Cast and Creative

The Cast

DAVIS GAINES (Hannibal Lecter)

Broadway/National Tours: The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul and The Phantom/over 2,000 performances), Whistle Down the Wind, Camelot (w/Richard Burton), Hello, Dolly! (w/Carol Channing), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (w/Alexis Smith). Off-Broadway: The Death of Von Richthofen (The Public), One Two Three Four Five (Manhattan Theatre Club), Assassins (Playwrights Horizons), The Boys from Syracuse (Encores), Forbidden Broadway. Regional: Spamalot, Man of La Mancha, 1776 (Musical Theatre West), Parade (Mark Taper Forum), Side by Side by Sondheim (Pasadena Playhouse), Damn Yankees (George Abbott, dir.), Arsenic and Old Lace (w/Kate Reid), The Rink (w/Lainie Kazan), Two Into One (w/Tony Randall). Other: Sweeney Todd (Reprise, NY Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony). Film: Warlock: The Armageddon. TV: “Desperate Housewives,” “Charmed,” “Chicago Hope,” “Veronica’s Closet,” “Bodies of Evidence,” and “Murder, She Wrote.”
www.davisgaines.com

CHRISTINE LAKIN ( Clarice Starling )

Christine is thrilled to bring the magic of SILENCE! to the west coast. While best known for her role on “Step By Step”, you can currently see her on her Hulu mockumentary, “Lovin’ Lakin” and as a judge on the YouTube competition show “Internet Icon.” She is voice of news anchor Joyce Kinney on “Family Guy” and is featured this winter in FOX’s “Parental Guidance” opposite Bette Midler and Billy Crystal. She is a proud member of the brilliantly lowbrow Troubadour Theater Company (Ovation – Best Season) and is also the creator/producer of the storytelling show “Worst Audition Ever.” Love and fava beans to M&D. Theater: Dog Sees God (LA Weekly Award), As U2 Like It (Ovation/LADCC nom), The Breakup Notebook (Ovation nom), Zanna Don’t (Ovation/LADCC nom), Wrong Turn at Lungfish (with Hector Elizondo). TV/Film: “Stevie TV,” “Melissa & Joey,” “Valentine’s Day,” “New Years Eve,” “You Again, Georgia Rule,” “Reefer Madness.”
www.christine-lakin.com @yolakin

STEPHEN VAN DORN – (Jame Gumb/Buffalo Bill)

Stepping into someone else’s skin can be exciting, but it takes mad sewing skills. Stephen recentlycompleted work on the features A Chance of Rain, opposite Matt Lanter, and Turnaround Jake, (both due in 2013). In 2012 he garnered awards for his turn as Trissotin in Actors Co-op’s The Learned Ladies, a theatre company of which he has been a proud member for 14 years. In addition to wearing skin, Stephen also wears hats. He recently directed the vampire mockumentary B-Positive, and occasionally likes to eat. He once ate at a booth near the cast of Home Improvement at Bob’s Big Boy. www.stephenvandorn.net

KATHY DEITCH ( Catherine Martin )

made her LA acting debut at the Hollywood Bowl in Rent directed by Neil Patrick Harris. Broadway credits include: Wicked (original company), Footloose (original Urleen); Hair at both City Center’s Encores! and European tour (Crissy) directed by James Rado. She appeared on “The Big C” with Oliver Platt and in Loft opposite “Modern Family’s” Eric Stonestreet due for release next year. Online, she stars in the webseries “Project: Phoenix” and her blog Cool Girl is Dead has reached thousands; it has been presented as a solo-performance reading in both NY & LA. She is a facebook whore and will probably accept your friendship if you ask. “Thanks to Gattelli for asking!!”

JEFF HILLER ( Sgt. Pembr y)

Jeff is excited to be back in SILENCE! after originating this role in the NY Fringe and Off-Broadway. Broadway: Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. NYC: BBAJ (Public Theatre), Awesome 80’s Prom (Original Cast), Showgirls: The Best Movie Ever Made. Ever. (UCB), The Children (NYMF Performance Award), Baby Wants Candy. Regional: Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas (Goodspeed), Lil’ Abner (Goodspeed). Film: Morning Glory, Ghost Town, Adam, Gods Behaving Badly, Littlest Tin Man, That Thing with the Cat. TV: “30 Rock” (twice), “Community.” “L&O: CI,” “Ugly Betty,” “NTSF,” “Boiling Points,” “Teenage … Turtles.,” “Starved,” “Late Night,” “Guiding Light,” and many commercials. Jeff is a performer and teacher with the UCB Theatre. For Neil.

ALAINE KASHIAN (Female Standby)

Broadway: Cats, The Times They Are A-Changin’.  National Tours: Cats, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar.  Vegas: We Will Rock You, Destination Unknown (my rock band!).  Regional: Spring Awakening, Can Can, Love Sweet Love, Nightmare Alley.  Web Comedy: Single Ladies Pregnant Redhead, The Call Center, Zombie Baby.  Film: The Last Vial, Guess Who I Saw Today.  TV: “Carmen Sandiego,” “Cavemen.”  Current: The Dreams in the Witch House.  Love to Mat, Linc & Cael.  Thanks, Silly Philly!  www.alainekashian.com

Andy Umberger ( Jack Crawford )

Broadway: PASSION; CITY OF ANGELS and COMPANY. Off-Broadway: Manhattan Theatre Club; LaMama ETC; Triangle Theatre Co. and the workshop of MARIE CHRISTINE. Nat’l Tour: GUYS & DOLLS. Los Angeles: 1776 (Musical Theatre West); WONDERFUL TOWN (Reprise) and PAINT YOUR WAGON (Geffen). Regional credits include Huntington Theatre Company, Old Globe Theatre, American Shaw Festival, Virginia Stage Company, and Actor’s Rep. Film credits include: UNSTOPPABLE; THE RUM DIARY; DÉJÀ VU; NINE LIVES; FIRST DAUGHTER; S.W.A.T and the upcoming DARK SKIES. TV: Numerous guest stars (including N.C.I.S: LA, RAISING HOPE, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, CASTLE, WEEDS, BONES, C.S.I.) with recurring roles on MAD MEN, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, BOSTON LEGAL, THE WEST WING, and as D’Hoffryn on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. Andy is also Coroner Carruthers in the video game, L.A. NOIRE.

LA TOYA LONDON (Ardelia Mapp)

was a finalist on “American Idol” Season 3. After which, she released her debut album called Love & Life (now available online). London later found her love for theatre, landing the roles of “Nettie” in the Broadway’s National Tour of The Color Purple, and also “Shug” in a Los Angeles production of the same. La Toya is delighted to be apart of SILENCE! The Musical. She would like to thank her family and beloved fans for their continued support.

MELISSA SANDVIG (Dream Clarice)

Melissa trained at Long Beach Ballet from the age of five and worked with Los Angeles Classical Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Los Angeles Opera, and Helios Dance Theater. She is most known as the “Naughty Ballerina” from Season 5 of “So You Think You Can Dance” where she made it to the top 3 girls. She guest starred on “Glee,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Americas Got Talent,” “Mobbed,” “Hart of Dixie,” and online with LXD, DS2tudio, EHow and Healthy Power TV. She did motion capture work for Puss in Boots and Madagascar 3. Melissa is certified in Pilates and is happily married to the love of her life.

Jeff Skowron ( Dr. Chilton )

Jeff co-created and stars in “Greg and Donny,” a sitcom about life in small town Pennsylvania. The show landed a development deal with IFC at the New York Television Festival and the pilot was directed and produced by Troy Miller. Film: New York City Serenade, The Narrows, How to Seduce Difficult Women, The Good Shepherd, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Premium, Chapter 27. Broadway: ENRON, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, High Society. Off Broadway: Debbie Does Dallas, Zombie Prom, Newsical. TV: “NCIS,” “Law and Order SVU,” “Mary and Rhoda.” Jeff played ‘Ryan’ on the breakout internet series, “The Burg,” with the final episode directed by Peter Sollett.

JESSE MERLIN ( Male Standby )

The New York Times described his performance as Dr. Hill in Re-Animator The Musical as a “… ghastly highlight … the spindly, sonorous Jesse Merlin shines as a lecherous medical school professor.” (Edinburgh Fringe, NYMF, Hayworth Theatre, Steve Allen Theater, Ovation Award Nomination). He plays Werewolf Hitler in the cult film FDR: American Badass! starring Barry Bostwick. The President: The Beastly Bombing (Steve Allen Theater, NYMF, Opera aan het Ij – Amsterdam), Captain Corcoran: USS Pinafore (CCTC), Oscar Wilde: Carved in Stone (Theater Asylum). Bird Expert: Jackass 3D/3.5, Criminologist: Rocky Horror blu-ray. Over 45 roles with Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Las Vegas, Long Beach Opera, Opera A La Carte (Touring), Opera San Jose (Resident Artist), Théâtre du Rond-Point (Paris), etc.
www.jessemerlin.com

Karl Warden ( Dream Hannibal )

Recent: The Hollywood Bowl’s The Producers. Broadway: How To Succeed…, La Cage Aux Folles (Hanna) and Merrily We Roll Along (Encores! & Cast Recording). World/National Tours: Fosse starring Ben Vereen and Ruthie Henshall, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Daniel), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Cats (Macavity), and Chicago. World Premieres: Catch Me If You Can, Leap of Faith, and SCKBSTD. L.A. Regional: Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Miss Saigon, Anything Goes, The Pajama Game, The Producers. TV/Film: The Producers, Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s “Goin’ Back to Philly,” Madonna, and “America’s Got Talent.” Look for him in the hit series “Smash” but you won’t see him, because he’s not in it. Thanks heaps to Todd, Family, Shelley & Chris. Proud AEA member.

The creative team

Jon & Al Kaplan ( Music and Lyrics, Screenplay )

Jon and Al Kaplan composed the music for two seasons of the animated series Code Monkeys, and scored the Syfy Channel films Piranhaconda and Dinocroc Vs. Supergator. They have written comedy for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, for which they also arranged Andy Samberg’s “Lonely Island Medley.” Jon and Al recently launched a series of viral internet musicals led by their Arnold Schwarzenegger cycle, featuring Conan the Barbarian, Predator, Commando and more. The Kaplans’ original internet musical and concept album, Silence!: Silence of the Lambs the Musical, debuted in 2002 and was staged at the 2005 NYC Fringe Festival, where it won the “Overall Excellence Award” for Outstanding Musical. The show subsequently ran in London, and opened Off Broadway in 2011. www.jonandal.com

Hunter Bell ( Book )

Obie award, Drama league nomination, Tony nomination Best Book of a Musical for [title of show]. Other credits: books for Bellobration! (Ringling Circus), Villains Tonight! (Disney Cruise Lines) and Now. Here. This. (Vineyard), The Great American Mousical (Goodspeed), contributed original material to Broadway Bares (Wonderland, Click It!) Co-creator of web series the [title of show] show. Developed pilot with ABC Studios and Cherry/ Wind Productions. Distinguished alumnus Webster University, WGA and Dramatists Guild member, MacDowell Fellow.

Christopher Gattelli ( Director and Choreographer )

Most recently won the 2012 Tony Award for his choreography in Newsies. As director, SILENCE! The Musical Best Musical Off Broadway Alliance 2012, Best Musical Fringe Festival, also played Off-West End. Other favorites: Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (Goodspeed); Chance and Chemistry: A Tribute to Frank Loesser starring Sir Paul Mccartney, Jo Sullivan Loesser and Audra McDonald; Departure Lounge at the Public for SPF; Radio Girl (Goodspeed); Broadway concert of Hair starring Jennifer Hudson; Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown w/new music by Andrew Lippa. As choreographer, Broadway: Newsies (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), South Pacific (Tony and Outer Critics Circle nominations, also West End), Godspell, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Sunday in the Park with George (also West End), The Ritz, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, 13, High Fidelity. Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz (Lortel, Callaway, Helen Hayes Awards), Dogfight, Bat Boy: The Musical (Lortel Award), tick, tick…BOOM!

THE PRODUCERS

Theater Mogul ( producer ) :

Established in Iceland in 1999, is an international theatrical producing organization which has produced in over 50 countries spanning 6 continents. We are very proud to have sold over 9.6 million tickets to productions of Defending the Caveman alone. Other productions of Theater Mogul are: Defending the Cavewoman, a long running retort to Caveman, Funny when you´re dead, Triple Espresso, Shoulin Monks, 100% Sex Therapy, Sexy Laundry and Just Imagine. Theatermogul is pleased to be presenting SILENCE! The Musical both in Los Angeles and New York city and with our international teamwork we fully expect SILENCE! to be a ‘Screaming Success’ worldwide – www.theatermogul.com

Oskar Eiriksson ( CEO of Theater Mogul ) :

Along with partners, started the well-renowned Production Company in 1999. He has since been mounting, investing, producing and co-producing successful theatre globally. Aside from the enormous success of Defending the Caveman, Oskar has produced the comedic hit Defending the Cavewoman, a long running retort to Caveman, as well as, Triple Espresso, Shoulin Monks, The Blues brothers, Umoja, Menopause the Musical, Lovelace-A Rock Opera, 100% Sex Therapy, Sexy Laundry and most recently Just Imagine which played at the historic ‘The Old Opera House’ theater –Gamlabio – in the heart of Reykjavik, Iceland. Oskar’s creative hands-on approach to producing allows him the ability to find new partners in world-wide markets and discover and present original new productions and outstanding talent.