Dennis Dupree, Argyle Theatre), The Full Monty (Harold Nichols, Transcendence Theatre Company). Thank you to Rob, James, Adam, Paul, and my agents at The Mine. Love to Mom & Dad. Instagram: jswimm1

Natalie Welch

is so grateful to join this amazing company! Regional: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Bucks County Playhouse, Rock of Ages and Cinderella at Paramount Theatre, A Chorus Line (Val) at Porchlight Music Theatre. Readings: Shimmer (Caroline) at the Wirtz Center. Love and gratitude to her agents Penny and Jordan, Bryan, and her family and friends. @natwellly

Megan Arseneau

is thrilled to be making her Goodspeed debut in one of her favorite shows! Most recently she has been see on the North American Tours of Mean Girls and CATS. As always, she sends thanks to her family and Roan, and to the creative team and Paul Hardt Casting for this opportunity!

Noah Ruebeck

Goodspeed Debut! Off-Broadway: Liz Swados’ Nightclub Cantata, The Lieutenant (York Theater); Regional: Northern Stage – Spring Awakening (Moritz); Ogunquit Playhouse – Young Frankenstein; Engeman Theater – Beauty and the Beast (Lefou); Other Favorites – Newsies, My Fair Lady, Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Penn State BFA Grad. Couldn’t be doing it without Mom, Dad, and Wolfie, as well as the teachers who shaped me.