Cast |

Cast

2021: Little B’s Broadway

Special thanks to our ASL interpreters Candace Davider, Kimberly Seward, and Lisa Dennett.

Becca Yuré (Little B) is a singer, actress, dancer, songwriter, and member of Actors Equity Association. During the pandemic, she has adapted her live theatre writing to reach people on the screen. Connecting people through their love of theatre in an accessible community has inspired new ways to be inclusive, capturing diverse audiences through access and on screen representation. Both Little B’s Big Idea and Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays for TDF’s Autism Friendly Performances were well received by international audiences. Her original (live theatre) musical, Little B’s Big Holiday Wish, a sensory-friendly musical was performed in NYC, welcoming a diverse audience to experience musical theatre in a supportive, inclusive environment. Please stay connected: Facebook: @LittleBWorld Instagram: @LittleBWorld Twitter: @LittleBTweets

Debra Walton (Shanay) is THRILLED to be reunited Little B on her next adventure! Little B’s BROADWAY! She is truly honored to be creating the voice of B’s friend Shanay! Just like Shanay, Debra loves musicals and performing. Debra is currently the Associate Director for the new hit Broadway play Thoughts Of A Colored Man! Favorite credits include playing the cast of Mr.Joy! A one woman 9 character show written by Daniel Beaty. Tv & Streaming, Dr Death, HARLEM, Blue Bloods, Law& Order SVU. Broadway: Pajama Game, Street Corner Symphony. Off Broadway: Cookin’ at the Cookery The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter, in which Debra created her award winning roles, earning her a Drama Desk Nomination and a Barrymore Award, & Bubbly Black Girl. National Tours: Annie Get Your Gun and Chicago, playing multiple roles including Mama Morton! For more fun facts about Debra check her out on Instagram @Debwaltonhill Twitter @DebWaltonActs

Sierra Rein (Ensemble/Street Singer/Broadway Star) is a California native with established roots in New York City soil, and has performed in cabaret and musical theater across the U.S. Favorite roles include Mrs. Snoring Man in White Christmas (Ogunquit Playhouse), Second Soprano in Master Class (Odyssey Theater), and Angel City Four Alto/Donna-Oolie understudy in City of Angels (Goodspeed). She has also been seen waving wands and tentacles as certain cartoon Godmothers and tentacled divas for Disney Cruise Line. Winner of 2018 MAC and Bistro Awards for her debut show, Running in Place.”When at home, she shares a love of sci-fi and sushi with her husband and two cats. Upcoming: The Maples short film. www.sierrarein.com

Christopher deProphetis (Leading Man) Most recently Christopher was seen with Alice Ripley in Sunset Boulevard at North Shore Music Theatre. Tours: South Pacific (1st National/ Lincoln Center), Rent (10th Anniversary), Miss Saigon. Favorite Regional: Henry Ford in Ragtime (TUTS), Frank Jr in Saturday Night Fever (Riverside), Francis in Forever Plaid (Walnut Street), Cable in South Pacific (Delaware Theatre Co.), Jerry in The Full Monty (Human Race Theatre Co.), Emmett in Legally Blonde (Westchester B’way), and a few productions as Chris in Miss Saigon. TV: Disney’s Encore! Upcoming: Jersey Boys at Maltz Jupiter. Christopher is a graduate of the Guildford School of Acting in England.

Linda Moshier (Leading Lady) coming soon!

James Patterson (Ensemble) Most recent credits include Don Quixote/Cervantes in Man of LaMancha at Stages St. Louis, Georges in La Cage Aux Folles at the Riverside Theatre Company and Pioneer Theatre Company, and Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Theatre Under The Stars. James has appeared in the Broadway and National Touring productions of Gigi (Dufresne), Mary Poppins (Park Keeper), The Drowsy Chaperone, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Beast, Gaston, and Lumiere understudy), Cats (Munkustrap), and State Fair. Website: jamespattersontheactor.com

Candace Davider (ASL Interpreter) is originally from California and relocated to New York City 15 years ago. She enjoys the vibrant arts culture here in New York City. Candace has been a Sign Language Interpreter for 25 years She enjoys working with people from all cultures and abilities in any and all environments. She has a particular love and passion for the Arts and how it intersects with disabilities. It is always an honor to provide access in these spaces.

Lisa Dennett (ASL Interpreter, Actress) is an actress and singer who just happens to also be a certified interpreter. She is a member of Actors Equity Association as well as SAG-AFTRA and both National and local levels of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Lisa is also passionate about arts education and is a co-founder of the Arts For All Abilities Consortium. www.LisaDennett.com

Sharon Halley (Director/Choreographer) staged the original New York production of Jerry’s Girls and the national tour with Carol Channing, Leslie Uggams and Andrea McArdle. Other New York credits include The New Moon, The Desert Song, The Merry Widow (all at New York City Opera) and Elizabeth and Essex, starring Estelle Parsons. She choreographed the national tour of Carousel (with Rex Smith) and has staged numerous productions at some of the country’s finest theatres, including Paper Mill Playhouse, Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento, Kansas City Starlight, Theatre Under the Stars, Fifth Avenue Theatre, McCarter Theatre, and the Walnut Street Theater. PBS filmed her productions of Show Boat, The Merry Widow and The New Moon for Great Performances.

Phil Hall (Musical Director) On Broadway, he was the conductor for Play Me A Country Song and was the associate conductor for the revival of Mame, which starred Angela Lansbury. Phil was also the musical director and conductor for dozens of productions including Phantom, the national tour of Cats, Side By Side By Sondheim, The Merry Widow, 42nd Street, The Desert Song and The Wizard of Oz. Throughout the United States his work was featured at such renown venues as the Kennedy Center, the Paper Mill Playhouse, Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars, Houston’s Theatre Under The Stars, Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre and the Michigan Opera Theatre. He also wrote Matthew Passion, a play with music presented in 2005 at the Chernuchin Theater in New York City. Phil was also the musical director and conductor for dozens of productions including Phantom, the national tour of Cats, Side By Side By Sondheim, The Merry Widow, 42nd Street, The Desert Song and The Wizard of Oz. Throughout the United States his work was featured at such renown venues as the Kennedy Center, the Paper Mill Playhouse, Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars, Houston’s Theatre Under The Stars, Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre and the Michigan Opera Theatre. He also wrote Matthew Passion, a play with music presented in 2005 at the Chernuchin Theater in New York City.

Siân Bowman (Illustrator) of Little B Books, Little B’s Broadway, Little B’s Big Idea, and Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays lives in the countryside of Herefordshire, England with her husband and two young children. Originally from Wales, with an MA in Fine Art from Aberystwyth University she became a Freelance Illustrator In 2012. She has created artwork for many picture books, book covers, educational books, editorials, card designs and prints. Sian is experienced at weaving fantasy into real settings and is in her element working on projects with imagination and children at their heart. Sian is also passionate about promoting creativity and arts in health in the community. She spent some years working for Mind Aberystwyth as an arts facilitator and has enjoyed running many art classes for children. www.sianbowman.com

2021: Little B’s Big Idea

Becca Yuré (Little B) is a singer, actress, dancer, songwriter, and member of Actors Equity Association. Recently, she had the pleasure of writing and performing Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays for TDF’s Autism Friendly Performances. While she enjoys writing and performing for both adult and children, engaging in these artforms in accessible, inclusive, judgement-free environments which welcome EVERY body is particularly meaningful as she aims to elevate all voices and people through inclusion in music and theatre. Her original musical, Little B’s Big Holiday Wish, a sensory-friendly musical was performed in NYC, welcoming a diverse audience to experience musical theatre in a supportive, inclusive environment. As a performer, favorite musical theatre credits include Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Amalia is She Loves Me, Florence in Chess, Lili in Carnival, Gigi in Gigi, Eve in The Apple Tree, and Martha in The Secret Garden. She sung on The Tonight Show, performed at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles Music Center, the La Jolla Playhouse, and throughout the U.S. on national tours. Please stay connected: Facebook: @LittleBWorld @BeccaYureMusic Instagram: @LittleBWorld Twitter: @LittleBTweets @BeccaYureMusic

Trishia Turiano (Mia) made her New York debut as Joanie in the revival of Rodgers & Hart’s Too Many Girls. A long-time member of Actor’s Equity Association she has appeared Off-Broadway and regionally in numerous productions including performances at Ford’s Theatre, Theater By The Sea, The Zipper Theatre, Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret, and The Kennedy Center. Favorite roles include Lily Garland in On the 20th Century, Bonnie in Anything Goes, and Ruby in Dames at Sea. She is artist/owner of VELVET FARM a fiber arts shop.

Debra Walton (Shanay) is THRILLED to be joining Little B’s Big Idea and honored to be creating the voice of B’s friend Shanay! Just like Shanay, Debra loves musicals and performing. Favorite credits include playing the cast of Mr.Joy! A one woman 9 character show written by Daniel Beaty. Tv’s: Dr Death, Blue Bloods, Law& Order SVU. Broadway: Pajama Game, Street Corner Symphony. Off Broadway: Cookin’ at the Cookery The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter, in which Debra created her award winning roles, earning her a Drama Desk Nomination and a Barrymore Award, & Bubbly Black Girl. National Tours: Annie Get Your Gun and Chicago, playing multiple roles including Mama Morton! For more fun facts about Debra check her out on Instagram @Debwaltonhill Twitter @DebWaltonActs http://www.risingstarstalent.com/debra-walton/

Chandler Weston Long (Puppeteer) Long Regional: Avenue Q (CT Critics’ Circle Award and BroadwayWorld CT Award nominations). New York: The Laramie Project, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (Original Off-Broadway Case), All Hallow’s Eve. National Tour: MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS, JOHN TARTAGLIA’S IMAGINOCEAN. Elsewhere: Alien Vs. Musical (NY Theater Festival), Beyond The Light (Philadelphia Fringe). Puppetry credits include on Sesame Street and with The Muppets. Actor’s Equity member. www.WestonLong.com @WestonCLong

Siân Bowman (Illustrator) of Little B Books, Little B’s Big Idea, Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays, and all Little B promotional graphics, lives in the countryside of Herefordshire, England with her husband and two young children. Originally from Wales, with an MA in Fine Art from Aberystwyth University she became a Freelance Illustrator In 2012. She has created artwork for many picture books, book covers, educational books, editorials, card designs and prints. Sian is experienced at weaving fantasy into real settings and is in her element working on projects with imagination and children at their heart. Sian is also passionate about promoting creativity and arts in health in the community. She spent some years working for Mind Aberystwyth as an arts facilitator and has enjoyed running many art classes for children. www.sianbowman.com

ASL Interpreters: Candace Davider, Kimberly Seward, Lisa Dennett

2020: Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays

Becca Yuré (Little B) is a singer, actress, dancer, songwriter, and member of Actors Equity Association. Before COVID, she enjoyed singing original music all around NYC. She has written and performed for both adult and children’s audiences. Her original musical, Little B’s Big Holiday Wish, a sensory-friendly musical was performed in NYC, welcoming a diverse audience to experience musical theatre in a supportive, inclusive environment. As a performer, favorite musical theatre credits include Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Amalia is She Loves Me, Florence in Chess, Lili in Carnival, Gigi in Gigi, Eve in The Apple Tree, and Martha in The Secret Garden. She sung on The Tonight Show, performed at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles Music Center, the La Jolla Playhouse, and throughout the U.S. on national tours. Twitter: @LittleBTweets @BeccaYureMusic Facebook: @LittleBWorld @BeccaYureMusic Instagram: @LittleBWorld

Ricky Dain Jones (Santa) is a New York based actor and has been working as a professional Santa Claus for the past 5 years. He also enjoys being the Lead Supervisor for TKTS Patron Services and has been a familiar face welcoming families to TDF’s Autism Friendly Performances for over 8 years. He is a graduate of Virginia’s Governors School For The Performing Arts and holds a BFA in Theatre from Shenandoah University. Ricky was last seen as Amos in Virginia Musical Theatre’s production of Chicago. Other favorite credits include Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened…Forum, Henry Clay in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Terpicore in Xanadu, Uncle Ernie in The Who’s Tommy, Skip in Jeffrey, John Hinckley in Assassins, as well as ensemble roles in Miss Saigon and Titanic.

Francesca MacAaron (Mom) is a proud native New Yorker. Created the role of Little B’s Mom in “Little B’s Big Holiday Wish” and she’s delighted to make a little cameo voice appearance in this new adventure. Other favorite theater roles include Angelina in “Adios Tropicana” at the Public Theater, Anais in “La Belle Helene” at Amas, Lana Sheridan in “Best Foot Forward” at New London Barn, Nimue in “Camelot” at Cooperstown Theater Festival, and Prudence, the wacky Parisian milliner, in the NYC revival of Charles Ludlam’s “Camille.” Cabaret and nightclub appearances include Tatou Supper Club, The Bitter End, The Duplex, China Club, CBGB’s, and the Hard Rock Café in Paris. Francesca still co-writes and performs her original rock/pop music with her brother, Davy Mack: https://soundcloud.com/yesfrancesca.
Happy Holidays to all!

Sierra Rein (Voicemail Voice) has been a fan of audio since Sound Design 101 at UCLA, Sierra loves podcasts and audio storytelling. She can be heard on home-recorded episodes of “Bite-Sized Broadway: a mini-Musical Podcast,” and is the new audio editor of the “Horror Movie Survival Guide” Podcast. She’s a regional musical theater performer (Ogunquit, Goodspeed Opera, Fullerton CLO) who has waved tentacles, swords, and wands for Disney Cruise Line on the high seas. In the New York City area, Sierra is a puppeteer, past winner of MAC and Bistro Cabaret awards, and always posts a lot of cat and sci-fi-themed photos online @sierrarein.

Frenchetta Perez Kilpatrick is an American Sign Language Interpreter who graduated from the ASL-English Interpretation Program at Laguardia Community College. Kilpatrick is also a native-language user of American Sign Language (CODA) and works within the K-12 Educational Interpreting setting. When she’s not interpreting in a classroom, Kilpatrick enjoys the theatre and has interpreted the Book of Mormon, The Play That Goes Wrong, Frozen and Be More Chill. Frenchetta is honored to be a part of TDF’s special performance of “Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays.”

Siân Bowman (Illustrator) of Little B Books, Little B’s bedroom in Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays, and all Little B promotional graphics, lives in the countryside of Herefordshire, England with her husband and two young children. Originally from Wales, with an MA in Fine Art from Aberystwyth University she became a Freelance Illustrator In 2012. She has created artwork for many picture books, book covers, educational books, editorials, card designs and prints. Sian is experienced at weaving fantasy into real settings and is in her element working on projects with imagination and children at their heart. Sian is also passionate about promoting creativity and arts in health in the community. She spent some years working for Mind Aberystwyth as an arts facilitator and has enjoyed running many art classes for children. www.sianbowman.com

2015: Little B’s Big Holiday Wish

Becca Yuré (Little B) is a singer / songwriter / actor / dancer and works with children who have special needs. Becca is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Favorite theatrical credits include Florence in Chess, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Amalia in She Loves Me, and Martha in The Secret Garden. She has sung on The Tonight Show, performed at Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles Music Center, La Jolla Playhouse, in touring theatre productions, and original music at venues throughout NYC.

Francesca MacAaron (Mom) was recently seen creating the role of Ellis the mermaid in Marc McBarron Kessler’s cabaret musical Naked Arcade. Favorite theater roles include Angelina in “Adios Tropicana” at the Public Theater, Anais in “La Belle Helene” at Amas Rep, Lana Sheridan in “Best Foot Forward” at New London Barn, and Prudence in the revival of Charles Ludlam’s “Camille.” Her cabaret and nightclub appearances include Tatou Supper Club, The Bitter End, The Duplex, China Club, CBGB’s, and the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris. Forming her first rock band at the age of fifteen, Francesca still co-writes and records her original pop/rock music with her brother, Davy Mack

Michael McKenzie (Dad) is an accomplished performer. Credits include: Broadway– Waiting in the Wings, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Eastern Standard. Off Broadway– Kari Floren’s If Wishes Were Horses, A Late Supper, Voices of Swords. Tour- Two seasons with John Houseman’s ‘The Acting Company’. Extensive Regional Theatre appearances. TV/Film- House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Blacklist, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Law & Order, All My Children, One Life to Live, and many episodes of Babylon 5.

Mandy Brown (Mia) is excited to be performing in Little B’s Big Holiday Wish with her fellow cast members. She has also performed as The Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Woman One in Songs for a New World, and in the ensemble of Le nozze de Figaro and Fiddler on the Roof. She is a proud member of The Philhallmonics and has also performed several self written cabarets around NYC. Brown has a degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and moved from her small Ohio town to the big city in 2007. It is in NYC where she met her amazingly supportive husband, Luke and gave birth to her crazy, adorable 2 year old daughter, Annabelle. She is a lover of music, crafting, reading and watching romantic comedies. Brown would like to thank Becca for including her in this innovative performance.

Reed Prescott (Leading Man) has performed on Broadway and Regional stages across the country. Some of his favorite roles have been Miles in Loose Knit (Theresa Rebeck), Clifford in Deathtrap (Ira Levin), Cody in Trust (Steven Dietz), Brat in Advice From A Caterpillar (Douglas Carter Beane), Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Stephen Sondheim) and Mordred in Camelot (Lerner and Loewe). Reed now owns several businesses and is happily retired from the business of show (except when good friends, like Becca Yure, call, then he will make a few exceptions), but would gladly come out of retirement to play King George in any production of HAMILTON (Lin-Manuel Miranda) ever.

CREATIVES

Becca Yuré (Composer/Lyricist/Book) the creator of this show, is a singer / songwriter / actor / dancer and works with children who have special needs. She supports children individually providing behavior analytic services as well as in Buddy Club, her social skills groups. In addition, Becca consults with Theatre Development Fund’s Autism Theatre Initiative as their Lead Autism Specialist to enable children with special needs and their families to attend Broadway shows. Becca has sung on The Tonight Show as well as performed at Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles Music Center, LaJolla Playhouse, and has toured in theatre productions across the U.S. She has performed original music at venues throughout NYC.

Star Theodos Kahn (Set Designer) is a production designer and Emmy Award winning art director, who has worked in television, film, concerts and events. She is a member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829. Production design projects include the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon in New York City; Fuse Presents Elton John and Leon Russell at the Beacon Theater in NYC; Taylor Swift Speak Now concert special for NBC; VH1 Storytellers for various artists including T.I, Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, Kanye West and ZZ Top; MTV Video Music Awards Pre-Show. Her recent art direction projects include the Emmy Award winning 2008 MTV Video Music Awards; The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25^th Anniversary Concert on HBO; VH1 Rock Honors, Divas and Hip Hop Honors; NBC The TODAY Show, 9/11 World Trade Center Commemoration Ceremony in NYC; and Shine a Light, a concert film featuring The Rolling Stones directed by Martin Scorcese.