Biographies
The following are brief excerpts from the noteworthy biographies for the cast of Jersey Boys.
Jordan Thomas Burnett (Tommy DeVito)
 Jordan is excited to be returning to La Comedia in such an iconic show. Previous theatre credits include Don in Singin’ in the Rain, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Tully in Escape to Margaritaville, Nick in Something Rotten, Action/Tony us/performed in West Side Story at La Comedia, Sky in Mamma Mia!, Mordred in Camelot, Charlie us/performed in Kinky Boots and Lucas in The Addams Family. Other performances include Lead Vocalist: Christmas in the Air tour, Norwegian Spirit’s Blazing Boots, and Finding Christmas. Jordan holds a B.A. in theatre performance from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. He would like to thank his family and girlfriend Hannah for their continued support as he pursues a career in musical theatre. For additional information visit www.jordanthomasburnett.com, follow him on Instagram @jordanthomasburnett or YouTube @jordanthomasburnett_performer. |
Derrick Bertram (Frankie Valli)
 An Iowa native, Derrick is excited to be making his La Comedia debut. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015 with a B.A. in theatre arts. Derrick was previously a vocalist in New Jersey Nights at King's Castle Theatre in Branson, Missouri, and was Joe Pesci/Frankie Valli Understudy in Jersey Boys at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, Illinois. Other favorite credits include: Dennis/Perkins in The Play That Goes Wrong at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse, Sonny in Grease at Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, and Vocalist/Santa in Branson’s Christmas Wonderland at King’s Castle Theatre. He currently resides in Branson West, Missouri, with his wife Emily, daughter Josephine, and dog Thorin. |
Kyle Brace (Nick Massi)
 Kyle is excited to be making his La Comedia debut. He recently finished his second year as the Grinch for the national tour of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical. Other national tours include South Pacific and An American in Paris (Bass Soloist/Ensemble). Regional: Jersey Boys with Theatre By The Sea, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, and Springer Opera House (Nick Massi, Ensemble), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Righteous Brother, Forestburgh Playhouse), The Music Man (Oliver Hix, Gulf Coast Symphony), Oklahoma! (Jud Fry), and Chicago (Billy Flynn). Kyle would like to thank everyone at La Comedia, his wonderful agents at FSE, and his friends and family for their love and support. www.kylebrace.com @kcbbrace @kylebracephotography. |
Jonathan Wilson (Bob Gaudio)
 Jonathan is a singer, actor, and educator from Birmingham, Alabama, and is honored to make his debut with La Comedia. Jonathan holds a M.M. degree in vocal performance from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Auburn University. Some of Jonathan’s previous credits include the male lead soloist in O Wondrous Night at Sea World San Antonio, Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret, Phil Davis in White Christmas, Simon Stride in Jekyll and Hyde and Nick Bottom in Something Rotten. Prior to his performing career, Jonathan served as the choir/theatre director at Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, Alabama, and an assistant voice instructor at the University of Alabama. Jonathan would like to express his gratitude to the Lord and La Comedia Dinner Theatre for this wonderful opportunity. |
Colin Cranstoun (Gyp DeCarlo, Ensemble)
 Colin returns to the La Comedia stage after most recently appearing as Gus in Saturday Night Fever. in The Wizard of Oz. Other La Comedia credits include Krupke in West Side Story, LeFou in Beauty and the Beast and the operator of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. He has also been seen here in Guys and Dolls, Grumpy Old Men, Just Desserts, Footloose, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Little Mermaid, The King and I, Sister Act, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Story, The Addams Family, South Pacific, Miracle on 34th Street, Happy Days, Titanic, and A Christmas Carol. |
Thomas DiFato (Norm Waxman, Ensemble, Gaudio Cover)
 Thomas is thrilled to make his Ohio debut. His time at Disney sparked his love for acting, where he learned that every role has its “charm.” As a former teacher and Air Force veteran, Thomas is excited for the opportunity to chase a dream. Special thanks to his mother and father, whose fairy tale true love story is the reason Thomas hasn’t lost hope. “Enjoy the show!” |
Mark Edelstein (Joe Pesci, Ensemble, Frankie Cover)
 Mark is ecstatic to be in his first production with La Comedia. Some of his credits include The Final Days of Vincent Van Gogh (Off-Broadway), Spamalot (Regional, TATC), and Dogfight (MSTC). He has also performed in world-renowned concert venues such as the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, and Carnegie Hall. Mark holds a B.S. in music education from Adelphi University and used to be an elementary school band and chorus teacher. He’d love to thank his friends, family, his fiancé Elliott, Dakota and the incredible company of Jersey Boys. |
Hanna Felver (Lorraine, Ensemble)
 Hanna is originally from the Lima, Ohio, area and majored in musical theatre at Bowling Green State University. Her most recent roles include Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show (Circa ‘21 Speakeasy) and Ensemble/Lorraine u/s in Jersey Boys (Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse). Hanna has also worked professionally as a singer/actor at Cedar Point Amusement Park for many seasons. Some of these shows include On Tap: Home Brew, Forbidden Frontier, Castaway Bay and Tell Tale Heart. She recently returned to Winterfest at Kings Island for a second year as a vocalist in Swinging Into Christmas. |
Elliot Handkins (Judge, Ensemble, Tommy u/s)
 Elliot is happy to return to the La Comedia stage after appearing as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and Laurie in Little Women. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a B.F.A. in acting, he lives in Cincinnati and is typically seen in local productions around the Tri-State area. He has been performing since the second grade, when he sang “I Won't Grow Up” with his triplet siblings in a talent show. Some favorite credits include Jamie in The Last Five Years, Henry in Next to Normal, Benjamin in The Graduate, Lucas in The Addams Family, and Leslie in Love, Sex, and the IRS. He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant support and love. |
Tyler Hentz (Barry Belson, Ensemble, Bob Gaudio u/s)
 Tyler is excited to be making his La Comedia debut. Recent credits include Spamalot, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Play That Goes Wrong, Love and Information, Polaroid Stories and many more. He holds a B.F.A. with a minor in arts administration industries management and has also performed with Royal Caribbean International on the Freedom of the Seas. |
Brett Klock (Drummer, Ensemble, Frankie u/s)
 Brett is thrilled to be making his La Comedia debut. Other regional credits include: Jack/The Steward in Into the Woods, Musidorus in Head Over Heels, Chantal in La Cage Aux Folles, Josh in 9 to 5: The Musical, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show, and Peter in Bare: A Pop Opera. Proud B.F.A. musical theatre graduate of Coastal Carolina University. Brett would like to thank his friends and family for all their love and support. @brettklock_ticktock www.brettklock.com |
Jack Issler (French Rapper, Billy Dixon, Ensemble, Tommy Cover)
 Jack is a performer originally based here in Dayton, Ohio, and was just recently seen in Holiday Inn and Saturday Night Fever here at La Comedia. Some of his other favorite recent credits include Joseph and Marsha at Theatre for the New City in NYC, as well as regional productions of Jersey Boys, Matilda, The Secret Garden, Cats, and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. B.M. music theatre, NYU. Big thanks to Chris Beiser, his mom, dad, Rachel, Dylan, and Payton. “Oh, What a Night” it'll be, and he's beggin' that you enjoy the show. Follow along - IG: @jack.ice. |
Haley Iverson (Francine, Ensemble)
 Haley is excited to be back on the La Comedia stage. Since the Covid lockdown, she hasn’t performed much other than her senior year musical, Mamma Mia!, and most recently, the La Comedia production of Holiday Inn. She spent her last two years of high school at WCCC and was a welder for GE Aviation. With conflicting schedules, she decided to get back into theatre and leave welding for a later time. Some of her favorite rolls include The Genie in Aladdin, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Elsa in Frozen, Mufasa in The Lion King, and Featured Ensemble in Mamma Mia! |
Megan Murray (Mary Delgado, Ensemble)
 Megan is a graduate of Wright State University, where she received her B.F.A. in acting and a minor in dance. Favorite credits include Francine in Jersey Boys at Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, Frenchie in Cabaret (WSU), and performing at Cedar Point this past fall. She’d like to thank her family, James, Caroline, and Savannah for their love and support of her dreams. |
Jonathan Pendergrass (Bob Crewe, Ensemble)
 Jonathan returns to La Comedia having recently appeared as Bobby in Saturday Night Fever, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Zach in Just Desserts, Herald in Cinderella, Jamie in Escape to Margaritaville and Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other La Comedia credits include Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Tommy Djilas in The Music Man, Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia!, and Annie, as well as our Lunch and Learn Children’s Theatre productions of A Year with Frog and Toad, Charlotte's Web, Frederick: The Mouse and The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. He thanks his mom, dad and supportive friends. Dedicated to Kathryn Metz. Phil 4:13. |
Austin Rose (Nick DeVito, Ensemble, Nick Massi u/s)
 Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, Austin is a multi-hyphenate artist who graduated from Syracuse University with an B.F.A. in acting. Prior theatrical credits include: Player 1 in Nevermore (Cumberland Theatre), Young Ebenezer in A Christmas Carol (Syracuse Stage), Swing in As You Like It (Syracuse University), Swing in Guys And Dolls (Syracuse University), Artie in Miss Havisham’s Wedding (New Works New Voices), and Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Black Box Players). Austin would like to thank their family for always supporting their dreams with unconditional love. |
Mary Ann Sprague (Backup Dancer, Ensemble, Women Cover)
 Mary Ann is honored to return to the La Comedia stage following her recent debut in Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Mary Ann worked professionally as a singer, dancer, actress, and choreographer in Nashville, Tennessee, for a decade before returning to Ohio to care for family. Some favorite recent roles include Suzy in Winter Wonderettes at The Drama Workshop and Janet Van De Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone at The Footlighters, Inc. Mary Ann was also a soprano and chamber choir member in Cincinnati's renown May Festival Chorus from 2022-2024, performing alongside the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Her deepest love and thanks to her parents, Ellen, and Victor. |
Ned Way (Charlie Colella, Ensemble, Nick Cover)
 Ned is a New York City- based performer and is grateful to be making his La Comedia debut with this lovely company. Off-Broadway: Swing in The Office Musical Parody, Regional: Curly in Oklahoma, and Judas in Godspell at Prairie Rep Theater; Bradd u/s in Rocky Horror Show at Milton Theater. @nedskway |
| About the Authors... |
| Marshall Brickman (Book) Films (author or co-author): Sleeper, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Manhattan Murder Mystery, For the Boys, Intersection; (as writer/director): Simon, Lovesick, The Manhattan Project, Sister Mary Explains it All. TV: “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” (head writer), “The Dick Cavett Show” (head writer/co-producer). He has published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Playboy, and other periodicals and was the 2006 recipient of the Writers Guild of America’s Ian McClellan Hunter Lifetime Achievement Award. Jersey Boys, his first venture into musical theatre, won four Tonys including Best Musical. Mr. Brickman’s other theatrical efforts include Turn of the Century, which played to capacity houses in Chicago, and The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, which ran for two years on Broadway and to date has had over four thousand first and second tier productions internationally. He lives in New York City and hopes to die in his sleep, surrounded by his loved ones and their attorneys. |
| Rick Elice (Book) On Broadway: Jersey Boys (Best Musical, 2006 Tony Award, 2007 Grammy Award and 2009 Olivier Award); The Addams Family; Peter and the Starcatcher (winner of five 2012 Tony Awards); and The Cher Show (winner of two 2019 Tony Awards). In the pipeline: The Princess Bride and Smash, co-written with Bob Martin; Silver Linings Playbook, a musical adaptation of the popular film; The Marvels, a musical adaptation of the popular novel; and Treasure, an original musical written with 2021 Ed Kleban Award-winner Benjamin Scheuer. From 1982-1999, as creative director at Serino Coyne Inc, Rick created and produced ad campaigns for more than 300 Broadway shows, from A Chorus Line to The Lion King. From 1999-2009, he served as creative consultant for The Walt Disney Studio. Charter member, American Repertory Theatre. Trustee, The Actors’ Fund. BA, Cornell University; M.F.A. Yale Drama School; Teaching Fellow, Harvard University. Heartfelt thanks to those he’s been lucky enough to know, whose work makes him grateful for the day he was born: Sondheim, Stoppard, Bennett, Prince, Fosse, Robbins, Nichols, Tune, Nunn, Timbers, McAnuff, Laurents, Lippa, Stone, Taymor, Papp, Schumacher, Schneider, Costello, Coyne, Brickman, and eternally, Roger Rees. |
| Bob Gaudio (Composer) Bob wrote his first hit, “Who Wears Short Shorts,” at 15, for the Royal Teens, and then went on to become a founding member of the Four Seasons and the band’s principal songwriter. He also produced the hit “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” for Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand (Grammy nomination, Record of the Year) as well as six albums for Diamond, including The Jazz Singer. Other producing credits include albums for Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and the soundtrack for the film Little Shop of Horrors. Several songs co-written with Bob Crewe have been cover hits for such artists as the Tremeloes (“Silence is Golden”), the Walker Brothers (“The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore”) and Lauryn Hill (“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”). With his wife, Judy Parker, Gaudio produced and co-wrote the Who Loves You album for the Four Seasons and one of Billboard’s longest-charted singles (54 weeks), “Oh, What a Night.” A high point in his career came in 1990 when, as a member of the original Four Seasons, Gaudio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1995, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which hailed him as “a quintessential music-maker.” To this day, Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli still maintain their partnership…on a handshake. |
| Bob Crewe (Lyracist) “New York was pregnant in the fifties,” says Bob Crewe, “gestating with possibilities.” Crewe and music partner Frank Slay became independent writer-producers when the category hadn’t yet been invented. In 1957 they wrote and produced “Silhouettes” for The Rays, which skyrocketed to #1. Suddenly, producers in demand, they launched Freddie Cannon’s “Tallahassee Lassie” and Billy & Lillie’s “Lah Dee Da.” Crewe’s 1960’s unprecedented producing success with The Four Seasons birthed a new sound, striking a major chord in American pop. “Sherry, “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Candy Girl,” “Ronnie” – all smashes! When lead Frankie Valli demanded a solo turn, Crewe and Bob Gaudio wrote (and Crewe produced) ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” which eventually became the century’s fifth most-played song. Crewe ran hot with artists from Vicki Carr, Oliver and Lesly Gore to Mitch Ryder, co-writing with Charles Fox the soundtrack for Jane Fonda’s film, Barbarella. Then his own Bob Crewe Generation exploded with Music to Watch Girls By. In 1972 Bob was in L.A., where he revived Frankie Valli with “My Eyes Adored You” by Crewe and Kenny Nolan. They also co-wrote Patti LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade” (#1, July ’75), which was a hit again on the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge (#1, June ’01)…David Ritz |
