Creative & Production Team

Click on a headshot to read their bio.

AARON ALON
(Music, Lyrics, Book, Story, Orchestrations)

RUSSELL SARRE
(Music, Story)

RYAN BROWN
(Choral Conductor)

The CONCEPT CAST

Click on a headshot for the cast member’s bio.

DANTÉ ANDERSON
(Backup Singer, Ensemble)

PRESTON ANDREWS
(Dr. Mountebank, Backup Singer, Ensemble)

BRENNAN BLANKENSHIP
(Ensemble)

LUTHER CHAKURIAN
(Baboo)

BRIAN CHAMBERS
(Johnny Cragsman)

ASHLEY DUPLECHIEN
(Mrs. Cragsman, Ensemble)

BRAD GOERTZ
(High Inquisitor, Backup Singer, Ensemble)

WILLIAM GRAYSON
(Dr. Rorschach)

ELAINE HERDER
(Ensemble)

MARK JAMMAL
(Henry)

LIZ MARTELLI
(Henriette)

SEKOU NANCE
(Backup Singer, Ensemble)

SAMI RUDNICK
(Cassandra)

NICK SZOEKE
(Dr. Smith)

EMMA THOENI
(Mabel, Ensemble)

JASON WERKMAN
(The Barker)

Contact Us

AARON ALON (Music, Lyrics, Book, Arrangements, & Story) is an award-winning writer, composer, and director-producer. BULLY, the 2017 feature film musical he wrote and directed, was screened in film festivals around the world, winning over 20 festival awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. His classical music has also been performed around the world, released on five CDs, and awarded numerous national and international composition honors. He is a member of ASCAP and is a founding member and president of the Board of Directors of Thunderclap Productions, a nonprofit production company based in Houston. He holds a doctorate in music composition from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and is a Professor of Music and Chair of Music and Drama at Lone Star College-University Park in Houston, TX. Learn more at aaronalon.com.

RUSSELL SARRE (Music & Story) is an Australian-born composer whose music has been performed around the globe from The White House to London’s West End; Edinburgh Fringe Festival to the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center. He has composed music for Film, Theatre, Music Theatre, Dance, Opera and the Concert Stage. Sarre has taught at the Shepherd School of Music, Texas A&M, the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Eastern Mediterranean University, and Lone Star College. He also co-produced and presented award-winning radio shows in Austin for KMFA. He spends his time teaching, composing, travelling, and cooking for his family.

RYAN R. BROWN (Choral Conductor) is a conductor and Grammy award-winning baritone. Brown has performed with professional vocal ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Voces8, Seraphic Fire, Red Shift, Quartz Ensemble, De Angelis Vocal Ensemble, Areté, and Concora. As a soloist he has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Lone Star College – University Park in Houston, Texas. Previous, Brown served as a Teaching Fellow at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Associate Conductor for the National Children’s Chorus, Choral Director at California School of the Arts San Gabriel Valley, Choral Director at Wachusett Regional High School, and Founding Artistic Director for Diamonds From The Dust Vocal Ensemble. In 2021, Brown earned his doctorate in choral conducting at the University of California, Los Angeles where he studied with Dr. James Bass and specialized in contemporary oratorio and musical dramaturgy for vocal ensembles. In 2014, Brown graduated as valedictorian at Westminster Choir College where he studied music education.

DANTÉ ANDERSON (Backup Singer, Ensemble) is a native Houstonian pursuing a master’s in vocal performance at the University of St. Thomas. His credits include Gaith Foster’s PULSATE: A VAMPIRE MUSICAL, Main St. Theatre’s ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY, George St. Playhouse’s AUSTIN THE UNSTOPPABLE, Island ETC’s HAIR, and Horse Head Theatre’s CHURCH.

PRESTON ANDREWS (Dr. Mountebank, Backup Singer, Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful new musical. Recent credits for the Houston, Texas native include the world premiere of LADY OF AGREDA (Lady in Blue Productions), AIDA (Houston Grand Opera), FOR TONIGHT, ELF! (Queensbury Theatre), OKLAHOMA! (TUTS), CAMELOT (Natchez Opera Festival), and SHOW BOAT (Utah Festival). Proud member of Actor’s Equity. Education: Vocal Performance, MA (The University of Alabama), and BA in Music (SHSU). My endless gratitude, and admiration to the entire creative team.

BRENNAN BLANKENSHIP (Ensemble) is an exciting and versatile performer quickly establishing herself in the opera world. Original plans for the American soprano’s ’20-’22 seasons included joining the young artist program with Michigan Opera Theater, which was unfortunately canceled due to COVID-19. In 2019, Ms. Blankenship starred in the lead role of Jake Heggie/Gene Scheer’s world premiere, IF I WERE YOU, at the Merola Opera Program. Recently, Miss Blankenship was a soloist in Opera Outdoors inaugural presentation of Rossini’s PETITE MESSE SOLLENELLE and will perform with Opera in the Heights in selections from LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and LUCIA. Musical Theater credits include Gloria/ THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, Stepmother/INTO THE WOODS, SWEENY TODD and AIDA.

LUTHER CHAKURIAN (Baboo) is thrilled to be a part of the concept cast album of MAD! playing the role of Baboo. He is an actor who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Some of his favorite roles include: George in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MACHA, Lawrence Jamison in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the title role in SWEENEY TODD, for which he was awarded Best Actor in Houston 2007 by the Houston Press.

BRIAN CHAMBERS (Johnny Cragsman) is thrilled to be joining the cast of MAD! From Valencia California, Brian has a BA from Texas Tech University. Select credits: PARADE, ADRIFT IN MACAO, MAMMA MIA, BOEING BOEING, THE CHOSEN, TITANIC THE MUSICAL, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, LITTLE WOMEN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, MAN OF LA MANCHA, THE CHRISTIANS, FAUST, and Carmina Burana. COMPANIES: Island ETC, Dirt Dog Theatre Company, Cone Man Running, Main Street Theatre, Kirkwood Music Services, Unity Theatre, Lone Star Lyric, Lubbock Moonlight Musicals, Queensbury Theatre, Alley Theatre and Houston Symphony. Thank you to my wife Misty for all her love and support. www.brianchambersactor.com

ASHLEY DUPLECHIEN (Mrs. Cragsman, Ensemble), mezzo-soprano, is a Louisiana native currently residing in Houston. She was trained first at Louisiana State University by Dr. Loraine Sims then at the Royal Academy of Music in London by world-renowned mezzo-soprano Anne Howells and prominent conductor and coach Iain Ledingham. Ashley’s agile voice has allowed her the privilege to explore and perform a wide variety of orchestral repertoire as a soloist across western Europe as well as here in the United States, including Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder, Bach’s St. John Passion, Handel’s Messiah and Purcell’s Welcome to all the Pleasures. Operatic repertoire includes title role in Rossini’s LA CENERENTOLA, Le Feu in Ravel’s L’ENFANT ET LES SORTILÈGES, Diane in Offenbach’s ORPHÉE AUX ENFERS, and both Fiordiligi and Dorabella in Mozart’s COSÍ FAN TUTTE. Ashley has also been a member of the Houston Grand Opera chorus since 2014. In addition to her career in music, Ashley has worked in the energy and fuels industry since 2015, currently as the Manager of Business Development for an alternative/renewable fuels provider. Her commercial projects span the continental US and provide pathways for emissions reductions in the transportation sector resulting in cleaner air.

BRAD GOERTZ (High Inquisitor, Backup Singer, Ensemble) is a native Houstonian who has been involved in several Thunderclap Productions including FAMILY PORTRAIT (2010), WILDE (2011), and Aaron Alon’s award-winning short film BULLY: A MUSICAL (2017). Most recently appeared in PULSATE: A VAMPIRE MUSICAL (Detroit) at Prohibition. Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center: MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS (Ben Hecht), GOD OF VENGEANCE (Shlyome), LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR (Milt Fields), THE CHOSEN (Reuven Malter), and STARS OF DAVID (multiple characters). Stages Repertory Theater: A MIDNIGHT CLEAR (Raymond Tester, 2017 world premiere), NEXT TO NORMAL (Dan Goodman) and THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL (Norbert Garstecki, 2011 and 2018). Music Box Theater: COMPANY (Harry) and I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! (Man 1). Obsidian Art Space: NEXT FALL (Adam). TheatreLaB: GONE MISSING (multiple characters). Texas Repertory Theatre: FOREVER PLAID – PLAID TIDINGS (Smudge). Country Playhouse (now Queensbury Theatre): RENT (Roger) and LITTLE WOMEN – THE MUSICAL (John Brooke). Brad holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development.

WILLIAM GRAYSON (Dr. Rorschach) is originally from Dallas, Texas. He has a BA in Theatre Performance from West Texas A&M University and an MFA in from the University of Arkansas. He is the former co-founder and co-artistic director of The Step 1 Theatre Company. His original plays “The Chamber” and “Odessa” both saw premiers at the New York International Fringe Festival and The New York One Person Show Festival. He’s an award winning actor who has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC as part of the Irene Ryan acting competition. Along with being an actor and writer, William is director. He directed “Miss Julie” at The Producer’s Club in New York City and “Seascape with Sharks and Dancer” at the B-Unlimited Theatre in Fayetteville, Arkansas. As an actor his favorite roles include John Proctor in “The Crucible,” Stuart Little in “Stuart Little,” Perry in “The Old Boy,” Gus in “The Dumb Waiter,” and Mr. Kind in “Last Call.” William is currently the Director of Theatre for Lone Star College-University Park in Houston, Texas.

ELAINE HERDER (Ensemble) is a singer based in Houston, TX. She has been praised by her colleagues and directors for her stage presence, professionalism, and energy. Her greatest passion is bringing a character to life, and truly connecting to the music with her colleagues. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Houston and performs wherever she can. In June 2018, Elaine had the pleasure of performing the quirky role of “Moth” in Benjamin Britten’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Miami Music Festival. South Florida Classical Review commended her for bringing “witty characterizations” to the role. Most recently, she was named a finalist in the 2020 FAVA Grand Concours French Aria and Art Song Competition, and sang as an apprentice artist at LSU’s The Collaborative Piano Institute. She is absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of MAD!

MARK JAMMAL (Henry) is a professional singer, actor, and musician from Houston, TX and lives in Brooklyn, NY. He is excited to get back to theatrical work after this crazy year has taken away nearly every opportunity to do it. His credits include RAGTIME (TUTS), MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Frank, SRT), ASSASSINS (John Hinckley Jr, Lyric OKC), PRYOR RENDERING (Dewar, City Rep OKC), ROCK OF AGES (Stacee Jaxx, SRT), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Duke, SRT) and others. He is no stranger to new works and has been involved in them since very early in his career. In his spare time you can find him working on his own music, whipping up something mean in the kitchen, or continuing his studies as a Wine Professional. He attended the University of Oklahoma BFA Musical Theatre and has spent many years as a Vocal Coach and Acting Coach with different studios and independently.

LIZ MARTELLI (Henriette) is honored to be a part of the concept cast recording of MAD! Her most recent credits include SPRING AWAKENING (Female Swing, on for Ilse) at Capitol City Theater Company in Lincoln, NE, MERRILEE MANNERLY: A MAGNIFICENT NEW MUSICAL (Merrilee Mannerly) at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, CT, and The Actor’s Project NYC’s Off-Broadway showcase as a featured performer/singer. Liz gives all her thanks to her family, friends, and friends’ fur babies for their constant support and love. You can find more info on Liz Martelli at www.lizmartelli.com.

SEKOU NANCE (Backup Singer, Ensemble) was born in New Orleans, LA on May 1st, 1994. He began his studies of music theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, CA in 2017. It was there that Sekou understudied for the roles of The Student (HELLO AGAIN), Paul (KISS ME KATE), and Mitch Mahoney (SPELLING BEE). Sekou also performed two cabaret shows at AMDA called the Cafe Series where he performed Callum Scott’s rendition of “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn and “Bad Idea” from the musical WAITRESS. Special thanks to his mother for the support she has given him throughout life and his two sisters who love him unconditionally.

SAMI RUDNICK (Cassandra) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She has been a veteran of the stage since the age of two; crediting over 150 productions. After working in New York and relocating back to Florida, she took an 8-year hiatus while raising a family and completing her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Freshly immersed from intensive studies of the DSM, she joined the ShinDig band; swapping Broadway ballads for bangers like Bobby McGhee. When she was approached to audition for MAD!, it was apropos that she’d be considered for the role of the nightclub singer in a musical based around the DSM! She is thrilled to reunite with her childhood friend Aaron and help to animate his masterpiece production in the role of Cassandra!

NICK SZOEKE (Dr. Smith) is wildly excited to bring this exhilarating new musical to life! Nick has been seen around the US in regional houses such as Theatre Under The Stars (TX), The Public Theatre (TX), The Playhouse San Antonio (TX), Queensbury Theatre (TX), Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre (ID), and The Trinity Repertory Company (RI), and has also been a soloist with the Houston Symphony (TX). Favorite credits include Curly in OKLAHOMA!, Robert Kincaid in THE BRDIGES OF MADISON COUNTY, and Quasimodo in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. You can also hear Nick as Mark on the Original Cast Recording of SOLE MATES: THE MUSICAL. Nick is a die hard FRIENDS fan who never turns down an ICEE. INSTA: szoekefit

EMMA THOENI (Mabel, Ensemble) is thrilled to be recording the role of Mabel in MAD! From June to December of 2019, Emma served as a resident artist for Mountain Rep Theatre in Cripple Creek, Colorado where she performed in several musicals and plays. Credits include: Sandy Dumbrowski (Grease), Donna Pickles (The Great American Trailer Park Musical), Alice Sycamore (You Can’t Take It With You), Penny Pingleton (Hairspray), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid). Emma would like to thank her family, friends and wonderful husband for their continuous support and encouragement.

JASON WERKMAN (Barker) is a singer, songwriter and piano player living in Houston, Texas. Jason comes from a versatile background in both music (voice, piano) and computer science (University of Houston and University of Phoenix). After college, Jason later fine-tuned his voice by working with his vocal coach, friend and mentor, Tom McKinney. Jason is also an associate teacher for Tom McKinney vocal studios. Jason’s long-term goals include the creation of a nonprofit for music education for underprivileged children with Tom McKinney. Jason works on many songwriting collaborations, including a recent collaboration with Shane Stevens. Jason also sings with many different original rock bands as well as cover/tribute bands, including with Dramatic License, Chosen Sunday, and Jasyn Jahmes.