UPSIDE DOWN

A New Musical Comedy

According to a recent Gallup poll, 92.4 percent of the U.S population identifies as straight while the rest considers themselves as part of the LGBTIQA+ community. Turn that number around, and you have the world of Upside Down. It's a world where straights are in the minority, women rule the military, and the Jets constantly win the Super Bowl.

UPSIDE DOWN TICKETS

UPSIDE DOWN PROGRAM

Meet the Team

Music / Composer

Al Tapper

Al Tapper wears many hats. Besides being Producer of AMT, he considers himself a renaissance man whose various careers as a Broadway composer, lyricist, playwright, humorist, baseball maven, leveraged buyout specialist and philanthropist have woven a rich tapestry of distinction and success. He recently won a prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting for his exuberant 2013 documentary Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy; this follows his acclaimed 2004 film “Broadway: The Golden Age”. He has written songs and lyrics for numerous musicals, including Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle, From Where I Stand, National Pastime, All Aboard, The Paparazzi, David and more. He is co-author of two joke books — A Minister, a Priest, and a Rabbi and A Guy Goes into a Bar – and is a notable collector of baseball memorabilia. His musical National Pastime has played in Cooperstown and his latest documentary on the great hitter Ted Williams is available online.

Book

Tony Sportiello

Tony Sportiello is the Artistic Director of AMT Theater Productions, winner of the 2024 Best Venue Award by West 42nd Street Online. Created in 2021, AMT has already produced several musicals, including An Unbalanced Mind, On The Right Track, Bettinger's Luggage, and David the Musical. The highly acclaimed Youth Theater Department has presented Shrek, Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Jr., The Addams Family, Jr., The Prom, Jr. and most recently, "Something Rotten, Jr. This past February AMT partnered with The Abingdon Theatre Company to present Raise The Page, Uplift the Word spotlighting stories written by people of color. Tony is also the author of several plays and musicals, including National Pastime, LOL, On The Right Track, Second Chance, Zoom In and more. His shows have been produced throughout the country and throughout the world, including New York, Washington, D.C., Mexico, England, Finland, China and Russia. His plays Contract Time and National Pastime are included in the Literary section of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Director / Choreographer

Taavon Gamble

Taavon Gamble (Director/Choreographer) Off-Broadway: Choreographer, Pericles, Classic Stage/Fiasco Theater. Direction/Choreography: La Cage aux Folles, Trinity Rep; Boulevard of Bold Dreams (East Coast Premiere), Greater Boston Stage Company; The Little Mermaid, Reagle Music Theatre; Ain’t Misbehavin’, Peach State Summer Theatre; Pippin, Jean’s Playhouse; Seussical, Pittsburgh Playhouse; A Chorus Line, All Shook Up, The Addams Family, Arundel Barn Playhouse. Choreography: The Prom (Elliot Norton- Best Choreography nomination), A Strange Loop, Speakeasy Stage; A Christmas Carol (2019, 2021, 2024), Trinity Rep; The Color Purple (NY regional premiere), Hair, White Plains Performing Arts Center; Legally Blonde, Moonbox Productions; Alice By Heart, Something Rotten!, Boston Conservatory; Emma, Actors’ Shakespeare Project; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Gamm Theatre; Airness, University of California Santa Barbara; Kiss of the Spider Woman, Brown University; West Side Story, Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Guys and Dolls, The Wedding Singer, High School Musical, Bigfork Summer Playhouse. Taavon is a resident artist at Trinity Repertory Theatre Company in Providence, RI and recipient of the Richard Kavanaugh Memorial Fellowship. SDC member. Infinite thanks to my parents for their support, to M & R, and endless love to William. www.taavongamble.com @taavongamble

Musical Director

David Wolfson

David Wolfson has worked as music director, composer, orchestrator, arranger, pianist, copyist or synthesizer programmer for performances in venues ranging from Broadway theatres to elementary school cafetoriums. He has served as music director and/or arranger for numerous regional and Off-Broadway productions, including Al Tapper and Tony Sportiello's All Aboard! and National Pastime, and has played in the pits of over twenty-five Broadway shows, including all three productions of Les Miserables. He holds a PhD in music composition from Rutgers University, and is the composer of Fortune’s Children, the world’s first Zoom opera. To hear David’s original music, please visit www.davidwolfsonmusic.net.

Assistant Director

Maria Noriko Cabral

MARIA NORIKO CABRAL is thrilled to be making her Off-Broadway debut and joining team Upside Down as the Assistant Director! She has choreographed Gothic Halloween and Miscast Cabaret ‘24 with MilkyWay Theatre Company as well as the Golden Oldies Cabaret with The Nameless Theatre Company at Green Room 42. She also became a Gamm Fellow for Emerging Artists of Color at The Gamm Theater for their inaugural year (‘21-’22), where she was the Assistant to the Director for Ironbound. Maria was also the 2020 recipient of the Kennedy Center ACTF ASPIRE/LORT Leadership Award, as well as becoming a 2021 KCACTF ASPIRE National Fellow. She would like to thank Taavon for this incredible opportunity and her parents and friends for their endless support and love. @marianoriko_

Casting Director

Lara Hayhurst

Lara is happy to be back with the AMT family, where she previously cast last year's production of David. Other Off-Broadway: Love In Idleness. National Tour: Noel: The Musical. Selected Regional: Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Great Lakes Center for the Performing Arts, The Rev, Wellfleet Harbor, Skyline Theater. Thanks to Tony, Al, Taavon, and this amazing cast and team. Here's to making good art with good people. More at larahayhurst.com and @larahayhurst.

Set Designer

William Olson

William Olson designed the scenery for AMT’s production of “Bettinger’s Luggage”, and is pleased to return for this exciting new musical. Bill has been very fortunate to have spent over forty years in the theatre. He’s been a designer, director and performer as well as an Equity PSM for a LORT theatre in Florida. Many thanks to John for his unending support.

Costume Designer

Gina Ruiz

Gina Ruiz (Costume Designer) Gina has worked on internationally-acclaimed films that have been featured at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and Toronto International Film Festivals. Her recent collaborations include Oscar winner Djimon Housou, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedwick. She is a member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829 IATSE and the Hollywood Costume Designers Guild, Local 892 IATSE. Theater work holds a special place in her heart as the audience plays such a vital role in the overall collaborative experience.

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Lighting Designer

Aiden Bezark

Aiden is a New York City-based lighting designer who specializes in musical theatre and other live performances, and particularly enjoys working on new theatre through all stages of development. Aiden’s recent credits include HONORING STEPHEN FLAHERTY at Carnegie Hall, the premiere production of The Witness Room at the AMT Theater, the premiere production of WALKING WITH BUBBLES at the AMT Theater, A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS at the AMT Theater, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, NEWSICAL at the AMT Theater. aidenbezark.design - @aidenbezark

Sound Designer

Ryan Marsh

Ryan Marsh he/him is a sound and lighting designer who’s work spans across theater, concerts, opera, and dance. Originally from San Diego, his designs have been seen on both coasts and internationally. Some favorite designs include: On The Right Track, Bettinger’s Luggage (AMT Theater, Off-Broadway), Peter Pan (McCoy Rigby Entertainment); Tootsie, Escape to Margaritaville, 42nd Street, Cinderella, Into The Woods: In Concert (Moonlight Stage Productions); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Cloud 9, Bus Riley’s Back In Town (NYU). Ryan received B.A. in Lighting and Sound Design from UCLA and a MFA in Lighting Design from NYU.

Prop Designer

Hannah Polaski

Hannah Polaski (they/any) is thrilled to be back at AMT for their Off-Broadway debut! Previously unseen wearing many hats, such as Technical Director at LAGCC and a member of Deck Crew for Fabulation at The Billie Holiday Theatre, Hannah would like to thank the crew at AMT - especially Tamara - for their patience and guidance through the process. Raise the flag and on with the show!

Production Stage Manager

Natalie Jones

Natalie Jones is a multihyphenate theatre artist based in NYC. Previous stage management credits include: Canned Goods (world premiere – American Theater Group), A Little Night Music (directed by Hunter Foster and starring two-time Tony nominee Kate Baldwin), Entertaining Mr. Sloane (Annabel Capper Presents…), Wine in the Wilderness (Two River Theater), Sistas the Musical (Off-Broadway), Marguerite (starring Tony winner Cady Huffman), In The Bleak Midwinter (produced, written by, and starring Emmy winner Dorothy Lyman), Elvira: The Immigration Play (Chicago’s Collaboraction Theater), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story(Suffolk Theater), and Ebenezer (Resorts Casino), among others. In addition to her stage management work, Natalie is a Kennedy Center-recognized performer and director as well as an accomplished teaching artist and dialect coach (www.nataliejdialects.com). Thanks to her brilliant ASM, Kyle, her beloved friends, and her biggest cheerleaders: Mom, Dad, Zach, and Hannah. Ephesians 6:7.

Assistant Stage Manager

Kyle Binkley

KYLE BINKLEY is thrilled to be back Off-Broadway working on Upside Down at AMT Theater. Kyle is an alumnus of Arcadia University, where he earned a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to stage management, he can also regularly be found performing onstage, building sets, and working in various other technical areas of theatre. Select ASM credits: Macbeth (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ); A Little Night Music (American Theater Group); Parade (American Theater Group); In the Heights (Music Mountain Theatre). Select PSM credits: The Goodbye Girl (The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Co. [Off-Broadway]); Million Dollar Quartet (Axelrod Performing Arts Center); Into the Woods (Music Mountain Theatre); The Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience Tour. Many thanks to Natalie and Taavon for the opportunity to work on this production. IG: kyle_binkley

Fight Director

Hannah “Rock’’ Roccisano

HANNAH “Rock” ROCCISANO (she/they) is a New York City/Connecticut based fight director. Off-Broadway fight direction: Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Perelman Performing Arts Center), Wolf Play (MCC and Soho Rep.), A Bright New Boise (Signature Theatre), and Montag (Soho Rep). Regional: Murder on the Orient Express (Syracuse Stage), Spring Awakening (EPIC Players), As You Like It (Starling Shakespeare). Rock is currently serving as the resident fight and intimacy director for The Hartt School’s theatre season. Hannah founded Expand, Educate, Empower, a national initiative bringing free stage combat training to students in underserved communities.

Intimacy Director

Shira Helena Gitlin

SHIRA HELENA GITLIN (they/them) is a trans nonbinary director, gender consultant, intimacy director, dramaturg, and musical theatre enthusiast. As an artist, their primary focus is uplifting queer and trans stories while centering agency, authenticity, and accessibility. Select intimacy directing credits include: Spring Awakening (Lawrence Academy), The Cake (Walpole Footlighters), Pippin, Argonautika, Noises Off! (Brandeis University), The Interrobangers (Company One), Legally Blonde (Moonbox Productions), The Rocky Horror Show (Central Square Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare & Co). Shira has trained with both Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) and Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC). For more information, please visit shirahelenagitlin.com.

Fight Director Assistant

Skye Bronfenbrener

Skye Bronfenbrenner (she/her) is a fight and intimacy director currently serving as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts specializing in Movement and Theatrical Intimacy Education at Marymount Manhattan College. She holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of Houston and ss a fight and intimacy director her work has been seen at the Houston Grand Opera, Catastrophic Theatre, Rec Room Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, the University of Houston, and Rice University. As a performer she has toured with the national tours of Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, and the international tour of Shrek the Musical.

Wardrobe Supervisor

Adrian Mellowes

Adrian "Ria" Mellowes has loved the backstage technical theatre world since they were young, and is incredibly grateful to be the wardrobe supervisor for this production. They are an alumni of the Roundabout Theatrical Workforce Development Program, and has worked in several theaters across the city and Upstate NY. *Follow my instagram! @pomegrianate*

Wardrobe Assistant

Lucy Pizzicarola

Lucy Pizzicarola (she/her) is an assistant wardrobe supervisor who is excited to work at AMT Theatre for the first time. As a recent graduate of SUNY Fredonia she has previous credits at The Contemporary American Theatre Festival, The Glimmerglass Fester, and The Juilliard School. She is very excited to work with the cast and crew, and can not wait to see where theatre takes her.

Press Representative

Jay Michaels

Jay Michaels Global Communications represents a vast array of independent international talent and their projects. Through a diverse internal multi-media platform, JMGC supplies coverage to hundreds of emerging artists and their productions while growing its external network of promotional sites and groups as well as producing events for the purpose of promotion and marketing to industry and generalized audiences. Michaels himself is a 30-year veteran of Broadway/Off-Broadway, film/TV, has credits including special events assistant for the Daily News and Joyce Theater’s American Theater series (Drama Desk Award-winner); national tour manager for Cats, Edwin Drood, and Les Miserables; a TV-Media buying associate; senior marketing executive for international events; speechwriter for the Weissler, Nederlander, and Shubert organizations, James Earl Jones, Jon Stewart, Vera Wang, Mayors Lindsay and Dinkins; and Hillary Clinton to name a few. Michaels managed promotional events for Broadway’s Guys & Dolls (1992), Damn Yankees (1994), Vagina Monologues (2005), Beginnings (2018), Audra McDonald at Broadway’s Town Hall (2019) as well as some of the most visible and acclaimed Off-Broadway productions, festivals, and companies.

Costume Designer Assistant

Zoë Reeve

Zoë Reeve is a multi-disciplinary artist focusing on the body’s interpretation of history and health in relation to sites. She is influenced by her global south upbringing, learning and performing Korean traditional dance under master teacher Jeong Ju Mi, and dis-ease in her body. Her themes include heritage, women’s health and notions of belonging. Zoë is trained in ballet, physical theater, Korean Traditional dance, and museum exhibition design. She has a BA in Drama and an MA in Choreography. While completing her MA she choreographed/produced/performed in the critically acclaimed Outside & Beside Herself at the South African National Arts Festival based on the works of Virginia Woolf. Zoë has performed in South Africa, South Korea, England and the USA as a dancer and physical theater performer, she has also taught drama in all four countries.

The Cast

JACK

MIKE FERLITA

MIKE FERLITA Off-Broadway, Straight Forward (Mike), Original E.P. Recording. Touring, RENT 25th Anniversary Tour (Gordon). Regional, A Bronx Tale (Calogero) directed by Richard H. Blake. Television, PBS' Broadway or Bust. Mike is a member of the international mash-up group The Company Men, a Rutgers University graduate, and Eagle Scout. Thank you to the entire cast and creative team, his family and Allie!

TAMMY

BROGAN NELSON

BROGAN NELSON’s Off-Broadway debut! Brogan is a recent graduate of The Boston Conservatory where she performed in City of Angels (Oolie/Donna), As You Like It (Ensemble), and And Then There Were None (Mrs. Rogers). Her recent professional productions include Laughs in Spanish (Jenny), The Prom! (Ensemble/Emma US), Escape to Margaritaville (Rachel), The SpongeBob Musical (SpongeBob), Evil Dead (Cheryl), and Peter Pan (Tootles). Brogan would like to thank her mom and brother for the endless support, and would like to dedicate this performance to her dad and to Mr. (Paul) Aikins, who watch over and guide her every day. ig: brogan.nelson

ROBERT LYONS

MATTHEW LIU

MATTHEW LIU AMT Theater debut! Recent acting: Song Liling in M. Butterfly (Woodstock Playhouse), Bandleader Wallace Hartley and Third Officer Pitman in Titanic (Fireside Theatre), The Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof (Fireside Theatre), Nightclub Cantata (the cell theatre), Stephen Sondheim’s You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (Theater 2020). Music Directing: Nederlander Worldwide, Off-Broadway and Regional. Training: The Juilliard School. So much love to all family, friends and mentors – couldn’t have done it without you! youtube.com/c/MatthewLiu Insta/TikTok: @mattliuthings

MAGGIE

GINA MILO

GINA MILO is thrilled to be making her AMT debut! Broadway/Tours: Les Miserables, Annie and Best Little Whorehouse. Regional: Most recently.. Bonnie and Clyde (Blanche) at Pioneer Theatre, Shear Madness (Barbara) at FST; Kinky Boots (Nicola) at PCLO; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Muriel) at the Engeman; Spitfire Grill (Shelby) at the Vanguard; Golden Rainbow (Monique) and Subways are for Sleeping (Martha) at the York Theatre; Gentleman's Guide (Sibella) and Mamma Mia (Tanya) , Jersey Biys (Mary) and many others at the SCA, Little Shop... (Audrey) at PCS and Cincinnati Playhouse; The Producers (Ulla) at the Argyle Theatre; White Christmas (Betty), Xanadu (Kira) and Spamalot (Lady of the Lake) at Drury Lane… just to name a few. Enormous gratitude to her amazingly supportive husband, Ken and her beautiful daughter, Olivia. Instagram: @ginadmilo Website: ginamilo.com

ROBIN

KELLI MAGUIRE

KELLI MAGUIRE is thrilled to be back on Off Broadway! Her last endeavor was NATIONAL PASTIME at the Peter Jay Sharp at Playwrights Horizons. Among her favorite roles are Bernadette in POTUS, Sally Bowels in CABARET and Ilona in SHE LOVES ME. Kelli is currently working on a one woman show based on her growing up in a Carnival. She wants to thank all her friends at AMT and would like to dedicate her performance to her greatest accomplishment yet - son, Tobias.

PRESIDENT GRANT / JANE TANNENBAUM

ASHANTI J'ARIA

Ashanti J’Aria: AMT Debut! Broadway; ‘Saturday night fever’, First National Broadway Tour of ‘The Prom'. Originating “the old woman” in Stephen Schwartz’s musical ‘The Secret Silk’ directed by John Tartaglia for Princess cruises. Off Broadway; ‘Disaster’, Tony Award winner Andy Sandberg's 'The Last Smoker In America’ , The Mikado, Chicken and Biscuits (pre-Broadway). Regional productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Beehive,Caroline Or Change, Ain't Misbehavin with Richard Maltby Jr, and then under the Guidance of Ken Page. She is regularly seen as the Broadway Guest Artist for Disney as Ursula in 'The Little Mermaid' on the Disney Wish. That production has the distinction of living in the stateroom video library content. Support vocals to Grammy award winning artists including Gloria Gaynor, Ronnie Spector, Herb Reed’s Platters, and Lea Delaria. Tv/film work includes feature film; Maya and Her Lover (Allblk network) Associate Producer, Title character and co-writer/co-producer/recording artist for the song “you get to choose” on film soundtrack with Nile Rodger’s Engineer/MD, Russell Graham. Short films; Vial, There For You, Echos In Silence. Tv credits; Law & Order (NBC The OG) FBI’s most wanted (CBS) Katy Keene (CW) BULL (CBS) Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) Next up: the role of Becky in 'Waitress' at the ArtsClub Theatre in Vancouver! Reps ATB www.instagram.com/ashantijaria Steve Martin “you’re funny”.

GENERAL HOWE / ENSEMBLE

KIRA SARAI HELPER

KIRA SARAI HELPER (she/her) is an actor, playwright, songwriter and board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) hailing proudly from The Bronx, NY. She holds an MFA in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She is ecstatic to be making her Off-Broadway debut with the Upside Down team. Kira is currently composing music for a new musical set to premiere at Zeider’s American Dream Theatre in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026. Favorite past credits include: Sister Act The Musical, South Korea Tour (Deloris); WILD: A Musical Becoming (Idina Menzel Standby/ Swing) and Macbeth in Stride (Witch) for the American Repertory Theater; #MATTER (Kim) for Barrington Stage Company; and Once On This Island (Beaxhomme/ Storyteller) for Speakeasy Stage Co. Commercials: Shark Tank x Behave Bras; The Power of Women, Healthworks Fitness; The Table is Set, Primark and the Boston Globe.

LOU SMALLS / ENSEMBLE

JOSH POWELL

JOSH POWELL is thrilled to make his AMT debut! Last season he appeared in White Christmas (Music Theatre of CT), Mystic Pizza (Ivoryton), Grumpy Old Men (Seven Angels), and A Little Night Music (Theater 2020). He’s also appeared with Goodspeed (City of Angels), Penguin Rep (Art, Syncopation, and Joseph Andrews), REV (9 to 5), as well as in On Golden Pond with James Naughton and A Christmas Carol with Kathleen Turner. He’s performed lead roles with many opera companies including Utah Festival, El Paso, Light Opera OK, Connecticut Lyric, and Townsend. Josh is the recipient of both the San Francisco Critics Circle Award and Dramalogue Award. @JustJoshPowell

PASTOR JAKE / ENSEMBLE

JAKE FOSTER

JAKE FOSTER's Off-Broadway debut! Jake is a graduate of Pace University's BFA Musical Theater Program, a former Flynn Rider of Disney Cruise Theatrical, and creator of his multimillion-view online persona JC Foster. Jake would like to thank his parents, Scott and Paula.

EUGENE / ENSEMBLE

PATRICK BRADY

PATRICK BRADY is thrilled to join the company of Upside Down! He is a Brooklyn-based actor, singer, and director. New York selected credits: Lucky Stiff (J2 Spotlight); Pre-Omega Point (Bedlam); Thrill Me (Little Red Light); Underground (NYMF); Bulldozer (The Triad). Tour: Curious George (national tour); featured soloist with Disney on Classic (Japan and Taiwan tours). Regional: Sense and Sensibility (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket); Curious George (North Shore Music Theatre); Cox and Box (Theatre at Monmouth); Les Miserables, All Shook Up (Cortland Rep); Twelfth Night (Camden Shakespeare). Patrick earned a B.A. in Drama from Vassar College. Proud AEA member. patricknbrady.com @patricknbrady

ROSS / ENSEMBLE

NOAH RUEBECK

Noah Ruebeck is as happy as a clam to be joining the cast of Upside Down. His New York credits include The Lieutenant at The York, Liz Swados' Nightclub Cantata, and The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience. Regionally, he has performed at the Goodspeed Opera House, Ogunquit Playhouse, Northern Stage, the John W. Engeman Theatre, and many more! Couldn’t be doing it without Mom, Dad, and Wolfie, as well as all the teachers along the way.

RACHEL / ENSEMBLE

LAUREN GEMELLI

LAUREN GEMELLI NYC: City Opera’s CANDIDE, directed by Hal Prince. Tours: CHICAGO: THE MUSICAL, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Regional: Arena Stage, Trinity Rep, Central City Opera, Pittsburg CLO, Lyric Stage, Theatre by the Sea, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston. Film/TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Training: Boston Ballet, Manhattanville DTH, Verdon/Fosse Legacy. Reps: ATB. IG: @lalagem. This is Lauren’s Off-Broadway debut.

ENSEMBLE

BERNIE BALDASSARO

BERNIE BALDASSARO - Off Broadway debut! National tours: The Book of Mormon, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Elf the Musical. Other favorite credits include Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile:The Musical (Developmental Workshop/Atlantic Theatre Co.), Disney's Freaky Friday (North Shore Music Theatre), and The Music Man (Reagle Music Theatre). Proud alum of Ithaca College - BFA Musical Theatre. Insta: @bern_babie_bern

ENSEMBLE / DANCE CAPTAIN

STEPHANIE MALONEY

STEPHANIE MALONEY Off-Broadway Debut! National & International companies of Broadway’s Chicago, The Wick Theatre (Carbonell Nominee for Fanny Brice in Funny Girl) Other favorite regional theatres include Sacramento Music Circus, Maine State Music Theatre, The Fulton, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public, Pioneer Theatre, Arc Stages, Farmers Alley, & soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Lotte Lenya Competition semi-finalist. TV: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. UMich Alum. Thanks to my GAN and as always for my boys www.stephaniemaloney.com

The Musicians

Drums

Greg Landes

Gregory Landes – Percussionist, Drummer, Educator, Composer, Arranger. Gregory is always grateful to be able to collaborate with the amazing team at AMT. For the past 30+ years Gregory has performed as a drummer or percussionist for over 50 Broadway and Off- Broadway productions, working with such theatre icons as Stephen Sondheim, Susan Stroman, Julie Andrews, and John Kander. Gregory also works extensively in the classical and chamber music field and is a passionate teacher and mentor. Fulfilling another love in his life, animals, Gregory is pursuing his Associate of Science degree as a veterinary technician and works full time in an ER at a major NJ animal hospital.

Bass

Ken Rizzo

Ken Rizzo (Bass) A veteran of musical theater, Ken is delighted to once again be playing the music of Al Tapper. Previous collaborations include National Pastime, On The Right Track, An Unbalanced Mind, & David. He has also been an orchestra member for many hit Broadway shows including: Smokey Joe's Cafe, Memphis,Young Frankenstein, The Producers, and many others. One of those others was Jersey Boys, for which he played during the entire 16-year Broadway/Off-Broadway run. Ken has BS and MA degrees in music from CUNY. He thanks his wife Laura and Daughter Elena for their love and support.

Guitar

Dan Hartington

Dan Hartington’s New York City credits include The Notebook, The Outsiders, Suffs, A Beautiful Noise, Camelot, Beetlejuice, and others, as well as a number of Off-Broadway productions and regional theater productions across New England. He has performed with Broadway artists such as Will Swenson, Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, Chicago), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots), Analise Scarpaci (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda), and Nick Fradiani (American Idol, A Beautiful Noise) at NYC venues including The Town Hall, Cafe Carlyle, 54 Below, Joe’s Pub, The Mercury Lounge, and others. In addition to performing, he is Professor of Commercial Guitar at The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford.

Piano

David Wolfson

Reeds; clarinet, flute, piccolo, tenor sax

Eric Lampmann

Stay tuned!

PRESS

UPSIDE DOWN A STRAIGHT UP MUSICAL SATIRE

I admire AMT Theater for two key reasons: its dedication to developing new works—particularly musicals, which I’ve witnessed in the past—and its commitment to showcasing up-and-coming talent, often granting well-deserved Off-Broadway debuts.

Jim Catapano reviews the creation & connection in AMT’s Upside Down

It’s another day in our matriarchal society. The legendary New York Jets are working towards their seventh Super Bowl win. Teachers are the heroes, and command the salary they deserve.

Upside Down Sets Off-Broadway Run at AMT Theater

The new comedy features music and lyrics by Al Tapper, with a book by Tony Sportiello.

AMT Theater to Debut New Musical
Comedy Upside Down in March 2025
The Award-Winning Off-Broadway
Theater's Upcoming Production is the
Latest Collaboration between
Peabody Award Winner, Composer and Playwright Al Tapper and Artistic Director
Tony Sportiello

Taavon Gamble-Helmed UPSIDE DOWN Will Open Off-Broadway

Taavon Gamble will direct and choreograph Upside Down, a new musical comedy, off-Broadway at AMT Theater next March. The production will run for one month, from March 5-April 5, 2025.