We are so thankful to have such a talented and fun CAST!
SHIRLEY JONES
Shirley Jones (Broadway Diva) The Shirley Jones success story was classic. Born in Pennsylvania to a beer-brewing family, Shirley outgrew her tom-boy beginnings to explore a natural vocal range that stunned everyone. Shirley was 18 and Mama suggested she sign up for the “Miss Pittsburgh” Competition. Bingo. She wins. That was 1952. But no. Shirley wants to be a veterinarian….and enrolls in a Jersey College with a one week stopover in N.Y. Doodling the city, a friend tells her about some open auditions to fill some Broadway chorus positions. So Shirley takes the fateful bus ride to the St. James Theatre where she joins the hundreds in line, singing “The Best Things In Life Are Free”…over and over…till the line whittles down to about six…and Shirley is asked to sing it one more time for Mr. Rogers & Mr. Hammerstein. Bingo. The first time the Broadway icons ever signed anyone to a personal management contract…and the rest is you-know-what. “Oklahoma” came first, then “Carousel,” “April Love,” an Oscar for “Elmer gantry,” 28 more movies, and then TV Gold as the harried head of the Partridge Family.That was close to 40 years ago and the beat goes on for Shirley Jones…movies, television sows, concerts, and national PA’s of every kind, everywhere. We are honored to have Shirley join the cast of “Waiting In The Wings: The Musical.” www.ShirleyJones.com
SALLY STRUTHERS
Sally Struthers (Sperm Bank Receptionist) is a two-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner for her performances in the ground-breaking TV series "All in the Family". Her latest two series are "Still Standing" as Loise Miller and "Gilmore Girls" as Babette Dell. Sally co-starred in two legendary motion pictures in the 70's: "Five Easy Pieces" with Jack Nicholson and "The Getaway" with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. Sally made her Broadway debut in "Wally's Cafe" in 1981, and returned four years later with a gender-bending version of "The Odd Couple" as neat-freak Florence opposite Rita Moreno. For three years she starred as Miss Mamie Lynch on Broadway and on tour in the Tommy Tune production of "Grease." In the 20th Anniversary National Tour of "Annie", Sally played the role of Miss Hannigan. Sally is getting ready to head on the road staring in the musical, "Hello, Dolly!"
LEE MERIWETHER
Lee Meriwether (Ethel) is best known as Catwoman in the original Batman movie and Betty in Barnaby Jones, where she co-starred opposite Buddy Ebsen for eight years, and was nominated for both the Golden Globe and Emmy. Lee has had starring or recurring roles in various series from Ruth on All My Children to Lily Munster on The Munsters Today. In addition, she has the distinguished honor of being the first Miss America crowned on television in 1955. www.leemeriwether.com
THE CAST
CHRISTOPHER ATKINS
Christopher Atkins (Priest) is best known for his role of Richard in the film, "The Blue Lagoon" opposite Brooke Shields and the hit TV series Dallas. He also starred in the cult classic “The Pirate Movie” and ove 50 other film and television projects. He has also written and produced films. Christopher is busy working both in front of and behind the camera with many upcoming projects.
ADAM HUSS
Adam Huss (Tony) graduated with a BA in Drama from Binghamton University in NY, studying under Julliard professor Gene Lesser. He’s had lead roles in many different TV shows and movies, including “NCIS”, “NCIS LA” “CSI:NY”, “RESURRECTION COUNTY“, “IS IT JUST ME?“, and “WANNABE”, to name a few. He recently associate produced and was the star of the feature film “FIND ME”, which debuted at the Hollywood Film Festival in 2012. His love of the theater has led him to numerous LA stages, where he has portrayed a wide array of characters in critically acclaimed productions, including the title role in the Celebration Theater‘s own “NAKED WILL: THE PORTRAIT OF MR. W.H“, as Jason in Mart Crowley’s sequel to the classic play “The Boys in the Band“, “THE MEN FROM THE BOYS”, and playing the “ID” in the original play “THE ID and BOB“ at the Lillian Theater. He is a proud member of the WILL GEER THATRICUM BOTANICUM and made his debut this summer as George Jones in “THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE” and as LORENZO in “MEASURE FOR MEASURE”. But returning to his musical theater roots in “JUSTIN LOVE” has been the highlight of the past few years for Adam. He got his start doing musicals in junior high and high school, his first big role was as Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, and having the chance to play Justin Rush in “JUSTIN LOVE” felt like a homecoming! It has opened new doors for him, and Adam is excited to see where the journey takes him!
RENA STROBER
Rena Strober (Rita) is thrilled to be joining this amazing group of artists. She is a Native New Yorker and has worked both on and Off Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in Les Miserables (Cosette) and recently toured the country with Fiddler on the Roof with Topol as his eldest daughter. Off-Broadway credits include White's Lies with Betty Buckley, Her one- woman show,Spaghetti & Matzo Balls! and numerous shows at Playwrights Horizons and The York Theater. Rena received the Outer Critics award for her role in Zhivago Directed by Des McNuff at The La Jolla Playhouse. Other N.Y. Theater Credits: Babes in Arms (Billy Smith), Beauty & The Beast (Belle) Man of La Mancha (Antonia) Rena has appeared on TV in Law & Order & KINGS and numerous commercials and web series. Rena moved to LA 2 years ago and was recently seen as Eleanor Keaton in Stoneface at Sacred Fools Theater. She has voiced dozens of Disney cartoons as well as teen audiobooks for audible.com and multiple video games. She is the current face (and boob for the Playtex Comfort strap bra. Rena has sung onstage at Lincoln Center, Town Hall and proudly on the pitchers mound for the Mets at Shea Stadium. Currently Rena is starring on stage at the Greenway Court Theater in L.A in When You're in Love the Whole World is Jewish directed by Jason Alexander. RenaStrober.com
REBEKAH KOCHAN
Rebekah Kochan (Gina) began her acting career at age 9, when she played the lead in Annie. Since then, she has stared in 15 horror films and 7 comedy movies including When a Killer Calls, Halloween Night, Pirates of Treasure Island, the Eating Out series, Dracula’s Curse, Yorktown, Finding Mr. Wright, Fishnet, and Exorcism of Gail Bowers to name a few. She was just called by IMDB one of the top 100 Scream Queens of all time. She also happens to be a rocking comedian. She and her boyfriend Dante (Last Comic Standing) travel all over the country performing to hundreds of thousands of people each year.
JEFFREY JOHNS
Jeffrey A Johns (Anthony) was obsessed with singing and dancing since he first saw Big Bird on television. It was a dream come true when he performed with Sesame Street Live in the national tour as well as in Korea and Dubai. Growing up in the New York area, nothing was more thrilling or exciting than musical theatre. He has performed with regional theatre throughout the United States. After moving to the Los Angeles area, he began working in the film and television industry with roles in the TV series Boystown, Chelesea Lately, and America’s Got Talent. He always wanted to be a cartoon, so he loved performing as Peter Pan with Disney and in the live-action animated short film, MacQuity: The Corporate Eggspert. His agent told him it was time to expand from his “wholesome roles” and take more performance risks. Less than a month later, he was cast in Naked Boys Singing and performed with the Los Angeles Cast (Naked Maid) and the Las Vegas Cast (Swing). While in Vegas, Jeffrey also worked in Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding at the Planet Hollywood as Tina’s brother, Joey. Standing only 5’3,” he was dwarfed in Vegas by all the showgirls, but his stature landed him the role of Tom Thumb in Barnum at both Saddleback Civic Light Opera in California and Surflight Theatre in New Jersey. Jeffrey can’t give enough thanks to all the people he’s had the opportunity to work with in the theatre world, as they are the inspiration to writing Waiting In The Wings: The Musical.
