Broadway Cast Creative Team

Gary Dourdan began his acting career at an early age when he enrolled in a prestigious inner-city program in Philadelphia called “Freedom Theater.”  Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dourdan began making weekly trips to New York City for auditions and music lessons.  Before long, he relocated to New York where he trained in the “Meisner” technique and at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

His career escalated to numerous roles in off-Broadway plays, fashion magazine layouts and a well recognized love interest in Janet Jackson’s video hit “Again.”  During this time he caught the attention of television director and producer Debbie Allen. She suggested that Gary move to Hollywood to pursue more work in TV and film.

Dourdan’s career break came when he was cast in “The Cosby Show” spin-off, “A Different World,” as “Shazza”.  After that, more television appearances followed including, “The Good Fight,” the HBO mini-series “Laurel Avenue,” a lead role in Dick Wolf’s series “Swift Justice,” as well as BET’ “Soul Food” and “Beggars and Choosers.”  Gary also starred opposite Terrence Howard as “Malcolm X” in the ABC television movie, “Muhammad Ali: King of the World.” 

On the big Screen, Gary Dourdan landed his first major role as the character “Yates” in “Playing God,” opposite David Duchovny and Angelina Jolie.  That same year he was also cast in Alien: Resurrection” with Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder.  Other notable film credits include “New Jersey Turnpikes” with Kelsy Grammar.  His independent feature works included “Scarred City” with Chazz Palminteri and “The Weekend,” with Brook Shields and Gena Rowlands.  “The Weekend” won a special jury prize at the Seattle Film Festival for Best Ensemble Cast. 

In 2000, Gary Dourdan starred as “Warrick Brown” in the #1 crime drama television series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” with co-stars William Peterson and Margaret Helenberger.  The acclaimed CBS series has been nominated for Golden Globes, EMMYS and SAG Awards.  The show has also won the People’s Choice Award and has achieved a phenomenal status as the number one TV show in the world.  Gary Dourdan was nominated twice and won for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series” by the NAACP Image Awards in 2006 & 2007; he also won a SAG Award along with being nominated for a Golden Globe, Emmy Award and several People Choice Awards. In 2017, Gary Dourdan completed filming on ‘All She Wrote’ a dark comedy by young Bulgarian director Niki LLiev, in which he plays a former MMA champion suffering from brain damage caused by his fights. 

As a talented musician, Gary Dourdan was seen on the Emmy Awards singing a duet with Macy Gray and appearing with hip hop artist DMC on stage at the “Live 8 Concert” held in Ontario, Canada in 2005.  In 2009, he was asked to make an endorsement for the Spanish Tourism board. He subsequently appeared in numerous events and shows in Europe including a duet with French Singer/Songwriter Ayo on National French TV, singing the classic Sam Cooke song “A Change is Gonna Come.”  

For the past eight years, Gary Dourdan has also been heavily involved with the non-profit organization The Heart Fund (https://www.theheartfund.eu) aimed at bringing state of the heart surgery to children in need in countries such as Haiti, India as well as in West Africa. In 2016, he visited Mali for the first time where he participated to the Festival Acoustik Bamako. He supported the festival’s social and humanitarian commitment by calling upon the artist Akon’s ‘Lighing Africa’ (http://akonlightingafrica.com) project to bring solar-powered lighting systems andelectricity to the village of Kirina in Mali. His fight against global warming and for the resilience of vulnerable communities is an ongoing duty. For the past 4 years, Gary has also helped the first Lady of Ivory Coast, SE Mrs. Dominique Ouattara’s foundation Children of Africa (https://childrenofafrica.org/en) raise funds for the construction of a children’s hospital in Abidjan, the country’s capital. He attended the hospital’s inauguration in Ivory Coast on March 15, 2018.  He continues to be of service to Children of Africa for the next fundraising endeavor to build a school.  He is also currently supporting Eva Longoria and Maria Bravo help children through their Global Gift Foundation (http://www.globalgiftfoundationusa.org) . He performed during the foundation biggest fundraising event in Marbella, Spain on July 29, 2018 in company of Eva and other celebrities such as Ronaldinho and Emma Bunton (Spice Girls). He has since become an Ambassador of the foundation and participates yearly to its fundraising activities in France, Spain, U.K., Dubai and Cannes, as well as through visits on ground projects such as in India. Gary believes that giving children access to health, education, and cultural bridges to the world at large is tantamount to insuring long term socio-economic development. 

In between guest appearances in such TV shows as “Being Mary Jane,” and most recently “Power,” and recent leading role alongside Andy Garcia in the feature length film Redemption Day, Gary Dourdan has been spending time in his state-of-the-art recording studio composing music for an album and developing three films, including a musical, under his production company.  His album which will include several well-known musical guests and is slotted for release in 2022.

These past few months Gary Dourdan was on location in Senegal for the feature length film Zero with French director Jean-Luc Herbulot, as well as in Morocco for as-yet-entitled feature length with Redemption Day director Hicham Hadji. Gary is currently preparing to record an album musicians and guest artists from Africa and the U.S.

J. Harrison Ghee won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, making history as the first non-binary actor to be nominated and win in this category for their role as “Daphne/Jerry” in Some Like It Hot, a role which also garnered them Grammy, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as Drama League and Chita Rivera Award nominations. Recently J. starred in the world premiere of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil as well as the Off-Broadway smash Saturday Church. Ghee was selected by Billy Porter to star as “Robyn/Kevin” on the hit FOX series “Accused,” and previously played the series regular of “Kwame” on Netflix’s “Raising Dion.” On Broadway, they starred as “Lola” in Kinky Boots, created the role of “Andre Mayhem” in Mrs. Doubtfire, and have dazzled audiences in roles such as “Velma Kelly” in Chicago and “Johnny Hooker” in The Sting, opposite Harry Connick, Jr. Ghee hopes that something they do or say reaches the heart at least one person to inspire them to dream big and go full-out for those dreams.

John-Michael Lyles is an Obie-winning multi-hyphenate artist who has originated two roles on Broadway: Thought 3 in A Strange Loop and Eli in The Heart of Rock & Roll! Off-Broadway: Safety Not Guaranteed (BAM), Sweeney Todd (Barrow), This Ain’t No Disco (Atlantic), Brooklynite (Vineyard), Bat Boy, Big River and 1776 (Encores!). Regional: Nobody Loves You (ACT), Secret Garden (CTG), Bliss (5th Ave), Choir Boy (Guthrie). TV/Film: “Queens of the Dead,” “The Other Two,” “Chicago PD,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” and “Blind.” Co-writing “The King of Harlem” (NAMT ’25). Stream his EP: HOW TO STAY BRIGHT! All the flowers for Mom, Dad, Ashley, Nicolosi, MTCA & the Bratz! @johnmichael_lyles

Armed with a warm, soulful sound, the Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated artist Gaby Moreno creates music that offers an intoxicating invitation into her musical world for English and Spanish speakers alike. Since moving to Los Angeles from her native Guatemala, singer-songwriter-producer Gaby Moreno has released 9 albums, received her first Grammy award in 2024 for her project X Mí (Vol. 1) (Best Latin Pop Album, 2024), earned additional Grammy nominations for her albums Alegoría (Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album, 2023) and Illusion (Best Latin Pop Album, 2017), and has won two Latin Grammy Awards (Best New Artist, 2013 and Best Traditional Tropical Album, 2023). Moreno has shared the international stage with pop music luminaries such as Bono, Andrea Boccelli, Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, Punch Brothers, Hugh Laurie, Buena Vista Social Club, Calexico, David Gray, and many more. Through her various projects, Moreno has redefined Americana as the only prominent Latina in the genre today, opening the doors for other marginalized voices and transforming the landscape overall. 

In addition to her critical acclaim within the music industry, Moreno has also amassed a long list of accolades within the TV and film worlds. Most famously, she co-wrote the seminal theme song for cult classic TV show, ‘Parks and Recreation’. Her moving version of the classic song “Cucurrucucú Paloma” was chosen to play at the end of the emotional episode "God Bless America" for the last season of Netflix's original show, "Orange Is The New Black”. Most recently, her music was featured in Guillermo Del Toro's new Netflix show ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ as well as receiving a 2023 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards nomination for her song on the film ‘The Valet.’ Later in 2023, she wrote and performed the lead song “El Saber” for the acclaimed film “Radical”, starring Eugenio Derbez. 

Her album “¡Spangled!” - a collaboration with musician, songwriter and arranger, Van Dyke Parks – is a set of ten songs celebrating the migration of song across the Americas and spans more than a century, including a bolero from Panama, a bossa nova from Brazil, and an elegiac ballad from the Southwest United States. The album features a duet with Jackson Browne and an art cover designed by Klaus Voormann (who designed The Beatles’ Revolver cover). Gaby was also chosen to sing the theme song and voice a character (Marlena) on the multi-Emmy Award-winning Disney children’s television series, “Elena of Avalor,” which features Disney's first Latina princess. More recently, she composed all the music for the movie “Language Lessons”, directed by Natalie Morales and co-written/starring Morales and Mark Duplass. 

In 2020 she produced, co-wrote, and sang the duet “Bolero a La Vida” with legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo from Buena Vista Social Club fame and received a Latin Grammy nomination in the “Best Tropical Song” category. In 2022, Moreno released her latest album, Alegoría, produced by herself, featuring among others her guitar heroes Marc Ribot and Davíd Garza. The album comprises 11 songs both in English and Spanish, exploring themes of hope, love, nostalgia, and desolation. Alegoría received a US Grammy nomination for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album in 2023 with fellow nominees including Rosalía, Mon Laferte, Fito Páez, Jorge Drexler and Cimafunk. 

In 2023 Gaby released her new project X Mí (Vol. 1) via the trailblazing label Cosmica Artists. Ushering in a new chapter for the beloved artist, X Mí (Vol. 1), pronounced “Por Mi”, is a collection of rich and soulful acoustic songs that have remained dear to Gaby’s heart for years now in both English and Spanish. It’s lined with Gaby’s one-of-a-kind sound that has garnered large critical acclaim and the attention of some of today’s most esteemed artists. 

The acoustic project featured a striking collaboration between Gaby and Golden Globe-winning / Emmy-nominated actor, producer, and musician Oscar Isaac through a moving rendition of the beloved Guatemalan treasure, "Luna de Xelajú." The collaboration saw the two artists and close friends coming together to celebrate their shared roots, honoring their beloved country of Guatemala and their families, through a combined love for music.  

In November 2023, Gaby received a Latin Grammy award in the “Mejor Album Tropical Tradicional” category for her work as a producer on Omara Portuondo’s ‘VIDA’, further showcasing her immense skill as both an executive producer and all-around musician.   

In a historic move, the X Mí (Vol. 1) earned Gaby her first ever Grammy nomination, winning Best Latin Pop Album in February 2024, that followed a breathtaking performance of the song at the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony alongside singer and songwriter El David Aguilar. 

Also in February 2024, Gaby released her critically acclaimed new album, Dusk, via Cosmica Artists. It featured a striking rendition of "Luna de Xelajú" with Oscar Isaac paying homage to their shared Guatemalan roots. The album pays homage to Gaby’s life story, particularly her life-changing move from Guatemala to the United States in pursuit of her dreams. Rooted in Americana, it’s an album about change — and how to embrace even the most unmooring transitions with hope, touching on fear, loneliness, courage, and the many feelings that came with the drastic change. Gaby co-produced the album with Nashville producer Dan Knobler and it is lined with a melting pot of sounds such as blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and Latin folk featuring songs in both English and Spanish. 

Additionally, Gaby made her US late night TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January 2024 featuring a moving rendition of her track "Luna de Xelajú" with Oscar Isaac. She delivered an electrifying performance of her breakout track “Solid Ground” from her latest album Dusk on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in June 2024. She wrapped up an explosive 2024 with a captivating performance on Good Morning America performing her singles “Solid Ground” and “The Way It Goes” from Dusk. 

Early this year Gaby released her short film, based on her song of the same name, Lamento which garnered acclaimed from outlets such as Rolling Stone, Vogue Mexico & Latin America, Rolling Stone En Español, Forbes México, and a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Long Form Music Video. 

In addition to her dynamic work within entertainment, Moreno has cemented a long trajectory as a champion for immigration rights and social issues dear to her. She was recently named the first Unicef Goodwill Ambassador from Guatemala. She is focused on mentoring young female artists and creatives. 

It’s clear that Gaby remains a force to be reckoned with within the larger music arena. 

 

Broadway: Gypsy, The Notebook. Television: “The Chair” (Netflix). Film: Pressed, Don’t Ever Wonder (Netflix), Vampires vs. the Bronx (Netflix). Debut EP: sinking/flying March 2026

Jasmin Savoy Brown is a multi-talented performer and skilled actress raised in Springfield, Oregon. 

Jasmin is best known for her work in YELLOWJACKETS, which has received 10 Emmy nominations across its three seasons. She plays Young Taissa, whose emotional complexity and a gradual mental decline is at the heart of the series.  Jasmin is set to reprise the role in Season 4 of YELLOWJACKETS, where Young Taissa continues into a leadership role alongside her ongoing psychological and supernatural storyline.

This fall, she will also be seen in two prestige indie films debuting in August/ September. First on August 7th she will be seen in Anne Schoenbrun’s fever-dream slasher TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA, one of the most talked-about titles to emerge from Cannes this year (currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes). After that, she will be seen in Shatara Michelle Ford’s DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES, the sweeping, emotionally resonant road film that premiered to critical acclaim at Berlinale. 

She most recently returned as Mindy Meeks-Martin, the first openly queer character in the SCREAM franchise. She joined alumni Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox in the latest installment which had the biggest opening weekend in franchise history at 63.6 million. 

She will next be seen on the big screen in DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES which premiered at the Berlin 2025 Film Festival. In 2021, Jasmin starred in The Sound of Violence, which premiered at the 2021 SXSW film festival where she received high praise for her lead performance.  

Previously, Jasmin has been well known for playing ‘Evie Murphy’ in the critically-acclaimed HBO drama series THE LEFTOVERS opposite Justin Theroux and Regina King. Widely accepted as one of the more revolutionary shows in recent memory, The Leftovers became the highest ranked show of the 2010’s. She also gained notoriety playing series regular character and historical figure ‘Emilia Bassano’ on the TNT drama series WILL, and ‘Allison Adams’ in the Shondaland / ABC court drama series FOR THE PEOPLE. 

Jasmin has also served as producer on Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror, a docuseries that explores the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the horror and thriller genres. The docuseries garnered an Emmy nomination in the “Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary” category. Jasmin also launched her new podcast called TODAY IN GAY, which is as a “short, joyful daily news podcast by and for the queer community.” She also served as the creator, producer, and host of the podcast The Homo Schedule for MOST, Netflix's home for LGBTQ+ storytelling. 

Being a true multi-hyphenate, Jasmin is also an indie singer/songwriter who has self-released three singles with accompanying music videos; she is influenced by the sounds of Olivia Dean and Angie McMahon.

Jasmin was named one of 2024’s FORBES 30 UNDER 30, one of Elle’s Hollywood Rising Class in 2023, in THR’s Next Gen Rising Young Stars 2022, Variety’s 55 Queer Artists and Decision-Makers to Know, and part of The OUT 100. Last year, Jasmin walked in the Miu Miu spring fashion show at Paris Fashion Week and was an integral part of the MIU MIU L'Été 2024 and L'Été 2025 Campaigns.

Norbert Leo Butz is a two-time Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical, and is one of only nine actors ever to have won the award twice as lead actor. He first won for his work in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and won again for his work in Catch Me if You Can. He was additionally nominated for the Tony for his work in Thou Shalt Not and My Fair Lady. The star of 11 Broadway shows, he is also a five-time Drama Desk nominee and two-time winner. Other notable productions in New York: Rent (Broadway debut), Wicked (original Fiyero), Speed-the-Plow, Is He Dead, Enron, Big Fish, My Fair Lady (Tony nomination), The Last Five Years (Drama Desk nomination), Juno and the Paycock (Roundabout Theatre), 50 Words (MCC Theater), How I Learned to Drive (Second Stage), Vladimir (Manhattan Theatre). He most recently played Paul Child in The Recipe at La Jolla Playhouse.

On television, he has starred on David Zabel and Ridley Scott’s “Mercy Street” for PBS, “Bloodline” for Netflix, Paddy Chayefsky on “Fosse/Verdon” for FX, and “Debris” for NBC. Other TV: “Justified: City Primeval” for FX, “The Girl from Plainville” for Hulu, “Gladiator: American Sports Story” for FX, “Madame Secretary,” “CSI,” “Law & Order,” “Blue Bloods.”

Films: Dan in Real Life, Higher Ground (opposite, and directed by, Vera Farmiga), Craig Zisk’s The English Teacher, Better Living Through Chemistry, Luce, Flag Day, Wonder Park, The Exorcist: Believer, Better Nate Than Ever, Fair Game, Give or Take (Best Supporting Actor award from FilmOut San Diego), A Complete Unknown, Coyotes.

Mr. Butz has taught acting at Auburn University, Drew University, Farleigh Dickinson University, NYU, Florida State University, and his alma mater, Webster University, and currently at HB Studio. He holds a BFA from Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts, an MFA from the Actor Training program at University of Alabama, and an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Webster University. He serves on the board of The Angelband Project, a nonprofit that provides music therapy for survivors of sexual violence.

A Tony Honoree, Ben Davis most recently appeared as Father in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Ragtime.

His Broadway credits include Once Upon a Mattress, New York, New York, Dear Evan Hansen, Violet, A Little Night Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème, and Les Misérables, where he portrayed both Javert and Enjolras.

An acclaimed concert artist, Ben has performed with leading orchestras and symphonies on some of the world’s most celebrated stages, including the BBC Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall as Fred Graham/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate, La Scala in Milan, and Taipei Arena in Taiwan.

Television credits include recurring roles on Law & Order: SVU and The Game, along with guest-starring roles on numerous television series. Film credits include Papageno in Kenneth Branagh’s The Magic Flute and the filmed adaptation of Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge.

Amber Iman “is what joy sounds like: satiny, sultry, unpredictable, unforced” says The New York Times. A proud Howard University graduate, Amber debuted on Broadway as the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone, in Soul Doctor, earning rave reviews and a Clive Barnes Award nomination. Since, she has been seen in George C. Wolfe’s Shuffle Along beside theatre luminaries Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, and more. Amber was also in the first National Tour of the megahit musical Hamilton, and has performed Off-Broadway and regionally with New York Theatre Workshop, New World Stages, Two River Theater, The Kennedy Center, and much more, earning Helen Hayes and IRENE Award nominations, and winning the Ovation Award and the prestigious Emery Battis Award for Acting Excellence from Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC. In 2024, Amber received both a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk nomination for her portrayal of Rafaela in the Broadway production of Lempicka. Last year, Amber starred as Nadira in Goddess at The Public, earning her the Audelco Award for Leading Actress and both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations. Most recently, Amber starred as LeRoy in the Black Swan musical.

On TV, Amber has been seen on “High Maintenance” for HBO. Her self-produced short film Steve has been a critical darling at film festivals across the country and internationally, winning Best Short, Best Actress, and the Audience Choice Award. Her second short, Blackberry Winter, recently won Best Dramedy at the 2026 Georgia Short Film Festival.

As an activist, Amber is the proud Co-Founder of Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Black Women on Broadway. In 2021, Amber was honored with a Tony Award for her work with BAC.

Her Webby Award-nominated one-woman show, An Evening with Amber Iman, is available on Audible.

Kayko is a pop-rock artist & songwriter who is so excited to be making his Broadway debut! Eyed by Katy Perry for his star quality, he accidentally found his way into the Top 10 on Season 22 of “American Idol” where he wowed America with his original songs. Known for his “happy songs with sad words,” Kayko has played 100+ independently booked shows across the country, captivating audiences with his introspective lyrics and energetic performances. He’d like to thank his Mom & Dad, Morgan from Resolute, his Nashville found family, and the Kaykrew! To join the party, follow @kaykomusic