RICK CROM, Composer/Lyricist - Rick Crom has been part of the New York entertainment community for over 20 years as a songwriter and a performer. He is the composer/ lyricist for several off-Broadway and cabaret revues: Oh Fine RSVP, The Subject Was Neurosis, Absolutely Rude, Our Life and Times (1999 MAC & Bistro Awards for Outstanding Musical Revue) and now What in the World (2003 Nightlife Award).  His topical  material is featured at the Crystal Palace Theatre in Aspen, Colorado. (www.crystalpalace.net) Recently the Crystal Palace honored him by releasing a recording of his material, WHO WRITES THIS STUFF? The songs of Rick Crom. He has written the scores to several shows and is currently working on a musical with Hunter Foster entitled, Bonnie and Clyde: a Folktale.  He came to New York in 1979 as part of the Chicago City Limits Improv Company and began working as a comedian nationwide. As a stand up comic he’s appeared on Caroline’s Comedy Hour, MTV Comedy Half-hour, ShowTime and Comedy Central. He performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar in Manhattan and nightclubs nationwide.  As an actor he’s appeared on Broadway in the musicals Urinetown, The Goodbye Girl and Footloose. Off-Broadway in Merrily We Roll Along, Das Barbecue, Encore’s Fiorello, Lil' Abner, and Carnegie Hall’s Louisiana Purchase.

DONNA DRAKE, Director - On Broadway, Ms. Drake has directed Nothing Like a Dame 2004 and the Romance in the Dark concert starring Jennifer Holiday.  Off-Broadway her work includes Boobs - the Musical, Splendora, Christmas with the Crawfords, Judy Garland and Uninvited Company currently running at Helen's Cabaret, Are you there God, It’s Me, Ann-Margret, Downhearted Blues, Strictly Personal and Africa Plumbridge.  She is currently working on a new play with Edward Swift for the 2004-2005 season called Are You Wearing Your Hat.  National Company work includes The Who’s Tommy, Smokey Joes Café, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Children of Eden, Sweet Charity, Damn Yankees, Chess, Company, Lucky Guy and Honk!  She served as Artistic Director for the Illyria Theatre Company in New York City for several years.  Her work has earned an Emmy Nomination, a Drama Desk Nomination, a 2003 MAC & Bistro Awards nomination, and a Theatre World Award.  Her Broadway credits as a performer include A Chorus Line (Original Production), Sophisticated Ladies, Woman of the Year, The Wind in the Willows, 5,6,7,8…. Dance, and the original production of 1940’s Radio Hour.  "With loving gratitude to her family."

ED GOLDSCHNEIDER, Musical Director - recently conducted the entire Broadway and Off-Broadway run of Urinetown - the Musical starring a young(er) Rick Crom.  Other New York credits include You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Fantastics, Chicago City Limits.  Work on National Tours include productions of Rent, Fame and West Side Story. He has worked on numerous productions at Paper Mill Playhouse, Allenberry Playhouse, Cumberland County Playhouse, the Jenny Wiley Theatre and others.

PETER P. ALLBURN, Scenic Designer - With over 35 years in the entertainment industry and well over 500 international productions to his name, Mr. Allburn has recently created work on Broadway for productions of Chicago, Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, Gypsy, and The King & I.  Film and television credits include work on Maid in Manhattan, Mona Lisa Eyes and the current release A Home at the End of the World.  As well as teaching design and directing, Peter also has created some of the most well recognized magic-illusions in the world. ("I could tell you how it is done, but then I'd have to kill you," he deadpans.) His past institutional credits include Co-Founder of The Studio School of Stage Design, Resident Charge Artist at both Playwrights Horizons and Lincoln Center's Juilliard School, Founding Chairman of the Design and Production Division of the world renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Resident Designer for the Boarshead Theatre, Resident Lighting Designer for the Detroit City Dance Company and Founding Producer of The 500-seat Brick Barn Theater at the age of 15. Peter has been fortunate enough to study with the likes of Sister Helen Terrese (at age 4) and more recently Lester Polakov, Bella Lewiztsky and Uta Hagen. Peter has served twice as Chair for the United Scenic Artists Exam Committee. "With thanks to Mom & Dad."

DAVID KALEY, Costume Designer - is the Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor for TheatreworksUSA.  He is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Recent projects include Landscape of the Body (Terry Schreiber Studio), Henry V (Fifth Street Theatre), An Ideal Husband (NYU), and The Elan Awards.

JASON P. HAYES, Wig & Makeup Designer - You can find  Jason Hayes creating his hair and makeup magic just about everywhere.  His work is seen by millions of people every day in such varied places as billboards in Times Square, on the stage at Hairspray and Chicago and in magazines such as Vibe, Bridal Guide, American Salon and Blender. Most recently, Jason has been able to carry his talent from print to the silver screen. His latest projects include the recently released motion pictures Camp, Party Monster and the soon to be released film P.S.  Jason has also just finished shooting a new film entitled Shall Not Want with Maggie Gyllenhaal. He has worked with a number of prominent entertainment professionals including Laura Linney, Marcia Gay Harden, Gabriel Byrne, Topher Grace, Macauley Culkin, Seth Green, Chloë Sevigny, Chita Rivera, Dylan McDermott, Mary Stuart-Masterson, Jane Krakowski, Katie Couric & The B52’s. Theatrical engagements include current work on design of the 2004-2005 season of The American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA, Maine State Music Theater's production of La Cage Aux Folles,  Playwright's Horizons production of People Be Heard, A.R.T's production of The Mizer, and Debbie Does Dallas for the Jane Street Theatre as well as national tours of Smokey Joe's Café and Grease. In five short years, Jason’s endless dedication to the pursuit of perfection through practice has gained him a reputation for unusual talent and professionalism.

MARK HARBORTH, Stage Manager - is delighted to join this truly amazing cast of NEWSical. For the past nine seasons, Mark has been the Production Stage Manager at Seaside Music Theatre in Florida tackling such productions as Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Ragtime, Miss Saigon, Jekyll & Hyde and Children of Eden. As a director, Mark has worked both regionally (Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, High Spirits, Forever Plaid) and in NYC (Chess, Noises Off, Angels in America, Animal Fair, Sweeney Todd). Mark is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and Actors Equity.

GARY A. MAFFEI, Associate Producer - Executive Producer for The Incredible Journey of Mark Schoenfeld (Documentary), Town & Gown (Cablevision series). Producer /writer/principal for various PSAs and short films. Associate Producer for Brooklyn the Musical and consultant to 2004 Music Theatre Festival/NYC Gala. A leader in the non-profit world for 30 years, he holds a Masters degree and is currently Executive Director of QSAC, an agency that serves people with Autism. He has been an author and editor for government publications, a Mayoral appointee to two city-wide councils, a College instructor, a delegate to a Judicial Nominating Convention, a member of a NYC Community Board, President of several area political clubs and on non-profit Boards of Directors. Gary resides in Astoria, NY and Asbury Park, NJ with his partner, Charlie Coe Maffei.

JACKI BARLIA-FLORIN, Associate Producer - Jacki’s career in theater began as a child actor with the Actor’s Showcase in Manhattan. She attended Emerson College in Boston where she studied theater production, and was a founding member of the Animation Society. Jacki worked at WBZ TV in Boston, on the TV show People Are Talking. She was the Associate Producer for Alan Abel’s A Jester at Large in New York City. Jacki is currently on the Board of Directors of the Flea Theater. Jacki wishes to thank her business partner Phyllis, at Davelle LLC, and thanks her husband Joel, and children, David & Michelle for all of their love and support.

FRED M. CARUSO, Producer/General Manager - Fred has been working professionally in the theatre for twenty-four years and remarkably he’s still only twenty-two years old. As an actor, he’s worked all over the country in Big River, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Oliver, Shenandoah, Childs Play, Dark at the Top of the Stairs among others. He has also been in numerous commercials, voice overs and industrials. He recently produced Rick Crom’s revue What in the World, at the John Houseman Studio Theatre. He began producing when he was fourteen, and at sixteen he opened an Equity Theatre in Hollywood, Florida. Some of the shows he has produced are Broadway Babies, Cole!, The Belle of Amherst, and All Aboard For Broadway. He has written the book, lyrics and score for a show he produced and starred in Off-Broadway, Bitter and Jaded at 25. In his spare time, he is writing other musicals as well. He is a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute.

MARGOLIS-SEAY CASTING, Casting - is casting directors Jamibeth Margolis, CSA and Gayle Holsman Seay.  Together they have cast musicals and plays for a number of prestigious regional theaters including Stages St. Louis, The Arvada Center, and Actors Theatre of Phoenix. They have cast for Jean Ann Ryan Productions' Miss Saigon at the Göteborgs Operan in Sweden, Mossadegh at the Fringe Festival and the new musical Two Cities, that premiered this summer in Connecticut. They were also the casting directors for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, working on many new shows including Caligula, Far From the Maddening Crowd and The Blue Flower.  In the television and film world they have worked on the indie movie Kosmos, found the Goodtimes TV Chef and will be working on the upcoming indie film The Immaculate Misconception.  Previously, Jamibeth worked for eight years as a casting director for Johnson-Liff Casting Associates and Cameron Mackintosh, Inc., and Gayle was a freelance casting director for six years with several prominent New York City offices.

DARREN M. MELCHIORRE, Graphic Designer - Darren has worked in theater arts for over 10 years as a scenic designer, dancer and now graphic artist.  A graduate of Muhlenberg College, he has designed numerous sets for productions including Annie, Trifles, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and has danced in many regional productions including Cabaret, My Fair Lady and A Chorus Line.  With a desire to create an energy for graphic design, Darren created EVOKE DESIGNS in the fall of 2003, which is dedicated to pushing the boundaries and style of graphic design for downtown arts and the Off-Broadway community. Darren is a recent graduate from Parsons School of Design with a certificate in graphic design and currently works for SpotCo advertising.

HHC MARKETING, Marketing - Current: Dame Edna Back With A Vengeance, Democracy, The Pillowman, Monty Python's Spamalot, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Here Lies Jenny, Slava's Snow Show, NEWSical, Fascinating Aida in Absolutely Fascinating, NYC Musical Theatre Festival, Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, and Cornered and Alone.  HHC Marketing also proudly runs BroadwayInsider.com, HotNYCDeals.com and TheMenEvent.com.