Jungle Book Artistic Staff

Friday, July 30, 2010

SHOWS: Disney's The Jungle Book Artistic Staff

MICHAEL HAMILTON (Director)
This year marks Michael’s 22nd season as Artistic Director for STAGES. A Kirkwood native, Michael has directed and/or choreographed over 60 past STAGES productions, been honored with 6 Kevin Kline Award nominations for Best Director of a Musical, and has twice won Best Director of a Musical for STAGES’ 2005 production of FOOTLOOSE and last season’s THE FULL MONTY. He has also directed the Kevin Kline nominated TYA production FREE TO BE … YOU AND ME and saw his 2007 production of SNOOPY!!! win a Kevin Kline Award as Best Production for Young Audiences. Michael is particularly proud and grateful to be a part of the extraordinary company of dedicated artists who work here at STAGES. He sends special love and thanks to J.L., Mom, Dad, Grandma, and “the kids” for their continued emotional support. [TOP]

ELLEN ISOM (Choreographer)
Ellen is honored to work with Michael Hamilton again after serving as choreographer for STAGES’ 2007 production of SNOOPY!!! Most recently, she choreographed the dances for Webster University Conservatory’s production of THE SPITFIRE GRILL and a piece for the Dance Department’s Spring Dance Concert. Ellen is an adjunct faculty member teaching ballet, tap, and musical theatre dance at Webster University. This year she joined the Fine Arts Department at Visitation Academy where she teaches dance and choreographs. Ellen is also on faculty at STAGES Performing Arts Academy and On Your Toes Dance Studio. [TOP]

AL FISCHER (Musical Director)
Al is very happy to be back at STAGES where last year he was the Musical Director for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and CRAZY FOR YOU. He is currently the Interim Artistic Director of the Gateway Men's Chorus. Al was the Music Director for such STAGES favorites as LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, CABARET, and HELLO, DOLLY!, for which he was a Kevin Kline Award nominee. A St. Louis professional musician, he has worked around the country serving as Musical Director for such theatres as the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, the Cumberland County Playhouse, Little Theatre on the Square, Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse, the Riverside Theatre, and the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. Al would like to acknowledge Stuart Elmore for his key role in making the music beautiful at STAGES and Mac Murphy, the sound designer, for getting it out to the folks. Al also thanks Michael and Jack for their continuing invitation to be part of the STAGES family. [TOP]

JAMES WOLK (Scenic Designer)
James returns for his 2nd season with STAGES after designing the sets for last year’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Other local design credits include RICHARD III for the Shakespeare Festival of St Louis, Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS and ROMAN HOLIDAY at The Muny, AN IDEAL HUSBAND and A FLEA IN HER EAR at The Rep, and both DON PASQUALE and THE GRAND DUCHESS OF GEROLSTEIN at Opera Theatre. New York credits include BOYS’ LIFE at Lincoln Center, THE PRESIDENT AND HER MISTRESS at Abingdon Theatre, DANGEROUS CORNER directed by David Mamet, and THREE SISTERS directed by William H. Macy. International credits include FULLY COMMITTED at Vienna’s English Theater, GYPSY at Theater Magdeburg, MY FAIR LADY and WEST SIDE STORY at Staedtische Buehnen Augsburg, and FUNNY GIRL at Staatstheater am Gaertnerplatz in Munich. [TOP]

JOHN INCHIOSTRO (Costume Designer)
In his 11 seasons at STAGES, John has headed the Costume/Crafts department and served as Costume Designer for FREE TO BE … YOU AND ME, as well as the Kevin Kline Award winning Theatre for Young Audiences productions of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN and SNOOPY!!! Other theatrical experience includes countless high school, university, and community theatre productions serving as actor, costume designer, crafts artist, and director. [TOP]

MATTHEW MCCARTHY (Lighting Designer)
Matthew returns for his 17th season at STAGES. He has received three Kevin Kline Award nominations for his design work on A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and HELLO, DOLLY! Other STAGES designs include THE FULL MONTY, CRAZY FOR YOU, and CABARET. Matthew has long been affiliated with the Off-Broadway company BLUE MAN GROUP, designing for its various companies in Boston, Chicago, and New York. Opera credits include Juilliard Opera Company, Curtis Institute of Music, Connecticut Opera, Opera Columbus, The New York Philharmonic, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Matthew’s work has also been seen at New Harmony Theatre, Contemporary Stage Company, Abingdon Theatre Company, Cumberland County Playhouse, Willow Cabin Theatre Company, and through extensive tours of Poland and Brazil. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Matthew is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. [TOP]

STUART M. ELMORE (Orchestral Realization)
Stuart returns for his 20th season to STAGES where he is responsible for the electronic reproduction and orchestral realization of the music. Stuart has spent most of his professional life creating and enjoying music for the theatre and is excited to continue his relationship with STAGES. He is married to the lovely and enormously talented Michele Burdette Elmore and is the proud father of Madison Marie and Colby James. [TOP]