Rebel Playhouse is presenting the New York premiere of the musical EDNA THE STOMPER, with a book by Laura Toffenetti, and music by Janet Jungden. Directed and choreographed by Sarah Sutliff, with musical direction by Christina Bottley, EDNA THE STOMPER began performances on Saturday, October 7th, 2017 and ran through Sunday November 12th in partnership with The Tank NYC. Originally produced as a part of the 2017 Chicago Fringe Festival's Kid's Fringe, the production was recognized as the Top Selling Production in the Kid's Fringe.
In EDNA THE STOMPER, seven year old Edna stomps everywhere and stomps a lot. It is driving her very talented family crazy! EDNA THE STOMPER is a musical for all ages complete with songs, stomps, and some punny monster puppets! This heartfelt tale deals with the issues of self worth, creative expression, and finding one’s place in the family. (Recommended for ages 4 and up.)
Alaina Fragoso (Grandma) is Boston born and raised and currently living in NYC! Her favorite roles include Muffy Finkelberg in Murder at the Food Coop (NY Int’l Fringe Festival), Alyssa in No One Asked Me (NY Int'l Fringe Festival/Encores), Maria in West Side Story (Turtle Lane Playhouse), Wendla in Spring Awakening (FUDGE Theatre Company), and Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor (NextDoor Theater). Coming up: Webtales (streaming on Verizon Go90), Deadliest Decades (Investigation Discovery). Alaina is a graduate of Emerson College and the Atlantic Acting School evening conservatory. www.alainafragoso.com
Julia Karis (Edna) is a New York City based actor. She is thrilled to be playing Edna in Rebel Playhouse’s production of Edna the Stomper! Some of her favorite credits include Lucy in The Three Penny Opera, Diwata in Speech and Debate, and Marcy in Dog Sees God. She is a proud graduate of Wagner College.
Clara Kundin (Mom) Clara Kundin is an actor, singer, and teaching artist based in NYC. She received her B.A. in theater from St. Olaf College and continued her studies in physical theater at the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris. Clara is the executive director of Rebel Playhouse. She previously served as the associate education director and company member for The Ume Group and was a company member with the Galli Theater. As an actor, she has performed with Creative Time, Torn Out Theater, the GYM at Judson, the Guthrie Theater, and more. As a teaching artist she has worked with Mainstages, Woodlawn Conservancy, and Sanctuary for Families. www.clarakundin.com
Jackie Richards (Dad) Jackie loves living the life of an artist in New York. Hailing from central Ohio, she received her BA in Theatre from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. This year marks a move from Chicago; her credits there include work with Theatre Y, Provision Theater, and The Hypocrites. She has trained with Black Box Acting, Vagabond School of the Arts, and TUTA. Earlier this spring, she assisted on The Secret Theatre's KING LEAR and Target Margin Theater's MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA. Love. Peace. Joy. Thanks. John 1:5.
Jessica Rogers (Eleanor/Monster) is elated to be working with such an amazing ensemble. Originally from Northern Maine, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Music from the University of Maine. In addition, she recently completed conservatory training at the Atlantic Acting School. Previous credits include Calpurnia in Julius&Caesar and Veronica in God of Carnage. Jessica has also participated in the creation of several original works throughout New England, work that she especially enjoyed. Special thanks to Sarah and everyone at Rebel Playhouse for a wonderful creative experience. Thank you for supporting the arts!
Greer Samuels (Josh/Monster) studied theatre at The City College of New York. He is the director of Education at Rebel Playhouse, and he has worked as a teaching artist with The Boys and Girls Harbor, Ascension School, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, and Camp Half-Blood. He is a resident educator and actor with Galli Theater New York and has also performed at The Secret Theatre and Harlem Repertory Theatre. Most recently, he understudied the role of Bear in Rebel Playhouse's premiere production, Old Turtle and the Broken Truth.
Sarah Sutliff (Director/Choreographer) Sarah is a graduate of Wagner College and continued her studies at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, The Pearl Theatre Conservatory, and the Atlantic Acting School. Sarah has choreographed with Saratoga Children's Theatre for six seasons and is a resident performer and teaching artist with The Galli Theater NY, Once Upon A Time Inc., The Murder Mystery Company, and was the March 2016 featured theatre artist at the International Women’s Art Salon at Dixon Place. She currently performs in “How We GLOW,” an interview theatre piece exploring the sexual and gender identities of LGBTQ+ identified teenagers in New York City. www.sarahsutliff.com
Christina Bottley (Musical Director) is thrilled to be joining Rebel Playhouse! She is a graduate of the Atlantic Acting School, and has been performing professionally for almost 10 years. Christina has been seen performing at Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Lines, Universal Studios, NBC events at 30 Rock, showcases and workshop productions in NYC, and various major convention and corporate events. Along with her passion for performing, Christina loves to teach and inspire others when it comes to music. She has been teaching voice and piano for over 15 years, as well as audition workshops and group classes. Christina resides in New York City with her husband Franco and their furkid Bentley. www.christinabottley.com