COURTNEY DEASE (Jake): Courtney is excited to be a part of Brilliant in the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival! He was most recently seen Off-Broadway in Between Panic and Desire, and portrayed Stuart Gellman in Caroline, Or Change, prior to that. He made his national tour debut in Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin, where he traveled the country portraying the role of Lewis as well as tackling the title role of Pippin at select performances. Throughout his career, Courtney has traveled to almost 40 different countries and 5 continents performing with popular cruise lines like Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises. He co-stars in a new film, Aspersion, which will be released later this year. He is a graduate of Coker University with a degree in Vocal Performance. Favorite past roles include Seymour Krelborn (Little Shop of Horrors), The Baker (Into The Woods), Huck Finn (Big River) and Link Larkin (Hairspray). www.CourtneyDease.com Instagram: @courtneydease
KIMBERLY SUSKIND (Sarah): Kimberly Suskind is thrilled to be a part of the NYC premiere of a production that’s so near and dear to her heart! Kimberly has been fortunate enough to perform at several wonderful regional theaters across the country, including; Walnut Street Theatre (PA), Cape May Stage (NJ), Delaware Theatre Company (DE), The Theatre Barn (NY), Eagle Theatre (NJ), Bucks County Playhouse (PA), Nightcap Cabaret (PA), Metro Stage Company (MA), Village Theatre & Civic Light Opera (WA). A few past favorite credits include; Ragtime (Mother), Little Women (Jo March), John & Jen (Jen), & Anything Goes (Reno). Kimberly has been with Brilliant since the beginning and can be heard on the demo recording performing the role of Sarah. Her favorite role yet is Mommy to her beautiful baby girl, Lilly! In addition to performing, Kimberly is currently a staff member at the prestigious Robin Dawn Academy in Cape Coral, Florida where she is the Artistic Director of their new theatre company, Gypsy Playhouse. Kimberly is also a private voice and acting coach. Proud graduate of The Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Thank you to Dani and Brilliant’s creative team for this incredible opportunity and for trusting in her to help tell this poignant story! Thanks also to her family and incredible husband, Ted, for his constant love and endless support! For more information about Kimberly, feel free to visit: www.KimberlySuskind.com
HAYDEN BERCY (Adam): Hayden Bercy (Adam) is thrilled to join Brilliant. Prior select theater credits: The King and I National Tour( Louis), A Christmas Story National Tour (Flick), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Ben), The Nerd, George Street Playhouse (Thor),Ludwig & Bertie, Theater forThe New City (Young Ludwig), Polar Express, Whippany Railway (Hero Boy), American Gothic, York Theatre (Choir Boy),Tommy, Count Basie Theater (Young Tommy) and Gypsy, Count Basie Theater, (Newsboy). Select Vocal Solo Performances: US Tennis Open, JerseyShore BlueClaws, Broadway Sessions @ Laurie Beechman Theatre and Tunes in TimesSquare. TV/VO Credits: Snug’s HouseTheme Song Singer, Universal Kids,The LastDogPodcast, (Thorn), Pandora’s Box, and Wonderama. @haydenbercy
ASHER EDGECLIFFE-JOHNSON (Young Adam): Asher has been acting in film and TV since he was nine years old. Some of his favorite experiences so far have been appearing on SNL, The Tonight Show, and on The Late Show with Steven Colbert. He is thrilled to be making his Off Broadway debut in this production of Brilliant. When he’s not at work or at school, he loves to write music, play the piano, play the ukulele and play copious amounts of Dungeons and Dragons.
EMMALEE KIDWELL (Kat): EmmaLee Kidwell is so excited to be making he New York theatre debut working on Brilliant. Though EmmaLee directs and writes musicals, this is her first time acting in a new piece of theatre. She recently graduated from Pace University, and has spent her past summer working on Olive Ostrovsky in Putnam County Spelling Bee. When not writing or performing, EmmaLee can usually be found painting, playing Sims4, and watching Stephen Colbert. She’s endlessly grateful for her friends and family and their endless support. Follow @emmaleekidwell for more updates!
MORGAN SCOTT (Meagan/Mrs. Cooke): Most recently Morgan was fortunate to perform during the shutdown in the streaming new musical REWIND: An Original 80's Pop Musical (Gina). Prior favorite roles include The Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), Eva Peron (Evita) and Roxie Hart (Chicago). When she's not singing showtunes, you can find her rocking out with Elan Artists' variety bands (lead vocalist), dipping her toe in stunt work. (Becky Lynch stunt double) and/or polishing vocals with her teacher Mike Maixner of Matt Farnsworth Vocal Studio. The support of her family and friends has been integral in every opportunity she has been given.
MARIA PANVINI (Julie/Dr. Ellen): Maria Panvini is thrilled to be making her NYC debut with the lovely Brilliant, the Musical. During the school year, Maria is a full time theatre teacher and drama director at Overbrook High School in Pine Hill, NJ. She also currently serves as the Director of Education at The Grand Theatre in Williamstown, NJ and offers private acting coaching. As a performer, Maria has worked with regional theatre companies such as Montgomery Theatre (PA), Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre (VA), New City Stage Co (PA), & Eagle Theatre (NJ), as well as many of the local theatre companies that surround her in NJ. Recent credits include Ragtime (Mother), Heathers (Martha), Rabbit Hole (Becca), & 25th Annual Putnam Co. Spelling Bee (Rona). Maria is a graduate of the Rider University theatre program. Maria collaborated with playwright Dani Tapper on Brilliant in 2019/2020, recording vocals for some of the demo tracks and performing as Julie in early staged readings. Maria would like to thank Dani and the entire Brilliant team for providing her the opportunity to work on this special show. A thank you, as well, to the Pine Hill school district, my students, and my family for all their love and support.