Cast Announced for TUTS Underground's HEATHERS

TUTS Underground presents the cast of the Heathers: The Musical, which makes its Houston debut on April 28, 2016. Based on the 1989 cult classic film, this musical is a dark, delicious story of the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High - Heather, Heather and Heather. Veronica Sawyer, the only non-Heather of the clique, rejects their ruthless regime when she falls for bad boy J.D. who wants to see all the Heathers six feet under.

Brought to you by the award-winning creative team of Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives), Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde) and Andy Fickman (She's the Man), the Underground audiences will be familiar with Murphy & Fickman's work from last season's Reefer Madness. The film's sly satire is easily translated into the bold language of musical comedy that plays strong to a multi-generational audience.

McKenna Marmolejo stars as Veronica with Mason Butler in the role of J. D. The "Heathers" are played by Kathryn Porterfield (Heather Chandler), Natalie Coca (Heather McNamara) and Chelsea Stavis (Heather Duke). The rest of the cast includes Susan Koozin as Veronica's Mom/Ms. Flemming, Pierre Alexandre as Kurt's Dad/Veronica's Dad/Principal Gowan, Brian Mathis as Ram's Dad/Bug Bud Dean/Coach Ripper, Andrew Carson as Ram, Thomas Williams as Kurt, Casey Gilbert as Martha, Sarah Faye Beard as the Young Republicanette, Marco Camacho as the Hipster Dork, Sarah Konkel as the New Wave Girl, Joseph Redd as the Preppy Stud, Ragan Richardson as the Stoner Chick and Daniel Rosales as the Beleaguered Geek.

The creative team behind TUTS Underground's production of Heathers: the Musical is comprised of director Marley Wisnoski, musical director Jack Beetle, choreographer Shay Rodgers, scenic designer Ryan McGettigan, lighting designer Clint Allen, costume designer Colleen Grady, hair and makeup designer Jeff Knaggs and sound designer Andrew Harper.

TUTS Underground's production of Heathers: The Musical is made possible by the generosity of The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, Berg & Androphy and TUTS Leading Ladies. United Airlines is the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars and TUTS Underground.

Join us for the grand finale of TUTS Underground's third season as these original "mean girls" show Houston audiences just how depraved the high school social stratosphere can really be.

Tickets:
• From $25
• Online at TUTSUnderground.com
• Phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887)
• In person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby), Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special offers are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

TUTS Underground explores new horizons in musical theatre by staging unconventional off-Broadway scaled productions with innovative concepts and creating unique theatrical experiences.

Cast Bios (headshots linked in name):

McKenna Marmolejo (Veronica) Recent: Mary Poppins (Ensemble), A Christmas Carol (Swing & u/s Martha Crachit) at The Alley Theatre, James and the Giant Peach (Spider) at TUTS, and Bring It On (Campbell), ACT@TUTS. Other favorites: ELF the Musical (Michelle,) TUTS, Legally Blonde (Kate/Chutney), ACT@TUTS. Film/TV include: Local Talent (TV pilot) w/ Nathan Lane & Cheyenne Jackson; FILM: Orbit, Foster Care, and Adrift.

Mason Butler (J.D.) is extremely excited to be working on Heathers: The Musical with TUTS Underground! Mason is a Sam Houston State University intern with TUTS for the 2016 Semester, and plans to graduate with his BFA in Musical Theatre in May. With TUTS, he has worked on The Sweet Potato Queens and Oliver!

Kathryn Porterfield (Heather Chandler) is thrilled to be back with TUTS Underground. Recent credits include: Oliver! (Nancy), The Sweet Potato Queens (Jackson Jill), Bonnie & Clyde (Bonnie), First Date (Woman #2), A Christmas Story (Ensemble), The Music Man (Ensemble), James...Peach (Lady Bug) with TUTS! Panto: Rapunzel (Rapunzel) and Xanadu (Euterpe): Stages Rep. Into the Woods (Lucinda): Main Street Theater. Parade (Lucille), Les Miserables (Fantine), and Secret Garden (Martha): Casa Mañana.

Natalie Coca (Heather McNamara) is excited to be working with the TUTS family on this hilariously dark and twisty show. Regional: Evita at ZACH Theatre. Select credits include Louisa in The Fantasticks, Yum-Yum in The Hot Mikado, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde the Musical, Carla in In the Heights & Belle in Beauty and the Beast. B.A. Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts.

Chelsea Stavis (Heather Duke), a current resident of the big apple, is so very excited to be returning to her hometown for Heathers! Favorite credits include Bend in the Road (NYMF), Annabel Glick (Lucky Stiff), Violet (Violet), Camille (Princesses the Musical), and Cat (The Adventures of Pinocchio). She is also active in the New York cabaret scene and has performed at The Duplex, The Underground, and 54 Below.

Susan Koozin (Veronica's Mom/Ms. Fleming) TUTS: The Sweet Potato Queens, A Christmas Story, Bonnie and Clyde, Hands on a Hard Body (Underground), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Hairspray, The Sound of Music. Stages: Pete 'n' Keely, Sexy Laundry, The Great American Trailer Park Musicals, Always Patsy Cline, Steel Magnolias, The Blonde, the Brunette, and the Vengeful Redhead, Grey Gardens, Black Pearl Sings, Nickel and Dimed, Bright Ideas, Dirty Blonde, Company. CTC: Ubu Roi. Unity Theatre: Shooting Star.

Pierre Alexandre (Kurt's Dad/Veronica's Dad/Principal Gowan) received a B.A. in Musical Theater at Point Park College followed by a program at AMDA in NYC. He performed in many well-known Broadway musicals in Europe, including A Chorus Line, Hair, Rent, West Side Story, Wild Party, Cats, Dirty Dancing, The Blues Brothers, La Cage aux Folles and Disney's Lion King.

Brian Mathis (Ram's Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper) is very happy to be making his third appearance at TUTS, previously with Mary Poppins and Oliver!. He appeared on the national Equity tours of Seussical The Musical and Jesus Christ Superstar. Also with Casa Manana, Dallas Theater Center, Kansas City starlight , Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Tennessee Rep, and the Bushnell Center. All time favorite role, Sweeney Todd! His Voice has been heard on dozens of commercials and anime voice overs.

Andrew Carson (Ram Sweeney) is so thrilled and excited to be making his TUTS Underground debut in Heathers: the Musical. Houston audiences may remember him as Bob Moses in All The Way and as Oskar in Oskar and the Big Bully Battle with the Alley Theatre. As well as Stages Repertory Theatre Panto: Rapunzel as the Frog Prince.

Thomas Williams (Kurt) just recently joined us back on land after working as the Production Singer on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and is excited to be back in Houston and working with TUTS Underground.

Casey Gilbert (Martha) is excited to go back to high school and to be back on the Underground stage! TUTS: Oliver! (Milkmaid). TUTS Underground: Bonnie & Clyde (Trish). Main Street Theatre: Bridge to Terabithia (Brenda). The Keeton Dinner Theatre: The All Night Strut (The Alto), Meet Me in St. Louis (Esther), The Three Musketeers (Constance).

Sarah Faye Beard (Young Republican) is thrilled to be making her TUTS debut! National Tour: Pinkalicious The Musical (Pinkalicious). Regional: A Christmas Carol (Ghost Dancer/Belle u/s), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Allana/Ariel u/s). Additional Credits: Legally Blonde The Musical (Elle Woods), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Usherette), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park). BFA Baylor University.

Marco Camacho (Hipster Dork) "How Very" excited to be returning to Underground! Recent TUTS credits: Oliver, Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay), A Christmas Story, Bonnie and Clyde, James and the Giant Peach; Music Box: Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod), Next to Normal (Henry), Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino), Godspell, Assassins; MST: Into the Woods (Jack/ Steward). Film/TV: Nickelodeon's Victorious and Horrible Turn (Prequel to Dr. Horrible w/ Neil Patrick Harris).

Sarah Konkel (New Wave Girl/Ensemble) graduated from UT Austin with a BA in Theatre and Dance. This is her first show with TUTS. Sarah's Houston credits include Main Street: Fancy Nancy, Junie B. Jones, Shrek, PMT Productions: The Rocky Horror Show (Janet), and BAHBT: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ms. Dorothy Brown).

Joseph Redd (Preppy Studd) is stoked to be making his TUTS Underground debut! TUTS: Music Man, James and the Giant Peach. Stages Repertory Theatre: Panto Rapunzel... and Zombies, Panto Sleeping Beauty. Mainstreet Theatre for Youth: Pippi Longstockings. Other favorite roles: Rocky Horror (Riff Raff), Funny Thing Happened...(Hysterium), Urinetown (Tiny Tom).

Ragan Richardson (Stoner Chick) a native Houstonian, is ecstatic to be making her TUTS Underground debut! Favorite roles include: American Idiot (Whatshername), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), Speakeasy: A New Musical (Lucie), and Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). Film: Bully: The Musical (Woman 2), and Good After Bad (Featured Extra).

Daniel Rosales (Beleaguered Geek) is jubilant to be making his TUTS Underground debut! A few favorite credits include Forever Plaid (Jinx), Man of La Mancha (Padre), Godspell ("All Good Gifts"), Panto Goldilocks (Gnashers), Spring Awakening (Ernst), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ensemble).

About Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS):

A non-profit based in Houston, Texas, TUTS offers a world-class musical theatre experience that ranges from full-scale Broadway productions to educational initiatives that extend beyond the stage and into the community -- for actors and aficionados of all ages and abilities. TUTS performs annually in Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center and at Miller Outdoor Theatre. TUTS began performing at Miller Outdoor Theatre in 1968, and is the only arts organization to perform at Miller every year since then. Founded by Frank M. Young and currently under the direction of Interim Managing Director Joel Sulzc and Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres. Through its membership in the Independent Presenters Network, TUTS regularly helps mount shows on Broadway which eventually show locally to Houston audiences.

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