QUINN LEMLEY star of Burlesque to Broadway and The Heat Is On! A life in concert celebrating Rita Hayworth. How does a nice Midwestern girl end up in sequins and feathers singing The Standards?  Well, Quinn came out of the womb performing.  By the age of four, she was starring at her parents chicken n ribs restaurant, The Buffy, hence the feathers, singing to the diverse customers from executives to the local flasher. Far Out Foxy Lady from A Far Out Land enhanced her desire for flashy glamour.  Quinn’s passion and education for classic films, especially Rita Hayworth, Big Band, Broadway, Burlesque Music and Humor came from her best friend, Granny Lemley, who shared stories and music transporting Q into another world.  By 16, in Bordeaux, France, she was the youngest opera student of the great diva, Christianne Castelli.  When she started swinging “O mio Babbino caro”, it was evident Broadway, jazz and the The American Songbook were her calling!  Her first femme fatale role was in The Great American Backstage Musical at Interlochen Arts Academy before heading off to the Big Apple at NYU. This Hoosier turned New Yorker has appeared Off-Broadway in Israel Horovitz’ Barking Sharks; Sirens Of The Silver Screen; originated the role of Colette in Born To Rhumba! at the Duo Theatre; LaMar in Wanda and The King of Hair at the Abington Theatre.  Broadway workshops of Rita!; Hollywood Goddess and a Turkish tour of David Ives’ Universal Language.  She has appeared on television on “Good Morning America”, “Oprah, “Geraldo”, etc.  On film she played a siren in the recently released film by Hudsons River Films “The Greatest Ears in Town – The Arif Mardin Story” . After the success of starring as Rita Hayworth in The Heat Is On!, Quinn wanted to delve into the world of characters that went from Burlesque, Broadway and beyond.  Early exposure to “Burlesque with an antenna” was with Granny, where they would devour shows like Carole Burnett and Sonny and Cher. With her incredible creative team Quinn created Burlesque to Broadway which is now touring, sharing the incredible stories, music, jokes and dance that is a rich fabric in American history.All of her favorite things are in Burlesque to Broadway! Sequins, feathers, fans! A hot 10 piece band with sizzling music, gorgeous girls, bumps n grinds, a little history of this magical world and lots of jokes and pokes!It is a dream come true.  Quinn performs her jazz show Sexy, Smokin’ Standards in NYC atBB Kings Blues Club and is thrilled to be “the iconic face” of The Half Note Jazz Club in Athens Greece.  Her shows have toured Greece, Switzerland and China. Quinn has recorded 5 CD’s for HepCat Records, including: Sirens, Songs of the Silver Screen, Cocktails With a Twist, Dance or Die, The Heat Is On! and Live! At The Half Note.  All available on iTunes and CD Baby. Quinn is proud to be sponsored by MAC Cosmetics and Freed of London.  She is thrilled to be bumping and grinding with all of you and the amazing cast and crew of BURLESQUE TO BROADWAY! www.QuinnLemley.com

JOSEPH HARDY (Director) previously directed Nightingale starring Lynn Redgrave at the Manhattan Theatre Club at the New York City Center following his direction of the American premiere of Nightingale at Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum and Connecticut’s Hartford Stage. The New York production marks his third collaboration with Ms. Redgrave, which began with the TV movie, “The Seduction of Miss Leona” and continued with MCC’s production of Grace. For many years, Mr. Hardy has worked extensively in theatre, film and television throughout the United States and abroad, from eight years with a production company in Paris to acting as Executive Producer for such iconic television programs as, “General Hospital” and “Knots Landing,” to name a few. A Tony Award Winner for Child’s Play, Mr. Hardy is also the recipient of two Drama Desk Awards and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Cirlcle Awards. East Coast directing highlights include the original Broadway productions of Gigi and Play It Again, Sam with Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, the revival of Night of the Iguana with Richard Chamberlin and Dorothy McQuire, and the original Off-Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is an associate artist of The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and has worked there since 1982. Mr Hardy currently resides in New York and is Artistic Advisor for the Red Bull Theater.

MERETE MUENTER (Choreographer) is originally from Buffalo, New York. In New York’s Midtown International Theatre Festival 2008, Merete directed and choreographed a new play with music entitled “They Walk Among Us”, for which she won the award for Outstanding Choreography. Her directing Credits include “Sure Thing” and “Variations on the Death of Trotsky” by David Ives, “The Duck Variations” by David Mamet, “Five Flights” by Adam Bock, and “Recent Tragic Events” by Craig Wright. Her choreography credits include “Sherlock Holmes – The Early Years” in the 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), as well as regional productions of “The King and I”, and “It’s A Wonderful Life”. In addition, she was the Assistant Choreographer on the NYU Tisch School of the Arts production of “TOMMY”, directed by Kent Gash and choreographed by Joe Langworth. Merete served as the Assistant Director for the World AIDS Day Gala in Capetown, South Africa, and as the Assistant Director / Female Swing for the European Tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, both directed by Baayork Lee. In addition, she was the Resident Director / Dance Captain for the European Tour of “West Side Story”. With the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Merete was the Assistant Producer / Company Manager for “Emerald Man” (2006), “Such Good Friends” ( 2007), and “Plagued” (2009) all produced by Gray Lady Entertainment, Inc.  In the Spring of 2010, Merete founded and co-produced “The Broadway Series at Springside Inn” in Auburn, New York.  She co-produced three shows in this series, including Donna McKechnie’s one woman show entitled “My Musical Comedy Life”, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, as well as Keith Thompson’s “Kooky Tunes”, and Julie Budd’s “Showstoppers – The Great American Musicals!” Merete is a founding member and co-Artistic Director of Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Inc. She would like to thank Quinn, Paul and Luis for this wonderful opportunity!

MATTHEW MOHR (Choreographer) began his performance career as a company member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company from 1994-2000 He choreographed the 2009 European production of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show for Tony nominee director Sam Buntrock and joint producers Howard Panter of the Ambassador Theater Group and Michael Brenner for BB Promotion GmbH. The critically acclaimed production of The Rocky Horror Show was presented in 2009 to sold out houses of 2,000 viewers in Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Düsseldorf, Zurich, Trieste and Frankfurt who every night were literally dancing in the aisles. From 1993 to the present, he has performed and collaborated in artistic performance projects with Martha Clarke, Julie Atlas Muz, Glen Rumsey, Charles Atlas, Jim Bidgood, Robert Melee, Magnetic Laboratories, Pink Inc., Irish Modern Dance Theater, and Dance as Ever. His contemporary choreographic works and collaborative performances have been presented at numerous theatrical venues in New York City including PS 122, Judson Church, The Kitchen, Danspace Projects @ St. Mark’s Church, Dance Theater Workshop, La Mama, Theater for the New City, and the Guggenheim Museum.

W. BRENT SAWYER (Music Director) This native Texas has spent the last 15 years, conducting, directing, teaching and writing in New York City.  On Broadway: he served as rehearsal pianist and played in the orchestra pit for Annie Get Your Gun (starring Bernadette Peters), and the revival of A Chorus Line directed by original cast member, Baayork Lee. Off Broadway: Music director for the 2008 Drama League Award & Lucille Lortel Award nominated best revival of Seussical The Musical! (new off-Broadway cast recording available), Junie B. Jones, Naked Boys Singing!, Forbidden Broadway 2001:A Spoof Odyssey, Anne of Green Gables (cast recording also avail.), Monica The Musical!, and the acclaimed revival of William Finn’s Falsettoland  performed at the Vineyard Theatre . Regional: music directed the regional premier of Titanic, Blood Brothers, tick tick…BOOM!, The Most Happy Fella, the world premier of Maury Yeston’s In The Beginning, Always, Patsy Cline starring Sally Struthers. Music Director for the original workshops of the new a cappela musical,  IN TRANSIT, at the renown O’Neill Theater Center and The York Theater in Manhattan. He has worked at numerous regional theaters spanning from Seattle, Washington to Key West, Florida and  from San Diego, California to Brunswick, Maine and dozens of places in between.  Has taught musical theater and voice for actors at: Marymount Manhattan College, The Actor’s Studio Drama School at The New School, NYU Playwrights Horizon’s Studio, The American Music and Dramatic Academy. Brent is also a composer in the highly acclaimed BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Advanced Workshop where many hit Broadway shows were created.  As a private vocal coach, he has worked with many of Broadway’s top talents.

CHARLES LINDBERG ( Music Director ) Broadway – Played piano, celeste and calliope for: West Side Story at the Minskoff Theater with Debbie Allen, Sugar Babies at the Mark Hellinger Theater with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, Forty Second Street at the Wintergarden Theater with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, Barnum at the St. James Theater with Jim Dale and Glenn Close.Worked with Jerry Herman to create the original lead sheets for La Cage Aux Folles.Movies – Wrote much of the dance music, was New York rehearsal pianist and vocal coach for Albert Finney, Anne Reinking and Aileen Quinn for Annie:  The Movie. Television – Produced, directed, arranged the CBS-TV jingle for the St. Thomas, USVI affiliate. Recordings – Arranged the vocals and performed on the RCA albums Hooked On Swing II and Flight Of The Condor with Larry Elgart. Print – Arranged over 50 books for intermediate and advanced piano; composed the piano duets Playground Sketches and Liberty Suite, published through RCA, Columbia and Bradley Publications. Direction – Since playing Carousel in 1974, have musically directed numerous shows, including Big River, Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma, Chicago, The Fantasticks, Once On This Island, The All Night Strut. Miscellaneous – Solo performer in numerous Manhattan night clubs, including The Five Oaks, Arthur’s Tavern, The Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama’s, Danny’s Skylight Room, Brandy’s, Ted Hook’s Backstage, Ted Hook’s Onstage, Act II, Reno Sweeney’s, The Copa, One If By Land, The Waldorf Astoria, Rainbow Room, The Iridium, Caroline’s, Marie’s Crisis, Katherine’s Again, Stonewall Bistro, 46^th Street, The Monster, 88s, Pegasus, The Painted Pony, Oh Johnny’s, DT’s Fat Cat, et al. Musical Director for a Ron Field workshop of a Rita Gardner musical. Musical Director for many NYC Cabaret shows. Pianist for the Fairmont Hotels in San Jose and San Francisco, California. Recipient of the 1988 Bistro Award (Backstage Magazine) and the 2003 Nightlife Award, for Best Entertainer in Manhattan. Sang on several occasions at Lincoln Center (Alice Tully, Avery Fisher, and Walter Reade). Commissioned to compose a piece which was performed for the pope at The Vatican. Musical Director for Betty Johnson (I Dreamed, Little Blue Man, Little White Lies) in several shows, including the Grand Hotel’s Jazz Festival in 2008, which included Diane Schuur, Branford Marsalis and Dave Brubeck

STEVE RAWLINS (Orchestrations) Los Angeles based composer/arranger/ pianist Steve Rawlins has arranged music for the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, the Olympics and the Super Bowl and numerous artists including: Benny Goodman, Bette Midler and Chaka Kahn. He’s written music for advertisers such as: Kellogg’s, Libby’s, Sears and Coors Beer – for Crystal, Princess and Holland America cruise lines. Rawlins is the author of numerous published music books and has performed at jazz clubs and festivals around the world as well as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

PHIL HALL (Vocal Arrangements) Phil vocally arranged Sophisticated Ellington, a concert of Duke Ellington’s music, which was presented at Carnegie Hall by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. He musical directed (in 1993 and 1994) the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s A Yuletide Celebration. for which he also did extensive musical and choral arranging. He appeared on stage in Paper Mill’s 1989 production of Show Boat, which aired on PBS’ Great Performances series, playing for Julie to sing “Bill.” He appeared in the Mira Sorvino-produced film, “Lisa Picard Is Famous” as a vocal coach/pianist. Phil composed the score for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde which was produced at Paper Mill Playhouse, Kansas City Starlight Theatre, North Shore Music and Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera. Phil’s first play with music, Matthew Passion was presented for at the Chernuchin Theatre in New York City, as well as given a staged reading at Cathedral of St. John The Divine. www.matthewpassion.com www.drjekyillandmrhyde.com

STACEY HARRIS (Raz) has performed on Broadway in BELLS ARE RINGING, off-Broadway in LONE STAR LOVE and THE AWESOME 80′S PROM, and toured nationally with SHOW BOAT, CINDERELLA, and DREAMGIRLS. Her favorite regional roles include Roxie in CHICAGO, Rose Alverez in BYE BEY BIRDIE, Anita in WEST SIDE STORY, Rizzo in GREASE, Edythe in MY ONE AND ONLY, Josefine/Monica in ROMANCE/ROMANCE, Louise in GYPSY, Diana Morales in A CHORUS LINE, Maxene Andrews in SISTERS OF SWING, the Soubrette in SUGAR BABIES, Lily St. Regis in ANNIE, Lala in THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and Anna in SYNCOPATION. She was featured in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and in Caesars NIGHTS ON BROADWAY. Last summer she appeared in the new Broadway-bound musical WHITE NOISE, and she was recently seen as the leading lady in THAT’S LIFE, a revue of music from the super clubs of the 50’s and 60’s. She also travels the world as a member of The Victory Belles, entertaining our troops and veterans with 1940’s and patriotic music. Originally from Raleigh, NC. Stacey is a graduate of Northwestern University, and currently lives in New York City.

NATALIE LOFTIN BELL (Gracy) hails from Plano, Texas and is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a BA in Music Theatre. After her most recent performance as the glowing Pop Star, Sophie Lee, in Janski Productions Get Got! presented at Playwrights Horizons NY Theatre, Natalie successfully produced, directed and starred in her very own show entitled Natalie In New York, Taking Chances, filling the audience of The Arthur Seelen Theatre both nights of performance. Credits include Tick…Tick…Boom! (Wow Theatre NYC), A Wonderful Life (Paper Mill Playhouse), Showboat (Casa Manana) and High School Musical (North Shore Music Theatre) and most recently Natalie played the role of Amber Von Tussle in Gateway Playhouse’s production of Hairspray, presented at The Patchogue Theatre. Some of Natalie’s other roles include Laurie Oklahoma!, Sarah Brown Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, Valencienne The Merry Widow and Luisa The Fantasticks. After previously signed with Epic/Sony Records, Natalie has toured the US performing at such venues as Madison Square Garden, Anaheim Pond and The Oklahoma Ford Center among others. Her single, Burn, was released to national radio and for purchase in 2005. Her film career includes 3 principle roles: Andrea in The Cineplex, Lori in Mimesis and Sarah in Soul’s Midnight, a horror flick starring Armande Assante. Natalie has found passion in entertaining our cherished troops and veterans all over the globe as a performer with The USO Liberty Bells International performing troupe for military and veterans. Natalie sends a very heartfelt thank you to all of the men and women who defend our incredible country.

WENDALL GOINGS (Costume Designer) Mr. Goings is a graduate of The Maryland College of Art and Design with a degree in Fine Art. Over the years he has had the privilege of working with many leading designers varying from assistant to costume maker to wardrobe worker.  Self-taught, Mr. Goings designs have beenseen across the country and overseas. Projects include: “GREASE”, Scholastic’s “CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG”, “SING ALONG SANTA” (Nat. tours)  His designs have also been shown through The Imperial Court of New York and a cache of private clients.  He is thrilled to participate in “Burlesque to Broadway” and wishes to thank his partner, Robert for his steadfast support and love.

ROBERT GUY And MICHAEL LOUIS ( Costume Sparkle Team )

MELISSA KING (Designer and creator of Sally Rand Fans) known in the Burlesque world as Ms. Tickle, has been hypnotizing audiences as the pinnacle of style and elegance in modern Burlesque. Her unparallel costuming and props have crowned her queen of gags and gimmicks. Melissa has been a stylalist and designer for many of the living Legends of Burlesque including Julie Atlas Muse for her one woman show “Corpse”, Dirty Martini, Joe Boobs, Rose wood, Miss Saturn, Harvest moon, the Norman Gossney productions’ “Blushing Diamond” and Normans Big Night Out” As well as for Anti Gravity in “Broadway Bares” and Marc Jacob’s infamous Christmas extravaganzas’. Bringing performance art burlesque to London in 1992 with the Famed Azaria Universe and Angela de Castro. And was part of the NY burlesque revival in 1999 with The Bombshell Girls. Continuing in her pioneering spirit was responsible for the creation of the first and only Male Burlesque review the Off-Broadway hit “TickleBomb”s Mantasia”, You can see her and her handy work featured in Magazines Esquire, Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and The Village Voice. Melissa is honored to be working with Quinn Lemley.

LUIS VILLABON (Creative Consultant) has been working in the arts for more than twenty years.  His first accomplishment was being selected as one of eight students in the tri-state area to study with Olympia Dukakis’ Whole Theatre in Montclair, NJ.  There he was asked to audition for the World Premiere of Dancing With Miracles, which was the Whole Theatre’s last production.  Luis was awarded the lead role of Samuel Pearlberger, the true story of a teenaged Holocaust survivor. Luis went on to play Paul in A Chorus Line for director Baayork Lee, who is an original Broadway cast member and choreographer of the recent revival.  Since then, he has played Paul all over the world, from Atlantic City to Paris and most recently at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.  Along the way, Luis has appeared in musicals such as West Side Story (Chino), Peter Pan (starring Cathy Rigby), Jesus Christ Superstar (starring Carl Anderson), Follies, Seussical The Musical (First National Tour), Crazy For You (Wyatt), Evita (Mario, Che understudy) and Twist (Bill Sykes). His favorite non-musical credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), The Lion In Winter (Prince John), On Golden Pond (Billy Ray) and Cooper Savage (Jeffrey).  Luis appeared in the feature film, Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep. Luis has also enjoyed a career as a choreographer and an Assistant Director/Choreographer.  He has choreographed productions of Annie, Evita, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Shop of Horrors, Closer Than Ever, Into the Woods, and was Baayork Lee’s Assistant choreographer for the European Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and A New Brain.  He was also Paula Abdul’s Assistant Choreographer for the New York Premiere of Reefer Madness (starring Michelle Pawk, Kristen Bell and Christian Campbell) and Master of Disguise (Feature Film starring Dana Carvey). Luis was also the Director/Choreographer for the 2008-2009 Italian National Tour of A Chorus Line.  In the summer of 2009, Luis was the Director/Choreographer for Ogunquit Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of A Chorus Line, starring Lorenzo Lamas as Zach.  One of Luis’ most rewarding efforts found him directing and choreographing shows at the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre (Seussical the Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma, Once On This Island & Once Upon A Mattress), in the summers of 2009 and 2010.  This spring, Luis is assisted Baayork Lee on the Korean National production and the U.S. National Tour of A Chorus Line. Luis is a graduate of the William Esper Studio. He currently resides in New York City.