Brian Henson Presents PUPPET UP!
JULY 16–27, 2025
Written & Performed by Manuel Oliver
Co-Written by James Clements
Directed by Michael Cotey
Produced in association with Change the Ref
OCTOBER 14 – NOVEMBER 2, 2025
Book & Lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra
Music by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab
Additional Music & Lyrics by Tom Brady
DECEMBER 5, 2025 – JANUARY 4, 2026
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SNEHAL DESAI Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director | MEGHAN PRESSMAN Managing Director/CEO | DOUGLAS C. BAKER Producing Director GORDON DAVIDSON Founding Artistic Director
The Roald Dahl Story Company Presents
BOOK & LYRICS BY SUHAYLA EL-BUSHRA
ADDITIONAL MUSIC & LYRICS BY TOM BRADY
MUSIC BY AHMED ABDULLAHI GALLAB STARRING
ALISON ARNOPP SIOBHAN ATHWAL RYAN CRELLIN-SIMPSON TAYA MING NIA STEPHEN ELEANOR AMBEKAR JULIANA ZEPEDA
DIRECTION & DEVELOPMENT EMILY LIM
PUPPETRY CO-DESIGNER & SUPERVISIOR DAISY BEATTIE
LIGHTING DESIGNER JESSICA HUNG HAN YUN
MUSICAL DIRECTOR BEN KUBIAK
SINGING COACH TINA THOMAS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR BLYTHE STEWART
ASSOCIATE SOUND DESIGNER JOHNNY EDWARDS
COSTUME SUPERVISOR REBECCA GUNSTONE
CO-DIRECTOR & PUPPETRY DESIGNER TOBY OLIÉ
DIGITAL DESIGNER & PRODUCTION DRAUGHTING TIM BLAZDELL
SOUND DESIGNER TOM GIBBONS
CASTING DIRECTOR ANNELIE POWELL CDG
COPYIST ANN BARNARD
ASSOCIATE PUPPETRY DIRCTOR MICHAEL JEAN-MARAIN
ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER SHANELLE CLEMENSON
WIGS, HAIR & MAKE-UP SUPERVISOR BETHAN OWENS
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER FLY DAVIS
CHOREOGRAPHER VICKI IGBOKWE-OZOAGU
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY & ABLETON PROGRAMMER PHIJ ADAMS
VOICE COACH AUNDREA FUDGE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TASH HOLWAY
ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DIRECTOR LUCY ADAMS
MUSIC ASSOCIATE MÀTH ROBERTS
CASTING ASSOCIATE GABRIELLA SHIMELD-FENN
Produced by Roald Dahl Story Company. Originally co-produced by Roald Dahl Story Company, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and Leeds Playhouse. The Enormous Crocodile The Musical is based on the story by Roald Dahl, and was developed by Emily Lim, Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab, Suhayla El-Bushra, Tom Brady & the Roald Dahl Story Company.
DAHL'S THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE WILL BE PERFORMED WITH NO INTERMISSION
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones and watch alarms. The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.
The Enormous Crocodile
Taya Ming
Trunky the Elephant & Alternate The Enormous Crocodile Nia Stephen
Humpy Rumpy the Hippopotamus Ryan Crellin-Simpson
Roly Poly Bird ............................................................................................................ Alison Arnopp
Muggle Wump the Monkey & Movement Captain ......................................................... Siobhan Athwal
Swing Eleanor Ambekar
Swing Juliana Zepeda
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Patrons with disabilities: wheelchair seating is available in a variety of theatre locations. When ordering tickets, please indicate any special needs. For our hearing-impaired guests, the theatre is equipped with listening devices; please contact an usher for assistance.
TAYA MING (The Enormous Crocodile). Taya Ming graduated in 2021. Her credits include Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), Slumlord (Theatre Peckham), Innocent Means Not Guilty (Theatre Peckham), Robin Hood: The Legend Rewritten (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Aromatherapy (Talawa Theatre Company), Merchant Of Venice (OVO theatre), Coming To England (UK Tour), Wild Mix (Chapter Theatre Arts).
NIA STEPHEN (Trunky the Elephant, Alternate The Enormous Crocodile).Training: The Urdang Academy where she was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship. Credits: Cover Juliet in & Juliet (UK Tour); Ensemble in Cinderella (Julia Cave/ Imagine Theatre); Actor in Google Hands Raised Film (Uncommon Creative Studio). Instagram: @niastephen_
RYAN CRELLIN-SIMPSON (Humpy Rumpy the Hippopotamus). Ryan is an actor and singer originally from Hampshire and is a recent graduate of Rose Bruford College. This will be Ryan’s second show after graduating, having completed a run of The Elephant in the Room by Peter Hamilton (Waterloo East Theatre) in 2024.
ALISON ARNOPP (Roly Poly Bird) . Alison (she/ her) is an Irish performer and writer. Her credits include The Magician's Elephant (RSC), Malory Towers (Wise Children), Hair (50th Anniversary Tour), The Tempest (RSC), Les Liaisons Dangereuse (Donmar Warehouse), and Oliver Cromwell Is Really Very Sorry (Xnthony), which earned her a ‘Best Performer’ nomination at Dublin Fringe. alisonarnopp.com @alisonarnopp
SIOBHAN ATHWAL (Muggle Wump the Monkey, Movement Captain). Siobhan is a critically acclaimed WOS award nominee actress originating roles in Eastenders , Doctors , (BBC) The Good Ship Murder , (Channel5) and Emmerdale , (ITV). She has performed with establishments, including The National Theatre, The Curve, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Royal Opera House, Piccadilly Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Hachette Audio.
ELEANOR AMBEKAR (Swing). Eleanor (she/her) graduated in 2024 with an MA in Musical Theatre from Guildford School of Acting. Whilst training, she played the role of Amélie in Amélie the Musical She is delighted to make her professional debut in The Enormous Crocodile
JULIANA ZEPEDA (Swing). Juliana Zepeda is currently based in Chicago, IL. Her credits include No Grownups Allowed and the Bob Curry Fellowship at Second City. She's on Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, and Wheel of Improv at Second City, Whimsy Lohan and Improvised Jane Austen at iO Theater, and Flex at the Annoyance Theater. @jayz_nottherapper
SUHAYLA EL-BUSHRA (Bookwriter & Lyricist). Suhayla’s theatre work includes The Suicide (National Theatre), The Long Song (Chichester Festival Theatre) and NW Trilogy (Kiln Theatre). She was lead writer and executive producer on Ackley Bridge (C4/The Forge) and her first feature film Brides (BFI/Neon Films) premiered at Sundance this year.
AHMED ABDULLAHI GALLAB (Composer & Additional Lyrics). Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab is a Sudanese-American composer, producer, singer, songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York. He performs under the moniker Sinkane and has just released his latest album, We Belong. Food is his other passion and he loves to freak people out by putting hot sauce on everything…Yes, even ice cream.
TOM BRADY (Additional Music & Lyrics, Orchestrations, Arrangements & Music Supervisor). Tom has worked at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and in the West End. Recent credits include Guys & Dolls (Bridge Theatre), for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award; Hamlet: Hail to the Thief (MFI & RSC) with music by Radiohead; and feature film The Choral (Sony Pictures.).
EMILY LIM (Direction & Development). Emily is an award-winning director whose work explores theatre as a form of community building and
radical joy. She has created work nationally and internationally with organizations including the National Theatre, Manchester International Festival, Kiln and Company Three. She is the Director of Public Acts and an Associate Artist at the National Theatre.
TOBY OLIÉ (Co-Director & Puppetry Designer).
Toby Olié (he/him) has designed and directed puppetry for: Spirited Away (Tokyo/London), Animal Farm (UK tour), 101 Dalmatians (Regent’s Park); Pinocchio (National Theatre), and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Netherlands/Moscow/Tokyo). His first professional debut in puppetry was the hind puppeteer of Joey in the original production of War Horse (National Theatre).
FLY DAVIS (Set & Costume Designer). I Want My Hat Back, Pericles, Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre and West End); Caroline, or Change (West End, Broadway, Tony & Olivier Nominated Best Costume Design); James and the Giant Peach (Leeds Playhouse); Oliver Twist (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) Primetime (Royal Court), A Christmas Carol-ish (West End).
DAISY BEATTIE (Puppetry Co-Designer & Supervisor). Daisy’s work in puppetry spans across designing, making, supervising and puppeteering. Her most recent work includes: Little Shop of Horrors (Sheffield Theatre); Spirited Away (Toho & PW Productions); The Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre); Zarafa Giraffa (Sebastian Mayer); Hey Duggee (Kenny Wax); Animal Farm (Fiery Angel); The Wolves in the Walls (Little Angel Theatre).
VICKI IGBOKWE-OZOAGU (Choreographer). I was meant to be a Barrister. At 17, I switched paths, drawn to choreography, even though I wasn’t quite sure what it involved. I just knew dance brought joy. Today, I create movement that inspires, connects and uplifts. My mission? To bring JOY into your life, one step at a time.
JESSICA HUNG HAN YUN (Lighting Designer). Jessica Hung Han Yun’s recent theatre credits include: Hamlet Hail To The Thief (RSC); Wild Rose (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh); The Estate (National Theatre); Dr. Strangelove
(Noel Coward Theatre); Fan Girls (Lyric Hammersmith); Equus (Theatre Royal Stratford East/ English Touring Theatre/ Trafalgar Studios); My Neighbour Totoro (RSC / Barbican - Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award).
TOM GIBBONS (Sound Designer). Tom is an Olivier Award-winning sound designer who has worked in the UK in the West End and for the National Theatre, RSC, Almeida, Donmar, Old Vic, Young Vic among others; as well as internationally, including many productions on Broadway and across Europe.
PHIJ ADAMS (Music Technology & Ableton Programmer). Phij is one of the UK’s leading Music Programmers. As programmer, credits include: Newsies; Abba-Voyage; Back To The Future; SIX The Musical; & Juliet; Everybody’s Talking About Jamie ; and The Tina Turner Musical amongst many others.
BEN KUBIAK (Musical Director). Ben Kubiak hails from New Zealand, where he worked as Musical Director for Cats, Oliver!, Wendy (National Youth Theatre), Dirty Work (Indian Ink Theatre Company), Assistant Musical Director for Kinky Boots (Amici Trust/G&T Productions), and Keyboard 1 for Chess (Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra/G&T Productions). He recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, where he was musical director for Assassins
ANNELIE POWELL CDG (Casting Director). Annelie Powell CDG is a Casting Director working across theatre, television and film and is Creative Associate to Jonathan Church Theatre Productions. Recent theatrical credits include: Wendy and Peter Pan (RSC), Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder! (West End), House of Shades (Almeida), and Wonder Boy (Bristol Old Vic).
AUNDREA FUDGE (Voice Coach). Aundrea Fudge is an accent/dialect and speech coach from New York. Theatre includes: Hercules (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Good Night , Oscar (Barbican); Clueless (Trafalgar Theatre); The Crucible (Globe Theatre), Slave Play (Noël Coward Theatre). Film includes: Bernard & The Genie; Locked In-Film
and Wheel of Time. TV includes: The Buccaneers (Season 2); Andor (Season 2).
TASH HOLWAY (Associate Director). Tash has loved making, telling & looking after many different stories in Theatre & TV; currently at Harry Potter & the Cursed Child London. Previously: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Amelie (London), 101 Dalmatians (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). More at tashholway.com.
BLYTHE STEWART (Associate Director). Blythe has worked for the National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Soho Theatre, HighTide, LAMDA, ArtsEd, Guildhall, and Oxford School Of Drama. Recent Associate on 101 Dalmatians the Musical (Runaway), Minority Report (Lyric Hammersmith/ Simon Friend), The Crucible (National Theatre), and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime (UK Tour).
MICHAEL JEAN-MARAIN (Associate Puppetry Director). Training: The Urdang Academy. Theatre Credits Include: Animal Farm (Children’s Theatre Partnership), War Horse (National Theatre UK and International Tour), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Screen Credits Include: Andor (Disney+), Mary & George (Sky Atlantic) Associate Director: There’s a Bear on My Chair for Fuel Theatre.
LUCY ADAMS (Associate Lighting Director). Lucy works all over the UK as a lighting designer and technician. As Lighting Designer—Giselle: REMIX, Nine Sixteenths (Pleasance Theatre), Would You Bet Against Us? (Birmingham Rep), dressed. (Edinburgh Fringe Festival and UK Tour), ExBoyfriend Yard Sale (Camden People’s Theatre and Toronto). As Associate—Shucked (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Kin (UK Tour), Dr. Strangelove (Noël Coward), The LeftBehinds (NT Schools Tour).
JOHNNY EDWARDS (Associate Sound Designer). Johnny Edwards’ work as a Sound Designer includes Peter Pan at The Gate Theatre, Dublin (Dir. Ned Bennett); Happy Days at Riverside Studios (Dir. Trevor Nunn); Idle, They Yammer at The Other Room (Dir. Dan Jones); and Middletown at GSA (Dir. Maisie Newman).
SHANELLE CLEMENSON (Associate Choreographer). Shanelle has worked with theatre companies such as Uchenna, K2Co, and Catherine Wheels for The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024. Additionally, she has performed in the Eurovision Song contest (2023), danced in the movies WICKED and Snow White, and performed with SAULT. Shanelle continues her dance training at Runway House.
MÀTH ROBERTS (Music Associate). Màth is a Welsh Musical Director. Recent credits include: Make Good: The Post Office Scandal (Pentabus), The Enormous Crocodile (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre & Leeds Playhouse), O.G. Prince of Wales (Sherman Theatre), Ble Mae Trennau’n Mynd (Y Cwmni), The Light in The Piazza (Alexandra Palace), Berlusconi (Southwark Playhouse).
REBECCA GUNSTONE (Costume Supervisor). Becky trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She has worked as a costume supervisor, deputy supervisor and associate costume designer in the UK and internationally. Recent work includes, Much Ado About Nothing at the RSC, the UK tour of Ghost Stories and King Lear at the Shed in New York.
BETHAN OWENS (Wigs, Hair, and MakeupSupervisor). With over 20 years in fashion and beauty, Bethan has worked across editorial, advertising and commercial projects. Her recent focus is theatre, designing hair and makeup for Sadler’s Wells productions including Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, Message in a Bottle, Ebony Scrooge, and Our Mighty Groove
GABRIELLA SHIMELD-FENN (Casting Associate). Gabriella Shimeld-Fenn (she/her) cut her teeth working on shows like Casualty and Father Brown at the BBC for 5 years, before finding her way back to her first love: theatre! Recent Assistant/ Associate credits include Wendy & Peter Pan and The Winter’s Tale (RSC), 2:22 A Ghost Story (UK Tour), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Old Vic).
TYLER MATYLEWICZ (Company Stage Manager). Tyler Matylewicz is an NYC-based producer and show caller with 15 years of experience. Regional: A Moon for the Misbegotten with Audra McDonald
at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Beyond the stage, he has produced experiences for Nike, The New York Times, the NBA/WNBA, and Google.
NATHAN BABB (Deputy Stage Manager). Past Credits Include: Shucked (Regents Park Open Air Theatre, UK Premiere), Becoming Nancy (Birmingham Repertory Theatre, UK Premiere), The Book Of Mormon (West End), Newsies (Troubadour Wembley), Heathers The Musical (The Other Palace), Anything Goes (UK Tour & Barbican), 9 to 5 The Musical (UK Tour & South Korea), Where Is Peter Rabbit? (Haymarket & Asia Tour)
MOLLY GOODISON (Assistant Stage Manager (Book Cover)). Graduated LAMDA in 2021 with an FdA in Production & Technical Arts. Credits include: The Play That Goes Wrong, Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening, Witness for the Prosecution, The Lavender Hill Mob, The Choir of Man (London | Daegu International Musical Festival) and Beyond the Border: Storytelling Festival. Molly is passionate about sharing the magic of theatre.
SOPHIE TURNER (Assistant Stage Manager). Sophie graduated from East 15 Acting school with a BA Hons in World Performance and from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with an MA in Design for performance—Puppetry. Sophie is both a puppeteer performer and design/ technician. It is safe to say Sophie is passionate about puppets.
LIV SCOTT (Stage Manager). Liv is excited to join PW Productions and Center Theatre Group in presenting The Enormous Crocodile at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. Originally from Los Angeles, she’s been involved in theatre since she was 3, and holds a MFA in Stage Management from UC Irvine. Past credits include The Central Park Five (World Premiere, Long Beach Opera), A Play Is A Poem (World Premiere, Mark Taper Forum), Paradise Blue , Verdi’s Macbeth , and The DiscOasis immersive experience.
DYLAN DE BUITLÉAR (Sound No. 1). Dylan de Buitléar is a Sound Operator and Engineer working in live and musical theatre. He has extensive
experience working across London Theatre having worked with the National Theatre, RSC, and Jamie Lloyd Co. among others, in addition to touring internationally to the USA, Japan, and China.
ALEX DUCKWORTH (Sound No. 2). Alex is a freelance Sound No. 2 who’s theatre credits include Flashdance (Korea Tour), Grease (UK & Ireland Tour), School of Rock (UK & Ireland Tour), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (West End & UK Tour); as well as Sound No 1 credits including Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (UK Tour) & Becoming Nancy (UK premiere).
THE ROALD DAHL STORY COMPANY (RDSC) is the home of Roald Dahl’s much-loved stories and characters. With over 300 million books sold globally and translated into 68 languages, our stories have entertained generations of kids and adults with their unique mix of mischief, irreverence and full-hearted hope. Together with our parent company Netflix, and united by our love of these great stories, we’re working with some of the world’s best storytellers and creative minds to bring them to life in new ways that will delight fans. This includes animated and live action films and series, publishing, theatre, immersive experiences, games, consumer products, brand partnerships, and more. Our Theatre Division creates shows which capture the timeless appeal of Roald Dahl's stories and characters, whilst also speaking powerfully to today’s audiences. We work with world-class artists and top theatre producers to bring these stories to life on stage in bold new ways, surprising fans and reaching audiences across theatrical forms; from master puppetry and major musicals to free digital productions and huge live events.
PW PRODUCTIONS (General Manager). PW Productions is one of the West End’s most prolific and significant theatre producers, responsible for some of the most successful productions in British theatre since it was founded in 1983 by Peter Wilson MBE. Productions have included Spirited Away at the London Coliseum, Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, Stephen Daldry’s production of J.B. Priestley’s classic thriller An
Inspector Calls, De La Guarda at the Roundhouse, Nigel Slater’s Toast, Ross Willis’ Wonder Boy and many more. The company has acted as General Manager and Production Accountant for more than 500 productions throughout the world. PW Productions has also presented work in Japan, Singapore, Canada, USA, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, Australia and Hong Kong.
(USA General Management). Pemberley Productions is a producing, general management, and tour booking company based in NYC/Chicago. We collaborate with overseas companies and USbased productions to bring theatre across North America as well as internationally. Highlights include the long-running West End production of The Woman in Black (off-Broadway at NYC’s McKittrick Hotel and across the US); the US Tour of Wise Children’s Wuthering Heights; the Center Theatre Group (Los Angeles) production of The Secret Garden; the US Tour of the National Theatre’s An Inspector Calls; and the US Tour of The Last Ship (starring STING). In the 25/26 Season, Pemberley is also looking after Heathers The Musical (off-Broadway), Kim’s Convenience (US Tour), Elizabeth McGovern’s Ava: The Secret Conversations (US/Canada Tour), the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamnet (US Tour), and more. For information on upcoming tours and projects in development, visit www. pemberleyproductions.com US Representation by Pemberley Productions. For more information about touring, please contact Doreen Sayegh at doreen@pemberleyproductions.com
SNEHAL DESAI ( Artistic Director, he/him) was appointed Center Theatre Group’s third artistic director in 2023. As an artistic leader, Snehal has sought to raise awareness on social issues that affect Angelenos through impactful and empowering storytelling. Previously, he was the Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. A Soros Fellow and the recipient of a Tanne Award, Snehal was the Inaugural Recipient of the Drama
League’s Classical Directing Fellowship. He has served on the boards of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (Caata), Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and currently serves on the board of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT). Snehal was on the faculty of USC’s graduate program in Arts Leadership and is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.
MEGHAN PRESSMAN (Managing Director/CEO, she/her) joined Center Theatre Group in 2019. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (D.C.), Director of Development for Signature Theatre (N.Y.), and Associate Managing Director of Berkeley Rep. She is a graduate of Yale School of Drama/Yale School of Management and serves as a mentor in the Theater Management program. Meghan has served as the Vice-Chair for the Theatre Communications Group Board of Directors and is a member of the Broadway League.
GORDON DAVIDSON (Founding Artistic Director) led the Taper throughout its first 38 seasons, guiding over 300 productions to its stage and winning countless awards for himself and the theatre—including the Tony Award for theatrical excellence, Margo Jones Award, The Governor’s Award for the Arts, and a Guggenheim fellowship. The Kentucky Cycle and Angels in America (Part One) won the Pulitzer in consecutive years and, in 1994, three of the four plays nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play were from the Taper (Angels in America won). In 1989, Gordon took over the Ahmanson and, in 2004, he produced the inaugural season in the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
NAUSICA STERGIOU ( General Manager ) has worked supporting artists in theatres of all shapes, sizes, and locales including Center Theatre Group as General Manager and, previously, as Audience Development Director. She oversees productions at the Taper and Douglas, as well as new play commissions and developmental productions. Nausica has taught Marketing and Management at USC’s School of Dramatic Arts and works with local nonprofits including Hollywood Orchard. BA, Cornell University. MFA, Yale School of Drama.
DOUGLAS C. BAKER (Producing Director, he/him) joined Center Theatre Group in 1990. Doug is an active member of the Broadway League, the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), and is a proud member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM). In 2013, Doug received the Broadway League’s prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management Award.
LINDSAY ALLBAUGH (Associate Artistic Director, she/her) Associate Artistic Director for Center Theatre Group and Los Angeles-based director and producer. Recent productions: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord by Alexis Scheer at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler (Best Production: Ovation Award, LADCC Award, Stage Raw Award) at the Echo Theatre Company. Co-Artistic Director of the Elephant Theatre Company from 2004–2014. Selected CTG producing credits include—Mark Taper Forum: Hamlet adapted by Robert O'Hara, American Idiot with Deaf West Theatre, Slave Play, Archduke, Bent, Waiting for Godot; Kirk Douglas Theatre: Creative Producer behind Block Party, Tambo & Bones, Good Grief, Endgame, Women Laughing Alone With Salad, Chavez Ravine, The Nether
ERIC SIMS (General Manager, Presentations, he/him) joined CTG in 2005 and has served in various capacities, including as the Director of Operations for the Kirk Douglas Theatre from 2008-2018. Previously, he was the Managing Director of the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica. He is the Vice President of the Culver City Downtown Business Association and was the CoChair of the Ovation Rules Committee, producing the Ovation Awards from 2015-2019.
CENTER THEATRE GROUP, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company, which, under the leadership of Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director Snehal Desai, Managing Director/CEO Meghan Pressman, and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Kirk Douglas
Theatre in Culver City. CTG is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, CTG has produced more than 700 productions across its stages, including such iconic shows as Zoot Suit; Angels in America; The Kentucky Cycle; Biloxi Blues; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Children of a Lesser God; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 9 to 5: The Musical; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. CenterTheatreGroup.org
Company Stage Manager Tyler Matylewicz
Deputy Stage Manager Nathan Babb
Assistant Stage Manager (Book Cover) Molly Goodison
Stage Manager Liv Scott
Assistant Stage Manager Sophie Turner
Production Manager John Page
Production Sound Engineer Dylan Saberton
Relighter Venus Gulbranson
Sound No 1 Dylan de Buitléar
Sound No 2 Alex Duckworth
Produced by Roald Dahl Story Company
Originally co-produced by Roald Dahl Story Company, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre & Leeds Playhouse
ROALD DAHL STORY COMPANY For The Enormous Crocodile
Senior Producer Gabrielle Leadbeater
Production Assistant Shannon David
Artistic Associate Amy Hodge
Head of Communications Katy Sykes
Marketing Consultant Fiona Gülin
Lead Graphic Designer and Illustrator Laura Coppolaro
Creative Director & Design Manager Nat Bullard
Senior Product Development Manager Jim Helmore
With Thanks to
Artistic Director Jenny Worton
Executive Producer Anna Schmitz
Senior Producer Gareth Collins
Graphic Designer Emily Bridge
Senior Commercial & Legal Director Adam Hirschovits
Legal Counsel Amy Moore
Managing Director Bernie Bhangoo And all staff at the Roald Dahl Story Company.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
PW Productions Ltd
Co-General Manager Lucy Wood
Co-General Manager Teresa Burns
Production Coordinator Katie Sherrard
Production Assistant Mari Katsuno
Pemberley Productions (USA General Management)
General Manager
Associate General Manager
Doreen Sayegh
Rosie Bross-Rice
Associate General Manager Jimmy Yandoli
Marketing support by EMG
Megan Kinsey, Jose Servian
Production Photography Danny Kaan
Production Accountant Jenny Halsey and Mark Green for JH Theatre Finance
BAND MANAGEMENT
Andy Barnwell & Rich Weeden
PRE-RECORDED MUSIC BAND
Flute, Alto Sax, Clarinet, & Bass Clarinet
Trumpet
Trombone
Violin
Cello
Bass
Drums
US Additional Casting
Mickey Davis
Matt Yardley
James Adams
Millie Ashton
Verity Simmons
Rory Dempsey
Mike Parkin
Alexis Taylor
Artwork by Laura Coppolaro
Merchandise supplied by Event Merch
MAKERS & BUILDERS
Costume makers and suppliers
Costumes made by Ash Luton, Cristina Ruggeri, Leah Curtis
Alterations by Amberley Hunt & Hanna Randall
Dye & Fabrication by Gabrielle Firth
SET & PROPS
Set Build by Rutters UK, Illusion Design & Construct
Printing by Rutters UK Ltd
Planets by Megaflatables
Props by Marcus Hall
Puppet Makers Amber Donovan, Ash Appadu, Beez Barry, Daisy Beattie, Danny Higgins, Emily Tupholme, Helen Foan,Helen Turner, Hugh Purves, Jo Lakin, Jodie Jew Yates, Julia Jeulin, Katy Brooks, Laura Elias, Liberty Mann, Lyndie Wright, Maia Kirkman-Richards, Matt Hutchinson, Natasha Turner-Wray, Rose Windsor Walker, Seb Mayer, & Toby Olié
HIRES, STORAGE, TRANSPORT
Storage & Transport Provided by Southern Van Lines
International transport by RockItCargo
USA Transport by Clark Transfer
Sound hired from Stage Sound Services
LX hired Christie Lites
ADDITIONAL STAFF
Stage Supervisor
Alejandra Sofia Gonzalez
Audio Matthew Colleran
KDT Wardrobe Supervisor Taylor Decker
Light Board Op Provided by Preston Productions
KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF
Assistant House Managers
Bradford Barnes, Eric Eberle, Kiley Haugen, Joyce Robinson, Eric Solis, Michayla Van Treeck, Fenyxx Wright
Ushers Maggie Franckhauser, Elijah Green, James Hodges
Henry Kelly, Kat Kelly, Pat Loeb, Chelsey Maus, Aviva Miller,
Ian Mitchell, August O'Neal-Petterson, Rachel Peralta, Karl Perry, Camille Reyes, Ian Riley, Jivani Rodriguez, Li Stebner, Hallie Stickley, Niall Sulcer, Malcolm Tucker, Michayla Van Treeck, Juice Wood
Assistant Concessions Manager Sondra Mayer
Concessions
Stephanie Cheng, Monica Greene, Mike Lanahan
Stephen Lydic, Amelia Mackey, Ian Riley,Li Stebner, Erin Sweeney
MERCHANDISE
Merchandise Lead Lucy McNulty
Merchandise Representatives Eliza Black, Stephanie Cheng
Maggie Franckhauser, Elijah Green, Loring Griggs Kat Kelly, August O'Neal-Petterson, Eric Solis
Air Edel and Angel Road Recording Studios, Little Angel Puppet Theatre, Samantha Lane, Annie Barnard, Jessica McVay, Mel Kenyon, Luke Kelly, Anna Schmitz, Jenny Worton.
Special thanks to the originating casts of Leeds Playhouse and Regents Park Open Air Theatre: Elliotte Williams-N’Dure, Charis Alexandra, Philippa Hogg, Robyn Sinclair, Lawrence Hodgson-Mullings, Malinda Parris, Nuwan Hugh Perera, Joanna Ada Ran, Audrey Brisson, Elise Zavou, Laura Buhagiar, and to the actors who workshopped The Enormous Crocodile: Simbi Akande, Hammed Animashaun, Nandi Bhebhe, Audrey Brisson, Nathanael Campbell, Anna Jane Casey, Perola Congo, Akiya Henry, CJ Johnson, Chris Jarman, Ebony Jonelle, Luke Latchman, Michael Jean-Marain, Georgina Onuorah, Carlyss Peer, and Obioma Ugoala. Mervyn Millar, Jeremy Sams, Stanley Lim-Oates.
All Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Roald Dahl Story Company and Leeds Playhouse staff. Lucy Pattison, Bella Rodrigues, Tom Paris, Alecia Marshall. Music Technology Hires - supplied by - Philip Adams Music. Toynbee Studios for the rehearsal space. Gerry, Matt Noddings and Steve Cowton. Michael JeanMarain Elisa de Grey, Yana Penrose and Tall Studios for the December 2024 workshop.
With thanks to Rushmore Primary School and Laycock Primary School, Luke Masterson and the Students in Year 3 and Year 5 from William Patten School. Lucy Kerbel and Eleanor Rushton from Tonic Theatre. Adam Bambrough and Wammi Amos from Wellbeing in the Arts.
Everyone at Netflix, Michael Bolgar, Greg Lombardo, Marian Lee, April Misa, Elena Magula.
The following employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Operators, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC: Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 857
Center Theatre Group is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the American Arts Alliance, the Broadway League, Independent Producers’ Network (IPN), and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG).
SNEHAL DESAI Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director | MEGHAN PRESSMAN Managing Director/CEO | DOUGLAS C. BAKER Producing Director
GORDON DAVIDSON Founding Artistic Director
Center Theatre Group would like to thank its exceptional staff for their ongoing commitment, dedication, and extraordinary efforts.
ARTISTIC
LINDSAY ALLBAUGH♦ Associate Artistic Director
BRANDON IVIE Artistic Producer
SONIA DESAI Director of Literary and Dramaturgy
PAIGE VEHLEWALD Artistic Programs Manager
TIFFANY SLAGLE° Artistic & Literary Associate
RANDOLPH MEREDYTH-DRAKE Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director
EXECUTIVE
NAIMA OROZCO-VALDIVIA° Executive Programs Manager
MADISON QUIROZ Executive Office Liaison
MANAGEMENT
NAUSICA STERGIOU♦ General Manager
ERIC SIMS♦ General Manager, Presentations
KATIE SOFF ♦ Associate General Manager
JEFFREY UPAH♦ General Management Associate
KIARA BRYANT Company Manager
TAYLOR ANNE CULLEN Assistant Company Manager
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
CAROLINA SAN JUAN Interim Director of Arts Education
JESUS REYES♦ Director of Learning and Community Partnerships
TRACI KWON♦ Arts Education Initiatives Director
AURORA ILOG Creative Workforce Initiatives Director
MEIGHAN LA ROCCA Program Manager
COURTNEY CLARK° Digital Learning Manager
NATALIA QUINTERO-RIESTRA Programs Associate
JORDAN GELOTTE Education & Community Partnerships Coordinator
ESTELA GARCIA, CHRISTINE BREIHAN Resident Teaching Artists
ZACHARY BONES, REBECCA GRAUL, ELIJAH GREEN °,AJA HOUSTON,
JOHNATHON L. JACKSON, CARENE ROSE MEKERTICHYAN,
MARA PALMA, ROBERT PATERNO, MADDOX PENNINGTON, MARTA PORTILLO, TARA RICASA,
TIANA RANDALL-QUANT, MONIQUE SYPKENS Teaching Artists
MIRIAM CERVANTES Dramaturgy Apprentice, Touring Project
PAUL GALAVIZ Directing Apprentice, Touring Project
SETH JENKINS Stage Management Apprentice, Touring Project
PRODUCTION
JOE HAMLIN♦ Director of Production
SHANNON G. BICKNELL Senior Production Manager
LESLEY GONZALEZ Associate Production Manager
CAMBRIA CHICHI° Production Supervisor
ISAAC KATZANEK Technical Director
SHAWN ANDERSON♦ Head Carpenter (Ahmanson Theatre)
SCOTT LUCAS Head Properties (Ahmanson Theatre)
JARED BATTY Head Electrician (Ahmanson Theatre)
ROBERT SMITH♦ Head Sound (Ahmanson Theatre)
SHANE ANDERSON Head Flyrail (Ahmanson Theatre)
MICHAEL GARDNER♦ Wardrobe Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre)
MARY BORGIA Hair & Make-up Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre)
CHRISTINE L. COX♦ House Manager (Ahmanson Theatre)
EMMET KAISER♦ Head Carpenter (Mark Taper Forum)
MARY ROMERO Head Properties (Mark Taper Forum)
AARON STAUBACH♦ Head Electrician (Mark Taper Forum)
CHRISTIAN LEE Head Sound (Mark Taper Forum)
LORETTA BUSSEN Wardrobe Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum)
THERESE LEVASSEUR Hair & Make-up Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum)
ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMISSIONS
MERRIANNE NEDREBERG♦ Shop Director
KATE REINLIB Associate Prop Director
ERIC BABB♦° Associate Prop Director
RAUL VEGA MARTINEZ° Shop Supervisor
SHANTA FARIA DE SA Costume Shop Manager
CAYLYN DABNEY Resident Assistant Costume Designer
ASHPHORD JACOWAY Costume Shop Coordinator
TAYLOR DECKER First Hand/ KDT Wardrobe Supervisor
OPERATIONS
PETER WYLIE Operations & Facilities Director
CARLOS AYALA Facilities Manager
VANESSA DE LOERA
JULIO A. CUELLAR,♦ OSCAR DOMINGUEZ, MADIE GILLETTE
JASMINE BRAFF
SIMON MARTIN
Facilities Associate
Facilities Assistants
Operations Manager
Operations Assistant
NATALIE MARCEAU, HERVIN HERNANDEZ, REGINA NILES, ANTONIO DIXON Drivers
VANESSA BRADCHULIS, OLIVIA CHOATE, PRESSLY COKER, MONICA GREENE, PAT LOEB, TWON POPE, SAM UDERO Stage Door Attendants
FINANCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND HUMAN RESOURCES
CHERYL SHEPHERD Chief Financial Officer
PETER BANACHOWSKI Controller
DENICE BEHDAD Assistant Controller
ANAHITA ASHRAFIPOUR Senior Accountant
XOCHITL ORTEGA Accounts Payable Supervisor
KERRY BETH KAUFFMAN° Accounting Assistant
JESSICA HERNANDEZ Payroll Manager
MYLAH BARRETO, TIFFANY GARDE Payroll Specialist
TOM MEGALE IT Director
JANELLE CABRERA TORRES Tessitura & Web Administration Director
JOEY LAMBERT-SOLANO Digital Product Manager
CRIS SPACCA♦ Information Technology Manager
JODY HORWITZ♦ Director of Human Resources
JERMAINE CARTER HR Generalist
MOSS ADAMS Auditor
MICHAEL C. DONALDSON, LISA A. CALLIF Legal Counsel
GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Legal Counsel
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
SARAH SULLIVAN Director of Institutional Advancement
RICKY CARTER Director of Development
CRYSTAL DIAZ Director of Special Events
KATASHA ACOSTA-ROWE Director of Advancement Operations
PAULA MATALLANA Director of Institutional Grants
ANASTASIA RUTKOWSKI Corporate Relations Officer
GRACE PIPER Assistant Director, Prospect Research and Strategy
CORALEE YOUNG Assistant Director of Individual Giving
NICOLE SCIPIONE♦ Senior Individual Giving Officer
ZAIN PATEL Individual Giving Officer
CLAIRE PEARSON Institutional Giving Manager
NICKI BONURA Advancement Associate
RACHEL BONDS Senior Analyst, Gift Accounting and Reporting
ALICE PELAYO Donor Liason & Institutional Advancement Assistant
IRENE CHO Executive Assistant to the Director of Institutional Advancement
LA WRITERS’
MEDIA AND CONTENT
BRETT WEBSTER Director of Media and Content
JESSICA DOHERTY° Associate Content Director
BOBBY MARTINEZ Content Associate
KEELEY BELL Media and Content Coordinator
DAVIDSON & CHOY PUBLICITY:
TIM CHOY, PETER GOLDMAN, VICTORIA WESTBROOK Publicity Consultants
DEANNA McCLURE♦ Design Director
JAVIER VASQUEZ♦ Digital Content Producer
LILA WAKILI Senior Graphic Designer
CHEYNE GALLARDE Senior Graphic Designer
CINDY ANDRADE Graphic Designer
MARKETING AND SALES
GARRETT COLLINS Director of Marketing and Sales
PAMELA KUHR Director of Membership
BRENNIE TELLU Ticketing & Customer Experience Director
CANDICE WALTERS♦ Marketing Campaigns & Operations Director
SKYPP CABANAS♦ Senior Manager, Ticket Operations
DEVANY HARDEN° Senior Manager, Audience Loyalty
KATHARINE MEANS° Senior Manager, Advertising
MIKE RATTERMAN♦ Senior Manager, Membership Engagement
ANDRESSA ROYER Senior Manager, Audience Development & Marketing Events
NINA PERRY Account Sales Manager
CHASE ANDERSON-SHAW Kirk Douglas Theatre Manager
ROMAN DICESARE Email Marketing Associate
MARC GOODMAN Senior Analyst, Sales Strategy & Data
TINTIN NGUYEN Ticket Operations Coordinator
PETER SULLIVAN Marketing Coordinator
AARON HIGAREDA° Membership Engagement Supervisor
MICHAEL AGUILO, LA'RAE CARMICHAEL, JOE CASPER, BRAD GRIFFITH, DAVID HUNTER, NATALIE KEEZER, KATHLEEN LITTLEFIELD, JOSEPHINE NUNEZ°, DONALD RIZZO, BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ♦ ,
DIANE WARD♦ Membership Engagement Representatives
CAROLINE THOMPSON/IMPACT 123 Media Planning
SANDY CZUBIAK♦ Audience & Subscriber Services Director
JENNIFER BAKER,♦ CHERYL HAWKER♦ Audience Services Senior Supervisors
JONATHAN FLORES Audience Services Supervisor
JURGEN SANTOS Audience Services Sales Associates
JOSHUA BADILLO, CLAY BUNKER, FRANK ENSENBERGER, DANIEL GARCIA, HARPAL KHOSLA, MICHAEL MUNOZ, SAMUEL ROQUE, DAVID SALAZAR, ASHLEY SANDOVAL, CHRISTINA WRIGHT Audience Services Representatives
JUSTINE PEREZ♦ Donor Associate
DANUTA SIEMAK♦ Subscriber Services Senior Supervisor
CHRISTINA GUTIERREZ♦ Subscriber Services Senior Supervisor
LIGIA PISTE,♦ PETER STALOCH♦ Subscriber Services Senior Representatives
MICHAEL VALLE♦ Box Office Treasurer
KEANA JACKSON, YULIZA BARRAZA 1st Assistant Treasurers
LUIS ESPINOZA, KAITLYN GALVEZ, MICHAEL KEMPISTY♦ 2nd Assistant Treasurers
LA ARTIST RESIDENCIES
DIANA BURBANO
As part of our commitment to supporting new plays and playwrights, we foster and develop a broad range of theatrical work from diverse artists locally, nationally, and abroad.
Artists creating new work commissioned by Center Theatre Group this season: KIMBER LEE
Since 2005, we have invited local playwrights to spend a year researching and writing a new work with the feedback of their fellow writers and artistic staff as part of our L.A. Writers’ Workshop. Learn more at CTGLA.org/ARTISTS
LISA D’AMOUR
JENNIFER HALEY
ALESHEA HARRIS
2025/26 COHORT:
BERNARDO CUBRÍA
KEVIN DOUGLAS KEIKO GREEN
CHRISTINA PUMARIEGA
MADDOX PENNINGTON
ERIKA SHEFFER
LARISSA FASTHORSE
MICHAEL JOHN GARCÉS
DANIEL ALEXANDER JONES
MADELINE SAYET
KRISTINA WONG
AMMUNITION THEATRE COMPANY
FOUR LARKS
NATIVE VOICESVVVVTEATRO DEL BARRIO