AUTHOR BIOS
UniversalStageProductions-UniversalTheatricalGroupisthelivetheatredivisionoftheworld-famous motionpicturestudio.UTG,whichoverseesbothUniversalStageProductionsandDreamWorks Theatricals,isrepresentedbytherecord-breakingmusicalphenomenonWicked.Withanationaltourand multipleinternationalproductions,Wickedhasbeenseenbynearly50millionpeopleworldwide,makingit oneofthemostsuccessfultheatricalventuresofalltime.In2008,Universal’scriticallyacclaimed musicaladaptationofBillyElliotopenedonBroadwayandwentontowintenTonyAwardsincludingBest Musical.UniversalalsoproducedtheTony-nominatedBroadwayproductionofBringItOn:TheMusicalas wellasIrvingBerlin’sHolidayInnwiththeRoundaboutTheatreCompany.DreamWorksTheatricals, whichbecamepartofUTGin2016,wasformedtodevelopedliveentertainmentinspiredbythestudio’s acclaimedlibraryoffamilyfriendlyanimatedfilms,includingMadagascarLive!andtheTony-winning musicaladaptationofShrek.
JohnKavanaughiscurrentlyservingas songwriter/musicaldirectorforDisney'sbrandnew princess,SofiatheFirst.HetookhometheDaytime EmmyAward®forOutstandingSong:MainTitlefor SofiatheFirst.Hismusiccanalsobeheardin severalanimatedfeaturesDisneyshitWinniethe PoohMovie,SpringtimewithRoo,andthe Nickelodeonmusical,GlobeHunters,andAround theWorldin80DaysAdventurewhichincludesthe songBeWhereYouArefeaturingChakaKahn.With lyricistMarcyHeisler,Johnwrote"Josephs Lullaby"especiallyforMichaelCrawford,featured onCrawfordsalbumOnEaglesWingsforAtlantic Records.Hewrotemusicandlyricstothethemefor the2003SpecialOlympics,"YoureTheDream" recordedbytheWaltDisneyRecordsstarMyra, andhaswrittensongsfortheawardwinning televisionshowSesameStreet.
JeremyDesmonisanaward-winningwriterwhose workhasbeenproducedinternationallyacross stageandfamilyentertainment.Hereceivedthe EdwardKlebanPrizeforTheGirlintheFrame.His creditsincludetherockmusicalPumpUpthe Volume,whichpremieredatLosAngeles’sHudson Theatrein2025,andthenewmusicalTheLast Supper,starringTonyAward–winnerAlexNewell. Withawiderangeoftheatricalcollaborations,he hasalsowrittenGoodNews(Goodspeedrevisal), TheOliverExperiment,TheLadiesQuick:FamilyIs Murder,OneHitWonder,andTheKaraoke Killerettes.Hecreatedtwoholidaymusicalsnow availableforlicensing:BestHanukkahShowEver andTheSantaSwitch.Hisadditionalworkincludes touringandtheme-parkproductionsfeaturing charactersfromPawPatrol,Disney,BabyShark, SesameStreet,CuriousGeorge,MyLittlePony,and RinglingBros.andBarnum&Bailey.
COMPANY
Creative Team
Executive Producer / President - Doug LoPachin
Owner & Managing Director - Paydin LoPachin
Producer Consultant - Chris Deaton
Director / Co-Choreographer - Isaiah C.L. Harris
Co-Choreographer - Sammy Swim
Production & Operations Manager - Brianna Ballow
Tech Director - Isaiah C.L. Harris
Music Director - Vonda K. Bowling
Chanty Aguirre - Acrobatic Consultant
Scenic & Logistics Lead - Ethan Mullins
Dance Captain - Sammy Swim
Music Captain - Aaron Davidson
Wardrobe Captain - Ally reynolds
Actor ASM - Olivia de Jager
Cast List
Curious George - Paydin LoPachin
Man in the Yellow Hat (MYH) - Joshua McLemore
Phineas - Sammy Swim
Chef Pisghetti - Aaron Benditt-Davidson
Netti / Understudy George - Olivia de Jager
Doorwoman / Understudy Netti - Ally Reynolds
Frankie Sidecar / Understudy MYH - C.L. Isaiah Harris
Understudy Phineas / Chef Pisghetti / Frankie Sidecar - Ethan Rodriguez-Mullins
1.Curious George Theme Song
2.Special Delivery
3.Ah Roma
4.A Dash of Joy
5.Who’s Got Time?
6.Special Delivery - Reprise #1
7.Golden Meatball
8.Special Delivery - Reprise #2
9.George Goes to Rome / Curious George Theme Song - Reprise #1
10.That’s How You Know You’re In Rome
11.Go, Monkey, Go
12.A Buddy Like You
13.The Contest / Keep Your Eye On The Ball
14.Judging - That’s A Meatball
15.Finale - Curious George Theme songReprise #2
Director / Co-Choreographer
Isaiah C.L. Harris
Curious George has been a part of childhood for generations!
A symbol of wonder, mischief, and the unstoppable urge to explore. In reimagining this story for the stage, our creative team set out to honor that legacy while expanding it with our signature Wishing Star edge. We drop our favorite troublemaker into a bold cyberpunk world where curiosity cuts through the neon, noise, and kitchen madness.
Bringing this world to life has been a collaborative adventure. We’ve infused our vision into every corner of the production: cyberpunkinspired costumes, a tech-heavy set, and an urban landscape where George’s sense of wonder becomes its own kind of superpower. Our goal was to show that curiosity still thrives, even in a world built on tech.
Thank you for joining us. May George’s journey remind us all to stay curious, stay open, and keep exploring.
Isaiah C.L. Harris
Cast Bios
PaydinLayneLoPachin(CuriousGeorge) is thrilled to continue her work with Wishing Star Productions, where she serves as co-owner and producer Beginning her career at nine years old, she worked with brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein, and Italian Vogue before transitioning into television with appearances in Cold Case, The O.C., and Heroes. After years behind the scenes directing and managing national tours, Paydin is excited to be back on the road and returning to the stage in the title role of Curious George and the Golden Meatball. She is deeply grateful for the support of her family, creative partners, and the incredible teams who bring these productions to life.
JoshuaMcLemore(MYH) is so excited to be back with Wishing Star Productions, now donning the iconic hat as the Man in the Yellow Hat. He first joined the Wishing Star family as Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad, and couldn’t be happier to hit the road again doing what he loves A familiar face in the DFW theatre community, Josh’s regional work includes The Prom (Kevin), Children of Eden (Father), The SpongeBob Musical (Squidward), Madagascar (Melman), Bonnie and Clyde (Deputy Bud), Kinky Boots (Angel), Footloose (Willard), James and the Giant Peach (LadahLord / Choreography), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Choreography), and Frozen Jr. (Choreography). He thanks his family for their constant support and encouragement.
SammySwim(Phineas) is delighted to make his Wishing Star Productions debut in Curious George and the Golden Meatball A Dallas native, he has spent the past several years living and performing professionally in New York City. He is a proud graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he earned his BFA in Musical Theatre (Go Knights!). Some of his favorite credits include The Prom, Kinky Boots, La Cage Aux Folles, Cabaret, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Sammy sends his love to his parents and friends for their unwavering support.
AaronBenditt-Davidson(ChefPisghetti)is an actor, musician, and educator originally from Denver and now based in Chicago. He is excited to join Wishing Star Productions on tour, bringing his love of storytelling to audiences across the country. Aaron’s stage career has taken him from national tours to school cafegymatoriums and everything in between, and he is especially passionate about creating theatre for young audiences He hopes today’s performance inspires imaginations to wander as boldly as Curious George’s When he’s not performing in theatre, Aaron can be found at the piano or touring internationally as a member of The Four C-Notes, singing the music of Frankie Valli. Love to Zoe, Dinah, and Hoagie!
Cast Bios
OliviadeJager(Netti/UnderstudyGeorge) is so excited to join Wishing Star Productions. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, she spent the past year touring with Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment in Baby Shark’s Big Broadwave Tour! and Paw Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure Most recently, she appeared at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Come From Away (Janice & Others) while also serving as the production’s Canadian Dialect CoachWhen she’s not onstage, Olivia can be found performing with The SymphoNYChorus, out for a run, or enjoying overpriced coffee with friends She is incredibly grateful to be part of this team James 1:2–3 Count it all joy
AllyReynolds(Doorwoman/UnderstudyNetti) is thrilled to make her Wishing Star Productions debut. Based in San Antonio, she has spent the past three years performing around the world with Carnival Cruise Lines and at major theme parks across Texas. Her recent credits include Carnival Celebration and Carnival Mardi Gras (Singer/Dancer), SeaWorld San Antonio’s Monster Stomp (Mary Jane), and multiple productions at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, including Rockin’ at Rockville High (Sally), Dr Diabolical’s Monster Mash Bash (Dr Diabolical), and Sing Christmas (Ding-Dong) Ally is grateful to the Wishing Star team for this incredible opportunity and sends love and thanks to her family for their unwavering support Follow her journey on Instagram at @allyreynolds
IsaiahC.L.Harris(FrankieSidecar/UnderstudyMYH) is so excited to be back on the road with Wishing Star Productions. A Louisiana-born, Houstonraised performer and creative, Isaiah is thrilled to take on multiple roles in this production as Director, Co-Choreographer, and Tech Director, in addition to stepping onstage as Frankie Sidecar showcasing his multifaceted talents. Isaiah has been seen all over the DFW metroplex, including Head Over Heels and Kinky Boots (Uptown Players); Newsies, Matilda, and My Way (Casa Mañana); A Kid’s Play About Racism (Bay Area Children’s Theatre); and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (Walt Disney World) When he’s not in the theatre, Isaiah enjoys creating, collaborating, and telling stories both onstage and behind the scenes He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support
EthanRodriguez-Mullins(UnderstudyPhinneas,Chef,FrankieSidecar) is a DFW-based actor, music director, and technician joining Wishing Star Productions for the first time. His national tour credits include The Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly (Spider) with Dallas Children’s Theatre. Regional performances include Sweeney Todd (Tobias) and Rocky Horror (Riff Raff) at Lyric Stage; Beauty and the Beast (LeFou) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (Linus) at DCT; Hamlet (Hamlet) with OSF; and The Boys in the Band (Emory) at Uptown Players As a music director, Ethan’s work includes Godspell, The Addams Family, and Park-A-Palooza II He sends love and gratitude to his family and friends for their unwavering support
