THE CAST The cast features James Kleyla as Jacob Andersen, whose faith and resolve are tested; Nancy Gerber as Johanna, Jacob's devoted wife, struggling to keep her family together, and Douglas Gerber, as their ambitious son, James. James Kleyla made his featured soloist debut with the Boston Pops Orchestra in Symphony Hall in 1993. His performance earned him a standing ovation and an invitation to return as soloist in opera arias and “Soliloquy” from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. He has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, and in Strauss' Salome under Sejii Ozawa. Nancy Gerber was a member of the Boston cast of the hit comedy Forbidden Broadway at the Park Plaza and Pump Boys and Dinettes at the Charles Playhouse. She was featured with the Boston Symphony, conducted by Robert Spano, in the world premiere of Suite Dreams! for narrator and orchestra and has many appearances as featured soloist with the Civic Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Max Hobart as well as solo performances with the Lexington Sinfonietta, New England Conservatory Orchestra, Wellesley Symphony, Charlotte Symphony and San Antonio Symphony. Her television credits include ABC's Ryan's Hope and One Life to Live. In 1992, at the age of nine, Douglas Gerber made his professional stage debut in the Huntington Theatre Company's production of A Christmas Carol at the Wilbur Theatre. Since then he has portrayed, among others, Harold Hill in the Music Man, Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls. He performed with the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston in January, 2005. The Cincinnati Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Boston, Lexington Sinfonietta, New England Conservatory Orchestra, Wellesley Symphony, and Charlotte Symphony can be counted among the number of American orchestras which have performed the music of the show's composer, Stephen Gerber, who also wrote the book and lyrics. A member of the BMI and ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshops in New York City, his teachers have included Stephen Sondheim (Gypsy,Sweeney Todd ), Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Wicked), Charles Strouse (Bye, Bye, Birdie) and Martin Charnin (Annie). The composer will conduct the fine singing large cast and professional orchestra. Nancy Gerber is directing and choreographing the show. |