LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Meet the Cast
KRISTIN BRINTHALL (Audrey u/s) is thrilled to be returning to Skid Row here at the Mercury Theater Chicago! Regional credits include Little Shop of Horrors at Drury Lane Theatre; Mamma Mia at Maples Repertory Theatre; Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Sister Act (Mary Robert), Junie B. Jones (Junie B. Jones), The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls, Plain and Fancy, A Christmas Story, and Fiddler on the Roof at The Round Barn Theatre; Big Fish at Big Noise Theatre; and Next Thing You Know at Steel Beam Theatre. A proud graduate of Millikin University, some of her favorite collegiate credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and The Addams Family (Alice Beineke). Kristin would like to thank Mercury Theater Chicago for this wonderful opportunity. Endless gratitude to Mom and Eric, Dad, the siblings, and David for all of your love and support.
KRISTIN BRINTHALL
MARK DAVID KAPLAN* (Mr. Mushnik) happily makes his Mercury Theatre debut. He is the recipient of three Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work in Les Misérables, Ragtime and Forbidden Broadway, the latter with which he has toured internationally and performed off-Broadway. Other credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank (People’s Light and Theatre Company), Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane), The Mystery of Love and Sex (Writer’s Theatre), Mary Zimmerman’s Wonderful Town (Goodman), Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues), Hairspray (Syracuse Stage), Fiddler of the Roof (Pioneer Theatre Company), Amadeus (Indiana Rep), We Three Lizas (About Face Theatre), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Drury Lane Water Tower/James Lapine, dir.), Man of La Mancha (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks), and countless premieres with Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott and Skylight Theatres. National tour credits include Forbidden Broadway, I Love You,You’re Perfect, Now Change and Zazu in The Lion King. A proud member of Actors’ Equity since 1986, Mark has served as a National Councilor and presently sits on the Central Regional Board. He loves everybody.
MARK DAVID KAPLAN
ADHANA REID (Ronnette) is a recent graduate of Northwestern University where she focused on studying musical theatre and marketing. She is thrilled to be making her debut at Mercury Theater Chicago with this talented cast and crew of Little Shop of Horrors. Chicago credits include Fantastic Mr. Fox (Emerald City Theatre); Eclipsed (Pegasus Theatre); Big River (Theatre at the Center); Stick Fly, Sweet Charity (Northwestern University); and Spring Awakening (Marriott Theatre). Follow her on Instagram at uhh_dah_nuh and at adhanareid.com
ADHANA REID
RYAN STAJMIGER (Seymour u/s) is thrilled to return to Mercury Theater Chicago after appearing on the Venus Cabaret stage in Company (David), The Christmas Schooner (Rudy), and The Producers. A graduate of CCPA at Roosevelt University, Ryan has worked with companies in Chicago including Chicago Shakespeare, Drury Lane, Route 66, Porchlight, Lifeline and Circle as well as Skylight Music Theater in Milwaukee. Ryan is currently a member of the Four Seasons tribute The Four C Notes.
RYAN STAJMIGER
SAM WOODS (Audrey II - Puppet) is overjoyed to be returning to Mercury Theater Chicago after spending time with them on Avenue Q understudying Princeton and Nicky! Some of his favorite regional credits include: Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! (Crane River Theatre Co.); Warner in Legally Blonde: The Musical (Paul Bunyan Playhouse); Mercutio in an immersive re-telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Jamie Wyeth in Nureyev's Eyes, both with Bluebarn Theater. When not performing theatre, Sam can be found improvising with his team Hero's Journey or writing his next play or sketch. More at sam-woods.com.
SAM WOODS
SHANTEL CRIBBS (Chiffon) is excited to make her Mercury Theater Chicago debut. Chicago credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl, Ensemble, Babette u/s) at Drury Lane Theatre; Memphis (Ethel, Ensemble, Felicia u/s, Jeff nominated) at Porchlight Music Theatre; Marie Christine (Women 2, Beatrice, Marie Christine u/s, Jeff nominated) at BoHo Theatre; Hairspray (Dynamite) at Windy City Music Theatre. Shantel worked with Chet Walker at The School at Jacob’s Pillow where she performed in A Jazz Happening at Ted Shawn Theatre. Shantel is a proud Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit alum. Shantel received her BFA degree in musical theatre performance from Columbia College Chicago in 2017. Shantel is blessed to have the chance to inspire others. See her work at shantelcribbs.net and follow Shantel on Instagram at @shanydrenee.
SHANTEL CRIBBS
NICOLE LAMBERT (Crystal) Nicole Lambert is thrilled to be making her Mercury debut. Her favorite Chicago credits include: Sour Kangaroo in Seussical (Marriott Theater); Ensemble in Memphis (Porchlight Music Theater); Daniella u/s and Ensemble in In the Heights (Porchlight Music Theater); Jennifer in Creatives (Chicago Workshop Theater); Peggy in Godspell (St. Sebastian Players); Mimi in Rent (Bright Side Theater); Carmen in Fame the Musical (Real Clear Theater). Nicole received her training from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She would like to thank her family and friends for their fierce support. www.nicoleklambert.com. Follow Nicole on Instagram at @nila_kay.
NICOLE LAMBERT
DAVID SAJEWICH* (Dr. Orin, Everyone Else) is excited to be making his Mercury Theater Chicago debut after appearing as Bobby in the Venus Cabaret’s inaugural production of Company. Working throughout the Midwest, some select credits include: A Wonderful Life, All Shook Up (Theatre at the Center); The Pajama Game (Music Theatre Company); Oklahoma, Mamma Mia (Stages St. Louis); A Wonderful Life, All Shook Up, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Once Upon a Mattress, Legally Blonde (Fireside Theatre). David also appeared as Ash in the National Tour of Evil Dead: The Musical. Thanks to Walter and Eugene for having me back. Also, thanks to my family, teachers, and fiancé Haley, for the love and support. See his work at www.davidsaje.com.
DAVID SAJEWICH
DANA TRETTA* (Audrey) returns to the Mercury Theater Chicago, having last appeared as Gilda Radner in Bunny Bunny. Other Chicago theatre credits include work with TimeLine Theatre (In the Next Room, or the vibrator play, Fiorello!); Paramount Theatre (Hair, A Christmas Story); About Face Theatre (The Homosexuals, We Three Lizas); Porchlight Music Theatre (A Class Act, Mack and Mabel); Marriott Theatre (Wizard of Oz, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown); Writers Theater (The Frog Prince); Route 66 Theatre (High Fidelity); Griffin Theatre (Company); Theo Ubique (Cabaret, Some Enchanted Evening); The House Theatre (Rose and the Rime); and Boho Theatre (The Glorious Ones, Pippin - Non-Equity Jeff Award). Dana is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Thanks to Walter and Eugene for trusting her once more.
DANA TRETTA
RENEISHA JENKINS* (Chiffon u/s, Crystal u/s, Ronnette u/s) is excited to work with Mercury Theater as Assistant to the Choreographer and Urchin Swing for Little Shop of Horrors. She recently served as Assistant Choreographer for Memphis (Porchlight Music Theater). Other recent dance theatre credits include Dance Captain for Porchlight's production of Dreamgirls, Dance Captain for Paramount's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Dance Captain for Theatre at the Center's Annie Warbucks, Assistant Choreographer for The Wiz at South Bend's Civic Theatre and Choreographer for Seussical for CMC in Peoria, IL. Other external dance credits include Head Coach for Bradley University Dance Team and Founder and Choreographer of NFINIT Hip Hop Dance Troupe. Thanks to Chris for the opportunity to work with you again. Love you Bro!
RENEISHA JENKINS
RENELLE NICOLE (Crystal) is delighted to be joining Mercury Theatre Chicago! Some of her most recent theatre credits include Gospel at Colonus (Court Theatre Gala Performance); Gypsy (Porchlight Music Theatre); A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle (Black Ensemble Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar - Soul Girl (Paramount Theatre); and Last Dancer Standing (Black Ensemble Theater). She began her professional acting career at 5yrs old, later starring in her first musical production at American Girls Theatre as Addy. TV credits include a recurring role on Empire(Fox), Chicago Fire(NBC), and First Dates(NBC). She proudly received her B.A. from the Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She would like to thank Gray Talent, her friends and family for their love & support, and the #VBs. All glory to God! (Stay connected @renellenicole)
RENELLE NICOLE
JOE SAVINO (Mr. Mushnik u/s) is thrilled to be making his debut at The Mercury Theatre. He also regularly performs at another venue on Southport, The Music Box Theatre, where he has been the pre-show emcee for their popular Sing-A-Longs and Christmas Shows for the past 18 years. Additionally, Joe has been a theatre teacher for 34 years. First, for the Chicago Park District, where he received a Kathy Osterman Award (the Oscars of city workers) for Outstanding Education Employee of the Year from Mayor Richard M. Daley for his public service to the City of Chicago in 1998. Second, for The Theatre of Western Springs where he has served on Faculty for 18 years and currently works. Joe has performed on many stages in the Chicago area: Drury Lane, Timeline, The Royal George, Circle Theatre, The Jedlicka Arts Center, The Raue Center For The Performing Arts, The Theatre of Western Springs. T.V Credits: Chicago Fire, The Beast with Patrick Swayze, Leverage, The Oprah Winfrey Show, MTV with Kathy Griffin, Film Credits: Chicago Overcoat, Eagle Eye, The Cache. He is a proud member of SAG.
JOE SAVINO
A.D. WEAVER (Audrey II – Voice u/s) is thrilled to be returning to the Mercury after appearing in last year’s revival of Avenue Q (Gary Coleman u/s). Selected Chicago credits include: Court Theatre (Five Guys Named Moe); Black Ensemble Theater (Teddy Pendergrass Story); eta Creative Arts (Migration - World Premiere). Other regional credits: Park Playhouse (Ragtime); Children’s Theater of Madison (Edward Tulane); Cardinal Stage Company (A Year with Frog and Toad); NIETF Foundation (Ragtime); Ross Music Theater (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden, The Music Man). To my village, thank you for being small but MIGHTY! 29:11 Keep the Faith! A.D. is represented by Gray Talent Group. Follow him on Instagram at @adeontaiii.
AD WEAVER
CHRISTOPHER KALE JONES* (Seymour) is thrilled to be making his acting debut at Mercury Theater Chicago, revisiting a role he first tackled at famed Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. Perhaps best known for playing Frankie Valli in the 1st National Tour of Jersey Boys (including a Tonight Show appearance), Chris's other favorite roles include Chris in Miss Saigon (Foothills Theatre), Sebastian in Twelfth Night (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre) and Mercury in Olympus on my Mind (Bristol Riverside Theatre). Chicago-area credits include: Miracle on 34th St. (Theatre at the Center), The Ballad of Little Jo (Steppenwolf), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), The King and I and 2018’s Jeff-award winning production of Ragtime (Marriott Theatre). Also, a recording artist, Chris recorded four albums and toured internationally with his former band, PBS sensation Under the Streetlamp. Chris is a graduate of Northwestern, a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, and thankful to be partnered with Gray Talent Group. Love to his wife and original Audrey, actress Jenna Coker-Jones, and of course to his little Audrey II, daughter Presley Rose Jones. Last year, Chris partnered with Mercury Theater Chicago to record his latest album DARIN: Live at the Mercury, a celebration of the hits of Bobby Darin, which is now on sale in the lobby! More at christopherkalejones.com and @chriskalejones.
CHRIS KALE JONES
TOMMY NOVAK* (Mr. Mushnik) is excited to be making their Mercury Theater Chicago debut with Little Shop of Horrors after returning from an international directorial debut in Jinan, China, where they directed a production of Peter Pan, and embarking on a tour of China with a production of Seussical. Select Chicago credits include: Hairspray (Skylight Music Theater); Do Re Mi and Billy Elliot (Porchlight) and Robin Hood at First Stage. Tommy is proudly represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. Follow Tommy on Instagram at @tommy.j.novak.
TOMMY NOVAK
DEREK SELF (Orin u/s, Puppeteer u/s) is thrilled to return to Mercury Theater Chicago after playing Peter in “Company” in the Venus Cabaret space. Other Chicago credits include "Woman of the Year," (Porchlight Music Theatre) “Candide,” “Peter Pan,” (Music Theater Works) and “The Fires of Nero” (Collaboraction Theatre). Derek is a member the iO Theater house team “First Beat” and performs around the city with his band, Prom Night Perm. He composes and produces original music in his home recording studio. He's grateful for the support of his family and friends - thanks for your love and guidance!
DEREK SELF
JONAH WINSTON* (Audrey II - Voice) is overjoyed to be returning to The Mercury Theatre Chicago where he was recently seen as Trekkie Monster in the Mercury's smash hit production of Avenue Q! Fresh off of his performance as Little John in The Cleveland Playhouse's production of Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood in Cleveland, Ohio, some of Jonah's favorite Chicago credits include: Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre), the Maître d' in The Merry Widow (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and Newt Lee/Riley in Parade (Writers Theatre). Jonah has also worked regionally at The Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Green House Theatre, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Porchlight Music Theatre, American Blues Theatre, and Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre. Television and Voice Over credits include: Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Senor Wolley, Skittles, Kool Aid, and Nestle. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jonah holds duel bachelor's degrees in Theatre Performance and Vocal Music from the Butler University Jordan College of the Arts, as well as a Master of Letters Degree from the Flinders University Drama Center in Adelaide, South Australia. Thank you to Walter, Eugene, and everyone at the Mercury for giving me the opportunity to sing a dream role, and to A.L.W. for always giving me somewhere that's green! I dedicate my performance to my mother, Pamela Suellen Gray, who is watching her little boy live out his dream from above. I love you Mama and you are with me, always.
JONAH WINSTON