Eric Anderson (official website) as River
Eric warmly returns to his California roots for SUMMER OF LOVE after having most recently made his Broadway debut as Stewpot in the Tony award-winning revival of SOUTH PACIFIC at Lincoln Center. At MTW, he was last seen as Tateh in RAGTIME. Southland highlights include: Burrs in both versions of THE WILD PARTY (The Blank, MTG), JUDY'S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Richard M. Nixon), and the McCoy/Rigby national tour of CAMELOT (Merlyn). As a member of the Troubadour Theater Company, his roles have ranged from the title character in OthE.L.O. to Ophelia in HAMLET: THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS PRINCE OF DENMARK. Anderson was the very first recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s Joel Hirschhorn award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre. Film and television credits include: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Alias," and the upcoming Garry Marshall movie, “New Year’s Eve.” He is the singing voice of Shaggy in an upcoming Scooby Doo animated feature, the lead singer of the greatest Shel Silverstein tribute band ever; The Freakers Ball, and a Sagittarius, born in the year of the rat. Visit: www.eanderson.com.

Doug Carpenter as Curtis
Doug began his career in opera earning a degree in voice from UNLV and a Masters in Vocal Performance from UCLA. Since graduating in May of 2009, Doug originated the role of Skip in LIFE COULD BE A DREAM (LA Weekly and LADCC Winner), and performed in the last show at the Pasadena Playhouse as Lancelot in CAMELOT. Other roles include Curly in OKLAHOMA! (FCLO), Tony in WEST SIDE STORY (FCLO), Thief in SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE (Blank Theatre), and Prince in CINDERELLA (CLOSBC). Doug still performs opera with the Orange County Opera as well as the Palm Springs Opera Guild, and recently performed with the South Coast Symphony. Most recently, Doug reprised his role in LIFE COULD BE A DREAM at the Laguna Playhouse, and played Chris in MISS SAIGON (Moonlight Amphitheatre). He continues to teach vocal technique at the Lee Strasberg Institute as well as privately. Join the mailing list at www.dougcarpenter.net.

Callie Carson (official website) as Janis
Callie is so happy to be back on stage at MTW! She recently finished HAPPY DAYS: THE MUSICAL at Cabrillo Music Theatre, as well as debuting her first one woman cabaret show UNTIL NOW written by herself, and director Richard Hochberg, at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's. The show won "Best Female Cabaret show in LA for 2010.” She was also awarded 2009-2010 Discovery of the Year Award by Stage Scene LA for her performance as Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Cabrillo Music Theatre. Other credits include: Maureen Johnson at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach for Musical Theatre West’s special engagement of RENT, Vicky in THE FULL MONTY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and she had the honor of touring with our favorite Brady Bunch mom, Florence Henderson in her one woman show ALL THE LIVES OF ME. TV appearances include: Disney's “Wizards of Waverly Place,” and commercials for Charter Communications and TravelZoo. One of her favorite performances was having the opportunity to sing for Stephen Schwartz at the Disney ASCAP Festival, where she originated the role of Jamie Lee in SCARY MUSICAL. Thank you to Roger Bean and MTW for the chance to bring this show to life and to my loving family and everyone at KSR, and to the Lord for all he has done!

Katrice Gavino as Daisy
Katrice is thrilled to be part of this amazing show with these amazing people! Past shows include THE KING AND I at Fullerton Civic Light Opera, LES MISERABLÉS, OKLAHOMA!, THE WIZARD OF OZ, SEUSSICAL, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Katrice is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and has performed with Neil Berg and company (100 YEARS OF BROADWAY), and Ms. Lea Salonga (THE BROADWAY CONCERT). Shout out to my mommy, the rest of my family, and friends!

Christine Horn (official website) as Saige
Christine just finished a successful run as Daisy in ADDING MACHINE—A MUSICAL at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Upon her arrival to Los Angeles only 1 year ago, she was cast in the Ovation nominated production of THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE at the Celebration Theatre, where she won the StageScene LA award for Best Performance By A Featured Actress In A Musical. BROADWAY: THE LION KING (Ensemble). NATIONAL TOURS: THE LION KING – Gazelle tour (Nala, Sarabi), Cheetah tour (Ensemble). REGIONAL THEATRE (partial list): MERLIN, KEEP THE FAITH, TWO QUEENS—ONE CASTLE, VIOLET. FILM: “September Morning,”” Blood Done Sign My Name,” “Stomp the Yard,” “The Killer Next Door.” Christine has released two albums on her independent record label: “Walk With Me” and “Therapy.” Both projects are available on iTunes and on her website: www.ChristineHorn.com. Many thanks to Mom, Dad, Wendel & Representation (Privilege Talent Agency, Duck-Lit Productions & O'Neill Talent Group).

Scott Kruse as Dizzy
Scott is so happy to be a part of SUMMER OF LOVE as his first show with Music Theatre West. He is a recent graduate from the University of Northern Colorado where he graduated with a degree in Quantum Physics... I mean Music Theatre! Past Credits include, WHEN GARBO TALKS, ASSASSINS, ALTAR BOYZ, GREASE, and INTO THE WOODS. Even though he didn't grow up in the 60's, Scott is making the transition very easily with such a great cast to work with. The fresh air of peace and love are flowing through is body and clearing out his mind. So if there's one thing he would want you to take from this show, it would have to be. Chill man.

Frank Lawson (official website) as Rufus
Frank has performed all over the US, Caribbean and Italy in musical productions. He toured Asia in the hit Broadway musical RENT. He played both Berger and Hud in HAIR, Hawker in THE WHO’S TOMMY, Papa Ge in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and crooned in the one-man musical SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED. He is honored to have shared stages with legends including the late Ossie Davis, Bob Hope, Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen and Stephen Sondheim. His TV credits include “General Hospital,” Vox Lumiere's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, The History Channel and BET. Frank is also a proud member of AEA. To find more info and preview his new music check out: www.franklawsonmusic.com. "No Day But Today!"

James May as Donovan
James is so excited to be in a wig again! James was most recently seen in a wig at the El Portal in the London Panto CINDERELLA: A MODERN MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA. He wore a wig last summer in MTW's 1776. He was wigged as Claude in the Ovation and LADCC nominated production of HAIR at The Chance Theater. Wig-less credits include: HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES (ICT Long Beach), RENT (PACSLO), GULLS (understudy, T@BC), FALSETTOLAND (The Studio), MY LIFE: THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL (Plan B/Hey Dave), JINGLE BELL ROCK (Plan B/Hey Dave), TITANIC (UNC), THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED (UNC). He also starred in the wig-less musical short film, “Boycrazy”, available on DVD. Huge thanks and love to friends, family, SCAW, and all the people at MTW, he couldn't have been wigged without you.

Melissa Mitchell as Holly
Melissa feels blessed to be returning to MTW in such a beautiful production! Other MTW credits include ANNIE (Star-to-Be) and JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT (Narrator; MTW Youth Conservatory). Other favorite credits include the title role in CINDERELLA at Cabrillo Music Theatre, alongside Sally Struthers and Marcia Wallace, as well as SEUSSICAL (Bird Girl), JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, OKLAHOMA!, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and BYE BYE BIRDIE at CLOSBC. TV/Film: “Anger Management,” “Holes,” “Star Search” (Junior Singer), among others. In March, she graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology. Peace and love to Steven Dry, Paul, Steve, Lee, Michael B., Michael P., her groovy tribe (and Doug), and everyone else involved… “You’ve ALL made me so very happy!” Special thanks to Roger for creating such an exciting journey for me to go on in the role of Holly. Endless love goes out to my family for their selfless support! Soli Deo Gloria – For the Glory of God!

Alyssa M. Simmons (official website) as Willow
Alyssa is stoked to be making her Musical Theatre West debut. Regional: HAIR (Jeannie), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Olive), and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Trix). Other favorite credits include: INTO THE WOODS (Little Red), THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Mabel), CHILDREN OF EDEN (Generations soloist), OKLAHOMA! (Aggie), and ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (Winnifred). Tours: THE MUSIC MAKERS (Denmark/Norway/Sweden/Finland tour) and THE NEW AMERICAN SONGBOOK (Australia tour). Alyssa thrives on developing new works and has had the wonderful privilege to workshop two new musicals; CHANGING MINDS (Natalie) and WHERE YA GONNA GO? (Connie). Training includes the BFA Music Dance Theatre program at Brigham Young University. Much love to friends and family! www.alyssamsimmons.com

Victoria Strong as Mama
Victoria is thrilled to be back at MTW and proud to be a part of this premiere production of SUMMER OF LOVE! Audiences may remember her as Eleanor Roosevelt In ELEANOR: A MUSICAL LOVE STORY and Mother in RAGTIME. National Tours: RAGTIME (Mother, Emma Goldman) So. Cal Regional: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Golde), THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Margaret/Los Angeles Premiere), CAMELOT (Guenevere), KISS ME, KATE (Lilly), PHANTOM (Christine- Robby Award), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Desiree- Inland Theatre Award), ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Annie), THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES (Betty Blake), THE SECRET GARDEN (Lily – Drama-Logue Award), JEKYLL & HYDE (Emma), MY FAIR LADY (Eliza – Tempo Magazine Award).Thanks to Paul, Steve and Roger for including me in this wonderful company of performers, my voice teacher Eddie Sayegh and to my sweet husband Ralph, who helps me ‘make my own kind of music’ each and every day. I miss you Nils Anderson.

Michael J. Willett as Coyote
Michael is thrilled to be a part of the world premiere of SUMMER OF LOVE in his first show at Musical Theatre West. He was honored to work on the LA premiere of Mr. Bean's last show, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM (Eugene). While theatre has always been a passion, having been seen regionally in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (CLOSBC), THE GREEN ROOM (Hermosa Beach), and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Good Company Players), Michael has been fortunate enough to also cross over into film and television with roles on "Joan Of Arcadia", "Without A Trace", "Cougar Town", "Blue Mountain State" and appears as Lionel on the Emmy Award-Winning series "United States of Tara". Michael can also be seen on the upcoming television pilot "Grow" (Jonathon Kesselman) and appears as Ferris Bueller in "Friends With Benefits" with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. A big shout-out to all his friends and family with peace and love to all!

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